Consumer Reports articles from July 2007

Consumer Reports archives from July 2007

Fees: eight we hate.(Have You Heard?)(Editorial)
July 1, 2007... Remember Mr. Whipple? It was bad enough that he whined when shoppers squeezed the Charmin. Now picture him overcharging for the toilet paper and slapping on a fee for restocking the shelves. That's what some hotels are doing with their...

Sunscreens: some are short on protection.(up front)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2007... When you rub sunscreen on, you assume you're guarding against sunburn, skin cancer, and wrinkles. But research indicates that consumers might be getting less than half the sunburn protection shown on labels because they don't apply enough....

Wine 5 tips for summer sipping.(up front)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Venture beyond the popular whites. As an alternative to rich chardonnay or lighter, crisper pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc, try an off-dry Riesling with hors d'oeuvres (good values include Covey Run and Columbia Crest Two Vines). Or consider...

Paying bills online-safely.(up front)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... This year, for the first time, consumers in households with Internet access are paying more bills online than by check--39 percent electronic vs. 34 percent paper, according to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive and The Marketing...

Saturn Outlook.(first look)(Product/service evaluation)
July 1, 2007... Product: Saturn Outlook Full report: August 2007 Our early impressions of the new Saturn Outlook crossover indicate that it--and its twin, GMC's Acadia, and cousin, Buick's Enclave, due this summer--might be the most competitive GM...

Best bets in cell phones.(up front)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2007... In the clamor over Apple's iPhone, the $500 iPod phone expected in June, it's easy to overlook simpler but still innovative phones costing far less. Here are some trends evident in the Select Ratings, which list the best choices among dozens of...

Why pet insurance is usually a dog.(up front)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... If the recent pet-food scare is tempting you to buy insurance for Fifi or Fido, hold on. Even though many policies cover tainted food, most exclude pre-existing conditions. And hereditary or congenital problems. And ailments that strike during...

An espresso maker excels.(up front)(Nespresso Essenza Flowstop)(Product/service evaluation)
July 1, 2007... You might love the thought of making espresso at home, but if it's a chore, you won't bother. International Consumer Research & Testing, a worldwide association of 37 consumer groups of which CONSUMER REPORTS is a leading member, tested six...

Panelists don't see benefit in Soloflex device.(CLAIM CHECK)(Product/service evaluation)
July 1, 2007... The claim. Soloflex's Whole Body Vibration (WBV) platform has an electric motor that spins an off-center weight, creating vibration you adjust with a dial. At press time, ads claimed that you can "stand still... and get a good workout"; do...

'Ideal' lawns.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2007... I found your recent article "Your Greatest Lawn," in the May issue, to be worthy of some comment. It's one thing to evaluate and rate lawn products based on efficiency, price, and usefulness to the consumer, but it's something else to promote...

Energy efficiency.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2007... Recently I've noted that as the world has become more energy conscious, CR is not exactly leading the way. When I review an article on automobiles I can find and compare the mpg. However, when I want to purchase a lawn mower, there is no...

Water filters and arsenic.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2007... I just received the May 2007 issue article "Water Filters: Simple, Effective Options," and it stated that reverse osmosis filters are the best for removing arsenic. Of two types of arsenic--III and V--reverse osmosis only takes out V, the less...

Travel insurance.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2007... The May article "Travel Insurance: Why You Rarely Need It" misses one point: Many people have coverage from credit cards or other insurance policies for problems such as lost baggage or medical costs. But the main reason people buy travel...

Hybrid-car tax credit.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2007... Imagine my surprise when I discovered upon completing my taxes that my tax credit for purchasing a hybrid Toyota Camry this past year was exactly zero rather than the $2,600 I had expected. Why? The credit is not available to most hybrid car...

Corrections.(Correction notice)
July 1, 2007... In "How to Fix the Top 10 Lawn Problems," in the May issue, the health risks of some pesticides were misstated. The EPA does not consider dithopyr, used on crabgrass, to be a possible human carcinogen. Dicamba has not been shown to cause...

Notebook-computer batteries recalled because of fire hazard.(Recalls & Safety Alerts)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Computer manufacturer Acer America has announced a program to replace 27,000 rechargeable notebook computer lithium-ion batteries containing Sony-made cells. The batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard. The recalls are the latest in a...

'01-04 Ford Escape.(VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT)(antilock brake system)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Antilock brake system can catch on fire. Models: 446,460 Escape SUVs. ABS module connector might have missing or dislodged wire seals, which could lead to corrosion and an electrical short when water or other contaminants such as brake...

Listerine agent cool blue plaque-detecting rinse.(HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Preservative system in the product is not adequate against certain microorganisms. Products: 4 million bottles of Glacier Mint and Bubble Blast flavors (all existing bottles), sold in supermarkets, drugstores, mass merchants, and other...

Children's 'groovy grabber' bracelets.(CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Paint on metallic band beneath decorative cover contains high levels of lead, which is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. Products: 4 million bracelets sold 11/05 through 3/07 in vending machines in...

Cardinal children's charm bracelets and necklaces.(CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Paint on this jewelry contains high levels of lead, which is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. Products: 900,000 bracelets and necklaces sold from 1/06 through 4/07 in vending machines in malls and...

Intex above-ground-pool ladders.(RECREATION AND FITNESS)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Plastic steps can be assembled backward on support brackets, in which case ladder steps can break, and user may fall. Products: 466,000 Intex, Easy Set, and Sand N Sun above-ground-pool ladders sold 2/06 through 2/07 at Wal-Mart, Sam's...

Craftsman circular saws.(YARD & GARDEN)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Craftsman label on upper blade guard can detach and interfere with operation of lower blade guard, exposing blade and posing laceration hazard. Products: 308,000 saws sold 11/04 through 2/07 at Sears, Kmart, and Orchard Supply Hardware...

Best hotels for any budget: 35,000 readers say where to get a good night's sleep.(Summer travel)(Product/service evaluation)(Survey)
July 1, 2007... It's getting tougher to score a sweet deal on a hotel room. With both leisure and business travel on the rise, vacancies are down and rates are up. Even worse, some hotels are tacking on fees for everything from maid service ($5 to $18 a day)...

Best airlines for today's busy skies: 23,000 readers tell which carriers deliver superior service.(Summer travel)(Product/service evaluation)(Survey)
July 1, 2007... Packed planes, stingy service, and rising airfares have propelled the U.S. airline industry back into the black, but many passengers tell us they're seeing red. You'll increase your odds of a happy--or at least tolerable--flying experience by...

Hot dogs: without (too much) guilt.(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2007... Whether sizzled on the barbecue or scarfed down at the ball game, hot dogs are so popular that it seems almost unpatriotic to point out that they're essentially tidy little bundles of sodium, additives, and fat. Going light can help, but don't...

Beer: best of the light brews.(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2007... If you have been drinking Bud Light or Miller Lite, the best-selling light beers in the country, it might be time to consider a new brew, our taste tests show. Although those two beers were judged very good, several others scored higher. The...

Your next digital camera.
July 1, 2007... If you're shopping for a digital camera, chances are it isn't your first. And if you're like many camera buyers, you're looking for a model that addresses the biggest gripes about your current digital camera. The five beefs at right were...

Going small: the newest models offer more features and better performance.(Special section digital cameras)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2007... Diminutive digital cameras continue to improve. The compacts and subcompacts in the Ratings have longer battery life, larger LCDs, and higher resolution than last year's models. And they cost 5 to 10 percent less. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Thinking big: high-performing SLRs no longer cost a bundle.(Special section digital cameras)(single-lens reflex camera)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2007... Big, high-performance cameras are getting smaller, lighter, and less expensive, our latest tests show. And now you can choose from at least two distinct types. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Our most highly recommended single-lens reflex...

Faster photos: printers raise the speed limit.(photo printers)(Product/service evaluation)
July 1, 2007... The word "quick" doesn't spring to mind when you think of photo printing, but that's changing--welcome news for anyone frustrated by the snail-like pace of most inkjet printers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In fact, some inkjet printers in...

Photo software: some cameras' programs are fine for organizing and simple editing.(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2007... All the small cameras we tested in this issue come with a CD that lets you organize and, in some cases, edit photos on your computer. You can spend $80 and up for add-on programs, but for basic functions, bundled software might be all you need....

NANO technology: untold promise, unknown risk.(CR INVESTIGATES)(Report)
July 1, 2007... Imagine these technological marvels: drugs that seek out and destroy cancer cells, paint that changes color when viewed from different angles, molecular "ink" that encodes millions of pages of information in a square inch, and contact lenses...

Clear winners.(DECK STAINS)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2007... Flaunting your deck's natural wood grain is one reason to consider a semitransparent treatment over one of the longer-lasting opaques. A more translucent finish can also protect you and your family from arsenic if your deck is more than three...

Air conditioners quiet comfort.(CR Home)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2007... The National Weather Service predicts that this summer will be hotter than usual in much of the country. But some room air conditioners are so noisy that you might have to choose between sweating and sleeping. We checked for noise on both...

Calendar of deals what's on sale when.(CR Money)
July 1, 2007... Sales used to be relatively predictable. A popular 1975 book could say with assurance that luggage went on sale in March and the best month to buy a baby carriage was January or August. But these days, with stores pumping out weekly sales...

Crisis care 5 ways to survive the ER.(CR Health)(emergency rooms)
July 1, 2007... Ambulances are diverted from emergency rooms in the U.S. at the rate of one a minute, according to the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences. It also charges that the system is overburdened and underfunded. Frederick Blum,...

Luxury SUVs: the Lexus RX350 and Acura MDX are tops among nonhybrid models.(THE X FACTOR)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2007... The freshened Lexus RX350, helped by a new, more-powerful engine, and the redesigned and well-rounded Acura MDX are among the best SUVs we've tested. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Virtually tied in overall score in our Ratings, they are below...

Emergency rooms need urgent care.(THE CONSUMERS UNION PERSPECTIVE)
July 1, 2007... The nation's emergency rooms are facing their own crisis. The Institute of Medicine, a prestigious health-science group, issued a three-volume report in June 2006 titled "The Future of Emergency Care." It's grim reading. Between 1993 and...

Photo opportunities.(Then & Now)(Eastman-Kodak)(Photograph)
July 1, 2007... In 1963 Eastman-Kodak introduced the Instamatic, one of the first compact cameras. Consumers no longer had to navigate camera settings or a darkroom. You popped in the Kodapak film cartridge, snapped away, and gave the film to a processing lab....

Information from Consumer Reports[R] for Canadian readers.(Canada Extra)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2007... How to use the Canada Extra section 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...