3Tcubed's stats
- Review count168
- Helpfulness votes1,527
- First reviewJanuary 3, 2014
- Last reviewMay 14, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.3
Reviews comments
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- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentNone
- Last review commentNone
- Featured review comments0
Questions
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- Helpfulness votes0
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- Featured questions0
- Answer count72
- Helpfulness votes45
- First answerJanuary 10, 2015
- Last answerJanuary 12, 2022
- Featured answers0
- Best answers11
We didn't call this ebike the Sinch for no reason. Foldable, portable, storable, powerful, comfortable, and ready for anything, the Sinch folding electric bike lives up to the definition of "doing it with ease". Your Sinch compact electric bike will fit in your closet and under your desk, meaning it's almost infinitely portable! Making this electric bike foldable means that it'll even fit in the trunk of your car or easily into your RV so you can take it anywhere with you. With 4" fat tires and a front suspension fork this ebike is ready to both cruise the pavements and conquer the trails! The powerful motor and stealthily integrated battery mean that you'll never be short of power, and 5 levels of pedal assist and a no-nonsense, no-need-to-pedal throttle mean that you can go as hard or as light as you want. Cruise around town or through the park on this and you're sure be turning heads!
Posted by: 3Tcubed
from Phoenix, AZ
Age:55-64
Gender:Male
I waited anxiously for my Aventon Sinch eBike to arrive. While waiting I read everything I could from the blogs on their web site. After talking to another eBike rider he told me to get a good bar lock and if you're going to ride around people, get a simple bike bell.
When the bike arrived it was well packed in box (see image) that would easily fit in the back of my SUV. This was something I'd wondered about. The bike comes folded in a box weighting 85 lbs. The eBike is nearly completely assembled. The electronic display needs to be connected (screwed into place, and 2 wires connected). The peddles need to be unfolded. And the bike needs to be un-folded (be careful with the internal wiring, mine needed to be re-aligned to allow proper closure). The top center bar contains the battery. It requires one of the two provided keys to unlock/release it. The battery can either be charged outside of the bikes battery holder or while it is inside the frame. This is a great arrangement, as I live in AZ, and was concerned with keeping/charging the battery in my garage when the summer temps will be reaching +120 degrees (but I won't likely see freezing temps). The supplied battery charger has about 6' of cord to the charging brick, and 6' of cord to the bike/battery. Aventon recommends leaving the charger connected for 10-12 hrs. during the initial 3 charges.
I'm about 6' tall and it was easy to adjust the seat up to the proper/comfortable height. Same with the handle bars, also easy to adjust for a comfortable ride/reach.
With helmet on, my first impression... Wow, I live on a hill, going down in both directions from my driveway. On the right hand is the gear switch (gear 1-7) with 2 levers, the back increases the gearing, the front decreases it. The bike come in 2 versions Throttle on Demand (TOD) and Throttle after Pedal (TAP), I found I had a TAP, and until I pedaled the throttle is inactive, it's also inactive until the pedal assist level is moved from 0 to 1-5. So, I'm coasting down my hill at about 5mph, not pedaling, I set the pedal assist to 1 and start pedaling, just after I do the motor kicks in, gently assisting, at assist level 2, I'm immediately comfortable, moving at about 15mph (downhill). If I stop pedaling the bike starts to slow as the motor stops assisting, I pedal again, and it kicks back in. On the left handle bar is the throttle control, with your left thumb if you depress the throttle, the motor kicks back in, even if you’re not pedaling. By the end of the street, I think I've got it figured out (pretty much). I'm now on flat pavement. I get to a low gear and take off, upshifting, and then adding pedal assist 1-2-3, and I'm up to 20mph, crusing toward my neighborhood park. I take a wide corner at about 15mph, thinking these 4" nubby tires make some noise, but give a nice smooth ride. I head into the park’s hard dirt trails. It's a little over a mile around I want to get some exercise, so I won't use the throttle control, I back off the pedal assist, back to 1, and pedal around the park in 4th gear, doing much of the work, but the bike is helping. I think REALLY cool, the air breezing through my helmet (and what hair I have left) moving ~15mph, I keep pedaling, but not really exerting myself too much.
I finished the loop in just under 4m, walking time for me is about 9m (exhausted). I waited at the end of this ride for a few minutes at a picnic bench. A friend asked what was I riding. I told him I was on my first ride on my Aventon Sinch. And that I was impressed, but still learning. I told him about the foldable Sinch and how I could get it in my SUV. He said, cool idea as he typically vacationed on a beach in SD, and that the 4" tires would work great on the sand. I showed him how easy it was to adjust the seat and handle bars. He said it would be great for other family members, which range from 5"4 to just over 6'2". I left for home. So on my first ride, I learned a lot. I have to also say the saddle seemed a bit small to be comfortable for my butt, next purchase...
With next day delivery, I had a bigger softer I switched seats. My new seat is almost 4" wider, with big springs and memory foam. The Sinch seat would have been fine for me before I turned 50, but now in my early 60's and a softer support seemed more to my liking. After my first ride I also noticed some chain noise. The bike came with a small grease packet, so I applied grease all around the chain, it now moves more silently and the derailer handles gear changes more fluently. I'd suggest applying grease to the chain before your first ride, it will make your ride more silent and smoother.
Ok, I have a hill at the end of my street that has about a 110' rise over a 1/10 mile, it’s about a 30% incline (see picture). I really wondered how fast my Sinch could get me up the hill (with full assist). From a standing start in low gear and full assist I quickly got to 20 mph, but 2/3's up the hill the speed dropped, best I could maintain was 10.9 mph, still moving with some of my peddling added, but nowhere need full speed. I get to top (for another picture) pleased I could make it, but this is a real steep hill, I could not bike it on my old bike (when I was younger), or with the Sinch without assist, and it's even a tough walk. But w/Sinch's power assist we succeeded. This was an important success to me, as if I'm going to use my Sinch to go shopping, it had to handle this hill. Coming down was a test of the brakes, 1/3rd the way down I was at 35mph, time to use the breaks, here I appreciated the front and rear disk brakes with real, controlled, stopping power - VERY happy!. No problems, I accelerate up the next hill to my house and right back to 20mph, cruising into my drive way, I see my wife taking a video of my first "hill" ride. She said I looked happy; I have to admit I was.
It's not hard to figure out how to use this eBike, but it definitely varies based on the terrain, and how you want to use the bike. The 5 different assistance levels determine how much work you will do peddling versus the bike doing more of the work (assist levels 3-5).
I had one other initial impression, I needed a driver’s side (left hand) mirror, I was so accustomed to driving a car, and looking to the left to see what's behind me, I missed that, a lot. So that was my next purchase, I wanted a mirror so I could see behind me (without turning my head and taking my eyes off the road). Now added. I now feel fully equipped (see images).
Enough praise for the bike, here are some things I think they could do better. The key should be able to "Lock" the bike, so you can't turn the handle bar when locked, or other features disabled. This theft deterrent is clearly a missing feature. The ability to set TOD or TAP should be a programmable choice. I also think it should come with the color display, it's so much better, or offer it as a shippable option. The Sinch is also a bit heavy for one person to easily get it in/out of a SUV, folding/unfolding could be easier, especially by better supporting the center stem (it has a small drop down support but it offers minimal support of the heavy bike while folding), this can certainly be improved so it's easy to do with one person. The eBike is also very tippy when folded, I'd like to find a way to make it more movable without tipping. And the handle bar width is kind of narrow, making it hard to get all your "devices' installed across the bars width. But for transport the narrow handle certainly helps. Part of the problem is that the handle bar changing sizes along it's length, if it were all on width more of the surface area would be usable. Maybe if they included a phone mount, combined with the color display, that could pop-off when folded, they would have an ideal solution. The Aventon app and color display makes for a "better ride" (more informed), the two work better together. I also wish I could lock the throttle in place, so I didn't need to keep my thumb on it. I'd also like an option to order it with fenders. You can order fenders, but they've been backordered since I got my bike, and I'll have to install them, I know I won't ride my Sinch after rain without fenders (but I live in AZ, I might not see any rain for 3+ months).
My favorite features are: 4” soft fat tires, that make for smooth ride.
Front fork shock absorbers, makes the ride much smother, not only when riding, but when stopping.
Smooth acceleration and slow down when motor starts/stops.
Superb front and rear brakes
Easy to adjust seat/handlebars
Powerful motor, nice acceleration.
40-mile range, removable, rechargeable battery (in or out of bike).
Beautiful styling/paint on the bike.
Front fork shock absorbers, makes the ride much smother, not only when riding, but when stopping.
Smooth acceleration and slow down when motor starts/stops.
Superb front and rear brakes
Easy to adjust seat/handlebars
Powerful motor, nice acceleration.
40-mile range, removable, rechargeable battery (in or out of bike).
Beautiful styling/paint on the bike.
Well, I'm certainly still learning, but with the help of the Aventon bike groups, I learned a lot before the bike even arrived. The groups are pretty active, I plan to stay connected to them. And while I'm not likely to take my bike on multi-day +100mi ride, like some in the group have, they are the real experts, I've learned a lot from them. The Aventon app can take you right to the groups though the "Discover" button. I am certainly looking forward to being able to pack it up and take it on vacations, but none planned till April. The Sinch’s quality is outstanding. It’s a tremendous eBike once you get it equipped with the options you want, based on how you plan to use it. Enjoy the ride.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Design
5
Durability
5
Quality
5
Value
4
Ease of Use
5
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+2points
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The Litra Glow premium streaming light is one of the fastest way to achieve professional-quality lighting for videos and streaming. Logitech’s TrueSoft technology delivers balanced, full-spectrum LED light with cinematic color accuracy for natural skin tones and a radiant look on camera. Eliminate harsh shadows with wide, soft light that flatters the subject using Litra Glow’s innovative frameless diffuser. Litra Glow has cleared even the strictest UL testing guidelines for all-day streaming. Easily place Litra Glow where you want it using the patent-pending three-way monitor mount with adjustable height, tilt and rotation. Fine-tune your on-camera look using adjustable brightness and color temperature settings—from warm candlelight to cool blue.
Customer Rating
5
Great Flexibility in Lighting
on January 28, 2022
Posted by: 3Tcubed
from Phoenix, AZ
I've been using doing video conferencing for nearly 30 years. I've always recognised how important decent lighting and backgrounds are. Todays video conferencing is so much better that what I started with, but still getting lighting right is such a problem. Especially when using notebooks/laptops. The Logitech Litra Glow offers numerous features that are quite important. The three biggest are the ability to control the brightness of the light, the color temperature, and the light's position. First there is no perfect answer. It all depends on the environment you videoconferencing from. The lighting in the room your in greatly effects how a close range light, like the Litra Glow is effective. If your heavily back lighted, you need a different type of lighting and if you have a lot of fluorescents overhead. One of the "hidden" features of the Litra Glow is the software that can be used with it. At first I thought why do I need software for a light. But after using the G Hub software, which lets you view your live video, and it let's you control the brightness and color temperature (with infinite flexibility). So you can see, in real time, the effect that the Litra Glow has on "your" captured image. You can move two sliders adjusting the color temp and brightness. This coupled with your environmental lighting allow you to see how you will look 'live'. Too much brightness washes you out, or causes terrible reflections if you wear glasses, so getting the lights brightness and angle are very important. A soft color temp tends to make you look more calm, where a white light tends to be more harsh, but it depends on your rooms lighting, you must work with the controls to get the right combination. The light can also be controlled with buttons on the back, and the light can be extended up and down, this may/will affect shadows on your face and it depending on brightness. So there are a lot of combinations to consider. And if attached to your notebook you still can't get the right angle, the light includes a standard tripod screw mount. So instead of resting the light on your notebook's top you can use a small to large tripod to position the light exactly where you want it. You could even use multiple lights to completely eliminate shadows.
Having used several other lights previously, I have to say Logitech seems to have thought of everything, and really improved the simple computer light (which might not have realized is so important to your image). Evaluating how you look in real time is so (pardon my pun) enlightening. They have done a great job of improving what seems a simple product.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Deliver reliable power to your Google Nest Doorbell with this Wasserstein solar panel. The high-efficiency solar cells provide a stable 4W output to keep the camera charged, and the rotatable mount allows flexible placement for optimal exposure to sunlight. This Wasserstein solar panel comes with a toolkit and a 13-foot cable for effortless installation.
Posted by: 3Tcubed
from PHOENIX, AZ
I love the Google Nest Battery doorbell, it's battery life is nearly 2 months, but taking it down to re-charge it is still a hassle. This little solar panel avoids that hassle. The solar panel is very high quality, with a +20% efficiency. It includes all the necessary hardware to mount the panel and about 13' of wire to run from the doorbell to the panel. The doorbell seems to have been designed so that a solar panel could be added. The back of the doorbell has 2 small screws that allows the panel to be added/connected. My second photo show the wires entering from the top of the bracket that holds the doorbell. Here you can see the y-connectors that are placed under the screws. You then can re-connect the doorbell.. The solar panel should be placed where it will get maximum sun exposure (preferably pointing south). The solar panel holder is plastic (I wish it was metal) with two screws to hold it in place. The panel can be adjusted up and down and be turned in the holder. Given I have a wood facia it was easy to connect with the provided wood screws. They also provide sleeves if you need to install on masonry/brick. Installation was easy.
When I installed mine my battery was about half charged, When the panel is in the sun you will seen that it's charging (see last image). My battery was 100% charged after it's first day of sunshine. Perfect! I'm very happy with how easy this was to install and how well it works.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The best bedroom Smart Clock just got even better. The Lenovo Smart Clock Gen 2 has a 4“ color touchscreen showcases the time, weather and your family photos. Choose a customizable clock face or check in on your smart cameras feeds before bed. With multiroom audio, you can add your Lenovo Smart Clock Gen 2 to a speaker group and play media across multiple devices and rooms.
Posted by: 3Tcubed
from PHOENIX, AZ
My house is full of smart devices (over 90). This is my 6th or seventh smart display, I have 8 smart picture frames (2 just for artwork). I love the concept of a small to medium display showing Date/Time/Calander information. I had the original Lenovo, and hated it's limitations until it could display photos. Once I could use it for photos, that changed my opinion of it. Well this Gen 2 device adds bluetooth support, you can stream or cast music to it as a BT speaker. An nice addition, but the quality of the screen is much clearer (more detailed, better colors) than the gen 1 device. It also uses less slightly less power.
I have picture frames in all of my bathrooms, and many other rooms. I had an old, but decent sounding clock radio in my guest bedroom. It occured to me this was clearly obsolete in my smart house. So this Lenovo gen 2 goes to to my guest bedroom. My initial set up seemed to go pretty well. Add the google device, tell it what room it's in, let it update it's firmware and then set the streaming music options, video options and then select what photo albums (from Google Photos Library). Well it just would not show me my albums, all I could display were "selected favorites". Nice pictures but not what I wanted. I looked at settings in Google Play, and I didn't see my 'Guest Bedroom Clock' as a display device (with the 4 others I already had). Eventually I removed the device and re-added it; repeated the setup (5m) and it then offered me the options to select from my Google Photo Albums. Now I have 35K photo rotating every minute on my Leveno 'Guest Bedroom Clock'.
I set an alarm (for my next guest) to see how the streaming music sounded. And for it's size it's great, it's not stereo but it's loud enough you won't ignore it. A hidden feature is that's not documented (anywhere I could find) was it's snooze bar, tap the middle of the clock and it will snooze for a user programed duration. I did not see this in the documentation, but it seemed obvious, and worked. The top of the clock also has a volume up and down button; and the back has a switch to turn of the microphone. The Google Assistant works as well as it does on any other device (which means better than Alexa or Siri).
The clock offers many different dimming levels and night light settings, including off. Quite flexible. Swiping to the right allow you to easily configure the clock face. Swiping up and down allows other configuration changes, including volume and dimming. There are some things that probably will never change, it does stream a few video channels, but its pretty limited (no Amazon video or music). I wish the "industry" would support 'everything' everywhere, but each lives without the others. That being said this is a device you can use a BT speaker or cast to it. This is nice, it would be nicer if it could pair to another BT device, like headphones or another speaker. I'd love to send a song to my wireless earpods from this device..... but not today, I still have to send from my phone. In my opinion this is the biggest missing feature (which could probably be added via a firmware upgrade). All an all a great little "clock".
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Adobe - Photoshop Elements 2022 & Premiere Elements 2022 - Windows [Digital]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6475/6475053_sd.jpg)
Discover the fun of creative editing and storytelling. Adobe Sensei AI technology* and automated options do the heavy lifting so you can instantly turn photos into art, warp photos to fit any shape, reframe your video subjects, and more. Add moving overlays or 3D camera motion to take your photos to a whole new level, and save them as MP4s for easy sharing on social. Grow your skills with 87 Guided Edits that step you through how to create perfect pet pics; extend, remove, or replace photo backgrounds; add fun animated overlays to your videos; bring out details in video shadows and highlights; and more. Edit and export videos in social-friendly vertical and square aspect ratios, and compress videos for easy sharing. Effortlessly organize your photos and videos, and craft personalized creations like dynamic photoand video slideshows with all-new styles, inspirational quote graphics, and animated social posts. Transform your favorite photos into gallery-quality wall art, beautiful prints, and unique keepsakes with the built-in prints and gifts service .†And enjoy an updated look that makes the software even easier to use and navigate. *Adobe Sensei is the technology that powers intelligent features across all Adobe products to dramatically improve the design and delivery of digital experiences, using artificial intelligence and machine learning in a common framework. †FUJIFILM Prints & Gifts service is available in the U.S. only.
Customer Rating
3
Great when not Crashing
on November 18, 2021
Posted by: 3Tcubed
from PHOENIX, AZ
I've used Photoshop Elements on and for for 20+ years; I have to say each release brings improvements and potentially new headaches. I did my testing on a 16Gb i5/G10, I have bigger faster machine but this on happens to have the bulk of my images (not stored in the cloud) on it and a set of my parents 8mm childhood videos, recently converted to DVD format.
The new Guided (AI) functionality works surprisingly well, however it is a little heavy handed at times leaving it's work somewhat pixelized where it had originally been, well lets just say just dull/flat. I found in a couple of weeks of using it the most valuable feature was what under Enhancements they call Haze Removal, this did a wonderful job of turning gray skies to blue, but in a very natural way. It also improved the appearance of clouds in enhancing contrast and shadows in a very natural way. The smooth skin Effect was subtle. The open closed eye works well if you had a similar picture of the same person at approximately the same distance and angle, where it works magic. Now if the person is wearing glasses it tends to make more of a mess (at least where there are some reflections). The whiten teeth effect works well if there is plenty of contrast around the lips, but if there is not you might find it lighting the nose's color too. I found when it worked it was an excellent touch-up tool that looked very natural. I've run into this concept elsewhere, an it can certainly go too far. But it does do a good job, as does the red-eye reduction enhancement. I was not as happy with the auto sharpen, as it caused some edges to become noticeably pixelized.
The more complex editing functions dealing with layers and composite editing work reasonably well but have a real learning curve to become proficient with them. The different layers styles and naming/grouping takes some getting used to. The Filter library and number of ways to transform you image into a new picture is quite remarkable, I can't say I'd likely do this very often thought but for thouse of you that want to artful, there is a lot that can be done.
In general the Photoshop elements can help you take a decent images and make it really pop. I photograph a lot of lightning when I can; and it improved several images I had previously edited and made them better, pretty easily. But as I opend more images without closing then I stated to run into some problems. I'd attempt to apply a new effect or change a layer and I ran into memory errors (can't do that now...) or screen freeze of my system. I have a 4K monitor tied to my Laptop (with NVidia video card); I had functions that wound work on one screen and not the other, and things that would be display on my second screen even though I was working on my primary screen. Ultimately I had to restart the system to get it to behave normally again.
When dealing with .mpg4 video, all have to be imported into your video asset library. This conversion of 640x480 video, in my case was quite time consuming, I attempted to import about 24 files, between 5 and 30min each and it took over 30min, after which I had to reboot; as my system again froze. Lesson learned, don't bite off too much at a time. Then in editing those I had difficulties using the Smart Fix tools to try to improve the grainy video quality. After exiting the premise editor it became stuck in memory, just about every time I used it. I had to use task manager more than once to kill it so that it could be reloaded. I had much better luck using Photoshop Elements than I did in accomplishing anything with the Premier Video editor.
In the end Elements is a good photo editor, just don't open to many images as I found it got buggy with a lot of active images.
Premiere Video was buggy from the start, causing more crashes than I'm accustomed to in a couple of months, in a few hours. It needs improvement, I can't recommend it as it is.
Premiere Video was buggy from the start, causing more crashes than I'm accustomed to in a couple of months, in a few hours. It needs improvement, I can't recommend it as it is.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Connecting virtually with friends and co-workers gets a major upgrade with the monitor’s built-in camera, noise-cancelling microphones and dual 5W speakers. You’ll enjoy amazing video clarity and crystal-clear sound. Versatile USB-C connectivity delivers video, audio and data, and charges your laptop. Plus, with just one cord, you'll have a clutter-free desk space. A super clear 5MP IR pop-up camera features facial recognition through Windows Hello for convenient, instant sign-on to Windows. The best part? The camera stays hidden until you're ready for video chatting or selfies. A height-adjustable stand and a monitor that tilts, swivels and pivots so you look your best and feel your best for all-day conferencing.
Posted by: 3Tcubed
from PHOENIX, AZ
Having not left my office for nearly the last 2 years I can appreciate where this Monitor fits in. Very few laptops have decent cameras. I frequently use MS Teams and Zoom for video conferencing. My office setup is pretty typical a notebook to the side and a larger monitor (or 2) connected to my note book. The larger monitor is usually front and center. Which means for video conferencing I have to look to the right to use my notebooks camera (which I also have to do to use MS Hello to sign on). I've experimented with a seperate external camera and microphone and lighting. But the hassles with all the extra cables to plug in and get/keep setup, and to reconnect when I have to take my notebook with me.... well it's not worth the effort. Enter Dell's new line of video ready monitors; like I said brilliant. Not only a great IPS monitor but a monitor with a very good digital camera, which includes IR sensing so that it can be used with MS Hello to login (Hello requires 2 signals, video for comparison, and IR to make sure is not just a photograph (human heat and depth)).
The quality is the monitor for 24" is fine for Full HD. The color set up can be adjusted via RGB settings (great if your using it for photo editing, or content creation - you can exactly match the calibration you need). The 75Hz refresh rate insures you can't see any repaint on the screen, and it also prevents screen tearing when gaming. It supports AMD's FreeSync for improve frame stability when gaming. The other hidden big deal i that this monitor has a 5W sound bar built in. The sound quality is really excellent and clear, it seems to come from the sides and the bottom (it won't replace my $1K sound system w/sub), but does an adequate job of providing crisp voices when used in a video conference. It also provides a echo canceling microphone(s) so that the sounds from the monitor do not effect the sound heard on the other end. It does an excellent job of this. I have a $100 dual mic, echo canceling set up that I used with a seperate camera, and the Dell mic set up is every bit as good. This is often over looked when making video calls. The quality of the mic greatly effects the quality of the video call. The only thing that I might have added is some direct diffused lighting, I use a 4" light ring with adjustable color/light output clamped to my desk on a long goose neck. I use it for video calls and for desktop lighting, when doing close-up work.
The monitor is highly adjustable up/down,right/left. And the monitor can be turned on it's stand so that it can be used in portrait or landscape modes (it's not hard to turn, but you can't do it without using 2 hands). The monitor supports 3 means for connection: HDMI, DP and USB-C. USB-C is fairly new, your computer must support USB-C/DP output. Most notebooks with Thunderbolt/USB-C output or Power Delivery support this. Mid to high end notebooks fro the last 2+ years have offer this. I love this functionality. This Dell monitor also has a USB hub with Power Delivery built in so you can connect a USB device to the monitor (under left side of monitor (I put a little piece of tape on the bottom edge of the monitor so I could find it more easily). I can use it to fast charge my iPhone; very convenient, and it can be disabled to save energy from the setup menu.
The display quality and off angle viewing of this monitor is excellent, watching video on the monitor is very good when at least 16-18" from the monitor. Any closer and you can see the pixel array onscreen. The 24" is full HD (the 27" DZ monitor is QHD). One feature that is not supported is HDR/HDR10. The only time you would miss this is when watching Movie's that support this. It is something I look for, but in testing the HD set up in Windows 11, it was hard to see how the output could be improved (once the brightness and contrast were turned down from their defaut 75% settings). These settings are fine for a bright room but for viewing movies I found 40%/50% to provide better cleaner shades of grey and blacks.
For a 24" HD monitor it is excellent. I suspect the 27" QHD is more in line with state of the art. But not all workspaces are alike. Because I have 2 monitors on my desk, I really can't fit 2 27" monitors, but 2 24" plus the notebook fit comfortably. I also found the USB power deliver output under the monitor was sufficient to charge/power my notebook, one less power cord to my desk - cool.
I'm proud to have this monitor on my desk. I've been asked by several clients, what I'm using, as they can tell it's an improvement from just using my notebook. Dell once again has produced an excellent product, and push the camera down and you know your not going to be spied upon!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+5points
7of 9voted this as helpful.
Smart security that is designed for every home. Set up in minutes, and receive notifications from the app whenever a visitor presses your Video Doorbell or motion is detected. You can also choose to wire it to sound your existing home chime. Blink Video Doorbell lets you answer your door no matter where you are. Receive customizable alerts right from the Blink Home Monitor app, and experience helpful features like HD day and night video and two-way audio. Best part – Blink’s long-battery life technology provides peace of mind for up to two years.
Customer Rating
5
SImple, Effective Video Doorbell
on October 29, 2021
Posted by: 3Tcubed
from PHOENIX, AZ
I've been trying to find the best Video doorbell for years, probably installed and tried 12-15. I've been a Blink (outdoor) camera user for about 5 years. I like the quality of their products, I've gotten 18-24mo battery life from their cameras. I've never understood why they stayed out of the doorbell market. Their cameras offer a great method to select areas to look for motion, this lack of masking has been the one of the biggest problem with most video doorbells I've tried. Picking up motion well away from the door, causes way too many false alarms. Blink's masking works great, the scheduling works great, their low light camera is excellent. Their software has improved year after year. All told this new camera is supported by a set of well made software applications. Many other video doorbells I've tried fail in there software implementations.
Well, installation, was a breeze, I added a new sync sync module, to the 4 others I have. I did this so that it could be put on a separate schedule from my my other cameras. I mounted this camera on my back door, I have another camera covering the yard area. I want this primarily for expected quests and yard workers, not really for night time use. I mounted the plastic bracket directly to my door (I wish this were metal). It has small teeth that lock the video doorbell in place, with a "key" to release it. This battery operated doorlbell can also be powered by you door bell power supply, I did not try this, as I did not have doorbell power to my back door. But given my prior experience with Blink cameras I expect to get close to two years of battery life out of the supplied lithium batteries. The video door bell snapped firmly to the mounting bracket, sealed by a silicon seal. So it's waterproof (another problem I've has with other video doorbells). Not a problem on my back door, but just to test it, I sprayed it with my hose for a few seconds, no problems - good to know. When you press the doorbell button the surround illuminates blue and it makes a classic doorbell sound. You know it's working (another thing done right).
Everything works like it should! I get a notification on my (iPhone) in about 1 second, which is excellent. The two way voice is loud and clear, I have an electronic lock on my back door that I can unlock remotely. So I can not let a friend or worker in my back door easily. Excellent. I set up a mask so only directly in front of the door detects motion. This is an excellent product for the price, or as I call it a keeper. The only feature this doorbell lacks is facial/person/animal recognition, but building AI would certainly add to the cost (and decrease battery life), but I could certainly see them offering and additional high end version with AI in the future.
The install kit includes a angled mounting bracket, which is frequently necessary if mounting to the side of your door. This is one of the best, most complete, entry level video doorbells on the market. Except for the plastic mounting bracket they got just about everything right!.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+5points
6of 7voted this as helpful.
Set your imagination free on the most powerful Surface Laptop, designed to light up the best of Windows 11. Boundary-pushing design lets you flex your creative muscle on the sleek 14.4“⁴ touchscreen, making seamless transitions from laptop to entertainment-ready stage to portable creative canvas, complete with built-in storage and charging for Surface Slim Pen 2* under the keyboard. Enjoy smooth gameplay, and draw, sketch and take notes like you would on paper on the bright, vibrant 120Hz display. Run intensive applications and get things done anywhere with all-day battery life, and get inspired with graphics power that exceeds your expectations. Elevate your entertainment with Quad Omnisonic speakers, featuring large bass and immersive Dolby Atmos. Stay in the flow, be inspired and get closer to what you love.
Customer Rating
4
Spectacular, but not perfect
on October 26, 2021
Posted by: 3Tcubed
from PHOENIX, AZ
Ok, my wife or I have had Surface Pro Tablets/laptops since 2012 (first release). We've seen the concept improve over the years. I had the first Surface Pro laptop, I can't say I enjoyed the problems I had with it. But since that experience we've had 4 additional models. I've tried all of Microsoft's Surface Pro keyboards - none I've used for long. But I have to say it seems like Microsoft has been listening. Almost all of the Laptop problem's of the past are addressed in this new Surface Laptop Studio (SLS). Their displays have always been one of the best you could find, but the SLS is a step better with 120hz display, with by far the best touchscreen you can buy. I have 4 other 'current' notebooks (all 15", Intel 10 or 11 Gen or Ryzen 5), none have a clearer display than this SLS. And then new gen 2 pencil is a nice improvement, it's shorter, and not round, more of a flattened oval that magnetically attaches and recharges from the front edge of the studio, hidden, but well connected to the notebook. And it's pressure sensitivity is far more acurate (I didn't think it would be a worthy upgrade, I was wrong, if you are accustomed to using a stylus, get this pencil). I annotate a lot of drawings, I love this new pencil.
This notebook is a new design for MS, it's thinner that their previous laptops (but about the same 4lbs weight), but it has 3 display modes: Laptop, Tablet and Stage mode. Another company recently had a high end product called a Folio, with a similar screen mechanism (I have one); in fact this type of mechanism has been tried by others for many years, but none have been as thin or as sturdy as this MS implementation. That being said a 4lbs tablet is a bit on the heavy side for me, sure I'll probably use it on a couch as a tablet occasionally, but I have other tablets that weight closer to on pound, which for me is more comfortable as a tablet over time. But having the flexibility to keep working on the SLS in multiple modes is very convenient. In addition the SLS has an excellent trackpad, it's 5.5" diagonally with a minimal edge (which is better than a completely smooth hand rest area). It also vibrates slightly when you "click" on it, so instead of 2 buttons, the whole trackpad is the left mouse button.
Like I said I have other highend laptops, The SLS has the fastest graphics processor out of all of them. Period. It beat all others by 10-20%, so for light gaming/graphics work it's a star. But I also do software development on my laptops (which is why I have several). In testing Visual Studio loading and light DB work, the SLS was the slowest. At first I was tempted to blame windows 11, so I disabled some of the new security features, and my times changed by less than 1-2% (faster). [Also good to know Windows 11 new security features don't cause huge performance issues on a new machine]
So I ran Crystal Disk Mark (against my 512 Gb SSD - And I found the cause of the slowness). All of my other notebooks have at least 1Tb nvme gen 3 drives. The SLS has a gen 3 nvme drive, but its as 2242 form factor, my others are all 2280's, all performing reads at about 3000MB/s. So the SLS with stock 512GB drive, is on the slow slow side. Here's the good news/bad news, the SSD is a replaceable device, but MS only recommends it be done professionally. I've upgraded several of my recent notebooks (both memory and SSD (the SLS cannot have it's memory upgraded)). I wish MS would make it easier for end users to upgrade/repair their devices. I've learned what it takes, it can be done, but it (currently) voids the warranty. The other good news is the SLS also supports Thunderbolt 3/4 connectivity, which will allow you use a Thunderbolt connected g3 nvme drive at full speed, faster than the provided 512GB internal SSD drive. In fact the two Thundebolt4/USB4 ports also support power delivery and can be used to drive 2 additional USB Monitors from the USB ports both at 4K 60Hz. I tested with a 2K and 4K display and encountered no problems, both were recognised and configured automatically. I'm certainly happy MS finally offers a high end notebook with Thunderbolt connectivity, this was my biggest disappointment with their previous laptops. I also wish that there was a SD or micro SDcard reader (there is not).
This is the best Notebook Microsoft has produced. I don't understand why they skimped on a slower SSD, maybe the larger drive performs better (I don't know). I wish the SSD were more easily replaceable. But I love the keyboard, trackpad, display combination. I've adjusted to Windows 11 differences, no big deal as far as I'm concerned. MS has enhanced several of their apps to take greater advantage of inking support (using the stylus to write lines/text), more should be made of the enormous improvements in Notes etc. MS claims that you could can get 19 hrs on the battery, well I used it for a full day doing what I normally do, and got a 10% battery warning after 12 hrs. No gaming, but screen was 80% bright and used non-stop. Probably the best battery life I've gotten from a standard notebook (no extended battery). For just browsing the internet and light office work this 'puter is fast, the Wi-Fi 6 support works very well. The build quality is exceptional, and given its size, the sound quality is exceptional, it seems to come from multiple directions (yea). And Windows Hello (Facial Recognition use for auto logon) works exceptionally well, I've used it before and never have I had it works as well as this SLS even in very low light.
In the end I decided I had to deduct a star as it should have a top notch SSD drive as it affects my primary job as a software developer (but it can be 'fixed').
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+15points
19of 23voted this as helpful.
The new Bella Pro Series 8-qt. Digital Air Fryer with Dual Baskets is every multi-tasker’s dream come true. You can now cook two different foods two different ways, simultaneously, and still have them finish at the same time. Or, make a full load of the same dish using the extra-large 8-quart capacity by easily syncing the cook settings across both baskets. Our innovative touch screen display not only looks sleek, but it also allows you to easily customize your cooking method with 6 built-in smart cooking functions. Thoughtfully designed and easy to operate, this product is what you need to take your cooking up a notch.
Customer Rating
4
Pretty nice and flexible
on October 10, 2021
Posted by: 3Tcubed
from PHOENIX, AZ
When I first got this I wondered how many things I cook at different temps, justifying this unit. But first I must note, this unit is not to be used to heat/boil liquids, the drawer are not intended to hold liquids.
What I really wanted to try was some onion rings that I had in my freezer for some time, based on the package it seemed like they should cook for about 15m total, turning a little about half way throught. Much to my suprise, when I started using air fry, the unit has a shake reminder that alerts you when you should turn/shake, The baskets on each side hold 4 quarts, the trays hold your cooking object about 3/4" off the bottom allowing air to circulate in the fair small space. I put about half my onion rings on the trays stacking them about 4 high, probably making 10-12ozs. Just as I started, I got another request from my visiting daughter, asking if it could make a toasted cheese; I thougth this was fair request, and it allowed me to try the dual cooling. I decided I was going to bake then broil the grilled cheese. I lightly buttered both sides of some sourdough bread, and put 4 slices of colbly jack cheese in between the non buttered sides. I placed it in the other side of the oven on the tray. I allowed it to bake for 5min at 325, the side on the tray, showed a little crisping, and the cheese was melting. I turned it over and but on broil for 2min. Since you can't see inside the units, you have to guess at something like this. Just before my 2 min was up The shake alarm on my onion rings went off. They were cooking but clearly not done. I did some re-arranging with chopsticks, and let them continue cooking. The toasted cheese was browned nicely on the top, but not the bottom; so I flipped it and gave it another 1m. Once that timer went off, I removed it and admired my work. I'm glad I did not cook any longer as the crust was getting close to burning. By the time my daughter arrived I was just taking out the Onion Rings (I did add 1 more minute to the cooking time. The were easy to dump out on a paper towel on a plate. They were an oily crisp that the paper towel helped absorb the hot oil. They smelled great, but more importantly my daughter thought the tasted great. I got two, she got the rest, with her sandwich.
So far so good, I but I miss not being able to look into the oven to see things cooking. Now I wanted to see how long it would take to bake a 1lb potato. I put it on bake for an hour at 350. It was getting done, so I gave it another 30m. I suspect at 400, the potato would have finished in an hour with crispy skin. I prefer a softer more leathery skin, which is what I got when I finished cooking in 90m.
So far so good, I can see why having two cooking temps/methods can help. I did find that the unit makes more noise when both sides are used at the same time, and the heat out the back is noticeably hot. They say you need 3" clear behind the unit, believe them. You certainly don't want anything plastic behind the unit. When baking the potato, there was some steam that came from the back. So be careful where you place this unit.
It seems to cook pretty easily, but getting the trays out when they are hot is a little tricky, I almost think there should little handle, tool or something to help get it out. They fit snuggly and sharking/turning must be done carefully, other than this, and not having a window, I like the unit.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+28points
28of 28voted this as helpful.
The Nextbase 320XR and Rear Window Camera is the ideal solution for all-around protection on the roads in full HD quality. The front cam captures every detail in 1080p full HD at 30fps, with the aid of a 140° wide viewing angle. It utilizes the latest 2.5" screen with IPS technology for easy menu selection and playback. The 320XR uses the exclusive Click&Go PRO mount with integrated neodymium magnetic power connectors for easy installation and removal using just one hand. The 320XR Rear Window Camera connects to your front facing Dash Cam via a supplied 6.5m cable. It fits directly to your rear window with an easy to install self-adhesive pad. The magnetic, adjustable fixture means that it's suitable for angled windows in cars or more vertical van windows. The Rear Window Camera records in full 1080p HD with a wide 140 degree viewing angle to guard against everything from hit-and-run impacts to knocks and bumps in a car park. The 320XR also includes Intelligent Parking, which automatically starts recording when motion is detected, keeping your car safe when parked. For this feature, we recommend hardwiring in the Dash Cam using the Nextbase Hardwire Kit. Footage must be played back on a PC/Mac using Mynextbase Player or online using the free MyNextbase Cloud service (minimum requirements: Windows 10/OSX 10.9). The 320XR is not Bluetooth, and will NOT sync directly with the MyNextbase cell phone application.
Customer Rating
5
They keep getting Better
on October 9, 2021
Posted by: 3Tcubed
from PHOENIX, AZ
This is my third dash cam, first was about 5yrs ago, had 640x320 video capture, it was dark, at night, really pretty useless. My last was HD but it required lot's of special software to view what was on it (and the mfg never updated it). Which is why I have this unit.
It remarkably can record full HD from the front and back camera at the same time. Compared to my back up camera its like looking out a picture window, and the higher view lets me see so much more clearly, combine this with my back up cam it's like having a 3d view of what behind me. Really helpful when backing into a parking spot.
The main unit has a wide field of view on a very clear screen, you can easily take the unit down to inspect what you've captured. You can set the camera to record in increments of 1,2 or 3 minutes; this is so much better when reviewing video. Having to scroll through 30-40m of video makes it much more easy to find something; on my other units this was such a pain. Organization by minute is much smarter and all (optionally) can have time stamps on them. There are many other set up options including over or under exposed, (I found normal fine for daylight), if I drove more at night I might want it slightly over exposed. You can choose if you want to record audio or not (you can record more is no audio). You can choose the resolution, but full HD is so much better and clearer than SD video. In recording front and rear at the same time I did not notice any frame droppage. As advised I used a new V3 Class 10, 128GB SDcard.
Installation will obviously vary based on your vehicle, I installed in a 2016 Nissan Maxima, the front cord was harder to hide then the rear cord. The front had about 1' extra cable, and the rear had about 30" extra, that was easily tucked away and hidden in a corner area. Both front and rear cameras mount with magnets. This makes re-alinging the rear camera very easy. My install only took about 15m. The provide a little "tuck" tool to help push to hide the cable in the cracks. All told it was pretty easy, but I've done this before, and get smarter with each install.
The biggest step forward, is how easy it its to review the video on the unit, I do wish it had a touch screen, as the little buttons on the side take some getting used to. But this is the best dashcam I've had, it's camera is excellent, in low light, the picture looks to be monochrome, but very well illuminated. An daylight or night you can read license plates at a distance of about 10 feet. Nextbase has software that allows you to post video segments on line (not sure I'll ever use it).
Easy Install, HQ video day & night and front and rear. Just wat I was looking for, well done, recommended!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+18points
20of 22voted this as helpful.
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Deliver reliable power to your Google Nest Doorbell with this Wasserstein solar panel. The high-efficiency solar cells provide a stable 4W output to keep the camera charged, and the rotatable mount allows flexible placement for optimal exposure to sunlight. This Wasserstein solar panel comes with a toolkit and a 13-foot cable for effortless installation.
Will this work for the Google - Nest Cam Battery (outdoor)? Or is it strictly for the doorbell?
Connecting virtually with friends and co-workers gets a major upgrade with the monitor’s built-in camera, noise-cancelling microphones and dual 5W speakers. You’ll enjoy amazing video clarity and crystal-clear sound. Versatile USB-C connectivity delivers video, audio and data, and charges your laptop. Plus, with just one cord, you'll have a clutter-free desk space. A super clear 5MP IR pop-up camera features facial recognition through Windows Hello for convenient, instant sign-on to Windows. The best part? The camera stays hidden until you're ready for video chatting or selfies. A height-adjustable stand and a monitor that tilts, swivels and pivots so you look your best and feel your best for all-day conferencing.
Does this computer have a webcam and a USB - C port?
It has a USB-C port for connectivity and a built in USB hub with Power Delivery and a USB-A connector at the bottom of the monitor to connect another USB device or power a small notebook
2 years, 6 months ago
by
3Tcubed
Set your imagination free on the most powerful Surface Laptop, designed to light up the best of Windows 11. Boundary-pushing design lets you flex your creative muscle on the sleek 14.4“⁴ touchscreen, making seamless transitions from laptop to entertainment-ready stage to portable creative canvas, complete with built-in storage and charging for Surface Slim Pen 2* under the keyboard. Enjoy smooth gameplay, and draw, sketch and take notes like you would on paper on the bright, vibrant 120Hz display. Run intensive applications and get things done anywhere with all-day battery life, and get inspired with graphics power that exceeds your expectations. Elevate your entertainment with Quad Omnisonic speakers, featuring large bass and immersive Dolby Atmos. Stay in the flow, be inspired and get closer to what you love.
What type m.2 nvme ssd, Gen 3 or Gen 4?
Gen 3 attached is benchmark of 512GB drive
2 years, 6 months ago
by
3Tcubed
The Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum combines powerful vacuuming with Matrix Clean Navigation, leaving no spots missed for an ultra whole-home clean. Features include: powerful Shark suction power, Matrix Clean Navigation for a deeper cleaning, HEPA 60-day capacity base for collecting and trapping dust and allergens, and CleanEdge Technology for better edge cleaning.
WOW Awesome Can you please help me with what is the actual run time. Confuse with below- Up to 120 minutes of runtime for whole-home cleaning. And with Recharge and Resume, the robot will return to the dock, recharge, and can pick up where it left off
It will return to its base any time it needs to be emptied, and then resume where it was (if it need to recharge it will,generally it just continues). Depending on dust/pet hair I found this to be 45m to an hour. I ran it immediatly after it had just run (let it recharge) and it never emptied itself the second pass. I found it can run for 2h, if there is enough work for it to do and what it finds along the way (if it "finishes" and has not collected much dust it will deem itself finished. You need to look at it being a smart vac.
2 years, 8 months ago
by
3Tcubed
The Nest Doorbell is the battery-powered video doorbell that works with any home. See what’s happening at your door from anywhere and get intelligent alerts about important activity, like when there’s a person, package, animal, or vehicle.* And because there are no wires, you can install it yourself. Nest Doorbell requires the Google Home app and a Google Account – it’s not compatible with the Nest app or the home.nest.com site.
Is it waterproof?
its Weather resistant (IP54), it can get web but not be submerged
2 years, 8 months ago
by
3Tcubed
The Nest Doorbell is the battery-powered video doorbell that works with any home. See what’s happening at your door from anywhere and get intelligent alerts about important activity, like when there’s a person, package, animal, or vehicle.* And because there are no wires, you can install it yourself. Nest Doorbell requires the Google Home app and a Google Account – it’s not compatible with the Nest app or the home.nest.com site.
are you aware of any of these types of devices that will work without WIFI? i am in an area where WIFI is unavailable and have wanted this type of device but running into a dead end without wifi.. anyone???? not willing to have ADT set up..
No it will not work without a wifi connection (to the internet).
2 years, 8 months ago
by
3Tcubed
The Brydge 10.2 MAX+ for iPad (9th, 8th & 7th Gen) combines the functionality of a traditional Brydge keyboard with the protection of OtterBox. Featuring the largest precision trackpad for iPad, the 10.2 MAX+ native multi-touch gestures allow you to get the most of iPadOS, transforming your iPad into the perfect laptop replacement.
What is the weight of the Brydge 10.2 Max + Keyboard Case? Does it come in any color besides black?
24 oz; but it's concentrated in keyboard/battery base. In to counterbalance the iPad weight it needs to have some weight.
3 years ago
by
3Tcubed
This Refurbished MacBook Pro is a Certified Refurbished Macbook. Certified Refurbished Apple MacBook Pro Laptop:Boost productivity with this 13.3-inch Apple MacBook Pro laptop packed with state of the line specifications. It's Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM let you run multiple software programs at the same time seamlessly, and it has a DVD burner for watching your favorite movies using the powerful Intel HD Graphics 4000 card. It's 13.3" LED-Backlit widescreen TFT active-matrix "glossy" display produces a 1280x800 native resolution. This Certified Refurbished Apple MacBook Pro laptop has a 500GB hard drive for secure file storage.
Does this unit use onboard video or does it have a graphics video card of some sort ?
It has the Intel Iris Xe video "card", very good for normal use , but not suitable for high end gaming
3 years, 2 months ago
by
3Tcubed
The 606 S2 Anniversary Edition combines outstanding power and clarity in a compact form for when space is at a premium, but you need big sound. Continuum mid-bass drive units provide clarity for singers and driving bass lines while Decoupled Double Dome Tweeters create an enveloping sense of space. Featuring upgraded crossovers for even more transparency and a unique trim-ring to celebrate this milestone, the 606 S2 Anniversary Edition is the most sophisticated, affordable bookshelf speaker Bowers & Wilkins has ever made. The 606 S2 Anniversary Edition is the largest bookshelf speaker in the 600 Series Anniversary Edition range of products. Over the last 25 years, the 600 Series has been our most affordable performance range of loudspeakers, and we’re celebrating our love of sound with acoustic improvements to the crossover network for overall greater levels of clarity and smoother high frequencies so you can enjoy a compelling listening experience across the range of products.
Where are these speaker’s made?
The Brydge 12.3 Pro+ wireless keyboard with touchpad matches the quality and functionality of the Surface Pro 4,5,6, and 7 seamlessly. Designed to meet the standards set by Microsoft, the Brydge 12.3 Pro+ features a precision touchpad, adjustable viewing angles and 3-level backlit keys, bringing a laptop-like experience to your Surface Pro.
Does the laptop have a front camera and is it also the laptop with the key board?
This is a Keyboard/Track pad only.
It is intended to be use with a MS Surface Pro (G4-G7); which has a forward facing camera
It is intended to be use with a MS Surface Pro (G4-G7); which has a forward facing camera
3 years, 4 months ago
by
3Tcubed