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  • Review count
    155
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    April 26, 2014
  • Last review
    March 26, 2024
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gwtbike's Reviews
<< 1 ... 11 12 13 14 15 16 >>
 
Enjoy your workout and travel playlists with these JBuds Air true wireless earbuds. Three EQ settings include JLab Signature, Balanced and Bass Boost to customize your listening experience, and the charging case provides 10 hours of additional battery life. Take clear, hands-free phone calls with the built-in microphone and Bluetooth 5.0 technology of these JBuds Air true wireless earbuds.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Budget price with great construction and design
on December 17, 2018
Posted by: gwtbike
from Fort Collins, CO
I’ve tried quite a few of the cheap, knock-off true wireless earbuds on the “A” site (not sure if I can say that word here ;) ) and have been disappointed with nearly all of them. The Jbuds Air also have a budget price tag so I was a bit worried about the same disappointment but these are actually good headphones for the money.
The case is made of a plastic and although it does not feel premium, it’s not cheap feeling either. The best thing about the case is the fact that the USB cable is integrated right into the bottom so there are no additional cables to carry - this is really smart. You get the charging indicators on the outside just like others. The other great thing about the case/charger is that it’s magnetic with the earbuds themselves. Again, really smart.
There isn’t a question of whether you have them correctly positioned or not. As soon as you place the earbud close to the case, it just magnetically locks into place.
Sound quality is where these are more on the budget end, though. They have 3 sound settings to choose from: signature, balanced, and bass boost. I think the signature sound setting will be best for most listening but clarity could be a little better.
Fit was surprisingly good and I had no issues with these falling out of my ears like some others.
Battery life was also good providing over 3 hours of playtime and the included case extends that with 3 additional full charges.
There are a lot of true wireless earbuds in this price range and I think these could be some of the best for the money.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Secure yourself, a loved one or valuables with this smart, versatile Samsung SmartThings tracker. Its geo-fencing feature triggers smart home automations or alerts you when a pet or person who has it leaves or enters your designated zone. Double-press the button of this IP68-rated Samsung SmartThings tracker to notify authorized persons of your current location.
 
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Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
Great idea but needs improvement
on December 11, 2018
Posted by: gwtbike
from Fort Collins, CO
There really is nothing to the set up. Just download the app and connect it to your phone. Done.
I do also like the fact that you get a free year of tracking. That's one of the best things about the device.
But...
Battery life was not great which makes it somewhat useless for long-term item tracking. They say 4-5 days - I got only 2-3 at most.
10-minute refresh on location is again not really useful if you are really trying to track something.
It's a great concept, but the lack of battery life and the 10-minute refresh rate makes it not great for real-world use.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Velop is a flexible Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi system of modular nodes that work together to provide a flawless signal for any home. Now with new plug-in nodes that fit all wall sockets, you'll be assured coverage in traditionally underused areas, and the sleek design only uses a single outlet. Velop works with any Internet Service Provider (ISP), making customization simple, and with Tri-Band performance and Intelligent Mesh™ technology, you'll always be on the fast path to the Internet.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
SUPER Simple Setup & Consistent connections
on November 20, 2018
Posted by: gwtbike
from Fort Collins, CO
I was a bit intimidated with these mesh WiFi systems as I was worried about setup and if these would be consistent over time, but this system from Linksys was the perfect system for me.
In regards to the setup, there isn't a whole lot to say here because it is so darn simple. You just download the app, the app guides you through the process and in about 5-10 minutes you are all set up.
The longest bit of waiting will be the 1-3 minutes when each node boots up but that's really about it. It will ask you which room you are putting the node in, it can test for the signal strength and ask you to place it in a more ideal location in case it is too far away - it's just a really smooth and painless process.
In terms of consistency over time, in the 3 weeks that I have had it, I have had a nice, strong, consistent signal throughout my 1800 square foot house that is very compartmentalized (lots of walls).
I wish that it had 3 rather than 2 ethernet ports on the bottom but with it's small design I'm not sure where a third could be placed - a very minor complaint.
This is a great mesh wifi system that replaced an aging single router setup and I highly recommend it!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Get peace and quiet anywhere with these Plantronics BackBeat GO 410 wireless noise-cancelling earbuds. The compact, lightweight design provides a comfortable, discreet listening experience and filters out noise in any environment. These Plantronics BackBeat GO 410 wireless noise-cancelling headphones feature advanced 10mm drivers and powerful rechargeable batteries for up to 10 hours of high-fidelity audio per charge.
 
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Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Good quality - OK sound and noise cancelling
on November 13, 2018
Posted by: gwtbike
from Fort Collins, CO
I'm generally not a fan of the over-the-neck style headphones but these are very comfortable with a nice, soft material that works well whether you're chilling out or working out.
The sound quality is decent, but not awesome. It's not quite as crisp and clear as something from Jaybird, but the sound quality is pretty rich. The bass may be too heavy for some.
The controls on the remote work well and are easy to access with clear indications of all three buttons.
I tend to sweat a lot while working out and over the last 3 weeks with these, I have had zero issues with sweat.
I was able to get about 12 hours or so from the battery so I thought that was pretty decent.
Overall, these are a great set of lightweight, over-the-neck headphones with decent Active Noise Cancelling. I do wish the sound quality was a little more crisp but overall these are a good set of headphones with noise cancelling, especially for the price.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
The Brother Work Smart Series MFC-J690DW delivers affordable printing plus the features and functions to meet your home, home office or small office print, copy, scan, and fax needs. This wireless color inkjet all-in-one reliably delivers high-quality output and enables wireless mobile device printing from your desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet. The automatic document feeder, 100-sheet capacity paper tray, bypass and 4" x 6" photo trays handle a variety of sizes and specialty papers. Automatic duplex (2-sided) printing helps save paper while the compact design saves desk space. Setup and connectivity are simple with the 2.7" color touch-screen display providing easy menu navigation. Cloud connectivity lets you print from and scan to popular Cloud services directly from the printer. Includes a two-year limited warranty and free online, call, or live chat support for the life of the printer.Prints up to 12 ISO ppm* in black, up to 10 ISO ppm* in color
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
A good printer for most households
on November 9, 2018
Posted by: gwtbike
from Fort Collins, CO
I really like the look of this printer and it's a nice, clean, business-like design. If something is going to be sitting out in the open it should look great and this fits the bill.
Although this may take up slightly more room than a true compact printer, it's much nicer to just have a slide-out paper tray than the types of printers that load from the top/back which actually can take up a lot of room. Overall, it's small but provides some conveniences of larger printers.
The construction of the printer is on the budget end of things: the paper tray is a little flimsy as well as the hinges on the back.
Setup was super easy. You just install the ink cartridges and the setup guides you through everything.
The controls are simple and intuitive. Although the touchscreen is small, it functions well and I have average sized fingers and never had any accidental presses.
WiFi setup and use has been consistent and I did not have any issues with dropping connection but the convenience is fantastic. There is a USB connection if you need to connect to it directly.
Printing from my iPhone was a snap and found that to be one of my favorite features.
In terms of printing quality, it's going to be a bit of a mixed bag. Black and white text is great, but where it falls a little short will be with graphics, especially if you want consistent color with large areas of a particular color. I experienced a little banding of colors on occasion.
Replacing ink cartridges is super easy as you just access them from a front panel. Convenient. However, the ink cartridge prices leave a little to be desired.
Overall, I think this printer is a nice balance that provides just enough for almost any household.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Power through workouts with these Jaybird Tarah wireless sport headphones. The sweat-proof construction is ideal for use during intense workout sessions, and the soft, flexible ear gels provide a comfortable fit. These headphones deliver up to eight hours of play time on a single charge, so you can use them throughout your workday. With push-button operation and hands-free calling capabilities, these Jaybird Tarah wireless sport headphones keep you connected wherever your workouts take you.
 
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Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Good, but I liked previous Jaybirds much more
on November 5, 2018
Posted by: gwtbike
from Fort Collins, CO
I've been a long-time Jaybird headphone owner and lover. I started out with the X2s, have owned 2 pairs of Freedoms and also own a pair of X3s and have loved them all. The Tarahs are good, but this is the first pair of Jaybirds that I am not completely in love with.
It mainly comes down to the earbuds and earfins and how they are now integrated rather than being separate. It doesn't allow for the level of customization that I enjoyed on the X3s and X2s and especially the Freedoms. With the earbud and earfin being separated, it allowed the listener to rotate the fin to their desired orientation and I really miss that with the Tarahs and was a reason I did not get the Freedom 2s.
With the Tarahs, no matter what size earbud/tips I used, they droop slightly coming out of my ears. To be perfectly fair, they never fell out, but with the slight droop, the wires sometimes would contact my cheeks. Minor, but thought I should mention it.
However, they still have good sound quality although I thought there was a difference in low frequencies between these and the X3s, where the X3s seemed to deliver a bit more on the low end. I was using the same sound profiles set up in the Jaybird app.
I do like the redesigned controls quite a bit. Each button is very positive and responsive and the flat shape of the remote is easy to use and it's easy to distinguish between the buttons.
They still have the great sweat resistance which is the reason I am such a long-time Jaybird owner but don't necessarily like the direction that they went with the separated earbud/tip combo on the Tarah and Freedom 2s. One last thing is that the cord management will be different with these just having a quick-cinch which is fast, but there will be a little bit of extra dangling cord.
However, I do like that these are coming in at a price that most people can afford and they are definitely a good value for the money.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Keep your home free from pet hair with this BISSELL CleanView vacuum. Triple Action technology and specialized tools provide powerful cleaning of carpets, floors and hard-to-reach areas, and the automatic rewind lets you store the cord with one touch. This BISSELL CleanView vacuum’s lightweight design and swivel steering deliver smooth maneuverability to effortlessly reach edges and corners.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Good features for a budget vacuum
on October 31, 2018
Posted by: gwtbike
from Fort Collins, CO
This vacuum is comes in at a budget price tag but provides quite a few features for the money. It does have a few areas where it could be improved but overall it's a good buy.
Construction is solid but it's not too heavy so it's not bad to bring up and down stairs. In the few weeks that I've used it it's held up well since I have to use it daily with constant pet hair throughout the house. At first, I was a bit worried about how it swivels slightly at the base but it provides ease of use when making turns and getting around corners.
Suction is really good. Picked up bits of dog food and other larger objects with no problem. Also, there is very little "dead area" on the sides of the main head so it does a good job in corners.
Cord Rewind: I was a little skeptical of this feature as these sort of systems seem to get tangled after a while but haven't had any issues here and it rewinds the cord quickly and consistently.
I quite liked how the power as well as the release is located on the bottom of the unit so you just use your foot to angle down the handle as well as turn it on or off.
Attachments: Pretty standard selection here but I do especially like the Turbo Eraser Pet tool with the rubber flaps that do a really good job getting hair off of textured fabrics and is really good on microfiber-type fabrics as well.
This version came with a Febreeze air filter which was WAY too overpowering. The smell was pretty strong so just be aware of that.
One odd thing is that the rotating head doesn't turn off when you are using the hose attachment, so that's kind of weird, but the other thing that was odd is that the hose is too long for how it's attached to the back. The upper hook for the hose needs to be higher as right now there is some extra hose that sort of hangs off with no place to go.
But even with those few complaints, I'd be hard pressed to give it 3 stars rather than 4 as it's a solid unit.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Listen to high-quality audio from wireless sources with these Master & Dynamic earphones. Their 10mm beryllium drivers deliver rich, engaging sound, and the optical proximity sensors help save battery life by automatically pausing playback. These matte black Master & Dynamic earphones have stainless steel components for durability and tactile buttons for user-friendly operation.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Stunning Sound with Seamless Connectivity
on October 22, 2018
Posted by: gwtbike
from Fort Collins, CO
When a product carries a premium price tag, I am especially critical. It better deliver.
Master and Dynamic absolutely delivered with the MW07 True Wireless Earbuds.
Let's start with the most important thing: sound.
I don't even know where to start...these things are not only the best sounding true wireless earbuds I've used, but could be some of the best sounding headphones, period, that I've ever listened to.
Clarity was stunning. "Crisp" would be an understatement for how clear they are even at maximum volume. In fact, they are so clear that I found myself listening louder than I should be. At high volumes, the highs did not pierce and the lows never got muffled nor distorted. I listen to everything from Freddy Jones Band which is a great example of the clarity from acoustic and electric guitars to bass-heavy tracks from Skrillex that delivers the lows and the versatility of the sound profile is amazing. Then, with vocals, get ready to get really immersed.
I cannot express how well these do with nearly everything I threw at them. Phenomenal.
In terms of comfort, I have returned many true wireless earbuds exactly for this reason, but these are very comfortable and I can wear them for hours on end. I was worried with the shape that doesn't "look" like they should be comfortable but they indeed are.
At first, I wasn't exactly sold on the design with the rounded, rectangular look on the outside, but I found the shape to sit flush with the outside of my ears and the shape makes them easy to get in and out of the case.
The earbuds come in an extremely well-built, polished case that is the strongest of fingerprint magnets and definitely can be scratched, so use the included soft pouch which fits it perfectly. You'll notice the high-attention to detail even when opening the lid which is secure. Inside the case you'll find the earbuds themselves nestled in their respective left and right charging areas and when you remove them, they will automatically turn on. The case uses USB type-C which is very nice to see.
Battery life was about 3-1/2 hours for me without having to toss them back in the charging case, and again, I listen at higher volumes.
Sound quality, construction, and design aside, all of which are top-notch, the connectivity and usability is what really impressed me. I've used products made by high-end manufacturers before that may deliver on sound, but then usability is a nightmare. I was impressed by the seamless experience these deliver with automatic connectivity. The bluetooth connection was strong with both an iPhone XS Max and a Google Pixel 3 and I was able to get about 25 feet away, even through a wall in my house and it still maintained connection.
There is an extremely pleasant tone to indicate connection when you place them in your ears after taking them out of the case and the automatic pausing and restarting of playback when taking them out and placing them back in your ears was nearly perfect.
Personally, I actually quite liked the button controls on top rather than a touch interface like on some other earbuds as well as physical buttons on the outside of the earbud which makes it so you are pushing them into your ear every time you press a button.
If I was hard-pressed to have any complaints, and I'm not sure I could actually call these complaints, but these are just 2 suggestions for their next version which in no way are actual negatives, just small rooms for improvement.
- The earbud can catch slightly on the inside of the case when you are removing them.
- The buttons could be a little more refined.
These are premium earbuds which do have a premium price tag, but everything is premium about them. You can just tell that they put a lot of care into the design, build quality and most definitely the sound quality with the MW07s.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Send voice-activated commands via the built-in Google Assistant of this Sony Bluetooth portable speaker. Its EXTRA BASS and LIVE SOUND modes deliver powerful audio, and the multicolored lights and flashing strobe create a party ambiance. This Sony Bluetooth portable speaker resists splashes and dust for durable outdoor use, and the 16-hour battery life provides extended listening time.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
GUSHING! Awesome Sound + Google Assistant
on October 11, 2018
Posted by: gwtbike
from Fort Collins, CO
First off, let me say that I have been a long-time fan of Sony audio products. I've used their headphones for probably over 15 years now so I am a superfan.
And I have to say that this is probably one of the best Sony products I've ever owned and for reference, I also own an XB40 which has been awesome.
SETUP:
Easy. Just like setting up any other Google Home-compatible device, you'll open up Google Home and add the device. I don't really have anything else to say here. It was simple and it worked.
And then using it as a bluetooth speaker paired to your mobile device is again, just like any other bluetooth device.
USABILITY:
The button configuration is nice and simple and there's no clutter up top making for easy usability.
It also has a handle which I found to be extremely useful and there is also a 1/4-20 tap (tripod mount) on the bottom so you can mount it in a variety of ways.
LIGHTS!
I totally thought this was a gimmick when I bought the XB40 but I found myself REALLY enjoying the lights especially since I used it in my indoor spin studio, but now the XB501G has taken it's place. The lights add just a little something-something that can make indoor workouts much more enjoyable. However, if you just want to chill out you can always turn them off.
CONSTRUCTION:
Just like any other Sony device the construction is rock-solid and there is nothing cheap about this at all. I love the handle which makes it easy to carry around but do note that because of that solid construction, it's not the lightest thing around but I prefer it this way. It's also IP65 rated to resist the elements.
SOUND!
This thing THROWS some serious sound, folks. Really. I have a 1/4 acre lot and I can hear this all the way from one end to the other. Clarity is quite good, BUT, with bass-heavy tracks at high volumes, it can get a little muffled. I am generally a huge fan fo Extra Bass (it's actually the reason I have been such a long-time Sony audio fan) but for some reason or another this one is just slightly heavy on the bass. Not enough for me to bring the review down a star, however.
BATTERY:
It lasted me about 14 hours on a single charge but do note that it uses an AC adaptor rather than USB for charging, HOWEVER, they do include a USB-C port on the back for charging devices from the speaker. That's a nice touch.
WRAP-UP:
Although I have some very minor complaints, I AM GUSHING over this speaker. It comes with SO many smart design features like the handle, the tripod mount hole, then you have the legendary Sony sound quality, and to top it all off, Google Assistant. I really can't recommend this enough. It's amazing around the house and with it's handle and IP65 rating, this thing can go anywhere.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Personalize your video game streaming workflow with this Elgato Stream Deck mini interface. Six programmable one-touch LCD keys provide quick access to your favorite apps and functions, and its Multi Actions feature lets you program multiple tasks to a single key. Assign ready-made icons or design your own to further customize this Elgato Stream Deck mini interface.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Very flexible - NOT just for Live-Streaming/Gaming
on October 11, 2018
Posted by: gwtbike
from Fort Collins, CO
Although this is aimed at live-streaming, I actually find it to be extremely useful for everyday tasks. And I think this is maybe where this Mini version is aimed is for people that may occasionally live stream but also want an additional peripheral to increase productivity.
I initially thought that the price was a bit high, just for a simple little 6-button thing that sits on your desk, but it comes down to the software which is super easy and simple to use where you just drag and drop actions or folders in to each space. I also like the fact that you can create custom icons for custom actions including GIFs!
Although it only has 6 buttons, I actually quite like this as it reduces clutter since you can group actions into a folder. For instance, you can have one folder for just your live stream actions and then others set up for other programs.
Although I said that the software may justify the price, I feel it's just a tad high for this device. 6 buttons is usable, but I think that 8 buttons may be the sweet spot which would provide more flexibility.
Other than that, maybe some higher resolution keys, the keys do feel a little mushy and have an odd sound to them when you click them (although not very audible), and lastly, although I like the triangular shape, the weight is a little too light and it can move on your desk if you mash a button.
I was reaching for those complaints and they do not justify a 4-star vs 5-star rating, so that's why I rated it with 5.
I like this device a lot. I find myself using it for everyday tasks more than live-streaming. Highly recommended.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
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