CraigB's stats
- Review count172
- Helpfulness votes2,719
- First reviewFebruary 11, 2013
- Last reviewMay 12, 2024
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- Average rating4.2
- Review comment count7
- Helpfulness votes6
- First review commentNovember 29, 2013
- Last review commentJanuary 31, 2017
- Featured review comments0
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- Answer count43
- Helpfulness votes53
- First answerMarch 24, 2015
- Last answerNovember 6, 2021
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Esports has a new apex predator. As successor to the award-winning Razer Viper Ultimate, our latest evolution is nearly 22% lighter and armed with all-round upgrades for enhanced performance. With one of the lightest wireless gaming mice ever, there’s now nothing holding you back.
Posted by: CraigB
Pros
Feels impossibly light
Textured finished improves grip
Included grip pads can be added without much weight
Solid feel of scroll wheel
Includes ultralight cord
USB-C
Buttons have a distinct activation point
Feels impossibly light
Textured finished improves grip
Included grip pads can be added without much weight
Solid feel of scroll wheel
Includes ultralight cord
USB-C
Buttons have a distinct activation point
Cons
Included cord is only USB-A
Install keeps nagging to install extra software
No easy way to display battery level
DPI settings don’t overlay game when changed
DPI button on bottom of mouse
Included cord is only USB-A
Install keeps nagging to install extra software
No easy way to display battery level
DPI settings don’t overlay game when changed
DPI button on bottom of mouse
Design and Setup
The Razer Viper Pro V2, while not having the exact same name, seems to be the next evolution to the Viper Ultimate mouse. The dock is gone, the weight is down, but battery life is up. The design is also targeted at right-handed gamers as there are only side buttons on the left. The switches have been updated to improve tactile response, the glide pads have been redesigned and the size increased. It can be used wireless or wired with the included Speedflex cable. While the mouse is USB-C, the cable is only USB-C on the mouse side. The computer side unfortunately still uses standard USB-A. It would have been nice if Razer fully switched to USB-C and instead provided an adapter if need USB-A. The Viper V2 Pro feels impossibly light. Everyone who picked it up though it was fake it felt so light. It reminds you of how store display mice are so light because they are empty, except this is a working mouse that even has a battery. While it feels light, it doesn’t feel flimsy. The shell feels strong and has a slightly rough texture. You can install optional stick on textured pads but the surface is plenty grippy on its own.
Setup is straightforward, but it does nag you. The moment you either plug in the mouse or dongle the system starts downloading drivers. During the install process, you have the option to install other options beyond Synapse, such as Chroma or Cortex. This is where Razer keeps pushing their extra software. The installer offers you the option to install Cortex and provide an explanation of what it does when you selecting items to install. If you don’t select Cortex, it then brings up a full page description of why you should install it. If you still decide not to install it, then it just keeps putting it as an optional item to install when checking for updates. After that, when you start Synapse it prompts for an account but offers to use it as guest. This would be good but then shortly afterword they provide an add trying to get you to sign up for an account. The marketing goes further afterwards because every time you restart your computer, Razer Synapse pops up a screen to show you it’s starting. While it isn’t much of a surprise for Razer to do this, it would be nice if they toned things down. The Viper Pro V2 focuses on minimalism and gaming first, so it would be great if Razer did the same with the software. Beyond setup, options are simplified down to the most essential. You can remap the mouse buttons, change sensor and polling speed, set up your HyperShift button, and calibrate your mouse surface.
Usage and Performance
The Viper V2 Pro is effortless to make rapid movements. Precise flick shots are effortless and precise. You can flick your wrist and barely notice any more weight than your own hand. The larger glide pads also help with no problems with tilting or digging into the mousepad even during quick moves. While the glide pads help the mouse slide easily, the textured surface allows for a solid grip of the mouse. If you prefer even more grip, you can install the included stickers that add more texture to the sides and left and right mouse buttons. That said, while there is enough texture to support a claw grip you might find your hand getting tired if you prefer palm support as the design is very low profile. Overall, tracking is precise with no noticeable issues even proving to be accurate on random surfaces. There is also a surface calibration option but there never seemed to be a need to run it.
While previous generations received complaints of mushiness, these buttons felt very distinct requiring medium pressure to activate. Activation is distinct and you can both hear and feel it. It’s worth noting that there no ramp up or down in pressure on activation if you prefer that extra feedback. Regardless of whether you game wired or wireless, there is no discernable difference in response time between the two. While there is no difference in response, there is a difference in feel. Even though the Speedflex cable is extremely light and glides nicely over most surfaces, you can still feel the weight difference. The good thing is unless you just wanted to use it wired, battery life is long enough where should wear out before the battery does. In approximately two hours of playing random games battery level dropped less than 5%. This might be why Razer decided to not include any sort of battery level indicator easily accessible. With a single LED, the mouse itself has no way to show battery level and the Synapse software doesn’t have an option to show battery level in the tray. The only place it seems to show battery percentage is if you open Synapse.
If there any complaints about the design, it would be how you change sensitivity. The choice to pair the sensitivity selection button with the power button on bottom seems a bit odd. Button allows mapping to a single sensitivity and doesn’t seem to allow cycling through options, so mapping doesn’t seem to be a good workaround. Sometimes switching DPI rate mid game is handy for more purposes than sniping. Maybe this is because Razer doesn’t see this as something gamers do because changing DPI settings mid game provides no feedback. You can change it via the bottom button and it does work, but there is not status update showing the currently sensitivity that overlays the game like some older designs. Overall, this is a bit of an edge use case and not a dealbreaker, but still worth noting.
Final Thoughts
Ultralight gaming mice at first thought don’t seem to make a difference, but if you have never tried one you don’t know what you are missing. Particularly if you play fast paced games, such as FPS, it almost feels like a requirement once you try it. The Ultralight gaming options have really been evolving the past few years and the Razer Viper V2 Pro feels like a worthy upgrade. If you have a previous generation Razer Ultralight, or are in the market for an Ultralight, the Viper V2 Pro is worth a serious look as long as you can ignore some of the branding push.
The Razer Viper Pro V2, while not having the exact same name, seems to be the next evolution to the Viper Ultimate mouse. The dock is gone, the weight is down, but battery life is up. The design is also targeted at right-handed gamers as there are only side buttons on the left. The switches have been updated to improve tactile response, the glide pads have been redesigned and the size increased. It can be used wireless or wired with the included Speedflex cable. While the mouse is USB-C, the cable is only USB-C on the mouse side. The computer side unfortunately still uses standard USB-A. It would have been nice if Razer fully switched to USB-C and instead provided an adapter if need USB-A. The Viper V2 Pro feels impossibly light. Everyone who picked it up though it was fake it felt so light. It reminds you of how store display mice are so light because they are empty, except this is a working mouse that even has a battery. While it feels light, it doesn’t feel flimsy. The shell feels strong and has a slightly rough texture. You can install optional stick on textured pads but the surface is plenty grippy on its own.
Setup is straightforward, but it does nag you. The moment you either plug in the mouse or dongle the system starts downloading drivers. During the install process, you have the option to install other options beyond Synapse, such as Chroma or Cortex. This is where Razer keeps pushing their extra software. The installer offers you the option to install Cortex and provide an explanation of what it does when you selecting items to install. If you don’t select Cortex, it then brings up a full page description of why you should install it. If you still decide not to install it, then it just keeps putting it as an optional item to install when checking for updates. After that, when you start Synapse it prompts for an account but offers to use it as guest. This would be good but then shortly afterword they provide an add trying to get you to sign up for an account. The marketing goes further afterwards because every time you restart your computer, Razer Synapse pops up a screen to show you it’s starting. While it isn’t much of a surprise for Razer to do this, it would be nice if they toned things down. The Viper Pro V2 focuses on minimalism and gaming first, so it would be great if Razer did the same with the software. Beyond setup, options are simplified down to the most essential. You can remap the mouse buttons, change sensor and polling speed, set up your HyperShift button, and calibrate your mouse surface.
Usage and Performance
The Viper V2 Pro is effortless to make rapid movements. Precise flick shots are effortless and precise. You can flick your wrist and barely notice any more weight than your own hand. The larger glide pads also help with no problems with tilting or digging into the mousepad even during quick moves. While the glide pads help the mouse slide easily, the textured surface allows for a solid grip of the mouse. If you prefer even more grip, you can install the included stickers that add more texture to the sides and left and right mouse buttons. That said, while there is enough texture to support a claw grip you might find your hand getting tired if you prefer palm support as the design is very low profile. Overall, tracking is precise with no noticeable issues even proving to be accurate on random surfaces. There is also a surface calibration option but there never seemed to be a need to run it.
While previous generations received complaints of mushiness, these buttons felt very distinct requiring medium pressure to activate. Activation is distinct and you can both hear and feel it. It’s worth noting that there no ramp up or down in pressure on activation if you prefer that extra feedback. Regardless of whether you game wired or wireless, there is no discernable difference in response time between the two. While there is no difference in response, there is a difference in feel. Even though the Speedflex cable is extremely light and glides nicely over most surfaces, you can still feel the weight difference. The good thing is unless you just wanted to use it wired, battery life is long enough where should wear out before the battery does. In approximately two hours of playing random games battery level dropped less than 5%. This might be why Razer decided to not include any sort of battery level indicator easily accessible. With a single LED, the mouse itself has no way to show battery level and the Synapse software doesn’t have an option to show battery level in the tray. The only place it seems to show battery percentage is if you open Synapse.
If there any complaints about the design, it would be how you change sensitivity. The choice to pair the sensitivity selection button with the power button on bottom seems a bit odd. Button allows mapping to a single sensitivity and doesn’t seem to allow cycling through options, so mapping doesn’t seem to be a good workaround. Sometimes switching DPI rate mid game is handy for more purposes than sniping. Maybe this is because Razer doesn’t see this as something gamers do because changing DPI settings mid game provides no feedback. You can change it via the bottom button and it does work, but there is not status update showing the currently sensitivity that overlays the game like some older designs. Overall, this is a bit of an edge use case and not a dealbreaker, but still worth noting.
Final Thoughts
Ultralight gaming mice at first thought don’t seem to make a difference, but if you have never tried one you don’t know what you are missing. Particularly if you play fast paced games, such as FPS, it almost feels like a requirement once you try it. The Ultralight gaming options have really been evolving the past few years and the Razer Viper V2 Pro feels like a worthy upgrade. If you have a previous generation Razer Ultralight, or are in the market for an Ultralight, the Viper V2 Pro is worth a serious look as long as you can ignore some of the branding push.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Built on the belief that modern life needs modern solutions, GE Profile appliances are designed to make daily life simpler by incorporating Smart Home technology and cutting-edge features in every appliance. GE Profile’s sleek design and quality engineering will give your kitchen the most up-to-date look and the innovative performance you’ve been looking for. And now the cutting-edge engineering you've come to expect from Profile is available in a countertop espresso maker that delivers up-to-date styling and exceptional performance. All GE Profile Espresso machines are Wi-Fi connected and sync with the SmartHQ app. Drink customization technologies allow users to customize drink preferences by volume and strength, while also enabling software updates. The built-in steam frother creates a variety of textures and thicknesses and the built-in conical burr grinder delivers a consistent grind with any bean roast and features an adjustable grind size for ideal taste and aroma extraction. Built with a modern design this contemporary espresso machine has a sleek appearance to match its high-tech functions and compliments any décor.
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Compact design
Clean look with buttons that disappear
Simple after setup
Consistent results
Quiet
Works with large cups
Can be improved with software updates
Sealed bean Hopper
Built-in cup light
Water tank works perfect for GE refrigerators
Good quality milk froth
Compact design
Clean look with buttons that disappear
Simple after setup
Consistent results
Quiet
Works with large cups
Can be improved with software updates
Sealed bean Hopper
Built-in cup light
Water tank works perfect for GE refrigerators
Good quality milk froth
Cons
Doesn’t work well darker beans
Limited grind selection
No grinder bypass
No easy way to clean grinder
No easy way to empty beans
Can run out of water mid brew
Cannot be set above 198°
Awkward angle of steam wand
Not stainless steel like the rest of the Profile line
Doesn’t work well darker beans
Limited grind selection
No grinder bypass
No easy way to clean grinder
No easy way to empty beans
Can run out of water mid brew
Cannot be set above 198°
Awkward angle of steam wand
Not stainless steel like the rest of the Profile line
Design
The GE Profile Fully Automatic Espresso Machine has a sleek black minimalistic design. The unit has made an almost entirely out of black plastic with a matte finish around and a glossy finish in the front. The only stainless-steel part is a covering of the steam wand. While attractive, it seems a bit of a strange design choice considering the rest of the GE Profile line is stainless steel. Controls are touch sensitive buttons hidden underneath the plastic on top. When off, only the power and Wi-Fi button are visible. Other options, such as status and brew buttons, only light up when needed. The water tank is removable and fits perfectly inside the water dispenser of a GE refrigerator. The coffee bean hopper has a seal to help keep the air out, slowing oxidation of beans. On top of the brew head is a color changing status light that shows you the status of the brew. Beneath the brew head a light that turns on when brewing allowing you to see the brew in process
The GE Profile Fully Automatic Espresso Machine has a sleek black minimalistic design. The unit has made an almost entirely out of black plastic with a matte finish around and a glossy finish in the front. The only stainless-steel part is a covering of the steam wand. While attractive, it seems a bit of a strange design choice considering the rest of the GE Profile line is stainless steel. Controls are touch sensitive buttons hidden underneath the plastic on top. When off, only the power and Wi-Fi button are visible. Other options, such as status and brew buttons, only light up when needed. The water tank is removable and fits perfectly inside the water dispenser of a GE refrigerator. The coffee bean hopper has a seal to help keep the air out, slowing oxidation of beans. On top of the brew head is a color changing status light that shows you the status of the brew. Beneath the brew head a light that turns on when brewing allowing you to see the brew in process
Setup and Performance
While the unit can be used straight out of the box, it is best to set it up in the app. This allows you to fully configure the machine and install updates. In fact, shortly after setting up the device an update was available that added new features, improved brew quality, and fixed some quirks of the way it operated. Hopefully GE continues to improve it further. The app currently allows you to set different settings for temperature, grind time, and brew volume for each type of brew. The machine has a dedicated espresso, Americano, and a custom My Brew button. The My Brew button allows you to assign one custom brew such as a Ristretto, Doppio, Triple, Red Eye, or Lungo. While it’s nice to see the app allow more customization, it would be nice if GE added a little bit more flexibility. For example, brew temperature maxes out at 198° and on most settings only has two temperature options. If possible, it would be nice if there was an option to go up to as much as 204°. Sometimes after brewing at the max of 198° the coffee is lukewarm after adding creamer. This makes for a perfect temperature to drink immediately it does not allow much time before the coffee becomes too cold to drink.
While the unit can be used straight out of the box, it is best to set it up in the app. This allows you to fully configure the machine and install updates. In fact, shortly after setting up the device an update was available that added new features, improved brew quality, and fixed some quirks of the way it operated. Hopefully GE continues to improve it further. The app currently allows you to set different settings for temperature, grind time, and brew volume for each type of brew. The machine has a dedicated espresso, Americano, and a custom My Brew button. The My Brew button allows you to assign one custom brew such as a Ristretto, Doppio, Triple, Red Eye, or Lungo. While it’s nice to see the app allow more customization, it would be nice if GE added a little bit more flexibility. For example, brew temperature maxes out at 198° and on most settings only has two temperature options. If possible, it would be nice if there was an option to go up to as much as 204°. Sometimes after brewing at the max of 198° the coffee is lukewarm after adding creamer. This makes for a perfect temperature to drink immediately it does not allow much time before the coffee becomes too cold to drink.
While not marketed at coffee connoisseurs, some may so find it worthwhile. Espresso might not be as strong or full bodied as from experience barista, but the results are still very good with little more than the press the button. Once you have your settings dialed in, the results should be consistent and enjoyable for those times when you just want a decent espresso with little fuss. Admittedly, the steam wand is awkward to use and feels a bit cheap, but the froth it produces is good quality with micro bubbles. Strangely, after using the steam wand you must move it back-and-forth several times in for it to properly upright again and point into the drip tray.
One nice feature is that if you have a GE fridge, the espresso machine water tank fits perfectly in the water dispenser of the fridge. The bean hopper is easy to fill and has a seal to slow oxidation of the beans, so they last longer. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to empty the beans and no bypass if you would like a single cup using different beans. Not a dealbreaker, but not great for those who love to change brews regularly. Inside the bean hopper is the grind size adjustment. In usage, the finest grind setting always produced the best result and the machine never struggled to extract the shot properly at this setting. Possibly the only exceptions are dark roast beans and beans with a flavor added that creates a sticky coating on the beans. This causes the beans to stick while feeding in the grinder and result in poor shot quality. Once you figure out which beans and settings work best for you, most of the time having an espresso or Americano is as easy as pressing a button.
Probably one of the most underrated features is how quiet it operates. Anyone who’s ever been in a coffee shop knows how loud the machines can be. This machine, even during grinding, is barely louder than some regular coffee machines. No need to wake the rest the family to have your favorite fresh ground morning brew. It’s also far easier and simpler for guests to use.
Beyond underrated features GE didn’t seem to even market other functions. For instance, with the steam wand it can make cappuccinos, espressos, and flat whites. Almost nothing is mentioned in any of the materials and no instructions are given on how to create these drinks. This could be easily remedied by adding how-to videos on their YouTube channel and possibly adding them in the app.
While this machine does take a lot of the guesswork out of the process, it isn’t without quirks. For instance, the low water sensor stops the early when there’s enough water to finish. Hopefully a software update can fix this, but currently, it might stop the espresso shot before completion saying add water when enough is left. After filling, it will continue even though it’s been sitting causing the shot to taste off. There is also a sensor that indicates when too few beans were ground into the shot, but so far that has not been triggered even when no coffee was ground. While not a dealbreaker, it does take away from the smart aspect of this machine slightly.
Maintenance is straightforward. The machine lets you know it needs to be descaled or grounds empty. Most of the time all you need to do is pull out the tray and dump it in the trash. Occasionally, it may require more thorough cleaning with the included cleaning brush. However, the brush doesn’t get all the debris. There is a spot that the brush can’t clean, and you can’t quite reach with your fingers that collects grounds. Sometimes it prevents the waste tray from going back in. This is easily fixed with a handheld vacuum and crevice wand, but GE should include a better cleaning tool or design the space slightly different.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the GE Fully Automatic Espresso Machine removes a lot of the complication out of espresso. If you wanted a simple way to have more of your favorite coffee shop drinks at home without adding too much complexity this machine might be a great fit. Just be prepared to look beyond the manual if you would like to take full advantage of this machine.
Overall, the GE Fully Automatic Espresso Machine removes a lot of the complication out of espresso. If you wanted a simple way to have more of your favorite coffee shop drinks at home without adding too much complexity this machine might be a great fit. Just be prepared to look beyond the manual if you would like to take full advantage of this machine.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Durability
4
Quality
3
Ease of Use
5
Value
4
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The Ranger Pro is always the best choice. Featuring a powerful 600W motor, this hoverboard can reach speeds of up to 7mph and support a weight of 265 pounds, making it the perfect board. Choose from a variety of colors and allow the integrated LED lighting system to light the way. It comes with two big-sized 10” wheels, which will allow you to ride on all surfaces comfortably.
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Smooth ride
Self-balancing when not in use
Good speakers
Large pneumatic tires
Works on some grass and dirt
Different experience modes to help you learn
Lights can be configured
Easy to see battery and status lights
Handles up to 265 pounds
Smooth ride
Self-balancing when not in use
Good speakers
Large pneumatic tires
Works on some grass and dirt
Different experience modes to help you learn
Lights can be configured
Easy to see battery and status lights
Handles up to 265 pounds
Cons
Self-balance only works with no one on it
Pneumatic tires lean noticeably with a heavy weight
Spinners constantly fall off
Fit and finish could be better
Self-balance only works with no one on it
Pneumatic tires lean noticeably with a heavy weight
Spinners constantly fall off
Fit and finish could be better
Design and Setup
The Ranger Pro is a higher end model from Hover 1 that can handle some mild off-road terrain. Instead of smaller plastic tires, it has 10” pneumatic tires. The overall look is less flashy than the lower end models with a simpler black and silver look. It has spinner hub cabs that make it look as if the tires aren’t turning when you are riding but they aren’t secured very well. One fell off straight out of the box and they would randomly fall off while riding. In fact, the other one fell off shortly after riding and wasn’t discovered until a neighborhood kid was found running around with it in hand thinking they found a new frisbee. The foot pads have a blue X, but beyond that all color comes through the lights on the front and back. Fit and finish is decent but could still use improvement. The silver paint in the middle section of the board was missing in parts, the paint lines don’t match up, one spinner does not stay on, and the seam in the middle is much wider on bottom versus the top making the board look bent. None of these effects the operation but it just makes it feel poorly made. The side intended to be the front has a single long led light bar and the back has three led lights on each side. There is a battery indicator and status indicator on the top in the middle section of the board. Both are easily visible while standing on the board.
The Ranger Pro is a higher end model from Hover 1 that can handle some mild off-road terrain. Instead of smaller plastic tires, it has 10” pneumatic tires. The overall look is less flashy than the lower end models with a simpler black and silver look. It has spinner hub cabs that make it look as if the tires aren’t turning when you are riding but they aren’t secured very well. One fell off straight out of the box and they would randomly fall off while riding. In fact, the other one fell off shortly after riding and wasn’t discovered until a neighborhood kid was found running around with it in hand thinking they found a new frisbee. The foot pads have a blue X, but beyond that all color comes through the lights on the front and back. Fit and finish is decent but could still use improvement. The silver paint in the middle section of the board was missing in parts, the paint lines don’t match up, one spinner does not stay on, and the seam in the middle is much wider on bottom versus the top making the board look bent. None of these effects the operation but it just makes it feel poorly made. The side intended to be the front has a single long led light bar and the back has three led lights on each side. There is a battery indicator and status indicator on the top in the middle section of the board. Both are easily visible while standing on the board.
Included is an app to control certain features such as the light bars and performance mode. You also can view the trip meter, odometer, and speedometer. Strangely, the odometer and trip functions are reversed from what you would understand from a car. Trip is the total miles ridden and odometer is only the current trip distance. While registration is requested it is not required, but you cannot skip agreeing to all the legal agreements. You also don’t need the app to get started as it works straight out of the box. However, if you don’t use the app the board will stay in beginner mode and will not allow you to level up as you improve or change light colors.
Usage and Performance
While the documentation calls it a self-balancing hoverboard, this means only when no one is on it. The moment anything touches one of the foot pads it starts moving. While this is normal, it would be nice if it didn’t activate the motors at least until both foot pads are pressed. If the two sides are too far out of alignment on startup it will beep at you and show a red X indicating that you need to line them up better before starting. This is a nice safety feature as some might try to jump on otherwise and cause it to start spinning immediately.
While the documentation calls it a self-balancing hoverboard, this means only when no one is on it. The moment anything touches one of the foot pads it starts moving. While this is normal, it would be nice if it didn’t activate the motors at least until both foot pads are pressed. If the two sides are too far out of alignment on startup it will beep at you and show a red X indicating that you need to line them up better before starting. This is a nice safety feature as some might try to jump on otherwise and cause it to start spinning immediately.
Speaking of safety, it seems as if they went overboard on the beep. The documentation says it cannot be turned off or adjusted for safety. The problem is it beeps for nearly everything. It beeps when you turn it on, get on, get off, lift it up, the sides are too out of alignment, you change the operating mode, or even change the colors of the lights. Just picking it up to move it to a different area causes it to start beeping constantly. While it is good to consider safety, the sound is so common that it becomes something you learn to ignore rather than pay attention to defeating the purpose of safety. At the very least it should make different types of sounds so you can learn the more dangerous ones. An option to turn off things such as the beep for color changes would be great.
The specs say the pneumatic wheels allow the board to comfortably ride on any surface. This claim is a bit ambitious. The pneumatic tires certainly make for a much smoother ride on a slightly rough road, low grass, or some dirt but for the most part it is best kept on pavement. For one, the instructions say to keep it away from moisture or dust. The other is any sort of give in the terrain and the board bogs down and can’t move. While overall the large tires are nice, the downside is if you are heavier, in the upper 100-pound range, the tires give quite a bit meaning it the board leans more unpredictably in turns. It doesn’t mean you can ride it, but it does mean anyone heavier will have to use it with more care. Overall, it is still fun to ride, and smoother ride makes it much more fun.
Beyond just riding, two other additional features are the lights and speaker. The lights are configured through the app with options for a solid color, random color, or strobe of a single color. As for the speaker, it sounds surprisingly good for a hoverboard speaker. It also gets plenty loud enough where if you wanted the neighbors down the street could hear your music with you.
Final Thoughts
The Ranger Pro is, with a little practice, fun to drive. The soft tires make extended use much more enjoyable than a standard hoverboard. Besides the cosmetic fit and finish issues, mechanical parts felt well-built and easily handle riders up to 225 pounds. If you are wanting a hoverboard for larger kids to adults and want to enjoy a ride more like you are gliding, the Ranger Pro is a good option. Just make sure the board is set on the proper skill level in the app before giving it a try.
The Ranger Pro is, with a little practice, fun to drive. The soft tires make extended use much more enjoyable than a standard hoverboard. Besides the cosmetic fit and finish issues, mechanical parts felt well-built and easily handle riders up to 225 pounds. If you are wanting a hoverboard for larger kids to adults and want to enjoy a ride more like you are gliding, the Ranger Pro is a good option. Just make sure the board is set on the proper skill level in the app before giving it a try.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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Introducing the MagGo Magnetic 2-in-1 charger, featuring magnetic precision for effortless alignment during charging. Compatible with iPhone 12 and beyond, this sleek design offers secure charging for your phone, AirPods, and AirPods Pro. With a versatile free-standing design, you can adjust your iPhone's viewing angle for convenience and comfort. Plus, enjoy an illuminating charging experience with a beautiful ambient light glow.
Customer Rating
4
Compact and convenient
on November 27, 2021
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Compact
Charges two devices
Includes nano charger
Also charges other wireless charging devices
Doubles as USB-C charger
Charging ring indicates proper charging
Compact
Charges two devices
Includes nano charger
Also charges other wireless charging devices
Doubles as USB-C charger
Charging ring indicates proper charging
Cons
Unstable when tilted
Charging ring use limited
Magnet could be stronger
Doesn’t work with standard phone cases
Unstable when tilted
Charging ring use limited
Magnet could be stronger
Doesn’t work with standard phone cases
The Anker MagGo wireless charger provides a compact way to charge your iPhone with MagSafe. Included is a nano charger and USB-C cable so you also have the option to fast charge a USB-C device. While it is designed to work with MagSafe, the charging pad can also charge other devices supporting wireless charging if they lay flat. The top pad can tilt allow your phone to face towards you, such as at your bedside. While it is a nice touch, the design of the base shows its shortcomings. Only the top pad is a magsafe design and the magnets are not very strong. This does allow easy removal of the phone, but this also means placing the phone on the stand doesn’t provide strong feedback of placement like Magsafe usually does. It also means for it to work you will need a case with a Magsafe ring built in as it won’t work through standard cases. The stand stays stable unless you touch your phone. While the base is weighted, it’s not enough to ensure the base doesn’t try to tip over if you use the phone while it is tilted. You could remove it from the base, but it would be nice if the phone could stay in place and be used while on the stand.
The base has a charging indicator light which will light up white for 3 seconds when you first start charging to show you have placed your device properly. While a nice touch, it would be nice if the usage of the light could be changed by the user. Even if only to allow the option to keep it on as long as charging is occurring. Maybe even a separate indicator for the second charging pad so you know if your earbuds have been bumped off the pad. That said, it still provides easy to understand feedback to let you know your device is charging.
The Anker MagGo charge is a well-built Magsafe charger with nothing more than minor gripes. It takes up very little space and can even double as a portable wireless charger. If only it included Apple watch charging built into the stand this would be the perfect setup. That said, if you are looking for a compact Magsafe charger, the MagGo charger is worth a look.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Adobe - Photoshop Elements 2022 & Premiere Elements 2022 - Windows [Digital]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6475/6475053_sd.jpg)
Discover the fun of creative editing and storytelling. 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, reframe your video subjects, 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 87 Guided Edits that step you through how to create perfect pet pics; extend, remove, or replace photo backgrounds; add fun animated overlays to your videos; bring out details in video shadows and highlights; and more. Edit and export videos in social-friendly vertical and square aspect ratios, and compress videos for easy sharing. Effortlessly organize your photos and videos, and craft personalized creations like dynamic photoand video slideshows with all-new styles, inspirational quote graphics, and animated social posts. 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.
Customer Rating
4
Power Ai and pro features simplified
on November 6, 2021
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Much simpler than pro tools
Wizards make advanced tasks easier
Doesn’t require a subscription to use
Still includes expert mode
Ai selection tools work without fuss
Tons of filters, effects, and transitions included
Much simpler than pro tools
Wizards make advanced tasks easier
Doesn’t require a subscription to use
Still includes expert mode
Ai selection tools work without fuss
Tons of filters, effects, and transitions included
Cons
Doesn’t have any mobile capability
Tries to immediately upsell to pro products
Some wizards don’t fully explain usage
Before and After display preview sometime backwards
Preview sliders delay adjusting preview
Doesn’t have any mobile capability
Tries to immediately upsell to pro products
Some wizards don’t fully explain usage
Before and After display preview sometime backwards
Preview sliders delay adjusting preview
Adobe makes some very powerful tools for professionals, but the learning curve is too steep for casual use. Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements is Adobe’s solution. They take the most useful tools and add wizards and tutorials in place to simplify the process for the average user. Unlike the pro tools, there is no subscription fee. You buy it once and you are done. However, unlike the pro tools you get no mobile support or future upgrades as a tradeoff. Just like the pro tools, you need to create an Adobe account to download and activate your software. Although they have the previous version of Photoshop Elements in the Windows Store, they do not include Premier. It would be nice to see Adobe take more advantage of the Windows Store to keep things simple. Since they have their own tools, this means you have a separate notification and update tool to run in the background contributing to system bloat.
While Adobe’s Elements products are simpler, some of complication of Adobe products finds its way in. The tool used to install and update Elements is called Creative Cloud Desktop. One of the first things you see when opening is how Adobe is trying to upsell you on their higher end products the moment you open it. They also have a resources section, which at first seems helpful, with tutorials and things like extra fonts until you investigate further. It’s at that point you find they mostly bookmarks to different parts of their website and require either an additional purchase or subscription. There is certainly valuable information to get from this, but it is buried in a list of trails and upsells. If you have used Adobe products in the past you are accustomed to this, but it would be nice if Adobe could tone it done a bit and remove the bloat.
While complication, bloat, and odd glitches are normal for Adobe what makes their products worthwhile are the features they provide. The Ai selection tools and adjustments make advanced tasks almost effortless. You can erase subjects from a picture, move and resize them, or even change the background without needing to manually select the edges of what you are trying to move. Their Ai selection tools also do a very good job of detecting where the edge is. On videos you can quickly add the provided stock music, add text effects, create photo collage videos, transitions, and apply filters without getting overly technical.
An example of how well the Ai works is using the perfect pet tool. It quickly recognized the black lab in the photo as well as his play pool were separate from the rest of the scene and properly selected just that area. With the adjustment tools the black fur could be lightened to see features more easily against the sunny backdrop without unnecessarily lightening the entire scene. As a test, the background changing tool was used to swap out the background for a sunset mountain scene and balance the tone and color of the two to make it look as if the dog is in the foreground of the scene. The overall effect took seconds and looks convincing. In typical Adobe fashion, some minor bugs creeped in. When using the before and after option to see how the photo changes the before and after picture were reversed. Another minor issue, not a bug, is when using adjustment sliders. Adobe created a transition delay where changes occur smoothly. This means if you are sliding it back and forth to see the difference you must pause to wait for the transition. This makes it harder to find the perfect setting change. You also can’t specify values manually in most cases.
On the video side, you can easily drop pictures and videos onto the timeline. If you use the included music all you do is choose Fit Entire Video and it will shorten or lengthen the song to match. You can easily fade the music in or out and adjust the volume of the track. Also included are filters to make the videos look old fashioned, worn out, or as if they are part of a dream scene. You can add text and animate it. You can also grab photos from your videos. There are far more features than could be listed here. The one thing to keep in mind is that previews will often appear choppy until you export it. Even on an 11th Generation Core i7 processor adding one track of music and one filter cause the video to become choppy in preview. Once exported though it looked perfectly smooth. Exporting is similarly easy as Premier gives you plain English explanations of what each type of exported video is used for.
Final Thoughts
Adobe still needs to work on streamlining their products as well as their catalog, but the effectiveness of their tools is hard to deny. If you can put up with some minor bugs and an extra step occasionally to get some of the most competent tools available for amateur photo and video editing available, then Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements deserves a serious consideration.
Adobe still needs to work on streamlining their products as well as their catalog, but the effectiveness of their tools is hard to deny. If you can put up with some minor bugs and an extra step occasionally to get some of the most competent tools available for amateur photo and video editing available, then Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements deserves a serious consideration.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Canon imageFORMULA R10 portable document scanner is simple to set up and easy to use, anywhere. Easily convert paper documents to searchable digital files, using the built-in software, to get and stay organized.
Customer Rating
2
Quality scans, antiquated design
on November 5, 2021
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Compact
Light
Runs off USB Power
Duplex capable
Good scanning quality
Includes card scanner
Automatic OCR
M1 Mac Capable
Compact
Light
Runs off USB Power
Duplex capable
Good scanning quality
Includes card scanner
Automatic OCR
M1 Mac Capable
Cons
Slow
Lackluster OCR
Scans always skewed from paper and cards
Rollers are tight requiring pressure to detect pages
Rollers grab page skewed even when manually guided
Often grabs entire stack instead of single page
Antiquated micro-USB connection
No mobile app or mobile capability
Disconnects and closes app each time the computer sleeps
App doesn’t automatically launch with scan button on newer OSes
Slow
Lackluster OCR
Scans always skewed from paper and cards
Rollers are tight requiring pressure to detect pages
Rollers grab page skewed even when manually guided
Often grabs entire stack instead of single page
Antiquated micro-USB connection
No mobile app or mobile capability
Disconnects and closes app each time the computer sleeps
App doesn’t automatically launch with scan button on newer OSes
Design
The ImageFormula R10 uses a very common design for sheet feed portable scanners with the outer shell unfolding to become the sheet feed tray. Wings hidden in the cover extend the tray even further. On the tray are two paper guides that can be unfolded to help guide the paper and hold it up. The paper path is nearly straight with only a slight curve as it passes through from the sheet feeder to the output slot. The entire paper path is accessible via a single locking latch. On the right front of the output slot is a card scanning slot that passes straight through the body to the back allow scanning of even rigid cards. There is a single button used to start scanning. For those concerned about security there is a Kensington slot around back. However, the slot doesn’t appear to have the metal backing in the hole to strengthen the connection. Scanning is only done through a PC or Mac via USB. In an odd choice, the connection is micro-USB where most modern laptops have transitioned to USB-C. This likely means you will need a dongle to connect and scanning via tablet or phone is, unfortunately, out of the question.
The ImageFormula R10 uses a very common design for sheet feed portable scanners with the outer shell unfolding to become the sheet feed tray. Wings hidden in the cover extend the tray even further. On the tray are two paper guides that can be unfolded to help guide the paper and hold it up. The paper path is nearly straight with only a slight curve as it passes through from the sheet feeder to the output slot. The entire paper path is accessible via a single locking latch. On the right front of the output slot is a card scanning slot that passes straight through the body to the back allow scanning of even rigid cards. There is a single button used to start scanning. For those concerned about security there is a Kensington slot around back. However, the slot doesn’t appear to have the metal backing in the hole to strengthen the connection. Scanning is only done through a PC or Mac via USB. In an odd choice, the connection is micro-USB where most modern laptops have transitioned to USB-C. This likely means you will need a dongle to connect and scanning via tablet or phone is, unfortunately, out of the question.
Setup and Performance
Hardware setup is straightforward if you have a legacy USB-A port available. Just open the outer door of the R10 and plug in the USB cable. Assuming your USB port provides enough power, the scanner turns on and is ready to go. Scanning software is available via a rather unique method. Instead of downloading software from a website or installing from an app store, the R10 has built in storage which stores a copy of the scanning software. It does have the advantage of not needing to be installed. The downside is it depends on the system auto opening the folder to show you the file. Due to security concerns, many modern systems no longer show you this option and can lead to some initial confusion for the less tech savvy. A potential downside for some is settings are the same regardless of what computer you plug it into. While not a deal breaker, its worth knowing before buying if this matters to you. The good thing about this technique is that you always have the software with the scanner, and it updates the software when you update the scanner. A recent updated added official support for M1 macs so if you want to carry a dongle you can now use the R10 with the latest Macs.
Hardware setup is straightforward if you have a legacy USB-A port available. Just open the outer door of the R10 and plug in the USB cable. Assuming your USB port provides enough power, the scanner turns on and is ready to go. Scanning software is available via a rather unique method. Instead of downloading software from a website or installing from an app store, the R10 has built in storage which stores a copy of the scanning software. It does have the advantage of not needing to be installed. The downside is it depends on the system auto opening the folder to show you the file. Due to security concerns, many modern systems no longer show you this option and can lead to some initial confusion for the less tech savvy. A potential downside for some is settings are the same regardless of what computer you plug it into. While not a deal breaker, its worth knowing before buying if this matters to you. The good thing about this technique is that you always have the software with the scanner, and it updates the software when you update the scanner. A recent updated added official support for M1 macs so if you want to carry a dongle you can now use the R10 with the latest Macs.
Out of the box, the R10 scanning software has three scanning profiles of Text, Photo, and Full auto which are already have the most common settings best for each configured. You can edit the default scanning profiles to suite your needs or create extra scanning profiles. Default storage locations of Desktop and the Photos folder are included and of course you can create further custom locations.
Scanning can be initiated via the scan button the scanner or the one in the software. Scanning isn’t particularly fast. Often regardless of paper weight it was not detected nor grabbed by the feed mechanism often requiring a little extra pressure on the pages to start the process. If you have thinner paper, such as carbon copies it can be tricky to feed as the system often doesn’t detect the paper. Also, regardless of the condition of the paper it tended to grab the entire stack of paper while trying to grab the first. This also lead to resorting to scanning pages one at a time. While this might be specific to this unit, every piece of paper or card scanned, no matter how straight it was inserted, always ended up feeding through slightly skewed. It also seems like the rollers on one side where either moving at a different speed or slipping. The software does attempt to straighten pages, but even on the most aggressive setting pages were regularly crooked as well as skewed. You could see this best on pages with horizontal lines. The lines would be parallel at the top and angle if they were near the bottom. While some scans were very subtle, it always seemed to be present. Getting a clean scan often required several tries but once you got one the quality was very good.
While scanning in you have the option to add extra pages or adjust scanned pages, such as brightness, contrast, and rotation. Strangely, if you rotate a page after other adjustments, it reverts all other changes. The straighten tool has no option to straighten based off a line and only includes a slider making precise adjustments tedious. Strangely absent is any sort of a cropping tool.
If you choose to output to a pdf, you have the option to run OCR on the text of the scan. This can come in handy if you want to grab some text off the scan afterwards. While poor quality printing or odd fonts can easily throw off OCR software, the OCR with R10 was a mixed bag with regular text. Sometimes it could grab nearly perfect text on colored paper with noise and a Times New Roman font yet other time struggle to recognize any more than 50% of the text on a clean scan on white paper using Courier.
Final Thoughts
The ImageFormula R10 is a mixed bag. Overall, the design language feels dated for the most part. If you are looking for a modern scanner with advanced features like smart straightening and de-skew, mobile support, cloud support, and modern ports this scanner is not for you. That doesn’t mean it can’t be useful for some. If prefer the older design and image quality is what matters most to you, the ImageFormula R10 could work for you. Otherwise, it might be best to look at other more modern solutions.
The ImageFormula R10 is a mixed bag. Overall, the design language feels dated for the most part. If you are looking for a modern scanner with advanced features like smart straightening and de-skew, mobile support, cloud support, and modern ports this scanner is not for you. That doesn’t mean it can’t be useful for some. If prefer the older design and image quality is what matters most to you, the ImageFormula R10 could work for you. Otherwise, it might be best to look at other more modern solutions.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Style up your home studio or gaming station with this CORSAIR iCUE smart lighting strip starter kit. The four strips include individually addressed LEDs for customizing the illumination, while the light-diffusing casing softens the brightness for balanced ambiance. This CORSAIR iCUE smart lighting strip starter kit features magnetic clips and adhesive backing for easy installation.
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Integrated with other iCue devices
Easily installed and removed with magnetic mounts
Enhances gaming experiencing in video mode
Can link to extension kit for dual or ultrawide monitor
Operates with computer off
Light diffuser smooths individual leds
Integrated with other iCue devices
Easily installed and removed with magnetic mounts
Enhances gaming experiencing in video mode
Can link to extension kit for dual or ultrawide monitor
Operates with computer off
Light diffuser smooths individual leds
Cons
Not very bright
Requires USB connection for more than one mode
Not very bright
Requires USB connection for more than one mode
Installation and Setup
The Corsair LS100 RGB Lighting Kit is a monitor lighting kit that can be used in multiple ways to add extra lighting to your gaming rig. While it comes with 4 strips and a controller, it can be extended for dual monitors, ultrawide monitors, or as other ambient lighting anywhere near your computer. The strips are held on by magnetic clips that hold onto sticky back metal pads. The pads and clips have indexing marks to make sure the lights strips stay on a 90-degree angle. If you install them on the back of your monitor, you must install them counterclockwise from the bottom right of the monitor while looking at the back. This is important so that lighting profiles move in the correct direction any custom profiles you create don’t’ work on the wrong side.
The Corsair LS100 RGB Lighting Kit is a monitor lighting kit that can be used in multiple ways to add extra lighting to your gaming rig. While it comes with 4 strips and a controller, it can be extended for dual monitors, ultrawide monitors, or as other ambient lighting anywhere near your computer. The strips are held on by magnetic clips that hold onto sticky back metal pads. The pads and clips have indexing marks to make sure the lights strips stay on a 90-degree angle. If you install them on the back of your monitor, you must install them counterclockwise from the bottom right of the monitor while looking at the back. This is important so that lighting profiles move in the correct direction any custom profiles you create don’t’ work on the wrong side.
Of course, with this being an iCue product you can integrate it with other Corsair iCue products to create a synchronized lighting setup. While the software can have multiple profiles, the controller stores one. This profile can be used when the iCue software is not controlling the lights, such as when the computer is off. What seems to be a bit of an odd limitation is you either a choice of automatically having the lights turn off with your computer or a single lighting profile that works without the computer. The profile stored on the controller is toggled with the button on the controller. This is because if you want to have the lights turn off with the computer the instructions say to set the controller’s profile to be no light.
While connected via USB and when iCue is running you can configure things exactly the way you like. You can use stock lighting profiles, static profiles, various moving lights profiles, sound mode, and video mode. If none of those work you can make your own even going so far as to configure each led individually. Sound mode changes the lighting with your music or other sounds. Video mode is probably the most functional. It can add more immersion to videos or games by duplicating the colors ad the edge of the monitor giving the sense your monitor is larger.
Performance
While their brightness is overpowered in anything other than a dark room, the effect is very smooth. The light diffuser smooths the lights to where individual LEDs aren’t noticeable unless you are looking directly at the strip. Ideally these strips look best when tucked under or behind something. Movements looked very smooth with no appearance of stepping between LEDs even at the slowest setting. When use in video mode the response times in games was good adding to the immersion. It also comes in handy if you like to watch videos or even regular movies at your computer.
While their brightness is overpowered in anything other than a dark room, the effect is very smooth. The light diffuser smooths the lights to where individual LEDs aren’t noticeable unless you are looking directly at the strip. Ideally these strips look best when tucked under or behind something. Movements looked very smooth with no appearance of stepping between LEDs even at the slowest setting. When use in video mode the response times in games was good adding to the immersion. It also comes in handy if you like to watch videos or even regular movies at your computer.
Summary
Overall, the Corsair iCue LS100 Kit is a well built and simple to use RGB kit. If you are in the market for an RGB monitor kit, particularly if you already use iCue compatible products, the LS100 should be on your short list.
Overall, the Corsair iCue LS100 Kit is a well built and simple to use RGB kit. If you are in the market for an RGB monitor kit, particularly if you already use iCue compatible products, the LS100 should be on your short list.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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High-Low Performance Pillows. Available in 2 PillowID sizes for a personal fit and affordable comfort
Customer Rating
4
Improved sleep for a finicky sleeper
on October 8, 2021
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Head stays cooler
Breathable
Dual sides allow quick change in firmness
Stays software even during extended use
Thickness is specific to body size
Keeps spine at a better angle
Head stays cooler
Breathable
Dual sides allow quick change in firmness
Stays software even during extended use
Thickness is specific to body size
Keeps spine at a better angle
Cons
Doesn’t stay cool as specified
Side material is rough
Doesn’t work well with pillowcase
Side vent holes made of cheap looking foil
Hard to tell firmness difference between sides
Pillow too short of queen or king sized bed
Doesn’t stay cool as specified
Side material is rough
Doesn’t work well with pillowcase
Side vent holes made of cheap looking foil
Hard to tell firmness difference between sides
Pillow too short of queen or king sized bed
The Bedgear Cosmo is targeted
Design
The main surfaces are made of a soft gray fabric with a golden oval pattern. The sides are blue mesh fabric with a rough texture. The vent holes on the side have a larger mesh surrounded by a gold foil decorative ring. The outer covering is removal and washable. The FAQs recommend only using Bedgear’s protective covers instead of regular pillows covers for proper performance but checking their website while writing this there were no pillow protections listed. Ideally you should use the wizard on the website to find which pillow series and size is best for you. In the Cosmo series the difference is the thickness of the pillow. The Cosmo 3 is intended to work best for those who wear a size XL shirt and should provide proper spine alignment. In regard to size, the Cosmo only seems to come in one length, which is smaller than your average queen or king sized pillow.
The main surfaces are made of a soft gray fabric with a golden oval pattern. The sides are blue mesh fabric with a rough texture. The vent holes on the side have a larger mesh surrounded by a gold foil decorative ring. The outer covering is removal and washable. The FAQs recommend only using Bedgear’s protective covers instead of regular pillows covers for proper performance but checking their website while writing this there were no pillow protections listed. Ideally you should use the wizard on the website to find which pillow series and size is best for you. In the Cosmo series the difference is the thickness of the pillow. The Cosmo 3 is intended to work best for those who wear a size XL shirt and should provide proper spine alignment. In regard to size, the Cosmo only seems to come in one length, which is smaller than your average queen or king sized pillow.
Usage and Performance
Laying down on the pillow the first thing that gets your attention is the cool feeling. It feels like the effect of cooling gel. Your head sinks into the pillow a bit but once you have settled it still feels slightly soft but supportive unlike some foam pillows that once settled feel very firm. The specifications state the two sides have a different firmness level but no one who tried it out was able to tell which was the softer or more firm side. Assuming you have chosen the correct size, your head should settle where your spine is straight. If you are the type that has spent your life making pillow piles trying to get the correct softness and height it might come as a surprise that the Cosmo was thick enough alone. If are type who likes to shift periodically between back, side, and stomach throughout the night you know a good pillow should be easy to move around. While the Cosmo is noticeable heavier than a standard pillow, the foam is still much lighter than most foam pillows. Repositioning shouldn’t be much of a hassle unless you just prefer extremely light pillows. Regardless of sleeping position it seemed to settle well enough to provide support without being too firm or too soft to sink in too deeply. Normally by morning regular pillows felt hot regardless of room temperature where the Cosmo felt only slightly warm. It didn’t work miracles and keep the initial cold feeling, but it was still a much more comfortable temperature than normal.
Laying down on the pillow the first thing that gets your attention is the cool feeling. It feels like the effect of cooling gel. Your head sinks into the pillow a bit but once you have settled it still feels slightly soft but supportive unlike some foam pillows that once settled feel very firm. The specifications state the two sides have a different firmness level but no one who tried it out was able to tell which was the softer or more firm side. Assuming you have chosen the correct size, your head should settle where your spine is straight. If you are the type that has spent your life making pillow piles trying to get the correct softness and height it might come as a surprise that the Cosmo was thick enough alone. If are type who likes to shift periodically between back, side, and stomach throughout the night you know a good pillow should be easy to move around. While the Cosmo is noticeable heavier than a standard pillow, the foam is still much lighter than most foam pillows. Repositioning shouldn’t be much of a hassle unless you just prefer extremely light pillows. Regardless of sleeping position it seemed to settle well enough to provide support without being too firm or too soft to sink in too deeply. Normally by morning regular pillows felt hot regardless of room temperature where the Cosmo felt only slightly warm. It didn’t work miracles and keep the initial cold feeling, but it was still a much more comfortable temperature than normal.
Overall, sleep comfort was noticeably improved with no neck or head pain which is a welcomed change. However, it is not without some downsides. Besides the pillow looking oddly short on a king-sized bed, it feels a bit too short if you sometimes prefer to sleep on your side with the pillow vertical almost like a body pillow. A standard king-sized pillow is long enough to do this, but the Cosmo seems more suited to a full-sized bed. The gold foil also looks and feels somewhat cheap and when combined with the mesh material on the sides it makes the edge feel rough. A more understated and functional style would be appreciated. Of course, a pillowcase wouldn’t easily solve this but of course as mentioned previously this comes with a downsize of losing performance.
Final Thoughts
The big question would be who is the Bedgear Cosmo pillow for? If you have problems with getting too hot with normal pillows. If you often experience pillows feeling soft at night but then hard by morning. If you are the type that has a pile of different pillows you switch between overnight and still can’t seem to stay comfortable then the Bedgear Cosmo pillow might be worth trying.
The big question would be who is the Bedgear Cosmo pillow for? If you have problems with getting too hot with normal pillows. If you often experience pillows feeling soft at night but then hard by morning. If you are the type that has a pile of different pillows you switch between overnight and still can’t seem to stay comfortable then the Bedgear Cosmo pillow might be worth trying.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The JAXJOX Dumbbell is a digital dumbbell set offering two adjustable dumbbells ranging from 8-50 pounds each. Select your weight with a touch of a button.
Customer Rating
4
Smart dumbbells with potential
on October 2, 2021
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Sleek
Saves space
Tracks reps automatically
Doesn’t rattle during workout
Display makes weight changes straightforward
App and subscription available but not required
Changes weights quickly when awake
Base uses standard USB-C
Sleek
Saves space
Tracks reps automatically
Doesn’t rattle during workout
Display makes weight changes straightforward
App and subscription available but not required
Changes weights quickly when awake
Base uses standard USB-C
Cons
Batteries reduce the overall lifespan
Needs to boot up every time to change weight
Weigh increments not standard
Rep counter often double or triple counts
Extension that holds add on weights are small
App doesn’t use Apple Watch heart rate tracker
App doesn’t incorporate workouts into Apple Health
Filter on app for workouts based on equipment doesn’t work
Batteries reduce the overall lifespan
Needs to boot up every time to change weight
Weigh increments not standard
Rep counter often double or triple counts
Extension that holds add on weights are small
App doesn’t use Apple Watch heart rate tracker
App doesn’t incorporate workouts into Apple Health
Filter on app for workouts based on equipment doesn’t work
Design and Setup
The JaxJox DumbellConnect has an understated sleek design. While most adjustable weights have bright colors and aggressive shapes to them, the DumbellConnect’s simple charcoal color is understated. If you have your exercise equipment in a space where appearance matters, such as your bedroom, the DumbellConnect could easily blend in. Included in the set are two USB-C cables so no worries about proprietary chargers. That said, it would have been a nice touch if JaxJox either included cables with a 90-degree end or change the orientation of the port to allow the set to be up against the wall without risking damaging the cords. The add on weights slot into each other slightly for more stability. To make alignment more consistent, each weight has a corresponding slot in the base as well. The handle portion of the dumbbell has a shaft, split in two, that drives half of the shaft out in each direction to lock into the programmed amount of weight. While it does the job, they do seem thin and the instructions do warn you not to slam them. Realistically, if you are the type who prefers to drop the weights between sets you are probably best served by non-adjustable weights for safety and longevity. Setup is very straightforward. Just take the bases out of the box and plug them in. Next, slot the extra weights into their slots. Finally, place in the main dumbbell. From there you could begin a workout almost immediately if the batteries have enough of a charge. For tracking reps and sets and trying out their subscription to coaches workouts you are going to need to install the app and create a JaxJox account. While the subscription is not required to track workouts, it might be worth trying the 1 month trial to see if the workouts suit you.
The JaxJox DumbellConnect has an understated sleek design. While most adjustable weights have bright colors and aggressive shapes to them, the DumbellConnect’s simple charcoal color is understated. If you have your exercise equipment in a space where appearance matters, such as your bedroom, the DumbellConnect could easily blend in. Included in the set are two USB-C cables so no worries about proprietary chargers. That said, it would have been a nice touch if JaxJox either included cables with a 90-degree end or change the orientation of the port to allow the set to be up against the wall without risking damaging the cords. The add on weights slot into each other slightly for more stability. To make alignment more consistent, each weight has a corresponding slot in the base as well. The handle portion of the dumbbell has a shaft, split in two, that drives half of the shaft out in each direction to lock into the programmed amount of weight. While it does the job, they do seem thin and the instructions do warn you not to slam them. Realistically, if you are the type who prefers to drop the weights between sets you are probably best served by non-adjustable weights for safety and longevity. Setup is very straightforward. Just take the bases out of the box and plug them in. Next, slot the extra weights into their slots. Finally, place in the main dumbbell. From there you could begin a workout almost immediately if the batteries have enough of a charge. For tracking reps and sets and trying out their subscription to coaches workouts you are going to need to install the app and create a JaxJox account. While the subscription is not required to track workouts, it might be worth trying the 1 month trial to see if the workouts suit you.
Usage and Performance
If you have your own predefined workout, you can start straight from the dumbells. Just tap the screen on each base to wake them up. Set the desired weight and once you hear the beep you are ready to start. A slight annoyance is that the bases go to sleep after 20 seconds. This means that each time you want to change weights you first must wake the bases back up. It would be nice if JaxJox could either make the sleep function adjustable or at least keep them on for 30-60 minutes. This would make weight changes smoother.
If you have your own predefined workout, you can start straight from the dumbells. Just tap the screen on each base to wake them up. Set the desired weight and once you hear the beep you are ready to start. A slight annoyance is that the bases go to sleep after 20 seconds. This means that each time you want to change weights you first must wake the bases back up. It would be nice if JaxJox could either make the sleep function adjustable or at least keep them on for 30-60 minutes. This would make weight changes smoother.
For guided workouts, you can choose either a single workout or a full scheduled exercise regimen where you set the days you can work out. In the single workouts, a filter option lets you choose which JaxJox equipment you have and how much time you have to work out, but the setup still needs work. For example, if you choose to filter only for DumbellConnect workouts it still shows kettlebell workouts or other workouts requiring equipment you don’t have. Also, the filtered workout set gives you very little information as to what the workout contains. For example, there are names like Tabata Sweat, Sweat Circuit, and Strong. None of the names gives any description of what muscle groups are focused on and even opening the workout tells you nothing. This could lead to you choosing the same muscle group two days in a row and there doesn’t seem to be a way to filter further. Essentially, you must start the workout to figure out which equipment is required and if you have it and then in some cases fast forward through to see what the workout focuses on. Beyond that, the individual workouts seem to be comprised of compound moves. It’s possible there are workouts with more muscle isolation in longer sessions but without running through each one manually it’s hard to be certain. Overall the program seems to be decent but offers a lot of room for refinement and expansion in the future.
During guided workouts with a coach, the screen will display the total reps and total weight measured by the dumbells. The rep counter still needs some refinement as it regularly reads a single rep as two or three. Missing is a progress indicator for the workout. It’s nice to have one so you can stay motivated when you start to tank, but then you see the progress shows that you are almost done so you push harder to finish strong. Heart rate is displayed on the screen, but unfortunately it doesn’t use the one built into the Apple Watch. While Jaxjox has their own chest strap heart rate monitor, which is likely more accurate, it will be nice if they opened up to other options. Hopefully this will be added in the future. It would also be great if they could update the current ones or add to the next version to have the app track your previous weights and as you change sets you could just dock the dumbells and it would load the weights automatically based on your history. That would be amazing. Currently, switching weights is a manual process where you must wake up each base, wait for it to boot, and set the weight. Not a dealbreaker, just not as smart.
Inside the app after a workout, it will break it down into sets and reps but only for guided workouts. If you decide to have the app track your workout without going through a guided course, you are only going to get stats on the total reps. In either case, the app will ask for permission to access to Apple Health. While it is helpful to have the Jaxjox app have access to your other information it would be great if your workouts could be recorded back to the Apple Fitness app. This way you could see a combined view of your exercises. Hopefully Jaxjox will add this in the future. As for stats in the Jaxjox app, it seems they are trying to simplify the data by summarizing it into a Fitness IQ. It shows you the number of the days of the week you have worked as well as some other stats such as heart rate, peak power, average power, and steps taken. Under the class stats it will show you how many times you have been in each class type such as sweat, strong, restore, and skills. This can be good for a hands-off person, but it would be great if in the future they allow more advanced users to be able to track performance for specific exercises. More exercise enthusiasts are interested in using technology to track stats versus a paper journal and the Jaxjox line-up seems prime to have the solution. It’s possible they already have such functionality in their roadmap, but as it stands now the system is intended to be targeted at people who want a guided workout and a simple basic score to summarize how they are doing.
Final Thoughts
If you are an exercise enthusiast looking for smart connected free weights, the main question is what information you want to track. If you are an enthusiast that wants to track workout data granularly and automatically to ditch paper journals or other apps, the Dumbellconnect isn’t there at the time of writing this review. If you want sleek, adjustable dumbbells that switch electronically then the Dumbellconnect can easily suit the task. If you like the idea of working out with free weights to better challenge stabilizer muscles, want a more guided workout routine, don’t care about the specifics of each workout, and just want a simple dashboard that shows your progress in basic terms then the Jaxjox Dumbellconnect seems like it could be a perfect fit.
If you are an exercise enthusiast looking for smart connected free weights, the main question is what information you want to track. If you are an enthusiast that wants to track workout data granularly and automatically to ditch paper journals or other apps, the Dumbellconnect isn’t there at the time of writing this review. If you want sleek, adjustable dumbbells that switch electronically then the Dumbellconnect can easily suit the task. If you like the idea of working out with free weights to better challenge stabilizer muscles, want a more guided workout routine, don’t care about the specifics of each workout, and just want a simple dashboard that shows your progress in basic terms then the Jaxjox Dumbellconnect seems like it could be a perfect fit.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Create, control, and champion your playstyle with the new Razer Basilisk V3—the quintessential ergonomic gaming mouse for customized performance. With 10+1 programmable buttons, a dual-mode tilt scroll wheel, and a heavy dose of Razer Chroma RGB, it's time to light up the competition your way.
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Relatively light
Cord isn’t even noticeable
5 profiles can be stored onboard
Notched and free spin wheel
Relatively light
Cord isn’t even noticeable
5 profiles can be stored onboard
Notched and free spin wheel
Cons
No glide
pad on the right side of mouse
No glide
pad on the right side of mouse
Design
At first glance, you would be forgiven if you thought the Basilisk V3 was a V2. Externally the changes are subtle. The trigger button is not fixed in place, not removable, and is shorter. A light now surrounds the base which causes the base to glow. Underneath, the control to switch from notched scrolling to free spin is gone and has been replaced with a software control of the mode. Also, underneath is a profile switch button as it can now store up to 5 profiles directly into onboard storage.
At first glance, you would be forgiven if you thought the Basilisk V3 was a V2. Externally the changes are subtle. The trigger button is not fixed in place, not removable, and is shorter. A light now surrounds the base which causes the base to glow. Underneath, the control to switch from notched scrolling to free spin is gone and has been replaced with a software control of the mode. Also, underneath is a profile switch button as it can now store up to 5 profiles directly into onboard storage.
Setup and Performance
While not the lightest mouse available, the Basilisk feels light and comfortable in the hand. It is very flickable and switch activation is fast without being so touchy as to allow accidental activation. The Speedflex cable seems unnoticeable and thankfully doesn’t seem to snag on anything. It feel as though it were a wireless mouse. Quick movements are precise with no perceptible lag over overshoot.
While not the lightest mouse available, the Basilisk feels light and comfortable in the hand. It is very flickable and switch activation is fast without being so touchy as to allow accidental activation. The Speedflex cable seems unnoticeable and thankfully doesn’t seem to snag on anything. It feel as though it were a wireless mouse. Quick movements are precise with no perceptible lag over overshoot.
At first glance, the most noticeable change over the previous generation is the lighting. However, the most significant change is the scroll wheel. You can change from natural scrolling to notched scrolling using a button on the top, but the control is electronic. This means you can also control it through software and via game profiles. You can also a setting where you have the wheel change modes based on speed. Go slow and it is in notched mode but speed up enough and it becomes free spinning. It seems like a nice idea but the transition between modes is abrupt and somewhat odd as you hear it click and feel it change feel during operation. This possibly is a feature that you can get accustomed to, but for now it’s interesting but odd. Most people would likely choose to set it in the preferred mode manually or use the profile switch option as it is more seamless. Where is really comes in handy is in profiles. Do you like the wheel to scroll freely outside of games but need finer control in game? Just set your game profile for notched movement of the wheel. When you fire up the game it will automatically switch modes on the wheel. Once you exit, it switches back to free spinning all on its own. The buttons feel consistent and activate almost exactly at the same moment you hear and feel the click, possibly just slightly before. The pressure required is well weighted, not overly sensitive nor too hard. If there was any criticism of the design, it would be the glide pads. While having a large left pad and only a tiny pad around the sensor for the right works, it seems likely that down the wrong this could cause issues.
With Razer Synapse you can map and change the function of each button and the scroll wheel. You can also create profiles that automatically switch between games. A nice additional is onboard profile storage. If you want to take your mouse with you, you can also store up to 5 profiles directly into the onboard storage on the mouse. You can switch between them using a profile switch on the bottom. This way you don’t have to have Synapse installed in every place you use the Basilisk. Just make to upload the profiles you need before you go.
Final Thoughts
It’s hard top find fault with the Razer Basilisk V3. It’s smooth, responsive, and feels comfortable. If you are in the market for a gaming mouse and are open to the idea of a wired one, its worth giving the Basilisk V3 a try. You might find yourself happy surprised you chose a wired.
It’s hard top find fault with the Razer Basilisk V3. It’s smooth, responsive, and feels comfortable. If you are in the market for a gaming mouse and are open to the idea of a wired one, its worth giving the Basilisk V3 a try. You might find yourself happy surprised you chose a wired.
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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.
Overall
5 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
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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
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.
0points
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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.
0points
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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.
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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.
Overall
3 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
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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, 6 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, 6 months ago
by
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, 1 month 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, 6 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, 6 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, 7 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, 9 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, 9 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, 1 month ago
by
CraigB