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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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- Answer count7
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- First answerSeptember 16, 2016
- Last answerOctober 30, 2020
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Bring out the bass in your music with these Bluetooth-enabled Sony over-ear headphones. Its digital noise-canceling technology lets you shut out external sounds for immersive listening, and you can play tunes wirelessly for up to 22 hours. The soft ear pads on these Sony over-ear headphones provide comfort during long listening sessions.
Customer Rating
5
Good quality and solid performance for the price
on March 28, 2017
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
The XB950N1 is a comfortable and well made addition to Sony's lineup of wireless headsets, delivering solid sound, a rich feature set, and long battery life.
Included in the attractive packaging are audio and USB charge cables and a very nice soft cloth drawstring carry bag which can hold them both along with the headset itself. These 'phones are nicely built with thick, comfortable padding that sat easily over my ears and remained comfortable for extended listening. The cans rotate 90 degrees so that you can store the unit (mostly) flat within the bag.
I've used these now with Android (Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and a Galaxy Tab S), and (Windows 10 (Surface Pro 4). In all cases, the connection has been easy to initiate, reliable, and clear. Changing between devices has not been an issue.
While not quite at the level of Sennheiser or Bose, the sound quality is above average, especially when listening without activating the included "extra bass" feature, which I generally found to over-boost the already robust low end. Obviously the data rate of Bluetooth connections also limits quality somewhat, although this unit does a nice job of rendering the sound without a lot of digital noise and there's always the included audio cable as an option if you want to use a source from a higher quality DAC. That said, I really find no fault with the included DAC, and unlike some other recent releases there is very little background hiss from the processor.
Noise suppression is excellent, due in part to the isolating effect of the ear cushions and in part suppression circuitry that does a good job without introducing too much noise to the signal. Human voices are still audible with suppression enabled, a good thing in my view, but lower frequency droning such as car engines, appliances, airplanes, etc. are all but eliminated.
I've used these for about 4-5 hours now and only partially depleted the battery, so battery life should not be an issue and is certainly adequate for long flights.
I've briefly used Sony's Headphone Connect app (Android version). It seems to work fine and I was able to check battery condition and adjust surround sound processing and bass boost via the app. In my experience, the sound is best just left flat without the artificial surround or bass processing. These cans sound just fine without the additional electronic tricks.
Overall, while there are probably better cans out there with better drivers, those models are also typically much more expensive. The Sony XB950N1 presents a combination of quality, comfort, performance, and price which makes them easy to recommend.
My Best Buy number: 0740788572
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Fuel your Microsoft Surface device with this Microsoft wall charger, which features a USB port for charging a second device at the same time. The magnetic connector attaches to your device with ease.
Customer Rating
5
Portable and functional
on March 10, 2017
Posted by: PhilipM
Verified Purchase:Yes
Small and easy to carry for travel. Charges quickly. Best of all, there's a built-in USB charging port right on the adaptor. Makes you wonder why they don't all do that.
My Best Buy number: 0740788572
My Best Buy number: 0740788572
I would recommend this to a friend!
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iRobot Braava 240jet Mopping and Sweeping Robot: Let this robot clean your house for you, as it automatically selects between wet mopping, damp sweeping and dry sweeping modes to tackle any mess. Virtual Wall Mode keeps the robot confined to a designated area.
Customer Rating
4
Great little robot for small floors
on March 6, 2017
Posted by: PhilipM
Verified Purchase:Yes
We picked up this unit to do regular mopping on our hardwood kitchen floors (about a 12 x 15 area). The device operates exactly as promised, with intelligent navigation and coverage at least equal to that specified. I've found it to do a good job working around obstacles and getting close in under cabinets and along walls. The "damp" mode operates faster than "wet" mode as the latter will go back over the same section a few times, but both do a reasonable job. The one-time use pads are not overpriced, but by definition not super economical. Fortunately there's a re-usable option you can purchase and wash in between sessions. The small size of the unit and the ability to easily charge the battery in a compact charger that plugs directly into a regular wall socket are both a plus - no need to find room on the floor for a dock style charger. The only issue I've run into is that sometimes the unit will get a little turned around if it cleans under a cabinet (or in our cash dishwasher door) which is low enough to put some pressure on the top as it goes underneath. The impact is minor and it doesn't prevent it from covering the entire area.
Overall I find this little guy to be a pretty decent compromise of price, size, convenience, and performance. It won't prevent you from having to manually mop every so often, but will reduce the frequency and keep things looking good in between.
My Best Buy number: 0740788572
My Best Buy number: 0740788572
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Arlo Pro takes the worrying out of life with the 100% Wire-Free indoor/outdoor home monitoring system. Arlo Pro includes rechargeable batteries, motion and sound-activated alerts, 2-way audio, a 100+ decibel siren, and 7 days of free cloud HD video recordings. Arlo covers every angle to help keep you safe and protected.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding design, ease of use, and performance
on December 20, 2016
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
If you're looking for a home security system that provides easy monitoring of audio and video in or outside your home with zero installation hassle, look no further than this outstanding setup from Arlo/Netgear.
One concern I have with any home monitoring system is that installation can often be a complex affair requiring custom wiring and networking expertise. Netgear has eliminated those concerns with an incredibly thoughtful design and setup process. This cameras themselves require no wiring whatsoever. A clever strong adjustable magnetic mount can be attached to trim, sheetrock, exterior fascia or even trees with a single screw. Connecting the system is as simple as plugging the small base station into power and your network router (no WiFi setup is required), inserting a battery into each camera, and then pairing them by pressing a button on both the camera and base unit. That's it. No messing with making the cameras connect to your WiFi network and no cables. The custom wireless network setup also promotes security as the cameras will not be on your WiFi network and are thus inaccessible to other devices on your home network.
The system is controlled via a mobile app which easily pairs with your base station the first time you run it. Set up an account and you can then view and control the system from either the mobile app or a web browser. I tested both methods (Android app and MS Edge browser) both inside the home and from my office and in all cases the connection was easy and reliable.
Performance of the system is first rate. The cameras provide HD (call it 720p) video and good quality audio. They can be triggered to record video for a user-defined period of time based on either motion sensing or noise sensing. I used the motion setup and have found it to be very reliable. You can also adjust the sensitivity to avoid triggering on small pets. All video recordings are saved for free to the cloud and kept for 7 days, after which they're purged unless you pay for longer storage. For my use, 7 days is plenty. The cameras also provide a 2-way audio communication feature so you can talk with whoever you're seeing on the camera. Good for a front door monitor. The 2-way audio works even when you're away from home. The system also allows you to construct rules for when the motion sensors will be active, including a geo-fencing option (currently in beta) that allows you to turn the motion sensors off when you're home and on when you leave. For true IoT tinkerers, the system even support IFTTT recipes so you can integrate motion sensing and mode changes with other smart devices such as WeMo lights (turn them on when motion is sensed, for example). None of this is required for operation, but it's great to have the option.
The video quality is good, but what I found especially impressive is the night vision feature. I tested the video in complete darkness on my front porch and the camera showed a very clear image of the door and surrounding area. In night vision mode (which engages automatically in low light), the image is in gray scale.
One concern I had with a completely wireless system was battery life. After having the system live for about a week, both cameras still report 100% battery, including one outside in low December temperatures. A charger and cable are provided and you charge the battery inside the camera unit. From what I can tell, any micro-USB charger should work fine. Just remove the camera from its magnetic mount, charge, and replace. Separate batteries and chargers are available for a quicker change out, but given that these batteries appear to last for months at a time I'm not sure that's necessary.
All in all I could not be more impressed with the Arlo Pro HD system. The design, ease of installation, ease of use, battery life, and performance are a winning combination that absolutely justify the modest price premium over some other options that are available. In addition, having a custom wireless connection affords an added layer of security and ease of use. The one thing I'd like to see is 2-factor authentication on the Arlo account for added security (I should point out that the Android app supports fingerprint ID for easy login - assume the iOS one does too).
Regardless of your level of technical skill, this is a great home security option which I can thoroughly recommend.
My Best Buy number: 0740788572
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Listen to music on the go with these Sony wireless headphones. Their Bluetooth connectivity lets you stream music and take calls from compatible devices, and the built-in battery provides up to 9 hours of playback time on a single charge. Jam to your favorite tunes in comfort with the foldable, around-the-neck design of these Sony wireless headphones.
Customer Rating
4
Comfortable, good sound, and long battery life
on December 1, 2016
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
These wireless earbuds have instantly become my preferred way to listen to Netflix, audiobooks, podcasts, or other media when using my phone or tablet.
The buds come nicely packaged with a quick start guide, extra covers for the earbuds, and a USB charging cable. No wall adaptor is provided, but these will charge just fine through any USB port or your existing micro USB phone charger. Initial charge time is about 2.5 hours, but after that I've found they charge in under 2 hours.
Construction involves a soft, flexible, comfortable rubber strap which connects two small housings for the battery and electronics. These are quite light. The one on the left side also includes a volume control and a power button which doubles as a shortcut to pause/resume media or to answer phone calls (yes - there is an integrated microphone for calls). I found the buds themselves to be comfortable and the rubber strap supports the weight, keeping them comfortable for hours of listening.
And you really can listen for hours. I found I was able to watch several hours of Netflix and listen to an hour of audiobooks on a single charge with battery to spare. Listening for an evening and then a 2 hour flight the next day did not deplete the battery.
The audio itself is routed via the Bluetooth A2DP standard which supports relatively high bitrate stereo audio. I say relatively because while A2DP is far superior to a regular hands-free Bluetooth headset, it's still not truly high fidelity. The quality of the sound therefore is constrained by the limitations of the A2DP protocol. There is also a faint but noticeable hiss when the connection is first made, although this quickly fades to the background as the audio starts to play. All this said, the listening experience is enjoyable. There is strong base from these little drivers and smooth, clear higher frequencies despite all the filtering going on to deal with the less than stellar signal source. I tested the buds with music (both classical and rock), audio books, and video content and found all to sound good considering the limitations of the technology.
I tried the set with my Samsung Galaxy S7 phone and my Surface Pro 4 Windows 10 tablet. Both paired instantly and worked flawlessly. Volume was adequate even for airplane use and, while there is no active noise cancellation, the buds provide good noise isolation. I was also pleased to see that the system could stay paired to multiple devices. All I needed to do was reconnect from the BT settings on each device and they joined up without the need to go back through the pairing process.
All in all I'm very happy with this setup. If you're an audiophile music lover, the limitations of Bluetooth A2DP will likely leave you disappointed, but for casual music and other content with a secure, comfortable fit, long battery life, and great compatibility, these are hard to beat at this price point.
My Best Buy number: 0740788572
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Buy an Xbox Gift Card for yourself or a friend to get great games and entertainment on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs. Choose from hundreds of games, from AAA to indie, and play the day they’re released with a Game Pass membership. Extend the experience in your favorite games with add-ons and in-game currency. Browse a massive library of new and popular movies and TV shows to rent or buy. Xbox Gift Cards are easy to use, never expire, and give the freedom to pick the gift they want. Enjoy more ways to play without a credit card attached to your Microsoft account. This item cannot be returned or refunded, please visit Best Buy Return Policy to learn more.
Customer Rating
5
Great way to get digital content on XBOX
on November 7, 2016
Posted by: PhilipM
Verified Purchase:Yes
I use these cards to convert BestBuy rewards into XBOX credit and purchase digital copies of games. The digital version is a great way to go on XBOX One because you can play anytime without needing to locate and switch DVDs. It also allows you to download on a friend's console if you're logged in with your MS account. Easy and flexible.
My Best Buy number: 0740788572
My Best Buy number: 0740788572
I would recommend this to a friend!
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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.
Customer Rating
5
Deep blacks, bright colors, excellent contrast
on September 16, 2016
Posted by: PhilipM
Verified Purchase:Yes
I upgraded to this 930D after a brief stint with the less expensive 850D model. The 850D was also impressive, but I'd been hoping for deeper blacks and better HDR performance. The 930D definitely delivers in both those areas while maintaining excellent color saturation and accuracy. Any content I've tried - from regular HD TV through out TiVo to 4K streaming services, to basic DVDs - has been very well reproduced. The upscaling is impressive, as is the motion handling. The dynamic contrast function uses the impressive local dimming to brighten highlights in content even with HDR encoding. The one deficit with the otherwise excellent local dimming is that bright text on a dark background does exhibit a significant halo effect. In practice it's not an issue for most content and the local dimming works well.
The TV runs Android 5.01 - not up to date even by 2015 standards, but it has been solid for me and has a good feature set (built-in Googlecast support, Miracast, Google Play store apps, syncs to my Google account). The apps really do a good job rendering streaming content, including 4K which is flawless in Netflix and Amazon Video. Some minor glitches with the O/S early on seem to have resolved themselves.
3D playback has been fine with Sony's active glasses and gaming from XBOX One has been great. Some have mentioned high input lag, but I've not found this to be a problem, including in games like Halo 5 where responsiveness is important.
All in all this TV is really impressive. Not 100% perfect - I wish the local dimming feature was even more localized - but pretty darn close to perfect across a very broad array of applications. All in all very happy.
My Best Buy number: 0740788572
My Best Buy number: 0740788572
I would recommend this to a friend!
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BISSELL SmartClean Robot Vacuum: Easily rid your floors of dirt and debris with this vacuum that uses Opticlean optical sensors and a Triple-Action Cleaning System to tackle your floors. Invisible Wall technology lets you target specific areas.
Customer Rating
3
A decent entry level robot with limitations
on November 28, 2015
Posted by: PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
The 1605 is Bissell’s entry into the robotic vacuum market and offers a mid-tier feature set for an entry level price. The package includes a wall charger (which is also set up to easily mount to your baseboard and function as a dock for the robot to return to after cleaning), the robot itself, detachable side brushes, and a single “invisible wall” unit intended to confine the robot to a room or portion of a room.
The charging base actually includes time/date and scheduling functions, so these are programming on the base rather than the robot. The base causes the robot to initiate the cleaning cycle according to the set schedule.
The robot itself appears reasonably well constructed, although the plastic finish can definitely pick up nicks and scratches as the robot knocks into walls, stone fireplaces, etc. The sensor package includes “cliff sensors” on the front and sides (intended to prevent the robot falling down stairs), and a single IR receiver to assist with docking back with the charging base. I was pleasantly surprised to find a Lithium Ion battery rather than the older tech NiMH types I’ve seen on some other models. The underside includes two detachable (for cleaning) side brushes which ostensibly direct dirt from baseboards into the suction intake. The actual intake is slightly more than one-third the width of the unit, so the side brushes are definitely needed to get dirt into the right location.
The robot itself appears reasonably well constructed, although the plastic finish can definitely pick up nicks and scratches as the robot knocks into walls, stone fireplaces, etc. The sensor package includes “cliff sensors” on the front and sides (intended to prevent the robot falling down stairs), and a single IR receiver to assist with docking back with the charging base. I was pleasantly surprised to find a Lithium Ion battery rather than the older tech NiMH types I’ve seen on some other models. The underside includes two detachable (for cleaning) side brushes which ostensibly direct dirt from baseboards into the suction intake. The actual intake is slightly more than one-third the width of the unit, so the side brushes are definitely needed to get dirt into the right location.
In theory, the unit can automatically switch between several cleaning modes: following walls, a Z pattern, expanding concentric circles, and a random pattern. You can also manually select any one of these modes if you prefer, although I found the unit would override my choice after a while. The unit moves around in what appears to be a random fashion without a systematic approach, frequently going back over ground already covered.
In practice, the cleaning experience with the Bissell was inconsistent. I’ve tried the unit in three distinct settings: a relatively clear hardwood kitchen area with an island but no table, a living room with hardwood floor and area rug surrounded by chairs, and a carpeted upstairs landing with adjacent hallway. Here’s what I’ve observed in each situation:
1. Kitchen. The robot did best in this setting, picking up most of the loose dirt on the floor and generally navigating around obstacles well. It ran for about 30 minutes and successfully returned to its base, although it had trouble docking. This might be because I hadn’t attached to dock to the baseboard, but just set it against it. The unit did struggle a little with a thin rug by the kitchen door, but never actually because stuck.
2. Living room. This was the most difficult environment for the unit. It struggled consistently with transitioning from the wood floor to the area rug and was generally unable to climb back up once it got onto the floor. When it was on the rug, it failed to pick up visible loose dirt, including some fluff from the relatively new rug. I had to stop the cleaning cycle manually because it just wasn’t accomplishing anything. The dirt bin was almost empty despite the dirt and fluff on the rug.
3. Upstairs landing. The unit did much better on the carpet upstairs, covering most of the area with its meanderings and leaving the carpet at least appearing cleaner. It did leave behind some visible lose debris despite being on the “turbo” setting. The biggest issue here is that the toward the end of the cycle the unit actually fell down the stairs. The cliff sensors, which appeared to be working find when I first started it, later failed to detect the stairwell and it proceeded to roll down the stairs and stop at the bottom. Give Bissell their due – it appeared undamaged, but obviously it’s not a recipe for feeling confident about letting it work unattended. The dirt bin was nonetheless quite full at the end of the cleaning session, so at least it was vacuuming well.
A word about the “invisible wall”: I like the concept of a single “post” that sends out a straight line signal to confine the robot. I didn’t see anywhere in the manual that specified an “effective range”, but in my experience it is limited to about 10 ft. It the opening you’re trying to cut off is wider than that you will need a second unit or some other obstruction. In both my downstairs scenarios, the robot broke through the wall and needed to be physically placed back in the target area.
All units of this type have some limitations, but the Bissell does seem to involve more trade-offs than would be ideal. In fairness, it offers reasonable performance for the price if you have cleaning scenarios that are suited to its strengths (smaller areas with hard flooring and no stairs). I’m not sure if software updates are possible on this model, but if so it may be that the pathfinding and cliff sensors improve down the line. As it stands, I would recommend this product for kitchens and hallways or other limited areas that are reasonably free of obstacles, rugs, and steep drops. For more challenging environments, you may be best served with a more advanced (and admittedly more expensive) alternative.
My Best Buy number: 0740788572
What's great about it: Good feature set for the price, good performance from lithium ion battery, generally well constructed.
What's not so great: Has difficulty navigating obstacles (got stuck on rugs and fell down stairs), vacuum performance varies by surface
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Neato Robotics - XV-21 Pet and Allergy Robotic Vacuum Cleaner - Light Gray/Purple
Neato Robotics - XV Signature Robotic Vacuum Cleaner - Black
(92)Quality
3
Features
4
Performance
3
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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