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    118
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    December 7, 2014
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    January 30, 2017
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    August 30, 2021
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BenisJ's Reviews
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Only at Best BuyAnswer all your questions and share your playlist with this Insignia portable wireless speaker. Featuring Google Assistant, this compact speaker lets you search the internet or set your schedule with just the sound of your voice. Bluetooth compatibility on this Insignia portable wireless speaker allows sharing and casting to multiple devices, including phones, tablets and even other speakers.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Good entry-level home assistant speaker
on January 13, 2018
Posted by: BenisJ
from South Bend, IN
I have a few bluetooth speakers and even another "personal assistant." The Insignia Voice is probably the best priced for the quality and options. It is not the best sounding, nor is it the most feature rich or highest quality--HOWEVER, it is a very balanced, solid, beginner assistant/speaker. It has ample volume and average sound quality. It was easy to set up. It has responded to voice commands just fine. I have very few "smart home" systems to integrate but it pairs with my Chromecast and other Google Home technologies seamlessly. The battery life (rated 5hrs) isn't the best, but also not the worst. More importantly, it is priced well and is a safe bet for the beginner or a child that has been asking for a bluetooth smart speaker for the bedroom if you aren't willing to spend big bucks.
I bought the device primarily as an alarm clock to replace my old radio alarm. I like that I have a USB charging port option near my bed now. Once I figure out how to make the alarm play something other than the default alarm sound I'll be thrilled. It is nice to be able to ask Google a quick question first thing in the morning like "what is the weather like" or ask it to play some music to get me moving.
My Best Buy number: 0563993474
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Enhance your internet connection at home with this Ubiquiti AmpliFi HD Wi-Fi router system. Its mesh point technology provides powerful coverage and speeds of up to 5.25 Gbps for lag-free video communication, media streaming and gaming. This plug-and-play Ubiquiti AmpliFi HD Wi-Fi router system includes two mesh point devices for expanded coverage and to strengthen weak spots.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Better than average
on December 27, 2017
Posted by: BenisJ
from South Bend, IN
Verified Purchase:Yes
I put this system in a 2-story 3000 sq ft "Frank Lloyd Wright" style home with concrete construction. Due to the time period this house was built, all utilities (including cable) enter the property at the ground level which, for half of the home, sits below ground level. Consequently the our wifi base has to live in "the basement"--a less than ideal location--as there is no direct pathway for ethernet or rg6 (coax cable) to get to the upper level of the house.
We bought the Amplifi because if it's "high density technology" and the positive ratings it received for coverage in structures like ours. We did see coverage improvement over our older model access points especially between floors directly above the base station. Our antennas are placed at a distance labeled "good" by the phone app (i.e. 4-5 bars). Again, limited by the construction of the home (i.e. no power outlets in the hallways due to hallways housing closets and storage) our antenna placement is not quite ideal, but adequate. We did notice that devices connecting through the antennas rather than the base unit had speed tests significantly lower (35mbps vs. 100+mbps) than those connected to the base station, however, the speeds through the antennas are fine for our needs.
The phone app is helpful post setup to monitor speeds and connectivity. We did find some devices falling off the network for unknown reasons. In an attempt to fix that we changed the device optimization to "media" (from "normal") and for whatever reason performance and connectivity improved for those devices (mostly phones and tablets). Additionally, the app provides you with detailed info about devices connecting to your network (or your "guest network" if activated) and allows you to pause connections for all or select devices. Lastly, you can set the network up without the app according to the vendor, however, I did not explore that option.
I feel like the Ubiquiti Amplifi was a bit over-hyped but at the same time, it is a significant improvement from our former wifi router/access point configuration (4 yrs old) and works in our hard-to-cover property.
My Best Buy number: 0563993474
My Best Buy number: 0563993474
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+6points
8of 10voted this as helpful.
 
Re-create the movie theater experience with this BenQ projector. It provides 2200 lumens to deliver a 15,000:1 contrast ratio even in bright rooms, and it produces 1920 x 1080 HD resolution to capture every detail of a scene. This BenQ projector has dual HDMI ports, so you can connect HD devices.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Good picture, good price, weak audio
on November 20, 2017
Posted by: BenisJ
from South Bend, IN
If you research this product and read some of the professional reviews you'll see that the BenQ HT1070A is a significant improvement from its predecessor, but if you didn't have the predecessor that means very little. The things that matter most are going to boil down to screen resolution, connectivity options, ease of setup, and video/audio quality.
Although marketed to the "home theater" user, I unboxed and tested the BenQ HT1070A in a conference room at the office with average blinds on a sunny day. I was pleased that the HT1070A still threw enough light at our screen to provide a very bright and clear picture for this medium, 10-15 person conference room.
After putting some text on the screen from my laptop (the BenQ has dual HDMI ports, a VGA port and a "yellow" RCA port to connect video) I switched on Netflix to test a movie and audio. Both text and movie images were clear even in the back of the room with minimal washout even in my poorly darkened environment. However...the onboard audio was weak at best. Given the advances in audio you'd think someone would make the speakers a bit more robust and louder but they don't. BenQ is no different with their lackluster 2W internal speakers. I understand most home theater users will incorporate this into a larger home audio system but if you plan on using the BenQ HT1070A as a standalone projector that pushes audio, this will not work well for you.
Inputs include 2 HDMI and VGA which cover about 90% of your connectivity needs, however, it would be nice if there was a USB-C option or the ability to pair via a casting method such as Chromecast.
The menu on the projector is simple to operate and the remote control quickly gets you into "advanced" menu options should you need them. Menu screens are easy to read and navigate. There is a "quick mute" feature to blank the screen and sound. Multiple picture modes as well for those who like to play with "Bright, Vivid, Cinema, Games and User" modes. Vivid was fine across the board for me. In fact, I took the default settings out of the box and was happy. The only thing I had to tweak was the focus and keystone.
The BenQ HT1070A also comes with a "Wall Color" setting in the event you are projecting onto a non-white wall.
"Auto" settings to identify inputs worked well. Powering off requires the traditional "double-tap" of the off button and a brief (maybe 30 seconds?) cooling off before you should unplug the device. Startup was fairly normal--about 30 seconds until the screen was fully illuminated.
Even with the cool down, I was surprised at how hot to the touch the projector got compared to others I have used. I am a bit concerned that this model may have sacrificed dampened fan sound (this model is very quiet) in favor of higher operating temperatures. All the heat, however, was limited to one side of the projector--specifically the front bottom left (behind the BenQ logo).
To recap...
Pros: Brightness, colors, contrast, clarity, 2 HDMI inputs (plus RCA video, VGA, serial port, 3.5mm audio in/out, and microUSB), 480i-1080p HDTV compatibility, quiet operation, price
Cons: Weak audio, very hot, no native USB-C/bluetooth/wifi/cast connectivity
This would be a very good projector for the first timer looking to set up a home theater (assuming the built-in speakers are never needed).
(Note: Pictures included in this review aren't indicative of the projector quality, rather they are to emphasize the projector brightness in a fairly well lit room.)
My Best Buy number: 0563993474
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Request songs and initiate searches from Alexa with this Ultimate Ears BLAST wireless speaker. Its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity let you access the internet, make voice commands and take calls without stopping the music you’re streaming. The 360-degree profile and full-range drivers of this Ultimate Ears BLAST wireless speaker produce big, dynamic sound for your music.
 
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Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
Average sound, stylish design
on November 15, 2017
Posted by: BenisJ
from South Bend, IN
The goal with any speaker should be quality sound before anything else. I have another, smaller UE bluetooth speaker that delivers better all-around sound than the Blast. The Blast gets plenty loud but the sound is not very full. Very little bass and the higher end sounds are a bit tinny.
The app seemed easy enough to setup...until it kept failing to complete the mandatory software update for my UE Blast out of the box. There was no skip option so in order to connect it to the wifi I had to muscle through the update. It took 3 tries. Even though it warned me not to turn off the device during the update, I had no choice. Nonetheless, eventually it updated and I was able to use Alexa. If you are a heavy "Alexa do this and that" person then the Blast is pretty cool even if the sound isn't great.
I paired the Blast with my phone and my laptop. It continued to play music as long as I left my music player open on the laptop. I paused music and left the office for a while and the device shut off (likely when my computer went into standby mode). When I wanted to ask Alexa something I had to hit the on button and let it connect to wifi again. I had planned on keeping this unit in my kitchen. Having to tap the Blast to turn it on and wait for the wifi might get old fast. It is not as fast asking Google or Siri on your phone. And if you want to play music by speaking a command, for now you have to rely on the Amazon music system ("Alexa play some hiphop" will play music from Amazon while "Alexa play my mellow jazz Spotify mix" will do nothing--but you can launch Spotify and bluetooth the stream to the speaker).
The design is very stylish. It is basically an oversized pop can. Imagine a 16oz beverage can and you pretty much have the Blast in size and weight. I like the stylish lines, oversized buttons, and fabric mesh wrap. HOWEVER...the device needs to be set upside down if you want to charge it and keep it vertical. The USB (micro, not C) cable is included in the box as well as a wall charger but because of the design, you cannot plug the cable into the bottom and stand the Blast upright unless you flip it upside down--essentially charging from the top. The hook is also on the bottom of the speaker.
To recap, sound quality less than spectacular, average at best. Loud enough. Stylish design with some flaws. Alexa is cool. I had some app setup issues but that may be a one-time thing. Either way it was resolved after some restarts. This product is just "meh" for me.
My Best Buy number: 0563993474
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+4points
6of 8voted this as helpful.
 
Completely customize your Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat to match your lifestyle and decor. The ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostat lets you choose the temperature, schedule, display color and the devices you use to control it all.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Easy install, easy interface
on November 7, 2017
Posted by: BenisJ
from South Bend, IN
The Honeywell Smart Color Thermostat with Wi-Fi was a nice upgrade from my 20 yr old programmable thermostat (the kind with the liquid crystal display that lets you set weekday and weekend schedules).
I have only 2 "cons" with this device. The first is with the person who installed my previous thermostat wire--so that is not Honeywell's fault. I only had a 4-wire thermostat wire. I was prepared to replace it with 5-wire as the existing wire is exposed through my basement all the way up until the last 4' before the thermostat where it is in the wall and apparently stapled to a stud a million times.
Fortunately Honeywell has VERY GOOD instructions with online videos telling you how to make a 4-wire thermostat wire work with this device. Installation was easy. ADVICE: PULL YOUR OLD THERMOSTAT OFF THE WALL FIRST AND SEE WHAT KIND OF WIRING YOU HAVE BEFORE PURCHASING. ALSO, CHECK YOUR SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE IT IS COMPATIBLE. Use this link to guide you: https://yourhome.honeywell.com/en/general-pages/wi-fi-programmable-thermostat-home-compatibility
As for the con Honeywell could have addressed: No backup battery. I suppose since all the programming is controlled via the web, power loss won't affect the controls. (I tested this by killing power to the furnace. When power was restored, the thermostat rebooted with all the settings I expected.) However, when the power is out you won't know the temperature of your home. The display goes dark.
Daily program options break down to 4 different times of day: WAKE, LEAVE, RETURN, SLEEP. You can customize each day of the week either via the thermostat, the web interface, or a phone app. Setting up those schedules is very easy. Times are broken into 15 minute increments.
The thermostat has the typical TEMP HOLD options (until "next program" kicks in or "indefinitely") and a VACATION option. All of these can be done at the thermostat or via app. You can pick from a number of color screens to help match your display to your wall color if you want. You can also adjust the brightness of the screen.
All-in-all I am very pleased with this unit. It will be nice to be able to adjust temps at home whenever we are away from the house for extended periods of time. It would be super cool if the thermostat could automatically detect when someone is in the house (or on the way home) but until that day comes, Honeywell gives you all the necessary controls at your fingertips to monitor and schedule your heating/cooling remotely by phone or computer.
My Best Buy number: 0563993474
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Listen to your playlist in peace with these Sony headphones. They have a 40mm dome driver to deliver the full depth of audio, and the noise cancelling feature minimizes outside disturbances for a better listening experience. These Sony headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours for extended jam sessions.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Impressive Noise Canceling
on October 23, 2017
Posted by: BenisJ
from South Bend, IN
The Sony WH1000XM2/B excel at noise canceling (NC). I have owned 2 other high-end noise canceling headphones (one pair in-ear, the other over-ear) and can say that the Sony WH1000XM2 noise canceling feature beats them both hands down.
Out of the box with no tweaking, the noise canceling is very good and the audio is above average but not spectacular. As a general rule of thumb, I usually avoid the apps that everyone pushes with electronics these days, but because I thought I could get more out of these headphones, I installed the app. THE APP MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE! Most notably, the NC optimizer tool in the app will fine tune NC based on your current environment. For me, that environment was atop a riding lawnmower on a breezy Sunday afternoon. With the engine idling fairly high, I optimized and was able to trim what I would estimate as another 50% of the ambient noise from my ears. The audio felt a bit muddy as a result so I again used the app to tweak the EQ and activated the "atmospheric pressure" tool. I was able to find a nice balance that added crispness to the treble, power to the vocals, and body to the bass--and was able to eliminate some of that "underwater" feeling created by the soft, sealed fit of the muffs.
As for the design and fit of the headphones, I found them very comfortable and fairly lightweight compared to my other cans. The muffs naturally cancel out a lot of surrounding sound so if you are just in a library or at home on the couch there is no real need to turn on NC.
The right ear controls the headphones. There are physical power on/off and NC on/off buttons on the right muff. The surface of the right muff also acts as a "touchscreen" to control settings like pause, mute, volume up/down, track forward/backward, answer phone, etc. The controls are simple enough to remember. I have, however, used similar headphones that have been a bit more responsive to the touch. Nonetheless, the feature works and the commands are easy to remember.
My ears did get a bit sweaty outdoors in relatively low humidity and 70*F air temp after about 30-45 minutes of tooling around on my tractor.
The storage/carrying pouch is rigid which adds a little extra protection to your headphones when throwing them in a purse, backpack, suitcase, etc. I am a bit concerned that these headphones will crack on me at some point if I am not careful or if I let the kids borrow them. I have used others that feel more sturdy (and also heavier). If you are prone to breaking things you might want to keep that under consideration.
Battery life is rated at 30 hours w/ noise canceling, 40 w/o. Those are good numbers that I cannot vouch for as I will likely never go that long without throwing them on a charger. Speaking of chargers, there isn't one included with these headphones. You get the case, an airplane adapter, and a cable for the "wired" experience.
Overall these are very good overall headphones and come in at a price below similar high-end cans. Packed with features and technology--and noise canceling that sets the bar for its class--you cannot go wrong with the Sony WH-1000XM2. And remember, INSTALL THE APP as it will improve the experience immensely.
My Best Buy number: 0563993474
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Control access to your garage with this Chamberlain MyQ Garage smart hub. It connects to your Wi-Fi router and lets you remotely control guest access for your existing garage door opener via the MyQ app. This Chamberlain MyQ Garage smart hub pairs with devices for seamless integration with lighting and security cameras.
 
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Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
At least I get piece of mind...
on October 22, 2017
Posted by: BenisJ
from South Bend, IN
I found the instructions very confusing and even contradictory between the printed instructions and the online instructions. I definitely spent more time configuring the MyQ than I did installing it. (Installation is simple: two screws for the base unit up on my garage ceiling, velcro strips on my garage door for the "clicker" component.)
It took several attempts to get my device connected to the internet (and yes, you must create an account with Chamberlain and tie it into your email). Getting the MyQ device to discover my wifi was no problem. The challenge came with figuring out the instructions on how to get the device an IP address so that I could start using the app to pair it with my Genie garage door system. I really should give this product one-star based on the horrible instructions and my level of frustration, but once you finally power through the setup and configuration, it *should* do what it claims it will do: monitor your garage door status and allow you to open your garage door via smartphone. I managed to get the MyQ to OPEN my Genie 2042 (on the COMPATIBLE LIST--newer Genies after 2016 are not on the list) but not close my door. I re-ran the programming 3 times and gave up because I was primarily concerned with remote monitoring with the MyQ. Using the app to open/close was just going to be a bonus for me. I left the app in monitor mode and it has successfully kept track of the door status.
My Best Buy number: 0563993474
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Keep floors and carpets clean with this SHARK® ION™ robotic vacuum. Its smart sensors navigate floors while adapting to and avoiding obstacles, and you can set up no-go areas with Bot Boundary strips. This SHARK® ION™ robotic vacuum has a long-life lithium-ion battery that keeps it operating for a full hour on a single charge.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Effective and relatively quiet
on October 22, 2017
Posted by: BenisJ
from South Bend, IN
I am mesmerized by the Shark ION Robot 720 as I write this review and watch it wander the first floor of my home [2/3 hard (vinyl and hardwood) and 1/3 soft (plush carpet)] while we watch TV.
The randomness of the vacuum makes me feel guilty for being so lazy but at the same time, it is getting under things better than our upright vacuum. The dirt bin is surprisingly small (minus one star). We had thoroughly vacuumed/scrubbed the first floor only a few days before first use. I started the vacuum when we left the house, returned about 3 hours later and it was done. Not sure if it finished because the bin was full or it if actually covered the entire 1100 sq ft. Regardless, we were shocked to picked up that much dirt.
The robot is a bit louder on the hard surfaces than carpet. Watching TV we have had to click the volume up two notches to compensate while the robot is on the hard floors. One of our area rugs has a curl on the corner and confused the robot. The other area rugs (rubber no-skid bottom) were vacuumed no problem.
Virtually no assembly required. There are spare brushes and a filter, as well as a magnetic rubber strip you can cut and use to create boundaries and borders for the vacuum.
This model does not integrate with a mobile app. I suppose there are pros and cons to that. The pro, it is good for older folks who may not have smartphones. The cons, if you lose the remote I am not sure how you would change the scheduled vacuuming. Either way, the remote is simple to use and the instructions are printed on the back of the remote so you don't need to hold on to the manual.
We bought this model primarily for the hard surfaces that tend to get a lot of dust in the corners and along the walls/baseboards and under tables. So far it has done a good job of reducing the visible dirt and dust in those areas and picks up debris from the carpet as well.
My Best Buy number: 0563993474
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Stream your favorite tunes through these Bang & Olufsen wireless headphones. Memory foam padding and soft lambskin covers let you listen comfortably for hours, and controls on the outer metal plates let you manipulate audio with the touch of a finger. Noise-cancellation technology ensures great sound through these Bang & Olufsen wireless headphones.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Wow.
on October 5, 2017
Posted by: BenisJ
from South Bend, IN
I don't have too many other high-end *noise canceling* headphones to compare these to, however, I have worn my share of quality headphones ranging from commercial earbuds to over-the-ear muffs to studio broadcast headsets. The B&O H9 headphones offer phenomenal depth and range of sound as well as comfort and style.
First thing you notice out of the box is how well built these headphones are. Nothing about the materials are cheap.
Anxious to us them I did not fully charge them, but after about a half an hour of initial charging I had enough power to listen for at least 2 hours. If I had to find a complaint about the power at this point it would be that, unlike some other brands, the headphones do not announce how fully charged they are on startup. They just simply beep to let you know they are on.
The muffs are incredibly soft and comfortable. Pillow soft. The band that goes over your head is not quite as soft. Being bald that bothers me a bit. I am not sure why they didn't make the padding on that part softer--perhaps there are components up there they needed to protect.
The muff itself doubles as a touchpad for controlling the headphones. Draw a circle on the right ear and the volume increases. Draw a circle in the other direction and it decreases. Swipe up to turn on ANC (active noise cancellation), swipe down to turn it off. Tap once in the middle to mute/unmute. Swipe forward/backward to skip songs. There are another set of commands to control the phone when you receive a call. The sound quality for a telephone conversation was surprisingly good, but I only tested it in an office environment. The touch controls are appropriately sensitive and intuitively easy to understand/remember.
As for the overall sound, again, it is nearly brilliant. Because most of what I listen to comes via streaming services, it is hard to tell if any tonal issues are due to compressed music streams or a possible "softening" done by B&O. Nonetheless, all tracks are nicely balanced without any EQ modifications. These headphones can also push the bass better than any other muffs I have ever hears--including those with "bass boost" which often sacrifice mid- and high-range sounds when boosted. The audio did feel a bit mellowed out when I shift gears to heavy metal but I am splitting hairs here. The audio quality is still a 9 out of 10 for almost every genre of music I enjoy. They would be 10 out of 10 if the high end sparkled a bit more but you might be able to tweak that with an EQ.
The active noise canceling is pretty good to. In the office, I can't hear myself type with ANC on. I also tested them in the car (I know, you aren't supposed to wear headphones in the car). With the windows up I was lost in the music and had no clue what was going on around me. I turned on talk radio at a moderate level and voices made it through to the headphones if there was a lull in the music but ambient noise was still canceled out. I cracked the windows enough to get outside noise but not wind. Again the ANC performed well. Turn ANC off and you notice a huge difference.
As for the battery and other tech specs, I have to trust what the site says as I will likely never go 10+ hours without charging. A replaceable battery is a nice bonus:
· Replaceable and rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery
· Capacity 3,7 V, 770 mAh
· Up to 14 hours with Bluetooth and ANC
· Up to 16 hours with Bluetooth
· Up to 21 hours with only ANC
· Charging time 2.5 hours
Notice a charger is not included in the box (seldom headphones offer a charger anymore but for the price you would think they could throw in a cheap charger):
· Audio cable with 3.5 mm jack
· Micro USB cable for charging
· Flight adapter
· Carrying pouch
· Quick Guide
While I did give the headphones 5-stars, I would prefer to knock a half-star off for value. Pricing similar quality brands and it does appear the B&O suggested retail price is higher than others but even at MSRP I don't think you will be disappointed you spent the money. These are very well balanced, quality headphones.
My Best Buy number: 0563993474
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
+1point
2of 3voted this as helpful.
 
Motivate yourself with great music by using these in-ear Jaybird FREEDOM 2 Bluetooth headphones. They provide up to eight hours of playback thanks to the included charging clip, and their Jaybird app lets you adjust the audio settings. These Jaybird FREEDOM 2 Bluetooth headphones easily switch to under-ear mode for answering calls.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Great Sound, Quirky Design
on October 2, 2017
Posted by: BenisJ
from South Bend, IN
I have had a handful of wireless bluetooth earbud similar in style to these and I can say that the Jaybird Freedom 2 are some of the best sounding buds I have owned. The sound is very evenly balanced and crisp. Volume is good. Bass is better than average for in-ear buds. Everything about the audio is very good.
As for the fit and design...
It turns out I am not a fan of "behind the head" wires. As a bald gentleman, I found the cords would "stick" to dry skin if snugged up (as illustrated on the website and in the videos) which caused a frustrating tug on the buds depending on which way I turned my head. My wife also tried the buds and found that she did not like "behind the head" and found them challenging to use with her long, curly hair. (In a pony tail she found behind the head tolerable after some adjusting.) Wearing the buds with the cord in the front is awkward. In the end, it was tolerable to loosen the cord all the way then clip it to the back of my shirt. The trade-off was some bumping of the in-line control/battery pack.
The "clip-on" charging cradle provides extra battery life but also weighs down one side of the earbuds. Operating without the cradle lightens the cord significantly and creates less "banging around" when working out. That tiny little snap-on battery is insanely easy to lose, HOWEVER, IT IS THE ONLY CHARGING SOURCE FOR THE EARBUDS. This is a big design issue for me. I am confident I will lose the charging cradle rendering the earbuds useless to me. Also worth noting, Jaybird assumes you have your own USB charger base (i.e. cell phone charger with wall plug) that you will use to charge these buds.
Wearing the buds with the stems down caused me some ear canal discomfort (in the "notch" part of my ear) after about 5 minutes. Wearing them "up" (a feature noted on the Jaybird website) with the cord then wrapped behind my ear was a bit more comfortable but felt less secure even with different fins. (Note: I did not experience the buds falling out of my ear at any point, stems up or down.) My wife did not experience the same pain wearing them stems down so the issue is exclusive to my ear type. The fins are nice and soft and I found them practical and comfortable, but I struggled with the stems.
I am not big on tweaking so I did not mess with the app. I did not run them dead but trust that they will get the 4/8 hours of battery rated on the website.
Finally, the in-line, raised button controls are easy to feel and operate especially compared to some other brands. Jaybird's controls truly are "fumble free."
To reiterate, the sound quality is among the best I have experienced with in-ear sport buds. Very balanced for a wide variety of musical styles even without tweaking via their phone app. Sound quality alone is reason enough to buy these buds but keep things like "behind the head" cords and "snap-on charging cradle" in mind as possible drawbacks.
My Best Buy number: 0563993474
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
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The Nest Doorbell is the battery-powered video doorbell that works with any home. See what’s happening at your door from anywhere and get intelligent alerts about important activity, like when there’s a person, package, animal, or vehicle.* And because there are no wires, you can install it yourself. Nest Doorbell requires the Google Home app and a Google Account – it’s not compatible with the Nest app or the home.nest.com site.
 

Is it waterproof?

"Water resistant." Rain/Snow is not a problem, however, this would not be a suitable doorbell if you live in a pineapple under the sea.
2 years, 8 months ago
by
BenisJ
 
The Nest Doorbell is the battery-powered video doorbell that works with any home. See what’s happening at your door from anywhere and get intelligent alerts about important activity, like when there’s a person, package, animal, or vehicle.* And because there are no wires, you can install it yourself. Nest Doorbell requires the Google Home app and a Google Account – it’s not compatible with the Nest app or the home.nest.com site.
 

How long will it last on battery power alone?

Impossible to determine because of the features you set on the phone that control how often the camera/sensors are active, how many times the doorbell is triggered in a month, and temperature. The general consensus is about 2.5 to 3 months. However, once mounted, the "quick release" tool makes it easy to disconnect and charge the doorbell...and charging was fairly fast using my phone's charger.

This link may help you: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/10901611?hl=en&ref_topic=9299926
2 years, 8 months ago
by
BenisJ
 
The new CZ Smart smartwatch is designed for every moment. Inspired by the rich design of Citizen’s iconic sport technical timepieces, CZ Smart marries modern technologies with the style and quality you expect from Citizen. The sport edition features a color touchscreen dial and black anodized aluminum top ring, framed and finished with a silver-tone stainless steel case and comfortable black silicone band. CZ Smart also features a 46mm three-piece case construction and a rugged red bezel design. Powered with Wear OS by Google™, CZ Smart is compatible with both iPhone® and Android™ phones to fit your lifestyle. Plus, the customizable menu of dials and technology that provides the information you need at your fingertips.
 

I noticed that there is a ring around the face of the Smartwatch and I was wondering if this rotates to select options? I ask because it seems to be welded in the pictures.

it does not rotate.
2 years, 11 months ago
by
BenisJ
 
Step up from built-in laptop optics with a webcam that delivers crisp, smooth and colorful widescreen HD 720p video with a 60° diagonal field of view, fixed focus and auto light correction that adjusts to the illumination of any meeting space. The single, omnidirectional mic features noise-reduction technology and is engineered to support clear, natural conversation up to 3 meters away, even in busy environments like open workspaces and classrooms. Plus, the extra-long USB-A cable and universal clip let you position the webcam on your computer or mount up to 7 ft away.
 

Does this webcam fit curved monitors? Currently the curved monitor i have bought did not include a webcam. Are there any other webcams you'd suggest?

The "foldable hook" style of mount (I don't know how else to describe it so you might want to look at photos) seems wide enough to account for curved monitors yet still get enough grip that it won't fall off.
3 years, 7 months ago
by
BenisJ
 
Step up from built-in laptop optics with a webcam that delivers crisp, smooth and colorful widescreen HD 720p video with a 60° diagonal field of view, fixed focus and auto light correction that adjusts to the illumination of any meeting space. The single, omnidirectional mic features noise-reduction technology and is engineered to support clear, natural conversation up to 3 meters away, even in busy environments like open workspaces and classrooms. Plus, the extra-long USB-A cable and universal clip let you position the webcam on your computer or mount up to 7 ft away.
 

what is the difference of an HD webcam that is 1080p and the C505 at 720p. what is the main difference between the C505 HD & the C270 HD

720p is technically "lesser resolution" but it is still a high definition (HD) class of camera. 1080 offers better resolution if all other factors are equal (i.e. lens quality, lighting, recipient screen, streaming quality...and an app that can support 1080). My experience is that when in a standard video call, lighting/focus/microphone are more important than 720 v. 1080.

I have not compared the C505 and the C270 directly, however, the key feature with the C505 is the "long range omni-directional microphone." I can attest to clarity when more than 1-3 feet from the camera. I tend to pace in my office when on a video call. The microphone picked me up very well no matter were I stood--even if I was behind the webcam. You also get 2 extra feet of USB cable with the c505.
3 years, 7 months ago
by
BenisJ
 
Always know what’s happening at your door with the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro. Its crystal-clear 1080p HD video and 162° field of view give you a clear shot of your property 24/7. Two-way audio lets you hear and speak to unwanted guests (and welcomed ones too) - even when you're not home. Have the SimpliSafe App? The Video Doorbell Pro will send instant alerts whenever someone approaches. And with Smart Person Detection, it can tell the difference between people, vehicles and animals. That means you only get the alerts that matter. Plus, when backed by 24/7 professional monitoring, you’ll have experts who are ready to request emergency dispatch when you need it most. This camera is designed for all weather extremes—so you're still protected in rain and snow. (Compatible with the SimpliSafe Gen 3 security system. Requires Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) and existing wired doorbell setup with mechanical chime and a transformer with 8-24 VAC, 30VA max. Not compatible with digital chimes.)
 

Does this doorbell allow storage to the local network instead of a cloud server?

No. Or if it does, I have not discovered how to do it. And you pay $5/mo for their cloud storage.
5 years, 6 months ago
by
BenisJ
 
Only at Best BuyBring flexibility to work with the powerful and versatile Samsung Notebook 9 Pro. Easily switch between typing on the keyboard, writing with the intuitive S Pen, and navigating the brilliant touchscreen. And do it all at once with an ultra-fast Intel® Core™ i7 processor. The Samsung Notebook 9 Pro keeps up with all the ways you work.
 

I read online that there seems to be an issue with the webcam not being detected. Have any of you had any problems with the webcam not responding?

have not had that problem on the notebook 9 pro 13 (np940x3m)
6 years, 9 months ago
by
BenisJ
 
Get your floors sparkling clean with this Bissell Spinwave powered mop. It’s made for sealed hard surfaces, and it uses washable cleaning pads that can be customized according to the type of flooring and level of cleansing the job requires. This Bissell Spinwave powered mop swivels to let you access hard-to-reach places.
 

Does this mop have a water tank?

Fresh water/solution tank, yes. It does not have a dirty water or suction feature.
7 years ago
by
BenisJ
 
Get your floors sparkling clean with this Bissell Spinwave powered mop. It’s made for sealed hard surfaces, and it uses washable cleaning pads that can be customized according to the type of flooring and level of cleansing the job requires. This Bissell Spinwave powered mop swivels to let you access hard-to-reach places.
 

Does it suck up the water?

No, just sprays fresh solution and the cloth pads absorb much like a rag or sponge.
7 years ago
by
BenisJ
 
Get your floors sparkling clean with this Bissell Spinwave powered mop. It’s made for sealed hard surfaces, and it uses washable cleaning pads that can be customized according to the type of flooring and level of cleansing the job requires. This Bissell Spinwave powered mop swivels to let you access hard-to-reach places.
 

Does it come with a bristle pad, or scrub pad attachment?

It comes with a pair of terry pads and a pair of terry w/ a scrubbing strip pads. So additional scrub/bristle attachments.
7 years ago
by
BenisJ