nickcal's stats
- Review count323
- Helpfulness votes1,307
- First reviewFebruary 22, 2014
- Last reviewJuly 11, 2025
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- Average rating4.7
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- First answerMay 23, 2016
- Last answerSeptember 7, 2020
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The Shark NeverChange Air Purifier is designed for 10x longer filter life, saving you $300 or more in filter replacement costs over 5 years*. It captures 99.98% of airborne particles like allergens*, dust, and dander (based on IEST-RP-CC007.3, 0.1-0.2 microns). It covers up to 650 sq. ft. for powerful, multi-room purification. Odor Neutralizer Technology guards against odors throughout your home, releasing a fresh scent into your air for 2x better odor reduction vs. filtration alone, Based on ASTM E544 vs. HP150 with filter and carbon only, after 30 minutes. *Allergen refers to non-living matter. *Vs. cost of replacing filters on a competitor unit over 5-year period in 300 square foot space.
Customer Rating
5
NeverChange provides cleaner air without hassle
on February 19, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
We’ve struggled to keep the air in our home clean for quite some time. We have dogs and it’s an older home. We’ve used different air purifiers over the years and while they have done a fine job, the filters give out far too quickly. So, the lost-lasting filter with the NeverChange purifier was very appealing to me.
Setup: The setup of this air purifier is exceptionally easy. You remove it from its pacakging and then flip it over. You then have to twist the bottom off to remove the Hepa filter and pull the plastic wrap off of it. You are also instructed to unwrap the odor neutralizer cartridge and insert it. Once you are certain all the stickers and tape are removed from the unit, you can plug it in and turn it on. That’s it. There are three options for operation - Auto, Eco Mode, and manual. I opted to use Auto mode as that is what we have done with other purifiers.
Overall Impression/Usage: One of the things I really like about this device is its size. While it has the ability to clean up to 650sqft, it’s small in comparison to some other devices that cover a similar amount of space. I also really like that you shouldn’t have to change the filter for 5 years. I would imagine that if you have an exceptionally dirty environment such as a wood working shop or several pets, that the timespan of the filter might be shorter. So far, I’m very pleased with the operation of this device. I have been using it primarily in a small office where one of my dogs spends most of his day. It’s my fiance’s work space so she keeps the room closed off most of the time for meetings. This leads to a decrease in airflow to the room. The NeverChange has been helpful in keeping air circulating. It is too soon to know if the 5-year lifespan is accurate, but so far the purifier has been doing its job.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Meet the new Dell 25" Gaming Monitor - a super fast gaming monitor featuring an incredible 280Hz over-clocked refresh rate (240Hz Native) and 0.5ms minimum Gray-to-Gray response time for fast fluid gaming experiences.
Customer Rating
5
Great for gaming and most other needs
on January 7, 2024
Posted by: nickcal
This Dell monitor is exceptional in every possible way. It is easy to set up, comes with high-quality cables, and has a fantastic picture. Here are some details about my experience.
Setup:
The setup for the monitor is effortless. Dell provides all the necessary cables the user will need including a DisplayPort to USB-C cable, which is very helpful for Apple users. The monitor's stand is in two pieces - the base and the column. The column snaps into place on the back of the screen and then the base screws into the bottom of the column. There is a convenient thumb screw that makes securing the base to the column very simple. You also have the option to connect the screen to a VESA 100 x 100mm mount if preferred.
Once the screen is attached to the assembled stand, you only have to plug the monitor into power and to your chosen video input/output option. I selected the DisplayPort/USB-C cable so that I could plug it directly into my MacBook Air and Dell XPS Laptop without the need for a dock. Once the cables were attached, I pressed the power button, which is very small and located in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. At first, I did have trouble locating it because of its size and the fact that the menu buttons are located on the back of the screen. While I appreciate the extra effort for the ease of use with the menu buttons, I thought it was an odd choice to separate the power button from the others.
My laptops automatically detected the connected monitor and displayed the main desktop on it.
Overall Impression/Usage:
I didn’t have any issues with the monitor communicating with the host computers. The colors were vivid and the images were crisp. Since this monitor features an extremely high refresh rate (280Hz) motion is smooth and there is no tearing or ghosting when gaming. While I’m not a professional competitive gamer, I do enjoy playing Call of Duty with my friends on a nightly basis. Competition is definitely at the forefront of our minds and we are constantly trying to find the best tools for our gaming activities.
This Dell monitor provides up to 280Hz refresh rate, which is great for competitive gaming, but it is a bit excessive for other computing activities. This monitor supports Full HD (1920x1080) resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate natively. You can reach the 280Hz refresh rate with the monitor’s Overclock setting - provided your host device supports it. It’s great for fast-moving visuals, but to get that high refresh rate, your host device’s CPU and GPU need to support it.
First-person shooter games look incredible and I definitely feel a competitive edge from using this monitor. I can detect movement from long distances fast-paced gameplay - like when I take the sniper role - seems effortless. I didn’t notice any drag or lag on the screen.
Conclusion:
I’m not sure what else you could want from a gaming monitor. It’s easy to set up and within a few minutes, you can be gaming with an edge over the other players. Just make sure that you have the computing power to support the refresh rate.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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27" FHD 3-Side Borderless IPS Monitor with FreeSync
Customer Rating
5
Simple, easy to use monitor
on December 21, 2023
Posted by: nickcal
This is a nice, budget-friendly monitor for anyone who just needs an external monitor. It doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but it provides a nice, high-quality video connection from a host device and makes it very easy for users to get up and running quickly.
Setup
This monitor has a hassle-free setup. I didn’t need any tools, which was refreshing. The stand effortlessly attaches to the monitor’s body with the aid of a thumb screw on the bottom of the stand’s base. The stand isn’t much, but it does allow users to tilt the monitor as needed. As an alternative, the monitor is also VESA compatible and can be mounted using most types of monitor mounts.
User Testing
This is a very simple monitor to set up. You select either the VGA or HDMI input option and run the proper cable to your host computer. Then you connect it to power. Once you turn it on you can adjust the settings as needed using the monitor’s menu, which is controlled using a rear-mounted button. This was a little awkward to use, but it wasn’t impossible. The HD resolution provided a very nice picture for me and I found it to be adequate for the work I was doing and the videos I wanted to watch. Since this is such an affordable monitor, I think the average user would be happy with it.
Pros
Simple setup
Stand can tilt
Great for viewing content and standard home/office use
Cons
Stand can tilt
Great for viewing content and standard home/office use
Cons
Lack of display input options
Would be lacking in features for creative professionals
Height cannot be adjusted via the stand
Would be lacking in features for creative professionals
Height cannot be adjusted via the stand
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Embrace a new standard of speed with the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless. Supercharged by Razer Snap Tap and Rapid Trigger Mode, execute more responsive inputs at unfair speeds. Customize further with adjustable actuation to optimize your competitive advantage.
Customer Rating
5
Premium keyboard for gaming
on November 27, 2023
Posted by: nickcal
I've been using a mechanical keyboard nearly exclusively for several years. I do a fair amount of gaming with a keyboard/mouse, but I also use it for daily work tasks and typing. I enjoy the satisfying click and tactical feedback from mechanical keys over the soft bounce of a membrane-based keyboard. I've also found that mechanical keyboards tend to be built with more reliable materials and they last longer. One thing I'm always cognizant of is desk space and having a full-size keyboard isn't always practical. So, I decided to give this tenkeyless (TKL) keyboard a try.
Unboxing and Setup
I've been a fan of Razer products for quite some time and this package is no different. It's distinguishable by the bright green brand color, which is offset by black. The front of the box shows off the keyboard's design with a nice product image. When you open the box you'll find the keyboard wrapped in plastic, some Razer stickers, a user manual, a quick start card, a wrist rest, and a detachable USB-A to USB-C cable. Because this is a 'wired' keyboard, I was a little surprised to find the USB cable was detachable. I thought it would be built-in. As far as setup goes, basic keyboard controls were operational as soon as I plugged the keyboard in. The more advanced features required a bit of tweaking using the built-in keyboard commands. You do have the option of downloading Razer's Synapse application for more granular control, but the customization features that are built into the Huntsman are pretty great on their own.
Design and Build Quality
The Razer Huntsman V3 is a solid keyboard. Its top plate is made with aluminum which can withstand most daily abuse. The wrist rest is 'leatherette' and connects magnetically to the keyboard frame so it doesn't slide away easily when you are using it. The smaller form factor of the Huntsman V3 TKL is convenient for more compact workspaces as well as for gaming. The keyboard has a built-in kickstand which is very helpful for regular keyboard use. The switches are Razer's Analog Optical Switches Gen-2. These are Razer's most advanced switches and they are rated with a 100-million keystroke lifespan. Razer's analog switches can get more specific with their input controls than standard mechanical keyboards can. For example, a standard mechanical keyboard only reads a 0 or 1 value (not depressed or depressed) while the analog switches can read all the values in between 0 and 1, too. This is what makes the analog switches more valuable on a competitive gaming accessory like the Huntsman V3.
My general preference for mechanical switches is usually a brown switch that has a little bit of a softer click than say, a blue or red switch. The analog optical switches feel more like the 'clicky-er' switches to me, but they don't have that harsh bump that goes along with it.
Performance and Features
I tested out the performance of the keyboard in two ways - gaming and daily use. For the daily use portion, I found that my typing skills suffered just a bit. I usually have an average typing rate of 72-73 words per minute and with the Huntsman, it was only 69 WPM. My accuracy also fell a bit behind my standard average. Using a typing test, I found that my accuracy rating was 94% and I usually top that out around 98-100%.
When it came to gaming, I found that with FPS games like Call of Duty, the rapid trigger feature was helpful and the smaller size of the keyboard helped out immensely with mouse movements. I could feel the tactile nature of the keys while I played and I felt I was more successful than with other standard mechanical keyboards.
I used this keyboard with both a PC and a Mac computer and I can say that it works with both systems. The box does indicate that it is only Windows compatible, but that has more to do with the customization aspect of it. You can use it with a macOS-based machine, but you need to be prepared to lose some of the features that make this a great keyboard for gaming. The Synapse software from Razer does not have a macOS version for download.
Connectivity
While I appreciate what the wired nature of this device provides, it's still a little bit of a drawback to me. I don't like having a cable strewn across my desk, but I can see how being wired into your system is beneficial for response time within games.
Final Thoughts
This is an amazing product from Razer. I'm always impressed with the quality of their products and this keyboard is no exception. It is designed specifically for gaming though and it might fall short of your expectations if you intend on using it for another purpose.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Cobra RAD 700i Radar Detector offers premium detection range for improved awareness and intelligent filtering software for a quieter ride. GPS-based AutoLearn Intelligence provides advanced intelligence that learns to reject false alert locations over time. Plus, built-in Bluetooth links you to the Drive Smarter community for shared alerts from other connected detectors.
Customer Rating
5
Easy to use device
on November 24, 2023
Posted by: nickcal
I work from home and therefore I don’t have a daily commute. I do, however, take road trips, and having a radar detector on those trips makes traveling much more efficient. I’ve used Cobra radar detectors in the past so I was excited to use this updated model. It was an easy setup in my car. The only issue I had was determining the best placement for it on my windshield since I also have a dashcam setup in the same location. The mounting equipment for the detector seems sturdy and the suction cup hasn’t peeled itself away from the windshield yet.
When it comes to operation, there aren’t any complicated settings to set, you simply let the radar detector do its work. You drive, it detects. The Drive Smarter app is a great companion piece as it helps keep the detector updated and it ties in with the navigation feature of the device. The nice thing is that the detector can run without the app just fine. I found that the GPS was decent and it gave me speed alerts when I was over the speed limit. The built-in GPS did work with my car’s CarPlay interface, which was a nice bonus.
As far as accuracy goes, I found the 700i to be on par. There is a little town between my home and where my dogs’ vet is. It is notorious for being a speed trap. In the span of about 2 miles, the speed limit goes from 55 to 45 to 35 back up to 55. It’s a tricky area and there are always police officers sitting in that area to catch offenders. I had to make this drive a few times since getting the 700i and it’s been accurate about detecting the cops sitting in that area.
One of the things that I was really impressed with was the fact that the detector did not pick up things that were not radars. I’ve had older detectors do that in the past and was really happy to not have the 700i throwing false positives every half a mile. The display is also easy to read. I captured an image of the display while my car was parked in my driveway as I thought that would be the safest option.
Overall, I’ve been very happy with this radar detector and think others looking for an easy-to-use device will be happy with it too.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Browse, explore and connect with confidence on the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 powered by a Celeron N4020 Processor. The IdeaPad 1 packs responsive performance in a thin and compact 17.9 mm chassis, making multitasking on-the-go a breeze. Get the most out of your device with a frameless display for more screen and Dolby Audio speakers, along with 11 hours of battery life and rapid charge. Great for video calls, the 720P camera comes with a privacy shutter to keep out spying eyes, as well as Smart Noise Cancelling to eliminate background noise.
Customer Rating
3
Not bad for the right user
on November 16, 2023
Posted by: nickcal
When you are selecting a laptop, it's really important to make sure you are getting the right machine for the job you are trying to complete. This is what I kept telling myself as I tried out this Lenovo Ideapad. I've used Lenovo computers in the past and been very impressed with their build quality and performance. This laptop, however, is built to be an entry-level machine and only used for basic tasks like email and light web surfing. This was completely evident to me as I started setting it up. To be fair, I am used to computers that are set up for tasks that require advanced performance. That means they usually have ample RAM allocated to the build and they can multitask. So for me, using this laptop was like picking a smartphone that is several generations old. It still works for basic tasks, but because my daily-driver phone is the current generation smartphone, the old one just feels sluggish.
That said, for what it is, this laptop works fine. Here are my main takeaways.
Pros
The laptop is very lightweight. It's easy to carry from place to place and can be packed in a bag with no problems.
The webcam comes with a sliding privacy cover preinstalled. This is useful for ensuring privacy when you aren't actively using the camera.
It's very quiet. If I wasn't actively using it, I wouldn't have thought it was running.
Battery life is wonderful.
The keyboard was comfortable to type on.
The trackpad seemed responsive.
The screen had a nice clear picture.
Cons
The webcam comes with a sliding privacy cover preinstalled. This is useful for ensuring privacy when you aren't actively using the camera.
It's very quiet. If I wasn't actively using it, I wouldn't have thought it was running.
Battery life is wonderful.
The keyboard was comfortable to type on.
The trackpad seemed responsive.
The screen had a nice clear picture.
Cons
Hardware requirements are the bare minimum for running Windows 11.
Processor: Requirement - 1GHz with two or more cores on a 64-bit processor // Lenovo Ideapad - Intel Celeron N Series, 1.1 GHz, 2 cores
Memory: Requirement - 4GB or greater // Lenovo Ideapad - 4GB
Storage: Requirement - 64GB or greater // Lenovo Ideapad - 128GB
Graphics Card: Requirement - Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver. // Lenovo Ideapad - Intel UHD Graphics 600, supports DirectX 12
In addition to standard Windows startup prompts, Lenovo has its own set of questions and preferences to walk through, too.
The default desktop image was of a Red Bull ad, which seemed odd to me.
Everything ran slowly. It took an exceptionally long time to get everything updated (I'm talking hours) and ready to actually use the laptop. I wasn't able to run Edge without it stuttering. Nothing else was operational except for system apps and background tasks and the computer choked on the web browser.
Uses a proprietary charger and not something standard like USB-C.
Overall Impression
Processor: Requirement - 1GHz with two or more cores on a 64-bit processor // Lenovo Ideapad - Intel Celeron N Series, 1.1 GHz, 2 cores
Memory: Requirement - 4GB or greater // Lenovo Ideapad - 4GB
Storage: Requirement - 64GB or greater // Lenovo Ideapad - 128GB
Graphics Card: Requirement - Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver. // Lenovo Ideapad - Intel UHD Graphics 600, supports DirectX 12
In addition to standard Windows startup prompts, Lenovo has its own set of questions and preferences to walk through, too.
The default desktop image was of a Red Bull ad, which seemed odd to me.
Everything ran slowly. It took an exceptionally long time to get everything updated (I'm talking hours) and ready to actually use the laptop. I wasn't able to run Edge without it stuttering. Nothing else was operational except for system apps and background tasks and the computer choked on the web browser.
Uses a proprietary charger and not something standard like USB-C.
Overall Impression
Using this laptop was a frustrating experience for me. While I am a patient person and understand that certain systems may take longer to do tasks than others, I was shocked that the native web browser couldn't even run smoothly. I attempted downloading Geekbench to complete a benchmark test but because the Windows OS was in S mode, I wasn't allowed to download anything that wasn't in the approved Windows App Store. So, I used Nero Score, which provided a score of 385 for this Ideapad. I looked up other benchmark scores for the same processor and they averaged right around a score of 1000. I am assuming that the lower performance is likely due to the 4GB of RAM since other benchmark scores were based on 8-16GB of RAM and they were much higher.
Something to think about when shopping for a computer is the age of the processor in relation to the current year. The Intel Celeron processor used in this Lenovo Ideapad was released 3 years ago and is actually discontinued by the manufacturer. You should also consider whether or not the operating system is the best option for your given processor/RAM combination. As I mentioned, this machine just barely meets the Windows 11 hardware requirements, but it might run better with Windows 10 or an alternate OS.
As always, bloatware could also be playing a part in this machine's sluggish nature. Because I had such a difficult time navigating through basic tasks, I wasn't able to do a thorough analysis of applications that may be weighing the system down, but that could indeed be a factor.
Final Thoughts
There is a place for every type of computer and this one does have some redeeming qualities. Out of the box, it may not be the best performing PC, but with some customization, it might do really well for the right user.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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ASUS ExpertCenter D5 TEC features powerful, dependable and expandable performance, created especially for the unique needs of small business. Its ultracompact, flexible and sleek small form factor allows business users to enjoy flexible and neat workspace. Also, with help of our simplified small-business support services, you can enjoy reduced downtime and lower total cost of ownership.
Customer Rating
5
A good little PC
on November 13, 2023
Posted by: nickcal
This PC is designed to work well for those seeking a productivity workhorse or casual gaming. It's reasonable for its specs and it strikes a good balance between work and fun. The processor that this system is built on is the 13th Gen Core Intel i5-13400. It was designed to be power-efficient and fast for productivity. This CPU paired with the 8GB of RAM that comes pre-installed makes for a lag-free user experience.
The setup of the PC was easy. As is the case with other Windows setups, the user is taken through a series of steps to get the system up and running. One of the screens states that it can take up to 30 minutes for the initial system startup to finish, which is accurate. Unfortunately, once the initial setup is complete, there are still more updates to be done from the Windows Update Center. All in all, I think it took me approximately an hour from start to finish to get everything ready to roll on this PC.
One of the first things I noticed about this machine was how quiet it was. I never noticed a bunch of fan noise -- even when it was going through its updates. In addition to that, I never noticed an abundance of heat coming from the PC. The tower comes with a keyboard and mouse -- both are wired. They work well but are just a standard beginner-level keyboard and mouse. I plan on swapping keyboards at my earliest convenience.
I didn't have any issues connecting the PC to my WiFi network. After I selected the proper network and entered the password, the computer connected and stayed connected. The wireless antennae that is included has a unique design. I love that the base of it is magnetized so it can adhere to the case of the PC.
I also like that there were easy access ports on the front of the case. I like using the ports on the back of a desktop like this for items that should be permanently attached and leaving front-facing ports available for quick-connect items. I did think it was odd that the PC did not come with a cable for an A/V connection (i.e. HDMI or DisplayPort). Luckily, I had a spare HDMI cable available to use.
As far as its performance goes, I was pleased with how quickly the system seemed to move for me. I didn't see the system stutter at all when I requested an action and when I ran benchmark tests, the system didn't seem too strained. I used Geekbench 6 and got a single-core performance score of 2354 and a multi-core performance score of 9623. These scores place the system squarely in the mid-range PC category.
I really didn't have many issues running this PC. I do think it's best used for productivity tasks and not so much for gaming. It can handle some games, but it could choke under the weight of more advanced games that are available today.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Discover next-level home security with the eufy Video Doorbell E340. Enjoy door-to-floor full color views with dual 2K HD cameras and with the industry-first dual-light system, it activates upon detecting motion eliminating blind spots, day and night. It provides 8GB of local storage (about 60 days worth of recordings) with advanced encryption to keep your data secure. Say goodbye to monthly cloud storage fees and save an estimated $47.88 per year! Stay connected with the eufy App or an optional door chime that alerts you when visitors arrive and can expand storage up to 128GB with a microSD card (not included). Installation is a breeze as the hybrid-powered doorbell works with existing doorbell wiring or can run on battery power for up to 6 months on a single charge. Plus, it is IP65 weatherproof rating, so it keeps working come rain, snow or shine.
Customer Rating
5
Easy to use smart home device
on October 29, 2023
Posted by: nickcal
We’ve used video doorbells at our house for many years. Our front door and interior garage door were our main areas of concern, but we recently decided that adding one to our sliding glass door that leads to our back patio made good sense. Even though it’s not a heavy foot traffic area for guests, we have needed to watch our dogs and needed to communicate with each other when we don’t take our phone outside with us. Adding this eufy doorbell was a great option for those purposes.
First of all, we already had an existing eufy ecosystem in our home. We have two eufyCam 2 Pros, a Floodlight camera, a SmartDrop delivery box, and now this doorbell. All of our preexisting devices were easy to install so we thought this doorbell would be a no-brainer when it came to adding it to our system. We were right. Installation is a breeze. There is no complicated set up. You simply charge the battery for the camera and install it in the camera body. Then, you use the app to walkthrough the remaining setup, which includes connection to your WiFi.
This doorbell can be used as a wired or wireless device. If you are using it as a wired device, you have to have an existing doorbell wiring harness to tap into. We opted to use this doorbell wirelessly only and run it off its battery. So, once you have the device connected to the app, you can proceed with installing the mounting plate. The appropriate hardware is included.
I’ve had trouble connecting to other video doorbells in the past but not this one. I have found that it helps if you do the initial connection when you are close to your router. Once it’s connected, the device tends to stay connected to the network better — even if you move it to a new location.
In this particular case, I am very impressed with how well the doorbell connects to our router. The router is located on the opposite end of our home and the doorbell has maintained a 100% connection to the network, even when it’s outside. The images and video that I’ve gotten from the doorbell have been clear and easy to read. I am really impressed with the dual video view. This helps tremendously when monitoring our dogs when they come to the door.
The app is easy to navigate, too. The main screen of the app shows all your devices in your eufy ecosystem and when you select it you can view its settings or the live feed. You can also view how many events have been recorded by your doorbell and view them as needed.
The only thing I really wish I could adjust is the camera angle. The mounting plates that come with it provide a small angle plate, which I am using, but it would be great to be able to adjust where the camera is pointing without having to physically move the unit. Other than that, I don’t have any major complaints on this product. The battery seems to take a long time to charge and it only works on a 2.4GHz network, but overall it’s a great smart home device.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Jabra Enhance Select 50R are custom-programmable hearing aids, nearly invisible when worn, and lightweight for all-day comfort. They integrate advanced microphones and can be remotely adjusted by a Jabra Enhance licensed hearing professional to your unique needs to help you hear your best. Shop with confidence and take advantage of our 3-year warranty and 3-year loss and damage coverage. Bluetooth streaming is available for both Apple/Android compatible devices so you can listen to calls and stream music directly to your hearing aids. For device compatibility, please see our “Specifications Sheet” by navigating to Features - Manuals & Guides - Specification Sheet. 3 years of professional virtual hearing care from Audiology Team includes: 1) Orientation and individual programming of your hearing aids, plus unlimited ongoing adjustments & fine-tuning, based on your hearing needs, 2) Demonstrating how to use and maintain your hearing aids (device parts, batteries, charging case, cleaning, etc.), 3) Walking you through setup step-by-step to ensure hearing aid wires and domes fit comfortably, 4) Reassessing and reprogramming hearing aids based on changes in your hearing or health conditions, and 5) Video chats with a licensed hearing specialist about your hearing and hearing aids, as often as needed.
Customer Rating
5
A great alternative to other OTC hearing aids
on October 21, 2023
Posted by: nickcal
Ever since I was in my 20s, I have suffered with hearing loss. At first, it took me a while to process what people were saying and it gradually progressed to where I am now. I have lost all my high-end hearing which means I am unable to hear higher pitches such as birds chirping or car door alarms. I have been fortunate enough to be able to use different hearing aids over the past few years from Jabra’s parent company, GN Sound. So, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to try these medical grade hearing aids from Jabra.
The Jabra Enhance Select 50R is a medical-grade, OTC hearing aid. It is programmable and even though there are a few shortcomings, the pros far outweigh the cons. In my experience, OTC hearing aids are simple amplifiers with preset modes. Jabra’s hearing aids are comparable to the prescription-only hearing aids I have. The Jabra Enhance hearing aids are designed for mild to moderate hearing loss. If you have profound hearing loss, a prescription hearing aid recommended instead of this OTC option. For reference, here are the mild and moderate hearing loss definitions from the CDC.
Mild Hearing Loss — a person with a mild hearing loss may hear some speech sounds but soft sounds are hard to hear.
Moderate Hearing Loss — a person with a moderate hearing loss may hear almost no speech when another person is talking at a normal level.
One of the biggest benefits of these OTC hearing aids is the inclusion of the virtual audiology support. Jabra offers this feature with their Premium Package support as an added cost, but it’s included with the Enhance 50R. Despite having some limitations as an entry-level hearing aid, this device performs well. Here are some highlights from my experience
Moderate Hearing Loss — a person with a moderate hearing loss may hear almost no speech when another person is talking at a normal level.
One of the biggest benefits of these OTC hearing aids is the inclusion of the virtual audiology support. Jabra offers this feature with their Premium Package support as an added cost, but it’s included with the Enhance 50R. Despite having some limitations as an entry-level hearing aid, this device performs well. Here are some highlights from my experience
Sound Quality: I would rate the sound quality as very good. Since my hearing loss is in the moderate to severe range, the Enhance 50Rs helped some, but not as good as my prescription-strength hearing aids. What I was able to hear was clear and not cluttered with a lot of static. I also thought the hearing aids did a good job of filtering out background noise.
Ease of Use: Overall, the hearing aids are easy to use. Getting started is more complicated than a set of earbuds as you need to properly fit your ears with the right domes. Even though you can use the hearing aids without the app, you get a lot more out of them if you do. When getting started, the app walks you through the process. I also found the app easy to use. It is well-organized and its easy to find the settings you need.
Fit & Feel: The hearing aids are very comfortable. There is a little adjustment period, but they are lightweight and you don’t even notice they are there after a little while.
Customer Service: I wasn’t able to take advantage of the virtual audiology appointment simply because there was a long waiting period. But I did call to get some basic assistance with finding a setting within the app. The rep I had was very knowledgeable and able to help me with my problem.
Overall, I found the Enhance 50R hearing aids to be a strong option for people who need assistance with speech clarity and filtering out background noise during conversations.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Ninja Detect Power Blender Pro with BlendSense Technology allows you to toss in any ingredients, press the dial, and watch them transform into a perfectly smooth output. The Ninja Total Crushing & Chopping blades give you perfectly crushed ice for your frozen drinks and will chopped veggies for a chunky salsa . The blender that automatically adjusts speed & time for perfectly smooth results.
Customer Rating
5
Simplicity and power combined in one blender
on October 20, 2023
Posted by: nickcal
One of my first blenders was a simple one that only had levels 1-8 and a pulse option. It had a glass pitcher and was powerful enough to blend up ice. Since then, I’ve used many different types of blenders including Ninja brand blenders. One of the things I like about this model is that it combines Ninja’s power with old-fashioned simplicity thanks to the Blendsense technology.
I’ve used it to make several different types of smoothies including straight up milkshakes and have even made a puree for soup. I found that I had to do very little in terms of determining what speed to use since the blender did that for me. It’s a simple blender for getting things done. Here is a quick synopsis of how the main features worked for me.
Crushing Power
One of my favorite things to do with a blender is make crushed ice. In fact, growing up, this was the only way we got crushed ice at home because our ice maker only provided full sized cubes. The Ninja blender’s 1800 watt motor has no problem with providing this icy treat. I was able to toss in full size ice cubes and watch it make frosty crushed ice that I could use in other drinks or even create slushie-type sodas. This beast of a motor doesn't flinch and in seconds, your concoction is transformed into a silky, frosty delight. I was even able to make an at-home version of snow cones. It wasn’t the shaved ice type, but the ice was crushed up enough to enjoy as a frozen treat.
BlendSense Technology
The main ‘technology’ feature of this blender is the BlendSense innovation that is built into the device. It’s almost like having your own personal smoothie sous-chef. While I still monitor it pretty closely, I have to say that the blender does a great job of figuring out what type of ingredients I’ve put in and how much power it needs to blend it all together. It detects the mix of fresh and frozen ingredients, adjusts the power, and precisely calculates the blending time. My mixtures have come out just right — not too chunky or too runny. In addition to type of ingredients, the blender takes into account the quantity of ingredients you've thrown in – if it's a massive breakfast bowl or just a quick snack. There is a manual control if you want to fine-tune the speed for yourself.
Pitcher Size & Chop in the Pitcher
The pitcher is a 72-ounce beast. It has the capacity to handle any type of blending recipe you throw at it. I’ve always struggled with this because even with simple powder-based smoothie recipes, I always seem to overfill when I add ice. This extra large pitcher has been just what I needed. I love that the blades go up the center of the blender. It really makes blending a breeze. Given its size, it is a little harder to store but that’s a minor issue in my opinion.
Clean-up
Based on how the blender is constructed I thought it might be hard to clean. Fortunately Ninja thought this through and made the blades removeable for easy cleaning. I’m also thrilled that it’s all dishwasher safe. I will usually give everything a good rinse before I put it in the dishwasher, but that’s just to get the excess debris loosened up. I’ve not had any issues with the blender elements getting clean in the dishwasher.
Overall, the Ninja Blender Detect seamlessly combines power and simplicity. With its BlendSense technology, it's a breeze to make a variety of concoctions, from smoothies to milkshakes and soups. The 1800-watt motor effortlessly crushes ice, while the roomy 72-ounce pitcher handles large recipes with ease. Cleanup is a cinch, thanks to removable blades. While it may take up a bit more counter space, it's a testament to how far blender technology has evolved, harmoniously marrying the best of the past and present.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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