RedScorpion's stats
- Review count183
- Helpfulness votes1,533
- First reviewJune 21, 2012
- Last reviewAugust 29, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.5
Reviews comments
- Review comment count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentNone
- Last review commentNone
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
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- First questionNone
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- Featured questions0
- Answer count14
- Helpfulness votes42
- First answerMay 13, 2016
- Last answerSeptember 30, 2020
- Featured answers0
- Best answers5
Lenovo IdeaCentre 720-18ASU Desktop: Work efficiently with this Lenovo IdeaCentre desktop tower. It has a Ryzen 5 processor for fast data handling, and it has 8GB of RAM to accommodate multiple programs. Save plenty of files with the 1TB hard drive of this Lenovo IdeaCentre desktop tower, which comes with Windows 10 installed for immediate use.
Customer Rating
4
Great Office PC
on October 10, 2017
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Abington, PA
So, this review is going to be split into two parts. The first, and simplest part is this: this is a very good mid level PC. It's great for a home office or for a student. It has plenty of storage for pictures and music. It boots up from power button to windows login in less than 30 seconds. I will use this computer for EXCEL, Photoshop, and even a bit of video editing. With the built in WiFi and Bluetooth connections, there are a lot of things you can do with this little machine. There is a minimal amount of apps that come pre-installed. Nothing feels obtrusive. Everything is simple and the computer performs very well for this price. The AMD Ryzen processor will hold up for at least the next 3 - 4 years and the case is light and portable. If that is what you are looking for, I can't recommend this PC highly enough.
I was a bit disappointed that some of the software that came installed did not work. The Lenovo Family Cloud seemed like a great idea, but I couldn't find it with the QR reader and when I finally did find it in the app store, I couldn't get two separate iPhones to connect.
Now for the Technical: The machine is very bare bones on the inside. Lenovo advertises their case and they even provide a pamphlet showing you how to physically upgrade parts of the machine. As someone who has built PCs for years, I thought this was a great feature, but the power supply on the machine is a bit limited. It's only a 250 Watt power supply with no molex connectors for most of today's video cards. I was able to get a Radeon RX-560 to work in this case. But if I had gone with any other video card, I probably would have had to also upgrade the power supply which would have required a special adapter to work with the proprietary Lenovo motherboard.
Also, there are only two ram slots and the maximum amount of DDR4 memory that this computer can support is 16GB. But there is nothing in the documentation that came with the computer saying what brand and speeds of RAM Lenovo would recommend if you decided to swap the RAM out.
Providing this easily accessible case with a promise of future upgrades only to make it impossible to upgrade the machine because of a limited power supply and a lack of compatibility documentation seemed a bit of a tease. You can swap out the power supply, but because the Lenovo motherboard uses a proprietary 10 pin connector, you will have to get an adapter that does not come standard with most power supplies.
The computer desperately needs more USB 3.0 ports on the back of the machine. Connections for peripherals are pretty limited. There are four USB ports on the front of the case including two USB 3.0, but that total seems very limited to me.
I really do like this computer. It seems like a great machine for now and it is upgradeable. It handled every piece of office software I threw at it and once I upgraded the video card I got decent gaming performance. I just hope in future models that Lenovo provides a more flexible power supply and better hardware documentation.
My Best Buy number: 0754232634
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+37points
38of 39voted this as helpful.
Fuse physical and digital worlds with this Merge cube. It's a toy hologram that you can hold in the palm of your hand, and it works with free apps downloaded onto your iOS or Android smart device at the Merge Miniverse site. This Merge cube lets you play your favorite games with virtual reality goggles.
Customer Rating
4
I’ve Got the Whole World in My Hands...
on October 2, 2017
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Abington, PA
So, if you follow apple’s iOS 11, you know that augmented reality, AR, is an increasingly big deal. AR uses your phone’s camera and maps an area to make it seem like you can interact with and see digital characters / objects in your everyday environment. The other big trend is Virtual Reality, VR, using headsets that utilize google cardboard.
The Merge Cube is a unique AR device that you can physically interact with. Utilizing the Merge cube apps, your Phone is able to use the cube to map digital objects that you can actually pick up and move. The Merge Cube can also work with 3D goggles like the Merge Goggles so that you can essentially interact with the AR device in 3D virtual reality.
I thought this was a cool idea. It’s a great toy / Christmas gift for the kid or tech nerd in your life.
However, it needs more apps. There are currently about a dozen apps. They all claim to work in VR, but in my experience, the AR mode with the iPad or iPhone worked best as the text and fine details could be hard to see in VR mode. There are currently only a few free apps. I personally enjoyed the app “Dig”, a Minecraft in your hands, and a demo app called “Things”. I also picked up a paid kitten simulator and an app called Anatomy AR that made for a cool way to look at body parts in 3D.
Again, I highly recommend the Merge Cube. My friends and family found it very entertaining and I think it will make for a unique and fun gift.
My Best Buy number: 0754232634
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Be transported into another world with the Merge VR Goggles. Compatible with Android and iOS devices, Merge VR Goggles provide an immersive virtual reality experience powered by your smartphone.Explore virtual worlds with these Merge VR goggles. The input system lets you perform simultaneous action, such as running and jumping, and the soft foam construction keep you comfortable. These Merge VR goggles take you to new worlds via hundreds of apps with VR START, and they’re compatible with newer Android and iPhone devices for versatility.
Customer Rating
5
Surprisingly Effective VR on the iPhone 7
on September 29, 2017
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Abington, PA
So, these goggles are surprisingly fun. As someone who picked this up out of curiosity, I have to say I have enjoyed the Merge VR Goggles.
The construction on these goggles is first rate. The foam is comfortable and light enough that I actually forget I am wearing them. The lens adjust easily enough and the entire thing is pretty simple. My girlfriend was able to wear them with her glasses. The lens come out easy enough for cleaning and the entire things is very user friendly. There's a pop-out slot on the front of the goggles to see AR devices like the Merge Cube.
I used these goggles with an iPhone 7 and the performance was very good. The resolution is not quite up to something like the Oculus or the Vive, but it works and in the right program it provides a good 3D effect. I played Romans from Mars, Endspace VR, and Discovery VR and the 3D effect was quite good. I was a bit disappointed with some 3D youtube videos, but with the apps, the experience worked well.
You can find plenty of apps and VR videos at vrstart.com/merge.
If I have any complaint, it's that I never seemed to get things perfectly in focus. It was close, but seemed like I had to adjust the lenses every time I took the glasses off and put them back on. But then again, the focus also seemed to depend on the app.
Still, if you are at all interested in Google Cardboard, this is probably the best option out there. The goggles are the best in their class and, as soon as my iPhone charges back up, I will be back to killing roman martians.
My Best Buy number: 0754232634
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
Connect every device in your home with this D-Link Wi-Fi router, and experience super-fast data transfers without the lag. Ending system shortcomings that happen with overloads, this router features four antennas to cover every corner of your home. Two USB ports on this D-Link Wi-Fi router let you connect a printer or extra hard drive storage.
Customer Rating
3
Disappointing Entry from D-Link
on September 28, 2017
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Abington, PA
So... I'm not a fan.
I initially picked this router up to work as an access point for a Verizon Fios set up. I tested and compared this router against an Asus RT-AC68U router.
The D-Link AC2600 has great range. It effectively covered the entire apartment. It looks cool out of the box.
But the software for the router was extremely limited and only set up option out of the box is for a standard cable modem router set up. Compare this with the Asus AC68-U I am used to. The Asus router has clear settings for access point or extender mode. The D-link router can act as an access point, but you have to manually go into the router and turn off DHCP, UPnP, and make sure the router isn't doing anything with its built in QOS system. Even then, the router performed noticeably slower in speedtests than both the older Asus router and the standard router that came from Verizon. I tried different settings thinking perhaps the router was just getting interference. But nothing helped the performance.
Again, the router works, but it just doesn't perform well. Wireless devices struggled to meet the speeds and latency I expected when compared to the older Asus and stock Verizon solution.
So if you are using FIOS or UVERSE, I wouldn't bother with this router. For the price, there are simply better options.
But I can't recommend it as a router for cable service either. The smart connect feature is supposed to balance out the bandwidth load, but it wanted to put my faster devices onto the slower 2.4ghz band.
The cable for the AC brick adapter is too short. It is less than 4 feet in length
The software seemed very basic and the documentation that came with the router was very limited. It comes with a cat cable and a ten page quick start guide, and that is it.
As someone who used a D-Link DIR-625 as my router of choice as both a router and an access point for 5 years, this new router from D-Link is just disappointing.
My Best Buy number: 0784232634
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+6points
7of 8voted this as helpful.
Enjoy a cleaner house with this versatile Shark Flex vacuum cleaner. It converts easily to a handheld device to clean curtains and shelves, and it includes attachments to remove pet hair and reach under appliances. This Shark Flex vacuum cleaner weighs less than 10 lbs., so it's easy to maneuver.
Customer Rating
5
Great Ultra-Light Vac
on September 21, 2017
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Abington, PA
This is easily the best Vac I have ever owned. As someone who just moved in to a new apartment, the Shark Flex did a great job sucking up dirt and debris that a much bigger vacuum missed. The SharkFlex did such a good job, that I had to change the canister after every bedroom (a fact that simultaneously impressed me and grossed me out at the same time...). I tested one room with a regular vacuum and then ran the SharkFlex HV390 over the same space surprised to see that I had nearly filled up half of the cannister in a room I thought was already clean. (See pick below)
This is a corded model. The cord easily stretches over 30 feet. For the most part, the cord is a non-issue for me. I'd rather deal with a cord than a battery that constantly has to be near an outlet or charging. Batteries are another part that wears out over time. The cord is rugged and plenty long for most rooms and spaces.
The flexible arm and the motorized head unit did a great job getting underneath beds and dressers. When the head unit is in position, it has some definite pull to it. That motorized head unit works great.
The attachments also worked well. I tested out the upholstery attachment on the sofa and the pet hair attachment did a good job getting the dog hair out of several old rugs.
The attachments also worked well. I tested out the upholstery attachment on the sofa and the pet hair attachment did a good job getting the dog hair out of several old rugs.
The unit is small enough and light enough, that I was able to use it conveniently on stairs, in the bathroom, and other places a more traditional vacuum wouldn't reach. When folded it stands about 27" inches tall and conveniently fits in an area roughly a 12" by 12" space. The documentation claims the SharkFlex is under 10lbs and I tend to believe them. It's light. It can be a bit top heavy because the motor is in the handle. As such, it won't stand upright if you need to step away, but it folds up easily or can be laid on its side if you need to stop vacuuming to take a phone call or quickly step out of the room.
If I had any complaints, I would have liked to have seen more attachments. It comes with a pet hair remover and upholstery device that work fine, but the flex wand dusting attachment is separate. The attachments are also a bit too big for the attachment bag that comes with the vacuum. The Multi-Flex Under Appliance Wand sticks out of the bag and seems a bit cumbersome to store.
Not really a con, but I had to clean the brush roller after every other room. It's easy to do. You simply open up the head unit with the marked releases and slide scissors along the preset groove on the roller. But it did slow things down a bit. On the plus side, I now have enough hair of my girlfriend to make for a very creepy voodoo doll should things go south!
All joking aside, this was a great vacuum. If you are interested in a lightweight, flexible vacuum that works well on carpets and hard surfaces, I believe you can't go wrong with the SharkFlex DuoClean HV391.
My Best Buy number: 0754232634
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+26points
26of 26voted this as helpful.
The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker in Matte Black combines sleek design and more intuitive features to help you brew your perfect cup every single time. It features four brew sizes, so you can brew 6, 8, 10, or up to 12 oz. of your favorite coffee, tea, hot cocoa, or iced beverage with the touch of a button. And for those who like a stronger cup of coffee, the Keurig K-Select brewer is the perfect choice. The Strong Brew feature kicks up your coffee’s strength and intensity, so you can enjoy a bolder brew. Choose from hundreds of delicious varieties of K-Cup pods, or brew your own ground coffee with the My-K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter (sold separately). With the K-Select brewer, you can brew 5 cups between refills of the large 52 oz. water reservoir.
Customer Rating
5
K-Select is a Respectable Update to the Classic
on September 5, 2017
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Abington, PA
I have had the Keurig K-Select for a week and in the past week it has proven to be a good update to the Classic series of Keurig home brew options. It has multiple size options all the way up to a 12 ounce pod. In addition, it has a strong brew toggle. The strong brew feature increases the brewing time thus increasing the strength of certain coffee brews. If you're using an instant mix or a hot chocolate k-cup, you obviously won't notice much of a difference, but with the traditional coffee pods, the difference between standard and strong brew is noticeable.
The brewer heats up quick and is simple to use. There are no LCD screens, only a few simple buttons on the top of the unit.
If I have any complaints, the tank on the side of the brewer is a bit narrow and, with my hands, it was hard to change out the filters. But the tank is a good size. You can easily brew several drinks before the tank needs to be refilled.
I was able to use a filter cup with my own coffee grounds. And there is plenty of space to fill up a travel mug.
I recommend this Keurig to anyone looking for a new brewer.
My Best Buy number: 0754232634
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+11points
11of 11voted this as helpful.
Print family photos or pictures from your latest vacation with this HP photo value pack. Six ink cartridges let you reload your printer for bright, colorful image quality, and 150 sheets of photo paper ensure there's an ample supply to get all your favorite pics printed. With fast-drying results and true-to-life colors, this HP photo value pack brings professional quality to every image.
Customer Rating
3
Best Value for Ink Replacement
on May 13, 2016
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Wichita, KS
The local Best Buy store had two ink replacement options:
1) This Kit for roughly $50 or
2) Individual inks for $15+
2) Individual inks for $15+
The problem is the printer colors don't wear evenly and some colors were not even displayed for sale. So, the only option was this kit.
Because these kits are the most cost effective option (and in some instances the only option), I now have stacks and stacks of HP photo paper. Opening soon: RedScorpion's HP photo paper emporium. Please, contact me for all your HP photo paper needs. (How else will I pay for this expensive ink that barely seems to last a month?)
My Best Buy number: 0754232634
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Expand your computer's connectivity with this Insignia™ NS-PCH5721 USB hub, which features 7 USB 2.0 ports that support data transfer rates up to 480 Mbps for fast uploads and downloads. A 5V, 500 mA/port output delivers reliable power to devices.
Customer Rating
3
It Works
on May 13, 2016
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Wichita, KS
It provides extra USB ports to your computer. It requires an AC adapter which is included. It's a bit lightweight and will move around a bit. But it works.
My Best Buy number: 0754232634
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Keep your home networking equipment working when the electricity goes out with this APC Back-UPS Network 40 BN4001 UPS that features 4 battery-backup and surge-protection outlets to ensure electronics remain powered during outages.
Customer Rating
5
Works Great, But Won't Last Long
on May 13, 2016
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Wichita, KS
I purchase these APCs for my computers. They don't have the longest battery life. With a monitor and desktop computer, it won't keep you up for long if the power goes out. But it's rare that the power goes off for more than a minute or two. Worse than long black-outs are the spikes and brownouts that can occur throughout a given day. Those power variations can be extremely detrimental to your equipment. These APC units keep everything stable. If the power flickers, I know my equipment is fine. The surge protection and the warranty are great additions.
The battery will come disconnected and you will need to connect the battery properly before using this the first time. If the battery dies, you can purchase a replacement online.
I recommend these APC units for anyone with a computer. They're great for everyday power fluctuations.
My Best Buy number: 0754232634
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
iPod shuffle comes in 5 stunning colors. And with up to 15 hours of battery life, it is good to go for hundreds of songs.¹ The control pad makes it easy to play your music. VoiceOver tells you the song title or playlist name.² And you can sync multiple playlists from your iTunes library.
Customer Rating
5
Great Little Player
on May 13, 2016
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Wichita, KS
I love the iPod shuffle. I prefer it when listening to music over my iPhone in many situations.
For one, it's a lot smaller. It holds roughly 16 hours of audio. With 16 hours you can mix up music and audio books. It's inexpensive. It sounds great. I'm less concerned about a $40 iPod breaking or being stolen than I am my $800 iPhone.
Cons, it doesn't support Bluetooth. That means you will be using the wired headphones that come with your iPhone or the iPod shuffle, but inline volume and play controls work.
The iPod requires iTunes. You plug the iPod into a Windows computer or Mac with the included USB to 3.5mm connector. Your music can be imported from CDs, Amazon, or any other MP3 service. The iPod has audio based navigation. You push a button and the audio guides you through your playlists, podcasts, books, audio travel guides, and songs. The battery will last weeks on a charge.
I've had three Shuffles of various makes over the years. My last one worked for 4 years before I replaced it with this one. I recommend these Shuffles to anyone looking for an entry level mp3 player.
My Best Buy number: 0754232634
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+21points
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Play cool music while performing your fitness routines with these water-resistant JVC wireless sport headphones. The Pivot Motion Fit provides a secure hold during rigorous workouts, and the JVC Headphones Manager app lets you control audio settings. These JVC wireless sport headphones come with a lightweight charging case that provides three hours of battery life on a single charge.
Hi, how is the sound quality for talking? Do the buttons hurt your ears when you push them in?
I didn't think they sounded that good and the person I called said I sounded very static-y.
6 years, 3 months ago
by
RedScorpion
Automatically go from hundreds of mystery folders to a visual view in the photo and video Organizer. See your best photos thanks to auto-curation. Effortlessly extract candid photos from your raw footage. Make photos and videos look amazing with automated photo editing and video creation options. And create and share beautiful printed artwork, new dynamic slideshows, photo and video collages, animated GIFs*, and full-length movies. Being creative is even easier with the Elements bundle.
Do you have to purchase a monthly or annual subscription in addition to the software?
Keep your home networking equipment working when the electricity goes out with this APC Back-UPS Network 40 BN4001 UPS that features 4 battery-backup and surge-protection outlets to ensure electronics remain powered during outages.
Where do I get a new Battery for this?
I'm sure my battery didn't last three years and I need a new one. What size am I looking for and where can I get one?
You can find replacement battery information on APC's website at:
http://www.apc.com/tools/upgrade_selector/
http://www.apc.com/tools/upgrade_selector/
8 years, 4 months ago
by
RedScorpion
JBL Flip 3 Speaker: Stream your favorite songs and Internet radio stations from your compatible audio device using this speaker, which offers extensive playback with the rechargeable battery. Dual external bass radiators offer booming low tones, and you can enjoy clear phone calls with the integrated speakerphone.
can it be connected to a ipod nano
Yes.
If your iPod Nano has blue-tooth (which the newer models do), then you can connect this to your Nano that way. If your Nano does not have blue-tooth, you can always connect the Flip 3 with an auxiliary 3.5mm audio cable.
If your iPod Nano has blue-tooth (which the newer models do), then you can connect this to your Nano that way. If your Nano does not have blue-tooth, you can always connect the Flip 3 with an auxiliary 3.5mm audio cable.
8 years, 4 months ago
by
RedScorpion