BillFromKC's stats
- Review count192
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- First reviewJune 27, 2012
- Last reviewMay 6, 2024
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- First review commentAugust 27, 2015
- Last review commentFebruary 19, 2017
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- First answerJanuary 9, 2014
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Enjoy a compact tablet that fits neatly in your pocket with this Acer Iconia One 8-inch tablet. It includes a quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM that deliver powerful processing to play all your games and apps, and the 16GB of flash memory ensure this Acer Iconia One 8-inch tablet and store your files.
Customer Rating
5
Good mid-range tablet with a low-end price.
on May 20, 2016
Posted by: BillFromKC
from Kansas City, MO
DIsclaimers:
1) I was given this device in return for my fair and unbiased opinion of it.
2) I'm primarily an Apple person. While I do have other devices based on Android and Windows technologies, I primarily use Apple in my day-to-day life.
2) I'm primarily an Apple person. While I do have other devices based on Android and Windows technologies, I primarily use Apple in my day-to-day life.
The Acer Iconia One 8 (model B1-850) is a tablet that gives you a lot for not very much money. It has a look and feel that makes it seem like it costs more than it does. It's not the fastest thing out there, and it's certainly no stat king, but that doesn't mean it's not a capable device. It does have a few drawbacks, but it's pros outweigh it's cons.
First, we'll start with packaging. While not as fancy as what Apple, Amazon, or Samsung would put their devices in, it's still nice. The tablet comes with a 2 amp (or 10 watt) wall charger and a solid microUSB cable for charging and syncing with your computer. It also includes a basic instruction manual in an easy-to-open package. The packaging does well in protecting the device.
As for the hardware itself, you have an IPS screen with a glass digitizer. The IPS screen is bright and clear with good color and image quality; the screen resolution of 1280x800 works well for it when it comes to playing games, watching video, or reading websites and books. The glass digitizer gives the tablet the screen feel you'd get with an Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, or higher-end Amazon Kindle Fire tablets, and supports multi-point touch with up to 10 fingers. The textured plastic back isn't overly slick and remains comfortable to hold after an hour.
The 64-bit quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM make for a smooth, fluid experience in Android Lollipop. It's powerful enough to handle anything from productivity tasks (surfing the internet, checking your email) to social media (Facebook and Twitter run fantastically well on this device) to casual gaming (Smash Hit, which can be a little demanding, runs at 60 frames per second on this device). Don't expect it to run more demanding games smoothly though.
Bluetooth 4.0 is also featured in this device, which means it's compatible to BTLE devices, and it works well for anything from headphones to a keyboard. It also features in-line microphone support with analog headphones, USB OTG connectivity (with an appropriate cable), and a micro SD slot that supports micro SDXC cards up to 128GB (I only had a 32GB microSDHC card to test with, and it works well).
The disappointing spots, when it comes to hardware, are the cameras, the speaker, and wifi connectivity. While the stats on both cameras sound decent enough (5mp rear camera, 2mp front), both are slow and suffer in poor lighting conditions. The rear camera does somewhat better with video than photos, but the only way to get a good picture out of the front camera is with bright lighting; both cameras also took pictures that seemed undersaturated to me. The speaker is mounted on the rear of the device and sounds tinny when compared to the speaker in my iPad Air or even the speaker in my in-laws' original iPad. The wifi connectivity is actually on the slow side; 2.4 GHz connections are limited to 65mbit and 5 GHz connections are limited to 135mbit. The range for 2.4 GHz connectivity actually makes up for the slow speeds, however - I was able to stay connected to my wireless network router over 300 feet away from it.
In terms of software, Android Lollipop has come a long way from the days of Froyo, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jellybean, and even KitKat. The interface is here is pretty much straight Android, with a few apps pre-installed. Acer includes their "Bring Your Own Cloud" suite, which I did not test out because of issues with my Windows machine (there is no Mac OS-based client software for this service). The built-in Google apps work as they should, and the selection of apps in the Google Play store will fill most of the voids that Acer left on this device. You can also change the interface used to any number of home screen apps.
That brings us to battery life. Acer claims this device will last 9 hours on a full charge while streaming video. After using this for a full day for social media, email, web surfing, YouTube, and a movie on Netflix, I can say their claim is probably an underestimate.
I also benchmarked the device to get an idea of what it's performance is. It scored 35000 in Antutu, which is a stress test that gives you an idea of what the processor and video capabilities are. In comparison, my iPad Air scored 67000 and my iPhone 6s scored 135000. I also ran the SunSpider Javascript benchmark on these three devices, an iPhone 4s, and my iMac Core 2 Duo, with scores as follows:
iMac - 221 ms
iPhone 6s - 220.8 ms
iPad Air - 490.2 ms
iPhone 4s - 1830 ms
Acer Iconia One 8 - 1635 ms
iPhone 6s - 220.8 ms
iPad Air - 490.2 ms
iPhone 4s - 1830 ms
Acer Iconia One 8 - 1635 ms
So as you can see, it's not the fastest thing out there, but it's also no slowpoke either. The Mac is running Mac OS X 10.11.5, the iPhones and iPad are on iOS 9.3.2, and the Acer is running Chrome 50.
All in all, this isn't a bad device. Improvements to the cameras, a better speaker setup, and wifi connectivity speed improvements would make it nearly perfect, but at the price it sells for, it's still a good value.
My Best Buy number: 2181888255
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Prevent dead zones around your home with the help of this Linksys Wi-Fi range extender. It works with all types of Wi-Fi routers, and it uses multi-user MIMO for speed and efficiency. This Linksys Wi-Fi range extender can be used to create a different access point or to extend the field of the router’s connection.
Customer Rating
4
A decent range extender...
on May 20, 2016
Posted by: BillFromKC
from Kansas City, MO
DIsclaimer - I was given this product in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion of it. I also rounded my rating up - I give it 3.75/5.
Range extenders are devices with a primary function of extending your network range using only wireless connectivity. Most range extenders, including this one, can also act as a wireless access point that takes a wired ethernet connection and converts it into a wireless signal - useful for those with large homes or that have a room or area with poor wifi coverage that you could run an ethernet cable to.
Setup of this device is simple. You log into the device, set a device password, connect it to your existing wireless network or put the device in access point mode, and you're done. This process works with any device that has wifi and can browse the internet from the latest smartphones and tablets running iOS and Android to the lowly Nintendo Wii (though I wouldn't recommend using a Nintendo Wii to set this device up).
For the primary purpose of my testing as a wireless range extender, it fared well when connected to two older routers but not so well with a newer model. The routers I tested it against were a Linksys EA7500-AC1900 (my current router), a Cisco Valet M10-N150 router with DD-WRT firmware, and an Apple Time Capsule 3rd gen. While it did help to make a difference in coverage throughout my home with the Time Capsule and the Valet, the Linksys EA7500 is so overpowering in comparison; the RE7000's range was around 110 feet from the device, where the EA7500 comfortably reaches over 250 feet from the device (2.4 GHz ranges; 5 GHz on both devices is about half the distance for each device).
Speeds through the range extender in wireless mode depend on the router it's connected to and the quality of the connection; with a great connection between the RE7000 and each router, speeds matched what a direct connection to the router would be. As you move further away from your primary router, however, that connection does drop off fairly quickly.
When testing as an access point, I used a current-generation MacBook Air and a CAT6 ethernet cable connected between my router and the RE7000. My internet connection is Comcast's 250mbps package, and I was able to peg my connection with this configuration. With computer-to-computer file transfers, I was able to achieve speeds around 63 megabytes - or 500 megabits - per second at their peak and sustain speeds around 54 megabytes - or 430 megabits - per second. (8 megabits equal 1 megabyte.)
One thing this range extender features is the ability to do mesh networking with a Linksys RangeMax series router. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to test this functionality because of how my home network is setup. (Linksys EA-series routers are generally part of the RangeMax line.)
All in all, this isn't a bad device for those that need it. If you have an enterprise-class router from a company like Cisco, Sonicwall, or Barracuda, and no wireless access points or older wireless access points, this device functioning as an access point is an easy and affordable way to add or upgrade wireless connectivity to your network. For those with a router provided by your ISP that has poor coverage of your home or business, this is a good option since it's easy to set up and can either be connected though the wireless network or with an ethernet cable. If you do have a residential/consumer-class router of your own that's a few years old or lacks the kind of range you need, however, I'd recommend that you just upgrade your router (such as the Linksys EA7500, Linksys EA9500, or Linksys WRT1900ACS) instead of adding a range extender to your existing network.
My Best Buy number: 2181888255
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Your household wants to play, stream and work online all at once. With this Linksys router, you can do it all without buffering or other interruptions. Use the Smart Wi-Fi app to get started, control, and monitor your home network from anywhere.
Customer Rating
5
Great router for home usage
on February 16, 2016
Posted by: BillFromKC
from Kansas City, MO
Disclaimer - I received this router from Best Buy in exchange for an honest review.
The TL;DR synopsis:
The Linksys EA7500 is definitely worth its price for what you get. On top of being a great dual-band wireless router with terrific range in both the 2.4 GHz (B, G, and N) and 5 GHz (A, N, and AC) bands, it’s also functional as a network file server, network printer server, and DLNA media server - just attach an external USB storage device and your USB printer that doesn’t support WiFi connectivity and you're ready to go. There are a couple of features that advanced users and those looking to put one (or many) in a small office may miss, and there could be a couple other features added to make life easier, but overall it’s a great router for the home.
The Linksys EA7500 is definitely worth its price for what you get. On top of being a great dual-band wireless router with terrific range in both the 2.4 GHz (B, G, and N) and 5 GHz (A, N, and AC) bands, it’s also functional as a network file server, network printer server, and DLNA media server - just attach an external USB storage device and your USB printer that doesn’t support WiFi connectivity and you're ready to go. There are a couple of features that advanced users and those looking to put one (or many) in a small office may miss, and there could be a couple other features added to make life easier, but overall it’s a great router for the home.
And the rest of the review:
In terms of setup, it couldn’t be easier. The router walks you through the initial configuration, which includes setting a router hardware password. After the basic configuration is done and internet connection is verified, it does ask you to setup a Linksys Cloud account, which allows you to configure your router from anywhere, including disabling wifi (you’re welcome, parents; sorry kids). Keep in mind this cloud account is optional and only used for remote access to the router. From this point on, you can change advanced settings using either software provided from Linksys on your mobile devices, or the web interface on your computers.
In terms of setup, it couldn’t be easier. The router walks you through the initial configuration, which includes setting a router hardware password. After the basic configuration is done and internet connection is verified, it does ask you to setup a Linksys Cloud account, which allows you to configure your router from anywhere, including disabling wifi (you’re welcome, parents; sorry kids). Keep in mind this cloud account is optional and only used for remote access to the router. From this point on, you can change advanced settings using either software provided from Linksys on your mobile devices, or the web interface on your computers.
In terms of settings, you can change almost everything in the router that you’d want or need to - enable and disable file and media servers, security settings, IP ranges and connectivity modes to your internet provider, and more. The only setting I'd want to be able to change but I'm not able to is wifi signal output; the reason for this isn't to turn up the strength of the signal, but to turn it down so not every one of my neighbors sees my wireless network.
When it came to testing wifi, it covered the entirety of my lawn (200’x200’) from just about anywhere in my house with the 2.4 GHz signal. The 5 GHz signal was nearly as good while located in my office but not as strong in my side yard (west side of the home) from the kitchen (east side of my home). In terms of receiving that signal, I was able to walk around 250’ away from my house before the 2.4 GHz connection between my iPhone and the router became unstable. Compared to my current router (Apple Time Capsule 3rd Gen), this triples the 5 GHz coverage and nearly doubles my 2.4 GHz coverage.
With that wireless connectivity comes speed. It connects to Wireless AC devices at up to 1300 Mbits per second, Wireless N devices (2.4 and 5 GHz) at up to 600 Mbits per second, and is compatible to legacy A, B, and G devices; unlike some older routers, connecting a legacy device doesn't slow down the connection speed of newer devices. This is a great thing, especially for those with ultra high-speed connections (fiber and >250 Mbit cable internet) or that do a lot of streaming from a media server, especially with 4k resolution media.
It’s also very stable. Testing while connected to Google Fiber didn’t cause this router to become warm. Considering that most routers I’ve owned or used over the years tended to become warm with heavy use, this is very reassuring. Transfer rates are also great - I was getting regular wired speed test results over 900 mbps and transferring large files over the internet at speeds close to what you’d see on a local network with Google Fiber. Being that the only wireless AC devices I had to test with were limited to the devices' own top wireless speeds, I can tell you that both phones pegged out their speed tests at 180 mbps each while running those tests simultaneously (Galaxy Note 4 and iPhone 6s).
For connectivity on the router itself, it marks off the important checkboxes - USB 3 connection for a hard drive or flash drive, USB 2 for a printer or another flash or hard drive that doesn’t need to transfer data as fast, a gigabit ethernet connection to whatever your internet connection is brought into your home with, and a 4 port gigabit ethernet switch. The second USB port not being USB 3 is a little bit of a detriment if network printing is something you don't want to use this router for. It also doesn’t have an eSATA port like some higher-end routers do, but as fast as USB 3 is, you won’t miss that connection at all. Keep in mind this router supports hard drives and flash drives formatted as either FAT, NTFS (Windows), or HFS+ (Macintosh). exFAT and Linux file systems aren’t supported by this device. Network printing requires either Windows or Mac OS X (Lion 10.7 or later). Linux isn't supported and I didn't get a chance to see if the print server emulated established network printing standards. This router also won't act as an AirPrint server, so you won't be able to use your USB printer with your iOS device or Android device without either AirPrint server software on your computer or a printing solution for Android.
One thing this router really has going for it is style. It’s something that will look good sitting out in the open, with sleek, smooth lines, and the Linksys logo being the only light on the front of the unit, glowing in white. While ultimately not as stylish as Apple AirPort or Google OnHub, it’s still a step above everything else on the market right now, including Linksys’ own WRT line, in terms of style, and it easily outperforms both the AirPort and OnHub.
I do have to knock the firmware for the router for not supporting exFAT with external storage devices, the reason being that households with both Mac and Windows computers are more likely to have external hard drives and flash drives in this format due to larger file support and universal compatibility between the two OSes; exFAT is also a common file system for SD cards larger than 64 GB, used by Android phones. I also have to knock this router on the configuration pages; many advanced settings are buried. For those of you used to looking at Linksys configuration pages like what’s included in the WRT54G among others (what looks like a web page from the late 1990s or early 2000s), you’ll be disappointed, not because it’s easier on the eyes, but because the settings you’re used to seeing are two, sometimes 3 clicks deeper than they were in the older firmwares or just not there at all (such as the ability to set signal strength). For beginners or those looking for an easy to use router, however, you’ll be pleased that its basic settings are the only things shown and the interface is actually pretty easy to navigate in that regard.
Overall, this really is a great router for home usage. It supports connectivity to a lot of things at once, it has incredible transfer rates, and it’s a quality product. Advanced users who want more control over their router may want to look at the step up from the model (the Linksys WRT series), but for 90% of everyone out there, this is a router that you’ll probably never outgrow.
My Best Buy number: 2181888255
What's great about it: Signal range, multimedia features, throughput speeds
What's not so great: Lacks some advanced adjustment features, only one USB port is 3.0 speeds
I would recommend this to a friend!
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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.
Customer Rating
5
A good TV that has only gotten better
on January 2, 2016
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
We bought this TV set a few months ago after our 1080p set couldn't be repaired under warranty, just going on a "seat of our pants" factor from what we saw in-store and what wouldn't cost us anything to take home with the money from the warranty claim.
It has plenty of pros - HDR compatibility (thanks firmware update), Android TV apps, Playstation Now, great picture, good sound for a TV set, thin build (but not micro-thin like with the XBR900 series or LG's OLED TV sets). It comes with two remotes - a new-fangled touchpad that's alright and connects with bluetooth to the TV, and an old-school button remote made the way Sony has always made them. Playstation Now is a feature, and it works great, but it requires a DualShock 4 controller. Miracast is part of the package, as is Google Casting, so screen mirroring with many Windows and Android devices and viewing what you're watching on your connected device through your TV is covered. Also, unlike many 4k TV sets, you get 4 HDMI ports with 4k/60 capability while handling a 4:4:4 signal and HDR video.
It has some cons - non-standard mounting for a large TV (300x300 pattern for the 55", 400x300 for the larger sets; every other TV I've had over 42" has been 400x400, and I've had quite a few over the last 8 years), the 55" model is edge-lit instead of directly backlit (which, to me, should have made the 55" its own model designation separate from the 65" and 75" versions). a power-on light that's annoyingly bright (but thankfully can be turned off), it doesn't come with 3D glasses (but it uses the bluetooth-based industry standard, so you don't have to buy the expensive Sony-branded glasses), and some of the streaming apps you'd use on your Android phone haven't quite made it to Android TV yet (but that's not on Sony, that's on Google and Android devs).
As far as picture goes, I'm glad I bought this one over the comparable Samsung. The picture OOTB wasn't nearly as oversaturated. It was also much easier to calibrate than the Samsung because the picture settings were only a little off instead of overblown. Picture quality depends on your source and resolution; generally, allow the TV to upconvert your picture if you can. My local over-the-air channels that broadcast in 720p look great through the antenna but a little blurry through my Comcast X1 box (using HDMI and it's forced 1080p output); my local OTAs that broadcast in 1080i also look great through the antenna but feature interlacing artifacts through the X1 box. Most likely, a cable box that allows pass-through will provide a much better picture (generally speaking, cable companies don't upconvert programming at the headend since customer equipment can do the same thing).
With most TVs and audio, people generally don't care because they'll connect a soundbar or surround system; I had to run surround any time I watched my previous TV because the integrated audio was that bad. With the Sony, the integrated audio isn't bad. It's a little heavy at the midrange and lacks highs and lows, but with the EQ in its settings, you can fix that. It's no XBR 930 or 940 series, but I don't expect it to be either.
With the interface, Sony's already good UI pairs well with Google's UI, which is also very thoughtfully put together. While not as good as Apple TV, it is a little more functional and less in-your-face than Amazon's TV interface. You can turn suggestions on and off, though featured apps can be annoying at times (but easy to scroll past). It's also just as easy to navigate the menu system with the old-school remote as it is with the touch remote or your phone.
An added bonus for cord-cutters - both the TV and the remote have a channel guide system that works for over-the-air content. This guide system has proven itself useful a few times for me already while cable TV was offline for maintenance.
Wireless connectivity is provided by an 802.11AC wifi interface. It's connected to my AirPort Extreme at 867 megabits per second. There's also an ethernet port for those of you who prefer wired connections, though it's limited to 10/100 connectivity and not gigabit.
So all in all, I'm happy with this TV. Great picture, decent for a TV sound, great features for people that watch or stream TV or movies, good connectivity options.
Note that I have not used the 3D features of this TV. I am a little disappointed that it's active 3D and not passive, but 3D isn't the killer feature for me.
My Best Buy number: 2181888255
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Only at Best BuySync or charge your Apple® iPod®, iPad® or iPhone® with this Dynex™ DX-MA5S 3' Lightning-to-USB cable, which features PVC jacket material to ensure durability.
Customer Rating
5
It's a charge and sync cable.
on January 2, 2016
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
I haven't had a single problem with it since buying it, and I've used it with iPhone 5s, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPad Air.
It's a cheap, reliable lightning cable, and it works with Otterbox and Lifeproof. What more could you need?
My Best Buy number: 2181888255
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Store plenty of files on your action camera, smartphone or tablet by adding this Samsung EVO+ MB-MC64DA/AM microSDXC memory card, which features a generous 64GB capacity. A water-, temperature-, x-ray- and magnet-resistant design offers protection.
Customer Rating
4
Great MicroSD card for the on-sale price
on January 2, 2016
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
It does everything you want a MicroSD card to do. It's fast enough for the greater majority of smart phones that use MicroSD, and fast enough for many dSLR cameras as well. I also used it to play back high-bandwidth 4k video on my TV using a USB3 card reader without problems or stuttering.
My only problem with it is the regular price. For the same money, you can get a pair of no-name MicroSD cards off the internet that will have nearly identical performance. So when I recommend this to a friend, I recommend that the friend waits until it's on sale.
My Best Buy number: 2181888255
I would recommend this to a friend!
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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.
Customer Rating
4
Great for hard floors, so-so for carpets
on December 3, 2015
Posted by: BillFromKC
from Kansas City, MO
Disclaimer - I received this robotic vacuum from Best Buy in exchange for my honest opinion after testing. Also keep in mind as you read this review, I was a believer that robot vacuums were devices in search of a problem. Now that I've used one for a few days, I believe the problem they're searching for is the lack of time for other things in our lives.
The Bissell SmartClean robot vacuum cleaner isn't going to be the best robot vacuum cleaner you can buy, but for the price, you won't find a better value. The sticker on top of the unit advertises both it's powerful suction and it's intelligent navigation, and it lives up to these claims.
After receiving the unit, I went through the initial setup procedure. The unboxing was simple - pull a couple of tabs, open the flap, remove the protective bags, and it's out. Assembly was painless - pop the brushes into the front of the unit, pop the battery into the back of the unit, plug the charger in and let it sit for a few hours for its initial charge. The first run was easy - hit the power button on the unit, hit the mode button until all the icons lit up (this puts it in random cleaning mode, which uses all four cleaning modes of the unit), and let it do its thing.
I started with my kitchen floor, which is ceramic tile and approximately 220 square feet of floor space in a 24x12 area. I also went ahead and pulled the drawer out from under my range so the robot would clean under it. I was not disappointed at all in its performance here. it sucked up your regular foot traffic dirt and debris, along with some pieces of food dropped on the floor ranging in size from rice grains to Goldfish crackers. It also vacuumed up little bits of paper and plastic left to test its suction strength. it navigated around my table and cabinets with ease, realized there was a gate up between the kitchen and living room and avoided it completely, and did not fall off the step between the kitchen and the mud room. It took about an hour to complete this job and still had an estimated 50 minutes left on the battery. For this room, I give it 5 stars.
I moved onto my living room after recharging the vacuum on its dock. My living room is approximately 320 square feet of floor space, with multiple corners, the typical furniture (couch, chair, end tables, coffee table) and electronics (audio rack and subwoofer) with mixed flooring (plush area rug, hardwood floors, and tile in front of the fireplace). The hardwood floors were no problem for this vacuum, but the carpet is where it seemed to work harder - you could hear the drive motors pushing harder and the vacuum itself often went from normal mode to turbo mode when it couldn't pick up bits and pieces after the first pass. It did, however, do a good job on the exposed carpet, and a pretty decent job picking up things my 4 year old dropped through the couch when we flipped it up. It also navigated the furniture pretty well, making sure not to go in spots it could possibly get stuck in and going under furniture with ease. It took about 45 minutes to complete this job without the furniture being moved; however, the battery was nearly depleted after it spent 15 minutes cleaning where the furniture was located. I also used the invisible wall module to keep the vacuum in the room, and that device worked as expected. For this room, I give it 4 stars since it did well for under-couch stuff.
Finally, I tested it in my son's bedroom - the only carpeted room in the house. The carpet is a low-profile plush with a thick pad underneath, the kind of pad that you tend to sink into. The room is 14x13 with a lot of weird angles and walls, a queen-sized mattress on the floor, and a love seat in one corner. I did flip the mattress up after it cleaned between the mattress and the wall (which took about one minute). It ran for about 50 minutes with the vacuum on turbo mode, and did finish the entire room (save one animal cracker). However, the battery was depleted to the point the vacuum had parked itself against a wall and flashed the word "lo" on its display. Before I left after starting the job, you could hear the drive motors working hard to keep the vacuum going once again. Having looked at the floor patterns left by the unit, it probably made around 200 passes to hit every square inch of the carpet in both straight lines and zig-zags. As mentioned earlier, this vacuum ran for around 45-50 minutes in this room. For this room, I give it 3.5 stars.
So as for my thoughts on the Bissell SmartClean, it's a pretty great robotic vacuum for hard surfaces but merely a decent robotic vacuum for carpet. It does get the job done, eventually, on either surface, but it's an intelligent enough device that you can let it run while you're at work or running errands and you won't come home to it destroyed because it tried to go down stairs or under low furniture. It doesn't do a perfect job on every surface, but you will cut down on your regular vacuuming - especially if you have pets (or family) that sheds. This robotic vacuum is easily recommendable to anyone that has hard surface flooring throughout their house, and might be worth it for those with shorter carpets. Longer carpets (tall plush, are not recommended for this vacuum, as they'll make the drive motors work hard and can jam the beater bar brush. All in all, it's worth its price.
My Best Buy number: 2181888255
What's great about it: hard floor performance, vacuum performance, battery life, navigation performance
What's not so great: carpet performance, noise, no remote (ir/rf/bluetooth/wifi)
I would recommend this to a friend!
Quality
4
Features
4
Performance
3
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Westinghouse LED HDTV: Experience movies, shows, sporting events and more in 1080p resolution on this Westinghouse HDTV's LED panel. You can easily connect your Blu-ray player, laptop or other enabled devices via 3 HDMI inputs.
Customer Rating
4
For the price, a good value
on August 28, 2015
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
Pros -
48" screen for less than $400
Decent internal sound
Decent connectivity for a modern TV
Decent picture for the price
Very light for its size
48" screen for less than $400
Decent internal sound
Decent connectivity for a modern TV
Decent picture for the price
Very light for its size
Cons -
HDMI, VGA, and USB ports are in a bad location if you're mounting the TV
Fine picture adjustment (RGB gain, white balance) don't do much for the picture quality
HDMI, VGA, and USB ports are in a bad location if you're mounting the TV
Fine picture adjustment (RGB gain, white balance) don't do much for the picture quality
I bought this to replace my aging office TV set, and while it's good for the price, this is a TV that gives you a case of "you get what you pay for". The picture is decent enough, but pales in comparison to the major brands (LG, Samsung, Sony, Sharp, Vizio).
I'd recommend this if you want a large TV for not a lot of cash, or if you want a large TV for an office or bedroom and quality isn't a big thing. But as your living room TV, spend more and get something better. For about $300 more, you can pick up a much better TV set.
I still say there is only one major drawback to this TV - there isn't much room where you'd plug in HDMI and VGA-connected devices. Don't plan on using a device like a Fire TV stick, Roku Stick, or ChromeCast without using the HDMI extender that comes with those devices.
My Best Buy number: 2181888255
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+11points
14of 17voted this as helpful.
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.
Customer Rating
4
It's alright for what it is
on August 6, 2015
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
(As a heads up, I picked this up as a Deal of the Day paired with a reward certificate, so I did not pay full price for this. If I had, I would have given 3 stars instead of 4.)
I bought the Fire TV Stick for my office TV, so I could have access to Pandora, Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. It was fairly inexpensive thanks to being on sale and with a reward certificate, so it was a no-brainer to go ahead and purchase it.
Setup couldn't have been easier. Plug the device into a power source, install the batteries into the remote and wait for automatic pairing, connect to WiFi, and log into Amazon. The interface is nice to look at, very fluid and fast, and easy to navigate, though it could benefit from borrowing the grid-like setup of the Apple TV software to make scanning available content easier. Pairing an app remote installed on my iPhone was also easy - just wait for the code to pop up on your TV. Obtaining apps through Amazon is easy, though this could benefit from borrowing design elements from iTunes App Store or Google Play.
The one part you hold, the remote, feels nice but a little flimsy at times. The remote app works well enough, though scrolling should be easier.
I did test it out 4 different ways, just to see how well it worked. If this qualifies as TL;DR, just skip to the bottom of the review for my final judgement.
With an Asus VS238:
The picture was crystal clear, but there were a few color management issues when compared to the Apple TV 3. Interface and all video was clean. Audio sounded fine, no clipping from overdriven output (which I've had problems with while using my gaming PC and it's Radeon 6870 video card). All in all, a 21 to 28 inch screen and this device are a good combination. Because of clearance issues with my monitor stand, I needed to use the HDMI extender cable.
The picture was crystal clear, but there were a few color management issues when compared to the Apple TV 3. Interface and all video was clean. Audio sounded fine, no clipping from overdriven output (which I've had problems with while using my gaming PC and it's Radeon 6870 video card). All in all, a 21 to 28 inch screen and this device are a good combination. Because of clearance issues with my monitor stand, I needed to use the HDMI extender cable.
With a LG 55LM7600:
MHL doesn't work, so the USB power connection goes into my last open USB port (one has a flash drive for pictures, one has a Logitech keyboard attached). Warned about low power port, but no issues powering the device. Image quality is good, but I did have to tweak the tint and gamma from the defaults slightly. Everything works as expected, no DD+ or DD pass-through over ARC (either the stick or the TV didn't detect the capability). USB cable is too long for the back of the TV by about 3 or 4 feet.
MHL doesn't work, so the USB power connection goes into my last open USB port (one has a flash drive for pictures, one has a Logitech keyboard attached). Warned about low power port, but no issues powering the device. Image quality is good, but I did have to tweak the tint and gamma from the defaults slightly. Everything works as expected, no DD+ or DD pass-through over ARC (either the stick or the TV didn't detect the capability). USB cable is too long for the back of the TV by about 3 or 4 feet.
With a LG 55LM7600 connected to an Onkyo TX-NR717:
MHL doesn't work, so the USB power connection goes into the backside first (again, power warning) and then the frontside (no power warning). Image quality is good, I use the receiver picture quality controls to adjust for color level, tint, color balance, and brightness, and it matches to my Apple TV after those tweaks. DD and DD+ work from both Netflix and Amazon Instant. Audio quality using AirBuddy is nearly on-par with Apple TV for AirPlay (though the trial version of AirBuddy only allows for 15 minutes at a time). I do notice the device would be a tight enough fit, however, if I were to place it at the back of my receiver; however, it does come with a 6" HDMI extender cable to alleviate that issue. The USB cable isn't long enough to reach for a dedicated power connection from the wall.
MHL doesn't work, so the USB power connection goes into the backside first (again, power warning) and then the frontside (no power warning). Image quality is good, I use the receiver picture quality controls to adjust for color level, tint, color balance, and brightness, and it matches to my Apple TV after those tweaks. DD and DD+ work from both Netflix and Amazon Instant. Audio quality using AirBuddy is nearly on-par with Apple TV for AirPlay (though the trial version of AirBuddy only allows for 15 minutes at a time). I do notice the device would be a tight enough fit, however, if I were to place it at the back of my receiver; however, it does come with a 6" HDMI extender cable to alleviate that issue. The USB cable isn't long enough to reach for a dedicated power connection from the wall.
With an Olevia 537h-B11:
Stick fits nicely into the cable management area on the back of the TV. Stick realizes it's attached to a 720p TV and not 1080P, and switches resolution on its own. The interface image quality is poor, even after adjusting sharpness, contrast, and everything else I can to make edges not as harsh. Computer animation, Fox Sports 1 live, and WatchESPN live are all the same with strong aliasing on any line that isn't straight. The TV show "Transparent" on Amazon looks good, however, as does the Netflix show "House of Cards". Album artwork from music played on my iPhone through AirBuddy looks good, but text suffers the same aliasing issues. Photos from the screen saver are hit or miss, depending on details (I never did look at the screen saver on the 1080P displays.)
Stick fits nicely into the cable management area on the back of the TV. Stick realizes it's attached to a 720p TV and not 1080P, and switches resolution on its own. The interface image quality is poor, even after adjusting sharpness, contrast, and everything else I can to make edges not as harsh. Computer animation, Fox Sports 1 live, and WatchESPN live are all the same with strong aliasing on any line that isn't straight. The TV show "Transparent" on Amazon looks good, however, as does the Netflix show "House of Cards". Album artwork from music played on my iPhone through AirBuddy looks good, but text suffers the same aliasing issues. Photos from the screen saver are hit or miss, depending on details (I never did look at the screen saver on the 1080P displays.)
So the pros:
easy setup
decent remote with good range
wifi has great range (picked up base stations from 200-300 feet away)
nicely sized
comes with HDMI extender and a USB wall plug for those that need them
good audio quality, especially with DD and DD+
some of the better streaming services are represented (amazon, hulu, netflix, and ultraviolet via flixster)
fast to start playback
fluid interface and fast boot time of the device
easy setup
decent remote with good range
wifi has great range (picked up base stations from 200-300 feet away)
nicely sized
comes with HDMI extender and a USB wall plug for those that need them
good audio quality, especially with DD and DD+
some of the better streaming services are represented (amazon, hulu, netflix, and ultraviolet via flixster)
fast to start playback
fluid interface and fast boot time of the device
The mehs:
remote could be slimmer and more solid
color management could be better, with more output options (RGB 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 please)
the USB port for power could have been placed closer to the end of the stick instead of the center
could have come with a shorter cable
interface design tweaks would make this a better experience
remote could be slimmer and more solid
color management could be better, with more output options (RGB 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 please)
the USB port for power could have been placed closer to the end of the stick instead of the center
could have come with a shorter cable
interface design tweaks would make this a better experience
And the cons:
does not work on MHL power (but MHL ports are just HDMI with power, so this works as an HDMI device)
one size does not fit all in terms of the USB cable
interface is grainy on 720P TV sets, as is some video
USB connection on the side can block access to other HDMI ports on TVs and receivers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conclusion:
All in all, I would recommend this to those that need a cheap way to get Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, or other video providers on their bedroom TV, and don't want the headaches associated with Chromecast (which requires a computer, smartphone, tablet, or other compatible internet-connected device that supports Casting). It looks great on 1080P TV sets, but not quite as good on 720P TV sets. Personally, I'd consider Apple TV (for Apple device/computer owners and those with large iTunes media collections), Google Nexus Player (for those with Android phones running recent versions of Android and those with large collections of media and apps from Google Play), or Roku 2 or 3 (for those that just want to stream and don't have large media collections on iTunes or Play) over this device, but I would consider this over the Amazon Fire TV box since the biggest difference between the two devices for the average user is the Fire TV Box comes with the microphone remote and this does not, and I'd consider this over dedicated media players from other manufacturers. It also makes a great upgrade for those with a Smart TV that's a few years old but feeling dated.
does not work on MHL power (but MHL ports are just HDMI with power, so this works as an HDMI device)
one size does not fit all in terms of the USB cable
interface is grainy on 720P TV sets, as is some video
USB connection on the side can block access to other HDMI ports on TVs and receivers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conclusion:
All in all, I would recommend this to those that need a cheap way to get Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, or other video providers on their bedroom TV, and don't want the headaches associated with Chromecast (which requires a computer, smartphone, tablet, or other compatible internet-connected device that supports Casting). It looks great on 1080P TV sets, but not quite as good on 720P TV sets. Personally, I'd consider Apple TV (for Apple device/computer owners and those with large iTunes media collections), Google Nexus Player (for those with Android phones running recent versions of Android and those with large collections of media and apps from Google Play), or Roku 2 or 3 (for those that just want to stream and don't have large media collections on iTunes or Play) over this device, but I would consider this over the Amazon Fire TV box since the biggest difference between the two devices for the average user is the Fire TV Box comes with the microphone remote and this does not, and I'd consider this over dedicated media players from other manufacturers. It also makes a great upgrade for those with a Smart TV that's a few years old but feeling dated.
My Best Buy number: 2181888255
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Take important files with you on the go by storing them on this PNY Attaché 4 P-FD16GATT4-GE flash drive, which features a 16GB capacity for ample space. The USB 2.0 interface enables fast data transfers between devices.
Posted by: BillFromKC
from KCMO
So I bought this to build an installer drive for Windows 10. It does it job well.
Some of you may ask "But why did you get a 16GB drive when an 8 would have sufficed?" Simple - I keep a collection of drivers for different network adapters (wired and wireless), video cards, audio cards, and motherboard chipsets on the drive just in case Windows either doesn't have a driver or has a bad driver for said device.
My Best Buy number: 2181888255
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.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5No 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
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 5
1 out of 5Big 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.
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 5
4 out of 5tv 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
BillFromKC
KCMO
850b doesn't have HDR support
January 14, 2016
but the 850c (this TV) does.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
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.
Overall
3 out of 5
3 out of 5Hard 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.
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
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
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 5
1 out of 5Terrible
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.
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.
![The Secret Life of Pets [DVD] [2016]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5431/5431203_sa.jpg)
Overall1 out of 5
1 out of 5Bootleg 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.
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
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 5
5 out of 5This 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!
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 5
5 out of 5Blazing 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.
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).
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!
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.
Make a smart solution to upgrade your home security to IndoorCam Mini. Never second-guess what you see in clear 2K resolution, and give yourself control with pan and tilt functions to monitor your home’s most vital areas. IndoorCam Mini features On-Device AI Human Detection, a technology that identifies humans in the frame and only sends you the notifications that matter. After returning home, you can turn on Home Privacy Mode, which turns off the camera and rotates it to your preferred privacy angle. Best of all, there’s no monthly fee after your purchase.
Can this new Indoor Cam Mini connect to the Eufy HomeBase? I would like for the IndoorDam store data on the base for easy access and control.
It stores data on the camera itself and not on a Homebase module. However, you still access the video like you would with Homebase-connected cameras - via the app.
2 years, 6 months ago
by
BillFromKC
Make a smart solution to upgrade your home security to IndoorCam Mini. Never second-guess what you see in clear 2K resolution, and give yourself control with pan and tilt functions to monitor your home’s most vital areas. IndoorCam Mini features On-Device AI Human Detection, a technology that identifies humans in the frame and only sends you the notifications that matter. After returning home, you can turn on Home Privacy Mode, which turns off the camera and rotates it to your preferred privacy angle. Best of all, there’s no monthly fee after your purchase.
Does this camera require WiFi to operate?
It can record internally to a micro SD card, but you would need WiFi to access your footage and receive motion alerts.
2 years, 6 months ago
by
BillFromKC
Meet the Ninja Foodi 14-in-1 6.5qt. Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer with SmartLid. The pressure cooker that steams and crisps. SmartLid slider unlocks pressure cooking, air frying, and Steamcrisping - all under one SmartLid. SteamCrisp Technology steams and crisps at the same time for faster, juicier, crispier results*. 14 one-touch programs unlock even more versatility. (*Vs. Ninja Foodi OL501 in dry mode only)
Does this model have hands free pressure release when pressure cooking timer is done, or do you have to manually release steam after pressure cooking?
The Core Innovations ANT800BAR Indoor TV Antenna Bar allows you to access HDTV channels up to 80 miles away, free of charge. The signal indicator displays reception strength for peak viewing potential, and the omni-directional bar design provides connectivity in all directions. Enjoy content in up to 4K full HD where supported.
We have a steel roof, will this antenna work for us?
As long as the signal path isn't being blocked by the roof, this should work. However, you're better off to look into an outdoor antenna system.
2 years, 6 months ago
by
BillFromKC
The Core Innovations ANT800BAR Indoor TV Antenna Bar allows you to access HDTV channels up to 80 miles away, free of charge. The signal indicator displays reception strength for peak viewing potential, and the omni-directional bar design provides connectivity in all directions. Enjoy content in up to 4K full HD where supported.
Is this antenna ATSC 3.0 capable?
All antennas that work with ATSC 1.0 work with ATSC 3.0. In fact, all TV antennas that work on the standard UHF range (which means nearly every antenna, ever) work with ATSC 3.0 receivers and TV sets.
2 years, 6 months ago
by
BillFromKC
The WD_Black P10 Game Drive gives your console or PC the performance-enhancing tools it needs to keep your competitive edge. It's a top-tier external HDD in capacities 2TB, built specifically for gamers looking to expand the potential of their console or PC by saving their game library in an on-the-go form factor. Now, with WD_Black P10 Game Drive, you can drive your game the way you choose.
Will this work on a Xbox s and save my downloads
The WD_Black P10 Game Drive gives your console or PC the performance-enhancing tools it needs to keep your competitive edge. It's a top-tier external HDD in capacities 2TB, built specifically for gamers looking to expand the potential of their console or PC by saving their game library in an on-the-go form factor. Now, with WD_Black P10 Game Drive, you can drive your game the way you choose.
Can this work for Mac PC
It can. You may need to format it for PC usage first, however.
2 years, 9 months ago
by
BillFromKC
The WD_Black P10 Game Drive gives your console or PC the performance-enhancing tools it needs to keep your competitive edge. It's a top-tier external HDD in capacities 2TB, built specifically for gamers looking to expand the potential of their console or PC by saving their game library in an on-the-go form factor. Now, with WD_Black P10 Game Drive, you can drive your game the way you choose.
Can this be used with IPad Pro 10.5 inch
It can if you used a Camera Connection Kit and a Powered USB 3.x Hub. The lightning port by itself doesn't output enough power to run this drive.
For newer iPad Pros with USB-C connectors, you could just use a USB-C to USB 3.0 Micro B cable.
Either way, you'd need to format this drive using a computer first to a supported format (I believe that would be either ExFAT, HFS+, or APFS).
For newer iPad Pros with USB-C connectors, you could just use a USB-C to USB 3.0 Micro B cable.
Either way, you'd need to format this drive using a computer first to a supported format (I believe that would be either ExFAT, HFS+, or APFS).
2 years, 9 months ago
by
BillFromKC
The WD_Black P10 Game Drive gives your console or PC the performance-enhancing tools it needs to keep your competitive edge. It's a top-tier external HDD in capacities 2TB, built specifically for gamers looking to expand the potential of their console or PC by saving their game library in an on-the-go form factor. Now, with WD_Black P10 Game Drive, you can drive your game the way you choose.
Does this need a 3.0 slot to work correctly on an xbox series x? Will it work in a usb hub on the xbox series x with only 2.0 slots available?
It can work with a USB 2.0 hub, but it will run at approximately 1/3 the speed you'd get with a USB 3.x connection (40 megabyte per second transfers on USB 2.0 versus 120 megabyte per second transfers over USB 3.x).
2 years, 9 months ago
by
BillFromKC
The WD_Black P10 Game Drive gives your console or PC the performance-enhancing tools it needs to keep your competitive edge. It's a top-tier external HDD in capacities 2TB, built specifically for gamers looking to expand the potential of their console or PC by saving their game library in an on-the-go form factor. Now, with WD_Black P10 Game Drive, you can drive your game the way you choose.
Will it work with a Xbox 360 E console?
It should, but you'd be better off with a less expensive external drive as the Xbox 360 series of devices do not have USB 3.0 connections and even the slowest of external drives currently available can saturate a USB 2.0 connection.
2 years, 9 months ago
by
BillFromKC