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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Produce physical copies of smartphone image files with this Bluetooth-enabled HP Sprocket Plus photo printer. Its compact form fits 10 sheets of 2.3 x 3.4-inch photo paper, and it lets you edit photos creatively via the HP Sprocket app. This portable HP Sprocket Plus photo printer also scans its printed images to quickly locate their digital sources.
Customer Rating
4
Easy mobile printing with a compact printer
on January 18, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Years ago, when I was in high school, the big thing to do was have miniature photo albums to carry all your precious memories in. My friends and I would get prints of our photos and share them. Now, all photos are all digital. But what happens if you want a print out of really good photos that you take with your phone? Typically, you have to send the digital file to a photo lab like at Walgreens or Wal-Mart. It’s not a particularly difficult process, but sometimes you just want to print out photos at home. I’ve used standard printers before, but just haven’t been happy with the quality. One of the simplest solutions is to invest in a personal photo printer like this one from HP.
The HP Sprocket Plus Printer is a compact printer for mobile photos. It’s designed to work directly with your smartphone and is just about the same size, too. The printer comes packaged with 10 sheets of HP Sprocket Plus Zink photo paper and a short (about 12 inches) Micro USB cable for charging/powering the printer. With the printer, you can print 2.3 x 3.4-inch photos directly from your phone in just a few seconds.
Setup is easy. You download the Sprocket app for your mobile platform (iOS or Android) and connect to the printer using Bluetooth. When you start up the printer, you will get a notification on your phone (if you already have the app installed) that says that the app wants to connect to the printer. If you allow it, you will be able to see your Camera Roll and other albums in your Photo library. I have an iPhone 7 and didn’t have any issues connecting to it. You can also connect to Instagram, Facebook, and Google to print photos stored in Social Media accounts without having to download them first.
The only thing I noticed that was a little slow was the app’s connection to my phone’s photo library. I would save a photo from a shared library and reload the app photo list and it would take a few seconds for the new photos to appear. Once you select a photo, you can edit it in the Sprocket app. You can do the ‘magic’ fix tool, which automatically adjusts brightness and color. You can also manually adjust brightness, contrast, and exposure. The Sprocket app has some built-in filters, too, and you have the ability to add text and drawings to photos. Once you make your edits, you simply send it to the printer.
I tested this out with a few different photos. I found that the colors were not exactly what I had hoped for. The reds aren’t quite as vibrant as they show on the phone and even black and white photos have a purplish tint to them. Overall though, I’m happy with the prints. It’s a nice way to display memories without having to visit a photo lab. The Sprocket Plus Printer is easy to connect to and communicates well with the mobile app.
The HP Sprocket Plus Printer is a compact printer for mobile photos. It’s designed to work directly with your smartphone and is just about the same size, too. The printer comes packaged with 10 sheets of HP Sprocket Plus Zink photo paper and a short (about 12 inches) Micro USB cable for charging/powering the printer. With the printer, you can print 2.3 x 3.4-inch photos directly from your phone in just a few seconds.
Setup is easy. You download the Sprocket app for your mobile platform (iOS or Android) and connect to the printer using Bluetooth. When you start up the printer, you will get a notification on your phone (if you already have the app installed) that says that the app wants to connect to the printer. If you allow it, you will be able to see your Camera Roll and other albums in your Photo library. I have an iPhone 7 and didn’t have any issues connecting to it. You can also connect to Instagram, Facebook, and Google to print photos stored in Social Media accounts without having to download them first.
The only thing I noticed that was a little slow was the app’s connection to my phone’s photo library. I would save a photo from a shared library and reload the app photo list and it would take a few seconds for the new photos to appear. Once you select a photo, you can edit it in the Sprocket app. You can do the ‘magic’ fix tool, which automatically adjusts brightness and color. You can also manually adjust brightness, contrast, and exposure. The Sprocket app has some built-in filters, too, and you have the ability to add text and drawings to photos. Once you make your edits, you simply send it to the printer.
I tested this out with a few different photos. I found that the colors were not exactly what I had hoped for. The reds aren’t quite as vibrant as they show on the phone and even black and white photos have a purplish tint to them. Overall though, I’m happy with the prints. It’s a nice way to display memories without having to visit a photo lab. The Sprocket Plus Printer is easy to connect to and communicates well with the mobile app.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Keep your computer and information safe with Malwarebytes software. It provides protection against multiple attack types, including ransomware that hijacks your computer and demands payment and traditional spyware, and offers fast scanning so your device isn't tied up. Malwarebytes software detects fake websites and prevents you from accessing them or downloading infected programs.
Customer Rating
4
Easy to use cybersecurity option
on January 16, 2018
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Being that my primary personal machine is an Apple MacBook Pro, I don't find a whole lot of use for PC virus protection. Do Macs get infected? Yes. They certainly can, but they aren't as susceptible to attacks as PCs. That said, my work computer is a PC tower and I do have a personal HP laptop that runs Windows 10. And, even though I use it sparingly, I do want to ensure it's protected. So, I installed Malwarebytes on my machine.
The cybersecurity software is designed as anti-malware, anti-ransomware, anti-exploit, and as malicious website protection. The package I ordered and received is good for 1-year of service on up to 3 PCs. The funny thing to me is that the software is still delivered inside a box - just like it used to be when users had to have a CD or DVD of the software for installation. Today, you can still request that from the manufacturer, but you are expected to download the software package from the Malwarebytes website and then use the license key, which is provided on a card that arrives inside the box. In fact, that is all that is inside the box other than some supportive cardboard on the sides. In my opinion, this is a completely unnecessary. If you place an order for this product or purchase a license, I feel like it could easily be sent to you by email or at the most, in an envelope. There is no need to produce an entire box just to hold one piece of paper.
I had a few false starts getting the software package downloaded. As it turned out, my computer was trying to do Windows updates in the background. I want to point out that the software package is around 80MB in size so it could potentially clog your internet connection if your system is trying to update in the background. After I ended that task, the software downloaded with no problems.
I opened and installed the software and then entered the license key. It worked flawlessly and I ran the scan within a few seconds. Fortunately for me, there were no problems detected. As a default, all the protections are turned 'on'. You can choose to turn them off, but I don't know why you would want to do that. Inside the app settings, you can adjust the scan schedule, level of protection, application settings, exclusions, and you can also view your account details. I like that you have so many different ways to view the protection on your computer. I've seen some cybersecurity applications that have overly complicated menus and they just seem confusing to me. Malwarebytes is easy to use and easy to read. I probably would have given this product a 5-star rating had it not been for the packaging.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Optimize your productivity and entertainment experience with this 15.6-inch HP Envy convertible laptop. Its AMD Ryzen 5 processor and 8GB of RAM provide smooth performance, and its AMD Radeon graphics loads stunning gaming visuals. This HP Envy convertible laptop has 1TB of storage, and its Windows Ink feature lets you work with a digital pen. Learn more.
Customer Rating
4
A powerful, workhorse laptop
on December 15, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Even though I am partial to Apple computers, I do enjoy working with other operating systems on occasion. I'm particularly intrigued by the convertible laptops that can act as tablets or a laptop computer. This class of machine is typically more powerful than your typical tablet, which is the basis of its appeal to me.
My first impression of the HP Envy was good. It's a sleek-looking laptop and fits with the modern style that most companies are following. The color is called "Dark Ash Silver," which is similar to the Space Gray from Apple. It is a shade darker though. The next thing I noticed was the computer's weight. It weighs 4.74 pounds. This is almost a full pound more than the 15-inch MacBook Pro. It may not seem like much to most people, but when you are talking about portability and laptops, 1 pound is quite a lot. When I got the laptop opened up, I have to admit that it 'feels' bigger than my MacBook Pro, too. It almost feels like the difference between a 13-inch laptop and a 17-inch laptop. Weird right?
Set-up for the laptop was very easy. I turned it on and after I connected it to WiFi, Cortana took over and walked me through the entire set-up process. You are encouraged to connect the computer to an online Microsoft account. This is not mandatory to set-up the computer though. You can skip this step and just create a login ID for the computer without it being connected to the cloud. Once I was 100% connected and ready to start working, the Envy flew through the tasks I put before it. Most people might end up using this for standard office tasks and with a 1TB hard drive (7200 RPM -- it's not solid state) and 8GB of memory, you won't be disappointed with this laptop's performance.
The keyboard took a little getting used to for me. I think that's because it's a full-size keyboard with the number keypad included. That means that the main part of the keyboard is offset from the center of the screen. Therefore, I found myself mistyping quite a bit until I got used to the keyboard. The other thing I was really impressed with right off the bat was the screen. It's a full 1080P HD widescreen LED display. The screen is smooth and clear. It's also quite fragile. When I first received this laptop, I powered it on and connected it to my WiFi. At that particular time, I could not finish the set-up so I closed the lid with the protective fabric provided by HP. There were no wrinkles or folds when I closed the lid and the next time I opened it, I noticed a sizeable scratch on the screen. No one else had used the laptop so the only thing I can think of is that the fabric somehow caused the scratch. This was indeed disappointing considering that this is a convertible laptop and can also be used as a tablet. You would think a touchscreen laptop would have a more durable screen.
Switching to tablet mode is an automatic process. When you flip the keyboard around on its axis, the computer detects that it's been rotated around and asks you if you want to switch over to tablet mode or exit it if you are switching back to laptop mode. When you answer 'yes', the screen enters the full-screen mode for the tablet use. Even when you are in laptop mode, you have the option to still use the touchscreen and the other tablet features. Typing in tablet mode is easy. The on-screen keyboard is very responsive -- more so than even my 12-inch iPad Pro. This is one feature I really enjoy. At times, I actually felt as though I was typing faster in tablet mode than with the keyboard. I have two main concerns about using this particular laptop in tablet mode. First, even though I like typing with the on-screen keyboard, the screen tends to shake quite a bit. This is really unavoidable since the computer is as stable and locked in as it can be, but it's still something that bothered me a bit. The other issue I have is the sensitivity of the screen to scratches. Working on this computer in tablet mode concerns me because I feel that the screen could become easily damaged.
I like that this computer has 2 USB-A ports, an HDMI port, an SD card reader and a USB-C port. This makes for a very versatile laptop. Because it does have a standard USB port, I was able to connect a USB mouse quickly and easily so that I had maximum functionality.
The HP Envy x360 is a really great option for most types of users. It came pre-loaded with Microsoft Office (subscription required after trial) and a few other standard utility applications, but I think that this powerful laptop could handle other applications easily. I believe it could even handle being a design-driven laptop. It's great for presentations and a powerful workhorse.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Achieve impressive sound from this JBL Link voice-activated speaker. Bluetooth technology ensures solid connectivity to your smartphone to play your favorite music, and the built-in Google Assistant provides hands-free operation on a variety of tasks. This JBL Link voice-activated speaker works with both iOS and Android devices for optimal convenience.
Customer Rating
5
A great speaker with voice assistant
on December 12, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
For the past year or so, I’ve been trying out different digital assistants. I love the voice activated speakers that you can install around the house that integrate the assistants as a feature. It’s wonderful to be able to ask Siri or Alexa to turn off lights around the house or asking Google about the weather, calendar, or to play a game. The voice-activated speakers with digital assistant have become a staple around our house and a very welcome addition.
So, when I started looking at this new line of JBL speakers, I was very excited to see that Google was included. JBL is a quality name when it comes to speakers. It’s sometimes left behind other consumer brands because they focus a lot of professional users, but this speaker, the Link 300, is a really nice example of a classy, quality speaker.
For starters, it’s a standard Bluetooth speaker with a traditional set-up. When you turn it on, it automatically enters Bluetooth pairing mode and for me, it appears immediately in my Bluetooth device menu on my iPhone. I tapped on the device name and was connected. In subsequent uses, I’ve noticed a bit of a delay in connecting, but no more than I usually do with Bluetooth speakers. One nice feature of the Link 300 is that it will also connect via WiFi, which does have a stronger connection than Bluetooth. I found the sound to be of similar quality for either type of connection, but the delay was much less when connected to the WiFi than the Bluetooth.
I love the look of this speaker. It’s a sleek black speaker and is about the size of a child-size football. It fits nicely on our coffee table and because it’s such a classic design, it blends in with the rest of our décor. Even though it's voice-activated, the speaker also has tactile controls on the top of it. You can play/pause music or increase/decrease the volume using the +/- buttons.
One thing I want to point out is that within my collection of smart devices is a Google Home speaker. While the speaker works very well and the microphone is sensitive enough to pick up commands from our TV, it’s meant more for the Google Assistant than the speaker. JBL designed the speaker first and added in the assistant. This makes for a higher quality speaker. There are full bass sound and clear, crisp treble. Even without the Google Assistant built-in, this is a very nice speaker that would make a welcome addition to any home or office.
Even though the price of this speaker is a bit higher than others in its class, I think you really get what you pay for. Set up is simple and you get a very capable digital assistant.
So, when I started looking at this new line of JBL speakers, I was very excited to see that Google was included. JBL is a quality name when it comes to speakers. It’s sometimes left behind other consumer brands because they focus a lot of professional users, but this speaker, the Link 300, is a really nice example of a classy, quality speaker.
For starters, it’s a standard Bluetooth speaker with a traditional set-up. When you turn it on, it automatically enters Bluetooth pairing mode and for me, it appears immediately in my Bluetooth device menu on my iPhone. I tapped on the device name and was connected. In subsequent uses, I’ve noticed a bit of a delay in connecting, but no more than I usually do with Bluetooth speakers. One nice feature of the Link 300 is that it will also connect via WiFi, which does have a stronger connection than Bluetooth. I found the sound to be of similar quality for either type of connection, but the delay was much less when connected to the WiFi than the Bluetooth.
I love the look of this speaker. It’s a sleek black speaker and is about the size of a child-size football. It fits nicely on our coffee table and because it’s such a classic design, it blends in with the rest of our décor. Even though it's voice-activated, the speaker also has tactile controls on the top of it. You can play/pause music or increase/decrease the volume using the +/- buttons.
One thing I want to point out is that within my collection of smart devices is a Google Home speaker. While the speaker works very well and the microphone is sensitive enough to pick up commands from our TV, it’s meant more for the Google Assistant than the speaker. JBL designed the speaker first and added in the assistant. This makes for a higher quality speaker. There are full bass sound and clear, crisp treble. Even without the Google Assistant built-in, this is a very nice speaker that would make a welcome addition to any home or office.
Even though the price of this speaker is a bit higher than others in its class, I think you really get what you pay for. Set up is simple and you get a very capable digital assistant.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Chefman Express 2.5L Air Fryer : Quickly prepare fried favorites like shrimp and onion rings with this air fryer, which features adjustable temperature control and a 30-minute timer for flexible cooking. The dishwasher-safe basket makes cleanup quick and easy.
Customer Rating
5
Does the trick
on December 10, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Verified Purchase:Yes
Ok, so I'm new to the air frying business so all I can say about this little thing is that it does a really great job of cooking without oil. No complaints on my end.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Prepare delicious recipes with this Blendtec Designer 650s Blender. The Blendtec Designer Series uses all the power and performance that made Blendtec the choice of blending professionals, and combined it with a modern design with functionality taking Blendtec to a new level in performance blending. The Blendtec Designer Series is the all-in-one appliance that replaces many standard kitchen appliances with one fast easy-to-use machine. It will make smoothies, fresh whole juice, ice cream, margaritas, soups, sauces, bread dough, dressings, salsas, flours and more! Blending professionals have relied on Blendtec machines in the best coffee shops, juice bars, gyms, and restaurants around the world for producing the best, most consistent results in taste and texture. You can now enjoy the same results in your home.
Customer Rating
5
High-class from a professional-grade blender
on December 1, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
For quite some time, I’ve enjoyed the “Will it blend?” Videos on YouTube. These videos feature Blendtec blenders and the founder of the company proving they can destroy just about anything because of how powerful they are. About a week ago, I finally got my chance to try out one of these wonderful machines.
The Blendtec 650s from the Designer series product line arrived in a branded product box. I was surprised to find that the blender only comes packaged with the motor base, jar, lid, and instruction manuals. I thought it would have more accessories than that. Even though it was properly padded with styrofoam, be sure to handle the box with care as it is quite a heavy kitchen utility device.
Setting it up is very easy. You simply plug in the motor base to power and set the jar with the lid on top of it. Then, you blend. I was surprised to find that there was no locking mechanism on this model. When I set the jar on the base, it just sits there unassisted. I did hold it in place while it blended, but found it odd that there was no lock for it.
The lid has a small opening in the center of it for adding ingredients while blending. Many blenders have this feature, but I was surprised to find that this one is vented. It does have a cover that snaps into place, but there are small slots along the sides that allow airflow into the jar. I didn’t have any issues with the jar contents being flung around while blending.
Even though the founder of Blendtec likes to push his machines to their limits, I decided to take a much more conservative approach to my testing process. I made a simple ice cream-based smoothie with fruit instead of trying to blend an Apple product. Using the measurement marks along the side of the jar, I added 4 ounces of milk, three scoops of vanilla ice cream (maybe about a cup and a half), 4 strawberries, and a whole banana. As far as prep goes, I did pull the stems from the strawberries and cut them into chunks. I realized after I had cut them up that it wasn’t really necessary given the power of the Blendtec. After adding the milk, ice cream, ice, and strawberries, I broke the banana in half, after peeling it of course, and dropped it into the jar.
The Blendtec has a very simple display with icons to show you what you are blending. Each one of these buttons is associated with a set of time and speed that is already programmed into the blender. You can still operate it manually, but Blendtec makes blending very simple with these pre-programmed button options. Once I set the jar on the motor base, I selected the option for Smoothie and hit start. It immediately started blending and I noticed that because the Blendtec is so powerful, that the jar did start moving around on the base a bit. So, I put my hand on the top to steady it. The ingredients were blended for 60 seconds and then I poured it into glasses. The fruit was completely mixed into the ice cream mixture and only the flavors were added.
I am very impressed by the Blendtec blender. Not too long before it entered our household, I was able to test out a Ninja blender as well. The biggest difference in the two machines is that the Blendtec relies heavily on its power to mix the ingredients because its blade is not sharpened. The Ninja, on the other hand, does have a very sharp blade. Both powerhouse blenders have a place - for me, I choose the Blendtec.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Re-create the movie theater experience with this BenQ projector. It provides 2200 lumens to deliver a 15,000:1 contrast ratio even in bright rooms, and it produces 1920 x 1080 HD resolution to capture every detail of a scene. This BenQ projector has dual HDMI ports, so you can connect HD devices.
Customer Rating
5
Provides superior quality and convenient use
on November 27, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Technology company BenQ is well-known for their high-quality monitors and they have recently risen to popularity among gamers and technology-enthusiasts. I had the opportunity to test a 27-inch QHD monitor out from BenQ earlier this year and it didn’t disappoint. When I came across this projector from BenQ, I decided to give it a try.
This model of projector is an upgrade for the most popular BenQ projector — the HT1070. This newer model has a contrast ratio of 15,000:1 and a resolution of 1080p. There are three picture modes — sports, movies, and normal TV. Now, I didn’t have previous experience with the older model, but from what I’ve seen, BenQ didn’t waste time with a successful formula and they just made minor improvements. It’s designed to be consumer-grade and is more budget-friendly than other high-quality projectors (retailing for $649).
BenQ provides software with the project on disc and it’s also available to download from their website. It’s for Windows machines only, but Mac users need not despair. The unit is essentially plug-n-play. You can connect to it as you would any output monitor and use your computer normally.
The BenQ 1070A ships with a standard power cable, a VGA cable, remote control (with batteries), and a quick start guide. It’s very lightweight (just under 6 pounds) and it’s very easy to get started with. When I took it out of the box, I got it set up in our home office because we have our walls painted white. Unfortunately, we did have some furniture in the way when I tested this device out, but the quality of the picture on the wall was not affected. When I first started it up, the lens was a bit out of alignment, but a quick dial on the focus knob straightened that out.
To connect my 2016 MacBook Pro, which only has USB-C ports, I utilized a Multi-port hub and then connected an HDMI cable to both the projector and the hub. The projector has an automatic detection feature and it sensed my computer’s information through the HDMI port and fed it to the projection on the wall.
I watched a couple of YouTube videos and some video clips from Finding Dory on Netflix to test out the quality of the projection. I was shocked at how good the stream was. It was honestly better than our TV looks sometimes. I was able to read text that was projected on the wall and the colors from Finding Dory were as vibrant as they should be.
I did not attempt to set up audio through the projector and instead opted to play audio using my computer’s speakers. Once I decide on a more permanent installation of the projector, I will likely run some audio cables to a set of speakers.
Overall, this is an awesome projector. I’ve used quite a few styles of projector in the past few years and I’ve found that this one from BenQ is way beyond any others I’ve used. The only feature I wish it has was a wireless connection. I also found that at least one word was misspelled in the user interface. When you turn off the projector, a dialog box pops up and states “turnning off - please wait”. This issue could easily be dealt with through a firmware update of the device.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Clean every corner of your home with this Hoover Fusion Pet cordless vacuum. The One Pwr lithium battery delivers fade-free power for larger jobs, and fast charging speeds eliminate wait times between cleaning sessions. This Hoover Fusion Pet cordless vacuum includes several attachments for cleaning upholstery, crevices and other hard-to-reach areas.
Customer Rating
5
A powerful vacuum in a tiny package
on November 10, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
When I got my first apartment, I had a large vacuum. It was powerful and it worked really well for a number of years. When it finally gave out, I was surprised to find that vacuums were taking a new design trend and becoming smaller and smaller. Fortunately, even though vacuums have gotten smaller, they have retained their power and still do an amazing job cleaning. The Hoover Fusion Pet Cordless vacuum is no exception.
This vacuum offers cordless versatility. I absolutely LOVE cordless vacuums because I hate the hassle that comes along with having to move around a cord and plugging it in room-to-room as I go. So, having a battery-operated unit is ideal for me. I’ve tried out a couple different cordless vacuums and while they pickup dirt and dust on non-carpeted floors, they just lack the power needed to really clean a carpet. This Hoover unit does not. It’s specifically designed to work on multiple surfaces and does an amazing job on carpets. When I tested it out, I vacuumed our home office, which has thick carpet in it. The vacuum performed beautifully and picked up everything in its path.
I actually showed this to my grandmother and she was super impressed by it. She said, “Oh, Wow!” When I vacuumed a section of the floor for her. She said, “Wow, that does just as good of a job as the big ones do!” And she’s right. I don’t have any method to test whether or not the amount of dirt and debris left on the carpet is the same as the larger vacuums, but the Fusion seems to do a pretty good job of cleaning.
The only complaint I have of this is vacuum is that it has a lot of little parts to it. I do wish that somehow these little parts — attachments and such — could be contained better. There is nothing worse than having a box of parts laying around. The vacuum does come with a wall mount so that you can secure it to a wall. This is kind of a nice touch. All in all, the Hoover Fusion Pet Cordless vacuum is a winner in my book. It does the job of bigger vacuums but takes up a fraction of the space.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Completely customize your Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat to match your lifestyle and decor. The ENERGY STAR~ certified smart thermostat lets you choose the temperature, schedule, display color and the devices you use to control it all.
Customer Rating
5
An easy to install smart device
on November 9, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
Several years ago, I lived in a one bedroom apartment. While there wasn’t a lot of square footage, there was more than one room to heat/cool and sometimes my bills would be astronomical. I ended up eventually getting a programmable thermostat that would start and stop according to my present schedule. This really helped my utility bills because I wasn’t heating/cooling the apartment when no one was there. Now that I have an entire house, I want something that is a little more substantial as far as thermostats go. I still want something that can be programmed, but I want it to work with my home automation, too. I’ve tried a few that are on the market (ecobee, nest) but for quite some time, I’ve wanted to see what Honeywell’s WiFi Thermostat could do for me.
Honeywell’s WiFi Smart Color Thermostat features voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It will work with Smart Things and IFTTT. It is not compatible with Apple HomeKit but can be controlled through the Honeywell app, which is compatible with iOS.
Honeywell brags that this unit has a ‘simple set-up’. While this is true if you have a newer thermostat, some people with older units may have issues. This device requires a ‘C’ wire as its power source. It does come with the ‘C’ wire accessory, but if you don’t already have it, this could provide some hassle. Installing the thermostat is fairly simple. You remove the old thermostat and label the wires. Once they are labeled you mount the wall plate for the Honeywell unit. Hardware is provided for drywall and plaster walls. When the wall plate is secured, you then connect the wires. The terminal releases are a little tough to press, but they make connecting the wires so much easier than wrapping them around screws. Once the wires are secured and connected, you will then snap the thermostat into the wall plate.
The thermostat will go through a set-up process and once it asks you to join a WiFi network, you enter your network name and password. At this point, you will need to register the thermostat in order to get remote access. After all of these initial steps are completed, you can then finish the set-up on the mobile app.
I really like how simple the set-up process was. I had a smooth installation and I really enjoy using the Honeywell thermostat. It’s been pretty responsive and even though there is a slight delay between when I enter a command on the app and when the unit acts, it’s not enough to really bother me. I really like how readable the screen is especially compared to some other digital thermostats. The Honeywell seems to do a decent job of learning my routine and I’ve not had any major issues with it. I do wish it was HomeKit compatible but will settle for it working with Alexa.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enjoy up to 14 hours of battery life with this Sony portable speaker. Its multiple LED lights create a festive atmosphere, and the EXTRA BASS feature offers deep, resounding lows for best enjoyment of your favorite songs. This Sony portable speaker streams digital media through a compatible device thanks to its Bluetooth capability.
Customer Rating
4
A very capable, lightweight speaker
on October 30, 2017
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville, IN
A couple of times a year, we have a family get together at our house. These gatherings usually involve several people and we spread out around the house. When we do, it makes it harder for people to enjoy music that we have streaming from our house Bluetooth speaker. We have several smaller speakers that work great for smaller areas, but we really wanted a larger speaker to keep more people happy, more of the time. The High Power Home Audio System with BLUETOOTH by Sony ended up being the perfect answer.
The speaker sits about two and half feet tall and provide easy options for connectivity. Sony’s speaker can be connected to through Bluetooth or even NFC (if your phone is compatible). It arrives in a Sony branded box and doesn’t require any assembly. You simply life the speaker out of its box and packaging and plug it in. One of the really cool features of this speaker is that it can be 100% wireless. The speaker has an internal battery that provides up to 14 hours of run time. Out of the box, it did have a charge to it so I was able to turn it on and immediately start listening to music through the powerful speaker.
In addition to wireless connections, the High Power Home Audio System also supports analog audio through RCA. There is one USB port available and a microphone input. Even though I didn’t attempt to use this as a PA system, I could see that being a wise use of the speaker since it does project sound well and it’s very lightweight.
The big claim to fame for this speaker is the fact that it can be chained together with other High Power Audio System speakers. I only had a single unit so I wasn’t able to test this out, but knowing that for $500 I could have a decent pair of paired speakers — especially for our home gatherings - is really a strong benefit to me.
I really love the sound this speaker produced. It was a clear and the bass boost really does a nice job of amplifying the depth of the sound. My fiancé said that some of the highs were a little muddy, but it wasn’t enough to regard this speaker as a ‘bad’ audio system. The lighting effect is a neat addition, but it’s not the reason I would recommend the speaker. It’s sort of the icing on the cake though.
I did attempt to use the High Power Home Audio System as a speaker phone, but that wasn’t very successful. The speaker doesn’t have a built-in microphone so the person I was calling was getting my voice through the microphone on my phone and even though I could hear them just fine through the speaker, they had difficulty hearing me.
All in all, this is a really nice option for a ‘party’ speaker. I also would recommend it as an inexpensive field monitor or portable option for DJ’s to use for events.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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