Consumer Reports articles from August 2002

Consumer Reports archives from August 2002

When doctors don't know best.(medical screening tests)
August 1, 2002... During routine checkups--even in the midst of major medical decisions--many people turn passive and unquestioning, letting the doctor call all the shots. After all, the doctor knows best, right? Not always, according to Consumer Reports on...

Your body, your I.D.? Iris scans, thumbprints, hand maps and other computer technologies may make us safer and more vulnerable at the same time.
August 1, 2002... Biometrics--automated identification gadgetry--was once the stuff of sci-fi movies. A hand placed on a pad would magically open a door on the planet Galaxos; or a scan of a face would trigger an alarm in the workshop of Despota, Duchess of...

Kitchen works.(kitchen remodeling tips)(Cover Story)
August 1, 2002... What's the perfect kitchen? It's a gathering place where cooking is a pleasure, cleanup is a snap, and storage is abundant. Your version may be large or small, contemporary or country, but the bottom line is this: It has to work well and look...

Ranges.(Product/Service Evaluation)(Cover Story)
August 1, 2002... The humble stove's rise to kitchen centerpiece helps explain America's love affair with stainless-clad, pro-style ranges. But don't think paying thousands of dollars will buy you a better burger or a tastier sauce. As the Ratings on pages 18...

Cooktops & wall ovens: this combo is more adaptable to many kitchen designs than is a standard range. And you needn't pay top dollar for top performance.(Cover Story)
August 1, 2002... Flexibility is the main reason to choose a cooktop and wall oven over a standard range. A cooktop fits discreetly on an island. And a wall oven can be placed so you don't have to bend over to cook a turkey. Some cooks buy double wall ovens for,...

Over-the-range microwave ovens.(Buyers Guide)(Cover Story)
August 1, 2002... If you want a microwave oven but don't want to sacrifice counterspace, an over-the-range (OTR) model might be the answer. For about $350 to $700, you can fit your new cabinets with an OTR oven that will serve as an exhaust fan for your range...

Dishwashers.(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2002... Getting the gunk off dishes is a breeze for most dishwashers--even basic machines that cost around $350. If you want cleaning prowess plus quiet operation, flexible loading, designer styling, and efficient use of water and energy, be prepared...

Refrigerators: good performance and energy efficiency are a given, whether you spend $500 or $5,000.(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2002... Today's refrigerators do a good job of keeping things cold. They're also about 30 percent more energy efficient than fridges were just a few years ago, thanks to new federal energy standards. Within any one category, model-to-model...

Cabinets: it's all in the details.(kitchen cabinets)
August 1, 2002... Cabinets that are functional, durable, and attractive aren't cheap. Indeed, cabinets are often the most expensive part of a remodeled kitchen. Our tests have shown that most models, even the least expensive ones at the home center, should...

Countertops: how the leading types compare in toughness and cost.(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2002... The right countertop for your kitchen depends on your needs, tastes, and budget. Here's a rundown of the leading types, in order of their overall toughness, based on performance in our tests. Engineered stone. These new materials are made...

Sinks: surprise, some of the least expensive sinks are also among the toughest.(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2002... You'd think that a thick, $350 stainless-steel sink would be quieter and less dent-prone than a thin $150 model, or that a $400 cast-iron enamel sink would chip less easily than a lighter, $200 enameled-steel version. But we found thickness and...

Faucets: even basic models shouldn't drip, flake, or tarnish, but some are likely to look better longer. .(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2002... Insomniacs, rejoice: Most kitchen faucets are now guaranteed for life against leaks, thanks to better valves that eliminate those infamous rubber washers and the midnight drips that occur when they fail. The lifetime warranties also cover a...

Which dishwashing liquids are clear winners?
August 1, 2002... When Procter & Gamble introduced Dawn dishwashing liquid in 1975, it came in one version. Today there are 11 Dawns, including antibacterial, hand care, and "PowerPlus." Indeed, P&G has gone so far as to post an interactive quiz on its web site...

Finding jeans for you.(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2002... Jeans may well be the most carefully sewn clothing in your closet. Why, then, is it so hard to find jeans that fit? You can start with the way they're constructed and even the nature of denim itself. Manufacturers have to allow for small...

Bandages that make the cut: some stay where they're put for a few cents apieace; others cost more than 40 cents. Ouch!(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2002... The perfect bandage could be opened without use of a magnifying glass; would stick stubbornly, even to active kids; and could be removed without the little ripping noise that is often followed by a muttered oath. These days, the search for that...

Recalls.(1996-98 Toyota 4Runner; 1997-2000 Volkswagen Jetta and Passat; Fisher-Price Smart Response infant swing; various brands of gas-fired boilers; Maximus Scuba regulator)
August 1, 2002... * '96-98 Toyota 4-Runner The combination of a heavy load and severe steering maneuvers could cause vehicle to lose directional stability, possibly resulting in loss of control and crash. Models: 273,743 sport-utility vehicles, with...

Mutual funds: mixing it up.(hybrid mutual funds)
August 1, 2002... BACK TO A BASIC The mutual fund's allure, when it sprang to life in 1924, was one-stop shopping--a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds that would cover an investor's every need. In recent years, however, funds have multiplied...

Power saw power: we tested 25 of these workshop workhorses and quickly learned that the blade makes a big difference.(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2002... When we tested 25 circular saws--a mainstay for cutting thick boards, plywood, and the like--we quickly learned that the saw blade affects cutting speed as much as the saw itself. Most of the saws that were supplied with a plain steel blade...

Now playing the name game: crossover, hatchback, or wagon - whatever you call them, these six vehicles blend practicality, affordability, and a dash of sportiness.(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2002... The term "crossover" is one you could be hearing a lot in the coming months. Increasingly, automakers and the media alike are applying this label to a growing group of vehicles that straddle the line between SUVs and cars, and are essentially...

Working past 65: you may be in the labor force longer than you think. Here's what you need to know to prepare.
August 1, 2002... Back when JFK was just a senator, Betty Varner, now a 76-year-old grandmother, started her job as a program analyst for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, in San Francisco. Today, with 43 years under her belt, she has no immediate plans to put...