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Upgrade your business presentations with this Epson projector. It has built-in speakers for clear audio, and the lamp can run for up to 10,000 hours in economic mode. This Epson projector casts images as small as 33.1 inches and as large as 320 inches and works with several video inputs.
Customer Rating
4
Nice classroom projector
on October 7, 2017
Posted by: SonyCameraGuy
from Cary, NC
Setup:
This projector is a very simple plug-and-play. There are no drivers to install if you are using HDMI or VGA input. USB video display software must be installed to use the USB-B input. The VS355 can be used on a table or mounted to the ceiling. Ceiling mounting hardware is sold separately.
This projector is a very simple plug-and-play. There are no drivers to install if you are using HDMI or VGA input. USB video display software must be installed to use the USB-B input. The VS355 can be used on a table or mounted to the ceiling. Ceiling mounting hardware is sold separately.
Input:
HDMI is by far the most convenient and universally compatible with modern computers and other audio/video (A/V) sources. No HDMI cable is provided with the VS355.
VGA offers video only, but is backwardly compatible with older computers (and other video sources) with VGA output ports. The VS355 comes with a VGA cable. If your video source has composite video (i.e. one RCA jack for red, green, and blue), you will need a composite RCA to VGA cable to use with the VS355.
RCA jacks (female) are available for audio (right and left) and video. A cable for RCA input is not provided with the VS355. Note that the video signal uses only one jack and will not work for composite video devices with separate jacks for red, green, and blue signals (see comment above for VGA). While I have not done so myself, it should be possible to use the VGA input for video and the RCA input for audio (only).
USB-B input is available on the VS355, but you will need a USB cable and installation of the Epson’s USB Display driver software.
USB-A input is a nice idea, but there are inconvenient restrictions to its use. Devices must be USB Mass Storage Class-compliant, formatted in FAT or FAT32, self-powered (i.e. require no bus power), and can have only one partition. Only a limited number of file formats are supported (.jpg, .bmp, .gif, .png, and .avi) and there are notable limitations on the file size, resolution, and format for each file type. You can check out page 99 of the User’s Guide (https://files.support.epson.com/docid/cpd5/cpd53733.pdf) for details.
Wireless(?):
Not out of the box with the VS355. The projector can be used on a wireless network, but you must purchase a separate wireless adapter that inserts into the USB-A port on the VS355. The VS355 is not listed among the compatible projectors on any of the eight wireless modules on Epson’s web site. My best guess (based on projector models mentioned in the VS355 User’s Guide) is that you will need the “Wireless LAN Module (ELPAP10)” for the VS355. You will need to call Epson to confirm compatibility. There is an odd-looking bit of plastic that comes with the VS355. This is the retention clip for the wireless transceiver should you decide to purchase one.
HDMI is by far the most convenient and universally compatible with modern computers and other audio/video (A/V) sources. No HDMI cable is provided with the VS355.
VGA offers video only, but is backwardly compatible with older computers (and other video sources) with VGA output ports. The VS355 comes with a VGA cable. If your video source has composite video (i.e. one RCA jack for red, green, and blue), you will need a composite RCA to VGA cable to use with the VS355.
RCA jacks (female) are available for audio (right and left) and video. A cable for RCA input is not provided with the VS355. Note that the video signal uses only one jack and will not work for composite video devices with separate jacks for red, green, and blue signals (see comment above for VGA). While I have not done so myself, it should be possible to use the VGA input for video and the RCA input for audio (only).
USB-B input is available on the VS355, but you will need a USB cable and installation of the Epson’s USB Display driver software.
USB-A input is a nice idea, but there are inconvenient restrictions to its use. Devices must be USB Mass Storage Class-compliant, formatted in FAT or FAT32, self-powered (i.e. require no bus power), and can have only one partition. Only a limited number of file formats are supported (.jpg, .bmp, .gif, .png, and .avi) and there are notable limitations on the file size, resolution, and format for each file type. You can check out page 99 of the User’s Guide (https://files.support.epson.com/docid/cpd5/cpd53733.pdf) for details.
Wireless(?):
Not out of the box with the VS355. The projector can be used on a wireless network, but you must purchase a separate wireless adapter that inserts into the USB-A port on the VS355. The VS355 is not listed among the compatible projectors on any of the eight wireless modules on Epson’s web site. My best guess (based on projector models mentioned in the VS355 User’s Guide) is that you will need the “Wireless LAN Module (ELPAP10)” for the VS355. You will need to call Epson to confirm compatibility. There is an odd-looking bit of plastic that comes with the VS355. This is the retention clip for the wireless transceiver should you decide to purchase one.
Remote:
All of the projector’s features and menu system can be accessed through the remote control. This is a great convenience if you have your VS355 mounted on the ceiling. The remote does not have an integrated laser pointer, but there is an on-screen digital pointer that can be operated with arrow keys on the remote. This feature is only enabled when using HDMI and USB-B input.
The split key on the remote allows side-by-side images from two video input sources. The remote also has a digital zoom and the arrow keys let you pan in four directions.
There are two IR receiver, on the front and one in the back to allow the remote to function from almost any angle.
All of the projector’s features and menu system can be accessed through the remote control. This is a great convenience if you have your VS355 mounted on the ceiling. The remote does not have an integrated laser pointer, but there is an on-screen digital pointer that can be operated with arrow keys on the remote. This feature is only enabled when using HDMI and USB-B input.
The split key on the remote allows side-by-side images from two video input sources. The remote also has a digital zoom and the arrow keys let you pan in four directions.
There are two IR receiver, on the front and one in the back to allow the remote to function from almost any angle.
Output:
Video output on the VS355 has a native resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels (WXGA) with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The maximum recommended projection distance is about 16 feet. The bulb takes about 30sec to come to full brightness. While the 1280 x 800 resolution will be a step back for most users accustomed to “monitor-quality” viewing experience, it is more than sufficient for a classroom or small conference room presentation.
Horizontal (slider behind the lens) and vertical (buttons on the top) keystone adjustments are easy and intuitive. There are 5 preset color profiles, but brightness, contrast, saturation, tint, sharpness, and color temperature are each individually customizable. There is even a noise reduction option for smoothing out the “grain” in images.
Audio output is the weakest part of the VS355 and limited to a single 2-inch speaker in the rear of the projector. It will provide reasonable volume for a small conference room, but not much more. If you need high-quality audio output, I would highly recommend getting a separate dedicated system for this purpose.
Video output on the VS355 has a native resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels (WXGA) with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The maximum recommended projection distance is about 16 feet. The bulb takes about 30sec to come to full brightness. While the 1280 x 800 resolution will be a step back for most users accustomed to “monitor-quality” viewing experience, it is more than sufficient for a classroom or small conference room presentation.
Horizontal (slider behind the lens) and vertical (buttons on the top) keystone adjustments are easy and intuitive. There are 5 preset color profiles, but brightness, contrast, saturation, tint, sharpness, and color temperature are each individually customizable. There is even a noise reduction option for smoothing out the “grain” in images.
Audio output is the weakest part of the VS355 and limited to a single 2-inch speaker in the rear of the projector. It will provide reasonable volume for a small conference room, but not much more. If you need high-quality audio output, I would highly recommend getting a separate dedicated system for this purpose.
Design:
The VS355 is light, compact, and well designed for a classroom or small conference room environment. The fan is a bit noisy, but is a small sacrifice for longer lamp life. The cooling air inlet has a removable filter to keep dust out of the lamp housing. Epson recommends cleaning the filter with a light (i.e. computer) vacuum or small brush. Replacement filters are available for purchase. The lamp is behind the small speaker and seems relatively easy to replace. The VS355 will alert you (presumably on screen) when the filter or lamp need attention.
The VS355 is light, compact, and well designed for a classroom or small conference room environment. The fan is a bit noisy, but is a small sacrifice for longer lamp life. The cooling air inlet has a removable filter to keep dust out of the lamp housing. Epson recommends cleaning the filter with a light (i.e. computer) vacuum or small brush. Replacement filters are available for purchase. The lamp is behind the small speaker and seems relatively easy to replace. The VS355 will alert you (presumably on screen) when the filter or lamp need attention.
My Best Buy number: 2655526669
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0of 0voted this as helpful.
Motivate yourself with great music by using these in-ear Jaybird FREEDOM 2 Bluetooth headphones. They provide up to eight hours of playback thanks to the included charging clip, and their Jaybird app lets you adjust the audio settings. These Jaybird FREEDOM 2 Bluetooth headphones easily switch to under-ear mode for answering calls.
Customer Rating
1
poor fit for me
on October 4, 2017
Posted by: SonyCameraGuy
from Cary, NC
Setup:
Pairing was relatively easy without the Jaybird app.
Pairing was relatively easy without the Jaybird app.
Comfort:
I’ve tried all of the provided earpieces. #3 fits the curve of my ear, but the tips are all the same size and too short to provide a good seal for me. The microphone/remote is heavier than other Bluetooth headphones I’ve owned and tend to pull the earpiece out of my right ear (even with the shirt clip and worn "over the ear"). I cannot comment on many of the features that I normally evaluate when reviewing headphones/earphones/IEMs because the fit was too poor.
I’ve tried all of the provided earpieces. #3 fits the curve of my ear, but the tips are all the same size and too short to provide a good seal for me. The microphone/remote is heavier than other Bluetooth headphones I’ve owned and tend to pull the earpiece out of my right ear (even with the shirt clip and worn "over the ear"). I cannot comment on many of the features that I normally evaluate when reviewing headphones/earphones/IEMs because the fit was too poor.
Battery:
The battery pack is an interesting idea, but makes the microphone/remote even heavier and impossible for me to keep in my ear. The battery came “60% charged” (voice messages at startup let you know the battery status). Attaching the battery pack turned off the earphones. After attachment, you need to turn the earphones back on and reconnect.
The battery pack is an interesting idea, but makes the microphone/remote even heavier and impossible for me to keep in my ear. The battery came “60% charged” (voice messages at startup let you know the battery status). Attaching the battery pack turned off the earphones. After attachment, you need to turn the earphones back on and reconnect.
Sound Quality:
These are not audiophile quality earphones. I could not properly assess the sound signature because I could not get a good seal with the tips provided.
These are not audiophile quality earphones. I could not properly assess the sound signature because I could not get a good seal with the tips provided.
The following albums were sampled during my review:
• Adam Harasiewicz: Chopin Nocturnes & Preludes
• Miles Davis: Kind of Blue
• Adam Harasiewicz: Chopin Nocturnes & Preludes
• Miles Davis: Kind of Blue
My Best Buy number: 2655526669
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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-1point
1of 3voted this as helpful.
Wearable and comfortable, with deep, clear sound. The SoundWear Companion speaker is designed to keep you connected to your music, calls, and the world around you. It's packed with technologies that give you immersive experience while limiting what others can hear. Use it for clear, natural-sounding phone calls, or accessing your phone's Siri or your Google Assistant. Up to 12 hours per charge.
Customer Rating
4
Great sound, comfortable, a bit fatiguing
on September 23, 2017
Posted by: SonyCameraGuy
from Cary, NC
Setup:
Pairing was relatively easy with or without the Bose Connect app. When pairing with Android device, the unit requested access to my contacts. Just say no! Unless you want the speaker to try to pronounce the name of the caller when receiving calls from numbers in your contact list, there is no reason for a speaker to need access to contacts.
Pairing was relatively easy with or without the Bose Connect app. When pairing with Android device, the unit requested access to my contacts. Just say no! Unless you want the speaker to try to pronounce the name of the caller when receiving calls from numbers in your contact list, there is no reason for a speaker to need access to contacts.
Bose Connect App:
Bose connect app requires access to your location information and collects information about your device, usage, music selection, etc. If you install the app, please read the terms and conditions carefully. There is a switch under the Privacy Statement that can turn off collection of certain data, but the Terms and Conditions indicate that quite a bit of your data could still be transmitted to Bose even with this “privacy” switch set to disable data collection. Again, just say no! You don’t need the app to use the device and I have found only one advantage to having the app installed. The Bose Connect app has a “Find my buds” feature that will help you navigate to the location where your “buds” were connected with your device and, once you are within Bluetooth range (and assuming your “buds” still have any battery left), will send a loud tone to the earphones to help you locate them. I don’t need or want this “feature” and consider my personal data more valuable than any pair of Bluetooth headphones.
Bose connect app requires access to your location information and collects information about your device, usage, music selection, etc. If you install the app, please read the terms and conditions carefully. There is a switch under the Privacy Statement that can turn off collection of certain data, but the Terms and Conditions indicate that quite a bit of your data could still be transmitted to Bose even with this “privacy” switch set to disable data collection. Again, just say no! You don’t need the app to use the device and I have found only one advantage to having the app installed. The Bose Connect app has a “Find my buds” feature that will help you navigate to the location where your “buds” were connected with your device and, once you are within Bluetooth range (and assuming your “buds” still have any battery left), will send a loud tone to the earphones to help you locate them. I don’t need or want this “feature” and consider my personal data more valuable than any pair of Bluetooth headphones.
Comfort:
The unit is comfortable with or without the cloth cover. The cover has pads over the control buttons so they are easy to access. The cover is quite snug and a difficult to remove and replace. The Bose Soundwear is advertised to be “sweat and weather resistant”. I am unlikely to test either of these claims.
The unit is comfortable with or without the cloth cover. The cover has pads over the control buttons so they are easy to access. The cover is quite snug and a difficult to remove and replace. The Bose Soundwear is advertised to be “sweat and weather resistant”. I am unlikely to test either of these claims.
Bluetooth:
Bluetooth range is adequate for most purposes. It is possible (albeit confusing) to be actively connected with two devices at once. You only hear one at a time, but, if both devices are transmitting, you will automatically switch to the other when you shut down the first. Bluetooth streaming uses a lot of battery. If only to save battery on the source device, I recommend connecting to only one device at a time and making sure that the Bluetooth broadcast from the second device is turned off.
The Bluetooth button (small button on the upper left side) lets you add new devices easily, but cannot be used to disconnect a device. The unit will store information on up to eight paired devices. Holding the Bluetooth button for about 2sec puts the Soundwear in pairing mode.
Bluetooth range is adequate for most purposes. It is possible (albeit confusing) to be actively connected with two devices at once. You only hear one at a time, but, if both devices are transmitting, you will automatically switch to the other when you shut down the first. Bluetooth streaming uses a lot of battery. If only to save battery on the source device, I recommend connecting to only one device at a time and making sure that the Bluetooth broadcast from the second device is turned off.
The Bluetooth button (small button on the upper left side) lets you add new devices easily, but cannot be used to disconnect a device. The unit will store information on up to eight paired devices. Holding the Bluetooth button for about 2sec puts the Soundwear in pairing mode.
Microphone & remote control:
From what friends and colleagues tell me, the microphone works well with good voice quality and no feedback. Since you are not tethered to your phone or computer with a cable, Bose Soundwear would be a good choice for teleconferences.
The three-button remote control on the unit works with iOS and Android apps. The center button is play/pause. The +/- buttons work for volume. Long presses on the +/- buttons simply continue to change the volume. They do not work for track selection. The remote also works with phone calls. The center play/pause can be used to answer an incoming call or disconnect a call in progress. The volume +/- work as expected on the output volume. I do not know if they also change the microphone gain. Pressing the + and - buttons at the same time will mute the microphone. I have not yet experienced the haptic (i.e. vibration) alert for an incoming call, but this would seem to be a nice feature.
From what friends and colleagues tell me, the microphone works well with good voice quality and no feedback. Since you are not tethered to your phone or computer with a cable, Bose Soundwear would be a good choice for teleconferences.
The three-button remote control on the unit works with iOS and Android apps. The center button is play/pause. The +/- buttons work for volume. Long presses on the +/- buttons simply continue to change the volume. They do not work for track selection. The remote also works with phone calls. The center play/pause can be used to answer an incoming call or disconnect a call in progress. The volume +/- work as expected on the output volume. I do not know if they also change the microphone gain. Pressing the + and - buttons at the same time will mute the microphone. I have not yet experienced the haptic (i.e. vibration) alert for an incoming call, but this would seem to be a nice feature.
Battery:
The downfall of many Bluetooth devices, battery life. The battery came “40% charged” (voice messages at startup let you know the battery status). The good news is that the size of the Bose Soundwear allows for a very large battery relative to Bluetooth IEMs. On the flip side, the speakers are larger than IEMs and likely require more current to drive. It took about 3 hours of use to go from 40% to 30%. Bose advertises 12h battery life and a charging time of up to 3h with a 15min charge advertised to provide 3h of use. Based on my use over the past two days, 12h (or more) seems like a good estimate. I suspect that the advertised 12h is “play time” (not standby time). Please note that the user’s guide states that the speakers will not play when it is charging.
The downfall of many Bluetooth devices, battery life. The battery came “40% charged” (voice messages at startup let you know the battery status). The good news is that the size of the Bose Soundwear allows for a very large battery relative to Bluetooth IEMs. On the flip side, the speakers are larger than IEMs and likely require more current to drive. It took about 3 hours of use to go from 40% to 30%. Bose advertises 12h battery life and a charging time of up to 3h with a 15min charge advertised to provide 3h of use. Based on my use over the past two days, 12h (or more) seems like a good estimate. I suspect that the advertised 12h is “play time” (not standby time). Please note that the user’s guide states that the speakers will not play when it is charging.
Sound Quality:
These are not audiophile quality speakers, but very good for a “wearable”. The sound signature is surprisingly flat. Instrument separation is good, but the sound stage is “in your head” with no directionality. Even in-ear monitors (IEMs), not known for their directionality, are better than the Bose Soundwear. This may because the speakers are position below the ear. This is certainly not a “deal-breaker”, but those looking for a deep sound stage may be disappointed. The stereo is highly positional. Tilting one’s head to the side is enough to make one channel take over.
System sounds (i.e. button push tones, etc.) can be startlingly loud if you are listening to source music with lower recording volume.
The open design is a blessing and a curse. The blessing, you can hear what is going on around you. The curse, you can hear what is going on around you. If you want an immersive experience, you need to turn the volume up to (perhaps) unsafe or uncomfortable levels. I was fatigued listening for about an hour.
These are not audiophile quality speakers, but very good for a “wearable”. The sound signature is surprisingly flat. Instrument separation is good, but the sound stage is “in your head” with no directionality. Even in-ear monitors (IEMs), not known for their directionality, are better than the Bose Soundwear. This may because the speakers are position below the ear. This is certainly not a “deal-breaker”, but those looking for a deep sound stage may be disappointed. The stereo is highly positional. Tilting one’s head to the side is enough to make one channel take over.
System sounds (i.e. button push tones, etc.) can be startlingly loud if you are listening to source music with lower recording volume.
The open design is a blessing and a curse. The blessing, you can hear what is going on around you. The curse, you can hear what is going on around you. If you want an immersive experience, you need to turn the volume up to (perhaps) unsafe or uncomfortable levels. I was fatigued listening for about an hour.
The following albums were sampled during my review:
• Adam Harasiewicz: Chopin Nocturnes & Preludes
• Adrian Legg: Waiting for a Dancer
• Antonio Pleeth: 6 Geminiani cello sonatas
• Beatles: 1
• Billy Mclaughlin: Fingerdance
• Bonnie Raitt: Road Tested
• Calum Graham: Phoenix Rising
• Creed: My Own Prison
• Dirks und Wirtz: Kinski Spencer Gismonti
• Don Ross: PS15
• Earl Klugh: Whispers and Promises
• Francois Sciortino: French Guitar
• Giovanni Palombo: La melodia segreta, A Secret Melody
• Goran Sollscher: Eleven-String Baroque
• Hoff Ensemble: Quiet Winter Night
• Jeff Beck: Who Else!
• Jewel: Spirit
• Jian Wang: The Baroque Album
• Joe Satriani, Surfing with the Alien, Crystal Planet, Flying ;;in a Blue Dream, Unstoppable Momentum
• John Doan: A Celtic Pilgrimage
• John Williams: The Guitarist
• Julian Webber: Elgar Cello Concerto - Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No.1
• Krzysztof Meisinger: Villa-Lobos Melodia Sentimental
• Laurence Juber: Guitar Noir
• Lawson Rollins: Elevation
• Los Angeles Spin
• Luca Stricagnoli: Luca Stricagnoli
• Markus Segschneider: Snapshots
• Michel Haumont: Michel Haumont & Co
• Mike Dawes: What Just Happened
• Miles Davis: Kind of Blue
• Mstislav Rostropovich: Beethoven The Cello Sonatas- Vol1&2, Chopin Cello Sotatas, Schubert Schuman Debusy Cello Sonatas, The Brahms Sonatas, Vivaldi - Tartini - Boccherini Cello Concertos
• Nora Jones: Come Away with Me
• Oslo String Quartet: The Shubert Connection
• Peppino D'Agostino: Acoustic Guitar
• Ryan LeBlanc: Speechless
• Sarah Mclachlan: Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, Surfacing
• Sergio & Odair Assad: Sérgio & Odair Assad Play Piazzolla
• Steve Vai: The Ultra Zone, Fire Garden
• Tomasz Gaworek: Born To Be Together
• Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes
• TRONDHEIMSOLISTENE: In Folk Style, Souvenir I & II,
• Vladimir Horowitz: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto #3
• Yo-Yo Ma: Bach Cello Suites Nos. 1, 5 & 6, Rachmaninov Prokofiev Cello Sonatas, Mendelssohn Piano Trios, Op. 49 & Op. 6
• Adam Harasiewicz: Chopin Nocturnes & Preludes
• Adrian Legg: Waiting for a Dancer
• Antonio Pleeth: 6 Geminiani cello sonatas
• Beatles: 1
• Billy Mclaughlin: Fingerdance
• Bonnie Raitt: Road Tested
• Calum Graham: Phoenix Rising
• Creed: My Own Prison
• Dirks und Wirtz: Kinski Spencer Gismonti
• Don Ross: PS15
• Earl Klugh: Whispers and Promises
• Francois Sciortino: French Guitar
• Giovanni Palombo: La melodia segreta, A Secret Melody
• Goran Sollscher: Eleven-String Baroque
• Hoff Ensemble: Quiet Winter Night
• Jeff Beck: Who Else!
• Jewel: Spirit
• Jian Wang: The Baroque Album
• Joe Satriani, Surfing with the Alien, Crystal Planet, Flying ;;in a Blue Dream, Unstoppable Momentum
• John Doan: A Celtic Pilgrimage
• John Williams: The Guitarist
• Julian Webber: Elgar Cello Concerto - Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No.1
• Krzysztof Meisinger: Villa-Lobos Melodia Sentimental
• Laurence Juber: Guitar Noir
• Lawson Rollins: Elevation
• Los Angeles Spin
• Luca Stricagnoli: Luca Stricagnoli
• Markus Segschneider: Snapshots
• Michel Haumont: Michel Haumont & Co
• Mike Dawes: What Just Happened
• Miles Davis: Kind of Blue
• Mstislav Rostropovich: Beethoven The Cello Sonatas- Vol1&2, Chopin Cello Sotatas, Schubert Schuman Debusy Cello Sonatas, The Brahms Sonatas, Vivaldi - Tartini - Boccherini Cello Concertos
• Nora Jones: Come Away with Me
• Oslo String Quartet: The Shubert Connection
• Peppino D'Agostino: Acoustic Guitar
• Ryan LeBlanc: Speechless
• Sarah Mclachlan: Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, Surfacing
• Sergio & Odair Assad: Sérgio & Odair Assad Play Piazzolla
• Steve Vai: The Ultra Zone, Fire Garden
• Tomasz Gaworek: Born To Be Together
• Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes
• TRONDHEIMSOLISTENE: In Folk Style, Souvenir I & II,
• Vladimir Horowitz: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto #3
• Yo-Yo Ma: Bach Cello Suites Nos. 1, 5 & 6, Rachmaninov Prokofiev Cello Sonatas, Mendelssohn Piano Trios, Op. 49 & Op. 6
My Best Buy number: 2655526669
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-2points
8of 18voted this as helpful.
Only at Best BuyHP OMEN by HP Laptop: Play your way to victory with this HP Omen 17-inch laptop. Built around a formidable Intel Core i7 processor and 12GB of RAM, this machine supports memory-hungry programs and blazes through graphics-intense games. This HP Omen 17-inch laptop has an advanced red backlit keyboard with dedicated macro keys to make advanced moves easier.
Customer Rating
5
High-performance gaming laptop
on July 14, 2017
Posted by: SonyCameraGuy
from Cary, NC
Setup:
Windows 10 is Windows 10. The system comes configured to optimize Microsoft’s visibility and leverage over your personal information. Be sure to turn most (if not all) default “features” off if you do not want provide your personal data and computer usage habits to Microsoft. You may also want to download and install (and enable) the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-in.
Windows 10 is Windows 10. The system comes configured to optimize Microsoft’s visibility and leverage over your personal information. Be sure to turn most (if not all) default “features” off if you do not want provide your personal data and computer usage habits to Microsoft. You may also want to download and install (and enable) the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-in.
If you will be configuring your new system to emulate the settings and software from your old system, make sure to save the files needed to make the transition.
Make sure that your backpack or laptop bag is big enough for this system if you want to take it with you. Many backpacks/bags are not large enough to accommodate the 17.3” OMEN (1.3” H x 16.6” W x 12” D; 8.22 lbs). The 230W power supply on the 17-an012dx is enormous! Make sure that you have room in your backpack/bag. It is a good idea to have this laptop with you when you go shopping for bags.
System:
Display: Nice sized 17.3” non-glare display. The maximum resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels. IPS technology provides good viewing from most viewing angles. The color gamut is tilted a bit toward the blue, but not bad. It can be easily customized with the Radeon Settings application. This is not a touch screen display.
Display: Nice sized 17.3” non-glare display. The maximum resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels. IPS technology provides good viewing from most viewing angles. The color gamut is tilted a bit toward the blue, but not bad. It can be easily customized with the Radeon Settings application. This is not a touch screen display.
Disk: 1TB 7200rpm disk has plenty of storage, but I/O speed would be much better with SSD.
Speakers: The onboard B&O speakers are functional, but I highly recommend a USB DAC and external speakers or a good set of headphones.
Ports:
• Three USB 3.1 ports are provided which should enable 10MB/sec transfer rates with disk drives that support this rate;
• One USB-C port;
• One Audio Jack with a headset jack (TRRS);
• One microphone jack for stereo or monaural audio input;
• One mini-display jack;
• One HDMI (full size);
• One RJ-45 Ethernet port for those (like me) who appreciate the network speed of a wired connection.
• Safety lock port;
• Three USB 3.1 ports are provided which should enable 10MB/sec transfer rates with disk drives that support this rate;
• One USB-C port;
• One Audio Jack with a headset jack (TRRS);
• One microphone jack for stereo or monaural audio input;
• One mini-display jack;
• One HDMI (full size);
• One RJ-45 Ethernet port for those (like me) who appreciate the network speed of a wired connection.
• Safety lock port;
GPU: AMD Radeon RX580 GPU /w 8GB is a significant upgrade from the Intel HD 520 graphics on my old HP system. The Radeon Settings app lets you configure a variety of GPU settings globally and customize them for each game independently. The default settings got an “Oh, WOW!” from my son when he launched his favorite game. Graphics were displayed effortlessly and smoothly.
Keyboard: The keyboard is back-lit, solidly built, and has a nice feel for typing. The red on the W, A, S, and D keys is a handy reference for gamers, but wholly unnecessary IMHO.
Touch Pad: It seems to work OK, but I disable mine and use a mouse exclusively.
Bottom line: get this laptop for the 12GB of memory, 7th generation i7 processor, and AMD RX580 GPU. It is heavy and is too large for most laptop bags and backpacks.
My Best Buy number: 2655526669
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Listen to music all day with these JLab JBuds Pro earbuds. The adjustable tip placement provided by the three gel tip sizes delivers comfortable wear, while the two Cush Fins offer a deeper sound-sealing fit. The 10mm titanium drivers of these JLab JBuds Pro earbuds produce high-quality audio for a dynamic listening experience.
Customer Rating
4
Nice Bluetooth Earbuds for the price
on June 30, 2017
Posted by: SonyCameraGuy
from Cary, NC
Setup:
Pairing was relatively easy. Don’t be confused by the first voice message telling you that the system is on. Keep pressing until you get the second voice message telling you that the unit is ready to pair. Pairing mode can only be enabled when the earphones are off. If you turn them on without getting to the pairing mode, turn them off (by holding the center button down for 3 seconds) and try again (holding the center button continuously until the indicator light flashes red & blue).
There was no case or zippered pouch among the accessories in the package. You may need one to protect the earphones when not in use.
A VERY short USB cable is included.
The “paddles” can be cumbersome to install, but can help keep the phones in, especially while exercising.
A good seal is essential to getting the best possible sound quality. Be sure to find a tip that works for you. There are two rings on the barrel of each earpiece that allow the tips to be positioned at the barrel end or near the body of the earpiece. You may want to try both positions to get the most comfortable and effective seal.
The unit comes with a shirt clip. I found it neither useful nor necessary.
Pairing was relatively easy. Don’t be confused by the first voice message telling you that the system is on. Keep pressing until you get the second voice message telling you that the unit is ready to pair. Pairing mode can only be enabled when the earphones are off. If you turn them on without getting to the pairing mode, turn them off (by holding the center button down for 3 seconds) and try again (holding the center button continuously until the indicator light flashes red & blue).
There was no case or zippered pouch among the accessories in the package. You may need one to protect the earphones when not in use.
A VERY short USB cable is included.
The “paddles” can be cumbersome to install, but can help keep the phones in, especially while exercising.
A good seal is essential to getting the best possible sound quality. Be sure to find a tip that works for you. There are two rings on the barrel of each earpiece that allow the tips to be positioned at the barrel end or near the body of the earpiece. You may want to try both positions to get the most comfortable and effective seal.
The unit comes with a shirt clip. I found it neither useful nor necessary.
In-line microphone & remote control:
From what friends and colleagues tell me, the microphone works well. Since you are not tethered to your phone or computer with a cable, they are great for teleconferences.
The in-line remote control works with iOS and Android apps. The center button is play/pause (short press). The up/down buttons work for volume (short press) and forward/back track selection (long press). The remote also work with phone calls (a short press on the center button will answer an incoming call).
From what friends and colleagues tell me, the microphone works well. Since you are not tethered to your phone or computer with a cable, they are great for teleconferences.
The in-line remote control works with iOS and Android apps. The center button is play/pause (short press). The up/down buttons work for volume (short press) and forward/back track selection (long press). The remote also work with phone calls (a short press on the center button will answer an incoming call).
Sound Quality:
These are not audiophile quality in-ear-monitors (IEMs). The bass is forward, the trebles are OK, and the middle frequencies suffer a bit. Equalization helps considerably. Microphonics are minimized by the soft cable. These will not replace my $400 IEMs, but for the price they are a solid on-the-go, Bluetooth performer with all genres tested (rock, jazz, classical, & pop). J Labs offers a “burn-in” app if you believe in such stuff. The JBuds sound OK out of the box.
These are not audiophile quality in-ear-monitors (IEMs). The bass is forward, the trebles are OK, and the middle frequencies suffer a bit. Equalization helps considerably. Microphonics are minimized by the soft cable. These will not replace my $400 IEMs, but for the price they are a solid on-the-go, Bluetooth performer with all genres tested (rock, jazz, classical, & pop). J Labs offers a “burn-in” app if you believe in such stuff. The JBuds sound OK out of the box.
Battery:
The downfall of any small Bluetooth device, battery life. The battery came “fully charged”. Voice messages at startup let you know the battery status, “Fully Charged”, “Medium”, and “Low”. It took about 2 hours of use before getting to medium and another 4 hours between medium and shutdown. Charging from fully drained (using USB3 port on my computer) took 1.5 hours.
The downfall of any small Bluetooth device, battery life. The battery came “fully charged”. Voice messages at startup let you know the battery status, “Fully Charged”, “Medium”, and “Low”. It took about 2 hours of use before getting to medium and another 4 hours between medium and shutdown. Charging from fully drained (using USB3 port on my computer) took 1.5 hours.
The following albums were sampled during my review:
Adam Harasiewicz: Chopin Nocturnes & Preludes
Adrian Legg: Waiting for a Dancer
Antonio Pleeth: 6 Geminiani cello sonatas
Beatles: 1
Billy Mclaughlin: Fingerdance
Bonnie Raitt: Road Tested
Calum Graham: Phoenix Rising
Creed: My Own Prison
Dirks und Wirtz: Kinski Spencer Gismonti
Don Ross: PS15
Earl Klugh: Whispers and Promises
Francois Sciortino: French Guitar
Giovanni Palombo: La melodia segreta, A Secret Melody
Goran Sollscher: Eleven-String Baroque
Hoff Ensemble: Quiet Winter Night
Jeff Beck: Who Else!
Jian Wang: The Baroque Album
Joe Satriani, Surfing with the Alien, Crystal Planet, Flying ;;in a Blue Dream, Unstoppable Momentum
John Doan: A Celtic Pilgrimage
John Williams: The Guitarist
Julian Webber: Elgar Cello Concerto - Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No.1
Krzysztof Meisinger: Villa-Lobos Melodia Sentimental
Laurence Juber: Guitar Noir
Lawson Rollins: Elevation
Los Angeles Spin
Luca Stricagnoli: Luca Stricagnoli
Markus Segschneider: Snapshots
Michel Haumont: Michel Haumont & Co
Mike Dawes: What Just Happened
Mstislav Rostropovich: Beethoven The Cello Sonatas- Vol1&2, Chopin Cello Sotatas, Schubert Schuman Debusy Cello Sonatas, The Brahms Sonatas, Vivaldi - Tartini - Boccherini Cello Concertos
Nora Jones: Come Away with Me
Oslo String Quartet: The Shubert Connection
Peppino D'Agostino: Acoustic Guitar
Ryan LeBlanc: Speechless
Sarah Mclachlan: Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, Surfacing
Sergio & Odair Assad: Sérgio & Odair Assad Play Piazzolla
Steve Vai: The Ultra Zone, Fire Garden
Tomasz Gaworek: Born To Be Together
Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes
TRONDHEIMSOLISTENE: In Folk Style, Souvenir I & II,
Vladimir Horowitz: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto #3
Yo-Yo Ma: Bach Cello Suites Nos. 1, 5 & 6, Rachmaninov Prokofiev Cello Sonatas, Mendelssohn Piano Trios, Op. 49 & Op. 6
Adam Harasiewicz: Chopin Nocturnes & Preludes
Adrian Legg: Waiting for a Dancer
Antonio Pleeth: 6 Geminiani cello sonatas
Beatles: 1
Billy Mclaughlin: Fingerdance
Bonnie Raitt: Road Tested
Calum Graham: Phoenix Rising
Creed: My Own Prison
Dirks und Wirtz: Kinski Spencer Gismonti
Don Ross: PS15
Earl Klugh: Whispers and Promises
Francois Sciortino: French Guitar
Giovanni Palombo: La melodia segreta, A Secret Melody
Goran Sollscher: Eleven-String Baroque
Hoff Ensemble: Quiet Winter Night
Jeff Beck: Who Else!
Jian Wang: The Baroque Album
Joe Satriani, Surfing with the Alien, Crystal Planet, Flying ;;in a Blue Dream, Unstoppable Momentum
John Doan: A Celtic Pilgrimage
John Williams: The Guitarist
Julian Webber: Elgar Cello Concerto - Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No.1
Krzysztof Meisinger: Villa-Lobos Melodia Sentimental
Laurence Juber: Guitar Noir
Lawson Rollins: Elevation
Los Angeles Spin
Luca Stricagnoli: Luca Stricagnoli
Markus Segschneider: Snapshots
Michel Haumont: Michel Haumont & Co
Mike Dawes: What Just Happened
Mstislav Rostropovich: Beethoven The Cello Sonatas- Vol1&2, Chopin Cello Sotatas, Schubert Schuman Debusy Cello Sonatas, The Brahms Sonatas, Vivaldi - Tartini - Boccherini Cello Concertos
Nora Jones: Come Away with Me
Oslo String Quartet: The Shubert Connection
Peppino D'Agostino: Acoustic Guitar
Ryan LeBlanc: Speechless
Sarah Mclachlan: Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, Surfacing
Sergio & Odair Assad: Sérgio & Odair Assad Play Piazzolla
Steve Vai: The Ultra Zone, Fire Garden
Tomasz Gaworek: Born To Be Together
Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes
TRONDHEIMSOLISTENE: In Folk Style, Souvenir I & II,
Vladimir Horowitz: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto #3
Yo-Yo Ma: Bach Cello Suites Nos. 1, 5 & 6, Rachmaninov Prokofiev Cello Sonatas, Mendelssohn Piano Trios, Op. 49 & Op. 6
My Best Buy number: 2655526669
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Take your favorite music anywhere with this Nyne Rock boom box. It has two midrange speakers, two tweeters and a subwoofer, and its rechargeable lithium-ion battery lets you play tunes for up to 8 hours. This Nyne Rock boom box is Bluetooth 4.0 compatible and connects to a mobile device via NFC one-touch technology.
Customer Rating
4
Nice portable speaker with a few design flaws
on June 22, 2017
Posted by: SonyCameraGuy
from Cary, NC
Setup:
A world-wide assortment of power adapters comes with the charger. While the unit is certainly transportable, it is not something that you will want to take with you while traveling. One country-specific adapter would have been sufficient. The instructions were multilingual to the extreme. A complete set of instructions in each language would have been preferable to having each step was presented in every language. The unit is so simple that setup instructions could be printed on a credit card.
A world-wide assortment of power adapters comes with the charger. While the unit is certainly transportable, it is not something that you will want to take with you while traveling. One country-specific adapter would have been sufficient. The instructions were multilingual to the extreme. A complete set of instructions in each language would have been preferable to having each step was presented in every language. The unit is so simple that setup instructions could be printed on a credit card.
Bluetooth pairing was very easy, just hold down the power button for a few seconds and find the speaker on your music source. Controls on the speaker work with my Bluetooth music source (iPhone).
Build Quality:
The unit seems to be solidly built. I have not tested the “waterproof” claim, but it’s nice to know if I ever use it outdoors. The door to the connection panel has a silicone gasket so “waterproof” may only apply when using the unit with the door closed. The integrated handle makes the unit easy to pick up and carry.
The unit seems to be solidly built. I have not tested the “waterproof” claim, but it’s nice to know if I ever use it outdoors. The door to the connection panel has a silicone gasket so “waterproof” may only apply when using the unit with the door closed. The integrated handle makes the unit easy to pick up and carry.
Sound Quality:
The Nyne has a well-rounded sound signature tilted slightly toward the base. Female vocals are forward enough to be easily heard on well-mastered recordings. There is enough treble to add detail, but the low mids seem lacking. The sound seems somewhat congested, partly due to the compact design that does not allow for effective stereo separation and perhaps due to the materials needed to make the speaker cones waterproof. What it lacks in separation and sound stage, this system makes up for in volume. This speaker will generate all the dB that one could safely listen to (and perhaps a bit more).
The Nyne has a well-rounded sound signature tilted slightly toward the base. Female vocals are forward enough to be easily heard on well-mastered recordings. There is enough treble to add detail, but the low mids seem lacking. The sound seems somewhat congested, partly due to the compact design that does not allow for effective stereo separation and perhaps due to the materials needed to make the speaker cones waterproof. What it lacks in separation and sound stage, this system makes up for in volume. This speaker will generate all the dB that one could safely listen to (and perhaps a bit more).
The auxiliary input is not intended for typical line-out voltage. Using the line-out on my hand-held digital audio player, the lowest volume on the Nyne was much too loud to use. I had to resort to the headphone-out port to use the auxiliary input port. The sound quality using wired input is notably better than with Bluetooth. As with most audio applications, the sound quality is only as good as the weakest link in the signal path.
My Best Buy number: 2655526669
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Adjust lighting levels easily with this universal Belkin Wemo Wi-Fi smart dimmer switch. It lets you schedule operations and set timer rules via the Wemo app, and it works with any dimmable LED, CFL or incandescent light bulb. This universal Belkin Wemo Wi-Fi smart dimmer switch is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice control, and requires no hub for easy installation.
Customer Rating
3
Not DIY with my wiring; app needs improvement
on June 19, 2017
Posted by: SonyCameraGuy
from Cary, NC
Installation:
The wiring in my home was a rat’s nest of aluminum. One of the terminals on the switch I was intending to replace was connected to a cluster of red, white, and black wires. This was not a job for an amateur. I needed a professional electrician to decipher the cluster of spaghetti behind my switch plate. If you intend to make this a DIY project, make sure that you understand the wiring that you need to use and don’t assume that someone else’s work was correct (even if it works).
The wiring in my home was a rat’s nest of aluminum. One of the terminals on the switch I was intending to replace was connected to a cluster of red, white, and black wires. This was not a job for an amateur. I needed a professional electrician to decipher the cluster of spaghetti behind my switch plate. If you intend to make this a DIY project, make sure that you understand the wiring that you need to use and don’t assume that someone else’s work was correct (even if it works).
The app was easy to install, but the dimmer configuration stalled during the step where my home network was searching for WeMo devices. I had to reset the device to its factory settings, turn off the cellular data setting on my phone, connect to my wireless network, and start the configuration from scratch. The device occupies a slot on the 2.4GHz band of my home network, which is fine for a stationary device with no real demand for band width.
The serial number and MAC address for the switch is on the package. You may need a magnifying glass to read it. Make sure to save this information. You won’t want to remove the switch to get this information (I’m not even sure that it is there).
Functionality:
We are using the WeMo switch to allow us to turn on the front porch light remotely. Many of the features (e.g. dimming, countdown timer, fade-out, and “night mode”) turned out to be unnecessary.
We are using the WeMo switch to allow us to turn on the front porch light remotely. Many of the features (e.g. dimming, countdown timer, fade-out, and “night mode”) turned out to be unnecessary.
The scheduler is OK, but there does not appear to be a feature to add a day-to-day random offset to the on/off times to make it appear that someone is home. This shortcoming could easily be added to the app.
The dimmer panel on the switch is not a slider. A single touch at any point on the scale will set the dimmer level.
My Best Buy number: 2655526669
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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We know pets makes messes. Whether it's tracked-in mud or bathroom accidents, BISSELL® ProHeat 2X® Revolution® Pet Pro Plus carpet cleaner handles those though pet messes with its exclusive Pet Pro Cleanup System. This system includes a CleanShot® pretreater to remove spots and stains; the 2-in-1 Pet Upholstery Tool to remove pet hair, stains and odors from upholstery, a trial-size of BISSELL® PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator formula, and an EZ Clean Brush Roll Cover to make maintaining the machine easy. When used in MAX Clean Mode, you get powerful cleaning that outcleans the leading rental*** and leaves carpet dry in about 30 minutes with Express Clean Mode.** All of this cleaning power comes in a lightweight and maneuverable machine with a low-profile foot that gets under furniture. But this machine doesn't just pick up after pets, it helps save them, too. 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.***Cleaning results based on ASTM F2828 using BISSELL PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator formula in MAX clean mode against the Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 carpet cleaner using their top selling formula.**Express Clean Mode (reference instruction in user guide). Tested on new carpet with protectant. Results may vary.
Customer Rating
4
Cleans well, but it's very noisy
on May 15, 2017
Posted by: SonyCameraGuy
from Cary, NC
Disclaimer: My home is in the middle of a remodel and I have not had the opportunity to test the unit on indoor carpet.
The unit was easy to assembly. There is a handy mesh bag for storing the tools and hose. This model does not come with a hard floor attachment. And, despite the fact that one is pictured in the User’s Manual, Bissell does not yet offer a hard floor attachment for this model. There are several hard floor attachments advertised on the Bissell web site, but none are compatible with this model (1986). This was a real disappointment for me since the first task I had planned for this unit was to clean “mud” and drywall dust from the hardwood floor in our partially remodeled den.
I have had a chance to test the unit on the floor mats and cargo area of my car. The ”deep stain tool” did a great job on both areas and the cleaning solution removed some stains that I thought were permanent. Moving slowly over the wet areas will pick up more dirty water and leave the mats almost dry enough to use.
I hope to give this product a more thorough test and update this review once the protective plastic comes off my carpet.
As a caution, don’t fill the clean water reservoir while it is sitting on a counter. This will depress the release valve on the bottom of the reservoir and your counter will get wet. Also be aware that not all links to the User’s Guide on Bissell’s web site work. If you have trouble, try this one: https://bissellmedia.azureedge.net/-/media/site-us/documents/user-guides/1986/bissell_user_guide_proheat_2x_revolution_1964_1986_2007_series.pdf?la=en&modified=20170202170006&cdnv=1
If you are expecting quiet, this Bissell unit is anything but. I would seriously consider hearing protection if you intend to use it in an small enclosed area. It’s Noisy!
My Best Buy number: 2655526669
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Bring bold color to your gaming hobby with this Razer Kraken analog headset. Thick padding and a lightweight construction make it ideal for extended wear, and the fully retractable microphone lets you adjust the device to meet your needs. This Razer Kraken analog headset has a long cable that provides flexibility of movement as you play.
Customer Rating
2
Good mike, lousy audio
on March 28, 2017
Posted by: SonyCameraGuy
from Cary, NC
Up front… I am not a gamer. I use the Kraken Pro V2 as a communications headset and for speech recognition. The microphone is quite good in both applications. The ear pads are comfortable, but get hot after a few minutes of wearing. The headphones, while well-built and comfortable, are very bass-forward with almost no treble. This makes voices and music muddy sounding. With the open-back design, there is no sound isolation. This is a good thing if you want to hear the world around you, but it means that you might need to turn the volume up to immerse yourself in whatever you are listening to. There is significant crossover between channels. If there is also a delay applied to the opposite channel, this might provide a more realistic binaural experience when listening to 2-channel stereo. However, this same feature would decrease the clarity of 1-channel (i.e. mono) input, like the microphone used on this and many other communication and gaming headsets.
The headset cable is 4 feet long, kink-free, and covered in a braided fabric. There is an inline volume control and a mute switch for the microphone. It is terminated with a 3.5mm TRRS connector that allows stereo listening and mono microphone input. The included splitter cable gives you the option to plug into separate speaker and microphone jacks. These jacks must be less than 6-inches apart or the cable will not connect to both. The extension/splitter cable is also waaaaaay too long (6 feet). Razer would have done better to supply a longer primary cable and a shorter splitter cable.
My Best Buy number: 2655526669
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Make your home an internet haven with this versatile Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system. Three identical tri-band dual-stream AC2200 routers, each equipped with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor, deliver lightning-fast internet. Equipped with Bluetooth 4.0/LE, this Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system is simple to set up and pairs easily with computers, tablets and smart devices.
Customer Rating
4
Great design and function (after setup problems)
on January 11, 2017
Posted by: SonyCameraGuy
from Cary, NC
There was a lot of effort put into the design and packaging of the Velop. Nodes are small and attractive enough to fit unobtrusively in any room in my home. The recessed bottom of the housing and cutout to accommodate power and Ethernet cables are nice features. Even the packaging was first rate with a ribbon tab and magnetic closures. I’ll have to think of some use for the box now that the system was set up.
Setup of the parent node and first child were a breeze with the Linksys app. The second child node struggled during the “Checking your node’s location” phase and refused to synch with the other nodes. I had to perform a manual software update on the problem child and make it the parent (with LOTS of intervening resets and power cycles on both nodes) before everything finally worked as intended. Once operational, the network provided excellent WiFi coverage and speed. You might want to consider setting up your network in a limited area and then moving the “children” to their final positions when network setup is complete. The app will tell you that you could get better coverage by moving nodes away from the parent, but mine reconnected without problems after relocation.
The Velop is decidedly WiFi-centric. There are two RJ45 connections at the bottom of each node, but the only truly wired connectivity is on the parent node and one of these two ports is occupied by the Ethernet connection to my cable modem. All of the wired devices on my network had to be accommodated by connecting a network switch to the second port on the parent node.
I was disappointed to learn that I could not manage the Velop using a web-based user interface from my computer. Setup and management are only possible through the Linksys app running on an iOS or Android smart phone. I am not facile “typing” with my thumbs and configuration of my Velop network was cumbersome and time-consuming. Most of the functionality of a web-based UI is available in the app, including parental controls, guest access, device prioritization, reserved addresses, customized device names, and some additional features that are only meaningful in the context of a mesh network (e.g. which node is a device connected through). One problem with the app-only management is the noticeable lag between connecting a new device and its appearance as a connected device in the app. Some of my wireless devices are also miss-labeled as having a wired connection. Since it is managing the connection to each device, it should be easy to determine how a device is connected to the router and assign the proper label, but this was also a problem with the web-based UI for my previous Linksys routers.
Overall, Velop offers excellent WiFi connectivity and coverage once you get past the setup and configuration phases. For me, the excellence in design and function are somewhat shadowed by the difficult setup, the lack of a web-based UI, and the cumbersome app-based configuration.
My Best Buy number: 2655526669
I would recommend this to a friend!
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SonyCameraGuy's Review Comments
With 700W of power and 10 power levels, this LG LCS0712ST 0.7 cu. ft. compact microwave lets you prepare a wide variety of delicious meals. The EasyClean feature simplifies the cleaning process, and the clock keeps you notified of the time.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Great Compact Microwave
By PawX4
from Cary, NC
I had to return an older model that was damaged in shipment. This one is perfect as a shelf-top microwave. It has plenty of power. The interface is not conventional, but it is easy to use and has almost all of the features of its larger cousins. There is no temperature probe and no numeric key pad to enter time. Unless you need a larger size, there is no reason to look for anything else.
The only down side is the "tune" that it plays when starting and stopping. A simple tone would have sufficed.
SonyCameraGuy
Cary, NC
Review for the wrong microwave
July 1, 2017
The review above was for the 0.9 cubic foot LG microwave. It replaced the 0.7 cubic foot microwave that was damaged in shipment.
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We know pets makes messes. Whether it's tracked-in mud or bathroom accidents, BISSELL® ProHeat 2X® Revolution® Pet Pro Plus carpet cleaner handles those though pet messes with its exclusive Pet Pro Cleanup System. This system includes a CleanShot® pretreater to remove spots and stains; the 2-in-1 Pet Upholstery Tool to remove pet hair, stains and odors from upholstery, a trial-size of BISSELL® PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator formula, and an EZ Clean Brush Roll Cover to make maintaining the machine easy. When used in MAX Clean Mode, you get powerful cleaning that outcleans the leading rental*** and leaves carpet dry in about 30 minutes with Express Clean Mode.** All of this cleaning power comes in a lightweight and maneuverable machine with a low-profile foot that gets under furniture. But this machine doesn't just pick up after pets, it helps save them, too. 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.***Cleaning results based on ASTM F2828 using BISSELL PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator formula in MAX clean mode against the Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 carpet cleaner using their top selling formula.**Express Clean Mode (reference instruction in user guide). Tested on new carpet with protectant. Results may vary.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Cleans well, but it's very noisy
By SonyCameraGuy
from Cary, NC
Disclaimer: My home is in the middle of a remodel and I have not had the opportunity to test the unit on indoor carpet.
The unit was easy to assembly. There is a handy mesh bag for storing the tools and hose. This model does not come with a hard floor attachment. And, despite the fact that one is pictured in the User’s Manual, Bissell does not yet offer a hard floor attachment for this model. There are several hard floor attachments advertised on the Bissell web site, but none are compatible with this model (1986). This was a real disappointment for me since the first task I had planned for this unit was to clean “mud” and drywall dust from the hardwood floor in our partially remodeled den.
I have had a chance to test the unit on the floor mats and cargo area of my car. The ”deep stain tool” did a great job on both areas and the cleaning solution removed some stains that I thought were permanent. Moving slowly over the wet areas will pick up more dirty water and leave the mats almost dry enough to use.
I hope to give this product a more thorough test and update this review once the protective plastic comes off my carpet.
As a caution, don’t fill the clean water reservoir while it is sitting on a counter. This will depress the release valve on the bottom of the reservoir and your counter will get wet. Also be aware that not all links to the User’s Guide on Bissell’s web site work. If you have trouble, try this one: https://bissellmedia.azureedge.net/-/media/site-us/documents/user-guides/1986/bissell_user_guide_proheat_2x_revolution_1964_1986_2007_series.pdf?la=en&modified=20170202170006&cdnv=1
If you are expecting quiet, this Bissell unit is anything but. I would seriously consider hearing protection if you intend to use it in an small enclosed area. It’s Noisy!
SonyCameraGuy
Cary, NC
5-star all the way!
July 2, 2017
After our renovation the Bissell got a real workout. The gunk that it got out of a freshly vacuumed carpet was amazing! Better than that, this Bissell was designed to be cleaned easily and completely. No more funky mess to fester in the machine between uses. They also now offer a bare floor attachment (not available at the time of my initial). Sorry for the initial 4-star rating. This machine is 5+ all the way!
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SonyCameraGuy's Questions
SonyCameraGuy has not submitted any questions.
Record captivating vlogs and take brilliant photos with this black GoPro HERO9 camera. The high-quality CMOS sensor captures 5K video and up to 20.0MP images for stunning clarity, and support for a microSD card offers customizable storage space. This water-resistant GoPro HERO9 camera allows for use at the beach or pool.
Is there a waterproof case for the hero9 to increase the level of waterproof protection so it can be used for diving:
Yes. The ADDIV-001 waterproof cased is rated to 196ft (60m).
4 years, 8 months ago
by
SonyCameraGuy
Record captivating vlogs and take brilliant photos with this black GoPro HERO9 camera. The high-quality CMOS sensor captures 5K video and up to 20.0MP images for stunning clarity, and support for a microSD card offers customizable storage space. This water-resistant GoPro HERO9 camera allows for use at the beach or pool.
New model and no HDR?
HDR is enabled under the "SuperPhoto" option. It is not supported (or necessary) when shooting in RAW format.
4 years, 8 months ago
by
SonyCameraGuy
Record captivating vlogs and take brilliant photos with this black GoPro HERO9 camera. The high-quality CMOS sensor captures 5K video and up to 20.0MP images for stunning clarity, and support for a microSD card offers customizable storage space. This water-resistant GoPro HERO9 camera allows for use at the beach or pool.
What is the largest size memory card that is compatible, and is it SD or MicroSD?
GoPro Hero 9 Black uses microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC (Class 10 or UHS-I rating) up to 256GB.
Recommended microSD cards are at gopro.com/microsdcards.
Recommended microSD cards are at gopro.com/microsdcards.
4 years, 8 months ago
by
SonyCameraGuy
The weBoost Installed Home Complete cell signal booster is the 1st residential booster to include professional installation and provides a best-in-class solution for weak or nonexistent indoor cellular coverage. With the weBoost Installed, your home will never be out of range again. The weBoost Installed takes an existing cell signal from outside, amplifies it, then broadcasts it throughout your home. Here’s how it works: 1. After receiving your box, you’ll call to schedule your installation. This can be scheduled as soon as the following day. 2. Your professional installer will use their expertise to ensure your home receives the best cell signal coverage possible. 3. Once installed, that’s it. No subscription fees or additional payments, your home is now a place where you and your family will experience faster data speeds, fewer dropped calls, better voice quality, superior streaming capability, and more. Simultaneously, anyone using a phone or cell device inside your home will start to enjoy reliable cellular connectivity. The weBoost Installed | Home Complete works on every network and on all major U.S.carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Straight Talk. When you purchase the weBoost Installed | Home Complete, you’ll benefit from knowing: 1. We are committed to solving your connectivity issues. Our installers won’t leave until you are completely satisfied with your home’s cell signal coverage 2. We have a U.S.-based customer support team in Utah dedicated to help and always a toll-free call or email away. 3. We were the first to design, build, and install cell signal boosters for home use. We are also the first to offer professional installation as part of a complete solution. 4. Our products are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 2-year warranty. 5. Our products are 5G ready and will continue to improve cell signal for the next decade and beyond in a 5G world. The weBoost Installed is your complete solution for fixing bad cell signal coverage for good. Leave dropped calls and slow internet speeds behind and look forward to always being connected.
Does this boost WiFi and cell phone service?
The weBoost is only designed to improve the cellular reception in your home. It does not interfere with or boost in-home WiFi signals. It uses a small outdoor directional antenna (normally mounted on the roof or under the eaves) to pick up the cellular signal from the best available cellular tower. Coaxial cable takes the cellular signal from the outdoor antenna to an indoor booster that amplifies the cellular signal and passes it to a small indoor antenna. Images of the components can be seen at https://www.weboost.com/.
5 years, 1 month ago
by
SonyCameraGuy
The reliable Brother MFC-L3710CW digital color all-in-one printer is an ideal choice for home and small offices looking for laser printer performance and need full functionality, print, copy, scan and fax, in a compact footprint. The up to 50-sheet automatic document feeder enables multipage copying, scanning and faxing, plus quick print speeds of up to 19 pages per minute. The manual feed slot accommodates varied printing needs and can handle a variety of paper types and sizes, including card stock, envelopes and more. The 250-sheet capacity adjustable paper tray helps improve efficiency with fewer refills and handles letter- or legal-size paper. Connect with versatile options, including built-in wireless or USB interfaces, and print wirelessly from mobile devices³. Save time by creating custom shortcuts on the 3.7" color touch screen, which also enables you to directly print from and scan to popular cloud apps, including Dropbox, Google Drive, Evernote, OneNote and more¹. Brother Genuine high-yield replacement toner cartridges help lower printing costs. Comes with a 1-year limited warranty and free online, call or live chat support for the life of your product.Prints up to 19 ISO ppm*, up to 19 ppm* in color.
Can you copy on photo paper. From a camera?
I would not recommend this printer for printing photos. Color calibration must be done manually and only laser printer stock is recommended. There is glossy brochure paper that you could use, but most photo paper is intended for use in ink-jet printer and is not intended to withstand the heat of laser printing.
5 years, 9 months ago
by
SonyCameraGuy
The reliable Brother MFC-L3710CW digital color all-in-one printer is an ideal choice for home and small offices looking for laser printer performance and need full functionality, print, copy, scan and fax, in a compact footprint. The up to 50-sheet automatic document feeder enables multipage copying, scanning and faxing, plus quick print speeds of up to 19 pages per minute. The manual feed slot accommodates varied printing needs and can handle a variety of paper types and sizes, including card stock, envelopes and more. The 250-sheet capacity adjustable paper tray helps improve efficiency with fewer refills and handles letter- or legal-size paper. Connect with versatile options, including built-in wireless or USB interfaces, and print wirelessly from mobile devices³. Save time by creating custom shortcuts on the 3.7" color touch screen, which also enables you to directly print from and scan to popular cloud apps, including Dropbox, Google Drive, Evernote, OneNote and more¹. Brother Genuine high-yield replacement toner cartridges help lower printing costs. Comes with a 1-year limited warranty and free online, call or live chat support for the life of your product.Prints up to 19 ISO ppm*, up to 19 ppm* in color.
will it scan two sided to two sided through the scanner?
No. This printer will not perform duplex printing or scanning.
5 years, 9 months ago
by
SonyCameraGuy
Complete tasks with ease while on the go by using this Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 tablet. The included intuitive S Pen lets you take and edit notes for a smooth work experience, while the magnetic technology makes storage and charging easy. Attach a keyboard with built-in trackpad to this Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 tablet for a seamless PC desktop experience.
Does it have HDR?
There is an option to engage HDR for photos (and perhaps video). The Tab S6 will decode video up to 8K, but so far as I can tell, the 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) display is not HDR capable with regard to video streaming/playback.
5 years, 9 months ago
by
SonyCameraGuy
Complete tasks with ease while on the go by using this Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 tablet. The included intuitive S Pen lets you take and edit notes for a smooth work experience, while the magnetic technology makes storage and charging easy. Attach a keyboard with built-in trackpad to this Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 tablet for a seamless PC desktop experience.
Does it have a headphone jack ? I must have a headphone jack. Wireless sound is not as good quality.
There is no headphone jack on the Tab S6. I suggest a USB(C) headphone adapter or DAC/AMP if you are not satisfied with the sound quality using Bluetooth 5.0.
5 years, 9 months ago
by
SonyCameraGuy
Complete tasks with ease while on the go by using this Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 tablet. The included intuitive S Pen lets you take and edit notes for a smooth work experience, while the magnetic technology makes storage and charging easy. Attach a keyboard with built-in trackpad to this Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 tablet for a seamless PC desktop experience.
The charger it comes with is 25W or 15W?
The charger is dual voltage (9.0v @ 1.67A and 5.0v @ 2.0A). The 9.0v x 1.67A = 15.03 watts.
5 years, 9 months ago
by
SonyCameraGuy
Complete tasks with ease while on the go by using this Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 tablet. The included intuitive S Pen lets you take and edit notes for a smooth work experience, while the magnetic technology makes storage and charging easy. Attach a keyboard with built-in trackpad to this Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 tablet for a seamless PC desktop experience.
Is this device GPS enabled like the S4?
Yes. Location services use a combination of GPS, wireless network, and Wi-Fi data. Photos can be tagged with GPS EXIF data.
5 years, 9 months ago
by
SonyCameraGuy