STRING TRIMMER BUYING GUIDE

Finding the best trimmer (like POULAN PRO TRIMMER ) can be difficult. Luckily Back Yard Boss has laid it out for you here in our buyers guide. Read on to find what you should be looking for or if you aren’t interested in the research, move onto our top 5 string trimmer reviews or view our comparison tables for a quick snapshot.

It is advisable to have an idea beforehand as to how the weed eater handles. In general, the weight of the trimmer must be evenly distributed, or it can be a bit heavier on the top. Make sure that the controls are smooth and easily accessible.

Weed trimmers can stir up debris. To avoid hurting yourself, think safety, put on safety goggles, boots and long pants. With the exception of cordless electric trimmers, most weed eaters operate at a minimum of 85 decibels, a noise level at which it is sensible to put on some ear protection.

Weeds and tall grass can wrap themselves around the string trimmers cutting head, slowing it down or even stalling it as a result. This is especially true of weed wackers that have a considerable gap between the head and the mounting for the grass debris guard. Line trimmers with smaller gaps or a protective sleeve around their shaft will generally evade this issue.

Moultrie M-880i

The set up was easy and somewhat familiar and I had this camera taking photos on the range quickly. I noticed a new setting called WI-FI SD Card. Years ago I tested many cameras with a Wi-fi SD card from eye-fi and found that because the power was cut off after the image was saved the wi-fi card did not have time to send the image over wi-fi. My guess is that this setting will leave power to the SD card longer or all the time. Also notable are settings called AC Connected and Overwrite.

This is a small camera virtually identical in size to the M-880 we covered in 2013. The layout of the buttons and switches have changed. The display is still the two line LCD thus no photo viewer on this one. The 880i uses a hinged, camera in the back design which is convenient as the camera does not flop around when you open it.. It requires 8 AA batteries which are stored in a pop out tray.. It has slots for a strap and a python cable hole on the back of the camera as well as two tripod mount threaded receptacles one on the rear and one on the bottom. It supports photo, video and time lapse modes. The LED flash array cover is slightly tinted to take some of the shine off the array unlike the typical black we are used to.

The set up was easy and somewhat familiar and I had this camera (like MOULTRIE A-20I MINI GAME CAMERA ) taking photos on the range quickly. I noticed a new setting called WI-FI SD Card. Years ago I tested many cameras with a Wi-fi SD card from eye-fi and found that because the power was cut off after the image was saved the wi-fi card did not have time to send the image over wi-fi. My guess is that this setting will leave power to the SD card longer or all the time. Also notable are settings called AC and Overwrite.

I placed the camera in photo/motion mode in a dark room. I can see the flash but very faintly. I would put this one in the black flash category. Another interesting thing I noticed is that each time the camera triggered and captured a photo I could hear a long tone followed by a short tone. It is not very loud and I am guessing it is around 12 Khz. Unless you have good hearing you may not notice the tone but I am guessing that animals probably will if they are close. Also, I noticed that there is a filter clunk but only one as it transitions from light to dark and back.

I managed to get some range sample pictures. In comparing this camera to last year’s M-880 I feel that the image contrast is poorer and that the color saturation is less realistic. The sunny photos have a haziness which I believe is an over exposure problem.

Tonight I captured some flash range pictures. You should note that the first flash range pictures were taken with Motion Freeze = ON. You can tell that the 50 foot deer has horns but there is not a lot of detail. I have seen better but this is a no glow flash camera. Also, I tested the PIR sensing range and could only get this camera to trigger within 30 feet. I would not have believed this result but earlier I left the camera on the range and poured out a pile of corn at 35 feet. When I returned from lunch, I pulled the card, noticed the corn was gone. The only pics on the card were of me walking out with a bucket. No deer photos. I have gone through all the menu settings and there is no PIR sensitivity setting that I can find. The temp during the walk tests was 67F.

Compared to most cameras there is little foreground as it is cropped to create the wide screen aspect on the photos. We have seen this cropping on most wide screen formatted photos so you may need to tip it forward a bit compared to other cameras.

So far nothing about this camera is a deal breaker, but this sensitivity issue is going to require more testing. I also have the M-880, M-880C that I can use to compare sensitivity as they no doubt have the same fresnel and PIR.

After testing the M-880c, I found that its sensing range is identical to the M-880i. I can’t get it to trigger beyond 30 feet.

The sensing range is identical on the 880c as the 880i. Both cameras will not trigger beyond 30 feet. I did jumping jacks, slow walks, fast walks and the limbo. I can’t get it to trigger beyond 30 feet.

I am wondering if the pir sensing cone is aimed more down, which is the problem or is it something they can tweak in the firmware and provide an update? I sent my Moultrie contact an email and I hope they will get back with me on this.

Want Distributed Solar in Urban Areas? BIPV Takes the Lead

The stars are aligned for a breakthrough of small-scale solar energy in urban areas. This could completely change the world, the planet’s source of energy generation and save the environment. However, there are also obstacles to this bright future from the unlikeliest of sources.

On the plus side, thin film solar cell (for example: GOAL ZERO NOMAD 100) efficiency records are broken almost every month and the cells are becoming cheaper to produce. More importantly companies are starting to consider the potential of solar panels that are not made with heavy glass or a rigid frame. To integrate PV on buildings and in cities, panels need to be lightweight, durable and flexible (in size and shape) so they can integrate into available building materials.

In addition, we are witnessing rapid development in battery technology and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Tesla is actively marketing its Powerwall rechargeable battery for the storage of solar energy, and is expected to soon launch its highly anticipated solar roof. There is promising research in more advanced and efficient battery technology, e.g. lithium-air batteries and solid-state batteries. Further, there is recognition that the energy needs of tomorrow’s megacities cannot be met with central generation. By 2050, it is predicted that 70 percent of the global population will live in urban areas.

But there are obstacles to this bright future. One comes from politicians and states. States and municipalities make money from various energy taxes and some have gone on record against people producing their own energy “for free.” Many countries wish to tax distributed energy even on a small scale. This is counterproductive to renewable energy generation.

Electric utilities, both public and private, also stand in the way. These behemoths have enormous lobbying power. They stand to lose their entire reason for being if customers start producing their own energy and trading it between themselves. However, electric utilities could transform into ‘energy banks’ or brokers in a new renewable energy world, charging interest on energy that is produced and “deposited” with them for later use. It might not be such a bleak future for them - banks, brokers and card companies are all profitable.

I believe in the renewable energy tidal wave. The prospect of a world without human CO2 emissions, and an end to global warming, where electricity is produced by “everyone” without effort and is cheap, readily available and reliable, is simply too good to be stopped.

How to Streamline Your Small Business in 4 Easy Steps

Running a business, no matter what its size, can be full of difficulties and challenges. One of the main aspects which any business owner needs to come to terms with is time. How you spend your time is of paramount importance within the confines of your business. After all, if you waste time, you waste money – the old adage is true. However, if you go too far the other way, your business will likely suffer. The last thing you want is to do shoddy work because you are trying to rush the endgame. Treading the fine line between these two can be precarious. But there is good news: it is perfectly possible to achieve in today’s world. Not only that, it is fairly painless to implement. All that is required is a little imagination and some forethought. As long as you plan ahead, and take the following on board, all should be fine. So how do you go about streamlining your small business? Let’s take a look at some top tips for achieving just that.

Prioritise Workflow

It is important for any business owner to learn the skills of prioritising work. It is especially important in a small business. In a multinational corporation, there is much more room for mistakes. But when you run a small business, there is no wiggle room at all. The slightest thing can have dramatic knock-on effects. As such, it is vital that you learn how to prioritise the workflow. This means putting things in order not just for yourself, but for all your colleagues in the office. Obviously, it is unlikely that you will have the time to do this all yourself. So hire some help to give you a hand.

7 Golden Rules to Drive Your New Business to Success

All new businesses set out with one common goal: be successful. The way you define that word can vary from company to company, but hitting those targets is a must.

There is no one route to business success, but there are a number of practices that will stand you in great stead. Getting those fundamental features in place should be a priority at all times. Pay close attention to the following seven aspects, and your chances of reaching those goals will be greatly increased.

What are you waiting for? Let’s get started.

You Need Money

The business world has undergone huge changes in recent times, and it’s now possible to launch your dreams on a far more modest budget. It’s virtually impossible to get your venture off the ground without a little financial backing.

How Can Small Business Ship Products Internationally Efficiently

Most businesses, at some point, will be ready to expand and reach new markets. The advent of eCommerce and globalization has made it easier than ever to expand internationally and reach customers globally. With the expansion comes need to ship products to customers in multiple countries. As a small business owners you will need to worry about tax and custom implications when you start to ship products to other countries. Fortunately, there are tools and companies that specialize in this area and can help you alleviate the pain associated with international expansion. Here are the steps you need to look at before you jump in.

Make sure your product is suitable for a broad audience

Some products play best in certain markets, and that’s where your international knowledge comes in. For example, products geared toward certain weather will do better in warmer/colder climates. If your product is weather-specific, you may not be a viable option to people of a particular market.