Homes and Gardens

From the latest lawn mower to hedge trimmer to that great new way to BBQ, or inside that wizzy vacuum, cool fridge. A big topic this one, with new gadgets appearing daily! Come and read other members experiences or opinions, or share your own with the rest of the community.

Bosch & Siemens

Published in Homes and Gardens by mfereday on 8 Sep 2012
Washing machines, fridge/freezers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners and steam irons were just some of the products on the agenda as I embarked on a trip to the IFA show in Berlin.
A small unit that can be left to record movement and also record sound. It sounds like a James Bond type device. Well now it is available at a price that can tell you who came to your door while you were out or even while you slept.
First a rucksack that charges items while on the move, second a four gang surge strip that also allows you to charge USB devices. The first uses light to charge the second normal mains power but protects your items from surges.
Not everyone has a workbench -- and even those who do, will often find that having a portable one is a great convenience. The Bosch PWB600 portable work bench is a solidly build unit that is both easy to erect and to fold up again for easy transport and storage.

662761 Orchestra desk lighLED Reading Lights

Published in Homes and Gardens by paul_smart on 24 June 2012
A recent trip to the London Book Fair was to see the launch of a new book reader. However when walking round waiting for that presentation I found a very interesting stand with a number of gadgets to aid book reading.

662757 Bosch PTK 3.6 LI Lithium Ion Cordless stapleBosch PTK 3,6LI

Published in Homes and Gardens by paul_smart on 17 June 2012
I have come across some non descriptive names before but the one above tells me only one thing, it’s from Bosch. It is a tool for tacking things to things most normally a fabric, plastic or paper to a solid surface such as wood.
I suppose you could call this next product, a multi-function device as it will wake you up and charge up to two other devices.

661971 Bosch Quigo Self Levelling Cross Line Laser LeveHelp with DIY

Published in Homes and Gardens by paul_smart on 14 May 2012
Two tools for different jobs that can help you do them without disasters. The first locates those hidden things in walls like pipes and cables so you don’t screw or drill into them. The second allows you to get a straight line to work from.

661970 RAC Personal Hazard LighPersonal Lights

Published in Homes and Gardens by paul_smart on 13 May 2012
The first backed by the RAC gives a variety of ways for people to know you are there as a motorist, cyclist or pedestrian. The second from the USB kings in Hong Kong Brando that can sit on your desk or childs bed table to give that beam of light.
With care and a decent recipe anyone can make acceptable bread, the trick with a Breadmaker is that it can work while you sleep – rather like a baker – so you can wake to the smell of fresh baked bread for breakfast.

659891 Tefal QB400DA4 Kitchen Machine Jug BlendeTefal Kitchen Machine

Published in Homes and Gardens by paul_smart on 2 Apr 2012
The first such device I remember using was a Sunbeam Mixmaster and that was certainly more than fifty years ago. So how have such machines developed and evolved over that time scale, certainly they have a lot more tools.
Not a totally new name to me as I have looked at a couple of sets of headphones from them last year but this is something different environmentally friendly rechargeable batteries, not just the fact that rechargeable is more friendly than single use.
For those who always think the weather forecast is wrong or who always think your own personal weather is different from what they say this may just be what you are looking for - your own personal weather station from Oregon Scientific.

657582 Nevada Ranger Bright Light LED LamPowerful Torch

Published in Homes and Gardens by paul_smart on 20 Feb 2012
The title above may be the understatement of the year, yes it is powerful and it is a torch but it is also so much more. The box calls it Bright Light Ranger Ultra bright, heavy duty LED light. It can be charged by mains, car cigar lighter or hand crank.

656401 bosh xeo auto sharp cutteThings that Cut

Published in Homes and Gardens by paul_smart on 12 Feb 2012
Here two totally different things that both cut, the first from Bosch that can cut felt, card and best of all those plastic containers that normally require industrial scissors. Second a nifty device for men of a certain age whose hair grows everywhere but on their head.

656400 Edifier Tick Tock Dock ipod alarm clocEdifier Tick Tock Dock

Published in Homes and Gardens by paul_smart on 10 Feb 2012
Looking like an old fashioned alarm clock – the sort with bells on the top – this is a digital clock with FM radio. However you can place an iPod in the dock in front and play content out of some quite good quality speakers.

Bosch Power Tools

Published in Homes and Gardens by mfereday on 17 Dec 2011
Once again Bosch choose December and the location known as Home Sweet Home to demonstrate some of its latest and best selling products. One slight difference with this year’s event was the lack of snow which I certainly appreciated as I made my way to the centralLondonlocation

652015 strauss water TStrauss Water T6

Published in Homes and Gardens by paul_smart on 2 Nov 2011
This is a hot and cold water dispenser, hot means very close to boiling and cold means cool. Unlike water from a tap it goes through a filter (needs changing after six months) and a UV lamp (needs change after a year).
Last year I told you about my freezer purchase, since then I have asked several manufacturers for review units, most seemed not interested but when I met a gentleman from SMEG at a recent event he was, so here is there current offering.

650345 Brother Pt 7600vp Handheld Labelling MachinBrother P-Touch 7600

Published in Homes and Gardens by paul_smart on 21 Sep 2011
Labelling machines, a one use product, can be very useful in the home and in a business could save you falling fowl of the latest government regulations, either way they have come a long way since I last looked at one.

648640 Tefal Preference Stew PoTefal Stews Well

Published in Homes and Gardens by adrianmorant on 26 Aug 2011
Tefal is well known for its kitchen ware but, if you buy it, are you just paying for a brand name? A test on stew pots from its Preference and Sensorielle non-stick ranges showed that they make it easier for the experienced cook and would probably enable the beginner to avoid disasters.
This is the middle one of three security cameras recently released by Swann. The catchily named Pro-670 with the others 660 and 680. The 660 being wide angle and the 680 having optical zoom. So it fits between the others.
Although I have reviewed a number of vacuum cleaners I have to confess this is my first mop. However this is not your ‘bucket and mop’ type mop. In trying to position it correctly it is really a vacuum for all hard floors.
The first is USB and will cool a can for those hot days. The second is a peeler not just for potatoes but for all those items, so if you want a serrated pattern this three blade triangular piece of equipment can probably do it for you.

644471 irobot roomba 555 vacuum robotiVacuum Cleaning Robot

Published in Homes and Gardens by paul_smart on 18 May 2011
Most would love a robot to do the washing up, ironing and vacuum cleaning. Well here is a circular device that can do the last named, some would class a dishwasher as the first that leaves the ironing yet to be sorted out.

643630 Philips HD9220 20 Air FryePhilips Air Fryer

Published in Homes and Gardens by paul_smart on 9 May 2011
Unlike the Tefal Actifry that is almost totally for ‘potato type products’ this can work with a whole range of products including meats and fish, perhaps the only restriction is that they should be large enough not to fall through the grid.
First a name that has been around for longer than me but here with a new and totally different product, the second used for decorating and the third when a quick and fast join is required, all worth a try for their own tasks.
For some time I have been looking to replace my existing food processor with a stand processor. I had considered the well known UK range of stand processors but negative comments by some users had put me off. After a further search I found a German company, Severin and their KM3888 food processor.

643626 Nescafe Dolce Gusto by Krups KP210640 Coffee MachinDolce Gusto Melody 2

Published in Homes and Gardens by paul_smart on 2 May 2011
On first inspection the Melody 2 looks very like the machine I reviewed in December 2008. In fact the only differences are inside the machine as all the controls for it are in the same places; however I do not remember the first unit being called Melody.
Another of the items received – in part – last autumn after a briefing, however they were not reviewed as the star item a potato/vegetable peeler – despite requests – never arrived, spring cleaning has taken place and so now the belated reviews.
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