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  • First review
    June 11, 2015
  • Last review
    May 4, 2024
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    June 11, 2015
  • Last answer
    February 3, 2021
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GoalieMedic's Reviews
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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.
 
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Customer Rating
3 out of 5
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.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
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.)
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
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.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+9points
9of 9voted this as helpful.
 
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.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
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.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
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.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
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.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
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.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Gimbal Killer Indeed
on October 9, 2018
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!
+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
 
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.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
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.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
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.
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.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
4of 5voted this as helpful.
 
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.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
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.
Aside from the 2 small negatives, this is a good, powerful laptop for most day-to-day needs.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Clean your home with voice command or app-based programs by using this Samsung robot vacuum. Its digital camera and nine sensors let it find its way around, avoiding obstacles and mapping the most efficient path through your home. Wi-Fi connects this powerful Samsung robot vacuum to your smart home systems.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
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
I would recommend this to a friend!
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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.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
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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I would recommend this to a friend!
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GoalieMedic's Answers
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Indy ANC is the pinnacle of our Indy true wireless family. In other words, they’re loaded with the latest technology. With everything from touch controls to premium Active Noise Canceling to Personal Sound tuning to wireless charging, these are the perfect choice for those of you who like to have it all.
 

are these only for phones can they be used for TV's

Any device that supports Bluetooth should pair with these.
3 years, 3 months ago
by
GoalieMedic
 
Indy ANC is the pinnacle of our Indy true wireless family. In other words, they’re loaded with the latest technology. With everything from touch controls to premium Active Noise Canceling to Personal Sound tuning to wireless charging, these are the perfect choice for those of you who like to have it all.
 

How is the connection when the phone is in your pocket or in a bag?

Just fine. Haven't had any cut outs when it's in my pocket or running.
3 years, 3 months ago
by
GoalieMedic
 
Indy ANC is the pinnacle of our Indy true wireless family. In other words, they’re loaded with the latest technology. With everything from touch controls to premium Active Noise Canceling to Personal Sound tuning to wireless charging, these are the perfect choice for those of you who like to have it all.
 

Do these pair well with a windows OS?

Yes. Pair just fine with anything that has Bluetooth. Using these with my laptop and videoconferencing.
3 years, 3 months ago
by
GoalieMedic
 
DJI Mini 2 is beginner-friendly, powerful, and well, mini. Impressive performance, stunning image quality, and creative videos are just a few taps away. Explore an entirely new perspective, capturing the moments that make your life truly yours.
 

What size SD card can it take? Does it have a size limit?

It uses a microSD card that you insert on the back side of the drone with a maximum size of 256GB. If you don't insert a card, it will save all the video & photos it captures directly to your phone, but the quality may be lower since it's having to transmit that back & may have interference. It's critical you get a card that is compatible (which really comes down to read/write speeds since the file sizes can get pretty big shooting in 4K). You can get a list of the currently supported cards on DJI's website: https://www.dji.com/mini-2/specs
3 years, 6 months ago
by
GoalieMedic
 
DJI Mini 2 is beginner-friendly, powerful, and well, mini. Impressive performance, stunning image quality, and creative videos are just a few taps away. Explore an entirely new perspective, capturing the moments that make your life truly yours.
 

does this drone have the the ability to return to the controller?

Yes. The Mini 2 now includes a "Return to Home" (RTH) button right on the face of the controller. It will return back to the GPS point where it was launched when you hit that.

But a couple of caveats on that:
1. The Mini does take 60-90 seconds from being powered on to the point where it acquires that initial GPS signal. The app will allow you to take off as soon as the controller and the drone are communicating, which is like 10 seconds. You really, really need to wait that extra few seconds until the app says (it will speak this), "The home point has been set. Please check it on the map." If you don't wait, and you're mid-flight when the GPS is acquired, THAT will be the "RTH" location. That could end up being over top a building, over water, in the middle of the woods, etc.
2. The Mini 2 has NO collision avoidance systems on it. So if you tell it to RTH, it will do so in a direct flight line from where it is now to the RTH home point. If there is any obstruction between you & the drone when you hit RTH, it will happily fly right into it. To avoid this, make sure you go into the settings in the app & set the RTH altitude. What this does is when you hit RTH, it will stop in its track, climb to the RTH height (maximum of 400'), THEN start the direct line back to the RTH point. So if you're around trees or buildings, you need to make sure that RTH height is HIGHER than the highest obstruction in the app settings. Otherwise, you risk losing the drone in a forward crash.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
GoalieMedic
 
DJI Mini 2 is beginner-friendly, powerful, and well, mini. Impressive performance, stunning image quality, and creative videos are just a few taps away. Explore an entirely new perspective, capturing the moments that make your life truly yours.
 

hello do I need any permission or authorization to fly my Mavic mini in Miami Beach?

That depends on where you're flying it. The app includes lockouts to keep you from flying in restricted areas to keep you in compliance with the law, but there are areas that you can fly in but only up to a limited altitude (max is usually 400' in the US, but if you're near an airport it can be as low as 100'). The FAA has an app called "B4UFly" that will allow you to check the airspace you're in (or plan to be in) prior to launching. AirMap is also an excellent app, better if you're a more serious drone flyer than the B4UFly app. But if you are in a restricted area, the DJI sofrware will warn you & will not allow the aircraft to take off. If you enter a restricted area, it will land immediately, which is a bigger problem. So use another app to check the area you want to fly in before heading that way. There are a lot of restrictions you have to be aware of, and an app is the only thing that will help you figure those out.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
GoalieMedic
 
DJI Mini 2 is beginner-friendly, powerful, and well, mini. Impressive performance, stunning image quality, and creative videos are just a few taps away. Explore an entirely new perspective, capturing the moments that make your life truly yours.
 

Can I use my iPhone 8 with this controller?

The app, DJI Fly, requires iOS 11.0 or greater. So it's more a matter of the OS version. If your phone doesn't support iOS 11, then no. Not sure which phones can receive which iOS upgrades.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
GoalieMedic
 
The best just got better with the new Nextbase 622GW 4K Dash Cam. With an abundance of new features and world’s firsts, the 622GW is the most accurate, powerful and highest image quality Dash Cam in the market today. Ultra-clear 4K recording at 30fps captures those all-important finer details, with recording at 1440p HD at 60fps or 1080p HD at 120fps for super slow motion available. An improved sensor ensures enhanced night vision on even the darkest roads. Image quality is at the forefront of the Dash cam revolution, with Image stabilization reducing vibrations from your vehicle and improving footage clarity. Another first for Nextbase is Extreme Weather Mode, to provide a clearer image in misty conditions using special defogging algorithms, crucial for winter and night-time driving. The 622GW is the world’s first Dash Cam to include what3words. This provides your exact location to a 3m square location without the need for a data connection, crucial for emergency services to precisely locate you. Coupled with Emergency SOS and Alexa Built-In, the 622GW shows its further ahead the field with technology advancements. Increased connectivity for transferring footage to your mobile phone is key with new built-in Bluetooth 5.0 and Hyper-Sync Wi-Fi 5GHz speeds are up to 10x faster. This ensures syncing times with the MyNextbase Connect app (IoS 12.1 or later and Android 5.1 and up). The 622GW is compatible with any Nextbase Rear View Module, to offer-all around protection, whilst crucially maintaining front 4K image quality, with 1080p full HD rear recordings. The 622GW features all the much loved Nextbase features including Intelligent Parking Mode, high accuracy 10x GPS readings, a 3” HD IPS touch screen and the fully patented Click&Go PRO mount design, for the ultimate Dash Cam user experience. Note- For this product a U3 class Nextbase microSD card is required (Not included). The ability to maintain a high WRITE speed consistently is what Nextbase SD cards are designed to do better than any other SD card. Any drop/fluctuation in WRITE speed within the SD card causes the Dash Cam footage to buffer, and in some cases will stop the recording entirely. Our Nextbase SD card controller and Firmware on the SD card achieves the requirements from our Dash Cam, where other SD cards cannot. Due to the continuous recording and overwriting of the card, the SD card needs to be a high-endurance card, otherwise the card may develop faults after a period of time; if a lower-capability card is used, certain features on the camera will not fully function due to being unable to re-write and record. Nextbase has over 3 million dash cams sold, 115 unique patents, custom designed processors and improved sensors which record fast moving objects in perfect picture clarity for day and night time driving. Auto adjusts contrast and brightness to further improve the footage details in the event of an accident. Save time, money, and ease with Nextbase Dash Cams.
 

Does the Nextbase 622GW come with the hardwire installation kit? I'm having this installed and not sure if I need to buy the kit in addition to the cam.

It comes with a cord for a cigarette plug in your car, though you can clip the ends to expose the +/- wires & use that to hardwire.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
GoalieMedic
 
The best just got better with the new Nextbase 622GW 4K Dash Cam. With an abundance of new features and world’s firsts, the 622GW is the most accurate, powerful and highest image quality Dash Cam in the market today. Ultra-clear 4K recording at 30fps captures those all-important finer details, with recording at 1440p HD at 60fps or 1080p HD at 120fps for super slow motion available. An improved sensor ensures enhanced night vision on even the darkest roads. Image quality is at the forefront of the Dash cam revolution, with Image stabilization reducing vibrations from your vehicle and improving footage clarity. Another first for Nextbase is Extreme Weather Mode, to provide a clearer image in misty conditions using special defogging algorithms, crucial for winter and night-time driving. The 622GW is the world’s first Dash Cam to include what3words. This provides your exact location to a 3m square location without the need for a data connection, crucial for emergency services to precisely locate you. Coupled with Emergency SOS and Alexa Built-In, the 622GW shows its further ahead the field with technology advancements. Increased connectivity for transferring footage to your mobile phone is key with new built-in Bluetooth 5.0 and Hyper-Sync Wi-Fi 5GHz speeds are up to 10x faster. This ensures syncing times with the MyNextbase Connect app (IoS 12.1 or later and Android 5.1 and up). The 622GW is compatible with any Nextbase Rear View Module, to offer-all around protection, whilst crucially maintaining front 4K image quality, with 1080p full HD rear recordings. The 622GW features all the much loved Nextbase features including Intelligent Parking Mode, high accuracy 10x GPS readings, a 3” HD IPS touch screen and the fully patented Click&Go PRO mount design, for the ultimate Dash Cam user experience. Note- For this product a U3 class Nextbase microSD card is required (Not included). The ability to maintain a high WRITE speed consistently is what Nextbase SD cards are designed to do better than any other SD card. Any drop/fluctuation in WRITE speed within the SD card causes the Dash Cam footage to buffer, and in some cases will stop the recording entirely. Our Nextbase SD card controller and Firmware on the SD card achieves the requirements from our Dash Cam, where other SD cards cannot. Due to the continuous recording and overwriting of the card, the SD card needs to be a high-endurance card, otherwise the card may develop faults after a period of time; if a lower-capability card is used, certain features on the camera will not fully function due to being unable to re-write and record. Nextbase has over 3 million dash cams sold, 115 unique patents, custom designed processors and improved sensors which record fast moving objects in perfect picture clarity for day and night time driving. Auto adjusts contrast and brightness to further improve the footage details in the event of an accident. Save time, money, and ease with Nextbase Dash Cams.
 

Will this record video while parked continuously? Also is there a battery backup or something you can buy in order to prevent the u it from draining York cars battery? Will this record video to the left/right/rear of my driver side window while parked?

It has a parking mode, but must be hard-wired to allow for its use. There is no available battery pack for the device aside from some 3rd party thing you can plug it in to overnight.

You can purchase an accessory camera (rear-facing), but does not automatically record to the sides anything beyond the standard field-of-view.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
GoalieMedic
 
The best just got better with the new Nextbase 622GW 4K Dash Cam. With an abundance of new features and world’s firsts, the 622GW is the most accurate, powerful and highest image quality Dash Cam in the market today. Ultra-clear 4K recording at 30fps captures those all-important finer details, with recording at 1440p HD at 60fps or 1080p HD at 120fps for super slow motion available. An improved sensor ensures enhanced night vision on even the darkest roads. Image quality is at the forefront of the Dash cam revolution, with Image stabilization reducing vibrations from your vehicle and improving footage clarity. Another first for Nextbase is Extreme Weather Mode, to provide a clearer image in misty conditions using special defogging algorithms, crucial for winter and night-time driving. The 622GW is the world’s first Dash Cam to include what3words. This provides your exact location to a 3m square location without the need for a data connection, crucial for emergency services to precisely locate you. Coupled with Emergency SOS and Alexa Built-In, the 622GW shows its further ahead the field with technology advancements. Increased connectivity for transferring footage to your mobile phone is key with new built-in Bluetooth 5.0 and Hyper-Sync Wi-Fi 5GHz speeds are up to 10x faster. This ensures syncing times with the MyNextbase Connect app (IoS 12.1 or later and Android 5.1 and up). The 622GW is compatible with any Nextbase Rear View Module, to offer-all around protection, whilst crucially maintaining front 4K image quality, with 1080p full HD rear recordings. The 622GW features all the much loved Nextbase features including Intelligent Parking Mode, high accuracy 10x GPS readings, a 3” HD IPS touch screen and the fully patented Click&Go PRO mount design, for the ultimate Dash Cam user experience. Note- For this product a U3 class Nextbase microSD card is required (Not included). The ability to maintain a high WRITE speed consistently is what Nextbase SD cards are designed to do better than any other SD card. Any drop/fluctuation in WRITE speed within the SD card causes the Dash Cam footage to buffer, and in some cases will stop the recording entirely. Our Nextbase SD card controller and Firmware on the SD card achieves the requirements from our Dash Cam, where other SD cards cannot. Due to the continuous recording and overwriting of the card, the SD card needs to be a high-endurance card, otherwise the card may develop faults after a period of time; if a lower-capability card is used, certain features on the camera will not fully function due to being unable to re-write and record. Nextbase has over 3 million dash cams sold, 115 unique patents, custom designed processors and improved sensors which record fast moving objects in perfect picture clarity for day and night time driving. Auto adjusts contrast and brightness to further improve the footage details in the event of an accident. Save time, money, and ease with Nextbase Dash Cams.
 

Do you need some sort of Wi-Fi for this dash camera ? Does the rear dash camera come with the installation kit ? What is the factory warranty ?

No WiFi needed. It will connect to your phone w/ Bluetooth or, when using the app it will make a dedicated WiFi connection with your phone.

The rear camera is an accessory that is purchased separately and does not come with it.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
GoalieMedic