Share callmeageeth's profile
 
Facebook Twitter
 
 
callmeageeth
 
 
 
callmeageeth's stats
 
  • Review count
    349
  • Helpfulness votes
    1,297
  • First review
    June 23, 2014
  • Last review
    August 18, 2024
  • Featured reviews
    0
  • Average rating
    4.4
 
Reviews comments
  • Review comment count
    0
  • Helpfulness votes
    0
  • First review comment
    None
  • Last review comment
    None
  • Featured review comments
    0
 
Questions
  • Question count
    0
  • Helpfulness votes
    0
  • First question
    None
  • Last question
    None
  • Featured questions
    0
 
  • Answer count
    28
  • Helpfulness votes
    52
  • First answer
    June 23, 2014
  • Last answer
    December 15, 2021
  • Featured answers
    0
  • Best answers
    8
 
 
callmeageeth's Reviews
<< 1 ... 8 9 10 11 12 ... 35 >>
 
Unleash your creativity with this all-in-one Dell Inspiron desktop computer. The 23.8-inch Full HD display delivers detailed visuals and offers smooth touch operation, while the 512GB SSD minimizes load times, letting you jump into work sessions quickly. This Dell Inspiron desktop computer has an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM for running multiple programs simultaneously. Built in webcam, microphone, and speakers to win at conference calls.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Elite Contributor Review
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Excellent All Around Computer
on March 11, 2021
Posted by: callmeageeth
from Louisville, KY
This Dell AIO is a great mid level computer that is perfect for daily tasks. It’s not a full on gaming PC (but you’d be surprised how well it does), but for everyday workflow (i.e. virtual meetings, sending emails, creating documents, etc.) it does extremely well. Especially if you’re upgrading from a laptop, you’ll love the larger screen. It has a sharp design with a small footprint and plenty of ports. I don’t generally use a touchscreen on a desktop, but it certainly has its uses. All-in-all, if you are in need of a basic computer with a large screen, you can’t go wrong. Plus it’s a Dell, so you know you have a quality computer with good support.
IN THE BOX
The box is pretty minimalist (a good thing). You get the computer, a mouse and full size keyboard with a 9 button number pad to the right. Also, the power cable.
SETUP
If you’ve ever set up a Windows PC in the last few years, this will be familiar territory. And even if you haven’t, it’s still dead simple. You simply plug the power source in, put the batteries in the wireless mouse and keyboard, turn it on (I will admit, the power button is difficult to find, but it’s underneath the built in speaker bar to the right). From there you follow the steps of connecting to Wi-Fi, creating or logging into your Microsoft account and you should be off and running.
I was surprised, but not really because it is a Dell, that it came with limited bloatware (i.e. extra programs you’ll never use). It came with the standard Dell assistant software (not smart assistant, but software to help troubleshoot and upgrade your firmware, etc.), Office 365 and McAfee virus protection. Compared to most PC manufacturers, including Alienware (owned by Dell) there was very minimal bloatware. I did delete McAfee, which came with a free trial, but I knew I wasn’t going to purchase. Other than deleting that program, the computer was basically a clean slate of base software.
GENERAL USAGE AND PERFORMANCE
Briefly, I’ll cover the main specs of this computer (not going into much detail since they’re listed on the website). It has a full HD screen, which frankly, at 24 inches is all you need. Anything that’s QHD or 4K, really needs a bigger screen (i.e. TV size) to really get the benefits). Full HD is more than adequate for this computer and frankly, text and icons look sharp and detailed. I have zero qualms with the quality of the screen. There’s 16 GB of RAM (random access memory) which, generally speaking, allows you to have more programs and browser windows open without sacrificing performance. There’s a 512 GB SSD which is frankly, big enough for the vast majority of people. On the back there are three USB 3.0 inputs (think faster USB transfer speeds) and one USB 2.0 speed (slower USB transfer speeds, best for printers or controllers or USB headphones that aren’t transferring data). There’s only one USB-C type port (which is super speed). I wish it had more of those since most electronics are moving to the USB-C standard, albeit, it will take a while to be universal. There’s even an HDMI out port and HDMI in port. These HDMI ports can be extremely useful. You can plug in a second monitor or a projector into the HDMI out, and you can use the HDMI in to plug in, say, a video game console (for those in a small room) to act as a screen. There’s even a full SD card slot on the back which is extremely helpful in transferring photos from my DSLR, but I do wish it was on the side or front. There’s also an ethernet port which I recommend using for internet stability if you can run a cable from your router to it. One of the cooler features is the webcam. It’s hidden at the top of the screen. To access it, you simply push down and it pops up. If you want a physical privacy screen (so you know no one has hacked it and is looking at you) you can pop it back down out of sight.
I found the general performance to be good, not great. But I’m talking in degrees. If you’ve never used a high end gaming PC with top of the line parts, this computer will seem blazingly fast. If you have used a higher end PC, some actions will seem a bit slower than others, but not my much. Nothing that will cause you frustration to the point of wanting to throw your computer, but it slows down a bit on occasion. For example, when turning the PC on, it gets to the login screen quickly, but it takes a few extra beats to get running so to speak after logging in. Again, I’m not talking minutes, but I also use an Alienware desktop that puts most computers to shame, so I’m a bit spoiled in that regard.
In terms of real word usage, I rely on Outlook, Chrome, Word, Excel, and Zoom on a daily basis. After everything was installed and I signed into each respective program, I was off and running without any issues. And the 24 inch screen was a pleasure. I use a 34 inch widescreen monitor at work, and while I wish I had one at home, the 24 inch screen is SOOO much better than working off a 15 inch laptop. I love the extra real estate and it’s plenty to get my work done.
The monitor is a touch screen, which I appreciate, but for my workflow and usage, I rarely use it. My kids did use it with the Paint 3D program and loved digital finger painting. I mention this because I found the screen to be pretty responsive, although it doesn’t seem to be multitouch. What I mean by that is, yes, you can use two fingers to pinch and zoom (like your phone), but you couldn’t use two fingers to “paint” two different lines at the same time. Not sure if that matters to anyone, I can’t think of an application where I would need to do that, but wanted to mention it.
OTHER TIDBITS
The webcam quality, like virtually every other built in webcam in a computer, is of “blah” quality. Sure, it looks ok, and will perform admirably for family Zoom/Skype/Google Meetings calls, but in my profession, I prefer higher resolution with the ability to digitally zoom in and out. Point being, when I use this computer I use a separate webcam. But unless you have to have, or really want, a higher end webcam, this one is perfectly fine. What I did like about it was the WIndows Hello, which I’ve known about for a long time, but finally tried it out (think facial recognition like in an Apple phone) that unlocks your computer. That feature performed remarkable well and I want to set that up in all of my computers.
Gaming. I said earlier this isn’t a gaming PC, but it performs pretty well for what it is. It has a built in, or “integrated” graphics card. Generally speaking, integrated graphics cards won’t run high end games (at least not at the graphical fidelity seen in gaming PCs and consoles). And I don’t know much about Intel Iris Xe graphics, and won’t reveal my ignorance talking about it on a technological level, but I can speak to its general performance. My kids mostly play Lego games (think Batman LEGO, Marvel Lego, etc.). We played together and while these aren’t graphics intensive games, they looked pretty darn good. There was no visual screen tearing and no slowdowns whatsoever. I tried out Anno 1800 (a real time strategy game) which is slow paced but has a lot of detailed graphics, and it too, performed really well. I didn’t experience any slowdowns and was pleasantly surprised with the performance. I didn’t try out any fast and furious first person shooters, but I would expect them to play reasonably well, with the graphics settings, set to somewhat minimum standards.
I also want to mention the sound. I was not only pleasantly surprised, but frankly, blown away by the sound from the built in soundbar. There’s no deep base that you would get from a subwoofer, but the speaker gets extremely loud and sounds really crisp. It’s not going to do surround sound, but watching movies, playing games and video conference calls all sounded better than you would expect. So high marks there.
My only real gripe is the keyboard and mouse. They’re wireless, which is great, but for someone who types almost everyday, I prefer the “clickiness” that a mechanical keyboard provides. This is a complaint with every computer you buy as they all seemingly come with cheap keyboards. I would recommend looking into upgrading the keyboard and mouse at some point, although there’s nothing wrong with the one in the box. It does at least come with a full number keypad to the right and in terms of the stability of the connection between the computer and mouse and keyboard, I had no issues.
CONCLUSION
This is a terrific all-in-one computer that can do a lot. It performs basic computer tasks really well, and is good enough to watch movies, and play games. It’s like a swiss army knife, doing a lot of things well, but not necessarily excelling in any one area, which is okay. For most people that’s all you need. Especially if you want or need a computer with a bigger screen than what a laptop can offer. And the simplicity of having everything built in is a big plus for those that don’t want to deal with a separate computer tower and monitor.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
+20points
22of 24voted this as helpful.
 
Take outdoor entertainment to the next level with this 2.1 rock speaker system by Sonance. These durable rock-like speakers are weather-resistant and hold up to heat, wind, rain, snow, and UV rays. They resemble large rocks, so they blend in perfectly with the landscaping in any backyard or garden. Two satellite rock speakers and one 10” rock woofer deliver amazing high-quality sound with crystal clear highs and full-bodied bass that blends in among the landscape.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Elite Contributor Review
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great sounding speakers that blend in well
on March 8, 2021
Posted by: callmeageeth
from Louisville, KY
I have a decent size backyard and am always dragging a bluetooth speaker out there whenever friends come over, or whenever I’m out doing yardwork. The Sonance outdoor speakers are a great addition to my yard as they sound terrific. They are borderline too loud. At full volume with the right receiver they can rock your neighbors. The main consideration when looking to purchase these is placement and how to power them. These aren’t “smart” speakers, so on the one hand, they don’t require an AC outlet (they’re powered by speaker wires), but that can complicate the installation depending on your setup. Luckily for me, someone who lived in my house before me installed speaker posts outside, so other than extending the speaker wires, I was all set. If that type of install is outside your wheelhouse, I do have some suggestions.
IN THE BOX
The box is gigantic and heavy. This is a testament to the quality and durability of the speakers. What’s inside are the two satellite speakers, the subwoofer, instruction manual and a plate that you screw onto the bottom of the subwoofer after you install the speaker wires to provide more protection from the environment.
THE LOOK AND BUILD QUALITY
These rock speakers look pretty good. I don’t think they’re going to fool anyone into thinking they’re actually rocks, but in terms of outdoor aesthetic, they can easily blend into your yard.
I haven’t had them long enough to go through a major rain or snow/ice storm, but they seem like they’ll hold up. The material is extremely durable and at virtually every seam where water might get in, Sonance has a thick layer of clear adhesive that acts as a sealant. So I can say for certain how well they’ll hold up, they look pretty promising based on looks/weight, etc. alone.
SETUP
Just speaking generally, the set up is easy. There are speaker wires coming out of each of the satellite speakers. They plug into the bottom of the sub (similar to plugging speaker wires into a receiver) in the output (either speaker can be the L or R channel). From there, you plug in the corresponding speaker wire from your receiver into the input channels underneath the sub.
What gets complicated, as I alluded to earlier, is the running wires from your receiver or other powered amp to the location of your speakers in your yard. You also have to keep in mind the length of speaker wires coming from each satellite speaker. My big knock on these speakers is that I think the speaker wires built into the satellite speakers aren’t long enough, essentially forcing you to keep the satellites close to the sub. Now, you can easily extend the length of the wires by buying outdoor rated speaker wires and splicing them together, but it would have been nice if the wires were longer out of the box.
So to have the cleanest look possible, you either need to have a covered porch with a receiver protected from the elements, or install what I have, and that is speaker binding posts on the outside wall. So I have a receiver in my living room and there are speaker binding posts on the wall. That binding post connects to the binding posts that is outside, installed in the outside wall of my house. I then have wires running from the receiver to the speaker binding posts on the inside of my house, and then have wires running from the outside posts to the Sonance subwoofer (and the speaker wires from the satellite speakers plug into the sub).
Obviously, if the speakers are further away from your house, and say, directing sound towards your house, you will need to make some modifications like using more outdoor speaker wires to get to the satellite speakers from your sub. If you have enough space in your yard to keep the satellite speakers and sub relatively close together, it’s not a problem.
SUGGESTED SETUP
One thing I came up with while first testing these speakers was using a smaller amp. You can see it in one of my pictures. If I kept this setup, I would still have to bring the amp in and out from the house when I wanted to use my speakers. I would simply plug the little amp into the outside power outlet, connect the speaker wires, and then plug in my input (I use Google Chromecast to cast music, and this plugs directly into my little amp). It’s not ideal, as you still have to carry something in and out of the house like I did with my bluetooth speaker, but the rock speakers stay stationary and the sound quality is much better (i.e. louder) than the bluetooth speaker). But you could also get a waterproof housing for the little amp and attach it to the exterior wall or hide it in a bush. Just a suggestion.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Whether you take the mini amp approach or connect it to a receiver inside your house or in a covered porch, you still have to think about how you play music. The easiest way to get started, is the old fashioned, plug an audio source into the receiver and then when you want to change the song or adjust the volume, walk up to the receiver and make the changes. This for me wasn’t ideal. I have Google Chromecasts and Nest speakers throughout my house, so I wanted to incorporate multi-room audio with the rock speakers. As I said earlier, these aren’t smart speakers so you cannot simply connect your phone to them. What I recommend is plugging in some sort of smart device into your receiver (i.e. Chromecast, Fire TV, etc) and then set the receiver to that input, make sure the receiver is outputting to the correct speakers (my receiver has Zones, so Zone 1 is the indoor speakers for TV watching, Zone 2 are the outdoor speakers) and then I case to the Chromecast which outputs music through the receiver to my outdoor speakers.
SOUND QUALITY
Sound quality is arguably the reason to get these speakers. They sound phenomenal. They can get extremely loud, but no matter the volume, I found the music to be balanced with enough bass and lots of clarity. I’m no audiophile, but they really do just sound good. Like virtually all Sonance products. They are also great for watching movies. We sometimes watch movies outdoors (I run a long HDMI cable through a window from my receiver to the projector) and use the rock speakers for my 2.1 sound. Again, the sound is terrific. It was nice setting up an outdoor movie night and having one less thing to worry about: the sound.
CONCLUSION
I’m not a whiz in the outdoor speaker market, and I’m sure there are smart outdoor speakers that could make for a more simplified setup, but I’m guessing they're even more expensive than the Sonance rocks. And remember, with any smart speakers, they generally need to all be plugged into an AC outlet which can cause it’s own setup issues. It very much depends on your outdoor space, but if you have a place where you can “hide” some rock speakers and are willing to go through the setup (you only have to set it up once) you won’t be disappointed.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+21points
22of 23voted this as helpful.
 
Philips One by Sonicare is an ultra-portable electric toothbrush that keeps your smile bright. Always be ready to touch up your smile, no matter where the day takes you. Designed with you in mind, Philips One is a big step up from manual brushing.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Elite Contributor Review
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Perfect for those looking to upgrade manual brush
on March 8, 2021
Posted by: callmeageeth
from Louisville, KY
Small and compact. Good value, and better than a “standard brush” but pales in comparison to the higher end models. I admit that I am a longtime Sonicare user and a huge fan. I’ve owned several over the years, and now have a second one (the E model) that lives in my travel bag. This one appeals to me because of the price point and its smaller size.
IN THE PACKAGE
You get the toothbrush and a traveling case. A AAA battery is included and is already inside the toothbrush. This obviously includes one toothbrush head. You also get a travel case that the toothbrush sits snugly inside of.
EASE OF USE
Dead simple. Push the button. Once you hit it, you get “micro” vibrations and it will run automatically for two minutes. Of course, if you want to disobey your dentist’s advice, you can hit the power button to turn it off before the timer ends.
BUILD AND DURABILITY
Like all Sonicare toothbrushes, the build quality is exceptional. This toothbrush is much smaller than past Sonicare iterations which is nice for travel. It has a “rubbery” coating to it which is nice for gripping. But this same coating is on the case, and that thing looks dirty after a couple uses. Not a big deal, but it looks well worn after just a couple of uses.
QUALITY OF BRUSHING EXPERIENCE
It’s quite apparent that the Philips One is a direct response to companies like Quip, who sell electric toothbrushes at basement bottom prices. I’ve never used Quip, but thought about switching based on the price of replacement heads that my current Sonicare Diamond costs. I never did, but thought this Philips One could be the unicorn of brush quality and price. It’s not, but that doesn’t mean don’t get it. If you currently use a higher end Sonicare you might be disappointed, but if you’re upgrading from a manual toothbrush, I highly recommend it.
The micro vibrations just don’t feel as powerful as the more expensive Sonicare models. You still get a “clean teeth” feeling, but my teeth didn’t feel quite as smooth and polished as the higher end models. And what I mean by smooth feeling, I can assure you that you will notice a big difference moving up to any electric toothbrush from a manual one, you just run your tongue over your teeth and you feel the difference. I still felt like my teeth were clean with the Philips One, it wasn’t like it didn’t work, but they didn’t feel as clean as my Sonicare Diamond. Which I guess is expected given the price point. I would imagine the comparison is the same between Quip and the Sonicare Diamond
CONCLUSION
If you are currently using a manual toothbrush, this is a no brainer. I consider the Philips One to be the budget model electric car. It is better than what you have, and the price point makes it hard not to upgrade. If, however, you are using a higher end Sonicare model, say the E-series, and are looking to upgrade or otherwise get a toothbrush with cheaper replacement heads, you could be in for disappointment. And that shouldn’t be seen as a negative, they are just different levels of quality.
What I can say is, at a minimum, the Philips One is a great addition for travel. It’s much smaller than the spare E-series I take when I travel which is a big plus. And while I’ve been harping on the difference in cleaning ability, my teeth certainly will be okay using the Philips One while traveling. And the 90 day battery life is a big plus for traveling which means I don’t also have to pack the E-series’ charging base, which is more added bulk.
But if you are looking to save money with the cheaper replacement heads, the Philips One is a nice balance of price and cleaning power.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
+29points
29of 29voted this as helpful.
 
Get organized fast with the WorkForce ES-500W II wireless duplex desktop document scanner. This reliable, easy-to-use performer speeds through scans up to 35 ppm/70 ipm1, capturing both sides of each sheet in one pass. Its 50-sheet Auto Document Feeder allows you to breeze through stacks of documents of varying sizes. Intuitive Epson ScanSmart Software2 means you can easily preview, email and upload your scans. The included TWAIN driver ensures compatibility with most document management software. Wirelessly scan to cloud storage accounts2 and create searchable PDFs. You can also scan directly from your mobile device using the Epson Smart Panel app3. Color and image adjustment features such as auto crop, staple protection, dirt detection and paper-skew correction help ensure remarkable image quality.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Elite Contributor Review
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Excellent All Purpose Scanner
on February 7, 2021
Posted by: callmeageeth
from Louisville, KY
I work in the legal profession, which involves scanning a lot of documents. I also scan a lot of personal items (receipts, medical records, etc.). What matters most to me is: 1) speed, 2) accuracy, and 3) quickly navigating to the place where I save my scanned documents. This Epson scanner checks all those boxes and more.
While this scanner has Wi-Fi, I typically keep it on my desk next to my computer and it's plugged in via USB. But with Wi-Fi, you have the ability to keep it further away from your computer (out of USB range) or if you are interested in simply scanning documents to a shared folder (i.e. Dropbox, etc.) You can do that and bypass the computer entirely. For me, I need to use my computer to pick where I want to save documents so I need to interface with my computer, but I can definitely see the direct to shared folder access (thru your phone) as a boon to some.
IN THE BOX
Is the scanner itself (folded up into a compact device and secured with tape), USB 3.0 cable, and power cord.
SETUP
Really simple. I removed the tape holding the scanner together and plugged in the power cord and USB cable to my desktop. Note that I am using a Windows computer. Windows then did it’s thing of preparing the device for use. That was successful. From there, I went to Google and searched the model number of the scanner for the software. (I was not prompted to download anything after plugging the scanner into my computer). I went to the Epson website and made my way to the support site. From there I downloaded the “Driver and Utilities Combo Package Installer.”
I let that download and install. From opening the box until installing the software was about 10 minutes.
DESIGN AND BUTTONS
First a few things on the design. I found this scanner to be pretty compact out of the box and pretty attractive (relatively speaking). It has a number of buttons on the front that, honestly, I couldn’t tell what they were at first (outside of the obvious blue power button and Wi-Fi button). But the buttons are Power, WPS, Wi-Fi on and off, Slow Mode, Scan, Stop and NFC. Since I don’t use Wi-Fi, I pretty much only hit power and the scan button. I haven’t had the need to stop a scan and I don’t know the purpose of the Slow Mode (although I’m sure there’s a reason/benefit for it).
But the compact-ness goes out the door when you open up the scanner to reveal the feed trays. It ends up taking up quite a bit of desk space. This is typical, and should be expected, but it was a bit jarring to see the scanner get so big with the trays extended. But I simply slide the trays in when not using. Having to pull the trays out is no big deal.
USE AND QUALITY
So the Epson scanning software is pretty solid. I found it to be pretty intuitive. I mentioned earlier, what I look for in a scanner is the ease in which you go from hitting the scan button to saving the document to the right folder. Once you hit the scan button, a screen pops up (meaning you don’t have to manually open the scanning software). From there, you type in the name of the file, click a button to change the folder, then hit save. It’s really about as easy as it gets. For comparison’s sake, my old Brother scanner required me to open the software, click on several buttons, then scan, then a few more buttons to save it. Not to mention there was no option to save to a shared folder. It wasn’t the worst thing to have to do, but I appreciate the Epson experience because it saved me time, and when you’re scanning high volumes of documents, every little bit matters.
In terms of scanning performance, this thing flies. I’m not going to recite the pages it scans per minute (I didn’t time it), but I will just say that it flies. I put a 50 page, double-sided document (black and white text) and it scanned all 100 pages in no time. If I had to guess, it was 30-45 seconds. The scans weren’t crooked and the resolution looked great. Another thing to mention for those who aren’t generally familiar with scanners outside of scanning one sheet at a time on glass, this Epson scanner (like a lot of dedicated desktop scanners) scan double-sided with one pass. No more do you have to flip the lid open and turn the page over, or hope that your printer/copier doesn’t jam when flipping the paper over to scan both sides of the page.
I do want to mention OCR and the scanning of business cards. It comes with software that allows you to archive business cards by simply scanning them. You can change the settings as to what it captures. It will then send the information directly to Google Contacts, Outlook contacts, etc. and create a contact. It’s pretty convenient.
It also processes and OCR’s (optical character recognition) text when scanning. It will scan the document and then perform OCR on the document right then and there (vs using Adobe PDF to run OCR after the fact). I don’t generally run OCR on my PDFs, primarily because I haven’t incorporated it into my workflow, but it’s nice that it does it automatically. I will say however, the OCR recognition is a little off. Sometimes it didn’t get the words right. This wasn’t an issue for me because I don’t use it, but I notice for some documents with different sized characters and different fonts on the same page, it had some difficulties. I’ve heard if you increase the default resolution of the scans, however, it will help.
I’ve scanned photos (on white paper, not actual photo prints) and colored documents and found the quality to be acceptable. 9 times out of 10, I had zero qualms with the quality of the color photos. Every now and then though, the edges would be a little blurry. But even in those small instances, the document was perfectly legible so it didn’t bother me. But I mention this in case you will be scanning a lot of photos, etc.
CONCLUSION
If you scan frequently or scan in bulk, a dedicated desktop scanner with intuitive software is a big productivity booster. And this Epson fits the bill. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s very much worth it. I have yet to experience any snags, any jams, etc. It’s handled everything I’ve thrown at it (papers with holes, torn edges from staples, legal size documents, etc). It’s not the most exciting piece of tech out there, but honestly, I can’t live without it anymore.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
 
The JAXJOX Kettlebell is a six-in-one digital adjustable kettlebell ranging from 12-42 lbs. Select your weight with a touch of a button.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Elite Contributor Review
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Versatile, but app mileage will vary
on February 1, 2021
Posted by: callmeageeth
from Louisville, KY
I've been a long time weightlifter. Not professionally, but I've grown up lifting weights. I'm not a gym rat lifting everyday, but I know my way around working out. Ever since the pandemic hit I've been trying to make a better home gym. The JAXJOX adjustable kettleball is a great addition to my adjustable dumbbells and indoor cycling machine. With it being adjustable, you obviously don't need multiple kettleballs. However, the downside is that the kettleball is pretty big, even when set at the lowest weight. The app isn't required, but there are enough classes to get you started. The reason I say started: at $12.99, it's yet another subscription. For me, the kettleballs are expensive enough that I would have liked to see some free workouts (i.e. maybe a list of workouts to perform with a short video tutorial a la Bowflex's dumbbells). I just can't justify another $10+ monthly subscription right now. That's not to say the classes aren't any good, quite the opposite, much like Peloton, the instructions are great and really keep you motivated and help encourage you. But at the end of the day, you're either going to be motivated or not. No app, whether free or paid, will put on your workout clothes.
IN THE BOX AND INITIAL SETUP
The box is large and heavy. It comes with the dumbbell, the base, a USB-C cable, and obviously the weights. There are 5 weights and they all have to be stacked in the correct order. There's a handy tip sheet in the box that explains it. The plates are numbered 1-5 so you really can't mess it up. It's simple. But I did have some confusion connecting the dumbbells to the app.
When I first opened the box, I knew where I wanted the kettleball to be, but I didn't have a plug nearby. So to speed it up, I thought I would charge the base. I did. Unplugging the cable after the base was charged. But then when I stacked the weights, the screen would turn on, but nothing would happen.
I finally figured out, through trial and error, that there is a battery in the kettleball shell. I needed to put it on the stand and charge both it and the base. After I let it charge, the app quickly found it and it was working as expected. I just wish the language in the instructions (which I honestly could have overlooked) was a little more clear in that both need to be charged.
BATTERY AND CHARGING
Before I go into use and the app, I wanted to mention that it's battery powered. Of course, you could leave it plugged in all the time, but if you're like me, I don't have an outlet near the kettleball. My options are to either hall the entire 48 pounds closer to an outlet or use an extension cable. Neither are ideal, but it's not the end of the world.
I found the battery to drain pretty quickly, relatively speaking. I charged it, worked out a couple of times, and the next week the battery was low. I am not quarreling with the battery life, frankly, that type of battery length isn't bad, but again, depending on your setup, charging might prove cumbersome. You can luckily use it while it's plugged in, so unlike wireless headphones you forgot to charge, when the battery is dead you can at least plug it in and still be able to workout. Again, this is by no means a dealbreaker, just something to think about when planning where you might put the kettleball in your home workout area.
USE
Assuming it's charged, it's a breeze to use. There are only two buttons on the front screen, an arrow pointing left and an arrow pointing right. You simply push the buttons to get to the weight you want. It ranges from 12-48 pounds and goes in 6 pound increments. You will hear a beep when it's safe to lift the kettleball.
Just for clarification, the kettleball changes the weight when a "corkscrew" inside the handle turns and locks the desired weights into position (hence why the handle has a battery too).
As I mentioned earlier, the kettleball is pretty big, but that's understandable. Obviously a straight 48 pound dumbbell is pretty large in and of itself, but it feels a little jarring to be picking up a large sized 12 pound weight. I'm a 6'4" male, so I don't find the size of the kettleball to cause any issues. I'm not sure it would for smaller persons, but it's something to keep in mind. I'm confident anyone can adjust to the size, and if you've never used a kettleball before, then you won't know the difference.
JAXJOX APP
I like the app. It's very intuitive, easy to understand, and easy to navigate. Once the kettleball is charged, it's easy to add it as a device (I assume the same is true for their other products). What I really like is the schedule function. It gives you the ability to pick what classes you want to take and put them on a calendar for reminders. It's a good way to hold yourself accountable. It's much easier to make yourself workout when it's on your calendar, vs. relying on willpower alone with no schedule (at least for me).
The workouts are divided into "skills," "classes," and "programs." The skills are a nice way to introduce you to the proper form of lifting kettleballs (well, how to perform specific exercises/moves). The programs selection is pretty much nonexistent. There's one and it's a six week course. I haven't tried it, but much like why I like the calendar function, I think having a program that is 6 week long will really force you to complete it. The classes are similar to Peloton, you pick the class based on instructor or types of workouts. There aren't a ton of classes (at least when compared to say Peloton), but there's plenty there to get you started and I'm certain they'll be adding more. The types of classes are labeled SWEAT, STRONG and RESTORE. To me, that's like cardio, strength and stretching. The classes range from 20 minutes to 45 minutes. I found the instructors to be engaging and encouraging. They are great especially for beginners.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
I think a kettleball, and and adjustable one at that, is a great addition to any home gym. Kettleball workouts have tremendous benefits (I've heard you spend less time working out with them than traditional weights with the same benefits). I don't think JAXJOX is unreasonably priced. If the app was required to own them, I might pause at recommended it. I think the app definitely has value, and the classes there are great, but it's one more subscription service to pay for, and at least for me, the benefits quickly run out. Frankly, there's only so many moves you can perform with kettleballs. Although I really do like the preloading and prescheduling of classes to provide you with some structure to help ensure you meet your goals. For me, I just don't see $12.99 a month subscription for kettleball workouts to be worth it. That's not to say you wouldn't like them, even if you don't think you would subscribe and your looking at these kettleballs, I would certainly take advantage of the free month. You may ultimately find that it's worth it. Even if you don't go the app route, these kettleballs work great without it and for that reason alone, I would highly recommend them for those looking to expand their home gym, or start a new one. Just keep in mind the charging situation, you'll want a plug or an extension cord nearby.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
+9points
9of 9voted this as helpful.
 
Meet the unrivaled, everyday noise canceling headphone for people who want to keep it simple. Hesh ANC is engineered with just the right amount of added features to make your life a little easier without a lot of additional technology that you might not need.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Elite Contributor Review
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Absolute bang for your buck
on January 27, 2021
Posted by: callmeageeth
from Louisville, KY
I've owned several active noise cancelling headphones. Some wired, some over ear, some completely wireless. All have their respective strengths and weaknesses (I've never used the Apple set). But generally one constant has always been the price. Most headsets (looking at you Bose and Sony) are pricey. They work well, but you're paying a premium. Other models might be a little cheaper, but they don't sound as good. Enter Skullcandy, a company I've always thought of making cheaper, flashy headphones. I think they hit a home run here balancing ANC, sound quality and features. My only minor gripe is comfort for long durations.
IN THE BOX
You get the headphones, a USB-C cable, and an Aux cable that plugs into your headset and another listening device. It comes with a carrying bag, but it's a soft bag and won't provide much "crush" protection if, say you threw it in your bag and threw books on top of it. I would have liked a harder case, but those can get bulky and frankly, given the price point here, I'm sure some corners were cut and this is one I'm okay with. It also includes a nice little cheat sheet to familiarize yourself with the buttons.
DESIGN AND BUILD
Unlike most Skullcandy designs, these are utilitarian and all black. It has a matte finish and frankly, I love it. They don't stick out in the crowd, but I'm not one that intends to make fashion statements with my headphones.
They're made of plastic, like most all headphones not named Apple, and are light. There is a metal that serves as the band that goes over your head that exposes itself when you adjust the size of the earcups. This is a great choice as I think it will handle wear and tear when fitting the headphones over your head than plastic would. It sounds weird to say, but the headphones feel nice. They are light but have a well-built-togetherness that doesn't give you the sense that they're cheap or prone to break easily.
The buttons like most headphones are limited which in my opinion is a good thing. There's power, pairing and volume (change tracks).
EASE OF USE AND SOUND QUALITY
In 2021, I'm certain everyone has used Bluetooth headphones at some point and are familiar with the pairing process. You simply hold the power button to turn them on, put them in pairing and your phone will find them instantly. It's virtually the same process as every other types of headphones.
The buttons are responsive, although there's always a slight delay in changing tracks, but that's there with all headphones in my experience.
I found the sound quality to be pretty dang good. I'm no audiophile, but I know what sounds good and what doesn't. The bass wasn't as deep as say the Sony ANC headphones, but It's not lacking and I doubt most people will notice or care the difference. Whether it was country, pop, classical or podcasts, I thought it had good highs and lows (vs. a muddled sound).
The active noise cancelling was also pretty impressive. All that I can say and indeed, need to say, is that it works really well. When going for a walk I could block out the ambient noise (but be careful) and when at home, it allowed me to focus when my kids were playing in the other room. When no music is playing, some noise will get in, but if you have ANC and have some music playing, you can basically block out the noises of the world.
For my money, I would put the ANC on par with Sony or Bose. I know some people will disagree and can point to some differences and I wouldn't necessarily argue, but for the average joe looking for ANC, the point is this is all you need.
COMFORT
As I mentioned earlier, my only gripe, is the comfort level. And part of my gripes are personal preference, so my complaints might not bother you. But these are touted (I believe) as "over the ear" headphones, meaning they cover your ear and the earcups rest on your head. Versus on ear headphones that rest, physically, on your ears. Not sure if it's because I have big ears (I've never been told I do, but I'm a big guy) these end up resting partially on my ears versus going all the way around them. This ends up putting pressure on my ears and it starts to get a little uncomfortable after an hour or so. Again, these may cover your ears entirely or you may not have discomfort with on ear types of ear cups, but it bothered me.
I do want to add a little about the earcups. What actually keeps them from being more uncomfortable is the foam they're made out of. I didn't dive deep into how they're made, but they feel like memory foam. I personally liked Skullcandy's foam versus Bose/Sony foam ear cups. They make for a better seal and I think they do a better job of relieving some of the pressure while wearing them. Part of the reason these headphones feel more "premium" to me is the ear cups which I thought were really comfortable. I just wish the ear cups were just a tad bigger.
CONCLUSION
Hands down, if you are looking for noise cancelling headphones you need to take a strong look at these. The sound is great and the noise cancellation is almost on par with Sony and Bose (again, from average joe perspective). And they're significantly cheaper. If money is truly no object, sure spring for the more expensive ones, but otherwise, these Skullcandy's perform nearly as well as them at half the price. I really was impressed with their performance.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
The Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles elevate the concept of smart lighting into a creative journey of design. A combination of smart technology and sleek ultra-thin design, the modular LED light panels open limitless possibilities for you to explore, create, and play.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Elite Contributor Review
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
A lot of fun, but pricey
on December 18, 2020
Posted by: callmeageeth
from Louisville, KY
I’m big into colored smart bulbs. They are completely unnecessary but they bring a certain mood to your house. And I really enjoy using them during holidays (i.e. Halloween, Christmas). But they’re pricey. One bulb can be $30-50, and when you really think about how many lights are in a house (or even an apartment), the cost really adds up when you expand your collection. The nanoleafs are no exception. They are pricey and non essential. But they add a certain “cool” factor, especially when used as a wall fixture. They are bright enough to serve as a light in your room, and can also be used just as mood lighting. I really enjoy the 7 triangle shapes, but they are a bit small which almost demand expansion; which again, means more expenses.
IN THE BOX
In the box you get the 7 triangle panels, a bunch of “connectors” a plug, a touch control panel and adhesive to stick them to the wall.
Upon unpacking everything, it’s pretty simple to see how they work. Underneath the panels are 6 “spots” where you can attach a connector. The connector then allows you to (duh) connect the other panels. One of those connectors obviously requires the power cable. Another can be used for the control panel.
PUTTING THEM TOGETHER
I recommend, so do the instructions, kind of playing with the shapes to find an overall pattern you like. I wouldn’t say the possibilities are limitless with just 7 panels, but you’d be surprised how creative you can get. The connectors and panels easily snap together, and once you plug in the power they turn on. But, the connectors come out easily when moving it. This is NOT a big deal once you finalize your pattern and put in on the wall, but it got a little annoying when the shapes kept separating while figuring out my layout on the ground.
CONNECTING TO THE APP
I recommend getting the app connected while you are trying to work out your layout. Another benefit of doing this are the suggestions/ideas in the app for a good layout. I used the QR code on my phone to find the app. I downloaded it and created an account. I had a bit of trouble figuring out how to add devices (the first question on the first screen after logging in is to add a room). But I found it in the settings. From there, there are three options to add a device. I highly recommend the NFC option. I tapped on that option on my phone, held my phone to the control panel (while it’s connected to a triangle, with the power on) and it was added almost instantly.
From there, the panels kind of lit up in sequence (in different colors). There’s a lot going on in the app, and it takes a minute to get acclimated, but it eventually starts to make sense. It determines the shape you created (based on the connectors) and then gives you some preselected coloring options. You can add those to your favorites, and obviously you can create your own. But I had a little issue switching the different themes. I kept getting errors that the device wasn’t powered on (it was, it was lit up). But I closed the app and reopened it and things seemed to work fine.
WALL INSTALLATION
While simply in theory, this requires the most patience. It’s not hard to install, the adhesive pads are double-sided and dead simple. You peel off the backing on both sides of the adhesive, stick one side to the shape, and push the other against the wall and hold for 30 seconds. But you want to be careful attaching each panel to the wall to make sure they’re aligned properly, and straight! Luckily I didn’t make any mistakes, so I’m unable to say how difficult it is to remove them from the wall. But you should add each panel, one a time, and make sure you have the connectors attached before placing against the wall. Obviously you’ll want the connector showing for the panels that are on the wall, and one sticking out on the other side of the panel when attaching it. There isn’t much room to add the connectors after you’ve placed the panel on the wall. Which makes the planning out your layout all the more important.
Another important reminder/limiting factor. You’ll need to plug these in. So there will be a wire hanging from the layout. I recommend placing them above a couch or other piece of furniture (above an outlet) so you see as little of the power cable as possible. Obviously if you hang them on a blank wall with no furniture, you’re going to have a power cable in plain sight. If you go this route, I would recommend some cable runners to hide them.
USE AFTER INSTALL and CONTROLS
They’re great! Once I had my design on the wall, and connected the panels to the app, I was easily able to change the lighting. I have yet to go through the effort of automating anything from the app, although I will. It has smart speakers control, you just need to link the device within Google Home, for example. Add it to a room and you can control your voice, set timers, etc. I don’t change the colors very often (although the panels “pulse” based on the preset lighting scene I chose). So all I do is tap the on/off button on the control panel which is attached to the panels on the wall. It is extremely responsive. You can even change the brightness or cycle through the preset lighting scenes directly on that control panel without having to open your app.
CONCLUSION
The nanoleaf panels are fun and add a certain amount of flare to any room. The biggest drawback is the cost. The panels themselves aren’t very big (it’s just hard to get a sense of the size based on pictures) which isn’t a knock, but depending on the wall, you may want additional panels (I do) to create a more elaborate design. The only real limitation in placement is being near an outlet and hiding the cable, but using furniture is an easy way around it. I’m also glad, even though I haven’t done it yet, that there’s home integration so I can turn it on and off with my voice. The app can be a little overwhelming at first, like I said there’s a lot going on, but if you play with it for a minute it will make sense. Just make sure to assign the panels to an existing room within your Google Home (or equivalent).
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
User submitted photo
+3points
4of 5voted this as helpful.
 
The Brydge 12.3 Pro+ wireless keyboard with touchpad matches the quality and functionality of the Surface Pro 4,5,6, and 7 seamlessly. Designed to meet the standards set by Microsoft, the Brydge 12.3 Pro+ features a precision touchpad, adjustable viewing angles and 3-level backlit keys, bringing a laptop-like experience to your Surface Pro.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Elite Contributor Review
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Highly functional, but heavy
on December 17, 2020
Posted by: callmeageeth
from Louisville, KY
Brydge makes some fantastic keyboards. I've used their keyboards for the Google Slate and older model Surfaces. It really brings a "laptop experience" to tablet-hybrid devices. But it's not without it's compromises. If you find yourself using a Surface tablet on the go, and don't have easy access to a flat service, this is a great addition to your Surface. Just know that it makes for one heavy package.
IN THE BOX
Included is an extremely short USB-C to USB-C cable for charging, and obviously the keyboard. There's a quick instruction pamphlet, and there's also a "guide" of sorts on the inside of the flap. A quick read of either and you will get the gist of it it works. It's simple to use.
SETUP
All you need to do is to open up the each hinge (they're pretty firm) so you can slide the Surface in. Then you slide the Surface into the hinges. The inside of the hinges is a firm rubber that holds it in place without damaging the screen. You just need to make sure you get the spacing lined up so when it's shut, the computer is lined up with the keyboard.
From there, you turn on your Surface and log in and go to your Bluetooth settings. The one minor pain with the setup (not to say you couldn't use the type cover if you have one) is navigating using the touchscreen. Obviously the Surface is a tablet, but you're still using Windows. Once there, you search for new devices. Then you push the FN key and power key at the same time. You'll see a green light indicating the power is on. Then you hold the pairing button which is right next to the power key. The key itself doesn't light up blue, but you'll see the standard blue pairing light underneath the power button. Then you should see the Brydge keyboard in the system settings.
I had absolutely no issues with pairing. It did take a minute or so to "get the device ready" but I was able to begin using it immediately. Out of the box the keyboard was charged to about 50%. I plugged it in nonetheless and the battery was charged in about 2 hours. I don't think it took that long, I didn't watch, but the time it takes to charge is no problem. And you can power it through the USB-C port in the Surface.
BUILD and USAGE
I want to mention the build quality because it's fantastic. This keyboard is sturdy and well built. The hinge holds the monitor firmly in place while open and you don't have to worry about it swinging open (like type covers). The keys aren't mechanical (I don't think) but they have enough travel to make the typing experience enjoyable. While I do like my touch cover, I much prefer the typing experience on the Brydge, as well as the stability it provides.
I found the touchpad to be pretty good. The gold standard IMHO is the Apple trackpad, and while it's not that sensitive, it's pretty solid. It's marginally better than the trackpad on the type cover, which I only say because it's not a night and day difference (which isn't a bad thing). You can also use pinch to zoom, two fingers to scroll, much like you can in most laptops. Brydge seems to mention this in its packaging as if it's a big feature, but honestly, I think it's expected of any laptop/keyboard in 2020.
Honestly, there's not much else to say about the performance. It works and works well. That's not a knock on it at all; you are getting a quality keyboard that does what it's supposed to do and do it well.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS/QUIRKS
The way I see it, there are three big drawbacks to this keyboard. The first is the cost. If you already have a type cover, it's hard to justify (IMO) buying a new keyboard unless you absolutely can't stand your type cover keyboard. The second is that you have to charge it. It's rated with a 6 month battery life and I haven't had it long enough to even come close to testing that claim. But even if it goes a couple months, I'd be happy. The issue is going to be whether you have a USB cable with you when the battery dies (unless your type A and charge it regularly). Obviously this isn't a concern with the type cover. I don't think the fact that you have to charge the keyboard is a reason not to get it, it's just something to think about. The bigger drawback is the weight. When holding the keyboard in one hand and the Surface in another, they have a similar "heft," with the Surface feeling a tad bit heavier. Put the two together and your light and thin surface is quite a bit heavier and twice as thick. Pairing a Brydge keyboard with a Surface still produces a relatively light and thin laptop, but it's certainly heavier than the type cover combo. For most, this may not matter at all. But for some it may. To me that's the biggest consideration in purchasing the Brydge.
The other quirk I had was powering it on. I can't say I'm doing it right, but when I used it, you had to turn it on every time. It's one of those first world, minor annoyance problems. So now you have to turn on the Surface AND the keyboard to use it. But it does become second nature. And the keyboard turns off after a small amount of time of not using it. This must be to conserve battery, but it's a little annoying when, say after watching a Netflix show, you have to turn the keyboard back on. Luckily, when you turn it on, it connects almost instantly.
CONCLUSION
For what it is, the Brydge is a great product. It offers a solution to a problem of using a Surface on your lap. It also provides a better typing experience. But you will sacrifice some weight and portability (to a certain degree) and will have to charge it from time to time. If you already have a type cover it may not be worth the investment, but if you are looking to buy a Surface (and Microsoft requires you to purchase a keyboard separately), then the Brydge is definitely worth a look.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Elite Contributor Review
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Expensive but easy to use and great coffee
on November 18, 2020
Posted by: callmeageeth
from Louisville, KY
This is an expensive machine but well worth the investment if you like making espresso and lattes at home. It does it all and it’s easy to use and clean to boot. It comes with almost everything you need, but I recommend buying a few accessories to get the most out of it.
IN THE BOX
The box is protected and put together in a smart way. It comes with the maker itself, glass carafe, portafilter, three different portafilter caps (for different amounts of espresso grounds ranging from .5, 1 and 2) coffee ground scooper, permanent filter, and cleaning solution. It also comes with some handy instruction manuals.
Putting it together is pretty straightforward. You remove some of the tape holding the doors shut in transit and take off the plastic wrapping.
SETUP and FIRST TIME USE
At the outset, I recommend reading the manual (I admit, I don’t normally read product manuals). The device itself is easy to figure out, but a quic, read through and you won’t have to read it again. You do have to run some hot water through the espresso machine and coffee machine (at least it’s recommended) before making your first cup of coffee.
EASE OF USE
It’s really easy to use once you know how it works. It contains two water containers. One is for the espresso and the other is for the drip coffee maker. To put water in for drip coffee you simply swing the tray above the carafe to the left and pour the water in through the top of the swing out tray. The other water container sits in the back of the device on the left side. You lift the cover and you can pull out a water container for the espresso/steam features.
Making drip coffee is as easy as any other drip coffee maker, you pour the water in, put in the coffee grounds and hit the “coffee” button. For espresso, you turn on the espresso button to turn it on (so it heats the water up). Then you put the espresso grounds into the portafilter (using the bottom of the coffee grounds scooper to pack it in). Place it in the espresso part, turn it clockwise to lock it in place (where the handle is pointing towards you). Then you hit the button below the espresso power button, (the machine will make a loud noise) and then a few seconds later you have espresso coming out.
Steaming milk. The last of three buttons on the front of the machine re the espresso function, the steaming function. The nozzle sticks out from the side of the machine and isn’t terribly long, but is plenty long to get in the bottom of a metal pitcher. The steaming function doesn’t take long to get started (so long as you have water in the machine). Previously I used a frother on a Ninja machine which was fine, but the steam just makes the milk “frothy-er”. Again, super easy to use.
QUALITY
I’m not a real coffee snob, but I do like espresso and lattes. I also grind my own whole beans every morning. I pretty much make drip coffee, espresso and lattes. And I found the quality to be great.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
I said in the beginning there’s a few accessories I recommend you buy that don’t come with the device. One are some small cappuccino cups (I recommend the small vacuum sealed ones made of glass) and a metal frothing pitcher. The espresso portafilter has two spouts which is convenient for making two shops of espresso at once. But you’ll need the small cups to put side-by-side to fill each of them up. Of course, you can put one larger-ish cup underneath both spouts of the portafilter to fill up one cup. And note that when you hit the espresso button, it will run until the water runs out or you hit the button again to stop it.
The machine vibrates quite a bit when it’s firing up the espresso. This does sometimes move the cups underneath the portafilter so make sure to watch it closely so it doesn’t spill. The vibrating doesn’t move the machine, it’s nothing that violent, but it does move the cups a bit.
The device is extremely compact. Something I very much appreciate. I keep it underneath my cabinets where it fits nicely. I even have enough head room to keep the espresso accessories (like the espresso cups I mentioned and coffee scooper). BUT the only problem I have is access to the water container for the espresso. Unlike the drip coffee water container which is accessible when you slide the tray out, the water container for the espresso is in the back and since it you have to pull the container straight up. So I have to drag the entire machine forward to give me enough room to pull that water container out. Not a huge deal, but it is a minor convenience. Unlike the drip coffee, I’m not filling it up everyday. I’d say I can make about 10 cups of espresso before I have to fill it back up.
CONCLUSION
This is a fantastic coffee machine that is extremely versatile. It’s easy to use, easy to clean and makes great tasting coffee. And it doesn’t take up a ton of space. You do have to fill the water up from time to time, but that’s a small inconvenience. It is pricey, but if you drink enough espresso (in addition to drip coffee) it’s well worth it.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
2of 4voted this as helpful.
 
Keep your devices powered on the go with the Belkin BOOSTCHARGE 24W Dual USB-A Port Car Charger. It boasts two 12W USB A Ports, both of which support simultaneous fast charging for all devices that charge using a USB-A cable. This 24 watt car charger is capable of charging up to two devices 1.5x faster than a standard 5 watt charger, with each port offering up to 12 watts of power. The BOOSTCHARGE 24w Dual Port Car Charger features an LED light, indicating whether or not your charger is connected to a power source. Optimized to charge all USB-A compatible devices faster than a standard 5w Charger. Compatible with Apple iPhone 14, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone XR, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XS, iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, HTC U12+, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10, Google Pixel 3 XL, Google Pixel 3, iPad Pro (12.9") 2nd Gen, iPad Pro (10.5"), Huawei Mate 20, Huawei Mate 20 Pro, Huawei P30/P30 Pro, Sony Xperia XZ2
 
  • Top 50 contributor
  • Elite Contributor Review
  • My Best Buy Premier Silver Review
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Quick charging
on November 18, 2020
Posted by: callmeageeth
from Louisville, KY
My car, like most new cars, have USB ports for charging phones. But most of these USB ports are low wattage and take a while to charge things. But then when I used this car charger i was blown away by what I was missing out. I don't have raw numbers, but I can assure you that this will charge your phone (and tablets) at a quick pace. Best part is that you get two ports for one "cigarette" lighter port. And the plug is pretty small so it isn't bulky and you can leave it in the charger without it being an eyesore.
Only very small downside is that it only includes one cable and it's USB-C which may not work for you if you have an iPhone. So it's BYOC (bring your own cable). But that's a small quibble. For the price, it is a good value and performs well.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
<< 1 ... 8 9 10 11 12 ... 35 >>
 
callmeageeth's Review Comments
 
callmeageeth has not submitted comments on any reviews.
 
callmeageeth's Questions
 
callmeageeth has not submitted any questions.
 
callmeageeth's Answers
<< 1 2 3 >>
 
Meet the unrivaled, everyday noise canceling headphone for people who want to keep it simple. Hesh ANC is engineered with just the right amount of added features to make your life a little easier without a lot of additional technology that you might not need.
 

Do these headphones have a mute button and how long is the battery life if using for office calls?

I don't think there's a dedicated "mute" button on the headphones, I didn't find one, so it will need to be controlled from your phone. I never measured battery life for calls, but I've used them for calls (they sound good) and listened to hours of music over the course of a couple of weeks (of and on, not every single day) before having to recharge them. I feel pretty confident you could go a full day of calls without the battery dying.
3 years, 8 months ago
by
callmeageeth
 
Easily shoot, print, edit, and stick photos, with the IVY CLIQ+2. Capture every moment with the Canon IVY CLIQ+2 — an easy to use Instant Camera Printer that is portable so you can take it with you! Instantly shoot and print 2”x3” photos and place them almost anywhere thanks to a peel and stick backing. You can take the perfect selfies with a Large Selfie Mirror and 8 LED Ring Light. Plus, you can connect your mobile device to the Canon Mini Print App1 to print photos from your camera roll and add filters, effects, emojis and more!
 

Does it automatically print a picture you take? Or can you chose which photos to print and which to just keep in your usb memory?

Yes it prints immediately. I believe, but am not 100% certain, that if you have a microSD card inserted, it will save a digital copy of the picture you take (and print)
3 years, 10 months ago
by
callmeageeth
 
The Ninja brand has been a leader in kitchen appliances delivering innovative products for decades. Now introducing the Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor—make food prep easier with its power, intelligence, and versatility. The 1000-peak-watt motor and preset programs chop veggies, shred cheese, and make smooth sauces and cookie dough from scratch—all at the touch of a button.
 

is there a storage container for the blades with this one or separate?

Unfortunately, there's no storage for the attachments which is a bummer. Obviously there's space in the container for one (where I keep the sharp chopping attachment) and I keep the shredding/slicing disc in a cardboard container that it came with for the packaging.
4 years, 1 month ago
by
callmeageeth
 
The Ninja brand has been a leader in kitchen appliances delivering innovative products for decades. Now introducing the Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor—make food prep easier with its power, intelligence, and versatility. The 1000-peak-watt motor and preset programs chop veggies, shred cheese, and make smooth sauces and cookie dough from scratch—all at the touch of a button.
 

Can I use this to cut together flour and butter?

Yes you can, with the "dough" attachment that's included
4 years, 1 month ago
by
callmeageeth
 
Use the Google Smart Light Starter Kit to control the lights using just your voice. Set up in a snap: just plug in Google Home Mini, screw in the GE C-Life smart light bulb, and download the Google Home app to get started. Then just say "Hey Google" to dim, brighten, turn on and turn off the lights."
 

Can I use this to turn off my lights while I am away from home? Also, do I get the starter kit and then multiple bulbs or do I need to get a box thing for each room? Thanks so much

Yes, you can turn off your lights from your phone (via Google Home app) when you are away from home. You don't need this starter kit per room unless you want multiple Google Home minis throughout your home (I have several) but obviously the number of smart bulbs (should you want them) will outweigh the number of Google Home minis you need. In other words, one Google Home mini could control all of the smart bulbs you have in your house. You would just need to be within earshot of that one mini when asking Google to turn lights on and off. For me, I keep one Google Home on each floor of my house
5 years, 9 months ago
by
callmeageeth
 
Handle storage demands with this Western Digital SATA solid-state drive. Its 560MB/s read speed and 530MB/s write speed are suitable for intensive applications, and its 2.5-inch form factor fits most desktops and laptops. The solid-state drive has no moving parts, making the drive resistant to shock to protect your data. Includes the WD SSD Dashboard to keep track of the drive's status.
 

Would this work for a Mac Mini? 2014 and newer??? Or a an older MacBook Pro 13 inch. 2011 version I believe.

Yes, I put it in my 2012 Macbook Pro without any issues. Substantially improved the performance
6 years ago
by
callmeageeth
 
Handle storage demands with this Western Digital SATA solid-state drive. Its 560MB/s read speed and 530MB/s write speed are suitable for intensive applications, and its 2.5-inch form factor fits most desktops and laptops. The solid-state drive has no moving parts, making the drive resistant to shock to protect your data. Includes the WD SSD Dashboard to keep track of the drive's status.
 

Does this ssd works on MacBook Pro

Yes, I installed it in my 2012 Macbook Pro. I would find a SATA cable, plug it in to your Macbook and clone your existing HDD, use a small Phllips Head screw driver to remove the bottom plate, unscrew the mounting bracket, insert the pegs from your old HDD to the new SSD using a torx screw (very small) and put the plate back on and that's it. Very simple and painless process
6 years ago
by
callmeageeth
 
Improve your viewing of local TV channels with this indoor Mohu Arc TV antenna. Its multidirectional range captures clear broadcast signals within its 40-mile radius, and its plug-and-play operation provides a convenient enhanced TV setup next to your TV or hang on the wall. This Mohu Arc TV antenna is compatible with HDTV units, letting you enjoy the full quality of Full HD and Ultra HD over-the-air programs.
 

Will it connect to tv with hdmi input only?

No, it connects via coaxial cable
6 years, 8 months ago
by
callmeageeth
 
Get the perfect angle for your Arlo security cameras. Easily adjustable mount provides 360 degree swivel and 90 degrees of tilt for the Arlo cameras. It's easy to Quick Start and adjust the camera position for indoor, outdoor, wall and ceiling mounting.
 

Does it rotate or move?

The base itself doesn't rotate as it is secured to wherever you put it, but the end of the mount (where the screw thread is located) swivels 360 degrees adding a lot flexibility to your placement options.
7 years, 3 months ago
by
callmeageeth
 
This Logitech Harmony 915-000194 smart control lets you use your compatible Apple® iPhone®, iPod® touch or iPad® or Android device to control up to 8 components for simple, multifunction use.
 

Does this remote work with Xbox one?

Yes, sort of, depending on what your asking. The remote itself doesn't control anything but commands to the Logitech Home. But yes, the Logitech Home does turn on my Xbox One S. I've controlled a Blu-Ray before but must admit I haven't tried to navigate the console menu.
7 years, 6 months ago
by
callmeageeth