explore42's stats
- Review count187
- Helpfulness votes611
- First reviewFebruary 26, 2016
- Last reviewNovember 6, 2025
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.3
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- Answer count24
- Helpfulness votes239
- First answerFebruary 26, 2016
- Last answerDecember 23, 2021
- Featured answers0
- Best answers8
Pairs perfectly with LG OLED B4, C4 and G4 series TVs. Welcome to 7-channel heaven! Give yourself the home theater setup you~ve always dreamed about with rich, immersive sound, exceptional clarity and intense bass. The S90TR 7.1.3ch, features a powerful array of left, right, center, rear speakers, plus subwoofer, that will transform how you experience your favorite entertainment.
Customer Rating
4
Good Sound Quality with some Shortcomings
on August 1, 2024
Posted by: explore42
By the specs this soundbar should really rock the house down. It supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, WOW Orchestra if your LG TV supports it, two wireless remote speakers and a wireless subwoofer to provide a 3D sound field using 13 speakers. In reality the sound quality is good with better than average surround sound but the bass is weak. Set up is simple, everything attaches wirelessly with minimal intervention but relying on cryptic LEDs vs a display makes operating the soundbar less friendly. There is a lot to like about this soundbar but it also has some shortcomings that can be disappointing.
The speakers in the soundbar provide solid mids and highs with the up-firing speakers creating a noticeable 3d affect. The lack of bass became apparent while playing the opening scene from Top Gun. The subwoofer lacks the ability to provide punchy deep bass which instead comes out slightly muffled. Bottom line is the subwoofer sound quality is a notch below the sound quality of the soundbar.
The lack of a display or the ability to use your tv to configure the soundbar can make configuring and operating the soundbar more frustrating than it needed to be. Instead of a status display it has a set of LEDs that can be very difficult to interpret unless you have the manual in your hands. LG does offer voice command assistance and the LG Soundbar mobile app, but a status display would have provided better help especially for those not familiar with the soundbar or app.
The subwoofer is side firing which means the left side as its facing you has to be open to provide bass. If you plan on putting it alongside a credenza it can only sit on the left side facing outward.
LG gives you total control over the volume and tonal quality of the soundbar and remote speakers using the LG Soundbar app. There are eight pre-set equalizers you can select from as well as set the overall treble, mid-range and bass frequencies. I found that the Cinema preselect offered the best sound quality, but I also increased the subwoofer volume and soundbar bass to try to add some oomph to the sound effects. The app also allows you to control the volume on specific speakers to give you total control over the overall sound stage.
The remote is a lot like the LG TV remote with its high polished black plastic case. It is functional and simplistic. You can change the volume and mute, select the input source, change the preset equalizer and tonal quality. When doing this you have to rely on the voice assistant or cryptic LEDs to know what you are changing.
The soundbar supports Alex and Google assistants as well as Airplay 2 and Chromecast. You can also stream to the soundbar using Bluetooth or Tidal or Spotify services.
The soundbar is reasonably attractive but the front grill isn’t the sturdiest and under the right light mine shows ripples and inconsistencies in the grill.
The subwoofer is side firing which means the left side as its facing you has to be open to provide bass. If you plan on putting it alongside a credenza it can only sit on the left side facing outward.
LG gives you total control over the volume and tonal quality of the soundbar and remote speakers using the LG Soundbar app. There are eight pre-set equalizers you can select from as well as set the overall treble, mid-range and bass frequencies. I found that the Cinema preselect offered the best sound quality, but I also increased the subwoofer volume and soundbar bass to try to add some oomph to the sound effects. The app also allows you to control the volume on specific speakers to give you total control over the overall sound stage.
The remote is a lot like the LG TV remote with its high polished black plastic case. It is functional and simplistic. You can change the volume and mute, select the input source, change the preset equalizer and tonal quality. When doing this you have to rely on the voice assistant or cryptic LEDs to know what you are changing.
The soundbar supports Alex and Google assistants as well as Airplay 2 and Chromecast. You can also stream to the soundbar using Bluetooth or Tidal or Spotify services.
The soundbar is reasonably attractive but the front grill isn’t the sturdiest and under the right light mine shows ripples and inconsistencies in the grill.
SetUp: Connecting the wireless speakers to the soundbar is straight forward and worked flawlessly. Once I plugged in the remote speakers and sub I plugged in the soundbar which then found the wireless speakers and automatically paired with them. There is a green LED on each speaker’s back to let you know its paired with the soundbar. Once all the speakers were paired I added the soundbar in the LG Soundbar app. The soundbar has an HDMI, HDMI eARC/ARC port, a USB-A port and a fiber optic input. I used the provided HDMI cable and connected the eARC ports on the soundbar to my TV. Once connected the soundbar and TV worked in union with no issues at all. Using the LG Soundbar app I tried to perform the AI room configuration but for whatever reason it wouldn’t work for me. Because the Soundbar app gives you total control of each speaker’s volume I was able to set up the audio quality to maximize the sound fields from my viewing area.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Open new roads with twice the filtering accuracy and the best performance in its class. The ESCORT MAX 4 radar detector is your passport to worry-free journeys and unforgettable driving experiences.
Posted by: explore42
I have been relying on Escort detectors for a long time and the Escort Max 4 is worth upgrading to. My usual drive is around 45 miles depending on whether I drive direct or take the loop around town. After nearly a week of driving these routes I have come to really like this radar detector. Because it learns the locations of the false alerts after the second or third drive I noticed a major decrease in the number of false alerts and my ride was much quieter. The display is recessed so it is easy to read even in bright sunlight and the alert tones can be loud enough to scare you. The built-in voice alerts are intelligible and again can be set loud enough to be heard over music playing. The display without the Drive Smarter app engaged shows your Overspeed setting, your current speed, the radar band detected and a signal strength bar. In Expert mode the signal strength bar area will show the signal strength separately from the front and the rear. While this isn’t quite as nice as having arrow indicators for the alert direction it does help indicate where the alert is coming from. According to the literature this Max 4 has twice the accuracy with exceptional detection range. I cannot tell you how accurate that is but, on my drives, so far it has given me alerts early enough for me to react. And the best part is the number of false alerts are minimized now so I find myself paying closer attention to the actual alerts. I still get some false alerts, but they are far fewer than before. Bottom line is that if your current detector is getting old or if you are looking for a new radar detector then this Escort Max 4 is definitely one to consider.
The Drive Smarter App has drastically improved over the last time I tried to use it. Using Bluetooth it quickly found the Max 4 and I was able to set up the Max 4 to meet my requirements. You can fully configure the Max 4 using the app and it worked reliably for me. The Drive Smarter app also allows you to navigate using the app which works reasonably well but if you are using Apple Play it will also integrate into it. The app gives you ample warnings based on driver supported reports of the highway conditions. I found myself using the app even when I wasn’t navigating to get the additional highway reports.
Installing the Escort was straightforward. I used a UBC cable and connected the detector to my computer. I downloaded the Escort Detector Tools and updated the Max 4 to the latest firmware and database. The windshield mount was easy to install and the magnetic connector held the Max 4 without issue. The SmartCord was long enough to reach my lighter but you can get an optional direct wiring kit if you would rather wire the detector without using your lighter outlet.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The most flexible laptop, reimagined ~ Surface Pro helps you get the most out of your day with accelerated performance that unlocks a new AI era to enable Copilot experiences, and battery life~ to keep you going all-day long. All wrapped up in an ultra-portable design that can replace your tablet, your laptop, and does more than you could ever imagine.
Posted by: explore42
There are some real advantages and a few disadvantages to this Surface Pro 11. You get the portability and long battery life of a tablet with the processing power of a laptop. Beyond this you get the cutting edge AI capabilities offered by Microsoft and possible AI applications that are just being released. But you also have to worry about possible compatibility issues due to the ARM64 architecture used in the Surface Pro especially if you are a gamer. Most programs are written to run on the older x64 architecture but more programs are now being written to run the Windows-on-Arm (ARM64) natively. Those that are not native to ARM64 use Microsoft’s emulation software to operate but this is not the preferred approach. Overall this Surface Pro 11 matched with the Surface Pro keyboard provides an opening into the AI computing world and the ARM64 architecture. How significant this Surface Pro is over other Windows x64 capable devices will be determined as more AI apps are released and more apps become ARM64 compatible.
Here are the benefits as I see them:
- The new Snapdragon Plus has 10 Cores and scored high in Geekbench testing see below
- The display is a touch screen with a resolution of 2880 x 1920 with a 120 hz refresh rate
- There are two USB-C ports and a proprietary power port
- It comes with 16 gb of DDR 5 memory but this memory also gets used to support video processing and it’s not upgradeable
- There is a 512 GB SSD that can be easily upgraded but not necessary for most uses
- Front and rear facing cameras for conferencing
- Matched with the Surface Pro keyboard it becomes a competitive Windows laptop
- Wi-Fi 7 wireless capabilities
Here are the benefits as I see them:
- The new Snapdragon Plus has 10 Cores and scored high in Geekbench testing see below
- The display is a touch screen with a resolution of 2880 x 1920 with a 120 hz refresh rate
- There are two USB-C ports and a proprietary power port
- It comes with 16 gb of DDR 5 memory but this memory also gets used to support video processing and it’s not upgradeable
- There is a 512 GB SSD that can be easily upgraded but not necessary for most uses
- Front and rear facing cameras for conferencing
- Matched with the Surface Pro keyboard it becomes a competitive Windows laptop
- Wi-Fi 7 wireless capabilities
Here are some counter points as I experienced them:
- If you are gamer its best to research your games. Using my Steam library War Thunder and Forza 5 will not play but Humans Fall Flat worked fine. In time I expect more games to be compatible.
- The lack of a dedicated GPU means the 16 GB of memory is shared for video and cpu processing and accounts for the poor benchmarking scores for video see below
- Not all the popular programs run natively in ARM64 as can be checked in Task Manager
- If you are gamer its best to research your games. Using my Steam library War Thunder and Forza 5 will not play but Humans Fall Flat worked fine. In time I expect more games to be compatible.
- The lack of a dedicated GPU means the 16 GB of memory is shared for video and cpu processing and accounts for the poor benchmarking scores for video see below
- Not all the popular programs run natively in ARM64 as can be checked in Task Manager
Overall Thoughts:
The Surface Pro does not come with a keyboard or pen, its more tablet than laptop. After using it though I would highly recommend purchasing the Microsoft Surface Pro keyboard because it really adds to the overall value and use of the Surface Pro. The keyboard magnetically connects to the Surface Pro so you remove it when you want a tablet or install it when you want a laptop. The display and speakers are good and typical of what you get in a laptop in this price range. The kickstand allows you to adjust the viewing angle to your preference. The touch screen is responsive and using the optional Slim Pen 2 enhances the capabilities. The proprietary power plug has a magnetic attachment but it still seems to come undone too easily. I am a fan of CoPilot so having AI capabilities built in makes this even better. So far the only issues I have had are that many of my games are not compatible. I continue to research and monitor which programs work on Windows-on-Arm natively and which are being emulated. So far McAfee, Steam Client, DuckDuckGo and HP Smart are not native to ARM64 and are being emulated but work just fine. You can check this by viewing the Details tab in the Task Manager and looking for x64 vs ARM64. Before I install any new programs I use CoPilot to help research any compatibility issues because the emulation can cause problems. I have also used CoPilot to give me a list of the best AI programs to explore based upon my interest and I am just starting to look into those.
The Surface Pro does not come with a keyboard or pen, its more tablet than laptop. After using it though I would highly recommend purchasing the Microsoft Surface Pro keyboard because it really adds to the overall value and use of the Surface Pro. The keyboard magnetically connects to the Surface Pro so you remove it when you want a tablet or install it when you want a laptop. The display and speakers are good and typical of what you get in a laptop in this price range. The kickstand allows you to adjust the viewing angle to your preference. The touch screen is responsive and using the optional Slim Pen 2 enhances the capabilities. The proprietary power plug has a magnetic attachment but it still seems to come undone too easily. I am a fan of CoPilot so having AI capabilities built in makes this even better. So far the only issues I have had are that many of my games are not compatible. I continue to research and monitor which programs work on Windows-on-Arm natively and which are being emulated. So far McAfee, Steam Client, DuckDuckGo and HP Smart are not native to ARM64 and are being emulated but work just fine. You can check this by viewing the Details tab in the Task Manager and looking for x64 vs ARM64. Before I install any new programs I use CoPilot to help research any compatibility issues because the emulation can cause problems. I have also used CoPilot to give me a list of the best AI programs to explore based upon my interest and I am just starting to look into those.
Setup and Testing:
Once I charged the Surface Pro and attached the Surface Pro keyboard I updated all the software and set the System power setting to Performance. I then ran it through several benchmark test including Geekbench 6 and 3DMark. The Geekbench scores were comparable to laptops that I own with Intel i7 and AMD R9 processors so this has great computing power. But without a dedicated GPU the video scores were quite low. For 3DMark I tested using the new Steel Nomad Light which is geared towards Windows-on-ARM laptops. Because this software is so new it does not give fps scores for various games yet.
Once I charged the Surface Pro and attached the Surface Pro keyboard I updated all the software and set the System power setting to Performance. I then ran it through several benchmark test including Geekbench 6 and 3DMark. The Geekbench scores were comparable to laptops that I own with Intel i7 and AMD R9 processors so this has great computing power. But without a dedicated GPU the video scores were quite low. For 3DMark I tested using the new Steel Nomad Light which is geared towards Windows-on-ARM laptops. Because this software is so new it does not give fps scores for various games yet.
Geekbench 6
Single Core = 2453
Multi Core = 13191
Open CL = 19743
Vulcan 23542
Single Core = 2453
Multi Core = 13191
Open CL = 19743
Vulcan 23542
3DMARK
3DMARK score for Steel Nomad Light Graphics = 1965
3DMARK Steel Nomad Graphics test = 14.56 fps
3DMARK score for Steel Nomad Light Graphics = 1965
3DMARK Steel Nomad Graphics test = 14.56 fps
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Next-level versatility comes in the perfect pair ~ Surface Slim Pen (2nd Edition) stores securely and recharges in the premium keyboard, featuring a large glass touchpad and luxurious, Alcantara material covering. Ready to pair with Surface Pro (11th Edition), Surface Pro 9 and Surface Pro 8.*
Customer Rating
4
Good Match for the Surface Pro
on July 2, 2024
Posted by: explore42
This keyboard is a good match for the Surface Pro. It provides all the features and functionality you get in a typical laptop keyboard including back lit keys! The touch pad size is typical for a laptop this size and is responsive to the touch. The downsides are that the keyboard has to be attached to the Surface to work and the combination of Surface Pro’s kickstand and this keyboard make it a tad less stable when used on a lap. On a solid surface its great and highly recommended.
The keyboard attaches to the surface via two mounting fingers on the base along with a strong magnetic attraction. The magnetic connection between the two is quite strong so there is no concern with accidental disconnects. When closed the keyboard magnetically attaches to the Surface Pro so it looks and feels like a very thin laptop. The electrical connection is via connectors on one of the fingers in the base and the keyboard must be attached to the Surface Pro for it to work. The keyboard is stiff enough to type on and the keys provide good feedback when pressed so you can type with confidence. There are three levels of brightness for the key caps which is very helpful in low light conditions. There is some flex in the material between the base and the Surface so it can wobble when not placed on a solid surface. I also noticed some flex when using the touchpad buttons when the keyboard was not on a solid surface. The base has a storage area that charges the Slim Pen when not in use. For me this is a great advantage because in the past whenever I needed my pen it was always low on battery life. Also the storage area becomes hidden when the keyboard is raised into the typing position. I am still getting used to the flat pen but one advantage is that it has a magnet so you can set it down on the palm rest and it sticks. The Slim Pen 2 has two buttons that allow you to perform various task in some applications. There is also an led that lets you know when the pen is low on battery.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![McAfee - McAfee+ Advanced Family (Unlimited Devices) Antivirus Software, Scam Protection (1-Year Subscription with Auto-Renewal) - Android, Apple iOS, Chrome, Mac OS, Windows [Digital]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/33ece829-c3d6-4c3f-b1bf-ebf603dc5021.jpg)
McAfee+ Advanced ~ Advanced Protection for Your Family's Digital Life. In today's digital age, protecting your personal information and devices from cyber threats and scams is more critical than ever. McAfee+ Advanced offers the most comprehensive protection available, giving you peace of mind knowing that your identity, privacy, and devices are secure. We'll warn you about potential text, email, and video scams. With Scam Detector, powered by AI, you can bid farewell to the worry of falling victim to fraudulent text messages and emails. Our detector identifies risky content, including deepfake videos, to prevent financial fraud and safeguard your personal information. McAfee+ Advanced provides robust identity theft protection features to safeguard your personal information. Our identity monitoring service keeps a watchful eye on your credit files, bank accounts, and other sensitive data, alerting you to any suspicious activity. In the event that you become a victim of identity theft, McAfee+ Advanced has you covered. Our licensed identity restoration experts will work tirelessly to restore your identity, and our $1M identity theft coverage provides financial protection against losses incurred due to identity theft. McAfee+ Advanced goes beyond traditional antivirus software to protect your online privacy. Our Personal Data Cleanup feature scans the internet for your personal information, such as your address, phone number, and email address, and removes it from data broker sites that may sell it. Our Online Account Cleanup tool helps you manage your online accounts and remove any unused or compromised accounts. You can browse the internet with confidence, knowing that our Secure VPN encrypts your online activity and prevents hackers from accessing your personal data. Social Privacy Manager helps you control your social media privacy settings so you can be in control of what you share. McAfee+ Advanced provides comprehensive security for all your devices, including PCs, Macs, smartphones, and tablets. Our antivirus feature protects your devices from malware, viruses, and other online threats. Plus it includes Parental Controls to help you keep your kids safer online by blocking bad content and letting you monitor their online activity. With McAfee+ Advanced, you can rest assured that your family's devices are protected.
Posted by: explore42
If you have a family you quickly realize that the typical five or even ten device coverage isn’t enough when everyone has a phone, tablet and laptop. With the unlimited device coverage with this software you no longer have to worry about that. Since it’s McAfee you know you are getting good anti-virus, spam and firewall software but this version goes beyond that. It offers an insight into how much your personal information has been exposed based upon the information you give it. This is when I realized an old email address of mine has gone viral being found in over 60 data breaches and some of them included sensitive information. This search result was from just inputting my email address but McAfee allows you to search on numerous things such as phone numbers, email addresses, bank accounts and many other aspects of your personal information. The software provides you with a summary of the data breach and suggestions on how to protect yourself. There is also a report that shows where your personal data is held and McAfee automatically sends request to remove it. Besides these personal security features the software includes browsing protection, parental controls and coverage for Android, Apple and Windows devices. Overall I feel confident that McAfee is actively protecting my family.
All is not perfect however. When I tried to install this new version over and older version that had a month left in the subscription it would only install the old version. I had to delete the old version and then I was given the option to install the new version. Secondly the only way to install the software is by providing a credit card for auto renew which is quite expensive. Lastly McAfee provides a Security Score that for me was based more upon the personal data information versus how well the software was set up to protect my computing environment.
All is not perfect however. When I tried to install this new version over and older version that had a month left in the subscription it would only install the old version. I had to delete the old version and then I was given the option to install the new version. Secondly the only way to install the software is by providing a credit card for auto renew which is quite expensive. Lastly McAfee provides a Security Score that for me was based more upon the personal data information versus how well the software was set up to protect my computing environment.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Turtle Beach~ Stealth~ 600 wireless multiplatform gaming headset for Windows PCs, PS5~ & PS4~, Steam Deck~ and mobile is refreshed and powered up for a third generation of gaming domination. With a history atop the wireless console headset charts, the Stealth~ 600 enters its 3rd Generation with a model designed exclusively for PC gamers. Experience low-latency wireless connectivity on PC & PlayStation~ consoles, plus built-in Bluetooth~ lets you connect directly to mobile devices. Plus, switching between 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth~ connections is made easy using the QuickSwitch button located conveniently on the headset. And only for the PC model, Waves 3D Audio lets you fine tune every aspect of your audio for complete immersion on your favorite titles. Be unstoppable with a best-in-class, 80-hour battery life featuring quick charge so you can get back in the game right away. Completely redesigned for the third generation of the Stealth 600, the all-new uni-directional, flip-to-mute microphone features A.I. noise reduction to ensure ultra-clear mic quality with the quietest background possible. Using the Swarm~ II desktop software for PC, or mobile app for iOS & Android devices, you can adjust noise gate, sensitivity, monitoring levels, and choose from four different mic presets, or even make your own with a custom 10-band microphone EQ. Clear comms are nothing if you can~t hear every vital game detail, so the Stealth~ 600 is packed with the legendary 50mm Nanoclear~ drivers for precise, detailed spatial audio quality. Plus, with Waves 3D Audio, a feature exclusively available in PC mode, you can customize your audio even further, for perfectly dialed-in audio immersion. And with the Swarm~ II app, you can cycle through four audio EQ presets, create up to five custom presets with a 10-band EQ, adjust game & chat volume mix, plus activate, or adjust Turtle Beach~ exclusive Advanced Superhuman Hearing~ sound setting. Play for hours in total comfort with a pressure-relieving, ultra-comfortable design. Memory foam ear cushions wrapped in athletic-weave fabric keep your ears cool and cozy over extended game sessions. Plus, the cushions feature ProSpecs~ glasses relief technology, so whether you wear gaming or prescription glasses, you~ll enjoy the same great comfort. For added customization, you can remap the secondary wheel & mode button on the headset to distinct functions to better suit your gameplay. And the Stealth 600 is built for long-lasting, comfortable use with an adjustable, lay-flat design.
Customer Rating
4
Immersive Sound with hard to Distinguish Controls
on June 16, 2024
Posted by: explore42
Overall these headphones provide better sound quality than I expected for gaming and for listening to music. They are reasonably comfortable for long gaming sessions and although they have a tight fit they never felt hot. I liked the visual and vocal status indicators and Swarm software made me feel that I had total control of the headphones. The major downside for me was that all the controls were on the left earcup and I found them hard to distinguish. When reaching to adjust the volume I would hit the configurable wheel control instead or when trying to find the mode button I would hit something else.
Pros:
- Solid build quality and comfortable to wear
- Good overall sound quality with equalizer settings and presets
- Bluetooth and Wireless connectivity was never an issue and easy to flip between
- Noise Cancelling microphone helps eliminate room noise
- Voice and Audio notifications update you on the status
- Great battery life
- Solid build quality and comfortable to wear
- Good overall sound quality with equalizer settings and presets
- Bluetooth and Wireless connectivity was never an issue and easy to flip between
- Noise Cancelling microphone helps eliminate room noise
- Voice and Audio notifications update you on the status
- Great battery life
Cons:
- The control buttons are hard to distinguish and can be frustrating at times
- Lacks true Noise Cancellation for room isolation
- The headphones do not fold flat for easy storage
- The control buttons are hard to distinguish and can be frustrating at times
- Lacks true Noise Cancellation for room isolation
- The headphones do not fold flat for easy storage
Performance: The overall sound quality of these headphones is outstanding for a headphone in this price range. The mids and highs are very clear and the bass is good even without using the bass boost. The software has an equalizer built in so you can set up a personal profile to meet your listening needs or you can use one of the presets that is included in the software. The profiles really work out well for gaming because you can set up different profiles per game type. When playing War Thunder I felt like the sound accuracy and clarity was a notch above many other headphones that I have owned. When playing Sniper Elite I can’t say if it was the “Super Human Hearing” option or just the overall quality of the audio that made me feel like I had a better perspective of where and what was coming noise wise. Either way these headphones are great for gaming as well as listening to music.
Fit and Feel / Operation: The headphones have a tight fit but I found that the fabric covered foam earcups kept it from being an issue. Due to the tight fit outside room noise is minimized but not fully eliminated. The top support arm is well padded and I didn’t notice it while wearing the headphones. The microphone boon is self-storing into the left earcup and is easy to access and deploy. The controls are all located on the left earcup. There is are two rotary dials (volume and a configurable wheel) and four buttons (power, mode, Bluetooth pairing, Bluetooth/Wireless connectivity). Because of the arrangement and the sunken nature of the buttons I found them harder to find and differentiate than I would have liked. The headphones use a combination of verbal updates and somewhat intuitive beeps to provide status information. The led on the headphone and wireless adaptor change colors to give status as well.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Make sure that your accessories can keep up with your busy lifestyle. The Insignia Stainless Steel Mesh Band for Apple Watch 42mm, 44mm, 45mm, SE (1-3), Ultra 49mm and Ultra 2 49mm combines flexible mesh with durable stainless steel, giving you the best of both worlds. Lug attachments keep the band connected to your watch throughout the day, while a magnetic closure keeps the band snugly on your wrist. It adjusts anywhere between 5.7 to 9.8 inches, ensuring a comfortable fit regardless of your wrist size. Take on the challenges of everyday life by upgrading your watch band today.
Posted by: explore42
As soon as my wife saw and felt this watch band she announced that she wanted it! Now I have to order another one for me. The band is a fine stainless steel mesh so it feels flexible without feeling fragile. I actually find this much more comfortable than the Apple sports band that the watch came with because it conforms better to my wrist. Also because it uses a strong magnet as a clasping mechanism I can adjust the fit perfectly – no more its too tight or too loose feeling. The magnetic clasp is easy to engage/disengage and it tightly clings to the band keeping the watch safe. Overall this band looks refined and is perfect for the office and daily use. I wear my watch daily and even to bed and I have not had any issue with the watch coming loose or undone. The band has openings in the stainless steel mesh that helps keep the band cool. The only concern with this band is that it is a one-size-fits -all and for someone who has very small wrist or very large wrist might find the band sizing an issue.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The ROG Zephyrus G14 has been redesigned with an all-new premium aluminum chassis for increased durability and elegance. At 0.63 inches thin and weighing in at just 3.31lbs, this gaming powerhouse combines portability with cutting-edge technology. Featuring Windows 11 and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, the Zephyrus G14 achieves unparalleled gaming performance. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor further enhances productivity with 16 TOPS in AI Performance. The Zephyrus G14 features an OLED ROG Nebula Display. Enjoy rapid 0.2ms response times, vivid 3K resolution, and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Elevate your audio experience with new upgraded woofers, offering a 252% volume increase, 100Hz bass frequency, and Dolby Atmos support. For intense gaming sessions, the ROG Intelligent Cooling integrates liquid metal and aerodynamic 2nd Gen Arc Flow Fans to sustain peak performance.
Customer Rating
5
Powerful with Beautiful Display but Can get Hot
on April 22, 2024
Posted by: explore42
Bottom Line: Even though this Asus G14 Zephyrus laptop is super light and thin it still performs as a great gaming and business laptop. The OLED display is really spectacular due to its rich color, contrast and details and this was evident as soon as I started up Forza Horizon 5. Any game with high quality graphics will really excel on this laptop. The only concern I have is that this laptop does get hot when pressed to the gaming limits – see my comments below.
Here are things that you need to know about this laptop’s performance and upgradability
- This OLED display has 3k ( 2880 x 1800) resolution with a 120 hz refresh rate. The Nvidia 4070 supports G-Sync so its game ready.
- The CPU is the new Ryzen R9 8945 HS cpu which has 8 cores and 16 threads.
- There are two USB 3.2A ports, one USB 3.2C port and one USB 4.0C port. There is also a proprietary power port and a micro SD card slot.
- Because the laptop is so slim the rear exhaust vents are not very big so the laptop goes from slightly warm when web surfing or doing office type work to downright hot when gaming intensely. I measured 116 F degrees on the area directly above the center of the keyboard while gaming and running some test. While this wont burn you its not something you will leave your hand on for very long. The top row of keys got warm but the rest of the keys were fine. Note that during my stress testing the cpu hit 95 C degrees even with the fans running on high and the laptop on a flat surface. See the Time Spy photo for temp ranges.
- The laptop comes with 32 gb of 6400 Mz ram in the form of four DDR5 8 gb sticks. This provides quad channel memory which is great for gaming but Note that the ram is soldered into the motherboard and cannot be replaced or upgraded.
- The laptop comes with a 1tb NVMe drive and there are no open slots to add additional storage. Mine came with a WD SN560 drive and it was covered with a heat sink shroud. (See Photo) Accessing the drive is easy and you can replace the existing drive with a higher capacity drive if necessary.
- The laptop has venting holes in the bottom as well as the back. Due to the slim design the base feet are small which means the vent holes in the base do not sit very high off the surface for air flow. When you game or drive the cpu/gpu hard you need to make sure the laptop is seated on a flat surface and that vents are not blocked. If you are using it on your lap the heat is enough to remind you to move it onto something besides your legs.
- The keyboard keys are low profile and feel soft but they do provide decent feedback when pressed. The touch pad is large, responsive and has a fairly quiet click when engaged. Using Armoury Crate you can set the RGB lighting and modes for the keys as well as set the mode for the while LED strip in the lid.
- The speakers perform better than you would expect from such a thin laptop. When playing movies, music and gaming I found the soundstage and sound quality to be surprisingly good.
- There are four customizable keys that can be configured in the Armoury Crate app. They are defaulted to speaker volume up and down, Microphone on/off and Launch the Armoury Crate app. You can also use Armoury Crate to create key macros.
- This OLED display has 3k ( 2880 x 1800) resolution with a 120 hz refresh rate. The Nvidia 4070 supports G-Sync so its game ready.
- The CPU is the new Ryzen R9 8945 HS cpu which has 8 cores and 16 threads.
- There are two USB 3.2A ports, one USB 3.2C port and one USB 4.0C port. There is also a proprietary power port and a micro SD card slot.
- Because the laptop is so slim the rear exhaust vents are not very big so the laptop goes from slightly warm when web surfing or doing office type work to downright hot when gaming intensely. I measured 116 F degrees on the area directly above the center of the keyboard while gaming and running some test. While this wont burn you its not something you will leave your hand on for very long. The top row of keys got warm but the rest of the keys were fine. Note that during my stress testing the cpu hit 95 C degrees even with the fans running on high and the laptop on a flat surface. See the Time Spy photo for temp ranges.
- The laptop comes with 32 gb of 6400 Mz ram in the form of four DDR5 8 gb sticks. This provides quad channel memory which is great for gaming but Note that the ram is soldered into the motherboard and cannot be replaced or upgraded.
- The laptop comes with a 1tb NVMe drive and there are no open slots to add additional storage. Mine came with a WD SN560 drive and it was covered with a heat sink shroud. (See Photo) Accessing the drive is easy and you can replace the existing drive with a higher capacity drive if necessary.
- The laptop has venting holes in the bottom as well as the back. Due to the slim design the base feet are small which means the vent holes in the base do not sit very high off the surface for air flow. When you game or drive the cpu/gpu hard you need to make sure the laptop is seated on a flat surface and that vents are not blocked. If you are using it on your lap the heat is enough to remind you to move it onto something besides your legs.
- The keyboard keys are low profile and feel soft but they do provide decent feedback when pressed. The touch pad is large, responsive and has a fairly quiet click when engaged. Using Armoury Crate you can set the RGB lighting and modes for the keys as well as set the mode for the while LED strip in the lid.
- The speakers perform better than you would expect from such a thin laptop. When playing movies, music and gaming I found the soundstage and sound quality to be surprisingly good.
- There are four customizable keys that can be configured in the Armoury Crate app. They are defaulted to speaker volume up and down, Microphone on/off and Launch the Armoury Crate app. You can also use Armoury Crate to create key macros.
Once I opened it, charged the battery and upgraded all the software and firmware I ran it through several benchmarks and then some gaming to see how it would hold up. The RTX 4070 combined with the Ryzen 9 processor was plenty enough to deliver great results as shown below.
3DMARK
Time Spy Score = 11519
Graphics Score = 11676
CPU Score = 10709
Battlefield V @1080p Ultra = 165+ FPS
Battlefield V @ 1440p Ultra = 110+ FPS
Apex Legends@1080p Ultra = 140+ FPS
Apex Legends@ 1440p Ultra = 135+ FPS
GTA V @1080p Ultra = 175+ FPS
GTA V @ 1440p Ultra = 70+ FPS
Fortnite @1080p Ultra = 265+ FPS
Fortnite @ 1440p Ultra = 60+ FPS
Red Dead Redemption 2 @1080p Ultra = 120+ FPS
Red Dead Redemption 2@ 1440p Ultra = 40+ FPS
Time Spy Score = 11519
Graphics Score = 11676
CPU Score = 10709
Battlefield V @1080p Ultra = 165+ FPS
Battlefield V @ 1440p Ultra = 110+ FPS
Apex Legends@1080p Ultra = 140+ FPS
Apex Legends@ 1440p Ultra = 135+ FPS
GTA V @1080p Ultra = 175+ FPS
GTA V @ 1440p Ultra = 70+ FPS
Fortnite @1080p Ultra = 265+ FPS
Fortnite @ 1440p Ultra = 60+ FPS
Red Dead Redemption 2 @1080p Ultra = 120+ FPS
Red Dead Redemption 2@ 1440p Ultra = 40+ FPS
Geekbench 6
Single Core Score = 2583
Multi Core Score = 12894
Open CL Score = 115747
Vulkan Score = 32588
Single Core Score = 2583
Multi Core Score = 12894
Open CL Score = 115747
Vulkan Score = 32588
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Experience a comfortable, clean shave every day with 27 self-sharpening ComfortCut blades and SkinProtect Technology.
Posted by: explore42
While this isn’t the most feature rich razor it has everything you need for a decent shave and trim. This is an entry level razor that is good for someone just getting into shaving or needs a shaver to use at the gym or for travel. I would recommend checking out Norelco’s more advanced shavers for anyone who has very course hair or very sensitive skin.
Shaving Experience: After several shavings I have not experienced any razor burns even though my facial skin is somewhat sensitive. Note that I have been using an electric razor for some time so my skin is acclimated to electric razors. Norelco claims it takes 21 days for your skin to be fully adapted to an electric razor. As with any electric shaver I do make several passes over my facial hair to make sure the razor gets everything. This razor can be used wet or dry but I prefer to shave dry so that I can see and feel if the hairs are cleanly shaved. The three floating heads do a good job of keeping the skin-to-razor contact and I was able to get a clean shave on my upper lip and chin without much downward pressure. One plus for Norelco razors is the included trimmer and although its not as powerful or as refined as a dedicated trimmer it is more than adequate to do some touch ups. The overall look and feel of the razor is that of a typical Norelco but due to the minimum amount of grippy surface and plastic build it’s a tad more slippery especially when wet. Cleaning the razor after use is simple with the razor head opening up for easy access for cleaning with a brush or water. The sound/noise from the rotary blades are typical of what I have experienced with other electric razors and I didn’t find it to be bothersome.
Shaving Experience: After several shavings I have not experienced any razor burns even though my facial skin is somewhat sensitive. Note that I have been using an electric razor for some time so my skin is acclimated to electric razors. Norelco claims it takes 21 days for your skin to be fully adapted to an electric razor. As with any electric shaver I do make several passes over my facial hair to make sure the razor gets everything. This razor can be used wet or dry but I prefer to shave dry so that I can see and feel if the hairs are cleanly shaved. The three floating heads do a good job of keeping the skin-to-razor contact and I was able to get a clean shave on my upper lip and chin without much downward pressure. One plus for Norelco razors is the included trimmer and although its not as powerful or as refined as a dedicated trimmer it is more than adequate to do some touch ups. The overall look and feel of the razor is that of a typical Norelco but due to the minimum amount of grippy surface and plastic build it’s a tad more slippery especially when wet. Cleaning the razor after use is simple with the razor head opening up for easy access for cleaning with a brush or water. The sound/noise from the rotary blades are typical of what I have experienced with other electric razors and I didn’t find it to be bothersome.
The shaver comes with a cable that is a USB-A to Norelco proprietary plug but it does not include a charger. It also does not include any type of cleaning brush or storage bag. It does include a cover for the blades to protect them. The razor has a low battery level indicator that warns you when you only have 5 minutes left on the charge.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
The Logitech Zone 300 is the essential wireless Bluetooth headset with great audio quality for work and downtime. Move freely about your home or office and stay reliably connected with multipoint Bluetooth, up to 98 ft away. Meet with anyone on your preferred calling platform with this wireless headset with microphone. Dual noise-canceling mics on the extended mic boom suppress background sound and allow others to hear you clearly. Enhanced speakers mean you can also hear just as well.
Posted by: explore42
This Logitech Zone 300 headset is a good all rounder. Its lightweight and compact design make it nice for commuting as well as keep it from being an overstatement in the office. The only drawback on these is that they have an “on the ear” vs over the ear fit. When I first started using them it took some time to get used to having something actually on my ear instead of around my ear. The plus side is that they are not as isolating as over the ear headphones which I found helpful when using around others. They were isolating enough to limit most room noise without needing to have someone scream at me to get my attention. Overall I like these headphones for conference calls and listening to music but you may have to adjust to the “on ear” fit and feel.
Pros:
- Solid build quality with compact and lightweight design
- In-line controls are intuitive and easy to access
- Good overall voice and music quality
- Bluetooth connectivity was simple and never an issue
- Microphone boon moves out of the way and mutes when up
- Noise Cancelling microphone helps eliminate room noise
- Audio notifications that update you to the headphone’s status
- A days worth of use without needing to be recharged
- Solid build quality with compact and lightweight design
- In-line controls are intuitive and easy to access
- Good overall voice and music quality
- Bluetooth connectivity was simple and never an issue
- Microphone boon moves out of the way and mutes when up
- Noise Cancelling microphone helps eliminate room noise
- Audio notifications that update you to the headphone’s status
- A days worth of use without needing to be recharged
Cons:
- The ear pads can feel warm after extended use
- The headphones do not fold flat for easy storage
- The ear pads can feel warm after extended use
- The headphones do not fold flat for easy storage
Fit and Feel: These headphones are easily adjusted and generally sit comfortably due to their light weight. The headpiece is fully padded with soft foam so even after extended sessions I didn’t feel like I had anything pushing or pulling down on my head. The ear pads are covered in a soft leatherette type cover that is gentle to the touch. Because these pads sit on your ears I have found that my ears seem to get a tad warm after I use them for an extended period. The design of the headpiece allows plenty of clearance for glasses and I can easily take my glasses on and off without disturbing the headphones. The on/off/paring button, the volume up/down and the answer button are located on the left ear cup and are fairly easy to access and use.
Sound Quality and Mic Performance: In calls the voices always sounded clear and distinct. The mic has noise cancellation so most of the local noise is not heard on the other end. I liked the mic boon because its not obstructive in either the up or down mode.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
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Enjoy true high-definition surround sound from your home theater with this Definitive Technology speaker. With powerful left/right speaker dispersion and balanced surround sound, this speaker immerses you in an enjoyable audio experience. Sized to fit unobtrusively into home theater systems, this Definitive Technology speaker includes iconic design elements that enhance the visual aesthetic of your system.
Can I use them as atmos speaker setup
These are surround speakers. For full atmos sound you need speakers that bounce the sound off the ceiling. Def tech makes speakers specifically to do this. They attach on top of the tower speakers.
7 years, 9 months ago
by
explore42
This Danby Designer DDW1899BLS-1 built-in dishwasher's water-softener system helps eliminate select water-based minerals in locations where hard water is an issue. The 7 wash cycles provide versatile options to suit a wide range of cleaning needs.
Air Dry and Turn off Manually?
Can you confirm or clarify please. It says no heated dry so that means they have to air dry? One person said you have to manually hit button to turn off at end of cycle. Is this true?
Good question but not sure how to answer this. Its kind of magic because it uses some type of evaporation process. My old dishwasher had a heated dry and an air dry. If you used the air dry the dishes were still wet at the end of the cycle. With this unit the dishes are fully dry without using a heater element. The manual explains the technology but bottom line is works fine for me and uses less electric.
9 years, 8 months ago
by
explore42
Clean every inch of every dish. This Samsung appliance washes away heavy foods without the need for you to pre-rinse. Plus, the quiet operation mean you won~t be interrupted by loud noises while the dishwasher is running.
Is this hardwired or does it plug into an outlet?
Contractor needs to know: Is this hardwired or does it plug into an outlet?
Mine is hard wired. I would suspect it is whatever the installer chooses to do.
9 years, 8 months ago
by
explore42
Whirlpool Gold 24" Tall Tub Built-In Dishwasher: Ensure a deep and sanitized clean with this high-powered dishwasher. Its soil-sensing technology, along with a unique silverware spray mechanism, produces exceptionally clean dishes for a generous amount of family and guests.
Rotating spray arm?
Wondering if this dishwasher has a rotating spray arm that sits under the class rack? There are no photos that show the interior.