RedScorpion's stats
- Review count170
- Helpfulness votes1,523
- First reviewJune 21, 2012
- Last reviewMay 1, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.5
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- Answer count14
- Helpfulness votes42
- First answerMay 13, 2016
- Last answerSeptember 30, 2020
- Featured answers0
- Best answers5
Logitech G Yeti Orb is a premium RGB gaming microphone with LIGHTSYNC that delivers best-in-class audio performance and ease of use. With LIGHTSYNC RGB and a condenser capsule optimized for game streaming, plus Blue VO!CE presets, Yeti Orb is the easiest way to game with clear, focused audio. Just plug in via USB and you’re ready to join the voice chat, stream, and create video content with a massive jump in your vocal quality – instantly. Control your whole setup at once with G HUB. It’s that easy.
Posted by: RedScorpion
Who does not want to be the next big thing in streaming? Step 1: Play some games. Step 2: show off my less than stellar skills. Step 3: Swear and hang my head in shame. Step 4: profit, right? The Logitech G Yeti Orb is my first dedicated desktop microphone in many years. In addition to streaming, my friends and I have decided to start a movie podcast. So far, I have been impressed with the vocal quality. The G Yeti Orb makes a solid case for a place on my desktop. Streamers seeking a good entry level microphone should check it out, but be prepared, that price point comes with performance that, while good, is not great. It is a solid microphone and does better than my headset microphones and built-in laptop mics, but in my tests, it did not do much to mask mouse or keyboard clicks.
Installation is straight forward. Users should make sure they have the latest version of Logitech G Hub installed. The Yeti Orb connects to the PC via the included USB-C to USB-A cable. Once connected, Windows detects the Yeti Orb microphone and G Hub allows you to turn on various lighting and sound presets. The entire process is quite simple.
Some games have unique effects in G-Hub. Having your keyboard, mouse, headset, and Yeti Orb synchronized with the various effects is a neat touch. I like the orb shape and the size of the microphone.
In addition to the included stand, you could mount the mic on a boom stand or mic arm.
Experience: To evaluate the Yeti, I recorded numerous sessions with a USB headset microphone, a laptop built-in microphone, an analogue headset microphone, and the Yeti Orb. The Yeti Orb was the clear winner in terms of accurately recording my voice. Everything sounded clear and noise from the in-room fan / purifier was not picked up while using the Yeti Orb.
However, keyboard and mouse clicks were not hidden. You could hear the clicks of the mouse while I talked. The microphone is good, but there obviously are limits to how good it can be. I tried positioning the microphone super close while the keyboard and mouse were further back on the desk, but it did not matter. Those clicks came through very clearly. It is possible that a boom arm would help.
With my headset microphones, I can mute the microphone by either flipping a microphone up or via a physical button on the microphone. There is no mute button on the Yeti Orb. While I appreciate its minimalist design, a mute toggle on the microphone would have been helpful.
Conclusion: I like the microphone. I wish it did a better job of masking my mouse and keyboard clicks, but I do not know if I can criticize a microphone at this price point for not having that feature. For its price, it does work very well. It captured my voice better than any other PC microphone / headset I evaluated. My biggest complaint is that it lacks a mute toggle; I wish there were a mute button.
Still, this is a good microphone. If you are seeking a new microphone for streaming or gaming, give the Logitech G Yeti Orb a look. 4/5
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Jabra Elite 8 Active Bluetooth true wireless earbuds with HearThrough technology are designed to withstand your toughest workouts while allowing you to stay tuned in to your surroundings. Using military-grade testing, we put these earbuds through the test with rigorous cycles of thermal, shock, dust and water treatment, giving you excellent performance in any environment. Completely watertight even when fully submerged in water, the Bluetooth earbuds are able to withstand huge clouds of dust and survive drops from 3 feet totally intact. With ultimate grip through Jabra ShakeGrip, they stay secure in your ear all day without the need for ear wings. Experience immersive audio from all angles thanks to the richness and range of Spatial Sound powered by Dolby Audio, blasting your favorite work-out playlist and fully immerse yourself in quality sound that surrounds your head. Powerful 6mm speakers ensure the audio is clear and rich no matter what you’re listening to. Powerful Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) automatically adapts to the environment you’re in, filtering out unwanted interference from wind and other extremes. The wind neutralizing HearThrough technology muffles any wind interference, delivering cleaner, sharper sound wherever you are. HearThrough also provides an open ear experience so you can stay in tune with your surroundings without compromising on sound quality. Leave your phone at home but take your music with you. Download your music to your smartwatch, connect your earbuds, and head out for a phone-free run. Your connection will stay solid and stable no matter what, so you can push yourself to the limit without bringing your device along for the ride. And with Bluetooth Multipoint, you can seamlessly switch between your phone or smartwatch without needing to reconnect. 56 hours (ANC off) of battery in earbuds + case & Fast Charge to get 1 hour of battery in 5 minutes. Need to know the weather forecast or take a call on the go? Simply tap the earbud and ask your preferred Voice Assistant, without having to reach for your phone.
Customer Rating
5
My New Favorite Buds
on September 24, 2023
Posted by: RedScorpion
The Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds are my new favorite buds. Their amazing fit, touch controls, great sound, excellent battery life, and wireless charging has won me over. These are my new go-to earbuds. …. But they are not perfect. Still, anyone looking for rugged earbuds with great sound should definitely give these buds a look.
Setup: Inside the box you get the buds, case, a short USB-A to USB-C charging cable, and additional tips so you can decide which works best for you. The default tips worked the best for me, but it is good to experiment, and you may find that different ears need varied sizes.
Pairing is easy. In my tests, I paired the buds with my Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, A Samsung Galaxy S22, and a Windows 11 PC. Pairing with all the devices was easy. When I pressed the buttons on both buds, a pairing option opened automatically on my Galaxy S22. Jabra says you can have up to ten devices paired with the buds, but only two devices can be in use at a time.
Jabra advertised the ability to pair the buds with a watch, and it does work. But I could not find too many apps that would stream audio from the watch. Most audio apps just allow a remote connection to the phone. For instance, if I download iHeartRadio or Amazon Music, the phone app connects to the phone. It does not appear to stream the music straight from the watch in my experience. So, that may be a feature in search of an application.
Fit: Speaking of fit, these are the best fitting earbuds I have ever owned bar none. I have had a rough go with buds. They usually want to push themselves out of my ear. These Jabra stay where I put them and, after a while, I forget they are even in there.
Sound: I think these buds sound great. From the Jabra+ app, I can customize the audio equalizer. I prefer the Bass boost setting. ANC and Pass-Through audio both works well. With simple presses of the left earbud, I can switch between the two.
Spatial Sound: This has been a bit of a disappointment to me. Turning Spatial Sound on created tinny sounding vocals. Plus, many audio apps such as Amazon Music have spatial audio presets built in. Having both the spatial audio preset on the buds and the source music created a mess. But I had better audio with the spatial audio in Jabra+ turned off. Audio was richer without the feature turned on. I know Jabra has been tweaking this with the firmware, so perhaps it will get better, but I just updated the firmware to 1.4.2(1033) and I thought the spatial audio worked better with the prior firmware release. (but that is just me)
Speaking of Firmware: I have had these buds a week and I have already had to update the firmware twice. First for a firmware update that was released before I received the buds and another that just came out. Jabra+ walks you through the process, but it can take ten or fifteen minutes to complete.
Microphone performance: I made a few phone calls with the Elite 8 Active. To date, everyone says I sound good. The software does an excellent job of isolating my voice from the Oklahoma wind. There was some distortion if I was in an area with a lot of vehicle traffic, but I am hopeful that a firmware update will improve that performance.
Google Assistant: Hey Google performance has worked well. Individuals wanting Alexa support will need to look elsewhere.
Touch Buttons: I really like the tactile push buttons. They work so much better and are more intuitive in my opinion than the touch / glide controls of other earbuds.
Software: I cannot say enough good things about Jabra+. It has a simple, clean interface that is easy to use. I appreciate the white noise options and the ability to toggle audio presets. It is also the only way to upgrade the firmware on the buds that I could find.
Battery Life: Jabra advertises 8 hours of battery life, an additional 24 hours in the case, and fast wireless charging. ANC may affect your playback time a bit. In my testing, Jabra’s estimates are on the mark. If anything, they may be a bit conservative.
Conclusion: I have mixed feelings about the spatial audio. I am not sure if microphone performance is where it should be in noisy environments. But those are my only real nitpicks. These buds work great. I have been extremely impressed with the Jabra Elite 8 Active. I have a feeling spatial audio and microphone performance will only get better with future firmware updates. As of right now, these are my go-to earbuds. They perform well, they are tough, and they travel well. I really like them, and they are easy to recommend. 4.5/5
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Meet the ultra-powerful, wet & dry MessMaster vacuum and mini Shop Vac. Powered by No Loss of Suction Technology, it handles life’s un-vacuumable messes, from DIY disasters to kid chaos. When you’re done, MessMaster can rinse itself, cleaning the dust bin with just a cup of water. You even have the option to line the dust bin with a plastic bag to keep the mess contained for easy disposal.
Customer Rating
5
Shark Masters the Portable Wet / Dry Vac
on September 23, 2023
Posted by: RedScorpion
The Shark MessMaster is a portable wet / dry vac with a surprising amount of suction and functionality for a vac of this size. Over the last three weeks, I have vacuumed up several messes. The MessMaster even helped me clean up and sell a car. Throughout my testing, I have been impressed with its light weight, suction power, accessories, and the ease of cleaning it up. The Shark MessMaster has managed every challenge I have thrown at it, and I strongly recommend it.
I appreciate that many of the components are dishwasher safe. Shark included three or four 4-gallon trash bags. That is the ideal size. Using the bags does make cleanup a bit easier, but it is not necessary. Running water through the vacuum a few times helped me clean up any stubborn dust or debris. The crevice tool and the extension wand worked well hard to reach places.
If I had any nitpicks, I wish there were more storage for attachments and extension wands. Also, the power cord seems a bit short to me. I have had to get out the extension cords every time I have used it because many of the messes were not near an outlet.
Still, those are truly nitpicks and do not stop me from recommending the Shark MessMaster. It is a very capable, portable, and easily cleanable wet / dry vac. It is already proven its usefulness to me, and I am sure I will be using it for years to come.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Tablo 2-tuner, whole-home DVR ablo lets you watch, pause, and record TV for free¹. Tablo connects to your TV antenna and your Wi-Fi to send live broadcast programming from ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS³, and more as well as a selection of free streaming channels to compatible smart devices, anywhere in your home.
Customer Rating
5
A Godsend for Cord Cutters
on September 5, 2023
Posted by: RedScorpion
Wow. This works really well. The Tablo is my first over the air tuner that wasn’t built into a TV. Somehow, the Tablo, even with amplification turned off, can pick up stations that my TV cannot with the same antenna in the same spot. From one antenna, I can stream the game to my TV with surround sound in 5.1 while my wife watches from her phone in another room. This thing works. I am so impressed. Only caveat is that the Apple TV, Samsung, and LG WebOS apps are still listed as “coming soon.” There is an older Tablo app on the Apple TV Appstore, but it won’t work with this device. But if you have an Amazon Firestick, this device is great.
Setup: You can mount the Tablo on a wall, but I chose to lay it flat on my entertainment center. There is Wi-Fi built-in, but to minimize variables, I hooked my Tablo up to a wired ethernet switch. You will need the Tablo app on your phone or tablet to set the device up. There were a couple of firmware updates available out of the box.
There is a blue light on the Tablo, but you can turn it off from the app if you think the light is too bright.
Experience: Even with amplification turned off, I received more TV channels over the air using the Tablo than I did from the TV’s built-in tuner. I had no problems with signal drop, but my antennas are up high. I’m about 6 to 15 miles away from the towers and I picked up over 50 stations.
I’ve been watching TV on the Tablo for a week and a half. I’ve had no buffering. I’ve had no signal drop. The built-in guide and DVR are simple and effective. The college football games on Saturday looked and sounded great.
Experience: Even with amplification turned off, I received more TV channels over the air using the Tablo than I did from the TV’s built-in tuner. I had no problems with signal drop, but my antennas are up high. I’m about 6 to 15 miles away from the towers and I picked up over 50 stations.
I’ve been watching TV on the Tablo for a week and a half. I’ve had no buffering. I’ve had no signal drop. The built-in guide and DVR are simple and effective. The college football games on Saturday looked and sounded great.
My one complaint is that the Apple TV app is not currently ready, but I just have to be patient. I wish that the Tablo application had guide integration with Amazon’s Live TV interface.
Conclusion: But that is really it. This thing has worked great. I love it. This is the perfect OTA device for cord cutters. I highly recommend it. 5/5
I would recommend this to a friend!
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SimpliSafe delivers advanced security solutions that put you, your home, and your safety first. With optional professional monitoring powered by Fast Protect Technology, SimpliSafe combines innovative hardware with advanced AI and real people — for 24/7 professional monitoring that delivers fast emergency response when you need it most. The award-winning SimpliSafe system is effective, intuitive, and affordable – so that home can be safe and secure for everyone. You can protect every inch of your home. SimpliSafe has sensors for every room, window and door. HD security cameras for inside and out. Smarter ways to detect motion that alert you only when a threat is real. Hazard sensors that detect floods, and other threats to your home. Powerful sirens that can help stop intruders in their tracks. And, it’s backed by optional 24/7 professional monitoring—experts who are ready to dispatch emergency help immediately. That’s the unmatched combination that separates SimpliSafe Home Security from the others. Our bundles are designed from the start to be effective yet affordable. And with no long-term contracts or hidden fees.This 8-piece bundle provides 24/7 protection. The Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera helps stop crime in real time with live guard protection that allows monitoring agents to see, speak to, and deter intruders during an active alarm*. The camera also features a built in privacy shutter that you control. The Base Station is the brains of the system. It sends alarm signals to the monitoring center with a built-in cellular connection and includes a back up battery that lasts up to 24 hours and a loud, 95 dB siren. The smash-safe Keypad is soft to the touch, easy to use during the day and night, and requires no plug so it can be placed anywhere. Entry Sensors (4 total) protect your doors, windows, and cabinets and are designed to blend into the background. And the Motion Sensor is designed for human detection, not pet detection. Advanced security, whole home protection. There's no safe like SimpliSafe.
Customer Rating
4
It's Simpli the Best (....I'll show myself out.)
on August 31, 2023
Posted by: RedScorpion
I guess I should say up front that I have been a SimpliSafe customer for five years now. I had a Gen 2 system which I updated over the years. It was starting to feel a bit dated. Sensors were getting harder and harder to find and arming and disarming the system remotely could take a bit of time. So, I was looking forward to upgrading to the Gen 3 system. I have had a few hiccups during my upgrade process. Some of them were my fault, but others, I am not sure. Still, on the whole, I like SimpliSafe. (I recommend the service to everyone.) I had an alarm trip a year ago and SimpliSafe was quick in getting help on the scene. Their service is really great.
The Gen 3 system has taken me a bit of trial and error to set up, but it works well. The system feels more up to date. Camera integration has worked well. I had some struggles getting the camera to work at first, and on one occasion, one of my sensors refused to properly connect to the base station. But, on the whole, I really like the SimpliSafe Gen 3 system.
Setup: My Gen 3 system came with four entry sensors, two motion sensors, the base station, a keypad, and a wireless camera. I later added a glass break sensor. I should note that Gen 2 / 1 sensors are not compatible with a Gen 3 system. If you are upgrading, do not think they are interchangeable.
Setup: My Gen 3 system came with four entry sensors, two motion sensors, the base station, a keypad, and a wireless camera. I later added a glass break sensor. I should note that Gen 2 / 1 sensors are not compatible with a Gen 3 system. If you are upgrading, do not think they are interchangeable.
Installation of the sensors is super easy. You simply remove the tape for the 3M strips and adhere the sensors where you want them. Instead of adding sensors in via an identifier code, everything now has a connect button to help you sync the sensor with the base station.
Follow the installation instructions for a new installation. I made the mistake of trying to migrate my old system to my new system before the base station for the new system was properly set up. That created some problems that I had to get tech support to help with. So, do not make my mistake. If you are migrating from an old to a new system, set up the new system before migrating.
The camera is mountable, and it comes with mounting hardware. I placed mine on a bookshelf. Getting the camera to work with my system was very trial and error. For some reason, the connection / setup process for the camera would hang up mid-way. Eventually, I had to take the base station base off, remove the batteries, replace the batteries, and plug the base station back in and then I was able to get the camera to connect. Since that initial setup hurdle, I have not had any problems with the camera. But, if you are having trouble getting your camera to synchronize with your base station, I would suggest following the steps I listed above.
Experience: The system works well. The new keypad has a screen that you can press to navigate the menu and select necessary features. I added sensors pretty easily from the keypad.
The SimpliSafe app has always been easy to use. Upgrading from Gen 2 to Gen 3, I get a system status on the home screen and can see overall if system is functioning correctly. If a sensor is open, it will tell me which sensor from the app.
The SimpliSafe app has always been easy to use. Upgrading from Gen 2 to Gen 3, I get a system status on the home screen and can see overall if system is functioning correctly. If a sensor is open, it will tell me which sensor from the app.
The camera has a shutter that remains closed until the camera is in use. Video Quality and integration with the system has been particularly good. Battery life has been great. I have had the camera running for two weeks and I am still at 99% battery.
My only hiccup beyond set up so far is one day I had a sensor malfunction. The entry sensor showed it was open despite the lighting indicators that it had closed. I had to take the sensor apart and replace the battery to get it working properly. But, outside of that, I have not had any problems.
Google and Alexa integration have worked well. I can arm the system from “Hey Google,” but I cannot disarm the system via voice commands. That is for the best as anyone could break in and then say, “hey Google, disarm the SimpliSafe.”
Conclusion: I have had a few glitches with my SimpliSafe experience. Most have been resolved and a few were my fault. Camera set up should not have been as difficult or taken me as long. But SimpliSafe support was great when I needed it. I like the system so much I have purchased more sensors. There are new software updates rolling out to the system all the time. I am not sure why I had difficulties getting the camera to connect. It is working now, and I have not had any difficulties with it since. I like SimpliSafe. I like the Gen 3 system, and I am sure I will be adding more sensors and cameras in the future. 4.5/5
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Cut the competition down to size and dazzle them all with the Razer Cobra Pro—a wireless gaming mouse powered by Razer Chroma RGB. Featuring Razer HyperSpeed Wireless and 11 individually programmable lighting zones, color your play with an illuminating level of freedom and immersion.
Customer Rating
4
Fast Gaming Mouse with Impressive RGB Lighting
on August 12, 2023
Posted by: RedScorpion
I have been a fan of Razer keyboards for years, but I must admit that I haven’t had much experience with Razer mice. So, I was incredibly excited to get my hands on The Cobra Pro. Initial impressions are good. The mouse is light. The lighting effects are fantastic. Movement and button responsiveness have been right on the money. If it weren’t for some quibbles over battery life, software, and a rather difficult to access storage bay for the 2.4ghz receiver, I would say the mouse was near perfect for gaming.
Setup: Inside the box you get the mouse, a charging cable, a 2.4ghz nano receiver, and an adapter / extender for the 2.4ghz receiver. You will need Razer Synapse to tweak features and set up mouse lighting. Best to download that and have it ready to go. Out of the box, my mouse had around 72% charge. Plenty enough charge to set it up and it took me less than 30 minutes to then top the mouse off.
I paired the mouse with a Windows 11 PC with a 12th Gen Intel i7 processor, an AMD 6750XT video card, and a Razer Black Widow Elite keyboard.
Experience: The Cobra Pro is a light mouse. It smoothly glides across my hard mouse mat. Buttons are responsive. DPI toggles are easy to use. The Cobra Pro is not the lightest mouse I have ever used, but it is pretty light.
It’s also a bit smaller than I expected. If you are the type to prefer smaller mice, this won’t be a problem. If you prefer the “claw” type of mouse hold, this won’t be a problem. But, if you prefer your mouse bigger or have particularly big hands, this could be an issue. For me, it was just big enough. I really like the textured grip. The buttons are super responsive.
It’s also a bit smaller than I expected. If you are the type to prefer smaller mice, this won’t be a problem. If you prefer the “claw” type of mouse hold, this won’t be a problem. But, if you prefer your mouse bigger or have particularly big hands, this could be an issue. For me, it was just big enough. I really like the textured grip. The buttons are super responsive.
I tested the mouse using the 2.4ghz nano receiver and over Bluetooth. I was glad that lighting effects worked over both connections. I noticed no additional latency over Bluetooth. The mouse remained fast and responsive regardless of which wireless standard I used.
I really appreciate the button placement of this mouse. I never found myself accidentally clicking buttons during gameplay. Buttons are super responsive.
I really appreciate the button placement of this mouse. I never found myself accidentally clicking buttons during gameplay. Buttons are super responsive.
Razer was my first experience with keyboard lighting. I still think Razer’s software is some of the easiest for setting up lighting effects. Many games come with custom lighting profiles, and it was cool having my mouse and my keyboard syncing up their light displays while gaming. However, if I let the mouse go idle and then reawakened it during a game, it didn’t always sync back up with the lighting effect and would instead default to a rainbow display.
Battery life was a bit of a mixed bag. I got more battery life with lighting turned off, but with lighting on, I got around 22 to 23 hours of battery life. That’s not awful, but it was a bit disappointing. The lighting is such a huge selling point to the mouse.
There is a storage bay on the bottom of the mouse where you can keep the nano receiver. I’m used to magnetic covers for those storage bays. This mouse uses a twist cover. I found it a little difficult to open. It’s functional but seemed needlessly difficult in my opinion.
Conclusion: This is a well-designed gaming mouse. It looks and feels good. I wish it had better battery life with RGB lights enabled. That’s really my only real gripe with the mouse. Everything else is a nitpick. So, in conclusion, I recommend the Cobra Pro. It’s a solid gaming mouse. Just know that battery life may be a bit shorter than expected with lights enabled.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Make scanning simple with the affordable, compact and lightweight Epson Perfection V39 II. Featuring an optical resolution of 4800 dpi, this easy-to-use photo scanner delivers amazing clarity and detail at a great value. With the included Epson ScanSmart software, you can scan photos, artwork, illustrations, books, documents and more to cloud storage services as well as stitch together oversized images. Moreover, if your photos have faded, you can bring back the color in one click with Easy Photo Fix technology. The V39 II delivers high-quality letter-sized scans in as fast as 10 seconds. It also includes convenient one-touch scanning with easy-to-use buttons, so you can scan directly to PDF or email with just the touch of a button. In addition, you can create editable Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files using optical character recognition (OCR) software. The V39 II is USB powered for portability, includes a built-in kickstand for space-saving vertical placement and storage, and features a high-rise, removable lid to accommodate bulky items such as books and photo albums. Meet the nexus of stunning image quality and great value with the Epson Perfection V39 II.
Customer Rating
5
Great Scans in a Convenient Package
on July 19, 2023
Posted by: RedScorpion
It’s been a long time since I have had a dedicated flatbed scanner. The Epson Perfection V39 II photo scanner has surprised me with its versatility, quality, speed, and ease of use. Photos I have scanned in have come out very well. Colors are well preserved. I can get enough details from the scans to touch up and create larger prints. It has been an excellent addition to my office setup, and I highly recommend it.
Setup: Inside the box you get a USB 2.0 cable. It’s a USB-A to USB-Micro B cable. I wish the scanner was using USB-C. USB-C is such a common standard. But Epson is using the older standard. On the plus side, there is no separate power cable. The scanner is powered by the USB cable alone which is nice.
Epson recommends installing the recommended software from their website before connecting the scanner to the PC. I am running a Windows 11 laptop. I downloaded the software from Epson’s website and followed the prompts. The scanner was set up quickly and easily.
Experience: Epson’s software can be a bit clunky. I prefer Epson Scan 2 to Epson ScanSmart. ScanSmart is for newer users. It tries to simplify the scanning process, but I like seeing the DPI and related settings and Scan 2 was closer to what I was used to. Neither application crashed. They just weren’t quite as intuitive as I would have liked.
The scanner has simplified buttons on the front of the scanner. They all worked except for the scan to e-mail. It looks like that feature may only work if you are using Outlook as your default email application. If you are just using the included Live Mail that came with your Windows 10 or 11 PC, you will likely be out of luck.
The scanner lid separates from the scanner if you pull straight up by the hinges while holding the lid parallel to the base. This was a nice feature if you are wanting to scan in something thick from a textbook. There is also a kickstand. The kickstand can help shrink the footprint on your desk, but I found opening the lid at an angle to be a bit odd for me.
The scanner fits well on my shelf. It’s small and light enough to carry around a room. Yet, the glass space is big enough to fit large photographs or pages.
I have been scanning older photos that my wife had loose in a box. The photos were scratched and damaged. Using Photoshop, I am restoring the photos. My scans have come out looking exceptionally good. Detail and colors have looked sharp. Scans at 600 and 1200 dpi are quick. I have more than enough detail to re-crop and touch up the older pics.
Conclusion: I wish there was a tool to scan in film negatives and slides. But, beyond that, my expectations have been more than met. I have a few nitpicks with the software, but the scanner has done a good job. I have been using it for over a week now and it has given me excellent scan results time after time. If you are in the market for an affordable scanner that delivers good results and is small enough to store easily on a bookshelf, then I think this scanner is an easy recommendation.
4.5/5
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Protect your sensitive electronics and direct-charge everything from smartphones to laptops with the new Revolve45. Turn any standard wall outlet into a seven-point power center with one USB-C, two USB-A and four patented rotating AC outlets. In addition to adding industry-leading power capability, Revolve45’s striking design looks beautiful on the wall. Subtle and fluid surfacing as well as the use of unique textures and finishes, work together to convey thoughtful and considered attention to every detail.
Posted by: RedScorpion
With the shapes of electrical equipment plugs today, the 360 Electrical - Revolve45 surge protector makes a lot of sense. I've lost track of times when my four or six outlet surge protector becomes a two outlet surge protector whenever a tech device with an unwieldy power cord blocks other outlets. Now, I can use all the outlets. It's super convenient. Add to that the excellent joule rating, the USB connectivity for fast charging devices, and built-in power filtration, and I think this is a surge protector that I can easily recommend.
I tried the USB-C port with a Samsung Galaxy S22. The S22 supports Samsung Super Fast power delivery. Unfortunately, I was only able to get fast delivery with the Resolve45. But I haven't found a surge protector with USB ports yet that supported Samsung's Super Fast standard.
Also, there is a lip on the top of the unit that allows the user to use the surge protector as a rack to keep their phone off the ground while charging. It works, but just barely for my phone. If I tipped my phone on its side, I could rest it. Otherwise, it kept falling. I'm not sure how often I will use that feature, but it's nice to have.
In conclusion, I have been using this surge protector for a week now. It has worked well. The rotating ports have been super convenient. I appreciate the little touches 360 Electrical have given us here. It works great. Easy to recommend.
5/5
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The new Alienware m16 is 16-inch high-performance gaming laptop with the latest CPU and GPU offerings and thermals that harness its power for smooth and stable performance. Get innovative and powerful performance with the latest 13th generation Intel Core processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series graphics cards.
Customer Rating
5
A Desktop Replacement Gaming Computer
on June 20, 2023
Posted by: RedScorpion
The Alienware M16 that I received was a bit of a first for me. I’ve had Dell laptops before, but never an Alienware laptop. I’ve had gaming laptops before, but this is the first time I’ve felt like I had a true desktop gaming experience on one. The 165hz has excellent color reproduction with zero light bleed. The 4070 graphics card produces excellent framerates on most games I tested. So, if you’re looking for a gaming laptop, I think this laptop more than fits the bill.
Unboxing: I should state upfront that I was using the model with a 4070 graphics card, a 165hz display, and 16GB of RAM.
The laptop is squarer than I thought it would be. Its design almost reminds me of the old Compaq and HP laptops of the early 2000’s. It’s all more polished and I really like the finish. This is, understandably, a heavy laptop. But the piece that got the “biggest” reaction from me was the huge power brick. This is the first power brick that could double as a real brick. It’s huge and weighty. If I had one complaint about the laptop, it probably would be this huge, heavy power brick.
The laptop has two USB-A 3.2 ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a display port, an HDMI port, an ethernet port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a 2.5gbps Killer ethernet port. This laptop isn’t hurting for connectivity.
The laptop has two USB-A 3.2 ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a display port, an HDMI port, an ethernet port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a 2.5gbps Killer ethernet port. This laptop isn’t hurting for connectivity.
Experience: Initial setup was easy enough. Users should prepare themselves for a few hours’ worth of Windows, Nvidia, and system updates to download.
There are a few specific Alienware applications that you will use with this laptop. The biggest for me was “Alienware Command Center”. From there, you can change lighting, monitor fan speeds, and CPU and GPU temperatures. Speaking of lighting, this laptop has the most lighting options of any laptop I have ever used. However, it could be a bit finicky to apply lighting changes to certain sections of the laptop. For some reason, getting lights to change was a bit of trial and error. Sometimes it was flawless, but for some reason the Alienware logo gave me more than a few fits whenever I tried to change the color.
Command Center recognized my installed games. It would then, while playing games, change the lighting to different solid configurations depending on the game I was playing. You could also configure an in-game pop-up that would stay on the left side of the screen and provide information about system temps and fan speeds.
Video game performance was great. I ran Time Spy to benchmark right away. The laptop earned a 12,480 Time Spy score. As you can see in my attached screenshots, I let NVidia, through the NVidia Experience adjust game settings to get the game performance to optimal. With the recommended settings, I achieved an average FPS of 88.28 on Cyberpunk 2077.
Visuals on the included monitor were surprisingly good. The monitor wasn’t the brightest laptop display, but the color representation was good. I had no light bleed to speak of. Dark screens looked appropriately dark. Game images looked good. This is a good display.
I should mention the noise. The speakers in the laptop sound good to me. Running an ATMOS audio test, I truly felt the spatial audio worked. But unfortunately, the speakers aren’t the only thing you will hear. This laptop sounds like a jet engine. If you intend to game on this device, I recommend a cooling stand and headphones. This laptop gets hot, and its fans get loud. But, having said that, the fan noise is more the sound of a jet engine than an annoying grinding sound. With a good set of headphones, I didn’t really notice the noise all that much. A good cooling stand can also help bring temps down a bit in my experience.
The laptop comes with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB NVME drive. At some point, I plan on upgrading the RAM to 32GB and adding another NVME drive. Dell sells compatible heatsinks for NVME drives for under $20 on their website. I would highly recommend you pick one up if you intend to add storage later.
Conclusion: As I said in the beginning, this is the first laptop I have owned that truly felt like a desktop replacement. It’s fast enough that I can ditch the desktop without guilt. It’s big and heavy, but it packs a punch. At the moment, I have it docked to an external Dell monitor, keyboard, and mouse. It truly feels like a desktop experience in a portable package. Alienware delivered. I love this laptop.
Easy recommendation.
5/5
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enjoy big sound with the super-compact SRS-XB100 wireless speaker, offering powerful, clear sound, an updated IP67 waterproof and dustproof design1,2, and up to 16 hours of battery life.3 Small enough to fit in a bag or cupholder, the XB100 also features a versatile strap to take with you wherever you go.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Sound in the Size of a Pop Can
on May 26, 2023
Posted by: RedScorpion
The Sony XB100 is a small speaker that, for its size and price point, produces pretty good sound. I like it. Its audio fills a room, it sounds good while outside, and its small size makes it incredibly portable. I can set the speaker down or hang it from a hook on the wall. It’s light. It’s easy to use. It has great volume. The ability to use the XB100 as a speakerphone or to pair it with another XB100 for stereo sound makes the speaker even more impressive. In short, it’s a solid little gadget.
Initial impressions out of the box are pretty good. This is another stylish Sony speaker. The upward firing speaker has a rubberized texture on the outside. It fits like a pop can in my hand. It stands around 3.3 inches tall. The strap is easy to adjust.
The Sony XB100 comes with a a USB-C charging cable. However, I should point out that the charging cable is short. It’s only about a foot long. The USB port appears to only be for charging. Don’t expect audio over a wired connection. There also is no 3.5mm AUX input. There is no Wi-Fi connection, companion app, or Alexa / “Hey Google” integration.
The Sony XB100 is IP67 rated. IP stands for ingress protection. The first number is a range of 0 to 6 representing how well the item protects against solids. The second number is presented in a range of 0 to 9 and represents how well the item protects against liquids of various volumes and temperature. The XB100 has a rating of 67. As such, it’s rated for up to thirty minutes in water as deep as a meter or 3.3 feet.
Sony advertises battery life at around 16 hours. I seemed to get around that mark in my testing.
Audio quality is incredibly subjective. I think it sounds very good, especially considering its size and price point. It’s never going to replace my portable party speaker, but it’s not supposed to.
However, having said that, the speaker produces some thump for its small size. There’s a good amount of bass here. Podcast / audiobook vocals were loud and clear. Sometimes, mids got a bit drowned out. But, on the whole, I would say the audio quality is very good. I’m going to pick up another speaker for stereo mode as soon as I can.
Audio quality is incredibly subjective. I think it sounds very good, especially considering its size and price point. It’s never going to replace my portable party speaker, but it’s not supposed to.
However, having said that, the speaker produces some thump for its small size. There’s a good amount of bass here. Podcast / audiobook vocals were loud and clear. Sometimes, mids got a bit drowned out. But, on the whole, I would say the audio quality is very good. I’m going to pick up another speaker for stereo mode as soon as I can.
Conclusion: The XB100 is a great little speaker. If you’re looking for a Bluetooth speaker in this price point, the XB100 is easy to recommend.
5/5
I would recommend this to a friend!
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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.
Will it fit my phone? I have the samsung s10e and I know it will work with the connection but I don't know if it will fit the s10e.
Yes, I am using it to play Halo on my S10e.
3 years, 7 months ago
by
RedScorpion
Hear all your games in high-quality sound with this JLab Play wireless gaming headset. With an increased mid to high frequency response and super-low 60 ms latency, this headset is able to deliver clear vocals and enhance spatial awareness without lag. JLab’s Play wireless gaming headset delivers over 22 hours of playtime and compatibility with PCs, consoles and mobile devices to handle every session.
where is the micro phone? can it be used for a call center?
The headset features a retractable boom mic on the right ear piece. In my opinion, the headset would work well in a call center or home based call center. There is a mute button built in to the headset and the mic works in either Bluetooth or the wired 3.5mm mode.
3 years, 9 months ago
by
RedScorpion
Hear all your games in high-quality sound with this JLab Play wireless gaming headset. With an increased mid to high frequency response and super-low 60 ms latency, this headset is able to deliver clear vocals and enhance spatial awareness without lag. JLab’s Play wireless gaming headset delivers over 22 hours of playtime and compatibility with PCs, consoles and mobile devices to handle every session.
Is it compatible with ps4 & xbox?
Yes.
But it is not wireless on PS4 and XBOX. To use with your XBOX or PS4, you will neeed to use the included 3.5MM AUX console cord.
But it is not wireless on PS4 and XBOX. To use with your XBOX or PS4, you will neeed to use the included 3.5MM AUX console cord.
3 years, 9 months ago
by
RedScorpion
Hear all your games in high-quality sound with this JLab Play wireless gaming headset. With an increased mid to high frequency response and super-low 60 ms latency, this headset is able to deliver clear vocals and enhance spatial awareness without lag. JLab’s Play wireless gaming headset delivers over 22 hours of playtime and compatibility with PCs, consoles and mobile devices to handle every session.
Will these headphones work with I buy power computers
Yes, if the computer has Bluetooth built-in. If the computer does not have Bluetooth built-in, you will need to purchase a separate USB Bluetooth Adapter *(they tend to run between $10 and $20).
3 years, 9 months ago
by
RedScorpion
Listen to your favorite albums and audiobooks on the go with this Memorex portable CD player. The 40-second anti-skip protection function for CDs ensures smooth, uninterrupted listening, while the dynamic bass boost system delivers rich sound. This Bluetooth Memorex portable CD player features an LCD screen and digital control buttons for conveniently choosing tracks and adjusting volume.
Can you play audio books on this CD player? And What accessories will I need to buy?
If your audio book comes on CD or MP3 CD, you can play it on this player. It doesn't come with a power cord. It includes 2 AA batteries.
4 years ago
by
RedScorpion
Listen to your favorite albums and audiobooks on the go with this Memorex portable CD player. The 40-second anti-skip protection function for CDs ensures smooth, uninterrupted listening, while the dynamic bass boost system delivers rich sound. This Bluetooth Memorex portable CD player features an LCD screen and digital control buttons for conveniently choosing tracks and adjusting volume.
iS THIS AN MP3 CD?
Listen to your favorite albums and audiobooks on the go with this Memorex portable CD player. The 40-second anti-skip protection function for CDs ensures smooth, uninterrupted listening, while the dynamic bass boost system delivers rich sound. This Bluetooth Memorex portable CD player features an LCD screen and digital control buttons for conveniently choosing tracks and adjusting volume.
Can it be used with or without the earbuds?
Yes?
Without the included earbuds, you can use your own or connect via Bluetooth. There is no built in speaker on the player if that's what you are asking.
Without the included earbuds, you can use your own or connect via Bluetooth. There is no built in speaker on the player if that's what you are asking.
4 years ago
by
RedScorpion
Listen to your favorite albums and audiobooks on the go with this Memorex portable CD player. The 40-second anti-skip protection function for CDs ensures smooth, uninterrupted listening, while the dynamic bass boost system delivers rich sound. This Bluetooth Memorex portable CD player features an LCD screen and digital control buttons for conveniently choosing tracks and adjusting volume.
have a 2019 mazda cx3 w/bluetooth capability. Will this work? Is a usb power cord available?
It should pair with your car, but there is no USB power cord. It still relies on an older ac or dc adapter.
4 years ago
by
RedScorpion
Listen to your favorite albums and audiobooks on the go with this Memorex portable CD player. The 40-second anti-skip protection function for CDs ensures smooth, uninterrupted listening, while the dynamic bass boost system delivers rich sound. This Bluetooth Memorex portable CD player features an LCD screen and digital control buttons for conveniently choosing tracks and adjusting volume.
Will this work with Apple Bluetooth earbuds?
I don't see why it wouldn't. I paired it with Bluetooth headphones from Samsung, Sony, and JVC without problems. The only quirk is you have to make sure to turn on the Bluetooth feature each time you start the CD player. Also, sometimes the devices have to be re-synced every time you power on. My headphones kept the connection, but some of my Bluetooth speakers did not.
4 years ago
by
RedScorpion
With 15 programmable controls, LIGHTSPEED wireless technology, hyper-fast scroll wheel, and the revolutionary HERO 25K sensor, G604 offers both versatility and high-performance with endless possibilities to play with mastery. Dual connectivity lets you toggle between Bluetooth and ultra-fast 1 ms LIGHTSPEED advanced wireless technology—even on separate machines. Extremely accurate tracking and class-leading power efficiency enables up to 240 hours of high-performance gaming with one AA battery.
I read online that this mouse doesnt work with windows 10?
I am using Windows 10 ver. 1903. It works fine. It works on Windows 10 over Bluetooth and with the included USB light speed receiver.
4 years, 6 months ago
by
RedScorpion