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    May 14, 2016
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    June 10, 2016
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    April 18, 2021
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swemoney's Reviews
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Upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 router and reach speeds of up to 3 Gbps for a buffer-free 4K/HD streaming and gaming experience. Use the 2.5 Gigabit port to create fast, reliable wired connection that can take full advantage of internet plans up to 2.5 Gbps.
 
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4 out of 5
4
Nice and affordable
on July 18, 2022
Posted by: swemoney
It's nice to finally see Wifi 6 more abundant and affordable these days. This router isn't going to break the bank in terms of routers but offers enough features to keep most people happy, I think. It looks like a router instead of an alien spaceship that seems to be the "trend" with more of the "gaming" focused routers (I truly don't understand that phase at all) but it performs well enough for it's price.
Setup is going to be as dependent on your particular setup as can be. If you're just plugging this router into your own modem or swapping out an existing router, setup will probably just be a matter of unplugging the old and inserting the new. For more particular setups or if you're connecting to another router (like your ISPs provided router) you may have some extra hoops to jump through that you'd need to jump through for any other router in existance. But just getting it up and running is pretty straight forward.
You can set this up with an app but I prefer to use the web interface. Unlike some other routers I've used (*coughlinksyscough*), even if you connect to the router's web interface via your mobile device, it just lets you on through to use the web interface instead of forcing you to download their app that actually does less. I may still be jaded from that experience but it's nice to just be able to use this as you want to instead of being forced into using apps that are unnecessary.
The options you have are pretty robust and I'm having trouble deciding which I like better between the comparably priced ASUS RT-AX55 and this one because for the price point, routers seem to be offering a lot more than what they used to as far as customization and just more "advanced" features. One thing that sets it apart is the optional 2.5Gbps port if you happen to be lucky enough to have an ISP that gives you more than 1Gbps OR so you can connect to the rest of your network at 2.5Gbps (if the rest of your hardware supports it). Sadly, I don't fall into either of those categories just yet but I'm hoping to in the future so it's nice to have that available.
Another nice feature of this router is the ability to sort of piece-meal a mesh network together. There's a fairly large selection of supported "OneMesh" routers and extenders you can use to make a mesh network if you need more coverage on your own terms instead of needing to drop hundreds of dollars at once for a kit that probably includes more mesh points than you need. This way you can just judge if you might need a little extra range and add one of their OneMesh supported devices to your network to help out. I like that and will probably be taking advantage of this since I've always had issues with certain parts of my home getting the signal I'd like.
As stated before, I think this router is priced closer to "budget friendly" than it is to the more prosumer market and at the price point, I think you're getting a pretty robust and reliable router. Being able to setup multiple VPN clients and assign them to specific devices. Or to setup a VPN server right on the router. Or their "HomeShield" (that does require an app) that has some pretty decent security features if you're OK with sacrificing a little bit of bandwidth. Plus the 2.5Gbps port if you can use it and a decent range (along with all of the great features Wifi 6 provides itself), this is a really nice router that will probably tackle 95% of home users needs without breaking the bank.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Personalize your phone with a sleek and stylish cover that turns heads. The Modal MD-IP13PMFLWR Hard-Shell Case for iPhone 13 Pro Max & iPhone 12 Pro Max keeps your phone protected from falls of up to 4 ft. with shock resistance. It’s designed with a hard-shell construction for added durability and protection. Compatible with Magnetic charging, you can continue to charge your phone wirelessly without the case getting in your way. A clear background with a pink flower print design adds a subtle pop of color to your device while allowing its original look to show through, giving your phone a fun look and adding to your personal style. Express yourself with this protective and stylish Modal phone case.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Looks nice, needs to be kept clean
on July 12, 2022
Posted by: swemoney
This case looks really nice with the clear base but the flower prints appearing on top. I'm a big fan of the style. It fits my phone nicely and feels pretty protective. Not like it'll stop a bowling ball or anything but it does feel like it'll protect my phone from most normal drops or dings.
Do I need a setup section? Remove the case from the packaging (the packaging is pretty nice) and slide it around the edges of your phone. Done!
There's no magsafe connection on the case but I didn't have any issues using my wireless charger through the case. You'll most likely have issues with anything that requires the magnet for securing to the phone, though.
The only other down side I found for this case was that it starts to get a little greasy feeling after a couple days of use so you'll want to make sure you wipe it down every day or so so it keeps the tackier feel it has when you first start using it. I like my cases to have a bit of tackiness to my hand and this one has that when you first start using it but it starts to diminish over time as it starts to accumulate the grease from your hands on it.
All on all, it's a good case at a decent price. It looks nice and as long as you don't need any MagSafe features, the only thing you need to do is keep it clean.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Designed for Xbox and PC, the Revolution X controller is built for competitive gamers looking for the ultimate in customization. Featuring a dedicated app from the Microsoft Store on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows 10/11, the Revolution X App provides limitless customization options. Map buttons, set thumbstick sensitivity, trigger dead zones and much more. Create and store up to four game profiles in the controller to suit a range of games. Four programmable rear panel triggers for extra control. Seamlessly unlock Dolby Atmos® for Headphones the moment you plug in your controller, giving you access to precise 3D Audio (headphones required). React faster and more accurately as you can detect the distance and direction of your threats.
 
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4 out of 5
4
Cheaper alternative to "pro" controllers
on July 9, 2022
Posted by: swemoney
I feel like this controller is nicely slotted at being a good, cheaper alternative to a lot of the most "pro" controllers that are usually priced about twice as much. This controller only costs a little more than a standard controller but does offer quite a bit more so it's worth taking a look at.
Setup is as easy as any wired controller would be. Just plug it in to your Xbox or Windows PC. The coolest thing about this controller is that you can actually customize the "paddle"/rear buttons without the need for any software. If you want to use software to fully customize things you can do that too but if you'd rather not deal with that and you just want to map the one "paddle" to the A button, you can do that straight from the controller. Pretty slick.
The controller is built pretty ok. This is where I think it falls short of the other "pro" controllers. Look and feel do mean a lot and this controller looks a lot like the old, cheap third party controllers from way back when. The controller you'd give to your cousin who you didn't like very much. Put side by side next to the official pro controller from Microsoft or something like the Razer Wolverine V2, the RIG just looks cheap. It IS cheaper that those offerings but my first impressions when looking at it was that it definitely looks like a third party controller. It's all plastic and it feels like it. The A/B/X/Y buttons are really big and not glossy and the letters are printed HUGE on them. I think that part gives it the most third party/cheap look.
Looks aren't everything though! The controller does feel comfortable to hold and the buttons feel good to press. The D-Pad is nice. The "paddles" are well positioned, to me. I've never been a big paddle user but these are in a nice enough place to change that. I keep putting paddles in quotation marks because they aren't really paddles like you'd find on the official pro controller. They're more just extra buttons on the back/bottom of the controller. They're positioned in such a nice spot where my other fingers are naturally already sitting so pressing them just involves adding a little bit of muscle memory to some fingers that normally don't do anything with almost a small squeeze. The upper back buttons feel the most natural to me and I can see myself really using them. The lower ones are a little harder to press and would be pressed by your ring finger (or pinky) so the reflex strength isn't quite as strong there for me and it makes them a little harder to press. You win some you lose some. But since I don't use ANY paddles on other controllers, having the 2 extra buttons that I might actually start using is a pretty big deal. You also get a nice carry case that's very similar to the pro controller case for the official xbox controller.
You can also add weight to your controller if you like something a little heavier. There are pairs of 10, 14 and 16 gram weights that you can click into the compartments on the back side of each hand rest. With the 16 gram weights installed the controller feels like a good weight to me but you have the freedom to pick the weight that is most comfortable to you.
The analog sticks can also be customized with convex or concave tops depending on your preference. The process of changing them is a little clunky as I thought I was going to break the thing when pulling the top off but it's not too bad. Just no easy to remove magnetic sticks here. You can also add spacers that decrease the travel distance of the sticks. There's two different sizes for those as well.
Bottom line, I think this is a good controller if you're looking for something that has "pros" in mind but also doesn't cost upwards of $200+. It costs a little more than a normal controller and you get a lot of extra customization options you may want. The controller feels fine in your hand if you can get over the cheaper looks when you first look at it. If you want a little bit extra from your controller and don't care much about looks, this might be the option you want to go with.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Blaze through battlefields with a competition-ready wireless gaming mouse with 26,000 DPI, a slimmed-down design and magnetic-snap fast-charging.
 
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3 out of 5
3
Decent mouse. Weird connections.
on July 9, 2022
Posted by: swemoney
This mouse is pretty nice. I've worked with and tested a few mice and this falls in as a good option for this style of mouse. It's very comparable to something like the Logitech G Pro which I've used as a daily driver for a while now. Some weird engineering decisions were made when it comes to connecting the phone in wired mode, but I guess I understand why?
Setup is pretty easy (most of the time). The instructions are pretty bare bones and it took me a while to decide if I could just connect straight to the included dongle without a bunch of extra work because there's a bunch of extra cables and magnetic connectors and the diagram in the instructions doesn't do a very good job of explaining how everything works. I eventually just tried it with just the dongle and it worked fine. Connecting to bluetooth works just fine out of the box as well. The convoluted setup is only required if you want to use the mouse in wired/wireless hybrid mode, which I haven't done with any mouse in a very long time. Essentially, there's a USB splitter that you connect to your computer and then you connect the dongle to one of the spots on the splitter and the included cable to the other spot. The included cable has a magnetic breakaway connector and a tiny "dongle" that you connect to your mouse (with included remover) and you just magnetically connect to your mouse with the cable or you can switch to wireless mode to connect to the dongle. If that all sounded confusing, it was. I'm pretty sure the only reason it's done that way is so you don't need to remove and reconnect the different options but I'm pretty sure most people are going to pick a connection method and stick with it so I don't know. Very over engineered and it feels a little silly.
The mouse works fine. It's a gaming mouse. I like the weight of it. The default DPI switcher is on the bottom of the mouse which I like since I don't do a lot of DPI switching. There are 2 sets of side buttons which I've grown used to with my G Pro. Scroll wheel feels just right as far as stiffness. It's not going to run away on you and the "bumps" are subtle but you can feel them fine so you can still easily scroll "once".
The software feels.. fine. I only installed it to see how bloated and bad it was since it's Dell/Alienware so I was pretty surprised. You can use the mouse just fine without the software but if you need to do some customizing, it's not the worst thing in the world.
I don't think this mouse will replace my G Pro but I am pretty happy with it. The biggest reason for not replacing my G Pro is that this mouse is a lot more versatile so I can move it around and connect it to various devices while my G Pro needs the dongle that's always connected to my PC. It's a bit expensive but it feels like a premium mouse. I think a little bit of that cost is being sunk into the over-engineered wired connectors but if you need a wired mouse that you can easily convert between wireless and wired, this might be the best play.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Velox Wireless Air Vent mount is a magnetic phone mount with wireless fast charging for MagSafe compatible iPhones. Just place your device against the Velox mount, and it will snap into place in perfect alignment for up to 7.5W of wireless power. The Velox Wireless Air Vent mount is easily installed by simply sliding the prongs onto the air vent blade, where silicone grips prevent it from slipping. The ball joint on the air vent mount allows you to adjust the cradle for an ideal and safe viewing position while you drive. The siliconized surface provides added grip to prevent your phone from slipping, while the aluminum housing efficiently dissipates heat. Now it's easier than ever to keep your phone powered up on the go. *ONLY compatible with MagSafe iPhone series and cases.
 
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4 out of 5
4
Easy to use and works great
on July 9, 2022
Posted by: swemoney
This is a pretty nice solution if you don't want to keep a suction cup plastered to your windshield all the time if you have a MagSafe equipped phone.
Setup is a piece of cake, as you'd expect. You find a vent that you'd like to mount it to and just slide the split back piece over the vent fins. Then just plug the USB-C cable into the provided car lighter adapter (or any other USB-C outlet that might come with your car). That's all there is. Just place your phone and it sticks really nicely.
Build quality is pretty good. Everything feels nice and heavy. Nothing feels cheap. The rubber is a nice quality. I did have a small hiccup on my unit where the rubber wasn't fully pressed into the edge on one small spot around the front, but I don't really notice it since just pushing it into the edge where it should have been.
I was impressed with how well the magnet stuck. I'm using an official Apple leather case that has MagSafe included so I'm sure that helps. I am not 100% sure that it works through a case that doesn't have MagSafe, though.
Wireless charging speed is fine enough. It doesn't feel blazingly fast but it's wireless charging so I don't expect it to. It was enough to keep my phone alive when driving around and give it a little boost to keep it alive for a bit.
The biggest reason for wanting something like this is the positioning of the phone when it's attached, I feel, is pretty perfect. It's not up and in front of your view, and it's not way down by your cup holders or anything. It's just a simple glance to the side, pretty much. Having GPS up is great. The positioning is good enough that Face ID usually unlocks the phone when you glance at it too.
The only thing I would have changed was to make the power cord connected to the bottom detachable. It would have been nice to have USB-C on both ends so you could have the ability to use your own cable if you wanted, or just to not have any cable connected and use it just for holding your phone. It's nice that they don't lock you into using the car lighter for power but I would have liked the ability to use other cables as well as the ability to just not use it for power without having the cord dangling on the floor.
All in all, it's a nice phone holder and charger. Might be a little bit on the pricey side but the build quality is good and it works well so if you're looking for something like this and this is in your budget, then go ahead and give it a shot.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Introducing the ROCCAT Burst Pro Air Lightweight Optical Wireless RGB Gaming Mouse for Windows PC. The Burst Pro Air brings ROCCAT’s symmetrical lightweight shape with its rich feature set, comfort and performance, into wireless. Meticulously crafted from the ground up, its shape delivers maximum comfort. Featuring ROCCAT Stellar Wireless technology, gamers get exceptional signal strength for a virtually latency-free connection and up to 100 hours of battery life. Running low on battery? Connect the detachable Phantom Flex cable with USB-C rapid charging to get back in the game quickly with 5 hours of battery life with just a 10-minute charge.Designed and engineered by ROCCAT, the Titan Switch Optical delivers improved durability and faster click speed with unparalleled precision. The ROCCAT Owl-Eye 19,000 DPI optical sensor with 400 IPS tracking speed equips gamers with incredible tracking accuracy and responsiveness.The ROCCAT Burst Pro Air features four RGB lighting zones with signature AIMO intelligent lighting that shine through a water and dust resistant, translucent Bionic shell. The Burst Pro Air also features our coveted heat-treated pure PTFE glides, pre-tuned for an incredibly smooth glide right out of the box.
 
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4 out of 5
4
If you're looking for a light mouse, not bad
on June 30, 2022
Posted by: swemoney
I always come back to this style of mouse. I've tried a good deal of different kinds of styles and it's always these low profile mice that I end up liking the best. This one is probably the lightest mouse I've tried and it's not too bad. I haven't completely decided if I like the ultra-light or more heavy mouse yet but the light weight certain isn't bad.
Setup is as easy as you'd expect. You have a 3-way switch that toggles between off, Bluetooth and wireless dongle. So you can easily set up the device to whichever connection method you like with the connect/sync button on the bottom of the mouse. I didn't have any issues connection to either method on multiple devices.
Speed and responsiveness is on par with every modern mouse I've used. I'm not even sure it's a thing that matters anymore because it seems, unless you're paying $5 for your mouse, you're going to get good polling rates and a wide range of DPI settings. The mouse worked great and I didn't feel like it was any different in responsiveness to my usual Logitech G Pro Wireless.
Lighting looks kind of cool with the lights just bleeding out of the entire surface of the mouse. A stark contrast to most mice I've used which usually just light up a logo and maybe a couple of edges. There's 4 different "zones" you can customize and it's probably one of the most striking features of this mouse as far as how cool it looks.
The scroll wheel isn't smooth (which I like) but also isn't too stiff. It's a pretty nice scroll consistency. The only thing I found a little weird was that it felt like you can click the scroll wheel to the right but not to to left. I think it just has a normal click in, though.
The software is pretty decent. Just another control software to install but it's not too terrible. You can customize all the buttons as well as the lighting pretty easy.
I'd say the main downside for me is that the DPI button below the scroll wheel is fairly large and ugly (in an otherwise pretty nice looking mouse). If you change your DPI on the fly a lot then you might like it's prominence. I rarely do and will probably end up re-binding it because I'd rather not accidentally change my DPI.
All in all, this is a pretty nice mouse. If you're looking for something light and something that looks nice and works well, you can consider this one. I don't think I'd recommend this to those who are on a budget at all because it's a bit expensive for what it is. It's a good performance mouse, though, and you get what you paid for so if you have the budget for it, this might be one to look at.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Introducing MX Mechanical Mini- a minimalist keyboard with extraordinary feel, precision, and performance. Low-profile mechanical typing delivers satisfying feedback in your choice of key switches – Tactile Quiet, Clicky, or Linear. MX Mechanical Mini is crafted for ergonomic comfort, with smart illumination and Easy-Switch – allowing you to connect up to 3 devices and stay in your flow for hours.
 
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4 out of 5
4
Really nice keyboard for my TV
on June 30, 2022
Posted by: swemoney
I had a very specific purpose for this keyboard and I'm so happy that I think it worked out. I'm typing this review from this keyboard right now. It definitely feels different from my main gaming computer's mechanical keyboard (Corsair's Silver "Speed" keys) but I'm really happy that it still FEELS like a mechanical keyboard in such a small package.
Setup is easy no matter how you're connecting the keyboard. You have a Bluetooth option which also allows you to connect and easily switch between 3 different devices. Just hold the F1-F3 keys to switch to the different devices. Really is that simple. It also comes with a dongle if your computer doesn't have Bluetooth or you'd rather not use it. Everything setup-wise is simple enough to fit on the inside of the box's cover. Just hold a key combination and you'll connect to the dongle instead.
I was looking for a small keyboard that I could connect to my TV so I can stream games from my PC to my TV when I feel like hanging out on the couch with the family and playing some games instead of sitting at my PC all the time. I ran into plenty of issues finding a device that would let me accomplish my goals but this keyboard connected to all of the devices without an issue. Either with Bluetooth or the dongle.
The best thing about this keyboard is how much better if feels compared to other small and low profile keyboards. Since I spend a good amount of time with my mechanical keyboard on my gaming PC, the other membraine style keyboards I've tried just don't feel very nice anymore. My fingers end up hurting fairly quickly when I type on my older 2016 MacBook Pro while I used to use that kind of keyboard fairly exclusively before I got the mechanical keyboard I use all the time now.
These keys feel different for sure. They're different for sure. These keys are described as "tactile quiet" keys. The switches are brown but I'm not sure if they're actually considered equivilent to Cherry MX Brown or not. There is a clear tactile bump and there's not a ton of travel time in the switch. This is obvious because of how slim and small this keyboard is. Being used to my current "Silver Speed" switches isn't a ton different. There's no tactile bump in my main keyboard but the activation point is REALLY short so it doesn't feel a ton different. The best part is that the keyboard is still full sized. They did a good job of condensing a full sized keyboard (minus the keypad of course) into such a small frame.
This keyboard is very convenient to be able to take anywhere in my house and use comfortably. It works well enough at the TV that I might start using it with my MacBook Pro and whatever other portable things (iPad?) I can think of. If you're looking for a nice mechanical feel in a small package that you can take with you and move between multiple devices, this might be the one for you.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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BodyGuardz Carve combines eye-catching aesthetics with practical function. The sculpted edge provides no-slip grip and is made of bioplastic. The easy-press buttons are not only user friendly, but also eco-friendly. They are made with Tritan Renew®, a 50% certified recycled content. Carve also includes antimicrobial product protection, and a raised bumper to protect both the camera and screen. Carve accentuates the design of your iPhone while offering dynamic drop protection. CCF0P-APH67-9HG
 
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3 out of 5
3
Decent case, not a great feel
on June 30, 2022
Posted by: swemoney
I don't use a ton of cases on my phones. I usually just buy an official Apple case (silicon a while back but now I usually just do leather) whenever I get a new phone and then I just it into the ground for 2 years before getting a new phone and a new case. Sometimes I'll give a new case a try because I'm curious to see if any of them stack up for me. This case actually doesn't do a terrible job for the most part but I ultimately went back to my leather case after a few days because the case just feels greasy and gets a little more slippery fairly quickly.
It's easy to put the case on and take it off. The clear look is nice to be able to see your actual phone. The sides of the case look like they can take a decent impact without doing a ton of damage. I think I did drop my phone casually a couple times while using it and the case felt like it protected my phone just fine. I wouldn't trust it against any severe drops but everyday use it seems pretty good.
The biggest issue with me is just how quickly the grease from your hands transfers and sticks to this case. After a fairly short amount of time, it just feels greasy along the back of the case and even starts to feel a little slick. I like a little big of a tacky feel to my cases and it's the first thing I test when holding a new case. I want it to stick to my hands at least a little bit. The first impressions were pretty good. It had enough tackiness for me without being sticky. It just collects your finger grease really quickly and the case doesn't feel nice anymore unless you are constantly wiping it down.
If you're cool with wiping down your case a few times every day then you might like this case a little better. I might throw it back on my phone as a change of pace case every once and a while. It's not a bad case, it just has a fairly significant issue that I couldn't get over.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Cleaning your floors doesn’t need to be a stressful experience. With the Tineco Floor One S5 Extreme, say goodbye to tedious mopping, sweeping, and vacuuming. With this three-in-one vacuum, cleaning your floors just got easier, better, and more powerful. The incredible suction power of Tineco Floor One S5 quickly picks up debris, while the continuous fresh water cleaning removes the need for dirty mops and disposable pads. Now with a larger capacity clean and dirty water tank, you can clean expansive areas without interruption. That means no more lugging heavy water back and forth. The Floor One S5 Extreme is one of our most advanced floor washers yet! Glide across all sealed hard floor types, picking up debris and liquids effortlessly. Then, transition to another room seamlessly with the whisper-quiet brush rollers. Not only does the Floor One S5 Extreme make whole-house cleaning a breeze, but the iLoop Smart Sensor Technology instantly adjusts water flow, suction, and brush roller speed based on the mess below. Adding to our already advanced design is an exclusive brush head design that offers superior edge cleaning capabilities allowing you to clean along baseboards and into corners. And, when you want to vacuum up a mess without water, simply switch to the featured suction-only mode. Whether chasing after your messy toddler or cleaning up after an evening of guests, the Floor One S5 Extreme is the tool you need to turn grimy into pristine. When you’re done, simply attach the floor washer to its handy self-cleaning dock.
 
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4 out of 5
4
Well made. Easy to use. Works well.
on June 12, 2022
Posted by: swemoney
I've tested a decent amount of vacuums over the last decade. This is the first one I've tested that was made for hard surfaces and I was excited to get it mostly for my wife who always uses whatever other vacuum on our hard floors almost interchangeably as our carpeted areas. While I normally would sweep hard floors and them vacuum up the pile or let our robot vacuum with mop attachment do all the work for me.
Setup was a little overwhelming looking at first but not too bad. The whole thing comes in more pieces than I would normally expect to find but the instructions lay out what everything is pretty nicely and after the initial shock it wasn't too hard to figure it out. I put it all together and let it charge over night (it suggests at least 4-5 hours of charge time before the initial use).
I'm pretty happy with the steps required to actually use this vacuum. It's mostly a supplement to our robot vacuum/mop. I'm happy with the robot but we usually go around the are and pick up/move everything off of the floor in the entire upstairs before we run it so it's a process. It does a good job but the setup and reconstruction of the area before running it makes us use it far less than I'd like. So having a vacuum that's made for sweeping and mopping that I can easily setup and break down is key.
When you want to use this, just fill up the clean water tank with mostly water and a small cap-full of soap. Then you're ready to go. The first time I hit the power button, I was surprised as it kind of drives itself forward. Pretty nice to lighten the load but you're also fighting against that push when your pull the vacuum back again. Overall it was a nice little assist, I think.
The vacuum and mop did a pretty nice job of cleaning the floor pretty quickly but it did require an empty and refill of the tanks before I was finished. That doesn't take too long so it was no big deal. After I was done doing the whole upstairs area, the battery still had about 60% left (I was worried because when I first started it up, it looked like the battery was draining very quickly). The nice thing about having a screen with all the information on it is that you can see at a glance how hard the vacuum is working and what battery level is remaining.
After you're done the instructions recommend you clean the dirty and clean water tanks as well as the roller and roller protector after each use. This is the only annoying part since you can't really just grab the vacuum to do a quick job and put it back but the cleanup of these things doesn't take too long. The base station does include an auto-clean feature for the roller so you have that going for you and there were 2 additional rollers included with this vacuum so you can always just rotate them if you need to clean one.
Apparently there's an app that goes with this vacuum. The instructions just said that you can "perform all functions from the app" but I don't really know what functions those are. I did not download the app and can't imagine what I would possibly need it for. The functions on the vacuum are very minimal and can be adjusted with just a few pushes of the 3 buttons on the vacuum. I just didn't want another app on my phone.
The only weird thing I didn't love about this vacuum was how it sat on the charging station. It leans forward quite a bit for some reason. I would expect it to just sit straight up and down but when the head is locked and you place it on the charger the handle leans forward at what feels like a 30 degree angle. Far more than you'd expect. Enough that I thought I was doing something wrong. I couldn't figure out a better way to place it on the charger though so I'm going to assume it's just how it was designed. I got used to it quickly enough but it was a weird thing when I first saw it.
Overall, I like the vacuum. It does a good job supplementing our robot vacuum by being easy to get up and running and being easy to break down and clean when we're done (while not needing to break down the entire upstairs before using it since we can move things while vacuuming). If you're looking for a nice hard surface vacuum/mop and this fits your budget, give it a look. I was impressed with it for the most part.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Upgrade your TV, music, and gaming experiences with this impressively compact and easy-to-use soundbar. Experience precisely balanced sound, including crisp dialogue and solid bass, plus streamlined control with your TV remote, the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2, and more.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Nice sound. Simple setup.
on June 12, 2022
Posted by: swemoney
I've tested other sound bars that connected to my TV via HDMI/ARC and had a lot of extra features to almost act like a full on receiver before. This sound bar is definitely not that. It's really simple to hook up no matter what your TV looks like (as long as it has an optical output, which, as far as I know, most do) you're good to go.
Setup was fairly easy. The box included an optical cable with a decent length and a power cable. After hooking everything up, the sonos app will help finalize the settings for the sound bar for you. This was the most "Apple like" experience out of any other non-Apple third party equipment I've used. The app found the speaker quickly and automatically helped connect to the wifi network and update the firmware with little to no intervention required.
You can customize a handful of settings in the app to adjust the EQ or adjust the voice delay if needed. Whatever simple settings you can think of adjusting can probably be found in the app. Or you can play a variety of music or airplay straight from the app as well. It's a pretty well done app but I don't need to use it much after the initial setup. The app also allows you to program your normal IR remote to control the volume on the Ray. All it needed was for me to press volume-up once on my Apple TV remote and it was all set up. Very nice.
Day to day, I just leave the Ray on. This is where you need to figure out if the simple optical connection is what you're looking for. Since there's no HDMI connection for this sound bar, you can't control it via CEC. So, it just makes sense to leave the sound bar on so it's always going to be our sound source and if we need to airplay music to it it's always available. The only downside to not having CEC control is that I can't use the AppleTV remote function on my iPhone to control the volume since that's controlled completely via IR. So don't lose your remote! This isn't a big deal but it's something. Setting my TV to output via optical instead of the built in speakers was very easy but your milage will vary depending on what TV yout have. Mine is an older (~10 years) 55" samsung TV.
The sound of the Ray is quite good. I don't need it to anger the neighbors or anything but it does get fairly loud (you can even adjust the maximum allowed volume in the app if you don't want to accidentally turn it up too loud). It beats the TV speakers by a mile (what doesn't, though?). All in all, I'm glad I have this on my bedroom TV. If I had other sonos speakers, I'd probably get even more out of it by pairing them together and giving myself a sort of surround sound system but this one sounds good for it's environment and "just works" well enough for us.
If you're looking for a nice speaker that "just works" for any TV you're currently using the TV speakers on, this one might be for you if it's in your budget. Give it a look.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
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Enjoy a smooth gaming experience with this 27-inch ASUS Full HD monitor. The Shadow Boost feature increases clarity in dark scenes, and the ultrafast response times minimize blurring and streaking for seamless gameplay. This ASUS Full HD monitor has an ergonomic design that allows tilting, swiveling and pivoting as needed.
 

Is the monitor free sync or g-sync?

It's G-Sync. The actual model number (not sure why it's not in the product title) is VG279QR if you want to check all the specs on Asus.
3 years, 1 month ago
by
swemoney
 
Bring your Astro dreams to life with the Hover-1 Astro Hoverboard. This exciting rideable is an all-out color experience. Available in three different finishes, the LED lights along the wheels, the board and the foot pads will shine bright during your entire ride. The vibrant RGB color scheme will bring your board to life. Bright, bold, and beautiful, Astro brings out our love for color with every mile you ride. Loaded with a massive 400W motor that lets you hit speeds of up to 7mph, you can cruise for up to 6 miles on a single charge. The purchaser and rider of this product are responsible for knowing and obeying all state and local regulations regarding the use of this product, including whether licensing is required and the rules concerning where it may be operated. It is highly encouraged that you read and follow the product instructions including all safety precautions and use protective gear.
 

Is there a Bluetooth speaker in the hoverboard?

You can connect to your phone's bluetooth to play music through the board. The speaker does not have a lot of bass to it so it just sound alright.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
swemoney
 
Bring your Astro dreams to life with the Hover-1 Astro Hoverboard. This exciting rideable is an all-out color experience. Available in three different finishes, the LED lights along the wheels, the board and the foot pads will shine bright during your entire ride. The vibrant RGB color scheme will bring your board to life. Bright, bold, and beautiful, Astro brings out our love for color with every mile you ride. Loaded with a massive 400W motor that lets you hit speeds of up to 7mph, you can cruise for up to 6 miles on a single charge. The purchaser and rider of this product are responsible for knowing and obeying all state and local regulations regarding the use of this product, including whether licensing is required and the rules concerning where it may be operated. It is highly encouraged that you read and follow the product instructions including all safety precautions and use protective gear.
 

Does this board have settings for beginners etc like other boards from this company?

It has Beginner, Intermediate and Expert settings which I assume are the same ones available from other Hover-1 boards while using the same app.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
swemoney
 
eufy Security Wired 2K Video Doorbell. 2K Resolution, 5-Day Continuous Video Recording (CVR) on Secure Local Storage, No Monthly Fees, Human Detection, 2-way Audio, and Free Wireless Chime included.
 

Can you use an existing traditional doorbell chime with this, or do you have to use the eufy door chime?

I haven't tried to use my existing chime. The instructions do say that the doorbell will probably function but might work sporadically unless you bridge your current chime to give extra power to the doorbell. This disables your current chime so, I would say, officially, you should use the eufy chime if you want your doorbell cam to work reliably..
3 years, 7 months ago
by
swemoney
 
Expand connectivity on your Apple MacBook Pro or Air with this gray HyperDrive DUO seven-in-two USB Type-C hub. Two USB Type-C ports support Power Delivery for charging mobile devices rapidly, while the HDMI output lets you connect a UHD display. This HyperDrive DUO seven-in-two USB Type-C hub has USB Type-A ports and microSD and SD card slots for fast data transfer.
 

will this work if my MacBook Pro has a Kuzy case on it. The case wraps around the side of the computer right where the hyperdrive will go. Im wondering if the case will prevent the hyper drive from fitting flush or snug to the computer.

It's possible this could fit fine. The included magnetic support grip leaves a bit of a gap if you don't use it so you might be able to use this without that magnetic support and have it fit just fine. Don't quote me on this, though, I just know there's definitely a gap if you don't include the black magnetic support.
3 years, 11 months ago
by
swemoney
 
Expand connectivity on your Apple MacBook Pro or Air with this gray HyperDrive DUO seven-in-two USB Type-C hub. Two USB Type-C ports support Power Delivery for charging mobile devices rapidly, while the HDMI output lets you connect a UHD display. This HyperDrive DUO seven-in-two USB Type-C hub has USB Type-A ports and microSD and SD card slots for fast data transfer.
 

Is this Hyperdrive compatible with a (mid) 2015 macbook pro?

I'm pretty sure the 2016 MacBook Pro was the first one to move to all USB-C. To use this device, you need a MacBook that has 2 USB-C ports on the left side. If your device doesn't have USB-C this won't work. If your device has a MagSafe charger, this wouldn't be supported. USB-C only.
3 years, 11 months ago
by
swemoney
 
Safeguard your home with this Arlo security camera system. Its 4K resolution provides maximum clarity so you don't miss a single detail, and a siren is integrated so you can fend off intruders either remotely or while at home. This Arlo security camera system is weather-resistant, so it's functional rain or shine.
 

Can you pair Arlo pro 2 cameras with this system as well? We have 2 arlo pro 2 cameras we would like to utilize on the new system if possible.

Yes. The Ultra camera doesn't pair with the old hub but the old cameras will pair with the new one. The upgrade process was quite simple.
5 years, 1 month ago
by
swemoney
 
Always know what’s happening at your door with the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro. Its crystal-clear 1080p HD video and 162° field of view give you a clear shot of your property 24/7. Two-way audio lets you hear and speak to unwanted guests (and welcomed ones too) - even when you're not home. Have the SimpliSafe App? The Video Doorbell Pro will send instant alerts whenever someone approaches. And with Smart Person Detection, it can tell the difference between people, vehicles and animals. That means you only get the alerts that matter. Plus, when backed by 24/7 professional monitoring, you’ll have experts who are ready to request emergency dispatch when you need it most. This camera is designed for all weather extremes—so you're still protected in rain and snow. (Compatible with the SimpliSafe Gen 3 security system. Requires Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) and existing wired doorbell setup with mechanical chime and a transformer with 8-24 VAC, 30VA max. Not compatible with digital chimes.)
 

Does this doorbell allow storage to the local network instead of a cloud server?

This doorbell does not currently allow local network storage. The app functionality is quite bare bones and you actually get zero recording capability unless you upgrade to their $5/mo plan for the camera.
5 years, 6 months ago
by
swemoney
 
Tune out the world and lose yourself in music with these Sony 1000X wireless noise-cancelling headphones. Equipped with SENSE ENGINE technology, these earbuds make it easy to adjust sound modes with a single touch, so you control what you hear. Compact and intuitive, these Sony 1000X wireless noise-cancelling headphones stay comfortable for hours.
 

How many charges does the case hold?

Two. The buds, alone, will work for ~3 hours. If you include the case, you get 9 hours. So the case will give the buds 2 full charges.
6 years, 6 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.
 

Are there any other means to charge these earphones than the advertised charging case?

The case that comes with these headphones is just for storage. I do leave my headphones inside the case while I'm charging them, but it's just a standard micro USB cable that plugs in to one of the earbuds to charge.
7 years, 11 months ago
by
swemoney