CriticalEye's stats
- Review count131
- Helpfulness votes504
- First reviewOctober 20, 2014
- Last reviewNovember 7, 2025
- 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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- Best answers1
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
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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~~ 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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Keep your office equipment safe with this APC battery backup. It has six outlets with surge protection, four of which also have backup protection to keep your important electronics powered short-term during an outage. Audio and light alarms on this APC battery backup let you know if something is wrong.
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!
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The improved moisture-wicking fabric technology in our Dri-Tec~ Performance~ Sheets has a silkier texture with less dry feel to help you sleep more comfortable throughout the night
Customer Rating
4
In a Class by Themselves
on October 7, 2021
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
I didn’t know there was such a thing as “Performance” sheets until now. We keep the room temp pretty cool at night, so the moisture-wicking aspect probably won’t benefit us. But the softness alone is a huge improvement.
These sheets are definitely in a class by themselves. We bought some high thread-count cotton sheets not too long ago, & I’ve hated them every night since. They were stiff, cold & actually loud. I was so happy to retire them!
These sheets are definitely in a class by themselves. We bought some high thread-count cotton sheets not too long ago, & I’ve hated them every night since. They were stiff, cold & actually loud. I was so happy to retire them!
Positives
- Easy Bed Making: The fitted bottom sheet has a strong/wide elastic band which makes it so much easier to put on. That’s usually the part I dread the most about making the bed after washing.
- Fit: Both top & bottom sheets are a perfect fit. The clingy fabric would be very uncomfortable & unruly if it weren’t a great fit.
- Texture: Super soft & smooth to the touch (and quiet!). The sheets kind of drape over you like a soft blanket rather than laying across you like a standard stiff sheet. I really liked it because it felt a little warmer, but my spouse thought it seemed too hot.
- Easy Bed Making: The fitted bottom sheet has a strong/wide elastic band which makes it so much easier to put on. That’s usually the part I dread the most about making the bed after washing.
- Fit: Both top & bottom sheets are a perfect fit. The clingy fabric would be very uncomfortable & unruly if it weren’t a great fit.
- Texture: Super soft & smooth to the touch (and quiet!). The sheets kind of drape over you like a soft blanket rather than laying across you like a standard stiff sheet. I really liked it because it felt a little warmer, but my spouse thought it seemed too hot.
Negatives
- Care Instructions: The washing instructions recommend cold water/gentle cycle & low heat in the dryer. I prefer using at least warm water (if not hot) for sheets & pillow cases. It also took twice as long to dry them on low heat vs. standard cotton sheets that can take high heat.
- Delicate Fabric: The fabric is a little thin & can snag easily. We’ll have to treat them with care if they’re going to last.
- Care Instructions: The washing instructions recommend cold water/gentle cycle & low heat in the dryer. I prefer using at least warm water (if not hot) for sheets & pillow cases. It also took twice as long to dry them on low heat vs. standard cotton sheets that can take high heat.
- Delicate Fabric: The fabric is a little thin & can snag easily. We’ll have to treat them with care if they’re going to last.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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JVC Marshmallow + True Wireless Headphones are ideal for wireless gaming. They offer Bluetooth version 5.0 with Codec, SBC, and AAC. The low latency chipset is ideal for all PC, Android, and iOS gaming. With a 6mm driver the headphones deliver crisp accurate sound reproduction. Dual microphones and ambient noise cancelation supports clear voice transmission for phone calls and while gaming with others. The total playtime is five hours on a single charge with an additional 25 hours from the included rechargaeable carrying case. Total battery life with charging case 30 hours. Find your ideal in ear fit with multiple sizes of Marshmallow foam ear tips and S/M/L silicone earpieces. The headphones have an IPX5 waterproof rating and touch sensor controls. Voice assistant compatibility allows users to connect seamlessly.
Customer Rating
4
Great Buds for the Price
on September 25, 2021
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
Positives:
- Out of the box, almost fully charged; only took ~10 minutes to reach max charge
- Nice, minimalist charging case
- Fast pairing/solid connectivity
- Helpful audible voice lets you know that the power is on & the buds are connected.
I have some pricier buds that don’t do this.
- Perfect fit out of the box; earpieces are snug & secure & feel soft, smooth & comfortable
- 4 additional pairs of earpieces are included
- No App required
- Audio quality is very good in the high ranges; good trebles make for clear speech
- Low Latency: Haven’t noticed any lag in videos; so, great for gaming, too
- 30-hour battery life: I’ve been using them on & off for several days & haven’t needed to charge them
- Out of the box, almost fully charged; only took ~10 minutes to reach max charge
- Nice, minimalist charging case
- Fast pairing/solid connectivity
- Helpful audible voice lets you know that the power is on & the buds are connected.
I have some pricier buds that don’t do this.
- Perfect fit out of the box; earpieces are snug & secure & feel soft, smooth & comfortable
- 4 additional pairs of earpieces are included
- No App required
- Audio quality is very good in the high ranges; good trebles make for clear speech
- Low Latency: Haven’t noticed any lag in videos; so, great for gaming, too
- 30-hour battery life: I’ve been using them on & off for several days & haven’t needed to charge them
Negatives:
- Almost no bass, but at this price point, it’s not expected. I listen to a lot of podcasts & lectures which don’t require bass. I’d definitely choose different buds with fuller range & bass for listening to music.
- Micro-USB charging port (I’d prefer a Type-C port)
- Since it already verbally alerts to power & connectivity, it would be super-helpful if it also advised battery level. But I may be asking for too much at this price point.
- Almost no bass, but at this price point, it’s not expected. I listen to a lot of podcasts & lectures which don’t require bass. I’d definitely choose different buds with fuller range & bass for listening to music.
- Micro-USB charging port (I’d prefer a Type-C port)
- Since it already verbally alerts to power & connectivity, it would be super-helpful if it also advised battery level. But I may be asking for too much at this price point.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Effortlessly track you and your family~s blood pressure levels in the comfort of your own home. Your measurements will be clear and easy to read with the XL display and backlight and can also be read aloud through the device~s talking feature. This product is engineered in Germany for accuracy of measurements and features.
Customer Rating
2
Good Accuracy/Bad Cuff
on September 15, 2021
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
I’m sorry to say, this one is a no-go. At first, the monitor appears well made & hi-tech. The display is large & clear, with an option to store up to 100 readings for 2 users. The “talking feature” consists of a pleasant female voice with a British accent.
I’ve used the monitor many times over several days on myself & my family members. Over half the time, the cuff malfunctions. Although the cuff initially inflates to the normal level for taking a reading, a few seconds later, the cuff suddenly pumps up even more, causing it to squeeze my arm so tightly that it’s painful & scary. My hand was practically numb by the time the cuff deflated. Although it did give a normal reading at the end of each measurement, my arm hurt for quite a while afterwards. Now, when I use it on myself or someone else, I have to stand at the ready to rip it off as soon as it starts its 2nd over-inflation process. I’ve used many automatic & manual BP monitors over the years, so I’m well-versed in the correct placement & proper fit of the cuff. Nevertheless, I tried many different tweaks in the placement of the cuff & how tightly I wrapped it prior to inflation. But there was no way to remedy the problem.
I wouldn’t feel comfortable using this device on a child, an elderly person, or a fragile person with health issues. In crosschecking the device against other blood pressure monitors, it does seem to give an accurate reading. But the verbal readout doesn’t describe your actual stats in terms of systolic & diastolic numbers. It just advises whether you’re in the “good” or “bad” range, at least according to the WHO (World Health Organization).
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Compact, lightweight, portable: IASO is your personal massager on the go. Use the adhesive patches or arm band included and enjoy pain-relieving massage anywhere. (We recommend using the arm band only on the arms and may disconnect/break if used on larger area such as the legs/thighs) Simply focus on what you are doing while IASO takes care of your pain on the neck, shoulders, back, wrists, legs, knees, ankles, feet, or anywhere you feel pain.
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
I wanted to try this unit as an alternative treatment for some forearm & knee pain. The forearm pain is caused by mouse/keyboard overuse and the knee pain is a recent LCL sports injury. I don’t want to overuse NSAIDs, so I thought this would be the perfect time to try a cold laser option.
On the plus side:
- The WellsCare IASO unit is super easy to operate. There is one USB charging cable & one button on the unit to operate. It takes about 1 hour to fully charge and holds about two-to-three 30-minute sessions. It alerts you at about the 20-minute mark & automatically powers off at 30 minutes. It also alerts with frequent beeps when the battery is running out of juice. The WellsCare site has a 5-minute comprehensive video if you don’t want to read the little manual included in the box: www.wellscare.net/howtouse
- Forearm pain: I’ve used the unit in different spots from elbow to wrist for a week now & notice significantly less pain. There is a little heating action, so that may be helping as well. I’ve varied between the 2 massage options (constant or pulse). The massage action is very mild & almost unnoticeable after a few minutes.
- Knee pain: I only used the unit a few times (without massage) and my knee pain is completely gone. It was a fresh injury, & I had no previous problems in that area; so it’s possible that it was going to heal quickly on its own anyway, but the pain was very prominent before using the unit, & now I’m back to 100%.
On the downside:
- It would be nice if the USB cable included a wall charging adapter. (Some units come with a charging cradle.) A computer or device with a USB port isn’t always available to charge the unit, especially when traveling.
- The wrist band needs some work. A Velcro strap would make it much easier & faster to position & re-position especially when working with one hand. The plastic band is cumbersome & flimsy.
- The WellsCare IASO unit is super easy to operate. There is one USB charging cable & one button on the unit to operate. It takes about 1 hour to fully charge and holds about two-to-three 30-minute sessions. It alerts you at about the 20-minute mark & automatically powers off at 30 minutes. It also alerts with frequent beeps when the battery is running out of juice. The WellsCare site has a 5-minute comprehensive video if you don’t want to read the little manual included in the box: www.wellscare.net/howtouse
- Forearm pain: I’ve used the unit in different spots from elbow to wrist for a week now & notice significantly less pain. There is a little heating action, so that may be helping as well. I’ve varied between the 2 massage options (constant or pulse). The massage action is very mild & almost unnoticeable after a few minutes.
- Knee pain: I only used the unit a few times (without massage) and my knee pain is completely gone. It was a fresh injury, & I had no previous problems in that area; so it’s possible that it was going to heal quickly on its own anyway, but the pain was very prominent before using the unit, & now I’m back to 100%.
On the downside:
- It would be nice if the USB cable included a wall charging adapter. (Some units come with a charging cradle.) A computer or device with a USB port isn’t always available to charge the unit, especially when traveling.
- The wrist band needs some work. A Velcro strap would make it much easier & faster to position & re-position especially when working with one hand. The plastic band is cumbersome & flimsy.
Overall, the unit itself is simple & effective, but the accessories could be improved.
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The Shark Steam & Scrub scrubbing and sanitizing* steam mop gently scrubs and sanitizes* all at once. The combination of steam and rotating pads delivers up to 2x better stuck-on stain removal vs. traditional steam mops** on sealed hard floors. This deeper cleaning removes dust, residue, grease, and bacteria while providing chemical-free sanitization*.
Customer Rating
4
Super Time & Labor Saver
on August 4, 2021
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
We moved from mostly carpet to tile & dark faux wood floors about 2 years ago. I’ve spent way too much time cleaning on my hands & knees, and was looking for a fix. I tried an inexpensive steam mop that I picked up from a big box discount retailer, but it didn’t do the job ($50 wasted). The Shark Steam Mop is the answer for me. It’s actually a little fun to use as it’s a bit self-propelled & looks like a mini-version of the large units the professionals use in grocery stores.
The Good
- Set up took literally 5 minutes.
- The unit heats up very quickly (about 30 seconds)
- Easy to use: Same movement as vacuuming, but it has a mild self-propelled action
- I saw a noticeable difference in both the tile & the faux wood once it dried.
- 3 cleaning Modes (Light, Normal, Deep) to select depending on the surface
- The scrub pads are machine-washable & reusable.
- Major time saver compared to mopping & hand scrubbing
- No buckets, no stringy mops, no sloppy mess
- The circulating scrub pads set it apart from all the other steam mops.
- Set up took literally 5 minutes.
- The unit heats up very quickly (about 30 seconds)
- Easy to use: Same movement as vacuuming, but it has a mild self-propelled action
- I saw a noticeable difference in both the tile & the faux wood once it dried.
- 3 cleaning Modes (Light, Normal, Deep) to select depending on the surface
- The scrub pads are machine-washable & reusable.
- Major time saver compared to mopping & hand scrubbing
- No buckets, no stringy mops, no sloppy mess
- The circulating scrub pads set it apart from all the other steam mops.
Overall, this machine is a winner. I do wish it had an On/Off button. The Stand By mode doesn’t seem logical compared to every other standard household appliance. Also, the leftover water in the tank drips out when tipping it to empty after use. I just threw away my string mop & old cheapo steam mop. YAY!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Circadian Optics is a maker of bright light therapy lamps that mimic daylight. Our designer lamps allow you to get the light you need, right at your desk. We designed this lamp to be an accent piece. With its asymmetrical segments, clean silhouette and integrated light panel, it is a functional work of art.
Customer Rating
5
Great Looking Light Therapy Lamp
on June 5, 2021
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
I remember seeing this on Shark Tank & thought: Finally, somebody designed an aesthetically pleasing light therapy box! I’ve been using this lamp daily now for 2 weeks & have had good results so far. I suppose it could be the placebo effect, but I do feel more alert in the morning & also seem to have more energy during the dreaded 2-3pm afternoon slump. Unfortunately, the light that streams through my office windows creates too much glare on my computer monitors; so, I have to keep the blinds partially closed. But thankfully, I can position this lamp to gain the full therapy effect without the glare.
Here are my favorite features:
-Design: This Lattis model can tastefully blend into home or office décor. Its small, lightweight form factor easily fits on a desk or side table. It includes a generous 7-ft. cord which gives lots of flexibility in placement.
-Light: The 10,000 lux LED lamp gives off a consistent super-bright white light without emitting UV rays. It has 3 brightness levels, but I just keep it on the highest setting for about an hour.
-Simple Settings: The on/off/brightness controls are in an all-in-one touch button on the back of the lamp.
-Design: This Lattis model can tastefully blend into home or office décor. Its small, lightweight form factor easily fits on a desk or side table. It includes a generous 7-ft. cord which gives lots of flexibility in placement.
-Light: The 10,000 lux LED lamp gives off a consistent super-bright white light without emitting UV rays. It has 3 brightness levels, but I just keep it on the highest setting for about an hour.
-Simple Settings: The on/off/brightness controls are in an all-in-one touch button on the back of the lamp.
In an ideal world, I’d just wake up & spend a little time outdoors to experience some natural sunlight. But in the real world, many of us wake up, jump in the shower & head off to an artificially-lit environment. Also, the dark winter months lessen the chance of getting adequate sunlight. If you’re in either of these groups, then I’d recommend this affordable little lamp which might well boost your energy & improve your mood.
I hope Circadian Optics expands their product line by adding options for evening wind-down time. Maybe they could add a feature that changes the brightness & color to amber/red tones that ease you into bedtime.
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A brush that learns and adapts to how you brush, for your most complete clean yet. Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige with SenseIQ technology is our most advanced electric toothbrush. Sensing your every move and adapting to your needs in real time for exceptional care. As you brush, pressure, motion, coverage and more are monitored up to 100 times per second. The brush then adapts automatically in real time for advanced teeth and gum care. BrushSync mode-pairing & replacement reminders automatically sync your brush head to the optimal brushing mode and alert you when it's time to replace your brush head for the best results.
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Franklin, TN USA
This is my 4th Philips Sonicare toothbrush; so, full disclosure--I’m already a big fan. After I started using Sonicare on a regular basis many years ago, my dental hygienist confirmed that my teeth & gums were in far better shape than when I was using a manual brush alone. I’ve had no cavities since, & my hygienist has very little work to do at cleaning time. This 9900 Prestige coupled with the Philips Sonicare App is extremely hi-tech! I thought the 6100 ProtectiveClean unit was amazing, but this 9900 blows it away.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Beautiful packaging
- Sleek smooth handle
- Minimalist charging stand
- Upscale travel charging case
- Great color options include Champagne, Pink, & Midnight Blue. But I love the Black!
- SenseIQ lets you know if you’re applying too much pressure (which is easy to do in the beginning). If you keep pressing too hard, it will automatically adjust for you. Wow!
- 3 levels of brushing intensity: The recessed button on the handle makes it easy to change at any time.
- Philips Sonicare App: Fantastic! Gives real-time feedback while brushing, including all aspects of your technique. Are you applying too much pressure? Are you “scrubbing”? Not brushing long enough? It also keeps a full brushing history, gives additional tips & lets you know when it’s time to change out the brush head.
- Interchangeable Brush Heads: The 9900 comes with the A3 All-in-One brush head, but other brush heads are compatible. I actually prefer the C2 heads.
- If you want to go low-tech, no problem. Just plug it in, charge it up, press the start button & skip downloading the App.
- Beautiful packaging
- Sleek smooth handle
- Minimalist charging stand
- Upscale travel charging case
- Great color options include Champagne, Pink, & Midnight Blue. But I love the Black!
- SenseIQ lets you know if you’re applying too much pressure (which is easy to do in the beginning). If you keep pressing too hard, it will automatically adjust for you. Wow!
- 3 levels of brushing intensity: The recessed button on the handle makes it easy to change at any time.
- Philips Sonicare App: Fantastic! Gives real-time feedback while brushing, including all aspects of your technique. Are you applying too much pressure? Are you “scrubbing”? Not brushing long enough? It also keeps a full brushing history, gives additional tips & lets you know when it’s time to change out the brush head.
- Interchangeable Brush Heads: The 9900 comes with the A3 All-in-One brush head, but other brush heads are compatible. I actually prefer the C2 heads.
- If you want to go low-tech, no problem. Just plug it in, charge it up, press the start button & skip downloading the App.
This 9900 gets 5 stars across the board. I really don’t know how Philips will be able to top this one. I’d rather invest in prevention than spend on restoration, and Sonicare pays for itself in savings on dental work.
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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~~ 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. This product has been refurbished.
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.
4 years, 6 months ago
by
CriticalEye
The HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e delivers the fastest speeds, 500-sheet paper capacity, and up to 2x faster scan speeds. It includes the optional HP+ Smart Printing System that keeps itself up to date, secure, and ready to print from virtually anywhere at any time. Optional HP+ system requires an HP account, internet connection, and use of only Original HP Ink for the life of the printer. This product has been refurbished.
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.
4 years, 6 months ago
by
CriticalEye
Protection for every home and family. Capture the details in full 1080p HD video for a clearer picture, day or night. Spend less time recharging with 6 months of battery life*. Connects directly to Wi-Fi without the clutter of extra gear. The Arlo Essential is wire-free and weather-resistant to deliver fast, easy installation and flexibility to get the perfect camera view. With the integrated spotlight, see important features like faces and licenses plates in full color, at night with color night vision. Ward off unwanted guests by triggering the siren or integrated spotlight automictically or manually from the Arlo App. Receive smarter alerts for people, vehicles and packages and take quicker action like sound the siren, call a friend or dial emergency services with the included trial of Arlo Secure**. Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit*** and Samsung SmartThings.
How long is the power cord? Or is that a extra
There is no power cord. I comes with a short charging cord.
5 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.
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 :-)
5 years 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 :-)
5 years 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
6 years 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.
7 years, 4 months ago
by
CriticalEye