GoalieMedic's stats
- Review count100
- Helpfulness votes333
- First reviewJune 11, 2015
- Last reviewMay 4, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.3
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- Answer count36
- Helpfulness votes192
- First answerJune 11, 2015
- Last answerFebruary 3, 2021
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Give orders to teammates during intense matchups with this Razer Kraken gaming headset. Its custom-tuned 50mm drivers provide a wide soundscape, so you can hear subtle footsteps approaching and shattering explosions, and the gel-infused ear cups provide natural cooling to keep you comfortable. This Razer Kraken gaming headset lets you adjust the game/chat balance for a customizable experience.
Customer Rating
3
Good for PC Gaming, Be Careful with Consoles
on January 25, 2019
Posted by: GoalieMedic
from Fairfax, VA
Not the coolest-looking headphones on the market (let’s face it, they look like 2 tuna cans hanging off my ears, enough so that my kids laughed at me when they saw me wearing them), but makes up for it in a couple of features.
Sound is outstanding. Loud when needed, great bass which is adjustable to your own preferences. The mic is crystal clear when using it for voice, but does have a bad tendency to pick up ambient noise since there are openings to the mic on both the front (toward your face) and back side. One of the games I play, an air traffic control game that relies on voice recognition, picks up ambient noise from the TV or other noise in the room and tends to mess up the voice recognition.
The mic is retractable back into the left headphone, and is bendy to allow you to curve it toward your mouth when extended. Unfortunately, it only works on the left side & cannot be used on the right. Luckily, I prefer the mic on the left, but others I know use it on the right & might be turned off by the lack of ambidextrous capability.
Now, for the connections, and this is where it goes sideways…
The headphones have a standard 3.5mm headphone jack like you’d put into your phone. That plugs into a box that has buttons for up & down volume, mute, bass control, and THX control. That box has a USB to plug into your computer.
The USB *only* works on PCs. You CANNOT use the USB to plug into game consoles like Xbox. You have to use the headphone jack to connect to the controller, which immediately eliminates the bass control & THX. You have to get some adapter to ultimately be able to use the THX feature with a console. As a PC gamer this makes no difference to me as I’m able to USB it to the computer. But, if you’re looking for these features to work with consoles, you may want to look elsewhere.
The headband is well-padded and comfortable over long periods. I do find the headphones don’t seal as well as I would like them to around my ears, which allows in ambient noise a little more than I like. Add to it that I wear glasses & that further breaches the seals.
In the end, if you’re a PC gamer you’ll enjoy these headphones. If you’re a console user, you might want to consider other options.
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Always know what’s happening at your door with the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro. Its crystal-clear 1080p HD video and 162° field of view give you a clear shot of your property 24/7. Two-way audio lets you hear and speak to unwanted guests (and welcomed ones too) - even when you're not home. Have the SimpliSafe App? The Video Doorbell Pro will send instant alerts whenever someone approaches. And with Smart Person Detection, it can tell the difference between people, vehicles and animals. That means you only get the alerts that matter. Plus, when backed by 24/7 professional monitoring, you’ll have experts who are ready to request emergency dispatch when you need it most. This camera is designed for all weather extremes—so you're still protected in rain and snow. (Compatible with the SimpliSafe Gen 3 security system. Requires Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) and existing wired doorbell setup with mechanical chime and a transformer with 8-24 VAC, 30VA max. Not compatible with digital chimes.)
Customer Rating
5
Good as Standalone, Excellent if You Have SS Alarm
on December 11, 2018
Posted by: GoalieMedic
from Fairfax, VA
The SimpliSafe video doorbell is SimpliSafe’s late entry into the home entrance camera market, following Google and Ring into the realm.
The SimpliSafe doorbell is much easier to install than the Ring video doorbell, which needs an adapter and modification made to make it ring your inside chime when the doorbell button is depressed. Capable of handling voltages of 8-24 volts, this connects right to your existing doorbell in the house & needs no additional modifications made to the chime to make it work right out of the box, something I found highly attractive, especially if you’re installing this with less than a high level of comfort messing around with things in your house. The doorbell connects simply with a back panel with 2 wire screws, then the doorbell component slides down onto the back panel. This installation was also easier than Ring which connects the wires to the button assembly itself, meaning you have to hold on to the whole unit while doing the wiring. Here you can simply secure the back panel to the wall, then connect the wires. Much simpler to do without additional hands.
Camera quality is very good, full HD with a 162-degree range of view. False notifications and areas to “see” and “not see” are configurable in the app (like other doorbells), allowing you to “black out” motion detection of a nearby road or sidewalk to avoid constant false alerts. It boasts HDR camera capabilities, which increases contrast in shots with high backlight or on cloudy days. At night, the camera automatically displays infrared imaging which is still decent quality. Zoom and pan is done digitally; there are no moving parts to the camera for optical zoom/pan.
Recording is essentially always on, and when motion is detected it not only records from the moment movement is detected but also tacks on 3 seconds of video prior to the detection, so you get the full video of the subject approaching the door, not just the moment they appear in the camera. The recording continues for about 1 minute after the motion has ceased, otherwise will continuously records so long as motion is present.
From the app after notification (which is about 1-2 seconds from the moment of motion/doorbell press), you can interactively speak with the individual, but only the person at the door is recorded – your responses from the phone are not recorded, which probably isn’t a huge deal but it would be nice in the event you needed to present this to the authorities that you could present the whole conversation. When viewing the camera via the app, you can see live view, of course, but do have to press record to capture anything that wasn’t already recording. Again, not a huge deal since recording is automatic on motion, this would only be a deal if you were trying to record something in the camera’s view that is out of view, perhaps a car parking at the street that wasn’t activating motion.
Recording is stored in SimpliSafe’s cloud, and in order to store recordings for 30 days you must subscribe to their “interactive” service (which for me wasn’t any additional cost since I have the interactive subscription for my existing SimpliSafe alarm system). Camera views are then aggregated into the same website/app as my alarm system, which made it nice to access everything in one location.
Being that Google has a doorbell, and Ring is owned by Amazon, SimpliSafe continues to frustrate with their lack of integration with home automation (Google Home or Amazon Alexa). You cannot tell the system to record or answer (nor change the SimpliSafe alarm system status) using in-home automation. They continue to claim they’re working on that, but it’s been quite a while and they have not demonstrated any progress (and are poor at communicating updates to customers). I like the ability to tell Google “good night” and have the automation steps include arming my alarm and changing doorbell states, and until they introduce those integrations I believe they will continue to lag behind Google and Ring as a whole.
In the end, this is a very easy-to-install, quick-to-configure doorbell that is good as a standalone or in conjunction with any existing SimpliSafe home alarm system. Those who have SimpliSafe home alarms should give this a very heavy look based, if on nothing else, the one-cost integration of your camera recording with your alarm monitoring subscription.
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Enjoy your favorite music alone or among friends with these wireless Rowkin Ascent earbuds. The Rowkin app is compatible with iOS and Android to let you share music or adjust audio settings, while WaterSafe technology provides water resistance for use during inclement weather. These Rowkin Ascent earbuds come with a slim charging case, which is also ideal for storage.
Customer Rating
5
Truly Wireless, Truly Awesome
on November 12, 2018
Posted by: GoalieMedic
from Fairfax, VA
This is the first set of wireless headphones that I have actually enjoyed owning. While other headphones have fit poorly, had poor sound, no app control for sound settings, or short battery life, it seems Rowkin has taken their time in bringing a good product to market and included everything one would want in this complete system.
Starting with what you came for: The headphones. They are small, lightweight, and the sound is amazing. Music is crystal clear, both in the lows and highs, and has rich bass that was exceptional. One key here is that you will ABSOLUTELY need to get the Rowkin app for your phone to be able to control the sound mode. It appears the headphones start in “Voice” mode which has little-to-no bass and makes the music sound a little tinny. Changing over to a mode with more bass fixed this completely and made the sound perfect.
At one point while listening to a sports postgame, I thought there was a little bit of rattle in the speakers in the headphone, but after focusing a little more on the sound, it was clear I was actually hearing an issue with rattling with the announcer’s microphone. If sound is that clear that I can hear issues with the guy’s mic, that tells you how pure the sound actually is.
The buds fit very well in the ear, although the design of them makes it look like a bolt sticking out of your ear. I think the aesthetic design could have been a bit better, but the sound is really what you’re concerned with. The buds feature an angled earpiece that is designed to follow the ear canal for the best sound, versus a straight piece that ends up against the wall of your ear and affects the purity of the sound. Controls for the headphones (next song, pause, answer phone, etc.) are done with a capacitive touch on the outer tip of the headphones so there are no physical buttons to have to push.
On the same note about fit, a lot of reviewers said they couldn’t figure out the best way to put the earphones in your ear. As someone used to using stethoscopes the last 30 years, maybe I found it more intuitive. Bottom line is line up the buds to follow your ear canals (toward the back of your head) and they will fit just fine.
The next best thing about the headphones is the case they come in. A fairly rugged, all-aluminum case with a sliding door to access the headphones, this will hold up against drops and any other wear & tear you can throw at it. The case not only holds the headphones but also charges them, and the case itself hits the “truly wireless” mark by being charges via the included QI charger. Simply rest the case on the QI charging pad and you’re recharged. You can also charge via USB-C cord if you’re away from the QI pad or need a more rapid charge than QI can provide.
Additionally, the case can be turned into a power bank to recharge any other USB device. Included in the box is a USB-C to USB female adapter to reverse the connector to allow you to plug your phone or other USB-C device into it to steal power. While I haven’t tried this yet, I can’t imagine you’re going to get a ton of charge out of the bank, just enough probably to get your phone back up & running when it’s dead or about to die.
I found aligning the headphones in the case to recharge/store was a little wonky. I figured out that if you align the “R” logo on the headphones in the same direction as the “R” logo on the outside of the case, that’s the perfect alignment for storing and charging the headphones. Again, not a problem, just one of those “pro tips” when you get your set.
Rowkin touts these headphones as their “flagship” wireless headphones, and I can easily see why. This set of headphones has everything you would want in a good quality set of wireless buds, from sound, to style, to fit, to charging and storing, Rowkin has really set the bar high for other manufacturers to meet for headphones in this price range.
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Enjoy smart TV navigation with this Logitech K600 TV keyboard. Its precision touch pad makes browsing the web and searching for your favorite movies more user-friendly. This Logitech K600 TV keyboard connects wirelessly to smart TVs from up to 15m away, so you can relax comfortably in your recliner while selecting shows.
Customer Rating
5
Good Keyboard, Check Compatibility Before Buying
on October 23, 2018
Posted by: GoalieMedic
from Fairfax, VA
The Logitech K600 keyboard is advertised as a keyboard for use with your Smart TV, but can be used with any Bluetooth-compatible device (phones, tablets) or with any laptop/desktop with the included Logitech Unifying USB dongle.
The keyboard is a nearly full-size keyboard, making typing on it easy (versus those micro keyboards), and certainly better than using the TV remote to scroll thru letters and numbers one at a time. When used as a keyboard for your TV, it includes a nice circular mouse pad as well as a 4-direction plus center button d-pad. These allows for ease of navigating TV apps like a browser or Netflix. There are also a series of buttons on the left side of the keyboard that have various functions (home, back, search) that are specific to your TV -- some buttons do and some don't work, again all depending on the make & model of your TV.
If you use the USB dongle, you need to make sure to follow the pairing directions that are again specific to your TV's manufacturer. The setup ultimately takes all of 10 seconds and is a no-brainer to complete.
It is important, though, that you visit the Logitech website (just Google "Logitech K600") and run the compatibility checker to make sure your TV is compatible with the keyboard. As of the time of this review, it only works with certain Samsung, LG, Sony, and Philips TVs. The compatibility checker will let you put in the make & model to ensure it will work with your TV.
If you use this with a laptop, desktop, or tablet, there are keyboard-standard buttons including CTRL, ALT, Windows key, F keys, etc. Again, you can use Bluetooth or the USB dongle to connect with anything that isn't a TV.
Range is excellent using the USB dongle, with Logitech claiming a 49-foot range (my room isn't that large, so couldn't test the full distance).
In summary, this is very good keyboard for working with your TV and absolutely recommend it.
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Film underwater scenes in 4K with this 12-megapixel GoPro HERO7 action camera. Its HyperSmooth stabilization feature lets you capture shake-free videos, and it withstands submersion up to 33 feet without a waterproof case. Stream captured videos from this rugged GoPro HERO7 action camera on Facebook Live via the companion app.
Posted by: GoalieMedic
from Fairfax, VA
The Hero 7 Black is the top-of-the-line model in GoPro’s most current line of action cameras, and it does not disappoint.
Touted by GoPro as “the gimbal killer”, the one thing that makes this camera stand out from other GoPro models, including the Hero 6 line, is the incredible image stabilization that previously could only be truly achieved by placing a camera into a stabilization gimbal. Video shot with the Hero 7 Black is buttery smooth almost regardless of the activity you’re involved in. This works not only when shooting standard video, but also works amazingly when shooting in Hyperlapse, a mode where time is compressed into a fast-play video. Even on the Hero 6 line and its basic image stabilization, you saw jumps in the Hyperlapse from movement. The 7 makes it look rock-solid stable thru the whole video.
The Hero 7 Black also includes a first-time feature to live stream video shot directly to social networks, including Facebook.
Once past the new image stabilization, the Hero 7 Black runs almost directly parallel to the Hero 6 Black in terms of features and capabilities. The 7 features 4K video at 60 fps and 12 MP still photos. At the lower 1080p, you get lossless zoom and video shot at up to 240 fps (short bursts only) for super slow-motion video. If you want longer slow motion, you’ll need to use the 8x slo-mo. Rounding out the other options is a small touch screen on the back of the device, HDR photos, voice control to start recording or take a photo hands-free, and GPS tagging of videos and photos.
Battery life is pretty good, but it’s hard to pinpoint actual life since it all depends on what you’re doing with the camera (stills vs. video, 1080p vs. 4K video, etc.). I carried an extra battery with me and after swapping out was able to go for the whole day.
Charging uses the included USB-C (thank you for not using micro USB!) but does not include a charging brick for the wall. Or, since I have 2 batteries I splurged for the external charger that charges 2 batteries at the same time (at the risk of sounding like a commercial, “accessories sold separately”).
I still find it maddening to get the camera out of the harness frame to get to the SD card or battery. I do understand the need for a tight fit, but the frustrating part is you are almost forced to push on the camera lens to push the camera out of the harness frame, leaving a nice big fingerprint every time. Not a huge deal, just a pet peeve.
As of the time of this review, the price point between the Hero 6 Black and Hero 7 Black is only $50. I will say that it is WELL WORTH the extra few dollars if you’re investing in an action camera for the image stabilization in the Hero 7 Black. I assure you that you won’t regret spending that extra money. GoPro has outdone themselves with this camera solely based on that single feature.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Party all night with this LG PK7 portable Bluetooth speaker. It uses Meridian Audio technology and dual tweeters for excellent sound quality, while the 22 hours of playback time keep you dancing. Get the perfect celebratory atmosphere with the LED multicolor mood lighting on this LG PK7 portable Bluetooth speaker.
Customer Rating
4
Good Speaker, But Room for Improvement
on September 17, 2018
Posted by: GoalieMedic
from Fairfax, VA
The LG PK7 was a speaker I wanted to be thrilled about, but found myself only moderately happy with.
Starting with the design, it is a heavy portable speaker (heavy thanks to size and the massive battery) that features 2 handles on the front to carry. There are buttons along the top to control volume, pairing, and sound modes.
Starting with sound:
I found the sound quality to be uninspiring as compared to other speakers such as the comparable Sony XB-41. Bass was good, especially when in Bass Boost mode, but I found the mids and lows to be clean but just not there. It had almost a tinny sound, just very weak overall. There is also a “Clear Voice” mode, but didn’t do much to improve the overall sound quality. Again, the sound isn’t horrible, it’s just not top-notch.
I found the sound quality to be uninspiring as compared to other speakers such as the comparable Sony XB-41. Bass was good, especially when in Bass Boost mode, but I found the mids and lows to be clean but just not there. It had almost a tinny sound, just very weak overall. There is also a “Clear Voice” mode, but didn’t do much to improve the overall sound quality. Again, the sound isn’t horrible, it’s just not top-notch.
Weak App:
There is an app available to control the speaker, but was utterly disappointed in it, as it provides nothing more in terms of control of the speaker than the buttons on top do – control of volume, LED light control, sound boosts, etc. There is ZERO capability of managing the sound using an equalizer or even pre-established equalizer modes (like “Rock”, “Classical”, “Vocal”, etc.). The app is a waste unless you’re too lazy or too far away from the speaker to push a button. LG has really dropped the ball here. Almost every other manufacturer has a more full-featured companion app. A lot of room for improvement.
There is an app available to control the speaker, but was utterly disappointed in it, as it provides nothing more in terms of control of the speaker than the buttons on top do – control of volume, LED light control, sound boosts, etc. There is ZERO capability of managing the sound using an equalizer or even pre-established equalizer modes (like “Rock”, “Classical”, “Vocal”, etc.). The app is a waste unless you’re too lazy or too far away from the speaker to push a button. LG has really dropped the ball here. Almost every other manufacturer has a more full-featured companion app. A lot of room for improvement.
Flashing Disco Lights:
The front speakers have embedded, sound-activated LED lights that pulse in sync with the music, and you can change the color schemes using the buttons or again using the app. Or, if you’re like me, turn the lights completely off.
The front speakers have embedded, sound-activated LED lights that pulse in sync with the music, and you can change the color schemes using the buttons or again using the app. Or, if you’re like me, turn the lights completely off.
Massive Battery:
The battery is impressive, boasting 22 hours of active playback. I am, however, disappointed that the adapter is a standard barrel-style connector (like your laptop would be) instead of a USB connector which makes it much more universal. This just means another cable to pack when hitting the road. I also wish the speaker had a USB connector to allow for recharging your phone while using (like the Sony speakers). But that’s a nice-to-have, not a deal breaker.
The battery is impressive, boasting 22 hours of active playback. I am, however, disappointed that the adapter is a standard barrel-style connector (like your laptop would be) instead of a USB connector which makes it much more universal. This just means another cable to pack when hitting the road. I also wish the speaker had a USB connector to allow for recharging your phone while using (like the Sony speakers). But that’s a nice-to-have, not a deal breaker.
Other Features:
There is also a line-in for the back, which I used to plug in a Google Chromecast Audio to, allowing me to cast music from any phone without having to be paired with Bluetooth. And since I already have a couple of Google Home devices in the house, this just extended the reach of my house-wide music system.
There is also a line-in for the back, which I used to plug in a Google Chromecast Audio to, allowing me to cast music from any phone without having to be paired with Bluetooth. And since I already have a couple of Google Home devices in the house, this just extended the reach of my house-wide music system.
The device can also be paired with other LG speakers in the same line to extend the music over larger areas. I did not have a second LG to try this with, but is an option.
Overall:
I’m not disappointed in this speaker at all, but also not doing cartwheels. I really wish there was a little better sound, and REALLY wish there was a user-manageable equalizer. I think if I was able to control some of the settings this thing would really pop. The battery is a huge plus, but the app is a major minus. I think there is room for improvement for the speaker, or at least the app. I really hope that LG looks at expanding user-control in the future instead of saying it’s managed by Meridian sound and leaving the user to rely on that.
I’m not disappointed in this speaker at all, but also not doing cartwheels. I really wish there was a little better sound, and REALLY wish there was a user-manageable equalizer. I think if I was able to control some of the settings this thing would really pop. The battery is a huge plus, but the app is a major minus. I think there is room for improvement for the speaker, or at least the app. I really hope that LG looks at expanding user-control in the future instead of saying it’s managed by Meridian sound and leaving the user to rely on that.
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Take in the scenery with this Parrot ANAFI drone. The robust, compact design lets you carry it wherever the trail takes you, and the drone unfolds easily when it's time for flight. The camera captures beautiful 4K images and video, and this Parrot ANAFI drone keeps your footage smooth with its three-axis image stabilization.Fly Responsibly:Before takeoff, update all software and firmware, and read the instructions thoroughly.See the FAA website for registration requirements and information about flying a drone safely: https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/. Additional state or local requirements may apply. Check your local jurisdiction. The following websites may help you make informed decisions about flying your drone: www.knowbeforeyoufly.org and www.modelaircraft.org.
Customer Rating
4
Trying to Compete with DJI Mavic, & They're Close
on September 5, 2018
Posted by: GoalieMedic
from Fairfax, VA
The Anafi is a small, lightweight, foldable and highly portable drone with great camera capabilities, and is Parrot’s answer to DJI’s Mavic. My review comes from the viewpoint of an FAA Part 107 pilot and DJI owner, so I know a little about drones and their abilities.
First off, the best feature is the camera. Excellent 4K quality with built-in HDR capabilities to enhance photos & videos in changing brightness environments. Still photos are shot at a very impressive 21MP, which substantially beats DJI’s best offerings. Also unique to drones in this price point is the ability to control the camera to not only look straight forward & downward, but can also be angled up 90 degrees. This allows a look at sights from their undersides (like bridges) or provide a great transitional effect to or from the sky as you shoot video. On by default, the HDR setting eats memory on the micro SD and a single 25-minute flight will nearly fill the included 16GB SD card.
The drone starts off in “Filmmaker” mode, which is a nice, slow, easy-to-control mode that keeps you from making overly-jerky moves that screw up your videos. The movement of the drone & camera in this mode makes for extremely easy shoots, even for a beginner. My son was able to pick it up for the first time, without prior drone experience, and made some really great videos. You can change into other modes like “Sport”, which flies more like a normal mode on other drones (it’s not going to go 40mph in sport mode). It’s not a racing drone, but that’s not why you’re buying this anyway. If you want to configure it to fly faster in each mode you can do so in the app. But I suggest leaving the modes as-is to get the best video.
Digital zoom is available with the device, but better yet the camera also has lossless 1.5x zoom when shooting in HD.
Other modes for shooting video include options for following a subject, orbiting a subject or point of interest, etc. One of the most ridiculous things about other modes, however, is they require in-app purchases, so you’ll end up spending another few dollars to fully unlock the app. This has to be the dumbest decision; if you’re spending $700 on a drone there is no reason to nickel & dime the user for another few bucks for a full-option app.
Range is spectacular for both distances flown and HD video feedback to your phone. It is also a very quiet drone as compared to larger drones like a DJI Phantom. Battery life is around 25 minutes (comparable to other manufacturers).
The drone folds up small enough to easily be placed in a backpack or even your cargo shorts pocket. However, the controller has no case and no way to secure it, which makes no sense. I understand the idea of making it small & packable, but they completely ignored the ability to pack the controller along with the drone, which is kind of a basic thing to carry with you. I suggest looking for a case to put both in to fully protect & more easily transport both together.
The controller is shaped a little like a Playstation controller with a flip-up combination phone holder/antenna. It has far less controller options than DJI, but for beginners this makes it perfect.
Now for the cons:
- Construction: The plastic used for the body & camera just looks cheap. I’m hoping to never crash it, and it may hold up fine, but just from a strictly aesthetic standpoint it looks inexpensive.
- NO COLLISION AVOIDANCE. This would be my #1 complaint about the drone overall. There are ZERO sensors to stop the drone from crashing into something at-speed. DJI quads all include forward sensors, and some include full 360 sensors. This looks to be the riskiest thing about this drone, and certainly threatens its existence. Use a spotter or stay well away from obstructions.
- Landing Gear: The landing gear are short, landing it almost directly on its belly. There is a fan on the underside to cool the battery & motor, and if you launch or land in dirt or grass the fan can end up sucking debris into it. I suggest using only concrete for an LZ or buying a portable landing pad to deploy from.
- Extra Batteries: I had difficulty locating extra batteries for the device. It was only after 2 weeks of owning it that Best Buy finally started stocking the batteries. Amazon also has limited options for batteries. Worst case you can order directly from Parrot.
- In-app purchases: As mentioned, I shouldn’t have to spend more to unlock features after spending hundreds of dollars on the drone.
- Single Click Power On: With DJI as a safety feature you have to press, release, then press & hold the on/off button (2-step process) to turn the drone on or off. On the Anafi if you just tap the button it turns on. This could lead to accidentally turning the device on when installing a battery or placing back in the case. I would like to see it require a little longer of a press to turn the device on or off.
- Phone Fit in Controller: The controller’s flip-up phone holder/antenna will only accept “standard” sized phones. Phones with “plus” in it (Galaxy S#+, iPhone Plus, Galaxy Note, etc.) will not fit in the holder. Likewise, thicker cases like Otterbox will keep your phone from fitting. It will not fit tablets at all, although there are adapters available on the market.
- No Case for Controller: Would like a way to better protect the controller. Also a way to carry spare batteries. Look for a 3rd party case after getting this.
- App Doesn’t Show No-Fly Zones: BE CAREFUL. I live just outside DC and there are tons of restricted areas around here – DC security zones, airports, certain buildings, etc. DJI warns or outright locks out flight around airports or in no-fly zones as a safety feature. The lack of restrictions could lead you into dangerous situations or land you in trouble with authorities if you’re in a no-fly zone. Make sure you consult the FAA B4UFly (or similar) app to verify you’re good-to-fly where you’re at. Failing to do so can result in hefty fines, jail, or worse yet a collision with another aircraft.
- SD Card Slot: The card tray is very fragile. Be extremely careful inserting or removing the SD card.
- No charger included: It comes with a USB-C cable, but no indication on the number of amps needed to properly charge the battery. I’m using a 2.1-amp phone charger with it and it takes about 90 minutes to charge the battery. Not sure if that’s the recommended amp range or not.
- NO COLLISION AVOIDANCE. This would be my #1 complaint about the drone overall. There are ZERO sensors to stop the drone from crashing into something at-speed. DJI quads all include forward sensors, and some include full 360 sensors. This looks to be the riskiest thing about this drone, and certainly threatens its existence. Use a spotter or stay well away from obstructions.
- Landing Gear: The landing gear are short, landing it almost directly on its belly. There is a fan on the underside to cool the battery & motor, and if you launch or land in dirt or grass the fan can end up sucking debris into it. I suggest using only concrete for an LZ or buying a portable landing pad to deploy from.
- Extra Batteries: I had difficulty locating extra batteries for the device. It was only after 2 weeks of owning it that Best Buy finally started stocking the batteries. Amazon also has limited options for batteries. Worst case you can order directly from Parrot.
- In-app purchases: As mentioned, I shouldn’t have to spend more to unlock features after spending hundreds of dollars on the drone.
- Single Click Power On: With DJI as a safety feature you have to press, release, then press & hold the on/off button (2-step process) to turn the drone on or off. On the Anafi if you just tap the button it turns on. This could lead to accidentally turning the device on when installing a battery or placing back in the case. I would like to see it require a little longer of a press to turn the device on or off.
- Phone Fit in Controller: The controller’s flip-up phone holder/antenna will only accept “standard” sized phones. Phones with “plus” in it (Galaxy S#+, iPhone Plus, Galaxy Note, etc.) will not fit in the holder. Likewise, thicker cases like Otterbox will keep your phone from fitting. It will not fit tablets at all, although there are adapters available on the market.
- No Case for Controller: Would like a way to better protect the controller. Also a way to carry spare batteries. Look for a 3rd party case after getting this.
- App Doesn’t Show No-Fly Zones: BE CAREFUL. I live just outside DC and there are tons of restricted areas around here – DC security zones, airports, certain buildings, etc. DJI warns or outright locks out flight around airports or in no-fly zones as a safety feature. The lack of restrictions could lead you into dangerous situations or land you in trouble with authorities if you’re in a no-fly zone. Make sure you consult the FAA B4UFly (or similar) app to verify you’re good-to-fly where you’re at. Failing to do so can result in hefty fines, jail, or worse yet a collision with another aircraft.
- SD Card Slot: The card tray is very fragile. Be extremely careful inserting or removing the SD card.
- No charger included: It comes with a USB-C cable, but no indication on the number of amps needed to properly charge the battery. I’m using a 2.1-amp phone charger with it and it takes about 90 minutes to charge the battery. Not sure if that’s the recommended amp range or not.
Conclusion: This is a good drone with an amazing camera. While I would say the price point makes this a great beginner drone, the lack of collision avoidance sensors makes it hard for me to argue that this would work well for beginners, since most issues with drones involve crashing into things. I’m rating it 4 stars only because there aren’t half stars. I feel this deserves a 3.5 rating heavily based on the lack of collision avoidance features, lack of case for the controller, and required in-app purchases. I think Parrot is on the right track, and look forward to their future releases, hoping the include some of the public’s feedback about the device.
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Study or work hard on this HP Envy convertible laptop, which features a large 15-inch screen. The laptop opens up easily to create a tablet for note-taking, while an AMD Ryzen processor supports Windows 10 Home and other applications effortlessly. The reliable128GB solid-state hard drive on this HP Envy convertible laptop stores lots of files and programs.Learn more.
Customer Rating
4
Good Powerful Laptop, Small Hard Drive Limits It
on August 6, 2018
Posted by: GoalieMedic
from Fairfax, VA
The Envy 2-in-1 is a powerful computer in a beautiful case, providing more than ample processing power & memory for everyday use and then some.
The system is thin, fairly lightweight, and has a beautiful back bezel that makes this unit look classy in a meeting or at school. The screen is bright and easy to see with automatically-adjusting brightness for ambient room lighting conditions.
The system's internals make the device actually a decent low-to-mid-level gaming PC with a good refresh rate both on the screen and when connected to an external display with an HDMI cable.
USB 3 is included, allowing charging of the laptop from USB if you forgot your AC power adapter.
The only 2 issues I found with the device are:
1. Lack of hard drive space. The device only comes with a 128 solid state drive, which in today's world is probably okay seeing most people save to a cloud service. But, if you're using the laptop for anything that requires locally-installed applications, like Office or Creative Cloud you may find yourself out of hard drive space quick. For gaming on this system, where locally-installed files are required, I've already maxed out the storage & am looking at having to acquire an external hard drive. But, if you're OK with cloud storage for your day-to-day activities, you should be fine.
2. The touch screen tends to activate when not actually being pressed, causing a jump across the screen. For gaming I had to disable the touch because it was jumping the mouse. I believe this to be specific to this laptop, as the other Envy I have does not have the same issue.
1. Lack of hard drive space. The device only comes with a 128 solid state drive, which in today's world is probably okay seeing most people save to a cloud service. But, if you're using the laptop for anything that requires locally-installed applications, like Office or Creative Cloud you may find yourself out of hard drive space quick. For gaming on this system, where locally-installed files are required, I've already maxed out the storage & am looking at having to acquire an external hard drive. But, if you're OK with cloud storage for your day-to-day activities, you should be fine.
2. The touch screen tends to activate when not actually being pressed, causing a jump across the screen. For gaming I had to disable the touch because it was jumping the mouse. I believe this to be specific to this laptop, as the other Envy I have does not have the same issue.
Aside from the 2 small negatives, this is a good, powerful laptop for most day-to-day needs.
Mobile Submission: False
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Clean your home with voice command or app-based programs by using this Samsung robot vacuum. Its digital camera and nine sensors let it find its way around, avoiding obstacles and mapping the most efficient path through your home. Wi-Fi connects this powerful Samsung robot vacuum to your smart home systems.
Customer Rating
4
Needs Some Time to Train
on June 10, 2018
Posted by: GoalieMedic
from Fairfax, VA
This is one of numerous models of Samsung robot vacuums, not one designed for pet hair (they make models for that) but good on the hair, nonetheless.
We use this in 2 areas, 1 carpeted and 1 tile, and it actually does well with the transition. We are still trying to teach it to avoid the drop off that exists between the dining room & living room, and it's tried to do a jump off it a couple of times, but it's still learning.
Programming otherwise is easy and it integrates very well with the "Smart Things" app on my Samsung Galaxy S8. We can control when we want it to run (for example, don't dare work while I'm trying to sleep), etc. It mostly runs during the day when we're gone, and have caught the dog looking suspiciously at it a few times.
It's a good vacuum, but obviously the price is steep. Honestly, a $200 vac and some assigned chores to the kids would be just as good, but if you're looking for full automation this will indeed do the job.
My Best Buy number: 0402306748
Mobile Submission: False
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Enjoy your favorite music through these Sony Sports wireless noise-cancelling headphones. The in-ear design ensures a snug fit, so you can jog or walk without missing a beat, and the wireless format eliminates the need for cumbersome cords. The Ambient Sound Mode on these Sony Sports wireless noise-cancelling headphones keeps you alert to your environment.
Customer Rating
5
True Noise Cancelling for Sports
on June 10, 2018
Posted by: GoalieMedic
from Fairfax, VA
The SP600N headphones fall into a hard-to-find category: True noise cancelling (not just "noise reducing") headphones designed for sports. No band around your neck, no bulky earphones, just small, easy-to-wear headphones with active noise cancelling that works quite well. While the cancelling capabilities are not as good as Sony's 1000-series, they are still excellent in their capability of blocking out the outside noise, which is good if you're in the gym having to listen to their garbage being pumped overhead.
The noise cancellation can be controlled with a button on the headphones or the app, with the ability to be in full noise cancellation mode, ambient sound mode (where the microphones intentionally allow outside noise in), or noise cancellation off. Active noise cancellation obviously is the best, but uses the most battery. Ambient is great when using these while walking, running, or biking, allowing you to hear traffic or others around you, while "off" makes them just regular old headphones without any of the bonus features.
One disappointment was the fact that unlike the 1000-series, the headphones or the app won't switch into different modes based on your detected activity (the 1000's will tell if you're riding on bus or train & go full cancellation, or if you're walking or running & go into ambient mode). Instead, you have to toggle these manually.
The only other disappointment is when you touch the headphones when they're in your ear they amplify that touching noise based on the placement of the mics in the earphones themselves.
Battery life is excellent, getting more than 8 hours easily in full cancellation mode. Comfort is also quite good with multiple sizes of silicone earbuds included. They also include pieces to help secure these inside the folds of your ear for better fit when active.
The buttons for controlling the features are also a treat. Each button is shaped or covered differently, making it easy to find volume, play/pause control, on/off, and noise cancellation modes. Most other headphones you have to fumble to find the right button or take the headphones off altogether to activate something.
Overall, these are excellent headphones with great noise cancelling capabilities in a true sports/active headphone.
My Best Buy number: 0402306748
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Add music to your day with these Sony wireless headphones. Their noise cancelling technology uses artificial intelligence to adapt to your environment and reduce background sounds for enjoyable listening. The Quick Charging battery on these over-ear Sony wireless headphones provides up to 35 hours of playback for convenience.
I have an ipod-would that fit in.It's an ipod with two cords-one to fit in headphones and one to recharge
There is an included "aux" cord for plugging in to wired-only (non-Bluetooth) sources like iPods or in-flight entertainment systems.
6 years, 2 months ago
by
GoalieMedic
Add music to your day with these Sony wireless headphones. Their noise cancelling technology uses artificial intelligence to adapt to your environment and reduce background sounds for enjoyable listening. The Quick Charging battery on these over-ear Sony wireless headphones provides up to 35 hours of playback for convenience.
Is the Sony better than the Bose quiet ll When it come s to noised
No. The Bose QC series does a much better job than the Sony headphones, but obviously at a higher price. If you're sticking with Sony, look at the 1000X (over-the-ear or the earbud style) series for the best noise cancelling quality and options.
6 years, 2 months ago
by
GoalieMedic
Elevate your workout with these JBL Free wireless headphones. Their hands-free design lets you control music and make calls with the touch of a button, and the charging case stores 20 hours of backup power to keep tunes playing through your entire workout. These JBL Free wireless headphones use JBL Signature Sound to provide high-quality audio.
What are the negative reviews
Poor fit, poor bass sound, frequently disconnects the left ear bud.
6 years, 4 months ago
by
GoalieMedic
Samsung Gear 2 Neo SM-R3810ZKAXAR Smart Watch: Access select Samsung phones and tablets to make calls and send texts by voice command with this versatile watch. Take your fitness to a new level with the built-in activity tracker while you listen to your favorite workout tunes on the stand-alone music player.
Will this work on a LG G3 phone that operates on Android System
I want to give this as a gift to my fiance. Who has a LG G3. His phone does operate on the Android sytem but it is not a samsung. I just wanted to make sure it is possible to sync and if so, are there any draw backs?
The device will only work with Samsung phones. It will not work with any other manufacturer, despite being on the Android OS.
8 years, 6 months ago
by
GoalieMedic
Hamilton, VA
Samsung Gear 2 Neo SM-R3810ZKAXAR Smart Watch: Access select Samsung phones and tablets to make calls and send texts by voice command with this versatile watch. Take your fitness to a new level with the built-in activity tracker while you listen to your favorite workout tunes on the stand-alone music player.
Cell phone carrier
Does this have to be hooked up through a carrier? My cell phone is through Verizon so do I need to add it to a data plan?
The device is a Bluetooth-enabled watch, and therefore is tied to the phone you have. You do not have to enable a new line of service for this device (although Samsung does make a 3G-enabled device that is its own standalone phone device that can be used without a tied-in phone). You can make & answer calls from the watch so long as you are within Bluetooth range of the physical phone device.
8 years, 6 months ago
by
GoalieMedic
Hamilton, VA
Power your compatible Samsung device without cables or cords using this Samsung SMS EP-PG920IBUGUS wireless charger, which replenishes battery power in as little as 4 hours. Overload protection provides defense against damage.
What do the LEDs mean?
The box brags about the Halo LED indicators, but says nothing about what they indicate. The info in the box is a joke and refers you to the "full manual" on the Samsung site, which apparently doesn't exist. So... what do the various LED combinations mean??
The green lights around the device show that it is charging. They turn to green when the device is fully charged.
9 years ago
by
GoalieMedic
Hamilton, VA