jago's stats
- Review count223
- Helpfulness votes665
- First reviewJuly 18, 2016
- Last reviewJune 25, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.2
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- Answer count35
- Helpfulness votes66
- First answerSeptember 22, 2016
- Last answerJanuary 17, 2022
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- Best answers6
Acer Laptop: Run graphic-intensive games with this Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop. The 15.6-inch FHD display shows an immersive picture with sharp visuals. CoolBoost technology lowers CPU and GPU temperatures for long-lasting sessions. This Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop features a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card for a vivid picture, and the high-quality speakers deliver clear dialog and deep bass.
Customer Rating
5
Fantastic budget gaming laptop
on June 10, 2019
Posted by: jago
from Sparks, NV
This seems like the perfect mid-range laptop for gaming that I have come across. The 9th Gen Intel Core i5-9300H mobile processor has eight cores and uses Intel Turbo Boost Technology to speed things up when you need it and less energy when you don’t. The 15.6” HD display is 1920 x 1080 and is bright, clear and responsive. The viewing angle is pretty good as well. The bottom of the laptop is removable when you take off the 12 screws and then you have access to the battery (3720 mAh), storage, and RAM, it does take a little effort to pull the whole panel off and I was afraid of breaking some clips, but I did not. It comes with 8GB DDR4 SDRAM , but you have another slot so you can increase it to 32GB in all. It is nice that this laptop has a M.2 NVMe drive (128GB) for the OS to load up and a 1TB SATA drive for storage, there is also an additional M.2 slot that is unused. There is a memory card reader, BT chip, Ethernet port, 1 USB Type A 2.0 port, 3 USB 3.0 Type A ports, 1 USB 3.1 Type C port, and an HDMi output. Graphics is supplied by a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 with 4GB of memory. There are better cards out there, but this is a good card for the money. Oh, and the backlit keyboard (Red only) that has the typical FPS markings on them for gaming. The keys are responsive, and the layout does take a little bit getting used to and I found myself always hitting the incorrect keys. A small learning curve, but it’s not too bad. This is a pretty heavy laptop but the design is nice and not overly “gamerly” is that makes sense. One of the best features I think for this laptop is the fact that you can open it up with one hand by just lifting the top and you don’t have to hold the bottom down. Every laptop I have owned you had to use two hands to open it up and I just find this really handy. Battery life is decent and it’s rated for 6 hours, but I was having to recharge every 4 to 5, unless I was gaming, then it only lasted about 3 hours.
This laptop handed everything that I threw at it without skipping a beat. Windows 10 Home performs fast and is what you expect from a modern day PC. While gaming, the fans will spin up but the noise isn’t too bad unless they are full bore! Then the laptop sounds like it’s going to take off. The internal speakers are surprisingly good and they can drown out nearly all of the fan sound except when they are fully on. A nice set of headphones always solves that issue though. Acer also includes a nice neoprene sleeve to keep the laptop in and I was pleasantly surprised by that as well. Overall, I will highly recommend this laptop to my friends who are looking for a budget device that is well built and works great.
This laptop handed everything that I threw at it without skipping a beat. Windows 10 Home performs fast and is what you expect from a modern day PC. While gaming, the fans will spin up but the noise isn’t too bad unless they are full bore! Then the laptop sounds like it’s going to take off. The internal speakers are surprisingly good and they can drown out nearly all of the fan sound except when they are fully on. A nice set of headphones always solves that issue though. Acer also includes a nice neoprene sleeve to keep the laptop in and I was pleasantly surprised by that as well. Overall, I will highly recommend this laptop to my friends who are looking for a budget device that is well built and works great.
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The ASTRO A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro TR for PS5, PS4, PC and Mac is the premier audio solution for esports athletes, content creators and streamers. It meets esports athletes’ rigorous standards for audio fidelity, comfort and durability. The MixAmp Pro TR features Dolby Audio processing and enables lag and interference-free delivery of game sound and voice communication. The A40 TR arrives as an open-back headset featuring a swappable precision mic and customizable Speaker Tags.
Customer Rating
5
Lightweight, great sound, premium headset
on June 2, 2019
Posted by: jago
from Sparks, NV
The Astro A40 TR Gaming Headset + MixAmp Pro TR for the PS4 and PC are very comfortable to wear for extended periods of time and they are easy to adjust once they are on your head. I really like the barrel design of the arms and the removable microphone that you can attach to either side. The ear pads are a cloth material and fit nicely over my ears. They don’t block outside noise, which I would have preferred that they did, If you did want that feature Astro has a mod kit available to block out the noise. Over all construction is very good for these and they appear that they can take a lot of abuse and still work. The box that it comes in can also serve as a storage case and everything can be secured safely. The mix amp wasn’t a strong feature for me and I had some varying results with it. Some times I felt it was too much and others it was just too quite, but I am not an expert in using this and this is my first one so I was probably not doing it correctly. The mix amp is heavier than it looks and it also feels very well made. The dials have a very satisfying feel to them and they have some resistance to their movement. It allows you to use either Dolby or pass-through if your current set up already has Dolby. Included in the box are all the cables that you need, USB (provides power as well), 3.5mm with inline mute switch, optical audio (for PS4 connection), and the cable for connecting multiple mix amps. The Astro gaming software will allow you to configure customized EQ settings so you can fine tune everything to your exact liking. I was happy with the presets that are already present and I didn’t play around too much with that. I think over time I would see a need for these for specific games. The removable microphone is a bit long and I wish it was shorter, but it does sound good and my friends had no issues with hearing me at all. I really do like that you can mount it on either ear when you swap the covers. Overall, I am very happy with the sound, fit, and adjustments you can make with the gaming volume with this headset. This is definitely the most premium gaming headset that I have every owned.
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Simplify security at your home or business with this Yale Assure satin nickel touchscreen smart lock. The touchscreen design makes interacting easy, and the option for automatic unlocking when you approach with your phone adds convenience. This Yale Assure satin nickel touchscreen smart lock employs Wi-Fi connectivity for adjusting settings remotely.
Customer Rating
5
Easy install, great functionality!
on May 26, 2019
Posted by: jago
from Sparks, NV
I couldn’t wait to open the box for this touchscreen deadbolt so that I could install it. I have been very excited to try this thing out and see if I would like it as much as I have heard about them. I am very impressed with it and I found it very easy to set up and install. I already had the August Home app loaded onto my phone so be sure to get that first. The August Home app will have the instructions on how to actually install the deadbolt. I used the included video so do this and it explains everything, I had and issue with installing it, but it was due to the hole in my door jam where the lock goes into not being deep enough. I had to drill it out about an 1/8” in order for the deadbolt to be fully engaged. I did have to look up how to remove the old deadbolt, but that was no problem either. Once you get everything installed, everything you need is included in the box, then you can start the set up process on the key pad to set your master PIN. The actual lock will walk you through this process and its easy to do. The app is where all of the magic happens, as others have stated, you have a lot of different options on setting up PINs for other people, scheduling access, showing an activity log of the deadbolts actions and who did it, and of course, locking and unlocking using the app. The sound the lock makes when it is either locking or unlocking is not loud, but it enough to know that it is doing something. I was able to link this lock to my google home account and I can now tell google to lock and unlock it. When you unlock it, google will ask you for your PIN, but it won’t ask when you lock it. I am really looking forward to getting another unit for my front door now, I installed this on my garage door.
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Top up your phone's battery with this Belkin wireless charging pad. Qi certification ensures compatibility with a large variety of devices, while the 10W transmission charges select phone models nearly twice as quickly. This Belkin wireless charging pad features a silicone grip to quickly stabilize mounted devices and an LED light that indicates improper charging conditions.
Posted by: jago
from Sparks, NV
The Belkin Boost UP 10W Qi wireless charger is a great little addition to my desk at work. It’s fairly thin and has a minimalistic design that I really like. There isn’t much to its design and I do like that about it. Also, it charges my Galaxy Note8 phone perfectly. I do have a thin case on my phone, and I have had no issues. I had my co-worker test out his iPhone with a thick case on it and it was able to charge that device as well. There is a small with led light that comes on when its charging the phone and I image that won’t be too bright for a bed side installation. I tested its ability against my Samsung fast wireless charger that I already had, and it charged my phone at nearly identical speeds with my phone in both fast-wireless mode and normal wireless mode. It comes with a nice long micro USB cable and wall adapter. This is a great alternative to the more expensive phone branded chargers.
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Broadcast latency-free live streams using this AVerMedia Live Gamer MINI capture box. The UVC technology can encode, stream and record gaming sessions from the moment this device is plugged into Windows 10 PC. An included Stream Engine lets this AVerMedia Live Gamer MINI capture box record without any extra strain on your CPU.
Customer Rating
4
Game capture device for the Switch!
on May 5, 2019
Posted by: jago
from Sparks, NV
AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini is a great little video capture device. The setup was simple and not that difficult. I am impressed with the video quality of the device and it’s capture cabilities. I was a bit concerned with the fact that it’s only USB 2.0, but the bandwith seems to be plenty to handle what this device can do. The HDMI passthru feature is nice and from what I have heard, doesn’t really come with devices in this price range, but left to the more expensive devices. I haven’t had a reason to stream my games until now and I look forward to doing so in the future and playing around more with this.
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Enjoy your movie experience with this Sony 2.1-channel sound bar. Stream from your smartphone with the Bluetooth connection, or use the HDMI ARC to control information right from your TV. The S-Force PRO Front Surround and wireless subwoofer make this Sony 2.1-channel sound bar powerful, providing bold, dramatic sound and a cinematic experience.
Customer Rating
5
Great sound, very immersive
on May 3, 2019
Posted by: jago
from Sparks, NV
The Sony HT-S350 2.1 channel sound bar has exceeded my expectations for a soundbar this size. Don't let its small-size fool you, this sounds really good in the size of room that I have which is a 15 x 20 foot room. Sony's technology really immerses you in the movie you're watching or the game you're playing. Very easy to set up which is a plus.
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Enjoy smooth multitasking and high-quality entertainment with this HP Pavilion all-in-one desktop. The 12GB of RAM and hexa-core Intel Core i7 processor handle high-bandwidth computing, and the 27-inch Full HD touch screen display lets you navigate multiple windows quickly. Launch and run programs without lag thanks to this HP Pavilion all-in-one desktop's 256GB solid-state drive.
Customer Rating
5
Slick looking machine, great performance
on April 22, 2019
Posted by: jago
from Sparks, NV
The HP Pavilion 27” All-In-One is one great looking computer. The white theme really looks classy and the cloth cover on the B&O speakers are a very nice touch. Fit and finish on certain parts leave a little bit to be desired, but most people will not even notice it. For example, on my unit the cloth on the speakers is pulling up a bit at the top and doesn’t seem like it was flush like it should be. The second fit and finish item I noticed was the Intel i7 sticker on the base of the computer is crooked. Not a big deal and doesn’t affect the performance of the computer at all. Over-all I am VERY impressed with the performance of this speedy machine. The 256GB SSD really delivers speed and the 12GB RAM and i7 processor make this thing fast! I do wish for a bigger HD and for the price, I feel they should have included a bigger SSD, but you do have plenty of USB 3.0 ports on the back (3 USB type A and 2 USB type C) which you can easily add an external drive for data storage. My favorite feature is the HDMI In and HDMI out ports. I was able to plug my PS4 into the HDMI in port and use it to play games. The speakers are even functional in this set up. There are plenty of uses that I can think of for functionality like that. Toggling between the inputs is simple, just press the middle button on the right side twice and it will change inputs. There is also a software way to do it, but I found the buttons to be easier and will work even with the computer powered off. The speakers are tuned by Bang & Olufsen and they sound good for an all-in-one type set up. The computer is also on a fairly solid stand and will tilt to accommodate nearly every angle. Its nice that the computer doesn’t wobble that much when you are typing on a semi-sturdy surface. The heavier the desk the less this is noticeable, but I just have it on a flimsy portable desk for now and it the wobble is very minimal. I also wish this would have an optical drive, but those are going away on more and more computers these days, so that really isn’t a big deal. If you get a chance to test out this machine, I highly recommend it and you won’t be disappointed with it if you purchase it.
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Listen to music with improved quality using this Sony XB22 portable speaker. The LIVE SOUND feature provides a three-dimensional sound experience and broadcasts music to a large area for a concert-type feel, while the EXTRA BASS boost improves low-end tones. This Sony XB22 portable speaker is convenient to use with a variety of devices with Bluetooth capabilities.
Customer Rating
5
Fun little speaker, BIG sound
on April 10, 2019
Posted by: jago
from Sparks, NV
The Sony SRS-XB22 is a great little portable speaker. This new model is pill shaped and you can stand it on its end or side. It fits easily in your hand and its light and very portable. The sound is great as well, Sony really knows how to make these things sound a lot bigger than they are. The extra bass feature does make a difference as well. I was a little disappointed that the lights are only one color and on my black model they are white. The party booster feature is included in this model and it allows you to hit different parts of the speaker with your hand and it will make different sounds. You can program what sounds and which areas will make them using the Sony Music Center app. I also have the previous generation of this model of speakers, but they are the bigger siblings, the XB31 and XB41. I was able to link them using the Music Center app and that allows them to all broadcast the same song and you can link up to 100 speakers in total. I found the app to be useful for most things and it was very easy to pair the XB22 speaker using the NFC chip that is built in. Once I had it paired up I was ready to create a Wireless Party Chain. I have had mixed success with this though. My biggest issue was a syncing issue with the music. At first they will all play in perfect sync, but after a few minutes one of the speakers would be a half second behind the others. My only fix was to stop the grouping and re-group them again. This seems to happen quite often so maybe this can be fixed with an update from the app. I have the latest version at the time of testing. Overall, this speaker is a very good and I am very happy with it. IP67 rating also makes this the perfect companion to just about any outdoor adventure and the 12 hour battery life makes sure that you won’t run out of tunes anytime soon.
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Safeguard your home with this Arlo security camera system. Its 4K resolution provides maximum clarity so you don't miss a single detail, and a siren is integrated so you can fend off intruders either remotely or while at home. This Arlo security camera system is weather-resistant, so it's functional rain or shine.
Customer Rating
5
Much improved over Arlo Pro2 Cameras
on April 7, 2019
Posted by: jago
from Sparks, NV
The Arlo Ultra camera has a built in spot light that will light up and provide a decent amount of light, I currently have it installed above my front door and it gives good light there. You can set up the light to be constant, strobing or flashing. This could be useful to get someone’s attention or scare someone off. The video quality is amazing, 4k is a huge improvement even over 1080p. You are able to make out colors in the low light conditions while the spot light is on, otherwise I really didn’t notice any improvements in the advertised specs of being able to make out colors. I have the spot light set up to activate so my night vision is improved. The speaker in the camera has been improved as well, still a little louder would be nicer. Also, there is now a siren that you can set off thru the camera to scare someone away.
The camera itself feels very sturdy and well built. The charger is magnetic and attaches to the bottom of the camera and this helps eliminate water getting inside. The battery is removed by pushing the button on the bottom next to the charger port and the camera will separate from the case. There is a nice rubber insulation around it and it clicks back into place with a satisfying feel to it. The included magnetic mount is strong, and I have no fear of it not holding the camera in place. I did purchase a screw type mount and I am using that instead. Battery life is rated for 3-6 months and I am sure I will get between that. My current cameras will go just over 3 months, but they do see a lot of activity from the kids in the neighborhood playing in my front yard and driveway.
Another benefit is that Arlo is giving away a year of the Arlo smart premier service with this camera. That usually runs $9.99 a month and provides service for up to 10 cameras and a rolling 30 days of footage in 1080p (not 4k) If you want 4k cloud recording you must pay $1.99 more a month per camera for that. The premier service allows you to set up zones which is nice if you only want to watch a certain area and get alerts for that instead of the whole field of vision. It also allows the camera to alert you to different types of alerts whether it is a person, vehicle or animal.
I wish the individual price of the 4k cameras were cheaper, but they are fantastic, and having at least one for the front door is going to be just fine, at least for me.
The camera itself feels very sturdy and well built. The charger is magnetic and attaches to the bottom of the camera and this helps eliminate water getting inside. The battery is removed by pushing the button on the bottom next to the charger port and the camera will separate from the case. There is a nice rubber insulation around it and it clicks back into place with a satisfying feel to it. The included magnetic mount is strong, and I have no fear of it not holding the camera in place. I did purchase a screw type mount and I am using that instead. Battery life is rated for 3-6 months and I am sure I will get between that. My current cameras will go just over 3 months, but they do see a lot of activity from the kids in the neighborhood playing in my front yard and driveway.
Another benefit is that Arlo is giving away a year of the Arlo smart premier service with this camera. That usually runs $9.99 a month and provides service for up to 10 cameras and a rolling 30 days of footage in 1080p (not 4k) If you want 4k cloud recording you must pay $1.99 more a month per camera for that. The premier service allows you to set up zones which is nice if you only want to watch a certain area and get alerts for that instead of the whole field of vision. It also allows the camera to alert you to different types of alerts whether it is a person, vehicle or animal.
I wish the individual price of the 4k cameras were cheaper, but they are fantastic, and having at least one for the front door is going to be just fine, at least for me.
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Catch suspicious activity around your home with this Defender 2K Wireless video security system. Its four-channel network video recorder provides 1TB of storage, and the two 4-megapixel Wi-Fi cameras have 127-degree wide-angle lenses that capture a large area. View live footage through your smartphone via the companion app of this Defender 2K Wireless video security system.
Customer Rating
4
Almost truly wireless, just needs power.
on March 31, 2019
Posted by: jago
from Sparks, NV
The defender 4-channel, 2-camera wireless surveillance system has many features and is easy to set up despite the lack of instructions that come in the box. You are given a one sheet quick start guide and that is pretty much it, but to be honest, you really don’t need anything to get up and running. Everything is straight forward and the cameras connect automatically once they have power. I was able to install my cameras in less than 20 minutes for each one. I was disappointed in the fact that these cameras are not fully wireless, you have to have at least a power plug near by and you are only given about 15 feet of cable to do so. I had to use an extension cord for the camera that I mounted outside, but the other camera I mounted in my garage near the power plug. You are left with a Ethernet plug that you do have the option to use (not sure if it can be powered by PoE or not, but I don’t have that option) that will dangle down and the install does not look that clean unless you do some cord management. I was very impressed with the video quality and even the night vision is of great quality. You should be able to make out details that will help with identifying a person who comes into view. The base station does have a fan in it that makes some noise and you will notice it at first in a quiet room, but after a while you probably won’t notice it at all. I connected mine up to my 23” HP monitor via the HDMI port, but you also have the option of VGA. Mounting the cameras can be a bit of a pain since you cannot remove the cameras to mount them and you have to angle them to get access to the three holes in the base. Overall I am very happy with the cameras, but I do wish they were truly wireless or had longer power cords that were included and I am not sure about the durability of the cords themselves, they don’t appear to be very thick and not sure about them being rated for being outdoors.
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Wake up to a delicious cup of java with this Ninja Coffee Bar glass carafe system. The 10-cup pitcher holds 50 oz. of coffee when entertaining or brews a single cup at a time, prepared at the infusion level of your choice. This Ninja Coffee Bar glass carafe system has a built-in frother for hot and cold drink creations.
Hi - Can I run hot water thru this machine to make tea, hot soup, etc.?
Wake up to a delicious cup of java with this Ninja Coffee Bar glass carafe system. The 10-cup pitcher holds 50 oz. of coffee when entertaining or brews a single cup at a time, prepared at the infusion level of your choice. This Ninja Coffee Bar glass carafe system has a built-in frother for hot and cold drink creations.
How long will the heating element keep a pot of coffee hot
It is set to a defult of 2 hours, but you can change it to up to 4 hours if you wish.
7 years, 5 months ago
by
jago
Simplify your everyday life with the Google Home, a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant. Use voice commands to enjoy music, get answers from Google and manage everyday tasks. Google Home is compatible with Android and iOS operating systems, and can control compatible smart devices such as Chromecast or Nest."
Why is it so expensive?
Price is all relative. I didn't find it to be that expensive. It has a great speaker and it simply works really good. Its priced $50 cheaper than the Echo and the speaker quality is as good if not better.
7 years, 7 months ago
by
jago
Orbi Whole Home WiFi System delivers up to 3.0Gbps high-performance WiFi. Sleek, modern design with high-gain internal antennas for up to 5,000 square feet of coverage. FastLane3 Technology creates a dedicated Tri-Band WiFi for seamless 4K streaming and gaming everywhere in your home. Keep a single WiFi name for uninterrupted connections as you move from room-to-room. Circle Smart Parental Controls runs on Orbi Routers for a smart way for families to manage content and time online, on any connected device. Provide internet access to guests without sharing your personal network password. Orbi is ready right out of the box and compatible with your ISP. Just use the Orbi app to get started with better WiFi, everywhere in minutes.
do you have to have an internet service before this will bring in the wi fi
Yes, you need an ISP (Internet Service Provider), such as comcast cable, At&T uverse, etc.
7 years, 9 months ago
by
jago
Orbi Whole Home WiFi System delivers up to 3.0Gbps high-performance WiFi. Sleek, modern design with high-gain internal antennas for up to 5,000 square feet of coverage. FastLane3 Technology creates a dedicated Tri-Band WiFi for seamless 4K streaming and gaming everywhere in your home. Keep a single WiFi name for uninterrupted connections as you move from room-to-room. Circle Smart Parental Controls runs on Orbi Routers for a smart way for families to manage content and time online, on any connected device. Provide internet access to guests without sharing your personal network password. Orbi is ready right out of the box and compatible with your ISP. Just use the Orbi app to get started with better WiFi, everywhere in minutes.
We live in the country, and can only use satellite internet. It is not a real strong signal, and can be affected easily by weather. We also have a log home, which blocks the signal in certain areas of the house and porch. Would this help in our situation?
It won't help with your satellite signal, but the wifi signal in your house could potentially improved.
7 years, 9 months ago
by
jago