CITIZEN ECO DRIVE WOMEN’S WATCH

When it comes to watches, or watch movements, more specifically, the mechanical movement gets all the love. This is something I very much understand, and appreciate. Quartz movements do have something to offer as well, whether you are looking for absolute accuracy, affordability, or lighter weight. When we get into quartz, there are more options that open up for some cool technology. Take, for instance, how we power the movement. With a mechanical, we can wind it up. For a quartz, well, you’re just swapping batteries, unless you pick up something like a Citizen Eco-Drive.

Now, the CITIZEN ECO DRIVE WOMEN’S WATCH is a pretty wide product line, so we will focus on just one model (ref. BM7276-01H) which was sent over to us by the folks at DiscountWatchStore.com. This is a fairly basic model, I’d say, with a simple three-handed layout along with a date display (note the dark date wheel!) If this were a basic quartz-driven model, this probably is not even something that would be a blip on our radar to write out. However, we’re talking about it, so that means there is something else up here. That would be the Eco-Drive system.

There are several different ways to power a watch movement, with batteries being predominant for quartz models. With the Citizen Eco-Drive you get into something else – solar power. This is something I am familiar with (and am a fan of) due to one of the very first watches I bought myself. This gives some additional interest to a watch that, aside from styling, might just be a bit ho-hum on the meter. If you want, you can read up more on how the Eco-drive system works here, but suffice to say, it’s powered by light. If it has not gotten enough of a charge, you’ll see the seconds hand start to jump/stutter, pausing then moving two seconds at a time.

This lets you know you need to get it some sun. If it runs out of charge, this particular model does not just go into a standby mode and keep track of the date and time. No, once it’s dead, it’s dead. Then, once you charge it up, then you’ll reset things. In other words, this is not a watch you’ll tuck away in a drawer for long periods of time, unlike any other quartz watch you may have. No, this one would be best to reside (if not on your wrist) on a window ledge, or at least near a window so it’s getting a regular charge.

Outside of the solar powered trick, the Citizen Eco-Drive is a fairly basic quartz three-hander. I do like the grey color scheme that DiscountWatchStore sent over for us to look at. It makes for a crisp delineation on the raised (and lumed) indices and numerals, as well as the handset. I really do not know why the brand went with a globe design on the dial (as this is nowhere approaching a world timer), but I suppose it gives things some more interest than a simple flat dial (and there has to be some layer of translucence for the solar to work). Another odd choice from the brand was the bezel.

When I see a bezel with cutouts for grip, I am expecting to be able to turn it, especially if there are some timing marks on it (as we have on this Citizen Eco-Drive from 12 to 3). That said, this bezel is not one that rotates in the least. The six screw heads on the bezel belie that fact (though, I’ve a feeling those are decorative rather than functional, given how perfectly aligned the slots on them are). This bezel sits on a 46mm case that, I must say, wears a good deal smaller than that, I’d say somewhere in the 42-44mm range, which was good for my wrist. Paired to an 11mm case height, it is a watch with some presence, yet only weighs 90g. For as flat of a surface as we have on the top of the watch, it was a bit surprising that the sides of the angular steel case were in a polished finish. While I do not mind a bit of flash, it does seem a bit incongruous on the watch, as it seems to be going for a much sportier, or rugged, vibe.

That feeling is reinforced on the Citizen Eco-Drive by it’s 24mm strap. This is primarily a fairly thick woven textile, which speaks to a rougher-wear intended watch. There are some reinforcing elements at the lugs and on the buckle holes, and the inside of the strap is also lined in a camo pattern matterial. Since it’s not called out in the materials (or on the strap itself), I have to assume that these are man-made materials rather than leather. The only caveat there would be comfort if you’re wearing this in hot weather, or you test out the 100m WR with a swim, as the synthetic will (likely) get slippery, rather than absorbing any water.

I wore the Citizen Eco-Drive around a decent amount to get a feel for it, mostly to the office and around home (no, this is not one I attempted to wear with a suit). As an everyday watch, it did its job keeping the time. There were a few times I needed to let it sit by a window to charge back up, but that was more due to my intervals of not wearing it than anything else. If you wear long sleeves and are not near a window during the day, you’ll want to keep in mind that it needs to charge. It probably works with interior lighting, but nothing charges quite as well as our trusty sun.

With the Citizen Eco-Drive, there is no single element I would pick on to fail the watch. Sure, a movable bezel would be nice, as would some material upgrades on the strap, but this is a watch designed to a pricepoint. Frankly, when getting into a solar-powered movement at a price of $176, you are going to have some compromises. I think Citizen did a decent job of picking the areas to let slide (especially since a replacement 24mm strap is easy enough to find). While I tend to hold the belief that a good solar (and atomic-syncing, or GPS-syncing) watch is a good option to have in the watch box, the lack of any external syncing drops some functionality that I prefer, though it then does make it a bit more affordable. If you are looking for a watch with some rugged design elements (but does not go full-on tacti-cool), and throws solar charging in, well, you could certainly do worse than the Citizen Eco-Drive. Of course, you can check out more from this lineup from our friends at DiscountWatchStore.

Also of note – if you a finding yourself drawn to this Citizen Eco-Drive, then it’s your lucky day – you have a chance to win this very model. You will just need to do the following steps:
Comment below what your favorite solar-powered watch is
Head on over to this signup
Finally, head on over to the giveaway page to get your entry completed.

Please do note that we match the emails from the entry to comments here, so be sure to do both. Good luck!

Review Summary
Brand & Model: Citizen Eco-Drive (ref. BM7276-01H)
Price: $176
Who’s it for?: You want a basic three-hander, but wouldn’t mind not having a battery that needs swapping as often
Would I wear it?: If I did not already have a solar-powered watch, this could be an option
What I’d change: Either make the bezel functional, or remove it
The best thing about it: The Eco-drive system

Tech Specs
Case Material: Plated Stainless Steel
Case Width: 46 mm
Case Height: 50 mm
Case Thickness: 11 mm
Movement: Eco Drive E111
Calendar: Date
Water Resistant: 100 Meters
Crown: Screw-down
Crystal: Mineral
Band Material: Multi-material
Band Width: 24 mm
Clasp Type: Buckle

Gate opener system and types

Types of Gate Opener

Gate openers are designed for both swinging and sliding gates. Swing gates use underground operators which are located by the hinge and operate the gate via a link arm, much like a regular door does. Slide gates use operators with a chain attached across the gate to slide gates from right to left or left to right. Sliding gates are often large, heavy and therefore more hazardous than swing gates they can however be equipped with appropriate safety devices making them some of the safest gate systems available. Sliding gate openers can move very large gates up to thousands of pounds and in some cases up to 100’ long. They are usually cheaper than swing gate openers.
Gate Opener Buying Guide

To determine what type of automatic gate opener is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:

Do you have a single or dual gate or slide gate?
Does your gate swing into or away from your property?
Long and weight of your gate?

You should consider buying a solar-powered gate opener (for example: MIGHTY MULE 502 )

if your swing gate isn’t within 1000 ft. of an 110V AC power source. Because sliding gates are often heavy and large, you should buy a heavy-duty gate opener. The best 110V/240V AC-powered gate openers should come with an emergency release key which allows you to enter or leave your property even if there is a power outage.
DC Gate Opener or AC Gate Opener?

In the past most gate openers were primarily designed using alternating current (AC) induction motors but this is rapidly changing. In recent years, manufacturers have increased their range of direct current (DC) motor-driven operators to residential and commercial markets.

You can expect to pay more for a DC gate opener (12V or 24V) than a comparable AC gate opener (110V or 240V). But a DC gate opener will run cooler and therefore have a higher duty cycle rating than a AC gate opener. DC gate openers are also usually smaller than AC gate openers, therefore providing manufacturers the opportunity to design operators that are smaller with different styles and looks.

DC or solar gate opener can offer consumers smoother, quieter, more precise and more efficient operation, while AC gate opener may have a longer motor life (because AC motors are brush less and therefore do not have any wearing parts except bearings.)

An automatic gate opener is a versatile system which is ideal for properties on busy roads which need to open quickly due to its fast travel speed. It offers you a peace of mind whenever you want to open a gate without stepping out of the interior of your car, particularly in the winter when outside air temperature is extreme low. Plus, if you own a gate opener at the end of a driveway, you may feel like you’re delving into a world of cryptic and esoteric lingo that all sounds like something out of The DaVinci Code.

If you are looking for a perfect swing or slide automatic gate opener to suit your home or farm that will operate efficiently and reliable.

The Importance of Having a Good Pay Stub

Together with the technology progress in digital employee management software, a number of businesses have migrated to online realpay stubs rather than mailing or handing out paper real pay stubs. They could email paystub generator to every worker or possess a secure log on setup for every employee to register and see their pay stub generator in their own time.

The digital capabilities benefit employees and companies for lots of factors. Firms save money on newspaper and mailing costs, the applications flow lines payroll, benefits, and reimbursement procedures reducing a chance of malfunction, and it keeps data concentrated for effortless editing or research. On the flip side, it lowers the total amount of paperwork and mail which workers get, it provides the ability to access their create a pay stub at any internet place, and it makes exploring or collecting payroll information simpler.

Since digital employee management applications have made it a lot easier to obtain and see check stub, it provides us more reason to make sure we know what we're looking at. Important fiscal, tax, and gain information we must all pay attention to is recorded.

check stubs designs differ from company to company but they'll all include the following...

Personal Information - This includes the business name, employee name, address, and also maybe the worker social security number.

Important Dates - Dates listed will incorporate the pay period start and finish date, and the date of the test or real check stubs issuance. Some sections also have a Year-to-date column to demonstrate just how much you had been paid, how much was withheld, or just how much was deducted thus far that year.

Taxable Earnings - This is the total amount of income that's earned for the particular pay period.

Web Pay - This is the sum of income received for "take home" following all essential withholdings. This will match the sum of your physical create  pay stub or direct deposit cover.

Federal Tax - This is an income tax exempt which each and every employee pays. The percentage withheld is dependent upon the total amount of income you create a pay stub along with the information you recorded in your W-4.

Condition Tax - The state income tax withholding isn't mandatory for everybody. It depends on what state you reside in and their taxation laws. Additionally, it is a percentage based on what you create pay stubs.

Social Security - This is the US method of supplemental retirement cash. Every employee contributes the identical proportion of the gross income. Employers provide a matching percentage also.

Medicare - This is the US government insurance program. It offers medical benefits to the retired and handicapped employees over 65 years of age. All workers and employers pay a fitting percentage of gross earnings.

Four Weird Uses of Vaporizers You May Not Have Heard Of

Vaporizers for sale are often associated with colds and babies.  Although they are very effective against fighting colds they have other uses as well.This article discusses four uses of vaporizers which do not fit in the baby and colds genre.

Keep reading to discover more, you may be amazed at the ways other individuals use their vaporizers e liquid.

Treat Ear InfectionBelieve it or not vaporizers e cigarette can be used as a treatment for ear infections.  Lots of ear infections are caused by the ear ducts drying up too much.

What's even weirder is the fact that bacteria that cause breakouts can pass through the ears.  And vaporizers shop do a fantastic job of killing them also.Treat BronchitisBronchitis might look like quite a significant illness but a whole lot of people suffer with it with varying amounts of intensity.  Inhaling medicated menthol and eucalyptus has been reported to perform wonders for a whole lot of patients who suffer from chronic bronchitis.Cure DogsMost of us never ceases to think our puppies are exposed to as many germs as we are.  The majority of us never bother to consider respiratory issues that are dog can contract.

If you have heard about that you probably learn more about dogs than the ordinary person.  And if you knew that vaporizers are frequently utilized as a treatment for diseases such as these in dogs you're probably a breeder or a vet!People that wish to prevent smoking miss the scent of their favorite stick.  Very often smokers that aren't currently smoking can chew or suck on a candy that's menthol or mint.Vaporizers for sale offering the identical aroma can alleviate the temptation to reach for another cigarette.

A lot of ex-smokers possesses vaporizers shop in home giving out these soothing scents which do not lead to cancer.Vaporizers for sale are a flexible appliance.  These are only some strategies to use them from your nursery and kid's room.  Do not hesitate to work with one of those mentioned procedures above to make much better use of your own vaporizers shop .

Solar power (also knows as solar radiation or insolation) is energy from the sun.


This energy, in the form of heat and light, supports all life on Earth, drives the Earth's climate and weather and is predominately responsible for the class of resources collectively known as renewable energy.

Solar energy also broadly describes technologies that utilize sunlight.

The applications are diverse and date back millennia.

The Greeks, Native Americans and Chinese warmed their buildings by orienting them toward the sun.

In Europe, farmers used elaborate field orientation and thermal mass to increase crop yields during the Little Ice Age.

Modern solar technologies continue to harness the sun to provide water heating, daylighting and even flight.

Solar power generally describes technologies that convert sunlight into electricity and in some cases thermal or mechanical power.

In 1866, the French engineer Auguste Mouchout successfully powered a steam engine with sunlight.

This is the first known example of a solar powered mechanical device.

Over the next 50 years inventors such as John Ericsson, Charles Tellier and Frank Shuman developed solar powered devices for irrigation, refrigeration and locomotion.

The progeny of these early developments are concentrating solar power plants.

The modern age of solar power arrived in 1954 when researchers at Bell Laboratories developed a photovoltaic cell capable of effectively converting light into electricity.

This breakthrough marked a fundamental change in how power is generated.

Since then solar cells efficiencies have improved from 6% to 15% with experimental cells reaching efficiencies over 40%.

Prices on the other hand have fallen from $300 per watt to less than $3 per watt.

The utilization of solar energy and solar power spans from traditional technologies that provide food, heat and light to electricity which is uniquely modern.

The diversity of form and long history of solar energy are manifest in a wide variety of applications.

Many technologies use solar energy.

Some classifications of solar technology are active, passive, direct and indirect.

Active solar systems use electrical and mechanical components such as tracking mechanisms, pumps and fans to process sunlight into usable outputs such as heating, lighting or electricity.

Passive solar systems use non-mechanical techniques of controlling, converting and distributing sunlight into usable outputs such as heating, lighting, cooling or ventilation.

These techniques include selecting materials with favorable thermal properties, designing spaces that naturally circulate air, and referencing the position of a building to the sun.

Direct solar generally refers to technologies or effects that involve a single conversion of sunlight which results in a usable form of energy.

Indirect solar generally refers to technologies or effects that involves multiple transformations of sunlight which result in a usable form of energy.

A solar cell or photovoltaic cell is a device that converts light into electricity using the photovoltaic effect.

Until recently, their use has been limited because of high manufacturing costs.

One cost effective use has been in very low-power devices such as calculators with LCDs.

Another use has been in remote applications such as roadside emergency telephones, remote sensing, cathodic protection of pipe lines, and limited "off grid" home power applications.

A third use has been in powering orbiting satellites and spacecraft.

To take advantage of the incoming electromagnetic radiation from the sun, solar panels can be attached to each house or building.

The panels ( for example:RENOGY 100 WATT SOLAR PANEL KIT ) should be mounted perpendicular to the arc of the sun to maximize usefulness.

The easiest way to use this electricity is by connecting the solar panels to a grid tie inverter.

However, these solar panels may also be used to charge batteries or other energy storage device.

Solar panels produce more power during summer months because they receive more sunlight.

Total peak power of installed PV is around 6,000 MW as of the end of 2006.

Installed PV is projected to increase to over 9,000 MW in 2007.

Declining manufacturing costs (dropping at 3 to 5% a year in recent years) are expanding the range of cost-effective uses.

Bill helps weed out dishonest contractors who misuse Assignment of Benefits contracts

In my 25 years in the roofing business, I have come across all kinds of contractors.

The good ones follow the rules and comply with the ever-changing state and federal regulations that govern our industry. The not-so-great ones don’t.

Over time, a legal provision known as Assignment of Benefits has emboldened a cottage industry of roofers to abuse the system and take advantage of homeowners and their insurance companies.

It often works like this: A roofing-company employee, typically a salesperson, canvasses neighborhoods after a rain or hail storm, telling homeowners they are entitled to a free roof. They pressure homeowners into signing an Assignment of Benefits contract, known as an AOB, which transfers benefits of the homeowner’s insurance policy to a contractor.



George Ebersold is president of the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association and general manager for Tom Tanenbaum Roofing Inc. based in Orlando.
George Ebersold is president of the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association and general manager for Tom Tanenbaum Roofing Inc. based in Orlando. (Shaina DeCiryan / Shaina DeCiryan www.shainadecir) (Shaina DeCiryan / Shaina DeCiryan www.shainadecir)
When used appropriately, AOBs can help homeowners get work done quickly without having to pay money upfront. However, when abused, AOBs allow sketchy companies to do unnecessary work or inflate the cost before an insurance company can inspect whether there’s damage or a new roof is needed at all. Then, if the insurer refuses the claim, the contractor files a lawsuit in an attempt to collect.

Unwarranted claims and lawsuits end up costing homeowners in the form of higher insurance premiums and give hardworking, respectable roofing companies a bad name. Especially fueling the situation are one-way attorney fees, which allow attorneys suing insurance companies to collect legal fees if they win, but don’t allow insurance companies to collect legal fees if they prevail. Remove this incentive to sue, and much of the AOB problem goes away.

Homeowners should know that they don’t need to sign an AOB to get roof repairs done and not all roofing contractors use them. However, contractors who properly use AOBs inspect roofs for damage, provide a written estimate and wait for the homeowner’s insurance company to send an adjuster. If the adjuster agrees to the claim amount, the homeowner can submit the claim on his or her own or sign an AOB to have the contractor handle it. Everyone is on the same page, so there are no surprises.

Unfortunately, bad contractors use AOBs to prey on homeowners with the promise of quick, hassle-free repairs. They build false trust with homeowners by saying they are working on roofs throughout the neighborhood. Homeowners stop listening once they hear “free roof’’ and don’t understand what they are signing.

As president of the 780-member Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association, I support Senate Bill 1038 that would curb AOB abuse and put some of these dishonest contractors out of business.

We can no longer allow AOBs to be used as a weapon against good, honest roofers and their customers. We must take action to ensure the greedy action of a few doesn’t hurt the rest of us.

A Business Guide To Instagram Stories — How To Use It And Tips For Success

Last week, Instagram launched its most significant and talked-about new feature to date –Instagram Stories.

This Instagram update allows users to share photos and videos in a slideshow format, which then disappear after 24 hours. Yes, you’re right, it does sound a lot like Snapchat.

Over the past 18 months, Snapchat has been at the forefront of a shift towards ephemeral, transient posting on social media. In this new era of social media, content is no longer curated, edited and scheduled; it’s fleeting and constant and everywhere all the time.

In the beginning, the instant video was brushed off as a micro-trend but the stats show that this is a force to be reckoned with. Snapchat boasts over 100 billion daily active users, with a staggering 10 billion snaps being viewed every 24 hours.

Snapchat has quickly grown to become the third most popular social channel, creeping up just behind Instagram and Facebook. So it was really only a matter of time before other networks hopped on this digital bandwagon and got in on the interactive video action.

In this business guide to Instagram Stories, you will find everything you need to know to use your Instagram account to its maximum.

YouTube Marketing: A Small Business Guide

As my series on using social media marketing platforms to market your small business comes to a close (check out past installments on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn), we arrive at what is possibly the most niche platform in terms of content: YouTube.

If you want to use YouTube to market your small business, you’ll be creating videos, plain and simple. While this seems obvious, it’s worth noting that while social platforms like Facebook lend themselves to creating, posting, and sharing a variety of types of content (videos, images, long-form text posts, short updates, and so on), creating content on YouTube means you’ll be investing your time in video production and video production only.

This note isn’t meant to dissuade you, but rather to point out that a strong interest in creating video content is necessary before jumping into YouTube. Don’t just start a YouTube channel in an effort to take advantage of all possible forms of social media marketing if you aren’t actually interested in making videos. The process of creating videos is time-consuming and has a bit of a learning curve, so make sure that this platform is one you really have time for and interest in.

How to Amplify Your Personal Brand

As entrepreneurs grow a new business, they often focus on the well-being of the company at all times. However, you might want to consider how your own brand impacts the impression you have on clients and other members of the industry. Amplifying your personal brand is a great way to expand your company's reach and set a foundation for your next venture. Here is how to be successful.

Define your brand

When starting a business, you have to make choices that define who you are as a boss and as a member of the industry. To make sure your best qualities are front and center, write down what is most important to you as a business owner and citizen. What are your values and how does your company help you communicate that to the world? The answer to this question is a key part of developing your personal brand. Take note of what makes you feel passionate during the day, whether it is during or outside of business hours. Then try to incorporate some of your core values into your own brand.

Compare your vision to reality

Just because you want to be seen as a pillar of the community does not mean that others view you in that way. In order to know where to direct your energy when amplifying your brand, match your vision for yourself with your reputation among employees and colleagues. Though you may have to go about it in a subtle way, finding out how people think of you will be valuable as you move forward.

Successfully completing this process also involves reading reviews of your company and seeing how you are perceived on social media. It might sting to read negative feedback and confront criticism, but there is value in knowing what is out there for people to see. If any current perceptions are inaccurate, you can work toward correcting them as you build your brand.

Amplify online and in person

Building your personal brand involves a multichannel approach, starting with what people will read about you when they type your name in a search engine. Strengthen your online presence by writing posts for your company blog, contributing to industry blogs and publications and posting frequent content on social media sites. When people get to read a few hundred words about you that are written in your own voice, or see your name associated with useful business tips and industry trends, they will start to understand where you are coming from and where you want to go.

Back up your digital campaign with personal appearances at industry functions and networking events. Trade shows are always looking for speakers to communicate their struggles, triumphs and hopes for the industry as a whole. By getting involved as a speaker, you can earn the role of a thought leader, and share your insights and ideas.

Connect with mentors and mentees

Your professional and personal network can have a big impact on the future of your brand. As you spread the word about your own efforts, consider finding a mentor. Not only will you be able to learn from their advice and grow as a leader, but having a mentor will send signals to others in the industry that you share the same values as (or at least a relationship with) respected figures.

On the flip side, take young business leaders under your wing as you take the next step into seniority within the industry. While you continue to grow, you can share your advice and experiences with the next generation of entrepreneurs. Their success will reflect on you in a positive way.

By amplifying your personal brand, you will be able to grow your business and eventually take the next step in your career. Start with these tips, and when you move on to your next business venture, the industry definitely will not need an introduction.