MnstrMike
Top 250 Contributor
MnstrMike's Stats
- Review Count124
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- First ReviewAugust 5, 2011
- Last ReviewJune 22, 2024
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- Average Rating4
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- Review Comment Count5
- Helpfulness Votes5
- First Review CommentNovember 5, 2012
- Last Review CommentJune 18, 2017
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- Answer Count42
- Helpfulness Votes49
- First AnswerNovember 22, 2010
- Last AnswerDecember 8, 2021
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Dyson - V11 Animal Cordless Vacuum - Purple/Nickel
Cordless cleaning made easier. The Dyson V11 Animal cordless vacuum intelligently optimizes suction and run time to deep clean everywhere.
Powerful Compact Vacuum
Customer Rating
4.0
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
This is my first Dyson product, but I have heard the great reputation of the company and know others that praise their products.
My rating being based on all factors, is docked one star for some minor details that do not represent any flaws in the device itself...in short the vacuum is great!
My main complaint has to do with the dock and attachments.
Dock Mounting: The included drywall mounting anchor are barely adequate. It is a typical low weight drywall fastener requiring a 7/32 bit (not stated anywhere) and a hammer to properly insert. That style while rated for holding the weight of the vacuum itself for sure, is not going to hold up to the constant docking and removal, the down force of making sure it seats properly will eventually pull the fasteners out of the wall. In my week of testing has this happened, NO, but experience tells me otherwise. I recommend either a toggle-bolt style anchor or Zip-It equivalent style anchor. The included fasteners tend to strip out the drywall and the backing plate will come loose. The included anchor also works with concrete/brick/block walls where as my recommendations do not. At the cost though, we are talking pennies so just included a better drywall anchor as an option.
Dock Mounting: The included drywall mounting anchor are barely adequate. It is a typical low weight drywall fastener requiring a 7/32 bit (not stated anywhere) and a hammer to properly insert. That style while rated for holding the weight of the vacuum itself for sure, is not going to hold up to the constant docking and removal, the down force of making sure it seats properly will eventually pull the fasteners out of the wall. In my week of testing has this happened, NO, but experience tells me otherwise. I recommend either a toggle-bolt style anchor or Zip-It equivalent style anchor. The included fasteners tend to strip out the drywall and the backing plate will come loose. The included anchor also works with concrete/brick/block walls where as my recommendations do not. At the cost though, we are talking pennies so just included a better drywall anchor as an option.
Attachments: The vacuum has a clip that will hold two of the attachments on board, and the dock has a further 2 spots to hold attachments, however, I found it frustrating that only one configuration exists to allow all attachments to be stored. Like I said this is definitely minor, but when a company prides itself in its innovation and testing (just watch their videos) and assumes a level of superiority over other products, I will hold it to the standard it says it has. The ONLY configuration that works is where the largest (and most used) floor head is attached to the dock and the fine bristle head (not combo unit) is attached next to it, leaving the upholstery head attached to the vacuum itself and the other attachments mounted to the extension pole clip. I just find that irritating as the most used part cannot be left on the device and keep all the other attachments neatly stored.
A secondary complaint has to do with the included documentation or rather the lack of proper battery care instructions. This is becoming a major concern for me as ALL (yes ALL) products I have reviewed lately while extensively warn against the dangers of batteries and what will void a warranty, yet it never gives full detailed instruction for battery care. This device never actually states if the vacuum can be left docked past the charging time, one would assume so, but it doesn't actually state it, it does however state that if not being used for extended periods of time that it should be removed from the docking station. So what is Dyson's definition of "extended periods of time"? One week, one month, multiple months?
That being said, you probably won't run into that problem in your normal routine because you will be using it a lot!
Trigger: I get the design here is to give the maximum battery life per use, however, I question that when you start and stop using the head attachment as their is about 2-3 second delay before the attachment gets up to full speed. Also, for larger jobs like continuous floor space or car cleaning that may have your arm at awkward angles, it would be nice to have a trigger lock.
And that is where the negatives end! It's a short list.
My main intended use was for the dreaded carpeted stairs. I've dealt with corded handheld options, vacuums with extremely long extension tubes, battery-operated versions, and none have ever really cleaned the carpets and to the point where it is was pointless to even try. WELL NOT ANYMORE! This Dyson V11 sucks! But in the truest definition of the word. I have two small indoor dogs and have been living in my current home around 6.5 years, and it was a little embarrassing how much dirt and dog hair it picked up. I had to empty the bin half way through the task.
Battery Run Time: I cannot say if it hit the claimed 60* min run time or not. However, I did manage to clean 150sqft of kitchen tile floor space (Eco), tested it out on about 20sqft of carpet (Eco), cleaned the stairs as mentioned (Boost), and cleaned a Honda Odyssey after a road trip (Eco) with said two dogs before the battery alerted me I was done. That's quite a few tasks completed on one charge, requiring bin cleaning 4 times. Oh and cleaned a sectional sofa twice (Eco). Always using either the larger floor attachment or the smaller roller attachment, both which use battery power to turn the heads, which is a huge plus to the suction based ones which are all but pointless.
I would highly recommend this product as a spot cleaner, stair cleaner, household shop vac replacement (not for wet use), car interior cleaner, baseboard/crown molding cleaner, couch cleaner, etc. I would NOT get rid of you regular vacuum unless you are in smaller living space. The carpet cleaning will require Boost to get a good clean. With a 3.5 hour charge time in between fully depleted and fully charged, I'll need to space out my cleaning duties either by morning/evening or by days.
This vac is going to get a lot of use and the construction and durability is solid for sure. The power is equivalent to a standard vacuum. Dumping the dust bin is an absolute cinch and a cleanable reusable filter is great. Accessing the bristle head in the rollers is also easy, so getting rid of tangled hair will be simple. Highly recommend doing it too, if not once it gets thick enough it will rob you of battery life by causing the bristle motor to work harder and vac motor to work harder.
I think you will enjoy this greatly if you know what you will be using it for ahead of time, whole home cleaning, maybe if you space out timing, but as a do-it-all spot/specialty cleaner...DEFINITELY!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+45points
62out of 79found this review helpful.
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Linksys - AC2200 Tri-Band Mesh WiFi 5 Router - Black
The MR8300 Max Stream™ AC2200 is a high-performance Tri-Band router. Perfect for households that thrive on entertainment, it delivers up to 2.2 Gbps of superior speed throughout your entire home. The Tri-Band and MU-MIMO technology make it ideal for simultaneous streaming of HD movies, online gaming, video calling and supporting all of your smart home devices. MR8300 also grows as your needs do. With its built-in mesh Wi-Fi, instead of investing in a new router, you can expand coverage by simply adding Linksys Velop™ Mesh Wi-Fi nodes for seamless Wi-Fi everywhere.The MR8300 serves as the master router and must connect directly to your modem to create your network. Sets up in minutes with the Linksys app.
Great signal, Easy Setup
Customer Rating
5.0
This is definitely a different approach to the traditional mesh setup, in that the system begins with a full-power traditional router and adds the convenience of adding "mesh nodes" easily via the app.
Setup and Install was very straightforward.
I don't have a dead zone anymore in the living room. The router connection is in the bedroom on the opposite side of the house and in between were walls, bathrooms, kitchen appliances, and a brick wall. If I put the old router in the hall on a chair I would get a great signal, but that wasn't very convenient.
I cannot say if this Linksys MR8300 alone would have solved my problem from my last modem (it is brand new, just lower spec'ed), but combined with the mesh node my issue is solved.
I don't have a lot of square footage needing to be covered, just had obstacles in the way. Most other mesh systems come as single or 3-pack and I knew I wouldn't need a 3-pack, so it would just be something I paid for that went unused.
And, yes I could have crawled around in the attic or fished the extension into the basement and tried centralizing the original setup, but there wasn't a good central location and I didn't want that hassle. Setup in less than 20 minutes and problems solved with better equipment, just seemed like a no brainer for my application.
Mesh Wifi changes everything from the old method of setting up repeaters/bridges. I think your layout and situation will determine how much coverage you will need and which solution may serve you better. I like the fact that this setup has the ability to bath my property in WiFi and just adding a node to get around an obstacle is great.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
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Jaybird - RUN XT Sport True Wireless In-Ear Headphones - Black/Flash
Stay motivated throughout workouts and outdoor excursions when you listen to music on these Jaybird RUN XT wireless earbuds. The interchangeable tips and fins let you find the perfect fit, while the waterproof, sweat-proof design stands up to outdoor use. These Jaybird RUN XT wireless earbuds feature a fast-charge battery, which delivers an hour of playback with just five minutes of charging.
High Marks for Work Outs
Customer Rating
3.0
I have my favorite pair/brand already but wanted to give this style and brand a shot. I can recommend them, but I definitely prefer for normal use/light workout use the clip style. However, some intense push up, sit up, running, obstacle course.I can see these being the ticket.
The Quick
I can recommend with some drawbacks as I have seen better implementation of button presses (physical button, pushes further into ear) and mapping; keep the phone close by! Minus 1 Star.
I can recommend with some drawbacks as I have seen better implementation of button presses (physical button, pushes further into ear) and mapping; keep the phone close by! Minus 1 Star.
Ample "ear tips" and "fins" to get the best fit for each ear, but my experience I could not achieve that fit. Won't be able to use for more than 1 hour. Could change with extended use, but not sure I wan't to push it.
Phone Calls are right ear only, downside uneven battery use a 15 minute phone call dropped the right battery 6% more.
No included charger. Minus 1 Star
JayBird app is nice and very informative, well laid out. Better Start Guide than the printed version in the box; makes sense.
Fit
Could not find a comfortable fit, the smallest Fin #1 won't hold the bud in my ear. Fin #2 too thick. I found I must have the "fin" to put enough pressure in the ear. Did use #1Bud tip though. Comes with 4 different Bud Tip sizes and 4 different Fin sizes. You definitely have options to get the fit you need...if any work though.
Could not find a comfortable fit, the smallest Fin #1 won't hold the bud in my ear. Fin #2 too thick. I found I must have the "fin" to put enough pressure in the ear. Did use #1Bud tip though. Comes with 4 different Bud Tip sizes and 4 different Fin sizes. You definitely have options to get the fit you need...if any work though.
It is nice not having anything over my ear. Won't worry about the 4 hour time limit as I won't be able to wear these for long; 1 hour will be the limit. This is obviously based on my ears, yours may be different.
Buttons
Not soft-touch, physical button that clicks, very stiff, pushes the bud further in the ear. Can "remap" buttons to available presets.
Not soft-touch, physical button that clicks, very stiff, pushes the bud further in the ear. Can "remap" buttons to available presets.
Choice for Left:
Option 1 Single Tap Google/Siri Launch
Option 2 Single Tap Vol -, Double Tap Skip Track
Option 1 Single Tap Google/Siri Launch
Option 2 Single Tap Vol -, Double Tap Skip Track
Choice for Right:
Option 1 Single Tap Play/Pause, Double Tap Accept/End Call
Option 2 Single Tap Vol +, Double Tap Accent/End Call and Skip Track
Option 1 Single Tap Play/Pause, Double Tap Accept/End Call
Option 2 Single Tap Vol +, Double Tap Accent/End Call and Skip Track
Find its about a 2 second delay to vol+/- change, so click slow.
Sound Quality
Cannot complain here, not much bass, but if I wanted some serious headphones with that sound, I'm not buying tiny ear buds.
Cannot complain here, not much bass, but if I wanted some serious headphones with that sound, I'm not buying tiny ear buds.
These are definitely for work outs. I can recommend all day long for that. If your not really caring about that as much, would recommend the clip style/over the ear for longer use, longer run-time...typically. I only have one recommendation for that style and its name is a combination of plane and electronics.
Phone Call Quality
Phone calls right ear only.
Phone calls right ear only.
Sound quality is good, the quality on the other end sounds fine. Headset disconnected though when call came in; music was playing at the time of call. Call Incoming sound did not play through buds. Used phone to answer call, headphones reconnected.
Miscellaneous
Bud storage is proper, right is right, left is left. Pill charger case is small, can easily fit in a pocket, gym shorts if needed.It is not rated for any splash/sweat/dust proofing.
Bud storage is proper, right is right, left is left. Pill charger case is small, can easily fit in a pocket, gym shorts if needed.It is not rated for any splash/sweat/dust proofing.
Charging is done through the base; 5 minutes = 1 hour of audio use according to App Guide, 4 hours of use from the buds, 2 full charges from the base giving a total run-time of 12 hours, with 1 hour charge time each time for the buds. Not sure how long or what size the battery is in the charger case
I always deduct a star for any device requiring charging that does not ship with a charger. And I contemplate another star if they do not give specifications for charging. You cannot just use any charger, nor can you just leave something plugged in for hours. Pretty pathetic if you have to legislate to force companies to disclose at the very least a maximum charging time limit. Sure any charger will work, but there are parameters for charging properly.
My guess is that since the charging cable is 12 inches tip to tip it is meant to be charged off of a laptop USB, so your typically talking 500mAh. I don't know if that is the limit because they don't disclose that info. Looking on the charging base Input says 5V/1Amp. This may seem pedantic, but you will get the blame when you charge "incorrectly" and the company doesn't want to offer a claim for destroying your property. I would think with the issues we have seen with smartphones of late, this would be taken more seriously?
I do notice a signal drop from one side to the next for a split second when playing music.
Right ear bud would be Master and left bud the slave. This cannot be changed, honestly didn't event test if the left would work independently as it doesn't matter if I only get half the use and will be tethered to the phone for any other changes.
If you are going to keep the phone handy or on an arm band that may not be an issue for you.
In the paper warning guide, it was the first time I have seen a chart detailing recommended usage times based of sound level, 90db = 8 hours, 95db = 4 hours, 100db = 2 hours, 105db = 1 hour, at 115db hearing damage occurs.
I have no issue recommending these even with the downsides I have found. This category of product continues to evolve and they are getting better. It is industry standard to not include a charger, this makes my 5th set of wireless ear buds and none have come with a charger (same goes with portable bluetooth speakers).
That's my $0.02, not good at inflation rates, so its definitely worth less than that. If helps great, if it doesn't ask me a question and I'll try to answer it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-1point
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AirSelfie - AirSelfie2 Drone - Silver
Capture your biggest adventures with this AirSelfie2 portable drone with leather carrying case. This drone records 1080p Full HD and features a 12MP still camera for high-quality results, and the compact size makes it easy to take this drone with you when traveling. Featuring a vibration-absorber system and multiple sensors, this AirSelfie2 portable drone records clear, blur-free images.Fly Responsibly:Before takeoff, update all software and firmware, and read the instructions thoroughly.See the FAA website for registration requirements and information about flying a drone safely: https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/. Additional state or local requirements may apply. Check your local jurisdiction. The following websites may help you make informed decisions about flying your drone: www.knowbeforeyoufly.org and www.modelaircraft.org.
Zero rating is not an option
Customer Rating
1.0
Using with OnePlus 5T, no custom ROMs on Android 8.1.0 and latest software updates as of writing.
Out of the box it did an update, so cannot comment on previous Firmware version.
Obviously this is a niche device, I was hoping for it to make the one-handed, family holidays and event selfie taking less of a chore to get everyone in the photo. However after the first 5 minute run (pretty darn short), I've got a nice headache from the whir of the drone, very high pitch.
Photo/Video: It won't save photos or videos. It is supposed to save the photos directly to the 16GB built into the drone and then transfers to the phone wirelessly. However, it won't show them in the App...NO FILES is displayed in each folder section in The Gallery. The Gallery is a bit confusing too with the folder menu, options are: Device Photo, Device Video, Local Photo, Local Video. I'm assuming Device = Drone, Local = Phone...so why not just say that?
I also had it set to take 3 Multiple shots, I'm not 100% sure if it did or not since I couldn't see them. I also had 3 second delay set (off, 3s, 5s, only options) and it only ran the 3 second timer once, so again not sure if it supposed to do it multiple times or just once and take 3 burst shots?
Flight: If you are used to drone flying the concept won't have much of a learning curve for you, however, what may be a learning curve is if its you or the drone flying? This thing is going rouge on me. It has 3 options for control/launch: Easy, Medium, Expert. I couldn't get the device to lift in Expert mode. Most of the time in Easy or Medium it either went straight to the ceiling or to the floor. A few times though it did it properly I could control it just fine. The speed settings are slow, medium, fast. Honestly it felt like this thing when flying auto was on fast the whole time.
When it was hovering, it was slowly drifting, so not sure this is any better than my outstretched arm.
Battery Life: 5 minutes...You will need an powerbank if you actually plan to use this. For an extra fee you can purchase a 15,000mah power bank, but its proprietary and only works with the drone. For what they are charging for the drone, it should be included. Even so, you can find others for cheaper or close to the same price with larger capacity, and they work with other devices...that's the main point here. What they are charging is not so bad, but it is a sleeve for the drone.
I do like the app has many options to change settings for the drone and the user manual is present and legible. There is a short video tutorial as well.
Functionality: Indoor or Outdoor, which is it? If you watch the video tutorial it says not for outside use. If you read marketing material and instruction manual it says no wind or bad weather. However, every promotional photo are ALL outside! So, tell us, does it void the warranty if used outside or not? Please make up your mind and get back to me.
If all the photos are outside, does it do a bad job of inside photos?
I'll update this review once I get a new unit as I am pretty sure this one is defective (or its all firmware?). For now, I guess twiddle your thumbs, don't know of another drone marketing to this category of Pocket Selfies. There are plenty of cheap drones with tiny cameras but none marketing with high quality optics that may end up on a wall.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Insignia™ - True Wireless In-Ear Headphones - Black
Ditch the headphone cable with these Insignia Bluetooth wireless earbuds. With up to five hours of use per charge and an included charging case for mid-day boosts, these earbuds are ideal for daily use. These Insignia Bluetooth wireless earbuds feature a built-in microphone for hands-free calling and easy voice commands.
True Wireless, but keep the phone close!
Customer Rating
1.0
I cannot recommend given the cost and other options available. Read on to see what it does do well, and why the low review.
Sound is great! Cannot fault it!
Fit...pretty good, a little heavy/bulky feeling. I found the best way to get the on the ear is to "screw" them on by putting the bottom of the clip at the top of the ear and then rotating down behind the ear and sliding the bud into the ear. It comes with other bud tips and I definitely needed the smaller size.
Battery life while it seems low, honestly after about 2 hours you would be ready to remove them. They have some bulk behind them. However, with the battery case able to charge at least a full two times, You could easily get through the week with only charging the battery case once. The battery case is hard and sturdy, so throw it in the bag and don't worry about it getting crushed. There is no storage, other than for the earbuds, for a charging cable, etc so that accessory will need to be stored separate.
Pairing was as easy as it says, with the power buttons being on the backside (skin side) of the units and the power indicator on the opposite side, you have to hold it sideways to see the blinking light when setting up for the first time. Setup was easy, just pair the right bud (master) with phone, then turn on left (slave) and they both work. I had a hard time at first telling if the left had connected. When I turned it on and put in the ear, there was no indication from the master that the slave had paired. And if a signal was in the slave, well it wasn't in my ear yet.
Taking the left bud out, playback of music was fine, taking the right bud out and moving more than 3 inches away from my head the sound stopped, moving it closer it picked back up. It never paused, just sound cuts out.
THINGS GO SOUTH REAL QUICK
FUNCTIONALITY (frown face), this is where this unit loses 3 stars! It is simply easier to say the "touch" interface just does not work. Volume is controlled by the phone only that is by design, but play/pause/skip and answer/reject calls are handled by either bud. They only time I could get it to work was when it was accidental while trying to adjust the earbuds to a better position, which is even more of a concern.
It's a hard sell at the full MSRP, on sale i could see these being a good buy, IF...IF you have a smartphone arm band or wear a smartwatch, as you will need to have access to something else to actually control the unit outside of ON/OFF functionality.
I'm a huge fan of Plantronics still using 1st Gen BackBeat Fit and just upgraded to 3100 Series "True Wireless" headphones. Comparing this Insignia headset its not even in the same category as far as ease of use. Again sound quality, and fit, no complaints, Plantronics is better though. However, PRICE...for 2 more of your Alexander Hamilton's you can get the 3100 series. Which as above and beyond an upgrade, dare I say a different category altogether.
Even if the Insignia's are on sale, your in the Plantronics 2100 Series and 1st Gen BackBeat Fit price category, which are not "True Wireless", but you have to look at functionality when deciding how to spend a Benjamin or more.
Giving this product 1 Star didn't seem fair because typically sound and fit is where these fail, but because they are trying to price in the lower-high end or upper mid-range category, its a no go. Even at half price MSRP you have to decide if your okay with not really having any controls on the earbuds. With no companion app, there isn't away to update any firmware, etc. My Plantronics just keep getting better, I can remap the "soft-touch" buttons, again for just two more Hamilton's!
So let's say the control issues were not there, this also cannot launch Google Assistant or Siri with any button presses!! Which drops the review to only 1 Star.
Scenario's I recommend: for phones at Desk use, as the controls are right there for volume and track playback, or even if taking calls also via computer/tablet. Fitness, which I say you don't want to be bothered, so put the phone in DO NOT DISTURB so your sound is not cut out if you get an incoming call; have your playlist in order so you don't have to fool with next track, etc.
But even after all this, they are supposed to be "True Wireless", but clearly it is only meaning the buds are not tethered, and I hate to harp, but PRICE, PRICE, PRICE.
Disclosure I did not test this device to pair directly to a smartwatch as some watches have capabilities. My can but is an Moto 360 Sport and is a little finnicky in its old age, so didn't think it fair to fault any issues that most likely (well maybe not considering) lay with my watch.
DO I RECOMMEND? NO if at full price. I tried to be fair in the scenario's, so unless this is an extremely cheap purchase, with the nearly lack of any controls on the buds, I would recommend a different product.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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-7points
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JLab - Fit Sport Fitness Earbuds Wireless In-Ear Headphones - Black
Listen to customized audio with these black JLab Fit Sport wireless fitness earbuds. Signature, Balanced and Bass Boost modes let you set sound quality preferences, and the adjustable tip placement and flexible memory wire provide a secure, comfortable fit. Recharge these JLab Fit Sport wireless fitness earbuds via the included microUSB cable to enjoy up to six hours of playback.
Definitely worth a look
Customer Rating
4.0
Overall, I'll stick to my more expensive, but better quality Plantronics BackBeat Fit and Fit 3100 series sets.
At the $30 asking price, I think the JLab FitSport3 perform very well and definitely warrant a look depending on your needs.
I've never been too big of a fan of the dangling wire on the "semi-wireless" earphones. At least this set comes with a shirt clip and that adds a star. I'm not a fan of the wireless buds with a neck band, adding the clip will keep the wires from jumping around too much.
The sound is decent with great bass, a decent mids, the highs are pretty "tinny" sounding though; like talking through a tin can.
Controls are easily accessible and provide enough functionality to not need to use the phone to do much other than provide content.
Bluetooth connection seemed fine; I don't think I've owned a headset yet that if the phone is in a cargo pocket or back pocket and turn just right it cuts outs for a second.
Fit? Given that the wireless charge lasts up to six hours, I don't think you would need to worry about it lasting longer if you are planning to wear them continuously. The "Flexible Memory Wire", while convenient in holding the buds in your ears, is not all that comfortable. More than 2 hours and I think you will be ready to move on. While I see the idea behind the "Flexible Memory Wire" I think the reality is that you will be having to adjust these each time you go to put them on as the "flexible" wire will flex in storage. It's a cost cutting measure for sure.
In which you cannot argue with the cost for a "wireless" setup, with decent sound.
If you are on a budget for semi-wireless ear-clip earbuds, I think you get a pretty good bang for buck.
I recommend these if you are just getting in to wireless headphones, want a cheap pair to work in the yard or for fitness, or a cheap set for your kids.
Looking at the other headsets in this price range, I think its the best option if you are wanting an "ear-clip" style and not an "ear-bud" with or without a neck band.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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VIZIO - 5.1.2-Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer and Dolby Atmos - Black
Take movie nights to the next level with this 5.1.2 VIZIO home theater sound system. It has Dolby Atmos technology built-in, so sound seems to come from all around you, and a six-inch powerful subwoofer creates thumping bass you can feel. This VIZIO home theater sound system has a main sound bar that produces rich, clear audio.
Great Sound, do your research on Dolby Atmos
Customer Rating
4.0
Excellent sound! Really shows how outdated my other soundbars are compared to the richness of the sound. The others are also 2.1 setups so there is that too and just meant to be better than the tv speakers.
If purchasing solely for Dolby Atmos feature read below.
This makes my 3rd Vizio soundbar since 2011 and they get better each time.
This unit was on sale over the Black Friday weekend and at that price point was a steal! Even at full price it is worth the consideration.
Out-of-the-box setup is quite easy. It does recommend not setting up a device to pass through the content before the initial paring of the sub/surround speakers has been completed; to which I followed.
Styling is very sleek. Depending on the height of your tv, the soundbar should not block most IR receivers.
I don't like soft touch covered speakers, they attract dust and hair and are harder to clean, but its the speaker standard, so not much to choose from.
I love that mounts for the soundbar and satellite speakers have been included. They are simple wall pucks, and in my experience are the easiest ones to mount. The soundbar mounting points are also centered straight line across the back, unlike Samsung that feels its better to offset and make the mounting experience extremely difficult. My soundbar was bundled with Sanus speaker stands and while it is possible to use the stands, the plug style for the satellite speaker protrudes just enough that the speaker cannot be positioned perfectly in a vertical stance. I'm also not a fan of proprietary plugs, some good ol'speaker wire would be nice here. You definitely have enough wire to stretch the speakers out were you want them, just now for Dolby Atmos, the placement and distance is a bit more specific.
The subwoofer for a 6" gives great deep sound. And the satellite speakers after adjusting the sound level output via the Vizio Smartcast app were even better.
Dolby Atmos, while the idea is compelling, I'm not sure a soundbar with two satellite speakers can actually replicate it. As a 5.1 system it does a great job and as expected and wireless rear speakers have come a long way (they do draw power and sound from powered subwoofer). Wired is still better, but for a simple home theater setup, this does better than fine.
Back to Dolby Atmos, more parlor tricks. If your ceiling is more than 12ft tall or shorter than 8ft and is vaulted, the trickery will not work to bounce the sound off the ceiling.
My ceilings are of the typical 8ft-9ft flat variety and not popcorn finished, so it has a nice hard surface to bounce sound.
When using content specifically designed to harness the Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 setup, it was very hard to distinguish the sound being bounced from the ceiling. Sound was definitely heard, but giving the 360 degree feeling of things coming from overhead never quite captivated the senses. As 5.1 it was fantastic.
The Vizio 46" 5.1.4 may offer a better experience as the soundbar height speakers are isolated from the satellite speakers, so it may be able to project the sound better.
I would say the 36" 5.1.2 gave more of a 7.1 affect than a Dolby Atmos affect, which again is not bad, just no so much as advertised. I have not had many experiences yet with other products of this type promoting Dolby Atmos, but from other product reviews and sites I can see that the technology at least at this point is really hard to replicate effect without actually running wires and installing speakers in the ceiling. Of which I am not opposed, but not really looking for the full theater setup yet.
However, most of this point is moot simply because the access to Dolby Atmos content is very hard at this point. Netflix has options, Vudu, and good old 4K Blu-Ray's. If going the Vudu and Blu-Ray route Dolby Atmos is only packaged with the 4K content even though the sound profile is not dependent on the resolution content. Netflix, though will give access to the Dolby Atmos profile (for the content that has it) irrespective of the resolution content, but you do have to have the Ultra HD package to gain access to the extra feature and the source of accessing must also be able to access it ie. Xbox One S in my instance. I had to use the HDMI IN on the Soundbar for the audio to default.
For Xbox One owners have I noticed that my Xbox won't always keep the audio settings set for Dolby Atmos. I have also noticed at times it does not like Dolby Digital Plus. I do feel most of these issues are with the Xbox, not Vizio soundbar. I have not extensively looked into Xbox issues yet.
So if your heart is set on Dolby Atmos, I would say look elsewhere for the actual effect, and still be ready to be disappointed even by other manufacturers as the true setup requires ceiling mounted/installed speakers; anything other is just trying to mimic.
If you just want a great 5.1 system, you're in for a treat!
Inputs/Features: AUX, optical cable (I did find that my TV supported soundbar vol using this option too), HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, Chromecast Audio.
Don't be fooled by that last one, I thought it had a Chromecast built-in, but in fact it is Chromecast Audio, which only works with casting sound from Apps like Pandora, Spotify, and Google Play Music, etc. It is way better than Bluetooth as it is a lossless format and doesn't require you to be near the soundbar as it uses WiFi. I have an Vizio soundbar in the garage with a Chromecast Audio dongle just for this purpose and it is great.
Setting up the Chromecast Audio was litte more difficult than it should have been using the Vizio Smartcast App. The instructions no where linked the two, and it takes figuring out in the app. It took me a few times to get it to work, once simply because I thought it was supposed to cast Video, but also because it would not recognize my local network.
I immediately scanned for firmware updates for the soundbar, however, I am not sure if it even did it, there was no confirmation that the system was up to date or that it was even checking.
You will definitely want the app as its the only way to tweak the soundbar settings. It has a very limited equalizer setup: Music, Movie, Direct. My guess is the direct allows the TV equalizer to be used. Have not messed with it much in that regards. So far the only setting I tweaked was turning up the rear speakers as they were way to quiet at default setting and the soundbar overpowered the rear even though they were closer to my head.
For those with older TV's especially LG, in the past it was a known issue that Vizio and LG did not play nicely. Case in point my 2011 LG 55" LED 3D TV using Optical cable (did not have ARC) would not work with a Vizio soundbar on that input; I don't remember the specifics, but it had to do with Vizio only supported one audio profile PCM, but it was different in some way that the LG sent the signal. Using 3.5mm worked fine, but was only stereo, not 2.1. That being said, I have had Samsung Soundbar hooked to that tv for some time and never had issues. I bring this up as I did encounter some sound issues when using the Vizio 36" 5.1.2 via optical cable on this same TV. It was a highly intermittent issue that happened a couple of times at best and seemed to stop or remedied by turning the soundbar off/on but nonetheless it happened.
There has been a couple of instances where using the Xbox with the soundbar in HDMI ARC and HDMI in setup has had sound leveling issues. Slime Rancher game it was consistent through out. Using Netflix via Roku also had the issue.
This happened using a 2012 Insignia LCD TV.
I have also had this system hooked up to an Insignia 4K Amazon Fire TV and had no issues with sound at all.
There is only one issue that I have been able to replicate and it lays solely with the Xbox One S.
I still highly recommend the product, the issues thus far have been intermittent or mitigated by the setup choice and even then stem from 7 year old problems, so I don't feel like I can fault Vizio here. Seeing as my newest TV showed no issues in sound, I can only think its my older devices that are causing the issues. I cannot say that 100%, but its probably the case.
Looking at upgrading the TV the soundbar is currently setup on to a Vizio come tax season. So i'll know then if where the issues lie. In the mean time I'm as pleased as 5.1 surround sound punch.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+105points
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Acer - Nitro 5 15.6" Gaming Laptop - AMD Ryzen 5 - 8GB Memory - AMD Radeon RX 560X - 1TB Hard Drive
Enjoy engaging simulations and immersive visuals with this Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop. The Radeon graphics card offers 4GB of dedicated video memory for efficient rendering performance, and the 2.GHz AMD Ryzen processor and 8GB of RAM provide ample computing power. This Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop has a 1TB hard drive for your collection.
Great budget gaming laptop
Customer Rating
5.0
Calling it a laptop is not quite accurate, more appropriately is a mid-range portable gaming station. I would say this is for the casual gamer who may not necessarily care about the latest greatest games, needs a portable computer for doing work. If you are trying to consolidate your gaming to be portable and want to play latest games, you will want to step up to the next level of gaming laptops.
At 6lbs its light enough to lug around in a back pack and battery life will be good enough to last you a days worth of school; I would suggest optimizing the battery settings though.
There isn't an optical drive, so no CD/DVD's, but honestly everything is either streamed or downloaded anyway.
The hard drive is 1TB which is great for storage of 22GB+ games these days, however, it is a bit slow on the wake up. The speed of SSD is what I am used too, so I will definitely be swapping out the HDD for one. Which is extremely easy! Direct bay access with the removal of one screw. I miss those days, most now require taking the entire underside panel off and also removing the rubber sliders/risers off too (which never stick back again even with super glue). The same goes from the RAM bay, 1 screw. The bay supports 2 slots at 8GB each.
The GPU has 4GB dedicated, however, the Processor has 1GB of the System memory allocated for it, so useable memory is 7GB of 8GB, or 15GB of 16GB at full capacity.
I don't know exactly when the GPU kicks and when the Ryzen 5 processor is primary, but under normal use and under gaming I haven't noticed any lag or stutter.
Laptop can easily play older AAA Games and the dual fans run at low. While the sound is good, I would recommend using headphones still to cut out the fan noise and for more rich sound.
YouTube/video streaming, no issues there with fan noise, just really gaming.
Screen lid easily opens with 1 finger. I'd say 99.9% of the weight is in the base and the hinge is really smooth, so it opens easily.
My normal work laptop is a Lenovo Yoga 720 13.3" touchscreen. I can I say I like the keyboard keys better on the Acer as they are quieter and have a bit of a bowl shape to them.
However, the right SHIFT key is smaller and takes an extra reach to get it. It seems to be a trend with keyboards lately. Lenovo's low-end laptops have a ridiculous placement, the Acer 5 Nitro is way better in comparison to that.
Screen has great color for IPS LCD, I wasn't expecting the color punch of touchscreen, but it did surprise me of how good it looked out-of-the-box. It does have a lot of bezel, which even thought it is 15.6" it feels smaller than my daily driver 13.3". Out-of-the-box the zoom setting under Windows 10 was set to 125%, I switched it to 100% and it definitely made the screen feel more useful.
Styling is quite nice, definitely has the gamer's edge of sharp angles and red LED lighting. Which is really nice. Adding the ability to change the LED color would have been cool. Cannot change the keyboard backlight brightness level, but with it being Red, its not distracting.
Definitely recommend.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Ninja - Air Fryer - Black/Gray
Prepare food with hot air instead of oil by using this Ninja air fryer. It offers a temperature range from 105-400 degrees F to let you create dehydrated snacks or air-cook dishes with 75 percent less fat than traditional frying. Make up to 2 lbs. of food with convection heat in this Ninja air fryer.
Works, but small portion sizes
Customer Rating
4.0
First Impressions: easy to use, looks cool, yields small batches of food compared to size of device, straightforward instructions, easy clean-up.
The 4qt size is a bit misleading as yes you can use the full 4qt size depending on the type of food, however, even using the full 4qts requires moving the food around to make sure it gets "fried". Foods like meats cannot be layered. So overall the design greatly limits the amount of prepared food cooked at a time, so the recommendation is it is great for a family unit of 2, but larger than that you are looking at multiple batches, with two batches of any one type of food taking 45min to an hour to cook. The cooking times stated in the instructions seem to be spot on, so that assessment of multiple batches should hold true too; not adding time for cooling of the device "pot" to be to handle and load another batch, so adding about 10 minutes to get a real world start to finish time.
I don't know if it can be called an "Air Fryer" though, as the food looks like it has been roasted, so no different than using an oven, putting oil on something, and tossing it in. Since the food is not being deep fried it doesn't have that fried look, nor does it taste fried...it tastes roasted. Not that it is a bad thing, but the applications my family had in mind, it definitely will not work for as it will need to be tried and true deep fried.
I would recommend this, but seriously think through the intended applications and quantities desired. For potatoes/french fries, and the like its an easy win as the mess of a true fryer is gone; again just limited by yields.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
+9points
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Plantronics - BackBeat FIT 3100 True Wireless Earbud Headphones - Black
Let nothing hold you back with these BackBeat FIT 3100 wireless sport earbuds. Always Aware ear tips maintain an audible level of outside noise to keep you conscious of your surroundings, and the soft, flexible ear hooks ensure a secure, comfortable fit. The charging case of these water-resistant BackBeat FIT 3100 wireless sport earbuds provides 10 hours of additional battery life.
Nice upgrade
Customer Rating
5.0
I've used the original BackBeat Fits for almost 2 years and absolutely love them for my use. Recommend them to any one asking about wireless headphones.
These will be the one's i recommend now! They connect easily, have longer battery life compared to already great battery life of the original.
Can operate as dual or single mode if you just want to use as a headset.
Can operate as dual or single mode if you just want to use as a headset.
Fit is awesome definitely softer than original as they took a few uses to break in and hurt your ears a little in the process, once they warmed up on the sun they molded to your ear. The 3100 fit perfectly, light and no ear soreness after a few hours of wear while doing yard work.
I love that they're NOT noise cancelling. I can hear the ambient noises whatever I'm doing.
Sound... Awesome! Again an upgrade over the original. Using just the right earbud I did notice a little distortion and sound level is quiter overall than original.
Use, took me a little bit to retrain myself on button presses. And the instructions give basic info.
If you only use right ear bud then you don't get volume control (still can on phone obviously), but can start/stop/advance song and launch voice assistant as well as turn on/off.
Left ear bud has volume by tapping (think touch screen) and on/off via button click.
The only thing a little awkward is the case design, as the earbuds sit opposite of the ear they are, right ear left-side of case. I'm guessing the case doesn't have a battery, as the documentation does not state it.
When taking a earbud out of the case it automatically turns on and will first connect to the opposite bud saying "headphones connected" . Then connects to a device saying "device connected."
My phone is in pocket with each use so cannot comment on range. I wouldn't expect much.
I did not try to pair with my Moto 360 Sport Watch, so cannot comment on watches.
Like every new product on the market these days that has a battery, it does not state anywhere the proper or accepted voltage the buds/case can handle.
I do like the case it keeps everything compact and neat. Easy to stick in a cargo pocket or small compartment in the vehicle.
Highly recommend to anyone in the market for true wireless earbuds.If not can't go wrong with the original/2100 series.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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MnstrMike's Questions
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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.
2 years, 6 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.
2 years, 6 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
2 years, 6 months ago
by
Posted by:
MnstrMike
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.¹ These earbuds are powered by the Apple H1 chip. The result — instant one-touch pairing², Automatic Switching³, Audio Sharing⁵, and hands-free “Hey Siri”⁴ for Apple devices. For Android users, easily connect via Class 1 Bluetooth® right out of the box. With the Beats app for Android¹¹, 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 time⁶ with 18 additional hours⁷ 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.
2 years, 7 months ago
by
Posted by:
MnstrMike
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.
2 years, 7 months ago
by
Posted by:
MnstrMike
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.
2 years, 7 months ago
by
Posted by:
MnstrMike
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
2 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
MnstrMike
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
2 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
MnstrMike