RalphHenry's stats
- Review count283
- Helpfulness votes448
- First reviewMay 28, 2015
- Last reviewJune 18, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.9
- Review comment count24
- Helpfulness votes28
- First review commentMay 28, 2015
- Last review commentJune 30, 2017
- Featured review comments0
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- Answer count61
- Helpfulness votes164
- First answerJune 30, 2015
- Last answerNovember 3, 2021
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- Best answers10
Keep files and passwords safe with Bitdefender Total Security 2018 software. It offers increased privacy with web browsing, so your information is protected from potential hackers, and it delivers multilayered ransomware defense for sensitive documents. Bitdefender Total Security 2018 software has game, movie and work modes, so it won’t interrupt you during an entertainment session.
Customer Rating
5
Thorough and Well Designed Security
on December 5, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Youngsville, NC
I installed Bitdefender easily and it immediately seemed very user friendly. You can select an ‘Autopilot’ mode and that will take care of most interactions you need with the tool. I did notice that like most, you have a quick scan and an in-depth scan. I do have Norton on some PC ‘s and McAfee on one and now Bitdefender on another. It was apparent that McAfee was slower and Bitdefender was the fastest of the three just based on doing different work and looking at the Task Manager for clues on CPU utilization – I know that is not absolutely scientific but Bitdefender did pass at least an eye test to be faster and bog your computer down less. I did research and in fact the ranking that I most frequently saw was Bitdefender first, Kaspersky, Norton and McAfee last – so that made sense. I did find that McAfee, Norton and Bitdefender did find the same problems and cleaned them up. I liked that Bitdefender also found out if you had down-level software programs and also let me know if I had Windows updates waiting. Some people will wonder if Bitdefender cleans up Rootkits and it does not, but it tells you it does not. However, you can get a free tool from Bitdefender to clean them up (if they are known) called Bitdefender Rootkit remover – think of comparable programs like Norton Power Eraser. You also have a complete suite of programs like Rescue Environment (Bitdefender Rescue Mode allows you to remove any viruses from your computer as well as scan all storage drives outside your operating system), Ransomware protection and so forth. It is the most complete security software I have used.
Another feature I liked was that Bitdefender has its own browser toolbar to act as a traffic cop for suspect sites. The Bitdefender toolbar is called Bitdefender Traffic Light and it adds a layer of security to your browsing experience – I liked it a lot, and you can add it in addition to Bitdefender or actually you can add it even if you don’t have Bitdefender installed.
The price is very user friendly as well. Take a look at more details here: https://www.bitdefender.com/media/html/2018/cl35off/?pid=35off&cid=aff|c|ir I was impressed with this program and would recommend it. I had heard of it, but never used it before. Check out the complete Bitdefender toolbox and I think you will also be impressed. I do recommend this program, specifically the Bitdefender Total Security version.
Another feature I liked was that Bitdefender has its own browser toolbar to act as a traffic cop for suspect sites. The Bitdefender toolbar is called Bitdefender Traffic Light and it adds a layer of security to your browsing experience – I liked it a lot, and you can add it in addition to Bitdefender or actually you can add it even if you don’t have Bitdefender installed.
The price is very user friendly as well. Take a look at more details here: https://www.bitdefender.com/media/html/2018/cl35off/?pid=35off&cid=aff|c|ir I was impressed with this program and would recommend it. I had heard of it, but never used it before. Check out the complete Bitdefender toolbox and I think you will also be impressed. I do recommend this program, specifically the Bitdefender Total Security version.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Polished and professional. That’s the impression you’ll make when you use Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. With a one-year subscription, you get the latest Acrobat software that always stays up to date plus Adobe Document Cloud services to prepare and share your company’s business documents. Get the complete solution for working with PDF documents at your desk, and use Document Cloud services to accomplish more when you’re on the go.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Intuitive Document Processing
on December 4, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Youngsville, NC
This program is outstanding. You will realize the power of Adobe Acrobat DC once you begin using it. An excellent way to start is to use the provided tutorials and built in ‘Help’ facilities; and also you can rely on YouTube videos for help. I have always been aware of PDF files and the free ‘reader’ and the fact you can’t edit them unless you have the editor that costs. But the cost is justified based on the abilities you will now have. Acrobat DC does allow you to create, export and sign PDFs anywhere. You will want to take advantage of the free Adobe Creative Cloud for storage.
The design of the program is very smart, for example when you edit text the program will match the fonts automatically including colors and styles. You can organize pages and easily rotate pages as needed or drag and drop to re-order content.
You can track and manage files and also get e-signatures to record that a document got a sign-off if needed – more of a business function, but it’s in there. You can convert Word and Excel files into PDFs. Operations are very intuitive especially if you are used to other tools like Adobe Photoshop Elements or MS Word. Tutorials you’d want to view are at: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/tutorials.html#fundamentals
I recommend this program if you have been frustrated with getting PDFs that you want to alter or if you basically need the ability to create and edit PDFs. It is well worth the effort to view the excellent tutorials provided by Adobe or others to become expert yourself.
The design of the program is very smart, for example when you edit text the program will match the fonts automatically including colors and styles. You can organize pages and easily rotate pages as needed or drag and drop to re-order content.
You can track and manage files and also get e-signatures to record that a document got a sign-off if needed – more of a business function, but it’s in there. You can convert Word and Excel files into PDFs. Operations are very intuitive especially if you are used to other tools like Adobe Photoshop Elements or MS Word. Tutorials you’d want to view are at: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/tutorials.html#fundamentals
I recommend this program if you have been frustrated with getting PDFs that you want to alter or if you basically need the ability to create and edit PDFs. It is well worth the effort to view the excellent tutorials provided by Adobe or others to become expert yourself.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Prepare delicious recipes with this Blendtec Designer 650s Blender. The Blendtec Designer Series uses all the power and performance that made Blendtec the choice of blending professionals, and combined it with a modern design with functionality taking Blendtec to a new level in performance blending. The Blendtec Designer Series is the all-in-one appliance that replaces many standard kitchen appliances with one fast easy-to-use machine. It will make smoothies, fresh whole juice, ice cream, margaritas, soups, sauces, bread dough, dressings, salsas, flours and more! Blending professionals have relied on Blendtec machines in the best coffee shops, juice bars, gyms, and restaurants around the world for producing the best, most consistent results in taste and texture. You can now enjoy the same results in your home.
Customer Rating
5
Powerful & State of the Art
on December 2, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Youngsville, NC
This blender has a simple powerful design. The motor is loud but if you use a blender to crush ice and really mix items it will be noisy anyway. The base sits very firmly on the counter so the blender stays solidly in place at all speeds. One of the most elegant features of this brute is the touch panel. You do get 8 speed ranges and a pulse area, but you also get several buttons to do things from light mixing to ice cream to hot soup. When you choose a speed a counter appears to tell you how many seconds have elapsed and if you want to stop you hit a lit up red 'X'. When you choose an icon like ice cream, it will go through a programmed cycle of speeds low then high to do the correct mixing - same thing for each icon, the blender will change speeds on its own to complete the desired type of blending. It will also count down the cycle on the displayed timer so you know when it will stop. A very important point is that the gear on the top of the base and the gear it meshes with on the bottom of the carafe are both strong metal not cheap plastic. In addition the gear has many beveled teeth. This means it is easy to mesh, has great interconnection and won't break. My wife and I made ice cream using the Blendtec recipes. In this case the recipes are incorrect. If you read feedback most people find the results are a thin milkshake instead of soft serve ice cream. A correct recipe for example would be 14 oz frozen strawberries, 3/4 cup half-and-half and 5 oz of sweetened condensed milk - the blender will turn this into ready to serve ice cream in under a minute. I was very pleased with this blender, it is a big step over the 'normal' blenders.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
Mobile Submission: False
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Automatically go from hundreds of mystery folders to a visual view in the photo and video Organizer. See your best photos thanks to auto-curation. Effortlessly extract candid photos from your raw footage. Make photos and videos look amazing with automated photo editing and video creation options. And create and share beautiful printed artwork, new dynamic slideshows, photo and video collages, animated GIFs*, and full-length movies. Being creative is even easier with the Elements bundle.
Customer Rating
5
Perfect Photo/Movie Editor for Home User
on November 21, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Youngsville, NC
I think this is the correct level of program for most users. PhotoShop Elements handles photos and Premier Elements handles movie making. They install separately from the same DVD or you can download them. Once installed though you can open either program and it will give you access to either application and also the Organizer (which you do want to use). I have found these programs are invaluable if you want to have fun and actually do something nice while editing your photos and videos. Adobe has three types of usage: Quick, Guided and Expert. You will find that as you use the features you will eventually use the Expert process which gives you full control over your editing. It isn’t apparent but you can install your purchase on 2 different PC ‘s. In my case I installed Photoshop Elements on one PC, then installed Premier Elements on another PC; I installed both on a third PC and they installed fine – a total of 2 installs of both applications. You do need to create an account on Adobe.
Editing photos is very easy yet you will find powerful options to modify photos using the automated methods or adjusting the various parameters. There are numerous videos to help you develop expertise easily. Just to give you a couple neat things to try: use the spot healing brush, try the guided black/white color pop and new in Elements 18 is the ability to open closed eyes in a photo – wow; and it works. As you make changes you can see the photo modifications occurring – very cool.
The Organizer can be used to manage all media files on your computer (not just those for your editing projects). The Organizer comes with a very strong search function so you can mark and tag things and easily find them later. You will be ahead if you do use the Organizer, it’s great.
This statement is somewhat subjective but having used a few other Photo Editors, this program was not only more powerful in function but also ran faster. It instantly moves what you want it to move and adds or takes away what you want taken away in a blink. Sometimes other programs will sit and spin a while to complete a function.
You can upload your finished movies to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, or your own website, burn to DVD discs using standard burners as well as share movies in high-quality 4K or AVCHD format. There are quite a few new function in Elements 2018, so you will be ahead by buying this latest version.
Premiere Elements comes with a range of presets to get video that looks really great on whatever device you use, from iPads, iPods, smart phones to big-screen 4K and HD TVs. You do need to watch a tutorial I think to get into video editing but it is not hard and Adobe makes it easy to do things like create a video collage with a mix of photos or speed up, time-lapse, slow down, add sound etc. You have the ability to isolate image components so that you can edit each independently. It’s just an easy and great system because the software is doing the work for you. I did find these two videos useful to learn quickly. One is on using layering which is essential to really getting into photo editing and the other is a quick one on movie editing, including adding sound and where to find sound/music files to integrate with your video. Also Adobe supplies lots of tutorials. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m75SySWX7L4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHIsnYX3LYA
These programs seem aimed at the home user with ease of use highest in the priorities; but you do have remarkable functions in the Expert modes. I recommend this photo and movie editing suite highly.
Editing photos is very easy yet you will find powerful options to modify photos using the automated methods or adjusting the various parameters. There are numerous videos to help you develop expertise easily. Just to give you a couple neat things to try: use the spot healing brush, try the guided black/white color pop and new in Elements 18 is the ability to open closed eyes in a photo – wow; and it works. As you make changes you can see the photo modifications occurring – very cool.
The Organizer can be used to manage all media files on your computer (not just those for your editing projects). The Organizer comes with a very strong search function so you can mark and tag things and easily find them later. You will be ahead if you do use the Organizer, it’s great.
This statement is somewhat subjective but having used a few other Photo Editors, this program was not only more powerful in function but also ran faster. It instantly moves what you want it to move and adds or takes away what you want taken away in a blink. Sometimes other programs will sit and spin a while to complete a function.
You can upload your finished movies to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, or your own website, burn to DVD discs using standard burners as well as share movies in high-quality 4K or AVCHD format. There are quite a few new function in Elements 2018, so you will be ahead by buying this latest version.
Premiere Elements comes with a range of presets to get video that looks really great on whatever device you use, from iPads, iPods, smart phones to big-screen 4K and HD TVs. You do need to watch a tutorial I think to get into video editing but it is not hard and Adobe makes it easy to do things like create a video collage with a mix of photos or speed up, time-lapse, slow down, add sound etc. You have the ability to isolate image components so that you can edit each independently. It’s just an easy and great system because the software is doing the work for you. I did find these two videos useful to learn quickly. One is on using layering which is essential to really getting into photo editing and the other is a quick one on movie editing, including adding sound and where to find sound/music files to integrate with your video. Also Adobe supplies lots of tutorials. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m75SySWX7L4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHIsnYX3LYA
These programs seem aimed at the home user with ease of use highest in the priorities; but you do have remarkable functions in the Expert modes. I recommend this photo and movie editing suite highly.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Listen to your favorite playlists with these Epic Air wireless earbuds. The special earhook delivers a precise fit to prevent slipping during intense workouts, and the touch-and-tap controls let you skip forward or back as needed. These Epic Air wireless earbuds come with a convenient charging case for storage and transport.
Customer Rating
5
Five Star for Experienced Ear-Budders
on November 20, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Youngsville, NC
These JLab Epic Bluetooth Earbuds get an A+ for innovation and sound quality. You get a charger that also can be used to charge other devices – I liked and used that unique and useful feature a lot. The sound is wonderful. Nonetheless, a mistake that JLab made which is getting them some bad reviews is relative to their documentation I think. The problem is you do need to use these earbuds a few days at least to ensure the electronics have sync’d on your head. You read that correctly – the shape and density of your head will matter. JLab buries an important note at the bottom of page-4 of their Quick Start Guide. It says these are smart earbuds and the connectivity will improve as you use them. Turns out this is very true. This note however should be on the front cover. Along with many users I got frequent losses of audio in the left earbud (I had used the right earbud to pair). I was about to give up on these earbuds when I saw the somewhat hidden note. I gave it a few more days and suddenly everything was fine. My title sated that you should be experienced users if you want these earbuds: the reason is the controls take a bit of getting use to so that they work precisely, but they will. The nice part of the controls is you have simplicity in the buttons but again you do need to be a bit more dexterous to use them especially if you are jogging. The pairing and power process is very easy. You do have an option to have the buds turn on and pair when you remove them from the charging case – a very useful feature. One other caution is to ensure you place the earbuds and press a little bit into the charging ports and then close the lid. I found a couple times that the left earbud did not charge fully, but if I took care to ensure they were seated in the case – no problems. I did remove the earbuds once and although the lights indicated full charge, the left earbud announced it was low on power after about 10 minutes. In the end I found that the earbuds charge fully and connect flawlessly so it may have been my bad. In summary they are outstanding now and fit so comfortable that I love this over the ear type of design – great. I would recommend these based on my final getting used to them and as I mentioned the buds need to get used to you also.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
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Enjoy clear audio without distraction while wearing these Plantronics BackBeat FIT wireless earbuds. They have a sweat-resistant coating and lightweight design that's comfortable to wear and stays in place as you exercise or lounge. These Plantronics BackBeat FIT wireless earbuds come with interchangeable tips in different sizes, providing a secure, noise-blocking fit.
Customer Rating
5
Comfortable and Crisp Clear Sound
on November 13, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Youngsville, NC
I've tried a lot of ear buds and this set has a very crisp clear sound with lots of treble, mid-range and base - more so than any others in this price range. It comes with 3 different sized earbud ear-plugs. I found this device to be so comfortable I forgot I had them on a couple times. The control functions are very simple and that's what I feel is the right approach/design for ear buds. It comes with a quick start guide and these instructions are all you will need. There is a nice pouch to hold the charging cable and the ear extra buds nicely. What may be a very desirable feature for a lot of people is the construction which seems immune to sweat and easily cleaned after a jog (I don't move fast enough anymore to use the word 'run'). No trouble pairing with android phone. The pricing is very nice for the quality of these ear buds. I was impressed with the volume, construction and most important the very nice sound. I would recommend these highly.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
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Clean every corner of your home with this Hoover Fusion Pet cordless vacuum. The One Pwr lithium battery delivers fade-free power for larger jobs, and fast charging speeds eliminate wait times between cleaning sessions. This Hoover Fusion Pet cordless vacuum includes several attachments for cleaning upholstery, crevices and other hard-to-reach areas.
Customer Rating
5
Higher Quality Cordless Vacuum
on November 8, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Youngsville, NC
This vacuum is well designed with a solid build. All components come apart easily and the dirt canister can be emptied in a snap. I did find I could cover 3 bedrooms, upstairs hallway, downstairs living room and wood kitchen floor using only 1/2 the charge. It did pick up a lot of our doggie’s pet hair. It is the first cordless vac I used that had adequate power. It will not clean as well as a wired vacuum especially in terms of fluffing the carpet, but it did a nice job more quickly. My wife liked the lower weight which can help you avoid the dreaded sweating when you vaccum (at least I do sweat bad for some reason). I stayed nice and cool using this lighter vac. It charges fast and came with some nice attachments. It is low profile so I could get under the cabinets in the dining room easily. It turns sharply and smoothly. One area it allowed me to vacuum easily was behind the brass bed head-board. I can’t get a wired vacuum to fit, but because this one has the long thin shaft I could take the power head off and get the dust bunnies up from back there – great.
I did install the included wall mounting kit. You are told to install so that the power head sits on the floor, this is important because the hook-like holder is not designed to hold the entire weight of the vacuum even though it is light. Be sure to pay attention to this instruction. The wall mount included a holder to attach 2 of your brush attachments. You also get an on-board holder to hold 2 more attachments. I noticed there is an optional attachment to do drapes, but you could make due with the attachments included. You can also make it into a hand vacuum for steps and car vacuuming – much better than other cordless hand helds.
Other cordless vacs I used were way too flimsy with terrible batteries – this one is the best I’ve used. Over all I loved this little guy and we are using it daily since it is so easy to grab and do a room quickly and it does a nice job. I do recommend it.
I did install the included wall mounting kit. You are told to install so that the power head sits on the floor, this is important because the hook-like holder is not designed to hold the entire weight of the vacuum even though it is light. Be sure to pay attention to this instruction. The wall mount included a holder to attach 2 of your brush attachments. You also get an on-board holder to hold 2 more attachments. I noticed there is an optional attachment to do drapes, but you could make due with the attachments included. You can also make it into a hand vacuum for steps and car vacuuming – much better than other cordless hand helds.
Other cordless vacs I used were way too flimsy with terrible batteries – this one is the best I’ve used. Over all I loved this little guy and we are using it daily since it is so easy to grab and do a room quickly and it does a nice job. I do recommend it.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Completely customize your Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat to match your lifestyle and decor. The ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostat lets you choose the temperature, schedule, display color and the devices you use to control it all.
Customer Rating
5
Easy to Install and Easy to Use
on November 3, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Youngsville, NC
Installation is easy if you take your time and match up the wires on your old thermostat with the new ones. I found that the holes in the wall were the same for the new thermostat as they were for the old so I suspect most installations will not require drilling new holes. I will give some detail that might help you if you do choose this thermostat which can work in a simple or more advanced mode. It also has WiFi built in so you can control it from anywhere.
This is a very well designed smart thermostat. It is easier to install than you might think. So don’t be afraid to tackle the job yourself. It can be programmed in a simple manner or you can use more advanced programming functions. All the installation and programming information is included in a very professional document. You get both a quick start guide and a more detailed installation and user guide.
One big plus is this unit does not use a battery. My current thermostat was a Trane branded unit with a rather dim black/white display and did use a battery for power. When the display got dim, you knew to put in more batteries. This always puzzled me since a furnace normally has a 24 VAC power connection that can easily be utilized to power the thermostat. Rest assured this thermostat does not need the battery as it does use this common power feed. Before you install the thermostat you will remove the cover off your old thermostat and take a photo so that you have a reference – this is all pointed out in the super easy instructions. Depending on if your furnace is single or two stage there will be 5 or 7 wires probably. The guide will take you through making the correct connections from your old thermostat to this new super bright color display. Here’s a tip if you have a Trane furnace with a Trane battery operated thermostat: you won’t see a wire labeled ‘C’ (which is the 24 VAC I mentioned. Instead you will see a connection to a ‘B’ terminal on your old thermostat. Don’t worry, take a quick look at your furnace (remove just the cover), and you will see the wires coming from the furnace to the thermostat. There will be a wire labeled ‘B/C’. This will most likely be blue in color and will be the wire you see connected to the thermostat labeled ‘B’. On your new Honeywell thermostat you will not see a ‘B’ terminal but you will see a ‘C’ terminal and that’s where this wire will go. All the others will be named identical on both thermostats. The guide was not clear on this point so I’m putting it down here. There are YouTube videos and other references you can find in addition to the provided installation guide to cover all kinds of furnaces including heat pumps and gas or oil fired. Another tip, be sure when connecting to the new thermostat that you push the wire fully into the appropriate connector, you will feel it pop in.
If you want your furnace person to do this, they can swap the thermostats in less than 10 minutes. It took me about 30 minutes going very carefully.
Configuring your furnace is easy as this unit provides very clear setup instructions right on the display. An example is that it will ask you if you have a single stage or dual stage furnace and if you select dual stage it will even say which wires you should have hooked up.
You can easily and very clearly set your heating and cooling temperatures and also can program functions for daily programming. It is very sophistacted in that if you set a start time, it will figure when to actually start the furnace or AC so that when your start time comes it will be at the temperature you set up – neat.
This device is a smart device and you can connect it to your home WiFi and control it from a PC, or a cell phone. You can connect remotely or just in your house. You do need to program in a MAC address and a MAC CRC, they provide both numbers. Another cool function is that it will automatically update its firmware over the WiFi.
You can customize screen colors, make holiday schedules and so forth. The comprehensive documentation makes it easy. This is one beautiful thermostat both in ease of use and functionality. I definitely recommend this one.
This is a very well designed smart thermostat. It is easier to install than you might think. So don’t be afraid to tackle the job yourself. It can be programmed in a simple manner or you can use more advanced programming functions. All the installation and programming information is included in a very professional document. You get both a quick start guide and a more detailed installation and user guide.
One big plus is this unit does not use a battery. My current thermostat was a Trane branded unit with a rather dim black/white display and did use a battery for power. When the display got dim, you knew to put in more batteries. This always puzzled me since a furnace normally has a 24 VAC power connection that can easily be utilized to power the thermostat. Rest assured this thermostat does not need the battery as it does use this common power feed. Before you install the thermostat you will remove the cover off your old thermostat and take a photo so that you have a reference – this is all pointed out in the super easy instructions. Depending on if your furnace is single or two stage there will be 5 or 7 wires probably. The guide will take you through making the correct connections from your old thermostat to this new super bright color display. Here’s a tip if you have a Trane furnace with a Trane battery operated thermostat: you won’t see a wire labeled ‘C’ (which is the 24 VAC I mentioned. Instead you will see a connection to a ‘B’ terminal on your old thermostat. Don’t worry, take a quick look at your furnace (remove just the cover), and you will see the wires coming from the furnace to the thermostat. There will be a wire labeled ‘B/C’. This will most likely be blue in color and will be the wire you see connected to the thermostat labeled ‘B’. On your new Honeywell thermostat you will not see a ‘B’ terminal but you will see a ‘C’ terminal and that’s where this wire will go. All the others will be named identical on both thermostats. The guide was not clear on this point so I’m putting it down here. There are YouTube videos and other references you can find in addition to the provided installation guide to cover all kinds of furnaces including heat pumps and gas or oil fired. Another tip, be sure when connecting to the new thermostat that you push the wire fully into the appropriate connector, you will feel it pop in.
If you want your furnace person to do this, they can swap the thermostats in less than 10 minutes. It took me about 30 minutes going very carefully.
Configuring your furnace is easy as this unit provides very clear setup instructions right on the display. An example is that it will ask you if you have a single stage or dual stage furnace and if you select dual stage it will even say which wires you should have hooked up.
You can easily and very clearly set your heating and cooling temperatures and also can program functions for daily programming. It is very sophistacted in that if you set a start time, it will figure when to actually start the furnace or AC so that when your start time comes it will be at the temperature you set up – neat.
This device is a smart device and you can connect it to your home WiFi and control it from a PC, or a cell phone. You can connect remotely or just in your house. You do need to program in a MAC address and a MAC CRC, they provide both numbers. Another cool function is that it will automatically update its firmware over the WiFi.
You can customize screen colors, make holiday schedules and so forth. The comprehensive documentation makes it easy. This is one beautiful thermostat both in ease of use and functionality. I definitely recommend this one.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Pair your morning jog with these Jaybird RUN wireless earbuds, and enjoy your music each step of the way. Bluetooth compatibility with multiple devices lets you share your playlist without the tangle of wires. These Jaybird RUN wireless earbuds are sweatproof and dirtproof to handle the worst of your workout.
Customer Rating
5
Super Comfortable Yet Stay Put
on October 28, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Youngsville, NC
These earbuds are outstanding. They are super comfortable yet they stay put because of their unique design and shape i.e they seem to 'hook' into your ears. Some thought volume was too low but you need to be sure both earbuds are playing; I had to power both on individually - they both have power on buttons. Also when you download and use the JayBird app, you need to pay attention to the text on the screen i.e. you start with the ear buds powered off, then power them on, but you 'keep holding the power on button' till it goes to pairing mode. It does say that, but at first you might think you need to just power on and wait for them to pair - they won't. Also the power on button is a toggle so it also powers the earbud off. The sound was fine, it is not concert hall, but when you are jogging the sound is very nice and being in stereo it is a full beautiful sound. I actually found I had to turn the volume down. The charging process is really cool. You put the earbuds in the special case, close the lid and use the supplied micro USB cord to charge them up. There are voice responses the earbuds say to tell you they are powered up fully or powered off or pairing - nice. If you are looking for a very solid and well designed system to use with your phone while jogging, this is the best I have seen.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Philips Norelco OneBlade Pro hybrid electric trimmer and shaver, QP6520/70 (14 length comb)
Customer Rating
5
Multi-purpose and Soft on the Skin
on October 17, 2017
Posted by: RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
This little buddy is a must have for me. I hope you appreciate the details I provide; but this shaver/trimmer fills an important grooming slot. First of all, it is solid and comes with just enough directions to understand the features and how to use it. However, there are Youtube videos on its predecessor that you might find useful also for this unit. It does have a charging feature where you can plug directly into the device or place it in an included stand – the connector works for both. When traveling you don’t need to take the stand and I found this minor design point as a major plus that you don’t see in other rechargeable units. It has an LCD screen to tell you the charge. In fifteen minutes of shaving it went down 5%. Normally I don’t take that long but this was my initial test. I shaved without the attachment and it does a great job although a razor would shave closer if you need baby- butt smooth. If you have some sensitivity like me, you will like just shaving with this unit with or without water and or shaving cream and throw away ones razor. I am getting older so pardon if this offends but I shave my ears a bit. It is dangerous with a razor but this unit is perfect and I love it. You can also shave your eyebrows and the bridge of your nose and even down your nose and under your nose easily and this avoids danger from a razor in those areas as well. Now the snap on device allows you to use this unit as a beard trimmer. I have a beard that is kept about 3 mm long. You can dial the length of the beard in mm. You will need to find the right setting for you. Worked perfectly at 4 mm for me. I noticed that against my Wahl beard trimmer this unit left the beard more even. So if your beard is a bit curly it does a great job too. I also used it to trim my mustache with the attachment. For the area above your mustache, I simply removed the beard trimmer part and it worked great. I highly recommend this unit – wonderful.
My Best Buy number: 0318219392
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-3points
0of 3voted this as helpful.
Only at Best Buy Dell Inspiron Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop: Enjoy the convenience of a tablet or the functionality of a computer with this Dell Inspiron Starlord laptop. The 15-inch touch screen makes viewing the small details on websites simple, and the Intel Core processor keeps the computer running commands quickly. This Dell Inspiron Starlord laptop has a backlit keyboard so you can type in the dark.
Overall
4 out of 5
4 out of 5physically shake the laptop? Warning
By Kevin
After looking for a powerful engineering laptop to meet my need, this Dell product is a great one. Design is great, sleek, and powerful. Has windows hello, hd screen and a 2 in 1. However it only has 2 USB ports. I wish dell would added more ports. Fast boot up with ssd, and a good backlight keyboard. However after a week of use, when I would hold the laptop and walk you could here a sound. Now this is when it is off. It seems that something is moving inside or it could be from the manufacture. So I returned it and sought to get the replacement. They opened the replacement and when they shaked it the same sound came from it. The best buy rep seemed to say its nothing and it does not matter where I presented this laptop to a computer engineer at my school, who told be its should not be doing that. Now the one on display did not have the defect. But it is amazing that a laptop of this power has this defect. So to wrap up, if you want to buy this laptop make sure to shake it. Seems weird but you don't want to end up loosing your money
RalphHenry
Raleigh, NC
Can Expand Number of USB Ports
February 10, 2017
As you say it has only one 2.0 and only one 3.0 USB port, but this is easily mitigated. For about $20 you can purchase a 4 port USB hub for when you may need added ports. You won't notice any speed difference. Here's one at BBuy: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-4-port-usb-3-0-hub-black/4333600.p?skuId=4333600 PS: My unit does not make any noise when you shake it, and unless it needs to turn on the fan it has zero noise in operation. I did the fan and it is noticeable but that's good since it is being turned on to ensure cooling.
-1point
0of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Passport® mini offers convenient amplification for any instrument or microphone. It's perfect for performances by street musicians and students, as well as a basic public address system for events and presentations. It goes anywhere thanks to its dual AC- or Battery-powered capabilities. It can even be used as a music media playback system or computer recording interface.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Great Little Amp & PC Software
By RalphHenry
from Raleigh, NC
This amp is tremendous. No hum and lots of adjustments that at first seem over whelming, but then you catch on and it is reasonably simply to operate. The Fender Fuse software is great. I played around and could hear the difference easily as I changed presets and effects. It is not powerful, but it does have 7 watts RMS, fine for in the house. The software is cool, anything you change on the computer changes the adjustments in the little amp flawlessly. First thing I did was follow the instructions to upgrade the firmware to pick up any fixes or enhancements. Then you just have a ball playing around. It does have a vocal and instrument channel as well as an IPOD or other input. I ran it on batteries as well as AC with the included adapter. It also includes your USB cable to connect to the computer. I'm not an expert so this helps me learn about a lot of effects and styles by letting you hear the differences. GREAT. If you are an experienced guitar player, you will probably have other amps but this one may be nice to practice and learn with.
RalphHenry
Raleigh, NC
Got Another One
February 16, 2017
I gave the first one to my Uncle. I got another one used from a friend that did not work. However it appears that only a loose wire was the cause so it is now fixed. Also did not work on battery power, but I found that the spring contacts for the batteries were smashed down and didn't actually make contact. Once I pulled the contacts out the unit began to work on battery power as well as AC. So if you find a unit not working on battery power check the contacts.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
We know pets makes messes. Whether it's tracked-in mud or bathroom accidents, BISSELL® ProHeat 2X® Revolution® Pet Pro Plus carpet cleaner handles those though pet messes with its exclusive Pet Pro Cleanup System. This system includes a CleanShot® pretreater to remove spots and stains; the 2-in-1 Pet Upholstery Tool to remove pet hair, stains and odors from upholstery, a trial-size of BISSELL® PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator formula, and an EZ Clean Brush Roll Cover to make maintaining the machine easy. When used in MAX Clean Mode, you get powerful cleaning that outcleans the leading rental*** and leaves carpet dry in about 30 minutes with Express Clean Mode.** All of this cleaning power comes in a lightweight and maneuverable machine with a low-profile foot that gets under furniture. But this machine doesn't just pick up after pets, it helps save them, too. 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.***Cleaning results based on ASTM F2828 using BISSELL PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator formula in MAX clean mode against the Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 carpet cleaner using their top selling formula.**Express Clean Mode (reference instruction in user guide). Tested on new carpet with protectant. Results may vary.
Overall
2 out of 5
2 out of 5Sadly, Very disappointed with this cleaner
By Laddie
Pros - Light weight and easy to maneuver - intuitive design makes it easy to use and nice design.
Cons - very low suction and seems to clog up after one use. No horsepower listed on the box and was told it was very powerful by a sales person.
The story - I went to Best Buy to purchase the Hoover SteamVac F7452-900 All Terrain Steam Cleaner with SpinScrub which is advertised being at the store. I have had the Hoover model for over 5 years and it has been an incredible workhorse typically using it twice a week. Strong suction and allowed for quick drying over large areas. We moved from a 6-bedroom home of 3,300 square feet to a 1,000 foot two bedroom two bath apartment. Didn't think I would need all the power of the Hoover but with two small dogs, well, they sometimes miss the puppy pads. I'm hoping I will be able to return the new Bissell for a Hoover.
BEST BUY - this is not a fault of Best Buy - they are a great store that carries quality items - unfortunately I didn't do the homework needed to evaluate this product adequately - I should have waited for the Hoover that I wanted...
Cons - very low suction and seems to clog up after one use. No horsepower listed on the box and was told it was very powerful by a sales person.
The story - I went to Best Buy to purchase the Hoover SteamVac F7452-900 All Terrain Steam Cleaner with SpinScrub which is advertised being at the store. I have had the Hoover model for over 5 years and it has been an incredible workhorse typically using it twice a week. Strong suction and allowed for quick drying over large areas. We moved from a 6-bedroom home of 3,300 square feet to a 1,000 foot two bedroom two bath apartment. Didn't think I would need all the power of the Hoover but with two small dogs, well, they sometimes miss the puppy pads. I'm hoping I will be able to return the new Bissell for a Hoover.
BEST BUY - this is not a fault of Best Buy - they are a great store that carries quality items - unfortunately I didn't do the homework needed to evaluate this product adequately - I should have waited for the Hoover that I wanted...
RalphHenry
Raleigh, NC
Must Vacuum First
May 10, 2017
I think I know why you might have less suction or clogging. I learned this the hard way. It is best to vacuum the carpet prior to using this machine - actually every carpet shampooer requires this step. You may have skipped doing this, but if not you may need to use the tool they include and slide it into the nozzle and remove any hair and other clogs. Anyway it worked great for me. The other area to check is the 'red filter' below the dirty tank, I noticed this gets pretty much completely covered and although you clean the tank you need to also clean this filter (see page 16 of the manual Step 5). Hope this helps.
+8points
8of 8voted this comment as helpful.
Kick your listening experience up to a whole new level with wireless JLab Audio Epic Bluetooth earbuds. The 10-hour battery life lets you enjoy your music all day, and crystal clear radical sound creates a smooth, precise and memorable listening experience. Get the most out of your music, phone calls and audio books with JLab Audio Epic Bluetooth earbuds.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5Cheap Materials, Bad Sound, Poor Quality Control
By ryanmcv
I wanted to like these, but JLab really dropped the ball with my set of Epic2 headphones. I'd normally list the pros first, but I'm so disappointed that I'm starting with the cons.
CONS:
- The Epic2s are supposed to come with 6 pairs of silicone ear tips. Well, I got 6 ear tips, but not 6 PAIRS of ear tips. My box only had 1 of each type of ear tip. Yes, I looked everywhere - inside the carrying case, in every plastic bag -- they're not there.
- After I removed the headphones from the box, I noticed that the black coating on the cord was starting to peel. This is probably because JLab forcefully bends the cord to fit it into the awkward box. Not a good first impression, and I'm sure it's only going to get worse.
- It's too bad that JLab didn't provide all of the ear tips, because the ones that come installed by default do not fit me well at all. They are way too small for my ears and slide out while I'm running. It would have been nice to try another set of ear tips, but I obviously can't do that.
- These things just aren't comfortable on my ears. The over-ear loops just feel awkward and don't allow much room for adjustment.
- The cord is just ridiculously long. The headphones come with 2 cable clips (which I actually got - yay!), but they are awkward to use and you're warned that using them might kill your Bluetooth connection. No thanks.
- The volume and track control buttons are horribly placed. I feel like I have to reach around and grab the back of my neck if I want to adjust the volume.
- Speaking of sound and volume, these headphones just don't sound good. They are way too bass-heavy and voices/dialogue sound extremely muted.
- The Epic2s are supposed to come with 6 pairs of silicone ear tips. Well, I got 6 ear tips, but not 6 PAIRS of ear tips. My box only had 1 of each type of ear tip. Yes, I looked everywhere - inside the carrying case, in every plastic bag -- they're not there.
- After I removed the headphones from the box, I noticed that the black coating on the cord was starting to peel. This is probably because JLab forcefully bends the cord to fit it into the awkward box. Not a good first impression, and I'm sure it's only going to get worse.
- It's too bad that JLab didn't provide all of the ear tips, because the ones that come installed by default do not fit me well at all. They are way too small for my ears and slide out while I'm running. It would have been nice to try another set of ear tips, but I obviously can't do that.
- These things just aren't comfortable on my ears. The over-ear loops just feel awkward and don't allow much room for adjustment.
- The cord is just ridiculously long. The headphones come with 2 cable clips (which I actually got - yay!), but they are awkward to use and you're warned that using them might kill your Bluetooth connection. No thanks.
- The volume and track control buttons are horribly placed. I feel like I have to reach around and grab the back of my neck if I want to adjust the volume.
- Speaking of sound and volume, these headphones just don't sound good. They are way too bass-heavy and voices/dialogue sound extremely muted.
PROS:
- They turn on and connect to Bluetooth as expected.
- Comes with a nice carrying case.
- Battery life estimate of 12 hours seems to be accurate.
- They turn on and connect to Bluetooth as expected.
- Comes with a nice carrying case.
- Battery life estimate of 12 hours seems to be accurate.
OVERALL:
I've emailed JLab to see about getting replacement ear tips, but even with those, I think I'll still avoid these headphones. I wouldn't want the cord to start peeling apart mid-workout. The title of this review says it all: these headphones are made from cheap materials, have bad sound quality, and apparently go through minimal quality control processes. Avoid at all costs.
I've emailed JLab to see about getting replacement ear tips, but even with those, I think I'll still avoid these headphones. I wouldn't want the cord to start peeling apart mid-workout. The title of this review says it all: these headphones are made from cheap materials, have bad sound quality, and apparently go through minimal quality control processes. Avoid at all costs.
RalphHenry
Raleigh, NC
Just on the ear tips
June 30, 2017
I know you said they were not included and you looked hard, but I found the small bag with one half of the ear tips and on the placard the other half of each size were connected in the cardboard. I would agree it was odd packaging. But I have a feeling that you might (just maybe) have easily tossed them, baby-with-bath-water style.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
RalphHenry's Questions
RalphHenry has not submitted any questions.
Cut The Cord with AirTV Player. Stream movies, TV, music and other content using a wide range of apps, including Netflix, SlingTV, Google Play and many more from the Google Play Store all with AirTV Player. AirTV’s streaming platform integrates local over-the-air (OTA) programming with your streaming services. The AirTV Adapter and an OTA antenna provide local channels like ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX, without a monthly cable bill.
I’m confused. How/ where does it get ota channels? Is there an antenna that comes with it? Similar to the digital antenna I use now for local channels? Or does it get the local ota channels and stream to device via the internet?
It does not get the OTA channels over the internet. You would use the same OTA antenna you may be using with a 'converter' box. There is a 75 ohm cable connector on the SlingTV box and that is where you connect the OTA antenna. This replaces the converter box you may know but has the ability to also get streaming content for channels you subscribe to via the SlingTV account and also Netflix etc. The beauty is you can integrate all these sources of content into one 'MyTV' listing if you like, and be able to see a guide to what's on on the subset of channels you like (or all the channels from all sources if you like). Pretty neat.
6 years, 3 months ago
by
RalphHenry
Add color to your decorative lighting with this Philips Hue LED candelabra bulb. Its E12 profile fits chandeliers and accent lamps, and it pairs with a Hue Bridge device for integrated wireless control with your smart home system. Set a desired white light brightness or color ambience on this Philips Hue LED candelabra bulb via the Philips Hue app.
Why does Phillips say these bulbs are a standard e 12 chandelier bulb and you are calling B39?????
B39 is the shape and E12 is the socket size. Sometimes the shape will matter.
6 years, 6 months ago
by
RalphHenry
Automatically go from hundreds of mystery folders to a visual view in the photo and video Organizer. See your best photos thanks to auto-curation. Effortlessly extract candid photos from your raw footage. Make photos and videos look amazing with automated photo editing and video creation options. And create and share beautiful printed artwork, new dynamic slideshows, photo and video collages, animated GIFs*, and full-length movies. Being creative is even easier with the Elements bundle.
Do you have to purchase a monthly or annual subscription in addition to the software?
No you do not. Further you can install on 2 different PC's.
6 years, 6 months ago
by
RalphHenry
Clean every corner of your home with this Hoover Fusion Pet cordless vacuum. The One Pwr lithium battery delivers fade-free power for larger jobs, and fast charging speeds eliminate wait times between cleaning sessions. This Hoover Fusion Pet cordless vacuum includes several attachments for cleaning upholstery, crevices and other hard-to-reach areas.
Mine recently stopped working and I just bought it a minth ago. I’m not sure why. Help!
You might want to be sure the battery was in the charger properly and got charged. Also check to ensure the connections aren't corroded or dusty. Good luck.
6 years, 7 months ago
by
RalphHenry
Completely customize your Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat to match your lifestyle and decor. The ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostat lets you choose the temperature, schedule, display color and the devices you use to control it all.
This looks like the same thermostat a professional installed at my last home. I'd like to add one to another zone in the same residence. Is the version sold and installed by HVAC companies the same as the one sold at Best Buy?
I can only say that the one the professional installed for my sister with her new furnace was the Honeywell Lyric T5 at $150 or so. This one is $200. Both are hooked up exactly the same way. Both have WiFi. I think the $200 looks sharper, felt sturdier and has some more advanced features but either one can program AC/Heat. Both are sold by Best Buy. Your professional will install this one if you buy it and tell him to use this nicer one.
6 years, 7 months ago
by
RalphHenry
Only at Best BuyExperience crystal clear sound for music and movies without the tangled wiring with this Insignia Bluetooth speaker system. A multifunctional control pod puts volume and balance in the palm of your hand, and the included subwoofer delivers spot-on bass. This Insignia Bluetooth speaker system is compatible with enabled smartphones and tablets.
Hi, I just brought these speakers and it appears that the right speaker is not working some reason. And it appears that my tv is picking up the speaker. I mean it is not showing up in the devices. Can you help me?
My guess on the right speaker missing is that your jack is worn and maybe only one of the stereo channels is getting connected on one end or the other - try a new patch cord. I didn't have a problem pairing this with a PC and an android phone, so I'm guessing you need to be sure the TV is looking for any Bluetooth devices. You don't say whether the Audio Pro paired with your phone for example? When I have trouble pairing I power on/off both devices sometimes that helps. Also don't hit the pair button a bunch of times, just hit it once. Hope this helps.
6 years, 8 months ago
by
RalphHenry
Take your productivity to a new level with this Dell XPS tower PC. The Intel i7-7700 processor and 16MB of RAM provide lots of power, while the easy-open chassis and expansion slots are ready for future upgrades. This Dell XPS tower PC has nine USB slots, including seven USB 3.1 ports, and a 1TB hard drive for ample file storage.
Since there is no graphics card, I'm curious to the max resolution. My Dell monitor is capable of 2560x1440. Will I need an add on card to get this resolution?
No, it works with that resolution because that's what I am using with HP Pavilion 32” with 2560 x 1440 QHD resolution - beautiful video, photo and text.
6 years, 10 months ago
by
RalphHenry
Take your productivity to a new level with this Dell XPS tower PC. The Intel i7-7700 processor and 16MB of RAM provide lots of power, while the easy-open chassis and expansion slots are ready for future upgrades. This Dell XPS tower PC has nine USB slots, including seven USB 3.1 ports, and a 1TB hard drive for ample file storage.
What is the size of the Optane memory on this computer?
When I used the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST) application I saw 13GB for the Optane and 993GB for the HDD. The Optane memory card is separate hardware that is paired with the HDD, but you probably knew that.
6 years, 10 months ago
by
RalphHenry
Get seriously clean floors without the effort thanks to this Roomba robot vacuum. It automatically navigates across your carpet or vinyl while avoiding hazards and keeping track of its location all the while picking up dirt, debris and mess. Automatic recharging keeps this Roomba robot vacuum powered so that it's ready to go.
What is the best app to use to control th e model 890?
Best app is iRobot . But you may see others, pick the one that is a Green solid ball with a white iR symbol inside.
6 years, 10 months ago
by
RalphHenry
Listen to powerful audio with these black Sony EXTRA BASS Bluetooth headphones. The built-in Bluetooth connection and 30-hour battery life let you enjoy music and podcasts wirelessly, and the extended sound range and EXTRA BASS features deepen lower notes. These Sony EXTRA BASS Bluetooth headphones feature swiveling earcups for comfortable wearing.