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    January 28, 2017
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NAMO's Reviews
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Power up your party anywhere with the JBuds Party Speaker, where intense next-level sound meets portability. This portable Bluetooth speaker unleashes 30 watts of incredible sound and delivers 12+ hours of playtime, enough for all day fun. Personalize your sound with customizable EQ settings and set the mood with dynamic RGB lighting effects all in the JLab App. Take control with the intuitive JLab Media Knob and four quick access buttons or go big by connecting up to 100 JLab Party speakers with LabSync for a truly massive sound experience. With IPX6 waterproofing and a convenient loop strap, this speaker is ready to bring the party anywhere, anytime.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Powerful & Entertaining, Sound Quality is So So
on September 15, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: Offers a TON of value for the price, but its audio quality does leave me wanting.
PROS
Up to 12 hours of battery life w/o lighting
Linkable to up to 100 other JLAB Speakers
IPX6 Waterproof
2x2.5" Full-Range Drivers with 30W of Power
CONS
RGB Lighting cuts play time approximately 20%
Full-Range drivers offer decent sound, but not as clear as others
SET-UP & APP
A person couldn't ask for a simpler, easier-to-use app than the JLAB app. Simple to use and understand and most importantly, I've found that works as equally as well on Android as it does on iOS. Excellent work JLAB. After initial pairing, the JLAB app greeted me with a mandatory firmware update, as is often expected with most products nowadays. At first, the firmware failed to install via the Android app, freezing at 100% before erroring out. Simply closing and restarting the app got things back in line and the firmware installed correctly on the 2nd go.
USE & SOUND QUALITY
The JBUDS Party works very well. I was pleasantly surprised to find voice announcements at this price point. Upon power up, the JLAB gives you an update on the battery level and then notifies you of a successful pairing. Music selection, playback, EQ settings are all accessible via the app or via the extremely convenient controls at the top of the speaker. Rather than the minimalist approach that some of JLAB's competitors use, the added playback controls on the top of the Party speaker are a welcome addition. They are intuitive and easy to manipulate even without looking.
One area that the JBUDS Party does fall short of the competition is overall sound quality. While audio is decent at low to medium volume settings, it becomes murky pretty quickly at higher volume levels. The JBUDS Party will never be considered an audiophile speaker in any sense of the word, the clarity just isn't there. However, audio quality is more than acceptable at this price point. One thing that isn't common at this price point is the power output. The JBUDS Party packs a punch. It's two 2.5" drivers get up to 30W of power. Very impressive. Two 2.5" passive radiators try their best to add some additional depth to audio, but their contribution isn't nearly as dynamic as I would have hoped after sampling the competition.
The JBUDS Party can sync itself to up to 100 other different JBUDS speakers. Wow! The competition advertises syncing 2 of their products together for stereo sound, but 100? That's quite impressive. While I don't have 100 speakers to test, I did pair it to 2 other JLAB's and they played in perfect sync. I couldn't imagine what have 100 speakers playing in sync would be like.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Like I've stated, the JBUDS Party isn't anywhere close to being an audiophile speaker. Its small 2.5" full-range drivers just can't match the audio quality of the competition. However, the JBUDS Party does offer a TON of value. It plays loud, has RGB lighting, and lasts 12 hours on a single charge. It's hard not to like. The JLABS app works great, the on device controls are easy to use, and the IPX6 water rating ensures the fun doesn't stop regardless of the venue.
Sound Quality: 3
Battery Life: 4
App: 5
Value: 5
I give the JBUDS Party a solid 4. It probably deserves a higher rating, but honestly, its audio quality does leave me wanting. However, it outperforms nearly all the competition at its intended price point. Well done JLABS.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Developed with Fnatic, the H9 II delivers pro-level clarity with carbon composite drivers and advanced noise canceling. At approx. 260g, it~s built for long play, with a boom mic that cuts ambient noise and dual wireless connectivity to keep game and chat in sync.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
My New Favorites for EVERY Listening Environment
on September 12, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: Sony's H9II InZone Headphones combine excellent ANC rivaling their best XM1000 headphones with a full set of features for gamers. Next level performance for gamers.
PROS
Amazing ANC capabilities
Classic "old school" Aviator styling
Simple Controls
InZone Hub Software for nearly any platform
CONS
Adjustable strap is fiddly
Still prefer a mic that pivots to turn on/off vs a button
Included USB-C transceiver doesn't come with USB-A adapter
KEY FEATURES / ACCESSORIES
Up to 30hrs of playback
2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio
Active Noise Cancellation
USB-C 2.4GHz Transceiver
3.5mm Audio Cable
Detachable Boom Mic
SET-UP
Sony has made the InZone's easily configurable for gamers. PC gamers can download the InZone Hub software for their Windows-based PC's and mobile users have the Sony SoundConnect app for configuration. I tried the Sony software on all the various platforms I own and use; Windows 11, an Android Google Pixel 10 Pro, and an older iPad. The SoundConnect software has proven to work perfectly on every platform. Anyone that has read my past reviews know that I am very critical of manufacturers' apps and have no tolerance for a poorly designed user experience. Sony deserves a special shoutout for not only making 3 error-free apps, but keeping the platforms similar regardless of the device the software is installed on. Simple, quick, effective. Excellent work Sony. I wished other manufacturers apps were this polished.
USE
The H9II's came partially charged upon arrival. Full charge time from empty is up to 3.5 hours. Quite long by today's standards. However, a single 5 minute charge gets you up to 1 hour of playback (ANC off). The InZone's support Bluetooth Low Energy 5.3, which is the latest of the 5.0 specs, but well short of the cutting edge Bluetooth 6.0. Still, the InZone connected instantly to any device I paired them to. Every pairing attempt went perfectly and without any issue whatsoever. Excellent.
Sony claims up to 30hrs of playback time without using the ANC function. I don't come close to 30hrs. Why? Because I can't stop using the ANC feature. Sony must have incorporated the same tech in the H9 II's that they graced their XM1000 headphones with. ANC performance on these InZone's is the best I've used on ANY gaming headset to date, regardless of the manufacturer. I have an older set of XM1000 headphones that I use as my flying headphones. Their noise cancelling abilities are top-notch, easily rivaling the other big 4 letter brand. The InZone H9II's are just as good, if not better than my XM1000's.
A recent flight confirmed my observations. These H9II's are quiet. I've never experienced a flight so peaceful in all my years of travel. Between the nicely muted hush of the aircraft to the complete shutout of the lavatories' flushing sounds, the flight was amazingly quiet and peaceful. I felt noticeably less fatigue after a longish 3hr flight than I normally do. Noises around the house are no match for the H9's. Granted some sounds can make their way through like if you have a TV on in the background, but as a whole, the environment becomes vault-like while using the H9's.
NEGATIVES
First. I'm not a fan of the adjustable head strap. I've always have to remove the headphones to adjust the strap. Maybe I just haven't learned the magic touch yet, but I find it cumbersome to adjust the strap.
Second. I would like to see the inclusion of a USB-A to USB-C adapter with the H9's. My gaming PC doesn't have a front facing USB-C port, so I was forced to find an adapter to make the included transceiver work.
Third. I find the Sony 360 degree audio just so-so. I have better luck with using the Dolby Atmos or DTS:X on my Windows 11 PC while gaming. Not only do they do a better job at conveying a sense of a 360 degree soundstage, they are much more universally supported by game designers.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you couldn't tell already, I am officially a HUGE fan of the H9II's. In my short time of ownership, they have officially become my favorite set of gaming headphones. I have been very fortunate to had the opportunity to review other manufacturers' top-of-the-line gaming offerings. The Sony InZone H9II's are a step above all the rest. No gimmicky haptics, no flashy RGB, just high-quality Sony sound with Active Noise Cancellation that is second to none.
I've said in every one of my other reviews, a good set of headphones must be a jack of all trades. I usually don't recommend a set of cans that can't do it all. The H9II's can and do, do it all. With authority. Sony may not be one of the big names in the gaming market space, but products like the H9II's are sure to get them on the radar. If you are in the market for a good-looking "retro styled" set of headphones that can do music, movies, and games, these Sony H9II's deserve to be on the list. In addition to their excellent sound quality, they have the best Active Noise Cancellation of any set of headphones I've used to date. The InZone's deserve the praise for bringing the goods.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Oura Ring 4 sizes are slightly different from standard ring sizes, so it is important to size yourself using our tools and to follow our sizing instructions. The Oura Ring 4 Sizing Kit allows for you, and those around you, to find the ideal fit before purchasing. You can also size yourself in stores where there is an Oura Ring 4 display. A properly fitting Oura Ring will result in the highest possible data accuracy, comfort, and overall experience.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Thoughtful & Smart Addition to the Oura Purchase
on September 12, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: The ring sizing kit is the perfect way to make sure you get the exact Oura ring you need.
USE / THOUGHTS
The Oura 4 ring sizing kit from Best Buy is as simple as it can get. Purchase the kit, find out which size band fits your desired finger, wear 24hrs to confirm it's comfortable, and return to Best Buy. It doesn't get any easier or simpler than this. While you might not get a completely perfect fit, the sizing kit includes sizes that should fit most everyone.
At first I was a bit put off by the price of the sizing kit, but if you look at the back of the packaging, the price paid includes a $10 BB gift card, thereby offsetting the purchase price. Excellent work Best Buy! A very smart and thoughtful way to get folks the correct product with the correct size, as I'm sure this is a common issue with folks buying Oura rings. Who really has their ring size memorized, especially if the Oura is worn on anything other than your traditional ring finger.
If you are going to buy a Oura Ring 4, this sizing kit is a no-brainer.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Cue the connection with the back and better-than-ever SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen). Deceivingly small, this portable powerhouse can fit in the palm of your hand, yet still deliver up to 12 hours~ of crisp sound. Powerful enough to break any silence, anywhere.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Big Bold Bose Sound in a Tiny Package
on September 7, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: I'm one of the first ones to hate on Bose, but this is a really nice product with sound bigger than its size.
PROS
Software works perfectly on Android & iOS
Multi-Point Connections to multiple devices
True Verbal Feedback & Voice Announcements
CONS
Battery life is only fair
Limited options for shortcut button
SET-UP AND INITIAL CONFIGURATION
I give Bose major props for their apps. They have done an equally good job with their Android app as they did their iOS app. Neither version of the app had any issues during installation or set-up. I wish all manufacturers devoted this amount of time and attention to their software. In today's day and age, your product HAS to work as well on an Android platform as it does on an iOS platform.
Initial pairing and configuration is remarkably simple. The Bose app may very well set the new standard for simplicity and functionality. It's layout is clean, simple, intuitive, and most importantly works without issue. It's not an app that tries to be your one-stop shop for all your playback needs. Nope. It manages the speaker, exactly what its supposed to do.
USE
I'll fully admit it. There is a love/hate relationship with me and Bose products. They make products I love to hate. To be fair, their QuietComfort headphones do set the gold standard for noise cancelling headphones. Just look at the people who travel frequently for a living. A vast majority of them will have a set of Bose headphones for travel. They are a great product, that sets the standard for other manufacturers to strive to. Unfortunately, in my opinion, that is their one and only product I have ever really cared for. The Bose sound just doesn't do it for me. Whether it is a home theater set-up or premium audio in a car, it just falls short. Again, my opinion, not any scientific fact.
I was all set to hate on the little SoundLink Micro. But, I can't. The SoundLink Micro sounds WAY bigger and fuller than it has any right to. The little, rubberized portable speaker sounds bigger than many products twice its size. I was taken aback when I first fired up some of my favorite country tracks. Thinking it was a fluke, I switched over to my go-to hard rock and metal selections.
This genre did find the limits of the Bose. There is just so much you can do with the laws of physics. But, even with the most demanding tracks, the Bose held its head high and gave its all. I was surprised at just how full and rich the sound was from such a small speaker. I have similar sized speakers I've tested in the past and the Micro puts them ALL to shame. The sound is robust and dynamic. Yes, at higher volume levels, the sound does get muddy, but you have to be really working the Micro to get to that point. Excellent work Bose.
BATTERY LIFE
I did find that with such a small speaker, I was playing it a little louder than most others I have. Because of this, I'm finding that battery life is just fair. My battery seems do drain about 10% for every 4 to 5 tracks I listen to. Not horrible, but certainly not class leading. I would highly advise a portable battery pack if you want to make it a full day at the pool or beach with the Micro.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Bose SoundLink Micro Gen 2 is a worthy upgrade over its predecessor, changing a few things for the better while not messing with the initial recipe that has been successful. A redesigned Velcro strap and carabiner loop make it more user friendly. A dedicated shortcut button on the front of the Micro can be set-up to open Spotify or pair it instantly with another SoundLink Micro for fuller stereo sound.
The only thing I would like to see is more options available for the shortcut button. Maybe configurable for Amazon Music, or YouTube Music, etc. instead of just Spotify and pairing to another Micro? Other than that, there isn't anything not to like about the Micro. If you already have Bose products, this is a no-brainer. If you are like me and never really give Bose a chance, you should give it a go. It may just change your opinion like it did mine.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Meet Pixel 10 Pro, the new standard for pro phones. Advanced AI with Gemini, unbelievable camera quality, impeccable design, and the next-gen Google Tensor G5 chip.~
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Flagship Phone with Flagship Features
on September 6, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: A new flagship product from Google that offers great battery life, plenty of processing power, but its software and AI allows Google to watch every single thing done on the phone.
PROS
Processing Power
Multi-Day Battery Life
Crisp Screen & Text
Excellent Wi-Fi & 5G Speeds
Terrific Cameras
CONS
Google Privacy Concerns
Font is very small & hard to adjust
No Expandable Storage
No Physical SIM
SET-UP
I was VERY excited to see a Pixel Pro come up for review. It was the phone I was seriously considering as my next upgrade, due this year. My Galaxy S22+ was coming up on its 3 years of service. I was lucky enough to receive an HMD Skyline for review in the interim, but its camera set-up left me wanting and needing an upgrade. The Pixel Pro was the perfect phone at the perfect time.
I remember going into the AT&T store just over 3 years ago and getting my S22+. It was one of the worst experiences in my life. Not that the sales force wasn't helpful, it just took FOREVER. I'm talking over 4 hours to get a phone for myself, wife, and kid. I've bought cars in less time than it took to get a phone.
When this phone was advertised as unlocked and with an E-SIM, I was apprehensive. Not sure what to expect and not sure what steps I would need to get it ported to my account and phone number. Memories of my last AT&T encounter came rushing back in a haunting fashion. But, I "bit the bullet" and gave it a go myself. I have to say, after getting a new, unlocked Pixel Pro, I don't know if I will ever go back to an actual store again.
Setting up the Pixel Pro was pain-free. I couldn't believe how easy Google made it. The phone reached out to AT&T and sent in a request for an E-SIM conversion from my physical SIM. Within seconds, I got a notification on my HMD that the Pixel was requesting a conversion. I approved and within a total of about 2 minutes, my HMD Skyline's physical SIM was deactivated at the Pixel Pro was up and running on my account. At this point, I could technically use the phone as-is. It was fully functional. From 4 hours to less than a total of 10 minutes.
Logging into my Google account automatically triggered the Pixel to recover nearly every app I had downloaded from the Google Play Store. I selected every app I wanted to carry over and which ones I've decided I can live without, the Pixel began a download of all my apps & checked for security updates. Logging into Wi-Fi sped the process up tremendously even though 5G speeds are plenty impressive in my suburban area. Same with my previous texts. It was a nearly seamless experience with the only hiccups being that my login credentials for most apps were not saved and carried over, but honestly, that's the way I would prefer it anyway.
Why did I document my new phone set-up in so much detail? Because I'm sure there are others like me that think you can only get and activate a phone in-store, whether it's unlocked or locked. I'm not so sure there will ever be another 4-hour trip to a phone store for me. I know I'm talking bad about AT&T. It's not just them, I've been with other major carriers including, Sprint and Verizon and their process was, and is, just as painful.
DAY-TO-DAY USE
The Pixel Pro has proven to be a huge upgrade to my existing phones. The processing power of the Google Tensor G5 processor is impressive. It has enough raw compute power to perform a majority of its computing on device without constantly needing a data connection.
The Voice Translate function has proven to be the most useful to me so far. The Pixel Pro can translate a call in real time with onboard compute power and not need to reach out to Google for processing support. The feature has proven extremely capable in its Spanish to English (most of what I've used this feature for).
Another HUGE improvement in the Pixel versus my previous 2 phones is in the camera system. The Pro model takes portraits up to 50MP. Shots are crisp and clear. Not to mention, with the power of the onboard AI and Google Gemini, poor photos are nearly a thing of the past. AI can process zoomed images up to 100x, far more than what the 5x telephoto lens can pull in. While I will say that 100x is possible, things work much better at around 10x. Even at 10x I was able to take clear pictures and videos, even during fast action sports like my kid's high school football game. The Pixel 10 Pro's cameras are the best I've used in a phone to date. A quantum leap from my previous phones.
Google Photos on the 10 Pro is a tremendous leap in capabilities. If you have a phone from a couple or more years ago, the AI processing and guidance is game changing. With the ability to use on device processing to improve photos, to using the Tensor G5 to guide you on getting the best shot, I was amazed at how much the phone can do to make me a better "photographer". You can use the phone to help you compose shots in real-time, use it to improve existing shots, or even use the AI to add yourself into photos. The amount of guidance you want can be customized, either in real-time or in post processing. It is VERY slick.
BATTERY LIFE
The Pixel 10 Pro has excellent battery life, at least for me. There is enough processing power in reserve that I am able to use the phone with the battery saver function on constantly. Google claims 30hrs of battery life. I'm getting substantially more than 30hrs with modest usage. Better than either of my last two phones, even when they were new.
NEGATIVES
The biggest concern relates to the potential Google privacy issue. While I am far too boring to be really concerned about what Google can get from me, I can see peoples' apprehension. Take the Magic Cue software, for instance. It monitors EVERYTHING you do on the phone and offers "suggestions" to improve your life. Texts, Chats, Calendars, Contacts, Calls, Apps. Everything is being looked at for "suggestions". Again, I'm too boring to be concerned, but I could see this as being off-putting. Granted you can turn the feature off, but there is no way to know for sure that it is truly not keeping a watchful eye out.
There is no expandable storage option for the Pixels. You are locked in at the amount you purchase. Even with a just a few apps installed, my 128GB model is officially 50% full and that is without many photos or videos. Choose storage wisely.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Pixel 10 Pro is a worthy upgrade to Google's flagship phones. This 10 Pro has addressed every single issue I've had with my previous 2 phones and then some. Plenty of processing power on tap, excellent front and rear cameras and access to Google's vast computing and storage resources all at 5G speeds. Everything about the 10 Pro is top-tier. 50MP camera, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 6.0, just to name a few.
Made to compete with the best Android and iOS phones on the market, the Pixel 10 Pro offers a lot and gives a lot and if you are not committed to the iOS ecosystem, which I am not, the new Pixels deserve a look.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Make every microsecond count with the Crucial T710 Gen5 NVMe SSD. Built for serious gaming and professional creative applications, the T710 speeds up your experience with up to 14,900/13,800MB/s sequential and 2.2M/2.3M random reads/writes. The T710 is based on Micron G9 TLC NAND and features an optional integrated heatsink for unthrottled use. Its single-sided and low-power design makes it ideal for use on PCs and laptops.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Speedy Gen 5 DRAM Drive with Crucial 5yr Warranty
on September 3, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: A very fast Gen 5 drive that includes DRAM cache & can function without a heatsink.
PROS
Excellent Gen 5 speeds
Heatsink not required
DRAM Cache
5 Year Warranty
CONS
None to speak of
PERFORMANCE & USE
This will be one of my shortest reviews. There isn’t much not to like about Crucial’s new T710 NVMe drive.
Over my many years of building and upgrading computers, Crucial Micron has become my primary supplier of choice for SSD’s and memory. Not that I haven’t had decent success with other suppliers, I have. But what the other suppliers have never been able to match is Crucial’s consistency and longevity. After dozens and dozens of upgrades and builds over the years, I’ve given up on chasing the lowest price alternatives and started using Crucial Micron nearly exclusively. Crucial has proven to me to be the most reliable, most consistent brand on the market.
The T710 a spacious 2TB (1.81 after formatting) drive that sports Micron’s latest technology to achieve speeds up to 14500 MB/s. This 2TB model features a generous 2GB of DRAM cache to help speed throughput.
For use, I decided to put the T710 in my newest, most powerful gaming laptop. It’s a Gigabyte X16 Aero. The X16 supports AMD’s latest Ryzen 7 AI 350 processor, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and an nVidia 5070 graphics card. I use it heavily for gaming as it has the most powerful graphics processor I own.
The T710 has maintained consistent performance through my most demanding tests. From hitting it with over 700GB of game installs to hours long gaming sessions, I have not witnessed any thermal throttling or drive slowdowns. Results in my photos are from my Gigabyte laptop set for maximum performance, with a clean Windows 11 install courtesy of the Windows Media Creation Tool.
Unfortunately, as you can see from the test results, that the T710 is hampered by Gigabyte’s lack of a Gen 5 controller. Still no matter what I’ve asked of the laptop, the T710 has proved to be a consistent performer, never showing me any issues. The T710 has maintained its composure and never given me random heat related glitches that sometimes plagued my Gigabyte branded and installed factory NVMe drive.
CONCLUSIONS
I have no doubts the T710 will continue to serve a long life in the Gigabyte. Backed by one of the industry's best warranties, at 5 years.
To me, the most impressive thing about Micron drives is you know what you are getting from the date of purchase. Micron manufactures their own memory and controllers and you know what is going to be on the drive. This has burnt me numerous times in the past where I chased the highest performance or the best prices from other brands. Manufacturers will make changes to drives and or controllers without announcement and that drive you thought was the latest and greatest gets hobbled by cost cutting.
There is something to be said about consistency. Crucial has yet to fail me when it comes to consistency or performance. I have numerous Crucial SSD’s and DRAM sticks still in service that haven’t failed in years of continuous use. I have high hopes and expect the T710 to follow in this tradition.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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A science-driven, one-stop-shop for the best sleep of your life. Unlike other headphones and earbuds, our tiny Sleepbuds are designed to comfortably block out sleep-disrupting sounds and replace the noise with anything you~d like to stream. They are ultra-comfy, even for side sleepers, and come with all-night battery life and biometric sensing.
 
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Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Quality Sound, Extremely Comfortable, Bug Riddled
on August 30, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: A comfortable & unique set of headphones aimed at improving sleep quality but is held back by poor Android implementation & ridiculously long updates.
PROS
Extremely comfortable
Light weight
Plays ambient noise automatically while sleeping
Upscale and Premium Look & Feel
CONS
Android software buggy
Does not revert to streaming when awake
Ridiculously long firmware updates
Ridiculously long ambient noise downloads
INTRODUCTION
Ozlo, a little-known earbud company (at least I was unaware they existed) founded by 3 former Bose employees. These 3 former employees set out to establish a product that filled a niche market that no one had successfully filled to date. Their goal was to design a set of earbuds that were comfortable enough you could use them while sleeping, not to mention a product that streams, for lack of a better description, white noise while sleeping with the goal of getting a better night’s sleep.
They succeeded. The Sleepbuds are incredibly comfortable to wear. So light and comfortable, you barely notice they are there. Fitting into the ear without protruding into the actual canal and the silicon strap provides just enough tension inside the ear to keep them from falling out. Most earbuds that fit down into my ear canals eventually leave my ears feeling sweaty and itchy. Not the Sleepbuds. Because they don’t fit down into the ear canal, I can wear them all night long without feeling itchy and uncomfortable.
SET-UP AND USE
There is no other way to say it. The Android software implementation is bug filled and impossible to use. In today’s market, there is no excuse for poorly designed and implemented software, especially in a premium product like the Sleepbuds.
Ozlo is aware of the issues too. It starts when you first try and pair the Sleepbuds with your Android. They warn you of pairing issues during set-up. Unfortunately, the Ozlo software cannot overcome the bugs. Neither my older Galaxy tablet nor my brand-new Pixel 10 Pro could configure the Sleepbuds. Each device hung during the initial firmware update. Ozlo warns you that it could take up to 30 minutes to update. Nope. I waited and waited and after 1 hour, it was still at 0% on my Pixel. 0% on my Galaxy and after another hour. Unacceptable. You cannot bypass the mandatory update either. Without the update, the Sleepbuds are unusable.
Thankfully, I have an older iPad for just these situations. Sure enough, the iPad pairing and updates all proceeded without hiccup. Sadly, Ozlo appears to have devoted most of their time and efforts into iOS. Not only did it update without issue, but it also took less than ½ the time, it would have required with Android. Right from the beginning it estimated a 15-minute update procedure.
Once paired with my iPad, I proceeded to watch one of my favorite podcasts. Sure enough, I fell straight asleep, not even realizing that I had dozed off. When I did wake up, the Sleepbuds had paused my stream and began playing ambient white noise. From my timeline, it looks like at just over 20 minutes, the Sleepbuds noticed my change and began streaming its own ambient sounds.
The included ambient noise with the Sleepbuds is impressive. Ozlo has included a terrific and varied number of different noises that should surely appeal to nearly everyone. The sheer number of noises is quite impressive. The repetitive clacking of train tracks, freeways, rain, creeks, thunderstorms, forest, air travel, box fans, crackling fires, etc. Ozlo’s selection is fantastic. Coming from someone who has used YouTube and/or Amazon Music for ambient sounds while traveling, I find the Ozlo sounds substantially clearer and much more satisfying than other offerings.
OTHER ISSUES & OBSERVATIONS
As good as the Sleepbuds were at changing states when I fell asleep, I would like to see them be equally adept as when I wake up. I would like them to be able to resume their last streaming service when I wake up. After unlocking my iPad and carrying it around with me, the Sleepbuds never transitioned back to the streaming, maintaining its white noise playback.
Furthermore, switching between apps requires constant reconnections with the Sleepbuds. With YouTube and Ozlo Sleep running in the background on my iPad, switching between apps disconnects the Sleepbuds and requires a re-connect. While it only takes a few seconds, it is annoying and to date, is the ONLY product I own that exhibits this behavior.
This also brings up another issue with the Sleepbuds. After waiting so long to get them up and running I couldn’t wait to try them out. But I couldn’t. After the initial update, all the pre-loaded soundtracks were no longer compatible with the Sleepbuds. EVERY single ambient noise track had to be re-downloaded. Normally this wouldn’t be a huge issue. Even with a basic internet connection, download times are normally only a matter of seconds.
Not with the Ozlo Sleepbuds. EVERY single ambient noise soundtrack takes approximately 15 minutes to download and install to the Sleep Buds. To get all those wonderful soundtracks back, the user is looking at approximately 3 – 4 hours of downloading and updating. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. Granted you could only download one or two tracks, but there were so many included in the demo when I first got the Sleepbuds, it would be nice to have them all back and available, but now I’m not sure if it is worth all the time and effort.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Do I like the Sleepbuds? Yes, I do. They are a novel and comfortable product. Bose headphones have traditionally been the gold standard for noise cancellation and comfort (in my opinion). You can tell the audio quality that made Bose headphones so famous was a priority for the new owners of Ozlo.
The more I use the Sleepbuds, the more I forget about all the issues that plagued them during my initial set-up process. But I can’t totally forget about the beginning. Had I not had an iOS device; the Sleepbuds would currently be unusable. I couldn’t get past the firmware update. Not only that, I have just one soundtrack downloaded. I don’t want to devote 3 – 4 hours to get back to square one. Not to mention, if I were to download the entire catalog available, it would take 8 – 10 hours to install.
I’ve always said in my past headphone and ear bud reviews that they must be equally as capable with iOS and Android. The Ozlo’s are not. If I were a total Android household, there is no way I would recommend the Sleepbuds at this point in their development. If I had a total iOS household, the troubles and dislikes would be much less of an issue. Thankfully, with a mixed device household I was able to finally get the Sleepbuds working.
This is not a detriment to the Ozlo Sleepbuds, more of just an FYI. For those thinking the Sleepbuds would be their go-to buds for day-to-day use, they are not. They are not for working out, not for making calls, they are made to help you fall asleep and have better quality sleep.
Would I buy the Sleepbuds? If I had an iPhone; Yes. If not; No. I’ll give the Sleepbuds a recommended rating, but only 3 stars at this point. There are still too many bugs that need addressed for their Android customers to give them a rating any higher, regardless of how good they sound and feel.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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SCUF Envision was designed to deliver the best controller experience for PC gamers. Equipped with 11 additional remappable inputs, ultra-fast wired/wireless connectivity, and advanced software for macros and endless customization options. Our new OMRON mechanical ABXY and D-Pad buttons offer crisp and responsive clicks. Adjustable Instant Triggers allow you to switch between mouse-like clicks and full trigger range. Unlock the full power of Envision by mapping the fully configurable inputs to any PC shortcut, customizing your RGB Lighting Strip, and tailoring your anti-drift Hall Effect thumbstick and trigger response curves. More control, more finesse, and more performance to once again, change your game.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Excellent option to "Elite" or "Pro" controllers
on August 17, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
PROS
Multiple Buttons and Triggers with Near Perfect Placement
Fully Configurable
Anti-Drift Hall Effect Thumbsticks
Replaceable parts and switches included
Restrained RGB integration
Long Battery Life with USB-C charging
Dedicated 3.5mm headphone jack
CONS
Multiple Buttons mean accidental triggers
Still needs a software & firmware update or two
Random missed inputs makes gameplay frustrating
CONFIGURATION
The Scuf Envision is configured and controlled by Corsair's iCue software. While not my favorite software, it is easy enough to use and configure the Envision. Button assignments and configurations are easy to find and require next to no learning curve. iCue has come a long way since it was first introduced back in the day and every iteration becomes more and more streamlined. Corsair includes several different modules upon installation that I wish you could opt out of prior to install. While I appreciate their efforts, I also would like to see a lighter version of the installation, without all the pre-installed monitoring components.
USE
Both myself and my kid are PC gamers. We have tried other controllers in the past and have found limited appeal. Unintuitive software, awkward button and switch placements left us wanting and unimpressed. We both found ourselves going back to the tried and true Xbox controllers, whether they be the Elites or just the standard models, they are familiar and work without fault.
The Scuf Envision Pro is the first controller that we can both agree gives our go-to a run for its money. Like I said earlier, other "Pro" controllers just left us disappointed. So much so, that we often didn't use them more than an hour or so and gave up. I have spent many, many hours now with the Scuf and that says a lot. The extra buttons and switches are great! There are so many more options the user now has compared to my base model controller that it actually has a learning curve. Things that I typically didn't have enough buttons or switches to make dedicated actions for, now I can. All with the easy to understand iCue software.
Not to mention that unlike others' "Pro" models, the Envision seems like it has been made specifically for me. The buttons, switches, and triggers all fall exactly where I would normally hold the controller. From the side buttons, to the underside switches, they fall perfectly where you would hold the controller while gaming. Activations are intuitive and exactly where you need them to be without readjusting your grip to make the inputs.
CONS
With all those buttons a switches falling exactly where you would hold the controller, I find that I often inadvertently actuate a command. Not all the time, but especially during intense action sequences, your reflexes (or at least mine) often push those buttons or switches when I didn't intend to.
Secondly, the Scuf Envision still needs a firmware update. Unlike my current base model controller that absolutely never misses an input, the Scuf misses a few inputs from time to time. It isn't all the time, it is random. But, it is often enough to be frustrating. I've been playing a bunch of Doom Dark Ages lately and I find that controller fails to recognize inputs, especially off the left trigger, thereby failing to raise the Slayer's shield. Additionally, while playing just last night, I noticed that controller inputs seemed to freeze for several seconds. I could not get the character to do anything on screen. I was hitting buttons, attempting to fight back and nothing was being received. This is an issue I've NEVER experienced with my previous controller. I would expect a more reliable connection from the Scuf using its dedicated 2.4GHz Slipstream connection.
CONCLUSIONS
Even with the random hiccups from the Scuf, it isn't enough for me to put it back in the box. I really appreciate how thoughtfully and well-designed the product is. Button placements, switch locations, everything feels, and is located, nearly perfectly. At least for me anyway. I have confidence that Corsair will continue their refinement of the Envision Pro and can squash the bugs that still plague the controller. If I were a competitive gamer, I would most likely feel differently, but as a casual gamer, that enjoys a good campaign, the Scuf Envision makes games easier and more enjoyable to play.
Games like Doom Dark Ages that have combinations that require multiple and specific button combinations to perform are much easier on the Envision. That is what gaming is all about. I have found that Doom is markedly easier to play with the Scuf versus my previous base model controller. If only my skills were this easily improved.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Ideal for the home, office, or dorm, Seagate Expansion desktop drive offers enormous desktop storage for photos, movies, music and more. Backing up and transferring content is incredibly easy ~ just drag and drop! To get set up, connect the USB hard drive to Windows or Mac ~ no software required. For Apple Time Machine, simply reformat. Included is an 18-inch USB 3.0 cable and 18W power adapter. Plus, Seagate Expansion comes with Rescue Data Recovery Services for additional peace of mind.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Massive Storage / Good Transfer Speeds
on August 16, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
PROS
Massive 18.1TB usable storage
No additional drivers needed for Windows
Includes Data Recovery Services with Purchase
CONS
Rotating HDD will never match speeds of SSD
Antiquated USB 3.0 interface
Needs an external power source
Data Recovery Services require drive to be sent to Seagate
USE
There isn’t a whole lot to write about the Seagate Expansion hard drive. It is a massive 20TB 3.5” spinning drive housed in a small enclosure. That 20TB equates to 18.1TB of usable storage once formatted.
Using my latest Asus V500 desktop, enabling Windows Write Caching in the Policy Settings, and a 5Gb USB 3.0 port, I achieved the following file transfer times:
1GB – 27.35 seconds
3.42GB - 12.14 seconds
16.1GB - 1min, 5.14seconds
Yes, the 1GB file took nearly twice as long as the 3GB file. I find that Windows accesses the drive on a regular basis to index files. If you happen to try a read / write command to the drive during this time, transfers are slow and take a bit. If you request a read / write command when the drive isn’t being accessed, speeds are very good. Much better than many other drives on the market. Just over 1 minute to transfer 16GB to a spinning hard drive is quite good.
CONS
Windows Indexing Services (enabled by default on all Windows PC’s) can affect overall transfer speeds.
The Data Recovery Services offered by Seagate with purchase of the drive are not included in a separate partition on the drive. Should the drive fail, you must send the drive to Seagate for extraction and recovery. Seagate will then send you back an encrypted thumb drive with any data they are able to recover. I understand why Seagate chose to do this, but I don’t necessarily agree with it. I don’t like storing sensitive data on an external drive and if it fails, needs sent to a 3rd party that, in turn, would have access to that information.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Seagate Expansion hard drive offers a TON of storage at a reasonable price. 20TB will hold a bunch of data and while nVME’s and SSD’s are all the rage, they can’t compete with a good, old-fashioned spinning drive for storage and price.
I’ve used Seagate Iron Wolf drives for years and have had excellent reliability with them. I’m hoping the Expansion drive continues my success. If you need a massive amount of storage with speedy transfer times, the Seagate Expansion external HDD deserves a look.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Designed for modern hybrid workspaces, the Pro EX9270 offers a bright, dynamic display that elevates visibility and cultivates collaboration. See and be seen with images up to 300''~4x the size of a 75'' flat panel~perfect for maximizing productivity. The Pro EX9270 offers 4,100 lumens of color brightness (IDMS rated) and 4,100 lumens of white brightness (ISO Rated)~ for bright images~even in well-lit spaces. Stunning Full HD 1080p resolution, combined with real-time adaptive scene-by-scene color processing, helps ensure vibrant colors and sharp contrast, every time you display. With Apple AirPlay, wirelessly stream videos, music, photos and presentations to your projector right from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac for hassle-free content sharing~. Plus, easily mirror your screen and stream directly from your Windows PC using Miracast~. With a wide range of connectivity options and a built-in speaker, you can connect devices such as Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Roku and Chromecast for streaming~, right out of the box. In addition, you can connect laptops for seamless video conferencing, Zoom meetings and more. And enjoy easy installation in nearly any space with 1.6x optical zoom, keystone correction and four-corner adjustment for accurate alignment.
 
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Customer Rating
1 out of 5
1
Shatters the Pedestal I had Epson Projectors On
on August 9, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: Excellent brightness, but fan noise makes it problematic for anything but the largest conference rooms. Features and firmware are not yet available.
PROS
Upto 4000 lumens of brightness
1920 x 1080 full HD resolution
Multiple connection options including AirPlay
CONS
Below average contrast ratio
Brightness comes at the cost of high fan noise
Product released without firmware to fix bugs
Unresponsive Remote Control
THEATER USE
I’ve had Epson projectors in my theater for years now. Starting with the 880, upgrading to a 3800, then a 5040UBe, and now the 9270. I had high hopes for the 9270. On paper the 9270 had impressive specs. Light output to 4000 lumens, full HD resolution, all wrapped in a package that is about 25% smaller in every dimension than my 3800, nearly half the size of my old 5040UBe.
I was IMMEDIATELY disappointed in the 9270 on fire up. I could tell right away that this is not worthy of the Epson Pro designation. Starting with the lack of contrast between the light and dark sections. Nothing nearly as good as my similarly priced 3800. Blacks are a very light gray and shadow details are nearly non-existent, being washed out by the projectors’ inability to control light output. I know others will say I am probably comparing apples to oranges, but I am doing back-to-back 1080p comparisons. Even though that 3800 is a “4k” projector, it isn’t. It pixel shifts. At heart, it is a 3LCD, 1080p projector, just like the 9270 is.
Second. The dynamic iris is extremely noisy during operation. Distractedly so. It sounds like a set of stripped gears rattling around inside the projector when being activated. A crunchy and grinding sound overpowers quiet scenes in movies. To be fair, the 3800 exhibited these same traits when I first installed it, but an immediate firmware update remedied the situation. That’s not an option with this projector.
Lastly. The 9270 can throw out a terrifically bright image. In my light controlled, dedicated theater the 9270 can put my current Epson 3800 to shame. Even on ECO mode, the 9270 is significantly brighter. Producing bright images and rich colors. But, that beautiful, bright image is also its downfall. Bright lights = Loud fans. Even on Eco mode the 9270’s fan is considerably louder than my 3800. Take it out of Eco mode to enjoy a huge and bright picture and the fan noise is so loud it will drown out voices. Unacceptable for theater use.
CONFERENCE ROOM USE
The 9270 was never marketed as a true home theater projector, but most projectors can serve dual duty. To be fair to the 9270, I decided to try it in a home office setting. Again, I was left wanting. The fan noise is just too loud to use. Obnoxious when sitting on a table and projecting on a wall-mounted screen. Not much better when mounted 10ft in the air. The fan is just too dang loud. An office setting makes it that much worse. Because it is harder to control lighting, it forces you to use the 9270 on Normal mode instead of Eco.
That fan is so loud, it is audible over Teams or Zoom meetings. Not to mention when it is on a conference room table, everyone must raise their voices to talk over the projector. Ceiling mounting options don’t help a great deal either. That fan just sits and howls above your head. I love the light output, but the fan destroys a good thing. I would trade a dimmer picture for a quieter fan.
APPLE AIRPLAY
One of the most desirable features of the 9270 was its support for Apple AirPlay. That is EXTREMELY convenient for simple streaming from an iOS device.
After 3 failed attempts to update the firmware, the 9270 finally managed to install the latest firmware. Good thing, as the remote control no longer works with the projector. AirPlay performance is spotty, at best. During my testing, roughly 25% of the apps recognized the projector as an AirPlay destination. The other 75% of the apps I tested, found every other compatible device on my network (a total of 12), but not the projector.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This product isn’t ready for prime time. There are still too many bugs to fix. To add insult to injury, the projector has stopped taking all commands from its remote control. The remote worked perfectly 2 days ago during set-up and hours of movie and TV watching but now it refuses to control the projector. I know it's working. I have a separate IR receiver for all my gear inside an equipment closet. If I aim the remote at the receiver, I get an acknowledgement that it received commands, but the projector still refuses to operate via the remote, even after installing fresh batteries.
There are VERY few products that I give 1-star ratings to. Most products, even if they don’t do it for me, have some redeeming qualities about them. Unfortunately, I can’t find any redeemable qualities to recommend this projector.
A non-functional remote. Spotty Wi-Fi connectivity. No available firmware updates available via the Epson website, and a fan that is louder than any gaming laptop I’ve ever tested.
It hurts. I’ve had Epson projectors in my house for years now. Many, many years. I’ve recommended Epson projectors to friends and family. I’ve installed Epson projectors for family members. When my work was remodeling the conference room, they asked me what projector I’d use? You guessed it, I said, Epson. We’ve all loved them. The EX9270? Nope.
NOT RECOMMENDED
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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HP OMEN Obelisk by HP Desktop: Play graphically intense games with this HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer. You can easily store large amounts of media and other data on the 1TB hard drive and install games and programs on the 256GB SSD for fast access. This HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer has 16GB of memory for multitasking effectively, and the Intel Core i7-9700 processor handles resource-intense programs efficiently.
 

How many cores are there in this pc

8 Cores / 8 Threads. Intel has disabled hyper-threading on its i7 processors.
6 years, 2 months ago
by
NAMO
 
HP OMEN Obelisk by HP Desktop: Play graphically intense games with this HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer. You can easily store large amounts of media and other data on the 1TB hard drive and install games and programs on the 256GB SSD for fast access. This HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer has 16GB of memory for multitasking effectively, and the Intel Core i7-9700 processor handles resource-intense programs efficiently.
 

The advertisement and stated processor says its a 9th gen i7-9700 however if you click on the pdf information for this computer it states that it is an 8th Gen i7-8700? Also indicates that graphics are onboard and not the GPU?

It is the 9th Generation 9700 processor with an nVidia GTX 1660Ti graphics card. I believe all the Intel processors include onboard graphics.
6 years, 2 months ago
by
NAMO
 
This Pioneer BDR-XD05S external drive allows you to archive up to 128GB of data on BD-R QL media and up to 100GB of data on BD-R TL media, plus supports DVD and CD formats, so you can burn your favorite movies and music to discs.
 

can a windows 7 computer boot from this drive ?

You should have no issues as long as your bios supports this feature.
8 years, 1 month ago
by
NAMO
 
This Pioneer BDR-XD05S external drive allows you to archive up to 128GB of data on BD-R QL media and up to 100GB of data on BD-R TL media, plus supports DVD and CD formats, so you can burn your favorite movies and music to discs.
 

Is this compatible with a Surface Book?

Mine did not work correctly with a Surface Pro, even with a powered hub. It has worked perfectly with every other computer and/or laptop I've tried it with, though.
8 years, 1 month ago
by
NAMO
 
Relax and enjoy your favorite films, sporting events or shows on the expansive 65-inch screen of this LG 4K HD TV. Active HDR with Dolby Vision creates an immersive experience with clear images. This LG 4K HD TV features a thin OLED design, giving the television a slender silhouette that doesn't take up much space.
 

Difference between the 2016 vs 2017 models? Any one what the pros/cons?

From my research, it appears the big differences are that the 2017 models come with LG's latest OS installed (WebOS 3.5 vs WebOS 3.0). LG has also worked some magic on the video processing too. They are now able to get more detail in the very darkest portions of an image, where the 2016 models would sign off on the darkest details earlier & just represent them as total black. Lastly, they able to tweak the light output on the panels to improve overall brightness, which was a common complaint of the 2016 models that were installed in fairly bright rooms from what I have heard.

Thanks. Hope this helps.
8 years, 3 months ago
by
NAMO
 
Relax and enjoy your favorite films, sporting events or shows on the expansive 65-inch screen of this LG 4K HD TV. Active HDR with Dolby Vision creates an immersive experience with clear images. This LG 4K HD TV features a thin OLED design, giving the television a slender silhouette that doesn't take up much space.
 

When is bestbuy going to sell the LG B7 65 inch model?

I don't think they will. It is my understanding that the B7 is identical to the C7, but intended for Costco and/or Sam's only.
8 years, 3 months ago
by
NAMO