Batlacit's stats
- Review count228
- Helpfulness votes918
- First reviewFebruary 13, 2016
- Last reviewJune 23, 2025
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.5
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- Answer count55
- Helpfulness votes100
- First answerSeptember 21, 2016
- Last answerJanuary 21, 2022
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Logitech G923 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and PC is a high-performance racing wheel that revolutionizes the racing experience. Re-engineered to support a next-generation feedback system, G923 features TRUEFORCE high-definition force feedback that dials into game engines to deliver higher-fidelity realism. Feel the pistons pumping, the gravel crunching, and every shift, drift, and hairpin turn like never before. True racing comes from within.
Customer Rating
5
A Solid Gateway Into Sim-Racing
on August 27, 2020
Posted by: Batlacit
from Madison, WI
With the Sim genre currently seeing a massive boom in the time of COVID, it’s hardly surprising that Logitech would choose this moment to release an update to their G92 series of force feedback racing wheels. The new model doesn’t bring much to the table to compete with higher tier enthusiast products that are out there, but offers plenty for fans of their current wheels to like.
The wheel displays excellent build quality overall. Logitech has gone out of their way to produce a pleasantly tactile user experience with this wheel, and the hand stitched leather and polished leather delivers. The control layout is just close enough to a standard PS4 controller to allow muscle memory to guide you to each button, a necessity if you’re playing in VR, and the force feedback motors are tight and responsive. The pedals are also quite good, though a bit less interesting than the wheel. The accelerator, brake, and clutch all feel sturdy and satisfying to use. There’s no active feedback from them, though the brake pedal does feature a new progressive spring that gets firmer as you depress it to simulate the feel of a real brake pedal. You can also adjust the spacing of each pedal if you so desire by shifting each pad to the left or right by about an inch or so, though I suspect most won’t bother.
Force Feedback is roughly what you’d expect from a wheel in this range. It uses gearing to couple the force feedback motors to the wheel rather than the belt drives that most other manufacturers in this price range use, which means you don’t have to contend with any kind of response lag due to the belt’s elasticity and the time it takes to fully spin up the motors but sacrifice the smooth, more true to life feel of the effect a belt can offer. You’ll find a hundred different opinions on this among racing afficionados but for my part I’m fine making this trade. While it’s true that just sitting in a room and spinning the wheel feels harshly mechanical due to the gearing, when I’m fully immersed in a game I stop noticing this almost immediately. And the ability of the wheel to provide instant feedback to every impact, slide, or ill-advised turn is greatly appreciated. Others may disagree, but I don’t think the fact that the wheel uses geared feedback should stop anyone from considering this wheel outright.
Of course, the motors driving the wheels are only part of the force feedback that comes with this wheel. The big new feature the G923 brings to the table is TrueForce – an added haptic component meant to replicate some of the additional vibrations you get from a real car by effectively turning the entire wheel into a crude mechanical subwoofer. I’ll admit it was a little harder to try this out as full support needs to be built into the game’s engine and as of yet only a handful of devs have gone to the trouble of doing so, but in the one game I had which did offer full support (GRID) I was pleasantly surprised by how well it worked. The vibrations are only produced in the wheel, but they’re powerful. Powerful enough that if you have both the wheel and pedals mounted on a metal frame it’ll conduct them, allowing you to feel the car in both your hands and feet for a decidedly cool experience. Unfortunately, the fact that it does depend on the devs taking the time to incorporate the relevant APIs into their game does temper my endorsement of the tech somewhat. You’re definitely paying a premium for the feature over going with one of the other wheels Logitech offers, and with only a handful of titles supporting it at the moment it’s not hard to imagine that you’d be stuck in a situation where you never get to use it. There may be a time when TrueForce support is simply taken as a given, much like support for standard force feedback wheels is now, but for the moment I’d definitely recommend that you check the list of supported games on Logitech’s website to see the status of your favorite title.
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Capture high-quality videos with this Sony Handycam 4K camcorder. The 0.4-inch CMOS sensor delivers high-resolution 4K content with fast intelligent autofocus and enhanced audio, while the SteadyShot image stabilizer boasts clear detailed shots even at full zoom. This Sony Handycam 4K camcorder has a built-in Highlight Movie Maker that lets you create and share videos seamlessly.
Customer Rating
4
Not quite point-and-shoot.
on July 22, 2020
Posted by: Batlacit
from Madison, WI
Camcorders have become a bit of an oddity these days. When everyone's got a high quality still and video camera built into their cell phone, it takes a lot to justify buying a larger dedicated device. With the AX43, Sony has decided to focus on delivering a wide array of features and options for expansion that you could never get in a cell phone. After spending a week with it, I've found this can be both a blessing and a curse.
First up, the basics. As mentioned, the feature list on this thing is ridiculously long. You can link it to a cell phone and use it as a remote control/monitor for remote shooting. You can make manual adjustments to practically everything to do with recording, or leave it on auto. It can even help highlight problems with your lighting. But the standout feature of the unit is an internal gimbal that can help cancel out any shakiness or wobbling from the person operating the camera. Gimbal mounts have long been a standard feature in professional productions to produce steady footage, but they're rarely convenient or affordable enough to see much use by consumers. Sony's internal solution can't really match those due to the limitations imposed by the casing, but the difference between it and a standard camcorder or digital stabilization is night and day. When used in concert with digital stabilization it can smooth out even severe shaking, though admittedly you can still see that something's going on. There is one downside to this feature though that I think should be addressed. The gimbal does feature several moving parts, most of which are located right below the microphone. It's not as bad as the days when tapes were the standard recording medium for camcorders, but there is some mechanical noise being picked up. An external mic is highly recommended if you care about getting good audio.
Unfortunately, as impressive as these features are, it's also contributes to what I'd say is the main weakness of the AX43 as a device for more casual users. The sheer amount of customization and control provided can be dizzying. While I'm far from a professional I've got enough of a background with photography to allow me to understand what all these different settings do and what they're for, and I still found myself feeling more than a little intimidated by it. It's not helped by the fact that limitations in bandwidth and processing power often makes configuring it a balancing act. It has an inbuilt microphone array capable of recording 5.1 audio, for example, but if you want to record in 4K you'll be limited to stereo. As such it's easy to accidentally lock yourself out of a specific feature you want without really intending to. And while the on screen interface does its best to explain why you've been locked out, it can only really provide one reason at a time. Fine if you're setting up a shoot for a Vlog, less so if you're after candid footage of your pets and children.
The most obvious solution to this is to leave the camera in auto mode all the time. Unfortunately I have to say there are issues with that too. While it performs admirably in natural lighting with human subjects, it's not quite as adept outside of its comfort zone. While filming indoors with everything automated it has a tendency to rapidly switch between different filming profiles and can struggle to focus in wide angle shots without a human subject. My ultimate conclusion is that a certain base level of proficiency with the manual settings is required if you're going to take full advantage of the camera's features, which makes it much more of an enthusiast level product.
The ideal user for this camera in my mind is someone who's got some background with the more technical aspects of photography and filming and doesn't mind taking their time setting up a shot. Vloggers, aspiring filmmakers, or photography buffs will love having this much fine control in such a portable package. It could also be great for an occasional user who hopes to eventually become one of these things, as it's ability to accommodate (however imperfectly) a wide array of different skill levels from its operator offers plenty of room for them to grow into. But this isn't something to buy for someone who just wants to be able to point and shoot and have everything come out at roughly the same level of quality.
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Remove stains and pet odors with this Hoover Paws & Claws premixed carpet cleaner. The powerful formula contains enzymatic cleaning ingredients that quickly break down stains and continue working until odors are completely eliminated. This Hoover Paws & Claws premixed carpet cleaner works on curtains and car upholstery and leaves behind a pleasant cotton breeze scent.
Customer Rating
5
Makes the aftermath a bit easier to deal with
on June 23, 2020
Posted by: Batlacit
from Madison, WI
One of the unfortunate truths about cats is that for every stain on the carpet you find immediately, there are likely to be two more that go unnoticed for weeks, months, or possibly even years. While the standard carpet cleaner Hoover sells for their carpet cleaner is enough to handle most fresher urine and vomit stains, the addition of this pre-treatment fluid can make a world of difference when it comes to caked on cat vomit.
I'm not entirely sure how well it would work without the full carpet cleaner it's meant to go with, but if you do happen to have a Hoover carpet cleaner you regularly use to deal with the unfortunate accidents that so often accompany pets and small children, keeping a bottle of this on hand is definitely recommended.
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G915 TKL is a new class of wireless mechanical gaming keyboard with three selections of low-profile GL switches and pro-grade 1 ms LIGHTSPEED wireless. Capable of delivering up to 40 hours of non-stop gaming on a full charge. Fully customizable per-key and advanced LIGHTSYNC RGB technology to synchronize lighting with any content.
Customer Rating
5
Wireless without compromises
on June 22, 2020
Posted by: Batlacit
from Madison, WI
There are a lot of mechanical keyboards on the market that feature advanced features catering to gamers and people looking to show off their design chops. There are slightly less mechanical keyboards on the market allowing people who want to enjoy the superior typing experience provided by a mechanical board without needing to worry about running a wire back to your computer. There is surprisingly little overlap between the two groups. But the G915 manages to fit into that narrow little sliver of the Venn diagram, and does so with surprising aplomb.
One of the first things I noticed on taking the keyboard out of the box is how well built the whole thing is. While the bulk of the keyboard is still plastic, the machined aluminum top plate gives it a surprising amount of heft and rigidity for how thin it is. The G915 is barely larger than some of the portable Bluetooth keyboards I've seen being sold for use with smart phones, and yet there's barely a hint of deck flex or any kind of fitting gap in the seams. Even better is the fact that they've found a way to include integrated storage for the keyboard's RF dongle, a particularly important addition seeing as it sticks out far enough that I don't think I'd be comfortable keeping it plugged in on a laptop if I wanted to throw the whole setup into a backpack to take along with me.
In using the keyboard for typing and gaming, I've found its performance to be very good overall, though perhaps not quite matching some of the larger boards I've tried. The short travel distance you get with the low profile switches makes for a very responsive board overall, though there will likely be a little bit of adjustment time required if you're using to typing on a full size mechanical as it's very easy to use too much force and end up banging away at the keys. Unfortunately in testing my keyboard, one of the tactile "clicky" variants, I also discovered that the switches' actuation point where they register a key press is slightly shallower than the tactile bump meant to provide feedback. There's easily enough tension in the spring to keep this from being a problem if you're just resting your fingers on the home row or WASD keys during normal use, so I don't think this is likely to be a serious problem for most. But if you're the kind of gamer who habitually rides a key just shy of the actuation point, it's worth considering that you might have a bit of a hard time doing it with these particular switches.
Speaking of reaction time, let's talk about transmission delays. It's commonly accepted by many that wireless peripherals in general have to contend with a certain amount of latency that can make them either unreliable or simply less desirable for gaming purposes. Having tried it in all three modes (Wired, bluetooth, and Logitech's proprietary Lightspeed wireless) I can confirm that latency and reliability do not appear to be significant issues. Wired and Lightspeed modes are rock solid, though admittedly you might encounter some issues with the latter if you don't have a relatively unobstructed path between the keyboard and the receiver. In recognition of this, they thoughtfully include an adapter which can turn any standard micro-USB cable into an extension that can bring the receiver out onto your desk. There is admittedly some noticeable lag in Bluetooth mode, but despite my best efforts I couldn't get it to drop any keypresses. But if you're determined not to risk it,, plugging the keyboard in with a micro-usb cable will immediately switch it over to wired operation.
So, now that I've adequately covered all the technical performance, let's talk about the creature comforts. The keyboard can be set to elevations of 0, 4, and 8 degrees using the integrated feet, and as one might expect from a product designed to maximize your desk space there isn't an integrated wrist rest. Media controls are more than adequate, with a nice large wheel to use for volume control or whatever else you might want to configure it for using Logitech's G-Hub software. There's also options for two different key mapping profiles (with the default gaming mode disabling common problem keys such as the windows and context menu buttons) and support for full per-key lighting profiles that work in both Lightspeed and wired modes. Switching the keyboard over to Bluetooth will bring up a standard rainbow cycle, and you can control the brightness or turn off the backlight completely with a dedicated button on the top of the keyboard. There are also three macro buttons (sharing space with the F1, F2, and F3 keys) as one would expect on such a board. The only thing that's missing is built in integration with other desktop RGB ecosystems like iCue or Aura Sync - though there's always the chance that it could be added at a later date.
Overall, the G915 is an excellent keyboard and arguably the first mechanical board I've seen that could really qualify as portable. Thin and small might not be for everyone, but Logitech has really done it right here.
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The Bose TV Speaker is a small soundbar that clarifies speech and improves overall TV sound. Inside there are two full-range drivers angled to deliver wide, spatial sound, while the center tweeter specifically focuses on clarifying speech. And built-in Dolby decoding enhances the audio capabilities of your TV Speaker to deliver a more realistic and satisfying listening experience. Designed with simplicity in mind, a single connection to your TV has you up and running in no time. This connection can be either an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately). At just over 2″ (5 cm) tall, this TV Speaker is small enough to fit just about anywhere. Place it in front of your TV or mount it to the wall. Plus small LED lights on the front turn on and/or change color when certain features are enabled or when the volume is adjusted. The Bose TV Speaker also has HDMI-CEC, which allows the TV and soundbar to communicate when connected by an HDMI cable. So when you turn the TV on, the soundbar will automatically turn on too, and you can even continue using your current TV remote to control the volume of the soundbar. However, the Bose TV Speaker also has its own remote. On it, you can pair your Bluetooth device to wirelessly stream your favorite music or podcasts, enable Dialogue Mode to further elevate center vocals, or add a bass boost for some extra depth. And the Bose TV Speaker is Roku TV Ready certified. Meaning, it’s designed to work seamlessly with a Roku TV. When connected to a Roku TV via an HDMI cable, you’ll enjoy smooth, automatic setup, easy access to the TV Speaker sound settings in the Roku TV on-screen menu, and compatibility with the Roku TV remote. If you’re looking for even more bass or just want to expand your system, you can add a subwoofer for more theater-quality home theater sound. The Bose TV Speaker requires a wired connection and is compatible with the Bose Bass Module 500 or 700 (Bose Bass Module Connection Cable sold separately).
Customer Rating
5
A compact and clever speaker
on June 15, 2020
Posted by: Batlacit
from Madison, WI
It's an unfortunate truth that as TVs have gotten slimmer, their built in audio has gotten worse. A good quality sound bar or external sound system is pretty much a requirement these days if you want to get the best performance out of your screen. Bose has taken a somewhat less conventional approach in the design of this speaker. While most high end sound bars will emphasize a wide array of tweeters and woofers to deliver the perfect frequency response or booming volume to help fill a room, the designers of this TV speaker have decided to focus on a perennial complaint about these external audio solutions: the tendency of spoken dialog to get drowned out and lost in the soundscape.
Before I talk about that key feature though, I want to cover some of the basics. As one might expect from a brand with Bose's reputation, the overall build quality of the speaker is beyond reproach. It's definitely more a speaker than a sound bar, fitting easily between the legs on my 50" TV. The narrower spacing does result in the audio you get feeling a little less voluminous than I'm used to with sound bars, but I stopped noticing after a couple of days. Audio quality is top notch, though a little anemic on the lower end without the optional sub woofer (which is not included.) It's not exceptionally loud either, though unlike a lot of speakers that are the audio remains very clear through its entire range of supported volumes. Setup is quick and painless - with support for HDMI-ARC, Optical, and Bluetooth. All three are plug and play, with the speaker automatically switching to the appropriate input with little prompting. Even if you're not comfortable with electronics, I don't anticipate any issues getting this set up.
Which finally brings me to the main feature of this device: the dialog enhancer. As far as I can tell it's trying to re-balance the center and side channels of the audio source to put more of an emphasis on the center channel, where dialog is generally piped through, and less on the side channels where you get all the music and sound effects that are used to create a 3D soundscape. It's a surprisingly subtle thing. So subtle in fact that I struggled to tell the difference between when it was on or off. But my roommate who generally always wants to watch stuff with the subtitles turned on because she finds it hard to hear all the dialog otherwise found it to be a great help. What was particularly surprising to me is that at certain points it seemed like she was actually hearing dialog even better than me, with her able to clearly make out background dialog that just blended into noise for me.
Now, in theory, anyone could accomplish this if they had the proper equipment and the desire to fine tune their setup. But in practice, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that very few of us would. I'm not sure I'd recommend it to everyone given the fact that it doesn't come with a sub and how little of an impact it had on my personal viewing experience, but it's clear from my roommate's response that it's doing something right that a lot of people who struggle to hear dialog in their favorite shows will likely appreciate.
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Soothe sore muscles with this Theragun Prime massage device. The brushless motor features QuietForce technology for low sound, while Bluetooth connectivity syncs with your portable device for convenient control and guidance via the Therabody app. This Theragun Prime massager delivers up to 30 lbs. of force to effectively warm up muscles and release tightness.
Customer Rating
5
A smarter, quieter Theragun
on May 22, 2020
Posted by: Batlacit
from Madison, WI
As someone with an abundance of issues with my neck and back, my discovery of percussive massage devices a few years ago was a game changer. Theragun products have always been regarded as some of the best options available for this kind of work, and the Theragun Prime manages to take what was already a solid product and improve on it.
Inside the box you'll find everything you need to get started: the gun itself, a set of four swappable massage heads, and a cloth carrying case to hold it all. The gun itself is fairly sleek and very well designed, with a distinctive triangle handle that allows you to comfortably grip it regardless of the awkward angles you need to adopt to reach the various trouble spots on your back. It's still no substitute for having a second person who can operate the thing for you, but it's arguably the next best thing. The overall aesthetic is fairly minimal, with an LED display showing battery life and the current speed pretty much the only notable adornments. A lot of effort has also been made to make this new version substantially quieter than previous models. While it's still far from silent, it is a marked improvement that I imagine most people who've used a Theragun before will appreciate.
The other new feature which I was admittedly a bit skeptical about is the new smart features, which allows the gun to interface with an app on your phone. The app will walk you through various exercises to address common trouble spots such as knots, tech neck, or carpal tunnel as well as more generalized routines to help you release tension before bed or prepare for a workout. In addition to telling you where to move the device and controlling the precise speed, the app also monitors the pressure you're applying and lets you know if you need to adjust your technique.
My first thought was that I wouldn't have much use for this feature, as I've been using a very similar device for years, but I was surprised how much I ended up appreciating the added guidance. As it turns out, I was going easier on myself than I probably should have all this time. The exercises it walked me through to address tension in my upper back and neck were a bit more punishing than I was used to, bordering on painful in a few spots, but once they were done I was astonished to see how much more mobility I had in my left shoulder, which has always been an issue ever since I tore my rotator cuff several years back. It's still not something I fire up every time I use it by any means, but it's definitely helped me to be smarter and more effective about how I use it.
Now that I've said all this, I do feel the need to throw in just one more caveat. The way this thing works isn't by actually solving the underlying issues that cause muscle pain. Rather it helps temporarily numb sore spots, making it much easier for them to relax on their own. As such I'd hesitate to recommend it for anyone with a chronic condition which might make it impossible for that to occur. for almost everyone else with occasional aches and pains brought about by poor posture or exercise, a tool like this can be amazing.
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Experience unparalleled detail and rich color with this Hisense Quantum UHD TV. With a bezel-less frame, additional dimming zones and a display capable of over a billion color combinations, your favorite games and programs are more vivid than ever. Built-in voice control on this Hisense Quantum UHD TV lets you change channels with just a word.
Customer Rating
5
This is how you do HDR on a budget
on April 27, 2020
Posted by: Batlacit
from Madison, WI
The 50H8G sets out to deliver the kind of experience associated with high-end TVs at an affordable price point. And it largely succeeds – delivering fantastic image quality, a capable Smart TV platform, and better than average sound without breaking the bank.
The main panel of the set is a ULED LCD – a tech currently unique to Hisense that seeks to marry the performance of OLED panels with the longer lifespan and lower cost of LCDs. These have been out for a few years, and produce some of the best image you can get out of an LCD panel. They’ve augmented this model with a quantum dot layer, which helps improve the transmission of red, green, and blue light from the backlight to help make colors pop. It’s a subtle effect most of the time, but when playing HDR content that can take full advantage of it the display looks absolutely radiant. There are also a variety of post-processing options to further improve image quality such as motion smoothing, noise reduction, and upscaling. Personally I don’t like the effect most of these have on image quality and as such turned them off very quickly, but if you like motion smoothing or watch a lot of sports I suspect you’ll greatly appreciate the top tier performance these features can offer.
The TV uses Android for its app platform, which should be familiar to anyone with an Android phone. Performance is excellent, with no slow downs, crashes, or stuttering that I could see. App selection is good, though as with most smart TV OS’s apps for Google’s direct competitors are either absent (Apple TV) or underwhelming (Prime Video.) If you rely on these a lot, you might still want to invest in a separate set top box. But for most everything else, you can probably get by just with the TV. Additionally, the Android platform allows you to link the TV to the Google Home ecosystem to control the TV with your phone or any Home compatible smart speakers you might have. It is not quite a perfect implementation at this point – support for a few basic functions like turning the TV off doesn’t appear to be implemented yet. But hopefully this is something that can be addressed in future firmware updates. And the integrated chrome cast works flawlessly.
Finally, there’s the sound. It’s very hard to find a TV with sound that could be considered great these days, since the best speakers generally need more room than you get find in a slim TV’s casing. But the 50H8G has enough depth in its design to include speakers that are better than average, and features full support for Dolby Atmos. True audiophiles will likely consider a good sound bar to be a must-have accessory, but for most I suspect the built-in audio will be more than enough for a TV for the bedroom or a small living room.
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Clean and deodorize your rugs, carpets and upholstery with this 64-oz. Hoover Paws and Claws carpet cleaning formula. Stainguard technology and enzymatic ingredients eliminate pet messes, odors and dirt, while the cotton breeze scent leaves your home smelling fresh all day. This Hoover Paws and Claws carpet cleaning formula has an optimized formulation that's safe to use with your deep cleaning machines.
Customer Rating
5
Great for eliminating the occasional accident
on April 9, 2020
Posted by: Batlacit
from Madison, WI
I use this detergent in concert with a Hoover carpet cleaner, and so far have found it to be very effective at removing both fresh and old stains from pet related messes from my rugs and carpets. The enzymatic compounds in it are quite effective when it comes to breaking down urine, vomit, and feces, and when used properly there isn't even enough left to show up under a black light. This is actually a fairly vital detail too, as it means it's breaking down the chemicals that your dog and cat use to identify spots they can safely go again in the future.
The scent is okay, but definitely noticeable. I'd say it's better than most products made to clean up after your pets, but it could still be a bit of a problem if you've got scent-sensitive individuals in the house. Fortunately I've found that if you take the time to rinse the carpet after shampooing it the smell only lingers for about an hour or so, and it leaves behind little to no soap residue within the carpet.
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The Hoover® SmartWash™ PET Complete Automatic Carpet Washer is just as easy to use as our original SmartWash. Simply push forward to clean and pull back to dry. No trigger, and no mixing solutions. It’s literally as easy as vacuuming. And the SmartWash™ PET Complete is designed specifically for homes with pets. Use the Spot Chaser™ Pretreat Wand to pretreat stains before you clean or as you go. Plus, the antimicrobial FlexForce Pet PowerBrushes remove deep-down dirt while resisting pet odors. For those pet stains on stairs or furniture SmartWash™ PET Complete comes with an antimicrobial scrubbing tool.
Customer Rating
4
Painless and effective carpet cleaning.
on April 8, 2020
Posted by: Batlacit
from Madison, WI
As someone living with a geriatric cat and a standard wiener dog, the occasional pet related mess is pretty much an unavoidable fact of life. I’ve generally sought to address this with a variety of spot cleaners. This is the first time I’ve tried a full mostly automated carpet cleaner, and I have to say that it’s hard to imagine ever going back to the smaller units.
The designers of the Smartwash have clearly gone out of their way to make the unit perform much more like a standard vacuum than your average carpet cleaner, which means operation is refreshingly simple. Pushing the unit forwards puts it in “wash” mode, where it lays down the cleaning solution and uses a pair of large brushes to work the cleaner deep into the carpet. Pulling it backwards switches to dry mode where the brushes stop and suction pulls the waste water and detergent into a gray water tank. In cases of particularly stubborn stains, pre-treatment can be applied via an applicator that serves double duty as the unit’s handle. Concentrated detergent is automatically mixed within the Smartwash on demand, and removing the small detergent tank at the back switches it to rinsing your carpet to get rid of any residual detergent – a very welcome feature for anyone who might be scent sensitive.
While I fortunately did not have any fresh stains to test the cleaner out on, I did have a few ghosts of accidents past that had taken place over the holidays (2 urine, one vomit) that had so far resisted all my previous attempts to remove them. The vomit and the first urine stain came up after just two passes using the Hoover Paws and Claws shampoo and a single rinse. You couldn't even find the spots that had been stained with a black light. The last one managed to hang on, however after using the pre-treatment wand and giving it another few passes it too fell before the brushes of the Smartwash. This unfortunately left me without a good candidate to test the included alternate cleaning head meant for deep stains that need a bit of extra work, but if it performs half as well as the standard cleaning head I have high hopes. The unit did just as well coaxing dirt out of carpet that I'd thought was clean. My carpets get vacuumed daily and the air in my home is filtered, so dust accumulation is usually not an issue. But this thing somehow managed to coax out a substantial amount of dirt and grime that the other appliances missed. Best of all: only an hour or so after I finished, the carpet was dry to the touch.
There are, unfortunately, a few downsides. First: it must be said that the SmartWash is very big even by carpet cleaner standards. The upright vacuum style brush head significantly adds to the overall footprint of the unit, making it noticeably chunkier than even a standard upright vacuum. You’ll probably want to be sure you’ve got the closet space to spare before committing to getting one. The second is the fact that there isn’t really a great way to move it around. The initial impulse is to pick it up by the handle, like you would any other vacuum, however it only took me about thirty seconds to realize this might not be a good idea. There is a large fresh water tank which sits above the gray water tank, and when full this makes the Smartwash deceptively top-heavy (as well as just heavy.) Since the handle is meant to be easily removed to be used as a pre-treatment wand, I have some serious concerns about how much weight it can realistically take and for how long. The carrying handle you’re meant to use is actually located much lower, about half way down the main body behind the gray water tank. With so much weight from the water tank being located above this point, it’s not exactly the easiest thing to lug up a set of stairs. Though given that you hopefully shouldn’t need to be using this thing on a weekly basis, it’s a flaw I think I can live with.
It’s not something I’d recommend for everyone. In fact I’d go so far as to say it’s probably ludicrous overkill for most people. But if you do find yourself using a carpet cleaner often enough that it makes sense to get your own, a unit like this is probably the one to get.
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Take your laptop on the go with this black Nomatic backpack. The durable water-resistant materials allow for everyday use, while the hidden stash pockets let you pack stationery and mobile devices for easy access. This Nomatic backpack has a full perimeter zipper for expanding the large compartment to accommodate more items, and the magnetic water bottle pockets help you separate liquids and your electronics.
Customer Rating
5
Gloriously Overengineered
on February 27, 2020
Posted by: Batlacit
from Madison, WI
I have owned many, many different bags, backpacks, and luggage sets over the years. And many have been very good. However very few end up lasting more than a year or so – possibly due to a tendency to push them right up to their design limits, then add just one more pair of pants in to keep me from having to check a bag. As a result I've learned not to get too attached. But after spending a week with the Nomatic backpack, I've had to break that rule.
From the moment I opened up the box to find a (slightly pretentious) poem describing Nomatic's mission statement to make bags for “life on the move” I knew that this was going to be a product that took itself perhaps a bit too seriously. But there are cases where that can be a good thing. And luggage intended to carry around $2000 of laptop and all the clothes and supplies you need to spend a few days (or a week) away from home is definitely one of those.
It appears that the goal in designing this bag was to create something that is meant not only to carry your laptop along on the plane will you, but your entire office. With dedicated compartments for both a laptop and a tablet, the option to invisibly thread charging cables into almost every compartment, and a zipper design that'll let you basically unfold the whole backpack into a desk/display case, this pack is more than willing to enable your tech addiction wherever it may take you. And unlike most laptop bags which throw in some semi rigid foam padding and call it a day, the designers of this bag have gone the extra mile to make sure it's all protected too. The entire case is waterproofed (including the zippers). There are RFID shielded compartments to store a wallet to keep your cards safe from anyone trying to skim them at the airport. And while it doesn't actually have an internal frame, the thickness of the rubberized exterior combined with a rigid case for your sunglasses offers a very good amount of protection from crush damage. In fact I can go so far as to say that should an over-eager toddler accidentally step on it in their haste to get off the plane and into Disney World, your laptop will be (thankfully) safe from harm.
It appears that the goal in designing this bag was to create something that is meant not only to carry your laptop along on the plane will you, but your entire office. With dedicated compartments for both a laptop and a tablet, the option to invisibly thread charging cables into almost every compartment, and a zipper design that'll let you basically unfold the whole backpack into a desk/display case, this pack is more than willing to enable your tech addiction wherever it may take you. And unlike most laptop bags which throw in some semi rigid foam padding and call it a day, the designers of this bag have gone the extra mile to make sure it's all protected too. The entire case is waterproofed (including the zippers). There are RFID shielded compartments to store a wallet to keep your cards safe from anyone trying to skim them at the airport. And while it doesn't actually have an internal frame, the thickness of the rubberized exterior combined with a rigid case for your sunglasses offers a very good amount of protection from crush damage. In fact I can go so far as to say that should an over-eager toddler accidentally step on it in their haste to get off the plane and into Disney World, your laptop will be (thankfully) safe from harm.
As much as I love this bag though, I do need to admit there are a few downsides. To start, the ergonomics aren't exactly great for someone like me with an unusually long torso. Now, to be fair, this is a common problem in backpacks but I'll admit I had hoped that this one with its slightly ludicrous attention to detail might have done better than most. In order to get the bag to sit properly to avoid straining my lower back I need to let the straps out a fair bit, which ends up raising the chest strap a few inches above my nipple line. It's not unusable there by any means, but it's also not what I’d describe as completely comfortable either. Making either the straps or the semi-rigid frame they attach to adjustable to accommodate different torso lengths would be a great upgrade should they ever decide to release a backpack version 2. Also, while I appreciate the addition of the expandable cargo compartment, the fact that it shares space with the laptop carrier makes me a little hesitant to fully use it. It's just a little too effective at compressing clothes and other soft objects down to easily fit underneath an airline seat – and I can't help but imagine my laptop being crushed by my laundry. Maybe one of the newer MacBooks with their fully aluminum bodies would be able to take it, but I'm not nearly confident enough in the plastic shell of my daily driver to chance it without some kind of rigid internal reinforcement to hold the socks at bay.
Overall though, my views on the backpack remain overwhelmingly positive. I look forward to subjecting it to many more years of habitual abuse on my travels.
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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From the rock revolution of the ‘60s, to the art scene of the ‘80s, to the forefront of hip-hop culture – Wayfarer has become an enduring icon across endlessly shifting horizons. Now the journey continues with the latest in wearable tech. Ray-Ban Stories Wayfarer integrates the best of your phone with the timeless frame, bringing you a new way to capture and share your adventures.
I'm unable to find a phone compatibility list, does anyone know if this works with android phones too?
Yes, it works just fine on Android. No idea why they don't advertise it on the box.
3 years, 5 months ago
by
Batlacit
This Element 27" frameless gaming monitor provides everything you need for premium gameplay or everyday tasks. This 1440P resolution monitor is equipped with FreeSync Technology for avoiding tearing and reducing stuttering. With easy set-up for multiple screens, you're able to expand your view and get more done. The 16:9 widescreen resolution partnered with a 1ms response time and 165hz refresh rate allows a vivid, realistic picture so you can be immersed in your gaming world. Built-in speakers and a sleek, frameless screen enable the monitor to blend with your decor for a clean aesthetic.
Is this monitor good for an Xbox one s gaming? I'm new to monitors and this one would be my first one
The integrated audio is pretty bad even by monitor standards, but apart from that it should work fine for console gaming. It's not going to deliver an exceptional experience, but it should be able to beat most TVs as far as latency goes.
3 years, 5 months ago
by
Batlacit
This Element 27" frameless gaming monitor provides everything you need for premium gameplay or everyday tasks. This 1440P resolution monitor is equipped with FreeSync Technology for avoiding tearing and reducing stuttering. With easy set-up for multiple screens, you're able to expand your view and get more done. The 16:9 widescreen resolution partnered with a 1ms response time and 165hz refresh rate allows a vivid, realistic picture so you can be immersed in your gaming world. Built-in speakers and a sleek, frameless screen enable the monitor to blend with your decor for a clean aesthetic.
Is this a good monitor for competitive gaming on the ps5 ???
This Element 27" frameless gaming monitor provides everything you need for premium gameplay or everyday tasks. This 1440P resolution monitor is equipped with FreeSync Technology for avoiding tearing and reducing stuttering. With easy set-up for multiple screens, you're able to expand your view and get more done. The 16:9 widescreen resolution partnered with a 1ms response time and 165hz refresh rate allows a vivid, realistic picture so you can be immersed in your gaming world. Built-in speakers and a sleek, frameless screen enable the monitor to blend with your decor for a clean aesthetic.
Does it have a hdmi?
Yes, it has two HDMI ports and does come with both an HDMI and DP cable.
3 years, 5 months ago
by
Batlacit
This Element 27" frameless gaming monitor provides everything you need for premium gameplay or everyday tasks. This 1440P resolution monitor is equipped with FreeSync Technology for avoiding tearing and reducing stuttering. With easy set-up for multiple screens, you're able to expand your view and get more done. The 16:9 widescreen resolution partnered with a 1ms response time and 165hz refresh rate allows a vivid, realistic picture so you can be immersed in your gaming world. Built-in speakers and a sleek, frameless screen enable the monitor to blend with your decor for a clean aesthetic.
Does it have integrated speakers?
Yes. But they sound horrible and require you to go through two menu layers to change the volume. I wouldn't consider them as a selling point.
3 years, 5 months ago
by
Batlacit
An industry defining 49” 1000R curved screen, equipped with a cutting edge Quantum Matrix HDR2000 panel, 240hz refresh rate, G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro support, 1ms GTG response rates, and fully customizable Odyssey Infinity Core lighting.
DP 2.0?
No, it's still using 1.4. Getting DP 2.0 certified is turning out to be a lot trickier than it was initially expected, most are saying we probably wont' see them hitting the market until 2022.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
Batlacit
An industry defining 49” 1000R curved screen, equipped with a cutting edge Quantum Matrix HDR2000 panel, 240hz refresh rate, G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro support, 1ms GTG response rates, and fully customizable Odyssey Infinity Core lighting.
My new g9 arrived in the box for the old g9. Even though the box has a sticker that says "Neo G9 Odyssey" sticked on it, the box itself is for the old model. Does anyone else have the same issue? Why is that the case?
They're just using up the old boxes and foam. The shape and size of the product hasn't really changed, I don't think it's anything you need to worry about so long as the monitor itself has the right model number.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
Batlacit
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Can both trays be used at once?
Explore a new world of personalized home theater audio. The SRS-NS7 Wireless Neckband Speaker uses Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Personalizer technology to envelop you in the rich audio of your favorite shows and movies, while being unobtrusive to others in your home.
Do these have 3.5mm jack or do they only connect via bluetooth?
They will only work with bluetooth or optical connections.
3 years, 8 months ago
by
Batlacit
Extend your PC’s RGB lighting with the CORSAIR iCUE LT100 Smart Lighting Towers Starter Kit, part of the iCUE Smart Lighting Ecosystem. 92 RGB LEDs light up your room with ambient lighting that dynamically integrates with your games and media for a truly immersive experience. Cycle through 11 lighting profiles out of the box with push-button control or connect to CORSAIR iCUE software to synchronize your RGB lighting effects across all compatible CORSAIR devices in your system and all external iCUE Smart Lighting devices. The Starter Kit includes two lighting towers with 46 customizable LEDs each, housed in light-diffusing casing that softens and blends light. With an included removable headset holder, LT100 Smart Lighting Towers add convenient, versatile, and stunning RGB lighting to any setup.
how tall are they
Per the spec sheet, 422mm. The headphone holder adds another 2mm or so.
3 years, 8 months ago
by
Batlacit