Products you believe in - Let's hear 'em (2 Viewers)

[Short Corner]

Fly X-3 Selfie Stick - I wouldn't be caught dead with another selfie stick

What size batteries does it take?

 

[Psychopav]

Bartenders helper ...the best cleaning solution ive ever used...nothing short of amazing...i first used it on my toilet after using a snake to unclog it...the scratches were so bad i thought i had to replace the whole toilet...then i read about this product...went to Home Depot and paid less than 4 dollars ...it not only cleaned the toilet it made the scratches disappear...gone ...looks brand new...i now use it on everything...bath tub...glass top stove ...i havent found one thing it can't clean

Pretty sure you meant Bar Keepers Friend.

Possibly beekeepers friend.

 

[avoiding injuries]

Olympic Deck Cleaner- works great for my composite deck. I also use it for the algae stains on my north facing roof and it is awesome.

Rain X

Nivea After Shave

Barbasol- .99 and I like it better than the Edge Pro Gel I was using.

 

[mr roboto]

Barwenches Buddy

 

[towney]

Neti Pot
https://travit.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/neti-pot.jpg

 

[Chaos Commish]

Bartenders helper ...the best cleaning solution ive ever used...nothing short of amazing...i first used it on my toilet after using a snake to unclog it...the scratches were so bad i thought i had to replace the whole toilet...then i read about this product...went to Home Depot and paid less than 4 dollars ...it not only cleaned the toilet it made the scratches disappear...gone ...looks brand new...i now use it on everything...bath tub...glass top stove ...i havent found one thing it can't clean

Pretty sure you meant Bar Keepers Friend.

Possibly beekeepers friend.

Or not.

 

[The General]

Barmaid's Chum

I googled it.

 

[BroadwayG]

For folks using the Bayer Advanced....are you spot spraying, or just spraying the entire lawn?

I get the one that attaches to the hose and do the whole lawn since the whole lawn needs it. The next day all the dandelions, clover, violets all look like they caught the flu.

 

[Caesar]

Their seasoned ribs are ridiculous. 2 hours in the oven and pure bliss.

I've been meaning to try them!

Picked some up today based on this recommendation. Might report back.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Bought the Tshirts.

That magnetic screen door looks VERY hillbilly. Any good?

piece o crap imho

The magnetic screen doors are in a cabin we stay in while turkey hunting. We all thought it was a great product--works flawlessly.

How would they work for pets? Would a cat be able to push their way thru?

Works fine.

So if I wanted to keep the pets in, they are a no-go then, right?

Correct

I HAD one of these, but the Dobermans learned they could go right through it and would it at full speed and get a little tangled in it. It lasted about a week. Smaller animals probably wouldn't tear it up so quickly. It did work great while it was intact, though.

this was my main issue as well. young kids going through it at high speeds did not do it any favors. affixing it to the door jam is where it breaks down. it serves it's function if you are relatively careful with it, but it's a cheaply made item. i also had an AC vent right by that door that the magnets would stick to.

 

[Gianni Verscotchie]

Barback's Aquaintance

 

[skol asylum]

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I've had a Honda mower for 13 years now.

I remember someone else posting that also.

 

[NutterButter]

Bought the Tshirts.

That magnetic screen door looks VERY hillbilly. Any good?

piece o crap imho

The magnetic screen doors are in a cabin we stay in while turkey hunting. We all thought it was a great product--works flawlessly.

How would they work for pets? Would a cat be able to push their way thru?

Works fine.

So if I wanted to keep the pets in, they are a no-go then, right?

Correct

I HAD one of these, but the Dobermans learned they could go right through it and would it at full speed and get a little tangled in it. It lasted about a week. Smaller animals probably wouldn't tear it up so quickly. It did work great while it was intact, though.

this was my main issue as well. young kids going through it at high speeds did not do it any favors. affixing it to the door jam is where it breaks down. it serves it's function if you are relatively careful with it, but it's a cheaply made item. i also had an AC vent right by that door that the magnets would stick to.

i have 2 dogs and 3 kids and none of these problems. I do have a cheap one for the garage door to the house where i could see that happening. you need to buy this one. That thing is rock solid.

 

[chauncey]

Any weekender/duffel bags you guys believe in?

The larger the better, but still able to be stashed as a carry on. Preferably under $200. I'm sick of carrying boxy suitcases and the only duffel bag I own is a 15 year old canvas Eddie Bauer that looks like a teenager would carry it on a beach trip.

Here are some examples I am looking at:

Beckel War Bag ($75)

Herschel Novel Canvas ($110)

Duluth Medium Sportsman's ($325)

Fjall Raven Duffel #4 ($180)

Any particular brands to look for or websites to find deals on?

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Any weekender/duffel bags you guys believe in?

The larger the better, but still able to be stashed as a carry on. Preferably under $200. I'm sick of carrying boxy suitcases and the only duffel bag I own is a 15 year old canvas Eddie Bauer that looks like a teenager would carry it on a beach trip.

Here are some examples I am looking at:

Beckel War Bag ($75)

Herschel Novel Canvas ($110)

Duluth Medium Sportsman's ($325)

Fjall Raven Duffel #4 ($180)

Any particular brands to look for or websites to find deals on?

What are you - a well dressed hobo?

 

[Ketamine Dreams]

Any weekender/duffel bags you guys believe in?

The larger the better, but still able to be stashed as a carry on. Preferably under $200. I'm sick of carrying boxy suitcases and the only duffel bag I own is a 15 year old canvas Eddie Bauer that looks like a teenager would carry it on a beach trip.

Here are some examples I am looking at:

Beckel War Bag ($75)

Herschel Novel Canvas ($110)

Duluth Medium Sportsman's ($325)

Fjall Raven Duffel #4 ($180)

Any particular brands to look for or websites to find deals on?

I bought this a few years ago and love it. Maximum size allowed as a carry on. Also, the straps can be enclosed and you can carry it with handles: http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/gear_hauling/porter_46_1

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Bartenders helper ...the best cleaning solution ive ever used...nothing short of amazing...i first used it on my toilet after using a snake to unclog it...the scratches were so bad i thought i had to replace the whole toilet...then i read about this product...went to Home Depot and paid less than 4 dollars ...it not only cleaned the toilet it made the scratches disappear...gone ...looks brand new...i now use it on everything...bath tub...glass top stove ...i havent found one thing it can't clean

Pretty sure you meant Bar Keepers Friend.

LOL...yes

 

[PinkydaPimp]

Sennheiser products. I've been using their products for years without fail. Headphones, mics, monitors in particular. Outstanding quality.

 

[matuski]

Costco..... Everything they sell is awesome. Love me some Costco.

Not sure how its possible for a company to do that much right

It's not literally correct but Costco has no equal in terms of product selection. There was a great CNBC doc from a couple years back on how they run their business.

They really are head/shoulders above everyone else. Huge fan.

I would have a membership for only the meat selection. I think the meat is of better quality than I can get with the local grocery stores, and it is a ton cheaper.

The highlight of each trip is strolling through the meat aisle looking for Prime cuts.

Costco turned us on to Bark Thins. The Almond ones are insanely good. Awesome little treat with an afternoon coffee.

I like Costco for the simple fact they pay their people a good wage. I remember years ago reading an article how Costco had rebuffed Wall Street, who had been harping on them to cut labor costs so they could be a more profitable company.

Costco basically gave them a big middle finger, saying something along the lines of: our people are our greatest asset. We want them to be happy coming to work every day.

Right about the time I signed up with them instead of Sam's. Never regretted it. The money I've saved on diapers alone for three kids made it worth it.

Costco treats their employees well, but they absolutely destroy their vendors. Ever wonder why they will carry independent products for only a few years then they are gone?

It goes like this:

Year 1 - Hey, we like your product, let's do business. Vendor is excited, starts making money and ramping up production.

Year 2 - Hey we love your product, but we are only going to pay you 90% of what we did last year. Vendor is still making cash, so accepts and continues making more.

Year 3 - Hey, still loving your stuff, but guess what, we are paying you 60% this year. CVendor will now either break even or take a loss. They have a stockpile that they have to sell so agree to drop their pants and let them do their business.

Year 4 - The vendor either got run out of business by what Costco did to them, or they no longer sell to them because of how badly they got killed financially.

I can attest to that from a guy I know that had it happen just like that to him.

I did business with Costco for years never experienced this. They drive a hard bargain.. but then so does any chain or business worth a damn.

If Costco alone ran you out of business you had a bad plan. If your plan was to ride Costco, your year 4 example was inevitable sooner or later.

 

[cstu]

It goes like this:

Year 1 - Hey, we like your product, let's do business. Vendor is excited, starts making money and ramping up production.

Year 2 - Hey we love your product, but we are only going to pay you 90% of what we did last year. Vendor is still making cash, so accepts and continues making more.

Year 3 - Hey, still loving your stuff, but guess what, we are paying you 60% this year. CVendor will now either break even or take a loss. They have a stockpile that they have to sell so agree to drop their pants and let them do their business.

Year 4 - The vendor either got run out of business by what Costco did to them, or they no longer sell to them because of how badly they got killed financially.

If the Vendor is unable to capitalize in four years on its presence in Costco to increase their sales in other stores then they were likely going out of business anyway.

 

[Otis]

Any weekender/duffel bags you guys believe in?

The larger the better, but still able to be stashed as a carry on. Preferably under $200. I'm sick of carrying boxy suitcases and the only duffel bag I own is a 15 year old canvas Eddie Bauer that looks like a teenager would carry it on a beach trip.

Here are some examples I am looking at:

Beckel War Bag ($75)

Herschel Novel Canvas ($110)

Duluth Medium Sportsman's ($325)

Fjall Raven Duffel #4 ($180)

Any particular brands to look for or websites to find deals on?

I bought this a few years ago and love it. Maximum size allowed as a carry on. Also, the straps can be enclosed and you can carry it with handles: http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/gear_hauling/porter_46_1

Yes but what if he's a grownup and doesn't want to wear a backpack anymore?

 

[Otis]

So far based on this thread I ordered mypillows, barkeepers friend, Rainx, and I replenished my stock of Shave Secret.

 

[pollardsvision]

That Fjall Raven looks like a nice bag.

 

[Ketamine Dreams]

Any weekender/duffel bags you guys believe in?

The larger the better, but still able to be stashed as a carry on. Preferably under $200. I'm sick of carrying boxy suitcases and the only duffel bag I own is a 15 year old canvas Eddie Bauer that looks like a teenager would carry it on a beach trip.

Here are some examples I am looking at:

Beckel War Bag ($75)

Herschel Novel Canvas ($110)

Duluth Medium Sportsman's ($325)

Fjall Raven Duffel #4 ($180)

Any particular brands to look for or websites to find deals on?

I bought this a few years ago and love it. Maximum size allowed as a carry on. Also, the straps can be enclosed and you can carry it with handles: http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/gear_hauling/porter_46_1

Yes but what if he's a grownup and doesn't want to wear a backpack anymore?

I guess he could be a real man who wouldn't give a #### what some jackhole says about how he carries his stuff on a trip.

 

[TheAristocrat]

I am trying out mypillow. Kinda think I'm throwing a bit of cash away but we'll see.

 

[steelerfan1]

http://www.nowfoods.com/GABA-750mg-100-Veg-Capsules.htm

gaba

been taking 3 of those on an empty stomach before bed and it really helps my mind slowdown so I can crash. wake up refreshed with no foggy benadryl feeling.

 

[The General]

Any weekender/duffel bags you guys believe in?

The larger the better, but still able to be stashed as a carry on. Preferably under $200. I'm sick of carrying boxy suitcases and the only duffel bag I own is a 15 year old canvas Eddie Bauer that looks like a teenager would carry it on a beach trip.

Here are some examples I am looking at:

Beckel War Bag ($75)

Herschel Novel Canvas ($110)

Duluth Medium Sportsman's ($325)

Fjall Raven Duffel #4 ($180)

Any particular brands to look for or websites to find deals on?

I bought this a few years ago and love it. Maximum size allowed as a carry on. Also, the straps can be enclosed and you can carry it with handles: http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/gear_hauling/porter_46_1

Yes but what if he's a grownup and doesn't want to wear a backpack anymore?

I guess he could be a real man who wouldn't give a #### what some jackhole says about how he carries his stuff on a trip.

Agree. Don't see any advantage to duffel style bags for travel but have noticed more people carrying them lately.

I fly way more than I want to and backpack style carry on is the way to go IMO. Keeps hands free and is more comfortable to carry.

Want as large as you can get away with sneaking on as a carry on, just a few compartments to maximize space, and want it to be somewhat squishy to allow it to fit into different overhead compartments.

 

[joey]

TiVo. All other DVRs are lame knock offs. I've owned one version or another of a tiVo for the past 13 or so years and I STILL have my original one in the spare room. Just needed to replace the hard drive after it failed IN YEAR 11. Just an amazing product that radically changed the way I watch television. Every other cable-tv-provided DVR is a horrible, slow, clunky imitation of the original.

It's the Coke of DVRs IMO. Settle for nothing less.

 

[Weeber]

Google image search "fecal Japan"

By far the best baby wipes on the market.

 

[flgator]

Snansnap and Evernote...paperless life the easy way

Love Evernote & been contemplating a scansnap for a while

All I had was a multifunction printer/scanner that was flatbed without a document feeder when I first tried to go paperless. It took so long to scan in documents that I quickly lost interest. The ScanSnap scans double-sided at 24 pages/min directly into Evernote. Nearly effortless.

 

[ClownCausedChaos2]

This cheap screwdriver

http://m.homedepot.com/p/HDX-3-1-4-in-6-in-1-Screwdriver-120SD12D/100137978

I've had one of those in the kitchen junk drawer for years. I absolutely love that cheap little screwdriver.

 

[Otis]

Any weekender/duffel bags you guys believe in?

The larger the better, but still able to be stashed as a carry on. Preferably under $200. I'm sick of carrying boxy suitcases and the only duffel bag I own is a 15 year old canvas Eddie Bauer that looks like a teenager would carry it on a beach trip.

Here are some examples I am looking at:

Beckel War Bag ($75)

Herschel Novel Canvas ($110)

Duluth Medium Sportsman's ($325)

Fjall Raven Duffel #4 ($180)

Any particular brands to look for or websites to find deals on?

I bought this a few years ago and love it. Maximum size allowed as a carry on. Also, the straps can be enclosed and you can carry it with handles: http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/gear_hauling/porter_46_1

Yes but what if he's a grownup and doesn't want to wear a backpack anymore?

I guess he could be a real man who wouldn't give a #### what some jackhole says about how he carries his stuff on a trip.

Sounds like a reasonable test for what constitutes a "real man."

 

[Otis]

Those duffel bags linked above are pretty sweet. I carry a canvas duffel on short trips.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Speaking of luggage - anything revolutionary (other than the 360 degree spinning wheels) happen over the last 15 years? We're still rocking the same luggage, but it'll probably be time for something new soon. Looking at both short term (non checked bags) and long term (checked bags) type stuff.

 

[Otis]

Speaking of luggage - anything revolutionary (other than the 360 degree spinning wheels) happen over the last 15 years? We're still rocking the same luggage, but it'll probably be time for something new soon. Looking at both short term (non checked bags) and long term (checked bags) type stuff.

I backed this on Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/barracuda/barracuda-collapsible-luggage-tray-gps-usb-charger

Looks pretty nice. We will see.

 

[jamil]

Any weekender/duffel bags you guys believe in?

The larger the better, but still able to be stashed as a carry on. Preferably under $200. I'm sick of carrying boxy suitcases and the only duffel bag I own is a 15 year old canvas Eddie Bauer that looks like a teenager would carry it on a beach trip.

Here are some examples I am looking at:

Beckel War Bag ($75)

Herschel Novel Canvas ($110)

Duluth Medium Sportsman's ($325)

Fjall Raven Duffel #4 ($180)

Any particular brands to look for or websites to find deals on?

Get a tumi and be done with it

 

[jamil]

TiVo. All other DVRs are lame knock offs. I've owned one version or another of a tiVo for the past 13 or so years and I STILL have my original one in the spare room. Just needed to replace the hard drive after it failed IN YEAR 11. Just an amazing product that radically changed the way I watch television. Every other cable-tv-provided DVR is a horrible, slow, clunky imitation of the original.

It's the Coke of DVRs IMO. Settle for nothing less.

Ive always had satelite and just recently switched to cable. Does it replace cable box and do away with that "technology fee" Comcast charges?

 

[Tiger Fan]

Speaking of luggage - anything revolutionary (other than the 360 degree spinning wheels) happen over the last 15 years? We're still rocking the same luggage, but it'll probably be time for something new soon. Looking at both short term (non checked bags) and long term (checked bags) type stuff.

I backed this on Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/barracuda/barracuda-collapsible-luggage-tray-gps-usb-charger

Looks pretty nice. We will see.

That would be a slam dunk if it had the 360 wheels. how did they miss that?

 

[msommer]

Speaking of luggage - anything revolutionary (other than the 360 degree spinning wheels) happen over the last 15 years? We're still rocking the same luggage, but it'll probably be time for something new soon. Looking at both short term (non checked bags) and long term (checked bags) type stuff.

I backed this on Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/barracuda/barracuda-collapsible-luggage-tray-gps-usb-charger

Looks pretty nice. We will see.

That would be a slam dunk if it had the 360 wheels. how did they miss that?

Yeah, that seems like a glaring omission

 

[Short Corner]

Speaking of luggage - anything revolutionary (other than the 360 degree spinning wheels) happen over the last 15 years? We're still rocking the same luggage, but it'll probably be time for something new soon. Looking at both short term (non checked bags) and long term (checked bags) type stuff.

I backed this on Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/barracuda/barracuda-collapsible-luggage-tray-gps-usb-charger

Looks pretty nice. We will see.

That would be a slam dunk if it had the 360 wheels. how did they miss that?

Yep. Won't even consider buying anything without casters. Isn't 8.5 lbs heavy for luggage? USB port is overkill. Most airports have charging stations at the gates now.

 

[Caesar]

Speaking of luggage - anything revolutionary (other than the 360 degree spinning wheels) happen over the last 15 years? We're still rocking the same luggage, but it'll probably be time for something new soon. Looking at both short term (non checked bags) and long term (checked bags) type stuff.

I backed this on Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/barracuda/barracuda-collapsible-luggage-tray-gps-usb-charger

Looks pretty nice. We will see.

That would be a slam dunk if it had the 360 wheels. how did they miss that?

Yeah, that seems like a glaring omission

Just looking at it, the second set of wheels would make it less "collapsable" than it currently is. Not saying they couldn't find a way around that, but it could be one reason.

 

[The General]

Speaking of luggage - anything revolutionary (other than the 360 degree spinning wheels) happen over the last 15 years? We're still rocking the same luggage, but it'll probably be time for something new soon. Looking at both short term (non checked bags) and long term (checked bags) type stuff.

I backed this on Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/barracuda/barracuda-collapsible-luggage-tray-gps-usb-charger

Looks pretty nice. We will see.

I like the idea of people creating products on kickstarter but are you really going to use a "work tray" and mess with charging a battery inside a bag?

 

[Chaos Commish]

Speaking of luggage - anything revolutionary (other than the 360 degree spinning wheels) happen over the last 15 years? We're still rocking the same luggage, but it'll probably be time for something new soon. Looking at both short term (non checked bags) and long term (checked bags) type stuff.

I backed this on Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/barracuda/barracuda-collapsible-luggage-tray-gps-usb-charger

Looks pretty nice. We will see.

I like the idea of people creating products on kickstarter but are you really going to use a "work tray" and mess with charging a battery inside a bag?

In an airport? Yes. I carry a battery charger already so it's convenient to have it built in, and I generally have my laptop out in the terminal so the tray would probably be nice. I want one.

 

[cstu]

Speaking of luggage - anything revolutionary (other than the 360 degree spinning wheels) happen over the last 15 years? We're still rocking the same luggage, but it'll probably be time for something new soon. Looking at both short term (non checked bags) and long term (checked bags) type stuff.

I backed this on Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/barracuda/barracuda-collapsible-luggage-tray-gps-usb-charger

Looks pretty nice. We will see.

I like the idea of people creating products on kickstarter but are you really going to use a "work tray" and mess with charging a battery inside a bag?

That bag doesn't look useful for anyone over 5'5".

 

[Tiger Fan]

Speaking of luggage - anything revolutionary (other than the 360 degree spinning wheels) happen over the last 15 years? We're still rocking the same luggage, but it'll probably be time for something new soon. Looking at both short term (non checked bags) and long term (checked bags) type stuff.

I backed this on Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/barracuda/barracuda-collapsible-luggage-tray-gps-usb-charger

Looks pretty nice. We will see.

I like the idea of people creating products on kickstarter but are you really going to use a "work tray" and mess with charging a battery inside a bag?

I think those were pretty good items personally especially the charger. Charging stations suck b/c you either have to abandon your phone or just hover around it

 

[The General]

Speaking of luggage - anything revolutionary (other than the 360 degree spinning wheels) happen over the last 15 years? We're still rocking the same luggage, but it'll probably be time for something new soon. Looking at both short term (non checked bags) and long term (checked bags) type stuff.

I backed this on Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/barracuda/barracuda-collapsible-luggage-tray-gps-usb-charger

Looks pretty nice. We will see.

I like the idea of people creating products on kickstarter but are you really going to use a "work tray" and mess with charging a battery inside a bag?

In an airport? Yes. I carry a battery charger already so it's convenient to have it built in, and I generally have my laptop out in the terminal so the tray would probably be nice. I want one.

A small, portable battery charger is useful, you can use those anywhere and carry around in pocket or computer bag or something. One built in a bag seems a lot less useful.

The little tray just looks like one of those things that seems like a good idea until you actually use it. If I have that kind of time at the airport and have to use the computer I find a bar or table.

 

[Chaos Commish]

On duffles and backpacks I carry both lately. My gear, camera, laptop, tablet, chargers, cords, adapters go in the backpack with whatever else. Clothes and toiletries in the duffle. I usually bring home more than I take so the extra space is good. I didn't carry a backpack for 20 years thinking it was a thing to be done with, but I like having one again. It's a daily camera bag, toolkit in my car. I bought a pretty cheap Swiss Gear with the TSA compartment which works great. I have a few duffles including this Jack Spade. It's on sale here. I'd buy that if I didn't have it.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Speaking of luggage - anything revolutionary (other than the 360 degree spinning wheels) happen over the last 15 years? We're still rocking the same luggage, but it'll probably be time for something new soon. Looking at both short term (non checked bags) and long term (checked bags) type stuff.

I backed this on Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/barracuda/barracuda-collapsible-luggage-tray-gps-usb-charger

Looks pretty nice. We will see.

I like the idea of people creating products on kickstarter but are you really going to use a "work tray" and mess with charging a battery inside a bag?

In an airport? Yes. I carry a battery charger already so it's convenient to have it built in, and I generally have my laptop out in the terminal so the tray would probably be nice. I want one.

A small, portable battery charger is useful, you can use those anywhere and carry around in pocket or computer bag or something. One built in a bag seems a lot less useful.

The little tray just looks like one of those things that seems like a good idea until you actually use it. If I have that kind of time at the airport and have to use the computer I find a bar or table.

Can't be sure about the tray until I try it but it doesn't hurt to have it. I made a mess with a burrito last time I sat in a terminal. It needed that little table. I hate the little chargers in my pocket. I carry a beefy one in the above backpack. I hate having anything in my pockets though. My wallet is the smallest lightest one I could find, id, a couple cards, a few bills, and it is stuffed. That's actually a product I believe in.

 

[joey]

TiVo. All other DVRs are lame knock offs. I've owned one version or another of a tiVo for the past 13 or so years and I STILL have my original one in the spare room. Just needed to replace the hard drive after it failed IN YEAR 11. Just an amazing product that radically changed the way I watch television. Every other cable-tv-provided DVR is a horrible, slow, clunky imitation of the original.

It's the Coke of DVRs IMO. Settle for nothing less.

Ive always had satelite and just recently switched to cable. Does it replace cable box and do away with that "technology fee" Comcast charges?

It doesn't replace cable per se, but no need for a cable BOX any more since tivos have cable card slots in them. Comcast, or whoever, comes out and does the cable card installation and then all you do is use the tivo guide and its awesome interface to interact with TV. My cable bill is still $150+ a month for tv/internet/phone, and I paid the Lifetime Service Fee for TiVo (instead of their monthly service fee). It pays for itself after a few years and, as my story above proves, these things can last a very very long time. My "newer" TiVo is at least 5 years old and going strong as ever. Dual tuner, HD, all that jazz. The newer ones can have 4 tuners as well as streaming your recorded tivo media to your tablet device. If not for a big home renovation eating all my disposable income, I'd have one of those latest/greatest TiVo models already. It's just hard to sell it as a Must Have when both of our old TiVos are still going strong and function just fine.

Go for it.