MnstrMike
Top 250 Contributor
 
 
MnstrMike's Stats
 
  • Review Count
    124
  • Helpfulness Votes
    847
  • First Review
    August 5, 2011
  • Last Review
    June 22, 2024
  • Featured Reviews
    0
  • Average Rating
    4
 
Reviews Comments
  • Review Comment Count
    5
  • Helpfulness Votes
    5
  • First Review Comment
    November 5, 2012
  • Last Review Comment
    June 18, 2017
  • Featured Review Comments
    0
 
Questions
  • Question Count
    0
  • Helpfulness Votes
    0
  • First Question
    None
  • Last Question
    None
  • Featured Questions
    0
 
  • Answer Count
    42
  • Helpfulness Votes
    49
  • First Answer
    November 22, 2010
  • Last Answer
    December 8, 2021
  • Featured Answers
    0
  • Best Answers
    6
 
 
MnstrMike's Reviews
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Don’t let the battery of your device die as you work throughout the day. The Insignia NS-PW365C2W22 100W Dual Port USB-C Compact Wall Charger for Business USB-C Laptops & One Device has a high, 100-watt output to quickly charge your business laptop, smartphone, tablet, and more. It has two USB-C ports so you can connect your cable (not included) and charge two devices simultaneously. Its compact and durable body with a foldable plug easily fits into a purse or pocket, ready for when you need it. A simple white design pairs well with your other accessories. Keep your laptop and phone both working as hard as you do with this dual port, easy-to-carry charger.
 
It Appears To Run On Electricity!
Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: MnstrMike
on September 16, 2022
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User submitted photo
Really convenient charger for laptop and mobile devices. I’ve included the specific charging configurations in the photo section.
Overall, it does appear to charge at the advertised speeds, just make sure you have a cable that can handle the 65W supply which the only phones I can recall right now that has that currently are the OnePlus phones; pretty sure the Galaxy S22 Ultra is 45w, but not sure about the S22 and S22+. Also, that 45w capability does not come with charger in the box and neither is the cable included capable.
I am using Anker’s 100W 6ft charging cable and am getting the charging times I am used for both single charge use for laptop and dual charge use for dual when charging my Note 20 and Tab S7…however in dual use they do not charge at the Super Fast (25W) but the Fast Charging (18W I think).
The device uses Programmable Power Supply (PPS) to regulate the charging speeds, which is a part of the USB 3.0 Power Delivery protocol.
I don’t always charge my devices…but when I do, I only use Insignia.
And with the Insignia NS-PW36C2W22 I’ve never felt more free while tethered to the wall!
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
 
Ultra portable Bluetooth speaker with a surprisingly bigger 360-degree stereo sound that’s crisp, bassy, and ready to go with 14 hours of boom — anywhere you go. WONDERBOOM 3 is your ultimate companion whether you're at the tailgate, a pool party, at home, or even in the shower.
 
Here Comes The Boom!
Customer Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Posted by: MnstrMike
on September 14, 2022
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This is my third edition to our setup, which definitely helps from having to share.
The sound output is great and indoors can definitely fill a room and outside by the pool is super convenient and no worries about it getting wet…it really does float!
Only 2 Booms can be linked, but it is still a pretty cool feature.
Battery life: I cannot comment on hitting 14 hours, I definitely don’t use it that long at one use, but I can definitely use it for hours at a time on different occasions and it lasts each time I need it too. After the third use is typically when I will charge. Charging time is quite slow, there is no fast charge capability, so give yourself at least 2 hours to reach top charge if you're planning on being out and using it extensively for the day. Also, the included charger cable is the best one to use. I’ve tried in the past using my included phone cable and the port cut out dimensions are pretty tight; the included cable fits, unfortunately it is a little short, so charger on a countertop with a close outlet. The cable does fit the cut-out perfectly, I don’t know if it offers any IP rating still, but considering how deep the charge port is, the design of the cable will definitely make it difficult for any dust or liquid to get to the charging port using the supplied cable.
Charging Cable: UE is still using a Micro-USB port and not a USB-C. For me having multiple Boom’s, this is definitely helpful, but if you're just buying one, you’ll definitely need to keep that cable handy.
I can easily recommend this speaker. Pairing with my Galaxy Note 20 was super easy and these speakers have always been super quick to connect.
I can easily recommend this speaker. I docked 1 Star because by now, UE should have some sort of faster charging capability, but seeing as they are sticking with Micro-USB therein lies the charging limitations.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
 
 Nixplay - W08K Touch 8-inch LCD Smart Digital Photo Frame - Black
Nixplay - W08K Touch 8-inch LCD Smart Digital Photo Frame - Black
Show off your family photos with this Nixplay 8 inch Touch Screen smart picture frame. Wi-Fi connectivity and the included app let you synchronize and display pictures from social media, and the included remote lets you switch photos easily.
 
Works Great, Bit of Learning Curve
Customer Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Posted by: MnstrMike
on July 21, 2022
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User submitted photo
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
My goal for a smartscreen was to allow for easy access to upload photos from different people. The NixPlay UI has three different sharing methods and if the goal is for photos to automatically go to a Frame and a Playlist, then you want to share the Playlist that you intend to use, not share the Frame or just add Friends. It would be nice it if just had a primary share feature with custom privileges, it would definitely keep the redundancy of having to send multiple requests to just one and streamline the whole process.
I can immediately recommend this for anyone that would be thinking for a grandparent or parent that may not be technologically inclined. While it is not hard to get up and running, there is a bit of a learning curve to the UI and its full abilities. The ability though to remotely uploaded to the Frame is pretty cool and have other people contribute. The settings has options to play on Photos in a list, the newest 100, 1000, 2000…and so on. I was thinking 30-50 range would suffice if this is cycling all day.
It has the ability to have Date/Time on the screen, set a sleep schedule, and also a screen time out feature if there is no activity in the room. The last one I don’t really see the need for as my goal would be on all the time, except for when everyone is sleeping.
The included documentation is very light on what the Frame can do and how to navigate around it, so that is where the learning curve comes in. There is a Micro-USB port that is on the device but there is no mention of what it is for; the AC Adapter has its own port. Possibly just another charging port, but I didn’t attempt to do anything with it. There is no documentation on the storage size for the device itself as i don’t think it has an user accessible storage. Under the Account Info screen it show Storage Usage, Frames count, and Shared Playlist count; 10GB, 5 Total, and 5 Total respectively.
There is an option to link to Google Photos, but to be honest, I wasn’t too keen on setting this feature up as it does get quite a bit of access to your Google account. The allure to have this link is that it is easier to share a Google Photos folder and have people upload to it than asking people to setup a NixPlay account and send photos via it (NixPlay does have a browser option too, so downloading the App is not necessary). Also if the photos are just played via the Google folder then they may not be necessary to be uploaded to the NixPlay server?
If it doesn’t need this then effectively you could potentially never need more NixPlay storage. The included 10GB with the free account is not bad though. Videos would definitely eat up more of that storage, but resolution is only 1280x720 (720x1280) depending on orientation of the Frame and that’s not going to eat up a lot of space at 15s a clip.
There are other perks to upgrading to a paid subscription, but you can decide if it is best for your needs.
The touchscreen aspect is nice to control the device and access all the same settings available from the app, so once it is setup and attached to an account (which it can only be attached to one account at a time), WiFi settings and screen control settings, etc can be accessed directly through the frame.
Video feature…this is actually cooler than I thought it would be and at max audio, it is loud enough, but not too loud. The Free Account Subscription allows 15s of video playback which I think is pretty good. I uploaded a full 1 minute video and it clipped it to the 15s. Depending on your internet upload speeds videos can take awhile, so probably best to trim them before uploading and you get the 15s of time you want. The NixPlayer App has a built-in editor so this can be done then; it also allows you to play the clip while trimming to get the markers placed where you want them. The speed at which this editing takes place is definitely going to depend on your mobile device capabilities.
The included stand is magnetic and I found it to be adequately strong to hold up the Frame, which is very lightweight. If putting in the portrait mode, I would recommend on a table or space no higher than 3ft. The best picture quality is when looking at just below eye level or lower. So when sitting on a couch, etc to view if it is then higher than eye level then the images will be washed out. However, plug location is going to be a determining factor for placement so most likely it will remain in the optimal height off the floor; end table and coffee tables would be great, bookshelves possibly, but an equivalent to a mantle height would not be good when sitting down.
The 8inch version I think is adequate, but the 10inch version I think would have been a better choice, of course, if you need a smaller footprint, then the 8 inch is great.
I cannot think of anything bad to say about the Frame. So far everything is working smoothly and as I would expect.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
 
 Philips Sonicare - Power Flosser 3000 Cordless - Black
Philips Sonicare - Power Flosser 3000 Cordless - Black
Discover the power of X! The new Philips Sonicare Power Flosser creates an X-shaped stream of water that reaches deep between teeth for a gentle, thorough clean. This X-shaped water stream, known as Quad-Stream technology, covers more surface area for a faster, deeper clean versus manual floss. Because of Quad-Steam technology, Philips Sonicare Power Flosser enables you to improve your gum health by 50% in just 1 minute per day!
 
Great Flosser, Even Better For Travel
Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: MnstrMike
on June 30, 2022
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Really liking this water flosser. It is definitely better than the one I was previously using, not in performance ( think they are on par) but in size and style.
For starters being it is an all-in-one design it is not too big or heavy and is easy to hold an maneuver. It holds the perfect amount of water.
There is plenty of power being battery operated and is definitely better for travel.
I really like that the water basin is attached to the device, referencing my previous flosser, that had the basin separate, it did not have a lid, so it always needed to be removed from the base and turned up side down so it would not get dust and such in it when not in use. I was always worried that at some point the continual removal of the basin would wear out the connection point and begin to leak.
I also like how it pauses in between sections to notify you when to move to the next section. If you are familiar with Philips Electric toothbrushes, it is the same type of indicator to move to the next section.
No matter what type of water flosser you have it is a messy business spraying water, and I don't think the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser is any less or any more of mess during use. However, since it is not connected to a basin via a water tube, the water that escapes my mouth just falls down and does not run down the tube. So in that scenario, the Sonicare is less of a mess.
The only issues I have with it so far is it hard to get the basin to dry out after each use and when attaching the basin your concentration is not spiling the water, so it is easy to accidentally hit the power buttons as they are flush with the grip. With extended use I know the accidental button presses will diminish, but when first using its easy to accidentally spray yourself.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+4points
4out of 4found this review helpful.
 
JVC HAA30T true wireless headphones offer active noise canceling with a secure, lightweight, and comfortable fit. Up to 21 hours of total use with included rechargeable carrying case. Low latency for movies or gaming. Auto pairing and auto on/off. Independent single side use available with mic mute available. Touch controls for music or phone calls. Bass boost mode for enhanced sound (on/off). Sweat and splash-proof IPX4 rated. Integrated microphone with voice assistant compatibility. Bluetooth version 5.2 and USB-C charging.
 
Near Perfection For Me
Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: MnstrMike
on June 24, 2022
These are some really good earbuds. I was a little skeptical at first, but they have great audio quality for both music and calls. When I had the Ambient Sound turned on while on a phone call, the other end of the call said it sound fine, but like I was on speaker phone. Turning off the Ambient Sound feature made that go away.
The Mute Mic feature is great, I’m not used to having that and so it takes a second because it is easier to activate it than trying to change the volume.
The haptic touch feedback is quite good, a little over sensitive maybe, but I would take that versus under sensitive.
I can easily recommend these for the cost to value alone.
Battery life is rated at 22 hours with the case battery recharging, that would take me 2 weeks to need a recharge. I typically only use at 30-45 minute intervals. The charger case is small and can easily fit in a pocket and small enough to get lost in a backpack or bag. The magnets are super strong to hold the buds in, which for my stubby fingers make getting them out of the case a little difficult…again, I would prefer this over to weak of a magnet.
I did 30 minutes of yard work with these in and never worried about them falling out even with the mix of sweat. I used the default installed tips which are the medium size and while they did feel a little stiff and maybe too large, they ended working just fine. I haven’t tried the smaller ones yet.
I am still getting used the button taps, but that is mostly because I am slower than a trained monkey and my muscle memory is for a different set of buds.
Hope this review helps!
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
 
The powerful and compact Zenbook 14" OLED is just 0.67” slim and 3.06lbs light, with a breathtaking new design that’s timelessly elegant yet totally modern. Perfect visual experience from the 14” 16:10 2.8K OLED HDR NanoEdge, up to 600-nit screen which is PANTONE Validated with 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. The Intel EVO platform with 12th Gen Intel Core i5 Processor, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 8 GB RAM and 256GB PCIe 4.0 SSD deliver superb performance, and there’s a long-lasting 75 Wh battery and latest Wifi-6 built-in. For extraordinary audio experience, there’s a Dolby Atmos sound system powered by a smart amplifier with Harman/Kardon certified. The new ASUS ErgoSense keyboard, and the efficient ASUS NumberPad 2.0. ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is the new benchmark for portable perfection.
 
Dreamy Screen
Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: MnstrMike
from Knoxville, TN
on May 11, 2022
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If your buying this laptop its for the OLED in the name, at the price its a steal with the i5 EVO 12th Gen chipset. I will definitely be upgrading the storage, 256GB won’t last very long, and will throw another stick of RAM in as well, the 8GB On Board is soldered. I could use Crucials system scanner to determine what the max RAM limit is; not sure if this is a Windows 11 Edge vs Chrome issue or the ASUS is too new. I don’t want to talk too long about Win 11, getting used to it; this is the first laptop that came with Win 11 I have actually used, typically I upgrade the NVME out of the box and install Win 10 instead. We shall see which Win will win.
The screen is wonderful! The 2.8K resolution (2880 x1800) is set natively, but at a 200% scale, which makes the 14” feel really cramped. The 16:10 format gives it a more 4:3 feel and definitely a bit better for productivity and still gives the full screen experience without distortion or black bars on 16:9 content (of course a lot of movies are in 21:9). I’m running the scale at 150%, which is at the limit for me when running full resolution; 100% was extremely tiny. Of course, you can the change resolution and play with the scale to suit your needs.
Changing the resolution being OLED could help with battery life, as it does on a smartphone/tablet, I wanted to have my first week of use at its native to see how the processor handles it and doing my normal daily routines.
The 90Hz is definitely smooth and not a flicker or glitch when reading or scrolling.
The screen is definitely the premium here and it delivers as an OLED should, its great to just stare at or watch movies on (make sure to turn HDR on in the Windows settings).
The Harmon/Kardon speakers are quite rich, definitely no bass, but the treble and mid are really good and definitely sufficient for most tasks, they are quite loud too, so full volume won’t be necessary for private view use.
This is my third ASUS laptop as I’ve been upgrading my household, and I love the MY ASUS apps ability to change settings. I have found that not all laptops have as many setting changes available but the Zenbook 14 OLED has had the most. It is nice to know there are OLED specific features that can help protect from burn in. There is a pixel shift (on by default) and I have not noticed it at all with letters/words, etc. I’m running a clean desktop and auto taskbar hide to remove the potential for burn-in. As well as an ASUS feature that allows the window being used to remain at the set screen brightness and dims others not on top.
Its this latest bit, that I didn’t really think about when getting this laptop. Coming at this from a mobile standpoint, we use OLED smartphones and tablets for years and we don’t talk about burn in with those devices, so I wasn’t expecting a caution of use with the documentation when it comes to use, treating it more like a TV. I don’t know if this out of an extreme abundance of caution or not. I definitely wouldn’t leave the screen on all the time, but I don’t do that for any of my computer screens.
Lastly, the build quality of the computer is pretty good, the keyboard keys are great and weight and all are wonderful. The trackpad features are something I haven’t experienced before, and the calculator feature is quite nice. I would lke to setup a macro to shortcut the Calc App to make it a more seamless process.
So far the only negative I have found is the lower chassis is a little creaky. Sitting on your lap or even a table it creaks a little under pressure or when holding in one hand with the screen open. It’s not loud, but noticeable.
I can definitely recommend this laptop.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
 
At GE Appliances, we bring good things to life by designing and building the world's best appliances. Our goal is to help people improve their lives at home by providing quality appliances that were made for real life. Whether it's enjoying the tradition of making meals from scratch or tackling a mountain of muddy jeans and soccer jerseys, products from GE Appliances are crafted to support any and every task in the home. Now that quality you've come to love is available right on your countertop, thanks to GE Appliances stand mixers. The GE Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is a timeless kitchen essential, perfect for everyday baking needs. With an Easy Lift tilt-head, 5.3 qt. capacity, and a powerful 350-watt motor, this mixer can tackle your toughest tasks, big and small.
 
A New Champ In The Ring!
Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: MnstrMike
from Knoxville, TN
on April 21, 2022
Quality
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Value
5.0 out of 5
5.0
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It will be hard not to compare this to the reigning champion stand mixer “Classic”, but the GE Stand Mixer is definitely giving it a run for its money.
PROS:
-The size is perfect. Lots of room with the 5.3qt included bowl. No sloshing of ingredients out the side.
-Did not the use the included lid, but with more wet recipes it will definitely come in handy.
-Sound operation is normal and par with the “Classic”.
-Love the speed dial and improvement with more adjustable speeds.
-Build Quality is great and cleans up easily. Granite Gray is more of a brown gray and or a stainless steel with a patina.
-User Manual has very useful Pro Tips.
-A huge PLUS is the tilting head as the lever locks the head in both the down and up positions. When in down, the lever is spring loaded, so it can easily be done one-handed…a HUGE feature upgrade.
CONS:
-The only thing I wish for is a latch design for the bowl lock. It is the same as all other mixers as a twist lock, but it can still untwist when in use.
Highly recommend this mixer. The accessories for the mixing are the same as all others. At the time of writing I don’t see any accessories for the accessory port like the “Classic” has, and I am wondering if those may actually work with this mixer?
I would recommend this to a friend!
+5points
5out of 5found this review helpful.
 
The Litra Glow premium streaming light is one of the fastest way to achieve professional-quality lighting for videos and streaming. Logitech’s TrueSoft technology delivers balanced, full-spectrum LED light with cinematic color accuracy for natural skin tones and a radiant look on camera. Eliminate harsh shadows with wide, soft light that flatters the subject using Litra Glow’s innovative frameless diffuser. Litra Glow has cleared even the strictest UL testing guidelines for all-day streaming. Easily place Litra Glow where you want it using the patent-pending three-way monitor mount with adjustable height, tilt and rotation. Fine-tune your on-camera look using adjustable brightness and color temperature settings—from warm candlelight to cool blue.
 
Let There Be Light!
Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: MnstrMike
from Knoxville, TN
on January 31, 2022
Seriously up your game when creating video content on the fly or an auxiliary light to help rid your shot of shadows!
This light is super versatile and convenient. When using on a computer the Logi G HUB software lets you control the light modes via the app and has a few preset lighting configurations. The built-in stand is quickly detachable and the light can be mounted on a tripod.
The light is super bright at max setting and can definitely help combat competing lighting. The electric draw is only 5V/1A @4.45watts, your phone USB port can power it (Android tested), a portable battery pack, even that Apple charger from the iPhone 4 days.
It is definitely a great tool to have in your arsenal.
The build quality is sturdy and there is a bit of cord management. It would have been great if the power cord could fit in the handle, but there is just enough room for maybe a third of the cable to fit. Judging by the quick setup guide, it is really just meant to shorten the slack when in use, not to fully store the cable.
Because this light can be controlled by software via computer, having multiple of these could easily help any setup in light control. There are also presets that will allow the light to be programmed when starting a specific app so that the light automatically goes to the preset for that intended use; this is the same for all of their gaming and content creation hardware.
Given the price, quality, and capabilities the Litra Glow is a super useful light.
Can easily recommend.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
 
 Lucid Hearing - Saf -T-Ear Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds for Hearing Protection, 40db Noise Reduction Earplugs with Volume Control - YELLOW
Lucid Hearing - Saf -T-Ear Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds for Hearing Protection, 40db Noise Reduction Earplugs with Volume Control - YELLOW
The Saf-T-Ear Bluetooth Awareness Earbuds are the perfect companion to anyone who works around loud equipment or needs to protect their hearing while also being able to listen to music and take phone calls. With up to 25db of noise reduction, you can enjoy your music while your work without compromising your hearing. Protect your hearing in any environment, while still listening to your favorite music and taking calls. Quickly, easily, and safely control how loud your music is through using the controls integrated into the convenient 20" neck wrap cord. Works on Android, iPhones, iPods smart speakers...any device that uses Bluetooth connectivity. Tons of uses around the home, at work or at play. Shield your ears from howling lawnmower motors and screeching power tools. Increase your enjoyment at concerts! You can enjoy the loudest rave or rock act around in safety and in complete control. At work, shield your ears from construction and heavy machinery noise.
 
Usage May Vary
Customer Rating
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Posted by: MnstrMike
from Knoxville, TN
on January 27, 2022
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Love the idea of the buds, but for me the execution is a little off.
Sound
Quality is good and the sound filtering is good, but there is some feedback with the sound filtering turned on. Changing the level just can decrease the feedback (lower = less noticeable) but it doesn't ever go away and decreasing the filter level lets in more sound
Dampening
I'm a little confused as to how much dampening the buds are able to do. The packaging says 40 decibel on the front and 25 decibel on the back. Same with BB webpage and manufacturer webpage overview.
Fit
Unfortunately for my ear canals, the foam tips are still too big even with the smallest ones included. The tips are not as “spongy” as a pair of traditional ear plugs, so they cannot compress as much. When compressed they expand quite rapidly, which means they cannot really conform to your ear canal and consequently for me, they begin to push themselves out of my ear.
I think the best change would be if they were more pliable like a traditional set of foam ear plugs.
Notes
The length of the setup us just a tad short to be able to put behind the neck, which would also put the controls out of reach.
Looped under the neck, it does kind of hang there, but there is a clip included to help keep them closer to the chest. However I couldn't get a good position to keep the controls nearby and also keep from pulling the buds out of my ear when turning my head. Again it didn't help that they don't fit me completely either.
Pro Tip- the Bluetooth button turns the buds on and off, HOWEVER, the Ambient pass through is controlled with a physical switch. This also has to be turned off or it will drain the battery. If Bluetooth is off the Ambient pass through is also off, but the switch doesn't recognize that it will drain the battery.
Out of the box the battery percentage was at 70. Used for 2 hours with mixed usage of calls, music, and Ambient On/Off and it still said 70% after 2 hours. Next day went to use and would not turn on. Noticed the switch was on, charged up via PC USB port and 2 hours later were fully charged.
Controls are easy to learn but the instructions didn't mention the Ambient switch still drawing power if left on when buds are powered off. Not a big deal...IF you don't forget.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
 
 Element Electronics - Element 27&quot; IPS LED 1080p Full HD Frameless Monitor - Black
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
 
Decent No Frills Monitor
Customer Rating
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Posted by: MnstrMike
from Knoxville, TN
on December 8, 2021
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I was just thinking…I need another monitor!
I wasn’t looking for anything special, just a basic, simple, decent display. I just want it to keep windows open for messaging apps, music, background video, etc. I have it set a little high to be anything you want to stare at for any length of time.
The base color settings needed to be adjusted for my preferences…a bit warm. It is all a bit darker. Its like it is in a Movie mode all the time with the contrast.
If you are looking for a no frills large monitor (or just need the VGA input still) the Element could meet your needs.
This isn’t going to win any rewards unless it is for value.
As you can see I did not use the included stand and I will say while it is adjustable, it is going to be micro adjustments…just enough to get a glare from an above light or at least limit it. The construction looks good, sort of wish it wasn’t a two piece to strength it a bit more. It does come with a rubber grommet to hide the screw that pulls the stand together. It also levels out the stand.
The monitor is light and so is the stand, so minor taps on the desktop will cause the monitor to wobble.
They designed the stand mounting point low on the monitor (VESA mounting points too) so that is good to give you the most space possible, but if you are needing some height to clear gear, etc on your desk, then you will want an third-party mount. VESA size is 100x100 and the screws are M4x10mm. I only had 15mm and they did not bottom out.
The power cord is comically short, barely 3ft, so better pickup and extension cord too or have a powerstip on your desk.
I did not use the included HDMI cable as I already one ready. If using this for a desktop and not a laptop, I don’t see any issues, but if using it with a laptop, the HDMI cable has the large barrel connector and as well as large housing around the male ends, so it could block other ports and/or become a nuisance during use.
Included is also a cable management clip and a bracket to hide the stock stand attachment (not sure why as the wall mount will hide that anyway).
Lastly, sound. This monitor does have speakers built-in and my laptop recognized them for the monitor, but I could not get any volume to emit from the speakers. The manual tells you how to access the volume control, however, following the steps, Brightness was all I could change. I did not see in the system menu for the monitor if this could be changed, so not sure if the monitor was not recognizing the input? Note VGA does not carry sound, only HDMI.
If you are looking for built-in speakers, then just know it may not work. However, a standalone set are always better. Honestly, I don’t even dock a star for this, it is not all that common to have them. I had an AOC with them too and the only time I could get them to work was when I hooked up a NES Classic, go figure.
PS sorry about the messy desk…I’m trying.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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MnstrMike's Questions
 
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MnstrMike's Answers
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are there any digital cameras that record? If so, which ones?

almost any of them these days. Depends on what kind of video you want to shoot and how much you want to spend. Most shoot standard def, but higher end will shoot in HD. One thing to note is most cameras cannot zoom in while shooting video (zoom is only digital and degrades the quality). However, the super zoom cameras are incorporating the optical zoom while shooting video.

I recommend the Canon line of cameras. The A3100 is good, i just bought it. And also the SX line.
13 years, 7 months ago
by
Posted by: 
MnstrMike
 from
Knoxville, TN
 

Camcorder with webcam functionality

I need a reasonably priced camcorder that can also serve as a webcam. Which models have this feature?
It all depends on what you will use it for most. Any line-up of camcorders will do just fine for a webcam and on sale you can get a webcam for around $30.

For home videos, it all just depends what you are going to be doing, if you need a super zoom lens 30x or higher? Standard Def or HD? If you are only going to be putting them on a PC or do you want to watch directly on TV? There are still the tape versions available that you use the camcorder as a VCR. Or you can buy one that burns directly to mini-DVD's, holding 60 minutes of video. The last option records to SD cards and can hold anywhere from 2 hours to 16 hours, just depending on the size of card or built-in memory. Most of these camcorders only can record for about an hour to an hour and a half because of battery charge.

I know it's a lot of questions and doesn't really answer yours. Going off of "Reasonably priced and webcam" for specifications means anything less than $150 will work for your purposes.
 
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Flip Video - UltraHD (3rd Generation) Camcorder - 2 Hour - Black/Silver
 
 
 
 
 
13 years, 7 months ago
by
Posted by: 
MnstrMike
 from
Knoxville, TN