VADarkstar's stats
- Review count222
- Helpfulness votes833
- First reviewAugust 22, 2014
- Last reviewMay 12, 2024
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- Average rating4
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Orbi Whole Home WiFi System delivers up to 3.0Gbps high-performance WiFi. Sleek, modern design with high-gain internal antennas for up to 5,000 square feet of coverage. FastLane3 Technology creates a dedicated Tri-Band WiFi for seamless 4K streaming and gaming everywhere in your home. Keep a single WiFi name for uninterrupted connections as you move from room-to-room. Circle Smart Parental Controls runs on Orbi Routers for a smart way for families to manage content and time online, on any connected device. Provide internet access to guests without sharing your personal network password. Orbi is ready right out of the box and compatible with your ISP. Just use the Orbi app to get started with better WiFi, everywhere in minutes.
Customer Rating
5
A Powerful System for Uniformly Strong WiFi
on September 22, 2016
Posted by: VADarkstar
from Portsmouth, VA
The Orbi WiFi system is being marketed as a means to end those pesky dead spots in your home. And, to make a long story short, it surely does that at the very least. The package comes with a base router unit and a matching satellite unit - once they have been setup and synchronized, they operate throughout their combined ranges as if there were a single unit. And the satellite unit provides ports for four ethernet connections - the satellite acts like part of a wired router.
Superficially, these units break the recent pattern of marketing bigger, bulkier routers with more and more antennas (antennas have never done anything to help me get better wireless distribution in my house). The Orbi’s are simple white ovaloids that manage to hustle signals around like a boss without looking like a bulked-up spider.
The “Quick Start Guide” is sufficient for the simplest setup options - which were all I needed. There is a 100 page comprehensive manual online that appears to be well organized and well written - it outlines a ton of setup options that go far beyond what I understand - from my naive point of view, though, it looks like the units are highly configurable (and Netgear’s router setup utility is organized and very intuitive).
The only real selling point for any wireless system, though, should be its ability to communicate. The number of bars you see don’t tell you anything valuable about communication - I can connect to my old signal and my new Orbi signal from two houses down but communication isn’t too spiffy down there. What was really a selling point, though, what the difference the Orbi satellite made in the bedroom of my home - my own annoying dead spot. I attached (below) screen-grabs from SpeedTest.net scans before/after Orbi during a peak usage time - with Orbi in my room, the download speed is showing at about 10x the download speed I was getting with my old wireless router. SpeedTest might not be a perfect tool for comparisons, but it’s probably a tool many people are familiar with (I use WiFi Scanner on my MacBook Air and it’s consistently showing download speeds with Orbi of nearly 175 Mbps which is closer to the advertised actual speeds from my ISP).
I only have three issues with the Orbi system: (1) it took me a while to get the units synchronized and operational during the initial setup because there was a firmware mismatch between the units that I didn’t notice during setup - these are not plug-and-play units and I probably have gotten less attentive in my old age but I find it strange that the units shipped with conflicting firmwares, (2) the status of the synchronization is communicated through confusing colors and patterns of LED lights coming from the rings on top of the units - for example the LED’s will always pulse magenta during the synchronization process but solid magenta means that the satellite is too far from the base unit - why would you show an interim color that matches the color used to indicate a problem, & (3) the only post-setup problem I experienced was caused by my satellite losing synchronization with the base unit - all of my computers closest to the base unit were fine but my computer close the the satellite was freaking out about certificates and refused to resolve web pages - it would have been helpful if the units had lit-up again to indicate the synchronization had been broken - it took me a long time to figure out why one computer would suddenly refuse to work with the Orbi’s.
I’ll add one additional petty observation - both the “Quick Start Guide” and the official “Manual” show the base unit as having a BLUE top to differentiate it from the satellite unit which has a white top - I just noticed that in the manual this morning and I had to check the units in bright light to notice the difference - the top of the base unit is the lightest blue that can technically be called blue.
But back to performance - I’ve never seen any download speeds over about 25 Mbps on my remote laptop here - with the Orbi satellite here, I’m showing rates that are consistently around 150 Mbps. I don’t even get communication like that right next to my old router.
My Best Buy number: 2825908561
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Make driving routines more enjoyable with this OverDryve car system. Its voice assistant capabilities let you read and send text messages by command and also play music in your car without taking your hands off the wheel. The built-in dash cam of this OverDryve car system lets you record trips and capture every moment on the road.
Customer Rating
5
Beautiful GPS With Some Fine Other Features
on September 20, 2016
Posted by: VADarkstar
from Portsmouth, VA
This Rand McNally OverDryve is an awesome GPS and atlas unit that is advertised as bringing "luxury car features to any car” - and, for the most part, that’s a pretty good description of what it does. So aside from the directional assistance, the unit also serves as a reasonable tablet and media system. The unit is clearly optimized for its mapping and GPS features and the other features aren’t as speedy as they would be on an actual tablet - but if you want something that is primarily a tablet, you should buy a tablet - this is, first and foremost, a GPS. But on road trips, the unit should be great for simple computing tasks (browsing / audio / video).
The GPS function works beautifully on OverDryve - and that’s its primary function. The screen is large and clear - the physical unit is solid and indelicate. Vehicular movement is rendered seamlessly - directions are given clearly. In some ways it’s like every GPS unit except larger (and with added functionality). So I don’t know how to review GPS itself - with this unit, it’s about the presentation of the GPS and it looks and feels great (but the functionality underlying everything is not unlike every other GPS - it’s just the top of the line in terms of size and clarity, though).
The unit mounts either on your dashboard or, using a suction cup, to your windshield. The GPS/computing unit attaches by way of a “Smart Mount” using strong magnets - you can attach the unit to the mount without even looking (the magnets are that strong).
Back to those “luxury car features” - the unit is designed to synch using Bluetooth to your smartphone. I don’t own a smartphone but it synched up perfectly with my cheap flip phone and I was able to make and answer calls just like the iPhone crowd! The only feature I couldn’t use with my cheap phone was the one that would read text messages to you as a handsfree texting option - I assume that would work seamlessly with a smartphone, though.
Bluetooth is a strong feature with this unit in general. The “Entertainment” feature on the unit allows for music to be played through your car stereo in three different ways - using an aux jack and a bluetooth link, using an aux jack and files from a microSD or USB source, and using your FM radio (the unit will transmit!). Music played through bluetooth had very little distortion - the sound really wasn’t bad at all - so the bluetooth hookup is great but of course there is always some loss when you transmit.
I tried transmitting music over FM to the radio but was less impressed (but it provides a viable option for people with older automobiles without an aux input on the stereo). And moving away from the bluetooth option, I had a couple other problems that showed some weaknesses in the system. For example: when I inserted a 16 Gb microSD card, the unit took nearly 3 minutes to read the card and render the album and artist information to play music directly from the unit - and each time the power cycled, it had to re-read the card - that’s very annoying. Also, when the unit is mounted, you have to use the aux jack on the mount to play your music and when I tried playing music directly from files, I noticed that the “Smart Mount” unit picked up a TON of engine noise (it picked up enough engine noise that I would never consider playing files directly from the unit).
A couple other things to note before closing my comments out. The unit has surprisingly good front-facing and rear-facing cameras - you can use the unit as a dash camera if you like - and it takes much better pictures and video than I would have expected. A pleasant surprise. I also thought the unit had excellent wifi capabilities (in tablet mode). Finally, there is a way to link the device to engine monitoring tools (I believe they also communicate via bluetooth) - for people who love to be in touch with every running aspect of their engine.
If you’ve never owned a GPS before or if you might need some hand-holding getting app’s setup on a device then you should know that the documentation for OverDryve ranges from minimal to nonexistent. You get an attractive quick setup guide with the unit but it's not too helpful. The http://www.randmcnally.com website has a FAQ page but no link to an extensive manual. I have never owned any GPS unit before and it took me a while to figure out how to change the primary viewing angle (it was as easy as touching the compass direction on the screen - apparently that’s what you do on all GPS units - who knew?). It also took me a LONG time to figure out how to move from the main GPS and other functions screen to the screen with the tablet functionality - it was as simple as swiping left but it would have never occurred to me to do that.
The OverDryve unit is a great traveling companion as long as you have reasonable expectations. Again, the GPS and atlas features are gorgeous and responsive - the guidance and direction features are smooth. Many of the additional features are surprisingly well implemented (once you realize that the machine is optimized for the GPS features). And even though some of the implementations were clunky or faulty, I have a hard time being mad at the unit - Rand McNally went a long way to make an attractive unit that gives people some nice GPS first and adds those "luxury car features to any car” second.
My Best Buy number: 2825908561
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Nothing puts a vacuum to the test quite like a home with pets. That's why the BISSELL® Pet Hair Eraser® was developed from the ground up by pet parents for pet parents. Whether it's shedding season for your dog or your cat tracks kitty litter all over the house, this revolutionary vacuum is designed to make cleaning up after pets and the people who love them a breeze—from beginning to end. Say goodbye to hair wrap with its Tangle-Free Brush Roll, remove embedded hair everywhere with specialized pet tools, help capture allergens and eliminate odors with the SmartSeal™ Allergen System, and when you're finished cleaning, enjoy a hands-free tank empty with our patented Cyclonic Spooling System™.BR>
Customer Rating
5
Solid Machine - Excellent Performance
on August 25, 2016
Posted by: VADarkstar
from Portsmouth, VA
This BISSELL joins a ton of other vacuums on the Pet Hair Eraser® bandwagon - but I don't really need something out of the ordinary for my pet. Don’t get me wrong, I have a golden retriever that sheds like crazy, but to me, the hair is just like any other debris. One of the selling points for this particular vacuum is a newfangled beater brush that isn’t supposed to be burdened by long hair but golden retriever hair isn’t long enough to be a problem. Might have added value for people with long-haired pets.
It also tries to find its place in the heavy-duty vacuum market ruled by Dysons and Hoover Wind Tunnels. I think the BISSELL is better. I hate Dyson vacuum cleaners - their pivoting ball thing may look like a great selling point in a commercial but if you try one out, you’ll see that it is bulky and badly made. There are better and more balanced pivoting vacuums on the market and this BISSELL is one of them. The Wind Tunnels are very nice (I like them more than the Dysons) - but the pivoting mechanism in the Hoovers seem a little weak too.
The design for this BISSELL is very strong. Components lock firmly and unlock easily and feel very well made - the canister releases and empties easily. The BISSELL also has a 15A motor which outflanks the Dysons and Hoovers - the suction on this machine is awesome. And even though the BISSELL is heavier, it is better balanced so it is easier to maneuver (which really surprised me). It only comes with two attachments: a small beater-brush tool and a crevice tool (there is also a brush attachment that is part of the wand - very clever). The crevice tool has a LED lamp at the tip to illuminate in front of the tool - I thought that was a little excessive until I used it! Pretty smart.
The only drawback that I see is superficial, but significant. None of the labels that come on the plastic parts of the vacuum peel off easily - they will require a ton of work (and Goo-Gone) to remove. While that doesn’t affect the functionality of the vacuum, I thought it was a ridiculous design oversight. Also: I’m not the biggest fan of “Cha-Cha Lime” for a color, but here we are.
This is my first adult vacuum and I am very impressed!
My Best Buy number: 2825908561
I would recommend this to a friend!
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1of 1voted this as helpful.
Safeguard your tablet with this Platinum PT-MUNS72B sleeve that features a nylon exterior for a durable defense against scrapes and scuffs. The zippered pouch provides storage for accessories.
Customer Rating
5
Does What It Is Supposed To Do Just Fine
on June 17, 2016
Posted by: VADarkstar
from Portsmouth, VA
Verified Purchase:Yes
It's a tablet sleeve. A tablet sleeve with a front pocket for a stylus or pen or whatever. I purchased this because there was no suitable cover for my little tablet. Trust me: A sleeve is a much better option for a tablet than generic case. It was cheap enough and the construction (materials and stitching) were better than I was expecting for the price.
My Best Buy number: 2825908561
My Best Buy number: 2825908561
I would recommend this to a friend!
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QuietComfort® 35 wireless noise cancelling headphones are engineered with world-class noise cancellation that makes quiet sound quieter and music sound better. Free yourself from wires and connect easily to your devices with Bluetooth® and NFC pairing. And enjoy up to 20 hours of wireless listening per battery charge.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation
on June 1, 2016
Posted by: VADarkstar
from Portsmouth, VA
These Bose QuietComfort 35 headphones provide a stellar alternative to using speakers or traditional headphones to listen to music. This is a bit of a lengthy review because I think it’s important to understand what you’re actually getting for the money here.
First of all, some basics. This is a wireless/Bluetooth headphones system with a fine operating range - I got uninterrupted reception throughout my house. They charge using a standard USB port (cable included). And even though they are intended for Bluetooth use, the case includes a cable with a standard 3.5 mm connector and an adapter designed so that these headphones can be used with airplane sound sources.
It was very easy to pair my devices with the headphones. As soon as I paired the headphones to my iPod for the first time, my iPod prompted me to install the appropriate Bose Connect app - pairing with an Android device was also simple but I needed to install the app myself. And it is worth noting that these headphones can be paired with two devices simultaneously and can remember 8 different devices for pairing overall. When the headphones are turned on, they pair with your devices automatically (and there’s a synthesized voice that speaks the name of the paired devices so clearly that it is still a bit jarring).
The headphones have two controls on the right earpiece (see photos). One control is a switch that turns the device on/off and can also activate a Bluetooth pairing signal. The other control includes volume up/down and has a multipurpose button that can be used to answer/ignore calls (when the device is paired with a Bluetooth phone) and to move forward or back tracks when playing music. Yes, the headphones act as a handsfree device for a phone!
But let’s get to the serious parts. The headphones are light but they feel very well made (not delicate). The pads that surround your ears are very comfortable and cut out a lot of exterior noise - but these headphones also include Bose’s active noise cancellation system - they electronically extract the noises on the outside of the headphones. Not reduce - extract! The noises that surround you vanish - you can be close enough to your vacuum to feel the vibrations, through the floor, in your body but you won’t hear the motor running - more importantly, you can fly on a plane and the headphones remove the engine noises from your listening environment. It is difficult to describe how well Bose’s electronic noise cancellation system works to someone who has never experienced it - it can’t kill-off 100% of loud noises but the amount it cancels feels more like sorcery than clever electronics. You lose awareness of your environment so suffice it to say that these headphones might not be suitable for someone who is easily startled - I would never consider wearing these while riding a bicycle in traffic. But they should be indispensable for frequent flyers. So through physical and electronic noise cancellation, these headphones isolate you from the world around you so you can focus on your listening experience.
And the listening experience is very, very nice! The mark of a great sound system is its ability to reproduce low frequency sounds clearly and cleanly at low volumes. And the sound in these headphones is surely clear and clean. Music comes across without discernible distortion from either the Bluetooth transmission or the internal amplification. High frequencies don't sound clipped and low frequencies are clear without sounding forced or muddy. And I can’t even remember the last time I was able to hear music in its full stereophonic glory without the distractions of the noise pollution that surrounds me at home and at work. It is difficult to quantify clarity but while listening to a recording of a piano concerto, there was a moment when just the pianist was playing very quietly and I could actually hear the movement of the dampers in the piano as she pedaled (for a moment, it sounded like the piano was breathing).
So….long story short….these sound great! They are made by Bose so I expected them to sound great - but the overall experience of listening to music with these headphones is tied-in with the noise cancellation technology. It’s a game changer. It allows you to listen to music in a quiet place by removing the noise and distractions that surround you. It isolates you so you can enjoy your music. The only downside: flaws in recorded music become annoyingly clear (distortion in the recording, loss from using bad compression rates for mp3’s, surface noise on records that you couldn't hear before over the air conditioning, etc.). And you need to be aware of your surroundings if you sing along with your music - since you can't really hear yourself, your singing volume can escalate pretty quickly.
Comes with a well-designed, protective case.
My Best Buy number: 2825908561
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+7points
7of 7voted this as helpful.
Easily remove tough soils from carpets and upholstery with this BISSELL SpotClean ProHeat 5207U handheld deep cleaner, which features Heatwave technology that utilizes hot water and cleaning solution to loosen difficult stains.
Customer Rating
5
Perfect Upholstery and Spot Cleaner
on May 27, 2016
Posted by: VADarkstar
from Portsmouth, VA
Verified Purchase:Yes
There are several different versions of this Bissell cleaner that are marketed to different tasks - I'm not convinced there are any substantial differences among them.
I bought this to take care of household accidents from a new puppy. I have a full-sized carpet cleaner but needed something smaller for spot cleaning. I'm very impressed by the flow of the cleaning fluid - and the extraction is strong enough to leave carpets and upholstery barely damp.
The unit has two canisters - one for a cleaning fluid and water mix - one for the dirty extraction. The cleaning canister is easy to fill and the extraction canister is easy to empty and clean. The cord is sufficiently long and the hose is long enough to provide adequate freedom of movement.
This device is perfect for the limited tasks it is designed for: spot cleaning and upholstery cleaning and freshening. Not worth buying if you don't have a specific need for it - it's not a general purpose cleaner. For what I needed, it worked perfectly and I'm very pleased with the unit.
My Best Buy number: 2825908561
My Best Buy number: 2825908561
I would recommend this to a friend!
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35of 35voted this as helpful.
Enjoy a compact tablet that fits neatly in your pocket with this Acer Iconia One 8-inch tablet. It includes a quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM that deliver powerful processing to play all your games and apps, and the 16GB of flash memory ensure this Acer Iconia One 8-inch tablet and store your files.
Customer Rating
5
Very Impressive Tablet
on May 19, 2016
Posted by: VADarkstar
from Portsmouth, VA
Although Acer is hyping the Iconia One 8 as a perfect family or kids tablet, I think they are underselling its capabilities. The market is flooded with tablets right now and there are a lot of bad choices available - but it’s hard to find any reasonable fault with this tablet.
I’m planning to use this primarily with the Kindle eBook application and for some browsing and maybe some Youtube away from home and this little 8" tablet is clear and fast on all counts. I had considered buying the new (cheap) Kindle Fire but I found its reaction times to be too slow - and the newer iPad minis with their Retina displays are mighty fine but they are fairly expensive (too expensive for a part-time reader and browser).
This is my first Android device - and Android has come a LONG way over the last several years. The operating system is intuitive and fast, the interface looks great, and the applications available are just about endless.
I think this is a great tablet.
Pros: Beautiful screen - clear and bright. Applications load and run very quickly. Browsing is much faster than on a Kindle. But the Kindle eBook application works beautifully on the Acer - and the dimensions of the screen are better for reading. Reasonably good 5MP camera with HDR capabilities (I love that setting!). Feels VERY sturdy and well built. Intuitive and easy to setup. And yes, Acer has made this tablet very kid-friendly (and, by extension, very parent-friendly). Multi-touch screen. MicroSD support for cards up to 128GB (otherwise the 16GB system memory might be restrictive). Excellent Bluetooth and Wi-Fi functionality.
Cons: Charging is slow-ish and the battery life is shorter than what you could expect on the new Kindle Fire and iPad mini (definitely not a deal breaker - charge it overnight). Also, this tablet is heavier than the new Kindle Fire and iPad Mini but it also feels less delicate than its competitors. Best Buy doesn’t have any custom protective cases for the Iconia and the cases available online are questionable (I decided to go with a sleeve).
My Best Buy number: 2825908561
I would recommend this to a friend!
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If you'd like to handle the installation yourself, there are some required parts you'll need. You can add them to your cart on the next screen.
Customer Rating
1
Never Again
on May 13, 2016
Posted by: VADarkstar
from Portsmouth, VA
Verified Purchase:Yes
I thought that it would take less time for Best Buy to install some simple retro-fitted car audio than it would take me to install it but I was wrong. If you're just starting to work on a car 90 minutes after the appointment time, then something is terribly wrong with your organization.
I left the installation having no confidence in their work. Two specific gripes: (1) they didn't even bother to set the clock on the new device to the correct local time, & (2) there was a remote control for the new receiver that was still in the box - I would have never thought to look in the box for a remote - it would have been thrown away if I hadn't dismantled the box for recycling (you'd think they would have removed the remote to install the battery and test it).
Interactions like this one are why I would never trust Geek Squad for computer matters. If Best Buy can't mount and wire the cheapest car stereo they sell, then I surely won't trust them for computer matters.
My Best Buy number: 2825908561
My Best Buy number: 2825908561
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+2points
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Create customized DVDs with this Apple® SuperDrive 8x external DVD±RW/CD-RW drive that features support for double-layer media, so you can easily back up your important files. The built-in USB cable ensures simple connectivity.
Customer Rating
5
Flawless Design And Operation
on May 13, 2016
Posted by: VADarkstar
from Portsmouth, VA
Verified Purchase:Yes
My Macbook Air is an astounding machine but it doesn't come with a CD/DVD drive. This wafer-thin drive is the epitome of plug-and-play. I can play DVD's locally now and can burn DVD's and CD's remarkably fast. Drives like this one separate the Mac devices from the PC devices!
And it supports double-media DVD's.
My Best Buy number: 2825908561
My Best Buy number: 2825908561
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Pioneer Car Stereo Receiver: Listen to your music collection in your vehicle with this car stereo receiver, which connects to your cell phone, MP3 player or other audio device via the front auxiliary input. You can also play CD, CD-R and CD-RW discs.Geek Squad® installation is strongly recommended for this product. Please visit your local Best Buy store for details.
Customer Rating
5
Perfect OEM Replacement Stereo!
on May 13, 2016
Posted by: VADarkstar
from Portsmouth, VA
Verified Purchase:Yes
I purchased this receiver and a replacement package for an ancient, defective receiver in my Chrysler van. The sound is really exquisite! Plenty of volume and clear as a bell.
I bought this unit to give me CD and Aux features - the radio is great, but I just don't listen to it much when I'm driving. I was really amazed by the sound that my OEM speakers could produce with a quality stereo. And the unit comes with a simple remote control - that wouldn't have been a selling point but now that I have it, I don't know how I could live without it!
My Best Buy number: 2825908561
My Best Buy number: 2825908561
I would recommend this to a friend!
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