DavidJr's stats
- Review count342
- Helpfulness votes2,391
- First reviewDecember 8, 2015
- Last reviewNovember 24, 2025
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- Average rating4.2
- Review comment count3
- Helpfulness votes2
- First review commentJune 3, 2016
- Last review commentJune 3, 2016
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- Answer count104
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- First answerDecember 9, 2015
- Last answerDecember 23, 2021
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Wired Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen) features a bold redesign on the outside and Retinal 2K on the inside. With 3D Motion Detection, Low-Light Sight, and other key features, you can be confident that you~ll see when something happens at your front door.
Posted by: DavidJr
I recently had a bad experience with a different doorbell camera and now that I have had this one, I feel even more justified in the review I left for the other one. Since I have had various brands of doorbells over the years, this one has truly impressed me. So, let me get the few things I don’t like out of the way and then I’ll get into everything I enjoyed.
One thing I don’t like about some security cameras is being forced into a subscription to be able to record video. Though, this one is like that, you can buy the Ring Alarm Pro base station and record to Micro-SD. However, many features still require a subscription. The other thing I did not like is the plastic angle piece for installation feels very flimsy. I feel like it could easily be ripped off my door frame. The main bracket is metal, but due to the position of my door, the angle is needed, so it now has the plastic behind it.
Now, out of all the doorbell cameras I have had, this is the first one that did not need some external power source for the chime. I never did understand why I needed to provide an external USB charger for some of them, or have a whole device of its own plugged in. This one just connects right up to the wires inside my old box and is stuck to the wall. Just like the 2 wires used to connect the camera on the outside.
Detection on this thing has been immaculate. I turned motion detection on to see if there is anything I might miss. Apparently I have various animals now visiting my front door. I don’t know if they have been doing that before and I just never caught it on camera or what. Because the viewing angle on this thing is huge, as I can see my whole door, or now that the door bell replies “You are being recorded” when it detects motion and the animals think someone is talking to them. Either way, I find it interesting that I can see so much at the same time and it detects it all. This includes package detection as I get recording of it being delivered and when I removed it.
One thing I like about wired cameras is being able to record early and often. Some wired doorbell cameras still only recorded the moment they detected motion. This one seems to be recording all the time but only saving seconds before the motion/person/package are detected so you can see everything up to the actual event. When there isn’t anything detected, you get a snapshot every 1 minute, so you can see a timelapse of the day. When viewing live, I was surprised there was no record or snapshot feature. Come to find out, it records it automatically when you go live, so you can go back through it with other moments and grab what you need from there.
Ring is also known for their neighborhood features. Like their own social posts for others to share incidents around your neighborhood, but they also have a built-in search party option that can help find lost pets and “Amazon Sidewalk” that allows other devices to share the network connection through your device. Personally, I find that a bit invasive and have disabled them myself, but they claim they are secure and it does help the community with trackers and such.
Of course Ring is by Amazon, so you can easily connect this to your Amazon account and have it ring on other Alexa devices. If you have other Ring cameras, it can even send notifications through the cameras, in case you are out back when the doorbell is pressed for instance. You can also view your devices through their website and enable notifications with your browser, so they even show up on your computer.
Of course Ring is by Amazon, so you can easily connect this to your Amazon account and have it ring on other Alexa devices. If you have other Ring cameras, it can even send notifications through the cameras, in case you are out back when the doorbell is pressed for instance. You can also view your devices through their website and enable notifications with your browser, so they even show up on your computer.
I could go on about every single little thing I like about this camera over the ones I had previously, but I feel I have rambled enough.
Overall, this Ring wired doorbell camera has a huge field of view, crystal clear image, amazing detection and a load of other features. With the simple install and not needing an additional power source, it already impressed me before I really started using it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Protect your home effortlessly with this plug-and-play 2K Wi-Fi Floodlight Camera. No hardwiring needed~just plug in and control the horizontal pan via app for the perfect view. It lights up your space exactly when you need it.
Posted by: DavidJr
Sure, on paper it has some great specs and features. But, in use, this thing is either over recording or under recording. There seems to be no middle ground.
I have used Lorex cameras a lot over the years. Mostly wired NVR/DVR devices and the one wireless device I used of theirs before, I also did not rate well. I was hoping that since it has been a couple years since that mess that they have made better. Well, like I mentioned, on paper, the item is nice. A 2K camera with a bright LED flood light, panning capability even with auto tracking, micro-SD card slot for local recording, two-way audio with a siren and pre-recorded replies that fit many situations. But, what good is all that if it either records every leaf blowing in the yard or misses every single actual event you expect it to capture.
I installed this above my garage, which luckily I have an outdoor plug just to the side. It is a one car garage and the cord is just barely long enough to reach the middle of that to the plug literally right beside the door. I would figure that a security camera system would provide a cord long enough to go inside so it is secured, or even a screw mount option to secure it to the plug. Mounting the camera is fairly easy as they have always provided a little sticker so you can pre-drill holes in the proper location. The plastic mounting bracket also has a notch if you want to drill a hole through your space to run the cord through your wall inside. With 3 screws and a twist on the neck, you are pretty much installed. However, if you do intend to use a micro-SD card, install that first, as the tiny screws for the cover are very easy to lose.
The rest of the install is with the app and it is simple as scanning the QR code and connecting it to WiFi. However, finding the right settings for you is where it starts getting frustrating. There are three detection modes, motion, sound and person. Each one has their own sensitivity settings, schedule and zone. However, sound detection will trigger on practically every breeze that blows by, so not a good idea to keep that one on. I tried just person detection, but it only seems to recognize a person when you are fully in camera, so missing anything that happened as you come into screen. So, you need motion detection if you want to catch other things. But, then as I mentioned, it either catches every single thing while on high, like lighting changing due to clouds, a leaf blowing by or a light change from the house lighting or nearly nothing at all when it is on medium or low. On low, I was literally jumping in front of the camera and nothing.
Then you have light settings. Which of course, that is the whole point of this type of setup. It too has activation settings, but, if you adjust it here, it will then also change your detection settings for the camera. Instead of low/medium/high, it is now an image of a person standing or running. So, put it on running and the light will trigger on everything that the motion was triggering on. Like the camera settings, you also have a schedule you can set for light activation, but good luck on trying to make it stay on the time you want. Apparently there is no “all day” option and you would think that 12:00 am to 11:59 pm would make a full day, but for some reason it reverts to 12 pm every single time I go back to it. It seems to handle smaller intervals, but will not take a full 24 hours or so. There is a separate schedule option for each thing, including notifications. Which again, does the same thing when you try to set for all day.
As mentioned above though, the worst thing is that it is so inconsistent with recording and notifying of events. I get a clip of motion as I am getting out of my truck, not the fact that I drove into the driveway. But, that was just 18 seconds, not the fact that I got out, and walked around my truck. Another time, it only notified me that it detected a person after I was walking out of my vehicle and only for a few seconds, not seeing anything I did after walking away. But, I set it to high detection and now the light is constantly coming on/off, recording 5 minute segments of leaves blowing around. I set the tracking on and can see it is tracking me as I walk around, but check for any playback footage and there is nothing.
Even while working with tech support on trying to get consistent recording and notifications, this camera and the new app were frustrating me. Now I have three different Lorex apps for the various systems that I have obtained over the years and this one, though looks simple, has been the most frustrating as it seems the various settings that look like they are separate, are linked to each other in some way or another.
Overall, the specs you see on the product are nice. However, in everyday practical use, this will either drive you crazy with false notifications and recordings, or not record the very thing you were hoping to have a security camera for.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Introducing the CASETiFY Snappy Ripple Grip Stand. Designed as a seamless extension of our beloved Ripple Case, this MagSafe compatible grip stand delivers everyday function with quiet elegance. Effortlessly snap the Grip Stand onto your MagSafe-compatible phone for a secure hold. Flip it to convert into a 45~ or 90~ stand for easy viewing or streaming, in both landscape and portrait modes. Thanks to its strong magnetic grip and ultra-slim design, your phone stays securely attached, allowing you to use it with one hand and avoid accidental drops. Easily hold your phone and Grip Stand together with just one hand (or slide it into your pocket) With the high magnetic strength, your phone can stay securely attached without accidental drops.
Posted by: DavidJr
With a magsafe phone and case, this is simply pull out of the box and let it snap magnetically to your device. It has a rippled rubberized effect to it that will help grip on flat surfaces on its own. It pops out and magnetically snaps to a specific angle for leaning. However, that is about as far as I feel it is worth it compared to another brand that I have used.
This grip stand is thick and big. The whole pop out part is bigger than the magnetic ring that most cases show, so it feels bulky. It actually weighs a fair bit more than the other one. Then, if you try to use it as a grip between fingers, it does not feel comfortable as the edges are just thin flaps that force an offset as that bulky plastic piece on the other side. Then to use it as a kick stand, it only snaps in one angle. Unlike the other branded item I use, it can’t be adjusted as it relies on the magnet to attach back to those thin strips holding it together.
Overall, I feel this CASETiFY grip stand is just too bulky and very limited in its options compared to others I have used. The only thing I feel is better than the one I have is the rubber outer edge instead of hard plastic/ However, the other one has many more customizable options, so you could get a rubber one as well.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Protect your home and family with a wireless outdoor security camera in crystal-clear 2K resolution, get alerts when motion is detected, watch live video on your phone, and stay connected to the strongest band with Dual-Band WiFi. A 1-Month Arlo Secure plan trial is included. Your trial provides 60-day video history, Smart Detections for People & Vehicle Recognition, Package & Animal Detection, plus Interactive Notifications on your phone's lockscreen with Emergency Response and Call a Friend. See shirt color, car color, and facial features at night with Color Night Vision for day and night surveillance. Hear and speak clearly with visitors with noise-canceling 2-Way Audio, quickly deter threats with the Integrated Siren, and save battery life with Low Power Mode. Easily setup and mount your camera without the hassle of wiring, and conveniently remove it whenever it~s time to recharge. Works with your favorite smart home assistant including Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT, and Google Home.
Customer Rating
4
Covers the essentials, but still to late
on November 2, 2025
Posted by: DavidJr
One thing I always have an issue with on wireless cameras is that they always seem to miss the initial action. I typically recommend a powered or wired camera system to friends because the initial event can be recorded, or you can get 24/7 coverage and not rely on motion detection and the delay of the camera powering on. However, there are situations where you can’t use a wired system and wireless is the only way you are going to have any sense of peace.
I have been using the Arlo Essential (3rd Gen) and the Arlo Pro (6th Gen) for the past week and with them side by side, I can really see the differences in the Pro. This is not to say the Essential is a bad camera, it’s just to point out that the extra price makes a fair bit of a visual difference. You can see my review on the Pro if you want more specifics about it in particular.
I feel the naming of this model is pretty on point. For a wireless camera, you want the essentials, to be able to connect to your WiFi, be able to capture the moment and have two way communication. You get all of that at 1440p resolution, the ability to use 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz on the Wifi, a bright LED that gives decent color night vision and a siren to make it even more obvious that they are being noticed.
The biggest drawback I have with the Essential camera is the fact that you have to remove the whole camera if you need to take it in to charge. This means the camera is out of service for several hours unless you have a source to plug it outside or swap it with another camera. Unlike the Pro, where you can pop the battery out, if you have extras, and put it back in place. The battery life also seems to drain a bit faster on the Essential, so this means that, depending on activity, you may have to take it down every 30 days for a charge.
The reason I say it is still too slow, is with all wireless cameras I have ever used, is to conserve battery, they don’t fully power on till after they detected motion. This means the subject is already moving and you have no idea what they did in the first couple of seconds. With that, there are also times that it might not even record anything of use. Say, like a car passing by, all you noticed is the tail light glow going out of frame. I did notice the Pro captured things a bit more often and slightly faster than the Essential, possibly due to the higher FOV.
As you may notice in the images attached, the Essential still captures a decent image. I almost prefer the Essentials color night vision over the Pro HDR as the lighting from my house sort of blows things out a bit. The FOV difference is only noticeable when directly comparing them side by side as well.
The other issue I have with most wireless cameras is that you have to have the subscription, or their Smart Hub, if you want to be able to record any videos. If you don’t have the subscription, they just become motion detectors that you can watch live for a brief moment. You do get a 30 day trial to test out the main features before you decide on a plan to go with.
Overall, for nearly half the price of the Pro version, this model of the Arlo camera really does cover the essentials. The main disadvantage is that recharging either needs power to the camera or you take the camera down. I personally do not like the missing time that wireless cameras create, but considering you can put this up in a matter of minutes and only cause 2 screw holes, it might be the best option.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Advanced protection and crystal-clear visibility with a high-performance outdoor security camera for your home and loved ones. Capture crystal-clear 2K HDR video that lets you positively identify people, vehicles, and animals and see more of your yard with a wide 160~ Field of View. A 1-Month Arlo Secure plan trial is included. Your trial provides 60-day video history, Custom Detections to create personalized notifications like whether your garage door is open, sprinklers are on, or if your side gate is left open, and call immediate help with one-tap Emergency Response. Get alerts when motion is detected, watch live video on your phone. Set up easily with Bluetooth and stay connected with Dual-Band Wi-Fi, which automatically connects to the 2.4 or 5GHz network, whichever is stronger. No wiring hassles for a wireless DIY install anywhere around your home and the removable battery is easy to recharge or swap out for a fully charged one. Brilliant Color Night Vision has a sophisticated low-light filter and a more powerful Integrated Spotlight, so you can easily distinguish critical details like the color of a shirt, car, and facial features. You can also charge less often and save battery life with Low Power Mode for all day surveillance.
Customer Rating
4
Clear, sharp colorful, but still to late
on November 2, 2025
Posted by: DavidJr
One thing I always have an issue with on wireless cameras is that they always seem to miss the initial action. I typically recommend a powered or wired camera system to friends because the initial event can be recorded, or you can get 24/7 coverage and not rely on motion detection and the delay of the camera powering on. However, there are situations where you can’t use a wired system and wireless is the only way you are going to have any sense of peace.
I have been using the Arlo Pro (6th Gen) and the Arlo Essential (3rd Gen) for the past week and with them side by side, I can really see the differences in the Pro. The video looks clearer, more vibrant with the HDR and you can see the little bit of extra field of view. Plus, the battery is removable, but it is a strange way of removing it and you have to be pretty cautious on reinstalling it as the most obvious spots to push you are to avoid pushing on. But, to take advantage of this, you either keep the whole camera with your USB power source, or buy the extra battery and charger set. As you can’t just plug in the battery directly without the camera or charger that is not included.
With the battery, it is all dependent on the traffic in the area, the use of the LED spotlight, audio, and other actions that drain the battery. I had it in a fairly active area and it was draining about 2% a day. At that rate, in about 45-50 I would need to pull it out to charge, This is where having the extra batteries and charger would be very beneficial. Especially if you have multiple cameras.
Not listed as a feature difference, I feel the Pro was catching motion more often, at further distance, than the Essential. Where I literally had them side by side, there were vehicles passing by that the Pro captured. Well, at least the last fleeting seconds as the vehicle left the frame, that the Essential did not.
The Pro also has an optional video setting for “auto zoom and tracking”. It is interesting, so long as there isn’t anything else in the image that might be moving. I have a tree and a flag in my front yard. I got an alert for a vehicle and the only thing I see is the tree blowing. However, I checked the other camera, since it did not zoom, and I can see that a vehicle did indeed pass by.
Arlo’s newer cameras now feature using either 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz, which can help reduce some traffic and increase speeds. However, 5Ghz is not the best for range and wall penetration. So, depending on the placement of your cameras, you might need to decide between the two. However, on another note, with an additional purchase, you can also get the Arlo Smart Hub and put the traffic to that device instead. This also gives the option for local storage, which leads to my next point.
You have to have a subscription to make any real use of these cameras. If you do not have a subscription, or the Smart Hub, you will ONLY get motion notifications and the ability to watch the camera live. If you don’t watch it live at the moment of the notification, you may have no indication of what really happened, let alone the delay from the video in the first place. The subscriptions can be seen on their site or through the app and you do get a 30 day trial to try out the features.
You have to have a subscription to make any real use of these cameras. If you do not have a subscription, or the Smart Hub, you will ONLY get motion notifications and the ability to watch the camera live. If you don’t watch it live at the moment of the notification, you may have no indication of what really happened, let alone the delay from the video in the first place. The subscriptions can be seen on their site or through the app and you do get a 30 day trial to try out the features.
With all that said, I personally still recommend a wired or powered system so that you get the faster reaction times, you don’t have to take the camera out of commission to charge, and you typically don’t have to have a subscription. However, for a wireless system, Arlo has been pretty decent over the years and the Pro version really brings all the features. You can place them practically anywhere within range of your WiFi and even with the short delay of initial recording, if the camera angle is placed well, you can usually see all the details.
Overall, if I were looking for a wireless camera, I’d probably recommend going with the Pro for the clarity of the HDR, the added FOV and the replaceable battery. Even with both versions of the camera having the same resolution, the Pro version just looks sharper. Having a wider FOV also means it will see the motion quicker and hopefully capture all the information needed.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 Select delivers 2K video clarity, intelligent detection, and smart home control in one device. Advanced mmWave radar and face recognition provide accurate alerts without false alarms, while built-in Zigbee and Thread/Matter hubs connect your entire smart home ecosystem. End-to-end encrypted streaming keeps your video secure, and expandable local storage enables 24/7 recording. Compatible with HomeKit Secure Video and dozens of third-party devices, the G410 Select lets you see who's at your door, control your locks, lights, and security systems, all while maintaining complete privacy. One doorbell. Complete smart home control.
Customer Rating
3
Slow and near useless without subscription
on October 29, 2025
Posted by: DavidJr
I figured this might be a good replacement for my older doorbell. I prefer having one that has the option to be wired as I have the wiring. I also like when security systems let you have local storage of some type. This one lets you do it with a micro-SD card on the hub that you plug inside. But, there are several things that I am not thrilled with on this one.
For one, the installation is not very clear, but having had another doorbell, I already had familiarity with installing them. This one wants you to scan a tiny QR code on the device, one of three that are on there, so figure it out, I guess. Then it wants you to use the app for install and it gives options to toggle tamper alarm and linger detection. But, if you toggle them here, it starts blaring an alarm as you haven’t officially mounted the device yet. But, come to find out, you don’t just turn it off in notifications, you also have to go into AI detection as well.
Anyways, once it is installed it looks bulky, a bit wider than my old one. But, it makes it very obvious for people to see. Ringing the doorbell works great and when connected to a smart speaker it can alert you there too. But, besides doorbell pressing, it seems hit or miss on other detection.
I’ve had it installed for a few days now and out of me going in and out of my house several times in the past couple days, it only shows detection of a face once, 3 days ago, when the delivery person was really close. Any other time, nothing, not even a person notification. I had linger detection enabled, but it seems to think my flag, off to the side, as lingering, all the time. If it wasn’t for the fact you can turn on full time recording and save it to the SD card locally, I wouldn’t have any footage of someone at the door because if it only saves the notification clips to the cloud. Let alone if it was on battery and not sending them.
But, accessing that footage on the SD card is slow. Most of the time, as I try to scroll through the footage, it just jumps back to the last time it showed, making it really difficult to scrub the footage. Though it does have a filter option, if it doesn’t detect a face, doorbell ring, linger or tamper, you have to manually find it.
Speaking of the cloud, the subscription is pretty much needed if you want it to detect anything and if you want face detection, you need the unlimited plan. So, at that point, you might as well get more cameras of the same brand to make it worthwhile. Otherwise, just for a single doorbell camera that sometimes detects people, I don’t see it worth it.
With the app, it is easy enough to get straight to looking at the camera, as it does have a refreshed image on the main dashboard. But, if you want to do anything else, you have to click the small “Doorbell>” link below it. From there you can do more options, but one would think that clicking the image would take you there instead. Like commonly needed is to have 2 way talk, which you can also disguise your voice with 3 alternate modifiers, so they might not think a kid is answering.
There are several settings you can change in there as well. I do find it interesting that you can put any MP3 file or record anything you want to be the doorbell sound internally. However, like mentioned above, some settings are doubled up in notifications and AI. Then you have a way to set a privacy screen, but it uses a generic picture and not the actual camera, so you have to remember what you want to block.
Overall, I wouldn’t say this is a horrible camera, but it feels like it is their first iteration at making one. There are several things that put me off with it and not getting person notifications really makes it feel useless. It could be my porch style, but walking into the door it should notice me. It has some neat features and if you have other Aqara products, then the subscription service might be right for you. At least it has an option to record locally, albeit it being a hassle to scroll through.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Capture every drive with confidence using the ARC 700, a powerful 4K dash cam offering crystal-clear front and 2K rear recording. Equipped with Sony STARVIS and Galaxycore sensors, HDR, and Super Night Vision 3.0, it delivers sharp, balanced footage day or night. Enjoy peace of mind with advanced Parking Surveillance Modes, including Motion & Impact Detection, Time Lapse, and optional Radar Mode. Smart Thermal Protection ensures reliable performance in extreme heat, while Safety Camera Alerts and support for up to 256GB microSD cards add everyday convenience. The ARC 700 comes ready to install~everything you need, right in the box.
Customer Rating
5
Everyone should have a dash cam
on October 25, 2025
Posted by: DavidJr
With the craziness in the world today, I feel everyone should have a dash cam. Regardless of the incident, it just about always comes down to he said/she said and then you have to work it out with insurance or court. But, if you have video evidence of you going through a green light, doing 25 in a 25, the color of that vehicle that fled the scene, there are a lot of things that can clear you of an incident. Luckily, I’ve only had a couple incidents that didn’t even involve me directly, that I have used clips for my camera for. But, I like knowing it is there because it has even helped clear someone else of possible charges because I stayed to share the proof.
Regardless of which camera you settle with, there are always limiting factors. Sometimes you don’t have a high enough resolution to see everything, or you didn’t catch the right angle because you only had 1 camera. In the case of this Thinkware Arc 700, those two problems are mostly alleviated. The direct sides are still hard to cover, but the wide angle on these cameras gets pretty much fender to fender on each side. With the 4K on the front and 1440p on the back, you are catching a lot of details. However, with that quality comes the size of the files. With the included 64GB micro-SD card, you are only going to have about 90 minutes worth of continuous recordings. So, if there was something you wanted to get a clip of, even if it wasn’t an accident, you might want to pull of and grab it before it is overwritten. On the brighter side, you can replace that micro-SD with up to 256GB card, which should give you up to 6 hours worth of 4K/2K storage. Also, if an impact is detected, it will save the immediate file and keep it from being overwritten. For me, that has mostly been rough potholes so far.
Not on by default is the speed time stamp. Something that is easily changed while you are connected to the device by a cellphone. It is pretty straight forward with connecting as well. As long as the device is powered on, when you open the app after initial setup, it switches over to the 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz WiFi directly, pending settings.
Installation can be as simple as cleaning your windshield and sticking the device to it, connecting to the cigarette lighter, hiding the wires and you are off. However, if you want to take full advantage of the system, you will want to use the other wiring kit that it came included with. With this, you need to connect to a continuous power source and a switched source. Though it does recommend a professional, so long as you can find the right fuses in a fuse box, it’s not that hard. For example one of my fuses goes to powered locks, so it is battery and the driver assist cameras are on ACC, when the vehicle is running. So, I pulled the fuse, wrapped the pre-cut tip of the wire around one side and pushed it back in. Now I have the parking mode and have my power port back.
With the parking mode you can set it to different settings, but by default, it remains in a low power mode and when it detects motion, records a short clip, like 20 seconds. If an impact is detected from the G sensor, it will save the clip and lock it so it does not get overwritten. When you get in and start up your vehicle, the voice comes on and tells you if there were incidents recorded during parking mode.
Overall, this system is easy to set up and great for catching all the details. Having the other wire kit that it comes with installed is the best way to take full advantage of it. There are more options, like radar capability, but I do not have those attachments. The only thing I suggest is getting a larger micro-SD card as 90 minutes goes by pretty fast if you want to save a clip that was not locked by the G sensor.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Valor Pro Wireless pushes performance on Xbox with game-changing features. React faster with the rear paddles by keeping your thumbs on the thumbsticks while you jump, slide, reload, and more. With a low-latency wireless connection, Bluetooth~, and 1k Hz polling on PC, every movement stays sharp and responsive. Our new anti-drift TMR thumbsticks are designed to feel familiar while still alleviating common symptoms of wear and tear. Customize your controller settings without ever leaving your console with the SCUF app available on Xbox and PC. The built-in battery delivers up to 17 hours of playtime and recharges fast with the included 6ft USB-C.
Posted by: DavidJr
I’ve had a fair bit of game controllers over the years and it never fails that eventually at least one of the thumb sticks starts to drift. I’ve had one controller with Hall Effect and have wished more controllers had them. Now I have this one with Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) and I think I might like them a bit better. I can’t quite explain it, but they feel a bit more snappy and precise. But, technically they should still last a lot longer than the default potentiometers of most standard controllers. Only time will tell, but since they are like the Hall Effects in the sense that they are using magnets instead of physical connections, they shouldn’t have those issues.
As for the controller in general, it is about 6g heavier than my original Series X controller but feels so much better in hand. The rubberized grips and the shape of the extra buttons on the back just rest perfect in hand. If you don’t like the extra buttons, you can pop the two middle ones out and replace them with flat caps. The other two flow seamlessly into the grip. The A/B/X/Y buttons are regular membrane like the standard controllers, the RB/LB are like mouse clicks and the RT/LT you can flip a switch and take it instantly from analog to digital, like you have two more mouse buttons.
In the center back of the controller you have the profile button which can switch between 3 on board profiles and be used to program the paddles on the fly. The different profiles can include the programming of the buttons, the stick response and deadzones, with lowest of 4%, trigger response and deadzones and vibration. All changed through the app on PC and/or Xbox. The app is currently in beta, so you have to get it on PC through the Microsoft Store first, then you can install it on Xbox with the same account. One odd thing that threw me off is that you have to have the controller in Xbox mode while using the app, even on a PC. But, then you can switch it back to PC which then the audio settings change to Valor Pro instead of Xbox Controller. It works on PC in either mode, it’s just how Windows recognizes it.
Speaking of the audio, it has a 3.5mm jack and two scroll wheels. The left one is for audio and the right one is for chat/game mix, which only seems to work on the Xbox. But, both of them can be pushed in with the left one instantly muting audio and the right muting the microphone. Personally, I found the audio level to get reduced a fair bit when listening through the controller versus straight to my PC. But, having the simple mute option is handy regardless. On the Xbox the mix works fine.
Overall, with this controller, it has certainly helped up my game. The extra paddles are easy to program and use while being able to quickly switch between different profiles. The app, though a bit of a task to get working, helps really refine everything about it. Whether you are using it for PC, Xbox or something like the Quest over Bluetooth, you are in control.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience premium PC gaming audio & chat with the Turtle Beach Atlas 200 wired gaming headset for PC, gaming consoles and mobile devices. Featuring a pair of high-performance 50mm Nanoclear drivers optimized for spatial audio on PC, the Atlas 200 delivers ultra-detailed sound for immersive gaming. An included USB audio adapter provides enhanced PC audio features via Swarm II desktop software including pristine 24-bit/96kHz high-fidelity audio, Waves 3D Audio, Advanced Superhuman Hearing, a dynamic 10-band EQ, up to five custom presets and variable mic monitoring. The adjustable floating headband, memory foam ear cushions, and ProSpecs glasses-friendly comfort ensure hours of fatigue-free gameplay. Chat clearly with the uni-directional, flip-to-mute mic that reduces background noise and stay in control with variable mic monitoring so you can always hear the level of your own voice to avoid shouting.
Posted by: DavidJr
These are about as simple as they come. I personally prefer wired headphones because there is less opportunity for odd interruptions or digital feedback. However, a lot of technology is getting away from the 3.5mm jack. Good thing that most console controllers still have them and even if your PC doesn’t have one, this comes with a USB-A to 3.5mm dongle so you can use them.
These are really light, pretty comfortable around the ear with deep wells so not to rub even my big ears. The only thing I feel is a bit odd is the hook and loop elastic band is the only size adjustment there is. Each side has a tab that you pull and stretch to the Min/Max that you desire. Unlike others, the main plastic parts of the headset have no adjusting, but it is extremely flexible. There is also no padding at the top of the headset. So, as that band eventually wears down, the hard plastic will rest on your head.
The sound quality is pretty decent, something I would hope to be impressive with a wired headset. However, it felt that the volume levels weren’t as high as I was looking for at first. I did get the Swarm II application and there is an option to “maximize device volume”, in which it will give you a warning. This helped a little bit, but I couldn’t say precisely. Then I realized that there are 2 audio channels so that you can sort game/chat audio on the PC. As soon as I forced it to only use 1 channel, all the volume came in to the point I had to turn it down with the volume knob.
With the Swarm II app and the USB dongle, you also have the ability to turn on their ‘Waves 3D’ audio. Personally, I did not like it. It sounds like it put everything into a cave or large concrete room. I personally prefer using Dolby Atmos and that works just fine with this headset. While in the app, you can also fine tune other audio settings with an EQ or other specific settings, like “Superhuman hearing” for gunshots and footsteps. Really just makes the high sounds stand out.
Overall, this is not a bad headset. It certainly has a budget feel to it, but the sound quality, even of the microphone, makes up for it, especially when you customize it to your liking with the Swarm II software.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The lightweight ROG Pelta gaming headset boasts a 309-gram design and includes a stylish adjustable elastic headband for comfortable all-day gaming. The versatile tri-mode connectivity allows for cross-platform compatibility, so you can use the Pelta with mobile phones, PCs, and gaming consoles.
Customer Rating
4
Not bad, once you get the app
on October 18, 2025
Posted by: DavidJr
Fairly light, comfortable for long hours of wear and battery life that seems to last for days. One thing I did not like is the default sound that is quickly remediated once you get the Armoury Crate application installed. By default, it sounds very high pitched, like the focus is on foot steps and gun shots, which does not work well for many other applications. Same for the outgoing sound, as my teammate said it sounded small, like a tin can at times.
Once you get the app installed you get all kinds of customizations. Overall presets based on things like movies, gaming, FPS or RPG. Which includes a full EQ with some common presets as well. You can individually customize all of them to your liking. Same for the microphone with noise gate, noise reduction and “perfect voice” sliders. You can adjust the lighting, which is just the logo on the sides, or disable it from there or by holding one of the headset buttons. It also helps extend the battery by leaving it off as well as other settings that you can change in the app.
My biggest gripe with this headset is the painfully small switch for power and switching between Bluetooth, off and 2.4Ghz. It barely sits above the surface and is really stiff. Nice thing about it, you aren’t going to accidentally flip it. Then the mute for the microphone. The audio notification is so faint that you aren’t going to hear it while playing. But, there is a red light on the mic, when it works. I’ve had to unplug and plug the microphone back in a couple times to get it to register properly, otherwise I would have no idea the headset was muted. Then, out of nowhere I’m getting pop up notifications that the volume has changed, despite not touching the volume.
Overall, this is a pretty solid headset and I am a fan of ASUS ROG. But, you have to have the Armoury Crate app to make it sound good and just trying to change that tiny power switch frustrates me every time I go to use it. The occasional missing LED for the mute seems to be an odd power cycle thing that can possibly get fixed in firmware, but is also irritating when you don’t want to blast everyone with a sneeze in their ear. Why can’t high dollar headsets like this use BT and 2.4Ghz at the same time like some others?
I would recommend this to a friend!
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DavidJr's Review Comments
Samsung Gear VR for Select Samsung Cell Phones: Mobile virtual reality is finally here. Watch movies in your own private cinema, be at the center of your favorite games, and socialize with friends in a virtual world all your own. The lightweight design and intuitive touchpad drop you right in the action and allow for hours of immersive entertainment.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5Very unhappy about not getting the GearVR programs
By Sunshower
I tried many different ways to find out how to download the Gear VR programs by going to Samsung and Oculus online. All unsuccessful!!
DavidJr
June 3, 2016
Once you connect the Gear VR to the phone it starts a download for the software. There appears to be no other way to initiate the install. Once the Oculus software is installed, games and applications can be purchased through the application or from inside the store while wearing the device.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Samsung Gear VR for Select Samsung Cell Phones: Mobile virtual reality is finally here. Watch movies in your own private cinema, be at the center of your favorite games, and socialize with friends in a virtual world all your own. The lightweight design and intuitive touchpad drop you right in the action and allow for hours of immersive entertainment.
Overall1 out of 5
1 out of 5Need certain phones to use this.
By Donna
Wasn't told at time of purchase that certain phones were required to use this device. After purchase was when this was discovered. During this time we purchased a new home and was moving. After the move, tried to return the item because I didn't want to purchase a new phone. The only way the store would accept this return was to give me a gift card. I didn't want a gift card that I would most likely not use. Not happy with this policy at all. Also have made posts to FB in regards to your policy. I will not EVER enter your store again or make another purchase from you online. This is NOT how you treat a customer and expect more business from them.
DavidJr
It is labeled on the box and the site details
June 3, 2016
It says on the front and back of the box, "Compatible with Note5/S6 edge+/S6/S6 edge" and anywhere you look online it says it as well.
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Samsung Gear VR for Select Samsung Cell Phones: Mobile virtual reality is finally here. Watch movies in your own private cinema, be at the center of your favorite games, and socialize with friends in a virtual world all your own. The lightweight design and intuitive touchpad drop you right in the action and allow for hours of immersive entertainment.
Overall
2 out of 5
2 out of 5I have problems getting my phone to sync with this
By Drestyle
When I put my phone in the unit it doesn't seem it. I keep having to pull it out and try again.
DavidJr
June 3, 2016
What phone are you using and is it up to date? The Samsung Gear VR is only compatible with Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge and a software update from your carrier is required for S6 edge+ and Note 5.
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DavidJr's Questions
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Upgrade your entertainment setup with this stunning 55-inch Samsung QLED smart TV. Enjoy enhanced color and 2160p-resolution playback thanks to the television~s 4K UHD display, which adds realism and vibrance to movies. Stream content wirelessly on demand and connect additional home theater components via the Samsung QLED smart TV~s four HDMI inputs.
Whats the input lag on these new Qleds? are they good for gaming on like a ps4 pro?
A professional ratings site puts the input lag around 24ms in gaming mode, 79ms out of gaming mode. Gaming mode turns of several processing features but playing games in 4K HDR looks great and responsive.
8 years, 7 months ago
by
DavidJr
Immerse yourself in virtual reality fun with your Galaxy device and these Samsung Gear VR goggles. Whether you want to experience movies on the big screen or enter your favorite gaming world, simply snap in a smartphone to make it possible. These Samsung Gear VR goggles are also lightweight and padded for comfort.
How much gb does it use with the note 5 and how much ectra does it cost to use ?
The initial install will take up about 30MB, however each application and game varies in size. Anywhere from a few MB to several GB. On average the majority of involved games take up about 400-600 MB each.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
DavidJr
Immerse yourself in virtual reality fun with your Galaxy device and these Samsung Gear VR goggles. Whether you want to experience movies on the big screen or enter your favorite gaming world, simply snap in a smartphone to make it possible. These Samsung Gear VR goggles are also lightweight and padded for comfort.
samsung gear vr blue black sm-r323nbkaxar will this work with Iphone
No, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, or Galaxy S6 edge+ only.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
DavidJr
Immerse yourself in virtual reality fun with your Galaxy device and these Samsung Gear VR goggles. Whether you want to experience movies on the big screen or enter your favorite gaming world, simply snap in a smartphone to make it possible. These Samsung Gear VR goggles are also lightweight and padded for comfort.
Will this work with a Samsung Galaxy S5. SMG900V?
No, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, or Galaxy S6 edge+ only.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
DavidJr
Immerse yourself in virtual reality fun with your Galaxy device and these Samsung Gear VR goggles. Whether you want to experience movies on the big screen or enter your favorite gaming world, simply snap in a smartphone to make it possible. These Samsung Gear VR goggles are also lightweight and padded for comfort.
If I buy this for my grandson, what else do I need to buy.
You have to have a Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, or Galaxy S6 edge+ phone. Other than that, nothing is required to play the majority of apps and games. However, some games will require a Bluetooth controller in order to play.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
DavidJr
Immerse yourself in virtual reality fun with your Galaxy device and these Samsung Gear VR goggles. Whether you want to experience movies on the big screen or enter your favorite gaming world, simply snap in a smartphone to make it possible. These Samsung Gear VR goggles are also lightweight and padded for comfort.
Will this work on a Samsung Galaxy S5, thank you 4 ur time
No, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+ only.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
DavidJr
Immerse yourself in virtual reality fun with your Galaxy device and these Samsung Gear VR goggles. Whether you want to experience movies on the big screen or enter your favorite gaming world, simply snap in a smartphone to make it possible. These Samsung Gear VR goggles are also lightweight and padded for comfort.
How do you play the games if your phone is connected to the headset? Would I need to buy a Bluetooth controller? Are there controller buttons on the headset?
There is a direction pad on the right side that provides function for the majority of apps and games. touch and direction. However, some games require a Bluetooth controller for full operation and usually state so in the description.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
DavidJr
Immerse yourself in virtual reality fun with your Galaxy device and these Samsung Gear VR goggles. Whether you want to experience movies on the big screen or enter your favorite gaming world, simply snap in a smartphone to make it possible. These Samsung Gear VR goggles are also lightweight and padded for comfort.
Bought this for my friend but he has a Samsung Galaxy S 5 active.... does it work with it?
No, only Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
DavidJr
Immerse yourself in virtual reality fun with your Galaxy device and these Samsung Gear VR goggles. Whether you want to experience movies on the big screen or enter your favorite gaming world, simply snap in a smartphone to make it possible. These Samsung Gear VR goggles are also lightweight and padded for comfort.
Do you need to purchase any accessories, batteries, etc; before the SamsungGear VR (2016) Blue BLK will work?
No, there are no batteries in the system as it uses your Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, or Galaxy S6 edge+ phone directly. However, some games may require a Bluetooth controller to function properly.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
DavidJr
Immerse yourself in virtual reality fun with your Galaxy device and these Samsung Gear VR goggles. Whether you want to experience movies on the big screen or enter your favorite gaming world, simply snap in a smartphone to make it possible. These Samsung Gear VR goggles are also lightweight and padded for comfort.
Will the Samsung Gear Vr work with the Galaxy S7
Yes, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+ are supported.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
DavidJr