Wraith's stats
- Review count225
- Helpfulness votes2,093
- First reviewAugust 18, 2014
- Last reviewOctober 3, 2025
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.6
- Review comment count1
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentSeptember 25, 2016
- Last review commentSeptember 25, 2016
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count27
- Helpfulness votes28
- First answerAugust 18, 2014
- Last answerDecember 13, 2021
- Featured answers0
- Best answers3
Create gorgeous hairstyles quickly with this high-velocity Dyson Supersonic hair dryer. The rapid air flow and a temperature gauge that monitors the heat level 20 times per second ensure efficient drying without overheating tresses. The motor of this Dyson Supersonic hair dryer is in the handle for better balance and reduced arm fatigue during use.
Customer Rating
5
Pricey but Soooooo COOL!
on November 30, 2016
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
Ok, first off, got this for the wife due to the fact that I don't have enough hair to bother using a hair dryer on. Most of this review is from her point of view, though I'm guessing that she matches the primary demographic for this device anyway.
I am truly amazed at the work Dyson does on appliances. Do the alternates that have been around forever work almost as good, sure but Dyson always seems to up that game in style, usability, and function. I haven't been let down by any of the multitude of products I have from them that are all still running just as well as the day I purchased them. That being said, I was a tad skeptical on how much you could really do to a hair dryer, I must say though that Dyson being Dyson has done it again and made a stellar product.
For its primary duty as a hair dryer it is awesome and does the job just as well as my wife previous dryer. Doesn't seem to do it faster or slower and her hair doesn't look any different. What it does do better is give a heck of a lot better control over her hair drying and best of all for me, it does so in a much quieter fashion. Now on those rare days when I get to sleep in past her, I can actually sleep and not be woken up by a screaming hair dryer! If for no other reason, it was worth it for me. That and the fact that I'm sure that this dryer will last forever which is great because my wife has gone through three dryers in the last two years. Eventually this thing is going to pay for itself.
My wife had only one quibble with the Supersonic and it has to do with one of Dyson's main selling points for this thing. The balance that she is used to when drying her hair is completely thrown off by having the guts moved to the handle instead of in the head of the device. Now I'm sure she is going to get used to it the same way she initially got used to using a hair dryer in the first place but for right now she says her arms are sore from working different muscles. So maybe this isn't a bad thing, perhaps Dyson should also list as one of the benefits of the Supersonic that it is also a workout device!
Bottom line: Can you get something that does exactly what this does for a whole lot less money? Yes of course but that can be said of any Dyson product and hasn't stopped them from winning legions of fans (including me). To me, this was worth the price because I see my wife using this for the rest of her life. Considering I have spent over $100 in the last two years on other dryers I figure even if it only lasts a decade, I will have still saved money! Also, if you are a tech geek like me and are trying to pull your luddite wife into the 21st century, there probably isn't a better way to do it than the Dyson Supersonic!
My Best Buy number: 0215184540
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Keep unwanted hair to a minimum with this Philips grooming tool. The waterproof design lets you use it in the shower, and eight attachments make this trimmer perfect for grooming different sections of the face. This Philips grooming tool has a turbo setting to increase cutting speed, and it charges in just one hour to reduce wait time.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding Shaver For A Lot Of Different Needs
on November 15, 2016
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
I've gotten to the age where all the places I don't want have not have hair, and where I want it, it's gone. With that being said, this Philips/Norelco Multigroom razor is just what I needed to at least make myself a bit more presentable. If it would only help me regrow hair on top of my head, it would be perfect!
I'm not going to go through all the attachments, because they all do exactly what they say they will do. My only complaint with them is that I wish there were either additional pieces or the ability to adjust the pieces. What I will talk about is the shaver itself, which is really the important part. The 7400 has a great feel in the hand, is easy to hold, and easy to maneuver wherever you need it to go as long as you are limber enough. The battery life is top notch, I easily got more than 60 minutes of run time out of it which all it is rated for. If it takes you more than an hour to 'manscape', you have other problems and you are asking too much of this shaver!
I have not tried the shaver in the shower, mostly because I live in California and we have a drought so I'm not going to hang out in the shower any longer than I have to. I have rinsed the shaver off in the sink which makes clean up quick and hassle-free.
Bottom-line, if you are looking for a great all around device for getting rid of all kinds of hair, this is the shaver for you. If your body hair runs a little more towards the neolithic/caveman sort you may want two for when the first runs out of batteries!
My Best Buy number: 0215184540
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enhance footage and create professional-looking video montages with Adobe Premiere Elements 15. Access the software~s de-haze feature on your traditional computer or touchscreen device to reduce mist and fog for a bright, clear result. Features like enhanced search, which help you sort and label videos appropriately, make Adobe Premiere Elements 15 an essential for any budding videographer.
Customer Rating
3
Better options out there for photos
on November 11, 2016
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
As a stand-alone photo program, photographers can do better than Photoshop Elements, namely Lightroom. Though if you are familiar with Photoshop but don't want to pay the exorbitant price of Photoshop (or need the full suite of tools in the full version), this could work well for you, though I still think that Lightroom is a better option for all photographers.
If you already have Premier Elements and just need a good photo editor that seamlessly integrates with that video editor, that would be another place where I could see this program being valuable.
Final word on this though would be that if you are even slightly serious about your photography, you owe it to yourself to try out Lightroom first. It was intended for and built by photographers and uses all the same lingo as photographers use so you are always talking the same language and it is a language you should stay in since it will help you do a better job creating, managing, and editing your photography.
My Best Buy number: 0215184540
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Take photo editing to the next level with Photoshop and Premiere Elements 15. Install Photoshop Elements on your tablet to take advantage of touchscreen editing features, or create photo and video collages easily with Premiere Elements. Save money and enjoy professional results when you use Photoshop and Premiere Elements 15 to batch-edit photographs and footage after your next special event.
Customer Rating
4
Great programs for novice photo/videographers
on November 11, 2016
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
I needed something better than the stock photo and video apps out there for Windows 10 (which is my work computer) and since I use Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop on my Mac, I thought I would give Adobe Elements a try since I don't need the power of full Photoshop or Lightroom and Windows 10 does not have a movie maker program baked in any longer (you can get Movie Maker as part of the old Essentials suite but Microsoft ends support of that on Jan 10 2017).
My summary says that these are great programs for the novice. That is not a slam on the product or novice photographers/videographers. What it is is highlighting the fact that if you consider yourself any higher than a novice, you should probably get Adobe's higher level programs. The Quick and Guided options for each program is probably exactly what many novices will need, and the quick version is exactly what I needed for my work computer. The Expert level may be good for the prosumer level but to me it doesn't have quite the ease of use that I'm used to with Lightroom or iMovie on my Mac (though Premier Elements and iMovie are equal level programs, I just have more familiarity with iMovie so it is easier).
If you need some great low to mid-level photo/video editing software for a great price and with great support, you really can't go wrong with this suite of programs.
My Best Buy number: 0215184540
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Add high-end performance to your everyday life with the Google Pixel XL. A quad-core processor, a 5.5-inch LED screen and 32GB of memory ensure this phone is able to handle daily life, and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protects the screen. Easy cloud storage ensures you never run out of space on the Google Pixel XL.
Customer Rating
4
Very Good Android Phone, But Not An iPhone Killer
on October 21, 2016
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
OK, I ran this phone through its paces over the last 24 hours doing everything I would normally do with my iPhone, and while I'm impressed with it as an Android phone it is not better than the iPhone 6 that it replaced and certainly not better than the 6S or the new iPhone 7.
I'm going to walk that statement back for one thing. Speed. This phone is incredibly fast. Apps open in a blink of an eye and close down just as fast. I was quite impressed with that feature.
Google is touting this a a great photo device but after doing some pixel-peeping (see what I did there) and some A-B comparisons of shots taken with the Pixel and the iPhone 6, the iPhones still produce a nicer shot. The color in the iPhone shots is brighter and they just have more pop! That being said I have not played with any of the shots in a photo editor because I wanted to see what they would be like right off the sensor. Speaking of editors though, I will say that the editing tools that Google baked right into their Photo app are really very good and I could have probably made the photos looks as good as the iPhone ones but again, the iPhone shots were really pretty good as they were.
In the pictures below you can see the phone and all of its accessories as they were right when I opened the box. On the left you have the guidebooks and the phone in its wrapping. On the rights was a disconcerting array of cables and adaptors. On the top right you have the charging brick which only accepts a USB-C plug (ugh, now I need Lightning, micro-USB, and USB-C cables? Seriously?!). Below that is the USB-C to USB-C cable for use with the aforementioned brick. In the area to the left under where the phone was is a USB to USB-C cable to plug your phone into a normal brick, charging station, or computer. Above that in the little cubby above is a USB to USB-C adaptor primarily to be used to transfer data from an iPhone to the Pixel. I appreciate that Google is trying to take market share from Apple and to make it a bit easier to get your data from one device to another (heck Apple has been doing that for years with their computers to great effect), but it did not work out as nice as I would have liked. After connecting the two devices together, I had to log in to a website on the iPhone's browser and select the info to transfer. In the interest of time I just did the basics and did not try to move my huge photo or music libraries but stuck with the basic data to make the phone usable. While much of that data come over without a problem, some data came over weird and jumbled. The data that did come over easily is all of my Gmail and other Google app data which I kind of expected since Google does a nice job within their own ecosystem.
I do have to say another couple of things that I like about the Pixel. The screen is big, beautiful, and bright and may even edge out the iPhone though I would have to put them at the same brightness settings a such to make a true comparison. Also, I like the fingerprint sensor on the back of the phone and how it immediately opens up the phone without a press. Just being able to rest my index finger where it would normally land anyway and having the phone pop on is nice and definitely helps this phone feel a bit more 'snappy' in its usage.
OK, almost done with this review but I can't end without saying something about the battery and the call quality... wait, this is a phone and I'm actually going to have to talk to someone on it? The battery life is very good and gave me a full days worth of pretty heavy usage though I did not do any streaming of video or music since I never really do that anyway. Mostly, it was heavy internet surfing, photo use, and calling. Speaking of calling, I don't know what it is but the calls didn't sound as clear as they do on my iPhone. I'm using the Pixel in all the same places that I used my iPhone and even swapped the SIM card back into my iPhone to check and the Pixel sounded a bit hollow and distant. Not sure what that is about. I could still hear the other person but they sounded like they were talking into their phone from a distance unlike when I talked to them with my iPhone.
So, final word. If you are deep in the Android ecosystem, then this is a great phone for you. It is fast and will do everything that you are used to doing very well. If you are in the Apple ecosystem, get an iPhone 7 or heck, even a 6S if you want to save some money. This is not the iPhone killer Google wanted but it is a solid phone and it will do a very good job for you no matter your OS allegiance.
My Best Buy number: 0215184540
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Keep your home dust-free with this Bissell AirRAM cordless vacuum. Its high-performance F.U.E.L. cell provides up to 30 minutes of run time, while the advanced compression technology lets it store as much dirt as typical bagless vacuums. This Bissell AirRAM cordless vacuum has a low profile for easy maneuvering around furniture.
Customer Rating
5
This Thing SUCKS (In a Good Way)!
on October 21, 2016
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
I am a self-confessed neat freak. I own multiple floor cleaning devices (two Dysons, a steam mop, lightweight vacuums) and while this is by no means a replacement for my Dysons (it's not even trying to play in that league), it is going to replace my other lightweight vacuums that I use for my tile floors.
Most of the 1st floor of my house is tile with grout and so it can be challenging to get it clean with the dust and tracked in dirt. My primary vacuum for those floors (wow, that sounds really bad when I see it typed out) is my Electrolux Ergorapido which has done a fine job. It is light, easily maneuverable, and cleans pretty well. This new Bissell AirRam blows it out of the water. The vacuum sits a lot lower to the ground and actually creates more suction and does a fabulous job of getting dirt out of even the grout lines, which the Electrolux could only manage now and then.
Even though the Bissell cleaning unit is bigger than the Electrolux, it still fits under the cabinets and all my furniture to easily clean in those hard to reach places. The light on this thing is also fantastic and really helps you to find the dirt to suck it up.
I also like that the Bissell is also a Transformer. Gone are the days of Transformers as cool cars and vehicles, now they are vacuums. The handle on this does a nice collapse that helps it store away easily in a closet. I think AirRam Prime would be a good name for this one. Wow, I really am a nerd.
Finally, I also like the battery system for the AirRam. The battery pops out of the side and recharges with a nice and small plug (no need to have a big charging base station like the Electrolux) and it has a great LED indicator on top to let you know how much charge is available.
Bissell has really created a winner here. If you are looking for a great vacuum for cleaning up everyday dirt and debris, this should be at the top of your list. I already called my friend who quite possibly is a bigger neat freak than me and told her about this. I think I heard a bit of a school-girl squeal out of her at the thought of a new vacuum.
My Best Buy number: 0215184540
I would recommend this to a friend!
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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.
Customer Rating
5
Best Wireless Router I've Ever Used
on September 25, 2016
Posted by: Wraith
I had my doubts about the Orbi system. My new house might as well be a Faraday cage for how hard it is to push wi-fi through it. I should perhaps be happy about this because I assume that means that it is well built and not just flimsy walls. The latest gen modem/router from Fios could not get a signal to the front of my house from the back of it where my office and the router are located (the upstairs was even worse except for right above the office). We got by for a few months like that but eventually we got sick of it. I got the new Linksys Max Stream router with the eight antenna array that looks like a spaceship and it did quite a bit better but we still had some dead spots.
This new Orbi system with the main router and the satellite took care of all our dead spots. It was the easiest router I have ever set up and I have been doing this for years. I plugged in the base station, went upstairs and plugged in the satellite and the hit the sync button. After both flashed white for about thirty seconds and then the satellite went magenta for maybe twenty seconds, they both lit up solid blue which means a good connection. I then logged on with my iPad which immediately took me to the set up screen where I could set the admin password and such, and once that was done they both updated to the latest firmware and that was it. I had beautiful wi-fi all around the house with nary a dead spot in sight. When I go the front of the house I see the bars drop from three to two but then it immediately picks up on the satellite router and bumps back up to three bars again.
I only have one quibble with the Orbi system and that is that it lacks the WPS quick sync button that most new routers have but I only really needed that for my wireless printer but I had that on the Orbi system within minutes. Again, this was the most painless wireless router set-up I have ever had the pleasure to do.
I am very happy with this system and I can't think of anyone that wouldn't be well-served by the Orbi router system. Get this system!
My Best Buy number: 0215184540
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Make driving routines more enjoyable with this OverDryve car system. Its voice assistant capabilities let you read and send text messages by command and also play music in your car without taking your hands off the wheel. The built-in dash cam of this OverDryve car system lets you record trips and capture every moment on the road.
Customer Rating
5
No-Brainer If You Want A Great All-In-One System
on September 16, 2016
Posted by: Wraith
I wondered about creating a GPS system nowadays with so many people having their smartphones with their own GPS functionality or with most cars coming with some kind of infotainment system, but after using the OverDryve 7 for the last two weeks, I think it is a great system and is a no-brainer for anyone looking to add GPS functionality to their car.
First off, my favorite thing about this device is the mounting bracket. I kid you not. One of the things I always hated about car GPS systems was having to lock it in place and reconnect the power and such. In the process of doing that I would invariably mess with my carefully set up positioning and would have to do it all over again. The Overdryve has an awesome bracket that you keep set up in your car and plugged in to everything and the Overdryve unit itself links via magnets and the connections are made through little contacts on the back. Easy-peasy. On top of that, the basestation also has an additional GPS antenna to improve location accuracy. Now I have rarely had problems with previous GPS devices and but the additional antenna could probably help when you are in the 'canyons' of the city, though I haven't gone downtown to try it yet.
The GPS system is great. While my car has one built in, it acts a bit too much like my mother and won't let me input anything if I am not at a complete stop. My wife can't even do it from the passenger seat because if we are moving at all it completely locks out the GPS controls. I understand why, but it would be nice for some kind of override. With the Overdryve, we don't have to worry about that. She just plucks the device from the mount, types in the destination and clicks it back into place. The guidance voice is kind of grating but so is my wife yelling directions at me from her phone!
I played around with the handsfree and entertainment applications and they are fine, but my car handles that pretty seamlessly, so I don't think I will be using that function of the Overdryve. The voice commands are much more responsive than those for my car system so I will give it that. The other thing I don't have to worry about is the backup camera or tire pressure monitor, because my car already has that, but if your car doesn't, this is a really cool feature. While each of those systems is an add-on, they are both only about $150 each and I guarantee I paid more for that functionality from the auto maker.
As for the Overdryve also being an Android tablet, and can be used off the mount like any other tablet, it is true that it can do so, but it is a little bulky for that and it is an Android tablet with all that entails. Sorry, I have an iPad and I can't really see myself ever using this as just a regular tablet, but perhaps if you forgot yours and you have a fussy kid in the back and want to send it to the back seat to quiet them down, this could be a lifesaver.
Now for my few quibbles with the device. I had a little trouble syncing it to my phone for the first few tries but after I did a phone restart I didn't have a problem and it had maintained the sync no problem, so it could have been my phone and not the Overdryve. My only other problem is the name. Seriously, Overdryve?! I realize that Overdrive was probably taken but I kind of feel like some hipster should be on TV telling me how 'swaggy' this thing is. Every time I have had to type Overdryve into this review, I have had to roll my eyes and they are getting tired.
In summary, if you want a great functioning GPS system, and that is all, this is a phenomenal GPS and it costs about the same as other 7-inch GPS systems. If you need the functionality of an infotainment system, and want the ability to add safety features like a back-up camera and tire pressure monitoring, this is a no-brainer because you get all of that for the price of a basic 7" GPS. On top of all that, you get a fully functional Android tablet! I really can't see why anyone would buy any other standalone car GPS system now that this is out. Even if you don't need the other functions, they are nice to have and Rand McNally has created the best GPS device I have ever used, for the same price as other systems. Seriously, this is the unit to get.
My Best Buy number: 0215184540
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Only at Best BuyChoose this HP Spectre 13 notebook for its crisp 1080p display and 13.3-inch screen. It comes with a sixth-generation Intel processor and 8GB of onboard RAM for efficient multitasking, and its solid state drive ensure that programs load quickly. The slim design on this HP Spectre 13 notebook provide enhanced versatility.
Customer Rating
5
Spectre - Sexy Powerful Eye-Catching Thin REliable
on June 6, 2016
Posted by: Wraith
I have to admit, I was floored by the new HP Spectre. I used to be a Windows power user in the past but for the last 7 years I've been a Mac guy. I had to Windows computer though because the software I need for work has to be on Windows and I have to have Internet Explorer (yes, I know that I can run Windows on a Mac but somehow that seems dirty and weird, don't get me started on having to use IE).
A co-worker of mine purchased the last version of the Spectre and she did well with it for a while but did eventually run into some problems. Though to be fair to HP, they were probably her fault and not the computer but I can't verify that. So I had a little concern about this new version but I could not resist how cool this thing looked and the impressive specs under the hood.
For the last two weeks I have put this thing through some paces that would bring a MacBook to it's knees (if it had them) and the Spectre ate it all up and asked for more! Speed that I used to only associate with Macs is now to be had with a Windows machine. The new cooling set-up on the Spectre doesn't just blow out hot air, it actively draws in cool air over the processor so that it can run faster and hotter. I thought this was some creative ad guys coming up with some cool sounding feature but no, it really does work.
Another thing, hats off to HP for not putting bloatware on this thing. After powering it up and getting everything set up, I could not find a single piece of junk on this thing. Sure there are some programs that came with Windows that I turned off but no other junk hiding there. Getting the computer set up was also a breeze. HP provides a USB-C to USB adaptor in the box (thank you) and within minutes I was able to transfer almost a hundred gigabytes of data over.
I may have already mentioned that this thing is sexy as all get out but it deserves repeating. HP was supposedly trying to make the machine more like a woman's designer bag or jewelry but it is just as awesome for a guy. The black and gold looks slick and I haven't had a single person who has not commented on how good it looks when they see it.
Brains and good looks? This one is a keeper!
I have only two quibbles for this machine:
1. This thing holds on to fingerprints like nobody's business! It is a shame that after just a bit of hand-holding with this sexy beast, it looks so disheveled. That goes for the matte black portions and doubly so for gold parts. I had to scrub hard with a polishing cloth to get the fingerprints off for the pictures.
2. USB-C. I know it is the future and it helps make this thing incredibly thin, but considering that you need adaptors or specialized gear to really make it work, it is kind of a pain. Plus needing an adaptor for anything like HDMI/VGA.DVI out or an SD Card kind of stinks. Soon all of the accessories will be coming but right now I still feel like I'm on the bleeding edge without any support.
1. This thing holds on to fingerprints like nobody's business! It is a shame that after just a bit of hand-holding with this sexy beast, it looks so disheveled. That goes for the matte black portions and doubly so for gold parts. I had to scrub hard with a polishing cloth to get the fingerprints off for the pictures.
2. USB-C. I know it is the future and it helps make this thing incredibly thin, but considering that you need adaptors or specialized gear to really make it work, it is kind of a pain. Plus needing an adaptor for anything like HDMI/VGA.DVI out or an SD Card kind of stinks. Soon all of the accessories will be coming but right now I still feel like I'm on the bleeding edge without any support.
Can't say enough about this machine! This is the first Windows machine that has not made me wish that I was on a Mac and in fact, has me thinking about replacing my Macs! Now that is saying something!
Don't think. Just go get your sexy PhD of a computer and put a ring on it!
My Best Buy number: 0215184540
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Your household is busy streaming media, working online, and playing games every day. This Linksys Wi-Fi Router will expand your network coverage, send signals directly to your devices, and deliver a lag-free connection, even when you~re all online at the same time.
Customer Rating
5
BEAST of a Router!
on May 23, 2016
Posted by: Wraith
Last year I switched my cable provider and my previously very good wi-fi coverage in my home was knee-capped by my new (and supposedly awesome) Verizon FiOS modem/router. I have no idea what my house is made of but for some reason, the brand new Verizon 'Blade' can't seem to push a signal through it even though my Time-Warner 'ugly old box' could push my signal to my next-door neighbors. Getting tired of this I bought a range extender which made things better (or at least usable), but I've grown tired of that set up as well. Enter the new Linksys EA9500.
For those with short attention spans and want me to just get to the point, it is this... this thing is a BEAST (and it kind of looks like one too). Not only have I destroyed any wi-fi dead spots in my home, I've done so for pretty much 100' radius around my home! If you want awesome wi-fi coverage in your home, look no further because this is it.
There are two things that you should know when purchasing this router:
1. Be prepared for people to comment on its looks. I've heard everything from 'Is that a spaceship?' to 'Holy heck (not the word they used) what IS that thing?'. I will admit that it is a rather intimidating piece of hardware but all those beautiful antennas that make it look so scary are also what make this thing so awesome. The fact that you can play with the configuration of the antennas to maximize coverage will have you tweaking your setup for the first few days but really, it was a beast with them all just sticking straight up.
2. Use the smartphone app when setting this thing up. I tried to set this up using just my computer and I banged my head into my desk for about half an hour before giving up and trying the app. Really Linksys should make this the preferred set-up. For some reason when I was first setting up the device it was wanting to do a firmware update check (good) but for some reason every time I clicked on the link on the set-up page on my desktop, I would go back to the initial set-up screen and it would tell me I need to do a firmware update (bad). Once I loaded the app on my iPhone, I was done setting this thing up in less than five minutes. Seriously, just use the app.
1. Be prepared for people to comment on its looks. I've heard everything from 'Is that a spaceship?' to 'Holy heck (not the word they used) what IS that thing?'. I will admit that it is a rather intimidating piece of hardware but all those beautiful antennas that make it look so scary are also what make this thing so awesome. The fact that you can play with the configuration of the antennas to maximize coverage will have you tweaking your setup for the first few days but really, it was a beast with them all just sticking straight up.
2. Use the smartphone app when setting this thing up. I tried to set this up using just my computer and I banged my head into my desk for about half an hour before giving up and trying the app. Really Linksys should make this the preferred set-up. For some reason when I was first setting up the device it was wanting to do a firmware update check (good) but for some reason every time I clicked on the link on the set-up page on my desktop, I would go back to the initial set-up screen and it would tell me I need to do a firmware update (bad). Once I loaded the app on my iPhone, I was done setting this thing up in less than five minutes. Seriously, just use the app.
I could go on gushing about this router but soon it would get unseemly and people would begin to wonder if I were truly in love with this thing. I'll be honest, I don't care. The antennas are sexy. Go out and get your own sexy beast of a router!
My Best Buy number: 0215184540
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Wraith's Review Comments
Make driving routines more enjoyable with this OverDryve car system. Its voice assistant capabilities let you read and send text messages by command and also play music in your car without taking your hands off the wheel. The built-in dash cam of this OverDryve car system lets you record trips and capture every moment on the road.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5No-Brainer If You Want A Great All-In-One System
By Wraith
I wondered about creating a GPS system nowadays with so many people having their smartphones with their own GPS functionality or with most cars coming with some kind of infotainment system, but after using the OverDryve 7 for the last two weeks, I think it is a great system and is a no-brainer for anyone looking to add GPS functionality to their car.
First off, my favorite thing about this device is the mounting bracket. I kid you not. One of the things I always hated about car GPS systems was having to lock it in place and reconnect the power and such. In the process of doing that I would invariably mess with my carefully set up positioning and would have to do it all over again. The Overdryve has an awesome bracket that you keep set up in your car and plugged in to everything and the Overdryve unit itself links via magnets and the connections are made through little contacts on the back. Easy-peasy. On top of that, the basestation also has an additional GPS antenna to improve location accuracy. Now I have rarely had problems with previous GPS devices and but the additional antenna could probably help when you are in the 'canyons' of the city, though I haven't gone downtown to try it yet.
The GPS system is great. While my car has one built in, it acts a bit too much like my mother and won't let me input anything if I am not at a complete stop. My wife can't even do it from the passenger seat because if we are moving at all it completely locks out the GPS controls. I understand why, but it would be nice for some kind of override. With the Overdryve, we don't have to worry about that. She just plucks the device from the mount, types in the destination and clicks it back into place. The guidance voice is kind of grating but so is my wife yelling directions at me from her phone!
I played around with the handsfree and entertainment applications and they are fine, but my car handles that pretty seamlessly, so I don't think I will be using that function of the Overdryve. The voice commands are much more responsive than those for my car system so I will give it that. The other thing I don't have to worry about is the backup camera or tire pressure monitor, because my car already has that, but if your car doesn't, this is a really cool feature. While each of those systems is an add-on, they are both only about $150 each and I guarantee I paid more for that functionality from the auto maker.
As for the Overdryve also being an Android tablet, and can be used off the mount like any other tablet, it is true that it can do so, but it is a little bulky for that and it is an Android tablet with all that entails. Sorry, I have an iPad and I can't really see myself ever using this as just a regular tablet, but perhaps if you forgot yours and you have a fussy kid in the back and want to send it to the back seat to quiet them down, this could be a lifesaver.
Now for my few quibbles with the device. I had a little trouble syncing it to my phone for the first few tries but after I did a phone restart I didn't have a problem and it had maintained the sync no problem, so it could have been my phone and not the Overdryve. My only other problem is the name. Seriously, Overdryve?! I realize that Overdrive was probably taken but I kind of feel like some hipster should be on TV telling me how 'swaggy' this thing is. Every time I have had to type Overdryve into this review, I have had to roll my eyes and they are getting tired.
In summary, if you want a great functioning GPS system, and that is all, this is a phenomenal GPS and it costs about the same as other 7-inch GPS systems. If you need the functionality of an infotainment system, and want the ability to add safety features like a back-up camera and tire pressure monitoring, this is a no-brainer because you get all of that for the price of a basic 7" GPS. On top of all that, you get a fully functional Android tablet! I really can't see why anyone would buy any other standalone car GPS system now that this is out. Even if you don't need the other functions, they are nice to have and Rand McNally has created the best GPS device I have ever used, for the same price as other systems. Seriously, this is the unit to get.
Wraith
Rochester Hills, MI
Dash Cam!
September 25, 2016
I totally forgot about the dash cam function of this. Yet another feature that makes this a no-brainer. I have not had much experience with dash cams but this one works well. Now let's just hope I don't end up on one of those dash cam compilation videos on YouTube!
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Revel in immersive audio with this retro-style Ion Boombox Deluxe portable stereo. Dual full-range speakers deliver impressive sound reproduction, while Bluetooth technology, USB playback, an AM FM radio and a built-in cassette player offer vast entertainment options. This Ion Boombox Deluxe portable stereo comes with a long-lasting rechargeable battery for convenience.
What are the dimensions of this product?
16.73"W x 5.9"D x 9.6"H according to the users guide.
6 years ago
by
Wraith
Revel in immersive audio with this retro-style Ion Boombox Deluxe portable stereo. Dual full-range speakers deliver impressive sound reproduction, while Bluetooth technology, USB playback, an AM FM radio and a built-in cassette player offer vast entertainment options. This Ion Boombox Deluxe portable stereo comes with a long-lasting rechargeable battery for convenience.
How many watts is this radio ?
Experience legendary performance and sound of ASTRO Audio V2, with the convenience and freedom that comes without wires. The A50 Wireless + Base Station for Xbox One/PC delivers premium acoustics, ergonomics, comfort and durability that gamers demand. The all-new Base Station provides clear, low-latency voice communication, while making headset pairing and charging simple. The ASTRO Command Center software allows Pros and Live streamers to tune every input and output parameter of the A50 precisely for their specific setup. Experience absolute audio immersion with the A50 Wireless + Base Station.
Can it connect to any xbox one even the xbox Scarlett that's coming soon?
It should since its connection to the Xbox is primarily the optical cable which I'm 100% sure Microsoft will have available on the next console as well.
6 years, 2 months ago
by
Wraith
Acer Nitro 5 Laptop: Lose yourself in the absorbing multimedia experience delivered by this Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop. The Intel Core i5 processor ensures a lag-free performance, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card delivers immersive visuals on the 15.6-inch Full HD display. This Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop has 8GB of RAM for seamless multitasking.
Does this support hdmi 1.4
Mine is showing HDMI 2.0b, so should be backwards compatible with 1.4.
6 years, 4 months ago
by
Wraith
Acer Nitro 5 Laptop: Lose yourself in the absorbing multimedia experience delivered by this Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop. The Intel Core i5 processor ensures a lag-free performance, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card delivers immersive visuals on the 15.6-inch Full HD display. This Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop has 8GB of RAM for seamless multitasking.
Does this have the 144 Hz panel?
It does have a nice 144 Hz panel. Even though it is only a regular HD panel, I have to say it looks great.
6 years, 4 months ago
by
Wraith
Take your playlist with you by using these noise-cancelling Sony headphones. Their 40mm drivers with liquid crystal polymer diaphragms fill your ears with booming audio to immerse you in songs, and they're ergonomically designed to provide comfort during extended listening sessions. These Sony headphones have a proprietary noise-cancelling processor, so you can immerse yourself in the music.Industry Leading Noise Cancellation. *As of August 30, 2018. According to research by Sony Corporation measured using JEITA-compliant guidelines. In headband-style of wireless noise-canceling headphones market.
Will these work while on an airplane watching their movies.
If you bring along the cord, then yes, they will work beautifully. They changed the case on the XM3s and it is much easier to bring that cord, the airline adapter (which I haven't used in over a decade), and the charge cable. They all fit nicely between the ear cups.
7 years, 1 month ago
by
Wraith
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I have the Sony brand, WH-CH700N, which I am very pleased with. Are there any differences between these two models when it comes to the headband or they the same. To me the pictures and the descriptions look the same.
These are better in virtually every single way than the WH-CH700Ns. I've used both and the sound quality, the noise cancelling, and the comfort are better in the XM3, and that is why that cost a bit more. The 700s are really good, the WX3s are the best NC headphones on the market.
7 years, 1 month ago
by
Wraith
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Can someone tell me about the “California Proposition 65” warning when buying on Amazon?
Darn near everything gets the Proposition 65 warning that states the potential for some chemical that is in the thing can cause cancer... in mice.... at doses no human would ever experience. They want to put a Prop 65 warning on coffee for Pete's sake! Disregard it and enjoy your headphones. Buy them from Best Buy anyway, you are already here.
7 years, 1 month ago
by
Wraith
Take your playlist with you by using these noise-cancelling Sony headphones. Their 40mm drivers with liquid crystal polymer diaphragms fill your ears with booming audio to immerse you in songs, and they're ergonomically designed to provide comfort during extended listening sessions. These Sony headphones have a proprietary noise-cancelling processor, so you can immerse yourself in the music.Industry Leading Noise Cancellation. *As of August 30, 2018. According to research by Sony Corporation measured using JEITA-compliant guidelines. In headband-style of wireless noise-canceling headphones market.
How many watts does the adapter need to be to allow for quick charging?
I don't think it is a matter of wattage, it is just the way the Li-Ion batteries work. They are much easier to fill up when they are empty then they are when they are above 80%. I have an electric car and I can get the first 150 miles on in just a few hours but it takes a lot more time to tack on the final 100. It is almost like you need more pressure to shove in those remaining electrons in all the empty spaces.
7 years, 1 month ago
by
Wraith
Take your playlist with you by using these noise-cancelling Sony headphones. Their 40mm drivers with liquid crystal polymer diaphragms fill your ears with booming audio to immerse you in songs, and they're ergonomically designed to provide comfort during extended listening sessions. These Sony headphones have a proprietary noise-cancelling processor, so you can immerse yourself in the music.Industry Leading Noise Cancellation. *As of August 30, 2018. According to research by Sony Corporation measured using JEITA-compliant guidelines. In headband-style of wireless noise-canceling headphones market.
Are they louder than the xm2?
Not that I have noticed. They can get plenty loud though. I usually have my music player set at about the 40-50% level and then adjust from there with the headphones, and I can blow my eardrums out if I want.
7 years, 1 month ago
by
Wraith