dorkhead2's stats
- Review count88
- Helpfulness votes968
- First reviewNovember 22, 2014
- Last reviewJune 12, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.5
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- Answer count15
- Helpfulness votes49
- First answerDecember 1, 2016
- Last answerNovember 21, 2021
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The award-winning Lockly Secure Pro deadbolt is a upgrade for all homeowners. Featuring hack-proof patented PIN Genie keypad and 3D biometric fingerprint access for keyless entry, combined with app control, Scan-to-Open, Voice control with Alexa and Google Assistant, Offline access codes and Physical key to always have access or grant access. Real-time door status monitoring from anywhere, anytime through free, no-subscription Lockly App. Best for homeowners, Airbnb rentals and offices. Universal fit for easy DIY installation.
Customer Rating
5
Fingerprint scanner & Wi-Fi are key features.
on May 22, 2019
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
Overall, I’m very happy with this lock. As a first-time smart door lock user, I’m very impressed with the quality of the hardware, as well as the app integration. The whole system is intuitively designed. And the app’s interface is simple but useful. I don’t think I would be as impressed with this lock if it didn’t have Wi-Fi access. Fortunately, this version of the lock (the Pro version) can connect to the internet so the lock can be monitored and controlled away from home. Having the ability to remotely monitor the lock and door’s open/close status really completes the lock’s overall package.
In terms of the actual locking and unlocking of the physical lock, the design couldn’t be simpler. I found using the secure fingerprint sensor as the easiest and most convenient way to unlock my door. The lock also has a touchscreen display for entering “key” codes, which is just as easy to use. And its ability to scramble the keypad on the display (PIN Genie technology) really adds an extra level of security to the lock. Speaking of security, the lock provides multiple options for providing access, including a physical key. There are ways to provide online, as well as offline access. Online access allows the recipient of a keycode to use the Lockly app to open and close the door lock. Offline access doesn’t require the recipient to use the app, or a phone for that matter. The company really did try to think of the many ways the lock can serve the needs of different users (home, office, renting out, etc.). One feature that is missing as of right now is the ability for the lock to automatically unlock itself as you approach the door. This auto-unlock feature would be useful if you’re approaching the door with your hands full. However, this may be a feature added in the future. While reading from Lockly’s help and support section, I found a posting from Lockly that stated they are working on this feature, but they do not want to release it until it is fully vetted and secure.
The rest of my review is mainly geared towards a few tips and tricks I discovered while installing the lock. Overall the install is relatively easy if you are replacing a current lock or deadbolt. Lockly does provide very detailed and intuitive instructions on how to install the new lock. They even provide a link to a video if needed. My install took about a half-an-hour. I would have been done with the installation at that point, but I decided to remove my old strike plate and install the new one that came with the lock. I also used longer and more secure screws for the strike plate (3-inch #8 wood screws). I describe this further below. But first here are a few tips:
When securing the bolt portion to the outside box, it’s very important to align the box and lock properly. To do so, you can use the provided 3M sticky tape to stabilize both sides of the box. Please note that the tape is rather strong, which is a plus and a negative. It’s a plus because the box will stay in place quite nicely while both sides are being attached to the door. It’s a negative because if the box (both sides) aren’t aligned properly, the bolt won’t slide in and out smoothly. A small amount of force (pulling) is required to unstick the tape from the door in order to reposition the box. The nice part about the 3M tape is that the stickiness remained even after having to reposition the box a couple of times.
Also, when tightening the bolt to the door with the provided long screws, it’s important to tighten both bolts evenly (see red arrows in pic). By tightening them evenly, the bolt will slide more freely when locking and unlocking. This is important because if there’s an obstruction with the bolt, the box’s locking motor will not work properly. This is not unique to this lock; any door lock will encounter problems if it’s installed unevenly.
And finally, as mentioned above, I choose to install the larger door strike plate that came with the new lock. The strike plate is the metal plate/box/hole that the deadbolt slides into. I could have left my current strike plate in place, but I decided to chisel out a larger square, as well increase the size of the hole with a drill bit (see pic). This is where I also installed the longer more secure screws to increase the strength and security of strike plate. Four 3-inch #8 wood screws coast $1.50 at my local hardware store.
And finally, as mentioned above, I choose to install the larger door strike plate that came with the new lock. The strike plate is the metal plate/box/hole that the deadbolt slides into. I could have left my current strike plate in place, but I decided to chisel out a larger square, as well increase the size of the hole with a drill bit (see pic). This is where I also installed the longer more secure screws to increase the strength and security of strike plate. Four 3-inch #8 wood screws coast $1.50 at my local hardware store.
Overall, the lock has been working well with no issues. Again, I recommend getting the version with the Wi-Fi access which includes the door sensors. It’s nice being able to check the app while I’m away to see if my door is closed and locked. I also want to mention that the Wi-Fi version also integrates with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. I was able to easily setup the lock via the Google Home app to communicate with my Google smart speaker. I can give voice commands to check the status of my door, as well as ask Google to lock and unlock the door. Please note, unlocking by voice requires an additional pin that you select at setup for added security.
Overall, I am very satisfied with this lock.
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Cordless cleaning made easier. The Dyson V11 Animal cordless vacuum intelligently optimizes suction and run time to deep clean everywhere.
Customer Rating
4
Strong Vacuuming Power - Only 6.7 lbs. but Awkward
on April 12, 2019
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
The most important point I want to make about this vacuum is it’s vacuuming strength and battery longevity. This unit is strong enough to replace a high-quality traditional vacuum because the battery on this unit does last close to an hour. The battery provided me plenty of time to vacuum all the rugs, carpets, and hardwood floors on my 1100 sq. feet home. And the amount of dirt and debris this V11 unit picked-up was incredible. I had just vacuumed everything a day before with my regular vacuum, and I was quite surprised how much dirt was left behind and picked-up by the Dyson vacuum.
Along with its exceptional suction power and durability, the unit is relatively quieter than a traditional vacuum. Don’t get me wrong, the motor still makes a strong vacuuming sound, but I was able to vacuum at night while my 7-year-old slept. I wouldn’t have dared tried that with our regular vacuum.
The main reason for my 4-star rating is its awkward weight distribution. The weight on this unit is concentrated at the top near the handle. Even though the vacuum only weighs 6.7 pounds (about 10 pounds lighter than a traditional vacuum), it feels awkward supporting the weight up high rather than its usual place down low on the ground. I adjusted to this change quicker than my wife did. After vacuuming for a while, she noticed her arm getting tired sooner. However, as with most things, I’m sure we’ll adjust, and this may no longer be an issue after a while.
Another awkward design choice is the “trigger” button. Your finger needs to hold in the trigger in order to run the vacuum. After vacuuming for a while, I would have preferred an option to lock the trigger in place to keep the vacuum running. However, with a locking option, I’m aware that I may drain the battery much quicker than expected.
Besides these two issues, the vacuum is quite impressive. The unit comes with a main vacuuming powerhead, as well as a smaller powerhead attachment for cleaning smaller areas like couches, stairs, etc. I loved how well the smaller powerhead picked up a lot of my cat’s hair from the couch and its arm rest. A few other things worth mentioning, the main powerhead has an adjustment that allows you to control the suction by opening these little red “gates” located at the bottom front. Out of the box, the red gates are completely down, leading to a very strong suction. While trying to vacuum one of our decorative rugs that included a lot of patterns and bumps, it was a struggle to move the vacuum across the rug. But once we adjusted the gates/openings on the main powerhead, it was a lot easier to vacuum all our area rugs. Also, the gates need to be opened in order to pick up large debris, such as kibble.
Finally, the vacuum comes with enough information to get you started. In addition to the manual, Dyson includes a QR code that you can scan with your phone to view additional setup and usage videos. It was from one of these videos that you’re informed that the vacuum’s batteries are designed to be left on the charger permanently. So, you don’t have to worry about overcharging it.
Overall, I am very happy with this vacuum. It will be replacing my old traditional vacuum. The technology built into this vacuum is cutting edge and it’s definitely keeping things a lot cleaner.
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A revolutionary smart printer that works the way you need. Help save time with Smart Tasks shortcuts, and get automatic two-sided scanning. Count on easy mobile printing, Borderless print, seamless connections, and enhanced security. Save up to 50% on ink with HP Instant Ink. Prints up to 22 ISO ppm*, up to 18 ppm* in color.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent All-In-One - Ink plan not necessary
on March 9, 2019
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
Thee are two parts to this review. The first part is about the printer itself, how it functions, its hardware, and its overall quality. The second part is about HP’s new Instant Ink replacement subscription plan. The plan may not be for everyone. Fortunately, if you want the printer because of its features and functionality, you can choose to buy replacement ink cartridges from any store as needed.
Part 1.
This is a well-functioning, good quality, and sleek looking all-in-one. This model is replacing another HP All-In-One (OfficeJet 7310) that’s been my office printer for the last 15 years. It’s almost unfair to compare the two because the new model runs smoother and is so much faster. The printing output was sharp and clean. This is expected when using HP certified ink cartridges. The fax portion works as usual. And the copy and scanning functions work efficiently. I was particularly interested in how well the scanning features work on this model. I was pleased to see that the scanner could copy a double-sided document and send it to the computer in a well put together PDF. I do a lot of scanning, so I wanted to make sure this process was fast and easy; it was.
This is a well-functioning, good quality, and sleek looking all-in-one. This model is replacing another HP All-In-One (OfficeJet 7310) that’s been my office printer for the last 15 years. It’s almost unfair to compare the two because the new model runs smoother and is so much faster. The printing output was sharp and clean. This is expected when using HP certified ink cartridges. The fax portion works as usual. And the copy and scanning functions work efficiently. I was particularly interested in how well the scanning features work on this model. I was pleased to see that the scanner could copy a double-sided document and send it to the computer in a well put together PDF. I do a lot of scanning, so I wanted to make sure this process was fast and easy; it was.
Just an FYI, this model (9015) does have a duplex scanner built into the automatic document feeder (ADF), but it accomplishes the scanning of both sides by passing the document over the scanner twice. It’s a seamless process, but I believe it’s different from the next model up. The higher model can scan both sides of a document with a single pass. Both models produce the same result, just the higher model saves a few seconds by using dual scanner heads to scan the front and back at the same time. Not a deal breaker for me, but this small difference may be of importance to others depending on the use or application of the scanner.
Like the scanning process, this machine easily produces quick double-sided copies when needed. To accomplish this, you can either use the handy, but small touch screen located on the front of the printer, or on your desktop by downloading HP’s Smart printer application from the Microsoft store. The installation of the program was quick, and it contains easy to use options to print, copy, scan, fax all from within the computer. As I mentioned before, the same functions can also be accessed from the color touch screen attached to the printer.
Installation and setup were easy. Again, this can be accomplished using the HP Smart application or for those who prefer to setup this printer using their cell phone, that option is available too. To do so, you download the HP Smart app on your phone and follow the steps to connect your printer. I should note here that the Smart HP app does contain similar functionality as the desktop version of the app, but some advanced features are missing. For example, you can initiate a scan from within the phone app, but the ability to scan both sides was not available. Whereas, this feature is easily found on the desktop version of the app. The good news is, these inconsistencies can eventually be fixed with an update to the phone app if HP chooses to do so in the future.
My final note about the printer itself, has to do with its style/looks. It’s a very modern and clean looking all-in-one. While looks may not be at the top of people’s minds when looking for an all-in-one, this model will definitely look good sitting on your desk or out in an open area. It’s minimalist design, and clean white panels with squared edges add to a professional office or environment.
My final note about the printer itself, has to do with its style/looks. It’s a very modern and clean looking all-in-one. While looks may not be at the top of people’s minds when looking for an all-in-one, this model will definitely look good sitting on your desk or out in an open area. It’s minimalist design, and clean white panels with squared edges add to a professional office or environment.
Part 2.
This printer is being advertised as an “Instant Ink Ready Printer.” What that label is telling you is that this printer has the ability to work with HP’s new automatic ink ordering subscription program. Rather than buying ink when you run out, HP now offers a subscription service that includes ink, shipping, and recycling for a monthly fee. Depending on how much you use your printer, this may or may not be a beneficial program for you. There are various subscription levels that cost as low as $2.99 a month up to $19.99 a month for heaving printing. The main difference between the levels is the max number of pages you’re allowed to print before incurring additional charges. The $2.99 level allows for 50 printed pages per month, and $1 for every additional 10 pages. Whereas, the $19.99 level allows up to 700 printed pages per month, and $1 for every additional 20 pages. Participating in this program shifts your concept of replacing ink for your printer. If you have a good sense of how many pages you print each month, this program may save you money in the long run because you’re not purchasing individual ink cartridges anymore. Again, the replacement ink cartridges are included as part of the monthly subscription price. However, if you’re unsure of your monthly printing needs, or are someone who hardly prints, this program may not be suited for you.
This printer is being advertised as an “Instant Ink Ready Printer.” What that label is telling you is that this printer has the ability to work with HP’s new automatic ink ordering subscription program. Rather than buying ink when you run out, HP now offers a subscription service that includes ink, shipping, and recycling for a monthly fee. Depending on how much you use your printer, this may or may not be a beneficial program for you. There are various subscription levels that cost as low as $2.99 a month up to $19.99 a month for heaving printing. The main difference between the levels is the max number of pages you’re allowed to print before incurring additional charges. The $2.99 level allows for 50 printed pages per month, and $1 for every additional 10 pages. Whereas, the $19.99 level allows up to 700 printed pages per month, and $1 for every additional 20 pages. Participating in this program shifts your concept of replacing ink for your printer. If you have a good sense of how many pages you print each month, this program may save you money in the long run because you’re not purchasing individual ink cartridges anymore. Again, the replacement ink cartridges are included as part of the monthly subscription price. However, if you’re unsure of your monthly printing needs, or are someone who hardly prints, this program may not be suited for you.
It’s important to note a few additional things. HP does offer a free monthly plan. It’s capped at 15 pages per month with the extra $1 for an additional 10 pages. However, the free plan is only offered on select HP Instant Ink printers that retail for $99 or less. So, if you’re interested in this option, Best Buy also sells these printers. Just remember, the cheaper the printer, the less functionality it has. And the quality and speed are a lot lower. If you feel you need a robust all-in-one, it’s probably best to consider this model type. Additional things to consider is, printing double-sided documents count as two pages. And if you end up not using up your allotted printing amount, the plan does allow you to rollover up to twice your monthly allotment. Meaning, if you have a 50 page a month plan, you can rollover up to 100 pages total each month. The exception to the rollover rules is the free monthly plan. Rollover is not offered for the free plan.
To recap, the new subscription service sends you ink as you need it. The software on the printer communicates with HP to let them know when you may be getting low and replacement ink is immediately shipped to you. This doesn’t mean new ink cartridges will arrive every month, but rather the software determines when your printer begins to get low on ink. How does it do this, you may ask. I believe I read somewhere that the software calculates your monthly average and initiates replacement ink shipping when you reach half of that amount. Its goal is to anticipate your ink needs so you don’t run out. How well it does this, I’m not sure. I haven’t been in the program long enough to know. My guess is that unless you have an extreme printing emergency, the system will send you ink before you run out.
And finally, if you do have an extreme printing emergency, you can always go to the store and purchase the same ink cartridges you’d normally get through the service. The 9015 model uses 962 cartridges. This line of cartridge is sold in individual colors (black, red, blue, and yellow). The standard size cartridge (not the XL size) retails for around $23 as of this writing. It’s nice that the individual cartridges are not as expensive as some of HP’s other cartridges.
Buying cartridges as you need them is the traditional way of replacing ink. It’s good to know that this option is still available. If you elect to replace your ink the traditional way, you don’t have to signup and use the Instant Ink service. Any pages you print are not counted, and you are free to print until you run out of ink. Since you’re not part of the subscription plan, you’ll just need to purchase replacement cartridges at full price from the store of your choosing. I personally always prefer to stick with HP ink because it truly does produce the cleanest, accurate, and most vibrant colors for my documents and photos. This is my preference, but everyone does have different printing needs.
I hope I answered all your questions about this new service offered by HP. These were the things I discovered when I began looking into this plan. I was really confused at first, but since I explored many of the details of the program, I figured I’d share it here as part of my review.
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Cook delicious meals with this Panasonic cyclonic inverter microwave oven. Boasting a 2.2 cu. ft. capacity and 1,250 watts of cooking power, this appliance easily accommodates large dishes and heats food quickly. This Panasonic cyclonic inverter microwave oven ensures meals are cooked to perfection by automatically adjusting settings to best match your food.
Customer Rating
5
Large & Powerful – Great at Reheating Food
on January 27, 2019
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
This microwave is replacing our old family microwave of the same size bought back in the 80's (see picture). Since our old Panasonic microwave served our family well and lasted a long time, I decided to get another Panasonic. The difference is night and day. The new microwave is a lot stronger and requires a lot less time to warm up our food. Another nice thing about the new 2.2 Cu. Ft model is its large cooking capacity. We are used to warming up very large dishes and would have struggled with anything smaller. It's nice that Panasonic still makes microwaves at this size. It does require a lot of counter space, but if your needs already include a microwave of this size, you'll hopefully have the counter space already needed with these dimensions (14" x 23 7/8" x 19 7/16").
A really great feature that seems to work well is the Reheat option. You simply press the Reheat button and a sensor measure the steam coming off the food to determine the necessary time to warm up the food properly. For example, I used it to warm up fried chicken leftovers and it did a wonderful job heating it up properly. The skin remained crunchy too.
Overall, I am very pleased with this model. It works well and has a nice stainless-steel design.
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Enjoy your workout and travel playlists with these JBuds Air true wireless earbuds. Three EQ settings include JLab Signature, Balanced and Bass Boost to customize your listening experience, and the charging case provides 10 hours of additional battery life. Take clear, hands-free phone calls with the built-in microphone and Bluetooth 5.0 technology of these JBuds Air true wireless earbuds.
Customer Rating
4
Good sound for the price. Can be louder.
on December 15, 2018
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
These JLAB JBuds wireless earplugs are a great value. If you’re looking for entry level wireless earbuds and don’t want to pay a premium, these are worth considering. The sound is actually pretty good at this price point. These wireless earbuds are capable of producing decent bass. They are not going to compare to higher-end headphones that focus on bass, but there’s enough to be satisfied. However, to really adjust the highs and lows to your liking, I’d suggest using your player’s/phone’s equalizer settings.
This was my first time using wireless earbuds, so it took a little while to get used to them in my ear. I definitely recommend using the supplied “Cush Fins” to make them more comfortable in you ear. Cush Fins are an extra ring of rubber the size of a nickel that can be wrapped around the plastic part of the earbuds. The earbuds themselves feel a little bulky at first, but I got used to them and stopped noticing them after a while.
My only complaint is regarding what I’m finding to be a trend with many wireless headphones; the sound gets loud, but not as loud as wired headphones/earplugs. There probably are many reasons why the sound volume on the wireless headphones can’t get to the same level as wired headphones. I’m not a sound engineer so I won’t guess as to why this is, but I do notice the difference. At times, I feel like I would like to turn up the volume one more click, but I find that the earplugs are already at their max. For most people, I’m guessing the max is enough. It is still pretty loud, and I’m probably damaging my hearing by wanting it a tad bit louder.
Otherwise, for the price, these are solid wireless earbuds. Like I mentioned earlier, the sound they produce is good quality.
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Use the Google Smart Light Starter Kit to control the lights using just your voice. Set up in a snap: just plug in Google Home Mini, screw in the GE C-Life smart light bulb, and download the Google Home app to get started. Then just say "Hey Google" to dim, brighten, turn on and turn off the lights."
Customer Rating
4
Basic but simple home automation and lighting
on December 12, 2018
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
Together, the Google Home Mini speaker and smart GE C-Life bulb is essentially a starter kit for someone who is looking to introduce basic smart lighting into their home. By themselves, the Google Home Mini speaker is a wonderful personal assistant, whereas the GE C-Life bulb is a very limited smart bulb. With that being said, if you’re not wanting to spend an exorbitant amount of money on high-end smart bulbs but do want to have a good LED lightbulb with basic smart lighting capabilities, than this kit is a great start.
What makes this kit great is the included personal assistant speaker. After connecting it to the internet, you can make simple commands or ask any question and the speaker uses Google to answer your question or execute your command. If you haven’t adventured into the world of using a personal assistant, even on your phone, having a stand along speaker and connected light bulb is a good way to become familiar with this technology. This best part about using Google instead of the other available smart assistants (Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, Samsung’s Bixby, and Microsoft’s Cortana) is its ability to understand “naturally” spoken sentences. This means you don’t have to memorize any specific commands; you can simply say, “Hey Google, can you turn on the dining room light?” Also, the Google Home app is widely compatible with many brands on the market. So, if you’re thinking of getting one of those automated robot vacuums, you’ll easily be able to pair them and use your voice to start vacuuming. Overall, the Google personal assistant speaker is a very useful device.
The included LED bulb is a basic smart bulb with dimming capabilities. There are other GE C-Life bulbs that also offer white color temperature variations, such as bright white, cool white, and warm light, but this kit includes the standard warm color bulb. In comparison to other warm lightbulbs, this GE bulb does emit a good bright warm color. Regarding its “smart” capabilities, it’s definitely meant to work mainly with the included Google Home Mini speaker. Unlike other smart bulbs, which are connected directly to the internet using Wi-Fi, this bulb needs the speaker to stay connected. The bulb and speaker communicate using Bluetooth. So, if the speaker is too far away (beyond 40 feet) or powered off, than the bulb can’t be controlled over the internet. Meaning, you can’t switch the bulb on or off either through the Google Home app or by giving a command to the speaker. These limitations may be a hinderance to someone looking to setup a complex smart home lighting system, but to someone looking for basic automation, these bulbs accomplish the task.
Overall, the kit was very easy to setup and use. The included hardware (speaker and bulb) is made well is good quality.
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The Shark WANDVAC Cord-Free Handheld Vacuum combines lightweight portability with the incredible suction power of a high-speed brushless motor. Weighing just 1.4 lbs., this lightweight handheld vacuum boasts a tapered nozzle for easy debris pickup and two accessories for tackling pet hair, upholstery, and tight spaces. Between cleanings, return your vacuum to the charging dock for fast recharging. Fast cleaning, always ready when you need it. The Shark WANDVAC: Extraordinary power for the everyday mess.
Customer Rating
4
Good handheld vacuum for small jobs, Pricey
on November 29, 2018
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
The Shark ION W1 does a good job suctioning up debris. It is especially effective picking up cat litter dust that gathers on the sides of our cat’s litter box. The suction is at its best when the nozzle is closely pressed up against the debris being picked-up. It seems to be even more effective when the long attachment is used. Below are some Pros and Cons I noticed while using this cordless vacuum.
Pros
Lightweight and thin
Strong suction
One touch design for emptying the canister
Filter is easy to access
Looks
Lightweight and thin
Strong suction
One touch design for emptying the canister
Filter is easy to access
Looks
Cons
Battery only last for about 10 minutes
Air blows out from the sides, can blow around debris while vacuuming
Loud (but aren’t all vacuums)
Pricey
Battery only last for about 10 minutes
Air blows out from the sides, can blow around debris while vacuuming
Loud (but aren’t all vacuums)
Pricey
Overall, this is a good handheld cordless vacuum. It’s not made to cover large areas, but it does do a good job cleaning up small messes, especially messes that are in hard to reach places.
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Create custom lighting schemes with this Sengled Smart LED Starter kit. More than 16 million hues provide endless choices for every occasion, and a range of whites lets you mimic daylight or brighten your space. Compatible with most personal assistant programs, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, this Sengled light bulb integrates seamlessly with your smart lighting setup.
Customer Rating
4
Good Quality, Good Value, App is Limited
on November 23, 2018
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
What I like most about these bulbs is their traditional shape. They look like a standard round light bulb. And I prefer this style light bulb for certain lamps and fixtures in my house. They do an excellent job providing all types of light; they produce every color on the visible spectrum, including all shades of white. The app itself provides 5 default white colors to chose from: Edison; Warm; Neutral; Cool; and Daylight. And if you don’t like the color of a certain preset, you can manually adjust the color to your liking.
The bulbs in this pack are 60-watt incandescent equivalents. I removed my old “warm” CFLs and installed these in their place. The amount of light produced was equivalent. The only difference is I needed to adjust the white color temperature because I thought they were too warm. As mentioned earlier, this was easily done within the app. I used the slider to move the white light between the Warm color and the Neutral color. Every time I turn on this particular light bulb, it returns to its customized setting. I’m using the other two bulbs in the pack for holiday lighting. Even though they’re not rated for outside use, I installed them in a couple of light fixtures that are under my roof and far away from the elements. (Again, these are only rated for indoor use. I accept I may be voiding my warranty by using these bulbs outside). I have one bulb a bright red and another a bright green. So far, they’ve been working fine and do a good job lighting up that area of my house.
Setup was a breeze. Even though the instructions clearly state to make sure your phone is connected to a 2.4 GHz network, my Galaxy S9 phone didn’t have any problems identifying these bulbs even though it mainly operates on the 5 GHz network. I’m running a mesh network (Linksys Velop) that simultaneously runs a 2.4 and 5 GHz network using the same SSID (network name). If you have a router that runs a duel network but uses different names for each (e.g. HomeNetwork_2.4 vs HomeNetwork_5), then you’ll need to disconnect your phone from the 5 GHz network, and connect it to the 2.4 GHz network. This can be done in your phone’s Wi-Fi settings.
My only grip is the lack of customization in terms of scenes within the app. Scenes allow you to save certain color settings, then recall them at any point. Say for example, I want to change my red and green programmed Christmas settings to regular white lights for a night, the app doesn’t allow you to save your Christmas customization to recall it later. Currently, you have to manually change the bulbs to white, then change them back to red and green at a later time. Also, the scheduling is limited. Currently, it only allows for two schedules to be setup. The good thing about these limitations is that since they’re app based, there is a possibility the company can add these additional features in the future. Hopefully they will.
Overall, I really do like these bulbs. Their color reproduction is excellent, and their look/style is the classic round shaped bulb. Also, they’re a good value when compared to other multi-color starter sets with an included hub.
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Relax and enjoy hands-free carpet and hard-floor cleaning with this ECOVACS robotic vacuum cleaner. Multiple cleaning modes and a Smart Motion system adapt to your floors, and you can control it with the ECOVACS app, Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This ECOVACS robotic vacuum cleaner runs up to 120 minutes for complete floor coverage.
Customer Rating
4
Good Quality Entry Level Vacuum. Reasonably priced
on November 1, 2018
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
I wasn’t too sure what to expect from this lower-priced entry level model, but overall, I am very satisfied. Vacuuming robots are not new to my household. In fact, I have a more expensive model by a well-established competitor. Understanding that the Ecovacs Deebot N79SE costs reasonably less, I didn’t expect it to perform as well as my more expensive model. However, given the difference (which I well explain further below), the Deebot did a good job vacuuming both my hardwood floors and area rugs.
There are a few physical differences that I noticed after unpacking the vacuum. The unit itself is slightly smaller, and I mean slightly, than my other robot vacuum (see pic). The difference in size has both some benefits and downsides. A benefit was that this robot was able to get under furniture that the other vacuuming robot couldn’t fit under. So, it was nice getting these areas cleaned by a robot, rather than getting on my hands and knees to clean underneath this furniture. A downside of its slightly smaller size is a smaller roller brush underneath, and smaller wheels. Again, given that this vacuum is an entry level model, I wasn’t surprised to see smaller mechanical parts underneath. Being suspicious of this, I wanted to evaluate how well the unit handled driving over hardwood vs rugs and carpets. Overall, the motors that drive the wheels were more than capable of moving this unit over all types of surfaces. The only time it struggled to move as efficiently as its usual brisk pace was when I placed it on my extra long shag carpet. It still was able to vacuum the shag carpet, but I could tell it was struggling to drive over this surface. My guess is that if you have long-pile carpets and you’re looking for a vacuuming robot, it’s probably best to invest in a larger/more robust (and more expensive) unit. Otherwise, this unit does a good job vacuuming my floors and rugs.
Other observations worth noting, its battery and runtime is sufficient. I find that it will vacuum for close to an hour before needing to return to its charging base. The unit’s main roller brush does a good job picking up dirt, debris, cat hair, and dust bunnies. My unit didn’t have any issues parking itself back onto its base. It should be noted that I have its base located on hardwood floor. The dust bin’s capacity is comparable in size to my other vacuuming robot; this is a good thing. But there are a few more parts/filters inside the dust bin that need to be removed and shaken-off than my other robot. This makes it a little more cumbersome to clean the dust bin, but the extra filters do help keep particles inside the bin rather than thrown back into the air.
One note regarding setup. This unit has a companion app. After downloading the app and beginning the pairing process. The app kept on telling me that it’s not compatible with 5GHz networks. I own a newer style router, known as a mesh network (Linksys Velop). It runs both 2.4 & 5GHz bands using the same SSID (network name). The Ecovacs app couldn’t detect this, and figured I was trying to connect it to a 5GHz network. I selected the option to ignore the warning and continued with the setup. The app was able to locate the Deebot vacuum and join it to my network without an issue. The app itself is a no-frills app. It allows you to initiate vacuuming, manually drive the unit, set daily schedules, check its battery level (3 bars), get a percentage of the remaining lifespan on its consumables (e.g. brushes and filters), and power mode. The latter option is worth expanding on. Within the app, there is an option to select “Standard” vs “Max” power. After testing out both options, there is a noticeable difference between the two. Max power increases the fan and vacuuming power. I prefer to leave it on the Max setting; it does consume the battery quicker, but that’s a tradeoff I’m willing to accept. Also, the power selection option is only available on the app; it’s not an option on the included remote. The remote itself is very convenient. It has the same features as the app, minus the power selection and consumable monitoring. An added bonus is my 7-year-old is very happy to vacuum now. The remote allows him to drive the vacuum around the house as if it’s a remote-controlled car.
Another functional feature is this vacuum’s ability to connect with Google Assistant. I was able to easily get it connected using the following steps: opened the Google Home app, selected “Add” (see pic), selected “Set up device”, selected “Works with google”, searched for “Deebot” from the list of services, was asked to login into my Ecovacs Deebot account (an account that you’re asked to create when you first setup your vacuum within its Ecovacs app), and finally confirmed linking my account to Google Home. After this initial setup, I am able to initiate vacuuming by saying “OK Google” to my phone, then telling it to “start vacuuming.” The Deebot undocks itself and begins vacuuming. Other commands I’ve used are “stop vacuuming” and “dock vacuum.” I’ve not had any issues using Google Assistant to send commands to my vacuum.
Overall, I’m quite happy with this unit. It’s easy to use and does a good job vacuuming. It’s also reasonably priced.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+87points
98of 109voted this as helpful.
Track time and activities with this women's Michael Kors smart watch. The rose gold finish on the sturdy stainless steel bracelet adds a dressy touch to outfits, and the programmable options like tracking goals and taking selfies work with Android and iPhone devices. This Michael Kors smart watch records the number of calories burned exercising.
Customer Rating
4
Beautiful Watch. Wife loves it. iPhone limitations
on October 30, 2018
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
This review is from the perspective of an iPhone user and a first-time smartwatch wearer. My wife has been the primary user of this watch. She is an iPhone user and was looking for a smartwatch that would provide some basic functionality, such as displaying text messages, notifying her of phone calls, counting steps, etc. This watch does all this but with some limitations if you’re an iPhone user. If you are aware of these limitations going in, you’ll be happy with this watch because of its design and beauty.
It’s important to note that the primary operating system on this watch is Google’s Wear OS. If you are an Android phone user running the latest Android operating system, this watch will support even more functionality. I’ll outline the differences in functionality between the two OS’s next. Otherwise, if you’re an iPhone user, Apple does not allow non-Apple hardware to support some of its native functions, such as using the watch as a phone, replying to messages on the watch itself, Siri integration, and Maps and directions support. What is does support is visual notifications and vibrations when a call is received on your iPhone. You can answer the phone call on the watch, but you’ll have to use the phone to carry-on the conversation. When a message comes in, either through iMessage or another messaging app like Facebook’s Messenger, you’ll also get a visual and vibration notification on the watch. The watch will allow you to read your message in full, but if you want to respond, you’ll need to use the phone to message back. To some, like my wife, this is preferred; she can respond faster typing on the phone. So she is not bothered by this limitation. Regarding the syncing of Calendars, this watch does natively connect with the Calendar app on her iPhone. She can view all her upcoming appointments and receive notifications on the watch. In fact, the top right physical button on the watch is dedicated to the basic Michael Kors app. Since she hardly uses that app, she was able to remap the button to open the Calendar app instead. The ability to remap the hardware buttons is a nice setting and option made available on this watch.
Continuing with the watch’s functionality, a significant feature she was really looking forward to is the watch’s ability to count the number of steps she takes each day, along with the many other health features it offers. Overall, she is really satisfied with the watch’s performance in this area. She normally uses her iPhone to count her steps, but she can’t keep track of her steps while working out. She doesn’t wear her phone on her while using workout machines or during her kick boxing classes. Now, she wears this watch during her workouts and it keeps track of her steps in whole. She even did a comparison between her iPhone’s count and the Michael Kors watch’s count on total steps, and they were both consistently close to each other. I even asked her about its size. The watch face is 41mm, that’s about the largest size of a face you’ll find in a women’s watch, and there’s a little weight to it too, but she says it feels fine on her throughout the day and during her workouts. The online instruction manual does recommend sliding the watch up the wrist further when using it during a workout. She followed those instructions and it stays in place above her wrist while working out. She did note that she thinks the calorie count is a little off (a little too high), but it’s not a deal breaker for her because she keeps track of her calories in other ways. All these health features built into this watch is driven by the Google Fit app. So over time, little things like the calorie count can be improved with future software updates. Another functionality of this watch that she uses while working out, is its ability to control her music on her phone. While playing music from a playlist, she can skip songs from the watch’s interface without have to touch her phone. We did notice that this feature is sluggish when it’s first initiated on the watch, but after a minute or two of playing music, it became much more responsive.
Keeping with the health theme, she was able to customize one of the included Michael Kors watch faces to display information she is most interested in seeing. For example, in one face, she removed the heartrate monitor and placed the step counter on the screen instead (see pic). In another face, she included the date, day of the week, and step counter on the display (see pic).
Like I mentioned above, because this watch runs a Google OS, it can integrate better with Android phones. Some of the things it does when connected to an Android phone is being able to respond by voice and/or by typing on the watch itself when responding to messages, ask for and receive turn-by-turn directions through Google Maps from the watch face, and initiate phone calls from the watch itself. Please note that this model only includes a mic for taking commands, or for communicating with the built in Google Assistant. It does not include a speaker for producing sound or audio of any kind.
Overall, my wife is happy with this watch. She doesn’t use all it’s features, but the ones she does use work effectively. Even though there are limitations between this watch and the iPhone, she is not bothered by them. She is quite happy with its functionality, and definitely happy with its look and design. She would recommend it to others if they are looking to use it in a similar way as her.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+33points
37of 41voted this as helpful.
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See who's at the door on your smartphone with this SkyBell Trim Plus home-security doorbell. It sends HD video and two-way audio and can detect and record a visitor's presence via live monitoring and a motion sensor. This rugged SkyBell Trim Plus home-security doorbell has full-color night vision and withstands inclement weather.
I need to buy a power supply what should I use without having to put in that resistor adapter?
I'm sure you're already aware that the resistor is necessary if the doorbell isn't running to a actual doorbell chime. Just in case you're unsure how to install it, here's a link to a video created by Skybell's support. It shows how to connect the resistor when using a power supply. Again, if you're already aware of this video, than maybe this answer can help someone else out. It's nice that Skybell accounts for the different ways people want to supply power to the doorbell. Everyone's setup is different, so at least there are options.
Support Video URL: http://www.skybell.com/support/power/
Support Video URL: http://www.skybell.com/support/power/
5 years ago
by
dorkhead2
ASUS Laptop: Experience powerful gaming performance in a slim, compact package with this 15.6-inch ASUS laptop. Its 16GB of DDR4 RAM and Intel Core i7 processor let you multitask between programs, and its GTX 1060 graphics card smoothly renders 3D scenes. This ASUS laptop has a 1TB HDD, 8GB SSHD and 128GB SSD for versatile storage options and fast boot times.
No SD card slot? I’m torn between the Dell G7 for $1200 which does have a sd card slot. Is the extra 300$ worth picking this laptop ?
This laptop does have an SD card slot. It's located on the right.
5 years, 11 months ago
by
dorkhead2
Complete your HT-Z9F surround system with this Sony rear speaker. Place it on a stand or shelf, or mount it to your wall for unobtrusive performance, and connect to other components wirelessly to keep unsightly cables out of your space. This Sony rear speaker's S-Master amp outputs 50W for powerful rear audio.
What is the length of the power cord for each speaker...do they use a cord or a wall wart?
Completely customize your Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat to match your lifestyle and decor. The ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostat lets you choose the temperature, schedule, display color and the devices you use to control it all.
Does this support the same wiring configurations as the Nest 3rd gen? I live in an apartment and cannot run extra wiring for the HVAC system.
No. The Nest is designed to run with or without a C-wire. The Honeywell thermostat (Model: RTH9585WF) is designed to use the C-wire or an alternative installation using the G-wire, if the C-wire is not present. So the two thermostat's wire configurations are not necessarily the same, but depending on your situation, you may be able to use this thermostat if all you're missing is the C-wire, but you have a G-wire to use in its place. The G-wire normally controls the operation of the system’s fan, but if it's used as a substitute for the C-wire, then the fan can no longer be used independently. What this means is that the fan will only turn on/off when the air conditioning or heater is running. If you never run the fan independently, then this won’t be a problem. If you would like to maintain that functionality, then an electrician will need to install a C-wire on your system. Honeywell’s website provides a lot of information and videos regarding this and other installation topics. Good luck!
6 years, 6 months ago
by
dorkhead2
Connect your external wireless devices to the internet with this Linksys dual-band router. Two 5Ghz bands support both high-end gaming and low-end applications without compromising speed, and remote management lets you make adjustments from any location. This Linksys dual-band router has a sleek design that integrates easily into most workspaces.
What is the range of this router?
In my house, the 2.4GHz band provides full signal strength at around 50 feet after going through two walls, one of which contains a large metal furnace. After 60 plus feet, and three walls, the signal drops to 2 out of 4 curved bars. Still good. The 5GHz band provides full strength reception to a TV about 30 feet away that also goes through the same two walls described earlier.
7 years, 6 months ago
by
dorkhead2