NAMO's stats
- Review count157
- Helpfulness votes1,087
- First reviewJanuary 28, 2017
- Last reviewJune 25, 2024
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- Average rating4.1
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- Answer count16
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- First answerJune 2, 2017
- Last answerDecember 9, 2021
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The Steelcase Series 1 chair has a LiveBack flexor system in the backrest which conforms to your body and moves with you to support the spine as you change postures. The tilt mechanism is synchronized; the seat and back work in harmony with each other, keeping the body securely supported in the chair and feet firmly planted on the floor so you can recline without leaving your optimal zone for seeing and reaching your work. Feature set includes an adjustable seat depth, fully adjustable arms, adjustable lumbar, pneumatic seat height adjustment, recline tension adjustment (weight activated with adjustment and lock), flexing back with mesh upholstery, upholstered seat and wheels for hard flooring. The seat features strong yet pliable foam which conforms to the body and creates pressure-free comfort. Flexible seat edge offers a bit of bend, right where you need it – relieving pressure points under your thighs. This chair will arrive unassembled and require some assembly and is covered by a 12-year warranty.
Customer Rating
4
Well-Made, Low Spousal Acceptance Factor
on May 22, 2022
Posted by: NAMO
Steelcase is one of, if not the largest, office furniture suppliers in the U.S. Rightfully so. Their products are robustly made and come in a nearly endless variety of styles, colors, configurations. One visit to the Steelcase website and one will wonder how many different variations of seating and furniture are available. If you want it, Steelcase most likely makes it and, in a color, you can find to blend into any décor. While Steelcase is a well-known, go-to brand in the business workplace, they have only recently attempted to enter the consumer market.
The Steelcase Series 1 is no exception to the company’s well-made and comfortable office chairs. The Series 1 is constructed of high-quality plastics and materials that not only appear to be long-lasting but are easy to clean and resist stains and dirt. The Series 1 includes all the conveniences of any modern office chair, including height adjustment, swivel, etc. as well as the ability to lock those features out.
The arms are height adjustable to fit nearly anyone’s torso comfortably, as well as have an integrated swivel on the armrest. While I never thought about a swiveling armrest, now that I’ve seen it, I don’t understand why others don’t follow Steelcase’s lead. A simple design element that pays huge dividends.
The Series 1 is comfortable and quite firm. Much firmer than any other office chairs I’ve had come through my house. The seat padding is very firm, but not so much so that it becomes tiring. One thing that is much better on the Steelcase than many office chairs, is the excellent back support.
There are a total of 9 supports that stretch horizontally across the chair’s back, lending to excellent rigidity and support. The material stretching across the back is fully ventilated to prevent that nasty sweaty back scenario so common in cheap office furniture.
NEGATIVES
There in lies my biggest, or should I say my spouse’s biggest gripe of the Series 1. It would be right at home in a business or office environment, but it feels woefully out of place in a home setting. Even with someone that uses a home office as their business or a WFH location, the Series 1 just doesn’t have that appeal like a nice leather office chair normally would. Quite honestly, the Series 1 looks like something your employer would have given you for your WFH during COVID or something you snagged from a conference room on your way out.
There in lies my biggest, or should I say my spouse’s biggest gripe of the Series 1. It would be right at home in a business or office environment, but it feels woefully out of place in a home setting. Even with someone that uses a home office as their business or a WFH location, the Series 1 just doesn’t have that appeal like a nice leather office chair normally would. Quite honestly, the Series 1 looks like something your employer would have given you for your WFH during COVID or something you snagged from a conference room on your way out.
CONCLUSIONS
I can’t find any faults in the Series 1’s build quality or construction. Materials appear to be very durable and are easy to clean and care for. The back supports are top notch, and the seat cushion remains cool and firm throughout a full day of work.
I can’t find any faults in the Series 1’s build quality or construction. Materials appear to be very durable and are easy to clean and care for. The back supports are top notch, and the seat cushion remains cool and firm throughout a full day of work.
The Steelcase Series 1 would be a great addition to any business needing a long lasting, durable office chair for meetings or employees. But, as an office chair for home, I can’t see it being a popular choice. It just looks out of place in the house and does not blend into most decors.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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When it comes to gaming performance, the slightest disadvantage can be the difference between winning and losing a match. With a 165Hz refresh rate, lightning fast 1ms (GTG) response time and full adaptive G-Sync compatability and FreeSync Premium support, you can be sure that the Odyssey G50A won’t let you down on the battlefield.
Customer Rating
5
QHD Resolution / Low Input Lag / Accurate Color
on May 10, 2022
Posted by: NAMO
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS AND DETAILS
The Samsung Odyssey G5 represents a solid entry for smaller gaming monitors. It has QHD resolution (2560 x 1440), a fast 1ms response time, and is compatible with AMD FreeSync and nVidia G-Sync.
The Samsung Odyssey G5 represents a solid entry for smaller gaming monitors. It has QHD resolution (2560 x 1440), a fast 1ms response time, and is compatible with AMD FreeSync and nVidia G-Sync.
USE
The G5 has the basic, but most important inputs covered. A total of 2 inputs are offered: A DisplayPort 1.2 port and an HDMI port. I could find no reference on what version of HDMI the monitor supports either on the Best Buy website or on the Samsung website. My guess is that it is 1.4 at best. The monitor also has a USB port for service as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack. The monitor does not support older inputs like DVI and VGA, but quite honestly these are past their prime and are not really missed at this point.
The G5 has the basic, but most important inputs covered. A total of 2 inputs are offered: A DisplayPort 1.2 port and an HDMI port. I could find no reference on what version of HDMI the monitor supports either on the Best Buy website or on the Samsung website. My guess is that it is 1.4 at best. The monitor also has a USB port for service as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack. The monitor does not support older inputs like DVI and VGA, but quite honestly these are past their prime and are not really missed at this point.
Like I stated earlier in the introduction, the 27” panel is very sharp with a lot of available real estate. This is helped by the fact the monitor supports an excellent resolution of 2560 x 1440. This is much higher than the standard “full HD” monitors with only 1920 x 1080 resolution. The increased resolution makes texts and objects MUCH sharper. As a bonus, games can display a lot more information to the user as there is far more pixels that can be used over a full HD monitor.
The G5 has the gamer in mind. It includes an excellent LED panel with a fast 1ms response time. This is also one of the few monitors that not only supports nVidia’s G-Sync tech, but also includes AMD FreeSync Pro. Outstanding!!! I wish all monitors supported both technologies, unfortunately few do. The panel has an impressive 165Hz refresh rate with the ability display HDR content. However, HDR content needs to be taken with a grain of salt. While this monitor will display HDR content, it is only rated at 350 nits of brightness, so HDR is a bit of a stretch.
Even though the monitor doesn’t have retina searing brightness for HDR material, it makes the most of what it does have. The pictures and images are clear, vibrant, and very well detailed. Text is razor sharp. Much, much sharper than text on a “full HD” monitor. Out of the box, the monitor came fairly-well calibrated, but it wasn’t perfect. Using my DisplayPort connection and X-Rite i1 Display Pro, I has able to fine tune the image quite nicely. While it strays to the warm side, it isn’t unnatural looking by any means and reproduces a very good image that rivals my even my high dollar Omen and UltraSharp monitors.
NEGATIVES
1. Samsung needs to take a page out of Dell’s playbook when it comes to assembly and cable management. Dell has it down when it comes to ease of assembly and cable management. Even the lowliest of Dell monitors come with tool-free assembly. Not to mention the horrible cable management that Samsung cheaped-out with on this monitor. The stand has a little rubber strap the pushes into a hole in the stand. It doesn’t work. It can’t even keep the power cord tight against the stand. After 2 or 3 minutes, the strap pops out, leaving the cord to dangle. With a DP cable added to the mix, it is useless. Zip ties to the rescue.
1. Samsung needs to take a page out of Dell’s playbook when it comes to assembly and cable management. Dell has it down when it comes to ease of assembly and cable management. Even the lowliest of Dell monitors come with tool-free assembly. Not to mention the horrible cable management that Samsung cheaped-out with on this monitor. The stand has a little rubber strap the pushes into a hole in the stand. It doesn’t work. It can’t even keep the power cord tight against the stand. After 2 or 3 minutes, the strap pops out, leaving the cord to dangle. With a DP cable added to the mix, it is useless. Zip ties to the rescue.
2. This monitor is quite large to be used on an average desk without being curved. While it is by no means a deal breaker, I can see why most Samsung monitors at this size and larger are curved.
CONCLUSIONS
I like this monitor. It has a lot going for it. The resolution is sharp and crisp and color accuracy is quite good. The monitor has not failed to play any game I’ve tried on any platform flawlessly. I have graphics cards from all 3 major vendors, including: nVidia, AMD, and Intel and they have all performed flawlessly without once failing to recognize the synchronization tech built in. Games are smooth and I have not noticed one artifact from the video card ever being out of sync with the display.
I like this monitor. It has a lot going for it. The resolution is sharp and crisp and color accuracy is quite good. The monitor has not failed to play any game I’ve tried on any platform flawlessly. I have graphics cards from all 3 major vendors, including: nVidia, AMD, and Intel and they have all performed flawlessly without once failing to recognize the synchronization tech built in. Games are smooth and I have not noticed one artifact from the video card ever being out of sync with the display.
Samsung has made a very good product. If you are in market for a decent desktop monitor and are considering a full HD, model, you should really consider trying this over a full HD display. The additional real estate afforded by the increased resolution is a no-brainer. It really does make things that much clearer. Add to that, including both nVidia’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync tech both to the monitor makes it an easy display to recommend.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
5
Quality
5
Value
5
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The all-new Victrola Premiere T1 Turntable System is the perfect record player sound system for your home. Incorporating the T1 Turntable and M1 Bookshelf Monitors, the system’s design and user interface were created with meticulous attention to sound reproduction, design, and ease of use. The T1 Turntable System is sure to make lifelong music memories in your home. The Premiere T1 Turntable features a belt driven metal platter, wooden plinth, and aluminum tonearm with an adjustable counterweight and anti-skate knob to keep your favorite vinyl records in top condition. The T1 record player also includes Victrola’s first high-performance moving magnetic cartridge, creating detailed clarity from your record collection with a wider frequency response and specified downforce. The built-in preamp allows connectivity to any amplifier for a completely customizable audio system. The Victrola Premiere M1 Bookshelf Monitors are sonically designed to complement the Victrola Premiere T1 Turntable for a vinyl listening experience that will take your collection to new highs. As a stand-alone bookshelf speaker system, wirelessly stream your favorite tunes via Bluetooth® technology from your device. If you already have a turntable or any audio device you’d like to connect, the Victrola Premiere M1 monitor acoustic and aesthetic design will prove to elevate your overall listening experience. With beautiful design, proprietary technology, and high-end components, the Victrola Premiere T1 Turntable System delivers superior sound quality to create lifelong music memories in every home.
Customer Rating
3
Decent Turntable with Sub-Par Monitors
on May 3, 2022
Posted by: NAMO
INTRODUCTION
The Victrola T1 is positioning itself to be a one stop shop for people wanting to get into vinyl, or already have an existing vinyl collection that need a player at a reasonable price. The Victrola turntable has line outs and a phono pre-out that connect via audio cables to a set of their powered monitor speakers. A simple, yet complete approach to vinyl playback.
The Victrola T1 is positioning itself to be a one stop shop for people wanting to get into vinyl, or already have an existing vinyl collection that need a player at a reasonable price. The Victrola turntable has line outs and a phono pre-out that connect via audio cables to a set of their powered monitor speakers. A simple, yet complete approach to vinyl playback.
USE
I would not consider the Victrola a Premium product by any stretch of the imagination as most of its parts are plastic. That is not all bad, though. The turntable, while plasticky, is made well enough. It operates smoothly and efficiently. I had no trouble with the table skipping, jumping, or not precisely tracking the record. Victrola adjusted the weights and the arm prior to shipping to make the end user’s experience infinitely better and much more hassle-free. Aside from connecting the speakers via the included RCA cables, there are really only 4 notable steps needed to begin use: 1. Slip the platter on the spindle, 2. Slip the belt on the drive motor, 3. Remove the protective packaging, 4. Install the dust cover.
I would not consider the Victrola a Premium product by any stretch of the imagination as most of its parts are plastic. That is not all bad, though. The turntable, while plasticky, is made well enough. It operates smoothly and efficiently. I had no trouble with the table skipping, jumping, or not precisely tracking the record. Victrola adjusted the weights and the arm prior to shipping to make the end user’s experience infinitely better and much more hassle-free. Aside from connecting the speakers via the included RCA cables, there are really only 4 notable steps needed to begin use: 1. Slip the platter on the spindle, 2. Slip the belt on the drive motor, 3. Remove the protective packaging, 4. Install the dust cover.
Victrola has taken a lot of the hassle out of setting up a turntable, making the assembly and initial configuration easy. The only issue I encountered during assembly was having the belt on the drive motor improperly. The gear on the drive motor is stepped and I had the belt on the wrong step causing all my albums to sound like an Alvin and the Chipmunks concert.
NEGATIVES
The biggest drawback to this entire system is the speakers. To be frank and to the point, the monitors really aren’t all that good. For a set of speakers that appear to have a soft dome tweeter, these monitors are overly bright. Much brighter than any other soft domes I have. There is no way to take the harshness out while listening to albums, so I hoped I would be able to fix the issue streaming via Bluetooth. Even using Ultra HD material, the harshness was still there. Applying equalization settings only make the vocals sound that much worse and totally unnatural.
The biggest drawback to this entire system is the speakers. To be frank and to the point, the monitors really aren’t all that good. For a set of speakers that appear to have a soft dome tweeter, these monitors are overly bright. Much brighter than any other soft domes I have. There is no way to take the harshness out while listening to albums, so I hoped I would be able to fix the issue streaming via Bluetooth. Even using Ultra HD material, the harshness was still there. Applying equalization settings only make the vocals sound that much worse and totally unnatural.
If the overly harsh sounding tweeters weren’t bad enough, the monitors 4” bass drivers lack excursion, while the amps lack the power to properly power the woofers. It is just a one / two punch that makes for a flat and uninspiring bottom end.
CONCLUSIONS
There is nothing bad to say about the Victrola turntable itself. The table seems well-built and has worked flawlessly for me to this point. The arm tracks well without skips or any other annoyances commonly found in record players.
There is nothing bad to say about the Victrola turntable itself. The table seems well-built and has worked flawlessly for me to this point. The arm tracks well without skips or any other annoyances commonly found in record players.
I can’t say the same for the powered monitor speakers, though. They just don’t do music justice. If it were me, I’d buy the Victrola turntable, but look elsewhere for a quality set of powered monitor speakers to go with it like, some AudioEngines, Golden Ears, or Def Techs.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Performance
3
Ease of Use
4
Features
4
Quality
3
Value
3
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Discover the power of X! The new Philips Sonicare Power Flosser creates an X-shaped stream of water that reaches deep between teeth for a gentle, thorough clean. This X-shaped water stream, known as Quad-Stream technology, covers more surface area for a faster, deeper clean versus manual floss. Because of Quad-Stream technology, Philips Sonicare Power Flosser enables you to improve your gum health by 50% in just 1 minute per day!
Customer Rating
4
Interesting Approach to Oral Hygiene
on April 20, 2022
Posted by: NAMO
INTRODUCTION
The Philips SoniCare toothbrush combines regular brushing with “sonic” vibrations to help remove food and plaque. If not enough, the kit includes a powered flosser with its own pump to help blast any stubborn remnants from between your teeth, making for healthier gums and hopefully less time in the dentist’s chair.
The Philips SoniCare toothbrush combines regular brushing with “sonic” vibrations to help remove food and plaque. If not enough, the kit includes a powered flosser with its own pump to help blast any stubborn remnants from between your teeth, making for healthier gums and hopefully less time in the dentist’s chair.
USE
Initial use for this kit is quite simple. Place the toothbrush on the charger, fill the reservoir with water and dig out all the brush heads and flossing wands and put them all in their proper containers. After the toothbrush charged for approximately 3 hours, it was ready for use.
Initial use for this kit is quite simple. Place the toothbrush on the charger, fill the reservoir with water and dig out all the brush heads and flossing wands and put them all in their proper containers. After the toothbrush charged for approximately 3 hours, it was ready for use.
Philips has joined the bandwagon on packing more and more tech into something that I thought never really needed it. Their new line of toothbrushes and gum care products are all Bluetooth enabled. A download from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store gets the SoniCare app and with an account creation, links your toothbrush to the phone.
The SoniCare app is much like the Oral-B app. It offers you a way to keep track of your toothbrush (and update its firmware), coaches you on your brushing, including time and pressure applied, days left until the head needs replaced, and even allows you to input appointments for the dentist. While I’m not sure of the overall necessity for an app for a toothbrush (something I also questioned with the Oral-B), the SoniCare app did work without issue on both my Android and iOS devices. Good work Philips!
Those of us that have used Oral-B products for years will find the SoniCare experience quite unique. The way the brush operates to clean your teeth is much different than the Oral-B. The combinations of movement and pulses feels awkward at first and does take some time to feel “normal”.
The powered water flosser is a different story. I have some time still ahead of me to master that. The first few times I used it, I wound up laughing more than actual flossing. The pump on the water flosser is quite powerful. Powerful enough to shoot water across the bathroom for several feet. Ask me how I know. You have to make sure you have that flosser in the correct position before using the trigger or yourself, the vanity, and bathroom will all get a good bath. It was humorous the first few times, aggravating the next few times. I’m sure once I get better at it, it will be less messy, but you gotta be on your A-Game when you first give it a go.
NEGATIVES
The only real issue that I can think of is that water flossing can be very messy and you can only go a few seconds before your mouth fills up and you need to spit it all out. I have attempted to use the flosser with my mouth open, but I either need more practice, or it can’t be done as water was shooting around the bathroom like someone unleashed Old Faithful.
The only real issue that I can think of is that water flossing can be very messy and you can only go a few seconds before your mouth fills up and you need to spit it all out. I have attempted to use the flosser with my mouth open, but I either need more practice, or it can’t be done as water was shooting around the bathroom like someone unleashed Old Faithful.
CONCLUSIONS
The SoniCare toothbrush and water flosser do seem to do a very good job at cleaning your teeth. My teeth did feel much cleaner flossing after a meal. That is, when I wasn’t spraying water across the bathroom. I have to admit though, the inner child in me found it to be an awesome, secret squirt gun. Not that I would participate in such juvenile behavior.
The SoniCare toothbrush and water flosser do seem to do a very good job at cleaning your teeth. My teeth did feel much cleaner flossing after a meal. That is, when I wasn’t spraying water across the bathroom. I have to admit though, the inner child in me found it to be an awesome, secret squirt gun. Not that I would participate in such juvenile behavior.
How well it will performs compared to my existing Oral-B toothbrush in the long run is yet to be seen. But, my initial few uses with the SoniCare have been impressive and positive and I feel the powered flosser does make a tangible difference in how my teeth and gums feel.
Recommended.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Quality
4
Performance
5
Durability
4
Value
4
Ease of Use
3
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Build a healthier lifestyle, right from your wrist. Starting a new health and wellness journey is easier when you have a great partner. Your Halo View (and your Halo membership) will be there with you every step of the way. Access features like: Activity tracking - Check your heart rate, steps, Activity score, and on-demand blood oxygen levels. Sleep time and assessment - Check the quantity and quality of your sleep. On-the-go control - Receive text messages, start live workouts, and get move reminders on your wrist. Long-lasting connection -Halo View has up to 7-days battery life that fully charges in 2 hours and is swim proof up to 50 meters. The band comes in 2 sizes, Small/Medium (5.1"-7.7") and Medium/Large (6.3"-8.9").
Customer Rating
4
Small Size with Excellent Battery Life
on February 26, 2022
Posted by: NAMO
INITIAL SET-UP
Amazon did a fantastic job with making set-up of their new Halo watch simple. I had no issues or hiccups during initial configuration and set-up. Initial set-up is configured by the Amazon Halo app available via the Play Store or Apple Store. While the Halo app has worked flawlessly, I do find it a little surprising that another app is required when all my other Amazon Alexa-enabled devices are installed and configured via the Alexa app. Every single other Amazon Alexa device I own and use all use the Alexa app, including the Echo Buds. However, Amazon has done a great job on the Halo app.
Amazon did a fantastic job with making set-up of their new Halo watch simple. I had no issues or hiccups during initial configuration and set-up. Initial set-up is configured by the Amazon Halo app available via the Play Store or Apple Store. While the Halo app has worked flawlessly, I do find it a little surprising that another app is required when all my other Amazon Alexa-enabled devices are installed and configured via the Alexa app. Every single other Amazon Alexa device I own and use all use the Alexa app, including the Echo Buds. However, Amazon has done a great job on the Halo app.
USE
After a mandatory firmware update, the Halo View has proven to be completely reliable and issue free. After several days of use, the battery life appears to be about 3.5 – 4 days. That is a good improvement over my primary smart watch and fitness tracker, the Samsung Watch 4. That device struggles to get 2 days of use between charges, even with the latest and greatest firmware.
After a mandatory firmware update, the Halo View has proven to be completely reliable and issue free. After several days of use, the battery life appears to be about 3.5 – 4 days. That is a good improvement over my primary smart watch and fitness tracker, the Samsung Watch 4. That device struggles to get 2 days of use between charges, even with the latest and greatest firmware.
The Halo View is roughly the size of an AA battery, so that means there isn’t a lot of real estate available for the screen. But, Amazon made the most of what was available. The screen is bright and legible, even in the bright sun. Text messages can be displayed on the watch and while the print is very small, it is clear and bright.
All Halo View device purchases include a year of access to the Amazon Insights portion of the Halo app. This includes such things as recipes, suggested workouts, sleep tracking, etc. I give Amazon credit for establishing a fairly robust and thoughtful fitness app for such a new device. The fitness app and tracking on the Halo includes a lot of features all geared towards whole body health and wellness, not just physical fitness. I think the app is great and gives the user a bunch of ideas and feedback on how to improve their overall health and well-being.
NEGATIVES
While I am impressed with the comprehensiveness of the Halo app. The buyer needs to realize that your purchase only allows access to all the Halo app has to offer for 1 year. After the year, it costs $3.99/month to continue receiving and using the benefits of the Halo app. You are automatically renewed after the first year and the end user must manually go into their Amazon account and manually turn off auto renewal. This fee is not waived for Prime Members either. I could see charging for the app if the person wasn’t a Prime Member, but charging yet another monthly fee for an Amazon service sits poorly with me.
While I am impressed with the comprehensiveness of the Halo app. The buyer needs to realize that your purchase only allows access to all the Halo app has to offer for 1 year. After the year, it costs $3.99/month to continue receiving and using the benefits of the Halo app. You are automatically renewed after the first year and the end user must manually go into their Amazon account and manually turn off auto renewal. This fee is not waived for Prime Members either. I could see charging for the app if the person wasn’t a Prime Member, but charging yet another monthly fee for an Amazon service sits poorly with me.
The screen is small. I will fully admit that Amazon did a great job making such a small display crisp and easy to read, but there isn’t a lot of screen to use. After having lived with my Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 for a while, I find the transition to the Halo View difficult. My Watch 4 has a much larger display that makes text messages larger, but will also display images in text messages, screen shots from my security cameras, and notifications from nearly any app I have installed on my Galaxy Smartphone, not to mention allow me to take calls on the watch itself, along with the ability to send text replies either by speaking into the watch or via canned responses. The Halo View only allows the user to view text messages on the device itself. Maybe there is a way to send a canned reply, but I haven’t been able to find it, or get it to work if there is.
My last negative, that isn’t necessarily directed specifically against the Halo, are the algorithms and tracking programs as a whole. I’m just not sure how accurate any one vendors’ devices really are. While each device has the basic set of sensors to measure heart rate, oxygen saturation, sleep, movement, etc. It is up to each manufacturer to develop a program to analyze the data a present it in a format to the user. The Halo tracks heart rate constantly, my Watch 4, only every 10 minutes, unless manually triggered, or during exercise. My Watch 4 and my Halo have large disagreements about my heart rate throughout the day, as well as my sleep quality and calories burned. My Halo reports I sleep like a champ, my Watch 4 says I don’t get enough quality sleep. My Halo shows I burn more calories throughout the day with a higher resting hear rate than my Watch 4. Which do you believe?
CONCLUSIONS
There is a lot to like about the Halo. It is small, comfortable, and lightweight. After having used a Watch 4 for some time, I am constantly looking to see if the Halo is still on my wrist and has not fallen off it is so light and comfortable.
The Halo tracks a user’s heart-rate constantly throughout the day and night. Lift the Halo up a little off your wrist at any time through the day and you will see the green LED always illuminated that tracks heart-rate. This should provide a much better picture and potential for better accuracy about the wearer’s activity and fitness level.
There is a lot to like about the Halo. It is small, comfortable, and lightweight. After having used a Watch 4 for some time, I am constantly looking to see if the Halo is still on my wrist and has not fallen off it is so light and comfortable.
The Halo tracks a user’s heart-rate constantly throughout the day and night. Lift the Halo up a little off your wrist at any time through the day and you will see the green LED always illuminated that tracks heart-rate. This should provide a much better picture and potential for better accuracy about the wearer’s activity and fitness level.
The Halo app is top notch and much more focused on user’s health and wellness than any of my Samsung Watch’s have been. I really like the one stop shop in the Halo app for workout ideas, recipes, and everything else health related. The Halo app is thoughtfully designed and makes a great companion to the Halo View.
Would I buy a Halo for myself? If I wanted a device solely to track workouts and use as a watch, I could see buying a Halo. However, after having used a Watch 2 and now a Samsung Watch 4, I wouldn’t trade it for a Halo. I’ve grown accustomed to all the conveniences that that Watch 4 offers. While the Halo is in no way a bad device, it just gives up too many features that I have grown to like and want in a smart watch.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The wearable surround speaker system designed specifically for vivid, comfortable, and exciting gaming, with 4-channel, realistic surround sound, with 3 gaming sound modes to heighten every experience—developed jointly with the FINAL FANTASY XIV online sound team from SQUARE ENIX.
Customer Rating
3
Not a Viable Substitute for Headphones
on February 14, 2022
Posted by: NAMO
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
The Panasonic SoundSlayer is an interesting product. A wearable speaker that takes the place of your headphones. While it is an interesting product in theory, I find the actual execution wanting.
The Panasonic SoundSlayer is an interesting product. A wearable speaker that takes the place of your headphones. While it is an interesting product in theory, I find the actual execution wanting.
SET-UP
The SoundSlayer doesn’t require any particularly difficult set-up. After plugging the speaker into a USB port, the computer recognizes it and downloads any drivers required for operation, automatically. One thing that really needs to be addressed is power for the unit. The SoundSlayer requires a USB 3.0 or better, USB port that can supply at least 900ma of power.
The SoundSlayer doesn’t require any particularly difficult set-up. After plugging the speaker into a USB port, the computer recognizes it and downloads any drivers required for operation, automatically. One thing that really needs to be addressed is power for the unit. The SoundSlayer requires a USB 3.0 or better, USB port that can supply at least 900ma of power.
While you can operate the speaker on a standard USB 2.0 port, it will play at reduced volume and performance. USB 2.0 ports can only supply a maximum of 500ma of power, not quite enough for best performance. Should you wish to use the SoundSlayer with the included 3.5mm headphone jack, you will need to plug it in with an additional USB wall charger, again capable of providing at least 900ma of power. Luckily for me, I had a spare 3.0 port, so I only required the one cable for use.
USE
The SoundSlayer contains 4 full-range drivers for sound. After connecting the speaker to my PC, I went into the Windows 11 settings and made sure the computer recognized the device, had the proper settings applied, and verified the microphone was set correctly for use. This isn’t difficult but needs to be done for the best experience. Anyone that has hooked up headphones and/or speakers to a Windows PC will know how to adjust the common settings and default audio devices.
The SoundSlayer contains 4 full-range drivers for sound. After connecting the speaker to my PC, I went into the Windows 11 settings and made sure the computer recognized the device, had the proper settings applied, and verified the microphone was set correctly for use. This isn’t difficult but needs to be done for the best experience. Anyone that has hooked up headphones and/or speakers to a Windows PC will know how to adjust the common settings and default audio devices.
Weighing in at just over a pound, the SoundSlayer is not heavy, but like my headphones after a long gaming session, it too gets uncomfortable around the neck. I think the biggest obstacle that contributes to the discomfort is the relatively short USB cable and the location of my PC. The USB connection is on the left-hand side of the speaker and my computer is on the right side of my desk. The USB cable included with the speaker, or even a USB extension cable seemed to just get in my way. Whether I routed it in front or behind, it just seemed like that tether was a buzz kill.
SOUND QUALITY
At the end of the day, the determining factor for any speaker is sound quality. How was the sound quality? It was OK. It honestly was nothing special or awe inspiring. Out of the box, the sound was fair, but forgettable. Luckily, I purchased both the DTS:X and Dolby Atmos apps during Black Friday and those apps were able to improve playback and sound quality. DTS:X was especially beneficial, while the Dolby Atmos app helped, but was far more subtle than the DTS app.
At the end of the day, the determining factor for any speaker is sound quality. How was the sound quality? It was OK. It honestly was nothing special or awe inspiring. Out of the box, the sound was fair, but forgettable. Luckily, I purchased both the DTS:X and Dolby Atmos apps during Black Friday and those apps were able to improve playback and sound quality. DTS:X was especially beneficial, while the Dolby Atmos app helped, but was far more subtle than the DTS app.
As improved as the sound was, it still was not as enveloping as my headphones. I have headphones from many different manufacturers, including: JBL, Razer, Jabra, Logitech, and Sony. Applying the DTS or Dolby adjustments to any of these manufacturers’ products sounded better, more convincing, and more enveloping than the SoundSlayer. I also found the bass response to be much less engaging with the SoundSlayer vs a good set of headphones with 50mm drivers.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It’s not that the SoundSlayer is an inherently bad product. It is unique and quite novel. It just does not perform as well as a good set of quality headphones. Not only was my gaming experience not as immersive, but without something covering my ears, all ambient sound interrupted the fun. Part of the enjoyment of gaming is the escape from reality. Not to mention, that this is not a practical product for traveling, as there is no way to keep the sound from annoying those people around you.
It’s not that the SoundSlayer is an inherently bad product. It is unique and quite novel. It just does not perform as well as a good set of quality headphones. Not only was my gaming experience not as immersive, but without something covering my ears, all ambient sound interrupted the fun. Part of the enjoyment of gaming is the escape from reality. Not to mention, that this is not a practical product for traveling, as there is no way to keep the sound from annoying those people around you.
Will the SoundSlayers be replacing any of my gaming headsets? No. I can’t think of a single one of my headsets that don’t sound or perform better than the SoundSlayer. Not to mention the real possibility of needing 2 cords to operate just one device, is a deal breaker, at least for me.
Not recommended.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Ease of Use
4
Quality
3
Value
2
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Unleash the power of the Samsung 980 PRO with Heatsink for next-level computing. With a PCIe 4.0 NVMe interface, get up to 2x the data transfer rate of PCIe 3.0¹ while remaining compatible with PCIe 3.0. ¹Results are based on a comparison with Samsung PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSDs and SATA SSDs.
Customer Rating
4
Superb Performance for Inferior Memory
on January 13, 2022
Posted by: NAMO
INTRO
The Samsung 980 Pro with heatsink is Samsung’s latest entry into the world of PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe Solid State Drives. Until now, all their previous drives have been PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe or SATA drives. PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe promises throughputs over 2x the prior 3.0 x4 protocols. The Samsung 980 Pro can reach read speeds up to 7000MB/s and write speeds up to 5100 MB/s. Blazingly fast to say the least.
The Samsung 980 Pro with heatsink is Samsung’s latest entry into the world of PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe Solid State Drives. Until now, all their previous drives have been PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe or SATA drives. PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe promises throughputs over 2x the prior 3.0 x4 protocols. The Samsung 980 Pro can reach read speeds up to 7000MB/s and write speeds up to 5100 MB/s. Blazingly fast to say the least.
With this being a true PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe drive, it is compatible not only with PC’s, but also the new PS5. The PS5 requires a drive capable of supporting speeds up to 5000 MB/s to be used a primary game storage drive and still achieve next gen graphics. This 980 easily fulfills those requirements. The addition of an integrated heatsink ensures the drive remains cool, thereby providing consistent read/write speeds throughout its workload or gaming sessions. For those concerned, the 980 Pro is also fully backwards compatible with the older PCIe 3.0 x4 interface too.
SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
My test rig is an HP Omen. It has an Intel Core i7-9700 8 Core Processor (Liquid Cooled), 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and an nVidia GTX 1660Ti graphics card. The HP has 1 PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe controller which will prove to be the limiting factor in the benchmarks.
My test rig is an HP Omen. It has an Intel Core i7-9700 8 Core Processor (Liquid Cooled), 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and an nVidia GTX 1660Ti graphics card. The HP has 1 PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe controller which will prove to be the limiting factor in the benchmarks.
After installing the drive, I proceeded to install a fresh copy of Windows 11, all the latest updates from Microsoft, including drivers, and the Samsung Magician software. After a full installation, the Magician software informed me of a necessary firmware update for the 980. Fingers crossed, I updated the drive and the computer shut off. Hoping for the best, I powered the computer back on and received a disk error and windows had to complete a disk check to boot. Fortunately, everything seemed to check out fine and I have experienced no further errors yet.
The 980 is extremely fast! The limiting factor in the drive’s performance is the PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe interface of my HP. Even with the prior generation’s specs, the HP managed impressive results. Using the Samsung Magician benchmarking software, I recorded speeds as follows:
Sequential Read: 3559 MB/s
Sequential Write: 3410 MB/s
Random Read: 735351 IOPS
Random Write: 349365 IOPS
Sequential Write: 3410 MB/s
Random Read: 735351 IOPS
Random Write: 349365 IOPS
Excellent performance is an understatement. This drive is speedy and responsive.
SOFTWARE
The Samsung Magician software is the gold standard for drive monitoring software. I have NVMe drives from numerous other vendors including: SK Hynix, ADATA, SanDisk and Western Digital and no software is more polished and comprehensive than Samsung’s. The Magician software is intuitive and allows for one-stop SSD management from temperature information to hardware-based encryption. Excellent work Samsung. I commend you on an excellent piece of free software.
The Samsung Magician software is the gold standard for drive monitoring software. I have NVMe drives from numerous other vendors including: SK Hynix, ADATA, SanDisk and Western Digital and no software is more polished and comprehensive than Samsung’s. The Magician software is intuitive and allows for one-stop SSD management from temperature information to hardware-based encryption. Excellent work Samsung. I commend you on an excellent piece of free software.
NEGATIVES
After doing some reading up on the 980 on the Samsung website, I noticed there were several items that are bragged about on their other drives (older Pros and lesser model Evo’s) that seem hard to find on the Samsung site. After doing some digging, I can see why.
After doing some reading up on the 980 on the Samsung website, I noticed there were several items that are bragged about on their other drives (older Pros and lesser model Evo’s) that seem hard to find on the Samsung site. After doing some digging, I can see why.
Samsung Pros have always represented the pinnacle of Samsung’s hard drive business. They were special drives that used uncommon 2-bit MLC memory and had endurance ratings far greater than any other models Samsung or their competitors offered. 2-bit memory was the memory that all other SSD’s looked up to. Very few drives offered it as an option, especially at the price point Samsung did. Not only that, 2-bit MLC memory is rated up to twice the endurance of TLC NAND memory. In a decision I can only guess is to save costs, Samsung has bestowed the same memory on their new pro models that I have in my inferior EVO and EVO Plus drives. Because of this, the endurance rating of the 980 PRO is now ½ of what it was with the 970 PRO. The new 980 offers and endurance rating of 600TBW, the same as my EVO 970’s. This seems like a huge step back for the consumer.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Should this have used the old Pro’s 2-bit NAND memory, it would be an absolute no-brainer, must have drive. Using 3-bit TLC NAND memory lowers the endurance rating and tarnishes the Pro’s halo. Samsung has long been considered the premier tier in SSD manufacturers. Read any publication or webpage and there is a never ending supply of Samsung kudos and accolades for their drives. While this Pro is awesome, it is not what the original Pros were.
Should this have used the old Pro’s 2-bit NAND memory, it would be an absolute no-brainer, must have drive. Using 3-bit TLC NAND memory lowers the endurance rating and tarnishes the Pro’s halo. Samsung has long been considered the premier tier in SSD manufacturers. Read any publication or webpage and there is a never ending supply of Samsung kudos and accolades for their drives. While this Pro is awesome, it is not what the original Pros were.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Introducing G303 Shroud Edition—the remaster of our iconic mouse. Featuring LIGHTSPEED, it delivers ultra-low latency and reliable performance. Helping Shroud and you take aim. With HERO 25K Sensor, Shroud’s G303 is built for precision and speed, without sacrificing energy. G303 Shroud Edition weighs 75 grams, made for low-sensitivity DPI and faster aiming. Designed in collaboration with Shroud, the new G303 perfectly matches his specs and includes our latest pro-grade technology.
Customer Rating
3
Lightweight, Accurate, Uncomfortable
on December 14, 2021
Posted by: NAMO
KEY FEATURES
25k DPI Resolution
Customizable Buttons
Long Battery Life
No Overdone LED lighting effects
25k DPI Resolution
Customizable Buttons
Long Battery Life
No Overdone LED lighting effects
INITIAL SET-UP AND CONFIGURATION
The G303 mouse connects to your PC via a wireless Logitech “Lightspeed” dongle for communication. Both Windows 10 and 11 instantly recognized the dongle and automatically installed the necessary drivers to begin use.
The G303 mouse connects to your PC via a wireless Logitech “Lightspeed” dongle for communication. Both Windows 10 and 11 instantly recognized the dongle and automatically installed the necessary drivers to begin use.
The G303 uses the familiar Logitech G software configuration, just like all other Logitech products. The G software allows you to fully customize the mouse to your liking. This includes the report rate (125 – 1000 times per second), the DPI resolution (100 – 25,600DPI), as well as button assignments. While I have read numerous complaints about the Logitech G software, I find it relatively easy to use. I like it far better than the Razer Synapse software that seems to be a huge memory and resource hog. I find the Logitech software more intuitive and less resource demanding than its competition. Logitech keeps their software updated monthly, adding new features and squashing bugs each go round. I find it reliable and frustration free.
USE
The G303 was heavily influenced by Michael Grzesiek aka Shroud. He is a well-known gamer and played a hand in all aspects of the design and aesthetics of this mouse. This mouse represents the culmination of what Shroud would consider the ultimate mouse for gaming.
The G303 was heavily influenced by Michael Grzesiek aka Shroud. He is a well-known gamer and played a hand in all aspects of the design and aesthetics of this mouse. This mouse represents the culmination of what Shroud would consider the ultimate mouse for gaming.
Logitech bestowed the mouse with their most accurate HERO optical sensor. Logitech claims a resolution of 25,000 DPI. I take this with a slight grain of salt, as according to their website, all 16k mice received a software update to make them 25k. Hmmmm. Logitech also claims a resolution so accurate it can detect movement at the sub-micron level.
The mouse is lightweight with large PTFE pads on the bottom for effortless movement. It supports a claimed battery life of 70hrs of constant movement. When I turn the resolution and report rates down, the Logitech G software estimates a lengthy 270hrs of battery life. Far more than I get with my other mice from different manufacturers. The mouse is rechargeable via the included USB-C cable.
MY THOUGHTS & CONCLUSIONS
I’ve used the G303 as my primary mouse for multiple days now. Testing ranged from casual web surfing to report writing to long gaming sessions. I compared the G303 to my other mice. These mice included the Razer Basilik V3, the Corsair Dark Core Pro, and the Roccat Kain 200.
I’ve used the G303 as my primary mouse for multiple days now. Testing ranged from casual web surfing to report writing to long gaming sessions. I compared the G303 to my other mice. These mice included the Razer Basilik V3, the Corsair Dark Core Pro, and the Roccat Kain 200.
Quite frankly, the Logitech G303 Shroud Edition is my least favorite mouse. It is the least comfortable to use on a day-to-day basis due to its odd angle where your thumb would be, assuming you are right-handed. The reduced weight of the mouse is nice during long gaming sessions, but it isn’t like any of my other mice are so drastically heavier they impede performance or induce muscle fatigue.
Logitech should be commended for their new Lightspeed 25k HERO sensor. It does offer impressive battery life compared to its competition. But, I find that it is no more accurate than any of my other gaming mice. This includes the 18k Corsair to the 26k Razer. I will fully admit that my gaming abilities aren’t in the same zip code as Shroud’s, but this G303 didn’t do anything to improve my gaming performance.
At the end of the day, it is hard to recommend the G303 over its competition. It isn’t near as comfortable to use for basic computing and it didn’t offer me any advantage while gaming that my other mice do. In addition, the G303 lacks Bluetooth capability that my Dark Core has. Bluetooth isn’t good for gaming, but is great to have so you don’t lose your dongle while traveling. The Dark Core offers both options at a far cheaper price point. Would I spend the money for the G303 versus its competition? No.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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What if a vacuum was so advanced it could sense the type of floor it’s cleaning? BISSELL SurfaceSense Pet vacuum can! Its intelligent SurfaceSense Technology can detect floor types and automatically adjust the brush roll speed to give you optimal cleaning performance on any floor type. It’s also our first vacuum with a Tangle-Free, Multi-Surface Brush Roll which has stiff bristles for cleaning carpet and soft bristles for vacuuming hard floors, so it can pick up everything from fine dust to larger debris across all floor types. SurfaceSense Pet vacuum has a One Touch, Easy Empty dirt tank and a SmartSeal Allergen System that traps fine dust and allergens while you clean. The LED headlights illuminate hidden dirt and debris while the Quick Release Extension Wand and above floor tools work together to clean hard-to-reach spaces, like upholstery and stairs. And this vacuum doesn’t just clean up after pets, it helps save them, too! BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets. When you buy a BISSELL product, you help save pets. We’re proud to design products that help make pet messes, odors and pet homelessness disappear.
Customer Rating
5
Powerful, Reasonably Lightweight, Versatile
on December 9, 2021
Posted by: NAMO
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS & SET-UP
The Bissell comes nicely packaged and requires minimal assembly prior to use. Assembly instructions include simple pictures that are easy to follow and understand. There are only about 8 steps total, including placing the attachments on the vacuum. Total time took less than 5 minutes. Bissell has made the assembly and instructions simple and easy to follow.
The Bissell comes nicely packaged and requires minimal assembly prior to use. Assembly instructions include simple pictures that are easy to follow and understand. There are only about 8 steps total, including placing the attachments on the vacuum. Total time took less than 5 minutes. Bissell has made the assembly and instructions simple and easy to follow.
I find the Bissell is uniquely positioned between competing manufacturers (not in a bad way). I like my Shark vacuums for their lightweight and ease of use. They do an admiral job for basic work, but often leave me wanting for additional power. My Dyson vac is just the opposite. It is physically big, has big suction power, but is also heavy and can be awkward and difficult to use, especially while utilizing the attachments.
The Bissell is a nice compromise between the two. It is lighter and easier to use than my Dyson, but also does a much better job than my lightweight Shark at suction and cleaning.
USE
The big selling point to the Bissell is its unique SurfaceSense technology. In a nutshell, the vacuum starts on a low-speed brush roll setting, suitable for hardwoods, tile, etc. The slower speed of the brush roll combined with the power of the Bissell, does an excellent job at removing dirt from within the grout lines of tile, as well as in the crevices of distressed hardwood floors.
The big selling point to the Bissell is its unique SurfaceSense technology. In a nutshell, the vacuum starts on a low-speed brush roll setting, suitable for hardwoods, tile, etc. The slower speed of the brush roll combined with the power of the Bissell, does an excellent job at removing dirt from within the grout lines of tile, as well as in the crevices of distressed hardwood floors.
If the vacuum senses that it is sweeping on a carpeted surface, it automatically increases the speed of the brush roll. The increased speed greatly improves the vacuum performance on carpeted surfaces and I had no issues with the vacuum failing to pick up any visible dirt I staged for it.
The Bissell SurfaceSense does an excellent job at keeping both pet and human hair from tangling up in the brush roll. After several vacuuming sessions, I have yet to find a single strand of hair tangled up in the roll. This Bissell removes hair far better than my lightweight Shark. My Dyson is a different story. It will remove hair and not think twice. However, that hair will be instantly tangled up in the brush roll and every few weeks, I must cut it all out to keep the Dyson operating as it should. Thanks Bissell!!
The LED lights do a decent job at illuminating the area directly in front of the vac, but I find the Tineco vacuums have a better light path and do a much better job at showing dirt on the floor. Additionally, the Bissell includes 3 attachments, a dusting brush, crevice tool, and a “Pet Turbo Eraser”. The crevice tool is especially nice, as it is one of the few on the market that includes a battery powered LED light to illuminate your work area. Very nice.
NEGATIVES
One of the only negatives I can find with this product is the cord. Bissell includes a generous 30ft cord that is reinforced to help prevent damage if hit by the vacuum, but that reinforcement makes it stiff and hard to work with. Its lack of flexibility makes it difficult to wind and seems like it always gets tangled under your feet or stuck under a door.
One of the only negatives I can find with this product is the cord. Bissell includes a generous 30ft cord that is reinforced to help prevent damage if hit by the vacuum, but that reinforcement makes it stiff and hard to work with. Its lack of flexibility makes it difficult to wind and seems like it always gets tangled under your feet or stuck under a door.
CONCLUSIONS
I think this Bissell strikes a great balance between a full-size, heavy upright like a Dyson and a light-weight, low-powered convenience vacuum like the Shark Vertex. The Bissell has better suction and cleaning power than my Vertex and is much easier to lug around and use than my Dyson. Additionally, the SurfaceSense tech really does work and it has worked well for me. My carpets have been down for about 6 years now and were builder’s grade, at that. The Bissell did a better job at restoring the nap than my big, powerful Dyson does. My carpets look much better and the traffic paths are much less noticeable with this Bissell. No easy feat, but a job well done!
I think this Bissell strikes a great balance between a full-size, heavy upright like a Dyson and a light-weight, low-powered convenience vacuum like the Shark Vertex. The Bissell has better suction and cleaning power than my Vertex and is much easier to lug around and use than my Dyson. Additionally, the SurfaceSense tech really does work and it has worked well for me. My carpets have been down for about 6 years now and were builder’s grade, at that. The Bissell did a better job at restoring the nap than my big, powerful Dyson does. My carpets look much better and the traffic paths are much less noticeable with this Bissell. No easy feat, but a job well done!
Recommended.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enjoy a family barbecue in any kind of weather with the Cosori VeSync Aeroblaze Indoor Grill. 8 versatile cooking functions like Crisp, Air Grill, Dehydrate, and more let you whip up anything from delicious lunch to healthy snacks. Use the one-touch functions on the modern display or adjust settings and monitor meals remotely with the free VeSync app on your smartphone. Voice control compatibility lets you make meals with just the sound of your voice when your hands are full with food prep. The pre-installed activated-carbon smoke filter ensures virtually fume-free grilling for the best grilling experience, while temperatures up to 510°F guarantee those crispy grill textures you love. With included easy-to-clean accessories, bonus tongs, a meat thermometer, and a recipe book made by Cosori chefs, you’ll always be inspired to fire up your indoor grill.
Customer Rating
5
Perfectly Cooked Food with Minimal Clean-up
on November 21, 2021
Posted by: NAMO
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS AND UNBOXING
I am in no way a cook, not even by the loosest definition of the word. After working 50+ hours each week, I don’t have the time or quite frankly the interest to put into cooking. My only real specialty is spaghetti, the easiest of all meals, but I have the uncanny ability to ruin anything. Even the easiest of foods (take frozen pizza for instance) I have no trouble ruining to point its inedible. So, the Cosori indoor grill sparked my interest. An all-in-one solution that can cook up to 8 different ways? I had to give it a try. But, Cosori had their work cut out for them to be able to improve my ineptness at cooking.
I am in no way a cook, not even by the loosest definition of the word. After working 50+ hours each week, I don’t have the time or quite frankly the interest to put into cooking. My only real specialty is spaghetti, the easiest of all meals, but I have the uncanny ability to ruin anything. Even the easiest of foods (take frozen pizza for instance) I have no trouble ruining to point its inedible. So, the Cosori indoor grill sparked my interest. An all-in-one solution that can cook up to 8 different ways? I had to give it a try. But, Cosori had their work cut out for them to be able to improve my ineptness at cooking.
USE
The box includes the indoor grill, a bottom pan that catches grease and drippings, a multipurpose air fryer tray, cleaning brush, tongs, a meat thermometer, and recipe book. After unboxing and removing all the tape and packing materials, Cosori asks you to put the indoor grill through a heat cycle at maximum temp to burn off any residues. No problem, between preheat (preheating takes approximately 8 minutes) and actual cooking, it took about 20 minutes, and the device and grill grate were ready for use.
The box includes the indoor grill, a bottom pan that catches grease and drippings, a multipurpose air fryer tray, cleaning brush, tongs, a meat thermometer, and recipe book. After unboxing and removing all the tape and packing materials, Cosori asks you to put the indoor grill through a heat cycle at maximum temp to burn off any residues. No problem, between preheat (preheating takes approximately 8 minutes) and actual cooking, it took about 20 minutes, and the device and grill grate were ready for use.
Cosori includes a handy QR Code in the instruction manual, linking to their VeSync app. The app downloaded and installed with no issues on my Android smartphone. The app is well designed and walked me through account creation, machine set-up (yes, it is Wi-Fi enabled) and a mandatory firmware update with zero fuss. Job well done Cosori. The VeSync app is one of the most pleasurable experiences with the whole cooking process. It not only allows you to control and monitor your indoor grill, but most importantly, it gives you access to the Cosori online recipe database. I’ve used it several times and it is definitely geared to the culinarily challenged like myself. Thank you Cosori. Recipes, directions, and machine control are easy to understand and follow. I especially appreciate the notifications generated by the VeSync app alerting me to cooking information, shake notifications, preheating, etc.
After trying some basic things in the grill, I decided to give it a shot for family dinner. After thumbing through the various recipes, I decided upon Carne Asada. The family loves Carne Asada. The recipe was simple and concise. Even I could follow it. The app is designed to take a novice from start to finish. I prepared the meat and marinade, prepped it like Cosori directed and at the bottom of each recipe is an AWESOME feature that says “Cook This Meal” Clicking it takes you to the Cosori control menu and has all the cooking parameters pre-selected for the indoor grill based on the recipe selected. It works brilliantly.
So, how well does it cook? So far, everything I have prepared has turned out excellently. Directions seem to be spot on. Cooking times are almost perfect. How did my very first meal turn out? Well, my kid who thinks there are only 2 foods in the world; pizza and cheeseburgers, stopped eating, turned around and said: “This steak tastes really good. It tastes like what we get at a restaurant.” What? Mikey likes it? Queue the Life Cereal commercial.
NEGATIVES
First: I would like Cosori to incorporate some way to monitor cooking in real time. I am a huge fan of Ninja’s approach to the indoor grill. They incorporate a built-in meat thermometer to determine cooking time. You pick the meat and the level of cook desired and the Ninja does the rest. This is a far superior approach to Cosori’s where they include a meat thermometer in the box. This seems like an afterthought and a huge miss on Cosori’s part. Even a window in the unit would be a welcome feature, as once you close the lid, you are leaving it up to the grill to make magic happen.
First: I would like Cosori to incorporate some way to monitor cooking in real time. I am a huge fan of Ninja’s approach to the indoor grill. They incorporate a built-in meat thermometer to determine cooking time. You pick the meat and the level of cook desired and the Ninja does the rest. This is a far superior approach to Cosori’s where they include a meat thermometer in the box. This seems like an afterthought and a huge miss on Cosori’s part. Even a window in the unit would be a welcome feature, as once you close the lid, you are leaving it up to the grill to make magic happen.
Second: While the Cosori has a built-in carbon smoke filter, don’t think that it traps the smells. I was hoping a carbon infused filter would also eliminate the household smells that come with using the product, but it does not. We could still smell the Asada for hours after cooking. Better fume control is on my wish list.
Third: The unit can reach temps up to 510 degrees. This is VERY hot, and the outside of the unit can get super-hot as well. So, you must be careful while using it. Luckily, the lid’s handles remain cool to the touch, but they are not of the best design, and I would like to see more material added to ease in access. You also must be very aware of Cosori’s requirements for clearance around the unit. The smoke filter is in the back of the machine, on the lid. The filter sucks smoke from the machine and exhausts it from the port during use. Anything in the area behind the grill will get hot, so ensure you give yourself plenty of space around the grill.
CONCLUSION
After many uses, I can say that the Cosori VeSync Aeroblaze Countertop Indoor Grill is a good product. It offers up to 8 cooking modes, including: crisp, broil, air grill, roast, bake, dehydrate, preheat, and keep warm (though I don’t consider preheat a cooking mode). The indoor grill is extremely easy to use and cook with, not to mention the recipes we’ve tried so far have been tasty and easy to prepare.
After many uses, I can say that the Cosori VeSync Aeroblaze Countertop Indoor Grill is a good product. It offers up to 8 cooking modes, including: crisp, broil, air grill, roast, bake, dehydrate, preheat, and keep warm (though I don’t consider preheat a cooking mode). The indoor grill is extremely easy to use and cook with, not to mention the recipes we’ve tried so far have been tasty and easy to prepare.
The machine is not perfect and I think Cosori really missed some glaring opportunities. To give Cosori the benefit of the doubt, everything I’ve prepared as per their recipes, has turned out great. Food is evenly cooked, very flavorful, and clean-up is a snap. I’m not sure what coating they have on the grill grate and the fryer basket, but nothing has stuck to them yet. I wish my outdoor grills’ grates were as well made and easy to clean.
This product is easy to recommend.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+11points
11of 11voted this as helpful.
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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.
5 years 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.
5 years 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, 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.
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, 10 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.
7 years 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.
7 years ago
by
NAMO