Bren's stats
- Review count186
- Helpfulness votes1,641
- First reviewDecember 27, 2016
- Last reviewApril 10, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.8
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- Answer count11
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- First answerDecember 27, 2016
- Last answerNovember 4, 2021
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Annihilate your competition with this ASUS ROG gaming desktop. The Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM deliver rapid performance during fast-paced action, while the 512GB SSD provide plenty of storage for large files and downloads. This Bluetooth-enabled ASUS ROG gaming computer features an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card for tear-free rendering of 4K games.
Customer Rating
5
A Winner of a Pre-Built Gaming Desktop!
on July 5, 2023
Posted by: Bren
This is a truly amazing mid-level pre-built gaming PC for the price. To qualify this statement, I will elaborate.
Asus ROG gaming hardware like motherboards have always been one of my go-to’s when it comes to building my own computers and ROG’s pre-builts are excellent since they are typically well-tuned for gaming. An example of this is that Asus elected in this PC to use dual channel RAM (two 8gb DDR4 3200mhz modules) for a total of 16GB of RAM. It is well known in the gaming community that dual channel has far better performance over the typical single channel RAM that is often seen in pre-builts at this price, that is just one example of attention to detail they have shown in this generation of their pre-built gaming desktops. Another example of the build quality is the absolutely robust, bordering on overkill anti-sag GPU reinforcement bracket that is supporting the 3060 graphics card in this PC. It is super strong and looks akin to something a structural engineer would be proud to have supporting the foundation of a parking structure, let alone supporting a graphics card in a gaming PC. GPU sag has been known to kill PCIe channels over time or during the shipment process and ROG created a factory solution here to ensure that does not occur. This bracket also makes this desktop a little safer to transport if you have to move it around a lot. The bracket is easily removable for future longer length cards if you decide to swap out the graphics card later on.
The case itself is a beautiful thing to behold, far better in appearance than last generation and it appears to have better airflow design as well. A detail I really like about this case is the built-in headphones hook on the display side of the case. It made me chuckle with delight when I realized it was there! I love that very gameresque aspect of the PC! The RGB is perfect, in my opinion. It is not overdone, but elegant and tasteful, including the RGB strips that project onto and refract across the clear side panel. It just looks gorgeous and is user adjustable with typical RGB control software. I like the included removable carry handle strap at the rear of the case, and the selection of front I/O is absolutely amazing with two USB-C ports on the front and two USB-A slots along with two dedicated and separate 3.5mm mic and headphone jack ports. I am quite happy that Asus seems to have listened to the gaming communities clamoring for USB-C ports after the last generation of this prebuilt did not have them built in. The rear I/O port selection is excellent too with plenty of additional USB-A ports to meet your gaming setup needs. Granted, I would have liked to have had at least one rear USB-C port as well.
As always, just make sure that you plug your monitor cable such as an HDMI or Display Port cable directly into the Graphics cards ports at the very bottom rear of the case. This PC uses an Intel 13700F CPU which, the F connotation indicates it does not have internal graphics. So if you plugged into the higher up ports (as the included confusing instructions would have you do) you would not have an image and think something is wrong with the PC!
I have listed some benchmark and FPS stats below, but I just want to mention that this desktop with the Intel Core i7 13700F and Nvidia GeForce 3060 is going to slay some games if you game at 1440p and below! It is worth mentioning that the 3060 GPU lineup can vary a lot in power, with some laptop versions only having a paltry 6gb of VRAM which is downright underwhelming these days for gaming in resolutions greater than 1080p. This Asus ROG 3060 GPU has a full 12GB of VRAM which contributes to its excellence as a card for gaming! I am a 1440p (2K) resolution gamer on an older AOC Aegon 24” 1440p G-sync capable monitor hooked up via a display port cable and I am getting an absolute kick out of how great my games look and perform! I am coming from my home-built PC with an Nvidia 2080 super (8GB VRAM) and this prebuilt from AOC is meeting and exceeding the performance of that system in some aspects such as ray tracing capability! If you are a 1080p gamer and looking to keep your entire system more budget, make sure to take advantage of the included decent-enough wired mouse and keyboard with this PC to start and if you just add a high refresh (120hz or above for sure) 1080p monitor, you will likely be playing ALL your games on maxed out settings with this PC!
Now, for a few gripes that do not affect the stars I am giving this PC. One gripe that I have, albeit not critical for most strictly PC gamers, is the anemic air cooler for the CPU. It is definitely not doing the job of effectively cooling the CPU when I ran Geekbench 6, with temperatures climbing up to 98¬¬¬oC as the system got heat saturated in my 740F room at that time. This temperature was never reached during my normal workflow with a few dozen chrome tabs in the background while playing Doom Eternal on maxed settings with Ray Tracing and DLSS on at 1440p resolution, with temps staying below 90C on the CPU. Essentially, I think that only the highest-level CPU users are going to push this system hard enough to get it that hot. If that is the case, then you should consider either one of the higher-end ASUS selections in this lineup with an AIO liquid CPU cooler prebuilt into it or just consider adding a better air or AIO cooler yourself down the road.
Another small gripe that I have—speaking of fans---is the noise of this PC when the power use ramps up. It has two exhaust fans at the back and top rear of the case, and the CPU air cooler fan. These 3 fans add up to a decent amount of ambient noise when the gaming really ramps up. I am happy to report that they are not high-pitched or whiny sounding compared to the last generation; they are just generally loud when the system ramps up. I game with a headset so this is not the most concerning issue for me currently.
Down the road, I am going to outfit this PC with some Corsair MagLev or Noctua fans to quiet things down and maybe just improve airflow altogether too. On that note, this motherboard has distinctly few fan headers, so be prepared to but some fan splitter cables or use Molex cable (the PC includes one) powered fans if so inclined. Have no fear about the GPU temperature though! I never got temps that exceeded 89C on the hotspot of the card, even during 8-hour long gaming sessions in a 76F room! The GPU is cooled by a robust, 100mm or 120mm size fan built onto the card and it is definitely doing the job. One further mention about air flow and cooling in this case is that there is really great ventilation on the front of the case that passes the “flashlight test” with me being able to shine a light and see right through the holes for ventilation for the case! This probably contributes to some passive airflow being pulled in through the front of the case as the exhaust fans at the top-rear and back of the case do their job.
One final small gripe I have before I list off some stats from benchmarks I took is the SSD size. Not the speed, but the size. 512GB to me is just painfully low on storage for an advertised gaming PC these days. With modern games being over 120GB at times, this previsions the average non-tech savvy consumer with only enough storage for 3-6 AAA title games like CODMW2 before this SSD is filled up. Personally, I can live with this storage size on the boot drive, because I am going to turn around and add a 2TB 2.5” SSD for game storage very soon with the included SATA data cable that Asus provided with this PC. However, if you are not tech or computer saavy and don’t want to add additional storage later on, you may want to look into get a higher storage prebuilt in this Asus lineup so you are not playing the install/uninstall game with your PC games down the road! Or just consider adding an external hard drive via USB-Cable and look up how to use it as an additional game storage drive. There are great guides on YouTube etc. on how to do that!
The Stats:
Geekbench 6 (GPU) OpenCL score: 91845
Geekbench 6 (CPU) Single Core score: 2656 Multicore: 12003
Unengine Heaven Benchmark 4.0 with Ultra Quality, Extreme Tessellation at 1440p resolution: 61.6FPS with a score of 1552
CrystalDiskMark 8.0 (Micron_2400_MTFDKBA512QFM M.2 NVMe SSD): Best Read of Three: 4330.75 MB/s Best Write of Three: 1822.9 MB/s
Geekbench 6 (GPU) OpenCL score: 91845
Geekbench 6 (CPU) Single Core score: 2656 Multicore: 12003
Unengine Heaven Benchmark 4.0 with Ultra Quality, Extreme Tessellation at 1440p resolution: 61.6FPS with a score of 1552
CrystalDiskMark 8.0 (Micron_2400_MTFDKBA512QFM M.2 NVMe SSD): Best Read of Three: 4330.75 MB/s Best Write of Three: 1822.9 MB/s
Doom Eternal Max Settings Ray Tracing on DLSS on 1440p resolution: 120-160FPS
Hunt Showdown Medium-High Settings at 1440p resolution: 90-130FPS
Rocket League Max Settings at 1440p FPS uncapped: 290-350FPS
Summary: This is an excellent PC to look into if you are looking for a great value in the gaming space for yourself or a loved one. The looks are good enough to make anyone happy, while still retaining the important user customizability features that future-proof this PC and prepare it for hours upon hours of joyful gaming for years to come. Thanks for reading and I hope this review helps point you in the right direction with your purchase!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The perfect solution for the evolving workplace, the Pro EX11000 Full HD 1080p laser projector produces a bright and vibrant display designed to maximize visibility and engagement. Cultivate collaboration during Zoom meetings and video conferences with vivid, immersive images up to 300"—all while keeping the lights on. Experience amazing clarity with 4,600 lumens of color and white brightness (1) plus, with the 20,000-hour laser light source (2) there are no lamps to replace, ever. With Best-in-Class Color Brightness (3) and a built-in 16 W speaker, the Pro EX11000 helps ensure that you won’t miss any of the important details. Offering a multitude of connectivity options, including two HDMI ports and a USB port to power popular streaming devices like Fire TV, Apple TV®, Roku, and Chromecast™ (4), the Pro EX11000 redefines versatility. With 3-chip 3LCD technology, experience remarkable color accuracy while maintaining color brightness. Featuring easy-to-use image adjustments, 1 – 1.6x optical zoom, auto vertical correction and more, you will be up and running in no time. Work better together with the Pro EX11000.
Customer Rating
5
An incredible, full-featured projector!
on July 3, 2023
Posted by: Bren
I don’t even know where to begin to explain how excellent this projector is and how glad I am to have it. This projector is as versatile as the side-hustles and business that I do. For one, I am a nursing school tutor of sorts, and I have been taking this projector with me to study rooms to meet with other students and review anatomy and physiology concepts and pharmacology. This projector balances being perfectly portable with the included soft-padded carrying case with being incredibly useful in even the brightest rooms and lit areas I have done these sessions in. The 1080p capable projector is incredibly crisp, and even a novice can learn how to adjust the size and sharpness of the image in seconds with intuitive dials. The most useful feature I have found is the image angle adjustment, where I am able to straighten out the image projected if the projector is unable to be pointed straight at the screen or whiteboard being used.
Some other cool things. The speaker is perfectly adequate and gets plenty loud on its own for a conference room of about 20-40 people in size. After that, it is worthwhile to hook up to the a/v system in the presentation room or—if you are on the go for me—I just bring a 3.5mm auxiliary cable hooked up to a Bluetooth speaker and use that for audio. Another cool thing to note is that this can be adequately powered by a relatively inexpensive portable battery like the Bluetti EB3A for about a 1-1/2 hour presentation successfully. The projector draws about 190-210 watts, so my 293wH battery bank with a 600W AC inverter powered it just fine. Another cool thing about this projector is that it worked with ease with my iPhone HDMI adapter cable (a cheap one that I got from Amazon that is powered with an iPhone lightning cable). I managed to actually plug the iPhone power cable into the USB-A port on the projector itself. Additionally, we were able to use the Bluetooth speakers hooked up to the iPhone as the audio source while we used the projector as the video source! That HDMI adapter cable managed to power and charge the iPhone while the presentation was rolling from the iPhone, and we were scrolling around Microsoft OneNote and such. Any way that I can streamline my services, I desire to do so, and this projector makes it that much easier.
At the end of the day, even though I use this and will be writing its related expenses off for business expenses, it is also fun for mixed home use too. I bought a cheap $19 dollar 100” projector screen off of Amazon and hung it in my wife and I’s bedroom and much to my delight, we were enjoying Harry Potter on our Blu-ray player hooked up to the proctor at 100” screen size!! Wow!
Altogether, I cannot recommend this projector enough. Whether you are a power user or a lighter-use self-employed professional like me, you are going to be glad you spent the money on this projector. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy this projector!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Introducing the Outdoor Premium Full-Motion TV Mount - Designed to handle the elements, this weatherproof mount is built with a corrosion-resistant coating and stainless-steel hardware for durability. 25-inches of extension offers flexible cable access, and the perfect viewing angle so you get the best seat wherever you are. Motion lock knobs keep your TV securely in place to prevent unwanted movement. With Virtual Axis(TM) fingertip tilt technology, you can tilt and swivel your TV to reduce glare and improve the viewing angle. The slim profile of this mount blends seamlessly into your décor, placing your TV just 2.74 inches from the wall for a sleek and stylish look. Upgrade your outdoor entertainment space with the perfect mount. For TVs 40"-85"
Customer Rating
5
Perfect, secure outdoor mounting solution!
on June 1, 2023
Posted by: Bren
Pros:
• Weatherproof and corrosion resistant. I live in the PNW where it rains constantly for weeks on end, so corrosion and weather-resistant finish on an outdoor mount for my back patio TV is a must. This suits the bill.
• Padlockable. We keep our TV out of sight of the neighboring yards and street, but it is good to know that even if some of the local transients or misbehaved teenagers got an idea to break into our yard, this is secured.
• Perfect tilting, pivoting, and tilting angles. You ever get that little bit of mid-afternoon glare on your TV outside and wish you could adjust the angle of the TV just a hair? Well, this stand accommodates it.
• Practically flush mount when pushed back. I am the kind of person that does not like the TV to be the centerpiece of the décor in an area, so my wife and I both like that this can sit back so flush against the wall under the awning but still be able to easily move it.
• Passes the “wife” test, in the sense that she can move it and adjust it with no coaching or help whatsoever. We have a 65” OLED TV mounted up there which is heavy and she can pivot the mount with ease.
• Padlockable. We keep our TV out of sight of the neighboring yards and street, but it is good to know that even if some of the local transients or misbehaved teenagers got an idea to break into our yard, this is secured.
• Perfect tilting, pivoting, and tilting angles. You ever get that little bit of mid-afternoon glare on your TV outside and wish you could adjust the angle of the TV just a hair? Well, this stand accommodates it.
• Practically flush mount when pushed back. I am the kind of person that does not like the TV to be the centerpiece of the décor in an area, so my wife and I both like that this can sit back so flush against the wall under the awning but still be able to easily move it.
• Passes the “wife” test, in the sense that she can move it and adjust it with no coaching or help whatsoever. We have a 65” OLED TV mounted up there which is heavy and she can pivot the mount with ease.
Cons:
• None
• None
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Meet the new Dell Inspiron 3020 Mini Tower. Experience seamless and smooth multitasking with optional graphics card for better performance and with the latest processors up to Intel 13thGen Processors. The new Inspiron Desktop comes in a compact chassis allowing it to fit anywhere in your home.
Customer Rating
5
The new Best Entry Level Everyday Desktop!
on June 1, 2023
Posted by: Bren
This new desktop tower from Best Buy offers everything your average use-case prospective desktop buyer would want in a desktop that offers blistering fast speeds while maintaining many useful, albeit antiquated features such as a DVD/CD-ROM disk drive.
This computer is the latest upgrade I have offered my grandparents and have enjoyed getting their feedback on it. They were long-time owners and users of an ancient Windows XP operating system (OS) computer that was under threat of confiscation by an archeological society to place in a museum. They were desperately in need of an upgrade but stubborn until I showed them the benefits and features of this PC.
First of all, with the OS installed on a solid-state drive (SSD) hard drive and with 8GB of random-access memory (RAM), this thing is pants sizzling fast from startup to shut down. Everything including program load times, menu navigation, and browser navigation are all fast as can be with the stats of this computer including the 10-core Intel 13th gen Core i5 CPU chip in this computer. Although there is a price to pay for these speeds, trust me when I say that this desktop is essentially demonstrative of what is usably a daily driver for most productivity and multitasking activities on computers these days. What sold them is the fact that, unlike last year’s entry-level Dell Inspiron desktop that still had the OS installed on a spinning disk hard drive, everything is ready to go right here on a commendably large 512 GB SSD hard drive to boot! This is plenty of storage for most people's needs but is easily expandable if need be, with the cheap digital and physical storage available these days!
Another easy sell of this PC was the fact that included here is a great selection of input/output (I/O) connectivity for both modern and older devices! A USB-C port is present here for the connection of devices like modern portable disk drives with USB-C cables. A full-size SD card slot is here for offloading your SD cards from cameras and more. Another aspect that made this an easy sell was the included wired mouse and keyboard. All we had to do was get an HDMI cable for their current monitor and we had them up and running in no time! Also present here is the provision for wireless internet hookup with Wi-Fi or the built-in ethernet port allows for physical connection to your internet router.
The last thing I wanted to discuss was the form factor and build quality of this computer. While the peripherals (keyboard and mouse) are a little bit flimsy in their build quality, the tower itself is excellent. It is less than 13” tall, 12” deep, 6” wide, and weighs less than 12 pounds which makes it perfect for even the smallest of desktop computer setups! Also, the mist blue color of the tower is really this almost pearlescent gray in our lighting and looks really really good!
Altogether, what is being offered here is probably the best iteration I have seen in the last few years of a truly entry-level desktop in today’s economy being offered with excellent, higher-level appointments like SSD storage that will make this thing feel blazing fast for years to come. Thanks for reading this review and let me know if it was helpful!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset was designed with the world’s best pro players to remove any barrier between you and the win. Engineered for comfort and confidence with award-winning PRO design, 50mm Graphene drivers for advanced sound quality, LIGHTSPEED wireless with up to 50-hour on a single charge, multiple connection options, clear communications with a 6mm cardioid microphone on a detachable boom arm, DTS Headphone:X 2.0 Surround Sound, improved comfortable design, and durable aluminum and steel frame.
Customer Rating
5
Incredible audio, mic needs tweaking!
on May 31, 2023
Posted by: Bren
If you need a quick summary for this review what I have said above is true. The audio is bar none compared to the previous 5 other Logitech headsets I have owned and reviewed. The only thing that I am having difficulty with at this time and that might just require further tweaking in the Ghub software is the mic audio quality. Even with Blue Voice on, I am getting really scratchy output that is grating on my friends’ ears while we are gaming. I should mention that this is while using the 2.4Ghz USB 2.4 wireless connection. I have not yet tested the quality of the mic while going over Bluetooth or 3.5mm audio jack connection, but for me, considering my daily driver is a Logitech 535 headset that is a third the cost, I would expect the mic quality to at least match that while running similar settings in the Ghub app while over 2.4Ghz connection. Most pro level gamers or enthusiasts will be running standalone microphones anyways, but I feel that on a $250 headset, I would expect better in the way of mic quality.
The build quality of the headset itself is a glorious thing to behold. Every contour and detail of the metal frame supports, earcups, and headband speaks to quality. It comes with a nice lineup of accessories and cords too, including another pair of earcups which is spectacular. All of this is packaged nicely in an environmentally friendly package with minimal plastics in the packaging except for the most critical regions, like the plastic covers of the Logitech logs on the outside of the earcups.
The battery life on the headset is exactly as advertised, I charged it when it came about a week ago and I have been using it nearly every day for at least 4 or 5 hours and I have yet to run out of battery! I am very impressed by that. I am usually around 80% volume with a mixed-use of gaming with comms through Discord, Spotify listening, and YouTube videos. Something I wanted to note is that I had to completely reinstall the GHub software to be able to have the software detect this headset and get a reading on the battery life.
The game I always test my audio with is the game Hunt Showdown. This game is a tough, pro-level shooter that requires excellent audio in order to make use of the binaural audio the developers have implemented in the game. This headset more than exceeds in this task and actually has such detailed audio on the lows especially that I have heard bass booms from explosions and notes from the theme songs that I have never heard before! Music is also another stand-out for this headset. I have not enjoyed my music on any headset I have reviewed more than this headset, and that is with EQ settings flat right out of the box!
Altogether, this headset gets a solid 4/5 recommendation from me with the mic in mind, but I will rate it as 5 stars overall since it is such a minor complaint compared to what people will really care about in terms of the audio quality from the headphones. I think that in this price range, there are headsets that might have more intuitive microphone setups and I would like to see that present here. Otherwise, it is an amazing headset bound to please any user!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Just step on this advanced clinically tested smart scale for instant feedback and highly accurate weight & weight trends, BMI, advanced full body composition (body fat and water percentage, plus muscle and bone mass), visceral fat index and cardiovascular insights to help you stay on top of your health. Every weigh-in appears in the Withings app automatically, via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth sync. And unlike many smart scales, with Wi-Fi sync, you don’t have to have your phone with you when you weigh-in to synchronize your data.
Customer Rating
5
Why did I wait so long to get one?
on May 28, 2023
Posted by: Bren
The title of my review says it: after using this for the last week and already realizing how amazing and simple for use and accountability this scale is, I am left wondering, why did I take so long to get one?
This takes the typically arduous (and, sometimes, embarrassing) process of weighing yourself and then tracking it in the Health app (for iOS) users and totally puts it on autopilot with the easy connection to the Withings app! I am already enjoying watching the trend lines of my body stats plot out and I am going to continue to enjoy it as I start working on some of my weight loss and workout goals!
Something to know, first of all, is that this new lineup of Withings smart scales is FSA/HSA eligible. This will be great for those of you wanting to use those expiring FSA funds on something beneficial to your health. Another thing to know from my experience is that while this can be a little finicky to set up with the app at first if you are any kind of tech savvy at all, you will figure it out quickly as the app guides you through the connection and Wi-Fi setup process! The only hang-up I had in the whole process was the firmware update for the scale which I had to restart when it weirdly froze in the middle of it. I just restarted it by removing one of the AAA batteries from the scale (included) and starting the setup process over again. After that, the rest of the setup was easy and I was up and rolling, able to send my wife the invite link from the app so we could get both of our profiles set up!
Now, using this scale with two or more users: could not be easier! When you step on the scale, it takes your weight and before it records it, it flashes your name up on the screen with a prompt to shift your weight right or left to move to the next name if needed to continue the setup! My wife and I are able to effortlessly change who is being tracked when we each use the scale and we are both successfully logging our stats in our separate Withings app profiles on each of our phones!
Another thing I wanted to mention is that I think that Withings needs to update the pictures on the product page for the device because the screen images look WAAAYYY better than the old black and pixelated boxes on the previous screen. I actually was astonished when I first used this scale at how nice the color screen looks listing out all of my metrics like weight, muscle mass, body fat, etc.
Altogether, this specific scale at this price point is going to offer what most people need in the way of basic body composition stats and smart tracking. Some are going to want to opt for the nearly double-in-price model that “does it all” including scanning nerves, but I did not feel that was necessary for my present health standing. Thanks for reading and I hope this review helps with some good pointers!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Oura Ring and the Oura Membership ($5.99/mo plus tax) work hand-in-hand to help you feel your best. Monitor your sleep, activity levels, temperature, stress, heart rate, and more with the most trusted Smart Ring. Whether you’re focusing on your fitness or want to improve your sleep, Oura helps you take control of your health — in style.
Customer Rating
5
An amazing tool for becoming self-aware!
on May 3, 2023
Posted by: Bren
I have been a long-time Apple Watch user and am also a Registered Nurse. Suffice it to say, I LOVE keeping track of my vital signs like my HR and SPO2 throughout the day! The only deficit I found in my utilization of the Apple Watch is that as power efficient as it is, it will not make it through a 24-hour day and therefore has to go on the charger each night when I go to bed. Another deficit of the Apple Watch is that despite the alternative bands I have purchased and used with it, it is still a rather industrial and techy-looking accessory and does not go well with business professional attire in many circumstances.
Enter the Oura Ring: Here is a health metric tracking device that not only holds up to its advertised role like a champ for almost a week straight of use between charges, but it is also a very good-looking accessory that does not particularly clash with any attire I wear on a weekly basis.
The process of ordering the ring was really cool. I was able to get the free sizing kit (ring sizes 6-13) sent straight to me, and once I had lived with the size 12 ring on my left index finger for a full 24 hours, I determined that was the preferred size I would like to go with. Of note, it is really important that you use the sizing kit, because the size while close to traditional wedding band style ring sizes differs slightly due to the sensor nubs on the inside of the ring. You may also find as you are running through your 24-hour testing period with the ring that you want to try a different size ring on a different finger. For example, I had started with the size 12 on my right index finger but quickly found that since that is my dominant hand, the ring was interfering too much with using my phone and other annoying little tasks. It was much better suited to my non-dominant hand!
Once done with choosing my ring size, I was able to log in to the Oura ring size portal with my account email, and the ring arrived at my doorstep with 3-day UPS shipping in very discrete, non-descript external packaging.
The process from the arrival and opening of the package entailed some very easy setup using the Oura App on my iPhone. I was prompted through the whole setup and was even made aware of a firmware update available on the main page of the app.
Since then, getting used to this ring in my daily routine has been really cool. It takes it a few weeks to get a good idea of your baseline heart rate (HR), sleep, and SPO2, so just give it some time to get used to you. You can spot-check your HR anytime just by going into the app and tapping the heart icon on the Heart Rate card. You will be instructed to hold still while it determines your heart rate.
An important thing to note is that as of the writing of this review, the ring does not carry the ability to “broadcast” your heart rate real time to devices like a Peloton Bike. It can communicate across your Apple Health app to look at the HR tracking during your exercise period retroactively, but you aren’t going to get a real time monitoring of your HR on the Peloton bike like you would with your Apple Watch or Whoop if I am not mistaken.
One of my favorite aspects of this ring is tracking my quality of sleep. Thus far, I have found that the ring seems highly accurate in tracking my restfulness, nighttime wakeups, and overall quality of sleep. The other night, it was way too hot in our bedroom, and I was tossing and turning. I remember thinking to myself, “The ring is probably going to show me tossing a lot and waking up”. Sure enough, it did! It also demonstrated how, as compared to the prior night, I had far less deep sleep due to this tossing and turning and experienced quite a lot of light sleep in its place. This definitely reflected in my performance during the day after as I was a little more sluggish and less refreshed when waking up. This ring can serve as a really good tool to help you address your sleeping habits, including factors like whether you are drinking caffeine too late in the day. Are you not sleeping in a cool enough room or comfortable enough bed and therefore tossing and turning a bunch? The ring has a tracking feature on the app where you “tag” when you drink your caffeinated beverages or consume other forms of caffeine which allows you to get a readout from the app if it thinks caffeine may have reduced your restfulness during your sleep. Another thing I like about the ring’s sleep tracking is that it tracks your naps really well too, and it will accordingly increase your readiness score and sleep score on the app! So, you have a bad night of sleep? Take a 25-minute cat nap to perk up a bit and the app recognizes that and updates your score to encourage your efforts!
A couple things to take note of. You really will want to read through the article linked in the app “Caring for your Oura Ring” .There are a lot of important tips on there for keeping the ring in tip-top condition, such as trying to keep the battery level from dropping below 30% and making sure not to leave it on the charger for more than a week straight (even that is pushing it). As high-tech as this ring is, it is still depending on a rechargeable battery and requires user awareness if you want to maximize the battery life of your new ring. I have found that I like to take both my wedding band and my Oura ring off when I shower so that 20-30 minutes of shower and clean up time at night is perfect for placing the Oura ring on its charger and getting it topped off while I do my personal hygiene routine before bed!
Another thing to take note of is that the stainless finish of the ring I received is prone to smudging and fingerprint collection. Keep that thing wiped off if you want it to shine and glisten in all its handsome countenance from your digit!
Altogether, this ring gets my highest recommendation as a fitness and health tracking device! You are not going to be upset you bought this. Just be aware fo the $5.99 monthly subscription fee for the ongoing app and tracking features so that it doesn’t surprise you! Best wishes and good health to you!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Swann Master-Series 4K HD 4 Dome Camera 8 Channel NVR CCTV camera security system is sure to give you peace of mind from every angle. Protect your loved ones & property with this multi-camera, wired surveillance system with everything you need to do-it-yourself or have it professionally installed. Be safe & confident as Swann outdoor home security cameras (camaras de seguridad para casa exterior) have you covered. A perfect home security system (camaras de seguridad inalambricas). See what's happening with digitally enhanced upscaling technology that provides 4K camera resolution & zoom - you won't miss a thing. Know what’s happening at any hour with powerful night vision up to 130ft in total darkness. Add 2 more home camera system (camaras de seguridad para casa) via PoE connections for full 8 channel monitoring. Enjoy local recording onto the massive 2TB hard drive with no fees ever, store months of recordings before it starts saving over older footage. Cut the cost of crime & know what’s happening with this 6 camera security system (6 camaras de seguridad) to suit large homes, offices, small businesses & retail stores. Actively prevent crime as heat & motion trigger sensor lights, mobile alerts & video recordings. Enjoy hands-free security using voice commands. Stream video from your camera via Hey Google & Chromecast, Google Home Hub, or via Alexa devices with a screen, such as Echo Spot, Echo Show or 4K Fire TV. The Master-Series weatherproof design is IP66 rated, meaning they are built to withstand rain, snow & heat, all year round. The Master-Series includes a NVR-8580 8 Channel IP NVR security system with 2TB Hard Drive, NHD-876MSD Dome Cameras security camera outdoor (x4) also can be used as indoor security camera, Cat5e Ethernet Cable x 5 (60ft/18m x 6 & 3ft/1m x 1), HDMI Cable, Power Adapter, Mouse, Mounting Screws & Plugs, Quick Start Guide and Theft Deterrent Stickers. Note: For outdoor camera wireless, please contact Swann team for support. Wireless cameras for home security & wifi camera can be found at Swann's main website.
Customer Rating
5
A best-in-class home or small biz security setup!
on May 3, 2023
Posted by: Bren
First of all, I have to say that if this is your first indoor/outdoor wired local storage network setup that you have looked at, you have come to the right place. As you do your research, you are going to find that what Swann is offering here with this Master Series Security system is practically all inclusive and that these cameras are some of the lowest profile yet highest image quality examples currently on the market. As a matter of fact, these might be one of the first ones that I would highly recommend for the inside or outside of a retail or small business environment! The reason behind this is yes, you are reading it here, NO SUBSCRIPTION FEES required!
The way a lot of the competitors on the market get you is that even when they have a local recording storage solution available, that still want to pester and nag you about signing up for their cloud storage solutions or try to get you to upgrade to higher-end security plans; playing on your fear and feelings of insecurity to try to make a buck. That is not what you will find here. With the pre-installed 2TB hard disk drive for storage, you can select 24/7 continuous recording or go with Swann’s True Detect heat/motion triggered recordings. They advertise up to 180 days and beyond of recording storage and truly I can believe it! They also offer a 1-year limited warranty so that if you get a lemon and you are beyond they typical Best Buy 14-45 day return window, you don’t have to have anxiety about being stuck with a defective item; Swann backs this up and will replace it within one year of purchase if you have problems. As a family man who has finite resources and discretionary funds to spend on a security system, that is precisely the assurance I need to make sure I feel good about this purchase. If you are looking for cloud style recordings storage, they do offer a subscription plan and/or allow you to connect your DropBox cloud storage account with this security system! That is some excellent flexibility in my book!
The 4K footage looks amazing on my 4K TV I have the network video recorder (NVR) hooked up too. I also love that I can monitor my camera system with my smart phone since I don’t always want to have to belly up to the TV and use the NVR system to look through footage. I also appreciate that this has a method for saving video clips with your Alexa or Google Assistant set up!
One of the crucial things that must be mentioned is that, yes, this is a hard-wired set up, but the only cable you will be running to each camera back to the NVR is an ethernet cable! These cameras have PoE otherwise known as Power of Ethernet! That is so fantastic as opposed to some of the setups that require you to run video cable back to the NVR AND figure out an AC plug in power source for each individual camera! For ease of setup for a hard-wired camera, this is about as good as it gets as it goes for ease of set up and reliability. Part of this is that it is relatively easy to run ethernet cable through attics, walls, etc. with simple installation tools. You can look this up on YouTube or find a local security installer to walk you through this if need be. Just note that this has a temperature lower limit of -22F for reliable functioning, so you might want to skip this if you live in those colder climates. The cameras are good up to 131 degrees F, so if you are in a hotter climate just try to keep your mounting positions out of the way of direct sunlight for those scorchers of days: your recorded video quality will thank you too!
Overall, this is truly an amazing deal for a local data NVR style hardwired security system. Hope this review has helped bring forward some good thoughts and aided your purchasing decision!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Pro-level results, easier than ever. Our best-seller, only better. The first Anova Precision Cooker launched in 2014 and started a home-cooking revolution — bringing sous vide to the masses and making Anova a household name in the process. This third generation of our flagship sous vide circulator adds key improvements, making perfect results easier to achieve than ever before.
Customer Rating
5
A technological advancement in the Sous-Vide space
on April 27, 2023
Posted by: Bren
This Sous vide cooking device is sure to elevate your cooking experience due to its ability to connect via Bluetooth AND wifi to the Anova app! This means, theoretically, you could make a quick trip around the corner to the grocery store to pick up some forgotten ingredients and get on your Anova app to check and see how your cooking progress is coming along! For dedicated Anova fans, that improvement alone could make the switch from the 1st generation or 2nd generation worth it to them!
This is a very sold, hefty piece of cooking equipment with excellent construction out of solid, long lasting feeling metals like stainless steel. I think that with this full size version, the attraction might be its ability to cook at such as huge capacity; even a 5 gallon container wouldn’t be a circulation challenge for this beast. The fact that it is not difficult to take apart and clean really helps maintain interest in it too as a sort of entry-level stand-alone sous-vide unit!
Hope some of these points help to encourage your purchasing decision, bon-chef!
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RevAir is designed to dry, stretch, smooth, and lengthen all hair types in less than half the time of traditional blow dryer / flat iron combinations. (Yes, we did say HALF the time.) Our patented technology dries hair in the natural direction of the cuticle (downward) to lock out frizz and seal in shine. And since it uses low heat, it won’t burn up your hair either. Faster, easier, healthier styling? Yes, please!
Customer Rating
5
Bulky, but very convenient for styling curly hair!
on April 27, 2023
Posted by: Bren
• The setup for wife was one that was easy to assemble, very intuitive with both the instructions and the online videos. The pieces clipped together easily. It is definitely a highly bulky machine though and takes up both counterspace and cabinet space.
• Initial use: Very easy to follow the directions: You just turn on the power and then adjust your settings according to the recommendations for your hair style and desired styling.
• To keep in mind, the wand is very bulky and heavy and the hose is very thick, so it is definitely a lot to use for a dryer. With my wife’s long and very curly hair, her arms were getting tired holding the wand up for so long to get a dry.
• A note from my wife is that although the unit is bulky as is the hose, you still can only get so many strands of hair in the dryer at a time, maybe about a half-dollar size, so it is still a lengthy process.
• My wife’s hair is 26” from scalp to tip while curly, so for her thicker hair, it is important to keep in mind that this is a very lengthy process, but she still found it to be amazing! This is the only hair dryer that she has every used that was this efficient at drying her hair and straightening it than anything else she has ever used! It only took her a few passes on her hair to figure out what tension and temperature she needed to use to achieve straight, dry hair. She had to go up to the highest tension (7) in order to achieve her results.
• Initial use: Very easy to follow the directions: You just turn on the power and then adjust your settings according to the recommendations for your hair style and desired styling.
• To keep in mind, the wand is very bulky and heavy and the hose is very thick, so it is definitely a lot to use for a dryer. With my wife’s long and very curly hair, her arms were getting tired holding the wand up for so long to get a dry.
• A note from my wife is that although the unit is bulky as is the hose, you still can only get so many strands of hair in the dryer at a time, maybe about a half-dollar size, so it is still a lengthy process.
• My wife’s hair is 26” from scalp to tip while curly, so for her thicker hair, it is important to keep in mind that this is a very lengthy process, but she still found it to be amazing! This is the only hair dryer that she has every used that was this efficient at drying her hair and straightening it than anything else she has ever used! It only took her a few passes on her hair to figure out what tension and temperature she needed to use to achieve straight, dry hair. She had to go up to the highest tension (7) in order to achieve her results.
Overall, for the right customer with plenty of counter space or storage space for this Rev-Air dryer, this is an excellent buy. Just be prepared to handle the weight and bulk of it and you will be good to go!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The HP Smart Tank 7001 supertank printer makes printing seamless from start to finish for the whole family with a high-capacity refillable ink tank and wireless connectivity. Create outstanding-quality color documents at a low cost with up to two years of Original HP Ink included in the box.
Is it supported by Big Sur Op System? Does it work with airprint?
It does work with airprint! I am having no problems on my Apple MBP currently :)
2 years, 5 months ago
by
Bren
The Canon imageFORMULA R10 portable document scanner is simple to set up and easy to use, anywhere. Easily convert paper documents to searchable digital files, using the built-in software, to get and stay organized.
Does this product scan both sides of a document? Is this user friendly? Thank you
Yes, it does scan both sides of a document and a card! I found it to be extremely user friendly, I just had to be patient with the updates to the software and firmware upon first setting it up :)
2 years, 5 months ago
by
Bren
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.
Can the key caps be switched out with other key caps
Yes! They are compatible with most Cherry MX keycaps! From Steelseries' Blog post on the hybrid mechanical switches, "Like a blue switch, it registers a keypress with a click at 2mm, bottoms out at 4mm, and requires 50cn of force to press. Because it is a mechanical switch, you can even put aftermarket keycaps on them"
4 years, 1 month ago
by
Bren
The PRO headset from Logitech G is designed with and for esports pros. Aluminum forks, steel headband, and memory foam and premium leatherette head and ear pads keep you comfortable through marathon training and competition sessions. Pro-G 50mm drivers deliver incredibly accurate audio with improved bass response. The advanced USB DAC has a five-band onboard EQ that can be programmed via G HUB software with settings from your favorite esports pros. Pro-tuned, detachable boom mic with wind screen and pop filter ensures your comms are crystal clear. Designed for PC.
do these work for ps4?
Yes, the cable will plug into your PS4 controller and be good to go for use for audio and microphone use, no problem!
4 years, 9 months ago
by
Bren
With its Bluetooth interface, this Logitech MX Anywhere 2 910-004373 wireless mouse enables you to pair with up to 3 Bluetooth Smart Ready devices simultaneously. Darkfield Laser Tracking technology allows operation on most surfaces, including glass.
Does this product work for gaming?
Extremely well, depending on your needs. I use it for battlefield 1 and Doom and I love it. The programable buttons work awesome. For RPGs you may want a mouse that has more programable buttons, depending on your style :) If that is the case, I recommend the one's below:
Products from my answer
Razer - Naga Epic Chroma Wireless MMO Gaming Mouse - Black
(315)
Razer - Naga Hex V2 Wired Laser Gaming Mouse with Chroma Lighting - Black
(188)
Razer - Naga Chroma USB MMO Gaming Mouse - Black
(903)7 years, 1 month ago
by
Bren
Razer Blade Laptop: Developed in partnership with Intel and NVIDIA, the Razer Blade delivers performance to run the most demanding games of today. Powered by an Intel Core i7 quad-core CPU, NVIDIA GeForce graphics processor and a 14" LED display, you'll be blown away by the immersive visuals of your games in crisp high definition 1080p.The Razer Blade features 6th Gen. Intel Core i7 quad-core processor. This ensures your games and media playback run with powerful processing performance anywhere, anytime.The Razer Blade features a high-performance NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPU. This means you play games the way they were meant to be played, with fluid frame rates and rich DirectX 12 graphics, and in VR.With NVIDIA Optimus technology, the Razer Blade combines great performance and great battery life by intelligently delivering power only when you need it, and conserving it when you don't.
Is this with QHD or Full HD?
Razer Blade Laptop: Developed in partnership with Intel and NVIDIA, the Razer Blade delivers performance to run the most demanding games of today. Powered by an Intel Core i7 quad-core CPU, NVIDIA GeForce graphics processor and a 14" LED display, you'll be blown away by the immersive visuals of your games in crisp high definition 1080p.The Razer Blade features 6th Gen. Intel Core i7 quad-core processor. This ensures your games and media playback run with powerful processing performance anywhere, anytime.The Razer Blade features a high-performance NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPU. This means you play games the way they were meant to be played, with fluid frame rates and rich DirectX 12 graphics, and in VR.With NVIDIA Optimus technology, the Razer Blade combines great performance and great battery life by intelligently delivering power only when you need it, and conserving it when you don't.
is this the newest one razer blade?
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.
How long does the battery last and can the ram be upgrade
Battery has averaged 2.5 to 3 hours under normal use and 1 hour or so with gaming (as should be expected in any gaming laptop, really). The RAM can be upgraded given you are patient and careful when you unscrew and pry open the back. 8GB of 2133Mhz RAM is what it has stock in one of the two available slots.
7 years, 4 months ago
by
Bren
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.
will programs be installed on the ssd before the hdd
Yes, they will be. By default to allow quick bootup and accessing times. You can select the 1TB "D" drive though when you are downloading. I keep all of my games on the 1TB drive and it has worked perfectly.
7 years, 4 months ago
by
Bren
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.