nickcal's stats
- Review count328
- Helpfulness votes1,316
- First reviewFebruary 22, 2014
- Last reviewAugust 20, 2025
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- Average rating4.7
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- Answer count4
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- First answerMay 23, 2016
- Last answerSeptember 7, 2020
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NordVPN is a VPN (virtual private network) ~ it encrypts your internet data and hides your virtual location. What~s more, the advanced Threat Protection feature helps you avoid trackers and ads, scans URLs to make sure the websites you visit are safe, and inspects downloaded files for malware.
Customer Rating
5
Secure your internet use a virtual private network
on July 2, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Not too long ago, I had to educate some loved ones about the danger of using public WiFi hotspots. As convenient as they are, they are a hotbed of potential security risks for your personal data. Public hotspots are essentially a shopping mall for hackers. When you are on an unsecured network, like a public hotspot, you are susceptible to packet sniffers, which is like wiretapping on a telephone network except that it’s a way to gain access to personal data through a computer. In addition to this type of security breach, you are also playing the game of chance that the business you are visiting is not monitoring your activity. Take a close look at the image below. This was captured when I was having some work done on my truck. The company notifies its patrons that while they are connected to the public WiFi at their location that “no communication should be considered private” and that communications are “subject to monitoring”. To me, this is a very scary prospect and so I wanted to make sure my loved ones were using a VPN.
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and it’s a network technology that secures a network connection over a public network. This technology is used frequently by government agencies and large companies to make sure that users are securely connected to a private network. There are many VPN providers out there and it can be hard to determine which service will work best for you.
NordVPN is now my VPN of choice. I recently was a full-time user of Private Internet Access until I started having issues with the service. It wasn’t allowing me to connect to it when I was on certain public WiFi spots. I had those issues enough times that I contacted the company to only get the runaround. What good is a VPN if you can’t use it? This led me to a search for a new service — one that not only would be fast but always work. Some businesses have found ways to block certain VPN services so that when you try to connect to your VPN of choice you’re left with what I had been dealing with while using PIA. This was something that I could not afford to deal with.
After signing up for my plan and downloading the software, I was connected and using a VPN within about 90 seconds. Once you install the software on your system, you simply enter your account information and click ‘connect’. You do have the option to select a specific country of origin before connecting and your VPN broadcast will be illustrated on the map in the dashboard. You even have the ability to select your favorite servers in the dashboard.
When it came to testing, I primarily used my MacBook Pro and was looking to test the speed more than any other feature. I was very impressed that speed didn’t seem to be affected too drastically. I am a happy NordVPN user and I keep it running on my Mac and iPhone all the time. In this day in age, a VPN in a public setting is a must. NordVPN is a very easy to use, online security system. I can recommend it wholeheartedly and think that anyone using public hotspots should use NordVPN.
NordVPN recently started making their services available through retail establishments like Best Buy. I do like that it’s more easily available for more people through retail sales. The one thing I don’t like about this is that there is a huge waste of packaging. As a retail package, NordVPN comes in a full size box that is recognizable to anyone who has searched for software before. I would much prefer that NordVPN provide their retail packaging in something more like a gift card. I just feel that it’s a bit of a waste with the packaging.
NordVPN is a solid option for safeguarding your internet connections when you are in public areas. I can recommend it based off of my own experiences and success while using it when I travel.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+5points
12of 19voted this as helpful.
Connect your iPhone to your car stereo or home speakers for effortless sharing with this Belkin Lightning to aux cable. The single 3-foot cable connection is compatible with the iPhone 7 Plus and up, while the 3.5mm jack works with a range of speakers and car stereo setups. Featuring MFi certification, this Belkin Lightning to aux cable keeps up with iOS updates.
Customer Rating
5
Valuable audio cable for iPhone users
on July 2, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Ever since Apple released phones without the headphone jack I have been trying to supplement my cable collection with accessories that make up for the missing aux port on the phone. While Bluetooth and other wireless methods have done a good job of keeping my phone connected, I do find that wired connections are missing at times. For one thing, while I use wireless headphones frequently, at times it’s nice to have the option to connect to them through a headphone cable because when they lose their charge, I can continue listening to music. Even though Apple includes a Lightning to Headphone jack adapter with iPhone 7 and later, it can be difficult to keep up with said adapter and it’s much easier to have a full cable available. Belkin, a company known for their premium accessories, has created a Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable that allows you to enjoy your music anywhere.
The cable comes packaged in a Belkin branded box and is labeled for use with the iPhone X, 8 Plus, 8, 7 Plus, and 7. It’s 3 feet in length and the box has the “Made for iPhone” logo stamped on the front. Aside from that, there is little information included on the box about the cable. There is one phrase on the box that states: “Enjoy music from your iPhone in the car or at home with a Lightning to 3.5 mm audio cable.” Even though there isn’t much about the cable, there is a lot of writing on the box about regulations and the warranty information in multiple languages.
The cable itself seems to be built well. One of the things I appreciate about Belkin cables is that they mimic the size and shape of Apple cables. This means that most Belkin MFi cables work very well with other Apple accessories seamlessly. This audio cable is really meant for car connectivity but can be used for any aux jack port. This cable is designed for audio output from and iOS devices only.
I tested out this cable in two ways — with a set of wireless headphones and in my truck. My truck’s aux port is located on the dash just above my stereo. It’s very easy to connect to and I found that when the 3.5 mm stereo plug was pushed in all the way (I had to push fairly hard), audio plays quite easily through the car’s speakers. Just like other aux port connections, I had to turn the volume up on my phone and then use the car’s speaker’s amplifier for additional volume. The cable connected snapped into place in the Lightning port of the phone easily and when connected to the aux port on headphones, I was able to use them easily without any issues.
The Lightning to 3.5 mm Audio Cable from Belkin is a really nice option for enhancing connections for late model iPhones. I like having this as an alternative to the adapter that Apple offers. It’s nice having a direct connection to 3.5 mm ports without having to have an extra cable.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Capture and share special moments with Google Clips. Engineered to recognize faces and expressions, this clever camera automatically takes several-second-long audio-free motion photos, leaving you free to focus on the occasion. Enhanced with Super Res mode, the Google Clips device syncs data with your phone and lets you save any frame as a high-resolution still photo.
Customer Rating
4
Creative little camera with a powerful purpose
on June 11, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Over the past couple of years, I’ve had a lot of experience with connected cameras. I have a natural attraction to them because they can be used for so many different things. I typically use them for security and monitoring my home but Google has actually come up with a new idea for these connected devices — personal memories. The Google Clips camera is designed to be worn so that you can continue capturing memories without having to interrupt your activities.
Getting started with the Google Clips camera is actually incredibly easy. First, you want to make sure that the camera is charged. When I unboxed mine, it was not charged and therefore I had trouble getting it to work. After discovering that power was the issue, I didn’t have many problems. Once the camera is charged you only need to download the Google Clips app and connect to your camera. To set it up you will press the button on the front of the camera so that the app will read it. Once it detects a Google Clips camera, the ID code will show up in a menu. You select it and then that camera is connected to your phone. A Clips camera can only be connected to one phone at a time. And, even though the camera doesn’t require a network for general operation, it will ask to connect to WiFi to make sure that its software is up to date.
Once the camera is up to date, you can then start using it. A simple twist of the lens and the camera starts capturing camera clips. The nice thing about these ‘clips’ is that they are simple. Each clip is a motion photo that lasts several seconds. There is no audio recorded but you do get high-quality photos and video. I have been unable to find what the actual resolution is of the video/motion images but a still image translates to 2566 x 1859 and downloads as a JPEG.
While I like the concept of this device overall, I do see some issues with it. First, it’s not capturing actual video. It’s recording the equivalent of a Live Photo from Apple, which is a combination of a JPEG and a 3-second MOV file. In this case, the motion is captured as H.264. I found out though that you cannot simply save the memory off to your desktop. For example, I took a clip using the Google camera and then I saved it to my iPhone’s Camera Roll. At this point, the clip showed up as a Live Photo. Then, I tried to share it with myself using AirDrop. Unfortunately, the clip was reduced to a still image at this point. I did share it with myself using iCloud Photo Sharing and could still view it as a Live Photo in my Photos Library but again, I could not export it as a motion file.
Conclusion
I’m a little confused about this tiny camera’s purpose. When I started out on this review, I thought I had found a gem that could possibly be a supplement for my video equipment needs. What it turned out to be was a camera that replicates what my iPhone does with Live Photos. Because of this discovery, I’m just not sure what the best use is of this camera. I like the idea that it will continue recording clips even when you aren’t clicking a shutter button and I know that is useful for capturing memories especially around little ones but I don’t like that you can’t save those motion images any further than a photo library.
I’m a little confused about this tiny camera’s purpose. When I started out on this review, I thought I had found a gem that could possibly be a supplement for my video equipment needs. What it turned out to be was a camera that replicates what my iPhone does with Live Photos. Because of this discovery, I’m just not sure what the best use is of this camera. I like the idea that it will continue recording clips even when you aren’t clicking a shutter button and I know that is useful for capturing memories especially around little ones but I don’t like that you can’t save those motion images any further than a photo library.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0of 0voted this as helpful.
Share prints of your smartphone snaps with this compact Canon mini photo printer. It wirelessly connects to a smartphone app that lets you add frames, emojis and text to your pictures before you print them. This Canon mini photo printer uses special ink-free photo paper to produce clear, smudge-free images.
Customer Rating
5
Perfect option for printing out individual photo
on June 10, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
As our world becomes more and more digital, I find myself really enjoying paper products even more. They are becoming more rare with each year — each month that passes. One of the most precious pieces of paper is a photograph and it’s probably also one of the most rare these days. We typically just open up a photo on our phone and pass it around to family and friends but it’s really hard to compare to a printed photo to hang on your wall or place in a frame. Fortunately, some camera companies like Canon have started creating personal photo printers that allow you to print directly from your mobile phone.
The Canon Ivy Printer comes packaged in a simple but nicely branded box. It’s very easy to unbox and it comes with a short (about 6 inches) Micro USB cable, a visual quick start card, and some paperwork about safety and warranty regulations. The complete manual is available within the mobile app and that is, in fact, the first step in the set-up process — downloading the app. It’s a free app and is available for both iOS and Android devices.
Once the printer is charged, you can connect to it via Bluetooth. At this point, the user experience is highly involved with the mobile app. You can either take photos and print them immediately or select photos that are already stored on your phone. When you select a photo, the app will adjust it so that it fits the photo size of the printer. This is a simple photo editing program built into the app and with it you can easily add text and/or stickers to the photo before you print it. This feature is a little like editing photos in Snapchat before you send it to friend.s. It’s a nice feature to have but not something you have to use if you don’t like it. In addition to the markup options, you can also brighten your photos, change their tint, and adjust their contrast. Because the editing details are all described by icons, it’s a little difficult to determine which control is which.
As a test, I pulled a photo from my Camera Roll on my iPhone of a pair of bookends. The photo shows a colorful, detailed desk accessory and I wanted to have it printed out to see if the detail of the photo remained. I’ve actually had the opportunity to use a different pocket printer by a different company and the colors weren’t very vibrant and details weren’t very prominent once the image was printed. The same is not true of the Canon Ivy printer. The photo was bright, colorful and you could see all the fine details the same way you would if you were looking at it on the phone screen.
The printer does make quite a bit of mechanical/roller noise as it prints. I was surprised about this considering how small the device is. It wasn’t loud per se but it wasn’t quiet either. The first time you print a photo from the printer, the blue information sheet will feed out of the printer first. This will happen every time you print using a new package of ZINKTM photo sheets. Once the blue sheet fed through the printer, it took about one minute for the photo to print out.
The Ivy photo printer from Canon is the perfect option for someone who takes frequent photos with their phone but would like to have a printed keepsake. The Ivy printer is small and very easy to take with you from place to place. I would recommend this to all types of users and think that people who like adding embellishments to photos would really get a kick out of the photo editing options.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+29points
40of 51voted this as helpful.
Experience enhanced cinematic viewing on this 65-inch LG Super UHD TV. It has full array local dimming for a more lifelike picture. Its ~7 intelligent processor produces sharp, accurate images in 4K resolution, and LG ThinQ AI creates a center for your smart home devices.
Customer Rating
5
Absolutely an amazing TV
on May 17, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Not too long ago, I started looking at remodeling/rearranging my home office. I took some time to really plan out what I wanted from the layout and what I wanted to include with it. One of the main pieces that I wanted to include was a really high-quality television. I had already incorporated a 4K TV into my living room (a 75-inch Sony model), but I found that the LG 65SK9000PUA and felt that it was the perfect fit for my newly redesigned home office.
DETAILS
The 65SK9000PUA is a 65-inch 4K HDR Smart LED television. LG also makes a 55-inch version of this unit. It features 4K Ultra HD (3480x2160) resolution with an A7 intelligent processor. The refresh rate is ‘TruMotion 240’ or 120Hz. The TV also includes a 4K upscaler, which comes in quite handy when watching a high-quality video that is not 4K resolution. The LG 9000PUA has some very smart options built-in like Google Home and Amazon Alexa compatibility. It does have a full web browser included as well as the LG Content Store.
USER EXPERIENCE
The LG 9000PUA arrived in a large box with a full-color image of the product on the outside. Many of the details were stamped around the box and when you opened it, you are met with the stand and many layers of Styrofoam. As a television, there really isn’t a whole lot of set-up with it. You have to place the monitor on its stand or acquire a wall mount for it (we opted to use the stand) and secured it in place. This process only took about 5 minutes. I do advise others that they should have help when moving the television. It’s not overly heavy, but it is awkward and you could risk damaging it if you try to move it on your own. The most difficult part of the set-up is actually deciding where you want it to live in your space. Because it’s a 65-inch TV, I would suggest finding a long enough wall to accommodate it so that it doesn’t make your space feel closed off.
There are quite a few stand-out features that appealed to me with this television. First, I really liked the inclusion of the Magic Remote. I’ve used many, many remotes and tried everything I can to limit the amount of remote I have to use with my television (it’s usually multiple types of remotes based on the home theater system I’m using). Fortunately, with this set-up, I decided to only use the TV with its WebOS and not connect a lot of external devices. Therefore, I can use the single Magic Remote with no interference. It’s worked beautifully and I’m significantly less stressed when it comes to using the TV. I don’t have to fumble with multiple remotes and I can enjoy entertainment much easier. I also really like that the LG television has several different input ports. Even though I’m only using an antenna with this TV, I like knowing that I can quickly and easily connect through one of the three USB ports, composite connectors, Ethernet, optical audio or HDMI.
With televisions, the number one feature you look at is the picture quality. To give a little background, we had a 55” Samsung 1080P HD television with a 120Hz refresh rate. It had a beautiful picture and we have loved it as the cornerstone of our home entertainment system for the past 6 years. Earlier this year, I decided it was time for an upgrade and invested in a 75” Sony 4K television. It is a 2017 model, but the picture quality is incredible. It was definitely a step above the 1080P HD TV that we previously had. And just a couple of weeks ago, I decided to acquire this 65” LG 4K Smart TV. I thought, “Even though it’s a newer model, it can’t be that much better than the Sony TV I just purchased.” I was greatly mistaken.
The picture quality of this LG TV is nothing short of incredible. We watched the first few minutes of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 to test out the monitor because it has such a wide color gamut in a short period of time and with it being in space, you can really see darkness, too. There is one scene where the character, Drax leaps into the mouth of a space creature. We watched it several times and each time, it seemed as though we could reach out and touch the creature. The black levels were so rich that we felt as though we were there. We determined since this television isn’t an OLED display that the reasoning for the dramatic difference between the two 4K televisions in our house has to be the Nano Cell display technology.
CONCLUSIONS
We have been very happy with the picture quality and have even considered replacing the 75” TV with the 65” TV. LG really has a great display and everything we’ve watched on it has been ‘better’ than watching on a normal TV. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this impressed with a display and I’m eager to use it for years to come.
DETAILS
The 65SK9000PUA is a 65-inch 4K HDR Smart LED television. LG also makes a 55-inch version of this unit. It features 4K Ultra HD (3480x2160) resolution with an A7 intelligent processor. The refresh rate is ‘TruMotion 240’ or 120Hz. The TV also includes a 4K upscaler, which comes in quite handy when watching a high-quality video that is not 4K resolution. The LG 9000PUA has some very smart options built-in like Google Home and Amazon Alexa compatibility. It does have a full web browser included as well as the LG Content Store.
USER EXPERIENCE
The LG 9000PUA arrived in a large box with a full-color image of the product on the outside. Many of the details were stamped around the box and when you opened it, you are met with the stand and many layers of Styrofoam. As a television, there really isn’t a whole lot of set-up with it. You have to place the monitor on its stand or acquire a wall mount for it (we opted to use the stand) and secured it in place. This process only took about 5 minutes. I do advise others that they should have help when moving the television. It’s not overly heavy, but it is awkward and you could risk damaging it if you try to move it on your own. The most difficult part of the set-up is actually deciding where you want it to live in your space. Because it’s a 65-inch TV, I would suggest finding a long enough wall to accommodate it so that it doesn’t make your space feel closed off.
There are quite a few stand-out features that appealed to me with this television. First, I really liked the inclusion of the Magic Remote. I’ve used many, many remotes and tried everything I can to limit the amount of remote I have to use with my television (it’s usually multiple types of remotes based on the home theater system I’m using). Fortunately, with this set-up, I decided to only use the TV with its WebOS and not connect a lot of external devices. Therefore, I can use the single Magic Remote with no interference. It’s worked beautifully and I’m significantly less stressed when it comes to using the TV. I don’t have to fumble with multiple remotes and I can enjoy entertainment much easier. I also really like that the LG television has several different input ports. Even though I’m only using an antenna with this TV, I like knowing that I can quickly and easily connect through one of the three USB ports, composite connectors, Ethernet, optical audio or HDMI.
With televisions, the number one feature you look at is the picture quality. To give a little background, we had a 55” Samsung 1080P HD television with a 120Hz refresh rate. It had a beautiful picture and we have loved it as the cornerstone of our home entertainment system for the past 6 years. Earlier this year, I decided it was time for an upgrade and invested in a 75” Sony 4K television. It is a 2017 model, but the picture quality is incredible. It was definitely a step above the 1080P HD TV that we previously had. And just a couple of weeks ago, I decided to acquire this 65” LG 4K Smart TV. I thought, “Even though it’s a newer model, it can’t be that much better than the Sony TV I just purchased.” I was greatly mistaken.
The picture quality of this LG TV is nothing short of incredible. We watched the first few minutes of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 to test out the monitor because it has such a wide color gamut in a short period of time and with it being in space, you can really see darkness, too. There is one scene where the character, Drax leaps into the mouth of a space creature. We watched it several times and each time, it seemed as though we could reach out and touch the creature. The black levels were so rich that we felt as though we were there. We determined since this television isn’t an OLED display that the reasoning for the dramatic difference between the two 4K televisions in our house has to be the Nano Cell display technology.
CONCLUSIONS
We have been very happy with the picture quality and have even considered replacing the 75” TV with the 65” TV. LG really has a great display and everything we’ve watched on it has been ‘better’ than watching on a normal TV. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this impressed with a display and I’m eager to use it for years to come.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+23points
24of 25voted this as helpful.
Only at Best BuyRecord everything you encounter on the road with this Rexing V1 dash camera. The low-profile design makes it unobtrusive to drivers and casual observers, and the wide 170-degree angle catches all the details you need. This Rexing V1 dash camera has a collision detector to ensure vital recordings don't get overwritten.
Customer Rating
4
Simple, unique camera
on May 15, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
You can never be too careful these days when you are on the road. People sort of have their own agendas and many times they don’t even pay attention to the world around them. With those drivers in mind, it becomes more and more important to protect yourself with devices like dash cameras. I’ve had the fortunate experience of being able to test out several different types of cameras and most recently, I’ve tried the Rexing DashCam V1.
The Rexing DashCam V1 arrives in a colorful, but somewhat generic package. It’s well-labeled with the ‘Rexing’ brand name stamped on it. Some very basic details are listed on the outside wrap of the box and it comes with a 12ft car charger, 3M adhesive mount, USB cable, and a user manual. When you open the box, you will find the camera assembly wrapped with some protective foam and then all the remaining accessories beneath a layer of cardboard.
I have to admit that I was a bit perplexed by the DashCam V1 because of its shape. It’s unlike anything I’ve used before and it’s mounting method is out of the ordinary. It is meant to be mounted to your windshield with adhesive instead of a suction cup. The set-up of it pretty easy despite it being different than others I’ve used. Once you have selected the location for the DashCam, you can place it using the mount and provided adhesive strips. It sticks easily and well on glass and even though I haven’t had it very long, I believe it will last for a while there because the camera is very lightweight.
When you plug it into your car’s power outlet, the camera automatically powers on. If you don’t have an SD Card inserted, you will get a warning on the screen letting you know that you need one. There are knobs on the sides of the camera that allow you to move it up and down to cover different angles. The knobs are a little stiff to move, but they do work.
The camera uses Mini USB, which is a little outdated in my opinion. I feel like it should at least be Micro USB if not something else. I do like that it’s an extra long 12-foot cable because it makes it easy to mount/route the cable and camera. The camera does have a rechargeable battery built-in, but it’s primarily used to save files in the event of an emergency. The buttons are also very tactile and there is a definite ‘click’ when you press them. The hardware part of the camera seems to be quite stout and I personally think it will last daily use quite well.
Even though this camera has an easy set up and unique design, there are a few things I am not a big fan of like the angle of the screen. The video quality is pretty good. It’s clear and records easily. This unique little camera gets the job done easily and efficiently.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+4points
7of 10voted this as helpful.
Match your look to the occasion with this 2-in-1 Philips Norelco shaver. Its ComfortCut blade system lets you achieve a smooth, clean shave, and its click-on plastic guard provides a casual three-day stubble look. The multidirectional flex heads of this Philips Norelco shaver ensure consistent trimming on every contour of your face and neck.
Customer Rating
5
Close shave at an affordable price
on April 21, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
For the past few years, I’ve been trying to find the ideal electric shaver. I really want something rechargeable and that gives me a smooth shave without leaving any skin irritations. This has been a difficult combination to find because my skin is quite sensitive. I’ve had good luck with the Philips Norelco line of products, so I thought I would give their Shaver 3600 a try.
To start, the shaver is simple in operation. Out of the box, the device has some charge to it and I was able to get 2-3 solid shaves out of this initial charge. It is suggested that you charge the shaver before its first use, but I was able to get a few shaves out of it before needing to charge it. The shaver does not come with a charging stand. This would probably be my only complaint about this device. It does have a charging cable, but I would like to be able to set it in a stand without having a cable hanging out on my bathroom counter.
As far as performance goes, I’ve been very happy with the Shaver 3600. It performs just as well, if not better than, some other electric shavers I’ve tried that are much higher priced. It provides a close shave without any razor burn and the pop-out trimmer does a remarkable job with thicker hair like my sideburns. The shaver is easy to clean and very lightweight. It travels well and comes with a protective guard and stubble guard. For a very minimal, reasonable price (around $65) you can have a complete shaving system.
I’ve not used it in the shower, but do usually wash my face before shaving so I did get to take advantage of the using it in wet and dry environments. For the most part I did just use it as a dry shaver and didn’t have many issues with my skin getting irritated. The Shaver 3600 provides a close shave and is very affordable. I would recommend this to anyone looking for an electric shaver.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+13points
13of 13voted this as helpful.
The Turtle Beach Stream Mic is the first professional desktop microphone created for gamers streaming directly from their Xbox One and PlayStation 4, as well as from a PC or Mac. The Stream Mic features Adaptive Mic Patterns, customizable software, a dual-capsule mic array with advanced digital processing, and a zero-latency headphone output so anyone can stream like a pro.
Customer Rating
5
Elevate your live streams with this compact mic
on April 20, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
With the advent of online gaming, technology and electronic devices took an interesting turn. At first, gaming was limited to the system you were playing on and its controller. Now there are a wide variety of products you can use to make your gaming experience customized and functional for you. One of the essential parts of a gaming setup these days is a microphone. You can easily connect with others online unless you can talk with them. So, you need a microphone. Many people use a headset with a built-in microphone but gamers who are heavy into live streaming take that piece of their gaming puzzle the next level with an external mic. This small but powerful microphone from Turtle Beach is perfect just this type of task.
User Experience
The microphone and its stand come disassembled inside a nicely designed box. A picture of the product is shown on the exterior of the box along with basic details of the device. When you unpackage the contents, you will find the main microphone and the parts to its stand. An extra long Mini USB cable is provided and so is a quick reference guide. In addition to the standard desktop stand, the Stream Mic also comes with a Mic Book Adapter in case you want to attach it to a boom arm. The microphone itself is very lightweight, but the stand is well-weighted and has silicone feet on its base to prevent the microphone from moving unnecessarily.
The microphone and its stand come disassembled inside a nicely designed box. A picture of the product is shown on the exterior of the box along with basic details of the device. When you unpackage the contents, you will find the main microphone and the parts to its stand. An extra long Mini USB cable is provided and so is a quick reference guide. In addition to the standard desktop stand, the Stream Mic also comes with a Mic Book Adapter in case you want to attach it to a boom arm. The microphone itself is very lightweight, but the stand is well-weighted and has silicone feet on its base to prevent the microphone from moving unnecessarily.
Getting started with the Stream Mic was very easy. Turtle Beach designed this microphone so it could be easily used on many platforms so all I had to do was plug in a USB cable. For me, this also requires the use of a USB-C adapter since I was using my 2016 MacBook Pro for testing. As with most external audio sources, I had to visit my System Preferences in order to activate the Stream Mic as my external input audio source. Once I did, I was able to adjust the input volume on the mic from the System Preferences panel and then I could start using it. There is a Console Mode switch on the back of the microphone. You need to make sure it’s set to the correct mode before it will work with your system. I do love the design of this microphone. It has a very retro/classic radio microphone feel to it and it has an adjustable tilt when it’s mounted. If you are using the mic with an Xbox, you will flip the switch to the left. If you are using it with anything else, you will flip the switch to the right.
With it sitting so low on my desk, I wondered how well it would record my voice if I were sitting naturally in my desk chair. So, I did a test recording of myself reading Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. I read excerpts of the book various distances away from the microphone (6 inches, 12 inches, and approximately 4 feet). I tried my best to keep my voice at a steady, even level and just adjust my personal distance away from the microphone. I felt like the Stream Mic did a very good job filtering out background noise (air handling was on in my office at the time of recording) and keeping my voice at a balanced volume. You can hear a difference between 6 inches and 4 feet, but I am still audible from 4 feet away. It is important to note that when I was testing this out, I was in a fairly isolated environment with only some air handling noise in the background. Other noises, like keyboard clicks, might be picked up by the mic.
Conclusions
While I didn’t specifically use this for live streaming, I find it to be a very nice, lightweight microphone. It’s small enough to transport easily from place to place and it has a fool-proof setup method. I love that it has a mute button on the front and that it has a colored LED indicator that lights up green (if in use) or red (if muted). This is a very easy to use microphone that is competitively priced with other USB microphones. Because it’s made by Turtle Beach it’s been optimized to work specifically for gamers, but it can be used for a wide-variety of tasks. I am a big fan of this little microphone and plan on giving it a permanent spot in my minimalist desk setup.
While I didn’t specifically use this for live streaming, I find it to be a very nice, lightweight microphone. It’s small enough to transport easily from place to place and it has a fool-proof setup method. I love that it has a mute button on the front and that it has a colored LED indicator that lights up green (if in use) or red (if muted). This is a very easy to use microphone that is competitively priced with other USB microphones. Because it’s made by Turtle Beach it’s been optimized to work specifically for gamers, but it can be used for a wide-variety of tasks. I am a big fan of this little microphone and plan on giving it a permanent spot in my minimalist desk setup.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Charge your Apple devices away from the wall outlet with this Native Union BELT cable. Its 10-foot length lets you move around with the device while it charges, and its braided cord provides durability. This Native Union BELT is a durable Lightning to USB Charging Cable and includes an integrated leather strap with a snap for tidy storage.
Customer Rating
5
Perfect Lightning Cable
on April 17, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Verified Purchase:Yes
I had a very specific reason for this cable. I needed it to run behind my trucks dashboard so I needed a cable with a lifetime warranty. One that was braided so it would last without falling apart like the way Apple cables do after lots of use. I had a car stereo installed and the people told me they needed a longer cable than the one that came with the radio so instead of using the female USB cable provided I picked up this one because I know the company really does make some quality products. It's ten feet long and maybe a bit longer than I really needed but better safe than sorry. The rubber around the USB is very first and the braiding of the cable is very tight. I have not seen anything unraveling at all. I need a second one for inside my house because this cable is nice.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0of 0voted this as helpful.
Without you knowing it, cybercriminals can infiltrate your Wi-Fi network and steal your identity or invade your privacy by accessing your connected devices. Password protection isn't enough anymore.Engineered with multi-layered security, Norton Core™ intelligently protects your Wi-Fi network and an unlimited number of connected IoT devices such as smart TVs, baby monitors, Wi-Fi thermostats as well as your personal devices like laptops, desktops, smartphones and tablets against malware, spyware, ransomware, viruses and more.
Customer Rating
4
Good option for security, but it comes at a price
on April 3, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
These days you can never be too careful when it comes to securing your data. I like to think that security begins at home. Most people these days have wireless networks at home and because of that, they are susceptible to attacks from outside their home. It’s easy for people outside your network to tap into it and because of that, you have to take steps to make sure that your network is not easily accessible. One way you can do that is to install a secure WiFi Router like the Norton Core.
This secure WiFi Router is ‘smart’ and designed to ward off cybercriminals by protecting your network against things like malware, viruses, and hackers. Norton is well-known for providing software solutions for computer systems around the world. I remember it being the first anti-virus name I trusted. So, when I learned of the Norton Core, I was intrigued and loved the idea that they took what they know about safety and security of computers and applied it to a really cool looking piece of hardware.
The Core looks more like a piece of art than a router. It is a round device that you will want to display rather than hide. The router provides more than just firewall protection. It helps safeguard your identity and online transactions as well as provide on-the-go device protection. It has comprehensive parental controls incorporated and IoT device protection.
One of the things I like about Norton Core is that it’s easy to set up and once it is, you have a one-stop shop - so to speak - of internet control of your home. Before the Core, we had both a router and the Disney Circle installed to help manage internet traffic and parental controls. While this system worked, it was a little cumbersome and it’s great to have it all in one place with Norton’s Core Menu (mobile app). On the app, you can view your home’s security score, which will give you an idea of where you might need to make improvements. You also get a great snapshot of the devices that are connected to your network.
Set up was very easy. The Core plugs into your modem and then you have the option to connect to one of the three LAN ports available. The Core also has two USB 3.0 ports included. I didn’t have any issues getting the Core up and running and it’s been a stable system since.
The only issue I really have with the Norton Core system is that after paying the $200 price for the hardware, you then have a $10 per month subscription to the Norton Core Security Plus service. A 1-year subscription is included with the purchase of the Core hardware, but after that, it’s a subscription-based service. If you don’t renew it, the Norton Core will continue to function as a router, but the network, IoT and device-level security, as well as parental controls, will no longer be available. To me, this is what really makes the Norton Core stand out as an exceptional router so if those things aren’t available, the cost of this router just isn’t justifiable.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Life~s extraordinary moments deserve to be captured with smooth video. DJI OM 4 is a magnetic gimbal designed to complement your smartphone, allowing you to start recording right away. Ultra-compact, easy to use, and bursting with intelligent features, OM 4 is the ultimate solution for capturing and sharing your world.
Does the magnetic sticker phone attachment interfere with wireless phone charging?
Ensure meals are cooked evenly with this Breville the Combi Wave 3-in-1e microwave. The grill, convection oven and microwave functions provide a variety of cooking options, while the Element IQ technology precisely delivers the right cooking temperature for optimal results. This Breville the Combi Wave 3-in-1 microwave features a Power Smoothing inverter for automatic adjustment of power to enable even heat distribution.
Is this an air fryer, microwave and convection oven
Simplify your everyday life with the Google Home, a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant. Use voice commands to enjoy music, get answers from Google and manage everyday tasks. Google Home is compatible with Android and iOS operating systems, and can control compatible smart devices such as Chromecast or Nest."
Will Google Home work with ECOBEE Thermostat?
No. Unfortunately, Google has limited functionality to only the Nest thermostat. At this time, I don't see them opening up support for third parties as they are probably trying to push it with their own hardware, but that could always change.
8 years, 10 months ago
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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
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nickcal