CriticalEye's stats
- Review count119
- Helpfulness votes489
- First reviewOctober 20, 2014
- Last reviewApril 28, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.1
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- Answer count22
- Helpfulness votes12
- First answerMarch 11, 2018
- Last answerOctober 21, 2021
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The Frigidaire 12,000 BTU 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner keeps your home cool and comfortable when and where you need it. Enjoy more cooling flexibility with two different fan speeds plus dehumidifying Dry Mode to keep your room cool and comfortable while also removing excess moisture from the air. Plus, cool your room anywhere, anytime from your smart device with the Frigidaire app.
Posted by: CriticalEye
Our central A/C died last month on the very first day of our summer heat wave in the Deep South, & every single HVAC company in our area was booked solid for the next 2 days. By 2pm it was 94 degrees outside & 91 degrees in my upstairs office. I was MISERABLE! How I wish we’d had this unit already. Even after the A/C was repaired, we noticed it was unable to keep up every afternoon & into the evening. We would set the thermostat at 75 in the morning to give the A/C a running start each day, but by early afternoon the indoor temp would begin creeping upwards to 77-78-79.
Enter the Frigidaire 3-in-1 Portable Room A/C unit which is now providing relief during the dogdays of August. This unit is easy to set up & can be used for a temporary fix or a long-term solution. Since our HOA forbids window units, and it’s too soon to upgrade the inadequate contractor-grade HVAC system that the builder installed when the house was new, this portable upright unit (on rollers) is the perfect solution for our supplemental cooling needs on hot summer afternoons. It’s about the size of a large upright living room air purifier or a large 58L kitchen trash can. The only thing you can see from the street is the small opening for the heat exhaust. When fall arrives, we can easily pull the hose from the window & roll it into a closet until next season.
We currently have it set up in an open area that covers the dining room, family room & kitchen (approx. 500 sq. ft.). When we turn on the unit in the afternoon, we usually keep it at the default room temperature setting of 72 degrees with the fan on “high.” The effect is pronounced and quick with a temperature drop of 3 degrees in about 30 minutes. The unit has a pleasant fan noise, not shrill like some appliances. No “warm up” time is required; so, as soon as the unit turns on, it beings blowing cold air instantaneously. Once the inside temp reaches 72, we turn the fan down to a nice quiet “white noise” level that’s on par with the soft indoor airflow sound of our central A/C system. We’re using it on the “Cool” setting which doesn’t cause any drainage, but it can be switched to the “Dry” mode which will pull the moisture from the air. In Dry mode, you’ll need to attach the drain hose (included) & add a drip pan.
This unit also comes with a remote (batteries included). The remote shows your current settings & allows you to change modes, temp settings, & fan speeds as well as set the timer.
The only negative is the flimsy heat exhaust hose which too easily disconnects from the plastic window connector if you bump it in the least. That needs a redesign to something sturdier/more substantial.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Sound Driven Performance. Faster - Higher – Stronger – Sennheiser’s new SPORT True Wireless drives your performance with our most premium sound, Adaptable Acoustics that lets you tailor the sound for the level of focus or awareness you prefer and an outstanding secure fit. Powered by Sennheiser’s dynamic TrueResponse transducer, the SPORT True Wireless energizes with optimal clarity and full bass. Its unique Adaptable Acoustics feature let you choose an open ear adapter style when you want to minimize body-borne noise and require more situational awareness or an insulating Closed ear adapter that blocks background noise for a focused audio experience. The SPORT True Wireless’s sleek ergonomic design offers brilliant comfort with a choice of fins and ear adapters to ensure a secure customized fit. Its IP54 rating means it can take on the elements, withstand splashes and easily handle sweat or rain. And with up to 27 hours battery life with on-the-go charging – it’s ready for anything you are.
Customer Rating
5
Perfect Fit & Great Sound
on June 30, 2022
Posted by: CriticalEye
These are my new favorite sport buds. I’ve had several pairs of sport earbuds/headphones over the years & these are the best fitting & most secure, but they also sound great. I’ve had some that sounded a little richer, but would come loose during exercise. And I‘ve had some that stayed in place, but sounded tinny. These Sennheiser in-ear buds hit the sweet spot & combine the best of both.
Out of the box, they took about 45 minutes to fully charge. Pairing was fast & easy with my Android phone. The Sennheiser App is a must, especially if you want to customize your sound. Here are the highlights:
- Secure fit. The out-of-the-box eartips were the perfect size, but 5 additional sizes are included if those are not a good fit. The small fins on the outside of the buds, give them that extra secure feeling. I never have to adjust them or push them back in like my others that don’t have fins. Additional fins of different sizes are included in the box.
- The sound is rich & full. With the equalizer in the App, I can crank up the bass which sounds almost as good as my non-sport headphones. The App has a one-button preset just for podcasts. I use the feature a lot. It’s nice to be able to switch back & forth from my music preset to podcast preset with one tap. The App also includes a one-tap option to switch from “Aware” (able to hear sounds around you) to “Focus” (similar to noise-cancelling).
- The sound is rich & full. With the equalizer in the App, I can crank up the bass which sounds almost as good as my non-sport headphones. The App has a one-button preset just for podcasts. I use the feature a lot. It’s nice to be able to switch back & forth from my music preset to podcast preset with one tap. The App also includes a one-tap option to switch from “Aware” (able to hear sounds around you) to “Focus” (similar to noise-cancelling).
Overall, I would definitely recommend these earbuds for sports or general use. They’re very secure & offer great sound whether listening to music or podcasts.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Ideal for espresso-based drinks such as cappuccinos, cortados, and flat whites, the new Ember Cup, 6 oz, offers a premium coffee experience that does more than keep your coffee hot. Our smart mug allows you to set your preferred drinking temperature, so you can enjoy your expertly crafted hot drink —just the way you like it— from the first sip to the last drop. Ember Cup’s built-in battery maintains your precise drinking temperature for up to 1.5 hours or all day with the included charging coaster.
Posted by: CriticalEye
Oh, how I’ve waited for a product like this! I love coffee & espresso, but the moment it’s poured into my mug or cup, it begins to cool down. Within a short time, it loses its optimum flavor & peak enjoyment. I’ve been using those cheapo mug warming plates for years, & although they work pretty well, they limit my mobility. I kept a warmer at the house & one at the office. But my mug had to stay on the warmer at all times. If I took my mug with me to another room, my coffee was soon lukewarm. And I can’t count the number of times that I left the house or the office only to then wonder whether I’d remembered to turn off my warming plate. For fear of burning the place down, I had to race back to double-check it. Thanks to the Ember Cup, those days are over! YAY!
This 6 oz. cup is the perfect size for an Expresso, Latte or Cappuccino. You can use it without the Ember App, but it’s much more fun with the App. Once you create an Account (all you need is name, email & password) & pair the App with the cup, you can personalize the LED color that displays on the cup. This is helpful if you own more than one cup (set to different temp settings for coffee vs. tea, etc.) &/or multiple users in your household. The default temp setting on my cup was 135 degrees, which is perfect for me. But the App includes a slider to adjust the temp to your liking. There are also some presets for different coffees & teas, a tea timer & some drink recipes.
The Good Stuff:
- The cup heats up very quickly & notifies you when it’s reached the desired temp.
- The outside of the cup is cool to the touch.
- On a full charge, battery life is about 90 mins.
- The App includes instructions & an explanation for the different colored LED lights.
- The mug maintains a consistent temp.
- The cup heats up very quickly & notifies you when it’s reached the desired temp.
- The outside of the cup is cool to the touch.
- On a full charge, battery life is about 90 mins.
- The App includes instructions & an explanation for the different colored LED lights.
- The mug maintains a consistent temp.
There’s really no downside to this cup. You do have to hand-wash it, as it’s not dishwasher safe, but that’s understandable given the inherent technology. And it does take a long time to charge (2-3 hrs.) if the battery is fully depleted. Otherwise, this is a great invention that makes modern living more enjoyable. Now, I need to buy the Ember Mug for my regular coffee.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Design meets function with the BESPOKE Cube Air Purification System by Samsung. This visually appealing, virtually silent Air Purification System traps large dust particles, helps remove unpleasant odors, and captures ultrafine dust, providing clean air for your home.
Customer Rating
5
Attractive, Effective, Quiet Workhorse
on June 13, 2022
Posted by: CriticalEye
This is our 3rd household air purifier, & this unit is the most technologically advanced of the 3. Our other 2 purifiers were larger rectangular boxes that were somewhat unattractive & obtrusive. With the bulkier units, we found ourselves trying to strategically place them out of the way, which became both a challenge & a compromise, given that they’re not at optimal function when placed against a wall or next to other fixtures or furniture. For maximum effectiveness, air purifiers like unobstructed airflow. In contrast, this attractive Cube has a sleek, compact design w/a modest footprint (just 14” x17” x15”) that blends nicely w/our furniture. Aesthetically, we’re comfortable placing it in the open where it fits w/our décor & can circulate best.
We live in the Southeast in middle-Tennessee. Although it’s a beautiful area, it’s also known for pollen, dust mites, mold, ragweed, heavy concentrations of deciduous trees, a long growing season, & notorious seasonal allergies. In fact, our city is ranked by the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) as an “Allergy Capital”. Accordingly, most of our local board-certified allergists & otolaryngologists (aka ENTs) recommend their allergy suffering patients consider buying certified household air purifiers/cleaners. So, we jumped at the chance to try this new Samsung high-tech air purifier in May, which was the perfect primetime window to test its effectiveness against our challenging environment.
To cut right to the chase, after just one week of leaving this air purifier on auto/smart mode, we definitely feel a difference! Normally, as the weather warms in May, the house begins to smell a little musty by the time we come home from work. But after just a couple of days w/the Bespoke Cube, we both agreed that the downstairs area of the house had a cleaner, fresher, less stuffy smell when we walked in at the end of the day. We’ve also noticed that we’ve been sneezing less since we installed this unit earlier this month. Do we have expensive, sophisticated test equipment to scientifically validate what we believe is noticeably improved air quality? No. Is it possible that our perception that we’re breathing easier during this spring’s allergy season is due in part to a placebo effect & not directly attributable to this air purifier? I suppose it’s possible, but not likely. This unit includes a micro air sensor that accurately detects particles down to ultrafine dust as small as 0.3 microns. The gas sensor detects household odors including ammonia, acetic acid, benzene, & toluene. Its activated carbon HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter removes up to 99.7% of indoor airborne particulate matter circulating in our home.
We cook w/natural gas & have a natural gas fireplace in the living room. Our open floor plan provides for a large open space w/the living room & dining room areas adjacent to the kitchen. We can now measure how cooking affects our air quality--via Samsung’s SmartThings App--before, during & after meals. This unit’s AI purification monitors the pollution level & constantly adjusts to optimize purification. When this smart unit detects heavy concentrations of contaminants in room air, the fan speed adjusts accordingly & the front panel extends outward to allow for increased airflow & purification. The unit is Wi-Fi enabled & includes Alexa & Google Asst. voice recognition. The app alerts you when it’s time to buy replacement filters. Although we don’t have pets, our siblings’ families do, & we’re recommending this unit to them. There’s a Pet Mode to remove pet hair & odors so that their families can all breathe cleaner air, & so can we, when we visit them! And for those w/smokers, this unit is also designed to filter tobacco smoke. One nice surprise: the SmartThings App came preloaded on our Samsung S22 Ultra smartphones. Of course, the Cube itself has a digital air quality display on the front panel if your phone’s not handy.
Overall, this is a quiet, attractive, high-quality air purifier that we can confidently recommend for a 350 sq. ft. space. It’s not inexpensive, but then, quality never is. Samsung’s Bespoke Cube provides a good return on your investment. In fact, we plan on buying another unit for our master bedroom so that we’ll sleep better.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Build a healthier lifestyle, right from your wrist. Starting a new health and wellness journey is easier when you have a great partner. Your Halo View (and your Halo membership) will be there with you every step of the way. Access features like: Activity tracking - Check your heart rate, steps, Activity score, and on-demand blood oxygen levels. Sleep time and assessment - Check the quantity and quality of your sleep. On-the-go control - Receive text messages, start live workouts, and get move reminders on your wrist. Long-lasting connection -Halo View has up to 7-days battery life that fully charges in 2 hours and is swim proof up to 50 meters. The band comes in 2 sizes, Small/Medium (5.1"-7.7") and Medium/Large (6.3"-8.9").
Customer Rating
4
Top Notch Affordable Fitness Tracker
on March 3, 2022
Posted by: CriticalEye
I’ve been searching for a new fitness tracker since losing my old Fitbit. It was a decent tracker, but I lost it because of its clip-on design. So, I wanted a more secure wristband style that looked nice enough to wear to work as well as play. The Halo View fit the bill. It looks sleek & minimalist, and it’s lightweight enough that I really don’t notice that I’m wearing it most of the time.
Here’s what I like about it:
- Set up was easy: After downloading the App, it paired quickly & walked me through every step in just a few minutes.
- Very affordable: It’s a great motivator, costs less than a gym membership and, coupled with the App, it’s a great buy.
- Comfort & Size: I have a medium-sized wrist, so it fits perfectly. But it has such a minimal form factor, that it would be fine for someone with a smaller wrist. The band is smooth & comfortable. I can easily wipe it down or wash the band.
- The HR monitor is just ok. It reads a bit high at times, but I’m not expecting the level of accuracy you would get with a tighter band or chest strap.
- It feels durable although it looks sleek & elegant.
- The large screen has easy-to-read data.
- Simple swipe up/down & left/right navigation
- The App has a surprising amount of features & probably more than I’ll ever use. Just to mention a few, it has a comprehensive activity tracker, workout videos, a body fat scan, a sleep tracker & even a voice tone analysis.
- Set up was easy: After downloading the App, it paired quickly & walked me through every step in just a few minutes.
- Very affordable: It’s a great motivator, costs less than a gym membership and, coupled with the App, it’s a great buy.
- Comfort & Size: I have a medium-sized wrist, so it fits perfectly. But it has such a minimal form factor, that it would be fine for someone with a smaller wrist. The band is smooth & comfortable. I can easily wipe it down or wash the band.
- The HR monitor is just ok. It reads a bit high at times, but I’m not expecting the level of accuracy you would get with a tighter band or chest strap.
- It feels durable although it looks sleek & elegant.
- The large screen has easy-to-read data.
- Simple swipe up/down & left/right navigation
- The App has a surprising amount of features & probably more than I’ll ever use. Just to mention a few, it has a comprehensive activity tracker, workout videos, a body fat scan, a sleep tracker & even a voice tone analysis.
Improvement Wish List:
- I’m not a fan of the clunky charging clip. It’s awkward & takes some finagling to put it in the right charging position. A USB-C port would be better.
- I’m not a fan of the clunky charging clip. It’s awkward & takes some finagling to put it in the right charging position. A USB-C port would be better.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Jabra Elite 4 Active is designed to stay comfortably in place. And that’s not all: with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), adjustable equalizer, and HearThrough technology, plus instant access to Spotify Tap playback, Elite 4 Active are engineered to bring a real boost to your workout. Made with a secure active fit, and IP57-rated water and sweat proof protection, these buds are engineered for all kinds of workouts. And with a 2-year warranty when you register them in the Jabra Sound+ app, you’ll never have to worry about your workout buddies letting you down. ANC blocks intrusive sounds at the touch of a button, so you can stay immersed in your music. From ignoring the sound system at the gym, to filtering out ambient urban noise, you get in – and stay in – the zone. You can even customize how your music sounds. Whether you want to boost the bass or turn up the treble, just download the Jabra Sound+ app and tune the equalizer to your preference. You can also activate Spotify Tap playback for instant, seamless connection to the music you need to power you through.
Customer Rating
4
Great Sound, Great Fit
on January 26, 2022
Posted by: CriticalEye
How Often Used:Daily
Really happy with these little earbuds. Out of the box, they took about 45 minutes to fully charge. Pairing was fast & easy. The App is a must, especially if you want to customize your sound. Here are the highlights:
- Sleek, minimalist charging case
- Fast pairing with solid connectivity
- Includes USB-C charging cable (unfortunately, no wall charger)
- Very tight fit, but not uncomfortable. You do have to twist them, in-ear, to the perfect angle to experience full bass. So far, they stay snug whether walking or jogging. They’re also sweat-proof, so I don’t have to baby them.
- 2 additional pairs of earpieces are included (large & small) if the original pair isn’t a good fit.
- Audio quality is very good. The App has a customizable equalizer that makes all the difference. The Active Noise Cancelling is excellent. With most earbuds, I can still hear quite a bit of ambient noise. But with these, I can barely hear someone talking to me in a normal tone just a couple of feet away. The sound quality for phone calls is comparable to a sound studio. But the mic is just average and seems to pick up too much surrounding noise. So, I can’t be very active if I want to be courteous to the person on the other end.
- Fast pairing with solid connectivity
- Includes USB-C charging cable (unfortunately, no wall charger)
- Very tight fit, but not uncomfortable. You do have to twist them, in-ear, to the perfect angle to experience full bass. So far, they stay snug whether walking or jogging. They’re also sweat-proof, so I don’t have to baby them.
- 2 additional pairs of earpieces are included (large & small) if the original pair isn’t a good fit.
- Audio quality is very good. The App has a customizable equalizer that makes all the difference. The Active Noise Cancelling is excellent. With most earbuds, I can still hear quite a bit of ambient noise. But with these, I can barely hear someone talking to me in a normal tone just a couple of feet away. The sound quality for phone calls is comparable to a sound studio. But the mic is just average and seems to pick up too much surrounding noise. So, I can’t be very active if I want to be courteous to the person on the other end.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
4
Comfort
4
Ease of Use
4
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Introducing Calming Heat Neck Wrap by Sharper Image, the Massaging, Weighted Neck Wrap with Therapeutic Heat. The secret is the combination of therapeutic heat with relaxing massaging vibrations and targeted weighted pressure for instant, soothing relief! Calming Heat Neck Wrap features 3 therapeutic heat settings and 3 massaging vibration settings, while the weighted clay beads provide gentle pressure to enhance the massaging vibrations and evenly disperse the soothing heat to soothe muscles.
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
Why did it not occur to me to get one of these a long time ago?! I stand & sit at a desk most of my work day, so neck issues have plagued me for many years. This Heat Massaging Neck Wrap couldn’t have come at a better time. Even if I didn’t need it for muscle relief, it’s awesome as a soothing heat source for winter time. Although the massage feature is nice, I don’t find that it does that much for me. The ability to switch between different heat settings is very helpful. I’ve tried hot pads in the past that had only one setting. And when they got too warm, I had to them shut off, turn them back on, & constantly fiddle with them to get the right temperature. But with this unit, I can just tap the heat button to dial it back a tad without shutting it off completely. It fits perfectly around the back of my neck, but I like to sling it over my traps for a little extra relief. It’s very easy to slip on, so I’m using it first thing when I get to work each morning. A cup of hot coffee, a warm neck wrap, & I’m ready to roll!
No negatives on this wrap, only positives:
- Heats up quickly: I can feel the warmth within 60 seconds of powering on
- Very soft fabric: Feels great on my skin
- Long 9ft cord
- Velcro strap for easy placement
- USB plug with AC adapter
- 3 Heat settings
- 3 Massage settings
- Very affordable: Perfect price range for gift giving
- Simple/easy to use controls
- 2 Hour auto-off feature
- Heats up quickly: I can feel the warmth within 60 seconds of powering on
- Very soft fabric: Feels great on my skin
- Long 9ft cord
- Velcro strap for easy placement
- USB plug with AC adapter
- 3 Heat settings
- 3 Massage settings
- Very affordable: Perfect price range for gift giving
- Simple/easy to use controls
- 2 Hour auto-off feature
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Twinkly Light Strings will add advanced technology and innovation to your home with premium decorative lighting. Getting started with Twinkly lights is easy, a quick and intuitive setup process configures your device in a matter of seconds. The Twinkly ecosystem uses a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi controller with a state-of-the-art smartphone application, bringing new levels of lighting design and creativity to customize your connected home. Like all Twinkly products, every single LED light can be controlled individually, allowing you to create and reproduce unique effects, gradients, and color animations. Twinkly Lights can be grouped together with other Twinkly devices to create larger, synchronized light installations and combined with Twinkly Music (sold separately), to offer a fully customizable light show to fit any occasion. Twinkly Line will add advanced technology to your home décor, whether hidden under a cabinet or installed in plain sight, Line will bring new levels of lighting design and creativity to your connected home. Twinkly Line is a smart LED strip light solution with an adhesive and magnetic back, 100 RGB LED lights, and a premium all-black look. Extend the length of the Twinkly Line by adding an additional 5 feet with the extension kit (sold separately).
Customer Rating
4
Gets the Creative Juices Flowing
on October 28, 2021
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
As a teenager, I was always fascinated w/how one could change the entire mood & atmosphere of a room, either subtly or dramatically, just by deploying different types of direct & indirect lighting. In my youth, I used to visit a store called Spencer Gifts in the local mall. In the back of the store was a dark room area that was largely devoted to the latest array of black lights, fiber optic “tree” lamps, lava lamps, “mood” lights, sound-activated party globes, strobe lights, & neon lights, etc. Over time, I gradually acquired several of those lighting devices to help create complementary light shows for the rock music that I played in my bedroom. One of my fondest memories is of the special glow-in-the-dark, sound-activated, strobe-intensive light shows I created to pair & sync w/some of my favorite tracks from bands like Boston & Journey, as I played along on my Ludwig drum kit. After I’d arranged all my various light sources for the desired effects & queued up just the right songs to play, it was great fun to rock out w/my siblings while we all enjoyed the music & lights.
Fast forward to 2021. Although the app-controlled animations possible w/these LEDs are “light” years beyond the primitive & disjointed components of my teenage lightshows, at least in terms of technological advance, integration, & sophistication--I still get the feeling that the designers at Twinkly possess that same childlike fascination & passion for the wonder that can be created by the visual effects of creative complementary lighting. It’s a beautiful thing to witness, experience, & share in the creative imagination of kindred spirits.
On weekends, my wife & I try to schedule at least one night to enjoy our modest home theatre which includes a long, low-profile, horizontal TV stand w/a large screen 8k TV. With this new 5ft strip of LED lights emanating from behind the TV stand, there’s a new enhanced ambience to our home entertainment area that was previously so minimalist that it was somewhat sterile. Now, this space has been converted into a vibe that looks both a bit more hi-tech, w/the brilliant yet soft glow of indirect LED lighting, yet also feels warmer & more inviting as we move into the fall & dial in the right colors & dial down the intensity/brightness. In fact, we’ve already decided to buy another 5ft extension strip to finish out the indirect lighting across the full length of the back of the cabinet.
As for operating the lights, you can control these LEDs either by the attached in-line controller or by downloading the Twinkly phone app. Wi-Fi & Bluetooth connectivity are at your fingertips. Impressively, these LEDs are individually addressable, meaning that each LED has a tiny microcontroller/driver that enables it to illuminate w/a unique color & brightness/intensity that you can program according to your distinct lighting décor preferences. Will I take the time to do that? No. I haven’t even explored a lot of the basic patterns & color combos available w/in the app that I want to try yet. But if you want to drill down to the individual LED level, the capability is there. From a convenience standpoint, you can, of course, use the app to set up the lights on a timer to turn on & off. It’s also nice to know that you can control the lights w/voice commands thru Google Assistant/Hey Google & Alexa. And for gamers, if you want to fully customize your gaming room or just tweak your gaming station, these LEDs work w/Razer Chroma RGB, giving you access to almost 17 million colors & the kind of unique lighting effects that promote a full-immersion experience.
Mounting: the back of the strip has an adhesive that allows you to place & press the LED strip where you want it affixed. And there are cord clips & adhesive mounting pads included in the kit for mounting the cord.
Bottom Line: This is pricey but “fun” technology WHEN it works right. But the app can be quite finicky at times, especially during setup. Hopefully, Twinkly will work to improve the app & software functionality w/firmware updates & upgrades over time. The overall concept is certainly an exciting one because of the amount of control it gives the user to ACT on his IMAGINATION & CREATE his own unique light displays. I hope Twinkly will maintain a strong R&D commitment to more fully empower home lighting enthusiasts w/the ability to realize their own ideas for in-home accenting & decorative lighting. And after they get the indoor lighting dialed in, I hope they extend their expertise by developing even beefier & more robust systems that are fully outdoor-ready for long-lasting seasonal lighting displays in all kinds of climate/weather. Exterior lighting displays have, for far too long, been bookended by cheap Christmas lights w/limited functionality from places like the major home improvement warehouses on the one hand & prohibitively expensive commercial lighting equipment erected by professional lighting engineers on the other hand. It would be nice to see Twinkly bring power to the people by enabling DIY home lighting enthusiasts the ability to convert their creative visions for seasonal exterior lighting displays into reality. What if Twinkly could do for creative interior & exterior home lighting accents & decorations what Apple & Microsoft did for home computing? There’s pent up demand for homeowners & renters across the spectrum to be able to more fully express themselves w/lighting. Done right, this is a market that clearly hasn’t been tapped & has tremendous growth potential.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Set your imagination free on the most powerful Surface Laptop, designed to light up the best of Windows 11. Boundary-pushing design lets you flex your creative muscle on the sleek 14.4“⁴ touchscreen, making seamless transitions from laptop to entertainment-ready stage to portable creative canvas, complete with built-in storage and charging for Surface Slim Pen 2* under the keyboard. Enjoy smooth gameplay, and draw, sketch and take notes like you would on paper on the bright, vibrant 120Hz display. Run intensive applications and get things done anywhere with all-day battery life, and get inspired with graphics power that exceeds your expectations. Elevate your entertainment with Quad Omnisonic speakers, featuring large bass and immersive Dolby Atmos. Stay in the flow, be inspired and get closer to what you love.
Customer Rating
5
In a League of Its Own
on October 21, 2021
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
The Win 11 Surface Laptop Studio is an amazing 3-in-1 device that fits perfectly in that sweet spot between a standard laptop & a regular tablet. But there’s nothing standard or regular about it. This innovative hybrid combines the best features of MS’ Surface Pro & Surface Laptop in the form of an all-new Surface Laptop Studio. Unlike previous model tablets, the display on this Studio laptop isn’t detachable. Instead, you can pull the display forward to create a near-perfect viewing angle in an easel-like “kickstand” position (just in front of the keyboard) or lay it down, completely flat, over the keyboard like a tablet. To better visualize a progression of the 3 primary modes (“laptop,” “stage,” & “studio”) via the fully adjustable screen: You can use the device as your primary workhorse laptop w/all the Apps/programs, speed, & quad-core computing power needed for a heavy workload. But in an instant, you can effortlessly transform it from a laptop, to a video-viewing entertainment “stage,” e-reader, or gaming device, & then finally transition to a drawing/sketching canvas or “studio” tablet & more. It’s astonishing just how easily it morphs from 1 configuration to another. Talk about multitasking! So, the question isn’t what can you do w/this versatile all-in-1 device; rather, it’s what CAN’T you do w/it? Warning: If you’re a little “ADD,” you’ll have to work to stay focused to control your impulses. Otherwise, you can easily find yourself jumping back & forth between work & play options. Without some self-imposed discipline, this multifaceted productivity tool can lure you away from accomplishing your daily objectives & priorities & result in your veering off-track to go exploring.
Although there’s much to highlight, I’ll name just a few of the features that really stand out to us:
- Setup is a breeze. It came fully charged; so, there was no delay in diving in. The moment you open the lid, you’re guided through an easy setup process. Even a Luddite should have no fear here. All you need is your Wi-Fi PW & Microsoft Acct. creds to log in (or you can create a new MS acct.). The device immediately performs an update & offers a tour.
- Form Factor: Everything about this hybrid device feels high-end. Aesthetically, its magnesium alloy & aluminum case is sleek, compact & beautiful. Much of the beauty stems from the ingenious design of MS’ Dynamic Woven Hinge, an engineering marvel, which allows you to convert this multi-mode laptop-tablet on the fly. By comparison, we had tried 3 different cases for our old tablet in search of the right keyboard/kickstand combo for makeshift typing & viewing. Thankfully, those days are over! Of course, if you’re used to a limited, 2-lb., tablet-only device, this 4-lb. laptop-tablet hybrid may take a little getting used to. But for us, the increase in flexibility/versatility is well worth the adjustment.
- Software Suite: It’s preloaded w/all the MS Office programs. We use MS 365 at work & home, so this was a must.
- Display: The 14.4” PixelSense Flow touchscreen (w/3:2 aspect ratio & Dolby Vision) offers 2400 x 1600-pixel resolution, along w/bright, impressive graphic details from the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU & nice, smooth motion video from the 120Hz screen refresh rate.
- The Backlit Keyboard offers a good feel w/proper travel & key spacing, & the large customizable haptic touchpad is state-of-the-art, w/the most precise response to clicks/gestures over the ENTIRE touchpad we’ve ever experienced.
- The Slim Pen 2 has a new haptic motor that provides tactile feedback for a feeling of greater precision & control. Using the pen, we took cursive & printed notes in our handwriting, drew & sketched, & navigated the touchscreen. The pen produces associated vibrations for certain gestures & editing features such as highlighting & erasing, etc. Given that my wife has long been a Samsung Galaxy Note user, she’s become quite proficient w/its S-Pen. So, she took to the Slim Pen 2 faster than I did & showed me some helpful tips. Hopefully sooner than later, there will be more apps available that allow users to utilize this pen’s new haptic features. And although the simulated feel is still not all the way there, we both agree that this new pen comes closer to replicating the feel of taking pen to paper than any other digital pen we’ve tried. In addition, we also like the clean, minimalist way that the pen is stored. We’ve previously lost styluses & digital pens because we didn’t store them in their holder. Now, we just tuck the pen horizontally under the laptop’s front edge, where it magnetically snaps into place. This keeps the pen hidden yet readily accessible, where it wirelessly charges while attached & remains ready for use.
- The Quad Omnisonic speakers produce a good sound quality given the severe size & weight restrictions of the slim laptop/tablet environs. We tested the audio output by streaming 4 of our favorite oldies but goodies, including Coldplay’s “Clocks,” God Is an Astronaut’s “Suicide by Star,” Hybrid’s “Disappear Here,” & The Cinematic Orchestra’s “Arrival of the Birds.” Although we went into the test w/zero expectations for anything remotely satisfying from the speakers of a light laptop, we both grinned during the initial playback of the 1st few bars of our sampled pieces. While the speakers won’t make an audiophile smile, they do produce a better sound than any of the other small/thin laptops & tablets we’ve used. No, the subwoofers don’t produce a punchy bass, but the 4 speakers still offer clear, fairly balanced audio w/relatively little distortion, even at higher volumes, as the adaptive equalization technology impressively adjusts the output as we adjust the volume. And the side-firing vents for the 2 main speakers give them a little bit of a spatial feel. There’s also a 3.5mm audio jack located on the upper right side, just below the Surface Connect charging port, & 2 far-field mics.
- CPU Performance is top-notch! Thanks to the 11th-gen Intel Tiger Lake H35 quad-core i7-11370H processors, even w/several programs/tabs open, we can watch videos w/o any performance degradation. During gaming, when the fan kicks in, I was pleased to find that the laptop didn’t become overly warm as my other small laptops have in the past.
- The Lithium-Ion Battery is rated at up to 18 hrs./charge, depending on usage. While we haven’t done a lot of gaming over the 1st few days, we did engage in some moderate-to-heavy laptop work, including multitasking w/multiple apps & tabs open as well as some video playback. And we had enough juice to continue uninterrupted over an 8-to-12-hr. day. But starting w/a full charge, if we were unplugged while gaming, we experienced dramatically less battery life than we’d hoped for at a disappointingly low 5 hrs.
- Setup is a breeze. It came fully charged; so, there was no delay in diving in. The moment you open the lid, you’re guided through an easy setup process. Even a Luddite should have no fear here. All you need is your Wi-Fi PW & Microsoft Acct. creds to log in (or you can create a new MS acct.). The device immediately performs an update & offers a tour.
- Form Factor: Everything about this hybrid device feels high-end. Aesthetically, its magnesium alloy & aluminum case is sleek, compact & beautiful. Much of the beauty stems from the ingenious design of MS’ Dynamic Woven Hinge, an engineering marvel, which allows you to convert this multi-mode laptop-tablet on the fly. By comparison, we had tried 3 different cases for our old tablet in search of the right keyboard/kickstand combo for makeshift typing & viewing. Thankfully, those days are over! Of course, if you’re used to a limited, 2-lb., tablet-only device, this 4-lb. laptop-tablet hybrid may take a little getting used to. But for us, the increase in flexibility/versatility is well worth the adjustment.
- Software Suite: It’s preloaded w/all the MS Office programs. We use MS 365 at work & home, so this was a must.
- Display: The 14.4” PixelSense Flow touchscreen (w/3:2 aspect ratio & Dolby Vision) offers 2400 x 1600-pixel resolution, along w/bright, impressive graphic details from the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU & nice, smooth motion video from the 120Hz screen refresh rate.
- The Backlit Keyboard offers a good feel w/proper travel & key spacing, & the large customizable haptic touchpad is state-of-the-art, w/the most precise response to clicks/gestures over the ENTIRE touchpad we’ve ever experienced.
- The Slim Pen 2 has a new haptic motor that provides tactile feedback for a feeling of greater precision & control. Using the pen, we took cursive & printed notes in our handwriting, drew & sketched, & navigated the touchscreen. The pen produces associated vibrations for certain gestures & editing features such as highlighting & erasing, etc. Given that my wife has long been a Samsung Galaxy Note user, she’s become quite proficient w/its S-Pen. So, she took to the Slim Pen 2 faster than I did & showed me some helpful tips. Hopefully sooner than later, there will be more apps available that allow users to utilize this pen’s new haptic features. And although the simulated feel is still not all the way there, we both agree that this new pen comes closer to replicating the feel of taking pen to paper than any other digital pen we’ve tried. In addition, we also like the clean, minimalist way that the pen is stored. We’ve previously lost styluses & digital pens because we didn’t store them in their holder. Now, we just tuck the pen horizontally under the laptop’s front edge, where it magnetically snaps into place. This keeps the pen hidden yet readily accessible, where it wirelessly charges while attached & remains ready for use.
- The Quad Omnisonic speakers produce a good sound quality given the severe size & weight restrictions of the slim laptop/tablet environs. We tested the audio output by streaming 4 of our favorite oldies but goodies, including Coldplay’s “Clocks,” God Is an Astronaut’s “Suicide by Star,” Hybrid’s “Disappear Here,” & The Cinematic Orchestra’s “Arrival of the Birds.” Although we went into the test w/zero expectations for anything remotely satisfying from the speakers of a light laptop, we both grinned during the initial playback of the 1st few bars of our sampled pieces. While the speakers won’t make an audiophile smile, they do produce a better sound than any of the other small/thin laptops & tablets we’ve used. No, the subwoofers don’t produce a punchy bass, but the 4 speakers still offer clear, fairly balanced audio w/relatively little distortion, even at higher volumes, as the adaptive equalization technology impressively adjusts the output as we adjust the volume. And the side-firing vents for the 2 main speakers give them a little bit of a spatial feel. There’s also a 3.5mm audio jack located on the upper right side, just below the Surface Connect charging port, & 2 far-field mics.
- CPU Performance is top-notch! Thanks to the 11th-gen Intel Tiger Lake H35 quad-core i7-11370H processors, even w/several programs/tabs open, we can watch videos w/o any performance degradation. During gaming, when the fan kicks in, I was pleased to find that the laptop didn’t become overly warm as my other small laptops have in the past.
- The Lithium-Ion Battery is rated at up to 18 hrs./charge, depending on usage. While we haven’t done a lot of gaming over the 1st few days, we did engage in some moderate-to-heavy laptop work, including multitasking w/multiple apps & tabs open as well as some video playback. And we had enough juice to continue uninterrupted over an 8-to-12-hr. day. But starting w/a full charge, if we were unplugged while gaming, we experienced dramatically less battery life than we’d hoped for at a disappointingly low 5 hrs.
- I do wish MS had included more ports. With just 2 USB 4.0 ports [w/Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps) support], & no full-size USB-A port, the options for additional peripherals are too limited.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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2of 3voted this as helpful.
Battery Backup & Surge Protector for Electronics and Computers
Customer Rating
5
Perfect For Work-From-Home Set-up
on October 13, 2021
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
We’ve been using APC Back-UPS & Surge Protectors for many years & haven’t been disappointed. They’ve proven to be dependable & worth every penny spent. This 450VA 6-outlet unit is another winner. Now that I’m mostly working from home, a surge protector & battery backup is an absolute must. I have 3 monitors, a PC, landline phone & calculator, so the 6 outlets are perfect. The extra space between the 4 surge + power outlets is great because I have some oversized plugs.
Between the on-going construction nearby & frequent electrical storms (especially over the Summer), we lose power a couple times a month on average. It was a nightmare to get shut down in the middle of a process & lose my work. I constantly had to pause & save my work for fear of losing it. Now, with the APC in place; when the power goes out, the unit kicks in & gives me time to finish up, save my work & shut down properly.
We also have a lot of power surges. I’m aware of the surges because we’ve been using APC Back-UPS on our personal PC/Electronics as well. I can hear the unit working & responding to every surge. It reminds me of how my electronics would be getting fried if we didn’t have the APC protection. No doubt, the surge protection has extended the life of our equipment.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
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1of 1voted this as helpful.
CriticalEye's Review Comments
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Set your imagination free on the most powerful Surface Laptop, designed to light up the best of Windows 11. Boundary-pushing design lets you flex your creative muscle on the sleek 14.4“⁴ touchscreen, making seamless transitions from laptop to entertainment-ready stage to portable creative canvas, complete with built-in storage and charging for Surface Slim Pen 2* under the keyboard. Enjoy smooth gameplay, and draw, sketch and take notes like you would on paper on the bright, vibrant 120Hz display. Run intensive applications and get things done anywhere with all-day battery life, and get inspired with graphics power that exceeds your expectations. Elevate your entertainment with Quad Omnisonic speakers, featuring large bass and immersive Dolby Atmos. Stay in the flow, be inspired and get closer to what you love.
Does the Surface Laptop Studio have USB ports? If so, how many and of what type?
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e delivers the fastest speeds, 500-sheet paper capacity, and up to 2x faster scan speeds. It includes the optional HP+ Smart Printing System that keeps itself up to date, secure, and ready to print from virtually anywhere at any time. Optional HP+ system requires an HP account, internet connection, and use of only Original HP Ink for the life of the printer.
Can it print wireless from a Samsung Galaxy Book S
As long as your device can download the HP Smart App, you should be fine. The App will let you know if the device is incompatible. I tried it on an old Samsung Note 3 and it let me know the device was too old.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
3 years ago
by
CriticalEye
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e delivers the fastest speeds, 500-sheet paper capacity, and up to 2x faster scan speeds. It includes the optional HP+ Smart Printing System that keeps itself up to date, secure, and ready to print from virtually anywhere at any time. Optional HP+ system requires an HP account, internet connection, and use of only Original HP Ink for the life of the printer.
Does software include security software
The unit doesn't come with software. You just download the HP Smart App.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
3 years ago
by
CriticalEye
Protection for every home and family. Capture the details in full 1080p HD video for a clearer picture, day or night. Spend less time recharging with 6 months of battery life*. Connects directly to Wi-Fi without the clutter of extra gear. The Arlo Essential is wire-free and weather-resistant to deliver fast, easy installation and flexibility to get the perfect camera view. With the integrated spotlight, see important features like faces and licenses plates in full color, at night with color night vision. Ward off unwanted guests by triggering the siren or integrated spotlight automictically or manually from the Arlo App. Receive smarter alerts for people, vehicles and packages and take quicker action like sound the siren, call a friend or dial emergency services with the included trial of Arlo Secure**. Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit*** and Samsung SmartThings.
How long is the power cord? Or is that a extra
There is no power cord. I comes with a short charging cord.
3 years, 5 months ago
by
CriticalEye
Protection for every home and family. Capture the details in full 1080p HD video for a clearer picture, day or night. Spend less time recharging with 6 months of battery life*. Connects directly to Wi-Fi without the clutter of extra gear. The Arlo Essential is wire-free and weather-resistant to deliver fast, easy installation and flexibility to get the perfect camera view. With the integrated spotlight, see important features like faces and licenses plates in full color, at night with color night vision. Ward off unwanted guests by triggering the siren or integrated spotlight automictically or manually from the Arlo App. Receive smarter alerts for people, vehicles and packages and take quicker action like sound the siren, call a friend or dial emergency services with the included trial of Arlo Secure**. Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit*** and Samsung SmartThings.
Can you add an Arlo Pro 3 camera to an Arlo essential camera set up?
Bose Sleepbuds II deliver relaxing sounds that help you fall asleep, and use Bose noise-masking technology so you stay asleep. Tiny, wireless Sleepbuds II are designed for comfort with sleep technology clinically proven to help you fall asleep faster. Sleepbuds II play content only from the Bose Sleep app, which gives you full control of the Sound Library and helps you personalize features. Discover tranquil tones and soothing sounds from nature. Or, use Bose noise-masking sounds to cover unwanted nighttime noise. Download your favorite sounds directly to Sleepbuds II, control volume, and set a personal wake-up alarm. Sleepbuds II feature proprietary eartips made of soft silicone for a comfortable, secure fit. Sleep on your back or side, or rollover during the night, they’ll stay put. Get up to ten hours of battery life from a single charge, enough for a full night’s sleep — and three additional charges from the portable case.
I live in an apartment with the loudest bunch of people above me,Do you think it might mask a dog's bark?Or loud thuds? Thanks!
I have loud screaming children & mowers nearby on a regular basis. These definitely help mask those sounds enough to sleep & study through.
Not sure what you can do about the loud thuds though as that's something you usually feel as well as hear.
Hope that helps :-)
Not sure what you can do about the loud thuds though as that's something you usually feel as well as hear.
Hope that helps :-)
3 years, 6 months ago
by
CriticalEye
Bose Sleepbuds II deliver relaxing sounds that help you fall asleep, and use Bose noise-masking technology so you stay asleep. Tiny, wireless Sleepbuds II are designed for comfort with sleep technology clinically proven to help you fall asleep faster. Sleepbuds II play content only from the Bose Sleep app, which gives you full control of the Sound Library and helps you personalize features. Discover tranquil tones and soothing sounds from nature. Or, use Bose noise-masking sounds to cover unwanted nighttime noise. Download your favorite sounds directly to Sleepbuds II, control volume, and set a personal wake-up alarm. Sleepbuds II feature proprietary eartips made of soft silicone for a comfortable, secure fit. Sleep on your back or side, or rollover during the night, they’ll stay put. Get up to ten hours of battery life from a single charge, enough for a full night’s sleep — and three additional charges from the portable case.
Can they play the music on your phone
They don't play music that's stored in your device. You can select sounds & study-type music from a library available within the free App.
Hope that helps :-)
Hope that helps :-)
3 years, 6 months ago
by
CriticalEye
MX Master 3 is instant precision and infinite potential. Designed for designers and engineered for coders, it’s our most advanced Master Series mouse yet. App-specific button customizations speed up your workflow in the apps you use most and the electromagnetic MagSpeed wheel enables fast noiseless scrolling. Your hand rests perfectly on the sculpted form and allows you to work comfortably for hours across multiple computers and operating systems in one fluid workflow. Ready for video calls - predefined settings for Microsoft Teams and Zoom let you instantly mute and Start/Stop your video call. With MX Master 3, you can truly master what you make.
Bluetooth is turned off on our work computers. Will this operate as a wired mouse with the USB cable attached or is it strictly for charging
The cable is just for charging, but the USB receiver will allow connection in lieu of Bluetooth
4 years, 6 months ago
by
CriticalEye
Introducing MX Keys, an advanced wireless illuminated keyboard crafted for efficiency, stability, and precision. Perfect Stroke keys are shaped for your fingertips and increased key stability reduces noise while optimizing responsiveness. Tactile reference for hand positioning makes it easy to stay oriented and in your flow. The backlit keys light up the moment your hands approach, and automatically adjust to suit changing lighting conditions. With MX Keys you can truly master what you make.
What is the length of the keyboard
Sleep better. Cover unwanted noise with soothing sounds. Bose noise-masking sleepbuds™ are uniquely designed for sleep. They don’t stream music or have acoustic noise cancellation. Instead, these tiny, wireless earbuds use pre-loaded, soothing sounds to cover up unwanted noises, so you can get to sleep — and stay asleep. Plus, unlike traditional earplugs, they’re super comfortable and made to stay in place all night long, even if you sleep on your side. 1. Choose your sound, 2. Set an alarm, 3. Fall asleep without unwanted noise.
How will these work against Smoke Detectors etc in case of emergencies?
The sound volume is customizable, so you could test them against any noise you want to be aware of. However, even with the volume up, I've had no trouble hearing loud sounds. Hope that helps.
5 years, 9 months ago
by
CriticalEye