Wraith's stats
- Review count184
- Helpfulness votes1,910
- First reviewAugust 18, 2014
- Last reviewApril 19, 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
- Question count0
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- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count27
- Helpfulness votes26
- First answerAugust 18, 2014
- Last answerDecember 13, 2021
- Featured answers0
- Best answers3
Whether you’re calling loved ones, texting friends or ordering takeout food online, your phone is vital to your lifestyle. It’s important to keep it charged and ready to go at a moment’s notice. The Insignia NS-MC5CC7W24 7' USB-C to USB-C Charge-and-Sync Cable with Braided Jacket is more than up to the task. It’ll not only help charge your smartphone or tablet, but also let you transfer files and sync your device with a quick data transfer speed of up to 480 Mbps. Its 7 ft. length gives you flexible placement options so you can place your phone wherever you need to. A white color keeps the cable looking stylish while a braided jacket adds protection and durability. Trust this USB-C cable to help keep you ready for the challenges of everyday life.
Customer Rating
5
Must have for a new iPhone 15!
on October 13, 2023
Posted by: Wraith
What can I say about the Insignia 7' USB-C to C Charge and Sync cable that you can't easily get just from reading the name of the thing? Well, for one thing, you might think that because it is from Insignia and not Apple that it would not work as well with your iPhone, and you would be wrong. Insignia is at least doing you the favor of giving you all the specs for this cable and it maxes out the capacity of the iPhone 15 non Pro editions perfectly. If you have a Pro model the charge capability is still great but you won't get as much data as you could theoretically handle.
As for build quality, the Insignia cable also beats Apple. While they both have braided covers for their cables, the Insignia cable has a much sturdier casement for the plugs themselves and superior strain-relief. Given how hard some people treat their cables and such, this cable will last you FAR longer than the Apple cable and at a lower price.
For me, this is going straight into my new car to serve as the CarPlay/Charge cable and the length is perfect to go from the lower center console to my phone dock which is on the far left-hand side of my dashboard. The only thing that would make me happier about this cable would be if they made it in black because it is going to look grimy real soon.
Don't pay the Apple tax for new cables, give the Insignia version a go and save some cash.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The SC-C70MK2 Ottava Premium-Class All-in-One Compact Stereo System has evolved, in this second generation, to bring several key improvements to its renowned sound resolution and graceful design. A newly-adjusted woofer and tweeter and a new acoustic lens render audio with incredible richness, scale, and detail. Spacetune Auto optimizes sound according to the position of the unit, analyzing the distance relative to walls and corners and the effect of sound reflections, and auto-adjusts the sound field for the utmost brilliance in resolution, with 3 one-touch presets available. SC-C70MK2 interfaces easily over Bluetooth and Wifi for internet radio, streaming platforms such as TISAL, Spotify, Amazon Music and Deezer, Google Assistant, built-in Google chromecast, and can be set up for multi-room use by pairing with Chromecast speakers (sold separately). Even when streaming, enjoy highest-resolution listening through Re-master high-precision signal processing circuitry, which expands the frequency band of compressed audio sources to match CD-master quality. The elegant, timeless design of the SC-C70MK2 comes in silver, and is made from premium materials with an elegant CD mechanism, aluminum touch keys, and a louver front grille, that bring a high-end, minimalist look to your living space
Customer Rating
5
THIS is what I've been waiting for from Technics!
on September 25, 2023
Posted by: Wraith
If you have been tracking the latest and greatest from Technics recently, and read reviews on here, you will know I have loved Technics for quite some time but I left some pretty harsh criticism of their latest headphone offering. THIS system though is EXACTLY what I look to Technics to build.
As a reformed audiophile (on the headphone side of things), I know what I like and what that sounds like. The Ottava All-in-One delivers on all counts. Sound? Breathtaking. Looks? Gorgeous. Control? Unlimited.
The Technics Ottava harkens back to those days decades ago where stereo equipment filled a rack and weighed as much as the massive console TVs that were in the living room. As soon as I picked up the box of the Ottava, I knew it was going to be special. No corners were cut on this system and it screams quality and style. Granted, it can be a polarizing style (my wife is not a fan), but it HAS style which is a lot more than what many similar systems can say.
After a quick set-up using the Google Home app, I fired up my test playlist and sat back to listen. My playlist consists of several hours of songs that I know like the back of my hand and test everything from left/right separation, to frequency response, to sibilance (that annoying shrillness that some systems give to the ‘S’ sound), and soundstage.
To tell you the truth, I was a bit disappointed with my early listening on the system. I put it where my previous Bluetooth speaker had been thinking I would get similar results with the Ottava, but it is a much different beast and I was being lazy. I was listening to the Ottava on factory default and hadn’t run the built-in environmental analyzer yet. BTW, when it says that the tones emitted are going to be loud, it will be loud and sharp. My cat STILL hasn’t forgiven me for scaring the bejeezus out of him.
After the test was run, the Ottava sounded different but not necessarily better. Bass response wasn’t where I expected it to be and it got remarkably shrill at the drop of a (hi-)hat. It was THEN that I realized just how different of a beast the Ottava is versus other systems. You REALLY need to consider positioning and composition of surfaces under and around the system. As it was, I had put the system in the corner of a wet bar area in my living room and where the surface is 1.5 inch thick granite. The Ottava has downward facing sub-woofer and the granite was dampening the response. I also found that the system has (to my ears) a small but definite downward focus for the front speakers as well, meaning it should be at your ear level or higher for the best sound.
With all that figured out, I moved the Ottava to a set of wood shelves that have an open back and are a nice solid natural wood. THAT was the difference. Even my wife, (who thinks that the headphones they give you for free on airplanes are great), went ‘WOOAH!’ I also learned that you need to be careful with what is also on the other shelves because one particularly hard hitting bass-line from ‘Heracles’ by WYR GEMI, almost caused a set of heirloom plates to come crashing down out of their normally secure display stands. That’s when my wife noped out on the system and said it had to go elsewhere. And THAT my friends is how I got a world-class sound system on some very sturdy shelves (that hold nothing fragile), at perfect ear level when I’m in my easy chair in my man-cave.
I only have one gripe about the whole system, and that is the remote. I love the retro styling of the device itself but can we get a modern remote that isn’t like 10” of plastic, half of which is dead space? Not a huge issue because I mostly control it via my phone.
Needless to say, I am supremely happy with the Technics Ottava and I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t be. If you are willing to spend the money on quality sound, this system is worth the price. I owned headphones that cost more than this and didn’t deliver as much aural enjoyment as the Ottava. Do yourself a favor and quit reading this review and just go get it!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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TheraFace Mask is a breakthrough FDA cleared LED skincare mask that delivers effective, full-face Red, Red + Infrared and Blue light with added tension-relieving vibration therapy. Clinical studies showed firmer, smoother, healthier-looking skin with a visible reduction in fine lines and dark spots in as little as 8 weeks.* Plus, Mask’s easy-to-use hands-free design comes with removable protective eye shields so you can multitask during your treatment.
Customer Rating
4
A promising start with just a single issue
on September 20, 2023
Posted by: Wraith
My wife (a physician), has been on a tear lately with laser therapy. She attended a conference a few months ago where there was a presentation on laser/LED light therapy for wound healing. Also, one of the ortho surgeons she refers to all the time has started using a light therapy rig in his Physical Therapy suite.
Since then she has purchased a light therapy 'gun' to see if it can help with some pain issues she has been having with her neck (no I'm not the pain), and her knees. While there isn't a ton of peer-reviewed studies on laser/LED light therapy, what there is, is pretty promising. When I told her about the Therabody TheraFace Mask to help with wrinkles and acne, she didn't hesitate to say "Get it!" Despite being almost 50, she has always had trouble with her skin and despite religious use of sunscreen (for the last 20 years or so), she has her fair share of wrinkles. Me, I hardly ever got zits even when I was a teenager, but years out on the flight line in the Air Force and growing up as a pasty white kid in Hawaii and Arizona (before sunscreen was really a thing), has done a number on my face. I'm also kinda hoping that it can help treat some of the damage I've caused to my own skin.
First off, the mask is a bit intimidating upon opening the box. It looks like the mask from the 'Friday the 13th' movies but nice and futuristic. On a side note, I'm sure Jason could have used the TheraFace mask himself. Anyway, upon trying it on I noticed that it doesn't seem to be really intended for adult men to use. The band sits rather high on my head, which is not egregiously large, but is obviously longer/taller than it was designed for. That being said, I could still use the straps to hold it to my face securely. The mask fit much better on my wife who is a rather petite woman.
You have the buttons on either side of the mask to pick your light/massage therapy. All of the three light profiles have a massage routine along with it (massage being done by rubber pads on the face and motors in the straps), that you can cycle through or turn off with the massage button, or you can also just do different massage therapies with no light. Both my wife and I agree that the mask would be far better without the massage function. To me it doesn't really seem to do anything than just vibrate the mask, and for my wife, it actively gave her headaches. If nothing else, it would be better if the light button was only for light modes, and the massage button was only for massage modes, instead of turning on the light therapy and having to cycle through all the massage profiles until you reach 'off'.
I wish I could tell you that I look 50 years younger (very zygote-like), but just as it took years of sun exposure to weather my face and years of blemishes for my wife to drive her crazy, it's going to take more than the week that we've had this to truly see the results. We have high hopes though, and if nothing else I have a wicked cool Halloween mask!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+15points
22of 29voted this as helpful.
Get ready to download more games to your gaming platform with up to 1TB of storage on M.2 2230 with the WD_BLACK SN770M Mobile NVMe SSD. Bring your whole game library anywhere, any place you go. Turbo charge and increase the storage in your ultrathin laptop with WD_BLACK SN770M Mobile NVMe SSD with PCIe Gen 4.0.
Customer Rating
5
A MUST HAVE Upgrade To The ASUS ROG Ally!
on September 18, 2023
Posted by: Wraith
This review is going to be short, sweet, and to the point. When I first got my ROG Ally, I didn't really worry about the onboard storage because the microSD slot meant I could throw in as much as I wanted (within reason), but given that there has been some issues with SD cards becoming corrupted (which seems to have calmed down now), I started really thinking about a hardware upgrade. Wouldn't you know it, Western Digital comes out with the SN770M in both 1TB and 2TB capacities and at a really good price! They are even billing this as THE Ally upgrade to get and they are right.
I couldn't have asked for an easier upgrade really. All the hassle I had was from me trying to save myself time when all I did was add more. I've done TONS of HD/SSD upgrades over the years and my preferred way of doing it is to clone the original drive over to the upgrade, swap em out, and be done with it. For the most part that has always worked pretty well for me, but this go-around my software seemed to continually have a problem, and after three failed attempts (again, this was a problem on the software side, NOT the SN770 or the ROG Ally), I just went with the way Western Digital and ASUS recommend.
Loosen six screws on the back of the Ally (five of which you remove), pop the back off of the Ally, unplug the battery, unscrew the old drive and pull it, slot in the new SN770, screw it down, reattach the battery and close everything back up. I was in and out in less than five minutes.
I then plugged the ROG Ally into its charger, fired her up, went from the EZ BIOS screen to the Advanced screen and ran the ASUS Cloud Recovery process. About 30 minutes later I had my Ally ready to go like she was brand new out of the box and I reloaded my games. It took less time for me to do it the right way than it did doing my three failed attempts at doing the cloning process. Since my saves are mostly in the cloud, I should have just done this from the start.
This really is THE upgrade to get for your ASUS ROG Ally, or any device that uses the 2230 form factor and needs some extra space.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Show off that new powerful Predator PO5-650-UB11 gaming PC and illuminate your room in the multi-hued ambience of ARGB as fiery FrostBlade fans hum in an endless high-speed harmony giving constant cool to the Herculean hardware hidden away within. Powered by a 13th Gen Intel Core processor and high-performance NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics, the Predator Orion 5000 delivers an awe-inspiring gaming experience that's second to none! Get ready for an unforgettable gaming experience that ignites the senses and takes your passion to new heights!
Customer Rating
4
A Highly Capable Starter Rig For A New PC Gamer!
on September 15, 2023
Posted by: Wraith
Let me start this review off by stating that I'm writing it for the benefit of someone who is looking to get into PC gaming themselves or buying a rig for a loved one. For that person, the Acer Predator Orion 5000 is a GREAT PC. I guess it could also be a nice upgrade if you haven't purchased a new gaming PC in a while as well, but if you've got that itch, you are probably going to set your sights higher and more cutting edge.
First thing you notice when taking the Predator Orion out of the box is that it is a very nice case with ample ventilation and ports. If you take a look through the glass case you can see the cool new FrostBlade 2.0 fans that have a slight twist/ripple to each blade to improve performance and noise. (I'll talk about these a bit more later in the review.)
I always like to pop open a new tower when I first get it to take inventory of the layout, open bays, slots, and the cooling flow. I recommend you do the same. It was here where I ran into my first 'Huh?' regarding the Predator Orion. The documentation about the computer said that Acer had made this a tool-less design for DIY upgrades. Welp, you ain't getting into the case without a screwdriver! I'd call that a tool. I had expected to see external screws that can be loosened/tightened by hand like my other rig.
Once I got the case open and after I got a good look at the cooling system, (which which is completely fan/heatsink based with no liquid cooler at all), I was struck with my biggest 'Huh?' about this computer. You can't swap out the primary M.2 SSD nor add more RAM without removing the fan/heatsink from the CPU! 'This can't be right', I thought to myself, so I looked at the online documentation, and not only do you in fact have to take those off, they also recommend you pull the video card as well. BTW, you are going to need a few tools to get that done, so we are still quite tool-full vs. tool-less. That being said, it is all a relatively easy thing if you are experienced with upgrading PCs but I sure wouldn't give it to a newby with the expectation that they will immediately be able to do upgrades. This would be a good PC to learn on later but right now, you are going to want this to be good for the needs of whomever you are buying it for.
Oh, and you CAN add a secondary M.2 SSD without pulling anything and you can also add some 3.5 inch drives into two bays at the bottom of the case, which are also the only thing I found to be actually 'tool-less'.
So now we have the lay of the land and so I locked everything down and fired her up. The first thing I was impressed with is that a lot of PCs when initially starting kinda 'rev-up' the fans and while the Predator Orion did kick on with the fans going pretty hard, it was by far one of the quietest start-ups I have heard. That nice, quiet, performance continued throughout my initial tests.
I downloaded and played Civ VI, Star Trek Online, and Starfield. All of them played well and at good frame rates while dialed in to high or very-high quality. I was particularly impressed with how the Predator Orion handled Star Trek Online, which is my go-to test platform for many reasons despite not being the latest and greatest game out there. The first reason I like it for testing is that it is a Frankenstein of programming and is heavily CPU dependent vs. the GPU. The 13th Gen i7 in this rig did a great job handling the spaghetti code that makes up this game and the RTX 3070 handled the Lighting 2.0 FAR better than the Intel Arc 750 in my other rig despite them being 'equivalent' cards.
The second reason I like using STO is that it is probably they game I have played the most over the last few years and I know it like the back of my hand and can tell when things aren't running well. The Predator Orion was one of the smoothest performers I've tried it on. Even with the graphics set to very high standards I was typically getting 60+ frames per second. As for heat, the Orion ran a bit hotter than my other rig (which has a liquid-cooler), but it was still very acceptable and things remained blissfully quiet while playing.
I was going to talk about Starfield as well, but by the time I decided to write this, there has already been a patch and some discussion of the fact that Bethesda still needs to do some more optimization for PCs. I'm not going to hold anything against any computer when it comes to Starfield just yet.
All-in-all, the Acer Predator Orion 5000 is a good entry point for a new PC gamer or a nice upgrade to an old system. I wouldn't buy it looking to use it as an upgrade platform right away unless you or the person you are buying it for has some experience or has access to someone with hardware upgrades. Storage upgrades will be easy, everything else will take some work.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enjoy legendary Technics sound quality in over ear headphones, with advanced noise cancelling technology and superior call clarity. Technics A800 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones allow you to hear music—and life—as it’s meant to be heard. Enjoy unparalleled high fidelity, hearing every detail without interruption from outside sound. Whether you are at home, at work, working out, or traveling, the Technics EAH-A800 amplifies words and reduces surrounding noise for impeccable call quality on your phone and video calls, with the option to add more or less ambient sound to your experience. Also, with multi-point connectivity, switching audio devices for any of your tasks is seamless and clear. Comfortable over-the-ear earpads, with a headband that reduces pressure across the entire head, ensure the perfect fit for maximum comfort and effectiveness in noise cancellation. Built for comfortable all-day use, Technics A800 has a battery life of up to up to 50 hours on a single charge with ANC on, with quick charge of 15 minutes for 10 hours of playback, and a Wearing Sensor for auto shut-off. It is compatible with voice assistant technology (Siri, Alexa), interfaces with the Technics audio connect app, and folds easily to place in compact carrying case.
Customer Rating
3
Unfortunately not up to the Technics name.
on September 10, 2023
Posted by: Wraith
I was SOOOOOOOOO stoked to get the chance to review the first pair of ANC headphones from Technics. My parents's Technics gear is still the reference that I go by for what a quality system sounds like, and my Technics turntable is a revelation of sound and quality. While these new headphones look sharp, where it really counts, the sound, is a complete let-down. To add insult to injury, they also aren't that comfortable, and the build quality leaves a lot to be desired.
I understand that Technics is trying to get into a very competitive ANC headphone market and to keep the price target they set, they had to make some sacrifices, but I would say they should have gone the opposite way and gone a $150-200 more and made a 'Cadillac' of headphones. Everybody can do noise cancelling now. It's not new tech like when Bose launched the class years and years ago. Everyone can also make headphones with lots of plastic, pleather, and some memory foam. I want Technics to innovate and give us, a headphone done with titanium and leather, or at least some new tech behind the drivers that evokes a WOW when you fire up 'Baba O'Riley' by the Who or 'Rosanna' by Toto. I will pay a premium for THAT headphone. BTW, the sound signature for the A800s is a bit too bottom heavy for my taste and it doesn't even do that well, it seems more 'flabby' and it messes with everything else.
That isn't to say that the Technics A800's are BAD, they aren't, but they also don't bring anything to the table that several other brands bring, some at an even better price. What the A800s have is:
- Decent Padding; though not enough for someone who is lacking enough hair on the top of their head (such as I) to supplement what they give you. I couldn't wear the Technics for more than two hours without taking them off because the point of my noggin was killing me. Also, my ears were sweating as well (though that was partially because we are experiencing a more humid and hot few days than we are used to).
- Long Battery Life; I think I drained the battery about 15 percent while running it through my 82 track Headphone Test playlist. It is about five hours long, so I see no reason why they can't hit the 50 hours of playback that Technics says it can do.
- Good Noise Cancelling; decent but not better than quite a few others out there. Maybe Technics can isolate one set of frequencies for their 'industry leading' claim, but for someone who often uses their ANC headphones JUST as noise-blockers (so I can concentrate while writing or reading), they are not the best out there.
- Good App; lots of controls, a five band EQ, and well organized. This IS better than the offerings of many others.
- Easy Set-Up; while other headphones can also connect easily, the Technics set do it well with TWO sources. I had my A800s connected to both my iPhone and my MacBook and it was easy to switch sources. Great for when I came in from outside and streaming from my phone, to working on my laptop in my office.
Again, are the Technics A800s bad? No, not at all. They are a good pair of ANC headphones, and if you dig the styling, want the Technics name emblazoned on them, and they fit you well, please go out and buy them.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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The Shark Clean Sense Air Purifier MAX with Odor Neutralizer Technology uses Pure Air MicroForce to deliver fast, powerful, and quiet purification for up to 1200 sq. ft. A True HEPA filter captures 99.98% of airborne particles (based on IEST-RP-CC007.3, 0.1-0.2 microns). Odor Neutralizer Technology guards against odors throughout your home.
Customer Rating
5
Quiet and and Efficient.
on September 6, 2023
Posted by: Wraith
There's not a lot to get excited about when talking about an air purifier but it is always nice to get an appliance that is needed (my allergies are super bad), and also works well.
The Clean Sense Air Purifier MAX is a very good purifier for a good sized room, in our case our rather large owner's suite. Fortunately we live in a nice enough area that we can have the windows open for most of the summer because it rarely gets hot enough to need the AC but it is also nice enough to have flowering plants for a longer than normal season for everywhere else. In order to save my marriage I need something to help pull the dust and pollen out of the air to minimize my snoring as much as possible.
We used to have a really good one but it got pretty loud and it burned through filters like nobody's business. We then got a large (and expensive) unit that seemed like it would almost be overkill but in fact it did worse than the smaller one it replaced. It has not been cutting it and it needed to be replaced. BTW, I think it was more intended for office/workplace environments where you run it hard and you also need to worry about VOCs and such.
The Shark Clean Sense MAX was super easy to set up. Open up the bottom, take the nice and large filter out of its bag, replace it, close her up and finally plug in the odor neutralizer unit. Firing it up it started up in auto mode, ramped up to high fan speed because it said the air quality was only 83% and then kept going until it was satisfied that it was up to 100%. This was a good way to start things off but I'm going to keep it on a more constant, and lower level, fan speed so that it isn't quite so loud when we are trying to sleep. Level one is virtually silent, and in a dead quiet room, you can just barely hear it going.
I'm going to pause here to point out the one quibble I have with the Clean Sense MAX. Why does this unit have the only area that doesn't expose the 360 degree filter to the air, on the front? Shouldn't this be on the back that will be most likely against the wall? As it is, it is really only pulling in air from the sides. This would be fine if these were the only openings because the filter maintenance for the MAX is to flip and rotate the filter to maximize exposure. A nice 90 degree turn and a flip would expose all new filter area, but now we have 270 degrees being used (though the back quarter would see less flow). That's just me thinking logically about the device.
As for the air quality sensor suite on the MAX, it's a nice to know but not really needed. Also, the Odor Neutralizer had me worried a bit at first because it was so strong upon taking it out of the sealed pack, I figured that it was just going to make our room smell a little too scented, but once installed and dialed in to the right level, it does just add a nice undertone of scent (though I tend to find that air purifiers do a pretty good job with scents just through the regular carbon pre-filters).
All in all, the Shark Clean Sense Air Purifier MAX is a nice, unobtrusive, and quiet air purifier. I'm pretty happy with it so far, and my wife did say that my snoring has tapered back off over the last week, I'm looking forward to seeing if it has as solid of an effect on the amount of dust I have to clean up, but that is going to take more time to test.
If you are looking for a really good purifier, at a good price, you can't do much better than the Shark MAX.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Charge any J1772 compatible electric vehicle with this Rexing to J1772 charging adapter. Use at any Tesla Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations.
Customer Rating
5
If you need an adaptor, this is the one to get!
on August 20, 2023
Posted by: Wraith
This is going to be a pretty short and sweet review. I have to drive all over the place with my Chevy Bolt and while in MOST of the places, there is a pretty good infrastructure in place for both regular and DC charging, I do head off into the wilds of California where it becomes a little more limited. What I DO find out there are quite a few hotels that have Tesla destination chargers and this Rexing adaptor is going to make my life a bit easier. My wife and I also head up to our friends farm in the Central Valley and there is very little charging infrastructure around them except their home charger for their Tesla. In the past, we just took my wife's car because it is an ICE and we don't have to worry, but we have been putting a lot of miles on it would like to spread that out a bit. Now I can plug into their home charger with no problems.
I haven't gone anywhere recently so I just asked if I could test it out on my neighbors home charger and it worked like a charm on the first try. I like that it comes with a nice case AND that it has a lock to keep some yahoo from stealing it for their own CCS equipped vehicle, which is something I worried about with another adaptor that I thought about getting.
All in all, this is well worth the price if for no other reason than the peace of mind. But for me, it is going to make travel into the more remote areas of the state a whole lot easier.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Alienware m18 Gaming Laptop - Play like a boss with a high-powered, 18-inch gaming laptop that features advanced Alienware Cryo-techcooling, 7000 Series AMD Ryzen 9 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series graphics.
Customer Rating
4
A Literal and Figurative MONSTER! Slays Games!
on August 4, 2023
Posted by: Wraith
Let me start off by saying I was literally dumbfounded when I opened up this box and pulled out the Alienware m18. I have never seen a "laptop" this big before in my life. I know it is one of the new class of 18" laptops that are coming out, and perhaps this is the way of the future instead of towers or NUCs, I don't know. What I do know is that the Alienware m18 is an absolute beast of a machine and there wasn't any game that I could throw at it, that it didn't gobble up and spit out at 60+ frames per second.
I really wondered who this is for when I fired up the m18 for the first time, but then I realized that this thing is REALLY a laptop, what it is is a compact desktop with an integrated screen and keyboard. THIS is for those people who used to haul all their PC gear to their friend's house and set up LAN parties. This is for that person, who doesn't have the room for a full tower and gaming monitor set-up. This is for someone who wants some portability but for the most part is going to have it firmly ensconced on their desk and plugged in all the time.
I threw a ton of games at this from my Xbox Game Pass library (you get a free month of Ultimate), and both my Steam and GoG libraries. We are talking about everything from oldies like Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption to modern games like Red Dead Redemption 2 (weird that I have two games dealing with redemption... maybe I should talk to a shrink about that). The two games I'm going to focus on though are Star Trek Online and Microsoft Flight Simulator. These are my 'go-to' test games because one (STO) is an absolute mess of gaming code, and modern graphics cards struggle with it way more than they should. MS Flight Sim is obviously because maxed out, it can render some absolutely gorgeous scenery. I have hundreds of hours in each game and I can tell if anything is 'off'.
In both cases the m18 and its RTX 4070 absolutely slays. STO never dropped below 100 frames per second with everything maxed and special effects going wild on the screen (if you've played STO you know that some of the 'space magic' can get to be a little much). On MSFS I kept the frame rate pegged at 60fps despite everything turned up to ultra. I also did this while unplugged and on just the 'Performance' setting. Despite being on battery and cranking out solid numbers, fan noise stayed pretty moderate and thermals were decent (though I did increase the temperature in my office by 3 degrees).
Now I only tested the Alienware m18 with games, but I'm betting that with the horses she has under the hood, she would make an excellent platform for video, 3d, and image rendering. If I were talented enough to do any of that, I might have tried it out.
So if the m18 is so great with games, why did I only give it 4 Stars? Well, I did have a few issues with the laptop, though far less than I've had with many others, but still enough for me to knock a star off.
1. Sound - While the m18 can crank out some serious decibels, there are WAY too many times that the sound card was either experiencing interference or stuttering and the sound would go 'crispy'.
2. Keyboard - This is actually not a knock on the keyboard itself, because it is actually really nice to type on and the keys are nice a clicky even with it being just the standard keyboard and not the upgraded one with Cherry switches. I just can't do a full scale keyboard and touchpad set up on a laptop. I'm too used to the ten-keyless and more compact keyboards for my work computer and desktop. I need my keyboard, touchpad, and hands centered to type the way I want. If you are used to a full keyboard and not thrown off by a touchpad skewed to the left, then this is a non-issue for you.
3. Touchpad - Not the best I've ever used. Too many times during testing, I thought that I had tapped hard enough to activate a button or pop-up and move on, only to see that it didn't register and I had to go back. It's responsive enough for movement and actual clicks of the corners but I use taps of the touchpad way more often and those aren't as responsive as I would like.
4. Power 'Brick' - This 330w behemoth weighs more than my regular laptop, and I'm not exagerating! If you tried to pack the m18 and this power brick into a backpack, it will give you scoliosis by the time you reach your destination! If the laptop size itself wasn't enough to limit its use to desktops, the brick pretty much cinches that. This leads us to...
5. Battery - I'm not really going to knock the Alienware m18 on battery life because there is no laptop on the planet that could drive this much power and screen and not suck through a battery in record time. The two times I recorded it, I got 1:15 and :50 out of the battery before it warned me to plug in. This thing NEEDS to be plugged in. It is NOT for playing marathon sessions strictly off the battery.
All-in-all, I'm pretty impressed with the Alienware m18. It is staggeringly huge but it puts up the numbers and graphics to justify it. I also like how it follows Dell's repair/upgradeability ethos. It will be super easy to open up the bottom panel and throw in some more hard drive space (which is going to be needed).
If you are looking for a desktop tier, semi-laptop, gaming rig, I think you need to take a look at the Alienware m18. She delivers.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+4points
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Superb sound meets brilliant stage lighting, for a multisensory experience you can take anywhere, with up to 30 hours of battery life,¹ plus IP67 rated dust and water resistance.² Savor our most powerful high-quality speaker sound as the compression horn tweeter produces dynamic sound and the 4.5-inch woofer brings the bass to life. Plus it has a stage lighting that puts a vibrant lightshow on the wall to get the party started.³
Customer Rating
4
Buy it for the boom not the baubles (lights).
on July 18, 2023
Posted by: Wraith
Whoo whee! Can this thing put out some bass! I was looking for something that we could allow guests to use when they rented out our place for both personal music as well as an amp for a microphone, and perhaps liven up the outside area with some fun lights. As for the music, the XBOOM XG9 is a winner. This thing pumps out great sound, especially for being in an open area and not really having a good wall set-up to bounce the lows around. This is a great 'boombox' for the 21st century.
As for the light show, it's not as great as I had hoped. Seeing the huge lens on the back of this thing I was almost thinking I would be getting a show like it was coming from a regular projector plugged into a computer or something. My disappointment was probably mostly coming from the fact that I had unrealistic expectation. While the XG9 does do a nice job setting up some ambient light and can follow along with the music, it really needs to be in a pretty dark place for you to appreciate what it puts out. If this is in a dark room and you are trying to do a rave-like experience it probably would be pretty good, outside with lights so drunk people don't trip over things and sue us? Not so much.
The microphone we ordered did not show up in time for us to try it out with the group we had this weekend, but we found that we definitely need it, fortunately it will be showing up tomorrow and we'll be good from here on out.
Also, the app is pretty good, though when dealing with the light set up it can get kind of confusing because flipping one set on, grays out another option, which seems like it is needed to get the full show, but eventually I got things going the way I wanted. It looks like you have a ton of color/pattern options but really they don't seem all that different in action. Either way, it does provide some ambiance.
My rating is probably more of a 4.5 stars rather than a 4, because the thing I really wanted it for, a way for guest to have a music source of their choosing without having to tie them in to our main system, the XG9 did phenomenal. The light show was just a nice to have, and while it is just OK, it is still pretty nice, if not as pronounced as you might think it would be.
If you need a boombox to crank out your tunes, you can't go wrong with the XG9. She pumps out the jams and will blast you with the beats!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
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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
Wraith has not submitted any questions.
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.
2 years, 4 months ago
by
Wraith
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 come with any attachments?
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.
2 years, 4 months ago
by
Wraith
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.
2 years, 7 months ago
by
Wraith
Does this specific purifier release ozone?
No, it helps filter it out of the air since it is considered to be a toxic gas.
3 years, 2 months ago
by
Wraith
Ensure ample storage for your high-resolution photos and videos with this 1TB WD SanDisk Extreme portable SSD. Up to 3 meter drop protection, with IP65 water and dust resistant, and a five year limited warranty give you the peace of mind to take it with you on travels near and far.Rread speeds of up to 1,050MB/s allow for fast file transfer. This WD SanDisk Extreme portable SSD features a compact design for easy handling and enhanced portability, and includes a USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter for compatibility with most PCs and Macs.
Will this work with the new Xbox Series X gaming console? Thanks
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.
3 years, 5 months ago
by
Wraith
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.
Can they play the music on your phone
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.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
Wraith
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.
3 years, 7 months ago
by
Wraith
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.
3 years, 7 months ago
by
Wraith
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.
3 years, 7 months ago
by
Wraith
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.
What speakers go well with this??
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.
4 years, 3 months ago
by
Wraith