News, reviews, discount codes and comments on Electricals, Fishkeeping, Motoring, Photography, the Web and more

Freesat Channel 4HD planned outage

Channel 4 have scheduled a change to the transponder that carries C4 HD. The change will occur tonight at 23:00hrs and the channel is then expected to be unavailable on Freesat until approx 03:00hrs tomorrow.

Most Freesat products will rescan for channel changes if left in standby mode overnight, however in the unlikely event that your product doesn’t detect the change or is powered off overnight a manual retune will be all that is required to fix the issue tomorrow morning.

I believe the transponder change is to allow room for the new ’4seven’ channel which is due to launch across all major TV platforms later this year. 4seven was announced by Channel 4 on 8th March and will be the first new channel from the broadcaster since 2005. It aims to give viewers another chance to catch up with the most popular and talked about Channel 4 content from the last 7 days with the ease of a remote control rather than by going online.

Comet discounts – March 2012

Here are some more amazing money-saving promotions, brought to you by jtonline for use when shopping online at Comet.

Keep checking back here during March 2012, because this list will be updated during the month, as and when new codes are released.

Simply click any of the voucher codes below to activate them (prior to their expiry date), then enter the voucher code in the promotional code box when you get to the shopping basket page on the Comet website.

Code: 15PHONES
15% off all landline phones
End date: Wed 28th Mar 2012

Code: 20HP
20% off all headphones (excluding Beats by Dr Dre & Sennheiser PMX (product code: 539937))
End date: Wed 28th Mar 2012

Code: 7FSC
Save an extra 7% on all freestanding cooking (Excludes range cooking appliances)
End date: Wed 28th Mar 2012

Code: 10BUILT
Save an extra 10% on all integrated large kitchen appliances
End Date: Wed 28th Mar 2012

Code: HOB18
Save 18% all hobs, hoods and splashbacks
End Date: Wed 28th Mar 2012

123-reg offers – March 2012

Further fantastic money-saving offers, brought to you by jtonline, for use when shopping online at 123-reg.co.uk

Simply click any of the voucher codes below to activate them, then enter the voucher code at the shopping basket page on the 123-reg website.

Please note, these voucher codes expire at the end of March 2012.

25% off Website builder, using code wb123

25% off SSL certificates, using code ssl123

10% off .com domains, using code com123

Halfords promotions 23.02 – 29.02

jtonline brings to your attention, further February super savings when shopping online at Halfords.

Just click the links below to obtain the savings.

Bike Spend and Save! – Expires 29/02/12

Spend £100 on all Bikes & Bike Accessories and save £10
Spend £200 on all Bikes & Bike Accessories and save £20
Spend £400 on all Bikes & Bike Accessories and save £40
Spend £700 on all Bikes & Bike Accessories and save £70

Sat Nav Spend and Save! – Expires 29/02/12

Spend £160 on all Sat Nav & Sat Nav Accessories and save £15
Spend £260 on all Sat Nav & Sat Nav Accessories and save £25

Plus:

10% off All Parrot Hands-free Car Kits – Expires 29/02/12

and, starting tomorrow:

a whopping 50% off All Sony CD Audio – Expires 27/02/12

Firebox launches another VW Camper Van Tent

jtonline can reveal that today, Firebox announced the arrival of the Peppermint Green VW Camper Van Tent. This brand new addition to the gadget range will surely turn heads across festivals this summer as mint green is set to be the summer trend. Say goodbye to dull, conventional tents and be make your friends green with envy.

Firebox launched the original VW Camper Van Tent last year to worldwide acclaim, with the item racking up over 120K ‘Likes’ on Facebook. The ‘tent that think’s it’s a camper van’ was actually the retailer’s most successful product launch and was, as one commentator put it, “simply a brilliant idea”.

Officially licensed, the four-man tent is a luxe, full-size replica of the legendary 1965 VW Camper Van; synonymous with 1960’s hippies, surfer dudes and boho culture. Not only is the tent large enough for campers to stand up in but it’s incredibly sturdy and brilliantly weather proof too – with a 3000mm fabric roof (British Military grade is only 800mm) and 1000mm thick fabric side.

Ben Redhead, Sports & Outdoors Buyer at Firebox says, “We have high hopes for the VW Camper Van Tent for 2012 as, despite not yet seeing a festival season, this retro-warrior was consistently one of our best-sellers for 2011. We expect the latest, perfectly-on-trend, Peppermint Green version to also be a hit and join its colourful companions across festivals and campsites this summer.”

The VW Camper Van Tent in peppermint green is available to pre-order from Firebox now, priced £299. The tent is already available in Blue and Red on the Firebox website.

Halfords promotions 16.02-22.02

Further super savings on four product categories at Halfords, brought to you by jtonline.

Just click the links below to obtain the savings.

Please note that these offers are valid until 22nd February 2012.

Spend £200 on Roof Boxes & Roof Bars and save £20
Spend £400 on Roof Boxes & Roof Bars and save £40

Spend £200 on Bike Racks & Cycle Carriers and save £20
Spend £400 on Bike Racks & Cycle Carriers and save £40

Spend £30 on Cycle Clothing and save £5
Spend £50 on Cycle Clothing and save £10

Spend £100 on Child Car Seats & Accessories and save £10
Spend £150 on Child Car Seats & Accessories and save £15
Spend £200 on Child Car Seats & Accessories and save £20

Review: Bose MIE2i mobile headset

Recently I found myself in need of some replacement in-ear headphones for my Apple iPhone 4, and after a bit of research I settled on the Bose® MIE2i mobile headset.

I couldn’t try the headset out prior to purchase, so I had to go on brand reputation and on-line customer feedback comments. However, it was reassuring to know that Bose offer a risk free trial period. If you feel the product just isn’t right for you, simply call them within 30 days of purchase to arrange a return. Bose will collect the product from your home address – at their expense – and you will receive a full refund.

There are three models of in-ear headphones in the Bose IE2 range. The IE2 are straightforward audio headphones, whilst the MIE2 and MIE2i are mobile headsets for music and calls, with the latter also having iPod/iPhone control.

With a Bose MIE2i mobile headset you can take calls on your iPhone with one-touch ease and then switch back to your music at the touch of a button. With an integrated inline remote located on the back of the microphone, you can adjust volume, play/pause tracks, skip tracks forward/backward, fast forward/rewind and change playlists — and you need never miss a call. The remote/mic is located on the wire that goes up to the right-hand earpiece and there’s the facility to clip the wire to your clothing so you don’t need to hold the mic during a call.

There are one set of small, medium and large proprietary StayHear® ear tips provided (replacements can be purchased on-line). Once I’d chosen and fitted the correct size of tips for my ears, the earpieces nestle inside the bowl of the ear quite naturally and securely. Don’t be tempted to try and push the tip deep into your ear canal as you might with conventional in-ear headphones.

It’s worth noting that this headset is not designed to be noise cancelling, so whilst wearing them you can still hear what’s going on around you to a certain degree. So far, I haven’t found this to be a problem. They are not water resistant either, so the controls may not stand up to repeated sweaty gym sessions.

The headset cable is terminated with an angled 3.5mm plug that fits directly into mobile phones with recessed jacks.

There’s an Owner’s Guide in the box and a rectangular zipped case included that can accommodate an iPhone and the headset. The headset cable tends to get a bit tangled up when I use the case, and as I already have an iPhone cover, I would have preferred Bose to have come up with a better solution for storing the headset when not in use.

I wanted lifelike sound quality that wasn’t too bass heavy, comfortable ear pieces that stayed put, good build quality and the ability to make and receive calls without having to unplug the headphones from the phone jack. I’m pleased to say I haven’t been disappointed with my Bose MIE2i mobile headset purhcase.

Compatibility:

The MIE2i headset is compatible with iPhone (3GS and later), iPod touch (2nd generation and later), iPod classic (120GB and 160GB), iPod nano (4th generation and later) and iPod shuffle (3rd generation and later). The headset is also compatible with iPad, MacBook (unibody) and MacBook Pro (excluding MacBook Air).

Dimensions:

Headphones (one side, with StayHear tip)
3.3 cm (H) x 2.59 cm (W) x 1.5 cm (D)

Cable length from ear bud to headphone plug
115 cm

Weight with cables (two sides, medium tips)
19 g

Halfords promotions

Today, jtonline brings you some fantastic Web exclusive promotions from Halfords, including a HUGE 20% discount on the ever brilliant range of Whistle Bikes.

Just click the links below to visit the relevant part of the Halfords website. You’ll need to be quick though, as these offers end on 15th February 2012.

Spend £100 on Garage Storage and Tools – save £10
Spend £150 on Garage Storage and Tools – save £15
Spend £200 on Garage Storage and Tools – save £20

Spend £30 on Car Cleaning products – save £5
Spend £50 on Car Cleaning products – save £10

Spend £30 on Bike Accessories and Helmets – Save £5
Spend £50 on Bike Accessories and Helmets – Save £10

20% off ALL Whistle Bikes

Drivers bewildered by controls and warning symbols

Drivers are apparently increasingly bewildered by the vast array of hi-tech buttons, knobs and switches in their cars.

Last month, a survey from Halfords of 2168 motorists, discovered a new phenomenon – ‘Dashboard Dread’ where motorists become anxious because they can’t recognise warning symbols or don’t know how to use some of their controls.

One in three (32%) admitted to ‘panicking’ if a red light flashed up and only one in four (24%) was able to correctly say what each switch and lever in the car was and when it should be used. A disturbing one in ten drivers (9.8%) had no idea where the fog lights were located.

Even more complex automotive engineering and the rise of in-car gadgetry means there can be as many as 50 different functions on an average saloon such as the Ford Mondeo Titanium.

The steering wheel alone can have 14 different functions to manage the radio, cruise control or mobile phone and three levers on the steering column. There are more buttons on the side arm rests for the wing mirrors and windows and different controls for the lights.

Then there is complex in-car entertainment with an array of pre-set buttons, bluetooth and a USB socket. Plus cutting edge aids in more sophisticated models to help parking , changing lanes and ‘smart’ dashboards with touch screen Internet built in.

The Halfords survey found motorists are also baffled by vehicle warning signs. One in four (26%) can’t recognise the symbol showing that a tyre is losing pressure and a worrying one in five (20%) did not know what the red brake system alert light meant.

Two thirds of drivers confessed they had never looked at the handbook so had little hope of recognising many of the wide range warning signs that flash up on the instrument panel. Even the most basic Ford Focus Zetec, for example, lists 30 different symbols.

The study was commissioned by Halfords to alert motorists to new mandatory checks on warning light symbols which are now included in the MOT test.

Rory Carlin of Halfords Autocentres said: “Many cars now have more warning lights than ever before, and we would encourage customers to check their meaning – especially as illumination of some of these lights can lead to MOT failure.”

“Arming yourself with some basic knowledge and taking swift, corrective action, saves time, money and in extreme cases, lives.”

Britons prepare to see out the Big Chill

Britons have reacted to the big freeze which finally hit the UK sending temperatures plummeting and covering large parts of the country in snow.

Car accessory retailer Halfords reports drivers stocking up on break down kits, de-icers, anti-freeze, scrapers and snow shovels.

Householders are also determined not to get caught out with a rush on bags of salt to ensure paths and driveways remain clear.

Weather forecasters have warned that the Arctic blast could last for the rest of the month with sub-zero temperatures predicted for large swathes of the country.

The Met Office and the Highways Agency have both issued Amber Alerts, the second highest rating for cold weather. They also warned of transport disruption as cold temperatures refreeze thawing snow, leading to black ice that makes roads extremely hazardous.

Halfords said sales of snow shovels were at their highest ever while demand for de-icer sales was quadruple this time last year, de-icing salt was up 155%, anti-freeze up 94%, and purchases of ice scrapers increased by 75%. Screenwash a staple need for motorists in winter conditions is also selling strongly,

Halfords winter products expert Mark Dolphin said: “Snow and Freezing weather is always very disruptive for motorists. There’s always a huge demand for all the products that help people stay on the road. It’s not just the de-icing products that are needed, a lot more batteries and wiper blades fail so our store colleagues are very busy replacing these for customers.”

A survey carried out by Halfords at the start of Winter found more than four in ten (42%) claimed to be better organised than last year when the country was hit by the lowest temperatures for 15 years.

Thousands of car owners have splashed out on winter tyres and taken advantage of garages offering “winter checks”.