pros:-

• Low cost
• Upgradeable resistance (240 to 440 pounds)
• Lifetime warranty on bows
• Compact

cons:-

• Not very smooth
• Video and exercises get mixed reviews
• No preacher biceps curl
• Assembly a long, two-person job

Consumer Reports includes an earlier version of the Weider Max Ultra in its excellent comparison tests of five exercise machines. This review is based on thorough tests by engineers and fitness experts, but it’s not clear from the review how much of the evaluation also applies to the latest Weider Max Ultra. The more detailed but less formal review at Home-Gym-Review.com has been updated to cover the Max Ultra, and over two dozen owners also review the newer Max Ultra at Amazon.com and Sears.com. The brief critical review by personal trainer Brett Spottke is harder to evaluate, since he seems biased against any Weider equipment and doesn’t document any testing of the Weider Crossbow or Max Ultra.

For a good workout at a budget price, reviews recommend the Weider Max Ultra home gym (known in the past as the Advantage, Crossbar and Crossbow). Instead of weights, this gym uses the resistance of bendable bars and cables. This technology was made famous by Bowflex, but the Weider Max Ultra costs much less. Home-gym reviews say that while weight stacks and the Bowflex provide for a smoother and more even movement

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pros:-

Excels at detecting viruses

Light and fast

Easy-to-use interface

cons:-

Windows XP conflicts

Poor online technical support

March 2009. Symantec has made some significant design changes with Norton AntiVirus 2009, and reviewers say there’s a noticeable improvement in speed and footprint. This year’s user reviews contain fewer complaints about resource drain and software incompatibility, although some owners report clashes with Windows XP. Most reviewers say Norton has a simple and intuitive interface, and it does well in lab tests for virus detection. ESET NOD32 4.0 (*est. $35) does slightly better overall with reviewers and earns much higher user ratings, but some say the improved interface is still too complex for beginners. Security experts recommend anti-spyware and firewall programs in addition to virus detection software. One option is to get an all-inclusive suite like Norton Internet Security 2009 (*est. $45).

We found a good review of Norton AntiVirus 2009 at CNet.com. Robert Vamosi weighs in on features, performance and ease of use. CNet has some user reviews following the main article, but we found more substantial coverage from owners at Amazon.com. Geek.com and TopTenReviews.com also provide some information.

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Easy to use

Inexpensive

Easy-to-replace battery

High owner satisfaction

cons:-

Some report erratic readings

Battery life could be better

Compared to other inexpensive, basic heart rate monitors, owner reviewers on Amazon.com are overwhelmingly positive regarding the Omron HR-100C heart rate monitor. Users appreciate the low price, in addition to its ease of use. Owners also appreciate the ability to replace the battery themselves (some models require factory service to replace the battery). While some reviews complain of erratic readings and short battery life, most users agree the Omron HR-100C is a good basic monitor. If you’re willing to spend more for more features, though, the Polar F11 heart rate monitor (*est. $160) is the reviewers’ overall favorite.

We could not find any professional comparison tests of the Omron-HR 100C; however, nearly 300 owner-written reviews at Amazon.com provide us with great detail of the product and its capabilities. About.com’s guide to men’s health also includes the Omron in a top-10 roundup of heart rate monitors.

Where To Buy

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pros:-

Good value

Good audio quality

Lots of features

cons:-

Poor display

Video and photo files need conversion

Lots of reviewers have published their take on the SanDisk Sansa Fuze. CNet.com, PC Magazine and PC World all provide testing-backed commentary. Consumer Reports also delivers sound testing, but falls short in the commentary department. Go to Amazon.com if you want to see how owners react to the Fuze once they get it home.

For those searching for a less expensive or more feature-packed alternative to the Apple iPod nano (*est. $140 for 8 GB), reports say that the SanDisk Sansa Fuze delivers on both scores. The nano is certainly a better performer than the Fuze when it comes to video quality, and that’s even ignoring the fact that video files (and photo files) need to be converted using included software before viewing on the Fuse. On all other scores, however, the Fuze holds its own and sometimes even excels. Audio quality is excellent — so much so that better-quality headphones are a worthwhile investment. Battery life is good. The feature lineup includes an FM tuner and voice recording. You can expand the player’s memory via the memory card slot, and tunes stored on external cards are integrated into the player’s library. While all reviewers still rate the iPod nano as a superior MP3 player, they also say that the Fuze’s value and performance is hard to ignore.

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