Advantages: Great to cushion back - fits any saddle
Disadvantages: Can be a little warm in hot weather

...I bought a PolyPad after my pony had had a few problems with her back. Her old saddle used to rub a little leaving bare patches. The PolyPads come in 2 thicknesses and 2 shapes and are available in most equestrian outlets. I find them a muct for general riding and hacking. My pony no longer has bare patrches on her back and has not complained of a sore back since using the polypad. Polypads are easy to clean (I just shove mine in the washing machine) and mine seems to have lasted forever! I have had one of them for 3 years and it came up like new recently when I washed it! They are available in various different colours. I have a couple - one is navy with red binding and the other is navy with gold binding. The only slight negative aspect, is that in summer I find my pony sweats up a fair bit - I tend to use a lighter numnah on hot... Read review

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Advantages: Free, easy to configure, very reliable
Disadvantages: Some software won`t work with it

..., you will need to send any mail using a Freeserve email address, although you can have a seperate "reply to:" email address set up easily. This is normal with trying to send emails from another ISP, and not a quirk of the program. One thing to note is that you will have problems trying to use some other programs, such as ICQ or IRC from the secondary machine, but it does allow FTP/HTTP/NNTP/SMTP/POP3/SOCKS (all selectable), and allows for logging of connections. It also allows "binding" of itself to one machine (the primary machine - just type in the IP address) so it can`t take commands or requests from anywhere else, so it can`t be used by hackers to poke around your systems. All in all, it`s damn reliable, perfect for general surfing, but it`s not quite a NAT solution (Network Address Translation) which can become much harder... Read review

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Advantages: Helps getting rid of ugly curls
Disadvantages: might not be as efficient on every type of hair

...I have wavy hair, it's not exactly straight and not curly either, and it's quite difficult to style. I've tried several straightening conditioners, along with brushing and blow drying, which can result quite time consuming. When I saw this leave in cream, I thought it was quite a good idea, first because it sounds faster than the whole process of using a traditional conditioner, and second because if you leave it in your hair, and it sounds like it's going to be more efficient with the combing and styling. I think it is important to say that it must not be used in large quantities because as any cream in can end up greasy. I use something like a walnut size amount (pretty much what is stated on the bottle) and apply it on throughout the length, then I comb it and dry it, when it's almost dry I comb it in the shape it, part it etc... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to use.
Disadvantages: Could be dangerous in certain circumstances.

...exposed you have to position the zapper at approximately 45degrees to the animals skin and then pull the comb through the fur in the direction of its growth. This has to be repeated until the whole of the animal has been covered. None of my animals appear bothered by it at all in fact they love it. During the combing if the zapper comes into contact with a flea the buzzing stops as the infecting flea is killed or stunned and is left embedded within the teeth of the comb. To remove the flea you can either pick it out yourself or release the self locking switch which returns the teeth of the comb back into the body of the zapper ejecting the lifeless flea in the process. Should this not happen for what ever reason then a small brush is provided to remove the errant corpse. Now a word warning, you must remember to switch of the machine before... Read review

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Advantages: Picture quality, zoom range, well built
Disadvantages: No remote control, no flash hotshoe,small supplied memory card.

...I have owned this, my first digital camera, for around three weeks, and am very highly pleased with it. Considering the massive zoom range the camera is nicely compact, yet has a rugged sturdy feel to it. Hard copy basic instructions are included in the box, but detailed instructions are in PDF file format on the installation CD. Although these are around 250 pages long I decided to print them out and comb-bind them, a decision I have not regretted. I write as one who has had more than a passing interest in photography for a good many years, so I have a reasonable understanding of the technicalities. However, having removed the contents of the box, marvelled at the minuteness of the XD memory card, and charged the battery, I set the camera to Auto and fired off a few shots. Being used to the quality of point-and-shoot compact film... Read review

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Advantages: Lightweight, Cuts when wet, Bosch design
Disadvantages: Full width on/off bar

...I bought the Bosch Rotak 43 as it was the largest electric mower I could find, and I have a lot of grass. I had a qualcast before, so was very happy with the whole Bosch scene. The reviews said that it was quiet, lightweight and cut long, wet grass. The mower arrived on the one day it didn't rain, so I put it to the test. It does everything it says on the box. Lawn-cutting time was reduced by almost half, mainly because the machine didn't get clogged up with wet cuttings. It really is lightweight, and is very manoeuvrable. It is also a lot quieter than my previous machine. I have a very uneven garden, but found no difficulty in using the machine, and the 'combs' on the side do seem to help it to cut nearer to walls, trees etc. My only criticism is the handle. The machine has an on/off bar which traverses the whole width making... Read review

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Advantages: good features, well packaged, easy to use.
Disadvantages: Can't be wall mounted

...Our Binatone cordless phone with built in answering machine was not a great success. When the batteries stopped working I could have replaced them but instead we decided to go looking for a better one. We found the BT Studio 3500 in ASDA for a little under £30 and took it home. BT should get a special mention for their excellent packaging. Normally when you buy a boxed electrical item you have to wade through loads of plastic wrap, sticky tape, tie wraps, and bags to get the item out. You are then stuck with a huge pile of polystyrene and plastic to get rid of. Purbeck District Council, in their wisdom, only empty our wheely bins fortnightly so excess packaging can be a real bind. This item was in a cardboard box, the spacers were card and instead of plastic there was tissue paper. Well done BT! Setting up Plug... Read review

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Advantages: makes great coffee, tea, chocolate drinks
Disadvantages: expensive pods.

...) but you can mail it to them. The service was excelent and they replaced the machine with no hassle at all, within a week. Which was great for us, as we missed it so much and having to resort back to the kettle was a bind. The only downside is the cost of the pods, but you do get a decent cuppa and it would cost you more in a decent coffee shop.... Read review

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Advantages: Straightens hair!
Disadvantages: Water can escape and scolds

...I purchased these straighteners about 2 months ago on special offer at Boots of £13. I believe it generally costs around £25 though. I decided to buy some straighteners after borrowing them from a friend and discovering that they really do work to make my hair more slinky and manageable. This is a steam straightener and has a blue water chamber which you remove from the front (slide out), fill with water, and click back into place. Once the straightener has warmed up there is a steady flow of steam from holes in the upper plate and there is a button on the top of the straightener to press to give an extra shoot of steam for particularly awkward hair. The instructions warn that you should not keep this button pressed down as it can result in boiling water shooting out. I would add that if you do not wait for the machine to warm up... Read review

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Advantages: Removes most lice and eggs during wet combing
Disadvantages: can be difficult to clean and can tear hair if used dry

...~What is a nitty gritty comb?~ A nitty gritty comb is a variation on traditional lice detection combs specifically designed to help parents and guardians detect and remove head lice. ~What is the difference between this and other lice combs~ Traditional lice detection combs are metal or plastic, with 1cm long teeth and about 0.2mm teeth and gaps, reducing the chances of missing lice and/or eggs (nits or casings) during wet combing. A Nitty gritty comb has 3cm long teeth which are laser etched spirally. Used during wet combing this comb can remove both lice AND eggs quite effectively without use of chemicals. However if used dry (no water or conditioner) the comb can strip and rip hair that gets caught in the laser etchings. Due to its nature it can often be difficult to remove bugs and eggs from the comb whilst combing, either rinse... Read review

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