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PhilipM
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- Review count78
- Helpfulness votes211
- First reviewNovember 28, 2015
- Last reviewApril 22, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.5
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- First answerSeptember 16, 2016
- Last answerOctober 30, 2020
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Calls. Conferences. ON-the-GO. Air never looked so epic. Offering the ultimate true-wireless experience for any professional or audiophile, JLab Epic Air ANC offers customized sound and active noise canceling plus industry-leading 48+ hours playtime. Transition from music to calls, work to home effortlessly with features like wear-detect, movie mode, wireless charging and more.
Customer Rating
4
Great features and battery life; average sound
on September 27, 2020
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
These new JLab buds combine great features and battery life into a compact and attractive form factor, but the experience is somewhat hindered by audio and DSP performance that are only average
Pros:
- Compact form factor
- Wide range of soft gels to fit almost any ears
- Automatically detect when they’re inserted into or removed from your ears
- Great battery life: 8 hours (up to 12 hours with noise cancelling disabled)
- Carry case provides up to 3 additional charges
- Carry case can also be wirelessly charged and has a short built-in USB-A cable
- Plenty of “tap to control” options for volume, start/pause, skipping tracks, and adjusting noise cancellation mode
- "Movie mode" reduces latency to keep lips in sync with audio.
- Reasonable volume
- Compact form factor
- Wide range of soft gels to fit almost any ears
- Automatically detect when they’re inserted into or removed from your ears
- Great battery life: 8 hours (up to 12 hours with noise cancelling disabled)
- Carry case provides up to 3 additional charges
- Carry case can also be wirelessly charged and has a short built-in USB-A cable
- Plenty of “tap to control” options for volume, start/pause, skipping tracks, and adjusting noise cancellation mode
- "Movie mode" reduces latency to keep lips in sync with audio.
- Reasonable volume
Cons:
- So-so audio performance requires a lot of tweaking with the EQ functions
- The buds reset to the EQ1 setting each time they’re reconnected
- Noise cancellation and “be aware” pass through performance a mixed bag
- Easy to accidentally activate “tap to control” functions while adjusting the buds in your ears
- Audio performance is greatly impacted by getting a tight fit with the ear gels
- The carry case uses USB-A only, so newer USB-C chargers will need an adaptor
- So-so audio performance requires a lot of tweaking with the EQ functions
- The buds reset to the EQ1 setting each time they’re reconnected
- Noise cancellation and “be aware” pass through performance a mixed bag
- Easy to accidentally activate “tap to control” functions while adjusting the buds in your ears
- Audio performance is greatly impacted by getting a tight fit with the ear gels
- The carry case uses USB-A only, so newer USB-C chargers will need an adaptor
Overall, this is a thoughtful and complete package.
The carry case has a great array of charging features including a built-in short USB A cable (sorry, no USB-C so newer chargers will need an adaptor) and support for Qi wireless charging. JLabs claim 12 hours of playback time on a single charge and the ability to charge up to 3 times from the case and my experience bears this out. This is one pair of buds that are probably not going to leave you without power.
Setup is easy and I was able to pair the buds and connect the JLab app without any issues. On my first connection the app prompted a software update, which required two attempts to complete but was otherwise not problematic. The app also provides adjustments for noise cancelling, “be aware” mode (which is supposed to funnel in some outside noise to keep you aware of your surroundings), and an extensive EQ. All worked fine in practice, but be aware that although there are 4 EQ presets, the buds default to the first setting each time they’re reconnected, so you need to select the one you want each time.
The buds themselves are light, compact, and relatively minimalist in their design. They fit well and stay in place (although for workouts consider the “sport” version of this same model). They also feature extensive tap controls which in my experience work fine buy can be complex to remember (different numbers and durations of taps perform different functions on different ears, etc.). Once learned they shouldn’t pose any problems to execute.
In my use across a variety of soundscapes, the noise cancellation feature was only marginally effective. Sometimes I could hear it suppressing background noises such as fans or motors but in other cases (like with a garage door opening and closing) I couldn’t really tell a difference. The “be aware” mode, which is a good idea in theory, had similarly mixed performance. That said, if you get a good fit with the ear gels (plenty of sizes are included), external noise is not a major issue.
The biggest drawback for me is that the sound and DSP performance are OK, but not great, even compared to other buds at this end of the market. If you get a good fit with the ear gels the sound is full and reasonably clear, but I struggled even with the EQ features to get balanced performance across the frequency range without introducing harshness or DSP processing artifacts. For example, clearly hearing the hi-hats in rock track required over 60% boost on the upper EQ bands, but this introduced some harshness to the vocal track which I assume is due to D2A or compression artifact noise. The same source with other buds did not pose the same difficulty.
That said, if you’re OK to mess with the solid EQ app a little you can get entirely acceptable sound from these buds and the long battery life, good design, and full feature set make them a solid choice at this end of the market.
Mobile Submission: False
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Level up your cleaning game with the mophie UV sanitizer with wireless charging. Kill 99.99% of the most common surface bacteria on your phone in 5 minutes and keep your battery out of the red with just one device.* The UV-C bulbs keep germs, including the most common surface bacteria, at bay no matter your phone size or brand. Best of all, the mophie UV sanitizer with wireless charging kills bacteria on all the hardest to reach surfaces without heat, liquid, or chemicals that could damage your device. And it’s completely quiet. Bacteria isn’t safe on other items either. Toss your keys, remote control, or earbuds into the mophie UV sanitizer for a quick clean up. Clean phone but low on battery? Just place your Qi enabled smartphone on the wireless charging surface and charging begins on contact all while you’re sanitizing a second device.
Customer Rating
3
Quick clean cycle, imperfect design for charging
on August 30, 2020
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
The use of UV-C lights to kill germs and viruses is not a new concept and given just how dirty and frequently handled our cell phones are, this device seems like a perfect application for the technology.
Pros:
- Innocuous design isn't beautiful but also won't stand out too much (although it would have been nice to have some other color choices).
- Cleaning cycle is relatively short, and unlike some competing devices a handy button starts a timer so you know precisely when the cycle is complete.
- The device is (just) large enough fit even a Galaxy Note 10+ (including case), so should fit most phones, but may not fit 2020 "Ultra" flagship devices if they have bulky cases, so check dimensions.
- Offers wireless charging via the lid as a bonus.
- Innocuous design isn't beautiful but also won't stand out too much (although it would have been nice to have some other color choices).
- Cleaning cycle is relatively short, and unlike some competing devices a handy button starts a timer so you know precisely when the cycle is complete.
- The device is (just) large enough fit even a Galaxy Note 10+ (including case), so should fit most phones, but may not fit 2020 "Ultra" flagship devices if they have bulky cases, so check dimensions.
- Offers wireless charging via the lid as a bonus.
Cons:
- These things really don't blend in to the surrounding decor. It's not obnoxious, but it takes up space and the plastic finish is fine but not super attractive.
- The wireless charging is finicky to use due to the slightly convex shape of the lid, causing devices to want to slide off and need precise positioning.
- The power indicator light (which also flashes during charging) is quite large and very bright, making this is relatively poor choice for a bedside charging device if you're at all sensitive to light at night.
- These things really don't blend in to the surrounding decor. It's not obnoxious, but it takes up space and the plastic finish is fine but not super attractive.
- The wireless charging is finicky to use due to the slightly convex shape of the lid, causing devices to want to slide off and need precise positioning.
- The power indicator light (which also flashes during charging) is quite large and very bright, making this is relatively poor choice for a bedside charging device if you're at all sensitive to light at night.
Assuming that this device does a good job bathing your phone in UV-C rays (I don't have any kind of test equipment to know for sure), the cleaning cycle is well implemented. Unlike some other competing devices, it has a built in timer and a button to press which clearly indicates that power is available and beeps when the cycle is over.
The wireless charging is less well implemented. As with many wireless chargers, your phone will need to be positioned precisely for the charging to work and stay connected. Unlike other wireless chargers, that positioning is complicated by the fact that the lid is slightly domed and the plastic is slippery (no rubberized strips to hold the phone in place). As a result, it's easy for the phone to slip around. Even if you can get it well positioned, the vibration from a phone notification can cause it to move enough to lose connection.
Summary:
If you'd looking for a quick and easy UV-C solution to sanitize phones, this one is quick and easy to use. If you're looking for higher end finished to blend in with your home decor, or if wireless charging is an important element of a product like this for you, you may want to consider an alternative solution.
If you'd looking for a quick and easy UV-C solution to sanitize phones, this one is quick and easy to use. If you're looking for higher end finished to blend in with your home decor, or if wireless charging is an important element of a product like this for you, you may want to consider an alternative solution.
Mobile Submission: False
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Remove stains and pet odors with this Hoover Paws & Claws premixed carpet cleaner. The powerful formula contains enzymatic cleaning ingredients that quickly break down stains and continue working until odors are completely eliminated. This Hoover Paws & Claws premixed carpet cleaner works on curtains and car upholstery and leaves behind a pleasant cotton breeze scent.
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
This solution tops up the spot treatment wand in the Hoover Smartwash carpet cleaners. I've used the wand attachment for spot treatment a few times when cleaning our carpets, both on recent pet related marks and some older stains which other options had not successfully removed. I've found the combination of the spot treatment wand and the regular detergent and cleaning cycle on the Smartwash to be surprisingly effective at removing stains, including the older one which I'd assumed had set and was probably just going to be there until we replaced the carpet. Definitely worth a try for tougher stains.
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Meet the world’s only high-speed smart toaster. Say goodbye to slow toast, burnt toast, dry toast, uneven toast, toast that gets stuck and toast you have to toast again. The Revolutionary InstaGLO heating system reaches full glow in two seconds, with no preheating. Faster toasting delivers tastier results – crunchy outside, flavorful and moist inside. The smart touchscreen gives you control over your perfect toastyness level so your bread, bagel, English muffin, frozen waffle or toaster pastry comes out just the way you want it. Includes new mode for our Panini Press accessory. Make melty sandwiches and quesadillas faster and easier than ever before. (Panini Press accessory sold separately). Let’s toast!
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
The R180 smart toaster is a two-slice toaster that drops the old-style toaster control lever and knob in favor of a large, attractive, and easy to use touch screen. And there’s more to this device than just a nice interface; the toasting system itself features a thin “diamond” style lattice pattern that heats up very quickly and evenly and the electric lowering and raising function is a nice step up from the spring loaded pop-up systems of old. Toasting is very quick, and the interface makes it easy to toggle between fresh and frozen products and a variety of items such as bread, bagels, English muffins and even waffles. While all of this intelligence is easy and fun to use, the device isn’t quite as all-knowing as the UI may lead you to believe. As far as I can tell, there are no sensors to detect how dark the toast is getting as it cooks and so some experimentation with the settings is still required to get perfect results. Whatever the results, they will remain consistent because as best I can tell there is no method available to update the software in the future.
Pros:
- Attractive and compact stainless steel design.
- Beautiful large touch screen is simple to use and features a handy clock when not in use.
- Toasting is very fast, even for frozen items, and generally yields a good result after some experimentation with settings.
- UI allows easy selection of fresh or frozen items and a variety of bread products to customize the toasting cycle.
- The programming cycles do an excellent job with things like English muffins and bagels where you don’t necessarily want both sides of the bread to be toasted to the same degree.
- Smooth electric lowering and raising system is a pleasure to use.
- Progress indicator makes it easy to see how much longer you need to wait for your bagel fix.
- Heat insultation is excellent and the sides and bottom of the unit are not hot to the touch.
- Easy to remove crumb tray.
- Attractive and compact stainless steel design.
- Beautiful large touch screen is simple to use and features a handy clock when not in use.
- Toasting is very fast, even for frozen items, and generally yields a good result after some experimentation with settings.
- UI allows easy selection of fresh or frozen items and a variety of bread products to customize the toasting cycle.
- The programming cycles do an excellent job with things like English muffins and bagels where you don’t necessarily want both sides of the bread to be toasted to the same degree.
- Smooth electric lowering and raising system is a pleasure to use.
- Progress indicator makes it easy to see how much longer you need to wait for your bagel fix.
- Heat insultation is excellent and the sides and bottom of the unit are not hot to the touch.
- Easy to remove crumb tray.
Cons:
- The device doesn’t appear to have any sensors and relies entirely on pre-programming cycles. As such, you need to experiment with the darkness level to get the desired results on different kinds of bread.
- Items are held quite close to the heating element. This helps with speed, but sometimes edges on English muffins ended up a little TOO ‘toasty’ because of this proximity. Selecting a lower setting helped.
- Despite being a smart device with a programmable touch screen, there doesn’t not appear to be any method to update the software to implement fixes, improvements, or new features.
Design and use
- The device doesn’t appear to have any sensors and relies entirely on pre-programming cycles. As such, you need to experiment with the darkness level to get the desired results on different kinds of bread.
- Items are held quite close to the heating element. This helps with speed, but sometimes edges on English muffins ended up a little TOO ‘toasty’ because of this proximity. Selecting a lower setting helped.
- Despite being a smart device with a programmable touch screen, there doesn’t not appear to be any method to update the software to implement fixes, improvements, or new features.
Design and use
The R180 is compact despite the touch screen and the design is attractive should fit in nicely to almost any contemporary kitchen. The toasting mechanism itself is well implemented. The system smoothly lowers, centers, and raises the items being toasted. Simply select the bread type by touching the pictures on the screen (bread, bagel, English muffin, waffle, and toaster pastry), select “fresh”, “frozen”, or “reheat”, select a darkness level, and hit start. The device calculates the required time (not always perfectly – some experimentation is required) and runs the cycle. In some cases it will turn various heating elements on and off to ensure the tops of bagels stay nice and soft, etc. A progress indicator gives a quick indication on how the operation will take and the final 10 seconds get an actual count down. That said, you’ll never be waiting for too long as the cycles run quite quickly.
Clean up is made easy with a crumb tray that’s easy to remove and reinstall. 4
In my experience, this toaster works great with bagels and muffins, whether fresh or frozen. Frozen bread seems to need a higher darkness setting to not some out undercooked or soggy. There’s also a setting to have the device adapt to extra large bagels of the kind you might find in a fresh bakery. In general, results are good but some tweaking of the settings is required.
That last point brings up one of the biggest weaknesses of this toaster. For a device that is clearly software based and with a full touch screen for its controls, this unit seems to offer no method to update that software. That’s a shame because it would have been great if the extra cost involved in all those electronics could have brought with it the promise of future improvements and new features. This is especially true given that the stock programming sometimes seems like it could use a little fine tuning.
Overall though, this toaster is fast and fun to use. It looks great in the kitchen, is a fun conversation piece, and I appreciate the fact that the engineering team went beyond just a fancy touch screen and put real thought and effort into the cooking process. It’s not for everybody, but if you don’t mind the price and don’t need more than two slices at once, this is a fun luxury to add to any kitchen.
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Keep each glass of wine as fresh as the first with this Coravin Model Three wine preservation system. Patented technology lets you pour wine without removing the cork, saving the rest for later. SmartClamps easily attach and detach to the bottle and works on corked bottles. This Coravin Model Three system uses ultra-pure argon gas for long-lasting preservation.
Customer Rating
5
Well designed, easy to use, and very effective
on May 30, 2020
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
As I write this review, I'm sipping a fantastic South African red from a bottle from which I first poured a glass almost three weeks ago. The wine tastes just as good today as it did when first opened. During this time I've been able to enjoy an occasional glass without ever removing the cork and without needing any special type of storage. That's the promise of the Coravin system and this unit totally delivers.
The Model Three is a compact and well designed device that allows you to easily penetrate the cork of an unopened wine bottle, pour as much as you need, and then remove the device when done, leaving the cork automatically re-sealed. Coravin claims that bottles decanted with the device can be stored without degradation of the contents for a year or more and based on my experience I have no reason to doubt this.
The genius of the system is that it uses a replaceable screw-in capsule of compressed Argon gas. the system injects the gas into the bottle and then the corresponding amount of wine is decanted. Argon is the most noble gas on earth and is completely inert, while still having the same solubility characteristics as oxygen. In other words, it's just like the bottle had not been opened and exposed to air. Each cannister of Argon is good for about 15 5oz glasses of wine. They're easy to screw into place and replacements are widely available for under $10 each. Discounts are available for standing orders.
The system works through a needle which penetrates the cork. For screw top bottles there's a special screw top lid adaptor which works with the needle and self-seals afterwards. Using the device is simple. Just position the guide/clamp around the top of the bottle and push down on the handle to insert the needle. A trigger dispenses some Argon into the bottle and allows the corresponding amount of wine to be decanted. When done, simply remove the device and rinse to clean. A short burst of gas blows any residual wine or water out of the needle. It's incredibly easy and takes just a few seconds.
The other great advantage of this system is that unlike vacuum based systems that require a stopper to replace the cork, you can use this system on as many bottles as you like - just leave the original cork in place. It's genius.
For anybody who enjoys a variety of wines but doesn't usually consume a full bottle in one sitting, or who shares with friends from a large collection, this is a great tool that will make your enjoyment of wine easier (and less wasteful) than ever. Highly recommended.
Pros:
- Keeps wine well preserved for a year or more.
- Easy to use and quick to clean up
- Can use on as many bottles as you like
- New "smart clamps" design makes attaching to each bottle completely foolproof.
- Compact for easy storage and portability.
- Replacement Argon cannisters readily available.
- Keeps wine well preserved for a year or more.
- Easy to use and quick to clean up
- Can use on as many bottles as you like
- New "smart clamps" design makes attaching to each bottle completely foolproof.
- Compact for easy storage and portability.
- Replacement Argon cannisters readily available.
Cons:
- Continued use requires ongoing purchase of Argon capsules.
- Works best for corked bottles. If you use many screw top bottles, you may need additional screw top adaptors (these are available in sets).
- Needle will eventually become worn or clogged and will need to be replaced. Replacement needles are available for about $25 each.
- Continued use requires ongoing purchase of Argon capsules.
- Works best for corked bottles. If you use many screw top bottles, you may need additional screw top adaptors (these are available in sets).
- Needle will eventually become worn or clogged and will need to be replaced. Replacement needles are available for about $25 each.
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Soothe sore muscles with this Theragun Prime massage device. The brushless motor features QuietForce technology for low sound, while Bluetooth connectivity syncs with your portable device for convenient control and guidance via the Therabody app. This Theragun Prime massager delivers up to 30 lbs. of force to effectively warm up muscles and release tightness.
Customer Rating
5
High quality + effective; app a work in progress
on May 13, 2020
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
The Theragun Prime is a high quality "percussive massage" device designed to help relieve muscle tension, ease knots, and aid in workout recovery.
The construction and packaging are superb. This is clearly a very well built medical-class device that is designed to last well into the future. The high quality plastics have soft-touch grippy portions around the handle and the interchangeable percussive massage attachments are made of soft, pliable rubber. The device works by rapidly moving a rubber attachment (multiple attachments are available for different muscle groups). You then simply apply pressure against the muscle groups you wish to massage and the gun does the rest. A cleverly designed handle makes it easy to grip the gun from multiple angles to access otherwise difficult to reach parts of your back and neck.
The gun is surprisingly quiet for a percussive device and Theragun have clearly worked on making the overall experience as pleasant as possible. I would have no concerns about using this device in an office or other quiet environment. It is also remarkably effective. I sit at a desk for much of the day and this device has proven very effective at reducing knots and stress in my neck and upper back in just a couple of minutes. The percussive motion takes a bit of getting used to (you may wish to remove your analog watch before use if you wear one), but overall it's easy to use.
Battery life has been excellent. I've used the device extensively over the past week and have yet to need to recharge. A battery meter is included on the handle.
The device also connects to a smartphone app which can provide guided programs for things like stress relief, knots in your neck, general wellness, and preparation for sleep. Select a program, turn on the handle, and press "start" on the app and it will guide you through the correct placement of the device, correct pressure, and the correct amount of time in each position. This is helpful, but there are still some areas for improvement. I did not find the interface as intuitive as some (do I swipe left or right on these guided programs to save them?) and the guided sessions lack detailed instructions on the correct way to hold the handle to reach each area optimally. Fortunately there are videos on the Theragun website that walk through this, but it would be idea to have this guidance in the app, especially since there are so many different programs available.
App growing pains aside, this remains a very high quality and effective device that is easy to recommend to anybody looking for a medically sound way to help with stiff, sore muscles - whether from working out or from sitting too long in one place.
Pros:
- Great quality construction
- Very effective in use
- Easy and quiet operation
- Guided programs via connected app
- Solid battery life
- Great quality construction
- Very effective in use
- Easy and quiet operation
- Guided programs via connected app
- Solid battery life
Cons:
- App is still a work in progress and documentation is sparse
- Shaking motion may take some getting used to
- The battery charger uses a custom connector rather than a more standard USB connection, so don't lose that charger.
- App is still a work in progress and documentation is sparse
- Shaking motion may take some getting used to
- The battery charger uses a custom connector rather than a more standard USB connection, so don't lose that charger.
Mobile Submission: False
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Clean and deodorize your rugs, carpets and upholstery with this 64-oz. Hoover Paws and Claws carpet cleaning formula. Stainguard technology and enzymatic ingredients eliminate pet messes, odors and dirt, while the cotton breeze scent leaves your home smelling fresh all day. This Hoover Paws and Claws carpet cleaning formula has an optimized formulation that's safe to use with your deep cleaning machines.
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
We used this cleaning solution with Hoover's Smartwash Pet Complete carpet cleaner and it did a great job removing dirt, stains, and smell without leaving behind unpleasant residue or strong detergent scents. It also worked well for pre-treatment on a couple of tough stains, including one that I'd previously had trouble removing.
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The Hoover® SmartWash™ PET Complete Automatic Carpet Washer is just as easy to use as our original SmartWash. Simply push forward to clean and pull back to dry. No trigger, and no mixing solutions. It’s literally as easy as vacuuming. And the SmartWash™ PET Complete is designed specifically for homes with pets. Use the Spot Chaser™ Pretreat Wand to pretreat stains before you clean or as you go. Plus, the antimicrobial FlexForce Pet PowerBrushes remove deep-down dirt while resisting pet odors. For those pet stains on stairs or furniture SmartWash™ PET Complete comes with an antimicrobial scrubbing tool.
Customer Rating
5
Thoughtful design, ease of use, great results
on April 11, 2020
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
This new Hoover carpet cleaner is a clear step above other similar units I’ve used over the years in both features and performance. While most home carpet cleaners work in a similar way (water and solution is dispensed onto the carpet, agitated with some type of brush assembly, and then extracted into a “dirty water” tank, this unit sets itself apart with ease of use and incredibly thoughtful design.
Pros:
- The double row of brushes cleans carpets and removes dirt and stains very well
- Dries carpets better than most - includes a dedicated drying mode
- Easy to use
- Separate tanks for clean water and cleaning solution so no pre-mixing is needed
- Excellent overall design that makes operating and cleaning the machine easy
- Detachable handle converts in a battery-powered stain spot treatment wand
- The double row of brushes cleans carpets and removes dirt and stains very well
- Dries carpets better than most - includes a dedicated drying mode
- Easy to use
- Separate tanks for clean water and cleaning solution so no pre-mixing is needed
- Excellent overall design that makes operating and cleaning the machine easy
- Detachable handle converts in a battery-powered stain spot treatment wand
Cons:
- The machine didn’t cut off when the clean water tank was empty, so you need to keep an eye on this while cleaning and refill when needed
- The machine didn’t cut off when the clean water tank was empty, so you need to keep an eye on this while cleaning and refill when needed
I’ve owned several carpet cleaners over the years and this is without a doubt the best I’ve used. The overall design is by far the most well thought through execution I’ve seen, with quality soft touch materials, easy assembly, and, perhaps even more importantly, easy disassembly for when it comes time to clean the machine and the brushes. Unlike many machines, the clean water tank is easy to drain when done and the brushes snap right out of their assembly with no tools required. The brushes also rotate against a bar that keeps them relatively free of hair and fluff as they spin.
Usage is simple. Fill the clean water tank and the cleaning solution tank (that machine will do the mixing for you). Turn on. Push forward to clean and pull back to dry. At first I was concerned about this being automated, but in practice it works really well. There are also two bright indicator lights to so know when the machine is cleaning vs. drying. There’s also an easy to activate “dry only” mode which worked great for going back over the carpet after cleaning to make sure I’d picked up as much water as possible. It is similarly easy to rinse the carpet. Just remove the cleaning solution tank and the machine dispenses clean water in the clean cycle to rise the carpet of any residual detergent.
Results have been excellent. Our cat left some good test cases for us and this machine did away with both the stains and the smell. It also did a great job picking up dirt from high traffic areas and dealing with one particularly stubborn long-term stain.
The cleaner also comes with a hand operated cleaning attachment and an extension hose for hand cleaning upholstery and stairs.
With quality construction, ease of use, great results, and design that makes it seem like the design team actually had to use the machine themselves, this one is a winner.
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This H&R Block Premium Tax software is designed for people who want to be in control of their tax preparation experience and feel empowered by completing their own return. It is a perfect solution for homeowners, investors, rental property owners, or self-employed who have complex tax situations and want to get a big refund.
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
I've used both of the current leading tax packages over the years and have found that H&R Block Premium is a sweet spot for me. The 2019 version is no exception and generally does a solid job walking through the myriad of questions and dependencies that one needs to deal with to file even a relatively simple tax return these days.
This Premium package comes with some additional modules to help handle rental real estate and includes one state tax package as a download at no additional charge.
Pros:
- Easy to use interview format
- State package included at no additional charge
- Software automatically keeps state and federal returns synchronized
- Robust federal e-file option is included in the price
- Lots of online reference and access to H&R Block experts if you need tax advice.
- Easy to use interview format
- State package included at no additional charge
- Software automatically keeps state and federal returns synchronized
- Robust federal e-file option is included in the price
- Lots of online reference and access to H&R Block experts if you need tax advice.
Cons:
- State e-file is an additional charge
- Some state specific items could be handled better
- Some interview forms assume a higher level of knowledge about the tax issues being covered and amount to long lists of amounts to enter if applicable. In fairness, most of these items are rarely needed.
- State e-file is an additional charge
- Some state specific items could be handled better
- Some interview forms assume a higher level of knowledge about the tax issues being covered and amount to long lists of amounts to enter if applicable. In fairness, most of these items are rarely needed.
H&R Block adopts the now standard interface model of walking the user through a guided interview. As you answer each set of questions, the program determines which forms are required and fills them in for you, helping to ensure that math is correct and that you don't inadvertently omit a required backup form. In general I think this approach works well and helps to triage the amount of information you need to provide to only the relevant items. Some of the less common items have much less hand holding in the interview, amounting to long lists of numbers to fill in if applicable. In general, these items are things of which you would probably be aware should they apply, but it would still be nice to see Block develop this a little further.
I've used the included rental real estate module for several years now and appreciate the way it correctly handles segmenting income and expenses for the rental along with a depreciation schedule which correctly tracks improvements to your rental over the years and applies the correct depreciation calculations for each new improvement or upgrade you make. It also does a good job of helping you understand your options at each stage. Less helpful is the integration with the state package, which while generally very solid falls down a little in the rental real estate section. For several years I've had to manually override entries on the state forms as my state requires different depreciation schedules than those used for federal returns. To its credit, the program does flag these differences, but it does not calculate them for you or even provide the form required to do so. That said, this issue is unlikely to be a concern for most taxpayers.
The above mentioned depreciation issues aside, H&R Block does do a good job keeping the federal and state returns in sync as you go and also helps to ensure that you receive the best state specific deductions and advice along the way.
Fortunately, I've never needed the H&R Block audit support, but its good to know that the software output is backed by support from a company that specializes in tax matters.
Overall, this is a solid package. It has seen relatively little enhancement over the years from an interface perspective, but in my experience the results are reliable and the H&R Block support provides some additional peace of mind.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Make every shot count in a firestorm with this Dell Alienware dual-mode gaming mouse. The rechargeable LiIon battery provides up to 350 hours of gaming, and the detachable 6.5-foot cable offers flexible connectivity. This Dell Alienware dual-mode gaming mouse features a 16,000 dpi optical sensor for fast, pinpoint accuracy in the battlefield, while the seven programmable buttons let you customize commonly used commands.
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
With the AW610M, Alienware delivers a mouse that's great for gaming and also excellent for everyday use, with outstanding tracking, a comfortable grip, and solid battery life.
Pros:
- Great design makes for a very comfortable grip, even for longer gaming sessions.
- Outstanding tracking accuracy and resolution that can be switched on the fly.
- Great tactile feedback on buttons and scroll wheel, the latter of which can also be changed to coarser or finer detents.
- LED light and other elements can be configured for multiple profiles and linked to games.
- Excellent battery life, even with the LED on.
- USB extension cable included in the box. This is a really thoughtful addition that ensures the receiver won't have interference issues from sitting behind a large gaming rig. It also makes it easy to switch to wired mode.
- Outstanding tracking accuracy and resolution that can be switched on the fly.
- Great tactile feedback on buttons and scroll wheel, the latter of which can also be changed to coarser or finer detents.
- LED light and other elements can be configured for multiple profiles and linked to games.
- Excellent battery life, even with the LED on.
- USB extension cable included in the box. This is a really thoughtful addition that ensures the receiver won't have interference issues from sitting behind a large gaming rig. It also makes it easy to switch to wired mode.
Cons:
- Alienware's configuration utility has limited options for button mapping, and doesn't support different button functions for specific non-game applications.
- Only two additional assignable control buttons, so might not be ideal if your game of choice benefits from a larger number of mouse-based shortcuts.
- The glowing alien head logo, while fun for a gaming mouse, might not appeal to everybody.
- Only two additional assignable control buttons, so might not be ideal if your game of choice benefits from a larger number of mouse-based shortcuts.
- The glowing alien head logo, while fun for a gaming mouse, might not appeal to everybody.
Summary:
This has become my go to mouse for general use and gaming at home. It's accurate, comfortable, and offers great battery life. While I wouldn't choose it as a "work mouse", it's more than capable of handling home office duties and the high DPI tracking could make it useful for CAD applications too.
Highly recommended.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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PhilipM's Answers
Floor One S3 saves you time by combining two chores – vacuuming and mopping – in one step, leaving floors clean and streak-free. Featuring iLoop Smart Sensor Technology, Floor One S3 senses dirt and debris, then auto controls suction and water flow, leaving floors shiny and clean.Other smart features include a full color LED screen that helps you monitor iLoop’s automatic cleaning power, app connectivity, and a helpful voice assistant.
how long does the battery last
In my experience it lasts about half an hour.
3 years, 5 months ago
by
PhilipM
This H&R Block Premium Tax software is designed for people who want to be in control of their tax preparation experience and feel empowered by completing their own return. It is a perfect solution for homeowners, investors, rental property owners, or self-employed who have complex tax situations and want to get a big refund.
does thie have froms for rental
Yes - I've used it for this purpose for several years and it works well, but watch out for any potentially depreciation difference between state and federal returns.
4 years, 2 months ago
by
PhilipM
Control TVs, lights and stereos with this black Sevenhugs smart remote. The intuitive touch screen offers simplicity, and the Smart Remote companion app allows the user to customize the remote's interface for different devices. This Sevenhugs smart remote lets you connect electronics and services via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared and smart hubs for a simple installation.
Will this take the place of a charter spectrum remote, and a TCL TV remote simultaneously?
This remote should be able to replace any combination of traditional infrared remotes. It will generally not replace remotes that use custom RF or Wifi control. Even if your remote is not in the database, there's a built in IR learning function so the unit can learn the commands you want to use as you perform them on your old remote.
4 years, 7 months ago
by
PhilipM
Accompany your workouts with streaming tunes from these JBL Endurance PEAK Bluetooth headphones. PowerHook technology switches them on when worn, and the TwistLock and FlexSoft features ensure a lightweight, ergonomic fit for comfortable, all-day use. Manage music playback effortlessly on these wireless JBL Endurance PEAK Bluetooth headphones via touch-enabled controls.
are these used for talking also or just listing to music for head phones
You can use them for talking on a phone call, but the microphone quality is not ideal and callers with whom I tested them reported difficulty in hearing my clearly, even in a quiet environment.
5 years ago
by
PhilipM
Accompany your workouts with streaming tunes from these JBL Endurance PEAK Bluetooth headphones. PowerHook technology switches them on when worn, and the TwistLock and FlexSoft features ensure a lightweight, ergonomic fit for comfortable, all-day use. Manage music playback effortlessly on these wireless JBL Endurance PEAK Bluetooth headphones via touch-enabled controls.
when you are in a call is only the right one supposed to work but with everything else, they both work?
That's been my experience. Only stereo audio sources appear to engage the left bud.
5 years ago
by
PhilipM
Take command of your taxes with this H&R Block Premium tax filing software package. It lets you file electronically for increased convenience, and it delivers data security in the form of web browser encryption and multilayered authentication. This H&R Block Premium tax filing software package provides guidance at every stop to ensure accuracy and ease of use.
Does the HR Block Premium package come with a State Tax program ?
Enjoy pristine viewing with this Sony 4K HDR TV. The 4K Processor X1 and 4K X-Reality PRO technology of this television produce brilliant colors, while its ultra-slim 55-inch screen and wire-hiding features are aesthetically pleasing. The Android feature of this Sony 4K HDR TV provides a variety of customizable programming options.
What is the refresh rate in hz?
120 Hz native refresh, but the software interpolates at 240Hz. Not sure what the difference is in practice, but can definitely say that this unit offers a very quick refresh rate and doesn't suffer from ghosting.
7 years, 7 months ago
by
PhilipM