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    June 27, 2012
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    August 27, 2015
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    January 9, 2014
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BillFromKC's Reviews
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Dumbbells are made with heavy-duty rubber heads to minimize noise, mitigate typical wear & tear to the equipment and your floor. Rubber hex design prevents the dumbbell from rolling and chrome plated handles are ergonomically fit for any grip or hand type. 35mm diameter handle.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
They're weights, and they're great.
on December 4, 2020
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
I received this product in exchange for my fair and unbiased review, and it'll be short.
Tru Grit's Hex Rubber-Coated dumbbells are terrific. They don't roll away, they don't mark your floor horribly if you drop them as long as it's an impact-resistant flooring material, the metal grips in the handles don't tear your hands to shreds and are easy to clean, and they're free weights which is the best kind of exercise weights to use.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
The sound bar for those with small spaces or minimalistic tendencies. The compact Yamaha SR-C20 sound bar fits easily in whatever space is available and can be wall-mounted for even more possibilities. Setup is easy with a simple connection to your TV while Bluetooth lets you stream wirelessly from your mobile devices.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Great overall sound bar, but not without problems
on November 28, 2020
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
I received this product in exchange for my fair and unbiased review.
TL;DR - The SR-C20A is a compact, elegant sound bar but creates a big, full sound in small to medium spaces - offices and bedrooms - once you enable the surround mode. It has deep bass that, while not external subwoofer-punchy, reaches very low before dropping off, and is controllable via a phone app, something that other sound bars in this class seem to lack. It has a remote that doesn't feel cheap, unlike some. other options that are similarly priced. There is also plenty of switchable connectivity - optical input, analog (3.5mm aux jack) input, Bluetooth connection, and HDMI ARC (for TVs that support this feature). The more major of its two drawbacks is if you plan on using HDMI ARC to connect this to your TV, it lacks a pass-through so you lose that HDMI port - but don't worry, you don't need to connect this to your TV via HDMI at all as long as you don't care about the automatic power on/power off that HDMI enables. Also, the power adapter is of the "line lump" variety; I like to see integrated power supplies since it gives a cleaner look. All in all, it's a good sound bar with great audio quality and few shortcomings on connectivity and design.
Unboxing and first impressions:
Pop a couple of seals and tabs on the box and you'll open to find the power cord, an AC adapter (output of 20 volts @ 42 watts/2.1 amps), an optical cable, instructions and other literature (including a template and most of the hardware needed for wall mounting), and a remote all wrapped in plastic. Supported by foam on both ends of the box and wrapped in a soft foam sheet is the sound bar itself. Nothing too extraordinary, though the inclusion of an optical cable is a nice addition. I would have liked to also see an HDMI cable and a set of cables for analog input (3.5 to 3.5 cable and a 3.5 female to RCA L/R male adapter would be nice here).
Setup is pretty straight-forward. You pop the battery tab out of the remote, you remote a piece of plastic film from the control buttons on top of the sound bar, you connect the power and whichever input cables you need (I tested out all three inputs and bluetooth), and you'll also want to download the app "Yamaha Sound Bar Remote" to your smartphone. (Note that there is also an app called "Yamaha Sound Bar Controller" that doesn't work with this sound bar.)
The SR-C20A itself looks premium, overall. Matte black plastics with a glossy black control center on top and black cloth speaker grill that wraps around the front, sides, and top gives this an elegant look whether it's on or off. The 5 front panel LEDs glow white, with the Bluetooth indicator glowing blue when it's connected to a phone or other device. The LEDs are also used to indicate volume level as you turn the system volume up and down. Using the Sound Bar Remote app, you can turn the indicator LEDs to an off, dim, or bright setting when they're inactive.
The remote is good. It's not perfect, but when it comes to remotes that come with sound bars, it's definitely better than what I'm used to seeing. It's roughly the same size as an iPhone 5 series or iPhone 12 Mini, and even though it doesn't weigh a lot, it feels pretty substantial. The plastic is strong, the buttons feel just right for a remote, and the curve makes it comfortable to hold. While I'm not a fan of coin cell batteries for remotes, the CR2025 in it should last a very long time before needing replacement.
Usage and performance:
Sound quality is good overall, as long as you have one of the three surround sound modes activated. The unaltered stereo mode sounded very "narrow" and lacked bass punch, even with the subwoofer turned up. The three surround modes - Standard, Movie, and Game - each filled the sound out in their own way. Standard mode gave all the music I threw at it - orchestra, jazz, hip-hop, and metal - a feeling of space as you listened, spreading out as if you were listening on a far larger audio system. Movie mode did the same for special effects in Black Hawk Down, the Matrix, and Ralph Breaks the Internet, while clearly defining where the center channel should be in the room. Gaming mode did introduce an even more well-defined center channel but at the expense of the expansive surround of Standard mode not being as strong - not that it's a bad thing if you decide to use this sound bar for your gaming battle station instead of a TV.
As far as testing goes, I did put this through its paces with a few movies, some TV shows, gaming on PC, and gaming on an iPhone with Bluetooth audio.
TV shows with studio audiences - game shows like Jeopardy, sitcoms like Everybody Loves Raymond, and even older fare like Full House - gave you the feeling that the actors were in front of you while the audience was behind you as long as you were in Standard or Movie surround mode. Dramas like House and The Morning Show, and the movies I tested with had clear dialog, music that didn't drown out the dialog, and the environmental effects were expansive while in movie mode; with the movies, the effects didn't have the bass punch you'd feel from a separate high-power subwoofer, but you could still hear it. One thing I usually have issues with - musical acts on TV - didn't have the problem I normally have with audio, where instruments drown out the vocals.
Playing a few FPS games, you could get a real feel for where the action and your enemies were since the Game mode audio does a good job of helping you pinpoint where things would be. Again, the audio wasn't as punchy as if you were using a speaker set with a high-powered subwoofer, but in this case, it doesn't need to be.
As for Bluetooth performance, I'm very impressed. Testing with an iPhone 11, music from Apple Music, Pandora, and SoundCloud sounded good; videos from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and Twitch sounded good; but perhaps the most impressive thing was nearly imperceivable audio lag while playing games; many Bluetooth devices have a slight lag and the SR-C20A just did not have one I noticed no matter what I played. It also supports multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, meaning you can have this sound bar connected to your phone and someone else's phone, tablet, or other device that supports Bluetooth audio output simultaneously; however, you'll only be able to play back from one device at a time.
Now for the downsides:
The power adapter isn't integrated into the unit. If you're placing the sound bar in or on a TV stand that's normally pushed to the wall, or you're connecting it to a wall-mounted TV, you'll need to account for hiding the power adapter. This could be alleviated with a sound bar that has an integrated power supply.
This is yet another sound bar with HDMI ARC connectivity but no HDMI input. What this means is if you have a TV with 3 HDMI ports, you lose one as a video input to this. Going a step further, the instruction manual recommends running an HDMI cable between this sound bar and your TV even if your TV doesn't support ARC. Chances are that if your TV doesn't support HDMI ARC, your TV doesn't have HDMI CEC correctly implemented as well.
Conclusion:
The Yamaha SR-C20A is a solid sound bar. Compared to others in its class, it offers more and better features including switchable inputs, multipoint Bluetooth, an integrated subwoofer, and app control capability. The unit looks great and sounds great. The only drawbacks are the power adapter and the lack of HDMI pass-through. Otherwise, this is the best sound bar I've used in this class in an overall.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
2of 3voted this as helpful.
 
The ROCCAT Elo 7.1 Air Wireless Surround Sound PC Gaming Headset with 24hr Battery Life and AIMO RGB Lighting boasts ROCCAT’s Stellar Wireless technology for data transmission as reliable as wired and a battery life that lasts the typical gamer over a week thanks to a 24-hour rechargeable battery. Gone are the days of compromising when going wireless, as the Elo 7.1 Air marks a new dawn for cable-free gameplay with its impressive feature set. Its 7.1 surround sound is powered by precision-tuned 50mm Neodymium drivers and features Turtle Beach’s Superhuman Hearing technology - proven to improve your gameplay by 40%. Superior memory foam and a self-adjusting metal headband give you a unique, weightless fit that’s full of style thanks to RGB AIMO lighting. The removable TruSpeak mic completes the package of a high-end wireless gaming headset. ROCCAT takes unique advantage of exclusive technologies as a proud member of the Turtle Beach family including Superhuman Hearing, ProSpecs Glasses Friendly Design and a TruSpeak microphone.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Pretty good headset but some limitations
on October 20, 2020
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
I received this product in exchange for my fair and unbiased review,
So since I was given the opportunity to review this Roccat ELO wireless gaming headset, I put it through its paces. Classics like Postal 2 and Star Wars Pod Racer, newer titles like Rise of the Tomb Raider and Doom Eternal. Bass-heavy techno, dynamic classical, booming hip-hop, and hard-hitting rock. A zoom call. The ELO wireless headset handled all of those with ease while being comfortable. However, I did have some cutout problems between 15 and 20 feet, including one complete drop and reconnect of the wireless signal. So for those sitting at a desk who don't want yet another wire running from their computer, these are great.
-----------------------------------------------
Unboxing and setup:
These were packaged nicely, with a detachable microphone and USB-C charging. This headset requires a proprietary dongle to use; no Bluetooth here. Once connected, you'll want to install the Roccat Swarm software in order to update firmware, changing the lighting, and adjusting sound settings.
Sidenote - other wireless headset makers need to get on the USB-C train, as it makes charging the headset easier.
-----------------------------------------------
Usage:
The ELO is comfortable. I had mine on for 2 hours without noticing too much weight on my head. Battery life also seems fine. My problem was when I tried it with my living room machine, the connection would drop every few minutes. Of course, this is over a distance of 15 feet instead of the typical 5-6 feet at a computer desk.
It didn't matter what sort of audio I threw at the ELO, the drivers could handle anything I threw at them. The powerful soundtrack of the classic Star Wars Pod Racer, the multiple explosions in Postal 2 after getting the rocket launcher, to newer titles like Doom Eternal and Among Us all sounded great. Music also sounded good through these headphones, from hip-hop to rock to classical to electronic. The only problem I had was the volume would continually drop and raise if it were set to maximum, and I couldn't figure out how to defeat this setting.
RGB lighting does add a bit of nifty factor to these headphones.
Roccat's Swarm software allows for adjusting the lighting and the sound quality. First thing first is that the 7.1 virtual surround is underwhelming. The EQ also isn't exactly intuitive and you have to click apply to hear your settings changes.
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All in all, the Roccat ELO wireless headset is a nice value for what it is. While some advertised features are underwhelming, audio quality is terrific and comfort is top notch. Definitely a wireless headset I could recommend.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
The ROCCAT Vulcan TKL is a tenkeyless variant of the award-winning Vulcan family. This smaller form factor means gamers have room for a larger pad and can use a bigger range of a mouse movements, ultimately giving them greater accuracy. The linear Titan Switch Mechanical delivers the industry’s best in speed and responsiveness. The switch adds to a comprehensive feature set that gamers know and love. The low-profile design is engineered for comfort and to reduce fatigue. Impressive durability and build quality thanks to its reinforcing black anodized aluminum top plate, switches rated to 100 million keystrokes, dedicated mixer-style audio controls and per-key AIMO RGB lighting.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Goof for gaming, decent for everything else
on October 19, 2020
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
I received this product in exchange for my fair and honest review.
Some of you may not be familiar with Roccat as a brand, but I am. I've owned a couple of their mice previously and I've always been satisfied with them. So when the opportunity arose for me to try out the Roccat Vulkan TKL keyboard, I took it.
I have to say that I'm overall impressed with its gaming performance and backlighting, that I found it pleasant to type on overall, but I wasn't wowed with the Roccat Swarm software that allows for programming macros and setting up the way the keyboard looks as it lacked intuitiveness. USB-C as a breakaway connecter was a definite plus though.
-----------------------------------------------
Unboxing and setup:
The keyboard and cable were packed nicely, the keyboard in a plastic wrapper and the cable tucked away in its own little pocket. The cable came with the added bonus of a velcro strap for holding it together during storage.
The keyboard connects to the cable with a USB-C connector. The other end of the cable plugs into your computer with a USB-A connector. You'll then want to install the Roccat Swarm software, which is a quick download from Roccat's website. Once installed, you'll be able to update firmware and configure the lighting to how you want it to look; this unit can set lighting on a per-key basis to any one of more than 16 million colors.
The Swarm software itself is somewhat unintuitive for the keyboard. I wanted to do a teal gradient across the keyboard and wasn't able to do so, but did manage to set a mode that made keypresses seem like fireworks on the keys themselves.
While playing games, the keyboard was extremely comfortable to use in gaming. The buttery-smooth Titan switches - which are linear and feel like a good version of a red switch - reacted properly. Ghosting also didn't seem like an issue, as pressing more than 4 keys didn't cause anything to stop working.
It's also a decent productivity keyboard but you'll have to elevate your hands from your desk to use it comfortably.
-----------------------------------------------
Disappointments:
None too serious. I just wish my keyboard kept its settings between reboots. Also, a C-to-C cable in the package would be nice.
-----------------------------------------------
In closing, I can recommend this keyboard to the avid gamer.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
eufy Security Wired 2K Video Doorbell. 2K Resolution, 5-Day Continuous Video Recording (CVR) on Secure Local Storage, No Monthly Fees, Human Detection, 2-way Audio, and Free Wireless Chime included.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Great alternative that doesn't need a subscription
on October 16, 2020
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
TL;DR - If you want a video doorbell with a lot of smart features but without the added expense of monthly service fees, the Eufy Security wired 2k video doorbell is the unit for you. Picture quality is amazingly crisp, audio quality is good for one of these units, the night vision works well, and the smart features like detection zones and motion sensitivity work very well. The associated app, Eufy Security, is easy to understand and walks you through the setup of the device. The remote chime works well. Installation nis a breeze. The only downside is there is no way to use your existing wired door chime with this unit, but that’s not such a big deal since it comes with a plug-in wireless chime.
——————————————————
Unboxing and setup:
The unit comes nicely packaged with everything you’ll need for installation. Included in the package is a flat mounting plate, an optional-to-use angled wall plate, a wiring extension adapter with spade terminals, a chime power bypass kit, and even extra screws. You’ll want to have a drill with an appropriate bit for your installation (wood bit for siding, metal bit for storm door frame, masonry bit for brick or flat stone work) and a small screwdriver.
Before you start on the front door, make sure your doorbell wiring is set to bypass the chime completely. You can accomplish this with the chime bypass kit or by wiring the power leads to your door directly to the transformer outputs.
Now that you're working on the doorbell itself, you'll want to make sure you set up an account with Eufy Security before you mount the video doorbell unit. once the app is setup and logged in, you'll go to add the doorbell and it'll ask to scan a QR code on the back of the doorbell unit itself. Once you do that, it walks you through the entire installation process within the app. Once you’re installed and the unit is powered on, you’ll be walked through WiFI setup. You can optionally configure the unit to use the wireless chime that comes in the package - which takes literally 5 seconds to do - but it’s not required for use unless you want a chime inside your home.
The other part of setup is in the app itself - motion settings and sound settings for the device. It’s very intuitive and simple to do. You can make sure that cars and animals passing by don’t give you an alert every single time with ease, or you can make it so sensitive that insects basking in the glow of the IR emitter set it off, your choice.
——————————————————
Usage:
I can’t speak for Alexa integration, but I can for Google integration - casting to my Chromecast-enabled TVs worked with ease. The app played back live and recorded video with ease, and it kept record of whenever people would walk up to the house for those particular moments. Motion sensing works well, letting you know when someone’s walking up so you can answer the door without answering the door. Visuals, both during the day at at night, are crystal-clear no matter if you’re viewing on a small phone like an iPhone SE (first gen) or iPhone 6s, or a larger phone like an iPhone 11 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy Tab 20.
Ringing the bell causes the wireless chime to ring immediately, and that chime has a working range of at least 25 feet, even with an aluminum frame and stone wall in the way.
The unit comes with 32GB of built-in storage, enough for 5 days worth of video.
The only problem I had was getting the device to lock in place; the bigger the opening your doorbell wiring is coming out of, the easier this will be for you.
——————————————————
Issues:
My biggest issue is I was hoping to use this chime with a newly-restored Rittenhouse longbell unit, but Eufy has no provision to use an existing chime with its doorbell. Not a huge problem because I can always wire up a set of buttons to play the bell itself, but this could be a drawback to those of you who don't want to use a door chime that plugs into the wall. Even a device that could connect in-place to the existing chime and take advantage of the wireless signal the doorbell puts out would be great in this regard.
Installation can be a little tight. as there's not much room to tuck wires within the assembly.
The wide angle lens is really wide and the IR emitter is very bright. If your door is like mine where the unit will set back an inch or two into the door opening, consider getting a small block of wood to help set the unit out further. Your night time camera range will thank you.
——————————————————
Closing thoughts:
Eufy Security’s wired 2k video doorbell is a very solid contender in this space. Because you only have the up-front cost of purchasing the unit, you don’t have to worry about monthly fees like you do with other providers. Easy installation and solid performance are hallmarks of this device. Do I recommend it? Yes I do.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Operate your computer seamlessly with the Logitech K845 Full-size Wired Mechanical Linear Keyboard. The curved construction and angled keys enable comfortable data entry, while the illuminated design lets you easily find keys in the dark. This corded Logitech mechanical keyboard has red switches for responsive performance during gaming and typing, and the aluminum top case offers durability.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Buttery-smooth mechanical goodness but held back
on October 8, 2020
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
I received this product in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
Logitech's K845 is a prime example of where the hardware is awesome but the user experience comes up just short of perfect. You have super smooth linear mechanical switches in the keyboard instead of the typical membrane domes you find in most non-"gaming" keyboards that lead to a typing experience better than pretty much any keyboard that comes standard with a desktop or all-in-one computer today. You get the added bonus of backlighting that has multiple modes and is set by a hotkey as to what mode it's using (solidly lit, bright-on-stroke, chasing backlight, twinkling backlight, and "breathing" backlight). Is it noisier than the keyboard that comes with your desktop or AIO PC? Yes. But it's a good tradeoff as it's not as loud as most mechanical keyboards, especially those with the "clicky" switches.
Where it comes up short is the settings are all handled in a very unintuitive way on the keyboard - you press FN+F12 to change the backlight mode. This could have been done in software instead, especially since the backlighting is individually addressable (which could have made for neat user settings).
All in all, it's a great keyboard but it just gets held back in the user experience. If the backlighting was software-controlled instead of hotkey-controlled, it would be a much better user experience. I can still recommend it though as it's not super-flashy like the majority of backlit keyboards are.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Transmit audio and video with this j5create HDMI over wireless extender. Wi-Fi connectivity enables high-speed data transmission to your HDMI-enabled TV set, HDTV or projector up to 200 feet away with low latency. This j5create HDMI over wireless extender is compatible with macOS, iOS, Windows and Android devices for versatility.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Works pretty well for what it is.
on October 2, 2020
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
(I received this product in exchange for my fair and honest review.)
J5create's HDMI over Wireless extender kit is a pretty handy piece of kit for those of you who fall into either category:
1) You want to use the secondary HDMI output (mirrored or zoned) from your home theater receiver to power a second TV elsewhere in your home, but you don't want to deal with running a HDMI cable or cabling for an HDMI balun kit, and
2) You installed your TV on a mantle or somewhere else not exactly close to where your AV equipment is, and now you want to connect it in a way where wires aren't seen.
This kit solves those issues for you, at least if you're okay with (or using equipment that outputs) 1080p video with none of that fancy HDR or Dolby Vision stuff. It also works over decent distances flawlessly; I used it with a HDMI-capable computer monitor with approximately 40 feet between the transmitter and receiver, and the picture quality was nearly as good on the computer monitor as it was on the TV set. Setup wasn't plug and play for me, as I had to re-pair the units with each other out of the box, but re-pairing the units is easy, only requiring a pin to press a reset switch.
It also comes with the ability to repeat your remote between the receiver and transmitter, so you can keep equipment in another room or behind a closed door. (Make sure that your AV equipment is always adequately cooled.)
Is there a drawback to using the HDMI over wireless extender kit? Yes - the lag is just enough to through off some fast-paced games (Mortal Kombat 11 on PC, for example, wasn't as smooth for single-player over wireless as it was over wired). But even in high-paced action sequences, I didn't notice any motion artifacting like what earlier HDMI over wireless kits or cheap HDMI baluns (devices that connect HDMI over longer distances than HDMI cables should run using a pair of CAT6 or better network cables) can cause.
Do I recommend this? If you're good with 1080p and HDMI 1.3 features, then this is fine. If you're using it with AV equipment that only supports 1080p signals, then yes. I'm using this set to run a second zone output from my home theater receiver to a 1080p TV in my basement, so I don't have to deal with running about 75 feet of ethernet cabling to use a Roku, Apple TV, and cable box while I'm down there.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Offering the ultimate true-wireless experience for any fitness-loving audiophile, JLab Epic Air Sport ANC offers customized sound and active noise canceling plus industry-leading 70+ hours playtime. Transition from gym to calls, work to a run effortlessly with features like wear-detect, movie mode, wireless charging and more.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Almost Epic, at least for me
on October 2, 2020
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
(I received this product in exchange for my fair and unbiased review.)
TL;DR - The JLab Audio Epic Air Sport ANC True Wireless Earbuds should be a truly great product, but for me they're merely "good enough". Sound quality is excellent, bass is very deep and treble is crisp and clear with some adjustment. Fitment worked well for my wife and my 8 year old, but my ears were just too large to get a good "seal" while using the ear clips to secure the buds to my ears no matter what size tips I used; if I didn't use the clips to secure the buds to my ears, I could get that "seal" and be rewarded with super-deep bass (below 20hz). Sound delay was not an issue with these buds, as games and videos played on my iPhone 11 had audio that kept pace with the video. If the ear clips were more adjustable, these would have become my go-to earbuds for everything but mowing the lawn. However, my fitment issue won't necessarily be your fitment issue.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unboxing:
After my last two JLab products I've reviewed, I was disappointed on how ungraceful the package opened, as in I had to destroy the box to open it. The biggest problem, as a customer, is if I were to open these on the way to the gym or a running path, I'd probably lose half of the ear bud tips to the floorboard of my car.
First impressions and setup:
The earbuds themselves and the charging case were as I expected from JLab - solidly built with a premium feel to them.all plastics are soft-touch. The earbuds did have a couple of stickers to remove from the charging contacts, but that was easy enough to take care of. They also went straight into paring mode the moment I removed one from the case; paring was as easy as any regular set of bluetooth headphones or earbuds, meaning I didn't need to mess with pairing each individual side. Once paired, you could leave either ear bud in the case and remove the other to listen to music in mono or take phone calls (keep in mind that having only one earbud on doesn't automatically switch your phone's music output to mono sound).
Usage:
Speaking of the earbuds and the charging case, magnets make it super easy to put the earbuds away. hold each one slightly over the case and a magnet will pull it down into the case to charge. One thing that wasn't aesthetically pleasing about the charge process is the PWM light controllers - the things that make the lights fade in and out - were totally different between the earbuds and the charge case, where you could see flicker in the charge case's lights but not in the earbuds' lights. Nothing to take points off for, just something I noticed.,
So for the part you all came for - the sound quality. OOB, I found the default setting a little too harsh in the high-end. However with the JLab Air ANC app, you can adjust between 4 programmable EQ settings. I found that after tuning out the higher treble settings manually that I could get a nice, smooth sound out of the Epic Airs. I also found that no matter how loud I turned my phone up, I could crank the bass and get no discernible distortion from EDM/techno tracks though Apple Music or from my private collection of ALAC converted from FLAC. Other music also sounded great, from metal and hard rock to hip-hop to classical and even to country.
So what about the active noise cancelling and BeAware modes? Both work pretty well. Not to the level of high-end headphones, but for what these are, it's more than good enough. ANC was able to silence crickets, cicadas, and frogs. BeAware could actually amplify sounds when set to maximum. The fact that ANC and BeAware are both adjustable with a slider is a win in my book; many other products with noise cancelling don't allow you to set it to the level you want in to be, which is sometimes all or nothing. BeAware also wins because you won't need to take your earbuds out to listen to those around you, meaning you won't need to adjust your earbud as you put it back in.
And about battery life? JLab claims the Epic Airs last up to 70 combined hours - 15 hours for the earbuds themselves and another 55 hours when using the charging case. Using the active noise cancelling feature, I found that 3 and a half hours of use lead to my iPhone reporting the earbuds had 60% battery life left. Charging both earbuds from 60% wasn't enough for the charge case to report less than 4 lights worth of battery out of 4 lights. Charing the charge case is also pretty simple - if you don't have a Qi charger, just plug the integrated USB able into any charger, any way you want to - the USB plug is reversible.
Issues:
The only problem I had with the Epic Airs was proper fitment. While I did find tips that would hold security in my ear canals (the large size), I couldn't get the ear clips to hold properly so I could use these for their intended purpose - getting up and being active. With the ear clips behind my ears, the tips that go into my ear canals wouldn't seal properly, which led to a lot of bass not happening (Davey504 would be disappointed). I did let my wife and my 8 year old try these out, however; they both didn't have the same fitment issues I had. Ear clips that rotate and the earbud wings that other JLab products use would have solved this issue, though the rotatable clips would have made these earbuds fragile. Also, the "Cloud" earbud tips these come with feel extremely fragile, in that I thought I was going to rip them when installing them, let alone removing them. If I wore them without using the clips, however, the ear tips could do their job and I was rewarded with thunderous bass.
Closing:
JLab's Epic Air Sport ANC True Wireless earbuds are almost epic. The audio quality is epic. The build quality is great. The fitment is good if you don't have big ears. All in all, I can recommend these but I'll warn the taller people or those born with large ears to check your fitment before the return period expires.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Improve the air quality around you with this Filtrete smart air filter. The air filtration technology eliminates bacteria and traps dust particles, while the built-in Bluetooth pairs with the Filtrete mobile app allowing you to track filter life remotely. This Filtrete smart air filter lets you monitor outdoor air quality for different locations conveniently.
 
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  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Good filter, bluetooth module should be reusable.
on September 16, 2020
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
I received this product in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion. I’m also using the 16x20x1 model.
The 3M Filtrete Allergen, Bacteria, and Virus Smart Filter would be among the best filters you could buy without the Bluetooth connectivity that allows you to monitor your filter. But since people love Bluetooth, 3M said “Why not?” and now we have a smart filter.
I won’t bore you with the details of how the conventional part of the filter works; let’s just leave it at “it’s good.” Instead, let’s talk about the smart functionality.
The magic sauce that makes the filter work is a sensor on the air handler (aka furnace or blower) side of the filter. I don’t know if the sensor works via barometric pressure sensing or if it determines filter life by how long the air handler runs, but it’s fairly accurate on gauging filter life. After 2 weeks of the filter installed, there is a slight greying of the return duct side of the filter but nothing I’d consider out of the ordinary. According to the sensor, my filter is at 92% life; I think it’s closer to about 75% life left, however, as the traditional filters I’ve used would be the same color after a week.
How do you read the sensor? You download the Filtrete Smart app, set up an account with your email, then pair the filter in-app (completely painless on iPhone). You also open the app to get updates on estimated filter life and your air quality.
So is there a drawback to this product? Of course. 3M had a real chance to either make a reusable filter sensor or create a recycling program for the sensor, and passed on both opportunities. Because of this, you’ll see end users tossing out a small coin cell battery and some electronics every month or so. I think this is a huge oversight on 3M’s part.
So would I buy this filter again? Probably. It seems to have a long life and works as advertised. I just wish 3M would have thought about the environment when it comes to disposal.
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Charge two Qi-enabled smartphones simultaneously with this black Belkin BOOST CHARGE dual wireless charging pad. Up to 10W of output charges the device rapidly, while case compatibility allows for uninterrupted use. This Belkin BOOST CHARGE dual wireless charging pad has a nonslip surface to help keep your devices completely secure.
 
  • Top 250 contributor
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Double the pleasure, double the fun.
on September 8, 2020
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
I received this product in exchange for my fair and honest review. I’m also keeping this short and sweet.
Everything you love about a good 10 watt Qi charging pad, but multiply by 2. Outputs enough power to keep an iPhone 11 and Samsung S10 running video and charging at the same time..I just wish it had a more upright angle for viewing.
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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BillFromKC's Review Comments
 
Westinghouse HDTV: Enjoy your favorite movies, shows, games and sporting events in realistic 1080p resolution on this Westinghouse HDTV's LED panel. Ensure fast-moving scenes remain clear with a 60Hz refresh rate that minimizes blurring and ghosting.
 
Overall1 out of 51 out of 5
No HD tuner
By Westingtonhouse
I can not imagine that tv in today time do not have digiter tuner. I bought 6 now I have to return them since i use cable straight from wall for tv from COX
Customer Avatar
BillFromKC
KCMO
This TV has an ATSC tuner.
August 27, 2015
There's no guarantee that ATSC tuners will work with ClearQAM cable channels, and even so, the greater majority of cable providers now scramble all cable channels. Including OTA channels. Because the FCC changed the rules and they're allowed to do this now.
+6points
6of 6voted this comment as helpful.
 
Sony XBR55X850C LED 4K Ultra HD TV: Experience your favorite movies, TV shows and video clips in a new way with incredible 4K upscaling. Advanced features from Android TV and Playstation Now allow you to browse sites, stream games and perform voice searches.
 
Overall1 out of 51 out of 5
Big Time 3-D problems
By Mike
I am writing to review the “XBR-55X850C”. HOWEVER, I have read multiple web pages that state this problem is happening with all Sony 3-D televisions, in the United States AND Europe, and that customers are not receiving ANY customer service, or any help from Sony whatsoever.
I have called 3 times and have been hung up on each time.
So, if you are looking for a great 3-D experience and excellent SONY customer service, LOOK ELSEWHERE. Sony rolled out an update for this television at the end of November of 2015. After the update, when viewing 3-D content, the display mode function of the current screen is continuously showing the current screen mode of the television. ALL THE TIME. Coming in and out up to 7 times a minute.
So, while watching a 3-D movie, every 5 to 60 seconds, the words “Wide Mode Full” flashes on the screen in the lower left hand corner. It NEVER stops. Sony is aware of this problem, unfortunately, Sony customer service is rude & unhelpful with this issue. They claim that “Sony is aware of this and is working on an update”. When I asked when the update would be released, Sony representatives claim they do not know when this update will be available.
Every Sony representative has hung up on me after not being able to satisfactorily answer the simplest of questions.
Anyone looking for a great 3-D experience, look elsewhere. Sony does not care about this problem. After all, they already have our money.
If you think this is the same old Sony with great products, high standards, and great customer service, THINK AGAIN! This is not your father’s Sony. This is the new, corporate Sony that just wants your money.
Everyone out there looking for a good 3-D T.V. should stick with Samsung. I wish I did. I thought I was “upgrading” from Samsung to Sony.
Customer Avatar
BillFromKC
KCMO
Customer service people are never told when...
January 2, 2016
...things get fixed after they get broken. I have this TV as well, and customer service people have no idea when Android Marshmallow will hit this TV set, let alone any of the other 2015 Sony TVs. Considering the Google Nexus Player got borked by the update though, that's probably a good thing the update hasn't hit yet.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
 
Sony XBR55X850C LED 4K Ultra HD TV: Experience your favorite movies, TV shows and video clips in a new way with incredible 4K upscaling. Advanced features from Android TV and Playstation Now allow you to browse sites, stream games and perform voice searches.
 
Overall4 out of 54 out of 5
tv is great support is non-existent
By ohno
I have been trying to get some confirmation on the hdr xtended dynamic range on the 850b but support on phone sent me unrelated information and online say it is but no documentation to confirm
Customer Avatar
BillFromKC
KCMO
850b doesn't have HDR support
January 14, 2016
but the 850c (this TV) does.
0points
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BISSELL SmartClean Robot Vacuum: Easily rid your floors of dirt and debris with this vacuum that uses Opticlean optical sensors and a Triple-Action Cleaning System to tackle your floors. Invisible Wall technology lets you target specific areas.
 
Overall3 out of 53 out of 5
Hard To Program
By FortFun2 from Illinois
Found it is difficult, not intuitive, to program. Others have said if you loose power all your programming is lost, but we haven't lost power yet so can't confirm. I just wanted it to run when I left the house without a set program and contacting Bissell just led to more confusion. But, once I got it working I was impressed with the amount of pet hair it removed.
Customer Avatar
BillFromKC
KCMO
I can attest to this.
September 16, 2016
Sometimes, I have to plug mine directly into the charger to get it to charge because the battery is overly drained. Because of this, I don't even bother programming it anymore.
0points
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The new MacBook Pro is faster and more powerful than before, yet remarkably thinner and lighter.¹ It has the brightest, most colorful display ever on a Mac notebook. And it features up to 10 hours of battery life.² It’s a notebook built for the work you do every day. Ready to go anywhere a great idea takes you.
 
Overall1 out of 51 out of 5
Terrible
By Joel
I purchased this one month ago and it has a faulty display. Best Buy takes no responsibility and will not exchange it for a good one. I have left voicemails for a district manager to call me and no one has called. I will never shop at Best Buy again.
Customer Avatar
BillFromKC
KCMO
Yep, take it to Apple.
January 13, 2017
If Best Buy is doing you wrong, just take it to your nearest Apple location and they'll set you up with a fix or a new one.
+4points
4of 4voted this comment as helpful.
 
Overall1 out of 51 out of 5
Bootleg Copy of Secret Life of Pets
By Disappointed
About 15 minutes into the movie the volume became muted and a message came on the TV that this was a bootleg movie. An unauthorized copy. Be very careful purchasing DVD's or Blu Ray movies from Best Buy. They just may leave you and your grand children very disappointed as it did our family.
Customer Avatar
BillFromKC
KCMO
This could very well be your DVD or Blu-Ray player
January 20, 2017
causing your issues. The Film Industry (MPAA and associated groups) are known for their draconian DRM systems, first with DVD and now with Blu-Ray and 4k Blu-Ray.
if your Blu-Ray player isn't connected to the internet, connect it to the internet and update its firmware. That should fix all your issues.
0points
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Make your home an internet haven with this versatile Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system. Three identical tri-band dual-stream AC2200 routers, each equipped with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor, deliver lightning-fast internet. Equipped with Bluetooth 4.0/LE, this Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system is simple to set up and pairs easily with computers, tablets and smart devices.
 
Overall5 out of 55 out of 5
This is the future of WiFi
By neio11
I threw (recycled) away my wifi extenders plus I am now able connect a device with an ethernet cable without having to run cables through the walls because each node has 2 ethernet ports. So for instance, I have one node connected to my modem and an ethernet switch. My 2nd node in another room is connected to an NVR for my security cameras. The speed through the nodes is surprisingly fast. The NVR is capturing HD videos from 3 cameras and it seems to capture fine. The 3rd node is in my living room area. The whole house is covered! Please put a password on your wifi otherwise you'll be supplying FREE wifi for your neighbors. I can have full internet access from 3-4 houses away from my house. I thought installation would be a pain considering you have to setup each node. Well, I shouldn't say "have to" because you don't have to use all 3 nodes. You can use only 1 or 2 and give the 3rd to me. haha. No but setup is a breeze! The only thing is that you have to use a smart device such as a tablet or phone, to do the setup. Velop currently doesn't support PC-based setup but I hope Linksys changes that especially for us "techies"!!! It works with Alexa. You can ask #Alexa what the wifi password is... so they say. I haven't had much success with it yet. It looks clean and neat. It doesn't all those antennas sticking out of it which makes it aesthetically pleasing.
I'm loving so far!
Customer Avatar
BillFromKC
KCMO
The setup process basically forces you to put a...
February 19, 2017
...password on your WiFi network. In fact, it's one of three things it asks when you set up the parent node, the other two being "Do you connect directly to the internet or through a modem/router device provided by your ISP?" and what to call your wireless network.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
 
Make your home an internet haven with this versatile Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system. Three identical tri-band dual-stream AC2200 routers, each equipped with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor, deliver lightning-fast internet. Equipped with Bluetooth 4.0/LE, this Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system is simple to set up and pairs easily with computers, tablets and smart devices.
 
Overall5 out of 55 out of 5
Blazing Speed, Best In Class Performance!
By gadgetguy11
The Linksys - Velop Tri-Band Whole Home Wi-Fi System (3-pack) is packaged in a beautiful & functional box with magnetic closure - it exudes quality! Each Node is protected individually. Just looking at the box, you expect a premium, esoteric product... & Linksys delivers that & more in spades! The shapely Nodes are beautiful & blend with any decorating style.
Simple set-up via the Linksys iOS or Android App. Within minutes, you are ready to go online.
As shown in attached photo, I have 90 wireless devices utilized over 5,000 sq feet / 3 floors: this is a challenging application for high speed Wi-Fi that includes: connected major appliances; BAS ceiling fans & Haiku Wi-Fi connected lights; Wi-Fi Thermostats; Netatmo Wi-Fi Weather Station; 65 Hue Lights; Connected exterior door locks; Wink Wi-Fi connected devices; connected iDevices, Nest & Arlo cameras; iPads; iPhones & computers. Finally, Streaming from 4) Apple TV's; Nixplay Wi-Fi Photo Frames.
And now the Results:
Velop delivers the fastest Wi-Fi speed I have ever experienced and does so consistently! The attached screen capture shows 349 Mbps Download / 23 Mbps Upload. These are WIRELESS speeds!! I pay for 300 Mbps Download / 30 Mbps Upload & our internet service provider generally delivers 300 - 360 Download & 22 - 32 Upload.
Velop is the only Wi-Fi System I have found to date that actually delivers this sustainable speed and does not randomly disconnect the many devices.
High power Wi-Fi requires a high current source. Each of the 3) square white power supplies produce 12 Volt, 2 Amp output! 24VA (Volt Amps) is the highest output of any router I have tested. Better yet, the cable that plugs into each Velop is perfectly angled at the plug so the wire routs neatly through the cable management feature at the base. Brilliant design!
PRO's:
1- Fastest Wi-Fi Speed
2- Easy approximate 10 minute Set-up per hub
3- Velop Nodes are very attractive & blend with any architecture
4- Robust infrastructure yields dependable performance
5- 24/7 Support
6- 3-Year Warranty
7- Easy to use App with great diagnostics
8- Wire Management at the base is excellent & offers a wire free appearance.
9- Three Velop Nodes establish fast Wi-Fi speed across the house on any floor.
10- Expandable: Add an additional Node any time you prefer.
CON's:
1- IP Address range cannot be changed from: 192.***. My 2) existing Apple Time Capsule / Routers had IP addresses of 10.***, but they can be set to different ranges. A different IP Address range requires individually resetting a few devices that previously connected to the other range. For example, each Nixplay connected frame had to manually "Forget" the old Wi-Fi name of the previous SSID, then set up the same name with Velop, even though the Wi-Fi name and password are the same. On 13) Apple Airport Express devices, I had to power down each device to reset it from 10.*** to 192.***
2- IPv6 is not supported as of product release. This is surprising, as my three year old Apple Time Capsule / Router supported IPv6.
3- The first unit set up in under 10 minutes; however the remaining two hubs froze at the same exact place midway every time during set-up. After 6 failed attempts, I held each Node horizontally and kept my hand around it. Surprisingly, this procedure resulted in a virtually immediate set-up! Then I set each Node vertically & it continued to work great.
4- Only one Node can connect to the internet via ethernet. The other Nodes connect to the first Node via wireless mesh connection. I would prefer the option of connecting each Node to a wired ethernet connection. Linksys Technical Support indicated this may be added later as a software update. This would prove beneficial because the Nodes must be located fairly close together (my tests showed less than 40 feet apart at most).
CONCLUSION: My search for the "Ideal" Whole Home Wi-Fi System that consistently delivers 300 Mbps over 5,000 square feet with 90 devices ends here!! I am THRILLED with Velop & give it my highest recommendation!! It has proven to be the BEST ROUTER available for 2017!
Customer Avatar
BillFromKC
KCMO
Mine gave me IPv6 OOB
February 19, 2017
and even so, there was a firmware update it applied immediate after setup. I agree that the IP address range thing is annoying though, especially when you're moving from an existing network with static IP devices (NAS, printers, etc.)
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BillFromKC's Questions
 
BillFromKC has not submitted any questions.
 
BillFromKC's Answers
<< 1 ... 3 4 5 6 7 >>
 
Make your home an internet haven with this versatile Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system. Three identical tri-band dual-stream AC2200 routers, each equipped with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor, deliver lightning-fast internet. Equipped with Bluetooth 4.0/LE, this Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system is simple to set up and pairs easily with computers, tablets and smart devices.
 

Will it work with Hughesnet?

If Hughesnet outputs via ethernet from it's modem, then yes. You'll want to disable the Hughesnet modem's WiFi connection first, and if the Hughesnet modem has things like a file server or print server integrated into it, those features will no longer work.
7 years, 4 months ago
by
BillFromKC
 
Make your home an internet haven with this versatile Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system. Three identical tri-band dual-stream AC2200 routers, each equipped with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor, deliver lightning-fast internet. Equipped with Bluetooth 4.0/LE, this Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system is simple to set up and pairs easily with computers, tablets and smart devices.
 

Can I use them in Jamaica

As long as the Velop system works with channels available Jamaica and you can download and use the Linksys WiFi app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, sure. Jamaica uses the FCC plan with 2.4 and 5 GHz devices if I remember correctly.
7 years, 4 months ago
by
BillFromKC
 
Catch up with friends and enjoy powerful connectivity with the Moto Z Play Droid. A variety of modules ensures this 5.5-inch smartphone can be adapted to suit your exact needs, whether you want a more powerful camera or simply longer battery life. Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow means the Moto Z Play Droid is fast and can handle the latest apps.
 

Does this phone exist????? Was told store had them, went to store they don't!! I tried to buy online and it says "In-Store" Pickup, but then says its not available at any within 250 miles???

I have one. It's pretty great.
7 years, 7 months ago
by
BillFromKC
 
Catch up with friends and enjoy powerful connectivity with the Moto Z Play Droid. A variety of modules ensures this 5.5-inch smartphone can be adapted to suit your exact needs, whether you want a more powerful camera or simply longer battery life. Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow means the Moto Z Play Droid is fast and can handle the latest apps.
 

Is there going to be a jbl booster included

No. The JBL speaker mod is sold separately, as are other moto mods and headphones.
7 years, 7 months ago
by
BillFromKC
 
BISSELL SmartClean Robot Vacuum: Easily rid your floors of dirt and debris with this vacuum that uses Opticlean optical sensors and a Triple-Action Cleaning System to tackle your floors. Invisible Wall technology lets you target specific areas.
 

What is the height so I can see if it will go under my couches? Thank you Shirley

It's probably 3 and a half inches high - a little bit taller than a roll of Charmin is wide.

I wouldn't necessarily plan on sending it under couches though - it got confused under my platform bed once and shut down, and was a pleasure to fish out of there.
7 years, 9 months ago
by
BillFromKC
 
Sony XBR55X850C LED 4K Ultra HD TV: Experience your favorite movies, TV shows and video clips in a new way with incredible 4K upscaling. Advanced features from Android TV and Playstation Now allow you to browse sites, stream games and perform voice searches.
 

Can I locate this TV on a screen porch away from the sun and rain but exposed to humidity and flimited reezing?

It's not really recommended to leave this TV - or any TV not built for outside conditions - outside. Extreme humidity and freezing temps can damage the unit.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
BillFromKC
   KCMO
 
Amazon Fire TV Stick connects to your TV's HDMI port. Just grab and go to enjoy Netflix, Prime Instant Video, Hulu Plus, YouTube.com, music, and much more.
 

Can I plug the Amazon Fire Stick into the DVR from DirectTV. ?

I can't access the HDMI on my tv because of its location. The DVR from DirectTv has an HDMI port. Can I plug the Fire Stick into that and have it work? Thanks.
If it's an HDMI input, then yes. However, you're better off to attach the Fire Stick directly to your TV using the HDMI extender cable or to your AVR if you're using a home theater setup.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
BillFromKC
   KCMO
 
Alpine Car Stereo Receiver: Accept hands-free calls and stream music in your vehicle by connecting this car stereo receiver to your cell phone or MP3 player via Bluetooth. You can even play your CD collection.Geek Squad® installation is strongly recommended for this product. Please visit your local Best Buy store for details.
 

Will this work in a 2000 Toyota Camry?

With a proper install kit, yes.
8 years, 5 months ago
by
BillFromKC
   KCMO
 
Sports, action, shooters, you name it. The familiar layout of this gamepad brings console-style control to your PC games. Bring the gaming console experience to your PC with this game controller that features broad game support for wide-ranging use and a floating D-pad for simple operation. The 6' cord allows you to sit back and relax while playing your favorite games.
 

Does it work with windows 10?

Yes. Some games will require the DirectInput mode, where other games will require XInput (aka XBox 360 mode).
8 years, 10 months ago
by
BillFromKC
   KCMO
 
This ARRIS cable modem features Gigabit Ethernet connectivity for fast downstream and upstream data speeds. Six multicolor LEDs indicate the operational status and a color-coded rear panel ensures simple installation.
 

compatability

Will this modem work with century link?
If CenturyLink is using DSL technology, No. Contact their technical support for more information.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
BillFromKC
   KCMO