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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Only at Best BuyFind your favorite songs with the simple sound of your voice with this Insignia voice-activated wireless speaker. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity let you pair with compatible devices for more enjoyment, and Google Assistant is included to answer questions or search the internet. This Insignia voice-activated wireless speaker features a compact footprint and brilliant display.
Customer Rating
4
Useful Home Assistant with Some Minor Limitations
on February 9, 2018
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
Overall, this speaker with Google Voice Assistant works very well. Just like on an Android phone, you simply say, "OK Google" and begin asking any question you have. The female voice assistant will either give you an exact answer or perform a Google search and read the primary result back to you. For example, if you ask Google, "OK Google, what time does Disneyland open tomorrow?" She will tell you the exact operating hours for Disneyland for the requested day. But if you ask, "OK Google, at what age should my child stop sucking his thumb?" Google will respond by reading you an answer from a reputable website.
The Voice Assistant also performs very well when asked to turn on or off my WiFi connected house lights. A few of my lights are connected using TP-Link light switches, and others are connected using WeMo light switches. If your lights are not already setup in the Google Assistant app, you are guided during the speaker setup to add them to the Home Control portion of the app. Adding them allows you to control your lights and other connected devices, (Nest Thermostat, Roomba, WiFi outlets, etc.) using your voice either through your phone or through the Insignia speaker. Since the speaker is setup on my nightstand, my wife loves to ask Google to turn off the bedroom light, instead of having to get out of bed to physically turn it off.
A few limitations include not being able to manually adjust the time displayed on the front of the device. Other users have inquired about this option and Insignia's tech support has responded in forums that they are not able to change the time because the device syncs with Google time servers. Hopefully someday there will be an option to manually adjust the time, so if you're like me, you can set the clock ahead a few minutes to help with getting out the door early.
Another limitation is the device's inability to place phone calls yet. When you ask Google to call someone, it responds that the feature is not currently active. Hopefully this feature will also be added in future software updates.
And the final limitation is the speaker quality (not really though). If you're very particular about the sound quality of the music being played through your speakers, then this unit will not satisfy you. However, if you just want to enjoy music without concern for high quality sound, then this speaker will do just fine. The sound it does produce is good enough and can get loud if you crank it up. The bass isn't all that strong, but again, this is not a device meant for an audiophile. It will meet the needs of most people.
Ultimately, I am very satisfied with this speaker. It's a reasonably priced speaker and home assistant. It's perfect for a bedroom night stand or living room clock (or anywhere else you can plug in this unit). If Insignia continues to update the features on this speaker, it will easily get a 5-star rating. Still, if I could give it 4.5 stars, I would.
My Best Buy number: 2148848421
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
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Arlo Pro 2 keeps an eye on your home while you're away, in brilliant 1080p HD quality. Put the 100% wire-free, weather-resistant camera anywhere, indoors or out. Then, power it with the included rechargeable battery or plugged it in (when indoors) to access activity zones and 24/7 Continuous Video Recording upgrades. Use 2-way audio or remotely sound a 100+ device siren while catching every moment with night vision and advanced motion detection. You'll even get motion and sound-activated alerts and 7 days of free cloud video recordings. Arlo Pro 2 works with Amazon Alexa to make your smart home security even more simple and effective.
Customer Rating
4
Exceptional Video Quality, Some System Limitations
on November 28, 2017
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
As the title suggests, the video quality these cameras produce is second to none. I own a few other home security cameras, a couple of them being 1080p, and they don't compare to the output of the Arlo Pro 2. The streaming image to your phone or computer is exceptionally sharp and clear. This also holds true for night streaming and recording. Compared to my other cameras, the night vision on this camera far exceeds the competition.
There are trade-offs though. Some of my other cameras have a wider viewing angle. The Arlo Pro 2 has a 130 degree viewing angle, while my other cameras have a 180 degree viewing angle. A wider viewing angle allows you to see more side-to-side activity. This is useful for covering a larger view of my home (see picture). Another disadvantage with this camera system is the inability to save your recordings to an off-site location, such as an ftp server or cloud device. Other cameras provide this feature, but on the flip-side, my other camera’s cloud based recording service isn’t as generous as the Arlo Pro 2’s offering. The Arlo Pro 2 does provide 1 week of recordings with its free subscription plan. This is an upgrade compared to other services that only offer up to a few days of storage. However, if you want to hang-on to your recordings for a longer period of time, you'll have to purchase a higher subscription. That’s the benefit to having another secure off-site recording option. Still, the Arlo system does allow you to connect an external USB drive to the base, which provides additional options for managing your recorded videos. This feature is also useful for the 24/7 continues recording this camera offers. But, if you want to record an area with continues nonstop surveillance, you’ll need to plug the camera into a power source. This may prove difficult if you were planning on placing these cameras in inconspicuous places inside or outside. The continues recording feature will not work on batteries alone. You’ll either need to run additional compatible micro-USB cables to the Arlo power adapter, or you can purchase their solar power device for a cost.
Overall, the Arlo Pro 2 system is an excellent product if you’re just looking for a camera that works reliably. It may not have as many technical or expert features you’ll find in other IP cameras, but the convenience of having a system that just works may be the deciding factor for many buyers. Also, not needing to run power cables to the cameras may also be a big reason for purchasing this system. Arlo claims the camera can run on its rechargeable batteries for about 3 to 6 months. This is based on about 5 minutes or recording time per day. Depending on where you place your camera and the activity/movement it can pickup in it’s 23 foot range, your recording time will vary, leading to varying battery life times. So, if convenience of wireless placement is more important, and you don’t mind charging the device once every 3 to 6 months, than I would definitely recommend this system.
My Best Buy number: 2148848421
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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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.
Customer Rating
5
Great for Grandma! Easy to Use. Reliable WiFi.
on November 23, 2017
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
As the title says, this thermostat is so easy to use, my mom (a grandma) can control it. I bring this up because for years my mom struggled with the basic digital thermostat that came with the system. The old thermostat had a numerical monochrome display that she had a hard time seeing, on top of not being able to remember which direction to press the arrows. All that confusion is gone with this Honeywell Thermostat. It has a decent size (about 4 inches) back-lit color screen that she can easily view. The way the temperatures are presented (laid-out) on the main screen is clear and intuitive. The larger number positioned in the center of the screen is the current temperature inside the house. And the slightly smaller number to the right is the temperature you can set your air conditioning/heater at. She simply has to read the words "Indoors" and "Set To" above the respected temperatures. This simple language has made all the difference in allowing her to run her HVAC system properly. And like with all new technology, she was a little hesitant at first using the touch screen, but the interface is well designed, and she got used to operating it in no time.
Installation was very simple. Our system had a C-wire, so there weren’t any modifications needed. If you end up finding out that you don’t have a C-wire, the instructions provide an alternative installation process that allows you to use the G-wire in place of the C-wire. The G-wire normally controls the operation of the system’s fan, but if it 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.
Our electricity bill ended up being lower this month (22% lower) compared to the same month last year (see image). It’s hard to say how much of the improvement in usage was due to the thermostat, but that was the observation for the first month of use. Considering all the outside factors that come into play, like the weather, one factor that may have led to better efficiency is the accuracy of the thermostat sensor itself. The old thermostat’s sensor may not have been as accurate, leading to the system running longer than necessary. The sensor on this new thermostat may be more accurate. I did notice the system not taking as long to reach the desired temperatures we selected.
And finally, the WiFi enabled functions work very well. It was simple to setup and initialize, and easy to manage over the computer and Honeywell’s app. I was ready to assist my mom remotely if she needed help using the new thermostat, but that assistance was never needed. Overall, I’m very satisfied with this unit, and would recommend it to others looking to upgrade their thermostat.
My Best Buy number: 2148848421
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+10points
21of 32voted this as helpful.
Go for a spin with this Sphero Ultimate Lightning McQueen car. It has expressive LCD eyes and a hi-fi speaker to embody the spirit of the Cars character, and its dedicated app lets you control it from your mobile device. This Sphero Ultimate Lightning McQueen car provides over 2 hours of play on a full charge.
Customer Rating
4
Extremely well-made toy. Fun! But pricey.
on October 13, 2017
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
As an owner of another Sphero product, the Star Wars BB-8 unit, I knew what to expect in terms of build quality and entertainment experience. The Ultimate Lighting McQueen does not disappoint. It is a well-made product with lots of high-end parts. The moving mouth, LCD screen for the eyes, sensors, and articulating wheels, create a toy so life-like, it's easy to forget that you're not watching the Cars movie, but actually playing with a toy.
Driving it around is fun. This is where you're going to get the most enjoyment out of this toy. At least it was for me. The app has other features, like playing some basic games, watching the Car's movie (not included) with Lighting McQueen, or programming some sayings and expressions, but the best part for me was driving him around.
Regarding his driving ability, the car has great traction, and is designed to make sharp turns and donuts. Because of his fully articulating wheels, he turns into curves by leaning in the direction of the turn. It's quite impressive. He's easy to drive once you get used to controlling him from your phone. Just keep in mind, if you had RC cars before, this toy is not going to provide the exact same driving experience, but it does come close. Or at least close enough to bring you back to the enjoyment of driving a remote-controlled car from your past.
All this enjoyment, comes for a price. If you can afford this toy, and recognize that what you're really paying for is the unique experience this car brings with its life-like qualities, then I'd recommended it. It's definitely a fun piece of technology worth showing others. The reactions I get from showing others this toy, is priceless.
My Best Buy number: 2148848421
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Provide Wi-Fi connectivity for every computer and device in your abode with this D-Link whole home Wi-Fi router. High-powered antennas cover your house, and four separate streams are ideal for watching videos and gaming all at the same time. Parental controls on this D-Link whole home Wi-Fi-router let you set up parameters for every child in your home.
Customer Rating
4
Good / Reliable Router with a Seamless Extender
on October 1, 2017
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
This D-Link Dual-Band router is doing a very good job delivering Wi-Fi to all parts of my home. It was easy to set up using the app, and the online interface is easy to use, albeit limited in customization options.
While testing the system out, I used a Wi-Fi analyzer app on my phone and monitored my device's signal strength to the main router. As I moved away from the main router, my signal strength would decline (as expected). But as I moved closer to the extender, the D-Link router would hand-off my phone from the main router to the extender successfully and I watched my signal strength increase sizably again. I also found the reverse held true. As I moved away from the extender and back to the main router, my signal strength was affected similarly.
One thing I do want to note, during setup, the instructions advise you to place the extender as far away as possible while continuing to get four solid green lights on the extenders topside. While it’s not really a signal strength meter, it’s an indicator that the 2.4 and 5GHz signals are communicating well between the main unit and the extender.
Regarding speed, the router successfully streams HD content to my Amazon Fire Stick without any lag. And so far, it's able to handle the 20 plus Wi-Fi connected devices within my home.
A few downsides is that the app is pretty much useless after using it for the setup process. So, don't expect to use it to administer any router settings. It's much better making any adjustments through the router's web interface. As others have mentioned, there isn't a way to set different SSIDs for the 2.4 and 5GHz frequencies. In the past, this would have been a deal-breaker for me, but as I've started using "mesh" wireless routers, the need to specify which network my devices connect to has become non-existent. The systems are designed and do a good job managing which frequency to use based on the device's radios, distance, and throughput.
Another thing I do want to note, if you enable the Guest network, it seems to only stream from the main router. My Wi-Fi tests picked this up. Whereas the regular 2.4 and 5GHz networks were emanating from two different MAC addresses (one being the main router, and the other being the extender), the Guest network was only coming from one MAC address. You can enable both 2.4 and 5GHz for the Guest networks, but they are only coming from the main router. I'm not sure if this is intentional. Maybe the extender is only meant to concentrate on delivering a wireless signal to devices connected on the primary network, and not waste its bandwidth on guest connections. Regardless, if you do get this router and the Guest network is of major importance to you, then think about setting up the main router where most of the guest traffic will occur.
Overall, this router and it’s seamless extender delivers a strong wireless signal throughout my home, and I've been very satisfied with its performance.
My Best Buy number: 2148848421
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
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Load high-resolution game graphics with this 25-inch Dell Alienware gaming monitor. Its 240Hz refresh rate and 1 ms response time handle high definition game titles smoothly, and its NVIDIA G-Sync technology is compatible with GeForce GTX graphics cards. Customize preset game modes with the easy-to-use dashboard of this Dell Alienware gaming monitor.
Customer Rating
5
High-end monitor delivers in performance and looks
on September 6, 2017
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
If you're running a gaming rig with one or two high-end N-Vidia graphics cards, this monitor is the perfect match. It can handle the speeds of any first person shooter or role playing game. The price is a little on the high end, so it's mainly targeted towards the professional gamer or someone who is looking for the extra edge in game play.
NOTE: This model is best paired with a system running an N-Vidia Graphics card. It features N-Vidia's G-Sync technology, which syncs both the display and graphics card for the fastest and smoothest refresh rate possible. If you have an AMD Radeon graphics card, you'll want to look at the AW2518HF model by Alienware. It supports AMD's FreeSync technology for producing native refresh rates.
Unlike the AMD version, this model does have the built-in LED lighting on the back panel of the monitor. Even though it's mainly for aesthetics, it completes the look of a matching system with Alienware's LED Pro gamer keyboard and mouse.
Being a Twisted Nematic (TN) panel, the refresh rate and pixel response times are exceptional. You lose a little in wide-angle viewing, but since a gamer is usually sitting right in front of their monitor, this won't be a major issue. Even though a Vertical Alignment (VA) monitor offers the best colors, and an In-Plain Switching (IPS) monitor offers better viewing angels, TN panels are best for gaming.
I wasn't able to test this monitor while being paired with an N-Vidia graphics card that supports N-Vidia's G-Sync technology. This meant that the refresh rate was being controlled by the monitor's processor, rather than natively by the graphics card, but I really didn't notice poor performance at any level. I didn't notice any blurred images, flicker, tearing, or any other motion artifacts. It's probably a product of its high refresh rate (240Hz) and 1 millisecond response rate.
The monitor is loaded with external ports for various audio, video, and USB connections. And the stand is very stylish. Also, the bezel is incredibly thin, meaning this monitor would make an excellent dual screen or triple screen setup.
Overall, this monitor is meant for the serious gamer. If performance is more important than price, than you really can't find a better gaming monitor on the market right now.
My Best Buy number: 2148848421
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience your favorite gaming titles with a whole new level of imagery with this Alienware gaming monitor. The wide 25-inch screen shows every bit of the action, and a 1-ms response rate means you never miss a shot. This Alienware gaming monitor features tilt, swivel and height adjustable features for more comfortable play.
Customer Rating
5
Best 25 inch gaming monitor on the market
on September 6, 2017
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
If you're dead set on purchasing the best 25 inch gaming monitor on the market, look no further. This monitor can handle the speeds of any first person shooter or role playing game. The price is a little on the high end, so it's mainly targeted towards the professional gamer or someone who is looking for the extra edge in game play.
NOTE: This model is best paired with a system running an AMD Radeon graphics card. It features AMD's FreeSync technology, which syncs both the display and graphics card for the fastest and smoothest refresh rate possible. If you have an N-Vidia Graphics card, you'll want to look at the AW2518H model by Alienware. It supports N-Vidia's G-Sync technology for producing native refresh rates.
Unlike the N-Vidia version, this model does not have the built-in LED lighting on the back panel of the monitor. You don't really lose anything from not having the lighting; it's mainly for aesthetics.
Being a Twisted Nematic (TN) panel, the refresh rate and pixel response times are exceptional. You lose a little in wide-angle viewing, but since a gamer is usually sitting right in front of their monitor, this won't be a major issue. Even though a Vertical Alignment (VA) monitor offers the best colors, and an In-Plain Switching (IPS) monitor offers better viewing angels, TN panels are best for gaming.
I tested this monitor while it was paired with an AMD Radeon Video Card that supports FreeSync technology. The performance was flawless. I didn't notice any blurred images, flicker, tearing, and other motion artifacts. Again, this is helped out by its super-high refresh rate (240Hz) and 1 millisecond response rate.
The monitor is loaded with external ports for various audio, video, and USB connections. And the stand is very stylish. Also, the bezel is incredibly thin, meaning this monitor would make an excellent dual screen or triple screen setup.
Overall, this is a gamer's monitor. If performance is more important than price, than you really can't find a better gaming monitor on the market right now.
My Best Buy number: 2148848421
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+4points
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Conquer virtual enemies with this Dell Inspiron desktop. It has an AMD Radeon graphics card with 8GB of dedicated video memory for fast image rendering, and its powerful AMD Ryzen 7 processor and 16GB of DDR4 RAM run multiple programs, games and browsers simultaneously. This Dell Inspiron desktop has a 1TB hard drive for plenty of long-term game storage.
Customer Rating
5
Great Gaming Out of the Box - CPU can be tweaked
on August 29, 2017
Posted by: dorkhead2
from Tustin, CA, USA
This is a solid entry level gaming PC. If building a gaming PC is currently not an option, and you want an affordable gaming rig, than this system can deliver.
Visually, the computer is stunning. The blue LED lighting emanating through the grills along the front and sides is visually pleasing. You will be very proud to place this unit on your desk, or in a place others can see it. But make sure you have a lot of desk room, like most gaming PCs, the unit is large and heavy.
Out of the box, the system performs very well. I definitely recommend uninstalling McAfee Antivirus before launching into gameplay. Also, I highly recommend checking for any system updates through Window's Update, as well as any driver updates to the BIOS, Chipset, and Video card from Dell's Support website. After performing these updates, I launched straight into gameplay. The system didn't have any problem running Star Wars Battlefront I in Ultra mode. It's not the most demanding first person shooter, but it held its ground quite well. To really test the system, I ran a video game benchmark program called Superposition by Unigine 2. It renders real gameplay visuals and produces various measure such as frames per second, as well as a composite score. Overall, this system did very well. It was able to maintain a respectable 40 frames per second under the High setting, and a solid 57 frames per second under the Medium setting (see included image). It's important to mention here that most games currently use only 1 core to run all it's components. So while this Dell system has a native 8 cores, only one will be utilized for most current games. This is the situation with all high-end PCs. These systems have more cores than can be utilized for most games. But that trend is slowly starting to change; there are already a few games that utilize multiple cores. It will be awhile before this becomes the norm, but this system is well suited for future games. And in terms of non gaming use, the multiple cores within this PC handle photo editing and video encoding extremely well.
Out of the box, the system performs very well. I definitely recommend uninstalling McAfee Antivirus before launching into gameplay. Also, I highly recommend checking for any system updates through Window's Update, as well as any driver updates to the BIOS, Chipset, and Video card from Dell's Support website. After performing these updates, I launched straight into gameplay. The system didn't have any problem running Star Wars Battlefront I in Ultra mode. It's not the most demanding first person shooter, but it held its ground quite well. To really test the system, I ran a video game benchmark program called Superposition by Unigine 2. It renders real gameplay visuals and produces various measure such as frames per second, as well as a composite score. Overall, this system did very well. It was able to maintain a respectable 40 frames per second under the High setting, and a solid 57 frames per second under the Medium setting (see included image). It's important to mention here that most games currently use only 1 core to run all it's components. So while this Dell system has a native 8 cores, only one will be utilized for most current games. This is the situation with all high-end PCs. These systems have more cores than can be utilized for most games. But that trend is slowly starting to change; there are already a few games that utilize multiple cores. It will be awhile before this becomes the norm, but this system is well suited for future games. And in terms of non gaming use, the multiple cores within this PC handle photo editing and video encoding extremely well.
For those looking to improve the systems processing power even more, AMD makes it very easy to overclock the processors with its AMD Ryzen Master Utility. Again, considering that this is a "budget" gaming system, it makes sense to save by buying the standard Ryzen 1700 processor and overclocking it to match the higher-end 1700X or 1800 processors. And for those that are dead-set on buying only Intel processors, it's worth noting that this new line of Ryzen processors are now on the same playing field as Intel's current line of 7th generation processors in terms of performance and power efficiency. Both are built using the 14 nanometer manufacturing process and both can push the limits of raw GHz speed.
A couple of critiques include the lack of a solid state drive (SSD) and the basic keyboard and mouse included in the box. Rather than including a relatively small SSD, Dell chose to include a 1TB traditional hard drive. Considering the low cost of traditional spinning drives, it makes sense that an SSD was not a part of this build; it would have driven up the price of this PC. Again, as a budget gaming PC, a SSD can be purchased later at a much better price and added to the system as an upgrade. Regarding the included keyboard and mouse, they should not be used for gaming. They're most likely included to allow for basic setup and use. Of course they will work for any game, but if you eventually have the means to purchase a gaming keyboard and mouse, it is highly recommended.
Overall, this is a solid entry level gaming PC. Out of the box it can run all the latest games with aplomb. And if you're the adventurous type, a little overclocking can produce even better results.
My Best Buy number: 2148848421
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+7points
7of 7voted this as helpful.
Clean your carpets efficiently with this iRobot Roomba vacuum. It lets you set a schedule for automated vacuuming, and the sensors help it navigate under furniture and around objects on the floor for a more thorough cleaning job. This iRobot Roomba vacuum has internal brushes, agitators and suction to handle debris and pet hair.
Customer Rating
5
Excels at Vacuuming!
on August 4, 2017
Posted by: dorkhead2
This is my second Roomba. I owned an early model Roomba well over 10 years ago. While I remember being satisfied with the cleaning functionalities of my older Roomba, I'm even more impressed with this model. The unit is well made and built with strong/durable parts. Setup and installation was simple. And the unit easily connected with my home WiFi and to the iRobot app on my Android based phone.
Simply put, the Roomba works well. Its vacuuming ability is strong, and the coverage on this unit is perfect for an apartment or small house. It covered my 800-square foot place on one charge. Even if you have a large house, this robot can cover two to three rooms on a single charge. The unit has a built-in handle that allows you to easily pick up the unit to move it to any location in your home. It also come with a "virtual wall"; it's a small rectangular tower, about 4 inches tall, that allows you to place it anywhere to create a boundary that prevents the unit from crossing. I haven't had a need to use the included "wall" because I simply let it clean my whole house. But others may not want it to enter certain rooms or areas, so the wall would be useful in those situations.
The unit does a great job picking up dirt, hair, dust bunnies, and any debris along walls or in corners. The motor that powers the two main wheels under the unit are very powerful. It moves around the floor and carpet with ease. iRobot recommends that you dump the collection canister after every use, but I've managed to get a couple of vacuums in without dumping the canister. But I wouldn't push it further than that. The unit does an excellent job picking up dirt and debris that the canister gets quite full after a vacuum or two. The app also provides indicators that the bin, brushes, or other parts need attention or replacement. The app also lets your schedule a cleaning for each day of the week. It allows you to start a cleaning remotely at any time. You could be on your couch or at work; you simply press the large green Clean circle within the app and the unit undocks from its base and begins cleaning. If for any reason, you need to end the cleaning cycle and send the unit automatically back home to its base, this can be done by pressing the physical clean button on the unit, or within the app.
In summary, being that this is currently iRobot's entry level vacuum cleaner, and it's WiFi enabled to boot, you won't be disappointed with this unit. If you're considering adventuring into the world of automated cleaning, or thinking of returning to iRobot's products, this model would be a wise choice.
My Best Buy number: 2148848421
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
Enjoy optimal sound clarity from the Pure Digital Drive system of these Audio-Technica wireless over-ear headphones. You can easily answer calls or control the volume with the built-in microphone and tap controls. These Audio-Technica wireless over-ear headphones hold a charge for up to 15 hours to get you through long playlists.
Customer Rating
4
High Quality/Clear Wireless Sound - Lacks Loudness
on June 23, 2017
Posted by: dorkhead2
The Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT do deliver on their claim of producing a clean and crisp wireless signal equivalent to a wired connection, but the device has a few flaws that may lead you to look at other Audio-Technica headphones available from Best Buy.
The main feature of these specific headphones is its ability to keep the audio signal completely digital from the source (e.g. cell phone) to the driver coils within the headphones. This process takes place via a Bluetooth connection only. There isn't a headphone jack available for a wired connection (a limitation I'll touch on later). This complete digital connection does produce a very clear signal, something most Bluetooth headphones can't produce. The headphones do an excellent job replicating a wide sound field, but they do not put an emphasis on bass. The low frequencies are present, but if you're looking for a headphone that produces heavy bass, you may want to look at their Solid Bass line at Best Buy.
The main reason why I could only assign 4 stars is due to the headphones inability to get loud. With the volume all the way up (at the source and on the volume control on the headphone), the sound does get loud, but tops-off at a level that may not be sufficient for some listeners. I, for example, like to crank my rock music to levels that are probably unhealthy, but was unable to get the headphone to produce the loudness level I was accustomed to. Having encountered this issue before with other large over-the-ear headphones, the problem is usually due to the source not being powerful enough to drive the headphones louder. This can be overcome by a decent inline headphone amp. However, given that these headphones were meant to be wireless, and lack a headphone jack, using an amp wasn't possible. This was disappointing to me considering the quality hardware inside the headphones.
A couple of other things to note is the touch control and the volume rocker. There is a little fingernail size square on the outside housing of the left earphone. It responds to your touch (capacitive sensor like a cellphone screen) via a simple tap to pause your music or answer a call. It takes a little getting used to at first, but once you get use to the location on the housing, it's a convenient feature, especially if you’re away from your device.
A note regarding the volume rocker. It's also located on the outer housing of the left earphone. To increase the volume, you slide the button in one direction, vice-versa to lower it. However, if you slide and hold the button in one direction, the headphones are programmed to skip ahead or return to the previous song, rather than quickly raising or lowering the volume. This led me to keep the volume on the headphone at max at all times and just control the volume from my device.
Overall these are high quality headphones that produce good sound. Their wireless technology worked flawlessly; it paired via NFC easily and maintained a good signal for the advertised 30 feet. But it's really hard to recommend them given it's limitation in loudness. They do however, connect to a computer with a USB cable for the purposes of playing high-resolution audio. Maybe this connection can be utilized by Audio-Technica in the future for a firmware update that will address the loudness issue. Until then, if you’re looking for solid headphones without an emphasis on bass, and don't require them to get extremely loud, and you have the cash to pay for a quality high-end product, these might be the headphones for you.
My Best Buy number: 2148848421
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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7 years, 6 months ago
by
dorkhead2