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    March 11, 2018
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CriticalEye's Reviews
<< 1 ... 6 7 8 9 10 ... 13 >>
 
Enjoy movies and other streaming content with this Sony 4K Blu-ray disc player. Built-in Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity allow for media to be streamed in high quality, while a super quick start mode minimizes fuss during use. This Sony 4K Blu-ray disc player has two HDMI outputs for simultaneous use with multiple screens.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Blu-Ray Player w/HDR10/Dolby Vision Maximizes 4KTV
on June 17, 2019
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
User Hardware::
Acquired as replacement for my Sony BDP-7200 Smart 3D Wi-Fi Blu-ray Player (w/UHD 4K Upscaling). For use w/:
-Sony 4K TV
-Sony HTZ9F 3.1 Ch Hi-Res Sound Bar w/Wireless Subwoofer
-Sony WH-1000XM2 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones.
Why Buy?:
If you’re streaming 4K content, your picture/sound quality can be degraded by compression. To fully experience 4K cinema technology, a 4K ultra HD Blu-ray player & disc will expand your AV horizons & maximize your enjoyment.
Note: If your 4K TV doesn’t support Dolby Vision, then you won’t be able to enjoy the primary upgrade of this player.
Physical Form:
-Case: New Mark 2 model comes in black plastic rectangular box & looks just like Sony’s original Mark 1 player.
-Dimensions: 17”W x 2”H x 10”D.
-Design: Heavy 8lb ‘frame & beam’ chassis provides more stable platform for spinning 4K disc drive, while anti-micro-vibration tech helps prevent jitter & ensures better AV playback quality. Heat Sink & Disk Drive keep discs & chassis cool for extended viewing hrs. (incl. binge watching & serial movie viewing among different family members).
Front of Case:
-Controls: Power & Eject buttons located on front right side
-Display: None, other than tiny green LED power light
-USB: Play content from USB (or disc or network media server). Flip down rectangular plastic flap to expose port.
Back of Case:
-Ports: Power cable, network (LAN)/Ethernet port, 2 HDMI outputs (#1 for AV; #2 covered for audio-only), & coax digital audio out, but NO digital optical out. 2 HDMI outputs for flexibility, incl. separate audio & video output via dedicated HDMI for user’s unique home theater setup. Can send audio to TV via HDMI & to wireless speaker via BT.
Package Contents:
-Blu-ray Player
-Two 4K UHD (Ultra-Hi-Def) Blu-ray movies: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse & Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
-Instruction Manual
-Remote Control w/2 AA Batteries
Features:
-Dolby Vision: New this yr. & the primary feature difference between new Mark 2 & original Mark 1 (800) model
-HDR10 (Hi-Dynamic Range): For extreme viewing detail/clarity/brightness
-Disc/File Formats: Plays almost any disc & almost any video, audio, & photo file format
-4K Upscaling: Stunning picture up to 60p; DSEE HX upscaling of compressed files for low bit rate audio
-4K HDR: Offers up to 12-bit color & 24p True Cinema to maintain original frame rate of film. Set display for 60p (enhanced) HDMI input & connect w/HDMI 2.0a cable to ensure 4K HDR support. Enjoy up to 3840x2160 resolution.
-Hi-Res Audio: Hear more detail w/hi-res audio surround sound formats of Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, DTS:X, DTS-HD, & hi-end codecs like those on SA (Super Audio) CDs. Supports master quality 24-bit audio formats, from AAC & WAV, to DSD 11.2 MHz, etc.
-Bluetooth: Connect to wireless headphones or speaker. Sony’s LDAC hi-res audio transmits 3x more data vs. std. BT.
-Control content w/intuitive memory & interface.
Basics:
-Turn On.
-Plug in HDMI cable.
-Follow onscreen instruction guide to connect to internet.
-Choose either wired ethernet connection or your Wi-Fi network. Supports dual band MIMO tech for a strong signal.
-Run new network software update (takes a few mins. to complete).
-Go to Home screen.
-Choose streaming apps: Netflix, Amazon Prime, or YouTube.
-For Dolby Vision (DV): Go to Screen Settings/DV Output & toggle on.
Settings:
-Sony Bravia Mode: Turn off if not using a Sony Bravia TV
-HDR Output: Set to Auto to allow HDR content to your display. HDR10 signal contains up to 100x brightness of SDR.
-Dolby Vision (DV): Turn on for DV content & off for 3D content. DV & 3D can’t be on at once. If you turn on DV, then 3D functionality is lost & vice-versa.
-Output Resolution: Set to Auto for highest applicable resolution
-24p Output: Set to Auto so player adjusts to disc.
-4K Upscaling: Set to Auto & player will enhance lower resolution discs to UHD quality.
-Display Type: Choose between TV & projector.
Pros:
-Instant On: Press the remote’s power button & the TV/Blu-ray player are turned on instantly. The player takes you right into main menu w/o annoying delay/bootup sequence. App response is quick: if you press remote’s Netflix button, it boots directly into Netflix, a big timesaver.
-Disc Loading: Quieter & quicker vs. previous models
-GUI (Graphical User Interface): The new simpler streamlined menu & better overall organization of onscreen info (incl. updated icons/color palette) were sorely needed & long overdue improvements to past clutter/clunky software.
-DV (Dolby Vision): Significantly improves UHD picture quality w/better contrast & brighter hotspots, making images more vivid, lifelike, & immersive; comparable to big screen theatre. Black scenes are inky, darker scenes have greater definition/detail w/o fuzziness, & brightly lit scenes have more pop/color without banding/artifacts.
-3D: Picture quality is amazing: no screen tearing, artifacts, slowness, delays, freezing, or color saturation.
-4K Upscaling: When viewing std. HD (std. Blu-ray, std. Netflix, etc.), upscaling does a super job. Crisp images make every movie we've watched look better than ever before.
-Dolby Atmos: Treats sounds as separate objects, releasing them from typical channels to move freely around & above for immersive surround sound. The exceptional audio quality shines w/crisp playback during Jumanji soundtrack, incl. stronger thumps from Sony subwoofer & cleaner sound across frequency spectrum of Sony speaker system.
-DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) HX: Upscales frequency/dynamic range of MP3s, AACs (Advanced Audio Coding), & other compressed music files (incl. CDs) to near hi-res sound quality to emulate original recording.
Cons:
-Auto-Detection: No Dolby Vision (DV) or HDR10 auto-detection, which is annoying/cumbersome. Because player can’t auto-switch between DV & HDR10, based on content source, user must manually enter main menu to turn DV on for DV 4K disc & turn off after finishing disc.
-Limited Streaming Apps: Not practical as main all-in-1 media player w/only 3 streaming apps (Netflix, Prime, YouTube) vs. prior Sony disc players. And no option to add streaming apps like Hulu, Vudu, Pandora, etc.
-Storage: If any of your AV library is stored in the cloud, you’ll be unable to access your online content w/this player.
-Dolby Atmos: Player lacks Atmos on Netflix, Amazon Prime, & YouTube vs. other players. Apps need to be updated.
-HDR10+: Doesn’t support Samsung competitor’s HDR10+.
-No Optical Port
-Remote: Needs backlighting, especially when user is in dark home theater mode & player has no LED display.
-Freezing: This player is prone to lockups/freezing, same as my previous Sony BDP-7200 Smart 3D Wi-Fi Blu-ray Player (w/UHD 4K Upscaling). When this occurs, the player can’t be turned off even via the power button. You’re forced to completely unplug & wait before plugging back in. This annoying, time-wasting delay has plagued multiple Sony Blu-ray players for yrs. & has still not be fixed.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+4points
8of 12voted this as helpful.
 
Observe proper speed limits while driving with this Escort iXc radar detector. The GPS-enabled AutoLearn technology and improved IVT Filter prevent the reoccurrence of false alerts for precise tracking and reduction of unwanted distractions. This Escort iXc radar detector is compatible with Wi-Fi-connected cars for automatic firmware and software updates.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Multi-Feature Hi-Filter Crowd-Sourced Radar Detect
on May 12, 2019
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
The Escort iXc Long-Range Radar/Laser Detector (RD) from Cedar Electronics (CE) is the latest addition to Escort’s c-Series line of connected driver alert/detection systems. The iXc, which replaced the iX, is designed to provide drivers w/an early warning system for speed radars, speed cams, speed traps, & red-light cams, etc. The new iXc adds Wi-Fi, allowing it to pair directly to ‘connected’ cars (vehicles w/resident Wi-Fi). It can also auto-connect to the Escort Live app w/o having to connect your smartphone to the iXc. Or you can control the iXc via your Android or iOS smartphone. As a last option, you can even adjust various settings directly via the buttons atop the iXc itself, although this is difficult & inconvenient given the tight clearances when the iXc is fastened to the windshield mount. The iXc shines when it’s used w/a ‘connected’ (Wi-Fi-ready) vehicle. If connecting solely by Bluetooth, not so much.
Over the yrs. I’ve owned a # of RDs, incl. my 1st—a boxy Whistler, then an Escort, a Uniden, a Passport, a Valentine 1, & now the new Escort iXc ‘Smart’ RD. I finally decided to upgrade to the iXc after the Val 1 I’d used for many yrs. was ‘crying wolf’ w/too many false alarms, even after a pricey upgrade that didn’t seem to eliminate enough of the falsing.
Out of the Box: The Escort iXc is fully compatible w/CE’s new Escort M1 Dash Cam (DC). The iXc is housed in an attractive new matte black case w/a small subsection of matte silver on top. Setup was straightforward as I followed the incl. quick-start guide. Although the iXc can be purchased/operated independently of the companion M1 DC, I acquired both units to be mounted/used in tandem. Thus, my review of the iXc’s initial setup & performance will be from the perspective of a joint iXc/M1 user. (See my standalone review of the Escort M1 under ‘Dash Cams’.)
Both devices attach to the same mounting arm on the Escort EZ Mag Mount w/Sticky Cup. The mounting pkg. incl. a mounting bracket, extended screw, & special grippy washer & rubber washer to ensure the thumb screws provide a snug, vibration-absorbing fit. If this twin-mount apparatus is properly installed, there’s surprisingly little quiver. In summary, the Escort’s mounting hardware is clean & compact, stable & tight, & impressively designed & engineered, esp. for such a quick-attach/release windshield mount. To power the unit, the M1 is connected to the iXc via a pigtail power cord w/an RJ-11 modular phone plug. Next, the iXc’s SmartCord is connected to the M1, also via an RJ-11 plug, & plugged into the vehicle’s 12V DC (direct current) power outlet below. This connection powers both units w/the M1 acting as a pass-thru for the iXc. Conveniently, the 2A (amp) USB port on the back of the SmartCord’s cigarette lighter plug can be used to charge your smartphone or other devices. On the back of the SmartCord is also a mute button, a green power-on indicator light, & a red alert warning light. The SmartCord provides the look of a plain straight cord above-dash w/an extendable (if needed) coiled cord below.
Mounting/Wiring Tips: For optimal video capture, mount the M1 in the center of the windshield directly below the rearview mirror mount. The iXc hangs on the same mounting arm to the left of the M1, yet the M1 doesn't obstruct or interfere w/the iXc’s radar/laser sensors. If you prefer a cleaner look, then you might buy/install Escort’s Direct Wire SmartCord accessory. This affordable little hardwire kit eliminates the unsightly/distracting power cord running from near your rearview mirror to your center console. Why advertise your RD to law enforcement?
Pros:
Environments: Provides early alerts for both city & hwy. driving.
Connectivity: Bluetooth & ‘Connected’ Car (Wi-Fi) Mobile Hotspot Compatible.
Multi-Color OLED Display: shows all relevant radar bands & laser; select user-preferred colors for hi-res data/graphics.
Escort Live: ‘Smart’ detector’s mobile app connects to community of drivers generating 8M+ crowd-sourced alerts/mo. You’re notified as others report police radar, traffic issues, etc. You can report same for other drivers. New Android update released 5/2019.
Auto-Learn: Offers intelligent 360° protection w/patented anti-falsing filters w/improved range/accuracy; keys on/auto-stores in database exact frequencies/locations as it learns/remembers speed indicator cams, preventing false alerts & ensuring quieter commutes. Also eliminates/ignores false alarms from proximity sensors on nearby cars from collision avoidance systems (CAS) & advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), incl. backup cams, blind spot monitoring (BSM)/lane departure systems (LDS) & adaptive cruise control (ACC) auto-speed reductions when slower vehicle ahead (Older-gen RDs will false alert to newer nearby vehicles that perform all these hi-tech radar-producing tasks.)
Defender Database: provides 1,000's of pre-loaded crowd-sourced hotspots w/GPS-stored locations of speed cams/traps, red-light cams, fixed photo enforcement cams, aircraft enforcement zones, & even newer MultaRadar cams, etc., w/ability to mark/add your own hotspots via GPS. Firmware/software is easily updatable at home or wirelessly.
Voice Alerts: Based on your speed/location, unique voice (& buzzer) alerts let you watch the road w/o distraction.
Speed Alert: Head-up display of vehicle speed, band, & signal strength to ensure you’re fully informed during an alert.
Over-Speed Warning: Uses GPS to display posted speed limit, calculate/display your speed, & warn you if you're over (by mph threshold you select).
New M4+ Platform: Adds 3-4 dBs in sensitivity over previous M4 platform for a potential 70% increase in alerting range.
Improved Chipset: More processing power delivers quicker GPS sat connections w/more accurate geo-positioning.
Segmenting: Quicker alerting to instant-on Ka radar & K-band w/segmenting/rejection for quieter operation.
Sensitivity: Improved laser sensitivity; exceptional sensitivity to police radar bands. App allows you to select which radar/laser bands you want to pick up. (Advise researching bands used by LEOs in your travel area. Use ‘Auto’ if unsure.)
Intelligent Speed Sensitivity Scanning: Band ID; becomes less sensitive at slower speeds/more sensitive at higher speeds; strength-of-signal scale bar; faster tones mean stronger/closer signal; voice warnings of band received.
Instant-On: Improved sensitivity/quickness in detecting instant-on police radar.
Room for Improvements:
Quick-Start Guide: Included, but instructions on settings must be found at Escort’s website under Support/User Manual.
Connectivity: No trouble BT-pairing my phone to other devices, but repeated problems obtaining/maintaining stable pairing w/iXc; forced to power cycle multiple times.
OLED Display: Can be difficult to read in daylight/bright light.
Directional Arrows: Doesn’t include valuable directional arrows to indicate from where alerts originate (ahead, behind, left, right) the way that my Valentine 1 & flagship premium-priced Escort 360c do.
Control Buttons: Difficult to access atop iXc due to close tolerances w/windshield mount; easier to control via app.
K-band Filtering: May miss newer MultaRadar Compact Distance (MRCD)/MRCT cams that use modulating frequencies for speed/distance measuring, making them hard to detect (already used in TX, VA, IL, NY, DC, & Canada & expanding).
Integration: CE must level up/further develop their device/app to fully integrate w/Android Auto/Apple Car Play. My 2018 SUV didn’t come equipped w/Wi-Fi. Escort customers want to control their apps/devices from their vehicle displays w/o inconvenience of shifting between nav app on vehicle screen & Escort Live on phone.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Protect yourself in the event of an accident with this ESCORT dash cam. The built-in collision detection system stores important footage in the event of a crash, and Wi-Fi connectivity lets you instantly share data with your insurance company. This ESCORT dash cam uses super-capacitor technology to keep recording, even in extreme temperatures.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Good 1st Effort for Escort's New Mini-Dashcam
on May 9, 2019
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
Out of the Box: The Escort M1 Dash Cam (DC) is a small, compact, lightweight, & unobtrusive minicam which is app-controlled & compatible w/most of Cedar Electronics’ newer Escort & Beltronics radar detectors (RD). The M1 is housed in an attractive rectangular matte black plastic case. Dimensions are: ~1¼ H x 1¼ W x 2¾ D, & it weighs <3oz. Setup was straightforward as I followed both the incl. quick-start guide & the BILT app tutorial install video. Although the M1 can be purchased/operated independently of a companion RD, I acquired the M1 for use in tandem w/my new Escort iXc RD. Thus, my review of the M1’s initial setup & performance will be from the perspective of a joint M1/iXc user.
The M1 & iXc both attach to the same mounting arm on the Escort EZ Mag Mount w/Sticky Cup. The mounting pkg. incl. a mounting bracket, extended screw, & special grippy washer & rubber washer to ensure the thumb screws provide a snug, vibration-absorbing fit to prevent jittery video capture. If this twin-mount apparatus is properly installed, there’s surprisingly little quiver in video playback. In summary, the Escort’s mounting hardware is clean & compact, stable & tight, & impressively designed & engineered, esp. for such an easily removable windshield mount. To power the unit, the M1 is connected to the iXc via a pigtail power cord w/an RJ-11 modular phone plug. Next, the iXc’s SmartCord is connected to the M1, also via an RJ-11 plug, & plugged into the vehicle’s 12V DC (direct current) power outlet below. This connection powers both units w/the M1 acting as a pass-thru for the iXc. Conveniently, the 2A (amp) USB port on the back of the SmartCord’s cigarette lighter plug can be used to charge your smartphone or other devices. On the back of the SmartCord is also a mute button, a green power-on indicator light, & a red alert warning light. The SmartCord provides the look of a clean straight cord above-dash w/an extendable (if needed) coiled cord below.
Mounting/Wiring Tips: For optimal video capture, mount the M1 in the center of the windshield directly below the rearview mirror mount. The iXc hangs on the same mounting arm to the left of the M1, but the M1 doesn't obstruct/interfere w/the iXc’s sensors. If you prefer a cleaner look, then you might buy/install Escort’s Direct Wire SmartCord accessory. This affordable little hardwire kit eliminates the unsightly/distracting power cord running from your rearview mirror to your center console. Why advertise your RD to law enforcement?
Why Buy It?: The M1 may serve as an additional ins. policy in the event you’re involved in an incident/accident. It may help prove your innocence & protect you from false witnesses/accusations. It may provide critical video documentation as to how an incident occurred & help to establish who was at fault. When you capture decisive video evidence to support your version of events, then it’s no longer just your word against theirs. It may also remind you to drive ‘smart’ & defensively, because everything you say & do behind the wheel is being recorded. (The integrated microphone feature of the M1 can be toggled off/on via the M1 mobile app.)
Recording/Saving Videos: When you start your vehicle, the camera turns on automatically & begins recording. The M1’s LED status indicator illuminates as a steady red light for 3sec, & then changes to a slowly blinking green light during recording. A short single beep tone is also emitted from the speaker atop the M1.
The camera records in 1080p full HD (1920 x 1080 resolution) to capture hi-def footage at a frame rate of 30fps (frames per second). Hopefully, Escort’s next DC incl. a 4k option (24 or 30fps) or at least 1080p at 60fps to ensure sharper video images. While the M1 still gives good clear video w/an acceptable level of compression, you’ll typically find that vehicle license plates directly ahead of you & even nearby cross street signs aren’t clearly readable unless you’re exceptionally close to them. But if you download the video to your smartphone, you can always pause it & zoom in for a closer look, although that doesn’t guarantee the characters will be readable. (You can drop down to 720p at 60fps if you’re willing to sacrifice resolution for smoother video playback. Higher resolutions give sharper images but take up more card memory.) The M1 includes WDR (wide dynamic range) technology; so, its sensor auto-corrects for luminance (bright/dark areas) to help eliminate over/under exposure. The M1 also incl. enhanced night vision; so, the quality of nighttime images is decent, although at time, they can be a little grainy, pixelated, & not as sharp as daytime vids. Escort says the M1 is compatible w/microSD (Secure Digital) cards up to only 32GB; so, I upgraded from the incl. 16GB card to a 32GB card. (But my brother-in-law has used both a 128GB card & a 256GB card w/o issue in his unit.) Escort recommends that you format the new memory card & reformat the card periodically for optimal performance. (Open the M1 app & select “Format SD Memory Card” under Camera Settings.) The card stores video/audio in loop-cycle recordings of 1-, 2-, or 3-min. file loops. Escort recommends a 1min file loop setting, because a smaller file size is generally more manageable when transferring video clips to another device. ‘Loop’ recording simply means ‘continuous’; i.e., the M1 overwrites previous recordings, deleting the oldest files once the data storage capacity of the memory card is full. There are 2 ways to prevent overwriting recorded videos. The M1 has a built-in collision detection system (CDS) w/a 3-axis accelerometer, or G-sensor, that measures sudden accelerations, stops, & impacts. When the measured jolt meets the required threshold, the video footage around that incident is auto-protected. To ensure this video isn’t lost, adjacent video clips are also locked if the impact happens w/in 30sec of the beginning/end of a file. There are 3 settings for the G-sensor: ‘1’ is the most sensitive & ‘3’ is the least sensitive. If you drive where there are potholes or rough roads, you might set the sensor at ‘3’. Otherwise, the sensor can be too easily triggered to fill the memory card w/protected files that are little more than bumps in the road. You can also manually preserve video footage by pressing the combo power/emergency record button on the back of the M1. This puts the M1 into ‘emergency’ record mode & prevents the video clip from being overwritten.
Viewing/Downloading Videos: Escort’s M1 mobile app allows you to control the M1’s functionality, incl. resolution & settings. The app syncs to the dashcam via Wi-Fi & allows you to review, edit, & download all video files stored on your memory card via your phone. You can then download whichever vids you want & even share them w/others, incl. your ins. co.! (Viewing vids via Wi-Fi is typically choppier than viewing them after downloading them to your device.) You can also transfer M1 vids to other devices via USB or microSD adapter.
Wide-Angle Viewing: The M1 lens has a 160º viewing angle w/minimal edge-to-edge distortion, allowing it to capture not just your traffic lane but multiple lanes & the left & right shoulders of the road. This broad view of traffic flow can prove beneficial on multi-lane freeways in major metro areas, especially at major interchanges where lane cutting & accidents commonly occur. This can better capture how chain-reaction accidents start & help ID who’s at fault.
Reliability/Durability: The M1 includes super-capacitor technology to ensure recording in extreme temps, even when your vehicle sits in a pkg. lot for hrs. in the hot summer sun & the cabin temp hits 140º F.
Room for Improvements:
-Connectivity: I downloaded the Escort Live app that controls the iXc to my Galaxy S9+ & created an acct. w/username & PW. Then, I downloaded the Escort M1 app. (Both Escort apps are available for Android/iOS.) Although I’d never previously had any trouble pairing my phone w/other devices via Bluetooth, I had repeated problems pairing/maintaining a stable pairing w/the iXc. I also had trouble getting the M1 to even turn on. In addition to receiving incessant, double beep tones, the M1’s LED failed to display the pulsing green light that confirms the M1 has been turned on & is recording video. Instead, the LED displayed a solid red light, indicating an error. (A flashing red light indicates the M1 is recording w/Wi-Fi off, & a flashing red/green light indicates an ‘emergency’ recording has been activated. And there’s a manual Wi-Fi on/off button located atop the M1 for recording w/o Wi-Fi, which conserves your phone’s battery.) Escort’s web support page indicated that the inability to activate the M1 is a known problem for certain vehicles. So, as advised, I uninstalled the M1, connected it to my laptop via the unit’s USB port & incl. Micro-USB-to-USB-Type-A-cable, & downloaded Escort’s M1 firmware update. After reinstalling the M1, the firmware update resolved the issue. After the update, my phone recognized & securely paired w/both the M1’s Wi-Fi SSID (Solid Set IDentifier) broadcast signal & the iXc’s Bluetooth signal. The M1 also began recording at vehicle startup.
-Integration: Cedar Electronics (CE) should integrate the M1 app into its more comprehensive Escort Live app so that users can control both RDs & the DC from just 1 app. The iXc & M1 should also ‘talk’ to each other, share telemetry such as GPS, G-force, & speed data, & display this data on M1 video vs. the current barebones display of phone-synced date/time stamps & Escort watermark. CE must level up & further develop their devices/apps to fully integrate w/Android Auto/Apple Car Play so that users can view/control their apps/devices from their vehicle displays w/o the distraction of shifting back to their phones, the use of which while driving is becoming increasingly restricted throughout the US.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
 
Enjoy quality signal reception with this Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro antenna. A 65-mile range ensures reception of a wide variety of channels, while the integrated TV signal indicator LEDs simplify placement for optimal signal strength. This Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro antenna comes with a 16-foot detachable high-performance coaxial cable for connectivity and features a plug-and-play design for quick installation.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Best Cord Cutting Antenna Yet!
on April 3, 2019
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
After happily cutting the cord several years ago, we’ve tried a half-dozen different antenna options, and this is the best so far. Prior to this Leaf, we had the most success with the Mohu Beam, but still had frustration with lost signals & intermittent pixilation. We also spent way too much time moving & adjusting previous antennas when they suddenly lost the signal. Previously, we were never able to lock onto more than 24 OTA channels &, half the time, one of the major alphabet channels wouldn’t come in. With this Leaf Supreme Pro, although the signal indicator never shows more than 1 light (out of 4) we’re able to get 37 channels, including the ‘big 4’ OTA networks, & each one is clear with rare pixilation! Mohu is definitely improving their performance!
The Good:
- Fast & easy setup – takes less than 15 minutes and most of that time is spent moving the antenna around to find the best signal
- No tools required – coaxial cable, Velcro & even multi-colored push pins are included
- Paper-thin design
- Ease of placement – The multi-directional design doesn’t require placement in a window. It can even be hidden behind a picture if the signal is strong enough
- Amplifier is included
- Indoor use – no need to climb into attack or onto roof
- Portable – perfect for renters. Nothing to leave behind.
The Bad:
- The plastic antenna arrives pre-curved & is impossible to flatten out. If it were sold in a fitted flat box, it would be much easier to manage & set up
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Remove hair without wax or razors using the Lumilisse by Conair hair removal device. Rapid pulses of intense light help prevent hair regrowth, delivering permanent results with consistent use. The FDA-cleared device uses sensors to safely activate. Choose between continuous mode for large areas or manual mode to target specific trouble spots. The Lumilisse by Conair hair removal device includes two attachments to ensure perfectly smooth results all over.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Still Need to Shave, but…
on April 3, 2019
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
I had dreams of saving hours of my life by eliminating leg shaving altogether. It may happen with continued use, but after 6 treatments/sessions, here are my results. In order to have a true side-by-side comparison, I treated only one side of my body. I would estimate leg hair has been reduced by 30% & bikini area 10%.
For starters, the instructions are well laid out & easy to follow (especially if you’ve never experienced IPL treatment before as I had not). I felt no pain, just an occasional quick, minor tingle. I also had no adverse skin reactions of any kind. After the first full leg treatment, it felt similar to being out in the sun for 30 minutes, but nothing negative. I also haven’t noticed any difference in skin texture.
The treatments are not time consuming and you get more efficient with each session. As soon as it’s plugged in & turned on, it’s ready to go. No warmup time required. Just select the intensity level & have at it. I do find it challenging to make sure not to go over the same area more than once. Also, it’s highly recommended not to treat if you’re getting sun exposure. Winter turned out to be the best time to get started in my case.
Overall, if you have especially hairy areas that bother you (like forearms that are exposed most of the time), this will definitely reduce the amount of hair & change the appearance for the better. In this case, I would recommend with 4 stars. If you’re looking to eliminate shaving altogether, you’ll be disappointed, & I would not recommend. The package clearly states: “over 75% less hair”; so, there’s no promise of fully eliminating hair. Also, they say the best results will occur after several months of use. I will continue to treat monthly as recommended. With no adverse effects & a huge cost savings vs. professional treatment, I’m going with 4 stars with the expectation that, if I’m at 30% success now, results will continue to improve with further treatments.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+13points
13of 13voted this as helpful.
 
Treat fatigued muscles to fast therapy with this Vyper 2 fitness roller. Three vibration speeds let you find a mode that addresses your soreness level or warms your muscles up for a workout, and the alternating grooved and smooth exterior increases the massaging action. Rechargeable batteries in this Vyper 2 fitness roller provide two hours of use between charges.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Foam Roller on Steroids
on December 30, 2018
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
I tested this after a good leg workout so I could really compare it to the standard foam rollers I’ve used for years. I’ve never enjoyed foam rolling with sore muscles. It’s just too painful. I also wasn’t expecting much difference with a vibrating roller. It sounded a bit gimmicky. Wow, was I pleasantly surprised! In my experience, when rolling sore hamstrings, glutes & calves, the initial pain you feel when you put your weight on a standard roller is pretty excruciating, & the pain doesn’t lessen much even after a session of slow rolling. However, when I tried the Vyper roller, my experience was radically different. The initial pain lasted just a few seconds, but then I was able to quickly put more weight on the sore muscles & cover more area in a shorter timeframe than when using a standard roller. The biggest surprise was just after rolling. It felt more like I’d had a manual deep tissue massage. I could immediately stretch & move without pain. I’ve never felt that great after standard foam rolling. I would definitely recommend this as a replacement for the standard foam roller. What a great invention! Wish I’d had this years ago.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
4of 5voted this as helpful.
 
Upgrade your home office with this Dell Inspiron desktop. Its Intel Core i7 processor and 12GB of RAM let you multitask seamlessly, and the 1TB hard drive offers plenty of storage for photos and games. This Dell Inspiron desktop has a 27-inch FHD wide-angle touch screen display for watching your favorite videos.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Good for Home/Work, not Entertainment
on December 22, 2018
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
Out-of-the-box initial setup was fast & intuitive. The pedestal stand does not require any tools, and basic instructions are included. You do need to have or sign up for a Microsoft account in order to fully utilize the system. It comes loaded with Windows 10 Home which comes with tons of personalizing options. The automatic Dell updates seem to be glitchy so far. Just after setup, it ran a few updates with no problems. Then it froze twice during installation of a critical BIOS update.
Design - The modern, sleek black & gunmetal gray look goes well in office or home setting. The monitor’s thin bezel on sides & top give it a minimalist feel. The speakers are hidden across the front/bottom. A nice touch, the camera is recessed, pop-up style, so it stays hidden until needed.
Display - I have to compare this to my current 2-year old AIO from another mainline mfr. The screen on this Dell is not glossy, but has more of a flat finish. This is great for reducing glare, but in comparing images & video with my other AIO, the colors were a bit muted and less crisp. The touch screen is fantastic. I much prefer a large screen to a laptop, and this is lightweight enough to be moved around when needed.
Speakers - Very tinny sounding when listening to music, but voice is clear & strong. Again, comparing to my other AIO (that has built-in Bang & Olufsen speakers), I actually cringed while watching my favorite music videos. I will definitely hook up some external speakers.
Keyboard & Mouse - Both are wireless & battery powered. The small USB receiver is uniquely hidden inside the mouse. The keyboard is standard and pretty quiet, but the mouse is very basic, uncomfortable & feels super cheap.
Although I wouldn’t recommend this system for a heavy gamer or for entertainment without upgrading the speakers; overall, this is a good choice for a student or for home/office use.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
BISSELL™ air400 Air Purifier is clean air made easy. We know life happens. Between the kids and pets, there are odors, allergens, dust, and other things we can’t always see in our air that need to be cleaned. That’s where the air400 shines. This machine is designed to perform from the inside, out. It captures airborne particles and odors with three stages of filtration and has an automated CirQulate® System that automatically increases fan speed as your indoor air quality decreases. The CirQulate System also uses particle sensor technology to monitor your indoor air and communicate your home’s real-time air quality through three distinct colors and a numerical reading. With a large fan and a digital, 20,000-hour DC motor, the air400 is tested to the AHAM standard to have a Smoke CADR of 279 for rooms up to 432 sq. ft., making it great for bedrooms, living areas, basements, and dining rooms. Taking care of the air you and your family breathe really is as easy as setting it and forgetting it with the air400 air purifier. And when you purchase this air purifier, you help save pets! BISSELL® proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation® and its mission to help save homeless pets. When you buy a BISSELL product, you help save pets, too. We’re proud to design products that help make pet messes, odors and pet homelessness disappear.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Noticeable Air Improvement with Quiet Motor
on November 23, 2018
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
I’ve had this running in a 260 sq. ft. room for about one week on Auto mode. It has a nice low fan sound, similar to a quiet white-noise machine. Ideal for a bedroom. Even after several hours of heavy cooking in our nearby kitchen, I haven’t heard the fan speed increase to Mid or High. However, I have seen the digital air quality display temporarily increase from the usual 002-005 reading to a high of 030.
I was hoping it would eliminate the heavy dust accumulation in the room. Normally, I can dust in the morning and by evening see that a light film has already developed. It did reduce the dust a bit, but not as much as I was anticipating. I did notice a significant reduction in cooking odors with the unit vs. without it. This made me a believer. Nothing worse than trying to sleep in a room that smells like cooked cauliflower.
I do like the automatic light control. When the room lights are dimmed, both the white lights on the control panel and the air quality display will turn off. Although the color wheel dims, I do wish there was an option to turn it off completely at night. It’s still too bright if you’re trying to black out a bedroom. I have to tape a dark piece of cloth over it at bedtime.
Overall, this is a good investment for a healthier home. We’ve discovered we’ll need at least one more unit.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Create custom lighting schemes with this Sengled Smart LED Starter kit. More than 16 million hues provide endless choices for every occasion, and a range of whites lets you mimic daylight or brighten your space. Compatible with most personal assistant programs, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, this Sengled light bulb integrates seamlessly with your smart lighting setup.
 
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4 out of 5
4
Great Color! App Still Needs Work
on November 17, 2018
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
We’ve been enjoying the Soft White bulbs for a few months, so adding the adjustable color bulbs has been a lot of fun. Note: the set of instructions in the box advises to download the “Sengled Element Home” App (green icon). Because this App is no longer supported, you’ll be directed to download the “Sengled Home” App (red icon). The Hub & Bulb setup isn’t complicated, but it can be glitchy. It took several attempts, including re-setting the Hub, before it finally paired. Same experience with the bulbs. One bulb paired immediately, but the next took several tries including a reset (turn fixture on/off quickly 10 times, then wait for bulb to flash). Once the Hub & bulbs are paired, the fun begins!
The bulbs are very customizable. There are 3 main adjustment features in the App. There are sliders to adjust brightness & color temperature. And there’s a trackpad-style feature to allow full spectrum color options. The ability to turn lights on/off when away from home is a key security feature. You can also set an on/off schedule. The color bulbs are also a huge hit in the children’s bedrooms. Overall, the bulbs & hub combo are a good buy if they’ll just continue to improve the App.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Grill, bake, roast or broil with this Delonghi Livenza 0.5 cu. ft. digital compact convection oven. This compact oven saves space while providing enough capacity to save the hassle, heat and cost of using your full-size oven. This Delonghi Livenza 0.5 cu. ft. digital compact convection oven has toasting _and warming functions for maximum flexibility.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Not Your Average Toaster Oven
on October 27, 2018
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
Our family has been through many toaster ovens over the years. We’ve heavily used them on a daily basis for small basic toast jobs to full oven backups. After putting this one through its paces, our family agrees it’s a winner. First of all, its beautiful design fits right in with all other modern kitchen appliances. But its ability to evenly cook makes it a keeper. Whether toasting bread or nuts, baking small batch cookies or re-heating meals, we found very even browning for all food types. This has been a problem in the past. You would put in your toast & have to spin it half way through the cycle for an evenly cooked outcome. Also, the inside light stays on during the entire cooking process. This is a big plus.
The unique design allows up to a 12” pizza. This was surprising, as the appliance doesn’t take up any more room than our last toaster oven, yet it can accommodate a much larger size pan.
Clean up is fairly easy. The inside surface wipes clean without much elbow grease. There is one design negative. When the door is completely open, it doesn’t lie flat, which hinders the ability to easily pull the crumb tray out.
The controls/dials are mostly intuitive, but there doesn’t seem to be a way to change cooking time/temp once the cycle has started. We’ve been able to easily add time or change baking temp mid-process with other units.
Overall, this is a great-looking appliance that appears well-built, cooks evenly and should last the test of time.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
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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.
 

I can’t use the Bose -noise-masking-sleepbuds-white to Make phone call.

These are not engineered for phone calls or listening to music on your phone. They're strictly for masking exterior sound. Hope that helps.
7 years 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.
 

Can you use these at work to drown out a loud talkative coworker?

Well, depending on how close & how loud they talk, you may not be able to completely drown them out. These will definitely help though. I've tried them in the airport & they made a huge difference. Good luck with the annoying co-worker!
7 years ago
by
CriticalEye
 
Keep your devices powered with this powerful Samsung vehicle charger. It fits any standard vehicle power outlet, and the Fast Charge technology takes your battery from empty to 50 percent in roughly 30 minutes. This compact Samsung vehicle charger has a dual port that lets you power up to two devices at once.
 

does the Fast Charging work for the Samsung Galaxy s9? I'm having a hard time finding a car charger that lists compatibility with this model specifically.

Both the S9 and the S9+ have USB-C charging ports, so the USB-C charging cable will be compatible.
7 years, 2 months ago
by
CriticalEye
 
Pursue every dream or outdoor adventure with the all-over coverage of this OtterBox Pursuit case for Samsung Galaxy S9+. Slim but rugged, this road-worthy case has a rigid inner liner to defend against a drop, while the transparent membrane over the speaker keeps dust and debris and enhances audio enjoyment. With a recessed back to enhance grip and provide a bit of style, this OtterBox Pursuit case is up for outdoor adventures or the urban streets.
 

Is there a belt clip on a solid back available?

No belt clips available on the Pursuit. However, the Defender does include a belt clip.
7 years, 2 months ago
by
CriticalEye
 
Acer 15.6" Chromebook: Stay connected while you're on the go with this Chromebook, which features fast Wireless-AC Internet connectivity and integrated Cloud support. The wide-angle Full HD display delivers bright, clear graphics, perfect for streaming your favorite TV show or chatting with friends through the HDR webcam.
 

I need to be able to type documents also to place ads. Will there be a Word program?

It comes with a free 1 month trial for Office 365 (Microsoft Word)
7 years, 2 months ago
by
CriticalEye
 
Only at Best Buy Keep an eye on what matters most with this wireless SimpliSafe security system. It provides full-time professional monitoring of your home's surroundings, and it detects intruders with advanced sensors to keep your family safe. This SimpliSafe security system continues working for 24 hours when the power fails for added protection.
 

Does is come with yard signs and window stickers

Yes, a yard sign, stakes & a couple of window stickers are included in The Shield package.
7 years, 3 months ago
by
CriticalEye
 
Only at Best Buy Keep an eye on what matters most with this wireless SimpliSafe security system. It provides full-time professional monitoring of your home's surroundings, and it detects intruders with advanced sensors to keep your family safe. This SimpliSafe security system continues working for 24 hours when the power fails for added protection.
 

The photo shows the Keyfob, but the description does not list the Keyfob as included. Does this kit include it or not?

Yes, one key fob is included with The Shield package.
7 years, 3 months ago
by
CriticalEye
 
Listen to your playlist in peace with these Sony headphones. They have a 40mm dome driver to deliver the full depth of audio, and the noise cancelling feature minimizes outside disturbances for a better listening experience. These Sony headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours for extended jam sessions.
 

Are they comfortable with glasses? Also does anyone have the dimensions, like the size of the earcups and height.

I wear glasses & most over-the-ear headphones hurt after a short while. These do not. A feature in the downloadable App will actually make an adjustment if you're wearing glasses. Dimensions inside the cups are about 1 1/4" x 2 1/4", but the material is very flexible & comfortable. Hope that helps.
7 years, 4 months ago
by
CriticalEye
 
Listen to your playlist in peace with these Sony headphones. They have a 40mm dome driver to deliver the full depth of audio, and the noise cancelling feature minimizes outside disturbances for a better listening experience. These Sony headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours for extended jam sessions.
 

Are the sony wh-1000xm2 good for watching movies and video games?

Definitely yes. Sound quality is very good with or without NC on.
7 years, 4 months ago
by
CriticalEye
 
Listen to your playlist in peace with these Sony headphones. They have a 40mm dome driver to deliver the full depth of audio, and the noise cancelling feature minimizes outside disturbances for a better listening experience. These Sony headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours for extended jam sessions.
 

Are SONY WH1000XM2 compatible with Sony XBR900E

I wasn't able to get mine to pair with the TV. However, this Sony TV has had bluetooth pairing issues in general. You can always go wired if you have a cord extender.
7 years, 4 months ago
by
CriticalEye