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- Review count113
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- First reviewNovember 4, 2016
- Last reviewNovember 6, 2023
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- First answerNovember 1, 2018
- Last answerNovember 1, 2018
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Whether your mess is wet or dry, the Roomba Combo i5+ robot vacuum and mop can double up on cleaning tasks with one machine. From spilled crackers to every day shoe prints—this robot can handle it. Set it to vacuum only or vacuum & mop your hard floors by swapping in the Roomba Combo Bin.
Posted by: YourMainDude
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ is a great product. Compared to the competitors, iRobot Roomba’s are the complete deal in terms of effectiveness and usability. Roomba’s have been evolving for many years vs. the other guys – so the design is well engineered.
Setting up the Combo i5+ was a piece of cake. I’ve not a single complaint about the ease of the setup process and can only rave about the glitch-free operation of the iRobot mobile app. It is intuitive, informative and just works! Adding the i5+ to our IoT dedicated network that runs on 2.4 GHz went without a hitch. Signal strength to the docking station is strong and reliable and bests anything else we've tried.
The i5+ and docking station went together with ease and after letting it fully charge, setting the vacuum robot off to map our main living space was fully automatic. During the setup, you can customize the cleaning operation of the robot to do “single pass”, “two pass” or adaptable. The mapping process took around 10 minutes and then we were off to see how well the i5+ would maneuver & clean our floors.
We chose to have the cleaning mode set to 2 Pass and the i5+ did a great job of picking up dog hair & dust, leaving no detectable dirty areas behind. The i5+ is a lot stronger than the Shark unit we had been using and it can actually move (push) moderately light obstacles left on the floor, like shoes and small duffel bags & such, so make sure to keep your stuff up off the floor as much as possible. Even with small object and what was thought to be tight passages, the i5+ has never become stuck or trapped.
We chose to have the cleaning mode set to 2 Pass and the i5+ did a great job of picking up dog hair & dust, leaving no detectable dirty areas behind. The i5+ is a lot stronger than the Shark unit we had been using and it can actually move (push) moderately light obstacles left on the floor, like shoes and small duffel bags & such, so make sure to keep your stuff up off the floor as much as possible. Even with small object and what was thought to be tight passages, the i5+ has never become stuck or trapped.
In operation the vacuum unit has a consistently smooth, white noise character to it’s sound. The only really loud part of the system is the docking station during the emptying phase. But that just means that is has the suction force to empty the onboard dust bin.
Through the mobile app, the iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ does have a ‘do not disturb’ mode which has worked flawlessly to keep the lights off and preventing the vacuum to going into any kind of “rogue mode” in the middle of the night. That is one thing the Shark couldn’t do and it was very frustrating. The iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ also stays reliably connected to the IoT wireless network. We’ve experienced issues with other brands, some having serious problems in that regard as well.
One thing this model won’t do is to allow the user to define a smaller ‘mapped zone’ to go clean that is select-able by way of the app. That’s a feature that Shark provides that is kind of cool. To spot clean with the iRobot Roomba Combo i5+, you have to pick up the vacuum module and take to the area you want to focus on, set it down – and then hit the Spot Clean button on the top of the unit. So, it’s pretty much a manual process. It gets the job done for quick clean ups but it’s not very flexible or app savvy.
The interchangeable wet mop cartridge is super easy to use and change out. It does a good job maintaining a clean tiled floor and has the capacity to do so for an average sized kitchen or bathroom(s) but probably not both. And I wouldn’t rely on it 100%. Every floor needs a good, old fashioned more vigorous cleaning with a full-sized machine or hand wet mop - but for the weeks in between those deep cleanings - the i5+ is excellent helper for maintaining those hard surfaced floors.
Pros:
Well-engineered and easy to get going
iRobot quality and inherently well designed
Outstanding mobile app that is intuitive, informative and easy to navigate
We haven’t had a single ‘middle of the night’ rogue robot incident or any type of WiFi connectivity issues. The entire ecosystem of the iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ has worked together flawlessly for weeks.
Well-engineered and easy to get going
iRobot quality and inherently well designed
Outstanding mobile app that is intuitive, informative and easy to navigate
We haven’t had a single ‘middle of the night’ rogue robot incident or any type of WiFi connectivity issues. The entire ecosystem of the iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ has worked together flawlessly for weeks.
Cons:
None
None
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Sleek, compact and customizable for your needs, the Bella Pro Series Single Serve & 12-Cup Coffee Maker is designed to bring convenience and quality to every cup. With three different sizes for single-serve K-cups or ground beans, you can customize your coffee experience to perfection. Need more? Brew carafes in three different sizes. The adjustable height drip tray accommodates travel mugs up to 7" tall, and the carafe stays warm for up to 2 hours, ensuring that your coffee is always fresh and enjoyable. Cleaning is a breeze with the removable drip tray and dishwasher-safe parts. The removable 61-oz. water reservoir allows for easy refilling, and the clean indicator light alerts you when it's time to descale the machine, ensuring optimal performance. Equipped with a reusable carafe-size coffee filter, a k-cup adapter, and a reusable single-serve coffee grounds filter, this coffee maker provides all the accessories you need for brewing convenience. Upgrade your coffee routine with the Bella Pro Series Single Serve & 12-Cup Coffee Maker and experience the perfect cup of coffee every time.
Posted by: YourMainDude
The Bella Pro Series - Single Serve & 12-Cup Coffee Maker is a bit of a struggle to understand. At it's list price, this thing is FAR from being anything remotely resembling professional. No timer. No 'robust' or leveled brewing strength button. Nothing out of the ordinary to set it apart from vast array of other low-cost coffee makers out there. There's not even a water filtration feature.
Setting up the Bella Pro Series - Single Serve & 12-Cup Coffee Maker was simple enough. Converting it from pot to K-CUP brew is just a matter of swapping up parts under the hood; on the top. There is an included single cup grinds holder as well a decent looking metal screen (colored gold) filter basket. But that is where it all stops at being xtra. So again - no clue why this thing is branded as a "Pro" model or part of any professional line. On sale, well below one hundred dollars, this is a good coffee maker, even considering it's functional limitations. It does brew well and we noticed no discernible difference between a real Keurig machine and this one. With the same blend of K-Cup, the resulting brew tasted exactly the same. Since the Bella Pro Series - Single Serve & 12-Cup Coffee Maker doesn't come with any type of "robust" or stronger brewing function - it's at a huge disadvantage.
One thing we did notice was that the hot water pump sort of pulsates which may help some blends of coffee come out better. But that's up for serious demonstration & debate.
It's a coffee maker. It works. It's pretty basic in functionality. It's definitely not "Pro".
On sale at 69.99 - it does what it needs to do at a reasonable price.
On sale at 69.99 - it does what it needs to do at a reasonable price.
Pro:
It makes coffee that tastes fine.
It makes coffee that tastes fine.
Con:
It's basic apart from K-Cup/single-serve & full pot functionality. so just know that going into the purchase.
It's basic apart from K-Cup/single-serve & full pot functionality. so just know that going into the purchase.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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For those who crave greater customization and immersion, satisfy your enthusiast needs with the Razer BlackWidow V4 75%—a compact, hot-swappable mechanical keyboard powered by Razer Chroma™ RGB. From installing new switches to creating unique lighting effects, shape it to way you love to play.
Customer Rating
5
A Big Compact Gaming Keyboard Win!
on October 24, 2023
Posted by: YourMainDude
The Razer - BlackWidow V4 75% keyboard wit Orange switches is a big win in my book. This keyboard represents the first Razer KB I actually love. It is solid and dense feeling but surprisingly balanced in its weight, to pick up and move around. The layout is perfect for my preferences and the scroll wheel and accompanying media buttons are a nice bonus.
One thing I've not been impressed with relating to Razer keyboards is there cheap feeling construction. This KB is nothing like any of the other Razers I've tried. It is absolutely solid and free from any annoying resonances. The switches are replaceable but I am more than satisfied with the tactile performance of the Orange ones and I would go even further and say that these are probably right up there with my favorite tactile switches ever.
This 75% layout is just what I was looking for. The key-caps are great, the secondary labeling on the most critical keys is appreciated even though they aren't lit and the wrist wrest is also very comfortable - if you want to use it. I tend to stand and like using the keyboard without it - but it's there when needed.
The typing experience is truly top-self and the quiet nature of these Orange switches is remarkable.
The key-caps have a perfect amount of texture to them as well and I couldn't be more happy.
The key-caps have a perfect amount of texture to them as well and I couldn't be more happy.
Moving on to the RGB lighting features of the Razer - BlackWidow V4 75%, I am also really happy with how the Synapse/Razer Central software is operating. For years Razer software was a touch buggy with predictable Windows Error events getting posted in the Reliability Monitor - but I've not experienced a single event with this keyboard for a full week. The lighting control options are extensive and the illumination profile of this KB is phenomenal. The translucent characters are big and bright - and the font is great. No weird looking font style like many other manufacturers use to try to look different.
I like the removable cable but wish there was an onboard USB port - but I get why there isn't one. No biggie! This keyboard is designed to keep things compact and high-performance focused. And it does just that.
Overall I think Razer struck the right balance on the Razer - BlackWidow V4 75%. It rivals a Glorious KB I also use on a different computer but comes in noticeably lighter yet equally robust in construction. Plus - there's programmable media keys!
Pros:
Solid chassis construction with no annoying resonances
Excellent Orange, tactile keys
Perfectly textured key-caps IMHO
That killer Razer lighting with all kinds of customization
Razer Central/Synapse software this stable and intuitive
Removable cable to give full flexibility in color coordination choices!
Solid chassis construction with no annoying resonances
Excellent Orange, tactile keys
Perfectly textured key-caps IMHO
That killer Razer lighting with all kinds of customization
Razer Central/Synapse software this stable and intuitive
Removable cable to give full flexibility in color coordination choices!
Cons:
Absolutely none
Absolutely none
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a high quality - compact, gaming keyboard.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Dependable storage for your favorite devices, wherever you go - that's what the Crucial X9 Portable SSD offers. With lots of space for all yoru favorite photos, videos, games and more, the Crucial X9 gives you speedy file transfers and compatibility with PCs, Macs, tablets, gaming consoles and Android phones, making it the perfect plug-and-play storage solution
Posted by: YourMainDude
The Crucial - X9 2TB External USB-C SSD is a powerhouse in a very small package.
Nothing particularly fancy or breathtaking on the aesthetics with this external drive and I am a little nervous I am going to misplace it due to its diminutive size. But "small & handy" will undoubtedly be an attractive feature of this thing to a lot of people. Hopefully there will be a variety of protective sleeves that can be added to give it a little more heft and perhaps - brightly colored options as well - to make it easy to spot.
The X9 does come with a very short USB-C to USB-C, terminated cable and that is probably my only beef with it; something a little bit longer than what is provided would have been way more appealing & useful.
Apart from that, the X9 screams solid performance (see related photo) and will serve as a pocket server of important files and media content.
Dropping one star off my review for the included tiny cable. Micron should have included one that was at least 3 to 4 inches longer!
Pros:
Fast - consistently fast!
Fast - consistently fast!
Cons:
USB-C to USB-C cable is too dang short!
USB-C to USB-C cable is too dang short!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Yeti GX is a premium RGB gaming mic powered by LIGHTSYNC and designed specifically for game streamers. Combining a custom dynamic capsule with advanced software, this USB microphone rejects noise and key clicks, improves your sound and ensures consistent high-quality audio while you stream. Use LIGHTSYNC to control two separate RGB light zones on the mic and sync them with other G gear in G HUB, including mice and keyboards, for a fully immersive experience. Add fun vocal effects with Blue VO!CE software, and use Smart Audio Lock or set the gain manually with easy on-mic controls.
Posted by: YourMainDude
The Logitech - Yeti GX is a masterful product. The "Blue" bones are apparent. Being a headset user for oh-so-long, I wasn't prepared for the vaulting in performance I was primed to experience.
Setting up the Logitech - Yeti GX was pretty simple in Windows 11 - like any audio mic or headset. Logi took a little time to add the GX to the G-Hub software but once it arrived, a firmware update was waiting along with all the functionality one would expect from any, equally impressive Blue Yeti product.
I did get a day or so of use prior to the GX coming fully online within the software and the feedback I received from friends on Discord and Skype was a bit unexpected. Everyone without exception raved about the voice quality they were hearing from me. Discord does have some adjustment settings but I did little messing with any of that to start. Far too often, echo and thinness are a thing with a wide range of headsets - no matter if they are wired or wireless. Frustrating realities to be completely honest. But as soon as I configured my PC to use the Logitech - Yeti GX as the input device and yanked the mic stick from my headset - everything changed for the better.
I've heard a few recordings of group voice conferences I was a part of in Discord and I was pleasantly surprised how full & balanced my voice sounded. I have the GX positioned on my desktop approx. 12 to 14 inches away from my face. My PC is an air-cooled beast, about 28 inches off to the side at the same level of my desk surface and none of the fan noise pouring out from it is getting picked-up by the microphone! In addition to the standard "voice" usage, I also did some demo's of music playing on an audio system across from me in the same room. I still left the Yeti GX in the same desktop position and proceeded to crank up the tunes to a moderately loud level, as I stood up and move to the side. My pal said the sound quality was amazingly good - so the guts of this GX isn't some meager assembly of low-cost parts.
The Logitech - Yeti GX is solidly constructed with just the right amount of RGB bits to it. And you entirely shut off all that bling if you want. The desk stand is stout and provides a smooth articulation of the main mic body to the preferred position. The dial and mute switch are in the perfect location IMHO.
Jumping into the G-Hud software, everything & more is available. I won't go through an extensive setting-by-setting detailing but the attached photos should give any prospective buyer a really good overview of how well Logitech presents the GX controls. Broadcast/tone shaping is deep, with plenty of clean-up & tone controls. Blue Vo!ce is comprehensive and does true magic. There's also a Sampler section which is a nice bonus for those interested in adding a touch of flare to their deal.
And of course, there is a RGB lighting control page. All-in-all, I see the layout of these controls as some of Logitech's best software work - Ever!
And of course, there is a RGB lighting control page. All-in-all, I see the layout of these controls as some of Logitech's best software work - Ever!
The Logitech - Yeti GX completely changed my mind about stand-along microphones. It's utterly transformational to be completely honest. I'll only go back to using a headset when it's absolutely necessary and convenient. So, give it try: Use your favorite headphones without the protruding mic stick and pair those cans with this fantastic desktop mic. It screams Logi G via it's look but it's Blue Yeti, through & through! It's all in the performance level.
Highly, and I mean - Highly! recommended
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Meet the Ninja Combi—the only all-in-one multicooker, oven, air fryer and so much more that perfectly cooks complete meals for your whole family in just 15 minutes. With 14 functions and 3 included accessories, it’s so easy to use you will never have to turn on your kitchen again. A complete pasta dinner made from scratch in an oven without having to boil water? A full taco spread, including rice and beans in one single appliance? The Ninja Combi makes it all possible with our revolutionary Ninja Combi Cooker Technology that defies limits with a simultaneous combination of HyperSteam and Air Fry. Every ingredient is perfectly cooked in minutes—juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside. It’s the most effortless way to cook—the Combi Way.
Customer Rating
5
Huge (well Ok it's small but) Game Changer
on September 20, 2023
Posted by: YourMainDude
The Combi All-in-One Multicooker is another fantastic product from Ninja.
It's built solid like all the Ninja kitchen products we've tried and is designed for the utmost ease of use and performance.
This combination cookers comes with a printed, well defined owners manual & cooking instruction guide to make it a real game changer right from the get-go. From the design/layout of the control panel to the quality feel (in hand) of the cooking trays & pan, this thing is Ninja through & through.
We ran through a few of the guided recipes over the course of a week & made sure to do both multi-protein meals as well as the more standard faire air-fried, frozen snacks. The bottom line on this oven is that is can completely replace, easily, the need to ever use your full sized oven anymore. Save that beast for Thanksgiving dinner and super large, take home pizzas.
The quintessential test for us with any air fryer product is its ability to cook a full bag of pizza rolls or a hearty amount of breaded fish sticks. The Ninja - Combi All-in-One Multicooker does these tasks perfectly and we can now pass along our crockpot/air fryer appliance one-and-for-all. This oven air fries much more evenly and is WAY easier to clean up afterwards.
Moving on to actual meals, the Ninja - Combi All-in-One Multicooker comes with an amazing wealth of meal ideas and instructions. We were eager to try out a pasta dish with a side of sausage because our guess was this thing was going to struggled on getting the macaroni cooked just right. We were wrong! We cooked the pasta main course in the large pan and also cooked several sausage links in the tray above - all at the same time. It took just a few minutes to combine the ingredients and hit the GO button. No boiling water; no pan frying the sausage on a separate burner; no parallel steps. We love this thing.
The pasta came out perfect, not overdone and definitely not under cooked. The sausage links also came out perfect; cooked all the way through without being burned to a crisp.
Ok, so here are some things to keep in mind with the Ninja - Combi All-in-One Multicooker:
When cooking recipes with a high degree of water/fluid content to 'the mix' - expect a lot of steam to be released from the cooker when things really get going. Probably not a good idea to run this thing under a nice cabinet overhang area for just that reason. This thing released a lot of steam during this pasta dinner run.
The recipe instructions called out slightly larger amounts for actual macaroni noodles and sauce (by a few ounces) so it seemed apparent to us that if we had actually used the larger, specified amounts - the bake pan would have probably bubbled over. So it pays to keep close attention to what you plan on preparing for your meal if it requires the deeper pan.
The low-profile pan, the deep dish pan and the grate insert all have excellent non-stick coatings and clean up nicely in the dishwasher. So kudos to Ninja for that!
All in all, this is a great combination appliance and THE BEST air fryer we've ever used. The fact that we can do complete dinner bakes using this alone is worth the price of admission, hands down. So much more efficient, power wise and time wise.
Highly recommended.
In you pick one of these up, be sure to take the time and read through all the operating & meal instructions. You'll appreciate all that the Ninja - Combi All-in-One Multicooker can do - so much more. It's a smart product to own and will give your main oven, stove-top and pots & pans a much needed vacation!
In you pick one of these up, be sure to take the time and read through all the operating & meal instructions. You'll appreciate all that the Ninja - Combi All-in-One Multicooker can do - so much more. It's a smart product to own and will give your main oven, stove-top and pots & pans a much needed vacation!
I suspect your utility bill will be better as well...
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The SA-C600 Network CD Receiver showcases Technics’ legacy of renowned digital audio technology and flawless construction, eliminating noise and rendering a colorful, vibrant expression of sound space. This versatile receiver unit has a twin power supply circuit system for incredibly clear performance, Spacetune technology to automatically optimize the sound field, and incredible connectivity across wireless, digital, and analog channels.
Customer Rating
4
Nice Compact Package!
on September 14, 2023
Posted by: YourMainDude
The Technics - SA-C600 is a nice compact, multi-function package. Paired with a Technics turntable and bookshelf speakers, this system should satisfy anyone looking for a capable two-channel audio system that can be set up conveniently.
Setup of the Technics - SA-C600 is fairly easy but I was disappointed by being forced to use Google Home to get it going and updated with the latest firmware. I would have preferred a WiFi setup option that didn't require an App. As it were, a firmware update was immediately available and installed - quickly. As far as making connections is concerned, all of that is pretty much rudimentary. I did find the small speaker wire binding posts a bit disappointing too. My speaker cables are all banana plug style and much larger - geared towards more audiophile leaning stuff. Not having any wire around left me limited to testing this Receiver out with a few different pairs of headphones.
A few things I really like about the Technics - SA-C600 is the full-sized remote control, bright display and deep menu of options. The Technics 1500C turntable with moving magnet cartridge is a perfect match for the Technics - SA-C600. This combination demonstrates a super quiet signal path and plenty of fidelity. The built-in CD turntable is also extremely capable and sounds fantastic.
With respect to connecting headphones, I am again a little disappointed this Receive doesn't have a full-sized 1/4 male headphone jack. Luckily the high-end can I do own can be easily adapted - but providing a full-size jack would have seemed more appropriate for a piece of audio equipment designated as being in their "Premium" line.
Overall I found the sound quality was solid with more middle of the road headphones. My go-to pair are the Sound Magic 151's rated at 32 ohms. Moderate to slightly loud listening levels were achieved at Technics - SA-C600 volume settings of 40 to 50 on the v-scale without any issues. What didn't perform very well were a pair of Sony MDR-Z7M2 cans that are spec'd at 56 ohms. Around a v-level of 40 and above, the sound produced became muddled and edging into distortion. I wouldn't call these super high-end headphones - and they do play nice with all my other components - so I'm not sure what is going on here. Just don't expect great performance out of the Technics - SA-C600 for anything beyond mid-range headphone material or higher end pairs that are designed at a lower impedance level. The headphone circuit in this thing doesn't have a wide-band of compatibility from what I can tell, to drive the better cans with any kind of authority. At this price-point - it should.
As an internet streamer, the Technics - SA-C600 can handle most all the usual suspect service providers, including Chromecasting. No complaints on that area of functionality. More & more people rely on pure-streaming and in this case, this Receiver is plenty capable and should satisfy most everyone.
There are both Optical and Coaxial digital inputs, so for those that want to 'tap' a personal audio player of their choosing, the Technics - SA-C600 can handle it.
All-in-all, this is a nicely put together, multi-function box - that can be setup in even the most tightly constrained areas. I look forward to hooking up some small bookshelf speakers and setting up a secondary 2-channel music system in the house.
Pros:
Compact but feature filled
Works like a dream when paired with a complimentary performing Technics turntable
as the phono audio channel is absolutely dead quiet
The built-in, top-loading CD turntable is responsive and sounds good too
All the input jacks one would need for a small, 2-channel audio set up
The full-sized remote is solid and nicely laid out
Bright, clear and useful front display
Compact but feature filled
Works like a dream when paired with a complimentary performing Technics turntable
as the phono audio channel is absolutely dead quiet
The built-in, top-loading CD turntable is responsive and sounds good too
All the input jacks one would need for a small, 2-channel audio set up
The full-sized remote is solid and nicely laid out
Bright, clear and useful front display
Cons:
Tiny speaker binding posts
Mini headphone jack
Poor headphone 'drive' circuitry that starts to sound muddy at higher listening levels and above 40 ohms
Google Home integration needed to set up properly
Doesn't feel entirely "Premium" as the branding suggests - especially at this price point
Tiny speaker binding posts
Mini headphone jack
Poor headphone 'drive' circuitry that starts to sound muddy at higher listening levels and above 40 ohms
Google Home integration needed to set up properly
Doesn't feel entirely "Premium" as the branding suggests - especially at this price point
I can still recommend the Technics - SA-C600 because, to me, it fills a special niche of the market. It's a space saving design that looks good, performs well enough and can be set up lots of places a full-sized stack of audio components simply wouldn't fit in. With a Technics turntable like the 1500C, this Receiver and some good - small - bookshelf speakers - - it seems pretty reasonable that someone can assemble an above average sound sound system for well less than 3000 dollars.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Defy Boring with Pebble Mouse 2 M350s wireless mouse made with recycled plastic. Its minimalist round shape and compact mouse design make it as iconic as you and super portable. Hop across 3 devices with the Easy-Switch button on the Bluetooth mouse. With Logi Options+ app, you can assign shortcuts to the mouse’s middle button for your favorite apps, like WhatsApp or Spotify. Work, browse, and chat with Silent Touch Technology that removes 90% of click noise. Pebble Mouse 2 M350s Bluetooth mouse comes with a 24-month battery and auto-sleep power-saving mode, to keep you going for longer, worry-free.
Customer Rating
2
Works but has glaring shortcomings..
on September 12, 2023
Posted by: YourMainDude
The Logitech - Pebble Mouse 2 M350s Slim is touted as a silent mouse. With respect to the scroll wheel and buttons, this is true. But the choice to use low-budget feet/slide pads that are rough and loud as heck during movement - even on smooth glass surfaces - appears to be a complete oversight by the Logi design team.
Another issue encountered was with the new-fangled Logi Options+ Windows app. Apparently this device isn't supported fully so there is no "current" way to patch in a firmware based, performance update over Bluetooth.. and there isn't an onboard USB port or secondary wireless trans/receiver included that might provide a "link" path. The Options+ software will just sit there and not time-out. There should be an easy fix for that by the Logitech team. We'll just have to wait and see..
The light weight feel, the diminutive size and the quiet yet solid feeling switches are great attributes for an affordable mouse. Perfect for traveling! But the underneath pads are simply horrible and should be changed.
The top plate is held in place magnetically and has good retention force. There's no way of telling if the battery life is as good as they state but ease of replacing the AAA battery is a bonus nonetheless. There is a slide switch on the bottom to completely turn off the sensor which will obviously aid in extending the battery life.
Overall - I can confidently give this device 2 stars because it functions better than using a touch pad on a laptop. But the software and slide pad oversights are glaring mistakes and prove this device was rushed in its release.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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The SL-1500C inherits Technic’s high-end sound quality concept and adds a host of original Technics technologies, such as a coreless direct drive motor and high-sensitivity tonearm. To simplify the playing of analog records, the built-in Phono EQ connects to a wide variety of devices. The SL-1500C also comes equipped with a high-quality Ortofon 2M Red phono cartridge. The SL-1500C is a complete turntable system designed for a wide range of users, even outside of strictly dedicated audio enthusiasts.
Customer Rating
4
No Five Stars on this One..
on September 4, 2023
Posted by: YourMainDude
My point of reference for context:
Existing turntable is a vintage, direct drive Denon DP; I use a Pro-ject photo stage and also use a clever little gizmo called a 'SugarCube'.. it removes click & pops without coloring the remaining sound. I am a big proponent of fine-line or micro-line stylus tips.. which the Ortofon 2M Red is not.
Fine-line tips are more dynamic and way more forgiving with respect to groove/wall/surface noise.
Fine-line tips are more dynamic and way more forgiving with respect to groove/wall/surface noise.
With that out of the way -
Initial Inspection:
The Technics - SL-1500C was well packaged and easy to assemble. I would recommend that any new owner take the time to read the provided User Manual - probably twice before diving in. One small thing I noticed was that the rubber pad that spans across the arm life was lifted on the inner most radius of the lift. It took a little gentle force to move it back into proper position. I consider that to be a small quality control issue but an important one none the less. The Technics - SL-1500C is hefty and solid feeling. The plinth (base or deck) is dense and robust. The tone arm assembly is as those things go and easy to work with. The mechanical lift lever and its feel are Ok. It will take some time to become accustomed to but does it job. The bottom of the motion of the level is spring dampened by design and provides good tactile feedback when depressed, to lower the tone arm. The 'drop down' dampening is Ok but doesn't exude anything feeling precise.
Setup:
Set up was simple & straightforward.
One thing I noticed right away was that the tone arm height control was just floating, unlocked - so it wasn't pre-set at the factory for the 2M Red's required 4 mm of offset. Another QC oversight in my mind but not hugely egregious. New owners will want to check that facet of the Technics - SL-1500C straight away before proceeding with the follow-on steps of setting things up.
Once the tone arm height was properly set, the balancing procedure, tracking force and anti-skate settings were all a breeze to set.
What I really like about the Technics - SL-1500C is the provision of both an Aux line-level set of RCA jacks and the 2nd set for a 'straight shot' of signal coming off the cartridge. This bit of ingenuity means that the Technics - SL-1500C offers a lot of flexibility for the customer. I also like the fact that all interconnecting cables are not 'fixed' in their attachment. Especially good is the ability to upgrade the IEC power cord and ground lead if one so chooses. My vintage "spinner" doesn't have that!
Playback and Use:
The biggest appeal of the Technics - SL-1500C - to me - is the dead silent signal path and quiet operation of the direct drive motor. Those two facets of this turntable are directly tied to the price of admission. There was (is) no detectable hum or noise in the signal path when using this thing without the onboard phono stage. For my particular tastes, I found the onboard preamp to be kind of flat in response but it was still quiet as can be. Bonus!
After a handful of LP plays, I came away really satisfied with the audio fidelity of the Technics - SL-1500C with the 2M Red - entry level - cartridge. Most entry level price styli aren't stellar in their performance as it relates to groove/wall noise but I never found what I did hear all that distracting or annoying. The 2M Red that comes with this turntable is a solid entry level cartridge bonus that puts most other budget carts to shame - at a similar price point.
My one and only gripe about the Technics - SL-1500C is the Auto Lift feature. Over the course of about 10 LPs I didn't experience a single 'rogue' tone arm lift in the middle of music being played. That's good thing. But what I don't understand is why the microprocessor control that initiates the 'lift' varies and generally takes more than 60 seconds to occur. Being microprocessor based, the timing should be spot-on precise - with no variance. To me, that's a design flaw. I did experience a couple of playbacks where the Auto Lift was never activated too. That's a problem. I did dive into the service manual to obtain explanations and left feeling like the "logic" of this feature just doesn't quite make much sense. Two positions for where Auto Lift is supposed to happen? Why even the 2nd one that is further in (away) from the record label and inner groove track? Boggles my mind..
One thing about the tone lift lever: It is spring dampened on the bottomed-out position. This is intentional and provides good tactile feedback bump when releasing the arm to drop & play the LP. Some might call the overall "action" of the lift level somewhat sloppy but I find it about average and just one of those things you have to become accustomed to with time - with any semi-automatic turntable configured in similar fashion.
But back to the overall playback performance - the Auto Lift functionality notwithstanding - the Technics - SL-1500C is a solid performer - sonically. This turntable rivals any belt-driven alternative out there in the price segment.
Pros:
Dead quiet signal paths and motor operation
What one would expect from Technics in terms of overall build quality; the base is slender and aesthetically pleasing yet dense
The tone arm assembly is standard faire but still easy to work with
Connectivity options are great
Non-fixed power, ground and audio cable configuration is the way it should be!
White deck layered onto the black underside looks fantastic "in the flesh"
Finely tunable isolation feet that make dialing in the "level" a pleasing experience -
in other words, they got the thread pitch and range of adjustability right!
Dead quiet signal paths and motor operation
What one would expect from Technics in terms of overall build quality; the base is slender and aesthetically pleasing yet dense
The tone arm assembly is standard faire but still easy to work with
Connectivity options are great
Non-fixed power, ground and audio cable configuration is the way it should be!
White deck layered onto the black underside looks fantastic "in the flesh"
Finely tunable isolation feet that make dialing in the "level" a pleasing experience -
in other words, they got the thread pitch and range of adjustability right!
Cons:
Unreliable and generally prolonged Auto Lift functionality - when it works
Small QC issues but nothing outrageous
Feels a little bit too expensive for what it offers and that goofy Auto Lift thing
Unreliable and generally prolonged Auto Lift functionality - when it works
Small QC issues but nothing outrageous
Feels a little bit too expensive for what it offers and that goofy Auto Lift thing
In a world of many turntable choices, this one would be a solid recommendation despite its flaws - with a touch better price. It does offer some flexibility that will widen its appeal though. Even with the few oddities I've outlined, it does sound fantastic with even just an entry level cartridge - so just know that going into your purchase. I have no doubt in my mind that with a big cartridge upgrade, this turntable will sing a completely different tune!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Say hello to better video meetings. Place Brio 300 at your best angle for an eye-to-eye connection. Look natural thanks to 1080p resolution and auto light correction for low-light situations. A noise-reducing mic suppresses background noise so others can hear you clearly. Spin the easy-to-use privacy shutter to cover the lens between calls. Brio 300 is certified for Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Zoom, so you can enjoy hassle-free meetings.
Posted by: YourMainDude
The Logitech - Brio 300 is a definitely a great little camera.
Installation & setup was a breeze. The Logi Tune app provides all the controls one would need to optimize the clarity & brightness of the image. Upon installing this software I saw the availability of a firmware update for the Brio 300 and proceeded to install it. It was super quick and completed without any issues.
The easily slide-out-of-way Privacy Shutter is really handy and I prefer this type vs. say a slider control.
The Logitech - Brio 300 comes with a cable 60 inches in length (5 feet) and terminated with a USB-C connector. Yes!
Overall I'm really happy with this webcam. It solves an issue I have with a gaming laptop with no integrated cam. Windows 11 detected it without issue and it works with Discord, Skype and Zoom flawlessly.
Some might complain about this only being a 1080p device but I think it's more than adequate for what I do... and the sensor in it is solid! Much, much better than most the 720p junk built into so many computers... still until this day.
It is light weight, easy to position, stays put! and does what it is designed to do perfectly.
It looks to be extremely well constructed and I don't see any problems tossing this into a bag & taking it on-the-go.
It looks to be extremely well constructed and I don't see any problems tossing this into a bag & taking it on-the-go.
The Logi Tune software is modern and intuitive. The privacy shutter is simple but elegant for the design. This thing is all Pros and no Cons.
Highly recommended.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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