Keyan
Top 50 Contributor
Keyan's Stats
- Review Count117
- Helpfulness Votes2,203
- First ReviewNovember 13, 2008
- Last ReviewMay 21, 2024
- Featured Reviews1
- Average Rating4.5
Reviews Comments
- Review Comment Count18
- Helpfulness Votes61
- First Review CommentDecember 3, 2010
- Last Review CommentAugust 1, 2016
- Featured Review Comments0
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- Question Count0
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First QuestionNone
- Last QuestionNone
- Featured Questions0
- Answer Count43
- Helpfulness Votes36
- First AnswerJune 22, 2010
- Last AnswerSeptember 28, 2021
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- Best Answers6
Our G Series is getting a new entry with the G6 Commute. An updated frame and design with an added LED under light to the deckboard are sure to make you stand out whenever you take the G6 Commute out for a ride. The integrated cable lock also provides you with a new level of security.
Great scooter, horrific instructions
Customer Rating
4.0
GoTrax has a new scooter, the G6 Commute. This scooter promises an impressive range of up to 48 miles and a top speed of 20mph – great for getting around town or zipping through the neighborhood. It also has a font suspension, dual brakes, and two anti-theft systems. Impressive on paper, but how is it in real life? Time to open the box and find out.
In the box are the usual items – instructions (more on that in a minute), the scooter, a set of screws to attach the handlebars, a hex wrench, a small air tube extender for filling the tires with an air pump (not included), and the charging brick. Unpacking and setting up is fairly easy, with one small hiccup – the handlebars have a small plug to plug in the electronics in the display to the neck of the scooter. The plug was easy enough, but getting the wire tucked away so the handlebars could be installed on the neck was a bit of a trick. Do not force the handlebar down so the screws line up as you might pinch the wire, just keep trying to thread it down the neck until it all lines up. 4 simple screws later, and assembly is complete. Getting it out of the box is the next step – and this thing is very heavy. At 45 lbs, this is a very substantial scooter. It’s a full-size scooter with a huge capacity battery, so weight is expected, but if you need something lighter that needs to be carried at some point, this might not be the best option.
Now that the quick setup is done, it was time to review the rest of the instructions to see how to operate the scooter and the security features it has. It has two layers of protection – a 3 digit passcode that is entered by using the controls on the electronic display, and a barrel style lock locks the steering. Unfortunately, trying to decipher how to use these features, as well as several others, is incredibly difficult. The instructions are almost a comically terrible bad translation. It’s like what you would expect from a cheap knockoff product, not an $800 scooter. I’m knocking off a full star on this review for how inexcusably terrible the instructions are. Seriously. Hire a translator so consumers can safely and fully operate their $800 scooter.
Fortunately, bad instructions aside, the general operation of the scooter is pretty simple. Get it rolling with a simple kick, and then hit the accelerator. In the fastest mode, this thing really flies, getting up to 20mph quickly thanks to the 500 watt rear wheel motor. Stopping is also fast, with the dual brakes helping to slow it down quickly. The display shows essential functions, even an odometer to see how far you have gone. It has ambient lights down the sides and a rear tail light that flashes when braking. There is also a front light for use at night to see and be seen. The ride is very comfortable, with the font suspension and big tires taking most bumps with ease. Charging it is also easy, with a silicone flap protecting the charging port on the upper right side of the deck. Unlike some other scooters, this one is very accessible and doesn’t require reaching down under the deck to find it.
Overall, this scooter is great, with a huge range and fast speed. The build quality seems excellent with everything being solid and well-constructed. The only real downside is just how terrible the instructions are. On a product of this price used for transportation, the instructions should be clear so the operator knows how to fully and safely operate the vehicle. Hopefully GoTrax will update the manual in future releases or provide updated instructions online (as of the time of this review they are still bad online too).
I would recommend this to a friend!
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You’ll never run out of ice with the Insignia NS-IMN44BS4 Portable Nugget Ice Maker with Auto Shut-Off. This ice maker stores up to 3.5 lbs. to supply all the cold drinks at a large gathering. It creates small, chewable ice pellets in 12 minutes, letting you enjoy the restaurant-style ice you love right at home. An extra-large 2.3-quart water tank recycles melted ice, so you can refill it less often. A digital touch control panel makes this portable ice maker easy to operate, and the lighted bin makes it easy to see how much ice is ready to use. Match the ice maker to your kitchen décor with a black and stainless-steel design that will attract all your guests. Become the best party host with a portable ice maker that keeps up with the drinks and your guests’ expectations.
Pellet Ice is Nice
Customer Rating
5.0
Insignia, Best Buy’s own brand, is at it again, making a popular small home appliance in a more affordable package than other name brands. This time, they are hopping on the chewable pellet ice craze with an attractive and relatively low priced option. Does this ice maker perform well and make the pellet ice that everyone seems to want for their drinks or just to chew on without cracking a crown? Lets dig in and find out.
Inside the box is the ice maker, instructions, a drip tray, and an ice scoop. There are no crazy extras with this ice maker like consumable water filters or separate water tanks, it’s all one unit, which I appreciate. I dislike consumable filters designed to create a subscription model around something you buy, especially small appliances.
Setup is easy. Take it out of the box, remove some tape and the protective shrink wrap. Put the drip tray under the front edge of the unit and let it sit. The instructions say to let it sit for 4 hours as this thing has a compressor system in it and sitting lets the refrigerant settle. The first thing to do is put some water in and run the self-cleaning cycle, and then drain it and start with fresh water to make ice. Draining the unit is pretty easy, two flexible silicone tubes with a plug allow for easy draining into a container or a nearby sink. After a cleaning, it is suggested to let it run for a bit and throw away the first batch of ice to finish getting any plastic taste out of it. I let it fill about 1/3 of the way, dumped that ice, then let it run. It starts making ice very quickly, only after about 10 minutes or so it started to drop pellets into the storage bin.
One quirk of the unit is that the water reservoir is under the ice bin. Filling it is a little awkward and you can’t readily see the water level without pulling out the bin, but it does result in a very streamlined package that tucks under cabinets without a need to get to the top of the unit to fill it or have awkward water tanks on the sides. It runs at about 60db, so it isn’t silent, but these types of countertop ice makers usually have noise involved when they are running. It’s not so loud that you can’t easily talk over it, watch TV, etc.
Ice production is pretty fast and steady, with the bin filling completely in a couple of hours. After that point, as ice slowly melts, it will run from time to time if left on to keep up a continual supply of ice. I only fill it with softened, filtered water to avoid calcium scale build up and to have clean tasting ice. Scale can be removed by running a cleaning cycle with some vinegar and water mix as defined in the manual if that happens.
The ice result from this machine is great, with clean tasting and chewable pellets. Getting to it is as simple as pulling out the bin and scooping some out.
Overall, if you want clean tasting, chewable ice pellets in a compact package that costs less than some of the competition, this is one you should consider. No consumable filters and easy maintenance add to the appeal of this unit.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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These SANUS Height-Adjustable Speaker Stands designed for Sonos Era 100 and Sonos Era 300 offer 17" of effortless sliding height adjustment, cable management and a sleek design. This adjustable stand is sure to deliver optimal audio performance regardless of your listening needs. Constructed of durable steel and extruded aluminum, this not only resists wear, but also perfectly complements the aesthetics of the Sonos Era 100 and 300 for a sleek, seamless look. Perfect for use in any setup, be it home theater, surround sound, or ambient listening. For a cable-free look, our Press Fit cable management technology secures and conceals cords down the back of the stand. Easily assembles in 15 minutes with a Phillips screwdriver, this sleek stand will help get you the perfect sound for your space. These speaker stands are easy to install and are safety tested to meet UL standards. At Sanus, we stand behind our products and aim to provide the best experience for you from purchase through installation. Our knowledgable, friendly customer care team based right here in the U.S. is available 7 days a week by phone, email, or chat if you need support.
Premium Product for a Premium Speaker
Customer Rating
5.0
Sanus, known for premium TV and speaker mounts and stands, has made a new speaker stand to work with the new Sonos Era 100 and 300 speakers. Available in white or black to match the speakers or your personal preference, they promise to offer a clean and stable minimalist look for your speakers.
In the box, you’ll find a pair of stands and instructions. The box is quite heavy, these are well weighted bases to keep your pricy Sonos speakers secure if they are bumped while on the stands. Assembly is really straightforward, with just a few Philips head screws. There is a channel in the back to hide the speaker power cord so the end result is a very clean look. Adjusting the height is a clever trigger mechanism that once adjusted can be removed to lock the speaker in place and prevent someone from accidentally releasing the mechanism and dropping the speaker height. There are also rubber feet for hardwood surfaces or carpet spikes if you need to secure the speakers on carpet.
Overall, these are minimal and modern and should fit in with any décor that also has the Era speakers in it. If you have a single speaker that needs a home, or a stereo pair, or are super fancy and using Era speakers as surround rears in a full Sonos surround speaker arrangement, these stands will add a classy and secure way to set them up.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Body Comp offers a total body assessment with weight precise up to 50g, plus full body composition metrics (body fat and water percentage, plus muscle and bone mass), cardiovascular assessment (Standing Heart Rate, Vascular Age), and an Electrodermal Activity Score, providing the most complete and accurate overview of body metrics ever offered. Every weigh-in appears in the Withings app automatically, via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth sync. And unlike many smart scales, with Wi-Fi sync, you don’t have to have your phone with you when you weigh-in to synchronize your data.
Interesting insights, buggy software
Customer Rating
4.0
Withings has iterated their advanced scales, and the Body Comp (short for Composition) scale sits at the middle of the line up, between the basic scale and the “Body Scan” top of the line model. It promises to deliver more details about your overall health, including some details about what your body is made of, hydration levels, and vascular age. As someone who is working on getting healthier and likes data, I was excited to try out this scale and get more insight into my overall health.
In the package is the scale, a set of feet for extremely thick carpet (hard floors are recommended), and some instructions. It does come with batteries preinstalled, and a pull tab is pulled during the setup process to get them working. Initial setup was straightforward, however if you use Apple Health data imports, there are several errors, the craziest being that height is somehow registered as centimeters in the foot category. I am a taller person, but not that tall!
Once connected to Bluetooth and wifi (handy so you don’t need your phone nearby all the time), it did a quick firmware update and was ready for the first measurement. Just stand on it with bare feet and it does its thing, scanning information about your body by measuring electrical currents through it. As it scans, it shows you details, ending with heart rate, which means the scanning is complete. Information is uploaded to the app and sync’d to Apple Health, if you enabled that feature.
The data is very interesting, giving you information about muscle mass, body fat, hydration, and after enough scans, vascular age. The app will start to trend this data so you can track it over time, and give you insights into areas you may want to focus on in your overall health. As a data person, this insight helps me understand where I am in my health journey and if I am making meaningful progress.
Adding another user is where things got weird. My wife wanted to also try this thing out, we installed the app and set up her account, following the instructions to set up the scale..again, which also involved setting up wifi and everything else another time. Somehow, it went crazy and reported her weight in kgs instead of lbs to the app and Apple health, which were both still in lbs! It overwrote her data in Apple Health with this incorrect weight, which we were able to correct manually. Clearly, there are still some app and software bugs to work out, and it was a frustrating experience for us.
Overall, this product has promise. It can help you get insight into your overall health in just a few seconds, and goes way beyond a typical scale. The data and trending information is very interesting, and the wifi connectivity is handy so you don’t have to sync via Bluetooth to a nearby device. Having another family member add the scale to their own account was weird and clunky, and hopefully those issues are smoothed out soon. I think that it will be a useful tool as I track my health over time, and equips me with information that will help me lead a healthier lifestyle.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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CP2K16G4DFRA32A is the Crucial 32GB kit consisting of (2) 16GB DDR4 Pro desktop modules that operate at the speed of 3200MT/s and has a CAS Latency of 22. It is a UDIMM and conforms to the industry standard DDR4 UDIMM layout of 288 pins. It is compatible with systems that can take DDR4-3200 UDIMM memory.
Proper JDEC specs!
Customer Rating
5.0
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This 32gb (2x16gb) DDR4 memory kit from Crucial is a budget friendly, no frills memory for people who just want it to work well and aren’t interested in RGB lights, huge heat spreaders, or extreme overclocking.
In the package are the two memory sticks. They have a basic heat spreader on them to help with thermal control, and support XMP 2.0 if your motherboard does. Swap out your previous RAM for them and you are ready to go, super simple installation as all memory typically is.
Booting up, my older HP OMEN gaming PC picked up the new memory without issue and the system now shows 32GB, an upgrade from my previous 16GB. Now, here is the great part, especially for users who have older PCs or PCs that don’t support XMP overclocking. Memory has different speed and performance values that it shares with the system, and these values dictate how fast the memory will be clocked without overclocking. One of these is JDEC, and the other is XMP. Much of the memory on the market will advertise “3200” or similar speeds, but will only report a slower 2666 to the motherboard with the JDEC timings. The 3200 or higher speeds are reserved only for XMP motherboards. Sadly, this HP only uses JDEC timings, so most of the memory on the market only will operate at 2666mhz (1333x2). However, this memory kit, I am happy to say, reports a speed of 3200mhz (1600x2) for JDEC timings!! This is very exciting as you will actually get the performance you paid for.
Overall, this is a solid memory kit and the proper JDEC speed reporting makes it a great one for older systems or systems that don’t support XMP.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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MX Keys S Logitech Wireless Keyboard — a low-profile full-size keyboard that offers a fluid, precise typing experience and customizable, time-saving Smart Actions that automate your most repetitive tasks with a single keystroke. The backlit keyboard features smart backlighting that lights up when your hands approach it and automatically adjusts to suit the time of day.
Excellent for productivity
Customer Rating
5.0
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Logitech has refined its flagship productivity keyboard, the MX Keys, with a new “S” variant. This new iteration retains many of the key features of the previous generation, while adding a few new things that freshen it up for the future.
The packaging is functional and highly recyclable. In the box is the keyboard, the bolt receiver (which replaces the Unifying receiver of the previous generation), and a USB A to C charging cable. I plugged it in to get a good charge on it, and it was ready to go. The charging light slowly pulses while the battery charges, and turns off when fully charged, which is a nice change from the previous generation that leaves the green light on all the time. If the battery gets low it will turn red. It comes paired to the included Bolt receiver (which is replacing the now very old Unifying receiver across the Logitech line). Logitech promises better performance and most importantly a high level of secure encryption between peripherals and the Bolt receiver, and will be welcome to many who have the latest versions of Logitech’s non-gaming mice, as they can now use one receiver for both the keyboard and the mouse. The Bolt receiver is still USB-A, not C, and no adapter is included in the box. At this price point, and now that USB-C is the only option on many laptops, Logitech should include an adapter in the box. You can always pair the keyboard with Bluetooth and avoid dongles entirely, but that reduces some of the features and security.
This keyboard, like its predecessor, keeps the unique “dish” shaped keys and excellent butterfly keystroke mechanism that is a hallmark of the MX keys line. It also features a customizable backlight and several function and shortcut keys. I found all of the shortcut keys to be very useful – there are keys for locking your PC (great in a business setting), the Windows calculator, snipping tool, backlight control for the keyboard, etc. If you want to add custom functions you can also do that using the Logi Options+ software. The software also allows you to customize things like the backlight duration, upgrade the firmware, etc. It would be nice if there were a way to save your settings to the keyboard instead of requiring the Options+ software, as many corporate managed devices will not allow the installation of unapproved software, which limits some of the features and customization options of the keyboard.
Working with this keyboard is a joy. The keys have a perfect balance of effort and accuracy, you don’t feel like you will accidentally press a key but you also don’t need to mash them to make them register a keystroke. Compared to a cheaper, non-name brand keyboard I have also used, this one is vastly superior. The all black keys and deck of this keyboard keep it classy, while the backlight makes finding your way in the dark easy, especially useful for the shortcut keys which are used less frequently. It has as solid feel and does not flex or creak during use. It does not have any adjustable angle feet on it, so if you prefer to have a more propped up keyboard angle you’ll have to figure something out to prop it up. I didn’t have any problems with the angle it has.
In addition to the bolt receiver, this keyboard can pair with devices over Bluetooth, and can support connections on up to 3 devices. Pairing to an iPad was pretty straightforward, requiring me to enter a 6 digit code on the keyboard for extra security during pairing. Connectivity with either Bolt or standard Bluetooth seems very good, with no lag or interference problems during testing.
Overall, I am very impressed by the Mx Keys S from Logitech. It has a set of thoughtful and useful shortcut keys, the switch to the Bolt receiver will be welcomed by many, and it has extended connectivity to connect to the multiple devices many people have on their desks. I wrote this entire review on it, and it is performing very well. I do wish Logitech had included a USB A to C adapter for the Bolt receiver in the box, as USB-C is becoming the standard, but that is a minor quibble on an otherwise excellent keyboard. If you are in the market for a premium productivity tool for your home or office, this keyboard is worth the price and stands above many of the cheaper alternatives out there.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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JVC Marshmallow Plus true wireless active noise cancelling inner ear headphones with memory foam ear tips for a custome secure fit. Includes Low Latency mode for gaming and watching videos. Bluetooth version 5.3 ensures a stable wireless connection and enjoy up to 26 hours of total use with included rechargeable charging case that includes USB-C charging. Three sound modes and independent Left/Right single-ear use. Auto-pairing and auto on/off. Touch controls for music or phone calls. Sweat and splash-proof IPX4 rated, ideal for sports and fitness. Integrated microphone with voice assistant compatibility.
Good value, tons of features
Customer Rating
4.0
JVC’s next generation of Marshmallow+ ear buds offer an improved design over the previous generation at an affordable price. They also have a low latency mode to help response time with gaming, which is often an issue with Bluetooth headphones. With a very competitive price and a pretty extensive features list, they look like a good value, but how do they compare? Time to find out.
In the package are the ear buds, a charging cable (USB-C, yay!), some ear tips (smaller memory foam, and 3 sizes of silicone ear tips for those who do not prefer the memory foam option), and the manual. The manual is pretty sparse, just running through the basics of how to manage the headphones and navigate the touch controls. I found the memory foam tips that came installed to be a good fit. They go into the ear easily and are very comfortable, providing a good seal. As with most in-ear type headphones, you can hear yourself talk like you plugged your ears, however I did not experience any kind of pressure or discomfort, which was very welcome. I frequently have problems with this for in-ear buds, but I had no sensation of “cabin pressure” either with them just in my ears or with noise cancellation active. One note here – the earbuds have small plastic guards on them for travel that need to be peeled off so they can charge from the case. If you are like me and just open up things and plug them in to charge, be sure to take those off before you get going.
Pairing the earbuds initially is pretty straightforward. Pull them out of the charging case and they power up. If they can’t find a device that they have paired with previously, they will automatically enter pairing mode. It’s not quite as seamless as AirPods if you have an Apple device, but nothing on the market really is. If they pair to a device you had them paired to previously, but you want to pair them to yet another device, it isn’t immediately obvious how to do that. You need to manually disconnect it from the thing it was paired to and wait for them to enter paring mode again, which is not always easy to do and kind of annoying. The touch controls work fine, however getting them out of the case and into your ears without accidentally tapping them, especially with the memory foam tips that need a little push to seat in your ear, is challenging. I found that I am very good at inadvertently tapping them while going into my ear, with the single tap on the right entering into “ambient” mode, which lowers the volume considerably.
Once in and paired, time to listen! For the price, these buds sound good. Bass, in particular, with the sealed design, is very good. Highs and mids are not as detailed or as textured as my AirPods Pro, but these cost about 25% as much as those. For most users, these will be fine. Sound isolation is also good, with active noise cancellation and the memory foam tips pushing out unwanted sounds. The mics work fine for taking an occasional phone call, and battery life is in the typical around 6 hour mark for ear buds. Considering their price, they sound good and have a lot of features.
One thing that is advertised on the box is “low latency” mode for video and gaming. These little buds support AptX Low Latency, and it does work, but there are some things you should know before you buy them thinking they will just work for gaming. First of all, low latency mode is dependent entirely on the device you are pairing with. Nintendo Switch and Apple devices for example, do not support low latency mode, and you will notice lag in gaming. This is true of many other devices as well, they must also support AptX LL mode. This may require you to buy a dedicated Bluetooth transmitter that supports AptX LL and plug it into the headphone jack or USB port of your device. The final annoyance here is that you must put the headphones into low latency mode by tapping on the right earbud 4 times. THIS IS NOT MENTIONED IN THE MANUAL. It’s pretty unforgiveable that the manual does not mention how to get the headphones into LL mode when it is advertised on the box. I stumbled on it when I found the online version of the manual. Fortunately, once in LL mode, they will stay that way through multiple power ups. Using a Bluetooth 5.3 transmitter, I was able to test LL mode on a switch, and it was great. But it is a chore to get there and very dependent on your device if it will work.
Overall, for their price, this is a solid set of Bluetooth earbuds. Supporting the latest Bluetooth 5.3 standard is fantastic, and the features list is as extensive as sets costing much more. Low Latency mode, if you have a compatible transmitter and know how to get them into LL mode, is great for gaming. The sound quality in the mids and highs is not as great as higher end ear buds, and the incomplete manual is unfortunate and keep this from being perfect, but it these are a solid option to consider if you want good sound on a budget.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Work smarter and enjoy constant, fade-free power with the Greenworks 80V battery-powered 18” cordless chainsaw. With up to 270 cuts on a single charge, this lightweight, quiet-running saw features chain speeds up to 78.74 ft/s and 10,500 rpm for fast cuts with no bogging down, heat-treated steel bucking spikes for gripping wood securely, inertia-activated chain break that stops that chain when kick-back is detected, and automatic chain oiler that keeps chain perfectly lubricated. With hassle-free, trigger starts, you’ll get to work fast, with no priming, no choke, and no pull cord; plus, battery fully recharges in just 60 minutes. Greenworks exclusive Intelligent Power combines TRUBRUSHLESS motor technology, lithium-ion battery power, superior cutting, and ultra-fast control systems for power output equivalent to a 50cc gas-powered motor. Includes 4.0 Ah battery and rapid charger. Battery is compatible with 75+ Greenworks 80V products. Life. Powered. By Greenworks.
Power without the mess
Customer Rating
5.0
Greenworks is one of the major brands in electric yard tools, offering high power tools that don’t have the mess, fuss, and emissions of gas-powered tools, while still having enough capacity to get the job done for most homeowners. One of the latest offerings in their newer 80V line is an 18” chainsaw, that promises power similar to a gas motor. Can it deliver?
Opening the box, you have the chainsaw, with the blade covered safely in a sheath, the substantial 80V 4.0ah extended run battery, the charging dock, a wrench, and a set of instructions. This tool comes fully assembled from the factory and needs no assembly. I do suggest you read the instructions, as it has several key safety and operational features of the chainsaw, including how to use the tensioner and the chain brake. Plug in the charging dock and slide the battery in, and it fires up an active fan to pour power into this big battery pack. The pack charges pretty quickly considering its size. One thing I that did strike me is how narrow the chainsaw motor housing is. With no gas tank, piston, carburetor, etc, the brushless motor tucks in neatly, and most of the space in the back of the chainsaw is just to hold the battery pack. With the battery pack in the unit it is not super light, but it balances well and is very maneuverable.
Before you go out and start cutting, you need to fill the blade oil reservoir with chainsaw oil. This protects the chain, the gears, and the blade, and is essential for the longevity of the tool and cutting performance. None comes in the box, but it can be found easily. I used a funnel to make filling easier. Compared to a small gas motor, this one oil type is much easier to deal with than fuel, engine oil, or mixing fuel and oil for a small 2 stroke engine. After you get the blade oil filled, it’s time to get cutting.
Operation is simple, remove the sheath, release the chain brake, press in the safety button, and pull the trigger. It fires up instantly at full power, and only makes noise when cutting. Operation, compared to gas, is quiet, and power is plentiful. It cuts easily though treated lumber and tree limbs, allowing me to tear down some extra material I needed to dispose of and do some spring pruning with ease. I didn’t need to fell a full tree, but there is plenty of power here to do so for all but the largest of trees, which unless you are a trained professional, I do not suggest you try at home.
Overall, for most homeowners looking for a tool to maintain their property and do some demolition work or rough cutting of boards and other lumber, this is a great tool for the job. Not having to mess with gas and have the constant noise of an engine running is a huge plus, and makes this a great tool for most homeowners.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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With next-level audio that hits from every direction, Era 300 doesn’t just surround you, it puts you inside your music. Connect to all your content and devices using WiFi, Bluetooth, and 3.5 mm line in. Immerse yourself in the ultimate Dolby Atmos experience when you pair two with Arc or Beam (Gen 2).
Atmos in a single speaker
Customer Rating
5.0
Sonos, long a pioneer in wireless audio, has entered a new phase with the introduction of the Era 100 and 300 speakers. The Era 300 advertises Dolby Atmos spatial audio out of a single speaker enclosure. Can it deliver on this lofty promise? Let’s open the box and find out.
The packaging on this speaker is well thought out and understated. Sonos advertises a high degree of recyclability, and it shows. No glossy cardboard here, just a simple box with a set of clever slides to release the top part. No tape, no fuss, it just opens simply. In the box is the generously long power cord (yay), the speaker, and some paperwork. The speaker is in a nice fabric bag to keep it from being scuffed during transport, not a plastic bag and ton of Styrofoam. I’m a fan of the entire setup. It presents and protects the product without being overly wasteful and filling your garbage with…garbage.
Calling this speaker a “speaker” though is a bit of a simplification, inside the single housing is actually 6 drivers, and they explain the somewhat unique shape of the enclosure. Unlike many of the cylinders that seem to dominate the standalone speaker market at the moment, this one is designed to be placed on the side or a corner of a room and has angles to optimize the projection of sound out of the enclosure to maximize the spatial audio effect. Two tweeters fire slightly forward and up from the sides, one from the top for height channel, and one firing forward to reenforce the vocal track. The other two speakers are woofers that are angled in opposite directions, allowing them to compress into each other and enhance bass. All in all, while it is something of a unique shape and pretty large enclosure, it offers a driver arrangement that is truly unique.
Setting up the speaker is a cinch. Using the Sonos app, it took at most 10 minutes to detect and update the speaker with the latest firmware. As this is my first Sonos speaker, I had to also sign in to my music services, in this case, Amazon Music Unlimited, Apple Music, and SiriusXM. All of them were simple to set up. If you want to do a more advanced tuning, you can perform the Sonos “Trueplay” setup, where the speaker will send out tones while you walk around the room with an iPhone and, using the mic on your phone, will tune the speaker for your space and placement. There is also a simple mode for Trueplay where it uses the mics on the speaker to do the sound tuning – this is the only option for Android users or for users who don’t feel like walking around a room waving an iPhone up and down. I did the more extensive tune, and it does make a difference in how the speaker sounds in the space. Music, especially Atmos audio, sounds more expansive and balanced once the tuning was done. It did take a couple of tries to get it right, when they say to wave the phone up and down while tuning, they mean it, and will restart it if you don’t move enough.
The speaker also supports two voice assistants, Sonos and Amazon’s Alexa. The Sonos assistant is a great one for basic commands centered around operating the speaker. It processes everything on the speaker itself, so it has more privacy than Alexa. Privacy is actually a central feature of this speaker, with both a button on the top to shut down the mics in software, or an actual physical switch on the back that cuts power to the mics completely. The rest of the controls are also easy to use, the touch bar for volume control is a highlight. Natural and easy to just swipe and adjust. There is also a small button to put the speaker into Bluetooth paring mode – this is one of the first Sonos standalone speakers to support Bluetooth. While it has the most compromises in terms of audio quality, when guests are around it is the easiest way for someone to play impromptu DJ. It also supports AirPlay for streaming from Apple devices. The final connection option, other than wireless, is a line-in via a USB-C port. This requires a special connector from Sonos.
The real “native” way to listen to music on this speaker is through streaming directly from a music service using the Sonos app. This is the only way to get spatial audio, the main selling feature of this speaker, to work. Using a compatible music service, such as Apple Music or Amazon Music Unlimited, you can use spatial audio via Dolby Atmos encoded music. And it sounds really great for a single speaker. While this unit has limits and will never be able to replicate a full surround setup, for an enclosure of this size I am impressed. Music and vocals are incredibly clear, with distinct texture. The sound fills the room and sounds like it is coming from a much wider sound field than the 10” width of this thing should create. For a system without a dedicated sub, it creates a good amount of bass. You won’t feel it in your bones, but it is balanced and full, with the dual woofers filling the room with warm tones.
Overall, I am really impressed with this speaker. It is a great way to listen to Atmos music with an easy to use and accessible setup, and offers great sound quality in a single unit. Sonos spent a lot of time on the design, and it shows. Unlike most streaming speakers, there is a local voice assistant and the mics can be completely powered off with a physical switch if privacy is your thing. Its sound quality and features do come with a price, but if you want to equip a room with immersive sound that supports multiple music streaming services, this is one that should be on your short list.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
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Allow us to help you maintain the battery of your phone while you’re on the go with the Best Buy essentials BE-MQ25KW23 5,000mAh Magnetic Wireless Portable Charger for Apple and Most USB-C Devices. A standard USB-C port and magnetic charging provide 7.5W of total power to keep your devices charged and at the ready. With a 5,000mAh capacity, attach the charger to your iPhone or other magnetic compatible device or use the included USB-C cable for other devices. LED indicator lights will let you know when the battery is charging your device and when it needs to be charged. A white, compact design lets the battery fit smoothly into your pocket or purse, ready to take wherever you go. Let us keep your devices powered with portable batteries backed by Best Buy.
Fundamentally Flawed
Customer Rating
2.0
This wireless charger from the Best Buy essentials line has a lot of features that consumers want in a wireless charger, including 7.5W charging, USB-C, and even an integrated kickstand. Unfortunately, the product lacks some key and expected features that make for a flawed charger in a saturated market with better alternatives.
First, the couple of good things – it does charge quickly, with 7.5W, and the integrated kickstand is handy. MagSafe locking is solid as long as you have a MagSafe compatible case. Many case manufacturers are claiming “MagSafe” compatibility, but don’t really have it. You need a case with the pass through metal rings to allow magnetic accessories to attach properly. Be wary of cases that just say “MagSafe charging compatible”, as many of those don’t have the rings and accessories like this charger won’t stick properly. Charging levels are as expected for a 5000mah battery pack, it can charge an iPhone 13 Pro about 60-70%, depending on temperature and if the phone is being used.
On to the flaws. The biggest is that this charger does not have any kind of meaningful charge level indicator. It’s completely crazy that you have no idea what level of charge this thing has when you walk out the door with it. It could be full, or down to 25%, pressing button will still show green. When it is low, it flashes yellow, which is not actually mentioned in the manual. Literally, it doesn’t bother to tell you anywhere that if it is flashing yellow it has run out and you need to charge it. As the final fail on this product, it has a noticeable coil whine. You can hear a high pitched pulsing sound from a couple of feet away in a quiet room. I have other 7.5W MagSafe chargers, and none of them make an audible sound.
This product is well intended but fundamentally flawed. Typically, Best Buy Essentials products (Insignia) are well thought out products at lower prices than name brands, but in this case, the lack of any kind of functional battery level indicator, in addition to an incomplete manual and noticeable coil whine, make this product one to avoid.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Capture quality vlogs with this black GoPro HERO10 camera. The removable rechargeable 1720 mAh battery offers long shooting periods, while the rugged, waterproof design allows flexible use on different terrains. This GoPro HERO10 camera features a 1.4-inch screen for framing shots seamlessly, and the 23MP sensor captures 5.3K videos effortlessly.
Does it use the same size batteries as prior version?
ASUS - ROG Zephyrus 15.6" QHD Gaming Laptop - AMD Ryzen 9 - 16GB Memory - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 - 1TB SSD
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Gaming Laptop. Enjoy everyday gaming with this ASUS notebook PC. The AMD Ryzen 9 processor and 16GB of RAM let you run graphics-heavy games smoothly, while the potent NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics produce high-quality visuals on the fast 15.6-inch 165hz QHD display. This ASUS notebook PC has 1TD SSD that shortens load times and offers ample storage.
May I know this model come with ryzen 7 and RTX 3060? or GTX 1660ti? thx
This model has a Ryzen 9 and an RTX 3070 Max-Q
3 years, 3 months ago
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Keyan
ASUS - ROG Zephyrus 15.6" QHD Gaming Laptop - AMD Ryzen 9 - 16GB Memory - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 - 1TB SSD
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Gaming Laptop. Enjoy everyday gaming with this ASUS notebook PC. The AMD Ryzen 9 processor and 16GB of RAM let you run graphics-heavy games smoothly, while the potent NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics produce high-quality visuals on the fast 15.6-inch 165hz QHD display. This ASUS notebook PC has 1TD SSD that shortens load times and offers ample storage.
The spec list says 2*2.5W speakers. It should be 4 speakers and 2 tweeters according to the asus website???? Does this have the 90 Whr battery?
I wouldn't fully trust the best buy spec sheet. Yes, it has the 90 Whr battery. On the silent performance setting, it can get about 10 hours of run time.
3 years, 3 months ago
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Posted by:
Keyan
ASUS - ROG Zephyrus 15.6" QHD Gaming Laptop - AMD Ryzen 9 - 16GB Memory - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 - 1TB SSD
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Gaming Laptop. Enjoy everyday gaming with this ASUS notebook PC. The AMD Ryzen 9 processor and 16GB of RAM let you run graphics-heavy games smoothly, while the potent NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics produce high-quality visuals on the fast 15.6-inch 165hz QHD display. This ASUS notebook PC has 1TD SSD that shortens load times and offers ample storage.
Does the lid have some color inside some of the dots? I know this one doesn't have an animated lid, but several pictures show the lid with streaks of colors in it, but the one I have seen in person appeared to be solid grey (with no color in the dots).
There is a holographic film under most of the dots. When the light catches it just right, you'll see a pop of rainbow color peek through. It's pretty cool.
3 years, 3 months ago
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Posted by:
Keyan
Razer - BlackShark V2 Wired Gaming Headset for PC, PS5, PS4, Switch, Xbox X|S, and Xbox One - Black
If esports is everything, give it your all with the Razer BlackShark V2. Introducing a triple threat of amazing audio, superior mic clarity and supreme sound isolation. Fitted with titanium-coated drivers, a USB sound card, softer ear cushions and THX Spatial Audio, your time to turn pro is now.
Can I use this headset with my Macintosh computer and my Android phone?
You can use this with any device with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, or an adapter that has that type of jack on it.
3 years, 9 months ago
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Keyan
All the Power You Expect, without the Cord. Go where ambition takes you with the Cordless Hand Mixer from KitchenAid. Designed with a powerful rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery, the new cordless hand mixer delivers optimal run time and performance, so you can cook wherever*, whatever, and however you choose. Make up to 200 cookies on a full charge.***Indoor use only. **Based on 4 batches of chocolate chip cookies.
Does this have metal gears?
I would say no. The attachment points to the paddles are plastic at any rate, and that is likely to be the area of the most wear.
3 years, 10 months ago
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Keyan
Canon - PIXMA TS8320 Color All-In-One Inkjet Printer
Obtain high-quality color prints with this Canon PIXMA wireless inkjet all-in-one printer. The 4.3-inch LCD touch-screen panel simplifies operation, while dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity and voice-activated printing provide enhanced efficiency and support a smooth workflow. This Canon PIXMA wireless inkjet all-in-one printer utilizes a six-ink system with a photo blue ink tank for brilliant results.Prints up to 15 ISO ipm* in black, up to 10 ipm* in color
Does this device scan aswell as print.
Canon - PIXMA TS8320 Color All-In-One Inkjet Printer
Obtain high-quality color prints with this Canon PIXMA wireless inkjet all-in-one printer. The 4.3-inch LCD touch-screen panel simplifies operation, while dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity and voice-activated printing provide enhanced efficiency and support a smooth workflow. This Canon PIXMA wireless inkjet all-in-one printer utilizes a six-ink system with a photo blue ink tank for brilliant results.Prints up to 15 ISO ipm* in black, up to 10 ipm* in color
Does this printer support 5ghz wifi systems?
Canon - PIXMA TS8320 Color All-In-One Inkjet Printer
Obtain high-quality color prints with this Canon PIXMA wireless inkjet all-in-one printer. The 4.3-inch LCD touch-screen panel simplifies operation, while dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity and voice-activated printing provide enhanced efficiency and support a smooth workflow. This Canon PIXMA wireless inkjet all-in-one printer utilizes a six-ink system with a photo blue ink tank for brilliant results.Prints up to 15 ISO ipm* in black, up to 10 ipm* in color
Does this printer have Air Print feature
Canon - PIXMA TS8320 Color All-In-One Inkjet Printer
Obtain high-quality color prints with this Canon PIXMA wireless inkjet all-in-one printer. The 4.3-inch LCD touch-screen panel simplifies operation, while dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity and voice-activated printing provide enhanced efficiency and support a smooth workflow. This Canon PIXMA wireless inkjet all-in-one printer utilizes a six-ink system with a photo blue ink tank for brilliant results.Prints up to 15 ISO ipm* in black, up to 10 ipm* in color