gadgeTT's stats
- Review count178
- Helpfulness votes807
- First reviewOctober 1, 2015
- Last reviewJune 28, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.5
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- Answer count11
- Helpfulness votes19
- First answerAugust 12, 2017
- Last answerDecember 2, 2021
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Sonos Roam SL allows the user to enjoy hours of music, radio, audiobooks, and more from all your favorite services thanks to the long-lasting rechargeable battery. Listen at home with WiFi and easily control the sound with the Sonos app, and stream with Bluetooth® everywhere else. Add more Sonos speakers around your home for multiroom listening. Everything works together over WiFi.
Customer Rating
5
Great for In, Around AND Outside the Home
on October 30, 2022
Posted by: gadgeTT
Summary:
For those with an existing Sonos system or wanting to build a Sonos system at home, the Roam SL is an awesome portable speaker for both home and away use. It has all of the same sound and build quality as the regular Sonos Roam but drops a bit of cost by removing the microphone. It work equally well in, outside and away from your home system.
For those with an existing Sonos system or wanting to build a Sonos system at home, the Roam SL is an awesome portable speaker for both home and away use. It has all of the same sound and build quality as the regular Sonos Roam but drops a bit of cost by removing the microphone. It work equally well in, outside and away from your home system.
Pros:
* Sounds amazing!
* Great battery life.
* Small and compact.
* Automatic roaming (pun intended) between your home Sonos (WiFi) and away (Bluetooth) use.
* Sounds amazing!
* Great battery life.
* Small and compact.
* Automatic roaming (pun intended) between your home Sonos (WiFi) and away (Bluetooth) use.
Cons:
* No automatic sound tuning (TrueTone) due to removed microphone.
* No Voice control (due to removed microphone).
* No use as a speakerphone via Bluetooth (due to removed microphone).
* No automatic sound tuning (TrueTone) due to removed microphone.
* No Voice control (due to removed microphone).
* No use as a speakerphone via Bluetooth (due to removed microphone).
Setup:
If you’ve recently set up a Sonos product, you know how easy it is via the comprehensive Sonos app. It guides you through initial setup, pairing, configuration and system updates. Whether you’re a seasoned pro with a large Sonos system or a beginner setting up your first Sonos product, the app walks you through everything to quickly get it set up and playing your favorite music.
If you’ve recently set up a Sonos product, you know how easy it is via the comprehensive Sonos app. It guides you through initial setup, pairing, configuration and system updates. Whether you’re a seasoned pro with a large Sonos system or a beginner setting up your first Sonos product, the app walks you through everything to quickly get it set up and playing your favorite music.
Once set up using the app on your phone, the Roam connects to your home’s WiFi and joins your Sonos audio system. You can leave it plugged in to power and have it fill in sounds in a smaller room, or unplug it and take it anywhere in or around your home. When you leave the range of your home Sonos system, it can be easily switched over to be a Bluetooth speaker for your phone or other compatible device.
All setup and configuration is via the app but there are a few shortcuts with the buttons on the Roam itself. You can even have the Roam join a nearby Sonos speaker to quickly create a group of speakers without even touching the app.
Typical Usage:
The Roam SL is essentially the same as the non-SL version of the Sonos Roam with the removal of the built-in microphone (and a few dollars of cost). The microphone was basically used for 3 things; voice control through Google, Alexa or Sonos’ own voice command systems, as a speakerphone when connected to your Android or iPhone as a Bluetooth device, and lastly for automatic sound tuning. If none of those things matter to you, then you’ll likely enjoy the Roam SL and its cost savings.
The Roam SL is essentially the same as the non-SL version of the Sonos Roam with the removal of the built-in microphone (and a few dollars of cost). The microphone was basically used for 3 things; voice control through Google, Alexa or Sonos’ own voice command systems, as a speakerphone when connected to your Android or iPhone as a Bluetooth device, and lastly for automatic sound tuning. If none of those things matter to you, then you’ll likely enjoy the Roam SL and its cost savings.
I have a mid-sized Sonos system at home and this Roam joined right in easily playing whatever I chose for it. I just was on a vacation where I took my Roam with me for the hotel room. Even with my phone disconnected from my home WiFi, the app still connected to my Roam and showed battery status and other connections. It easily connected to my phone and sounded great on the trip, and then it re-joined my Sonos system when I returned home.
Battery life is really good, too. It has a USB-C port for charging but can also use the Sonos-designed charging pad or any other qI charger for easier grab-and-go use. Charging wirelessly is convenient but slower than via the cable, as it usually is.
There are buttons on the top (or left if lying flat on a table) for Volume Up/Down, Play/Pause and power if you want to use the local control versus the app and your phone.
While the Roam may cost a bit more than a similarly-sized regular Bluetooth speaker, it does double-duty as a part of your greater Sonos system when connected to WiFi at home which is something that a regular Bluetooth speaker cannot do.
I frequently take my Roam outside to listen to my Sonos system while gardening or working on my car. That’s really convenient to have the speaker stream music over WiFi rather than connecting directly to my phone while I’m home. It’s also great to have that portability at home and have the capability to take the speaker with me when I leave home.
Conclusion:
I have absolutely no complaints with the Sonos Roam SL. If you need a portable Bluetooth speaker but also want to stream music around your home over WiFi, you cannot go wrong with Sonos. If you need the microphone for voice control or like the self-tuning, get the regular Roam, but either way, the Sonos Roam is a great speaker for use in, around and away from your home.
I have absolutely no complaints with the Sonos Roam SL. If you need a portable Bluetooth speaker but also want to stream music around your home over WiFi, you cannot go wrong with Sonos. If you need the microphone for voice control or like the self-tuning, get the regular Roam, but either way, the Sonos Roam is a great speaker for use in, around and away from your home.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Always be ready to drop into new worlds with maximum convenience and freedom. Explore and exercise with soundscapes simply flowing into your ears. CHORUS is designed just for Meta Quest 2 to be the ultimate audio integration. Enhance your time in the metaverse with clear, natural sound, plus awareness of the real world around you.
Customer Rating
4
Great Sound, Looks OEM.
on October 30, 2022
Posted by: gadgeTT
Summary:
Sounds great and integrates perfectly with the Quest 2, but at the expense of a small amount of extra weight and a few notable inconveniences.
Sounds great and integrates perfectly with the Quest 2, but at the expense of a small amount of extra weight and a few notable inconveniences.
Hits:
* Sounds better than built-in speakers.
* Design fits great and almost doesn’t feel like an add-on.
* High-quality construction.
* Sounds better than built-in speakers.
* Design fits great and almost doesn’t feel like an add-on.
* High-quality construction.
Misses:
* Almost need to top-out the volume to hear them well.
* Relocated charge port is not as convenient.
* Rotating them up/down triggers pass-trough video repeatedly.
* Almost need to top-out the volume to hear them well.
* Relocated charge port is not as convenient.
* Rotating them up/down triggers pass-trough video repeatedly.
Setup:
There are two halves; one for each side, and each just slides on to the Quest’s side pieces. There is a thin wire that connects them together and tucks under the top Velcro to create a seamless look. They don’t have their own battery and are powered by the Quest’s USB-C port with an integrated L-shaped plug that neatly and perfectly fits into the Quest’s charge port.
There are two halves; one for each side, and each just slides on to the Quest’s side pieces. There is a thin wire that connects them together and tucks under the top Velcro to create a seamless look. They don’t have their own battery and are powered by the Quest’s USB-C port with an integrated L-shaped plug that neatly and perfectly fits into the Quest’s charge port.
Once they are mounted and plugged in, they are set up and ready to go!
Typical Usage:
The speakers themselves are on arms that rotate down to cover your ears for listening to the Quest or up to better hear your immediate surroundings. The arms have detents to hold them where you’d like them, but beware that rotating past a detent will most likely trigger the Quest’s pass-through video mode and pause whatever you were watching in VR. And since you will probably rotate through multiple detents, the pass-through mode will get triggered multiple times on and off before the speakers are done being rotated.
The speakers themselves are on arms that rotate down to cover your ears for listening to the Quest or up to better hear your immediate surroundings. The arms have detents to hold them where you’d like them, but beware that rotating past a detent will most likely trigger the Quest’s pass-through video mode and pause whatever you were watching in VR. And since you will probably rotate through multiple detents, the pass-through mode will get triggered multiple times on and off before the speakers are done being rotated.
It’s also worth noting that even though they sound better than the built-in speakers, you will probably need to crank up the volume to near-max levels to hear them well. For me, that was about 7 out of 10 on the volume meter which didn’t leave much room to increases the volume further.
It really is convenient to have these speakers mounted for a clean one-piece design when putting on or removing the Quest 2 for use. The built-in speakers never sounded that great to me, so I had been using earbuds with it. The Chorus is much more convenient than earbuds due to the one-piece integrated design, and sounds pretty good, so I think it’s a worthwhile upgrade.
Previous to getting the Chorus, I used a dock that would charge my Quest 2 and the controllers by just resting them in slots in the dock. The Chorus essentially relocates the Quest’s charging plug so that a dock such as mine will no longer work. Furthermore, the USB-C plug is on the underside of the Chorus so it puts the USB-C cable at an awkward bend when resting the Quest on a table with the cord plugged in.
Conclusion:
Great fit, great design and sounds much better than the built-in speakers. If you can live with the relocated charging port and don’t mind the accidental VR pass-through mode when rotating the speakers up or down, then the Chorus is a good value to improve your VR experience.
Great fit, great design and sounds much better than the built-in speakers. If you can live with the relocated charging port and don’t mind the accidental VR pass-through mode when rotating the speakers up or down, then the Chorus is a good value to improve your VR experience.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+7points
7of 7voted this as helpful.
Instead of filling up your house (and the planet) with an extra charger for each new device you buy, Anker 735 charger has the power you need to charge the majority of your personal devices with just a single charger.
Customer Rating
5
Tiny and Powerful but Solid (a Bit Heavy)
on September 2, 2022
Posted by: gadgeTT
TLDR:
(that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read)
This 3-device USB charger packs a powerful 65W punch and can charge up to 3 devices at the same time. The retractable prongs make it easy to stash in a bag to be your trusty travel partner. It’s on the heavier side and sticks out from the outlet quite a bit but otherwise is friendly to neighbors at the outlet and is more than powerful and flexible enough for keeping your stuff powered up.
(that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read)
This 3-device USB charger packs a powerful 65W punch and can charge up to 3 devices at the same time. The retractable prongs make it easy to stash in a bag to be your trusty travel partner. It’s on the heavier side and sticks out from the outlet quite a bit but otherwise is friendly to neighbors at the outlet and is more than powerful and flexible enough for keeping your stuff powered up.
Pros:
* Tiny for its power.
* Retractable power prongs for compact storage.
* Doesn’t take up much outlet space.
* 2x USB-C and 1x USB-A; all high power.
* Feels solid and high-quality.
* Tiny for its power.
* Retractable power prongs for compact storage.
* Doesn’t take up much outlet space.
* 2x USB-C and 1x USB-A; all high power.
* Feels solid and high-quality.
Cons:
* A bit heavy (129g or 1/4 lb).
* Sticks out from the outlet a lot.
Usage:
Fold out the prongs, stick them in a wall socket and plug in up to 3 USB devices to power or charge them up. There are 2x high-power USB-C ports and 1x high-power USB-A port. This charger can supply up to 65W total power across all 3 ports. Of course, this means that to get the maximum 65W for one device, you have to plug it in to one of the 2 USB-C ports and leave the other 2 ports empty. If all 3 ports are used, the USB-A port tops out at 12W and the pair of USB-C ports top out at up to 40W max per port and 53W combined. That’s a lot of math, but suffice to say that this charger will provide more than enough juice for your devices with a single compact charger.
* A bit heavy (129g or 1/4 lb).
* Sticks out from the outlet a lot.
Usage:
Fold out the prongs, stick them in a wall socket and plug in up to 3 USB devices to power or charge them up. There are 2x high-power USB-C ports and 1x high-power USB-A port. This charger can supply up to 65W total power across all 3 ports. Of course, this means that to get the maximum 65W for one device, you have to plug it in to one of the 2 USB-C ports and leave the other 2 ports empty. If all 3 ports are used, the USB-A port tops out at 12W and the pair of USB-C ports top out at up to 40W max per port and 53W combined. That’s a lot of math, but suffice to say that this charger will provide more than enough juice for your devices with a single compact charger.
As for the hardware, it’s really compact and takes up only one outlet on a standard wall outlet, plus it can easily fit a lot of power strips without covering multiple outlets. Due to physics, to get a small footprint so as to not block multiple outlets, it has to be bigger elsewhere. At the outlet, it only needs 1”x1.25” but will stick out 2.5” plus your cables. Note that if you have a wall outlet with “loose” prong holes, this adapter may have trouble staying in place due to its heft and how far it sticks out.
It might seem heavy because its solid but it weighs in at 129g (about a 1/4 lb) which is about half of my larger phone (which is 247g). I also have a single-port Anker 65W charger that is 116g, so the extra 13g gets you 2 more ports which seems like a good tradeoff to me. Plus, that single-port 65W charger needs more space at the outlet so it has the potential to block nearby outlets.
By the way, this adapter’s “vampire” drain is only 0.23W - that’s the power used when plugged in to an outlet but not charging anything.
Conclusion:
This adapter packs a ton of charging power in a tiny solid box. It easily fits in bags and perhaps even pockets, doesn’t block neighboring outlets and powers up to 3 power-hungry devices.
This adapter packs a ton of charging power in a tiny solid box. It easily fits in bags and perhaps even pockets, doesn’t block neighboring outlets and powers up to 3 power-hungry devices.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
Basic bootup speeds won’t cut it — not at work, on the go, or in the game. But the Crucial P3 SSD is anything but basic. With NVMe performance that’s more than 6x faster than SATA2 and storage capacities up to 4TB3, the P3 leaves older storage technology in the dust. Get faster bootups, downloads and file transfers, and store all your files, photos, videos, apps, and games with room to spare with the quality and dependability you expect from Crucial.
Customer Rating
5
Great Performance and Long Warranty
on August 25, 2022
Posted by: gadgeTT
TLDR:
(that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read)
Not a ton to write about an SSD. Assuming it meets the specs for that type of SSD, it either works or doesn’t. In this case, it installed easily and performed well. I installed some games on it and did a speed test; both indicated a fast SSD.
(that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read)
Not a ton to write about an SSD. Assuming it meets the specs for that type of SSD, it either works or doesn’t. In this case, it installed easily and performed well. I installed some games on it and did a speed test; both indicated a fast SSD.
Pros:
* Large capacity.
* Fast read speeds.
* Fast write speeds.
* Great 5-year warranty.
* Large capacity.
* Fast read speeds.
* Fast write speeds.
* Great 5-year warranty.
Cons:
* None.
* None.
Setup and Use:
Installation was as you’d expect for an SSD; just plug it in and power up your laptop. My Windows 11 laptop recognized it right away and made it available for use. Among other things, I installed Star Citizen on the SSD and it ran great from there with no issues. The game loaded quickly and gameplay was fast and fluid.
Installation was as you’d expect for an SSD; just plug it in and power up your laptop. My Windows 11 laptop recognized it right away and made it available for use. Among other things, I installed Star Citizen on the SSD and it ran great from there with no issues. The game loaded quickly and gameplay was fast and fluid.
According to HD Tune Pro, both the read and write speeds were pretty good with an average transfer rate of about 1.6Gb/sec for reads and writes.
Conclusion:
A fast SSD with a good warranty. Hopefully you won’t ever need it, but Crucial is known for making solid stuff and having great support. Not much else to say ;-)
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
The Homedics 16" drift sandscape elevates your space and mind, leaving you free to daydream, focus, and create. The metal sphere takes your eyes on a soothing journey through hundreds of ever changing patterns and colors. Customize your ambience with mesmerizing LED mood-lights that you can control from the app. The shifting sands allow you to drift whenever and wherever, to increase relaxation, inspire creativity, boost your mood, and enhance focus. Start to drift in 4 easy steps. After a quick and easy assembly, power up your sandscape by plugging it into an outlet near a desk or side table. Download the app and follow the simple setup instructions, then turn on your sandscape to drift and invite calm in.
Customer Rating
5
Mesmerizing and Relaxing
on August 23, 2022
Posted by: gadgeTT
TLDR:
(that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read)
The complexity of patterns this thing can make is amazing! The app has a ton of functionality and is easy to use once connected via Bluetooth. The lighting effects are really calming. It’s nearly silent and can even be scheduled so it doesn’t run at night or any other times you want.
(that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read)
The complexity of patterns this thing can make is amazing! The app has a ton of functionality and is easy to use once connected via Bluetooth. The lighting effects are really calming. It’s nearly silent and can even be scheduled so it doesn’t run at night or any other times you want.
Pros:
* Vast array of complex patterns.
* Calming lighting that is fully controllable.
* Easy to use app for choosing patterns, playlists, lighting, schedules, etc.
* Vast array of complex patterns.
* Calming lighting that is fully controllable.
* Easy to use app for choosing patterns, playlists, lighting, schedules, etc.
Cons:
* App works via Bluetooth so must be nearby to control.
* Connectivity could be easier.
* App works via Bluetooth so must be nearby to control.
* Connectivity could be easier.
Setup:
Basic setup is a bit more involved than just plugging it in, but it was still relatively easy. The base unit fits on most end tables, nightstands, coffee tables or any other flat level surface you have. Best to set it up where you might walk by it often so you can gaze at the mesmerizing patterns often. Next step is emptying the supplied pack of fine sand into the middle of the base and spreading it around evenly with the provided plastic rake. Place the metal ball in the middle so it magnetically sticks to the mechanism under the sand bowl. Lastly, place the glass top on it and plug it in.
Basic setup is a bit more involved than just plugging it in, but it was still relatively easy. The base unit fits on most end tables, nightstands, coffee tables or any other flat level surface you have. Best to set it up where you might walk by it often so you can gaze at the mesmerizing patterns often. Next step is emptying the supplied pack of fine sand into the middle of the base and spreading it around evenly with the provided plastic rake. Place the metal ball in the middle so it magnetically sticks to the mechanism under the sand bowl. Lastly, place the glass top on it and plug it in.
BTW, the glass top not only keeps everything neat and clean, but also keeps curious critters (cats, etc.) from messing around with the ball or sand :-)
Install the app and select the unit’s Bluetooth name. This is the only part that was not easy. When I first set it up, the Drift wasn’t listed by any logical name like “Drift” or “Homedics.” I had about 8 nearby devices in the list to choose from and it was trial-and-error to discover that my Drift was the one listed as “KS……” (maybe for Kinetic Sculpture?). After all of this, I discovered that there’s a sticker on the bottom of the unit that lists this “KS….” bluetooth name. If you hadn’t noticed that before setting it up, you probably won’t ever pick it up again to find that sticker after filling it up with sand. Once I figured out which one was my Drift, the rest was easy. The app guided me through everything including what all the controls in the app were.
About a week later, there was both an app and a device firmware update. This changed the bluetooth name to something a little more obvious of “Homedics drift XXXX” where the XXXX were the last four digits of the “KS….” sticker. Of course, if you have more than one of these within bluetooth range, you still have to guess which one you’re connecting to, but at least it’s more obvious than “KS….” from the hidden sticker and you can probably infer that the last four digits of the sticker are the same as the digits in the Bluetooth name.
Usage:
There are two buttons on the back for power and lighting so you don’t need to have the app handy just to turn the lights off, etc. The majority of functions are controlled via the app, though. You can choose from over 100 complex patterns, make playlists, choose the color and mode of the lighting and see the progress of the design being drawn by the ball in the sand.
There are two buttons on the back for power and lighting so you don’t need to have the app handy just to turn the lights off, etc. The majority of functions are controlled via the app, though. You can choose from over 100 complex patterns, make playlists, choose the color and mode of the lighting and see the progress of the design being drawn by the ball in the sand.
It is nearly silent when making a sculpture with barely a hint of sound from the metal ball as it rolls over the fine sand. Even so, you can schedule when the Drift is on so perhaps it turns off at night while you’re sleeping, or just turn off the lights at night.
The complexity of designs this can make is truly unique and fun to watch. The app implies that new patterns might be added and available for use at a later date, too.
Again, my only real complaint is that the Bluetooth device must be selected from a list every time you connect to use the app. It would be great if the app could remember and reconnect automatically if in range after the first time you select it from the list.
Conclusion:
Fascinating and mesmerizing with tons of options for the designs it can produce. Easy to control and set up once you figure out the device’s name to select from the Bluetooth list. Overall, a really cool addition to any home or spa.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
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This Smart Choice 1-1/4 HP Garbage Disposal can power through the toughest food scraps and waste. The stainless steel Torque Master Balanced Grinding System quietly and quickly grinds coffee grounds, small bones, and other food waste. This disposal has powerful yet quiet performance, with a fully insulated sound shell, which reduces noise. The durable design with 3-bolt mount allows for simple installation, and the removable splash guard makes cleaning easy. Each disposal comes with a 12-Year Product and Lifetime Corrosion Warranty.
Customer Rating
5
The Strong and (Nearly) Silent Type
on August 14, 2022
Posted by: gadgeTT
TLDR:
(that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read)
Not a ton to write about a garbage disposer. Installation is fairly normalized, so it basically comes down to noise level, power and warranty. This disposer by Smart Choice is significantly quieter than my prior “quiet” model, had no problems chewing up anything I thew its way, and has a 10 year warranty. Win, win, win!
(that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read)
Not a ton to write about a garbage disposer. Installation is fairly normalized, so it basically comes down to noise level, power and warranty. This disposer by Smart Choice is significantly quieter than my prior “quiet” model, had no problems chewing up anything I thew its way, and has a 10 year warranty. Win, win, win!
Pros:
* Quiet (for a disposer).
* Powerful motor chews through just about anything.
* Great warranty.
* No more difficult to install than any other disposer.
* Serial and model, and toll-free phone number on a sticker near the end of the power cord as well as under the unit.
* Quiet (for a disposer).
* Powerful motor chews through just about anything.
* Great warranty.
* No more difficult to install than any other disposer.
* Serial and model, and toll-free phone number on a sticker near the end of the power cord as well as under the unit.
Cons:
* None.
* None.
Setup and Use:
Due to its powerful motor and sound insulation, it’s a larger model, so plan for it taking up some space under your sink. Installation is standard fare for a garbage disposer with no surprises. Uninstallation of the prior and installation of this new one took less than a hour including cleanup.
Due to its powerful motor and sound insulation, it’s a larger model, so plan for it taking up some space under your sink. Installation is standard fare for a garbage disposer with no surprises. Uninstallation of the prior and installation of this new one took less than a hour including cleanup.
Unlike competing bigger-name models, there is no branding on the sink rim or the stopper, but it is made by Electrolux so it’s backed by a big name, at least.
I did a semi-scientific comparison of my prior model (a “good” one by a big brand name) and this new one. When water was running and the disposer was empty, this Smart Choice model was 10db quieter, and when chewing through some tough stuff, it was about 7db quieter. I’d call that significant enough to call it a quieter model yet it still has enough power to not shy away from tough stuff.
The installation/usage manual is nothing terribly fancy but it gets the points across. There is a toll-free phone number in the manual in case you need help (during the business day) but I couldn’t find any way to register it online. The manual does state that the 10-year warranty just needs the serial number, which is conveniently printed on the a water-proof sticker near the end of the power cord along with the unit’s model number and the toll-free support phone number - nice!
Conclusion:
Strong, quiet and a great warranty. What more do you need in a garbage disposer that you’ll hear but never see?
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Meet the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill, the smart XL indoor grill that sears, sizzles, and air fry crisps. This 2nd generation grill has 6-in-1 functionality, now with a new sleek design. Smart Cook System helps you achieve the perfect doneness, from rare to well-done, at the touch of a button without the guesswork. With an XL capacity, grill large family meals or air fry crisp guilt-free fried favorites.
Customer Rating
4
Great Results as an Indoor Grill and Air Fryer
on August 13, 2022
Posted by: gadgeTT
TLDR:
(that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read)
To find a place in my cramped kitchen, a cooking appliance must fulfill two basic needs for me; great cooking results and easy cleanup. This Foodi Grill does both. Assuming you have a need for the cooking modes this grill has to offer, and have enough counter or storage space for it when it’s not in use, you’ll get some really great results. When you’re done cooking, just about every part that can get messy pops out and goes in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
(that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read)
To find a place in my cramped kitchen, a cooking appliance must fulfill two basic needs for me; great cooking results and easy cleanup. This Foodi Grill does both. Assuming you have a need for the cooking modes this grill has to offer, and have enough counter or storage space for it when it’s not in use, you’ll get some really great results. When you’re done cooking, just about every part that can get messy pops out and goes in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
Pros:
* Great cooking results.
* Easy to use controls and displays.
* Versatile cooking programs.
* Temperature probe neatly stores in a side pocket and plugs in on the outside.
* Great cooking results.
* Easy to use controls and displays.
* Versatile cooking programs.
* Temperature probe neatly stores in a side pocket and plugs in on the outside.
Cons:
* All parts cannot nest inside so it’s not as compact for storage as it could be.
* Cord is not removable and doesn’t wrap on unit, so cord just dangles when not in use.
* No obvious handles to pick it up easily.
* “XL” also means that it’s not tiny so it needs a bit of counter and storage space.
* All parts cannot nest inside so it’s not as compact for storage as it could be.
* Cord is not removable and doesn’t wrap on unit, so cord just dangles when not in use.
* No obvious handles to pick it up easily.
* “XL” also means that it’s not tiny so it needs a bit of counter and storage space.
Setup and Use:
Most of the internal parts are non-stick steel or aluminum and are designed to fit in one direction inside with notches that make this obvious. The removable spatter screen that fits in the top isn’t the easiest to remove, especially if really messy, but it does come off and can go through the dishwasher like most of the other parts except for the temperature probe. I’m an RTFM kinda guy and it should be noted that the user’s manual incorrectly states that the probe stores and plugs in on the left side, but it’s really the right side. No biggie, but someone kinda goofed on the proofreading.
Most of the internal parts are non-stick steel or aluminum and are designed to fit in one direction inside with notches that make this obvious. The removable spatter screen that fits in the top isn’t the easiest to remove, especially if really messy, but it does come off and can go through the dishwasher like most of the other parts except for the temperature probe. I’m an RTFM kinda guy and it should be noted that the user’s manual incorrectly states that the probe stores and plugs in on the left side, but it’s really the right side. No biggie, but someone kinda goofed on the proofreading.
I used the grill mode to cook up some strip steak and yellow squash. I put the steak on at level 4 Med-Rare and the squash was on a Hi grill for 5 minutes. Both cooked back-to-back (not at the same time) and both came out perfectly done. Cleanup was a breeze because I just put everything in the dishwasher. If you don’t have a dishwasher, though, the grill plate can be a challenge to clean but is nonstick so the included brush works well.
Once the parts were clean, I wanted to nest everything back inside the cooled-off grill for storage, but the grill pan and air fry pan don’t fit inside at the same time. Bummer. That’s a small design flaw in my book. The cord also doesn’t wrap under or inside the unit so you just have to wrap it up with a twist-tie or leave it dangling. At least the temperature probe stores neatly in a little pod that magnetically docks in a spot on the right side of the grill.
BTW, the “Smart” in the name refers to the automatic probe-based cooking; not to any Bluetooth, WiFi or app-based connectivity. This is a standalone cooking appliance which is not necessarily a bad thing. One less thing to install an app for, update the firmware of, and worry about connecting before use.
Conclusion:
If you have the need for an indoor grill and have enough counter top or storage space for it, you can’t go wrong with this Foodi grill. It provides fast and accurate grilling, roasting and air-frying with super-easy cleanup. A few small design improvements would make it even better for storage, but the results still speak for themselves.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Introducing the new Alienware m17 R5 - Alienware’s powerful 17-inch AMD-based laptop. Game, create, and stream content with powerful AMD Ryzen 6000 series processors and up to 64GB Dual Channel DDR5 4800MHz memory. Play with a cutting edge with exceptional power enabled by updated Alienware Cryo-tech cooling that dissipates heat to maintain system stability during the highest performance states.
Customer Rating
5
Portable gaming with Quality and Speed
on August 7, 2022
Posted by: gadgeTT
TLDR:
(that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read)
This Alienware gaming laptop is crazy fast, relatively thin and has a large 17” screen. Windows 11 is preinstalled and works well enough for many games and normal stuff, but hardcore gamers might prefer to tweak and customize this great hardware.
(that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read)
This Alienware gaming laptop is crazy fast, relatively thin and has a large 17” screen. Windows 11 is preinstalled and works well enough for many games and normal stuff, but hardcore gamers might prefer to tweak and customize this great hardware.
Pros:
* Large bright screen with fast refresh.
* Multicolor keyboard backlighting.
* Multicolor accent lighting.
* Lots of customization options.
* Support for Windows Hello makes login and passwords easy (within Windows 11).
* Relatively thin.
* FAST!
* Large bright screen with fast refresh.
* Multicolor keyboard backlighting.
* Multicolor accent lighting.
* Lots of customization options.
* Support for Windows Hello makes login and passwords easy (within Windows 11).
* Relatively thin.
* FAST!
Cons:
* HUGE power adapter (240W).
* Mediocre battery life (2.5 hrs max).
* A higher resolution (like QHD or UHD) would befit this 17” screen better.
* Heavy to lug around.
* Cooling fans run a lot and are not terribly quiet.
* Could use more ports.
* HUGE power adapter (240W).
* Mediocre battery life (2.5 hrs max).
* A higher resolution (like QHD or UHD) would befit this 17” screen better.
* Heavy to lug around.
* Cooling fans run a lot and are not terribly quiet.
* Could use more ports.
Setup:
It’s a Windows 11 laptop, so there’s not much to say that isn’t typical for Windows 11 setup. Plug it the HUGE power adapter (240W) and run the initial setup for Windows. This laptop supports Windows Hello so you can use quasi-facial recognition for logging in and entering passwords in supported applications. There’s also an Alienware utility for customizing the accent lighting (keyboard, back, etc.), and another for warranty, system details, etc.
It’s a Windows 11 laptop, so there’s not much to say that isn’t typical for Windows 11 setup. Plug it the HUGE power adapter (240W) and run the initial setup for Windows. This laptop supports Windows Hello so you can use quasi-facial recognition for logging in and entering passwords in supported applications. There’s also an Alienware utility for customizing the accent lighting (keyboard, back, etc.), and another for warranty, system details, etc.
The large 17” screen is not touch-enabled, so you’ll need to use the keyboard and touchpad (or a separate mouse), but at least you won’t have to deal with fingerprints on your screen. After the typically brief Windows setup and some other small stuff, you’re ready to install your games of choice and start having fun.
Usage:
Like most Alienware laptops, the keyboard is enhanced for gaming. There are the usual bumps (raised horizontal lines) on the F and J keys to align your fingers for QWERTY touch typing, but being a gaming-focused laptop, there is are also bumps on the ESC and S keys for faster finger alignment of keys using frequently for gaming.
Like most Alienware laptops, the keyboard is enhanced for gaming. There are the usual bumps (raised horizontal lines) on the F and J keys to align your fingers for QWERTY touch typing, but being a gaming-focused laptop, there is are also bumps on the ESC and S keys for faster finger alignment of keys using frequently for gaming.
There are also special gaming-focused shortcut keys for things like “Turbo” mode to run the laptop at the fastest specs it can handle and a mute button for the microphone, among other things. There is no numeric keypad, but the keys are full-size and the trackpad is large.
The huge 17” screen is really sharp and has a really fast refresh rate that enables buttery-smooth gaming. It’s only FHD (1920x1080) which seems a bit low for such a large panel, but that’s not a surprise. A higher resolution panel might haver more pixels, but it also requires a lot more oomph to drive that panel at a fast refresh rate, so it would probably negatively impact its gaming performance.
The built-in speakers are loud and clear, but don’t sound really “full” because there isn’t a ton of bass. You can get by with them in a pinch, but headphones or external speakers will provide much more immersive audio.
I connected my Oculus Rift S (using a USB C-to-DP adapter) and while it worked and the image was was clear, there was substantial video tearing that perhaps can be attributed to Windows 11 display drivers. As it is, I wouldn’t try to do any Oculus VR with this laptop. This laptop ate up all other games that I threw at it. The cooling fans did power up frequently but the laptop still ran the games beautifully.
When closed, this is a relatively thin laptop for a 17” gaming beast. It isn’t terribly light, and when bundled with the HUGE 240W power adapter, it is a lot to carry, but still smaller than many competing gaming laptops with these capabilities.
The port complement is basic with wired Ethernet, 1x HDMI, 3x USB-A and 1x USB-C/DP and 1x headphone. If those meet your needs, then you’re all set. Otherwise, an external port replicator might be worth adding to your setup.
Battery life was as expected for such a powerful beast with such a thin body. Windows estimates about 2.5hrs under typical load, but expect a lot less when used for hardcore gaming.
The Passmark rating of 6821 puts this laptop in the 80% percentile which isn’t bad. Its 2D Graphics and Memory ratings were the main contributors to that score not being higher. Faster memory would help, but overall it’s pretty good for a gaming laptop.
Conclusion:
The huge 17” screen (as the m17 name suggests), roomy keyboard and relatively thin profile allows you to take your games with you. Alienware always makes a dependable and well-crafted notebook with dependable service and this one is no exception. For those who want a gaming-oriented laptop for easy transport, you can’t go wrong with this Alienware m17.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Meet Pixel 6a, the more affordable Google phone that adapts to you. Powered by Google Tensor, it’s super fast and secure. The battery lasts up to 72 hours with Extreme Battery Saver.***** The Pixel Camera captures the moment just how you experienced it. And with TitanM2 security, protection is built right in.
Customer Rating
5
Flagship Features for an Affordable Price
on August 6, 2022
Posted by: gadgeTT
TLDR:
(that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read)
The Pixel 6a is not Google’s flagship top-end phone, but you’d never know it from the rich feature set. The large, beautiful display with an under-screen fingerprint scanner, the great battery life, and the amazing set of features all fool you into thinking you spent a lot for their top-end model… but this is the “affordable” one in the series. There are a few features that the 6 and the 6 Pro have that the 6a doesn’t have, but you’ll probably not miss them for the cash you saved. A fantastic phone at a great price.
(that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read)
The Pixel 6a is not Google’s flagship top-end phone, but you’d never know it from the rich feature set. The large, beautiful display with an under-screen fingerprint scanner, the great battery life, and the amazing set of features all fool you into thinking you spent a lot for their top-end model… but this is the “affordable” one in the series. There are a few features that the 6 and the 6 Pro have that the 6a doesn’t have, but you’ll probably not miss them for the cash you saved. A fantastic phone at a great price.
Pros:
* Large always-on OLED screen with small bezels.
* Hole-punch selfie camera.
* Under-screen fingerprint sensor.
* All-day battery life with fast USB-C charging.
* Great cameras with computational fun.
* Android 12 with Material You is really nice.
* First to get all the new software goodies versus non-Google Android phones.
* Large always-on OLED screen with small bezels.
* Hole-punch selfie camera.
* Under-screen fingerprint sensor.
* All-day battery life with fast USB-C charging.
* Great cameras with computational fun.
* Android 12 with Material You is really nice.
* First to get all the new software goodies versus non-Google Android phones.
Cons:
* No wireless charging (present in the 6 and 6 Pro)
* Plastic back instead of glass or metal.
* No headphone jack (not a con if you’re OK with Bluetooth headphones).
* Slightly less RAM than the 6 or 6 Pro versions.
* Cameras are not quite as good as those in the 6 or 6 Pro.
* No wireless charging (present in the 6 and 6 Pro)
* Plastic back instead of glass or metal.
* No headphone jack (not a con if you’re OK with Bluetooth headphones).
* Slightly less RAM than the 6 or 6 Pro versions.
* Cameras are not quite as good as those in the 6 or 6 Pro.
Setup:
I’m a long-time iPhone user and it’s been a while since I last set up or used an Android phone. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to set up. The onboarding process was fast and fun. I didn’t try to switch my stuff from iPhone to Android although that was an option. This Pixel phone even came with an adapter to directly connect the cable for another phone into this one for faster transfers.
I’m a long-time iPhone user and it’s been a while since I last set up or used an Android phone. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to set up. The onboarding process was fast and fun. I didn’t try to switch my stuff from iPhone to Android although that was an option. This Pixel phone even came with an adapter to directly connect the cable for another phone into this one for faster transfers.
I used a pre-paid Verizon nano-SIM and everything worked as expected with one exception; Google’s version of Visual Voicemail is not compatible with my pre-paid Verizon plan, so I’m back to the 90’s in dialing a voicemail number to listen to my messages.
Like most phones these days, it came with a cable but not a USB charger. I had a 30w USB-C charger lying around it happily announced that it was “Rapidly charging” with a countdown until full… nice! No wireless charging on this phone, but the wired charging was so fast that might not even miss it.
Usage:
I won’t get into too many details of Android 12 because that is available on most newer Android smartphones. The nice thing about the Pixel phones, though, is that it not only has a “clean” version of Android without a ton of added fluff that other brands then to pre-install, but it also gets the new stuff faster than other brands.
If you happened to watch the keynote from Google I/O, you’ve probably seen a bunch of the cool new features that are baked into this phone out of the box. The new Material You UI is really fun and fluid and easy to make it your own. For those that spend time on the phone calling businesses, you can have the phone transcribe the other end of the call so you can read what they’re saying and even navigate those horrible “press 1 for this or 2 for that” systems by reading the screen and tapping labeled options! If you’ve ever been on permahold(tm), you can stop paying attention for that voice which means you made it in, and instead have your Pixel ring when it senses that your turn is up.
All the new search functions are amazingly helpful! I love Lens as it really works to tell you what the camera is aiming at. Speaking of the camera, while the specs of the 6a’s cameras are not quite as good as the 6 or the 6 Pro, you’ll still get amazing results for selfies, photos and videos.
One thing that didn’t work as well as I had hoped was the under-screen fingerprint sensor. It worked well enough, but the sensor is at a very specific spot under the screen. Generally, when the phone wants to scan your finger, it puts an icon on the screen over where the sensor is so you can put your finger on the icon and get a good scan. I noticed that in many applications; both native from Google and others, the icon is not lined up with the sensor. You put your finger over that icon and the scan doesn’t work. I got in the habit of putting my finger about a 1/4” away from the icon for these applications and that worked. The good thing is that this is an easily-fixed problem with a software update. The fingerprint sensor itself seems to work fine.
Battery life was great and did really last over a day’s worth of typical use. The phone does tend to get a bit warm if you use it for a while, though. Not hot enough to have to put it down, but definitely warm enough to notice.
I didn’t care so much about the lack of a headphone jack. Who really uses wired headphones these days anyway? If you’re truly an audiophile with a wired set of cans, you can always buy a USB-C to Headphone adapter on the cheap that will work.
The display is bright and clear and the colors really pop thanks to being OLED. The refresh rate is a tad less than the 6 or the 6 Pro but is more than good enough for typical use.
Conclusion:
There is TON to love about the Pixel 6a and only a few small things to mention as not being great. It really does feel like a phone that hits much higher than its price would indicate. Not everyone needs to the top-end phone, and with the 6a, you’re not missing much from its more-expensive siblings. You really are getting more than you pay for with the 6a… fast, fun and fully-featured.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Twinkly Dots are designed with an innovative flat, matte head to reach impressive brightness levels and perfect color tones, while offering the versatility of classic LED light strings with a refined look and feel of premium decorative lighting. The light string measures 33 feet in length with 200 RGB LED lights. Getting started with Twinkly Dots is super easy, a quick and intuitive setup process configures your device in a matter of seconds. The Twinkly ecosystem uses a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi controller with a state-of-the-art smartphone application, bringing new levels of lighting design and creativity to customize your connected home. Like all Twinkly products, every single LED light can be controlled individually, allowing you to create and reproduce unique effects, gradients, and color animations. Twinkly Dots can be grouped together with other Twinkly devices to create larger, synchronized light installations and combined with Twinkly Music (sold separately), to offer a fully customizable light show for all occasions.
Customer Rating
5
Fun and Easy to Use with Ton of Options
on July 28, 2022
Posted by: gadgeTT
TLDR:
(that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read)
The lights themselves are really high quality. They’re bright and clear and the control box is small and easy to hide. The app is the star of the show and what really shines (ha!). Map out your lights after laying them out and the app can do amazing things with them!
(that’s Too Long, Didn’t Read)
The lights themselves are really high quality. They’re bright and clear and the control box is small and easy to hide. The app is the star of the show and what really shines (ha!). Map out your lights after laying them out and the app can do amazing things with them!
Pros:
* Bright and clear lights with a diffused cover.
* Each light is individually addressable.
* The wire between the lights is thin, flat and clear.
* The control box is small and easy to hide.
* WiFi for easy control from anywhere.
* Bright and clear lights with a diffused cover.
* Each light is individually addressable.
* The wire between the lights is thin, flat and clear.
* The control box is small and easy to hide.
* WiFi for easy control from anywhere.
Cons:
* This set is not waterproof so they are for indoor use only.
* Two sets of strings and you can’t remove or shorten either.
* The power adapter is HUGE.
* Would be nice to be able to vary the settings by time and not have have them turn on/off.
* This set is not waterproof so they are for indoor use only.
* Two sets of strings and you can’t remove or shorten either.
* The power adapter is HUGE.
* Would be nice to be able to vary the settings by time and not have have them turn on/off.
Details - Setup:
After you’ve untangled them and mounted them wherever you want them, start up the app and pair it to your lights. This will also get them up on your WiFi so you can control them from anywhere. This part was really easy.
Once they’re laid out how you want them and are connected to the app, you can start the fun of choosing what they’ll do. While not required, if you map the lights in the app, they’ll work better as a canvas for showing whatever you want on them. In the app, you point your phone’s camera at the layout and tell it map your lights. It will then use a photo of the layout and identify every bulb. If you ever adjust your layout, just remember to do this step again.
Now you can play around and choose colors, patterns, animations, even text to show on your layout! It was fun and easy to make these lights do just about anything. You can even link multiple Twinkly sets together and have their layouts align. Theoretically, you can create a huge video display with these and show whatever you want on them.
The app even has an Effects Store where you can browse for and download pre-made effects for various events, holidays, etc. All the ones I browsed were free but they are set up to have paid options later, I’m sure.
Usage:
From the app, you can “save” a number of effects or patterns to the light control box so it can run that pattern on demand and switch patterns with the button on the control box. The lights can also be set to turn on or off and a single preset time of day and display your selected effect.
I would like to have more programming options; perhaps have multiple On/Off timers each with a different effect, but this might only be a firmware update away.
Conclusion:
These are really cool lights that are easy to set up and have more options than you can write about in a review like this. I can only imagine what you could do with multiple sets all linked together!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Monitor your travels with this Full HD THINKWARE dash cam. It begins recording automatically when you start your vehicle, and its 140-degree viewing angle and high-resolution camera capture the action as you drive. This THINKWARE dash cam has a file lock feature to let you save important videos.
Does this sky include the hard wire kit? If not, is the hard wire kit available?
This F800 is the "normal" one - the F800Pro is the one AKA the "Sky." The hardwire kit is available separately and linked below.
6 years, 10 months ago
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gadgeTT