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  • Review count
    220
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  • First review
    January 9, 2015
  • Last review
    June 25, 2024
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    September 12, 2016
  • Last answer
    August 6, 2021
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nkpstudios's Reviews
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Create engaging video content with this RODE mobile filmmaking vlogger kit. An included tripod helps stabilize your device for improved picture quality, while the on-camera microLED and diffuser provide gentle illumination for capturing life-like images. This RODE mobile filmmaking vlogger kit features a SmartGrip holder to keep your smartphone in place, and the USB-C-enabled VideoMic Me-C microphone captures clear directional audio.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Perfect Starter Kit for Cellphone Content Creators
on June 21, 2021
Posted by: nkpstudios
from Frederick, MD
Look no further!!! If you are getting into video using your phone; this is the DAY ONE starter kit! ANYONE considering getting into vlogging, home videos, or using their phone as their first camera in content creation, this is for you. All in a single box, you won't find a better solution for audio, lighting, and stabilization to upgrade your stock handheld phone footage. It covers all the bases for increasing your baseline for the quality of your videos. In the box, you get a Rode VideoMic ME, a "dead cat" for outdoor mic work, color correcting gels with an adapter, the phone "cage" or bracket, and a ball head handheld tripod.
Your audio will instantly be upgraded on ANY PHONE that has USB-C. The included rechargeable USB-C light is perfect for fixing bad lighting and putting the focus on your face. You can color correct your light with the included filters as well for an added bonus. The handle adds an element of stabilization to your footage which is a plus. The phone bracket is high quality and the perfect "cage" for your phone. Utilizing a screw type of closing mechanism versus the spring found in cheaper phone mounts and built out of solid metal, RODE quality for sure. Simply slide your phone into the cage, plug in your mic, turn on the light, and press record - easy as that.

The audio is excellent, and you definitely will hear a more professional sound coming from your footage. The light is impressive with almost a Fresnel lens throw and 3 levels of brightness, and it mounts to any hot shoe. You can gel the light by using the included filters, which is just another professional touch for your footage. In all, you can't go wrong here with this. From the first-time video creator all the way to the seasoned professional who wants a nice portable setup to capture BTS footage and everyone in between. You won't be sorry!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
The SecureAlert Wi-Fi NVR Security System has crime-fighting features other systems dream about. With red and blue flashing lights, bright spotlights, two-way audio, and loud sirens, you can intimidate intruders and prevent crime from happening, and these features are controllable remotely in the Swann Security app. You get free local recording for up to 180 days+ onto the massive 1TB hard drive and the option to backup video to your Dropbox account. Know what’s happening at any hour with powerful infrared night vision up to 115’/35m and Night2Day™ gives you amazing color video at night up to 32’/10m. Swann’s True Detect™ heat and motion detection senses people and cars for more reliable monitoring and fewer false alarms. The 4K Ultra HD video and powerful digital zoom, the cameras let you actively watch over entrances, yards, driveways, parking lots, shop floors, storerooms, and customer service areas. With the Swann Security app, push notifications let you know what’s happening and you can even watch live or playback video on your smartphone from anywhere in the world. In fact, you can view any of the cameras on your smart TV, and speak to see hands-free via Hey Google and Alexa devices. The cameras plug into power while their video signal back to the NVR is transmitted wirelessly, so you don’t have to worry about drilling into walls and running cables anywhere. The NVR connects to your internet router via the included network cable or Wi-Fi, while the new SwannNet™ technology allows you to select whether each camera connects to the NVR or your home Wi-Fi, meaning you can choose whichever network has a stronger Wi-Fi signal. This gives you greater flexibility to place the cameras where they need to be, and their robust indoor/outdoor design is built to withstand rain, snow and heat, all year round. That’s the SecureAlert Wi-Fi NVR Security System – it’s another example of security made smarter from Swann.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Big Features and Performance in Entry Level System
on June 14, 2021
Posted by: nkpstudios
from Frederick, MD
The Swann Enforcer NVW-800 is an excellent and more than capable 4 channel 4 camera 4K 1TB hybrid WiFi NVR security system. You will get features found in higher-end security cameras like facial recognition and thermal sensing within an affordable and easy-to-use hybrid semi-wireless system in this small package. The cameras themselves are indoor/outdoor wireless WiFi 4K UHD cameras with good sharpness and detail. There are no BNC connections as you go WiFi for video transmission and everything is recorded internally.
Setup was pretty easy, with camera placement being the hardest part the hardest part. It's small footprint allows for hiding of the base station and seamless integration with any TV. Just find a TV or any display with an HDMI connection, power it on, connect the mouse, and start working on customizing things to your liking. The cameras are already paired so it was just a matter of plugging in. This has features for days and will be enough for most home users as well as small business users. You have to consider a PERMANENT mounting spot due to the lack of a quick-release mount or movable weighted base. Again, all these things can be overcome with creativity for some, but this will be a possible deal-breaker for others. For my 2,000 sqft home, this is more than enough range to cover me. I have front and back door covered and two levels inside my home. If you have a bigger property, you will need to get better gear or swap for higher power dB antennas. You can operate this base in wireless mode with no LAN connection to the router, or you can hardwire into the network. I believe the antennas should be more powerful because the connection can be spotty. There was an update to some of the equipment, and connectivity seems to have been improved. There is no battery backup for these either, so that is a huge downfall/weakness in security making it a single point of failure. You have to be smart about where you place power cords when exterior mounting so that intruders are unable to unplug. The requirement for power from an outlet can make things a little tricky but manageable. Image quality is excellent, and you have options to dial up to 4K UHD. More than enough for security.

NOTABLES!
- No bases/mounting for non-permanent locations like a kids room.
-Challenging connecting the power cords depending on location of camera. 40ft cords are enough in most cases but…
-Cameras have a view of 87 degrees
-Needs wireless mouse rather than corded
-App for Android TERRIBLE and crashes A LOT and pretty much useless for viewing old footage. The app for Apple provides best stability and overall experience with the most function.
+Schedule continuous recording or use only the other triggers like motion and thermal to record
+AI with Face Recognition to notify you if a person comes around and such.
+The picture quality was crisp and clear even when you zoomed in. The camera was able to pick up people, faces, cars, and motion. The cameras also have a spotlight, red and blue lights, and a speaker that can you speak thru.
+Google and Alexa Integration! "FAVORITE ASSISTANT, Show me …"
+Space for days!!!! Two weeks and not even halfway on the system with 4 cameras! No subscription needed.
+Controllable motion-activated sensor spotlights, Enforcer red & blue flashing lights, sirens & two-way audio.

In short, the Swann Enforcer Security System is a feature-rich solution that will perform for any homeowner without cloud fees. It has good image quality, excellent wireless options, and features, with minimal false alerts that will provide peace of mind for any homeowner. It's a looker for sure!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Eliminate damp air in your home or office with the PureDry Deluxe Dehumidifier from Pure Enrichment. The unit’s sleek, portable design is the perfect size to keep your bathrooms, closets, and other mid-sized rooms free from excess moisture year round. Use regularly to maintain comfortable humidity levels and to keep your home free from irritating allergens like dust mites, mold and mildew.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Best Fix for Humid Bathrooms & Bad Ventilation
on June 7, 2021
Posted by: nkpstudios
from Frederick, MD
The Pure Enrichment PureDry Deluxe is a perfect way to eliminate leftover humidity in bathrooms that do not have adequate ventilation. My bathroom is 10'x12,' and the fan is not the greatest. It is the builder quality standard cheapie fan. I have been avoiding getting in the attic to change it and upgrade the exhaust to 3", but that isn't part of this review. Enter the PureDry Deluxe. It is aesthetically pleasing and blends into my modern home decor. There are only three buttons, and it is pretty straightforward.
Setup is a breeze. You plug it in and let it run. The simple, minimalistic interface has only a power button, speed, and auto shut-off timer is the three buttons. It can remove up to 20 oz of water a day, and the tank holds 1.5L. It is rated to handle rooms up to 160 sqft. An auto-shut-off will stop the reservoir from overfilling and spilling, which is a peace of mind feature. It runs very quietly and does generate a bit of heat. It does the job and is small and portable. I couldn't ask for anything more.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
VP83 LensHopper Camera-Mount Condenser Shotgun Microphone
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
MUST TRY for VLOGGERS and SCRATCH AUDIO
on May 10, 2021
Posted by: nkpstudios
from Frederick, MD
The Shure VP83 LensHopper is a perfect addition to any entry-level videographer or person who wants to step up their audio on a budget. The VP83 is solid with mostly metal and a bit of plastic build on an integrated Rycote Lyre shock mount (exclusively developed with Rycote for the VP83) to complete a lightweight portable package. It is perfect for run and gun shoots or vlogging setups. The mount reduces the shock and bounce in the mic perfectly. It can slide into any standard hot shoe and has a 1/4-20 screw thread. The single "AA" battery is rated for upwards of 100 hrs but on Lithium you can almost get double at 186hrs! It comes with a foam windscreen, battery, and mic; everything you need to record audio on-camera. I absolutely love this mic as a replacement for my scratch audio instead of the onboard mics.
Its straightforward and intuitive design is very simple and easy to use. It uses a 2 switch clearly marked interface with a +20db bumper, -10db bumper, and low-cut filter functions integrated over the spine of the mic. There is a little self-noise but not really noticeable unless you wear headphones but REALLY is pronounced with your add the +20db bumper. At that point, I would not even waste time recording with all the artifacts/noise. Due to the superior RF immunity provided by its solid build, you won't be easily susceptible that avoids unwanted audio artifacts from cellular and RF devices! The shock mount is solid and makes this a must-have for anyone looking for a cheap mic. Pick one up as your first mic and you will not be sorry.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Harness your PC's potential with the 980. Whether you need a boost for gaming or a seamless workflow for heavy graphics, the 980 is a smart choice for outstanding SSD performance — and it's all backed by an NVMe* interface and PCIe 3.0 technology.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Perfect Compromise of Speed and Price
on May 8, 2021
Posted by: nkpstudios
from Frederick, MD
There isn't much to wonder about here. Samsung is the standard in m.2 drives in my opinion and this was their release for the budget-friendly PC. The Samsung 980 series is an NVMe PCIe Gen.3 drive that consistently performed about 3000/Mbps read speed and over 2000/Mbps write speed for a fraction of what SSD drives used to cost. For under $100 you get access to excellent performance without breaking the bank. This is now my go to SSD m.2 drive for budget builds. It is easy to install and I do not have to worry about quality here. Buy one today and see what SSD is REALLY capable of for the cheap.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Life Dot 2 XR is optimized for noise cancelling— changing its settings depending on your surroundings. On top of this it delivers thumping beats, clear calls, and a 35-hour playtime. Using the Soundcore app, you can customize your touch controls and sound profile to perfectly fit the way you listen.
 
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Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Budget ANC with Compromises and Good Battery
on April 14, 2021
Posted by: nkpstudios
from Frederick, MD
Let me begin by saying this is my first experience with Anker audio products, and I come to these with a unique perspective. I wanted to try a "budget" pair for work instead of buying a more expensive replacement pair - I recently lost while out - just to see how the experience would be. In short, you get what you pay for when in the truly wireless earbud world, and I CAN ATTEST TO THAT! Let's start off by saying what you DO get here when you buy the Soundcore Life Dot 2 XRs (LD2XRs). You get a reliable pair of IPX5 wireless ANC headphones that sound decent but missing a lot of functionality for a "truly wireless" experience. Like I said before, it is challenging to find an actual DETAILED spec sheet on the LD2XRs ANYWHERE on the internet or even the BOX. These could be a rebrand of an existing product for a retailer exclusive without actually offering improvements on this iteration. You cannot easily find details like Bluetooth version, audio codecs supported, or speaker frequency range and driver construction. I still don't know what version of Bluetooth this is. It could be v 4.0 for all I know. I believe for the price - there are MANY other options out there with better sound quality even if you get 1-2yr old models.

If I could use only one word to describe the Soundcore Life Dot 2 XRs (LD2XR), it would be underwhelming. From their aesthetics and design to sound quality and the overall build - even the user experience comes down to a series of compromises resulting in one word, underwhelming. It feels like and looks like a recycled product (Life A2 NC) with a new name and higher price tag. The Life A2 NC page on Soundcore's website provides a little more information about what COULD be in these but STILL nothing I was looking for. What are you buying and getting for your money? Let's see what we can actually find.

Design and build feels cheap and all plastic but are solid. Battery life is excellent on these, getting me through an entire workday of 8 hours without needing to charge. Battery life is rated at 7hrs, and I can say that is easily achievable. They fit exceptionally well and do not cause ear fatigue for me. They are lightweight and offer a wide range of customization options utilizing ear and wingtips. The case is cheap plastic as well but does pack magnets to help align things easier. The LD2XRs use a touch interface that is not that great, and I will leave it at that. Touch response is hit or miss, and I often find myself activating the assistant when taking them out of my ears due to the lack of sensors to disable touch when not actually being worn. There are no actual physical buttons to interact with these, which is also a reason for their hands-free experience limitations. It would be best if you used your phone to raise the volume or you will have to give up other options since there are only four ways to interact: short Left touch, long Left touch, short Right touch, and long Right touch.

Now on to the actual LD2XR user experience. I've tested both Android and Apple experiences with these on an iPhone 11 Pro Max and Note 20 Ultra, and I can say these work well and have a stable, reliable connection on both platforms. Unboxing and pairing were easy and fast. Open the lid to reveal the Life Dot 2XRs (LD2XR), and you will see LEDs on the earbuds blink. Now they are automatically set to pairing mode out of the box. Please put them in your ears, get your device, go to Bluetooth settings, pair, and you are all set. For a better user experience offering customization, download the Soundcore app to ensure you have the newest firmware and customize your tap/hold functions. Within the Soundcore app, you have access to EQ settings which you WILL want to use. These sound bright out of the box, so for me, I turned down the highs a bit.

On to the sound… it makes sound, but how well? What frequency response do these 11mm drivers have? What are the drivers made of? What codecs are supported? What version of Bluetooth does this have, and is it LE? I don't know! You cannot find this info anywhere readily accessible. My description of the sound is this… it leaves you yearning for more clarity and range. The soundstage is small and sounds just ok. If you want good sound, these are NOT for you. If you want something to get by, these could be for you. These don't seem to have a clear separation between mids and lows. Everything feels compressed, even when listening to high-quality audio. Highs are not crisp, and everything seems to be muddled together. The bass isn't very clean, and the highs are blah. Only SBC and AAC codecs are supported with better audio coming from Apple devices due to AAC over SBC, in my opinion. Video playback does not suffer from input lag, and audio is synced with video perfectly. Noise-canceling is barely average and but it does make a small notable change, in my opinion. Most of the ANC is done passively just by having something in your ear, but you can tell there is a slight bit of noise cancellation going on.

Things I Love
+Freedom to chose between left, right, or both buds for use.
+USB-C with Fast Charging implementing a 10-minute charge for 90 minutes of playtime.
+Good fit and offers a lot of options to custom fit.
+No video audio latency found in cheaper headphones and old chipsets.

Things Needed and NOT There
-No Simultaneous Connections - only one device connected at a time. People have a tablet and a phone or even a laptop who would need to be connected simultaneously.
-No wireless charging - for the overall package provided, wireless charging would have offset where this is lacking by providing more value.
-Lack of buttons - this touch control implementation is just terrible. In my opinion, buttons would have made the experience better. NO WAY TO POWER DOWN OR ON WITHOUT CASE.
-No auto-pause/touch disable - due to lack of sensors and features, these just connect and play once you open the case. No way to power down/up.
-ANC is MEH. It is barely functional and makes a slight difference at lower frequencies, but voices and other noises are easily heard while in ANC mode.
-Link issues after power save - when leaving one in the charger or power-saving mode turns on, you must return these to the case and let the buds "reset" and be "powered on". You need to return both to the charger to get both working again since there is no way to power them back on.
-No intuitive way to pair. You need to open the case, hold the reset button on the bottom, then repair it. No button or touch combo to do this from the earbud itself.
-No way to track lost earbuds - it would be nice to have a BlueTooth disconnect and GPS from the phone at least record on a map. No way to make these play loud sounds to find them if they fell in a cushion.
-Charger - I HATE the charger. When it was designed, not much consideration was given to the orientation while wearing. When you take it from your ear and place it in the charger, your thumb is on the charging contacts of the LD2XR. You now need to do some finger gymnastics to flip it horizontally and vertically to get close enough to be magnetically set. Save yourself some time and learn to use the opposite hand and put it into the case for time savings.

In all, with the plethora of higher quality earbuds on sale from last year's tech, I cannot recommend these if I have $100 to spend on earbuds.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
 
Norton 360 for Gamers provides advanced multi-layered protection for up to 3 PCs to help protect against cyberthreats like malware, DDoS attacks, doxxing, SWATing, and PC webcam takeovers. PC notifications are optimized so you’re only alerted if you’re under attack, at risk or you aren’t using a feature your entitled to.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Norton for Gamers 360 Deluxe
on April 6, 2021
Posted by: nkpstudios
from Frederick, MD
Norton 360 for Gamers is a rebrand for the AV family. You get everything Norton 360 is known for regarding 0protection against viruses, malware, DDoS, doxxing, webcam takeovers, phishing attacks, and more. Installation and setup were fast and easy. It follows many of the typical online subscription installations. You login with your online account info, download the installation package, and activate your device. I just went to the indicated website, typed the code given to me, and it automatically downloaded the software to install. The option to install up to two other devices (a total of 3) was also seamless. To do that, just log in to your Norton account (you’ll have to create a free one if you don't already have one) on your second and third devices and download the software again. The only thing I did not like was the attempted force to auto-renew at the beginning. You can just click the "X" to get around this.
Performance and protection are solid, it detected the viruses I tested on my thumb drive without slowing the PC down with heavy resource use. Files were stopped and either deleted or quarantined as usual when executing and it caught the files during the scan prior to execution. I can say this is solid protection WHILE CONNECTED TO INTERNET as scanning is more limited without data connectivity to Norton servers. While testing performance/protection I noticed this is HEAVILY reliant on internet connectivity. You will get a "Limited Scan" notification as Norton requires the internet to run a comprehensive scan… this can be good or bad depending on the scenario. VPN worked and didn't slow down traffic too much.
User experience and UI still need lots of work. I am not a fan of the dashboard implementation. There are essentially two different dashboards needed to use the software and additional features. The normal "security" is on the main dashboard while you have to click "My Norton" to get access to the "Gamer" functionality. You can set up to default to either dashboard or "view" but will need to go to both at some point. This two window setup is quite annoying in an environment where gamers already have lots of tabs. I wish Norton and other companies offered a way to customize modules to show/hide within the program. If you want to use this just for antivirus, you should be able to disable the password manager, VPN, cloud services, etc. from showing and cluttering the experience. Most people will already be using another vendor for most of those and will not want to see a cluttered dashboard. I also understand you want to show many features as well so I get it.
STANDOUT FEATURES
-PC Notification Optimization - blocks notifications. Essentially it uses "focus mode" to block notifications like you are in presenting mode.
-Lightweight Efficient Resource Use - this strikes the perfect balance of resources and performance. There is definitely cloud computing happening here.
AREAS TO IMPROVE
-Auto-Renew with CC at installation - people do not want to feel forced into "auto-renew" IMMEDIATELY after installation - classic Norton move though.
-Flatten UI/Streamline User Experience - the dashboard/program feels unfinished and not completely integrated. You need to go to "My Norton" to access VPN, Parental Controls, Password Manager, and Dark Web Monitoring only to click "open" next to Device Security to go back to the other "dashboard" or AV program. In other parts, you are sent to a web browser to view info on your Norton account page.
-"Dark Web" monitoring service - this seems to be more of a gimmick. I am 100% sure my information is out there on the Dark Web. The OPM data breach, the Targets, Home Depots, Sony data breaches, etc. this service does not show anything from some of these hacks dating back to 2006. It only shows the "My FitnessPal" password potentially being compromised back in 2019 but leaves out a plethora of other apps with data breaches. I wouldn't feel too safe with this and wouldn't advertise it as a service to provide a false sense of protection.
In a nutshell, you have Norton 360 Deluxe (for 3 devices rather than 5) and PC notification blocking (a feature Win10 offers called Focus Assist) all packaged and rebranded towards gamers using the LifeLock side of things. It works but I am only recommending it as Anti-Virus software and nothing more. Get it and you won't be disappointed!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Gaming Laptop. Enjoy everyday gaming with this ASUS notebook PC. The AMD Ryzen 9 processor and 16GB of RAM let you run graphics-heavy games smoothly, while the potent NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics produce high-quality visuals on the fast 15.6-inch 165hz QHD display. This ASUS notebook PC has 1TD SSD that shortens load times and offers ample storage.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Easily Best Bang for Buck w/ a Few Limitations
on March 4, 2021
Posted by: nkpstudios
from Frederick, MD
The Asus Zephyrus G15 503R is the perfect balance of power and speed for anyone looking at a slim mid-tier gaming laptop but it has its limitations as a result. At this price point, it punches well above its weight class and this level of performance dollar for dollar is unequaled. With that being said, decisions were made. Aesthetics are slightly more aggressive. Reminiscent of last year's G15, with nicer angles and better venting for cooling. A lot of the issues from last years model have been addressed and improved. Build quality is good with a hybrid magnesium and aluminum chassis resulting in minimal flex in the body but the lid is flimsy and mostly plastic. The ergoLIFT hinge is the best in the business and allows for better ventilation and more ergonomics with keyboard tilt without questionable resistance or slippage. The keyboard is as close to perfect as one can get and easily one of my favorite laptop keyboards used to date. It is quiet and tactile with a nice click and single zone RGB lighting (all colors and effects but one color at a time) which is an added bonus. It has above average sounding top firing speakers, a gaming panel offering up to a WQHD 165Hz/3ms, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD storage, and a 90WH battery that supports fast charging in under 1.5 hours using the supplied power brick. Under the hood, you get an AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HS 3.3ghz 8-core CPU and GeForce RTX™ 3070 MaxQ 8GB GPU! I/O offers an excellent selection of ports from USB-C 3.2 with Display Port 1.4 and power delivery, and USB-A 3.2 GEN2 ports. RJ45 for LAN, WiFi6, HDMI 2.0b, 3.5mm headphone jack, and micro SD to round things out. You can expand storage via a PCIe GEN3 M.2 slot as well.
LIMITATIONS
I will also say this powerhouse laptop is handicapped by a few decisions made by Asus in the design department though. As a gaming PC, this has lots of promise and can handle game you throw at it. However, for powerful professional tasks like video editing and 3D rendering, it will work but you cannot upgrade it like you would think. You will quickly come across the first limitation being the RAM and the decision to solder 8GB to the MoBo. Anything over 16GB, you will lose dual channel and take a hit in the performance department. I/O is quite excellent but if you are left handed you will not like it since everything is on the left side but lefties are used to being forgotten, we just adjust. I would have like to see USB 4.0 and PCIe 4.0, but for this price I understand. I don't know why we don't get HDMI 2.1 in 2021 but just another decision that limits your ability to connect better monitors. The display is a matte 15.6” LED with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 a refresh rate of 165Hz @ 3ms! This display is excellent and it easily has one of the best panels on a laptop but only offers barely over 350nits. It is color accurate to 100% of sRGB and D3 Pantone certified. You can calibrate it as well using the Armory Crate software. The touchpad is impressive as well with a larger glass area that is responsive but this could be a negative for people with larger hands.
GAMING
Playing games, the onboard RTX 3070 MaxQ easily handles any game I tried on their highest settings. Everything I tried was over 90fps. A tremendous amount of heat is given off during gaming. Below is my temperature readings after just 30 minutes of gaming but thermals are not an issue with the new cooling pipes and fan array. Rarely did the CPU or GPU go over 82 degrees. Below are a few of my framerate results.
o Fortnite = 93fps
o Shadow of Mordor = 123fps
o Call of Duty: WarZone = 91fps
BATTERY LIFE
While gaming at 75% brightness, fans on performance mode and keys backlit on the first setting, I got about an hour and a half of battery life. While having the screen at minimum brightness, no backlit keyboard, fans on silent and web-surfing and word-processing, I was able to get about 10 hours and 37 minutes with iGPU mode on. Total recharge time was impressive at about 1 hour and 25 minutes.
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES FOR GREATNESS
o 8GB soldered RAM. This was a TERRIBLE decision but in line with their history in the ROG Zephyrs lineage. This decision limits your laptop performance to 16GB in dual channel but you can add up to 32GB for a total of 40GB RAM in single channel mode. As a content creation laptop this may cause you to look elsewhere in the lineup for more expensive options with dual removable slots, but as a gamer you should be just time in most cases. It could be a choice to save money, space saving for the slim chassis, or planned obsolescence on Asus's part.
o No Full SD Card Slot (micro SD instead). There are many cameras out there using full size SD cards and you can get some pretty fast speeds these days, but microSD was chosen. Most phones do not support these anymore so I don't know who Asus had in mind here when they made this call. Content creators could use their camera cards to edit from directly. Another missed opportunity by Asus to stand out. It is a gaming laptop but it is a video editing beast also.
o No webcam. I can see the case for both sides here as a business professional and a gamer. If you are a gamer, you will probably have a dedicated camera setup you use and the decision was probably made to cut the web cam for cost savings. There is plenty of space in the bezel so I can't see that was the reason. If you are looking for a business/work laptop, you will need a webcam for teleconferencing during these times. I have to carry a webcam in my bag and not having a web cam during these times could be a deal breaker for some. Including one would have made this the perfect laptop and it was a missed opportunity for this laptop to shine.
o No touch integration. Again, I can understand the reasoning here but it would be nice to have. As a gamer, I wouldn’t want to be cleaning fingerprints all the time. It would probably mean either a more expensive laptop or a sacrifice in the display panel quality so things are just fine the way they are in my opinion. It isn't a big deal for me even though I have been using touch display in all my laptops for the past 5 years. I often find myself touching the screen but that quickly changed and I adjusted. This could also be a deal breaker for some since some people require it for work to allow for signing documents or just want the convenience of not using a mouse.
o Dicey fingerprint reader performance. The power button fingerprint integration in theory is a great idea but the execution is erratic at best. When it does work, it is fast and streamlines the login process using Windows Hello. Until now, it usually didn't work well but after a few firmware updates since owning the PC, performance has improved but still not perfect. I get about 75% reads now but 25% or so prior to the updates from Asus.
o Speaker response at low frequencies. The speakers sound great for ANY Windows option out there but the lows and bass feels hollow and weak. Sound profiles need to be reworked but I think the drivers are just not capable of deep full "subwoofer" performance. They have a 6 speaker array with "subwoofers" but I don't feel they are the best in class.
o PCIe Gen 3.0 rather than PCIe Gen 4.0. Asus could have been wowed the crowd by including PCIe Gen 4.0 on this laptop. Releasing new tech in 2021, I would expect Gen 4 for M.2 drives. Nevertheless, the included M.2 drive from SK Hynix is fast enough for anything you need to do.
THE VERDICT
The ROG Zephyrs G15 503 is THE SWEET SPOT between performance and bang for your buck. You could pay $800 more for higher RAM and an RTX 3080 but it isn't going to give you the returns due to the power limitation of 100W on the GPU. Whether you plan on using this for gaming, work, video editing, or all three, you’re going to very very happy with this purchase. It is priced appropriately at $1799 for all you are getting. With the impressive build quality, impeccable screen with high-refresh rate and resolution, almost perfect RGB keyboard, incredible processing power, the amazing RTX 3070 GPU, and the best hinge in the business… THIS IS A BUY! Meet my new DAILY DRIVER.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
3of 4voted this as helpful.
 
The fastest, smallest and lightest weight mobile single-sheet-fed document scanner in its class1, powered by battery or USB, the Epson® RapidReceipt RR-70W was specifically designed to quickly scan invoices and receipts of varying sizes, then automatically and accurately process the information into digital assets. With the included Epson ScanSmart® financial software, you can turn unorganized receipts and invoices into categorized digital data that easily integrates into applications such as QuickBooks®, TurboTax® and more2. Plus, create searchable/editable PDFs with the included bonus software. Do it all with zero subscription fees. Featuring smart technology, this scanner learns from each scan ̶ recognizing more data and logos over time, ensuring receipts and invoices are accurately converted and categorized. And, it’s all done on your own device, giving you complete control over your data, where it’s stored and how it is used. It’s the easy, cost effective way to organize and manage your finances.
 
  • Top 100 contributor
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
High Quality Scanner w/ Limits (Especially Mobile)
on February 11, 2021
Posted by: nkpstudios
from Frederick, MD
The Epson RR-70W is an excellent portable scanner and does a great job at digitizing and organizing your invoices, receipts, and other important documents using the bundled software. The device itself is a small lightweight and decently built of plastic with no real seams you need to worry about or flexing as a point of failure. The battery is a nice thing to have allowing you to be truly portable using the Espon ScanSmart app. You can scan via the app and that is about it. In the app you are extremely limited. There is no option to crop or do anything to the scan aside from zoom in to it. There is only one-sided scanning with is really sad for this price. Before you start using this, be sure to charge it for around 3 hours and set it up using a PC first. There is a firmware update that needs to be done to bring it up to date for Firmware 1.10.
I don't know if it is because the included software or what, but it is a bit overpriced for the functionality it provides. There are other scanners out there for less that offer more functionality with a battery as well. In this price point, I would also expect an SD card slot, dual sided scanning, and a more robust mobile app. The overall scan quality is ok after tweaking the settings when using the computer but the default settings are just average at best. It lacks contrast and detail but for just a quick scan of a receipt it does well. The software is where this really shines. You are provided with an Adobe Acrobat reader alternative that you can edit and create PDFs with that has no subscription fees. EpsonScan Accounting Edition does an excellent job scanning, reading data from the scan, and importing into your favorite mainstream software for accounting. Overall this is a powerful scanner with a high price tag that is extremely limited as a mobile scanner.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
The JAXJOX Kettlebell is a six-in-one digital adjustable kettlebell ranging from 12-42 lbs. Select your weight with a touch of a button.
 
  • Top 100 contributor
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Space Saving with Some Trade-offs
on January 21, 2021
Posted by: nkpstudios
from Frederick, MD
I really wanted to like this but it seems you need to buy into the WHOLE JAXJOX ecosystem to fully benefit from the app and on-demand workouts. Using only the KettlebellConnect 2.0 (KBC2.0) you are extremely limited in the app. You have to watch it on your phone which interrupts the workout especially when switching levels and exercises. Setup was rather quick after reading the instructions. Weights go in descending order from bottom to top (5 to 1) prior to putting the KBC2.0 itself on top. They are interlocking and only go in one way so you can not have a mistake. Once the KBC2.0 makes contact with the base it will start charging. It is recommended the base and KBC2.0 both have their batteries charged prior to use. Simply select the weight via two buttons on the base or you can use your app on your phone and you are dialed in and ready to go after the beep.
After connecting to the app, which was super simple, you need to subscribe to get a free trial of the on-demand workout videos to get the full JAXJOX experience. However, this is not necessary so you can workout. My main gripe with the app is that it lacks the ability to cast it to your TV. The content wasn't really engaging to me since I found myself just working out on my own after a while. You can hear the instructors breathing heavily into the mics and I couldn't get into it. Trying to use my phone on the floor then a nearby table/shelf definitely made it disengaging as well. When working out it was difficult to see what was going on using my Note 20 Ultra (which is a BIG screen). During the workouts, the real-time tracking missed reps occasionally and didn't log my data into the history, however, it only did it within the actual workout video I completed. There was no history to see for the day in a snapshot view which made me feel this isn't ready for primetime. During my workout, I found myself often thinking about the plates possibly coming out after hearing the rattling inside BUT they never did. It is solidly built but will take some getting used to with to ignore the sound of moving metal plates inside.
Here are my thoughts:
- It's rather large in comparison to regular kettlebells which is a two-edged sword. This may limit the effectiveness of exercises for shorter people. It is a little bigger than a gallon of milk not including the top handle so it can be cumbersome for some. During some of the workouts like squats, lunges, or any action between the legs makes for a rather close call to banging it on the floor or other man parts. On the other hand, the space saving design frees up space so you don't have 6 different weights laying around. This is a compromise so if you are short it could be something to take into consideration.
- Wow… no charge block included in the box!? WHAT?!?! Another company that goes the way of Apple? You buy a new item and immediately need to hunt down a charge block to get started? The instructions state, "Plug the charging cable into the AC adapter". This prompted me to look in the box again and at the instructions to see if I was supposed to have an adapter. A simple (not included) after the instruction would not cause the user to look for one. The pictures of "What's in the box" do not show an AC adapter included. A CLEAR indication one is not provided is necessary. Other concerns are… how do you know if you are using the correct charge block? What if you use one that puts out TOO MUCH power? Maybe that info should be provided because I am sure if someone puts a powerful AC adapter and fries the internals it would not be covered under warranty.
- The design/placement of the charging port in the base is suspect and an accident waiting to happen. With it so close to the floor, choosing a standard USB-C cord with no right angle or other protection against pushing it up against the wall or a casual trip from your kids is just a broken USB port waiting to happen. I would recommend another cord or unique cable design that offers protection from damaging left to right impacts.

In all, there is a lot to like here with a few trade offs. The app needs a lot of work, the space saving design is a plus, but it is a bit too big for shorter people which could cause issues with form or just make exercises ineffective overall. This is one you need to try at home but save your receipt in case it doesn't work out for you. I cannot recommend this to everyone but if you want a space saving option, this could be for you.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
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Only @ Best BuyListen to music with this sweat- and dust-resistant wireless Jabra Elite headset. It connects via USB, mini-jack or Bluetooth, and a powerful microphone lets you use voice commands with your mobile device. This Jabra Elite headset reduces background noise and has a built-in motion sensor that lets you track fitness efforts.
 

Ohter than water resist rating, Is the fit better than the 65T.?

The fit exactly the same.
6 years ago
by
nkpstudios
 
Only @ Best BuyListen to music with this sweat- and dust-resistant wireless Jabra Elite headset. It connects via USB, mini-jack or Bluetooth, and a powerful microphone lets you use voice commands with your mobile device. This Jabra Elite headset reduces background noise and has a built-in motion sensor that lets you track fitness efforts.
 

Can an owner of the original non active 65t comment on the fit and stability difference with the active version? Curious if that and the extra IP rating is worth a look, or negligible.

I have both. They fit exactly the same. The only difference between the two are the IP56 rating and the black rubberized finish on the Actives. The Actives also have motion sensors in them but you cannot feel any difference between the two. If you have $20 to spare, it is well worth buying the Actives over the Elites for peace of mind with extra water resistance and motion sensors.
6 years ago
by
nkpstudios
 
Only @ Best BuyListen to music with this sweat- and dust-resistant wireless Jabra Elite headset. It connects via USB, mini-jack or Bluetooth, and a powerful microphone lets you use voice commands with your mobile device. This Jabra Elite headset reduces background noise and has a built-in motion sensor that lets you track fitness efforts.
 

Can I use these earbuds separately? Ex. The left earbuds for phone calls without the use of the right earbud

Yes
6 years ago
by
nkpstudios
 
Only @ Best BuyListen to music with this sweat- and dust-resistant wireless Jabra Elite headset. It connects via USB, mini-jack or Bluetooth, and a powerful microphone lets you use voice commands with your mobile device. This Jabra Elite headset reduces background noise and has a built-in motion sensor that lets you track fitness efforts.
 

The images for this product and description are for the regular non active 65t's. Not the active. According to Jabra's website the actives only come in blue/copper and have an IP rating of 65. Specifically... what is this product?

Obviously, if you read the description this is an exclusive colorway for BestBuy. This is evident by the "Only @ Best Buy" banner under the model number. They are exactly the same as the ones posted on the Jabra website with only the color/finish being different.
6 years ago
by
nkpstudios
 
Enjoy superior sound and voice quality with these Jabra Elite wireless headphones. Integrated controls let you answer calls, adjust the volume or pause music with the touch of a button, while the included carrying case doubles as a charging station. External ambient noise keeps you aware of your surroundings, while a background noise filter delivers crisp, clear voice calls. With Bluetooth connectivity, these Jabra Elite wireless headphones are easy to pair to a mobile device.
 

When will the other colors be available?

Titanium and Black are the ONLY options announced. If you are looking for the same look but other color, you are looking at the Elite Active 65t.
6 years, 4 months ago
by
nkpstudios
 
Enjoy superior sound and voice quality with these Jabra Elite wireless headphones. Integrated controls let you answer calls, adjust the volume or pause music with the touch of a button, while the included carrying case doubles as a charging station. External ambient noise keeps you aware of your surroundings, while a background noise filter delivers crisp, clear voice calls. With Bluetooth connectivity, these Jabra Elite wireless headphones are easy to pair to a mobile device.
 

When answering phone calls, is it stereo or mono?

If you have both buds in and turned on, it will be stereo. You can use only the right one as a mono option.
6 years, 4 months ago
by
nkpstudios
 
Enjoy superior sound and voice quality with these Jabra Elite wireless headphones. Integrated controls let you answer calls, adjust the volume or pause music with the touch of a button, while the included carrying case doubles as a charging station. External ambient noise keeps you aware of your surroundings, while a background noise filter delivers crisp, clear voice calls. With Bluetooth connectivity, these Jabra Elite wireless headphones are easy to pair to a mobile device.
 

Any idea when these will be available again?

Some time this week.
6 years, 4 months ago
by
nkpstudios
 
Stay in touch with this 15.6-inch Samsung notebook computer. Its Bluetooth capability connects it to Bluetooth devices for wire-free convenience, and its built-in webcam facilitates video conferencing. This Samsung notebook computer has 12GB of DDR4 RAM and an Intel Core i7 processor for speed, and it has a 1TB hard drive to hold plenty of files.
 

Is the screen matte or glossy? I'd like to use it outside and in bright sun. My old HP laptop is so reflective that it is almost impossible to use outside! Hoping this one is better??

It is a glossy screen. It is highly reflective and can cause issues with outdoor use.
6 years, 6 months ago
by
nkpstudios
 
Everything you love about Google, for work and play. Google Pixelbook is the first laptop with the Google Assistant* built in. Its super thin, 4-in-1 design includes a long-lasting battery and 7th Gen Intel® Core™** processor. It also comes with all the apps you already know and love including Youtube, Infinite Painter, Google Play Movies, Evernote, Slack, Lightroom, Google Photos and many more***.*Google Assistant requires Internet connection.**Intel and Intel Core are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.***Availability and performance of certain apps and services may vary by region. Subscriptions(s) may be required, and additional terms, conditions and/or charges may apply. Pixelbook and Pixelbook Pen are optimized for selected apps and services only.
 

Why bother with the I7, when every review has the I5 running Chromium "ridiculously fast"? Ditto for RAM: Running small footprint apps instead of fully-fledged software begs the question, "What app needs 16GB?" The SSD upgrade I-get, but not for $700

You are ABSOLUTELY correct in your assessment. The only reason you would want to go to the i7 or 16GB is if you want to run Windows10 or Linux. As a Chromebook, the base model at $999 is OVERKILL for ChromeOS.
6 years, 6 months ago
by
nkpstudios
 
Keep your focus on the road with this Garmin Speak voice service device. Amazon Alexa is integrated and takes voice commands, so you can keep your hands on the wheel, and it connects to your vehicle's stereo system to provide spoken turn-by-turn directions. This Garmin Speak voice service device is compact, so it doesn't obstruct your view.
 

Does the GPS work if I’m out of my cellular network I drive in rural areas that sometimes has no network. Connectivity I have to rely solely on GPS satellites .

No, this uses your cell signal for some reason. Based on your scenario, pass on this.
6 years, 7 months ago
by
nkpstudios