For decades I have been using electric shavers. The past 10 years, the shavers I used were from Panasonic. The reason was I tried to use multiple-blade (two or three blades, can't recall) Gillette razors when I was a teenager and had skin irritation. I have tough facial hair and sensitive skin, especially in the neck area. Electric shavers cured the irritation but resulted in a shave that never was as close or as quick as the Gillette's.
In addition to lack of close shave (even when used in wet mode) and too much time spent on shaving, electric shavers were a hassle: cleaning, charging, bulk, etc. And then, they are pricey to buy and maintain - the blades and screens get dull and need replacements that cost almost as much as the shaver itself: about $35 for my recent Panasonic's inner blades and outer screen combo.
I recently used these two Panasonic shavers: Panasonic ES8101S Electric Shaver, Panasonic Pro-Curve ES7037.
After using all sorts of fancy linear-motor, nano-tech blade-equipped Panasonics, I decided to give Gillette another try. I bought the Gillette Fusion and a couple of weeks later got a free battery-powered Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor as well.
About Gillette Fusion
The Fusion is a razor that uses proprietary cartridges with 5 blades each. The handle can be manual or battery-powered vibrating (the ProGlide had an AAA alkaline battery included). Cartridges are slightly different as well (ProGlide claims to have thinner blades), but Fusion cartridges are interchangeable.
The handles and cartridges look nice, are well built and have good heft to them. Each cartridge has 5 blades for shaving, one trimmer blade on the opposite side (which is pretty useless, BTW) and a strip that helps the cartridge glide better and also serves as a change indicator (color changes when the cartridge needs to be replaced).
Results
After I used the Fusion for the first time (with foam from an aerosol can), I was immediately impressed with how much time I saved over shaving with an electric shaver and how much closer it shaved. But there was an immediate drawback apparent - skin irritation, especially on the neck.
The Fusion is easy to use - no skill is required to get very close shave and the angle of the blade is pre-set and cannot be adjusted. So it is easy to use, foolproof design that saves time and provides close shave. Still, the irritation I got was too much to handle.
After using it for the first time, I know that I won't be using an electric shaver again. But due to irritation, I only used the Fusion a handful of time before I found a better alternative. Not only does the alternative reduce irritation to a minimum, the blades are much cheaper as well.
A Better Alternative
The alternative is an old-school double-edge razor with double-edge Shark blades that cost about 10-15 cents each (vs. over $2 per Gillette Fusion cartridge). My Parker razor cost less than $30 (actually less than $40 with 100 Shark blades included), so an initial investment is required.
DE shaving requires practice and it does take a bit longer to shave with a DE than with Fusion. But I find the shaving process more relaxing, there is only very minimum skin irritation (as opposed to severe irritation with Fusion) and with 100 excellent DE blades (Shark or Derby) selling for $10-15, you can save close to a hundred of dollars per year on blades. Plus, it is better for the environment as only the blade itself is disposed of.
I tried the battery-powered Gillette Fusion ProGlide recently and had to go back to my double-edge Parker due to sever skin irritation in the neck area.
Compared to Schick Hydro 5
I also tried the Schick Hydro 5 and liked it much better. See the review of Schick Hydro 5 here.
Best for Me So Far
I am using the best combination for me: Edwin Jagger De89bl razor with Personna blue blades.
Pros: Cheap handle, fast and close shave, looks nice, well-built, easy to use
Cons: Expensive cartridges, skin irritation, not environmentally-minded, useless trimmer blade.
Bottom Line
If you don't get skin irritation, the Gillette Fusion is a time saver and an easy way to get a very close shave. If you want to save money and have less irritation (but spend more time shaving), get an old-school double-edge safety razor (e.g. Parker or Merkur) and some decent blades.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Gillette Fusion Power - Not For People WIth Delicate Skin
I have a combination of tough facial hair and sensitive skin, which puts me at a disadvantage when shaving. Skin irritation from shaving is very easy to achieve and therefore difficult to avoid. I have always used electric shavers, with 10 last years being a Panasonic fan. The reason was I tried to use multiple-blade (2 or 3 blades) Gillette razors when I was a teenager and had to stop because of the skin irritation.
Electric shavers cured the irritation but resulted in a shave that never was as close or as quick as the Gillette's. In addition to lack of close shave (even when used in the shower and with shaving foam) and too much time spent on shaving, electric shavers were a hassle: cleaning, charging, etc.
Electric shavers had another drawback: they were pricey to buy and maintain - the blades and screens got dull and needed replacements that cost almost as much as the shaver itself: about $35 for my recent Panasonic's inner blades and outer screen combo. So every 1-2 years you have to spend as much as the shaver itself on blades, which means it is cheaper and faster to just buy a new one. Which is bad for the environment and feels plain wrong and wasteful.
After using all sorts of fancy linear-motor, nano-tech blade-equipped Panasonics (recently: Panasonic ES8101S Electric Shaver, Panasonic Pro-Curve ES7037), I decided to give Gillette another try. I bought the manual Gillette Fusion with a couple of cartridges and then, a couple of weeks later, got a free (promotion) battery-powered Gillette Fusion power razor as well. Both the regular and the power Fusions produced about the same result.
About Gillette Fusion Power
The Gillette Fusion is a razor that uses proprietary cartridges with 5 blades each. The handle can be manual or battery-powered vibrating (the power Fusion had an AAA alkaline battery included). Cartridges are slightly different as well, but all Fusion cartridges are interchangeable, so (at least in theory) you can use power cartridges with manual handles.
The handle is thicker than the one of the manual Fusion. The candle and cartridges look nice, are well built and have good weight balance and tactile feel.
Results
I used manual Fusion first and then, after several shaves, used the power version. After I used the Fusion for the first time (using canned foam), I was immediately impressed with how much time I saved over shaving with an electric shaver and how much closer it shaved. But there was an immediate drawback apparent - skin irritation, especially on the neck. The power version did not change things dramatically and, in fact, I didn't notice much improvement over the manual version. You notice less pull, but the irritation was still there.
The razor is easy to use - no skill is required to get very close shave and the angle of the blade is pre-set and cannot be adjusted. So it is an easy-to-use, foolproof design that saves time and provides close shave. Still, the irritation I got was excessive. Now, I am sure that it doesn't happen to everybody. Again, I have a lot of very tough facial hair and delicate skin.
So no more electric shavers for me, but also the Fusion is not the best option. I only used the Fusion a handful of time before I found a better alternative. Unbelievably, an old-school double-edge (DE) razor and good blades were all that was required to give me a perfect balance of shaving time, closeness, low irritation and cost.
Old-School Double-Edge Safety Razor To The Rescue
Gillette and Schick keep increasing the number of blades in their razors and the result is not necessarily better. At least not for me. I was fortunate that I decided to give old-school shaving a try. I bought a Parker double-edge butterfly-type razor and Shark blades. Learning to shave with it took a little time, but almost immediately (and using canned foam) I got a close shave with almost no irritation. Later, I got a badger-hair brush and some shaving soap (so that I don't have to use aerosol cans and be more earth-friendly).
The Shark blades that cost about 10-15 cents each (vs. over $2 per Gillette Fusion cartridge). No batteries required. My Parker razor cost less than $30 (actually less than $40 with 100 Shark blades included), so an initial investment is higher, but overall costs are lower. Not that I cared about that - all I needed was a time-efficient, reasonably close shave with minimum of irritation and hassle.
To summarize, double-edge razor shaving requires practice and it does take a bit longer to shave with a DE than with Fusion. But I find the shaving process more soothing, which makes me sleepy, which in turn makes it ideal after shower and right before going to bed.
There is only very minimal skin irritation (as opposed to severe irritation with Fusion) and with 100 excellent DE blades (Shark or Derby) selling for $10-15, you can save close to a hundred of dollars per year on blades (assuming a cartridge lasts a week). Plus, it is better for the environment as only the blade itself is disposed of and not the cartridge with its surrounding plastic, packaging, etc.
Compared to Schick Hydro 5
I also tried the Schick Hydro 5 and liked it much better. See the review of Schick Hydro 5 here.
Pros: Close, fast, easy shave, solid construction, nice looks
Cons: Skin irritation (at least for me), expensive cartridges, useless trimmer blade
Bottom Line
The Gillette Fusion power is a time saver and an easy way to get a very close shave, provided you don't have issues with skin irritation. If you want to save money and have less irritation (but spend more time shaving), get an old-school double-edge safety razor (e.g. Parker or Merkur) and some decent blades. I prefer Fusion to electric shavers after using electric shavers for decades. But I prefer a DE razor to Fusion.
Electric shavers cured the irritation but resulted in a shave that never was as close or as quick as the Gillette's. In addition to lack of close shave (even when used in the shower and with shaving foam) and too much time spent on shaving, electric shavers were a hassle: cleaning, charging, etc.
Electric shavers had another drawback: they were pricey to buy and maintain - the blades and screens got dull and needed replacements that cost almost as much as the shaver itself: about $35 for my recent Panasonic's inner blades and outer screen combo. So every 1-2 years you have to spend as much as the shaver itself on blades, which means it is cheaper and faster to just buy a new one. Which is bad for the environment and feels plain wrong and wasteful.
After using all sorts of fancy linear-motor, nano-tech blade-equipped Panasonics (recently: Panasonic ES8101S Electric Shaver, Panasonic Pro-Curve ES7037), I decided to give Gillette another try. I bought the manual Gillette Fusion with a couple of cartridges and then, a couple of weeks later, got a free (promotion) battery-powered Gillette Fusion power razor as well. Both the regular and the power Fusions produced about the same result.
About Gillette Fusion Power
The Gillette Fusion is a razor that uses proprietary cartridges with 5 blades each. The handle can be manual or battery-powered vibrating (the power Fusion had an AAA alkaline battery included). Cartridges are slightly different as well, but all Fusion cartridges are interchangeable, so (at least in theory) you can use power cartridges with manual handles.
The handle is thicker than the one of the manual Fusion. The candle and cartridges look nice, are well built and have good weight balance and tactile feel.
Results
I used manual Fusion first and then, after several shaves, used the power version. After I used the Fusion for the first time (using canned foam), I was immediately impressed with how much time I saved over shaving with an electric shaver and how much closer it shaved. But there was an immediate drawback apparent - skin irritation, especially on the neck. The power version did not change things dramatically and, in fact, I didn't notice much improvement over the manual version. You notice less pull, but the irritation was still there.
The razor is easy to use - no skill is required to get very close shave and the angle of the blade is pre-set and cannot be adjusted. So it is an easy-to-use, foolproof design that saves time and provides close shave. Still, the irritation I got was excessive. Now, I am sure that it doesn't happen to everybody. Again, I have a lot of very tough facial hair and delicate skin.
So no more electric shavers for me, but also the Fusion is not the best option. I only used the Fusion a handful of time before I found a better alternative. Unbelievably, an old-school double-edge (DE) razor and good blades were all that was required to give me a perfect balance of shaving time, closeness, low irritation and cost.
Old-School Double-Edge Safety Razor To The Rescue
Gillette and Schick keep increasing the number of blades in their razors and the result is not necessarily better. At least not for me. I was fortunate that I decided to give old-school shaving a try. I bought a Parker double-edge butterfly-type razor and Shark blades. Learning to shave with it took a little time, but almost immediately (and using canned foam) I got a close shave with almost no irritation. Later, I got a badger-hair brush and some shaving soap (so that I don't have to use aerosol cans and be more earth-friendly).
The Shark blades that cost about 10-15 cents each (vs. over $2 per Gillette Fusion cartridge). No batteries required. My Parker razor cost less than $30 (actually less than $40 with 100 Shark blades included), so an initial investment is higher, but overall costs are lower. Not that I cared about that - all I needed was a time-efficient, reasonably close shave with minimum of irritation and hassle.
To summarize, double-edge razor shaving requires practice and it does take a bit longer to shave with a DE than with Fusion. But I find the shaving process more soothing, which makes me sleepy, which in turn makes it ideal after shower and right before going to bed.
There is only very minimal skin irritation (as opposed to severe irritation with Fusion) and with 100 excellent DE blades (Shark or Derby) selling for $10-15, you can save close to a hundred of dollars per year on blades (assuming a cartridge lasts a week). Plus, it is better for the environment as only the blade itself is disposed of and not the cartridge with its surrounding plastic, packaging, etc.
Compared to Schick Hydro 5
I also tried the Schick Hydro 5 and liked it much better. See the review of Schick Hydro 5 here.
Pros: Close, fast, easy shave, solid construction, nice looks
Cons: Skin irritation (at least for me), expensive cartridges, useless trimmer blade
Bottom Line
The Gillette Fusion power is a time saver and an easy way to get a very close shave, provided you don't have issues with skin irritation. If you want to save money and have less irritation (but spend more time shaving), get an old-school double-edge safety razor (e.g. Parker or Merkur) and some decent blades. I prefer Fusion to electric shavers after using electric shavers for decades. But I prefer a DE razor to Fusion.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
With Kuapay I Saved 50 Cents Per Gallon of Shell Gas Today
I decided to try Kuapay app after I got a flyer from the local Shell gas station in Marina del Rey (Marina Shell Service Station). The flyer said I can save 50 cents per gallon at that gas station by using Kuapay app. I went home and researched. Kuapay has apps for iPhone and Android that let you pay using your credit card but without pulling the card out.
I installed the app on my iPhone, entered one of my credit cards into it and was good to go. The app makes you enter a pin to secure itself. In other words, on every app startup, you have to enter the pin to the app, otherwise the app won't start. This is a security measure.
Since I no longer have the service for the iPhone, I actually brought my Nokia Lumia 521 T-Mobile Windows Phone and used it as a mobile WiFi hotspot to use the iPhone and the Kuapay app. I would not have to jump through hoops to make the Kuapay app work if there was a version available for Windows Phone (WP8), but currently there isn't one.
If you have an iPhone or an Android device, you will not need to do anything special.
Once I got to the station, I scanned the QR code on the pump with the scanner within the app (using the phone's camera) and was asked how much money do I want to spend. I chose to spend $41, which is enough to get 10 gallons. The app deducted about 12.5% from that amount. So I got $41 worth of gas for $35.88. That is savings of $5.12 for 10 gallons.
In addition, if you join the Fuel Rewards network, you can get $.03 off a gallon at some Shell stations. And most rewards credit cards give you at least 1% cash back. As a result, the next time I used Kuapay (with gas at $4.10 per gallon), I saved .51 + .03 + .04 = $0.58 per gallon.
Nice!
Update 07/2014: if you specify the amount that is too high and don't pump enough gas to use up that amount, the change will be credited back to your credit card automatically. I tried and it works - a couple of days later you get the refund of the difference.
I installed the app on my iPhone, entered one of my credit cards into it and was good to go. The app makes you enter a pin to secure itself. In other words, on every app startup, you have to enter the pin to the app, otherwise the app won't start. This is a security measure.
Since I no longer have the service for the iPhone, I actually brought my Nokia Lumia 521 T-Mobile Windows Phone and used it as a mobile WiFi hotspot to use the iPhone and the Kuapay app. I would not have to jump through hoops to make the Kuapay app work if there was a version available for Windows Phone (WP8), but currently there isn't one.
If you have an iPhone or an Android device, you will not need to do anything special.
Once I got to the station, I scanned the QR code on the pump with the scanner within the app (using the phone's camera) and was asked how much money do I want to spend. I chose to spend $41, which is enough to get 10 gallons. The app deducted about 12.5% from that amount. So I got $41 worth of gas for $35.88. That is savings of $5.12 for 10 gallons.
In addition, if you join the Fuel Rewards network, you can get $.03 off a gallon at some Shell stations. And most rewards credit cards give you at least 1% cash back. As a result, the next time I used Kuapay (with gas at $4.10 per gallon), I saved .51 + .03 + .04 = $0.58 per gallon.
Nice!
Update 07/2014: if you specify the amount that is too high and don't pump enough gas to use up that amount, the change will be credited back to your credit card automatically. I tried and it works - a couple of days later you get the refund of the difference.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Panasonic DVD-S58 (S58K) - HDMI and Upconversion to 1080p
Although I prefer Pioneer DVD players nowadays to Panasonic ones, I have always like Panasonic models for their ease of use and, lately, price. They used to have some of the best performing models for price, but gradually they have gotten cheaper than at least some of their competition and the performance has gotten a little less than stellar (if you are as picky as I am).
This goes for flimsiness as well as for responsiveness. Still, since DVD players are so cheap now, one cannot expect them to last forever, be built like a tank or be a marvel of engineering. As for picture quality, I have been using the AVIA DVD to evaluate the resolution of DVD players objectively and my eyes to do so subjectively.
Some time back, the AVIA DVD helped me objectively confirm what I suspected subjectively for a while. Namely that one of my DVD players produced slightly soft images. The DVD player in question was the Craig DVD player, and now I know objectively that very cheap DVD players are cheap for a reason. It was not up to par with my other DVD players in terms of resolution, since I checked it using resolution patterns using the AVIA disc. It had some other problems too.
Which brings us to the following point: although you can get a cheap DVD player with all the right specs, it does not necessarily mean you are going to get full advantage of the technology or specs that it supposedly provides. You can get a cheap DVD player and it might work for a while and satisfy you with its performance. E.g. my Craig DVD player had fast response and nice user interface. But its resolution was lower than that of a high-quality machine. And, unlike most other decent players, it couldn't play Audio CD without clicks.
The new Panasonic DVD-S58 (or, if we choose to use its full designation, the DVD-S58K, where K stands for Kuro, which means "black") is a new model and I evaluated it as a successor to the DVD-S54 (which I used and reviewed before). I and my family members have had and used a variety of DVD players, including (just to name a few latest models) Sony DVP-NS710H/B, Pioneer DV-220V-K , Pioneer DV-420V-K, Philips DVP5992 , Pioneer Elite DV-48AV and Philips DVP5990 . The list above does not include BluRay players.
What is Panasonic DVD-S58?
The Panasonic DVD-S58 is a single-disc DVD player with progressive scan, HDMI, 1080p upconversion, CD-R/W, DVD-R/W, DVD+R/W, MP3, DVD+R Dual Layer and JPEG playback.
The jacks include progressive/interlaced component video out, composite video out, 2-channel analog audio out, coaxial digital audio out as well as a HDMI out with VIERA Link Control. It also upconverts 480i DVD discs to 720p, 1080i or 1080p.
It can play MP3, SVCD in addition to various types of CD and DVD. One feature that the S58 lacks in comparison to its predecessor, the S54, is DVD-Audio playback.
Connectivity
The S58K features an HDMI out (up to 1080p), which is a virtual necessity in this day and age of HDTV. It also has a coaxial digital audio out, but no optical out. A progressive/interlaced component video out in addition to a composite out is also prsent. The S58 also features an analog audio stereo out. The coaxial digital out supports PCM, Dolby Digital and DTS formats. The HDMI supports PCM, DD and DTS for audio and 720p/1080i/1080p upconversion (provided the TV support the resolution in question).
No Nonsense
The S58's front panel is not only devoid of the useless shuttle knob, it is very Spartan overall. A couple of buttons and simple plastic is all you can see. The player is cheap and it shows. The remote control is simple-looking and less elegant than that of the S54 as well.
The disc tray is a bit flimsy. The player has a slim profile and looks rather simple. It is compact and lightweight, as is the majority of modern DVD players. The rear panel is well-organized and clearly labeled. The front has a simple display, which is worse than that of the previous model, but is unlike some cheaper models that have none. Still, the overall look is that of a value player.
1080p, Progressive Scan and Upconversion
Obviously, you can use progressive scan only if your TV is a High-Definition (HDTV) or EDTV, if you connect the player to your TV using the component video out or use the HDMI out (preferred). The Progressive scan produces more stable picture with less flicker. In any case, this player also provides excellent picture quality in standard (interlaced) mode - the mode some people will use it in for the lack of appropriate TV.
If you have an HDTV (be it CRT, rear-projection, LCD or plasma), I highly recommend progressive scan or, better yet, upconversion to your HDTV set's native (or highest supported) resolution: 720p, 1080i or 1080p through the S58's HDMI out. You can connect the HDMI out directly to your TV or through a compatible receiver. My receiver only supports up to 1080i passthrough, so this is what I mostly used with this player.
HDMI and Upconversoin
The S58 can upconvert at 720p, 1080i and 1080p, which is the highest resolution available. Its HDMI out also features the technology to deal with the lip-sync problems of the earlier HDMI versions and can control compatible Panasonic TVs using VIERA Link. Of course, HDMI is an all-digital interface and carries all video, data and audio signals in one cable, saving you the hassle of dealing with multiple cables.
Image Quality
I have watched this player using its HDMI out and the 1080i upconverted resolution through my Panasonic SA-XR57 receiver as well as its 1080p resolution directly. The image quality was very good and on par with most moderately priced models, although not quite as good as the upconversion I get from my Toshiba HD-A3 HD DVD player. It was virtually the same as that of the Pioneer DV420.
Using it over the component video out, I was not disappointed with the image quality either, especially comparing to Philips DVP642 (which I still use as a CD player) and the Craig DVD player. The picture is crisp and noise-free with vivid colors and well-defined object edges. The detail level is high, even in dark areas. Still, comparing to the excellent upconversion you get from the Toshiba HD-A3, there is some stairstep appearance to the diagonal lines and the whole image is less sharp.
In more formal testing, the resolution patterns on AVIA DVD were crisp all the way to the end, unlike the Craig DVD player that would make them undistinguishable even before you hit 400 lines. On some of my DVDs with high MPEG compression, the player did rather well suppressing mosquito noise, despite the S58's Spartan looks and bargain-basement price.
The Pioneer Elite DV-48AV DVD player I use for DVD-Audio playback and general movie watching when the best possible upconversion is not required had more video adjustability resulting in slightly more life-like video reproduction when adjusted. Still, this Panasonic was quite close and in now way compromised.
Ease of Use
The S58 is easier to use than Philips models and pretty close to Pioneer DVD players. It has well-designed menus, onscreen icons and the remote control, although Spartan and not entirely appealing, worked well. The player's response times were ok for its price and the icons were well-recognizable. Still, the Pioneer models have better remotes, response times and overall user experience. But then, they are more expensive.
Formats
In addition to DVD-Video and Audio CD, the player can also play MP3 compressed audio files as well as display JPEG images (somewhat slow) on your TV, play burned CD-R, CD-RW and DVD-R/W as well as DVD+R/W and even DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL. There is sadly no DVD-Audio playback, but the adoption rate for this format is very low. People prefer convenience of crape-sounding MP3s to superior sound of the DVD-Audio or Super Audio CD (SACD). I have a small DVD-Audio collection and use my Pioneer Elite DV-48AV to play DVD-Audio discs.
MP3 Playback
The player plays MP3 files well. The MP3 playback interface is easy to use and shows file names and directory tree structure. The sound quality is very good, depending on bit rate.
Sound
The sound quality from the analog outs is good enough if you don't have a receiver ar have one of the very old models that have no coaxial digital audio input or an HDMI input. I would not use them anyway since I have a receiver and a 5.1 speaker system. I used the HDMI out and therefore the sound quality depended solely on my receiver and speakers. Needless to say, I got excellent sound from my Athena AS-P400 subwoofer, Athena AS-F1 floorstanding mains, C.5 center, S.5 surrounds powered by Panasonic XR57 digital receiver. One minor disappointment was the player's lack of an optical digital audio connection, but it is understandable that the manufacturer thinks it is unnecessary now in the era of HDMI. Plus coaxial cables (and inputs in receivers) are cheaper.
CD Playback
Unlike my cheap Craig DVD player, this player does not skip during CD playback. The player also plays MP3, but not DVD-Audio.
What It Lacks
There is no USB port, which is something you need to consider if you intend to use it to play MP3 files. It would be much easier to transfer them using a USB drive than buringin then onto CDs or DVDs.
Pros: Price, solid basic feature set, good playback quality, MP3, HDMI with upconversion up to 1080p
Cons: No USB, simple appearance and remote, Spartan front panel display
Bottom Line
The Panasonic S58 is a very good inexpensive DVD player with HDMI, progressive scan, 1080p upconversion and other useful features. It is a rather good performer for the price. For all basic purposes, I recommend it for its low price and solid basic set of features.
This goes for flimsiness as well as for responsiveness. Still, since DVD players are so cheap now, one cannot expect them to last forever, be built like a tank or be a marvel of engineering. As for picture quality, I have been using the AVIA DVD to evaluate the resolution of DVD players objectively and my eyes to do so subjectively.
Some time back, the AVIA DVD helped me objectively confirm what I suspected subjectively for a while. Namely that one of my DVD players produced slightly soft images. The DVD player in question was the Craig DVD player, and now I know objectively that very cheap DVD players are cheap for a reason. It was not up to par with my other DVD players in terms of resolution, since I checked it using resolution patterns using the AVIA disc. It had some other problems too.
Which brings us to the following point: although you can get a cheap DVD player with all the right specs, it does not necessarily mean you are going to get full advantage of the technology or specs that it supposedly provides. You can get a cheap DVD player and it might work for a while and satisfy you with its performance. E.g. my Craig DVD player had fast response and nice user interface. But its resolution was lower than that of a high-quality machine. And, unlike most other decent players, it couldn't play Audio CD without clicks.
The new Panasonic DVD-S58 (or, if we choose to use its full designation, the DVD-S58K, where K stands for Kuro, which means "black") is a new model and I evaluated it as a successor to the DVD-S54 (which I used and reviewed before). I and my family members have had and used a variety of DVD players, including (just to name a few latest models) Sony DVP-NS710H/B, Pioneer DV-220V-K , Pioneer DV-420V-K, Philips DVP5992 , Pioneer Elite DV-48AV and Philips DVP5990 . The list above does not include BluRay players.
What is Panasonic DVD-S58?
The Panasonic DVD-S58 is a single-disc DVD player with progressive scan, HDMI, 1080p upconversion, CD-R/W, DVD-R/W, DVD+R/W, MP3, DVD+R Dual Layer and JPEG playback.
The jacks include progressive/interlaced component video out, composite video out, 2-channel analog audio out, coaxial digital audio out as well as a HDMI out with VIERA Link Control. It also upconverts 480i DVD discs to 720p, 1080i or 1080p.
It can play MP3, SVCD in addition to various types of CD and DVD. One feature that the S58 lacks in comparison to its predecessor, the S54, is DVD-Audio playback.
Connectivity
The S58K features an HDMI out (up to 1080p), which is a virtual necessity in this day and age of HDTV. It also has a coaxial digital audio out, but no optical out. A progressive/interlaced component video out in addition to a composite out is also prsent. The S58 also features an analog audio stereo out. The coaxial digital out supports PCM, Dolby Digital and DTS formats. The HDMI supports PCM, DD and DTS for audio and 720p/1080i/1080p upconversion (provided the TV support the resolution in question).
No Nonsense
The S58's front panel is not only devoid of the useless shuttle knob, it is very Spartan overall. A couple of buttons and simple plastic is all you can see. The player is cheap and it shows. The remote control is simple-looking and less elegant than that of the S54 as well.
The disc tray is a bit flimsy. The player has a slim profile and looks rather simple. It is compact and lightweight, as is the majority of modern DVD players. The rear panel is well-organized and clearly labeled. The front has a simple display, which is worse than that of the previous model, but is unlike some cheaper models that have none. Still, the overall look is that of a value player.
1080p, Progressive Scan and Upconversion
Obviously, you can use progressive scan only if your TV is a High-Definition (HDTV) or EDTV, if you connect the player to your TV using the component video out or use the HDMI out (preferred). The Progressive scan produces more stable picture with less flicker. In any case, this player also provides excellent picture quality in standard (interlaced) mode - the mode some people will use it in for the lack of appropriate TV.
If you have an HDTV (be it CRT, rear-projection, LCD or plasma), I highly recommend progressive scan or, better yet, upconversion to your HDTV set's native (or highest supported) resolution: 720p, 1080i or 1080p through the S58's HDMI out. You can connect the HDMI out directly to your TV or through a compatible receiver. My receiver only supports up to 1080i passthrough, so this is what I mostly used with this player.
HDMI and Upconversoin
The S58 can upconvert at 720p, 1080i and 1080p, which is the highest resolution available. Its HDMI out also features the technology to deal with the lip-sync problems of the earlier HDMI versions and can control compatible Panasonic TVs using VIERA Link. Of course, HDMI is an all-digital interface and carries all video, data and audio signals in one cable, saving you the hassle of dealing with multiple cables.
Image Quality
I have watched this player using its HDMI out and the 1080i upconverted resolution through my Panasonic SA-XR57 receiver as well as its 1080p resolution directly. The image quality was very good and on par with most moderately priced models, although not quite as good as the upconversion I get from my Toshiba HD-A3 HD DVD player. It was virtually the same as that of the Pioneer DV420.
Using it over the component video out, I was not disappointed with the image quality either, especially comparing to Philips DVP642 (which I still use as a CD player) and the Craig DVD player. The picture is crisp and noise-free with vivid colors and well-defined object edges. The detail level is high, even in dark areas. Still, comparing to the excellent upconversion you get from the Toshiba HD-A3, there is some stairstep appearance to the diagonal lines and the whole image is less sharp.
In more formal testing, the resolution patterns on AVIA DVD were crisp all the way to the end, unlike the Craig DVD player that would make them undistinguishable even before you hit 400 lines. On some of my DVDs with high MPEG compression, the player did rather well suppressing mosquito noise, despite the S58's Spartan looks and bargain-basement price.
The Pioneer Elite DV-48AV DVD player I use for DVD-Audio playback and general movie watching when the best possible upconversion is not required had more video adjustability resulting in slightly more life-like video reproduction when adjusted. Still, this Panasonic was quite close and in now way compromised.
Ease of Use
The S58 is easier to use than Philips models and pretty close to Pioneer DVD players. It has well-designed menus, onscreen icons and the remote control, although Spartan and not entirely appealing, worked well. The player's response times were ok for its price and the icons were well-recognizable. Still, the Pioneer models have better remotes, response times and overall user experience. But then, they are more expensive.
Formats
In addition to DVD-Video and Audio CD, the player can also play MP3 compressed audio files as well as display JPEG images (somewhat slow) on your TV, play burned CD-R, CD-RW and DVD-R/W as well as DVD+R/W and even DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL. There is sadly no DVD-Audio playback, but the adoption rate for this format is very low. People prefer convenience of crape-sounding MP3s to superior sound of the DVD-Audio or Super Audio CD (SACD). I have a small DVD-Audio collection and use my Pioneer Elite DV-48AV to play DVD-Audio discs.
MP3 Playback
The player plays MP3 files well. The MP3 playback interface is easy to use and shows file names and directory tree structure. The sound quality is very good, depending on bit rate.
Sound
The sound quality from the analog outs is good enough if you don't have a receiver ar have one of the very old models that have no coaxial digital audio input or an HDMI input. I would not use them anyway since I have a receiver and a 5.1 speaker system. I used the HDMI out and therefore the sound quality depended solely on my receiver and speakers. Needless to say, I got excellent sound from my Athena AS-P400 subwoofer, Athena AS-F1 floorstanding mains, C.5 center, S.5 surrounds powered by Panasonic XR57 digital receiver. One minor disappointment was the player's lack of an optical digital audio connection, but it is understandable that the manufacturer thinks it is unnecessary now in the era of HDMI. Plus coaxial cables (and inputs in receivers) are cheaper.
CD Playback
Unlike my cheap Craig DVD player, this player does not skip during CD playback. The player also plays MP3, but not DVD-Audio.
What It Lacks
There is no USB port, which is something you need to consider if you intend to use it to play MP3 files. It would be much easier to transfer them using a USB drive than buringin then onto CDs or DVDs.
Pros: Price, solid basic feature set, good playback quality, MP3, HDMI with upconversion up to 1080p
Cons: No USB, simple appearance and remote, Spartan front panel display
Bottom Line
The Panasonic S58 is a very good inexpensive DVD player with HDMI, progressive scan, 1080p upconversion and other useful features. It is a rather good performer for the price. For all basic purposes, I recommend it for its low price and solid basic set of features.
Derby Extra Double Edge Razor Blades - They Glide Rather Than Shave
I have been shaving using Panasonic electric shavers (recently: Panasonic ES8101S Electric Shaver, Panasonic Pro-Curve ES7037) for over a decade, because I had too much irritation when I tried to use Gillette shavers when I was a teenager. Recently, I tried Gillette Fusion, Gillette Fusion Power and Gillette Fusion ProGlide and discovered I could get a much better shave with them, albeit with some irritation. To get a better shave than what an electric shaver gave me but with less irritation, I decided to give double-edge (DE) safety razors a try.
I got a Parker shaver and Shark Super Chrome blades, along with a badger hair brush and some decent shaving soap. The result was very good: close shave with less irritation that that provided by the Gillette Fusion variants. Still, I wanted to try different blades, since different skin and beard types respond better to different blades.
What is Derby Extra Blade
The Derby Extra blades are double-edge blades made of stainless steel with tungsten-platinum polymer coating for longevity. They are imported from Turkey (the Shark blades are from Egypt).
Performance
I bought 30 Derby blades and used 25 of them at this point. They are different from the Shark blades in three ways:
1. The blade seems to pull slightly more when the beard is longer than a day old. The blade might be less sharp than the Shark blade.
2. The Derby blade seems to glide over the skin better than the Shark blade when the beard is 1 day or shorter, resulting in less irritation and the ability to use more passes over the same area without the fear of irritating the skin.
3. The longevity of Shark blades seems to be better. The Derby blades last about 40% less than the Shark blades.
4. Shaving with Derby blades takes longer than with Shark blades because more passes are required, especially when the beard is more than a day old.
Be mindful that the results depend on the type of the beard and skin.
The blades come in packages of 5 in a plastic cartridge that, unlike Shark blades, has no used blade disposal slot at the bottom, so to dispose of the used blades, you have to remove all unused blades and insert the used blade, then put the unused blades back.
Compared to Astra Superior Platinum
I also got Astra Superior Platinum and although I liked them on first use, I was ultimately disappointed. Not only did Astra blades result in skin irritation on every single use, they also don't last as long as Shark or Derby and their packaging is frustrating to deal with.
After using Astra blades it was a relief to go back to Shark and Derby blades.
Compared to Personna Blades
Personna Blue blades seem to be sharper, smoother and last longer. They are my most favorites blades now.
Value
At about 20 cents per blade, which lasts close to a week, these blades are much cheaper than Gillette Fusion, Schick Hydro 5 or Schick Hydro 3. They are better for environment too.
Pros: Low price, smooth, close shave, no pulling when the beard is short
Cons: Pulling when beard is long, no used blade disposal slot, Shark are sharper, last longer
Bottom Line
Although I get a closer, less irritating shave with these Derby blades than that of the Shark blades if I shave every day, the Shark blades last longer and have a useful used blade disposal slot built into the cartridge. Shark blades also work better if I don't shave every day. Both kinds of blades have their advantages and disadvantages and I expect to be using both of them. In any case, I recommend that you try these Derby blades and see for yourself if your beard and skin respond well to them.
I got a Parker shaver and Shark Super Chrome blades, along with a badger hair brush and some decent shaving soap. The result was very good: close shave with less irritation that that provided by the Gillette Fusion variants. Still, I wanted to try different blades, since different skin and beard types respond better to different blades.
What is Derby Extra Blade
The Derby Extra blades are double-edge blades made of stainless steel with tungsten-platinum polymer coating for longevity. They are imported from Turkey (the Shark blades are from Egypt).
Performance
I bought 30 Derby blades and used 25 of them at this point. They are different from the Shark blades in three ways:
1. The blade seems to pull slightly more when the beard is longer than a day old. The blade might be less sharp than the Shark blade.
2. The Derby blade seems to glide over the skin better than the Shark blade when the beard is 1 day or shorter, resulting in less irritation and the ability to use more passes over the same area without the fear of irritating the skin.
3. The longevity of Shark blades seems to be better. The Derby blades last about 40% less than the Shark blades.
4. Shaving with Derby blades takes longer than with Shark blades because more passes are required, especially when the beard is more than a day old.
Be mindful that the results depend on the type of the beard and skin.
The blades come in packages of 5 in a plastic cartridge that, unlike Shark blades, has no used blade disposal slot at the bottom, so to dispose of the used blades, you have to remove all unused blades and insert the used blade, then put the unused blades back.
Compared to Astra Superior Platinum
I also got Astra Superior Platinum and although I liked them on first use, I was ultimately disappointed. Not only did Astra blades result in skin irritation on every single use, they also don't last as long as Shark or Derby and their packaging is frustrating to deal with.
After using Astra blades it was a relief to go back to Shark and Derby blades.
Compared to Personna Blades
Personna Blue blades seem to be sharper, smoother and last longer. They are my most favorites blades now.
Value
At about 20 cents per blade, which lasts close to a week, these blades are much cheaper than Gillette Fusion, Schick Hydro 5 or Schick Hydro 3. They are better for environment too.
Pros: Low price, smooth, close shave, no pulling when the beard is short
Cons: Pulling when beard is long, no used blade disposal slot, Shark are sharper, last longer
Bottom Line
Although I get a closer, less irritating shave with these Derby blades than that of the Shark blades if I shave every day, the Shark blades last longer and have a useful used blade disposal slot built into the cartridge. Shark blades also work better if I don't shave every day. Both kinds of blades have their advantages and disadvantages and I expect to be using both of them. In any case, I recommend that you try these Derby blades and see for yourself if your beard and skin respond well to them.
Schick Hydro 5 Blade Razor - Much Better Than Fusion
Switching from electric shavers (which I have used for decades and achieved less than perfect shave) to double-edge shaving was great for me. I tried Gillette Fusion, a battery-powered vibrating Gillette Fusion power razor and was not impressed with the skin irritation they gave me. The shave itself was good and fast though. Skin irritation from shaving is very difficult to avoid and although various Panasonic electric shavers worked well for me in this regard, I always wanted a closer shave.
When I was a teenager, I tried to use 2-blade Gillette Sensor razors, but had to stop because of the skin irritation. Now, after decades of using electric shavers, I discovered that a close shave was within my grasp, if only I could do something about the resultant irritation. Electric shavers have other disadvantages in addition to lack of close shave: cleaning, charging, bulk and blades that would get dull after 1-2 years and require now screens and cutters that cost as much as a new shaver, resulting in waste and additional expenses.
Quite recently, used the following shavers: Panasonic ES8101S Electric Shaver and Panasonic Pro-Curve ES7037. In any case, after trying the Gillette Fusion, it was, to avoid irritation, a time to try something new. Or rather something old. The old-fashioned shaving with double-edge safety razor and blades. I bought the Parker 86R safety razor and 100 Shark Super Chrome double edge safety blades. Long story short, the old-school double-edge shaving worked rather well. Close shave and very little irritation were the result.
The DE shaving is a slow process though. I find it soothing and it is so relaxing that it helps me fall asleep faster, so I shave before going to bed. But sometimes a faster shave would be beneficial. So I decided to try the Gillette Fusion's competitor: Schick Hydro 5.
About Schick Hydro 5
The Schick Hydro 5 is a competitor to Gillette Fusion. It is a shaving "system" that uses cartridges with 5 "Ultra Glide" blades with skin guards, flip trimmer and a reservoir with aloe-enriched liquid conditioner.
Results
The shaver itself has less high-tech appearance than Fusion. It is comfortable in your hand and is nicely-weighted. The shaving has been very impressive. It cuts my beard better than Fusion (including vibrating Fusion ProGlide) and does not irritate as much. Further, unlike Fusion that uses a lubricating strip, the Hydro 5 uses a reservoir that is filled with a substance that is actually released and provides excellent lubrication.
I am very impressed with this water-activated aloe-enriched liquid conditioner. It mixed with the shaving foam and helped the blade glide. The result was smooth shave and low irritation.
The shave was also achieved in much less time than with a double-edge razor. I did not have to re-lather (shaving with DE, I have to lather about 3 times) because of the conditioner released from the cartridge. The only issue I have (aside from the cost of cartridges) is the fact that it is difficult to cut the beard in difficult to reach areas: under the nose is one example. This is a problem with any cartridge system, whereas with a DE blade, you get precise control and easier access. The flip trimmer worked well in this area though, in fact even better than a DE blade and much better than the useless Fusion's trimmer.
Pros: Smooth, comfortable shave, less irritation than Fusion, slightly cheaper cartridges, releases conditioner
Cons: More expensive than double-edge shaving, less control and more irritation than double-edge
Bottom Line
The shave I got from the Hydro 5 was as close as from Fusion, but with less irritation and less pull. The cartridges also last somewhat longer and the liquid conditioner release is awesome. The cartridges cost a little less than Fusion's. Whereas I can't bring myself to use Fusion again, the Hydro 5 will definitely get some use. I will still keep using my double-edge razor most of the time (with Derby Extra blades or Shark blades), but whenever I need a fast shave, I will use the Schick Hydro 5.
When I was a teenager, I tried to use 2-blade Gillette Sensor razors, but had to stop because of the skin irritation. Now, after decades of using electric shavers, I discovered that a close shave was within my grasp, if only I could do something about the resultant irritation. Electric shavers have other disadvantages in addition to lack of close shave: cleaning, charging, bulk and blades that would get dull after 1-2 years and require now screens and cutters that cost as much as a new shaver, resulting in waste and additional expenses.
Quite recently, used the following shavers: Panasonic ES8101S Electric Shaver and Panasonic Pro-Curve ES7037. In any case, after trying the Gillette Fusion, it was, to avoid irritation, a time to try something new. Or rather something old. The old-fashioned shaving with double-edge safety razor and blades. I bought the Parker 86R safety razor and 100 Shark Super Chrome double edge safety blades. Long story short, the old-school double-edge shaving worked rather well. Close shave and very little irritation were the result.
The DE shaving is a slow process though. I find it soothing and it is so relaxing that it helps me fall asleep faster, so I shave before going to bed. But sometimes a faster shave would be beneficial. So I decided to try the Gillette Fusion's competitor: Schick Hydro 5.
About Schick Hydro 5
The Schick Hydro 5 is a competitor to Gillette Fusion. It is a shaving "system" that uses cartridges with 5 "Ultra Glide" blades with skin guards, flip trimmer and a reservoir with aloe-enriched liquid conditioner.
Results
The shaver itself has less high-tech appearance than Fusion. It is comfortable in your hand and is nicely-weighted. The shaving has been very impressive. It cuts my beard better than Fusion (including vibrating Fusion ProGlide) and does not irritate as much. Further, unlike Fusion that uses a lubricating strip, the Hydro 5 uses a reservoir that is filled with a substance that is actually released and provides excellent lubrication.
I am very impressed with this water-activated aloe-enriched liquid conditioner. It mixed with the shaving foam and helped the blade glide. The result was smooth shave and low irritation.
The shave was also achieved in much less time than with a double-edge razor. I did not have to re-lather (shaving with DE, I have to lather about 3 times) because of the conditioner released from the cartridge. The only issue I have (aside from the cost of cartridges) is the fact that it is difficult to cut the beard in difficult to reach areas: under the nose is one example. This is a problem with any cartridge system, whereas with a DE blade, you get precise control and easier access. The flip trimmer worked well in this area though, in fact even better than a DE blade and much better than the useless Fusion's trimmer.
Pros: Smooth, comfortable shave, less irritation than Fusion, slightly cheaper cartridges, releases conditioner
Cons: More expensive than double-edge shaving, less control and more irritation than double-edge
Bottom Line
The shave I got from the Hydro 5 was as close as from Fusion, but with less irritation and less pull. The cartridges also last somewhat longer and the liquid conditioner release is awesome. The cartridges cost a little less than Fusion's. Whereas I can't bring myself to use Fusion again, the Hydro 5 will definitely get some use. I will still keep using my double-edge razor most of the time (with Derby Extra blades or Shark blades), but whenever I need a fast shave, I will use the Schick Hydro 5.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Averaging over 40 mpg in 2014 Honda Accord EX-L without really trying
When our 2007 Honda Accord VP was totaled in an accident, we bought the 2014 Honda Accord EX-L 2.4L 4-cylinder (non-hybrid). That car has a CVT transmission and is rated 27 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. Consumer Reports stated that they got 49 mpg in a CVT-equipped Accord at steady 55 mph and 42 mpg at 65 mph.
Today I drove to work starting off with a cold engine and driving on streets for 2 miles until I hit the freeway. The indicated mpg by that point was 17 mpg. Then, I drove 50 miles on the freeway with moderate traffic (some stop and go) and 2 more on the highway. The result way 40.4 mpg. And I didn't even use all of my techniques for maximizing fuel economy.
The CVT-equipped 4-cylinder Accord features direct injection, CVT transmission and low rolling resistance tires. In our case the tires are V-rated Goodyear Assurance FuelMax 215/55R17. Some models come with Michelin Primacy MXV4.
Update: I have since achieved as high as 44.5 mpg in the same commute. Pretty nice for a roomy non-hybrid sedan with 190 hp.
Today I drove to work starting off with a cold engine and driving on streets for 2 miles until I hit the freeway. The indicated mpg by that point was 17 mpg. Then, I drove 50 miles on the freeway with moderate traffic (some stop and go) and 2 more on the highway. The result way 40.4 mpg. And I didn't even use all of my techniques for maximizing fuel economy.
The CVT-equipped 4-cylinder Accord features direct injection, CVT transmission and low rolling resistance tires. In our case the tires are V-rated Goodyear Assurance FuelMax 215/55R17. Some models come with Michelin Primacy MXV4.
Update: I have since achieved as high as 44.5 mpg in the same commute. Pretty nice for a roomy non-hybrid sedan with 190 hp.
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