Dutch

What type of TV is it?

If it is an older style CRT TV (big and thick) you aren't dealing with a bulb, you are dealing with CRT guns and they don't typically burn out. You may be dealing with a convergence issue - PM me if you like and I can point you to a couple of different Home Theatre sites that may have some good information for you.

Hey guys looking for terminal tackle rec's.

Spinner bait - what rod

Senko -

Jig etc.

If you had only 4 biats to use, what rod would you put it on and why?

All fishing is serious isn't it? LOL.

Just wanted to get some opinions for all-round bass fishing in a variety of situations, max depth 15':

Rod #1 - baitcaster, 50 pound PP, 7' Medium Heavy

Rod #2 - baitcaster, 50 pound PP, 5.5' Heavy

Rod #3 - spinning, 20 pound PP, 7' Medium

Rod #4 - spinning , 20 pound PP, 6.5' Medium

Let the discussion begin.....

Noticed the cover myself.

Great pic, nice fish.

OFC now has it's own cover-guy!

Absolutely fantastic!

Hope you read my thread - I know Bernie did...

Don't buy Magellan!

In doing independant research - Garmin seems to be a great product!

Didn't think of it like that, but you are probably right.

Let's not get into a discussion about race though, that will get this thread locked down and I want it to stay open, with many views, to ensure people are aware of Magellan's complete lack of customer care!

Thanks.

Hey everyone thanks for the support. Spread the word - Magellan doesn't look after their customers...

Just a bit of an update - nothing new on this front but I got the following reply from a customer service rep. These are the people you are dealing with at Magellan. Please note the perfect grammer and spelling - what a joke! This is copied word-for-word from my inbox:

"Thank you for contacting Magellan. This email is in response to your query

about the GPS.

I apologize for the delay in replying to your email.

I understand from your mail that you are lookinf out for the refund for the

unit model.

I really appologise for the inconvinence that was happend by magellan Plz do

cantact our magellan customer service in order ot get the refund they will

surely do the needful for you.

am confident that the above information would help you in resolving the

issue. If you have further queries, please get back to us.

You can also contact our Technical Support at 1-800-707-9971 for further

assistance."

Good thought, but maps can only be "tied" to one unit AFAIK and are serial number specific.

Most versatile fishing lure ever made - 3" Berkley power grub on 3/8 oz. head.

It will catch anything that swims.

58-62.

Don't often do this on here, but here is my rant on Magellan.

After purchasing an Explorist 500 handheld GPS in December 2006, I am now regretting I didn't go with Garmin (or ANY other GPS manufacturer).

Please note - Explorist units are no longer covered by Magellan for warranty purposes. They have switched manufacturers and no longer support the hardware in any Explorist devices (i.e. they can't get any parts) . Do NOT buy them - they are useless. They are cheap now in all stores as theya re being cleared out.

Back to my story:

The zoom button on my unit was no longer working, rendering it essentially useless. I used mine mainly for driving directions and navigating lakes/ scoping out likely fish hangouts. You can't get much map detail zoomed out to 1700 miles on a map with no way to get back in.

I called support initially on May 4 to indicate the problem. I was told what I wrote above, that the unit was not supported and I was out of luck. After requesting to speak immediately to a supervisor, I was put through to a "level 2" associate. That person explained that I could exchange my unit for their new "Triton" series unit after paying a fee for a Level 2 repair of $35 USD as my Explorist unit was out of warranty by 4 months or so. The fee was what would have been payable had they been able to fix the unit - I was fine with that. Out of warranty = some cost to repair so I thought that was reasonable.

The next issue - what about the maps I had purchased for the unit? Three separate maps totalling approximately $400, I had about $650 in total into the whole package. No problem, 2 were compatable with the new unit (with decreased functionality) and all I needed was to change the serial number reference on one and get a new Unlock code for the other. One was not compatable - the one I use the most and coincidentally the most expensive.

That's fine they said and promised a refund of the purchase price. Great, I said. Not really a refund for me as I would be just using the money to buy the same map for the new Triton unit.

Fast forward to today - 21 calls to the support line later. Everytime I had to explain the situation to a "level 1" in order to be transferred to a "level 2" to deal with this - that is their policy. This takes a minimum of 10 minutes, I know their spiel off bu heart now - confirm name, confirm call-back number in case we get cut-off, confirm address, confirm e-mail (you get the point). Each call was a minimum of 20 minutes, with an average call time of 30-35 and the longest being approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. This has basically cost me a minimum of 10 hours of my time, closer to probably 12.

I get the news today - after saying we are looking into your refund, being provided the amount of the refund, providing my CC information, I was told I wasn't geting a refund. The maps I had purchased in 2007, that is outside of their refund policy - even though I was told I was getting it and being told I would be put back into the same position as I was in before the unit failure.

Here I sat absolutely livid with that decision. Rather calmly stating that Magellan should be putting me in the same situation I was in before my unit failed. After all, if they were still supporting this unit, all I would be doing is sending it in for repair, paying $35 and continuing on using my Explorist, which I actually thought was a good unit.

Now I have an inferior Triton unit (in many many ways inferior to the Explorist), without turn-by-turn directions and without 2 of the maps that I had laid cash out for. Even if I do get the Bluenav chart of the Kawartha Lakes (that decision I should have tomorrow), it will have reduced functionality such as no longer displaying depths and aids to navigation.

What really baffles me is that I wasn't even really going to get the refund, just hold it until I could get the turn-by-turn software for the Triton, they would get that cash back eventually, but they couldn't understand that reasoning. Instead they have cost themselves that eventual purchase and potentially more for me and hopefully everybody here and all their relatives.

I believe I would have a valid case should I decide to take this issue to the next level that the initial "Level 2" I talked to bound Magellan to the refund and that their actions constituted intent to refund the money going as far as to provide me with the amount and take my CC number. To me, a verbal contract is binding and the intent is also there through their actions. I also have good documentation on who I talked to as well as ID numbers.

My plan of action is as follows:

1) I would like to get my money back as I feel that is due to me in order to put me in the same position I was in before the Explorist unit failed.

2) To ensure others are aware that Explorist units are no longer supported, even though they are still being sold in a number of markets including CTC and Walmart

3) I will be writing a letter to Magellan (Thales Navigation) outlining my displeasure and I will also be copying retailers such as CTC and Walmart outlining my concerns with current and all future sales of Magellan products. If Magellan doesn't stand by their products 100%, they should not be carried in any retail markets.

Last and most importantly - DO NOT BUY MAGELLAN PRODUCTS!

Thanks for the support!

Sorry Joey. I haven't had a chance to read all the posts to this thread before responding, but still want to offer my opinion:

Do NOT have life insurance on your mortgage through a lender. Instead go get an independant term life policy that will pay out and cover the mortgage on either mortgage party's life. It will be much, much cheaper. Typically, they charge a flat fee based on the initial value of the mortgage, but the issue is that the mortgage declines as you make payments lessening the insurance coverage, but the fee you pay does not decline with the mortgage balance.

You can get out of the insurance you are in - there is some type of "cooling off" legislation in place for insurance policies, but I'm not sure about the timeline - may be as little as 5 days, so you need to act fast.

I'm not sure about the disability part - that needs to be your own decision based on individual facts.

Blackjack is a great game with deep roots in mathematics.

It is a skill game vs. a game of chance - you can significantly lower the houses' take by playing perfect basic strategy. Add into that counting cards and you can actually tip the odds slightly in your favour, but when the casinos cut off 2+ decks of cards it makes it all that harder. Walk away if they are using those automatic card shufflers unless you are playing basic strategy only.

Blackjack is one of the few casino games that you can really tip the odds slightly in your favour, under certain circumstances, to gain an edge. Unlike what Cliff said above, in the long, long run you can actually come out ahead.

Learn the basic strategy...that is the first step.

Just finished re-wiring boat for new fish finders.

Ready for the whole season now....

Picked up a couple of new finders to upgrade out dated equipment, now for the wiring....

I would like to do some kind of terminal off the battery at the back of the boat with a positive and a negative post. I would run wires from the battery to the terminal with an in-line fuse, then I would run the wires from the finders and hook up with eyes to the posts on the new terminal. Anyone know where I could get something like this?

Should I bother, or should I just run the wires directly to the battery terminals?

Also, I need to lengthen the power wires. Where can I get wire to do this? They have automotive wire at CTC, but only in single wire and I would need double. The instructions call for 18 guage multi strand copper wire. I have some 18 guage speaker wire sitting around, but I don't think that's the way to go...haha.

Any other helpful hints are appreciated.

Hey looking at potentially picking up a new/used boat. I currently have an 18' Springbok with a 150HP Evinrude, looking for something smaller HP wise.

I like the 18' (could go 17, but not too much smaller), but would prefer something with a 90-115HP motor. Aluminum is more my style than glass, something like a prinecraft hull, not a deep-v, more of a low angle of entry like a glass boat, single or double console, but not full windshield. Going anything more than 50MPH in a boat is scary to me....somewhere between 40 and 50 at WOT would be ideal. Boat will be used for fishing almost exclusively. Price range up to maybe $15K or so, but lesser is better.

Keeping my eye on:

Boat trader

BFB

Classifieds here

Kijiji

Need info on:

If I see a boat I like - how can I tell it's a fair price? Often, there's nothing else similar listed or the same model, especially with used boats. Is there a book somewhere that gives prices? Is this book on-line for free?

I would go to the states to buy for the right price. What are some good US sites advertising used boats? I found a bunch of independant marinas with a couple of boats here and there, but do they have anything like the Boat Trader? I am leary of E-bay, not sure I would buy something and test it out after the fact.

Thanks for the feedback.

Thought I would raise this interesting topic and hopefully generate some fishing related chatter.

High, fast water - will it play havoc on the walleye spawn this year. I know in Peterborough, walleye spawn by the hundreds (perhaps thousands) below lock 19. This year, they would be lucky to be able to swim against the current to get anywhere close. Even if they are laying down eggs, would they not get swept away by the current?

The other side of the coin - in past years the Waterway has lowered water levels too quickly after the spawn, causing eggs to be lost and apparently dreid out. This year, water levels will most likely be higher, leading to a good spawn once the current goes down.

I think it will be a late spawn this year and a slow opener because of it. Female fish that are caught will probably be egg layden. The late spawn will be a successful one with the higher water levels and that, combined with the changes to the regs this year will lead to a more successful walleye fishery in the future (at least in the Kawarthas IMO).

As far as the crappies season goes - higher water = cooler water = later start to them really turning on. I will be fishing first in shallow back bays where the water will warm quickest. last year they didn't really start to turn on until a week or so after opener (warmer temperatures). This year I think the best fishing will be had closer to 2 weeks after the opener, with the higher water, it will take longer for the water to warm up a bit.

What do you all think?

The form is actually provided to you by your employer and signed by them. They are under no obligation to sign it for you - it is their form....they simply provide you with a copy.

Having said that, the form will allow you to deduct certain expenses from your income provided that your contract specifies that you need to pay them, the most common are automobile and office related expenses. In the case above, a commissioned sales person must provide their own transportation, it is a requirement of their contract, so the can deduct the business use portion of the automobile.

There are a number of legalities involved, if this is your first year, you may want to seek professional advice as to how to best maximize your deduction while staying within the guidelines of the CRA. By the way H&R Block are not professionals - they are simply tax preparers.....

It all depend on how much you want to spend.

 

Low to Main stream TV? I would go with LCD.

If I had money to spend (High End) I would get Plasma. (Pioneer Elite Series)

 

or

If you want best bang for your buck? Look for Sony RearProjection SXRD 50~55". Look around BestBuy and it can be had for $1200. (not listen on their website anymore and can be found in some stores)

Great reccomendation about the SXRD RPTV from Sony it is Liquid Crystal on Silicone (LiCOS), not LCD. The 50" A2020 model is on sale at the Brick for $1100 - this model is 1080P, you won't find a better TV for less money, an equivlent flat panel 1080P will run you $2K for the lesser brands and more for the name brands . No moving parts on this one like the DLP (i.e. colour wheel) although there is a bulb, it won't run you $500 like mentioned earlier, more likely about $200. If you don't need to hang it on the wall this is the way to go. BTW - it isn't that deep - only 16" or so.

As you have found out, everyone reccomends the brand they have. You need to do independant research. Narrow down what you need, narrow dowan manufacturers, then make the buy.

Essentially Plasma/LCD (flat panel) can be broken down as follows:

Bright Room - LCD, otherwise Plasma. Plasmas have some issues with glare, although there are models with anti-glare screens that negate this. Plasmas have blacker blacks, whiter whites and better colour than LCD's. Burn-in is not much of an issue with Plasmas is it once was. You can use them as a computer monitor, just like an LCD. IMO, Plasma is a better way to go (but, really consider that SXRD - it is fantastic at 50% of the price and no, I dont own one).

Don't spend money on cables over $20, they are a rip-off. Anyone who tells you different is a cable salesperson.....

Couple of websites to read:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/index.php

PM me if you like, I love talking electronics.

Glad to see this post was brought back, just in time for Spring.

It's a great way to test out the GPS, good exercise and a great way to spend time as a family.

I am absolutely addicted to COD4 on PS3.

I literally just took a break from playing for about 4 hours already today.

I am so pleased with my PS3, which really is a home theater essential with the blue ray player and

large built in hard drive.

Buster Hyman

This one is real - Dick Hancock.

I was at BestBuy in Kitchener and they had a 60" Sony SXRD for $1299. I think the 50" was $1199? My buddy paid about $4000 about a year or so ago for the same one(60"). Great deal,just because it isn't the newest thing on the market. Great looking tv . Here's an article where a 50" SXRD won a Sound and Visions "Editors Choice". http://www.sound-academy.com/events/show/52 .

I have read good things about this TV - only thing it that it is LCD projection which means a bulb to change periodically - not necessarily a bad thing. I heard the PQ is pretty good, but not up to plasma standards...but at that price if someone is looking it would be hard to turn down.

Dutch, excellent post!

 

I've been a monprice fan for a while Currently running a PS3, BEV HD Box, Xbox 360, and a Samsung HD860 DVD player through a Monprice 5x1 HDMI switch. All the audio runs via optical to my Onkyo HTIB S780. Nicely controlled with a Harmony 550.

 

I am looking at upgrading the reciever to an Onkyo TX-SR605, to get rid of all the optical cables and run everything via HDMI.

I love my PS3.

I love my Harmony 550.

My PS3 is my up-converting DVD player - do you notice a difference with the dedicated Samsung (I assume it is an upconverter?) Try the PS3 - it does a great job at up-converting. You could then sell your Samsung for some cash to upgrade your receiver. Sorry if that's not in the cards - I have upgradeitis - very bad disease when you love electronics.

I have heard good things about Onkyo - but i am happy with my Receiver/Paradigm Monitor/HSU Reasearch sub set-up right now. Hopefully you can find that receiver at a good price. It has been discussed recently on the redflagdeals site. Only thing to watch for is I'm not sure it decodes Dolby True HD or Master Audio, which we will hopefully get soon with a PS3 update.