mikeheel's stats
- Review count187
- Helpfulness votes1,542
- First reviewMarch 8, 2014
- Last reviewOctober 31, 2023
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- Average rating4.5
- Review comment count4
- Helpfulness votes9
- First review commentMarch 8, 2014
- Last review commentSeptember 20, 2016
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- Answer count10
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- First answerMarch 8, 2014
- Last answerJanuary 29, 2021
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Meet the Ninja Foodi 14-in-1 8qt. XL Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer with SmartLid. The pressure cooker that steams and crisps. SmartLid slider unlocks pressure cooking, air frying, and Steamcrisping - all under one SmartLid. SteamCrisp Technology steams and crisps at the same time for faster, juicier, crispier results*. 14 one-touch programs unlock even more versatility. (*Vs. Ninja Foodi OL601 in dry mode only)
Posted by: mikeheel
from NC
The Ninja Foodi 14-in-1 8-qt. XL Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer with SmartLid is a very versatile and useful addition to any kitchen.
The pressure cooker function is great for tenderizing meats or making a stew.
The steam fryer mode is terrific for cooking tender, juicy meals, such as chicken.
The air fryer is good for things like fries and chicken nuggets.
Of course, you can also bake breads, cakes, and other tasty treats.
I was particularly interested how well it handled cooking the "3-layer meals" Ninja touts. As it turns out, it does pretty well.
And that's just the general theme of this Foodi. It just does everything pretty well. Although it is a bit more involved to really clean than some other options may be.
On the whole, Ninja has done it again. The Foodi is an excellent, versatile, and helpful addition to our kitchen; and we really enjoy it.
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Life Note 3S are an incredible pair of truly wireless earbuds that sport 13.4mm oversized drivers to make your music listening experience a quality one. Not only do they supply big sound, but they have an incredibly comfortable fit so you can keep listening without ear fatigue. Intuitive controls allows you to browse your library without picking up your phone. Put all this together with a 35-hour playtime for a solid combination.
Posted by: mikeheel
from NC
The Anker Life Note 3S earbuds offer phenomenal sound at a budget price. The bass is strong but the main sound stage is still clear, unlike many earbuds that muddy the middle in the pursuit of deeper bass.
They do not have an adjustable tip or fit. I believe they will fit 90+ percent of users with no issues. And when they do fit, it feels almost like they're not there. They are incredibly light and easy to wear. But for those they don't fit, the only option is to buy something different.
Due to the type of fitment the Life Note 3S uses, they are not noise canceling.
Call quality is very solid with 4 noise-canceling mics.
Across the board, the Soundcore Anker brand has really stepped up recently and has a tremendous product line of earbuds. The Life Note 3S is near the bottom of the spectrum, so I didn't expect much. But there was that same clear sound I've become accustomed to. And there was decent battery life. And there was good comfort for long-term wear. For the price, these little guys blew me away.
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The Farenheit Flare is great for the backyard or for your outdoor adventures. This easy to transport fire pit will add warmth and atmosphere. Designed to reduce smoke so you can cozy up and enjoy yourself.
Posted by: mikeheel
from NC
This is a decent little fire pit that produces less smoke than a "normal" fire pit.
The Farenheit is relatively portable. The larger top portion sits on top of the smaller bottom portion. The bottom portion can be stored inside the top portion for easier transport.
I have a lot of experience with smokeless fire pits. I'm highly allergic to smoke, so the smokeless fire pits have been a huge positive addition to my life. The small size of the Farenheit immediately grabbed my attention.
The small size is a hindrance, though, to the fire pit being as close to smokeless as its larger brethren can be. That's unfortunate but not a deal killer. The smoke is greatly reduced and, due to the design, tends to discharge pretty much vertically in anything other than strong wind.
The shallow depth can make starting a fire a bit more challenging in windy conditions. And, of course, you can't use your regularly cut firewood because it will be too long to fit. So you need to use either pellets or smaller pieces of wood.
If you're new to fire pits, please also be aware that green wood (wood that has not aged at least a year after being cut) makes more smoke than seasoned (wood that has aged at least a year after being cut). And you will make a lot of smoke if you have wood sticking out the top.
Of course, this type of fire pit does not produce the horizontal warmth that a more traditional fire pit does, but they do give some some radiant heat.
All in all, the Farenheit is a good portable option. It is not as smokeless as larger smokeless fire pits, but it does a very good job for the size. While the size makes it very portable, it also creates compromises about the wood you can use and the effectiveness of the smoke-reducing design.
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The Ninja Foodi Power Blender Ultimate System with XL Smoothie Bowl Maker and Nutrient Extractor* is Ninja’s most versatile and powerful kitchen system–slice, shred, and grate with no extra processor bowl required!
Posted by: mikeheel
from NC
My wife and I really love the Ninja Foodi Power Blender Ultimate System with XL Smoothie Bowl Maker and Nutrient Extractor. It is a terrific blender.
We use it daily for making smoothies. My wife particularly appreciates that it can do a "regular" smoothie or a thicker version for a smoothie bowl.
We also use it to grate and chop various vegetables and have been very pleased with the results. If I had one additional suggestion, it would be to have more narrow food chute to feed in carrots and such. The bigger chute works great for potatoes, cucumbers, and squash.
With 1600 watts, it has plenty of power, which comes in very handy for nut butters and such.
Included with the package are:
*1600 Peak-Watt Motor Base
*72 oz. Power Blender & Processor Pitcher
*Feed chute lid with 2-part pusher
*18 oz. XL Smoothie Bowl Maker with Built-in Tamper and Storage Lid
*24 oz. Nutrient Extraction* Cup
*Total Crushing® & Chopping Blade Assembly
*Reversible Slicing/Shredding Disc
*Grating Disc
*Dough Blade
*Hybrid Edge™ Blades Assembly
*1600 Peak-Watt Motor Base
*72 oz. Power Blender & Processor Pitcher
*Feed chute lid with 2-part pusher
*18 oz. XL Smoothie Bowl Maker with Built-in Tamper and Storage Lid
*24 oz. Nutrient Extraction* Cup
*Total Crushing® & Chopping Blade Assembly
*Reversible Slicing/Shredding Disc
*Grating Disc
*Dough Blade
*Hybrid Edge™ Blades Assembly
I like the large rotating dial and the smart recognition feature. When I put in the smoothie cup, for instance, it offers me options of Smoothie, Extract, Bowl, or Spread. I should note that a really helpful feature for one of the cups is that it includes sweeper arms inside that help keep thicker items from sticking.
All parts of the system, other than the base, are dishwasher safe.
We've used a lot of blenders, but this one is the most well thought-out and does a terrific job. It immediately became our go-to.
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MEET INNER SOUND: Sound is music we love, noise we wish to avoid, and voices we do not want to miss.Introducing Devialet Gemini True Wireless earbuds: giving you the best of sound, in all its dimensions. Transforming 15 years of acoustics R&D and engineering into a portable design you can enjoy on the move.
Posted by: mikeheel
from NC
I really like the Devialet Gemini Noise Cancelling True Wireless Earbuds.
The sound is impeccable. This is near headphone-quality sound in an earbud. I was very impressed the first time I put them in my ears. In fact, I paused the music after a few seconds in amazement to pop in my prior favorite earbuds to compare. The Gemini was clearly richer, yet produced sound that was very true to the source. I've played with various settings in the app, and you can fine-tune the sound to your liking. I've tried many, many earbuds. These do a phenomenal job at replicating sound. There is no hint of artificiality or excess processing. It's just good, clean, rich sound.
The app is relatively straight-forward. While the splash screen just gives very basic control of settings from ANC to transparency, there are lots of fine-tuning options in the menus.
Speaking of noise canceling and transparency mode, I've seen some reviews that were critical of the sound in transparency mode. That was not my experience. Sound quality is high in both noise cancelling and transparency modes. However, it is much more of a mellow, almost acoustic, sound when set to neutral, which I would avoid because you lose too much of the depth and richness you get in the other modes. My only complaint about the noise cancelling modes are that they don't do as good a job as I would hope blocking noise. They reduce the intensity of outside sounds, but you can still hear most things. With the transparency mode, external sounds are much more clear and loud than with ANC on. Either way, the sound quality is good.
Phone calls are good. The voice of the other caller is pretty natural, especially for an earbud. There is virtually no hint of typical tininess.
Touch controls work well. It's easy to pause and play music or to cycle through the modes. It would be helpful if the buds announced which mode they are in, but all you get is a tone signifying you are changing from one setting to the other.
It comes only with a few sizes of ear tip. I guess that's ok, but I have seen other earbuds come with more than double the size options you get here. A few more would be helpful, although I did find a pair that fit me just right.
The bigger nit to pick, though, is ear fitment. The design of these is a fairly bulky, fixed block that fits inside your ear. If it fits, great. If not, too bad. Most ear buds of this physical style have an adjustable wing or similar fitment option. The Gemini have none of that. My right ear is, apparently, the right size and shape. My left ear is slightly off and feels "stretched" a bit by having the Gemini inserted.
Still, though, if they fit, they are awesome. If the fit is really poor, you won't have any options to make them fit better. That's hard to know without trying them. Even with my left ear feeling just a bit tight, I prefer to wear these over my more adjustable ear buds because the sound quality is just that good. And if the fit is close (as with m left), the ear adjusts a little as you wear them. I suggest starting in half-hour increments and working your way up.
However, I should note they have been very secure in my ears. My test after getting the right tips was to tilt my head sideways (horizontally) and shake around. Neither side fell out or even got loose. That's rare.
To summarize, the Devialet Gemina earbuds sound amazing but could use a better fitment system. I'd still expect them to fit fine for 80% or more of people. For that reason, I don't think it's fair to deduct from the 5-star rating they earn for sound and overall use. This is the richest, cleanest sound I have heard in an earbud. I wish the fitment was a little more customizable, but they are still my all-time favorite earbuds.
Note, I use them with a Google Pixel 4XL. I am confident they will be great with any Android but iPhone users may have a different experience due to how Apple handles BT connections.
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Upgrade your computing setup with this WD internal gaming hard drive. The 10TB capacity offers ample room for your gaming library, while the 7200 rpm allows for fast read and write speeds. Featuring a SATA III interface, this WD internal gaming hard drive supports data transfer speeds of up to 6 Gbps.
Posted by: mikeheel
from NC
The WD Black Gaming 10TB Internal SATA Hard Drive for Desktops is a terrific addition to any gaming rig.
When you run games from your PC, there are three things you really want: speed, storage, and video power. This drive addresses two of those three concerns.
For a conventional HD, the WD is fast. It is rated at 7200rpm with a transfer rate of up to 263Mbps. That's very quick for a conventional HD and you don't have to worry about lag when accessing the drive. R/w speeds are very good.
The 10TB of storage is impressive and an extremely welcome addition to any desk top computer, but especially for a gaming rig. IMO, it is best used as your long-term IG data storage while you run your games directly from an SSD.
On top of that, this is a pretty quiet drive.
All in all, I'm very pleased with this WD drive and highly recommend it.
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The WD_Black™ P10 Game Drive for Xbox™ gives your Xbox the tools it needs to keep your competitive edge. With up to 5TB* of storage capacity, the WD_Black™ P10 Game Drive for Xbox™ is a top-tier external HDD built specifically for gamers looking to expand the potential of their Xbox so they can drive their game the way they choose. Included with your purchase is a 1-month membership of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, with access to 100+ games on consoles and PC, plus online console multiplayer.
Posted by: mikeheel
from NC
My kids really appreciated adding this external HD to our XBox. No more deleting games to download a new one!
It plugs in via USB and works seamlessly to add additional storage capacity for your games. There's no real lag reading the drive.
In short, it works perfectly. We're very pleased.
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Everything you love in a Galaxy PC, and more. Galaxy Book Flex2 ⍺ sits at the top of its class with high-quality features to match. Equipped with our latest technology, innovative design, vivid display and a high-speed processor that'll dazzle your senses while exceeding all expectations. Its super vivid QLED screen features millions of colors realized at 100% color volume, adapting to your environment so you have an easy viewing experience no matter the lighting. Choose your view with the ultra-slim 2-in-1 design that transforms from laptop to tablet. Add the latest 11th Gen Intel Core i5 / i7 processor, and your work, play and entertainment continue from morning to night. Enjoy added built-in features like Second Screen capability and enhanced connectivity to anything within the Galaxy ecosystem, from buds to tablets and so much more. Plus, a super-fast charging battery¹ that lasts 17 hours on a single charge makes it easy to accomplish everything you need to do and everything you want to do wherever, and whenever you want.
Posted by: mikeheel
from NC
I have been very impressed with the Samsung Galaxy Book Flex2 Alpha. It's quite a nice little laptop/tablet.
The Intel i7 core hasn't seemed strained by anything I've thrown at it. And mine has 16GB RAM and the 512 GB SSD, which also seems reasonably quick. The computer doesn't seem to get bogged down and tackles all tasks quickly and efficiently.
The screen is absolutely gorgeous, especially for a QLED. Colors are rich without being over-saturated. Images are crisp and clear. Image quality rivals some more expensive machines.
The hinges appear to be sturdy, and the computer transitions cleanly from laptop to tablet and back to laptop. I haven't seen any glitches, which is a big deal since other hybrids like this tend have some lag with the position switch. This little guy just goes about doing it's job without any hesitation. Of course, there is some screen bounce when you use the touchscreen, as there is with virtually every touchscreen laptop.
The fingerprint reader works perfectly. I have been critical of prior Samsung fingerprint readers, but this one has been quick and 100% accurate.
Since this is not the "premium" level flex laptop for Samsung, I had expected some degree of lag. But I am very impressed all the way around. The screen is fabulous, the computer is quick, everything works right out of the box just like you'd hope.
I've had it running looped video for extended periods to test the temperature. The fan is relatively quiet, but you can hear it. However, The Flex2 Alpha has never gotten anything more than mildly warm. I'm very impressed by how well it controls external temperature under load.
The keyboard is a little shallow, which is typical for the breed. I'd also like I bit more convex shape to the top of the keys rather than them being so flat. Some texture makes touch typing a lot easier, especially on a somewhat compressed keyboard. But that's not even really a complaint. They chicklet style keyboard is what I expect with this form factor. I would just like to have been pleasantly surprised.
My only other minor gripes are the sound is bit more tinny than some other options and - as with far too many new computers - it comes with McAfee installed. I view McAfee as worse than having a virus, so it's always the first thing I uninstall.
Oh, I do have one actual complaint: the cover is a fingerprint magnet. A matte exterior would have worked so much better. This little guy shows off every fingerprint every time you touch it.
Setup was simple and quick.
The touchpad is reasonably sized and works well. I have no issues at all using it. Windows-based machines have really improved in this area in recent years, and this little Sammy does a great job.
Overall, the Flex2 Alpha has exceeded my expectations. I really like this little guy.
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Expertly shape your brows with Tweezermans classic, award-winning slant tip tweezer. A staple to your beauty routine and famous for its precision, the Slant Tweezer features perfectly aligned, hand-filed tips that grab every hair, every time.
Posted by: mikeheel
from NC
At first, I thought the brand name Tweezerman was kind of funny, but they make quality products.
The tip of the tweezer is hand-honed and good quality. They do an excellent job of gripping. The slant tip is very useful.
My only complaint is that the tension between the prongs is not as firm as I'd like it to be; this also means the prongs are a bit closer together than other quality tweezers I've used. They are still perfectly functional, but the smaller gap between the prongs could be an issue in some situations.
The prongs are coated such that they feel very comfortable to hold. They are not slippery; so you are able to have a solid grip.
Overall, they do an excellent job and are worth a purchase.
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The Soundcore by Anker Select Pro Portable Bluetooth Speaker has powerful stereo sound and BassUp technology to fill any room with high-quality sound, even in the great outdoors. It features built-in LEDs that blink in time to the beat, creating a fun light show. This portable speaker can play up to 16 hours from one single charge and has an IPX7 waterproof rating, making it even great for poolside listening.
Posted by: mikeheel
from NC
I'm picky about speakers, and the Anker Soundcore Select Pro Bluetooth Speaker is a nice little speaker.
My wife had been looking for a good waterproof speaker, so I was happy to come across this one by Anker.
I've used other Anker Soundcore products recently. As a general rule, they are quite good - especially for the price.
This speaker borrows several party tricks I first saw with more high-end speakers a few years ago. Namely, you can daisy chain a number of them together with Bluetooth, and they will sync and play music from multiple devices. That's great for a party or big activity. Anker calls this Partycast, and it's accessible via the app. The second trick is that you can have pulsating lights to the beat of the music. You can also tailor this to your liking. Note, as you might expect, the flashing lights do drain the batter a bit more quickly.
However, this speaker also has terrific battery life and will last for days of play.
And, of course, it's pretty water-proof. The IPX7 rating means it can be fully submerged in a meter of water up to 30 minutes. It also floats, so it is very useful around water - whether you're at the pool, hot tub, beach, or even just your shower.
And the speakers are strong enough and clear enough for good sound. Of course, you can tweak it to be a little more to your personal tastes with the Soundcore App, which is easy to use.
The sound quality is not life-changing, but it is quite good compared to other portable waterproof speakers. I recommend the BassUp setting because it rounds the sound out a bit more fully.
You may or may not like the handle. I like it because it makes it easy to grab and carry and is large enough for a solid grip.
All-in-all, this speaker is a winner. It looks good, sounds good, and works great.
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mikeheel's Review Comments
Lenovo IdeaTab Miix 2 8 Tablet: A tablet experience featuring an easy-to-navigate interface and all the right tools to be productive. Accomplish tasks on the go with Microsoft Office. And when it's time to play, kick back and surf the Web, watch a movie or read a book.
Overall
4 out of 5
4 out of 5For $200 (on sale) it's well worth the price
By Outlander0088
from Columbus,OH
I bought this tablet for $200 to play around with a Windows 8 tablet. I already have an iPad, iPhone, Nexus 5 and Nexus 7. and wanted to give a Windows tablet a try.
I will say I am impressed even though its Windows 8.1, I'm not a fan of 8.1. In desktop mode its easier than I thought it would be navigate with just your finger. However, I would strongly recommend using a stylus.
One big NOTE: It DOESN'T come with Office 2013 Home / Student. You can try Office 365 but then you have to purchase the application. I called Best Buy and Lenovo but they were no help.
I would recommend buying it for the price but don't expect Microsoft Office.
mikeheel
NC
Office
March 8, 2014
I also just purchased this device at BB for $200. If you look through the paperwork inside the box, you should find a paper with an activation code for Office. I used that code and was able to fully active Office. Most Win 8.1 devices, like my Surface Pro, include only a trial, but this actually includes Office. Please correct your review.
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Lenovo IdeaTab Miix 2 8 Tablet: A tablet experience featuring an easy-to-navigate interface and all the right tools to be productive. Accomplish tasks on the go with Microsoft Office. And when it's time to play, kick back and surf the Web, watch a movie or read a book.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Phenomal Deal on a Small Win 8 Tab
By mikeheel
from NC
I have been eyeing various 8-inch Windows tablets as they have been released. I was looking for a complimentary device to go along with my Surface Pro. As usual when I am in BB, I walked by the tablet display area and was surprised to see the Miix 2 on sale for $200. After taking a day or two to mull it over, I decided the deal was too good to pass up despite the skimpy memory.
Performance is much better than I expected. The Miix responds quickly and smoothly. Apps and programs open without lag.
The screen was also a pleasant surprise. It is not 1080, so my expectations were a bit low. However, color is very good. Video and pictures render very well.
I saw some reviews that complained about touch response. I have not had any issues in several days of heavy use. I presume there was a software update that addressed that issue, but I have not confirmed that.
Several reviews here at BB seemed confused about Office. The box contains an activation key for Office. It may fool some people into thinking it is the key for Windows itself, but it is for Office. So it does include Office Home & Student for no additional cost.
I also noticed the BB site listed the Miix 2 8 as an RT device. It is not RT; it runs full Windows 8.1.
The tablet itself is attractive and feels relatively well made. I'm not a fan of the stickers on the back, but they can be easily removed. For those who wonder, it does fit in the back pocket of men's jeans or most sport coat pockets.
My only complaint is the 32gb of memory. Of course, I knew that when I purchased it, so I added a 32gb SD card, which helps. The only negative is that Windows does not give you the option to save apps on the memory card. But the combination of the SD card and OneDrive makes even 32gb palatable.
So, the Lenovo Miix 2 8 with full Win 8.1, included Office, snappy performance, and a decent display for just $200 is a solid winner.
If you are the market for a smaller tablet that runs full Windows 8.1, I strongly recommend the Lenovo Miix 2 8.
mikeheel
NC
Certificate
March 22, 2014
That key is the same one for Office. If you look just above the sticker, it will say Windows and Office are included. It is confusing, so that's why a lot of folks have thought it did not include Office.
PS: I'm still laughing at myself for the typo on the header. Ugh.
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Orbi Whole Home WiFi System delivers up to 3.0Gbps high-performance WiFi. Sleek, modern design with high-gain internal antennas for up to 5,000 square feet of coverage. FastLane3 Technology creates a dedicated Tri-Band WiFi for seamless 4K streaming and gaming everywhere in your home. Keep a single WiFi name for uninterrupted connections as you move from room-to-room. Circle Smart Parental Controls runs on Orbi Routers for a smart way for families to manage content and time online, on any connected device. Provide internet access to guests without sharing your personal network password. Orbi is ready right out of the box and compatible with your ISP. Just use the Orbi app to get started with better WiFi, everywhere in minutes.
Overall
3 out of 5
3 out of 5Wanted to Love but Didn't
By mikeheel
I wanted to love the Netgear Orbi system. I really did. But, alas, it was not meant to be.
First, the positives:
1. Impressive speed and wifi coverage. If that's all you're looking for, then the Orbi is a strong contender.
2. Relatively attractive appearance.
3. MU-MIMO ability.
4. USB port and a few LAN ports.
5. Print server function.
6. The satellite unit does make a big difference in terms of signal strength in areas of the house further from the primary router.
1. Impressive speed and wifi coverage. If that's all you're looking for, then the Orbi is a strong contender.
2. Relatively attractive appearance.
3. MU-MIMO ability.
4. USB port and a few LAN ports.
5. Print server function.
6. The satellite unit does make a big difference in terms of signal strength in areas of the house further from the primary router.
The negatives:
1. No guest network. Seriously? I had a hard time believing this was correct, but that's what the setup software said, and there was no way to override or change it.
2. Horrendous management app and software. I've used a lot of modems in my day. The Netgear app and UI is far behind other top routers, IMO.
3. Setup process is automated and had to be restarted several times before it actually worked. Even registration didn't work. I would have preferred a manual setup option.
1. No guest network. Seriously? I had a hard time believing this was correct, but that's what the setup software said, and there was no way to override or change it.
2. Horrendous management app and software. I've used a lot of modems in my day. The Netgear app and UI is far behind other top routers, IMO.
3. Setup process is automated and had to be restarted several times before it actually worked. Even registration didn't work. I would have preferred a manual setup option.
The lack of flexibility in terms of secondary networks is a killer for me. I really did not think there were wireless routers being sold in 2016 that could not accommodate a guest network. Yet, the Netgear is a new product in a new niche - the home mesh network. The idea seems to have a lot of merit, but this attempt isn't worth the price, IMO.
I was provided this router for review. My normal router is a Linksys EA9500. I must admit the signal strength for the Netgear exceeded the Linksys, and both were equal in terms of speed. That's saying something, because the Linksys is the best router I've ever used. That's part of why I think the home mesh network idea has merit.
But the Netgear was not good enough to make me want to switch. Improve the UI, and add guest network capacity, and maybe I'd reconsider.
mikeheel
NC
Might Adjust Later
September 20, 2016
I just learned the Orbi is due to be updated to allow a guest network later this year. Assuming that happens, I'd move this up to at least a 4-star review. I'd still like to see improvement in the UI, but it is functional as-is, and the range and speed on the Orbi mesh system is excellent.
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Prevent dead zones around your home with the help of this Linksys Wi-Fi range extender. It works with all types of Wi-Fi routers, and it uses multi-user MIMO for speed and efficiency. This Linksys Wi-Fi range extender can be used to create a different access point or to extend the field of the router’s connection.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Bonus Wi-Fi Range
By mikeheel
The specs for this new wi-fi range extender are impressive. I appreciate the beamforming technology. It also supports all current (and prior) wi-fi standards: 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11a/g, and 802.11b.
Unboxing:
The extender is a fairly basic white box that mounts directly via plug into a power outlet. It looks fairly generic, like a carbon monoxide detector or such.
The extender is a fairly basic white box that mounts directly via plug into a power outlet. It looks fairly generic, like a carbon monoxide detector or such.
Setup:
I have a fairly new Linksys (AC1900) router. The extender is also an AC1900 device. I pressed the WPS button on the router to initiate pairing and then, per instructions, the WPS button on the extender. Failure. I went through the process several times but never could establish connection with my router from a distance of 5 feet. I then abandoned the WPS setup instructions and switched to web setup, which went smoothly for both 5Ghz and 2.4 Ghz bands.
I have a fairly new Linksys (AC1900) router. The extender is also an AC1900 device. I pressed the WPS button on the router to initiate pairing and then, per instructions, the WPS button on the extender. Failure. I went through the process several times but never could establish connection with my router from a distance of 5 feet. I then abandoned the WPS setup instructions and switched to web setup, which went smoothly for both 5Ghz and 2.4 Ghz bands.
Once it was up and running, it gave me a good analysis of the proper location via spot finder. That was helpful.
The instructions recommend giving the extended network a different name than your primary network, such as adding "ext" to the end of your network name. I actually forced it to use the same name as my primary network, since all my devices are new enough to switch seamlessly. If you have older devices, I would suggest you follow the naming directions provided with the extender.
Function:
So far, so good. As I mentioned earlier, the specs are very strong for this extender, and it lives up to my expectations. My devices connect and stay connected seamlessly. The extender offers a range of an additional 10000 square feet (roughly 100 x 100 feet, if that helps give a better idea). I'm a big fan of MI-MIMU, which seems to work well here, too. I use a ton of wireless devices - multiple streaming devices across the house, several gaming consoles, a selection of laptops, tablets, and mobile devices, and a few other connected household devices (thermostats and such). Everything works well.
So far, so good. As I mentioned earlier, the specs are very strong for this extender, and it lives up to my expectations. My devices connect and stay connected seamlessly. The extender offers a range of an additional 10000 square feet (roughly 100 x 100 feet, if that helps give a better idea). I'm a big fan of MI-MIMU, which seems to work well here, too. I use a ton of wireless devices - multiple streaming devices across the house, several gaming consoles, a selection of laptops, tablets, and mobile devices, and a few other connected household devices (thermostats and such). Everything works well.
I now have a very strong signal throughout both floors of the house (router is on top floor, extender on first floor) as well as my yard. In fact, I have decent signal just past the end of my cul-de-sac.
I should note it also includes a 1 GB ethernet port, which could be handy for certain devices.
Wrap Up:
I am pleased with the function and appearance of the device. My only gripe was that the WPS setup failed multiple times. For that reason, I can't give it 5 stars.
I am pleased with the function and appearance of the device. My only gripe was that the WPS setup failed multiple times. For that reason, I can't give it 5 stars.
mikeheel
NC
Update
September 20, 2016
For some reason, I cannot edit my review above. However, I realized subsequent to posting that I am an idiot. The WPS would not work because I was trying to connect with a hidden network. Doh! So, this should truly be a 5-star review.
Further, i have conducted several recent speed and signal strength tests both with and without the Repeater on the network, and the results are clear that the Repeater makes a significant difference in speed and signal strength in the parts of the house furthest from my primary router.
So, please read this as a 5-star review. My apologies.
+2points
2of 2voted this comment as helpful.
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mikeheel's Answers
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Do these have active noise reduction or just passive noise reduction. It isn't clear from the listing?
They have active noise canceling; it works quite well.
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I can’t use the Bose -noise-masking-sleepbuds-white to Make phone call.
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What Windows 10 edition it comes with? Home or Professional edition?
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