VADarkstar's stats
- Review count221
- Helpfulness votes832
- First reviewAugust 22, 2014
- Last reviewApril 16, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
Reviews comments
- Review comment count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentNone
- Last review commentNone
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
Answers
- Answer count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First answerNone
- Last answerNone
- Featured answers0
- Best answers0
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
Incredibly Powerful Blender
on October 17, 2023
Posted by: VADarkstar
Ninja's Detect Power Blender Pro is a powerful blender with some intelligent features. Operation is intuitive and the motor can drive the blender through any task. And aside from being useful for standard blending tasks like making frozen drinks or smoothies, this blender has modes that can help with food prepping tasks like chopping vegetables or processing meat for burgers. It comes with a short, but useful, manual that provides simple recipes designed to help you understand the different modes.
The large plastic pitcher locks securely onto the base and the lid locks securely onto the pitcher - both of these are safety measures that must be in place for the blender to operate. Overall, the secure engagement of the pitcher and the base make this blender feel like a professional bartender's blender. My own preference is for a blender to have a removable "cap" in the lid that allows you to introduce additional ingredients while the blender is running but I understand that these caps can be dangerous in some situations where you are blending hot ingredients.
For manual blending, like emulsifying a salad dressing, the Ninja behaves like almost any other blender (except it really doesn't have a speed that is "slow"). In chopping mode, I was surprised how quickly and evenly it was able to process onions into large or small dice from a quartered onion - and the built-in intelligence sensed when to stop processing. And in the BlendSense mode it took frozen drinks to the next level - it was able to process the ice to the point where drinks were smooth as silk (not drinky/crunchy).
Many blenders that feature special modes of operation seem gimmicky and the features feel unnecessary, but I think this Ninja has delivered a few very intelligent features that work as advertised and that users will appreciate and actually use.
Awesome machine!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Meet the ultra-powerful, wet & dry MessMaster vacuum and mini Shop Vac. Powered by No Loss of Suction Technology, it handles life’s un-vacuumable messes, from DIY disasters to kid chaos. When you’re done, MessMaster can rinse itself, cleaning the dust bin with just a cup of water. You even have the option to line the dust bin with a plastic bag to keep the mess contained for easy disposal.
Posted by: VADarkstar
This Shark MessMaster is, as its name suggests, a portable wet/dry vacuum. It is light, relatively quiet, and comfortably portable with good suction. It works well with all types of debris and with wet spills.
Included with the vacuum are a flexible hose, a 5" squeegee attachment for wet spills, a crevice tool, a 5" "carpet" attachment for dry spills, and a three-piece extension wand. Available separately are a wider bare floor tool and a pet multi-tool. All included tools and the wet/dry collection canister are dishwasher safe.
While I am impressed by the action of the vacuum, I found many design features to be almost intentionally clumsy.
(1) The swivel top through which you access the collection canister is an awkward way to empty the vacuum.
(2) The flexible hose locks into to body of the vacuum in an unintuitive way - it twists in (I have never used any vacuum that had a hose attachment like this). Also, the hose is stiff and feels restrictive and the business end of the hose does not fit as securely into the attachments as I would like.
(3) The carpet attachment, for dry spills, can be used on low pile carpets but tends to drag on some upholstery and has trouble extracting debris from thicker pile carpeting.
(4) The flexible hose and the extension wand are both just a little over 3' long and, when used together, cannot clean up a wet or dry spill without you holding the vacuum in your hand while you work - overall, this vacuum is only useful for cleaning small areas with you working at the same level of the spill.
The Shark MessMaster would be perfect for cleaning out a car or for clearing debris from a workbench or for siphoning water from a clogged sink - but it can be clumsy to use and awkward to empty. Not a fan.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
Defy Boring with the Pebble 2 Combo made with recycled plastic. Its minimalist, slim design makes it as iconic as you and super portable. Pair up to 3 wireless devices across OS and switch between devices with a press of a button (Logi Bolt receiver also included). With Logi Options+ app, you can customize your Pebble Mouse 2 M350s’ middle button with shortcuts that shuffle your Spotify playlist, send emojis on WhatsApp, and more. Personalize the 10 keyboard Fn shortcut keys to work how you want and save time.
Customer Rating
2
I'm Not Sure What Problem This Combo Solves
on September 18, 2023
Posted by: VADarkstar
Logitech's Pebble 2 Combo is a very small keyboard and mouse. Both components can pair with a device by Bluetooth or by an included USB receiver (which can be stored in the mouse). Logitech has decided to go back to AA battery operation for both units instead of having them be rechargeable.
The keyboard and mouse can be paired with three separate devices and can be switched between the devices very simply.
Both the keyboard and mouse operate almost silently. The keyboard feels like a laptop keyboard - the keys depress easily and quietly
The keys on the keyboard are round. Aesthetically, they look sort of like some kind of two-dimensional plastic steampunk device. The round buttons feel foreign to my fingers. And while I can understand how someone might want to have a portable typing device for a smartphone, I feel like the only other purpose for a keyboard like this is bring a laptop experience to a desktop computer (do people crave that?).
Worst of all in this combo is the small mouse. It is surely awkward to use with my large hands, but its shape and size make me wonder who might use this mouse comfortably. And I haven't used a mouse in YEARS with a scrolling wheel that had such a lagging and un-smooth response. I'm not sure how a company like Logitech could allow a mouse this clunky to get into circulation.
Device-switching peripherals have been produced by Logitech for years. Even their silent keyboard technology is not new. This new combo is advertising compactness but there are far more comfortable and ergonomic options on the market. Logitech seems to be banking on an aesthetic here that they have chosen over comfort or ease-of-use.
I think this combo creates more problems than it solves.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Jabra Elite 8 Active Bluetooth true wireless earbuds with HearThrough technology are designed to withstand your toughest workouts while allowing you to stay tuned in to your surroundings. Using military-grade testing, we put these earbuds through the test with rigorous cycles of thermal, shock, dust and water treatment, giving you excellent performance in any environment. Completely watertight even when fully submerged in water, the Bluetooth earbuds are able to withstand huge clouds of dust and survive drops from 3 feet totally intact. With ultimate grip through Jabra ShakeGrip, they stay secure in your ear all day without the need for ear wings. Experience immersive audio from all angles thanks to the richness and range of Spatial Sound powered by Dolby Audio, blasting your favorite work-out playlist and fully immerse yourself in quality sound that surrounds your head. Powerful 6mm speakers ensure the audio is clear and rich no matter what you’re listening to. Powerful Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) automatically adapts to the environment you’re in, filtering out unwanted interference from wind and other extremes. The wind neutralizing HearThrough technology muffles any wind interference, delivering cleaner, sharper sound wherever you are. HearThrough also provides an open ear experience so you can stay in tune with your surroundings without compromising on sound quality. Leave your phone at home but take your music with you. Download your music to your smartwatch, connect your earbuds, and head out for a phone-free run. Your connection will stay solid and stable no matter what, so you can push yourself to the limit without bringing your device along for the ride. And with Bluetooth Multipoint, you can seamlessly switch between your phone or smartwatch without needing to reconnect. 56 hours (ANC off) of battery in earbuds + case & Fast Charge to get 1 hour of battery in 5 minutes. Need to know the weather forecast or take a call on the go? Simply tap the earbud and ask your preferred Voice Assistant, without having to reach for your phone.
Customer Rating
4
Coming To Compete With The Pixel Buds Pro
on September 15, 2023
Posted by: VADarkstar
Jabra really impressed me for the most part with this new offering. And Jabra has never impressed me with any of their headphones before.
While the case for these headphones differs from the more egg-shaped case for the latest Google Pixel Buds Pro case, the similarities are unmistakable: wireless charging for the package, earbuds recharging from the case, overall physical design, ear feel and orientation.
These earbuds fit into the ear canal easily and feel well-seated and comfortable immediately. The associated app is intuitive and helpful. The app is especially helpful with equalization - providing a number of thoughtful presets along with a useful self-tunable sound shaper / equalizer (see image below).
Active noise cancellation works very well (not perfectly) - and switching between modes is simple via earbud taps.
The application provides a nice choice of "soundscapes" to mask external noises that might be distracting. The common themes (e.g. fans, rain, birds, storm, waves) are convincingly real and can effectively obliterate intrusive noises with help from active noise cancelling.
The app includes a strange Dolby spatial sound enhancer for media streams that "expands" the media sound - this enhanced sound, from every conceivable media type, was invariably a degraded stereoalizezation effect that produced an annoyingly fake sound. A terrible addition !
Excluding that option, the sound is fantastic - clear and noiseless treble with surprisingly strong bass from such a tiny earbud. Navigation is intuitive but is not without fault (navigating taps don't always land the result you are anticipating). And the range for the Bluetooth connection is less-than-stellar.
Overall: these sound great but I don't find their overall operation to be at a level where they can compete with the latest Google Pixel Buds Pro while demanding the same price.
I would definitely recommend these, but I would also recommend that you carefully consider other earbuds on the market that might be better for you. There are a LOT of earbuds like this on the market right now.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Get blazing fast printing speeds and easy management tools with LaserJet Pro. This printer is built for maximum productivity with fast speeds and reliable hardware, delivering effortless everyday use from wherever work happens so you can focus more on your business.
Customer Rating
2
This Printer Requires YOU To Fit ITS Lifestyle
on August 8, 2023
Posted by: VADarkstar
The Cons for this printer outweigh the Pros.
Pros: relatively fast, 350 page paper capacity, compact design, very crisp printing.
The Cons take a lot more explaining.
(1) Setup can be confusing and the setup guide is misleading. This printer MUST be connected to your router by an ethernet cable (not included!) in order for HP's software to identify and setup the printer. The printer, itself, is NOT wireless - though, once it is established on the same network as your computer, you can print to it, say, from your phone if the phone is on the same network as the printer. BUT this means that for maximum utility, this printer must be located near your router (which might not be near your computer). The setup guide suggests that you can setup the printer by way of a USB cable (not included!) - but I was only able to print directly to the printer by a USB cable AFTER I had installed the printer using a direct ethernet connection (and that would only allow printing from a single computer).
(2) While not mentioned on the box or in the setup guide, this printer is capable of producing two-sided prints but it requires that you remove a stack of single sided printouts and resubmit them to the printer to print their second side. A clumsy process that is not intuitive.
(3) Very loud!
(4) HP is definitely being aggressive about their instant ink subscription and about how they will be updating the printer firmware periodically to insure that non-HP toner cartridges will be summarily rejected for printing.
(5) For even simple tasks like printing photos or documents from your phone, the HP Smart app requires that you have an HP account established.
Overall: the clumsiness of setup and operation make this feel like a ten year old printer in a new casing.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Powered by the Intel Evo platform, the 2-in-1 high-performance Acer Chromebook Spin 714 empowers users to stay productive anywhere with its 16:10 14” WUXGA touch display, 13th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, QHD webcam and military-grade durability. At just over 3 lbs., this sleek machine is not only fast and efficient, but it features a bevy of features such as a quick-chargeable 10-hour battery and a 360 convertible hinge so you have the flexibility to work in any mode.
Customer Rating
4
A Very Good ENTRY Level Chromebook
on August 4, 2023
Posted by: VADarkstar
Part 1 - Overview:
This is Acer's new ENTRY level Chromebook; it is well-built, sturdy, fast, and graphically engaging.
Their Intel i5 processor is fine and the system memory is wholly adequate for a Chromebook. But neither the processing speed nor memory represents a fundamentally consequential improvement from recent Chromebooks for the user.
While the graphics card here is ENTRY level, I found the graphics to be quite attractively rendered.
Graphics card aside...what this Chromebook has or lacks in memory or processing speed is bolstered by its remarkably fast Wi-Fi connectivity. Remember that Chromebooks are designed to operate as CONNECTED devices - so connectivity is the route to computer speed here. I have incredibly fast wireless connectivity in my home and it would be bottlenecked if this computer needed to pull-out all the stops (I couldn't max the connection out....and I tried). Remember that you might perceive ANY Chromebook to be slow if your internet connection is a mess!
After a VERY speedy setup, the 256 GB drive left me with just under 200 GB of space left.
Charging, as should be expected, is by USB-C. The included charger charges quickly and the continuous-use battery life, while not fully 10 hours, is excellent.
The attractive 16:10/1920x1200 touch-screen is engineered with "antimicrobial Corning® Gorilla® Glass" which is probably a good tough choice for users who intend to use this touch-screen Chromebook with a stylus (which is NOT included). For some reason, the Best Buy site description of this product only identifies the touchpad as having this advanced protective design?
Acer includes, as a VERY welcome addition, a slim padded cover for this computer - with a front pouch that easily fits the charging apparatus.
Very nice front-facing camera .
Part 2 - Important Details:
As with nearly every portable computer these days, this is a "2-in-1" computer: it operates beautifully as a laptop with a touch-screen - and the screen also pivots 360° to provide the user with a vertical/horizontal "tablet" experience. In tablet mode, this Chromebook is a bit heavy for lengthy use but is still a large and bright (-ish) tablet. Note: hinges have come a LONG way since computers like this first appeared and these hinges feel fully up to their long-term responsibility.
This is a Google-centered device. And, while fully aware of this fact, I was amazed by how beautifully this device was able to link with my Google Pixel phone. I am all-in on team Google, and this was a cool and unexpected way to share information between devices. Well done!
However...I need to remind you that this is fully an ENTRY level Chromebook. And there are two HUGE deficits from my point of view. First: the sound production on this device is almost nonexistent - and assuming that buyers of an entry level Chromebook are primarily consumers of media, this audio deficit is a HUGE problem - the audio on this device is almost whisper quiet. Second: While Acer decided to include an HDMI-out port, they decided that there was no need for an SD/microSD adapter for files.
Overall:
This is a beautiful and easy-to-use ENTRY level Chromebook. As a computer of this class, I would have given it five stars but, considering what I perceive to be the intended target audience for this device, the sound media quality was horrifically bad and I thought that an SD/microSD card reader should be non-negotiable.
I would definitely recommend this computer - and I would also recommend that you consider other similarly-priced Chromebooks.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+3points
4of 5voted this as helpful.
Introducing CZ Smart YouQ, the smarter smartwatch. Citizen CZ Smart Casual 41mm smartwatch is designed to help you be the best version of yourself throughout the day, every day. Inspired by the rich design of Citizen’s iconic sport technical timepieces, CZ Smart marries cutting-edge science and technology with the style and quality you expect from Citizen. CZ Smart YouQ leverages AI Models built with IBM Watson Studio and research pioneered by NASA Ames Research Center to power features within the proprietary YouQ application. CZ Smart YouQ helps you anticipate patterns of fatigue and alertness and offers highly personalized insights and suggested actions to help you improve alertness and promote the building of better habits, readying you to meet whatever the day may bring. Compatible with both iPhone and Android, CZ Smart YouQ features Wear OS by Google. The versatile, customizable menu of dials, designed exclusively for CZ Smart, gives you all the information you need at your fingertips. With a range of interchangeable 22mm bands available for all CZ Smart watches in bracelet, mesh, leather, and silicone, you can dress your CZ Smart watch for any occasion and make the most out of every moment. The Smarter Smartwatch: CZ Smart features the new proprietary wellness app YouQ built using research pioneered by NASA’s Ames Research Center and AI Models built with IBM Watson Studio. YouQ helps wearers maximize their daily potential by learning the wearer’s unique Chronotype and rhythms. YouQ computes HR, SP02, fitness activity, sleep data, and alert scores to offer the wearer a personalized 24-hour forecast of alertness. Aggregating data over time will enable CZ Smart YouQ to cater to wearers personally allowing them to understand their body’s natural rhythms. Meet your self-care advisor: CZ Smart YouQ provides the wearer a daily, brief, and gamified Alert Monitor, designed based on NASA’s PVT+ (Psychomotor Vigilance Task Test), a test used by astronauts to measure alertness. Only CZ Smart YouQ uses Alert Monitor scores and sleep data to identify the wearer’s distinct Chronotype (are you a morning go-getter, steady achiever, high-energy hustler?). CZ Smart YouQ helps you stay on track with an Hourly Power Score, an indicator of your cognitive and physical energy at a particular moment and offers Power Fixes to mitigate the effects of fatigue and improve alertness so the user can optimize themselves for what’s ahead. You may have a napuccino or liquid energy in your future. Preloaded and ready-to-go: Citizen Connected works with phones running on the latest version of Android (excluding Go Edition and phones without Google Play Store) or iOS. Applications available via the Play Store include CZ Smart YouQ App, Google Fit, Strava, Spotify, YouTube Music, and Amazon Alexa. CZ Smart features 24+ hour battery life (varies based on usage) and achieves a full charge in just 40-minutes. Connections include Bluetooth (connect your headphones), Wi-Fi, GPS (head out for a run or hike and leave your phone behind), and NFC (make contactless payments). Sensors include Gyroscope, altimeter, barometer, accelerometer, heart rate sensor, SP02, ambient light sensor, so that you can track activity goals, heart rate monitor, cardio fitness tracking, steps, sleep, and more. Personalization, notifications, and more: The uniquely designed CZ Smart dials give hundreds of options to fully customize your watch face and receive the information you find most important. Stay focused all day while getting notifications on your watch for incoming calls, texts, emails and calendar notifications. The built-in speaker enables you to conveniently answer a call from your smartwatch. With Amazon Alexa built-in, CZ Smart makes it easy to tackle your daily tasks and organization. CZ Smart next generation: Citizen Connected works with phones running on the latest version of Android (excluding Go Edition and phones without Google Play Store) or iOS, 24+ hour battery life, Qualcomm 4100+ chipset, offering the user a seamless connection and quick response and screen changes.
Customer Rating
1
A Frustratingly Bad Sport Smartwatch
on June 1, 2023
Posted by: VADarkstar
I'm really unsure how a watch with this many problems made it to production. Citizen is offering this watch as a fully branded Citizen product and, supposedly, as a sports smartwatch to compete with established smartwatch brands.
As a Citizen product, it has an attractive default face but, as of my writing this, there are only a few face styles available and they mostly range from unimaginative to tacky. But all of the faces show the Citizen logo in its recognizable font.
The watch, itself, is pretty hefty (but I think that's the trend now for watches - especially sports smartwatches). It looks natural on my wrist, but I'm a big guy - but since it is described as "Unisex," I would recommend that anyone who is petite might want to try this on before considering a purchase.
I found that the initial setup and the navigation in general (both on the watch and in the associated application) are terribly unintuitive. Seriously, the navigation seems almost intentionally confusing. And I did not like the default settings for the watch and found that it needed a lot of additional setup for it to feel useful on my arm.
For my own use, I had to disable the lock screen on my watch because the numerical key-in for my PIN was so small that I always had problems unlocking the watch with my large fingers. And there was a strange delay between the visual acceptance of an entry and the haptic response to that entry - like two unrelated things were going on. In fact, I find there to be an annoyingly long delay between all phone phenomena (notifications, calls, etc.) and the associated alerts on the watch - and the haptic response always feels out-of-synch.
Surely the most important functionality for any sport smartwatch would be step counts. Even the cheapest fitness trackers (and my smartphone) can do an admirable job at this. But I have two gripes with this Citizen: I found the step counts to be VERY conservative relative to what my phone registers and to what an old Fitbit registers (easily counting 25% fewer steps regardless of activity), and for some unknown reason whenever I synch the watch with the application the number of steps is NEVER consistent between the two (and, oddly enough, the watch is the one that is not showing the full count!).
The battery life for this watch is abysmal. It should not be asking too much for the watch to last 24 hours between charges with reasonably full functionality. The watch will drop to reduced functionality to prevent full battery discharge before charging, but I have noticed that some of the reduced functions need to be re-initialized in settings to start up again (e.g. tilt-to-wake). And charging takes longer than I would like - I tend to charge the watch in the morning between waking and leaving for work and that is not always enough time to get back to 100%.
My last gripe is my biggest gripe - I can't believe they are even suggesting this is a sports watch much less marketing it as such. The precautions that come with this watch state that this watch is NON-water-resistant. It is not intended for ANY water-related use - even minor exposure to water (washing face, rain, etc.) ... definitely not swimming and general washing work, diving, etc. The only water hazard not listed is sweating.
This is NOT Citizen's first issuance of a smartwatch. They should have covered all of these problems before this watch came anywhere close to market.
Buyers beware.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Master your flow with the MX Keys S Combo Wireless Mouse and Keyboard — the ultimate combo that combines the power of the fluid, fast precision typing of MX Keys S Wireless Keyboard with the precise, fast scrolling experience of MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse.
Customer Rating
5
Amazing New Keyboard And Mouse
on May 26, 2023
Posted by: VADarkstar
Logitech has been making wireless devices for a long time and the basic functionality of a keyboard and mouse is guaranteed. And while I was skeptical about them releasing a new (and pricey) combo targeted to business consumers, I think their attention to details here makes this a desirable purchase.
The keyboard and mouse are both rechargeable - that's the new normal. Their specs indicate that both should last for "months" on a full charge - even lasting a couple months would be great but there is always the risk of downtime if one of the devices is at the end of a charge. For my current working setup, there would be downtime if I suddenly needed AA batteries and had none in the house. So...not a fault, but a caveat.
The keyboard is solid and heavy. The keystrokes feel more like laptop keystrokes than what I consider to be standard keyboard keystrokes. But on this keyboard, the keystrokes are extremely fluid and noticeably more quiet than any keyboard I have ever used. So this keyboard is immediately comfortable to use and the noise reduction would be welcome to nearby coworkers (I am VERY heavy-handed).
These can be connected to devices by Bluetooth or by the included "logi bolt" (dongle receiver). You can switch between three devices simply after some initial intuitive setup. It is interesting that Logitech is emphasizing these as input devices for phones (I am not phone-centered for any long form input but I understand how these could be very useful for people who live and die by their phone).
But it's this new mouse that makes this combo an incredible business investment. I have been using Logitech's M720 Triathlon for a long time now and have loved it. The new Logitech MX Master 3S here makes my beloved older mouse seem almost quaint. The left and right mouse buttons are ultra-quiet here and the scroll wheel transitions beautifully between very tactile single line movement and lightening-fast scrolling with a spin (Logitech claims you can scroll 1000 lines per second - I can't verify that figure but the scrolling is absurdly fast).
But there are two additional features of this mouse that make it business savvy. The MX Master 3S has a (programmable) thumb wheel whose default programming is for horizontal scrolling - anyone who has ever navigated a mammoth spreadsheet should immediately understand the utility of this feature. And the thumb "rest" is also a button that you can press to bring up all of your open applications (very smart). Logitech has chosen excellent defaults for the buttons which can be changed within specific applications using their software - astounding!
As advertised, the mouse is extremely responsive on all surfaces, even slick or shiny surfaces.
I have only two odd gripes with this system. There is a wrist rest included with the combo that I would normally welcome, but this one is thin to the point of being worthless. And the tiny USB "logi bolt" receiver can't be stored in either the keyboard or mouse when not in use (in recent Logitech battery operated mice, you could store your little USB receiver inside the mouse next to the battery).
This is pricey but beautiful and useful - an excellent business investment.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
The Swann Master-Series 4K HD 4 Dome Camera 8 Channel NVR CCTV camera security system is sure to give you peace of mind from every angle. Protect your loved ones & property with this multi-camera, wired surveillance system with everything you need to do-it-yourself or have it professionally installed. Be safe & confident as Swann outdoor home security cameras (camaras de seguridad para casa exterior) have you covered. A perfect home security system (camaras de seguridad inalambricas). See what's happening with digitally enhanced upscaling technology that provides 4K camera resolution & zoom - you won't miss a thing. Know what’s happening at any hour with powerful night vision up to 130ft in total darkness. Add 2 more home camera system (camaras de seguridad para casa) via PoE connections for full 8 channel monitoring. Enjoy local recording onto the massive 2TB hard drive with no fees ever, store months of recordings before it starts saving over older footage. Cut the cost of crime & know what’s happening with this 6 camera security system (6 camaras de seguridad) to suit large homes, offices, small businesses & retail stores. Actively prevent crime as heat & motion trigger sensor lights, mobile alerts & video recordings. Enjoy hands-free security using voice commands. Stream video from your camera via Hey Google & Chromecast, Google Home Hub, or via Alexa devices with a screen, such as Echo Spot, Echo Show or 4K Fire TV. The Master-Series weatherproof design is IP66 rated, meaning they are built to withstand rain, snow & heat, all year round. The Master-Series includes a NVR-8580 8 Channel IP NVR security system with 2TB Hard Drive, NHD-876MSD Dome Cameras security camera outdoor (x4) also can be used as indoor security camera, Cat5e Ethernet Cable x 5 (60ft/18m x 6 & 3ft/1m x 1), HDMI Cable, Power Adapter, Mouse, Mounting Screws & Plugs, Quick Start Guide and Theft Deterrent Stickers. Note: For outdoor camera wireless, please contact Swann team for support. Wireless cameras for home security & wifi camera can be found at Swann's main website.
Posted by: VADarkstar
This new offering from Sawnn varies only minimally from their previous camera release. Most specifications are indistinguishable.
Physically, these new cameras have a new mounting system where the camera, itself, functions as the ball in the ball-and-socket mounting. This is a departure from more tripod-like mountings where the camera was fully attached to a mount that had its own ball-and-socket (-ish) system for adjustment. The new mounting system is more difficult to mount and more cumbersome to use. A terrible decision for the physical manipulation of the camera. An immediate turnoff.
The biggest plus in Swann's new designs is using an ethernet cable to carry both power and signal so that these wired cameras can be installed using a single included 60' cable. Older versions required using separate power and signal cables - for outdoor installations that created a nightmare installation scenario.
Setup on the console is easy but clunky. The OS and interface look like something that hasn't been updated in 20 years. Navigation is not intuitive. And the console does not support keyboards - so your (required) password has to be entered by mouse clicks. That means using a secure password creates an immediate complication for the USER.
Swann's smartphone app presents a MUCH better interface for the console than the console presents by itself. But for immediate surveillance, I would always choose to view the huge monitor on my console rather than my very capable but hand-sized smartphone.
The last camera system released by Swann had something they called "color night vision" that I was never able to understand. This new system has better B&W/infrared detection than its predecessor but both systems give unusable night vision at more than about 25' (Swann advertises these cameras as having night vision in total darkness at 130'). Motion detection and thermal sensing in these cameras seem responsive as advertised - but useful imaging in low light is restricted to objects close to the cameras.
For what it's worth: over the lengthy time I was reviewing these cameras, one of the four cameras stopped working altogether. That seems like a bad thing.
So....I have a lot of gripes about many peripheral issues with this system and these cameras. But the fundamental problem I have with this system (and with their last release) is with the camera resolution. Video quality is advertised as 4K but it is actually UPSCALED video - lower resolution video that has been processed to present itself as 4K video. In all of my tests here, the video I recorded looked very nice for objects at close range and objects at a distance were rendered terribly. However Swann is choosing to upscale their video input, it seems to smooth out moving objects close to the camera but it blurs objects at a distance. There seems to be a rapid drop-off in quality after about 25' or so. As such, I think these cameras aren't going to be very useful outside. Inside a building (home or business) where the camera is covering a shorter defined range, these cameras will be better able to render useful information. Using them outside, I found them able to detect motion and heat, but mostly unable to render usable information about that motion.
The console and cameras are disappointing throughout.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
This new generation of the home line-up has an even wider soundstage than its predecessor, re-engineered for a more immersive experience. This new generation has tweeters angled outwards and updated waveguides to deliver a consistently solid sound that is so wide it chases you around the room. Experience a balanced sound, with crisp, soaring treble and controlled, rumbling bass. Built-in Dynamic Loudness adjusts the tonal balance of the sound, ensuring your music sounds brilliant at every volume, while Placement Compensation corrects for any nearby reflective surfaces that may affect the sound. Marshall has taken its signature rock ’n’ roll home speaker line-up and given it a stripped-back look that makes a loud statement. Its iconic design knocks all other speakers off the shelf. Generation III is ready for the future of Bluetooth technology and has been built to deliver next-generation Bluetooth features the moment they are available. Over 55 years of sound knowledge is combined with future-proof technology to completely immerse you in your music.
Customer Rating
5
A Design Without Flaw For Me
on May 13, 2023
Posted by: VADarkstar
The earlier Marshall Action II was my pandemic work speaker - and I have nothing but praise for it. Marshall took an interesting approach with these speakers. They packed a separate woofer and amp with twin high-range speakers with their own amp into a sturdy and heavy and well-built enclosure with a rear port to help articulate the low notes.
I believe these speakers are, technically, stereophonic....but that isn't how they excel. Their mark of excellence is how they provide a uniform sound response that accurately presents the source material. For every imaginable musical type, my old Action II gave me a perfect representation of the source.
But this Stanmore III system takes everything to another level.
For people considering a home/work speaker, this is large and heavy speaker system with a direct AC plugin (no external power supply). It does not support battery operation. It accepts input from Bluetooth, Aux, and RCA.
Many Bluetooth devices suffer from terrible sound transmission and from unwelcome Bluetooth artifacts in the sound. Bluetooth transmission here is outstanding. Full and rich bass with crystal clear high notes and without any noticeable distortions (within acceptable Bluetooth range). Direct connection to this device by Aux or RCA improves sound and equalization to some extent, but I can't stress enough how amazing the Bluetooth reproduction of sound is!
Because this device is able to reproduce source materials faithfully, it can actually point out aggressive recording equalization that you might find offensive (same problem I have had with the best over-the-ear noise-cancelling headphones on the market). A good speaker can serve to amplify poor source material. So because all music (that I have listened to) sounds accurately presented, I should warn you that music whose source is poorly or unevenly captured will be amplified accordingly.
The Stanmore III does include knobs to adjust bass and treble response. But unlike with old stereophonic systems whose knobs could assert aggressive controls, these controls (more appropriately) allow the listener to adjust the equilibrium of sound to better suit their specific musical tastes. They allow you to contour rather than force.
These speakers can be VERY loud but they are able to produce volume without adding distortion.
Again: while these speakers produce output that is, technically, stereophonic, they produce sound that is more valuable than stereo effects alone can provide. Marshall's Stanmore IIIs drive-out a uniform and velvety sound that is clear at all volumes.
The best way to judge any audio system is by how it is able to push-out bass notes at low volumes. And with this unit, even at a distance, you are aware that it is pushing-out air to articulate the lowest bass notes. Incredible. I listened to many styles of music while I was evaluating this speaker and I loved everything I heard.
The first track of classical music I chose was something I knew would hit the bass notes strongly (the intermezzo from Prokofiev's second piano concerto) - and sitting next to the speaker, I could feel the bass projected onto my arm like a breeze and it gave me goosebumps.
Goosebumps always gets five stars and the most enthusiastic recommendation!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
VADarkstar's Review Comments
VADarkstar has not submitted comments on any reviews.
VADarkstar's Questions
VADarkstar has not submitted any questions.
VADarkstar's Answers
VADarkstar has not submitted any answers.