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- Review count328
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- First reviewFebruary 22, 2014
- Last reviewAugust 20, 2025
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- First answerMay 23, 2016
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Produce documents with sharp, detailed text using this Epson EcoTank all-in-one color printer. A 2.4-inch color display and a simple interface offer easy operation, and Wi-Fi connectivity lets you print and scan remotely. This Epson EcoTank all-in-one color printer produces up to 15 high-quality pages per minute and has a 150-sheet input tray that minimizes refill-related downtime.Prints up to 15 ISO ppm*, up to 8 ISO ppm* in color.
Customer Rating
5
Machine provides hassle-free operation
on June 28, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I have a real love-hate relationship with printers. I grew up in the world before computers were a main fixture in homes so I remember the manual-feed dot matrix printers that were a hassle to deal with. Now, printers can do everything -- print, scan, fax, copy, and more. Even though printers have evolved into all-in-one workhorses for home or office use, they still have one fatal flaw -- ink cartridges. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sent something to print only to have the machine tell me that it’s out of magenta or cyan. That means a trip to the local office supply store to spend more precious dollars on a consumable.
I really do try to limit how much I print because I try to be environmentally conscience and not create more paper, but I inevitably end up having some items that simply must be on paper. With that in mind, I’m really glad that Epson, my personal choice for printing needs, has an affordable EcoTank option in its WorkForce printer line-up. This printer features ‘cartridge-free’ printing, which is a huge benefit to me.
The printer arrived in a large Epson branded box. It had a lot of information on the outside of the box and the box makes the printer seem larger than it actually is. I have another Epson business-grade printer that is much larger than this model. That said, it does weigh around 16 pounds. There is a lot of packaging around the machine to keep it safe during transport. Once you remove all of it and the printer from the box, you will see that there is quite a bit of blue tape stuck to the outside of the machine. It’s in place to keep all the different compartments closed while it’s packaged. That tape peels off easily and doesn’t leave a sticky residue.
Once you get all the tape removed, you will need to install the ink. This is where it gets interesting and is different from any other printer I’ve ever used. The ink comes in bottles that you end up emptying directly into the printer. There are four bottles that it comes with -- black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. I have to admit that I was nervous that the ink might get spilled as I tried to pour it into the printer, but as it turns out, the ink doesn’t start dispensing until the bottle is inserted into the ink filling port. Once the ink is poured into the printer, you can power the machine on and begin the initializing. This process takes about 10 minutes and is pretty noisy. Once it’s finished, you will walk through a series of printed images to determine the alignment of the printer. After the alignment is confirmed, you can set up the printer for WiFi printing.
The interface with the printer is very easy to walk through. It has a smaller 2.4” LCD display which is used to access the different menu options of the machine. While it’s about half the size of the larger Epson printer I already had, the display is still easy to read on the ET-3760. The screen is not touch sensitive and has a keypad next to it that you use to navigate through the menus.
The first thing I did was to connect the printer to our WiFi since I plan on using it wirelessly most of the time. After the printer finishes its initial power cycle and automatic set-up, you can find your WiFi network and enter your password to connect the printer for wireless printing. Some printers have made me reconnect wireless capabilities every time I use the machine, but this Epson has stay connected and was super simple to get connected to WiFi.
The first thing I did was to connect the printer to our WiFi since I plan on using it wirelessly most of the time. After the printer finishes its initial power cycle and automatic set-up, you can find your WiFi network and enter your password to connect the printer for wireless printing. Some printers have made me reconnect wireless capabilities every time I use the machine, but this Epson has stay connected and was super simple to get connected to WiFi.
I printed from my MacBook Pro and iOS mobile devices. Epson provides packaged software for download on their website, but it’s not necessarily needed for Mac users. I downloaded the package, but my fiancé didn’t and he was still able to connect. Connecting to the iPhone and iPad were easy as well since the printer connects to the WiFi network. If you want to print from your phone, you simply select “print” from the options menu on printable items on your phone and then select the machine from the printer menu. We printed from different points in our house and never had an issue with the printer capturing the item we were printing.
Print quality from the ET-3760 is solid. Text prints out crisp and images are bright and full of color. In comparison to the ET-8700 that I already had, I would say the 3760 does just as good of a job -- even with larger print jobs. As far as speed goes, I thought the 3760 printed quickly and was in line with its specs. To test its speed, I created a document filled with Lorem Ipsum text. The document was 15 pages long with text from the top of the page to the bottom. There was a 1-inch margin all the way around each page. I made the document 15 pages long since the specs of this printer call out 15ppm for its speed. So, I timed the printing using the stopwatch on my iPhone and tapped start at the same time that I clicked print on my computer. From start (sending the document to the printer) to finish (the printer pushing out the last page and spooling down), printing 15 pages of black text took just over 1 minute to complete (1:04). While this speed may not be adequate for some businesses, I believe it’s perfectly fine for home/school projects.
Even though there are some more advanced options in the marketplace for small businesses, this printer is a great option for home and school projects. It prints really well and performs according to its specs. I’m very excited about this cartridge-free printing option for home use. While it’s initial cost is high, not having to deal with replacing cartridges every couple of months is worth the initial investment in my book.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+24points
29of 34voted this as helpful.
Acer Nitro 5 Laptop: Experience immersive multimedia with this Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop. The 8GB of RAM and Intel Core i5 processor support multitasking, and the 512GB solid-state drive offers quick data access and ample storage. This Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop features an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card that renders crystal-clear images on the 17.3-inch Full HD display.
Customer Rating
5
Mid-level gaming laptop with good power behind it
on June 27, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I’ve been a gaming fan for years. I’ve never really been a huge fan of the Windows operating system, but I do appreciate its prowess in the PC gaming world. I’ve largely been a console gamer, but when gaming systems started expanding their offerings to PC-based gaming, too, I took notice and decided to give PC gaming a try again. Of course, in order to try it out I had to acquire a PC gaming computer and I fell into being able to test out the Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop.
Even though this laptop is designed for gaming and that’s why I got it, I did want to make some comments about basic computing tasks since many people use their computer for multiple uses. This particular laptop is enormous. It’s got a 17.3-inch screen which is great for gaming, but it’s a little bulky to carry around as a daily commuter. I do like it for things like entertainment (watching videos, etc.) and for video or photo editing. The extra screen real estate is perfect for that sort of work.
I do like the feel of the keyboard, but found that when I was typing a lot, there were some missed keystrokes. Moving from a mechanical keyboard (I typically use an external mechanical keyboard connected to my MacBook Pro) to the membrane-like keyboard on this laptop was quite a change. I do really enjoy the red backlighting of the keys. It makes it very easy to do work at night and the red light is a lot easier on my eyes than white light or even some RGB keyboard light. It’s a nice, vibrant, but muted tone of red so it does a nice job of helping the keys show up, but not be distracting.
Because I felt that the typing difference was considerable between the Acer laptop and the mechanical keyboard I was currently using, I decided to complete a typing test to see how quickly I was able to type on the laptop versus the mechanical keyboard. As suspected, I average 64WPM on the Acer keyboard and 75WPM on the mechanical one.
Another issue I had with general use was that the longer I worked on the laptop, the more my wrists would start to hurt. The laptop has a very thick base where your wrists rest and it made it difficult for me to work for extended periods of time -- especially when I was doing things like typing. It just wasn't very comfortable to work on.
As far as performance goes, I thought the Acer did well. I didn’t have any issues with how it ran or have problems with it completing tasks I asked of it while I was working. To measure the performance of the CPU and GPU, I used two different benchmarking tests -- Geekbench 4 and NovaBench. I do want to point out here that the Acer Nitro 5 17-inch only has an Intel i5 processor installed. Many high-performance gaming laptops feature the 9th Generation Intel Core i7 instead. There are other models of the Nitro 5 that do feature the i7 processor, but not this particular one. Normally, I would provide the Geekbench results and compare them to similar machines that have been measured using the same benchmarking test. Unfortunately, when I searched through the results, I could not find any machines that had been tested that used the exact same processor. The Acer Nitro 5 (17-inch) ended up with a single-core score of 4536 and multi-core score of 12854. It also returned an OpenCL score of 121849.
Next, I ran the NovaBench test on the Acer laptop. This test does provide users with a comparison score (a percentile ranking) of where your system falls in comparison to other computers in the NovaBench database. The overall score of the Acer with Novabench was 2069 and ranks in the 70th percentile for CPU score and 87th percentile in GPU score. I also analyzed the Baseline Comparison score to rank the Acer against “budget laptops,” which was identified as a computer with an Intel Core i5-7300U and Intel HD Graphics 620. The Acer was ranked 169% higher overall than the budget laptop specs.
Another test I ran was a speed test of the hard drive. This model of the Acer Nitro 5 has a 512GB PCIe SSD as it’s main hard drive. Depending on the brand of the hard drive and the current state of your storage, you can expect to get up to sequential read/write speeds up to 2100MB/s and 1500MB/s on average. I used CrystalDiskMark to test out the hard drive speed of this particular laptop and the test results were 1705MB/s read and 1186MB/s write. While this wasn’t exactly up to par with the average specs I researched, I am still happy with the overall results.
One thing I do want to point out here is that while this laptop is specifically designed for gaming, it is a mid-range gaming laptop and shouldn’t be expected to live up to high-performance gamers and those who are semi-pro when it comes to gaming. It is a really nice performance bump from a Windows machine that is built primarily for productivity. That said, I did play a first-person shooter game through Steam in two different environments to test out the actual gaming experience.
The game I chose was Team Fortress 2. While it’s not ‘cutting edge’ as far as game play, it is still a fast-paced action-adventure game with lots of movement and color. So I thought it would be a good testing option. The first time I sat down to play it, I was on a couch with the laptop in my lap. I did not have an external mouse and was forced to use the trackpad to play. While I didn’t have any issues with the laptop handling the game, it was very difficult to react quickly while using the trackpad. I recommend attaching a mouse for navigation purposes, which is what I did for the second test. I placed the laptop on my desk and connected a compact Bluetooth mouse and started the game up again. It was much easier to play through a few rounds with a mouse than without one. Aside from that, the gaming experience was great. The volume on the speakers was loud and I never had any lagging problems.
The Acer Nitro 5 is a really nice laptop for beginner gamers. I think that more experienced gamers would find that it’s a little subpar from more elite gaming laptops. That said, I think this computer does a really nice job with regular tasks and the power behind it is enough to enjoy some entertainment in your downtime.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-3points
3of 9voted this as helpful.
Transfer large files and output Ultra HD video with this Belkin Thunderbolt 3 cable. The maximum transfer speed of 40Gbps rapidly transmits data, while 100W of power delivery let you charge most compatible laptops. This 2.62-foot Belkin Thunderbolt 3 cable offers plug-and-play functionality for simple use, and the ability to daisy-chain up to six devices provides easy workspace customization.
Customer Rating
5
High speed, premium cable meets expectations
on June 12, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
One of the reasons that I upgraded my computer a couple of years ago was because I wanted to take advantage of the high speed connections that Thunderbolt 3 provides. My laptop is equipped with 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports that can accommodate data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps as long as it has a compatible cable. I’ve been very selective about the cables I use and have only found a few third-party options that I like. This one from Belkin is at the top of that list.
The cable is sells in a standard branded box. On the front, you will see the details of the cable including it’s length (0.8m/2.6feet) and top potential data transfer speed (40Gbps). Some Thunderbolt 3 cables are only capable of transferring at a rate of 20Gpbs, but this particular one can achieve full Thunderbolt 3 speed if it’s connected to devices that allow it. The back of the box has a lot of terms and conditions outlined in fine print along with a table that shows the cable’s compatibility with other cable types (USB 2.0, USB 3.0 , Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort, Power). This cable will provide power delivery up to 100W, too. The only thing included on the inside of the box is the cable itself and a multilingual booklet that outlines safety information and FCC regulations.
After unboxing the cable, I examined it for durability. While the cable is flexible, it is also quite thick. The cable does measure 0.8m (2.6ft) as described. In comparison to another third-party Thunderbolt 3 cable I had on my desk, the Belkin cable is a little heavier. The casing does seem to be premium quality and the ends are reinforced so they don’t fray after repeated use.
One of the tests I always run when I am testing out cable speeds is Blackmagic Disk Speed Test. I happen to have an external Thunderbolt 3 hard drive that I could use to test the speed of the cable. One thing that’s important to remember with Thunderbolt 3 cables is that even though they can achieve speeds up to 40Gbps, they won’t have that chance if the device they are connected to is only capable of transferring data at 20Gbps. That is why I choose to use the Thunderbolt 3 hard drive for testing because I know it can transfer at higher rates of speed.
The Disk Speed Test showed a write speed of 1852.9 MB/s and a read speed of 2363.2 MB/s. The other third party cable I had handy only displayed speeds of 1421.0 MB/s write and 2347.7 MB/s read. I’m thrilled with the results this cable has provided and am even more excited that it’s a brand of cable I trust to connect my devices. In my opinion, this cable has passed all tests with flying colors.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
3of 4voted this as helpful.
Protect your 11-inch iPad Pro from dings, dents and scratches with this Logitech slim folio case. The textured surface helps prevent slipping, while the rubberized feet provide solid traction and elevation for improved airflow. This Logitech slim folio case has a slender design, making storing and transporting simple, and the built-in stow holds and charges a 2nd-generation Apple Pencil.
Customer Rating
4
Good addition to the iPad Pro
on June 12, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I’m one of those people that typically prefers to use my iPad without a case or a keyboard. I just like it to be more natural feeling rather than have a bulky case on the device. That said, I do appreciate a really well-made accessory for the iPad like the ones that Logitech makes.
This keyboard case does an excellent job of providing extra functionality to the tablet. One of the first things I noticed about this case is that it was heavy. I’ve noticed this about other keyboard cases from this particular brand. It doesn’t really take away from the features it does provide, but it is a little bit of an issue for me since I don’t like adding extra weight to my tablet.
Like many iPad cases, this folio provides for three different modes -- type mode, sketch mode, and read mode -- so that users don’t have to sacrifice function for the sake of having a case on their tablet. I found it very easy to switch the case around to be able to use any of the three modes. I typically used the type and read modes the most, but my daughter really enjoyed using the sketch mode to draw using the Apple Pencil.
The case has a soft silicone feel to it, which I do prefer to something more slick. I don’t like feeling as though the case might slip out of my hands. I’ve never had a problem with feeling that my tablet was secure inside this case. It was a little tricky getting it inserted into the case, but once I did, I found that all the buttons and ports were all easily accessible.
One of my favorite features of this case was the backlit keyboard. As much as I like the Smart Keyboard from Apple, the backlit keyboard is something that’s very hard to pass up. There are three brightness levels for the keyboard, which makes it even better as a feature, in my opinion. I sometimes like to work while watching a news program with my family and at night, that can make typing difficult. This is one of the main reasons why I like the inclusion of backlit keys with this case.
The keyboard provides a very enjoyable typing experience for the user. The keys have been spaced out to be reminiscent of a standard keyboard layout. The ‘feel’ of them is very natural and I found it very easy to get used to the layout and style of the keyboard. The only thing I really don’t like about this keyboard is that it connects via Bluetooth rather than through the Smart Connector on the iPad. Normally, I would suggest that maybe the manufacturer doesn’t have licensing rights to be able to develop accessories using the Smart Connector, but this particular brand already has other devices available using that connection. Hopefully, in the future, that is a feature that will be added in.
Aside from the bulky nature of this keyboard case, I’ve been very happy with its performance. It’s enhanced the way I do things with my iPad and it’s been very easy to integrate into my workflow.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+9points
9of 9voted this as helpful.
Let the s9 handle the tough messes so that you can handle everything else ~featuring PerfectEdge~ Technology, our most powerful cleaning system, and advanced features. With a single command to your Google Assistant or Alexa voice assistant like, ~Tell Roomba to clean under the kitchen table,~ it gets to work~when and where the messes happen. It even learns your cleaning habits and offers personalized schedules and recommendations during pollen and pet-shedding seasons. A specially designed Corner Brush and 40X the suction* pull in embedded dirt, dust, and pet hair from wherever it hides~for cleaning that fits seamlessly into your life.
Customer Rating
5
An amazing little robot cleaner
on June 6, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I’ve always lived in a house with a dog — sometimes multiple dogs. So, I’ve always been a little OCD when it comes to keeping the floors vacuumed and free of pet hair. The only problem is that with my schedule, it makes it hard to take the time to vacuum as much as I would like to keep things tidy. My daughter has been trying to help out and vacuums a couple of times a week, but she has her own life, too, so I thought that maybe a robot vacuum would be the way to go. A couple of years ago, I tried a third-party branded robot vacuum that simply did not work the way I hoped. It constantly got lost and stuck in places that it shouldn’t have gotten stuck. So, when I was introduced to the S9 from iRobot, I wasn’t expecting much. I ended up being in total shock with how well this little robot vacuum did. It’s super cool!
The first time you use the vacuum, it makes a map of your home. This is a really cool feature, but I do wish that I had more options like being able to adjust the map more so that the vacuum would avoid certain spots where it’s prone to get stuck like underneath my couch. What would be great to see is a feature where you can map your home by controlling the vacuum like an RC car. You could drive it around remotely with the iOS app and the vacuum could create the map based on your navigation. As it is right now, my home map doesn’t look like my home. The S9 does a wonderful job, but the map it created has some weird turns.
As far as cleaning goes, the vacuum does a really good job and the deep clean function really is a deep clean. Unfortunately, the battery runs out quickly when you use the deep clean feature. I have done a few deep cleaning cycles and then used the custom option inside the app to change it to less of a deep clean so it can do the entire house in one charging cycle. I will switch back and forth depending on how badly it needs it. The vacuum does a great job at collecting dirt in corners and along base boards. Way better then I would have imagined it doing.
Removing the bin to empty the trash is super simple. The sensor does get dusty and needs to be cleaned every so often but overall, I am not disappointed with the results from my personal R2D2 unit. The changing base is a bit aggravating because I have had it move on me when my Roomba is trying to dock. We ended up using carpet tape to keep the base in place so that when the Roomba docks it never moves making sure that I have good charge at all times.
iRobot really knocked it out of the park with the S9. I have a 1485 square foot home and it does its job phenomenally well. An added perk is that having this robot vacuum means that my daughter is off the hook with vacuuming twice a week and that makes her extremely happy. What’s funny is that the robot vacuum actually does a better job than she does cleaning.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+4points
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Turn a small space into an immersive gaming area with this Oculus Quest all-in-one VR system. The wireless headset and controllers provide a compact setup and don't require a PC, and the 64GB of storage accommodate compatible VR game titles. This Oculus Quest all-in-one VR system uses Insight tracking technology for instant, accurate response to movements.
Customer Rating
4
A journey with VR becomes a reality
on May 30, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I was at a convention where some basic VR headsets were being demoed and was left with not only a sick feeling in my stomach but also a completely underwhelming VR experience. Needless to say, I’ve been a bit of a pessimist when it comes to VR and VR gaming. My entire opinion changed when I tried on the Oculus Quest.
Oculus Quest is the first all-in-one gaming headset available for consumers. I believe the distinction of it being an ‘all-in-one’ system is what really makes the difference for me. First of all, you don’t have the hassle of trying to connect a mobile device like some headsets out there and you aren’t tethered to a PC like you are with the Quest’s cousin — the Rift. You do have to connect to the companion app to set up the device, but it’s not the interactive screen that plays the games. The screen is bright and has a strong HD resolution (1600x1440).
The headset fits on your head snuggly and even though there is a little bit of heft to it, it’s not heavy. I have been through several gaming sessions and not suffered through any neck/should pain due to the headset’s weight. It’s well balanced and very easy to get used to wearing. I did find myself getting a bit overheated a few times I used the headset. It really depends on how you are interacting with your environment.
There are no headphones integrated so you can either play using the built-in speakers or you can attach a set of headphones. I have played both ways and while it’s fun either way, I highly suggest adding a set of good, over-ear, noise-canceling headphones for complete immersion. After playing for a couple of days without headphones, I added a set that actually has 3D sound and they were the perfect compliment to VR because the sound moved when you did. So, as I was playing a zombie game, I could hear the zombies coming from behind me and the sound moved as I did. It was a wonderful experience to be a part of.
As far as content, I was impressed with the volumes and variety of titles that are available. You have the option of using the mobile app or the VR environment to peruse and purchase apps. I mainly focused on games at first, but have also used the Quest to interact with Facebook and YouTube. You wouldn’t think that would be an awe-inspiring experience, but it truly is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to join your surroundings like never before. The only criticism I have about the content is that when you start up the headset, there are only demos included. I would like it if Oculus could provide at least one ‘real’ title for users to try out. Maybe they could provide a credit code or something so that users could have a small store credit to use right out of the gate.
Since I don’t have a lot of experience with other VR headsets, I don’t know how the battery relates to other products, but it does seem to be a short length of playtime. I believe I played for about an hour with no interruptions and the battery had been drained by more than 50%. It does seem to matter what content you are interacting with because some of the games seem to require more power than watching videos does. That said, it does seem to charge up pretty quickly. Also, the controllers use one AA battery each. I would have loved to see these be rechargeable like the headset is.
Finally, the Quest does not come with a carrying case. There is a travel case available from Oculus as an add-on, but I really feel like one should be included to keep all the gear together and safe. If you invest in something like this you want to have a good way to protect it. Since we didn’t have a case specifically for the Quest, we ended up using a camera backpack with adjustable foam pieces in the inside to house the headset and all the accessories.
As an interactive experience, the Quest definitely gets my vote. It’s been an eye-opening experience using the Quest and I find myself excited about gaming again.s This is an awesome device and If you jump in for the first time, you start to get the hang of it quickly. The Quest is well worth the investment and an impressive piece of equipment.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+52points
81of 110voted this as helpful.
Pump up the volume with these Sony wireless on-ear headphones. Advanced drivers produce clear high-fidelity audio, while the EXTRA BASS feature helps you feel the beat by enhancing low-end frequencies. A 30-hour battery life keeps the music coming. With a lightweight construction and soft swiveling earcups, these Sony wireless on-ear headphones keep you comfortable while you listen.
Customer Rating
5
Exceptional headphones with a mid-range cost
on May 21, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
The quality of your headphones can make or break your listening experience. I have found several sets of wireless on-ear headphones in the past few years that I use on a regular basis and this pair from Sony has made the cut. I look at several factors when I test out headphones including battery life, comfort level, and listening experience with different types of media. From the moment I took these headphones out of their box, I knew they were something special and as I was to find, they will stand up against more premium brands with no problems.
Battery Life:
While I didn’t test out the full 30-hour claim for the headphone’s battery life, I did find them to have an above average lifespan. I had several long-length listening sessions with these headphones and didn’t have them die on me once. I love that they charge using USB-C instead of the ‘old standard’ of Micro USB. After several days of use (probably at least 2 hours of listening time each day), the battery is still at 50%.
While I didn’t test out the full 30-hour claim for the headphone’s battery life, I did find them to have an above average lifespan. I had several long-length listening sessions with these headphones and didn’t have them die on me once. I love that they charge using USB-C instead of the ‘old standard’ of Micro USB. After several days of use (probably at least 2 hours of listening time each day), the battery is still at 50%.
Comfort:
Because of their light weight, these headphones are some of the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever worn. I was surprised at how easy they are to wear. The band is easily adjustable and it has ample padding in the headband. Even though the ear cups are ‘on-ear’ style, my ears never seemed to get overheated and sweat wasn’t a problem. The controls are easy to reach and the tactile buttons make operation simple. I do like that there is a separate button for the voice assistant.
Because of their light weight, these headphones are some of the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever worn. I was surprised at how easy they are to wear. The band is easily adjustable and it has ample padding in the headband. Even though the ear cups are ‘on-ear’ style, my ears never seemed to get overheated and sweat wasn’t a problem. The controls are easy to reach and the tactile buttons make operation simple. I do like that there is a separate button for the voice assistant.
Music:
I’ve listened to several different styles of music using these headphones and found that tracks sound rich and full. The ‘extra bass’ feature of these headphones is unmatched without a separate EQ. One of my favorite tests for straight music listening is to listen to Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. The revolutionary album has a lot of different sounds mixed into the tracks and a very pronounced heartbeat drives several parts of the album. This is where the extra bass feature really shines. I’ve listening to this album many times before and found it to be much more intense using the Sony headphones. I loved the stereo effects of the headphones in conjunction with this album. I also listened to my Pandora station that features 90s hip-hop music and thought it was remarkable how deep the bass was. As far as music goes, I think these are the headphones to have.
I’ve listened to several different styles of music using these headphones and found that tracks sound rich and full. The ‘extra bass’ feature of these headphones is unmatched without a separate EQ. One of my favorite tests for straight music listening is to listen to Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. The revolutionary album has a lot of different sounds mixed into the tracks and a very pronounced heartbeat drives several parts of the album. This is where the extra bass feature really shines. I’ve listening to this album many times before and found it to be much more intense using the Sony headphones. I loved the stereo effects of the headphones in conjunction with this album. I also listened to my Pandora station that features 90s hip-hop music and thought it was remarkable how deep the bass was. As far as music goes, I think these are the headphones to have.
Spoken Word:
After listening to several different types of music, I switched to my podcast app to see how the headphones would fare against spoken word. Voices were clear and precise. It didn’t matter what timber the person’s voice had, the headphones made them sing. I really enjoyed listening to podcasts with these headphones just as much as — if not more than — music. For one thing, podcasts typically require a longer listening session than music. For example, one of the podcasts I listen to is one hour in length. So, the fact that these headphones are so comfortable makes spoken word pieces wonderful to listen to.
After listening to several different types of music, I switched to my podcast app to see how the headphones would fare against spoken word. Voices were clear and precise. It didn’t matter what timber the person’s voice had, the headphones made them sing. I really enjoyed listening to podcasts with these headphones just as much as — if not more than — music. For one thing, podcasts typically require a longer listening session than music. For example, one of the podcasts I listen to is one hour in length. So, the fact that these headphones are so comfortable makes spoken word pieces wonderful to listen to.
Soundtrack/Mix:
I’m a big nerd when it comes to movie soundtracks and audio editing/mixing. So, I always use a few movie clips to test out headphones. One of those clips is the intro sequence to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. It’s a vibrant soundtrack/mix that includes spoken word, music, score, and of course, sound effects. While there were definitely some bright spots in the soundtrack, I have actually had a better listening experience from a different set of headphones. I would say these are a solid 7 out of 10 for watching a film with an advanced soundtrack. You’ll get a lot out of them, but not everything.
I’m a big nerd when it comes to movie soundtracks and audio editing/mixing. So, I always use a few movie clips to test out headphones. One of those clips is the intro sequence to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. It’s a vibrant soundtrack/mix that includes spoken word, music, score, and of course, sound effects. While there were definitely some bright spots in the soundtrack, I have actually had a better listening experience from a different set of headphones. I would say these are a solid 7 out of 10 for watching a film with an advanced soundtrack. You’ll get a lot out of them, but not everything.
Final Thoughts
The WH-XB700 are amazing headphones. I do wish they features Active Noise Canceling, but I’ve been happy with the amount of noise isolation I get from my ears being covered by the ear cups. The exceptional battery life and comfort level paired with an above average sound quality make these a wonderful choice for their price point. I would recommend these to all types of users. They are easy to operate and their listening experience rivals more premium wireless headsets.
The WH-XB700 are amazing headphones. I do wish they features Active Noise Canceling, but I’ve been happy with the amount of noise isolation I get from my ears being covered by the ear cups. The exceptional battery life and comfort level paired with an above average sound quality make these a wonderful choice for their price point. I would recommend these to all types of users. They are easy to operate and their listening experience rivals more premium wireless headsets.
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Enjoy wireless device charging with this versatile Belkin BOOST UP charging dock. A 7.5W charging pad rapidly powers up a variety of iPhones, while a 5W magnetic charging module does the same for your Apple watch. This Belkin BOOST UP charging dock features a 5W USB-A port for charging compatible devices and comes with a compact AC adapter for quick installation.
Customer Rating
5
An exceptional dock
on May 5, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I like to keep things simple especially when it comes to charging and storing my devices. I also hate cables. So, the fact that I can charge both my Apple Watch and iPhone wirelessly together on a dock, it’s almost too good to be true. The Belkin Boost Up Wireless Charging Dock has been the best solution for my charging needs.
I was a little concerned about the design at first as I thought my phone might slide off of the cradle, but was surprised to find out that it stayed safely in place. The only time I had any trouble charging my phone on the dock was when it was in a charging case. Then, it took the dock a few seconds to recognize it and for it to start charging. It eventually did, but aside from trying to charge the phone inside a case, I didn’t have any issues with charging the phone on the cradle.
The phone and the watch have always charged very well. I’ve not had any issues with them gaining a charge as they should. It’s a lightweight stand, but hasn’t slid around any on my bedside table. I do wish that charging in landscape mode was available, but that’s not something that would keep me from using this charger. I love the look of the dock and think its function is wonderful.
I can recommend this dock to anyone using a wireless charging capable iPhone and Apple Watch. It would make a great gift and I anticipate using it for some time to come.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
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View work and entertainment comfortably with this 23.8-inch HP monitor. The anti-glare panel lets you see content clearly in various lighting conditions, and the virtually frameless design lends a minimalist aesthetic to your home office. Prevent eyestrain by switching to this HP monitor's Low Blue Light mode for a warmer appearance.
Customer Rating
5
Good all purpose monitor
on April 29, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I've used several different styles of monitors, but this one is just about perfect for all my particular needs. It's compact, provides a crisp picture, and connects easily through HDMI. I think the feature I like the best about this monitor is its small footprint. It has a very thin bezel and a small stand so if you have a compact desk, like me, it's perfect as an external monitor. Prior to using this monitor, I had a 34-inch Ultrawide from a different company. While I enjoyed it's immense screen real estate, It was just far too large for my desk. This 24-inch beauty is ideal for me.
I use this monitor for basic productivity tasks like email, word processing, spreadsheets, PPT presentations, and watching videos. It has 1080P resolution and that's perfect for this type of work in my opinion. Even though it has a lot of features, it's essentially a high-quality, basic monitor. I don't feel that gamers would enjoy it as much because it only has a 75Hz refresh rate.
For the price point, I would definitely recommend this to users of all types. It does have an IPS screen and wide viewing angle, which makes it appealing even for users who do photo and video editing. The colors and brightness look great and aren't washed out.
The set-up of the monitor was super easy. The stand is only two pieces and once it's assembled and attached to the monitor screen, you're ready to connect cables. I ended up connecting my laptop through a docking station and I haven't experienced any issues with connection or lag.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+27points
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Hear lifelike sound details in your Xbox One games with this Turtle Beach Elite gaming combo. The Elite Pro 2 headset has 50mm custom-tuned Nanoclear drivers for an immersive experience and Aerofit ear cushions for ergonomic comfort. Customize your headset~s sonic performance via the SuperAmp controller of this Turtle Beach Elite gaming combo.
Customer Rating
4
Superior listening experience on a premium speaker
on March 25, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
At Christmas, I was gifted the game Red Dead Redemption 2. I’ve been playing it religiously since then and exclusively using the audio directly from the TV’s speakers. It’s been an enjoyable playing experience since I felt like I didn’t really need a premium set of headphones like I do with an FPS game. With an FPS, the gaming dynamic is so much different and your strategy is largely based off of the placement of other players — premium sound that takes you into the game is practically essential in order to succeed with those types of games. When playing through story mode of RDR2, I felt like the TV speakers would be sufficient. Towards the end of the game, I started using the Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 Wired Gaming Headset and it totally changed the gaming experience.
I’m going to breakdown my test of this particular set of headphones into three categories — comfort, set-up, and sound quality. I feel like with headphones — especially gaming headphones — those are the biggest areas to look at.
SET UP
I have a set of wireless headphones. They work through a receiver dock that connects via wires (optical audio and USB) to the Xbox. I typically prefer wireless headphones because I don’t like having a cable draped across the room while I play. I feel like it limits my movement. That said, I have had my share of issues with how wireless headsets connect/disconnect at times. So, using a wired set of headphones was a bit refreshing — except for the set up.
Out of the box, you will have the headphones, the hub, a Mini USB cable, a 3.5mm audio cable, and the detachable microphone. The microphone snaps into one of the 3.5mm ports on the left ear piece while the audio cable goes into the other. The audio cable then plugs into the output port on the front of the hub with the headphone icon stamped above it. This was a little confusing to me because on the back of the hub next to the Mini USB port, you’ll also find another 3.5mm port labeled “Out”. At first glance, I would assume that was the port you should take the audio out from to the headphones, but that isn’t the case here. That port is designated for stream-out for recording streaming audio on your PC. You will also want to make sure that the end of the cable that plugs into the headphones makes the inline controller (for muting the microphone) is nearest to the headphones.
Next, you will want to plug the Mini USB cable into one of the USB ports on the Xbox for power and connection to the gaming system. Here is an issue I have with the design. I was really surprised to find that the power/connection to the Xbox was run by a Mini USB cable — a method that is largely outdated. I even consider Micro USB to be somewhat outdated since USB-C started hitting the scene. Once you have the cables plugged in, you’re ready to fire up the Xbox. You will need to go into the audio settings of the system and select Windows Sonic for Headphones under Headset format and set the Party Chat Output to Headset.
There is a companion app for this headphone system that is available on both Android and iOS. I downloaded it for iOS. The hub has a Bluetooth multifunction button on the side that you will want to press in order to pair it to your mobile device. This app allows you to activate special functions on the headphones like Superhuman Hearing, Chat Boost, and Game Presets. You can also control the mix between game sounds and your chat audio. There are three profiles that you can set up in the app and then control it all from your phone. This was actually a really refreshing option since it allows you to control the features of the headphones separate from the gaming system. I was in the middle of my game and just tapped on the screen of the phone to activate Superhuman Hearing and the setting switched without interrupting the game. I think I prefer this method of accessing features to just having controls on the headphones themselves.
COMFORT
I listen to music almost constantly while I’m working. There is probably a good 6-8 hour period in the evenings when I’ve got some sort of headphone on. My preference is for over-the-ear and as such, I’ve really taken a liking to the way the Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2’s feel. They are surprisingly lightweight and the padding on the earpieces keep the ears feeling nice and cool — no matter how long you play. The padding is soft and they just fit really nicely on the ears. I didn’t ever feel like they were too tight or not providing a solid seal around my ears. I played RDR2 for about 2 hours using these headphones and was very comfortable the entire time. I also plugged them directly into a mobile phone and listened to music for another 2 hours or so while I was working and was still very happy with the comfort level they provided. I actually switched back and forth between a set of wireless over-the-ear headphones and the Turtle Beach headphones and found that the Turtle Beach ones were much better.
SOUND QUALITY
While I was playing RDR2, I was really impressed with the quality of the sound I was getting. It was much easier to interpret the game action through the headphones and I was hearing more nuances that I wasn’t able to hear through the TV speakers alone. As crisp and clean as the sounds were through the headphones, I really didn’t notice how incredible the headphones were until I streamed some videos and music from a mobile device and laptop.
At first, I connected the headphones to a mobile phone. I played several clips from movies on Netflix and was in awe of how good the audio was. Sometimes I will just listen to audio from a movie or a TV show that I’m familiar with in place of music while I work. Because of this, I’m very ‘in tune’ with many of my favorite movies. Using the Turtle Beach headphones to watch some of these films made it a whole new experience. With Guardians of the Galaxy 2, I was able to hear raspiness in Baby Groot’s voice that I never heard before and the individual flutter of a fly’s wings before Groot tried to eat it. I also pulled up Raiders of the Lost Ark — a movie I’ve probably seen hundreds of times since I was a kid — and watched the first 10 minutes of the film. There were a lot of sound effects I’d never heard before and the music track took on a whole new life -- and I’ve heard that music performed live by an orchestra. After revising some of my old favorite movies, I switched over to my laptop and listened to some specific music tracks (Circle of Life from The Lion King and Why So Serious? from The Dark Knight) and I was amazed at the amount of life those tracks had just by listening to them through the Turtle Beach headphones. The Elite Pro 2 headphones have the best sound quality of any other headphones I own. Using them to watch those video clips and listen to music made it like experiencing them for the first time again.
CONCLUSION
Despite the somewhat messy set up the Elite Pro 2 Wired Gaming headset, I can highly recommend them based on the sound quality alone. They are incredibly comfortable and even though they aren’t noice cancelling, the headphones will still block out a lot of ambient sound based on how well they cover a person’s ears. I believe these are a worthwhile investment if you enjoy high-quality audio.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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nickcal's Answers
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, 10 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, 3 months ago
by
nickcal