Consumer Reports articles from January 2009

Consumer Reports archives from January 2009

Why texting is too $$$!(VIEWPOINT)(price of text messaging)
January 1, 2009... JERRY SOBIESKI'S teenagers are forever sending text messages to friends on their cell phones instead of calling them. What baffles and infuriates Sobieski, a computer network engineer from Woodbine, Md., are the rates wireless carriers charge...

Safe enough? No.(FROM OUR PRESIDENT)
January 1, 2009... All is not right in the skies over America's playing fields. (All is not right with the playing fields either, but more on that in a minute.) More than a million remote-controlled toy helicopters were recalled in 2008; the problem is with the...

Conversion confusion.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... "Confused About Cable?" (Viewpoint, November 2008), says that the cost of conversion boxes will be borne by government instead of consumers. The government is funded by consumers through taxes. The real meaning of the statement is that...

Better than what?(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... In "Better Breakfasts?" (November 2008), it's ironic that Honey Nut Theerios, with 9 grams of sugar, is rated "very good," while any kind of Thex, puffed cereal, or even granola aren't even listed. There are a lot more cereals that are more...

Take care of Medicare.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... "Two Prescriptions for America's Ills" (November 2008) should have compared universal health care to Medicare. Everyone avoids the fact that universal health care for seniors is broken: insultingly low payments to physicians, physicians being...

DTV &. antennas.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... In "Get Ready for Digital TV" (Lab Tests, November 2008), the converter boxes tested were roughly all equal. However, they were tested using a rooftop antenna. My TV has rabbit ears. When 1 installed my converter box, the TV signal got so weak...

Correction.(Correction Notice)(Correction notice)
January 1, 2009... "Two Prescriptions for America's Ills" (November 2008) incorrectly said that the federal government operates a program to help low-income women pay for treatment of ovarian cancer. That program, the HealthyWomen Project's Breast and Cervical...

Have manufacturers enhanced the battery life of their digital cameras?(ASK OUR EXPERTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... They have made their batteries last longer. In our 2005 tests, several models yielded fewer than 100 shots per charge. In our latest tests, most delivered more than 200. The Canon A470.A590 IS, A650 IS, and SX100 IS PowerShot point-and-shoots...

I'm getting hit with higher property taxes. How can I get them lowered?(ASK OUR EXPERTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Your best bet is to appeal the assessed value of your home soon after your tax bill arrives. Use home-sales data to compare your home's assessed value with that of six or more similar houses in your town, or pay for an appraisal. If your value...

I've read you should thew aspirin at the first sign of thest pain to stop a heart attack, but I hate the taste of aspirin. Couldn't I swallow a tablet?(ASK OUR EXPERTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Thew a 325-milligram aspirin (or four 81-mg pills) no matter how bad it tastes. Thewing is the fastest way to get the aspirin into your bloodstream, where it can prevent blood clots. Should you have thest pain or suffer a heart attack, first...

Looking for a better bed? Sleep on it.(up front)
January 1, 2009... It's tempting to blame your bed for a bad night's sleep, and many a mattress maker fuels the finger-pointing by claiming that its product will all but cure insomnia. But before buying the hype, consider that any new mattress is apt to be better...

Beauty on a budget.(UP FRONT)(mascaras)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Mascaras A panel of 34 staffers used 16 washable black mascaras over six weeks, then rated each on overall performance, ease of application, brush, look on lashes, durability, and ease of removal. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bottom...

Straighteners.(UP FRONT)(straightening irons )(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... We lab-tested nine straightening irons on swatthes of naturally curly hair (testers counted how many passes it took to get the hair straight). We also asked staffers to use the straighteners at home.As with blow dryers, differences inwattage...

Blow dryers.(UP FRONT)(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2009... You can buy a blow dryer for $20, but surely a $200 hotshot with high wattage will dry your hair faster, right? Wrong. Despite big differences in price and wattage, drying time for the 10 models we tested didn't vary much. Fancy claims were...

Bargain bubblies.(UP FRONT)(sparkling wines and champagnes )(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Tough times don't mean that you need to skip the bubbly on New Year's Eve. We've listed six very good choices: four sparkling wines for $20 or less and two Champagnes that are a bit pricier. (Strictly speaking, Champagne must be made in the...

Help for a hangover.(DID YOU KNOW?)
January 1, 2009... Let's get the obvious out of the way: The best hangover remedy is to avoid alcohol in the first place. But or those who end up overcelebrating this NewYear's Eve, here are the realities behind common "cures." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Shoe shopping? Why mouse beats mall.(UP FRONT)(online shopping)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... If the shoe fits, wear it. If it doesn't, return it. Chances are you'll be happy either way if you shop online, according to a new rating of Internet sellers by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

12 for the road: what to keep in your car.(SAFETY ALERT)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Winter weather is here, and as any driver who has been stranded on a cold night knows, a few pieces of equipment can make a huge difference in safety and comfort. We've found that some ready-made emergency kits have a fraction of what's needed,...

Cheaper getaways.(UP FRONT)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Bad news for the travel industry can mean bargains for travelers, but you'll have to choose carefully. Analysis from early in the financial crisis indicated that hotel rates had not fallen in many popular destinations, including New York City,...

Sample 4-night trip for 2.(UP FRONT)(package tours)(Table)
January 1, 2009... Sample 4-night trip for 2 Destination Hotel & rate Airline & Total fare price Nassau, Bahamas Wyndham Nassau JetBlue from $1,296 Resort...

Child's play.(UP FRONT)(children's toys)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... We gathered 47 kids 6 to 12 years old and had them play with 24 toys, including this Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micro, $30. (It drives on the floor and up walls.) Among the favorites: Hasbro Lazer Tag 2-in-l System, S90; a lifelike dog called...

Help appliances live longer.(QUICK TIPS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Range * Place heavy pots gently o n smoothtops to avoid breakage. * Never cover drip pans with foil, which can short-circuit the burner. * Keep reflector bowls beneath burners shiny, which helps them reflect heat. *...

Rx for BlackBerry thumb.(5-MINUTE CONSULT)(repetitive strain injuries caused by excessive use of electronic devices)
January 1, 2009... MY PATIENT, a 56-yearold lawyer, was a self-professed mobile phone addict. His thumb and wrist pain were worsening daily. By the time I saw him, he was no longer able to punch his BlackBerry. His orthopedist had already diagnosed...

Gauging cell phones1 possible risk.(CLOSE UP)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Questions have been raised about whether cell phones might elevate cancer risks because they emit radio waves, a form of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. Most studies have uncovered little or no overall increased cancer risk within...

Deaths prompt crib study.(SAFETY ALERTS)(Simplicity of Reading)
January 1, 2009... THE CONSUMER PRODUCT Safety Commission has recalled almost 1.6 million drop-side cribs from Delta Enterprise of New York after the deaths of two infants. The news comes after previous recalls of a total of 1.6 million drop-side cribs made by...

07-'08 Infiniti/ Nissan various models.(AUTOMOBILES AND EQUIPMENT)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Vehicles equipped with certain occupant classification system (OCS) control units have an electronic component in the unit in the passenger seat cushion that might have been made out of specification. Under certain conditions, the signal...

'98-'03 Mercedes-Benz M-Class.(AUTOMOBILES AND EQUIPMENT)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Hose clamp used to secure power steering fluid cooling hose to power steering fluid cooler might not have enough clam ping force for connection. Loss of power steering fluid might result in diminished power steering and damage to the power...

CN9120 wireless headsets.(ELECTRONICS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Internal short circuit can cause lithium-ion polymer batteries to overheat, posing risk of fire. GN Netcom has received 10 reports in the U.S. of overheating, including three reports of open flames and damage to furniture. PRODUCTS:...

Blue Ember gas grills.(HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... If grill is improperly assembled, gas burner hoses might get excessively hot and pose fire and burn hazards. Fiesta has received 14 reports of grill fires. PRODUCTS: 47,000 gas grills sold at home centers and retailers from ll/07through 6/08...

Look out for lead: our investigation shows progress, but you need to be careful.(SAFETY ALERTS)
January 1, 2009... STORE SHELVES are somewhat safer than they were a year ago, when lead laden products cast a pall over holiday shopping and prompted recalls of almost 14 million items as varied as toys and slipcovers. But consumers can't let down their guard...

Electronic gifts for the holidays.(consumer electronics)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2009... FRESH FROM OUR LABS, here are some of the most promising new electronics we've tested. We have selectively added some previously tested items, too. For our comprehensive Ratings of electronics, theck out our December issue, still on newsstands....

Shake salt from your diet: but beware, the stuff hides in strange places.(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... ON AVERAGE, Americans consume far more sodium than the recommended daily limit. That's unfortunate, since a high-sodium diet might increase a person's risk of high blood pressure (and subsequent heart attack, kidney disease, and stroke) and...

Shake salt from your diet: but beware, the stuff hides in strange places.
January 1, 2009... Talk the talk: To understand sodium labels, learn salty language Use this glossary to decode sodium related claims, which are regulated by the federal government. Sodium free (or zero sodium, no sodium, without sodium, free of sodium,...

A rescue plan for the rest of us: Wall Street gets $700 billion. here's what you want.
January 1, 2009... THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT has given Wall Street a taxpayer-financed cash infusion of up to $700 billion in an attempt to avert a steep economic downslide. But people on Main Street are also hurting, and a majority of Americans think the government...

Best cell-phone service: 51,700 readers reveal that carriers are improving and that a pay-as-you-go plan could be a good option for more people.(Cover story)(Survey)
January 1, 2009... Inside 32 | Ratings: Carriers 34 | Best cell phones 36 | Ratings: Cell phones 38 | Ratings: Smart phones 40 | Bluetooth headsets PLUS: 5 | Text-messaging fees 12 | Cell phones and your health VERIZON IS...

Canada's subpar cell-phone service.(SPECIAL REPORT)
January 1, 2009... THE NEWS ISN'T GOOD from some 18,000 Canadian readers who responded to our first survey of their cell-phone service. On a score of 1 co 100, average satisfaction was a fairly low 66, making cell-phone service in Canada one of the lower-rated...

Ratings cell-phoneservice.
January 1, 2009... Guide to the Ratings Ratings are based on 18,465 responses from ConsumerReports.org subscribers in Canada. Reader score refers to how respondents rated their overall satisfaction with their cell-phone service and is not limited to the...

Cell and smart phones.(Canada Extra)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Report, page 34; Ratings, pages 36-38 Here are some recommended and rated phones that are available in Canada, listed by their Canadian carrier and with their rank in the cell-phone (pages 36-37) and smart-phone (page 38) Ratings in...

Headsets.(Canada Extra)(directory)(Directory)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Report, page 40; Ratings, page 40 Most models are available in Canada. In lieu of a Ratings chart, the brands that we tested are listed herewith the phone numbers and Web sites where you can reach the manufacturers for information about...

Canada Extra on the web.(ConsumerReports.org)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Canada Extra information can be found on ConsumerReports.org, ourWeb site, along with the current issue of the magazine and more. The address is www.ConsumerReports.org. Once there, click on the"Canada Extra" link on the opening screen. There...

About the ratings on these pages.
January 1, 2009... Every month, Canada Extra provides Canadian pricing and availability information about products tested for that issue. The Ratings in this section are based on this month's reports, but they narrow your choices to the products that are sold in...

Coffeemakers.
January 1, 2009... Report, page 43; Ratings, page 44 Twelve of the 34 tested coffeemakers are available, including 5 of the 11 recommended models. [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED]

Refrigerators.
January 1, 2009... Report and Ratings, page 42 Two of the tested refrigerators from our Select Ratings are available in Canada. Both are recommended and one is a CR Best Buy. [TABLE OMITTED] Best choices from our tests of 66 models.

Family sedans.(Canada Extra)(Product/service evaluation)(Table)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Report and Ratings, pages 50 All of the tested family sedans are available in Canada. Acceleration (sec.) Make & model Price range 0-50 0-100 80-100 500...

Blow dryers.(Canada Extra)
January 1, 2009... Report and Ratings, pages 8 Five of the 10 tested blow dyers are available, including 3 of the 5 recommended models. [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED]

Contact info.(Canada Extra)(Directory)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Amana 800-461-5681 www.amana.com Bell Aliant (Bell Mobility) 310-2355 (from any area code in Canada) www.bell.allant.ca Bed Head (Tigi) 866-740-2994 www.notca.ca Bell Mobility 800-667-0123 ...

Cell phones: our tests of 70 standard and smart models show they're sharing many more features.(Cover story)(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2009... THE NEW c1 smart phone from T-Mobile, the so-called Google phone, has landed with a splash. We're recommending it, along with Apple's iPhone 3G, as our best choices in smart phones built more for play than work. Both phones have a 3-inch-plus...

Bluetooth headsets: best mono and stereo choices for hands-free talking and listening.(Cover story)(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2009... IT'S BOOM TIME for wireless Bluetooth headsets, which work with most new cell phones. Sales have surged in California, New York, and other jurisdictions that ban drivers' use of handheld phones but allow hands-free calls. Also, more phones and...

Lab tests: headphone that hush the world.(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2009... cape the drone of a neighbor's leaf blower or the roar of a jet engine, the right headphones can offer relief. Any headphones that fit tightly over your ears or inside the ear canal will block some noise simply by creating a seal....

Chilling numbers on fridge efficiency.(LAB TESTS)(refrigerators)(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2009... Refrigerators aren't the energy hogs they once were, but our tests of 66 models found big differences in energy consumption. The A1 Whirlpool top-freezer is among the most efficient we've tested and helps raise the bar for the other models....

Our new brewing tests show that the best models cost as little as $25.(Coffeemakers)(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2009... EVERY COFFEEMAKER promises a pleasing cup of joe. But our cescs show that not all models gee hoc enough to extract the besc from the beans and avoid a weak or biccer brew. Induscry scandards espoused by coffee experts and accepced by...

More GPS units offer free traffic info.(NEWS)(Garmin Nuvi 265WT and Navigon 7200T)(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2009... FREE real-time traffic information is a budding trend among portable GPS navigators. While traffic info usually requires a $60 annual subscription fee for compatible GPS models, new Garmin and Navigon devices provide it free of charge. ...

Owner satisfaction: exclusive survey: Owners tell us which cars they would buy again.(CARS)(Survey)
January 1, 2009... FOR THE FIFTH YEAR ill A TOW, the gas/electric Toyota Prius hybrid is the top car for owner satisfaction. That's the news from our latest Annual Car Owner Satisfaction Survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center....

Family sedans: some models miss the mark, but the diesel Jetta TDI is a near bull's-eye.(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2009... DESPITE BEING SMALLER and less roomy than the family sedans in this month's test group, the diesel-povvered Volkswagen letta TDI outranks them all. In fact, the Jetta TDI now ranks among our top sedans that cost under $25,000. Another...