RedScorpion's stats
- Review count175
- Helpfulness votes1,523
- First reviewJune 21, 2012
- Last reviewJune 18, 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
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count14
- Helpfulness votes42
- First answerMay 13, 2016
- Last answerSeptember 30, 2020
- Featured answers0
- Best answers5
Twinkly Light Strings will add advanced technology and innovation to your home with premium decorative lighting. Getting started with Twinkly lights is easy, a quick and intuitive setup process configures your device in a matter of seconds. The Twinkly ecosystem uses a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi controller with a state-of-the-art smartphone application, bringing new levels of lighting design and creativity to customize your connected home. Like all Twinkly products, every single LED light can be controlled individually, allowing you to create and reproduce unique effects, gradients, and color animations. Twinkly Lights can be grouped together with other Twinkly devices to create larger, synchronized light installations and combined with Twinkly Music (sold separately), to offer a fully customizable light show to fit any occasion. The Festoon Light String has 20 RGB LED lights, each G45 shape measures 1.67" in diameter.
Customer Rating
4
Good Lights, But Software Needs Some Work
on March 22, 2021
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Oklahoma City, OK
Who wouldn't want an outside light show? Fully customizable outdoor lights seem like the next step in my efforts to fully customize my home's lighting and Twinkly has a very appealing offering with this set of festoon lights. The lights look great. They're sufficiently bright. The colors look nice. Effects created and downloaded via the Twinkly App look great. Unfortunately, the app itself needs a bit of polish. But even with a few nitpicks, my family and I are really enjoying these lights.
I should disclose up front that I received these lights for purposes of producing an honest, unbiased review. I have been using the lights for a week now while testing the software on Android and iOS devices.
Out of the box set up was easy enough. Following the in box instructions, I had my lights on and connected to my phone in a matter of minutes. It's easy to download effects via the app. Google home integration was easy. I can control the lights and change the color easily via Google Home on my phone.
Speaking of the set up, I should probably point out that the power brick is huge. If you have a recessed outlet or just one outside outlet, you may struggle to plug anything else in. I attached a photo for reference. I wish the brick were a bit smaller as the documentation with my lights seemed to strongly discourages plugging the lights into an extension cord.
The Twinkly app itself needs some work. I got error messages and had crashing problems while mapping my lights. And, once my lights were roughly mapped, I struggled a lot with getting my light selections to work correctly. For instance, I could see my individual bulbs, but pressing the light via my edit effect page, would often not select the light I wanted to select if it clicked with a light at all. I would say that editing effects worked better on my tablets than on my phone. While mapping, it's important to keep your camera still. If you don't, you'll get error messages.
Speaking of mapping lights, I had more luck mapping from a sufficient distance. That tends to be more difficult with patio lights as you often don't have a view of all the lights from a distance. For instance, a few of my lights were hidden by columns. 3D mapping never seemed to work for me. I couldn't rearrange the map once the app had set it up to drag lights around. Now I have a map that isn't quite right. Short of totally resetting the device, I haven't found a way to clear the map and restore the default configuration.
I have a feeling many of these features work better with the smaller lights that are more tightly grouped. But, still, the effects on the Festoon lights are pretty.
However, my biggest complaint with the app is how difficult it is to do simple things. It's easy to change an effect (and the app has quite a few to choose from), but if I want to set my lights to yellow or orange, I have to edit an effect, click on each light with my preferred color, then save the effect. It's easier to go into Google Home and set the color and brightness than to use Twinkly's app. There's a timer built into the Twinkly App, but it's hidden in the top right corner of the app.
I really like these lights. I look forward to adding more sets in the future. But right now the software is a bit buggy. It's not the worst by any stretch of the imagination. It just needs a bit more polish. But as it is, I highly recommend these lights.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away Deluxe 3-in-1 Upright Vacuum: Easily remove dirt, dust and debris from carpets and bare floors with a bagless vacuum that converts from an upright to a Lift-Away Pod with powered brush roll to a canister with caddy.
Customer Rating
4
Good, But a Bit Lacking in Accessories & Features
on March 3, 2021
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Oklahoma City, OK
I should state upfront that I received the Shark - Rotator Powered Lift-Away Deluxe Bagless 3-in-1 Upright Vacuum model NV751 for purposes of providing an honest and unbiased review. In many ways, the NV751 is a good vacuum. I think Shark is a good, reliable brand. Perhaps my own critiques of the vacuum are more nitpicks, but I expected a bit more from the vacuum in terms of features and accessories. It's a good vacuum, and I recommend it. But, some of the design decisions seem a bit questionable and I would have loved an easier way to clean the roller. Still, it's a powerful vacuum and the ability to switch from upright to above floor mode to powered lift-away with just a few clicks, make the device super convenient.
Set-up: As an upright vacuum, the Powered Lift-Away Upright stands nearly 4 feet tall. The power cord reaches around 24 feet. The vacuum never felt too heavy to me, but even I can admit it isn't the lightest vacuum in the world. Power button and changes in floor type are set from the handle. Assembly from box to working vacuum shouldn't take more than a few minutes. There are a lot of buttons and latches on the device. It may take a bit to orientate yourself to which button does what, but it seemed pretty intuitive to me and my wife. With the exception of the roller, maintenance was pretty straight forward.
Pros: Powerful. The vacuum has some power to it. It picked up debris missed by other vacuums. The swivel head is, as always with Shark vacuums, great. I really appreciate the HEPA Seal. The included lights on the handle and the motorized head, are also a nice touch.
Cons: The motorized head accumulates hair. There's just no way around it. And it's not super easy to get to that head unit for cleaning. You have to flip the head unit upside down, remove a panel with either coins or a flathead screw driver (I recommend the coins), and then remove any hair with a straight edge or a pair of scissors. It's a clunky process and is easily my least favorite thing about the vacuum.
Then there are the accessories. It comes with a pet attachment and a 12" crevice tool. I feel like that's the bare minimum and I would expect those with any vacuum. The attachments are supposed to be stored on the back of the vacuum, but in my experience, the pet multi-tool got in the way of wrapping the power cord. I have to take that attachment off every time I want to spool or unspool the power cord.
Speaking of attachments, Shark has a lot of them on their website. There's home and car detail kit, dusting attachments, hard floor attachments, and the powered pet brush. I wish more attachments had come standard, but it's nice there are options that can be purchased separately.
Conclusion: Nitpicks aside, I have enjoyed the Rotator Powered Lift-Away Deluxe Bagless 3-in-1 Upright Vacuum. I wish more accessories came included, but what's here works pretty well.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+11points
14of 17voted this as helpful.
The Blue Pure 411 Auto air purifier takes a simple approach to smart air quality management with an integrated particle sensor, Auto mode setting, and LED air quality display. The ENERGY STAR certified air purifier delivers high performance with one-button control and customizable pre-filter colors in a lightweight, compact package. Independently evaluated and third-party tested for performance as part of the AHAM Verifide® Program for room air cleaners, this air purifier has a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 132 for fine smoke particles, 96 for pollen particles, and 107 for dust particles. Recommended for small rooms like nurseries, guest bedrooms, and home offices with a 360° air intake to completely filters room air about every 12.5 minutes (approx. 4.8x an hour at 190 ft²) on the highest speed. The 3-step combination particle + carbon filter works with Blueair's HEPASilent™ filtration technology to remove 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.1 microns, like pollen, pet dander, mold, bacteria, viruses⁰ and more, while an additional layer of activated coconut carbon traps light household odors. The one-touch enabled Auto mode is designed to help you maintain a comfortable and safe home environment. When enabled, the setting automatically adjusts to real-time conditions reported by the integrated particle sensor. Stay up to date on your air quality with the LED display; it changes color to indicate good, moderate, or poor. Blue Pure 411 Auto quietly cleans the air with less noise than a soft whisper⁶ on low (18 dB) and up to a normal conversation on high (48 dB) – while using less energy than a light bulb (2-10 W) on all speeds.⁷ Change color in seconds with five fabric pre-filter options inspired by Scandinavian nature. The fabric material of the pre-filter catches larger particles and extends the life of the primary filter. Plus, a hidden compartment in the fabric pre-filter keeps the power cord hidden out of sight. Vacuum the fabric or toss it in the washing machine whenever it needs cleaning. Pre-filter in Arctic Trail (gray) included; Additional colors available for purchase. At Blueair, our Swedish heritage inspires sustainability and quality at the heart of everything we do. All Blueair purifiers are AHAM Verifide® for Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) and given a recommended room size, certified by ENERGY STAR for energy efficiency and the California EPA Air Resources Board (CARB) for safe ozone emissions. ⁰This air purifier not been tested against Coronavirus, and Blueair does not claim to capture, remove, or kill 2019-nCoV. ⁶Sound pressure according to GB/T18801 & GB4214.1 ⁷Tested according to GB/T18801-2015 standard. ""Light bulb"" defined as an LED light bulb with 40 W energy consumption
Customer Rating
5
Quiet, Simple to Use Air Filtration
on January 13, 2021
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Oklahoma City, OK
I received the Blueair - Blue Pure 411 Auto HEPA Silent Air Purifier for purpose of providing an honest, unbiased review. My wife and I both have allergies and we have tried many different room filters over the last few years. The Blue Pure 411 Auto is a silent, easy to use filter that I would put up with the best room filters currently out there.
The unit has one button that you tap to turn on and change fan speeds. The auto setting, though, is the most interesting. The filter detects air quality and adjusts the fan speed as needed. I live in central Oklahoma. I've noticed on air alert days, that the filter's indicator lights have changed to orange or red and the fans are going stronger than on days without air quality warnings. Oklahoma currently has high cedar warnings, but my wife and I haven't sneezed or coughed since setting the unit up.
The unit comes with essentially two filters. There's an outer cloth cover called the "pre-filter" plus the standard filter inside. The pre-filter can be vacuumed and machine washed. The filter inside the unit is supposed to last up to six months. When you replace the standard filter, be prepared that replacement filters seem to cost around $22 at Best Buy. I didn't see any local Best Buy stores with filters in stock, but it seemed like an easy enough item to have shipped or picked up in store. Pre-filters are a little bit more difficult to come by. It seems they sell standard for under $10, but most retailers I checked were currently out with new arrivals expected within the next 4 to 6 weeks. The pre-filters provide some customization as you can find them in other materials and colors.
The device stands about 16 inches with a diameter of close to 8 inches. At that height, it's not the smallest room filter, but it's not unnecessarily huge, either.
I like this filter. Set up is easy. It's usually very quiet and even when the fan kicks up, it never gets that loud. If you're searching for a new room filter, be sure to check out the Blue Pure 411 Auto. 5/5
I hope you found this review helpful. Thanks!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+47points
53of 59voted this as helpful.
Introducing PRO X SUPERLIGHT—one of our lightest, fastest PRO mouse ever. Powered by LIGHTSPEED, it’s here to help you remove all obstacles, so you can focus on nothing but winning. Get insanely precise, fast, and consistent control with HERO Sensor. Take first faster with zero-additive PTFE feet that deliver a dramatically smoother glide. Developed in collaboration with a large group of the world’s best esports pros, PRO X SUPERLIGHT features hyper-minimal design, but is packed with our latest technologies and advancements. PRO X SUPERLIGHT Wireless Gaming Mouse is available in black and white.
Customer Rating
5
Ultralight, Responsive, Fast, Refined
on December 23, 2020
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Oklahoma City, OK
I've been using Logitech peripherals for near twenty years and the Logitech - G PRO X SUPERLIGHT is something of a throwback. The form factor reminds me of mice from Logitech and Microsoft in the early 2000's. But the Logitech - G PRO X SUPERLIGHT is much lighter. The lightspeed receiver and Hero 25K sensor provides responsiveness and feedback a million times better than anything from back then. I've paired a few mice with my Surface Book and I like this mouse the best. This mouse doesn't come with many of the features of mice today, but if you're okay with no dpi button, fewer side buttons, lack of Bluetooth, and no scroll speed toggle, the Logitech - G PRO X SUPERLIGHT is a great mouse and easy to recommend.
The mouse comes with grip tape. I didn't have much luck with that as I couldn't get it on straight and the first time you take it off, the tape will develop bubbles or edges. A nice touch, but not worth the hassle in my opinion.
Should note that there is no Bluetooth connectivity. If you want to use this mouse, you will need an open USB port to plug in the wireless dongle. As a result, you probably won't be able to use this for your phone or tablet.
The mouse is super light. If you want it even lighter, you can remove the aperture door from the bottom of the mouse. Speaking of that door, Logitech included another door with a PTFE coating. I couldn't tell a difference in my usage between the standard door and the PTFE coating, but perhaps marathon gamers hyper sensitive to the weight can tell a difference. It's nice that Logitech provides the options, but the tape and the extra PTFE door seemed a bit unnecessary in my opinion.
A lot of Logitech mice will come with a DPI toggle button. But the Logitech - G PRO X SUPERLIGHT does not. If you want to change the DPI, you will need to launch G-Hub which can be downloaded from Logitech's website. I tend to keep my mice with a fixed DPI, but if you're a a big FPS gamer who likes adjusting your FPS on the fly for sniping, this could be a problem.
But these are nitpicks. I really like the charging cable with this mouse. It hooks up very securely to the front of the mouse. If you wish to use the mouse wired, instead of wirelessly, you can hook up the cable and do that. Battery has been lasting me several days with heavy use. I didn't notice any speed difference between wired and wireless mode.
I'm sure this review has been a bit of a ramble, but I hope it's helpful for folks. There are a lot of mice out there. This is easily the lightest mouse I have used. It doesn't have the most features, but it does everything I want very well. Easy to recommend. 5/5
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
The Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles elevate the concept of smart lighting into a creative journey of design. A combination of smart technology and sleek ultra-thin design, the modular LED light panels open limitless possibilities for you to explore, create, and play.
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Oklahoma City, OK
The Nanoleaf Shapes are impressive LED lights, but the app that sets them up and sets schedules is awful. I should say up front that I received the Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles Kit for purposes of review. When they work, the lights can create some impressive effects. It is relatively easy to get the shapes set up and adhered to the wall. But, once they are up, the software nearly ruins the experience. I am cautiously recommending these lights on the hopes that the software is fixed before I acquire my next set to expand the lights. If you are not prone to software frustration and / or can wait until the software and firmware are further updated, give these lights a whirl. They make an impressive statement in the room.
Setup: As I said above, the panels adhere to the wall via 3M tape. The tape size is a bit unusual. If you want to replace it, I believe they look like two medium sized 3M strips next to each other. But, unlike traditional 3M tape, the tabs are smaller to get to. It is important to leave yourself enough tab when you put the panel up if you ever intend on taking them down. There is not any extra tape in the box, so make sure you have your panels laid out in a pattern you like before you put them up.
The connectors and panels are incredibly simple to place in whatever pattern suits your fancy. With the shapes series, you can also combine your Triangles Kit with Octagons and Mini-Triangles.
The kit comes with a 42 watt power supply. That power brick (which seems made for a strip versus a wall outlet) can handle 28 triangle shapes, 21 Octagon shapes, or 77 mini triangles. The Nanoleaf website had a configuration estimator, but know that after a certain point, you’re either going to need another power supply or you’ll need to upgrade beyond the standard 42 watt unit.
Hold on to the "need more inspiration" card in the packaging as it has the QR codes for the kit. I believe the codes are also located on the back of the control panel and on the power brick. The card is the easiest solution.
Software: Getting the lights in the right position is really the easy part. The difficulties start with the software. Out of the box, I had nothing but trouble with the Android app. I had better luck with the Apple App. It was also easier to just use the Apple HomeKit code than trying to set up the lights with my Android phone. I had to update the firmware with the Apple Nanoleaf app before I was able to set up and use the kit with my Android phone. That's how glitchy everything was out of the box.
Over the last week, I must have reset the device a dozen times trying to get things to work properly. I could make a light selection in the app only for the lights to be unresponsive. Occasionally, closing the app and relaunching it would do the trick. Sometimes it wouldn't. Schedules set in the app did not work reliably. The lights might randomly come on as though they are possessed. The schedule might work okay for the first day, but by day two it wouldn't work. I was back to using Google Home to turn the lights on or off. And that is the biggest frustration. Google Home and Alexa work fine. The PC app in beta works better than the mobile app that Nanoleaf intends on you using to set up and operate these lights. The mobile app is broken. There is a reason why this app is littered with 1 star reviews on the Google Play store.
Speaking of PC integration. I was hoping I could use the Shapes with Razer’s Chroma, but that never worked. Both Razer and Nanoleaf advertise Chroma integration, but I never could get it to work with the Shapes. I read online that others were having the same problem. Maybe that will be fixed with a firmware update down the road, but it doesn’t work as of now.
The PC app is in beta and I think it shows the most promise. With it, you can have the lights mirror what is going on with your computer monitor. That app seemed the most stable and functional. But, the app doesn’t seem to start with the computer. I could launch the PC app, which brings up a website, and change the lights to mirror my desktop, but I would then have to do that every time I started up my PC.
Conclusion: Devices like this are frustrating. Because on the one hand I really like it and I want more panels to create even more impressive displays. But the hardware is so dependent on the app that is broken. At the current retail price, I just think most people would expect a more reliable experience. I can set up reliable schedules for other devices, but not for my expensive Nanoleaf Shapes. If I change profiles, the brightness is automatically on max even with auto brightness turned on. The software is just a glitchy mess. But when the lights work, I really like them. Whether you are wanting to accent a wall or you are wanting to jazz up your livestreams, the Nanoleaf Shapes are definitely impressive when they work. I just wish they were more reliable and responsive to the software.
So, I am cautiously recommending these lights. If the app, the schedules, and the Razer integration worked better, this would be a five star review for me. So, pick them up if you are prepared to deal with the frustrations they can bring. They can be really cool, but also really frustrating.
3.5/5
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
Ensure ample storage for your high-resolution photos and videos with this 1TB WD SanDisk Extreme portable SSD. Up to 3 meter drop protection, with IP65 water and dust resistant, and a five year limited warranty give you the peace of mind to take it with you on travels near and far.Rread speeds of up to 1,050MB/s allow for fast file transfer. This WD SanDisk Extreme portable SSD features a compact design for easy handling and enhanced portability, and includes a USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter for compatibility with most PCs and Macs.
Customer Rating
5
Fast, Stable, and Fits in the Palm of Your Hand
on November 21, 2020
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Oklahoma City, OK
The SanDisk Extreme 1TB portable SSD is an excellent external drive solution. Whether you are backing up media files, accessing files on your usb-c equipped phone or tablet, or are wanting an external drive for your XBOX One, the SanDisk Extreme is very easy to recommend.
On Windows and Mac, the drive is plug and play. The included cable has a USB-C to USB-A adapter. I would make sure to use it on a USB3 port, though.
I created transfer tests on multiple computers shuffling around 10GB files. Compared to external hard drives that rely on 5400 RPM physical disks, the NVME portable produces unmatched results. You can copy huge files to and from the drive in a matter of seconds. In my experience, data would transfer three times as fast as the more traditional external drive.
The device feels solid. It has a rubber grip to it and it's tiny. Unlike back-up drives with older, platter based drives, this device is smaller and less prone to losing data in the event of bumps or drops.
With this drive, you can place movies, music, or files and then access them from your Samsung / Android tablet. I could watch movies on my phone from the SSD. And because the drive is relatively small, I could easily slip this in a travel bag for commutes. Whether you are browsing photos or editing documents on the go, the Extreme 1TB drive is simple and easy to use.
I tested the drive on an XBOX One. Newer games require faster transfer rates and the traditional external hard drives often don't keep up which can lead to texture pop-ins or stuttering cinematics. I didn't have any such problems with the 1TB Extreme. Games loaded in fast. Now, you currently can't use an external hard drive for X-Box One Series X games, but for XBOX One or Xbox 360 games, this hard drive is super fast.
If I had any complaint, it might be worth while to invest in a longer USB 3.2 cable with a USB-C connector. The cable that comes with the drive is just a couple of inches. It's very short.
I would take a 1TB drive with this speed and durability over a standard external drive for traveling and performance needs, but if you're wanting to back-up your computer or archive photos, an older drive that isn't as fast might realistically be a more economical solution. That's the tradeoff you have to weigh, but outside of those scenarios, I think this drive is a clear winner. It isn't much bigger than a thumb drive. It's faster and won't take up as much space in my bag.
I really like this drive, and I whole heartedly recommend it.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
3of 5voted this as helpful.
Wemo WiFi Smart Outdoor Plug gives you total smart control over your lights, holiday decorations and other outdoor devices. Featuring two splash-proof and weather-resistant outlets, you can set schedules and control two devices together from anywhere by using the app or your voice with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, or Hey Google.* It’s perfect for the patio, yard or other spaces where you’d like to manage electric outlets. You can also use Away Mode to randomly turn porch or landscape lights on and off when you’re not home. Sync lights connected to the Smart Outdoor Plug with the sunset and you’ll walk out to a backyard that’s ready for evening activities.
Customer Rating
5
Smart Outlet Control for Christmas / Patio Lights
on November 8, 2020
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Oklahoma City, OK
If you are looking to add a smart plug for your outdoor lights, the Smart Outdoor Plug is a reliable and easy to use option. Compatible with Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Alexa, this plug makes it easy to add outdoor lighting to your automated home. Buyers should know that you cannot independently control each outlet. The power off and timer options are synced for both outlets. If synchronized on/off is okay, then this is an easy smart outlet to recommend.
I should state upfront that I received the Wemo WiFi Smart Outdoor Plug for purposes of providing an honest assessment. My hope is to provide helpful information.
1. Setup: When the lights flash orange and white, you know your device is in pairing mode. From that point, set up on the downloaded Wemo app was relatively easy. If you can use a phone and download an app, you can use this outlet. It's very simple to configure and set-up. The Wemo app guides you step-by-step.
If you encounter problems: I didn't have any difficulties, but should you have problems with pairing or connection, your best bet according to the Wemo support page is to unplug and re-plug the device.
2. Connection: The Wemo smart plug uses 2.4ghz network connection. In theory, the 2.4ghz band can reach up to 300 feet. But keep in mind that walls and objects between your outlet and router / Wi-Fi access point, can reduce that distance a great deal. I was able to plug the outlet into an outside patio outlet less than 50 feet from my access point with no connection difficulties, but as always, your mileage will vary. Range will depend a lot on your router / access point's signal.
Timers: The Wemo app is functional if not the most user friendly. As previously stated, you cannot independently control each plug. But I was able to set a timer telling the outlet to turn on 15 minutes before sunset (based on location set when creating the rule) and to turn off at 1:30AM. It's been working flawlessly so far.
Smart Home Setup: There's an included card with code to scan for Apple HomeKit. With Alexa or Google Home, you simply need to add device and sign in to your Wemo account. Whole process on Apple and Android devices was relatively easy. Google and Alexa had no difficulties giving me the status of the outlet or turning it on or off with my voice command.
Build Quality: Everything feels solid. I can feel the rubber caps snap into the outlets. The plug could be secured to a wall if you so chose. Should you need to reset Wi-Fi settings for the device, you could either use the app or long press the button located on the plug itself.
Conclusion: In general, if a device works as the manufacturer says it will, I give the item a good review. This smart outlet has worked perfectly fine for me. I haven't had any difficulties. I wish every tech item I picked up worked as flawlessly. It would be great if I could independently control each outlet, but because Wemo / Belkin never advertised said feature, I can't ding the outlet for that. It works. It has worked well. And, that's really all I can ask for.
Conclusion: The Wemo Wi-Fi Smart Outdoor Plug has worked great for me and I highly recommend it.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
The original ROCCAT® Vulcan keyboard won an array of awards on the back of its design innovation and functional aesthetics. The ROCCAT® Vulcan Pro Optical RGB Gaming Keyboard is the latest full-size keyboard variant and features the renowned linear Titan Switch Optical. ROCCAT is the first in the industry to engineer an optical switch that has a familiar mechanical key stroke feeling. This technology equips you with lightspeed actuation and incredible precision – a pivotal competitive advantage. The switch adds to a comprehensive feature set that gamers know and love about the Vulcan keyboard series. The low-profile design is engineered for comfort and to reduce typing fatigue, impressive durability and build quality thanks to its reinforcing black anodized aluminum top plate and switches rated to 100 million keystrokes, dedicated mixer-style audio controls, a detachable palm rest and per-key AIMO RGB lighting.
Customer Rating
5
The Mercedes-Benz of Keyboards
on October 26, 2020
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Oklahoma City, OK
I should disclose upfront that I received the Roccat Vulcan Pro RGB for purposes of providing an unbiased, review. My goal is to provide an overall recommendation along with any information I can to help shoppers online or in store.
Responsive, quiet, no noticeable key wobble, and an overall solid build make this keyboard easy to recommend. With the Vulcan Pro, Roccat has produced a keyboard with optical speeds, but also a solid mechanical feel. The Vulcan Pro feels like a cherry / red / linear mechanical keyboard. Each curved key is smooth to the touch and each key press feels great. This is an easy recommendation for gamers, home office workers, students, and everyone in between.
Optical Switches: This is my first keyboard with optical switches. Versus a traditional mechanical keyboard, there is a lot to like. Instead of metal contacts, the keys break a beam of light. The entire process produces a quicker response than a typical mechanical keyboard. Supposedly, optical keyboards will have a much longer life than traditional mechanical keyboard.
Roccat: Prior to the Vulcan Pro, I honestly had never heard of Roccat. Roccat is a German manufacturer recently acquired by Turtle Beach. I think the German engineering shows. I cannot say enough about the build quality. The Vulcan feels like the Benz of keyboards. Metal surfaces replace hard plastic. Each key is well lit. The magnetic wrist wrest stays firmly in place. I could use this keyboard for hours. This is the keyboard you want for a marathon gaming session or to write a long term paper.
Features: The keyboard comes with a dial to control volume or key brightness. There is no software in the box. If you wish to customize your keyboard’s lighting effects, you will need to download Roccat Swarm.
I’m not quite sure I understand Aimo lighting. It is supposed to be lighting effects controlled by artificial intelligence. But, after turning the lighting feature on, everything just felt random to me. I couldn’t find a rhyme or reason to the lighting colors or changes. Nothing seemed to change with music or actions in a game. It looks pretty, but I also noticed that Aimo seemed to take around a 2 to 3 % CPU performance hit. With Aimo off, but other lighting options enabled, CPU usage dropped down to less than a percent. I personally preferred the solid lighting, wave effect, or ripple effect lighting, but that is just me.
There is no USB port or headphone jack built in to the keyboard itself. Also, there are macro keys, but they are function keys built into the INS, HOME, PG UP, DEL, END, and PG DOWN
Software: I already mentioned SWARM. And, it works. It’s not the greatest app. I liked some of the customization options, but I’d be lying if I said that Roccat had provided the most robust or diverse lighting solutions. Still, Swarm works. I can’t say the same for the software for several other name brand keyboards. Profiles are easy to set up and change. The ability to change repeat delay is nice. But, if you are using a high res display such as the display found on a new surface book, the font for Swarm is incredibly tiny. On 1080p displays, it looks fine, but on my Surface, I found myself squinting and getting as close to the screen as I possibly could.
Conclusion: If you read this review, I hope some part of it helped you in your decision making. I think this is a good keyboard. It justifies its price tag with the build quality alone. Software is a bit lacking and I do miss the built-in USB port, but it isn’t enough to keep me from recommending this keyboard. It’s a solid peripheral from a manufacturer I will be paying more attention to.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+7points
9of 11voted this as helpful.
OpenComm is the first AfterShokz Bluetooth headset designed specifically for communication. Engineered with patented 7th generation bone conduction technology & featuring AfterShokz’s signature open-ear design, OpenComm enables clear communication through the DSP noise-canceling boom microphone & helps you stay connected to your surroundings while you’re at your desk, on the road, or on a jobsite.
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Oklahoma City, OK
This is my first bone conduction headset and I love it. This headset is my new default. It's comfortable. No more buds slipping out of my ear canal. No bulky / hot ear pieces. Just great audio. After a few minutes, I forget I am even wearing them.
I should say that I received this headset for the purpose of providing an unbiased review. And my unbiased opinion is: this headset is awesome.
This is great for phone calls. The noise cancelling microphone works well and can be repositioned when not in use. I've made several calls over the last few days and I have been consistently told I sound great. Very clear. I tested it outside on a particularly windy Oklahoma day and they could still hear me.
This is great for phone calls. The noise cancelling microphone works well and can be repositioned when not in use. I've made several calls over the last few days and I have been consistently told I sound great. Very clear. I tested it outside on a particularly windy Oklahoma day and they could still hear me.
The bone conduction is interesting. Sometimes feels a bit like a buzz on my temple. It's oddly relaxing.
Setup was easy. The built-in nfc chip made bluetooth set up a breeze. The headset stayed connected for quite a ways away from my phone.
You also get a nice, thick case for storage. The charger is proprietary. One side is USB-A and the other is a proprietary magnetic connection.
I didn't find any app for equalizer settings. I find that a bit refreshing as my other headsets were getting a bit pushy with their firmware updates.
Sound quality was good. It's not the richest audio I have ever experienced, but it's better than most buds and pods geared towards mobile users.
Battery life has been good. I'm still getting used to the multi-purpose button, but it does make it easy to take and hang up on calls. Very easy to feel for the volume buttons as well.
For people working from home or looking for a new headset for travel, the gym, or day-to-day wear, I'd say you can't really go wrong here.
Highly recommend!
Mobile Submission: True
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+2points
7of 12voted this as helpful.
Bring your A-game anytime, anywhere. Introducing a universal mobile gaming controller that fits most smartphone devices, designed to bring console-level control to your on-the-go gaming. With this controller by your side, wherever you go, victory will follow.
Customer Rating
5
Turn Your Phone into a Portable Game Console
on September 30, 2020
Posted by: RedScorpion
from Oklahoma City, OK
I can't say I am a huge fan of mobile gaming. I love touch screens for point and click applications, but I hate trying to use the touch screen as a controller for gaming. A physical controller just works better and is more precise. The folks at Razer seem to agree and the Razer Kishi is a great way to turn your expensive smart phone into a portable gaming console.
The buttons work well. The a,b,x, and y buttons feel great. The d-pad is big and responsive. The thumb sticks work great and I noticed no drift. Triggers and bumpers feel a bit different than a traditional controller, but they still worked really well. I had no problems in FPS games like Halo..
Did I mention this control pad is great for Halo? With X-Box Game Pass Ultimate, you can now stream X-box games straight to your smart phone. The Razer Kishi does a great job replicating a traditional X-Box controller.
The Kishi worked well with my Samsung Galaxy S10e and the Google Pixel 4. But, bigger phones may not fit. You also won't be able to use your phone's bumper or case. The controller comes with a USB-C port for pass-through charging.
Razer has an app for the Kishi to help determine app compatibility. So far, I have tested the controller with Sonic the Hedgehog, Castlevania Symphony of the Night, and several X-Box Game Pass games. You may need to google your specific games to ensure compatibility.
Cons: I wish there was a way to tighten up the smart phone fit. As it is, the phone doesn't always feel like a solid fit. The controller flexes a bit more than I would expect and the phone can slide up and down a bit.
Still, I was impressed. I liked the controller. I actually enjoy mobile gaming now.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
RedScorpion's Review Comments
RedScorpion has not submitted comments on any reviews.
RedScorpion's Questions
RedScorpion has not submitted any questions.
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 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, 1 month 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, 1 month ago
by
RedScorpion