Share Bren's profile
 
Facebook Twitter
 
 
Bren
 
 
 
Bren's stats
 
  • Review count
    191
  • Helpfulness votes
    1,655
  • First review
    December 27, 2016
  • Last review
    June 15, 2024
  • Featured reviews
    0
  • Average rating
    4.8
 
Reviews comments
  • Review comment count
    0
  • Helpfulness votes
    0
  • First review comment
    None
  • Last review comment
    None
  • Featured review comments
    0
 
Questions
  • Question count
    0
  • Helpfulness votes
    0
  • First question
    None
  • Last question
    None
  • Featured questions
    0
 
  • Answer count
    11
  • Helpfulness votes
    1
  • First answer
    December 27, 2016
  • Last answer
    November 4, 2021
  • Featured answers
    0
  • Best answers
    1
 
 
Bren's Reviews
<< 1 ... 14 15 16 17 18 ... 20 >>
 
The Apex 5 gaming keyboard has hybrid mechanical switches that combine the smoothness of a membrane switch with the added durability, performance, and satisfying tactile click of a blue mechanical switch. It also has per-key RGB customization, OLED Smart Display, aluminum alloy frame, premium magnetic wrist rest, and more.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Amazing feel, amazing value
on April 1, 2020
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
If I had to sum up this review in one sentence, it is that at 100 dollars, this keyboard comes jam-packed with features and quality that make it a supremely good choice for anyone looking for a new keyboard! I will be happy to explain why I feel this is true though!
Here is what I think you need to know before you make a purchasing decision:
-The hybrid-mechanical blue (clicky) switches feel and sound amazing. I have a fair bit of experience with keyboards, and I would say the discernable difference of feel between this and a regular keyboard is that there is perhaps a bit softer of a bump at the bottom of the keystroke. I can type on this keyboard as fast as I can with any of my keyboards and I love how it feels. It is a genuine mechanical switch and cap as well, so you can replace these caps with most compatible Cherry MX keycaps.
-The material used is great. The caps do not feel cheap at all, I like the bold, large font, and the frame is made of aluminum! It may not be the brushed aluminum of higher-end keyboards like my Logitech G513, but it still looks and feels like high-quality material.
-Individual RGB programmable keys using the Steelseries Engine software. The thing I love about these keys, and I must emphasize, is that the secondary key functions are lit up as well! That means in the dark, unlike a lot of traditional big-name mechanical keyboards, you can actually see the secondary functions like the asterisk symbol, semicolon, etc. that you may not have memorized if you are an average typist. This is a huge deal to me and I want to make sure people know this.
-The OLED screen is actually pretty fun! I downloaded some GIFs off of the internet to experiment with and sure enough, through the Steelseries engine software, you get to upload compatible GIFs and see them displayed on your keyboard's little OLED screen; that is kind of fun and the status updates and Discord connection that are forthcoming should be cool too!
-This has a dedicated volume scroll wheel and button that acts as a play/pause button or whatever you would prefer to program either as. Having dedicated multimedia buttons at this price point is awesome, especially considering that many higher-end keyboards from competitors don't even included this at a much higher cost!
Overall I am super happy with this keyboard. I will say that they are apparently updating the Steelseries Engine 3 software and boy, does it need it. It is functional and smooth, but there are only a fraction of the amount of customizable patterns available for the RGB that other companies like Razer and Logitech have. The only room for improvements for the keyboard itself I can think of like USB-A passthrough and a braided USB cable would launch this out of the awesome price-point this is at. If you can afford to build a $1000 dollar PC, you can afford to purchase a $100 dollar keyboard to compliment it. Remember that PCs are like cars. You can have a really souped-up engine, but if the tires suck, it ruins the ride. If your mouse and keyboard suck, then the PC is just not going to feel right. Spend some money and get something awesome like this Apex 5!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
 
Play to your full potential with this 23.8-inch ASUS TUF gaming monitor. The 1ms response time prevents blurring and lagging for quality visuals, while the FreeSync technology eliminates stuttering and tearing for seamless gameplay. This ASUS TUF gaming monitor has an anti-glare display that reduces reflections, and it features flicker-free technology that reduces eye strain for comfortable viewing.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
An excellent, high-refresh rate 1080p Monitor!
on March 20, 2020
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
I am altogether very happy with this monitor! Asus has once again proved itself in providing quality monitors at a price that makes since in the budget of a frugality-minded gamer. But this monitor goes beyond gaming alone, with its gorgeous IPS panel, it makes since in the setting of a multi-monitor content creation rig which is what I will be employing it for down the road! Here are some of the things I like and dislike listed out:
Like:
-144hz refresh panel
-IPS Panel; great viewing angles and great color
-Nearly non-existent side and top bezels. This has a great footprint and is perfect if your desk or table requires you to minimize your X-axis footprint on the monitor itself
-Excellent stand. It can pivot, height adjust, tilt the monitor forward and back generously, and the monitor can rotate fully vertical as your needs demand.
-Freesync compatible. This is great for AMD graphics card users. I am sure with the quality and price of this monitor, in no time it will become G-Sync certified by Nvidia
-Inclusion of built-in speakers. All the speakers are weak, they are present. So for a budget minded gamer who just needs to get started, this means they can eliminate the extra-expense of a head set or external speakers until they are ready!
-Power delivery. This monitor requires no power brick but only a single cable that plugs directly into the back of the monitor! This is nice and makes this rank as a highly portable monitor for LAN parties or on the move needs.
Areas for improvement:
-Menu navigation and buttons. These are not labeled and are difficult to navigate with. Unlike the toggle joystick menu button that is common on so many other Asus monitors, these buttons are unwieldily and difficult to get the hang of what button does what.
-Included instructions. They are essentially worthless for anything beyond just setting up the monitor.
-Accessories. They included a 3ft display port cable, but at this price the inclusion of a HDMI cable would have been an expected item given the price.
-I/O. 1 HDMI, 1 Display Port, 1 DVI, Headphone jack. That is it and fairly sparse all things considered. Additionally, the curvature of the back of the monitor makes plugging very thick or braided cables into the I/O ports difficult.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+6points
6of 6voted this as helpful.
 
Enjoy outstanding sound clarity with this Dell Alienware gaming headset. The 7.1 stereo surround sound technology delivers a fully immersive listening experience, while the uni-directional noise-canceling retractable microphone blocks background noise for crisp, clear audio. This Dell Alienware gaming headset has earcups made of memory foam, sports fabric and leatherette combined with a cushioned headband for comfort during extended gaming sessions.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Nice hardware, but the software needs work
on February 6, 2020
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
Overwhelmingly I would say I am happy with this headset. Despite what the confusing description states, these headphones are not just for the certain Alienware laptop models, but are suited for use with other gaming PCs as well.
I used this headset with my custom gaming PC I built and I would say that at this price point I am happy with how it performs. The fit of the cups is comfortable over my ears, and the adjustability of these cups is interesting in that the cups themselves slide up and down in the channels of the headband for adjustment rather than the headband itself collapsing and extending as with so many other headset models. The comfort of the headset overall gets a 7/10 from me. The leatherette headband cushion is squishy but seems like it will hold up to extended gaming sessions without collapsing in on itself. The adjustment of the cups described above results in just enough force being applied to maintain the seal around your ears without the excess of too much collapsing source (a common source of headaches and discomfort when wearing over-ear headsets).
The sound of this headset is acceptable at this mid-tier price level. I found that the highs were a bit tinny sounding, but the mids and bass are appropriately balanced. The speech produced through the microphone according to my friends (both in in-game chat control and through Discord) sounded good; neither tinny/whinny or muffled.
The area of improvement I have for these headphones is the software. Upon plugging these headphones into my computer via the USB adapter. The Alienware sound center software tried to auto-install and my Avast anti-virus immediately flagged it as a threat and cancelled the install. Upon further investigation, it turns out that the software in the Microsoft store is rated by 31 reviewers as 1 star. Coming from brands like Logitech, Corsair, and even Razer that have their software pretty dialed in for their headsets, I have to ding Alienware here. Thankfully, software is something that can be fixed readily, and by the time you read this review they may have already fixed the described issue!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
G513 is a high performance RGB mechanical gaming keyboard that features advanced technologies in a modern and sleek design. G513 includes full spectrum ~16.8M color RGB per key lighting with LIGHTSYNC technology, choice of mechanical switches, and a memory foam palmrest to deliver utmost comfort. G513 is the perfect blend of performance, advanced technologies and features, and unparalleled build quality and comfort.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Lives up to Logitech's high-end feel and quality!
on January 19, 2020
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
I am so happy with this keyboard. I have been long on the hunt for a replacement for my Razer Cynosa Chroma keyboard which has definitely outlived its usefulness in my use case of FPS gaming with mouse and keyboard with its squishy, non-precise membrane keys. In general, I have a very high opinion of Logitech products. I have used a lot of Logitech products and I can't recall any of them in the mid-high end of price range every disappointing me. My first Logitech product was a $12 wireless mouse I purchased in 2009 in high school that worked for almost 6 years without issue! Anyways, I digress.
The Logitech G513 is a keyboard that from unboxing to setup reeks of quality. The keyboard is stout enough to be used as a blunt melee weapon, the key strokes are precise and live up to their advertised feel and tactility, and the software Logitech G HUB is my favorite interface over Razer Synapse and Corsair iCUE that I am familiar with!
One of the things I love is the clean appearance of the RGB. There is no bleed, no wasted lighting. The Rainbow mode this defaults too before a profile is loaded is just so sexy and demonstrates the cleanliness of the color transitions when you see it the first time. The braided USB cable is thick enough to make a construction contractor proud and the pass through USB port is thoughtful (if not expected) at this price range. I am using it for my mouse dongle currently to avoid the connection having to pass through my desk or other objects and experience interference. So far, it has been amazing! The palm rest is comfortable and the angles of the keyboard should suit most any user. My only criticism is rather general and not specific to Logitech alone as many keyboards at this price range and RGB setup have this problem: I don't like not having secondary key functions and symbols light up! I find myself typing in a dark environments quite often, and when I have to find a special character I haven't memorized I am require to turn on a lamp or light the keyboard with my phone. Not convenient, but definitely not a huge issue as I mostly use this keyboard for gaming.
Overall, I can't recommend this keyboard enough. The switches, the quality, the appearance, the RGB, the software, it all just WORKS. I expect nothing less of high-end Logitech and this is highly demonstrative of my satisfied expectations!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Get a handle on every battle with this DARK CORE RGB PRO SE Bluetooth gaming mouse. The contoured design and interchangeable side grips let you play in comfort, while programmable buttons and a customizable optical sensor give you complete control. This DARK CORE RGB PRO SE Bluetooth optical gaming mouse offers up to 24 hours of battery life and Qi wireless charging for intense gaming sessions.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
A feature rich, fantastic performing mouse!
on January 19, 2020
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
I am previously coming from a Razer Basilisk and I have definitely found a replacement in this new mouse from Corsair. I am definitely a 'claw' grip style user over a palm style grip, so the transition to this mouse was really easy. A few of the stand out features I really appreciate about thus are the fact that it has lots of connectivity options. It can utilize Bluetooth, a USB 2.4Ghz dongle, or a direct USB connection-for which they thoughfully include a 6 foot braided USB-A to USB C cable). I have opted to use the dongle, as I did want to enjoy the wireless mouse experience and not have to deal with Bluetooth which I still feel can be rather glitchy in maintaining connection at times. The dongle uses what Corsair calls their Slipstream technology that is supposed to keep response time down to less than 1ms. This is fast enough to meet the demands of almost all gamers and subjectively I have not noticed a diminishment in my responses and flick shots in fast paced FPS games like Modern Warfare and Doom 2016 over my wired mouse. As a matter of fact, I like the increased weight and grip-filling design of this mouse over my Razer Basilisk for shooters.
The iCUE software I would still call a work in progress. I have Corsair Vengence RGB Ram and a Corsair AIO CPU cooler in addition to this mouse and I have always found their suite of customization to be a bit glitchy at best, not as bad as Razer Synapse but not as polished or user friendly as Logitech G HUB software. After updating the iCUE software, it did recognize the mouse and I was able to customize my RGB lighting and DPI profile settings. I figured out the RGB can be customized quite niftily to have specific lighting zones reflect the temperatures of my different computer components. For example, I have one zone that is customized to have different colors from light blue to bright red to reflect the temperature of my GPU while gaming. This is fun and is cool to demonstrate to guests and friends who I show my rig.
My next upgrade to my set up is to get the Qi wireless charging mousepad from Corsair as this mouse is Qi wireless charging enabled! The idea of perpetual wireless use without worrying about the mouse dying in my next gaming session is super cool, not to mention it is just future proof as a lot of tech is moving towards being wireless charge enabled!
Overall, I find this to be a great mouse and I definitely think it is worth your time and money to give it a try and see if you like it!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
 
Experience comfortable laptop-like typing on your tablet with this Logitech Rugged Folio keyboard case for 7th, 8th, & 9th generation iPad. A flexible kickstand combined with sturdy hinges ensures you find the perfect angle for the task at hand. This Logitech Rugged Folio keyboard case is constructed with proprietary shock-absorbent material for optimal protection against accidental drops and other mishaps.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Has turned my ipad into a tough, portable laptop!
on December 28, 2019
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
The title of my review really sums up my feelings about this most excellent keyboard case. I like to work on firearm and truck projects in my garage and hate bringing my nice Macbook Pro out there from inside the house to be exposed to grease and all other sorts of nastiness. Between this case, an iPad 7th gen, and a good screen protector, you have almost all of the utility and go-anywhere appeal of a laptop at a price level that consists of laptops that are going to be bulkier and slower than the total sum of this setup. Plus, if I mess up the keyboard or case with an oil spill or the like while I am watching a tutorial video, I am only out a $140 case instead of having to replace a whole laptop!
This keyboard case is exactly what I expect of Logitech products generally: stylish, well-built, easy to setup and use, and tough enough to handle a little neglect or abuse once in a while. This keyboard case does not disappoint. The typing experience on it is awesome, the keystrokes being snappy and responsive and the keyboard setup itself not being overly cramped; a problem on keyboards this size in general. They even managed to make the wrist rest portion of the keyboard surface comfortable and accommodating to typing on flat surfaces like elevated kitchen counters and coffee shop bars.
Overall, I cannot recommend this keyboard case enough. If you want to use your iPad like a laptop in any capacity at all and ESPECIALLY in dirty or outdoor conditions, this is a purchase from a preventative and enjoyment level you can't afford not to make. Thanks for reading and I hope this review is as helpful as this awesome keyboard case has been for me!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Live stream on YouTube with this Canon PowerShot G7 Mark III camera. The 20.1MP sensor and DIGIC 8 processor capture sharp images fast, and 4K recording capability produces ultra-high-definition video. This Canon PowerShot G7 Mark III camera has a touch-panel LCD screen for convenient operation, and the screen tilts for easier use. .
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Once the firmware is updated, this thing is great!
on December 23, 2019
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
If I can sum up my review in a short manner, it is only that you NEED to ignore these reviews that are outdated and/or ignorant of the fact that Canon has released a firmware update to address the problems this camera was having with autofocus etc. Before I did anything shooting or filming, I made sure to update the firmware first.
The steps to do this are fairly simple, but there are only a couple of poorly shot videos on the internet that outline how to do it in simple terms. I will give a crack at it in this written review.
The equipment required is an SD card, a computer with internet access for downloading the firmware update (version 1.2.0 as of December 12th, 2019), and a bit of time. I formatted the card in the settings on the Camera (this wipes it completely clean, so be careful) and then plugged it into the SD card reader for my computer. On Canon's website, I looked up the firmware on the support page where I was able to download the Zipped folder containing the update file and PDFs in different languages on how to perform the upgrade. There are both Windows and Mac OS X versions available. I unzipped this folder and dragged the file PSG7X3_120.FIR onto the SD card (not inside a folder, just the main page). I then flipped the setting wheel to 'P' and pressed the view button to turn it on. On the settings page, go to number 5 and scroll down to firmware. It will show you the current firmware version (1.0.1. is what mine displayed) and it will ask you if you want to update the firmware. Select OK. It will then go through the process and shut off. When you boot it back up to check, it is updated! It then gives you the option of two autofocus modes; Mode 1 is what you want for a quicker, more adaptable autofocus while filming.
The process is simple enough, taking less than 10 minutes, and is worth taking the time to do for a camera whose predecessor is so esteemed and loved by many.
I hope this review and like I said, ignore the negative reviews that make no mention of updating their camera first with the latest firmware! Thanks for reading this and have a good day!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+40points
43of 46voted this as helpful.
 
Make yard work easier with this Hoover ONEPWR Cordless High-Performance Blower. A heavy-duty turbo fan blasts away leaves with up to 270 cfm of airflow, and an integrated scraper easily removes stuck-on debris. This Hoover ONEPWR Cordless High-Performance Blower includes a charger and a battery and is ready to run right out of the box.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Exactly what I hoped for, super handy!
on December 21, 2019
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
This blower is exactly what I was looking for. I live in a condo with a private patio and garage. After this fall, I had leaves and other remnants of autumn in all the places that the HOA is unwilling to address with their yard crew so I knew I would need something for my own use that was powerful yet space saving and not obnoxiously loud. This meets the bill in all of those regards.
Set up could not have been easier. I pulled it out of the box, attached the blower extension, and inserted the battery which-gratefully, already had enough juice in it to clean my patio. It has a variable speed trigger which allows you to control how fast (powerful) it is. I would call this unit light enough for most anyone to use in its intended one handed fashion for an extended period of time, except for those perhaps with severe arthritis in their hands. The ONEPWR battery system appears elegant in its usefulness. I like the idea of getting their hand vacuum and full sized wet/dry vacuum as these tool use the same battery. Overall, I am very satisfied with this blower and I cannot recommend it enough if you are looking for an efficient, space saving portable and rechargeable blower!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Brew delicious drip coffee, everyday, and hold the temperature for up to 4 hours with the convenient programmable warming plate. This 12 Cup Drip Coffee Maker, with Spiral Showerhead evenly saturates coffee grounds for optimal extraction, producing an exceptionally flavorful cup of coffee. It also features a variable brew strength selector, which allows you to choose between regular and bold strengths, to fit your flavor profile. Rest assured you can have your coffee ready when you need it, with the 24 hour programmability and a convenient pause and pour feature.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
An absolute must for a coffee-addicted household!
on November 27, 2019
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
I am beyond satisfied with my new coffee maker. This has a couple features that make it stand out among its peers, from the flavor of the coffee brewed to the convenience and ease of daily use.
One of my favorite things is that, just like my single-serve Keurig, this offers a removable water tank. The tank slides off at an easy angle away from the coffee machine and allows you to fill up right from the sink! Gone are the days of using the carafe to fill up the water tank and spilling water all over the counter!
I tend to ignore hype, but the whole spiral water distribution sprayer head that this boasts to have honestly does seem to be resulting in much better consistency and aromatic qualities of our usual Folgers and BRC Beyond Black coffee grounds. In a blind test, my more palate-accomplished friends and family at a recent gathering definitely seemed to be able to tell which coffee was from the new machine and which from the old.
This brewer has a ton of useful settings and timers, including when you want the warming plate on and for how long. This is useful for those lazy Saturday mornings where I want my first cup of coffee when the sun rises, but then I can keep working on the pot through the late-morning, all while enjoying it at an excellent temperature (that is controllable).
All in all, this is the coffee brewer I wanted and I am so happy to have. Get it. You won't be disappointed. Just note that this is a bit longer than most brewers and seems to favor being flush against a counter-wall as opposed to jutting straight out at any sort of angle.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
-1point
0of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Achieve the closest shave possible with this Philips Norelco shaver. The ComfortCut blade system provides a smooth, clean cut and protects sensitive skin, while multidirectional flex heads offer consistent trimming of every contour of the face and neck. An included pop-up trimmer in this Philips Norelco shaver makes it easy to sculpt facial hair to maximize styling options.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
A great razor that excels at its price point
on November 22, 2019
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
I have tried A LOT of electric razors over the years, and I am quite picky. I have a horrific combination of coarse hair and sensitive skin that is prone to ingrown hairs and 'pizza neck' from shaving with a blade or when it is exposed to the electric nibbling gerbils that some companies would have the audacity to call an electric razor. This razor has passed my test and is going to stay in my collection!
Some pros that I love about it are that the whole razor, not just the blade head, is washable. Thus, shaving in the shower is a go for those who prefer. I would not fully submerse this, though. I also appreciate the pop-up trimmer. I maintain a tight beard around my jaw line, so having this trimmer built into it allows me to keep that edge going. I will say, I have pretty nappy hairs and this pop-up trimmer, although useful, does not quite have the horsepower that my Norelco 7000 does for buzz-sawing its way through my steel wool facial hair. The trimmer otherwise finds use in picking up the small hairs that the main blades miss. Your facial hair has a grain, just like wood, and sometimes hairs will grow against or opposite of the normal grain. The trimmer is great for spot trimming those hairs.
The blades themselves are gentle, efficient, and achieve a closer shave than anything else I have. If I had to pick just one razor as a man who shaves his whole face, this would definitely be the one. This razor is definitely staying in my rotation for getting that close, date-night level shave on the neck without suffering through pizza-neck the next day (or even later the same day) like I always have with blades. Buy this with confidence.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+3points
5of 7voted this as helpful.
 
<< 1 ... 14 15 16 17 18 ... 20 >>
 
Bren's Review Comments
 
Bren has not submitted comments on any reviews.
 
Bren's Questions
 
Bren has not submitted any questions.
 
Bren's Answers
<< 1 2
 
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, 5 months ago
by
Bren