JimC's stats
- Review count115
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- First reviewOctober 30, 2016
- Last reviewApril 28, 2026
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- Average rating4.8
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- First answerDecember 4, 2016
- Last answerNovember 16, 2021
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Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Plaque Control, Rechargeable electric toothbrush with pressure sensor, White Mint HX6817/01
Customer Rating
5
Superb Cleaner: Gentle on You but Tough on Plaque!
on March 21, 2018
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 electric is the most economical of the current offerings by Philips but its performance in the basic role of cleaning your teeth is absolutely unmatched by any other toothbrush. It is a superb device and an outstanding value!
The Sonicare toothbrush was introduced about 25 years ago but Philips has continued to improve it with each new model. The latest version provides an incredible 62,000 brush strokes per minute!
Having a long history of expensive dental work including crowns, a permanent bridge and an implant, I am extremely interested in good checkups to protect my investment in healthy teeth and gums. My dental hygiene has always depended upon an electric toothbrush for best results as recommended by my dentist and hygienist. For years I have used the “other” popular brand with rotating brush.
But after using the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 for just a few days, I am not going back. The Phillips 4100 is a step up for many reasons. First of all, it has a gentle setting to keep onlays and other delicate dental work in place, its brush shape reaches hard-to-get to spaces but it still manages to eliminate those stubborn coffee stains and leave your teeth feeling like you have just had them cleaned by the hygienist. This model has a pressure sensor to keep you from brushing your teeth too hard which could cause damage to your enamel and very importantly does not shred your gums. It has a slender handle making it easy to hold and manipulate in tooth brushing. And it also has 4- 30 second timers to prompt adequate brushing for each quadrant of your mouth. This keeps you from brushing too much or too little. Phillips offers other brush heads that are click-on and interchangeable and a little light to let you know when it is time to change brushes. The “optimal range plaque control” head that comes with this unit is ideal in my book. The brush is quieter that the “other brand” and it is sleeker and cleaner looking on the counter.
My number one reason for being so impressed with this toothbrush is this…..it has less splash all over my mirror when I brush my teeth. This is a huge and unexpected benefit. With the other brand’s spinning toothbrush I had been using before using the Sonicare, the mirror had to be cleaned each time I brushed my teeth. The Phillips Sonicare produces no splash. Sorry, Windex, your earnings are going to be slightly down because I will be buying a whole lot less glass cleaner now that I am using the Phillips Sonicare.
What a fabulous side benefit: Clean, sparkling teeth! Clean, sparkling mirror in the bathroom!
I am looking forward to my next trouble free dental appointment as I believe using this brush improves my oral health care daily routine. I highly recommend this toothbrush if you like a solid performer and do not need Bluetooth connectivity or other esoteric features that in my opinion have nothing to do with the performance of the product for its intended purpose.
My Best Buy number: 2833046088
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+88points
90of 92voted this as helpful.
Bring together your analog and digital music collection with this 2-channel Sony receiver. Its phono input lets you hook up a record player directly, and its Bluetooth capability allows convenient wireless streaming from compatible devices. This Sony receiver has a built-in power amplifier for clear, distortion-free sound, and the rigid chassis minimizes vibration.
Customer Rating
5
Elegant Simplicity, Powerful, Very Clean Output
on March 20, 2018
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
This is a superb and stylish stereo receiver/amplifier with Sony quality at a very modest price. I have earphones which cost more than this fully-equipped receiver!
After extensive testing of this equipment my conclusion is that the Sony STR DH190 Receiver has a very nice combination of features, power and sound quality which surpass the vast majority of its competitors in its price range.
The task of selecting a stereo receiver/amplifier is complicated by the wide variety of systems being marketing by electronics firms (2.0, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 7.1 or 7.2) Those numbers indicate how many channels of stereo are created. 2.0 is traditional stereo, 2.1 adds a separate sub-woofer, 3.1 adds a center channel, 5.1 includes rear speakers for better surround sound effects. Finally, 7.1 adds two speakers on the left and right and positioned about where the listener sits, while 7.2 is the same as a 7.1 system but with an extra sub-woofer.
That’s a lot of numbers! So which is best? You would think that a 7.2 system would be the ultimate and far, far superior to a simple 2.0 stereo. But guess what? It all depends upon your speakers! All 2.1, 3.1, 5.1 and 7.1 systems are designed to send a narrow range of sound to a set of small speakers supplemented by a single sub-woofer to handle the bass.
But if you have a pair of classic big stereo speakers with a nice tweeter on top, a mid-range speaker in the middle and huge bass speaker at the bottom you are probably best served by hooking it up to a good 2.0 stereo like the Sony STR DR190. All of that channel separation performed by a 5.1 or 7.1/7.2 amplifier is wasted and probably detrimental to the quality of output from your big stereo speakers. Those big speakers have something better than a sub-woofer – they have powerful directional bass speakers that far out-perform that single, modest-sized sub-woofer in the 3.1, 5.1 or 7.1 systems.
The only application for which 3.1, 5.1 or 7.1 systems are superior is in home theaters. There you can take advantage of a number of small speakers located around the room to enhance the sound of movies or sports on your big screen TV.
So if you have a nice set of big stereo speakers, stop shopping in the 5.1/7.1 receiver aisle and focus on this terrific Sony receiver.
It is packed with a great set of features and specifications:
• It is compact, 17” wide (standard width of most stereo equipment) but just 11” deep and 5” tall
• Isolated phono input to give your turntable and vinyl records the best sound possible
• Four speaker connections (A and B set)
• Discreet amplifier provides 100 watts of power for each set of speakers (at 8 ohms)
• Speaker impedance adjustable from 6 ohms to 16 ohms
• Total Harmonic Distortion of just 1%
• FM turner with 30 digital presets and station names, plus auto tuning
• 4 analog (RCA) inputs (plus the Phono input)
• Front mini jack (3.5 mm) input (to connect a phone or iPod)
• Headphone output
• Full-function remote control
• Bluetooth connectivity with on/off control over the receiver
• Sleep function accessed from remote
• Display can be set at bright or dim level or turned off entirely
• Weighs 15 pounds and very solidly built with a reinforced chassis
It is packed with a great set of features and specifications:
• It is compact, 17” wide (standard width of most stereo equipment) but just 11” deep and 5” tall
• Isolated phono input to give your turntable and vinyl records the best sound possible
• Four speaker connections (A and B set)
• Discreet amplifier provides 100 watts of power for each set of speakers (at 8 ohms)
• Speaker impedance adjustable from 6 ohms to 16 ohms
• Total Harmonic Distortion of just 1%
• FM turner with 30 digital presets and station names, plus auto tuning
• 4 analog (RCA) inputs (plus the Phono input)
• Front mini jack (3.5 mm) input (to connect a phone or iPod)
• Headphone output
• Full-function remote control
• Bluetooth connectivity with on/off control over the receiver
• Sleep function accessed from remote
• Display can be set at bright or dim level or turned off entirely
• Weighs 15 pounds and very solidly built with a reinforced chassis
The receiver is very sleek, with an elegant minimalist design. Controls on the receiver include power, speaker switching, FM tuning, preset station selection, display brightness, display selection, Bluetooth pairing, PureDirect isolation, input selector and volume.
The sound produced by this system’s amplifier is pure, distortion-free and steady at both low and very high volumes.
The Bluetooth connection was effortless from every device I tried (phone, tablet, laptop). One very nice aspect of the Bluetooth feature is that you can power-on the receiver from the remote device.
Heat is the enemy of receivers but this unit has a great many air ventilation slots on the top, sides and bottom to allow enough airflow to keep it cool and give it a long life. Not very high tech, but an important design element.
This Sony receiver is likely a huge step up from that old amplifier that you probably have attached to your stereo speakers. It is very easy to set up, will fit on even a fairly shallow bookshelf and will connect to all of your stereo equipment with ease.
I just have two quibbles on this unit. One small issue is that the wire holes on the connection tabs for speaker wires are fairly small. If you use very thick speaker wire you may find it a bit tricky to insert that wire into the tab. Not really a big deal but I felt I should mention it. The other drawback is that I wish it had an AM tuner as well. There are times when I want to listen to AM radio stations (sports, talk shows, news) but this receiver is missing that feature.
Bottom line - the Sony STR DH190 Receiver is a great two channel stereo hub, priced so low that you can afford to spend more on speakers yet capable of the vast majority of functions you will use every day. It has features and the performance of far more expensive systems. It is an excellent value for music fans who want to upgrade basic stereo setups.
My Best Buy number: 2833046088
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+384points
435of 486voted this as helpful.
Enjoy rapid downstream and upstream data with this ARRIS SURFboard SBG6700AC wireless gateway, which features up to 1600 Mbps throughput and front-panel LED lights for simple troubleshooting. The Wi-Fi pairing button makes it easy to connect.
Customer Rating
4
Great Cable Modem with WiFi, but has limits
on February 16, 2018
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
Verified Purchase:Yes
I needed a new cable modem to replace my cable company-provided equipment. It is really silly to pay a monthly rental fee for equipment that you can purchase. The payback is really quick (usually 6-8 months) and then you are in the clear.
This is a fine modem and AC-capable wireless router combination. The AC signal will reach a long way, through walls and should serve for almost any sized apartment and most houses. If your equipment is not AC compatible it also sends B, G and N signals. The wireless router will automatically shift devices between the 2.4 HZ and 5 Hz bands to equalize the load and thereby maximize the throughput.
The cable modem is very reliable. A cable technician advised me that the Arris 6700 can handle 250 GB to 350 GB for sustained periods, unlike many other modems which are rated for that speed but only on a peak basis, not a constant data transfer rate.
The device is very compact and clean-looking.
One drawback is that is has just two Ethernet connections on the back. For most this will not be an issue but I have a VOIP phone which must be connected through an Ethernet port and a desktop computer which also requires an Ethernet connection. That fills both ports and leaves none available for other purposes. Since I often work on repairing old computers I frequently need additional Ethernet connection ports to download software and drivers to those computers. The only easy solution is to add a port expander (and fortunately I found an old one in one of my many boxes of parts.)
A more significant issue is that this cable modem will not support whole-home DVR systems like TIVO and Xfinity. Those systems require a networking technology called MOCA which uses the coax cable to transfer multimedia content from the main DVR to the satellite units at other TVs. You can buy a MOCA adapter to overcome this problem but I wanted you to be aware of it if you are considering this cable modem.
Overally, a very nice WiFi-router/cable modem combination as long as the above limitations are not an issue for you.
My Best Buy number: 2833046088
My Best Buy number: 2833046088
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+97points
104of 111voted this as helpful.
![The Matrix/TheMatrix Reloaded/TheMatrix Revolutions [3 Discs] [Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/304b2327-370a-41e7-956a-951dd4939472.png)
Take home the influential sci-fi trilogy that revolutionized action cinema with this release featuring The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, and The Matrix Revolutions.
Customer Rating
5
Own this great trilogy - it never gets old!
on February 2, 2018
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
Verified Purchase:Yes
The Matrix trilogy is one of the iconic science fiction film series which every fan should own.
This Blu-Ray set is beautifully produced and will bring back to you the amazing experience you felt when you watched the movies the first time at a theater.
Crank up the volume on your sound bar, stretch out in your favorite chair in front of your big flat screen TV and be transported into the world of Neo and the Agents.
This set is a great value!
My Best Buy number: 2833046088
My Best Buy number: 2833046088
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+31points
31of 31voted this as helpful.
The NETGEARDual-Band AC1600 Router with 16 x 4 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem provides the fastest cable speed available with an AC1600 WiFi router and integrated DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem, with up to 680 Mbps. It's compatible with cable internet provider Comcast XFINITY, Spectrum, Cox, Cablevision, and more.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Performance, Long Range, Reliable
on January 31, 2018
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
Verified Purchase:Yes
I bought this cable modem to use with Comcast internet service and it has been great. Setup was very easy, connection was established quickly (once Comcast was called and advised about the new modem) and speed has been consistent at the upper end of Comcast's claimed ISP speed.
The big difference I noticed was the ability to connect to the WiFi signal from all corners of the condo. It is a big unit (2,500 sq ft) and there is a lot of metal in the walls which was interfering with the previous router's connection ability. However, this Netgear AC1600 easily sent a reliable signal from one end of the condo to the other.
I am very please with this item!
My Best Buy number: 2833046088
My Best Buy number: 2833046088
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+67points
67of 67voted this as helpful.
Enhance your listening experience with these Plantronics headphones. They wirelessly connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device to eliminate the hassle of traditional corded models, and they work with Siri, Cortana and other virtual assistants for convenient control. A single charge lasts up to 18 hours, so you can listen to your Plantronics headphones worry-free all day long.
Customer Rating
5
Lightweight, Wireless, Great Sound, Comfortable!
on January 21, 2018
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
The Plantronics Backbeat Fit 505 wireless headphones are a very nice option for a comfortable listening experience at home or while working out.
There are many options for playing music from your phone/tablet/laptop: internal speakers, external speakers, earphones (wired and wireless) and headphones (wired and wireless.) Each has advantages and may be best for a specific use so a serious music listener will want to invest in several different types.
First, wired or wireless? The choice here is whether you willing to be encumbered by a wire connecting your device to your ears? In most cases, it is an annoyance and can even cause accidents, so I believe that for active users like me wireless earphones are the best choice. If you run, bike or work out regularly you certainly want to be free from wires and cannot use external speakers. Even for casual listening at a coffee shop or home, wireless units are a great convenience.
I like wireless earphones and have several types, including an expensive self-contained earbuds which fit in the ear and have no connecting wires and another set which has a cable connecting the right earbud to the left earbud. However, the Plantronics Backbeat Fit 505 are the first set of wireless headphones I have owned. How do they compare to the small, earbud-type I normally use?
Included in the box (see photo) are the headphones, instructions, a USB charging cable, a 3.5 mm direct-connect wire cable and a nice mesh drawstring pouch to hold everything. There aren’t any useful instructions included, just a lot of safety notices in twelve languages of tiny type.
To obtain setup/use information, Plantronics has a free app (of course!) that you download to your phone (either Android or iPhone versions) which gives you additional instructions and a (fairly useless) “find my headset” feature. The latter makes an “off hook” sound on the earphone but it really isn’t loud enough to help you locate the headphones.
The headphones have a special nano-coating to protect against moisture and sweat. The earphones have substantial, 40 mm drivers with super-comfortable memory-foam cushions around the speakers.
First step is to charge the ear buds. Just attach the charging cable, plug it into your computer or a USB outlet and LED lights will go out when they are fully charged (about 2.5 hours when fully discharged.) Plantronics says a full charge will provide eighteen hours playing time but I have used my set for at least twenty hours before recharging.
Next, pair the earbuds with your phone via Bluetooth. An audio prompt guides you and the app gives full instructions, but my phone paired them very quickly and without drama.
You can now start listening to music immediately. The Fit 505 speakers have a beautiful, faithful reproduction of mid-ranges, clear highs without being too bright and plenty of bass. My standards for speaker quality are Cannonball Adderly’s “Country Preacher” and Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” albums. I know every note on both of these classics and the slightest deviation is like nails on a blackboard. These headphones passed that tough test with gold stars for quality, sound level and range.
I cannot stress enough how comfortable these headphones are. They are very light (a bit over 5 ounces) and have plenty of adjustment range to enable a good fit. The earphones are not very large (about 2.7 inches in diameter) so they are “on ear” rather than “over ear” but they provide adequate sound isolation. You can wear them for many hours in perfect comfort and your ears will thank you afterwards.
I know that some will use them for running but my main use is quiet listening. They have a reasonably snug fit and I could see using them on a treadmill or while lifting weights but I think for really active workouts it would be best to switch to wireless earbuds.
Like all good earphones these will respond to various voice commands, allow you to interact with Siri, take calls, etc. Each earphone has some controls. The left side will raise/lower volume, skip tracks (forward and backward), pause and repeat tracks and has a microphone for use during calls. The right side turns the earphones on/off, handles Bluetooth pairing, activates Siri and takes calls. Full instructions are included in the app but the use is pretty intuitive.
The Bluetooth connection is super-reliable. I have used the earbuds in my home and can walk 35 feet from my phone without a connection break. If you lose connection it quickly restores itself when you come back into range.
Bottom line - the Plantronics BackBeat 505 earbuds are an excellent value for serious music fans who want a very comfortable headset, superb music reproduction and a dependable workout partner. You will be glad you chose them!!!
My Best Buy number: 2833046088
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+108points
109of 110voted this as helpful.
Change the way you hear TV audio with this Polk Audio MagniFi sound bar system. Its Stereo Dimensional Array surround technology and wireless subwoofer provide a dynamic, immersive listening experience, and its Voice Adjust technology enhances the clarity of vocal audio. Enjoy Google Cast app-enabled music streaming via the Chromecast built-in feature of this Polk Audio MagniFi sound bar system.
Customer Rating
5
Beautiful Unit, Powerful Speakers, Superb Sound
on January 15, 2018
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
First, the bottom line: the Polk Audio Magnifi Max is by far the best 3.1 sound bar in its price range. Its combination of features, sound quality, aesthetics and power is without match.
When you invest in a great TV, no matter the brand, you are really buying just a beautiful visual delivery system. The speakers for even the most expensive flat screen televisions are just not comparable to the display. And yet much of the immersive experience of a memorable movie or exciting sporting event comes from that rich sound rolling over and around you.
The solution is to add a nice supplemental sound bar to your TV to replace those pitiful little speakers built in to it. That sound bar should extend the range of the speakers and deliver deep bass which the built-in speakers just cannot produce.
There are many sound bars available and they tend to fall into three categories – budget units (a couple of hundred dollars), mid-range systems (four to eight hundred dollars) and ultra-deluxe equipment (well over a thousand dollars.) How do you decide? Well, a good rule of thumb is to spend at least half of what you spent on the TV and ideally, two-thirds or more of the cost of the TV.
The next issue is what kind of system to buy (2.0, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1 or 7.1) Those numbers indicate how many channels of stereo are created. 2.0 is traditional stereo, 2.1 adds a separate sub-woofer, 3.1 adds a center channel, 5.1 includes rear speakers for better surround sound effects. Finally, 7.1 adds two speakers on the left and right and positioned about where the listener sits. For most video sources 3.1 or 5.1 is probably the best choice. 7.1 systems have the problem of where to put the side speakers and most movies are encoded for 5.1 sound.
Sorry for the long lecture, but to really appreciate the Polk Audio system you need to understand all of the above.
Included in the box are a massive 8” wireless sub-woofer, the sound bar itself, power cords for the sound bar and sub-woofer, a sophisticated remote control, an HDMI cable, a stereo headphone cable, an optical audio cable, a pair of wall brackets for the sound bar (with a template for accurate positioning) and a complete instruction/set-up book. All are very carefully packed so don’t worry about opening up the box and finding damaged equipment. Besides the cardboard packing material all important components are in very nice cloth bags for added protection.
Included in the box are a massive 8” wireless sub-woofer, the sound bar itself, power cords for the sound bar and sub-woofer, a sophisticated remote control, an HDMI cable, a stereo headphone cable, an optical audio cable, a pair of wall brackets for the sound bar (with a template for accurate positioning) and a complete instruction/set-up book. All are very carefully packed so don’t worry about opening up the box and finding damaged equipment. Besides the cardboard packing material all important components are in very nice cloth bags for added protection.
The specifications on this equipment are outstanding. The sub-woofer has a down-firing 8” speaker driven by a powerful 160 watt amplifier. It is 14.6 inches square, 12.2 inches tall and weighs 13.5 pounds. The sound bar has a total of seven speakers, four 3”oval full-range drivers, two ¾” round tweeters and one 1” round mid-range driver. It is 43” wide by 2.1” tall by 3.8” deep. It weighs 6.1 pounds. The sound bar has an impressive 180 watts of amplification. Overall frequency response is 35 Hz to 20,000 Hz. The compact height of the sound bar (2.1”) is a real plus for those who have their TVs standing on a video table rather than wall-mounted. It should not block the screen of any such TV.
Connections to and from the sound bar are accomplished with a 3.5 mm headphone jack, an optical input, Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g/n/AC at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, three HDMI inputs (HDCP 2.2) and one HDMI with ARC. The sound bar also has Bluetooth and supports Chromecast streaming. The HDMI connections all support and pass-through 4K HDR video.
Set-up is remarkably easy. Just plug in the power supply to the sound bar and plug in the sub-woofer. Next, attach an HDMI cable from the ARC output of the sound bar to the ARC HDMI input on the television. If you have other devices attached to the TV (such as a Blu-Ray player, game system, cable box, etc.) you can leave those HDMI cables as is. Or, you can route those HDMI cables through the sound bar. However, in either case the sound bar will take over the audio function from the TV as long as it is attached to the ARC port.
As soon as you power on the sound bar it will connect wirelessly to the sub-woofer without any effort on your part. The sub-woofer can be located anywhere in the general vicinity of the TV because deep bass is not really directional. You can put it on the left side, right side or directly below the TV and the sound will be the same.
You can now start listening to your video material through the sound bar immediately.
The first thing you will notice is that deep rich bass which had been absent from your TV speakers. You can turn of the volume on the sub-woofer to floor-shaking levels if you wish! Next, the overall sound quality is superb, very clear, distortion-free with excellent midrange and highs. The remote can adjust the bass level and the center speaker output individually or you can use the preset equalizer settings for sports, music and movies. The key to the incredible sound quality is Polk’s exclusive SDA (Stereo Dimensional Array) technology which creates a true surround sound effect, and the seven top quality speakers in the sound bar. In addition, the device has Polk’s VoiceAdjust system which keeps spoken dialog intelligible by adjusting the center channel level independently. No more wondering what that character just said as the explosions were going off! It also supports both 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS Surround.
For those times when you don’t want to disturb your neighbors with the pounding bass there is a Night Mode which lowers the bass and increases the VoiceAdjust level to allow you to clearly hear everything at a lower volume level.
There is a wealth of added features which expand the role of the sound bar beyond its use with your TV. You can connect your phone, tablet or computer to it via Bluetooth. It has Chromecast which is used to update the firmware of the sound bar and allows voice control if you have a Google Home device. There is also an Ethernet connection.
If you want to upgrade from 3.1 to 5.1 you can purchase a pair of Polk surround speakers which wirelessly link to the sound bar to further enhance your sound. The remote is already set up to control those extra speakers.
One small quibble is that there is no on-screen display of the sound bar settings. A string of LED lights on the sound bar itself give the levels for base, treble and volume when changes are made but there is no on-screen display of that information. Not really a big deal but I felt I should mention it.
Bottom line - the Polk Audio Magnify Max is a superb 3.1 system priced in the mid-range for sound bars which has features and performance of far more expensive systems. It is an excellent value for serious music fans who want to enrich their video experience. You will be glad you chose it!!
My Best Buy number: 2833046088
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+155points
168of 181voted this as helpful.
The Shark ION Robot is designed with a Tri-Brush System, combining side brushes, channel brushes, and a multi-surface brushroll to handle debris on all surfaces, corners, and edges. Use the SharkClean app or voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant to start cleaning from anywhere Shark ION Robot.
Customer Rating
5
Powerful, No-Nonsense Robot Vacuum, Cleans Well!
on December 14, 2017
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
Robot vacuums are now a part of every major vacuum cleaner manufacturer’s product line. They are the fastest-growing segment of the vacuum industry and the performance of the new models has greatly improved compared to those first introduced fifteen years ago. Prices have dropped and are now competitive with traditional vacuum types.
Why consider any robot vacuum? Well, besides the obvious advantage of hands-free operation, if you hate dragging out a heavy machine or finding a way to shove it back into a crowded closet, robot vacuums solve those problems too.
SharkNinja (formerly EuroPro) has become well-known for creating lower priced consumer products which attempt to incorporate the best features of the most expensive brands. The Shark ION 750 Robot Vacuum is their newest entry in the robot vacuum category.
The Shark ION 750 is very well-packaged. The box contains form-fitting shock-absorbing materials and the vacuum itself is carefully covered with protective plastic on all important surfaces.
When you remove the Shark ION from the box you will be impressed by the quality of its finish. It looks like the sophisticated high-tech device that it is, but it also looks very solid. The main driving wheels have a thick rubber tread and are about 5/8” wide so it gets excellent traction. The color is a nice combination of deep silver and black. The power/charging light is a deep blue set of three bars which indicate the state of charge. The lithium-ion battery takes about three hours to fully charge and then it provides about one hour of vacuuming power.
Packed in the box in addition to the robot vacuum, there is a power station dock, a set of side-sweeping brushes, 9 feet of “BotBoundary” strip, 2 BotBoundary connectors, an instruction manual and a quick set-up guide.
Setting up the Shark ION Robot 750 is really easy. Position the power station dock against a wall and plug it in. I put mine under a low table along one wall. That meant that the vacuum would be hidden while on its charging base but always ready for action. Then strip off the protective plastic from the vacuum, snap on the two side-sweeping brushes, turn on the power switch on the side of the vacuum and you are ready!
It was pretty intuitive to assemble and once you do, pressing the “Clean” button on the unit brings the robot to life. It smoothly pulls away from the charging dock then begins quietly vacuuming your floors and carpets.
The Shark ION is about 2.6” tall and slightly under 13” wide so it will easily travel under most furniture and between chair legs. It is quiet (about the same noise level as an electric razor) and makes a low purring noise as it travels around the room. For those who own pets you know that most dogs regard vacuums are their mortal enemies and feel the irresistible need to bark and snap at them as you try to clean the carpet. But my little dog just calmly watched the Shark zig-zag around the room, followed it for a while but apparently decided that it posed no danger to her family or her home! No barking!!!
But how well does it clean? Hardwood and tile floors – A+, carpets – B on first pass, but that improves to an A if you use it every day. And that is the essence of the appeal of robot vacuums – they enable effortless vacuuming on a daily basis. You probably would never pull out a traditional vacuum every day but setting up the Shark ION Robot 750 for daily use is very easy.
Shark provides a nice (free) app for your smart phone or tablet (iPhone or Android.) It allows you to wirelessly connect to the vacuum, control it, schedule cleaning sessions, monitors usage, gives access to the owner’s manual and provides troubleshooting tips. You can even use the app to find your robot vacuum in case it has wandered off into a closet and disappeared. The app also gives Amazon’s Alexa the ability to control the Shark ION.
In my condo I have a mixture of hardwood floors, granite floors and one carpeted bedroom. There are thresholds between several of the rooms because some of the floors are at slightly different heights.
The Shark ION effortlessly drove around the apartment, climbed over the thresholds and diligently vacuumed every available open space. My condo is pretty large so I closed off some rooms and let the vacuum concentrate on specified rooms each time. An alternative to a physical barrier is the use of the included BotBoundary. It is a thick plastic strip with a magnetic center which can be placed across the boundary of areas which you want to keep the vacuum from entering. You can cut it to match the width of doorways and leave it in place permanently.
I thought my apartment was pretty clean at the start, but after about 30 minutes I checked the internal dust collection bin and was surprised to see that it was full. Every time I started the robot vacuum it found more dirt, dust, hair than I would have thought possible. The fact that the Shark goes under couches, dressers, tables and chairs probably accounts for the impressive amount of dirt it collects. It has infrared sensors which keep it from banging into walls and furniture; it just slows down as it approaches a barrier and turns away – pretty cool!
After vacuuming, remove the large dust bin, flip it open and dump it into a waste basket. I would suggest rinsing out the collection bin after every three or four uses. The Shark has a hepafilter which will remove allergens, pollens and fine dust. The roller brush has an interesting “self-grooming” detangling system to keep hair from wrapping around the brush. The roller brush removes easily and it was no trouble to clean off any trapped dirt or hair that escaped the detangler.
Operation is very easy. Either press the “Clean” button on the vacuum or on the app and the robot vacuum will start working, feeling its way around your home, going under or around your furniture and making multiple passes over all surfaces. When the battery level drops to a certain level the vacuum will automatically return to the charging dock. You can also press the “Dock” button to cause the vacuum to end the cleaning operation and return to the power base.
You can also select a “Spot” cleaning mode which will give intensive vacuuming in a spiral pattern for about 10 minutes.
I do have to say that robot vacuuming is not perfect. Due to its round design it really can’t get into every corner and while the side brushes will catch most of the dirt in those corners some follow-up hand cleaning will be necessary. It has more difficulty with deep pile carpeting than a traditional vacuum but for low pile and bare floors it will do a fine job.
Overall, you should be very impressed by the quality of the Shark ION 750 and will appreciate its unobtrusive, automatic cleaning efforts in your home.
My Best Buy number: 2833046088
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+107points
114of 121voted this as helpful.
The all-new Fire HD 10 features our largest display, now in 1080p Full HD, 32 GB storage, 2 GB RAM, and up to 10 hours of battery. Now with Alexa hands-free.
Customer Rating
5
Amazing Tablet/Kindle/Prime Viewer
on December 6, 2017
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
Verified Purchase:Yes
I have been an Amazon Prime member for quite a while but had never seriously considered buying a Fire tablet.
But the new 10" HD tablet changed my mind. It is big enough for serious work but light enough to still carry around.
The features are great - HD video, very responsive touch screen, sufficient built-in memory, long battery life, outstanding set of apps.
But the extras are what take it beyond other 10" tablets.
First, it has hands-free Alexa. No need to touch the tablet, just ask Alexa anything you want and it responds. Great for shopping and checking the weather, sports scores, simple fact questions, etc.
Next, the Bluetooth connection is solid and permits the use of wireless earbuds to listen to music or audiobooks.
Very nice built-in speakers make watching Netflix or Amazon Prime very enjoyable.
The Kindle feature works fine - very easy to read any book you download.
Two small issues - neither due to the tablet - are that Amazon charges way too much for their branded cover (so you have to shop for a generic equivalent and wait for delivery) and the cost of a glass screen protector to fit the tablet is a bit high.
But putting those issues aside, the 10" Fire HD tablet is certainly an outstanding value that will give you great service!
If you see one on sale - grab it!!!
But the new 10" HD tablet changed my mind. It is big enough for serious work but light enough to still carry around.
The features are great - HD video, very responsive touch screen, sufficient built-in memory, long battery life, outstanding set of apps.
But the extras are what take it beyond other 10" tablets.
First, it has hands-free Alexa. No need to touch the tablet, just ask Alexa anything you want and it responds. Great for shopping and checking the weather, sports scores, simple fact questions, etc.
Next, the Bluetooth connection is solid and permits the use of wireless earbuds to listen to music or audiobooks.
Very nice built-in speakers make watching Netflix or Amazon Prime very enjoyable.
The Kindle feature works fine - very easy to read any book you download.
Two small issues - neither due to the tablet - are that Amazon charges way too much for their branded cover (so you have to shop for a generic equivalent and wait for delivery) and the cost of a glass screen protector to fit the tablet is a bit high.
But putting those issues aside, the 10" Fire HD tablet is certainly an outstanding value that will give you great service!
If you see one on sale - grab it!!!
My Best Buy number: 2833046088
My Best Buy number: 2833046088
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+122points
130of 138voted this as helpful.
Savor a rich, intense brew with these Victor Allen's Coffee French Roast coffee pods. The dark roast blend is made of 100 percent Arabica beans for a consistent high-quality taste cup after cup. These Victor Allen's Coffee French Roast coffee pods pop into your Keurig brewer for easy preparation, and the pods are disposable for convenient cleanup.
Customer Rating
5
Smooth, rich, full-bodied taste!
on November 23, 2017
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
Verified Purchase:Yes
I like a richer, full-flavor coffee from my Keurig and Victor Allen French Roast is a great choice for me. Best Buy has a nice variety of K-cup coffees and this is one of the best. Just as rich as Starbucks but at a lower cost. I also like the Victor Allen Italian Roast - a little darker but also very good.
One tip for those who like more flavor from their K-cups, set the brew size on the smallest cup, brew once, then rotate the K-cup 90 degrees in the holder and brew again, This will release more flavor than running the water through once on the largest cup size. Usually I run the coffee through three times on the smallest cup setting,
(rotating the K-cup twice, 120 degrees each time) and that gives a great cup of coffee.
(rotating the K-cup twice, 120 degrees each time) and that gives a great cup of coffee.
My Best Buy number: 2833046088
My Best Buy number: 2833046088
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+8points
8of 8voted this as helpful.
JimC's Review Comments
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Philips Norelco Shaver 9500 delivers superior closeness and personalized skin comfort with SenseIQ technology. Designed to prevent skin irritation, the 9500 features Pressure Guard Sensor which guides you to the the right pressure as you shave.
Does this include a charging stand? It seems not. If not, can I buy a charging stand for this, separately?
The QuickClean pod doubles as a charging stand. You just attach the charging cord to the shaver while it is resting in the QuickClean pod.
4 years, 6 months ago
by
JimC
Philips Norelco Shaver 9500 delivers superior closeness and personalized skin comfort with SenseIQ technology. Designed to prevent skin irritation, the 9500 features Pressure Guard Sensor which guides you to the the right pressure as you shave.
Is this electric razor (the S9500) made in the Netherlands? I know that the higher end Phillips/Norelco models are usually manufactured in the Netherlands.
Yes, the shaver is both designed in the Netherlands and manufactured there.
4 years, 6 months ago
by
JimC
Explore a new world of personalized home theater audio. The SRS-NS7 Wireless Neckband Speaker uses Sony~s 360 Spatial Sound Personalizer technology to envelop you in the rich audio of your favorite shows and movies, while being unobtrusive to others in your home.
Can you hook the transmitter up to an AVR? If you can, will you lose any of the features? I have a surround sound system, but late at night I would want to use the NS7 so as not to disturb the family.
I have a 7.1.4 sound bar system that is connected to my TV through the HDMI Arc port. I added the SRS-NS7 transmitter to my TV by connecting it to the optical digital audio output and powered the transmitter at the USB port of the TV. This provides a signal to the neckband speaker which is independent of the sound bar. I can use the sound bar, the neckbad speaker or both together. If I want to minimize sound for others I just mute the sound bar and listen to just the neckband speaker. It works fine that way but even better when I listen to it and the sound bar as the same time.
4 years, 7 months ago
by
JimC
From America's most trusted printer brand~, the HP Smart Tank 7301 is a smart, connected and refillable tank printer that makes printing seamless for your home and small business with its high capacity, wireless connectivity and Ethernet networking. Create everyday color documents at a low cost with 3 years of Original HP Ink included in the box~. It's AI-enabled~ to intuitively adapt to your workflow, with wireless and security features that keep your multifunction printer up to date and secure.
Can this printer print legal sized paper 8.5 x 14
Yes, the paper tray can be easily extended to accommodate 8.5 x 14 legal paper.
The auto document feeder can also handle legal paper and there is a little support that flips up to facilitate feeding long paper.
The auto document feeder can also handle legal paper and there is a little support that flips up to facilitate feeding long paper.
4 years, 7 months ago
by
JimC
Your busy office needs a printer that~s fast, affordable, easy to use, and has great features. That~s why we developed the EcoTank ET-3850 ~ an innovative cartridge-free solution that uses high-capacity, easily refillable ink tanks. So you~ll worry less about running out of ink, and save a lot on replacement ink (1). The ET-3850 features an auto document feeder, fast printing with outstanding print quality, productive paper handling, a high-resolution flatbed scanner, and a large color display ~ making it the perfect printer for your home office.
What is the quality of the photos being printed with this machine? Will any Epson photo paper work or is there unique photo paper for this ink type?
The photo printing quality is excellent - not quite as good as a dedicated photo printer, but very close.
Attached is a sample that I printed.
Attached is a sample that I printed.
4 years, 8 months ago
by
JimC
Sit back, relax and let the Samsung Jet Mop automatically clean your floors. Samsung~s Jet Mop automatically cleans all type of floors, like tile, vinyl, laminate or hardwood. This robotic mop features dual spinning fiber pads that easily and quickly remove dust and dirt. Now, you can simply take it easy as the intelligent Jet Mop does the hard work for you.
Does this unit require water(specific) or cleaner(special brand)? Example: deionized, distilled, tap, boiled, spring. Example: fabuloso, pledge, mop and glow, bleach/water, brand compatible.
No, just tap water is fine for the water tanks. I understand that you could also use a non-streaking floor cleaner but I haven't tried that yet.
5 years, 6 months ago
by
JimC
Experience versatile cooking with the bella PRO 12.6-qt. Digital Air Fryer Oven. Air Fry, Dehydrate, Rotisserie, Grill, Roast, Bake, Broil, and Reheat your favorite meals with consistent results every time. The extra-large capacity fits a 10~ pizza, 2.2 lbs. of french fries, 4 slices of bread, and a 4 lb. chicken. The powerful 1500 watt heating system uses High Performance Circular Heat Technology to circulate heat for fast, crispy, and evenly cooked results every time. 10 convenient preset menu options, adjustable temperature range from 90~F to 400~F and 24 hour auto shutoff timer with audible tone. Easy cleanup with the dishwasher safe removable accessories.
Can you buy an air fryer basket since the included racks to not have sides? What are the dimensions of the racks?
The interior dimension of the oven is about 10.5 inches wide, 10 inches deep (including rear wall curve), 6.8 inches tall
A basket could probably be placed inside but no such basket is included.
Here are the trays provided:
• Two 10.5 inch x 9.2 inch coated metal slotted cooking trays (8.3 inch x 7.3 inch flat surface)
• 10 inch diameter coated metal pan (9.2 inch interior diameter)
• 10.5 inch x 9.2 inch coated metal drip tray (8.3 inch x 7.3 inch flat surface)
A basket could probably be placed inside but no such basket is included.
Here are the trays provided:
• Two 10.5 inch x 9.2 inch coated metal slotted cooking trays (8.3 inch x 7.3 inch flat surface)
• 10 inch diameter coated metal pan (9.2 inch interior diameter)
• 10.5 inch x 9.2 inch coated metal drip tray (8.3 inch x 7.3 inch flat surface)
5 years, 7 months ago
by
JimC
Experience versatile cooking with the bella PRO 12.6-qt. Digital Air Fryer Oven. Air Fry, Dehydrate, Rotisserie, Grill, Roast, Bake, Broil, and Reheat your favorite meals with consistent results every time. The extra-large capacity fits a 10~ pizza, 2.2 lbs. of french fries, 4 slices of bread, and a 4 lb. chicken. The powerful 1500 watt heating system uses High Performance Circular Heat Technology to circulate heat for fast, crispy, and evenly cooked results every time. 10 convenient preset menu options, adjustable temperature range from 90~F to 400~F and 24 hour auto shutoff timer with audible tone. Easy cleanup with the dishwasher safe removable accessories.
What are the product dimensions, please? The specification doesn't include them (and should).
• Exterior dimensions: 13 inches wide, 14 inches deep (including cord wrap), 14.5 inches tall
• Interior dimensions: 10.5 inches wide, 10 inches deep (including rear wall curve), 6.8 inches tall
• Interior dimensions: 10.5 inches wide, 10 inches deep (including rear wall curve), 6.8 inches tall
5 years, 7 months ago
by
JimC
Experience versatile cooking with the bella PRO 12.6-qt. Digital Air Fryer Oven. Air Fry, Dehydrate, Rotisserie, Grill, Roast, Bake, Broil, and Reheat your favorite meals with consistent results every time. The extra-large capacity fits a 10~ pizza, 2.2 lbs. of french fries, 4 slices of bread, and a 4 lb. chicken. The powerful 1500 watt heating system uses High Performance Circular Heat Technology to circulate heat for fast, crispy, and evenly cooked results every time. 10 convenient preset menu options, adjustable temperature range from 90~F to 400~F and 24 hour auto shutoff timer with audible tone. Easy cleanup with the dishwasher safe removable accessories.
What size pizza can it fit?
This is definitely not a pizza oven! Most frozen pizzas are 11 inches in diameter and "rising crust" pizzas are about 12 inches in diameter. The included "pizza pan" is only 9.2 inches interior diameter. You cannot use this air fryer to bake standard frozen pizzas.
5 years, 7 months ago
by
JimC
Clean hard floors and rugs with this BISSEL CrossWave Cordless Max multisurface wet/dry vacuum. The multisurface design vacuums and washes floors simultaneously, and the powerful battery offers up to 30 minutes of use per charge. This BISSEL CrossWave Cordless Max multisurface wet/dry vacuum includes a docking station that charges the battery and automatically cleans out dirt and debris.
How is this wet/dry vacumm with long dog hair? Does it get caught in that tiny filter or does it filter through to the dirty water ?. I have to vacumm balls of hair everyday.
I have a Yorkie who has very long hair. The Crosswave Cordless does a great job of picking up any hair on the ground and it is trapped by the strainer or loosely wrapped around the roller brush. I have had no problem cleaning with this great unit.
6 years, 6 months ago
by
JimC