Conant Custom Brass Model T-10C large dial thermometer

 This is an 8.25 inch diameter dial thermometer with large easy to read numbers with a pointer that makes it easy to read temperatures. The display can be easily seen from a window, which was our intended use.  It should be noted thermometer temperature readings that close to the house will be influenced by that location.  You would get more accurate temperatures out in the yard in sheltered locations. This particular thermometer may not be suitable for that, depending on mounting location.  

The main housing of the unit is brass, and the dial is covered by a glass crystal.  The temperature display is in Fahrenheit and centigrade.  The thermometer makes use of a bimetallic mechanism which should be accurate enough for its intended use. 

The unit is assembled in Vermont, but the components are made in China. It has a lifetime warranty.

The thermometer includes a brass mounting arm which can be reversed to mount either from the right or left side.  I am sure they think this is adequate, but for our location, mounting from the side did not work out.  For us, it was best to mount the unit vertically.  This meant that I had to come up with a different holder.  I sunk a copper pipe into the ground near the intended window.   I then used the mount arm as a template to mark and drill holes into the end of a ¾ inch flat metal strip which was inserted into the pipe.  I mounted the thermometer to that flat metal which holds the thermometer nicely.  As an added benefit, if we want, we can rotate the unit in this mount so it can be seen from different locations if needed. 

The tricky part of the installation relates to the need to adjust the thermometer reading prior to use.  This requires disassembly of the thermometer to access the mechanism.  Be sure to keep the outer box as it has the directions for adjusting the thermometer printed on the inside. My Conant thermometer read 100 degrees when it should have read 68, so you will likely have to adjust yours.

To adjust, you have to first remove the retaining ring which holds the glass crystal against the main brass housing.  This is easy enough, but I imagine could also be a way to potentially break the glass crystal.  Just be careful. Hold one hand over the crystal and the ring will spring out away from it when you pry it away as instructed.

Carefully remove the dial from the housing.  At this point, I placed the dial back over the inverted glass crystal, just to have a place to set the unit while adjusting it in order to keep the needle away from obstructions.  It is best to do this in a place next to a thermometer you trust as accurate.  It is also imperative that you allow adequate time after an adjustment for the thermometer to acclimate to the true temperature again, as it is fairly sensitive and will be impacted by you holding it during adjustments.  It took several small adjustments and several waiting periods to finally get to a point that my Conant thermometer was stable and in agreement with the source temperature.  When you think you have it right, let it sit for a good long time to make sure.  It is easier to wait then it will be to take it all apart to re-adjust when you realize you did not allow enough time. 

Reassembly is done in the reverse order of disassembly.  You might check the dial prior to closing up as it shows every finger print from any inadvertent touch you made in the adjustments.  Also, clean the inside of the glass if needed.  The tricky part here is getting the retaining ring back in place.  Just start at the bottom as directions suggest, and slowly work it in around the dial.  It requires a significant amount of pressure and dexterity to do this, but it can be done. 

Now the unit should be ready to mount making use of the provided mount and screws, or your own method if needed.   

Otterbox Defender Series Hybrid Case and Holster for BlackBerry 9900/9930 Bold

 When you purchase a smart shone for as much money as the Blackberry Bold 9900 can run you, you start to think about protection of your investment. I will give RIM credit for upgrading the included case to a much more solid feeling and protective case than I have seen in some previous Blackberry phones, but that protection only lasts while the phone is in the case. If you are as inclined to drop things as I am, it can get nerve-wracking any time you have to take the phone out to answer it, or look anything up on-line. That is where a case like the Otterbox Defender comes in pretty handy.  It includes a rugged but nice feeling silicon rubber outer covering, a holster, and a high impact polycarbonate shell.  Also included is one screen cover. One thing I find entirely lacking for this purchase from Otterbox is any type of adequate installation instructions. 

Installation is fairly self explanatory, and that is lucky since the instructions from Otterbox pretty much are a short series of small drawings on the inside of the cardboard package.  For an extra installation aide, I recommend searching on YouTube for Otterbox Defender on Bold 9900 installation procedure. There is a video that walks you through it. The installation high points follow: 

Out of the box, you will have the silicon layer stretched over the assembled polycarbonate shell.  Remove the black rubber outer covering.  Then, you will have to separate the top and bottom portions of the polycarbonate shell.  Mine unsnapped fairly easily at the left center of the shell.  

Prior to installation of the case, install the screen cover if desired. My Bold already had one installed so I am saving the included one for later. 

Now place the Bold 9900 into the bottom portion of the shell.  Position the top in place making sure it lines up in the same way as it had been prior to separation of the pieces.  Snap it together again making sure it is firmly together with your Bold inside. 

Position the rubber outer covering around the now enclosed phone.  Make note that there is a ridge around the silicone shell opening that will need to be worked into a corresponding groove in the polycarbonate shell.  This may take some work, but it is the only way the case will stay together in use. As you do this, it is also a good idea to make sure the button covers on the new defender case match the buttons of your phone and work easily.  

Now try to place the case into the holster. I have to agree with some other reviews I have seen that the holster is a potential weak point in this case.  Note that the screen has to be in towards the body, as the Bold in the case will not otherwise be firmly held. There are two spots in the polycarbonate shell that line up with the holster to hold the phone as it snaps into the holster.  Unlike other combination cases I have used, this one has no extra top latch to press to remove the phone. You have to pry the phone away from the holster to remove it.  It can happen when doing this, that the lower portion of the silicone shell will loosen.  This part of the design could be better. 

In use the 9900 is nestled securely in the Defender case combination. There are raised buttons covering the Bold volume up/down buttons on the right side. There is also a raised button over the convenience key on the lower right side, and for the keyboard lock key on the top of the phone.  There are silicone flaps that cover the earphone jack and the USB/charger port on the left side of the Bold.  These allow full function and an extra layer of dust protection.   I have read elsewhere that previous models of the Defender seem to have keyboard covers along with the screen guards. There is no keyboard protection with this particular one, but the camera lense and flash are covered by a plastic shield. 

In use, the Defender does emulate normal case functions of Blackberry provided by use of a small magnet mounted into the holster.  The holster includes a belt clip which is fully rotatable and able to be fixed in any position with a click.  It is suggested that the ratcheting belt clip be used to provide a stand for the phone. I am not sure if that is really a usable feature. It seems a bit out there to me.