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    October 20, 2014
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    March 11, 2018
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CriticalEye's Reviews
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Functional, Minimalist, Easy-on-the-Eyes
on March 12, 2024
Posted by: CriticalEye
Over the years we’ve been heavy users of HP PC’s, monitors, printers, & laptops for both home & business. Overall, we’ve enjoyed good value from HP & a consistent record of performance, dependability, & durability across our many HP devices.
Although I’ve enjoyed my older HP 27f IPS LED Widescreen, it’s now almost 6 years old. So, I was ready for a newer HP monitor & was excited to evaluate this new ‘Series 5’ monitor. After just a few days’ usage, I can say that I’ve already noticed less eye fatigue while enjoying a little more vivid display.
To begin with, I didn’t think that an extra 4.5” in diagonal screen size would be that noticeable. But the difference was immediately apparent when I played one of my all-time video favs shot in HD way back in 2009-2010—the classic Wingsuit BASE Jumping—The Need 4 Speed: The Art of Flight w/immortal martial artist Bruce Lee narrating the intro & a perfectly matched musical accompaniment by Hybrid w/their classic “Disappear Here”. Moving up from a 27” LED to a 1/6 larger screen at 31.5” in Full HD (while admittedly not FHD+) along with moving up from a 1k-to-1 contrast ratio to an arguable 3k-to-1 contrast ratio & a 100Hz refresh rate vs. the previous 60Hz—all made a difference. Oh, and no more shuddering when I’m scrolling.
As a bit of a minimalist, I do like the look of this sleek, clean black rectangle now sitting atop my height-adjustable electric standing desk. The design profile of this monitor is simple, thin & light & aesthetically pleasing from every angle. On the back side are 2 HDMI 1.4 ports & a 15-pin VGA connector.
As many hours as I spend in front of my monitors working on projects, I’m grateful for HP’s anti-glare & Eye Ease feature w/Eyesafe certification to help limit the amount of blue light I’m exposed to. Although I try not to work on my computer for at least 1 full hour before bedtime, I can’t say that I’ve noticed any improved sleep with this display, but I have noticed a little less eyestrain at night.
Overall, this is a pretty standard monitor which is suitable for home use or small business owners like us. It looks good, but the specs aren’t noteworthy, much less exceptional. It gets the job done but it’s not a performance monitor, & I wouldn’t use it for gaming or digital video editing. It’s functional, but not special.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Receive gorgeous close-up photos of your birds whenever they visit! Bird Buddy is an AI-powered camera feeder that attracts local birds, capturing intimate photos and videos while they feed. The user-friendly companion app notifies you of new visitors with photo postcards, identifies the species, and offers fun facts about that species to enrich your understanding of your feathered friends. Plus, the detachable solar roof harnesses the power of the sun for longer photoshoots with your wildlife.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Feeds Stunning Stills & Videos to Your Phone
on November 13, 2023
Posted by: CriticalEye
Intro: Of all the smart IoT products out there, I had never considered just how fascinating an affordable smart bird feeder would be. But, thankfully, the folks at Bird Buddy did! And the timing couldn’t be better, because it’s only in recent years that we have become interested in observing our amazing local bird population here in middle Tennessee. We must admit that we used to think bird watching was primarily for older, retired people. But in recent years, my younger brother, who is an ultra-marathoner, avid gardener, and serious outdoor enthusiast, became intensely interested in birds--gradually progressing from a casual backyard “birdwatcher,” to a full-on “birder,” to a well-traveled “twitcher” who follows birds around the Southeastern US. Eventually, his enthusiasm became so infectious that we, too, began staring at birds and observing their behaviors. So, if you’re passionate about observing, identifying, and/or studying birds, or you know someone who is, the Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder could well be the perfect Christmas gift for your family and friends who are avian enthusiasts.
Setup: As for the feeder’s out-of-the-box physical specs, it’s weatherproofed, fairly compact at just 9”H x 6”W x 7”D, and weighs just a little over 1 lb. unfilled. Although we followed the included printed 3-step quick-start guide, we’ve enjoyed easier setups with a lot of other IoT products. For starters, we had some difficulty seeing even a faintly blinking red LED at the top of the camera module to confirm that the unit was charging properly, until after the initial setup. The recommended initial charge via the provided USB-C cable is 2-to-4 hours; so, we charged it for a little over 4 hours to get a full charge. After we downloaded the app, we followed the app’s guided instructions. We eventually managed to get the camera connected to the app after experiencing some difficulty in obtaining a consistently strong Wi-Fi signal. (We have 1Gbps fiber optic cable, the latest upper-end modem/router, and we enjoy high D/L and U/L speeds in every area of the house as well as a strong signal throughout the front and back yards on our portable devices.) We performed the required firmware update which took about 15-to-20 minutes and we connected the solar panel charging cable to the camera module. Our hope is that the module won’t require any more manual battery charging via the USB-C cable (no USB-C power adapter included). Next, using the included plastic scoop, we filled the container to its capacity of a little less than 4 cups/1 liter of black-oil sunflower seeds. (The feeder’s rear door opens and snaps shut for easy-access refills.) We bought these seeds on our neighbor’s recommendation after witnessing the broad variety of birds he has managed to attract to his low-tech feeders over the spring, summer, and early fall. We’re hopeful that we’ll see similar results. Finally, we decided to install a tall, heavy-duty, black metal shepherd’s hook/garden hanging pole. We then used the included metal hanger to hang the feeder from the pole. The included plastic universal base mount (with 4 Phillips head screws) may still be an option, however, as powerful winds in our area can rock birdfeeders back and forth and even damage or detach some from their hangers.
Tech: The feeder’s internet-connected camera is app controlled via Android or Apple iOS and offers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. You can capture still images and transmit video, but you can’t enjoy constant feed without a fully wired setup; so, there are definitely disappointing limits to what you can capture with this battery-powered setup. There’s a black solar panel on one side of the feeder’s blue pitched roof to power the lithium-ion rechargeable battery. You can spin the detachable roof 180 degrees so that the solar panel is positioned on the opposite side if needed. Either way, you’ll want to position your feeder to catch the maximum amount of sunlight at least during the winter months when the sun is lower in the sky. As for battery life, we hung our feeder in a spot that gets good sunlight, so we haven’t needed to manually charge the camera in the week since we set it up, even after several dozen still images were captured along with a few short video captures on multiple occasions.
Photo/Video Capture: The app is supposed to notify you when there’s bird activity in and around the feeder by sending you a “postcard,” i.e., several photos of the bird along with a short video clip that includes audio from the module’s built-in mic. But postcards are initiated only when the bird is perched in the required position and for long enough that the “camera capture” feature is auto-activated. What qualifies as a postcard-worthy capture is determined by the built-in AI. So, not every visit is recorded. In fact, over the first week, we noticed that there were several visits of birds whose images we would have liked to have captured, but we weren’t sent postcards of those birds. In future app iterations, we’d like to see some settings that allow us to customize the camera’s auto-capture criteria, especially where sensitivity levels are concerned. Also, it would be nice if the app sent us notifications whenever there’s activity so that we could have the option to stream the visit in real time, even if this precluded postcard capture/creation. This would allow us to, in effect, grab a pair of binoculars and view the birdies live, just like the old days, only better, as images would be close up via digital camera with much greater detail. The flip side to this issue is that when the camera is already in the process of capturing/creating a postcard, we’d like to be able to override that process so that we could once again grab our “digital binoculars” and begin live streaming. In essence, the user should be allowed more control over his birdwatching, even though we recognize some of the inherent limits to the technology at this price point. In any event, the resulting close-ups from the hi-res automatically-activated camera are still pretty stunning, although you’ll have to subscribe to the fee-based Bird Buddy “Pro” app if you want to see your images in Full HD. In the meantime, we’ve started saving some of our postcards in a postcard collection even though they appear to be in lower-res 720p format. You can also share your postcards with the Bird Buddy community in other states and even other countries and vice-versa. We also showed a few shots to my younger brother. Now, HE wants a Bird Buddy!
AI in the App: Bird Buddy’s AI allows you to begin collecting cataloging, and organizing the photos of all the species of birds that visit your feeder including the number of times birds of each particular species have visited. AI also correctly identifies your local bird species from over a thousand different species stored in the cloud. But the Bird Buddy app provides far more info than this. Accessing the cloud database also provides a profile on each bird species that includes details on the bird’s natural habitats, geolocations, physical dimensions, bird calls and songs, habits and traits, favorite foods, and tips on how to attract new species.
In summary, while the Bird Buddy and its app are great for adults of all ages, I highly recommend this smart birdfeeder for those with kids at home or those with grandkids who come to visit. This effective teaching tool offers not only the wonderful opportunity to expose youngsters to nature, but the chance to go deeper by immersing them in the exciting and fascinating world of avian life found around the planet--all while simultaneously providing them with an often needed break from frivolous social media activity and videogames.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Prepare to be captivated. Whether you prefer dramatic thrillers or fantasy football, lose yourself in the viewing adventure with a contrast rich picture. Let your picture do the talking with the sleek and thin Laser Slim design. You’ll see pure blacks, bright whites and dramatic color, while the audio pulls you into the action thanks to Dolby Atmos built in and Object Tracking Sound Lite. The Samsung OLED experience doesn’t stop there shifting adventures is a breeze with access to the latest Smart TV apps and Samsung Gaming Hub.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Stunning Picture/Sleek Design
on October 18, 2023
Posted by: CriticalEye
Before we received this new Samsung OLED TV, our previous big-screen TV was a high-end, once state-of-the-art, competing brand 55-inch TV that we’ve been very pleased with for almost a decade. We remember the day it was delivered from Best Buy because it was the largest TV we’d ever owned. And after the initial setup, we were awestruck over not only the resolution, clarity, & contrast of the new 4K TV, but the new lifelike size of the images before us, in what was our first introduction to anything approaching a home theatre experience. At the time, we didn’t think home TV viewing in our living could get much better than that.
Fast forward nine years to last week when Best Buy delivered this massive new Samsung 77-inch OLED TV. Although we’d looked at some of the sneak-peek web images of the S89C & read some of the impressive specs of this new release, it wasn’t until this monster was delivered & unboxed in our living room that we gained any real perspective for the sheer size of this elegant new model.
First things first: The unboxing, setup, & instructions for this new large flat panel TV were all surprisingly simple & straightforward. The shipping box & packing material were impeccably designed & allowed for easy removal & setup. Generally, the simpler a thing is to do or use, the more well-engineered it is. You never get a second chance to make a good first impression, & Samsung really starts out the user experience right with their box & packing. We simply installed the feet, placed the TV atop our wide TV stand, plugged the unit into our power management/conditioning surge protection system, transferred all our existing TV plug-ins, entered the Wi-Fi password, & voila! We were up & running. Later, we took the time to utilize the included cable management system w/accompanying clips & rear cover. Combined w/the unit’s stunningly thin LaserSlim bezel, the whole system presents a very neat, minimalist, tight package for a clean living room-look that we value.
Picture Quality: Most all the desired specs are there (except for Dolby Vision support), including a massive 77-inch OLED flat-panel display with 4K/2160p resolution at 4x the pixels of full HD, a 120Hz refresh rate, & 10+ Quantum HDR (High Dynamic Range), etc. The HDR OLED analyzes each scene to ensure rich, accurate, true-to-life colors, all validated by the experts at Pantone. If you want to get geeky with it, Samsung’s tech specs specifically state the capability to produce pure blacks with 1B+ shades of color & 8M+ self-illuminating pixels for fine-tuned brightness & ultra-optimized contrast to maximize an immersive visual experience with the AI-powered Neural Quantum Processor providing 4K upscaling to transform/upgrade content, scene-by-scene, into ultra-sharp 4K resolution for max clarity/detail. In layman’s terms, the blacks are incredibly black & the whites are super-bright white. We found no bleeding, distortions, or artifacts when we watched sports, streamed a movie, watched a Blu-ray disc, or played video games. (There’s a built-in Samsung gaming hub.)
This is all impressive, but for us, the real test was in our initial, simple, naked-eye home theatre viewing experience when we watched one of our favorite authentic action-adventure flicks, which we knew would quickly reveal just how immersive (or not) this new big-screen TV really is. Instinctively, we reached into our library for last fall’s 10/31/2022 Blu-ray release of Top Gun: Maverick. We were impatiently eager to see how the movie’s unprecedented, real in-flight military aviation dogfight scenes, featuring F/A 18E/F Super Hornets, would come to life. Suffice it to say that we couldn’t wipe our ear-to-ear grins from our face. Incredible!
Audio: Again, all the specs are there. Although we eventually connected our Samsung soundbar & subwoofer, even without these audio enhancements, the two resident 40W speakers were impressive. There’s Dolby Atmos with Dolby Audio Surround Sound support & Object Tracking Sound Lite, which enables you to “keep your ears on the action” (not just your eyes) for a theatre-like immersive experience. These features really shined in our Blu-ray movie test.
Handheld Remote: Samsung has included an innovative high-tech remote. It’s small & minimalist, has a nice touch feel to it, & utilizes onscreen display for some of the keys that are otherwise imbedded in more traditional remotes. The remote comes with a rechargeable battery (via USB port). You can also recharge the battery via the solar cell imbedded in the remote. At first, I was disappointed that there’s no backlighting of the keys for occasional late night TV channel surfing, but after we used the remote for a few days, we began to know intuitively where the principal function keys are located & began using them almost without conscious thought.
Additional Tidbits: Samsung uses the Tizen smart platform. Featured streaming services include: Apple Music, Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO Max, Netflix, Prime Video, Spotify, YouTube & YouTube TV, etc. And there’s voice command device compatibility w/built-in Amazon Alexa or you can utilize Google Assist. For screen mirroring, there’s SmartShare & SmartThings. It’s also equipped with Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless headphones & gaming controllers if you want to access Samsung’s Gaming Hub.
Bottom Line: From the well-designed, out-of-the-box setup process, to the amazing picture & sound quality, to the extremely thin, minimalist, premium-style bezel, we are very pleased with this beautiful new model from Samsung. Samsung has stepped up their game with this offering.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
2of 4voted this as helpful.
 
Feel better throughout the day with Theragun Relief, your go-to percussive massage device for everyday comfort. Comfortable and light, Theragun Relief is our most easy-to-use device using scientifically proven percussive massage therapy to provide fast and effective relief from daily aches, pains, tension, and stiffness. The patented triangle grip helps get to those hard-to-reach spots and 3 specialized attachments help treat everything from large muscles to tender, sensitive areas. Theragun Relief makes it easier than ever to feel better and stay active.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Lightweight & Powerful Relief
on October 4, 2023
Posted by: CriticalEye
I’ve been hooked on Theragun since I got the Mini a few years ago. Unfortunately, I left it behind on a trip not long ago. I didn’t realize how dependent on it I’d become, so I’m thrilled with this new upgraded Theragun Relief. It has 3 attachments to choose from: The Standard Ball for total body & general tension reduction; the Dampener, which has a wider & softer head for more sensitive areas; and 3rdly, the Thumb which, just like it sounds, is small & firm. It’s great for knots & trigger points.
Before finding Theragun, I believed manual massage was the only way to relief, but their massagers have opened my eyes to a completely different remedy. I’ve had a bout with tendinitis in my forearm. Manual manipulation helps at times, but it’s difficult to massage your own forearm. Using the Thumb attachment, it only takes a couple of minutes to relieve the pain so I can get back to work. It’s also my standard go-to tool post runs & gym time.
There are no downsides to this Theragun Relief for me. It’s light weight enough to hold & move around for an extended time without fatiguing your hand. And the triangular handle makes it easy to maneuver. It’s quiet, powerful, very simple to operate and perfect for all-over relief.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Meet the ultra-powerful, wet & dry MessMaster vacuum and mini Shop Vac. Powered by No Loss of Suction Technology, it handles life’s un-vacuumable messes, from DIY disasters to kid chaos. When you’re done, MessMaster can rinse itself, cleaning the dust bin with just a cup of water. You even have the option to line the dust bin with a plastic bag to keep the mess contained for easy disposal.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Light/Portable/Enough Suction to Get the Job Done
on September 23, 2023
Posted by: CriticalEye
Initial impressions: There are a couple things I immediately liked about this Shark portable vac over our old famous name brand portable round vac on rollers. When I went to vacuum out the trunk of my wife’s car & the rear bed of my SUV w/this new Shark vac, I was surprised w/just how light it is. The unit itself looks a bit like a vintage hard shell makeup/cosmetics suitcase w/a long handle on top--only the rectangular box is a bit more oval w/rounded corners. Anyway, even though the unit weighs in at almost 10 lbs., even my wife had no problem lifting the entire vac up into the trunk of our sedan or up into the rear inside well of our SUV w/one hand. This is a welcome relief from the weight of the old & long-since discontinued disc-shaped portable vac which was both heavy & unwieldy. Next, I like that there’s not only a locking mechanism for the hose where it connects to the port in the vac housing itself, but there’s also a hook on the neck of the hose nozzle where I can fasten the flexible hose to the vac for easy, secure storing when I’m finished vacuuming. In contrast, my old portable vac offered no way to secure its flex hose, which always meant trying to wrap the flopping hose atop the vac after use. This contributed to a haphazard look in our closet.
Instructions: The instructions for setup, use, cleaning, & maintenance are straightforward, as evidenced by the fact that I was using our new vac w/in 5 mins. of opening the box.
Aesthetics: I like the conservative dark blue & black colors of the unit which provide a sleek, hi-tech look, even if it’s all plastic.
Accessories: There are 3 fixed extension wands if you need extra reach along w/3 brightly marked plastic attachment tools. (Some units come w/5 attachment tools, including a Bare Floor Tool & a Pet Multi-Tool, but ours came w/just 3). Our attachments included a Crevice Tool for hard-to-reach debris found in cracks & other tight spaces, a Wet Mess/Squeegee Tool for liquid cleanups (pull only), & a larger-mouth Carpet/Upholstery Tool (push/pull). The good news is that all 3 tools attach to/remove easily from the angled hose inlet/nozzle. And there are 2 secure plastic clips mounted on the Shark’s housing that allow for storing whichever 2 attachments aren’t in use.
Guts: Inside the unit, there’s a heavy-duty, dishwasher-safe plastic dust cup w/a shallow ½-gal. fill line for wet vac use & a high 1-gal. fill line for dry debris. I like the Shark housing’s see-thru design for the dust cup so that we can readily view the dry or wet debris fill levels from the outside, w/o having to open the lid (unless you’re using a liner bag that conceals the level of debris collected). There are also a couple of plastic filter housings & a total of 4 different filters that should be cleaned periodically. Shark also includes a couple plastic bags for use as liners in the refuse container if you’d rather confine your vacuumed debris to a disposable bag rather than having to clean out the container itself.
Maintenance/Cleaning: I like that the unit’s entire hinged top lid is removable for cleaning. This makes access to the removable dust cup, large coned debris screen & housing, & various filters even easier. And If you use the Shark MessMaster regularly, then you’ll want to clean it regularly to help preserve the motor’s suction power, optimize its performance, & keep it sanitary. This will help reduce odors, especially if you vacuum any wet debris. After you regularly rinse & replace the filters you’ll want to fully dry all rinsed components & areas. Shark recommends that you clean the pre-& post-motor filters monthly & replace them annually.
Room for Improvement: For ease-of-use, I do wish Shark engineers had designed the unit w/a longer flexible hose than the 3-ft. hose included. Yes, there are 3 fixed 1-ft. extension wands that provide an extra 3 ft. of reach, but those are rigid & unwieldy in tight spaces like the trunk of an automobile or the rear deck/well of an SUV. Also, I don’t enjoy the vac’s hot, smelly exhaust practically blowing in my face when I’m vacuuming in the tight quarters of the trunk or rear deck of our sedan/SUV. It’s not good engineering to have both the hose & the exhaust extending from the same end of the vac. Yes, I can turn the vac at an angle to redirect the exhaust flow, but that creates an unnatural positioning of the vac when using a hose that’s protruding from the same end as the exhaust vents. Finally, I’m hopeful that Shark’s engineers can find a way to maintain & even improve the unit’s suctioning power over time but w/a lower noise level. I didn’t see any specs on the decibel rating of this vac but, for me, the volume & pitch of the unit was so loud that I needed to use earplugs.
Practical Usage:
Dry: We view this Shark model primarily as a good portable dry vac tool for vacuuming our vehicles & a few areas of the house when it comes to light maintenance, spot cleaning, & freshening up sofa & chair seat cushions & backs. We might also use it to vac carpeted floor mats at the foyer entry, rear deck/porch entry, & side garage door entry. Obviously, there are times when dragging out a large upright house vac isn’t practical, quick, or convenient for light touchups around the house.
Wet: We don’t see as much practical use for this unit as a wet vac. The problem we found in our wet vac test was that the unit didn’t seem to fully sequester all the liquid debris. Some of the liquid managed to get into spaces other than just the plastic debris cup, to the point that the amount of tedious post-wet vac cleaning, rinsing, & drying required simply weren’t worth the hassle to us. When the post-vac cleanup takes up more time than the spill cleanup itself, the high-tech method becomes counterproductive. We’d rather just grab some old, clean cloth towels that we keep on hand for occasional liquid spills, soak up the mess, & then wash the towels.
Suction: I wasn’t expecting this lightweight unit to suck the chrome off a trailer hitch. After all, it’s just a 6.5A/780W/120V/60Hz machine. But I was hoping that it would at least suction enough debris from our 2 vehicles’ floor carpets, trunks, & upholstery to prevent my having to continue buying unneeded car washes in return for a free vac & prevent feeding the machines at my local DIY car vac center amid freezing winter weather & hot humid summer heatwaves. I’m pleased to report that this little portable Shark does the job on our vehicles w/adequate suction (good, but not great) to get the job done. It allows me to clean the inside of our cars from the privacy & safety of our garage at whatever time of day or night I want to clean them.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
 
Introducing the Lucyd Lyte Starseeker, the ultimate Bluetooth audio sunglasses for both men and women. These smart sunglasses feature a sleek and stylish design, with high-gloss acetate or titanium frames and featherlight internal components for optimal optical quality. The four speakers embedded in the temples provide lush, hi-fi open-ear music and calls, with a Quadrasonic sound that guarantees crisp and enjoyable sound. The touch controls on each temple of the glasses enable a selection of high-utility controls, including call answering, play/pause, track skip, volume adjustment, and voice assistant activation. Compatible with Alexa and Siri, you can make your voice command easily and make your life more convenient. These Bluetooth audio sunglasses also provide all-day battery life with up to 12 hours of playback per charge and over 160 hours of standby connection time. The typical user who listens to 1-2 hours of music daily will only need to charge the glasses once a week. Our smart eyewear sunglasses with Bluetooth come standard with high-quality, TAC-polarized UV400 sunglass lenses with a fashionable gradient finish, which can protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Additionally, these smart audio glasses are rated IP-56 water resistant, so you can take them poolside or to other outdoor activities without any worries. The dual noise-canceling microphones improve call quality with enhanced clarity and ergonomics for longer-duration calls, and Bluetooth 5.2 technology allows for quick pairing and a 100-foot connectivity range. Upgrade your listening experience with the Lucyd Lyte Starseeker Bluetooth audio sunglasses today.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Smart & Attractive Sunglasses
on September 8, 2023
Posted by: CriticalEye
These hi-tech smart sunglasses are pretty slick! I was expecting them to feel heavy, but they’re surprisingly lightweight. I charged them for about 2 hrs. & they immediately paired with my Android phone. I’ve used them for 6 days in cycling, jogging, walking & gardening but haven’t needed to re-charge yet. Don’t think I’m going to have any problem getting the 12 hrs. of battery life promised.
Although the arms are a little thicker than I’m used to w/my Oakleys, they’re still comfortable & secure (even in heavy sweat, they didn’t slide down my nose), & the sound quality is clear. The lenses are polarized (UV400) & the control buttons are on the underside at the front of each arm.
I like that the controls are intuitive, simple & easy to learn. The arms have 4 tiny speakers which are well-placed. 2 are positioned just before the ear on the underside of each temple & the other 2 are on the top, just behind the ear. They also have dual mics for phone calls. The sound quality for podcasts & calls is clear & crisp, although my husband says there’s a bit of an echo, as though I’m inside a tin can, when he listens to my voice as I talk cell-to-cell via these 5.2 Bluetooth glasses. As for music, it’s all treble & no bass, so I’m not enjoying my playlist as much as I’d hoped.
What I like most about these sunglasses is that, when I go for a walk in my neighborhood, there’s far less chance of my being surprised by a dog, a jogger, a cyclist, or a driver. With these smart glasses, I can still enjoy my podcasts, music, & phone calls while maintaining much better situational awareness during exercise. I also look forward to wearing these when I travel out of town. Being able to hear GPS directional instructions while maintaining my walking pace, keeping my head up, & focusing my eyes on where I’m headed are all important from a safety & security perspective. Too many people make themselves a target when they’re away from home because they’re staring down at their phone like a lost tourist instead of walking confidently towards their destination while keeping their head on a swivel. I think I’m going to buy a couple extra pairs for my mom & sister so that they, too, can enjoy the benefits of their phone while keeping their head up & their eyes on their surroundings. I feel like I have a lot more control when I’m out & about & wearing these glasses.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
The WF-1000XM5 features cutting-edge technology to deliver premium sound quality and the best truly wireless noise-cancelling performance on the market1. With a specially designed driver unit, for wide frequency production, deep bass and clear vocals, these headphones are designed to immerse you in a sound so good, it feels like you’re in the studio with your favorite artists.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Sony does it again!
on August 6, 2023
Posted by: CriticalEye
Yep, Sony did it again. Of all my different brands of earbuds, I’ve always reached for Sony when I want to escape into my music and the WF-1000XM5’s are their best yet when it comes to sound quality & noise cancelling.
For starters, right out of the box, they paired quickly & fit securely. I tried them in different environments over the last week & I’m amazed by the high level of noise cancelling. Sony’s processors combined with 6 microphones really shut down the outside world.
I already had the Sony Headphones App & highly recommend it for max enjoyment. It has so many features, but I primarily use the equalizer, adaptive sound control & it to set my general preferences.
Although these buds are great for everyday use (phone calls, podcasts, and they’re even water/sweat resistant for workouts) I enjoy them the most when I want full immersion into my music. Sony’s driver unit (Dynamic Driver X) puts out crisp clear sound & vocals with low distortion. I like heavy bass, and Sony buds have always been the finest. These buds are no exception. The equalizer in the App has a max bass boost setting or you can adjust to fit your taste.
The tap controls on the outside of the buds are very sensitive. I barely have to touch them to switch between noise cancelling & ambient sound, or play/pause/forward, etc..
Battery life is excellent. With the case Sony lists 24 hours of battery life. I’ve used them an entire week without having to recharge them.
Overall, these are 5 star high quality buds that truly shine. Sony should be proud.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
OpenFit continues the Shokz open-ear concept to let users enjoy all-day comfort and hear their own soundtrack while staying open to the world around them. OpenFit offers an ultra-lightweight, open-ear construction to hear both your own audio and every sound around you with crystal clarity. DirectPitch technology produces a full audio experience to immerse yourself in your favorite songs, podcasts, and audiobooks. A flexible ear hook design combines stability and comfort. Moments are precious, and OpenFit gives you the freedom to hear every one of them.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Unique Design & Great Sound
on July 9, 2023
Posted by: CriticalEye
I haven’t had a pair of over-the-ear buds like this since my old wired sport buds from years ago & boy have I missed them. My first thoughts after trying these uniquely-designed buds are, they’re comfortable, secure, put out very good sound & most of all, they don’t irritate my ear after a long sweaty run like my fully in-ear buds.
The upside of OpenFit design:
- Comfort: They’re very lightweight & flexible, so I can wear them for a couple of hours with no irritation or constant adjustment
- Security: They give me the ability to hear my surroundings unlike my in-ear buds that completely shut out the external world. I definitely feel more at ease when I can hear things like someone (or a car) approaching me from my blind side. It’s also nice that I can occasionally talk to a running partner without having to pull the buds out of my ear every time we want to chat.
- The sound is clear and full & the bass is decently strong. I wasn’t expecting the same type of clarity & full range experience that I get from in-ear buds so this was a nice surprise.
- Improved hygiene: No matter how well I clean my in-ear buds after every use, I can still get irritation from all the sweat from a hard workout. Because these sit on the outside of the ear canal, it feels better because the sweat doesn’t get stuck inside the ear canal & they also don’t give that feeling of too much suction when moisture creeps in.
The downside of OpenFit design:
- Since they’re not fully placed in the ear canal, they don’t have that shut-out-the-world sound effect if you’re looking for that type of experience.
- If you wear glasses/sunglasses, they may not be as comfortable as in-ear buds. I tried them with & without glasses and they’re definitely more comfortable without glasses, however, I was able to get used to them quickly after a little adjustment with the glasses. I find they fit best on the outside of the frames.
Overall, I would definitely recommend these OpenFIt/over-the-ear buds for outdoor sports or general use when you don’t want to fully mute the world around you. They’re comfortable, they have good sound quality & most importantly, they offer better situational awareness than in-ear buds or fully over-the-ear headphones.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Samsung's 34" ViewFinity S50GC offers a wider workspace featuring a 21:9 ratio and lifelike detail with Ultra-WQHD resolution. AMD FreeSync™ and 100Hz refresh rate allow an ultra-smooth user experience. Avoid eyestrain with TUV-certified Intelligent Eye Care that automatically adjusts brightness. With HDR10 that displays over 1 billion colors compared to 16.7 million for typical SDR technology, dark colors are darker and the brightest are even brighter.
 
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5 out of 5
5
Crisp View with Minimalist Form
on June 11, 2023
Posted by: CriticalEye
Over the last several years, we’ve purchased several Samsung products, including their TVs, soundbars, smartphones, smartwatches, & air purifiers. Overall, we’ve enjoyed good value from Samsung & a consistent record of performance, functionality, durability & dependability across multiple devices.
I use a multi-monitor setup for my work computer. As one who likes a clean & lean, minimalist look, my arrangement has been more cumbersome than I’d like. Even w/my cable management system, the multiple power cords & HDMI cords from multiple monitors created a cluttered look that annoyed me. So, I was super-excited to replace my old monitors w/this sleek new 34” ultra-widescreen monitor. When hardware design aligns w/required functionality AND desired aesthetics, it makes all the difference! After setting up the new monitor, I walked out of & back into my office to get a fresh look at my new minimalist widescreen perched atop my riseable standing electric desk. I just smiled & whispered, “Wow!” The Ultra-WQHD resolution (3,440 x 1,440), 100Hz refresh rate for less latency & blur & 21:9 aspect ratio all contribute to stunning images & video. And the extra-thin bezel is so refined that it almost appears bezel-less. This accentuates the minimalist look I’ve always wanted & now finally have.
After just a few days, I’ve already noticed less eye fatigue. The Intelligent Eye Care system’s ambient light sensor detects the changing light levels in my home office, day & night, & auto-adjusts the brightness. And although I try not to do computer work w/in an hour of bedtime, sometimes I’m forced to work late into the night to meet deadlines. Thankfully, the Eye Saver Mode minimizes excessive blue light which has already begun to help prevent some of the circadian rhythm disruption that I was experiencing from my previous monitors. And given that I sometimes spend up to 12 hrs./day doing computer work, I’m pleased that this monitor includes Flicker Free technology to help further manage screen brightness. My older monitors used technology that turned the backlight on & off rapidly, which, even though I couldn’t detect it, was creating eyestrain. My old monitors were equipped w/lower std. 60Hz refresh rates & bulky ½” bezels.
Contrasting my old SDR (Std. Dynamic Range) monitors displaying around 16M colors vs. this new HDR10 (High Dynamic Range) technology displaying 1B+ colors--the difference even to the untrained naked eye is immediately noticeable. Yes, there are darker darks & brighter brights & all that, but it wasn’t until I streamed a movie in HD this weekend that I was awakened to the real difference. I was stunned by the crystal clear clarity of the actors’ headshots--down to even the pores in their faces in the close-up shots. With this level of detail in color, brightness, & shading, there’s really no place to hide for actors today.
Finally, as for my work, the Picture-by-Picture/Picture-in-Picture functions flawlessly, allowing me to leave email open on one side & documents or another App open on the other side.
Overall, I’m giving this 5 stars. It’s a beautiful monitor at a good value.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Achieve outstanding performance and expandability with the new Dell XPS 8960 Desktop. Built with powerful processors, memory and graphics, this desktop acheives maximum performance to support your tasks.
 
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4 out of 5
4
My New Workhorse Desktop
on June 8, 2023
Posted by: CriticalEye
I’ve been using a Dell All-In-One (AIO) as my primary Home-Office PC for several years now. It’s been a good performer, but I’ve missed some of the options that come standard with a traditional tower desktop, including the option to change monitors. I also like to be able to just turn off my monitor rather than putting the PC into one of the sleep-mode options, as Microsoft has never quite mastered sleep mode for AIOs in my opinion. Many times I’ve had to walk away from my AIO while in the middle of a project with several Apps or documents open, only to return & experience a problem reawakening my AIO. This conflict has even resulted in the loss of data on a couple of occasions. Again, I prefer the certainty of simply turning off a standalone monitor while leaving the desktop fully awake.
I also feel that I get better heat dissipation & overall thermal management with my new traditional tower vs. my AIO. Due to the compact nature of an AIO, the parts are often smaller, & I often heard the little fan inside working overtime to cool down the components. I now have a greater sense of security w/a larger fan & standard-size components in this standalone XPS 8960 tower, especially when gaming or performing video editing.
I do miss the convenient touchscreen of my AIO, especially when I’m interacting with others & showing or teaching them a series of steps required to perform a certain task. But there are still more advantages to this new traditional desktop PC than drawbacks.
Although I try to future-proof my PCs as best I can w/in budget limits & component availability, there are still times I want to upgrade an internal component (perhaps w/more RAM or a better graphics card, etc.) before the machine’s overall useful life ends. In general, PC towers are just easier to customize, easier to upgrade, & easier to service & repair.
This XPS 8960 has all the hardware features I need to move with speed & optimize my productivity. With the 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor & 16GB memory, I can have several Apps open at the same time with no noticeable lag. It also has 2 additional Memory slots if needed which is another advantage vs. my old sealed AIO.
With the 512GB SSD & 2TB HDD, I have more than enough space to store large music & video files rather than relying on cloud storage or external storage devices. And this model has ports galore: 9 total USB-A & C (4 front/5 rear). Finally, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card is impressive, especially if you’re into gaming. NVIDIA’s Ray Tracing technology makes a noticeable difference in lighting & shadows, providing graphic images that appear photorealistic.
My only disappointment was that this XPS 8960 comes with a very basic wired mouse & keyboard (which I quickly upgraded w/better input devices). Otherwise, this is a future-proofed workhorse PC that I expect will perform well over time.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
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Set your imagination free on the most powerful Surface Laptop, designed to light up the best of Windows 11. Boundary-pushing design lets you flex your creative muscle on the sleek 14.4“⁴ touchscreen, making seamless transitions from laptop to entertainment-ready stage to portable creative canvas, complete with built-in storage and charging for Surface Slim Pen 2* under the keyboard. Enjoy smooth gameplay, and draw, sketch and take notes like you would on paper on the bright, vibrant 120Hz display. Run intensive applications and get things done anywhere with all-day battery life, and get inspired with graphics power that exceeds your expectations. Elevate your entertainment with Quad Omnisonic speakers, featuring large bass and immersive Dolby Atmos. Stay in the flow, be inspired and get closer to what you love.
 

Does the Surface Laptop Studio have USB ports? If so, how many and of what type?

It has 2 USB-C ports on the left side.
2 years, 5 months ago
by
CriticalEye
 
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e delivers the fastest speeds, 500-sheet paper capacity, and up to 2x faster scan speeds. It includes the optional HP+ Smart Printing System that keeps itself up to date, secure, and ready to print from virtually anywhere at any time. Optional HP+ system requires an HP account, internet connection, and use of only Original HP Ink for the life of the printer.
 

Can it print wireless from a Samsung Galaxy Book S

As long as your device can download the HP Smart App, you should be fine. The App will let you know if the device is incompatible. I tried it on an old Samsung Note 3 and it let me know the device was too old.
Hope that helps.
2 years, 11 months ago
by
CriticalEye
 
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e delivers the fastest speeds, 500-sheet paper capacity, and up to 2x faster scan speeds. It includes the optional HP+ Smart Printing System that keeps itself up to date, secure, and ready to print from virtually anywhere at any time. Optional HP+ system requires an HP account, internet connection, and use of only Original HP Ink for the life of the printer.
 

Does software include security software

The unit doesn't come with software. You just download the HP Smart App.
Hope that helps.
2 years, 11 months ago
by
CriticalEye
 
Protection for every home and family. Capture the details in full 1080p HD video for a clearer picture, day or night. Spend less time recharging with 6 months of battery life*. Connects directly to Wi-Fi without the clutter of extra gear. The Arlo Essential is wire-free and weather-resistant to deliver fast, easy installation and flexibility to get the perfect camera view. With the integrated spotlight, see important features like faces and licenses plates in full color, at night with color night vision. Ward off unwanted guests by triggering the siren or integrated spotlight automictically or manually from the Arlo App. Receive smarter alerts for people, vehicles and packages and take quicker action like sound the siren, call a friend or dial emergency services with the included trial of Arlo Secure**. Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit*** and Samsung SmartThings.
 

How long is the power cord? Or is that a extra

There is no power cord. I comes with a short charging cord.
3 years, 4 months ago
by
CriticalEye
 
Protection for every home and family. Capture the details in full 1080p HD video for a clearer picture, day or night. Spend less time recharging with 6 months of battery life*. Connects directly to Wi-Fi without the clutter of extra gear. The Arlo Essential is wire-free and weather-resistant to deliver fast, easy installation and flexibility to get the perfect camera view. With the integrated spotlight, see important features like faces and licenses plates in full color, at night with color night vision. Ward off unwanted guests by triggering the siren or integrated spotlight automictically or manually from the Arlo App. Receive smarter alerts for people, vehicles and packages and take quicker action like sound the siren, call a friend or dial emergency services with the included trial of Arlo Secure**. Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit*** and Samsung SmartThings.
 

Can you add an Arlo Pro 3 camera to an Arlo essential camera set up?

Yes if you have the smart hub
3 years, 4 months ago
by
CriticalEye
 
Bose Sleepbuds II deliver relaxing sounds that help you fall asleep, and use Bose noise-masking technology so you stay asleep. Tiny, wireless Sleepbuds II are designed for comfort with sleep technology clinically proven to help you fall asleep faster. Sleepbuds II play content only from the Bose Sleep app, which gives you full control of the Sound Library and helps you personalize features. Discover tranquil tones and soothing sounds from nature. Or, use Bose noise-masking sounds to cover unwanted nighttime noise. Download your favorite sounds directly to Sleepbuds II, control volume, and set a personal wake-up alarm. Sleepbuds II feature proprietary eartips made of soft silicone for a comfortable, secure fit. Sleep on your back or side, or rollover during the night, they’ll stay put. Get up to ten hours of battery life from a single charge, enough for a full night’s sleep — and three additional charges from the portable case.
 

I live in an apartment with the loudest bunch of people above me,Do you think it might mask a dog's bark?Or loud thuds? Thanks!

I have loud screaming children & mowers nearby on a regular basis. These definitely help mask those sounds enough to sleep & study through.
Not sure what you can do about the loud thuds though as that's something you usually feel as well as hear.
Hope that helps :-)
3 years, 5 months ago
by
CriticalEye
 
Bose Sleepbuds II deliver relaxing sounds that help you fall asleep, and use Bose noise-masking technology so you stay asleep. Tiny, wireless Sleepbuds II are designed for comfort with sleep technology clinically proven to help you fall asleep faster. Sleepbuds II play content only from the Bose Sleep app, which gives you full control of the Sound Library and helps you personalize features. Discover tranquil tones and soothing sounds from nature. Or, use Bose noise-masking sounds to cover unwanted nighttime noise. Download your favorite sounds directly to Sleepbuds II, control volume, and set a personal wake-up alarm. Sleepbuds II feature proprietary eartips made of soft silicone for a comfortable, secure fit. Sleep on your back or side, or rollover during the night, they’ll stay put. Get up to ten hours of battery life from a single charge, enough for a full night’s sleep — and three additional charges from the portable case.
 

Can they play the music on your phone

They don't play music that's stored in your device. You can select sounds & study-type music from a library available within the free App.
Hope that helps :-)
3 years, 5 months ago
by
CriticalEye
 
MX Master 3 is instant precision and infinite potential. Designed for designers and engineered for coders, it’s our most advanced Master Series mouse yet. App-specific button customizations speed up your workflow in the apps you use most and the electromagnetic MagSpeed wheel enables fast noiseless scrolling. Your hand rests perfectly on the sculpted form and allows you to work comfortably for hours across multiple computers and operating systems in one fluid workflow. Ready for video calls - predefined settings for Microsoft Teams and Zoom let you instantly mute and Start/Stop your video call. With MX Master 3, you can truly master what you make.
 

Bluetooth is turned off on our work computers. Will this operate as a wired mouse with the USB cable attached or is it strictly for charging

The cable is just for charging, but the USB receiver will allow connection in lieu of Bluetooth
4 years, 5 months ago
by
CriticalEye
 
Introducing MX Keys, an advanced wireless illuminated keyboard crafted for efficiency, stability, and precision. Perfect Stroke keys are shaped for your fingertips and increased key stability reduces noise while optimizing responsiveness. Tactile reference for hand positioning makes it easy to stay oriented and in your flow. The backlit keys light up the moment your hands approach, and automatically adjust to suit changing lighting conditions. With MX Keys you can truly master what you make.
 

What is the length of the keyboard

~17"
4 years, 5 months ago
by
CriticalEye
 
Sleep better. Cover unwanted noise with soothing sounds. Bose noise-masking sleepbuds™ are uniquely designed for sleep. They don’t stream music or have acoustic noise cancellation. Instead, these tiny, wireless earbuds use pre-loaded, soothing sounds to cover up unwanted noises, so you can get to sleep — and stay asleep. Plus, unlike traditional earplugs, they’re super comfortable and made to stay in place all night long, even if you sleep on your side. 1. Choose your sound, 2. Set an alarm, 3. Fall asleep without unwanted noise.
 

How will these work against Smoke Detectors etc in case of emergencies?

The sound volume is customizable, so you could test them against any noise you want to be aware of. However, even with the volume up, I've had no trouble hearing loud sounds. Hope that helps.
5 years, 8 months ago
by
CriticalEye