Nate34's stats
- Review count153
- Helpfulness votes950
- First reviewMay 29, 2010
- Last reviewApril 20, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.7
- Review comment count8
- Helpfulness votes4
- First review commentAugust 29, 2014
- Last review commentNovember 3, 2016
- Featured review comments0
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- Answer count12
- Helpfulness votes6
- First answerMay 29, 2010
- Last answerNovember 30, 2018
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- Best answers1
Packed with the options that creators, vloggers and streamers want, the Z30 sports a flip-out touchscreen to keep you in front of the camera. Featuring 4K video that will help you stand out, fast, reliable autofocus, crystal clear audio, creative in-camera filters and convenient controls—all in a compact, lightweight package that will inspire your best work yet.
Customer Rating
5
Amazing all around 4k camera
on October 11, 2022
Posted by: Nate34
In the box you get the Nikon Z30, rechargeable battery, lens caps, USB cable, and strap. The camera itself is fairly compact, light, and has a great feel in the hand. It feels solidly built, but is easy to handle as well. The camera does not have a view finder, but the flippable screen makes up for this for me. It has a very nice 3” LCD touch screen with great resolution so everything is easy to see and read. It does not have a built in flash, but an external flash can be used and will more than likely be brighter than any built in one. And with its amazing low light performance you will find yourself needing one less. More on that later.
As far as the battery goes its charged via a USB cable plugged directly into the camera. So the charge time will depend heavily on the device it is being charged from. Directly into a PC will take quite awhile so for me I used a high amperage cell charger. An external portable charger would be ideal, or just pack along a couple extra batteries. The battery itself is a 7.6v 1120mah lithium ion. It took a few hours for the initial charge, lasted a couple hours, then required a much longer charge when empty. So I am thinking it came with about 65-75% in the box.
For recording video I went with a high speed 512gb SD card I already had. And even that size can fill up fast if you are capturing lots of high resolution footage. Someday when prices go down Ill look into the 2tb options. But for now a 512 and a couple 256's I have work great. The 4k video on this is amazing. I use to be one of those older guys that said you cant tell the difference between 1080p and 4k and now I know I was wrong. 4K is just so much crisper. And the video quality is so smooth as well. With the ability to shoot 4k/30 so well I keep that my default video setting for most videos. If its something that doesnt need to be that high resolution I use 1080 at 60 or 120. Of course 4k eats up your SD card space like lunch.
Taking pictures is a delight as well. The pictures come out so crisp and clear. And the low light performance really surprised me. Even at night it captured pictures that were worth keeping. I dont know how many times Ive had to just delete pics because they were just too blurry with low light. And the auto focus tracking of eyes made it a lot easier to get pics of people that arent standing still. And this also works with pets. I have 2 new cats that I am constantly trying to get good “moments” and with the auto focus kicking in so fast I am able to get these. And the blurred background feature works well and greatly enhances pictures. Another great feature is being able to edit pics on the camera. What a time saver. Being able to quickly edit pics then either transferring them via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is so much easier than the old time consuming process.
In summary this is one awesome camera. If you love taking high quality pictures and videos, vlogging, and creating awesome content this is a great choice. It has all the features and settings I need, and more that I look forward to experimenting with. Beautiful 4k video and pics, superb low light performance, quick edit, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and solid battery life all come together in one package. Highly recommended.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Bring the best of De’Longhi’s expertise and technology to your countertop, now more accessible than ever, with the new Magnifica Evo. Featuring 7 expertly crafted beverages, Magnifica Evo brings an authentic espresso experience to your home, at the press of a button. The one-touch display panel makes it easier than ever to enjoy espresso made right, right at home. The built-in conical burr grinder and brewing unit deliver only the freshest espresso with a perfect grind, dose, and brew every time, for the richest and most aromatic beverages that taste fresh from the cafe. De’Longhi’s proprietary LatteCrema System is expertly designed to automatically craft espresso beverages with a long-lasting, silky-smooth foam—with milk or your favorite milk alternatives. Clean-up is simple thanks to our auto-clean function and detachable, dishwasher-safe design. Enjoy your favorite Italian espresso beverages from the comfort of your home with the exceptionally intuitive Magnifica Evo. Espresso made right is now just a touch away.
Customer Rating
5
All my favorite drinks at home saving money & time
on October 10, 2022
Posted by: Nate34
Being able to make all my favorite coffee drinks at home is just plain awesome! The machine itself is very heavy and well built. The design is beautiful. And is a conversation starter for sure. Everyone that goes in the kitchen immediately asks about it. And its great to be able to ask them “Whats your pleasure” and actually be able to make it.
Getting started can be a bit overwhelming if you expect to just know it all right away. But if you take your time and read the instructions you will be up and making your own drinks in no time. My 2 favorites which are very simple to make are lattes and macchiatos. And depending on the day and how I feel its awesome to be able to make both either hot or iced.
Making the drinks can be as easy as you want with a couple taps, or you can tweak them to your liking. And once you get use to it it becomes as easy as your standard coffee maker. If you need a quick pick me up a double espresso is a touch away. It has 7 built in one touch recipes, and you can create your own as well. Even some of the complicated drinks are no problem. I look forward to experimenting with other drinks to see if something might replace my go to macchiato.
Maintenance is very easy as well and laid out in the manual. It can all be done in a few minutes and with something like this its well worth the little time to keep your drinks flowing.
For me as a daily coffee drinker this is going to save not only a lot of money, but time as well. Everyone hates being in hurry to get somewhere and have your local cafe backed up. Now I can have my drink in the morning (or anytime for that matter) without the wait and the money. And making drinks for guests is so much fun. I am very happy with my De'Longhi Magnifica.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Escort MAX 360c MKII is a high-performance radar and laser detector with advanced connectivity. We started with our legendary quality and ease of use and improved on it with the latest hardware available. The MAX 360c MKII radar detector now features an upgraded dual-antenna platform, Blackfin DSP chip, and dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity. The result is better detection performance delivered more quickly and fewer false alerts to distract you from your drive.
Customer Rating
5
Great for Notorious speed trap on Highway near me
on October 6, 2022
Posted by: Nate34
Although Im not a speed demon by any means Ive gotten my fair share of tickets. But that is a thing of the past. The Escort radar detector is another one of those things you dont think you need until you do.
In the box you get the MAX 360 radar and laser detector, power cord, case, manual, and the mount. Mounting is universal and will work with basically any car. The device itself is built very solid which is great because it will eventually be dropped taking it out and putting it back in the car daily. But the included case is very nice and will help avoid drop damage. The very strong suction cup keeps the mount itself strongly in place. Then the device clips into place with a very strong magnet so you can easily take it out when not in use. Which is great because having something like that in your car overnight is just one more reason a thief chooses your car over the next. You then plug it into your cigarette lighter port with the Smart USB cord that doubles as a USB power source so you arent losing being able to use your lighter port to be able to charge via USB.
The initial set up in the Drive Smarter app wasnt too much of an issue. You can do it 2 ways. If your car is newer and has built in Wi-Fi or use your phone. My 2014 Civic doesnt have Wi-Fi so I had to do the set up via my Galaxy's S21+ Wi-Fi hotspot. So this is something to consider. Thankfully my cell service plan has 25gb of mobile hotspot which is much more than I need or use. It took a few tries while getting everything configured but I was able to get it all connected.
Once connected it was time to hit the highway near my house that is constantly being monitored with several hiding spots where by the time you see them its too late. I was very surprised at the alerts coming in. Like I said they sometimes hide well and getting a notification before its too late is what this is all about. And you really dont know if it has worked because you will have been careful. But if you find yourself no longer getting tickets than it must be working. Depending on how much over the speed limit you are a single ticket could pay for this.
Other than radar and laser alerts it also has other great features. It will also use other detectors in a shared network to keep everyone up to speed (pun intended). This same data base network will also learn as you drive and even warn you of speed and red light cameras. Another “feature” that really isnt a feature is that along with alerts this is another reminder to stay at the limit. Its so easy to kind of zone out, then come back to reality and realize your speeding. So this being another reminder is great.
Like I said this is another one of those things you dont know you need until you do. And it pays for itself in no time by saving you the time, hassle, and of course money you'll avoid. My only wish is that I had one on my motorcycle! Highly recommended. Thanks for reading and your time.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 uses Pure Air MicroForce to deliver fast, powerful, and quiet purification with added purified heat and purified fan modes. Clean Sense IQ senses air quality & auto-adjusts to improve and report results in real time. A HEPA filter captures 99.98% of airborne particles like allergens*, dust, and dander (based on IEST-RP-CC007.3, 0.1-0.2 microns). Cleans up to 500 square feet. *“Allergens” refers to non-living matter.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent air purifier for allergies and clean air
on October 2, 2022
Posted by: Nate34
This is an excellent purifier. Its one of those things most people dont think they need until they use it.
In the box you get the Shark air purifier, a Nanoseal filter, and the remote. The device itself is pretty hefty and solid. It looks great and fits in easily around other electronics and devices. And people almost always ask what it is.
The initial set up is as simple as installing the filter, turning it on and selecting one of the 3 modes. Purified fan which blows purified air out the front. Purified heat will blow heated purified heat out the front. And purified air gets diffused out the back. This mode boosts the cleaning. You also can adjust the fan speed and temps. I ended up just keeping it on auto mode which will adjust as needed. Its pretty quiet in the lower speed fan modes, but in high you can hear it. But its by no means loud. And Ive been running a regular fan all day anyway so this took no time to get used to.
One of my favorite features is that it will collect pet dander. We have 2 dogs and 2 cats so this is great. And of course with us that have allergies the purifier is a life saver. No more worrying about allergy season and needing allergy meds. Just keep the Shark running and forget about all that. This alone makes it worth it.
Maintenance is very easy as well. Just keep the device and the filter clean after opening then vacuuming it all out. Takes a few minutes and will keep it working correctly, so well worth the time.
And its all controllable via a very nice remote. And since its magnetic just click in onto the purifier so you wont lose it. It takes a single CR2025 battery.
The front display is minimalistic but gives you all the information you need such as air quality and current temperature. I prefer this clean look over a cluttered display that shows things you really dont need.
Overall I really love this purifier. Its made life easier not having to worry about allergies and our pets dander. And anything that makes life easier is worth it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Shark HydroVac Cordless Pro XL 3-in-1 multi-surface cleaner vacuums, mops and cleans itself with powerful suction & hydro mopping at the same time. It deep cleans hard floors and cleans area rugs. Includes a self-cleaning, antimicrobial brushroll* to help prevent odors & bacterial growth on the brushroll; 2-tank system to separate clean & dirty water; extra large clean tank; headlights; LED display and multi-surface concentrate with odor neutralizer technology. *Brushroll treated with antimicrobial substance to preserve roller and resist bacterial odors on the brushroll.
Customer Rating
4
Great cordless vacuum for floors, rugs, and pets!
on October 1, 2022
Posted by: Nate34
The Shark WD201 cordless is the perfect vacuum for quick clean up jobs for pets, spills, and throw rugs.
In the box you get the Shark WD201 cordless vacuum, charging dock, extra filter, brushroll, and bottle of cleaner. The initial assembly and set up is a breeze with the easy to follow illustrated quick start guide. The vacuum itself is pretty light and very easy to maneuver around as you clean. The suction is very strong and worked so well I didnt need to follow up with my main vacuum. And since its a 3-in-1 it gets all my floor surfaces. Unfortunately with it being cordless it only runs until the battery is dead. And this was about a half hour or so. But for me this was enough to get the main traffic and pet areas. And I do appreciate the battery level indicator so you can rush if you are close to done and want to finish before it needs to be recharged. Our living room is about 90% covered with throw rugs and this does those very well. It picked up most of the pet hair without having to go back over areas. I didnt expect a cordless to be able to handle the hair from our 2 dogs and 2 cats but it does.
But one of the main advantages of it being cordless is of course not having to constantly maneuver the power cord so you dont run over it or trip all the time.
Our other surface is mainly tile in our kitchen and dining room. The Shark also cleaned these very well, and is great at touch ups, pet accidents, or spills. After cleaning it leaves a very nice after smell and left the floor nice and shiny.
One of the coolest features is the self cleaning. This is great for a few uses, but I dont entirely rely on this to keep it maintained. Thankfully a more thorough cleaning is very easy if you just follow the manual. And it only takes a few minutes.
In summary I really love this Shark 3-in-1. Its so handy to just grab and get a quick cleaning done, and for pet accidents. I only wish it had a bit longer battery life, but as mentioned before cordless things have their pros and cons. And with something this light and easy to move around its great to not trip over the cord.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Neato D9's 200 minute runtime, covering 1,600 square feet on a single charge, makes it ideal for medium to larger-sized homes. You can't use circles to clean a square corner. That's why Neato's D-shape allows for a 70% larger brush than those found in round robots along with an industry-leading 0.70 liter dirt bin that holds more dirt between cleanings. Neato's D9 offers corner-to-corner and edge-to-edge cleaning in a short amount of time and its unique Helix multi-surface brush is now 50% quieter on hard surfaces. Neato's D9 also offers 40% greater dirt pickup than D3 & D5. The powerful performance combined with an easy-to-clean Ultra-Performance filter traps up to 99.5% of allergens and dust. Equipped with energy-saving Eco Mode for general vacuuming to high-performance Turbo Mode, Neato gets the job done. The Neato D9 uses LaserSmart powered by LIDAR, the same technology used in self-driving vehicles, to map and navigate your home with precision, leaving your carpets with those satisfying straight vacuum lines in no time. Because it uses lasers, not cameras, to navigate your home it works just as well in low light conditions like under furniture and never records images of you and your belongings. It also doesn't have microphones on board and features state-of-the-art encryption both on the robot and in the cloud. With regular software updates sent automatically, you can feel confident you're getting the latest features as soon as they're released. Get cleaning in minutes with Neato’s hassle-free setup using the MyNeato app. Create Zones to target trouble spots more often—like crumbs under the dining table. Create No-Go Zones to avoid spaces such as a pet dish or child’s play area. Clean where you want, when you want—on demand or scheduled in advance. Available in a premium, brushed black finish that fits in with any décor. Let Neato D9 take care of the dirty work. You've got better things to do. The Ultimate Cleaning Machine.
Customer Rating
4
Great Automatic Vacuum
on September 28, 2022
Posted by: Nate34
In the box you get the D9 robot vacuum, charge base, 2 extra filters, a cleaning tool, and the power cord. The vacuum itself is very well made and solid, which of course it needs to be since it will no doubt bump into a lot in its normal use. The initial set up is fairly straight forward getting it charged, then set up in the app. In my case the majority of area it will be used on is very close to our houses main router so the app found the router and connected after 2 tries. A few more clicks and it was ready to go.
Our house is about a 50/50 mix of carpet and hard tile. And thankfully this does both. We have pets so there is a lot of hair to clean up and its brushes work very well and getting almost all of it up. The built in LIDAR works well mapping things out and getting to almost every nook and cranny. It was able to get all of the areas we want done on one charge with some left over. But if it runs out its smart enough to return to the charger, then resume where it left off when its charged.
Of course any vacuum like this will require maintenance and thankfully its very easy. Cleaning the filters, emptying the bin, wiping down the sensors, and cleaning the brush can all be done in a few minutes.
The only issue I ran into which isnt the fault of the vacuum is that the dogs and cats go nuts when its on. So we have to put the dogs out when its running. The cats eventually lost interest and just stay out of its way. So if you have pets its something to consider.
Overall I am very pleased with the D9. Anything that can help with the day to day grind is welcome, and vacuuming is one of those grinds I hate. Its nice to come home and have things cleaned up for you. The D9 has plenty of power, battery life, and features to get about 90% of our floors cleaned up. It cant get everywhere, but its pretty close.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Take on your ultimate adventure with Galaxy Watch5 Pro¹. It’s our most advanced outdoor watch yet, featuring a 2x stronger⁵ Sapphire Crystal Glass display. Power through intense activities, even with GPS on, with a long-lasting battery. Stay on the right trail even in unfamiliar terrain thanks to voice or vibration guided turn-by-turn navigation⁹. Push your body further with accurate sensors that help keep a closer eye on your heart rate³, and BIA² measurements that help you track your physique. Get the rest you need to stay energized on your journeys with Advanced Sleep Coaching¹. Look sharp on every expedition with bands and watch faces that you can match to any outfit. Plus, pair your watch with the rest of your Galaxy for a connected network of devices that work together to help go stronger and harder than ever before. Whether you’re hiking, kayaking⁴ or camping, get ready to take it to the extreme with Galaxy Watch5 Pro.
Customer Rating
5
My first Smart watch and its pretty awesome
on August 31, 2022
Posted by: Nate34
For the longest time I never though a Smartwatch was something I actually wanted and/ or needed. Well thats changed now after seeing all the cool things it can do.
Theres not much in the box other than the watch so unboxing is rather simple. But once I saw and then felt the watch I could tell Samsung built this thing to last. The watch looks amazing. Yes its a lot larger than a standard watch but of course it has to be with all that is packed inside. The 45mm screen is the perfect size and all the info is so well laid out you can see everything you need easily. The titanium case has a raised lip to prevent scratches and screen damage. The unique sports band holds the watch in place well, and easily stays in place and on with even rigorous activity.
The initial set up was very easy pairing it to my Galaxy S21+. Then its just a matter of installing the widgets and getting all the settings the way you want it. I was starting from scratch, but if you are upgrading you can restore data. I personally prefer the old school look of hours and minute hands. But there are plenty of other ways to personalize it to your taste.
One of the coolest things I have found this useful for is when I am out on bike or scooter rides. Using the GPS on my watch is a lot more accurate on my scooter rides, and a lot easier on bike rides since I use to have to always pull out my phone to check things like calories burnt, distance, etc. Ive never trusted a $1000 phone with a plastic phone holder so I always keep my phone in my pocket. So being able to just glance over at my wrist for all the info I need including heart rate, etc. has been great.
Answering calls, texts, and receiving notifications all work perfect as well. I was pleasantly surprised at the microphone and speakers quality. I was sure there would be issues, but I was able to hear and be heard with no issues at all.
The improved 590mah battery in the 5 allows for a full day of heavy use and more. But I just do the same thing I do with my Galaxy S21+ and use the 25w charger to get both charged so they have full life at the start of each day.
Like I said before this was something I didnt know I wanted or needed until I tried it. It has so many unique things it can do and makes a lot of what you can do with a phone easier with a glance at your wrist. I look forward to finding more cool things it can do to make things easier and more productive. If you are looking for a Smartwatch this is one you should not pass up. Much recommended!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Build a better home network with this NETGEAR Nighthawk tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router. The five Ethernet ports provide Gigabit-speed wired connections, and the powerful antennae support up to eight Wi-Fi streams at once. This NETGEAR Nighthawk tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router has a 6GHz band that delivers wireless speeds of up to 7.8 Gbps. Includes a 1-year NETGEAR Armor all-in-one internet security subscription.
Customer Rating
5
Top Notch performance and features
on August 23, 2022
Posted by: Nate34
If you are looking for a router that has all the current features without the fear of missing out on what will come in the years to come this is one that should be at the top of your list.
In the box you get the Nighthawk RAXE300 router, AC power adapter, Ethernet cable and the manual. First impressions on opening it was wow this looks like a spaceship from a sci-fi movie. The fold-able antennas look just like wings. Its awesome. It feels very solid and you can just feel how well its built. It has 6 LAN ports which is great. For some the standard 4 just isnt enough. It is pretty wide at 13 inches, but still had no issues putting it where my other router was.
Initial set up and installation is very easy using the Nighthawk app. Easy to follow instructions and I was up and running in about 10 minutes or so. If you dont want to get all into the settings and tweak things you can basically plug and play. But for those that want all the extra features and settings they are there. For me the most involved I get is port forwarding for gaming. And it was pretty straight forward and easy to get set up.
The performance of this router is absolutely outstanding. My previous set up required dual routers to be able to cover most of my home. With this I can use just the Nighthawk router and even get decent coverage in my front yard. Although my current internet service only allows for up to 180gbs I was easily getting that and more in most areas of the home. Recently I stopped using Direct TV and have gotten all my TV entertainment via streaming services. These of course require a good solid connection to avoid pauses and constant buffering. And with this even the more difficult apps ran with no issues at all. Nothing worse than watching a great movie in lowered resolutions, or having to stare at a circle circling while it catches up. Although I dont use these the router is also compatible with Alexa and Google assistant, which is a very cool feature that a lot of routers just dont have.
And as mentioned before this router is awesome for gaming. My PS5 and XBOX Series X both played online games very smooth with no delay for multi-player at all. Game installations and updates were also very fast. I also recently got back into Mario Kart on the switch with the new courses and multi-player there was rock solid as well.
In summary if you are looking for a router that does it all and does it well look no further. Easy set up, extremely solid coverage, fast speeds, ports a plenty, features for years to come this is a great choice. Netgear knocked it out of the park with this one. Highly recommended!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Brother - MFC-J1170DW Wireless Color All-in-One Refresh Subscription Eligible Inkjet Printer - Black
The Brother MFC-J1170DW is the perfect color inkjet all-in-one printer for your home office and small office needs. The MFC-J1170DW is easy to connect and operate along with being compact and economical. This printer’s multiple flexible connection options include a built-in wireless(2) interface for sharing with multiple users on your network, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet or connect locally to a single computer via a USB interface. This printer delivers robust features, business-centric functionality, high-quality output, two-sided (duplex) printing and fast inkjet print speeds – up to 17 ppm black and white and 16.5 ppm color.(3) Its generous 2.7” color touchscreen provides easy navigation and simple icons for accessing powerful features along with print-from and scan-to popular cloud services including Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive and more,(4) directly from the printer. Users enjoy reliable printing, copying, scanning and faxing plus wireless printing from a desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet.(2) Featuring the Brother Mobile Connect(5) App, a user-friendly interface that gives you the freedom to print and manage your printer from virtually anywhere. The MFC-J1170DW features the unique Brother Page Gauge(6) which estimates remaining ink and page levels, so you always know how much ink you have left and how many pages you can print.
Customer Rating
5
Great printer at a great price.
on August 20, 2022
Posted by: Nate34
This is my first Brother printer and I have to say I am very pleased. In a small affordable package it does all my printing needs and more!
In the box you of course get the printer, line cord, starter ink cartridges, the quick guide and some other papers. The printer itself is fairly compact and light and fits in with my other electronics and PC components. The initial set up is fast and simple with well done instructions. You can be up and printing in minutes. It has multiple options for connecting and printing. You can use Ethernet, Wi-Fi direct, or the good old fashioned USB. For me it of course depends on what and where I need to print from. More on that later.
The printer has a very nice color touchscreen that makes it very easy to get to all your settings and what you need done. Printing, scanning, copying, faxing and my favorite wireless printing. Before this the process of getting something from my phone printing was a hassle. Printing directly from my phone is so easy with this printer. Just sent it directly to the printer and its done in seconds. My other printer use to take forever making all kinds of noises before it would print. What was it doing? Anyway one click and the Brother has my printed page out and ready in seconds. Love it.
Changing cartridges is really easy as well. But ink is still too expensive it you ask me. I mean to get all your ink replaced you can pay up to half or more of the cost of the printer. But thats not the printers fault. Its that way across the board when it comes to ink replacement.
For the price you get a great printer that does pretty much all your standard household would need. Its so easy to set to and use, and prints really fast. I have 2 old printers Ill be throwing out now. Now I just need to find the cheapest ink I can get when I need more. But for now I am very happy with the Brother all in one. Like the name says it does it all. Recommended.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Meet Pixel 6a, the more affordable Google phone that adapts to you. Powered by Google Tensor, it’s super fast and secure. The battery lasts up to 72 hours with Extreme Battery Saver.***** The Pixel Camera captures the moment just how you experienced it. And with TitanM2 security, protection is built right in.
Customer Rating
5
The Sub $500 smart phone market gets even better.
on August 8, 2022
Posted by: Nate34
Not so long ago you would have to spend flagship money to get flagship features. But in the last few years the mid price phones have gotten closer and closer to their more expensive brothers. And with the Google Pixel 6a this is no exception.
The box is pretty thin and initially I wasnt sure if it came with a charger like current iPhones and Galaxys are missing, and unfortunately I was right. It comes with the phone, a USB to C cable, and quick switch adapter for data transfers, and a sim card tool. I understand why companies are not including chargers (cost cutting), and they figure everyone has a house full of chargers and in my case they are right. But it would have been nice to include a Google fast charger.
Initial impressions of the phone itself is that its about the same width as my current phone (Galaxy S21+), but quite a bit shorter. I really like the feel in the hand. The slightly curved edges along the back feel good with no sharp corners or edges that get uncomfortable after awhile. Its pretty light as well. The back on the charcoal one looks nice, but the glossy finish does pick up fingerprints. Overall the build is excellent.
Before setting it up I was debating if I should start fresh, or use the data transfer tool to do a full data transfer. And this leads me to one of my only issues with this. The fact that it only has 128gb of total storage with no way to increase that. I know the days of SD card slots are long gone, but I feel all phones should have at least 256gb. My S21+ with 256gb is over half full, so even if I wanted to do a direct transfer I would have to delete a lot of stuff. So I decided to start fresh. For some this might be plenty of storage, for me I need more. But thankfully there are plenty of cloud options to back up your media out there to help with data if you have a lot of pics and/ or apps and games.
The initial set up is a breeze with Android and getting everything set up with my Verizon was a piece of cake. A few settings, choices, etc. and your good to go. The rest of the process is downloading the additional apps you want and getting them all set up. This can take hours if you have a lot of apps. But Ive gotten use to that.
One of the main draws to Pixel phones is the pure Android experience you get with no additional carrier or brand stuff. And of course you can expect new versions of the OS to be available to Pixels first. But despite it being a simpler version of Android there is still a ton of customizing to do. This is my main reason I have never even owned an iPhone and dont plan to. The ability to take a phone and completely redo everything the way I like is something Ill never give up.
The screen is very nice. The FHD+ means its 1080 x 2400. At this size 1080p is perfect. I dont see a need for UHD at this screen size. Everything is crystal clear and runs smooth. At 6.1” its a bit less tall than my other phone, but not small by any means. And with up to 60hz everything scrolls and moves nice and smooth. No choppiness or delays while rapidly scrolling.
The 4410mah battery lasts a full day with heavy use easily. And if you are light on usage its rated to go up to 72 hours using Extreme battery saver which makes it the perfect phone for the long haul. Unfortunately the 6a does not have wireless charging. But after using it awhile on phones in the past, and how much faster wired charging has gotten I stopped using wireless charging awhile back.
Another thing Pixel phones are known for is their camera systems, and again the Pixel 6a is no exception. Excellent photo and video quality. And the new camera translate is a really cool feature. I also prefer hole punch selfie cameras vs. any sort of notch system. And again it takes really nice selfies as well. And both cameras have plenty of settings and features to tinker with to get your photos perfect. I do miss the unlimited photo storage. But I never thought that could last forever through all their Pixel phones. But again with the plethora of cloud storage options out there this isnt a deal breaker.
Call quality and messaging is also great on the Pixel 6a. I had no issues with dropped calls, or people not hearing me or vice versa. And Googles messaging app is top notch.
The fingerprint scanner on the 6a works great. Almost instant unlock. But this is also a feature on phones I never use because no one ever touches my phone other than me. But when needed its a great feature that the 6a nailed.
Overall I would say the Google Pixel 6a is one of the best sub $500 phones you can get. You get the Pixel experience, fast and current updates, amazing pictures, awesome performance, all day battery life, and a lot more for less than half of the current flagship offerings. Very highly recommended.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Nate34's Review Comments
Sharp LC-50LB261U LED HDTV: With a 120Hz refresh rate, this Sharp HDTV reduces visual judder, making images appear smooth and lifelike to the human eye. The MHL-enabled design supports 1080p video and 5.1-channel sound playback from your enabled phone or tablet, so you can bring your favorite media to the big screen.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Excellent TV!
By Faceman
from Saint Paul, MN
I bought this TV after comparing several TVs at my local Best Buy store, and was a little hesitant since there were no reviews of it online yet since it is brand new. But after comparing a few options, I decided on this one and am so glad I did. The picture quality is outstanding, and I would say it is on par with some others that are quite a bit more expensive. The sound quality seems good as well. It has three HDMI inputs as well as a USB input (in addition to the other standard inputs), which is nice since some in this price range had fewer inputs. It was really easy to set up, and I'm very happy that I purchased this TV. The only negative at all is if you need more details from the user guide, the included set up instructions refer you to go online to the Sharp website, but this TV is so new that the user guide is not yet online. That wasn't a major problem since set up was really easy and settings are very straight forward. I would definitely buy this TV again if I was looking for another and recommend it to anybody.
Nate34
North Bay Area, Ca.
August 29, 2014
Hello. Im still trying to get a new set after our huge earthquake in Napa, Ca. My nice 50" Samsung plasma bit the bullet. Ive been trying to find one that has a PC input since I use it to attach my laptop as well as others. And it seems like its so rare to see a pc input as well as more than 2 HDMI. And I see that this set has both.Still happy with it?
+1point
3of 5voted this comment as helpful.
Samsung JU7100 Series UN32J5500AFXZA LED Smart 4K Ultra HDTV: Experience your favorite shows and movies in the stunning detail of 4K Ultra HD. This Samsung Smart TV even brings lower-resolution content up to near-Ultra HD quality, so you can stream apps and videos from your devices in amazing clarity.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Outstanding Picture quality
By Program
The picture quality is amazing. Movies look outstanding on this TV. I am running everything through my Xbox One with a 4K rated HDMI cable. With my previous 4K TV, off-brand TV i purchased two years ago, the color range was not very big and the blacks were very grainy and made dark scenes look terrible. This TV has amazing color ranges and the black levels are tops! I would give the TV 5 stars without hesitating, but there are two issues i have with it. 1 - the input lag in most games i have played is very noticeable and can get a little frustrating when trying to play a game like Halo or Battlefield. I also wanted this tv because of the 240 hrtz refresh as opposed to the 120 on most other Samsung TV's. Even the improved refresh rate still doesn't clean-up the picture as much as i was hoping it would for fast motion, in video games or in movies. I have not seen sports yet, but tested the "Sports Motion" feature on both movies and games, but doesn't seem to have a big enough effect on the picture to make using the feature worth-while.
I am not regretting the purchase in the slightest, and it is a huge step up from what i had, and should be able to maintain is useful lifespan of 2-3 years to last 5-6 years and still be a "top of the line" TV.
Nate34
North Bay Area, Ca.
Input lag
August 2, 2015
Have you tried engaging game mode for gaming? It will reduce the lag by a lot. In the reviews I have read this set has one of the lowest lags for 2015 4K Sets. Just an idea.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Samsung JU7100 Series UN32J5500AFXZA LED Smart 4K Ultra HDTV: Experience your favorite shows and movies in the stunning detail of 4K Ultra HD. This Samsung Smart TV even brings lower-resolution content up to near-Ultra HD quality, so you can stream apps and videos from your devices in amazing clarity.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Great picture
By Mickneal
from Fishers, IN
Great picture and sound. The only thing that disappointed me was that was sold without any 3-D glasses. They are also powered glasses, so they are not cheap.
Nate34
North Bay Area, Ca.
Glasses
August 2, 2015
I went with some Samsung SSG-5150GB glasses and got them for $17. Work perfect.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Connect favorite peripherals to this Acer Aspire laptop. Four USB ports let you connect accessories, transfer files or charge a cellphone while you work, and HDMI outputs make dual-screen functionality possible. Access nearby wireless networks with this Acer Aspire laptop and stream videos or upload your own images captured with the built-in HD webcam.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Great Laptop
By techjunkie07
I purchased this laptop a few days ago and man do I love it. This computer has everything I was looking for in a laptop (expect for an SSD) however I felt I could live without it considering the price for this machine. I have never owned an Acer always HP, had it for 7 years and it was time for an upgrade. I do really like this laptop fast, beautiful design and enough ports not to mention the PRICE again you wont be disappointed.
Nate34
North Bay Area, Ca.
SSD
June 24, 2016
Can you upgrade to an SSD with it?
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Samsung - 55" Class - (54.6" Diag.) - LED - 2160p - Smart - 4K Ultra HD TV - with High Dynamic Range
Watch TV, movies or videos in stunning quality with this Samsung 4K UHD TV. The 55-inch screen shows every detail clearly, so you won't miss anything. The SmartHub software works with the built-in Wi-Fi to let you access many popular streaming services, ensuring that you always have something to watch on this Samsung 4K UHD TV.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Should be at the top of your TV shopping list!!
By Nate34
from North Bay Area, Ca.
When I started TV shopping I did a lot of research and at first bought the 55” KS8000. I liked that but when the KS9000 went on sale I exchanged it for that. One of the main reasons I went with the 9000 was the design (mainly the stand). On the 55” version of the 8000 the legs are about 44” apart. My stand that I have been using for years for several TV's is only 42” wide. So I had to use a large piece of wood on top of my stand just to be able to set up the 8000. This didnt really look all that great, and I didnt want to have to replace my stand with a wider one. And thankfully the 9000 has a more standard V shaped stand that fits and works great on my TV stand.
And the 9000 also has some improved specs and also looks better in my opinion. I didnt really like the glossy back of the 8000. Anyway I really love this TV. Ive had several Samsungs, and my last set was the JU7100. But decided it was time to upgrade. I dont really miss the lack of 3D because I think I literally only used it once on my 7100 to test it. And I do believe 3D is on its way to being extinct. Anyway the new thing now of course is HDR. And the KS9000 really takes advantage of that. It simply looks amazing. There are several Netflix shows that show what HDR is all about. And I also recently bought the new XBOX ONE S. Ive yet to buy an HDR Bluray, but I will soon. But as I mentioned there is plenty of HDR on Netflix and Amazon Video in the meantime.
One of the really cool new features this years Samsung TV's has its the new Tizen system. It is much more simple and streamlined this year. My favorite feature so far is how well the TV detects whatever device you are connecting and names it accordingly. I have a PS3, PS4, XBOX ONE, 360, and a PC laptop all connected to my TV. And it names them all without me having to do anything. The PS3 and PS4 are both automatically labeled as “Playstation”. And the XBOX One and 360 are both labeled by their full names each. I didnt have to type out names like I have before when customizing my input names. As you can tell I have a lot of things connected to my TV. And since it has 4 HDMI ports I use 2 HDMI 3 way splitters. They automatically switch to whatever source is powered on. So my system is set up like this:
HDMI 1 = Direct TV
HDMI 2 = PS3 and PS4
HDMI 3 = XBOX ONE S
HDMI 4 = PC, Wii U, and XBOX 360
HDMI 2 = PS3 and PS4
HDMI 3 = XBOX ONE S
HDMI 4 = PC, Wii U, and XBOX 360
The reason I am listing these all out is because I want to add how smart this TV is. It switches the settings, input name, and device type on HDMI 4 on its own depending on whichever one is powered on. And I have different settings for PC and the Wii U and 360. I use to have to manually switch the input type every time I went from one to the other. But when I power off a device it automatically switches all the settings and input types on its own.
Of course a review of a TV without talking about picture quality isnt complete so here we go. Simply put its amazing. The colors and picture are awesome. It also has very good motion handling, especially if you set Auto Motion plus to Auto. But this gives you the dreaded SOE (Soap Opera Effect). Which I really dont care for. So I use a custom setting for Auto Motion (Blur 3, Judder 3, and LED Clear Off). This gives it very good motion handling with very little SOE.
As you read above I am a gamer. And one of the main things I look for when TV shopping is the input lag (or lack thereof). And this is one of the best TV's released this year for low input lag. In Game mode the lag is only 20.5 ms. This is great, I dont notice any lag at all. I was also thinking of getting the Sony X930D but decided not to for a few reasons, one of those is that it has about 54ms of lag. This isnt terrible, but would be noticeable in my opinion.
The other main reason I went with the Samsung over the Sony is that I am still not sold on the Android Smart platform. I tested it on a 2015 Sony and it was just too buggy. I have read it is better this year, but in my opinion the new Tizen is much better.
Another thing I look for in TV's is a good USB media player for videos on hard drives. And Im happy to say that the Samsung recognizes and plays every single file type I have tested. It also has SRT subtitle support.
So overall I am very happy with this TV. It is by far the nicest set I have ever owned and I look forward to years of use with it. If you are looking for a new HDR 4K TV this should be on the top of your list. If you want a cheaper alternative go with the KS8000. Just be aware on the 55” version of the 44” wide legs. On the larger versions the 8000 has optional closer leg mounts, but for some reason Samsung did not do this on the 55” version. Anyway thanks for reading. If you have any questions or comments feel free. Ill try to answer and respond.
Nate34
North Bay Area, Ca.
Im the review writer, needed to add info.
September 23, 2016
The one issue I am having is that the source list and its icons go blank every couple days, sometimes more. This is a known issue and apparently Samsung is looking into it. As a work around you can hold down the power button on the remote to force it to reboot. This brings the source list back, but its still an issue. Its only the upper source list, the lower one doesnt go away. If you own the set you'll know what I mean by the upper one. Thankfully this is an issue that can be fixed via firmware update, but as of 1131 (9-23-16) it still happens. If it gets fixed Ill try to update my review.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Experience Dolby 7.1 surround sound for up to 12 hours of gaming with this A50 wireless headset. Its adjustable size and soft cushions provided extended comfort. This A50 wireless headset has three EQ modes and a unidirectional microphone for crystal-clear communication with fellow gamers even during frantic game play scenarios.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5comfortable! comfortable!
By gamerdad
1. I like the packaging! very nice box!
2. very lightweight!
3. these are very comfortable on the ears
4. don't like that I have to buy a "mod" kit for $$300 headphones that's just shady the stock ear covers are great though...
5. magnetic base is good
6. no problems with setup
7. the optical cable and USB cable are way too short
8. originally bought the turtle beach 800 elite. but returned it bc it was rather inconvenience to wear when reclining and gaming... these a50 do not give me that problem
9. sound is a good for the simulated 7.1 setup.. I could pick out footsteps from different ears bass is good..
10... buy the protection plan... all I've read astro service can be not what you want it to be., I'd rather just deal with best buy return dept...
11. Happy with my purchase
2. very lightweight!
3. these are very comfortable on the ears
4. don't like that I have to buy a "mod" kit for $$300 headphones that's just shady the stock ear covers are great though...
5. magnetic base is good
6. no problems with setup
7. the optical cable and USB cable are way too short
8. originally bought the turtle beach 800 elite. but returned it bc it was rather inconvenience to wear when reclining and gaming... these a50 do not give me that problem
9. sound is a good for the simulated 7.1 setup.. I could pick out footsteps from different ears bass is good..
10... buy the protection plan... all I've read astro service can be not what you want it to be., I'd rather just deal with best buy return dept...
11. Happy with my purchase
Nate34
North Bay Area, Ca.
Battery question
November 3, 2016
I know these have better battery life than the previous gens but have you had them actually run out on you? I have 2 sets of Gen 2's now that I just swap out when one headset dies and then start charging it. I use my A50's for all my TV audio not just gaming so they run out after about 5 hours or so, so Im hoping that the Gen 3's will always have enough battery to get through the day as long as I set them back on the charger when not using them. Thanks
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Experience Dolby 7.1 surround sound for up to 12 hours of gaming with this A50 wireless headset. Its adjustable size and soft cushions provided extended comfort. This A50 wireless headset has three EQ modes and a unidirectional microphone for crystal-clear communication with fellow gamers even during frantic game play scenarios.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Great headset
By Anthony
I have owned A40s and currently own a pair of last gen A50s. The new A50s make a lot of great improvements over last gen. No chat cable is great and the docking station acts as an external sound card for the PC and does not require an optical cable for full 7.1 which is awesome. Audio quality seems to be better that the old A50s. I would occasionally get some low buzzing noise in the old model but the new ones are crisp and have no such issues so far. Battery life is significantly improved and the auto shut off is a welcome addition(the headset senses that it has been put down and shuts off after 15 seconds. Once it senses it have been moved it turns right back on. Usually the audio is already coming in by the time I put it on my head). Build quality is super solid. Expensive but they sound great and are a quality product. I am not wild about the color scheme but I can deal with it.
Nate34
North Bay Area, Ca.
Battery question
November 3, 2016
I know these have better battery life than the previous gens but have you had them actually run out on you? I have 2 sets of Gen 2's now that I just swap out when one headset dies and then start charging it. I use my A50's for all my TV audio not just gaming so they run out after about 5 hours or so, so Im hoping that the Gen 3's will always have enough battery to get through the day as long as I set them back on the charger when not using them. Thanks
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Experience Dolby 7.1 surround sound for up to 12 hours of gaming with this A50 wireless headset. Its adjustable size and soft cushions provided extended comfort. This A50 wireless headset has three EQ modes and a unidirectional microphone for crystal-clear communication with fellow gamers even during frantic game play scenarios. This A50 Wireless Gaming Headset is the best companion for your next-gen console. Broadcasting in interference-free wireless 5 GHz, you will experience low latency gameplay in Dolby Headphone Surround Sound. With the Astro Command Center software, the A50 allows you to tune every input and output parameter including mic level adjustments and creating your own EQ modes. The new precision boom microphone is voice chat optimized and features flip–up mute functionality.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5The Best Wireless Headset On the Market
By Craignoicecube
I love A50s I had a pair of the 2nd gens and they were awesome! Now that these come with a charge base and an accelerometer they're even more convenient! Being able to customize these now was a bonus!! Great job Astro!
Nate34
North Bay Area, Ca.
Battery question
November 3, 2016
I know these have better battery life than the previous gens but have you had them actually run out on you? I have 2 sets of Gen 2's now that I just swap out when one headset dies and then start charging it. I use my A50's for all my TV audio not just gaming so they run out after about 5 hours or so, so Im hoping that the Gen 3's will always have enough battery to get through the day as long as I set them back on the charger when not using them. Thanks
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Nate34's Questions
Nate34 has not submitted any questions.
Experience the ultimate in FHD gaming graphics with this 24.5-inch HP 25X display. A smoother gaming experience with sharper, cleaner details is provided by a display that refreshes 144 times per second, while the micro-edge design provides ultra-wide, seamless viewing. The stand on this HP 25X display has a 100mm range of motion, making it easy to position for your comfort level.
Does it have built in speakers
No this does not. Youll need headphones or external speakers.
5 years, 4 months ago
by
Nate34
Get the full smartphone experience with this unlocked Huawei Honor 8. The quad-core processor can handle running multiple apps at once, and the touch screen responds to taps, drags, swipes and pinches for easy operation. This unlocked Huawei Honor 8 has a 12-megapixel back camera with integrated geo tagging, automatic face detection and a wide-angle landscape mode.
What does it mean NOT compatible with Verizon & Sprint? I cannot talk to someone that has Sprint or Verizon service?
This only means it is a GSM only phone so if you were on Sprint of Verizon your sim card would not work. You can call and message anyone on any carrier with it.
7 years, 3 months ago
by
Nate34
Make hands-free calls and listen to music with these Sony wireless in-ear sport headphones. The wireless design frees your range of motion, and the microphone makes conversations more convenient. Listen to music for over 8 hours on a single charge with these Sony wireless in-ear sport headphones, which are moisture-resistant for use during strenuous workouts.
Do these have a blinking light on them while in use?
Yes. There is a Blue LED that blinks while its in use. This is also used to determine battery and charge level.
7 years, 5 months ago
by
Nate34
How can i connect 2 televisions to same directv box wirelessly to show same picture?
What are my options to wirelessly connect 2 hd tvs to the same directv box to broadcast the same show?
You would need a splitter that takes one HDMI signal and splits it into 2.
7 years, 7 months ago
by
Nate34
Samsung - 55" Class - (54.6" Diag.) - LED - 2160p - Smart - 4K Ultra HD TV - with High Dynamic Range
Watch TV, movies or videos in stunning quality with this Samsung 4K UHD TV. The 55-inch screen shows every detail clearly, so you won't miss anything. The SmartHub software works with the built-in Wi-Fi to let you access many popular streaming services, ensuring that you always have something to watch on this Samsung 4K UHD TV.
Is this a flat or curved screen? There's no mention of the curved screen in the product description, but the photos show it as curved.
The KS9000 is flat. The KS9500 is the curved one.
7 years, 7 months ago
by
Nate34
Looking to replace comcast modem want to buy a compatible modem
I also had to replace my comcast modem and have tried 2 different brands since then. This first one I got was a Zoom, and then later bought a Motorola. Ive had less issues with the Motorola. But Im not sure if they carry that same model. Its been a couple years. Depends on what you want to pay. I see the Motorola SB6121 is only 69.99 right now and has excellent reviews.
8 years, 7 months ago
by
Nate34
North Bay Area, Ca.
Samsung JU7100 Series UN32J5500AFXZA LED Smart 4K Ultra HDTV: Experience your favorite shows and movies in the stunning detail of 4K Ultra HD. This Samsung Smart TV even brings lower-resolution content up to near-Ultra HD quality, so you can stream apps and videos from your devices in amazing clarity.
I can't get my new tv to come on today. What do you think is wrong?
Did you get it to work? My only suggestion would be to unplug it and plug it back in. Or try to plug it into a different outlet. You could also plug something else into the outlet your TV was using just to make sure it has power going to it.
8 years, 7 months ago
by
Nate34
North Bay Area, Ca.
Samsung JU7100 Series UN32J5500AFXZA LED Smart 4K Ultra HDTV: Experience your favorite shows and movies in the stunning detail of 4K Ultra HD. This Samsung Smart TV even brings lower-resolution content up to near-Ultra HD quality, so you can stream apps and videos from your devices in amazing clarity.
We have the 8550 Samsung 4K UHD TV does it have a camera? If not what kind do you recommend?
Camera for Skypeing
I believe the one for your set is the VG-STC5000/ZA. It plugs directly into the USB port and clips to the top of the set.
8 years, 8 months ago
by
Nate34
North Bay Area, Ca.
Samsung Brightside SCHU380HKV Cell Phone for Verizon: The Brightside is great for those who want the simplicity of a basic phone with the core features of a smartphone — offering a touch screen and camera in addition to its full physical keyboard. Verizon Edge option available. Learn more ›
Why can the black verstion of this phone download games but this one can't?
I was looking at the product descriptions on this website and I happened to compare two sets of two different phones and in both cases the black versions indicated that they could download games but the ones with a different color said they could not. Why is this?
They both can, someone just didnt add that to the details from the white one. They are identical other than the color.
10 years, 9 months ago
by
Nate34
North Bay Area, Ca.
With a 5" Super AMOLED HD touch screen and an Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system, this Samsung Galaxy S 4 M919 cell phone makes it easy to stay connected on the go. The 13.0MP rear-facing camera lets you capture vibrant photos and video clips.Requires a minimum $20/month Web access fee with all Classic voice plans.Early termination fees may apply. Learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S 4
what happens to the pictures and videos taken by phone
It depends on the phone, but they usually go into a folder on the internal memory sd card. Its called DCIM/ Camera.
10 years, 9 months ago
by
Nate34
North Bay Area, Ca.