Bren's stats
- Review count192
- Helpfulness votes1,657
- First reviewDecember 27, 2016
- Last reviewJune 29, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.8
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- Answer count11
- Helpfulness votes1
- First answerDecember 27, 2016
- Last answerNovember 4, 2021
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The ARRIS SURFboard mAX AX6600 Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 Mesh System (Model W121) delivers faster speeds, greater coverage, and expanded capacity to your home network. With speeds up to 6,600 Mbps per unit and coverage up to 5,500 square feet per system, it provides more speed and coverage then most 3-unit systems. mAXimize your Wi-Fi with the ARRIS SURFboard mAX Wi-Fi 6 Mesh System.
Customer Rating
5
One of the best mesh wifi options
on July 6, 2021
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
If you have not yet installed a mesh Wi-Fi system in your house, not only do I recommend that you do that as soon as possible, but this is a great one to do it with! Mesh Wi-Fi is the best solution to get maximal coverage in your house without the annoying work of adding extenders to your current router or trying to buy a single ultra-expensive router to cover your whole house. The fact is, no two houses are built the same with the same Wi-Fi signal reception, therefore no single router in my opinion is going to give a lot of modern customers what they need in the way of signal strength and speed.
The SURFboard mAX AX6600 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 Mesh system is a really well-designed system that was one of the easiest router setups I have ever done. Set up required the download of the SURFboard Central app. The app guided me through the setup of my main router and the included satellite router. Within 30 minutes, I had my whole house blanketed with the fastest wifi speeds I have ever experienced with such consistency. I am paying for 400mbps speeds and I am getting that all over the house with my 5ghz connected devices. I currently have 20 devices connected to the wifi, and I have more to hook up still. What impressed me with this set up is that each device connects automatically to the respective router that will provide them the strongest connection. Thus, I can see through the app which devices are connected to which router.
I live in a 1500sq ft condo and I have Wifi security cameras set up on the perimeter of the house, so prior to this mesh system, I had to have a wifi extender within 5 feet of each of the cameras to get them to work reliably. Not anymore! This system gives 100% signal strength at all times to each camera. Someone might tell me this setup is overkill for my needs, but I don’t plan on living here forever and I like that this wifi system will scale to provide for the needs of a larger home; including adding an additional SURFboard mAX satellite router if need be! Not to mention, these are capable of Wifi 6, so there is future proofing built into these as Wifi 6 becomes more common.
My only criticisms of this mesh system are as follows. The position of the ports is really annoying. If you are using large ethernet cables to plug in directly to the ports, routing them is really difficult and requires them to be bent precariously to fit into the port. Arris included one ethernet cable with these two modules (that in itself is kind of weird) that is completely flat and routes nicely, but other cables are tough to get to fit into this. Another annoyance of this system is that Arris advertises that there are four ethernet ports on these, but what it means is that there are four between the two modules, one of which is immediately occupied when you plug your modem in. I would have liked more ports, positioned in a better place on each router.
Overall, for the price and quality, I can highly recommend these to you. My house has no more arguments about streaming 4K video on one device while someone else is playing video games online etc. We are now completely covered and getting the full strength and signal we are paying for.
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From pour-over to French press and every method in between, Ode Brew Grinder brings the café experience to your kitchen. With single dosing, a small countertop size, a magnetically aligned catch and grinds knocker for added cleanliness, Ode turns a morning chore into an elevated experience.
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
I have really taken a liking to this coffee grinder. It is pricey, but it is one of the most aesthetically pleasing coffee grinders I have ever seen, and it does its job right. This combination of factors has given it a permanent place on my kitchen counter where my coffee and espresso maker are.
The directions the grinder come with are very useful and I recommend controlling your urge to start grinding coffee beans immediately and give it a readthrough first. There are some pretty key instructions in there that could affect the lifespan and warranty of the machine, an example being that you are not supposed to use the “1” grind setting for the first 10Ibs of beans as there are burrs on the blades that have to be polished off through use. Not doing this risks damage to the blades.
A favorite feature of mine with this coffee grinder is the auto-turn off feature. I really like that I can load the hopper up with beans and start grinding without worry of the hopper running out and the blades free spinning in a cacophony of metal-on-metal horror.
This grinder is not for the average grinder but is as versatile as it is gorgeous. The grounds are great that come out of this. My only couple knocks on the machine, is that the grinding still gets a little messy despite the design of the chute and the “knocker” built into the machine to knock loose grounds out of the grinder. Also, I wish the power cord was stowable or at least wasn’t so stiff, it detracts from the countertop appeal of the machine. Hope this review helps and I hope you enjoy your grinder as much as I am!
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Get lost in a world of music with these black JLab Studio ANC Studio ANC Wireless On-Ear Headphones. The Cloud Foam earcups and a faux leather headband create a secure and comfortable fit for all-day use, while the rechargeable 400mAh lithium-polymer battery delivers over 34 hours of playtime. These JLab Studio ANC Studio ANC Wireless On-Ear Headphones have active-noise-canceling technology for blocking background noise.
Customer Rating
5
Great if you don't like over the ear headphones!
on June 12, 2021
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
These headphones are excellent, budget friendly headphones from a great company if what you are looking for is reasonable audio quality, some active noise cancellation (ANC), without breaking the bank. I found these headphones to be quite comfortable and when compared against the JLab over the ear headphones (studio pros) that I already have and reviewed, actually offer reasonable ANC at a great price. Furtheremore, the included accessories like the carry bag and the cables are present and the same quality as the higher priced studio pro headphones from JLab. I would definitely consider these if you are intolerant of over the ear headphones, but are looking for the security and style of headphones with a headband! These give me a very nostalgic vibe while I am rocking out to my music! Don't hesitate to buy these! Thanks for reading!
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Capture HD photos and videos at night or during the day with Rexing Woodlens H1 Blackhawk trail camera. Less than 0.2s ultra-fast trigger is paired with an LED flash for split-second shooting when motion is detected, while a 2.4" built-in LCD screen lets you preview and navigate through photos and videos. The Rexing Woodlens H1 Blackhawk trail camera features password protection to guard against unwanted access.
Customer Rating
5
An excellent trail camera! Bring your own SD card
on June 8, 2021
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
I have really enjoyed the use of this in and around the trails that are on a property that I manage. It is great seeing the types of animals like coyotes and skunks that travel the game trails. Everything you need to get started here is included except and SD card. I chose a 128GB SD card. Hope this review helps you!
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The Studio Pro ANC Over-Ear Headphones by JLab offer the ultimate listening experience with four noise control modes and Smart Active Noise Canceling. With an amazing 45+ hours of playtime, they are also ultra-comfortable with Form-Fit Earcups, plush Cloud Foam cushions and an adjustable headband.
Customer Rating
4
Excellent noise canceling, mediocre audio
on June 4, 2021
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
I have been really impressed by these headphones, and so has my wife—who uses them the most now and claims that they are hers my right of conquest. Oh well, she can have them if she enjoys them so much! Anyway, onto the review.
For the price, these are the best Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) over-the-ear headphones I have tried so far. They have two levels of ANC, a high and a low, a “be aware setting” that uses the built-in mics to enhance your awareness of what is around you, and a mode where any electronic noise filtering is turned off and you are just utilizing the normal isolation of the earcups for your listening experience. The high level of ANC, is comparative to my Airpod Pros. While this is not saying a lot considering Airpod Pros do not necessarily have the most incredible ANC, the difference is that these JLab Studio Pros have a reported 43 HOURS of ANC listening time at medium volume, which is far more than the 3-1/2 to 4 hours ANC time I get on my Airpod Pros. For the price of these headphones and the quality of the ANC, I think that I would want to equip my whole family with these on a long flight. Not to mention, it includes a USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack that can allow you to plug into the airline’s audio jacks for movies and such.
The quality of the audio is middling. There are three EQ settings built in. A balanced, bass boost, and Jlab signature setting. Much to my irritation, the instructions included with these headphones did not tell you how to change between these settings: you need to press the up and down volume buttons at the same time to change between the EQ modes. Of these three, I like the Jlab signature mode the best. These headphones are lacking in bass and treble clarity in general, but that really isn’t a deal-breaker if you are looking into quality ANC headphones at a decent price.
Overall, these get a solid recommend from me. I think they would be popular for individuals who travel a lot, like traveling executives and don’t want to risk expensive headphone varieties getting broken or stollen. If you are more active or think these might get wet, JLab makes a variation intended for sports and active users. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy these!
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Circadian Optics is a maker of bright light therapy lamps that mimic daylight. Our designer lamps allow you to get the light you need, right at your desk. Lumos is our slimmest lamp, measuring just 2 1/4" wide. Eminently adjustable, 3 hinges and a rotating light panel give this lamp excellent flexibility, allowing you to angle the light panel in a multitude of ways.
Customer Rating
5
An excellent aid for shift workers!
on May 26, 2021
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
I am a shift worker, and as such the regularity of my sleep/wake cycle is vital to my success and general quality of life. I wake up at 4:30am most mornings. Where I live in Oregon, there is no light to be had at that time of day and thus I generally have felt sluggish and poorly motivated upon waking. Compounding this, I have struggled my entire life with seasonal affective disorder that highly exacerbates my underlying depression diagnosis. My mornings are often where my misery and borderline-catatonia manifest the most.
This lamp has changed that.
I have been using this for just under a week now. I have done 30-minute sessions each morning at my desk where I like to journal and do my daily devotions before work. I have placed this thin and unobtrusive lamp to the side of me on its medium setting during these sessions. It is my subjective point of view, but I have had FAR better days as far as energy and wakefulness go thanks to this lamp.
This lamp requires an AC plug in, has a generously long cord, and has multiple ways it can be setup with or without the included stand. The size of this lamp is really nice compared to some models I was looking at and I feel this is going to pack really well when I go on trips. The lamp is hefty when you pick it up and that absolutely evokes the feeling that you are holding a quality item. The only thing I would have liked included with this lamp would be a carrying case, like a softshell zippered variety or even just a drawstring bag as this is touted as being portable.
Altogether, I think this lamp is a great purchase if you are looking for a “mood lamp” to assist you in circadian rhythm regulation. For the psychological benefits, make sure you consult your primary care provider or a licensed therapist as this should not be used to outright replace your normal mental health medications or routines. It certainly can be part of a supplemental program for good sleep and good wakefulness in my opinion! Thanks for reading and I hope this inspires you to get out there and take control of your sleep cycle!
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The ROCCAT Kone Pro Air Ergonomic Optical Performance Wireless Gaming Mouse with RGB Lighting is the first ever wireless Kone, and the result of over 14 years of devoted craftmanship. It is the most advanced gaming mouse we’ve ever created. After meticulous global research into hand sizes and grip styles, the result is one shape to fit any hand. It’s the iconic Kone shape, perfected. Providing supreme comfort without compromising on performance, the feeling of using the Kone Pro Air is unrivalled. It seamlessly fuses with your hand, virtually disappearing, keeping you focused and immersed. The Kone Pro Air utilizes our advanced Titan Switch Optical. With a satisfying and responsive tactile click, it’s reliable, fast, and durable. No double-click issues and no learning curve. Thanks to advancements in our extreme lightweight engineering, the Kone Pro Air weighs in at just 75g. The ROCCAT Bionic Shell keeps the weight down and provides a comfortable and consistent surface, whilst keeping dust and dirt out. It transitions into a beautiful translucent finish on the main buttons, allowing vivid AIMO 16.8 color RGB lighting to shine through, creating the signature look. The Kone Pro Air features our state-of-the-art 19K DPI Owl-Eye Sensor which delivers incredible responsiveness and precision. It also utilizes the ROCCAT USB-C PhantomFlex charging cable, which virtually disappears when in use – no friction, no distractions. Everything rests on our best-in-class pure PTFE heat-treated skates. They offer sublime glide right out of the box, with a spare pair thrown in for good measure.
Customer Rating
5
A wireless mouse that has changed my mind!
on May 20, 2021
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
The most significant praise I can attribute to this mouse is that it has changed my mind on my dislikes towards wireless mouses and lightweight mouses. It is a day that I thought I would never see come, but here it is. Now let me tell you more about it.
I started with a Razer Basilisk wired mouse about 3 years ago for gaming. Claw grip, wired, and 92 grams weight. I have tried at least four or five other mice since then, but until this Roccat Kone Pro Air, nothing has swayed me from my preference for the robust and wired Basilisk. Now, that has all changed.
As compared, these two mice on my desk could not be more different. The sleek, elegant, white Kone Pro Air with its honeycomb RGB patterns on the left and right-click buttons, light weight 75-gram feel, and palm-grip versus the substantial feeling but ham-handed 92-gram Razer Basilisk with its claw grip and two-zone RGB. What ended up changing my mind to run this mouse as my primary mouse is as follows:
Long battery life. One of the last wireless mice I had only had a battery life of about 30 hours. This seems like a long time, but considering I was using the mouse for schoolwork, gaming, and personal productivity projects, I would eat up that battery life quickly. This has 100 hours plus per the manufacturer and in many full days of playing and replaying Resident Evil 8 and Hunt Showdown and doing my productivity tasks, I have not had to plug this in even once. When it comes to its charging, Roccat supplies a very good-looking braided USB A to USB C cable that matches the good looks of the mouse and enables you to utilize the mouse over a wired connection to your device. Also, it is good to be aware that when you first connect your mouse to the PC, it is going to want you to use a wired connection to update the firmware of the mouse with the Roccat Swarm software.
I wanted to mention how interesting and likeable the left and right clicks of this mouse are. Roccat says that it has a mechanical click feeling with their optical Titan switch, but really, the click on the left and right is far less clicky in how it sounds versus my Basilisk! That may be a weird OCD observation, but I like how the click is less noisy and distracting but still FEELS awesome! The clicks are precise and for games like Resident Evil VIII, I really felt the control over semi-auto firearms and the precision of the clicks.
Overall, this is one of the more unique mice I have ever reviewed, and I have decided to keep it as my primary gaming mouse! My only two suggestions are to be prepared to utilize the 2.4ghz USB-A dongle to achieve the best connection and lowest latency as I still distrust Bluetooth for that purpose, and to be aware that if you are needing to boot into the Bios of your PC, there are some that can only be controlled with a wired mouse, so I would keep one around just in case. Thanks, and I hope my thoughts have helped your purchasing decision!
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Ready to go mechanical? Look no farther than the The ROCCAT® Pyro Mechanical (Linear) PC Gaming Keyboard with Per-Key AIMO RGB Lighting, Brushed Aluminum Top Plate and Detachable Palm Rest. Its linear switches boast an optimized 2.0mm actuation point for a keystroke that is both responsive and reliable. Switches are tested to 50 million keystrokes, with a reinforcing brushed aluminum top plate providing added durability. Advanced anti-ghosting technology ensures gamers can press virtually all of the most-used keys simultaneously, with each of them registering and reacting in the heat of battle without fail. The Pyro is equipped with a detachable palm rest to suit both relaxed typing and aggressive gaming styles. Also featured is ROCCAT Easy-Shift[+] technology allowing deep control customization, doubling the function of every button just by holding down the designated modifier key (Caps Lock by default). The Pyro features the AIMO lighting engine, ROCCAT’s proprietary technology, with per-key illumination in 16.8 million RGB colors. AIMO reacts organically to your usage with vivid lighting displays right out of the box – without the need for extensive configuration. It also syncs with compatible products with state-of-the-art illumination scenarios flowing from device to device.
Customer Rating
5
Unbeatable at this price point, awesome buy!
on May 20, 2021
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
I am extremely satisfied with this keyboard! It is now my primary keyboard in my gaming and productivity setup.
The linear switches are perfect. This is my fourth keyboard with linear (red) switches and it performs just like any of them with accurate, firm keystrokes without being overly clicky like the blue variety; just the way I like my keyboards. This full-sized keyboard is my preference too. I use Microsoft Excel quite a lot for data entry and the ten key number pad on keyboards is crucial to my workflow. Roccat has TKL offerings if you prefer not to have a number pad on your keyboard.
At this price point, the individual key RGB that fully illuminates each key, dedicated volume knob, detachable wrist pad, and brushed aluminum top plate all push this over the top in value for your dollar. I honestly have no criticisms to offer about this keyboard at all except that the Roccat Swarm software for controlling the lighting etc. continues to need polishing up. They are releasing updates for it all the time though, so I know that it is a work in progress.
This is my third Roccat gaming accessory alongside my Roccat Kone mouse and my Roccat headset, they continue to blow me away with their quality! Thanks for reading and I hope this helps boost your confidence in your purchase!
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Impress your audience and own the room with the ultra bright EX5280 projector, offering 3,800 lumens of color and white brightness to deliver crisp, detailed presentations, spreadsheets and videos – even in well-lit spaces. From home offices to video conference rooms, this sleek, compact projector makes it easy to display captivating, big-screen images in nearly any location, using advanced 3-chip 3LCD technology and stunning XGA resolution. Perfect for creating dynamic, engaging presentations, the EX5280 allows for easy Zoom video conferencing, accepts 4K content and conveniently connects to streaming devices, such as Fire TV, Apple TV®, Roku, and Chromecast™, through the HDMI® port so you can easily share a variety of rich content, including movies, TV shows and more.
Customer Rating
5
The best projector I have had for versatility
on May 11, 2021
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
If you are looking for a highly portable, versatile projector for you business needs, this is the one.
I participate in practice council meetings at my hospital and this projector is exactly what I needed to be able to enhance the presentations and slideshows I give to my colleagues.
First of all, this is a very inclusive and user-centric package that Epson put together. The carrying bag they included is robust and makes me feel that I am carrying this projector with confidence. The projector connected easily to my 2015 MacBook Pro via an HDMI cable. The speaker built into the projector is actually quite loud and has allowed me to leave behind the usual portable speaker and 3.5mm audio cable that I was using to project audio for videos during the meetings.
The really stand out feature that I must emphasize is how BRIGHT the image is and how well it does in brightly lit areas. The unfortunate aspect of this COVID-rollercoaster among many is that our meetings have had to move to unusual locations where darkness in the room or projector screens are not reliably available. This projector has helped us to remain flexible in our meeting locations and still be able to present our slideshows and competency videos.
This projector is a real win in my book. This should be high on your list of options for projectors that are great on the go and in less-than-ideal environments like ones that are bright or lack projector screens.
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Rethink eyewear with the Razer Anzu—cutting-edge audio glasses that protect your eyes and immerse your ears. With built-in speakers hidden in its frame, taking in the sights and sounds now has a whole new meaning. Available in two types of frames and two sizes.
Customer Rating
5
Tony Stark Glasses for Music and Gaming? Oh ya!
on April 22, 2021
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
I am very impressed with these glasses from Razer! Razer, being a premium gaming peripheral and laptop maker, has delivered a product here that will interest many, especially those looking to streamline there every day carry electronic products (laptop, phone, headphones, sunglasses, wallet, etc.) or are just interested in trying out a new way of listening to music, podcasts, and engaging in phone calls.
The package: Not surprisingly, Razer made this a really all-inclusive package for the price, including two different sets of lenses (the blue light filtering lenses came installed), a leather carrying pouch, a proprietary braided cable USB-A charging cable, cleaning cloth, decals, and instructions. Everything needed to get started was present.
The Looks: My glasses I am reviewing are the Small-Medium frame square lens kind, and in my opinion and that of my fiancé’s, they look awesome. My only critique in the looks of the glasses is that Razer used a glossy black plastic for the frame of these glasses that seems to have almost a static-like attraction for dust and grit to the glasses. It is a good thing that Razer included a cleaning cloth with these glasses, because I have definitely needed to use it. Both set of included lenses look great, the polarized are a nice tent and definitely perform superbly as sunglasses. Also, you can get prescription lenses! According to their website, Razer has partnered with Lensabl to offer 15% off premium replacement prescription lenses.
The sound: You won’t be writing home about the audio quality of these glasses, but the audio is delivered in such a cool manner that I think that it compensates for the lack of mid and bass clarity. Currently in the Razer Anzu app, the EQ presets only allow for default, treble boost, and enhanced clarity. I think that these could use a bass boost of some kind for gaming and such, but I know that structurally the engineers of these glasses could only pack so much bass into the 16mm speaker drivers these glasses utilize.
Those who are intolerant of over-the-ear headphones or who dislike earbuds will definitely want to consider these glasses as a means of delivering a private audio listening experience. These are not noise canceling or noise isolating by any stretch, so I would not expect them to work well on planes or in loud public areas. For all other situations, even on highest volume, others will only hear your audio 3 feet away or so and even then, it is not loud, just barely noticeable to others in your immediate area.
The Mic: I called a few people when I first got these glasses, and after a few minutes of talking to each of the I asked how I sounded, and they seemed shocked to find out that I was talking through a Bluetooth device. Really good mic quality out of these!
The controls: Controlling audio with these glasses are done with simple tap gestures. The taps can be remapped and can be assigned to both left and right temple stems or to just one or the other. The taps could be a bit more responsive in my book, but as most people will fiddle with the wearing position of the glasses and adjust the temples throughout the day, I can understand that you wouldn’t want the tap controls to be too sensitive.
Conclusion: If you are in anyway a Razer fan or just want to have a new audio listening experience and impress your friends with your Tony Stark glasses, then go get these! My rationale for it is that some sunglasses like from Ray-Ban or Oakley cost a couple of hundred dollars anyways, so why not get these when they include blue light lenses, polarized lenses, and the ability to listen to audio and communicate with the built-in microphone? No-brainer in my book. My only hope is that Razer might release a premium version of these in the future where the frames are made of a lightweight alloy instead of plastic, that would be sweet! In the meantime, these are amazing for the price. Don’t hesitate! Thanks for reading and good luck with these awesome glasses!
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Only at Best BuyPlay your way to the top with this HP OMEN notebook. The Intel Core i7 processor provides lightning-fast response times, and the 1TB hard drive is enough for all your favorite games and apps with room to spare for music and video files. This HP OMEN notebook has a full-size backlit keyboard for fast, easy typing.
What is the RPM of the 1 terabyte hard drive?
7200rpm, much better than the 5400rpm hard drive found in my $1600.00 MSI Stealth Pro :(
7 years, 6 months ago
by
Bren