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- Review count108
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- First reviewJanuary 20, 2014
- Last reviewApril 28, 2024
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- First answerFebruary 13, 2018
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It’s your day —own it with Samsung Galaxy Watch6. From the gym to the office, our large display keeps you in the know with simple navigation and a super easy-to-read screen. Work out smarter with personalized heart rate zones, and get insights for better rest with Advanced Sleep Coaching. Stay connected by using Galaxy Watch6 to call, text, play music and get notifications on the go. Plus, wherever the day takes you, own your look with a variety of customizable Watch bands and faces. Unlock your day’s full potential with Galaxy Watch6.
Posted by: MTCowboy
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is a quality offering with a large, bright, customizable face and a comprehensive suite of applications. However, like many of today's tech items, the supporting app is difficult to load and configure. It required multiple attempts to download and install the software and after I finally did get it installed a number of functions did not work. It was only after extensive tweaking of permissions and settings on the phone that I was able to get the Samsung phone and the Samsung watch to fully sync and work together.
Although the band offers sufficient options to fit different sized wrists, the vinyl material is uncomfortable and feels clammy. I will be investigating alternatives in the hopes that it can be made more pleasant to wear.
Battery life seems insufficient. Currently the watch must be charged nightly in order
to make it through a full work day. Charging speed is good and the provided proprietary base allows wireless charging however the adapter has a male USB-C end and is pretty short. There is no charging brick included (not that unusual in this day) but you will need to make sure you have a charger with the appropriate connector.
The features are quite good. The watch offers almost everything we were looking for BUT the short battery life means that trying to collect a full-days stats is challenging and the band is so uncomfortable that there are days it stays on the shelf.
In summary - the watch is less than perfect but has promising potential. I am hoping that future firmware updates will help me learn to love this device!
Although the band offers sufficient options to fit different sized wrists, the vinyl material is uncomfortable and feels clammy. I will be investigating alternatives in the hopes that it can be made more pleasant to wear.
Battery life seems insufficient. Currently the watch must be charged nightly in order
to make it through a full work day. Charging speed is good and the provided proprietary base allows wireless charging however the adapter has a male USB-C end and is pretty short. There is no charging brick included (not that unusual in this day) but you will need to make sure you have a charger with the appropriate connector.
The features are quite good. The watch offers almost everything we were looking for BUT the short battery life means that trying to collect a full-days stats is challenging and the band is so uncomfortable that there are days it stays on the shelf.
In summary - the watch is less than perfect but has promising potential. I am hoping that future firmware updates will help me learn to love this device!
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Panoramic 3D surround sound without limits. Experience movies, music and games with sound that puts you right in the middle of theaction, thanks to 880W of total output power and thunderous bass from the 10” subwoofer. The JBL Bar 1000 has MultiBeam and four up-firing drivers—two in the bar and two in the detachable battery-powered surround speakers—to envelop you in a sphere of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D surround sound with a wide, spacious soundstage with no need to draw extra cables. You’ll never miss a word with our PureVoice technology, which makes sure the dialogue is clear even when other sounds are at their loudest. When you’re ready for some music, stream your favorite playlist from AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music (MRM), and Chromecast built-in and it’ll feel like the band is right there. Have a great night out without leaving your living room.
Posted by: MTCowboy
The JBL - BAR 1000 7.1.4-channel soundbar offers impressive sound quality and offers a sweet trick with its battery powered detachable surround speakers. It claims 880 watts of total output power and provides satisfying bass from a 10" wireless subwoofer. The sound volume is more than adequate for my listening room although it does start to distort if you get too zealous with the volume.
The unit is securely packaged and everything you need to get started is in the box (including wall mount hardware if that is your preference). The included remote is very good and gives you access to functions like calibration and volume for the rear surrounds that is absolutely necessary to fine tune the experience while in your preferred seating spot. Setup and start-up were are simple as can be thanks to the wireless connectivity for the surrounds and the subwoofer. All units synced immediately and with no fuss.
The JBL One app was easy to install. It automatically connected the soundbar to my WiFi with no problems and provided a solid Bluetooth connection as well. I want to commend JBL for updating their WiFi to support the 5GHz band. Many of my home connected devices insist on running at 2.4GHz and that is getting increasingly painful and crowded. Kudos, JBL/Harman!
Then the unit detected that a firmware update was needed and offered to proceed with the download and installation. I agreed and that's when the problems started. After several minutes the update announced that it had failed and wanted to know if I wanted to try again. Again, I agreed, and the update proceeded to fail repeatedly. This was regardless of whether I used the app or let the unit download directly via WiFi. So I dived into the website for support and after much searching around found the area that offered to download the latest firmware so that I could do an update via USB. The only problem - there were four different updates offered and it wasn't clear which one I needed. Furthermore, according to the documentation, the latest version was the one I already had running on the soundbar! Long story short - JBL's tech support site needs work. I did finally find someone who was able to help me and now have the latest software running.
On a positive note - this device is really quite feature rich! It decodes both Dolby ATMOS and DTS:X which is exactly what I needed since I have both formats in my BluRay library. I also was able to stream music from my cellphone and was quite impressed with how the soundbar was able to fill-in and sweeten the notoriously compressed audio from the Internet. I found the sound to be balanced and the whole system punches above its weight given how compact everything is.
A bit about the detachable speakers - after calibration I was very impressed at how they filled out the surround space. The volume was more than sufficient and the separation is quite impressive. The detachable/battery powered element puzzles me a bit and I can imagine future hassles. I am used to finding the sweet spot for my speakers and then leaving them in place. The need to re-dock them to recharge is going to be a bit of a hassle. Although JBL states that you can plug the rear speakers into USB chargers so that they do not have to be moved, they do not provide bricks or cables and I was unable to locate specs or a link to purchase them separately.
In conclusion, I don't want to end with a negative. I am truly impressed by the sound and the feature set. This device is perfect for anyone with a smaller space or perhaps someone who rents and doesn't want to drill holes in the wall to set up surround sound. You won't be disappointed!
The unit is securely packaged and everything you need to get started is in the box (including wall mount hardware if that is your preference). The included remote is very good and gives you access to functions like calibration and volume for the rear surrounds that is absolutely necessary to fine tune the experience while in your preferred seating spot. Setup and start-up were are simple as can be thanks to the wireless connectivity for the surrounds and the subwoofer. All units synced immediately and with no fuss.
The JBL One app was easy to install. It automatically connected the soundbar to my WiFi with no problems and provided a solid Bluetooth connection as well. I want to commend JBL for updating their WiFi to support the 5GHz band. Many of my home connected devices insist on running at 2.4GHz and that is getting increasingly painful and crowded. Kudos, JBL/Harman!
Then the unit detected that a firmware update was needed and offered to proceed with the download and installation. I agreed and that's when the problems started. After several minutes the update announced that it had failed and wanted to know if I wanted to try again. Again, I agreed, and the update proceeded to fail repeatedly. This was regardless of whether I used the app or let the unit download directly via WiFi. So I dived into the website for support and after much searching around found the area that offered to download the latest firmware so that I could do an update via USB. The only problem - there were four different updates offered and it wasn't clear which one I needed. Furthermore, according to the documentation, the latest version was the one I already had running on the soundbar! Long story short - JBL's tech support site needs work. I did finally find someone who was able to help me and now have the latest software running.
On a positive note - this device is really quite feature rich! It decodes both Dolby ATMOS and DTS:X which is exactly what I needed since I have both formats in my BluRay library. I also was able to stream music from my cellphone and was quite impressed with how the soundbar was able to fill-in and sweeten the notoriously compressed audio from the Internet. I found the sound to be balanced and the whole system punches above its weight given how compact everything is.
A bit about the detachable speakers - after calibration I was very impressed at how they filled out the surround space. The volume was more than sufficient and the separation is quite impressive. The detachable/battery powered element puzzles me a bit and I can imagine future hassles. I am used to finding the sweet spot for my speakers and then leaving them in place. The need to re-dock them to recharge is going to be a bit of a hassle. Although JBL states that you can plug the rear speakers into USB chargers so that they do not have to be moved, they do not provide bricks or cables and I was unable to locate specs or a link to purchase them separately.
In conclusion, I don't want to end with a negative. I am truly impressed by the sound and the feature set. This device is perfect for anyone with a smaller space or perhaps someone who rents and doesn't want to drill holes in the wall to set up surround sound. You won't be disappointed!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Pixel Tablet is engineered by Google to be more helpful at home – and in your hand. Place it on the Charging Speaker Dock for great-sounding music and video streaming.[1] Control your smart home, and say “Hey Google” for hands-free help.[2] It’s all powered by the Google Tensor G2 chip, and it’s the perfect companion to your Pixel phone.
Posted by: MTCowboy
I've been a fan of the Pixel phones since V1 and was looking forward to experiencing that same quality on a larger display and with better sound. I feel that the new Pixel Tablet and its charging dock/speaker combo address this nicely.
Up until this combo appeared I have been using smart speakers from other manufacturers as both my general "Hey Google" assistant and Home Hub controller. I also have a number of Android tablets from other vendors and run a smart display with a separate Google TV media player. I was getting desperate to find a consolidated solution and believe that this tablet is a giant step in the right direction.
The positive vibes started with the packaging which provided not only protection for the contents but also was arranged in a logical manner which made initial setup a breeze. The setup instructions were clear and concise (maybe even terse!) but allowed me to get the tablet functioning and synced without any issues. You need to exercise some patience as the numerous firmware and application updates require some time to complete.
Your patience is rewarded by a solid product with decent performance and more than a few tricks up its sleeves. I have encountered no glitchy behavior and the stand solidly supports the tablet (horizontal orientation only) while charging and/or viewing contents. The stand requires connection to AC power but the tablet is, of course, battery operated. Battery life and charging speed are both very good. One observation on the dock - the connection is magnetic and while it is certainly sufficient to hold the tablet with no danger of accidentally being dislodged, I did manage to inadvertently knock it lose trying to adjust the volume button! Also, while the dock's speaker volume is decent I would have enjoyed a bit more bass.
The tablet itself is a mid-range performer. The screen gets plenty bright but could stand a bit more dynamic contrast and its off-axis viewing is not great. The controls are flush mounted and require a bit of fiddling to get used to. The unit is lightweight without feeling cheap, has adequate RAM and storage, and is fairly responsive. Google got ahead of the curve and optimized a number of Play Store apps to take advantage of the platform and they continue to innovate and push updates regularly - a hallmark of the Pixel line.
In conclusion - this product fully met my expectations and I recommend that anyone interested in the Android ecosystem take a serious look at Google's latest offering.
Up until this combo appeared I have been using smart speakers from other manufacturers as both my general "Hey Google" assistant and Home Hub controller. I also have a number of Android tablets from other vendors and run a smart display with a separate Google TV media player. I was getting desperate to find a consolidated solution and believe that this tablet is a giant step in the right direction.
The positive vibes started with the packaging which provided not only protection for the contents but also was arranged in a logical manner which made initial setup a breeze. The setup instructions were clear and concise (maybe even terse!) but allowed me to get the tablet functioning and synced without any issues. You need to exercise some patience as the numerous firmware and application updates require some time to complete.
Your patience is rewarded by a solid product with decent performance and more than a few tricks up its sleeves. I have encountered no glitchy behavior and the stand solidly supports the tablet (horizontal orientation only) while charging and/or viewing contents. The stand requires connection to AC power but the tablet is, of course, battery operated. Battery life and charging speed are both very good. One observation on the dock - the connection is magnetic and while it is certainly sufficient to hold the tablet with no danger of accidentally being dislodged, I did manage to inadvertently knock it lose trying to adjust the volume button! Also, while the dock's speaker volume is decent I would have enjoyed a bit more bass.
The tablet itself is a mid-range performer. The screen gets plenty bright but could stand a bit more dynamic contrast and its off-axis viewing is not great. The controls are flush mounted and require a bit of fiddling to get used to. The unit is lightweight without feeling cheap, has adequate RAM and storage, and is fairly responsive. Google got ahead of the curve and optimized a number of Play Store apps to take advantage of the platform and they continue to innovate and push updates regularly - a hallmark of the Pixel line.
In conclusion - this product fully met my expectations and I recommend that anyone interested in the Android ecosystem take a serious look at Google's latest offering.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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It's never been easier to deep clean carpets with BISSELL Revolution HydroSteam carpet cleaner. It's the ONLY upright deep cleaner with the power of HydroSteam Technology to remove the toughest stuck-on and sticky messes. Each machine comes with three distinct modes of cleaning - Steam Pretreat Mode, SteamWash Max Clean Mode and Quick Dry Mode. Remove tough pet messes in Steam Pretreat Mode. SteamWash Max Clean Mode offers 2X Better cleaning.1 And carpets dry fast in about 30 minutes using Quick Dry Mode.2 Plus, each machine comes with two tools: 2-in-1 Pet Upholstery Tool for cleaning both wet and dry messes without steam and a 6" Tough Stain Tool great for cleaning larger furniture and stairs, without steam.
Posted by: MTCowboy
This newest Revolution Hydrosteam upright carpet cleaner from Bissell is a beast! You'll be immediately impressed by its heft, quality construction, modular design and cleaning prowess. However, their web based support at the time of this review was confusing and incomplete - my model number was not listed and the promised video tips would have been very helpful. Thankfully the included manual was enough to get me up and running.
I truly appreciated everything that was included with the machine. The mesh utilities bag holds the suction hose and the two upholstery attachments for security and convenience. There are also two trial bottles of washer fluid to get you started. Unlike many of the new vacuums the Revolution has a very generous 25' electrical cord which keeps you from having to stop in the middle of cleaning to search for another outlet.
The clean water and dirty water reservoirs are generous, easy to insert and remove and easy to clean after use. Be aware that this machine is HEAVY when loaded up with fluid. Make certain that you have firmly inserted the handle before use. In my case it took a couple of tries to get it to seat securely. Also, the dual brushes in the cleaning head are very powerful. Make sure to go easy on Berber style carpets. The addition of steam means that this thing can really reach deep to get stubborn stains out but, again, make sure that you test this on a small area of your carpet before going whole-hog with steam cleaning. We have a few multi-colored area rugs that I have chosen to not use the steam on. You have three cleaning styles to choose from so you can use this almost anywhere. You can choose easily from a switch located on the handle and there are indicator lights on the cleaning head to display your choices. There is even a "Quick Dry" mode that restricts the amount of fluid that is injected in the carpet so that you don't have to wait for hours for a rug to dry when you only needed to do a quick maintenance clean up.
Some common sense advisories - be sure to dry vacuum your carpet before cleaning. remove any of the solid soil that you can ahead of time. I'm always amazed how much filth this thing removes from my "clean" carpet.
In conclusion, I am very satisfied with Bissell's newest offering and recommend particularly that anyone with pets in the house take a look!
I truly appreciated everything that was included with the machine. The mesh utilities bag holds the suction hose and the two upholstery attachments for security and convenience. There are also two trial bottles of washer fluid to get you started. Unlike many of the new vacuums the Revolution has a very generous 25' electrical cord which keeps you from having to stop in the middle of cleaning to search for another outlet.
The clean water and dirty water reservoirs are generous, easy to insert and remove and easy to clean after use. Be aware that this machine is HEAVY when loaded up with fluid. Make certain that you have firmly inserted the handle before use. In my case it took a couple of tries to get it to seat securely. Also, the dual brushes in the cleaning head are very powerful. Make sure to go easy on Berber style carpets. The addition of steam means that this thing can really reach deep to get stubborn stains out but, again, make sure that you test this on a small area of your carpet before going whole-hog with steam cleaning. We have a few multi-colored area rugs that I have chosen to not use the steam on. You have three cleaning styles to choose from so you can use this almost anywhere. You can choose easily from a switch located on the handle and there are indicator lights on the cleaning head to display your choices. There is even a "Quick Dry" mode that restricts the amount of fluid that is injected in the carpet so that you don't have to wait for hours for a rug to dry when you only needed to do a quick maintenance clean up.
Some common sense advisories - be sure to dry vacuum your carpet before cleaning. remove any of the solid soil that you can ahead of time. I'm always amazed how much filth this thing removes from my "clean" carpet.
In conclusion, I am very satisfied with Bissell's newest offering and recommend particularly that anyone with pets in the house take a look!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The versatile and powerful ASUS Pro 15 OLED is an Intel certified laptop that’s designed for those who want to do more. Its 13th Gen Intel Core processor deliver outstanding multitasking and creative power, with ASUS IceCool Plus thermal technology for maximum performance. The 60 Hz OLED NanoEdge Dolby Vision has a cinema-grade 100% DCI-P3 gamut, and is PANTONE Validated with DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification. It’s also TÜV Rheinland-certified for eye care. The Harman Kardon-certified quad-speaker Dolby Atmos audio system adds to the cinematic experience with ultra-realistic multi-dimensional sound. For fast face login there’s an FHD camera, and a color sensor allows automatic control of screen brightness and color temperature.
Posted by: MTCowboy
I've always had a fondness for ASUS products and their newest OLED Creator laptop does not disappoint!
The laptop has plenty of processing power with an Intel Core i7 processor clocked at 2.4 GHz with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU integrated with 6GB of dedicated video RAM. There is also 16GB of system RAM and a 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD for storage.
The unit bucks the current trend among other manufacturers of minimizing the number and style of IO port types by including a comprehensive array of connectors. This includes USB Type A and C ports, both Thunderbolt v4 and HDMI 2.1, a gigabit Ethernet RJ45 connection, an SD 4.0 card reader, and a 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack! The power brick connects via a circular pin - not the USB C port. In spite of all this IO port availability the unit is slim and relatively light.
The keyboard layout is comprehensive and backlit. The keys feel solid and have good tactile feedback. The integrated mouse pad is a little oversized but is responsive.
Now to the crowning jewel of this laptop - the OLED screen. The colors are insane. Fully saturated, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and the typical inky blacks. However, the anti-reflective screen coating can give a fully dark screen a bit of a purple tint. Also, if you prefer an extremely bright screen this is not the laptop for you. At 600 nits this puts you more into the cellphone screen arena.
To address the OLED elephant-in-the-room - ASUS has implemented a number of techniques to eliminate the potential for screen burn-in. These are all defeatable via a configuration options screen but, why would you? Remember, this a tool tuned for video content creators and so accuracy is paramount.
My only quibble with the laptop is the OS. That has nothing to do with ASUS but be certain that you are comfortable with Microsoft's latest and that it will play nice with your existing apps.
So, if you fit the user profile for this unit you definitely need to give it a look.
The laptop has plenty of processing power with an Intel Core i7 processor clocked at 2.4 GHz with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU integrated with 6GB of dedicated video RAM. There is also 16GB of system RAM and a 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD for storage.
The unit bucks the current trend among other manufacturers of minimizing the number and style of IO port types by including a comprehensive array of connectors. This includes USB Type A and C ports, both Thunderbolt v4 and HDMI 2.1, a gigabit Ethernet RJ45 connection, an SD 4.0 card reader, and a 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack! The power brick connects via a circular pin - not the USB C port. In spite of all this IO port availability the unit is slim and relatively light.
The keyboard layout is comprehensive and backlit. The keys feel solid and have good tactile feedback. The integrated mouse pad is a little oversized but is responsive.
Now to the crowning jewel of this laptop - the OLED screen. The colors are insane. Fully saturated, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and the typical inky blacks. However, the anti-reflective screen coating can give a fully dark screen a bit of a purple tint. Also, if you prefer an extremely bright screen this is not the laptop for you. At 600 nits this puts you more into the cellphone screen arena.
To address the OLED elephant-in-the-room - ASUS has implemented a number of techniques to eliminate the potential for screen burn-in. These are all defeatable via a configuration options screen but, why would you? Remember, this a tool tuned for video content creators and so accuracy is paramount.
My only quibble with the laptop is the OS. That has nothing to do with ASUS but be certain that you are comfortable with Microsoft's latest and that it will play nice with your existing apps.
So, if you fit the user profile for this unit you definitely need to give it a look.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience a balanced sound, with crisp, soaring teble and controlled, runbling bass. Built-in Dynamic Loudness adjusts the tonal balance of the sound, ensuring your music sounds brilliant at every volume, while Placement Compensation corrects for any nearby reflective surfaces that may affect the sound. Marshall has taken its signature rock 'n' rollhome speaker line-up and given it a stripped-back look that makes a loud statement. Its iconic design knocks all other speakers off the shelf. Generation III is ready for the future of Bluetooth technology and has been built to deliver next-generation Bluetooth features the moment they are available. Over 55 years of sound knowledge is combined with future-proof technology to completely immerse you in your music.
Posted by: MTCowboy
This little Bluetooth speaker from Marshall is a winner! The unit has a retro vibe that reminds me strongly of the vintage Marshall guitar amplifiers in appearance and is no slouch in the sound department either!
The unit's packaging has been clearly thought out and sports recyclable materials throughout. I really appreciated being able to get the box open easily and to find minimal product literature packed inside. In fact, I was surprised at the brevity of the "Getting Started" instructions. However, it turned out that this was one of the easiest products to get powered on and linked to that I have used in quite some time. The app is a joy to use. My cellphone detected the speaker immediately, pointed me to the app store and began downloading without a hitch. This product is an example of how ALL Bluetooth devices should work!
The speaker has a very high quality feel to it. From the vinyl wrapped exterior to the satisfying heft of the box itself, it reminded me very much of Marshall's amps and just exuded quality construction. All of the switches and controls feel solid and silky when you use them.
I played a wide variety of content from multiple sources and the sound quality was outstanding. The speaker has a 4 inch woofer and two 3/4 inch angled tweeters in a bass reflex design (rear ported) and punches way above its weight. You have separate volume, bass, and treble controls and this thing plays PLENTY loud. The app offers limited bass/treble controls and offers some tuning for room placement via a simple Q&A dialog.
Overall the Acton III deserves your serious consideration!
The unit's packaging has been clearly thought out and sports recyclable materials throughout. I really appreciated being able to get the box open easily and to find minimal product literature packed inside. In fact, I was surprised at the brevity of the "Getting Started" instructions. However, it turned out that this was one of the easiest products to get powered on and linked to that I have used in quite some time. The app is a joy to use. My cellphone detected the speaker immediately, pointed me to the app store and began downloading without a hitch. This product is an example of how ALL Bluetooth devices should work!
The speaker has a very high quality feel to it. From the vinyl wrapped exterior to the satisfying heft of the box itself, it reminded me very much of Marshall's amps and just exuded quality construction. All of the switches and controls feel solid and silky when you use them.
I played a wide variety of content from multiple sources and the sound quality was outstanding. The speaker has a 4 inch woofer and two 3/4 inch angled tweeters in a bass reflex design (rear ported) and punches way above its weight. You have separate volume, bass, and treble controls and this thing plays PLENTY loud. The app offers limited bass/treble controls and offers some tuning for room placement via a simple Q&A dialog.
Overall the Acton III deserves your serious consideration!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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High quality sound and comfortable, all-day listening in a wireless headphone. The WH-CH520 have an ultra-long battery life of up to 50 hours and a 3-minute quick charge gives you up to 1.5 hours of audio playback.
Customer Rating
4
Good sound in an inexpensive, light weight package
on April 22, 2023
Posted by: MTCowboy
Sony's WH-CH520 wireless headphone offers good sound and performance at an attractive price point. I consider these to be an entry-level product for Sony. The overall construction feels adequate but not very robust. The headband, foam ear cups and controls feel like compromises to help get the overall cost down. Also, these headphones do NOT offer automatic noise cancellation (ANC) and are not water resistant so I consider their usage to be geared more toward quiet listening than as a gym companion.
It is essential that you download and install Sony's Headphone app to setup and use the headphones. This is an umbrella app that is used with all of Sony's earbuds and headphones. It does require registration and some personal info at installation. Once installed the blue tooth pairing was painless. There is a "Voice Guide" that notifies you when the link is established and gives you battery charge status. The device's controls are located on the outer rim of the right ear cup and include power on/off and the standard play/pause/track switching you expect when listening to music. They also provide you with controls for handling phone calls.
There are a couple of interesting features; you can connect the headphones to two separate devices simultaneously and switch back and forth. They also support Sony's 360 Reality Audio which is an immersive codec but is proprietary and only available on a limited number of sites as of this review. There is also a very interesting optimization procedure for this feature that walks you through taking pictures of both your ears and submitting them for analysis!
There is also a very basic equalizer that includes a number of presets and also allows you to customize and save your own choice.
The sound quality on these headphones is good, not great. They are totally listenable but you will notice the intrusion from outside noise and the bass is a little weak.
Overall, if you are a fan of Sony products and would like a budget set of headphones this product deserves your consideration.
It is essential that you download and install Sony's Headphone app to setup and use the headphones. This is an umbrella app that is used with all of Sony's earbuds and headphones. It does require registration and some personal info at installation. Once installed the blue tooth pairing was painless. There is a "Voice Guide" that notifies you when the link is established and gives you battery charge status. The device's controls are located on the outer rim of the right ear cup and include power on/off and the standard play/pause/track switching you expect when listening to music. They also provide you with controls for handling phone calls.
There are a couple of interesting features; you can connect the headphones to two separate devices simultaneously and switch back and forth. They also support Sony's 360 Reality Audio which is an immersive codec but is proprietary and only available on a limited number of sites as of this review. There is also a very interesting optimization procedure for this feature that walks you through taking pictures of both your ears and submitting them for analysis!
There is also a very basic equalizer that includes a number of presets and also allows you to customize and save your own choice.
The sound quality on these headphones is good, not great. They are totally listenable but you will notice the intrusion from outside noise and the bass is a little weak.
Overall, if you are a fan of Sony products and would like a budget set of headphones this product deserves your consideration.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Get incredible HERO11 Black video performance in a smaller, lighter, simpler design. HERO11 Black Mini’s size makes it more comfortable to wear when capturing point-of-view footage, while its new dual mounting fingers boost your body and helmet mounting options. As waterproof as ever and even more rugged, it’s ready for any adventure. Simply press the Shutter button to power up and start recording. Its new image sensor ensures you’ll get stunning video up to 5.3K with silky-smooth HyperSmooth 5.0 video stabilization.
Posted by: MTCowboy
The Hero11 Mini Black is the newest iteration of GoPro's ultra-portable camcorders and continues the company's reputation for excellent video quality with a comprehensive suite of options. However, you need to understand where it fits vis-a-vis the non-mini variants.
Specifically, this product is optimized for action video enthusiasts and so some features have been sacrificed. For example, you cannot directly take snapshots (still pictures) with this model. The video resolution and frame-rate do provide sufficient quality for you to extract still images from the video stream but some folks are likely to find that to be an inconvenience. Likewise, there is no functioning 3.5mm audio jack to support external microphones. GoPro claims they have incorporated 3 internal microphones but I found the audio quality to be lacking. There is also no screen, only a small LCD status display. All of these things result in a unit that is lighter, smaller and cheaper, but can also be limiting.
On a positive note - I really like the fact that they worked on the water-proof access door so that you can actually open it without breaking off your fingernails! There are also mounting spots on both the bottom and sides and the unit ships with a couple of connectors for fastening options.
The unboxing and setup was pretty good. Once again GoPro has provided a very nice carrying case. Like almost all new products today there is no charging brick - just a USB-A to USB-C cable. The app downloaded and installed without any problems on my Android phone. Startup was typical - there were a few hiccups until everything settled down with my WiFi and Bluetooth connections. The initial charging cycle seemed to take longer than I expected and it is difficult to determine the charge level through the LCD screen. The app simply said "charging" without showing me progress but ultimately it does seem to work. Step 1 was a firmware update that completed without any issues. The app is quite comprehensive and I am still finding new features. Some are quite useful while others (such as voice control) seem a bit gimicky.
If you are looking for a a single-button action camera that is small, rugged and provides excellent video in multiple formats, then you need to give the Hero11 Mini Black a serious look. If you are looking at the successor to the GoPro full-function line then you might need to look at the full Hero11.
Specifically, this product is optimized for action video enthusiasts and so some features have been sacrificed. For example, you cannot directly take snapshots (still pictures) with this model. The video resolution and frame-rate do provide sufficient quality for you to extract still images from the video stream but some folks are likely to find that to be an inconvenience. Likewise, there is no functioning 3.5mm audio jack to support external microphones. GoPro claims they have incorporated 3 internal microphones but I found the audio quality to be lacking. There is also no screen, only a small LCD status display. All of these things result in a unit that is lighter, smaller and cheaper, but can also be limiting.
On a positive note - I really like the fact that they worked on the water-proof access door so that you can actually open it without breaking off your fingernails! There are also mounting spots on both the bottom and sides and the unit ships with a couple of connectors for fastening options.
The unboxing and setup was pretty good. Once again GoPro has provided a very nice carrying case. Like almost all new products today there is no charging brick - just a USB-A to USB-C cable. The app downloaded and installed without any problems on my Android phone. Startup was typical - there were a few hiccups until everything settled down with my WiFi and Bluetooth connections. The initial charging cycle seemed to take longer than I expected and it is difficult to determine the charge level through the LCD screen. The app simply said "charging" without showing me progress but ultimately it does seem to work. Step 1 was a firmware update that completed without any issues. The app is quite comprehensive and I am still finding new features. Some are quite useful while others (such as voice control) seem a bit gimicky.
If you are looking for a a single-button action camera that is small, rugged and provides excellent video in multiple formats, then you need to give the Hero11 Mini Black a serious look. If you are looking at the successor to the GoPro full-function line then you might need to look at the full Hero11.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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You've got enough on your plate, let Yale get the door. Fitting into any lifestyle, this lock offers increased convenience and security giving you one less thing to worry about during your day. With multiple ways to unlock, the ability to share and track entry codes, and advanced Auto-Lock with DoorSense, the Yale Assure Lock 2 protects your home and family. Add a Yale Smart Module to control your lock from your smartphone or voice assistant when you’re away from home.
Customer Rating
5
Solidly built, comprehensive documentation
on October 27, 2022
Posted by: MTCowboy
The Yale Assure Lock is a solid, well built, and attractive looking solution that provides keyless entry to your home. In addition to simple keypad based access the unit offers a number of options to allow, for example, sensing whether the door is ajar and even offers an optional module for WiFi access to provide additional remote control.
This product offers some of the best (most comprehensive) documentation I have seen in a long time. In addition to a printed manual that includes templates and step-by-step installation instructions their app has links to video clips that will walk you through those steps to make sure that you get the product installed safely, securely and properly.
Everything that you need (except for common hand tools) is provided in the box including batteries! Those are easily accessed via a snap on cover on the inside portion of the unit. A couple of observations about those batteries - first, follow the instructions! Don't get ahead of yourself, there is a specific time to install them so that the unit will properly sync with the software. Also, the battery compartment design is a bit of a tight fit with an over/under arrangement that can make inserting them a bit tricky. Be gentle!
Once installed and synced up the app downloaded and updated the firmware without any problems. The app is quite feature rich but is intended to be used with the accompanying printed manual. What I mean is that there are sections in the back that provide operating instructions and features AND an all-important "Settings Definitions" table that clears up any ambiguity about using the lock.
Overall this device is well thought out and very well constructed. I highly recommend you consider it for remote keyless entry needs,
This product offers some of the best (most comprehensive) documentation I have seen in a long time. In addition to a printed manual that includes templates and step-by-step installation instructions their app has links to video clips that will walk you through those steps to make sure that you get the product installed safely, securely and properly.
Everything that you need (except for common hand tools) is provided in the box including batteries! Those are easily accessed via a snap on cover on the inside portion of the unit. A couple of observations about those batteries - first, follow the instructions! Don't get ahead of yourself, there is a specific time to install them so that the unit will properly sync with the software. Also, the battery compartment design is a bit of a tight fit with an over/under arrangement that can make inserting them a bit tricky. Be gentle!
Once installed and synced up the app downloaded and updated the firmware without any problems. The app is quite feature rich but is intended to be used with the accompanying printed manual. What I mean is that there are sections in the back that provide operating instructions and features AND an all-important "Settings Definitions" table that clears up any ambiguity about using the lock.
Overall this device is well thought out and very well constructed. I highly recommend you consider it for remote keyless entry needs,
I would recommend this to a friend!
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CoreCam Security Camera offers easy-to-install, completely wireless security. Featuring stunning 1080p Full HD vide in a modern design, it’s the perfect solution offering smart, convenient, and affordable surveillance. Best of all, CoreCam’s rechargeable lithium batteries are long-lasting. On a full charge enjoy up to 3 months of recordings (based on average usage; 20 x 15 second clips per day), so you can set and forget. Secure it with the screw-in mount to watch over any area from any angle. Mount the camera indoors or outdoors as the weatherproof design is built to withstand rain, snow and heat. CoreCam can even see in the dark up to 26ft (8m), with powerful infrared night vision that kicks in automatically! Sleep comfortably knowing the CoreCam Security Camera is looking out for you. Have a presence at your home with 2-way audio, giving you peace of mind while you’re away. You can check in on loved ones in need of care, communicate with delivery people remotely, even scare off intruders from your phone. Equipped with Swann’s True Detect, warm objects such as people, cars, and large animals trigger video recording and push notifications straight to you. Use voice commands via Alexa and Hey Google to see what’s happening hands-free! CoreCam has free storage allowing you to store thousands of clips onto the included 32GB Micro SD card, with greater storage available in Secure+ Member Plans. Expand your security by adding more Wi-Fi cameras and multi-camera Swann surveillance systems - and manage them all using the Swann Security App! Secure to the core with long battery life for extra convenience, let the CoreCam Security Camera look out for your family and property. It’s security made smarter, from Swann.
Posted by: MTCowboy
The Swann CoreCam wireless cam is a compact, battery powered security solution that offers decent performance but is marred by its Android app's finicky behavior.
The unit itself comes packed with all you need to get it physically installed. There is a very basic mounting bracket, USB charging cable (no brick, pretty common these days) and a packet of stickers with a getting started guide. The camera also includes a 32GB SD card installed and ready for use. Additional storage and features are offered through a subscription plan.
The rubber door on the bottom offers a snug fit and offers good water-proofing. Behind the door is the charging port, on/off switch, SD card slot and a reset button. The front of the camera features the lens, a ring of IR lights, a blue pairing light, the motion sensor and a speaker.
My trouble began when I attempted to use the app. Downloading from the App Store was straight forward. You must setup an account on the site and verify it with a valid Email account before you can proceed. You are then presented with a list of required installation steps. The concept is simple, you pair the camera with your phone (via Bluetooth), the camera will switch to hotspot mode and switch your phone to that network to continue with the setup. The software will then configure the camera with your WiFi information, finish the configuration and switch to view mode.
The problem for us was that NONE of these steps completed successfully on the first try. Make sure you know where the on/off switch is because that is how you re-initiate pairing. Also - there is a QR code on the back of the unit that feeds the MAC address to the software. Once you do that you cannot do it again - you get an error. We had to uninstall and reinstall the App to get around that.
Also - make certain you pay attention to the requirement that your WiFi network must support 2.4GHz and configure your device with the right network name.
Lastly, be aware that the after-hours support is provided by a Bot and it was not helpful (to be fair - I think that is very common!)
Once everything is running the video quality is decent but the display requires 5 to 10 seconds to update the screen. Also, some features are very comprehensive but others (2-way audio) have virtually no mention.
Long story short - be prepared to have your patience tested getting this thing working
The unit itself comes packed with all you need to get it physically installed. There is a very basic mounting bracket, USB charging cable (no brick, pretty common these days) and a packet of stickers with a getting started guide. The camera also includes a 32GB SD card installed and ready for use. Additional storage and features are offered through a subscription plan.
The rubber door on the bottom offers a snug fit and offers good water-proofing. Behind the door is the charging port, on/off switch, SD card slot and a reset button. The front of the camera features the lens, a ring of IR lights, a blue pairing light, the motion sensor and a speaker.
My trouble began when I attempted to use the app. Downloading from the App Store was straight forward. You must setup an account on the site and verify it with a valid Email account before you can proceed. You are then presented with a list of required installation steps. The concept is simple, you pair the camera with your phone (via Bluetooth), the camera will switch to hotspot mode and switch your phone to that network to continue with the setup. The software will then configure the camera with your WiFi information, finish the configuration and switch to view mode.
The problem for us was that NONE of these steps completed successfully on the first try. Make sure you know where the on/off switch is because that is how you re-initiate pairing. Also - there is a QR code on the back of the unit that feeds the MAC address to the software. Once you do that you cannot do it again - you get an error. We had to uninstall and reinstall the App to get around that.
Also - make certain you pay attention to the requirement that your WiFi network must support 2.4GHz and configure your device with the right network name.
Lastly, be aware that the after-hours support is provided by a Bot and it was not helpful (to be fair - I think that is very common!)
Once everything is running the video quality is decent but the display requires 5 to 10 seconds to update the screen. Also, some features are very comprehensive but others (2-way audio) have virtually no mention.
Long story short - be prepared to have your patience tested getting this thing working
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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The Shure MV7X is a professional-quality XLR dynamic microphone, ideal for close mic applications that require vocal intelligibility with a balanced tone. Voice Isolation Technology ensures the microphone is laser-focused on your voice and does not capture any unwanted background noise to give you perfect recordings in imperfect rooms. The attractive and durable all-metal design features an adjustable yoke that can be mounted onto a variety of microphone stands forflexible placement options.
does it come with the mic stand or so i have to buy that separately
There is no mic stand included. There is a mic mount that follows the familiar U shaped broadcast format. It has both a standard thread and an adapter for smaller mount points.
2 years, 4 months ago
by
MTCowboy
By installing eufy Security Smart Lock Touch & Wi-Fi, you will never have to worry about losing your key again and always have secure access to your home. The Smart Lock is powered by a Mabuchi motor that allows you to unlock your front door in less than a second. With a sensor area that is two times larger than on a smartphone, the Smart Lock is less likely to miss your fingerprint. Every time you unlock Smart Lock, the recognition rate improves because of the self-learning AI chip. This Smart Lock is weatherproof with an IP65 rating, so you can rest assured that your home is always secure. The Smart Lock is tested to last for 250,000 unlocks and is designed to still function after 30 years of use.
Is this the built in WiFi version or is this the WiFi bridge version?
The unit has Wi-Fi built in. It connected to my 2.4Ghz network without any issues. No special bridging hardware was needed.
3 years, 1 month ago
by
MTCowboy
By installing eufy Security Smart Lock Touch & Wi-Fi, you will never have to worry about losing your key again and always have secure access to your home. The Smart Lock is powered by a Mabuchi motor that allows you to unlock your front door in less than a second. With a sensor area that is two times larger than on a smartphone, the Smart Lock is less likely to miss your fingerprint. Every time you unlock Smart Lock, the recognition rate improves because of the self-learning AI chip. This Smart Lock is weatherproof with an IP65 rating, so you can rest assured that your home is always secure. The Smart Lock is tested to last for 250,000 unlocks and is designed to still function after 30 years of use.
How to Recharge battery and what type for？ Is there a charging stand need to buy?
The battery is easily removable and has a mini-usb style charging port. I believe it is Lithium Ion and no separate charging stand is needed.
3 years, 1 month ago
by
MTCowboy
By installing eufy Security Smart Lock Touch & Wi-Fi, you will never have to worry about losing your key again and always have secure access to your home. The Smart Lock is powered by a Mabuchi motor that allows you to unlock your front door in less than a second. With a sensor area that is two times larger than on a smartphone, the Smart Lock is less likely to miss your fingerprint. Every time you unlock Smart Lock, the recognition rate improves because of the self-learning AI chip. This Smart Lock is weatherproof with an IP65 rating, so you can rest assured that your home is always secure. The Smart Lock is tested to last for 250,000 unlocks and is designed to still function after 30 years of use.
what are the dimensions of the keypad side? my front door has some designs on it that might be in the way of the keypad.
About 2.75" by 6".
3 years, 1 month ago
by
MTCowboy
By installing eufy Security Smart Lock Touch & Wi-Fi, you will never have to worry about losing your key again and always have secure access to your home. The Smart Lock is powered by a Mabuchi motor that allows you to unlock your front door in less than a second. With a sensor area that is two times larger than on a smartphone, the Smart Lock is less likely to miss your fingerprint. Every time you unlock Smart Lock, the recognition rate improves because of the self-learning AI chip. This Smart Lock is weatherproof with an IP65 rating, so you can rest assured that your home is always secure. The Smart Lock is tested to last for 250,000 unlocks and is designed to still function after 30 years of use.
Does the bolt come out on the right side or the left? My door opens to the left, so I need it to come out on the right side of the outside piece.
The design allows for both right hand and left hand doors. The bolt is notated with an "up" stamp and the mechanism has a locking knob that has emblems on both sides of the interior panel so that you can twist it either clockwise or counter-clockwise to work the bolt.
3 years, 1 month ago
by
MTCowboy
By installing eufy Security Smart Lock Touch & Wi-Fi, you will never have to worry about losing your key again and always have secure access to your home. The Smart Lock is powered by a Mabuchi motor that allows you to unlock your front door in less than a second. With a sensor area that is two times larger than on a smartphone, the Smart Lock is less likely to miss your fingerprint. Every time you unlock Smart Lock, the recognition rate improves because of the self-learning AI chip. This Smart Lock is weatherproof with an IP65 rating, so you can rest assured that your home is always secure. The Smart Lock is tested to last for 250,000 unlocks and is designed to still function after 30 years of use.
What are the dimensions of the indoor part of the lock?
About 3.75" by 7.75".
3 years, 1 month ago
by
MTCowboy
By installing eufy Security Smart Lock Touch & Wi-Fi, you will never have to worry about losing your key again and always have secure access to your home. The Smart Lock is powered by a Mabuchi motor that allows you to unlock your front door in less than a second. With a sensor area that is two times larger than on a smartphone, the Smart Lock is less likely to miss your fingerprint. Every time you unlock Smart Lock, the recognition rate improves because of the self-learning AI chip. This Smart Lock is weatherproof with an IP65 rating, so you can rest assured that your home is always secure. The Smart Lock is tested to last for 250,000 unlocks and is designed to still function after 30 years of use.
How many keys does the lock come with?
Mine came with five.
3 years, 1 month ago
by
MTCowboy
Bake casseroles, reheat leftovers and prepare other foods with this BELLA Pro six-slice digital copper toaster oven. The 1800W power output heats fast to save time, while the digital display provides info that's easy to read. This BELLA Pro six-slice digital copper toaster oven has three rack positions for cooking up to two dishes at once.
I searched for toaster ovens with an air fryer function and this product came up. Does it have an air fryer? Or is this result miscategorized?
It has a convection function that can be toggled on/off.
3 years, 3 months ago
by
MTCowboy
Maintain the pristine condition of your rugs and furniture with this Hoover PowerDash GO portable carpet cleaner. The multiple attachments let you take care of stubborn stains and dirt, while the lightweight, compact design enables easy carrying. This Hoover PowerDash GO portable carpet cleaner features dual tank technology that keeps the cleaning solution and dirty water separate for effortless rinses and fills.
are the brushes powered rotation or manual scrubbing
The brush is not powered. You scrub with it manually.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
MTCowboy
Maintain the pristine condition of your rugs and furniture with this Hoover PowerDash GO portable carpet cleaner. The multiple attachments let you take care of stubborn stains and dirt, while the lightweight, compact design enables easy carrying. This Hoover PowerDash GO portable carpet cleaner features dual tank technology that keeps the cleaning solution and dirty water separate for effortless rinses and fills.
Does the Hoover PowerDash GO cleaner also extract the water from the surface that was washed?
Yes. The head includes a spray trigger to apply the cleaning solution, a manual brush assembly for scrubbing the stained area and a slot that provides suction to extract the dirty solution and empty it into the removable waste tank.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
MTCowboy