Guitar Center Lessons Cost

Guitar Center, the trusted brand that sells a variety of music products, offers more than just gear — they offer lessons and workshops as well.

Their philosophy, according to the , is simple.  They want to make learning fun while being committed to the integrity of a quality music education.  In addition to learning, students are able to learn with others while gaining the confidence needed to take on new challenges.

If you’re thinking about music lessons, whether it’s drums, guitars, or another instrument, Guitar Center offers studio locations throughout the United States, allowing students to be creative, all while inside of a comfortable environment.

“Guitar Center Store” (CC BY 2.0) by JeepersMedia

How much do guitar lessons cost at Guitar Center?

According to those who took advantage of lessons at Guitar Center, the first lesson often involves meeting with your instructor, talking about your skills and goals, as well as taking advantage of a 15-minute lesson for free to see if you like both the instructor and the Guitar Center curriculum.  From there, if you like what you’re seeing/hearing, then you can proceed to sign up for lessons, either in a bulk package or individually.

As for fees, the administration fee to join is often $20, while the actual lessons range anywhere from $120 for four 30-minute sessions to about $250 for four one-hour sessions, and according to some instructors, while not confirmed, do note students do need to purchase a lesson pack that costs about $7 or more, depending on the instrument and material.  This price can also be affected by your local geographical region.  To be certain as to what your local Guitar Center will charge, call your location to know of the exact rates.

This Yelp review for the Woodland Hills, California location, which is now closed, had a reviewer who claimed he paid about $30 per 30-minute lesson.  Another review for the San Francisco location stated the lessons were $120 a month for one 30-minute lesson per week.

What is included in the lesson fee?

According to most who took advantage of the lessons, most students will meet once a week for 30 minutes with a designated instructor for one-on-one time.

Aside from the one-on-one lessons, the company allows students the opportunity to take advantage of “open office” hours, where you can meet with your instructor during store hours with any questions you may have.

Available in select locations, and for an additional fee, students can practice in the rehearsal rooms.  This fee, according to some reviews online, stated it was about $25 per 30-minutes.

Students, based on their skill level, are encouraged to also take advantage of “jam night,” which is a night where students can get together to play as a band.  When a student gets good enough, the center will place you with three to five similarly skilled players to play a concert for friends and family.

Types of lessons available

• Band and Orchestra
• Bass Guitar
• Drums
• Guitar
• Keyboards
• Recording Software
• Vocals

Tips to know

Not all Guitar Center locations will have private lessons available.  To be certain your local Guitar Center has lessons available, refer to their official website search option to confirm.

All instructors available are thoroughly screened via a background check and have multiple years of experience in music instructions, often holding credentials from local schools of music.  The company makes sure that not only are the instructors qualified, but they are patient with their students as well.  Even if you’re unhappy with your instructor, the company allows you to change to another qualified instructor at the location.

Instructors who teach at Guitar Center state that you should try to take advantage of an Open House event because, during this time, they often waive the administration fee, up to $20.  The company, from time to time, also offers free workshops and clinics on a variety of subjects.

Remember that Guitar Center is one of the many options for those looking for lessons.  Be sure to compare other alternatives to see how the value and curriculum compare, such as YouTube.com, local music shops and/or even online lessons.

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Stretta Procedure Cost

Common treatments for GERD often include lifestyle changes, prescribed medications or even surgery.  However, in some cases, none of these options work for some.

The Stretta procedure, another treatment option to help those suffering from GERD, is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure which takes up to an hour to perform in an outpatient setting.

How much does the Stretta procedure cost?

The cost of the Stretta procedure will depend on the doctor you choose, where you have your surgery, your health insurance policy, geographical region and the facility’s billing policy.

From the quotes we gathered online, it appeared that the cost of a Stretta procedure, without any health insurance coverage, was in the $4,500 to $6,000 range.

According to one forum member on this HealingWell.com forum thread, for instance, he was quoted $6,000 and his insurance company would not cover it.   Via another HealingWell.com forum thread, another member stated he paid $4,500 and his insurance also did not cover it.

Preparing for the procedure

Prior to the procedure, your doctor will ask you do a variety of tasks, including:

Avoiding any food after midnight prior to the day of the procedure.

On the day of the procedure, you will only be asked to drink liquids only.

You should be able to take your normal medications, with the exception of any diabetic medications.  Make sure your doctor knows about all of the medication you’re taking to let you know if you can or cannot take it.  You will also be asked to bring in your medications the day of your procedure.

Wear comfortable clothing to the surgery and arrange a ride home as you will be under a general anesthesia and will be forbidden to drive home.

The Stretta procedure

The Stretta procedure, commonly performed in an outpatient setting or hospital, should not take longer than 60 minutes for the average patient.

During the procedure, while sedated with anesthesia, your doctor will insert a tube down your throat to reach the muscles that connect the throat to the stomach.   This tube, essentially, will send radio waves to the tissue where the esophagus connects to the stomach, and according to Dr. Mark Noar on Beckersasc.com, it is essentially a low powered, low temperature, RF electrical stimulation.  During this time, water is also released to help prevent any heat injuries which may have been caused during the insertion.

After the radio waves are applied, the tubing is slowly removed and you will awake from the anesthesia.

Once home, most patients are able to resume activities 24 hours after the procedure; however, doctors will advise you that you relax as much as possible once discharged.

Risks

According to a medical study found online, risks are rare, however, they do exist, including food remaining the stomach too long, irritation from the tube, an injury to the throat due to the tubing, an adverse reaction to the anesthesia and/or gas or bloating.  This particular study noted 29 out of the 15,000 patients who underwent this procedure experienced these symptoms.

Tips to know

Healthline.com notes that a good candidate for this procedure will be for those who either had surgery or medication and did not work according to plan.  This can also be an option for those who want medication or surgery, but your doctor feels these options are not a great choice, either.  As the procedure does involve a tube going to down your throat, it will always be recommended for anyone without any throat obstructions.

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Stem Cell Hair Regrowth Cost

Stem cell hair therapy is a non-surgical procedure designed to utilize adipose-derived stem cells to help regenerate hair growth, reversing the effects of hair loss for both men and women.

These stem cells, when injected into the scalp, will help the hair follicles create a continuous supply of cells, multiplying the cells to help promote healthy hair growth.

While it should not be considered a permanent solution, it has been considered as yet another alternative treatment method for hair loss.

“Bald, Headphone” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by kohlmann.sascha

The cost of stem cell therapy for hair regrowth

The average cost of stem cell therapy for hair regrowth will depend on the severity of your hair loss, your geographical region and the professional you choose.  Based on these factors and the multiple quotes we received online, the average cost of stem cell hair regrowth is about $3,500 to $6,000.  In some cases, if the stem cell hair regrowth is combined with other procedures, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections or topical treatments, then the costs could increase.

The Tampa Bay Hair Restoration Center, for example, notes that they charge an average of $3,900 at their center, but the cost will be dependent upon the stage of hair loss the patient is currently in, according to the official website.  For an exact quote, the company recommends you fill out a quote on their official website.

For those interested in using their health insurance policy, do keep in mind that most insurance companies will not cover the procedure as they often see it as a cosmetic procedure.  However, do not let this deter you just yet as some companies may cover the procedure if you’re subject to certain conditions, for example.  Talk with your health insurance company before considering the procedure to know your limitations and if your policy will consider coverage.

How does stem cell hair growth work?

The idea of stem cells date back to as early as 1868, according to the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, but in 1953, stems cells were defined as we know them today.  These unique cells have the ability to grow into other types of cells and are considered to be the building blocks of our bodies, providing scientists a blueprint as to how other cells within the body are made.  Recently, scientists discovered the fatty tissue of the stem cells contains rich reservoirs which are said to help treat hair loss.

The entire procedure will almost always be performed inside of an outpatient center with either a mild sedative or local anesthesia.  First, in order to extract fat from your body, your doctor will initially want to perform a smaller liposuction procedure in order to remove fat from either your belly, flanks or “love handles,” generally depend upon the area with the most fat and the safest option, according to your doctor. Then, once the fat is extracted, your doctor will then use a special process in order to isolate and concentrate the stem cells within the fat to later be injected into the scalp.

From start to end, the average stem cell therapy procedure will take about three to four hours, with the process broken up into three phases:  extraction, separation and then the scalp infiltration.  The extraction can take up to 60 minutes, while the scalp injections can take another 30 minutes.  The stem cell separation process, being the second phase, right in the middle, can often take up to 90 minutes.

Tips to know

The patients, from doctors who posted their before and after pictures online, noted most of their patients have seen great results with the procedure.  The Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, the website we mentioned prior, for example, posted a variety of pictures you can browse to see what patients experienced.

Once the procedure is done, patients will be advised to bring a friend or family member to the appointment to drive you home since a sedative or local anesthesia will be used and driving on these medications is prohibited.  After it wears off, patients can then resume their normal activities.

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Pulsed Dye Laser Cost

A pulsed dye laser is a form of laser treatment which is designed to help treat various skin problems such as age spots, birthmarks, moles and psoriasis, to name a few.  In some cases, it can also be used to help get rid of spider veins as well.

“Laser” (CC BY 2.0) by Mr ATM

Pulsed dye laser treatment cost

The cost of a pulsed dye laser treatment will greatly depend on a few factors, including the area being treated, your geographical region and the physician who you hire.  As with any cosmetic procedure, a physician located in the city will cost much more than one working in a rural area, and the same can be said about the physician you hire as someone in demand with multiple credentials will demand a higher charge than a physician fresh out of his or her residency.

If you were treating a smaller area, such as a tiny spot on the face or arms, then one treatment will often range anywhere from $100 to $150, whereas a full treatment, covering the entire face, neck, arms or legs, could cost anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500.

To help you budget for a potential procedure, we researched online to see what people paid and included our findings in our table below:

Reviewers on Realself.com, for example, noted the average prices they paid ranged anywhere from as little as $50 to more than $3,425, with the average being $725, but again, the primary factor was the exact area being targeted.

Will health insurance cover pulsed dye laser treatments?

In some cases, the answer can be yes; however, it will greatly depend on your policy restrictions and the reason why you’re considering the procedure.  Aetna, for example, considers the treatment medically necessary if you’re using it for genital warts, granuloma faciale, infantile hemangiomas, keloids or other hypertrophic scars and some cases of psoriasis, to name a few.  The company will not cover the procedure if it were to be used for experimental purposes such as treating acne, dysphonia, nail psoriasis or pilonidal disease, for example.  The list is quite long, so we recommend you read the entire list here to understand what an insurance company may or may not cover.

Since all insurance companies are so different, we highly recommend you talk with your insurance company and the doctor you hire to see if your health insurance policy will actually cover the procedure.

What is a pulsed dye laser treatment?

Most pulsed dye laser treatments, according to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, will be used to get rid of capillary malformations, which are the red to reddish-like patches found on the skin, commonly referred to as port wine stains, often varying in size but grow thicker as you age.  Other less common treatment methods, including spider veins, red spots on the skin and even masses of dilated blood vessels, can be treated as well.  With a list of conditions that can be treated with a pulsed dye laser treatment session, we created a list below with the most common reasons people go to their doctor for the treatment.

During the treatment, an intense light will target the affected area to destroy any irregular blood vessels beneath the skin, and depending on the reason for your visit, multiple sessions may be required.  Birthmarks, for example, could require up to eight sessions, whereas a freckle could only require one or two sessions.

The treatment

Before the treatment is even considered, your doctor will first want to meet with you to discuss your medical history, examine the area in question and explore your options.  If the doctor feels you’re a candidate, then they will explain how many sessions you may require and schedule your first session.  Most treatments, regardless of how many you need, will be spaced 30 days apart, with the first session often done with a lower frequency than average to see how your skin reacts to the laser.  For some, doctors may recommend avoiding the laser during the hotter summers months since the additional sun exposure could cause more harm than good.

During the treatment, you will be asked to lay back in a chair or flat on a table while wearing goggles.  For younger children, your doctor may recommend medication or anesthesia to help your child sleep during the duration of the procedure as it is important to remain still while the laser is in use.

While in position, your doctor will wave a wand-like instrument against the body part in question, effectively “pulsing” the laser on and off, similar to that of switching a flashlight off and on.  As this is being done, people report it similar to a rubber band snapping against the skin, feeling more shocking than harmful.  All depending on the severity of the treatment, the number of pulses will depend on the area, with an entire arm often taking more than 1,000 pulses, whereas a smaller birthmark may only take a few.

What can be treated with a pulsed dye laser?

• Age spots
• Angiomas
• Dilated, broken capillaries
• Freckles
• Haemangiomas
• Pigment disorders, such as melasma
• Various kinds of psoriasis, being extremely effective for nail psoriasis
• Non-vascular tumors
• Rosacea
• Scarred tissues
• Skin growths
• Spider veins, referred to as spider naevi in the medical world
• Stretch marks
• Thermal burns
• Vascular malformations, such as port wine stains
• Viral skin infections, such as a plane wart

Tips to know

If the frequency rate is too high, it can often cause scarring to the skin, and a good doctor will always start off with a lower frequency to help avoid this issue.  As a common compliant only, always discuss this with your doctor to know how he or she works with the frequency settings before the sessions begin.

In some cases, the very first treatment may not show a change in an appearance, often leading to frustration; however, do not let this worry you as your doctor will more than likely increase the frequency setting during your next session to improve your appearance.

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ProLon Diet Cost

The  ProLon diet, created by Professor Valter Longo, is a fasting mimicking diet which claims to help you quickly lose weight and improve biomarkers for your health.

Clinically proven to help people lose an average of five pounds of fat and 1.2 inches in waist circumference, the diet is said to be nourishing, convenient, easy and all natural.

“diet” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by mahmoud99725

How much does the ProLon diet cost?

The cost of the ProLon diet, if you were to purchase from the official website, will depend on how many boxes you will want.  As each box will be considered a 5-day total diet replacement, which we will get into next, the costs can range from $299 per box if you plan on purchasing one or two boxes or $250 per box if you purchase more than one.  This is the full price, including tax and shipping, with the exception of California, where residents will be required to pay a sales tax on purchases.

To save money, we were able to find boxes on eBay for as little as $30 per box, but we could not confirm the authenticity of the multiple listings we saw.

What is the ProLon diet?

The ProLon diet, according to the official company’s website, is said to be a clinically tested and scientifically developed meal plan, which is designed to mimic the effects of fasting, all while providing your enough nourishment via plants, including the essential vitamins and amino acids, to feel energized and happy throughout the process.

If you follow the plan, according to the company’s specification, then the company claims you can lose weight, some body fat and visceral fat, all while maintaining healthy glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure levels, to name a few.

Proven to be safe, you do not need to make any ongoing lifestyle change.

How does the ProLon diet actually work?

The ProLon diet meal boxes, which you can purchase from the official website, will only consist of a variety of plant-based soups, ranging from drinks, soups, energy bars, dietary supplements and snacks, all low in proteins and carbohydrates.  Any food inside of the boxes, as per the website, will contain no additives, preservatives or chemicals, and a day’s worth of food will provide anywhere from 700 to 1,000+ calories per day.  Based on the specific foods you eat inside your meal box, your body will not recognize the food as calories as it’s used to absorbing; instead, it will keep you in “fasting” mode while not fasting as people traditionally do.  This reduces intake, as per the company, can reduce IGF-1 glucose, aging markers and inflammation.  Each box you purchase online will consist of five days worth of food and supplements.

Depending on a few factors, including your body weight, baseline markets and other related health measurements, the company will recommend, as long as you’re considered healthy, a five-day fasting period, anywhere from twice to three times a year, while those are considered higher at risk should consider the program up to 12 time a year.

Anytime you commit to the program for the duration of the week, you are instructed not to consume any other foods and additional liquids, aside from water.  After you finish the five-day period, then you can resume your normal eating habit after what’s known as the one-day transition period is complete.

In conclusion, you will follow the guidelines and instructions which are inside of the box for a duration of five consecutive days, followed by a transitional day.  After the transitional day, you will be able to resume normal activities.  As long as you follow the guidelines on the box, you should see results as the company proclaims.

Tips to know

The ingredients are tough to find since it’s considered a proprietary diet and the food inside of each box can greatly change.  However, according to some results online, the nut bars, for example, contain ingredients such as almond meal, ascorbic acid, citric acid, coconut, coconut oil, flaxseed meal, honey, macadamia nut butter, mixed tocopherol, pecans, sea salt and vanilla extract.  Drinks, on the other hand, contain natural flavor, potassium sorbate, purified water and vegetable glycerin.

The diet is recommended for healthy individuals, non- diabetics and those with a BMI less than 18.

ProLon is not approved by the FDA and is not designed to treat or prevent any disease, and according to Whitneyerd.com, Professor Valter Longo does not benefit financially from the diet; instead, he puts all of his earnings back into research at USC.

Erin Van Der Meer, via nine.com.au, created a dairy, explaining what she did all six days of the diet.

As long as the box was not opened, the company will refund your purchase after 30-day, aside from the shipping fees; however, for those who purchased more than one box at once will have to pay a small 15 percent restocking fee.

According to the official website, the diet is the only healthcare product that has earned a US patent for inducing stem cell-based regeneration.

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Hyalgan Injection Cost

Hyalgan, an injection part of the Viscosupplements used to treat osteoarthritis, will work by lubricating the joints to help reduce any pain felt.

Similar to the substance which naturally occurs in our joints, Hyaluronate will naturally help the joints by acting as an lubricant and shock absorber.

This injection, injected directly into the knee to help relieve pain, is only to be administered under supervision by a medical doctor.

Today, as of this publishing, Hyalgan is only available as a brand and no generic is available.

“The needle” (CC BY 2.0) by Dr. Partha Sarathi Sahana

How much does a Hyalgan injection cost?

The cost of Hyalgan injections will depend on your doctor since you will need a prescription for it as well as your health insurance coverage if you were to have it.  Wholesale, according to the AAFP, is close to $132 per vial; however, at a patient level, the costs can cost very close to $200 per injection without any health insurance coverage.

The dosage amounts will vary based on each individual; however, for adults, who receive the injection via the knee, 20 milligrams will be recommended at least once a week, for a grand total of five injections, which, if successful, can provide relief for up to six months, according to the company.  If you were to fall into this category, then it’s best to budget close to $1,000 for a full round of injections to feel pain relief, but when all five injections are purchased at once, some doctors may haggle on the cost as their wholesale cost will be much lower when multiple quantities are purchased at once.  Some patients, however, may only need as little as three injections to notice any pain relief.

Seeing most private health insurance companies, as well as Medicare, now cover viscosupplementation, there is a good chance your health insurance policy will cover a portion of these injections, leaving you responsible for your co-pay and deductible limit.  Be sure to talk with your local doctor’s office and insurance company to know your limitations and if you would be covered if your doctor recommended the injections.

Via the prices listed on GoodRX.com, for instance, most of your major retailers/pharmacy chains, such as Costco, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and Kroger, to name a few, all offered one syringe for $200 when you clipped the coupon from the website.

Tips to know

Hyalgan, according to the official manufacturer, can provide lasting relief for up to six months and can safely be used up to 30 months, making it a safe choice.

The primary ingredient component found in Hyalgan is a naturally derived substance known as hyaluronan, a natural chemical that is found in the body as well as present in joint tissues and the fluid that fills the joint, sometimes referred to as synovial fluid.

Possible side effects, similar to most alternative treatment options, can include pain, redness and/or swelling at the injection site or fluid buildup around the joint.  This is not a full list of side effects; for a full list, you can visit Drugs.com.  Contact your doctor and seek immediate medical attention if you experience any side effects.

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Fastbraces Cost

Fastbraces®, as per the company, were designed to straighten teeth in a different way when compared to the braces we are used to hearing about.

A revolutionary system that is fast, safe and affordable, this complete, non-extraction system, for most cases, is changing the field of orthodontics.

“grill” (CC BY 2.0) by oliver.dodd

How much do Fastbraces® cost?

First, before the Fastbraces® system is even considered, your orthodontist will want to determine if you’re a candidate for the system.  During this time, your doctor will complete a comprehensive exam, take impressions as well take multiple x-rays to help him or her make an educated decision.  All of these tests and exams, depending on your doctor’s billing policy, may or may not be included in the final price tag.  If this was not included, this could add about $250 to $500+ to the total cost, but again, check with your doctor’s office to know the inclusions with the quote you’re told.

Outside of the examination, fittings and x-rays, the total price people paid online, without any dental insurance coverage, was in the $2,800 to $4,300 range.

As for insurance, in most cases, your insurance provider will cover the procedure just like they would traditional braces.  However, to be certain, always check with your local dentist office and/or insurance company to be sure before paying for the procedure.

Dr. Donald J. Sabourin, DDS, PLLC, and Dr. Joel Hayden, DDS, with locations in Troy, Michigan, and Saginaw, Michigan, for example, state, on their official website, that the complete system can cost up to $2,800, with in-house payment plans available for those who are interested.

One reviewer on RealSelf.com, for instance, decided to document her process and noted the cost of her Fastbraces® in Atlanta, Georgia was $4,000, a price she expected.

How do Fastbraces® work?

According to MyJohnsCreekDentist.com, traditional braces will move your teeth in two phases, with the average candidate wearing their braces over a two year period.  During the first year, the crown tooth is moved into alignment, while during the second year, the treatment will address the position of the root.  With Fastbraces®, however, the system will work in a much different way, effectively using its patented technology that uses a triangular bracket and specialty shaped wire in order to correct the position of the root of the tooth, from the beginning of the treatment all the way to the end as a combination.

Crooked teeth simply mean your roots are not in the correct position, and with the Fastbraces® system, these braces are applied by using a wire instead squares, with the distance between the braces being almost double than the traditional braces you’re accustomed to seeing.  This extra space, in turn, can help increase the wire’s flexibility, allowing the root to straighten in less than a year, and in some cases — less than three months.

Every day, while wearing the Fastbraces®, you will need to apply a “tooth shampoo” for up to 20 minutes as retention is needed.  In some cases, patients may also wear a retainer at night while wearing them as well.

The entire process, from start to finish, will range anywhere from three to 12 months, depending on each individual’s treatment plan.

Tips to know

The pain tolerance, according to some research, has shown the technology can reduce the sliding friction, along with the pain, as compared to traditional braces.

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Enchroma Glasses Cost

According to the brand, Enchroma, their eyeglasses are part optics, part neuroscience, unlocking a whole new world of color for those who suffer from color blindness.

These glasses will not only help those see colors again, you can do so in style as the company as a variety of options available.

Today, as of this publishing, it’s the only brand which can assist in correcting red-green color blindness.

“Eye-ris” (CC BY 2.0) by Zach Dischner

How much do Enchroma glasses cost?

To purchase any authorized Enchroma eyeglasses, the website states you need to buy from an authorized retailer that are considered to be licensed eye care professionals.  Like any eyeglasses, you will need a prescription in order to buy if you have a prescription; however, the official website, as well as third-party retailers, such as Amazon.com, allow you to purchase the glasses without any prescription attached.  Depending on the “model” you want, the prices can range anywhere from $349 for a non-prescription to as much as $679 for a prescription pair of progressive lenses.

Remember, if you need a prescription, then you will need to add in the eye exam costs as well, often in the $50 to $100+ range, depending on where you have your eye exam performed.

NOTE:  These prices were sourced from the official website via Amazon.com and are subject to change; use this as an estimate only.

How do Enchroma glasses work?

According to Donald McPherson, Ph.D., via an interview with Forbes.com, the glasses work by reestablishing the correct balance between signals from the three photopigments in the eye of the color deficient.  In simple terms, those who suffer from color blindness will have an imbalance, which affects the way they perceive light signals, meaning, in some cases, they may not get as much red or green, as compared to the average person, for instance.  These glasses, ultimately, will selectively filter the light in a way to correct this problem.

LookingGlassOptical.com explains how the glasses work as well.  The lenses, according to the website, will separate the overlapping red and green cones, all while filtering out the sharp wavelengths of the light to enhance specific colors.   In the end, the glasses are able to re-establish the correct balance between these signals from the three photopigments in the eye.

Enchroma glasses reviews

Randy Slavey at GeekDad.com wrote about his experience with the glasses, claiming it was a “life-changing experience,” noting multiple reasons as to why.

David Pogue, via the New York Times, also talked about his experience, noting he was “floored,” having a visceral reaction as to what he saw.

YouTube had hundreds of results, with this one and this one being the most popular.  Searching for “Enchroma glasses” on YouTube.com will yield even more results to browse through.

Tips to know

The company does offer a 60-day return policy for any online purchases and free two-day shipping in the United States.

Check out the company’s official website before making a purchase as you may be lucky enough to see a pop-up ad, helping you save $20 or so on your first purchase.  You can also search for Enchroma coupon codes on the Internet as well to see if any are available at the time of purchase.

To see if the eyeglasses will work for your condition, the company highly recommends you take the online color blindness test.  According to the company, it is estimated that four out of five cases are considered to be a form of a partial color blindness, often referred to as anomalous trichromacy, all of which is a symptom that can be addressed when using an EnChroma optical lens.

Just like reading glasses will not cure farsightedness, the company notes that their glasses will not cure color blindness, according to the MIT Technology Review.

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Driveshaft Balance Cost

The driveshaft, a tubular-shape part made of a metal housing, is located in between your car’s differentials, the part responsible for transferring the torque and the rotation to the drive wheel as well as the other drivetrain components.

Inside, a metal cylinder spins at a rotational force which is decided by the engine output, essentially telling the wheels when to switch from idle to drive, for example.

Just like your tires, many mechanics and experts recommend you balance your driveshaft occasionally to create a safer driving environment and prevent failure.  It can also be recommended if you feel your car shaking more than normal, especially at higher speeds.

“Volvo Amazon Overdrive Driveshaft” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by mathrock

How much does it cost to balance a driveshaft?

The cost to balance a driveshaft, like most car repairs, will depend on the mechanic/dealership you choose and the car you drive.  From what we researched via multiple quotes online, the average driveshaft balancing, including professional labor, tends to be in the $120 to $185.  However, if you needed new U-joints, as well as the driveshaft balancing, which is often the case in most repairs, the price can be closer to $200 to $250+.  U-Joints are often recommended if they appear to be loose, bent and/or worn down, for instance.

For example, members on this Ford-Trucks.com forum thread talked about this very repair, claiming they paid anywhere from $175 to have it completely rebuilt with new slicer joints and a balancing, while another member claimed they paid $150 when he took the parts in.

On another forum thread at IH8Mud.com, a member stated he paid $200 at his local Toyota dealership for both the U-joints and shaft balancing.

The process

At most modern-day facilities, they will have a computerized driveshaft balancer on hand, which is often able to balance up to a four-piece driveshaft, depending on the specification of the equipment.  Being a multi-step process, a good mechanic will check for any tolerances in the U-joints and run out any tolerances on the tubing, all while making sure it’s corrected.  Ultimately, the part will be balanced to the manufacturer RPM recommendation and weights are often welded to ensure a vibration-free drive.

Tips to know

According to ApacheSands.com, in order for the driveshaft in order to balanced correctly, the torque which comes from both the engine and the transmission must be equal to the same speed at which the shaft is spinning.  It must also be at a certain speed which is defined by the car’s manufacturer.  By balancing your driveshaft, this can help create a smoother driving experience and help prevent any problems which may arise from an out-of-sync driveshaft.

Failure can occur if a driveshaft reaches a certain speed resulting from an unstable amount of RPMs.

The most common symptom of a failing driveshaft is often a vibration-like feeling which comes from the driveshaft area, often felt inside of the car, especially when reaching high rates of speeds.  Any time you feel any sign of vibration, it’s best to bring it to a mechanic to ensure the problem doesn’t get out of hand, potentially causing a disaster on the road.

If you’re a DIY, carefully inspect your driveshaft as missing balance weights, broken welds or even the buildup of debris can often affect the part.

Symptoms of a bad driveshaft

A vibration found within the driveshaft can be caused due to a variety of reasons, but one of the most common reasons, according to DrivelinesNW.com, it can be difficult to determine if the vibration is actually coming from the driveshaft.

Vibrations:  One of the first common symptoms is often due to the vibration coming from beneath the vehicle.  If the U-joints or the bushings were to wear out, then it could cause the car to vibrate excessively while operating.  As the driveshaft is finely tuned before installing, this is done to prevent it from vibrating, ultimately meaning any sort of vibration could indicate there’s an issue, but this is not always the cause.  An excessively vibrating driveshaft, according to YourMechanic.com, can place excessive wear on the additional drivetrain components, which, as you can imagine, will lead to other issues down the road.

Odd noises:  Another symptom, aside from the vibrations being felt, can be an abnormal noise being heard.  If the bearings or the bushings supporting the driveshaft or the U-joints were to fail, this could interfere with the parts ability to rotate as it should.  Because of this, it could lead to a clunking, scraping or even a rattling noise — another sign your driveshaft may need to be rebalanced.

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Visionworks Eye Exam Cost

Visionworks, the third largest retailer chain in the United States, has more than 700+ locations in more than 40 states.

Committed to providing customers with an excellent shopping experience and best value, all of its stores offer comprehensive testing, including contact lens dispensing and in-store labs which can provide one-hour service on many prescriptions.

“Using a Slit Lamp” (CC BY 2.0) by National Eye Institute

How much does an eye exam cost at Visionworks?

The costs of an eye exam at most Visionworks locations across the United States tend to be in the $55 to $75 range without insurance and about $30+ more for a contact lens exam, all greatly depending on the promotion currently being held.  If you were to need additional services such as pupil dilation and/or had an astigmatism, for example, then the prices could increase.  As most locations do offer special coupons, we were able to find “$59.98 eye exam” options, for example, when searching the company’s official website, and even in the past, they offered eye exams for as little as $10.

Depending on your local Visionworks location, they do accept a variety of insurance policies, including Medicare at most locations, but this will greatly depend on the location you choose.  To know for certain if your location accepts your insurance plan, either talk with that particular location directly and/or with your insurance provider.

Price Quoted	Source
Used $49 coupon for exam in Chandler, AZ	LINK
$90 in Washington DC	LINK
$69 for exam + $15 for fitting in Washington DC	LINK
$30 exam at Wauwatosa, WI location	LINK
Took advantage of $19 deal at Bala Cynwyd, PA location	LINK
Took advantage of $19 deal at Bala Lancaster, PA location	LINK

Tips to know

The Visionworks official website allows you to sign up for exclusive offers and promotions when you give them your email.  Before making an appointment, be sure to see if any coupons, discounts and/or special offers are available for an upcoming visit.

The company, as per its page, offers a free lifetime cleaning and adjustment for your glasses.  They will even replace the nose pad, missing screws and even make any comfort adjustments at no charge to you, ever.

All purchases will be backed by a 30-day conditional satisfaction guarantee, and for those who are not satisfied with the purchase can bring it back for them to make it right.

You can schedule an exam directly on the company’s website if you do not want to call your local store.

If you do plan on buying frames and lenses directly through the company, they do have locations which have in-store labartories on site, allowing you to receive your prescription the same day.  However, locations that do not have this technology will often mean you will have to wait up to 10 days to receive your prescription.

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