BillFromKCMO
Top 1000 Contributor
BillFromKCMO's Stats
- Review Count134
- Helpfulness Votes57
- First ReviewAugust 15, 2018
- Last ReviewDecember 13, 2023
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating4.5
Reviews Comments
- Review Comment Count8
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First Review CommentJuly 15, 2019
- Last Review CommentJune 4, 2021
- Featured Review Comments0
Questions
- Question Count0
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First QuestionNone
- Last QuestionNone
- Featured Questions0
- Answer Count65
- Helpfulness Votes10
- First AnswerAugust 15, 2018
- Last AnswerFebruary 6, 2024
- Featured Answers0
- Best Answers3
TP-Link - Kasa Wi-Fi Smart Light Dimmer Switch - White
Control your environment with this TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi light switch. The scheduling feature lets you program multiple ambient settings for specified times of the day, and the Wi-Fi connectivity offers convenient remote access to functions via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi light switch has a dimmer for maximum precision.
Easy to install and highly functional
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: BillFromKCMO
on June 25, 2019
Quality
4.0
Value
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
I've used Kasa plugs and lightbulbs for a while and have enjoyed a problem-free experience during the course of ownership over the last couple of years (6 lightbulbs and 4 plugs). Naturally, I leaned toward Kasa switches if I were to ever use smart switches because of this experience.
I bought two of these to control lighting in a bathroom These switches weren't much more than non-connected dimmers I was also considering. I ended up going with these since I'd be able to make adjustments to dimming calibration through the Kasa app, instead of needing to adjust dimming calibration manually on the non-connected dimmers I considered.
Some of the nice features you wouldn't think about with these include LED indicators that dimly glow, showing you were the switches are in a dark room; indicators showing you where you're at in terms of dimming level on the switch; connectivity with Google and Alexa; and smart phone app functionality that covers lighting scheduling, timers, and all the configuration functionality you'd need.
The biggest thing you need to know about these switches is you absolutely need a neutral wire in the switch box. If you do not have this, you'll need to contact a qualified electrician to fix that for you. These will not function without a neutral line.
Also, just a recap of what comes in the box:
Kasa HS220 dimmer switch
2 wire nuts
"Screw-free" wall plate (standard decora style and the screws hide under the wall plate)
Basic instructions
Kasa HS220 dimmer switch
2 wire nuts
"Screw-free" wall plate (standard decora style and the screws hide under the wall plate)
Basic instructions
All in all, I'm happy with this purchase. I did have to exchange a switch because it was DOA, but that sort of thing happens and the replacement worked fine.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Verified Purchaser:Yes
Mobile Submission: false
Length of ownership: 2
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PNY - 480GB Internal SSD SATA
Secure your data on this 480GB PNY solid-state drive. With 550MB/sec. read speeds and 500MB/sec. write speeds, it lets you transfer large media files quickly and hassle-free, and its SATA III interface ensures it's compatible with most computers. This PNY solid-state drive has no moving parts, so it reduces noise for a quieter environment.
Brings new life to an old system.
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: BillFromKCMO
from KCMO
on April 6, 2019
I bought this to put into a friend of mine’s laptop as the mechanical hard drive in if was failing. Told her for not much more than a regular hard drive, she could have something that would make that laptop of hers feel brand new.
The laptop it went into, btw, is a Toshiba with a Sandy Bridge Pentium G-series chip.
After using Ubuntu to partition the drive to EFI and the included (downloadable) disk cloning software to move the contents of the old drive to this one, it was a matter of popping 5 screws on her laptop, swapping the drive mechanisms, and putting everything back together. From start to finish, it took me 2 hours (because the internal drive was very slow).
Boot times dropped from 2 minutes to 15 seconds from a cold boot. The Windows 10 1809 update took about 30 minutes to complete, including download over the laptop’s wireless N connection. Most apps opened instantly. Overall, it wasn’t much slower than my wife’s much newer Core i3-7100u laptop with a similar SSD in it.
The only thing that would have made this easier is if the drive was formatted as GPT instead of MBR. Otherwise, great product.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Verified Purchaser:Yes
Mobile Submission: True
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Philips Norelco OneBlade replacement blade 2 pack - Green/Silver
Philips Norelco OneBlade replacement blade 2 pack
A necessary evil.
Customer Rating
5.0
The pros:
These disposable shave heads last longer than 5 shaves and shave EVERYWHERE you want them to. They also won't cut you unless you really try to cut yourself.
The cons:
As previously mentioned, accuracy and speed aren't strong suits to the OneBlade system. With practice, however, both come quickly.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
0points
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Aluratek iStream Universal Bluetooth Audio Receiver: Easily add Bluetooth capability to your existing stereo system or speaker dock using this receiver, which lets you wirelessly stream audio from your Bluetooth-enabled device from up to 33 feet away. Built-in battery provides up to 12 hours of wireless use.
It works, buuuuut...
Customer Rating
3.0
Posted by: BillFromKCMO
from KCMO
on March 10, 2019
I bought this specifically to add Bluetooth audio streaming to my wife's car. It was on Deal of the Day, so I at least didn't burn all that much on it. But I'm slightly disappointed.
Aluratek advertises this as a Bluetooth audio receiver. To me, that means this only deals with Bluetooth's audio profiles, and not Bluetooth's hands-free profiles. I don't need HFP and its related things because the wife's car already has hands-free phone capabilities.
This device connects with hands-free along with audio streaming.
I missed the return window, but I've found another use for this device since I have speakers with aux-in capabilities but no Bluetooth. I'm still disappointed about it being misrepresented as a receiver.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Verified Purchaser:Yes
Mobile Submission: False
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![Ralph Breaks the Internet [SteelBook] [Dig Copy] [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/Blu-ray] [Only @ Best Buy] [2018]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/304b2327-370a-41e7-956a-951dd4939472.png)
Ralph Breaks the Internet [SteelBook] [Dig Copy] [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/Blu-ray] [Only @ Best Buy] [2018]
Not as good as the first one, but still good.
Customer Rating
4.0
For the fans, it's worth the purchase to get the SB edition because of the artwork in it. If you have to see it now but don't want to buy it, rent it through your favorite digital movie reseller. For everyone else, you might be better off to wait until it hits a subscription streaming service.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mobile Submission: False
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Ip Man Trilogy [Blu-ray]
Worth it if you enjoy Kung Fu films
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: BillFromKCMO
from KCMO
on March 9, 2019
The story of Ip Man is a fascinating one, and one I've enjoyed. This trilogy, even though it takes a few artistic liberties, covers everything from humble roots to a certain famous student. It's very much worth watching if you're a fan of Kung Fu movies in general.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Verified Purchaser:Yes
Mobile Submission: False
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C by GE - A19 Bluetooth Smart LED Light Bulb with Google Assistant/Alexa/HomeKit - White Only
Customize the room ambiance with this C by GE smart light bulb. The C by GE app has pre-set automations that adjust brightness at scheduled times, and Bluetooth connectivity supports wireless control via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This C by GE smart light bulb fits traditional medium-sized base sockets and employs LED technology for long-lasting use. The C by GE bulb connects directly to Google Home devices via Bluetooth with no additional hub or bridge required to provide quick and easy setup.
A good expansion bulb for C by GE but limited
Customer Rating
2.0
Posted by: BillFromKCMO
from KCMO
on January 26, 2019
I have reviews up for both the Google Home Mini Smart Light Kit and the C by GE 2-pack, so you can read my thoughts about the bulbs in those reviews. If you already have a C by GE smart light system in your home and you want to add additional bulbs, these are for you. If you're looking to start using smart lighting in your home, this isn't the smart light system you're looking for.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Verified Purchaser:Yes
Mobile Submission: False
-2points
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C by GE - A19 Bluetooth Smart LED Bulb with Google Assistant/Alexa/HomeKit (2-Pack) - White Only
Brighten your home with this 2-pack of C by GE smart LED light bulbs. The companion app lets you control dimming, setting schedules and creating scenes to suit different moods and purposes. Pair these C by GE smart LED light bulbs with Google Assistant or C by GE Smart Plug and Amazon Alexa to enable voice control. The bulb connects directly to Google Home devices via Bluetooth with no additional hub or bridge required to provide quick and easy setup.
Great if you have a Google Home Mini, otherwise...
Customer Rating
2.0
Posted by: BillFromKCMO
from KCMO
on January 26, 2019
(Note that I only got these because they were part of a deal Best Buy had going with the Google Home Mini Smart Light Kit. I've scored the bulbs as if I paid the full retail value for them, however.)
C by GE is a Bluetooth-connected smart light system. Because of this, it has limits you wouldn't experience with Wifi-connected or hub-connected smart light systems that compete with the C bulbs.
First, the good - these bulbs have three options for connectivity in your home:
If you don't have a Google Home device, you can download the C by GE app and configure them to work that way. This allows you to set timers for the bulbs to come on and turn off, as well as manually control the bulbs when they're in your phone's Bluetooth range. Of course, setting them up to operate this way prevents you from using more than one device to control them and you won't be able to control them while you're away from home (or possibly across the house).
If you do have a Google Home device, you can pair the bulbs by using the Google Home app on your iPhone or Android device. Once set up, the bulb establishes a Bluetooth connection with your Google Home device and you can manually control the bulbs with either your voice or the Google Home app. Unfortunately, this doesn't allow you to set a timer to control when the bulbs automatically come on or power down, but since you can control them from anywhere when set up this way, you'll be able to manually turn on the lights on your way home at night with either the Google Home app or Google Assistant and your voice. Note that you won't be able to pair these bulbs with Alexa using this method.
GE also sells what's called the C-Reach hub, which will put these bulbs at a price point that can be compared to premium smart light systems (both hub and wifi-connected). Unless you have both Google Home and Alexa devices, this isn't worth the cost and I can't recommend buying it for the C system.
These bulbs also form a Bluetooth mesh network, so if you have multiple C-life bulbs in your home, you won't necessarily be out of range because of their connection-hopping ability.
Now for the bad:
Bluetooth connectivity is the limiting factor with these light bulbs. WiFi options aren't much more expensive and are far more flexible. Even some hub-connected systems aren't much more expensive overall, and their central hub connects to WiFi so you can control them anywhere without a Google Home Mini or an optional - and expensive - hub.
If you have a large home, you may not be able to connect and control your bulbs from across the house if they're Bluetooth connected.
Resetting the lightbulb back to factory is a chore. It's not something that can be done either in the Google Home app or the C by GE, and compared to other smart lights, it's more difficult than it should be. (This deducted a star by itself.)
Being that these are Bluetooth bulbs, they're overpriced.
All in all, I can recommend these for apartment dwellers who aren't concerned with always-connected lightbulbs and want something with a well-known name brand, or for people who have a Google Home device and can get these bulbs on sale. As part o a Google Home Mini Smart Light Kit, this is also not a bad deal as you're getting a bulb for less than half it's retail price that way and you'll be able to internet connect it. For everyone else, however, look elsewhere. You can find better, more functional bulbs for around the same price.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Verified Purchaser:Yes
Mobile Submission: False
+5points
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BB-8™ App-Enabled Droid™ by Sphero - White
The BB-8™ App-Enabled Droid™ by Sphero is the Droid your little Jedi has been looking for, with its adaptive personality that responds to your voice. Connect to a compatible Apple® iOS or Android device to guide BB-8 around your home.
Fun little Droid.
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: BillFromKCMO
from KCMO
on January 21, 2019
Pairs quickly with the Sphero Droids app, but it does have a learning curve when it comes to driving it. Tons of personality as well.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Verified Purchaser:Yes
Mobile Submission: False
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Die Hard [30th Anniversary] [Blu-ray] [1988]
The GOAT when it comes to Christmas movies
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: BillFromKCMO
from KCMO
on January 21, 2019
Because it's not Christmas until you see Hans Gruber fall from the top of Nakatomi Plaza.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Verified Purchaser:Yes
Mobile Submission: False
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BillFromKCMO's Questions
BillFromKCMO has not submitted any questions.
C by GE - A19 Bluetooth Smart LED Light Bulb with Google Assistant/Alexa/HomeKit (4-Pack) - White Only
Create customized illumination for your home with this 4-pack of C by GE smart light bulbs. The free iOS or Android app lets you set automatic on and off schedules, and compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa supports the voice-activated operation. Control these 9.5W C by GE smart light bulbs individually, or group them together for simultaneous brightness adjustment. The C by GE bulb connects directly to Google Home devices via Bluetooth with no additional hub or bridge required to provide quick and easy setup.
Hello. Are these daylight or soft white bulbs?
Soft white. The color temperature is 2700k.
5 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
BillFromKCMO
C by GE - A19 Bluetooth Smart LED Bulb with Google Assistant/Alexa/HomeKit (2-Pack) - White Only
Brighten your home with this 2-pack of C by GE smart LED light bulbs. The companion app lets you control dimming, setting schedules and creating scenes to suit different moods and purposes. Pair these C by GE smart LED light bulbs with Google Assistant or C by GE Smart Plug and Amazon Alexa to enable voice control. The bulb connects directly to Google Home devices via Bluetooth with no additional hub or bridge required to provide quick and easy setup.
Do these C-smart light bulbs come higher than 60 watts? Some of my rooms need 100 watts or equivalent.
I believe they only come in 60 watt equivalent. I haven't seen any other shape than the standard A-line lightbulb either.
5 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
BillFromKCMO
C by GE - A19 Bluetooth Smart LED Bulb with Google Assistant/Alexa/HomeKit (2-Pack) - White Only
Brighten your home with this 2-pack of C by GE smart LED light bulbs. The companion app lets you control dimming, setting schedules and creating scenes to suit different moods and purposes. Pair these C by GE smart LED light bulbs with Google Assistant or C by GE Smart Plug and Amazon Alexa to enable voice control. The bulb connects directly to Google Home devices via Bluetooth with no additional hub or bridge required to provide quick and easy setup.
Are these bulbs soft white or day white
These bulbs are definitely soft white., 2700k color temperature, and not tunable.
5 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
BillFromKCMO
C by GE - A19 Bluetooth Smart LED Bulb with Google Assistant/Alexa/HomeKit (2-Pack) - White Only
Brighten your home with this 2-pack of C by GE smart LED light bulbs. The companion app lets you control dimming, setting schedules and creating scenes to suit different moods and purposes. Pair these C by GE smart LED light bulbs with Google Assistant or C by GE Smart Plug and Amazon Alexa to enable voice control. The bulb connects directly to Google Home devices via Bluetooth with no additional hub or bridge required to provide quick and easy setup.
a) Will this work with the Smart Life App? I dont have Alexa or similar b) Can this be programed to dim slownly, as a natural sunrise
A) Yes it can, but you'll only be able to control it at home since it's Bluetooth-connected and not WiFi-connected. Also, they only pair with the Google Home directly, not the Echo, so if you were to get a smart speaker in the future and want to control this with it, you'd be limited to Google Home devices.
B) you can set multiple timers to simulate this effect but these don't have a natural sunrise feature through the C app.
B) you can set multiple timers to simulate this effect but these don't have a natural sunrise feature through the C app.
5 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
BillFromKCMO
C by GE - A19 Bluetooth Smart LED Bulb with Google Assistant/Alexa/HomeKit (2-Pack) - White Only
Brighten your home with this 2-pack of C by GE smart LED light bulbs. The companion app lets you control dimming, setting schedules and creating scenes to suit different moods and purposes. Pair these C by GE smart LED light bulbs with Google Assistant or C by GE Smart Plug and Amazon Alexa to enable voice control. The bulb connects directly to Google Home devices via Bluetooth with no additional hub or bridge required to provide quick and easy setup.
Will this lamps work in Europe? I want to buy this with Google assistant as a gift to my friend in Europe and not sure if it will work there.
While an E26-base bulb usually fits in an E27 fixture, these bulbs aren't meant for European power standards (220VAC).
5 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
BillFromKCMO
C by GE - A19 Bluetooth Smart LED Bulb with Google Assistant/Alexa/HomeKit (2-Pack) - White Only
Brighten your home with this 2-pack of C by GE smart LED light bulbs. The companion app lets you control dimming, setting schedules and creating scenes to suit different moods and purposes. Pair these C by GE smart LED light bulbs with Google Assistant or C by GE Smart Plug and Amazon Alexa to enable voice control. The bulb connects directly to Google Home devices via Bluetooth with no additional hub or bridge required to provide quick and easy setup.
Do this bulbs work with 220 V?
No, these are meant for 120 VAC wiring systems (though they'll likely be fine between 90 and 130 VAC).
5 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
BillFromKCMO
Move to digital mobile audio with this Alpine digital media receiver. It has an AM/FM radio with RBDS display for station and program identification, and Android AOA 2.0 and Bluetooth music streaming for personalized sound from your portable device. This Alpine digital media receiver is ready for steering wheel and wireless remote controls.Geek Squad® installation is strongly recommended for this product. Please visit your local Best Buy store for details.
Does this Alpine UTE-73BT work with satellite radio?
If you have an external satellite tuner like an XM Roady, yes. If you have a tuner that's part of your current audio system, then no, as the only thing it can support that would already be on a car is steering wheel audio controls.
5 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
BillFromKCMO
Move to digital mobile audio with this Alpine digital media receiver. It has an AM/FM radio with RBDS display for station and program identification, and Android AOA 2.0 and Bluetooth music streaming for personalized sound from your portable device. This Alpine digital media receiver is ready for steering wheel and wireless remote controls.Geek Squad® installation is strongly recommended for this product. Please visit your local Best Buy store for details.
Is this compatible with Android smart phones? Review says it isnt... but specifications says it is... Need help...
I had mine working with a Digiland DL-8006 tablet just fine, so yes, it works with Android devices.
5 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
BillFromKCMO
HP - 200 Wireless Optical Mouse - Black
Scroll and click your way through your favorite websites with this HP wireless optical mouse. The USB connection makes it easy to add this device to your computer, and a handy wheel lets you scroll vertically or horizontally. With its ergonomic design and ambidextrous setup, this HP wireless mouse is optimized for comfort as you work.
My hp mouse model number is sm2061 I need to replace it it is a wireless mouse what can I replace it with if you don’t have this model number
Mice are generic devices, for the most part. Microsoft, HP, Logitech, etc - doesn't matter what brand it is, functionality is pretty much identical.
6 years ago
by
Posted by:
BillFromKCMO
Dynex™ - Apple MFi Certified 3' Lightning-to-USB Charge-and-Sync Cable - Gray
Only at Best BuySync or charge your Apple® iPod®, iPad® or iPhone® with this Dynex™ DX-MA5S 3' Lightning-to-USB cable, which features PVC jacket material to ensure durability.