Daddio's stats
- Review count96
- Helpfulness votes543
- First reviewJanuary 16, 2015
- Last reviewMay 4, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.8
Reviews comments
- Review comment count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentNone
- Last review commentNone
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count30
- Helpfulness votes71
- First answerNovember 7, 2015
- Last answerDecember 11, 2021
- Featured answers0
- Best answers5
High Performance Computer and Electronics UPS for Premium Power ProtectionThe Back-UPS Pro family offers guaranteed power protection for high performance computer systems, routers/modems, external storage devices, game consoles and other electronics in your home or business. These UPSs supply electronics with abundant battery backup during outages and stabilize unsafe voltage levels. They also provide power protection from damaging surges and spikes, and allow the use of management software so you get the most out of your UPS. Premium features of this family may include Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), an LCD display, Smart Outlets, energy saving functions that reduce electricity use, network manageability, Watchdog, or configurable outlets. Together with the rest of the Back-UPS Pro's standard features, they are the perfect choice to protect your data and keep your system available.
Posted by: Daddio
from Wesley Chapel, Florida
Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPSs) have been common in most people’s homes for decades, but they probably saw a tapering off in sales volume as full sized home Desktop PCs were superseded by Laptops, Tablets and powerful Cell Phones which have their own built in battery backup and power conditioning systems built in.
Home Theater Systems have become more elaborate over the years and the many subsystems incorporated into the Home Theater deserve protection from power surges just like full sized PCs. Shutting down larger Home Theaters in an orderly fashion during a power failure requires more UPS power than most PCs. That’s where the relatively high output capacity of the APC Pro 1350VA shines. As shown in the attached pictures, the power consumption of my home theater as an example is fairly high. It includes a 75” TV, an Xbox One X, a Denon AVR-S730H Receiver pushing a 5.2.2 Surround system, a Western Digital NAS and a 10” and 15” Powered Woofer. The close-up picture of the illuminated dash on the APC Pro 1350VA shows the system under load. The long tapered triangle on the top right of the display shows 2 bars out of 5, indicating that the unit is at less than 50% capacity. The power management software that runs on a PC indicates that the APC Pro 1350VA can supply back-up power to this home theater system for 45 minutes before needing to be shut down. During that time the APC Pro 1350VA will be emitting 4 beeps every 30 seconds to alert anyone in the house that the home theater should be powered down. The alarm can be temporarily silenced if desired. The LED display can also be set to be on constantly or to only light up if there is a power problem.
PROS:
- The back of the APC Pro 1350VA has 6 individual u-ground outlets that supply both battery back-up and surge protection. This is a larger number of battery back-up outlets than most home UPSs. It has 4 more u-ground power outlets that offer surge protection only.
- The back of the APC Pro 1350VA has 6 individual u-ground outlets that supply both battery back-up and surge protection. This is a larger number of battery back-up outlets than most home UPSs. It has 4 more u-ground power outlets that offer surge protection only.
- The included PC software can adjust and monitor the operation of the APC Pro 1350VA to tell the user when, how many and what kind of power problems have occurred. It can test the capacity and readiness of the system. It can monitor power usage when everything is operating properly and tell the user how much money it has cost to operate the items attached to the APC Pro 1350VA over a period of weeks or months.
- The APC Pro 1350VA can tell the user in real time if it is able to handle the electrical load attached to it. It also indicates some problems (short circuits, etc.) that occur in the items it is protecting.
- The APC Pro 1350VA can tell the user in real time if it is able to handle the electrical load attached to it. It also indicates some problems (short circuits, etc.) that occur in the items it is protecting.
- The APC Pro 1350VA has the capacity to protect larger systems than most home UPSs.
- The owner can control whether or not the LED display is constantly illuminated and can temporarily silence the beeping alarm, even if the power failure is still in progress. Personally I’m an information hound and appreciate the LED’s real time information on current load and input line voltage among other things.
CONS:
- Like most UPSs, the APC Pro 1350VA output plug-in strip is oriented and surrounded by other protected outputs like coaxial cable and LAN cable connections in such a way that most power bricks (for things like external hard-drives) each cover two U-ground outlets, significantly lowering the number of devices it can protect.
- Like most UPSs, the APC Pro 1350VA output plug-in strip is oriented and surrounded by other protected outputs like coaxial cable and LAN cable connections in such a way that most power bricks (for things like external hard-drives) each cover two U-ground outlets, significantly lowering the number of devices it can protect.
- The APC Pro 1350VA can only be positioned vertically, which means it cannot fit inside the shelves of most Home Theater Credenzas alongside the amplifiers and tuners. This means that all of the power cables for these items going to the APC Pro 1350VA, must be routed outside of the credenza which can be a long distance and can look unsightly.
CONCLUSION:
- The APC Pro 1350VA has lots of bells and whistles for those who like to monitor and “fiddle” with the features included. If the wattage and capacity needed to power your system is larger than most home systems, the APC Pro 1350VA can probably handle the load.
- The APC Pro 1350VA has lots of bells and whistles for those who like to monitor and “fiddle” with the features included. If the wattage and capacity needed to power your system is larger than most home systems, the APC Pro 1350VA can probably handle the load.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
Bring the sounds of the movies to your home with these Sony Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers. The compact size fits neatly on top of your existing tower speakers for an easy way to upgrade your sound system. Mica-reinforced cellular cones reduce distortion, while the MDF cabinets absorb vibrations for better playback. These Sony Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers offer surround sound capabilities for an immersive listening experience.
Customer Rating
5
Improving your Home Theater Sound: Incrementally
on July 13, 2018
Posted by: Daddio
from Wesley Chapel, Florida
Sometimes upgrading your equipment can have dramatic effects. Do you remember being dazzled when you went from stereo sound to surround sound or from standard definition to high definition 1080p? However, sometimes the upgrade although positive, is more subtle, like going from 1080p high definition to 4K HDR definition video. It’s an improvement and it has benefits, but you have to be a bit of an “Enthusiast” to feel satisfied with the incremental improvement the feature offers. The Dolby Atmos feature that these Sony speakers can add to your home theater is one of those incremental improvements. When I sat my wife down to hear our new 5.2 surround system a few years ago she was dazzled. When I sat her down last week to hear our new 5.2.2 surround system with functioning Atmos, I had to point out to her that the sound of monsoon rain hitting the forest canopy shown on the TV’s screen, really did seem to be coming from the ceiling above. However, because of the way our ears and brains perceive vertical sound direction (compared to horizontal sound direction), she had to tilt her head slightly upwards to really get an impression of where the rain’s sound was coming from. If I hadn’t pointed it out she might have a vague feeling that something was making the experience more realistic, but she might have attributed it to the realistic picture rather than the realistic sound. I’m only giving you this overly detailed description of the Atmos sound experience, so you won’t have expectations that are too high. On top of that, only source video or movies encoded with Dolby Atmos (or the competing DTS:X) running though an Audio Video Receiver that can decode Atmos, into a theater that has properly placed Atmos speakers (like these Sonys), can produce the overhead sound effect.
These 4” Sony speakers are what are called “Up-firing” speakers. They allow the easiest installation method for Atmos. Rather than cutting holes or mounting bolts in the ceiling and running wires behind the drywall to feed the signal, Up-firing speakers can be placed right on top of your left and right speakers, as I did in the attached picture. It’s relatively easy to just run the speaker wires from there to the Atmos capable A/V receiver. When the A/V receiver gets the code for sound above the listener, the sound from these speakers is focused and aimed at the ceiling. From there it bounces down to your ears. The downside to that easy installation is that the sound energy from these speakers has to pass though the sound waves emanating from the left and right speakers. Some of sound wave energy from the Up-firing speakers is absorbed or deflected. I tested a preferable Up-firing speaker location by crudely mounting the speakers on 2x4s set against the back wall about 6’ above the floor. This got them out of the sound waves from the left and right speakers and the overhead Atmos sound effect seemed clearer. When I have the time I will run the wires behind the wall and mount the Sony Atmos speakers more permanently 6’ above the floor. Since I have a two story house, I just don’t have the ambition or skill to run wiring across the ceiling and mount speakers into the ceiling cavity between the floors. Up-firing speakers are a good compromise to get the Atmos effect without mounting speakers in the ceiling.
PROS:
- Comes with hardware brackets, adhesive foot pads and screws for most installation needs.
- These speakers are attractive with speaker grills that can be easily removed for that “Naked” look that some prefer.
- These speakers are attractive with speaker grills that can be easily removed for that “Naked” look that some prefer.
- They allow the two simplest Atmos installation methods, directly on top of front speakers, or mounted higher on the back wall.
- The 4” cones and their drivers are well sized for the clear high to mid-frequency sounds that reflect off the ceiling well.
CONS:
- They can’t deliver the “Ultimate” Atmos experience which requires multiple ceiling embedded speakers.
- They can’t deliver the “Ultimate” Atmos experience which requires multiple ceiling embedded speakers.
- If you are a stickler for visually matched speakers, the matte finish might not match the shiny piano-key, wood-grain or different fabric grill look of your existing speakers.
CONCLUSION:
- These Sony - 4" Dolby Atmos Enabled Elevation Speakers will allow you to upgrade your home theater sound with the vertical audio image that Dolby Atmos or the competing DTS:X audio encoding both offer. If you are the type of enthusiast that enjoys experiencing noticeable but subtle incremental improvements, then these speakers are worth the investment of time and money.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+83points
85of 87voted this as helpful.
Connect your iPhone to your car stereo or home speakers for effortless sharing with this Belkin Lightning to aux cable. The single 3-foot cable connection is compatible with the iPhone 7 Plus and up, while the 3.5mm jack works with a range of speakers and car stereo setups. Featuring MFi certification, this Belkin Lightning to aux cable keeps up with iOS updates.
Posted by: Daddio
from Wesley Chapel, Florida
This well made product is an unfortunate result of today's designers favoring fashion over practicality. Nobody was complaining to Apple that the 3.5 mm earbud port was a design defect that had to be removed. But then Apple designs product for them, not their customers. Thankfully Belkin stepped in and corrected the iPhone with this Lighting Port to 3.5 mm Adapter. Now we can once again use the Aux port on our car's dash to listen to Podcasts or music stored on our phone without wasting battery power via Bluetooth. This is not a cheap cable, but it's not a simple soldered together adapter either. Belkin had to install circuits into the Lighting Port end to convert the digital information coming out of the iPhone's Lighting Port into an analog signal that the Aux port in our car's dash or our home receiver can use.
Pros:
- The electronics in this cable are MFi-certified to guarantee compatibility with the inevitable future iPhone updates.
- Compared to other Lighting Port adapters, for the specific task of outputting music to an 3.5 mm Aux Port, it's a single cable. No other adapters need to be Daisy Chained to it.
- It's available in 3-foot/0.9m or 6-foot/1.8m lengths.
Pros:
- The electronics in this cable are MFi-certified to guarantee compatibility with the inevitable future iPhone updates.
- Compared to other Lighting Port adapters, for the specific task of outputting music to an 3.5 mm Aux Port, it's a single cable. No other adapters need to be Daisy Chained to it.
- It's available in 3-foot/0.9m or 6-foot/1.8m lengths.
Cons:
- Somewhat pricy.
- Somewhat pricy.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Enjoy the ultimate viewing experience with this 65-inch VIZIO P-Series 4K smart TV. The 4K Ultra HD resolution produces lifelike images, and the Ultra Color Spectrum technology adds rich, vibrant colors. Google Chromecast expands viewing options, while the SmartCast OS provides a smooth, reliable viewing experience. This 65-inch VIZIO smart TV is voice enabled for ease of use.
Customer Rating
5
Visio Goes High End
on June 7, 2018
Posted by: Daddio
from Wesley Chapel, Florida
Located in Irvine California, Visio entered the flat panel TV market by contracting various established TV manufacturers to build TVs to their specifications. With this relatively low up-front investment they were able to enter the market with TVs that got everyone’s attention with their reasonable performance, but amazingly affordable prices. This has obviously been very successful for Visio over the years, but operating at the lower margin end of the business is not where they wanted to stay. The new P series from Visio is their first push into the higher feature and performance levels previously occupied by only the top manufacturers like Sony and Samsung. The P series TVs occupy a higher price point than earlier Visio models, but they are still very affordable compared to the big names.
Before moving my Visio 65” Model P to its permanent location I temporarily set it on the floor in front of a 6 month old Sony 75” Model 900E that was mounted on the wall. I have included a picture of that setup but it is important to know that the lower screen in the picture is 4’ closer than the upper screen. Both TVs are hooked up to the same roof-mounted antenna via a splitter. The Over the Air (OTA) signal is coming from a farm of 4 Transmitter Towers 35 miles away. Unlike a store display room where every screen is running from a different source to make direct comparison difficult, this setup allows skin tones, color saturation and picture details to be studied. Out of the box the Visio P was much brighter and a bit too vivid even on the “Normal” setting. However, the Visio offers many different automatic screen modes as well as a manual setup mode that lets every aspect of color, contrast and saturation to be individually adjusted. It’s not a good as the human eye actually being there, but you can see in the attached picture that the Visio picture was every bit a pleasing as the much more expensive Sony picture. Nothing is perfect however so here are some Pros and Cons;
PROS:
- The Price. If you masked off everything but the picture screen, I personally would not have been able to tell which of my TVs was almost twice as expensive (mainly due to screen size). If you’re not influenced by brand prestige, the Visio is the obvious choice.
- The Visio P series has almost every high end 4K feature available. From Full Active Array Backlighting, to HDR10 Dolby Vision, to Smart (Chrome) Cast, to built in Apps like YouTube, Netflix and Amazon, to Ultra Bright 1000 Nit peak brightness, the Visio P series is up there with the best LCD displays.
- The Visio P series has almost every high end 4K feature available. From Full Active Array Backlighting, to HDR10 Dolby Vision, to Smart (Chrome) Cast, to built in Apps like YouTube, Netflix and Amazon, to Ultra Bright 1000 Nit peak brightness, the Visio P series is up there with the best LCD displays.
- The narrow bezels and overall thin depth of the Visio P series makes these TVs an attractive addition to any Home Theater or Living Room.
CONS:
- Although it has an Over-the-Air tuner, that tuner is not a sensitive as others. When hooked up to the same antenna, the Visio received fewer channels than my other TV. However, this is only an issue when receiving signals through an antenna from a distant transmitter. If the Visio is hooked up to a good antenna and the transmitter is 10 miles away or closer, the signal will always be so strong that tuner sensitivity is not an issue. If you are using a cable company’s box, then you would be feeding the Visio via one of its 5 HDMI inlet connections instead of the TV’s coaxial antenna connection, thus bypassing the internal tuner altogether.
- Although it has an Over-the-Air tuner, that tuner is not a sensitive as others. When hooked up to the same antenna, the Visio received fewer channels than my other TV. However, this is only an issue when receiving signals through an antenna from a distant transmitter. If the Visio is hooked up to a good antenna and the transmitter is 10 miles away or closer, the signal will always be so strong that tuner sensitivity is not an issue. If you are using a cable company’s box, then you would be feeding the Visio via one of its 5 HDMI inlet connections instead of the TV’s coaxial antenna connection, thus bypassing the internal tuner altogether.
- The stereo speakers on the Visio P series TV are fair, but not equal to the quality of the picture. A TV of this caliber deserves a real 7.2 Surround Sound receiver and speaker array, so the low power and quality of speakers imbedded in the narrow bezels of this TV are best left switched off.
CONCLUSION:
- The Visio P series shows Visio’s plan for the future. Stage one was getting themselves noticed with competent TV models and amazing prices. Now that their brand is established, they are going after the big boys and the P series is just the beginning.
My Best Buy number: 4147599328
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+83points
97of 111voted this as helpful.
Keep track of your nutrition intake with this NutriBullet Balance smoothie blender. It calculates the nutritional data of the smoothie ingredients you’re using and sends the information to your smartphone via Bluetooth. This NutriBullet Balance smoothie blender comes with two 32-oz. blending cups with lip rings and to-go lids for versatility.
Customer Rating
5
Now even your Blender can have an App
on May 7, 2018
Posted by: Daddio
from Wesley Chapel, Florida
Even if your goal isn’t losing weight or bulking up for some high endurance sport, the NutriBullet Balance blender/smoothie machine is attractive simply because of it’s amazing technology. If you like gadgets, you’ll love this blender.
The NutriBullet Balance connects to your smart phone through Bluetooth connectivity. Instead of making vague assumptions about the quantity and caloric density of each ingredient you add to your health drink, you use the precise scale built in to the NutriBullet Balance. You can toss in items that you have available and just tap on the specific ingredient description (blueberries, hazel nuts, ice, celery, etc.) and as you add them, the total calories of the mix will begin to appear on the App screen. An even better way is to use the hundreds of recipes that are available. The trick to sticking with a particular type of diet is making the item you’re eating (or in this case drinking) palatable. Grinding up and gulping down pure turnip for example might be “good for you” but it might also make you gag and give up your diet. The recipes in the guide are designed to be at least edible, but more often delicious. You look up a recipe that meets your needs, get the ingredients out of the fridge or pantry and add them to the NutriBullet Balance in the order you see them on your phone’s screen. As you add the ingredient you see a bar-graph-like display superimposed on a picture of the NutriBullet Balance. Just add one ingredient until that part of the bar-graph shows full and move on to the next ingredient. When you’re finished adding items, your NutriBullet Balance should look full just as the App picture does. Put the Cap on the “Bullet” and start the blender motor. When it’s done you can drink it immediately or leave the cap on and take it to work or your work-out location. The Bullet is a spill proof travel drink container and you get two of them with the kit.
You can mark your Favorites in the provided recipe list or even develop your own recipe that will calculate the calories as you create it. The NutriBullet Balance recipes are not just for Smoothies. It makes Soups, Dips, Salad Dressings and Gravies that can be tailored for specific dietary needs such as diabetic issues. There are more features but I think you get the idea.
PROS:
- Gives you great control over your dietary intake.
- Has a powerful 1200 watt motor that can liquefy most foods.
- Has a powerful 1200 watt motor that can liquefy most foods.
- Hundreds of recipes for different needs and results.
- Scratches that “Tech Gadget Itch”.
- Relatively quiet for such a powerful blender.
CONS:
- Like many of our increasing numerous Bluetooth devices, it is subject to the conflicts of every Bluetooth device trying to connect with every other Bluetooth device in your home. That can sometimes lead to dropouts and slow connection time as each Bluetooth device fights for supremacy over the same frequencies and bandwidth. It’s something that the Bluetooth consortium is going to have to address soon as we become flooded with Bluetooth devices.
- Like many of our increasing numerous Bluetooth devices, it is subject to the conflicts of every Bluetooth device trying to connect with every other Bluetooth device in your home. That can sometimes lead to dropouts and slow connection time as each Bluetooth device fights for supremacy over the same frequencies and bandwidth. It’s something that the Bluetooth consortium is going to have to address soon as we become flooded with Bluetooth devices.
- Yet one more device taking up space on your counter top or disappearing into a cupboard until the next yard sale.
CONCLUSION:
- If you have any dietary health issues or concerns, this could be a device that helps you manage them. To use it effectively though, you must be willing to go through the learning curve. Even if you’re not into the “Healthy” thing, you can make one delicious 2000 calorie milk shake to die for ;)
My Best Buy number: 4147599328
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
Navigate your desktop precisely with this Corsair Dark Core gaming mouse. It uses low-latency Bluetooth for syncing with compatible devices, and its 16000 DPI optical sensor provides high accuracy performance during game play. This Corsair Dark Core gaming mouse has a contoured shape and interchangeable textured side grips for a comfortable feel in hand.
Customer Rating
5
A very Customizable Gaming Mouse
on April 25, 2018
Posted by: Daddio
from Wesley Chapel, Florida
The Corsair Dark Core RGB Wireless Mouse is a relative newcomer to the Gaming Mouse market and has the advantage of being designed after other manufacturers had already showed what works and what doesn’t with these specialized devices; In other words, the advantage of hindsight.
To be competitive, Gaming Mice must have very fast response times to counter the movements of AI enemies and human opponents in high level game competitions. A Gaming Mouse has to have extremely accurate hardware and software so that the slightest movement to the left or right will track the crosshairs accurately down to a single pixel. Once aimed, the click of the mouse button must immediately transmit that action to the gaming computer that the mouse is controlling, to get the shot precisely on target before the target moves. The Corsair Dark Core RGB Wireless Mouse does all of this very well and even has the ability to change the sensitivity of the high-end PMW 3367 Optical Sensor built into it. Like all modern Gaming Mice, the Corsair Dark Core RGB Wireless Mouse has so many bells and whistles (button mapping, sniper button, optional magnetically attached contour pads, etc., etc.) that it would take far too long to list them here. Suffice it to say, it has them all.
PROS:
- Has a very modern look with no-slip padded surfaces to maintain control, even with sweaty palms.
- Can be used with the included USB 3.0 wired connection for ultimate speed and response or the included USB 3.0 wireless dongle. It also offers wireless Bluetooth connectivity if the computer being used is capable.
- Can be used with the included USB 3.0 wired connection for ultimate speed and response or the included USB 3.0 wireless dongle. It also offers wireless Bluetooth connectivity if the computer being used is capable.
- Ultra fast 1 millisecond response time even in one of the wireless modes.
- The Corsair Dark Core RGB Wireless Mouse can be charged by plugging in the included Micro USB cable or by placing it on any Qi™ wireless charging pad that are used by many newer cell phones today. Corsair also offers a Mouse Pad that has a Qi Wireless Charging area in the corner that will charge the mouse between games, or a Qi chargeable cell phone during a game.
- Comfortable button placement for larger hands.
CONS:
- Because of all of its features (including Qi charging), the Corsair Dark Core RGB Wireless Mouse is relatively heavy at 4.5 ounces.
- Because of all of its features (including Qi charging), the Corsair Dark Core RGB Wireless Mouse is relatively heavy at 4.5 ounces.
- Like many products today, the Corsair Dark Core RGB Wireless Mouse has poor documentation. Only a “Quick Guide” comes in the box and it barely shows how to use the mouse, let alone remap the buttons. There is no comprehensive guide for features and use offered either in printed or downloadable form. There is an App Corsair calls a “Utility Engine” that must be downloaded on the computer to check for the latest software version. It contains lots of virtual buttons to make lots of changes and adjustments to the Corsair Dark Core RGB Wireless Mouse, but gives almost no explanation of how to do it or what the App can actually do.
CONCLUSION:
- The Corsair Dark Core RGB Wireless Mouse is very good, but that’s to be expected of High-end gaming mice in this category. It doesn’t offer any feature that is completely unique or groundbreaking, but it will match anything the competition (Logitech, Razer, Steel Series, etc.) offers. The Corsair Dark Core RGB Wireless Mouse is a good fit for my gaming PC system and I’m very pleased with it.
My Best Buy number: 4147599328
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Use this unlocked Xperia XZ2 phone for streaming video or scrolling social media. It lets you take your time when picking a plan while offering reliable Wi-Fi connectivity, and you can store videos, photographs and your playlist using the 64GB of onboard storage. This Xperia XZ2 phone features a 5.7-inch Gorilla Glass display for crystal-clear viewing.
Customer Rating
5
One of many Flagship Cell Phones, but still unique
on April 20, 2018
Posted by: Daddio
from Wesley Chapel, Florida
Sony’s latest Experia, the XZ2, is another example of the remarkable features that cell phone makers have been able to cram into a pocketable device. Of course it has the currently most powerful CPU, the latest version of the Android Operating System, a lot of RAM, a great camera, a brilliant High Definition screen, rich stereo audio and a design very pleasing to the eye. A year or two ago a phone like this would have caused a sensation, but as it gets harder and harder to make great leaps in cell phone technology, it is just another good high end phone. We’ll have to wait until 5G becomes a developed technology in a year or two before we can be absolutely dazzled by a new phone again.
The XZ2 is compatible with GSM/LTE carriers utilizing the GSM network such as Cricket Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile, Simple Mobile, Straight Talk, metroPCS and others.
If you are a Samsung, or iPhone Fan, there’s nothing special here, BUT, if you are a Sony fan deeply embedded in the Sony ecosystem, this phone has a few features that make the Sony experience even better.
PROS:
- The Gorilla Glass ™ front and back is rugged/scratch resistant (for glass) and looks gorgeous. Sony’s new “Fluid Design” treatment gives it all a very high end look.
- The latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 Octa-core processor makes everything move and respond amazingly fast. It loads programs into the latest Android Oreo OS very quickly.
- The Gorilla Glass ™ front and back is rugged/scratch resistant (for glass) and looks gorgeous. Sony’s new “Fluid Design” treatment gives it all a very high end look.
- The latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 Octa-core processor makes everything move and respond amazingly fast. It loads programs into the latest Android Oreo OS very quickly.
- Like all phones in its class, the XZ2 has excellent cameras front and back. However, the XZ2 utilizes this hardware to offer rapid-burst still pictures, high definition slow motion video capture, blurred out backgrounds to make the main subject of the photo visually Pop and software that scans heads or other objects into 3-D rotatable renders that can be downloaded into 3-D software on 3-D printers. It’s expected that game software will soon allow these 3-D head render files to be used to make avatars in the game that look just like the player.
- The XZ2 has the ability to use Wi-Fi instead of the nearest cell tower to make calls over the internet if the cell tower signal is weak. This works seamlessly and at no extra charge over providers like Cricket Wireless. Other providers charge extra. No provider covers the entire country without some weak spots. I almost didn’t get this phone because only a Verizon tower covers my home. With this XZ2 feature switched on, I have excellent clear call quality at home and work, even though the phone’s cell tower icon only shows one bar.
CONS:
- The glass front and back are VERY slippery. The Sony Fluid Design is attractive, but the bulge of the back which ends with the flat Fingerprint Reader disk in the middle, causes the contact point with a table to be a centered but small area. This allows the phone (when set on a table) to rock back and forth when touched by a finger and spin wildly as you try to touch the screen to operate the phone. A soft phone cover diminishes this problem, but does not eliminate it entirely.
- The glass front and back are VERY slippery. The Sony Fluid Design is attractive, but the bulge of the back which ends with the flat Fingerprint Reader disk in the middle, causes the contact point with a table to be a centered but small area. This allows the phone (when set on a table) to rock back and forth when touched by a finger and spin wildly as you try to touch the screen to operate the phone. A soft phone cover diminishes this problem, but does not eliminate it entirely.
CONCLUSION:
- The Sony XZ2 is very good, but that’s to be expected of High-end phones in this category. If you use other Sony products it does have some advantages in that eco-system. It hooks up wirelessly very easily with my Sony 900E HDR television. The 4K movies and photos taken with the XZ2 show up on the TV screen as fast as I can flick them across the phone’s screen. I can use my Sony PS4 G-shock controllers to play videos games on the XZ2 screen without blocking part of the screen with my fingers. The XZ2 is a good fit for my entertainment and Wi-Fi systems and I’m very pleased with it.
- The Sony XZ2 is very good, but that’s to be expected of High-end phones in this category. If you use other Sony products it does have some advantages in that eco-system. It hooks up wirelessly very easily with my Sony 900E HDR television. The 4K movies and photos taken with the XZ2 show up on the TV screen as fast as I can flick them across the phone’s screen. I can use my Sony PS4 G-shock controllers to play videos games on the XZ2 screen without blocking part of the screen with my fingers. The XZ2 is a good fit for my entertainment and Wi-Fi systems and I’m very pleased with it.
My Best Buy number: 4147599328
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Only at Best BuyPull in HDTV signals from local stations up to 60 miles away with this Mohu Beam antenna. It's 23 inches long and looks like a sound bar to blend with your home entertainment equipment, and you can mounts it on the wall. This Mohu Beam antenna includes a signal amplifier for clear digital reception.
Customer Rating
5
A Good Solution
on April 13, 2018
Posted by: Daddio
from Wesley Chapel, Florida
The problem that the MOHU Beam Indoor / Outdoor Amplified HDTV Antenna is a solution for, is "How can I get effective Over The Air (OTA) TV reception in a compact flexible package?". I live 35 miles north of the multiple TV transmission towers (clustered in 3 facilities that are about 3 miles apart) that broadcasts OTA signals from the major networks into the Tampa Bay FL region. I cancelled my Cable TV service when I got a new smart TV that is fed by the home's R36 LAN wiring. It provides most of what I watch using Internet feeds. I still wanted to watch local News programs and some network shows. That too can be done with a lot of button pushing using the smart TV's internet connection, but the TV also has a Digital TV Tuner. Month's ago I first tried to access the OTA signals using the equivalent to the old style "Rabbit Ears" antenna right next to the TV. At ground level and within the concrete block walls of the house, I was only able to pick up a picture that flashed on and off every few seconds. It showed me that there was a signal out there, but it was unwatchable with that crude antenna, inside, at ground level. Like most, my house was built with coaxial cable running between most of the rooms for use with Cable Television. I used that existing wiring system to connect from the back of the TV to the same Rabbit Ears, which I moved into the garage attic where the cable TV used to enter the house. With wood instead of concrete blocks and 20' more altitude, I could now get the PBS stations which have the most powerful transmitter at the tower facility, but the other network's signals still cut in and out. I replaced the Rabbit Ears with a traditional (50 mile rated) TV antenna which I suspended in the attic rafters. With that I could receive a good picture from any of the towers if I aimed the pointed Yagi end of the antenna precisely at that particular transmitting tower. Eventually I found a compromise direction between two of the towers which allowed me to pick up signals from two towers, but not the third.
That was my system until I tried the MOHU Beam Indoor / Outdoor Amplified HDTV Antenna. As an experiment I first hooked the MOHU up to the TV directly with a 6' coaxial cable and plugged in the power for the amplifier part of the MOHU. This was again behind the block walls and at ground level. I held the flat square beam antenna section in my hand as I tuned in the channels that I knew were coming from specific transmitting towers about 35 miles away. I found that even under those conditions, I could pick up a good signal and clear picture from any one of the transmitters as long as I pointed the flat face of the MOHU precisely at the tower. The wall behind the TV is the simplest mounting position for the flat MOHU, but unfortunately in my case that wall faces East not in the Southern direction of the transmitters. I got no signals with the MOHU facing East. I could have rigged something up to face South if I had to and moved the direction slightly each time I wanted to changed network towers. However, I already had the old coaxial wiring up to the garage attic, so I moved the MOHU up there. The MOHU seems less sensitive to being pointed PRECISELY at the transmitter towers compared to my traditional (unamplified) TV antenna. I was pleased to find that by pointing the face of the MOHU directly at the middle transmitter, the MOHU was still able to pick up the two transmitters to the left and right. The stations on the weakest transmitter will cut out occasionally if watching during the day, but for some reason there is no cutting out at night. One thing to remember though is that the MOHU is flexible in that it can be installed outside in the weather. The channels on the transmitter to the left (at my location) are not that important to me, but if they were, I could take one more step and install the MOHU outside on the peak of my roof facing the middle of the three towers. Without the OTA radio signals having to pass through the shingled roof, I'm sure that would be enough to get rid of the occasional blinking on and off of the weak tower's channels.
Over The Air TV reception is an option most of us have forgotten or possibly never experienced. It offers an HD picture of the major Network channels and each tranmitter also transmits 3-4 secondary channels. The MOHU Beam Indoor / Outdoor Amplified HDTV Antenna is worth considering. For me it outperformed the flat antenna panels you see advertised on late night TV. You can't beat a 6' wide 7' long traditional Yagi TV Antenna mounted high on a rotatable mast outside the house, but the MOHU Beam Indoor / Outdoor Amplified HDTV Antenna would be a much more practical choice for many cord-cutters.
My Best Buy number: 4147599328
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+33points
43of 53voted this as helpful.
Get affordable prints and increased versatility. Set up, connect, and print right from your mobile device, and produce high-quality photos and everyday documents. Print, scan, and copy with ease.Up to 10 ISO ppm* black, up to 7 ISO ppm* color.
Customer Rating
5
A Very "Connected" Printer
on March 28, 2018
Posted by: Daddio
from Wesley Chapel, Florida
In the simplest terms, Printers Print. That is, most any modern printer will put an image and text on a piece of paper in fine detail and good colors. The things that set printers apart these days are features beyond decent printing. For example, the HP Envy 5055 excels in connecting to all of the PCs, tablets and smart phones within range of its Bluetooth or your Wi-Fi Modem's signal. When the free HP App is installed on your device, the software immediately seeks out the printer. Once the connection has been established the first time, your PC, cell phone, tablet, etc. will show up on the printer's LCD panel as an addressable device. When a picture or document is scanned on the printer, a press on the HP Envy 5055's screen will sent it to the phone or tablet you choose. Similarly, if the device has a program that can print, then that document or picture can be sent wirelessly to the printer even when the printer is in Sleep Mode. One of the biggest frustrations with Ink Jet printers for me at least is the cost of ink and the extra "engineering" manufacturers add (apparently at least) to use up colored ink as fast as possible by using colored ink even for black lettering. They also put a lot of effort into preventing owners from replacing the ink in the cartridges. The Envy 5055 is one of the newer HP models that offers HP's "Instant Ink" program. It manages to bring the printer into the "Subscription" model that the computer industry loves so much, but it actually has advantages for the user as well. If the user opts into the program, they can select from 4 tiers of use, from "Light" (15 pages per month) to "Frequent" (300 pages per month). Users of the program get special ink cartridges shipped to them (free shipping). When the printer detects that the ink is running low, HP will ship replacement cartridges. The cost to the user goes strictly by number of pages printed not color vs black. No more switching to "grey scale" to save on color cartridges. Of course the higher tiers with higher number of pages per month cost more, but the lowest tier (15 pages per month) is FREE. That's one page every other day. With casual home use I think I can do that.
Pros:
- Compact, solid, attractive design.
- Simple guided setup.
- Good photo and print quality.
- Excellent optional automatic Ink delivery available.
- Connects to wired or wireless networks.
- Excellent Technical Support
- Compact, solid, attractive design.
- Simple guided setup.
- Good photo and print quality.
- Excellent optional automatic Ink delivery available.
- Connects to wired or wireless networks.
- Excellent Technical Support
Cons:
- Only three colors of ink means less range of colors and tones if printing pictures. However, there is a "Photo" version of this printer available which has more than just three primary color inks.
- Only three colors of ink means less range of colors and tones if printing pictures. However, there is a "Photo" version of this printer available which has more than just three primary color inks.
My Best Buy number: 4147599328
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+29points
39of 49voted this as helpful.
Add music to your day with these Sony wireless headphones. Their noise cancelling technology uses artificial intelligence to adapt to your environment and reduce background sounds for enjoyable listening. The Quick Charging battery on these over-ear Sony wireless headphones provides up to 35 hours of playback for convenience.
Customer Rating
4
A Multifeatured Headset
on March 26, 2018
Posted by: Daddio
from Wesley Chapel, Florida
The Sony WH-CH700N headset has many desirable features. For the most basic listening experience, it has a mini jack that can plug into most (except iPhone) devices directly. This is the lowest power mode that extends the battery life to over (estimated) 35 hours. It has Bluetooth capability to facilitate listening to a Smart TV with Bluetooth. If your Bluetooth enabled phone is within range, you can access that phone by pressing a button on the headset and saying the contact name or phone number you wish to call. You can also answer phone calls directed to that phone from the headset without removing the phone from your pocket. When listening to music or Podcasts on the phone, you can pause, reverse and fast forward from the buttons on the headset. Another feature of this headset is Noise Cancelling. I tried this feature while riding a garden tractor and again while operating a leaf blower. On both occasions switching the Noise Cancelling on got rid of 80% of the engine and mechanical noise, but it seemed better at limiting low frequency noises than higher frequency ones. In other words, the low rumble coming out of the muffler was very reduced, but the higher frequency sounds like the clatter of the engine and whine of gears was not as effectively cancelled when compared to other (more expensive) noise cancelling headphones I've used. The Sony WH-CH700N Headphones can connect to Apple's Siri or Google's Home/Assistant. When connected to one of these devices, voice commands like "Hey Google, turn down lights to 40%" can be made by speaking through the Sony Headphone's microphone even if you are not in the same room as the Google Home or Siri device's microphone. I found this useful for adjusting the lighting when I was watching TV.
Pros:
- Multifunctional
- Excellent Battery Life
- Easy Control of phone's functions even when the phone is in your pocket or in a nearby room.
- Simple Bluetooth pairing with NFC button on equipped devices.
- Adjustable sound quality using the Sony Headphone Connect App.
- Multifunctional
- Excellent Battery Life
- Easy Control of phone's functions even when the phone is in your pocket or in a nearby room.
- Simple Bluetooth pairing with NFC button on equipped devices.
- Adjustable sound quality using the Sony Headphone Connect App.
Cons:
- Buttons on the headset are too flush to the headphone's housing and are extremely hard to locate by touch alone. Their position has to be memorized to find them while the headphones are on the head.
- The headset's microphone seems to be lower quality. I got multiple comments during phone conversations that the other person was having trouble understanding me. The problem went away when I switched to a different (but more expensive) brand of Noise Cancelling, Bluetooth headphone.
- Buttons on the headset are too flush to the headphone's housing and are extremely hard to locate by touch alone. Their position has to be memorized to find them while the headphones are on the head.
- The headset's microphone seems to be lower quality. I got multiple comments during phone conversations that the other person was having trouble understanding me. The problem went away when I switched to a different (but more expensive) brand of Noise Cancelling, Bluetooth headphone.
My Best Buy number: 4147599328
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
Daddio's Review Comments
Daddio has not submitted comments on any reviews.
Daddio's Questions
Daddio has not submitted any questions.
The Roomba i6 robot vacuum unleashes powerful cleaning when, where, and how you want with a single command to your Google Assistant or Alexa voice assistant. When messes happen, just say, “Tell Roomba to clean under the kitchen table.” Smart navigation maps specific objects in your home, guiding it to the mess, right when the mess happens. With 10x the suction* and automatic, personalized schedules—even recommendations during pollen and pet-shedding seasons— its vacuuming that fits seamlessly into your life. *(compared to the Roomba® 600 series cleaning system) *(Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com or its affiliates. Google is a trademark of Google LLC)
What comes in the box for the IROBOT Roomba 6150?
The contents include the i6 Rooma, the charging base, a transformer to plug into a room electric outlet and a cord to plug that power into the charging base and an owner's manual.
2 years, 5 months ago
by
Daddio
The Roomba i6 robot vacuum unleashes powerful cleaning when, where, and how you want with a single command to your Google Assistant or Alexa voice assistant. When messes happen, just say, “Tell Roomba to clean under the kitchen table.” Smart navigation maps specific objects in your home, guiding it to the mess, right when the mess happens. With 10x the suction* and automatic, personalized schedules—even recommendations during pollen and pet-shedding seasons— its vacuuming that fits seamlessly into your life. *(compared to the Roomba® 600 series cleaning system) *(Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com or its affiliates. Google is a trademark of Google LLC)
Does it work with a i Robot clean base?
Yes, it will after you add an evacuation port to the i6. That plastic piece comes in the box when you buy the charge base that sucks the dirt out of the i6's chamber when it docks to re-charge.
2 years, 5 months ago
by
Daddio
The Roomba i6 robot vacuum unleashes powerful cleaning when, where, and how you want with a single command to your Google Assistant or Alexa voice assistant. When messes happen, just say, “Tell Roomba to clean under the kitchen table.” Smart navigation maps specific objects in your home, guiding it to the mess, right when the mess happens. With 10x the suction* and automatic, personalized schedules—even recommendations during pollen and pet-shedding seasons— its vacuuming that fits seamlessly into your life. *(compared to the Roomba® 600 series cleaning system) *(Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com or its affiliates. Google is a trademark of Google LLC)
Does this include virtual wall?
Yes, after you send it out for the first-time to map all of the rooms, you can look at the map on your phone app. There you can create virtual barriers that the i6 will not cross. You can also name the rooms and create square "Do-not-go" zones in any of the rooms or halls. With this information you can instruct the i6 to clean just one or more of the rooms or throw-rugs you named and avoid the rest of the rooms.
2 years, 5 months ago
by
Daddio
The Roomba i6 robot vacuum unleashes powerful cleaning when, where, and how you want with a single command to your Google Assistant or Alexa voice assistant. When messes happen, just say, “Tell Roomba to clean under the kitchen table.” Smart navigation maps specific objects in your home, guiding it to the mess, right when the mess happens. With 10x the suction* and automatic, personalized schedules—even recommendations during pollen and pet-shedding seasons— its vacuuming that fits seamlessly into your life. *(compared to the Roomba® 600 series cleaning system) *(Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com or its affiliates. Google is a trademark of Google LLC)
Does this model come with stair sensors?
Yes, it will not fall over the edge of a top stair.
2 years, 5 months ago
by
Daddio
The Roomba i6 robot vacuum unleashes powerful cleaning when, where, and how you want with a single command to your Google Assistant or Alexa voice assistant. When messes happen, just say, “Tell Roomba to clean under the kitchen table.” Smart navigation maps specific objects in your home, guiding it to the mess, right when the mess happens. With 10x the suction* and automatic, personalized schedules—even recommendations during pollen and pet-shedding seasons— its vacuuming that fits seamlessly into your life. *(compared to the Roomba® 600 series cleaning system) *(Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com or its affiliates. Google is a trademark of Google LLC)
Can the vacuum mop??
No, the i6 does a good job, but it's just a vacuum for hardwood/tile floors and carpet. Roomba has another model that squirts water on dirt and pulls it up with a "Swiffer" like disposable pad. You can see it on their website.
2 years, 5 months ago
by
Daddio
The Roomba i6 robot vacuum unleashes powerful cleaning when, where, and how you want with a single command to your Google Assistant or Alexa voice assistant. When messes happen, just say, “Tell Roomba to clean under the kitchen table.” Smart navigation maps specific objects in your home, guiding it to the mess, right when the mess happens. With 10x the suction* and automatic, personalized schedules—even recommendations during pollen and pet-shedding seasons— its vacuuming that fits seamlessly into your life. *(compared to the Roomba® 600 series cleaning system) *(Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com or its affiliates. Google is a trademark of Google LLC)
Would this work in a house with a guinea pig? I.e. be able to pick up poop and some hay (that’d be a huge bonus)
I owned a guinea pig MANY years ago so I'm sure it will pick up its poop as long as it's normal (for a guinea pig) and not diarrhea. The hay is another matter. As you can imagine, it all depends on the length and consistency of the hay. If it's too long or piled too high, almost no household vacuum can take stiff hay in. In this case, if the hay is relatively short (up to 1.5" or so), it should pick it up.
2 years, 5 months ago
by
Daddio
The Roomba i6 robot vacuum unleashes powerful cleaning when, where, and how you want with a single command to your Google Assistant or Alexa voice assistant. When messes happen, just say, “Tell Roomba to clean under the kitchen table.” Smart navigation maps specific objects in your home, guiding it to the mess, right when the mess happens. With 10x the suction* and automatic, personalized schedules—even recommendations during pollen and pet-shedding seasons— its vacuuming that fits seamlessly into your life. *(compared to the Roomba® 600 series cleaning system) *(Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com or its affiliates. Google is a trademark of Google LLC)
Do you have to have internet for it to work?
Technically it will vacuum without an internet connection, but it will never create a map of your floor plan or cover the rooms logically. Instead, it will bounce from wall to wall like a billiard ball until it runs down its battery. You can do this to cover a room or floor of your house that you don't intend to do again, but you would be wasting all of the advanced features this model has to offer.
2 years, 5 months ago
by
Daddio
Enjoy a smooth gaming experience with this 27-inch ASUS Full HD monitor. The Shadow Boost feature increases clarity in dark scenes, and the ultrafast response times minimize blurring and streaking for seamless gameplay. This ASUS Full HD monitor has an ergonomic design that allows tilting, swiveling and pivoting as needed.
Does this support hdmi 2.1?
Lighten household chores with this SHARK® ION™ vacuum system. The lithium-ion battery supplies a long-lasting charge, and the 0.66-quart dust cup and HEPA filter collect dirt, hair, and dander to prevent allergen buildup. This SHARK® ION™ vacuum system comes with a built-in power vacuum to help with those extra cleaning jobs.
Does this one map a grid to use each time like the robot one? Thanks
No. The Shark Ion is the less complicated type of Robo Vac that uses the Billiard Ball Navigation method where it goes more or less in a straight line until it bumps into something. The "Map a Grid" type has advantages, but they are larger, more expensive and if the home's entire floor plan doesn't have really good Wi-Fi coverage, it can get lost an confused in a far back corner of the house. I have both types and they both have their advantages and disadvantages.
5 years, 6 months ago
by
Daddio
Experience seamless connectivity with this Arris SURFboard cable modem and Wi-Fi router. ARRIS Secure Home Internet by McAfee provides protection against phishing scams and malware, and this added layer of security also allows for customizable alerts and mobile device access. With download speeds of up to 1 Gbps and Wi-Fi speeds of up to 2350 Mbps, this Arris SURFboard cable modem and Wi-Fi router delivers fast, dependable operation.