MnstrMike
Top 250 Contributor
MnstrMike's Stats
- Review Count165
- Helpfulness Votes890
- First ReviewAugust 5, 2011
- Last ReviewJune 16, 2026
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating4.1
Reviews Comments
- Review Comment Count3
- Helpfulness Votes5
- First Review CommentNovember 5, 2012
- Last Review CommentJune 18, 2017
- Featured Review Comments0
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- Answer Count41
- Helpfulness Votes48
- First AnswerNovember 22, 2010
- Last AnswerDecember 8, 2021
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Meet the invisible power of effortless tracking. The new Google Fitbit Air is the unbelievably comfortable, exceptionally smart activity tracker designed to transform your health.~ The lightweight, micro-adjustable fit sits quietly and securely, so you can wear it through work, workouts, and sleep without noticing it. Google Health brings out your best with effortless tracking and personalized coaching that~s built with Gemini and made for you.~ And with up to a week~s worth of battery, it keeps up with your busy life.~
Old School is the New School
Customer Rating
5.0
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The age of removing distractions and simplifying our digital lives are up on us and the Google Fitbit Air is front and center of that movement. Harkening back to the early days of fitness trackers it ditches the screen and notifications to focus on one thing and one thing only, Health; both physical and mental.
Sticking to the basics is what this is all about and it does that well. Focusing on exercise activity, sleep wellness, heart rate, Sp02 (blood oxygen level), and skin temp seems to be fairly accurate. I always think there is some margin for error, but not as bad as my past Samsung smartwatches.
The included arm band Google calls Performance as it is very breathable, made from recycled materials and offers a velcro like closure system to get the best fit for your wrist. There are 2 other band styles sold separately, Active and Elevated. The Active is a traditional watch band style made of silicone with a sport clasp. The Elevated mimics the Performance design but swaps the build material for silicone and different color clasps. It also appears to be micro-adjustable as the clasp is magnetic.
The Performance and Elevated are both one size fits all (130mm-210mm) and the Active band has two options for size.
After using a traditional smartwatch for some years now and dabbling with a smartring, I can honestly I say I prefer the activity tracker to the smartring. I’m on the fence about leaving my smartwatch features as they are step removed from pulling out the phone for some basic things ( I still have my original calculator watch!).
The battery life alone could convert me at 8 days of usage it is at 49%, so a solid 2 weeks is to be expected with normal wearing and with regular health activity I would say Google’s estimate of charging weekly should be accurate. While airport hopping across the globe does give you some good step counting, its not the same as good high bpm activity.
Already having the Pixel 9 Pro, the device was paired fairly quickly and up and running out of the box after going through all the Health App permissions.
I can highly recommend it if you are in the market for a simple fitness tracker from a USA brand.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The COOLiFY C2S Pro delivers instant, powerful cooling and heating for personalized comfort anytime. With a single press of Turbo Mode, it generates a refreshing 12~C chill, while its patented wind tunnel and quad-vent system maximize airflow through a high-speed, multi-directional 3-in-1 360~ comfort system, seamlessly combining cooling, airflow, and heat therapy. Powered by a high-efficiency 5000mAh battery enhanced with variable-frequency synchronous rectification technology, it offers improved power savings, supports 18W Type-C fast charging to fully recharge in just 2~2.5 hours, and allows uninterrupted use while charging. Intelligent temperature control is achieved through an NTC smart sensor that continuously monitors and adjusts output for stable cooling or heating, while Bluetooth connectivity and the TORRAS App enable remote operation and effortless OTA updates. Weighing only 428g (0.94 lbs), its minimalist design delivers lightweight, unrestricted comfort, with a patented dual-directional pivot and adjustable neckband that lets you aim airflow precisely and hold it securely at any angle. Built for long-term reliability, the COOLiFY C2S Pro features comprehensive circuit protection, sweat and splash resistance, premium V-0 flame-retardant materials, and a bladeless, hair-friendly design~ensuring safe, durable, and dependable comfort for every adventure.
Fantastic Device For Personal Climate Control
Customer Rating
5.0
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I must confess I had only known of the Torras brand for making economical phone cases, but it appears they have been in this niche market of personal cooling/heating devices for a few years now.
Testing it out this past week brought back those great memories of seeing devices in that “one store” that had fun travel accessories.
With summer temps getting ready to smack East TN, I will definitely get a use out of the cooling feature this unit provides. Having the heating feature as well has made for some nice evenings sitting on the back porch where there is just enough of a breeze to bring a chill to the air.
The cooling/heating plates are naturally cold to the touch, so if you are wanting heat, I would turn it on and let it warm up for a couple seconds before putting it on.
For obvious reasons the device does not get too hot since it is designed to go against bare skin. So if you are in a situation to where ambient temps are quite low, having a neck wrap will aid in holding the heat.
The fans only come on for the cooling or fan only options so there is no concern for fabric to be sucked in to the intake (bottom) side of the device.
Included in the box beyond the device itself is nicely molded carrying case, USB-C to USB-C cable, a few instruction booklets (with a few mistranslated words in English), and a Thank You note from the founder.
The instructions booklets are pretty simple and detail instructional use, but I will say that the button press is not that intuitive. Both buttons pull double duty to access features and control the device. The instructions mention “gear” changing, which I take to mean speed or intensity setting. I could never get the device to just be in Fan mode (no cooling), but thankfully there is bluetooth and an app.
Using the QR Code in the instructions takes you to a Chinese only website. But searching the Google Play Store I quickly found the app and looking at the Data Privacy, they collect no data and this app needs no permissions to operate.
It was easy to connect to the device in the app and way easier to change the settings. In addition to the on device settings there is a Power Mode, which automatically overrides whatever setting you are on and turns the fan on full blast. There is also a timer that does 30 minute increments.
I wish it had 15 minute increments or even the ability to set exactly how many minutes you want the device on. As it is, it goes up a maximum of 4 hours.
Also, it appears when using the power button in the app, it just stops the device from whatever the current operation is, but does not fully turn off the device. As when the device is fully off, it will then disconnect from the app as it is no longer transmitting bluetooth. I found when powering the device on it quickly reconnected to the app each time.
The device will eventually power off fully, but there is around a 30 sec delay when using the app.
I have enjoyed using this device and having both hot and cold is fantastic. Looking forward to this summer when its really hard to cool down.
How hot or cool you look while wearing the device may vary!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Creativity needs room to breathe. With the world~s largest haptic touchpad and an included MPP 2.5 tilt~enabled stylus, Acer Swift 16 AI transforms touch into an extension of your imagination. Its stunning OLED touch display and intelligent AI performance bring ideas to life with fluidity and precision. Powered by the Intel~ Core~ Ultra X7 processor 358H with up to 50 TOPS NPU, it opens the door to AI experiences that elevate every creative moment.
Great Laptop, Extra Features Let Down
Customer Rating
4.0
The allure of the top specs in CPU, Screen, and build quality are enough to make you want to take a serious look at the Acer Swift 16 AI. But the large touchpad... that one is enough to make me want to say only get it if you are NOT going to use it on your lap.
The touchpad has a really good palm rejection, like it never picked up my palm while typing...as long as you don’t hit the bottom edge of the touchpad. That is where the left/right buttons are and your forearm will hit that spot as most people are used to having a palm rest there. So, I had to retrain myself on trying to keep my arm off the edge.
I work from the couch a lot with my feet elevated; this angle is where I ran into my issue.
If you use it on a desk/table and have proper typing technique, then this should not be an issue for you.
Not to be misleading the entire touchpad is haptic, however, only the bottom right portion from center to right acts as the right-click section, up to around an inch from the edge. Beyond that, the rest of the touchpad is left-click. This edge where it does still act as a mechanical button, so palm rejection is not really achievable since the touchpad moves.
I understand Acer trying something unique here with the large touchpad and Pen integration. However, the Pen is not useful. It only works with the touchpad and not the touch screen, and its accuracy is extremely off. Testing the feature with Acer’s own Apps, I thought would yield the best experience, but it did not.
For each app you open, depending on the location of the tiles/tools and then upper row taskbar, those areas then correspond to the touchpad, so that when you hover the Pen over that area a tracker dot appears on screen and when you touch the touchpad, then it touches that portion of the screen to activate the tile/button/menu etc. However, it does not always accurately select what you are trying to select.
It also means that the “drawing” portion of the touchpad is reduced. And this changes per App. So each App has its own learning curve. If the Pen was accurate for drawing/taking notes, then I could see it as a useful feature and to be a replacement for a drawing tablet, however, it definitely does not fulfill that. Or if it also worked with the touchscreen, then it would at least have another use. The Pen does feel high quality and it feels good in hand at least.
I did also find one feature that BestBuy lists on their webpage, but Acer does not, which is the Per-Key LED Backlighting system. The keyboard is LED backlit, but its the standard OFF/LOW/HIGH setting of most laptops.
From what I could find the Per-Key LED system is reserved for the Gaming Laptops in Acer’s lineup and that software cannot be downloaded from the Acer website without the proper device serial number to bring up the list of available software for my system. This is typically called RGB lighting.
Speaking of Acer Apps...there are a lot! They don’t take up a bunch of space and most are trying to push a creative angle...and not very well.
I would keep the AcerSense which lets you change some Battery settings for Charging and Fan Speed. Also has quick access to Serial Number and such. But going through and trying them all out, I personally didn’t find much value.
My only recommendation would be, if you have it in your budget, go for the 32GB RAM option, as that is not upgradeable. The 1TB SSD offers loads of space for most people, but thankfully those are still upgradable...if you can afford to with these current prices.
The GPU can use up to 9GB VRAM, leaving just 7GB for system use. Depending on what you are doing and needing the GPU to do some lifting, then you are severely limited. Even a 24GB configuration would have been great giving the GPU 8GB dedicated and leaving the rest for system use.
Acer also includes a sleeve, while I appreciate the gesture, I don’t get any use out of sleeves. It going in a backpack or in use.
Acer states the battery charging input is between 65 watt and 100 watt, meaning not to try charging below the 65watt threshold. The included charger is a 100 watt brick. I wish they would have just gave us a 10ft USB-C to USB-C cable and a slim charger to go with the protability of this device.
I think the best use case because of the large touchpad is a desktop replacement (if that is even a term anymore). Had Acer not included the very small 10-Key pad, then the keyboard could be centered on the chassis (my OCD prefers this) as the touchpad is centered on the chassis, and then the edge touch would not be an issue. Again with proper typing technique this is not an issue, but how many of us actually use that!? And if you type with index fingers only, then you won’t have any issues.
Other areas of appreciation
Screen, I love the size 16” size and the 16:10 aspect ratio. The OLED crispness and the 3K (2880x1800) pixel size is great. Out of the box the scale is set at 200%, wasting so much screen real estate. I set it at 125% and can run multiple windows easily or just do side-by-side windown when focusing on a single research task.
I also love that it has squared corners and not rounded. That trend has never made any sense to me.
Sound
Is really good on this. Full and rich and loud. Defitnitely will have to turn it down when working next to others.
Build
Lightweight for the size, slim, and sturdy. No creaking of the keyboard or chassis. And enough ports to tackle the modern day needs.
The graphite and gold color scheme is also pretty nice to look at.
CPU/GPU
Running Geekbench6 I got single core results of 2786 and Multi-Core of 14891.
That put it just behind a desktop with an Intel Ultra 7 265 w/ 20 Cores and above a i7 Ultra 256v with 16 cores and an older i9 Ultra 185H with 16 cores.
The GPU though beat out every other device with an iGPU/ARC GPU (54047) besides the older gaming laptops with an i5 paired with a GeForce RTX 3050 Ti (65599) and i9 Ultra 189H paried with a GeForce RTX3050 (63170).
The older laptops still in my stables with Intel Arc scored 40840 and 31984 on two different machines one with 32GB RAM and the other 16GB.
I can definitely recommend this laptop for anyone needing/wanting a dedicated GPU that couples portability and battery life.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Upgrade your mobile gaming setup with the GameSir G8 Plus MFi Type-C Mobile Controller ~ the official Apple-certified controller built to deliver true console-level performance on your iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. Designed for gamers who demand precision, speed, and comfort, this controller replaces unreliable Bluetooth connections with a stable, low-latency Type-C wired link, giving you instant response time in every match. Featuring Hall Effect joysticks and analog triggers, the G8 Plus offers drift-free accuracy and long-lasting durability, making it perfect for competitive shooters, racing titles, RPGs, and cloud-gaming platforms. Two remappable back buttons let you trigger advanced moves faster, while the ergonomic, textured grip ensures all-day comfort during intense gaming sessions. The adjustable stretch design securely fits most smartphones and compact tablets (125~215 mm), and pass-through charging keeps your device powered while you play ~ so the action never has to stop. With customizable faceplates and interchangeable thumbsticks, you can tailor the controller to your personal style and gameplay preferences. If you~re tired of touchscreen controls and want a premium, console-style experience on mobile, the GameSir G8 Plus MFi is the perfect upgrade.
Great For Gaming
Customer Rating
4.0
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Design and build is super premium in hand. I love the quick screenshot button and the passthru charging and audio jack for those times when your bluetooth headphones die.
The spring grip is strong and sturdy, but not so much you cannot pull it part. The USB-C tip is flexible so it makes it really easy to slide the phone in at an angle and then slide the grip a part.
I tested this with both my S24 Ultra and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
Compatibility is a little hit and miss with games, sort of. Technically it is compatible with ALL games, however, that is because it runs a macro/button map to simulate screen touch for games that are not or do not already have compatibility with the Gamesir platform.
So on the one-hand that is pretty awesome that you can make any game compatible, on the other, it can mean that the on-screen touch controls are still there, so you don’t get a full screen immersion.
I tested four games during my first week of use:
GTA: Vice City
COD: Mobile
TMNT Arcade
Warplanes: WW2 Dog Fight
COD: Mobile
TMNT Arcade
Warplanes: WW2 Dog Fight
For COD:Mobile I use my XBOX controller via Bluetooth and have never had any issues with it recognizing the controller.
GameSIR does not have a direct connect option like these other controllers via Bluetooth for the S8+ MFi, but there was already a community macro/button map, so all I had to do was select it for use while in the game. I went to the Shooting Range to do so so i can tweak it if need be as will depend on screen size for accuracy.
The downside(?) is you will not be put on a server with other players with controllers since the game does not recognize the Gamesire G8+ and you are just emulating/simulating touches on the screen. This also means the touchscreen buttons are still on the display and the mapped buttons R1, L1, R2, L2, etc are on the screen over those locations that they are mapped to.
And of course, you can remap or setup your own button map.
I did find strafing and direction were pretty slow and had to crank that up in the COD settings. It was passible, but was still pretty slow. So while you will have a definite advantage in some areas over players on the Server using touchscreen, you are at a disadvantage for how fast you can turn/look. But you can also still shoot and run with more ease while doing it.
As for the other games on my list, I had to go into settings and turn on Controller in each game menu. GTA and TMNT do not have the on-screen touch areas when doing this and so it is full immersion on-screen.
Warplanes: WW2 Dog Fight was in the GameSir app for lists of compatible games. I am glad I found it as it is pretty fun. While it is compatible, the onscreen buttons are still visible, but the mapped buttons are not as the game itself adds the button map to the on-screen buttons.
Overall the controller performs as you would hope. It does require having the GameSir app running in the background for all games for it to work and with that does require quite a bit of permissions for the app.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Introducing the new SANDISK Extreme Portable SSD, built for anyone who needs fast, reliable storage for backing up big projects, clearing device space, or keeping content organized across devices. It~s what you need to work seamlessly, wherever you go.
Snappy SSD!
Customer Rating
5.0
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With the costs going up on RAM and Storage, the quality of the product matters even more.
Been using the SanDisk Extreme SSD for almost a week and I am loving these read/write speeds. Mostly using to transfer between my S24 Ultra and Galaxy Book5 Pro as the direct connection is painfully slow, and “Quickshare” is neither convenient or quick.
Most of my videos are short and/or small. Choosing a 1.07GB MP4 took around 3 seconds to transfer from the S24 Ultra and then a batch of 6 videos that were of various sizes not larger than 240MB at 911MB total also only around 3 seconds to transfer. And moving all of it to the Book5 Pro via Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, took about 3 seconds.
I have always been a fan of SanDisk when buying Flash/Thumb drives, SD Cards, etc. The quality remains the same with this SSD and the Extreme definitely feels like it will live up to that expectation.
The casing is a matte plastic on the front and soft tpu type rubber on the back giving just enough grip to not slip, but also easily slide in and out of a clothing or backpack pocket.
As for size comparison, its not the biggest or the smallest, but with the best IP Rating (65) of my trio, its nice to know if I did drop it, its covered. Having the plastic casing is probably what helps achieve that rating as the other T7 and X10 Pro are both Aluminum cases. The T7 is “shock resistant” and the X10 Pro is IP55, so the SanDisk comes in for the win on protection.
I use the drive mainly for storage and file swapping. I did run some videos directly from the drive and did not notice any heating, but I am sure if you are using it to edit directly to the drive it will get warm as all do.
If you are in the market for an SSD, especially one that is IP rated, then I can highly recommend the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Streamline your day-to-day with our PopSockets wallet with an all-in-one grip that holds your cards while seamlessly attaching to your MagSafe compatible device and case. The PopWallet can securely hold up to three credit cards. The grip allows you to use your phone one-handed, kickstand on-the-go, or attach to a mount for hands-free use. When you are ready to charge your phone simply slide off the wallet and attach to your wireless charging pad or iPhone compatible wireless charging station.
Pop, Lock-It, Doesn't Drop It
Customer Rating
4.0
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I like the concept of adding a popsocket with a MagSafe Wallet. If you only need 3 standard size credit cards/ID, it only exactly that amount.
My use case is with my Pixel 10 Pro Fold. I am using a Lattercase with that device and even though it is extremely thin, the PopSocket would still require adding the included magnet ring to the underside or outside of my case. However, even with my Lattercase off, when trying to flip out the wallet to use as a stand, the wallet would become detached from the device.
I don’t think the case would ever fall off the device due the magnet strength, but when trying to use it as a stand or even pulling out the PopSocket, just pulling on it will cause it to detach from the device. At least with using the PopSocket as a stand, although not as universal as the traditional stand option, you can apply reverse force to keep the wallet from detaching.
In my use I just used the PopSocket, which I found extremely useful when having the phone unfolded (and folded for that matter).
The wallet element is only really useful when it is detached from the phone as the given rise in “slimmer” phones with corresponding increases in the camera bumps, you can’t actually remove any of the cards while the wallet is attached to the phone.
I don’t necessarily fault PopSocket for this. If however you have a thicker case on and it either has Magsafe built-in or using the included magnetic ring then, I could see a scenario when you can keep the wallet attached and easily slide out your cards.
I personally am not a fan of the Ridge style wallets, but I do like the PopSocket version as it was really easy to push the cards out from the bottom.
If you do not have a case on your phone the bulk is not that much more, but if you have a “phone” slot in your cargos or trying to slide into your back pocket, it's mostly likely not going to fit, so just know that going in.
I let my my daughter compare it to the magnetic wallet she uses with a stand built in from a store from “Brazil” and while those magnets are strong, she commented that the PopSocket was stronger. Her phone is a Pixel 9 Pro with MagSafe rated case.
She would have liked to keep using the PopSocket version, but the 3 limit card holder was the only draw back. If it could have held 2 more she would have switched to it, as it is quite a bit slimmer than the one she is using with the same functionality plus the addition of the PopSocket, which she misses having.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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TCL Q55K Class Smart TVs combine premium picture technology with outstanding value for endless entertainment. QLED Quantum Dot technology and HDR10 with Dolby Vision you can enjoy enhanced contrast, accurate colors and fine details utilizing all advanced HDR formats with 120Hz Refresh Rate (144Hz Variable Refresh Rate) and Motion Rate 240 with MEMC frame insertion for exceptional motion clarity. TCL~s High Brightness+ Direct LED Backlight produces brighter images for an enhanced viewing experience for all your favorite movies and TV shows. Now featuring the TCL AIPQ PRO Processor that optimizes each scene for an unrivaled cinematic experience. Beyond movies and TV shows, you can get in the game with Game Accelerator 288 together with Auto Game Mode for the lowest latency for a more responsive gameplay without lag, designed to keep you at the top of any leaderboard. Including Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X, and a new Enhanced Dialogue Mode, TCL Q55K TVs provide a complete audio package. TCL Q Class Smart TVs: Compelling Color and Choice.
42 Days...Life Will Never Be The Same
Customer Rating
3.0
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Size…nothing truly prepares you going from a 65” to a 98” TV. It is ridiculously big! In Store the 98’s are next to the 115” and the 65’s are a bit further down the row. Once you see the box delivered and you are unboxing and putting it on your wall…you notice. The downside is I am ruined for life and can never go back. Our living room is long and skinny, so it feels like a theatre room now. Our 65 was situated in the corner and then at times we would use the open wall space for projection to get that theatre experience and it would cast about an 85” picture.
Having a large format TV is definitely a better option than the projector specifically when it comes to the fan noise and projector placement, especially for occasional use. Unless you have an Ultra Short Throw that sits close to the wall. Projectors definitely have their place, but large format TV’s are the best of both worlds.
Picture/Panel…Sports, cartoons, sitcoms; anything with mid to high brightness looks great. Anything with a lot of dark scenes and/or low lighting and the backlighting type shows its limits. In low to no ambient lighting dark scense are okay, but the panel brightness is maxed at 100% and it just feels too dark. I’m coming from a mini-LED QLED FALD with 1000 nit brightness and 240 zones of dimming. So its not a fair comparison to the TCL 98Q55K which has no local dimming as the lightning is Direct Lit. Since the panel is Quantum Dot (QLED) it definitely makes the panel look really good in most situations as already stated. So if you have a high ambient light room that you plan on putting this set in, with the massive screen you are going to want to think about the type of content you plan on watching and when you will be watching. While the 98Q55K does have a Matte panel which helps with glare, because of the panel's low brightness level, it can’t get bright enough in some situations to combat glare. Over head lighting can also be an issue depending on placement so something to think about there too. When I was in BestBuy I saw the QM8K series and while that has the inky blacks of the OLED type tv’s it in no way would have worked in my home that actually has quite low ambient lighting with the blinds open. However the QM6K has a special Anti-glare panel that I would highly consider if you have a high ambient light situation and it has Full Array Local Dimming so it can do contrast better and get brighter. That panel reminded me of the “Picture Frame” Tv’s.
Angled viewing is surprisingly good with Q55K. With it being so big, its hard to be truly to the side, but in my setup its viewable from all seats…but the best ones are when viewing straight on.
Audio…the 2.1 Onkyo sound feels a bit of a gimmick as the subwoofer is not going to deliver any notable bass, but it does help make the sound not feel like it is coming from a tin can. There are equalizer settings that can be used to help dial it even better. So if you want a super clean look with just the TV on the wall, the sound won’t be disappointing as long as you keep it in perspective. However, a decent 2.1 soundbar does wonders as with any flatscreen tv produced with backward or downward firing speakers since the design style went for super slim bezels. FYI, if your current setup uses Optical audio cable, TCL does not allow for Volume level change over Optical. Not all TV manufactures do, the one that this TV replaced did. I go into more detail below, but I am not too happy with TCL’s HDMI eARC, which I am using with my Sony HT-5000 soundbar.
Concerns…the TCL 98Q55K ships with Android OS TV 12, by and large I like the Android TV OS format have used with previous tvs and stand-alone streaming boxes, however, version 12 reached end of life support from Google in March 2025…so why did TCL ship an end of the year product with an outdated Smart OS? Android 13 , 14, and 16 is available…so not like there weren’t options. My solution was to reset the tv and remove internet and put a Roku device I already had that was being used with my last TV shipped in 2024, also with Android TV 12 stopped getting Security Updates. I was really looking forward to a “one remote life”, but it isn’t so.
If TCL ever decides to do an update, I will check by just testing via Ethernet. Using it as a “dumb tv” I don’t care how the TCL process the HDMI eARC. As stated, I am using my Sony HT-5000 soundbar and when switching TV Inputs the TV sends the Turn-Off signal to the soundbar. Each time I then turn the soundbar back on, TCL flashes a pop-up and recommends I setup the soundbar. This was already done and the pop link just takes me to the Sound tab and wants me to select eARC for default sound output. I’ve tried just setting it to Auto, but when it turns off the Soundbar and I manually turn it back on, the TV does not switch the sound output to eARC, rather sends sound to both the internal speakers and soundbar which cause the echo effect.
The Sound tab is also not listed in the Quick Settings Menu, so you always have to go to All Settings, something my last TV with same Android OS TV build did have. Not sure why TCL’s version does not have it?
It appears the processing lags when changing inputs. As it first reads the resolution of the signal, then checks for HDR content. The TV ends up flashing about 2 or 3 times as it refreshes to accept the information from the source And sometimes this too will cause the Soundbar to turn off, even though, the input was not changed. Gaming on the TV is nice because of the size. The panel is not native to 120hz so that setting has to be turned on, but it then limits display settings that cannot be changed. My aging XBOX One S and PS4 Pro can both output 120hz, but only at 1440p. At this size the 4K60 is better than the 1440p120 setting to me as I’m getting pixels over smoothness.
Minus the gaming info, these areas are the only real concerns I have with this TV and is the only reason for dropping making my review 3 out 5. If I could do 2.5 I would, but I feel 2 stars is a little low considering. Since half the tv these days is the Smart OS, that shouldn’t be obsolete out of the box. Streaming apps can still be updated and at least those apps are protected, but the OS itself is vulnerable without any security updates coming. Which then also means, what you get out of the box is what you get, as TCL most likely won’t be updating the software. Thankfully my router is near by and I can easily plug in the Ethernet cable to check for updates when ever I want.
Pro Tips…there are built-in wire management “clips” that come packaged with the TV…put those on before mounting the tv if using a flush/slim mount, as they are inaccessible after the fact, While, I thought these would be useful, I realized after the fact of mounting via a slim mount, that these are only handy if you are mounting with a full-motion mount. The holes that the “clips” lock into are very close together therefore making the loop they create to hold the wire only big enough for about 3-4 wires. But not either end of the wire whether it is the power cable or HDMI. So if mounting on a slim mount, you will need to install all the cables first, then use the “clips”, and hope that all doesn’t get in the way when mounting.
I have hung many a 65’s myself, but this is definitely a 2 person job. At 104lbs (200 with packaging) and nearly
25sqft of wall space, its a beast to move around.
25sqft of wall space, its a beast to move around.
Also, the dimensions of the TV do not include the power button/mic switch so add an extra 1 inch when
factoring in your mounting clearances. I like mine to leave just enough room for the soundbar to sit and
Unfortunately, this oversight I mounted a little too low and it blocks the IR sensor. Not such a big deal
but accept when turning the TV on with the included remote as the Bluetooth apparently does work in Standby. It will turn on via my Roku Remote as it uses HDMI-CEC when powering on the device.
factoring in your mounting clearances. I like mine to leave just enough room for the soundbar to sit and
Unfortunately, this oversight I mounted a little too low and it blocks the IR sensor. Not such a big deal
but accept when turning the TV on with the included remote as the Bluetooth apparently does work in Standby. It will turn on via my Roku Remote as it uses HDMI-CEC when powering on the device.
Lastly, in the Picture Settings, there is Eye Health Protection tab at the bottom of the list, this has the Auto
Brightness setting. Turn it OFF or you will feel like you are losing your mind constantly having to change the
brightness level for each input. Out Of the Box on STANDARD you will have to change the default brightness which was set to 28 of 100 and is far too dark. When HDR content is detected it will adjust the settings and I have found it is automatically sets the brightness to 100. I use the Standard setting for normal TV viewing and have it set to 70.
Brightness setting. Turn it OFF or you will feel like you are losing your mind constantly having to change the
brightness level for each input. Out Of the Box on STANDARD you will have to change the default brightness which was set to 28 of 100 and is far too dark. When HDR content is detected it will adjust the settings and I have found it is automatically sets the brightness to 100. I use the Standard setting for normal TV viewing and have it set to 70.
When I watch sports I do change it to the Sport setting and I leave the Motion set to Low. I have never
used that setting on any of my previous TV’s but with the size it really helps with the motion blur and
makes the picture look great!
used that setting on any of my previous TV’s but with the size it really helps with the motion blur and
makes the picture look great!
I can definitely recommend buying a large format TV, but do your homework on back lighting type and ambient room brightness. I can recommend the TCL 98Q55K, just know you will want to get a stand-alone TV streamer, as I will NEVER recommend putting a device on your home network that no longer receives security updates.
I would recommend this to a friend!
-3points
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Experience all-day comfort and open ear freedom with LinkBuds Clip earbuds. Enjoy natural sound, clear calls powered by AI, and three listening modes for every scene. With up to 37 hours of battery life, IPX4 water resistance, and effortless pairing, these earbuds keep you in tune with life—wherever it takes you.
Best Open Earphones Yet!
Customer Rating
5.0
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Typically not been a fan of the “Open Ear” headphone as the ones I have tried in the past don’t deliver enough sound and/or the quality and fitment was lacking. The Sony LinkBuds sound as if I have a traditional earbud in and are weighted excellent!
While the color I was sent is not my preferred choice, they definitely look good on the Misses!
The companion Sound Connect app was easy to setup with the buds and gives you a lot of settings and additions to change.
The capacitive button though takes some getting used too to get the taps just right to respond. Volume change I have found to be the hardest skill to unlock.
I let my wife give them a try as she has never been able to find an earbud that fits right, doesn’t fall out, or hurt her ear after a short time of wearing, When she does need to privately listen, she will use full over the ear headphones, also not her favorite choice, but they do the job.
The Sony Clips though never gave her any ear fatigue from wearing them for a little over 3 hours. She was just working on the computer and normal movement, however, when bending forward or looking down, they didn’t feel like they would fall out.
We each tested the different sound profiles and in our home where we have been snowed in for a few days, we didn’t really notice any differences in the Voice Boost setting, however the Sound Leakage does quiet the sound, but it still comes through crisp and clear. Even in the Standard setting we didn’t feel the sound leaked out at all when set to a loud enough volume that would make you speak louder than would be necessary when talking with someone.
As for Battery Life, out of the box the buds were fully charged and the case was at 97% so with on and off usage, still in the upper 70’s.
On a side note, my daughter came home from college for the weekend and saw them and is now trying to manipulate herself into a pair…so this household gives them 6 Thumbs Up!
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Regain control of your TV with the Insignia Replacement Remote for TCL TVs. Compatible with nearly all TCL TVs, this remote is pre-programmed for easy pairing. The remote can also be programmed to control the audio level on your soundbar or speaker system. Compatible with macro and IR learning, you can set up four shortcut keys and quickly program your Insignia remote to open your favorite smart TV apps.
Good Option, NO Bluetooth
Customer Rating
5.0
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Overall it is a great replacement, or in my situation, secondary remote.
Depending on your TCL, most of their remotes these days are Bluetooth enabled, unfortunately the Insignia is not.
I’m assuming for most people this isn’t an issue, but in my situation, when I mounted my TV, I was about 2 inches lower than I meant to be, and my soundbar blocks the IR reader, so I have to hold the remote high to get around the soundbar. The OEM TCL remote being bluetooth does not have this issue.
On a positive note, every button is programmable on the Insignia remote, so I just programmed it to control the Vizio Soundbar volume. I am running an optical connection, which TCL apparently does not allow Volume control over optical like my last TV a Hisense does. So in this category, the Insignia wins over the OEM TCL.
Out-Of-The-Box the remote worked and there was no programming necessary for any of the features.
The quick launch keys A-B-C-D where already pre-programmed.
A = Netflix
B = YouTube
C = Amazon Prime
D = TCL TV+
B = YouTube
C = Amazon Prime
D = TCL TV+
Which for “D” is redundant as there is already a dedicated a TCL TV+ button, so I reprogrammed it to Disney+.
This was a way different approach than I have used on Universal remotes in the past. You don't code the key to an app, you actually code it to a command set.
For example, you start on the Home Screen at the Home position. The App row is 3 rows down from the Main Tab Menu, Disney+ was then the third app in the app row, so my command was
down, down, down, right, right, OK.
down, down, down, right, right, OK.
However, if you move the position of the Disney+ app, whatever app is now in that position (3rd) will be the app the remote opens coded to that quick launch key.
So, just something to keep in mind.
You can code up 15 moves, of which 4 are already going to be occupied by down, down, down , and OK, leaving only 11 moves.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
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Meet the Shark Glam Hot Tool Air Styling & Drying System. Innovative heat-controlled ceramic and powerful airflow unlock smooth silky finishes, glossy blowouts and ultra high-shine end styles without heat damage in wet to dry mode. Shark Glam Styler Suite includes Shark Silki straightener for wet-to-straight styling in as little as one pass*, and the Shark Glossi styler for ultra-fast, bouncy blowouts with maximum gloss.** *using wet mode on wavy hair in lab settings **shine/frizz vs. air drying
Looks Cool, Way Too Loud, Does Not Deliver
Customer Rating
2.0
The ladies in my home really wanted to love this product. They thought the design is fantastic and fun, and the way the top twists to become a hairdryer is a cool feature or just keeping it straight feels like holding a lightsaber. The blowout brush attachment also did okay and does successfully dry your hair.
But, that was where the positive ended.
First, it is way too loud. For my wife, she said it's so abrasive that it gives me a headache, and I literally "cringe" at the thought of having to use it again. When I used the curling attachment, the wind was right by your ear, and just too loud.
The biggest issue, however, is what it did to her hair. Product packaging says "no heat damage," but my wife and daughter cannot see how that's possible. After just one use, both of their hair was extremely damaged and felt like wheat or straw; ie riding with the top down, on a boat, etc. It was so dried out, frizzy, and static-y. The Shark Glam Blow Dryer seems to just whip your hair with hot, strong wind rather than gently drying it.
The biggest issue, however, is what it did to her hair. Product packaging says "no heat damage," but my wife and daughter cannot see how that's possible. After just one use, both of their hair was extremely damaged and felt like wheat or straw; ie riding with the top down, on a boat, etc. It was so dried out, frizzy, and static-y. The Shark Glam Blow Dryer seems to just whip your hair with hot, strong wind rather than gently drying it.
Both of them only used the low or medium heat setting.
The attachments are also a letdown.
The straightener was a pain because the air blows in a way that it kept blowing my hair up while I was trying to straighten it down.
The curler was loud, and the curler didn't stay.
My wife couldn’t figure out how to get the defrizzer to work and tried using the tutorials from the QR Code, but it wanted to you to signup via email, in which she didn’t want another email newsletter just to be able to use the product.
Lastly, it's just clunky. The dryer felt heavy at the end of the 10 minutes it took to dry their hair. And the plug is a massive brick. Using it in the bathroom there wasn’t enough space for the cord to use the lower plug on the outlet, so it had to take up the whole outlet. This could be by design as it pulls 1500 Watts (12.5amps) and keeps you from having anything else plugged in. Of course if two bathrooms share the same circuit (which is common) or you are using another circuit like in a bedroom, which are typically only 15amps, anything else plugged into it that circuit has the possibility of tripping the breaker while running.
Lastly, it's just clunky. The dryer felt heavy at the end of the 10 minutes it took to dry their hair. And the plug is a massive brick. Using it in the bathroom there wasn’t enough space for the cord to use the lower plug on the outlet, so it had to take up the whole outlet. This could be by design as it pulls 1500 Watts (12.5amps) and keeps you from having anything else plugged in. Of course if two bathrooms share the same circuit (which is common) or you are using another circuit like in a bedroom, which are typically only 15amps, anything else plugged into it that circuit has the possibility of tripping the breaker while running.
They both wished there was sort of organizer or at the very least a bag for the attachments. Obviously the Shark Glam Hair Dryer is meant to replace needing other devices by having the attachment accessories, so I am sure it is assumed there is space enough to store the attachments in a drawer, etc But an included organizer would have been a nice touch.
Overall, they felt the value just isn’t there. A mid-grade hair dryer gets the job done alongside a salon quality straightener.
For reference both my wife and daughter have brunette hair color that is very shiny and thick. The wifey uses deposit only to cover gray and my daughter has not had any color in her hair for about 24 months.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-1point
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Element Electronics - Element 27" IPS LED 1080p Full HD Frameless Monitor - Black
This Element 27" FHD 1080P LED Frameless Monitor provides simple connectivity to get straight to work. Whether you're adding to your current work from home set-up or purchasing a new monitor to stay in touch with loved ones, this full HD monitor will do the trick. This Element monitor offers a 1080P, full high-definition screen for a clear, vivid picture. Whether you're watching videos, video chatting, or playing basic games you'll find this full HD monitor provides a crisp viewing experience. Element's frameless monitor screens enable your monitor to blend in with your decor for a clean aesthetic. The thin bezel allows for a full-screen experience. Expand your view and get more done by adding a second or third monitor to your office set-up with easy HDMI and VGA connectivity. *No built-in speakers
Can this monitor be rotated to sit vertically?
Not with the included stand. An third party stand it could, just make sure you have the power cord side down...it is barely 3ft long.
4 years, 7 months ago
by
Posted by:
MnstrMike
Element Electronics - Element 27" IPS LED 1080p Full HD Frameless Monitor - Black
This Element 27" FHD 1080P LED Frameless Monitor provides simple connectivity to get straight to work. Whether you're adding to your current work from home set-up or purchasing a new monitor to stay in touch with loved ones, this full HD monitor will do the trick. This Element monitor offers a 1080P, full high-definition screen for a clear, vivid picture. Whether you're watching videos, video chatting, or playing basic games you'll find this full HD monitor provides a crisp viewing experience. Element's frameless monitor screens enable your monitor to blend in with your decor for a clean aesthetic. The thin bezel allows for a full-screen experience. Expand your view and get more done by adding a second or third monitor to your office set-up with easy HDMI and VGA connectivity. *No built-in speakers
What kind of ports are on this monitor?
Element Electronics - Element 27" IPS LED 1080p Full HD Frameless Monitor - Black
This Element 27" FHD 1080P LED Frameless Monitor provides simple connectivity to get straight to work. Whether you're adding to your current work from home set-up or purchasing a new monitor to stay in touch with loved ones, this full HD monitor will do the trick. This Element monitor offers a 1080P, full high-definition screen for a clear, vivid picture. Whether you're watching videos, video chatting, or playing basic games you'll find this full HD monitor provides a crisp viewing experience. Element's frameless monitor screens enable your monitor to blend in with your decor for a clean aesthetic. The thin bezel allows for a full-screen experience. Expand your view and get more done by adding a second or third monitor to your office set-up with easy HDMI and VGA connectivity. *No built-in speakers
does it have a camera
Element Electronics - Element 27" IPS LED 1080p Full HD Frameless Monitor - Black
This Element 27" FHD 1080P LED Frameless Monitor provides simple connectivity to get straight to work. Whether you're adding to your current work from home set-up or purchasing a new monitor to stay in touch with loved ones, this full HD monitor will do the trick. This Element monitor offers a 1080P, full high-definition screen for a clear, vivid picture. Whether you're watching videos, video chatting, or playing basic games you'll find this full HD monitor provides a crisp viewing experience. Element's frameless monitor screens enable your monitor to blend in with your decor for a clean aesthetic. The thin bezel allows for a full-screen experience. Expand your view and get more done by adding a second or third monitor to your office set-up with easy HDMI and VGA connectivity. *No built-in speakers
Does it come with a built in speakers?
Yes, but I could not get them to work attached to my ASUS laptop. Not the first time for a monitor with built-in speakers. These are typically pretty minimal quality, so don't think it would be like a TV setup.
4 years, 7 months ago
by
Posted by:
MnstrMike
Element Electronics - Element 27" IPS LED 1080p Full HD Frameless Monitor - Black
This Element 27" FHD 1080P LED Frameless Monitor provides simple connectivity to get straight to work. Whether you're adding to your current work from home set-up or purchasing a new monitor to stay in touch with loved ones, this full HD monitor will do the trick. This Element monitor offers a 1080P, full high-definition screen for a clear, vivid picture. Whether you're watching videos, video chatting, or playing basic games you'll find this full HD monitor provides a crisp viewing experience. Element's frameless monitor screens enable your monitor to blend in with your decor for a clean aesthetic. The thin bezel allows for a full-screen experience. Expand your view and get more done by adding a second or third monitor to your office set-up with easy HDMI and VGA connectivity. *No built-in speakers
What is the desktop resolution and refresh rate?
1080P 75hz refresh and 14ms response per the manual
4 years, 7 months ago
by
Posted by:
MnstrMike
Beats - Fit Pro True Wireless Noise Cancelling In-Ear Earbuds - Black
True wireless noise cancelling Beats Fit Pro with comfortable, secure-fit wingtips are engineered for all-day activity. The flexible wingtip design conforms to your ear to comfortably lock in place so you can experience powerful, balanced sound during your work day or your workouts. With two distinct listening modes, you are in control of what you hear. Fully adaptive Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) uses real-time audio calibration to continuously pinpoint external sounds and optimize sound output, and when you need to be aware of your surroundings, easily switch to Transparency mode. Beats Fit Pro supports Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for immersive music, movies, and games.~ These earbuds are powered by the Apple H1 chip. The result ~ instant one-touch pairing~, Automatic Switching~, Audio Sharing~, and hands-free ~Hey Siri~~ for Apple devices. For Android users, easily connect via Class 1 Bluetooth right out of the box. With the Beats app for Android~~, you~ll get enhanced features like one-touch pairing, customized controls, battery levels, firmware updates, and a Fit Test to help you get the best sound and fit out of your earbuds. Each earbud has up to 6 hours of listening time~ with 18 additional hours~ provided by its matching, pocket-sized charging case to give you up to 24 hours of combined playback.
Can you use these to answer calls? Or are they strictly headphones for music? A lot of times when I'm working on a car I can't get to my phone, these would certainly come in handy for that...
Strictly music. buds can change volume only. Cannot turn on/off noise cancellation, transperancy mode, or both off. Nor do they have a command for an assistiant...unless you have voice command on.
4 years, 7 months ago
by
Posted by:
MnstrMike
eufy - Indoor Wired 2K PTZ Security Camera with AI Detection - White
Make a smart solution to upgrade your home security to IndoorCam Mini. Never second-guess what you see in clear 2K resolution, and give yourself control with pan and tilt functions to monitor your home~s most vital areas. IndoorCam Mini features On-Device AI Human Detection, a technology that identifies humans in the frame and only sends you the notifications that matter. After returning home, you can turn on Home Privacy Mode, which turns off the camera and rotates it to your preferred privacy angle. Best of all, there~s no monthly fee after your purchase.
Can this new Indoor Cam Mini connect to the Eufy HomeBase? I would like for the IndoorDam store data on the base for easy access and control.
Unfortunately, no. I have the Homebase2 and it does not integrate with that storage; the SoloCam series are the same way. It can utilize cloud storage in a subscription, MicroSD card, or if you have a local Network Attached Storage device it can save clips there. Those last two options also allows the device to be able to do continuous recording.
4 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
MnstrMike
eufy - Indoor Wired 2K PTZ Security Camera with AI Detection - White
Make a smart solution to upgrade your home security to IndoorCam Mini. Never second-guess what you see in clear 2K resolution, and give yourself control with pan and tilt functions to monitor your home~s most vital areas. IndoorCam Mini features On-Device AI Human Detection, a technology that identifies humans in the frame and only sends you the notifications that matter. After returning home, you can turn on Home Privacy Mode, which turns off the camera and rotates it to your preferred privacy angle. Best of all, there~s no monthly fee after your purchase.
Can this indoor camera be set up in a window to record outdoor activity? I can’t use a doorbell camera due to a porch pillar blocking the view of the mailbox. I am looking for something to capture both the mailbox and the porch steps.
No, the glare off the window would cause issues with it properly recording movement. At night you would also have to disable night vision as the IR sensors would bounce back and distort the image. The placement guide suggests not having anything within 8 inches on both sides and 10 inches above.
4 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
MnstrMike
Blink - Smart Wifi Video Doorbell Wired/Battery Operated with Sync Module 2 - Black
Smart security that is designed for every home. Set up in minutes, and receive notifications from the app whenever a visitor presses your Video Doorbell or motion is detected. You can also choose to wire it to sound your existing home chime. Blink Video Doorbell lets you answer your door no matter where you are. Receive customizable alerts right from the Blink Home Monitor app, and experience helpful features like HD day and night video and two-way audio. Best part ~ Blink~s long-battery life technology provides peace of mind for up to two years.
Is it true if you buy the module you won't have to pay for monthly to get my videos? Please tell me all the benefits for buying the Module
https://support.blinkforhome.com/en_US/sync-module-2/sync-module-2-faqs
4 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
MnstrMike
Blink - Smart Wifi Video Doorbell Wired/Battery Operated with Sync Module 2 - Black
Smart security that is designed for every home. Set up in minutes, and receive notifications from the app whenever a visitor presses your Video Doorbell or motion is detected. You can also choose to wire it to sound your existing home chime. Blink Video Doorbell lets you answer your door no matter where you are. Receive customizable alerts right from the Blink Home Monitor app, and experience helpful features like HD day and night video and two-way audio. Best part ~ Blink~s long-battery life technology provides peace of mind for up to two years.
Do you need sync module to have video
https://support.blinkforhome.com/en_US/sync-module-2/sync-module-2-faqs
4 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
MnstrMike