TechMatcher's stats
- Review count200
- Helpfulness votes632
- First reviewNovember 3, 2015
- Last reviewAugust 17, 2025
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.4
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- Helpfulness votes0
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Questions
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- Answer count77
- Helpfulness votes101
- First answerNovember 3, 2015
- Last answerDecember 3, 2021
- Featured answers0
- Best answers12
The BOOST~CHARGE Dual USB-A wall charger allows you to conveniently charge two phones, power banks, or tablets at the same time. It's perfect when multiple devices need a charge and space is limited. You can quickly and easily start charging your device, right out of the box.
Posted by: TechMatcher
from Minneapolis
Just got the Belkin 24W Dual USA-B Wall Charger. So far - works great! With two 12W USB-A ports, the charge times on my iPhone are less than half that using Apples included 5W charger.
Chargers come in a variety of sizes - such as 5W, 10W, 12W, 29W, 61W and 87W. I found a graph created by Dan Loewenherz that was created with a custom app to measure charging times - I think it is pretty telling. Basically, EVERYONE should upgrade from the 5W charger. The Belkin 12W charges I tested - lands in the sweet spot of price/performance as shown by the attached graphic.
Overall - very happy with the charger. The only thing that could have made it better was to include TWO lighting cables with it - as it is a DUAL port charger and touts charging TWO devices at once. Only one USB-A to Lighting cable is included.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Monitor your surroundings with this Night Owl 16-channel DVR security system. The four Full HD cameras feature L2 Color Boost technology to maintain footage clarity in low-light conditions, while the single sign-on two-step verification ensures secure access. This Night Owl 16-channel DVR security system features a 1TB HDD for ample storage.
Customer Rating
3
Budget system, clean images but dated look & feel.
on August 14, 2020
Posted by: TechMatcher
from Minneapolis
I’ve had the chance to install and work with a variety of wireless camera systems, but the Night Owl 16 channel, 4 camera 1080p DVR system is my first wired install and test. To sum it up, a powered and wired system produces more reliability and stability than a wireless one.
Setup of the system was relatively easy – you just have to learn how to manage the wires. Take extra care to make your installation neat and tidy. Label the cables and cameras – even make a diagram of the ports and connectivity on larger camera systems. You’ll appreciate that later. The included 60 foot cables were nice, but you’ll likely need to buy additional cables to be able to effectively connect all your cameras and hide the wires unless they are all only a room away. I tested the cameras before full install – highly recommended. All cameras worked successfully on my 4 camera system. I’ve heard stories of others having issues with the camera’s out of the box – I didn’t experience these problems.
The first thing I noticed was the USB mouse supplied with the system was cheap and didn’t work well. I simply replaced it with a wired USB mouse I had a home and that worked much better. Night Owl should consider supplying a better mouse.
The camera did produce a very crisp and clean image – perhaps better than many I’ve tried before! However, Night Owl claims to have color night vision (documentation states there must be some ambient light source), but in my testing even with ample ambient light, I only received monochrome images. Those images were clear – just only in black in white. When I added room overhead lighting, the did switch to full color mode.
Getting into the DP2 system starts with a decent logon screen, but the menu system and operational screen remind me of the early DOS menu system. Although functional, it would be worth it if Night Owl created a modern application look and feel that was less “intimidating” for novice users.
One thing I wanted to setup right away was a “schedule” of when to detect motion and record, and when not to. Typically I set my solutions to detect motion and record from 9pm to 6am. In research my option, I did not find a schedule to accommodate this. The Night Owl DP2 system has two options here: Continuous Recording or Timelapse Recording. Digging deeper, timelapse mode records 1 Frame per second (FSP), and upon detection of an event (motion or human), records the set at full FPS for the duration of the event, then switches back to timelapse mode. Kinda neat, really.
Cell phone notification in my iPhone worked well. Simply download the Night Owl Protect app, log in and you have access to your DVR and all it’s records and real time action. Quality depends on your internet connection, of course.
There are too many advanced features to list, so you can dig through the manual before you buy if you are interested in the ability to adjust the images, set recording zones, set record rate and quality, etc.
Overall – this is a budget friendly wired monitoring system. Be prepared to buy additional cameras, cables and accessories as once you get it setup – you’ll want more!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Performance meets versatility. From intensive video and graphics files to high-octane gaming, the most powerful Surface laptop yet combines speed, graphics, and long battery life with the versatility of a laptop, tablet, and portable studio. Tackle your biggest demands with quadcore powered 10th Gen Intel Core processors, blazing NVIDIA graphics, and high-resolution PixelSense Display designed for Surface Pen* and touch.
Customer Rating
4
Exceptional graphics and battery life!
on July 9, 2020
Posted by: TechMatcher
from Minneapolis
Let me start by saying that I belong to the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program – an invitation-only product reviewer program where I am provided products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased reviews. Truth be told, the product is NOT free to me, but I do receive a substantial discount. Because of this, I only select products to review that I can really use – daily – and I really wanted a Surface Book 3! OK – that’s out of the way, onto the review.
If you read no further than this paragraph, know that the Surface Book 3 is an extremely capable and versatile convertible. I use Microsoft Visio for creating complex and detailed diagrams and this machine handled the zooming, panning with ease. I also use 3D landscape design programs to render landscaping views, and again the Surface Book 3 with its Nvidia 1660 handled that with ease. Although the CPU is NOT the fastest at 1.3 GHz, the features of the Surface Book 3 make this an awesome convertible to own!
Onto more details:
My Surface Book has the 15” touch screen and awesome graphics that makes everything look super crisp! I’ve got the 32GB RAM & 512GB Toshiba SSD – both rockin’ fast! First thing I did after unboxing was charge it and update it. Then, I ran a performance test using Passmark Performance Test v10. I do this with all my machines so I can see how they stack up. See the graphic below for how it tested. Overall – it was FAST, but not as FAST as I expected.
CPU – although Microsoft included a nice i7 processor, I believe they didn’t pick a faster one due to power/heat issues of this thin tablet. I have other laptops (perhaps not a fair comparison) that have much faster processors, so they rate higher in the testing of course. I screenshot of the performance test is included. The SSD drive is super fast! 2D and 3D graphics dragged down the over all score, but I had some resolution issues during DirectX testing.
I have found a few minor “inconveniences” however. The first being that since I wear an Apple Watch with a magnetic band, I find it mildly annoying that my wrist/watch “sticks” to the keyboard. I know I’m not supposed to rest my wrists on the keyboard, but it still annoys me. The second inconvenience is that the keyboard is so large. I guess it needs to be that big to match the size of the 15” monitor, but take a look at the picture and it is just so – so plain.
I love the convertible feature – and use it more than I would have expected. Both the front and back cameras are awesome – just used them for Skype, Webex and Zoom calls today. Nice clear picture and audio – both the speaker and microphone!
As for accessories, I plan to invest in a Surface Pen to make using the touchscreen even more productive. I already have the Surface Arc mouse and love it and the surface dock. These are must haves in my mind.
Battery life has been phenomenal compared to my other laptops and devices – I’ve already went a full 12 hours without a charge and there is life remaining. I believe you can get the full 16 hours depending on your usage and screen brightness.
Again, you can’t go wrong with such a capable device. If you use a computer all day long, make presentations to customers and want to impress with stellar graphics and power – it’s an easy choice!
I gave only 4 stars because of the slower 4 core processor as compared to what is available today, noting that more cores and speed would likely have a negative affect on battery life.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Remove stains and pet odors with this Hoover Paws & Claws premixed carpet cleaner. The powerful formula contains enzymatic cleaning ingredients that quickly break down stains and continue working until odors are completely eliminated. This Hoover Paws & Claws premixed carpet cleaner works on curtains and car upholstery and leaves behind a pleasant cotton breeze scent.
Posted by: TechMatcher
from Minneapolis
This product is a complement to my Hoover SmartWash Pet Complete carpet cleaner. Simply fill the wand's container with the Spot Chaser solution and release the want and pre-treat away! The wand makes it easier to spray than getting down on the floor and spraying using a hand sprayer. The solution works like magic and has been great on treating my aging cat's yellow-green hairballs (yeah, gross I know).
So far - very happy with both this solution and the Smartwash Pet Complete - easiest and best cleaner I've owned!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Stay in the game with this JBL Quantum 800 over-ear wireless gaming headset. The memory foam padding ensures comfort during long duels, while the unidirectional microphone delivers clear communication to your teammates. This JBL Quantum 800 over-ear wireless gaming headset features accurate spatial audio positioning to give you an edge over your enemies.
Customer Rating
4
Great sounds, mediocre microphone
on June 5, 2020
Posted by: TechMatcher
from Minneapolis
This is a light and comfortable headset with 2.4Ghz and Bluetooth 5.0 for connectivity. The headset has many features that make gaming or conversations a breeze - such as a boom microphone that mutes itself when you flip it up.
Full customizable RGB LED accents to make you look cool while gaming, but can be shut off as well to conserve battery. Battery life is rated at 14 hours, but my testing showed a more conservative 12 hour average between charges.
The left earcup has all the controls - and just using your finger to adjust the controls may be difficult to identify the right button. More space between the buttons or perhaps different textures would have made this easier.
The sound of the headset is great! Awesome bass sounds and full midlevel sounds - makes this a fantastic headset for today's games. It definitely provides a great in-game experience and being wireless will help you immerse in your game play even more!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Shoot pro-quality aerial footage with this DJI Mavic Air 2 drone. The three-axis gimbal stabilizes the 48.0MP camera for stunning photos and clear videos, while the 3500 mAh battery delivers dependable power for every flight. This DJI Mavic Air 2 drone features FocusTrack technology for advanced obstacle avoidance and target tracking.
Posted by: TechMatcher
from Minneapolis
I was so excited to try out my new DJI Mavic Air 2 - and equally excited to write this review! Let me start by saying I have minimal drone experience, but that didn't stop me from charging up and taking off without any issues at all! It was like a dream!
The Fly More package - with extra batteries, extra propellers, battery charging hub, shoulder bag and more is a MUST. So great to have those batteries charging getting ready for more air time.
I can't express the ease at which this drone flies. Even if you've never done it before, you'll be zipping around the neighborhood in no time. Stable, 34 min flight time, easy return-to-home feature, 6+ mile range for video (as long as there aren't too many obstacles). So many features.
The Camera is Sweet. A 3-axis gimbal with 1/2" CMOS sensor captures beautiful pictures and videos. I boasts 48MP still images. You need to practice - don't take photos into the sun - use lens filters appropriately, etc. Stunning video - can't upload to BBY site though as they are too large 1+GB. I'll upload a few stills. As an example though, I have video of fish and turtles swimming in the backyard pond from 30 feet in the air!
More features - FocusTrack can follow you around as you bike, walk, ski, etc. The Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems 3.0 (APAS) uses sensors on 3 of the six sides to avoid colliding with objects. A CON here is that there are sensors on only 3 sides, they are NOT on the top and left/right sides. Bummer.
I could go on and on, talk about the specs (you can just look them up), but I'd rather go out and fly. Did I mention 43 mph? Wow. I'm very impressed. Good job DJI - and I'm looking forward to updates that may open up even more features!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Clean and deodorize your rugs, carpets and upholstery with this 64-oz. Hoover Paws and Claws carpet cleaning formula. Stainguard technology and enzymatic ingredients eliminate pet messes, odors and dirt, while the cotton breeze scent leaves your home smelling fresh all day. This Hoover Paws and Claws carpet cleaning formula has an optimized formulation that's safe to use with your deep cleaning machines.
Posted by: TechMatcher
from Minneapolis
To go along with the Hoover Smartwash carpet cleaner I recently received, this is the right cleaning solution to use. I've had great results with it - and it smells good as well. It doesn't foam up and don't feel a residue left on the carpet after it dries - so this is the only solution I plan to use with the cleaner! my dog constantly licks the carpet and makes it smell bad - and this seems to have neutralized that order - at least for now!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Hoover~ SmartWash~ PET Complete Automatic Carpet Washer is just as easy to use as our original SmartWash. Simply push forward to clean and pull back to dry. No trigger, and no mixing solutions. It~s literally as easy as vacuuming. And the SmartWash~ PET Complete is designed specifically for homes with pets. Use the Spot Chaser~ Pretreat Wand to pretreat stains before you clean or as you go. Plus, the antimicrobial FlexForce Pet PowerBrushes remove deep-down dirt while resisting pet odors. For those pet stains on stairs or furniture SmartWash~ PET Complete comes with an antimicrobial scrubbing tool.
Customer Rating
5
The evolution of carpet cleaners!
on April 16, 2020
Posted by: TechMatcher
from Minneapolis
I've owned many carpet cleaners over my life, and this is certainly a different carpet. Aimed at making it easier to use, it operates just like a vacuum - push forward and water/solution dispenses, pull back and it extracts the water. Ingenious. I like it - however sometimes I think it uses too much solution and leaves the carpet soapy. To resolve this, you can out just a little solution into the solution container and fill the rest with water. It's up to you how much you use, but it comes out at a preset level.
I have a lab and a cat, so I have plenty of pet hair in the house. I vacuumed the carpet first, then used the cleaner and it had no problem dealing with the hair the vacuum left behind. The brushes come out easily for cleaning - just in case you find more hair in them than you expect.
Super easy to assemble, easy and fun to operate and the dry-only mode helps you get more of the water out of the carpet than most cleaners. The double brush design works great but is also mesmerizing to look at!
I'm happy with this cleaning and will use it for all the room in the house.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Record audio using your smartphone with this Samson Satellite USB/iOS broadcast microphone. Two 16mm condenser capsules capture clear, accurate audio, and the three pickup patterns let you record detailed audio in a variety of situations. This Samson Satellite USB/iOS broadcast microphone offers easy portability and includes USB and Lightning cables for connecting to a range of devices.
Customer Rating
5
Ultimate in Portability
on January 17, 2020
Posted by: TechMatcher
from Minneapolis
This awesome and compact mic makes it easy to record high-quality audio at home or on the go. I think it's completely genius to have the legs fold up into the body of the microphone, and equally as genius to be IOS compatible! The IOS feature is the leading feature of this update, but certainly not the only one.
This mic features 3 audio recording pattern modes to better allow you to capture the sounds (UNI, BI & OMNI-directional). A touch sensitive mute button makes it SILENT and quick to mute a recording.
For those of you wondering if you really need a microphone or should just use the built in microphone on your smartphone - it really is a big difference. I compared several recordings using just my iPhone mic to that of using the Samson Satellite mic - and much prefer the latter.
The only con I see is that it picks up noise of items on the table - like your hands, or tapping, since there's no shock absorber on the leg stands. That's why radio announcers have mics hanging on a boom or suspended - it doesn't pick up the sound of them setting their Yeti on the surface.
Overall - great mic and I plan to use in for my video blogging!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Improve your dental hygiene with this Oral-B Genius X 10000 electric toothbrush. Integrated artificial intelligence identifies your brushing style and helps coach you to improve your form for better results and dental health. This Oral-B Genius X 10000 electric toothbrush connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth so you can track your progress and optimize your hygiene.
Posted by: TechMatcher
from Minneapolis
OK - I have to admit that I'm loving my Oral-B Genius X 10000 toothbrush. I'm a long time "hand brusher", so was excited to finally give an electric toothbrush a try. I'm impressed - and my teeth feel cleaner than when done by hand. I even think they look more white than before - but admittedly it's hard to tell.
Brush handle itself is ergonomic and light, with 6 cleaning modes and comes with an awesome case and 3 brush heads. The charge lasts easily a week as I just took it to Europe with me without the charger and had no issues at all! Great features like pressure sensitivity, built in timer, and Artificial Intelligence make this brush really stand out.
Download the Oral-B app for you phone and it will sync all your previous brushings and let you know how you are doing. Take your phone into the bathroom with you and it will show you via bluetooth where you are brushing and when it is clean (by showing glowing white teeth in that area). It's amazing accurate at depicting where your brush head is in your mouth - so actually pretty cool!
There are lots of features like coaching, a results page to see you often you are brushing (see image), tracks your average brush time and more!
If you are looking for a toothbrush upgrade - this could easily be the one for you!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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For families and small businesses who want classic Office apps and email installed on one Windows 10 PC or Mac for use at home or work. Classic 2019 versions of Office apps including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Plus, OneNote for Windows 10.
How long does it take to download and install Office Home & Business?
All depends on the speed of your internet connection and the speed of your computer. You'll need Windows 10 or one of the latest 3 version of Mac OS though...
6 years, 10 months ago
by
TechMatcher
For families and small businesses who want classic Office apps and email installed on one Windows 10 PC or Mac for use at home or work. Classic 2019 versions of Office apps including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Plus, OneNote for Windows 10.
What is the difference between Office 365 (subscription) and Office 2019 (one-time purchase)?
Office 365 is constantly evolving and adding new features. Office 2019 is a point-in-time snapshot of the O365 applications.
6 years, 10 months ago
by
TechMatcher
For families and small businesses who want classic Office apps and email installed on one Windows 10 PC or Mac for use at home or work. Classic 2019 versions of Office apps including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Plus, OneNote for Windows 10.
I need to use the 32 bit version of outlook. Is that possible with this?
Yes - you would load the 32-bit version of Office then. You can't mix 32 and 64 bit office components - the installer won't let you.
6 years, 10 months ago
by
TechMatcher
Watch over your infant with this Panasonic long-range baby monitor. It comes with a pan-and-tilt night vision camera with smart sensor alerts to keep your child~s environment in check, and two-way communication, lullaby and white noise functions let you soothe your baby. The DECT technology of this Panasonic long-range baby monitor provides strong wireless signal reception.
Does this monitor have a clock on the display?
No, I didn't see a clock option, but there is room temperature on the display.
6 years, 11 months ago
by
TechMatcher
Feel the beat with this LG PK3 portable Bluetooth speaker. It provides dynamic sound and rich bass thanks to its Meridian Audio technology, so you can bring the party with you. The IPX-7 water resistance lets you go anywhere, rain or shine. This LG PK3 portable Bluetooth speaker keeps the music going for up to 12 hours per charge.
I want to use this as a speaker on my TV. Will it work for this purpose if I leave it plugged into a wall outlet for power all the time?
I believe so - there is a 1/8" "in port" on the back of the unit. Just FYI that the power in is USB-C - not that it matters but in case you are wondering.
7 years ago
by
TechMatcher
Bring the sounds of the movies to your home with these Sony Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers. The compact size fits neatly on top of your existing tower speakers for an easy way to upgrade your sound system. Mica-reinforced cellular cones reduce distortion, while the MDF cabinets absorb vibrations for better playback. These Sony Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers offer surround sound capabilities for an immersive listening experience.
Hi, Can these be used on their own (without other speakers) for sound for a small room?
Yes they can - and will produce deep, rich sound that you'll appreciate!
7 years, 1 month ago
by
TechMatcher
Clean your home with voice command or app-based programs by using this Samsung robot vacuum. Its digital camera and nine sensors let it find its way around, avoiding obstacles and mapping the most efficient path through your home. Wi-Fi connects this powerful Samsung robot vacuum to your smart home systems.
Can this robot machine vacuum carpet for one hour?
Run time is <90 minutes, then it goes back to the charging stations, recharges, and goes back out again if it didn't complete the room.
http://samsungpowerbot.com/
http://samsungpowerbot.com/
7 years, 3 months ago
by
TechMatcher
Clean your home with voice command or app-based programs by using this Samsung robot vacuum. Its digital camera and nine sensors let it find its way around, avoiding obstacles and mapping the most efficient path through your home. Wi-Fi connects this powerful Samsung robot vacuum to your smart home systems.
Do you have an instructional video I may watch?
Yes - plenty of videos at: http://samsungpowerbot.com/
7 years, 3 months ago
by
TechMatcher
Count on crystal-clear voice communication with these Jabra Elite wireless neckband headphones. Three-microphone call technology and professional-grade active noise cancellation block ambient sounds, and they come with different-sized EarGels for a customizable fit. These Jabra Elite wireless neckband headphones support Amazon Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant for voice-activated control.
What is the distance from mobile device?
Honestly, most bluetooth devices have a clear range of about 35 feet. Once you start putting walls and objects in the way - that can decrease sharply. So - you're good to leave your phone on the window sill at the gym and roam around for 30-35 feet or so, but in your home you may find it less. BTW - these use Bluetooth 5.0.
https://www.howtogeek.com/343718/whats-different-in-bluetooth-5.0/
https://www.howtogeek.com/343718/whats-different-in-bluetooth-5.0/
7 years, 3 months ago
by
TechMatcher
Garmin Speak~ Plus with Amazon Alexa is what you love about Amazon Alexa, now in your vehicle. Use voice control for hands-free access to music, news, navigation and more. Plus, a built-in dash cam gives you forward collision and lane departure warnings.
Can you use another Bluetooth speaker if your aged car doesn't support Bluetooth "hands free" link to your phone? Is the Garmin Alexa listening part in the Garmin head as indicated by the blue/yellow ring?
Yes - you should be able to pair it to any bluetooth speaker - or say headphones if you're wearing them in the car. It has a built in microphone for listening too, yes.
7 years, 6 months ago
by
TechMatcher