Tuesday, January 21, 2014

misc.consumers.frugal-living - 25 new messages in 2 topics - digest

misc.consumers.frugal-living
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living?hl=en

misc.consumers.frugal-living@googlegroups.com

Today's topics:

* OT: My personal test of 20 free offline Android gps map routing applications
- 17 messages, 9 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/245df0dfbccb1f4c?hl=en
* Micorwave went south and now we need - 8 messages, 5 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/6a1f96c5bc329e10?hl=en

==============================================================================
TOPIC: OT: My personal test of 20 free offline Android gps map routing
applications
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/245df0dfbccb1f4c?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 17 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 27 2013 10:55 am
From: Danny D'Amico


On Fri, 27 Dec 2013 12:48:45 -0500, krw wrote:

> Often roads are named for the
> town where they're going, so it's not unusual at all.

yeah. We have Sunnyvale-Saratoga road, which, I guess, was supposed
to connect Sunnyvale (the town) and Saratoga (the town).

Yet, we also have Saratoga Road, which intersects with it, and,
since they can't *fit* Sunnyvale-Saratoga on the same sign, I
get confused all the time at the Bermuda Triangle where they meet!





== 2 of 17 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 27 2013 11:25 am
From: Danny D'Amico


On Fri, 27 Dec 2013 15:41:14 +0000, Danny D'Amico wrote:

> I just wish it would find POIs in the *direction* of the route
> like Aponia "Be-On-Road" does (which otherwise stinks).

The half-dozen *very basic* things I'd *want* in freeware GPS
which mostly aren't there are:

1) Finding POIs in the *direction* of the route.
Only Aponia Be On Road did that.

2) Change a route by *dragging* it.
Only Alk CoPilot did that.

3) POIs with *dialable phone* numbers:
Only Alk CoPilot did that.

4) Voice guidance *reminds you* of the next turn, on command!
None of the freeware programs did this simple act. :(

5) Map displays the *next roadname* so you know what signs to read!
Surprisingly, only ZANavi had this feature!

6) Map displays time-and-miles-to-destination.
Alk CoPilot & Mapsource Navigator displayed this information.





== 3 of 17 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 27 2013 11:32 am
From: Danny D'Amico


On Thu, 26 Dec 2013 14:18:02 -0800, The Real Bev wrote:

> I just ordered one like that from buy.com for $6.99 (free, actually,
> they gave me $10 and no tax or shipping). Was that a good price?

Just be sure that the wattage and amperage add up!

For example, this was posted on comp.mobile.android today:
http://www.rakuten.com/prod/evogue-oem-3-1-amp-10w-fast-dual-usb-heavy-duty-ouput-car-charger/245314962.html

Notice the advertising lies.

It says it's 3.1 Amps but it also says it's 10 Watts!

Do you see the lie?

HINT: USB is 5 Volts and P=IV (so P/V = I), which makes I = 2.1 Amps,
not 3.1 Amps!

What they're saying, without saying it to someone who doesn't
know the details, is that you can get only 2.1 Amps (which is
the iPad mandated current) out of the thing OR 1 Amp.

Notice, since it's *not* 15 Watts, you can't get 2.1 Amps AND
1 Amp.

That makes the advertising a lie, although technically, they
didn't lie. They only mislead those who don't understand what
I wrote above.

What you *want* are 2.1 Amps *and* 1 Amp slots, which is a true
15 Watt 3.1 Amp dual-port USB car charger!

Details matter (in advertising).





== 4 of 17 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 27 2013 11:39 am
From: Danny D'Amico


On Thu, 26 Dec 2013 14:18:02 -0800, The Real Bev wrote:

> 2.1A duals are ~$4, so I blew the extra $3!

The minimum that *I* would buy is 2.1 Amp (the iPad uses the most
current so that's why it's the funny number) PLUS a simultaneous
1 A Amp, which is 15 Watts:

Here is one I'd buy for $8 (it is 3.1 Amps, or 15 Watts):
http://www.amazon.com/Tech-Armor-Charger-Watts-Black/dp/B00CD0HDWI

Here is one I would NOT buy at $7 (it is 3.1 Amps but only 10 Watts):
http://www.rakuten.com/prod/evogue-oem-3-1-amp-10w-fast-dual-usb-heavy-duty-ouput-car-charger/245314962.html

Notice that second one is really only 2.1 Amp *or* 1 Amp (but not both!).

Also notice the price is about the same, so, price is (as always) never
an indication of quality.

What matters are the specs, and knowing what they mean, and knowing
what *you* want.





== 5 of 17 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 27 2013 12:28 pm
From: sms


On 12/27/2013 10:55 AM, Danny D'Amico wrote:
> On Fri, 27 Dec 2013 12:48:45 -0500, krw wrote:
>
>> Often roads are named for the
>> town where they're going, so it's not unusual at all.
>
> yeah. We have Sunnyvale-Saratoga road, which, I guess, was supposed
> to connect Sunnyvale (the town) and Saratoga (the town).

And in Saratoga it's Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road. In Cupertino and West San
Jose it's De Anza Boulevard. And just to confuse people even more, it
used to be called Highway 9, and some old-timers still call it that.

> Yet, we also have Saratoga Road, which intersects with it, and,
> since they can't *fit* Sunnyvale-Saratoga on the same sign, I
> get confused all the time at the Bermuda Triangle where they meet!

No, it's Saratoga Avenue that intersects with Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road
and Highway 9. There is no Saratoga Road. There is Saratoga-Los Gatos
Road, AKA Highway 9.

I am glad that they finally have added exit numbers to many freeways
since it makes it easier to give directions.





== 6 of 17 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 27 2013 2:13 pm
From: mike


On 12/27/2013 7:38 AM, Danny D'Amico wrote:
> On Thu, 26 Dec 2013 19:30:13 -0500, krw wrote:
>
>> Using the time or distance to destination gives a lot of
>> information, too.
>
> That's a good point!
>
> I often look at a trip calculation, that, say, I know is about
> an hour, and if it says it's 20 minutes, then I know it found
> the wrong road.
>
> Still, I've been burned. Do you know there are two Mission
> Boulevards in the Silicon Valley, just a few miles apart,
> both of which connect to i680?
>
> I can't believe they named two distinctly different roads
> the exact same name, yet, they both hit a major highway.
>
Vancouver, Washington is laid out as 4 quadrants.
So, there's a NW 150th ST and a SW 150th ST and a NE 150th ST
and a SE 150th ST.
Assuming you got that right...and they got that right, a GPS
might get you where you're going.

Many adjacent cities have the same street names.
And if you needed a GPS, you probably wouldn't know that
off the top of your head.




== 7 of 17 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 27 2013 2:38 pm
From: Danny D'Amico


On Thu, 26 Dec 2013 18:41:23 -0500, krw wrote:

> They all cover large cities pretty well. Got outside of a
> metropolitan area and the difference gets quite clear. Verizon is the
> only one with true nation-wide coverage. They're the only one who
> will even sell me service in my area and I live in a major
> metropolitan area.

I don't disagree.

I've had all three, over time, and each covered the major
areas, and each failed to cover the boondocks.

If Verizon was GSM, they'd be in my selection list; but,
I only use GSM phones so AT&T & T-Mobile are my choices.

I left Verizon because they pissed me off about renegotiating
my contract when I swapped out a broken phone for a new one;
and I left AT&T for charging for data I didn't want to pay for;
but, now it seems that any *new* plan on T-Mobile does the same.

Sigh. I guess I'll stay on my grandfathered $70/month T-Mobile
plan for a family of 4 for a while ...





== 8 of 17 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 27 2013 4:07 pm
From: Danny D'Amico


On Fri, 27 Dec 2013 12:28:07 -0800, sms wrote:

> No, it's Saratoga Avenue that intersects with Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road
> and Highway 9. There is no Saratoga Road. There is Saratoga-Los Gatos
> Road, AKA Highway 9.
>
> I am glad that they finally have added exit numbers to many freeways
> since it makes it easier to give directions.

You are correct. Sorry about the mis-statement.

ANd, yes, only very recently have the exit numbers been added.
Pretty much California isn't used to exit numbers.
It's a cultural thing, I guess.





== 9 of 17 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 27 2013 4:12 pm
From: Nate Nagel


On 12/27/2013 07:07 PM, Danny D'Amico wrote:
> On Fri, 27 Dec 2013 12:28:07 -0800, sms wrote:
>
>> No, it's Saratoga Avenue that intersects with Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road
>> and Highway 9. There is no Saratoga Road. There is Saratoga-Los Gatos
>> Road, AKA Highway 9.
>>
>> I am glad that they finally have added exit numbers to many freeways
>> since it makes it easier to give directions.
>
> You are correct. Sorry about the mis-statement.
>
> ANd, yes, only very recently have the exit numbers been added.
> Pretty much California isn't used to exit numbers.
> It's a cultural thing, I guess.
>

I have friends who try to give me directions using exit numbers. Drives
me batshit... I ask them "so is that I-81 north or south?" or something
like that and tell them that I'll never remember a random number/letter
combination but I can certainly remember a road name and direction. Then
they tell me that they aren't good with cardinal directions and I pound
my head on the steering wheel and cry.

This is one reason, to bring this thread back around, why I love GPS and
GPS-enabled smart phone apps.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel




== 10 of 17 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 27 2013 4:33 pm
From: krw@attt.bizz


On Fri, 27 Dec 2013 14:13:13 -0800, mike <ham789@netzero.net> wrote:

>On 12/27/2013 7:38 AM, Danny D'Amico wrote:
>> On Thu, 26 Dec 2013 19:30:13 -0500, krw wrote:
>>
>>> Using the time or distance to destination gives a lot of
>>> information, too.
>>
>> That's a good point!
>>
>> I often look at a trip calculation, that, say, I know is about
>> an hour, and if it says it's 20 minutes, then I know it found
>> the wrong road.
>>
>> Still, I've been burned. Do you know there are two Mission
>> Boulevards in the Silicon Valley, just a few miles apart,
>> both of which connect to i680?
>>
>> I can't believe they named two distinctly different roads
>> the exact same name, yet, they both hit a major highway.
>>
>Vancouver, Washington is laid out as 4 quadrants.
>So, there's a NW 150th ST and a SW 150th ST and a NE 150th ST
>and a SE 150th ST.

Minneapolis is the same way. It's not unusual.

>Assuming you got that right...and they got that right, a GPS
>might get you where you're going.

Yea, compass points matter. ;-)

>Many adjacent cities have the same street names.
>And if you needed a GPS, you probably wouldn't know that
>off the top of your head.

You make a good point but you can specify the city in the routing
request.




== 11 of 17 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 27 2013 4:44 pm
From: krw@attt.bizz


On Fri, 27 Dec 2013 22:38:43 +0000 (UTC), Danny D'Amico
<dannyd@is.invalid> wrote:

>On Thu, 26 Dec 2013 18:41:23 -0500, krw wrote:
>
>> They all cover large cities pretty well. Got outside of a
>> metropolitan area and the difference gets quite clear. Verizon is the
>> only one with true nation-wide coverage. They're the only one who
>> will even sell me service in my area and I live in a major
>> metropolitan area.
>
>I don't disagree.
>
>I've had all three, over time, and each covered the major
>areas, and each failed to cover the boondocks.
>
>If Verizon was GSM, they'd be in my selection list; but,
>I only use GSM phones so AT&T & T-Mobile are my choices.

Why insist on GSM?

>I left Verizon because they pissed me off about renegotiating
>my contract when I swapped out a broken phone for a new one;
>and I left AT&T for charging for data I didn't want to pay for;
>but, now it seems that any *new* plan on T-Mobile does the same.
>
>Sigh. I guess I'll stay on my grandfathered $70/month T-Mobile
>plan for a family of 4 for a while ...




== 12 of 17 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 27 2013 4:47 pm
From: mike


On 12/27/2013 4:33 PM, krw@attt.bizz wrote:
> On Fri, 27 Dec 2013 14:13:13 -0800, mike <ham789@netzero.net> wrote:
>
>> On 12/27/2013 7:38 AM, Danny D'Amico wrote:
>>> On Thu, 26 Dec 2013 19:30:13 -0500, krw wrote:
>>>
>>>> Using the time or distance to destination gives a lot of
>>>> information, too.
>>>
>>> That's a good point!
>>>
>>> I often look at a trip calculation, that, say, I know is about
>>> an hour, and if it says it's 20 minutes, then I know it found
>>> the wrong road.
>>>
>>> Still, I've been burned. Do you know there are two Mission
>>> Boulevards in the Silicon Valley, just a few miles apart,
>>> both of which connect to i680?
>>>
>>> I can't believe they named two distinctly different roads
>>> the exact same name, yet, they both hit a major highway.
>>>
>> Vancouver, Washington is laid out as 4 quadrants.
>> So, there's a NW 150th ST and a SW 150th ST and a NE 150th ST
>> and a SE 150th ST.
>
> Minneapolis is the same way. It's not unusual.
>
>> Assuming you got that right...and they got that right, a GPS
>> might get you where you're going.
>
> Yea, compass points matter. ;-)
>
>> Many adjacent cities have the same street names.
>> And if you needed a GPS, you probably wouldn't know that
>> off the top of your head.
>
> You make a good point but you can specify the city in the routing
> request.
>
Well, you can, if you know what it is.
If you're new to Portland, Oregon, you may not know
whether the place you want is in Portland or Beaverton
or Aloha or Hillsboro or any one of the other adjacent townships.
I've been here 40 years and I still can't be sure where one stops
and the other starts.
I don't live in the city of Portland, but frequently have online
purchases rejected because they think my zip code is Portland and
doesn't match the city I entered.





== 13 of 17 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 27 2013 5:25 pm
From: krw@attt.bizz


On Sat, 28 Dec 2013 00:07:03 +0000 (UTC), Danny D'Amico
<dannyd@is.invalid> wrote:

>On Fri, 27 Dec 2013 12:28:07 -0800, sms wrote:
>
>> No, it's Saratoga Avenue that intersects with Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road
>> and Highway 9. There is no Saratoga Road. There is Saratoga-Los Gatos
>> Road, AKA Highway 9.
>>
>> I am glad that they finally have added exit numbers to many freeways
>> since it makes it easier to give directions.
>
>You are correct. Sorry about the mis-statement.
>
>ANd, yes, only very recently have the exit numbers been added.
>Pretty much California isn't used to exit numbers.
>It's a cultural thing, I guess.

Must be. The whole state of New Jersey runs off of exit numbers.

Q: "Where are you from?"
A: "Exit 47."
Q: "Oh, I've been there. Do you know Jane Smith?..."




== 14 of 17 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 27 2013 11:09 pm
From: tlvp


On Fri, 27 Dec 2013 19:44:01 -0500, krw@attt.bizz wrote:

> Why insist on GSM?

Makes phone use during world travel a lot easier :-) . Cheers, -- tlvp
--
Avant de repondre, jeter la poubelle, SVP.




== 15 of 17 ==
Date: Sat, Dec 28 2013 12:49 am
From: Danny D'Amico


On Fri, 27 Dec 2013 19:44:01 -0500, krw wrote:

> Why insist on GSM?

Three reasons, although CDMA works too, even without those three:
1) GSM means you have a choice of carriers using the same phone for either
(although your choice is mostly just one of the two biggies in the US)

2. GSM means you can travel to the rest of the world & use their SIM cards
(although unlocked dumb GSM phones are cheap nowadays)

3. GSM means you can have dual SIM phones so you can have two carriers
(although that's only useful in certain instances)

I agree that these advantages aren't all that spectacular; but, it's not
easy to do those three things with Verizon (although it can be done if
you have the right phone).





== 16 of 17 ==
Date: Sat, Dec 28 2013 6:03 pm
From: David Harmon


On Fri, 27 Dec 2013 15:52:38 +0000 (UTC) in
misc.consumers.frugal-living, Danny D'Amico <dannyd@is.invalid>
wrote,
>I was heading toward San Jose in heavy traffic on i580, and when
>I saw the sign in Livermore for 84 South to cut the hypotenuse
>between i580 and i680, I took it.
>
>For 10 or 15 miles (almost the entire distance), Sygic kept
>admonishing me to make a u turn, and to go back to i580.

Oh, so it *did* recalculate, just not the way you wanted it to. The
U-turn was not part of the original route. It was trying to get you
back to what it thought was the better route.





== 17 of 17 ==
Date: Sat, Dec 28 2013 9:41 pm
From: "Danny D."


On Sat, 28 Dec 2013 18:03:52 -0800, David Harmon wrote:

> Oh, so it *did* recalculate, just not the way you wanted it to. The
> U-turn was not part of the original route. It was trying to get you
> back to what it thought was the better route.

I stand corrected. You are correct.
Sygic *did* recalculate. It just insisted on going from
i580 to i680 instead of from i580 to 84 to i680 (which is
a standard shortcut).

Of course, 84 isn't an interstate - so - maybe the settings
affected this choice - but, I left all the map programs at
the default and Sygic and ZNavi were the only two that
frustrated me by /recalculating/ with u-turns instead of
moving forward.

I do agree, that sometimes, a u-turn *is* the best way to
go; but, most of the time, when you make a detour, you
mean it.

At least, in the heavy traffic on i580, I certainly meant
it that day! :)






==============================================================================
TOPIC: Micorwave went south and now we need
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/6a1f96c5bc329e10?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 27 2013 4:45 pm
From: gheston@hiwaay.net (Gary Heston)


In article <fd7e2a68-7b1f-491b-b53d-2a8776270cc6@googlegroups.com>,
anthona <harri85274@aol.com> wrote:
>a replacement, mostly for reheating and on rare occasions cooking a tv
>dinner. This MW lasted just barely 2 1/2 years and just completely
>stopped. We don't want another one. Looking into toaster ovens, but
>there are so many and so many different prices. All we want is something
>that can cook baked potato's, reheat a cup of coffee ( we make a full
>pot in morning but by the time we have a second cup its lukewarm even in
>a carafe ) cook a tv dinner when necessary. No HOT top and teflon
>interior sheet and timer. Any good suggestions?

Not sure why you don't want another microwave; it does what you need
done and isn't very expensive these days.

However, perhaps a something like a nuWave oven or one of the
similar-sized convection ovenswould work for you.

Gary





== 2 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 27 2013 7:41 pm
From: "Bob F"


anthona wrote:
> a replacement, mostly for reheating and on rare occasions cooking a
> tv dinner. This MW lasted just barely 2 1/2 years and just completely
> stopped. We don't want another one. Looking into toaster ovens, but
> there are so many and so many different prices. All we want is
> something that can cook baked potato's, reheat a cup of coffee ( we
> make a full pot in morning but by the time we have a second cup its
> lukewarm even in a carafe ) cook a tv dinner when necessary. No HOT
> top and teflon interior sheet and timer. Any good suggestions?

Replace the fuse if it's blown. I've "repaired" several microwaves this way.
Never had to do it twice.







== 3 of 8 ==
Date: Sat, Dec 28 2013 7:53 am
From: anthona


On Friday, December 27, 2013 10:41:11 PM UTC-5, Bob F wrote:
> anthona wrote:
>
> > a replacement, mostly for reheating and on rare occasions cooking a
>
> > tv dinner. This MW lasted just barely 2 1/2 years and just completely
>
> > stopped. We don't want another one. Looking into toaster ovens, but
>
> > there are so many and so many different prices. All we want is
>
> > something that can cook baked potato's, reheat a cup of coffee ( we
>
> > make a full pot in morning but by the time we have a second cup its
>
> > lukewarm even in a carafe ) cook a tv dinner when necessary. No HOT
>
> > top and teflon interior sheet and timer. Any good suggestions?
>
>
>
> Replace the fuse if it's blown. I've "repaired" several microwaves this way.
>
> Never had to do it twice.

Well that was what I wanted to check but they made it almost impossible to remove the 'screws' where the control panel is. One would have to buy a special type of tool and the cost of that alone may make it prohibitive to want to fix it. Also, there is no guarantee that it is a fuse ...is it?




== 4 of 8 ==
Date: Sat, Dec 28 2013 7:55 am
From: anthona


On Friday, December 27, 2013 11:16:37 PM UTC-5, Derald wrote:
> anthona <harri85274@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> >a replacement, mostly for reheating and on rare occasions cooking a tv dinner. This MW lasted just barely 2 1/2 years and just completely stopped. We don't want another one. Looking into toaster ovens, but there are so many and so many different prices. All we want is something that can cook baked potato's, reheat a cup of coffee ( we make a full pot in morning but by the time we have a second cup its lukewarm even in a carafe ) cook a tv dinner when necessary. No HOT top and teflon interior sheet and timer. Any good suggestions?
>
> Microwaves and toaster ovens are common yard sale and thrift store
>
> items.
>
> --
>
> Derald

Thanks, but not looking to buy a used item.




== 5 of 8 ==
Date: Sat, Dec 28 2013 10:16 am
From: "Bob F"


anthona wrote:
> On Friday, December 27, 2013 10:41:11 PM UTC-5, Bob F wrote:
>> anthona wrote:
>>
>>> a replacement, mostly for reheating and on rare occasions cooking a
>>
>>> tv dinner. This MW lasted just barely 2 1/2 years and just
>>> completely
>>
>>> stopped. We don't want another one. Looking into toaster ovens, but
>>
>>> there are so many and so many different prices. All we want is
>>
>>> something that can cook baked potato's, reheat a cup of coffee ( we
>>
>>> make a full pot in morning but by the time we have a second cup its
>>
>>> lukewarm even in a carafe ) cook a tv dinner when necessary. No HOT
>>
>>> top and teflon interior sheet and timer. Any good suggestions?
>>
>>
>>
>> Replace the fuse if it's blown. I've "repaired" several microwaves
>> this way.
>>
>> Never had to do it twice.
>
> Well that was what I wanted to check but they made it almost
> impossible to remove the 'screws' where the control panel is. One
> would have to buy a special type of tool and the cost of that alone
> may make it prohibitive to want to fix it. Also, there is no
> guarantee that it is a fuse ...is it?

There is no guarantee, but sometimes it is the problem. You can sometimes open
the special screws using the blade of a small flat blade screwdriver that just
happens to be the right size to wedge into the special screw. Or, you can buy a
set of security tips at harbor freight or an auto parts store for $5 or so.






== 6 of 8 ==
Date: Sat, Dec 28 2013 11:05 am
From: j


On 12/28/2013 1:16 PM, Bob F wrote:
> anthona wrote:
>> On Friday, December 27, 2013 10:41:11 PM UTC-5, Bob F wrote:
>>> anthona wrote:
>>>
>>>> a replacement, mostly for reheating and on rare occasions cooking a
>>>
>>>> tv dinner. This MW lasted just barely 2 1/2 years and just
>>>> completely
>>>
>>>> stopped. We don't want another one. Looking into toaster ovens, but
>>>
>>>> there are so many and so many different prices. All we want is
>>>
>>>> something that can cook baked potato's, reheat a cup of coffee ( we
>>>
>>>> make a full pot in morning but by the time we have a second cup its
>>>
>>>> lukewarm even in a carafe ) cook a tv dinner when necessary. No HOT
>>>
>>>> top and teflon interior sheet and timer. Any good suggestions?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Replace the fuse if it's blown. I've "repaired" several microwaves
>>> this way.
>>>
>>> Never had to do it twice.
>>
>> Well that was what I wanted to check but they made it almost
>> impossible to remove the 'screws' where the control panel is. One
>> would have to buy a special type of tool and the cost of that alone
>> may make it prohibitive to want to fix it. Also, there is no
>> guarantee that it is a fuse ...is it?
>
> There is no guarantee, but sometimes it is the problem.


It is likely as it does nothing, no power. Worth a try. I'm with Bob.

You can sometimes open
> the special screws using the blade of a small flat blade screwdriver that just


> happens to be the right size to wedge into the special screw. Or, you can buy a
> set of security tips at harbor freight or an auto parts store for $5 or so.

Sometimes it is just one security screw. If you can get to it, have at
it with a drill or file. I used to use a pair of side cutters (dikes as
we called them) and bite into the sides of the screw and rotate.

Nothing beats a microwave for everyday reheating. Get another MW or fix
this one.

Jeff
>
>





== 7 of 8 ==
Date: Sat, Dec 28 2013 3:44 pm
From: BigDog811


On Friday, December 27, 2013 10:54:18 AM UTC-7, anthona wrote:
> a replacement, mostly for reheating and on rare occasions cooking a tv dinner. This MW lasted just barely 2 1/2 years and just completely stopped. We don't want another one. Looking into toaster ovens, but there are so many and so many different prices. All we want is something that can cook baked potato's, reheat a cup of coffee ( we make a full pot in morning but by the time we have a second cup its lukewarm even in a carafe ) cook a tv dinner when necessary. No HOT top and teflon interior sheet and timer. Any good suggestions?

Another vote for investigating the fuse. Have only had one MW fail in the decades since our first "radar range" and that's exactly what it was. Fortunately it was still under warranty so it didn't cost anything to watch the repairman spend about ten minutes changing it.

Toaster ovens, as handy as they are, are not a good alternatives to MWs. We have and use both everyday. Except for limited capacity for baking and roasting I'd give up my conventional oven before the toaster oven.




== 8 of 8 ==
Date: Sat, Dec 28 2013 3:53 pm
From: BigDog811


On Saturday, December 28, 2013 4:44:35 PM UTC-7, BigDog811 wrote:
> On Friday, December 27, 2013 10:54:18 AM UTC-7, anthona wrote:
>
> > a replacement, mostly for reheating and on rare occasions cooking a tv dinner. This MW lasted just barely 2 1/2 years and just completely stopped. We don't want another one. Looking into toaster ovens, but there are so many and so many different prices. All we want is something that can cook baked potato's, reheat a cup of coffee ( we make a full pot in morning but by the time we have a second cup its lukewarm even in a carafe ) cook a tv dinner when necessary. No HOT top and teflon interior sheet and timer. Any good suggestions?
>
>
>
> Another vote for investigating the fuse. Have only had one MW fail in the decades since our first "radar range" and that's exactly what it was. Fortunately it was still under warranty so it didn't cost anything to watch the repairman spend about ten minutes changing it.
>
>
>
> Toaster ovens, as handy as they are, are not a good alternatives to MWs. We have and use both everyday. Except for limited capacity for baking and roasting I'd give up my conventional oven before the toaster oven.

Oh, by the way. If your coffee is lukewarm by the second cup, you need a new coffeemaker too. The heating element under the carafe is burned out.




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