swemoney's stats
- Review count268
- Helpfulness votes177
- First reviewMay 14, 2016
- Last reviewNovember 2, 2025
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.9
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- Answer count12
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- First answerJune 10, 2016
- Last answerApril 18, 2021
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Protect your smartphone with the Insignia Hard-Shell Case with MagSafe for iPhone 16 Pro Max. Its durable polycarbonate plastic protects your phone from everyday damage and drops up to 8 feet. A special engineered built-in magnetic ring provides MagSafe compatibility with MagSafe chargers and accessories without needing to remove your phone from the case. It also has raised edges, letting you set your phone down without risking scratches to your screen or camera lens. A transparent design lets the original look of your device show through and uses a combination of 2H UV coating and resists discoloration.
Customer Rating
3
Good protection but easily slick
on January 13, 2025
Posted by: swemoney
This case suffers from the same thing I've found in nearly every clear case. It picks up your finger grease and oils and just becomes slick in your hand pretty quickly. The MagSafe isn't quite as strong as I would like it to be too. Otherwise, it's a fairly OK case.
The case slips on pretty easily. Nothing crazy here. All the buttons are accessible. Pressing the buttons requires more pressure than some other cases I've used, but it's definitely not the hardest to press either. It's in the middle and your preferences will dictate whether you like it or not so if you can find a case to test, that would probably be ideal.
The biggest issue I have with this case is an issue I've had with almost every clear case I've ever used. I like having a little bit of tackiness on my cases so my phone doesn't slip out of my hands. After a day or so of use with this one, it had picked up enough of my finger oils that the back was pretty slippery. I think it's just a thing you need to deal with on clear cases so if you've enjoyed clear cases in the past, this might not be an issue for you.
On a possible brighter note, this case is hefty enough to feel like it's going to protect your phone from your usual drops. I usually prefer slimmer cases and I didn't find this one to be crazy bulky or anything but it does have some bulk to it.
One more minor issue I found with this case is the strength of the MagSafe. I have a MagSafe wallet and charging stand. I wouldn't say this was the weakest MagSafe pass through I've experienced in a case but it's definitely not the strongest. I found myself mostly double checking that my wallet didn't slip off of my phone. I haven't had it happen yet but compared to some other cases where the magnet really grips my charger and wallet, it was just something that was always in the back of my mind.
Overall, it's not a bad case. I keep going back to a cheap case I got on Amazon right when I got my phone but I think this one will get rotated in when occasionally. I don't love it but I don't really dislike it either. If you enjoy the feel of clear cases, you might like it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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XTR4 is the strongest screen protector from ZAGG. It~s fortified with graphene, and has been tested up to 11x stronger than traditional glass screen protection.* It~s also our most technologically advanced screen protection with blue light filtration to improve eye comfort and sleep, anti-reflective technology for richer colors, and a dust-free installation process.
Customer Rating
2
Was hoping for more for the price
on December 26, 2024
Posted by: swemoney
With the deluge of screen protectors on the market, I really don't understand how this one can cost this much. I used be a huge ZAGG screen protector fan. Back with my iPhone 3GS and 4 and 5, there was a kiosk in the mall that put them on for you and they would replace them for free if there was anything wrong with it. They weren't glass. But I liked them a lot. They fit nicely on the phone and the fact that they installed it for you was great.
I've been on a bit of a binge lately testing new cases for my iPhone 16 Pro Max. More than a couple of cheap cases I got from Amazon CAME WITH not even just one glass screen protector but two. And I can actually vouch for the quality of them because my wife dropped her new phone and thought she cracked the screen until I peeled off the screen protector and everything was fine underneath. This one just one of two screen protectors I didn't even expect to have because it was just silently included with a $10 case I picked up. This is one of the reasons I can't understand why this screen protector is so expensive. For one protector.
Installation, I was hopeful for. One thing I loved about the old ZAGG protectors was how nicely they installed. I was hopeful that they had improved on the installation since this is a glass protector and it's been over a decade so things have to be better now. It was just OK. I followed the instructions and it just didn't install without bubbles. I think it would have been a nicer install if the bracket was made a little more robust and "did" most of the work for you. Again, I'm going to go back to cost, there are much cheaper screen protectors on the market that have much more robust and easy to use install brackets. This one, you just use the bracket to align things for the most part but it's really easy to still get bubbles since the protector is floating above your phone so high before you try and spread it out.
I had to peel it off a few times to finally get it on without any bubbles and I feel like I was a fraction of a mm off or so because I can see the line where the protector ends on one side of my phone. It says edge-to-edge, but I think they needed just a tiny bit more that would overlap the screen on both sides. It's not crazy obvious but you can see it if you look for it.
Once I got it installed without the bubbles it looks and feels good. Besides the one edge being visible in certain lights. I assume protection is going to be fine. I would be incredibly disappointed if this case, at it's cost, can't protect my phone better than the freebie I got with my cheap case.
At the end of the day, everything comes down to cost with this one. It's not a bad product. I understand that this is probably made better than the freebies that just come with cheap cases, but I just can't see justifying paying this price for what I perceive as very little benefit. A super smooth and flawless installation procedure would have been the one thing to redeem this and it just didn't have that either. I would say to look elsewhere and pay half or a third of the price.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Crystal Palace Snap with Kickstand has a seamless design that shows off the sleek lines of your phone. The case retains its transparent beauty with anit-yellowing properties and an anti-scratch finish. It also has a new textured grip and an improved kickstand. Crystal Palace Snap with Kickstand is fortified with graphene and provides 13 feet of drop protection.
Customer Rating
3
Not a bad case, just probably not for me.
on December 26, 2024
Posted by: swemoney
I've been trying out a lot of new phone cases for my iPhone 16 Pro Max lately. Sadly, this case doesn't really feel like it does anything exceptional for the price.
The feel is very important and I'm on the fence with this one. I prefer a little more tackiness when holding my phone but I also like a phone that can easily slide in and out of my pocket. There's a fine line. This case is solely on the slide into the pocket side of that line. It doesn't feel bad in my hands, but it does collect the grease from my fingers and is just not very grippy in my hands. I don't think this is an exclusive problem for this phone case, I think it's more of an issue with transparent phone cases. Personally, I'm not a huge fan but if you enjoy transparent cases and how they feel, you'll probably feel right at home.
As far as protection goes, this case has some bulk to it. I definitely prefer slimmer cases and have never had any issues with protection with those cases. This makes your phone feel like it's well protected though.
The kick stand is nice, but something about it's tactile feel is off. I got another cheap case off of Amazon that has a kickstand that's a lot more stiff and feels better to play with. I know that's not the purpose but I like fidget toys and this kickstand just doesn't do it for me. It works pretty well as a stand for the phone. Vertical and horizonal work well, just make sure you're on a fairly flat surface or the phone will tip to the side without the kickstand.
Another issue you might want to be aware of that's not the case's fault, necessarily. I have a wireless charger stand where my phone just sits on slightly slanted back. It's not MagSafe. It's just normal Qi charging but mostly vertical. The morning after I got this case, I noticed pretty early on in the morning that my phone was pretty drained and didn't know why. When I went to put it on the charger the next morning, I noticed that it wasn't charging at all. The extra bit of bulk to this case puts it just out of reach of my charger. Your mileage will certainly vary and this isn't an issue with MagSafe chargers that magnetically connect (I bought one of those shortly after this issue). Just something you might want to be aware of.
So maybe this phone case just isn't for me. I don't think it's a bad phone case, objectively. But I also think that what you like in a phone case is very subjective and the feel and size of this case just doesn't do it for me. You might love it! Just have a look at it or give it a feel before you buy if you're on the fence.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Discover the perfect blend of protection, sustainability, and style with Pela~s compostable phone case for the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. This eco-friendly case not only shields your phone from drops and scratches but also includes a MagSafe module, providing you with peace of mind and effortless connectivity. Crafted from sustainable materials, the Pela case reflects your commitment to the environment, turning everyday use into a statement of eco-consciousness. Its sleek design and enhanced grip ensure it feels just right in your hand, adding a touch of elegance to your daily routine. Choose a case that protects your iPhone while aligning with your values~embrace sustainability without compromising on style. As a bonus, your purchase includes an exclusive voucher for a second case, which you can personalize or select from 500+ designs to match your style.
Customer Rating
3
Good feel, and an extra case for free?
on December 23, 2024
Posted by: swemoney
Protecting my new super expensive phone is important. This thing has to last me at least a few years. I've been trying a handful of cases for my iPhone 16 Pro Max and this one is pretty good so far. Having options is always nice too and the fact that this comes with a redeem code for a second case for free gives you an option for another case or maybe something for your spouse.
The flexibility of this case makes it really easy to get on and off. Probably one of the easiest I've had at putting on and taking off. So setup is a breeze. The feel of the case is pretty grippy which I do like in my hands but doesn't make for the most enjoyable experience in and out of my pocket. Not a deal breaker, though. The look of the black case is nice with the plant matter kind of speckled around it. It's really subtle but I like the look. Protection-wise, it feels pretty solid. I don't fear dropping my phone from reasonable heights. The case covers everything but the screen and gives a nice amount of lip around the edges to protect the front without getting in the way of swipe gestures.
If I had to pick something that really sets this case back for me, it's the buttons. The case is basically all one piece with the buttons just being raised parts of the case with a small bump on the back for pressing the actual phone button. This makes them extremely hard to press, depending on how you're holding your phone. I found that the times I was most interested in adjusting the volume, I was holding my phone in a way that just made the buttons almost impossible to press. Sometimes I'd have to hold the phone with my other hand just to adjust the volume. It's a shame, and I think this would be my daily case if it has separated buttons that were a lot easier to push.
Overall, it's a decent case. You get two for the price of one which is always a nice savings. It seems like it protects the phone pretty well and it looks nice. It's just a shame the buttons are too hard to press. I would recommend the phone if you don't think the physical buttons on your phone are that important and don't get much use. But maybe try and find the case to try out before buying it otherwise.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Introducing the Ninja Crispi Portable Cooking System. This compact powerhouse packs the 1500W power of a full-sized air fryer into a portable design*. It includes a small 6-cup TempWare container for personal meals and a larger 4-QT TempWare container that fits up to 4 lbs of wings or 2 lbs of fries. Also included are two crisper plates and storage lids. The PowerPod intelligently senses and adjusts to the container size, ensuring a perfect cook no matter what. Whether you~re whipping up quick single-serve meals in 7 minutes, sharing crispy snacks on the go, or serving a crowd, the Ninja Crispi makes it easy. The durable borosilicate glassware withstands extreme temperature changes from 22F-450F, and it~s safe to cook directly on granite countertops, laminate, quartz, butcher block, marble, and more. Cleanup is simple~the TempWare glassware, storage lids, crisper plates, and adapter are dishwasher safe and designed to nest for easy storage. Cook, serve, and store effortlessly with Ninja Crispi.
Customer Rating
5
I didn't get it at first, but I do now.
on December 23, 2024
Posted by: swemoney
When my wife told me about this product while we have 4 or 5 other things in our kitchen that contain some sort of "air-frying" capability, I didn't really get it. She's not one to get excited about gadgets. Now that we've had some time to use it, though, I can say that I understand now.
Setup is basically nothing. Wash the dishes. Then it's just plug in and press the buttons to get your desired settings and hit go. It's a really strange product when you're used to air-fryers that are all largish units that sit on your kitchen counter. This is a pretty small thing you can carry in one hand and I think it does a better job than a lot of our other air fryers.
The main purpose of this is to air-fry something you intend to take with you, I think. The dishes that you need to use have handles and you just place a metal spacer plate on the bottom that keeps the food off of the bottom and lets air circulate around. When your thing is cooked, you have lids you can stick right on the same dish you used to cook it and you can just carry it around with the handles. Really convenient if you're on your way to a barbeque or I guess even to just bring the dish to the dining room table to serve. This is the part I didn't fully understand when I heard about it. There's a bit of versatility and convenience you don't really get with larger stand-alone units that take up counter space.
It comes with 2 dishes and I feel like the smaller one is more than capable for most of the meals I'm heating up for myself. If I have a lot of food to cook, the larger one feels big enough for most jobs we have. And we can also have the smaller dish cooking while we prepare the larger dish and just move the actual cooking unit to the larger dish when it's done. A lot of versatility, like I said.
The modes are pretty standard and there's a sticker on the unit that tells you the temperature each one cooks at (ours did start to peel off, but the temperature ranges are pretty easy to figure out). You have a bake settings, a air-fry, crisper and reheater. Pick the poison for the job and set a time and you're off. The dishes are small enough that you don't need to do any sort of preheating because the space heats up really quick. I think that's why I like the job this unit does over my other air fryers. You might need to adjust some of your cooking times as you discover how this one cooks but I've found a lot of my foods come out a lot crispier in less time than most of the other air fryers I've used before.
Cleanup is also pretty easy since they're basically just standard dishes to clean up. The heating unit can be wiped down as needed. Really a nice feature after looking at my small air fryer oven and how infrequently we clean that.
I can't really think of anything bad to say about this. Everything is easy to use, easy to clean and it does a great job at cooking. If there is a negative, it's just adjusting the time you cook some of your foods which you'll pick up over time. Otherwise, I'm a big fan. If you don't have an air fryer, I'd really consider this one. If you have another one or two that are working great for you, you might not need this but it's still worth considering just for the versatility and convenience this has.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Discover the magic of Meta Quest 3S and get ready to experience your favorite apps in a totally new way. The possibilities are endless when you can blend digital content into your physical space. Watch movies and shows on a vibrant screen that turns any room of your house into a giant theater. Bring games to life in your living room, or step right into the action with full immersion. Hang out with friends from anywhere, but feel like you~re in the same place, watching a concert or meeting up in Meta Horizon. Wireless and light, enjoy out-of-this-world workouts with Quest 3S that make fitness fun. With unreal experiences at an unreal price, where will you begin? See child safety guidance online; Accounts for 10+.
Customer Rating
4
Huge upgrade for me. Blown away (again).
on December 3, 2024
Posted by: swemoney
I'm not new to VR, but it's been a while since I've gotten any new VR hardware. I was an early adopter with the first Oculus Rift Dev Kit and then the OG Oculus Rift when it finally came out (way back in 2016). That's where my VR journey has pretty much stayed over the last decade. I was always blown away by what VR could do even back then. Suffice it to say, this new experience has blown me away again.
Setup was pretty easy. It's a little time consuming but I was able to get through it pretty casually with a couple kids around. Most of it is just onboarding and guidance. Since this is a standalone VR unit, there isn't a ton to set up. You download the app to your phone and it guides you through most of the steps like logging in to your Meta account (would be great if you didn't need that, but such is life). I'd say, I went through the setup steps and guidance without any issues in about 20 minutes.
This setup process is a huge contrast to the old school PCVR setup with my old Oculus Rift which felt like a whole thing. Setting up tracking cameras just right and manually defining boundaries and everything. Now it's just a matter of looking around your space so it can define and save a boundary for that area. It takes seconds. Boundaries feel very disposable so you can just redefine them if they aren't perfect or your change your room at all.
Then there's the color passthrough. My old rift didn't have any passthrough at all. It was crazy how putting on the headset and seeing your normal space instantly changed my brain into understanding that I can just walk around with this headset on. It took my old, dedicated room VR setup and instantly switched me over to thinking "OK, I'm free to use this anywhere I want". I feel like words don't even do it justice. I know a lot of my feelings around this headset stem from the advancements that have been made over the last 8 years but it really does feel like I'm getting into VR again for the first time. The camera quality could be a little better but when you aren't focused on anything in the real world, it kind of just blends in and feels like you're just in your old space.
The big downgrade from the Quest 3 is the screens, lenses and field of view and it's definitely visible. None of it is BAD at all. But the field of view I do notice the most. It would have been nice to have it be a little wider. Otherwise, you have the same power as a Quest 3 in this bad boy. Everything feels snappy and quick and responsive. Apps like YouTube are easy to install and use.
Tracking! My old rift relied on infared cameras. I had 3 of them that had to be mounted and calibrated perfectly to really work and they still lost your hands plenty of times. Now it's like it's not even a thing you need to think about. On top of the controllers working and tracking incredibly well, but you can also opt-in to just using your hands as your controller with gestures that tackle most of what you'd want to do with the controllers. You get walked through both (controllers and hands) in the onboarding guides.
The included Batman: Arkham Shadow game plays and looks incredible. Really feels like the old Arkham games just in VR. Experiences like these are what make you forget you're using an entry level headset. Everything ran smoothly and looked great. A lot of comfort options to fit whatever VR legs you have. Definitely recommend checking it out since it comes with the headset.
Another thing that blew me away is AirLink and SteamLink. I was initially bummed when I didn't see many of my old games and apps in my library on my Quest 3S. Then I realized that I'm using a standalone headset instead of a PCVR headset and those libraries are completely separate. There are some crossbuy games and apps but I feel like they're rare. But, fear not! Your library isn't gone. You just need to use your PC to access it. If you download the Oculus Link software and pair your headset, you can use your PCVR library, wirelessly (or wired, if you buy a Link cable), right from your Quest headset. I ran into a couple small issues when setting it up but they sorted themselves out pretty quick and once I was up and running I wouldn't have even noticed I was streaming everything from my PC instead of running it natively on my headset.
But that's AirLink and it's built right into the headset so surely the SteamLink app that I downloaded onto my headset can't be that easy and nice to use.... It is! Just paired Steam from my PC with the SteamLink app on my Quest headset and I was streaming No Man's Sky and other VR games from my Steam library without any hiccups. It felt so surreal to me. I, again, wouldn't have even known I was streaming everything from my PC, wirelessly, if I didn't just set it all up.
Another sorta demo is the First Encounters experience which gets your familiar with scanning your room and using it for mixed reality experiences. Scanning was pretty painless and you're given a lot of options to customize your scanned space. Add a gate that it missed and such. When you're all done, it uses the scan and started a fun little shoot'em up experience where an alien race of fuzzy creatures burst through your walls. It's mostly a demo of what kind of mixed reality experiences you can do and it's a really cool showcase. My kids also enjoyed watching me shoot up the game room while trying to catch all the fuzzy creatures.
Which leads me to another note. It was incredibly painless to stream/cast my gameplay to my TV for others to view. All of these things that you'd think just have to be missing because it's a wireless, all in one headset. But no, it seems like it can pretty much do anything a PCVR headset can do at this point. Just without the cables.
I'd say the only things keeping this from a 5 star review (something I give our VERY rarely, mind you) is the battery life being only an hour or 2 depending on what you're doing. It doesn't take a huge time to charge and I'm sure you could strap a battery pack to your belt and get some extra play time that way but it can feel a little short sometimes. Also, the passthrough cameras could do with a little higher resolution. And lastly, the requirement for a Meta account to do anything with the headset just feel icky.
Bottom line, if you're looking to get into VR, this is a great headset to get your feet wet and not feel like you're sacrificing much at all. You could get a crisper picture and a wider FOV with a Quest 3 but you'll also pay a bit more for that so you just have to figure out what's important to you. If you're just starting out, though, you really can't go wrong with this headset.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Only at Best Buy! Meet the 8BitDo Mechanical Keyboard. Packed with programmable keys and an intuitive control panel. Meticulously crafted offering the perfect balance of quality and functionality. Compatible with Windows and Android. Exclusive 8BitDo Super Stick Joystick included.
Customer Rating
4
Neat and nostalgic
on November 9, 2024
Posted by: swemoney
8BitDo does some pretty nice things with their controllers so I was intrigued about this nostalgic keyboard and joystick combo. I grew up in the 80's. I had an NES. The look and even feel of this whole unit brings me back. It seems like such a small thing, but one of the first things I noticed was the retro looking power LED. The switches might prevent this from being a daily driver for me, but even if I just break it out sometimes, it's a pretty nice decorative item for any desk.
Setup was a breeze. You have a lot of options. I already had a wired keyboard with a detachable USB-C cable so it was as easy as unplugging that one and plugging the cable into this one. It "just works" like you'd expect any keyboard to. The external joystick and A/B buttons area also wired and plug into the back of the keyboard. I wish these were maybe bluetooth or something that allowed you to keep the cable clutter off of your desk but you can probably find a good way to route the cables and chances are they won't both be permanent fixtures on your desk (they definitely aren't going to be for me). There's even one additional input for another optional addon you can get from 8BitDo if you want to add more.
You also have an option to connect the keyboard (just the keyboard) wirelessly via bluetooth or the included 2.4Ghz dongle (which is nicely etched like Mario bricks). All of the setup options are simple and explained in the short, multi-language instructions if you need any help.
Then you can customize some buttons (and external buttons and joystick) straight from the keyboard. You can assign any key shortcut to any of the directions on the joystick or the external A/B buttons. Or there's A/B buttons on the keyboard itself where the right side menu and windows keys usually reside so you can set those as well. They call it "fast mapping" and I agree, it's quick and easy to do.
A couple minuses for me. The shape and angle the keyboard sits at isn't my favorite. I would have liked another 10 degrees or so of tilt and this is one of the first keyboards I've use in a really long time that doesn't have retractable legs to change the angle (I know for a fact, because I JUST checked one more time because it feels bonkers to me). There's also no included wrist rest which I noticed immediately and had to grab one from my other keyboard just so it stopped hurting my wrist to bend (and lean on the sharp corner of the desk). Then there's the switches. I used silver speed switches for a very long time but was able to take to red switches pretty quickly. Probably because those are both linear switches. These white switches are a little harder to get used to for me. They're clicky. If you like that you might be right at home. I'm giving them a chance and seeing if I can get used to them and I'd say I like them a little better than the first time I typed on them but I still prefer my linear switches.
Those are probably two of the reasons I'll have this as more of a decorative keyboard or break it out when I'm feeling like a change. The keybaord works great and really captures that old school look and feel but when I need to do a lot of typing, I'll probably break out the old red switches and hang this one up.
If you can find some samples of the white switches that are used (Kailh Box White Switches V2), you can see how much you like them and make a decision if you're looking for a nice looking keyboard that you can use all the time. Everyone has their own preference for mechanical keyboard switches and mine just happens to not be this. It's not bad, it's just not my favorite. Also, consider getting a wrist rest. If those aren't dealbreakers for you, this could be a fun keyboard to complete your nostalgic Nintendo desktop.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience stunning performance with the vast 34~ curved WQHD LG UltraGear OLED gaming monitor~now in a sleek white colorway. Stay a step ahead of the competition with an ultra-fast refresh rate up to 240Hz and .03ms response time that will bring you into the game like never before.~ And with the steep and dramatic 800R curve, you~ll feel enveloped in the action from virtually all around you. This UltraGear's ultra-thin, bezel design, height, tilt and swivel adjustability along with impressive connectivity options and make this UltraGear, ultra-essential for your battlestation setup.
Customer Rating
4
Nice picture. Great curve. Couple hiccups.
on November 9, 2024
Posted by: swemoney
I have another really nice curved ultrawide monitor and this LG makes that one look flat. Like I can't tell the other one even has a curve when it's sitting above this one. I didn't think it would make a huge difference but I really like the more exaggerated curve on this one. Front loading, I like this monitor a lot and it's taken my Alienware's place as my main monitor.
Setup was pretty easy aside from one hiccup that isn't a fault of the monitor (it's actually one of it's strengths) but I feel like it's something to keep in mind if you're looking at this monitor or any other high framerate monitor. They use an enhanced DisplayPort 1.4a with DSC (Display Stream Compression) which allows the a "lossless" compressed image to be pushed over the same cable, but because it's compressed, you can squeeze a lot more frames out. What you need to consider is if you're using all four ports on your graphics card already. I can't vouch for AMD but my NVIDIA graphics card uses two of it's ports when connected to a DSC display, essentially making one port non-functional. You don't have to worry about this if you're not using all of the ports on your graphics card, but something to think about if you are. Otherwise, the monitor is just plug and play and works great right out of the box. I understand my use-case is a little more niche but I hope I save someone from the troubleshooting time I put in.
The menu on the monitor is pretty standard fare. You can adjust the picture and most of the settings you'd expect. The key feature for me was the compatibility mode that allows you to turn off DSC (which brings the refresh rate down to 144, but allows me to use all of my ports when I need to). You access the menu from a button right under the front center of the monitor so it's easy to use and doesn't stand out. The picture in picture mode was the one hiccup I ran across. It seemed like once I turned it on, there wasn't an option to toggle it off unless I assigned it to one of the two front menu shortcuts. I may have missed something here but I looked for the option to toggle it back off for a while.
One of my biggest complaints about the installation is a lack of any sort of hiding solution for your cables when you are VESA mounting. Sadly, the input chamber is a bit too shallow and without some external organizational tools, they stick out of the bottom of the monitor. If you're using the included stand, I don't think this will be an issue. The stand looks to be pretty sturdy and easy to install and should do a good job hiding your cables.
Ports, I was also a little disappointed by at first but I think I'll actually end up preferring this. My older monitor had two DisplayPort inputs and one HDMI. This one flips it and has two HDMI and one DisplayPort. I only really use the one of each a lot so I'm thinking this should be better for connection a console to this monitor if I feel like letting the kids use the main TV. HDMI is the more versatile connection so I understand and think it will be better than the two DisplayPort inputs in the long run.
Picture quality looks pretty good to me. I've seen some reviews saying that the color accuracy isn't quite as good as my other Alienware ultrawide but I haven't noticed it really. It looks great. Blacks are nice and black. Brightness looks fine (and there are options in the menu to ramp up the brightness even more but I'm fine with that setting off completely). HDR videos still look vibrant and bright (if I little less so than my Alienware, it's not much).
The biggest contributing factor to this monitor becoming my daily main monitor is the curve, though. I never thought I'd be someone who had much of an opinion on curved screens at all. My Alienware is curved but it's very subtle. I really like the steeper curve on this monitor. Playing single player games just feels like it's wrapping around you and immersing you in the world just a little more. It's a subtle things that I never really considered before and after using this screen for a little bit now I can safely say I like the steeper curve.
Overall, you can't go wrong with this monitor if this is the budget you're looking at. Your options in this price range are all great so shop around and find the right fit for you. I picked this one but I know first hand what one of it's main competitors offers and it's another great option.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Take your aerial photography and videography skills to the next level with the F28 Foldable GPS Drone and. The F28 is designed to cater to the needs of both adults and kids alike, making it perfect for families. With a 2K Full HD Time-Lapse photography feature you will be able to create stunning time lapses of scenery, construction projects or events for marketing and personal use.
Customer Rating
2
Pretty sub-par experience overall
on October 26, 2024
Posted by: swemoney
After reading the previous reviews, I was mostly worried about the app not being compatible with my iPhone since I was already updated to iOS 18. But instead, I found the whole experience to just be pretty lackluster.
Setup was definitely not a breeze. The instructions have a bunch of steps for getting everything up and running. They're mostly clear about what to do but things don't always work out quite how they describe. Powering on the drone and remote seemed to connect pretty ok. Then it's connecting to the app. This is where a lot of people have complained about it just not working or not connecting properly. I didn't have much of an issue, though. Connecting to the drone's wifi from my phone's settings app is definitely not my preferred method of connecting to anything but it worked. The app detected the drone and offered some controls.
Then the instructions talk about various joystick positions you can (should?) do to calibrate things like the compass and gyroscopes. I found the compass calibration to be a little frustrating until I restarted the app and noticed that it actually showed some instructions on the app for how to calibrate it. I couldn't get the takeoff joystick gesture to work so I had to do some awkward series of buttons in the app to take off. Overall, the whole setup process is just not intuitive and presupposes you have some knowledge of flying and setup procedures before hand.
Speaking of the app, I'm not a fan of it in general either. It's very clunky feeling. There's not a lot of feedback about if it's actually connected to the drone or not. Buttons are hidden underneath the notch or dynamic island on my phone. Just not a lot of thought was put in to it in general. And the company seems to have a separate app for each model of their drone instead of just one app that controls them all? I don't think I've ever seen that and it feels like it would make it an awful experience to get updates out in a timely manner. Updates to the apps do feel to be pretty rare. If i had to sum it up, I'd say the app makes me feel like I'm using an app from over a decade ago. Little has gone into making it look or feel modern or intuitive.
The camera seems ok. When the app is working properly, the live video feed looks decent. It's not a super expensive drone so I'm not expecting professional quality cameras here. The camera looks about how I'd expect it to at this price.
Flying the drone takes a little getting used to but, as a beginner, I didn't feel terribly overwhelmed. The drone definitely felt like it didn't stay put as well as I'd like it to. Even indoors, it would drift pretty noticeably. Maybe just for getting your bearings and learning how to fly a drone, this might be an OK place to start. I don't have an experience with other drones, though, so I'm not sure how to compare this to other new user experiences. Could I control it? Yes. Could the drone do a better job controlling itself? Probably.
Build quality on both the drone and remote are very toy-like. It's all cheap plastic. The drone feels light and pretty flimsy. The remote feels even more flimsy. The popup for holding your phone BARELY stretches far enough to hold an iPhone 16 Pro Max. I mean, I have to stretch it just passed where it wants to stretch to in order to SQUEEZE my phone into it. Buttons and joysticks all feel cheap. Everything just feels cheaply made. It works, but I don't hold out hope that it'll last very long with any decent amount of use.
The carry case is pretty small and nice, though. So there's a plus. It has a pouch that can hold spare parts and everything fits in it nicely. It's probably the least cheap feeling part of the whole package.
So overall, I don't really recommend this drone to many people. Maybe if you can't find anything else at the same price point and this is the only price point you can do. Everything just feels so cheap and like they could have put a lot more thought into the design and user experience. It's functional, but that's about it.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Designed for a seamless experience, the fully automatic Magnifica Plus guides you through the brewing process. Easily craft drinks with the touch of a button with 18 recipes to choose from, including Latte Macchiatos, Cappuccinos, Americanos & Iced Coffee. The built-in conical burr grinder and brewing unit deliver espresso with the perfect grind, dose, and brew every time, saving you time and effort. De~Longhi~s proprietary LatteCrema technology automatically froths milk and milk alternatives, allowing you to personalize your drink with 3 different frothing settings - light, creamy, or dense. The full touch screen display and soft touch buttons make navigation intuitive and guide you to craft and customize your beverage quickly. With up to 4 unique user profiles, adjust size and intensity to fit your preferences. Find your favorite drinks faster with Smart One-Touch intelligence, programmed to remember your most popular choices. Clean-up is simple with our auto-clean function and detachable, dishwasher-safe parts. With the Magnifica Plus, enjoy your caf~ favorites at home, at the touch of a button.
Customer Rating
5
Almost TOO little effort required
on October 19, 2024
Posted by: swemoney
I've used a few espresso makers in the past. From more entry level starters to other nice De'Longhi makers. The process of setting up and grinding the beans and tamping the coffee down and then pulling the shot is fun for a little bit. Then there's the steaming of the milk to get that proper froth. Also a good time. For a little bit. But there comes a time with every espresso maker I use that I just stop using it because it's easier to just make a pot of dripped coffee. That said, I might keep using this one for the long haul.
Setup looks more daunting than it is. It's an expensive machine and the book had some detailed instructions about the steps you should take when you first set it up as well as steps you should take the maintain it. It's just a lot to read through right away. When you actually power the machine up for the first time, it runs you through all of the initial setup steps described in the book right on the screen so you don't miss anything. You even test your water hardness and input it into the machine so it knows when you remind you to descale. Everything is very automatic.
Usage was almost scary at first. Once you have everything set up, the hand holding stops and you're just presented with a list of drinks and when you press one, it just starts making it immediately. If you're missing the milk container, it'll remind you to attach it, but there's no extra instructions or no guide for how much milk you'll need for this drink. Just tap the drink and it's off to the races. They definitely weren't messing around when they say "fully automatic" here.
The "fear" did subside after the first couple of drinks. Now that I know how things work (for the most part), it's just a little trial and error. I put more milk in than I think I'm going to need and then look at how much is left (the side of the milk container has number lines) when the drink is done. Once you have this locked in on your favorite drinks, it's pretty easy to fill it to that line and then let the machine do it's thing.
Cleanup is also really easy. The milk container has a clean mode you should use after you're done making whatever drinks you're making. This rinses out the nozzle. Then you just detach it and wash it like normal. The drip tray also slides out and brings the expelled coffee with it. This is the extent of things you need to clean. Everything just comes apart really easy and for the most part just needs a quick rinse and dry.
One thing I wish was included was some sort of rinse container. You can just put another cup or container under the spouts yourself but it would have been nice to have something included that I could just rinse out. When the machine shuts down, boots up or cleans the milk spout, some water gets (obviously) ejected. I've just been letting it spill into the drip tray and then cleaning that out every day or two. Overall, it hasn't been a problem, though, because like I said, cleanup is pretty quick and easy.
The quality of the drinks is pretty top notch to me. I'm no a huge coffee snob but I like coffee. So far, everything has come out pretty perfect every time. The milk frother is so consistent I don't ever worry about it. And there's even a feature to create your own custom drinks if you want. It'll just start dispensing and you tell it when to stop so it knows how much of each ingredient to do.
I'd say the only real downside for me is the size of the drinks. The XL drink is still only about an 8oz cup. I've had to break out the smaller coffee cups because we normally drink coffee from larger 16oz cups. Obviously not that big of a deal with being able to create your own drink mixes or just making a second cup.
So, I feel like if you're into the whole "process" of making espresso or a cappuccino or whatever other fancy coffee drink you enjoy, you might not really like this espresso maker. It gets rid of all of that. There's no more process. The beans and water last for several cups and the only real step you have is to fill up some milk in the frother if it's required. There's no more process. I can see myself making a couple single cups of coffee from now on instead of just a big pot because of how hands off and easy it is. The drinks come out good and I don't have to do much anymore. 11/10, would recommend, if you're over the "process" of making espresso like I am.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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With no wires in the way, Bose SoundSport Wireless Sports Earbuds keep you moving with powerful audio. Perfect for exercise and running with a sweat and weather resistant design and StayHear+ tips designed for comfort and stability. The Tile app makes your headphones easy to find if they ever go missing.
Is it possible to remove that clip on the wire?
Clip is formed plastic around the wire, so not unless you break the clip. You can move it up and down the wire. I barely noticed it, myself.
9 years, 4 months ago
by
swemoney
With no wires in the way, Bose SoundSport Wireless Sports Earbuds keep you moving with powerful audio. Perfect for exercise and running with a sweat and weather resistant design and StayHear+ tips designed for comfort and stability. The Tile app makes your headphones easy to find if they ever go missing.
Is this earphone compatible with Andriod phone?
I didn't test them out on an Android device, but they're bluetooth headphones. So if your Android device supports Bluetooth audio, they should work fine.
9 years, 4 months ago
by
swemoney