MurphyR's stats
- Review count164
- Helpfulness votes141
- First reviewSeptember 16, 2013
- Last reviewApril 19, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.2
Reviews comments
- Review comment count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentNone
- Last review commentNone
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count11
- Helpfulness votes9
- First answerJune 26, 2015
- Last answerDecember 18, 2020
- Featured answers0
- Best answers1
For ages 6 years old & up, The JBuddies Play Gaming Headset is a wireless headset designed specifically for gaming. With 22+ hours of playtime and cushion support for all-day comfort, these headphones are there for when the kids want to play games endlessly. A built-in, retractable boom microphone lets you talk to your teammates or store back in the headphone when you play solo. Compatible with PS, XBox, Switch, PC/Mac, and mobile devices.
Customer Rating
4
The money is in the electronics
on August 7, 2020
Posted by: MurphyR
from Arlington, VA
These are some nice headphones! They aren’t exactly professional looking, but if you want on-ear headphones with a built in microphone for calls/video conferencing, these are actually quite nice.
The materials used are fairly cheap, which isn’t unexpected for $50 headphones. The ear-pads are comfortable, though I’d prefer they didn’t have a graphic print. That being said, you can’t really see the print on a video-call, so it isn’t a big deal.
The money for these headphones is actually in the electronics. The battery lasts about 20 hours per charge, so their estimates are fairly accurate. The microphone retracts when you aren’t using it, so you don’t have to always have it in front of your face. The Bluetooth connection is solid. I’ve had other headphones (mostly from Skullcandy) which get very spotty when moving around outside or when I fire up the microwave. These stay solidly connected. Also, the microphone arm is a tube-style reminiscent of early earpieces for cell phones from 20 years ago. While not modern, it is effective and I haven’t had any complaints about sound quality on the other end of calls. Having a dedicated mute-button on the ear-cup is also nice, though you can end up being triple-muted on a conference call if you’re not careful!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
All the power you expect, without the cord. Go where ambition takes you with the cordless hand blender from KitchenAid. Designed with a powerful rechargeable lithium ion battery, the new cordless hand blender delivers optimal runtime and performance, so you can cook wherever, whatever, and however you choose. Blends 25 bowls of soup on a full charge.
Customer Rating
5
Quiet, simple to use, powerful
on July 14, 2020
Posted by: MurphyR
from Arlington, VA
This is a very easy and comparatively quiet blender to use. All you have to do is squeeze the handle to depress the safety switch on one side, and the grey trigger on the other to control the speed.
My full-size blender is so loud that I wake up my significant other when I blend a coffee drink in the morning. With this, I don’t have that problem. It does a great job blending everything together in a few seconds, and does so quietly.
A couple of things to consider when using this: 1) the cup it comes with has markers up to 3 cups, but don’t fill it beyond 2 cups unless you’re blending something particularly thick; the liquid will splatter out. 2) There is a definite downward force (pulling down) when you run the blender – the blades spinning will pull the blender deeper into whatever you are blending; be prepared and use the attachment to protect your cookware.
Overall, this is a very easy hand-held blender to use. I definitely enjoy it.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Enjoy your favorite podcasts and music on the go with these Skullcandy Indy Evo true wireless earbuds. The sweat-resistant and water-resistant design is ideal for workouts, while the Tile technology lets you track and find them when lost. These Skullcandy Indy Evo true wireless earbuds offer up to 30 hours of battery life for continuous entertainment.
Customer Rating
3
Nice sound, secure to wear, spotty controls...
on June 19, 2020
Posted by: MurphyR
from Arlington, VA
After using these headphones for more than a week, I can say that the battery ratings are fairly spot on. I use these for a couple of hours in the mornings, and didn’t have to charge them for about 1.5 weeks. I’d also like to say that Skullcandy did very well with making these comfortable and stable to wear. I haven’t had issues with them falling out, or anything like that, which is a big improvement (usually buds tend to fall out of my ears).
The sound from these earbuds is good. I wouldn’t say amazing, but very good. The ear tips are very isolating even though they are not noise cancelling. You do have some EQ controls in the form of switching between modes for podcasts, movies, and music. Essentially, the podcast mode scoops out the low end and some mids. This is nice if the podcast isn’t really professionally done and you can usually hear tapping on a desk or other jostling of the microphone. The movie mode emphasizes the bass and high end, so you can hear the effects and dialogue reasonably clearly. The music mode is fairly evenly balanced across the EQ. You can also turn on an ambient mode, which is nice to have, but I generally find it just adds white noise to whatever you’re listening to. If someone is talking to you, be a decent person and take out the buds…
The touch-controls are where these earbuds are generally lacking. They include what the company calls an “easy controls” list in the paperwork… Each earbud has 9 different touch functions… After more than a week, I still have to reference this list to remember which pattern toggles EQ, ambient mode, skipping forward or back… Further, whether or not these controls work at all is very spotty. There is apparently some pattern of taking the buds out of the case which will allow the controls to work, but more often than not I find that the right-hand side controls don’t work. Don’t expect to be able to use these for everything without ever taking your phone out of your pocket. One last note is that the skipping forward and back, assuming it works, requires touching and holding for two seconds. This doesn’t work very well for skipping through ads in podcasts (either it takes too long to activate and you miss some of the podcast, or the podcast has multiple ads in a row, making it very irritating to use).
Overall, these are very nice sounding headphones that are comfortable and secure to wear. Don’t expect to rely on the touch-controls. Only time will tell if these are actually reliable. Most Skullcandy headphones I’ve tried have only lasted about 6-8 months.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Drink or serve the wine you want with the Coravin Model Six Wine Preservation System. Featuring a luxurious color palette enhanced by sleek chrome accents, and innovative SmartClamps™, Model Six is a fusion of elegance and technology. Its additional premium accessories offer a complete Coravin experience. Simply insert, tip, and pour as much wine as you and your guests desire—then save the rest of the bottle for weeks, months, or even years! Includes 3 Coravin Pure Capsules, 2 Coravin Screw Caps, and a Carry Case.
Customer Rating
1
Nice product, absolutely terrible value.
on May 23, 2020
Posted by: MurphyR
from Arlington, VA
So… I’ve tried this “system”. It is easy to use. If you’re looking for a way to try expensive bottles of wine without uncorking, this may be an option. It works well, but that’s where the good points end.
That being said, they’re asking $400… If you’re buying really expensive wines, and not drinking much of any given one at a time, maybe this is worth that much to you. You could also drink half of a $20 bottle and just pour out the rest every day for more than a month, and still be ahead not buying this system. If you do that once per week, it will take you close to a year before you break even.
The construction is all mid-grade plastic. There is absolutely nothing about this product that makes you think, “wow, this must be expensive”. I wouldn’t be surprised to see similar knock-off systems available in a discount store for $50. I can only imagine that this product exists because the market is too small to make it worth anyone’s time to compete.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
-1point
3of 7voted this as helpful.
Shark VACMOP Pro cordless hard floor system uses an innovative all-in-one disposable pad to vacuum and lock away debris other pads push around, and to spray mop tough messes. Pick up dry debris, then spray mop, and toss the pad with one click–never touch a dirty pad again! Features LED headlights, charger, 2 disposable pads, and a 12-oz. bottle of Shark VACMOP Multi-Surface Cleaner.
Customer Rating
5
Gives an excellent clean, and cheap to use
on April 23, 2020
Posted by: MurphyR
from Arlington, VA
Up front, I want to say that this is an excellent cleaning device. When I first saw it, I thought, “I have a Swiffer, why do I need this?” After using it once, I’m sold. The Swiffer is good for surface cleaning, but the Shark Vacmop goes for a deeper clean.
In the box, you get a bottle of cleaner (about 1/3 L), two cleaning heads (disposable), and of course the Vacmop and charger. I’d say that the cleaner is good for about 1200 square feet of floor space of cleaning, and so is the head. After the first use, the manufactured floors in my condo felt like they were brand new again. I didn’t realize how much dirt there was that I couldn’t see, but I could feel.
So, it is great with the cleaning, but what about the cost? I haven’t seen the cleaning solution or replacement heads on other websites, but direct from shark they are $10 for 2L of the cleaner and $13 for 16 heads. Conservatively, if you have 1200 sqft to clean, you’ll get at least 6 cleanings from the bottle. Cleaning your 1200 sqft will be about $1.67 for the fluid, and $0.81 for the head, so about $2.50 to clean your floors. Doing that every couple of weeks seems pretty good to make sure the floors are really clean. This price will only go down when generic products, or even websites other than manufacturer direct are available.
TLDR: Great cleaner! I didn’t realize how dirty my floors were that I couldn’t see. In the box has what you need to clean at least 1200sqft, and replacement materials will run you $2.50 per cleaning of 1200sqft. Seems like a great value to me.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
HP Spectre x360 Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop: Improve your productivity on the go with this 13.3-inch Full HD HP Spectre x360 two-in-one notebook. The 512GB SSD with 32GB of Intel Optane memory ensures fast startups and loads frequently used programs in seconds. This ultra-thin, lightweight HP Spectre x360 two-in-one notebook has an Intel Core i7 processor and 8GB of RAM that smoothly run demanding tasks and let you multitask freely.
Customer Rating
5
Having a nice computer can make a difference!
on December 8, 2019
Posted by: MurphyR
from Arlington, VA
I must say, this is a phenomenal computer. The screen is incredibly sharp with extremely narrow bezels, allowing this computer to be smaller than my prior Yoga with a 12” screen (but large bezels). Considering the screen, the graphics are incredibly good on this computer. The only gaming that I do is playing Magic Arena, but where the Yoga could run the computer (taking about 1 minute to start, frequently dropping to under 15 screens per second, degrading the image, etc.), this computer runs it like a champ. The screen refresh rarely drops below 20 screens per second, and even then for only a flash before jumping back up. Everything is incredibly smooth, and can even surf the web with the game open, which was almost unthinkable with the Yoga (think 1.5 second delays on every click).
Materials: This computer is definitely premium. Everything you touch is metal, including the keyboard. This is a little off-putting at first, as the keys are more slick than any other keyboard that I’ve used, but the key travel feels nice, and you get used to the smoothness of the keys. The touchpad feels very nice, is very responsive, and is about as wide as possible in the machine without having your palm touch it when typing. Even the feet on the bottom of the computer are much larger than usual. Most computers have little round bumpers which are prone to falling off, but they run the full length of the body making it highly unlikely they will come off while holding the computer incredibly stable when on a desk.
Audio: This is nothing to write home about, but given the small size of the computer, that isn’t surprising. Think of using earbuds as opposed to over-ear cups. Thinner, tinnier, but not terrible.
Connections: This computer actually has 2 USB-C ports, which I’ve never seen on a computer before. Both will charge the computer, so if you have a docking station you can use either plug at your convenience. One is positioned on the side of the computer, while the other comes off at a 45 degree angle from the body of the machine thanks to the angled back corners. The other corner is also where the power button is, which is nice because most computers that I’ve tried have the power button on the side of the computer where you can accidentally hit it and put the computer to sleep just by picking it up. This is a nice, thoughtful design improvement.
All in all, I had no idea what difference to expect jumping from a $400 computer to a $1000 computer, but this is quite remarkable.
TLDR: the audio is what you’d expect from a thin laptop, but the graphics, multitasking, and materials are all amazing by comparison.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
The TRX® FIT Suspension Trainer™ is the ultimate travel-ready, total-body home workout method for all levels and goals. Ultra-portable, it’s perfect for training indoors, outdoors, or on the go. Plus, get the full gym experience with exclusive access to the TRX Training Club℠ fitness app.
Customer Rating
5
Simple to set up, looking forward to using!
on November 8, 2019
Posted by: MurphyR
from Arlington, VA
I wasn't sure what to expect with setting up something like this on a door. However, I was surprised at how easy it is. All you have to do is open the door, lay the strap over the top near the hinge so that it is as long as you need, and close the door. Done.
I'm looking forward to using this over the next few months to see any changes that may occur. I'm a big fan of body-weight exercises, so this should be an excellent product to use.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Say goodbye to cords and cables with these Skullcandy Sesh true wireless headphones. Bluetooth technology seamlessly connects to your smartphone, tablet or PC, letting you stream music or take phone calls with the built-in microphone. These water-resistant Skullcandy Sesh true wireless headphones come with a charging case, providing up to an extra 7 hours of listening time.
Customer Rating
4
Nice completely wireless headphones
on November 3, 2019
Posted by: MurphyR
from Arlington, VA
These are actually the best in-ear wireless headphones that I’ve tried, which is shocking given the spam-like nature of Skullcandy’s origins.
These are very light-weight headphones, which helps them to stay in the ear. I’ve had problems with in-ear headphones not staying in, but these will stay reasonably well. I don’t think I’d ride a bike with them, but lifting weights or going for a walk would be fine (I always have problems with in-ear headphones staying in, so if you don’t usually have a problem you are likely to do well with these).
The rubber cones on the ear-pieces are very isolating. Definitely not noise-cancelling, but very isolating when they are in place. The audio quality is great. Again, don’t expect them to match over-ear headphones, but still excellent sound reproduction.
The battery is listed as lasting for up to 10 hours. This includes the entire battery within the case, not just the headphones. What you’ll actually see with a new pair is about 2.5 hours of use between charges from the case. After about 10 hours of use, the case will be drained and need to be recharged.
The main issue that I have with these is actually the buttons to control the audio. They are physical buttons that click, not just touch-sensitive. So, with this pressed into your ear, and having to press harder to make it click, it can actually be painful and I find that I don’t bother using the buttons on the headphones. Further, both can click to play/pause, which is fine, but skipping forward or back requires holding the button for two seconds. This is fine to skip a track in music, but too slow for skipping commercials if listening to a podcast.
Overall, these are great headphones with some limitations based on the buttons. If you don’t have any issues with in-ear headphones staying in, these are a great value.
I’ve also put together a video of my thoughts here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG_qrqEsLVY
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine w/ Milk Frother
Customer Rating
5
Fantastic espresso and very easy to use
on October 20, 2019
Posted by: MurphyR
from Arlington, VA
This is just about the easiest espresso machine I have ever used. I’ve had a couple of other models which were more traditional with the cup you lock into place, the filter that needs to be cleaned, the packing of the grounds, but this machine doesn’t require any of that. Push a button, get espresso. It’s really that easy.
Set-up: All you have to do is put whole beans in the top of the machine, and fill the reservoir with water. Then you can steam milk or make espresso or regular coffee just by pushing the button on the front of the machine.
Cleaning: Pull out the tray in the front and you’ve got the water pan and used coffee grounds in containers that come out together. Pour out the water, dump the grounds, you’re done. When the machine powers down, it automatically flushes the spout with hot water. The only thing you have to actually be conscious of cleaning is the milk frother, which you pull off, rinse out, and put back on.
I’ve made a video running through all of the options on the machine and demonstrating it’s use. You can find the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okj3d8zaP4k
Overall, this machine makes great coffee/espresso, and really couldn’t be easier to use. If you’re big on coffee, this machine is probably good for you. If you replace the $5/day latte habit with this, it’ll pay for itself in about 3 months…
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Produce high-quality pictures on this Acer 27-inch Full HD widescreen monitor. AMD Radeon FreeSync technology offers crisp visuals while gaming, and the ergonomic design allows tilting through a 20-degree range for a customized setup. This Acer 27-inch Full HD widescreen monitor has AcerVisionCare technology that helps minimize eyestrain during extended periods of use.
Customer Rating
5
Great monitor, very clear
on October 4, 2019
Posted by: MurphyR
from Arlington, VA
Overall, this is a really nice monitor. I’m not sure what all of their “technologies” listed on the box are actually there for, but it looks very nice. They have notes about blue light filtering, which I see absolutely no evidence of. If you want that, you have to do it with the computer. There are no settings that I can find to filter the blue out.
Otherwise, the image is very nice and clear. I have this monitor (27”) set up next to an HP monitor (23”) at the same resolution, and I can more easily see the pixels in the HP than the Acer. This is amazing given the difference in size.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a computer with a compatible video card to test the graphics assistance that the monitor can provide.
The bezels on this monitor are .25”, which is quite narrow. Definitely the smallest bezels I’ve seen on a readily affordable monitor.
My only odd observation is that the power light at the bottom of the monitor is quite bright, so perhaps don’t keep it in your bedroom if you are easily disturbed by lights. Otherwise, this is an excellent monitor.
For a video of my thoughts, see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqDQ8bAqx2U
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
MurphyR's Review Comments
MurphyR has not submitted comments on any reviews.
MurphyR's Questions
MurphyR has not submitted any questions.
Ensure a high-quality digital audio connection with this Insignia 6-foot digital audio optical cable. The precision-polished cable design maximizes signal quality for optimal sound transmission. This Insignia 6-foot digital audio optical cable boasts a low-profile construction, which is ideal for use in small spaces to connect easily with nearby devices.
Do all necessary cables come with purchase or what cable do you need to connect to tv?
This comes with a USB cable to power the amplifier, and sends the TV signal with a coax cable. Any TV should still have a coax input on it.
3 years, 5 months ago
by
MurphyR
Bose Sleepbuds II deliver relaxing sounds that help you fall asleep, and use Bose noise-masking technology so you stay asleep. Tiny, wireless Sleepbuds II are designed for comfort with sleep technology clinically proven to help you fall asleep faster. Sleepbuds II play content only from the Bose Sleep app, which gives you full control of the Sound Library and helps you personalize features. Discover tranquil tones and soothing sounds from nature. Or, use Bose noise-masking sounds to cover unwanted nighttime noise. Download your favorite sounds directly to Sleepbuds II, control volume, and set a personal wake-up alarm. Sleepbuds II feature proprietary eartips made of soft silicone for a comfortable, secure fit. Sleep on your back or side, or rollover during the night, they’ll stay put. Get up to ten hours of battery life from a single charge, enough for a full night’s sleep — and three additional charges from the portable case.
Can they play the music on your phone
No, they only work with the Bose app.
3 years, 7 months ago
by
MurphyR
Bose Sleepbuds II deliver relaxing sounds that help you fall asleep, and use Bose noise-masking technology so you stay asleep. Tiny, wireless Sleepbuds II are designed for comfort with sleep technology clinically proven to help you fall asleep faster. Sleepbuds II play content only from the Bose Sleep app, which gives you full control of the Sound Library and helps you personalize features. Discover tranquil tones and soothing sounds from nature. Or, use Bose noise-masking sounds to cover unwanted nighttime noise. Download your favorite sounds directly to Sleepbuds II, control volume, and set a personal wake-up alarm. Sleepbuds II feature proprietary eartips made of soft silicone for a comfortable, secure fit. Sleep on your back or side, or rollover during the night, they’ll stay put. Get up to ten hours of battery life from a single charge, enough for a full night’s sleep — and three additional charges from the portable case.
Can sleep buds 2 connect blue tooth to different apps on my phone?
Feel the beat with this LG PK3 portable Bluetooth speaker. It provides dynamic sound and rich bass thanks to its Meridian Audio technology, so you can bring the party with you. The IPX-7 water resistance lets you go anywhere, rain or shine. This LG PK3 portable Bluetooth speaker keeps the music going for up to 12 hours per charge.
I want to use this as a speaker on my TV. Will it work for this purpose if I leave it plugged into a wall outlet for power all the time?
This speaker pairs wtih BlueTooth, or has a standard size line in (1/8 inch, just like any headphone jack). So, if your TV has BlueTooth or a headphone-out jack, it can connect to a TV.
5 years, 8 months ago
by
MurphyR
Only @ Best BuyListen to music with this sweat- and dust-resistant wireless Jabra Elite headset. It connects via USB, mini-jack or Bluetooth, and a powerful microphone lets you use voice commands with your mobile device. This Jabra Elite headset reduces background noise and has a built-in motion sensor that lets you track fitness efforts.
Does each earbud have controls? Can both sides be used independently of each other, or can only one side be used independently, or must they always be used as a pair?
Each side has different controls (volume on left, play/pause on right).
You can connect the right side alone. This may be possible with the left, but I haven't tested it.
You can connect the right side alone. This may be possible with the left, but I haven't tested it.
5 years, 11 months ago
by
MurphyR
Prepare delicious recipes with this Blendtec Designer 650s Blender. The Blendtec Designer Series uses all the power and performance that made Blendtec the choice of blending professionals, and combined it with a modern design with functionality taking Blendtec to a new level in performance blending. The Blendtec Designer Series is the all-in-one appliance that replaces many standard kitchen appliances with one fast easy-to-use machine. It will make smoothies, fresh whole juice, ice cream, margaritas, soups, sauces, bread dough, dressings, salsas, flours and more! Blending professionals have relied on Blendtec machines in the best coffee shops, juice bars, gyms, and restaurants around the world for producing the best, most consistent results in taste and texture. You can now enjoy the same results in your home.
What is the difference between the designer series and the classic blender? Can they be used commercially? Which is more rugged?
I only have the designer, but my understanding is that the designer series is supposed to be quieter than the regular. There may also be some stylistic differences.
6 years, 5 months ago
by
MurphyR
Listen to your playlist in peace with these Sony headphones. They have a 40mm dome driver to deliver the full depth of audio, and the noise cancelling feature minimizes outside disturbances for a better listening experience. These Sony headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours for extended jam sessions.
What walkman are compatible with these headphones?
If the walkman has bluetooth, you should be able to connect. You can also use a wired connection and still turn on the headphones for noise-cancelling.
6 years, 6 months ago
by
MurphyR
Listen to your playlist in peace with these Sony headphones. They have a 40mm dome driver to deliver the full depth of audio, and the noise cancelling feature minimizes outside disturbances for a better listening experience. These Sony headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours for extended jam sessions.
Do these have the same cracking head band problem that the Sony HDR1000x had?
I have both headphones, and both have the same metal headband. I don't see how it would crack, but if it's a problem you experienced with the prior version, I don't see it being any different here.
6 years, 6 months ago
by
MurphyR
Add stability to your home network with the Amped Wireless HELIOS-EX Wi-Fi Extender. With DirectLink technology, it avoids signal loss by adding another 5GHz Wi-Fi channel to the standard setup, which it then uses strictly for receiving signal from the source. This Amped Wireless HELIOS-EX Wi-Fi Extender covers an area of up to 12,000 sq. ft. and includes four Gigabit network ports.
Can it use the same SSID as my TWC modem?
Yes, in the set-up for the extender, you can tell it to clone the settings from the home network, which, according to the instructions, will copy the SSID.
7 years ago
by
MurphyR
Logitech Wireless Mouse M325. A better mix of precision and comfort-with designed-for-Web scrolling. Designed for how you use the Web, our newest micro-precise scrolling makes everything you love to do online easier. Its feel-good, contoured shape and textured grips help keep your hand happy-even after long hours. And with up to 18 months of battery life, it virtually eliminates the hassle of changing batteries.*
green light is blinking, curser moves staticly
It sounds like it is having a hard time maintaining the connection to the receiver. Try having the receiver plugged in as close to the mouse as possible (I have a USB hub built in to my keyboard, which works perfectly). When I plug the receiver in to the back of the computer (less than 3 feet away), the connection becomes choppy and the pointer will skip around on the screen quite a bit.
8 years, 7 months ago
by
MurphyR
Washington, DC