MnstrMike
Top 250 Contributor
MnstrMike's Stats
- Review Count149
- Helpfulness Votes871
- First ReviewAugust 5, 2011
- Last ReviewAugust 24, 2025
- 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
Questions
- Question Count0
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First QuestionNone
- Last QuestionNone
- Featured Questions0
- Answer Count41
- Helpfulness Votes48
- First AnswerNovember 22, 2010
- Last AnswerDecember 8, 2021
- Featured Answers0
- Best Answers5
Change your entertainment game! The U7 series smart display from Hisense is packed with lots of exciting features that dramatically improve your watching and playing experience. Think: Mini-LED Pro, QLED Quantum Dot color technology and 144Hz Game Mode Pro. Plus, we even equipped the U7 with a NEXTGEN TV ATSC 3.0 tuner and Wi-Fi 6E router compatibility, making it virtually future-proof.
Awesome Features and Great Value
Customer Rating
4.0
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
TL;DR
Excellent Picture Quality
Great feature set for value
Sound Quality Good for built-in speakers but keep your soundbar if already using one
Android TV OS on version 12, when 13 is available
19GB of Storage for Apps and Content
Excellent packing saved the screen from delivery company
Always appreciated MIC OFF/ON physical switch
Excellent Picture Quality
Great feature set for value
Sound Quality Good for built-in speakers but keep your soundbar if already using one
Android TV OS on version 12, when 13 is available
19GB of Storage for Apps and Content
Excellent packing saved the screen from delivery company
Always appreciated MIC OFF/ON physical switch
Unboxing was fairly simply by just removing the plastic straps the “cover” slides straight up. Like most unboxing of TV’s it leaves the other components at the top of the box, so if you don’t have long arms (for a 65” sized box) just open the top of the box, its much easier.
I have to give props to the R&D team on packaging care. I’m sure these TV’s get tossed around pretty good. This TV was delivered by a company called Seko and it had some nice gouges and holes in the box. However, the inside packing material saved the screen from certain death.
This is my 3rd Hisense TV I have personally owned, recommended a few budget versions before, but this is the second of the top end models. The 65U7N is replacing the once premiere 65H9G. Hisense definitely has some more premium models above the U7N series. From a cost perspective the U7N is a lateral move in pricing, but thankfully the feature set has increased and so the U7N is definitely a better TV.
OLED is definitely the best for inky blacks, but I have been pleased with the HDR quality of U7N. I am also glad to see Hisense didn’t skimp on the storage. I don’t know exactly how much was available before initial setup as those options were not available yet. Under Settings > System > Storage it shows 19GB total and 16 GB available with 2.7GB being from Apps. Way better than the 4GB total of my H9G.
Software
The TV is running Android TV OS 12 with Security Patch from Dec 5, 2023.The Kernel version is Feb 3, 2024. Android TV OS 12 was released on Nov 30, 2021; Version 13 was on Dec 2, 2022. Not sure of the decision for Hisense to not have the latest OS, but it at least has the most current updates from Google for the platform. There were no updates out-of-the-box that I was alerted to and a manual check showed everything to be the most recent as stated by Google’s Support pages; once I was able to get to that screen.
The TV is running Android TV OS 12 with Security Patch from Dec 5, 2023.The Kernel version is Feb 3, 2024. Android TV OS 12 was released on Nov 30, 2021; Version 13 was on Dec 2, 2022. Not sure of the decision for Hisense to not have the latest OS, but it at least has the most current updates from Google for the platform. There were no updates out-of-the-box that I was alerted to and a manual check showed everything to be the most recent as stated by Google’s Support pages; once I was able to get to that screen.
Unboxing to power-on took about 7 minutes. Setup took about 10 minutes, then comes signing in to your apps. So all in about 20-25 minutes before you're watching any content.
Smart Features
I don’t want to talk to much about Android TV (previously Google TV) as I feel this comes down to preference. My preference is that of ROKU platform as it is simple, clean, and unobtrusive. However, I only prefer Roku as a standalone device/platform. I wish TV’s were not “Smart” as those platform wars are better left to standalone devices, however, I do like how Android TV gives the option to setup as Basic TV (if it were Roku that option is not available) at unboxing which will skip the account sign-in, Wi-Fi login, etc and make it a dumb TV. I was not impressed with the Google TV platform on the 65H9G or with the Chromecast w/ Google TV (horrible name) device as it was just too slow and performance lagged and definitely didn’t age well.
I don’t want to talk to much about Android TV (previously Google TV) as I feel this comes down to preference. My preference is that of ROKU platform as it is simple, clean, and unobtrusive. However, I only prefer Roku as a standalone device/platform. I wish TV’s were not “Smart” as those platform wars are better left to standalone devices, however, I do like how Android TV gives the option to setup as Basic TV (if it were Roku that option is not available) at unboxing which will skip the account sign-in, Wi-Fi login, etc and make it a dumb TV. I was not impressed with the Google TV platform on the 65H9G or with the Chromecast w/ Google TV (horrible name) device as it was just too slow and performance lagged and definitely didn’t age well.
On initial use I found the U7N to be equally slow and lag in performance, but with use it seems to have sped up when jumping through the on screen menus, especially on the App/Home Screen. I did choose to setup as an as Google TV (not sure why its not called an Android TV since the OS is), as I wanted to see if the features are any better/different. I have been using the Roku 4K Ultra for a few years now and have Roku’s on all of my other TV’s, but for now I think I will keep using the Android TV platform to continue testing.
Sound Quality
This was definitely better than expected with the 20W speakers and built-in 20W woofer. It’s by no means audio bliss, but if you are primarily a sports and news watcher they are more than adequate. The mids are definitely missing and audio can sound a “tinny” depending on the content, but a quick switch of the settings and it can sound pretty good. There is an auto-content feature that will match the sound setting to the content, but I did not find it very accurate. My normal audio setup is via HDMI-Arc a Vizio 5.1.2 setup so I didn’t last but a day and half using the built-in speakers.
This was definitely better than expected with the 20W speakers and built-in 20W woofer. It’s by no means audio bliss, but if you are primarily a sports and news watcher they are more than adequate. The mids are definitely missing and audio can sound a “tinny” depending on the content, but a quick switch of the settings and it can sound pretty good. There is an auto-content feature that will match the sound setting to the content, but I did not find it very accurate. My normal audio setup is via HDMI-Arc a Vizio 5.1.2 setup so I didn’t last but a day and half using the built-in speakers.
The marketing, however, is a little ambitious “get a 2.1 Surround Sound experience without any additional equipment”, key word being “experience”, of which it won’t be a good one. At 40 watt total output, don’t expect this to be better than a traditional 2.1 soundbar and subwoofer setup.
Picture Quality
This is not a massive upgrade from the 65H9G in most areas so I wasn’t expecting too much improvement over an only 4 year old TV. I think where the U7N is better is mostly because Hisense got better overall. I always turn-off all the features for picture quality or at least to low. I left these on at first this time. For 4K HDR streaming content it doesn’t really suit my viewing preferences. But in 1080p SDR content like with Tron: Legacy it can definitely upscale the content to make it look really good. The film loses the original grittiness that makes it feel like a movie and not real life, but black picture quality definitely increases.
This is not a massive upgrade from the 65H9G in most areas so I wasn’t expecting too much improvement over an only 4 year old TV. I think where the U7N is better is mostly because Hisense got better overall. I always turn-off all the features for picture quality or at least to low. I left these on at first this time. For 4K HDR streaming content it doesn’t really suit my viewing preferences. But in 1080p SDR content like with Tron: Legacy it can definitely upscale the content to make it look really good. The film loses the original grittiness that makes it feel like a movie and not real life, but black picture quality definitely increases.
Of course any type of cartoon or content with minimal dark scenes looks fantastic. Definitely going to take some time to dial it in to my liking.
I have not tested any 4K content via Blu-Ray yet to see how it really handles this content, but based on the streaming capabilities, I know it will look even better.
Reflections are going to be highly dependent on your positioning in relation to windows, but it does handle them well. The screen is not a high-gloss, but it is not a full matte either.
One feature I have on a different TV brand that is made possible by the Full-Array Local Dimming and many zones, is when viewing 21:9 (letterboxed) content the black bar areas of the screen are turned off. This is great as it limits light bleed and really makes the content pop. This is pretty much only in movies that use that aspect ratio. I don’t know if Hisense is doing something similar, but I could definitely tell that these areas are much darker than on the H9G the U7N is replacing so it helps the content to pop even more.
Gaming
I am seriously interested in getting to test this out with the native 144hz panel, but it's finals week in my household and trying to help with the distractions so studying is achieved. The weekend is coming soon!
I am seriously interested in getting to test this out with the native 144hz panel, but it's finals week in my household and trying to help with the distractions so studying is achieved. The weekend is coming soon!
Ports
Port location is a design upgrade I am happy about as all of the ports you are most likely to use are now located on one side, instead of split between side and back. There are two 4K60 ports and two 4K144 ports. HDMI-ARC is Port 1 4K60. There is an A/V (composite) all-in-one so if you have an older device like a VCR or Wii for nostalgia you will need to pickup an adapter; I am happy they included this legacy port as we do still like to watch our old home videos from VCR (one day I’ll get around to digitizing them!). A USB 1amp, headphone port, and Coax/Serial connector finish the side and on the back is a LAN, Digital Audio Out, and a USB 0.5amp. Power Input is located on the opposite side (right).
Port location is a design upgrade I am happy about as all of the ports you are most likely to use are now located on one side, instead of split between side and back. There are two 4K60 ports and two 4K144 ports. HDMI-ARC is Port 1 4K60. There is an A/V (composite) all-in-one so if you have an older device like a VCR or Wii for nostalgia you will need to pickup an adapter; I am happy they included this legacy port as we do still like to watch our old home videos from VCR (one day I’ll get around to digitizing them!). A USB 1amp, headphone port, and Coax/Serial connector finish the side and on the back is a LAN, Digital Audio Out, and a USB 0.5amp. Power Input is located on the opposite side (right).
Voice Features
While I do like Smart home features like plugs and switches, I don’t like Smart Indoor Camera/Audio devices, so this feature is not turned on. The setup is similar to setting up an Android phone and assistant features can be setup or skipped. One area that I love about Hisense is the physical switch located on the bottom of the tv that turns the mic off/on so there is no wondering if it is really listening or not. Out-of-the-box the switch is ON (right), turning OFF, slide the position left. This is also covered in the Quick Setup Guide. The Mic light then switches from white (ON) to amber (OFF).
While I do like Smart home features like plugs and switches, I don’t like Smart Indoor Camera/Audio devices, so this feature is not turned on. The setup is similar to setting up an Android phone and assistant features can be setup or skipped. One area that I love about Hisense is the physical switch located on the bottom of the tv that turns the mic off/on so there is no wondering if it is really listening or not. Out-of-the-box the switch is ON (right), turning OFF, slide the position left. This is also covered in the Quick Setup Guide. The Mic light then switches from white (ON) to amber (OFF).
To me these are the most important areas to speak on. I’m sure if you are coming from a tv set that is 5 years or more older and depending on the quality it was at the time of purchase, your impressions will be more enthusiastic than mine. I wasn’t expecting a huge jump in performance, but from what I have seen so far I am impressed so definitely worth it. Definitely lots of value for the money with this set.
OLED is the ultimate picture quality, but from family members' homes that have them, they are the worst in high ambient light rooms and the picture quality is really lost on streaming service content that lowers the bitrate of the original content. The only way to get the best quality is via 4K Blu-Ray or full source files from a local server and a typical movie is going to need between 50GB-75GB of storage space. You can chase the rainbow on specs, but bare minimum is going to be high nits for bright rooms, Full-Array Local Dimming with a lot of zones, and panel refresh rate. Then you just have to pick your size. 65” for me is the new 55”, doesn’t feel gargantuan in my living room can sit close enough without getting a sunburn, and can sit far enough away to comfortably still see the content if you have a lot of guests over.
The 65U7N definitely hits all the right specs and delivers.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
4out of 5found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Philips Norelco Multi Groomer - 13 piece Mens Grooming Kit for beard, face, nose, and ear hair trimmer and hair clipper - NO BLADE OIL NEEDED, MG3740/40
Better than a Manscape 4.0
Customer Rating
5.0
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
13-in-1! Not sure why they add that moniker on there? My guess is it is in error in the graphics/publishing department as the front of the box says 13 accessories. Counting the accessories included there are 11 for actual trimming and then there is a storage bag and charging cable. The All-In-One is appt for the included accessories…body trimmer with multiple guards, precision trimmer, and a nose/ear trimmer.
Overall its a great trimmer. I use a Philips Norelco One for close shaving and I also have a Manscape 4.0. Honestly I like this Multigroom 3000 better than the Manscape mostly as the Manscape has ceramic blades, which are sharp, but will wear out quicker versus this Muiltgroom which have stainless steel and while they will “sharpen” themselves with use they too will wear out eventually. There isn’t a light on the Multigroom 3000, but I don’t know why that would be needed (Manscape 4.0) as I don’t typically shave/trim in the dark.
The nose trimmer is the best one I have ever used. Normally I use the replaceable battery versions and the rechargeable is quite nice with the stronger motor to cut through my tree trunk nose hairs!
I was surprised to see that Multigroom is using an NiMH instead of a Lithium-ion. Biggest issue with this is the shelf-life typically of NiMH, while long, do require more maintenance than the Lithium-ion.
The literature doesn’t say anything about long charge time is, but use time it states 60-minuntes. It doesn’t take me that long to do my business, but I’d say it should hit that mark after a full charge (however long that is supposed to be).
Definitely can recommend this over any other ones on the market and the low buy-in doesn't hurt its results either!
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
2out of 3found this review helpful.
Share this review:
With Casa Pop-Up Desk, get comfy, focused work done anywhere in the home. Once you~re done? Fold it out of sight, out of mind. Casa has all you need to work from home in one compact kit, with a wireless keyboard, wireless touchpad and a book-like case that transforms into a laptop stand.
Great Addition As Mobile Workstation
Customer Rating
5.0
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
First Impressions
This is a great concept device and definitely perfect if you are looking for a simple desk setup. The Pop-Up Desk puts the screen height in an optimal position and height. The keyboard is compact but not more than the one in my laptop. Having the dedicated keys on the top row is great and no functionality is lost in my normal work flow and use. The trackpad works great and feels like any Windows laptop trackpad. As a Windows user it is a bit of a different concept using the trackpad over a mouse, but it is quickly becoming natural reaching for it over the mouse.
This is a great concept device and definitely perfect if you are looking for a simple desk setup. The Pop-Up Desk puts the screen height in an optimal position and height. The keyboard is compact but not more than the one in my laptop. Having the dedicated keys on the top row is great and no functionality is lost in my normal work flow and use. The trackpad works great and feels like any Windows laptop trackpad. As a Windows user it is a bit of a different concept using the trackpad over a mouse, but it is quickly becoming natural reaching for it over the mouse.
Setup was super quick via Bluetooth and Windows 11 picked up the devices super quick and connection was easy.
Multi-device use is a great feature, I don’t even consider a new keyboard/mouse combo unless it has this anymore.
I would have like as an added bonus to have a backlit keyboard, just a personal preference. Also, the band to hold the lid closed is rubber. I think elastic would have been a better choice that would last longer; time will tell.
I don’t have any complaints or negative feedback to report, getting the keyboard and trackpad out is not a pain, but requires tipping them out, so make sure you do it over a table. Everything fits snug and won’t move around and I can understand not wanting to have a pull tab or the like to keep a nice and neat appearance, but it does make you have a bit of an awkward experience taking out the devices.
Logi has been my go to brand for quite a while for keyboard and mice, can’t say anything bad about the quality and the same continues for the Pop-Up Desk.
My personal use for this device is for a mobile workstation as it cannot replace my dock and 49in ultrawide.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Serious protection meets personal style with this CTF-26435159-16006565 CASETiFY Impact Case for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. CASETiFY's best-selling Impact Case is designed with EcoShock in a twister pattern for the ultimate cushioning, plus a raised bezel for 360~ protection. The result? 8.2 feet of drop protection and 4x MIL-STD-810G shock absorption for your phone, and zero worries for you.
Master Snake Enters The Fight
Customer Rating
3.0
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
The CASETiFY Snake case with the Titanium Green looks pretty good.
I’m not a big fan of the spec/sparkle on the sides; there isn’t a lot so it isn’t so noticeable, but it would have looked better without it. I think the CASETiFY inscription around the camera cutout is a bit distracting. I would have preferred an inlay or something on the side rails. The case being all black and clear and then choosing to go with white lettering makes it really pop and reminds me of a white letter tire…great on a car, not on a phone case.
Structurally it is very solid and offers a lot of grip…maybe a bit much for my liking. The corners keep to the square design of the S24U, which doesn’t bode well for one hand use. It doesn’t take long for the bottom corner to dig into your hand. Can’t really fault CASETiFY for that and the sturdiness of case should protect it from a drop.
Over the last few days of use, I felt like I was constantly having deja vu while using this case on the S24U. It finally hit me, while this phone is way bigger, it feels a lot like my iPhone 4. I had a very square edged two-piece case on that phone (a millenia ago). This isn’t a negative so much as an observation.
The only thing I wish was different in the design is for the camera cutout being open, I’d rather it be individual cutouts around the lens and flash. I know that is not normal for PC backed cases, but it is a preference for my cases.
I wouldn’t call this case thick as I have tested thicker on the S24U since I received, but it's definitely not the thinnest. I am finding that there is going to be select few styles of cases for the S24U that works with the phone pocket on most of my pants and shorts. There’s always the cargo pocket, but I’ve grown accustomed to the phone pocket.
I may throw a QuadLock puck on the back of it and make it my riding case.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Meet the ultra-powerful Shark FlexBreeze Fan with InstaCool misting attachment. Outdoor & indoor, cordless & corded, transforms from pedestal & tabletop with 70 ft range and up to 24-hour runtime. The InstaCool misting attachment easily connects to your hose and rapidly reduces temperatures to feel up to 10 degrees cooler. Incredibly quiet, even at high speed. Rain and UV resistance for outdoor use.
New Favorite Household Item
Customer Rating
5.0
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
I didn’t know how much I needed this fan in my life!!
Breeze output is awesome. Tabletop to stand is super easy. Corded or battery use…easy. Remote…check.
Oscillation settings of 45, 90, & 180 degrees…never seen that before. It’s like Shark said, let's make a sprinkler, but attach a fan to it!
The misting attachment snaps on with ease and is secure. And the hose attachment and fittings are all user replaceable with common lawn sprinkler fittings. The fan itself is going to get used a ton. In East TN our humidity stays 70%-80% regularly so not sure the misting attachment will get too much use. But I’m glad it is an option.
On high it is very quiet compared to my normal cheap-o stand fan and it pushes way more air.
The magnetic remote attachment is a super bonus for storage and ease of access.
Wifey is wanting a second one already ready!
This would be a great idea for camping, deck/patio use, or that menopausal woman in your life!
The five hour charge time is a little long, but if it nets the 24 hour run-time on setting 1 then that's not bad. For sleeping high is a bit much for me, but if you are tent camping it would be great to keep the mosquitos from landing on you!
If there was a non-battery option for a little less dinero, I would gladly replace all my stand fans as the amount of air it moves is great. However, if you are needing the noise for sleeping, it may be too quite for you.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Share this review:
The Sharper Image Powerboost Deep Tissue Percussion Massager is the ultimate post-workout recovery tool. This advanced massage gun uses deep tissue percussion to target sore muscles and tight knots. Adjust the percussion's strength to any of the 7 built-in speed settings to cater to your body's needs. With 6 unique attachments, you can easily tailor your recovery process. The Powerboost is whisper quiet and features a user-friendly LED touch screen display for seamless operation. Enjoy up to 3 hours of uninterrupted use with a single charge and bring it with you for on-the-go recovery.
Great For Busting Up Concrete!
Customer Rating
4.0
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
PowerBoost is and understatement! I have been using a compact massager for a few years now and so I was expecting this to be more powerful, but in the upper levels. My compact has only 3 stages, where the PowerBoost has 7 stages. In stage 1 you have to push a little harder or the massager wants to bounce/jump all over. Going up levels keeps it from doing that but if the affected area doesn’t call for that intensity it feels like it is trying to split the muscles in two.
I am glad I have it, but realizing that it will only be needed for the toughest of knots. My current mini will definitely get more use for the mild aches and pains.
The extra attachments are a great benefit and will definitely come in handy for their intended uses.
I don’t much care for the ON/OFF method. The soft touch button is a bit too sensitive sometimes and others not enough. Long press to turn on (visual meter indicates power up cycle). Long press to turn off. However, because it is pretty powerful it is vibrating and sometimes doesn’t respond to the long press. Short presses cycle upwards through the stages and after 7 it shuts off. The power cycle off also mimics going up through the cycles to shut off but does it very quickly. I would prefer it to just have a physical button instead of a soft touch.
Since it is bigger and longer, it is a bit more difficult to use on yourself versus a compact version, so you will definitely need an extra set of hands. Which in either situation will always be better so as not to contort your body into position to reach the affected area.
I can definitely recommend this, but if your not in shape and toned, this will probably be a bit much for minor needs.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Share this review:
The Ridge is a minimalist, RFID blocking wallet. The main cardholder uses elastic to expand to hold up to 12 IDs and credit cards. The typical leather bifold gets packed with faded receipts and unnecessary cards, resembling something more like a suitcase than a wallet. The Ridge is minimalist without being limiting. It~s about carrying less but always having what you need.
Slim and Sleek
Customer Rating
4.0
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
I feel wallets are a pretty personal accessory to life besides a watch or a phone, so getting a new one is like starting a new relationship. I’ve been eyeing Ridge Wallet for quite some time. I switched from a tri-fold about 15 years ago, to a card carrier and bifold. The size and thickness reduction being the biggest requirement. 95% of the time I am wearing cargo shorts or pants, but when not choosing that clothing style, the tri-fold was definitely too thick, but even the carrier style is a little too thick when you need to put the wallet in the back pocket.
The tan bifold I only use when I am out riding as I only need 4 cards (license, blood type, debit, and credit) and cash. For daily use, it cannot hold all that I need.
The Ridge is definitely the smallest wallet I have ever used and the concept of just being a carrier I had already transitioned to, but losing the ID Slot may take some more time to get used to.
I did run into an issue with one card, which is not a traditional debit/credit but a laminated store card it is larger than the typical card. It does make the cards a little harder to slide out.
One benefit so far from the Ridge has made me reflect on what cards I really need to have on me at all times and which ones are occasional and can carrier when needed. I have been carrying 21 cards in total for sometime and the Ridge says it can handle 12. I have 13 in it, but two are paper, so they are not as thick; only 5 are personal.
I hoped it would at least become my new riding only wallet, but it requires taking off my gloves to get my card out.
I do like that with my current setup with the Ridge, it still fits in a front pocket easily. Unfortunately though this style doesn't seem to suit my lifestyle.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Bird Buddy - Smart Bird Feeder with Solar Roof - Blue
Receive gorgeous close-up photos of your birds whenever they visit! Bird Buddy is an AI-powered camera feeder that attracts local birds, capturing intimate photos and videos while they feed. The user-friendly companion app notifies you of new visitors with photo postcards, identifies the species, and offers fun facts about that species to enrich your understanding of your feathered friends. Plus, the detachable solar roof harnesses the power of the sun for longer photoshoots with your wildlife.
Best Way To Give The Bird!
Customer Rating
4.0
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
I’m not a true bird watcher, but I do love the life birds bring and the differences in the species and know the basics. My backyard is teaming with birds as I have a lot of wooded area and also pasture land. However, I didn’t realize that birds don’t attack bird feeders that are new and are creatures of habit, so it will take some time before I start getting “postcards” from the app. This is disappointing as I was really looking forward to giving the bird to some people.
Update: As I was writing this review I got my first postcard and immediately gave the bird to all of my family! Took about 4 days from setup (Friday 11am to Tues 8:30am) to see the first bird.
It is definitely a pretty neat concept to add to a traditional bird feeder. As for out-of-the-box setup it is pretty seamless and easy to get up and going. If you are looking for a live feed, constant streaming, then this is not the device you would want.
For the Bird Buddy you are paying for simplicity and the community element built into the App. You could actually get setup a little cheaper to have a constant feed, but it will take about 1000% more setup and know how to do that and it won’t be a battery operated system. Even a battery system combined with solar is not enough to do a constant feed, so you are looking at wired solutions. With this system you can place it anywhere, solar does require some placement stipulations, but definitely near instant gratification once the birds find your feeder!
Out Of The Box
Initially the LED would not show it was charging and I actually thought my unit was a different model as I could even see a spot for an LED as the schematic showed its location. It is under the plastic so it is very faint, but even still the red charging light would not come on. Checking the web page there’s an FAQ that addresses this. The problem though is the instructions say to charge fully first before setting up, but this is not possible since you wouldn’t know it was fully charged. I went ahead with the setup and it was 83% charge. It dropped 3% while doing setup and firmware update. The firmware took about 15 minutes. After the setup the LED indicator began working.
Initially the LED would not show it was charging and I actually thought my unit was a different model as I could even see a spot for an LED as the schematic showed its location. It is under the plastic so it is very faint, but even still the red charging light would not come on. Checking the web page there’s an FAQ that addresses this. The problem though is the instructions say to charge fully first before setting up, but this is not possible since you wouldn’t know it was fully charged. I went ahead with the setup and it was 83% charge. It dropped 3% while doing setup and firmware update. The firmware took about 15 minutes. After the setup the LED indicator began working.
Livestream/Sharing
Testing the Livestream feature, the quality looks to be maybe Standard definition (640p). This has given me a lot of time to look into how the “Postcard” feature works and the unit uses a lot of AI to determine what shots are worthy of sending. It also states that after each postcard is sent there is a 10 minute waiting period before the next is sent. This is both to not spam you and to keep the device cool. It is definitely a sophisticated system in this regard.
Testing the Livestream feature, the quality looks to be maybe Standard definition (640p). This has given me a lot of time to look into how the “Postcard” feature works and the unit uses a lot of AI to determine what shots are worthy of sending. It also states that after each postcard is sent there is a 10 minute waiting period before the next is sent. This is both to not spam you and to keep the device cool. It is definitely a sophisticated system in this regard.
There is a paywall that lets you unlock 1080P quality and “Feeding Frenzy” Mode that will send more postcards and but states it will consume more battery. It also unlocks other sharing features like raising the limit from 3 to 10 on sharing your bird feeder and some other content in the Birdy TV.. There is a free 7 Day trial and then $30/yr or $3/mo currently.
The video compression is quite heavy, but it still looks good; at 51 seconds length it is 5.7MB @720x960 resolution in MP4.
Solar
I haven’t had a ton of action yet so can’t say how well the solar unit works, but it doesn’t charge it more than 95% according to the app status. When it is charging in the settings menu, where it shows battery status, the indicator will show a charging icon next the battery percentage. Currently my camera is at 93% and not charging…well never mind, now it just went to 94%, but no charging status indicated. I think this has more to do with battery temp showing charge percentage. But it is keeping it charged. I can definitely recommend this add-on, but it will limit your placement since the solar panel is only on one side. Which also means you may have to point the camera in a direction you didn’t intend to. A double sided solar roof or the ability to move the solar to either side would be a great option too. Moving into Fall this is more of an issue as the sun is staying low now, come summer I won’t have issue with overhead sun.
I haven’t had a ton of action yet so can’t say how well the solar unit works, but it doesn’t charge it more than 95% according to the app status. When it is charging in the settings menu, where it shows battery status, the indicator will show a charging icon next the battery percentage. Currently my camera is at 93% and not charging…well never mind, now it just went to 94%, but no charging status indicated. I think this has more to do with battery temp showing charge percentage. But it is keeping it charged. I can definitely recommend this add-on, but it will limit your placement since the solar panel is only on one side. Which also means you may have to point the camera in a direction you didn’t intend to. A double sided solar roof or the ability to move the solar to either side would be a great option too. Moving into Fall this is more of an issue as the sun is staying low now, come summer I won’t have issue with overhead sun.
Wifi
So far the signal seems to be intermittent. In its current location I have had it register has High, Medium, and Low, but most of the time when I check it indicates Medium. When I was unboxing and downloading the firmware update it was fluctuating between high and medium, the wifi modem was only 6 feet away.
So far the signal seems to be intermittent. In its current location I have had it register has High, Medium, and Low, but most of the time when I check it indicates Medium. When I was unboxing and downloading the firmware update it was fluctuating between high and medium, the wifi modem was only 6 feet away.
Accessories
They are definitely proud of their products and I think their accessories are priced pretty high for what they are…plastic. These other add-ons are attached via screws, so essentially you could create and an add your own extended perches or mounting solutions, so that’s a plus.
They are definitely proud of their products and I think their accessories are priced pretty high for what they are…plastic. These other add-ons are attached via screws, so essentially you could create and an add your own extended perches or mounting solutions, so that’s a plus.
I can recommend this device and as of writing Bird Buddy had some good discounts going!
I would recommend this to a friend!
-1point
1out of 3found this review helpful.
Share this review:
ASUS - ExpertCenter D500 Desktop - Intel i5-13400 - 8GB Memory - 512GB SSD - Black
ASUS ExpertCenter D5 TEC features powerful, dependable and expandable performance, created especially for the unique needs of small business. Its ultracompact, flexible and sleek small form factor allows business users to enjoy flexible and neat workspace. Also, with help of our simplified small-business support services, you can enjoy reduced downtime and lower total cost of ownership.
Not As Advertised
Customer Rating
3.0
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
Well, not what I was expecting. Typically Commercial Desktops or Workstations have options for upgradability and can make some good Home Media PC’s too. Based on the ASUS product page for the D500TC, I was hoping the D500TEC would have the same tower specs since they are identical, but it appears the internal casing is a bit different.
The dummy plate for an optical drive appears to be for a slim drive that would be found in a laptop, however, there isn’t a way to secure it inside the case. For HDD and Optical drives there may be a kit, but I haven’t found anything on ASUS webpage.
As is, there is expansion for a PCI-E x16, not sure if it is 3.0 or 4.0, and two PCI x1 bays. The power supply is 300W, so too small to run anything that would be PCI x16 3.0/4.0. According to the ASUS webpage for the D500TC it is a 4.0, but who’s to say if it is the same.
I’m guessing the BestBuy description was copied from an older model, as I don’t consider a mid tower case to be “ultracompact, flexible, and sleek”. Features section says Windows 11 Pro, and the specs page says Windows 10 Pro. It shipped with Windows 11 Home.
The specs page also states a USB-C port, but there isn’t one on here. There are 4 USB (2x3.x and 2x 2.0) on the front and the same configuration on the back. You have two legacy PS/2 ports for a mouse and keyboard, VGA, HDMI, and DisplayPort connections. Mic, Line Out, and Line In, and Ethernet complete the connections.
The RAM is DDR4 3200 with 2 x 4GB and a 512GB NVME. There are only the 2 slots for RAM and the single M.2 Slot for storage. If just wanting to add storage, the PCIx16 slot can be used with an adapter to add another NVME.
The i5-13400 is a great processor and can handle quite a bit, the stock GPU not so much, but as a workstation its not a bad option. It is designed for commercial or business use, so it will handle quite a bit you can throw at it from that standpoint. 8GB of RAM is a little anemic, 16GB would be better if running a lot of spreadsheets or if just using it to power a display board.
I am a little disappointed in not being able to upgrade the storage and add an optical drive; unless ASUS sells an upgrade kit. Also disappointed in the incorrect specs listed. Hopefully my review helps you before you purchase.
I can recommend the desktop as long as you understand these limitations and expectations.
I would recommend this to a friend!
-3points
0out of 3found this review helpful.
Share this review:
It~s always a great idea to capture your everyday moments or travels. Bring DJI Mini 2 SE for a unique perspective that makes your moments fly.
Come Fly With Me
Customer Rating
5.0
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
DJI is starting to feel like the Samsung of the Drone market, a drone for each budget. The Mini 2 SE takes the spot at the entry level of the DJI lineup. You can still find the Mini 2 and Mini SE for sale online or in markets outside of the USA, but on their official webpage, DJI US Store, the options are Mini 4 Pro, Mini 3 Pro, Mini 3, and Mini 2 SE.
DJI’s naming scheme is straightforward at this point, but you would be forgiven if you didn’t realize that the Mini 2 SE came out in early 2023, while the 3 Pro and 3 were released in 2022 (4 Pro just “dropped” last month). Even though this is the case, the feature set is reflected by the model number and the higher the number the more features included. If DJI holds to their current naming scheme and feature list, next year should see the Mini 3 SE replace the Mini 2 SE.The SE seems to follow the “upgraded version” and also lose some features. However, the Mini 3/3 Pro/4 Pro really jump up to the next level with features, so the Mini 2 SE may remain in the portfolio for a longer period than the last SE model did.
As the previous SE was based on the original Mini with a lower feature set, the Mini 2 SE follows the trend, however there are only 2 changes to note: the drop from 4K resolution to 2.7K and the 2.7K resolution loses the 60fps option; it does retain it at the 1080p resolution.
And that’s it! The Mini 2 SE nearly the exact same drone feature set. The Mini SE before was missing some of the Quickshots, but the Mini 2 SE does not. Depending on your shooting needs, the drop from 4K to 2.7K is not very much and honestly, depending on the lighting conditions is not noticeable. And depending on the type of shooting you are doing the 1080p60 is more desirable when wanting to shoot footage at faster speeds of travel. But if you are using the Cinema Mode, 2.7K30 delivers excellent clarity.
The key with any kind of photography is lighting and so that is going to be the biggest factor no matter the drone.
So if you are just getting into capturing Drone footage and don’t want to get too crazy in cost, the Mini 2 SE is going to be the best option. The Fly More combo is really the best option as it adds the carry case, external charger, 2 extra batteries, triples the spare screws (6 to 18), triples the replacement blade set (1 to 3) and adds the propeller hold for transit/storage. Saves about $70 if purchasing separately.
As for flight times, the max DJI says it can fly is for 31 minutes. This would be with near zero wind, Cinema Mode, and no obstructions. Real world I get 24 minutes. Distance is the same at 10km, but flying conditions and obstructions will determine how far you can travel due to battery life and remote signal transmission ie. wind, trees, and tall buildings are your enemy.
I do want to note my first Mini 2 SE I could not get to connect to the Remote. It took a couple of days to get through all the steps with DJI to manually pair, but it was to no avail. I had to send my device directly back to DJI. About 6 hours after I dropped off the drone at my local UPS (DJI provided the return label) I had notification of my new unit being shipped with 2-day shipping. This one connected in mere seconds after unboxing as I have been accustomed to with other DJI drones. Not sure what happened with the first one, but I was glad of the great customer service from DJI. I am not sure where their after-sales support is located, but it was clear there is a time delay going via email. The Chat support was available when I was available though.
I can highly recommend the Mini 2 SE.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Share this review:
MnstrMike's Questions
MnstrMike has not submitted any questions.
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.
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.
Products from my answer
Toshiba - Camileo H30 High-Definition Camcorder with 3" Touch Screen - Black
Samsung - Ultra Compact Camcorder with 2.7" LCD Monitor - Purple
Flip Video - UltraHD (3rd Generation) Camcorder - 2 Hour - Black/Silver
14 years, 9 months ago
by
Posted by:
MnstrMike
from
Knoxville, TN