cjviscito's stats
- Review count200
- Helpfulness votes660
- First reviewNovember 1, 2012
- Last reviewSeptember 2, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.2
Reviews comments
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- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentNone
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Questions
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- Answer count23
- Helpfulness votes23
- First answerFebruary 8, 2010
- Last answerMay 27, 2021
- Featured answers0
- Best answers1
Battery Backup & Surge Protector for Electronics and Computers
Posted by: cjviscito
from Dallas, TX
After the insanity of this past February, I wanted to ensure that we had a solid battery backup in place for our WiFi devices so we didn't lose contact with the outside world if the power went out again during the upcoming Texas winter.
The box itself is a pretty sturdy design. It has a total of 6 outlets - 4 that are both surge protected and battery back up and another 2 that are only surge protected. Just to be clear - there are only 4 outlets that will draw on the battery backup in the event of a power failure, so make sure you chose the right 4.
Our home network setup is pretty minimal, most rooms have ethernet ports and are hardwired connected. I connected both our AT&T Internet gateway and the unmanaged, 8-port gig switch to the batter backup outlets, even though only the router / gateway will really be useful. All other ports that the switch powers throughout the house aren't on battery backup, so when the power goes out, the gateway will be handling 100% of our traffic instead of sharing the load with the other 2 mesh extenders.
I turned off the breaker intentionally to test after letting it draw power overnight and it picked up and worked fine. I didn't test for the full 2 hour claim, my wife wouldn't let me kill the power to our bathroom for that long. I also honestly don't know if the 2 hour claim is for a single device, or several. I have to imagine that the more devices you plug in, the more you lose from that 2 hour claim, so your mileage may vary there.
All in all, I'm glad we have this now. The rolling blackouts from earlier this year still haunt us, so whatever we can do to prep to try and avoid losing total connectivity is a must.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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PowerWave Select+ Magnetic Pad is a sleek wireless magnetic charging pad made for iPhone 12 and 13. This wireless charging solution is especially made for MagSafe-compatible iPhone devices to provide highly efficient charging. The built-in magnets keep your iPhone centered on the magnetic wireless charging pad for faster and more consistent charging, making this an extremely convinient charging solution.
Posted by: cjviscito
from Dallas, TX
I got this for my wife. She has an iPhone 12 Pro and it always bumping it off her wireless charging pad resulting in the phone not charging because the contacts aren't just right. I didn't feel like shelling out for an Apple MagSafe cable, and I trust the Anker brand for charging accessories for all my iDevices.
I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but I found myself just kind of "meh" about this wireless, magnetic charging puck.
From a design perspective, this looks like a lot of other magnetic or MagSage charging pucks. The disc is a generous size and the attached cable is a good length. My main gripe with the cable is that it terminates in a USB-C connection, not the more ubiquitous USB-A. I don't have as many spare USB-C power bricks and this thing also doesn't ship with one, so I was immediately at a disadvantage there.
This also means that I cannot take it in the car with me, like I'd hoped. Our cars have multiple USB-A ports to use and not having the option to simply plug it in on the go was upsetting, especially for my wife who hates dealing with cords in the first place.
Something important to note if your device is in a case - this isn't strong enough to hold firm on a case that isn't designed to support MagSafe accessories. My iPhone 12 Pro is in one such case and the magnet grips just fine on mine, but my wife's case does not, so the puck falls right off.
It's a nice charging puck to be sure - but I'm just not sold on magnetic charging pucks that limit my usage right out of the box.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-2points
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The myQ Smart Garage Camera is the only smart camera optimized for the garage. It works alone or as an upgrade to your existing myQ connected garage door opener to easily add streaming video, recorded events, motion detection and 2-way audio communication in one single myQ app experience. With a magnetic mounting base, and 360 degree swivel camera lens, you can see what is happening inside your garage 24/7.
Posted by: cjviscito
from Dallas, TX
I've been a regular MyQ user for several years now. When we moved into our new house last year, one of the first things I picked up was a MyQ control for our Genie garage door opener so that I could control it the way I was accustomed to. We currently use a wireless, battery powered camera in our garage, but I wanted to get something that didn't require frequent recharges and worked with my existing MyQ setup.
First things first - I took a star away because the MyQ app is extremely finicky when it comes to setting up new devices. The app will tell you "oh, don't worry about positioning items yet" - but if you don't have them in the right place, the setup will get locked into a constant loop of "Oops, try again". I needed to have my phone, the camera, and the hub all literally right next to each other to complete setup. I struggled with the MyQ help options there before I realized what I needed to do.
Once I got it setup, I relocated the camera to where I wanted it and everything else went great. The video quality on the camera is great, and I noticed that the pickup time to view the live feed is faster than in my other, wireless & battery powered camera. Just to be clear - this still uses WiFi for connectivity, it's not a ethernet wired device. The only plug on this is the Micro-USB power socket.
The base of the camera has holes that allow you to mount it on a wall or from the ceiling if you so chose. The base is also magnetic. I ended up putting the camera on top of my tool cabinet and it grabbed on nicely. It made me feel good because it won't get knocked off there easily and it doesn't require any glue or other adhesive to make it stick.
The camera's neck is a nice feature. You can rotate the device in any manner to get the view you want. I rotated the camera 180 degrees so the plug would work with the angle I wanted. In the MyQ app, you can tell it that you've flipped the camera and the image will auto-correct orientation.
So far, it's a solid device and I haven't had any issues or concerns. I think I'll prefer this to my battery powered one because in the event of a power loss, I wouldn't even be able to view those since the hub that controls them would be dead. At least with the MyQ camera, I have something that's always on and ready to go.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
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Enjoy the ease of the all-new Dinamica Plus Connected, a fully-automatic espresso machine that precisely prepares 16 barista-style beverages at the touch of a button. Experience the simplistic elegance of a colorful touch-display that intelligently controls a built-in conical grinder, delivering maximum freshness and flavor with every use. The new Coffee Link App levels up personalization like never before by letting you save up to 3 custom profiles complete with recipe favorites. You’re just a touch away from expertly tailored coffee, tips and tricks, and even machine maintenance updates. From recipe selection to first sip, this masterful machine is built to deliver authentic espresso in the comfort of your home.
Customer Rating
5
Perfect at home Coffee Solution
on September 16, 2021
Posted by: cjviscito
from Dallas, TX
I drink a lot of coffee. We have several coffee machines in the house, but I wanted something that could do regular coffee, espresso, and the occasional cappuccino. Since my job has been keeping people at home due to the continuing COVID issue, I decided to bite the bullet and get a higher-end coffee machine for our house. Figured that cost-per-use, it made sense since I have about 5 - 10 cups of coffee a day while I work.
First thing I noticed about this machine was the heft of the unit. It felt solid and sturdy and has a nice, silver-aluminum looking plastic shell. As with most coffee machines like this, it uses whole beans and then grinds them based on the strength / drink you've selected. There's an adjustment wheel in the bean compartment that you can use to adjust the amount of beans that go into a drink, I've set mine on the mid point, based on the recommended setup instructions that came with it and my coffees taste fine.
This machine also includes additional attachments for the front of the unit - there's a milk attachment for cappuccinos and other milk-mixed coffees and a regular hot water attachment for teas. I typically drink regular coffee, long-pour coffee, or espressos, so I leave the hot water attachment on there for my wife when she wants to make her tea.The selection screen is a brightly lit-LCD screen. Probably one of my favorite features is the ability to set the machine to stay on for up to 3 hours before it auto-shuts off. My other coffee machines will turn themselves off after an hour, so the ability to keep the machine on and ready is nice.
Another nice feature of this machine is the ability to support multiple user profiles, each with their own set of preferred drinks. If you download the companion app, you can also adjust the amount of oz and strength of the drinks - so when you're using your profile, your coffee is tailored to your tastes while someone else's can be to their liking.
I've been using this machine several days for the past week and I love having it here. We set up the machine in my office, so I love the ability to get an espresso or coffee whenever I like. The water tank is located on the side and holds a good amount of water, I usually refill it daily. The drop tray is also a good size, and I've only had to empty the ground coffee compartment once or twice. I would recommend using filtered water - there's a PH test you can do when you set up the machine depending on the hardness of your water. Since I use a pitcher to filter our water, I leave it set for middle of the road water hardness.
I love this coffee machine and can't think of enough nice things to say about it! It is an investment - there's no doubt of that. I rationalized it as a cost-per-use purchase. It's cheaper the more I use it - and I imagine I'll have it "paid for" before the year's out!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Add that professional touch to your video calls with this set which features a 60 LED light that illuminates your videos and helps you shine on social media. True to its name, the achiever is perfect for experienced or aspiring social media bloggers, travel, working professionals and journalists.
Customer Rating
4
Great Lighting in a Compact Size
on August 19, 2021
Posted by: cjviscito
from Dallas, TX
Over the last year, I've invested in better gear for taking calls at home, and with COVID not going away any time soon, I needed to get a better lighting setup for video calls and personal vlogging.
The Achiever setup has what I was looking for:
- Rechargeable battery for on-to-go use cases.
- LED to minimize heat production.
- Small form factor.
- Ability to mount onto camera.
- Rechargeable battery for on-to-go use cases.
- LED to minimize heat production.
- Small form factor.
- Ability to mount onto camera.
The light itself has 3 different lighting temperatures: warm, neutral, and cool. There are also buttons to adjust the brightness up or down. I've generally left it on the neutral light setting which uses both warm and cool LEDs. If you crank it up all the way, this thing gets real bright, real quick. I've been using it as a light along with my Sony ZV-1 camera. The weight of the light is negligible, so the arm that I have the camera on handles the addition without a hassle.
I haven't done a full burn down of the battery, but I typically will plug it over night to charge.
My only gripe with this light is the micro USB cord that comes with it. The cord is so short that I wouldn't be able to leave it mounted to recharge, but I had a longer micro USB cord that worked out better anyway. Just something to note.
The stand that comes with the light is solid also and comes with a holder for a mobile phone. I've used it a few times with my iPhone, but I more prefer to use it with the ZV-1 because that camera is much better for visuals than my mobile device is.
If you're a streamer, or like me, someone who's just working from home now and you need a light, this thing is a great option that doesn't break the bank.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
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Transfer files between iOS and Android devices with this SanDisk SDIX70N-128G-AN6NE iXpand Flash Drive Luxe. The Lightning and USB-C connectors allow fast transfer speeds, and the automatic backup feature safeguards photos and videos on your iPhone. This SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe boasts a 128GB capacity to let you free up space on your smartphones and tablets, while the iXpand Drive app helps you remotely protect your files with a password.
Customer Rating
5
Perfect for Multi Device Needs
on August 19, 2021
Posted by: cjviscito
from Little Elm, Tx
This is exactly the kind of USB drive that I've been looking to replace all my other ones. This handy little drive connects to both USB-C devices, like my iMac and iPad Pro, and Lightning devices, like my iPhone 12 Pro.
For starters, this comes out of the box, ready to go. No formatting required. The casing feels like a solid, metallic material that gives a premium feel of heft and sturdiness. The USB-C connector is tucked inside and you have to rotate the drive to expose it. The Lightning connector is protected by a small, plastic cap. Honestly, I leave the USB-C connecter tucked in because that way, I keep the connector from getting banged up in my bag or at my desk.
If you want to use this device on your iOS / iPadOS device, you'll be prompted to download and install the iXpand app from the App Store. I'm not normally a fan of a product that requires I download a proprietary app just to use it, but with iOS15, I can simply hide the app in my App Library and save my Home Screen real estate for other apps I use more frequently.
Once you have the iXpand app installed, the drive becomes readable in the Files app in iOS / iPadOS. I've used it to move large files, several gigabytes in size between my iPad Pro and my iMac. My Windows gaming PC also has a USB-C slot and the drive is readable there as well, no formatting required to bounce between Windows, MacOS, or iOS.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
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The Chirp Wheel+ helps reduce back pain by decompressing your spine, strengthening core muscles, and massaging out tight trigger points. Made with a rigid ABS plastic core and soft EVA compression sensitive mat, the Chirp Wheel+ can support up to 500 pounds! Three wheel sizes provide different levels of pressure for customizable back pain relief. The smallest wheel offers the most pressure, to target specific muscle knots, while the largest wheel offers the least pressure and the greatest stretch to help correct poor posture.
Customer Rating
3
Worked for me, not for my wife
on August 5, 2021
Posted by: cjviscito
from Dallas, TX
I wanted to like these wheels, I really did. For the most part, they worked as described and designed for me but my wife couldn't use them, they caused her too much discomfort.
I tried the large and medium wheels, but never tried the smallest wheel due to the issues I had with the medium wheel. I haven't tried using the smallest wheel as a lumbar support for my chair at the house, but that's one of the use cases Chirp suggests.
First - the large wheel worked for me with the smallest amount of hassle. Admittedly, getting the position and movement right was a bit of a wonky experience, but after doing a few rolls on it, I got the hang of it and my back actually felt more stretched out afterwards. That was a great feeling. What wasn't great was how the material of the wheels seem to grab and stick to clothing. On Chrip's website, they show a woman who's using the wheel wearing a sweater with no issue. I was wearing a regular, cotton T-shirt and it clung to my shirt, so at first, I ended up slightly choking myself because my shirt's collar was pulling against my throat.
The medium wheel caused a noticeable degree of discomfort for me, especially when I got to my lower back. The amount of pressure I felt was a lot, and made me nervous to try out the smallest wheel.
My wife tried it and had the same issue with the wheel sticking to her shirt, and she also said she couldn't tell if it was lining up with her spine or not. She said it felt like you had to already be in a physically fit, routine workout state for these things to work for you. Based on the degree of discomfort I felt on the medium wheel, the finickiness of the wheel clinging to fabric, and the fact that my wife couldn't really use them either, I wouldn't recommend this product.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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0points
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The newly developed pulsating brush removes more hair and pet hair than our other models. The flexible, vibrating and rotating brush performs 18,000 pulsations per minute.
Customer Rating
4
Handy Little Disinfecting Vacuum
on July 1, 2021
Posted by: cjviscito
from Dallas, TX
We have the Raycop Omni Power stick vacuum and my wife loves it, one reason because she loves using the UV disinfecting head. With a house full of pets and small kids, there's certainly a need to keep the couches, bedding, and cars clean.
That's where the handheld RN UV+ comes in.
As a corded vacuum, the RN UV+ maintains a good amount of suction and cleaning performance. My wife enjoys using it as well. Her comments were:
"I like it. Easy to use, fairly light weight. I was able to get into the crevices of the couch."
I used it to clean out dog hair from our van, it's the car that our dog rides in and he sheds A LOT. If you're familiar with the UV head on the Raycop Omni, then you'll know how to handle the RN UV+.
Because the beater brush design, this is not meant to be used on hard surfaces, just carpet, fabric furniture, or bedding. Emptying the debris cup is simple, just pull up on the debris cup and empty it. Returning the debris cup to it's place is as simple as placing it back in the top socket.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
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Meet Level Lock - Touch Edition, the world's smallest, most capable smart lock ever. In the footprint of a traditional lock, you can add effortless new ways for everyone to access your home.
Posted by: cjviscito
from Dallas, TX
I installed the Level Lock smart lock in our back door, we already have a smart lock installed on our front door.
The Touch Edition was the perfect solution because our handle / knob was separate from the lock. If you're looking for a lock that's connected to the handle, then the Level Lock Touch Edition isn't what you're looking for.
We wanted something that would work with Apple's HomeKit setup, due to security and privacy concern. We also wanted something we could unlock easily, and allow for guest access. We opted for the black color, as it was the closest to our darker bronzed door knob. The Touch Edition kit comes with:
- Full deadbolt replacement
- 2 keys
- 2 Level key cards
- Replacement strike plate
- 2 keys
- 2 Level key cards
- Replacement strike plate
Replacing our old deadbolt with the Level Touch Edition took less than 10 minutes. Simply remove the existing lock and strike plate and install the new lock and strike plate. From there, it was a simple task of downloading the Level app and linking it with HomeKit. The battery that comes with the Level Touch hides nicely inside the deadbolt.
That means that, even if the network goes down, or the battery dies, the lock will still work using the provided keys. The only real oddity that I've observed is that if the deadbolt doesn't detect a full deployment, the Home app will show the lock as "Jammed", even though the Level app shows the door is locked.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
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Say Hello to Cleaner, Fresher Indoor Air—24/7.Monitor and clean your air 24/7 with the Filtrete™ 310 Sq. Ft. Smart Air Purifier for Large Rooms from the most trusted HVAC filter brand in America*. These easy-to-use connected devices automatically improve the quality of the air you breathe, taking action when air quality issues arise at home. The devices also integrate seamlessly with the Filtrete™ Smart App, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and other smart home products.With so much bad stuff in our indoor air, why not choose an air purifier and filter to help keep your home’s air cleaner and fresher?Included with each Filtrete™ Smart Air Purifier is a True HEPA filter, which captures 99.97% of airborne particles**, such as allergens, dust, lint, mold spores, bacteria, viruses and pet dander. Plus, every filter is electrostatically engineered to pull in and trap microscopic airborne particles. Many of those particles are 1000x smaller than you can see.Give yourself some peace of mind with a sleek Filtrete™ Smart Air Purifier that automatically monitors, reacts and purifies air in large rooms.
Customer Rating
5
Keeps the air clean with minimum fuss
on May 27, 2021
Posted by: cjviscito
from Dallas, TX
I’m currently recovering from a bout of Sarcoidosis in my lungs, so I wanted to invest in a good air cleaner to have running in my office at home.
I’d tried some air purifiers in the past, but the ones that we used before always seemed to be covered in a chalky dust kind of residue if we left them running - so my wife wasn’t real keen on having another machine that has the same problem.
Happy to say, that with over a week under our belt, the Filtrete smart purifier is still going strong and I’ve noticed that I’m not coughing as much now that I’ve had it running for a bit.
The set up was simple, take it out of the box, download the Filtrete app, and off you go. You can actually monitor the performance of the air cleaner from your device and you also get a real-time status update about the air quality in the room.
I turned it on Medium when I first got it out, and let it run that way for a few minutes before switching it to auto. It’s staying on Auto since then. What was odd was there was one night where the air quality in my office spiked into the red - but it was between 11:30pm - 12:00am and I was in bed asleep, so didn’t even notice anything.
Because Filtrete is also a brand of air filters, you can also order a replacement directly from the app, which is nice because it saves a trip to the store, hoping you buy the right size. I’ve had it running for over a week now and I’m still above 80% of filter life left.
The amount of white noise it generates when it’s on Low speed is also something that’s not annoying, which is nice - but when it kicks up to Medium or High, you can certainly tell it’s running.
All in all, I’m happy with it so far and it’s been a comfort to know that the air I’m breathing during my recovery is being cleaned out a second time - once from our Filtrete AC filters, and then from the Smart Air Purifier.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience immersive entertainment options with this Sony 4K Blu-ray player. Its Ultra HD resolution provides exceptionally detailed screen images with increased brightness and more realistic color, and its support of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X provides cinema-quality sound. This Sony 4K Blu-ray player supports high-resolution audio formats for more accurate music reproduction.
Can this Sony Player connect to a soundbar receiver with blue tooth?
According to the specs, yes, you should be able to pair a unit with a Bluetooth soundbar - but to be fair, I didn't try it.
7 years, 4 months ago
by
cjviscito
Simplify your everyday life with the Google Home, a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant. Use voice commands to enjoy music, get answers from Google and manage everyday tasks. Google Home is compatible with Android and iOS operating systems, and can control compatible smart devices such as Chromecast or Nest."
What other device is need to turn lights off in your home?
You need a smart switch. Home natively supports Philips Hue - but if you have a WeMo switch like I do, you need to rely on the IFTTT app and write some if-then guidelines.
7 years, 10 months ago
by
cjviscito
Which HDMI cable is the best? Audio Quest,Monster Cable,RocketFish
There's really no difference right now between HDMI cables. With Monster, you're paying for the brand and really nothing else when it comes to HDMI cables.
Best Buy has some cables that are online only and are a great value. No noticable difference between the value cable and a 3' Monster cable that I had.
Best Buy has some cables that are online only and are a great value. No noticable difference between the value cable and a 3' Monster cable that I had.
14 years, 7 months ago
by
cjviscito
Dallas, TX