elitegangsta's stats
- Review count87
- Helpfulness votes576
- First reviewNovember 4, 2008
- Last reviewMarch 17, 2024
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- Average rating4.3
- Review comment count1
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- First review commentOctober 3, 2014
- Last review commentOctober 3, 2014
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- Answer count30
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- First answerFebruary 20, 2011
- Last answerSeptember 5, 2021
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The Blue Pure 311 Auto air purifier is a top pick in Wirecutter's 'The Best Air Purifier 2020' for "Delivering exceptional performance in an attractive form".¹ The Blue Pure 311 Auto take a simple approach to 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 250 cfm for fine smoke particles, 250 cfm for pollen particles, and 244 cfm for dust particles. Recommended for medium rooms like a master bedroom, living room, or playroom with a 360° air intake to completely filter room air about every 12.5 minutes² (approx. 4.8x an hour at 388 ft²) on the highest speed.³ 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, dust, pet dander, mold, bacteria, viruses⁴ and more. An additional layer of activated carbon traps light household odors.⁵ Blue Pure 311 Auto quietly cleans the air with less noise than a soft whisper⁶ on low (23 dB) and up to a normal conversation on high (53 dB) – while using less energy than a light bulb (3-35 W) on all speeds.⁷ The one-touch enabled Auto mode is designed to help you maintain a comfortable 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. 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. ¹From Wirecutter. ©2020 Wirecutter, Inc. All rights reserved. Used under license. ²Air Changes per Hour (ACH) calculation is a product of recommended room size & average ceiling height over pCADR ³According to ANSI/AHAM AC-1 recommended room size ⁴This air purifier not been tested against & Blueair does not claim to capture, remove, or kill SARS-COV-2 (COVID19) ⁵Based on GB/T18801-2015 test standards for the removal of formaldehyde & VOC 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.
Posted by: elitegangsta
from Maryland
The BlueAir Pure 311 is a great little machine. As someone who suffers from many airborne allergens, I was excited to see how an air purifier would work for my situation.
I'll first remark about how "clean" and modern this machine looks. Mine has a nice grey fabric bottom with a white plastic upper piece. This fits the decor of my house very well and I imagine many others as well.
Setup is as simply as just plugging it it and pressing the "on" button. Thats it.
Pressing the "on" button multiple times puts this in various modes.
Press once for "on" mode and the fan sill auto adjust itself based on air conditions.
Press twice for night mode: this is the mode I have it on most of the time. It turns off the LED on the front as well as turns the fan low so it runs pretty quite. This is a great feature to aid in sleeping.
Press three times for "every day mode" which is medium fan speed.
Press four times for "boost mode" which cranks the fan up to high speed and helps eliminate poor air quality situations faster.
My unit has always detected good air quality so I cannot comment on how much better the air really is as I have no way to measure otherwise. I can state that I feel like I sneeze less at night and tend to sleep through the night, which is not something I've always been able to claim before I started using this machine.
My bedroom is about 400 sq feet and I keep all closet, bathroom and hallway doors closed while this is running. I tend to keep doors open during the day so I do not run this during that time, it is reserved for night time only.
Overall since I am sleeping better and this offers no annoyances at night, I cannot think of a reason not to like or recommend this unit. It's simple to operate and thoughtfully designed.
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The 603 S2 Anniversary Edition combines outstanding power and clarity that makes them perfect for larger rooms and ideal for home theater. Continuum mid-range cones provide clarity for singers, Decoupled Double Dome Tweeters create an enveloping sense of space and twin bass drivers deliver scale and authority. Featuring upgraded crossovers for even more transparency and a unique trim-ring to celebrate this milestone, the 603 S2 Anniversary Edition is the most sophisticated affordable floor-standing loudspeaker Bowers & Wilkins has ever made. The 603 S2 Anniversary Edition sits atop the 600 Series Anniversary Edition range of products. Over the last 25 years, the 600 Series has been our most affordable performance range of loudspeakers, and we’re celebrating our love of sound with acoustic improvements to the crossover network for overall greater levels of clarity and smoother high frequencies so you can enjoy a compelling listening experience across the range of products.
Customer Rating
5
Bowers & Wilkens 603 S2 Anniversary Edition
on January 11, 2021
Posted by: elitegangsta
from Maryland
The Bowers & Wilkens 603 S2 Anniversary Edition floor standing speakers are outstanding from every perspective. Both visually stunning as well as an immersive and fully engaging audio experience.
A small warning while unpacking / setting up. These speakers are no joke and weigh in at around 75lbs per speaker. You may need to bring a friend to help you unbox and setup.
The rest of the setup experience is a dream. These speakers come with a very nice base that you need to mount to the bottom of the speakers. They come equipped with either rubber feet for hard flooring (like mine) and spikes for carpeted flooring. Once installed, the speakers looks like they "float" above the stands and look fantastic. The weight of the speakers ensure no vibration is caused by any loose box. The stand is also extremely firm and connects tightly to the speaker with 4 screws.
If you choose to leave the magnetic speaker covers off, you will be mesmerized from the top down. Starting at the top you will see the signature Decoupled Double Dome tweeter which has the "600 Series Anniversary Edition" text written around them. These tweeters offer sharp and clean highs which reproduce very accurate and immersive sound, whether it be music or a movie. Anything requiring a high fidelity, high octave range is reproduced with ease from this bad boy. Bowers & Wilkens has an overall warmer sound vs super sonic sharp, which I find very pleasurable. These do not make your ear "bleed" but still provides an accurate and precise sound.
Moving down the speaker you're next presented with the shiny silver Continuum cone. This is one of the best distinguishing features of this speaker both visually and sonically. This speaker is used to produce the mid-range sounds from and is the most used part of the speaker. This is arguable the most important aspect of any reproduction of sound when it comes to speakers and often overlooked by lesser quality options. Here B&W produced an astonishing mid-range with a wealth of detail that will have you turning your head to question weather that sound came form the speaker, or something else in the room.
Below that are two low-frequency cones that produce that low, wonderful bass response we all love to hear. These 600 series speakers product an excellent bass without the necessary need for a sub, however, a sub should be added to complete the experience. The bass produced by these floor speakers however are necessary in completing the entire sound stage package. Bass is booming yet clean. If you are able to provide these speakers the necessary wattage to get them up to their peake 200W 8ohm performance, you will notice the bass does not drop out or crackle under the pressure. Whether it be a movie, TV show, hip-hop, jazz, or rock, these speakers are up to the task of reproducing the sound the content creator had in mind.
I was highly impressed with the amount of volume these speakers product when watching Disney's "The Mandelorian". When a light saber scene came up, and the saber was moving from bottom to top of the screen, you could hear the volume ad tiny detail in pitch giving the audio "height", which only a 3-way speaker can produce. It was truly a game changing moment hearing this effect for the first time after previously hearing the same scenes from different speakers.
B&W also includes foam plugs that can be inserted into the rear driver hole. This is incase you cannot position the speakers far enough from the wall and get hear too much bass reverb from the rear. I did not have this issue so I left the foam insert removed. It is nice B&W include such a fine detail in their products. These speakers are truly intended for the audiophile individual who wants to tweak every last detail to maximize their experience.
If you are in the market for a good set of speakers, and the price on these does not scare you away, I cannot recommend these enough. Though you can buy cheaper speakers for sure, the cost of these are an otherwise bargain given the performance and quality delivered. It is easy to hear why Bowers & Wilkens have been a household name in high end audio for so long. They've knocked it out of the park with these anniversary edition speakers.
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The HTM6 S2 Anniversary Edition delivers clear dialog and power in a compact form for Home Theater. Continuum mid-bass drive units provide make it easy to hear actors and robust bass lines for action films while Decoupled Double Dome Tweeters create an enveloping sense of space and clarity. Featuring upgraded crossovers for even more transparency and a unique trim-ring to celebrate this milestone, the HTM6 S2 Anniversary Edition is the most sophisticated, affordable center channel Bowers & Wilkins has ever made. The HTM6 S2 Anniversary Edition is the matching center channel for the 600 Series Anniversary Edition range of products. Over the last 25 years, the 600 Series has been our most affordable performance range of loudspeakers, and we’re celebrating our love of sound with acoustic improvements to the crossover network for overall greater levels of clarity and smoother high frequencies so you can enjoy a compelling listening experience across the range of products.
Customer Rating
5
B&W HTM6 S2 Anniversary Edition
on January 11, 2021
Posted by: elitegangsta
from Maryland
The center channel is the most important speaker in a surround sound system setup. Most of the core audio and spoken languages come from the center speaker. Having a center channel that can reproduce a wide range of audio tones is of the highest importance. Many times these speakers sit inside of a "cubby" or entertainment center, making sound reverberation that much more challenging to reproduce accurately. Enter the Bowers & Wilkens HTM6 S2 Anniversary Edition center channel speaker:
I'll first start off noting just have beautiful of a speaker the 600 series line center channel is. Mine is a black finish, yet B&W offers them in white and oak as well to match different styles. The "Anniversary" branded decoupled double dome tweeter is the star of the visual show here. It's brushed aluminum bezel with the words "600 series anniversary edition" printed around the edge really makes this speaker feel like a special edition. It has a strong mesh grill covering the actual tweeter. Looks that match is 38kHz breakup performance and results in stellar sound reproduction on high sounds points.
The left and right Continuum cones are also very noticable. They shimmer with their high light conductive properties and are capable of producing excellent mid-range audio, the true heart of these speakers. Voice tracks, moderate noise, effect, etc.. are all reproduced in exception detail.
Last but not least, the rear of the speaker contains a driver for bass reproduction. B&W has included a foam insert that can help subdue the reverberation caused by centers being in cubby holes (like mine) or close to a wall. This is important to note as this situation is going to be more than not for more people. The bass response was far too heavy in my setup. Voiced sounded too deep and reverberated in an uneasy listening experience. Once I placed the foam insert, the reverb went away and the audio still produced the accurate lows it needed to for accuracy sake. This is a small detail that B&W includes here with these speakers, and it makes a HUGE difference in what would otherwise be a need to change furniture or placement, which neither would be ideal.
This center can handle up to 120 watts RMS at 8 ohms of power. My receiver is capable of pushing this wattage. I found for my setup. I had to adjust the levels to make my center a bit louder than the rest of my speakers, but once dialed in, I could hear audio clearer than I've ever heard it before with my previous setup. I found the variation between high, mid and low to be exceptional. This speaker has brought up a side of realism and clarity I didn't even realize I was missing. I often found myself looking around the room when door bells or other sounds were being reproduced to make sure it wasn't the actual door bell, or other sounds coming from the house.
I appreciate the thoughtful dimensions of this unit as well. Measuring at 19.9" wide by 6.3" high and 10" deep, this speaker was easily capable of fitting in to the lower shelf on my entertainment center. This speaker, despite it's more compact size, delivery sound output that feels like a speaker 10x it's size.
It is also worth mentioning that I installed the included rubber feet on the bottom of my speaker. This helps to eliminate vibration that would cause audio distortion. It also keeps the speaker bottom as well as the furniture protected. I appreciate this is optional as this speaker may be installed on different applications where the feet would be an issue.
If the beauty of the exposed mid and tweeter are not to your liking, or if you simply want to protect that beauty when not in use, or from prying hands, the included grill can be attached. I appreciate it attached via magnetic, as to not include mounting holes, or other visually unappealing characteristics when not being used.
For the price of this center channel (roughly $800 at the time of this review), you would be hard pressed to find a better sounding and looking option. Bowers & Wilkens has been a trusted name in audio for a long time, and you can trust the most important speaker in your setup to the engineers at B&W. If you are in the market for an outstanding speaker for your surround sounds needs, look no further than the Bowers and Wilkens 600 series HTM6 S2 Anniversary Edition!
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The 607 S2 Anniversary Edition combines power and clarity in the most compact form for smaller spaces. Continuum mid-bass drive units provide clarity for singers and surprisingly robust bass lines while Decoupled Double Dome Tweeters create an enveloping sense of space. Featuring upgraded crossovers for even more transparency and a unique trim-ring to celebrate this milestone, the 607 S2 Anniversary Edition is the most sophisticated, affordable compact bookshelf loudspeaker Bowers & Wilkins has ever made. The 607 S2 Anniversary Edition is the most compact bookshelf speaker in the 600 Series Anniversary Edition range of products. Over the last 25 years, the 600 Series has been our most affordable performance range of loudspeakers, and we’re celebrating our love of sound with acoustic improvements to the crossover network for overall greater levels of clarity and smoother high frequencies so you can enjoy a compelling listening experience across the range of products.
Customer Rating
5
Huge Sound in a Little Package
on November 30, 2020
Posted by: elitegangsta
from Maryland
I have never had the pleasure of owning a set of Bowers and Wilkens speakers before. Being a home theatre enthusiast, I do have familiarity with the brand. When I had the opportunity to grab a pair of these 600 series Anniversary bookshelf speakers, I didn’t hesitate. Everything I have heard about B&W speakers are now realized after spending a few weeks with this set. It all began with the unboxing:
From the moment you open the flaps and begin to unpack it is clear B&W cares deeply about their products. The speakers are wrapped in thick foam. The removable, magnetic grill is wrapped in an additional layer of plastic to protect it from breaking. The grill is made of very thin plastic framing with acoustic mesh wrapped around it. B&W kept these lightweight as to not harm the sounds when installed. B&W also includes 2 foam plugs which are used to dampen the bass response from the rear output if these are being set close to a wall and reverberate too much bass. There is also a set of rubber nubs for feet, or spikes for mounting to speaker stands (B&W has their own that accompany these speakers but sold separately). The overall construction of the speaker box is solid. It feels like (though I would never try it) you could drop this from a two story window and they would survive.. The 1 inch twitter is immediately noticeable when looking at the front. The words “600 series” wrap around the top while “Anniversary Edition” round out the bottom and is finished in a brushed nickel like metal. There is a high tech metal grill that covers the actual twitter itself. The 5” midrange is also pretty special. It is built using a proprietary “Continuum” which is woven to produce clarity and power. It is also a beautiful shiny silver color and really pops when the covers are off.
Setup is straight forward. These require the use of an amplifier or receiver to power them. I connected these to my Denon receiver’s left and right front channel, capable of producing 150 watts RMS, more than enough power to drive these at the 100 watt RMS spec. I connected them using 14 gauge wire with banana clips. I chose to focus my energy on only these two bookshelf speakers, so I eliminated all other speakers in my setup. I change the receiver over to stereo. I placed each speaker about 12” away from the wall to give them ample breathing room. For this, I did not install the plugs during the corse of my listening experience.
Now to what really matters, the sounds. I started with some music piping over bluetooth from my iPhone to the Denon. Not the best audio quality I know, but it’s a solid reference point for me since this all of the music I listen to comes from Apple Music pipped over the iPhone, most of the time using bluetooth. With the audio set at about 10% I began with some instrumental Jazz, the twitters were immediately noticeable as they sonically reproduced the horn and other brass instruments as if I was sitting in a concert hall. Sound was clear, crisp, but not overly sharp. It felt well balances and gave the illusion I had far more than just a pair of bookshelf speakers running in stereo. The sound reverberated off of the adjacent walls as if I had a 10 speaker array. Cranking up the volume to around 30% presented more of a “concert” experience and became almost too loud to comfortably listen to. Typically I run my older speakers at around 40% to get about 20% the volume I am hearing now. Truly amazing. After the Jazz I throw on some hip-hop. I honestly had to check to verify my subwoofer was powered off… these guys push so much bass response for not even having a woofer, it’s incredible. Bass never sounded like it wanted to bottom out, it just got softer during parts that really needed a subwoofer. Vocals remain sharp and distinguishable. Switching to rock was no surprise, amazing. Guitars, drums, vocals, all sounded individual and reproduced with absolute precision. I could easily replace my entire 5.1 setup with just these 2 speakers and it would be a vast improvement. Switching over to movies was also a joy. With the ability to throw audio against the walls the way these do, I felt a sense of realism and depth that I have not experienced before even with a full array of speakers. Truly remarkable.
In conclusion, these are worth every cent of their asking price, and Franky, after hearing them, they are worth more! As someone who is more of a videophile than an audiophile, these are converting me. I have paid more attention to small sound details that I ever have before. I’ve been playing with small placement adjustments to fine tune my soundstage and getting noticeable results. I recommend these to anyone wanting to get into a high end audio experience or even for folks who have been in that world for a long time. B&W shows its sound heritage and legacy with these truly anniversary edition speakers. I cannot wait to add more B&W to my setup for an even more immersive experience.
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eufy Security Wired 2K Video Doorbell. 2K Resolution, 5-Day Continuous Video Recording (CVR) on Secure Local Storage, No Monthly Fees, Human Detection, 2-way Audio, and Free Wireless Chime included.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding Video Doorbell, Unbeatable Value
on October 24, 2020
Posted by: elitegangsta
from Maryland
Setup
Installation of the Eufy video doorbell 2k pro (wired) was extremely straight forward. You need to shut off the breaker to your doorbell. Despite doorbells being low voltage, this is always a good idea when dealing with electrical anything. Once disabled, I removed the cover to my existing 2 tone (ding-dong) chime. I connected the supplied bridge adaptor which connects the primary power to the transformer. This disabled the current chime, so you need to then plug in the supplied wireless chime into a nearby power outlet.
*Note* Eufy labels all of the items with sequential numbers so you can easily identify which items go with which instruction step.
I then removed the outside doorbell button and placed the included fram over the area for fitment. Eufy supplies a template for this, I chose to not use the template and just mark using the frame itself. I drilled 2 pilot holes with my drill using a 1/4” bit then screwed the frame to the outer door trim. Eufy supplies you with an angled frame or a straight frame. The angles frame helps the camera cover areas that may be blocked by other objects. In my case, I used the straight frame. I connected the wires by wrapping them around the included screws, tightened them down then clipped the doorbell onto the frame/bracket. After a second or two the doorbell light up yellow indicating it was ready to move to the next step.
I downloaded the Eufy security app on my iPhone and followed the steps to create an account followed by joining the doorbell to my home wifi. The final step was to pair the doorbell to the chime. In my case, the chime is about 30 feet away central to the main first floor hallway and audible through the entire house. Once paired it walks you through a test to ensure things are working. Mine was successful the first time.
I proceeded to setup some basic preferences such as illuminating the LED ring on the bell itself during night time. This is both for security and potential guests being able to easily fine the doorbell. I completed my installation in the late evening, so it was already dark by the time I finished the install. I was able to take advantage of the night vision feature right at this time. My entire front yard was visible and clearly seem despite otherwise being fairly dark (photo attached).
The chime includes various chimes which you can cycle through by clicking the bottom on the top of the chime itself. It also has 8 holiday themed chimes to choose from, making it a fun element to various holiday seasons. For the time being, I left mine on the initial default as I found it very pleasant and fit my needs perfectly.
Over the course of the next few days, I would get alerts from delivery folks and others that came to my door. It was nice to be able to see a package delivery notification during times they did not ring the doorbell. I live in a very safe neighborhood where porch pirating is not a thing I’ve ever experienced, and I often see packages left on porches for what appears to be days sometimes. It is nice to have the added security though in the even someone does decide to steal or damage something on the property. I found very little false positives, though sometimes a tree branch, bird, or other motions will trigger the “human alert” when in fact, no humans were present at the time.
I found the talk feature to be especially nice for when sales folks came to the door. I am working remote from home so it was easy to talk via the doorbell to let them know “I am busy working, I am not interested in talking about your product, have a nice day” and send them on their way. This. Is also nice during COVID to eliminate human to human contact on things that are not necessary.
Eufy provides 5 days of continuous recording for absolutely free! Let me state that again. 5 days. Continuous recoding. FREE. With NO monthly subscription. Videos are stored in 2k resolution as well. I’ve found all of the recordings I have watched to be in outstanding clarity. The doorbell even has an HDR feature if the clarity is not good enough. It is recommended HDR be turned off unless it is needed. This alone makes this product heads above anything else on the market. This is worth 3x the price of admission.
If Eufy had a downfall, it would be the lack of full integration with other virtual assistants, such as Google Assistant or Apple Homekit. You can however control other accessories such as security cameras or other Eufy security products with these smart assistants, but the doorbell unfortunately was not recognized by either my Google Home account or Apple HomeKit. This is far from a deal breaker providing the fact the first party application is fantastic, the lack of monthly cost or 5 days worth of cloud storage. I did find this a bit disappointing though as someone who likes to have everything in my environment operating off a single pane of glass. For now, I’ll happily live without Homekit integration. It Eufy can get this added in a later update, this will be the greatest doorbell on the market. There are currently (at time of writing) very few options for HomeKit users, and the ones available are expensive. Eufy would KNOCK IT OUT OF THE PARK with this additional feature.
Overall, I am very impressed with the Eufy video doorbell 2k pro (wired). I will be recommending this as my go to solution when asked by friends or clients. Unless you absolutely require full Google Assistant or Home Kit integration, you should highly consider this product for its security, high value, and very nice looking product.
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Workout without the wires when you use these wireless Google Pixel Buds earbuds. Sensors in each bud detect your voice and eliminate background noise so you can take and make clear calls, and water resistance makes these in-ear headphones the ideal fitness buddy. With Google Assistant built right in, these white Google Pixel Buds earbuds help you check the weather or search your contact list with just a tap.
Customer Rating
5
Must Have for Any Pixel Owner
on October 4, 2020
Posted by: elitegangsta
from Maryland
I'll start off this review with the bottom line. If you own a Pixel, do not even hesitate to purchase these. As far as I am concerned, these should be included in the box with the phone. Continue reading if you care to learn more about why I am saying this.
From the moment these are unboxes, the premium look and feel to the experience is evident. The egg shapes housing the buds call home, is made of a rough and easy to handle material. Everything feels extremely solid and well made. The "egg" is on the larger side due to housing a battery which is able to charge the buds on the go.
When popping open the top, you are greeted with the buds themselves. I my case, two mint green buds that resemble a candy like appearance. They are really a lot of fun to look at. One of the things that draws me to the Pixel line of product is often this initial feeling of "fun". The buds themselves are small and low profile in design.
If you have your Pixel phone near by, one the top is open, you are greeted with a "connect pixel buds" notification that IMMEDIATELY comes up. Clicking "connect" instantly pairs them and they are ready to use. Google calls this "fast pair" and it is quite a magical experience. These also work on iOS devices, though connecting them requires connecting them like you would a typical bluetooth. It also lacks all of the cool features which makes these unique. I'd stick to Android phones, especially Pixel phones for these.
While paired to the Pixel, you can check battery life and other features by either dragging down the notifications bar (to check battery life) or opening up the connected devices settings on the phone, so turn on or off specific settings, such as in ear detection (super nice feature), advanced audio, swipe gestures, etc...
I found removing the buds from the egg was a little challenging the first time, but once I performed this action a few times, you learn tricks to get them out easier each time. Placing them back in couldn't be simpler. They sort of "drop" back in and click magnetically in place.
Placing the buds in the ears is also very pleasant. You insert them, then sort of "twist" to fit. I found these fit very snug in my ears and after a second or two, I didn't even notice they were there. The rubber material is super soft and comfortable.
The overall audio experience is excellent. I found regardless of the media I was listening to, the Pixel buds replicated the sound perfectly. Highs, medium, lows, all came through. I found these to sounds more like an over the ear headphone vs. your typical ear buds. The rubber nubs that fit into your ears create a seal which helps with bass and noise cancellation, like an over the ear would. However, the small form factor and lack of pressure against your head, removed the negatives from larger over the ear headphones. Google has updated these since they released with a "bass boost" feature which enhanced bass if you like more of a boomy sound. I found this to be my preference and I found the "boomyness" of the sound very nice.
When making calls, these buds also didn't disappoint. These buds are equipped with a "Clear Calls" feature which has two beam forming mics which focus on your voice. There is an accelerometer which detects jaw movement so they know when your talking vs listening. When talking, the mic focuses on your voice and tried to. drown out background noise. Every time I asked "can you hear me ok?" I got replies "yes, you sound VERY clear".
These buds also have gesture controls for when on calls. When receiving a call, tap once on either bud to answer the call. To hang up, tap twice on either bud. Tapping twice also rejects a call if you don't want to answer.
When not on a call, gestures can also help you to do other things:
tap to play or pause music
double tap to skip a track or stop the assistant
tripe tap to rewind to go to previous track
swipe forward to increase volume
swipe backwards to decrease volume
on Android 6+ press and hold to speak to Google Assistant
double tap to skip a track or stop the assistant
tripe tap to rewind to go to previous track
swipe forward to increase volume
swipe backwards to decrease volume
on Android 6+ press and hold to speak to Google Assistant
These buds also have "sharing detection". You can give a bud to a friend (and they must be a good friend, because... well... gross in most cases). This will detect further distances from the buds and enable the feature. This allows gesture controls to be performed independently without affecting the other bud. Pretty cool on plane trips, or in areas where you cannot have the speaker turned onto the phone. Perhaps even a conference call situation where no other devices are present.
These buds also connect to Goggle's "Find my device" feature. You can ring the earbuds if they are close and can be picked up by the "Fast Pair" setting. They also will ping the location when paired, and if too far aways, will show you their last known location.
The buds support Google's "hotword" features. Saying something like "Ok Google" will initiate the Google Assistant when they are inserted into your ears. They also work with google translate to make language barriers even less of an issue if traveling a broad or to someone who cannot speak (or vice versa) native languages. I find this feature to be really cool, though I have not been able to really test this abroad, it works with my Spanish speaking friends well in tests.
The battery life on these could be better, but I found workarounds to make them last all day. For example. Talk time is about 2.5 hours per bud. If I am on calls all day, I put in one bud, talk for 2.5 hours, then swap for the other to keep them going all day. This works great for me.
Listening to other things like music, lasts about 5 hours. For this, I wanted both buds. So cycling for this task was less effective, but I don't typically listen to music, with buds in, for more than 5 hours, so this was fine for me.
Lastly, these buds are easy to charge. The buds have both wireless and UCB-C port for charging. I found the buds are able to charge while placed on the Pixel stand.
I very much have enjoyed the time spent with these buds. These are the ONLY headphones I would use with a Pixel device due to their tight integration and useful features. For iOS devices, I'd look elsewhere however. These are really "made by Google, for Google" and should be considered for that purpose. If you have multiple devices, being able to pair them in a more traditional way is super useful however.
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+20points
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ECOVACS DEEBOT OZMO T8+ is an all-in-one vacuuming and mopping robot with TrueDetect advanced 3D obstacle avoidance. It detects and cleans around furniture and objects like shoes and cords for hassle-free, uninterrupted cleaning. TrueMapping™ laser navigation scans, maps, and plans an efficient cleaning path faster and more precisely to prevent missed or repeated areas. The OZMO™️ mopping system vacuums and mops in one go, with precise water flow control and automatic carpet detection and avoidance. The Auto-Empty Station conveniently empties the dustbin into a disposable bag for weeks of maintenance-free cleaning.
Posted by: elitegangsta
from Maryland
The Deebot Ozmo T8+ is one high tech gadget!
The first time the robot deploys to do it's initial "cleaning", it is really just a discovery mission. It hardly cleans and stays on a very linear path. It's sole purpose is to map the area and begin getting familiar. It was impressive to watch it map rooms via the iOS app. It was able to see walls and corners without even going into the room yet. It further refined it's data upon entering the room and getting closer to walls and objects. It avoided anything sitting on the floor (tables, cords, shoes, etc...) and just simply went around them.
The second deployment it actually mapped a better course for actual cleaning. It made overlapping passes to cover the whole length of the floor.
The robot announces when it begins cleaning as well as broadcasts a notification on your mobile phone. It announces again when completed, or, when it needs interaction (if it gets stuck, etc.).
Overall, the cleaning is thorough, but nothing better than a high end dust buster. It picks up loose debris, dust, fuzz, but is not a direct replacement for a more powerful, manual vacuum. The "mop" feature is fairly laughable. It just wets a micro fiber attachment and drags water across the floor. No soap or actual cleaning is done. This is again helpful for dust, but nothing more.
It's best to consider this a high tech dust-buster, for in between more thorough cleanings. It's super convenient and nice to have the floor generally cleaned on a daily (or however you schedule it) basis.
Reading the manual, I have concerns over the recommended maintenance. It recommends replacing the brushes every few cleans. There is an internal filter that also needs to be replaced on regular intervals. The auto-extractor on the home base, where after a cleaning, the vacuum empties it's contents into a larger trash bag type mechanism. This bag needs replacing when full as there is no way to "empty" it officially. It seems this vacuum sucks up more money even after it's initial purchase and I would have liked to see. Granted, then replacement items are not "expensive" but this is an annoyance compared to my other, far more expensive vacuums, that do not require this level of replacement part maintenance.
The vacuum itself is extremely high quality and feels exceptionally well made. It is sturdy, heavy, and everything fits together with absolute precision. It feels thoughtfully engineered with logical design. It goes nicely with most home decor, and even looks "cool" sitting on it's home base in the corner of the room.
Overall, this is a convenient gadget that helps to keep the floors clean, especially in high traffic areas that require a ton of light vacuuming throughout the week. This will free you from that and allow you to get other things done. That alone is worth the investment in this device. It's run to watch it in action, and the technology implemented in this little machine is truly amazing.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
5of 9voted this as helpful.
Get clean, healthy teeth with this Black Onyx Oral-B iO7 electric toothbrush. The rechargeable LiIon battery offers portable use, while the micro-vibrations and smart pressure sensor deliver a powerful clean that's easy on the gums and enamel. This Oral-B iO7 electric toothbrush has five smart modes for a customized brushing experience.
Customer Rating
4
Great Toothbrush, Okay tech
on August 12, 2020
Posted by: elitegangsta
from Maryland
Overall, this is a great product. This is the first electric toothbrush I have had the pleasure of using. Setup is simple, plug in the wireless charger, and place the toothbrush on the magnetic puck. Once fully charged (as indicated by the battery icon on the LCD display), slip one of the two included brush heads onto the body of the toothbrush and press the lower button to select your speed setting. There is daily clean, sensitive, whiten, intense+ and gum care. Once you land on your preferred setting, press the power button and go. While brushing, there is a counter on the LCD display that indicated the amount of time you've been brushing. For satisfactory time is at the 2:00 minute mark. There is also a face that will go from frown to smiley indicating how well you've done.
There is an LED ring around the top of the brush body which lights green when you're applying proper pressure, and red when you're applying too much pressure. White indicates not enough or no pressure.
Unlike a regular tooth brush, with an electric, you want to move the brush head around your teeth, but keep it in a linear motion, and do not "brush" as you normally would, allow the mechanical head to do the work for you. This takes a bit of getting used to, but after a few time, you'll be wondering how you ever lived without it.
What makes this particular toothbrush special is also one of it's biggest faults. The app. You pair the brush to your mobile phone, download the associated Oral-B app and the magic happens (or at least is supposed to).
With the app open and your phone close by, selecting the "brush now" button begins walking you through the process. The head has a pressure and location sensor and the app has a layout of teeth which aims at showing you what you've cleaned and where you need to clean before finishing. I found this works fairly well within an acceptable margin of error, but overall does a pretty great job of coaching you along.
There is a history section that give you a percentage rating on how well you did, 100% being the best. It also asks you questions like "did your gums bleed?" so it can help you determine the proper settings to use each day.
Where this broke down for me was the history. If i had my phone close by but the app closed, it failed to record any of my brushing sessions when I clicked the "sync" button. It only recorded my sessions when the app was open and I've clicked the "Brush Now" button. This is a huge annoyance as I don't always have my phone sitting on the counter when I'm brushing my teeth. Improvement here is a must for this to really shine.
Despite the app being less than optimal, the overall experience was great. I love how clean my mouth feels after using this brush, and I don't need the app to ensure I'm doing a good job, the 2:00 indicator is fine enough for my needs. The app would be more useful if it actually kept history properly, but this is not a deal breaker for me.
Weight, function and ease of use makes this product a recommendation from me to friends and family looking for a solid electric toothbrush. It does what counts.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
The MR9600 dual-band router with Wi-Fi 6 delivers maximum performance, coverage, and blistering speeds, so you can stream HD video, games, and binge like crazy. Powered by the Linksys Intelligent Mesh™ technology and 6 Gbps of speed, it's 4x faster than Wi-Fi 5 routers, eliminates dead zones, and isolates your network to eliminate interference. Increase the size of your network easily: this future-ready router expands Wi-Fi by adding any Linksys mesh compatible products. The MR9600 is so easy to set up with Linksys App, you'll be streaming 8K video in a matter of minutes.
Customer Rating
5
Simple Setup. Excellent Coverage. Expandable.
on July 14, 2020
Posted by: elitegangsta
from Maryland
Setup
Seriously, this setup take all of 5 minutes to do:
After unboxing the Linksys AX6000 router, plugging it into a power outlet, and connecting the ethernet cable for the internet into the easily market "Internet" port on the back of the unit, then plugging a computer into the LAN 1 port, the hard part was over.
Next, I downloaded the "Linksys app" from the app store and once launched, the app immediatly found my new device and walked me through the setup. It helped me configure the Linksys account (which I already had and used to sign in), adding the device and setting a wireless name and password.
That was it, I was up and running.
Functionality:
The Linsys app is extremely easy to use and can be accessed either via mobile phone app, or, web browser from any computer. The app tells you how many devices you have connected, which ones are online or offline, what your current internet speed is. It alerts you on your overall network health and helps you enable advanced features such as parental controls or change areas of your network.
I have a 4200 sq foot house with a sizable back yard. This single router, with its 4 antennas covered the entire area. I was able to access the internet from the far corners of my yard from both my mobile phone and laptop. Signal degraded a bit from the far corners (about 300-400 feet away) but I was able to get 150/150mbps out of my 200/200 connection.
Local wireless network speeds were also impressive. I was getting nearly 1gbps, practically as fast as being hard wired into the device.
Playing games over XBOX Live or Playstation network were also great. I experienced no lag, and if I didn't know any better, would have assumed the consoles were hard wired.
My previous wireless setup was using an AC mesh system. This AX 6000 not only matched the coverage with a single device (previous was 3 separate devices on each floor) but the speeds I've gotten are at least double what I had before, if not better.
This unit also allows for integration with other Linksys products if you need to expand the reach even further than this single unit allows. This allows for plenty of expand ability and future proofing. I happened to have some Linksys Velop devices laying around and was able to connect them and add them to the setup without an issue. However, they were not needed and due to the vast expansive reach of this device, I didn't notice any improvement over the single device for my space.
Final thoughts
For a super quick and painless setup to phenomenal coverage and performance, all packed inside a super easy to use app, there really isn't any reason to NOT consider this unit.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
Microsoft - Surface Headphones 2 - Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-the-Ear with Cortana - Matte Black
The smarter way to listen. Surround yourself with spectacular Omnisonic sound for music, shows, and calls. Stay focused with adjustable noise cancellation and enjoy your favorite playlists, and hear every word in calls. Tune into meetings and listen in comfort all day long.
Customer Rating
5
Sleek, Simple, Excellent.
on July 10, 2020
Posted by: elitegangsta
from Maryland
Design & Style
I’ve had the opportunity to use Microsoft’s brand new Surface Headphones 2 in the new matte black color for about 2 weeks now. My initial impressions when removing them from the included case that ships inside the retail box was “wow, these have a super clean design, and are some of the nicest headphones I’ve seen in a while.” Typically, over the ear headphones are large and bulky. Not the Surface Headpones 2. The cans are just large enough to fit over the ear, but nothing more. The head band fits snug around my skull and there is the ever so slight bend which extends the cans over the ear. They include the Microsoft logo on each side in a glossy black finish which contrasts nicely to the matte black finish on the rest of the headphones. The cups have a soft leather feel that comfortably sit over the ears which allows you to forget about them when wearing them for lengthy calls.
Functionality
Pairing this headset could not be simpler. Hold the power button on the right cup for about 5 seconds puts them into pairing mode. If you are pairing to another surface device, you will get a pop-up that asks if you want to connect to the new headset. Clicking “connect” is the final step.
If you are pairing to a non-surface device, the pairing steps are typical. Open Bluetooth setting and put headset into pairing mode, and “connect” when they are discovered on your PC.
For iOS or Android devices, you can either pair via the Bluetooth settings, or, download the Surface companion app (recommended) which will not only guide you through the pairing process with a more simpler “connect” option, but also shows you the battery life and will help keep the Bluetooth connection alive and stable to avoid annoying disconnects.
When paired to multiple devices, these headphones respond to the device that you are actively using, or, that has active audio coming from it. This is great when jumping between Teams chats on the PC and audio calls on the cell phone.
The functionality on these headphones are as simple as their design style. There are dials on the left and right cup. The right dial turns the volume up or down and the left dial increases or decreases the noise cancellation. The noise cancellation feature works exceptional and I found the ease of increasing or decreasing depending on my outside noise easy. When in a quiet space, I would turn this feature off completely to avoid the static sound the noise cancellation makes. There is no audible indication as to which level of noise cancellation you are on but there is a final beep when you’ve reached maximum noise cancellation, or it has been turned off.
The audio quality is very good on these headphones. I found the audio to be a bit “softer” than more audiophile-centric headsets, though I found it to be pleasant with nice boomy bass levels but a more subdued treble. This helped sound to not be as “sharp” which could harm your ears.
Every time you power on the headphones, a digital voice tells you which device it is actively paired to. It also detects when you remove them and puts them in a power save sleep mode that is awoken by placing them back on your head. It also will tell you the estimated battery life that is left.
I found I could get about 12-13 hour of use before having to charge them. I was able to make a whole work day between video and audio calls last a solid 9 hour work day and still had plenty of juice in the evening for listening to music or playing a game
The built in microphone was able to easily pickup my voice, but given it is an internal mic and I could not direct it closer to my mouth, it did end up picking up keyboard presses or other noises in the room. Overall for my work space, this was not an issue for people on the other end of the call.
These headphones also have a 3.5mm audio jack for use in machines that do not have Bluetooth. I found the audio to actually be better via Bluetooth and a bit muffled on the hard-wired side. I would have assumed the opposite, but found the Bluetooth quality to be excellent and free of any distortion.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I absolutely LOVE the simplicity of these headphones both aesthetically and functionally. They pair excellently to other Surface devices and work very well with non-Microsoft tech as well. These are exceptional everyday headphones with above average audio. These should be on anyone’s must have list who owns other Microsoft Surface products and should be a heavy contender for those who don’t. I applaud Microsoft’s attention to detail and making a product that “just works” without any need to constantly troubleshoot a poor Bluetooth connection or constantly need to charge. Well done Microsoft! You have a raving fan on the Surface Headphones 2.
“Reviewers in this invitation-only program are provided products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased reviews.”
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+8points
8of 8voted this as helpful.
elitegangsta's Review Comments
These Apple-designed cases are made from premium leather for a luxurious feel. Because they're precision crafted for iPhone 6, the case fits snugly and your phone still feels incredibly slim even with the case on. The soft microfiber lining on the inside helps protect your iPhone. And on the outside, you see color that's more than surface deep, thanks to a dye that's infused into the leather. Choose from five complementary colors.(This case is made from natural aniline leather. Its appearance will change as you use it.)
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Soft feel
By Nickz
Good price, nice feel. Although it's not genuine leather, it feels soft and good quality
elitegangsta
Maryland
This is genuine leather
October 3, 2014
Just wanted to add a correction to this post. This case is made of genuine leather. It DOES feel like it is on the plastic side. It is made from a high quality premium leather and is stretched rather tight. Any genuine leather stretched this tight will give the feel of a plastic, "pleathery" texture, but this is in fact genuine leather product.
Faux leather will be absolutely flawless around the edges and appear very smooth. Real leather will be slightly more grainy and have more of a "folded" look as this case does. You can also just simply smell the case, unlike faux leather, you cannot mistake the smell of real leather. This case also smells of real leather.
Last but not least, it also states in the description that it is made of premium genuine leather, if not true, Apple would already have a nice lawsuit on their hands since this case has been selling extremely well.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
elitegangsta's Questions
elitegangsta has not submitted any questions.
Add an extra five USB ports to your 13-inch MacBook Pro with this LandingZone five-port USB docking station. This desktop solution means you can add a wide range of devices, including printers, mice, keyboards and phone charging cables, to your notebook. Integrated desktop security ensures this LandingZone five-port USB docking station stays put even if you leave it.
Will the LandingZone-Doc Secure Docking Station For 13 Mac Po work with a mid 2009 Mac Pro? Is it a charging station? Thanks for your help, Mabelle
Hey Mabelle,
No, this dock will not work with your 2009 Macbook Pro. This dock only work with 13" MacBook Pro with Retina display (Model A1425 (2013) and A1502 (2014)) .
No, this dock will not work with your 2009 Macbook Pro. This dock only work with 13" MacBook Pro with Retina display (Model A1425 (2013) and A1502 (2014)) .
2 years, 7 months ago
by
elitegangsta
The electric kettle that pours as good as it looks! Uniting stunning design with thoughtful features and a simplistic user interface, Fellow’s Stagg EKG packs a powerful punch. Since different coffees and brew methods require different water temperatures, a home brewer needs complete control in order to perfect recipes. Simply press down on Stagg EKG’s dial to turn the kettle on and twist the dial to set your goal temperature. With a 1200 watt quick-heating element and a unique PID sensor system, Stagg EKG’s to-the-degree temperature control lets you select the exact temperature from 135°F to 212°F. The base also has two switches to toggle between Celsius and Fahrenheit, as well as a toggle for HOLD mode to keep your water hot for 60 minutes. To engage the Brew Stopwatch on the high-res LCD screen to time your pour-over, press and hold on the dial. A counterbalanced handle and fluted spout tip make imprecise pouring a thing of the past.
Can you use this for making tea
absolutely. It's great for heating water to make tea. Whether loose tea or pouring into a cup for a tea bag.
2 years, 9 months ago
by
elitegangsta
ECOVACS DEEBOT N8+ provides you the value of an all-in-one cleaning robot that mops and vacuums simultaneously. Strong 2300Pa suction power extracts hard-to-reach dirt and dust from any floor, and the OZMO™ Mopping System leaves hard floors sparkling. N8+ uses advanced laser navigation and mapping to accurately map your home, creating efficient cleaning paths for thorough coverage with fewer missed spots. Your N8+ comes with an Auto-Empty Station to enjoy hands-free cleaning for a month at a time. DEEBOT N8+ is a dependable workhorse designed for busy households that need vigorous floor cleaning on a regular basis.
Is this the vacuum with the obstacle avoidance? I know that is on the N8 pro+. Is this the same vacuum?
I can tell you that it did NOT avoided ANYTHING in my house. In fact, it has bumped into furniture and caused damage which I now have to repair. Get the T8+ at all cost and avoid the N8+
2 years, 11 months ago
by
elitegangsta
eufy Security Wired 2K Video Doorbell. 2K Resolution, 5-Day Continuous Video Recording (CVR) on Secure Local Storage, No Monthly Fees, Human Detection, 2-way Audio, and Free Wireless Chime included.
Can you use an existing traditional doorbell chime with this, or do you have to use the eufy door chime?
You must use the included chime. You also need to connect a bridge adaptor to your existing chime. It's simple to setup. I initially thought this would be a bad thing, but I find the tones of the included chime so much better than my "ding-dong" chime. Just plug it into a corner somewhere and it's not a big deal.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
elitegangsta
eufy Security Wired 2K Video Doorbell. 2K Resolution, 5-Day Continuous Video Recording (CVR) on Secure Local Storage, No Monthly Fees, Human Detection, 2-way Audio, and Free Wireless Chime included.
Hello, does this have night vision? Does it have the 3 second preview before the video is recorded like the other 2k hardwired? I don't see this on Eufy's website. Is it new?
Yes it has night vision. See attached for a screenshot off my phone.
I don't believe there is a "3 second preview" it just starts recording when activity is detected. You can obviously delete anything you don't want recorded.
I don't believe there is a "3 second preview" it just starts recording when activity is detected. You can obviously delete anything you don't want recorded.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
elitegangsta
eufy Security Wired 2K Video Doorbell. 2K Resolution, 5-Day Continuous Video Recording (CVR) on Secure Local Storage, No Monthly Fees, Human Detection, 2-way Audio, and Free Wireless Chime included.
Does this use 5Ghz band Wi-Fi? Or just 2.4Ghz
Just 2.4GHz. I've found this to not be an issue in my environment though.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
elitegangsta
eufy Security Wired 2K Video Doorbell. 2K Resolution, 5-Day Continuous Video Recording (CVR) on Secure Local Storage, No Monthly Fees, Human Detection, 2-way Audio, and Free Wireless Chime included.
Does this camera support homekit?
Not at this time. I cannot say if Eufy will decide to ad this in the future.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
elitegangsta
eufy Security Wired 2K Video Doorbell. 2K Resolution, 5-Day Continuous Video Recording (CVR) on Secure Local Storage, No Monthly Fees, Human Detection, 2-way Audio, and Free Wireless Chime included.
Is this doorbell the same dimensions as the old wired doorbell? What are the exact dimensions?
The doorbell itself is 5.1in x 1.8in x 1.0in
The chime is 3.8in x 2.0in x 1.4in
The chime is 3.8in x 2.0in x 1.4in
3 years, 6 months ago
by
elitegangsta
Stream content easily with this D-Link Wi-Fi router. It has a dual-core processor, two Wi-Fi bands and MU-MIMO technology to ensure internet speeds up to 1300 Mbps while gaming or watching videos on multiple devices. This D-Link Wi-Fi router has four antennas and amplifiers to prevent dead spots in your home.
Hi, i would like to know what is the voltage for this router.
AC 100/230 V
50/60 Hz
full specs are here: https://www.cnet.com/products/d-link-dir-880l-ac1900-wireless-router/specs/
50/60 Hz
full specs are here: https://www.cnet.com/products/d-link-dir-880l-ac1900-wireless-router/specs/
5 years, 5 months ago
by
elitegangsta
Toast up to 4 slices of bread or bake an 11" pizza quickly in this Breville the Mini Smart Oven BOV450XL, which features 4 quartz elements for fast, even heating. Element IQ coordinates cooking times to preheated oven temperatures.
Can you tell when it is on when in bake mode? Is there a light or temp indicator?
Yes, there is a gauge on the top that tells you when it is at the correct temperature. This relies on grill or oven for heat and does not produce it's own heat.
5 years, 9 months ago
by
elitegangsta