CriticalEye's stats
- Review count120
- Helpfulness votes491
- First reviewOctober 20, 2014
- Last reviewMay 15, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.1
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- Review comment count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentNone
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Questions
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- Answer count22
- Helpfulness votes12
- First answerMarch 11, 2018
- Last answerOctober 21, 2021
- Featured answers0
- Best answers1
Create custom lighting schemes with this Sengled Smart LED Starter kit. More than 16 million hues provide endless choices for every occasion, and a range of whites lets you mimic daylight or brighten your space. Compatible with most personal assistant programs, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, this Sengled light bulb integrates seamlessly with your smart lighting setup.
Customer Rating
4
Great Color! App Still Needs Work
on November 17, 2018
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
We’ve been enjoying the Soft White bulbs for a few months, so adding the adjustable color bulbs has been a lot of fun. Note: the set of instructions in the box advises to download the “Sengled Element Home” App (green icon). Because this App is no longer supported, you’ll be directed to download the “Sengled Home” App (red icon). The Hub & Bulb setup isn’t complicated, but it can be glitchy. It took several attempts, including re-setting the Hub, before it finally paired. Same experience with the bulbs. One bulb paired immediately, but the next took several tries including a reset (turn fixture on/off quickly 10 times, then wait for bulb to flash). Once the Hub & bulbs are paired, the fun begins!
The bulbs are very customizable. There are 3 main adjustment features in the App. There are sliders to adjust brightness & color temperature. And there’s a trackpad-style feature to allow full spectrum color options. The ability to turn lights on/off when away from home is a key security feature. You can also set an on/off schedule. The color bulbs are also a huge hit in the children’s bedrooms. Overall, the bulbs & hub combo are a good buy if they’ll just continue to improve the App.
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Grill, bake, roast or broil with this Delonghi Livenza 0.5 cu. ft. digital compact convection oven. This compact oven saves space while providing enough capacity to save the hassle, heat and cost of using your full-size oven. This Delonghi Livenza 0.5 cu. ft. digital compact convection oven has toasting _and warming functions for maximum flexibility.
Customer Rating
4
Not Your Average Toaster Oven
on October 27, 2018
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
Our family has been through many toaster ovens over the years. We’ve heavily used them on a daily basis for small basic toast jobs to full oven backups. After putting this one through its paces, our family agrees it’s a winner. First of all, its beautiful design fits right in with all other modern kitchen appliances. But its ability to evenly cook makes it a keeper. Whether toasting bread or nuts, baking small batch cookies or re-heating meals, we found very even browning for all food types. This has been a problem in the past. You would put in your toast & have to spin it half way through the cycle for an evenly cooked outcome. Also, the inside light stays on during the entire cooking process. This is a big plus.
The unique design allows up to a 12” pizza. This was surprising, as the appliance doesn’t take up any more room than our last toaster oven, yet it can accommodate a much larger size pan.
Clean up is fairly easy. The inside surface wipes clean without much elbow grease. There is one design negative. When the door is completely open, it doesn’t lie flat, which hinders the ability to easily pull the crumb tray out.
The controls/dials are mostly intuitive, but there doesn’t seem to be a way to change cooking time/temp once the cycle has started. We’ve been able to easily add time or change baking temp mid-process with other units.
Overall, this is a great-looking appliance that appears well-built, cooks evenly and should last the test of time.
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Built to match the way you live and designed for use with the HP Smart app, Tango X helps you stay a step ahead by connecting and printing from any device, anywhere.
Customer Rating
4
Impressive & Compact Home Printer
on October 13, 2018
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
My initial impression was that this is a very minimalist, attractive looking printer. It’s definitely geared for home or home office. The appealing wrap-around linen cover makes it look like a large book of some sort when it’s not in use. The Tango X works best with phones & tablets and not desktop computers. I attempted to print from my desktop without success.
Before setup, it’s best to download the HP App and create an HP Connected Account. Initial setup didn’t go perfectly according to the instructions, but it was still largely painless. Most print jobs are surprisingly fast and crisp looking, with one exception. Printing a full page black & white photo took so long, I stepped away and had plenty of time to make a cup of coffee. The Smart App is very helpful & will also let you know when paper or ink is low. The only negative: there is no USB port or other way of connecting directly to a device. So, if there is a connectivity issue with WiFi, you’re down for the count. Also, a minor issue, but the little tag with the HP logo on the linen cover has a tendency to catch on print jobs which causes a back-up on the following pages. Overall however, this is a good choice for a home printer.
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Enjoy crisp, colorful picture quality with this Full HD HP monitor. The ultrathin bezel on the 27-inch screen provides an expansive viewing area so you can stay productive, and its AMD FreeSync technology reduces input lag and screen tearing. This HP monitor has two HDMI ports for connecting gaming consoles and other devices.
Customer Rating
4
Beautiful, Sleek & Crisp
on October 13, 2018
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
Must admit we’ve been an HP shop for many years, so I’m definitely biased. However, that doesn’t mean I’m not objective. This 27” is the perfect size for a work monitor, but you do need room to set it back a little further than a smaller monitor. It also has dual VGA & HDMI ports which is helpful for a work-from-home setup.
The picture is crisp, especially for this price point. The thin bezel gives it a sleek look, and it is 75Hz. I’m not a heavy gamer, but I didn’t notice any stuttering as I have in the past with other monitors. On the negatives: the base could be a littler sturdier. There are no speakers, although I’ve never been a big fan of monitor speakers. They always sound cheap & tinny anyway. Overall, this is a very good home or office choice for the price.
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Complete your HT-Z9F surround system with this Sony rear speaker. Place it on a stand or shelf, or mount it to your wall for unobtrusive performance, and connect to other components wirelessly to keep unsightly cables out of your space. This Sony rear speaker's S-Master amp outputs 50W for powerful rear audio.
Customer Rating
5
Sony Quality Never Disappoints
on August 19, 2018
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
I admit it. We are a Sony family, but the bias in this case is justified by many years of experience with both Sony products & encounters with other manufacturers. We’ve rarely been disappointed with a Sony product and this is no exception. Never thought a soundbar could deliver such high level audio until now. This paired perfectly with our Sony 4K TV & the HTZ-9F Soundbar with wireless subwoofer to create a full theater experience.
The soundbar/subwoofer combo is taken to a new level when paired with these speakers. This wireless system can compete any day with a fully wired surround sound setup. Audio is very balanced & requires little adjustment. The remote includes separate volume controls for the subwoofer & rear speakers. The result is full, crisp, amazing sound.
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Enjoy premium sound from a streamlined package with this Sony sound bar. The Vertical Surround Engine ensures an easy fit in your entertainment space, and the 3.1-channel Dolby Atmos technology supports an immersive experience. This Sony sound bar operates on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi for streaming your favorite songs, and it comes with a wireless subwoofer to improve bass output.
Customer Rating
5
Another Amazing Sony Creation
on August 19, 2018
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
I admit it. We are a Sony family, but the bias in this case is justified by many years of experience with both Sony products & encounters with other manufacturers. We’ve rarely been disappointed with a Sony product and this is no exception. Never thought a soundbar could deliver such high level audio until now. This combo paired perfectly with our Sony 4K TV & along with the rear speaker addition, created a full theater experience.
PROS:
- Straightforward setup. Subwoofer & rear speakers paired quickly
- Full, rich quality you would expect from a wired surround system
- Very balanced sound requiring little adjustment
- Powerful subwoofer delivers full deep tones
- Remote includes separate volume controls for the subwoofer & rear speakers
- Simulates an overhead speaker
- Straightforward setup. Subwoofer & rear speakers paired quickly
- Full, rich quality you would expect from a wired surround system
- Very balanced sound requiring little adjustment
- Powerful subwoofer delivers full deep tones
- Remote includes separate volume controls for the subwoofer & rear speakers
- Simulates an overhead speaker
CONS:
- Difficult to find any fault with this unit. I would only recommend purchasing the rear speakers for optimal enjoyment
- Difficult to find any fault with this unit. I would only recommend purchasing the rear speakers for optimal enjoyment
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Sleep better. Cover unwanted noise with soothing sounds. Bose noise-masking sleepbuds™ are uniquely designed for sleep. They don’t stream music or have acoustic noise cancellation. Instead, these tiny, wireless earbuds use pre-loaded, soothing sounds to cover up unwanted noises, so you can get to sleep — and stay asleep. Plus, unlike traditional earplugs, they’re super comfortable and made to stay in place all night long, even if you sleep on your side. 1. Choose your sound, 2. Set an alarm, 3. Fall asleep without unwanted noise.
Customer Rating
4
Light, Comfortable, Compact
on July 2, 2018
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
What a great invention! As a side-sleeper, I was unsure that these would work. I’ve used standard foam earplugs for years, but those are bulky, don’t mask sound very well, & create too much suction that becomes uncomfortable after a short time. I love these little sleepbuds. The material that touches your ear feels very soft & silky, so they’re super comfortable. They’re so small that I was able to side-sleep comfortably for hours on a firm memory-foam pillow. They also don’t create too much suction. The App is very basic, but intuitive. It has 10 sounds to choose from, a sleep timer, & a customizable alarm. You can adjust the sound to find that balance between full awareness of exterior noise to complete shutout of the outside world. I found they came in handy in the airport, too. The only downside is the occasional loss of connectivity. They don’t always automatically pair easily like all my other Bluetooth devices. It’s a hassle to go through the process of reconnecting, especially when you’re tired & ready to sleep. Overall, it’s an amazing product that I’ll use often. I used to lug around a sleep sound machine on business trips. These efficient buds will save space & reduce luggage weight.
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Add lighting control to your smart home platform with this Sengled bulb three-pack plus hub. The hub controls up to 64 smart bulbs, turning them on or off and dimming them in response to app or voice assistant commands and programs. This Sengled bulb three-pack plus hub includes classic A19-style bulbs for compatibility with most home fixtures.
Customer Rating
3
Quick Setup, but App Needs Work
on June 24, 2018
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
Hub & bulb setup is fast & simple. Just download the Sengled Element Home App & create an account. For security, I really like the ability to turn my lights on/off when I’m away from home. It’s also nice to make lighting adjustments from another room or when you’re already in bed. For basic on/off and dimming, the App works well most of the time. I had connectivity issues on occasion. Sometimes, a bulb is completely unresponsive. Other times, there is a delay when making adjustments. Also, the option to add a customized image doesn’t work. I tried selecting from my gallery as well as taking a new picture, but the App freezes & will not allow the change. If the App is upgraded & the bugs are worked out, this will be a nice system. Overall, not bad for the price.
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Capture and share special moments with Google Clips. Engineered to recognize faces and expressions, this clever camera automatically takes several-second-long audio-free motion photos, leaving you free to focus on the occasion. Enhanced with Super Res mode, the Google Clips device syncs data with your phone and lets you save any frame as a high-resolution still photo.
Customer Rating
3
Nice Idea, but Limited Need
on June 12, 2018
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
It’s a unique idea, but still needs some work. I tried using it as a supplemental camera for my phone. The picture quality is decent, but there is no sound for videos. The clips last just a few seconds, so if the activity or the cute dog trick lasts too long, it won’t capture the entire moment. It would be most useful for a special occasion when there’s lots of action that you don’t want to miss (birthdays, holiday get-togethers, etc.). Otherwise, my smartphone will get the job done without the added gadget.
PROS:
- Very compact & light
- Easy to place anywhere
- Hands-free, automatic captures
- Wide 130 degree lens
- Very compact & light
- Easy to place anywhere
- Hands-free, automatic captures
- Wide 130 degree lens
CONS:
- App works on very limited operating systems at this time
- Image quality average
- No microphone
- Short battery life
- Not true video (15 FPS)
- App works on very limited operating systems at this time
- Image quality average
- No microphone
- Short battery life
- Not true video (15 FPS)
My Best Buy number: 2172893138
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Listen to your favorite playlists with these Sony wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They're equipped with the Google Assistant for instant help with a range of tasks, and their silicon support fittings keep the headphones in place while you're active. Use these Sony wireless noise-cancelling headphones' Ambient Sound Mode when you need to stay aware of your environment.
Customer Rating
5
Best for Sports, Not Casual Listening
on June 3, 2018
Posted by: CriticalEye
from Pensacola, FL, USA
These earbuds are by far the most comfortable & secure in-ear headphones I’ve tried, period. I’m used to exercising with sports headphones that securely clip over the ear. I’ve also tried many other in-ear variations, but most need continual readjusting, depending on your activity. This pair didn’t need any adjusting or securing, regardless of the movement: walking, running, cycling, gym & even plyometrics.
PROS:
- Secure fit for sports
- Great bass compared to others in this category
- Sony Headphones App allows some customization
- Noise canceling is slightly noticeable, but not prominent
- True wireless
- Lightweight & comfortable
- Surprisingly good microphone for phone calls
- Secure fit for sports
- Great bass compared to others in this category
- Sony Headphones App allows some customization
- Noise canceling is slightly noticeable, but not prominent
- True wireless
- Lightweight & comfortable
- Surprisingly good microphone for phone calls
CONS:
- Equalizer is not customizable; pre-set configurations only
- Heavy wind noise while cycling
- Phone calls are heard in mono/left ear only
- Audio lag when viewing videos/YouTube
- Equalizer is not customizable; pre-set configurations only
- Heavy wind noise while cycling
- Phone calls are heard in mono/left ear only
- Audio lag when viewing videos/YouTube
Overall, if your main purpose is listening during sports, this fits the bill. If you’re looking for the best casual listening experience for music, watching videos or taking calls, there are better options.
My Best Buy number: 2172893138
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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, 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.
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, 10 months ago
by
CriticalEye