nickcal's stats
- Review count323
- Helpfulness votes1,307
- First reviewFebruary 22, 2014
- Last reviewJuly 11, 2025
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- Average rating4.7
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- Answer count4
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- First answerMay 23, 2016
- Last answerSeptember 7, 2020
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SC 400D - The ultimate solution to all of life's blindspots. Whether you're on the road or parked, a commercial driver or commuter, hauling cargo or chauffeuring kids - you're covered from all angles in all situations with a Cobra smart dash cam. With stunning, easily-sharable 4K UHD resolution, Alexa built-in, heads-up navigation, and life police alerts, there's no better way to protect the vehicles, drivers, passengers, and cargo you value most. See just how much peace of mind the award-winning Cobra SC 400D dash cam can provide.
Customer Rating
4
Less than stellar experience
on November 18, 2021
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
The packaging of the dash camera is a good retail box with Cobra branding and an image of the camera on the front. There are various details called out and the ‘Alexa Built-in’ logo on the front. The back of the box labels the camera as ‘the ultimate smart dash cam’ and provides a diagram for the different features of the camera. Inside the box, you’ll find all the parts of the system to make it work. I surprisingly had a difficult time getting into the box and for a moment, I thought a part was missing (the magnetic mount). It ended up just being tucked under a flap that I thought I already pulled everything out of.
Once you have everything pulled out of the box you should have the following:
1 - Dash Camera
1 - Rear-facing camera
1 - vehicle charger with Micro USB plug
1 - short USB-A to Micro USB cable
1 - rear camera extension cable (USB Mini to 3.5mm plug cable)
1 - magnetic mount for the main camera
2 - adhesive pads (1 large, 1 small)
The first thing I noted about the main camera is how heavy it is. It’s a substantial piece of equipment. I’ve used many dash cameras through the years and this one feels and looks kind of like a point-and-shoot camera. The next thing I noticed was the types of connectors used. The main camera uses Micro USB and the rear camera uses USB Mini. I found this to be very odd considering they are pretty outdated technologies. Given the cost of this product and the fact that it is new to market, I really expected USB-C as the connecting technology. That said, the use of the older types of connectors was very disappointing to me. I was, however, impressed to see that a 64GB Micro SD card was included and already inserted into the slot of the main camera.
Because of the fact that the camera (front and rear) require cables to connect, the setup can take a while if you properly dress your cables. Since I am a stickler for cable management, I took a lot of care hiding the extension cable between the main camera and rear camera. I do have to admit that I wasn’t sure if the cable would actually reach by looking at it. It was long enough (I have an SUV), but just barely.
The camera/video quality is very good. It is much easier to see things like license plates and tell the make/model of a vehicle than with non-4K dash cams. Even though the quality of the video should make or break the user experience, I have to say that the app does leave something to be desired. I had some issues connecting to Alexa and even transferring video from the camera to my phone using the app. I would assume that when the app gets an update this system might be more valuable.
This seems like a good system, but it does have some places where improvements could be made. It's a hefty investment for something that isn't great out of the box.
Once you have everything pulled out of the box you should have the following:
1 - Dash Camera
1 - Rear-facing camera
1 - vehicle charger with Micro USB plug
1 - short USB-A to Micro USB cable
1 - rear camera extension cable (USB Mini to 3.5mm plug cable)
1 - magnetic mount for the main camera
2 - adhesive pads (1 large, 1 small)
The first thing I noted about the main camera is how heavy it is. It’s a substantial piece of equipment. I’ve used many dash cameras through the years and this one feels and looks kind of like a point-and-shoot camera. The next thing I noticed was the types of connectors used. The main camera uses Micro USB and the rear camera uses USB Mini. I found this to be very odd considering they are pretty outdated technologies. Given the cost of this product and the fact that it is new to market, I really expected USB-C as the connecting technology. That said, the use of the older types of connectors was very disappointing to me. I was, however, impressed to see that a 64GB Micro SD card was included and already inserted into the slot of the main camera.
Because of the fact that the camera (front and rear) require cables to connect, the setup can take a while if you properly dress your cables. Since I am a stickler for cable management, I took a lot of care hiding the extension cable between the main camera and rear camera. I do have to admit that I wasn’t sure if the cable would actually reach by looking at it. It was long enough (I have an SUV), but just barely.
The camera/video quality is very good. It is much easier to see things like license plates and tell the make/model of a vehicle than with non-4K dash cams. Even though the quality of the video should make or break the user experience, I have to say that the app does leave something to be desired. I had some issues connecting to Alexa and even transferring video from the camera to my phone using the app. I would assume that when the app gets an update this system might be more valuable.
This seems like a good system, but it does have some places where improvements could be made. It's a hefty investment for something that isn't great out of the box.
Mobile Submission: False
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Rewire the rules with the Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma—a sleek, customizable hub that ushers in a new era of connectivity for your ideal setup. Packed with 10 ports, lightning-fast data transfer rates, and dual 4K or single 8K video output, you’ll always be primed to make the right connections.
Customer Rating
5
A unique docking option
on November 17, 2021
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
For many years, I’ve been running my workstation off of a laptop - namely, a MacBook Pro. A few months ago, I shifted my main computer over to a MacMini. That said, I do still require a docking station in place so that I can utilize all my peripherals and accessories. I was drawn to this docking station by Razer because of its use of Thunderbolt 4 and because of how it uses RGB lighting effects.
The dock provides a great option for creating a connection option for a laptop-based workstation. With it, you can connect your laptop to all your peripherals with one cable. One thing that was surprising to me was that there were no display port options (DisplayPort or HDMI). The USB-C ports do transmit video and audio signals, but you will have to acquire a USB-C to HDMI/DisplayPort cable in order to connect to most modern monitors.
The dock provides a great option for creating a connection option for a laptop-based workstation. With it, you can connect your laptop to all your peripherals with one cable. One thing that was surprising to me was that there were no display port options (DisplayPort or HDMI). The USB-C ports do transmit video and audio signals, but you will have to acquire a USB-C to HDMI/DisplayPort cable in order to connect to most modern monitors.
The dock works with the MacBook Pro out of the box without needing any drivers. That said, there is no Mac software to control the RGB under glow so if you are using a Mac, you won’t have any customization options and the colors will just cycle. The first time I connected the laptop to the dock, I connected it to one of the USB-C ports on the rear of the dock. These ports, I discovered, are all ‘receiver’ ports. That means, that while they can provide power to a connected computer, they aren’t going to recognize that computer as the source machine. The source port is on the front of the dock, which I found strange for cable organization purposes. I would have much rather seen this port on the front be a receive port for easy access.
I also connected the dock to a Windows laptop and played around with the Synapse software. It takes a few minutes to get it downloaded and setup, but it immediately recognized the dock.
Despite the lack of customization possibilities for Mac computers, the dock is very sturdy as it’s all metal and it works great for connecting USB-A and USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 devices to a single computer base. I do, however, wish the power supply was smaller and that the ports were organized differently. I will be using this Thunderbolt dock mostly with my Gaming PC and because its Thunderbolt 4 I will also plug in my MacBook Pro to get the most usability out of the ports. This is an awesome dock for both PC and Mac.
I also connected the dock to a Windows laptop and played around with the Synapse software. It takes a few minutes to get it downloaded and setup, but it immediately recognized the dock.
Despite the lack of customization possibilities for Mac computers, the dock is very sturdy as it’s all metal and it works great for connecting USB-A and USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 devices to a single computer base. I do, however, wish the power supply was smaller and that the ports were organized differently. I will be using this Thunderbolt dock mostly with my Gaming PC and because its Thunderbolt 4 I will also plug in my MacBook Pro to get the most usability out of the ports. This is an awesome dock for both PC and Mac.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Introducing Pixel 6 Pro, the completely redesigned, fully loaded Google 5G phone.* With a powerful camera system, next-gen security, and the custom-built Google Tensor processor, it’s the smartest and fastest Pixel yet.
Customer Rating
5
An impressive smartphone and a worthy investment
on November 3, 2021
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
The Pixel 6 Pro comes in a slender retail box with Google branding on it. An image of the phone adorns the front of the box with the SKU, IMEI1, and eSIM ID included on the bottom. The back of the box is bare except for a stamp that reads “#TeamPixel” and the specs of the phone (name, size, capacity, color, etc.). The box is not enclosed in plastic, but it does have simple adhesive strips holding the top of the box to its body. I have really started enjoying this type of closure because it doesn’t destroy the box when you open it. When you open the box, the first thing you will see is the back of the phone. There is a paper tab sticking out from the bottom of the phone that helps you to remove the device from the box. This tab is attached to a larger piece of paper that is affixed to the front of the phone to protect the screen from scratches. While it’s in its own box. Once you remove the phone, you will find the charging cable, a quick switch adapter for data transfer, and a tiny packet of papers that includes set-up instructions as well as a SIM card puller.
As an Apple and Google user, I want to say that my first impressions of the phone were very positive. In this last round of iPhone models, I got a Pro model phone which has a screen size of 6.1”. Since the Pixel 6 Pro has a screen size of 6.7”, I was immediately taken with the size of the phone. It feels really good in the hand. It’s not too large to handle, but it does feel a little weighted - not heavy, just weighted. The camera system was instantly noticeable, too, as it takes up the entire length of the phone and is almost an inch in height. I also noticed how quickly the phone collected fingerprints. The phone is covered by scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Victus glass on the front and is stated to have a fingerprint-resistant coating. After having the phone out of the box for about 5 minutes, fingerprints were showing up. I will say that they are easy to clean off though.
After I finished giving the physical phone a once-over, I moved on to set-up. The first step was to power the phone on by pressing the power button for 5 seconds. The first screen you see is an all-white Google start-up screen. This actually allows you to see the entire edge-to-edge screen of the Pixel 6 Pro. It’s quite lovely and really makes the phone stand out. Next, you will be asked to insert a SIM and connect the phone to WiFi. After completing those steps the phone shows a screen that states you might be waiting for a few minutes. Then, the phone will ask if you want to import apps. I did not go that route and instead moved on to entering my Google Account information. You will get through a lot of permissions and then finally, you will be asked if you want to set up the fingerprint reader.
Some of the most important features to me on a phone are video quality, audio quality, gameplay, battery life, camera quality, ease of use (general), and call quality. So, those are the areas I looked at closely as I tested out the Google Pixel 6 Pro.
Video Quality: This phone has the most incredible screen I’ve seen on a smartphone. It’s crystal clear and very bright. I watched several videos on YouTube including 4K and 8K video feeds. It looks amazing.
Audio Quality: While the video quality is incredible, the sound quality is only above average. It’s only good - not great. The lows sounded powerful, but the bright tones seemed a little hollow to me. I also thought at 100% volume it could have been louder.
Gameplay: To test out the gameplay on this phone I downloaded a bunch of random games including Tetris from the Google Play store and played a few rounds. It was fun. The screen was responsive to commands and the movements and color looked great.
Battery Life: I would say the battery thus far is very good. Out of the box, it was less than 100% full and after watching videos, listening to music through YT Music, and playing games, the percentage had fallen to 58%. This was also with the brightness turned up to 100% on the screen.
Camera Quality: The camera is also very impressive. I decided to test it by taking a photo in extremely low light. The nighttime setting on the camera worked really well. It’s a nice camera system and it takes superb photos even better than the competition by far.
Ease of Use (General): As I mentioned, the phone body feels great in the hands. I also really like that the volume button is on the same side as the power button. It just feels natural. I didn’t have any trouble setting up the phone or inserting a SIM card either.
Call Quality: I made quite a few phone calls with the Pixel 6 Pro and they all sounded above average. I didn’t have any trouble hearing or understanding the person on the other end and they said they could hear me just fine as well.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro is a great smartphone and it is a step up from other Android-based phones I’ve worked with in the past. It’s an impressive device and worthy of the investment.
I used the Pixel Pro with my Next and it's like it was made for it. My device connected to my thermostat and controlled everything extremely well. I also wanted to make sure I took advantage of Google apps. I am a big photo person so making sure I had a device that worked flawlessly with Google photos was important. I love the magic erase inside of the Photos app on this phone. It makes for cleaning images of stuff I don't want in my image a breeze. I am really happy with Google trying to create an ecosystem. I need to find a new door lock that will work with my new Smartphone. The way it worked with my next I would be happy to add new smart home products knowing they are going to work just as well.
Things I love about this phone are the screen, camera, power and speed of the OS. Google did a fine job creating a flagship phone.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Where’s the fun in winning if you can’t do it your way? With the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma, next-gen customizability is now. Armed with extra remappable buttons, Razer Chroma RGB, swappable thumbsticks and more, you’ll always be spoiled for choice when it comes to tearing up the competition.
Customer Rating
5
Definite upgrade from run-of-the-mill controllers
on October 28, 2021
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Finding a controller that fits you and works for your game can be a difficult match to make. Forutnately Razer has this amazing controller for Xbox Series X|S users that features some pro-level controls as well as RGB lighting effects. It’s definitely a step up in the controller world and an upgrade from a standard Xbox controller.
Unboxing: The controller comes in a Razer-branded box with an image of the controller on the front. I like that this is provided so that you are sure you are getting your controller of choice for the correct gaming system. It’s a very noticeable package and I believe it would stick out on a retail shelf. The back of the box calls out the main features of the controller like the 6 additional multi-function buttons, interchangeable thumb stick caps, mechanical-tactile action buttons and D-pad, hair trigger mode with trigger stop switches, powered by Razer Chroma RGB, and improved ergonomics. When you open the box, you will find the controller sitting inside some foam. There are replacement thumb stick caps resting above the controller. There is a small black box compartment that holds the connector cable, Razer stickers, and a user guide.
First Impressions: When I took the controller out of the box, I was immediately struck by the weight of the controller. It felt similar to my standard Xbox controller, but a little heavier. I liked this about it. I plugged in the controller using the provided cable (USB-C to USB-A) and my Xbox immediately powered up and the controller lit up. The RGB effect is definitely a plus in my book. I like adding fun lighting effects to anything in my workspace and the lights on the controller are bright and colorful. Another thing I noticed right off the bat was the mechanical ‘click’ you get when you press buttons. It’s almost like using a mechanical keyboard, but in controller form.
Gameplay: One of my favorite games to play is Red Dead Redemption 2. It’s a game I know really well and I know how a standard controller feels while playing it. So, I started it up and played for a bit to get a feel for the Razer controller. Overall, I was very impressed with the reaction timing of the controls and how good the tactile mechanical buttons felt in comparison to the standard softer buttons on an Xbox controller. The only thing that ended up throwing me for a loop was the position of the menu buttons. They aren't in the exact middle of the controller and that ended up hindering me a little bit since some of the gameplay of RDR2 deals with recalling the menu quite a bit.
Overall: I think this controller is a great alternative to the traditional Xbox controller. It looks great, feels awesome in the hands and is incredibly responsive. I really love the trigger paddles on the back even though I haven't used them much yet. They feel solid and don’t feel as if they will just fall off like some pro-level triggers do.
Unboxing: The controller comes in a Razer-branded box with an image of the controller on the front. I like that this is provided so that you are sure you are getting your controller of choice for the correct gaming system. It’s a very noticeable package and I believe it would stick out on a retail shelf. The back of the box calls out the main features of the controller like the 6 additional multi-function buttons, interchangeable thumb stick caps, mechanical-tactile action buttons and D-pad, hair trigger mode with trigger stop switches, powered by Razer Chroma RGB, and improved ergonomics. When you open the box, you will find the controller sitting inside some foam. There are replacement thumb stick caps resting above the controller. There is a small black box compartment that holds the connector cable, Razer stickers, and a user guide.
First Impressions: When I took the controller out of the box, I was immediately struck by the weight of the controller. It felt similar to my standard Xbox controller, but a little heavier. I liked this about it. I plugged in the controller using the provided cable (USB-C to USB-A) and my Xbox immediately powered up and the controller lit up. The RGB effect is definitely a plus in my book. I like adding fun lighting effects to anything in my workspace and the lights on the controller are bright and colorful. Another thing I noticed right off the bat was the mechanical ‘click’ you get when you press buttons. It’s almost like using a mechanical keyboard, but in controller form.
Gameplay: One of my favorite games to play is Red Dead Redemption 2. It’s a game I know really well and I know how a standard controller feels while playing it. So, I started it up and played for a bit to get a feel for the Razer controller. Overall, I was very impressed with the reaction timing of the controls and how good the tactile mechanical buttons felt in comparison to the standard softer buttons on an Xbox controller. The only thing that ended up throwing me for a loop was the position of the menu buttons. They aren't in the exact middle of the controller and that ended up hindering me a little bit since some of the gameplay of RDR2 deals with recalling the menu quite a bit.
Overall: I think this controller is a great alternative to the traditional Xbox controller. It looks great, feels awesome in the hands and is incredibly responsive. I really love the trigger paddles on the back even though I haven't used them much yet. They feel solid and don’t feel as if they will just fall off like some pro-level triggers do.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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If all-out advantage is more your speed, arm yourself with responsiveness that’s second to none. Meet the Razer Huntsman V2—an optical gaming keyboard with near-zero input latency and fully geared out with other high-end features to make it the complete package.
Customer Rating
5
A great all around mechanical keyboard
on October 4, 2021
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I’ve always been a fan of mechanical keyboards and even though I tend to use a slim Bluetooth keyboard for most daily tasks, I still love the feel of a good mechanical keyboard. I’ve been a fan of Razer products for a long time and was excited to be able to try out the Huntsman V2. It comes in a brightly colored Razer-branded box. The keyboard plugs right into a USB-A port and can be used right out of the box. You are given the option of registering the keyboard and installing the Razer Synapse software for full customizable control of the keyboard. This is only available for users who are connected to a Windows 10 or higher operating system.
The keyboard has a full layout including the number pad. The switches are optical switches which means they use infrared light and photoelectric switches to detect a key press. Optical keyboards tend to have a faster reaction time than metal switches and they are quite a bit quieter than standard mechanical switches. This keyboard is actually the first time I’ve used a keyboard with optical switches and it’s a completely different experience than other mechanical keyboards. The presses are soft, but accurate. One of the things I usually do in order to test a keyboard is just a simple typing test. This helps me determine how quickly I can move around the keyboard and how accurately I can type with it. I usually have a 72WPM adjusted speed with 100% accuracy. This time I had a 71WPM sped with 95% accuracy. I think part of that is because the keys are so much higher than I am used to since I use a slim profile keyboard most of the time.
One of the big features of this keyboard is its wrist pad. The keyboard comes with a super plush wrist pad that connects to the keyboard magnetically. It makes typing for longer periods of time very comfortable. This keyboard is a great complement to any gaming set-up. The cable is even easy to tuck away since it's braided. I’m not a big fan of the fact that you can't customize your experience unless you run a Windows OS, but it functions really well as a classic mechanical keyboard without all the noise that goes along with it.
The keyboard has a full layout including the number pad. The switches are optical switches which means they use infrared light and photoelectric switches to detect a key press. Optical keyboards tend to have a faster reaction time than metal switches and they are quite a bit quieter than standard mechanical switches. This keyboard is actually the first time I’ve used a keyboard with optical switches and it’s a completely different experience than other mechanical keyboards. The presses are soft, but accurate. One of the things I usually do in order to test a keyboard is just a simple typing test. This helps me determine how quickly I can move around the keyboard and how accurately I can type with it. I usually have a 72WPM adjusted speed with 100% accuracy. This time I had a 71WPM sped with 95% accuracy. I think part of that is because the keys are so much higher than I am used to since I use a slim profile keyboard most of the time.
One of the big features of this keyboard is its wrist pad. The keyboard comes with a super plush wrist pad that connects to the keyboard magnetically. It makes typing for longer periods of time very comfortable. This keyboard is a great complement to any gaming set-up. The cable is even easy to tuck away since it's braided. I’m not a big fan of the fact that you can't customize your experience unless you run a Windows OS, but it functions really well as a classic mechanical keyboard without all the noise that goes along with it.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Create, control, and champion your playstyle with the new Razer Basilisk V3—the quintessential ergonomic gaming mouse for customized performance. With 10+1 programmable buttons, a dual-mode tilt scroll wheel, and a heavy dose of Razer Chroma RGB, it's time to light up the competition your way.
Customer Rating
5
An easy to use colorful gaming mouse
on October 4, 2021
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I’ve been bouncing back and forth between a small wireless mouse and a trackpad for a long time now. So, switching over to a wired gaming mouse was an intriguing opportunity. The mouse is very lightweight and easy to move around. My main computer is a Mac and I didn’t have any issues with connecting it for use.
The packaging is simple and well defined. I’ve seen a lot of mouses have poorly designed retail boxes, but this one is hard to miss and you can easily identify the mouse as the Razer Basilisk V3. If you have a machine that uses Windows 10 or higher, you can take full advantage of the programmable mouse buttons alongside the Razer Cortex software. The form of the mouse is great and it fits most hands. The scroll wheel can switch between smooth and clicky. I’ve had this feature for a while with my wireless mouse so it was a welcome addition to this model.
I didn't have any issues with moving the mouse around on my XL mouse/desk pad. The mouse is very comfortable use and the placement of the buttons is great. The shape/design of the mouse is also very aesthetically pleasing. It just looks really cool. I love that it has RGB lights built in. They are bright and colorful. I don’t usually like wired mouses because the wire clutters up my desktop. The cable on this mouse is lightweight and honestly, I haven’t noticed it much. I don’t feel tethered to anything like I usually do when I am using a wired mouse.
The mouse is a quality product and incredibly solid in nature. It’s easy to use for gaming as well as standard operating procedures.
The packaging is simple and well defined. I’ve seen a lot of mouses have poorly designed retail boxes, but this one is hard to miss and you can easily identify the mouse as the Razer Basilisk V3. If you have a machine that uses Windows 10 or higher, you can take full advantage of the programmable mouse buttons alongside the Razer Cortex software. The form of the mouse is great and it fits most hands. The scroll wheel can switch between smooth and clicky. I’ve had this feature for a while with my wireless mouse so it was a welcome addition to this model.
I didn't have any issues with moving the mouse around on my XL mouse/desk pad. The mouse is very comfortable use and the placement of the buttons is great. The shape/design of the mouse is also very aesthetically pleasing. It just looks really cool. I love that it has RGB lights built in. They are bright and colorful. I don’t usually like wired mouses because the wire clutters up my desktop. The cable on this mouse is lightweight and honestly, I haven’t noticed it much. I don’t feel tethered to anything like I usually do when I am using a wired mouse.
The mouse is a quality product and incredibly solid in nature. It’s easy to use for gaming as well as standard operating procedures.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Farenheit Flame is great for the backyard or for your outdoor adventures. This easy to transport fire pit will add warmth and atmosphere. Designed to reduce smoke so you can cozy up and enjoy yourself.
Customer Rating
5
Creates a nice, warm fire
on September 22, 2021
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Over the summer, we worked really hard to get our patio setup just the way we wanted it. There is comfortable seating, a covered pergola, and easy access to our garage where the fridge is fully stocked. The only thing we really didn’t have was a good fire pit. We used to have one, but it degraded quickly and we finally got rid of it a couple of months ago. We were hesitant to get another one right away because we didn’t want a fire pit that was large and hard to move. That’s why this fire pit was so appealing to us.
It weighs less than 20lbs and it comes with a carrying bag and handle for easy transport. Assembly was very easy. The fire pit comes in two sections - upper and lower. The fire-making supplies go in the upper section and the lower section acts as the base. The design of the fire pit is meant to reduce smoke output from the fire. It uses wood pellets or small logs as its fuel for the fire. There is no gas or starter to worry about. You just make a traditional wood-burning fire and start it with a lighter. The instructions do mention not use lighter fluid or any other accelerants.
When I tested out the fire pit, I loaded it with some old, but dry wood chips and used some paper and cardboard as a starter. The fire caught quickly and burned for a while before fizzling out on its own. The instructions also direct the user to let the fire burn out on its own. So that’s what I did. The fire pit did seem to have less smoke that usual although there was still some - especially when I first started it. The fire burned hot, but the outside of it wasn’t too hot to the touch. I only tried touching the outside of the top section once and did it after the fire had only been burning for about 5 minutes. It's not recommended. I also recommend that you allow plenty of time for the entire unit to cool down before attempting to move or store it. All in all, the fire pit was very good at creating a hot fire and containing it.
It weighs less than 20lbs and it comes with a carrying bag and handle for easy transport. Assembly was very easy. The fire pit comes in two sections - upper and lower. The fire-making supplies go in the upper section and the lower section acts as the base. The design of the fire pit is meant to reduce smoke output from the fire. It uses wood pellets or small logs as its fuel for the fire. There is no gas or starter to worry about. You just make a traditional wood-burning fire and start it with a lighter. The instructions do mention not use lighter fluid or any other accelerants.
When I tested out the fire pit, I loaded it with some old, but dry wood chips and used some paper and cardboard as a starter. The fire caught quickly and burned for a while before fizzling out on its own. The instructions also direct the user to let the fire burn out on its own. So that’s what I did. The fire pit did seem to have less smoke that usual although there was still some - especially when I first started it. The fire burned hot, but the outside of it wasn’t too hot to the touch. I only tried touching the outside of the top section once and did it after the fire had only been burning for about 5 minutes. It's not recommended. I also recommend that you allow plenty of time for the entire unit to cool down before attempting to move or store it. All in all, the fire pit was very good at creating a hot fire and containing it.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Cube is our pioneer sleep system. It’s comprised of a reversible hydro-powered mattress pad (ChiliPad), thermal regulating control unit(s), and a remote making it perfect for one sleeper! Utilizing hydropower (water), this sleep system operates between 55-115°F (13-46°C), helping encourage quality, restorative sleep. Fall asleep faster and wake up refreshed. Everyday. Easy to Install, Remove, and Clean. It has Reversible Sides for Custom Comfort - Breathable Mesh Knit for Optimal Cooling Benefit (100% Polyester), Or Soft Quilted Side for All-season Comfort (52% Cotton / 48% Polyester Woven Blend). (Half King - 80" L x 38" W)
Customer Rating
5
Easing into a cool night sleep
on September 21, 2021
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
For years, I’ve battled with comfortable sleeping temperatures. I typically overheat and I’ve tried a variety of devices to help remedy that problem. Oscillating fans that point right at me end up causing me to have headaches in the morning and fans that route under the covers just get my feet cold. I really wanted to find something that would cool my entire body - head to toe. The mattress pad from ChiliSleep seemed to be a decent option for me. I have a king size Sleep Number bed with a split mattress. So, I ordered the Half King option.
Installation of the mattress pad was easy. I simply unfolded the pad and laid it flat on the mattress. The mattress pad is hydro-powered and it can heat or cool the bed between 55º - 115º. There are tubes that run from the cube control unit and the mattress pad. The tubes deliver the heated or cooled water to the mattress pad and they lock into place on the mattress pad and cube. The instructions suggest that you ‘preheat’ or ‘precool’ the mattress pad for about 30 minutes before using it. After about 5 minutes, I did notice the mattress pad starting to feel cool, but I would agree that the longer it was on, the cooler it got.
I’ve used the mattress pad for a few nights now and have been happy with the results I've gotten. I have felt cooler throughout the night and woken up feeling more refreshed then when I don’t use it. I have tried other cooling pads similar to this, but it only used circulating air to cool it. It never seemed as cool as this mattress pad. So, I really thing the hydro-powered technology helps to regulate the temperature throughout the pad much better than other heating/cooling bed accessories. While the ChiliSleep Cube is a hefty investment, it does get the job done well.
Installation of the mattress pad was easy. I simply unfolded the pad and laid it flat on the mattress. The mattress pad is hydro-powered and it can heat or cool the bed between 55º - 115º. There are tubes that run from the cube control unit and the mattress pad. The tubes deliver the heated or cooled water to the mattress pad and they lock into place on the mattress pad and cube. The instructions suggest that you ‘preheat’ or ‘precool’ the mattress pad for about 30 minutes before using it. After about 5 minutes, I did notice the mattress pad starting to feel cool, but I would agree that the longer it was on, the cooler it got.
I’ve used the mattress pad for a few nights now and have been happy with the results I've gotten. I have felt cooler throughout the night and woken up feeling more refreshed then when I don’t use it. I have tried other cooling pads similar to this, but it only used circulating air to cool it. It never seemed as cool as this mattress pad. So, I really thing the hydro-powered technology helps to regulate the temperature throughout the pad much better than other heating/cooling bed accessories. While the ChiliSleep Cube is a hefty investment, it does get the job done well.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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ASUS ROG Gaming Laptop. Enjoy everyday gaming with this ASUS notebook PC. The 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM let you run graphics-heavy games smoothly, while the potent NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics produce high-quality visuals on the new fast 16-inch 144hz WUXGA display. This ASUS notebook PC has 512GB SSD that shortens load times and offers ample storage.
Customer Rating
5
Great for gaming
on August 8, 2021
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
As point of full disclousure, I typically use computers that run macOS, but I do appreciate Windows machines as well - especially for gaming. One of my favorite games to play is Gears of War. Once I got this laptop set-up, that game was the first thing I downloaded. I was impressed by how smoothly game play was and aside from getting used to the controls (I usually play on a console), I thought the expereince was quite enjoyable. The only criticism I have about this machine as a gaming laptop, is the hard drive size. It’s very difficult to have more than a couple of games stored at one time. The laptop has a built-in ‘riser’ of sorts to help with ventilation, but if you are playing for a long time, the computer still gets hot. I haven’t noticed the heat causing any problems for performance, but it’s something to be aware of if you are long-term gamer.
I love the overall look and feel of the keyboard. First of all, it’s RGB backlit and that makes me super happy. The keyboard itself doesn't get very hot and you can adjust the colors and patterns of the keyboard within the ASUS ROG software. The keys feel soft and are easy to type on. One of the things I typically do as a test for keyboards is to run a typing test for speed and accuracy. When I did that with this keyboard/laptop, I got a score of 74 WPM and accuracy of 99%. That is a higher score than I usually get. I usually average 70-72 WPM. Comfortable typing is a big feature for me and being able to move around the keyboard faster than normal is great for gaming.
PERFORMANCE
To get a sense for the computer’s actual performance I ran a series of tests using Geekbench, Novabench and CrystalDiskMark. As I said above, the computer has been running very smoothly. It’s been very responsive and able to handle the tasks I’ve thrown at it. Given that this computer is mainly built for gaming and application performance, those are the main areas that I was testing when I was using the laptop.
GEEKBENCH RESULTS
The GU603HE ended up with a single-core score of 1089 and a multi-core score of 6549. According to other Geekbench results, the top scoring machine with an Intel i7 processor is 1710/9891. In this regard, the ASUS is performing below the top performing machine. The OpenCL test looks specifically at how well the GPU performs. The GE603HE has an GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Laptop GPU integrated graphics chipset. The OpenCL score was 60954. Looking at other GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Laptop GPUs that have been tested on Geekbench, the average score is 50661. With that in mind, the GU603HE is performing a bit higher than the average.
NOVABENCH RESULTS
NovaBench does a similar type of testing on your system but provides you with a different set of scores and analysis. The overall score of this laptop was 3141 and had a CPU score of 1758 and GPU score of 876. According to Novabench’s comparison tool, the GU603HE ranks 96th in overall performance. It’s overall score is 24% higher than other mid-level gaming PCs, CPU score is 76% higher and the GPU score is 12% lower.
HARD DRIVE SPEED
Finally, I wanted to test the hard drive’s speed. This model of the HP Envy comes with 512GB SSD. According to the stress test I used (64GB), the top read/write speed of this SSD is 3459/1630 MB/s.
The ASUS ROG is a wonderful gaming laptop that can be used for other purposes, too. It’s a mid-level gaming computer that will work just fine for most users. If you are a competitive gamer, you will likely want a more custom machine. Overall, I think this is a good investment.
I love the overall look and feel of the keyboard. First of all, it’s RGB backlit and that makes me super happy. The keyboard itself doesn't get very hot and you can adjust the colors and patterns of the keyboard within the ASUS ROG software. The keys feel soft and are easy to type on. One of the things I typically do as a test for keyboards is to run a typing test for speed and accuracy. When I did that with this keyboard/laptop, I got a score of 74 WPM and accuracy of 99%. That is a higher score than I usually get. I usually average 70-72 WPM. Comfortable typing is a big feature for me and being able to move around the keyboard faster than normal is great for gaming.
PERFORMANCE
To get a sense for the computer’s actual performance I ran a series of tests using Geekbench, Novabench and CrystalDiskMark. As I said above, the computer has been running very smoothly. It’s been very responsive and able to handle the tasks I’ve thrown at it. Given that this computer is mainly built for gaming and application performance, those are the main areas that I was testing when I was using the laptop.
GEEKBENCH RESULTS
The GU603HE ended up with a single-core score of 1089 and a multi-core score of 6549. According to other Geekbench results, the top scoring machine with an Intel i7 processor is 1710/9891. In this regard, the ASUS is performing below the top performing machine. The OpenCL test looks specifically at how well the GPU performs. The GE603HE has an GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Laptop GPU integrated graphics chipset. The OpenCL score was 60954. Looking at other GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Laptop GPUs that have been tested on Geekbench, the average score is 50661. With that in mind, the GU603HE is performing a bit higher than the average.
NOVABENCH RESULTS
NovaBench does a similar type of testing on your system but provides you with a different set of scores and analysis. The overall score of this laptop was 3141 and had a CPU score of 1758 and GPU score of 876. According to Novabench’s comparison tool, the GU603HE ranks 96th in overall performance. It’s overall score is 24% higher than other mid-level gaming PCs, CPU score is 76% higher and the GPU score is 12% lower.
HARD DRIVE SPEED
Finally, I wanted to test the hard drive’s speed. This model of the HP Envy comes with 512GB SSD. According to the stress test I used (64GB), the top read/write speed of this SSD is 3459/1630 MB/s.
The ASUS ROG is a wonderful gaming laptop that can be used for other purposes, too. It’s a mid-level gaming computer that will work just fine for most users. If you are a competitive gamer, you will likely want a more custom machine. Overall, I think this is a good investment.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The WD_Black™ P10 Game Drive for Xbox™ gives your Xbox the tools it needs to keep your competitive edge. With up to 5TB* of storage capacity, the WD_Black™ P10 Game Drive for Xbox™ is a top-tier external HDD built specifically for gamers looking to expand the potential of their Xbox so they can drive their game the way they choose. Included with your purchase is a 1-month membership of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, with access to 100+ games on consoles and PC, plus online console multiplayer.
Customer Rating
5
Great storage for Gaming
on August 7, 2021
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Storage is everything. I remember when I had to use multiple floppy disks just to save a document and now we have portable hard drives that are the size of a deck of cards that can store terabytes of data. Last fall, I was lucky enough to snag an Xbox Series X console system and I just recently subscribed to the Game Pass system that Microsoft provides for users. I found several older games that I’ve always enjoyed and even though I invested in a larger hard drive in my console, I was concerned about running out of system space with all of these downloads. That’s why this WD_Black P10 hard drive comes in handy.
This hard drive is designed specifically with gamers in mind. The hard drive can reach speeds up to 130 MB/s read/write. It’s a mechanical 2.5-inch hard drive and works through a USB 3.2 G 1 interface. The hard drive comes with a cable and instruction manual for operation. It also comes with a promo code for 2 months of Xbox Game Pass, which does come in handy. WD includes a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty for parts and labor. The hard drive is black with white trim and it looks great with the Xbox Series X console. It is offered in different capacity sizes up to 5TB, but I chose the 4TB version. The hard drive is a 5400RPM drive, but performs quite well for a mechanical drive.
When you plug the hard drive into your console, a message will pop up automatically to ask if you would like to format the hard drive. You have the option to use it for media or for game backups. It you want to use it for game backups, you will need to format it. As a word of warning, once you format it, the hard drive won’t be readable by other computer systems. When the drive is connected, you can manage it later through System Settings.
The drive seems to load games pretty fast and with a 4TB HDD, it will certainly have plenty of space to store saved games. It’s very easy to operate and other than the special compatibility with console systems, it’s not much different from a standard HDD when it comes to function. The speeds won’t be as fast as the internal storage on the console simply because the WD_Black isn’t an SSD. Overall, it’s a good hard drive though and I’ve trusted WD for years with data storage. I love that I have this as an option for additional storage for gaming.
This hard drive is designed specifically with gamers in mind. The hard drive can reach speeds up to 130 MB/s read/write. It’s a mechanical 2.5-inch hard drive and works through a USB 3.2 G 1 interface. The hard drive comes with a cable and instruction manual for operation. It also comes with a promo code for 2 months of Xbox Game Pass, which does come in handy. WD includes a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty for parts and labor. The hard drive is black with white trim and it looks great with the Xbox Series X console. It is offered in different capacity sizes up to 5TB, but I chose the 4TB version. The hard drive is a 5400RPM drive, but performs quite well for a mechanical drive.
When you plug the hard drive into your console, a message will pop up automatically to ask if you would like to format the hard drive. You have the option to use it for media or for game backups. It you want to use it for game backups, you will need to format it. As a word of warning, once you format it, the hard drive won’t be readable by other computer systems. When the drive is connected, you can manage it later through System Settings.
The drive seems to load games pretty fast and with a 4TB HDD, it will certainly have plenty of space to store saved games. It’s very easy to operate and other than the special compatibility with console systems, it’s not much different from a standard HDD when it comes to function. The speeds won’t be as fast as the internal storage on the console simply because the WD_Black isn’t an SSD. Overall, it’s a good hard drive though and I’ve trusted WD for years with data storage. I love that I have this as an option for additional storage for gaming.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Life’s extraordinary moments deserve to be captured with smooth video. DJI OM 4 is a magnetic gimbal designed to complement your smartphone, allowing you to start recording right away. Ultra-compact, easy to use, and bursting with intelligent features, OM 4 is the ultimate solution for capturing and sharing your world.
Does the magnetic sticker phone attachment interfere with wireless phone charging?
Ensure meals are cooked evenly with this Breville the Combi Wave 3-in-1e microwave. The grill, convection oven and microwave functions provide a variety of cooking options, while the Element IQ technology precisely delivers the right cooking temperature for optimal results. This Breville the Combi Wave 3-in-1 microwave features a Power Smoothing inverter for automatic adjustment of power to enable even heat distribution.
Is this an air fryer, microwave and convection oven
Simplify your everyday life with the Google Home, a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant. Use voice commands to enjoy music, get answers from Google and manage everyday tasks. Google Home is compatible with Android and iOS operating systems, and can control compatible smart devices such as Chromecast or Nest."
Will Google Home work with ECOBEE Thermostat?
No. Unfortunately, Google has limited functionality to only the Nest thermostat. At this time, I don't see them opening up support for third parties as they are probably trying to push it with their own hardware, but that could always change.
8 years, 8 months ago
by
nickcal
Enjoy a compact tablet that fits neatly in your pocket with this Acer Iconia One 8-inch tablet. It includes a quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM that deliver powerful processing to play all your games and apps, and the 16GB of flash memory ensure this Acer Iconia One 8-inch tablet and store your files.
can i download skype
Depends on the Google Play store. If Microsoft has a version of Skype for Android then yes.
9 years, 1 month ago
by
nickcal