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    November 20, 2016
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Namdnas's Reviews
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Draw more frames and win more games with the brand new Strix G18 and Windows 11 Home. Powered by a 14th Gen Intel Core i9-13980HX Processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU boasting a max TGP of 175W with Dynamic Boost, be ready to dominate the competition in all of the latest games.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Best laptop I've ever owned. Form AND Function!
on March 26, 2024
Posted by: Namdnas
My current laptop was bordering a little over 3 years old. It's been a great system and supplemented my high-end desktop (RTX 4090) really well, when I wanted to be elsewhere in the house. Given the amount of time I've had it, I felt that since it was my first laptop and I've put it to good use, I was due for an upgrade!
Enter the new 2024 Asus Rog STRIX G18 (18"). My other laptop was a 15" (1080p), so I wanted to take this opportunity to increase the screen size, as some games I play, I just much prefer a bit higher resolution and screen size. Plus, getting older stinks, what with the eyesight changes, haha. Well, let me say that the size of this thing does NOT disappoint! It's definitely bigger than I expected it to be, but not "too big", if that makes snese? I was really torn between this model and the Zephyrus G16 one, but I chose the Strix because of the bigger screen size, improved cooling and higher power output due to the design of the system - given that I don't really need the portability. It never leaves the house, only from room to room, periodically. I usually keep my laptop setup on the kitchen table and that still works well with this system.
As for hardware, this thing is loaded. This system has an RTX 4080, 14th gen i9-14900HX, 32GB RAM at 5600Mhz, 2560x1600 18" IPS Display, 2 TB Primary SSD (Wow, it's even a Western Digital drive!), WiFi 6E, and Windows 11. Inside the box is literaly JUST the laptop and power brick - nothing fancy and pretty basic - although I do love the box itself and the artwork, which was a nice touch. It weighs areound 6.5 lb, which is pretty hefty, but it doesn't feel as bad as it sounds.
I also did flip it over and install a Western Digital 2TB SN850x NVME SSD. This process went great and it was immediately recognized and detected in Windows 11 Disk Management. Once I set it up there, it's been great. This is where I install all of my Steam games and such. Other Launchers, such as Battle.net, Epic Games, etc, I just install those games to my main SSD (C: Drive), since it's also a 2TB. This allows me to split up my games in an organized manner and gives Steam it's own drive, since that's where I own and play most of my games. Epic and Battle.net are usually only 2-3 games each, so not a big deal, there. The only issue I had when installing the drive was after removing all of the screws (except the bottom right one, which remains attached), it was very tough to get the panel to pop off - I had to take one of my solid metal credit cards and wedge it in between (after watching some YouTube how-to's) and angle it in such a way that it popped out and just had to go all the way around like that. So, it's secure, for sure! Zero issues gettting it popped back on, either.
Not mentioned above with the specs I listed are the two biggest advertised "features", which are a bit of a letdown to me: The "Crystal Clear Audio" and the 720p Camera. I'd have loved to seen better speakers and camera, but I guess that's what the upcharge of the Strix SCAR model is for. To hit on the lows first (since every other feature of this system is OUTSTANDING), the speakers do seem "Ok", but nothing special and I even prefer my other laptop speakers over these. It just struggles a bit in the mids and highs and sounds a bit "tinny" at the higher volumes. As for the camera, even if it is 720P, having Windows Hello face recognition support would have been great...but it doesn't even offer that. Video is just "OK". Nothing to write home about, really - not an issue for me as this is strictly a gaming system and I'll probably never use it. Also, I wish there were a privacy slider for it.
As for the screen, the 18" format in the laptop is really nice. It is an IPS panel with a resolution of 2560x1600 and a 240hz refresh rate. There is the usual "IPS Glow" backlight bleed, which I didn't expect, as Asus advertises it as a super high quality "Nebula Display". I'm honestly not seeing what makes this display stand out from any others, to be honest, as it seems farily standard for an IPS display. But, the colors are great, seem pretty accurate and the overall image quality is pretty crisp and clear. I do like the slim borders areound the edges, as well.
Since this supports G-Sync and goes up to 240hz, you'll definitely want to ensure you're taking full advantage of this feature, as it makes all the difference in the world for me. So, in order to set up G-Sync properly: You right-click on the desktop, click "show more options" and select "Nvidia Control Panel", from there. Then, you go to "Set up G-SYNC". Within that panel, you'll select "Enable G-SYNC, G-SYNC Compatible" and ensure the radio button beside "Enable for Full Screen Mode" is selected. Once done, you'll then go over to "Manage 3D Settings". From here, you'll want to ensure "Vertical Sync" is "On", "Monitor Technology" is "G-SYNC" and "Low Latency Mode" is set to Ultra (Nvidia just released a driver update a month or two ago that now eneables that for DX12 games!). Also, make sure V-Sync is disabled on the game-by-game level, since it's already on at the system level.
Overall, I'd give the screen a 4 out of 5 stars. It would be a 5 all the way, if there were perhaps less backlight bleed (which is all located in the corners, but you can only really see it on black screens) and an obvious difference between this and any other similar screen, given Asus calls it thier "Nebula Display".
For all the other hardware, everything is excellent! I've had zero issues, except one thing, which I will touch on last. Performance is golden. Games I've tested so far have been Baldurs Gate 3, Last Epoch, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Diablo IV and of course, Vampire Survivors and Deep Rock Galactic: Survivors. Now, you may be asking..."why the last two"? Well, yeah, these games obviously run at the full 240 FPS and are not hardware intensive. But I do know that with these type of games, if there are any sort of micro-stutters, tearing or any other graphical/performance issues, you'd be able to tell with these games more easily Vs. others. Both Survivor gamees performed admirably with zero hitching, micro-stutters or other graphical anomalies.
Here's how some of the games I've tested so far fare, as far as performance goes:
Baldur's Gate 3: Aabsolutely fluid at max graphical settings and I'm getting roughtly 100-110 FPS, on average - 90 or so at the absolute lowest, when a lot is going on. This is with Quality set to Ultra and DLAA scaling.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3: Gets around 120 on average in Multiplayer with graphics set to "Extreme", with DLSS Frane Gen "On" and Upscaling set to "DLAA" mode. As CoD is currently the most demanding game I've tested, my GPU temps were getting around 85 C. In an effort to lower this, I purchased a pair of rear "feet" off Amazon to prop up the back of the system a bit (by about 1" or a hair over). Since then, my average GPU temps are now around 81-82 C.
Diablo IV: With Graphical settings at Ultra, Frame Generation "On" and Resolution Scaling for "NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution" set to DLAA, I'm getting an average of 145-150 FPS, with it dipping down to 120-125..ish in hectic battle moments.
Last Epoch: Around 100-110 FPS with everything maxed out. Runs great, no issues other than the normal "loading" microstutter, which I've gotten across all 3 systems I've played it on (it's the game, not the sytem). Similar for Path of Exile, as well, but just higher FPS and no micro-stutter.
So, gaming on this rig is supurb and I expect it to be able to run most everything on max settings for the next 2-3 years, at least (as this was the case with my previous laptop and it was a 3070). I give performance and thermals (after adding the little feet on the rear) a solid 5 out of 5. I definitely do receommend propping the back up by an inch or so, as to accomodate a bit better airflow. I also want to get Helldivers II (once they allow cross-progression) and Dragons Dogma II to try out on this rig, in the future!
Now, on to the one "major issue" I had, that I mentioned earlier. Out of the box, the right side of my front RGB Light Strip was flickering. Only that side. My initial thought was it was hardware related, as it acted more like a short or something. I updated Armory Crate fully over the course of time that I've had and tested this system and it never corrected it. I've had times where the light bar AND keyboard goes out completely and I have to shut it down, reboot, unplug and plug back in the power cable multiple times, etc, just to get it back to working. Thankfully, Asus has been awesome and are working on getting me a replacement (agreeing that it's a hardware issue), but it'll take a week or two. Otherwise, the system fucntions without flaw.
One other thing I wanted to mention is Armory Crate. I've seen so many folks say they hated it and it has so many issues, but I've personally never really had any problems. Granted, I've not used it to make crazy changes and customizations or anything, so for me, it just "works". Also, MyAsus has a "Battery Saver" feature that keeps the charge topped off at 80% instead of 100%, as to not degrade the battery so quickly. Don't worry, though - as the charge indicator light still remains white, showing "fully charged" at 80% with this feature enabled.
Overall, I'd give this system a 4.5 out of 5. However, since we can only do whole star reviews here, I'm just gonna give it a 5! I also love the fact that I can add an additional warranty through MyAsus to the system that also includes accidental damage for a number of years and it's not too pricey! Once I get my replacement, I actually plan on plunking down the money for the additional peace of mind!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra high-performance wireless smart game controller with charge dock is built for gamers who demand the best. Lag-free wireless quickly connects to Xbox consoles, and Windows PCs, plus Bluetooth for Android devices & supported Smart TVs. Tactile microswitches throughout provide fast, reliable response and last up to 5X longer than standard buttons, while AntiDrift thumbsticks eliminate drift for precise, customizable control and adjustable triggers suit your game on the fly. The Connected Command Display lets you customize the RGB lighting, audio, thumbsticks, mappable buttons and more, plus patented technology receives social notifications from your phone. Best of all, adjustable power modes provide up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Amazing controller after a small break-in period.
on December 20, 2023
Posted by: Namdnas
I got my first "Pro" style controller earlier in the year, when the new Dualsense Edge was released for the PS5, as I do most of my gaming there. However, I do have an Alienware M15R4 laptop, as well as a Alienware R15 Desktop (RTX 4090, 32GB RAM, i9-13900KF processor, etc). I've been playing a lot of Call of Duty lately, especially with the release of Modern Warfare 3 and I've been bouncing between PS5 and my PC's, depending on where I wanna be in the house. The Edge controller for PS5 has spoiled me so much that, when playing on the laptop with a regular Xbox controller, I keep hitting non-existent rear paddles and yeah, that hasn't been working out for me, lol. So, I wanted to invest in a new "Pro" style controller for PC (mostly my laptop) so I can play Call of Duty and some other controller-specific games (like Elden Ring, Remnant II, etc).
I've been shopping around for the past month or so and had my eyes on one particular controller I was thinking about trying, but then I heard that Turtle Beach was releasing their new Stealth Ultra pro-style controller and after I seen it, I KNEW that was the one I wanted to get and try! Well, let me start off by saying that it absolutely does no disappoint!
Upon receiving my package, I noticed the box itself seems like pretty standard fare. It has about 5 tabs/seals that you have to break/cut open in order to open the box and inside sits a super nice looking black clamshell case with purple edging and the Turtle Beach logo in purple. I'm a huge fan of this colorway and the whole thing gave me kinda retro-neon sunset vibes, which I'm a sucker for, lol. Sitting within the clamshell case lies the controller itself, among various other accessories. Underneath and attached magnetically is the docking station and there's also a USB cable, which is braided and super nice feeling, although I do wish it were a tab bit more flexible. Additionally, you also get the wireless transmitter (also, wow, super nice and sturdy feeling and I love the glass-looking endpiece to it!) and in the little zipper pouch up top with the transmitter were two pairs of little thumbstick caps. I also wanted to note that the inside of the case is made of a velvet type material and makes the whole thing just scream "premium".
After charging the controller (it has about 90% out of the box, so it didn't take long at all), I plugged in the transmitter into my laptop and turned on the controller. WOW. The way the controller turns on and the screen lights up, it's almost like this mechanical "boot up" process and is super neat! It immediately connected to the transmitter and my PC recognized it. The first thing I did was install the Turtle Beach Control Center 2 on my laptop, as well as the app for my iOS Device. I got the controller paired to the app on my phone, but to my understanding, that is only for Social Media notification on the screen - other than that, the use of the app was very bare-bones. The PC side of the app was a bit different. I will note that this can only be obtained through the Microsoft Store in Windows. There is no dedicated "program" you can download from the Turtle Beach site. This took a hot minute to figure out... Anyway, the first thing I did upon launching the app on the laptop was update the firmware for the Transmitter and Controller. Both were initially at v1.0.0 and the update brought both to v1.0.3. After that, I played around within the program and I will say, it has quite a ways to go... While the interface is catered to navigating with the controller itself, it takes up the whole screen and there are no minimize, maximize or close buttons. The only way to exit is to hit the Windows key and right click the program and click "close". I can see a lot of these issues being fixed in future updates, as this is only the Launch of the product.
Now, here's the great part. Everything that you can do in the Control Center 2 program can be done on the screen itself. I'm being brutally honest here - I got this controller expecting the screen to be a total gimmick. But, it wound up being the big "WOW" feature! This screen is so cool! The only thing that is a gimmick really, are the Social Media notifications - I mean, who wants all of this on a tiny controller screen as a distraction while your gaming? Especially given I have my phone right by me. Anyway...on the controller, below the "share" button you'd find on a typical Xbox controller, is a button labeled with a "+" icon that enables the Screen customization and each icon corresponds to the B, A, X and Y buttons, as all the options are laid out in this format. You can set up your connections to the phone App or Smart Device (I never could get it to connect to my phone via Bluetooth as a Smart Device, only to the App connection for Social Media notification). Additionally, you can also change your profiles, set up your rear button mappings, change your lighting, as well as the pattern and various other effects. Overall, this screen is super useful and allows you to rely on just it and you can bypass the program/app entirely, if you want! I'm just leaving the Control Center 2 installed to periodically check for Firmware updates. The other issue I had with Control Center 2 on the PC was when I'd use it to change the lights on the controller, it'd never kick in and register on the controller. But doing it from the controller screen, it works flawlessly! Again, lots of little bugs and other issues to correct. Work in progress, lol.
Ok, so, let's talk about how the controller feels and functions while using it. This Stealth Ultra controller is super light in the hand! Almost to a point where it feels cheap...but after extended play sessions, it does not feel cheap at all and after a while, it's so feather-light that I barely feel like I'm even holding it. This is amazing to me, given the fact that it still has rumble motors within and they're actually quite strong! I also like that there aren't "fake weights" put in it to make it "feel" heavier than what it is, as this gives a fake Premium feel and I'm not a fan of that tactic, which I've seen in some controllers in the past from other brands...
Going further into the above, I do want to comment on the little "nubs" that go over the analog sticks. I'm not a fan. I'd much rather be able to use something like KontrolFreek caps, which I have on my other non-Pro controllers and I love some of them. I do not plan on using the little caps that came with this. However, I did discover that the KontrolFreek sticks for Xbox will fit on these sticks! They aren't as tight-fitting as they are on an actual Xbox controller and do rotate a bit, the definitely will not "pop off" while using them. This leads me to really, my biggest gripe on this controller. For the price, they should have made the Analog sticks swappable, like most other Pro or Elite type controllers. Meaning, I can pop off a stick or dome and swap it out for a different textured one or one that sits a little higher - much like the Dualsense Edge for PS5 or the Xbox Elite controller. Alas, there is no option to do so, meaning the Xbox KontrolFreeks are my only option. Additionally, I will say that the face buttons (A, B, X and Y) are all mechanical and feel great. They have very short actuation points and feel really nice. Unlike a regular Xbox controller, I've never had an issue with a press not registering. The D-Pad is not interchangeable and really is the only part of this controller that feels "cheap". When barely pressing in a direction, there is an audible click, but nothing registers. You have to press in a little further for it to actually register the press. This took me quite a while to get used to and it still feels really weird. The buttons and triggers, as well as the additional buttons on the back, all feel great as well. The triggers are nice and springy and I love the stop-gap adjustments to where you can make them more like hair-triggers and limits how far down the triggers can be pressed. This is especially great in shooters like Call of Duty or any story-based FPS game.
Ok, so, I apologize for the novel. I could keep going on and on about this controller. But man, I just love it so much. At first, it felt a little iffy, but after 6-8 hours of use, it really grew on me and I found myself saying out loud "geeez, I freaking love this thing". I've never actually had that happen with a controller before! The combination of the mechanical face buttons, the super light weight of the controller, the lighting effects and even the screen all combine to make for a single Premium experience. I'd hands-down easily recommend this controller to my friends. I do realize the screen is probably the driving factor for the current retail price, but the only real issue I had is, for this price, they should have made the thumbsticks swappable between others, including sticks with various domes and heights. So sure, the launch price tag is warranted, but I feel it would have been much more worth it if they'd done a little extra with the sticks. At least they used the newer Hall-Effect sticks and they are less prone to stick-drift, so that is a good compromise.
I also wanted to touch on the fact that I did briefly connect this controller to my Xbox Series X and it worked just as well there, as it did on my laptop! The little controller docking station that is included works especially well on the Xbox, because since the transmitter plugs into the charger dock and then the dock goes into the system, it actually allows you to turn the system on wirelessly, with the controller! This is a very welcome option to have!
Overall, I give this controller a 5 star review, all the way. The only room for improvement is making the sticks swappable. Especially given that they're a tad bit smaller round than those found on traditional Xbox and Playstation controllers.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+7points
7of 7voted this as helpful.
 
A sleek design in stylish colors³ that sets you apart from the crowd. It’s ultra-portable at under 2.5 pounds with a vibrant 12.4" touchscreen for work or play, wherever you are.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Great laptop! Built like a tank but one major flaw
on November 14, 2023
Posted by: Namdnas
I've got a gaming laptop, but needed another laptop that was on the small side, in which I could use for basic tasks, such as Office (Excel, Word, etc) and some small projects I have, as well as writing this review!
For this Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, it hits all of the marks for portability and I really only have one issue, which was totally unexpected before I received it. Would this have changed my decision if I'd not know prior to receiving it? Perhaps.
The unboxing experience is pretty great. The box is super sturdy and heavy duty and upon picking it up, you really get that sense of "wow, I think I got my money's worth", lol. This thing is HEAVY for such a small device and this makes me extremely happy - the heft is in zero way a bad thing at all. I wish more products these days were made like this. It's built like a tank and solid metal! The construction is superb and cleans super easy. I have no worries at all with it's portability and moving from place to place. And I'm normally the type of person that slaps a case and screen protector on all of my portable devices. So, major thumbs up to Microsoft for the build quality.
I love the Sage Green color of this laptop. It's very metallic and almost has a "shimmer" type of color to it. It's very different from most other devices and for sure stands out from everything else. I feel the color also goes hand-in-hand with the build quality and solid metal construction. They keyboard feels great and is a pleasure to type on and the track pad is super nice - it literally feels like your sending your fingers across glass. It's super smooth and I never had my finger skid or skip when gliding across it.
BONUS: I also purchased the matching Microsoft mouse to go with this laptop and it is also of similar construction and build quality, as well as super easy to connect for the first time and general use is phenomenal!
As for performance and use, it's great! I am now absolutely SPOILED by the touch screen on this laptop. So much so, that I've caught myself accidentally swiping the screen on my gaming laptop and wondering why it's not working...whoops? I really feel more laptops, including gaming ones, really need to implement a touch-screen display...but I guess for gaming, that would be a lot more difficult to do... what with the high refresh-rate screens and such. Windows 11 performance is spot on. As soon as I set it up, I immediately done all of the upgrades and I've not had a single hiccup or stutter, whatsoever. I even tested a bit of "cloud gaming" (streaming) and it worked good, for the most part (nothing in regards to the laptop being the issue...cloud gaming is still hit or miss as far as latency goes). This thing runs as smooth as butter, which is really surprising for me, given it's only an i5 and 8GB of RAM!
So now...this review is pretty glowing, right? Right! So, what's the one issue I had that I mentioned earlier? It's the lack of additional storage options. Now sure, if this laptop was staying in one place all the time, I'd just slap an external SSD to is or just keep a USB Thumb Drive inserted at all times. BUT...given this is a "GO" laptop and is geared more towards portability, it's a HUGE miss given that there's no internal SD card slot for additional storage. This laptop only has a 256GB SSD drive built in and some of that is allocated to Windows and System files. So, I have to be extra mindful on what exactly gets installed and used on this laptop. This surprised me to the point that it made an otherwise 5/5 system lose a star...
So, overall, I give this a 4/5 review. It hits all of the notes and does everything well that it's intended to do. The build quality, color, touch screen and Win 11 performance are all as solid as this thing is built! However, the oversight of not including a slot to install a Micro SD or some other type of SD card into is a huge missed opportunity. So, yes, I highly recommend this laptop but if you buy it and there's an option for a larger amount of internal storage, definitely get a larger option.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Experience a world of unparalleled sound precision. The INZONE Buds are meticulously crafted for gamers, with superior sound clarity and long battery life that keeps you playing for hours. Transform every gaming session into an elevated, immersive experience.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Decent gaming buds marred by poor market placement
on October 25, 2023
Posted by: Namdnas
As a gamer with a small hearing disability (in my right ear, only around 15% hearing), I've always wanted a great pair of gaming earbuds. I've looked into the IEM (in-ear monitor) scene, as those have gotten popular for gaming, but none really got my interest. Gaming earbuds have always been so few and far between. When I heard about these, as well as the new ones coming out later this year by Sony, designed for gaming and PlayStation, I was super excited. I actually did not know that Sony had two official gaming earbuds lined up - these INZONE ones and a new "PlayStation Earbuds", as they're calling them - I think their real name is the "Pulse Explore" and is in partnership with Audeze, which Sony recently acquired. I kinda feel it's unnecessary to launch two very similar earbuds, which I will touch on later. For now, let's see what these new INZONE buds are about!
The unboxing is pretty standard - you get what you expect. Inside, you have your charging case with the earbuds and USB-C transmitter (which has a PC/PS5 switch), a rod with various sized ear tips included. I believe the Medium are on there by default, so on the rod, you get SS (Super Small), S (Small) and L (Large), as well as a very short USB-C cable. I didn't even take the cable out, as I have other USB-C cables that I use for charging things. However, I do wish they'd have included a USB-C to USB-A dongle/extension, as depending on what I'm using these on, an available USB-C port isn't convenient. Like my laptop for example, I had to plug the transmitter into a regular USB-A port with a spare A to C dongle I had from one of my other gaming headsets. A small niche complaint, but I feel it's valid.
The setup was pretty straight-forward. I set them up on my laptop (I fully intend to only use them on my PS5, however) and installed the Sony INZONE program/app. After plugging in the transmitter and launching the app, I was actually surprised to see that there was NO firmware update available. Very weird in this day and age where just about everything has a Day-1 update, haha. Anyway, the app is pretty simplistic and basic. You can do things like set your EQ (I changed it to Bass Boost, as I felt they didn't have enough bass by default), update your firmware and configure your Touch Sensor Function Settings. I left the sensor settings to default, but I'll have to reconnect them to change this as with this default, it doesn't NOT include the option to change your Game/Chat mix balance on the PS5 - they really should have had this defaulted in there. See the picture I included in the review - my PS5 says "To adjust the voice chat balance, try using the buttons on your headset". Initially, this was very confusing, as for the life of me, I could not figure out how to do this. So, I did some research and found the online manual and discovered I have to establish this via the INZONE appl. A minor annoyance.
The touch sensors on the headset are pretty good. Tap the right bud to raise the volume and hold the right bud to lower it. On the left bud, you take it to cycle between Noise Canceling, Ambient and Off and then hold it to turn the mic on and off. As far as the Noise Cancelling goes, I'm gonna be honest...outside of cycling between the 3 modes and hearing a different tone for each, I could not tell ANY difference whatsoever between the 3 modes. I guess I'm just spoiled by Airpods Pro, perhaps, with how they do their Transparency mode? Not sure, but I found it a little weird that I couldn't tell the 3 modes apart from one another.
As for sound and audio quality, I was actually a bit more impressed than I expected. Let me say up-front - do NOT expect a large amount of bass in these, even with the Bass Boost EQ. Other than that, as I believe these drivers are very similar to the Sony XM series earbuds. Music sounds pretty much "OK" on these, as you can tell they are clearly tuned for gaming, as a priority. I wasn't necessarily "wowed" by anything music related. However, I can verify that gaming is where these shine! I tried them on quite a few games: Diablo IV, Lords of the Fallen, Lies of P, Modern Warfare II and Mortal Kombat 1 and Cyberpunk. All of the games sounded great and the overall volume of this headset, which I think surprised me the most, is quite loud! I've noticed PlayStation headsets in the past have generally had an overall "lower" volume level than most others, which I why I never really used them much. All games I tried sounded great. Modern Warfare II was super punchy and footsteps were pretty good overall - you have your situations, like usual, where it can be hard to tell...but for most of the time, it works well. Cinematic games sound great and the combat sounds in Lords of the Fallen Diablo IV and Lies of P really shine! I never really felt that these sounded "tinny" in any way and everything had pretty equal volume, across the board. I've not yet encountered a game that sounded "lower" than the others. I also never experienced any drop-outs or stutters, etc. Latency is very much spot on and range is equally great! I also do love the fact that I can just use one earbud, if I want, since using one on my hearing impaired ear doesn't really make a difference for me, lol. I also love how they auto-disconnect from the PS5 when both are placed in their case and it just goes back to my audio system!
Really, the only "con" I can think of, outside of some small gripes over the app/setup around the game and chat balance, and overall low bass is the market placement for these earbuds. At $200 retail price, these will share the same price as the new Pulse Explore PlayStation Earbuds, coming out later this year. It is my understanding that the Pulse earbuds were made in partnership with Audeze and this has me very, very excited. I love their Planar Magnetic driver technology and the Audeze Maxwells are by far, my favorite gaming headset EVER. But for the kicker...and this is what gets me on these INZONE's...unlike the new Pulse earbuds coming out later this year the INZONE's do NOT use the new "Playstation Link' wireless technology. This basically means if, like me, plan on getting the new PlayStation Portal (I have my pre-order in), these INZONE buds will not work on it. You have to get the Pulse earbuds that support the new Link technology. This is a major bummer for me because that means well, given I love Audeze and I want the new Link technology to use with my new Portal in November...I've got to shell out another $200 for those earbuds. Ugh...the market placement and timing on these are just terrible...
So, overall - I'm giving these a 4/5 rating. Given the fact that I had to micromanage and set up the voice/chat game balance in the app and that it wasn't in there by default (which was very confusing when my PS5 prompted me to use the earbuds to adjust, but I couldn't figure out how), the lack of bass in the audio department and just very poor market placement on these earbuds - charging the same price, but not including the Link technology is a real stinker. My suggestion is: If you don't plan on getting the PS Portal at any time or if you do and just don't plan on using earbuds with it, then by all means, get these. I just hate getting the latest and greatest, only for them to feel obsolete in only a few months...
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience a full health check-up at home, in just 90 seconds. Body Scan is the first connected health station of its kind. The integration of new technology supports breakthrough metrics like segmental body composition, which can precisely measure fat and muscle imbalances. It is also designed to identify changes in cardiovascular health, and it offers a variety of cardiovascular measurements at every weigh-in, including 6-Lead ECG, Vascular Age and standing heart rate. Body Scan can evaluate your sweat glands response to stimulation and unlock your EDA score, an insightful metric to better manage your health on a daily basis. Embrace the Withings Scale Experience, and seamlessly make better health part of your daily life. Body Scan features a 12-month battery life, a high-resolution color screen, and automatic tracking for multiple users. Plus, explore dedicated modes for pregnancy*, babies* and athletes. Enjoy Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity and sync all your health data directly to our highly-rated app. View trends, progress, and daily inspiration for long-term improvement. Thanks to best-in-class data privacy standards, your data is always secure.*ECG is not intended for use for pregnant women and babies*
 
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5 out of 5
5
A great all-in-one scale
on October 24, 2023
Posted by: Namdnas
I've currently got the Withings Body+ scale, that I've had now for the past few years. I've generally liked it and never really had an issue, except once, when it lost it's sync with my network and app...I did a full factory reset and it resolved the problem. Oh and the fact that it takes physical batteries and isn't rechargeable was another ding I'd always held against it.
I started my weight loss journey in Mid-January of this year (2023, as of writing this review). I'm now about 9 months in and have lost appx. 60lb. The Body+ scale has worked great for weight, but a few of the other metrics just seemed "off", on average...they constantly fluctuated in a way that didn't make sense. Anyway, I seen their new Body Scan scale and with all the progress I've made, I thought I'd invest into some new technology and see if I can get some new and (hopefully) more accurate data points.
I received the scale and was immediately surprised by how hefty it was! For a scale, this thing is a chonk, lol. But, it looks sleek and makes up for the heft in functionality. Honestly, I prefer it because it seems to stay put on the floor where I have it, VS. sliding around like my current Body+ scale does. Unboxing was a breeze and I have to say, the initial setup was flawless. This has probably been the easiest device that I've set up in a pretty long time. Once I got it connected to my network, it auto-updated the firmware and walked me through the rest of the motions in the app. Didn't have a single hiccup! There's also a wall mount that you can use to hold the Handlebar up off the scale, if you want. Due to the location I keep it (not really near a wall), it's not something I'd use, but I did want to mention it's inclusion, which was a nice touch! Also, compared to what I was used to on my Body+ scale, I was amazed at how great the screen looked on this new scale and the fact that it actually had colors, haha.
I was on vacation when the scale came, so I got a bit of a late start in the timing of this review. On top of the scale, there is a bar that you pull up to waist-level, before stepping on. This has all the various sensors for the ECG feature and works in tandem with some of the other data points it reads. Anyway, you just pull it up off the scale to waist-level and hold it out a bit, as to not touch your skin or clothing and just step up on the scale. It takes around 45 seconds for a full reading - the ECG alone take 30 and then about 15 seconds for everything else. All-in-all, pretty easy and painless! I believe, as of now, I've gotten around 4 measurements in (I don't always weigh myself every single day). I'm still awaiting my Vascular Age measurement, as it's still pending because you have to weigh in at least 5 times before it will start displaying this data. As for the new measurements with the ECG and Electrodermal Activity, those have come back in the "normal" range.
Now, I do have an Apple Watch and I feel the data it takes would be far more accurate, so some of the things the scale tracks, such as Daily Steps and Heart Rate are a bit redundant for me. I think it just pulls the Steps from my Apple Health app and I've left the Heart Rate measurement on, just to check for consistency between this and my Watch. As far as the rest of the measurements go, it shows me: Daily Steps, ECG, Weight, Body Comp, Signs of Afib, Electrodermal Activity, Vascular Age, Average Heart Rate, Walking (time), High Heart Rate and Hear Rate. It also checks your Fitness Level, as well...which again, is a bit redundant to my Apple Watch (unless it's pulling that data from Health, I can't tell).
So far, I do feel that the Body Comp, BMI and other similar measurements on this scale are more accurate than my Body+ scale. However, it did have a slight shock this morning when I weighed in. It gave me a message saying that signs of Afib were detected. This absolutely shocked me as I've had the Apple Watch since the very first model and have had the "Irregular Rhythm" detection enabled since that feature has launched. In the many, many years I've worn my Watch (daily - from when I wake to when I go to bed), I've yet to have an Afib warning. Even when I do an ECG using the App on my Watch, I always get the regular "Sinus Rhythm" detection, which means everything is normal. So, what does this mean? Well, for now, I'm not going to worry about it. I've had a Withing BPM device (Blood Pressure Monitor) in the past and while I loved the look, fit and wireless functionality, it was probably one of the worst BP monitors I've ever had/used - it was always about 10-15 points off my regular reading, compared to my Omron monitor. I even took it (as well as my Omron monitor) to my Doctors office to confirm that these numbers were or were not actually correct. My Omron BP monitor was within 1-2 points off from what my Doctor read and the Withings BPM was at about a 12-15 point difference...so, I wound up returning it and I'm still using my same Omron BP monitor that I've had for the past 10+ years.
So, given the aforementioned Withings BPM (Blood Pressure Monitor device) issues, that's never really instilled much "Heart Health" confidence for me in Withings. Especially given that I've NEVER had an Afib or Irregular Beat notification with my Apple Watch, which I feel is FAR more accurate. I'll keep the Afib stuff in my readings for now, just to see if maybe it was a one-off fluke and if I detect a pattern or not. I'll just be more mindful and I'll do a few extra ECG's on my Apple Watch as well...but for now, I'm not going to fret over the Afib notification too much. Also, as a side-note, I did just get my Fall COVID vaccine and Flu shot 4 days ago, so perhaps that could be related, as I could feel some mild side-effects over the weekend from it (but feel much better today).
Other than this, I'd still rate this Body Scan scale a 5/5 rating. The build quality is superb, the battery is rechargeable, there's an included wall mount for the handlebar (if this is your preference, I don't use it). I feel that all of the weight and body-comp measurements are pretty accurate...but I'm still unsure of the hearth health (ECG and Afib) portions, due to having never had this happen on my Apple Watch and my past experiences that I noted here with the Withings Blood Pressure Monitor. However, I'm not going to hold that against this Body Scan scale in this review, as I've just simply not had enough time to determine if this was just a once-off fluke or if it's accurate or just...inaccurate. I do feel this scale will be able to assist me with my goals of toning up a bit, once I hit my weight loss goal and decide to go that route.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Meet the Ninja Thirsti Drink System. Personalize flavor and fizz to create thousands of still and sparkling drinks at the touch of a button. Customize your drink by 4 different functions, 20+ flavors, 2 flavor strengths, 3 fizz levels, and 4 drink sizes. Dispense directly into your favorite cup. Includes CO2 Canister and a variety of Flavored Water Drops. Enjoy a single flavor or combine two flavors to create your signature drink.
 
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5 out of 5
5
Hands-down, the BEST sparkling water drink maker!
on September 7, 2023
Posted by: Namdnas
I love sparkling water and I always keep some on hand in cans of various brands. I've got another top-brand sparkling water maker and use it occasionally, but not as much as I used to. When I heard that Ninja was making their own version a while back, I couldn't wait to try it out and WOW, do we have a winner with this!
I did want to say two things to kick this review off - while waiting on my unit, I did hop over to Ninja's website and ordered some extra accessories and every one of their water flavorings, in the 4 varieties that they offer - Splash, Vitamin, Hydration and Energy, as well as a spare CO2 canister. I also wanted to add that I'm normally the ONLY one in my household that remotely likes sparkling-type waters. That has completely changed with the Ninja Thirsti!
The unit itself is pretty simple, overall. At first, it looks like it may be a little complicated, but I had the swing of things after making my first few drinks! Just make sure you read the instructions first and don't just go slapping things together and hitting start, haha. There is also a first use "rinse" cycle that is suggested to do, which I did and was super easy.
You get two water reservoirs included with the unit and a sample pack of drink mixes, which to my surprise, they give you 8! That's actually quite a bit for a sample selection! Anyway, they highly suggesting making beverages with cold water ONLY, as cold water tends to carbonate the best and going by my past experiences, I can definitely say this is true. The reservoir has an indicator built into it that turns from white to blue, when it has reached the cold levels desired - I thought this was super neat! I keep the reservoir filled up and in the fridge. I've not had a need to use the 2nd one yet, as I just keep a gallon of Distilled water in the fridge at all times and refill the one I'm using from that. Speaking of, that is another one of my big suggestions - use Distilled water ONLY. I use this in ALL of my appliances, from the nugget ice maker to my coffee pots and my Ninja Thirsti and it really helps keep things clean and from getting mineral build-up (our tap water is super hard where we are, so I always refrain from using it when I can).
Out of all of the sample flavors provided, as well as the ones I've purchased, I like them all! I've not yet found one where I'm "meh" about it, which is great! The Splash ones are unsweetened and taste like a normal store-bought canned Sparkling water from many of the top brands out there...but honestly, I like the Ninja Splash taste better! The other options (Hydrate, Vitamins and Energy) are all sweetened, but have 0 calories. They all taste great as well and I actually think I prefer them over the Splash! I would like to see them release an Immune Support one that uses Wellmune or an equivalent.
As for as any critiques, there's not many. I've not had a single issue out of the machine itself that wasn't user error! For example, for all of my appliances, I'm used to just having a water reservoir on them. But with the Thirst, you put the reservoir on it from the fridge, make your drink and put it back in the fridge. I've lost count of how many times I've went to make a drink and realized I forgot to put the reservoir on...whoops! I then have to let it do a "drain" cycle before I can use it again. A little annoying, but like I said...user error, lol. I love how you can interchange the flavors whenever you want. Just pop one out, close the lid and pop a new one in. You can even combine flavors!!! The only other thing I would like to see would be for Ninja to make a "cover cap" that goes over where the water reservoir sits, to prevent dust and such from getting on it, since you know, this is your water intake area. More of a hygiene thing, I guess.
Honestly, GET THIS. It makes Still (yes, it makes non-sparkling drinks, too!) and Carbonated drinks and the levels of carbonation are AMAZING! Way better than any previous machines I've used in the past. Even the Level 1 Carbonation is just enough for me and I always max out my Carbonation on other machines. Ninja has a winner here and I'm definitely going to be recommending this to family, friends and anyone I know that enjoys these types of drinks! The wife does not like sparkling drinks like this, but she's routinely been making some for herself, which really took me by surprise. The Thirsti has single-handedly converted her, lol.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Linksys Velop Pro 6E with Cognitive Mesh delivers WiFi 6E with unmatched range.* Stream, download or work with a faster connection, wider coverage and more devices on your network. Multiple users shouldn’t equal a slower network. It takes care of the heavy lifting so you can focus on the connections that matter most.
 
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4 out of 5
4
Great Wi-Fi system that has room for improvement.
on August 6, 2023
Posted by: Namdnas
I've been using the Linksys Velop AX - MX10 (MX10600, 2-node) Wi-Fi Mesh Network system for a number of years now, but over time, it seemed to become increasingly slower. I've always loved the Velop series of mesh networks from Linksys and have used them since the very original Velop. When I seen they'd just released their new Velop Pro 6E, I immediately wanted to upgrade! But, how is it compared to their previous entries? Let's find out!
The unboxing is pretty standard fare and minimal. It's really neat how they included all three nodes into such a tiny box, though! You get the 3 nodes, 3 power cables and a standard Ethernet cable. I already have my home Networked with Cat-6 cables, so I'm good there, no need.
I will say that setup was NOT as easy as it has been for me in the past. I unhooked my old Network as I always do. Now, normally, in my previous Velop setups, it has you set up your "parent" (main) node, then each child node independently. They've changed a few things since, which I feel doesn't work out for the better. Now, you have to plug in ALL the nodes in the same room (and wait for them to fully power up) and set it up that way, while following the prompts via the Linksys app. As a note - I am using the app on an iPhone 14 Pro Max. Setup said that all the nodes were connected and detected and once I thought I was done (which seemed pretty easy thus far...), I went into the main page of the app but...only the primary node was detected. The other two nodes were not found or connected at all. So, I did all the normal troubleshooting things next...Power Cycling everything, force closing the app, rebooting my phone. Nothing worked. So, I factory reset EVERYTHING, deleted the app, reinstalled it and started fresh.
This go around, everything actually flowed like it was supposed to. BUT...once I got done, while it did show both child nodes were connected, one of them would NOT connect. The app showed it, but as "not connected" or just in a permanent state of "connecting". I tried all the usuals again, but it's a no-go. I work from home and had to work the next day - so, I was getting pretty irritated as I had already spent about 2 hours trying to get this up and running. So, I called Linksys Support, which has been fantastic for me in the past and thankfully, still is! I was on the phone a little over an hour and after a series of randomly resetting, rebooting and other things, we FINALLY got the 3rd node to connect and established. Once done, she hung out with me on the phone while I updated the Firmware, just to ensure I had no further hiccups. Everything there went great and I was excited that I could now finally test it!
When I booted up my laptop to play Diablo IV, I was pleasantly surprised to see the Windows 11 notification that my laptop is now using the latest and greatest Wi-Fi technology and that everything was configured automatically for that. However, outside of that, everything else seems pretty standard to my old MX10's. I'm on Spectrum 1GB service and I'm a little disappointed that my Wi-Fi speeds didn't improve any at all (still getting between 400-600 MB down) between all of my devices, depending on where I am. I can also be in the same room as a node and only get 450 down or so. However, the network does seem super stable, which is a massive plus. As a note - running the Channel Finder within the app (multiple times, even) did nothing to improve my Wi-Fi speeds.
Outside of the above, everything is running great, but I did want to make note of a few bugs and such that I've encountered since then. The first is when running Channel Finder, sometimes it will error out and not complete the process and have to redo it...several times. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Another issue I've encountered that's really annoying to me is the built-in speed test via the App. Now, on every Velop system I've ever used, it measures the direct internet speed going into the Primary node from the modem. However, this one does not seem to be doing so...it seems to be testing the Wi-Fi speed...as when I do the test, it averages between 350 and 400 down, which is severely disappointing. I KNOW my internet connection from my modem to my router is full bandwidth....so to test this, I used my Alienware R15 Desktop, which is hardwired into a Switch, going directly into the back of the Primary node connected to my modem. Going to the Speedtest website and doing a test there nets me my full 930-940MB down speeds, which is 100% correct. My PS5 gets between 600-650 down and my Xbox Series X gets around 850-900 down (both hardwired), which is about on par with my MX10 system I had previously. All other devices are honestly about the same as well.
My only really big caveat to this system is the fact that each node only has a single regular LAN/Ethernet port for a hardwired device. So, if you want to plug more than one device into a node, you've got no other option but to use a Switch. My MX10 system had, I believe, 4 Ethernet ports - which was great!
I do love the form-factor and teardrop shape of these nodes much more than any previous iteration, though! They're super small, have a very strong signal for their size and they look great in any decor! Also, they're super stable and I don't feel like they'd be super easy to knock over or anything. I also like the new feature in the app where you can "blink" a node. So, if you're not sure what node is what, you can flash it to easily detect it (like when naming them)! They did also change out the light functionality, compared to their previous models. Before, if the node was on, connected and working properly, it was a light blue color. Now, it's solid white (or blinking white if it's disconnected or trying to connect). Now, the blue color is only for setup - it blinks blue when it's ready to setup (whereas with the previous models, it was purple). This did cause some confusion for me during setup, haha.
So, in conclusion, I'd give this system a solid 4 out of 5 stars for now, as Best Buy does not currently allow for half-star reviews. Linksys, if you're reading this: If, via firmware, you could improve the Wi-Fi speeds further and iron out the Linksys app bugs (like the speedtest one that I mentioned above), I'd give this a 4.5 out of 5 stars. I'm still docking the half star due to only having a single LAN/Ethernet port on the back of each node. It's a solid system, encompasses the latest and greatest Wi-Fi tech, but it doesn't really feel that this system runs as great as it's capable of. I honestly expected consistent 600-700MB down speeds (especially on my newest devices that take advantage of the tech), but as of right now, those speeds are really all over the place.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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All hail the new king. The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Multiplatform Wireless Gaming Headset brings the best premium features to your gaming multiverse for PlayStation, Windows PCs, Mac, Nintendo Switch and mobile. Featuring the most versatile noise cancelling system ever in a gaming headset, with the ability to control noise-cancelling levels from anywhere. Experience ultimate audio immersion with powerful, hand-selected 50mm Nanoclear drivers for a vast soundstage; and the TruSpeak noise-cancelling boom mic or dual built-in microphones offer ultra-clear comms. Our softest memory foam ear cushions enhance noise isolation and provide all-day comfort, and the Stealth Pro is built to last with a durable steel-reinforced headband and frame.
 
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5 out of 5
5
A fantastic headset that does EVERYTHING!
on April 20, 2023
Posted by: Namdnas
So, I've really been on a headset kick here lately and am starting to amass a bit of a collection! However, of all the brands I own, Turtle Beach is one of the two or three that I truly enjoy. I loved my Stealth 700's, but I was SUPER disappointed in their Stealth 700 Max model - they didn't get anywhere near as loud as the regular 700's and I've since been using other brands to find my niche. Will these Stealth Pro's bring me back to Turtle Beach as my daily driver? Let's find out.
As for unboxing, it's pretty premium feeling! Inside, you'll find your headphones themselves (which just upon looking at them and taking them out, I was surprised at how nice they felt!), two USB cables (one longer...about 6', one shorter...about 3'), your base receiver that plugs into your system and acts like a hub that also charges your spare battery, two batteries (one pre-installed in the headset and the other, going into the base) and finally, your microphone, as well as a travel bag that everything can go in. I do love how the travel bag has individual pockets inside that when used, keeps everything from rubbing together and causing scratches.
So, all in all, everything feels pretty great. The only "cheap" feeling during the unboxing that I had was with the batteries themselves. On the extra battery that goes into the hub to charge (not the pre-installed one), after peeling off the film, there were a bunch of scratches on top of the battery, which I noticed immediately. The batteries are really light-weight, which is a good thing, but this also makes them feel pretty cheap, especially given the plastic housing material. They are easy to get in and out of both the base and the headset, so that's not an issue. I just wish they were a little bit more durable feeling.
Ok, now - initial setup. ANY time I get a new headset, the first thing I do is immediately install the dedicated program on my laptop (if I don't have it already) so I can update the firmware - In this case, there's a new version of the Turtle Beach Audio Hub (V2) that I needed to install. I installed that and plugged both the base and the headset into my laptop using the two included USB cables. The Audio Hub V2 app would not recognize my devices for some reason...even after multiple attempts. Thankfully, after 15 minutes of trying and giving up, a system reboot solved that problem and they were detected immediately afterwards. And oddly (this may be a first!), there was actually no new firmware update available. I immediately thought...this is either a good thing or a bad thing, lol - good being that they were actually READY for release and all the initial bugs are ironed out....or bad being that these were going to be a buggy mess... The verdict? GOOD!
Thus far, outside of the initial detection issue I had with the Audio Hub app, I've experienced ZERO other issues with these cans! I'm going to say that these are probably the closest "ready to release" headphones that I've had in a long time that didn't require a firmware update off the bat and I didn't experience any bugs! So, great job here, Turtle Beach!
Alright, setup time. I never could determine if they intended the longer or the shorter cable to be the one that plugs into the system, directly. I guess that's going to depend on if you're using it on PC or PS5 and where you plan on placing the receiver base. I used the longer cable going from the receiver into the back of the system, because I have it on the shelf above my system itself, and then the shorter cable as the spare for charging, etc. I had no issues with the PS5 detecting the headset or pairing it to the receiver base. Also, which may be another first, I had no problems pairing the headset to my phone via Bluetooth! And the Bluetooth here is simultaneous, meaning, you can listen to music from your phone or take a call, while still hearing your game audio and such, which I love. The Audio Hub app for the iPhone (using an iPhone 14 Pro Max) is pretty great, although I wish it would detect the connection automatically instead of me having to tap the "get connected" button every time I go into it. From the app, you can see where the master volume level is at, change your equalizers for the headphone (gaming) and even Bluetooth, separately! This is awesome! They've really thought of everything here.
Now, on to functionality, mic and audio quality. This will be split into several sub-sections:
1) Let me start out by saying that man, are these things comfortable! The build quality is fantastic and I have no worries over long-term issues, just yet. The cushions are super plush memory foam and they fit great for what I'd image would be all head sizes. These are probably the 2nd best "stock" cushions I've experienced on a new headset.
2) The microphone is great! It's a flip-to-mute, which is fantastic and I love the little touch where the blue ring around the receiver changes to red to indicate it is indeed muted. The built-in microphone is ...OK... I'd definitely prefer just keeping the microphone itself attached, since I can keep it up and muted when not using it, given the big increase to mic quality this way.
3) I do wish there was a way to either dim or turn off the blue ring (just keep the red mic mute ring option there) on the receiver hub, as it's a bit annoying and distracting, having that on ALL THE TIME. Perhaps they can implement this in a future firmware update as maybe a toggle within the phone app or something?
4) As for audio quality itself, these have 50mm "Nanoclear" drivers, which seem a step above the norm, as most headphones these days still use 40mm drivers, unless you're dealing with Planar Magnetic, which are usually much bigger (and louder)...around 90mm. So, these seem to be a pretty happy middle-ground. I played a variety of games with these cans: Hogwarts Legacy, Modern Warfare II (MP and Warzone), Resident Evil 4, Destiny 2, Dredge, Diablo II Resurrected and Theatrhythm Final Bar Line. I will say that the sound across all games was pretty consistent. Some headphones seemed to vary pretty wildly...some games were overly loud and others were overly low. So, I was happy about the consistency and the overall sound-stage seems wide. Also, the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) wasn't too overdone. While, it doesn't seem as strong as some other gaming and non-gaming headphones I've used, it does it's job pretty well. However, I did seem to notice a bit of an audio difference (very small) when using ANC compared to having ANC off. I prefer ANC off, as it tended to sound a bit better and more "full".
5) However...I'm a little underwhelmed by the max volume levels, which sadly, seem to be pretty common for PS5 headphones. These have almost NO volume until you get past the 50-60% mark, leaving not a whole lot of volume overhead. In order to get the volume to my "normal" comfortable listening levels of my other headphones, I have to get them to about 85% on the volume slider within the app. So, this means that I can't really "jam out" with them when I want because the total volume overhead just isn't there. This could be fixed in a firmware update, but judging by Turtle Beaches track record with this, I'm not banking on this happening - it seems to be pretty common for their headphones.
6) Overall volume levels aside, the only other real complaint I have with these headphones is the actual volume wheel, itself. It just feels cheap. With the app up, so I can see at what point it's being adjusted to the next increment, it seems that you have to turn the wheel pretty far to get that next level. Without using the app, it's a guessing game as to if it's actually turning up the volume or if you need to turn the wheel more. I also did notice that there is a bit of a small delay (by a few seconds, it seems) in making adjustments on the headset - including volume - and when it shows in the app.
So, in summary, I'm overall pretty impressed with these headphones. I'm not 100% sure just yet if they're going to be my daily driver, as my others get louder than these do. Regardless, if these were to be a secondary pair, I'm totally happy with that, too! These cans are packing all of the latest and greatest feature for the price point they're asking - you can't go wrong! The only downsides I can find is the "cheap" feeling of the batteries themselves and the volume wheel, as well as the inability to turn off the always-on ring around the received. If Turtle Beach could just increase the total volume by about 20-25%, I would have no issues saying that these are my new favorite cans.
With the above being said, I personally give these a 4.5 out of 5. But, since we can't do half stars here, I'm going to go with a 5 and give the benefit of doubt, here. Just note that if the volume levels can be improved, I'll give these a 5, all the way, no questions asked.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Mind all your manholes with MANSCAPED Power Duo Plus Package with everything you need to look good from every angle. The Lawn Mower 4.0 takes any man’s groin and body grooming game to the next level while the Weed Whacker 2.0 makes those dangling ear and nose hairs disappear without the ouch factor. To make sure you smell the part, MANSCAPED Crop Cleanser will keep your groin zone so fresh and so clean with a luxurious lather.
 
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5 out of 5
5
Some of the best Trimmers I've used in a long time
on March 6, 2023
Posted by: Namdnas
I've been looking at the Manscaped products for a while and I've also seen them sponsored by a few YouTubers that I often watch. Glad I finally took the plunge on this kit! The packaging is pretty nice and everything is neatly laid out inside the box (as you can see in the pics). Really, the only complaint I have is that there's not travel bag or anything included inside. There is a small pouch that holds your attachments and such, but no type of travel bags or anything like that.
I want to start with the 2.0 Trimmer for the nose and ear hair. This one was a huge, unexpected surprise for me! I had surgery back in October 2022 for Deviate Septum and since then, I've been fighting with random rogue nose hairs, which I've never had a problem with before. I used this Trimmer and while at first, it did tickle a little, it got ever bit of hair out from the inside of my nose and even the little crevices around the outside. There was no pulling or yanking involved and it was super comfortable to use! Thankfully, I don't have ear hair to worry about with this one, lol.
As for the Lawn Mower 4.0 Trimmer, it worked as great as I expected. I love the two different blade attachments that they give you and the LED Spotlight is pretty neat! I've not had to use the Travel Lock on it but I will say, from what I've heard, is that it's pretty easy to accidentally engage. So, if the Trimmer does not work properly, this should be the first thing you check! For my first trim, I did opt to use the bigger of the attachments, just to see how well it worked and I gotta say, it really does work as great as they advertise it! Everything was a pretty even cut, no nicks or pulls here, either.
The Crop Cleanser is awesome, too! Back in January, I've started working out and going to the gym a lot. Since them, I've currently lost over 25 lb. Now, I normally don't carry much of a body odor, at least anything that others can smell....just me. But...I have had issues with some minor chaffing and such. While it is advertised for use after a trim, I've been using it a few times a week actually and I'm legit going to be buying more of this. It just makes you feel so fresh and more importantly, confident...down there...lol.
One thing that I did want to note is that there is a charging base included in with the set. However, this will ONLY work on the 4.0 Lawn Mower Trimmer, not the ear/nose hair trimmer. For that one, you just have to plug the USB-C cable directly into it. This feels a bit like a missed opportunity...why not make a base that will charge both devices, when you need them? It's not an issue, as I have plenty of spare USB-C cables, but still, I wanted to make mention of this.
And lastly, they do give you a little brush you can use to clean any trimmed hairs off of either Trimmer. In addition to this, I do like how you can order replacement heads for both Trimmers, directly from Manscaped.
Overall, I'm gonna give these a 5 out of 5 score. While there are some small gripes with how they charge and there's no included travel case or anything with the set, I'm not going to knock a star off for this or anything. I've tried nose hair trimmers from other "big" brands and they do nowhere near as good of a job as the Manscaped one does. And the 4.0 Trimmer is pretty unique, in and of itself. Get 'em!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Multitasking speed powered by 12th Gen Intel Core, with Windows 11 and a vibrant PixelSense touchscreen. Sleek and beautiful, in choice of size — 13.5” or 15” — and colors from bold to subtle, including new Sage.¹ Plus battery life² for real life to do your thing your way all day. Surface Laptop 5 gives you the perfect balance to do it all on your terms and make an impact.
 
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5 out of 5
5
Sleek "get things done" laptop, with a bit of fun!
on November 18, 2022
Posted by: Namdnas
My wife has been needing a good, small laptop for crafting purposes (using the Cricut and such). We've been looking at the Surface laptops for a bit now and bouncing back and force. So glad we went with this!
The unboxing experience was great! You really feel like you've gotten your "money's worth" with this laptop. The box is a super thick stock of cardboard and it feels super-premium. The laptop inside is a whole other story. This thing is a TANK! They don't build them like this any more! It's solid metal and is VERY heavy for the size that it is. It weighs even more than my Alienware 15" laptop that I've had for a few years. We went with the Sage Green one, just for something different and was super impressed with the color! Inside the box, you just get the laptop itself, a charging adapter and power cable, along with your normal documentation.
The charging cable for this is awesome! It's magnetic and just attaches to the right side of the laptop. I wish all laptops charged in this manner. We've not had it happen yet, but I can see how it would be easy to "snag" the cable and pull it off the laptop pretty easily...it is magnetic, after all. Setup with super simple. We created a new Microsoft account during setup, went through the normal setup procedures for Windows 11 and we were done. No snags, hiccups or anything! It also came with Windows 11 version 22H2 by default, as well. So, remaining updates through Windows Update were minimal. Hoenstly, there were more "app" and program updates than anything. Also, the Facecam sign-in (Windows "Hello", I believe?) is a FANTASTIC feature and works flawlessly.
As for the Cricut projects and such - this runs the Cricut Design Space flawlessly and the touch-screen is top-tier! It always registers what we press and have not had any issues with it, either. The Inkscape program works great, as well. I even downloaded Steam and installed Wallpaper Engine and tried some Animated Wallpapers on it. It runs these, along with any other open apps with no issues whatsoever.
Now, keep in mind that this is not a "gaming" machine. It has an integrated video card and an i5 processor. Great for projects, Office, things like that. BUT...you can play some simple games on it, such as Among Us, Dave The Diver and things like that. It's a great work and creation laptop, with just enough power for a little "extra" fun, if you wanted.
Really, the ONLY complaint I can find is the lack of ports. It has one USB-A port and one USB-C port. ONE. That's it. I'll definitely be needing to get a USB Hub for this, especially if we're going to be using a Thumb Drive, Bluetooth Receiver for the Xbox Controller, a mouse and whatever else we need.
Overall, though, I give this a full 5/5 stars! This is our first Surface device and Microsoft has fully won us over!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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