Build your muscles anywhere at any time with this lightweight Gorilla Bow travel resistance trainer. The compact, lightweight design ensures easy portability, and compatibility with a huge range of exercises helps tone muscle groups across your body. This Gorilla Bow travel trainer includes free video tutorials to get you started.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
It just so happens that my Gorilla Bow arrived the day before flying out Ohio. I had already packed a duffle bag with what I would need but decided to try out the 'Travel' part of the kit and moved everything to a hard side roller carry-on. I was able to nestle the end pieces of the bow into the little valleys created by the handle mechanism that I would normally stuff with underwear, socks, and such. The middle piece had to go diagonally across the suitcase to fit (and this was with the larger of my two carry-on roller bags). All of the pieces fit and I was able to pack a few of the bands and the rest of my clothes on top and around. The next day I headed off to the airport. I have TSA pre-check which normally lets me blast through security but not this time. I was flagged for a baggage search and since the Gorilla bow pieces were all at the bottom of my bag, the TSA agent had to pull everything out. They weren't sure what it was. It could have been an actual bow for arrows or could have been two crowbars and a bludgeon. Either way, I was stuck at TSA screening for longer than I would like. It also happened both ways on my trip, so I was not happy with that.
Also, for it being a 'travel' kit, shouldn't it be a tad bit more compact? I mean it breaks up into three pieces but the pieces are still pretty big and won't just go into a backpack. I'm sure that some of the reason for the wide diameter of the bow is for tensile strength since I'm sure they were primarily concerned about weight for this version. And if it is for travel, shouldn't it have maybe come with a bag? They sell one on their website for $40, perhaps bump up the price a bit and include it? That would make it nicer to pack if I am driving to my destination, which from now on is the only way I'm going to travel with this thing.
As for its primary purpose as an exercise device, it is awesome. I have been a fan of resistance training for a long time, since I have had to do it repeatedly as a part of physical therapy for multiple injuries I have inflicted upon myself. All the physical terrorists (ahem, sorry, physical therapists - dang autocorrect), I have known have also recommended resistance band training to me many times in the past.
It is super easy to switch out bands, and one of the best exercise series I like to do is to put a few different 'weight' bands on the bar and then I can step on different/multiple ones to change out the resistance quickly either up or down. Worked beautifully and the bow is nice and sturdy with a great texture on it so it doesn't slip.
Do not forget to go to the Gorilla Bow website to get ideas and training routines that will save you a bunch of time trying to figure out all the ways you can use this thing. It really is a great portable gym, I just don't know how much I would use the 'travel' moniker.
The Linksys Velop MX10 whole-home Wi-Fi 6 system gives you more speed, coverage, and capacity than it ever has before. Wi-Fi 6 combined with Velop's Intelligent Mesh~ technology delivers true Gigabit Wi-Fi speeds, up to 5.3 Gbps, to every corner of your home, even the backyard and outdoor smart home devices. Wi-Fi 6 also sends and receives multiple streams of data simultaneously and reduces latency, providing up to 4x more capacity compared to Wi-Fi 5 technology. So, it can handle the demands of up to 50 devices and more, from laptops and gaming consoles to smart home devices and 4K TVs, all competing for the same bandwidth. You'll also always have a more efficient Wi-Fi experience with OFDMA that enables more data to and from your devices in a more streamlined manner. And, with BSS technology, congestion is also minimized eliminating interference from nearby wireless networks to deliver a strong, clear Wi-Fi signal to your home, so you won't have to worry about your neighbor's Wi-Fi interfering with yours again. You'll even have 7x more battery life with Target Wake Time that reduces network interference, allowing your devices to remain in sleep mode longer. The MX10 whole-home Wi-Fi 6 system is a part of Velop's modular system, so if you need more coverage, just add more nodes. Plus, setup is fast with the Linksys app, so you can enjoy the next evolution of Wi-Fi in minutes.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
TLDR: If you are just getting into setting up a mesh network for your home or even upgrading an early mesh network, the Velop AX5300 is a solid choice and should be future-proof for quite some time. Set-up was very easy, but it does take a day or two for the system to optimize itself. Also, don't pay too much attention to the app because it caused me more frustration than it was worth.
Review: So, I have had a mesh network system for about 4 years now, which was really when they started taking off. Prior to that I had a beast of a router but you had to switch yourself between the two bands to maximize your signal. The beauty of the mesh network is that you have one network and the routers maximize the signal to your device for you. My previous system was running just fine but I was getting the feeling that I had kind of maxed it out. I recently got rid of cable in my home and upgraded my internet to a 500/500mbps connection. I also switched my TV to all streaming for three TVs and a bunch of handheld devices, plus a security network, a smart home system, and an ever expanding number of everyday appliances that now connect to the internet. I think my previous mesh network was good but I was maxing out the number of devices and maybe the bandwidth as well.
When I saw the Linksys - Velop AX5300 system, I figured that this one, with wi-fi 6 and the ability to handle over 50 devices at a time, would be more than enough to last me well into the future. I worried a little bit about switching devices and manufacturers especially since I have so many devices linked in now and the security devices are a bit of a pain to set up, but then I had an epiphany and realized, why don't I just give it the same SSID and password? DUH! I realized in my smart home I am now probably the dumbest thing. I'm sure others had figured that out already but I've never done that before.
Set-up of the Velop system was super easy. My previous system had two base units and so does this one and so I just pulled the other two and placed these two towers in their place. I thought that I might even be able to use the same power but I noticed that the Velop system pulls a bit more juice than my previous one and I didn't want to handicap it even though the plugs were the same. So two plugs, and a swapping of LAN cables which took all of five minutes and I was ready to rock. I fired up the app on my phone, hit the sync button on the main base station and the app found it right away. It asked to do a firmware update which was the longest part of the entire process and even that was only about ten minutes. The app then asked me to go upstairs to the second 'node' and link up, again this went super smooth and the main node even took care of doing the firmware update for this node. I set everything up with my old SSID name and password and everything linked back up immediately. With that, I thought I was pretty much done. I was wrong.
Later in the day I went to go plug in my car in the garage and noticed that the ChargePoint device was flashing that it lost it's internet connection. My Ring network extender was also flashing that it had no signal. I thought this was weird because in the past some of my best signal strength was in the garage because the second node is right above the garage. I whipped out the app to check the signal strength on the connected devices and noticed that the second node was off-line and the primary node was doing a pretty cruddy job connecting to anything beyond the office where it is placed. I took care of the secondary hub first and found that it had completely taken itself off of the network and I had to reinitialize it again, though I did not have to do another firmware update. I did have to name it something else because it said that 'Loft' was already taken by another device but it wasn't on the network. Once I got it up and running again, it has stayed solid and the garage devices and a few of the other security devices picked up much better signal.
After using the app to figure out what device was on which channel/band and how much signal it was receiving I began to make myself crazy trying to figure out why the upstairs streaming device was pulling the long-range and lower-bandwidth signal from the downstairs node even though the upstairs node was like three feet away and should be feeding it the firehose strength signal. Tons of device connections were not making any sense. I have a pretty new house and it is primarily stucco on the outside so the mesh that surrounds my house does create a kind of Faraday cage but that usually just give me a terrible cell signal in my house and usually doesn't interfere with the interior wi-fi. This time it seemed if I put a single wall between me and one of the nodes, I lost all signal. I thought this was really weird because one of the prime reasons I wanted the Velop AX5300 system is because it specifically said that it has the power to blast the signal through your house and it was doing anything but. By then it was pretty late in the day and I was going to test out some things in the morning and if things couldn't get straightened out, I was going to call tech support, and if that didn't work, I was going to go back to my old system. Fortunately, the next morning they system seems to have figured itself out. I know the system says that it has Target Wake Time and some other features that are supposed to maximize signal and reduce battery drain on devices, so I wondered if the system just needed some time to figure everything out and then it optimized the system from there. Whatever it did, everything was running solid. Even though the app still showed some strange connections, for all I know it was taking into account what all was connected where and what each device needed and was giving it the optimized signal/bandwidth. Like I said, I was getting the feeling that I was now the dumbest thing in my house!
So that was a lot to tell you that the Linksys Velop AX5300 is a solid system that just needs a good 24-36 hours of a shakedown cruise to get up and running beautifully. While it is a bit pricey of a system, you are pretty much taking care of everything you will probably ever need for many years to come. It definitely deserves a solid look when considering your mesh-network options. The star rating should really be about 4.5 stars and that is just because of the frustration of the app and some of the initial befuddlement.
Revel in immersive audio with this retro-style Ion Boombox Deluxe portable stereo. Dual full-range speakers deliver impressive sound reproduction, while Bluetooth technology, USB playback, an AM FM radio and a built-in cassette player offer vast entertainment options. This Ion Boombox Deluxe portable stereo comes with a long-lasting rechargeable battery for convenience.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
TLDR Review: Is this the best Bluetooth stereo out there? No, not by a long shot. Is this the most RAD Bluetooth stereo to rock out your 80's playlist while sportin' your Member's Only jacket and breakdancing (or in my case, probably breaking my hip or my neck)? Yes, yes it is.
I love music and I collect music players of all sorts and I have really loved the advent of either retrofitting old devices with new tech or styling the devices like their older counterparts. I have originals like a 1919 standing Victrola that works beautifully and I have a bluetooth radio build into an old early '60s Zenith clock radio, among a lot of others. When I saw the ION Audio Boombox Deluxe I knew I had to add it to the collection since I had a boombox pretty close to this in the 80's. There were many evenings at the youth center practicing my non-existent breakdancing moves on cardboard in the common room. The music was awesome but my talent was about what you would expect from a nerdy 10 year old white kid with all the rhythm of Steve Martin from 'The Jerk'. (WOW, did I just feel old right then).
While this is not the best bluetooth radio, it has the benefit of being a cool reproduction, getting EXTREMELY loud - almost booming if you will, and it can can play music from the radio, bluetooth, tape, micro-sd card, and USB sticks. The Boombox Deluxe pretty much has you covered. On top of that you can also record to tape from those other sources or to the SD-card or USB if you want! Here comes the mix-tape/SD-card combo pack!
The battery life is pretty good. At first I was a bit disappointed that I did not get the rated 10 hours that ION claims but it turns out that I did not properly top off the charge when I got it. I did plug it in when I received it but the charging light did not come on. Looking in the users guide, it said that the light is off when fully charged so I assumed it was already at 100% and I unplugged it right away. I ended up getting 7 hours and 45 minutes out of it before it died. I went to plug it in to recharge it and the light still didn't come on. Couldn't find anything in the users guide about charging other than 'plug it in', so I went online and found that not only do you have to plug it in, you must also flip the switch on the back of the Boombox to activate AC use. This needs to be done if you are listening to it while plugged in AND also to get it to charge the built in battery! Would have been nice to know. The only thing it says about that power switch is on pg. 7 and that it is there to turn the device on or off. I'm still not sure what all that switch is for since the 'MODE' switch on the top turns it on regardless of which that way that On/Off switch is set. I think it must be more for directing current from the AC cord or if you want to power it from D-Cell batteries (which you can also do).
My only other grumble about the Boombox Deluxe is the fact that the level meters (both the analog needles and the lights) don't really work unless you have it on radio or tape and have the volume up to ear-splitting levels. Would have been nice if they were a bit more sensitive to actually work at reasonable volume levels. For that and the whole power issue, I would knock of 1/2 a star if I could but since I can't, and I'm so geeked by the nostalgia factor, I'll give it the full 5-stars. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go grab my Members Only jacket (yes, I do, in fact have one - they are still made believe it or not) and a few my old tapes the I dug out of storage (REM 'Green' and Madonna 'Like a Prayer', which BTW STILL smells like pachouli) and go blast this thing to bug all the old people!
Connect a MacBook, Chromebook or laptop with a USB-C port to a TV, monitor, projector or other display with the Platinum USB-C-to-HDMI Cable. The cable is easy to connect, supports resolutions up to 4K and is 6ft long. The anodized aluminum housing ensures durability while providing a sophisticated appearance.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Unfortunately we are in the 'in-between' time for standard ports on laptops and peripheral devices. Once again I find myself with a laptop with one type of port (USB-C) and a projector with a completely different type of port (HDMI). I went through the same thing with VGA and HDMI as well as wireless protocols back in the day. Some times it is really hard to be a road-warrior giving presentations all around the country without dragging an entire electronics store with you! Fortunately, Platinum has exactly what I need for my new laptop and one year old projector (that I begged the higher ups to get me since the other one was a back-breaker). They also had me covered with a compact USB-C power supply as well!
There isn't much to say about this since it is really just a cord, but it is extremely well built and a very usable length at 8 feet. My projector is a short throw projector so I'm usually not to far from it and the screen, so 8 feet is great for my needs. The connectors are SOLID and both ends have outstanding stress relief, so I don't anticipate any wear or breakage there at all. Heck, I'll probably break first before these this thing, or at least the projector probably will!
I am really impressed with the quality of the materials and build specs of the Platinum brand. For an in-house brand of Best Buy, they have put a lot of thought and engineering into making quality gear. The Platinum stuff is just as good, if not better, than a lot of first-party makers. If you are looking for a cord to connect your USB-C device with an HDMI device, you don't have to look any further than the Platinum cable. I'll be able to use this for my projector in big conference rooms or TVs in the smaller conference rooms. I'm back to being a road-warrior again!
Charge a MacBook, Chromebook or laptop with a USB-C port with the Platinum 65W 8’ USB-C 3-Port Wall Charger with 47W USB-C Power Delivery for MacBook, iPad, iPhone, Chromebook or USB-C Laptops . Equipped with fast-charging Power Delivery, the charger provides 65 total watts, comes with an 8-foot USB-C cable and has two standard USB ports to charge smartphones, tablets and more.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Perfect Replacement For 'Brick' That Came w/Laptop
on October 6, 2019
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
I hate the fact that you can buy a nice portable laptop to take out and about and the company makes the laptop itself stylish and compact but then they give you a power adaptor that is the size of a small brick and has massive cords at both ends! Seriously, some of these companies need to put as much thought into their power supply as they have into the computer itself. It has gotten a bit better over the last few years, especially with the advent of USB-C power delivery, but some still haven't gotten the memo. That would include the maker of my current laptop. I knew it didn't have a compact brick when I bought it, but it had features I needed so I got it anyway hoping that I would be able to find a good replacement power supply.
I found better than a 'good' power supply, I found a PERFECT power supply. Compact, powerful, well-built, and a great cord. It is a lot like an Apple power supply but with the benefit of two additional USB ports to power your other devices. The Platinum 65W USB-C wall charger is pretty much the only charger I will need for travel, along with a few other cables for my other devices. Speaking of cables, the 8-foot cable that comes with this charger is a beast! Well-insulated and sturdy, the cable seems to weigh almost as much as the power adapter itself! The team at Platinum aren't skimping on the cord with this thing.
One thing to be aware of though, is that while it is a 65W charger, that power is divided between the USB-C and USB-A ports. The USB-C puts out 47W of power, which is perfect for me since my laptop only pulls 45W. If your device requires more, it will most likely still charge, but it will take longer. This setup is perfect for me since I can have my laptop powered/charging at full speed while also charging my phone at full speed as well. Actually, it charges faster with the Platinum power supply than it does with the power adapter my phone came with since the USB-A ports on the Platinum are more powerful.
All in all, this is a great power supply. It is well-built, elegant, and compact. The other great thing is that when I end up selling this laptop in a few years to replace it with what ever is new a cosmic at the time, I get to keep this power supply for my next laptop!
Get quick relief from sore muscles with this Theragun G3PRO massager. The stroke length has been scientifically calibrated, making it ideal for improving blood flow circulation and enhancing overall health. This Theragun G3PRO massager is ergonomically designed with a handle that's easy on the hand for longer use and is 50 percent quieter compared to previous models.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
I am not a pro athlete at all. I only run when something big and scary is chasing me or there is an ice cream truck down the street! The Air Force killed any desire in me to run ever again. That being said, I do still try to keep in shape mostly via hiking and cycling. That combined with being on the down-side of my 40's leaves me with some aches and pains.
Both my wife and I have regular appointments with a massage therapist (her - 30mins every other week, me - 60min every month). I was looking for something that maybe would help out for the in between times when she and I are both thinking 'should we call for an extra appointment?' When you are looking for something to replace an extra $50-$60 a month charge (or more), the rather steep price of the Theragun G3Pro doesn't seem as bad. It would only take a few months of doubling up therapy sessions to pay for the G3Pro.
The Theragun is an impressive piece of equipment and you can tell that right upon opening the box. It is a solid piece of machinery and everything has a 'professional' feel to it, which is good because it is a professional device. I've seen these and other devices like it both in our massage place and physical terrorist (*ahem*, sorry) THERAPIST offices.
Ok, I'm sure you really just want to know how well it works and whether it is worth your time or not. The answer to the first part is that it works awesome, once you get the hang of it. It will take some time to get good at this, I'm still not great at it despite having it for a week now and having a PT colleague of my wife show us how to use it best. I was VERY disappointed the first time I tried it and the gun went from painfully jabbing me, to feeling pretty good, to jackhammering off of my bones and setting my teeth rattling. The art to this device is knowing where you put pressure on and where you let the device 'float'. You also need to stick to muscle groups and ALWAYS avoid places were it is mostly bone (spine and such) because that is where you will get the jackhammering and some nice bruises (not kidding on that). Also, I highly encourage you to download the Theragun app for your phone and pay attention to what it shows for each are and follow their advice.
You will not be using this for half an hour on your shoulders or wherever, you will be using it for a few minutes at most in each area and you might go over an area again after doing some rounds in other spots. This is NOT one of those inexpensive shiatsu massage devices you get by the checkout counter of some stores. It is designed to break up muscle tension and to activate muscles to start to recover from exercise.
The answer to the second question above 'is it worth it?', is dependent on whether you are willing to learn how to use it properly. If you want something you can just absentmindedly use, get one of those $50 massage devices and call it a day or better yet, buy one of those $2000 chairs. If you just want someone else to do it with ethereal music and scented oils involved, just pay a masseuse. I would rather be able to knock out the pain and tightness on my own time and not worry about whether they have an opening or not and not have to spend the extra money if I don't have to. So for me, the Theragun G3Pro is worth its price.
I knocked off one start only because I think they could use a little more instruction on how best for everyday bums like me to work it and I really wish it had an additional setting at the lower end. The lowest setting out of the two is ok for me but WAY too powerful for my wife who is a tiny 4'11'' thing. She does not like using the Theragun and will be getting extra massages when she needs them (so I guess I will only be saving money on my extra massages). As for the highest level, I don't even bother with that. I think that has to be for a pro to use on you so that they can best target it and control it.
Immerse yourself in detailed audio with these Marshall Minor II black Bluetooth earbuds. An in-line microphone and an intuitive control knob let you take hands-free calls and change songs without your phone. These Marshall Minor II black Bluetooth earbuds have 14.2mm drivers that produce clear, accurate audio and soft ear tips that ensure lasting comfort.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
I love me some Marshall sound gear. I have both the Stanmore and the Acton II speakers and they are phenomenal sounding and get compliments anytime anyone sees them. Marshall has been doing a great job with their Bluetooth speakers and headphones and I was really hoping that they were bringing that to the Minors. Sadly they have not.
I have had another brand of Bluetooth earbuds that a lot of people have been sporting for the last few years, and my biggest disappointment with them was always the battery life. Though they have a nice little charging case, I listen to music A LOT and would burn through almost an entire case worth of juice a day! Now they don't even have the three hours they used to have and I was hoping that Marshall Minor II would solve my problem since they have a very similar earpiece to my other headphones but have the added benefit of the ear loops to help lock them in to place, because the other problem I had with my other earbuds was that they came out relatively easy. Surprisingly, my current headphones have a decent amount of bass despite the non-sealing fit but the Marshalls can't seem to manage the same OMMPH behind them despite a solid backing, and similar earpiece design.
So after a week with the Marshall Minor IIs, I would have to give them 3.5 stars for the following reasons:
Fit: Despite the adjustable ear loops, I was unable to get them to properly 'lock' into place in my ear, primarily my right ear. I spent an hour trying everything from having the loop flush with the earpiece to ridiculously big and looped into the outermost fold of my ear and I could not get the right one to stay in. Now that is probably more an issue with my ear than it is the loop mechanism, but I don't have remarkably weird ears (at least I don't think I do). I'm sure many of you reading this are like, why don't you just use earbuds that have an earpiece that goes into your ear canal and stays in place better and gives better bass? Well, I HATE those type of earbuds because it doesn't take long for them to hurt, and with most of the new wireless earbuds also integrating controls right into the earbud, you are often forced to push the earbud even further into your ear to move to the next track or change the volume, making them even more uncomfortable. That is one of the reasons I was really looking forward to the Minor IIs since they also have the controls on the external controller. Unfortunately, having the controls on the external controller and not being able to get a secure fit with the right ear bud, made for lots of times of it falling out and dangling on the cord from my left ear (but hey, at least it didn't fall into the toilet or down the drain!).
My other problem with the loops is that it can be a bit like pushing a string, actually it is a lot like pushing a string, and it can sometimes be difficult to expand the loop if it is flush with the earpiece. Surprisingly, Marshall has built a ton of strain-relief into the charging cable (making it one of the best micro-USB cables I have), it is unable to do anything similar to make it easier to push up the loop so that you can grab it and pull it to the proper loop length. You would hope that once you set it, that would be it, but it's not. With the cable between the earpieces being part of the loop mechanism, it doesn't take much for the loop to be pull down to where you need to push/pull it out again. Nothing has happened in a week of use but I can see this being a real weak spot and may cause some serious wear and tear to the cable.
Sound: Lackluster and without enough bass. Surprising since most earphone/headphone makers tune their equipment to be bass heavy due to the predominant tastes in sound and music (not mine, but hey, I'm old). Even with my preference for a more neutral bass signature, the Minor IIs can not bring enough punch to the lows for my taste. Marshall has acoustics working against them, but other earbuds with similar non-sealing fits have done better in this realm. In addition, when music isn't playing, there is a rather loud background hiss/static despite only being at 40-50% volume. Surprising that that comes through but not enough bass.
Battery: This is where the Marshall Minor IIs shine, in that they easily beat the twelve hours they quote on the box. I get more than a day's worth of listening out of them from each charge. Too bad they don't fit/sound as well and I don't listen to them all day.
Controls: While I appreciate having the variety of controls on the inline box, it can sometimes be difficult for you to properly execute a command with the little control stick, especially without pulling on your earpiece. Perhaps if you can get a better fit than I could, this may be a moot point for you, but for me, made the Minor IIs, less useful than I would like. I am forced to fish out my phone to make changes rather than the controller.
Pairing: Easy and painless. I did have to charge Minor IIs right out of the box before I could set them up, which is surprising because these just launched and usually come with at least SOME charge out of the box.
Conclusion: All-in-all, the Minor IIs are a disappointment to me. I had really high hopes though and so, while I may be disappointed in them perhaps you can get a better fit and will have more luck with the controls and sound.
Hold your iPhone XR confidently with this Speck Presidio Pro case. It has antimicrobial treatment to prevent bacteria from accumulating, and its slim two-layer design doesn't interfere with wireless charging. This blue and black Speck Presidio Pro case prevents device damage from 10-foot-high drops thanks to its IMPACTIUM shock barrier.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
I bought the iPhone XR for several reasons: Cost, Size, and Color. The last one I realize is probably the least important in the real world, but I love having the Product Red color on my phone. Up until now I have been using Apple's own clear case to show off the color but I have grown to really hate the smooth feel and the unfortunate camera bump that is not 'smoothed out' by the case and so it wobbles on the desk.
I have always liked Speck cases and have owned probably 10 different cases over the years for my phones, iPads, and MacBooks. Not a single one has let me down and I don't think the Presidio Pro will either. The reason I didn't get one right away for my XR was that there wasn't anything else out at the time the XR just came out and I really wanted to show off the red color since all my other phones have been black or silver.
While this Carbon Black/Eclipse Blue is the best out of the color choices that were available at Best Buy, I would have loved it if they had the black and red (or heart rate red/vermillion red as they call it on their website). If I could have gotten that color, I would be a very happy man because I love the tactile and grippy feel of the Presidio Pro and the lack of any camera bump wobble since the back of the case is flat.
All-in-all this is a great case and it will do a great job protecting my investment in my iPhone because at the price these things are going for nowadays, I'm going to be holding on to this one for a while.
Experience legendary performance and sound of ASTRO Audio V2, with the convenience and freedom that comes without wires. The A50 Wireless + Base Station for Xbox One/PC delivers premium acoustics, ergonomics, comfort and durability that gamers demand. The all-new Base Station provides clear, low-latency voice communication, while making headset pairing and charging simple. The ASTRO Command Center software allows Pros and Live streamers to tune every input and output parameter of the A50 precisely for their specific setup. Experience absolute audio immersion with the A50 Wireless + Base Station.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
If you are in a hurry, I'm going to put the TLDR version first and then explain my comments further down.
Pros: - Solid build - Customizable sound profiles - Battery life much better than the rated 15hrs, I got about 21 - Compact base station with plug to charge other devices (like controllers) - Very comfortable earpads and headband - Extra USB charging port
Neither Pro/Con: (Player Preference) - Tuned to the 'Boomy' end of the sound spectrum (good for some games and gamers, not so much for others), despite having equalizer control - A little short, I don't have a freakishly long head (but longer than most) and they are just barely surrounding my ears at the fullest extension. If you have a normal or smaller sized head, you will probably be fine
Con: - Requires a PC to update the firmware. The firmware out of the box is wonky, need to update to the version that launched at the beginning of Aug 19. - Base Station needs a bit more weight to it, gets shoved around too easily by the headphones, or pulled by cables connecting to power/system - Sometimes seems difficult for the headset to properly hit the charging pins and doesn't charge correctly
Full Pro Details: Solid build: The A50 headset is solidly built but not overly heavy so it feels like a quality set of headphones but doesn't feel like it is dragging your head down.
Customizable Sound Profiles: The Astro Command Center lets you tweak up to three sound profiles saved to your base station. You can have more than that made but only three can be saved to the base station at a time and are selectable by the headphone. This is great if you like ultimate control over the sound in the games or even just want to slightly alter a stock profile.
Long Battery Life: The box says 15+ hours of battery life, but that '+' is pretty generous considering that from the first full charge up to the time they conked out on me, was almost 22 hours in total. Now, ideally you would never push this limit because you would put them back on the base station to charge between sessions but depending on your setup (base station close to you, or closer to your TV/Console), this may not always be the case. At least you should have a couple of days charge for gaming.
Comfortable: The stock earpads and headband cushion are very nice and comfortable and breathe well. You also have the option of purchasing a mod kit which will give you 'leather' pads for the headset as well. This would/should give you better sound isolation but will probably be hotter on your ears.
Extra USB Charging Port: On the back of the base station is an additional USB port that you can use to plug in a charging cable for whatever you like but which I use for charging my Xbox controller. Now in my case, the base station is next to where I sit when playing games, if your base station it further away, this may or may not be of help. It allowed me to not have the USB cable running from the front of my Xbox across the room to my controller, which freed up that cable for me to use with the base station since the one included is only like three feet. I instead use the Astro cable for my controller, which works perfectly.
Full 'Neutral' Details: 'Boomy' Sound Design: While you have the ability to dial in an equalizer setting to your liking, the A50s will always lean towards a bass-heavy or 'boomy' sound. This is partially because of the fact that these are closed backed headphones, which helps to accentuate the lower tones and helps prevent sound bleeding out and disturbing those around you. It is a pretty standard design choice nowadays but depending on your preferences and what type of game you are playing, this may be a con for you. If you play a game where you need to hear a lot of detailed sound (footsteps or indicator sounds), the bass signature on these may drown those out. Again, this isn't a fault of Astro, since a lot of gamers don't feel 'immersed' in their game unless they can feel the explosions all round them. Me personally, I tend to play quieter games or games that I need to hear subtle cues and I have had to dial down the low end of the EQ to make those stand out better.
Size Skews Normal/Small: I don't have a long head but it is past 'normal' to the longer end of the range. I have had a ton of headphones (music & gaming) that fit me just fine but the Astro A50s lean more towards the normal or small head sizes. Probably a safe bet for Astro since I am a fully grown man (despite what my wife says), and most of their users are probably going be those with normal sized heads or adolescents.
Con Details: PC Requirement: Being able to tweak sound signatures requires the Astro Command Center to be downloaded to a PC/Mac but if that was all that was required, you probably don't need to worry since one of the stock sounds, will probably work best for you. But in real-world usage you need to update the firmware for these headphones. Throughout my weeks of using the A50s prior to the firmware update, I was getting sound drops, inaccurate battery readings (it told me I had three blocks of battery but then died), and base station was acting 'weird' in that it wouldn't shut off or would change the Dolby setting for no reason. To properly use the A50s you need to update them at least once out of the box. I haven't run into any of those problems (or any new ones) in the few days since that update has dropped so that may be all they need.
Base Station Weight: While the base station is nicely compact and won't take up a lot of space, it also doesn't weigh a ton and depending on it's placement, you may find that the weight/pull of the cords is a drag on it or when you are placing your headphones in the cradle to charge, it will slide all over. You can fix this with some sticky tabs on the bottom (like I did) or you can live with it. I was mostly frustrated because, at least for me, it made it harder to place the headphones to ensure a good contact with the charge pins. Which leads me to my final Con...
Can Be Difficult To Consistently Hit The Charging Pins: While the base station and headphones have magnets to draw each other to the proper placement of the pins/charge points, it actually seems to be hit/or miss. I have had more than one occasion where I was sure they were set and charging (with the little charge indicators going), but then the next day, the headphones aren't charged. Now to be fair, this may have also been a firmware issue or because I am a lot more careful about their placement now, I have not run into this problem but it was a problem at one time for me.
Overall: I really like the Astro A50s and I'm happy to have a set of wireless headphones again after years of using wired ones and always snagging the cord on something. The main reason I knocked a star off of the review was because of the requirement to update the firmware on these out of the box. If that weren't the case or if Astro starts delivering them with the updated firmware already loaded, these would easily be a 4.5/5 star set of gaming headphones. Oh, you may have also noted that I didn't say anything about the microphone and that is because I did not have any cause to use it and therefore can't say one way or the other about it's quality.
Experience enhanced precision and comfort with this Logitech wireless gaming mouse. The optical sensor delivers pinpoint accuracy for an enhanced gaming experience, while the wireless design offers strong freedom of movement. This Logitech wireless gaming mouse features 11 programmable buttons for creating macros and performing a wide range of custom functions.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Let me start off the review with an explanation of the 5-star review. While ultimately this gaming mouse does not meet my needs, Logitech made a very nice mouse which does exactly what they most likely designed it for, so I didn't feel that I could rightly knock them (or the mouse) for that. The G903 Lightspeed is intended for RTS (Real Time Strategy) gamers and competitors, NOT for those who like first person shooters (at least not this one).
It all boils down to one thing for me: weight. The G903 is 110g out of the box and 120g with the single 10g weight that you can place inside. I confirmed this on a scale and also weighed my Logitech Anywhere MX mouse which is about 60% of the size of the G903 but weighs an additional 12g. That extra weight and in a much smaller package gives the Anywhere MX a heft that makes it more useful for day-to-day use and even does just fine for many games.
The G903, is very well-built and looks great (very stealth-like), with excellent and responsive buttons all around, each with a definitive 'click'. But its lack of 'heft' almost makes it feel like a toy, which it most certainly is not. The bells and whistles under the hood show that the guts of the G903 are state of the art. While you can use it straight out of the box with the included receiver, and you will have access to the four DPI settings that Logitech programs into it out of the factory, you will definitely want to download the Logitech Hub program to really tweak the G903. In the Hub program you can dial in which DPI settings you would like available through the on mouse selectors, change your lighting scheme, and configure button layouts and even change it up to a left-handed mouse with the included buttons that you can swap in. I happen to be left-handed but 30+ years of using a 'normal' mouse under my right-handed overlords has just made that seem more natural for me and I did not swap it out. Perhaps those younger than me who haven't been broken down will appreciate this more.
I tweaked the DPI down a few hundred DPI for each of the stock settings and this gave me a range that did a fair job of digitally replicating the precision of a heavier mouse for me but it still couldn't completely make up for the lack of real weight. Also the weight is placed under that palm area which is great but it does make it feel 'unbalanced' to my hand. The only other gaming mouse I have owned had multiple weights that had multiple locations where they could be placed so that you could refine the balance to your liking, but with the G903 you have one place and one weight, take it or leave it. I'm sure this has a lot to do with the fact that the G903 supports the PowerPlay mouse pad that wirelessly charges the G903 while you use it. The induction coils probably would not like having a bunch of metal between it and the charging pad.
I ended up returning that previously mentioned gaming mouse because I couldn't stand that it was corded, which used to be required for gaming mice to get proper responsiveness but the G903 does deliver responsiveness in spades. Logitech's Lightspeed technology makes the G903 as responsive as any wired mouse without a cord to get snagged or pulled.
All-in-all, the G903 is a phenomenal gaming mouse but it is not for my type of gaming, or at least not what I feel is my type of gaming. The lightweight nature of the G903 probably makes it incredibly nice for those gamers who will be repeatedly picking up and placing down the mouse while scrolling across huge maps but for me and my ancient 46 year old hands and gaming style, it just goes all over the place. For most gamers nowadays though, this is probably one of, if not, THE best gaming mice out there (or at least it will be). That is why I give the G903 Lightspeed 5-stars and would recommend it to anyone who isn't as old as dirt like I am. ;^)
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
No-Brainer If You Want A Great All-In-One System
ByWraith
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.
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!
Cleaning up after pets has never been easier than with CrossWave X7 Cordless Pet Pro, our BEST CrossWave multi-surface cleaner for homes with pets. It vacuums and washes at the same time, across sealed hard floors and area rugs, combining cleaning steps and saving you time. It~s perfect for grab and go cleaning of frequent pet messes with up to 30 minutes* of hassle-free, cordless run time and it weighs just over 10.5 lbs. Our pet parent engineers incorporated three different cleaning modes: Hard Floor Mode, Area Rug Mode and TURBO PET Mode to boost cleaning performance, especially for pet and everyday stuck-on messes. CrossWave X7 Cordless Pet Pro multi-surface cleaner also has LED headlights to illuminate pet hair, dirt and debris while cleaning along baseboards and in corners. And unlike when you use a mop and bucket, there~s no need to worry about putting dirty water on the floor while you clean, since our Two-Tank Technology keeps the clean and dirty water separate. When you~re done cleaning, CrossWave X7 Cordless Pet Pro cleans itself! It has a self-cleaning cycle that rinses the brush roll and inside of the CrossWave with clean water, so there~s less clean-up after cleaning. Plus, it comes with two trial-size bottles of our PET Clean + Natural formula and two PET Multi-Surface Brush Rolls. And this machine doesn~t just clean up after pets, it helps save them! BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets. When you buy a BISSELL product, you help save pets, too. We~re proud to design products that help make pet messes, odors and pet homelessness disappear.
Does this machine clean up both hard and soft puppy poops? We are elderly and have three Chihuahuas & a Chiweenie. Two dogs are elderly and have been pad trained because we do not have a fenced yard & area predator threats. The pups likely too.
I would not use this for either. This is for dirt, mud, dust, hair, litter, and small food bits. If it were a liquid mess (vomit/diarrhea) it might do OK, but nothing bigger or more substantial than that.
Cleaning up after pets has never been easier than with CrossWave X7 Cordless Pet Pro, our BEST CrossWave multi-surface cleaner for homes with pets. It vacuums and washes at the same time, across sealed hard floors and area rugs, combining cleaning steps and saving you time. It~s perfect for grab and go cleaning of frequent pet messes with up to 30 minutes* of hassle-free, cordless run time and it weighs just over 10.5 lbs. Our pet parent engineers incorporated three different cleaning modes: Hard Floor Mode, Area Rug Mode and TURBO PET Mode to boost cleaning performance, especially for pet and everyday stuck-on messes. CrossWave X7 Cordless Pet Pro multi-surface cleaner also has LED headlights to illuminate pet hair, dirt and debris while cleaning along baseboards and in corners. And unlike when you use a mop and bucket, there~s no need to worry about putting dirty water on the floor while you clean, since our Two-Tank Technology keeps the clean and dirty water separate. When you~re done cleaning, CrossWave X7 Cordless Pet Pro cleans itself! It has a self-cleaning cycle that rinses the brush roll and inside of the CrossWave with clean water, so there~s less clean-up after cleaning. Plus, it comes with two trial-size bottles of our PET Clean + Natural formula and two PET Multi-Surface Brush Rolls. And this machine doesn~t just clean up after pets, it helps save them! BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets. When you buy a BISSELL product, you help save pets, too. We~re proud to design products that help make pet messes, odors and pet homelessness disappear.
No. There really isn't any need for them since there isn't a wand/hose to use elsewhere. It does have the charging/drying base as well as an extra mopping roller head.
The best bedroom Smart Clock just got even better. The Lenovo Smart Clock Gen 2 with Wireless Charging Dock keeps your nightstand clutter free. Charge up to two additional devices at once: your phone (using the wireless dock) and another accessory, like a smart watch (using the USB port). The 4“ color touchscreen showcases the time, weather and your family photos with a choice of customizable clock faces or check in on your smart cameras feeds before bed. Enhanced with a built-in nightlight when docked, the light is just bright enough to illuminate your way without waking your partner. With multiroom audio, you can add your Lenovo Smart Clock Gen 2 to a speaker group and play media across multiple devices and rooms.
Would the alarm function still work if the internet goes out?
Yes, because it can be set directly on the device as well as through the Google Home app. Doesn't need internet for anything but data it would have to pull from the internet like music/weather and such.
Your life~s an adventure. To capture and keep its best moments, you need fast, high-capacity storage that accelerates every move. With up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds, store your content and creations on a fast drive that fits seamlessly into your active lifestyle. Up to three-meter drop protection, with IP65 water and dust resistance, a carabiner loop for securing the drive, and a 5-year limited warranty give you the peace of mind to take it with you on travels near and far. From a brand trusted by professional photographers, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD provides fast solid state performance in a tough, reliable storage solution.
Sort of. From what I understand from Microsoft, the only games you can have on an External USB drive are for the Xbox/Xbox 360/Xbox One. I think you can also have whatever photo/video files on it as well. Series X games have to go on the internal drive or on the new Seagate expansion drive to support the speed required.
Bose Sleepbuds II deliver relaxing sounds that help you fall asleep, and use Bose noise-masking technology so you stay asleep. Tiny, wireless Sleepbuds II are designed for comfort with sleep technology clinically proven to help you fall asleep faster. Sleepbuds II play content only from the Bose Sleep app, which gives you full control of the Sound Library and helps you personalize features. Discover tranquil tones and soothing sounds from nature. Or, use Bose noise-masking sounds to cover unwanted nighttime noise. Download your favorite sounds directly to Sleepbuds II, control volume, and set a personal wake-up alarm. Sleepbuds II feature proprietary eartips made of soft silicone for a comfortable, secure fit. Sleep on your back or side, or rollover during the night, they~ll stay put. Get up to ten hours of battery life from a single charge, enough for a full night~s sleep ~ and three additional charges from the portable case.
No they can not. They can only play sounds from a selection of 40 sounds that come with the Sleep App. You can have up to 10 of them loaded onto the Sleepbuds at a time.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is the next level of premium wireless performance compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, featuring Xbox Wireless and Windows Sonic surround sound. Take mobile calls or listen to your own music simultaneously while gaming through Bluetooth technology. An all-new metal-reinforced headband and strengthened hinge design deliver significant advancements in durability, and re-shaped Aerofit cooling gel-infused memory foam ear cushions provide premium comfort. The upgraded rechargeable battery provides up to 20-hours of wireless gaming. A larger, high-sensitivity mic improves chat clarity and conceals in the housing when muted, while 50mm Nanoclear speakers provide crisp, accurate sound for the ultimate gaming experience.
Are the rechargeable batteries replaceable by the end user? Batteries dont last forever, it would be a shame(and waste of money) to have to trash a 150$ headset because you cant swap a battery.
Not without busting them open. Yes, that it a big problem with a lot of devices nowadays. There might be a place where you can have someone open them up, but having the battery available is probably not going to happen. When these no longer hold a charge, they are going to need to be replaced. Wish it wasn't so.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is the next level of premium wireless performance compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, featuring Xbox Wireless and Windows Sonic surround sound. Take mobile calls or listen to your own music simultaneously while gaming through Bluetooth technology. An all-new metal-reinforced headband and strengthened hinge design deliver significant advancements in durability, and re-shaped Aerofit cooling gel-infused memory foam ear cushions provide premium comfort. The upgraded rechargeable battery provides up to 20-hours of wireless gaming. A larger, high-sensitivity mic improves chat clarity and conceals in the housing when muted, while 50mm Nanoclear speakers provide crisp, accurate sound for the ultimate gaming experience.
Is the headset able to be adjusted via the app while connected to the xbox or do you have to adjust it separately?
I can change the settings through the app on my phone while playing. The app connects through bluetooth so I don't think they interfere with each other.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is the next level of premium wireless performance compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, featuring Xbox Wireless and Windows Sonic surround sound. Take mobile calls or listen to your own music simultaneously while gaming through Bluetooth technology. An all-new metal-reinforced headband and strengthened hinge design deliver significant advancements in durability, and re-shaped Aerofit cooling gel-infused memory foam ear cushions provide premium comfort. The upgraded rechargeable battery provides up to 20-hours of wireless gaming. A larger, high-sensitivity mic improves chat clarity and conceals in the housing when muted, while 50mm Nanoclear speakers provide crisp, accurate sound for the ultimate gaming experience.
Does this fully support Dolby Atmos on Xbox one and Xbox Series x, through the Dolby Atmos App and and games that support Atmos?
I don't think so. When I set them up on my Xbox One X, the setting for these to work is Windows Sonic for Headphones. I have a Dolby Atmos license for another set but I can't select it with these because it says my license does not support these headphones. That being said, they sound great using Windows Sonic. Hope that helps.
Produce clear pictures and sound with this Miroir Full HD pico projector. The 7000 mAh lithium-polymer battery offers up to 2 hours of viewing time, while the pair of 2W speakers deliver high-quality sound for an all-around multimedia experience. This Miroir Full HD pico projector has HDMI and USB Type-C ports for secure connection to a variety of input devices.
Anything with a simple 3.5 mm (headphone style plug) would work, though the built in 2W speakers are pretty good for a small space. The projector can even power the speakers if they can be powered via USB.