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
- Helpfulness votes221
- First answerDecember 9, 2015
- Last answerDecember 23, 2021
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The Arlo Essential Security Bundle is an $425 value if purchased separately at regular price.~ The Essential Outdoor Camera (2nd Generation) delivers sharp 2K resolution for exceptional smart home security. It lets you zoom in 12x to capture details like license plates and eye color. You~ll stay informed with instant alerts and live video streaming straight to your smart device. Deter intruders using the Integrated Spotlight or activate Integrated Siren manually or automatically through the Arlo Secure App. Color Night Vision ensures clear visibility even in low light while noise-canceling audio lets you communicate with visitors effortlessly. Setup takes just minutes by connecting directly to Wi-Fi. The rechargeable battery and weather-resistant design provide reliable performance. A 30-day trial of the Arlo Secure plan is included. After trial, a paid plan is required to keep premium features like 60-day video cloud storage, advanced detection, 24/7 Emergency Response, and more.
Customer Rating
3
Only if you keep the subscription!
on November 27, 2023
Posted by: DavidJr
I had some Arlo cameras several years ago and they were my first wireless cameras. I really enjoyed them, but after getting a wired camera system, I realized how much I was missing. Wireless cameras are easy to install and can be placed nearly anywhere. I literally put one on my mailbox and one on a tree. Not running 100ft of ethernet cable to do something like that. So, there are certain advantages to wireless over wired as well. One issue with wireless is that you are always going to miss a few seconds of the situation as it triggers motion, then it starts recording. Also you are going to have to recharge them at some point.
My previous Arlo cameras were simple to open and replace, so you could have a spare battery already charged and ready. However, these Arlo Essential cameras are sealed, so you have to remove the whole camera. So, this means if you put your camera in a place that requires a little climbing, you are going to have to climb up there from time to time. This also means you have to make sure the position of the camera is where you want it, every time you set it back in place. Of course, that amount of time is dependent on the activity of the area and how you use the camera. Having the LED enabled for night time and selecting better video over power will make it vary a lot. Looking at about a few weeks to a couple months worth of variation.
As mentioned above, the other issue with wireless is the few seconds that you are likely to miss. For instance, a car drives by and by the time the camera starts recording, all you see is the reflection of light from their tail lights. For the most part, for the average speed of a person or animal, you will still see them, provided your camera position is decent. But, the recording also goes the other way around where it doesn’t record long enough. For instance, someone walks into frame and starts walking away from the camera, you might get 11 seconds of video but it was the 15th second that they threw a rock through your window.
The image/video quality is decent. You can make out most major details, but not going to see the fine details, like plat numbers, unless you are right up on the vehicle. However, on a wet day the camera can be pretty much useless. The funny thing is, it still knows when there is an animal or person, but when you look at the footage you would be lucky to see them yourself. See the image below. Then you get this occasional purple video when it seems confused on whether it is in night IR mode or color night mode. See purple image below.
The biggest issue I have with this system, and the reason I would not recommend them, is they are pretty much useless as security cameras unless you subscribe to their monthly secure plans. I’m pretty sure back in the day you would at least get 7 days of recording if you didn’t subscribe, but as it is now, you get nothing but a notification of motion without the subscription. You can open the camera with that notification, see live video and record directly to your device at that time, but by then the situation may have already passed. So, not only are you paying for the kit up front, you have to pay the monthly plan as well if you want them to be security cameras.
The plan allows for up to 30 days of recording, smart notifications like vehicle, animal, person and additional features in the app like activity zones and customization. You can even get higher level plans that include 24/7 emergency response and if you have a security system as well, the professional monitoring with video verification. With the 4 cameras, you would want to get the “Unlimited Cameras” option. But, like all subscriptions “prices are subject to change”, so you might eventually be paying even more just to use your cameras in the future.
Overall, for wireless cameras, they are not bad. Image quality is pretty decent, provided moisture does not settle on the lens and lighting is optimal. It’s just the lack of ability to record without having a monthly plan, there is no local storage to even prevent from having to be online and no ability to just swap the battery as you have to bring the whole camera in to charge it. Basically, if you want your security cameras to provide security, you have to keep the subscription going or they just become wireless webcams with motion notifications.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a versatile laptop for creativity and entertainment, combining cutting-edge design with incredible performance to power the most demanding apps.
Customer Rating
4
Trying so hard to be like that other brand
on November 6, 2023
Posted by: DavidJr
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a decent laptop that feels and looks like it is really trying hard to be like that other brand of similar slimline sealed computers. Sure, this one is a bit unique in the angle and flip touch screen, but it feels bulky and too heavy to treat as an actual tablet unless you want to work out your arm. And, for the price range, you could find something with a higher end graphics card and the ability to upgrade on your own.
The computer feels very solid with its metal exterior. Even the flip screen feels strong. The screen is clear and sharp, but could really do with some more brightness and is extremely reflective. It seamlessly flips between screen modes with the positions being locked in with magnetism. It has the ability to work with the Surface Slim Pen, also magnetically stored under the lip of the touchpad, but not included. At this price point, it feels like something that should come with it. The power connector is also unique to the Surface and held by magnets, so a little shifting around and you might not even notice that you are no longer charging because it is barely holding in there. Neat thing about the charger though, it has a USB-A port so you can charge other USB items at the same time.
As for charging, I don’t know how you are going to get 19 hours of battery life. Maybe if you turn the brightness down ever further, make sure the keyboard lightness is off and not running any applications. Just letting it play a movie on loop it died at about 9 hours. Even then, there were times in which the video looked like it was skipping frames.
For ports you have USB-A 3.1, two USB-C USB4/Thunderbolt 4, a 3.5 mm headphone/mic and MicroSDXC card reader. It has Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E: 802.11ax as well. However, for some speed tests I ran with it on my new Wi-Fi 6E router it returns half the upload speed. My other 6E capable laptop returns expected results for the download and upload speed though. Regardless, it was getting up to 1.2Gbps down, which is my ISP cap. It also has a 1080p Full HD camera in which you can use Studio effects for your video meetings. It’s pretty sharp and maintains decent light balance.
Despite all the negative points I may have mentioned above, it is still a really nice looking laptop and very capable to do most things with some lower performance settings on applications. It is sitting in the price range of many gaming laptops, but it sits in a benchmark less than most office computers. Like I mentioned at the start, it really feels like it is trying to be a direct competitor with the other major brand, but still feels dated and not outdoing it other than being Windows based. For what it is I give it the stars, but I would not recommend this to a friend unless they needed it for a very specific reason.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Mini ~ the immersive sound from just one compact device for movie and music lovers. AMBEO Soundbar Mini delivers a cinema-grade sound experience from one sleek unit, with no more cables and speakers cluttering your precious space. Developed with the German research organization Fraunhofer IIS Institute, the AMBEO virtualization technology creates a virtual speaker setup that delivers the maximum possible 3D immersion a single compact device can offer. Designed with Sennheiser~s audiophile expertise, AMBEO Soundbar Mini brings music to life and automatically adjusts the sound to the type of content. AMBEO can even upmix stereo and 5.1 content to make you feel like you are in a concert hall. Enjoy the best of Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, 360 Reality Audio, and MPEG-H audio. Set up is easy. The self-calibration feature adapts to your room~s acoustics, positioning virtual speakers around the room. The intuitive app provides easy control for audio settings, equalizer, voice comprehension, and more. AMBEO Soundbar Mini~s modern design, elegantly crafted to fit any room, hides a feature-loaded digital soul. AMBEO|OS supports all major audio streaming services, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, granting access to powerful features. Upgrade your audio experience with Sennheiser~s AMBEO Soundbar Mini.
Customer Rating
4
Tiny sound to go with it’s tiny size
on November 6, 2023
Posted by: DavidJr
Smaller than your average soundbar at only 27.5 inches long. Simple and minimalist style. With 1 HDMI port with cable included, 1 USB port, power cord and some buttons. The remote has more buttons that it needs, like they just needed to fill the space to keep it up to size. Play, pause and fast forward functions are done with the single multi-function button yet it needs a separate button for each EQ style?
Also, the remote has a source up/down button, but it only changes back to the wired devices if you are using a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth source. No way of going back to those sources with the remote. You have to use something like Alexa, Google assistant or the Smart Control app. You can plug this up and connect to a TV and be running without going through any real set up. But, to take advantage of everything it is best to get the app. This way you can add voice assistants and use other services.
Once you run the system calibration, the sound truly does sound dimensional. Giving the effect that there is sound coming from other directions. However, without a subwoofer it feels tiny, lacking lows. Then, if you try to crank it all the way up, the sound starts to break up. It is certainly louder than you would listen to on average, but it just feels like it is a bunch of small speakers trying to be bigger than they can handle. The same goes for switching audio sources, like it is all cracked and broken, like it needs to buffer the audio.
Overall, this is like a large smart speaker in the shape of a small sound bar with e-ARC HDMI input. It’s not bad and probably would be a lot better if it came with the subwoofer. I feel for the price range there are some that come with subwoofers, have more input options and provide similar features.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The cube pro makes cleaning floors easier than ever. High-efficiency vacuuming and high-quality mopping keep floors spotless. Sophisticated laser-based object avoidance ensures the job gets done without hangups. And with a full Auto-Empty Station that self empties, washes and dries the mop, you can keep your hands free from cleaning. Handy, indeed.
Customer Rating
4
Keeping the place mostly clean
on November 6, 2023
Posted by: DavidJr
This is my first self emptying and mopping robot. I have had other vacuums of different brands and in direct comparison to those, this one is pretty impressive. The mopping part is a bit odd to me. For one, it is essentially just dragging a wet cloth across your floor. So, it is just distributing the mess and picking up what it can in the cloth till it goes back to clean itself off, 20 minutes by default, or when done. Just out of curiosity, I threw some mustard on my floor and did a spot clean. It made the mustard disappear, but I could see the residue of it in the area it cleaned. Note the comparison picture and the circled area that you can see the residue difference. Plus, now I have a mess of mustard inside the vacuum rollers.
Now, don’t get me wrong, it is still pretty amazing it does this and the mess is technically gone. But, a real mop and fresh water is needed if you really want it to be clean and not just spread around.
This system is pretty big compared to your typical vacuum bots because you have a whole house for it now. One that will empty, clean and dry the mop pad of the robot on its own. However, you do have to empty the station out after each clean for the water and ever so often for the filter. At least it came with extra filters so you don’t have to get replacements right away.
The setup is fairly easy, but the record with the QR code, odd choice for an image, is not a video of the actual device, but one of an older device. For the most part, the setup is similar but different and can be confusing seeing that they are different products. But, you simply need to make sure you have space for the station, removing all the security padding and strips, attaching the edge brushes, putting water in the tank and putting the plug in the water tank. The rest of the setup process is through the Yeedi app.
The Yeedi app is fairly simple and allows for advanced options. Like one option I suggest changing, under the omni station, the clean time is default 20 minutes for the pad, you can reduce it to 10 minutes. This means after 10 minutes of mopping, it will return to clean the mop pad and then resume cleaning. You can set other things like virtual zones, the sequence for rooms, schedules and how it handles carpet cleaning. I di find it kind of odd that it does have a history tab, but it is a cumulative record and not per session. So, you can see that it has cleaned so many square feet, over so many cleans in so much time, but not how much it took yesterday for example. Also, there are some grammatical errors making it pretty obvious this is a Chinese translation.
Overall, I like this device and it is a lot easier to have on a schedule than your typical robot due to the auto empty and clean cycle. I don’t see it as a true mop and do not recommend the spot cleaning function for actual spills like it shows on the box. But, having that mop feature is nice for keeping things tidy in between actually mopping your floors.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Lightweight and designed for comfort, the INZONE H5 is ready for long gaming sessions. Coupled with immersive spatial sound and a crystal-clear microphone, victory is just a moment away.
Posted by: DavidJr
Light, comfortable and sound amazing, provided you are using them wirelessly. If you use the included wired connection ALL of the good things about this headset vanish other than the comfort.
As soon as I hooked the USB dongle to my computer, the headset was working. However, if you want to take full advantage of the headphones you will want to install the INZONE Hub and reboot the computer. This will then change the audio to have 2 outputs, one for game and one for chat. This makes it so the game/chat volume rocker works to balance audio from the headset. The INZONE Hub also has the options to adjust the volumes as well as a 10 channel EQ to make the sound you prefer.
The strangest thing about these headphones is the spatial sound. I have used Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos and DTS Unbound and each have their unique differences but all do a decent job at providing spatial awareness in gaming content. However, to use the spatial sound for this headset you need to download the ‘360 Spatial Sound Personalizer’ app on your phone and take pictures of your ears to even enable it. It is a fairly simple process of holding the camera like taking a selfie and turning your head in the direction it tells you, but strange in comparison to just enabling it like other spatial audio. In comparison to the other spatial audio systems, I don’t notice much of a difference. It still does a decent job of giving spatial awareness, but you can’t even use the other systems with this headset to directly compare them.
One thing to take notice of is when you are changing content. For instance, I might be in a game and in chat with a friend as well, so I change the game/chat volume on the headset and keep playing. But, then decide to watch a video and notice that no matter how much I turn the volume rocker, it just sounds low. That is because the ‘game’ volume has been turned down to increase the chat volume. You have to increase the game volume to regain full volume. Chat wise it works pretty good but the auto gain control can sound a little aggressive cutting some word off quicker than you intend, but there is no adjustment for it. It is either on or off. With it off, the microphone still does a decent job of not picking up every sound in the room.
Battery life is listed up to 28 hours, I have not timed it directly, but I wore them for several hours over 4 days till they finally gave the warning of low battery. You can plug them up with the USB-C cable and still use them while charging.
As mentioned at the start, the ability to use it wired is really just a waste in comparison to it being wireless. It turns off the moment you hook the wire to it, so the boost of it being powered is gone. So, everything now sounds tiny in comparison, there is no EQ and you can’t control any volume from the headset. To make matters worse, when trying to use it for chat, it just echoes chat right back to the other players. So, for PC and PlayStation while wireless, these are great. However, try to use it with an Xbox controller or other 3.5mm jack and they just turn out bad. Plus, they don’t have the option for Bluetooth, which seems like they could have so many more options if they did.
Overall, these are a nice set of headphones provided you intend to use them with the included wireless dongle on PC or PS. They are fairly light, comfortable and breathable ear cups with a long lasting battery life and decent spatial audio that leads to a lot of endless gaming.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Great for small offices, the Brother MFC-L3720CDW wireless digital color all-in-one printer with copy, scan, and fax functionalities is set to meet the challenges of any small business with fast, reliable performance. Offering a host of practical features and functions, it consistently creates clear, smudge-free documents with steadfast efficiency. Achieves print speeds of up to 19 ISO pages per minute (ppm)(1) and scan speeds up to 29/22 ISO images per minute (ipm)(2) (black/color). Versatile paper handling and connectivity options help you work smarter and save time. Intuitive and customizable, the 3.5~ touchscreen connects directly to a wide variety of Cloud-based apps(3), and simplifies tasks with the ability to create up to 48 timesaving custom shortcuts. Advanced security features safeguard sensitive information and create secure connections to devices and networks. Engineered and supported by Brother, the MFC-L3720CDW is a trustworthy, industrious addition to any small office or business.
Customer Rating
5
Small office ready, wireless or USB only
on October 21, 2023
Posted by: DavidJr
Simple out of the box, pull a bunch of tabs from the doors and the toner cartridges and you are up and running. Color LED laser printer quality printing, copy, scan and fax all at your fingertips on the color LED touch screen. The odd thing I find, there is no ethernet port, guess that is the next version up, but you can use wireless 2.4 and 5 GHz or direct to PC with USB, cable not included.
Print quality is pretty decent, however copying the same print through the copier portion loses a fair bit of resolution and color. The speed is a little questionable. It might print 19-25 pages per minute, if you start the count after the first page starts as it takes a fair bit of time to spool and warm up. Single page prints you are looking at about 20-30 seconds from the moment you hit print. But, subsequent pages roll out pretty quick from there.
The color LED touchscreen gets you through pretty much everything you need. If you want more options, use a web browser and change all sorts of options, like the admin password it reminds you of changing. I do find it odd that the back, home and cancel buttons don’t at least have a white light behind them, making them a little harder to notice in low light.
The paper tray will hold up to 250 pages of legal size, with the tray extending, and smaller. There is a page feeder on the front for printing other sizes than what is in the tray, just not wider than 8.5”. It has duplex printing as well as scanning with the automatic document feeder.
As with many Brother printers, you can also take advantage of online features, such as using cloud based apps, using the app for remote printing and scanning, or even setting it up to print from email.
A new feature, similar to other branded printer manufacturers, they now have a subscription based toner option for those that print often. Like the other branded ones, I think it is a decent deal so long as you were using a lot of ink/toner anyways. They will ship them to you when you are getting low and the price is based on how many pages you average per month. To me, it reminds me of the old cell phone plans with minute usage and rollover minutes, except this is page usage. So for example, the middle plan is 300 pages a month and if that is your average usage in about 3 months you will get shipped new cartridges as the starter cartridges only have about 1000 pages. However, go over that and you start paying $1 more per 25 pages or required to upgrade your subscription. The good thing is, you have 4 months to figure out what your usage is.
Overall, this is a decent all-in-one office option. It has all the common functions a small office needs and it is small enough to be on a file cabinet.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Spearheading the Wi-Fi 7 revolution with cutting-edge technology and unimaginable power, the NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700 harnesses the power of Wi-Fi 7 to unleash speeds up to 19 Gbps. Leveraging NETGEAR's over 25 years of Wi-Fi expertise, the RS700 features a sleek body with high-performance antennas and a significantly smaller footprint. A 10 Gigabit Ethernet port unlocks fast speeds of today and tomorrow. Experience the next-generation gaming, AR/VR, and 8K video - all streaming flawlessly in your home.
Customer Rating
5
Preparing for the future!
on October 14, 2023
Posted by: DavidJr
A router is something we tend to keep for several years, till the point that something gets outdone on it. Prime example, my last router supported up to 1Gbps yet my internet service provider bumped my speed up to 1.2Gbps. With this Netgear Nighthawk and the 10Gbps WAN port I now have plenty of wiggle room. I recently bought a new network attached storage that has a 2.5Gbps port, but again, limited to my old router of only 1Gbps. I could now take it up to 10Gbps as well with the dedicated 10G Ethernet port. Tired of the slow Wi-Fi and constant interruptions from all the devices using the 2.4Ghz band, now you can use the 6Ghz band. Sure, it might not have the range, but it has more speed than the lower channels ever had and chances your neighbors are using the same channels are rather slim. Only downside is that there aren’t a whole lot of devices using that band yet, but if you are like me and like staying on the edge of tech, you will have something that uses it, like the latest stand alone VR.
As for routers, this is like previous Netgear devices. You can manage the basics through the app that it encourages you to use, or a bunch of advanced features through a browser. You can set up a VPN, VLANs and static routes. You can manage the quality of service and enable traffic meters.
As with many routers, there should be some form of protection as well. This one provides Netgear Armor, but requires a subscription after the first year. This one scans for vulnerabilities on the devices and recommends Bitdefender for devices that can install it for added protection. The only downside is it doesn’t provide very good details or further assistance on the vulnerabilities identified. Their site shows a slightly different version of the app or something and looks like it has buttons/links to give more, but see the included image of two of my devices showing as having a bunch of vulnerabilities but nothing I can do to try and improve them considering they are both up to date. The app also gives you updates when something new connects to your router and you can even see the devices that are trying to connect but might not have the right Wi-Fi password.
Overall, I don’t want to say it is “future proof” as next year we might have Wi-Fi8 and 100Gbps ports needed, but I’d say this router is going to get you caught up to all the new tech and carry you a good ways into the future. This is a perfect transition for most devices that still use 2.4Ghz only while bringing in the new ones that can use the 6Ghz and faster Ethernet ports.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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SimpliSafe delivers advanced security solutions that put you, your home, and your safety first. With optional professional monitoring powered by Fast Protect Technology, SimpliSafe combines innovative hardware with advanced AI and real people ~ for 24/7 professional monitoring that delivers fast emergency response when you need it most. The award-winning SimpliSafe system is effective, intuitive, and affordable ~ so that home can be safe and secure for everyone. You can protect every inch of your home. SimpliSafe has sensors for every room, window and door. HD security cameras for inside and out. Smarter ways to detect motion that alert you only when a threat is real. Hazard sensors that detect floods, and other threats to your home. Powerful sirens that can help stop intruders in their tracks. And, it~s backed by optional 24/7 professional monitoring~experts who are ready to dispatch emergency help immediately. That~s the unmatched combination that separates SimpliSafe Home Security from the others. Our bundles are designed to be effective yet affordable. And with no long-term contracts or hidden fees. This 9-piece wireless security bundle provides 24/7 protection. The Base Station is the brains of the system. It sends alarm signals to the monitoring center with a built-in cellular connection and includes a back up battery that lasts up to 24 hours and a loud, 95 dB siren. The smash-safe Keypad is soft to the touch, easy to use during the day and night, and requires no plug so it can be placed anywhere. The Wireless Outdoor Security cameras (2 total) keep watch with a 140 degree field of view, 1080p HD resolution and color night vision, and include 2-way audio so you can tell unwanted guests that they're being watched. The Entry Sensors (4 total) protect your doors, windows, and cabinets and are designed to blend into the background. And the Motion Sensor is designed for human detection, not pet detection. Advanced security, whole home protection. There's no safe like SimpliSafe.
Customer Rating
4
Worth it, if you pay for the monthly protection pl
on October 7, 2023
Posted by: DavidJr
SimpliSafe is truly a simple self install home security system. Most of the included parts can be installed with the pre-attached sticky pads or some small screws. Once you get the app and make an account, the install process takes you step for step on getting everything connected. They have so many other products that can be attached to the system that are not in this particular kit, but this is a good start. It has 4 door/window entry sensors, 1 motion sensor, 2 outdoor cameras, the central hub and a keypad. The only thing that needs to be plugged up is the central hub and it even has battery backup that will last about an hour should it lose power.
Once you get everything added and the keypad connected, you are pretty much done. You can use the app for managing most things or the keypad with PIN. You can quickly arm it for home, which does not use the motion sensor and has different delay times, or away which does include the motion sensor. You can adjust the delay times from the app, for instance if you live alone, you can drop the entry delay way down for the home setting and after 10 seconds the alarm will sound. Or, if you have multiple family members and you know it might take them more than 30 seconds to get to the PIN pad, you can increase it. There is also the ability to set reminders or schedule it to auto arm itself. For instance, you know you will be at work at 9am every weekday, you can have it arm away whether you remembered to do it or not.
The added feature of the two outdoor cameras is nice. You can have 2 way communications from practically anywhere around your residence. I put one about 60 ft from the front of my house and it still shows as a good connection. However, as with most wireless security cameras, there is a slight delay. Depending on the placement and when something comes into frame, you might be 2 seconds too late to see what it was. Image quality is pretty decent and has a really wide angle to it. The biggest issue I have with it, and the reason for the title, is that the cameras are practically useless unless you have the monthly protection plan for $29.99 a month. They have no local storage, so anything that is detected, you can’t go back and look at unless you have the monthly plan. You can still access them live and still use two-way communications, but the only other way you can record is while you are watching it live and recording to your phone.
There is no way to manage your subscription through the app or site without calling them. Cancellation is on the day of cancellation and not post dated to the end of your trial or paid subscription. When you cancel, there is no more recording, no text notifications but push notifications only and your system becomes fully reliant on your Wi-Fi. Should your Wi-Fi go out and your alarm goes off, even in a power outage, you will not know unless you have an active subscription. Also, it removes the system completely from your account and you have to set it all back up and decline the subscription to go basic. If you have the cameras and want to drop from the Pro to Basic plan, remove them from your account first, then call and cancel your plan as they end up in a strange state of still being on the pro account but not working with your now basic account as you try and add everything to your account, again.
Overall, this is a good system, so long as you pay for the monthly Pro plan. There is no contract needed, but if you want the 30 days access to the camera recordings and text notifications, you have to have the plan. With everything being minimally installed they are great for people that don’t want to damage a rental property from drilling holes.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Look, sound, and meet better with Brio 100~a simple and affordable webcam that lets you show your best self in video calls. Full HD 1080p resolution and auto-light balance bring clarity and brightness to your calls, so you look your best. Sound better with a built-in microphone, and get total privacy with an integrated shutter.
Customer Rating
5
Better than the built in camera
on October 4, 2023
Posted by: DavidJr
Simple and quick webcam. Just plug it up, open the software that you need to make your video with and off you go. I hooked this up on a computer that already had a built-in webcam and the clarity difference was noticeable despite the other one claiming it is full HD. The auto-light balance is really noticeable as well, especially in low lit areas or a bad backlight. It might take it a second, but when you are back in frame, it is almost like you turned that background light off.
I took a picture I found online, printed it and then took a picture of it with the camera and besides some expected degradation of a picture of a print, it turned out pretty good. See comparison below.
The physical privacy shutter is a nice feature, but besides the record light not being on, there is no way to know that it is turned off other than unplugging it. A lot of smart speakers and things that have microphone access, usually have a physical switch for that as well.
The base can technically stand on its own if you want to put it on a flat surface, but works best on top of a monitor or ledge of practically any thickness. It doesn’t fold away like one of their other models, so it isn’t as portable, but doesn’t take up a lot of space as it is.
Overall an effective webcam for general use in practically any lighting condition.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Whether you~re filming or taking photos, don~t run out of memory in the middle of a shoot. Transfer and back up files with the Insignia NS-CRDAC1-B, USB-C to SD, microSD and CompactFlash Memory Card Reader. Simply plug in your card reader with the included USB-C cable to connect the PC, tablet or other device quickly transfer data from your memory cards. USB-A to USB-C adapter enables USB-A port device for more compatibility and backward compatible with USB 2.0 device, if needed. It~s compatible with a wide variety of SD and microSD cards, as well as CompactFlash cards, to keep your creativity flowing without having to pause and delete unwanted files. Finally, its compact design means you can easily fit it in a pocket or bag. Never let a full memory card stop you again.
Posted by: DavidJr
As soon as you connect this card reader it shows as three additional USB drives on your computer. Pending what card slot you use you will see all the files on that card with ease. With micro-sd, SD and CF card slots you can place something in all three and at USB 3.2 Gen 1 speeds quickly and easily transfer between them and your PC. Since most micro-SD cards usually come with an SD card adapter, this makes it just as easy to exchange data between cards. It has a thick USB-C to USB-C cable, but also comes with a small USB-C to USB-A adapter. It’s quick, simple and gets the job done.
This claims to work with Windows, Mac, Chrome, iOS and Android. I do not have any Apple devices to try it on, but it worked as expected on my Windows/Chrome/Android devices. Considering how most phones do not come with memory card slots any more, this is an easy way to still use that old memory card you might still have. The cable is a bit bulky for compact storage and would have been better if it came with a little strap to help keep it wrapped up but it is long enough to use on a desktop computer that might be tucked away from reach.
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.
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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.
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.
+2points
2of 2voted 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.
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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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 Huawei P9 lite mobile?
No, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+ only.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
DavidJr
Samsung Gear Fit2 Fitness Watch + Heart Rate: This fitness watch measures your heart rate, calories burned, distance traveled, steps taken and speed and features a Bluetooth 4.2 interface that lets you sync results with your compatible Samsung phone or tablet. Its smart notifications let you receive alerts and respond to calls from compatible Android and iOS smartphones~ and a curved display makes it easy to view activity progress.
Each morning after being on charge, before I put on my wrist....calories burned always shows 300 or 400. How can I zero out this ...
The calories "burned" is based on a calculation of your current build and age. Just you being awake meant you burnt calories, so the watch has already accounted for what the average burnt should be without accounting for tracked activity. I have read that with people resetting their watch the calorie count will return.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
DavidJr
Samsung Gear Fit2 Fitness Watch + Heart Rate: This fitness watch measures your heart rate, calories burned, distance traveled, steps taken and speed and features a Bluetooth 4.2 interface that lets you sync results with your compatible Samsung phone or tablet. Its smart notifications let you receive alerts and respond to calls from compatible Android and iOS smartphones~ and a curved display makes it easy to view activity progress.
Is this compatible with Samsung Galaxy S4 pjone?
From Samsung's site "Compatible with select devices using Android 4.4 and later with at least 1.5GB RAM. Supported devices may vary by carrier and device. Some features may not be available. For best results, connect with compatible Samsung Galaxy devices."
The Samsung Galaxy S4 should have 2GB of RAM and at least Android 4.4, if not higher if you kept it updated.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 should have 2GB of RAM and at least Android 4.4, if not higher if you kept it updated.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
DavidJr
Samsung Gear Fit2 Fitness Watch + Heart Rate: This fitness watch measures your heart rate, calories burned, distance traveled, steps taken and speed and features a Bluetooth 4.2 interface that lets you sync results with your compatible Samsung phone or tablet. Its smart notifications let you receive alerts and respond to calls from compatible Android and iOS smartphones~ and a curved display makes it easy to view activity progress.
How far away can your phone be in order to still get notifications?
Bluetooth range can support up to100m/328ft. However, this all varies on a multitude of things. In my average 2 story home made of wood/drywall/vinyl siding I can keep range of my phone if I leave my phone on the first floor and I am upstairs or in the basement as well as just outside. By the time I make it into my car in the driveway is when I get a vibration that I lost connection, about 50 feet or so through walls.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
DavidJr
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.
How can you play games on it?
It depends on the game. Some games have minor input using the touchpad on the side of the Gear VR. Some simply require you to look at menu prompts to advance it. A couple of them require an external Bluetooth controller, additional purchase required.
9 years, 6 months ago
by
DavidJr
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.
how do I download the $50 free content that was supposed to come with this headset when I purchased the Galaxy 7?
To redeem the six (6) game Oculus content bundle ("Oculus Content"), you must first purchase an eligible Samsung product in accordance with the terms set forth at https://promos.samsungpromotions.com/GearVR/en-us/Rules/ ("Eligible Product"). Then, you must download the Oculus app and activate your Oculus account on your Eligible Product by 11:59:59 p.m. Pacific Time on April 20, 2016, or within 30 days of receiving your Eligible Product, whichever is later. If properly redeemed, the Oculus Content will be available based on your Eligible Product through your Oculus account.
9 years, 6 months ago
by
DavidJr
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.
Will this work with a Galaxy tab S2?
No, Gear VR is only compatible with Galaxy S7 | S7 edge, Note5, S6, and S6 edge.
9 years, 6 months ago
by
DavidJr
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.
I can't get the Netflix app to work and I feel like I have tried everything.
Your statement is so generic that it is not even a question. Netflix app has worked fine for me using Note 5. Maybe you can find an answer here https://help.netflix.com/en/node/38626
9 years, 6 months ago
by
DavidJr
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.
Can I use my LG phone instead of the Samsung on the virtual reality ?
Gear VR is only compatible with Galaxy S7 | S7 edge, Note5, S6, and S6 edge.
9 years, 6 months ago
by
DavidJr
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.
if I down load games , and later change head sets . will I run into any problems
The games are not specifically associated with the headset, but with the phone. If you use your account on a different phone, the games should transfer.
9 years, 6 months ago
by
DavidJr