nickcal's stats
- Review count323
- Helpfulness votes1,307
- First reviewFebruary 22, 2014
- Last reviewJuly 11, 2025
- Featured reviews0
- 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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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.
Customer Rating
5
Acer's great budget friendly tablet is pretty nice
on May 23, 2016
Posted by: nickcal
I have a small obsession with tablets and really love to test out as many as I possibly can. I'm not opposed to any brand or OS and I've had the opportunity to test out many options for tablets and in my opinion, there are two levels of tablets - premium and standard. The premium options are the state of the art, top of the line models that cost as much as a regular computer does. The standard tablets are the ones that many people would refer to as the 'budget' options. This Acer falls into the latter group. The most important thing to remember with this type of tablet is that it's not a premium model. That being said, for a standard tablet, it's got some really good features and pep to it. I have considered some of the most important features with tablets (in my opinion) and have outlined them below.
SCREEN & BODY
The screen is an 8-inch LCD, which makes the entire tablet small enough to fit into a purse or other bag without having to lug around a larger, heavier case. In testing this tablet out, I found that it has a very nice screen for viewing text. News articles from Google News and e-books had beautiful, crisp text. Some images were a little grainy, but I think that had more to do with the image's resolution and not the screen output. The body of the tablet is a harder plastic material and feels very tough while still keeping the tablet lightweight. I did find that the longer I used it the warmer it got. The tablet charges via a Micro USB cable, which is provided.
The screen is an 8-inch LCD, which makes the entire tablet small enough to fit into a purse or other bag without having to lug around a larger, heavier case. In testing this tablet out, I found that it has a very nice screen for viewing text. News articles from Google News and e-books had beautiful, crisp text. Some images were a little grainy, but I think that had more to do with the image's resolution and not the screen output. The body of the tablet is a harder plastic material and feels very tough while still keeping the tablet lightweight. I did find that the longer I used it the warmer it got. The tablet charges via a Micro USB cable, which is provided.
CAMERA
As is the case with most standard tablets, the camera isn't much to write home about. If you are buying this tablet, though, you are buying it because of its high performance, durability, and portability. The camera is only 5MP and most smartphones exceed that quality level twice over. It's not bad for recording those precious moments that you don't want to lose when no other camera option is around, but I wouldn't use it as a primary photography option.
As is the case with most standard tablets, the camera isn't much to write home about. If you are buying this tablet, though, you are buying it because of its high performance, durability, and portability. The camera is only 5MP and most smartphones exceed that quality level twice over. It's not bad for recording those precious moments that you don't want to lose when no other camera option is around, but I wouldn't use it as a primary photography option.
PERFORMANCE
The Iconia One 8" has some impressive performance specs underneath its shell. The quad core processor really gives the tablet some pep and I haven't experienced any lag with anything I've asked the tablet to do. I haven't done much heavy lifting as far as performance intensive apps go, but I've been very happy in general with the way the tablet has performed with everyday tasks like email management, streaming media, and Internet browsing. I do feel that if I tried using Office Suite apps it would probably operate just fine with those as well.
The Iconia One 8" has some impressive performance specs underneath its shell. The quad core processor really gives the tablet some pep and I haven't experienced any lag with anything I've asked the tablet to do. I haven't done much heavy lifting as far as performance intensive apps go, but I've been very happy in general with the way the tablet has performed with everyday tasks like email management, streaming media, and Internet browsing. I do feel that if I tried using Office Suite apps it would probably operate just fine with those as well.
ENTERTAINMENT
With standard tablets, many people are looking for larger devices to carry their entertainment on wherever they go. This tablet is actually perfect for that. I already mentioned that it's great as an e-reader because of its text, but it's also great for listening to music and watching movies. I streamed videos from a web-based subscription service and found that the quality was very clear and there was no stutter.
With standard tablets, many people are looking for larger devices to carry their entertainment on wherever they go. This tablet is actually perfect for that. I already mentioned that it's great as an e-reader because of its text, but it's also great for listening to music and watching movies. I streamed videos from a web-based subscription service and found that the quality was very clear and there was no stutter.
In conclusion, this tablet is a solid option for people who would like a high-performance tablet with an affordable cost.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Equip your Canon DSLR camera with this Insignia™ NS-DXFL2C external flash that features an automatic E-TTL mode with manual override for flexibility. The built-in wide-angle lens enhances control, and a built-in bounce card optimizes diffusion.
Customer Rating
5
Great extra light for my camera
on May 21, 2016
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville
Verified Purchase:Yes
I have the Canon 70D and it's great. One place it's not so great is the internal flash. Because of that, I needed an external flash to help get my subjects who would be at a farther distance. There are many different brands and kinds so researching can be mind numbing. I spent hours trying to decide what would be in my best interest. With that said I finally decided to go with this because of Bestbuys return policy. I figured that if it did not do what I needed I would have no problems being able to return it and no games with waiting on shipping. So I can report I did not need to take it back. It's not as fancy as some of the others I looked at online but it does the job and does it well for what I need.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Compatible with most shoe-mount flash units, this Insignia™ NS-FD01 mini flash diffuser creates a gentle lighting effect and softens shadows, so you can take beautiful shots. The diffuser folds flat for simple transport and storage when not in use.
Customer Rating
5
Mini Flash Diffuser Better then expected
on May 21, 2016
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville
Verified Purchase:Yes
So I have been collecting camera accessories ever since I got my Cancon 70D. I am looking for tools that will help or increase my shots to be better. The problem I was having was I would be getting way to much glare or light on my subjects and I needed a way to reduce this. I researched many different types of Mini Flash Diffusers and after really just finding out they were all most alike I went with this one.So far no complaints at all.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Power the devices you love with Energizer MAX Alkaline AA Batteries. These Energizer batteries fuel the technology that helps you live, work and play, whether you need remote batteries, clock batteries, or backup batteries for your child's favorite toys and games. Energizer's #1 longest-lasting MAX, these double A batteries keep your favorite devices running longer. Powerseal Technology helps protect your devices against damaging leaks for up to two years after these AA Energizer MAX Batteries are fully used. With a shelf life of up to 12 years in storage, these long lasting batteries are ready to keep your devices operating when you need them most. Depend on the power of Energizer MAX AA Batteries to power your everyday electronics.
Customer Rating
5
What can you say about batteries
on May 21, 2016
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville
Verified Purchase:Yes
Not much you can say about batteries, they work or they don't. Well, that may be the case with most but I've had the horrible luck of getting the cheap batteries that only have enough power to go a few days before becoming paper weights.
After having that happen more than once Energizer - MAX Batteries have become my go to when shopping for batteries for my devices.
I haven't had any issues with these at all.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Your household is busy streaming media, working online, and playing games every day. This Linksys Wi-Fi Router will expand your network coverage, send signals directly to your devices, and deliver a lag-free connection, even when you’re all online at the same time.
Customer Rating
5
I would recommend to my tech friends, gamer friend
on May 20, 2016
Posted by: nickcal
I've had the pleasure of testing a great router by Linksys these past few days. The Linksys AC5400 Max-Stream Triband Wifi router. I've owned no less than three 5Ghz capable routers in the past few years. My experience has been coverage is so poor on this band that anything more than a few dozen feet from the router is honestly useless. I'm happy to say that this Linksys delivers where my others have failed.
On my previous routers, it's been almost a necessity to install 3rd party router software (DD-WRT) to get the most out of them. I'm happy to report that the included "Smart Wi-Fi" software included on this model met or exceeded all my expectations.
Initial Impressions
When I first opened the box for the AC5400, my first words where "this thing is huge." Clocking in at 10" by 11" by 1.5", this router is almost cable-box big. Coming attached are no less than 8 antennas. I did have to stifle laughter at its sheer scope and seeming ridiculousness. However, I shut my mouth after using it. Inside you will find a quick start guide and a documentation CD. I recommend following the simple install instructions and using the web to get answers to any questions you might end up having. You will find the router well packed and protected in its packaging, and its antennae easy to position and generally well built. The unit features a power switch, 2 USB ports (one USB 3.0), 8 gigabit Ethernet ports, and one WAN port for your modem or gateway.
When I first opened the box for the AC5400, my first words where "this thing is huge." Clocking in at 10" by 11" by 1.5", this router is almost cable-box big. Coming attached are no less than 8 antennas. I did have to stifle laughter at its sheer scope and seeming ridiculousness. However, I shut my mouth after using it. Inside you will find a quick start guide and a documentation CD. I recommend following the simple install instructions and using the web to get answers to any questions you might end up having. You will find the router well packed and protected in its packaging, and its antennae easy to position and generally well built. The unit features a power switch, 2 USB ports (one USB 3.0), 8 gigabit Ethernet ports, and one WAN port for your modem or gateway.
Setup
For setup, I went the route of just removing my old router and putting in the new one. Once the router started I was greeted with a setup page once I connected with one of my computers on the wired network and attempted to hit any website with Google Chrome. A nice touch that really speeds and simplifies setup. Following the easy wizard, I had the router on the Internet in a matter of a few minutes. I went through the setup of creating a "Linksys Smart Wi-Fi" account which promised to allow me to connect and configure the router using a smartphone app.
For setup, I went the route of just removing my old router and putting in the new one. Once the router started I was greeted with a setup page once I connected with one of my computers on the wired network and attempted to hit any website with Google Chrome. A nice touch that really speeds and simplifies setup. Following the easy wizard, I had the router on the Internet in a matter of a few minutes. I went through the setup of creating a "Linksys Smart Wi-Fi" account which promised to allow me to connect and configure the router using a smartphone app.
The setup process will walk you through setting up WPA2 security and setting your SSID's. I had no problems whatsoever in getting this going. Once finished I was able to set my port forwards and my other "advanced" settings without trouble. I feel this is a router meant for novices and power users alike.
Software
Beyond the setup, the included router firmware allowed me all the options I need from setting port forwards, reserved DHCP addresses for my media server, and allowing connectivity remotely through its compatible Smart Wi-Fi app on the Google Play store. I was even able to remotely and quickly enable a guest Wi-Fi account for visiting friends while I was at work by just entering my Linksys account information I created during setup. It was a snappy, simple, and flawless experience, which sums up pretty much my entire experience with this router.
Beyond the setup, the included router firmware allowed me all the options I need from setting port forwards, reserved DHCP addresses for my media server, and allowing connectivity remotely through its compatible Smart Wi-Fi app on the Google Play store. I was even able to remotely and quickly enable a guest Wi-Fi account for visiting friends while I was at work by just entering my Linksys account information I created during setup. It was a snappy, simple, and flawless experience, which sums up pretty much my entire experience with this router.
Performance
In a word: fantastic. I was able to get wonderful coverage at 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz anywhere in my 1600 square foot home, and really anywhere in my yard. Before hand, my 5Ghz coverage barely even registered outside, and the edges of my yard nearly no coverage at 2.4Ghz. Many times when mowing I would end up just using my data plan while listening to music because of the weak signal, now this isn't a problem at all. My yard is extended about 60 feet behind my house for reference. Using an Internet connection speed test app, I was able to get my FULL bandwidth (currently 60Mbps) over Wi-Fi, which was extremely surprising and very refreshing since my cheaper router barely clocked in at 30Mbps when nearly on top of the router. Streaming, latency, file transfers and time to connect on Wi-Fi are all much improved from my 2-year-old Netgear router. Overall I'm extremely satisfied with the performance of this unit.
In a word: fantastic. I was able to get wonderful coverage at 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz anywhere in my 1600 square foot home, and really anywhere in my yard. Before hand, my 5Ghz coverage barely even registered outside, and the edges of my yard nearly no coverage at 2.4Ghz. Many times when mowing I would end up just using my data plan while listening to music because of the weak signal, now this isn't a problem at all. My yard is extended about 60 feet behind my house for reference. Using an Internet connection speed test app, I was able to get my FULL bandwidth (currently 60Mbps) over Wi-Fi, which was extremely surprising and very refreshing since my cheaper router barely clocked in at 30Mbps when nearly on top of the router. Streaming, latency, file transfers and time to connect on Wi-Fi are all much improved from my 2-year-old Netgear router. Overall I'm extremely satisfied with the performance of this unit.
Extras
The included USB ports can be used to connect a USB mass storage devices like a thumb drive or external hard drive. I tried a Samsung EVO solid state disk drive with a USB 3.0 interface and an off the shelf USB 3.0 thumb drive as a test. Using a computer connected to the gigabit Ethernet port, I was able to get sustained 40MB (megabyte) per second transfer rates on the internal network. Respectable, but not a fast as my Linux based media server which with the same drive can deliver around 100MB/s. I think this is still more than adequate for file sharing with family and friends on your home network. The router also supports DLNA which will let your smart TV, PlayStation, or computer to stream video off of the device. I had a good experience with this. The software makes it a snap to do simple open sharing with the devices on your internal network, but you can also take it to the next level and add user accounts and dedicated folders that only certain people can access.
The included USB ports can be used to connect a USB mass storage devices like a thumb drive or external hard drive. I tried a Samsung EVO solid state disk drive with a USB 3.0 interface and an off the shelf USB 3.0 thumb drive as a test. Using a computer connected to the gigabit Ethernet port, I was able to get sustained 40MB (megabyte) per second transfer rates on the internal network. Respectable, but not a fast as my Linux based media server which with the same drive can deliver around 100MB/s. I think this is still more than adequate for file sharing with family and friends on your home network. The router also supports DLNA which will let your smart TV, PlayStation, or computer to stream video off of the device. I had a good experience with this. The software makes it a snap to do simple open sharing with the devices on your internal network, but you can also take it to the next level and add user accounts and dedicated folders that only certain people can access.
As for hosting your own file storage "cloud" with the device, it offers only minimalist features. You can (if you enable the username and password access features) serve your files as an FTP server that you can access from the Internet. I would have preferred apps like OwnCloud which is a Box like server package you can run yourself, secure FTP, or SSH File Transfer Protocol, but the offering is adequate and performs well if you can stomach your passwords going over the clear on the Internet. If you do use this feature, I recommend using a password that isn't your router or Linksys password and not storing your most private files using this service. I also recommend apps like FolderSync on Google Play that will let you automatically sync your files including your recently taken photos automatically to the FTP server that you can then retrieve on your computer from the local network sharing feature.
If you are going to use the FTP service, I also recommend you take advantage of the Dynamic DNS features so you will have a nice URL to refer to your router no matter where you are. The router supports automatically updating the provider when you IP address gets changed by your Internet service provider. For mine, this only happens infrequently, but for many this is a must have feature to enable you to find your network when you are away. It supports a couple of dynamic DNS providers including no-ip.com and makes it a snap to set up. I wish it supported FreeDNS which is my dynamic DNS provider of choice, but the offerings that are compatible are adequate.
I also LOVE the fact it has 8 wired gigabit ports. I'm using most of them as I prefer my Rokus, PCs, media server, and a printer is connected to the wire, as this offers the best performance for files and media transfers.
Final Notes
Having nothing but bad or confusing experiences with routers and included software so much that I need to install custom software (DD-WRT) on them, I wasn't expecting much from this router, but I was blown away at the convenience, performance, and simplicity of the Linksys AC5400. In general, this is a fantastic router that I would recommend to my tech friends, gamer friends, and my not-so-tech-savvy family members alike. The simple and final word is: you won't be disappointed.
Having nothing but bad or confusing experiences with routers and included software so much that I need to install custom software (DD-WRT) on them, I wasn't expecting much from this router, but I was blown away at the convenience, performance, and simplicity of the Linksys AC5400. In general, this is a fantastic router that I would recommend to my tech friends, gamer friends, and my not-so-tech-savvy family members alike. The simple and final word is: you won't be disappointed.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Capture smooth footage with your camcorder or HDSLR camera using this Sunpak 1000AVG VLB-GRIP action video grip, which features an oversize mount for stability. An adjustable shoe mount enables simple attachment of an accessory light or microphone.
Customer Rating
5
Great add on for my camera
on April 15, 2016
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville
Verified Purchase:Yes
I needed this to do a video shoot where the product would be sitting low to the ground. It came in very handy to get slow moving shots close to the ground without having to get on the ground. Very happy with it.
One thing I will complain about it is the nut moves around way to much. It would have been nicer if it was more secure. When a camera is mounted it's fine but when nothing is mounted to it its all over the place.
One thing I will complain about it is the nut moves around way to much. It would have been nicer if it was more secure. When a camera is mounted it's fine but when nothing is mounted to it its all over the place.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Canon EOS 70D DSLR Camera with 18–135mm IS STM Lens: From horse races to soccer games, freeze action-packed moments with the help of this DSLR camera. Record stunning high-definition videos and capture fine details even in low light. Built-in Wi-Fi lets you print, share and transfer images quickly and easily. Because it has a wide range of manual settings, it is sure to meet the needs of photographers of all skill levels.Memory card sold separately.
Customer Rating
5
Perfect just perfect.
on April 8, 2016
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville
Verified Purchase:Yes
I really enjoy DSLR cameras and the 70D has to be my all time favorite. I'm a little upset I bought it so close to when the 80D came out but I saved close to 500 by doing so. The 70D has been rock solid and I love it.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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This SanDisk Pixtor Advanced SDHC memory card features a Class 10 rating for fast data transfer, so you can capture 1080p, 3D or 4K video. The durable construction offers protection against water, shocks, x-rays and more.
Customer Rating
5
Perfect for video with a DSLR
on April 8, 2016
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville
Verified Purchase:Yes
I needed an SD card that could handle video from a DSLR and lots of RAW photos. I got it. This is a great SD card. The only thing I would say is buy two of them if they go on sale.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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This SanDisk iXpand SDIX-032G-A57 flash drive features a 32GB capacity and USB 2.0 and Lightning connectors, so you can easily transfer files between your PC or Mac and your compatible Apple® iPhone® or iPad®.
Customer Rating
3
Not bad but you can find better
on January 31, 2016
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville
Verified Purchase:Yes
Ok so I got this to take with me to CES. It's not a bad device but you can find better. Let me explain. The first problem with this is that it's got to be recharged. So if your on a plane or somewhere without power and it dies your done. Second it does not always connect to the iPhone. For some reason it glitches and it takes two or three tries to connect. I've found the Leef to work much better then this. Besides these two issues it works ok. I wish it was USB 3 the transfer speeds are a bit slow.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Store music, photos, files and more with this WD My Passport Ultra 1TB portable hard drive, which features password protection and 256-bit AES encryption to safeguard your data. WD Backup software makes it easy to back up your data to the Cloud.
Customer Rating
5
Great little drive
on January 22, 2016
Posted by: nickcal
from Evansville
Verified Purchase:Yes
I got this drive for my trip to Vegas for CES, I needed to have away to backup photos, videos, and documents from companies I visited while at CES. This drive spins up quickly and has great transfer speeds.
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
My Best Buy number: 2677435109
I would recommend this to a friend!
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nickcal's Answers
Life’s extraordinary moments deserve to be captured with smooth video. DJI OM 4 is a magnetic gimbal designed to complement your smartphone, allowing you to start recording right away. Ultra-compact, easy to use, and bursting with intelligent features, OM 4 is the ultimate solution for capturing and sharing your world.
Does the magnetic sticker phone attachment interfere with wireless phone charging?
Ensure meals are cooked evenly with this Breville the Combi Wave 3-in-1e microwave. The grill, convection oven and microwave functions provide a variety of cooking options, while the Element IQ technology precisely delivers the right cooking temperature for optimal results. This Breville the Combi Wave 3-in-1 microwave features a Power Smoothing inverter for automatic adjustment of power to enable even heat distribution.
Is this an air fryer, microwave and convection oven
Simplify your everyday life with the Google Home, a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant. Use voice commands to enjoy music, get answers from Google and manage everyday tasks. Google Home is compatible with Android and iOS operating systems, and can control compatible smart devices such as Chromecast or Nest."
Will Google Home work with ECOBEE Thermostat?
No. Unfortunately, Google has limited functionality to only the Nest thermostat. At this time, I don't see them opening up support for third parties as they are probably trying to push it with their own hardware, but that could always change.
8 years, 8 months ago
by
nickcal
Enjoy a compact tablet that fits neatly in your pocket with this Acer Iconia One 8-inch tablet. It includes a quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM that deliver powerful processing to play all your games and apps, and the 16GB of flash memory ensure this Acer Iconia One 8-inch tablet and store your files.
can i download skype
Depends on the Google Play store. If Microsoft has a version of Skype for Android then yes.
9 years, 1 month ago
by
nickcal