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Philips Norelco Series 3000 gives you a comfortable, refreshing shave with wet or dry use. 5D Pivot & Flex heads, ComfortCut blade system, and full washability help ensure a smooth, skin-friendly result.
Customer Rating
5
Getting Back to (Updated) Basics for Closer Shaves
on July 15, 2021
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
The Philips Norelco S3134 wet/dry shaver is the latest entry by Philips in a new generation of consumer personal care products. It incorporates a number of important advancements in shaving technology designed to provide an ideal balance of close shaves and sensitive skin care at a very reasonable cost.
Norelco shavers are manufactured by Philips North America (the tradename Norelco comes from North American Philips electrical Company.) which is a unit of Koninklijke Philips N.V. , a $20 billion Dutch electronics, lighting and medical products company founded in 1891. Among its best-known consumer products are Norelco grooming devices, Sonicare oral health products, Magnavox & Philips audio and video products, Philips kitchen appliances and personal healthcare.
Here is a summary of the key features:
• Model: Philips Norelco S3134/84
• 27 self-sharpening Comfort Cut blades designed to minimize tugging and the need for multiple passes, gently cut hair just above skin level
• Five-direction flexible heads pivot, flex and float to follow facial contours without the need for pressure, minimizing stress on skin
• Shaves dry or wet, using water, soap, shaving foam or gel
• Waterproof, may be used in shower
• Fully washable, one touch to flip open shaver head for easy cleaning
• Pop-up precision trimmer for mustache, sideburns, eyebrows
• Up to 105 minutes of cordless shaving time, lithium ion battery is fully charged in 68 minutes
• 15 volt, 5.4 watt/360 mA charger
• Shaver Dimensions: 6.2 inch height, 2.4 inch depth, 2.3 inch width; Weight: 7 ounces
• 45 day trial/refund period, two year warranty on parts and labor,
• Model: Philips Norelco S3134/84
• 27 self-sharpening Comfort Cut blades designed to minimize tugging and the need for multiple passes, gently cut hair just above skin level
• Five-direction flexible heads pivot, flex and float to follow facial contours without the need for pressure, minimizing stress on skin
• Shaves dry or wet, using water, soap, shaving foam or gel
• Waterproof, may be used in shower
• Fully washable, one touch to flip open shaver head for easy cleaning
• Pop-up precision trimmer for mustache, sideburns, eyebrows
• Up to 105 minutes of cordless shaving time, lithium ion battery is fully charged in 68 minutes
• 15 volt, 5.4 watt/360 mA charger
• Shaver Dimensions: 6.2 inch height, 2.4 inch depth, 2.3 inch width; Weight: 7 ounces
• 45 day trial/refund period, two year warranty on parts and labor,
I have used Norelco and other premium quality electric shavers for many years so I know what to expect and demand. I own two other Norelco shavers, a two year old S7940 and a twelve year old 9160 XL. Both of these were the top-of-the-line model when purchased and have given me flawless service. See my photo comparisons of these three shavers.
Norelco currently offers two core designs in its shavers. The more expensive 5000/7000/9000 series are slimmer and have a “mushroom” head which sit above the body of the shaver and thus have more flexibility to conform to your face. The other design is seen in the more basic and economical 1000/2000/3000 series which have a flatter head design.
Like all Norelco shavers the S3134 is elegantly styled and very ergonomic. It is a nice combination of steel blue and black. It is lightweight, but feels substantial in your hand. There is rubberized grip material where your index finger and thumb would grasp the shaver and your remaining three fingers cradle the sides of the shaver’s body. It is a bit longer than my 9160 Norelco and a bit lighter. Compared to the 7940 it is wider and slightly heavier. On the front of the shaver is the power button and a single LCD icon which lights when charging or to indicate (in orange) that the battery life is low.
The reason I added this shaver to my collection is that I have the feeling that my trusty 9160 is nearing retirement age. I like having two shavers available and the flatter head shape of the 9160 and the 3134 work well with parts of my face, while the “mushroom” shape of the 7940 head is best for other parts of my face.
One significant difference between the three Norelco shavers I own is the number of blades in the three rotary heads. See my photos which show the cutting heads and blades of the three shavers. The oldest model (9160) has three rings of blades (12 in the outer ring, 6 in the middle ring and 3 in the inner ring.) That is a total of 21 blades in each head (63 total.) The S7940 shaver has a double ring of blades (15 in the outer ring and 9 in the inner ring.) That is a total of 24 blades in each head (72 total.) The S3134 shaver has only 9 blades in each head (27 total.)
What is the effect of more vs. fewer blades? The advantage of more blades is a faster and closer shave. However, the chance of developing an ingrown hair is greater with the 7940 model since its 72 total blades cut very closely compared to the 27 more widely spaced blades of the 3134 model. If you have a tendency to develop razor bumps on your skin you may find that the 3134 is a better choice.
The battery life on this shaver is actually much greater than the 50 minutes claimed by Norelco. I tested it by running it continuously from a fully-charged state and it lasted 121 minutes! Now it should be noted that this was not actual shaving time, so I estimate that actual shaving time would be about 100+ minutes. Recharge time from a fully-discharged state was 68 minutes.
Other notes about the charging system: The orange low-charge warning light activated with 5.5 minutes of running time remaining. A five minute quick charge gave 9.5 minutes of shaving time. The shaver cannot be run while the charging cable is attached (this is to prevent electric hazards.)
The plastic head cover fits snugly and will give your shaver adequate protection when traveling. Note that no travel pouch is included (the Best Buy overview of what’s included is incorrect.)
So how well does it work? Very well! The shaving function is effective and very comfortable. It is quiet (no loud buzz like some electric shavers) and it removed every trace of my stubble with absolutely no irritation to my skin. The “5D” flex and pivot motion really works well to reach every part of your face. The pop-out trimmer is effective (although not as good as the separate trimmer head provided on the 5000/7000/9000 Norelco shavers.)
I used the shaver in both dry and wet modes and it worked flawlessly. Cleaning is very simple – just pop open the head and rinse it under warm water. If you are converting from a manual (blade) razor you will really appreciate the luxury of continuing to use your favorite shaving cream when you use this great device.
I am accustomed to very good shavers and the S3134 certainly meets my high standards. Is it the best shaver you can buy from Norelco? No – if your budget can accommodate the higher cost of a 7000 series Norelco shaver (about twice the cost of the S3134) – you should invest in that model.
But if razor bumps are a problem you have experienced or you just wish to economize, the Norelco S3134 wet/dry shaver is an excellent choice and I give it a full five stars.
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Raycop~s most powerful full-size cordless stick vacuum to-date.
Customer Rating
5
Beautiful, Powerful, Versatile plus UV Sanitizing!
on May 12, 2021
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
The Raycop Omni Power UV+ Cordless Stick Allergen Vacuum is an innovative, lightweight, versatile device that provides a wide range of accessories for very effective vacuuming on carpeting, hard floors, walls, window blinds, furniture and bedding. It uniquely adds UV sanitizing for all surfaces, has flawless HEPA filtration and is bagless to make it even more attractive and earth friendly.
Raycop was founded in 2005 by Dr. Michael Lee, a physician specializing in diseases caused by environmental allergens. Raycop is the leading manufacturer (over 7 million units sold) of home allergen vacuums in Japan, where it is headquartered. The mission of the company is to create products that alleviate the harmful effect of allergies. Their slogan, “Clean Deeply, Breathe Easy” encapsulates the goal of their design process. Their vacuums incorporate ultraviolet light, optimized suction and HEPA filtration. Other innovations incorporated in all Raycop vacuums are a bagless, clear plastic dirt collection bin, washable filters and very high rpm digital electric motors.
Here is a summary of the key features:
• Raycop Omni Power UV+ Cordless Stick Allergen Vacuum (Model RPC-100US+UV)
• Digital 25.2 volt, 400 watt brushless power head motor rotates at up to 104,000 RPM and provides powerful suction power
• Large non-slip, balanced ergonomic handle and power trigger for effortless control
• Powered dual motor direct-drive main cleaner head removes ground-in dirt with 7 inch wide cleaning path, includes a selectable soft roller for hard floors and a brush roller for carpets
• Powered sanitizing cleaning head includes 7.5 inch wide pulsing/rotating brush and UV light to kill and remove viruses, bacteria, dust mites and other allergen sources
• Ultra-soft bristles and fibers in powered main cleaner head prevent scratches on delicate wood surfaces
• Easily converts to compact handheld cordless vacuum
• Strong, lightweight, dual core 26.8 inch long aluminum extension tube fits all accessories
• 0.8 x 2.2 inch wide combination tool: 7 inch long (bare end) or 8 inch long (brush end)
• 0.6 x 1.5 inch wide crevice tool extends from 8.4 inches to 11.5 inches
• Swivel head connections at cleaning heads for great maneuverability
• Removable 25.2 volt, 61.74 Watt-Hour, 2450 mAmp-Hour 7 cell lithium ion battery
• Recharge time (from full discharge): 3.2 hours
• Three suction power levels: Normal/Yellow (approx. 100 watts), Power/Green (approx. 200 watts), Turbo/Blue (approx. 400 watts)
• Easily removable high-impact clear dust bin, rinses clean after emptying
• Washable HEPA filter and dustbin filters
• 48 inch overall length (from power unit with extension tube to end of main cleaning head), 42 inch overall height with main cleaning head (perpendicular to floor)
• Total weight of power unit, extension tube and main cleaning head: 6.48 pounds
• Weight of individual components: Power head: 3.72 pounds; Main cleaning head: 2.06 pounds; UV sanitizing head: 1.71 pounds; Extension tube: 0.70 pounds; Combination tool: 0.22 pounds; Crevice tool: 0.21 pounds
• Two year warranty on parts and labor
• Raycop Omni Power UV+ Cordless Stick Allergen Vacuum (Model RPC-100US+UV)
• Digital 25.2 volt, 400 watt brushless power head motor rotates at up to 104,000 RPM and provides powerful suction power
• Large non-slip, balanced ergonomic handle and power trigger for effortless control
• Powered dual motor direct-drive main cleaner head removes ground-in dirt with 7 inch wide cleaning path, includes a selectable soft roller for hard floors and a brush roller for carpets
• Powered sanitizing cleaning head includes 7.5 inch wide pulsing/rotating brush and UV light to kill and remove viruses, bacteria, dust mites and other allergen sources
• Ultra-soft bristles and fibers in powered main cleaner head prevent scratches on delicate wood surfaces
• Easily converts to compact handheld cordless vacuum
• Strong, lightweight, dual core 26.8 inch long aluminum extension tube fits all accessories
• 0.8 x 2.2 inch wide combination tool: 7 inch long (bare end) or 8 inch long (brush end)
• 0.6 x 1.5 inch wide crevice tool extends from 8.4 inches to 11.5 inches
• Swivel head connections at cleaning heads for great maneuverability
• Removable 25.2 volt, 61.74 Watt-Hour, 2450 mAmp-Hour 7 cell lithium ion battery
• Recharge time (from full discharge): 3.2 hours
• Three suction power levels: Normal/Yellow (approx. 100 watts), Power/Green (approx. 200 watts), Turbo/Blue (approx. 400 watts)
• Easily removable high-impact clear dust bin, rinses clean after emptying
• Washable HEPA filter and dustbin filters
• 48 inch overall length (from power unit with extension tube to end of main cleaning head), 42 inch overall height with main cleaning head (perpendicular to floor)
• Total weight of power unit, extension tube and main cleaning head: 6.48 pounds
• Weight of individual components: Power head: 3.72 pounds; Main cleaning head: 2.06 pounds; UV sanitizing head: 1.71 pounds; Extension tube: 0.70 pounds; Combination tool: 0.22 pounds; Crevice tool: 0.21 pounds
• Two year warranty on parts and labor
The key features of Raycop vacuums are a combination of hospital quality ultraviolet light sanitation combined with HEPA filtration, cordless convenience and very strong suction power to remove 99.5% of common household allergens, viruses, microbes and dust mites. The products are beautifully designed and housed in arctic-white (with glossy black accents) high impact ABS sculptural housings which emphasize the high quality and health care equipment heritage of the company.
The Omni Power vacuum comes with a generous assortment of attachments including a sanitizing cleaning head, a dual motor/dual brush cleaning head, an extension tube, a combination tool and a crevice tool. All can be housed on the compact wall mount provided.
The company has very persuasive videos on its website which illustrate the effectiveness of the vacuums in sanitizing upholstered fabrics and bedding. Their studies indicate that virus and bacteria removal is 99.99% while dust mite removal is 99.3%. This is accomplished by the ultraviolet sanitizing head which utilizes not only a UV-C light but also a pulsing brush to literally beat the allergens out of the fabric. The UV-C tube is housed within the rotating brush and is easily replaceable. Equally important, the Raycop HEPA filtration system captures particles down to 0.3 micron, which is much smaller than household dust (10 microns), mites’ eggs (7 microns) and pet dander (5 microns).
While the UV sanitizing cleaning head can be used on carpeting and flooring, the unique dual motor/dual brush cleaning head is more effective for general floor care. It is very well-designed with a foot-operated switch to change from the hard floor (smooth) roller to the carpet (brush) roller. One indication of the quality of the Omni Power vacuum is the design of the aluminum extension tube. It is very strong due to its dual core construction. An outer box-section tube protects the inner round tube and provides a channel for the power cabling to the cleaning heads.
The two non-powered tools (a combination tool with brush and a narrow crevice tool) are well-designed. The combination brush tool is excellent for cleaning venetian blinds! Because you can connect these tools directly to the cordless power unit they will also find great use in vacuuming your car/SUV/boat etc.
One reason that Raycop vacuums are so effective is their superb suction power. Every vacuum relies on two factors to pull in dirt: speed of airflow and suction power. Airflow is generated by the RPM of the motor and suction is created by the physical size of the fan blades attached to the motor. The very high RPM brushless motors used by Raycop create high airflow which reduces the need for large fan blades and the associated big, heavy motor found in most vacuum cleaners.
The Raycop Omni Power has three power settings, indicated by the color of the power switch (Yellow, Green or Blue): Normal/Yellow (approx. 100 watts), Power/Green (approx. 200 watts), Turbo/Blue (approx. 400 watts). The battery life is inversely related to the power being used. I ran a series of tests to determine the expected battery life under three conditions - no power attachment, dual motor/dual brush cleaning head and UV sanitizing cleaning head:
No power attachment: 42.0 min (Yellow), 21.7 min (Green), 8.0 min (Blue)
Dual motor/brush cleaning head: 38.3 min (Yellow), 20.5 min (Green), 7.2 min (Blue)
UV sanitizing cleaning head: 34.5 min (Yellow), 19.1 min (Green), 6.3 min Blue
When using the dual motor/dual brush cleaning head for hard floor cleaning the Yellow (lowest) setting produces sufficient suction power to thoroughly clean the floor. For carpeted areas you will probably find the Green (medium setting) is required. The expected battery life at this level (20.5 minutes) is long enough to vacuum several rooms.
The UV sanitizing head requires the most power and for best results you will probably use the highest (Blue) power setting. While this gives only 6.3 minutes of battery life that should be sufficient to clean a mattress and related bedding or several upholstered pieces of furniture.
What does the Raycop Allergen Vacuum do best? Highest grades for efficiently vacuuming hard floors, upholstered furniture, window blinds, close-weave area rugs, picking up of pet hair and crumbs from the kitchen floor, clearing cobwebs from the ceiling, dust from walls, computer keyboard and other surfaces and serves as a great car vacuum. It does all of this reasonably quietly, and with great suction and maneuverability to reach into every tight corner. The unit easily switches to a hand held vacuum with a well-engineered, light-weight body, good grip handle. Its cordless feature makes it a go to anytime vacuum if a mess occurs. It is so user friendly! If you hate dragging out a heavy vacuum for the small clean up or finding a space to fit more equipment into a crowded closet, this great Raycop stick vacuum with its slender profile will solve that problem too. How? Because you can hang it on the wall with the beautiful charging bracket provided!
So how well does it clean? I found that it does an outstanding job of removing dust and debris from all hard surfaces as well as my carpeting. The UV sanitizing head was very impressive and did superb deep-cleaning on my mattress and fabric furniture. Because it is so light (6.5 pounds) you can easily carry it around your home and will not be worn out when you finish vacuuming. It did not scatter the bits of debris on the floor as I vacuumed and it picked up everything: dust, plant leaves, crumbs, dog food. I did not need to pick up a single thing off the floor by hand - it caught it all! And the HEPA filtration really did work – absolutely no dust was emitted from the vacuum.
Weaknesses?
• Relatively short battery life on the Turbo setting may be an issue for some. However, you can purchase a second Raycop battery which can be charged while you use your vacuum.
• If you rinse out the dust collection bin and filter after use you can expect the fabric inner filter to take a day to dry out (unless you use a hair dryer on it to speed the process).
• The narrow brush width (7 inches, compared to 10-12 inches for corded floor vacuums) lengthens the cleaning time.
• Edge cleaning is not perfect, due to the 1.5 inch wide housing around the roller brushes. You will need to use one of the utility tools to thoroughly clean along baseboards.
• Relatively short battery life on the Turbo setting may be an issue for some. However, you can purchase a second Raycop battery which can be charged while you use your vacuum.
• If you rinse out the dust collection bin and filter after use you can expect the fabric inner filter to take a day to dry out (unless you use a hair dryer on it to speed the process).
• The narrow brush width (7 inches, compared to 10-12 inches for corded floor vacuums) lengthens the cleaning time.
• Edge cleaning is not perfect, due to the 1.5 inch wide housing around the roller brushes. You will need to use one of the utility tools to thoroughly clean along baseboards.
However, overall, you will be very impressed by the quality of the Raycop Omni Power UV+ Cordless Stick Allergen Vacuum and will appreciate its ability to thoroughly and effortlessly clean and sanitize your home. I give it five stars (despite a few quibbles) and a strong recommendation!
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Stand out on HD video calls backed by Studio Mics. Capture ideas on the vibrant PixelSense touchscreen. Surround yourself with immersive, theater-like Dolby Atmos audio~. Do it all with a perfect balance of sleek, ultra-thin design, and more speed, now up to 70% faster ~ with significantly longer battery life than before~. Two sizes. Two keyboard finishes. Plus, choice of 11th Gen Intel Core or exclusive AMD Ryzen Microsoft Surface Edition processors~.
Customer Rating
5
Compact Powerhouse, Faster Than Gaming Laptops!
on May 8, 2021
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
This newly updated Microsoft Surface 4 laptop is a superb combination of technology and functionality which will outperform almost all existing laptops thanks to its incorporation of a new 8 core AMD Ryzen 7 processor with integrated Radeon RX Vega 8 graphic processing unit in a very compact form. Visually, the Surface 4 is an elegant, minimalist design with a very slim, beautiful matt black brushed aluminum body. The excellent full-size keyboard has white backlighting. The 15.1” touch screen seems larger because it incorporates a classic 6:4 format. The solid-state hard drive and low power needs of the LED display, CPU and GPU make possible up to 17.5 hours of silent operation. The audio quality of the Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos sound processing is amazing. Overall, the impression is very sophisticated and high tech.
Microsoft introduced the Surface product line in 2012 as a Windows tablet. It was the company’s first product which incorporated the Windows operating system and their own hardware. The first products ran tablet-only Windows RT. The early models were somewhat under-powered with limited storage and poor battery life. The next generation added a supplemental keyboard and more processing power, becoming 2-in-1 tablet/laptops. In 2015 the Surface 3 models were the first to run the full Windows operating system and standard programs. That Surface 3 lineup included the first true laptop. But not until the latest version, the Surface 4, did the product finally achieve parity in power and functionality with competitive laptops by incorporating bigger displays, very fast microprocessors, large SSD storage and superior battery life.
Consider this outstanding combination of features:
• Microsoft Surface 4 Laptop (Model 5W6-00024)
• AMD Ryzen 7 4980U CPU 8 core/16 thread, 15w max power load
• 8 core/16 hyper-thread processor runs at speeds from 2.0 to 4.4 GHz
• 64 bit Windows 10 Home 20H2 operating system
• Integrated AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 GPU uses shared system memory
• 8 GB DDR4 high efficiency RAM primary memory
• 512 GB SK-Hynix SSD fast hard drive
• 15.1” IPS LED-backlit PixelSense touch-screen display with 2496 x 1664 (201 PPI) resolution
• Windows ink workspace/Surface Pen support
• Omnisonic full-range stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos audio processing
• 720 HD f2.0 Webcam with dual far field microphones
• 3D IR Camera for Windows Hello facial and gesture recognition
• Intel AX200 wireless LAN 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6 support), WPA3 security
• Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
• USB-C video output
• 1 USB 3.1 Type C (up to 5 GBps)
• 1 USB 3.0 Type A
• 40 pin Surface Connect port for charging and accessory connections
• Headphone out/Microphone in 3.5 mm port
• 45.82 Watt-Hour Lithium Ion battery – 17.5 hour operating life
• 65 watt/15.0 volt/4.0 amp charging unit with USB Type A 5.0 volt/1.0 amp charging port and 101” cord length
• Very slim and compact: 13.4” wide x 9.6” deep x 0.6” thick
• Lightweight: only 3.4 pounds
• One year warranty on parts and labor
• Microsoft Surface 4 Laptop (Model 5W6-00024)
• AMD Ryzen 7 4980U CPU 8 core/16 thread, 15w max power load
• 8 core/16 hyper-thread processor runs at speeds from 2.0 to 4.4 GHz
• 64 bit Windows 10 Home 20H2 operating system
• Integrated AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 GPU uses shared system memory
• 8 GB DDR4 high efficiency RAM primary memory
• 512 GB SK-Hynix SSD fast hard drive
• 15.1” IPS LED-backlit PixelSense touch-screen display with 2496 x 1664 (201 PPI) resolution
• Windows ink workspace/Surface Pen support
• Omnisonic full-range stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos audio processing
• 720 HD f2.0 Webcam with dual far field microphones
• 3D IR Camera for Windows Hello facial and gesture recognition
• Intel AX200 wireless LAN 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6 support), WPA3 security
• Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
• USB-C video output
• 1 USB 3.1 Type C (up to 5 GBps)
• 1 USB 3.0 Type A
• 40 pin Surface Connect port for charging and accessory connections
• Headphone out/Microphone in 3.5 mm port
• 45.82 Watt-Hour Lithium Ion battery – 17.5 hour operating life
• 65 watt/15.0 volt/4.0 amp charging unit with USB Type A 5.0 volt/1.0 amp charging port and 101” cord length
• Very slim and compact: 13.4” wide x 9.6” deep x 0.6” thick
• Lightweight: only 3.4 pounds
• One year warranty on parts and labor
So how does this laptop perform? Flawlessly!
It seemed very fast when I was using it, so I ran two well-regarded benchmark programs (Novabench and PC Mark 10) on both it and four of my other computers to determine their relative performance. These tests measure both CPU (general processing) and GPU (graphics processing) so they give a good overall measure of a computer’s speed. The first was a base model office desktop with an AMD A6 (A6-7310) CPU (comparable in speed to an Intel i3 CPU), no separate GPU and 8 GB RAM. The next was a nicely-equipped all-in-one computer with a 6th generation Intel i5 (6400T), Intel 530 GPU and 12 GB RAM. The third was a 2018-era gaming laptop with an 8th generation Intel i5 (8300H), Nvidia 1050Ti GPU and 8 GB RAM. The fourth was a 2019-era two-in-one laptop/tablet with AMD’s Ryzen 5 and Radeon Vega 8 GPU and 8 GB RAM. Finally, I ran the same tests on the Microsoft Surface 4 laptop. All computers were well-maintained, running identical Windows 10 versions with no other programs active. Here are the results (higher is faster):
Novabench Results:
Office desktop (AMD A6, 8 GB ram): 636 (Base case)
All-in-One (i5-6400, 12 GB ram): 858 (35% faster than base)
Gaming laptop (i5-8300H, 8 GB ram)): 2028 (219% faster than base)
Two-in-One tablet/laptop (AMD Ryzen 5 3500U, 8 GB ram): 1425 (124% faster than base)
Microsoft Surface 4 (AMD Ryzen 7 4980U, 8 GB ram): 2981 (369% faster than base)
Office desktop (AMD A6, 8 GB ram): 636 (Base case)
All-in-One (i5-6400, 12 GB ram): 858 (35% faster than base)
Gaming laptop (i5-8300H, 8 GB ram)): 2028 (219% faster than base)
Two-in-One tablet/laptop (AMD Ryzen 5 3500U, 8 GB ram): 1425 (124% faster than base)
Microsoft Surface 4 (AMD Ryzen 7 4980U, 8 GB ram): 2981 (369% faster than base)
PC Mark 10 Results:
Office desktop (AMD A6, 8 GB ram): 1451 (Base case)
All-in-One (i5-6400, 12 GB ram): 2300 (59% faster than base)
Gaming laptop (i5-8300H, 8 GB ram)): 4603 (217% faster than base)
Two-in-One tablet/laptop (AMD Ryzen 5 3500U, 8 GB ram): 3698 (155% faster than base)
Microsoft Surface 4 (AMD Ryzen 7 4980U, 8 GB ram): 5096 (251% faster than base)
Office desktop (AMD A6, 8 GB ram): 1451 (Base case)
All-in-One (i5-6400, 12 GB ram): 2300 (59% faster than base)
Gaming laptop (i5-8300H, 8 GB ram)): 4603 (217% faster than base)
Two-in-One tablet/laptop (AMD Ryzen 5 3500U, 8 GB ram): 3698 (155% faster than base)
Microsoft Surface 4 (AMD Ryzen 7 4980U, 8 GB ram): 5096 (251% faster than base)
OK, that’s a lot of numbers and technical jargon but the bottom line is that you will find this slim Surface 4 capable of out-performing anything you currently own (unless you have a really geeked-out special system) and very smooth in running any games or software you may ever buy. Put this elegant notebook to work on most business software and it will never even break a sweat. Use it for photo or video editing and it will calmly do whatever you want, no drama. And you need not hesitate to fire up a graphics-intensive game because it has the power to handle even that chore easily. It is certainly faster than most dedicated gaming laptops made prior to 2020!
The Omnisonic speakers and Atmos sound system on this laptop are surprisingly good. I listened to some of my favorite albums from Spotify and the speakers (although tiny) were much better than typical for laptops. They are mounted at the hinge, have decent volume and good stereo separation – certainly good enough for watching Netflix or YouTube videos.
A major plus for this Surface 4 device is the outstanding battery life. I always test laptops by streaming Netflix series on battery power with a bright screen and high speaker volume. The combination of modem usage, video rendering, screen lighting and speaker volume usually drains most laptop batteries in less than two hours. But this Microsoft lasted almost twelve hours before exhausting the charge! That is long enough for five full movies and certainly would suffice a traveler for even the longest international flights. You can thank the ultra-efficient and power-miser AMD CPU and GPU for that amazing performance.
Another advantage for travelers is the compact size (less than 14” wide and 0.6” thick) and very light weight – about 3.4 pounds. The power cube is small (about 3” x 2” x 1”) so it won’t take up much precious space or weight in your briefcase/backpack. The notebook is nicely balanced with a great lighted keyboard and big touchpad, so those who like to literally use their laptop on their lap will be pleased. The Intel wireless LAN is compatible with the latest WiFi 6 standard and provides excellent, high speed connection to your network. Similarly, the Bluetooth 5.0 gave a stable connection at up to 35 feet. The 3.5 mm audio port is convenient if you like to use wired headsets or earbuds.
The 15.1” touchscreen display has superb resolution, high speed video rendering and HDR content support with very good color saturation. The 6:4 screen ratio is taller than the 16:9 or 16:10 ratios seen on many laptops and actually offers considerably more screen area (about 19% more) than the 16:9 screens. This is an advantage when working with Word documents or spreadsheets. It also supports the Surface Pen for graphic editing, although I don’t think that a laptop is the best vehicle for that function.
The Microsoft Hello facial recognition and Cortana both work well, as does the webcam and built-in microphones. I suggest that you turn off the setting which requires entering a password when waking from sleep (but I suggest that change for all Windows PCs!)
What are the possible weak points or purchase issues to consider?
• I would have preferred at least two Type A and two Type C USB ports. I prefer to use a mouse rather than a trackpad and often need to use a flash drive so having only one USB port is an issue. (I solved it by buying a very nice Microsoft Bluetooth mouse from Best Buy for just $15. See photo.)
• While the keyboard is excellent, it does not have a separate numeric keypad. However, that would have required a somewhat wider unit or reducing the size of the other key, so its absence is understandable.
• It would have been nice to have a form-fitting cloth carrying case included (as many other notebook brands provide.)
• When you set up your new Surface 4 laptop you will need to download some software (e.g., Open GL, Dolby Atmos) and update the drivers. There are several free software suites which will take care of those tasks for you.
• Some might feel that the 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD could be larger but the performance results I noted above show that the RAM is adequate. The hard drive is big enough for most purposes and can be supplemented by an external hard drive plugged into the USB Type C port.
• The optional Intel 11th generation Core i7 microprocessor allows a larger RAM and SSD configuration and may be a bit faster but at a considerably larger cost and much less battery life.
• I would have preferred at least two Type A and two Type C USB ports. I prefer to use a mouse rather than a trackpad and often need to use a flash drive so having only one USB port is an issue. (I solved it by buying a very nice Microsoft Bluetooth mouse from Best Buy for just $15. See photo.)
• While the keyboard is excellent, it does not have a separate numeric keypad. However, that would have required a somewhat wider unit or reducing the size of the other key, so its absence is understandable.
• It would have been nice to have a form-fitting cloth carrying case included (as many other notebook brands provide.)
• When you set up your new Surface 4 laptop you will need to download some software (e.g., Open GL, Dolby Atmos) and update the drivers. There are several free software suites which will take care of those tasks for you.
• Some might feel that the 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD could be larger but the performance results I noted above show that the RAM is adequate. The hard drive is big enough for most purposes and can be supplemented by an external hard drive plugged into the USB Type C port.
• The optional Intel 11th generation Core i7 microprocessor allows a larger RAM and SSD configuration and may be a bit faster but at a considerably larger cost and much less battery life.
But these are really just minor quibbles. When you consider all of its power and functionality you will agree that the price is very reasonable. I can enthusiastically recommend the new Microsoft Surface 4 laptop for both serious stay-at-home power users and for those who need a perfect travel companion.
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The iFLOOR BREEZE floor washer vacuums and mops hard floors at the same time. No more vacuuming and sweeping before mopping your floors. iFLOOR BREEZE does both simultaneously, in less time, and with better results. Lightweight, cordless, and powerful, the iFLOOR BREEZE removes tough, sticky messes from floors. This 2-in-1 powerful floor washer leaves less water on floors than competitors, so floors get cleaner, dry faster, and look their best.
Customer Rating
4
Cordless Agility, Quiet, Easy to Maintain!
on April 6, 2021
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
The Tineco iFloor Breeze cordless vacuum and floor washer is a remarkably versatile and attractive device which effortlessly allows you to maintain spotless floors.
If you are looking for a small, lightweight, apartment-friendly floor washer, take a look at the features this Tineco iFloor Breeze offers to help you with keeping hard surface floors in your home very clean and sparkly. Make maintenance an easy task, not a chore, with the Tineco and live in a healthier, cleaner environment by using it frequently.
What can it do? Vacuum carpets, refreshes carpets, vacuum hard floors, mop hard floors, clean up all pet hair and “accidents” and serve as a general purpose light-duty wet/dry vacuum! It has a very well-engineered, light-weight body that is very easy to maintain. If you hate dragging out a heavy carpet cleaning machine or finding a way to shove it back into a crowded closet, this multi-purpose cleaner will solve that problem too.
Tineco is an innovative Chinese manufacturing company founded in 1998. It focuses on adding intelligent technology to consumer products. It introduced a smart vacuum cleaner in 2019 and a smart hair dryer in 2020. Its motto is “Live Easy, Enjoy Life.” The iFloor Breeze multi-surface floor washer is the company’s newest entry for home use.
Consider these features:
• iFloor Breeze compact cordless vaccum and floor washer (Model #FW040100US)
• Simultaneously vacuums and washes carpets, area rugs and hard surface floors
• Large non-slip ergonomic handle for effortless control
• Brushless digital motor for powerful, quiet operation
• IPX4 water resistance
• Automatic solution dispensing, adjustment for heavier dispensing rate
• Cleaning solution dispensing rate: 1 ounce/minute (normal), 3.4 ounce/minute (heavy)
• LED lights on controls
• 20 minutes running time from 21.6 volt lithium ion battery
• Maximum recharge time: 4 hours
• 190 watt motor provides excellent suction power
• Handle on base to aid in carrying unit
• 10.5 inch wide cleaning path
• 20 ounce cleaning solution tank
• 17 ounce dirty water tank with automatic shut-off
• High-impact clear brush window
• Brush roller easily removes for cleaning
• One multi-surface brush roller included
• One 16 ounce Deodorizing and Cleaning Solution bottle included
• 3 in 1 docking tray (with brush roller and filter stand) stores, cleans and charges unit
• Lightweight! Just 9.5 pounds!
• Two year limited warranty
• iFloor Breeze compact cordless vaccum and floor washer (Model #FW040100US)
• Simultaneously vacuums and washes carpets, area rugs and hard surface floors
• Large non-slip ergonomic handle for effortless control
• Brushless digital motor for powerful, quiet operation
• IPX4 water resistance
• Automatic solution dispensing, adjustment for heavier dispensing rate
• Cleaning solution dispensing rate: 1 ounce/minute (normal), 3.4 ounce/minute (heavy)
• LED lights on controls
• 20 minutes running time from 21.6 volt lithium ion battery
• Maximum recharge time: 4 hours
• 190 watt motor provides excellent suction power
• Handle on base to aid in carrying unit
• 10.5 inch wide cleaning path
• 20 ounce cleaning solution tank
• 17 ounce dirty water tank with automatic shut-off
• High-impact clear brush window
• Brush roller easily removes for cleaning
• One multi-surface brush roller included
• One 16 ounce Deodorizing and Cleaning Solution bottle included
• 3 in 1 docking tray (with brush roller and filter stand) stores, cleans and charges unit
• Lightweight! Just 9.5 pounds!
• Two year limited warranty
The out of the box first impression was WOW…., it has noticeably sleek and clean lines …looks like a TESLA designer was working on this product. Very easy to assemble – just insert the handle into the body and you are ready to go. Press the power button, tilt back the handle and the iFloor Breeze begins quietly whirring, self-powering its way around as it cleans your floors. Tilt the handle back upright and the unit turns off. Elegantly simple!
And, for those of us who do not like hauling around an unwieldly heavy floor cleaner, this is your lucky day! You have in this unit a very lightweight, easy to lift (only 9.5 pounds) and maneuverable cleaner. For extra dirty surfaces press a button just above the power switch to add extra cleaning solution to dissolve the soil. You will really appreciate fine engineering of the brush head – it actually drives itself forward to lightly wash away the dust and dirt on the floor. You do not push it across the floor – it pulls you and glides across your floors! This may seem like a small feature but the effort of cleaning your floors is greatly reduced by this nice touch.
The brush head is extremely maneuverable. It can get into hard-to-reach under-furniture spaces. However, it should be noted that it does not get flush to the walls or to the very corners of the floor. The rotating brush is framed by the housing about one inch on all sides. Therefore floor edges need to be wiped with a mop or rag for thorough cleaning. This adds a small extra task to get those dusty corners. That is not a major problem – think of it as an opportunity to give baseboards a needed wiping also when getting the dirty corners and edges. So, it just requires an extra swipe of a cleaning rag.
The unit comes with an ultra-concentrated cleaning solution that uses just a capful of solution for a tank of clean water. The provided 16 ounce bottle should last for many washings and it really does a nice job in both cleaning and deodorizing. The unit has separate tanks for the cleaning solution and extracted dirty water. The two water tank system makes it easy to add more cleaning solution or dispose of dirty water. When you are finished just remove the two tanks, pour the dirty water down a toilet and rinse both containers. I recommend that you rinse out the area around the brush head and pour water through the suction hole to really eliminate collected debris from the unit. It collects a lot of dirt from your floors and you will want to be sure to have it really clean for your next use. Also, rinse out the sponge HEPA filter after each use. The entire post-cleaning process takes just a couple of minutes.
The fluffy roller brush is as described, ideal for hard floors, cleans thoroughly and is easy to remove for rinsing and replacing on the unit. The water on the roller that gets applied to floor and swept off dries in a minute or so and I saw no clouding or streaks when I used the cleaning solution at the normal application rate (one ounce per minute.) I suggest that you buy a couple of extra brush rollers and sponge HEPA filters so that you can have clean, dry parts ready at all times.
The handle has a very ergonomic design and features a cushioned hand hold for comfortable use. It is a nice length for people of every height and makes control of the iFloor Breeze quite easy.
The unit has a relatively short run time (20 minutes on a full charge.) In some ways this is actually a good feature, not a bug, because you will consciously work quickly and thereby make the chore of floor cleaning a short experience. Nevertheless, one design element which I wish Tineco would rethink is that the battery is not removable. It would be nice to have the option of charging a spare battery and exchanging batteries when the charge is depleted. But since most will use this cleaner for relatively small jobs, this is not a big issue. I also wish that Tineco would include a spare cleaning roller brush in the box.
So how well does it clean? Hardwood and tile floors: A+! I found that it did an outstanding job on all of the hard surfaces, cleaning the floor and then pulling up all of the sudsy water and dirt. Aside from the issue of the edge-cleaning weakness, it left the floor clean, dry and streak-free! As a bonus, although it is not meant for heavy-duty carpet cleaning I found that running it over large area rugs served to refresh them, removing surface soil and deodorizing them.
All in, I would say the Tineco is an ideal cleaning companion for smaller spaces. It is really useful for anyone who needs a lightweight unit because of limited mobility. My elderly mother says this is the perfect floor cleaner for her as it exactly meets her needs for a lightweight and easy to handle device given her mild arthritis pain in her hands. I recommend it and think it deserves four stars. (Maybe I am being a bit stingy but the relatively short running time, edge-cleaning issues and lack of a spare roller brush cost it one star.)
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Grab a fistful of metal for man-sized grooming. Define and refine ear and nose hair with the precision of MetalCraft from ConairMan. This powerful, professional, all-in-one ear/nose trimmer has a patent-pending Advanced 360~ Rotary Cutting System. It~s a metallic must-have for any guy who wants to get a grip on his grooming. Equipped with a diamond-shaped 3-bevel blade, the trimmer quickly and easily removes annoying nose and ear hairs with no pulling, nicks, or cuts. This battery-operated grooming essential (AA battery not included) gets the job done right~without a cord to hold him back. Featuring a smooth metal handle for complete comfort and control, this rugged gear is built to last, with a washable head for easy cleaning, and can be his go-to for confident, high-performance grooming, now and years from now. Preferred by professional Instagram influencer and Man Maintenance Missionary Kevin Creekman, the MetalCraft High-Performance Nose/Ear Trimmer lets a man refine his facial canvas with the skill and power of a pro. The guesswork is gone. No pulls, nicks, or cuts. The ultra-precise 3-bevel blade is just the right size and shape to remove hard-to-reach hairs, painlessly cutting as close to his skin as possible for perfect results every time. And he'll appreciate the firm, comfortable grip he gets on the metal handle as he takes control of his trimming. Professional-grade power and performance. It~s more than maintenance, it~s MetalCraft.
Customer Rating
5
Solid Construction, Very Effective Performance!
on March 19, 2021
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
The Conair MetalCraft High Performance Metal Ear/Nose Trimmer is very well-made. It will consistently deliver safe and effective trimming of those annoying hairs in your nose and ears at a price which makes it one of the best values on the market.
Conair is an American firm based in Stamford, Connecticut which was founded in 1959. It is one of the largest producers of personal care products (Conair hair dryers, curlers, grooming tools, mirrors, Interplak oral care, Allegro bags) and kitchen appliances (Cuisinart and Waring products). Total sales exceed $2 billion. MetalCraft is a premier brand within the ConairMan grooming products group.
Here are the relevant features and specifications:
• Conair MetalCraft High-Performance Metal Ear/Nose Trimmer (Model NE5000)
• 360 degree rotary cutting system
• Diamond-shaped three-bevel blade thoroughly removes hairs
• No nicks, pulls or cuts during operation
• Washable head
• Durable, compact design with blade cover and smooth metal body
• Powered by one AA battery (not included)
• Very compact: 0.8” wide and 5.3” tall; Weight: 3 ounces
• Two year parts and labor warranty
• Conair MetalCraft High-Performance Metal Ear/Nose Trimmer (Model NE5000)
• 360 degree rotary cutting system
• Diamond-shaped three-bevel blade thoroughly removes hairs
• No nicks, pulls or cuts during operation
• Washable head
• Durable, compact design with blade cover and smooth metal body
• Powered by one AA battery (not included)
• Very compact: 0.8” wide and 5.3” tall; Weight: 3 ounces
• Two year parts and labor warranty
When you open the box and unpack the unit you will be impressed by the solid feel and quality of construction. You have to install a AA battery (none is included). This is done by twisting the bottom cap one-eighth of a turn to the left and inserting the battery with the positive end down. The unit is turned on by twisting that same end cap one-eighth turn to the right.
This trimmer has a unique T-shaped cutting head which facilitates close trimming of hairs. Most nose hair trimmers have a long, cone-shaped cutting head. See my photo of another brand compared to the Conair MetalCraft trimmer. The cutting section has a diamond-shaped three bevel blade and the shape allows you to get close to the skin around the hairs you want to trim, rather than simply shortening them.
The solid metal body has a convenient thumb grip to aid in control. You will quickly complete the trimming process and marvel at how thoroughly it has done the job.
After trimming, you can clean the head by removing it (a one-eighth turn to the right) and rinsing it under running water. The main body of the trimmer (which includes the battery) cannot be exposed to water. This is the only maintenance required (other than changing the battery.) Since you are probably going to use this trimmer for just a minute or two once a week, the battery should last at least a year.
The bottom line on this sturdy, top quality little trimmer is that it is an excellent and efficient grooming tool. If you are tired of cheap, plastic-bodied trimmers that stop working after a few weeks I strongly urge you to add this wonderful device to your array of personal care equipment. Highly recommended!
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Minimize movement and maximize comfort with ERGO M575~a wireless trackball with sculpted ergonomic shape. With no need to move your arm around to move the cursor, your hand and arm stay relaxed. Remarkably smooth and responsive cursor control works perfectly on any surface. Connect simply via Bluetooth Low Energy or the included USB receiver with a 33 ft (10 m) range.
Customer Rating
5
Comfort, Space-Saving, Wireless Convenience!
on January 20, 2021
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
The Logitech Ergo M575 cordless trackball is a fine solution to the problem of limited desk space and it is a valuable accessory for every laptop user who is frustrated with the inaccuracy and clumsiness of trackpads.
My opinion on this trackball may be a bit biased because I just love Logitech products – they are always superbly engineered, are packed with great features and have always given me long and very reliable service.
Logitech was founded in Apples, Switzerland in 1981. Its first product was a computer mouse in 1982 that was adopted by several computer manufacturers (including Apple.) Later it was the first company to offer a replacement mouse to the consumer market. Logitech introduced wireless mice, optical mice and trackballs. By 2008 Logitech had produced over one billion mice.
Logitech was founded in Apples, Switzerland in 1981. Its first product was a computer mouse in 1982 that was adopted by several computer manufacturers (including Apple.) Later it was the first company to offer a replacement mouse to the consumer market. Logitech introduced wireless mice, optical mice and trackballs. By 2008 Logitech had produced over one billion mice.
The Logitech mouse was followed by a wide variety of high quality products including a handheld scanner, keyboards, a digital camera, webcams, speakers and microphones. It acquired Harmony, the industry standard for programmable multi-equipment remote control devices, in 2004, then purchased Ultimate Ears, a creator of outstanding Bluetooth speakers, in 2008, bought Jaybird, a premier manufacturer of very fine Bluetooth earphones, in 2016 and most recently, acquired Astro Gaming in 2017.
Here are the key features of this great trackball:
• Logitech Ergo M575 wireless trackball mouse TR0006, (receiver C-U0008)
• Ergonomic comfort design for right-hand use
• Dual connectivity (Logitech Unifying USB receiver or low energy Bluetooth)
• Wireless range approximately 33 feet
• Powered by 1.5V AA battery (included)
• Typical battery life: USB receiver - 24 months, Bluetooth connection – 20 months
• Includes 2.4 GHz USB unifying receiver (stored in battery compartment)
• Trackball compatible with Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux operating systems
• Functions: trackball, left/right buttons, back/forward buttons, precision scroll wheel with middle click
• Trackball resolution adjustable from 400 dpi to 2000 dpi
• Engineered to perform more than 3 million clicks accurately
• Trackball is easily removed for cleaning
• Logitech Options software to customize mouse features and vary resolution (tracking speed)
• Dimensions: 3.9 inches W x 5.3 D x 1.9 inches H
• Weight: 5.1 ounces
• Made of 50% recycled plastics and packaged in paper products from FSC certified forests
• One year warranty
• Logitech Ergo M575 wireless trackball mouse TR0006, (receiver C-U0008)
• Ergonomic comfort design for right-hand use
• Dual connectivity (Logitech Unifying USB receiver or low energy Bluetooth)
• Wireless range approximately 33 feet
• Powered by 1.5V AA battery (included)
• Typical battery life: USB receiver - 24 months, Bluetooth connection – 20 months
• Includes 2.4 GHz USB unifying receiver (stored in battery compartment)
• Trackball compatible with Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux operating systems
• Functions: trackball, left/right buttons, back/forward buttons, precision scroll wheel with middle click
• Trackball resolution adjustable from 400 dpi to 2000 dpi
• Engineered to perform more than 3 million clicks accurately
• Trackball is easily removed for cleaning
• Logitech Options software to customize mouse features and vary resolution (tracking speed)
• Dimensions: 3.9 inches W x 5.3 D x 1.9 inches H
• Weight: 5.1 ounces
• Made of 50% recycled plastics and packaged in paper products from FSC certified forests
• One year warranty
The Ergo M575 is positioned, in both price and features, between the entry-level M570 trackball (which is about half the M575 price) and the top-of-the-line MX trackball (which costs about twice as much as the M575).
Logitech designed the Ergo M575 with beautiful ergonomic details which allow you to comfortably rest your hand on it while it cradles your little finger and provides your thumb with a nice position on the trackball. There is a subtle grooved texture on the palm rest and the right side (where your little finger would grip) as well as a non-reflective, anti-slip black matte texture coating on the main body of the trackball. This very nice exterior is compatible with Logitech’s premier MX line of pointing accessories.
The trackball itself is positioned and sized to allow efficient, accurate cursor manipulation. Just to the left of your index finger are two programmable buttons (typically assigned to back/forward). Your index and middle finger rest on the large primary left and right click buttons. A precision scroll wheel between the left/right buttons can be used for other functions (such as magnifying/reducing the size of text or spreadsheets). Pressing down on the scroll wheel serves as a middle button click.
The trackball itself is positioned and sized to allow efficient, accurate cursor manipulation. Just to the left of your index finger are two programmable buttons (typically assigned to back/forward). Your index and middle finger rest on the large primary left and right click buttons. A precision scroll wheel between the left/right buttons can be used for other functions (such as magnifying/reducing the size of text or spreadsheets). Pressing down on the scroll wheel serves as a middle button click.
The bottom of the mouse has five rubber grip pads, the battery compartment, an on/off switch and the button to change between Bluetooth and USB receiver connection. Cleverly hidden (almost too clever, because I didn’t find it at first!) in the battery compartment Is the unifying USB receiver. I have other wireless accessories which connect with a USB receiver so I don’t need to use this one, but having it stored here is a nice bonus in the event I ever need another USB receiver.
For me, the three most important aspects of the Logitech Ergo M575 cordless trackball are the ergonomic design, the choice of connection (USB receiver or Bluetooth) and the customization flexibility provided by the Logitech Options software.
Research studies have confirmed that trackballs can alleviate the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Once you get used to the basic thumb control, you will appreciate not having to move your right hand all over your work surface. This is also great for those with small (or very cluttered!) desktops. The ergonomic design of the M575 has been given very high marks by tech industry comparative reviews.
Having a choice of Bluetooth or USB receiver connection gives added versatility. If you have a tablet or a PC with limited USB ports you will appreciate the Bluetooth connection option. It has a small penalty in battery life (20 months vs. 24 months for the USB receiver) but the connection speed and sensitivity is essentially the same. I used the Bluetooth connection with an Amazon Fire tablet and it worked perfectly. If you have a smart TV with a web browser and Bluetooth connectivity this trackball would be a great replacement for the clumsy navigation afforded by your TV remote.
Finally, the great Logitech Options software gives you the ability to remap the function of the buttons and customization for specific applications. But its best feature is the control over tracking speed/sensitivity which it provides. First time trackball users usually complain that they have to move their thumb too much or that the cursor moves too quickly. You can eliminate these problems by adjusting the tracking speed. The Options software allows you to set the tracking speed/sensitivity from a low of 400 dpi to a high of 2000 dpi. Somewhere between these two extremes you will find the best setting to give you accurate and quick control over your cursor. With the correct tracking speed this trackball is more than adequate even for the most stringent demands of Cad-Cam and Photoshop duties. You can also use the Options software to change the button assignments to defaults appropriate for the application you are working on.
The model that I tested was a very attractive black (graphite) but the Ergo M575 is also available in off-white – a nice choice for those who want to color-coordinate their computer accessories.
One last point. If you can afford the extra cost, consider upgrading to the Logitech MX Ergo Trackball. It does everything the M575 can do and adds a number of other nifty features. In fact, look at all of the Logitech MX accessories (keyboard and mouse). All are superb and you can read my Best Buy reviews of the MX Master 3 mouse and MX Keys keyboard for my full evaluation.
But if your budget tops out at the price of the M575 you certainly won’t go wrong. I am delighted to give the beautifully engineered Logitech Ergo M575 trackball five stars and my full and unreserved recommendation!
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8of 17voted this as helpful.
The PureTV Pro 60 is the only antenna with an actual signal meter integrated into the antenna to provide the best possible customer experience when installing. The PureTV Pro 60 has a dual-band, optimized antenna element that captures signals up to 60 miles away, while the antenna~s Clear Circuit Technology boosts the available signal, cuts dropout, and clears pixelation. The integrated, Bluetooth technology signal meter makes you the pro at installation. The PureTV Pro 60 uses a built-in tuner to get real-time signal data. Pair with the Winegard Connected app for no-fuss antenna positioning. Available for iOS and Android phones, the free, user-friendly Winegard Connected app quickly pairs with the PureTV Pro 60. Using both visual and audio indicators, you~ll get real-time feedback on the optimal antenna position for the best signal possible. The app shows a summary of available channels, and you can even fine-tune individual channels for maximum reception. Once you~re done, run a channel scan on TV, and start watching FREE TV.
Customer Rating
5
Powerful, Bluetooth-Enabled HD Reception Aid!
on December 31, 2020
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
The Winegard Pure TV smart amplified HDTV antenna is a very effective way to obtain free, high quality over-the-air HD signals to your digital television.
Winegard, a privately-owned firm, was incorporated in Burlington, Iowa in 1954. Its founder, John Winegard, developed the first antenna capable of receiving more than one television channel. The company expanded its product line to include AM/FM, cellular, WiFi, satellite internet and internet-of-things antenna, amplifier and related reception equipment.
Most consumers are unaware that you do not need to subscribe to a cable or satellite television providers to watch all of the major networks and many of the secondary television channels. Since June 2019 all over-the-air television broadcasting in the United States has been digital. This has greatly improved signal reception (compared to the old analog transmissions) and all televisions built in the past ten years include the ability to receive these digital signals. Access to a wide variety of free programming just requires the use of an appropriate HDTV antenna. The Winegard Pure TV indoor smart amplified HDTV antenna will provide excellent reception of these digital broadcasts even if you are distant from the transmitting antenna sources.
Besides access to free over-the-air television stations, this antenna can serve as an invaluable game-saver if your cable ever goes out during a major network event (such as the SuperBowl) which you planned to watch. And since the signal is not compressed (as nearly all cable signals are) the picture quality will actually exceed that of a cable provider.
Here are its key features:
• Winegard Pure TV Pro 60 Indoor Smart Amplified HDTV Antenna: Model BBXP60R
• Integrated two stage amplifier boosts weak signals
• Built-in signal strength meter (via app)
• Includes Winegard Connected directional signal finding app
• Ultrathin flat antenna, white on one side, black on other
• Substantial surface area: 13” Wide x 11.8” Tall
• 226” integrated coax connection cable (42” to inline amplifier, 181” to antenna)
• 36” USB mini-B power cord for amplifier
• 5 volt, 600mAmp power source adaptor
• Two-sided mounting tape pads included
• Full easy to follow illustrated instructions
• One year limited warranty
• Winegard Pure TV Pro 60 Indoor Smart Amplified HDTV Antenna: Model BBXP60R
• Integrated two stage amplifier boosts weak signals
• Built-in signal strength meter (via app)
• Includes Winegard Connected directional signal finding app
• Ultrathin flat antenna, white on one side, black on other
• Substantial surface area: 13” Wide x 11.8” Tall
• 226” integrated coax connection cable (42” to inline amplifier, 181” to antenna)
• 36” USB mini-B power cord for amplifier
• 5 volt, 600mAmp power source adaptor
• Two-sided mounting tape pads included
• Full easy to follow illustrated instructions
• One year limited warranty
Setup is easy. First, download the Winegard Connected app. This app connects to the antenna amplifier via Bluetooth and utilizes your phone’s GPS to locate broadcast antennas. The app gives three views to help you position the antenna. The first is a summary of total channels available in three categories (strong, moderate and weak signal strength). Next is a map view which shows the location of all broadcast antennas. Finally, there is a channel listing which allows you to fine tune the antenna position to maximize reception for a specific channel. In just a couple of minutes, you should have access to a wide variety of HD stations!
But a word of caution – follow the instructions and you will get much better results!
I live in a high rise on the lakefront in Downtown Chicago, near the buildings which house the broadcast antennas for all local channels. I have to confess that the first time I tried the antenna I did not bother to use the Connected app. I thought I could just attach the antenna to a window with some painter’s tape and that would be sufficient. I ran a channel scan and it showed 36 channels being received. I was impressed, but when I tried to watch the channels some were pixelated and some important local stations were not even on the list. I was frustrated, so I did what I should have done in the first place – I read the instructions and downloaded the Winegard Connected app to my phone.
I did that simple process and repositioned the Winegard Pure TV Pro 60 HDTV antenna in the indicated direction, then ran the channel scan again. Boom! 82 channels showed up this time, including every station that had been missing! I was very impressed.
The Winegard antenna is very well built. It is light in weight and very easy to position. I used some blue painter’s tape (which won’t harm surfaces) to hold the antenna in various locations until I was satisfied with the reception. To permanently mount it you can use the two-sided mounting pads included or just continue to use tape. The connecting cable is very generous – more than 18 feet long – so you have a lot of maneuvering room for locating the antenna.
The power cable to the inline amplifier is long enough to reach the outlet to which the TV is plugged, or you can attach the USB connection on the power cord to a USB outlet on the TV itself.
When you do determine the best location for the antenna be sure to place it as high in the room as possible. This will improve signal reception since the furniture, appliances and power cords (all of which may impair signal conductivity) in your home will all be located below four feet in height.
When you do determine the best location for the antenna be sure to place it as high in the room as possible. This will improve signal reception since the furniture, appliances and power cords (all of which may impair signal conductivity) in your home will all be located below four feet in height.
Overall, I have to say that Winegard has added another fine product to its outstanding collection of antennas. I am happy to give this great device a strong recommendation! Buy it and you will be very happy with its ease of installation and outstanding performance.
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10of 17voted this as helpful.
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.
Customer Rating
2
Promising Concept But Very Poor Execution
on December 7, 2020
Posted by: JimC
The Bella 12.6 Quart Air Fryer/Pizza Oven is an interesting concept. The unit was designed to offer a nicely balanced combination of air fryer, rotisserie, dehydrator and pizza oven capabilities. Unfortunately, a number of poor design choices render it as just a frustrating appliance which will annoy you more than it will please you.\r\n\r\nBella is a leading supplier of modestly-priced small kitchen appliances. The brand was launched in 2011 as a unit of Sensio, Inc. (now called Made by Gather.) Sensio was founded in 2003 and is based in Montreal, Canada. Most of its products are manufactured in China. Today Bella offers over 300 counter-top devices including bread makers, popcorn makers, air fryers, toasters, pressure cookers, slow cookers, blenders, waffle makers, coffee machines, sandwich makers, ovens, skillets, griddles and food processors (among others!) Sensio’s goal is to create products which are high quality but price-accessible, eliminate unnecessary complexity and use premium design to combine beauty and function. Their goal is to “foster human connection in the kitchen.” \r\n\r\nHere is a summary of the key features of this appliance:\r\n• Model: Bella Multifunction Air Fryer/Rotisserie/Dehydrator/Oven (Model 90116 R5)\r\n• Color: Glossy black plastic and stainless steel exterior\r\n• Oven capacity 11.9 liters/12.6 quarts\r\n• Includes full instruction booklet, online access to more recipes\r\n• Input power: 1600 watts\r\n• Primary functions: Bake, Air Fry, Dehydrate\r\n• Additional buttons: Power, Rotate, Light, Temp +/-, Time +/- \r\n• 10 presets (Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Reheat, Keep Warm, Pizza, Bacon, Dehydrate, Rotisserie)\r\n• Side opening double-insulated door with viewing window, insulated sides \r\n• Two 10.5 inch x 9.2 inch coated metal slotted cooking trays (8.3 inch x 7.3 inch flat surface)\r\n• 10 inch diameter coated metal pan (9.2 inch interior diameter)\r\n• 10.5 inch x 9.2 inch coated metal drip tray (8.3 inch x 7.3 inch flat surface)\r\n• Exterior dimensions: 13 inches wide, 14 inches deep (including cord wrap), 14.5 inches tall\r\n• Interior dimensions: 10.5 inches wide, 10 inches deep (including rear wall curve), 6.8 inches tall\r\n• Weight: 18 pounds\r\n• 120v, cord length: 33 inches\r\n• Two year warranty on parts and labor\r\n\r\nSensio’s Bella brand offers more than 30 different air fryers and the 12.6 Quart Air Fryer/Pizza oven/Dehydrator is in their “Pro” series, which includes products with premium features such as multiple capabilities and electronic touch screen controls. I was enthusiastic about this air fryer, based upon the stated features and its very attractive styling in stainless steel and glossy black plastic. \r\n\r\nUnfortunately, what I found as I tested this unit was bad engineering in key areas and an endless number of poor design choices.\r\n\r\nWhen I unpacked it and plugged it in I was very puzzled because it seemed to be broken. The touch screen was completely black and no control lights were visible. After studying it for a bit I noticed a very faint flashing red light in the upper right corner. I touched that light and that turned on the power. However, in a typical brightly lighted kitchen you will not be able to see that power button. But even when the power was on, the display screen is fairly dim. \r\n\r\nTouching any of the ten preset controls (Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Reheat, Keep Warm, Pizza, Bacon, Dehydrate, Rotisserie) activates the oven immediately, setting a pre-determined time and temperature. That time and temperature can be modified with +/- controls. However, the presets are another problem. There is no way to cancel the chosen operation except by turning off the power or opening the door. Then, if you turn off the power the control screen goes blank. There should be a “Cancel” or “End” button.\r\n\r\nThe door swings open to the side and that gives access to a surprisingly small interior. Despite a fairly massive exterior (13 inches wide by 14.5 inches tall) the oven interior is only 10.5 inches wide and only 6.8 inches tall. \r\n\r\nThis inadequate interior dimension ruined the major purpose to which I had hoped to use this oven – making pizzas! Despite the name, this is not a pizza oven! Most frozen pizzas are 11 inches wide and “rising crust” pizzas are 12 inches wide. One of my posted photos shows the actual difference in dimension between the oven and the pizza. Bella commits an unforgivable sin – luring pizza fans with a photo on the box showing a delicious pizza being baked inside the oven. But the very frustrated new owners will soon discover that they have been badly misled. \r\n\r\nAt the top of the interior of the oven a massive heating coil is positioned. (See photo.) But unlike other air fryers there is no protective screen under that heating coil to prevent your hand from accidently touching it when you reach into the oven. There is a track at the top which looks like it was designed to hold that screen but perhaps it was eliminated to save a few pennies. Watch your hand when reaching into this oven!\r\nThere are three tracks to locate the cooking trays but only two 10.5 inch wide by 9.2 inch deep slotted cooking trays are provided. The design of these trays is very poor. First, the trays have only a 8.3 inch by 7.3 inch depressed area to place the food upon, so they lose quite a bit of capacity. Second, the air flow (key to proper air frying) is greatly restricted by the size of the slots. The trays should be flat wire mesh – that would both increase their capacity and improve air flow. And a third tray should be provided!\r\n\r\nThe 10 inch pan (9.2 inch interior diameter) provided is useful for some tasks (like cooking bacon) but it is also poorly designed. It should have been made wide enough to slide into the tray slots. Instead you have to rest it on one of the cooking trays.\r\n\r\nI did not use the rotisserie accessory but the meager interior dimension of the oven would make finding a chicken small enough to fit a challenging shopping task. A much better use for the rotisserie function would have been to support basket/drum into which fries or other vegetables could have been put for tumbling air frying. But no such basket is provided (unlike some other air fryers!)\r\n\r\nThe provided owner’s manual is adequate but it is printed on flimsy paper and is only 5.5 inches square. It would be far more useful if it were at least 8 inches square and with a laminated cover to resist grease stains. \r\n\r\nAir fryers operate by blowing air over a heating coil and circulating that heated air over the food to cook it. The process is efficient but this oven is much noisier than necessary. I measured it at 67 decibels which is equivalent to a loud conversation. I have another air fryer which has a somewhat similar design and power level, but it creates only 55 decibels of sound in operation. That is about 40% as loud. The high noise level would make the dehydrator feature very unpleasant to use for the 2-3 hours required by that function.\r\n\r\nFinally, there is this disturbing note in the owner’s manual, “CAUTION: To prevent Plasticizers from migrating to the finish of the counter top or table top or other furniture, place NON-PLASTIC coasters\r\nor place mats between the appliance and the finish of the counter top or table top. Failure to do so may cause the finish to darken; permanent blemishes may occur or stains can appear.” What? This oven requires you to put it on coasters because the feet are made of an inferior material? Ridiculous!!!\r\n\r\nGood points? Well, in some respects the Bella Air Fryer performed very well. I did find that the air fryer prepared a roasted pork chop/onion/green pepper bundle perfectly. The French fries (made from a sliced raw potato) were perfect. (See photos.) It also did an outstanding job on bacon using the round pan. No spattered grease and perfect crispness! As I noted earlier, the unit is very attractive. It is well-insulated and the exterior stays relatively cool in use. The side-opening door gives good access to the interior and the interior light allows you to check on cooking progress. All removable parts are dishwasher safe and cleaned up well after use. These positives are the basis for my two star rating.\r\n\r\n\r\nBut any air fryer should be able to properly prepare the food items which I made.\r\n\r\nThe litany of complaints noted above render the Bella 12.6 Quart Air Fryer Pizza Oven appliance as unacceptable, especially given the misleading “pizza oven” name. I have written more than 50 reviews of Best Buy products and this is the first time that I have been so disappointed by an item that I could not recommend it to a friend for purchase. I urge any prospective purchaser to continue shopping – much better products are available at Best Buy. Sensio, you need to make many changes to this Bella product to bring it up to the standards which a Best Buy customer has the right to expect.
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No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+14points
71of 128voted this as helpful.
Meet Major IV, the iconic headphones from Marshall with 80+ solid hours of wireless playtime, wireless charging and a new, improved ergonomic design. With more than three full days of power, you can stop worrying about your headphones dying on you when you need them. Over 55 years of knowledge is packed into Major IV for an explosive sound. Custom-tuned dynamic drivers deliver roaring bass, smooth mids and brilliant treble for a rich, unrivalled sound that you~ll never want to turn off. When you~re deep diving into your music, Major IV will make sure the tenth hour is as comfortable as the first. Major IV~s ear cushions are softer to the touch and more faithfully fit the shape of your ear, rendering the headphones more comfortable and wearable over time. The addition of wireless charging makes it even easier to charge and go ~ no more hunting for your charging cable in a mess of wires. Major IV combines enhanced usability with classic Marshall elements like the multi-directional control knob for controlling your music and phone, textured black vinyl and the Marshall script for an overall design that is both iconic and innovative.
Customer Rating
5
Superb Sound, Classic Look, Lightweight!
on November 15, 2020
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
Slip on these lightweight headphones with the classic Marshall old school look and you will love the sound they deliver! And the joy will last for hours of listening since they are so comfortable and have an amazing battery life.
Founded in 1963, Marshall Amplification has become the best known designer and manufacturer of professional music amplifiers and stage speakers. Its classic “Marshall” script on the grill cloth is a guarantee that the equipment is top quality and will produce, as Pete Townshend noted, “sizzling sound with crunch!” Since 2010 Marshall has worked closely with Sweden’s top-rated Zound Industries to create consumer versions of its audio equipment. This review will focus on the latest of these collaborations, the Marshall Major IV wireless portable Bluetooth headphones, a surprisingly powerful unit with amazing sound quality and some great bonus features.
After extensive testing of the new Major IV Bluetooth headphones in a wide variety of applications my conclusion is that these very compact and lightweight cans have a superb combination of features, power and sound quality which far surpass the vast majority of its competitors in its price range.
First, consider that the Major IV headphones are packed with a great set of features and specifications:
• Marshall Major IV Bluetooth on-ear headphones (Model 1005773)
• 40mm dynamic drivers, 32 ohm impedance
• Frequency response range: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
• Total Harmonic Distortion of less than 1%
• Maximum sound pressure level (SPL) 99 dB (100mV @ 1 kHz)
• Bluetooth 5.0 SBC connectivity, 33 foot range
• Integrated microphone in each ear cup for phone calls
• Ergonomic textured vinyl cushioned ear cups, padded headband
• Ear cup fold clip collapsible design for compact storage
• Multi-function control knob (on/off, volume, play, pause, skip track, accept phone call)
• Lithium polymer battery life: 80+ hours playtime with Bluetooth
• 3 hour recharge time from full discharge; 15 minute recharge provides 15 hours playtime
• Wireless charging (Qi pad required, not included)
• 43” USB-C 5V-12V recharge cable included
• 78” 3.5 mm audio cord included for passive listening (no power required) or connecting a second headset
• Weight: 5.9 ounces
• One year warranty on parts and labor
• Marshall Major IV Bluetooth on-ear headphones (Model 1005773)
• 40mm dynamic drivers, 32 ohm impedance
• Frequency response range: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
• Total Harmonic Distortion of less than 1%
• Maximum sound pressure level (SPL) 99 dB (100mV @ 1 kHz)
• Bluetooth 5.0 SBC connectivity, 33 foot range
• Integrated microphone in each ear cup for phone calls
• Ergonomic textured vinyl cushioned ear cups, padded headband
• Ear cup fold clip collapsible design for compact storage
• Multi-function control knob (on/off, volume, play, pause, skip track, accept phone call)
• Lithium polymer battery life: 80+ hours playtime with Bluetooth
• 3 hour recharge time from full discharge; 15 minute recharge provides 15 hours playtime
• Wireless charging (Qi pad required, not included)
• 43” USB-C 5V-12V recharge cable included
• 78” 3.5 mm audio cord included for passive listening (no power required) or connecting a second headset
• Weight: 5.9 ounces
• One year warranty on parts and labor
For more than fifty years the iconic Marshall scrip on an amplified speaker has become emblematic of the quintessential rock concert experience. Those speakers always had old school black cabinets and big analog control knobs. When you saw them you knew that you were in for a night of rock ecstasy. The new Major IV headphones successfully combine that traditional look but are based upon modern technology.
Major IV headphones come securely packaged within a shock-resistant storage box. Included is a simple illustrated getting started brochure, the usual safety warnings, a USB-C charging cable and a 78” long 3.5 mm connecting cable for passive listening or to add a second headset.
When you open the box you will see how compactly the headphones can be collapsed, thanks to the ear cup fold clip. They easily fit within a 5 inch circle – just slightly larger than the diameter of a 2 liter bottle of soda.
The next change you will experience is the process for charging the headphones. While a nice USB-C cable is included and could be used to recharge the headphones, Marshall has added wireless charging capability. Just place the right ear cup on any Qi charging pad and the unit will recharge. The Zounds engineers have facilitated this by putting a thin black silicone border on the outside of the ear cup and crafting the “Marshall” scrip in silicone as well to provide slip-resistance on the charging plate.
Once fully charged it will be a long time before you need to recharge these headphones. They are rated for an amazing 80 hours of playtime! Even if you use them three hours every day that gives you nearly a month before they need recharging. And if you are impatient, just 15 minutes on the charger gives you 15 hours of use.
The Marshall Major IV headphones are much smaller than typical over-the-ear headphones (see photo for a comparison with one of my other headphones) and are technically “on-the-ear” headphones because they do not fully enclose your ears. But unlike most on-the-ear headphones the Marshall Major IV really give an excellent seal over your ears thanks to the generous and very soft padding on each ear cup. This insures that all of the sound produced by the 40 mm drivers is delivered to your ear drums.
The small physical size has another important benefit – light weight. The Marshall Major IV earphones weigh only 5.9 ounces, compared to 10.8 ounces for the over-the-ear headphones in my photos. You can wear these headphones all day in blissful comfort.
The controls for these headphones is a wonderful homage to the Marshall tradition. A single gold knob on the right ear cup controls volume (push up or down), tracks (push forward or back), power (press two seconds), answer phone (one tap), etc. It is all very intuitive. And the knob looks cool.
The Bluetooth connection is rock solid (what else?) well beyond the 30 foot range claimed. I would give it at least 40 feet. The codec used is the basic SBC rather than the more sophisticated aptX but the drivers are well-tuned for that codec.
I have always had a feeling that on-the-ear headphones are inferior in sound quality to a good over-the-ear headphone. I have several of both types and prior to testing the Marshall Major IV my personal experience justified that feeling. But after thoroughly testing the Marshall Major IV headphones I am prepared to retract that proposition.
I played some of my favorite rock, jazz, classical, country and vocal music albums through these headphones over the past week. In each case I found that the Marshall Major IV headphones have an outstanding ability to deliver a superb rendition of any musical source you may draw upon.
The drivers have been tuned to provide an accurate sonic image and are very responsive to music which has rapid shifts and extensive tonal range. They capture all of Janis Joplin’s soulful, “Me & Bobbie McGee” from the deep bass to the highest guitar note and never lose a bit of her ragged, breathy voice. The full majesty of Bach’s “Concerto for 2 Violins” by Anne-Sophie Mutter and the English Chamber Orchestra comes through undiminished. You will feel that you are truly “Live at Operation Breadbasket” as Cannonball Adderly plays “Walk Tall” feeling the thump of the bass and the sweet soprano sax. Play Garth Brooks through these headphones and you are standing right in front of the stage getting sawdust kicked in your face. And rock? Please, all you need to know about their ability to drive an electric rhythm backed up by a bass that sounds like Thor pounding his hammer, is to look at that “Marshall” script proudly blazing on each ear cup!
The headphones are exceptionally comfortable due to their feathery weight, the nicely padded headband and very generous earcup padding. You literally could wear these for hours and be aware of only the music they deliver to your ears.
I have several pairs of over-the-ear headphones which provide stellar music reproduction, automatic noise reduction and complete isolation, all of which have a cost two or three times the Marshall Major IV’s modest price tag. When you want to be alone with your music or desire isolation from ambient noise, they are an excellent choice. But they are all heavy and you do feel that your ears are being compressed so it is really not comfortable to use them for more than a couple of hours at a time.
No, the Marshall Major IV has no automatic noise reduction, but when was the last time you went to a rock concert to be isolated from your environment. The beauty of these on-the-air headphones is that you are still a bit involved in the world around you but the music dominates. It is like the difference between watching a movie alone in your home theater or going to a movie with friends.
If you want to be transported back to the musical glories of the rock era but don’t want to give up any of the technologic comforts of today buy these outstanding headphones. They have my highest and unqualified endorsement and you will crank up your cool quotient to 11.
If you want to be transported back to the musical glories of the rock era but don’t want to give up any of the technologic comforts of today buy these outstanding headphones. They have my highest and unqualified endorsement and you will crank up your cool quotient to 11.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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17of 21voted this as helpful.
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.
Customer Rating
5
Quiet, Automatic, Works Great and Yorkie Approved!
on November 13, 2020
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
The Samsung Jetbot Mop is a great addition to homes that have extensive hardwood, tile or stone flooring. It will unobtrusively clean those floors with almost no effort required on your part. The Jetbot is very well-made with a light-weight but sturdy body. It can also be handheld, making it very useful for cleaning walls and other vertical surfaces. This is a real joy to own!
Samsung is one of the world’s largest consumer electronic firms. It was founded in 1938 as a diversified trading company which grew to include heavy industry, chemicals, financial services and food processing. It is the largest South Korean company. A subsidiary began to focus on electronics in the late 1960s. Today Samsung is a leading manufacturer of semiconductors, cell phones, LCD panels, digital TVs, computers, tablets, audio equipment and consumer products such as kitchen appliances, laundry equipment, air conditioners and floor care products. The Samsung Jetbot Mop is their newest entry for home use.
Consider these features:
• Samsung Jetbot Mop cordless automatic mop (Model VR20T6001MW/AZ)
• Damp mops hard surface floors, scrubs walls and windows.
• Eight pre-programmed cleaning modes (Auto, Edge, Step, Intensive, Focus, Pattern, 50 minutes, Manual)
• Large non-slip ergonomic handle for hand mode (wall and window cleaning)
• Automatic water dispensers provide up to 50 minutes of water or cleaning solutions
• Smart system sensors to avoid furniture, walls, carpeting
• LED lights on unit indicate charge level (yellow – discharged, blue – 50%, off – fully charged)
• 100 minutes running time from 3.7 volt 100 mAh lithium ion battery
• Twin 27 watt digital inverter motors provide powerful spin motion with 100% vertical pressure
• Charger: 14.0 volt, 1.2 amp
• Charging time 150 minutes from full discharge
• Handle on unit permits use for wall and window scrubbing
• 12 inch wide by 6 inch deep cleaning path with excellent edge cleaning
• 2 microfiber mop pads, 2 mother yarn mop pads
• Mopping pads easily remove for cleaning
• Silicone brush for cleaning mop pads included
• Docking tray holds unit during charging
• Lightweight! Just 3.7 pounds!
• Dimensions: 12.2 inches wide by 5.5 inches deep by 6 inches tall
• One year limited warranty on parts and labor, ten year warranty on digital inverter motors
• Samsung Jetbot Mop cordless automatic mop (Model VR20T6001MW/AZ)
• Damp mops hard surface floors, scrubs walls and windows.
• Eight pre-programmed cleaning modes (Auto, Edge, Step, Intensive, Focus, Pattern, 50 minutes, Manual)
• Large non-slip ergonomic handle for hand mode (wall and window cleaning)
• Automatic water dispensers provide up to 50 minutes of water or cleaning solutions
• Smart system sensors to avoid furniture, walls, carpeting
• LED lights on unit indicate charge level (yellow – discharged, blue – 50%, off – fully charged)
• 100 minutes running time from 3.7 volt 100 mAh lithium ion battery
• Twin 27 watt digital inverter motors provide powerful spin motion with 100% vertical pressure
• Charger: 14.0 volt, 1.2 amp
• Charging time 150 minutes from full discharge
• Handle on unit permits use for wall and window scrubbing
• 12 inch wide by 6 inch deep cleaning path with excellent edge cleaning
• 2 microfiber mop pads, 2 mother yarn mop pads
• Mopping pads easily remove for cleaning
• Silicone brush for cleaning mop pads included
• Docking tray holds unit during charging
• Lightweight! Just 3.7 pounds!
• Dimensions: 12.2 inches wide by 5.5 inches deep by 6 inches tall
• One year limited warranty on parts and labor, ten year warranty on digital inverter motors
In my condo the cleaning challenges I face are a 2400 square foot mix of granite and hardwood floors. I use a full-size floor washer for heavy duty floor cleaning tasks but, while it cleans the floors, it usually leaves streaks and a faint soap film on the surface. I also do twice-weekly vacuuming, manual damp mopping, dusting and spot cleaning as necessary.
Needless to say, my floor cleaning regime was very time-consuming!
Finally, having allergies to dust, a small, sweet (but somewhat leaky) Yorkie, the need for Covid-19 higher sanitation standards and extra dirt infiltrating from construction being done in the neighborhood made me very interested in adding an automated layer of housekeeping to supplement or replace my regular regime of floor cleaning.
In comes the convenience of the Jetbot Mop. What makes the Samsung Jetbot Mop so promising is that it might eliminate my dusting, traveling around with the mop on the stick, spot cleaning and the floor streaks/soap film.
In comes the convenience of the Jetbot Mop. What makes the Samsung Jetbot Mop so promising is that it might eliminate my dusting, traveling around with the mop on the stick, spot cleaning and the floor streaks/soap film.
The first thing you will notice when you unbox your new Samsung Jetbot Mop is that it is well-made, very compact and lightweight (3.7 pounds). No setup is required other than charging it for first use. The on/off button glows yellow/green when it needs charging, blue when it is 50% charged and turns off when it is fully charged. It may take as long as 150 minutes to fully charge the unit from a completely discharged condition.
The Jetbot Mop has two water tanks and two sets of mop pads that spin rapidly to clean the floor. The two water supply tanks hold just a couple of ounces of water, but that is sufficient to keep the mop heads damp for about 50 minutes. Choose a mop head (either the grey Mother yarn for dusty floors with spills on them or the green microfiber head for final cleaning). Wet down the mop heads then wring out excess water and attach them to the Velcro on the bottom of the water tanks. Snap the assembly onto the unit, press the power button for two seconds and it is ready to begin work. Just select a pattern on the remote control and the Jetbot will start cleaning.
The Jetbot Mop pads are slightly larger than the unit and get into corners and edges for deep cleaning. It runs very quietly and a full charge gives almost 2 hours of cleaning time. Samsung’s specification says that the sound level is 63 dBA but that is right next to the Jetbot on the floor. I measured the sound level six feet above it and it was only about 50 dBA – very quiet! You will barely notice it running.
The remote control offers eight options for the cleaning pattern. The “auto” setting is fine for most purposes. Samsung really doesn’t give a very good explanation for why you might want one pattern verses another. The “focus” pattern is good if you have a particularly dirty spot on the floor, as is the “intensive” pattern. On the other hand, I did not see much value in the “step” or “figure 8” patterns. I wish that Samsung would provide more guidance on the proper use of the various patterns.
The proximity sensors of the unit are sensitive to furniture and other objects and the curved plastic body does not scratch or damage on contact. One issue I found was that in my kitchen the recessed kickplates were not detected by the sensors so the Jetbot kept hitting my cabinets. Most kitchens will have a similar problem. If the unit were about 1.5 inches shorter that problem could be avoided.
A little confusing are the audible signals to warn of unit being caught behind a house plant or low on water or near end of cycle. With practice, I am learning the “language” the Jetbot Mop speaks. But it is not intuitive to learn. One other complaint is that only two sets of mop pads are provided and I could find no way to order more. Given the cost I think Samsung should have provided four sets.
But putting aside those issues, how well does it work? In a word, outstanding! It quietly but very thoroughly removed any dust on the floors, cleaned out of the corners and removed any footprints, film or streaks. I found that it did a superb job on all of the hard surfaces and left a streak free, chemical free, beautifully clean floor! I am totally impressed with how much cleaner and shinier my floors are looking with the regular Jetbot mopping. It does exactly what it I hoped it would do and it does it very well.
I activate it several times each week and just let it quietly clean my entire floor. But the best part is that my little Yorkie loves it! She watches it work and sometimes dances with it, spinning in circles around it while it cleans. One day she carried some of her toys over to it and put them on it so that they could ride around on the Jetbot! Not kidding – see the photo! That alone made it worthwhile to bring this great appliance into my home! `
My Yorkie and I are enjoying the luxury of using this wonderful automatic (and entertaining!) floor cleaner and we give it five well-earned stars and our highest recommendation!
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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+10points
19of 28voted 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