nickcal's stats
- Review count339
- Helpfulness votes1,319
- First reviewFebruary 22, 2014
- Last reviewDecember 17, 2025
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- Average rating4.7
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- First answerMay 23, 2016
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Experience legendary performance and sound of ASTRO Audio V2, with the convenience and freedom that comes without wires. The A50 Wireless + Base Station for Xbox One/PC delivers premium acoustics, ergonomics, comfort and durability that gamers demand. The all-new Base Station provides clear, low-latency voice communication, while making headset pairing and charging simple. The ASTRO Command Center software allows Pros and Live streamers to tune every input and output parameter of the A50 precisely for their specific setup. Experience absolute audio immersion with the A50 Wireless + Base Station.
Customer Rating
5
Best Gaming headset I’ve used on the Xbox One X
on August 14, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
I’ve used all sorts of headsets for the Xbox over the years and I thought I was sold on a different brand until I tried these A50s. I suffer from a high-end hearing loss so where most standard gaming headphones would sound great to most people, I end up missing a lot of nuances. These headphones get the job done!
The ASTRO A50 Wireless Headphones are provide absolute immersion into your gaming experience. The bundle I have comes with a base station for charging and wireless transmission from your gaming system to your headphones. The headphones provide Dolby Headphone Surround Sound. They are engineered with spatial placement for a three-dimensional audio experience. They are fully wireless and have a 15+ hour battery life. The A50 will automatically shutoff when inactive and power on when it detects motion (i.e. if you pick them up and place them on your head).
The microphone is a precision mic. Flexible and durable it offers clear, low noise communication and is optimized for gaming on the major gaming platforms (Xbox One, Playstation 4, PC and Mac). The mic’s boom arm operates the mute/unmute function. A simple flip upward mutes the mic and when you pull it down, it unmutes. In addition to the simple mic operation, you have the ability to adjust the ratio of game audio to voice chat. There is an Astro Command Center that is available for download for free that allows you to customize mic levels, EQ settings, and even share audio settings with other gamers.
Getting started with the A50s wasn’t too difficult. In order to update the firmware you will need to download the Astro app — Astro Command Center. To connect to the software, you will need to plug your headphones in using a USB cable. You will need to make sure the base station is switched to “PC Mode” and then click the “ok” button on the prompt that states “A firmware update is required”. Once the update has finished you switch the base station back to “Xbox” and plug it back into the gaming system. With the Astro Command Center you also have the option to change settings for the devices.
I connected them to my Xbox One X to start my first gaming experience with them. The first game I played with the A50s was Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. I was just blown away. The sound quality was wonderful and for someone who has normal hearing, these are probably such a game changer that it’s almost like cheating when playing against others. For me, I am hearing other players footsteps and gunfire from the direction it’s coming from. This is something I’m not used to being able to hear so it was like a wake-up call for me. The ASTRO A50’s are insanely good.
So how about comfort? When I play I play for hours at a time, I’m not getting any headaches or sore ears. The ear cushions are super soft to the touch and they connect by magnets to the headset so they can be replaced super easily if they wear out or get damaged.
These have been the best gaming headset I think I have ever owned. I don’t think I have ever been this happy with any other headphones…ever. I have some wonderful ANC headphones I love for music but even as great as they are, I have never been as happy to use them as I am the A50s. The A50s have honestly been a game changer for me. Are these worth buying? Absolutely. ASTRO has made incredible gaming headphones that are built well, feel great, and most importantly sound amazing!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Keep your carpets in pristine condition with this HOOVER ONEPWR Spotless GO cordless carpet cleaner. The lightweight design simplifies cleaning on stairs and upholstery, while the 4-inch scrubbing tool removes stubborn stains. This HOOVER ONEPWR Spotless Go cordless carpet cleaner comes with a 2.0 Ah rechargeable battery for prolonged cord-free usage.
Customer Rating
5
Great for spot cleaning and small jobs
on July 14, 2019
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
About two months ago, we introduced a new puppy to our household. As you can imagine it’s been a never-ending battle trying to get him house trained. It’s not the little guy’s fault really. He tries, but he’s a very small dog so he needs to be let out more often than our larger dogs did and we are trying to get used to that. There are inevitably times when he gets excited after playing and we aren’t watching his cues close enough so he has an accident. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on how you look at it, he goes to one spot on the carpet in our living room. We do the dry/clean with spot cleaner routine, but he obviously still knows where that ‘spot’ is. Thankfully, we just introduced the Spotless Go to our house and found that’s it’s more convenient than other carpet cleaners like rug doctor.
First of all, I want to state that this perky little vacuum is not going to replace a full carpet cleaner. It is great for spot cleaning and dealing with pet accidents, but for deep cleans, you will want to turn to a full-size cleaner. This machine is really intended for quick, easy cleanups. Set-up is easy. You fill up the cleaning reservoir, plug in the battery pack, and press start. I was hoping this would remove the need for me to clean by hand when pet accidents occur, but unfortunately, there is still some of that that needs to happen. You have to pretreat the carpet with the spray cleaner and then agitate the area before running the vacuum with tough stains.
The vacuum does spray the area with cleaner and pull moisture out, but there are no moving, scrubbing brushes in the vacuum head so if it’s a long-standing stain, you might need to move up to a more pro-level cleaner. It is recommended that you only use Hoover-brand cleaners with this machine, which can be a drawback for some people even though Hoover’s cleaners are quite good, there are a lot of options out there that might work better in some situations. When you use the machine on new accidents, it works well removing odors and doesn’t cause much if any color loss.
One of the biggest perks to me of this vacuum is that it keeps me from having to pull out our awkward rug doctor. It’s heavy, corded, and just a mess to deal with sometimes. The Spotless Go operates on a battery and is very easy to clean up. While the Hoover has a larger holding tank, it will still fit into a bathroom sink and it’s easy to rinse out. The battery doesn’t have the best battery life and I was only able to get 10-15 minutes of continuous cleaning time out of it. But, if you are just spot cleaning, as the product suggests, you should be able to get 3-4 uses out of it on a single charge. Since I have other battery-operated vacuums in the house, putting the Hoover on charge isn’t really a chore for me. The fact that I don’t have to deal with a cord while I’m cleaning is amazing.
The Spotless Go isn’t designed to be a ‘replacement’ for full carpet cleaners. It is meant to provide an option for machine-based spot cleaning when accidents occur. This vacuum is convenient and in my opinion, worth the purchase if you have a home with pets. It’s much easier than having to pull out the big carpet cleaner and because you can grab it at a moment’s notice it is going to keep those stains from becoming longterm residents in your house.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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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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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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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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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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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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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.
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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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+7points
13of 19voted this as helpful.
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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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.
9 years, 1 month 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, 7 months ago
by
nickcal