CraigB's stats
- Review count175
- Helpfulness votes2,730
- First reviewFebruary 11, 2013
- Last reviewJune 12, 2024
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- Average rating4.2
- Review comment count7
- Helpfulness votes6
- First review commentNovember 29, 2013
- Last review commentJanuary 31, 2017
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- Answer count43
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- First answerMarch 24, 2015
- Last answerNovember 6, 2021
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Enjoy major networks without paying a monthly fee with this Mohu Arc Pro indoor HDTV antenna. An integrated signal indicator helps you to find the optimal signal location, while the LED lights let you adjust antenna placement in real time for a more stable connection. This Mohu Arc Pro indoor HDTV antenna uses FirstStage amplifier technology which results in less distortion and stunning picture quality.
Customer Rating
3
Good reception for a small antenna
on May 30, 2019
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Good reception for its size
Amplified
Amplification improves station picture quality/stability
Freestanding or wall mountable
Easy to read signal meter
Simple design doesn’t detract if left in the open
Good reception for its size
Amplified
Amplification improves station picture quality/stability
Freestanding or wall mountable
Easy to read signal meter
Simple design doesn’t detract if left in the open
Cons
Doesn’t include USB power adapter for the price
Doesn’t reach any more channels than non-amplified
Confusing mistake in instructions
Doesn’t include USB Power adapter
Very sensitive to orientation and objects near it
Cable is built in and not replaceable
Doesn’t include USB power adapter for the price
Doesn’t reach any more channels than non-amplified
Confusing mistake in instructions
Doesn’t include USB Power adapter
Very sensitive to orientation and objects near it
Cable is built in and not replaceable
Mohu is nearly synonymous with off air TV. There are multiple options, but when searching through forums and reviews the name Mohu is mentioned often. Most of their designs are very sleek can be installed without creating an eyesore like the bunny ears on older TVs. The latest is the Mohu Arc Pro, which is based off the Mohu Arc but adds an amplifier, a signal strength meter, and 20 miles of additional range.
Design
The design is just as the name implies. It is a simple, flat panel antenna that has been curved back into an arc shape. The coax cable is non-removable and is built into the unit. A stand/wall mount is included and snaps into slots on the back. Also included is an optional signal amplifier to boost the signal strength. Power is provided via a USB connection on the cable, but a USB power adapter is not included. If your TV either doesn’t have USB or the USB doesn’t provide power, then you will need to plan on purchasing a USB power adapter if you don’t already have a spare.
The design is just as the name implies. It is a simple, flat panel antenna that has been curved back into an arc shape. The coax cable is non-removable and is built into the unit. A stand/wall mount is included and snaps into slots on the back. Also included is an optional signal amplifier to boost the signal strength. Power is provided via a USB connection on the cable, but a USB power adapter is not included. If your TV either doesn’t have USB or the USB doesn’t provide power, then you will need to plan on purchasing a USB power adapter if you don’t already have a spare.
Setup
You can set the Arc Pro either on a flat surface, standing up, or hang it on a wall using the screw slots on the back of the stand. The stand is very light so if you opt for placing standing up make sure it is a safe place as it can easily fall over when bumped or shaken. The included signal amplifier is installed between the antenna cable and the TV. In some cases, it might be unnecessary but without it the signal strength meter doesn’t work. The signal strength meter has no way to know what signal you are picking up so one can only assume it just indicates how strong the overall signal is. When adjusting, the signal meter can be very sensitive to people or electrical devices nearby. So, when testing, it is best to step back and wait for a couple of seconds to determine the actual signal strength.
You can set the Arc Pro either on a flat surface, standing up, or hang it on a wall using the screw slots on the back of the stand. The stand is very light so if you opt for placing standing up make sure it is a safe place as it can easily fall over when bumped or shaken. The included signal amplifier is installed between the antenna cable and the TV. In some cases, it might be unnecessary but without it the signal strength meter doesn’t work. The signal strength meter has no way to know what signal you are picking up so one can only assume it just indicates how strong the overall signal is. When adjusting, the signal meter can be very sensitive to people or electrical devices nearby. So, when testing, it is best to step back and wait for a couple of seconds to determine the actual signal strength.
Performance
The box says 60-mile range but installing any antenna indoors presents challenges to performance. Mohu’s outdoor omnidirectional version has the same listed range and is installed in the same area can pick up 78 stations with 26 stable. The Arc Pro picks up a maximum of 19 stations with 14 stable. A more direct comparison would be with an indoor non-amplified leaf style antenna. While this style picks up 14 stations with an average signal strength of 2 out of 5, the Arc Pro improves this average a signal of 4 to 5 and noticeably fewer artifacts or dropouts. The five additional stations the Arc Pro allows are intermittent with heavy artifacts and so they don’t add to the total channel count.
The box says 60-mile range but installing any antenna indoors presents challenges to performance. Mohu’s outdoor omnidirectional version has the same listed range and is installed in the same area can pick up 78 stations with 26 stable. The Arc Pro picks up a maximum of 19 stations with 14 stable. A more direct comparison would be with an indoor non-amplified leaf style antenna. While this style picks up 14 stations with an average signal strength of 2 out of 5, the Arc Pro improves this average a signal of 4 to 5 and noticeably fewer artifacts or dropouts. The five additional stations the Arc Pro allows are intermittent with heavy artifacts and so they don’t add to the total channel count.
Final Thoughts
It must be said that if your priority is maximum signal strength, then you should look at Mohu’s external omnidirectional antennas. It is hard to compare anything indoors to the advantages of an antenna outdoors with no obstructions. However; if your priority is sleek design in a small package indoors, then the Arc Pro can serve you well. Just be sure to keep your expectations in check. This won’t necessarily bring you more channels than a standard antenna, but it will help you find optimum placement faster and help you get solid reception for those stations when compared to its non-amplified counterpart. If you are looking for solid reception indoors in a small package, the Mohu Arc Pro warrants consideration.
It must be said that if your priority is maximum signal strength, then you should look at Mohu’s external omnidirectional antennas. It is hard to compare anything indoors to the advantages of an antenna outdoors with no obstructions. However; if your priority is sleek design in a small package indoors, then the Arc Pro can serve you well. Just be sure to keep your expectations in check. This won’t necessarily bring you more channels than a standard antenna, but it will help you find optimum placement faster and help you get solid reception for those stations when compared to its non-amplified counterpart. If you are looking for solid reception indoors in a small package, the Mohu Arc Pro warrants consideration.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Ensure full power for your mobile devices during long drives with this Anker ROAV Bolt car charger. It’s compatible with Google Assistant for voice-controlled navigation and music streaming, and it supports versatile connectivity via Bluetooth, and auxiliary port. This Anker ROAV Bolt car charger’s compact, lightweight design offers convenient portability and storage.
Customer Rating
2
Great Concept, Unstable Software
on May 13, 2019
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Adds Google Assistant to older cars
Includes two USB charging ports
Dual mics greatly reduce background noise
Clean design blends in with interior
Adds Google Assistant to older cars
Includes two USB charging ports
Dual mics greatly reduce background noise
Clean design blends in with interior
Cons
Charger ports are not QuickCharge capable
Wake phrase takes a long time to respond
Wake phrase works inconsistently
Newer cars don’t allow ROAV to turn off automatically
Line out doesn’t work
Initial pairing takes multiple attempts
Firmware updates took multiple attempts
Commands to play music by genre usually don’t work
Commands to text someone rarely work
Charger ports are not QuickCharge capable
Wake phrase takes a long time to respond
Wake phrase works inconsistently
Newer cars don’t allow ROAV to turn off automatically
Line out doesn’t work
Initial pairing takes multiple attempts
Firmware updates took multiple attempts
Commands to play music by genre usually don’t work
Commands to text someone rarely work
The Anker ROAV is a great idea. Do you want smart features in your car but don’t want to bother installing a new stereo in your car? Just plug the ROAV into your power port, pair with your phone, connect to your stereo and you have a smart stereo with little effort and little money. Even better, you get a real assistant.
Design
The overall design is very clean and easily blends into most car interiors. It has four hidden lights on the front that are near invisible when not lit, two charging ports on bottom, and a line out port on the right side. In what seems like a missed opportunity, the charging ports are not QuickCharge capable. Included in the box is a stereo cable for direct connection to your stereo. When waiting for a connection to a phone, the front lights flash amber in series. When it is listening from the wake word, the lights turn white in sequence. There is a single action button which is fixed to trigger Google Assistant to read off your latest notifications.
Pros
Adds Google Assistant to older cars
Includes two USB charging ports
Dual mics greatly reduce background noise
Clean design blends in with interior
The overall design is very clean and easily blends into most car interiors. It has four hidden lights on the front that are near invisible when not lit, two charging ports on bottom, and a line out port on the right side. In what seems like a missed opportunity, the charging ports are not QuickCharge capable. Included in the box is a stereo cable for direct connection to your stereo. When waiting for a connection to a phone, the front lights flash amber in series. When it is listening from the wake word, the lights turn white in sequence. There is a single action button which is fixed to trigger Google Assistant to read off your latest notifications.
Pros
Adds Google Assistant to older cars
Includes two USB charging ports
Dual mics greatly reduce background noise
Clean design blends in with interior
Cons
Charger ports are not QuickCharge capable
Wake phrase takes a long time to respond
Wake phrase works inconsistently
Newer cars don’t allow ROAV to turn off automatically
Line out doesn’t work
Initial pairing takes multiple attempts
Firmware updates took multiple attempts
Commands to play music by genre usually don’t work
Commands to text someone rarely work
Charger ports are not QuickCharge capable
Wake phrase takes a long time to respond
Wake phrase works inconsistently
Newer cars don’t allow ROAV to turn off automatically
Line out doesn’t work
Initial pairing takes multiple attempts
Firmware updates took multiple attempts
Commands to play music by genre usually don’t work
Commands to text someone rarely work
The Anker ROAV is a great idea. Do you want smart features in your car but don’t want to bother installing a new stereo in your car? Just plug the ROAV into your power port, pair with your phone, connect to your stereo and you have a smart stereo with little effort and little money. Even better, you get a real assistant.
Design
The overall design is very clean and easily blends into most car interiors. It has four hidden lights on the front that are near invisible when not lit, two charging ports on bottom, and a line out port on the right side. In what seems like a missed opportunity, the charging ports are not QuickCharge capable. Included in the box is a stereo cable for direct connection to your stereo. When waiting for a connection to a phone, the front lights flash amber in series. When it is listening from the wake word, the lights turn white in sequence. There is a single action button which is fixed to trigger Google Assistant to read off your latest notifications.
The overall design is very clean and easily blends into most car interiors. It has four hidden lights on the front that are near invisible when not lit, two charging ports on bottom, and a line out port on the right side. In what seems like a missed opportunity, the charging ports are not QuickCharge capable. Included in the box is a stereo cable for direct connection to your stereo. When waiting for a connection to a phone, the front lights flash amber in series. When it is listening from the wake word, the lights turn white in sequence. There is a single action button which is fixed to trigger Google Assistant to read off your latest notifications.
Usage
Setup
This is where the ROAV starts to show weakness. The instructions say connecting the ROAV to your stereo via line in is best. When you pair your phone and choose Line-In, it keeps attempting to set up via Line-In and repeatedly fails. This then requires you to connect to your phone via Bluetooth. Strangely, you must still have your phone connected to your car via Bluetooth as well or the process won’t work. After repeated attempts to set it up via line-in and finally reverting to Bluetooth it came to the process of updating the firmware. This process seems straightforward as the only option is to update, but in practice it took multiple failed attempts before the firmware would update. With the new firmware one might think maybe the line-in issue is fixed. Strangely, to switch to line-in once in Bluetooth mode you have to factory reset. It doesn’t say in the instructions but if you hold down the action button until all lights are on, it will factory reset. After a firmware update and factory reset, line-in still would not work.
Setup
This is where the ROAV starts to show weakness. The instructions say connecting the ROAV to your stereo via line in is best. When you pair your phone and choose Line-In, it keeps attempting to set up via Line-In and repeatedly fails. This then requires you to connect to your phone via Bluetooth. Strangely, you must still have your phone connected to your car via Bluetooth as well or the process won’t work. After repeated attempts to set it up via line-in and finally reverting to Bluetooth it came to the process of updating the firmware. This process seems straightforward as the only option is to update, but in practice it took multiple failed attempts before the firmware would update. With the new firmware one might think maybe the line-in issue is fixed. Strangely, to switch to line-in once in Bluetooth mode you have to factory reset. It doesn’t say in the instructions but if you hold down the action button until all lights are on, it will factory reset. After a firmware update and factory reset, line-in still would not work.
Performance
A troublesome setup process could be forgiven if, after setup, the ROAV worked as intended. Unfortunately, the software woes continue. Launching via the wake phrase works inconsistently and very slow, usually taking about 15-30 seconds to respond. Ruling out phone speed issues the delay is still present, even with a Galaxy S9+ connected directly to Wi-Fi, meaning the ROAV is the cause of the delay. Sometimes it can take long enough to launch that you wonder if it launched at all. Other times it just seems to lock up requiring it to be unplugged and plugged back in. The noise cancellation works reasonably well for a such a small device, but even in a very well insulated vehicle commands are sometimes heard wrong. It also seems the noise cancellation doesn’t benefit the ROAV hearing it’s wake phrase as light road noise could require yelling the wake phrase. This means if you have a louder car, which most older cars are that you would likely buy this for, then you are going to have more trouble with reliable activation. Mileage may vary on this so if you have an older, louder car, just be prepared to take advantage of your return policy. This is understandable as noise cancellation technology is inconsistent and depends on the type of noise.
A troublesome setup process could be forgiven if, after setup, the ROAV worked as intended. Unfortunately, the software woes continue. Launching via the wake phrase works inconsistently and very slow, usually taking about 15-30 seconds to respond. Ruling out phone speed issues the delay is still present, even with a Galaxy S9+ connected directly to Wi-Fi, meaning the ROAV is the cause of the delay. Sometimes it can take long enough to launch that you wonder if it launched at all. Other times it just seems to lock up requiring it to be unplugged and plugged back in. The noise cancellation works reasonably well for a such a small device, but even in a very well insulated vehicle commands are sometimes heard wrong. It also seems the noise cancellation doesn’t benefit the ROAV hearing it’s wake phrase as light road noise could require yelling the wake phrase. This means if you have a louder car, which most older cars are that you would likely buy this for, then you are going to have more trouble with reliable activation. Mileage may vary on this so if you have an older, louder car, just be prepared to take advantage of your return policy. This is understandable as noise cancellation technology is inconsistent and depends on the type of noise.
What is confusing is commands that normally work for Google Assistant directly on the phone often don’t work on ROAV. Want to text someone using your voice? Often you will be greeted with, “I don’t know how to do that yet.” Want to call someone on mobile? At random times you might have to interchange between saying call mobile or cell as it just seems to not work with one or the other and respond with, “No mobile number found for …” Want to play music by genre? You might find that randomly it will either not be able to find the genre or simply say it’s playing but do nothing. A workaround when it plays nothing is to skip to the next track, at which point it will stutter and then start playing. It almost seems to be a connectivity issue as you will notice the voice changes from the offline Google assistant voice to the one you have chosen. Testing directly on the phone does not exhibit such behavior suggesting it has something to do with the way the request is routed through ROAV.
Final Thoughts
Anker has a great idea with the ROAV and hopefully software updates could make it work as intended. The hardware itself seems solid, with the only real blemish being the lack of QuickCharge. Hopefully with future software and firmware updates they can improve the speed, reliability, and accuracy. Until then, if you wish to try out the ROAV just be prepared to experience inconsistent behavior. Otherwise, you might be better served waiting a few more months for the issues to be worked out and patched.
Anker has a great idea with the ROAV and hopefully software updates could make it work as intended. The hardware itself seems solid, with the only real blemish being the lack of QuickCharge. Hopefully with future software and firmware updates they can improve the speed, reliability, and accuracy. Until then, if you wish to try out the ROAV just be prepared to experience inconsistent behavior. Otherwise, you might be better served waiting a few more months for the issues to be worked out and patched.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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4of 9voted this as helpful.
Remove hair without wax or razors using the Lumilisse by Conair hair removal device. Rapid pulses of intense light help prevent hair regrowth, delivering permanent results with consistent use. The FDA-cleared device uses sensors to safely activate. Choose between continuous mode for large areas or manual mode to target specific trouble spots. The Lumilisse by Conair hair removal device includes two attachments to ensure perfectly smooth results all over.
Customer Rating
3
Helpful for a very specific group of people
on March 31, 2019
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Makes IPL affordable and available at home
Good build quality
Bulb is designed to last the life of the product
Auto calibrates
Does reduce the amount of hair growth
Offers glide mode to reduce time needed for treatment
Makes skin smoother
Doesn’t need that much work to use, once a month on maintenance
Makes IPL affordable and available at home
Good build quality
Bulb is designed to last the life of the product
Auto calibrates
Does reduce the amount of hair growth
Offers glide mode to reduce time needed for treatment
Makes skin smoother
Doesn’t need that much work to use, once a month on maintenance
Cons
Hard to get it to work in low fat areas
Can cause irritation
Does not slow down all hair growth but just some follicles
Still requires regular shaving
Complicated rules and reasons not to use
Must avoid unprotected sun exposure during use
Doesn’t include eye protection
Hard to get it to work in low fat areas
Can cause irritation
Does not slow down all hair growth but just some follicles
Still requires regular shaving
Complicated rules and reasons not to use
Must avoid unprotected sun exposure during use
Doesn’t include eye protection
No one really enjoys trimming or shaving hair so the idea of a device that either stops or at least reduces the need to shave sounds like a great idea. Of course, there are creams that can make hair fall off but, in most cases, they cause irritation and they just don’t work for some people at all. There are more permanent professional methods, but they require a lot of money and to be sure you never want it back. A middle ground is what used to be relegated to expensive centers to get laser hair removal. Conair is looking to make it more affordable and bring the technology into your home with the Lumillisse IPL Hair Remover. The question is if they have succeeded.
IPL (short for Intense Pulsed Light) technology is like laser treatment and is a bit finicky. For starters, if you have a darker skin tone or lighter hair it won’t work. The reason is it retards hair grown by using light to heat up the dark hair. If you have dark skin, you will zap your skin as well. The reverse is also true that if you don’t have dark enough hair it can’t properly heat it up. Also, the instructions say to avoid long exposure to sunlight for treatment areas so no trips to the beach if you are going to use this. Another consideration is some question the overall health of exposing yourself regularly to light that is so intense you can feel real heat on your skin. So far, the main concern has been around UV exposure, which thankfully, the Lumilisse does not produce.
Design
The overall design resembles a hair dryer. It is made mostly of plastic but feels sturdy and well built. On the side is a skin sensor that measures the pigment level of your skin to determine the proper intensity level. Depending on your skin type and response there is also a manual option to increase or decrease intensity. The front portion where the light is emitted has two interchangeable tips. One tip is for face and sensitive areas and the other is for larger portions of your body. Beyond a power button and trigger the design keeps the function as simple as possible. This is nice as operation is where things get complicated.
The overall design resembles a hair dryer. It is made mostly of plastic but feels sturdy and well built. On the side is a skin sensor that measures the pigment level of your skin to determine the proper intensity level. Depending on your skin type and response there is also a manual option to increase or decrease intensity. The front portion where the light is emitted has two interchangeable tips. One tip is for face and sensitive areas and the other is for larger portions of your body. Beyond a power button and trigger the design keeps the function as simple as possible. This is nice as operation is where things get complicated.
Usage
Conair has attempted to make the process as simple as possible, but the technology overall comes with lots of rules and caveats. The manual is full of reasons not to use it beyond dark skin or light hair to include if you take certain medications or have certain skin conditions. Assuming you don’t fit any of the criteria to prevent usage and the initial test shows no unfavorable results, you still aren’t out of the woods. You have the option to use it in precision mode which allows full intensity for each treatment with a pause between each. It recommends drawing a grid with a white makeup pencil so as not to miss spots or overtreat spots. If you use glide mode, recommended for large areas like the legs, the intensity is fixed at one but doesn’t say if you can then overlap to improve results or how fast you should move the unit. If you are more toned or have areas with less fat you also might find yourself struggling to get it to fire. There is a safety mechanism that make sure that the device is fully against your skin so the front of your leg and around your knees can preset a challenge as you try to stretch your skin and twist your legs to get it to let you use it. In some places it can occasional still trigger the safety lockout even when it is fully against your skin. This isn’t all bad because if you accidentally get it to fire without full contact you might do eye damage as the flash is extremely bright. In fact, it’s a bit of a surprise that they don’t include eye protection because even when it fires against your skin the flash can be painfully bright even if you are looking away. They instructions recommend you use sunglasses if you have issues, but it seems that some sort of protection included in the box would have been helpful. Over repeated use you might get used to it but it’s questionable if that is really a good idea to let yours eyes get used to such bright light.
Conair has attempted to make the process as simple as possible, but the technology overall comes with lots of rules and caveats. The manual is full of reasons not to use it beyond dark skin or light hair to include if you take certain medications or have certain skin conditions. Assuming you don’t fit any of the criteria to prevent usage and the initial test shows no unfavorable results, you still aren’t out of the woods. You have the option to use it in precision mode which allows full intensity for each treatment with a pause between each. It recommends drawing a grid with a white makeup pencil so as not to miss spots or overtreat spots. If you use glide mode, recommended for large areas like the legs, the intensity is fixed at one but doesn’t say if you can then overlap to improve results or how fast you should move the unit. If you are more toned or have areas with less fat you also might find yourself struggling to get it to fire. There is a safety mechanism that make sure that the device is fully against your skin so the front of your leg and around your knees can preset a challenge as you try to stretch your skin and twist your legs to get it to let you use it. In some places it can occasional still trigger the safety lockout even when it is fully against your skin. This isn’t all bad because if you accidentally get it to fire without full contact you might do eye damage as the flash is extremely bright. In fact, it’s a bit of a surprise that they don’t include eye protection because even when it fires against your skin the flash can be painfully bright even if you are looking away. They instructions recommend you use sunglasses if you have issues, but it seems that some sort of protection included in the box would have been helpful. Over repeated use you might get used to it but it’s questionable if that is really a good idea to let yours eyes get used to such bright light.
On large surfaces you are supposed to shave 24 hours prior and it is a good idea to be sure you are thorough in how you do this. If you miss a hair you will know because the “zap” of light will let you know. Overall you should expect some minor discomfort but far less than some other hair control methods. There are some very rare skin types that might get a rash during testing of sensitive areas or even get a spot a little like a sunburn. Unfortunately, during testing the results around the chin caused a mildly painful rash and extremely dry skin so treatment in that area had to be discontinued. If you have PCOS and were hoping this would solve those embarrassing facial hairs just be prepared it might not work out. In fact, it states that for some that hair density could increase temporarily or even shift to a different area.
Results
Conair is very straightforward about how, even if you follow every rule in the manual, that IPL may still not be the right fit for you. This isn’t the fault of the unit or it’s design but rather the technology just isn’t a cure it all. That said, the “Misses” should have been the literal perfect candidate of the technology with pale skin that doesn’t tan and dark brown, nearly black, hair. Unfortunately, PCOS and sensitive skin didn’t help and overall the results were mixed. Shaving frequency hasn’t been reduce much in nearly 4 months but the hairs are smaller with slower growth and subsequent shaves are resulting in much smoother skin. I was hoping to give it a try as well to use it to reduce shaving and trimming the lower part of the back of the neck. Unfortunately, my hair is too light, and I tan too easily. Also, if you plan to try to use to reduce shaving but might want a beard again someday there is a change you might be out of luck. Some who use it will experience permanent reduced hair growth so think carefully where you use it before trying. If you don’t care if you ever have hair in that area again you should be ok. The big question is if the results are good enough to warranty continued use through the summer while lathering up in extra sunblock to prevent unfavorable results and that question at this point still can’t be answered. If you have skin that tans easily, love the summer sun, and don’t often use sunblock it would be best not to try it. If, like my wife, you don’t tan and must use sunblock all summer it might be ok.
Conair is very straightforward about how, even if you follow every rule in the manual, that IPL may still not be the right fit for you. This isn’t the fault of the unit or it’s design but rather the technology just isn’t a cure it all. That said, the “Misses” should have been the literal perfect candidate of the technology with pale skin that doesn’t tan and dark brown, nearly black, hair. Unfortunately, PCOS and sensitive skin didn’t help and overall the results were mixed. Shaving frequency hasn’t been reduce much in nearly 4 months but the hairs are smaller with slower growth and subsequent shaves are resulting in much smoother skin. I was hoping to give it a try as well to use it to reduce shaving and trimming the lower part of the back of the neck. Unfortunately, my hair is too light, and I tan too easily. Also, if you plan to try to use to reduce shaving but might want a beard again someday there is a change you might be out of luck. Some who use it will experience permanent reduced hair growth so think carefully where you use it before trying. If you don’t care if you ever have hair in that area again you should be ok. The big question is if the results are good enough to warranty continued use through the summer while lathering up in extra sunblock to prevent unfavorable results and that question at this point still can’t be answered. If you have skin that tans easily, love the summer sun, and don’t often use sunblock it would be best not to try it. If, like my wife, you don’t tan and must use sunblock all summer it might be ok.
Conclusion
It is nice that Conair is working to make what was expensive technology more accessible but what they can’t fix is the science behind it. If you are looking for a hair control method just don’t expect the Conair Lumilisse to be the holy grail that solves all your problems and be aware of the limitations and warnings of the technology. If your skin and hair type make a good candidate, it might be worth a try. The only downside in that case is if it doesn’t work for you the results won’t be apparent until well after any return policy allows.
It is nice that Conair is working to make what was expensive technology more accessible but what they can’t fix is the science behind it. If you are looking for a hair control method just don’t expect the Conair Lumilisse to be the holy grail that solves all your problems and be aware of the limitations and warnings of the technology. If your skin and hair type make a good candidate, it might be worth a try. The only downside in that case is if it doesn’t work for you the results won’t be apparent until well after any return policy allows.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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98of 102voted this as helpful.
Enjoy the look and feel of a well-groomed beard with this Philips Norelco series 70 beard trimmer. With an ergonomic grip, this beard trimmer offers enhanced comfort and control. This Philips Norelco series 70 beard trimmer prevents skin irritation and features steel blades, making it ideal for cutting each hair with accuracy and precision.
Customer Rating
3
Nice trimmer with a fatal flaw
on January 14, 2019
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Easy to change length of cut
Quiet
Multiple guard options included
Trimmer attachment included
Hair is kept off your counter
Vacuum seems to have increased in suction
Good battery life
Includes travel bag
Easy to change length of cut
Quiet
Multiple guard options included
Trimmer attachment included
Hair is kept off your counter
Vacuum seems to have increased in suction
Good battery life
Includes travel bag
Cons
Moving parts with grease tend to get hair stuck in them
Suction doesn’t work with longer hairs
Suction doesn’t work with stiffer hair
Accessory retaining clips are prone to failure
Trimming head sometimes partially cuts hairs
Trimmer guards don’t evenly lift hairs for trimming
Doesn’t include a counter stand
Moving parts with grease tend to get hair stuck in them
Suction doesn’t work with longer hairs
Suction doesn’t work with stiffer hair
Accessory retaining clips are prone to failure
Trimming head sometimes partially cuts hairs
Trimmer guards don’t evenly lift hairs for trimming
Doesn’t include a counter stand
It seems every time you look there are new grooming products trying to make daily tasks easier and less messy. Often changes are minor and don’t make significant changes to our daily routine. The Norelco 7000 Series Trimmer aims to make trimming your beard quicker and less messy and allow easy daily touchups.
Design
The design carries over from previous generations with an integrated vacuum to suck up as much of the hair trimmings possible and help lift the hair slightly. The standard head includes an adjustable guard that snaps over it. Height adjustments are made via an integrated dial with shows the height on a lighted display allowing checking your setting easy. An extra trimmer attachment is included with fixed height guards more like a standard trimmer. This is more for touchups around the edges, sideburns, and mustache. The trimmer, accessories, and charger are stored in a cloth bag when not in use. No countertop stand is included. The attachments are marketed as washable but the trimmer itself is for dry use only. This is all standard for this type of trimmer but what is different is the way the trimmer heads snap in place. It uses thin, plastic tabs. In previous generations this was a weak spot which would cause premature failure causing the trimmer head to not stay attached. If there was any main criticism of previous generations, it would be this flaw and the current design doesn’t improve on this flaw.
The design carries over from previous generations with an integrated vacuum to suck up as much of the hair trimmings possible and help lift the hair slightly. The standard head includes an adjustable guard that snaps over it. Height adjustments are made via an integrated dial with shows the height on a lighted display allowing checking your setting easy. An extra trimmer attachment is included with fixed height guards more like a standard trimmer. This is more for touchups around the edges, sideburns, and mustache. The trimmer, accessories, and charger are stored in a cloth bag when not in use. No countertop stand is included. The attachments are marketed as washable but the trimmer itself is for dry use only. This is all standard for this type of trimmer but what is different is the way the trimmer heads snap in place. It uses thin, plastic tabs. In previous generations this was a weak spot which would cause premature failure causing the trimmer head to not stay attached. If there was any main criticism of previous generations, it would be this flaw and the current design doesn’t improve on this flaw.
Performance
The marquee feature of this beard trimmer over others is the integrated vacuum that is said to catch up to 90% of trimmed hair leaving very little mess to clean up afterwards. In use, this 90% can vary greatly. The suction seems to have been improved from previous generations but if you have long hair or wiry hair you will find a good portion can still make its way to your countertop. That said, it still does reduce cleanup overall. Although the design is supposed to lift your hair to improve even trimming the results seem to indicate this feature doesn’t not work as well as one would hope. To achieve an even trim often requires multiple passes in multiple directions as hairs tend to flatten out just before the trimmer heads reaches the area. This results in missed hairs and high spots. More frequent trimmings do help alleviate some of this issue but overall it persists. This seems to be a common weak point of all beard trimmers that Norelco hasn’t quite found a perfect solution for. In all, it trims about as good as any other existing beard trimmer. Depending on hair type you may also experience an odd issue where sometimes hairs get slightly snagged instead of fully cut leaving to barbs on the end of the hairs. Slowing down trimming can help with some of this issue. Cleanup is a mixed bat. You remove the trimmer head and dump out the waste bin but often hairs get stuck on the underside of the trimmer and the end over the trimmer motor where the grease is applied. The head is supposed to be washable, but this bring in to question the longevity of the grease. The base is also not washable, leaving you to try to clean hairs off the moving parts while they are embedded in grease. This is also a common trend among trimmers with removeable heads which hopefully the industry will improve in the future.
The marquee feature of this beard trimmer over others is the integrated vacuum that is said to catch up to 90% of trimmed hair leaving very little mess to clean up afterwards. In use, this 90% can vary greatly. The suction seems to have been improved from previous generations but if you have long hair or wiry hair you will find a good portion can still make its way to your countertop. That said, it still does reduce cleanup overall. Although the design is supposed to lift your hair to improve even trimming the results seem to indicate this feature doesn’t not work as well as one would hope. To achieve an even trim often requires multiple passes in multiple directions as hairs tend to flatten out just before the trimmer heads reaches the area. This results in missed hairs and high spots. More frequent trimmings do help alleviate some of this issue but overall it persists. This seems to be a common weak point of all beard trimmers that Norelco hasn’t quite found a perfect solution for. In all, it trims about as good as any other existing beard trimmer. Depending on hair type you may also experience an odd issue where sometimes hairs get slightly snagged instead of fully cut leaving to barbs on the end of the hairs. Slowing down trimming can help with some of this issue. Cleanup is a mixed bat. You remove the trimmer head and dump out the waste bin but often hairs get stuck on the underside of the trimmer and the end over the trimmer motor where the grease is applied. The head is supposed to be washable, but this bring in to question the longevity of the grease. The base is also not washable, leaving you to try to clean hairs off the moving parts while they are embedded in grease. This is also a common trend among trimmers with removeable heads which hopefully the industry will improve in the future.
Final Thoughts
The Norelco 7000 Series Trimmer is less a revolutionary and more evolutionary design in beard trimming. With slight improvements over the previous generations there is no need to upgrade if you already own one. As a trimmer, the features are neither bad nor stand out. If you are in the market for a trimmer, the standout feature that could make this one worth consideration is the vacuum feature. It definitely helps to decrease the cleanup needed during grooming.
The Norelco 7000 Series Trimmer is less a revolutionary and more evolutionary design in beard trimming. With slight improvements over the previous generations there is no need to upgrade if you already own one. As a trimmer, the features are neither bad nor stand out. If you are in the market for a trimmer, the standout feature that could make this one worth consideration is the vacuum feature. It definitely helps to decrease the cleanup needed during grooming.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Give orders to teammates during intense matchups with this Razer Kraken gaming headset. Its custom-tuned 50mm drivers provide a wide soundscape, so you can hear subtle footsteps approaching and shattering explosions, and the gel-infused ear cups provide natural cooling to keep you comfortable. This Razer Kraken gaming headset lets you adjust the game/chat balance for a customizable experience.
Customer Rating
4
Good, but not tournament quality
on January 7, 2019
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Affordable price versus feature set
Solid build
Compatible with PCs, mobile, as well as consoles
THX Spatial Audio support
MIC is neatly hidden until needed
Lightweight aluminum frame
Dialog is very clear
Thick headband cushion helps extended gameplay comfort
Long cord
Affordable price versus feature set
Solid build
Compatible with PCs, mobile, as well as consoles
THX Spatial Audio support
MIC is neatly hidden until needed
Lightweight aluminum frame
Dialog is very clear
Thick headband cushion helps extended gameplay comfort
Long cord
Cons
Headband isn’t as comfortable for larger heads
Dual volume controls can be confusing
Red light on for mute and no light for chat is confusing
THX is only available via PC
No adjustments are available when attached to consoles
Spatial audio isn’t as precise as some others
Dynamic range of speakers is limited and sounds weak
USB audio is sometimes choppy with no CPU load
No storage case or pouch
Cord organizers don’t attach to anything and can be easily lost
Headband isn’t as comfortable for larger heads
Dual volume controls can be confusing
Red light on for mute and no light for chat is confusing
THX is only available via PC
No adjustments are available when attached to consoles
Spatial audio isn’t as precise as some others
Dynamic range of speakers is limited and sounds weak
USB audio is sometimes choppy with no CPU load
No storage case or pouch
Cord organizers don’t attach to anything and can be easily lost
Good audio can be what makes good gameplay great. Most gamers appreciate a sharp, fast responding screen, fast GPU, and responsive keyboard and mouse. Not all realize how much more immersive a game can be when the sound environment not only has good range to produce the sounds but can also place the sound in the game. Hearing a growling or footsteps behind you and knowing which direction it is coming from really adds realism to the game. The Razer Kraken Tournament Edition is of the latest gaming headsets from Razer that attempts to crack the code of good gaming audio.
Design
The Kraken Tournament Edition is surprisingly understated for a Razer product. It has no bright colors, flashing lights, or green serpent logo. The headset is completely blacked out in flat black everywhere except the logo which is more of a gloss black. Construction feels sturdy with a build of aluminum, plastic, breathable fabric, and faux leather. Weight is appropriately heavy without being uncomfortable. The audio cable is wrapped in braided cloth to increase durability. The integrated mic can be retracted back into the headset when not in use for easy storage with no worry of misplacing it. The mic extends far enough to have good placement for clear chat. Although mic has a storage place, the USB adapter does not. Cord organizers are included but they don’t attach to the cables, so you are going to have to remember not to forget them. There is no included storage case or bag. The earpads are an over the ear design with thick, breathable pads to help reduce fatigue from extended use. The headband is similarly heavily padded with breathable cloth to keep the headset comfortable. The design places light pressure on the head to keep them in place firmly without pain. That said, if you have a larger head this design might become uncomfortable sooner as the headband can feel a bit hard after a while the pressure may become slightly uncomfortable. By the time this happens, you might be in a break as your whole body might be feeling the effects. Included in the package is a USB adapter with THX Spatial Audio. Although the mini stereo and USB adapters provide maximum compatibility with any PC, tablet, phone, or gaming console the advanced features only work with the USB connection via PC drivers. On any other device, they work as standard headphones.
The Kraken Tournament Edition is surprisingly understated for a Razer product. It has no bright colors, flashing lights, or green serpent logo. The headset is completely blacked out in flat black everywhere except the logo which is more of a gloss black. Construction feels sturdy with a build of aluminum, plastic, breathable fabric, and faux leather. Weight is appropriately heavy without being uncomfortable. The audio cable is wrapped in braided cloth to increase durability. The integrated mic can be retracted back into the headset when not in use for easy storage with no worry of misplacing it. The mic extends far enough to have good placement for clear chat. Although mic has a storage place, the USB adapter does not. Cord organizers are included but they don’t attach to the cables, so you are going to have to remember not to forget them. There is no included storage case or bag. The earpads are an over the ear design with thick, breathable pads to help reduce fatigue from extended use. The headband is similarly heavily padded with breathable cloth to keep the headset comfortable. The design places light pressure on the head to keep them in place firmly without pain. That said, if you have a larger head this design might become uncomfortable sooner as the headband can feel a bit hard after a while the pressure may become slightly uncomfortable. By the time this happens, you might be in a break as your whole body might be feeling the effects. Included in the package is a USB adapter with THX Spatial Audio. Although the mini stereo and USB adapters provide maximum compatibility with any PC, tablet, phone, or gaming console the advanced features only work with the USB connection via PC drivers. On any other device, they work as standard headphones.
Performance
Of course, for the price point you want to keep your expectations in line, but you would hope for decent audio range and good music quality. Unfortunately, music is a weak spot of the Kraken Tournament Edition. Connected via the stereo jack the audio quality is muddy as if being heard through a wall. Highs are audible but sound harsh, bass is present but weak, and mids are all but absent. It’s apparent that Razer wasn’t focusing this headset on people who also wanted to use them for casual music sessions. In gameplay things improve. The focus on sharp highs means that sounds such as footsteps, breaking branches, screeching tires, and gunfire have increased emphasis allowing quicker directional placement. Spatial placement of sounds is good but not as precise, possibly because of the muddy aspect, although some report better results with different games. When connected via USB with THX Spatial Audio on, the audio would be slightly choppy with low CPU and GPU load. When turned off, the audio was clear. Hopefully this is just a driver issue which Razer will improve in the future. Besides gaining THX Spatial Audio when connected via USB you also gain an equalizer and a control box inline to adjust volume, bass level, turn THX Spatial Audio on or off, and mute the mike. Strangely this design also means when the USB adapter is connected you will have two volume controls and two mic buttons inline. Although, it seems the one higher up on the cord is disabled when connected via USB. The control box indicates THX on with a green light and off with no light. Strangely the mic is on when it’s lite is off and is muted when the light is red. This seems a bit counter intuitive. It should turn on when it’s on or off when off or at least make it where green means on and red means muted. The Razer Synapse drivers for PC allow EQ adjustments, adjustments to sound normalization and voice clarity, and mic adjustments including ambient noise reduction. If you are looking for a lot of adjustments or THX Spatial Audio for consoles, you are out of luck. Most advanced features require more support than consoles provide. So far mic quality has been reported as good with good clarity and with adjustments to position are easy with the flexible shaft which moves easily and stays where you put it.
Of course, for the price point you want to keep your expectations in line, but you would hope for decent audio range and good music quality. Unfortunately, music is a weak spot of the Kraken Tournament Edition. Connected via the stereo jack the audio quality is muddy as if being heard through a wall. Highs are audible but sound harsh, bass is present but weak, and mids are all but absent. It’s apparent that Razer wasn’t focusing this headset on people who also wanted to use them for casual music sessions. In gameplay things improve. The focus on sharp highs means that sounds such as footsteps, breaking branches, screeching tires, and gunfire have increased emphasis allowing quicker directional placement. Spatial placement of sounds is good but not as precise, possibly because of the muddy aspect, although some report better results with different games. When connected via USB with THX Spatial Audio on, the audio would be slightly choppy with low CPU and GPU load. When turned off, the audio was clear. Hopefully this is just a driver issue which Razer will improve in the future. Besides gaining THX Spatial Audio when connected via USB you also gain an equalizer and a control box inline to adjust volume, bass level, turn THX Spatial Audio on or off, and mute the mike. Strangely this design also means when the USB adapter is connected you will have two volume controls and two mic buttons inline. Although, it seems the one higher up on the cord is disabled when connected via USB. The control box indicates THX on with a green light and off with no light. Strangely the mic is on when it’s lite is off and is muted when the light is red. This seems a bit counter intuitive. It should turn on when it’s on or off when off or at least make it where green means on and red means muted. The Razer Synapse drivers for PC allow EQ adjustments, adjustments to sound normalization and voice clarity, and mic adjustments including ambient noise reduction. If you are looking for a lot of adjustments or THX Spatial Audio for consoles, you are out of luck. Most advanced features require more support than consoles provide. So far mic quality has been reported as good with good clarity and with adjustments to position are easy with the flexible shaft which moves easily and stays where you put it.
Conclusion
Razer can sometimes be a polarizing company in gaming but if you are fan of their products you will find the same design language you know already and enjoy. There are some quirks, like the choppy audio in Spatial Audio mode which hopefully can be fixed via updates, but overall the build quality feels solid. One might be led to criticize them harshly for not having stellar audio quality but for the price point, the audio quality is on par if not a standout. Razer products also periodically go on sale which makes the purchase more competitive. The Razer Kraken Tournament Edition headphones may not win any converts but will likely satisfy the fans, particularly ones who can’t spend a fortune.
Razer can sometimes be a polarizing company in gaming but if you are fan of their products you will find the same design language you know already and enjoy. There are some quirks, like the choppy audio in Spatial Audio mode which hopefully can be fixed via updates, but overall the build quality feels solid. One might be led to criticize them harshly for not having stellar audio quality but for the price point, the audio quality is on par if not a standout. Razer products also periodically go on sale which makes the purchase more competitive. The Razer Kraken Tournament Edition headphones may not win any converts but will likely satisfy the fans, particularly ones who can’t spend a fortune.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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47of 65voted this as helpful.
Experience sound on a whole new level with these over-ear Sony headphones. The wide frequency range and 70mm driver unit provides you with unbelievably smooth high-resolution audio, and the Fibonacci-patterned grill delivers clear ultra-high notes. These Sony headphones have an over-ear design and ergonomic ear pads for optimal comfort during long listening sessions.
Customer Rating
5
Immaculate Music Experience
on December 15, 2018
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Ridiculous large sound range, up to 4Hz to 100KHz
Music is as about as neutral is as possible with a single driver
Sturdy, aluminum construction
Comfortable ear pads block out noise for extended listening
Headband provides grip without being excessive
Sturdy cords feel durable
Cords have texture which reduces unwanted noise from movement
Cords screw into headset with metal connectors
Headset side of cords are plated red and white to indicate left and right
Cord attachments are angled to curve naturally over your shoulders
Large drivers reproduce sounds precisely
Mobile listening is reasonable even if with loss of fidelity
Ridiculous large sound range, up to 4Hz to 100KHz
Music is as about as neutral is as possible with a single driver
Sturdy, aluminum construction
Comfortable ear pads block out noise for extended listening
Headband provides grip without being excessive
Sturdy cords feel durable
Cords have texture which reduces unwanted noise from movement
Cords screw into headset with metal connectors
Headset side of cords are plated red and white to indicate left and right
Cord attachments are angled to curve naturally over your shoulders
Large drivers reproduce sounds precisely
Mobile listening is reasonable even if with loss of fidelity
Cons
No carrying case or stand
No shorter cord with 1/8” end to allow mobile listening
No compatibility for Surround sound formats
No high res wireless option
No active noise canceling option
Poor quality, or highly process recordings are easy to spot
Hi-res audio is hard to find
No carrying case or stand
No shorter cord with 1/8” end to allow mobile listening
No compatibility for Surround sound formats
No high res wireless option
No active noise canceling option
Poor quality, or highly process recordings are easy to spot
Hi-res audio is hard to find
Most people rarely go beyond a slight upgrade in the quality of their headphones. At most they might purchase headphones that can produce heavy, punchy bass giving the impression they produce good quality audio. Then you have those who are often buying new headphones in search of that perfect set to faithfully reproduce the music as intended. The Sony MDR-Z7M2 is targeted at those whose priority is clean, precise sound reproduction but their budget can’t quite afford the much more expensive Sony Z1R headphones.
Design
At first glance the MDR-Z7M2 headphones look different than most headphones. There are no flashy designs or highly polished surfaces. They are very understated in semigloss textured black throughout with only a touch of dark gray on the slider. Strangely at this price point there is no case or stand included nor is there any mini stereo jack cable to allow listening to other mobile devices. The first indication of the difference is how large they are. The earpiece contains a 2.76” driver which there is no way to hide. The design is over the ear with a thick, soft earpad made of synthetic leather. Upon closer inspection the differences become apparent. To start, two cords included in the box. One is a 3-meter-long cable with a mini stereo jack and adapter for full size stereo jack. The other cable is 1.2-meter-long with an l-shaped stereo connector in a size you don’t often see intended to match with Sony’s Hi-Res Walkman portal player. The cables have a ribbed design which reduces cord noise from movement. All connections are gold plated with the modular cables having heavy screw in connections to attach firmly to each earpiece directly.
At first glance the MDR-Z7M2 headphones look different than most headphones. There are no flashy designs or highly polished surfaces. They are very understated in semigloss textured black throughout with only a touch of dark gray on the slider. Strangely at this price point there is no case or stand included nor is there any mini stereo jack cable to allow listening to other mobile devices. The first indication of the difference is how large they are. The earpiece contains a 2.76” driver which there is no way to hide. The design is over the ear with a thick, soft earpad made of synthetic leather. Upon closer inspection the differences become apparent. To start, two cords included in the box. One is a 3-meter-long cable with a mini stereo jack and adapter for full size stereo jack. The other cable is 1.2-meter-long with an l-shaped stereo connector in a size you don’t often see intended to match with Sony’s Hi-Res Walkman portal player. The cables have a ribbed design which reduces cord noise from movement. All connections are gold plated with the modular cables having heavy screw in connections to attach firmly to each earpiece directly.
Once you pick up the headphones you begin to realize something is different. There is no plastic in the design. Even most headphones that claim to be premium and cost several hundred dollars are still primarily plastic but not these. The earpiece, slider, and headband are all aluminum-alloy and sturdy. The choice of aluminum-alloy gives them a quality, sturdy, but helps keep them relatively light. They are light enough to where you might suspect they are plastic until you feel the coldness of the metal and realize otherwise. With a padded headband and earpieces and the over the ear the design they are intended for long hours of listening without discomfort. The band creates a modest amount of pressure to hold the headphones against your head securely and block out most external sounds. It seems Sony put some work into finding just the right amount of force to keep things secure without creating discomfort. The headband is also sufficiently wide enough to distribute the slight weight bump so as not to create a painful pressure point on your head either.
From end to end Sony has taken measures to preserve the sound and prevent distortion. The cords are silver-coated oxygen-free cables designed to minimize resistance and signal-transmission loss. Sony claims they reduce sound degradation producing finer detail and smoother treble. In Sony’s own words the diaphragm is made of an aluminum-coated liquid crystal polymer to give a more consistent and precise sound across the entire frequency range. Material-specific resonance is canceled and delivers natural sound with low coloration. The driver is made of a neodymium magnet which is 200% larger than the previous MDR-Z7 to establish more driving power and a fast response to high resolution signals and has a range of 4Hz to 100KHz. This means it produces sounds above and below the audible range as the highest frequencies even the best ears can hear is around 20KHz.
Performance
If the price doesn’t turn you away, then that means you are more interested in performance than costs. First, these headphones don’t have any sort of processing in them. No surround sound processing, or anything Dolby including THX. It’s all about a simple, high quality speaker. They are first and foremost, designed for listening to music and preferably Hi-Res music. That is where they shine. Sound production is clean, precise, and as neutral as is possible. Of course, neutral isn’t possible with a single drive but that is the closest description. You could maybe say the are ever so slightly warm but that seems to not do them justice to some of the crisp highs they can reproduce without harshness. Overall, there is no inbuilt coloring of the tones and it seems Sony was really trying for neutral. Of course, with a good equalizer you can adjust to your heart’s content, but you don’t have to adjust against any inbuilt changes. Highest as crisp and smooth as the original source and bass is reproduced without distortion or being overbearing. Even mid-tones are faithfully reproduced or at least more evident than on any previous headphones. It’s hard to fault the quality of the sound produced. The size of the drivers means that if you like hard hitting bass it might seem a little smoother than you expect but even then, it is in a pleasing way.
If the price doesn’t turn you away, then that means you are more interested in performance than costs. First, these headphones don’t have any sort of processing in them. No surround sound processing, or anything Dolby including THX. It’s all about a simple, high quality speaker. They are first and foremost, designed for listening to music and preferably Hi-Res music. That is where they shine. Sound production is clean, precise, and as neutral as is possible. Of course, neutral isn’t possible with a single drive but that is the closest description. You could maybe say the are ever so slightly warm but that seems to not do them justice to some of the crisp highs they can reproduce without harshness. Overall, there is no inbuilt coloring of the tones and it seems Sony was really trying for neutral. Of course, with a good equalizer you can adjust to your heart’s content, but you don’t have to adjust against any inbuilt changes. Highest as crisp and smooth as the original source and bass is reproduced without distortion or being overbearing. Even mid-tones are faithfully reproduced or at least more evident than on any previous headphones. It’s hard to fault the quality of the sound produced. The size of the drivers means that if you like hard hitting bass it might seem a little smoother than you expect but even then, it is in a pleasing way.
Even without hi-res audio you can still hear more nuances just from lossless compressed audio. When listening to Moonlight Sonata Opus 27, No. 2 you can hear subtle sounds in the room that are lost otherwise. Besides hearing more of the range of the piano you hear more detail, such as the pianist moving in their chair or sliding their arm across the piano. It’s hard to say what they did without first seeing in person, but the point is it is detail rarely heard. You can hear more of the reverberation of the guitar strings in some music, sometimes the pick against the strings, or even the breath control as a musician playing a woodwind instrument. Of course, this all depends on where the microphone was originally placed, how high of quality was the recording, and if there is any post processing but if it is there these headphones do a nice job of reproducing it. Therein lies maybe the biggest downside an audiophile might encounter. If the source music is hi-fi or any form of lossless, you can hear every detail and the experience has more depth. If there is compression, or heavy post processing then the music loses depth and almost feels flat. It might mean if you are a fan of rock, classic or otherwise, you might find yourself looking to find more acoustic versions to feel the depth more. This isn’t the fault of the headphones but more the fact that they are able to expose some of those shortcomings in the recording.
Final Thoughts
The Sony MDR-Z7M2 are a great set of headphones for those not satisfied with the sound quality of what are normally called quality headphones but that also need to be more mindful of the extreme prices that can come from such an endeavor. The MDR-Z7M2 headphones are by no means cheap, but in a category where prices can easily ready 5 digits these are well placed and provide a good value for the category. If you the type unsatisfied with the sound quality of the normal “premium” headphones, are willing to spend extra without hitting the stratosphere in prices, and don’t care about all the extra sound processing modes and wireless features but just want precise sound the Sony MDR-Z7M2 warranty serious consideration.
The Sony MDR-Z7M2 are a great set of headphones for those not satisfied with the sound quality of what are normally called quality headphones but that also need to be more mindful of the extreme prices that can come from such an endeavor. The MDR-Z7M2 headphones are by no means cheap, but in a category where prices can easily ready 5 digits these are well placed and provide a good value for the category. If you the type unsatisfied with the sound quality of the normal “premium” headphones, are willing to spend extra without hitting the stratosphere in prices, and don’t care about all the extra sound processing modes and wireless features but just want precise sound the Sony MDR-Z7M2 warranty serious consideration.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+19points
23of 27voted this as helpful.
Sear, brown, sauté, and slow cook all in one pot for maximum flavor with the Calphalon Digital Sauté Slow Cooker. The cooking pot removes and can be placed on electric, gas, or induction cooktops to brown or sear ingredients before slow cooking. The LCD digital display provides intuitive control of multiple cooking modes, for tender pulled pork, curry chicken, paella, and more. The nonstick ceramic coating is easy to clean and delivers 11x more durability* than standard nonstick surfaces, plus it’s PTFE- and PFOA-free. The Calphalon slow cooker is perfect for one-pot family dinners with its 5.3-quart capacity. The cooking pot is also oven safe for further heating, cooking, and warming options. Gorgeous dark stainless steel will enhance any kitchen’s countertop and metal construction provides long-lasting durability.
Customer Rating
4
A refinement of a classic appliance
on December 6, 2018
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Attractive design stands out from other slow cookers
Sears without requiring separate cookware
Stovetop and Oven Safe
Rubber gasket prevents messy leaks from edge
Small vent hole keeps pressure down and moisture in
Plastic handles keep heat from your hands
Digital display is very easy to read
Finish makes cleanup easy
Attractive design stands out from other slow cookers
Sears without requiring separate cookware
Stovetop and Oven Safe
Rubber gasket prevents messy leaks from edge
Small vent hole keeps pressure down and moisture in
Plastic handles keep heat from your hands
Digital display is very easy to read
Finish makes cleanup easy
Cons
Has less features than others at the price point
Rotary knob squeaks
All metal construction with no ceramic means outside is very hot
Lid has a non-removable piece where moisture can collection
Not dishwasher safe
Has less features than others at the price point
Rotary knob squeaks
All metal construction with no ceramic means outside is very hot
Lid has a non-removable piece where moisture can collection
Not dishwasher safe
With all the slow cookers, pressure cookers, and multi-purpose cookers on the market it is becoming hard to know what is best. The Calphalon 5.3qt Digital Slow cooker was designed not to follow the crowds by adding tons of features but rather refine a traditional slow cooker. Besides simplicity, the focus was on providing a different style to the normal round or oval slow cookers of the past.
Design
The Digital Slow Cooker has a very simple design. It has a digital screen to set the cook time and show time remaining, 3 faux metal buttons for setting or canceling cooking, and a faux metal knob to set the temperature. The digital display has bright blue numbering that is very easy to see. The finish is called dark stainless steel and the description seems accurate. It isn’t painted but looks like bare steel with what appears to be a natural black finish. The nobs, buttons, and handles are all faux metal which might make you feel you are getting less for your money. During regular use those plastic parts prove useful. The reason why they plastic is because the pot itself is all metal with only a ceramic coating for the cooking surface. This means during cooking the outside gets hotter than other slow cookers. This also unfortunately is a downside in that the pot is not dishwasher safe. The plus to this is the removal of the cooking pot is less of a strain as it is much lighter and whatever type of ceramic coating is used makes cleanup easy. There is no need to scrub burnt in food on the sides like a traditional ceramic slower cooker. The bottom of the pot looks just like the bottom of a regular cooking pot because it can be used on a stovetop or oven to combine options like searing with slow cooking without switching cookware. The lid is flat instead of domed like others and has a rubber seal around the edge and a vent hole on the lid to allow steam to escape in a controlled fashion.
The Digital Slow Cooker has a very simple design. It has a digital screen to set the cook time and show time remaining, 3 faux metal buttons for setting or canceling cooking, and a faux metal knob to set the temperature. The digital display has bright blue numbering that is very easy to see. The finish is called dark stainless steel and the description seems accurate. It isn’t painted but looks like bare steel with what appears to be a natural black finish. The nobs, buttons, and handles are all faux metal which might make you feel you are getting less for your money. During regular use those plastic parts prove useful. The reason why they plastic is because the pot itself is all metal with only a ceramic coating for the cooking surface. This means during cooking the outside gets hotter than other slow cookers. This also unfortunately is a downside in that the pot is not dishwasher safe. The plus to this is the removal of the cooking pot is less of a strain as it is much lighter and whatever type of ceramic coating is used makes cleanup easy. There is no need to scrub burnt in food on the sides like a traditional ceramic slower cooker. The bottom of the pot looks just like the bottom of a regular cooking pot because it can be used on a stovetop or oven to combine options like searing with slow cooking without switching cookware. The lid is flat instead of domed like others and has a rubber seal around the edge and a vent hole on the lid to allow steam to escape in a controlled fashion.
Performance
Usage is a simple as it gets. If you have a recipe where you need to sear the meat first, then just place the pot on the stove and sear it. Once you are done searing just place it bake in the base and add the rest of your ingredients and set your slow cook temp and time. Need to finish off a recipe in the oven? No problem. Again, just take out the pot and put it right in the oven. Options for heat include high, low, and warm which you select via a dial. Strangely for what is overall an expensive looking appliance, the dial squeaks when turned. It doesn’t in any way affect the operation but just seems a bit odd to have an appliance focus on style but then make such a sound. Beyond that oddity the cooker performed with even less fuss than a regular slow cooker. Because of the design of the lid pressure escapes from a small well placed hole on the lid instead of boiling over the rim in the middle of the night. No more waking up in the middle of the night to hissing sounds only to realize your slow cooker is covered in a layer of food that is nearly impossible to clean off. What’s even better is between the rubber seal and small vent hole you get improved cleanup, less messes, and best of all more juicy food. On a normal slow cooker throughout the night some of the juices cook off and are lost on the sides of the cooker, or worse yet, the counter. There was always the option to add water to keep meat from drying out but that dilutes the flavor. Soups sometimes would come out overly thick. With the Calphalon Digital Slow Cooker’s design very little natural juices are lost. You can safely leave it cooking over night without waking up to a mess. In fact, you wake up to a meal moist and ready to eat. It’s a small difference in the design but it really makes a difference in the outcome. The overall shape of the pot internally might seem a little odd compared to old designs in that is it large at the top and narrows to the bottom. At first this seems only for looks but after several uses everyone agreed it really helps with getting the last bit of food out. When using a ladle, you can get nearly everything out instead of scraping around the side trying to get the last bit hiding at the bottom corner. The design change seems so small, but everyone agreed it made picking up food much easier.
Usage is a simple as it gets. If you have a recipe where you need to sear the meat first, then just place the pot on the stove and sear it. Once you are done searing just place it bake in the base and add the rest of your ingredients and set your slow cook temp and time. Need to finish off a recipe in the oven? No problem. Again, just take out the pot and put it right in the oven. Options for heat include high, low, and warm which you select via a dial. Strangely for what is overall an expensive looking appliance, the dial squeaks when turned. It doesn’t in any way affect the operation but just seems a bit odd to have an appliance focus on style but then make such a sound. Beyond that oddity the cooker performed with even less fuss than a regular slow cooker. Because of the design of the lid pressure escapes from a small well placed hole on the lid instead of boiling over the rim in the middle of the night. No more waking up in the middle of the night to hissing sounds only to realize your slow cooker is covered in a layer of food that is nearly impossible to clean off. What’s even better is between the rubber seal and small vent hole you get improved cleanup, less messes, and best of all more juicy food. On a normal slow cooker throughout the night some of the juices cook off and are lost on the sides of the cooker, or worse yet, the counter. There was always the option to add water to keep meat from drying out but that dilutes the flavor. Soups sometimes would come out overly thick. With the Calphalon Digital Slow Cooker’s design very little natural juices are lost. You can safely leave it cooking over night without waking up to a mess. In fact, you wake up to a meal moist and ready to eat. It’s a small difference in the design but it really makes a difference in the outcome. The overall shape of the pot internally might seem a little odd compared to old designs in that is it large at the top and narrows to the bottom. At first this seems only for looks but after several uses everyone agreed it really helps with getting the last bit of food out. When using a ladle, you can get nearly everything out instead of scraping around the side trying to get the last bit hiding at the bottom corner. The design change seems so small, but everyone agreed it made picking up food much easier.
Conclusion
Of course, you can get much cheaper slow cookers. The question is if you value a traditional design that solves some of the little annoyances slow cookers have had for years without complicating things? Do you want an appliance that looks more sophisticated? If so the Calphalon 5.3qt Digital Slow Cooker might be for you.
Of course, you can get much cheaper slow cookers. The question is if you value a traditional design that solves some of the little annoyances slow cookers have had for years without complicating things? Do you want an appliance that looks more sophisticated? If so the Calphalon 5.3qt Digital Slow Cooker might be for you.
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Feel confident in your smile with this Philips Sonicare DiamondClean electric toothbrush. The precision brush head and five brushing modes promote gum health and get rid of plaque and stubborn stains. This Philips Sonicare DiamondClean electric toothbrush features smart timers to help you brush for the optimal length of time.
Customer Rating
4
Standard Sonicare with added style
on November 22, 2018
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Attractive design with metal accents
5 different brushing modes
Brightly lit display makes it easy to see mode setting
Stylish charging base and cup
Attractive design with metal accents
5 different brushing modes
Brightly lit display makes it easy to see mode setting
Stylish charging base and cup
Cons
Doesn’t include BrushSync feature like lower end models
Doesn’t include pressure sensor feature like lower end models
Single button for modes and on/off makes it hard to choose mode
Half the metal accents are in places that are never seen
Matching black brush heads aren’t available in most stores
Doesn’t include BrushSync feature like lower end models
Doesn’t include pressure sensor feature like lower end models
Single button for modes and on/off makes it hard to choose mode
Half the metal accents are in places that are never seen
Matching black brush heads aren’t available in most stores
Back when Sonicare was first introduced it was very different than everything that was available and now it has become essentially a household name. Most people have heard of Sonicare even if they don’t use one. Every year toothbrush companies release new products in an effort to find that new innovative product. So the question is, does the Sonicare DiamonClean HX9351/57 do anything new and innovative in brushing? Well to start, they’ve made the models numbers more complicated. Previous generations used simple model numbers like 4100, 5100, and 6100 where each higher number had all the features of the lower but added a few extra. First off, the HX9351/57 doesn’t include all the features of what should be considered lowered end toothbrushes.
Design
It’s hard to make toothbrushes look nice but the DiamondClean is probably one of the most elegant ones you can find right now. It has a metal accent ring just below the brush and a metal base. When charging, you place it either in decorative plastic base that looks like glass or an actual glass. Either option in your bathroom makes the statement that even your toothbrush should look nice while sitting out. The charging base departs from previous designs that had a hole in the bottom of the brush that sat in a charging pin on the base. Instead the base of the toothbrush is slightly concave, hiding one metal accent, and the charging base where the brush sits is flat. The toothbrush only has a single button that serves two purposes.
Operation
It’s hard to make toothbrushes look nice but the DiamondClean is probably one of the most elegant ones you can find right now. It has a metal accent ring just below the brush and a metal base. When charging, you place it either in decorative plastic base that looks like glass or an actual glass. Either option in your bathroom makes the statement that even your toothbrush should look nice while sitting out. The charging base departs from previous designs that had a hole in the bottom of the brush that sat in a charging pin on the base. Instead the base of the toothbrush is slightly concave, hiding one metal accent, and the charging base where the brush sits is flat. The toothbrush only has a single button that serves two purposes.
Operation
This single button is where things become strange. It servers to turn the toothbrush on and off, no surprise there, and also allows you to change modes after turning on. This lends to a cleaner look but trades off functionality. The problem lies in the fact that in order to choose modes your toothbrush needs to be on. You have a choice to make at this point. You can cycle through the modes to find the one you wish while the brushing timer is running, and this shouldn’t be done with toothpaste on unless you want a mess. The other option is change modes with the toothbrush in your mouth within a few seconds of starting which is hard to see while in your mouth. This might seem like a minor hassle but if each quadrant of the pacer is 30 seconds and it takes you several seconds to go through the choices then seconds aren’t spend brushing during the time period it is intended. Again, it is a trivial flaw in that you can just brush for longer, but the point is why such a high-end toothbrush should have this quirk in the first place.
Another strange quirk is that you have 5 brushing modes and nowhere does it say in the manual or in any instructional videos what, if anything, should be changed about how your brush with the different modes. An example is the gum care mode has two cycles to it. Is the second cycle a gum massage mode or are you just brushing your teeth more? Nowhere does it seem to say. There are also inconsistencies in the instructions. In the instructional videos by Sonicare it says you should only move the brush slowly across your teeth and let the brush do the work. In the manual it says you should move the brush in a slight back and forth motion. Both instructions are referring to the same DiamondClean toothbrush.
Maybe it’s Phillips experimenting with what features the public wants most but two features are missing from the DiamondClean that models considered lower end have. Recently, Sonicare brushes starting offering a Brushsync feature to higher end models where the toothbrush could automatically and intelligently choose the brushing mode based on the inserted compatible toothbrush head. This DiamondClean toothbrush, while more expensive, doesn’t include this feature. Who knows, maybe Phillips felt customers didn’t like the feature and newer models are getting rid of it. But overall, it’s strange to see a higher end model missing features from cheaper product lines. Another, arguable more important, missing feature is a brushing pressure sensor. Several lower end models offer a pressure sensor that vibrates differently or lights up to let you know when you are brushing too hard. Strangely, this much higher end DiamondClean unit doesn’t offer such a critical feature. It’s hard to imagine Phillips discontinuing such a useful feature so omitting it from a high-end toothbrush seems odd.
Performance
Regardless of if you will use every mode this unit has available, it’s still a Sonicare. Sonicare toothbrushes have stood up to the test of time as a good toothbrush for thoroughly cleaning your teeth. Without independent tests it’s hard to say if the 5 different cleaning modes actually make a real difference in how well you clean your teeth over a basic Sonicare. The real question isn’t if it cleans your teeth good, which it does, but if you ok spending extra money for the extra brushing modes to see if they make a difference.
Regardless of if you will use every mode this unit has available, it’s still a Sonicare. Sonicare toothbrushes have stood up to the test of time as a good toothbrush for thoroughly cleaning your teeth. Without independent tests it’s hard to say if the 5 different cleaning modes actually make a real difference in how well you clean your teeth over a basic Sonicare. The real question isn’t if it cleans your teeth good, which it does, but if you ok spending extra money for the extra brushing modes to see if they make a difference.
Final thoughts
If your primary concern is just function or you really need the pressure sensor then a different model of Sonicare would suit you better. It seems the focus of the DiamondClean HX9351/57 is more about making a more aesthetically pleasing toothbrush and less to do with adding useful features. It would be a stretch to call it a work of art, but it looks more elegant sitting on your bathroom counter than a plain Sonicare. If features and aesthetics are equally important, and price less important, look towards the Smart edition of this toothbrush as it has the same aesthetics with all the features. If aesthetics are important to you and the missing core features aren’t important for you then the Sonicare DiamondClean HX9351/57 could suit you well.
If your primary concern is just function or you really need the pressure sensor then a different model of Sonicare would suit you better. It seems the focus of the DiamondClean HX9351/57 is more about making a more aesthetically pleasing toothbrush and less to do with adding useful features. It would be a stretch to call it a work of art, but it looks more elegant sitting on your bathroom counter than a plain Sonicare. If features and aesthetics are equally important, and price less important, look towards the Smart edition of this toothbrush as it has the same aesthetics with all the features. If aesthetics are important to you and the missing core features aren’t important for you then the Sonicare DiamondClean HX9351/57 could suit you well.
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Enjoy the rich, full-flavored coffee you love or delicious coffeehouse beverages from the Keurig K-Cafe Special Edition single serve coffee, latte, and cappuccino maker. Featuring metal details and a premium nickel colored finish, the K-Cafe Special Edition brewer is a stunning addition to your kitchen. Whether brewing coffee, or making lattes, and cappuccinos, the K-Cafe Special Edition brewer works with any K-Cup pod so the options are endless. Use the coffee SHOT to brew a concentrated shot of coffee and froth your choice of fresh milk to create a creamy latte or frothy cappuccino. Enjoy your latte or cappuccino hot or use the COLD setting to froth cold milk for a wonderfully refreshing iced latte or cappuccino. Brew 6, 8, 10, or 12oz of your favorite coffee, tea, or cocoa, select Strong Brew when you want a bolder cup of coffee. The dishwasher safe frother makes clean up a breeze – enjoying delicious specialty beverages at home has never been so easy. Just brew, froth, enjoy!
Customer Rating
4
Add variety without complexity
on November 20, 2018
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Adds functionality to make lattes and cappuccinos
Milk frother is dishwasher safe
Milk frother uses magnetic whisk so no holes needed in cup
Milk frother takes the complication out of the process
Shorter design allows for more placement options
Satin silver finish stays cleaner than original gloss black
Buttons to select modes is easier to use
Adds functionality to make lattes and cappuccinos
Milk frother is dishwasher safe
Milk frother uses magnetic whisk so no holes needed in cup
Milk frother takes the complication out of the process
Shorter design allows for more placement options
Satin silver finish stays cleaner than original gloss black
Buttons to select modes is easier to use
Cons
Frother doesn’t create enough foam
Frother sometimes doesn’t create foam on first try
Foam bubbles too large
Even on strong the brewer doesn’t extract much coffee flavor
Water reservoir is small
No screen or other indicator that brew is done
Brewer trips 15amp breaker regularly with nothing else on circuit
Reservoir handle holes near max fill line leak easily
Frother doesn’t create enough foam
Frother sometimes doesn’t create foam on first try
Foam bubbles too large
Even on strong the brewer doesn’t extract much coffee flavor
Water reservoir is small
No screen or other indicator that brew is done
Brewer trips 15amp breaker regularly with nothing else on circuit
Reservoir handle holes near max fill line leak easily
Keurig has made single serve coffee easy and mess free for years and with the K -Café Special Edition they want to simplify making Lattes and Cappuccinos. The K-Café loses the ability to make carafes or large travel mugs of coffee but gains the ability to froth milk easily for ice or hot lattes and Cappuccinos. You can make 6, 8, 10, and 12-ounce coffees with a strong button if you want to extract more flavor.
Design
The K-Café Special Edition departs from the usual black and chrome design of most Keurig brewers and is instead a silver gray with a brushed nickel handle and drip tray. The frothing cup is stainless steel. In what seems a new trend for Keurig the digital display has been removed in favor of simple status lights and dedicated buttons for different operations. The overall look is elegant, simple, clean, and uncluttered. If the original brewer height made placement challenging, the K-Café might be the solution as it is noticeably shorter than previous brewers and instead is wider. Of course, if you are short on counter space this width can be a counter hog. Part of the width is due to the new frother. The water reservoir appears markedly smaller but is actually the same size as most, at 60 ounces. A welcomed feature to the water reservoir is a carrying handle. Although oddly, the handle goes through the tank near the max fill line causing occasional leaks when full. The milk frother has two fill lines, one for latte and one for cappuccino to make it simple. The frother cup has no holes through the cup but instead uses a magnetic whisker that just floats in the bottom of the cup. The cup, whisker, and lid are all dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
The K-Café Special Edition departs from the usual black and chrome design of most Keurig brewers and is instead a silver gray with a brushed nickel handle and drip tray. The frothing cup is stainless steel. In what seems a new trend for Keurig the digital display has been removed in favor of simple status lights and dedicated buttons for different operations. The overall look is elegant, simple, clean, and uncluttered. If the original brewer height made placement challenging, the K-Café might be the solution as it is noticeably shorter than previous brewers and instead is wider. Of course, if you are short on counter space this width can be a counter hog. Part of the width is due to the new frother. The water reservoir appears markedly smaller but is actually the same size as most, at 60 ounces. A welcomed feature to the water reservoir is a carrying handle. Although oddly, the handle goes through the tank near the max fill line causing occasional leaks when full. The milk frother has two fill lines, one for latte and one for cappuccino to make it simple. The frother cup has no holes through the cup but instead uses a magnetic whisker that just floats in the bottom of the cup. The cup, whisker, and lid are all dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
Performance
For the regular person who enjoys a variety of coffee from cheap to expensive the simplicity of the frother might stop your trips to the local coffee shop to get your favorite latte or cappuccino. It’s as simple as it can get to operate. Just fill the frother to the correct line with milk, almond milk, or soy milk and press the correct button. Cleanup is as easy as tossing the cup in a dishwasher or rinsing it quickly in the sink and throwing away a k-cup. The frother takes about 3 minutes and the shot takes less than a minute. With little fuss you can feel like you are at the local coffee shop sipping a much more expensive drink, except you get to stay at home and save a bunch of money. About the only downside is there isn’t a programmable on time.
For the regular person who enjoys a variety of coffee from cheap to expensive the simplicity of the frother might stop your trips to the local coffee shop to get your favorite latte or cappuccino. It’s as simple as it can get to operate. Just fill the frother to the correct line with milk, almond milk, or soy milk and press the correct button. Cleanup is as easy as tossing the cup in a dishwasher or rinsing it quickly in the sink and throwing away a k-cup. The frother takes about 3 minutes and the shot takes less than a minute. With little fuss you can feel like you are at the local coffee shop sipping a much more expensive drink, except you get to stay at home and save a bunch of money. About the only downside is there isn’t a programmable on time.
If you consider yourself a coffee snob, then this Keurig won’t impress you more than any previous model. Convenience is the goal, not perfect flavor. In fact, unlike other Keurigs in the price range there is no temperature control. The flavor extracted is smooth without any bitterness but lacks the full body of a properly adjusted SCA certified brewer. When making a shot for latte or cappuccino the result isn’t as strong as what you would expect from a good quality professional machine and doesn’t produce any crema. The frother produces a good amount of froth, but the bubbles are quite large compared to professional frothers. Depending on your preference this might be perfectly acceptable. More problematic, but rare, is occasionally the first attempt at frothing ends up with just warm milk. If you are trying to cut costs it might help to reduce visits to your favorite barista, but it won’t stop you completely as the result just isn’t as flavorful.
Final Thoughts
The Keurig K-Café makes what is usually a complicated process very simple. Regardless of whether you are looking to save money or just drink more specialty drinks, the K-Café Special Edition is a nice way to add more coffee options at home without adding more appliances.
The Keurig K-Café makes what is usually a complicated process very simple. Regardless of whether you are looking to save money or just drink more specialty drinks, the K-Café Special Edition is a nice way to add more coffee options at home without adding more appliances.
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Experience smooth performance and flexibility with this 13.3-inch HP Spectre x360 convertible laptop. Featuring a 13.3-inch Full HD touch display and HP Digital Pen, this flexible laptop lets you write, draw and navigate the interface with precise touch controls. This HP Spectre x360 convertible laptop easily handles a variety of software with the power of an Intel Core i7 processor and 8GB of RAM.
Customer Rating
5
Powerful computer in a small package
on November 15, 2018
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Light and powerful
Thin
Convertible to tablet, easel, or tent
Bright screen
Very good off angle viewing
Feels more sturdy than previous generations
Speakers are loud
Fan rarely runs and is quiet
Can last through a workday on battery for most
Fast processor and hard drive
Keyboard feels good and is responsive
Trackpad is smooth most of the time
Has both USB-A and USB-C/Thunderbolt
Includes Windows Hello using cameras and fingerprint reader
Windows Hello camera is near instant
Uses USB-C charger
Has hardware switch to disable camera
Attractive design and finish
Three levels of keyboard backlight
Fast Wi-Fi
Sturdy chassis with little flex
Includes active stylus
Includes laptop sleeve
Light and powerful
Thin
Convertible to tablet, easel, or tent
Bright screen
Very good off angle viewing
Feels more sturdy than previous generations
Speakers are loud
Fan rarely runs and is quiet
Can last through a workday on battery for most
Fast processor and hard drive
Keyboard feels good and is responsive
Trackpad is smooth most of the time
Has both USB-A and USB-C/Thunderbolt
Includes Windows Hello using cameras and fingerprint reader
Windows Hello camera is near instant
Uses USB-C charger
Has hardware switch to disable camera
Attractive design and finish
Three levels of keyboard backlight
Fast Wi-Fi
Sturdy chassis with little flex
Includes active stylus
Includes laptop sleeve
Cons
Can run through battery quicker than expected in heavy use
Mouse sometimes acts as if click lock is on when it is disabled
Finish seems as if it will wear quickly
Finish is a fingerprint magnet
Gestures randomly stop working requiring restart
Hinge moves too easily allowing screen to change angle
Top and bottom screen bezels are massive
Tablet mode is awkward with keyboard on the back
Webcam is blurry except in bright rooms close up
Speakers distort at high volume
Windows Hello Camera sometimes fails requiring restart
Myriad of HP programs are complicated and feels like bloatware
Can run through battery quicker than expected in heavy use
Mouse sometimes acts as if click lock is on when it is disabled
Finish seems as if it will wear quickly
Finish is a fingerprint magnet
Gestures randomly stop working requiring restart
Hinge moves too easily allowing screen to change angle
Top and bottom screen bezels are massive
Tablet mode is awkward with keyboard on the back
Webcam is blurry except in bright rooms close up
Speakers distort at high volume
Windows Hello Camera sometimes fails requiring restart
Myriad of HP programs are complicated and feels like bloatware
Not long ago saying you had a Windows laptop was synonymous for a poor quality, poor battery life, heavy laptop. Thankfully for fans of Windows the competition keeps getting better. The HP Spectre X360 is the latest generation of HP’s high-end convertible laptops Ultrabooks. Previous generations received good reviews but were marred by flimsy chassis and dim screen.
Design
The 2018 version of the Spectre X360 feels very sturdy with little flex. The screen takes a good amount of force to distort. The decorative grill at the base of the screen feels very sturdy and doesn’t flex like as it would in previous generations. The edge is chamfered on the top and bottom with a cooper finish that HP likens to a gem. It gives more a sense of thinness and does have an attractive look. Long term durability from drops might be a concern with the force concentrated to a smaller edge but of course dropping a laptop often ends in damage. The back corners of the base have a 45-degree angle allowing access to the power button on one side, regardless of mode, and a USB-C charging port which is also accessible regardless of mode. The finish is called dark ash which is a fancy word for dark brown. The copper and dark brown colors compliment each other well although it lends itself to showing every fingerprint. A fingerprint scanner is at the bottom right of the keyboard and a Windows Hello camera is above the screen. For those concerned with privacy there is a hardware switch on the right edge of the base to disable the webcam
The 2018 version of the Spectre X360 feels very sturdy with little flex. The screen takes a good amount of force to distort. The decorative grill at the base of the screen feels very sturdy and doesn’t flex like as it would in previous generations. The edge is chamfered on the top and bottom with a cooper finish that HP likens to a gem. It gives more a sense of thinness and does have an attractive look. Long term durability from drops might be a concern with the force concentrated to a smaller edge but of course dropping a laptop often ends in damage. The back corners of the base have a 45-degree angle allowing access to the power button on one side, regardless of mode, and a USB-C charging port which is also accessible regardless of mode. The finish is called dark ash which is a fancy word for dark brown. The copper and dark brown colors compliment each other well although it lends itself to showing every fingerprint. A fingerprint scanner is at the bottom right of the keyboard and a Windows Hello camera is above the screen. For those concerned with privacy there is a hardware switch on the right edge of the base to disable the webcam
Ports
The left side has a single USB-A port. On the right is angled USB-C/Thunderport port intended for charging, an additional USB-C/Thunderbolt port, headphone jack, and microSD slot. Angling the charging USB port is a nice touch for those who are right handed using a mouse as it helps keep down the clutter. However; with every other port on the right side it might get a big cluttered if you are using a mouse on the right side too.
The left side has a single USB-A port. On the right is angled USB-C/Thunderport port intended for charging, an additional USB-C/Thunderbolt port, headphone jack, and microSD slot. Angling the charging USB port is a nice touch for those who are right handed using a mouse as it helps keep down the clutter. However; with every other port on the right side it might get a big cluttered if you are using a mouse on the right side too.
Display
The display is a 13” full HD display which one source reports as 650nits. Without a way to measure it is hard to say but the display can get very bright. There should be no problems seeing the screen even in brightly lit rooms and possible some outdoor use. Glare is present as the screen isn’t anti-glare but overall it is manageable and allows more contrast. Off angle viewing is very good with minimal color shift for the class but glare does become much more evident. The FHD display is good for a more affordable price, battery life, and laptop use. If you have good eyes and are using it in tablet mode close up the pixels are detectable and text is less sharp but overall clarity is still acceptable. If there was any criticism of the display it would be the hinge and the huge bezels. It is very easy to open but the loose hinge can mean that the screen can change angle during use due to movements. It’s a tradeoff as you wouldn’t want to make it hard to open but you may find yourself periodically readjusting it. As for the bezels, it’s hard to say HP’s motivation on this but the bottom bezel is a massive 1” and the top is a solid 3/4”. It’s not a deal breaker but just feels excessive in 2018.
The display is a 13” full HD display which one source reports as 650nits. Without a way to measure it is hard to say but the display can get very bright. There should be no problems seeing the screen even in brightly lit rooms and possible some outdoor use. Glare is present as the screen isn’t anti-glare but overall it is manageable and allows more contrast. Off angle viewing is very good with minimal color shift for the class but glare does become much more evident. The FHD display is good for a more affordable price, battery life, and laptop use. If you have good eyes and are using it in tablet mode close up the pixels are detectable and text is less sharp but overall clarity is still acceptable. If there was any criticism of the display it would be the hinge and the huge bezels. It is very easy to open but the loose hinge can mean that the screen can change angle during use due to movements. It’s a tradeoff as you wouldn’t want to make it hard to open but you may find yourself periodically readjusting it. As for the bezels, it’s hard to say HP’s motivation on this but the bottom bezel is a massive 1” and the top is a solid 3/4”. It’s not a deal breaker but just feels excessive in 2018.
Performance
This laptop is surprisingly fast between the Core i7 and the, assumed, NVME SSD. CrystalDiskMark clocked in read speeds over 3000MBps and write speeds nearing 1600MBps. At no point did the laptop ever feel sluggish. In fact, it is very surprising how quickly it responds to most requests. Even during heavy usage, the fan rarely kicks on and is nearly silent. Heat is manageable, and the fan settings can be adjusted further if needed in the HP Command Center. Opening Word seems nearly instantaneous and using the integrated Windows Hello Webcam logs in so fast it might make you question if your computer was locked. The integrated fingerprint scanner is slower but that seems more to do with the sensor than the speed of the system.
This laptop is surprisingly fast between the Core i7 and the, assumed, NVME SSD. CrystalDiskMark clocked in read speeds over 3000MBps and write speeds nearing 1600MBps. At no point did the laptop ever feel sluggish. In fact, it is very surprising how quickly it responds to most requests. Even during heavy usage, the fan rarely kicks on and is nearly silent. Heat is manageable, and the fan settings can be adjusted further if needed in the HP Command Center. Opening Word seems nearly instantaneous and using the integrated Windows Hello Webcam logs in so fast it might make you question if your computer was locked. The integrated fingerprint scanner is slower but that seems more to do with the sensor than the speed of the system.
Battery life
In the default settings in HP Command Center the system tries to dynamically figure out what performance works best for your needs. On this setting, it leans heavily towards performance, leading to about 7-8 hours of usage. If you change the settings to more battery efficient the system still feels very snappy during standard office use with the processor throttled down and fan usage is avoided at all costs. In this setting, the battery lasted much longer. On this mode it consumed approximately 1% every 10 minutes which could potentially mean battery life in the 15-16 hour range. Battery tests are highly subjective overall but unless you are a heavy power user this system should last you through a workday without a problem. Even if you do need a charge, the USB-C based charge means you can use a phone charger to top off. This is probably part of the reason the included carrying sleeve has no place for a charger.
In the default settings in HP Command Center the system tries to dynamically figure out what performance works best for your needs. On this setting, it leans heavily towards performance, leading to about 7-8 hours of usage. If you change the settings to more battery efficient the system still feels very snappy during standard office use with the processor throttled down and fan usage is avoided at all costs. In this setting, the battery lasted much longer. On this mode it consumed approximately 1% every 10 minutes which could potentially mean battery life in the 15-16 hour range. Battery tests are highly subjective overall but unless you are a heavy power user this system should last you through a workday without a problem. Even if you do need a charge, the USB-C based charge means you can use a phone charger to top off. This is probably part of the reason the included carrying sleeve has no place for a charger.
Keyboard and Trackpad
For the size of the laptop, the keyboard is quite spacious and doesn’t feel like a sacrifice. Key travel is very good and ends with a soft, distinct thump at the bottom. No hint of lag could be detected as even fast typing faithfully caught each keystroke. The movement feels more like a scissor key than a chicklet style. The keyboard is backlit with options for off, low, and high brightness. Key contrast is good with the white letters on the dark background and the backlight distinctly shines through the letters to light them up instead of just around the keys like some. The trackpad is a little less refined. It is very large as most newer laptops favor this design and is usually good. The movement is less natural than some other high end Windows laptops and periodically decides to act as if click lock is turned on causing you to drag items across the screen unintentionally. It seems HP has the sensitivity too high where it detects your finger above the trackpad when not actually on it. Hopefully HP will refine the sensitivity soon as the use is otherwise very good. This seems more of a need for a drive update as the system also stopped responding to gestures requiring a restart to fix. Thankfully restarts only take a few seconds so it is only a minor hassle.
For the size of the laptop, the keyboard is quite spacious and doesn’t feel like a sacrifice. Key travel is very good and ends with a soft, distinct thump at the bottom. No hint of lag could be detected as even fast typing faithfully caught each keystroke. The movement feels more like a scissor key than a chicklet style. The keyboard is backlit with options for off, low, and high brightness. Key contrast is good with the white letters on the dark background and the backlight distinctly shines through the letters to light them up instead of just around the keys like some. The trackpad is a little less refined. It is very large as most newer laptops favor this design and is usually good. The movement is less natural than some other high end Windows laptops and periodically decides to act as if click lock is turned on causing you to drag items across the screen unintentionally. It seems HP has the sensitivity too high where it detects your finger above the trackpad when not actually on it. Hopefully HP will refine the sensitivity soon as the use is otherwise very good. This seems more of a need for a drive update as the system also stopped responding to gestures requiring a restart to fix. Thankfully restarts only take a few seconds so it is only a minor hassle.
Webcam
The webcam is thankfully at the top of the screen so no Skype sessions filming your nose. It works extremely fast for logging in with Windows Hello but, unsurprisingly isn’t intended for taking photos. Skype video is a bit dark and blurry unless you are in a very bright room close to the screen. It’s perfectly acceptable for its intended use. On one occasion Windows Hello stopped working until a quick restart so it seems some more driver refinement is still needed.
The webcam is thankfully at the top of the screen so no Skype sessions filming your nose. It works extremely fast for logging in with Windows Hello but, unsurprisingly isn’t intended for taking photos. Skype video is a bit dark and blurry unless you are in a very bright room close to the screen. It’s perfectly acceptable for its intended use. On one occasion Windows Hello stopped working until a quick restart so it seems some more driver refinement is still needed.
Speakers
The speakers are surprisingly loud. You can easily play music or dialog and hear it across the room. In fact, music at full volume close is uncomfortably loud. The speaker range is lacking in bass as are most thin devices in the category. At full volume the speakers begin to distort with highs becoming uncomfortable harsh. Fortunately, in most cases turning it up to max volume is unnecessary. At lower volumes the range is very respectable for such a device.
The speakers are surprisingly loud. You can easily play music or dialog and hear it across the room. In fact, music at full volume close is uncomfortably loud. The speaker range is lacking in bass as are most thin devices in the category. At full volume the speakers begin to distort with highs becoming uncomfortable harsh. Fortunately, in most cases turning it up to max volume is unnecessary. At lower volumes the range is very respectable for such a device.
Software
HP has never known for being lean on the software front adding lots of bloat to their system. In this case the only third part application, outside the ones that come on every Windows 10 system, is McAfee trial. The rest of the included software are HP utilities. The number of utilities seems excessive and complicated but, in most cases, you will rarely need to access them. That said, some refinement and simplification of the myriad of included HP utilities could really improve the overall experience.
HP has never known for being lean on the software front adding lots of bloat to their system. In this case the only third part application, outside the ones that come on every Windows 10 system, is McAfee trial. The rest of the included software are HP utilities. The number of utilities seems excessive and complicated but, in most cases, you will rarely need to access them. That said, some refinement and simplification of the myriad of included HP utilities could really improve the overall experience.
Final thoughts
Although tablet usage is a bit awkward with a keyboard on the back, thickness for a tablet, and large bezels the overall package still feels very high quality. There are certainly design compromises, but it seems HP understands most people use it as a laptop first and the least number of compromises are in that mode. Disregarding the convertible capabilities this is one compelling laptop. The extra modes are just a bonus. Some 13” laptops feel small in use, but HP has done a nice job making a small laptop feel large in use. If you are in the market for a Windows Ultrabook, the Spectre X360 2018 edition should be on your short list.
Although tablet usage is a bit awkward with a keyboard on the back, thickness for a tablet, and large bezels the overall package still feels very high quality. There are certainly design compromises, but it seems HP understands most people use it as a laptop first and the least number of compromises are in that mode. Disregarding the convertible capabilities this is one compelling laptop. The extra modes are just a bonus. Some 13” laptops feel small in use, but HP has done a nice job making a small laptop feel large in use. If you are in the market for a Windows Ultrabook, the Spectre X360 2018 edition should be on your short list.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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CraigB's Review Comments
Watch your favorite movies, TV shows and sporting events in crisp 1080p resolution with this Samsung UN65FH6001FXZA HDTV, which features Clear Motion Rate 240 to preserve picture detail during fast-action sequences.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5This is an awesome TV for the cost
By Korom
from Raleigh, NC
First, this is a fantastic monitor. If you have a receiver for your HDMI switching and watch TV with the sound through that receiver then this is the PERFECT TV for you. I use it with my Denon e300 receiver, all my HDMI inputs go into the receiver with one HDMI cable going to the TV. Minimal fuss and muss. The picture quality is truly incredible for a LCD TV, the blacks are very very good, almost as good as my Panasonic Plasma but its understandable that its not that good as LCD cannot show true black like a plasma can. I checked 3 bars for the sound quality but honestly I never used the internal speakers. I gave this 5 stars and would have given it 6 stars if I could have (on a 5 star scale) because the picture quality is just that good.
Bottom line: Fantastic TV for the price.
CraigB
Texas
An LED TV is a type of LCD TV
November 29, 2013
Folks. For those of you telling this reviewer that he is talking about the wrong TV because he calls it an LCD, it is an LCD. LED TV's are still LCD TV's. The difference is the backlight behind the LCD is LED's instead of CCFL(fluorescent). Both still have and LCD screen that you actually look at up front.
+2points
2of 2voted this comment as helpful.
Microsoft Band 2 (Large): Keep track of your health and fitness goals throughout the day by monitoring your heart rate, steps taken, calories burned, sleep quality, hours slept and other helpful metrics. Just pair with your Windows Phone, Apple® iOS or Android device via Bluetooth to receive alerts at a glance.Discover how the technology of Microsoft Band 2 can assist you in a healthy, productive lifestyle. Learn more ›
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Best fitness tracker for the money
By CraigB
from Texas
When choosing high end fitness bands, my choices went back and forth between the Microsoft Band 2 and the Fitbit Surge. Fitbit has been in the business for fitness wearables for longer but I chose the Band 2 for what I felt was better value for my money. I purchased during a $50 off sale making it even more attractive and $50 less than the Surge. My main phone for this review is a Lumia 1520 with Windows 10 Mobile. I assume others will write reviews of the phone for other platforms and that is where this review starts. This fitness wearable is by far the most compatible. It supports iOS, Android, and Windows Phone/Mobile. Fitbit does as well but support for Windows Mobile is more limited. Comparing it to the Surge, it has more customizability, color screen, and a partially metal build. It feels more premium than the Surge. The metal does have 2 downsides. The first is that the finish used shows scratches extremely easily. See included picture. The second is that sweat and soap cause a foul smell very quickly requiring regular cleaning.
The Band 2 can be worn in two positions. The first is with the screen facing outwards like a watch. I tried this but it felt uncomfortable and viewing the screen was awkward particularly considering the screen doesn’t have a vertical view. This leads me to my preferred position which is with the screen facing inwards. It is much more natural to view and operate. It also feels more comfortable and is in fact the recommended way to wear the device. If there was any concern it is that wearing it inward the screen is always contacting surfaces when you lay your arms down. It uses gorilla glass but it still concerns me that I might scratch the screen. Every fitness wearable wasn’t completely comfortable to wear for one reason or another but this one starts to feel about like a watch after an adjustment period. Before you get the size right you might put it a place that binds you wrist or hits a nerve. I also learned it can get the heart rate just fine without tightening it down so far you hit nerves. Just like a watch it will take some fiddling to find your perfect tightness. Fortunately, the latching mechanism feels strong and has more adjustments than a tradition watch as well giving you more flexibility. Just make sure you use the sizing guide on the size of the box to choose the correct size. It shows wrists sizes with the wrist sideways.
Now the big question is how it works for tracking vitals. I haven’t worked with VO2 Max so I can’t comment on that but after getting the fit correct, the heart rate seems pretty close. Checking manual it was usually within about 10BPM or less from actual. Tracking steps seems a little different. It is difficult to verify but it seems to be a little high on the number of steps sometimes compared to my old hip worn pedometer. It just seems like I can reach 5,000 steps fairly easily. I am not a runner so I have not tested the GPS but I have read that some units have come from the factory with a bad GPS. What’s really nice is with all the vitals it gathers, more than just heart rate, it should be a fairly accurate color estimate. It has guided workouts you can add but I used the generic color tracking and added my own workout types to track. You can add things like HIT and weight training for your own purposes but it uses all the sensors to estimate the color burn instead of estimating based on the workout type. I feel this is more accurate but cannot verify. When you start workout mode, by default the screen stays on showing your workout time and heart rate. I suspect it is not as accurate as a chest band but it seems pretty good. After your workout is done you can see the entire workout on your phone or the website with your heart rate the entire time and your max marked. If there was any gripe it would be that you can’t have it vibrate when you hit your target or max heart rate. That would have been a great feature but, who knows. Maybe they will add it in the future. You can even use the website to compare your vitals to others in your height, weight, and age category. It’s all anonymous and very informative.
When not working out it still tracks your heart rate all the time but the other useful time to check is when you are sleeping. It can detect your sleep but if it gets it wrong you can only delete the time, not edit. You are better off starting your sleep tracking yourself. While sleeping, it will monitor you and in when you wake up you can see what your resting heart rate was overnight to get an even better picture of your health. It also has a smart alarm you can activate. If you want to wake up at a set time, just set the alarm and it will vibrate to wake you up. What I really like is if you activate the smart alarm and set it for 7:30am it will wake you up somewhere between 7:00am and 8:00am when you are most awake. That means you don’t wake up to an alarm feeling like you haven’t rested. You can even set the strength of the vibration.
Since this is a little bit of a smart watch you can add some apps. Since the phone doesn’t have any memory though, expect to only have them work when around your phone. It can control music on your phone and even use voice recognition with Cortana. I am running a prerelease build of the phone software so on occasion the connection dropped but it wasn’t hard to get back. I have found the notifications actually quite nice. I can leave the phone in one place in the house and still get notifications and respond to basic texts. I can also connect my phone to the stereo and change tracks and turn the volume up or down. It’s a standard feature for a smart watch but this is a fitness wearable and much cheaper than a smart watch. There are even some extra apps you can add and some third part utilizes to customize it further but if you want a smart watch more you might want to go that route. If you want a smart fitness tracker, this thing is hard to beat.
Pros
Solid (premium) build quality. It often gets looks and people asking what it is
Tracks more vitals than any other fitness wearable
Comfortable after figuring out your preferred fitment
Bright, sharp screen with auto brightness
Smart Alarm
Customizable workouts
Workout coaches
Customizable with smart watch type features
Solid latching mechanism
Good battery life for its functionality (2 days with no GPS and auto on screen)
Fast charge time (30 minutes to 80%)
Gorilla glass screen
Works on iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, and Web. The web is the most feature rich
Integrates with Health Vault
Constant heart rate
Portal to compare health
Rich sleep stats including restful sleep, times awake, resting heartrate, and recovery
Solid (premium) build quality. It often gets looks and people asking what it is
Tracks more vitals than any other fitness wearable
Comfortable after figuring out your preferred fitment
Bright, sharp screen with auto brightness
Smart Alarm
Customizable workouts
Workout coaches
Customizable with smart watch type features
Solid latching mechanism
Good battery life for its functionality (2 days with no GPS and auto on screen)
Fast charge time (30 minutes to 80%)
Gorilla glass screen
Works on iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, and Web. The web is the most feature rich
Integrates with Health Vault
Constant heart rate
Portal to compare health
Rich sleep stats including restful sleep, times awake, resting heartrate, and recovery
Cons
Cannot change band because electronics are built in
Metal area is a trap for sweat and soap requiring regular cleaning to prevent odor
Cannot change screen orientation
Awkward wearing screen outward
Metal finish is easy to scratch
No build in memory to bring music and store GPS while leaving phone behind for a time
Water resistant instead of waterproof
Possible to scratch screen with it facing downward
Sync is a bit slow
Cannot change band because electronics are built in
Metal area is a trap for sweat and soap requiring regular cleaning to prevent odor
Cannot change screen orientation
Awkward wearing screen outward
Metal finish is easy to scratch
No build in memory to bring music and store GPS while leaving phone behind for a time
Water resistant instead of waterproof
Possible to scratch screen with it facing downward
Sync is a bit slow
CraigB
Texas
Additional Findings
January 9, 2016
I just wanted to add an extra observations to my original review.
For those of you who want to view the display outside in sunlight, it doesn't seem to get that bright. For me that is not a big deal because outside exercises are typically the type where I don't use real time tracking but if you are the type who needs to read the display in direct sunlight, you might find it difficult. I will be checking further and report back if I find anything because indoors it is so bright that I wonder if I have done something wrong in the setup. Even with this finding I still feel it is the best for the money.
Also, if you happen to swap between phones or get a new phone you will have to factor reset the band. I periodically switch phones and discovered this. The system is designed to easily replace your band while using the same phone but if you move the band to any phone, even one that was restored from a backup of your original you will have to factory reset the band and set it back up. Not a huge deal because little is actually stored on the phone.
One other huge bonus for Windows Phone/Mobile users. If for some reason you either forget or choose not to wear your band and have a Lumia that is capable you can use it to augment your Band. Sometimes for different reasons I don't want to wear my band and only need to track steps. If I just keep my Lumia 950 in my pocket, it will track my steps and add them to what the band couldn't track. That particular feature is one I really love. The only caveat to that is while it updates the steps on the app and portal, the extra steps from your phone don't get transferred back to your band. This means if you took 2,000 steps with your band and phone and an additional 5,000 with only your Lumia the app will report 7,000 steps total which is correct but your band will continue to report 2,000 steps. Minor quibble though for a great additional feature for Windows Phone fans.
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ecobee ecobee3 Programmable Touch-Screen Wi-Fi Thermostat: Maintain a comfortable home with this programmable thermostat, which is Apple® HomeKit-enabled, so you can control the temperature remotely using your compatible device. Home IQ helps you conserve energy.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5cant set custom temps..sensors are glitchy
By annaj
i was trying to get this thermostat to set 4 or 5 different temps automaticly per day. an ecobee tech couldnt help me get this done on my web portal account . the sensors dont read the occupancy after being in the room for hours like being in a bedroom all night when u wake up the sensor will read unoccupied or sitting in the living room all day the same thing will happen after a few hours. a regular programable thermostat would have been a better choice.
CraigB
Texas
Did you try IFTTT
February 7, 2016
I was just wondering if you have looked into IFTTT to set those custom automatic temps. I haven't tried your exact scenario but the Ecobee3 can be connected to an IFTTT account to extend it's functionality.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Your household wants to play, stream and work online all at once. With this Linksys router, you can do it all without buffering or other interruptions. Use the Smart Wi-Fi app to get started, control, and monitor your home network from anywhere.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Solid router with good range and speed
By CraigB
from Texas
I am posting this review after about a week of use. If I find anything more significant after posting I will add it as a reply to my original post. Be sure to check there for additions.
I needed to upgrade my WiFi because the internet service in my area was about to be upgraded to exceed the capacity of my current wireless N solution. This router seems as if it was marketed towards moderate power users as well as people with less technical skills who need an upgrade. Packaging is minimal the same as most routers today. It comes with a CD for documentation but it is not used for setup. This is a good thing because as an AC router most people upgrading to this would have newer devices, few of which have an optical drive.
I needed to upgrade my WiFi because the internet service in my area was about to be upgraded to exceed the capacity of my current wireless N solution. This router seems as if it was marketed towards moderate power users as well as people with less technical skills who need an upgrade. Packaging is minimal the same as most routers today. It comes with a CD for documentation but it is not used for setup. This is a good thing because as an AC router most people upgrading to this would have newer devices, few of which have an optical drive.
For the non-technical
This is not very hard to set up. You plug power into the only spot it fits. There are three antennas that screw into very noticeable spots on the back. And the internet plug is clearly labeled. The instructions tell you what to do in a few steps to get the device to take care of the rest. It also has the wireless already set up if you are afraid to do it and even comes with a sticker with the information so you will know what the password is to get on the WiFi. It already has a guest WiFi too but there is a separate login so someone can’t just borrow your internet without you giving them the password. If you feel more comfortable there are apps for iPhones and Android phones to control the device. Speed and range are very good but if you can it is always recommended to install it as close to the center of your house and avoid metal. The router can pretty much take care of itself after that and it shouldn’t require any further work.
This is not very hard to set up. You plug power into the only spot it fits. There are three antennas that screw into very noticeable spots on the back. And the internet plug is clearly labeled. The instructions tell you what to do in a few steps to get the device to take care of the rest. It also has the wireless already set up if you are afraid to do it and even comes with a sticker with the information so you will know what the password is to get on the WiFi. It already has a guest WiFi too but there is a separate login so someone can’t just borrow your internet without you giving them the password. If you feel more comfortable there are apps for iPhones and Android phones to control the device. Speed and range are very good but if you can it is always recommended to install it as close to the center of your house and avoid metal. The router can pretty much take care of itself after that and it shouldn’t require any further work.
For the technical people
If you are looking for a device with tons of granular settings, this might not be the device. Of course the power users I am referring to would probably be better suited sticking with the WRT series. I doubt this device will ever see an aftermarket firmware. It attempts to have a clean interface but that means it will feel slower than a power user router for some settings changes as transitions and animations run their course. Setting changes that require a reboot happen nearly as fast as the fastest routers out there. Although the stock firmware attempts to look fancy and simple it still has a decent amount of settings for all but the most extreme power users. The antennas use a standard connection so if you wanted to upgrade to larger ones later that is possible. Hardwired speed has been very good. I’m just a casual gamer but this hasn’t slowed me down at all and I cannot tell the different hardwired from my old gaming router. Wireless speed is actually very good as well although I was never able to achieve the 1300Mbps link speed advertised even right next to the unit. I maxed out at 900Mbps and it is possible that is related to my AC devices. My old router would drop down to the 39Mpbs on the opposite side of my house whereas this one can maintain at least 177Mpbs and often more.
If you are looking for a device with tons of granular settings, this might not be the device. Of course the power users I am referring to would probably be better suited sticking with the WRT series. I doubt this device will ever see an aftermarket firmware. It attempts to have a clean interface but that means it will feel slower than a power user router for some settings changes as transitions and animations run their course. Setting changes that require a reboot happen nearly as fast as the fastest routers out there. Although the stock firmware attempts to look fancy and simple it still has a decent amount of settings for all but the most extreme power users. The antennas use a standard connection so if you wanted to upgrade to larger ones later that is possible. Hardwired speed has been very good. I’m just a casual gamer but this hasn’t slowed me down at all and I cannot tell the different hardwired from my old gaming router. Wireless speed is actually very good as well although I was never able to achieve the 1300Mbps link speed advertised even right next to the unit. I maxed out at 900Mbps and it is possible that is related to my AC devices. My old router would drop down to the 39Mpbs on the opposite side of my house whereas this one can maintain at least 177Mpbs and often more.
So far during my ownership the stability of this device has reminded me of the old Linksys routers how even the cheap ones never locked up. I’m hoping it stays this way. If you want to change settings, you can do so the standard way most technical people do via the IP address or it has a built in URL. Thankfully it doesn’t require some odd application for initial setup. Unlike standard routers, this one is cloud connected when you choose so meaning remote access is passed via the cloud. It does support some dynamic DNS options but they seem more to push you towards connection via their cloud. Fortunately, this is optional except if you want to take advantage of the built in USB ports and access files remotely. I don’t have a spare drive to test right now so unfortunately I could not test the NAS performance. It does have a very basic QoS which allows you to set up to 3 services or devices as high priority but that’s pretty much it. It has some newer options but then oddly has more old services, such as Real Player and Rhapsody.
Pros
Large, replaceable antennas
Great Range
Reliable
Gigabit Ports
Fast Processor
Status lights can be turned off
Decent amount of features for all but the heavy power users
Doesn’t require a special application for setup or CD
Has USB ports for attaching a hard drive
Offers automatic firmware upgrades to keep security up. Good for keeping non power users safe (Can be turned off)
Documentation is thorough if you need help. You just click help on the top bar
Major changes that require a restart are almost unnoticeable to users as it restarts fast
Has WiFi secured by default and requires a password to be configured during setup. This is good if you are buying one for family and just want it secure without needing to help them. It even has a handy sticker with device specific WiFi passwords so someone can’t just look up a default WiFi password for the unit and borrow internet.
Large, replaceable antennas
Great Range
Reliable
Gigabit Ports
Fast Processor
Status lights can be turned off
Decent amount of features for all but the heavy power users
Doesn’t require a special application for setup or CD
Has USB ports for attaching a hard drive
Offers automatic firmware upgrades to keep security up. Good for keeping non power users safe (Can be turned off)
Documentation is thorough if you need help. You just click help on the top bar
Major changes that require a restart are almost unnoticeable to users as it restarts fast
Has WiFi secured by default and requires a password to be configured during setup. This is good if you are buying one for family and just want it secure without needing to help them. It even has a handy sticker with device specific WiFi passwords so someone can’t just look up a default WiFi password for the unit and borrow internet.
Cons
Interface tries too hard to be attractive slowing it down with animations
Only supports 2 Dynamic DNS providers.
QoS settings seem to cater to power users but offer little customization
QoS rule changes require moving service or devices boxes around and the interface jumps quickly between sections. This often causes you to accidentally move something you didn’t intend to.
Included “Apps” are of limited usefulness and only work on iOS and Android which leaves out anything Windows (No Windows 10 Universal Apps) and no Mac. No configuring your router with touch, like via a Surface, using a Windows App.
Interface tries too hard to be attractive slowing it down with animations
Only supports 2 Dynamic DNS providers.
QoS settings seem to cater to power users but offer little customization
QoS rule changes require moving service or devices boxes around and the interface jumps quickly between sections. This often causes you to accidentally move something you didn’t intend to.
Included “Apps” are of limited usefulness and only work on iOS and Android which leaves out anything Windows (No Windows 10 Universal Apps) and no Mac. No configuring your router with touch, like via a Surface, using a Windows App.
Final Notes
Higher end units near this price point I have owned have had large aluminum heatsinks to dissipate heat. This one has one very small heatsink. I suspect heat stress will be higher on this unit and might be why this case has such a large open cavity you can easily see straight through the vent holes. I suspect longevity will be lower but only time will tell. So the unit has not felt very warm so fingers crossed.
Higher end units near this price point I have owned have had large aluminum heatsinks to dissipate heat. This one has one very small heatsink. I suspect heat stress will be higher on this unit and might be why this case has such a large open cavity you can easily see straight through the vent holes. I suspect longevity will be lower but only time will tell. So the unit has not felt very warm so fingers crossed.
CraigB
Texas
Longer term observations
February 22, 2016
Adding to my original review I have found some new observations to add to this router. I switched to using it as an access point, which takes a little digging, and found out that once you do so you lose a lot of features that should still work but are removed. For example, as an access point you get no guest networks. You can only have 1 2.5GHz WiFi and 1 5GHz. All features such as WMM and QoS are completely gone. Remote administration is turned off. I have also experienced an odd condition where my Xbox One cannot connect using the exact same key as my old router that my Xbox was connected to. I have also experienced 1 lockup where the unit just completely stopped responding and had to be power cycled. Over all it's still a good router but it feels like it could use a little more firmware refinement.
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Microsoft Band 2 (Large): Keep track of your health and fitness goals throughout the day by monitoring your heart rate, steps taken, calories burned, sleep quality, hours slept and other helpful metrics. Just pair with your Windows Phone, Apple® iOS or Android device via Bluetooth to receive alerts at a glance.Discover how the technology of Microsoft Band 2 can assist you in a healthy, productive lifestyle. Learn more ›
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Best fitness tracker for the money
By CraigB
from Texas
When choosing high end fitness bands, my choices went back and forth between the Microsoft Band 2 and the Fitbit Surge. Fitbit has been in the business for fitness wearables for longer but I chose the Band 2 for what I felt was better value for my money. I purchased during a $50 off sale making it even more attractive and $50 less than the Surge. My main phone for this review is a Lumia 1520 with Windows 10 Mobile. I assume others will write reviews of the phone for other platforms and that is where this review starts. This fitness wearable is by far the most compatible. It supports iOS, Android, and Windows Phone/Mobile. Fitbit does as well but support for Windows Mobile is more limited. Comparing it to the Surge, it has more customizability, color screen, and a partially metal build. It feels more premium than the Surge. The metal does have 2 downsides. The first is that the finish used shows scratches extremely easily. See included picture. The second is that sweat and soap cause a foul smell very quickly requiring regular cleaning.
The Band 2 can be worn in two positions. The first is with the screen facing outwards like a watch. I tried this but it felt uncomfortable and viewing the screen was awkward particularly considering the screen doesn’t have a vertical view. This leads me to my preferred position which is with the screen facing inwards. It is much more natural to view and operate. It also feels more comfortable and is in fact the recommended way to wear the device. If there was any concern it is that wearing it inward the screen is always contacting surfaces when you lay your arms down. It uses gorilla glass but it still concerns me that I might scratch the screen. Every fitness wearable wasn’t completely comfortable to wear for one reason or another but this one starts to feel about like a watch after an adjustment period. Before you get the size right you might put it a place that binds you wrist or hits a nerve. I also learned it can get the heart rate just fine without tightening it down so far you hit nerves. Just like a watch it will take some fiddling to find your perfect tightness. Fortunately, the latching mechanism feels strong and has more adjustments than a tradition watch as well giving you more flexibility. Just make sure you use the sizing guide on the size of the box to choose the correct size. It shows wrists sizes with the wrist sideways.
Now the big question is how it works for tracking vitals. I haven’t worked with VO2 Max so I can’t comment on that but after getting the fit correct, the heart rate seems pretty close. Checking manual it was usually within about 10BPM or less from actual. Tracking steps seems a little different. It is difficult to verify but it seems to be a little high on the number of steps sometimes compared to my old hip worn pedometer. It just seems like I can reach 5,000 steps fairly easily. I am not a runner so I have not tested the GPS but I have read that some units have come from the factory with a bad GPS. What’s really nice is with all the vitals it gathers, more than just heart rate, it should be a fairly accurate color estimate. It has guided workouts you can add but I used the generic color tracking and added my own workout types to track. You can add things like HIT and weight training for your own purposes but it uses all the sensors to estimate the color burn instead of estimating based on the workout type. I feel this is more accurate but cannot verify. When you start workout mode, by default the screen stays on showing your workout time and heart rate. I suspect it is not as accurate as a chest band but it seems pretty good. After your workout is done you can see the entire workout on your phone or the website with your heart rate the entire time and your max marked. If there was any gripe it would be that you can’t have it vibrate when you hit your target or max heart rate. That would have been a great feature but, who knows. Maybe they will add it in the future. You can even use the website to compare your vitals to others in your height, weight, and age category. It’s all anonymous and very informative.
When not working out it still tracks your heart rate all the time but the other useful time to check is when you are sleeping. It can detect your sleep but if it gets it wrong you can only delete the time, not edit. You are better off starting your sleep tracking yourself. While sleeping, it will monitor you and in when you wake up you can see what your resting heart rate was overnight to get an even better picture of your health. It also has a smart alarm you can activate. If you want to wake up at a set time, just set the alarm and it will vibrate to wake you up. What I really like is if you activate the smart alarm and set it for 7:30am it will wake you up somewhere between 7:00am and 8:00am when you are most awake. That means you don’t wake up to an alarm feeling like you haven’t rested. You can even set the strength of the vibration.
Since this is a little bit of a smart watch you can add some apps. Since the phone doesn’t have any memory though, expect to only have them work when around your phone. It can control music on your phone and even use voice recognition with Cortana. I am running a prerelease build of the phone software so on occasion the connection dropped but it wasn’t hard to get back. I have found the notifications actually quite nice. I can leave the phone in one place in the house and still get notifications and respond to basic texts. I can also connect my phone to the stereo and change tracks and turn the volume up or down. It’s a standard feature for a smart watch but this is a fitness wearable and much cheaper than a smart watch. There are even some extra apps you can add and some third part utilizes to customize it further but if you want a smart watch more you might want to go that route. If you want a smart fitness tracker, this thing is hard to beat.
Pros
Solid (premium) build quality. It often gets looks and people asking what it is
Tracks more vitals than any other fitness wearable
Comfortable after figuring out your preferred fitment
Bright, sharp screen with auto brightness
Smart Alarm
Customizable workouts
Workout coaches
Customizable with smart watch type features
Solid latching mechanism
Good battery life for its functionality (2 days with no GPS and auto on screen)
Fast charge time (30 minutes to 80%)
Gorilla glass screen
Works on iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, and Web. The web is the most feature rich
Integrates with Health Vault
Constant heart rate
Portal to compare health
Rich sleep stats including restful sleep, times awake, resting heartrate, and recovery
Solid (premium) build quality. It often gets looks and people asking what it is
Tracks more vitals than any other fitness wearable
Comfortable after figuring out your preferred fitment
Bright, sharp screen with auto brightness
Smart Alarm
Customizable workouts
Workout coaches
Customizable with smart watch type features
Solid latching mechanism
Good battery life for its functionality (2 days with no GPS and auto on screen)
Fast charge time (30 minutes to 80%)
Gorilla glass screen
Works on iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, and Web. The web is the most feature rich
Integrates with Health Vault
Constant heart rate
Portal to compare health
Rich sleep stats including restful sleep, times awake, resting heartrate, and recovery
Cons
Cannot change band because electronics are built in
Metal area is a trap for sweat and soap requiring regular cleaning to prevent odor
Cannot change screen orientation
Awkward wearing screen outward
Metal finish is easy to scratch
No build in memory to bring music and store GPS while leaving phone behind for a time
Water resistant instead of waterproof
Possible to scratch screen with it facing downward
Sync is a bit slow
Cannot change band because electronics are built in
Metal area is a trap for sweat and soap requiring regular cleaning to prevent odor
Cannot change screen orientation
Awkward wearing screen outward
Metal finish is easy to scratch
No build in memory to bring music and store GPS while leaving phone behind for a time
Water resistant instead of waterproof
Possible to scratch screen with it facing downward
Sync is a bit slow
CraigB
Texas
Band split after serveral months
May 23, 2016
As others who have discovered after owning the Band 2 for a while, the band itself tends to split. Even if you are gentle the rubberized material just doesn't seem to hold up. The good news in my case is I leave reasonably close to a Microsoft Store. I brought it to them and as always they took great care of me. The assistant store manager was the one who assisted me and he said that Microsoft is aware of the problem and is already working to fix the issue. I had the same problem with the first generation Type Cover for the Surface. Back then they took care of me and ultimately Microsoft corrected the issue. It's unfortunate this kind of thing gets through but at least it doesn't seem to be a hassle to get it resolved.
0points
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Enjoy powerful performance with this compact HP Pavilion Wave computer. The Intel i3 processor provides fast data handling, while the 1TB hard drive lets you store plenty of files. This HP Pavilion Wave computer has 8GB of RAM to run the latest applications and four USB ports for connecting multiple accessories.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Still can't get the speaker/microphone to work.
By Murphdad013
from New York , ny
The HP help line is terrible and Best Buy was no help at all. In fact I spoke directly ....finally...with someone at HP who said that my Paviliion Wave needed an external microphone headset for montonaccess Cortona. WRONG!!!!
CraigB
Texas
It has a built in microphone
January 16, 2017
I own this unit and it has a built in microphone. I use it for Cortana regularly. Sounds like the support person got it wrong.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Arlo Pro takes the worrying out of life with the 100% Wire-Free indoor/outdoor home monitoring system. Arlo Pro includes rechargeable batteries, motion and sound-activated alerts, 2-way audio, a 100+ decibel siren, and 7 days of free cloud HD video recordings. Arlo covers every angle to help keep you safe and protected.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Good system with lots of potential
By CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Extremely Quick setup (A 2 camera system takes roughly 30 minutes)
Very easy set up. It comes with basic instructions but the app nicely walks you through each step
No need to run wires
Compact
Discreet cameras easily blend in with lighter color homes
Good daytime video quality for the price
Includes microphone and speaker
Flexible mounting options. Included option is easy but other fixed mounts can be used
Large rechargeable batteries
Motion trigger is supposed to get an update to determine if the motion is by a person
All devices get regular security updates. Even the cameras get updated wirelessly. Nice considering cameras are a new target for hackers.
Inanimate objects don’t seem to cause false motion triggers
Standard external hard drive can be used for local storage
Basic plan included for free
Easily expandable
Extremely Quick setup (A 2 camera system takes roughly 30 minutes)
Very easy set up. It comes with basic instructions but the app nicely walks you through each step
No need to run wires
Compact
Discreet cameras easily blend in with lighter color homes
Good daytime video quality for the price
Includes microphone and speaker
Flexible mounting options. Included option is easy but other fixed mounts can be used
Large rechargeable batteries
Motion trigger is supposed to get an update to determine if the motion is by a person
All devices get regular security updates. Even the cameras get updated wirelessly. Nice considering cameras are a new target for hackers.
Inanimate objects don’t seem to cause false motion triggers
Standard external hard drive can be used for local storage
Basic plan included for free
Easily expandable
Cons
Support for Windows is poor for the new touchscreen devices.
No Windows app for Windows 8 and 10 devices of any size.
Video quality, mainly night time, is probably not good enough for legal purposes.
Night video quality makes recognition near impossible past approximately 10 feet
Easy to steal or move regardless of mounting
Camera speaker is not very loud
Provided screws use too fine of a thread and the metal head strips out easy
All videos are public if someone can intercept your emails on the way to your inbox. (Email delivery by design is not encrypted so if someone intercepts your emails on the way they can see any of your videos with audio)
Recording time is fixed so even if motion or sound is still occurring you can miss recording
Web interface has some bugs such as freezing on zoom, Live play button disappears, and touch doesn’t work.
Sound recording doesn’t occur until a few seconds after video recording
At least one camera exhibited a noticeable “ticking clock” sound when recording audio
Connecting them hardwired defeats the weatherproofing
Instructions do not give tutorial about advanced features but rather let you discover them
No organizer for hard drive recordings
Dependent on good upload internet speeds. The more cameras you have, the faster the upload speed you need. This can be a limiting factor for some.
Long lag time to start live viewing even with very fast connection
Support for Windows is poor for the new touchscreen devices.
No Windows app for Windows 8 and 10 devices of any size.
Video quality, mainly night time, is probably not good enough for legal purposes.
Night video quality makes recognition near impossible past approximately 10 feet
Easy to steal or move regardless of mounting
Camera speaker is not very loud
Provided screws use too fine of a thread and the metal head strips out easy
All videos are public if someone can intercept your emails on the way to your inbox. (Email delivery by design is not encrypted so if someone intercepts your emails on the way they can see any of your videos with audio)
Recording time is fixed so even if motion or sound is still occurring you can miss recording
Web interface has some bugs such as freezing on zoom, Live play button disappears, and touch doesn’t work.
Sound recording doesn’t occur until a few seconds after video recording
At least one camera exhibited a noticeable “ticking clock” sound when recording audio
Connecting them hardwired defeats the weatherproofing
Instructions do not give tutorial about advanced features but rather let you discover them
No organizer for hard drive recordings
Dependent on good upload internet speeds. The more cameras you have, the faster the upload speed you need. This can be a limiting factor for some.
Long lag time to start live viewing even with very fast connection
Setup was very easy, particularly for a security camera system. The entire process is achieved by following the steps one by one as the app tells you. Install the app, set up your Arlo account, plug in the base unit to power and internet, sync the cameras, hang the cameras, and you’re done. A two camera system only took approximately 30 minutes. The kit includes metal bases, screws, and wall anchors but the screws are small and easy to strip. The metal bases work with a strong magnet included inside the camera. Although convenient, the metal bases allow someone to easily steal or move these expensive cameras so placement is important. Netgear offers screw in mounts for a more rigid and secure mounting. The entire hardware and software process has had a lot of thought put into making it easy. There are no complicated router changes needed to be made at all or complicated programming. Oddly some features, like changing the recording quality, must be done on a regular computer for which there is no app.
There is one strange feature omission from Netgear. This system has a Pro designation and yet support for regular, more modern computers, is limited. Businesses by and large use Windows computers and the most popular type of Windows computers selling today are Windows 2-in-1 convertibles with touchscreens this trend is forecasted to increase and yet this system is barely even useable by any touchscreen Windows device. This is also odd because what better way to check out a security video than on a large screen. You are forced to use a browser to view videos which the experience varies based on browser. Simple things like moving a slider don’t work because the website doesn’t work with touch. Browser administration has other bugs, such as the Live Video button disappearing. If this was an app you wouldn’t have to worry about how the end user’s choice of browser affects the experience. Not having a Universal Windows app is a missed opportunity. I have seen a large increase in clients that are buying Windows 2-in-1 systems instead of desktops or Android/iOS tablets for their primary system. A Windows Universal app they could support such systems, or any other form factor of Windows for that matter. Imagine if the app was on Xbox One in your living room and you want to check on things outside. Just say “Hey Cortana, open Arlo” and you could see your video feed or videos quickly and easily from the convenience of your couch on a big screen. That would be great. If you have smaller Windows devices, the website is unusable. It tries to get you to use an app that doesn’t exist. Oddly enough if you have a link to a shared video the same website will serve you the video in a mobile optimized format. Smaller Windows devices and Windows Mobile devices are left unsupported. Future updates and app releases could easily alleviate this but for now Windows support is poor.
The base unit comes with a Sync/Siren button, network port, and two USB ports for storage. The siren is loud and sounds like newer smoke alarms. It can be trigger locally, by the app, or via configurable rules such as motion or audio sensing. You can switch the base unit to modes for recording for motion and/or audio, no recording, or armed or disarmed based using Geofencing. You can also define your own custom modes allowing specific cameras and audio for each to be on or off. Due to battery restrictions, there is no continuous recording. Recording time from motion is a default of 5 seconds regardless of if the motion continues. Cameras include built in IR for night vision, motion sensor, microphone, and speaker and are weatherproof assuming the charging plug cover is on. One large difference with the Pro version is the inclusion of large rechargeable batteries which should last quite a long time between charging. When video is recorded, it is uploaded via your internet connection to your account meaning a good upload internet speed is important. Videos are stored in a calendar format and can be viewed, shared, or deleted from the interface.
Overall performance when factoring in the price for features was good. Shuddering and lag was minimal with surprisingly good wireless range. Remote viewing of live video is reasonably quick although it still took several seconds and is highly dependent on your internet upload speed. Audio took about 2 seconds to start every time after a motion trigger recording or manual live viewing and had a slightly audible tick-tock sound. The built-in speaker is barely audible at max volume. As with all security systems, there is a loss of some detail to do recording compression. Daytime recordings show signs of video compression but subjects are still reasonably recognizable at approximately 25 feet. Nighttime viewing brings recognition down to approximately 10-15 feet before subjects hard to recognize. Although not official, friends in law enforcement said it is not good for legal purposes as they must have a definitive, recognizable face to use the video. Motion detection was generally good but people moving fast could often elude the recording. Due to the fixed recording time, the system could also miss recording an event if it ran past the configured time.
A big concern is the video sharing feature. Arlo by default emails you anytime it records. It conveniently sends you a screenshot of what it recorded. However; the email sends a direct link to the video that can be viewed without logging in. This would be even more concerning if you had cameras in your house. By definition, is sent unsecured between providers. Although the industry is trying to improve that, you should always assume your emails have no encryption when sent to you. This means that it is possible and relatively easy for criminals to eavesdrop and see your videos with audio without ever knowing your account info. The good thing is that is easy to remedy turning off the feature that emails you when it records a video. That way the link to the video won’t be sent out on the web unsecured and your videos are still stored in the cloud without being shared openly. Hopefully, Netgear will remedy this in the future.
Overall, it is a nice system for the price point when compared to the competition. Compared to legacy DVR and NVR security camera systems this makes the whole process a lot more accessible for the average consumer. As long as you keep your expectations in line it is a nice system. All security camera systems, particularly ones costing less than $2,500 have limitations.
Overall, it is a nice system for the price point when compared to the competition. Compared to legacy DVR and NVR security camera systems this makes the whole process a lot more accessible for the average consumer. As long as you keep your expectations in line it is a nice system. All security camera systems, particularly ones costing less than $2,500 have limitations.
A standout feature, even comparing to high end systems, is this system will automatically get updates for security. Anyone who watched the news in late 2016 saw that the biggest hack was perpetrated using devices, such as camera systems, that weren’t updated. That is something still lacking in the “professional” security camera world. You also won’t have to hire someone to come pull wiring through your house or small business. Cameras can be placed wherever you can mount a base. If for some reason, such as poor signal, the place doesn’t work they are easy to move. It not be a real high definition security camera system but it also costs nowhere near as much. Just be sure you can accept the Cons before buying. The overall system is well thought out and with continued improvement of the listed cons this could be the best system for nearly any price.
CraigB
Texas
New developments after extended use
January 31, 2017
I have discovered some new elements to the system with more use.
The first is that I did find a way to adjust video quality via the app and not just the website. It turns out the way it is displayed is as one of 3 choices instead of a slider.
Next is that the cameras only work with Netgear's proprietary charger. Even though it uses USB both the manual an other say it only works with the Netgear one.
Finally I discovered that the motion detection does sometimes act strange. I purchase one additional camera and for some reason no matter the sensitivity of the motion it records a motion even every 30 seconds at night. I have observed that it seems to happen more if my neighbor has a light on but even that is not consistent.
+4points
4of 4voted this comment as helpful.
CraigB's Questions
CraigB has not submitted any questions.
Bring out your creativity to share your life stories. Adobe Sensei AI technology* and automated options do the heavy lifting so you can instantly turn photos into art, warp photos to fit any shape, and more. Add moving overlays or 3D camera motion to take your photos to a whole new level, and save them as MP4s for easy sharing on social. Grow your skills with 60 Guided Edits that step you through how to create perfect pet pics; extend, remove, or replace photo backgrounds; and more. Effortlessly organize your photos, and craft personalized creations like dynamic photo and video slideshows with all-new styles and inspirational quote graphics. Transform your favorite photos into gallery-quality wall art, beautiful prints, and unique keepsakes with the built-in prints and gifts service. †And enjoy an updated look that makes the software even easier to use and navigate. *Adobe Sensei is the technology that powers intelligent features across all Adobe products to dramatically improve the design and delivery of digital experiences, using artificial intelligence and machine learning in a common framework.†FUJIFILM Prints & Gifts service is available in the U.S. only.
Can photoshop Elements 2022 edit both video and photos? Thanks,
Photoshop Elements does photos. Premier Elements does videos.
2 years, 7 months ago
by
CraigB
Sit back, relax and let the Samsung Jet Mop automatically clean your floors. Samsung’s Jet Mop automatically cleans all type of floors, like tile, vinyl, laminate or hardwood. This robotic mop features dual spinning fiber pads that easily and quickly remove dust and dirt. Now, you can simply take it easy as the intelligent Jet Mop does the hard work for you.
Does this unit require water(specific) or cleaner(special brand)? Example: deionized, distilled, tap, boiled, spring. Example: fabuloso, pledge, mop and glow, bleach/water, brand compatible.
Unfortunately, the instructions say to use only water and nothing else.
3 years, 7 months ago
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CraigB
Monitor your property and capture 1080p footage with this eufy smart floodlight camera. The super-bright 2500-lumen motion-activated lights provide excellent illumination for nighttime recording. This eufy smart floodlight camera offers the option to livestream HD video from your smartphone, and two-way audio communication lets you interact with visitors from afar.
will it work with homekit
Not at this time but Eufy did add Homekit to their other cameras. Maybe this one will be added later.
4 years, 2 months ago
by
CraigB
eufy eufyCam 2, 2-Camera Surveillance System: See everything that happens around your home in 1080p HD with this eufy eufyCam 2 kit. Quick and easy to set up, two wireless cameras and a home base provide all that you need to get started, while smart integration ensures you can easily connect to other smart devices. This eufy eufyCam 2 kit provides 365 days of use from a single charge for continuous observation.
How are people posting reviews of these cameras, with photos and everything, when it's not available for pre order? Where are people buying them?
Probably the same way Amazon does. They let some regular people have a chance to try the product a little early and review it. They do that for movies and restaurants all the time to see if any tweaks need to be made before opening things up wide scale.
4 years, 7 months ago
by
CraigB
eufy eufyCam 2, 2-Camera Surveillance System: See everything that happens around your home in 1080p HD with this eufy eufyCam 2 kit. Quick and easy to set up, two wireless cameras and a home base provide all that you need to get started, while smart integration ensures you can easily connect to other smart devices. This eufy eufyCam 2 kit provides 365 days of use from a single charge for continuous observation.
How many cameras can connect to the home base?
I read in one place where it said 20 but the biggest question would be storage until they offer the USB expansion dongle. There is a place in the app help that talks about formatting up to 128GB flash drive so many that is already supported.
4 years, 7 months ago
by
CraigB
Why can't i sort the the home theater projectors by "Native Resolution"
One of the most important features of a home theater projector is its Native Resolution. Please allow us to filter our selection by this very important parameter. Every other retailer's site allows this. It does not give me a warm and fuzzy feeling when you hide important information about a product.
Because in the consumer space, most projector manufacturers no longer release their native resolution. Projector Central is a good site for info but if you are looking for true, native 4K resolution you are looking at likely over $10,000.
4 years, 8 months ago
by
CraigB
Work or play on the go with this Dell G5 15 notebook. The 15.6-inch FHD display delivers a clear crisp picture, while the NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti graphics card supports most modern games. This Dell G5 15 notebook has a 256GB SSD and 1TB hard drive for ample storage and quick file access, and the Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM offer quick multitasking.
On the 1660 Ti model, does it ship with a DisplayPort input?
Work or play on the go with this Dell G5 15 notebook. The 15.6-inch FHD display delivers a clear crisp picture, while the NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti graphics card supports most modern games. This Dell G5 15 notebook has a 256GB SSD and 1TB hard drive for ample storage and quick file access, and the Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM offer quick multitasking.
Hi, I bought this laptop. I don't know how to activate windows 10 included. Thanks
Make sure all updates are installed first and then run the Windows Activation Troubleshooter under Settings->About. You will see text offering to troubleshoot. Took a slew of updates and three times troubleshooting before it stopped.
4 years, 11 months ago
by
CraigB
Work or play on the go with this Dell G5 15 notebook. The 15.6-inch FHD display delivers a clear crisp picture, while the NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti graphics card supports most modern games. This Dell G5 15 notebook has a 256GB SSD and 1TB hard drive for ample storage and quick file access, and the Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM offer quick multitasking.
What is the display refresh rate?
It's 60Hz. It's probably the only negative of this rig. Dell does offer it with a 144Hz screen.
4 years, 11 months ago
by
CraigB
Remove hair without wax or razors using the Lumilisse by Conair hair removal device. Rapid pulses of intense light help prevent hair regrowth, delivering permanent results with consistent use. The FDA-cleared device uses sensors to safely activate. Choose between continuous mode for large areas or manual mode to target specific trouble spots. The Lumilisse by Conair hair removal device includes two attachments to ensure perfectly smooth results all over.
Can this be used on Facial and Neck hair?
There is a special tip for facial hair but you can't use it very well around the chin and jaw line or close to the eyes. It is best to make sure to follow the initial test as for some it can cause a rash or heat burn. My wife has PCOS and tried to use it to treat the facial hairs and it caused a heat burn and very dry scaly skin and she could not continue to use it there.
5 years, 2 months ago
by
CraigB