Grouticus's stats
- Review count192
- Helpfulness votes437
- First reviewApril 22, 2016
- Last reviewOctober 28, 2025
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.7
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- Helpfulness votes0
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- Answer count12
- Helpfulness votes31
- First answerJanuary 25, 2017
- Last answerNovember 14, 2021
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- Best answers2
The Bose Smart Speaker 500 delivers wall-to-wall stereo sound from a single wireless smart speaker. Built-in voice control from Amazon Alexa puts songs, playlists, and more at the tip of your tongue. And you have the freedom to control the music your way - with your voice, with a tap on the top controls, or with the Bose app.
Customer Rating
5
Incredible Bose sound with Alexa Voice control
on November 6, 2018
Posted by: Grouticus
from Roseville, CA, USA
I’ve been looking for a replacement and upgrade for my first generation Alexa speaker and found exactly what I wanted and more in the Bose Home Speaker 500 with Amazon Alexa Voice Control. Sure, the price may not be in the range of most of the competition but, after hearing the sound this little machine can do, you definitely get what you pay for. I want to start off by reviewing my favorite feature of this device… the sound! I was really taken back by the sound this device produces; it’s almost overwhelming and can fill up most medium to large areas. I’ve barely been able to turn it up past half way and you can hear the deep bass sound that you would expect from Bose through several rooms in our house. Bose finally incorporated Amazon’s Alexa capabilities into their devices, including this speaker, activated and synced through their Bose Music app. The microphones are easily able to identify my voice controls without having to yell at it while music is playing. You can also sync other streaming music options such as Spotify, TuneIn and Pandora. Syncing everything during the initial set up was easy and self-explanatory; I had music playing with voice controls within about five to ten minutes from taking the device out of the box. The speaker also has bluetooth capabilities and an auxiliary input for you to plug in any other devices. One fun thing, but doesn’t serve much purpose, is the tiny front display that shows album art which is also mirrored in your smartphone’s app. The presets on the top of the device came in handy for setting streaming radio station presets. The Bose Music app provides some simple additional sound options to adjust the bass and treble. Overall Bose provides an amazing, and must needed, upgrade to the Alexa line of products with incredible sound.
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Enjoy interactive streaming with this Google Nest Hub. With the built-in Google Assistant, you can view your calendar, receive alerts and reminders, and control devices from the single dashboard, and voice control lets you access other smart features. This Google Nest Hub lets you listen to music from Spotify and Pandora and view YouTube content. "
Customer Rating
4
A must have for home automation and Google AI
on November 2, 2018
Posted by: Grouticus
from Roseville, CA, USA
The new Google Home Hub is a welcome addition to the Google family of products and, in typical Google fashion, they have created a great entry level option for a stationary smart device with a screen. The screen itself looks great but may seem a little small, about the size of a 5” X 7” picture frame, if you’re placing it in a large open space however that means it also doesn't take up too much space. That may also be one of its downfalls because the speaker is not exactly loud but it’s functional. It seems to pick up voices fairly easy and works great to control your home devices, play music services and even play any movies linked to your Google account. It syncs easily with their phones, or anything running on Android OS, along with a long list of third party devices including light switches, bluetooth devices, etc. that you can set up in their Google Home app. Even with the small screen and speaker, placing this in an area, such as kitchen or bedroom, serves a great purpose to ask questions, read the news and watch YouTube DIY videos for just about anything. I think the best part about this is the fact that it is made by Google using their software and AI which, in my opinion, is superior to others in this market. That being said, I really think this is a must have device if you are planning on automating your home and integrating your devices with Google products.
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Film underwater scenes in 4K with this 12-megapixel GoPro HERO7 action camera. Its HyperSmooth stabilization feature lets you capture shake-free videos, and it withstands submersion up to 33 feet without a waterproof case. Stream captured videos from this rugged GoPro HERO7 action camera on Facebook Live via the companion app.
Customer Rating
5
GoPro sets the bar once again for action cams
on September 27, 2018
Posted by: Grouticus
from Roseville, CA, USA
Once again the folks at GoPro have continued to push the limit and set the bar for compact action cameras. Although there isn't much change you can see on paper compared to previous models, you can clearly see noticeable change on videos due to the image stability software they have in the new GoPro Hero 7. The video is so smooth it's almost surreal and looks like it was shot by a professional photographer. Like most GoPro Hero models, the touchscreen is fairly simple to maneuver and responsive to touch. There are many options you can choose from for recording and capturing images including video quality, frame rate, low light, etc. It's great that you no longer need a waterproof housing to take a dip and record some sweet snorkeling pics and having a photo timer and time lapse option are also added benefits to play with. Another great thing about them not changing the physical camera too dramatically over the past two models is most, if not all, of the old accessories still work with this model since it is the same size including the housing and mounting accessories and the GoPro Karma grip. It was very easy and fast to sync this with my GoPro account and app in order to view, upload and edit content, view live feed and use the new live streaming option. The camera and all of it's abilities make me feel like I should be twenty years younger and become a stunt man... and then reality sets in that I'm just a boring husband and father that uses it to capture amazing family moments without risking my life. In any case, you won't find a better action camera on the market with so many fun things to use it for and I highly recommend it to any real dare devils so I can live vicariously through them when watching the GoPro channel.
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Keep your head in the game with this Logitech G Pro headset. Its leatherette ear pads isolate surrounding noises to keep you focused, and its featherlight construction minimizes pressure for longer wear. This Logitech G Pro headset's microphone has a wide frequency response and low signal-to-noise ratio for improved communication with teammates and opponents.
Customer Rating
4
Good sound with compatibility for all
on August 3, 2018
Posted by: Grouticus
from Roseville, CA, USA
The downfall to wireless gaming headsets is manufacturers have different models to accomodate for separate gaming systems. One of the things I love most about the Logitech G PRO wired surround sound gaming headset is they are compatible with all major gaming platforms. They have a very crisp and deep bass sound to them and fit comfortably over my ears with a few minor adjustments. The surround sound they provide is compatable with Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos features for Windows 10. They may not come with a fancy stand like some competitors but they do come with an auxillary splitter for systems with a separate mic output and also extra ear cushions. For the great sound, price and compatibility, I would say these should be a strong competitor by a reputable company and be taken into serious consideration if you're in the market for a gaming headset.
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G305 features the next-gen HERO sensor with 12,000 DPI sensitivity and LIGHTSPEED wireless 1 ms performance. It~s long-lasting with 250 gaming hours from one AA battery (an indicator light reminds you before you need a new AA), ultra-portable with built-in nano receiver storage, lightweight weighing in at 99 grams, and ready to game with 6 programmable buttons. G305 is the LIGHTSPEED wireless mouse for all.
Customer Rating
4
Good tech in a gaming mouse from reputable company
on August 2, 2018
Posted by: Grouticus
from Roseville, CA, USA
For a wireless gaming mouse, I have been very impressed with how responsive the Logitech G305 Wireless Optical Gaming Mouse was compared to a wired version; this is due to the 1 ms response, up to 12000 dpi resolution and HERO sensor. It is very simple to plug-and-play right out of the box. My only drawback with wireless mice that are not Bluetooth is they take up a usb port. It's especially frustrating if you're using a laptop, like myself, which doesn't have very many usb ports to choose from. The mouse itself is relatively small compared to some I've used however still feels ergonomically sound. It has several customizable buttons which come in handy while gaming. Since it is produced by a very reputable company that has been in this business much longer than many in this gaming market, I feel it's priced right and a great option for those in the market for an upgrade.
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G513 is a high performance RGB mechanical gaming keyboard that features advanced technologies in a modern and sleek design. G513 includes full spectrum ~16.8M color RGB per key lighting with LIGHTSYNC technology, choice of mechanical switches, and a memory foam palmrest to deliver utmost comfort. G513 is the perfect blend of performance, advanced technologies and features, and unparalleled build quality and comfort.
Customer Rating
5
Not your grandma's keyboard
on August 2, 2018
Posted by: Grouticus
from Roseville, CA, USA
This may look like just your average keyboard at first glance, but don't be deceived; the Logitech Gaming G513 Wired Mechanical keyboard is anything but average. It has so many options for customization that it actually is somewhat overwhelming. It is very simple to plug-and-play however the real fun comes when you download the software and get to tinker around with all the options. However, that is also one of the drawbacks. For a noob, it may be somewhat diffucult to navigate through all the options and fortunately the software comes preloaded with a few set ups to play with including one for gaming. I love the illuminated keys for gaming because sometimes my hands get out of place and it's very easy to get back on the right spot with a quick glance. The keyboard itself feels very sturdy and does not take up any more space on your desk than it needs. It also comes with a comfortable wrist cushion and extra buttons for replacement. The feel of the buttons is very smooth however, like all mechanical keyboards, is also loud and sounds like you're typing on an old typewriter. It is also very responsive and works great for gaming. I would recommend this to anyone in the market for a gaming keyboard as it definitely holds its ground against the higher end gaming keyboard competitors and is from a very reputable company.
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The Brother MFC-J995DW XL INKvestment Tank all-in-one inkjet printer with tank technology is the optimal choice for your home or small office needs. The MFC-J995DW XL features reengineered INKvestment Tank cartridges along with an internal ink storage tank to deliver uninterrupted printing for up to 2 years without the need to purchase ink. Business-capable features include mobile device printing, Near Field Communication (NFC) print and scan capabilities, flexible paper handling options, automatic two-sided printing and easy on-screen navigation using a 2.7" color touch screen. With the ink included in-box, the Brother INKvestment Tank all-inclusive solution delivers truly uninterrupted printing, exceptional features, super convenience, large page yields and low-cost printing. Includes a two-year limited warranty with free online, call, or live chat support for the life of your printer. Prints up to 12 ISO ppm*, up to 10 ppm* in color.
Customer Rating
5
Great all-in-one printer with lots of ink
on July 30, 2018
Posted by: Grouticus
from Roseville, CA, USA
Over the past couple decades I have owned a variety of different all-in-one printer/scanner/copiers and from just about every well-known manufacturer. If there's one thing regarding printer/copiers that most people have a complaint about, it's the ink; specifically how much it costs and how often you have to replace it at the outrageous prices. I hear from most people who use one at home that it feels like it's cheaper to buy a whole new machine versus spending the money on ink. Well, it appears Brother has heard those same complaints and made a successful attempt to correct that by bundling a fantastic all-in-one machine with enough ink that you won't have to worry about it for years. They claim that the ink contained in this will last you two years assuming you print, on average, 300 pages per month. We probably print a third of that so I assume this bundle should last me about twice as long. Setup was as expected and fairly simple after installing the four ink cartridges and using the responsive touch screen display. It quickly found my local Wi-Fi and linked it so I could do wireless and cloud printing. Once you download the software on your computer, there may be several updates that will need to be done. There is also some optional software included that could be useful to organize files. The printer is pretty fast for any small business or personal job and documents are very clear. Although this is not advertised as a photo printer, I have printed several glossy photo paper jobs and those look great as well. Wireless scanning was also very fast and clear using the auto-feeder. There is also a built in SD card slot to save files to or print from. You can save shortcut settings via the on board software which could also come in handy for certain jobs. For me, this was everything I could need in a printer/scanner/copier and with this bundle and the latest firmware, Brother has easily earned my business over other manufacturers and I would suggest this to anyone in the market for one.
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Enhance your multimedia experience with this 15.6-inch Dell G7 gaming laptop. Its VR-ready NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics board provides seamless, stunning images on the Full HD display, and its hexa-core Intel Core i7 processor and 8GB of RAM handle extended multitasking. Run applications efficiently with the 256B solid-state drive of this Dell G7 gaming laptop.
Customer Rating
4
Good gaming laptop at an affordable price
on June 29, 2018
Posted by: Grouticus
from Roseville, CA, USA
The folks at Dell have done a great job selecting the components for this gaming laptop while at the same time keeping it affordable. This laptop’s performance really shows thanks to the latest 8th generation Intel i7 processor with 8GB of DDR4 RAM, a 6 GB DDR5 NVIDIA GeForce 1060 graphics card and a M2 SSD with an expandable 2.5” slot for an optional HD/SSD. It does not have a DVD/CD drive however with today’s industry I don’t feel it’s necessary and there’s always an option for an external one if you need it. It handles several active programs with ease and I was able to run current quality games at a high frame rate with virtually no lag and incredible detail. I will definitely be adding another hard drive for game and file storage and possibly upgrading the RAM to 16 or 32 gigs, however I don’t feel it’s necessary or a priority for the casual gamer like myself. Games looked great on the full HD IPS display and having the HDMI port to expand to a better or second monitor is always an option. If you’re not a gamer and are in the market for a decent laptop, this should definitely be taken into consideration; the laptop is lightweight, has a very comfortable keyboard and trackpad and has more options than you’ll ever need. I read some reviews by other owners complaining of the sound of the fan and I didn’t notice it was much louder than any other gaming laptops nor have I experienced any overheating issues. A few things I didn’t care for were the fact that it doesn’t have the sporty look of a gaming laptop, which could also be a good thing depending on your view, and the sharp corners on the front end of the keyboard which can catch you on the wrist. With it’s above average specs, this laptop should hold its ground against the competition and be considered if you’re in the market for a gaming laptop or a laptop that will outperform most others at this price point.
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Capture and share special moments with Google Clips. Engineered to recognize faces and expressions, this clever camera automatically takes several-second-long audio-free motion photos, leaving you free to focus on the occasion. Enhanced with Super Res mode, the Google Clips device syncs data with your phone and lets you save any frame as a high-resolution still photo.
Customer Rating
4
Good innovation, little purpose with no options
on June 2, 2018
Posted by: Grouticus
from Roseville, CA, USA
My initial thoughts when I first heard about the Google Clips were the idea seemed innovative and could come in handy in certain situations. So, of course, I had to have it like any tech geek would, especially since most of the products I already use are Google based. However, when I received it, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to use it for and was at a loss for ideas in my everyday life. Let me start off by saying the quality of the camera it what you would expect from Google (meaning great), the clips it takes are great like their Pixel cell phone cameras, it’s easy to use, very simple to understand and conveniently small and lightweight. I also like that the application syncs with your current Google Photos to determine who, in your life, is most important to you and to take clips of those people when it detects their faces. However, the cons far outweigh its use for my life, even with little children and animals; I found it’s just as easy to point and click with what you already have in your pocket like we’ve been used to for the past decade. There is much room for improvement and I like the concept, I just wish there were more options for its use.
I found myself trying to think up situations where it would come in handy and I could get the most picture "bang for my buck". So, I started off small by setting it on my kitchen table during dinner hoping to catch an epic fail moment or something that would start trending on social media… nope, just a regular family dinner as usual. I got plenty of clips of my daughter making a mess of her meal, as usual, and found that it would be really nice to actually hear what was going on, not just seeing a three second clip. Then I decided to take it to a friend’s child’s birthday party but after I arrived thought it would be awkward clipping this thing on my body in hopes for another great family moment or trending video… nope, just a bunch more three second clips of regular everyday life moments. Next, I set it by my pool to capture the fam in the water… except I’m usually the one behind the camera and realized after viewing clips why I’m still insecure about being in pictures myself as I tend to ruin them; my family is much more photogenic. Again, more and more three second clips. Okay, this sounded like a great innovative idea but perhaps not in my world. The best part about it was that I no longer felt obligated to have my cell phone camera at the ready and this little guy took more clips than I would have ever considered taking in any situation. You do have the opportunity to review the clips before saving them, and the application is very user friendly and easy to set up; swipe one way to save the clip and the other way to delete it. The device has on board memory so you don’t have to worry about having your phone around you at all time and once you’re back in range of the phone it will upload the clips.
A few improvements I would like to see are the option for sound, the option to take single pictures or record longer than three second videos, a small built in screen for reviewing clips and waterproofing would be a start to compete with what is out there for small cameras. Any option for accessories, like a waterproof housing, would be great too; there really isn’t anything aftermarket that serves much of a purpose.
My Best Buy number: 0568279474
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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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.
Customer Rating
3
Good surface cleaning, not deep cleaning
on May 26, 2018
Posted by: Grouticus
from Roseville, CA, USA
Over the years robotic vacuums have not made much headway in regards to keeping up with the full size or stick/wand vacuum market although they appear to be more prevalent on the store shelves now than ever. Even with the latest technology this seems to still be the case with Samsung’s Powerbot.
Setting up the hardware was fairly easy however I had to troubleshoot other issues including the vacuum not powering on, not receiving commands from the provided remote and not registering or syncing with the Samsung SmartThings application. After about 30 frustrating minutes of troubleshooting and having to research issues in the provided manual, I was finally able to get it charged up and cleaning.
One of the most noticeable improvements is the camera technology for sensing objects. Where previous robotic vacuums would just bump into objects and redirect the vacuum, Samsung’s on board camera does a
great job of detecting the surroundings, adjusting the speed and choosing the best course of action. I initially followed the Powerbot around the house because it was entertaining to watch it maneuver around tight spaces and clean right up to walls and edges with speed and ease; this was probably the most impressive thing about this little robot. Since then I decided to schedule it to clean our floors in the middle of the night so I woke up with clean floors. However, now this robot has decided it is going to have fun with me playing hide and seek causing me to be late for work. For the past few mornings I came downstairs to discover the vacuum is not in its docking station, which it’s supposed to do when it’s done cleaning or is close to running out of power. On the first occasion it got stuck underneath our dining room table in between chairs which was understandable but last night it decided to just remain in the middle of the floor in our spare bedroom so I’m going to assume it just ran out of power; I’m just confused as to why it wouldn’t know it was running low on power and start making its way back to the docking station.
great job of detecting the surroundings, adjusting the speed and choosing the best course of action. I initially followed the Powerbot around the house because it was entertaining to watch it maneuver around tight spaces and clean right up to walls and edges with speed and ease; this was probably the most impressive thing about this little robot. Since then I decided to schedule it to clean our floors in the middle of the night so I woke up with clean floors. However, now this robot has decided it is going to have fun with me playing hide and seek causing me to be late for work. For the past few mornings I came downstairs to discover the vacuum is not in its docking station, which it’s supposed to do when it’s done cleaning or is close to running out of power. On the first occasion it got stuck underneath our dining room table in between chairs which was understandable but last night it decided to just remain in the middle of the floor in our spare bedroom so I’m going to assume it just ran out of power; I’m just confused as to why it wouldn’t know it was running low on power and start making its way back to the docking station.
The main wheels underneath driving the robot have great traction and had no problem changing from hard floor to carpets or rugs however, if you have a lightweight rug or runner, they have periodically caused the rug to bunch up and stop the robot causing you to fix the problem. I found this time consuming because now before I go to bed, I have to go around the house to ensure there is nothing on the floor that it could suck up and cause the motor to stop which is not always easy with toddlers in the house and the messes they leave around. The latest casualty was a necklace that was left out and got wrapped around the spin brush causing the robot to stop cleaning and sit idle in the early morning until I discovered it beeping downstairs hours later; by then the battery was nearly empty and did not finish cleaning. When this malfunction does happen, and if you have the application installed, it will send you an app notification stating what the issue is.
The other part I found time consuming, but understandable, is once you have it on a schedule, you need to ensure the dust container is washed out and dried every day otherwise I will get backed up quickly and stop cleaning. It does a decent job of top cleaning on hard floors and automatically adjusts the suction speed for more difficult carpet jobs. The amount of dirt and dust found in the container really shows what little cleaning it does on carpet. It appears to only clean what’s on the surface and you may still require a more powerful vacuum to get deep down on carpet.
It is nice to set the schedule for cleaning and come downstairs in the morning without having to worry about tracking dirt and dust on the bottom of my feet, assuming it didn’t get hung up on anything causing it to stop cleaning which has been more often than not. At this price point, I would definitely consider sticking with a full size vacuum or stronger wand/stick style vacuum to periodically do a more thorough cleaning. However, for those of you who may not have the time, and have hard floors they like to remain clean, this is a feasible option to consider and Samsung’s camera technology might have an edge on the other competitors in this market.
My Best Buy number: 0568279474
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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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?
Yes, from my experience with a new machine and battery, it appears to be able to vacuum for about an hour before having to dock and charge.
7 years, 5 months ago
by
Grouticus
Enjoy your music while training with these Under Armour wireless headphones. These audio devices are sweat proof and have TwistLock technology to keep the earpieces in place through any workout. Designed by JBL, these Under Armour wireless headphones meet the highest audio standards and provide up to 8 hours of battery life to last many workouts.
Do they have a microphone and can the microphone be worn in either ear
They have a microphone on the power/volume control piece that is part of the wire and hangs closer to the right ear bud side, not in the ear bud itself.
8 years, 9 months ago
by
Grouticus