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- Review count118
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- First reviewJune 16, 2014
- Last reviewMay 14, 2024
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- Average rating4.4
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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
5
expensive, but very good mesh router system
on January 11, 2017
Posted by: bd43274
a relatively new concept in the consumer space, mesh networking is definitely not cheap, but it is very effective if you need wifi coverage for a large space and a typical router doesn't quite work. there are cheaper alternatives to the velop system (which i admittedly have no experience with) but i can certainly recommend it without reservation, albeit at a fairly significant price point.
pros:
design - elegant design, certainly no issues placing in full view, unlike many standard routers.
design - elegant design, certainly no issues placing in full view, unlike many standard routers.
setup - only available via mobile app, the setup is quite easy and intuitive. adding additional nodes was also painless, all added to the same network system (same SSID name). incidentally, though there are both 2.4 and 5GHz networks, there is only one SSID. the system itself steers the device to the proper channel.
stability - rock solid in my testing, zero outages or disconnects.
speed - using my iphone 6, i saw a consistent 150-200 Mbps all over my 2 story home (my macbook pro saw around 500 - 600Mbps when relatively close to a node, but never less than 200Mbps even at the furthest point). as a comparison, using the EA9500 i had significantly lower speeds in quite a few areas, as well as quite a few dead spots. the velop system fixes both issues.
seamless handoff - i've tried other 802.11r 'fast roaming' systems, without much success. mesh networking seems to work much better, no issues moving around the coverage area and staying connected to the fastest / strongest signal.
configurable (secured) guest network - this has been missing on some of the linksys lineup. nice to see it back here.
cons:
only 2 ethernet ports - auto sensing, which is nice, but 2 physical ports may not be enough for some.
only 2 ethernet ports - auto sensing, which is nice, but 2 physical ports may not be enough for some.
missing some advanced settings - access to some of the more advanced configuration settings seems to be missing, but may or may not be an issue. for example, i haven't found how to set a static IP, but i was able to reserve an IP address, effectively accomplishing the same thing. port forwarding was also not an issue. in other words, if you're looking for something like DD-WRT, this is not the router for you. if typical configuration is enough, it shouldn't be a problem.
miscellaneous:
only configurable via mobile app - not exactly sure of the reason, but there is no browser configuration available. that being said, mobile setup was quite easy and intuitive, and the network admin features were fine as well.
only configurable via mobile app - not exactly sure of the reason, but there is no browser configuration available. that being said, mobile setup was quite easy and intuitive, and the network admin features were fine as well.
overall:
while certainly expensive, my experience thus far has been very positive. i've got full coverage in every part of my 2 story home, which is definitely a first for me, without having to manage my own access points and multiple networks (1 story homes may not need the 3rd node, 2 is probably plenty). if the price is not an issue, i can absolutely recommend the velop.
while certainly expensive, my experience thus far has been very positive. i've got full coverage in every part of my 2 story home, which is definitely a first for me, without having to manage my own access points and multiple networks (1 story homes may not need the 3rd node, 2 is probably plenty). if the price is not an issue, i can absolutely recommend the velop.
My Best Buy number: 0778402648
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Arlo Pro takes the worrying out of life with the 100% Wire-Free indoor/outdoor home monitoring system. Arlo Pro includes rechargeable batteries, motion and sound-activated alerts, 2-way audio, a 100+ decibel siren, and 7 days of free cloud HD video recordings. Arlo covers every angle to help keep you safe and protected.
Customer Rating
4
good wireless camera system
on January 10, 2017
Posted by: bd43274
note: after my own extensive troubleshooting, it turns out one of my cameras had a hardware defect. i essentially deducted 1 star from my review because of the difficulty getting through to tech support (1 hour + expected wait time on several occasions.) once i got through to them, the RMA process was relatively painless, though they did ask me to perform the same troubleshooting steps over the phone before they would authorize a replacement camera. the review below assumes a properly functioning camera, as the second one in my set was.
pros:
1. easy setup - mobile app or browser based
2. stable connection - once in place, i saw little to no outages in my testing
3. good picture quality (normal light and night vision) - also configurable for best quality (more battery drain), longer battery life (sacrificing a bit of picture quality), or half way between.
4. wireless placement - once charged, fully wireless with magnetic wall mounts included
5. accessible via mobile app or browser
6. alerts via mobile app alert or email - configurable based on pre-installed or custom settings and schedule
7. 7 days cloud recording free (upgrades available) or local storage options via USB thumb drive.
1. easy setup - mobile app or browser based
2. stable connection - once in place, i saw little to no outages in my testing
3. good picture quality (normal light and night vision) - also configurable for best quality (more battery drain), longer battery life (sacrificing a bit of picture quality), or half way between.
4. wireless placement - once charged, fully wireless with magnetic wall mounts included
5. accessible via mobile app or browser
6. alerts via mobile app alert or email - configurable based on pre-installed or custom settings and schedule
7. 7 days cloud recording free (upgrades available) or local storage options via USB thumb drive.
cons:
1. tech support can take some time to reach, should you need help. reasonably efficient RMA process once you do get to them. one item of note, though they are replacing the camera free of charge, the customer is responsible for shipping to get to the RMA center. in my case this amounted to under $5 for ground, but interesting none the less. a prepaid return label would be nice.
1. tech support can take some time to reach, should you need help. reasonably efficient RMA process once you do get to them. one item of note, though they are replacing the camera free of charge, the customer is responsible for shipping to get to the RMA center. in my case this amounted to under $5 for ground, but interesting none the less. a prepaid return label would be nice.
overall: good camera system, assuming no hardware issues out of box. range from base station seems to be good (2.4GHz). certainly best used for intermittent checking and alert based recording, as opposed to real time monitoring over long periods of time. battery life is rated at 6 months + using alert recording, though in real world usage this number would likely be lower. real time monitoring will lower it significantly. either way, still a very good wireless security camera system in my opinion.
My Best Buy number: 0778402648
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Revive your Apple Watch conveniently with this Belkin Valet Charger power pack. A single charge of its 6700 mAh battery refuels a watch up to eight times, and an embedded smart chip detects connected devices for automatic wireless charging. This Belkin Valet Charger power pack includes a USB port for simultaneously charging additional devices.
Customer Rating
4
convenient charger, if not a bit overpriced
on December 22, 2016
Posted by: bd43274
this battery/charger is a great way to charge your iphone or apple watch on the go. however, you are certainly paying a premium for the convenience of the additional watch charging module when compared to other batteries without it.
pros:
-well made, attractive design
-simultaneous charging (both phone and watch at the same time). can also charge devices while the battery is charging.
-4 LED lights show amount of power remaining
-fast charging (2.4A) means shorter charge time
-well made, attractive design
-simultaneous charging (both phone and watch at the same time). can also charge devices while the battery is charging.
-4 LED lights show amount of power remaining
-fast charging (2.4A) means shorter charge time
cons:
-price point - a bit on the pricey side, especially when compared to other similar capacity batteries w/o the watch module. essentially you're paying more for the convenience of not having to carry the watch charging cable. some sort of protective carrying case would've been nice at this price point.
-price point - a bit on the pricey side, especially when compared to other similar capacity batteries w/o the watch module. essentially you're paying more for the convenience of not having to carry the watch charging cable. some sort of protective carrying case would've been nice at this price point.
on the fence:
-charge capacity - 6700mAh will likely be fine for most people's needs, certainly on a daily basis, but may prove inadequate for others. charges your watch a total of 8 times *or* your phone 3 times (or some combination of both).
-charge capacity - 6700mAh will likely be fine for most people's needs, certainly on a daily basis, but may prove inadequate for others. charges your watch a total of 8 times *or* your phone 3 times (or some combination of both).
final thoughts:
at $100, it's a bit overpriced in my opinion, unless the convenience of not needing the watch charging cable is worth it to you. that being said, if you can find it on a decent sale, i would certainly recommend it.
at $100, it's a bit overpriced in my opinion, unless the convenience of not needing the watch charging cable is worth it to you. that being said, if you can find it on a decent sale, i would certainly recommend it.
My Best Buy number: 0778402648
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Make hands-free calls and listen to music with these Sony wireless in-ear sport headphones. The wireless design frees your range of motion, and the microphone makes conversations more convenient. Listen to music for over 8 hours on a single charge with these Sony wireless in-ear sport headphones, which are moisture-resistant for use during strenuous workouts.
Customer Rating
4
good pair of budget in-ears with low end emphasis
on November 23, 2016
Posted by: bd43274
pros:
1. sound - volume, and tons of it. bass is punchy and relatively tight. if you're a bass-head on a budget, these may fit the bill for you. though there's certainly tons of low end (not overwhelming) it's relatively clean and clear.
2. price - around $60 at the time of this review. good value in this range.
3. battery - good compared to competition at 8.5 hours.
4. fit - tight and secure, good for exercise.
5. moisture resistant
1. sound - volume, and tons of it. bass is punchy and relatively tight. if you're a bass-head on a budget, these may fit the bill for you. though there's certainly tons of low end (not overwhelming) it's relatively clean and clear.
2. price - around $60 at the time of this review. good value in this range.
3. battery - good compared to competition at 8.5 hours.
4. fit - tight and secure, good for exercise.
5. moisture resistant
cons:
1. sound signature - the sound signature will put some people off. it's not quite as bass heavy as some of the other "extra bass" headphones sony offers, but certainly leans towards the low end. mids are somewhat present, and highs felt all but absent.
2. no case - a protective case would've been nice, as the headphones do feel substantial. i personally wouldn't just want to throw them in my bag.
1. sound signature - the sound signature will put some people off. it's not quite as bass heavy as some of the other "extra bass" headphones sony offers, but certainly leans towards the low end. mids are somewhat present, and highs felt all but absent.
2. no case - a protective case would've been nice, as the headphones do feel substantial. i personally wouldn't just want to throw them in my bag.
overall:
good budget pair of in-ears, especially at this price point, and especially if you prefer emphasis on the low end of the spectrum.
good budget pair of in-ears, especially at this price point, and especially if you prefer emphasis on the low end of the spectrum.
My Best Buy number: 0778402648
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Keep unwanted hair to a minimum with this Philips grooming tool. The waterproof design lets you use it in the shower, and eight attachments make this trimmer perfect for grooming different sections of the face. This Philips grooming tool has a turbo setting to increase cutting speed, and it charges in just one hour to reduce wait time.
Customer Rating
5
nice well made trimmer, tons of attachments
on November 15, 2016
Posted by: bd43274
pros:
feels sturdy, well made
waterproof - can use in the shower
leather pouch included - big enough to use for toiletry bag
tons of attachments for different hair types/location - easy to switch out
quick charging/long lasting battery
"turbo" speed for thicker hair
relatively quiet compared to some other trimmers
feels sturdy, well made
waterproof - can use in the shower
leather pouch included - big enough to use for toiletry bag
tons of attachments for different hair types/location - easy to switch out
quick charging/long lasting battery
"turbo" speed for thicker hair
relatively quiet compared to some other trimmers
cons:
none really.
none really.
minor nitpick:
some sort of attachment stand for the countertop would've been a nice touch, to make them more convenient to swap out and store. as is, I just keep them in the pouch if I don't need them.
some sort of attachment stand for the countertop would've been a nice touch, to make them more convenient to swap out and store. as is, I just keep them in the pouch if I don't need them.
overall:
very versatile, well made trimmer for a good price. highly recommended
very versatile, well made trimmer for a good price. highly recommended
My Best Buy number: 0778402648
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Keep your home dust-free with this Bissell AirRAM cordless vacuum. Its high-performance F.U.E.L. cell provides up to 30 minutes of run time, while the advanced compression technology lets it store as much dirt as typical bagless vacuums. This Bissell AirRAM cordless vacuum has a low profile for easy maneuvering around furniture.
Customer Rating
4
good portable, lightweight vacuum
on November 12, 2016
Posted by: bd43274
pros:
good suction/power
bright light, wide across face for illuminating dark corners
lightweight, easy to use and store
removable brush - good for vacuuming objects that might get tangled around it
easy to clean
good suction/power
bright light, wide across face for illuminating dark corners
lightweight, easy to use and store
removable brush - good for vacuuming objects that might get tangled around it
easy to clean
cons:
minor nit pick - the vacuum part on the floor could be slightly shorter, to fit under objects that are closer to the floor.
minor nit pick - the vacuum part on the floor could be slightly shorter, to fit under objects that are closer to the floor.
My Best Buy number: 0778402648
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Connect your external wireless devices to the internet with this Linksys dual-band router. Two 5Ghz bands support both high-end gaming and low-end applications without compromising speed, and remote management lets you make adjustments from any location. This Linksys dual-band router has a sleek design that integrates easily into most workspaces.
Customer Rating
4
good router, bit pricey for what you get
on October 31, 2016
Posted by: bd43274
pros:
fast performance - wifi is certainly fast, but i saw no speed increases over comparable AC1900 routers. its real benefit would be in internal hardware, handling many clients consuming lots of data.
good range - though again, no better than previous models of linksys or comparable.
fast performance - wifi is certainly fast, but i saw no speed increases over comparable AC1900 routers. its real benefit would be in internal hardware, handling many clients consuming lots of data.
good range - though again, no better than previous models of linksys or comparable.
cons:
linksys UI - i'm personally not a fan. somewhat buggy and non-intuitive.
also, since the router is new, it hasn't had time to get stable firmware.
no triband clients available yet, so limited to dual band.
linksys UI - i'm personally not a fan. somewhat buggy and non-intuitive.
also, since the router is new, it hasn't had time to get stable firmware.
no triband clients available yet, so limited to dual band.
overall:
good router, if not a bit on the expensive side for what you currently get. still, it can handle tons of clients without stuttering, and will most certainly show faster speeds as clients move to triband technology.
good router, if not a bit on the expensive side for what you currently get. still, it can handle tons of clients without stuttering, and will most certainly show faster speeds as clients move to triband technology.
My Best Buy number: 0778402648
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Acer Switch One 10 Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop: Combine power and mobility with this Acer Aspire Switch One laptop. Easily convert this compact notebook into a tablet with its detachable 10.1-inch touch screen, and stay productive with its Intel Atom quad-core processor, 32GB internal storage and 2GB of RAM. This Acer Aspire Switch One laptop has two built-in stereo speakers for enjoying music and movies.
Posted by: bd43274
i struggled a bit with what to rate this little machine. at the end of the day, it was between a 3 and a 4. i ended up giving it a 4 simply because of the price. for those of us used to a proper laptop or tablet, or simply needing any real amount of processing power, this machine might not be a good fit. but i think it will be a good fit for a certain market, and at this price you do get quite a bit for your dollar.
pros
-price point - at the time of review, $200. the only other competitors at this price will be browser based, but here you get a full OS.
-touch screen / tablet functionality - i found myself using a combination of keyboard and touchscreen, which is surprisingly useful and intuitive.
-keyboard / stand - keyboard feels a bit on the cheap side, but i found it responsive and easy to type on, that is, after getting used to the smaller form factor.
-port selection - a decent offering of ports, from USB (on the keyboard itself) and micro USB, micro HDMI, micro SD, and headphone jack (on the tablet/screen).
-price point - at the time of review, $200. the only other competitors at this price will be browser based, but here you get a full OS.
-touch screen / tablet functionality - i found myself using a combination of keyboard and touchscreen, which is surprisingly useful and intuitive.
-keyboard / stand - keyboard feels a bit on the cheap side, but i found it responsive and easy to type on, that is, after getting used to the smaller form factor.
-port selection - a decent offering of ports, from USB (on the keyboard itself) and micro USB, micro HDMI, micro SD, and headphone jack (on the tablet/screen).
cons -
cheap feel - it does not have a 'premium' feel by any means. the tablet is is a bit heavy and thick, and the keyboard feels light and flimsy.
speaker - speaker is weak and tinny sounding.
slow response - intel atom processor, so it's not meant for heavy lifting. for the most part, it will do for light duty work.
cheap feel - it does not have a 'premium' feel by any means. the tablet is is a bit heavy and thick, and the keyboard feels light and flimsy.
speaker - speaker is weak and tinny sounding.
slow response - intel atom processor, so it's not meant for heavy lifting. for the most part, it will do for light duty work.
middle of the road
-battery - battery was a sufficient 4-5 hours in real world usage for me.
-'flip' feature - in order to use the keyboard as a stand, you actually need to remove the tablet from the keyboard, which isn't exactly difficult but not what i would call graceful or elegant either. it works well enough. again...at this price point, difficult to complain.
-battery - battery was a sufficient 4-5 hours in real world usage for me.
-'flip' feature - in order to use the keyboard as a stand, you actually need to remove the tablet from the keyboard, which isn't exactly difficult but not what i would call graceful or elegant either. it works well enough. again...at this price point, difficult to complain.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Tackle the biggest messes with this Bissell Crosswave all-in-one multi-surface cleaner. A dual-action roller scrubs and picks up debris at the same time to reduce the number of passes you need to make, and the convenient fingertip controls let you switch functions quickly and easily. This Bissell Crosswave all-in-one multi-surface cleaner has swivel steering for increased control.
Posted by: bd43274
The Bissell Crosswave 1785 series did a good job combining my usual 2-step process of vacuuming before I mop into just one lightweight, easy to set-up and use piece of equipment.
Out of the box, the Crosswave was very easy to assemble and I appreciated the clear, concise user guide that allowed me to get through assembly, use, and clean up without needing any help.
Likes:
1. Lighweight
2. Maneuverability (dare I say, it was easier to maneuver than my Dyson ball vacuum. I’m sure most of that has to do with their differences in weight)
3. Did not overly saturate the tile being cleaned
4. Vacuum aspect picked up debris in the corners and along baseboards
5. Spot cleaned a small stain on carpet (using “area rug” setting) well
6. Easy to clean
7. Nice storage tray to prevent water leaking onto floor between use (have a carpet steam cleaner that always leaves water on the closet floor we store it in and I hate that.)
Dislikes:
1. Did not pick up/clean a sticky spot on tile very well
2. Not sure how it would clean a big stuck-on mess
3. Had to refill water/formula in clean water tank ½ way through cleaning job, though area was less than 350 square feet.
Out of the box, the Crosswave was very easy to assemble and I appreciated the clear, concise user guide that allowed me to get through assembly, use, and clean up without needing any help.
Likes:
1. Lighweight
2. Maneuverability (dare I say, it was easier to maneuver than my Dyson ball vacuum. I’m sure most of that has to do with their differences in weight)
3. Did not overly saturate the tile being cleaned
4. Vacuum aspect picked up debris in the corners and along baseboards
5. Spot cleaned a small stain on carpet (using “area rug” setting) well
6. Easy to clean
7. Nice storage tray to prevent water leaking onto floor between use (have a carpet steam cleaner that always leaves water on the closet floor we store it in and I hate that.)
Dislikes:
1. Did not pick up/clean a sticky spot on tile very well
2. Not sure how it would clean a big stuck-on mess
3. Had to refill water/formula in clean water tank ½ way through cleaning job, though area was less than 350 square feet.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Power your Apple devices with this Belkin charge dock. It comes with a Lightning connector that charges iPhones and an integrated magnetic charger that provides Apple watches with more juice when needed. The single built-in cable of this Belkin charge dock lets you charge both devices simultaneously, saving you the inconvenience of using multiple cords.
Posted by: bd43274
Pros:
charging - fast, both phone and watch. only 1 cable needed. reduces clutter on my nightstand.
weight - relatively heavy base, doesn’t slide around easily. feels sturdy.
lightning connector - actually adjustable up and down, as well as forward and backward, making it much more case friendly than most docks.
watch connector - feels secure
weight - relatively heavy base, doesn’t slide around easily. feels sturdy.
lightning connector - actually adjustable up and down, as well as forward and backward, making it much more case friendly than most docks.
watch connector - feels secure
Cons:
none really. in the dark, it can be a little difficult to plug your phone in because the lightning connector isn't stationary. a nice touch would’ve been a small LED so you can see the connector in low light.
none really. in the dark, it can be a little difficult to plug your phone in because the lightning connector isn't stationary. a nice touch would’ve been a small LED so you can see the connector in low light.
Bottom line:
great dock so far, no real issues with it. would give 5 stars with the inclusion of the LED on the lightning connector at this price point.
great dock so far, no real issues with it. would give 5 stars with the inclusion of the LED on the lightning connector at this price point.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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