SamG's stats
- Review count149
- Helpfulness votes865
- First reviewOctober 20, 2016
- Last reviewApril 21, 2024
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- Average rating4.4
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- First answerOctober 20, 2016
- Last answerMay 20, 2018
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Your SWFT journey starts here. Wherever you’re headed, ZIP will get you there with style, safety, and a fresh design that’ll turn heads as you turn corners. Move ahead of the pack with a SWFT e-bike with a detachable, rechargeable battery. Multiple modes allow you to use pedal-assist or your throttle to propel you forward. With a 19.8 mph max speed, you can travel up to 37 miles on a single charge of your battery alone. A built-in monitor display indicates your battery output and speed. Let the journey begin.
Customer Rating
4
Great Bike for Short Trips Around the Neighborhood
on September 27, 2021
Posted by: SamG
from Portland, OR
Living in Portland I’ve mostly driven everywhere, even though I have several grocery stores and restaurants within several blocks of me. I’ve had a bike, but I never rode it because riding up hills is exhausting, I worry about keeping up with traffic, I’m lazy, and riding my bike usually takes twice as long. Really steep inclines still suck on the SWFT Zip, but it solves a lot of the other issues I’ve had with taking my bike instead of my car. Riding around on it is a ton of fun and it gets up and goes very quickly without too much effort from me. It’s made me genuinely think of a bike as a viable method of transportation for me.
When I received the Zip it was almost fully assembled. The manual mentioned attaching the front wheel, but mine was already attached. I just had to attach the handle bars and check all the connections and it was good to go. I’d say I had the bike itself confidently assembled in less than half an hour, including checking the brakes, etc. The battery slides on and off the down tube and can be locked in place with the provided keys.The bike has a cool moped/dirt bike look to it and the LED lights look really nice. The construction feels pretty solid, though it may be worth taking something like this to a bike shop and paying to have somebody really dial everything in.
After charging the battery up I took my first test ride. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but with the pedal assist set to level 3 I was up to 20 mph almost instantly with almost no effort on my part. Better still, the throttle on the handlebars lets you ride on just motor power alone, which is great. The ride felt very smooth and stable on the large tires. I felt I was able to travel with enough speed that, at least in the neighborhoods and side streets I typically take, I didn’t like I’d have to worry about someone zooming up from behind me. I do think I’m just a tad too tall for this bike (6’ 3”), but I was still comfortable riding it. On flat surfaces this is a breeze to ride, but I did find myself struggling on a particularly steep hill near my house where I hoped the bike would be able to mostly carry me up under its own power. I would say with the extra weight combined with the motor assist that riding up 25+ degree inclines feels about the same as riding up on a standard bike; maybe a little bit easier. There is a gear selector, though for flat surfaces I found I could mostly leave it on the highest gear all of the time. I’ve been making short trips around my neighborhood and have not run the battery down all the way yet, but the 37 mile max range feels a bit optimistic and I imagine is probably quoted using minimal assists. From what I can tell I think I’ll see around 25 miles on my charge on the higher assist level. The LCD display lets you adjust the assist level and activate a few other features with long presses (like the integrated LED lights). It doesn’t seem like the manual lays out all the functions very well, but it was easy enough to learn through trial and error.
Overall I’m happy with this bike. I don’t think it’s completely converted me, but I can see myself running little errands and picking up groceries where that would not even have entered my mind before.
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Linksys Atlas Pro 6 with Velop Intelligent Mesh is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router that delivers next-level streaming and gaming to more than 30 devices per node. Access to 160 MHz unleashes the true power of Wi-Fi 6 technology—these are the least congested channels available on the 5GHz band and offer incredibly fast connectivity. Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) provides access to more channels, reducing interference from neighboring networks. Velop Intelligent Mesh technology offers whole home mesh Wi-Fi coverage that’s easily expandable by adding additional nodes. With easy setup, advanced security and parental controls, Linksys Atlas Pro 6 is an essential upgrade to any home.
Customer Rating
4
Solid Dual Band Mesh System
on September 20, 2021
Posted by: SamG
from Portland, OR
I’ve been using a Netgear Orbi tri-band mesh system for the past few years. It was my ‘nuclear’ option after a firmware debacle with the previous router shut my network down every 20-30 minutes. It’s been excellent ever since and I cannot recommend mesh WiFi enough for the coverage and stability it provides. I’ve thought about upgrading as my old system was on the last generation WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 has become more commonplace, but costs have also gotten higher in the years since I got my previous system. I was worried the change from a tri-band system with a dedicated backhaul channel to a dual band system would be a downgrade, but so far the jump to Linksys has been a nice, if minor, improvement. I have had no issues with the Atlas Pro 6 and if you have a large home that is lacking in coverage from a single WiFi router then this is a great choice.
The model I received is MX55EC3. It’s a Best Buy exclusive model and from what I can tell it is nearly identical to the MX5503, but it costs $50 more and has a slower 2.4GHz band. I really can’t see any other difference between them. I know this is a new product, so maybe there are some other details that differentiate that I’m missing, but it seems like going with the MX5503 is the better choice between the two of them.
In the box you get 3 nodes. My Orbi system had a dedicated router and satellite, but it appears that any of the Atlas Pro nodes can be used as a router or a satellite. Each node has 3 gigabit LAN ports and 1 gigabit WAN port that can also be used as a LAN on nodes being used as satellites. I have a 1200 Mbps internet plan from Comcast and unfortunately the gigabit WAN port does not allow me to take full advantage of my internet plan, which is a disappointment. I wish Linksys had made this port 2.5 Gig or 5 Gig, but you’d have to go with the much more expensive Atlas Max to get that. Setting up the system through the app was straightforward, if somewhat lengthy. Connecting to and initializing each node took around 10 minutes each, but once that was done that was pretty much it for me. The app has a simple layout with a main page that lets you see all of your connected devices and enable guest WiFi. Pulling out the side menu does give you some more advanced settings, but overall it’s pretty basic. The app works well, but there’s not much reason to interact with it after the initial setup, which is a good thing for me.
Some background on my home, it’s 2 stories and 1500 square feet. Technically one node would cover me no problem and three is definitely overkill, but I’ve had issues with coverage from single WiFi routers in the past. I setup the main router in my guest bedroom upstairs, the second satellite in the master bedroom down the hall, and the third satellite downstairs behind my TV. It depended on the device, but I consistently saw better or at least the same speeds from all of my devices while connected to the Atlas Pro. I was excited to see the improvement WiFi 6 would have on the devices that I had that supported it. My Surface Book 3, where it was getting around 400 Mbps on the old system, I saw speeds between 500-700 Mbps. It’s an improvement to be sure, but not one I’d probably notice on a daily basis. My WiFi 5 devices were mostly the same, but I did still see slightly improved speeds on my Pixel 4. The connection to all my devices has been rock solid and I haven’t seen any drops.
Overall I’m happy with the Atlas Pro 6 and it’s definitely changed my opinion on dual band mesh WiFi, but if everything I’ve been able to find about the MX55EC3 is correct it seems like it would be a better choice to pick the MX5503 and get the extra 2.4 Ghz speed.
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The best bedroom Smart Clock just got even better. The Lenovo Smart Clock Gen 2 with Wireless Charging Dock keeps your nightstand clutter free. Charge up to two additional devices at once: your phone (using the wireless dock) and another accessory, like a smart watch (using the USB port). The 4“ color touchscreen showcases the time, weather and your family photos with a choice of customizable clock faces or check in on your smart cameras feeds before bed. Enhanced with a built-in nightlight when docked, the light is just bright enough to illuminate your way without waking your partner. With multiroom audio, you can add your Lenovo Smart Clock Gen 2 to a speaker group and play media across multiple devices and rooms.
Customer Rating
5
Great Bedside Accessory
on September 4, 2021
Posted by: SamG
from Portland, OR
A coworker of mine bought me the original Lenovo Smart Clock as a Christmas present a few years ago. I didn’t think I’d make much use of it, but it’s been my alarm clock ever since. I’ve also had a wireless charger for my phone plugged in right next to it. Needless to say I was pretty excited to see the new version of the Clock announced with a wireless charging dock and so far I’m very happy with it.
The 4” screen has limited utility compared to a full size Nest Hub or something similar, but it’s just fine for setting alarms and checking the weather, which is what I’m primarily using it for. The speakers are okay and the sound comes through loud and clear, but for music I don’t think it’s a good stand-in for a dedicated smart speaker; my Nest Mini sounds much better for music. It sounds great for alarms and voice responses though, which is all I need from it. Google Assistant works well on the Clock 2 and for things like controlling the lights you get helpful onscreen controls as well.
The Clock 2 on its own is a bit taller than the original model, but with the charging dock it gets significantly wider. Obviously you’re getting the benefit here of being able to also charge your phone wireless and charge another device via the USB-A port on the back of the dock. With my Pixel 4 I was able to center it on the pad and get it charging without too much fiddling and I’ve got my watch charger on the USB-A port, so everything on my nightstand is now powered and charged through a single power adapter. The dock also has a built-in night light, which wasn’t something I was looking for, but still nice to have. The system Lenovo came up with makes it really easy to add or remove the dock via the magnetic pogo pins, but I do feel like there was a small missed opportunity in designing the dock in a way where the charging pad could be on either side of the clock; with this design it can only ever be on the right hand side. I also wish the plug on the power adapter was angled 90 degrees so it would take up less room on my power strip.
Overall I consider most of my criticisms of the Clock 2 to be minor and mostly unrelated to its intended use. It does the job of being a smart clock extremely well and I really appreciate the thoughtful design choices Lenovo made for this new version. If you’re already using Google Assistant devices in your home this is a great addition.
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Take control of your acoustic experience with Logitech Zone 900, the wireless headset specifically designed to enhance focus and productivity at home. Connect to your smartphone and computer, and seamlessly switch between them to experience great audio, suitable for conference calls and immersive music. Active noise cancelation blocks out the noise around you. With comfort, simple controls, and wireless Qi charging, Zone 900 helps you define your workplace soundscape and stay in your zone. Logitech Unifying technology connects up to six compatible devices with one receiver. Stay focused, stay connected, and stay in your zone no matter where you work.
Customer Rating
4
Light and Comfortable Headset for Work
on July 2, 2021
Posted by: SamG
from Portland, OR
Since the beginning of the pandemic I’ve been using Microsoft Teams a lot for meetings as well as phone calls and I’ve enjoyed the transition away from my old desk phone. While I was working from home I used my Arctis 7X wireless headset and that worked fine, but once I started returning to the office I needed a headset solution for there because I did not want to go back to using my desk phone. I had actually already gotten the Logitech Zone wired headset prior to receiving this after doing my own research and I have enjoyed that, but not being tethered to my PC with the Zone 900 has been really nice. I think it’s a little spendy at list price for what you get, but it’s worth it for me and how much I am on calls to have something that works well and is reliable.
For something I’m more or less going to be wearing all day, comfort is key and the Zone 900 delivers on that. Right now Best Buy lists it as an over-ear headset, but it’s on-ear. The ear pads are made of a leather or leather-like material and rest on my ears in a way that feels secure but low pressure. The ear cups adjust on sliders to fit my head and it’s easy to get them exactly where I want them. I also have a somewhat large head and there’s still plenty of room for these to fit on even bigger heads than mine. I have not been fatigued at all wearing these all day and have not had any problems with them sliding off my head. The headset is lightweight and while I do think it’s well built, I don’t get the feeling it would stand up to a lot of abuse. It’s not really an issue for me since it will just be living on my desk at the office, but I would potentially worry about something happening to them if I was going to be carrying them around in a bag. They come with a fabric pouch for storage, but a hardshell case would have been nice to have for peace of mind. The headset also folds up, though the hinges make an unsettling snapping sound each time I do it that does not make me feel good; it doesn’t seem like it’s actively damaging the headset or anything but it just doesn’t give me a great feeling.
Setting up the headset, I was happy to find that this uses a unifying receiver that is also compatible with my existing Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse, so I did not have to occupy an additional USB port on my PC to use the Zone 900. The receiver is a little chunkier than the regular ones to accommodate the audio, but for my desktop PC this is not an issue and for laptops I would imagine you’re going to connect via Bluetooth anyway. The LogiTune app lets you adjust a few settings on the headset including EQ and sidetone and is necessary to enable some of the functions on the headset and thankfully not too obtrusive. The microphone technically resides on the left earcup, but can be rotated all the way around if you prefer it on your right ear and audio channels on the headset will switch accordingly.
I’ve tested the Zone 900 at my office for 2 full days now and it’s been great. It maintained a solid connection with my PC and I was also able to pair it with my cell phone at the same time via Bluetooth. I didn’t notice any audio drop outs and the sound quality is good. The headset has noise cancelling built-in, but it’s only so-so compared to other headphones I’ve used in the past. It does a decent job of blocking out the AC noise from my building, but I can still hear people talking and things happening around me. The headset more or less isolates me from most distracting sounds anyway whether or not ANC is turned on, so this was not a huge issue. The microphone quality is excellent and everyone I spoke to said I came through very clear. The control buttons are easy to access and feel out and I’m able to answer and end MS Teams calls via the middle button without an issue. Play/pause is via double tap on the middle button, which I find odd and unintuitive. I’m guessing some kind of compatibility issue prevents the headset from having play/pause and call answer/end on the same single tap action (you can adjust some of the button functions in the software). Battery life is good and I’ve been able to get through 2 full work days without having to worry about recharging and I started the third day at about 20%. The headset recharges via USB-C or wireless; I plan on getting a Qi wireless charger for my desk at some point to use as a ‘dock’ and make sure it’s charged up at all times.
Overall I’m happy with this headset as a work-focused type of device. I think if you’re looking at it for any other purpose (music, gaming) you should check elsewhere, but for my day-to-day at the office it’s been just what I was looking for.
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The RØDE Universal Vlogger Kit contains everything you need to get professional results when filming using your mobile phone with a 3.5mm input. The VideoMicro will vastly improve your audio, delivering crystal-clear, directional sounds for any application. The SmartGrip secures your device firmly in place for stable recording and connects seamlessly to the Tripod 2 for either handheld or tabletop use, while the MicroLED ensures all your shots are perfectly lit. The Universal Vlogger Kit comes with the DCS-1 dual cold shoe mount for quick and easy mounting of both the VideoMicro and MicroLED, a Rycote Lyre shock mount and WS9 furry windshield for filming outdoors and in adverse weather conditions.
Posted by: SamG
from Portland, OR
This is a pretty nice kit of parts if you don’t already have them. The microphone and LED light are definitely the stars of the show, but the tripod is also very good. I opted for the universal kit to give me more flexibility over where I can use the microphone.
The microphone is a huge improvement over the built-in mic on my Pixel 4. My voice came through much more clearly against the background. The included dead cat does a good job of blocking out wind noise, though it definitely adds further to the bulk of the entire kit. I had also planned to use it with my mirrorless camera as well, but it appears to require a different cable. I was able to connect the cable, but no audio came through.
The MicroLED is easy to operate and gets very bright. I left it on at the highest brightness and it turned off after just over 50 minutes and that lines up with the quoted battery life of 52 minutes. It did get quite hot over that period of time, but I don’t envision many scenarios where I’d need to have it on all the time at full brightness so I don’t think it’s a big problem. There are some included color filters, as well as as white diffuser, that attach via a bracket and they work well. I think you’d at least want the white diffuser on the light most of the time especially when lighting your face to cut down on the harshness. It charges via USB-C, which is always appreciated on small accessories like this as it’s one less charging cable to keep track of.
The phone bracket fit my Pixel 4XL without any issues and I think you could get most any phone in there within reason. I did notice that if you unscrew it too far the springs could fall out, so that’s something to watch out for. There’s a slot at the top of the bracket to attach the dual cold shoe mount. I did notice that it was a little harder to attach the microphone on its own as the larger handscrew does interfere with the screw that clamps your phone, but it can be done.
Not too much to say about the mini tripod. I’d say it’s solid and it’s easy to hold. There’s also an adjustment dial that locks the legs to 2 separate positions.
With everything assembled the overall size is very manageable and I’m pretty happy with this kit. It does feel like a beginner kit, but it’s a solid set of items.
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Take powerful party sound everywhere you go with the rugged SRS-XG500 Wireless Speaker. Up to 30 hours of battery life and IP66 water and dust resistance make sure the music keeps on going. Play your favorite tracks with the crisp, clear sound of X-Balanced speakers, and keep the mood just right with the subtle glow of the LED ring lighting.
Posted by: SamG
from Portland, OR
The XG500 is a beast of a speaker. Like a 21st century boombox. It puts out a good full sound that’s enough to easily cover a large room or backyard. I always thought the look of Sony’s previous speakers was a bit brash and I appreciate the understated design they went with for this latest speaker. I don’t think it’s for everybody and the sound is even a bit too ‘big’ for me in smaller spaces, but for events and outdoor activities that require a relatively portable sound option I think this ticks all the boxes.
To reiterate, this speaker is BIG. It was even bigger than I was expecting just looking at the spec sheet. At 18” long, 8” wide, and 10” tall, it feels like carrying around a small cooler in terms of the volume and weight, but with the built-in handle it’s pretty easy to carry around. It was slightly lighter than I was expecting, but still far from lightweight. It’s covered in a faux fabric material that feels similar to my UE Wonderboom speaker and I like it. It kind of reminds me of a part you’d see on a starship or something; modern, but plain. The light accents on the speaker are a nice touch and not too in your face like I’ve seen on other Sony speakers of the past. The speaker is IP66 rated and feels pretty durable. It’s something that given its cost I will be taking care of as much as I can, but it should be able to withstand dust and splashes without any problems.
There’s a rubber gasket around the back that hides the ports and keeps everything sealed up. I’m a little disappointed to see this speaker only charges with the proprietary 20V AC adapter that’s included, but it’s not a dealbreaker by any means. In addition to charging you get a 3.5mm line-in, a mic/guitar input, and 2 USB ports for charging devices (one of them will play audio via USB as well). It’s a great selection of ports and the mic/guitar input is great for events where you need a relatively portable PA speaker.
Getting connected was super easy and I got the prompt to pair the speaker on my Pixel’s home screen as soon as it turned on. I have had other Sony speakers that incorporated NFC for pairing, but that appears to have been replaced by Android Fast Pair and I think it’s a lot more reliable anyway (provided you have a phone that supports it). The XG500 supports Sony’s LDAC codec for higher quality audio, which is the case for most of their Bluetooth speakers, but still nice to see again here. Everything is controlled through the same Music Center, which lets you control a few on-device settings like the lighting effects, but in general I don’t think it is necessary to have as most of the important functions are on the speaker itself.
Listening to the speaker I’m happy with the sound it puts out. ‘Mega Bass’ is enabled by default when you first power the speaker on and I’ve spent a lot of time toggling between having it off and on and ultimately I think it sounds better with it on, but that’s just my opinion. I wouldn’t call the sound quality audiophile grade or anything, but it sounds really good, especially in open spaces. The details in the tracks I listened to were not lost, though it does seem to emphasize the lower-end more (with or without mega bass). I think that for wide open spaces this seems to be intended for though that it’s well optimized. An in-home speaker this is not. It also gets VERY loud; I never pushed it past 75% volume and even at that level I was really pushing it.
The battery life is rated at 30 hours, and for me that more than covers most circumstances where I’d be using this. I actually also have the battery health option enabled in the app that limits charging to 90% capacity to extend the life of the battery.
Overall I’m pretty stoked on this speaker. I had the XB60 a few years back that I had similar comments on about the sound quality and didn't like as much in the long run, but I think the XG500 is a major improvement over that in a more portable package. As summer gets into a swing and we can all start to see each other again I’m definitely seeing opportunities to use the XG500 more often.
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ASUS ROG Gaming Laptop. Enjoy everyday gaming with this ASUS notebook PC. The AMD Ryzen 9 processor and 16GB of RAM let you run graphics-heavy games smoothly, while the potent NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti V4G graphics produce high-quality visuals on the 13.4-inch WUXGA Touchscreen display. This ASUS notebook PC has 1TD SSD that shortens load times and offers ample storage.
Posted by: SamG
from Portland, OR
The ROG Flow x13 has the looks and feel of an ultraportable 2-in-1, but is hiding an 8-core Ryzen processor and RTX graphics. It doesn’t have the best battery life and it can get pretty dang hot under load, but I’ve found it to be a capable compact gaming machine that could handle most modern games I threw at it at 1080p 60+fps.
In the box you get just the laptop and power adapter. One of the cardboard pieces can be folded up into a stand though, which is neat. The power adapter is a 100W USB-C PD supply. I definitely appreciate not having to deal with a proprietary power supply and bonus for me was I was already carrying a 100W PD supply anyway so I don’t even have to add the extra bulk to my bag. The build quality laptop is solid; the metal has a soft touch quality to it while I do think it skews a little TOO plain I do appreciate the understated design, especially in a gaming machine. The hinge feels strong and the screen doesn’t wobble much at all while I’m typing or gaming on it. The keyboard also feels good to type on and is decent for gaming; the keys are spaced well and I like the feedback I get from them. The keyboard is backlit, but there’s no RGB lighting, which again is fine for somebody like me who likes a more understated look anyway. The trackpad feels like it’s on the small side, but it’s very responsive and supports all the standard Windows gestures. The port selection is decent with 2 USB-C (one part of the proprietary eGPU connection), 1 USB-A, a headset jack, and an HDMI output.
Getting setup was pretty straightforward. There were a lot of updates to deal with in regards to Windows, Nvidia drivers, and the bundled Asus software, but once that was out of the way everything settled in pretty well. There was a tiny amount of bloat in the start menu with some games, a Spotify icon, and a couple of other things, but nothing that took more than a second to get rid of. The Armoury Crate software I found to be more useful than I expected and it’s a good app to manage your power profiles, Asus-specific laptop functions, and see some performance stats.
Gaming was about what I expected. I knew the 3050 Ti wasn’t going to measure up to the RTX 2080 that I use on my desktop, but it ended up performing well except in the ray tracing department. Control with graphics set to high, DLSS quality (720p rendering), and all ray tracing effects put in frame rates at around 20-27 fps. Turning ray tracing to medium didn’t help much, but turning it off completely got me around 55fps; not quite 60 but acceptable to me and that’s still with everything else set to high. Battlefield V was a similar story where performance was in the 20fps range with ray tracing turned on, but jumped up to around 60 with it turned off. Running less demanding games like Halo I was able to get 90-110fps at max settings and it all looked really good on the 1900x1200 120Hz display. Forza Horizon 4 I was also able to get running at high settings at 90-110fps. Asus advertises the Flow x13 with ‘Adaptive Sync’, but I do not think it is G-Sync compatible, or at least I was not able to get it to work. The ‘Adaptive Sync’ seems to only apply to using the integrated graphics, which is a shame. With the 3050 Ti I found with all but the most demanding games I had that I could run 60+ fps at high settings and the games that are on the edge you could get them there by making a few smart adjustments. I don’t think ray tracing is a reasonable proposition for this GPU though it just seems a bit too demanding. Asus does have a special external GPU accessory that contains an RTX 3080 for higher-end gaming, but at $1500 it’s an expensive add-on that is only compatible with this specific laptop. One thing I did notice was under high loads the laptop gets quite hot near where the screen meets the base - uncomfortably so if you have it on bare skin or try to pick it up.
Other notes:
- The power button on the side also serves as a fingerprint reader. It works well, but it’s hard to get to it by feel and I wish there was a fingerprint reader on the keyboard deck.
- The webcam is 720p and is okay, but not great.
- Battery life is sort of a mixed bag, but it seems like 3-6 hours is what I am getting depending on what I’m doing and the power setting.
- I got the back taken off to look inside and it came off pretty easy after removing 9 screws, but besides replacing the SSD and maybe the battery if necessary there doesn’t appear to be much to upgrade inside.
- The power button on the side also serves as a fingerprint reader. It works well, but it’s hard to get to it by feel and I wish there was a fingerprint reader on the keyboard deck.
- The webcam is 720p and is okay, but not great.
- Battery life is sort of a mixed bag, but it seems like 3-6 hours is what I am getting depending on what I’m doing and the power setting.
- I got the back taken off to look inside and it came off pretty easy after removing 9 screws, but besides replacing the SSD and maybe the battery if necessary there doesn’t appear to be much to upgrade inside.
Overall I think the Flow x13 is a great compact gaming laptop that could also double as a work/productivity device without sticking out too badly. Even though the eGPU is expensive, I like the idea of getting that to have a powerhouse at your desk and a thin and light on the go.
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PI7 True Wireless In-Ear Headphones is like a pair of bookshelf speakers adapted for True wireless listening. A bi-Amplified 9mm midbass driver and Balance Armature High Frequency Driver delivers clarity, power and separation so you can hear your favorite music in all its glory. True high-resolution audio performance with a 24-bit connection between the right and left earbuds for superior sound quality. With Qualcomm aptX Adaptive, PI7 adjusts dynamically and optimises connection reliability for a great Bowers & Wilkins listening experience.
Posted by: SamG
from Portland, OR
The PI7’s are hands down the best wireless earbuds I’ve ever heard and for $400 they better be. The sound they put out is great, the noise cancelling is good, and the ability to use them as ‘wired’ headphones via the case is a pretty innovative feature. I don’t know if they're $150-$200 better than some of the other options out there, but like with the PX5’s that I still use almost every day sound quality is king here and if that’s what you’re after this is it.
The box contents are pretty straightforward. You get the buds, charging case, a USB-C cable for charging and wired audio, and a USB-C to 3.5mm cable for wired audio. There are 3 different sizes of silicone eartips to choose from; I went with the largest of them and that formed a good seal in my ear. I do wish there were some more options at this price though; foam tips would have been appreciated. The case is small enough to fit in most pockets and is a bit bigger than my Pixel Buds case and a bit smaller than my Sony WF-1000XM3 case. The case is also lighter than I expected, but feels sturdy enough. I really like the look of the buds with the circular brushed metal caps and the white/pale gold scheme conveys the premium look well.
Getting the buds setup for me on my Pixel 4 was not as straightforward as I had hoped. These are supposed to have the Android Fast Pair feature (similar to what AirPods do on the iPhone), but I wasn’t able to get that working on my initial setup and ended up pairing in the Bluetooth menu instead. No big deal and maybe just an issue in my specific scenario, but something I noticed. Once paired I didn’t have to worry about it again. I was able to get into the settings using the same Bowers & Wilkins app I used for my PX5’s and the app is clean, if a little spartan. You have options to adjust the noise cancelling and transparency modes, manage device connections, listen to some soundscapes, update the firmware, and that’s about it. It didn’t leave me wanting for more, but I imagine some would prefer some EQ settings here. The buds support Bluetooth 5.0 and, more importantly, AptX Adaptive for hi-res audio. My Pixel 4 doesn’t support AptX Adaptive, but it is backwards compatible with AptX HD, which it does.
Getting into the sound - it’s just stupid good. Whether I was listening to standard quality stuff in YouTube Music or hi-res tracks on Amazon Music HD. I’ve never listened to earbuds that sound this good. Every song I listened to had so much detail coming through that I never really picked up with other buds. The bass is also surprisingly strong without overwhelming the rest of the audio. Everything I listened to also sounded more like it was ‘around’ me rather than being piped directly into my ears, if that makes sense. The connection for me has been solid 95% of the time, but there are some scenarios where I get a lot of interference coming in. I’m not sure what the issue is there, but it seems like popping the earbuds into the case and then reconnecting them fixes it. The noise cancelling is solid and did a good job blocking out a fan and a TV running across the room from me (the TV was still audible with nothing playing, but never when I was listening to anything). There is a transparency mode you can turn on as well if you need to let some outside noise through; it’s no worse than I’ve heard on other earbuds, but still feels a bit artificial to me.
One really unique feature of the PI7’s is the ability to use them ‘wired’ with the case. You can do this with either the USB-C or 3.5mm cables included in the box. The headphones will automatically detect that the cables have been plugged in and switch to communicating with the case. I found it worked as advertised, though using the USB-C cable to connect to my PC there is a noticeable audio-sync issue with video content. This was not as much of an issue with the 3.5mm cable for some reason, though I believe audio quality with the 3.5mm cable is slightly worse as it also has to get audio via whatever DAC is running the 3.5mm jack. Still, it’s a super unique feature that I could definitely see using in situations where Bluetooth isn’t available or I don’t want to bother pairing my buds to a new device.
Miscellaneous:
Microphone quality was okay, but a little disappointing at this price point. I don’t take a lot of phone calls, so this is a minor issue for me.
Battery life is 4 hours and the case will provide 4 additional charges (up to 20 hours total). On the low side to be sure compared to other options, but not an issue for me as I rarely wear headphones or earbuds that long.
Comfortable in my ears.
These can only be paired with one device at a time. Disappointing omission for me since I used multiple devices at the same time and the PX5’s I own support this.
I’ve read these are water/sweat resistant at IP54, but can’t find much official mention of this, so I would probably stay away from those types of activities with these.
Microphone quality was okay, but a little disappointing at this price point. I don’t take a lot of phone calls, so this is a minor issue for me.
Battery life is 4 hours and the case will provide 4 additional charges (up to 20 hours total). On the low side to be sure compared to other options, but not an issue for me as I rarely wear headphones or earbuds that long.
Comfortable in my ears.
These can only be paired with one device at a time. Disappointing omission for me since I used multiple devices at the same time and the PX5’s I own support this.
I’ve read these are water/sweat resistant at IP54, but can’t find much official mention of this, so I would probably stay away from those types of activities with these.
Overall I’m really stoked on these earbuds. I have some issues, but none that break the entire experience for me (and hopefully ones that can be fixed with firmware updates). The question of whether it’s worth it to pay $400 for earbuds is one you’ll have to answer for yourself. These sound great, but I didn’t go to my other wireless earbuds and suddenly hate how they sounded, so you do need to really value that sound quality.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Tech for real life. This 45mm Gen 5 LTE touchscreen smartwatch features a black silicone strap, phone-free calling functionality, 8GB storage capacity and three smart battery modes to extend battery life for multiple days. Fossil Gen 5 LTE smartwatches work exclusively with Verizon branded Android phones (not unlocked phones) on the Verizon Network with qualified Numbershare data plan. NumberShare is required to activate service on LTE smartwatches. Numbershare is available with an eligible Verizon monthly plan. Adding a smartwatch to your Verizon data plan will incur additional monthly charges. Customers must have a compatible Android Smartphone (4G or 5G) active on their Verizon account. Compatible Android smartphone must have OS 6.0 or later, excluding Go edition, with an updated version of the MVS app "My Verizon Services" (v.1.0.104.2 or later) and must be HD voice capable, have HD voice turned On and be on an eligible plan. LTE smartwatches do not support a standalone activation, only activation via NumberShare is eligible. For more detailed information, please refer to your Verizon Connected Devices plan. Fossil Gen 5 LTE Smartwatches powered with Wear OS by Google are only compatible with Verizon Android™ phones on the Verizon network. Wear OS by Google and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC. Supported features may vary between platforms. To avoid damage to your watch, only use with included charger. Do not use a USB hub, USB splitter, USB y-cable, battery pack or other peripheral device to charge. Product should be kept more than 20cm away from implanted medical devices to minimize potential for RF interference. See product insert for full details.
Customer Rating
4
Nice Watch Limited by Wear OS
on April 27, 2021
Posted by: SamG
from Portland, OR
Day-to-day I like using the Fossil Gen 5. It looks great, runs well, and has more than enough battery life to get me to the end of the day without ever having to think about it. Fossil did a good job on this watch and if I were reviewing just based on that I’d say it’s excellent, but the still limited app selection of Wear OS really holds it back, especially as an LTE watch, and that’s pretty disappointing. I still think there’s a lot to like here and if Google ever gets around to giving Wear OS the attention it deserves it could get even better.
Getting into the box you get the watch, a black silicone strap, and a charging cable (no power brick included). The marketing photos make this look like a dark silver, but to me it’s pretty much black most of the time. It looks good though and the 45mm case fits my wrist well.
In terms of features it ticks all the boxes. You get LTE, GPS, NFC, Bluetooth, WiFi, activity tracking, water resistance, and a speaker. The speaker is something I definitely missed with my previous Wear OS watch and I’m glad to have it here. The 45mm case may be big for some wrists, but it fits mine well and the display looks good (though it can be a little hard to see in direct bright sunlight). In terms of processing power you get the older Snapdragon 3100 and 1GB of RAM. My previous Wear OS watch also used the 3100, but only had 512MB of RAM and the difference is noticeable (more on that later). It’s not lacking in the spec department, but I do wish Fossil could have made the jump to the newer Snapdragon 4100 as the 3100 is already a couple years old at this point and wasn’t even that much of an upgrade of the 2100 before it.
Wearing the watch on my wrist this past week it’s been very comfortable. It’s not overly heavy and I don’t notice it most of the time. The included silicone strap looks good and doesn’t irritate my skin. The strap can also be replaced by any 22mm watch band and I was able to swap in a brown leather strap from another Fossil watch I owned no problem. Performance has been solid and besides the occasional delay launching an app I have not noticed any delays or stutters. The 1GB of RAM seems to make all the difference here and it feels like a night and day difference from my last watch. Battery life has also been excellent and with light to moderate usage I’m usually ending the days with at least 50% battery.
The LTE functionality is good and I was able to make and receive calls completely untethered from my phone without any problems. The built-in speaker is loud and clear and the people I called all said that I sounded good talking through the watch. Text messaging seems to work a little bit different in that it does require your phone to be on and connected to cellular to work, but you can still be physically somewhere else with your watch. This was not the case with phone calls and I could make those whether my phone was on or off. Something to be aware of.
Wear OS is a well designed system and navigating around via the gestures or the crown makes it easy to interact with. You get most of the apps you need pre-installed in terms of fitness of tools and utilities, which is good considering the lack of additional first party apps available for Wear OS at the moment. One pretty disappointing omission for me though is Google’s own YouTube Music app, which is baffling especially when you also consider YouTube Music has an Apple Watch app. I can still play and control music via my phone, but not being able to untether from my phone if I wanted to go on a run or hike is a pretty big miss for an LTE watch. If you use Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Pandora you’re covered, but that’s it. This boils down to my issues with Wear OS in general and how I wish it wasn’t so neglected by Google and other developers. If it isn’t YouTube Music for you I’m sure it’s some other app. I knew this going in, but it’s disappointing that it’s still a problem all these years later.
So overall I like Fossil Gen 5 LTE, but it’s held back by the same old Wear OS issues. I think Fossil made a really good watch here and most of the issues I've had aren't really anything they can remedy. I still think it’s a good value for an LTE watch and if you can utilize that dedicated cellular connection and are cognizant of Wear OS’ current limitations there is a case to be made for the Gen 5 LTE.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Philips Norelco OneBlade Pro is a revolutionary hybrid styler that can trim, shave and create clean lines and edges, on any length of hair. Its dual protection system – a glide coating combined with rounded tips – makes shaving easier and comfortable. Its shaving technology features a fast-moving cutter (200x per second) so it's efficient - even on longer hairs. Trim your beard to an even length with the included adjustable precision comb. Dial up one of the 14 lock-in length settings to get everything from a 5 o'clock shadow, to a tight trim, to a longer beard style. OneBlade is water resistant, so it is easy to clean: just rinse it under the tap. You can shave wet or dry, with or without foam - whichever you prefer. Rechargeable Li-Ion battery delivers 120 minutes of constant styling power after a 1 hour charge. The blades are designed for lasting performance. For optimal performance, you will only need to replace each blade every 4 months (For best shaving experience. Based on 2 full shaves per week. Actual results may vary.).* Replacement is easy and hassle free.
Customer Rating
4
Good Trimmer/Shaver Combo
on March 31, 2021
Posted by: SamG
from Portland, OR
I like the OneBlade. It works well as a shaver and is small enough that I can get at the edges and really shape my facial hair. It does take me a little longer to shave compared to my old Panasonic shaver, but it is quite a bit smaller and I'm okay with that for the extra precision it gives me. The trimmer attachment works pretty well and the dial makes it easy to adjust the length, but I did have to make multiple passes on my beard to make sure everything was cut evenly. I'd say if you generally keep your face cleanshaven this might not be the best solution for you, but if you have a facial hair this is a good all-in-one solution for shaving and maintaining.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
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Complete your HT-Z9F surround system with this Sony rear speaker. Place it on a stand or shelf, or mount it to your wall for unobtrusive performance, and connect to other components wirelessly to keep unsightly cables out of your space. This Sony rear speaker's S-Master amp outputs 50W for powerful rear audio.
Will these work well with the ht-nt5?
They're only listed to be compatible with the HT-Z9F.
5 years, 11 months ago
by
SamG
Leave no dirt behind with this Shark APEX vacuum. Its DuoClean operation uses a soft brush roll and powerful suction to pick up large debris and stuck-in dust, and its Powered Lift-Away technology provides extended reach underneath furniture. This Shark APEX vacuum prevents captured irritant particles from escaping thanks to its Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology.BR>
How much does it weigh?
Work and play online with less interruption. This Linksys router comes equipped with technology that zeroes in on each laptop, tablet, smartphone and computer in your home, for a clearer, faster Wi-Fi signal every time you log on.