NAMO's stats
- Review count148
- Helpfulness votes1,061
- First reviewJanuary 28, 2017
- Last reviewMay 13, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.1
Reviews comments
- Review comment count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentNone
- Last review commentNone
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count16
- Helpfulness votes13
- First answerJune 2, 2017
- Last answerDecember 9, 2021
- Featured answers0
- Best answers1
Fuel your system performance with the Crucial® T500 Gen4 NVMe® SSD. Experience faster gaming – perfect for PS5™ upgrades. Amp up your creative potential with solid state storage that moves as fast as you need it to. Heavy tasks are no problem with better performance to power efficiency, and our heatsink gives you quiet heat dissipation in a sleek design.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding Performance / Good Warranty
on January 9, 2024
Posted by: NAMO
SUMMARY
The T500 is a premium offering from Crucial with the hardware to back it up. It reached some of the fastest Gen 4 speeds I’ve ever recorded, has 2GB of DRAM, a life expectancy of 1200 TBW, and is fully compatible with the PS5.
The T500 is a premium offering from Crucial with the hardware to back it up. It reached some of the fastest Gen 4 speeds I’ve ever recorded, has 2GB of DRAM, a life expectancy of 1200 TBW, and is fully compatible with the PS5.
INTRO
The T500 represents Crucial’s (Crucial is owned by Micron) premium entry into the consumer NVMe market. Crucial has put all the necessary hardware on the drive to make it a top performer in the field and the specs and the results prove it. The T500 is capable of sequential read speeds up to 7400MB/s and write speeds of 7000 MB/s. Crucial places approximately 1GB of DRAM per TB, so this 2TB SSD is equipped with 2GB of DDR4 DRAM. Managing all of this is the latest Phison controller that supports Microsoft’s DirectStorage tech. Warranty on the drive is 5 years with an endurance rating of 1200TBW.
The T500 represents Crucial’s (Crucial is owned by Micron) premium entry into the consumer NVMe market. Crucial has put all the necessary hardware on the drive to make it a top performer in the field and the specs and the results prove it. The T500 is capable of sequential read speeds up to 7400MB/s and write speeds of 7000 MB/s. Crucial places approximately 1GB of DRAM per TB, so this 2TB SSD is equipped with 2GB of DDR4 DRAM. Managing all of this is the latest Phison controller that supports Microsoft’s DirectStorage tech. Warranty on the drive is 5 years with an endurance rating of 1200TBW.
SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
My test computer is a new 2023 Asus ExpertCenter. It has a 13th generation Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and most importantly, supports the latest Gen4 NVMe interface. The computer came with a Micron Gen 4 NVMe drive installed, but it was only a 500GB model and honestly, speeds into and out of the drive were underwhelming. Far from what I would have expected from a Gen 4 drive.
My test computer is a new 2023 Asus ExpertCenter. It has a 13th generation Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and most importantly, supports the latest Gen4 NVMe interface. The computer came with a Micron Gen 4 NVMe drive installed, but it was only a 500GB model and honestly, speeds into and out of the drive were underwhelming. Far from what I would have expected from a Gen 4 drive.
While I was hoping for improved performance from the desktop, my real reason for installing the T500 is I am trying to make the Asus a mild gaming PC in addition to its daily chores as my primary workhorse. After installing just 2 games on an otherwise fresh install of Windows 11, I had clogged up over 60% of my existing drive. This was forcing me to store larger work files on my NAS and my performance was dropping off rapidly, the fuller the 500GB model got. Storage room improved significantly with the T500 as final capacity after partitioning, provisioning, and installation of Windows 11 yielded 1.83TB of usable storage space.
After installing the drive in the desktop and a fresh copy of Windows 11, it was time to reload all the latest drivers, my current choice of games, and all the latest productivity and business software. Surprisingly, the computer was much more responsive. Opening and installing large files seemed much quicker. Larger video driver downloads compiled faster and were much quicker to open after download. The computer just seemed peppier and no matter what I asked of the desktop, it just felt much snappier and less labored.
I thought this was more of a mind trick than anything. I had made myself believe that after spending all this time installing the drive and re-downloading all the software I use, this desktop must be quicker. Kind of like when you put a shiny new part on your car and you swear it runs better, has more power, and gets better mileage. So, was I just making myself believe it, or was it faster? Time to find out. Fingers crossed, because this installation, update, and all the software downloads & installs took a while. Ugh.
Queuing up CrystalDiskMark confirmed my observations. The desktop is decidedly faster than it was. Going from one Micron drive to another shows a vast disparity in drives with the same Gen 4 interface. Attached are photos of the results. The T500 is nearly twice as fast as my old NVMe drive. Sequential and Random read and write speeds are right at where Crucial claims they should be, topping more than 7000MB/s. Outstanding. Even more impressive, is that even during all my benchmarking, the drive never got over 71C and never thermal throttled. Partly because of good case airflow, but mostly due to the integrated heatsink on the drive. A worthy option whether you are installing the drive in a PS5 or a desktop.
Synthetic benchmarks aside, this drive is markedly faster in day-to-day tasks. Opening larger driver installation packages is much quicker. Driver installs, game installs, everything happens much quicker with the T500. To prove my theory, I used my 2 newest games I purchased over the holidays. The files are massive (both games clocked in at over 80+ GB each). Once the games are downloaded, the installer goes back, reads, and verifies the installation. With over 80GB per game, this can take a while and it did.
My old Micron drive averaged just over 1 GB/s read speeds (sorry, I don’t have photos documenting). Top read speed was approximately 1.25 GB/s. Not bad. However, the T500 crushed it. Game verification was taking place at over 4 GB/s with speeds reaching up to 4.3 GB/s. That’s nearly 4x the increase in performance! This is immediately noticeable when opening a large application, starting a new game, installing drivers, etc.
NEGATIVES
The only negative I find about the T500 is its lack of hardware-based encryption. I scoured the Crucial website and even their product literature and can find no mention of support for encryption. A premium drive of this caliber deserves the ability to support hardware-based data encryption, especially one that Crucial is billing not only as a gaming drive, but as a drive designed for demanding workloads.
The only negative I find about the T500 is its lack of hardware-based encryption. I scoured the Crucial website and even their product literature and can find no mention of support for encryption. A premium drive of this caliber deserves the ability to support hardware-based data encryption, especially one that Crucial is billing not only as a gaming drive, but as a drive designed for demanding workloads.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The lack of hardware-based data encryption is the only fault I can find with the T500. It is an excellent drive that can reach the upper limits of data throughput in the Gen 4 interface. It has a great warranty and is made using, in my experience over the years, Micron’s excellent memory chips. I have had nothing but exceptional performance from my Crucial and Micron products. I’ve been using a low-end P3 in another desktop for years without issue. I have no doubt this drive will serve consumers well and will continue with Crucial’s excellent reliability.
The lack of hardware-based data encryption is the only fault I can find with the T500. It is an excellent drive that can reach the upper limits of data throughput in the Gen 4 interface. It has a great warranty and is made using, in my experience over the years, Micron’s excellent memory chips. I have had nothing but exceptional performance from my Crucial and Micron products. I’ve been using a low-end P3 in another desktop for years without issue. I have no doubt this drive will serve consumers well and will continue with Crucial’s excellent reliability.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
Boost your skills with the controller innovations from Nacon. Officially licensed for PlayStation, the Revolution 5 Pro delivers unmatched performance and reliability in a wireless game controller for PS5, PS4 and PC. Revolutionary features include magnetic Hall effect joysticks, adjustable trigger blockers, swappable D-pad designs, and Bluetooth audio.
Customer Rating
2
No PS5 Haptics / Awkwardly Placed Triggers
on January 7, 2024
Posted by: NAMO
SUMMARY: With lack of support for PS5 haptic feedback and the underside buttons that are unreachable for all of those without the longest of fingers, this is a no-go for me.
INITIAL THOUGHTS
The Nacon controller has a heavy and robust feel to it. Heavier than my “Elite” controller from a different supplier. In addition to the premium feel, Nacon has put in great effort to make the Revolution appealing. It has optional D-Pads, ballast weights, fully customizable buttons and mappings, onboard memory to save profiles, 3 connection options (wired, Bluetooth, wireless with the included 2.4GHz dongle), micophone input and volume controls. One of the biggest advantages of the Revolution, is Nacon’s use of the Hall effect switches in its joysticks. This nearly all but eliminates the dreaded joystick drift some controllers get as they age. With no mechanical switches to wear out (Hall effect switches use magnets and magnetic pickups), the Nacon promises years of hopefully trouble-free use. If you are looking for a full-featured controller this thing checks nearly all boxes you can think of.
The Nacon controller has a heavy and robust feel to it. Heavier than my “Elite” controller from a different supplier. In addition to the premium feel, Nacon has put in great effort to make the Revolution appealing. It has optional D-Pads, ballast weights, fully customizable buttons and mappings, onboard memory to save profiles, 3 connection options (wired, Bluetooth, wireless with the included 2.4GHz dongle), micophone input and volume controls. One of the biggest advantages of the Revolution, is Nacon’s use of the Hall effect switches in its joysticks. This nearly all but eliminates the dreaded joystick drift some controllers get as they age. With no mechanical switches to wear out (Hall effect switches use magnets and magnetic pickups), the Nacon promises years of hopefully trouble-free use. If you are looking for a full-featured controller this thing checks nearly all boxes you can think of.
SET-UP
I used the Revolution on a couple of different PC’s, which it is fully compatible with, as I don’t play on a PS5 or PS4, often playing “on the other team” if you will. After downloading the software for Windows 11, I was surprised. I didn’t think anyone still made software look and feel like Windows 3.1 or Windows 95. Time to invest a few bucks on your app Nacon. To make matters even more difficult, the controller cannot be plugged directly into a PC and used, configured, or upgraded. There is a VERY specific sequence you must perform to get the PC and the Nacon software to recognize the controller. Follow them to the letter and it works, try to take a shortcut and the software fails to recognize the controller whether it is hardwired, Bluetoothed, or wirelessly connected through the dongle. Unacceptable in today’s day and age. On a positive note, once configured and the firmware updated, you can connect the controller to a PC without the software, but any changes that need to be made, will require reconnecting it to a PC via the USB cable and following the software to the letter each time. Frustrating and unnecessary.
I used the Revolution on a couple of different PC’s, which it is fully compatible with, as I don’t play on a PS5 or PS4, often playing “on the other team” if you will. After downloading the software for Windows 11, I was surprised. I didn’t think anyone still made software look and feel like Windows 3.1 or Windows 95. Time to invest a few bucks on your app Nacon. To make matters even more difficult, the controller cannot be plugged directly into a PC and used, configured, or upgraded. There is a VERY specific sequence you must perform to get the PC and the Nacon software to recognize the controller. Follow them to the letter and it works, try to take a shortcut and the software fails to recognize the controller whether it is hardwired, Bluetoothed, or wirelessly connected through the dongle. Unacceptable in today’s day and age. On a positive note, once configured and the firmware updated, you can connect the controller to a PC without the software, but any changes that need to be made, will require reconnecting it to a PC via the USB cable and following the software to the letter each time. Frustrating and unnecessary.
USE
Having little time with controllers modelled after the PlayStation, I thought I would have trouble adapting to the Nacon set-up. While it is different than the controllers I normally play with, I had little trouble adapting to the shape of the Revolution. Most switches, triggers, and pads were in easy reach and it didn’t take long to feel comfortable with the new-to-me design.
Having little time with controllers modelled after the PlayStation, I thought I would have trouble adapting to the Nacon set-up. While it is different than the controllers I normally play with, I had little trouble adapting to the shape of the Revolution. Most switches, triggers, and pads were in easy reach and it didn’t take long to feel comfortable with the new-to-me design.
One thing that I absolutely despise about the Revolution is the horribly placed buttons on the underside of the controller. They are very difficult to reach and awkwardly placed, making them nearly impossible to intuitively use. This is not something I have experienced with my current “Elite” controller. Everything fits and feels right at home. Thinking it was just a personal preference on my behalf, I gave the controller to my teenage gamer to try, not telling him any of my experiences with it. After about an hour, he brought the controller back out and said: “No Thanks. I don’t know who designed those buttons on the underside, but they stink.” Little did he know, my thoughts exactly.
Lastly, while the controller is supposed to be fully configurable. Owners can use the Nacon software, or Windows to configure the controller. Using it on some Game Pass games yielded mixed results. Even though games would detect the controller and all its configurable buttons and triggers, a few games failed to save the configuration information rendering custom mappings unusable. A good example of this is Forza Motorsport. Forza uses the Left and Right triggers, by default, for throttle and brake. They were mapped incorrectly with the Nacon. Using the Forza menu, I remapped the controller to use the left and right triggers, but no matter what I tried, the game would not save the configuration of the device. This behavior was not just limited to Forza but happened during other games at times as well. A behavior I have not experienced with ANY other manufacturers’ products. So, I am hoping this is something Nacon can iron out with a firmware update.
CONCLUSION
Having used controllers from other manufacturers, the Nacon Revolution is one of my least favorite controllers to date. Configuration glitches and a poor design that renders bottom buttons and triggers nearly unusable doesn’t cut it for me. I could excuse the configuration issues, as one can always find some sort of workaround, if the controller had a nearly perfect fit and feel, but I cannot overlook the poor ergonomics. Add to the that, the lack of vibration support with the Playstation and the Nacon does not have enough going for it to give it a positive recommendation.
Having used controllers from other manufacturers, the Nacon Revolution is one of my least favorite controllers to date. Configuration glitches and a poor design that renders bottom buttons and triggers nearly unusable doesn’t cut it for me. I could excuse the configuration issues, as one can always find some sort of workaround, if the controller had a nearly perfect fit and feel, but I cannot overlook the poor ergonomics. Add to the that, the lack of vibration support with the Playstation and the Nacon does not have enough going for it to give it a positive recommendation.
NOT RECOMMENDED
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
Say hai to a smart sustainable showerhead. Water-powered Bluetooth technology connects to the hai app, helping you track your water usage - no batteries required. Save water with customizable LED alerts, indicating when the water's reached your perfect temperature and when you're at your set water use target. A specially designed patented spray slider makes it easy to adjust between a high-pressure stream to a steamy fine mist. hai features more coverage than the average showerhead and is perfect for low-flow environments. Constructed with durable, high-quality, stainless-steel materials and a smooth bacterial-resistance hose, hai can be mounted on the wall or used as a handled shower device. A 2-year warranty lets you buy with confidence.
Customer Rating
2
A Thoughtfully-Designed Product, But Is It Needed?
on January 3, 2024
Posted by: NAMO
SUMMARY: The Hai showerhead is a thoughtfully designed product, that is easy to install and even with the water savings features, still gives out plenty of pressure for a pleasant shower. However, one must question, do you REALLY need a smart showerhead? Does a lowly showerhead really need smarts? For most, I’d say no.
SET-UP
App installation and configuration went flawlessly on my Android based smartphone. Following Hai’s instructions, left nothing to the imagination and account creation and set-up were top notch. The showerhead is powered solely by water flow, it has no battery and no capacitor, so it must be installed first and the water running to provide power to the Bluetooth radio installed. This is all explained in the installation instructions in the app. Once installed, my phone found the showerhead, updated the firmware.
App installation and configuration went flawlessly on my Android based smartphone. Following Hai’s instructions, left nothing to the imagination and account creation and set-up were top notch. The showerhead is powered solely by water flow, it has no battery and no capacitor, so it must be installed first and the water running to provide power to the Bluetooth radio installed. This is all explained in the installation instructions in the app. Once installed, my phone found the showerhead, updated the firmware.
The downside is that since the showerhead has no way store energy for the Bluetooth radio, the water must remain on and running for the entire set-up, firmware update, initial configuration, and subsequent app changes. I find this quite disconcerting for a product made to help the owner save water, as I just wasted nearly 10 minutes of water use setting the product up.
INSTALLATION
Hai has done an outstanding job designing the showerhead. I have no complaints about the installation process. Hai has designed in thoughtful touches and items everywhere. My biggest kudos go to their team that designed the adapter for the water inlet. This is the first time I’ve ever installed a product that didn’t need a set of vice grips or adjustable wrench to install. They thoughtfully designed a wing onto the threaded connector allowing a homeowner to tighten the showerhead tool-free. AMAZING. I wish more manufacturers followed Hai’s lead. Furthermore, each connection in the system includes a soft rubber washer, eliminating the need to install Teflon tape at each fitting for a leak-free seal. Kudos Hai. You deserve it.
Hai has done an outstanding job designing the showerhead. I have no complaints about the installation process. Hai has designed in thoughtful touches and items everywhere. My biggest kudos go to their team that designed the adapter for the water inlet. This is the first time I’ve ever installed a product that didn’t need a set of vice grips or adjustable wrench to install. They thoughtfully designed a wing onto the threaded connector allowing a homeowner to tighten the showerhead tool-free. AMAZING. I wish more manufacturers followed Hai’s lead. Furthermore, each connection in the system includes a soft rubber washer, eliminating the need to install Teflon tape at each fitting for a leak-free seal. Kudos Hai. You deserve it.
USE
This is going to be much shorter than my typical explanations, as it boils down to looking at the multi-function LED on the water-powered, power supply. The light is programmable and customizable via the Hai app. It reports a Bluetooth connection, water temperature, and water used.
First up, using the Hai app, you can set the LED to change colors based on the number of gallons of water used. The default is 20 but can be adjusted higher or lower from there. When you reach the preset limit, the LED changes to your designated color indicating you have reached your preset water usage limit.
This is going to be much shorter than my typical explanations, as it boils down to looking at the multi-function LED on the water-powered, power supply. The light is programmable and customizable via the Hai app. It reports a Bluetooth connection, water temperature, and water used.
First up, using the Hai app, you can set the LED to change colors based on the number of gallons of water used. The default is 20 but can be adjusted higher or lower from there. When you reach the preset limit, the LED changes to your designated color indicating you have reached your preset water usage limit.
The second, and most useful feature, is the water temperature indicator. The homeowner can set the showerhead to change the color of the LED based on their preferred water temperature. It is supposed to be a conservation item, but let’s face it, who wants to jump into a cold shower in the morning? The Hai will monitor water temperature and change LED color based on your preferences, giving you a visual indication that the water has warmed up and is now a decent temperature. This is by far, my favorite feature.
NEGATIVES
The most obvious negative is that with no means to store and retain energy in the device, most features are only available while water is actively spinning the impellers inside the device generating power. Shortly after powering off the showerhead, most features are unavailable. Any configuration changes, firmware updates, etc must be done with the water running. This partially negates the purpose of having a water saving showerhead. I either must take my phone with me in the shower (ain’t gonna happen) or I have to waste water to make app changes or firmware updates.
The most obvious negative is that with no means to store and retain energy in the device, most features are only available while water is actively spinning the impellers inside the device generating power. Shortly after powering off the showerhead, most features are unavailable. Any configuration changes, firmware updates, etc must be done with the water running. This partially negates the purpose of having a water saving showerhead. I either must take my phone with me in the shower (ain’t gonna happen) or I have to waste water to make app changes or firmware updates.
I rarely take my phone into the bathroom with me while showering. Because of this, the showerhead never updates my usage patterns and trends. On the rare occasion I do take my phone with me, it will populate the statistics, but not without the water running. So, if I have my phone in the bathroom while showering, I get statistical update. However, if I shower and then 5 minutes later go grab my phone and come back the bathroom, no updates.
Lastly, there are no user profiles that can be set up in the app. Whomever sets up the showerhead makes the determinations for LED indicator. Share your shower with a spouse? There is no way to compare their water usage and saving to yours.
CONCLUSIONS
In a nutshell, would I buy this for myself or recommend to a friend or loved one? The answer is no. I never thought I would say it, but there are somethings that just don’t need tech. The showerhead is one of them. Aside from monitoring the water temperature, ensuring I don’t jump into a cold shower, there isn’t anything this showerhead does, I can’t do with a simple timer. Hey, A****. Set a timer for 10 minutes. Done.
In a nutshell, would I buy this for myself or recommend to a friend or loved one? The answer is no. I never thought I would say it, but there are somethings that just don’t need tech. The showerhead is one of them. Aside from monitoring the water temperature, ensuring I don’t jump into a cold shower, there isn’t anything this showerhead does, I can’t do with a simple timer. Hey, A****. Set a timer for 10 minutes. Done.
The biggest kicker is that while Hai promotes this as a water saving device, you must waste water to program it and update it. I get that this may not have to be done very often, but it still defeats the purpose. With no way to store power in the device, no shower means no running water. No running water means no updates and no communications. I see limited appeal in the product.
NOT RECOMMENDED.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
ECOVACS DEEBOT T20 OMNI not only cleans floors, it cleans itself too – leaving you to more important things. The OZMO™ Turbo mopping system with dual spinning mops now features automatic mop lifting for seamless cleaning of every type of floor surface. The all-in-one OMNI station automatically empties the dustbin, washes the mops with hot water, and dries them with hot air – and is ready to clean again.
Customer Rating
5
A Smart Vac & Mop All-In-One
on November 4, 2023
Posted by: NAMO
SUMMARY: Rarely do appliances impress me as much as the Deebot T20 Omni has. If you are in the market for a robot vacuum but know there are times that you would also like to have your floor mopped to be extra clean, this is for you.
SET-UP
This is my first Ecovacs product and I wasn’t sure how it would compare and perform to my current robot vacuum. My current robot vacuum and proven so reliable and simple to set-up and maintain, I didn’t give Ecovacs much of a chance to compete. I will be the first to admit, I was wrong and have been nothing but impressed with the little Ecovacs Deebot.
This is my first Ecovacs product and I wasn’t sure how it would compare and perform to my current robot vacuum. My current robot vacuum and proven so reliable and simple to set-up and maintain, I didn’t give Ecovacs much of a chance to compete. I will be the first to admit, I was wrong and have been nothing but impressed with the little Ecovacs Deebot.
Account creation is easy and simple to set up. The app itself is intuitive and very comprehensive. Ecovacs supplies a QR code to download their software, whether it be Google or Apple. Once installed and your account is created, the app walks you through setting up the Deebot. Easy and painless. The app guides you through the set-up process and the Deebot tells you what you need to do to complete set-up. Yes, the Omni T20 has its own built-in voice assistant. Between the app and the voice assistant guiding you through the set-up process, it doesn’t get any easier.
I wish other companies were as thorough and spent as much time as Ecovacs clearly has, prior to releasing their products. While there was a firmware update waiting for me when I brought the Deebot online, at no time did it ever feel like the firmware or app was half-baked.
USE
I first started the Ecovac alongside my current robot vacuum. The Ecovac was significantly quicker at mapping out my lower level of my house. My current vacuum had to be babysat while it made its way around my lower level. I either had to put up a physical barrier to stop it from going where I didn’t want it or use its provided boundary tool to put up an invisible fence. It took nearly and hour and a half to complete its initial mapping run.
I first started the Ecovac alongside my current robot vacuum. The Ecovac was significantly quicker at mapping out my lower level of my house. My current vacuum had to be babysat while it made its way around my lower level. I either had to put up a physical barrier to stop it from going where I didn’t want it or use its provided boundary tool to put up an invisible fence. It took nearly and hour and a half to complete its initial mapping run.
While I did have to babysit the Ecovac some, it wasn’t near as time consuming as its competitor. The Deebot drove out of its charger, and only went a few different places to map my downstairs. It didn’t have to go and physically run into every wall and/or barrier like its competitor. The Ecovac Deebot uses a combination of Lidar, cameras, and lasers to map its surroundings and detect obstacles. It is a much more refined, and by refined, I mean light years ahead of its
competition, in terms of obstacle identification and avoidance.
competition, in terms of obstacle identification and avoidance.
My current vac will go about its business, traveling at a preset speed until it gets close to a wall, counter, furniture, etc. Something that it knows is already there. Once it gets within a couple of inches of the obstacle, it slows down, bumps the obstacle, and then turns around going exactly one device width difference on its return path. Wash, rinse, repeat. However, put a pair of shoes, an animal’s toy, or worse yet a cord in its way, and you hope it doesn’t get tangled in its brush or agitator bar. If you are lucky and something bigger like a pair of shoes, it will just bump them (at full speed because its algorithm doesn’t know the obstacle is there) and then either move around the obstacle or turn around. This is especially frustrating with a pet’s food and water, as often the vac bumps the bowls hard enough to spill the contents on the floor. This is especially true if the bowls are not in the EXACT same spot they were when the vac initially mapped its surroundings.
Not so with the Deebot. Using AI associated with its camera, Lidar, and lasers, not only does it seamlessly map a room and its obstacles, but it can also see objects in its path that weren’t there when mapped. Shoes, no problem. Pet, no problem. Toys, no problem. Cords, no problem. No joke, I left a heavy piece of string on the floor and the Deebot saw it and moved around it. WOW! Obstacle detection works better than any device I’ve ever owned. Objects that used to wreak havoc with my current vac, are no issue for the Ecovacs Deebot.
CLEANING
After comparing it inside the house with my current vac, I gave the Deebot an impossible challenge. I wanted it to clean my man cave / workout room / hangout / converted garage. It is no easy chore as I often have stuff laying around that doesn’t get put back right away and to make matters worse, I installed a hard rubber tile over the floor with raised “coins”.
After comparing it inside the house with my current vac, I gave the Deebot an impossible challenge. I wanted it to clean my man cave / workout room / hangout / converted garage. It is no easy chore as I often have stuff laying around that doesn’t get put back right away and to make matters worse, I installed a hard rubber tile over the floor with raised “coins”.
After relocating the Deebot, it knew something had changed and requested that I remap the area. No biggie, I had some time. As it is a converted 2 ½ car garage, it is essentially one large room, but there are plenty of objects in the way. Thinking the Deebot would need to travel the area and get a look around, I set it loose, but stayed close by. It drove out of its base, toward the middle of the “garage”, spun around, and returned home. Mapping complete!!!! WOW! Not only was mapping complete, but when it uploaded the new map to the phone app, it really did see everything.
It had been a while since I cleaned up my area, so I set the Deebot on a vacuuming run. I wasn’t smart enough to look at the app and see that I don’t have to do each chore separate, I can tell the Deebot to do multiple jobs with one setting. You can vac, vac and mop, mop, or vac and then when done, mop. AWESOME. The Deebot started about its first chore. Suction power is top notch. Much stronger than my current vac. The Ecovac had no problems picking anything up off the floor it encountered.
Once done, I decided to give the mopping a try. Not having a lot of hope, I thought it couldn’t hurt. I often workout in bare feet or socks, so I like having a clean floor and the floor could use a good cleaning. But with the numerous raised coins on the tile and the short nap on the mop heads, I didn’t expect much. I was right. It didn’t do too much but hit the top of the coins. As expected, but I was remotely disappointed.
However, digging into the app and re-watching the instructional videos, I saw where you could tell the Deebot to use more cleaning solution, make more passes while mopping, and what level of dirtiness you think the floor is at. WOW!! Game changer. I went from its normal cleaning cycle to the deep cleaning cycle. Doing so, doubled the amount of passes it made in the room and setting the app to dirty and more solution allowed the little Deebot to get to the actual face of tile. Amazing.
After a few passes, the Deebot stopped cleaning and returned to the base. What? It isn’t even a 1/16th the way done. Great, another issue with an app or firmware. Off to the app I went. An issue? Nope. The app told me the Deebot had returned to the base to wash the pads off and reload them with clean solution. Really? Sweet! Sure enough, after a couple of minutes, the Deebot exited the base, returned to where it left off, lowered the mops and off it went. My dirty floors were clean. Better than I usually get them with mopping.
CONCLUSION
I am extremely fortunate to have a robot vac already and this Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni to use and compare back-to-back. My current robot vac does a good job at its assigned tasks. It is easy to use, requires minimal maintenance and is something I can pretty much set and forget knowing it will do a good job at cleaning up pet hair and day-to-day messes.
I am extremely fortunate to have a robot vac already and this Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni to use and compare back-to-back. My current robot vac does a good job at its assigned tasks. It is easy to use, requires minimal maintenance and is something I can pretty much set and forget knowing it will do a good job at cleaning up pet hair and day-to-day messes.
With that, would I buy a Deebot over a competitors’ robot vacuum? The answer is simple. The Deebot, without question. It has better suction, hence better cleaning power, can vacuum and/or mop without the user needing to do anything. It can switch between vacuuming and mopping by lifting or lowering it mops. So slick. Add to this, the vastly improved obstacle recognition and avoidance and the Deebot is a hands down winner in my book.
There is more maintenance with the Ecovac than my current vac. For example, you must clean filters more often and the water tanks only get you a couple of cleanings at most, that is if you aren’t using the deep clean function. But Ecovacs has done a fantastic job at keeping owners’ chores to a minimum. For example, as an owner, you don’t have to clean the mop heads after use. The Deebot takes care of it for you. Once it has completed mopping, it returns to the base, starts charging, heats the in-tank water and washes off the mop heads. Once clean, it dries them out and gets them ready for the next go round. The minimal increase in maintenance is worth it for the added functionality that the T20 offers. Like I stated in my summary, rarely do appliances impress me as much as the Deebot T20 Omni has.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
Unlock your car’s smart potential with the latest Nextbase iQ 4K Smart Dash Cam that’s always on duty. Predict threats and protect your car from anywhere using Live View, powered by 4G connectivity. See what your car sees and get custom alerts wherever you are. Park with confidence using Smart Sense Parking, as your iQ constantly scans the surrounding area of your vehicle, detecting potential intruders or vehicles backing up too close, allowing you to intervene using voice or an alarm.
Customer Rating
2
Has Potential, But Not Ready for Primetime
on November 2, 2023
Posted by: NAMO
SUMMARY – I have no doubts the IQ dashcam will one day be great, but it isn’t ready for mainstream, as important features are missing and/or not working yet.
INSTALLATION
The Nextbase IQ is easy to install. Nextbase includes every conceivable option to wire up their new flagship camera in the box. They include a pre-pinned OBD-II power adapter, fuses to fit nearly any car on the road (if your car takes one of the plastic fuses, regardless of size, Nextbase includes an adapter for you), and a stand alone red and black wire to manually tap power from any other convenient source, just in case any of their other options don’t work for you.
The Nextbase IQ is easy to install. Nextbase includes every conceivable option to wire up their new flagship camera in the box. They include a pre-pinned OBD-II power adapter, fuses to fit nearly any car on the road (if your car takes one of the plastic fuses, regardless of size, Nextbase includes an adapter for you), and a stand alone red and black wire to manually tap power from any other convenient source, just in case any of their other options don’t work for you.
Unlike some of my other dashcam installations, Nextbase has included a very generous length of wire to hook up their camera. I chose to mount my camera just to the right of my rearview mirror, running the power cable tucked into the headliner and down the front A-pillar to the OBD-II port located under the driver’s side dash. Even in my ½ ton, full-size pickup, I had plenty of wire to run power neatly and inconspicuously with some left over. Thank you Nextbase for including enough wire for those of us in the U.S.
The number of items included with their camera is very generous and much appreciated. From providing enough power wire, multiple power connection options, glass cleaner, and extra adhesive pads, the IQ camera’s extras go a long way for customer satisfaction and Nextbase deserves kudos for their selection.
APP
The IQ is accessed via the Nextbase IQ app. I installed the app on my Android smartphone and created my Nextbase account. The app installation went without issue, but the actual camera adoption did not. No matter what I tried, I could not get the QR Code to show on the IQ’s display. This QR code is used by the app to link to the IQ camera. Even with full cellular coverage, the QR code would not show up. The camera just had 2 arrows chasing themselves endlessly around in circles. No number of reboots fixed this issue.
The IQ is accessed via the Nextbase IQ app. I installed the app on my Android smartphone and created my Nextbase account. The app installation went without issue, but the actual camera adoption did not. No matter what I tried, I could not get the QR Code to show on the IQ’s display. This QR code is used by the app to link to the IQ camera. Even with full cellular coverage, the QR code would not show up. The camera just had 2 arrows chasing themselves endlessly around in circles. No number of reboots fixed this issue.
There is no other recourse or options to activate the camera, if the QR code won’t come up, other than contacting Nextbase customer service. Using the QR code associated with the troubleshooting card, I attempted to call Nextbase customer service. However, the QR code does not work and takes you to a number that is not in service. More frustration. Time to search it up. With Nextbase being in the UK, most information leads to the UK site and their contact information. It took nearly 15 minutes to find a US based customer service number, but I found it. I found it to learn that their US based customer service department was closed, and the recording gave no other information or options.
I wasn’t fully surprised the customer service line was closed, as it was after 7pm CDT. I went back to the troubleshooting card to look for other options to get the camera online. Their recommendation was to submit a trouble ticket via email. So, I tried. However, you can’t submit a help ticket without a serial number. Guess what? You can’t find a serial number on the IQ. Not without some form of disassembly. Because I couldn’t get it linked to the app, I couldn’t get the serial to submit a ticket. Awesome. Thanks, Nextbase. Nearly an hour wasted. Out of utter frustration, I unplugged the camera from the OBD-II port and gave up for the night. The amount of irritation isn’t worth it.
I came back out mid-morning the next day, expecting more heartache. For whatever reason, the camera booted up and displayed the QR code. After more than an hour of headache and irritation, the next day it booted without issue, and I was able to get it linked to my Nextbase account.
USE
The Nextbase app is the primary means to interact with the IQ camera (it does support verbal commands). Those, like me who are used to some form of other controls on their other Nextbase devices, will be surprised and possibly dismayed at the deletion of a touchscreen. The IQ communicates with your phone via Bluetooth if you are close, or via 4G for remote access. The new processor in the IQ is a marked improvement in processing power compared to my older Nextbase 322GW. It is quick to establish a Bluetooth or 4G connection and file transfers take mere seconds. Unlike my 322 which could be wonky and hit or miss establishing a connection for replay, the IQ has proven rock solid and reliably quick.
The Nextbase app is the primary means to interact with the IQ camera (it does support verbal commands). Those, like me who are used to some form of other controls on their other Nextbase devices, will be surprised and possibly dismayed at the deletion of a touchscreen. The IQ communicates with your phone via Bluetooth if you are close, or via 4G for remote access. The new processor in the IQ is a marked improvement in processing power compared to my older Nextbase 322GW. It is quick to establish a Bluetooth or 4G connection and file transfers take mere seconds. Unlike my 322 which could be wonky and hit or miss establishing a connection for replay, the IQ has proven rock solid and reliably quick.
The IQ includes a 4k front facing camera and a wide-angle rear facing camera. Using its AI brains, it can “see” around your vehicle. Mounted properly, the IQ can see just past your driver and passenger door (at least in my truck). Note that the IQ does not include a rear camera to see out the back of the vehicle. That must be purchased separately and is not yet available. For the utmost in coverage this camera is a must as it picks up where the front cameras stop and records video from behind the vehicle. This provides a nearly 360-degree view around your car or truck with minimal, if any, blind spots. Images from the front camera are recorded in super crisp 4k resolution with the rear facing cameras limited to 1440p resolution. Even so, the rear images are sharp and clear.
The IQ is like your car’s personal nanny. It continuously monitors your vehicle whether you are driving or not. If driving, it will report back any odd disturbances. It automatically saves the file on the device and if you have notifications set up, will send you a push notification, even though it isn’t necessary while driving.
Leaving your car is where the camera really pays off. If you opt for the option rear facing camera, the IQ will fully monitor your vehicle. Via the IQ app, you set the sensitivity of the monitoring. Anytime someone gets within your predefined area around the vehicle, the camera records it and sends you a push notification. Same if it detects a sudden jolt or jostle. It works well and if you have a decent view of the sky (as in, can get cell reception) events are sent quickly and reliably.
NEGATIVES
The biggest complaint is while there is so much to like about the camera, it still feels like a beta product and not all the features are available. Nextbase brags about their Guardian mode and Roadwatch AI features of the IQ. They sound great. Couldn’t wait to try them out, especially the Roadwatch where the camera will show on your phone, via the app, pedestrians, cyclists, other moving vehicles, lane departure, etc. in real-time. Sounds great. Almost like a real-time heads-up display for those of us with older vehicles. Well, it’s not available yet.
The biggest complaint is while there is so much to like about the camera, it still feels like a beta product and not all the features are available. Nextbase brags about their Guardian mode and Roadwatch AI features of the IQ. They sound great. Couldn’t wait to try them out, especially the Roadwatch where the camera will show on your phone, via the app, pedestrians, cyclists, other moving vehicles, lane departure, etc. in real-time. Sounds great. Almost like a real-time heads-up display for those of us with older vehicles. Well, it’s not available yet.
At least I can give the Guardian mode a shot. Real-time communication with drivers and passengers in the vehicle, including speed alerts, or aggressive driving notifications. Nope. Not yet available.
Like my Nextbase 322GW, the IQ is programmed to overlay a GPS map of each minute of driving (by default the camera records your driving in 1-minute increments). I love that feature on my 322. When you queue up a video from a trip, the software shows not only the video of your drive, but the exact location you are on a map, along with speed, etc. Nope. Not with the IQ. That feature doesn’t work either. I verified I had good GPS signal and after numerous trips, still haven’t received a complete replay of any drive. The only time I get a GPS hit is when the truck is sitting still and even then, takes several minutes to get an update on the app of your location.
This is unacceptable. If I have good GPS reception and good cellular reception, I hate to think I was relying on the IQ to call for help in the event of an accident. My 322GW is always spot on. My IQ has no idea where I am at, unless I leave the truck sit for a half-hour. Not only does it not know where I’m at, it has no idea what time it is. So, any accidents or witness videos could easily be disputed. I have the time set to auto and central time, but the IQ still shows London time on the display and when searching for videos, making it hard to find a specific recording.
CONCLUSIONS
I absolutely love my Nextbase 322GW. While it acts a little flaky at times, mainly because of the slow processor and questionable phone connection, it has proven to be a solid and reliable workhorse. I’ve used it for several years now and it has never given me an issue. It is small, inconspicuous, and I never have had to worry about whether or not it was going to work.
I absolutely love my Nextbase 322GW. While it acts a little flaky at times, mainly because of the slow processor and questionable phone connection, it has proven to be a solid and reliable workhorse. I’ve used it for several years now and it has never given me an issue. It is small, inconspicuous, and I never have had to worry about whether or not it was going to work.
I can’t say the same for the IQ. The app needs work, the camera still needs work. I have no doubt Nextbase will squash the bugs, but until they do, I would hold off buying an IQ. As of now, the IQ feels rushed to market and needed some additional R&D time prior to release. If, Nextbase can get the bugs worked out, I would have no problem recommending the IQ (even if they want to require a subscription to get all the features now). But, as of today, I can’t give a buy recommendation. There is just too much not ready yet.
NOT RECOMMENDED.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
+5points
9of 13voted this as helpful.
ASUS ExpertCenter D5 TEC features powerful, dependable and expandable performance, created especially for the unique needs of small business. Its ultracompact, flexible and sleek small form factor allows business users to enjoy flexible and neat workspace. Also, with help of our simplified small-business support services, you can enjoy reduced downtime and lower total cost of ownership.
Customer Rating
4
Premium Components, but Limited Upgrade Potential
on October 31, 2023
Posted by: NAMO
KEY SPECS AND FEATURES
CPU: i5-13400 (10 Cores / 16 Threads)
8GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM
512GB Gen 4 x 4 nVME SSD
Smart Card Reader / SD / MCC Reader
PS/2 Ports (Yes, for real)
Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6 Card with External Antennas
NO USB-C Connections
USB Keyboard and Mouse Included
8GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM
512GB Gen 4 x 4 nVME SSD
Smart Card Reader / SD / MCC Reader
PS/2 Ports (Yes, for real)
Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6 Card with External Antennas
NO USB-C Connections
USB Keyboard and Mouse Included
INITIAL SET-UP
Unlike my other Asus computers, initial set-up and updates did not go smoothly. Initial start-up and configuration went without issue and the computer started up and was running in no time. Browsing through the list of installed apps was a pleasant surprise as there is very little bloatware. Thank you, Asus, that is a welcome addition.
Unlike my other Asus computers, initial set-up and updates did not go smoothly. Initial start-up and configuration went without issue and the computer started up and was running in no time. Browsing through the list of installed apps was a pleasant surprise as there is very little bloatware. Thank you, Asus, that is a welcome addition.
Unfortunately, after initial start-up things went downhill before they got better. Windows update had several pending updates, including an Asus firmware update. That’s when things started going south. The firmware update triggered an error in my SSD configuration noting that it needed to be installed in a RAID configuration in the Bios. It was. I rebooted. Same error. Changed to AHCI. Same error. After a couple of reboots … BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). The PC failed to start entirely and went into diagnostic mode. Luckily, whatever was hanging it up, fixed itself, but not after many tense moments and a bunch of troubleshooting. After this initial headache, the computer has not experienced similar issues since.
USE
This is computer meant to be set-up, installed in an office, and never thought about again. It is quiet and unobtrusive. Even using nearly 100% available CPU resources, the Asus never got overly loud or obnoxious. However, that 100% CPU utilization was only for a brief time. There are no chassis or exhaust fans in the case, so repeated heavy use would most likely generate enough heat to either make the machine overly loud or thermal throttle.
This is computer meant to be set-up, installed in an office, and never thought about again. It is quiet and unobtrusive. Even using nearly 100% available CPU resources, the Asus never got overly loud or obnoxious. However, that 100% CPU utilization was only for a brief time. There are no chassis or exhaust fans in the case, so repeated heavy use would most likely generate enough heat to either make the machine overly loud or thermal throttle.
UPGRADEABILITY
I would rate the Asus a solid D- in upgradeability. For starters, as others have noted, it ships with an anemic 300W power supply. That severely limits the ability to add an aftermarket GPU to the PC. Those wanting a discrete GPU will likely need to pursue something like a low power Quadro card, or several generations old discrete graphics card.
I would rate the Asus a solid D- in upgradeability. For starters, as others have noted, it ships with an anemic 300W power supply. That severely limits the ability to add an aftermarket GPU to the PC. Those wanting a discrete GPU will likely need to pursue something like a low power Quadro card, or several generations old discrete graphics card.
The case has a popout on the front for what appears the ability to add a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. It even has the needed 5.25-inch opening in the chassis. However, there is no way to get that drive to fit without MAJOR surgery to front face plate. While it looks set up for a disc drive, the front cover will not accept one by default. To add insult to injury, not only will the front face not accept an optical disc drive, there are no available SATA headers on the motherboard to allow a data connection to said drive without buying an add-on card for a PCI-E slot.
On a positive note, the buyer can easily swap to a larger nVME drive or even add a second nVME drive, as there are provisions on the motherboard for 2 drives. The machine will also accept up to 64GB of 3200 MHz DDR4 RAM. It ships with 8 and I upgraded it shortly after getting all the kinks ironed out to 16GB. The additional 8GB or RAM greatly reduced overall system resource utilization.
CONCLUSION
If you are looking for a well-built PC to serve as the starting point for a build and upgrade it, this is not the PC for you. You are severely limited in upgrade options unless those options can be hooked up via a USB connection. Oh, and those connections better support USB-A, as there are no USB-C connections and no Thunderbolt connections. USB-A in both 3.0 and 2.0. Ugh.
If you are looking for a well-built PC to serve as the starting point for a build and upgrade it, this is not the PC for you. You are severely limited in upgrade options unless those options can be hooked up via a USB connection. Oh, and those connections better support USB-A, as there are no USB-C connections and no Thunderbolt connections. USB-A in both 3.0 and 2.0. Ugh.
For computing in an office environment or general home computing, this little Asus would be hard to beat. Even though short on RAM and SSD space, it is more than adequate for day-to-day tasks where it excels, asking for nothing in return.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
The DUEX Max DS is Mobile Pixels' most upgraded, portable dual-screen laptop accessory that makes multitasking effortless. It is ideal for 14" and larger laptops. The iconic portable, external monitors complement mobile work, entertainment on the go, and everything in between.
Customer Rating
5
Bright with good resolution / Simple Connectivity
on October 31, 2023
Posted by: NAMO
SYNOPSIS – A good way to improve productivity with minimal fuss.
INSTALLATION
The Duex add-on monitor is very simple to install and configure. Mobile Pixels includes 4 magnets, a paper template to guide installation of said magnets, additional adhesive pads, and a convenient QR code for installation instructions, though installation is so easy, videos weren’t needed. Center the paper template on the back of your laptop screen, peel the backer off the 3M adhesive on each magnet and stick them to the back of the laptop in the marked locations. The Mobile Pixels monitor is held in place by the magnets and is connected via a USB-C cable or HDMI cable (both included).
The Duex add-on monitor is very simple to install and configure. Mobile Pixels includes 4 magnets, a paper template to guide installation of said magnets, additional adhesive pads, and a convenient QR code for installation instructions, though installation is so easy, videos weren’t needed. Center the paper template on the back of your laptop screen, peel the backer off the 3M adhesive on each magnet and stick them to the back of the laptop in the marked locations. The Mobile Pixels monitor is held in place by the magnets and is connected via a USB-C cable or HDMI cable (both included).
If you are using Windows 10 or Windows 11, that is all there is to it. Windows will immediately recognize the second monitor with no user intervention. Slick and easy.
USE
The addition of a 2nd monitor with a laptop is a nice luxury. I often switch between 2 specific apps while working and it does get annoying. Having the ability to put a 2nd monitor on my laptop is oh, so nice. No more Alt-Tab to switch screens. The information I need is readily available and best of all, I don’t have to hook my laptop into a desktop monitor, docking station, or TV to achieve the same functionality the Mobile Pixels monitor gives me. Awesome.
The addition of a 2nd monitor with a laptop is a nice luxury. I often switch between 2 specific apps while working and it does get annoying. Having the ability to put a 2nd monitor on my laptop is oh, so nice. No more Alt-Tab to switch screens. The information I need is readily available and best of all, I don’t have to hook my laptop into a desktop monitor, docking station, or TV to achieve the same functionality the Mobile Pixels monitor gives me. Awesome.
Mobile Pixels has given the Duex the ability to slide back and forth a couple of inches to help with laptop placement. It works well. On my 15-inch laptop with the mounting magnets centered on the back of the screen, the Duex slides just enough to allow the screen to reach full extension and able to angle back towards my field of view.
The Duex display is a generous 14 inches and fits perfectly on either my 14- or 15-inch laptop without looking starkly out of place or obviously smaller. The Duex sports a FHD resolution of 1920 x 1080, matching my other 2 laptops. Text is clear and as easy to read as my main screen.
Mobile Pixels even has built-in a variety of adjustments to help tailor the screen to your liking.
Mobile Pixels even has built-in a variety of adjustments to help tailor the screen to your liking.
Honestly, I was not expecting any form of adjustments, so having access to them was a pleasant surprise. The user can adjust settings like brightness, contrast, color temperature, etc. It is great to be able to fine tune the display, helping match your laptop’s primary display as much as possible without colors and images being too wildly different.
NEGATIVES
Adding a second screen to a laptop imposes a weight penalty. I immediately noticed the difference in my backpack after installing the screen. My laptop feels roughly 75% heavier and it was no lightweight to begin with. Because of the increased weight, the screen makes your laptop feel top heavy. My 15-inch laptop is older, so it isn’t a lightweight, but the screen made it feel like it wanted to tip over backward. My 14-inch laptop is much newer and lighter, and I had to be careful not to tip the screen too far back, as the added weight toppled it over. Some of this could be alleviated with moving the mounting points lower on the back of the laptop screen vs. centered.
Adding a second screen to a laptop imposes a weight penalty. I immediately noticed the difference in my backpack after installing the screen. My laptop feels roughly 75% heavier and it was no lightweight to begin with. Because of the increased weight, the screen makes your laptop feel top heavy. My 15-inch laptop is older, so it isn’t a lightweight, but the screen made it feel like it wanted to tip over backward. My 14-inch laptop is much newer and lighter, and I had to be careful not to tip the screen too far back, as the added weight toppled it over. Some of this could be alleviated with moving the mounting points lower on the back of the laptop screen vs. centered.
Even though there are color adjustments built-in to the monitor, I found the Duex was quite cool in color reproduction. Even after calibration, images were much cooler (bluer) than the screen on my laptop. This did make images appear somewhat different than that of the main display, but not annoyingly so.
CONCLUSIONS
Small negatives aside, the Mobile Pixels Duet is a worthwhile investment. The convenience factor of not needing to search for a 2nd display for productivity is so worth it. Installation and connections are simple and effective. My laptop had no issues driving both displays simultaneously, as most integrated graphics chips can do nowadays.
Small negatives aside, the Mobile Pixels Duet is a worthwhile investment. The convenience factor of not needing to search for a 2nd display for productivity is so worth it. Installation and connections are simple and effective. My laptop had no issues driving both displays simultaneously, as most integrated graphics chips can do nowadays.
I’ve never had a 2nd monitor for laptop until I received the Duet. Now, I don’t know why I didn’t get one sooner. Once you are spoiled with having 2 monitors, you won’t want to go back the one.
RECOMMENDED
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Enjoy the rich sound of vinyl records with the Victrola Hi-Res Carbon turntable. Go wireless with best-in-class aptX Adaptive Bluetooth connectivity or wired with switchable preamp and standard RCA outs (RCA cables included), allowing you to listen to your favorite Vinyl records with stunning clarity. Stylish aesthetic and simple setup result from a purpose-built design focused on the listener experience. For the highest sonic clarity, the Hi-Res Carbon features an Ortofon 2M Red moving magnetic cartridge and a carbon fiber tonearm featuring a custom-designed, removable head shell. With the Victrola Hi-Res Carbon, you can effortlessly lower the tonearm and enjoy listening to your records with exceptional quality; Connect wirelessly to any Bluetooth or aptX enable speakers, headphones, or wired to your favorite amplifier or powered speakers.
Customer Rating
5
Well Made – Excellent Upgrade
on October 29, 2023
Posted by: NAMO
INTRODUCTION
The Carbon Hi-Res is a definite step up from Victrola’s entry-level models. Components have been significantly upgraded from Victrola’s lower tier line. Upgraded items include: a metal platter, carbon fiber tone arm, and an Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge. Coming from my Victrola T1, the Carbon is a night and day difference in terms of construction and craftsmanship. Everything feels more substantial and premium.
The Carbon Hi-Res is a definite step up from Victrola’s entry-level models. Components have been significantly upgraded from Victrola’s lower tier line. Upgraded items include: a metal platter, carbon fiber tone arm, and an Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge. Coming from my Victrola T1, the Carbon is a night and day difference in terms of construction and craftsmanship. Everything feels more substantial and premium.
USE
The premium look and feel don’t stop at the surface. The Carbon is a marked improvement to my Victrola T1. The inclusion of the AptX Bluetooth audio codec is a huge improvement over the standard Bluetooth audio of the T1. The Carbon supports all 3 forms of Qualcomm’s AptX audio codec: APTX ADAPTIVE, APTX HD, APTX SBC. For those unfamiliar, AptX allows for higher transmission rates over the Bluetooth audio protocol. Higher transmission rates equate to more detailed and dynamic audio reproduction. AptX HD utilizes a 24-bit sampling depth, even higher than that of CD.
The premium look and feel don’t stop at the surface. The Carbon is a marked improvement to my Victrola T1. The inclusion of the AptX Bluetooth audio codec is a huge improvement over the standard Bluetooth audio of the T1. The Carbon supports all 3 forms of Qualcomm’s AptX audio codec: APTX ADAPTIVE, APTX HD, APTX SBC. For those unfamiliar, AptX allows for higher transmission rates over the Bluetooth audio protocol. Higher transmission rates equate to more detailed and dynamic audio reproduction. AptX HD utilizes a 24-bit sampling depth, even higher than that of CD.
However, it should be noted that to get the highest (Bluetooth) audio quality via the AptX HD protocol, you must have a set of headphones that are also compatible. Ordinary headphones get you basic Bluetooth compatibility, but full HD support requires specific hardware. The added clarity and dynamic range of HD is well worth the investment & comes close to rivaling a direct, hardwired connection. Add into the shear convenience of being wireless, the negligible difference in audio fidelity is well worth the tradeoff.
Should you want to hook the Carbon up to your existing audio gear, Victrola has you covered as well. A slide switch toggles the unit between phono output and line level output. You get the option of using an external phono preamp or using Victrola’s built-in pre-amp. Having the either option is a welcome and very much appreciated addition, thereby adding the premium feel and design of the product.
NEGATIVES
I have 2 gripes. The first. The instruction manual and quick start guide are basic and quite generic. I fully admit that I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but Victrola could do a much better job of explaining the pairing process of the player to headphones. After some trial and error, it all boils down to turning the player on, waiting for the ring around the power button to start flashing blue, then put your headphones, speakers, etc. into pairing mode. The Carbon will automatically find and establish a connection. I never thought it would be so simple but, it is simple and works well. I just wish Victrola would spell it out. It would have saved me some time troubleshooting.
I have 2 gripes. The first. The instruction manual and quick start guide are basic and quite generic. I fully admit that I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but Victrola could do a much better job of explaining the pairing process of the player to headphones. After some trial and error, it all boils down to turning the player on, waiting for the ring around the power button to start flashing blue, then put your headphones, speakers, etc. into pairing mode. The Carbon will automatically find and establish a connection. I never thought it would be so simple but, it is simple and works well. I just wish Victrola would spell it out. It would have saved me some time troubleshooting.
Second. The packaging of the magnetic cartridge needs to be improved. Mine arrived in a basic, sealed, plastic baggy. It offered little to no protection from damage during shipment. While there was a protective cap over the needle, there was nothing to protect the rest. With that, mine arrived with 1 of the 4 pick-up wires disconnected. Luckily, I spotted it prior to assembly and with a small set of specialty pliers and magnifying glass, was able to reassemble.
CONCLUSIONS
Records are much clearer and far more dynamic sounding on my Carbon vs my T1. Honestly, I’m not sure if it the AptX inclusion or the Ortofon cartridge. Either way, my vinyl sounds considerably better than it ever has. While my T1 was decent, the Carbon has addressed the areas where my T1 had left me wanting. With that, I consider the Carbon a worthy upgrade over its siblings.
Records are much clearer and far more dynamic sounding on my Carbon vs my T1. Honestly, I’m not sure if it the AptX inclusion or the Ortofon cartridge. Either way, my vinyl sounds considerably better than it ever has. While my T1 was decent, the Carbon has addressed the areas where my T1 had left me wanting. With that, I consider the Carbon a worthy upgrade over its siblings.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
Defined in ambition. Built through rigor. M75 AIR was made for a single purpose – to help you win. The symmetrical mouse shape has been expertly crafted to let nothing come between you and top-tier play. The speed and control you gain from M75 AIR is simply unrivaled, and at just 60g, M75 AIR is unbelievably light, enabling you to make the most agile movements, sweeps, and recenters. The 26K DPI CORSAIR MARKSMAN optical sensor detects those moves with pro grade precision, and your shots register instantly on optical switches guaranteed for 100 million clicks. When you grasp M75 AIR, you’re holding a mouse that’s sculpted by victory.
Customer Rating
4
MINIMALIST DESIGN / GOOD PERFORMANCE
on October 26, 2023
Posted by: NAMO
INSTALLATION & CONFIGURATION
The Corsair M75 is configured using Corsair’s iCue software. Upon receiving the M75, the iCue software notified me of a mandatory firmware update. Unlike some of my other recent Corsair products, the update went without fuss or issues.
The Corsair M75 is configured using Corsair’s iCue software. Upon receiving the M75, the iCue software notified me of a mandatory firmware update. Unlike some of my other recent Corsair products, the update went without fuss or issues.
Like other premium gaming mice from Corsair’s competitors, the M75 went with the minimalist, much appreciated approach. Buttons are kept to a bare minimum, 2 on top, 2 on the side, a scroll and click wheel, and a lone button on the bottom for power / communication method / pairing. Simple, lightweight, basic. The way it should be.
The M75 connects to the computer via one of 3 ways. Hardwired via the included USB-C cable, Bluetooth, or via the Corsair Slipstream dongle. The Slipstream is Corsair’s high-speed wireless communications protocol. It works well and all settings relating to the dongle can be easily configured in the iCue app. Battery life is decent, but not overly spectacular. The M75 is rated up to 100 hours of battery life using Bluetooth. That seems about spot on. I have other mice that last longer, but 100hrs is nothing to complain about.
AESTHETICS
Like I mentioned before, the M75 is a minimalist design. The lack of RGB everywhere is quite refreshing and helps to give the mouse a premium look. There is only 1 LED on the whole mouse. It has multiple duties such as reporting charge status, connection method, power, etc. Simple and effective.
Like I mentioned before, the M75 is a minimalist design. The lack of RGB everywhere is quite refreshing and helps to give the mouse a premium look. There is only 1 LED on the whole mouse. It has multiple duties such as reporting charge status, connection method, power, etc. Simple and effective.
Like the competition, Corsair’s latest entry sports optical switches and a high-resolution optical sensor. Corsair’s is rated at 26000dpi. The optical switches are smooth and efficient. I would not worry about the 26000dpi sensor. I can’t tell a difference between it and a 30000dpi sensor on my other gaming mouse. At some point, it just becomes bragging rights in marketing lingo.
The M75 has a decent, light feel. Not as light as some of my other mice, but not nearly as heavy as most. It strikes a nice balance. I have some mice that have went to extremes to cut weight. So much so, that they feel and sound incredibly cheap. Not so much with the Corsair. It strikes a decent balance of heft vs feel without being cheap feeling.
CONCLUSION
The Corsair M75 Air checks a bunch of the correct boxes without leaving too much on the table. I am fortunate to get to test gaming mice from many different manufacturers. With that, would the M75 be my first choice if I were to pick a favorite mouse? No, it would not. I would rate it a tie for 3rd between all the big players in the field.
The Corsair M75 Air checks a bunch of the correct boxes without leaving too much on the table. I am fortunate to get to test gaming mice from many different manufacturers. With that, would the M75 be my first choice if I were to pick a favorite mouse? No, it would not. I would rate it a tie for 3rd between all the big players in the field.
The M75 is not a bad product, far from it. It is nice, it just isn’t enough to dethrone my current favorite mouse. However, if I needed a mouse and was fully involved and committed to the iCue ecosystem, I would have no reservations picking one up.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Discover next-level home security with the eufy Video Doorbell E340. Enjoy door-to-floor full color views with dual 2K HD cameras and with the industry-first dual-light system, it activates upon detecting motion eliminating blind spots, day and night. It provides 8GB of local storage (about 60 days worth of recordings) with advanced encryption to keep your data secure. Say goodbye to monthly cloud storage fees and save an estimated $47.88 per year! Stay connected with the eufy App or an optional door chime that alerts you when visitors arrive and can expand storage up to 128GB with a microSD card (not included). Installation is a breeze as the hybrid-powered doorbell works with existing doorbell wiring or can run on battery power for up to 6 months on a single charge. Plus, it is IP65 weatherproof rating, so it keeps working come rain, snow or shine.
Customer Rating
4
GOOD HARDWARE / POOR SOFTWARE
on October 18, 2023
Posted by: NAMO
SYNOPSIS – While the Eufy 340 is a nice upgrade from Anker’s previous generation of doorbell, it is held back by the numerous false alarms in the Eufy software.
EUFY SOFTWARE
Anker, the parent company of Eufy, has done a fantastic job taking the burden out of setting up its line of Eufy devices. Whether it is your first device, or like me, just one of your many other Eufy products, the simplicity of setting up a device is top notch. Once you log in to, or create your Eufy account, actual adoption of the device is simple. Scan the device’s QR code, add it to your wi-fi (which is automatically added from your phone), the Eufy app generates its own QR code, scan that with the doorbell & presto. Done! Simple, Intuitive.
Anker, the parent company of Eufy, has done a fantastic job taking the burden out of setting up its line of Eufy devices. Whether it is your first device, or like me, just one of your many other Eufy products, the simplicity of setting up a device is top notch. Once you log in to, or create your Eufy account, actual adoption of the device is simple. Scan the device’s QR code, add it to your wi-fi (which is automatically added from your phone), the Eufy app generates its own QR code, scan that with the doorbell & presto. Done! Simple, Intuitive.
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
The E340 offers the installation option of battery power or hardwire power. If your existing doorbell and wiring work off anything from 16 – 24VAC, you can reuse your existing electrical wiring to provide continuous power to the doorbell and use the internal, rechargeable battery for emergency power outages. This is how I chose to install the E340. Anker has a slick interface to help ensure your new doorbell works with an existing mechanical or electronic doorbell. The app also walks you through setting up the chime with the Eufy, including any common troubleshooting issues you man encounter. Again, simple and intuitive.
The E340 offers the installation option of battery power or hardwire power. If your existing doorbell and wiring work off anything from 16 – 24VAC, you can reuse your existing electrical wiring to provide continuous power to the doorbell and use the internal, rechargeable battery for emergency power outages. This is how I chose to install the E340. Anker has a slick interface to help ensure your new doorbell works with an existing mechanical or electronic doorbell. The app also walks you through setting up the chime with the Eufy, including any common troubleshooting issues you man encounter. Again, simple and intuitive.
USE
This is a nice upgrade from my previous generation Eufy smart doorbell. The most obvious change is that Anker has given this doorbell a 2nd camera that points downward, in addition the standard forward facing camera. The front facing camera captures people, the downward facing camera keeps an eye on packages and deliveries. It a great concept and like my previous Eufy doorbell, images are crisp and clear with resolutions up to 2k. The field of view is quite wide on both cameras and they have no problems picking up activity and packages from nearly any angle.
This is a nice upgrade from my previous generation Eufy smart doorbell. The most obvious change is that Anker has given this doorbell a 2nd camera that points downward, in addition the standard forward facing camera. The front facing camera captures people, the downward facing camera keeps an eye on packages and deliveries. It a great concept and like my previous Eufy doorbell, images are crisp and clear with resolutions up to 2k. The field of view is quite wide on both cameras and they have no problems picking up activity and packages from nearly any angle.
One thing that is not as obvious is the increased processing power in the E340. Compared to the previous generation, this doorbell is much more responsive. Images and videos are accessed and decrypted much faster than with my previous generation doorbell. By my estimations, I’m guessing on average a good 50% reduction in latency and waiting. The increased processing power also translates into almost instant motion recognition. My old doorbell recognized motion, but the E340 responds much faster. This is especially noticeable at night when motion immediately triggers 2 white LED’s. A great addition and an excellent deterrent.
NEGATIVES
My only real complaint with the new Eufy doorbell is that the software doesn’t have all the bugs worked out of it. A prime example is the automatic package detection algorithm. While the software is great at alerting you of a delivery, if you don’t get that package off your porch right away, you get repeated delivery alerts. My spouse likes to put packages on the front porch for UPS, USPS, or FedEx for pick up. She placed 2 packages out one night for pick-up the next morning. Checking my phone the next morning, the Eufy app had sent me 24 package delivery notifications. The same 2 packages. Changes to the app sensitivity have failed to resolve the issue. Eufy offers a product called a HomeBase 3 that allows for some form of AI detection and that may help alleviate some of the false alarms, but the E340 is also supposed to have this included as well.
My only real complaint with the new Eufy doorbell is that the software doesn’t have all the bugs worked out of it. A prime example is the automatic package detection algorithm. While the software is great at alerting you of a delivery, if you don’t get that package off your porch right away, you get repeated delivery alerts. My spouse likes to put packages on the front porch for UPS, USPS, or FedEx for pick up. She placed 2 packages out one night for pick-up the next morning. Checking my phone the next morning, the Eufy app had sent me 24 package delivery notifications. The same 2 packages. Changes to the app sensitivity have failed to resolve the issue. Eufy offers a product called a HomeBase 3 that allows for some form of AI detection and that may help alleviate some of the false alarms, but the E340 is also supposed to have this included as well.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This is not my first Eufy product. I have used their products for numerous years and have been very satisfied. I like the fact that, unlike Anker’s competitors, you aren’t forced into paying a monthly fee to use your devices and view archived footage and images. Events, by default, are stored locally. Either on the device itself, or if you have a HomeBase 3, stored on the HomeBase for retrieval. Eufy offers a paid subscription service where your recordings are stored in the cloud, in case of device theft or damage, but does not make it mandatory to get full functionality of its devices. Thank you!!
This is not my first Eufy product. I have used their products for numerous years and have been very satisfied. I like the fact that, unlike Anker’s competitors, you aren’t forced into paying a monthly fee to use your devices and view archived footage and images. Events, by default, are stored locally. Either on the device itself, or if you have a HomeBase 3, stored on the HomeBase for retrieval. Eufy offers a paid subscription service where your recordings are stored in the cloud, in case of device theft or damage, but does not make it mandatory to get full functionality of its devices. Thank you!!
None of my other Eufy products report errors like the E340, so I know it is just a software and/or firmware problem with the E340. Anker has proven quick to squash bugs in its other Eufy products, I have no doubt they will do the same here. I still recommend the E340, but just be aware of the current limitations and issues.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
NAMO's Review Comments
NAMO has not submitted comments on any reviews.
NAMO's Questions
NAMO has not submitted any questions.
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.
4 years, 10 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.
4 years, 10 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.
6 years, 9 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.
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.
6 years, 9 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.
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.
Thanks. Hope this helps.
6 years, 11 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.
6 years, 11 months ago
by
NAMO