nickcal's stats
- Review count280
- Helpfulness votes1,286
- First reviewFebruary 22, 2014
- Last reviewApril 27, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.6
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- Answer count4
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- First answerMay 23, 2016
- Last answerSeptember 7, 2020
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The Escort MAX 360c MKII is a high-performance radar and laser detector with advanced connectivity. We started with our legendary quality and ease of use and improved on it with the latest hardware available. The MAX 360c MKII radar detector now features an upgraded dual-antenna platform, Blackfin DSP chip, and dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity. The result is better detection performance delivered more quickly and fewer false alerts to distract you from your drive.
Customer Rating
5
Helpful travel companion
on October 7, 2022
Posted by: nickcal
Installation
Installation of the Escort Max was easy. The Escort Max device did not require any assembly and it attached to the windshield mount was a simple magnetic connection. It seemed to hold the radar detector well unless the road was particularly bumpy. The only real complaint I have does has to do with the mount. The part of the mount where the radar detector attaches isn't very long. So, if you have a sloped window -- like I do -- it can be a little difficult to get the radar detector at a good angle where the mount it completely attached. It would be great if an extension was available. There is only one cable that is required for the operation -- the power adapter for the car cigarette lighter port. The other step required is to connect the device to the app on your smartphone. Within about 5 minutes, you can be up and running with the radar detector.
Ease of Use
While this device has some really nice features, its main purpose -- to detect police radar scanners -- is sort of an automated process. Once you have the radar detector installed power it on and let it scan while driving. It does a good job picking up radar and will identify false alerts. Even though I did connect the device to the app, I relied on the device to complete its main function. The app could use some work. I didn't have issues with it connecting or staying connected, but it didn't seem to sync information well. At one point, the radar detector signaled an alert, which wasn't recorded in the app. Since I feel as though the app is meant more for looking up history, don't really rely on it while the radar detector is operational. I did like the interactive map that was available. It showed not only my current location, but it also provided places where other drivers reported speed traps.
Conclusion
In my experience testing the radar detector, it seemed to pick up police radars -- where a car was stationary with an officer monitoring traffic with a radar gun -- and help prevent users from getting speeding tickets. The cost of this detector is a little higher than other options, but you get a premium experience with it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Take Turtle Beach audio anywhere with the Scout Air True Wireless Earbuds for Bluetooth equipped devices and Nintendo Switch*. Designed for gamers on-the-go, Scout Air in-ear headphones offer 20 hours of total playback time, and features Game Mode for 60ms, low latency feedback. Taking a break from the game? Hit the gym or get outdoors without a worry thanks to IPX4 rated, sweat and water-resistant design. Built-in dual mics deliver clear chat and swappable eartips provide a secure, comfortable fit for all day usage. Customize the touch-enabled controls, select EQ presets and more with the Audio Hub companion app for iOS & Android devices. *Firmware update required for Nintendo Switch compatibility
Customer Rating
4
Solid earbuds for gaming
on September 22, 2022
Posted by: nickcal
For the past few months, I’ve been playing Call of Duty Mobile daily. I’ve gone through several different types of headphones trying to find the best option for mobile gaming. I want something that allows me to not only hear what’s going on in the game, but also be able to communicate clearly with my friends. With that in mind, I turned to these earbuds since they are not only wireless earbuds, but also because they are made for gaming.
I’ve been pretty impressed with them — especially considering their price point. They are reasonably priced in comparison to other ‘true wireless’ earbuds and they offer a lot in terms of listening experience. The earbuds are lightweight so they are easy to wear for longer periods of time. I’ve not found them to be uncomfortable in any way and they have stayed in my ears just fine. This is usually a problem for me simply based on how my ears are shaped.
The sound quality has been very good. I’ve been able to hear footsteps in my game so I know when someone is creeping up on me and the sounds of the guns have been similar to what I hear through other earbuds. I am hearing-impaired so finding a set of headphones that are easy for me to use and have a decent listening experience with can be difficult. I’m grateful that these earbuds have been reliable so far.
Their battery life has been solid. I haven’t timed exactly how long they last, but they will last an entire 8-hour day without needing to be charged. Their setup is simple enough, but I did find there was a little issue with the left earbud. If I put the right earbud in first, no sound would come through the left earbud until I put both back in the charging case and then put the left earbud in first. As long as the left earbud went in first, both earbuds connected fine.
I would get these again and would recommend them to other looking for good gaming earbuds.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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When you combine Avata with the goggles and motion controller, flight becomes accessible to all. Experience the thrill of total immersion with unrivaled safety and control. Embrace your spontaneity and capture the world around you. Some of us were Born to Fly.
Customer Rating
4
A fantastic flying machine
on September 13, 2022
Posted by: nickcal
Over the years I’ve had tons of fun flying different DJI drones. I’ve loved seeing how they have evolved and the AVATA is something entirely new for me since it involves using goggles. Until this drone, I’ve only flown the drones that feature viewing through a mobile app. In general, I’ve found using the AVATA a very enjoyable experience.
It is extremely lightweight with most of the weight existing in the battery pack. With that in mind, it’s much easier to navigate and fly the aircraft when there is little or no wind occurring in the environment. At the point when I was testing this flying machine it was the beginning of stormy weather season in my area.
So, it was difficult to find a good time to give it a good test since there were frequent weather changes. That said, I was able to fly it around our neighborhood with little trouble and even my fiancé had a good time with it.
GETTING STARTED
When I was first unpacking the box I found a sticker that was joining the two halves of the box. It reads, “Linking is required before use.” There is a QR Code included that takes you to a video tutorial on how to link the two halves of the drone. I highly recommend giving this a watch before you launch for the first time. Even as an experienced drone pilot, I found it enlightening and helpful with getting started.
This combo kit has the two halves separated into two boxes — the Motion Combo — which consists of the Goggles 2 and the Motion Controller — and the drone with its accessories. It’s recommended that you unpack all the contents to make sure you have everything. Once that is verified, charge the batteries (one for the drone and one for the Goggles) to 100%. Out of the box, the Goggles battery was only showing 1 LED and the drone’s battery showed 2 LEDs.
Even with a little power, it’s a good idea to charge them both to 100% because you will have startup procedures and firmware updates before your first flight. Neither battery comes with a power adapter and it’s recommended that you use at least a 30W power adapter to charge the Drone’s battery.
After the batteries are charged, connect each to their respective devices and begin the linking process. This is done using the DJI Fly app on your smartphone. This process links the two devices, activates them with DJI, and connects them to your DJI Account (if you don’t have one, you’ll need to create one). The next step is to update the firmware. This can be done through the DJI FLY app or the DJI Assistant app on your desktop computer.
The drone comes with 20GB of internal storage, which can be expanded with the use of the Micro SD card slot. With the use of the Goggles, the user can set where they want photos and videos to be saved. The USB-C port located next to the Micro SD card slot is used for file transfer from the internal storage or to complete firmware updates. It’s important to note here that the connection between your DJI AVATA combo and smartphone (or computer) is made through a cable — not from a Bluetooth or other wireless protocol.
FLYING THE DRONE
The drone and the Goggles are powered on via their individual battery’s power button. The motion controller is rechargeable and doesn’t have an external battery to deal with. If you have ever used VR goggles like the Oculus Quest (or Meta Quest 2), you will understand how to use the Motion Controller. The movement is very similar to control the AVATA. One of the big things you have to get used to is understanding where the button controls are by feel since the Goggles completely block your view other than what the camera on the drone is showing you.
One of the first times I took the AVATA outside, it was dark. I did capture some video from that flight as it was one of my first tests. As far as nighttime video goes, the AVATA did ok. I thought the camera did a good job of capturing images and adjusting for light and dark areas as I moved through both.
As I mentioned above, it has been windy lately and this night it was particularly gusty. When I started my flight, it wasn’t too bad, but as I was attempting to land, a couple of very strong gusts blew through the area. I had the drone in a brake position so it was locked in its spot.
It did a great job compensating for the wind while it was like that, but once the brake lock was taken off, the little drone had some trouble. I moved it down to a lower height and it did a much better job fighting the wind.
I didn’t take the drone up to an extremely high level because our neighborhood is in an “Enhanced Warning Zone” for drone flights. We live within a certain distance from an airport so I had to make sure that I was keeping it at our tree-line or below. I was surprised how far I was able to see in the distance since it was dark out.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The AVATA is a great option for someone who wants a casual drone to fly around without the hassle of learning a drone controller. This is much less intimidating than a full size drone for beginners and it’s loads of fun to fly. The set up was pretty easy, but the one recommendation I would have is for a pouch or clip to be included for the Goggles battery pack.
I plan on adding a small fanny pack for this drone kit so that I can keeping everything together when I take it out. It was a little awkward having to hold the battery pack in one hand and the motion controller in the other.
The other recommendation is a little more advanced as it involves accommodations for people with astigmatism, which affects a large percentage of adults. I have astigmatism and my prescription glasses help compensate for that issue. If I don’t wear them and have to view things at a distance, certain elements in my field of view — especially words — appear blurry or distorted.
Since the Goggles don’t provide enough clearance for someone to wear their prescription glasses, that part of my vision can’t be corrected. I worked for several minutes to adjust the diopters and I was able to get everything pretty clear — except for around the edges of my field of view, which I know is due to my astigmatism. If there was an option to help with that vision issue, my experience would be a lot more enjoyable.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience customized audio and acclaimed noise cancellation with Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II True Wireless Noise Cancelling In-Ear Headphones, featuring pioneering CustomTune sound calibration technology that intelligently personalizes the noise cancellation and sound performance to your ears. These true wireless earbuds represent a revolutionary advance in noise cancellation and deliver lifelike, balanced sound with nuance, clarity, and depth. The simple touch interface provides device-free control of music, calls and noise cancellation levels, including Quiet Mode for maximum noise cancellation and Aware Mode for keeping an ear to your surroundings. Find a secure fit for your ear shape with the included Bose Fit Kit, which contains three sizes of ear tips and stability bands, all made from soft silicone for continuous comfort. Own your uniqueness with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.
Customer Rating
5
My number 1 Listening Accessory
on September 8, 2022
Posted by: nickcal
The earbuds come packaged in a small box that has a marketing wrap around it. The cardboard wrap features an image of the earbuds, their name, and some additional identifying information. The box includes the earbuds, their charging case, additional ear tips, stability bands, a charging cable, a quick start guide, and a safety sheet.
The first thing I did when taking the earbuds out of the packaging was to size up the ear tips. Usually, manufacturers will include medium-sized ear tips on the earbuds. I've always had an issue with earbuds fitting my ears comfortably and securely. I thought the pre-installed ear tips felt a little tight so I swapped them out for the smaller ones. I would recommend this as an initial step for any earbud user since the fit really contributed a lot to the sound quality you experience.
My main use case was mobile gaming. I've been playing first-person shooter, multiplayer, online games with friends lately and I've found that this actually ends up being a great endurance test for headphones. I have actually burned up two sets of very expensive headphones while mobile gaming so finding a set of earbuds that can hang with me has been impressive. The QC II earbuds have quickly become my 'go-to' headphones for my personal gaming enjoyment.
Battery Life
The earbuds had a charge to them out of the box (around 50%) so I didn't worry about connecting them to power right away. I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to use them for several hours before needing to charge them. I have had no issue getting the 6-hour battery life from a single charge. In my spare time, I enjoy playing mobile games with friends and it's not unusual for us to play for extended periods of time. The QC II earbuds have done a great job with long periods of use.
Sweat and Water Resistant
As I mentioned, I have destroyed headphones through the course of playing games online. Part of the reason for this is that my ears actually produce a lot of heat and sweat while I game. This is why I switched from over-head headphones to earbuds while gaming. Even after the switch, I still find that sweat can collect if I have a particularly long gaming session. The QC II earbuds have done a great job with staying dry and being easy to clean up. They are only rated IPX4, which means they will do ok with minor splashes and drips but if you get caught in a downpour, you should take them out.
Bluetooth Connectivity
The QC II earbuds are powered by Bluetooth 5.3, which is the newest Bluetooth spec (released in July 2021). I've been using these headphones with my M1 iPad Pro mostly. I've had no problems with them connecting and staying connected. At the same time that I have the earbuds connected, I am actively also using a Bluetooth gaming controller. I've not had any issues with the earbuds disconnecting or cutting out on me. They are very stable as far as the Bluetooth is concerned and they are immediately recognized by my iPad when I put them in. One of the things I love about these earbuds is that I don't have any problems with other devices trying to connect to them at the same time I'm using them for gaming.
Noise Cancellation & Transparency
While noise cancellation is usually something that a lot of people want so they can isolate themself from the rest of their surrounding area, I prefer to use hear-through -- also known as Transparency or
ActiveSense -- mode so that I can hear myself talk. One of my favorite things about mobile gaming is the community of friends that I play with. We have conversations while we play and because I have hearing loss I feel like I am yelling most of the time when I'm talking with them -- unless I have hear-through mode. There are very few headphones that have this feature as a part of their noise cancellation modes. The QC II earbuds are one of them (as ActiveSense). My AirPods Pro earbuds have it (as Transparency mode), too, but I actually think it works better on the QC II earbuds. The standard noise cancellation works very well, too, but the QC II earbuds really shine with the ActiveSense mode.
Microphones
As I mentioned, I use these earbuds to carry on conversations while I play with my friends. They have commented that they can hear me very well. In fact, they say that my voice comes through just as clearly as if I were in the same room with them. The quality of the microphones in these earbuds plays a huge part in that.
The App
One of the things I like about the companion app is that it's available, but not in the way. When I first started using the earbuds I used the app to calibrate them and to make sure the firmware was up to date. I will check in with the app every once in a while to make sure that everything is the way I want it but I don't have to have it running all the time in order to get the most out of my listening experience while I'm gaming.
Sound Quality
While I've really enjoyed these earbuds for all the premium features they offer, one of the best reasons to use these earbuds is for their pure, exquisite sound quality. For several months now I've swapped between several different headphones and earbuds trying to find the 'best' sound experience. I stopped swapping when I started using the QC II earbuds. They have made it possible for me to enjoy the nuances in our game -- such as footsteps, gunfire, animation sound effects, and other subtle sounds -- as much as I enjoy listening to music when I'm not gaming. Just to make my point clear -- I've been using other premium wireless earbuds, over-ear headphones, and gaming headphones that range in price from (150-600). The QC II earbuds are a proven winner in my book.
Comfort
While I mentioned the 'fit' early in my review, I want to comment directly on how comfortable these earbuds are. In the 20+ years I've been using headphones, I've never found a set of earbuds this comfortable. They are so lightweight and fit my ear so well that I forget that I'm wearing them. I honestly still can't believe that I am enjoying earbuds this much because usually they irritate me after a short period of time and I cast them aside. I look forward to wearing these earbuds and using them on a daily basis -- for hours on end.
These earbuds are magical. They check all the boxes for me and have become my 'go-to' listening accessories for most activities. They are a fantastic investment -- especially if you enjoy mobile gaming.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Discover the power of X! The new Philips Sonicare Power Flosser creates an X-shaped stream of water that reaches deep between teeth for a gentle, thorough clean. This X-shaped water stream, known as Quad-Stream technology, covers more surface area for a faster, deeper clean versus manual floss. Because of Quad-Steam technology, Philips Sonicare Power Flosser enables you to improve your gum health by 50% in just 1 minute per day!
Customer Rating
4
Great for good dental hygiene
on September 2, 2022
Posted by: nickcal
Flossing is an important part of good oral hygiene. It helps to remove plaque and bacteria from between your teeth. Flossing can also help to keep your gums healthy. Unfortunately, I've always been terrible about this dental hygiene task. Brushing has never been a problem. I just can't get in the habit of adding in flossing. My dentist recommended that I try to use a water flosser so this cordless power flosser from Sonicare seemed like a good option for me.
The assembly of the flosser was minimal. The main body was already put together and all I had to do was add the nozzle that I wanted to use, charge it, and fill the reservoir with water. The flosser had some charge out of the box, but I did plug it in for a little while before using it for the first time. The flosser comes with an illustrated quick start guide which was really helpful to me as I tried to figure out the best placement for the nozzles on my teeth.
I filled the reservoir with water and hit the on button. Water shot out and I felt that it cleaned between my teeth pretty well. I'm not sure if it did as good of a job as standard floss, but it was definitely better than not doing anything at all. The flosser is easy to use but I wish it had a little more power behind it. Flossing is an important part of good oral hygiene. It helps to remove plaque and bacteria from between your teeth. Flossing can also help to keep your gums healthy. Unfortunately, I've always been terrible about this dental hygiene task. Brushing has never been a problem. I just can't get in the habit of adding in flossing. My dentist recommended that I try to use a water flosser so this cordless power flosser from Sonicare seemed like a good option for me.
The assembly of the flosser was minimal. The main body was already put together and all I had to do was add the nozzle that I wanted to use, charge it, and fill the reservoir with water. The flosser had some charge out of the box, but I did plug it in for a little while before using it for the first time. The flosser comes with an illustrated quick start guide which was really helpful to me as I tried to figure out the best placement for the nozzles on my teeth.
I filled the reservoir with water and hit the on button. Water shot out and I felt that it cleaned between my teeth pretty well. I'm not sure if it did as good of a job as standard floss, but it was definitely better than not doing anything at all. The flosser is easy to use but I wish it had a little more power behind it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The G715 Logitech Wireless Gaming Keyboard from the Aurora Collection delivers low-key style with high-key performance so you can express yourself and play your way. Float away with its dreamy white design and comfy, cloud-shaped keyboard palm rest. With a tenkeyless layout and adjustable height, this is an ideal compact mechanical keyboard for gaming that gives you that good game feeling, all-day long. Pack it up, place it anywhere, and play your best with G715’s rechargeable 30 gaming-hr battery life (with full lighting), Logitech LIGHTSPEED wireless, and Bluetooth connectivity. Use the USB-C to USB-A cable (included) for quick and streamlined recharging. Logitech LIGHTSYNC brings your gaming to life with four responsive Play Moods that reflect your state of play in 16.8M programmable RGB colors. Get your creative juices flowing, show off your style, and even create your custom animation effects on your wireless TKL keyboard with free G HUB software.
Customer Rating
4
A fun keyboard, but would like to see added functi
on September 2, 2022
Posted by: nickcal
I’m a big fan of mechanical keyboards. They remind me of early computers and just end up feeling more robust that non-mechanical keyboards do. I do a lot of computer work. On a daily basis I spend at least 12 hours behind a keyboard so I want something that is going to be efficient to work on, fun to use, and comfortable for long periods of time.
The layout of this keyboard is ideal for me. I do enjoy having the traditional ten-key keypad to use for some tasks, but in general, I prefer having a more compact keyboard. There is a more compact layout (60%) and I’ve found that the absence of the traditional directional arrow keys is a hindrance to me when I’m working.
The version of this keyboard that I got has the brown tactile switches. As far as noise goes, they produce a satisfying click when you press them. In comparison to other tactile switches, I would consider these moderately noisy. They aren’t too loud, but they are louder than linear switches are.
I’ve found that I’m pretty efficient with the keyboard during normal tasks throughout the day. I’ve played a couple of basic games using the keyboard and it’s worked really well for that, too. The keyboard lights up really nicely. The colors are bright and users have the option of programming it through Logitech’s software.
The only complaint I really have about this keyboard is that it doesn’t come with Apple key caps or a macOS layout. I was able to remap the command and option keys through Apple’s System Preferences but I think it would have been nice if that was already integrated as it is with other mechanical gaming keyboards.
The keyboard has been comfortable to use and I’ve really enjoyed the cloud wrist rest. It’s really added to the comfort factor and I’ve actually used it with other keyboards, too. I would recommend this keyboard to people who want a fun, robust keyboard for gaming or any other productivity tasks.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Hear them first. With 360 Spatial Sound for Gaming and our proven hardware technology, you can detect where your opponents are and how far away. Even players hiding in shadows or behind walls and obstacles, can’t stay hidden for long.
Customer Rating
5
Exceptional gaming headphones
on August 18, 2022
Posted by: nickcal
Finding the perfect gaming headphones seems to be a never-ending saga for me. I’ve tried everything from wired earbuds to wireless state-of-the-art over-ear headphones. But no matter what I try, they all seems to fall flat. Nothing seems to fit the exact mold of what I’m looking for. This is what led me to these headphones by Sony.
I’ve always like Sony headphones and these really caught my eye because they have a wireless connection. I’ve recently found a passion for mobile gaming in addition to console and PC gaming. One of the aspects of mobile gaming that I enjoy is socialization. I used to be drawn to socializing with my Xbox friends about 10 years ago, but most of those friends moved onto different gaming platforms or we just want to play the same games anymore. I picked up my phone and started playing COD Mobile one day and I found a community again. The unfortunate thing was that I found that I really needed a solid set of headphones in order to communicate with my new friends.
I used what I had but they were designed for gaming and so there were a lot of features that I felt were lacking. So, what I started looking for was headphones that are:
• Lightweight
• Comfortable for long periods of time
• Had good battery life
• Had a great microphone
• High-quality sound
• Worked on multiple platforms
• Wireless
• Comfortable for long periods of time
• Had good battery life
• Had a great microphone
• High-quality sound
• Worked on multiple platforms
• Wireless
The Inzone H7 wireless headphones check off everything on this list. First of all, they are extremely lightweight. I have another set of headphones (not Sony) that are much heavier so it was a shock when I held the Inzone headphones for the first time. I slid them on my head and found them to be very comfortable. The foam is soft and to be honest, I don’t even notice that there is a headband because it’s so comfortable. I noticed that the ear cups breathe really well. Even after hours of gaming, my ears aren’t hot at all. This is actually an issue I’ve fought quite a bit with other headphones. I even ruined two sets of a different brand of headphones due to condensation build-up from heat/sweat. So, the heat control of these headphones was really important to me and it hasn’t been an issue at all.
The battery life has been really awesome, too. I have had a couple of 12+ hour gaming sessions where I was actively using game audio as well as the microphone and the Inzone headphones stayed with me the entire time. I am glad that they charge via USB-C. They seem to charge efficiently as I’ve been able to plug them in before bed and have them ready to go when I get up the next day.
The microphone is above average. My gaming companions have never complained about how I sound or commented on not being able to hear me. They have with other gaming headphones. I wouldn’t say it’s the best microphone I’ve used for gaming, but it’s definitely not the worst. I would rank it 7/10 for the microphone alone. The only complaint that I have about the microphone’s function is that the lift-to-mute feature doesn’t work for mobile gaming.
The sound quality is above average, too. All the ambient gaming sounds come through loud and clear and I don’t have any issues communicating with my gaming crew. Because of the shape of the ear cups and how they fit, you do find yourself isolated pretty well from ambient noises in your surroundings. The sound effect isn’t a ‘transparency’ mode style, which would be preferable to me, but it is better than being completely shut off from the outside world. I like being able to hear myself talk into the microphone just a little. Transparency mode on headphones allows for this. Some gaming headphones are so sound isolating that all sound is gone and you feel like you are in a black hole. The Inzone do not have that effect and the sound isolation is just right. It’s probably the next best thing to a true transparency mode.
As far as setup goes - I had no issues pairing the headphones with my iPhone or iPad. I simply put them into Bluetooth pairing mode and selected them from the Bluetooth menu on either device. The PS5 also had a simple setup. I just plugged the USB receiver (provided) into the USB port on the PS5. They were recognized right away (mark sure the switch is flipped to PS5) and I didn’t have any issue with their connectivity with the gaming system. Setup with a PC is similar to the PS5. You utilize the USB receiver with the switch flipped to PC. Plug it into a USB port on your computer and they should auto pair.
The 360 spatial audio setup is done through the combination of the Inzone Hub app on the PC and the 360 Spatial Sound Personalizer app on your mobile phone. You will need to use the same account for both apps so that the images you capture (yes, you need to take pictures of your ears) on your phone can connect to the PC Hub. This step helps to personalize the spatial audio profiles to your ear shape. I really like the Spatial Audio feature as I feel as though it enhances the experience quite a bit AND it sets the Inzone headphones apart from other gaming headsets. Users also have the option to adjust audio levels with the Inzone hub.
Overall, the Inzone H7 headphones are a great option for gaming. I found them to be exceptional any way I was using them.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Introducing the latest Inspiron 24 All-in-One Desktop with a TV-inspired design and a display which features ComfortView Plus to help reduce harmful blue light and a flicker free panel optimizing eye comfort. Redesigning the front screen experience with a narrow 4-sided border with touch option for a clean look and feel. Stay up to date with the latest AMD 15W processors.
Customer Rating
5
A very nice system; great for smaller workspaces
on July 11, 2022
Posted by: nickcal
I’ve always been a fan of Dell computers. Even though I primarily use Apple products, I’ve always really appreciated PC workstations - especially for standard productivity tasks. This Dell All-in-One was designed to provide a comfortable workstation with some moderate power behind it. Based on its specs, I wouldn’t be expecting this system to be able to handle graphic-intensive video games, but it can work really well with most other tasks.
I became a quick fan of this system after I had a smooth startup/installation/update process. I will always hope that somehow Windows machines can reduce their load times, but so far, the update process when I start up a new system is always the thorn in my side. I will say that this Dell All-in-One seemed to move through that process quicker than other systems I’ve tried. It took 20-25 minutes to get through all the updates and installations before I could start using the system.
I found that it’s a very practical option for people who need a strong option for watching videos, completing productivity-based tasks, or even schoolwork. I did not attempt to do any design-type work on it, but depending on the task, this system would probably handle it fine. I don’t see it being able to edit multiple video streams or working with a multi-layer image, but simple video edits or photo edits should work fine.
Display
The display is a full touchscreen. This has been an interesting transition for me because I frequently switch back and forth between my laptop and tablet. It’s nice to be able to enter commands on the Dell by tapping the screen rather than using the mouse sometimes. I haven’t used that function much, but when I have it’s typically been when I’ve been navigating through webpages. I have found the screen responsive and I haven’t noticed it stuttering.
As far as the resolution goes, the screen does full 1080p HD and looks really good. It would be great if it were 4K, but based on what this computer is designed for, I think 1080p resolution is more than adequate. I played the trailer for Avatar 2 on YouTube and thought it looked great.
Keyboard and Mouse
The keyboard and mouse feel like standard the standard Dell keyboard and mouse combo kit. I love that they are wireless, but would have really liked to see them be rechargeable rather than require batteries. That said, I’m glad that Dell included high-quality batteries for both peripherals so that they could be used out of the box. I like the basic feel of both of them, but do wish the keys on the keyboard were a little looser. I’m used to a mechanical keyboard and the included keyboard is just a little softer with keystrokes than I’m used to.
Speakers
The Dell All-in-One actually has pretty great built-in speakers. They aren’t studio quality, but they push out a pretty high volume and they are better than most laptop speakers. I tested them out with some YouTube videos and by listening to some streaming music. The lacked a little bit of depth, but overall, I was really impressed with them. I never had to turn the volume up past around 25%. I did crank it up to about 50% at one point, but didn’t really feel comfortable turning it up past that. It was just too loud.
WiFi/Network Speed Test
Because this system boasts WiFi6 dual-band connectivity, I decided to run a network speed test (using Speedtest by Ookla) to see what kind of connection I was getting. I compared the results to my MacBook Air, which is also compatible with WiFi6. I made sure each computer was running the test from the closest possible server and then ran the speed test 4 times. The average for the Dell was 502.25 download/12.80 Upload which was faster than the MacBook Air.
Speed/Performance
Geekbench
This is a cross-platform benchmark test that measures a system’s performance and compares it to other similar systems. This test provided a score of 1189 (Single-Core) and 3904 (Multi-Core) for the Dell All-in-One. In comparison to the most recent Benchmark tests completed with a similar processor, the Dell had the fourth lowest score in the single-core test and the third lowest score in the multi-core test.
Novabench
This test provides users with a comparison score (a percentile ranking) of where your system falls in comparison to other computers. The Dell’s overall score was 2558 and it ranked in the 89th all-time percentile.
When I reviewed the baseline comparison, the Dell had a higher CPU score (88%+) than Mid-Level Gaming PCs (Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3500), but was lower (20%-) than High-end Gaming PCs’ scores. Because of its processor, I would place the Dell into the Mid-level Gaming PC category even though it’s not really designed for gaming purposes.
CrystalDiskMark
This test is a good option for testing the read/write speed of the hard drive. I ran this test as a single pass with a 32GB load. The results I got were 3419.76 MB/s READ x 2615.47 MB WRITE. The Dell All-in-One has an SSD as its main storage option (NVMe KBG50ZNS512G) and according to benchmark tests done with that particular SSD, the Dell’s read/write score is much stronger.
In summary, I think this Dell All-in-One machine is capable of most work tasks and probably even some gaming. For individuals or families who are looking for an above-average computer that can handle a variety of tasks, this is a good option.
Pros
Unit is compact and doesn’t take up much desk space.
Speakers are very loud.
Touchscreen is responsive.
Display has a clear, HD resolution.
Speakers are very loud.
Touchscreen is responsive.
Display has a clear, HD resolution.
Cons
Keyboard and mouse are not rechargeable.
Takes a long time to update. It took me around 30 minutes to complete the updates.
Display isn’t 4K.
The CPU performance is on the lower end of similar systems’ benchmark tests.
Takes a long time to update. It took me around 30 minutes to complete the updates.
Display isn’t 4K.
The CPU performance is on the lower end of similar systems’ benchmark tests.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+6points
9of 12voted this as helpful.
Discover the power of X! The new Philips Sonicare Power Flosser creates an X-shaped stream of water that reaches deep between teeth for a gentle, thorough clean. This X-shaped water stream, known as Quad-Stream technology, covers more surface area for a faster, deeper clean versus manual floss. Because of Quad-Steam technology, Philips Sonicare Power Flosser enables you to improve your gum health by 50% in just 1 minute per day!
Customer Rating
5
Great for good dental hygiene
on July 2, 2022
Posted by: nickcal
Flossing is an important part of good oral hygiene. It helps to remove plaque and bacteria from between your teeth. Flossing can also help to keep your gums healthy. Unfortunately, I've always been terrible about this dental hygiene task. Brushing has never been a problem. I just can't get in the habit of adding in flossing. My dentist recommended that I try to use a water flosser so this cordless power flosser from Sonicare seemed like a good option for me.
The assembly of the flosser was minimal. The main body was already put together and all I had to do was add the nozzle that I wanted to use, charge it, and fill the reservoir with water. The flosser had some charge out of the box, but I did plug it in for a little while before using it for the first time. The flosser comes with an illustrated quick start guide which was really helpful to me as I tried to figure out the best placement for the nozzles on my teeth.
I filled the reservoir with water and hit on the button. Water shot out and I felt that it cleaned between my teeth pretty well. I'm not sure if it did as good of a job as standard floss, but it was definitely better than not doing anything at all. The flosser is easy to use but I wish it had a little more power behind it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
The versatile and powerful ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 Flip OLEDis an Intel® Evo™-certified convertible laptop that’s designed for those who want to do more. Its 12th Gen Intel® Core™ processor and all-new Intel® Arc™ discrete GPU deliver outstanding multitasking and creative power, with ASUS IceCool Plus thermal technology for maximum performance. The world-leading 2.8K 120 Hz OLED NanoEdge Dolby Vision touchscreen has a cinema-grade 100% DCI-P3 gamut, and is PANTONE® Validated with DisplayHDR™ True Black 500 certification. It’s also TÜV Rheinland-certified for eye care. The Harman Kardon-certified quad-speaker Dolby Atmos audio system adds to the cinematic experience with ultra-realistic multi-dimensional sound. For fast face login there’s an HD IR camera, and a color sensor allows automatic control of screen brightness and color temperature. You’ll love the modern new design with its classy stepped diamond-cut edges, and you’ll enjoy the productivity-boosting 360° ErgoLift hinge and the latest ASUS Pen 2.0.
Customer Rating
4
Great for productivity; comes with excessive add-o
on June 15, 2022
Posted by: nickcal
Even though I’m primarily a Mac user, I enjoy working with Windows-based machines on occasion. It’s always great to be able to switch between platforms. This ASUS Zenbook was intriguing to me because it’s a 2-in-1 laptop and the touchscreen functionality can come in very handy if you are a content creator. This laptop is intended to be a good all-around machine and work for all types of users. I typically use laptops for productivity, but I will also use them for watching videos and listening to music.
The ASUS Zenbook is a fine laptop that can be used for many different purposes. Here are some of the high points of the device.
Display
The display is gorgeous. I watched several videos in various resolutions. 4K looked outstanding, but 1080P also looked good. The display has a resolution of 2880 x 1620, which is QHD and is considered by some as “3K” resolution. It’s between 2K and 4K quality.
This display is also a touchscreen. I am usually hesitant to use touchscreens on laptops because of how dirty the screen can get, but the Zenbook has done a good job of staying clean and surprisingly enough, the screen has remained relatively smudge-free.
Keyboard
The keys have a great soft feel to them. I’m used to a mechanical keyboard, but do prefer softer switches. Therefore, I really liked the feel of the keyboard. I did discover that my typing speed did suffer a little bit. I’m guessing that it’s because of the spacing of the keys on the keyboard. I would reach out with the pinky on my right hand for the Backspace key and hit the Number Lock key instead.
Speakers
The speakers are one of the best features of the hardware on this computer. They support Dolby Atmos. I ran the Dolby Atmos test on YouTube and it was very similar to the experiences I’ve gotten in a movie theater in terms of surround sound. The sound experience from the ASUS Zenbook is very impressive.
Speed/Performance
Geekbench is a cross-platform benchmark test that measures a system’s performance and compares it to other similar systems. This test provided a score of 1250 (Single-Core) and 9067 (Multi-Core) for the ASUS laptop. When I used the Geekbench Browser to look for similar processors, I found that the Zenbook’s score was quite a bit lower than other similar systems.
NovaBench provides users with a comparison score (a percentile ranking) of where your system falls in comparison to other computers. The overall score with the Zenbook was 2963 and it ranks in the 94th all time percentile. When I reviewed the baseline comparison, the Zenbook had a much higher score than a budget laptop (Intel Core i3-1005G1 or AMD Ryzen 3 4300U), but didn’t rank quite as high as a high-end laptop (Intel Core i9-10885H or AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS). Because this laptop is priced over one thousand dollars, I would place it into the high-end laptop category based on its price alone.
CrystalDiskMark is a good option for testing the read/write speed of the hard drive. I ran this test as a single pass with a 32GB load. The results I got were 3560.17 MB/s READ x 2637.59 MB WRITE. The ASUS Zenbook has an SSD as its main storage (NVMe HFM001TD3JX013N). The benchmarks for this particular SSD stat that a user should see around 2282 MB/s READ x 1935 MB/s WRITE. Given that data, I’m very happy with the results I got.
I think this Zenbook is capable of most work tasks and probably even some gaming. I don’t think heavy gamers would get the most out of it, but occasional gaming probably plays quite well on it. For everyday work, this laptop is an excellent choice.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+12points
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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.
7 years, 5 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.
7 years, 11 months ago
by
nickcal