Consumer Reports articles from June 2008

Consumer Reports archives from June 2008

Safe drugs and food the world over.(Have You Heard?)(Consumers International)
June 1, 2008... Most of you know that your subscriptions and donations fund Consumers Union and our work in the U.S. They enable us to buy the things we test, publish the reports, and push for laws and standards to make the marketplace fairer and safer for...

Coffee confections.(Trends)
June 1, 2008... Think "coffee" means no calories? Not if it comes bottled or canned in a sweet drink.The four chilled frappu-cappu-spresso products that we tested have 100 to 180 calories per serving and 17 to 31 grams of sugars. (For comparison, Frosted...

Consider a snappier Prius.(Trends)(Toyota's Prius )(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2008... The high-end Touring version of Toyota's Prius has wider wheels and tires and a tighter suspension than the car's base version. Online subscribers have often asked whether to opt for the Touring Prius, so we put it to the test. Our Touring car...

Advocates help with patient care.(Trends)
June 1, 2008... In 2004, Edward Moskowitz was hospitalized near his home outside Miami with internal bleeding, but after a week he was worse, his daughter Sandy Tepper says. That's when he became a human pinball. Over the next seven weeks, he was sent to...

Buying this chicken? You could pay up to $1.70 for broth.(Trends)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Perdue, Pilgrim's Pride, and some other poultry companies inject, immerse, or vacuum-tumble some of their products with broth or salty solutions to try to make them more tasty, juicy, and tender. But pumping up meats can also add water weight...

Healthful burgers that taste good.(Trends)
June 1, 2008... If you think of veggie burgers as poor imitations of the real thing, you might want to try one. At least a half-dozen companies now make them in a variety of tastes and styles. Some mimic meat; others are intentionally grainlike. All are lower...

Buying a laptop? Add-ons can add up.(Trends)(Table)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Only $450 for a new Compaq Presario 15.4-inch laptop with a Pentium dual-core processor, 1GB of memory, 120GB hard drive, CD/DVD drive/burner, and Windows Vista Home Premium operating system? Sweet! But needed updates or tempting additions can...

Shavers on the cutting edge.(Trends)(electric shavers )(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2008... It must be a style thing. Although electric shavers cost more than a bucketload of blade razors and in past tests haven't given quite as close a shave, they're still sure to be on many Father's Day gift lists. Happily, we found plenty of...

Two products promise fresh food.(CLAIM CHECK)(Tilia Food Saver, Hand-Vac, Glad, Hefty and Ziploc)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... The claims. Press a button on the Reynolds Handi-Vac Sealer for about 10 seconds and it sucks the air from an attached bag of food, "virtually eliminating freezer burn," those unsightly (but not unsafe) dry patches that can afflict frozen food....

Driving passion.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2008... I applaud the commitment and enthusiasm that Jim Guest has toward vehicle safety ("Have You Heard?" April). However, with all of the handling advancements over the years, I believe that some lives were saved, but that a similar number of lives...

Hybrid reliability.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2008... I did not see any Ratings in the Used-Car Reliability section for hybrids. I am very interested to see how the hybrids are holding up as they age. So far, all of the hybrids for which we have sufficient reliability data are above average,...

Rating the twins.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2008... Although the April 2007 Auto Issue included the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix in the Vehicle Ratings, they do not appear in the 2008 issue. They are also not included in the Safety Ratings.Why not? The Matrix and Vibe, virtual twins, were...

Fuel efficiency.(Your Letters)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... I just got your Annual Auto Issue.Am I the only one disgusted by the lack of fuel efficiency in cars? You list only two vehicles that get over 34 mpg, both of them more expensive hybrids. Seems like just 15 years ago there were several vehicles...

Searching for stability.(Your Letters)(Buick Lucerne CXL)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... I own a Buick Lucerne CXL. You stated that stability control is available only with the V8 engine that comes with the CXS. While the CXS is the only model available with the V8 engine, stability control is available on both the CXS and CXL with...

Going to short lengths.(Your Letters)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... In an age of tight parking spaces and small garages, why do you omit the length of each car you review? It is a vital bit of information in comparing cars. While our own space limitations prevented us from including a chart of vehicle...

Correction.(Correction notice)
June 1, 2008... In the May 2008 article on printers, we incorrectly designated the Epson Stylus Photo R280 as a CR Best Buy, due to a miscalculation of ink costs.

Fire danger found in toasters, deep-fat fryers, and electric grills.(Recalls & Safety Alerts)(QVC)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Three countertop appliances have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission because the small appliances all pose a fire hazard. The largest recall includes 482,000 Hamilton Beach and Proctor Silex two- and four-slice toasters...

'97-03 GM Regal/Grand Prix.(AUTOMOBILES & EQUIPMENT)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Vehicles equipped with 3.8L supercharged V-6 engines run the risk of underhood fires resulting from drops of engine oil falling onto the exhaust manifold through hard braking. Models: 207,542 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix. What to...

Avon Cozy Warming Polar Bear.(HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Warming pouch inside the bear can overheat and ignite when heated in microwave, posing fire and burn hazards. Products: 113,000 plush bears sold by Avon sales representatives and online from 7/07 through 2/08 for $13 individually or as part...

Combi infant child restraint system.(CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... In the event of a frontal crash, the car seat could become separated from its base and the child will not be adequately protected from injury. Products: 67,167 Combi Centre, Centre ARB, and Shuttle restraint systems manufactured from 10/05...

MagnaMan, Magtastik, and Magnetix Jr. magnetic toys.(CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS)(Mega Brands)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Small magnets inside toys can detach and be swallowed or inhaled by young children. If more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attract each other and cause intestinal perforations or blockages, which can be fatal. Products: 1.3 million...

Toy puzzle vehicle sets.(recall of Puzzle Track Play set because of excessive lead in paint)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Surface paints on puzzles have excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal lead-paint standard. Products: 198,000 puzzle toys sold on QVC, www.qvc.com, through the toll-free number, and QVC Studio store from 9/02 through 12/07 for...

America's best drugstores: 40,133 readers rate service, speed, and advice (but too few ask for it).(Survey)
June 1, 2008... As new prescription drugs, over-the-counter remedies, and dietary supplements migrate into medicine cabinets across the U.S., consumers should be asking pharmacists more about dosage and interactions. Yet many aren't talking to pharmacists at...

GPS navigators: more features & lower prices.(Buyers guide)
June 1, 2008... Fewer drivers are having to stop to ask for directions as sales of portable GPS navigation units surge. With newcomers such as Harman Kardon, Jensen, Panasonic, Sony, and others entering the market, there are more choices and dramatically lower...

Computers: the new shape of laptops and desktops.(Buyers guide)
June 1, 2008... If there's a phrase that characterizes the latest crop of desktops and laptops, it's "going to extremes." We saw the thinnest, smallest, and largest laptops we've ever tested, along with laptops and desktops of unprecedented processing speed....

Monitors.(computer monitors)(Buyers guide)
June 1, 2008... Like TV screens, computer monitors are continuing to go wide and get bigger. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The squarish 17-inch monitor is now almost obsolete, replaced by wide-screen (16:9 aspect ratio) models in 19- to 24- inch sizes. Their...

Tech support & repairs: readers share the good and the bad about 10,000 computer fixes.(Chart)
June 1, 2008... Computers are among the most troubleprone products we track. Our annual product-reliability surveys have found that about 40 percent of laptops and 30 percent of desktops require repairs or replacement within three to four years of purchase. By...

Gas grills: safety counts.(Buyers guide)
June 1, 2008... Most of the grills we tested turned out juicy steaks and moist, tender chicken and fish. But not all the news is good. One grill was dangerous and we judged it Not Acceptable. The $650 Broil King Signet 90 is the first gas grill to receive...

How to use the Canada Extra section.(canada extra)(Editorial)
June 1, 2008... 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...

Gas grills.(canada extra)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Report: page 32; Ratings: pages 36-37 Ten of the 21 tested midsized grills, 4 of the 12 large grills, and 2 of the 3 small or portable grills are available, including 4 of the 7 Quick Pick models. The Broil King Signet 90, which we found...

Dehumidifiers.(canada extra)
June 1, 2008... Report: page 42; Ratings: page 43 Three of the 9 large-capacity, 1 of the 4 medium-capacity, and 1 of the 4 small-capacity dehumidifiers are available, including 2 of the 7 Quick Pick models. [TABLE OMITTED]

GPS navigation systems.(canada extra)
June 1, 2008... Report: page 18; Ratings: page 21 Thirty-seven of the 39 tested GPS devices are available, including all 7 of the Quick Pick models. [TABLE OMITTED]

Monitors.(canada extra)
June 1, 2008... Report: page 28; Ratings: page 28 Four of the 10 tested 17- to 20-inch monitors and four of the six 22- to 24-inch monitors are available, including 8 of the 16 Quick Pick models. [TABLE OMITTED]

Computers.(canada extra)(Table)(Website list)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Report: page 22; Ratings: page 23 In previous reports of computers, we've found that most brands we test are sold in Canada. In lieu of a Ratings chart, we list here the brands of desktops, laptops, and all-in-ones we tested with the phone...

Electric shavers.(canada extra)
June 1, 2008... Report: page 9; Ratings: page 9 Six of the 8 tested foil models, and 2 of the 6 rotary models are available. [TABLE OMITTED]

Hatchbacks.(canada extra)(Product/service evaluation)(Table)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Report: page 50; Ratings: page 51 Of the 7 tested hatchbacks, only the Scion xD is not available in Canada. MAKE & MODEL PRICE RANGE ACCELERATION (SEC.) 0-50 KM/H ...

Contact info.(canada extra)(Directory)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... How to reach manufacturers in Canada. Alpine 800-257-4631 www.alpine-usa.com BenQ 800-452-2237 www.benq.ca Blue Ember 800-396-3838 www.fiestagasgrills.com Braun 800-387-6657 www.braun.com Broil King...

Paints & stains scrimping doesn't pay.(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2008... You could spend several dollars more per gallon for exterior paint and stain this year, thanks in part to the pricier petroleum that goes into them. That might tempt you to pick a lesser-grade coating. But our tests show that penny-pinching...

Dehumidifiers: quick fix for dampness.(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2008... A dehumidifier can take that sticky feeling out of damp basements and other steamy spots for as little as $140. Our latest gauntlet of tests yielded CR Best Buys in two of the three size categories. Dehumidifiers dry air by passing it over...

Homeopathic drugs look-alike meds.(CR Health)
June 1, 2008... Two over-the-counter products, Seasonal Allergy Relief and Intense Sinus Relief, both made by Zicam, promise to relieve hay-fever symptoms. Intense Sinus Relief contains oxymetazoline, a nasal decongestant the Food and Drug Administration has...

Fuel savings how to cut costs at the pump.(CR Cars)
June 1, 2008... The best way to burn less fuel is to buy a car that gets better gas mileage. But our tests with a Toyota Camry and other vehicles show there are ways to minimize what you spend at the pump with your current car. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Flood insurance why you might need it.(CR Money)
June 1, 2008... Kay Bowker of Lumberton, N.J., thought she was one of the lucky ones. In July 2004, when a freak flood struck hundreds of nearby homes and businesses, her house, on higher ground, went untouched. In April 2007, when a local creek overflowed,...

Security surprising hot spots.(CR Home)
June 1, 2008... Windows open to catch a breeze. Doors unlocked while you work in the garden. Wallets, purses, and other valuables left in plain sight. All those things make summer the peak season for home break-ins. Here are some simple, inexpensive ways to...

Grand openings: hatchbacks combine economy and versatility.(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2008... The Volkswagen Rabbit tops this month's group of small, affordable four-door hatchbacks and is now our highest-rated car in this category, surpassing the Mazda3. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The car is the successor to the Golf, and...

A new law helps make vehicles safer.(View point)(Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act)
June 1, 2008... One evening five years ago, pediatrician Greg Gulbransen left his 2-year-old son, Cameron, with his wife inside their house in Oyster Bay, N.Y., while he backed their SUV into the driveway. Moments later Cameron, who had managed to slip outside...

Fast shaves.(then & now)(Product/service evaluation)
June 1, 2008... The Big Daddy. The Mark II. Slick cars? No, they were two of the men's electric shavers we tested for our November 1962 issue. "Perfection in electric shavers is easy to find in the advertising," we said then, "but like perfection in most...

Matching gas masks optional.(Glitches)(Buyers guide)
June 1, 2008... TwoDaLoo is one commodious commode. It's the "first toilet two people can use at the exact same time," says the Web site for the seller, WiseRep.com, and "brings couples closer together." But you'll have to be flush with cash to buy a...

Next, warnings on necklaces?(Glitches)
June 1, 2008... A reader who bought a camera neck strap was dumbfounded by the first precaution. "For crying out loud," he said. "It's a neck strap!"

A black hole award ...(Glitches)
June 1, 2008... Goes to Palmer's Too Tall Bunny, which, a Michigan reader documented, is not at all too tall for its false-bottomed box.

Just don't share your toothbrush.(Glitches)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... These devices look identical, and both are said to "trim, taper, and style any length hair like a pro." They're sold in the same catalog, Dr. Leonard's. But the one at near right is said to be for people and costs $12.99; the one at far right...

Red head?(Glitches)
June 1, 2008... You use Create A Commie magic hair wand to add Lenin's goatee, say, to a hairless face. It's even made in China. But we're hoping to see Create A Capitalist. We can't wait to try a Donald Trump hair wand. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]