BobinVA's stats
- Review count128
- Helpfulness votes435
- First reviewDecember 19, 2014
- Last reviewMay 31, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
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- Answer count28
- Helpfulness votes23
- First answerAugust 12, 2016
- Last answerJanuary 22, 2022
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Keep friends and family safe by installing this Onelink smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarm in your home. The backup battery lets protection continue even when the primary battery runs out of power. This Onelink smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarm uses voice alerts to notify you of the type of danger and its location.
Customer Rating
3
Good smoke detector, but not great
on August 22, 2019
Posted by: BobinVA
from Forest
After repainting my ceiling, my old smoke detector, which was no longer white, stood out like a sore thumb, so I decided it was time for a new one. The Onelink combination smoke and CO detector from First Alert looked like a good option, so I decided to try it.
I found installation to be very easy. I’ve seen a number of other reviewers who said they had a lot of difficulty getting the unit to synch up with their wi-fi, but I did not experience that at all. Setup requires that you create an account with First Alert and do the setup using their app. Once my account was complete, the app paired with the smoke detector and then automatically connected with wi-fi. I don’t think I even had to input the wi-fi password, which I assume was handled by the app. There aren’t a lot of options you have to set, so the overall process is pretty quick and painless.
As for the physical connection, I’m one of the lucky ones who was able to use my existing connection without needing to do any rewiring. Even though my old smoke detector was almost 20 years old, the connector was still good, and allowed the new detector to be included in the existing set of linked smoke detectors. The Onelink comes with 3 different sets of wiring harnesses, which I think is excellent: 2 of them have connectors to plug into an existing modular setup, and the third has bare wires on one end in case you need to wire it in yourself. In my case, I didn’t need any of those, I just plugged in the new detector and I was good to go.
One concern I had was the sensitivity of the Onelink. I was replacing a smoke detector in the kitchen, where it’s too close to the stove, but unfortunately, moving it is not an option. So, I was hoping it wouldn’t be super sensitive to smoke from cooking. So far, that hasn’t been the case. The smoke detector part is photoelectric, which makes it a little less sensitive than the chemical type, as I understand it. In my tests with real smoke, it didn’t set off the alarm right away. I can’t tell if that’s good or bad, and I’m hoping that the whole room doesn’t have to fill with smoke before it’ll go off. I was honestly surprised at how long it took before it detected the smoke, but maybe that’s good to reduce the number of false alarms. Only time will tell on that one, but hopefully it’ll do its job when we need it most.
When the alarm did go off due to smoke, I did not receive a notification from the app. Others have had the same experience, and if that’s the case, then having a wi-fi connected smoke detector is useless. I’m not sure if there’s anything I can do to troubleshoot the notifications, but I’ll update my review if I learn more. For a smoke detector that costs more than $100, that’s not acceptable.
One small nice touch is that there is a night light built in to the unit. It’s not too bright, but you don’t want it to be too bright for helping you see in the middle of the night. The only downside is that you can’t specify to have it come on only after dark, and instead it stays on 24/7. Hopefully they’ll provide that option in a future update.
I like the Onelink, but I think it is hurt by the way the notifications fail to work properly, and I’m still deciding whether the photoelectrical sensitivity is enough. At this price point, it’s good, but I would suggest comparing to other options on the market before you decide.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 deliver everything you expect from Bluetooth headphones – and some things you never imagined possible. It’s no surprise PC Magazine called them “The best active noise cancellation you can buy.” Eleven levels of noise cancellation feature a range of options to choose from. You can totally eliminate distractions or minimize noise cancelling to hear everything around you. Or choose from nine other levels in between. Active noise cancelling technology in Bose Headphones 700 monitors the sounds around you and instantly cancels out unwanted noise to let your music shine through. At the same time, the acoustic space inside the earcups is maximized to give your music depth and detail. With these noise cancelling headphones, it’s not just your music that’s clear, so are your calls. The unrivaled microphone system uses a series of microphones to adapt in real time to noisy and windy environments so voices sound crystal clear on calls. Voice commands are also captured with unprecedented accuracy. The stunning new design of Bose Headphones 700 features a streamlined stainless-steel headband and a lightweight, comfortable fit that’s perfect for all-day listening. With these wireless headphones you get up to 20 hours of battery life and time-based power information per charge. Bose Headphones 700. The wireless headphones everyone is talking about.
Customer Rating
4
Great sound, with fantastic noise cancellation
on July 19, 2019
Posted by: BobinVA
from Forest
While I have amassed a collection of wireless earbuds, I have not ever ventured into the territory of over-ear headphones, and I’ve never had any experience with active noise cancelling headphones, so I was excited to get the latest Bose offering in this space.
The first thing I noticed was the build quality. These are very well-built. The use of metal in the headband gives a feeling of confidence, that these will not easily break. It does add a bit of weight, but not too much, and I think it’s an acceptable trade-off. The style is modern and very sharp looking. You don’t have to hope that no one will notice you’re wearing them like some of the boxier styles currently available.
Bose included a very nice zippered case to hold the headphones. One of the neatest things about it is that it has a compartment inside where you can store the charging cable and audio cable that you can use for a wired connection. The cover for the compartment is secured by a magnet, making for a nice setup.
Pairing the headphones was very easy, but Bose does require you to download an app to get the process started. The app is unfortunately not completely done, as it does not include any ability to set custom EQ settings, but it does work for its intended purpose. There is basically no documentation included with the headphones, unless you count a couple simple graphics and a book full of safety warnings in multiple languages. There is a manual available online, but I wish Bose had included it in the package, especially for this price. Once you’re paired, you really don’t need the app anymore, unless you want to explore their audio augmented reality offerings. I’ve explored these before and wrote about them in another of my Bose reviews. In short, they didn’t offer much for me, but if you’re in one of the cities with full service, you might like them.
For me, the most important element for a pair of headphones is how they sound when listening to music. Other reviews have been critical of the sound of these headphones, but I think they sound great. If you’ve listened to Bose headphones before, you know that “clean” is a good descriptor of their sound signature. They aren’t heavy on bass, but what there is comes through as very clean. Other headphones have muddy bass lines, but not these. I’d rather have that than head-thumping bass that sounds muddy. The highs are sharp, but not overly so. Overall, the sound is balanced and clear, and quite enjoyable.
So, what about the noise cancellation? Having never used it before, I didn’t know what to expect. As others have said, it’s pretty amazing. Noise cancellation isn’t just for the person wearing the headphones, it even works with your voice for the person on the other end of a call. I put my head near a dehumidifier that was running while I was talking to my wife, and she said she couldn’t hear the noise at all. While listening to a podcast during an outdoor walk, the noise cancellation got rid of the loud noise of the cicadas in the trees and even cancelled out the effects of a light breeze blowing across the headphones. I’m impressed! The level of cancellation is selectable, and there’s even a button to pause the music and turn off the noise cancellation so that you can talk to another person. That’s a nice touch.
The controls on these headphones are very nice. There are a few physical buttons: power/bluetooth pairing, voice assistant, and ANC level/pause. Unfortunately, these buttons are placed such that you’ll accidentally push them while taking the headphones off/on. That is annoying, but you can avoid it by holding the ear cups differently. On the right cup, touch controls allow you to play/pause, change volume and change tracks. Once you get the hang of how they work, they’re actually quite good.
I do wish that call volume was louder, but I’m very pleased with these headphones. They are comfortable for wearing over long periods of time, and I was thrilled that they have a big enough headband for a big head like mine. I would recommend them if you’re looking for a pair of nicer headphones, but you’ll have to decide how you feel about them at this price point. Personally, I’m not a fan of how the whole headphone/earbud segment has reached premium price points for anything worthwhile. If you’re looking for a great way to listen to music in a noisy environment, these might be the headphones for you.
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Multitask comfortably using this HP Pavilion 32-inch monitor. The QHD resolution provides immersive visuals for gaming and a spacious work space. Enjoy consistent clarity and color from multiple positions thanks to the 178-degree viewing angle. This HP Pavilion 32-inch monitor features an anti-glare panel for better visibility in bright conditions, while the Low Blue Light mode reduces eyestrain.
Customer Rating
4
Extra large high-resolution monitor
on June 23, 2019
Posted by: BobinVA
from Forest
Coming from a 27” FHD monitor, I didn’t think I needed another monitor, but I couldn’t help myself when I had the opportunity to pick up the HP - Pavilion 32" LED QHD monitor. I wasn’t necessarily going for a bigger size, but I was hoping that the higher resolution would make a difference, and it does.
My old monitor was nice, but I noticed that FHD resolution doesn’t quite cut it when you’re sitting close to the monitor. I noticed a faint bit of fuzziness, but I didn’t think much of it. This new QHD monitor takes care of that issue, and everything is sharp and crisp, even when I get close to the screen to check it out. The difference in size between 27 and 32 inches is quite noticeable! The new monitor barely fits in the space on my desk, but it’s a joy to use.
Going with the bigger screen gives the ability to have two full-size documents side by side, which is great. In fairness, the 27” can do pretty well at that also, but the extra size is really nice, and with the better resolution, those documents look great.
There’s not much to do to start using this monitor with Windows 10. It is detected as a plug and play monitor and you’re good to go. You can, of course, adjust the resolution and other settings, but mine came with the maximum resolution set as the default, so that’s where I left it. With a monitor this size, Windows defaults to a 150% magnification setting, but I thought that was too much and reduced it. Beyond that, I didn’t have a need to fiddle with other settings. If you’re a graphic artist, you’ll probably want to do that, but for general use, I found it to be acceptable out of the box.
You may wonder how QHD compares to 4K, and I encourage you to read up on that if that’s something you’re interested in understanding. This monitor is a step below 4K, but for me that’s not a bad thing. My middle of the road laptop does not have a graphics card capable of driving a 4K monitor, so QHD provides a very good option that is vastly better than FHD. This monitor has a refresh rate of 60 Hz, which was fine for everything I tried, but I wonder how that would work on a graphically intense video game with a high frame rate. For my needs, it works wonderfully and is a joy to use for everything from productivity work to moderate video games to movies and videos. Now that I have it, I’m glad that I got it. There are a number of monitors available at this price point, so I’d suggest you check them out before making a decision. I’m not sure if this one is a refresh of the existing HP Pavilion 32 QHD monitor, as it’s not easy to get a grasp of the full lineup and why each one exists.
As for ports, this one comes with a full complement of connections. Included are a display port, HDMI, USB-C and USB-A ports, as well as a 3.5 mm connector for hooking up the monitor to an external sound system (which is necessary with an HDMI connection).
I’m very happy with this monitor, and I think it’ll meet my needs for years to come, at least until I get a bigger desk!
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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Protect your home or business with this Swann 1080p Wi-Fi floodlight security camera. The Full HD resolution lets you review captured footage in stunning detail, while the floodlight ensures that subjects are illuminated. This Swann 1080p Wi-Fi floodlight security camera includes a siren and two-way audio for scaring off trespassers and potential intruders.
Customer Rating
4
Very well built camera/floodlight gets it done!
on June 4, 2019
Posted by: BobinVA
from Forest
I came across the Swann 1080p WiFi Security Floodlight at a good time. My floodlight had been in service for many years, and I figured that I were going to upgrade, it might as well be to add not just a replacement light source, but some additional features as well. I’m glad I did, but it’s not quite perfect.
As others have mentioned, installing the floodlight is straightforward. It has the standard black, white and ground wires, which should match up to your junction box. I did not have a ground wire that I could use, but neither did the previous light fixture, so I charged ahead. The package comes with all the hardware you’ll need to install the light, including wire nuts. Once I had the fixture hooked into the power source, I was ready to get the camera online.
Pairing the camera is also quite easy. The camera itself creates its own wifi “network” that you join initially through the Safe app that you download on your phone. Once connected, you go through the steps to join your home wifi network, and then you’re in business.
All interaction with the camera is done through the app. There are three modes available: home (off by default), away (armed by default) and night (armed by default). The main settings that you can vary for each mode are camera armed, and camera sensitivity. My main objection at this point is that the app does not provide the ability to schedule when each mode will be active. It would be nice to be able to do that so that you won’t forget to arm the unit when you want it to be armed. Since you can only interact with the unit through the app, if you forgot and left it off, other family members cannot simply flip the light switch to turn it on. They would also have to have the app and be signed in to your account. Because of this, I decided to just leave the unit armed at all times.
Once you’ve got your sensitivity settings as you like them, there’s really nothing more you need to do. Setting up your account with Swann gives you 2 days of video storage, but you can upgrade your account to premium if you need more. The video storage feature is pretty handy, and you can download video clips if you want to keep them. You can even capture a frame as a photo as well. By default, the app will notify you each time that motion is detected. If you’re very security conscious, you may want that, but otherwise it’s probably overkill.
The app is well laid out and easy to use. You can check the live stream at any time, which is pretty nice. I’m using the iOS version, and sometimes it would spin endlessly when I tried to see the live view, in which case I had to restart the app to get it to work. That’s annoying, but not the end of the world. You can also manually turn on the light and siren. Lastly, there’s also a speaker/microphone which allows you to carry on a conversation with people in proximity to the light. I can envision a number of ways that could be useful.
I’m very happy with this floodlight, but I did experience a few times when it seemed a bit glitchy. Switching from one mode to another sometimes caused its motion-sensing light trigger not to work. If I turned the light on and back off manually, it would start to work again. I’m not sure if that is something that still needs a little work or not. Fortunately, it’s easy to update the firmware in the unit, so I would think it’ll only get better. The more I use it, the more I like it. It’s fun to “check in” with a view of my driveway whenever I want, and I can also see what time of day my kids actually got up and got out of the house.
If Swann adds scheduling, and if the few glitches don’t reappear, this would be nearly perfect, but I will withhold a star until then. If you need a floodlight that also provides some additional security capabilities, you won’t go wrong with this one. Plus, it can be a part of a complete network of security cameras, all managed through the same app. I’m glad I got it!
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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Meet Bose Frames. Bluetooth sunglasses with a soundtrack. The first audio sunglasses with built-in Bose speakers for an immersive audio experience unlike any other. A revolutionary personal audio experience hidden inside two classic designs, each enriched with premium accents and materials. Play music, take calls, and enjoy the sun with UVA/UVB protection. Bose Frames Alto feature a classic angular lenses, available in small and large size.
Customer Rating
2
Wonderful idea that's not quite there yet
on May 24, 2019
Posted by: BobinVA
from Forest
The Bose Frames offer something new in the crowded wireless earphone space: nice sunglasses with built-in speakers. It might be easy to overlook such a thing from a no-name company, but with Bose behind them, they must be good, right?
When I first opened them, I was greeted by a nice black case. Inside were the glasses, along with the proprietary magnetic charging cable that you’ll want to have nearby, as it’s the only way to charge the battery. The plastic of the frames is a matte black, and it looks nice, but it doesn’t look like what I expected from a pair of $200 sunglasses. My old Ray Ban Wayfarers are also black, but they’re glossy and just feel like a higher-quality plastic.
I’ve read many reviews that dinged the Alto Frames (the one I got) for being too big. I found them to be just right, and I appreciated the snug fit. They felt like they would stay put, but were not uncomfortable at all. Perhaps as a result of the specific plastic Bose used for these they are very lightweight and don’t press down on the bridge of the nose at all. I think these could be comfortably worn for many hours. The lenses provide solid UV protection, but they’re not polarized. I don’t mind that so much, but I wish they were a little darker. Even so, the Frames are very nice sunglasses. It does make you wonder why $200 sunglasses are not polarized.
The tiny speakers are pointed at your ears, and they produce very high quality sound. It’s surprising how good they sound, as long as you’re not looking for thumping bass. Unfortunately, you’ll only be able to appreciate the good sound as long as there isn’t much noise around you. Even the wind coming in the open window of my vehicle is enough to drown out most of the sound of any music I was playing. A single button near the right temple controls the music: one press to start/stop the music, double-press to skip forward, triple-press to move backward, and long press issue voice commands to your phone using Siri or Google Assistant. One button can only do so much, so you’ll need to adjust the volume on your phone.
Making and taking calls is another function of these glasses. Being able to take hands-free calls is a great feature, in spite of the fact that people around you will wonder why you’re talking out loud, since it’s hard to tell that you’re on the phone. Those on the other end of the call said I sounded pretty good, but I struggled to hear the conversation if there was any noise around me. Ultimately, the sound volume was just too low to make it practical to use these for phone calls.
Bluetooth connection quality is not as good as I expected. Depending on which side of my body had the phone, I experienced bluetooth drop-outs. Sure, it only lasted a second or so, but devices at this level should really be better. Compared to the many other bluetooth earbuds I have, these would be in the lower half of the pack.
Bluetooth connection quality is not as good as I expected. Depending on which side of my body had the phone, I experienced bluetooth drop-outs. Sure, it only lasted a second or so, but devices at this level should really be better. Compared to the many other bluetooth earbuds I have, these would be in the lower half of the pack.
The marketing material Bose created for these glasses stresses the way that you can hear the music, but those around you cannot. I found that to be even partially true only when you keep the volume level very low. So low that you probably can’t hear it yourself either. People around me were able to identify the song I was listening to quite easily.
Bose also includes access to apps that show off some of their “audio augmented reality” ideas. These do show some promise, but there’s not enough there yet to be a big reason to buy these. Given that you’ll likely only be wearing these outside, it’s less likely that you’ll take the time to play with these apps while outside. When they deliver on the promise of an audio city guide, I think that could be very useful. It’s only available now in a few select places.
All in all, I just didn’t feel like the Bose Frames offer a compelling enough experience to justify buying them. As others have mentioned, battery life is not great, so you’ll also need to be able to recharge them during the day. I could probably deal with that, since I’m not outside all day, but for me I just couldn’t get past the low sound volume. That’s my deal-breaker. For less money, I could get a decent pair of sunglasses and pair them with some bluetooth earbuds and be quite happy. While I think Bose is definitely onto something here, I’d wait until they’ve worked out the kinks before spending my money on them.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Position your smartphone safely in your vehicle with this iOttie iTap 2 Magnetic CD slot mount. Rare-earth magnets hold your device securely, and the metal plates and protective film offer universal compatibility with wireless and wired charging. The rubberized connector and locking lever of this iOttie iTap 2 Magnetic CD slot mount provide precise, effortless installation.
Customer Rating
4
Good option if your choices are limited
on May 24, 2019
Posted by: BobinVA
from Forest
The iTap2 magnetic CD slot phone holder is an ingenious idea. If your car's vents are the type that can't support holding the weight of a bracket and phone, then this could be your answer.
The iTap2 is very well constructed and sturdy. It has an innovative design that has you insert rubber-covered "fins" into your CD slot in the dash. You then tighten a clip that causes the middle fin to move upward, creating pressure against the edges of the CD slot that holds the mount in place. Once locked in like this, it's basically impossible for it to fall out. It's also pretty tough to unlock that clip, so it's best if you are able to leave it in place for a while. You also shouldn't have a CD in the slot when you use this mount. I'm not sure if this would hold true for multi-CD players, so you may want to see what others are saying about that. Depending on how much you use your CD player, this could be a big drawback.
The part that holds the phone is a magnetic base on a ball joint. This allows you to move it to whatever position gives you the angle you want. This is difficult to move, but that's as it should be, since you don't want your phone moving around while you're driving. The magnet connects to a metal plate that you put either on the back of the phone itself, or inside the phone's case. Two sizes of plates are provided, a larger one and a smaller one. The small one is designed to be small enough not to block the Qi charging area on your phone, if you have that. Ideally, you want the plate to be in the middle back of your phone, so that it doesn't spin around, but that will depend on your phone and what works best for you.
Once everything is in place, the mount holds the phone securely and works very well. The only issue I found (and this could be a big one) is that your phone may block access to buttons on the dash. You'll want to take this into account before you buy the iTap2. The position of your CD slot makes all the difference. If there's nothing you need to access behind the phone, then you'll have no problem and this mount will provide a secure and well-built alternative to window mounted holders or vent mounted holders.
If all of this sounds good to you, then I think you'll enjoy the iTap2 magnetic phone mount.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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Use your phone while it charges with this Belkin 10W wireless charging stand. The Qi-certified design ensures compatibility with most devices, while an optimized stand holds phones at an angle in portrait or landscape position for maximum visibility. This Belkin 10W wireless charging stand features an LED indicator for monitoring charge status at a glance.
Customer Rating
4
Fast, easy to use Qi charger that's also a stand
on May 19, 2019
Posted by: BobinVA
from Forest
With Apple’s recent announcement that they would not be coming out with their own wireless charging standard, it appears that the Qi standard will emerge as the winner. I’ve recently begun using Qi chargers with my iPhone 8, since my truck includes a Qi charger, so I thought it would be nice to have one for the house as well.
This Belkin 10W charger comes with a USB charging cable, a wall plug adapter, and a the charging unit itself. Having the cable and adapter separately seems like it would allow you to plug into your existing USB outlets, but I think you may have to be careful to supply the right amount of power for the charger to function properly.
The charger is fixed in an upright, angled position, allowing you to charge your phone on a table and still be able to see notifications and other things on the screen. It supports both portrait and landscape positioning, so you could use it to charge your phone while watching a video. I wish that Belkin had also allowed for the possibility of removing the charging pad itself so that it could be laid down flat if desired. I realize that they sell another charging pad that lays flat, but it would be much more versatile if they allowed us to choose whether to use it as a stand or a pad.
The box states that there is an LED light that shows the status of the charging phone. Yes, there is an LED, but it’s either on or off. If the phone is in the stand, then the light is on. If the phone is not in the stand, then it’s off. It does not go out when the phone reaches 100% charge. So, the light is basically useless. Given the fact that it’s behind the phone anyway, you can safely ignore it, as it doesn’t add anything to the function of the charger.
As a charger, the Belkin 10W charger works well. It couldn’t be easier to use--simply put the phone in the stand with the back of the phone against the charger, and you’re good to go. I haven’t done a scientific comparison, but it does seem to charge quicker than using a traditional charging cable.
Is it worth spending $50 to buy one of these? That’ll depend on how much of a hassle you think it is to plug in a charging cable. Or perhaps you want your phone to be visible while charging--I think that’s the real reason to buy this. If you’re not one of the aforementioned people, you can probably get along just fine with your traditional charging cable.
For the next version of this charger, I’d like to see Belkin make it possible to remove the pad from the stand. This would make it more versatile, as well as easier to travel with it. I do like this charging stand, and it’s well built, providing a convenient, elegant way to charge your phone, and it looks better than just having a cable lying across the table.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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Unlock new potential for your wireless headphones with this Airfly headphone accessory. It plugs into any conventional headphone jack to enhance your listening experience and can pair with in-flight entertainment systems for added convenience. This Airfly headphone accessory has an eight-hour battery life and recharges through USB, so it's easy to take anywhere.
Customer Rating
5
A great way to extend the life of older devices
on May 2, 2019
Posted by: BobinVA
from Forest
I have more than my fair share of bluetooth headphones of many different types, but not all of my devices are equipped with bluetooth. The new AirFly from twelvesouth allows you to use your favorite bluetooth headphones with any device that outputs sound through a standard headphone jack.
My favorite MP3 player was created before bluetooth had taken hold, and the trusty MP3 player is still going strong, so I have no intention of upgrading until I have to. The AirFly lets me use my old audio player with newer headphones, and it really works well! The AirFly features a single button, cleverly disguised as a light-up logo. Holding it down a few seconds puts the device in pairing mode. Simply put your headphones in pairing mode as well, and the two will find each other.
Sound quality was surprisingly good. I expected a big drop-off in quality, but I really didn’t experience that. Like all bluetooth headsets, those used with the AirFly will not be able to be as loud as those that are directly plugged in, but they were actually quite good, and much louder than if I were using them with my iPhone. Aside from loudness, the tonal quality was quite good as well, with clean lows and crisp high notes. Keep in mind that you’re still subject to the capabilities of whatever headphones you’re using, since the AirFly is not a signal booster or processor, it merely passes the music on to your headphones.
It’s nice to find a product that does one thing and does it well. As far as functionality goes, I’ve already described what it can do. It’s up to you to find applications for those capabilities: airplane entertainment systems, older TVs, older music devices. This is a handy thing to have around, and I’m glad I picked one up!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Not every mess calls for a full-size carpet cleaning machine. BISSELL® Little Green® ProHeat® portable deep cleaner is a lightweight and compact machine that permanently removes tough spots and stains with the power of OXY. It’s engineered with Heatwave Technology® to help maintain consistent water temperature while cleaning carpets, upholstery, stairs, area rugs, auto interiors, or any other soft surface where stains can occur. It also comes with three specialized tools, including a 3” Tough Stain Tool, 3-IN-1 Stair Tool and a HydroRinse™ Self-Cleaning Tool, as well as a trial-size bottle of our PRO OXY Spot and Stain formula. And this portable deep cleaner doesn’t just clean up after pets, it helps save them! BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation® and its mission to help save homeless pets. When you buy a BISSELL product, you help save pets, too. We’re proud to design products that help make pet messes, odors and pet homelessness disappear.
Customer Rating
3
Great for the occasional quick pickup
on April 22, 2019
Posted by: BobinVA
from Forest
The Bissell Little Green ProHeat Handheld Deep Cleaner is great for those times when you need to clean up a small spot on the carpet, but you don’t want to drag out the full-size floor cleaner. My wife and I are big fans of our Bissell upright steam cleaner, but that’s overkill when we just need to clean up a small spot. That’s where the Little Green comes in.
There’s just a little bit of setup to do before you can use the Little Green, but it’s mainly just getting the onboard storage for the hose and power cord in place. Once that’s done, you’re ready to go.
Using the Little Green is incredibly easy. All you have to do is remove the fill tank, fill with water to the indicated line, then add cleaner until it reaches the next line. One thing that’s interesting about this tool is that it doesn’t have a switch that lets you spray water only. Since the cleaner is mixed with the water, whenever you’re spraying water, you’re spraying cleaner. Using the included sample of cleaner, that didn’t seem to be a problem, but I can see why it would be important to use a cleaner that didn’t foam up a lot. Alternately, you could empty out the fill tank and use only water, but this would be an extra step.
The performance of the Little Green was acceptable, but not amazing. It’s easy to change tools on the end of the hose, and there’s even a very cleverly designed tool for cleaning carpeted stairs. The tools have a built-in brush that you use to scrub the carpet, and this works well. I was a little disappointed with the suction, and it took quite a while for me to suck up enough water to consider myself done. Overall, I thought it left the carpet wetter than I would have expected. The suction was definitely better pulling it back versus pushing it forward.
Cleanup is pretty easy. The dirty tank has a small plug that the instructions say should be removed when emptying. However, emptying the tank that way is slow and not as thorough. Instead, unscrew the float mechanism in the middle of the tank, remove it, and you can now easily empty and rinse the tank. I’m not sure why anyone would want to empty and rinse the tank using just that small, inefficient opening.
For small spots, the Little Green is a great tool. It’s really not practical to use over a large floor, but as a quick spot remover, it works very well. Its size also makes it a great tool for cleaning the upholstery in your car, something that an upright carpet cleaner just can’t do very well.
Overall, I really liked the Little Green. Stronger suction and the ability to spray water only would have really made the Little Green a great machine. As it is, it’s a very nice tool that’s convenient for small jobs, especially when a full-sized tool would be too bulky. If you have pets and don’t have something like this, you should really check this out. If you already have a full-sized machine, this isn’t a “must have”, but it is certainly a convenient option to have around.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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Polished, professional Full HD video calls. The C920S HD Webcam delivers remarkably crisp, clear and detailed images in vibrant colors. HD autofocus and light correction adjust to provide consistently high definition, and the dual mics on either side of the lens capture natural sound. The privacy shutter puts you in control of what you show.
Customer Rating
4
Big improvement over the laptop webcam
on April 10, 2019
Posted by: BobinVA
from Forest
The built-in webcam that most laptops come with is good enough for the occasional video call, but not if you want to start your own YouTube channel. Is the Logitech C920 good enough for that? Well, I’m not sure, but I do think it’s a pretty good performer at a good price point.
This year’s model comes with improved sound and low-light capabilities, and I was impressed with the overall video quality. No, you’re not going to shoot HD movies with this, but it’s a surprisingly good camera for the kinds of videos that you see for things like computer reviews or unboxing videos.
The camera has a clever attachment mechanism, with rubber coatings to prevent scratches on the back of your laptop’s lid. It adjusts so that you can get the angle you want, and it even has a screw-in to allow you to use it with a tripod. This is great if you want to avoid the reflections of your screen’s backlighting on your glasses. It’s a nice touch that doesn’t require you to carry an additional adapter.
I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but I have sometimes accidentally turned on my web cam while on a video conference call. That can be embarrassing, so many people I know have a piece of paper taped over their webcam. With the Logitech C920, there’s an included lens cover that you keep in place unless you’re using the camera. When the camera is in use, two blue accent lights on either side of the lens will light up, letting you know that you’re on camera.
As I mentioned earlier, video quality is very good, and so is the audio quality, thanks to the stereo microphones. Video call quality was very good, so this device does what it should, and does it well. The camera works well with apps such as Skype, but if you want to record your own videos, you’ll want to use dedicated software. Logitech makes the software available as a free download from their website. The software is very good, but it is confusing that Logitech still lists Windows 7 and 8 in its requirements. When I saw that, I wondered if I was at the right place. It turned out that I was, but it would have been better if Logitech were to set up a dedicated link just for getting the software instead of dropping us into their support site. That’s not the end of the world, but with so many other products, it’s not hard to click on the wrong thing and end up in an entirely different place. Once I got the software installed, it worked well and was very easy to create videos, with plenty of different options to choose from.
Overall, this is a definite step up from the built-in webcam, and at a price that makes it worth doing. I haven’t tried other webcams that are available, but I’m happy with this one.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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Create, learn, work, and play like never before. Featuring an immersive 9.7-inch Multi-Touch Retina display,¹ powerful A10 Fusion chip, and now supports Apple Pencil,² there's nothing else quite like iPad.
Can I buy this without service to a wireless carrier for the same price?
The WiFi only model for $329 does not include cellular service with a wireless carrier, and is the cheapest price available (other than sales).
6 years ago
by
BobinVA
Enjoy up to 10 hours of wireless audio with these Sony noise-canceling headphones. They produce rich sound by playing at audio frequencies of 3-40,000Hz and have a closed-back design that blocks outside noise for a better listening experience. These Sony noise-canceling headphones sit comfortably behind the neck and work with or without the 1m wire.
Can you mute while on a call. I want to take some conference calls on my way to work and need to mute myself. Is there a way to mute while on the call from the headphone. I know i can always mute from the phone. Thanks.
Yes, you can mute by pushing the volume up and down buttons simultaneously, but that's a little tricky, so it might be easier to mute from the phone.
6 years, 4 months ago
by
BobinVA
Keep your Wi-Fi connection strong anywhere in the house with this NETGEAR router. Monitor your network with the NETGEAR genie app, keep track of your kids with parental controls, and use multiple devices simultaneously for downloading, gaming and more
Is there a monthly charge for this netgear wireless router? Or does it just need an outlet and from there your off and running?
No monthly charge, you just need a modem to provide a signal, and you'll be good to go!
6 years, 8 months ago
by
BobinVA
Type on your terms with Keys-To-Go, the super-slim, super-light Bluetooth keyboard for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV that fits anywhere and goes everywhere. The durable, spill-proof Keys-To-Go helps you escape the cramped on-screen keyboard and turn any space into a workspace whether you’re in the backyard, the kitchen, or the park. Keys-To-Go has comfortable, soft keys that type silently so you and people around you can focus without distractions. Plus, a full row of iOS shortcut keys provide one-tap access to your most-used functions including volume and media controls.
Is this compatible with an iPad pro
Yes, but don't expect it to take the place of the Apple Smart Keyboard. This is a great keyboard, but it will connect via blue tooth, not using the new smart connector.
6 years, 9 months ago
by
BobinVA
Type on your terms with Keys-To-Go, the super-slim, super-light Bluetooth keyboard for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV that fits anywhere and goes everywhere. The durable, spill-proof Keys-To-Go helps you escape the cramped on-screen keyboard and turn any space into a workspace whether you’re in the backyard, the kitchen, or the park. Keys-To-Go has comfortable, soft keys that type silently so you and people around you can focus without distractions. Plus, a full row of iOS shortcut keys provide one-tap access to your most-used functions including volume and media controls.
Will this work with the new IPad 5th generation (2017)?
It'll work with any blue tooth enabled computer.
6 years, 9 months ago
by
BobinVA
View files or videos in custom positions with this HP Envy x360 laptop. The hinge lets you lay the computer flat, fold it for use as a tablet or prop the screen at angles to enhance your viewing experience. When you aren't streaming videos on this HP Envy x360 laptop, convert it to a traditional position for standard keyboarding action.
How do you turn on the keyboard backlite ?
View files or videos in custom positions with this HP Envy x360 laptop. The hinge lets you lay the computer flat, fold it for use as a tablet or prop the screen at angles to enhance your viewing experience. When you aren't streaming videos on this HP Envy x360 laptop, convert it to a traditional position for standard keyboarding action.
does this computer come with windows 10 or.........
View files or videos in custom positions with this HP Envy x360 laptop. The hinge lets you lay the computer flat, fold it for use as a tablet or prop the screen at angles to enhance your viewing experience. When you aren't streaming videos on this HP Envy x360 laptop, convert it to a traditional position for standard keyboarding action.
have msata ssd socket inside ?
I'm not sure about what's inside, as this laptop really isn't built to make it easy to open up. It's quite thin, so I doubt there's an extra slot in there. Sorry that I don't know for sure.
7 years, 9 months ago
by
BobinVA