Capshroud's stats
- Review count123
- Helpfulness votes592
- First reviewJanuary 20, 2014
- Last reviewJune 22, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.2
- Review comment count2
- Helpfulness votes15
- First review commentAugust 11, 2016
- Last review commentAugust 11, 2016
- Featured review comments0
Questions
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- First questionNone
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- Answer count26
- Helpfulness votes47
- First answerAugust 4, 2016
- Last answerOctober 22, 2021
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- Best answers5
Record home or office activity effectively with eufyCam 2 Pro 2K surveillance system. The 16GB of storage provides ample space for videos, while the two high-resolution cameras capture detailed security footage from multiple angles. eufyCam 2 Pro 2K surveillance system works with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for seamless hands-free operation. All features are included with no monthly fee, plus you can save on contractor costs with an easy set-up design and all installation materials provided in the box.
Customer Rating
4
Simple to install and use
on June 19, 2020
Posted by: Capshroud
from Lawrence
The EufyCam 2 system has two major claims to fame. The cameras are wireless with batteries rated to last one year on a charge, and video is stored locally so no monitoring service or fee is needed. This means no wiring and no monthly fees. This kit comes with two cameras, but the system can handle up to six.
The cameras seem very solid and well built. Installation and setup are very straight forward if you follow the simple instructions. You must install the Eufy Security app on your phone or tablet (unfortunately there is no PC app yet) and establish an account. Then the base station has to be connected to your router with the included ethernet cable for the initial setup and firmware update. The cameras are then paired to the base. Apparently, the base station acts as a WIFI extender and can be moved to a different location after this process is completed. This might be helpful if you’re having range issues and maintaining a connection, but the ethernet connection is recommended. During the setup, you name your base and cameras. For example … Joeshome, front door, backyard, etc. At this point, you install the cameras. Both magnetic (indoor) mounts and screw-on mounts are provided. The app will check the connection and let you know to the signal is good enough. I’ve had no issue with range even with the base on my second floor and a camera set behind my detached garage probably 75 feet away.
The base has 16 GB of internal memory, and all recorded video with audio is saved locally. I haven’t tried it, but the system claims to be compatible with Apple Homekit as well as Alexa and Google Assistant. The video quality is quite nice and in color when well lighted or in daylight, and it’s acceptable at night when using its own infrared lighting. As with any very wide-angle camera, there’s a lot of barrel distortion. I believe the field of view was stated as 140 degrees. The app is fairly full-featured with control for motion sensitivity, defined view areas for motion detection, alarms, push notifications, home and away modes, schedule by the time of day, live viewing and a talk feature. There’s even a geofencing mode that can be used to automatically activate features when your phone leaves home. The system has the AI ability to be set to only activate and record when it detects humans. That saves a lot of unnecessary video of animals and such.
Wherever you are … remote or at home, you can receive real-time push notifications and access the cameras live or recorded events. There’s quite a lot packed into a small and simple to use package, and I would recommend it to a friend as a basic home monitoring and security system. Whether the one-year battery charge is accurate will take some while to verify. If there were a PC app and higher cam resolution with less distortion, this would be near perfect system. As it is, it’s pretty darn good.
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Experience crystal-clear sound quality with this Sony 3.1 Ch. Atmos sound bar. Vertical sound engine technology creates cinematic audio that seriously enhances your listening experience. Enjoy smartphone and iPad streaming with voice-activated Bluetooth technology. This Sony 3.1 Ch. Atmos sound bar is easy to connect and features an adjustable 7.12-channel entertainment mode for enhanced listening.
Posted by: Capshroud
from Lawrence
The build quality of the bar is first class and the sub-woofer is decent. I liked the remote which lets you switch directly to various modes … Standard, Cinema, Music, Voice, Night, Immersive, and Auto. It automatically found the wireless sub and connected, and was easy to pair with a phone or other Bluetooth device. You’ll want to use an ARC enabled HDMI connection to your TV for best results. Since I have a Sony TV and 4K player, it was flawless in using Bravia sync for HDMI control of all devices. Just turn on the DVD player, and the TV and soundbar come on ready to play. The G700 does have eARC capability which is the new and improved system that allows non-compressed Dolby and DTS audio to be sent from the TV to the bar over HDMI.
As far as sound, and that’s what it’s all about, my results were varied. When playing a 4K Blueray with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack, it was fairly impressive and begs you to push the sound level up. The electronic magic worked, and those three speakers in the bar made for an “immersive” sound. Not quite like having discrete rear and up-firing speakers, but it was impressive and closer than you might expect to multiple speakers. However, with streaming sources, it was a mixed bag. Sometimes there was a lack of spatial definition which muddled the sound and made dialog hard to hear. Sometimes the center channel seemed harsh and overdriven, and often there was no discernable rear channel sound. I did find that it generally sounded better if you keep the “immersive” feature enabled. To be fair, TV sound and streamed network shows often don’t have the best soundtracks. It did make me wish the menu system offered a way to adjust balance and equalization. The sound level is separately adjustable for the sub-woofer, but I still wanted a bit more punch.
Perhaps I expected too much from a 3.1 system using electronic wizardry to simulate up to 7.2 Dolby Atmos sound. The sound from this system just isn’t a true Atmos experience. I found the G700 to be very good but not great. It offers a way to get some three-dimensional experience with a very compact system and at a price less than more complicated, multiple speaker systems. If you’re coming from listening through TV speakers or an older soundbar, it will blow you away.
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Premium. Effective. Elevated. The Theragun Elite is our quietest smart massage. Elegantly designed, lightweight, and fully personalized for your body’s needs. Thanks to its unparalleled power, the Theragun Elite is your ultimate wellness partner and massage device. Now more personalized than ever with our guided app experience to reduce your deep muscle tension, whether it comes from everyday life, work, or workouts.
Posted by: Capshroud
from Lawrence
I’ve never owned a percussive massager before, so this has been a new experience. Don’t confuse this with any sort of vibrator or other massage devices. This provides serious, deep, penetrating massage intended to be therapeutic and regenerative. At first, it may seem overly aggressive, but you quickly learn to love it as it helps alleviate sore, stiff muscles aa well as various aches and pains.
Theragun was one of the first devices of this kind, and over the past 12 years, it has evolved. It’s still one of the most powerful, but in this fourth-generation series it has fully evolved. It’s quiet and a thing of beauty in design and appearance. The build quality and finish is very high end, and it’s priced accordingly. The triangular shape allows you to quickly change your grip and reach any muscle areas with ease and good balance in the hand. One of the biggest complaints I read about previous Theraguns was a near jackhammer level noise level. That’s really been address with this series, and it’s easy to carry on a conversation or watch TV while using it.
The Elite has a 120 minute run-time per charge. It comes with five different massage attachments and the recharger. This all fits in an attractive carrying case. There’s a small OLED readout which shows which of 5 different speeds you’re using, and a bar graph which indicates how much pressure you’re applying. You can also select up to three downloadable massage programs of your choosing. This is done through the Bluetooth connected Therabody app. Of course, you can manually use the unit as you wish, but when using the app, it will control running times and intensity. You can also set up a personal routine with as many as 10 different programs to cycle through.
That said, my only negative experience was with the app. The Android app has a serious issue and completely bricked my unit while attempting a firmware update. I finally loaded the app on an Apple device which was successful in finishing the update, and I once again have a functional unit. That’s just not acceptable. In Therabody’s defense, they did call me when I sent a support request and have taken note of the problem. Hopefully, this will be corrected quickly. However, I’m giving 4 stars in this review due to this more than minor problem. When corrected, I’d definitely change my rating to 5 stars.
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Keep your floors clean with this ECOVACS DEEBOT OZMO robot vacuum. Area mode and multi-floor mapping give you complete control over cleaning areas, and built-in sensors detect flooring types to ensure efficient performance on hard floors and carpets. This ECOVACS DEEBOT OZMO robot vacuum automatically returns to its charging dock for effortless operation.
Customer Rating
4
Lots of vac for the money
on March 29, 2020
Posted by: Capshroud
from Lawrence
There’s a lot to like about this robot vac, and there are a few things that could use improvement. From what I’ve found, the Ozmo T5 is a renamed version of the Ozmo 950. Since the new T8 is now Ecovacs’ flagship unit with a newer navigation system, the price has dropped on this guy making it a really good value.
Here are the things I really like. It’s significantly quieter than my previous botvac. You can up the suction power (and noise level) using the app, but I found that unnecessary since it automatically speeds up when it senses carpet. Its low height lets it get under many pieces of furniture to find hidden dust bunnies and dirt. It’s a bit more gentle when maneuvering and doesn’t bang into things much as it learns its way around when building a cleaning map. It’s also smart enough not to fall down steps or drop-offs, but you might watch it the first time just in case. The battery life is outrageously long (rated at 200 minutes). With its high suction ability and side brushes, it cleans deep and gets the edges. The Ecovacs Home app has a lot of features available in advanced mode. It will maintain multiple maps, you can name areas, set automatic cleaning times, establish barriers, and define a particular spot to clean.
There are some negatives. The dust bin is small, and it doesn’t stop and tell you to empty the bin. I’m not sure how you can make use of the long run time with this limitation. To be fair, once it’s cleaned a time or two there’s less to pick up, so it should last longer between dumps. Although the app has all kinds of advanced features, it’s a little glitchy and lacks instructions or thorough tutorials. Be prepared for some trial and error efforts. As a tip, switch it to advanced mode before you start to avoid losing an established map if you later change. This is also a mopping bot. However, where I’d give its vacuuming abilities a 9, but it’s mopping rates a 5 or 6. When it has water in its tank, it knows to vacuum and mop hard floors and avoid carpet. However, I have both hardwood and vinyl planks floors, and I can’t find a way to keep it from also mopping the wood.
This is my second robot vac, so I already understood preparing your house. You have to get things out of the way and pick up loose stuff it can choke on! I think the newer T8 is supposed to know how to avoid those unexpected things we leave lying around, but not this guy. Also, keep in mind all those charger cables that we tend to let drop on the floor do not mix with robot vacs.
This is a very good, thorough cleaning vacuum, and a big improvement over my earlier unit in most ways. The mopping may work well for you depending on your layout, but I don’t find it a big plus. At the current price, this is a lot of robot for the money. It even comes with a full set of replacement brushes and disposable mop cloths. I’d probably up my rating if the app was as good as the vac and more user friendly.
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Simplify your facial grooming regimen with this Philips Norelco shaver. The corded design supports uninterrupted shaving, while the 4-D flex heads conform to the planes and angles of your face, delivering an ultra-smooth, close shave. This Philips Norelco shaver features rounded blade caps for a gentle gliding cut that's comfortable.
Customer Rating
3
Recommended with reservations
on February 18, 2020
Posted by: Capshroud
from Lawrence
I’ve used Norelco shavers for years, and this is the least expensive version they’ve ever sold. Since Norelco’s can cost up to ten times as much, what’s the difference?
This is as basic as an electric shaver can be. It’s corded, all plastic, and there’s no pop-up trimmer. The good part other than price is that it shaves pretty much like my much more costly cordless version. As with its expensive cousins, pop the head open, and it can be cleaned under running water (unplug it first, of course).
One thing that’s common to all Norelco shavers stated in the instructions … you have to use it a while before your skin and whiskers adapt to the rotary heads. Believe it if you’re changing from a different system, or you will not be happy.
I find it a good secondary shaver where its limitations aren’t a problem. At this point, I don’t know how well the light and inexpensive construction will hold up. Also, Norelco replacement heads can be quite pricey ( typically $15-30), and they tell you to replace them annually “for best results”. I didn’t find a listing for 1100 series heads, so the price is unknown. That makes it difficult to judge if this is intended to be a disposable product.
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Take professional-grade pictures with this Sony wireless shooting grip. Bluetooth technology allows cable-free connection to compatible cameras, while the contoured design helps increase stability and comfort during use. This Sony wireless shooting grip has a flexible tilt function for positioning the camera, and the integrated legs spread to create a tripod for hands-free operation.
Customer Rating
5
Could be just what you need
on February 11, 2020
Posted by: Capshroud
from Lawrence
This is one slick little accessory aimed at Sony’s light and compact mirrorless cameras. It does exactly what it’s intended to do … plus maybe a bit more. If you’ve seen the previous version of Sony’s camera grip, this is improved in every way. It’s longer and therefore easier to hold since it fits your entire hand. In addition to video, photo and zoom buttons they’ve added a C1 function button and a lock (off) switch. Access to a programable camera button allows you to decide what extra functions you want immediately available. Best of all, it now connects to the camera by Bluetooth. That leaves the accessory jack on the camera free to connect an external microphone. That said, be aware this means your camera MUST have Bluetooth control capabilities to connect.
The build quality is very good and as with the previous model, the legs fold out turning it into a solid little desktop tripod. It was easy to pair with the camera, and it feels solid and smooth to the touch. The head rotates and locks every 90 degrees. It also tilts with detents every 10 degrees. There’s also a fiction adjustment to control tilt and allow intermediate positions. I’m not sure how well it would stay in an intermediate position with a large, heavy lens. That probably isn’t an issue because this grip is really aimed at walkabout and video blog use. When you pair it with the newer Sony cameras which have screens that rotate fully up and forward, you’re all set to do vlogs. To use an external mic with the screen fully up, you’ll need a cage or cold shoe offset bracket, but you have the camera jack available to plug it in. In walkabout use, it feels very comfortable and steady while giving more versatility in where you position the camera. Being Bluetooth connected you can use it off the camera for remote control. Since Sony’s mobile app gives you that ability from your phone plus a remote image, that may be of limited use and appeal.
This is not intended to be a jack of all trades accessory. It has some specific uses that it does very well, and you must have a supported camera to use it. If that’s you, it is absolutely worth the extra few bucks over the previous grip to get the extra features. It folds up quite compactly and is a very handy accessory to carry.
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Take professional-grade pictures with this Sony wireless shooting grip. Bluetooth technology allows cable-free connection to compatible cameras, while the contoured design helps increase stability and comfort during use. This Sony wireless shooting grip has a flexible tilt function for positioning the camera, and the integrated legs spread to create a tripod for hands-free operation.
Customer Rating
5
You might really need this
on February 5, 2020
Posted by: Capshroud
from Lawrence
Aimed at Sony’s light and compact mirrorless cameras, this is one slick little accessor that does exactly what it’s intended to do … plus maybe a bit more. If you’ve seen the previous version of Sony’s camera grip, this is improved in every way. It’s a bit longer and therefore easier to hold since it fits your entire hand. In addition to video, photo and zoom buttons they’ve added a C1 function button and a lock (off) switch. Access to a programable camera button allows you to decide what extra functions you want immediately available. Best of all, it now connects to the camera by Bluetooth. That leaves the accessory jack on the camera free for an external microphone. That said, be aware this means your camera MUST have Bluetooth control capabilities to connect. As with the previous model, the legs fold out turning it into a solid little desktop tripod.
The build quality is very good. It was easy to pair with the camera, and it feels solid and smooth to the touch. The head rotates and locks every 90 degrees. It also tilts with locks every 10 degrees. There’s also a fiction adjustment to allow intermediate positions, but I’m not sure I’d trust it to stay put if you try to use a large or heavy lens. That probably shouldn’t be an issue because this grip is really aimed at walkabout and video blog use. When you pair it with the newer Sony cameras which have screens that rotate fully up and forward, you’re all set to do vlogs. To use an external mic with the screen up, you’ll need a cage or cold shoe offset bracket, but you have the camera jack available to plug it in. In walkabout use, it feels very comfortable and steady while giving more versatility in where you position the camera. Being Bluetooth connected you can use it off the camera for remote control. Since Sony’s mobile app gives you that ability from your phone plus a remote image, that may be of limited use and appeal.
This is not intended to be a jack of all trades accessory. It has some specific uses that it does very well, and you must have a supported camera to use it. If that’s you, it is absolutely worth the extra few bucks over the previous grip to get the extra features.
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Type more naturally with ERGO K860 – an advanced ergonomic keyboard that promotes a more relaxed typing posture – reducing wrist bending and offering wrist support. A curved keyframe helps reduce wrist strain, while a pillowed wrist rest keeps your forearms elevated to help prevent excessive bending. This Logitech ERGO keyboard features Perfect Stroke keys for quiet performance and responsiveness, and the 2-year battery life offers long-lasting use.
Customer Rating
4
Could be perfect for you ... or not
on January 20, 2020
Posted by: Capshroud
from Lawrence
This is a high-quality keyboard, and it’s priced accordingly. The build quality is very good and the feel of the keys is quite nice and smooth. It’s louder and “clickier” than my current keyboard, even though it’s not mechanical. If mechanical keys are a must-have, you’ll have to look elsewhere. The integral, padded palm/wrist rest is exceptionally comfortable, and the curved and split shape does add to its comfort by allowing a natural hand and wrist position. One thing must be emphasized. You must have this keyboard at the correct height, or the ergonomics just don’t work.
It comes with a Logitech Unifying USB receiver. However, it’s also Bluetooth enabled, and that’s how I connected it. Pairing with up to three devices very easy, and there are three dedicated keys to switch between those devices. The Logitech Options software allows you to reassign the special functions of all the F-keys plus four additional keys. You can also decide if you want the standard F1-F12 or the special functions to be the default. If you have programs that rely on F-keys, you’ll love that feature. Lastly, these assignable keys can be defined differently for specific programs. This gives a lot of flexibility to dial this keyboard into your needs and workflow. I used it on my PCs, but it’s equally capable and fully functional for Mac use as well.
I’m new to split keyboards, and there is a learning curve. I’m not a rigorous touch typist and there are some keys that I tend to cheat on. Reaching across with the wrong hand doesn’t work with the split shape. Also, I use a CAD program where my right hand tends to stay on the mouse and the left inputs keyboard mnemonics. In that very specific case, it can be difficult to use. That said, I’m typing this review using the Ergo Keyboard, and I’m starting to like it more and more as I get accustomed to it. You must be willing to spend some time accommodating the change.
This is a quality keyboard with a high degree of flexibility. It can be customized to your uses and specific programs. The ergonomic features are excellent for the person who spends a lot of time typing text or even data entry. It should absolutely help avoid fatigue and wrist issues as well as streamline workflow with those uses, especially for a true touch typist. If you’re a hunt and peck, one or two fingers per hand person and don’t leave your hands in place as you type, it’s really not intended for you.
The bottom line is pretty straightforward. Would I recommend this to a friend? After I ask a couple of questions the answer could be absolutely yes or don’t bother.
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Take eye-catching photos with this Sony Alpha 6100 mirrorless digital camera with 16-50mm lens. The BIONZ X image processor coupled with the 24.2MP CMOS sensor ensures images of the highest quality. The 16-50mm lens offers a 24-75mm equivalent focal length range, making this Sony Alpha 6100 mirrorless digital camera ideal for portraits and even nighttime photography.
Posted by: Capshroud
from Lawrence
The Sony a6100 is an upgrade of the a6000, Sony’s successful and well-regarded entry-level mirrorless camera. It kept the best of the 6000 while improving picture quality and adding some high-end features. Here are some initial thoughts after using this new camera for a couple of weeks.
Physically, the build quality is quite good with a substantial and rigid feel for a plastic body. The rear screen is now touch-enabled for focus and exposure and can pivot 180 degrees up allowing selfies or v-blogs. The OLED viewfinder is good but not a match to the higher resolution EVF’s on Sony’s more expensive models. There is a small pop up flash, but if you plan much flash use, I’d recommend buying a separate TTL (smart) flash to attach to the camera’s hot shoe. Overall it has a good feel in the hand, and the plastic construction makes it very light. Its numerous controls are well laid out except for a very awkwardly placed video button. On the minus side, I found it awkward to insert or remove SD cards since the slot is very close to the battery door hinge. It uses the small FW-50 battery and although battery life is reasonable, you’ll want to carry extras. Neither the body or kit lens is weather-sealed, so don’t plan on using it in rainy or very dusty locations. Lastly, Sony chose to use a USB micro connection rather than the newer, better and more robust USB-C for in-camera charging and PC connection.
Internally, it uses Sony’s proven 24mp APS-C sensor. Using Sony’s current BIONZ X processor makes for fast picture processing. Burst mode can shoot at 11 frames per second and buffer up to 75 jpegs. The big news is that it now includes a 425 point focusing system with face and eye detection with real-time tracking. That’s a big step up in focus ability and arguably Sony’s is the best in the industry. This same system is used in several of Sony’s high-end mirrorless cameras. The focus is fast and accurate, and it will continuously track moving subjects and while maintaining focus. However, to make full use of this and many of the advanced features, you need to find your way through an extensive and somewhat obtuse menu system. This camera has the capabilities of many substantially higher priced cameras, but you have to be willing to investigate, read and learn to make use of all its power and features. Once you do, you can customize function buttons, build your own personal “My Menu” and customize the pop-up menu selections to quickly access the settings you change most often. It has every shooting, focusing, and exposure mode and picture setting you can imagine and probably more. It shoots in JPG, RAW, and RAW+JPG still formats. It records video up to 4K UHD while still continuously focusing. It’s WIFI and Bluetooth enabled allowing you to send pictures directly to your phone, receive location info from your phone, or operate the camera remotely. There’s NFC built in to quickly connect your phone at a touch.
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The 16-50mm kit lens has been around for a while and was designed to meet a price point and to be very small. It keeps the camera quite compact … more than pocket-size but much less than a DSLR or most superzooms. The 16-50mm zoom range is equivalent to a 24-75mm on a full-frame camera. That’s a reasonable walk-around lens, but keep in mind, it’s only a 3:1 zoom, so with this lens, you’ll have to do much of the zooming with your feet. It is stabilized, and since the camera does not have stabilization built-in, that’s a real asset. With a maximum f-stop of 3.5 to 5.6, stabilization is needed for low to moderate light conditions if you want to keep the ISO and noise reasonable. This is packed into an amazingly small body … almost pancake size when off and not extended. The camera has very effective lens correction built-in so there’s almost no image distortion throughout the zoom, but the corners get somewhat soft at the wide end. I’ve read reports of variations in quality from unit to unit and some durability issues, but at this point, my lens is performing well. A faster f-stop and/or longer zoom would be more versatile. There are many excellent e-mount lenses that can be used with this camera, but good lenses are expensive. The a6100 is also available with an additional 70-210mm lens, and that may be worth considering if you want a longer zoom and are willing to carry an additional lens. There’s also a highly rated 18-135 Sony zoom I’m considering.
The 16-50mm kit lens has been around for a while and was designed to meet a price point and to be very small. It keeps the camera quite compact … more than pocket-size but much less than a DSLR or most superzooms. The 16-50mm zoom range is equivalent to a 24-75mm on a full-frame camera. That’s a reasonable walk-around lens, but keep in mind, it’s only a 3:1 zoom, so with this lens, you’ll have to do much of the zooming with your feet. It is stabilized, and since the camera does not have stabilization built-in, that’s a real asset. With a maximum f-stop of 3.5 to 5.6, stabilization is needed for low to moderate light conditions if you want to keep the ISO and noise reasonable. This is packed into an amazingly small body … almost pancake size when off and not extended. The camera has very effective lens correction built-in so there’s almost no image distortion throughout the zoom, but the corners get somewhat soft at the wide end. I’ve read reports of variations in quality from unit to unit and some durability issues, but at this point, my lens is performing well. A faster f-stop and/or longer zoom would be more versatile. There are many excellent e-mount lenses that can be used with this camera, but good lenses are expensive. The a6100 is also available with an additional 70-210mm lens, and that may be worth considering if you want a longer zoom and are willing to carry an additional lens. There’s also a highly rated 18-135 Sony zoom I’m considering.
Is this the camera for you? If you want extensive features, one of the best action tracking focusing systems, and great picture quality this gets you into an excellent mirrorless camera system at a modest price. If you’re a serious photographer and want a small, walkabout camera with semi-pro features, it’s a solid choice. If all you want is a point and shoot camera and will leave it set on auto rather than make use of its capabilities, there are many other choices that may be more suitable.
All things said, there’s a whole lot here to recommend. A lot of technology is packed into this compact body. At the price, this may be the best deal out there as far as features and price. If Sony would update the arcane menu system and improve the kit lens, it would easily get a 5-star rating from me. As is, it gets a high 4.
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Experience high-quality sound while streaming your favorite songs and movies with these Skullcandy Crusher ANC headphones. Bluetooth technology delivers wireless connectivity to external devices, while the monitor mode effectively handles active noise cancellation for optimal sound quality. With up to 24 hours of battery life on a full charge, these Skullcandy Crusher ANC headphones unlock new dimensions of sound by successfully combining Skullcandy sensory bass, active noise cancelation, and personalized audio profiling..
Customer Rating
4
Good now, could be great
on October 30, 2019
Posted by: Capshroud
from Lawrence
The Crusher ANC wireless is unique among high-end (high price), noise-canceling headphones. Besides having very good sound and acceptable noise-canceling capability, they also have what’s made Skullcandy headphones famous … Crusher bass which you literally feel. However, I got these for a different reason. Their app will tune the sound to your specific hearing profile. My hearing is rather poor after too many years of loud engines and loud bands, so I wanted to see if they could compensate for some of that loss.
Starting at the outside, the build quality is first class. They are attractive and lightweight being all plastic, but they feel solid and substantial. They come with a nice hard case and include a USB C charging cord and a mini to mini cable if you wish a direct connection. The Bluetooth paired quickly without issue, so the only reason I can see to use a wired connection would be if you ran out of battery. With a 25-hour battery rating, I doubt that should be an issue for most. The ear cups are nicely padded and quite comfortable. They look high and feel high end.
The app does what was claimed and uses a hearing test to develop a personal profile that is loaded to the phones. It will remember multiple profiles and users and can be switched easily. It does all this quite well, however, that is the only thing it does. I expected more control and variables for $300+ headphones. The app profile worked for my tired ears and really did make a difference. At times it was an astonishing difference.
As far as sound quality, they are impressive. There’s a slider control on the left to adjust the bass. All the way down and they sound pretty much like any good headphones. When you start increasing the bass, it’s quite the experience. Quickly the haptic function kicks in, and they literally vibrate on your head. Push it on up, and it’s like standing in front of a bass drum or bass guitar amp. You feel the thump and slap. Up to about halfway on the slider, it’s a pretty cool effect and doesn’t muddy the mid and high range sounds. Venture very far beyond that mid-point, and depending on the source, it can become overwhelming. The slider was a good control choice because I found that I needed to change the boost for different cuts as well as different styles of music. It’s easy to use and gives a tactile reference.
The switchable active noise canceling is good, but it’s far from class-leading. Sony and Bose still own that title. If they are the current 10, these are a 7 or 8. They cut a fair amount of background noise and most lows, but you still hear muted, tinny voices, TVs and such. The ANC also adds a slight bit of hiss and additional battery drain. For the rumble and constant sounds on trains, planes and automobiles, they should do a pretty good job. There’s also ambient sound switching, so you can choose to hear more of the outside world when you wish. You touch the left earcup for a few seconds to turn it on or off. The switching has audible prompts to confirm the mode.
All the standard features and functions are accessible at the touch of a button. This includes volume, track change, pause, phone, and calling up Apple or Android assistant. They are excellent for phone calls. That said, the standout feature which makes these unique is the Crusher bass. It’s an experience unlike any other headphones I know of. The sound quality is excellent as long as you don’t push the bass too much. I think Skullcandy needs to develop a more comprehensive app to let you tune things more to your taste. Better noise canceling would put them on par with the big boys in that field plus they’d have the added feature of the Crusher bass. Hopefully, some of this can be done with a new app and/or firmware update.
If you want that Crusher bass you can actually feel along with very good sound and active noise reduction, these are for you. If the bass isn’t a major appeal and noise-canceling is your number one priority, there are better choices.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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Capshroud's Review Comments
Watch movies or check emails with this Samsung Galaxy Tab A. It has a 10-inch screen for easy viewing, and the octa-core processor keeps up with multitasking or streaming. This Samsung Galaxy Tab A has a battery life of up to 13 hours on one charge for convenient portability and long-lasting use.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Mixed - Good for the money
By Capshroud
from Lawrence
There's a lot good about this tablet. It has a lot for the price such as a beautiful high-rez screen, a fast processor, really good battery life, and it comes with Android 6 Marshmallow (more about that).
A minor irritation is that the hardware navigation buttons are not illuminated. In a low light situation, you have to just know where they are.
The biggest weakness is that it only comes with 16 GB of internal memory. It does support SD cards up to 200 GB. However, I found that Samsung has chosen to NOT support adopted memory in their version of Marshmallow. This is true for all Sammy devices. This means you don't have the option of expanding that paltry 16 GB ... half of which is used by the system and Samsung's baked in apps and overlay.
The bottom line is that this is a fine home or kid's tablet, but you shouldn't confuse it with a real working tablet. Perhaps they just didn't want to steal too much thunder from their $400-500 offerings.
I'd almost give this 4 stars and would recommend it with the limitations mentioned.
Capshroud
Lawrence
Apps2SD
August 11, 2016
Yes, you can move some apps to the SD card. That ability has been around for a while, but it's not the same thing as Android 6 adopted memory. It's slower, some apps can be moved but they won't work exactly right ... especially after a reboot. Many still keep a lot of data and cache in internal memory. It's a work around.
+8points
8of 8voted this comment as helpful.
Watch movies or check emails with this Samsung Galaxy Tab A. It has a 10-inch screen for easy viewing, and the octa-core processor keeps up with multitasking or streaming. This Samsung Galaxy Tab A has a battery life of up to 13 hours on one charge for convenient portability and long-lasting use.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Mixed - Good for the money
By Capshroud
from Lawrence
There's a lot good about this tablet. It has a lot for the price such as a beautiful high-rez screen, a fast processor, really good battery life, and it comes with Android 6 Marshmallow (more about that).
A minor irritation is that the hardware navigation buttons are not illuminated. In a low light situation, you have to just know where they are.
The biggest weakness is that it only comes with 16 GB of internal memory. It does support SD cards up to 200 GB. However, I found that Samsung has chosen to NOT support adopted memory in their version of Marshmallow. This is true for all Sammy devices. This means you don't have the option of expanding that paltry 16 GB ... half of which is used by the system and Samsung's baked in apps and overlay.
The bottom line is that this is a fine home or kid's tablet, but you shouldn't confuse it with a real working tablet. Perhaps they just didn't want to steal too much thunder from their $400-500 offerings.
I'd almost give this 4 stars and would recommend it with the limitations mentioned.
Capshroud
Lawrence
Adopted memory
August 11, 2016
Navigator is correct that slow memory can slow the system when using external memory as an extension of internal memory. That's why Android 6 (not Samsung's version) gives you the choice of using the SD card as adopted or portable memory, AND it checks the card's speed and warns if it's too slow to work well. This slow down also happens when moving apps to the card as described by other users.
As I said in my review, this is still a very good tablet. It's probably the best out there for the money. It just didn't meet my needs.
+7points
7of 7voted this comment as helpful.
Capshroud's Questions
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HP OMEN Gaming Laptop: A thin and light premium gaming experience in an elevated design so you can play everyday. With an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics and cooled by OmenTempest Cooling, it makes you think how it all fits into such a tiny little package."
Can I get this version in shadow black? The way i see it, only the intel laptops are shadow black. Is that the way it is? Intel gets black and AMD gets silver? Also you dont have any i5 versions. will that be available in the in a few days.
I think the AMD units are only in silver. However, it's really a dark grey.
3 years, 11 months ago
by
Capshroud
HP OMEN Gaming Laptop: A thin and light premium gaming experience in an elevated design so you can play everyday. With an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics and cooled by OmenTempest Cooling, it makes you think how it all fits into such a tiny little package."
Are both of the drive slots taken up on this model?
No, a 1 TB drive in one and the other available.
3 years, 11 months ago
by
Capshroud
HP OMEN Gaming Laptop: A thin and light premium gaming experience in an elevated design so you can play everyday. With an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics and cooled by OmenTempest Cooling, it makes you think how it all fits into such a tiny little package."
Does this come with a single 16GB or dual 8GB ram chips?
Experience crystal-clear sound quality with this Sony 3.1 Ch. Atmos sound bar. Vertical sound engine technology creates cinematic audio that seriously enhances your listening experience. Enjoy smartphone and iPad streaming with voice-activated Bluetooth technology. This Sony 3.1 Ch. Atmos sound bar is easy to connect and features an adjustable 7.12-channel entertainment mode for enhanced listening.
Can you hook up additional speakers to this soundbar?
Premium. Effective. Elevated. The Theragun Elite is our quietest smart massage. Elegantly designed, lightweight, and fully personalized for your body’s needs. Thanks to its unparalleled power, the Theragun Elite is your ultimate wellness partner and massage device. Now more personalized than ever with our guided app experience to reduce your deep muscle tension, whether it comes from everyday life, work, or workouts.
Does this come with the wireless charger?
The Back-UPS battery backup offers guaranteed power and surge protection for wireless networks, computers, gaming consoles and other electronics in your home or business. Models supply battery backup during outages and unsafe voltage fluctuations, as well as provide protection from damaging surges and spikes. They're available in 'tower' or 'floor' styles, and together with a variety of standard features, they are the perfect choice to protect your data and keep you connected.
Is the battery user replaceable like in the 650VA?
No. At the price, I think this is intended to be a disposable item.
4 years, 9 months ago
by
Capshroud
The Back-UPS battery backup offers guaranteed power and surge protection for wireless networks, computers, gaming consoles and other electronics in your home or business. Models supply battery backup during outages and unsafe voltage fluctuations, as well as provide protection from damaging surges and spikes. They're available in 'tower' or 'floor' styles, and together with a variety of standard features, they are the perfect choice to protect your data and keep you connected.
Would this be a good choice for getting my hurricane shutters up in the event of a power outage?
No, it doesn't have the power to operate motors.
4 years, 9 months ago
by
Capshroud
Get peace and quiet anywhere with these Sony truly wireless noise-cancelling earbuds. An advanced HD noise-cancelling processor blocks distracting background noise so you can focus in noisy environments, and Bluetooth connectivity ensures easy use with smartphones and other devices. These Sony truly wireless noise-cancelling earbuds include a convenient charging case that offers up to 24 hours of use per charge.
Do these earbuds have a low minimum volume threshold? Some Bluetooth headsets and earbuds I own start out at close to a medium volume. Examples of a low volume threshold: The Apple Airpods and the Samsung Galaxy Buds.
I have not noticed any minimum. The dynamic range seems very good.
4 years, 11 months ago
by
Capshroud
Enjoy seamless viewing with this LG 34-inch WFHD monitor. The 178-degree wide-viewing angles provide quality visuals from almost any direction, while the anti-glare coating eliminates distractive reflections to let you focus. Flicker-safe technology helps prevent eye strain during extended viewing periods. This LG WFHD monitor has fast response times that eliminate blurring.
Can you confirm if this has an in built speaker?
Protect your home or business with this Swann 1080p Wi-Fi floodlight security camera. The Full HD resolution lets you review captured footage in stunning detail, while the floodlight ensures that subjects are illuminated. This Swann 1080p Wi-Fi floodlight security camera includes a siren and two-way audio for scaring off trespassers and potential intruders.
How good is the motion detection really? I have purchased several cams and the motion detection is awful. Thanks
I found the motion detection to be quite good. Also, the sensitivity can be adjusted.
5 years ago
by
Capshroud