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Terry
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- Review count76
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- First reviewMay 20, 2015
- Last reviewMay 1, 2024
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- Average rating4.4
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Experience great gaming with this OMEN Obelisk desktop computer. Its NVIDIA GeForce graphics and Intel Core i7 processor are suitable for virtual reality games, and the 1TB hard drive and 256GB solid-state drive provide extensive storage and fast boot times. This OMEN Obelisk desktop computer's case opens without tools for easy expansion.
Customer Rating
4
Solid out of the box, but not quite future-proof
on January 19, 2019
Posted by: Terry
from Lancaster, OH
This computer has a lot of great features and perks, but it also leaves a lot to be desired as well. Let's be clear: out of the box, it's a solid unit that will serve many people just fine. 8th gen Intel i7, GTX1060 (3gb), 16gb of ram, two zones of RGB lighting, and the OS installed on an M.2-mounted SSD drive + 1 tb disc drive. Plus, the entire left side is clear so you can see all of this goodness inside with an easy-access push button to remove said panel. So where are the issues with this desktop that is marketed as a gaming PC? There's a few, and they are spread throughout the entire unit.
But first, let's talk about the good:
===== PROS =====
1) As a complete package or for somebody who just wants something that works, this is a solid desktop. There's enough graphics power, ram, and processing power to sustain many years to come, provided you aren't a power user of any kind.
1) As a complete package or for somebody who just wants something that works, this is a solid desktop. There's enough graphics power, ram, and processing power to sustain many years to come, provided you aren't a power user of any kind.
2) Visually, the unit is quite nice. The glowing LEDs shine nicely through the clear side panel and there is an obelisk logo on the front panel that is also separately lit. The LEDs can be controlled through an included app and can be set to a number of different settings, colors, and/or patterns.
3) There's plenty of connectivity between the front and rear panels. USB 3.1 (Type-A and Type-C), front and rear audio connections, Dual-link DVI, HDMI, and 3 Display-Port. Some might argue that there aren't enough USB ports (7 type-A and 1 type-C), but it's more than suitable for my needs.
4) The fans seem to be keeping the unit from overheating just fine. There are three total (1 chassis, 1 processor, 1 GPU) and I've had no issues with overheating or really excessive fan noise. As I'm typing this now with the computer basically idling, sitting less than 4' away, I can barely hear them.
===== CONS =====
1) There is almost zero expand-ability available as is. The stock motherboard, while sufficient for the included hardware, does not offer the ability to plug in any additional accessories outside of adding another hard drive (there's one available bay and sata plug) and another ram chip (there's two total slots). Both M.2 ports are used (1 for the SSD, 1 for the on-board WiFi). The only PCI-e slot has the graphics card plugged into it, so running dual cards or adding additional cards (such as a sound card) is out of the question. Personally, I would have liked to seen a desktop that is marketed as a gaming PC have a little bit more options for expansion. Of course, many of these woes could be solved by simply swapping the motherboard...
1) There is almost zero expand-ability available as is. The stock motherboard, while sufficient for the included hardware, does not offer the ability to plug in any additional accessories outside of adding another hard drive (there's one available bay and sata plug) and another ram chip (there's two total slots). Both M.2 ports are used (1 for the SSD, 1 for the on-board WiFi). The only PCI-e slot has the graphics card plugged into it, so running dual cards or adding additional cards (such as a sound card) is out of the question. Personally, I would have liked to seen a desktop that is marketed as a gaming PC have a little bit more options for expansion. Of course, many of these woes could be solved by simply swapping the motherboard...
2) Although HP has included an 8th gen i7 processor, it's not a k-series, so overclocking is not an option.
3) Although the specs for the motherboard list/show an optical port, they decided not to include it on this model. To make matters worse, there is on-board HD 5.1-channel audio support, but not offering a port to plug into, limits the user to HDMI as their source for audio. While this might work for some, it required me to completely reconfigure my cabling strategy and abandon my Display-Port, daisy-chained monitor setup.
===== ADDITIONAL =====
The first unit that I received was not perfect. On the first startup, I received a set of warning beeps and was unable to get it to boot. When I finally got a visual error message on the screen, it complained about the CMOS checksums being invalid. I tried swapping the CMOS battery for a brand new one, but the issue persisted. After playing around with it for a few minutes, I finally got it to load to the Windows setup screens and had it up and running minutes later. Naturally, there were updates available, and upon restart, I had the same warning beeps and could not get it to boot again. I was also unable to use one of the Display-Port ports on the unit (no video and no audible from Windows when plugging into it). I tried re-seating the GPU hoping that would cure the issue, but to no avail. This process continued for a few days until I finally had enough and contacted HP.
HP was quick to contact me and the gentlemen I spoke with, David, was very apologetic and understanding. He asked me a few questions and I explained what I was seeing/hearing and what I had done in an effort to correct the issues. He agreed that there was something indeed wrong and informed me that they were building me a new replacement unit and that he would overnight it to me that day. A couple of days later (it was over the holidays) I received the replacement unit with an RA for the defective unit. The new unit started up without issue and all of the ports worked as they should. I did encounter the beep/CMOS error warning one time with new unit after our power went out. Once I finally got it back up and running, I decided it was a good time to update the BIOS firmware. Since then, I've had no issues.
The first unit that I received was not perfect. On the first startup, I received a set of warning beeps and was unable to get it to boot. When I finally got a visual error message on the screen, it complained about the CMOS checksums being invalid. I tried swapping the CMOS battery for a brand new one, but the issue persisted. After playing around with it for a few minutes, I finally got it to load to the Windows setup screens and had it up and running minutes later. Naturally, there were updates available, and upon restart, I had the same warning beeps and could not get it to boot again. I was also unable to use one of the Display-Port ports on the unit (no video and no audible from Windows when plugging into it). I tried re-seating the GPU hoping that would cure the issue, but to no avail. This process continued for a few days until I finally had enough and contacted HP.
HP was quick to contact me and the gentlemen I spoke with, David, was very apologetic and understanding. He asked me a few questions and I explained what I was seeing/hearing and what I had done in an effort to correct the issues. He agreed that there was something indeed wrong and informed me that they were building me a new replacement unit and that he would overnight it to me that day. A couple of days later (it was over the holidays) I received the replacement unit with an RA for the defective unit. The new unit started up without issue and all of the ports worked as they should. I did encounter the beep/CMOS error warning one time with new unit after our power went out. Once I finally got it back up and running, I decided it was a good time to update the BIOS firmware. Since then, I've had no issues.
Overall, this IS a solid unit that would probably suffice just fine for most people. However anybody interested in overclocking or expansion should probably look elsewhere or consider a home-build. For a turn-key solution though, this would be a good option. I also have to hand it to HP's customer service and support. I spent 16 years in customer service before I switched to IT and I have a high level of expectation to how a customer should be treated, especially when that customer is me. HP was fantastic and many companies could learn a thing or two from the staff I dealt with.
Specs on PC:
https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06125965
https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06125965
Specs on motherboard:
https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06124984
https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06124984
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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BISSELL™ air400 Air Purifier is clean air made easy. We know life happens. Between the kids and pets, there are odors, allergens, dust, and other things we can’t always see in our air that need to be cleaned. That’s where the air400 shines. This machine is designed to perform from the inside, out. It captures airborne particles and odors with three stages of filtration and has an automated CirQulate® System that automatically increases fan speed as your indoor air quality decreases. The CirQulate System also uses particle sensor technology to monitor your indoor air and communicate your home’s real-time air quality through three distinct colors and a numerical reading. With a large fan and a digital, 20,000-hour DC motor, the air400 is tested to the AHAM standard to have a Smoke CADR of 279 for rooms up to 432 sq. ft., making it great for bedrooms, living areas, basements, and dining rooms. Taking care of the air you and your family breathe really is as easy as setting it and forgetting it with the air400 air purifier. And when you purchase this air purifier, you help save pets! BISSELL® proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation® and its mission to help save homeless pets. When you buy a BISSELL product, you help save pets, too. We’re proud to design products that help make pet messes, odors and pet homelessness disappear.
Posted by: Terry
from Lancaster, OH
This unit claims to filter and clean the air within your home. I'll admit, I was a bit skeptical at first. When I first turned this on, I wasn't sure if it was doing much. There is a digital readout on the front panel that uses a set of numbers and colors to visually tell you how clean (or not so clean) the input air is. The first day that I used this, the unit was displaying 002 (clean) air. It wasn't until I started cooking that I saw just what this unit could do. It was cold and raining outside, so cooking my dinner (steak) on the grill was out. I prefer a good sear in a hot cast iron pan anyways, but always hated doing it inside because it would fill my downstairs with smoke. With this unit running (in auto mode), I through the steaks into a smoking hot pan. Instantly, smoke began to fill the room (yes, my range hood was running). I looked over at the Bissell air cleaner, and noticed the digital readout increasing and changing color. I heard the fan pickup speed and could actually see it pulling in some of the "dirty" air. After cooking, the room cleared out very fast (much faster than if I wasn't running the air cleaner). I left it to run while we ate dinner and the numbers slowly decreased. Within an hour, the room was clear, clean, and the readout was back to 002. The next morning, I also noticed that the room didn't smell as though I had been cooking meat on a hot pan like it normally would.
Needless to say, this unit did exactly what it claims to do. I have no doubt that it should help me immensely once allergy season returns.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Capture video from the air using this orange Autel Robotics EVO quadcopter drone. The full-color video panel on the controller gives you a real-time view of the terrain below, and the four propellers let you precisely maneuver the drone into position over your subject. This Autel Robotics EVO quadcopter drone folds into a compact configuration for storage.Fly Responsibly:Before takeoff, update all software and firmware, and read the instructions thoroughly.See the FAA website for registration requirements and information about flying a drone safely: https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/. Additional state or local requirements may apply. Check your local jurisdiction. The following websites may help you make informed decisions about flying your drone: www.knowbeforeyoufly.org and www.modelaircraft.org.
Posted by: Terry
from Lancaster, OH
This is my first experience using a drone and I couldn't be happier. I was very nervous to fly this thing on it's maiden voyage, as I didn't want to crash it and ruin the experience.
After un-boxing, I charged the battery and controller to full power. I then downloaded the Drone Simulator app from the app store (Apple) and played around with the functions a bit to get the "feel" for how to fly a drone before I took to the skies. Once I had mustered up the courage to go fly on my own, I enabled novice mode and flew a few small pattern in my backyard (box, circle, figure-8, etc) to get a feel for the controls. The drone flies very well and was easy enough to control. The 'Go to home' button landed the drone within inches from where it took off from; very impressive.
The camera takes great pictures and video and is impressively stable, even in windy conditions. After a couple of flights, I switched off novice mode and cranked up the speed. This little thing hauls and I watched it blow by me doing about 45mph (confirmed via the readout on the controller).
The included storage bag fits the drone, controller, and battery nicely, with padded inserts to divide the bag into sections for each piece. There are also an abundance of additional zippered and external pockets. If you leave the battery attached to the drone, you can also easily fit the charger. For the more serious user, Autel does make a hardshell case with dedicated spots for each piece and room for additional batteries.
For an improved flying experience, download the Autel Explorer app onto your smartphone and connect it to the controller. This provides way more settings and the ability to log flights and preview pictures. This also gives you a live stream of what the drone's primary camera sees. It is pretty hard on the phone battery though. However, the app is very well detailed and laid out.
If there was anything negative that I could say, it's that the documentation that comes with the drone is very lacking in detail. There are so many functions and settings that can be controlled from either the controller, or even more-so by connecting a smartphone to the controller and hooking it up to the Autel Explorer app. I've flown a few times and I'm still trying to figure it all out.
All in all, I'm very pleased with this drone, although I can't compare it to anything since it's my first experience with a drone/quad-copter. I can foresee myself needing to purchase another battery soon to extend my flying abilities past the 30 mins that the battery provides.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Bring vibrant sound to your outdoor entertainment area with this Sonance outdoor streaming music system. A magnetic-mount audio keypad gives you a central command station for controlling playlists and volume, while Wi-Fi connectivity means you can use your home's internet connection to stream content. Featuring powerful speakers, this Sonance outdoor streaming music system delivers clear audio quality for your listening enjoyment.
Posted by: Terry
from Lancaster, OH
Until now, I've been using a set of outdoor 'rock' speakers in the flower beds flanking our patio. I've never been thrilled with the sound, particularly in that I would have to turn the volume up much more loudly outside than inside, creating a distinct imbalance when using both zones of my entertainment center.
Enter the Sonos and Sonance kit. The sound quality is miles and miles better than what my previous setup offered. The speakers are installed under the eave of my house and the white color blends nicely with the white trim of my house. I was a little disappointed to discover that no speaker wire was included, but this was not a deal breaker, and it would have likely not been enough given the proximity of my system.
Setup was easy and straightforward for a tech-savvy person such as myself. I look forward to sitting on the patio in the fall and listening to music and football games.
This was my first Sonos product, but I can say that it likely won't be my last!
Enter the Sonos and Sonance kit. The sound quality is miles and miles better than what my previous setup offered. The speakers are installed under the eave of my house and the white color blends nicely with the white trim of my house. I was a little disappointed to discover that no speaker wire was included, but this was not a deal breaker, and it would have likely not been enough given the proximity of my system.
Setup was easy and straightforward for a tech-savvy person such as myself. I look forward to sitting on the patio in the fall and listening to music and football games.
This was my first Sonos product, but I can say that it likely won't be my last!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Add dramatic bass elements to your music system or home theater experience with this 600X MartinLogan Dynamo subwoofer. The high-performance amplifiers and pro-style woofers fill your entertainment space with a wide spectrum of bass frequencies. This MartinLogan Dynamo subwoofer also has remote control capability through your smartphone app, allowing precise configuration of settings.
Posted by: Terry
from Lancaster, OH
What an upgrade from my small, 10" Yamaha that I've had for 15 years. The Yamaha wasn't bad, but it lacked the deep, booming bass that I wanted and struggled greatly at higher volumes (over-extension, distortion, and popping). The Martin Logan Dynamo is only slightly larger than my previous sub, but the sound quality is amazingly better. My wife has complained that it's almost too much bass and now I have to go around and find all of the things in the room that are vibrating.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Clean your home with voice command or app-based programs by using this Samsung robot vacuum. Its digital camera and nine sensors let it find its way around, avoiding obstacles and mapping the most efficient path through your home. Wi-Fi connects this powerful Samsung robot vacuum to your smart home systems.
Customer Rating
4
Great for daily maintenance
on June 5, 2018
Posted by: Terry
from Lancaster, OH
Let's get one thing straight: This is not going to replace your regular vacuum cleaner. While these robo-vacs do a good job of picking up most of the dirt, they are simply not capable of deep cleaning like a full-blown vacuum. With that said, this unit seems to navigate fairly well and I like that I can see where it has been through the mobile app. It's louder than most on high and medium power, but on quiet it's not bad at all; although it doesn't clean nearly as well.
I also like the fact that the dust bin releases from the top.
I also like the fact that the dust bin releases from the top.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with this Samsung robo-vac.
My Best Buy number: 0320166936
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Keep track of your nutrition intake with this NutriBullet Balance smoothie blender. It calculates the nutritional data of the smoothie ingredients you’re using and sends the information to your smartphone via Bluetooth. This NutriBullet Balance smoothie blender comes with two 32-oz. blending cups with lip rings and to-go lids for versatility.
Customer Rating
4
Great for making smoothies!
on May 23, 2018
Posted by: Terry
from Lancaster, OH
This little blender makes a great smoothie. It has managed to fully crush all of the ice I have thrown at it and blends up fruits very well.
The connectivity to the app on my phone is a really cool feature and the ability to "measure" ingredients is really cool and saves me from having to use a measuring cup/spoon.
If I had to say anything negative about this, it would be in the cups themselves.
1) They are quite large in diameter and do not fit in the cupholders of any of my three vehicles.
2) While the lids to seal well to form a leakproof seal, they don't instill much confidence that they won't come open (for instance when I carry them in my bag.
3) The lack of measurement marks on the sides make manually measuring ingredients or the amount of intake impossible with the cup alone.
4) The lack of any double wall insulation causes them to sweat profusely...I have to add ice to my smoothies to keep them cold for the drive to work, and they sweat all over my bag by the time I get there.
The connectivity to the app on my phone is a really cool feature and the ability to "measure" ingredients is really cool and saves me from having to use a measuring cup/spoon.
If I had to say anything negative about this, it would be in the cups themselves.
1) They are quite large in diameter and do not fit in the cupholders of any of my three vehicles.
2) While the lids to seal well to form a leakproof seal, they don't instill much confidence that they won't come open (for instance when I carry them in my bag.
3) The lack of measurement marks on the sides make manually measuring ingredients or the amount of intake impossible with the cup alone.
4) The lack of any double wall insulation causes them to sweat profusely...I have to add ice to my smoothies to keep them cold for the drive to work, and they sweat all over my bag by the time I get there.
Also, the app lacks many ingredients.
Overall, this is a fantastic little blender with modern connectivity and a cool app, but does have a few shortcomings that hinder it from being the perfect smoothie blender.
My Best Buy number: 0320166936
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Pick up over-the-air HD channels with this Mohu Sail antenna. It has everything you need to install it in your attic or on your roof. With a range of 75-miles, the antenna lets you enjoy free entertainment without a cable subscription. The modern curved aesthetic blends in with home decor for a seamless appearance. This Mohu Sail antenna has a FirstStage amplifier located right at the antenna, where the signal is at its best to help deliver a crisp, clear picture.
Customer Rating
5
Goodbye Cable, hello Mohu
on April 17, 2018
Posted by: Terry
from Lancaster, OH
I'll be honest, I cut the cord on the TV over a year before I got this antenna, but I have been missing out on channels that this antenna (finally) allowed me to receive.
Installation was pretty easy: the integrated/included mount was simple to install. After climbing to the top of my 22' ladder to mount this as high as I could, I ran the included coax cable down the corner trim of the house and into the basement where I connected the power injector and hooked this into my whole house distribution amplifier. I was able to bring in 10 extra channels that I was not able to receive before. The signal seems to be pretty song with little to no degradation.
The only real test will be how well this holds up outside in the elements, particularly with the wind, as my neighbors house is only a a ranch and provides no protection from wind shear. There have been some 50 mph gusts over the last week and it has not moved.
The only real test will be how well this holds up outside in the elements, particularly with the wind, as my neighbors house is only a a ranch and provides no protection from wind shear. There have been some 50 mph gusts over the last week and it has not moved.
Overall, I'm very happy with this antenna and wish I had upgraded sooner (as in before I spent an hour in my attic running cable to my cheaper GE attic antenna that I have been using for the last 9 months).
My Best Buy number: 0320166936
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Only at Best Buy Defend your home from intruders with this SimpliSafe security system. Its wireless design provides reliable, multilayer protection and avoids interruptions from cut phone lines and power outages, and it connects to an app for remote operation. This SimpliSafe security system is easy to install and customizable to homes of any size for flexible use.
Customer Rating
4
Easy, affordable home security
on March 25, 2018
Posted by: Terry
from Lancaster, OH
I have to admit, the setup on this was very easy to do. Within about 20 minutes, I had 4 entry sensors mounted and connected, the motion sensor mounted and connected, and the keypad installed and working. I'm dinging a star because the setup was complaining that my wireless network password was incorrect. I tried connecting multiple times to both my regular network and my guest access account (different passwords for each) and on every attempt the system said that my password was incorrect. I decided to skip connecting to my WiFi and move on and when I came back to the wireless connection settings, it showed that it was in fact connected to my guest account.
Other than the WiFi connection issue, the unit seems to be a worthwhile addition to protecting my home and family.
Other than the WiFi connection issue, the unit seems to be a worthwhile addition to protecting my home and family.
My Best Buy number: 0320166936
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience the bigger, clearer picture when you upgrade your home theater setup with the STR-DH590. The 5.2ch AV receiver brings movies to life with 4K HDR pass-through, Dolby Vision and flexible surround sound. Bring all your devices together with BLUETOOTH connectivity and multiple inputs.
Customer Rating
4
Great upgrade to an older Kenwood
on March 3, 2018
Posted by: Terry
from Lancaster, OH
I got this to replace a very old Kenwood (pre-HDMI) receiver. The difference between the two was like night and day. The sound quality is much better and the features included are a definite upgrade from the 12-year-old Kenwood it replaced.
The on-screen GUI leaves a little to be desired and the setup instructions aren't the greatest. Also, I was disappointed that the hi-level speaker connections didn't use binding/banana posts for all of the connections (only the fronts use binding posts; the center and rears use spring-connectors), a small gripe, but I prefer the banana post connections.
Still, the unit was a much needed upgrade and offers many features that I didn't have previously.
The on-screen GUI leaves a little to be desired and the setup instructions aren't the greatest. Also, I was disappointed that the hi-level speaker connections didn't use binding/banana posts for all of the connections (only the fronts use binding posts; the center and rears use spring-connectors), a small gripe, but I prefer the banana post connections.
Still, the unit was a much needed upgrade and offers many features that I didn't have previously.
My Best Buy number: 0320166936
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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