Wraith's stats
- Review count186
- Helpfulness votes1,925
- First reviewAugust 18, 2014
- Last reviewMay 14, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.6
- Review comment count1
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentSeptember 25, 2016
- Last review commentSeptember 25, 2016
- Featured review comments0
Questions
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- Answer count27
- Helpfulness votes26
- First answerAugust 18, 2014
- Last answerDecember 13, 2021
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- Best answers3
The M80C Smart Monitor with embedded TV apps allows you to experience smarter entertainment. It’s the ultimate hub for gaming, entertainment, and productivity, all on one monitor. Connect to loved ones, colleagues, and even health professionals, via the SlimFit Camera. Plus, an ergonomic, slim design provides workspace utility and style.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding Hub Monitor/TV!
on June 7, 2023
Posted by: Wraith
If you have a small home/apartment and are trying decide on a TV/Monitor that can handle work-from-home, TV, and regular computing (whether it is Mac or Windows), quit reading this review and just go get the Samsung M80C. The M80, does A LOT, and while it perhaps isn't the best at a few things (gaming), it does everything so well, you won't care.
This review is going to be a bit of a love-fest because after using it now for almost a week, there isn't anything that I really don't like. A few quibbles here and there, sure, but find me a piece of electronics that doesn't have those and I'll eat my shoe.
So what are the high points of the Samsung M80C?
1. Looks Phenomenal: Would fit in nicely with any decor. Both the monitor itself and the base are a nice cream color and have a subtle herringbone pattern. The whole thing just exudes class.
2. Versatile Mounting/Viewing: The included stand gives you a great range of motion, angles, landscape/portrait modes, but the monitor can also do a VESA mount if desk/counter space is at a premium.
3. Bright, Sharp, and Vivid Screen: If anything the M80 is a little TOO bright and you will want to make sure you take the time to tweak the settings (which is very easy to do), and set it to your preferences and environment. The 4K resolution gives you a ton of workspace in the monitor realm, and really sharp visuals in the TV/Gaming realm.
4. Great as both a TV and as a Monitor: Watching Star Trek: Strange New Worlds was just as enjoyable as writing this review (OK, watching Star Trek was better). The software makes it easy to switch between inputs and modes and the included remote helps you do all of that from the couch!
5. Slim-Fit Camera Module: This thing is really slick. This flat, magnetic module with the camera mounted to it connects to the monitor via magnets and it holds on very nicely. If you are using this as 'just' a TV, you can still use the camera for video calls but it really shines when connected to a computer via USB-C (which is the only way to connect this thing to a computer in my humble opinion). There is a metal magnetic cover that mounts to the back of the camera module when not in use, but completely covers everything if need be. One of my few quibbles is that the plug to connect to the interface on the back of the computer is easy to lose. Not exactly sure why Samsung didn't build that all in together unless it is so you can upgrade it later? Be sure to take care when unpacking the M80 so that you don't lose this critical piece!
All that being said, the camera is better than the one on my MacBook (at least to my eyes), and when plugged in via USB-C it is really easy to change from using the Mac or Monitor camera. My PC doesn't have USB-C out for video so I couldn't test the camera with that because I was plugged in via HDMI.
Ports: Another of my quibbles here. I would have liked an additional HDMI port on the back instead of the two USB-A ports. If I had the USB-C and two HDMI, this could be the hub to rule them all because then I could have the MacBook, Windows Tower, and my Xbox all plugged in. I do like that the USB-C in addition to sharing video data, also keeps my MacBook charged as well. Helps cut down on clutter.
Ok, so what don't I like about the Samsung M80? That list is short, like one entry short, and it is...
1. Sound: While it is great that the M80 has built in speakers, they are not going to blow anyone away. They will do in a pinch, and they have some settings that can help with dialogue on TV, but you probably will want a better set-up if you want to watch Jurassic Park or something like that.
Final Thoughts: While the Samsung M80 is pricey compared to a lot of TVs that are bigger, you get phenomenal flexibility and power in a great sized monitor. It is a Jack-Of-All-Trades, and a master at most. Like I said at the beginning of the review, if space is a big consideration or you just want to have everything all-in-one, you cannot go wrong with the Samsung M80C.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Find everyday balance with the CRE-E10, Sony’s self-fitting OTC hearing device that blends comfort and technology to reconnect you to what matters most. With features that adapt to your surroundings, this modern hearing aid is personalized to you and the everyday moments that define your life.
Customer Rating
2
Horribly Disappointing. Not Ready For Primetime.
on December 26, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
Years of military life out on the flight line and in command centers with droning decades-old hardware did a job on my hearing. Now pushing almost 50, I was really feeling like I was missing out on conversations and other things. When the FDA announced that they would allow 'Over-the-Counter' hearing aides, I was stoked. While I don't feel like I have catastrophic hearing loss, I definitely could use some help. When Sony announced the CRE-E10s, I couldn't think of a better company to try because I assumed it would work kind of like a reverse noise-cancelling and Sony has held the crown of noise-cancelling tech for years now. Boy was I let down. Sony touts a few things about these OTC hearing aides and let me break them down:
1. Comfort: I have weird ears (what are known as tortuous ear canals), and I gave the life support guys the fits when I was being fitted for earplugs, but I thought these soft, contoured earpieces might just be the thing to work. I've had custom in-ear monitors made before, so I don't have a problem with how deep they go in the ear but something about the curvature of the earpiece just rubs my ears wrong (literally). While the main part of the earpiece sits nicely in the bowl of my ear, I can not do more than two hours before I need to pull these out and give my ears a break. I tried to do an all day (8 hour) listen and push through the pain but the longest I got was 6 hours. This was even using the extra small ear pieces. I have no idea who the heck will be using the large size.
2. Battery Life: This is one thing I can't fault these things on. After using these for the six hour test, the battery was still at 90% for both earpieces. They have some very good power management to have the battery longevity that they do. You'll get more than a day out of these, and probably get more like 2-3 days.
3. Ease of Use & Set-Up: The connection and set up of the CRE-E10s was super easy with the Sony Hearing Control app, but I was a bit dismayed at the 'fine-tuning' test that it does. It seems to be a bit basic. You count the tones in like 3 or 4 rounds of beeps for each ear and supposedly that does it? I don't see how that provides enough info to fine-tune the rather wide spectrum of human hearing. I'll go more into how this fine-tuning failed me in a the next section, but this is probably where Sony needs to focus to improve this or future generations of these things.
4. Sound Quality: This is the biggest let down. Despite running the set-up tuning multiple times, I could not get these to actually boost the sounds I want to hear and instead they boost everything that I DON'T want to hear. While out walking on my local trail, I could pinpoint the exact location of the nearby highway no matter where I was, NOT something I particularly want to hear on my nature walk. Also, some bird songs were muted and others came off as a screeching directly in my ear. On top of that, it actually made it harder for me to hear my wife talking right next to me. It DID help me hear the biker overtaking us from behind who did not give us a warning that he was passing, but that is a minor victory for these things. When I tested these out in our local mall to see if I could pick out the voices I wanted to hear over the scrum of the crowd, I found that these did even worse there. I could pick up bits of conversations and Christmas music from stores down the corridor but again, could not get a clear read on the conversation right around me. Absolute deal-breaker.
5. Audio-Streaming: Again, absolutely horrible. I called my parents on my iPhone and at first I thought that perhaps my phone was not streaming the audio to the E10s, oh but it was and despite turning the volume to max on my phone and in the app, they still sounded to me like we were using tin cans and string. My parents also said it sounded like I was in a box with an echo. Music is just as bad. There was not enough volume ever and I couldn't find a single genre of music that actually sounded even OK.
Finally, a last thing about these Hearing Aides. You are going to have to buy replacement earpieces about every month. They will soon be selling them in four packs (Best Buy doesn't have them yet but Sony does), and they say you should change the tips every week. I was sure that was wrong, but nope, these things are so fragile, that you will inevitably get a rip in them very quickly. Just switching from the small ear tips to the extra smalls caused me to rip one of the small earpieces. This is despite watching their video on how to properly do it. While the fragility is obviously designed so that they can maximize comfort and long term wear, since it didn't even do that for me I don't think the fragility is a selling point.
Right now, these are a DO NOT BUY. Perhaps version 2.0 or a serious software update might make them usable for some, but I doubt they will ever really be worth it for me. Sorry Sony, I had high hopes, but you let me down for the first time ever with some of your gear. Thanks for trying to help those of us who need help hearing.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Upgrade your current gaming rig with this iBUYPOWER Desktop. It’s 16GB of RAM and Intel i7-12700 processor lets you run multiple programs at once, and its Intel Arc A750 graphics card renders fast-paced action smoothly without screen tearing. This iBUYPOWER desktop also has a 1TB HDD + 500GB solid state drive for a faster start up and data acesss.
Customer Rating
4
Very Good Budget Build w/Room to Grow!
on December 4, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
The iBUYPOWER SlateHako2120i is the first rig that I've ever purchased from a non 'mainline' brand and I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. What I got was a really nice tower PC with a great motherboard, processor, and heat management system. Oh the light system is nice too but I hate all the LED stuff. I would say that the graphics card is great, and while it is built like a beast, it still has some hangups being a very new tech from Intel. I expect this to be continually upgraded since already in the short time that I've had this, a software update already got rid of a nasty graphics bug on one of my games when using HDR.
The best part of the SlateHako2120i is that it has some room to grow. Beyond just being able to slap in some new or more RAM, an extra slot for an M.2 SSD, or several bays for other drives. It also has the capability to do a Crossfire setup and sling two GPU cards if you wanted. I've already thrown in another M.2 SSD that makes better use of the x4 speed of the primary M.2 slot but I will gripe that the team at iBUYPOWER could have done me a slight favor by keeping (or installing) a lockdown screw in the other slot. I had to buy a $5 kit to get a set of screws and bolts for an ASUS motherboard which worked perfectly.
One of the biggest and best surprises is the thermal management on this thing. I'm not running any of the monitoring software (which you have to add on your own, there is very little bloatware on this thing, but there is also very little in the way of 1st party management software either), but despite running some AAA games at max settings, the SlateHako was remarkably quiet with the liquid cooled system. I have a few misgivings about the lack of ventilation on the front of the case with the triple fan set-up but it would seem to be pulling a lot of the air from the sides and not the front. We'll see how it does in the long run, but right now it is handling thermals pretty well.
Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the SlateHako2120i. Without breaking the bank, I got an attractive, cool-running, powerful system, with room to grow. If I could give half points, I would and this would be a 4.5, but I felt that its probably closer to a 4 than a 5. If things had gone a bit smoother with the SSD upgrade and I didn't have some of the graphical issues with the ARC card, it would be an easy 5 star rating.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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With powerful flight performance and a Hasselblad camera, Mavic 3 Classic delivers the absolute essence of flagship imaging. Take it on any adventure to create unforgettable work.
Customer Rating
5
Most fun I've had flying since the Air Force!
on November 6, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
Ok, the title isn't quite correct, I did a really cool helicopter flight on the big island of Hawaii. But with the exception of that flight, the Mavic 3 Classic is the most amount of fun I've had flying since I got out of the Air Force.
I got into drones pretty early on in their inception and went through to my last one a few years ago which was a DJI Mavic Air. I had worked my way (down, laterally, upgrade) to the Mavic Air because I wanted to fly without a big old drone. While it was a great drone, it was not well suited for my area, the winds, and the flight restrictions (I have two regional airports and a Naval Air Station all with overlapping flight restriction zones). I gave up for a while, but the itch was always there and boy did the Mavic 3 Classic scratch that itch!
While considerably bigger than the Air, the Mavic 3 Classic, is compact enough and has been refined by DJI to pack in some serious bang for the buck and for the oz. With a flying time of 40 minutes (not in the real world, but I still got a good 30 minutes on my first flight), a rock steady platform even in some stiff breezes, and a camera that produces GORGEOUS video and stills, the Classic will go down as the sweet spot for drone pilots. Even my wife, who normally couldn't care less about gadgets like drones, was enthralled with flying this thing and watching the video afterwards.
On top of being a great drone, the RC controller that comes with this kit is phenomenal! The screen is crystal clear and bright even in full sun. It is also incredibly light. I don't know how DJI packed all the gear to power and communicate with everything in such a light device. It is SOOOOOOOOO much better than the old style controller that needed a phone or tablet for the screen. Not only does the controller just feel great in the hand, but it is better balanced by not having a device clamped at the top of it. You also don't have to worry about connection issues between your external device and the controller (something that I always seemed to run into on previous drones). The controller has the DJI Fly app built into it and it makes it so easy.
Transferring video and images off of the drone to your phone is really easy with the Quick Transfer feature, though my iPhone 12 Pro can not seem to hit the 80MB/s that it should get but is limited to the 10MB/s of the single channel. I did some research and I really think this is an issue with the phone and not the drone.
I have only two slight quibbles with the Mavic 3 Classic. I wish it were a bit easier to get the microSD card out of the drone (still the easiest way to get footage off the drone and onto a computer). I also wish that DJI made hard cases for their drones. They have the one convertible bag but I would prefer one tailored to this model and with the protection of the hard case. Other than that, I can't think of a single thing I don't like about this thing.
I have not had a lot of time to play around with all the features of the Mavic 3 Classic, but I am absolutely geeked out to learn and master everything I can do with this drone. I'm out here grinning like an idiot and drilling holes through the air. This is gonna be fun.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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We spend 90% of our time indoors where the air is often 2 to 5 times worse than the air outside. Continuous monitoring of indoor air quality is key for minimizing negative health effects, preventing illness and increasing productivity, energy and good health. Airthings, air quality specialists and experts in radon, created the Airthings Wave Plus as the first smart air quality monitor with radon detection. Wave Plus has since won multiple awards for consumer electronics and innovation and was among the 2019 TIME Magazine inventions of the year. It is the perfect solution for homeowners to gain full visibility into six indoor air factors; radon, carbon dioxide (CO2), airborne chemicals (TVOCs), humidity, temperature and air pressure. Airthings Wave Plus includes a free app to connect to your smartphone (iOS/Android) via Bluetooth and an online dashboard with advanced analytics. Battery operated allowing you to install anywhere, with 16 months battery life. Please allow for a 7-Day settling period for the sensors to adjust to their new environment. By monitoring daily and continuously, you can avoid radon side effects, get the best indoor humidity level, low voc levels and low carbon dioxide levels. Made to the best indoor air quality standards, Airthings Wave Plus is essential in every home.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding Air Sensor w/Great App!
on November 4, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
What is there to say about the Airthings - Wave Plus Indoor Air Quality Monitor? It will not be the coolest gadget you may ever get, and you probably will not get high fives from your buddies for getting such a cool piece of tech. What it WILL do for you though is give you a great picture of the quality of the air in your home and warn you of dangerously high levels.
Right out of the box, the setup is super easy and you can get some basic information right away. For the important stuff like the Radon and Volatile Organic Compounds, the Wave Plus will need 7 days to calibrate itself to your environment. Airthings even sends out nice reminder emails on how to interpret your data and also when your Wave Plus has finished its calibration.
My Wave Plus showed up the day after I had all new furniture delivered for my living room and was calibrated by the time I had some new flooring put in a week later (that was supposed to happen the other way around but what are you going to do?). You can see from the screenshots that I've posted that there were big jumps in VOCs at both times.
From what I can tell, the data seems to be very solid and matches with less than a 1% variance from the sensors suite in my Dyson air filter. Now I have good data for both upstairs and down and can make adjustments depending on the quality of the air and where everyone is hanging out. Like I said, not a glamorous device but provides some nice piece of mind especially after years of lockdown in the house. I've taken a little more care in monitoring and improving the quality of the air in my home after having spent WAY too much time just hanging around here.
If you have concerns about radon and composition of the air you breathe in around your home, you can't ask for a better monitoring tool than the Airthings Wave Plus. It gets the job done, is unobtrusive, and is super easy to manage via the app.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Your office chair should be nothing but comfortable. With the Insignia NS-OCP3 High Back Executive Ergonomic Chair with Adjustable Headrest, feel free to sit back and work away. With an adjustable seat, armrest and headrest, as well as a swivel and tilt mechanism, adjust the chair to your liking for optimum comfort and support. This chair also has reinforced lumbar support, alleviating unnecessary strain on your lower back. It has a 5-pointed star base with wheels and a black, mesh design, giving it a modern look that will look great with any office décor. Choose comfort and support and upgrade your chair to one that offers it all.
Customer Rating
5
Comfortable, Stylish, and Easy to Set-Up
on October 31, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
I've had what I considered to be a pretty expensive gaming chair ($300) to sit at my desk with my computer and Xbox. It was cool for about 6 months before the foam started to compress too much, and I noticed that the lumbar support didn't support as much as it poked me in the back, and the neck support pillow couldn't actually hit where my neck sits when sitting properly. I suffered with this chair throughout the COVID years and boy did those really stink! The thing I learned from all of that, is like your shoes, and your bed, you should never skimp (even if it doesn't seem like skimping at the time), on the chair you will sit in for hours on end!
The Insignia High Back Executive Ergonomic Chair, is worth every penny. It was the easiest desk chair I have ever put together, mostly because the arms fit on to a molded slot and stay there while you put in the bolts. The back and headrest were just as easy. At first it was a bit jarring to go from a foam seat to the mesh but it won me over pretty quickly. A quick adjustment of the lumbar support (which actually supports), and setting the arms where I want them, and I was good to go. For a few days that is. I noticed that I was getting a sore spot on my left hip, and it wasn't until I played around with the seat position and moved it forward all the way that I REALLY found out how supportive this chair can be. Now I am absolutely golden.
I was surprised that the seating height of the chair was so high in its lowest setting. I'm 5'11" and it is perfect for me at this low setting and allows my feet to be firmly planted on the floor with my legs at a comfortable 90ish degree angle. If I were any shorter, I would not be able to put my feet down without a foot rest. Perhaps they assume that you might have one of those and are making some allowance for that. If you are under 5'11" though, you might want to try this chair before you buy it.
I also like the rocking motion of the back and how far back it can recline, but was surprised that the lock for the back couldn't lock you at wherever you found comfortable or at least some set increments. It is either locked straight up or it is allowed to rock back freely. Now the tension on the back is really good, so it's not like you fall back, but again, I was just surprised.
All-in-all, I am extremely happy with the chair and look forward to many years of much more comfortable sitting while at my desk. Don't skimp, get a GOOD chair!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Dyson's most advanced filtration system combines a precise, solid-state formaldehyde sensor with a unique catalytic filter that continuously destroys formaldehyde.¹ And Dyson purifiers have powerful Air Multiplier technology to purify the whole room.²
Customer Rating
5
With A Name Like Dyson, It Has To Be Good!
on October 27, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
I joke a bit with the title of this review, but seriously, what other household appliance manufacturer has the reputation for quality like Dyson? I can't think of any, and the Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09, continues that legacy.
What do I like about the Dyson TP09? Here is a list:
1. Easy to set up: Snap in the filters on either side of the base, plug it in, and hit go. Simple.
2. Remote Control: I don't have to get up to change the settings. I'm all for lazy!
3. Quiet: This fan is probably going to get moved upstairs once I feel that it has done its job with all our new furniture in the living room. It is WAY quieter than the unit we have upstairs, with the additional benefit of cooling on those hot nights.
4. Looks Cool: Dyson stuff always looks cool and feels solid, the TP09 is no exception.
5. Informative: The display on the fan gives a TON of data on your air quality and the pollutants in your home. I could watch as the Volatile Organic Compounds level (from our new couch and sofa), dropped as the Dyson worked it's magic. I was surprised that it recorded that there wasn't any Formaldehyde in the air like I assumed there would be. But everything from particulate matter, to humidity, to temperature, and nitrogen dioxide can all be detected and reported out by the TP09.
What is the only thing I don't like about the Dyson TP09? Price. That being said, you ARE getting what you paid for with this device. If you just need a fan to move air, just go get a box fan for like $25 but if you want one that can LITERALLY manage the quality of the air you and your family breathe when you are at home, get the Dyson TP09.
BTW: I have a separate air quality detector that was able to verify the readouts that the Dyson gave. They were only off on temperature and humidity and that was by a degree and a couple of percentage points.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Quantum Matrix Technology, HDR 2000 and UHD resolution come together for a crystal clear picture. 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms GTG GTG response time support smoother game play. Matte display enables better gaming immersion.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding Monitor! Puts You In The Action!
on October 7, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
I've never owned a curved monitor but I have wanted one for ages. I have a great 32" 4K flat monitor that is really nice but I have been constantly looking at the options for a 4K, fast response, HDMI 2.1 monitor to round out (Ha! Didn't plan that joke!) my gaming setup. My gaming platforms at the moment are an Xbox Series One X and a brand new gaming laptop. I play mostly space/flight sims like Elite: Dangerous and MS: Flight Sim, and games like Star Trek Online and MechWarrior 5.
Set-up of the Odyssey Neo G8 was super easy because they have it set up so that now you can easily use the interior supports to hold the monitor in place while you attach the stand. Though you do need to take everything out to get to all the pieces. Maybe some other makers do this but this is the first that I didn't have to rig up to make sure I didn't damage the screen while putting it all together.
*I will make a note here to Samsung. Whomever packaged my monitor was having a really bad day. Maybe give them a day off or two. The protective film on the back was crumbled up into a strip along the back and there was a ton of black, flakey, plastic-like debris all over the monitor. It all vacuumed right up but I've never had so much junk on a piece of electronics before.*
Anyway... There is NOT an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable included, though there is a DisplayPort cable and a USB-A to B cable. I have a few so it was not a big deal. I first plugged it into my Xbox and it was gorgeous without even having to fiddle with the settings. One thing I did notice though, is that when on a static or another screen with minimal movement, there would be flashes of a scan line. I would mostly notice it on the left side of the screen and it would pop up mostly around 1/3 of the way down the screen. Didn't happen at all during regular game play but would be pretty obvious on menu or pause screens.
When I plugged the Neo G8 into my laptop though, that is when she really shined (and in some ways I mean that quite literally, this thing gets bright and a few digital suns about blew out my retinas). My gaming laptop is an all AMD rig and it plays quite nicely with the monitor's FreeSync function. I didn't think the screen could look much better than it did with the Xbox, but boy was I wrong and it is not just from the higher resolution in some of the games. Everything was sharper and there was ZERO scan line flashing anywhere when plugged into the laptop.
This is a fabulous monitor! I have only two quibbles that are Samsung's fault and one big problem that is mine. The first for Samsung is that the control panel for the Neo G8 sucks. The squishy buttons are too small and with the size of this monitor, the bottom is quite close to the desk (at least for me), so they are hard to access most of the time (a remote control, like my other monitor uses, would be perfect). Second for Samsung, is that this thing needs speakers. Even if they aren't ear bleedingly awesome, it needs to have sound output other than the headphone jack. That's just my preference but I think others would appreciate it as well.
The big problem that is on me is the fact that I wear reading glasses and they do not seem to play nice with curved screens. While the curved screen is more immersive, it puts the edges of the screen into my peripheral vision and also out of the plane of focus for my glasses. This means if I turn my head the images swims a bit and I have to pull back from the screen to get the focus locked in. I also can't just dart my eyes over because often times the rim of the glasses is blocking there. I don't have this problem with my 32" flat monitor. I realize that the edges aren't the same distance from my eyes as the center, but I have 20/20 far vision and the further away something is, the clearer, so that is not an issue. I'm hoping that I will either get used to this or that when I get a prescription for those 'reader' eye drops, that this will go away.
If you don't wear glasses, this is an unreserved two-thumbs up of a recommendation. If you do wear glasses, especially readers, you may want to test a curved monitor out in the store to make sure that you are OK with it. I've only had the monitor for like 3-4 days but I haven't gotten used to it quite yet, and I don't know if I will. No matter what, I'm going to keep on trying because Samsung gave us gamers a phenomenal piece of gear!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Record your memorable adventures with this GoPro HERO11 Black camera. The rear LCD screen lets you conveniently frame your shots to optimize picture quality, and the image sensor features a wide field of view to capture more content. This GoPro HERO11 Black camera boasts HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilization and Horizon Lock for crisp footage even if the camera moves and captures 5.3K videos and 27MP photos for detailed visuals.
Customer Rating
3
Disappointed. New Sensor But Poor Quality Images
on September 21, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
I've never owned a GoPro before but I have had some of their competitors. I've ultimately been disappointed with most of these 'action-cams' and unfortunately the HERO11 Black just continues that tradition. I had hoped that with the new sensor and expanded view, I might finally find THE camera that I can use for both work and travel. Despite all the great things about the Hero 11 (which I will commend it on), in the end, some major software hiccups and surprisingly poor video/photo quality make it hard for me to recommend at this time.
I used to be a semi-pro photographer. I've sold images to publications in the past and have sold images in galleries. I know how to take a photo. Videography runs on the same principles photography, and you need to take care to ensure that you set your camera up to successfully record a good image/video. A camera such as the GoPro HERO11 *should* be one that does not need as much planning or set-up. It should be turn on and go! Unfortunately, I'm finding that I need to plan shots way more than I should and without the depth of settings (or at least ease of setting them) that I would have on a professional camera.
I live in Southern California. There is a reason why the TV/Movie industry is out here. The diffuse light that our bright, blue sky puts out due to the scattering effect of the dust and ocean spray make it almost perfect to film in without needing a lot of extra lights. Despite this abundance of light, I seem to be unable to get the HERO11 to take a well-exposed shot that isn't pixelated or video that doesn't stutter.
With the new sensor, GoPro claims that you get better image quality both with video and still images, as well as having better low-light ability. As you could read earlier, I do not agree with the GoPro team's assessment. The only thing worse than the video quality is the photo quality. Especially indoors.
The bigger sensor and the new 8x7 format should have really goosed the ability of the GoPro HERO11 to be used indoors, which is where I wanted to use it for work. I help out my buddy with photos and videos of the properties he sells in the area. I'm always trying to improve the quality and usability of those images, especially since COVID put a premium on virtual tours. My buddy also specializes in homes for military families who may not be able to visit in person prior to moving here. I had really hoped that this would be the perfect camera for both my work with him and the travel and hiking my wife and I do.
What does GoPro get right? A lot of things really. The build of the HERO11 is top notch. It feels solid in hand and not a toy. The quality of the screens on both the front and back of the camera a bright and beautiful (though not big enough to see problems right away). The amount of accessories out there for the HERO series of cameras is unmatched. I purchased the Volta battery grip as well as the head strap and QuickClip combo. Using the HERO11 with these accessories is super easy.
The image stabilization features are also top-notch and better in many ways than the video created by cameras on gimbal systems in some ways. Seeing some of the promotional videos highlighting previous iterations of the HyperSmooth technology is one of the reasons I was so interested in the HERO11 when I saw it. It really does do a phenomenal job making the footage produced by the camera as smooth as butter. It can almost make you think you a seeing a camera on rails as you glide through and around a home.
The software package that GoPro put into the Quik app is also phenomenal. You have an extremely versatile package for combining clips into cohesive and compelling videos. They give you all kinds of tools for editing, adding special effects, titling, and packaging the completed video. What it can't do it would seem is allow your phone to act as a remote terminal to monitor recording while filming. This is what I was REALLY hoping for since I will be doing most of my filming without the ability to see the back of the camera, due to the harness/headband or being on a tripod. I know that this is something that MOST GoPro users need to do at least on some occasions, or does everyone just leave this up to chance and just go with what they capture? That seems to invite a lot of need to have to reshoot clips, which I have already had to do several times. That does not make my job easier.
Oh, I would also like to say that I'm not too happy that GoPro just got rid of their own PC/Mac software for editing. I know there are a ton of options out that that will support the HERO11 footage (I own quite a few), but I expect a camera company to make their camera completely useful and this requires some support on the backend. While the App for the iPhone is robust, a phone is NOT the best platform for editing videos. And while I'm at it
I've also had some serious hiccups with the HERO11 where the camera will freeze and then shut down. The camera is not overheating and it has happened while recording, while plugged into my laptop, and while using the on-screen menu. I have fully updated the camera to the latest firmware edition so I wouldn't think I would be having these issues. Perhaps many of my issues can be resolved with software updates(including the image quality), but right now, the HERO11 might as well just be a paperweight to me. I'm going to hold on to the camera in hopes that GoPro either addresses these issues, or I figure out what I can do to make it produce better images (though I'm not sure what else I can do).
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Engineered for those who know gaming is a way of life, the Lenovo Legion Slim 7, in Onyx Grey, is calibrated for next-gen creation and gaming alike. Redefine gaming experiences with the latest generation AMD Ryzen processor and AMD Radeon RX graphics that are AI-optimized via the Legion AI Engine, all the while cooled by the Legion Coldfront 3.0’s thermal system. The Legion Slim 7’s light and exhilarating design is further machined from an Aluminum and Magnesium blend that defies all basic laws of laptop engineering. Crush the competition in WQXGA for immersive gaming anywhere life takes you.
Customer Rating
5
A sharp looking beast of a game/professional rig!
on September 21, 2022
Posted by: Wraith
I have been a big fan of IBM/Lenovo computers ever since my first business laptop a couple decades ago. I appreciate the outward professionalism of their designs with the eminently capable insides. Add on to that, they have my favorite keyboard of any laptop
I'm not usually a fan of laptops over 15", especially gaming rigs, because they tend to be a bit too bulky. Laptop makers also tend to squeeze a 'full' keyboard with numpad into 15"+ frames and I don't like the keyboard, touchpad offset that happens with that setup. Lenovo *did* put in a full keyboard/numpad but the numpad is narrow and the keyboard offset is not too drastic.
Fortunately, Lenovo brought some of their timeless style to the Legion and we have a laptop that would look great in any conference room but has the guts to run AAA titles on the gorgeous WQXGA screen. They also made a 16" inch laptop feel like an ultra portable. Though the power brick is hefty, it too is stylish and slender.
Here are some points that I appreciate about the Legion Slim 7.
Power: Every creativity program I have run and more importantly, every game that I like playing has played without a hitch. Battletech, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Star Trek Online, and Elite: Dangerous. I'm sure it is going to do just as well with Homeworld 3, Company of Heroes 3, and Bloodlines 2. The extra power overhead is also great for work as well. With a huge, beautiful screen, you have tons of room to have editing panes open in video/photo editing. You can have multiple tabs open in Edge, while also crunching some video clips or writing in Scrivener. With the Legion Slim 7 having a complete AMD pipeline, you get to really see the AMD silicon shine.
Display: This is probably my favorite laptop display. It hits all the high points by being both bright and colorful, while also large enough and with the resolution to be useful and fun. Combine that with the speed of this screen, and you have what I consider to be the trifecta of a perfect screen.
Heat: From what I have experienced for the last week, the Legion Slim 7 does a VERY good job of managing heat. While the fans can get going pretty hard, I'm not too worried about that because I typically play with headphones on.
Ports: I know some people have complained that the AMD Advantage Edition doesn't have all the ports that the Intel version sports but for me I think there are plenty and a good variety. I appreciate the power, video, and USB-A ports are on the back, while the USB-C ports are on the left and the full size SD Card slot and headphone jack are on the right.
Expandability: Here is my only real quibble with the Legion Slim 7... there is not a slot for a second SSD on the motherboard. This is almost unforgivable in this day and age. Programs keep getting larger and larger while media libraries also balloon out. While I can offload some of the media files and even a few of the programs onto high speed external drives, I'd really rather they be internal and save the external drives for back-ups. This almost made me want to pull a star but the rest of the computer is so good, that I just couldn't do it.
Bottom Line: The Lenovo - Legion Slim 7 AMD Advantage Edition is a phenomenal laptop, full-stop. Not gaming laptop, not business laptop, not media laptop, just a phenomenal laptop because it can do all of those things beautifully while also looking great doing it. Other than the expandability issue, and maybe not their absolute best keyboard, everything else is perfect for what I'm looking for. If you want an all around laptop that can crush work during the day, and crush aliens at night (or maybe while you are still at work), you CAN NOT go wrong with the Legion Slim 7.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Wraith's Review Comments
Make driving routines more enjoyable with this OverDryve car system. Its voice assistant capabilities let you read and send text messages by command and also play music in your car without taking your hands off the wheel. The built-in dash cam of this OverDryve car system lets you record trips and capture every moment on the road.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5No-Brainer If You Want A Great All-In-One System
By Wraith
I wondered about creating a GPS system nowadays with so many people having their smartphones with their own GPS functionality or with most cars coming with some kind of infotainment system, but after using the OverDryve 7 for the last two weeks, I think it is a great system and is a no-brainer for anyone looking to add GPS functionality to their car.
First off, my favorite thing about this device is the mounting bracket. I kid you not. One of the things I always hated about car GPS systems was having to lock it in place and reconnect the power and such. In the process of doing that I would invariably mess with my carefully set up positioning and would have to do it all over again. The Overdryve has an awesome bracket that you keep set up in your car and plugged in to everything and the Overdryve unit itself links via magnets and the connections are made through little contacts on the back. Easy-peasy. On top of that, the basestation also has an additional GPS antenna to improve location accuracy. Now I have rarely had problems with previous GPS devices and but the additional antenna could probably help when you are in the 'canyons' of the city, though I haven't gone downtown to try it yet.
The GPS system is great. While my car has one built in, it acts a bit too much like my mother and won't let me input anything if I am not at a complete stop. My wife can't even do it from the passenger seat because if we are moving at all it completely locks out the GPS controls. I understand why, but it would be nice for some kind of override. With the Overdryve, we don't have to worry about that. She just plucks the device from the mount, types in the destination and clicks it back into place. The guidance voice is kind of grating but so is my wife yelling directions at me from her phone!
I played around with the handsfree and entertainment applications and they are fine, but my car handles that pretty seamlessly, so I don't think I will be using that function of the Overdryve. The voice commands are much more responsive than those for my car system so I will give it that. The other thing I don't have to worry about is the backup camera or tire pressure monitor, because my car already has that, but if your car doesn't, this is a really cool feature. While each of those systems is an add-on, they are both only about $150 each and I guarantee I paid more for that functionality from the auto maker.
As for the Overdryve also being an Android tablet, and can be used off the mount like any other tablet, it is true that it can do so, but it is a little bulky for that and it is an Android tablet with all that entails. Sorry, I have an iPad and I can't really see myself ever using this as just a regular tablet, but perhaps if you forgot yours and you have a fussy kid in the back and want to send it to the back seat to quiet them down, this could be a lifesaver.
Now for my few quibbles with the device. I had a little trouble syncing it to my phone for the first few tries but after I did a phone restart I didn't have a problem and it had maintained the sync no problem, so it could have been my phone and not the Overdryve. My only other problem is the name. Seriously, Overdryve?! I realize that Overdrive was probably taken but I kind of feel like some hipster should be on TV telling me how 'swaggy' this thing is. Every time I have had to type Overdryve into this review, I have had to roll my eyes and they are getting tired.
In summary, if you want a great functioning GPS system, and that is all, this is a phenomenal GPS and it costs about the same as other 7-inch GPS systems. If you need the functionality of an infotainment system, and want the ability to add safety features like a back-up camera and tire pressure monitoring, this is a no-brainer because you get all of that for the price of a basic 7" GPS. On top of all that, you get a fully functional Android tablet! I really can't see why anyone would buy any other standalone car GPS system now that this is out. Even if you don't need the other functions, they are nice to have and Rand McNally has created the best GPS device I have ever used, for the same price as other systems. Seriously, this is the unit to get.
Wraith
Rochester Hills, MI
Dash Cam!
September 25, 2016
I totally forgot about the dash cam function of this. Yet another feature that makes this a no-brainer. I have not had much experience with dash cams but this one works well. Now let's just hope I don't end up on one of those dash cam compilation videos on YouTube!
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Wraith's Questions
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Listen to your playlist in peace with these Sony headphones. They have a 40mm dome driver to deliver the full depth of audio, and the noise cancelling feature minimizes outside disturbances for a better listening experience. These Sony headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours for extended jam sessions.
Will these head phones need to be connected tot he phone to use the noise cancelling function or can they operate as noise cancelling headphones whithout having to be connected to anything?
They DO NOT need to be connected to a phone for the noise cancelling feature to work. You can just have them on to give yourself some peace and quiet.
6 years, 6 months ago
by
Wraith
Listen to your playlist in peace with these Sony headphones. They have a 40mm dome driver to deliver the full depth of audio, and the noise cancelling feature minimizes outside disturbances for a better listening experience. These Sony headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours for extended jam sessions.
Really wanna buy these headphones, but does the ANC from these (Sony) create an undesirable pressure to the eardrums? Tried the Bose, they hurt my ears after a while...
NO! I'm with you on that. I have always wanted a pair of NC headphones but couldn't stand that pressure after more than 30 minutes. I have listened to these for almost six hours straight and no pressure. It is fabulous!
6 years, 6 months ago
by
Wraith
Create gorgeous hairstyles quickly with this high-velocity Dyson Supersonic hair dryer. The rapid air flow and a temperature gauge that monitors the heat level 20 times per second ensure efficient drying without overheating tresses. The motor of this Dyson Supersonic hair dryer is in the handle for better balance and reduced arm fatigue during use.
Hello does the Supetsonic blow dryer sold at Best Buy come with the leather case?
No, that is only for the dryers bought directly from Dyson. I know, stinks. I'm attaching a photo of what is in the box.
7 years, 5 months ago
by
Wraith
Orbi Whole Home WiFi System delivers up to 3.0Gbps high-performance WiFi. Sleek, modern design with high-gain internal antennas for up to 5,000 square feet of coverage. FastLane3 Technology creates a dedicated Tri-Band WiFi for seamless 4K streaming and gaming everywhere in your home. Keep a single WiFi name for uninterrupted connections as you move from room-to-room. Circle Smart Parental Controls runs on Orbi Routers for a smart way for families to manage content and time online, on any connected device. Provide internet access to guests without sharing your personal network password. Orbi is ready right out of the box and compatible with your ISP. Just use the Orbi app to get started with better WiFi, everywhere in minutes.
I have a 1400 sq ft home and an RV parked on the side. My current Router plus an add on won't do it for the RV. Will this cover the home and the RV?
I have a 3200 sq ft home that has walls like a fort and I can get a great signal from all throughout the house and my entire yard (which is admittedly not in proportion with the house). If you put the main base station in your home and the satellite system in the RV, the system will tell you if you have a good signal (which you should), and then you will be bathed in glorious wi-fi.
7 years, 7 months ago
by
Wraith
Only at Best BuyTote entertainment options with you via this HP Spectre x360 laptop. The 13.3-inch touch screen lets you navigate tablet-style for casual app gaming, and a flip-and-fold design lets you set this computer on a table to enjoy streamed entertainment while multitasking. This HP Spectre x360 laptop weighs just over 3 lbs. for easy portability.
Finally! so glad i seen this before i bought!!! when can i get it? i've asked everywhere.
I have seen it in every Best Buy store I have been in to over that last two weeks (four in total), so check your Best Buy, it is probably there.
7 years, 11 months ago
by
Wraith
Only at Best BuyChoose this HP Spectre 13 notebook for its crisp 1080p display and 13.3-inch screen. It comes with a sixth-generation Intel processor and 8GB of onboard RAM for efficient multitasking, and its solid state drive ensure that programs load quickly. The slim design on this HP Spectre 13 notebook provide enhanced versatility.
I ordered this laptop from a friend to buy it for me. I live in Europe (Macedonia) so we have 220v electricity + other kind of power plugs. Will it damage the laptop if i use it constantly with an adapter to change the socket to fit our plugs ?
You should not have any problems doing this. The power supply clearly states that it can handle all the way up to 240v and convert it to what the computer needs. All you should have to do is get the plug adaptor.
7 years, 11 months ago
by
Wraith
Learn more about Magnolia Premium Installation These Sennheiser HD650 stereo headphones provide balanced and transparent sound for audio with minimal distortion. The headphones feature an over-the-ear design with an innovative elliptical shape adapted to the shape of ears.
Which headphone amplifiers would you suggest for the HD650 and would a headphone amplifer help add a deeper bass to the sound??
I use mine with a Schiit Magni (and Modi for the DAC), and I have no problems with the bass. If the music is supposed to have bass, you will get it. It won't be thumping bass but there is only a small segment of the music spectrum that really needs that emphasized. Cheap headphones bump up the bass to cover up how bad they are.
9 years, 8 months ago
by
Wraith
Rochester Hills, MI