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- Review count115
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- First reviewJune 16, 2014
- Last reviewDecember 4, 2023
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- Average rating4.4
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Work or play on the go with this Dell G5 15 notebook. The 15.6-inch FHD display delivers a clear crisp picture, while the NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti graphics card supports most modern games. This Dell G5 15 notebook has a 256GB SSD and 1TB hard drive for ample storage and quick file access, and the Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM offer quick multitasking.
Posted by: bd43274
from Glendale, AZ
the good:
9th gen i7 CPU (6 core)
good storage speed (HDD plus SSD)
good keyboard feel and travel
good array of ports
graphics card - The 1060 ti isn't a bad graphics card. In fact, it's probably the only thing "gaming" about this laptop. You won't be playing the latest and greatest games on ultra settings, but current gen games should get decent framerates FHD with moderately high settings.
9th gen i7 CPU (6 core)
good storage speed (HDD plus SSD)
good keyboard feel and travel
good array of ports
graphics card - The 1060 ti isn't a bad graphics card. In fact, it's probably the only thing "gaming" about this laptop. You won't be playing the latest and greatest games on ultra settings, but current gen games should get decent framerates FHD with moderately high settings.
the bad:
display - 1920 x 1080 @60Hz. Typically, gaming laptops are FHD because of the tradeoff between resolution and frames per second. Here, we're limited to FHD without the higher FPS that gamers tend to want (capped at 60Hz). The display doesn't look *bad* per se, but it's certainly not what I would consider "gaming" as the name would suggest.
display - 1920 x 1080 @60Hz. Typically, gaming laptops are FHD because of the tradeoff between resolution and frames per second. Here, we're limited to FHD without the higher FPS that gamers tend to want (capped at 60Hz). The display doesn't look *bad* per se, but it's certainly not what I would consider "gaming" as the name would suggest.
misc:
weight - At a little over 6lbs, it's a bit on the heavy side.
non "gamer" design - Very understated design. No one will confuse this for a gamer laptop based on appearance.
weight - At a little over 6lbs, it's a bit on the heavy side.
non "gamer" design - Very understated design. No one will confuse this for a gamer laptop based on appearance.
overall:
While I wouldn't exactly characterize this as a gaming laptop, it is a solid mid-tier entry. There is no "gamer" styling and no real gamer specs to speak of. That being said, it is a solid processor with a decent graphics card, RAM, and storage speed. For that alone it's a pretty good daily driver. My only real knock against this laptop is the display - for this MSRP it feels like a compromise that could've been avoided. 4 stars.
Mobile Submission: False
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Logitech G703 LIGHTSPEED Gaming Mouse meets the next-gen HERO 25K sensor. Go pro with precise gameplay at 25,600 max DPI and zero smoothing, plus enhanced wireless performance. 10X the battery efficiency of previous generation sensors means up to 35 hours of gameplay with LIGHTSYNC RGB enabled. A comfortable design meets advanced button technology for supreme comfort and crisp, clean clicks. G703 LIGHTSPEED lets you play like the pros — and play to win.
Posted by: bd43274
from Glendale, AZ
the good:
fast response time - Most home "consumer" users won't really notice, but gamers will appreciate how quickly the mouse responds to movement. Very fast, very accurate, and also highly configurable in terms of how sensitive you prefer your mouse.
good battery life - rated at 35 hours with the default rgb lighting, closer to 50 without.
comfortable/well balanced
classic understated design - I'm not personally a fan of flashy design. This mouse has a classic look with just a touch of rgb.
button mapping - using the Logitech G Hub software, the individual buttons on the mouse can be mapped to different functions/macros.
usable while charging with included micro-usb cable
good battery life - rated at 35 hours with the default rgb lighting, closer to 50 without.
comfortable/well balanced
classic understated design - I'm not personally a fan of flashy design. This mouse has a classic look with just a touch of rgb.
button mapping - using the Logitech G Hub software, the individual buttons on the mouse can be mapped to different functions/macros.
usable while charging with included micro-usb cable
the bad:
no internal storage space for the USB dongle
no internal storage space for the USB dongle
misc:
- compatible with the new wireless charging mat (not included)
- compatible with the new wireless charging mat (not included)
overall:
I am personally a big fan of Logitech peripherals, including their mice. This G703 Hero is no exception. Fast response, accurate, well balanced, and good battery life. I like to game, but I don't exactly like some of the flashy "gaming" style that some manufacturers go for. The understated rgb lights on the "G" logo on the palm rest and the wheel are nice touches. Easy 5 stars for me.
I am personally a big fan of Logitech peripherals, including their mice. This G703 Hero is no exception. Fast response, accurate, well balanced, and good battery life. I like to game, but I don't exactly like some of the flashy "gaming" style that some manufacturers go for. The understated rgb lights on the "G" logo on the palm rest and the wheel are nice touches. Easy 5 stars for me.
Mobile Submission: False
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Capture video while driving with this Nextbase 422GW dash camera. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity automatically sync footage to your phone for easier editing and sharing, and the 2.5-inch IPS touch screen offers intuitive control with upgraded resolution. This Nextbase 422GW dash camera with Alexa built-in uses a G-sensor and SOS response service, safeguarding your footage upon impact while alerting emergency services for safety and a prompt response.
Posted by: bd43274
from Glendale, AZ
the good:
- design - compact, light weight, feels like quality construction and materials.
- design - compact, light weight, feels like quality construction and materials.
- picture quality - ability to set to 1440p at 30fps. Really nice picture quality in my opinion. Certainly good enough to use as evidence in an incident.
- ease of use (after initial setup) - After the initial setup, which had its own issues, the camera pretty much does its thing automatically. It turns itself on and starts recording as soon as the vehicle starts.
- mobile app - While the app itself could use a little polishing, its functionality is passable.
- mount - The mount I actually really like. You actually have 2 options here. You can go for something relatively permanent, sort of like the mount that might hold up your rear view mirror. Also you can opt for the “click & go” pro mount. Fancy name for a suction cup, but it works surprisingly well and feels like it could handle significantly more weight. I personally went with this option, and it’s been rock solid, over 2 weeks now in the Arizona heat.
- SOS feature - A really cool feature is the SOS functionality, which essentially sends the GPS location of your vehicle in the event of an accident.
- G-sensor - You can “protect” your video files in 2 ways, either manually using the “protect” button, or, in the event of an accident, it enables on the current video automatically. This prevents the video from being overwritten or deleted.
- can support a (separately purchased) additional camera
the bad:
- clumsy setup - I personally had some issues using my available computers (both Mac and PC) to set up the camera. Either the camera wasn’t recognized or setup would stall part way through. However, I had no issues using my iPhone to do so.
- clumsy setup - I personally had some issues using my available computers (both Mac and PC) to set up the camera. Either the camera wasn’t recognized or setup would stall part way through. However, I had no issues using my iPhone to do so.
miscellaneous:
- small on-board image - For such a small camera, not really any way around this.
- Alexa integration - Some may find it useful, others not so much.
- small on-board image - For such a small camera, not really any way around this.
- Alexa integration - Some may find it useful, others not so much.
overall:
My impression of this camera overall is probably closer to a 4.5 because of some fairly simple issues. I do feel like once it’s set up and working, it does what it needs to well and without issue. Because of this I’m rounding up to 5 stars. In an increasingly crowded category, the 422GW offers quite a bit for the price.
Mobile Submission: False
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Enjoy hours of high-quality sound with these JVC Lightweight Wired On-Ear Headphones with 1-Button Remote and Microphone. The sleek, lightweight black headphones are a comfortable choice for long listening sessions, and they feature a two-way foldable design for easy portability when you're on the go. Ideal for virtual meetings and classes, the headphones are equipped with a 1.2 meter (3.9') cable with 1-button remote and microphone so you can easily manage calls and control music playback from your smart device. A 30 mm neodymium driver unit delivers high-quality sound reproduction, while a dynamic bass port provides powerful, deep bass. Whether you're using them for school, meetings or jamming to your favorite tunes, these HASR185A on-ear headphones have you covered.
Posted by: bd43274
from Glendale, AZ
the good:
- Definitely no shortage of bass. If you're a basshead on a budget, definitely give these a listen.
- Definitely no shortage of bass. If you're a basshead on a budget, definitely give these a listen.
- Decent call quality when using the in-line microphone.
- Super low price for what you get.
the bad:
- If you like a more balanced sound signature, you may want to pass on these. It's not so much a V shape (higher bass, lower mids, higher treble) that's typical of more popular headphones, it's more like an L shape...high bass, low everything else.
- If you like a more balanced sound signature, you may want to pass on these. It's not so much a V shape (higher bass, lower mids, higher treble) that's typical of more popular headphones, it's more like an L shape...high bass, low everything else.
- Some muddiness and distortion at higher volumes. Not horrible, but definitely noticeable.
miscellanious:
- on ear design - Some people may find that their ears get a little sore after long listening sessions. There's not a ton of clamping pressure but you can still feel it after awhile.
- on ear design - Some people may find that their ears get a little sore after long listening sessions. There's not a ton of clamping pressure but you can still feel it after awhile.
- headphone cable goes into both ear cups instead of just one.
overall:
For the price, you could do a lot worse than these. They're certainly not hi-fi listening, but for $20 bucks (MSRP at the time of this review) you're probably not going to get much more bang for your buck. Not horrible and not great - 3 stars.
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Defeat virtual enemies while streaming content with this Astro Gaming headset and MixAmp M80 for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One controller. Its unidirectional microphone delivers clarity and detail at every volume level, and the rugged yet lightweight construction provides enhanced comfort over hours of play time. This Astro Gaming headset and MixAmp M80 let you control what your audience hears thanks to its customizable output options.
Posted by: bd43274
from Glendale, AZ
the good:
- sound quality - Very impressive sound quality, either plugged into the adapter and controller, or using the included cable to plug directly into my laptop. A bit on the warm side in terms of sound signature, but very clear and balanced. Plenty of punch and volume to keep you immersed in the game.
- sound quality - Very impressive sound quality, either plugged into the adapter and controller, or using the included cable to plug directly into my laptop. A bit on the warm side in terms of sound signature, but very clear and balanced. Plenty of punch and volume to keep you immersed in the game.
- comfort - Light foam ear pads are very comfortable and breathable, and also remove easy for swapping or cleaning.
- microphone quality - Ajustable arm swings down to speak or completely out of the way. There's also a really clever design choice where you can remove the side place and swap it to the other side if you prefer. Certainly not a game changer, but if you have a preference (I prefer my mic on the right hand side) it's a nice little touch.
- balance and volume controls at your fingertips - The M80 Mixamp has volume, balance, and mute functions at your fingertips, making it easy to use in-game without distraction.
- build quality feels high, with quality materials and design.
the bad:
- PC requires a wired connection (Not a headphone issue, but a limitation of the controller itself.) - Not really the headphones' fault at all, but when using them with a PC instead of an Xbox, the controller must be connected via micro-USB to the PC. When using Xbox, they are completely wireless.
- PC requires a wired connection (Not a headphone issue, but a limitation of the controller itself.) - Not really the headphones' fault at all, but when using them with a PC instead of an Xbox, the controller must be connected via micro-USB to the PC. When using Xbox, they are completely wireless.
- Included headphone cable is somewhat short to use the headphones without the adapter.
miscellanious:
- mute light is on adapter, not headphone. Not a big deal for some people, especially if you're using the controller adapter as well, but on my previous headphones I have a light on the boom mic itself to let me know when I'm muted.
- mute light is on adapter, not headphone. Not a big deal for some people, especially if you're using the controller adapter as well, but on my previous headphones I have a light on the boom mic itself to let me know when I'm muted.
overall:
I tested these both with and without the M80 Mixamp, and so far I'm really happy with these headhphones. Super comfortable for long sessions and terrific sound. Highly recommended, 5 stars.
Mobile Submission: False
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Step into virtual reality with this Oculus Rift S PC-powered headset. The advanced optics produce a sharp display with bright, vivid colors, and Oculus Insight tracking removes the need for external sensors to convert movements into virtual reality. This Oculus Rift S PC-powered headset has a fit wheel that secures the headset with a quick twist.
Posted by: bd43274
from Glendale, AZ
the good:
immersion, immersion, immersion - Wow! Put the headset on and you really feel like you’re in another world. Traditional gameplay on a “normal” display feels like you’re watching the action, even as you control a portion of it. VR feels like you’re *in* the action. I really felt the effects of riding a roller coaster, or trying to get a hand-hold on the cliff I was climbing, or that I really had to dodge the bad guy shooting at me!
comfortable - I had no discomfort after several hours of gameplay. That being said, the headset is a bit front heavy, so you may feel the muscles in the back of your neck working a bit more than usual.
motion controllers intuitive and track quite well - Easy enough that my 6 year old daughter picked them up and started using them right away. The tracking on the new headset trackers (replacing the old room sensors) is outstanding.
view of in-game activity on screen for others to see - While the headset is of course a single player experience, they’ve still made it accessible to use with friends. This still needs a bit of work, but essentially whatever the player sees in-game is displayed on your monitor in a normal perspective. Pretty cool way for everyone else to see why you’re stumbling around, laughing, or at times giving a bit of a scream :-)
minimized screen door effect - If you look closely you can see pixels, but the immersive quality of the experience really overpowers that pretty quickly.
educational as well as entertainment - In my relatively short time with the Oculus, I found that there is some educational content out there as well as of course the games. Something as seemingly mundane as Google Maps, experienced in VR now becomes a way to virtually travel to any worldly destination. Street view literally puts you on the street, from staring at my own driveway to moments later looking up at the Eiffel Tower or ancient artifacts in Rome.
the bad:
content limitations - For me personally, I feel like the technology is still so new that there’s not a ton of quality content out yet. That’s not to say that there isn’t any at all, but once you spend some time in the store you’ll quickly start researching “what’s next” on the horizon.
not “quite done cooking” yet - Again, because this technology is still in its infancy, I couldn’t help feeling like it needs more time to feel fully fleshed out and polished. One of the issues, if you can really call it that, is that any little momentary glitch takes you out of the immersion, which breaks the experience. Internal menus, moving from game to game…these things need some maturity before you will see a fully immersive experience from start to finish.
Oculus software can be a bit unstable - At times I did have issues with the Oculus software, but a quick close and re-open, or at worst a system restart fixed the issue.
audio issues when using AVR - I also experienced a buzz coming from my speakers when I tried to use the Oculus with my home theater speakers. I’m not sure if this is a limitation of the Oculus itself, or if something else was going on, but if you’ve got friends you’re trying to experience the Rift with, it can be a bit frustrating.
content limitations - For me personally, I feel like the technology is still so new that there’s not a ton of quality content out yet. That’s not to say that there isn’t any at all, but once you spend some time in the store you’ll quickly start researching “what’s next” on the horizon.
not “quite done cooking” yet - Again, because this technology is still in its infancy, I couldn’t help feeling like it needs more time to feel fully fleshed out and polished. One of the issues, if you can really call it that, is that any little momentary glitch takes you out of the immersion, which breaks the experience. Internal menus, moving from game to game…these things need some maturity before you will see a fully immersive experience from start to finish.
Oculus software can be a bit unstable - At times I did have issues with the Oculus software, but a quick close and re-open, or at worst a system restart fixed the issue.
audio issues when using AVR - I also experienced a buzz coming from my speakers when I tried to use the Oculus with my home theater speakers. I’m not sure if this is a limitation of the Oculus itself, or if something else was going on, but if you’ve got friends you’re trying to experience the Rift with, it can be a bit frustrating.
miscellaneous:
cable tether - Some people will hate this, and some won’t mind at all.
on board speakers - The speakers on the headset itself aren’t exactly stellar, but they do a good job for what they are. Most people will probably use external headphones and won’t care too much.
somewhat plain design - Basically a big black box over your eyes. I don’t personally care too much what the outside looks like while I’m immersed in what’s happening on the inside.
current Rift owners may not find a large enough difference to upgrade - As other reviews have noted, the Rift S may not be enough for some current Rift owners to upgrade.
cable tether - Some people will hate this, and some won’t mind at all.
on board speakers - The speakers on the headset itself aren’t exactly stellar, but they do a good job for what they are. Most people will probably use external headphones and won’t care too much.
somewhat plain design - Basically a big black box over your eyes. I don’t personally care too much what the outside looks like while I’m immersed in what’s happening on the inside.
current Rift owners may not find a large enough difference to upgrade - As other reviews have noted, the Rift S may not be enough for some current Rift owners to upgrade.
overall:
Overall, while this little piece of hardware has some really amazing features, it’s not without its flaws. Since this is my first experience with VR, I may be a bit more impressionable than some other reviewers, but the immersion (even with older games that are obviously lower quality) is simply amazing. You really have to experience it to understand. The Rift S is not without its issues, but that said, I still highly recommend it. If you’ve seen the movie Ready Player One, you’ll understand exactly what I mean. My young daughter calls this headset the “Oasis”, and it certainly feels like the beginnings of it. Your mind will feel like this is real - roller coasters will throw you off balance, floating through the International Space Station will make you feel weightless, and battling bad guys in a shooter will make you feel like you physically need to take cover. Highly recommended, but removing one star for some smaller issues that still need to be worked out.
Mobile Submission: False
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+5points
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Keep your kids safe online with this Circle Home Plus monitoring setup. The included device uses your router to manage every device on your network, and Circle App makes it simple to limit screen time, filter content, and check browsing histories. This Circle Home Plus monitoring setup is easy to set up and lets you create custom settings for each family member.
Posted by: bd43274
from Glendale, AZ
Good:
- Intuitive control from one central location, with a number of ways to monitor and control device usage. Provides some peace of mind as to not only how much devices are being used, but exactly what they have access to.
- Controls seem to work as intended - time limits, pausing on individual devices
- Notifications for new devices entering the home network
- Device browsing habits easily monitored
- Internal battery, in case AC gets connected
- Intuitive control from one central location, with a number of ways to monitor and control device usage. Provides some peace of mind as to not only how much devices are being used, but exactly what they have access to.
- Controls seem to work as intended - time limits, pausing on individual devices
- Notifications for new devices entering the home network
- Device browsing habits easily monitored
- Internal battery, in case AC gets connected
Bad:
- Most, if not all, of the features of this device can be replicated manually without the expense. What you're really paying for here is the ease of use and the convenience of having everything in one place.
- Most, if not all, of the features of this device can be replicated manually without the expense. What you're really paying for here is the ease of use and the convenience of having everything in one place.
Misc:
- Basic features are, well, rather basic - web filtering, usage stats, and history. If you want the more substantial features like setting time limits, pausing, bedtime, GSP, etc., you'll have to subscribe for $9.99/month.
- Each device must have the client side app installed (free)
- Basic features are, well, rather basic - web filtering, usage stats, and history. If you want the more substantial features like setting time limits, pausing, bedtime, GSP, etc., you'll have to subscribe for $9.99/month.
- Each device must have the client side app installed (free)
Overall:
This device is sort of a "one stop shop" for relatively straight forward household network controls. In my experience so far it seems to work fairly well. My only real issue with it is the subscription service. $10/month seems a bit pricey (after of course purchasing the unit itself), so I took off one star.
This device is sort of a "one stop shop" for relatively straight forward household network controls. In my experience so far it seems to work fairly well. My only real issue with it is the subscription service. $10/month seems a bit pricey (after of course purchasing the unit itself), so I took off one star.
Mobile Submission: False
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+3points
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Watch sports and movies on this 55-inch Hisense H8F Android smart TV. The Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range adds vivid color, brightness and contrast to every image, and the built-in Google Assistant provides control of this TV with voice commands. This Hisense H8F Android smart TV has Motion Rate 240, decreasing eye-strain and creating smooth motion.
Posted by: bd43274
from Glendale, AZ
The good:
- Picture quality - While it may not compete with the feature set and picture quality of the high end OLED sets, I don't think it's necessarily meant to. For what it is, it's got a really nice and sharp picture.
- Local dimming - This is a big one for me - FALD. No edge bleed here, and blacks are inky black. I can't say it enough; in this price range, *very* nice to have.
- HDR - Also nice to have, especially when you're watching UHD content. The two technologies kind of need to go hand and hand at this point.
- HDMI inputs, including ARC - 4 HDMI inputs, one of which sends audio out to either a receiver or soundbar.
- Design - I wouldn't consider this TV flashy, nor would I call it mundane. Personally, I feel like the important part of the TV is the picture, not so much the plastic shell. That being said, the bezel design is super minimal, with a slight "chin" on the lower edge. To me this gives a bit of a premium feel to it.
- Picture quality - While it may not compete with the feature set and picture quality of the high end OLED sets, I don't think it's necessarily meant to. For what it is, it's got a really nice and sharp picture.
- Local dimming - This is a big one for me - FALD. No edge bleed here, and blacks are inky black. I can't say it enough; in this price range, *very* nice to have.
- HDR - Also nice to have, especially when you're watching UHD content. The two technologies kind of need to go hand and hand at this point.
- HDMI inputs, including ARC - 4 HDMI inputs, one of which sends audio out to either a receiver or soundbar.
- Design - I wouldn't consider this TV flashy, nor would I call it mundane. Personally, I feel like the important part of the TV is the picture, not so much the plastic shell. That being said, the bezel design is super minimal, with a slight "chin" on the lower edge. To me this gives a bit of a premium feel to it.
The bad:
- Processing speed - The only thing that I found issue with, and this is being really nit picky, is the speed of the internal processor. It can stream 1080p and 4k content with no problem from a variety of sources, which of course is nice. My issue was particularly with an application called Plex. I rip my 4k blurays to a server and stream them via Plex, instead of using a bluray player. Granted, probably not many actually do this, so it's certainly not a huge market to go after. And at this price point I certainly wouldn't expect the fastest internal CPU. In any case, the point is that Plex can't play my 4k rips without skipping and stuttering. Not a deal breaker by any means. Moving around the internal menus and Android TV wasn't blazing fast either, but not exactly slow enough to have issue with.
- Processing speed - The only thing that I found issue with, and this is being really nit picky, is the speed of the internal processor. It can stream 1080p and 4k content with no problem from a variety of sources, which of course is nice. My issue was particularly with an application called Plex. I rip my 4k blurays to a server and stream them via Plex, instead of using a bluray player. Granted, probably not many actually do this, so it's certainly not a huge market to go after. And at this price point I certainly wouldn't expect the fastest internal CPU. In any case, the point is that Plex can't play my 4k rips without skipping and stuttering. Not a deal breaker by any means. Moving around the internal menus and Android TV wasn't blazing fast either, but not exactly slow enough to have issue with.
Misc:
- Motion Rate 240 - I'm not personally a huge fan of smooth motion technology myself. It gives everything the "soap opera" effect. Some people may like it, some people not so much.
- Android TV - Again, not for everyone but does have its strengths.
- Motion Rate 240 - I'm not personally a huge fan of smooth motion technology myself. It gives everything the "soap opera" effect. Some people may like it, some people not so much.
- Android TV - Again, not for everyone but does have its strengths.
Overall:
At this MSRP, it's tough to give this TV anything other than 5 stars. In terms of "budget" televisions, you're getting an awful lot of bang for the buck. No, it's not perfect, but you are certainly getting your money's worth and then some.
At this MSRP, it's tough to give this TV anything other than 5 stars. In terms of "budget" televisions, you're getting an awful lot of bang for the buck. No, it's not perfect, but you are certainly getting your money's worth and then some.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+12points
13of 14voted this as helpful.
The MR8300 Max Stream™ AC2200 is a high-performance Tri-Band router. Perfect for households that thrive on entertainment, it delivers up to 2.2 Gbps of superior speed throughout your entire home. The Tri-Band and MU-MIMO technology make it ideal for simultaneous streaming of HD movies, online gaming, video calling and supporting all of your smart home devices. MR8300 also grows as your needs do. With its built-in mesh Wi-Fi, instead of investing in a new router, you can expand coverage by simply adding Linksys Velop™ Mesh Wi-Fi nodes for seamless Wi-Fi everywhere.The MR8300 serves as the master router and must connect directly to your modem to create your network. Sets up in minutes with the Linksys app.
Posted by: bd43274
from Glendale, AZ
the good:
-velop mesh compatible - Depending on the size and configuration of your home, this may or may not be an advantage. Mesh routing in larger homes is certainly becoming popular as it becomes more affordable, but for small to medium homes, this router by itself is probably not the best choice.
-velop mesh compatible - Depending on the size and configuration of your home, this may or may not be an advantage. Mesh routing in larger homes is certainly becoming popular as it becomes more affordable, but for small to medium homes, this router by itself is probably not the best choice.
-stability - Overall, I've found the Velop mesh system to be quite stable, and a significant improvement over "access point" type set ups. Moving between nodes is still controlled by the device that is connecting, and something like a tablet or phone should have no problem finding the strongest signal. For desktops or laptops, etc, you may need to forget and reconnect to the network to attach to the strongest node signal.
-external antennae - Nice for adding directional coverage to a specific location.
-4 gigabit ethernet ports - One drawback of the white "tower" Velop nodes, they only have 2 physical ethernet ports. If you use one to connect to your modem, you effectively are left with one port. In my case, I have a need for more, so it means I don't need a switch.
-USB 3.0 port - Another drawback of the white tower Velop node, there is no USB port. The MR8300 has a high speed 3.0 port, though it currently isn't used for anything (no external drive support yet, but according to Linksys is for "future expansion").
-wall mount - Since it has more of a traditional router design, the ability to mount on the wall is a nice addition.
-setup - Essentially the same as any of the other Velop node setup. Relatively pain free, even if it did take a bit for everything to be automatically configured the first time.
the bad:
-range is just ok. I saw slightly better coverage on 5G devices with a traditional Velop node.
-price - As a stand alone router, there are better choices in or below this price. As an addition (or base of) a Velop system, it's not a bad option, certainly if you have need of additional ports or a change in antenna direction.
-range is just ok. I saw slightly better coverage on 5G devices with a traditional Velop node.
-price - As a stand alone router, there are better choices in or below this price. As an addition (or base of) a Velop system, it's not a bad option, certainly if you have need of additional ports or a change in antenna direction.
misc:
-design - Nothing horribly exciting or off putting about the design. Fairly small footprint.
-specs - Aside from the ethernet ports, the antennae, and the USB port (which currently has no use), there's not really much of a spec change between this and the tower style Velop node.
-design - Nothing horribly exciting or off putting about the design. Fairly small footprint.
-specs - Aside from the ethernet ports, the antennae, and the USB port (which currently has no use), there's not really much of a spec change between this and the tower style Velop node.
overall:
It's not a bad router by any means, but it would've been nice to see a spec upgrade for the additional price, over the white tower style node. 3 stars, since its value is directly tied to Velop without much of an advantage over a standard Velop node.
It's not a bad router by any means, but it would've been nice to see a spec upgrade for the additional price, over the white tower style node. 3 stars, since its value is directly tied to Velop without much of an advantage over a standard Velop node.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Collaborate with teammates using this Razer BlackWidow Elite mechanical gaming keyboard. An ergonomic leatherette wrist rest provides support for marathon play sessions, while the fully customizable keys let you create your own unique system for gaming. With dedicated media keys and a multifunction digital dial, this Razer BlackWidow Elite mechanical gaming keyboard offers responsive operation.
Posted by: bd43274
from Glendale, AZ
the good:
-green mechanical switches - If you're reading this, you're probably familiar with the concept that different color switches have a different actuating mechanism, and therefore a different button press feel. For me, these are super comfortable and not overly "clicky" or harsh. They are of course louder than a "normal" keyboard, but even that is somewhat less than other mechanical keyboards I've used. Equally comfortable for typing as well as gaming.
-LED lighting - As with most gaming keyboards, tons of preset and configurable LED patterns. I like the lighting effect on these over some others, as the light itself is only visible via the top of the key, with a bit of reflection on the bottom. Very clean looking.
-programmable buttons - Along with remapping of buttons and functions, you can also map micros to buttons as well.
-programmable buttons - Along with remapping of buttons and functions, you can also map micros to buttons as well.
-integrated USB 2.0 and 3.5mm headphone jack
-comfortable magnetic wrist pad
-Dedicated media keys, with a volume dial. I've always preferred a volume dial over up/down buttons, but I'm not exactly sure why.
the bad:
-Nothing that I experienced. Some may prefer wireless over wired, but nothing like this exists in a wireless keyboard yet that I'm aware of.
-Nothing that I experienced. Some may prefer wireless over wired, but nothing like this exists in a wireless keyboard yet that I'm aware of.
overall:
Really solid keyboard from Razer, with tons of customizable LED and button options. Premium feel and build quality. Highly recommended, 5 stars.
Really solid keyboard from Razer, with tons of customizable LED and button options. Premium feel and build quality. Highly recommended, 5 stars.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0of 0voted this as helpful.
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