MrPHD
MrPHD's Stats
- Review Count113
- Helpfulness Votes158
- First ReviewMarch 8, 2012
- Last ReviewJune 5, 2024
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating4.3
Reviews Comments
- Review Comment Count0
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First Review CommentNone
- Last Review CommentNone
- Featured Review Comments0
Questions
- Question Count0
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First QuestionNone
- Last QuestionNone
- Featured Questions0
- Answer Count32
- Helpfulness Votes32
- First AnswerMarch 27, 2014
- Last AnswerOctober 27, 2021
- Featured Answers0
- Best Answers4
Upright - GO 2™ Posture Trainer - White
Boost your confidence with this Upright Go 2 posture trainer. Integrated sensors detect when you're slouching to help train your body for better posture in under 14 days. Use the device by itself or sync with the Upright app on Android or iOS. With a portable design, 30-hour battery life and easy-touch adhesive to keep it safely in place, this Upright Go 2 posture trainer is ideal for all-day wear.
Works as advertised - if you keep it up!
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: MrPHD
from Los Angeles, CA
on October 27, 2019
I had used my Upright for a week as soon as I got it, as i was anxious and have always been a sloucher. For that week, as I got into work, i put it on when it reminded me around 10AM, and kept it on for a few hours. After taking it off, I noticed myself naturally standing up straighter - meaning it was working! You also get emails congratulating you on your completion of trainings, which include discounts for replacement sticky pads.
Then the problem - I got sick, I wasn't going to work, and I didn't have my upright go on me (as I left it at work). Then the daily reminders and emails about using it - got to be a bit annoying. Upon returning to work, my battery had died, and although it comes with everything you need in the little carrying case (device and extra pads) - the charge cable doesn't fit in it the case, and I don't have many USB C cables, so then it went a couple of more days before getting to recharge it again. Now being back on, it now feels weird to keep using it - as in it feels more like a chore than it did when I first started. In other words, if you start it, don't stop! Make sure you have the cable handy wherever it is you keep your device!
I will still continue to use it, and I'm sure after a few days I'll get back to naturally standing up straight, which is exactly what I want and need.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
+1point
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Master & Dynamic - MW65 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-the-Ear Headphones - Black Leather/Gunmetal
Enjoy crisp, powerful sound and flexible operation with these Master & Dynamic wireless headphones. The ear cushions are padded with memory foam and lambskin, making them comfortable for longer wear. These Master & Dynamic wireless headphones come with a built-in noise-isolation mic and Bluetooth, so making hands-free calls is simple.
When you *only* want to hear music!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: MrPHD
from Los Angeles, CA
on August 14, 2019
The Master & Dynamic headsets are absolutely gorgeous looking wireless headsets and extremely comfortable to wear. I have been specifically using them to take naps to nod off to soothing music, in addition to my normal music listening while playing games/doing chores.
The noise cancellation on this is also excellent. I had previously used the Bose QuietComfort series and they did not feel or work as well as the M&D. Would I wear these outside? No, because it does such a good job (and look amazing) that I would not want to put myself into a situation in which I wouldn't be able to hear anything around me, making me an easy target for a mugging. I could turn off the N/C function, but then it defeats the purpose of enjoying music only. So for me personally, these are indoor headsets. The noise cancellation works so well, one day I came home, put them on, washed some dishes, and went off to play a game while listening to music. When a friend arrived shortly after, they asked me to take off the headsets - which I could then hear that I had my very loud air-conditioner on at full blast, and never turned off the sink. That's how good they are, could not hear anything beyond my music!
Pairing to phone is pretty simple, and it comes with all you need to plug into any device. What to plug into an old phone that doesn't have Bluetooth? There's a 3.5mm cable for that. In flight adapter? Also included. Want to charge it but do not have a USB-C charge brick? A USB-C to standard USB adapter included.
Making and receiving calls on cell phone? Not an issue, I can hear people clearly, and they can also hear me clearly while walking all over my home with my phone far away.
I also like to use the headsets to plug into my Playstation PSVR for gaming chats, though I believe when I plug in the cable, it somehow disables the built in mics. Not that big of a deal for me, but would've been nice to plug this into a controller and use the mics on the headsets (vs using the PSVR mics).
Again, the noise cancellation is so good, that if you wanted to just kind of isolate yourself to music/podcasts/games, these are definitely the headsets to do that with. Battery life is also great, as it took at least 3 weeks before I finally had to charge it again (after an initial full charge when I opened it).
I will admit that they are not cheap and you can tell by the quality and usefulness of the headsets, but if you're someone like me who almost needs to only hear music, I would not choose another. Totally worth it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Skullcandy - Indy True Wireless In-Ear Headphones - Black
Immerse yourself in music with these SkullCandy Indy True wireless in-ear earbuds. The state-of-the-art acoustic components offer incredible sound quality, and the noise-isolating ear tips offer comfortable all-day use. With up to 16 hours of battery life, these SkullCandy Indy True wireless in-ear earbuds pack enough power for several commutes or gym sessions.
The Discreet "I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" earbuds
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: MrPHD
from Los Angeles, CA
on August 5, 2019
Always been on the look out for wireless earbuds, mainly because I like to listen to music while I ride my motorcycle, so bulky/fancy headsets aren't an option. I had wired Apple earbuds I got with my old phone, but a new iphone won't come with it and I'm tired of having to place phone nearby, but I also don't want to spend $200 on AirPods.
Enter the SkullCandy Indy!
For a fraction of the price, these little guys came with a nice black portable charging case with indicators in the front, to let you know if your case needs to be plugged in.
I've been using the headphones on a daily basis - driving to and from work, walking breaks during lunch, and/or on the weekends walking to the grocery store. It's been about 3 weeks, and I barely finally charged my case this weekend - not having done so since I took it out of the box.
Pros:
Can fit in full face motorcycle helmets
Comfortably fits in ear (3 included sizes, I switched to the smaller one)
Call quality is pretty good, everyone can hear me clearly and I can hear them back
Touch Controls to raise/lower volume and to skip/repeat tracks
Discreet (so people won't target you for theft if you are noticeably not paying attention to your surroundings)
Excellent noise cancellation - I walked by 2 people having a normal conversation and could not hear anything!
Earbuds automatically charge as soon as you put them in the case
Can fit in full face motorcycle helmets
Comfortably fits in ear (3 included sizes, I switched to the smaller one)
Call quality is pretty good, everyone can hear me clearly and I can hear them back
Touch Controls to raise/lower volume and to skip/repeat tracks
Discreet (so people won't target you for theft if you are noticeably not paying attention to your surroundings)
Excellent noise cancellation - I walked by 2 people having a normal conversation and could not hear anything!
Earbuds automatically charge as soon as you put them in the case
Cons:
Potentially too good at noise cancellation! It's very easy to raise the volume, especially if you're adjusting them into your ear. I did not realize how loud my music was until I walked by people and could not hear them.
Also listed as a pro, but potential con - I'm worried about my short uses and auto-charges. I almost would not mind having an option to turn them off without putting them back in the case, to let the battery drain completely vs having them fully charged quickly so many times because of short uses of them.
They can sometimes fall off, even with the appropriate earbud size, So depending on how far my walk is, I will readjust them when I feel them getting a little loose.
Not ideal for running, but that might be unique to the size of my own ears.
Potentially too good at noise cancellation! It's very easy to raise the volume, especially if you're adjusting them into your ear. I did not realize how loud my music was until I walked by people and could not hear them.
Also listed as a pro, but potential con - I'm worried about my short uses and auto-charges. I almost would not mind having an option to turn them off without putting them back in the case, to let the battery drain completely vs having them fully charged quickly so many times because of short uses of them.
They can sometimes fall off, even with the appropriate earbud size, So depending on how far my walk is, I will readjust them when I feel them getting a little loose.
Not ideal for running, but that might be unique to the size of my own ears.
Finally: they also fit inside of over the ear headsets. Why would you want to do that? Well, for me, I like to listen to my music with the Indy, while I have another over the ear headset for gaming purposes, and the person on the other end doesn't hear my music, as it's in my ear and not being picked up by the outer headset's mic.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
-1point
4out of 9found this review helpful.
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Dell - G5 15.6" Gaming Laptop - Intel Core i7 - 16GB Memory - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Max-Q - 1TB HDD + 256GB SSD - Deep Space Black
Work or play on the go with this Dell G5 15 notebook. The 15.6-inch FHD display delivers a clear crisp picture, while the NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti graphics card supports most modern games. This Dell G5 15 notebook has a 256GB SSD and 1TB hard drive for ample storage and quick file access, and the Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM offer quick multitasking.
Hot Laptop. Literally. VR ready-ish
Customer Rating
3.0
Posted by: MrPHD
from Los Angeles, CA
on July 17, 2019
Have not had a gaming machine in a long time, and thought the G5 would handle my dormant Oculus Rift.
I was right, and wrong.
The machine packs decent hardware and graphic benchmark tests for it aren't all bad (though it did fail on one of the PassMark tests). Is it powerful? Yes.
Can it handle the Oculus Rift? Yes, but it's too bad Oculus Rift is not a great product.
As long as it is plugged in, the full power of the laptop is unleashed and games run pretty smooth (even when you set the graphics in game to the highest quality). I quickly found out that if I don't have the power plugged in, any games (especially VR games) will not run smoothly on battery.
It took 30 minutes of normal laptop usage for the battery to get super hot. It only takes a few minutes of playing a game before the very loud fans also kick it to cool down the laptop. This brings the next helpful hint: HEADPHONES. WEAR HEADPHONES. Without the headphones blocking the noise from the fans, you will become worried as it sounds like your laptop is now a jet engine about to take off.
The keyboard and keys look and feel nice, I like that they are also illuminated so I can easily see them in the dark.
USB Ports: There are only 3, and Oculus takes 2 of them, and 1 for the Xbox controller, leaving you without a port for the mouse. So again, not the best for a VR setup.
Is it the best gaming machine out there? No, but it does the job, as long as you get some sort of cooling fan to sit the laptop on and wear over the ear headset to drown out all that noise while playing a game, though I imagine most people wear them anyways to get the sounds right. The built in speakers aren't bad either, it was working well for the beginning of a game, but as soon as those fans kicked in, it overpowers the gaming experience as drowns out the game sounds/music.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Mobile Submission: False
-4points
1out of 6found this review helpful.
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Dyson - V7 Fluffy Hardwood Cord-Free Stick Vacuum - Iron/Blue
Clean wood floors thoroughly with this Dyson V7 Fluffy cordless vacuum. The fluffy cleanerhead has extra-soft bristles that prevent scratches, and the Dyson V7 Fluffy gives you up to 30 minutes of runtime (varies based on attachment/power mode). Includes bonus mini motorized tool for extra cleaning power on hard-to-reach areas. Cord-free, hassle-free, powerful suction.
The Dyson V7 Fluffy sucks...
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: MrPHD
from Los Angeles, CA
on May 28, 2019
...pretty much everything in its path! I chose my first Dyson product to be the V7 after being annoyed and frustrated by using a Swiffer + Vac product for my kitchen. Since my kitchen is small, I thought the Swiffer would suffice, but due to Swiffer’s limited suction and battery life, and of course having to swap out the refills often. I spent more time cleaning manually after using it as it didn’t pick everything up. All that went away, and not only can I sweep easily, but this is a real vacuum comes with multiple attachments, which I can finally get behind my entertainment center, ceiling corners, and window sills. Is it heavier than the Swiffer? Sure, because it is a real vacuum, and being a Dyson, of course it has a very simple and useful way to empty out the bin without dirtying your hands/clothes. Simply lift the red tab and the bottom opens up and dumps everything neatly into your trash!
Does this sound as if I am overly excited about a vacuum? Yes, because I have been inconveniencing myself for a few years by not getting a Dyson, and that problem has finally been resolved!
Pros:
Great suction
Easy to handle/operate
Easy to empty bin
Lightweight (in the down position, not above head)
Multiple attachments that easy snap on and off
Wall mount included
Great suction
Easy to handle/operate
Easy to empty bin
Lightweight (in the down position, not above head)
Multiple attachments that easy snap on and off
Wall mount included
Cons:
Can be tiring if you're spending a lot of time cleaning with it above you
Wall mount only allows for two additional attachments to be mounted.
Pricey, but if you get something cheaper, like a Swiffer, you're working MORE with it, so the prices offsets the additional labor
Can be tiring if you're spending a lot of time cleaning with it above you
Wall mount only allows for two additional attachments to be mounted.
Pricey, but if you get something cheaper, like a Swiffer, you're working MORE with it, so the prices offsets the additional labor
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Samsung - SmartThings Item Tracker - White
Secure yourself, a loved one or valuables with this smart, versatile Samsung SmartThings tracker. Its geo-fencing feature triggers smart home automations or alerts you when a pet or person who has it leaves or enters your designated zone. Double-press the button of this IP68-rated Samsung SmartThings tracker to notify authorized persons of your current location.
One way to protect/track your stuff
Customer Rating
3.0
Posted by: MrPHD
from Los Angeles, CA
on May 1, 2019
I purchased a new motorcycle and decided to put this inside the bike and setup zones to alert me whenever the bike left work or home. It has a 10 minute "live tracking" feature that will show you live tracking info, but at great expense to the battery.
Biggest issue of the device? The battery, since I have it set to update every 30 minutes, I have to charge the battery every few days. That's not "terrible" - but it is a bit of an annoyance as I'm sort of using it as a LoJack, that I have to both hide it and also recharge every few days and hope no one catches onto what I'm doing. With that said, the size of the device and all the tech inside is impressive, but the mini-battery makes keeping it charged all the time a bit of a challenge.
I will still use it to track my bike, I wish I could get more battery life out of it, but since it has to do with the limited space of the device - I'll accept it and use it, until a better solution comes along!
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Samsung - Galaxy Tab S5e - 10.5" - 64GB - Black
Weighing in at less than a pound, the incredibly slim Galaxy Tab S5e is perfect for your on-the-go life. Watch your favorite shows and movies come to life on a corner-to-corner 10.5" Super AMOLED display. Plus, control lights, door locks, the thermostat and other connected home devices right from your tablet with SmartThings. It’s everything you need, all on a thin and light Tab S5e you’ll never want to put down.
Great TV & Recovery Companion!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: MrPHD
from Los Angeles, CA
on May 1, 2019
I received my tablet the day I came home from the hospital, in which I was bedridden for a couple of weeks. Not being able to work or lift anything heavy, the extremely thin and lightweight Galaxy Tab S5e sat very comfortably on my stomach as I watched movies / shows on all the apps (Hulu, Prime, HBOGo, Netflix, CW, TBS) while using the included stereo to USB-c adapter and noise cancelling headsets, I was getting a mini-movie experience in the dark.
I had originally planned to just use it to connect to my Samsung TV, as the built in apps on the TV do not work well and have limited capabilities. Now that I am able to move around, I am streaming it to big TV and stream Pandora onto blue tooth speakers I have around the house.
I had originally planned to just use it to connect to my Samsung TV, as the built in apps on the TV do not work well and have limited capabilities. Now that I am able to move around, I am streaming it to big TV and stream Pandora onto blue tooth speakers I have around the house.
Pros:
Extremely lightweight
Quick boot up and shutdown
Good battery life
Works well with older Samsung TV for streaming
SmartThings app works well with this for your other Samsung SmartThings products (vs IOS app)
Extremely lightweight
Quick boot up and shutdown
Good battery life
Works well with older Samsung TV for streaming
SmartThings app works well with this for your other Samsung SmartThings products (vs IOS app)
Cons:
TOO lightweight? I almost dropped it once and realized a small drop will probably destroy it, so you'll need a good case
Samsung Galaxy is Android so navigating around isn't as easy or intuitive like Apple iOS
Front/Back Camera - I would prefer a version without cameras/mics, positive for most, con for me
Privacy concerns: You have to accept quite a few pages of Terms & Conditions & Privacy policies, which are so long that it is kind of frightening how powerful this little guy is and how much information you give up about yourself and life to it/Samsung. I'm sure most people just accept and not think about it, but I do, hence the desire for a camera-less and microphone-less version.
TOO lightweight? I almost dropped it once and realized a small drop will probably destroy it, so you'll need a good case
Samsung Galaxy is Android so navigating around isn't as easy or intuitive like Apple iOS
Front/Back Camera - I would prefer a version without cameras/mics, positive for most, con for me
Privacy concerns: You have to accept quite a few pages of Terms & Conditions & Privacy policies, which are so long that it is kind of frightening how powerful this little guy is and how much information you give up about yourself and life to it/Samsung. I'm sure most people just accept and not think about it, but I do, hence the desire for a camera-less and microphone-less version.
Overall, I was expecting to use this simply as a companion to my Samsung TV, but I find myself using it for everyday browsing/music streaming - everything I used to do on my IPhone, because of the large screen and comfortability of holding it, being so lightweight. This device saved me from being miserable for 2 weeks, and brought plenty of entertainment during my recovery.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
+2points
5out of 8found this review helpful.
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Neato Robotics - Botvac D4 Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum
Clean your carpet, hardwood and tile floors remotely with this self-navigating Neato Botvac D4 robotic vacuum. Customize its path through an app on your phone so it avoids certain areas while it expertly cleans others. This Neato Botvac D4 robotic vacuum operates for up to 75 minutes on a single charge.
Almost perfect
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: MrPHD
from Los Angeles, CA
on January 30, 2019
The Neato Botvac DV (which I affectionately call my RoboVac 2000) is a pretty decent little semi-self aware vacuum cleaner. It will unfortunately not clean any corners/edges, but everything else in its path comes out clean. It is also for sure not ideal for people, who like me, are continually adding items around either permanently or temporarily. The No-Go lines you can add are a great, after realizing it can go into my bathroom, but cannot come OUT of the bathroom, I used the No-Go line to skip it all together.
Setup: the initial pairing of the D4 with your wifi via the app took a couple of tries, it timed out here and there and was a slightly frustrating, but once it got going, it was fun to watch to little guy explore. As I previously mentioned, it was able to get over a little lump separating the living room with the bathroom to go into the bathroom, but got stuck trying to come out. I had to help lift it over so it could continue exploring. It also got stuck under my couch, just at a very small spot because of the top of the D4, so another No-Go line area.
Relocation: My biggest issue was the relocation of the base, I had some drastic changes inside that required the base to be relocated . Deleting the existing floor plan and starting a new one did not work – as it still assumed the base was where it was first setup. I had to delete the D4 and start over as if it was a new machine.
Setup: the initial pairing of the D4 with your wifi via the app took a couple of tries, it timed out here and there and was a slightly frustrating, but once it got going, it was fun to watch to little guy explore. As I previously mentioned, it was able to get over a little lump separating the living room with the bathroom to go into the bathroom, but got stuck trying to come out. I had to help lift it over so it could continue exploring. It also got stuck under my couch, just at a very small spot because of the top of the D4, so another No-Go line area.
Relocation: My biggest issue was the relocation of the base, I had some drastic changes inside that required the base to be relocated . Deleting the existing floor plan and starting a new one did not work – as it still assumed the base was where it was first setup. I had to delete the D4 and start over as if it was a new machine.
Overall, I love it, it zips around sweeping my hardwood floors and that is really all I wanted. It would be great if it was able to fit under the couch, but the top sensor extends the height.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Remove unwanted body hair quickly and efficiently with this Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000. One end has a contoured four-directional shaver to safely and comfortably remove body hair, while the other end has a trimmer with five adjustable lengths for trimming the hair you want to keep. This Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000 is showerproof, so you can shave wet or dry.
Easy to use, great gift for him
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: MrPHD
from Los Angeles, CA
on November 21, 2018
This is a bit of an accidental purchase. I was looking for a portable shaver and did not realize this was so much more than that. I've gone through many wired shavers over the years and decided finally get a shower-friendly portable. The dual sides allows you for either really close shaves or trimming, and the trimming side feels extremely safe compared to my previous ones. This might seem like a weird gift to get, but I assure you the person receiving this as a Christmas gift will most likely love it!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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1out of 1found this review helpful.
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LG - XBOOM Go PK3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Black
Feel the beat with this LG PK3 portable Bluetooth speaker. It provides dynamic sound and rich bass thanks to its Meridian Audio technology, so you can bring the party with you. The IPX-7 water resistance lets you go anywhere, rain or shine. This LG PK3 portable Bluetooth speaker keeps the music going for up to 12 hours per charge.
Portable Greatness
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: MrPHD
from Los Angeles, CA
on October 23, 2018
I've had plenty of Bluetooth portable speakers as I go through them a lot, and they're relatively inexpensive, looking for that one I really liked.
The search has ended - not only does it have great sound quality, but the battery lasts for a really long time. I play music off this in the afternoons for a couple of hours, then I play music *all night* while I sleep, and it is still on/playing when I wake up.
I haven't taken it outside near a pool or in the water, but this is great for small indoor rooms.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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MrPHD's Questions
MrPHD has not submitted any questions.
NETGEAR - Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender with Ethernet port
NETGEAR Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender: Broaden your network connection with a range extender that gives you extra Wi-Fi coverage in your home. Smart LED indicators will direct you to the optimal location to plug the extender into the wall, so you can easily enjoy improved range and speed on your mobile and wired devices. Save on data usage by connecting your smartphone or tablet to your home network.
Cabled Use?
My cabled network has drops on both far ends of the house. Since this has an Ethernet jack, can I connect it to my switch on the opposite side of the house to extend my wireless network's range?
No, this is the opposite of what you are describing. This device provides a wireless network drop for you - from an already existing wifi connection.
What you're looking for is basically another wireless router, not an extender.
What you're looking for is basically another wireless router, not an extender.
10 years, 2 months ago
by
Posted by:
MrPHD
from
Los Angeles, CA
What is the ssd model fits to sony vaio VPCF131FM?
What is the best model of ssd HD for sony vaio VPCF131FM
Any SSD will work, but I'm a fan of the Samsung 840PROs - or the Samsung 840 EVOs.
10 years, 3 months ago
by
Posted by:
MrPHD
from
Los Angeles, CA