The Best Standard http://thebeststandard.com Clear, objective product reviews and recommendations. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:26:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en The Best Household Cleaner http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-household-cleaner/ http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-household-cleaner/#comments Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:26:53 +0000 admin http://thebeststandard.com/?p=49 For your average clean in the house you want to have a product that gives you peace of mind and does the job well. Nowadays this means using products that are all natural (or mostly so).

Simple Green

$5.00 (roughly)
Simple Green’s name says it all. Use this for all of your basic cleaning procedures around the house. Leaves a nice pleasant smell.
Order at Amazon.com

Clorox Green Works

$4.65 (roughly)
When you hear Clorox, you think clean. Now you can also think green.
Order at Amazon.com

Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds

$6.99 (roughly)
Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds is very safe and effective. While you may disagree with some of what is written on the label, you can’t help but appreciate the soaps from this company.
Order at Drbronner.com

]]> http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-household-cleaner/feed/ The Best Acoustic Guitar http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-acoustic-guitar/ http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-acoustic-guitar/#comments Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:27:36 +0000 admin http://thebeststandard.com/?p=45 Like a piano, an acoustic guitar is something always good to have around the house even if you aren’t a serious musician. And if you are a beginner or advanced guitarist these are the standard acoustics you’ll want to own.

Yamaha F325 Kit

$149.99 (roughly)
Despite its cheap price, this Yamaha guitar is reliable, nice sounding and long lasting. They stay in tune really well, and work well for the beginner and the advanced guitarist alike.
Order at Amazon.com

Martin D28

$2149.00 (roughly)
Martin is the standard and deluxe of the guitar world and this model is their standard offering. Extremely reliable and good sounding, get a Martin.
Order at Interstatemusic.com

Martin Backpacker with Nylon Strings

$179.95 (roughly)
Playing nylon strings when you’re out on a camping trip is a nice alternative to the usual at home jam session. For less than $200 you have the quality of the Martin brand to take on the go.
Order at Amazon.com

]]> http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-acoustic-guitar/feed/ The Best Multitool http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-multitool/ http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-multitool/#comments Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:21:26 +0000 admin http://thebeststandard.com/?p=40 A Multitool is the perfect thing to make quick fixes around the house, or bring camping. The Swiss Army knife epitomizes such a tool, but other companies have created their own version of the multitool that are even better.

Victorinox Swiss Army Champion Plus

$29.99 (roughly)
The classic knife for the handyman, boyscout, or craftsman. Besides all of the important tools like knife and scissor, the Victorinox has a tweezer and toothpick for quick and easy personal care.
Order at Amazon.com

Leatherman New Wave

$93.00 (roughly)
The Leatherman transcends the red of the Swiss Army and offers a strong and more fully functional multitool. Made of 100% Stainless Steel, this is the best deluxe option.
Order at Amazon.com

Meyerco Paradox

$19.95 (roughly)
Most multitools either focus on increasing the amount of tools (like the Victorinox) or center around a pair of pliers (like the Leatherman) but the Meyerco Paradox focuses around a really strong blade, but still can be considered a multitool.
Order at Ajaxgrips.com

]]> http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-multitool/feed/ The Best iPod http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-ipod/ http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-ipod/#comments Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:04:16 +0000 admin http://thebeststandard.com/?p=36 You probably don’t need us to tell you that Apple’s iPod is the best standard for mp3 personal music players. Sure, there are issues with the battery, but an iPod is an iPod.

iPod nano 4G

$145.95 (roughly)
Now in its third generation the iPod nano is small enough to easily throw in your pocket, but with 4G you can carry up to five hours of music or movies.
Order at Amazon.com

iPod Classic 80G

$228.54 (roughly)
The iPod classic can store most of your library and still fit in a back pocket, or used in the car.
Order at Amazon.com

iPod Touch

$284.54 (roughly)
You could, of course, just go get the new iPhone, but if you don’t need the phone features the iPod touch will let you surf the web and listen to your music collection in a nice sleek box.
Order at Amazon.com

]]> http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-ipod/feed/ The Best Bags http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-bags/ http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-bags/#comments Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:03:34 +0000 admin http://thebeststandard.com/?p=30 Bags help complete our outfits, and carry some of our most precious cargo as we head to work, school, or out for the evening. No one wants to be caught doing the dreaded two strap middle school look, so hold your stuff with these great bags.

Manhattan Portage DJ Bag

$45.00 (roughly)
Manhattan Portage are the standard good quality side bags for New Yorkers, and urban professionals everywhere. They are extremely durable and sleek.
Order at Amazon.com

Incase Nylon Sling Pack

$79.95 (roughly)
The Incase Sling Pack fits your MacBook, iPod, a few books and notebooks and slings right over your shoulder. Good quality locking clip and nylon construction makes you feel safe carrying around your laptop.
Order at Goincase.com

No Alternative

The two bags above are such good quality and straightforward there isn’t much need for an alternative here. If anything, we recommend recycling your plastic/paper shopping bags if you need to carry something quick.

]]> http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-bags/feed/ The Best Pens http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-pens/ http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-pens/#comments Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:49:30 +0000 admin http://thebeststandard.com/?p=18 Today we might say the keyboard is mightier than the sword, but pens are still handy for all sorts of tasks both at home and out and about. Pens needs to be reliable, and comfortable to carry around.

Pilot Precise V5

$12.00 for a dozen (roughly)
Pilot Precise pens are very comfortable to carry and use at a moment’s notice. They write smoothly with solid lines.
Order at Amazon.com

Cross Townsend

$96.00 (roughly)
The townsend has the perfect heft and girth for a deluxe pen. The refills are easily available, and the look of these pens is classy without being absurdly overstated.
Order at Amazon.com

Waterman Phileas Fountain Pen

$49.95 for the whole kit (roughly)
For that special letter, the nuanced look of fountain pen writing may be just the thing. This pen is inexpensive but writes smoothly. Good for the fountain pen beginner.
Order at Amazon.com

]]> http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-pens/feed/ The Best Water Bottles http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-water-bottles/ http://thebeststandard.com/the-best-water-bottles/#comments Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:39:10 +0000 admin http://thebeststandard.com/?p=16 Having your own water bottle is essential for staying hydrated and protecting the environment at the same time.

Nalgene BPA-Free

$9.95 (roughly)
Nalgenes are the classic camping and urban water bottle. Now BPA-Free you can enjoy the wide-mouth, durable, and stylish Nalgene without worrying about leaching.
Order at Amazon.com

Klean Kanteen

$24.99 (roughly)
Klean Kanteens aren’t as durable as the Nalgenes but the stainless steel construction keeps your water tasting pure and plastic-y free. Klean Kanteens also require less cleaning.
Order at Amazon.com

Camelbak UnBottle Reservoir

$30.00 (roughly)
When you’re on the move, be it biking, hiking, or running, Camelbaks are the essential hands-free hydration tool. Shove this one in your backpack and the insulation keeps your water cool.
Order at REI.COM

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