CriticalEye's stats
- Review count124
- Helpfulness votes497
- First reviewOctober 20, 2014
- Last reviewOctober 19, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.2
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- Answer count22
- Helpfulness votes12
- First answerMarch 11, 2018
- Last answerOctober 21, 2021
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Get a good night's rest with this Philips SmartSleep connected sleep and wake-up light. The built-in sensor monitors the ambient conditions around your room and offers suggestions for improvement, while the downloadable SleepMapper app enables control and customization from your smartphone. This Philips SmartSleep connected sleep and wake-up light features a PowerWake alarm for the days you need help to get out of bed.
Customer Rating
4
Finally, the Perfect Way to Wake Up!
on November 10, 2019
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
I’ve searched endlessly for the right wakeup alarm product or App and finally found it in the Philips SmartSleep Light Therapy Lamp. This lamp, coupled with the free App, is more than just a new way to wake up. Here are just a few of the reasons why:
PROS:
- MAJOR PRO! Wake up without the adrenaline rush! Being jolted out of sleep by an alarm can’t be healthy. Even some alarm Apps with more gentle sounds or tones are still too abrupt for me. Instead, this lamp allows me to wake up gently to a gradual, simulated sunrise, with or without sound/music, ensuring a better start to my day!
- Lots of alarm settings. You can set the color scheme, the light intensity, & the duration of the gradual sunrise, with or without sound. You can also set multiple alarms with individual settings for each.
- The Lamp can also be used as a reading lamp with the ability to dim & set the optimum color for pre-sleep. It can also be set to fully lit or bright when needed.
- SleepMapper App: The stable App was quick to connect & has some great features. It will display current room conditions like Temp, Humidity, and amount of light & noise while giving you a comparison to the optimal conditions of each. The App can track your sleep & also offer a wind-down breathing exercise. I especially like the Sunset feature & use it each night. This allows you to set a sunset countdown where the light will gradually dim to fully dark.
- MAJOR PRO! Wake up without the adrenaline rush! Being jolted out of sleep by an alarm can’t be healthy. Even some alarm Apps with more gentle sounds or tones are still too abrupt for me. Instead, this lamp allows me to wake up gently to a gradual, simulated sunrise, with or without sound/music, ensuring a better start to my day!
- Lots of alarm settings. You can set the color scheme, the light intensity, & the duration of the gradual sunrise, with or without sound. You can also set multiple alarms with individual settings for each.
- The Lamp can also be used as a reading lamp with the ability to dim & set the optimum color for pre-sleep. It can also be set to fully lit or bright when needed.
- SleepMapper App: The stable App was quick to connect & has some great features. It will display current room conditions like Temp, Humidity, and amount of light & noise while giving you a comparison to the optimal conditions of each. The App can track your sleep & also offer a wind-down breathing exercise. I especially like the Sunset feature & use it each night. This allows you to set a sunset countdown where the light will gradually dim to fully dark.
CONS:
- MAJOR CON! Why is the display color white? Even at the lowest setting, the white display completely negates the effort to black out the bedroom for optimal sleep. There is an option to turn off the display, but then you lose the ability to see what time it is. If Philips would allow a nighttime red display option, this would solve the problem.
- Outer case only available in white. Since the lamp will most likely be displayed prominently on your bedside table or nightstand, Philips should offer the product in other more attractive color options than white. Basic black or brown would be more compatible with the avg. bedroom suite.
- The App doesn’t allow the same type of functions as the manual functions on the lamp. For example, setting radio station presets is easier on the lamp vs. the App.
- Limited Wakeup sound options: Some of the wakeup sounds are downright odd & even humorous (mooing cow with cowbell?). Increasing the variety of wakeup sounds in the App would be a simple fix that would greatly improve the product.
- Speaker: Very tinny sound. FM radio sounds more like AM. It also makes the wakeup options sound weird. A little more base would do the trick.
- MAJOR CON! Why is the display color white? Even at the lowest setting, the white display completely negates the effort to black out the bedroom for optimal sleep. There is an option to turn off the display, but then you lose the ability to see what time it is. If Philips would allow a nighttime red display option, this would solve the problem.
- Outer case only available in white. Since the lamp will most likely be displayed prominently on your bedside table or nightstand, Philips should offer the product in other more attractive color options than white. Basic black or brown would be more compatible with the avg. bedroom suite.
- The App doesn’t allow the same type of functions as the manual functions on the lamp. For example, setting radio station presets is easier on the lamp vs. the App.
- Limited Wakeup sound options: Some of the wakeup sounds are downright odd & even humorous (mooing cow with cowbell?). Increasing the variety of wakeup sounds in the App would be a simple fix that would greatly improve the product.
- Speaker: Very tinny sound. FM radio sounds more like AM. It also makes the wakeup options sound weird. A little more base would do the trick.
Overall, I’m giving it 4 stars. It’s the most innovative sleep product I’ve seen, & the idea of gently waking up to a ‘natural’ sunrise is groundbreaking! With a few tweaks, Philips can grow this concept into a 5-star product.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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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.
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
I’ve been using the MX Master 2 for home & business for several years. Every time the mouse died (usually because the left-click mechanism eventually failed), I’d search the market, only to find that Logitech’s MX 2 was still the best mouse available. So, I’m really excited that Logitech upped their game again with the MX Master 3. I expected only a few tweaks, but was pleasantly surprised with the upgraded form & feel.
The Good
-Fatigue: I’m a heavy user (~10 hours/day). So, when I replaced my standard employer-issued HP mouse with the MX 3, I immediately noticed a major reduction in hand fatigue, in just 1 day, after switching to the MX 3. And the physical stress relief wasn’t just in my hand, but all the way up to elbow & shoulder.
-Feel: It’s a bit weightier than the MX2. The mold feels a little larger & better suited to my hand. The surface is also much smoother than the MX 2.
-Smooth Glide: For the 1st time ever, I ditched my annoying mouse pad. The mouse works perfectly on my desk. No more need to lift and re-center the mouse on the pad all the time.
-Scrolling: Smooth & fast! They also fixed that awkward click when toggling from ‘ratchet’ to ‘free-spin’ mode; so, I toggle between modes often now.
-Logitech Options App: I definitely recommend downloading the App to your PC. I had several questions re: buttons I rarely use, and the Intro Tour addressed them all. You can create different settings for each App that you use (Word, Excel, etc.).
-Receiver: One receiver can pair up to 6 devices, preserving USB ports
-Feel: It’s a bit weightier than the MX2. The mold feels a little larger & better suited to my hand. The surface is also much smoother than the MX 2.
-Smooth Glide: For the 1st time ever, I ditched my annoying mouse pad. The mouse works perfectly on my desk. No more need to lift and re-center the mouse on the pad all the time.
-Scrolling: Smooth & fast! They also fixed that awkward click when toggling from ‘ratchet’ to ‘free-spin’ mode; so, I toggle between modes often now.
-Logitech Options App: I definitely recommend downloading the App to your PC. I had several questions re: buttons I rarely use, and the Intro Tour addressed them all. You can create different settings for each App that you use (Word, Excel, etc.).
-Receiver: One receiver can pair up to 6 devices, preserving USB ports
The Bad
-None. However, only time will tell if the internal parts are of better quality. It’s a shame to lose an expensive mouse because one small internal piece (left-click) fails.
-None. However, only time will tell if the internal parts are of better quality. It’s a shame to lose an expensive mouse because one small internal piece (left-click) fails.
Overall: 5 big stars! Logitech really thought of everything with the MX 3. I keep discovering new features I like, the longer I use it.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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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.
Customer Rating
5
Logitech Hit It Out of the Park
on October 22, 2019
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
I’ve probably used at least a dozen different keyboards from different manufacturers, but I always come back to Logitech. The MX Keys is by far the best yet. It’s so great, that I have only good things to say about it:
The Good
-Weight: Logitech added just the right amount of weight so that the board doesn’t slide around on slick surfaces.
-Backlighting: I’m now a big believer in the importance of backlighting. Even though I use the touch system, I still find myself looking down at the keys from time to time. But my office lighting is often either too bright, creating glare on the keys, or too dim, obscuring them altogether. So, I’m often hovering over my keyboard, trying to read the keys at an awkward angle. Enter ‘Smart Illumination’! As soon as your hands approach the keyboard, proximity sensors trigger the backlighting. Then additional censors adjust the brightness according to ambient room light. This is a huge improvement for me.
-Quiet keys: My old board was a standard employer-issued HP keyboard. It sounded loud, cheap, & plasticky. Even my coworker in the next office used to mention how loud the clickety-clack of my keyboard was. But this MX is virtually silent, even stealthy. Not getting any more comments about my loud, annoying keyboard.
-Key Shapes: This is the 1st thing that caught my attention. The keys are slightly rounded and concave. It’s noticeably more comfortable than any keyboard I’ve ever tried, & it gives a sure feel.
-Logitech Options App: I definitely recommend downloading the App. I had several questions re: ‘F’ keys & new battery-life notifications, most of which were quickly addressed in the Intro Tour. And the App allows easy tweaking for just about every setting you can imagine.
Receiver: One receiver can pair up to 6 devices, saving USB ports.
Pop-Up Notices: A quick ‘CAPS ON/OFF’ pop-up appears when you hit the ‘caps lock’ key. This helpful feature prevents mistaking the ‘caps lock’ key for the ‘shift’ key, which otherwise occurs far too often.
-USB-C Charging: No more eating batteries! Logitech claims 10 days of power from one charge. Mine lasted 12 days which is impressive, especially for a backlit keyboard! I also have a Logitech K-750 solar keyboard that began to lose its ability to fully charge; so, I’m looking forward to less hassle.
-Backlighting: I’m now a big believer in the importance of backlighting. Even though I use the touch system, I still find myself looking down at the keys from time to time. But my office lighting is often either too bright, creating glare on the keys, or too dim, obscuring them altogether. So, I’m often hovering over my keyboard, trying to read the keys at an awkward angle. Enter ‘Smart Illumination’! As soon as your hands approach the keyboard, proximity sensors trigger the backlighting. Then additional censors adjust the brightness according to ambient room light. This is a huge improvement for me.
-Quiet keys: My old board was a standard employer-issued HP keyboard. It sounded loud, cheap, & plasticky. Even my coworker in the next office used to mention how loud the clickety-clack of my keyboard was. But this MX is virtually silent, even stealthy. Not getting any more comments about my loud, annoying keyboard.
-Key Shapes: This is the 1st thing that caught my attention. The keys are slightly rounded and concave. It’s noticeably more comfortable than any keyboard I’ve ever tried, & it gives a sure feel.
-Logitech Options App: I definitely recommend downloading the App. I had several questions re: ‘F’ keys & new battery-life notifications, most of which were quickly addressed in the Intro Tour. And the App allows easy tweaking for just about every setting you can imagine.
Receiver: One receiver can pair up to 6 devices, saving USB ports.
Pop-Up Notices: A quick ‘CAPS ON/OFF’ pop-up appears when you hit the ‘caps lock’ key. This helpful feature prevents mistaking the ‘caps lock’ key for the ‘shift’ key, which otherwise occurs far too often.
-USB-C Charging: No more eating batteries! Logitech claims 10 days of power from one charge. Mine lasted 12 days which is impressive, especially for a backlit keyboard! I also have a Logitech K-750 solar keyboard that began to lose its ability to fully charge; so, I’m looking forward to less hassle.
The Bad
-None
-None
Overall: It gets 5 stars! It’s by far the best keyboard I’ve ever tried. Logitech keeps thinking creatively & upping their game.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Keep an eye on your home or business day and night with Arlo Pro 3. With no wires, you can install Pro 3 in minutes and view video directly from your phone. Spot unique details with color night vision, and see more in dark areas with the integrated spotlight. The advanced lens provides superior image quality, a wider field of view, and allows you to auto track and zoom on moving objects with clarity. Receive notifications when your camera spots people, vehicles, animals, or packages, and view live video or recorded clips directly from your phone, with 3 months of included Arlo Smart.* Hear and speak to visitors clearly with two-way audio.
Customer Rating
4
Quality Video. Easy Setup.
on October 6, 2019
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
We’ve been using & enjoying the Arlo 2 system for almost 2 years. The Arlo 2 cameras have been durable & reliable, so we were excited to try the new Arlo 3 iteration. It did not disappoint. Arlo made some great improvements to quality & features.
Setup: Very simple & straightforward. Just plug the Base Station into the power & Ethernet to your router. Log in or create an Arlo account and you’re guided perfectly through each step. This process was flawless. Connectivity with the Hub and cameras was very fast.
Mounting: Super easy. System comes with 2 Mounts. Both options are fully adjustable and only require a Phillips-head screwdriver (and possibly a small hammer if you use the included screw anchors).
Video: The 2K video quality is excellent and the field of view is very wide (160 degrees and can be adjusted down if needed). The microphone picks up sound very clearly. At close range, like a front door/porch mount, you can hear someone speak loud & clear. I can even pick up chatter from across the street.
Night Vision: The color night vision is fantastic! However, color video is only possible if the spotlight is engaged. If the spotlight is off, the video is black & white.
Spotlight: The powerful spotlight is a great improvement. You can adjust the brightness as well as the behavior (Constant, Flash or Pulsate). The spotlight will engage every time it senses activity and stay illuminated while recording. I don’t necessarily want to broadcast to every passerby that I have a camera on the front porch, so I disengaged the feature on that camera. When ‘Live Viewing’, you can engage the spotlight at any time.
Magnetic Charging: Great improvement! No port covers to unseal. No tiny connector to plug into. The charging cable easily snaps magnetically into place.
The App:
- The App allows for very detailed customization of each camera.
- Notifications: Activity notifications are sent very quickly after sensing motion, usually within a few seconds. There are still times when there is a delay in trying to view a video clip right after receiving an alert. I’ll get the “connecting…” or “buffering…” for several seconds before being able to view video. I’ll usually get the same delay when attempting to ‘Live View’ as well. Sometimes, I just have to shut down the App & re-start.
- No option to save credentials/stay logged in. When you run out of “tokens”, you’re automatically logged out. This seems to happen at the most critical time. For example, you’re having a nice dinner with friends away from home when you receive a notification & get a brief glimpse that a stranger is on your porch. Sorry, you’re out of “tokens”, and it jumps to the login screen. You’ve been logged out at the very moment that you can least afford to go dark. If you don’t have your username & password handy, then it’s panic time!
- The App allows for very detailed customization of each camera.
- Notifications: Activity notifications are sent very quickly after sensing motion, usually within a few seconds. There are still times when there is a delay in trying to view a video clip right after receiving an alert. I’ll get the “connecting…” or “buffering…” for several seconds before being able to view video. I’ll usually get the same delay when attempting to ‘Live View’ as well. Sometimes, I just have to shut down the App & re-start.
- No option to save credentials/stay logged in. When you run out of “tokens”, you’re automatically logged out. This seems to happen at the most critical time. For example, you’re having a nice dinner with friends away from home when you receive a notification & get a brief glimpse that a stranger is on your porch. Sorry, you’re out of “tokens”, and it jumps to the login screen. You’ve been logged out at the very moment that you can least afford to go dark. If you don’t have your username & password handy, then it’s panic time!
Overall: This is an excellent DIY security camera system with the ability to add more cameras as needed. Video quality is great. The cameras are durable. The system is portable (no hard-wiring; perfect for renters). It’s affordable and requires no monthly monitoring fees. The App still needs work, so I have to give it 4 stars instead of 5.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Put floor cleaning on autopilot with this SharkNinja Shark IQ robot vacuum. Compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant simplifies control from a distance, while the IQ Nav functionality provides digital home mapping to clean specific rooms as needed right now. This SharkNinja Shark IQ robot vacuum recharges itself to resume cleaning from where it left off.
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
We have new, very dark faux wood floors, so I thought it would be the perfect environment to try out my first robot vacuum. Out of the box, it’s a very easy setup. The instructions are clear. And downloading the Shark App is a must.
The Good:
- Easy setup: Be sure to allow several hours for the initial required charging time before 1st use
- Mapping ability: It needs several runs (4-5 in my case) to fully map the area before you judge its capabilities
- Coverage: Once it was fully mapped, it made a successful pass over 90% of the area that needed vacuuming
- Easy setup: Be sure to allow several hours for the initial required charging time before 1st use
- Mapping ability: It needs several runs (4-5 in my case) to fully map the area before you judge its capabilities
- Coverage: Once it was fully mapped, it made a successful pass over 90% of the area that needed vacuuming
The Bad:
- The Shark App gets ONE STAR! After downloading, it immediately crashed. Then it crashed during every use, whether at startup or in the middle of a cycle. It also frequently logged me out, requiring me to re-enter my full login/password each time. There appears to be no option to stay logged into the app or for login credentials to be remembered. This is highly annoying!
- LOW SUCTION POWER! Many times I observed the brushes sweeping away debris, rather than sweeping debris into the vac to be sucked up into the storage chamber. Also, the airflow from beneath the unit often blows light debris away from the vac. I found debris was often scattered to the baseboards.
- No cleaning tools included. The instructions explain how to use a brush for cleaning, but no brush was provided.
- If there is a need to stop in the middle of cleaning, the Go-To-Dock option in the App rarely works. I observed the robot circling around for 10 minutes, banging into walls/objects, aimlessly retracing its path. I finally had to pick it up & place it in the dock.
- The Shark App gets ONE STAR! After downloading, it immediately crashed. Then it crashed during every use, whether at startup or in the middle of a cycle. It also frequently logged me out, requiring me to re-enter my full login/password each time. There appears to be no option to stay logged into the app or for login credentials to be remembered. This is highly annoying!
- LOW SUCTION POWER! Many times I observed the brushes sweeping away debris, rather than sweeping debris into the vac to be sucked up into the storage chamber. Also, the airflow from beneath the unit often blows light debris away from the vac. I found debris was often scattered to the baseboards.
- No cleaning tools included. The instructions explain how to use a brush for cleaning, but no brush was provided.
- If there is a need to stop in the middle of cleaning, the Go-To-Dock option in the App rarely works. I observed the robot circling around for 10 minutes, banging into walls/objects, aimlessly retracing its path. I finally had to pick it up & place it in the dock.
Overall:
I would not trust it to vacuum carpet after it demonstrated mediocre results on smooth, level flooring.
For hardwood floors, it gets 3 stars for average sweeping power. It’s better than nothing, but this unit cannot replace vacuuming by hand with a full-powered unit.
I would not trust it to vacuum carpet after it demonstrated mediocre results on smooth, level flooring.
For hardwood floors, it gets 3 stars for average sweeping power. It’s better than nothing, but this unit cannot replace vacuuming by hand with a full-powered unit.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Record your experiences on the road with this Nextbase dash cam. A wide-angle lens captures every detail, ensuring you are covered at all times, and the 2.5-inch LCD screen allows for comfortable viewing when reviewing videos. This Nextbase dash cam connects with smart devices via Wi-Fi and and Bluetooth 4.2, letting you review video footage on your device.
Customer Rating
4
Good Multi-Featured Dashcam; App Needs Improvement
on July 28, 2019
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
Instruction Manual: I’d recommend you download the more detailed & comprehensive online instruction manual to supplement the startup guide included in the box.
Mounting: 2 options: You can use either the removable suction cup to fasten the cam to the windshield or the double-sided sticky-tape mount. I opted for the windshield suction cup & placed the cam near my rearview mirror. The suction cup is strong & holds the cam steady. The convenient integrated Click-&-Go magnetic connector allows me to remove/reattach the cam w/o removing the mount.
Power: comes from the included 12V power cable which extends from the mount to my cigarette lighter receptacle. I don’t like unsightly cords that can interfere w/my field of view; so, I plan to buy the $29 hardwire accessory kit to hardwire the cam into my SUV.
Connectivity: I downloaded the Android app to my Samsung Galaxy S9+ & was able to connect to the cam via both Bluetooth & Wi-Fi. The app is slow & buggy w/some definite connectivity issues that need improvement.
Charging: Prior to 1st use, I charged the dashcam for a couple hours by connecting the cam to my PC via the included USB cable.
Software: While connected to my PC via the included USB cable, I download the required firmware update from Nextbase’s website. This ensured a smoother setup process when I configured my basic settings, including: auto power, microSD card formatting, high (1080p HD default) or low resolution (720p) recording format, audio on/off, screen dimming, loop recording length, speed, location, date, time zone, alerts, parking mode, G sensor, GPS, & other features.
Display: While you can always use your smartphone app, the 2.5” LED touchscreen on the back of the dashcam also gives you an easy-to-navigate scrollable menu & allows you to view your video footage & change your settings w/o having to connect to another device.
Video: I was able to view, manage, & edit my videos via both my PC & smartphone. Video quality at 1080p full HD & 60fps is quite good.
Audio: Remember that, unless you toggle off the audio recording feature, all sound inside your cabin, including handsfree speakerphone calls, conversations w/passengers, & any ‘commentary’ about fellow drivers on the road are all recorded & accessible for playback w/the recorded video.
GPS: With the cam’s GPS, I was able to see relevant data displayed w/the cam footage on playback including GPS coordinates, map, compass heading, route taken, direction traveled, speed, date/time, etc. In the event of an accident or some other incident, the data could prove critical in documenting the facts. It’s a 2-edged sword in that the evidence could be used to help prove your innocence or your guilt.
Recording: The cam begins recording automatically when the vehicle’s ignition is turned on. For manual recording simply press the red button on the screen to start & press it again to stop. Video records in 1, 2, or 3-min. increments, making it easy to scroll thru saved clips for later viewing. The cam also has a protect button that allows you to manually preserve an important clip so that it’s not overwritten by the loop recording system. You can also capture a still photo while the cam is recording video by tapping the touchscreen on the back of the dashcam.
Memory Card: I used a 32GB U3 microSD Card for the loop recording system. However, I’d recommend opting for a larger memory card (128GB) so that recorded video isn’t overwritten as frequently. Some may find it annoying that Nextbase doesn’t include even a limited capacity memory card in the pkg. It can feel a bit like opening a hi-tech present on Christmas morning only to discover a “batteries not included” sticker on the box.
Park Mode: The cam has an internal battery which Nextbase says will last for over 1 week while your vehicle is off & parked. The cam’s internal G sensor becomes more sensitive in park mode & will automatically power on & record for 3 mins. if it detects movement & then shut down again. This feature might prove useful in the event your parked vehicle is impacted in a hit-&-run accident, vandalized, or broken into by thieves, assuming they don’t steal the cam itself.
Wide-Angle View: The cam has a 140º field of view which is wide enough to capture all traffic lanes of my freeway commute & even the shoulders when I’m not on interstate hwy. Nighttime video quality is good on streets w/good lighting, but it doesn’t act like a “night vision” cam on dark, unlit roads.
Emergency SOS: Alerts 1st responders to your location if you're involved in an accident.
When viewed on my PC, the Nextbase viewer software (MyNextbase Player app) demonstrates the richness of the Nextbase dashcam’s feature set by providing a comprehensive display of captured metadata. All the data is displayed beneath the file footage during video playback. The experience is not unlike a video game display w/a speedometer, compass heading, GPS coordinates, Google Maps, G-sensor reading, etc. And you can share these files at the click of a button w/your insurance provider or upload them to your social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, & YouTube, etc.). You can zoom in/out, stake screenshots, edit, & share your files by using the MyNextbase Connect app, which uses a fast, secure Wi-Fi connection w/a new, improved chipset. The app is available for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
In conclusion, this is an impressive dashcam w/a good feature set. Once the buggy app & connectivity issues are fixed, this will become a 5-star product.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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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.
Customer Rating
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.
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.
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.
-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
-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.
-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.
-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.
-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.
-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.
-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!
Share this review:
+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.
Customer Rating
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.
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.
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!
Share this review:
+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.
Customer Rating
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.
-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!
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+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.
Customer Rating
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.
- 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
- 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!
Share this review:
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
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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.
How long does it take before your ears get sweaty in these? I looked at the store and it looks like the cushions are made of fake leather...
I've used them for an hour or so at a time, but surprisingly never feel sweaty. They're the most comfortable headphones I have, but the suction gets a bit too strong after about 15 min. You have to give them a quick lift from your ears to relieve the pressure. Understandable though & worth it for the excellent noise canceling. Hope that helps.
6 years, 8 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.
How many people have these Sony 1000X MK2 and have had problems with the cracking on the band? I really want them but I'm not sure if they are gonna break easily!
I've had a pair for about 5 months. Haven't had any issues with cracking. They're just a beautiful as the day I received them. I do take pretty good care of them, but I have had others in the past break down over time. Hope that helps.
6 years, 8 months ago
by
CriticalEye