NAMO's stats
- Review count210
- Helpfulness votes1,248
- First reviewJanuary 28, 2017
- Last reviewJuly 4, 2025
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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 ASUS V500 Desktop delivers powerful, reliable, and expandable performance in a compact design. Ideal for professionals and home users, it ensures seamless multitasking, productivity, and entertainment. AI-powered two-way noise cancellation enhances virtual meetings with crystal-clear audio. Advanced cooling keeps operation quiet and efficient, while versatile connectivity allows easy integration with peripherals. Built-in security features and upgradeability make it a future-proof solution for those seeking performance, convenience, and reliability. Whether for work or entertainment, the V500 offers a space-saving design with the power to handle diverse computing needs.
Customer Rating
4
Laptop disguised as a desktop
on May 26, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: This is a low-power laptop housed inside a desktop SFF chassis. While speed is decent, the system is limited by its weak graphics.
PROS
16GB DD5 RAM, expandable to 96GB
1TB Gen 4 SSD
Extremely Quiet – (Quietest PC I have)
Plenty of Expansion Ports
16GB DD5 RAM, expandable to 96GB
1TB Gen 4 SSD
Extremely Quiet – (Quietest PC I have)
Plenty of Expansion Ports
CONS
Laptop power in a desktop chassis
Extremely weak graphics chips
Realtek Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chipset
Laptop power in a desktop chassis
Extremely weak graphics chips
Realtek Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chipset
KEY SPECS / PORTS
Intel i5-13420H Processor 8C/12T (4P / 4E Cores)
16GB DDR-5 5600 MHz RAM
1TB Phison Gen 4 nVME SSD
4 x USB 2.0
2 x USB 3.0
1 x USB-C
1 x RJ45
1 x HDMI 1.4
1 x DP 1.4
1 x PCI-E x16 Expansion Slot (SFF Case will not fit a full-size graphics card)
3.5mm Mic & Headphone Input/Outputs
Intel i5-13420H Processor 8C/12T (4P / 4E Cores)
16GB DDR-5 5600 MHz RAM
1TB Phison Gen 4 nVME SSD
4 x USB 2.0
2 x USB 3.0
1 x USB-C
1 x RJ45
1 x HDMI 1.4
1 x DP 1.4
1 x PCI-E x16 Expansion Slot (SFF Case will not fit a full-size graphics card)
3.5mm Mic & Headphone Input/Outputs
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The Asus V500 is a basic, entry-level desktop. This is a perfect computer for parents that use an external monitor and don’t want a laptop. It does day-to-day tasks with no fuss or fanfare and does so in near silence.
The Asus V500 is a basic, entry-level desktop. This is a perfect computer for parents that use an external monitor and don’t want a laptop. It does day-to-day tasks with no fuss or fanfare and does so in near silence.
The V500 is, by far, the quietest desktop I’ve used to date. Even running extensive Passmark CPU tests, the desktop had just a hint of fan noise trying to cool the processor. Once the tests were complete, the fan idled down in a few seconds and the V500 was back to near silence. Even sitting at the desk next to me, the fan is barely audible. Much quieter than any desktop I’ve used to date, and far quieter than a laptop.
How does the V500 remain so quiet? It is a laptop inside of a desktop chassis. The i5-13420H is a low power Intel CPU designed specifically for laptops. Placing it inside a desktop chassis with a big heatsink and the V500 has plenty of overhead for cooling, keeping noise down.
USE
With such a low-power computer, how does it handle daily tasks? If you aren’t asking a great deal from the graphics card, the V500 serves as a silent companion. It handles all Office tasks with ease. Emails, videos, music, etc. are easily performed on the V500.
With such a low-power computer, how does it handle daily tasks? If you aren’t asking a great deal from the graphics card, the V500 serves as a silent companion. It handles all Office tasks with ease. Emails, videos, music, etc. are easily performed on the V500.
Where the V500 comes up way short is in its underpowered GPU. The 13th gen i5 has an extremely limited GPU. It has substantially less power than my desktop 14th gen i5-14400. How much less? My i5-14400 will drive my 1440p monitor at 120Hz with 12-bit HDR. The little i5-13420H will drive the monitor at 1440p, but at only 60Hz and 8-bit HDR, same with my LG UltraGear 4k OLED. It will output 4k @ 60Hz, but without HDR. However, I feel the text and refresh rate hinder the output at 4k. Text isn’t as crisp and clear as it is with a more powerful GPU. Some text has odd artifacts and rainbowing. The experience isn’t nearly as enjoyable as it is at 1440p and 1080p. You can tell the GPU is struggling.
The GPU in the V500 is efficient and low power, but it is also low performance. This probably won’t be a huge deal for most folks, but it is concerning for my use. Should you have a basic 1080p monitor, the V500 is able to drive it at 120Hz with HDR. Again, I know it is being picky, as I’m assuming the intended audience for this desktop could care less about high refresh rates. But those that may be using a 4k monitor, will realize the weak GPU’s limitations.
Aside from the weak graphics, there isn’t much else to dislike about this entry-level computer. It comes spec’d with a generous 1TB nVME SSD and 16GB of DDR5 RAM. Plenty of space for the most demanding workloads. It is nice to see an entry-level machine with 16GB of RAM, even if it is limited to only being on one stick. 16GB gives a nice performance boost over the basic 8GB making for a much more enjoyable experience.
NEGATIVES
I’ve already mentioned the graphics, so I won’t go into it here. The only other negative I can ding the V500 on is the Realtek Wi-Fi / Bluetooth chipset. Its performance has always been spotty. It struggles to reliably connect to my Asus ZenWi-Fi routers upon boot up. It often takes several attempts to finally obtain a connection. I would love Asus to start using the Intel AX chipsets for WiFi & Bluetooth. They are much more reliable.
I’ve already mentioned the graphics, so I won’t go into it here. The only other negative I can ding the V500 on is the Realtek Wi-Fi / Bluetooth chipset. Its performance has always been spotty. It struggles to reliably connect to my Asus ZenWi-Fi routers upon boot up. It often takes several attempts to finally obtain a connection. I would love Asus to start using the Intel AX chipsets for WiFi & Bluetooth. They are much more reliable.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The V500 is a fine companion for “lightweight” desktop work. It is super quiet and has enough power to do most routine tasks. Emails, Word docs, PDF’s, YouTube, etc. all work fine on the V500.
The V500 is a fine companion for “lightweight” desktop work. It is super quiet and has enough power to do most routine tasks. Emails, Word docs, PDF’s, YouTube, etc. all work fine on the V500.
Even with a laptop processor, the i5-13420H compares favorably to its newer and slightly more powerful i5-14400 desktop sibling. Passmark scores of 21053 compare favorably to its desktop-spec sibling, the i5-14400 which clocks in at 24637. Both fairly weak, but decent for a low-power, efficient desktop. The only real limitation is the weak GPU. Users with high resolution displays will severely tax the GPU. However, it is perfectly capable at 1080p and passable at 1440p. Don’t expect to game, unless it is something like solitaire.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Fan is the ultra-powerful, ultra-portable corded & cordless fan that delivers personal evaporative misting both outdoors and indoors. With a built-in misting tank, you can lower temperatures in seconds. With over 70 feet of portable cooling power, up to 12 hours of runtime, and an easy carry handle, you can bring cooling and misting on the go.
Customer Rating
5
My New Go-To Companion in Heat of Summer
on May 22, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: A superior product compared to my 20V fan from Big Yellow. The only real negative is the lack of swappable batteries.
PROS
Decent battery life
Fully self-contained misting system
Quiet operation
Up to 12hrs of run-time / 60 minutes of misting
Decent battery life
Fully self-contained misting system
Quiet operation
Up to 12hrs of run-time / 60 minutes of misting
NEGATIVES
No hot-swapable batteries
Not as rugged as my current portable fan
No USB-C charging & 12V adapter not included
No hot-swapable batteries
Not as rugged as my current portable fan
No USB-C charging & 12V adapter not included
IMPRESSIONS
This fan is yet another great product from Shark Ninja. I have a portable 20V fan from “Big Yellow” that I’ve had for several years. It has been reliable, and I love the fact that you can easily swap fresh 20V batteries when they run out.
This fan is yet another great product from Shark Ninja. I have a portable 20V fan from “Big Yellow” that I’ve had for several years. It has been reliable, and I love the fact that you can easily swap fresh 20V batteries when they run out.
However, that fan is loud. It is tolerable on slower settings, but as the heat of summer increases, the need for increased fan speeds rises. More speed, more noise.
The Shark Ninja is markedly quieter than my current jobsite, portable fan. Shark has done an excellent job of blade design with their new FlexBreeze. The FlexBreeze is far better at moving more air at less speed than my current fan. Even at the highest speeds, I would guess the FlexBreeze is about 2/3 as loud as my current portable fan. I didn’t bust out my SPL meter to verify, but it is a noticeable difference. Using the FlexBreeze is more enjoyable and less fatiguing than my “Big Yellow” fan especially at parties and events where noise levels do matter.
Shark claims a run time of up to 12 hrs and a total misting time of up to 60 minutes. Those claims seem like the best case. I find that increasing speed and/or constant misting takes a bite out of battery life. I have yet to get a full 12 hours of battery life, averaging 6 – 8 hours. Not bad, but not all day either. Luckily, the FlexBreeze can still be used while charging so, not a deal breaker.
While I try to use distilled water as much as possible in the FlexBreeze (it is not required, but something I like to keep mineral build up at bay and maximize machine life) I do find myself reaching for a readily available bottle of water to refill. As summer is really getting started here and temps have risen to the 90’s on several days running now, I found a great “hack” is to use an ice-cold bottle of water for the mister. Ice cold water being misted out on a hot day is amazingly refreshing and almost chilly.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Shark FlexBreeze has replaced my current big name portable fan in every scenario, but the harshest of work environments where I don’t want to take it and have it get destroyed. The fan works great and is very quiet compared to my current one. Add in a fully self-contained mister and there isn’t really anything not to like about the FlexBreeze.
The Shark FlexBreeze has replaced my current big name portable fan in every scenario, but the harshest of work environments where I don’t want to take it and have it get destroyed. The fan works great and is very quiet compared to my current one. Add in a fully self-contained mister and there isn’t really anything not to like about the FlexBreeze.
Yes, I wish it had swappable batteries, but that is the only real thing I can knock it on. It’s already proven to be a valuable companion in the early days of summer. The FlexBreeze moves a lot of air very efficiently and throw in an ice-cold mist, it’s a combo that is hard to beat in the heat.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Hisense QD7 Series changes the TV game. It’s a solid introduction to realistic Mini-LED contrasts and QLED Color with over one billion shades. Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos put you in the stands, so you can see every blade of grass, hear every call of the ref and cheer of the fans. And advance your gameplay with Game Mode Plus and 144Hz Game Mode Pro by virtually eliminating screen tearing.
Customer Rating
5
A Bunch of Features & Performance
on May 12, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: The picture quality gap between LED and OLED has gotten to a point where differences are minimal, especially if a vast majority of your TV viewing is streaming.
PROS
Extremely Accurate White Balance
Excellent Color Reproduction
Excellent Color Uniformity Throughout Panel
Excellent FALD Light Control
144Hz Panel with Variable Refresh Rate
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos
Extremely Accurate White Balance
Excellent Color Reproduction
Excellent Color Uniformity Throughout Panel
Excellent FALD Light Control
144Hz Panel with Variable Refresh Rate
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos
CONS
Still doesn’t match OLED’s inky blacks
Fire TV OS not for everyone
Not all HDMI Inputs support 144Hz
Still doesn’t match OLED’s inky blacks
Fire TV OS not for everyone
Not all HDMI Inputs support 144Hz
CONNECTIVITY
4 HDMI (2x 2.1 & 2 x 2.0)
1 x Ethernet
2 x USB
1 x Composite (Audio & Video)
1 x Optical S/PDIF
4 HDMI (2x 2.1 & 2 x 2.0)
1 x Ethernet
2 x USB
1 x Composite (Audio & Video)
1 x Optical S/PDIF
SET-UP
Anyone with an Amazon account will have no issues setting up the Hisense QD7. It takes a maximum of 30 seconds. Power up the TV, select home use, scan the QR code on the screen with your phone and that is it. The Amazon app does the rest. It is slick, quick, and simple.
Anyone with an Amazon account will have no issues setting up the Hisense QD7. It takes a maximum of 30 seconds. Power up the TV, select home use, scan the QR code on the screen with your phone and that is it. The Amazon app does the rest. It is slick, quick, and simple.
Once linked to your account, the TV will check for any new software updates and automatically apply them. After rebooting, you get the option to restore the Hisense from any other FireTV devices on your account. Should you have one, the Amazon app will download all your apps and mirror the Hisense after your selected FireTV device. It is super easy to use and manipulate. Even though FireTV isn’t my first choice of media streamers, I can’t argue with the simplicity of the set-up process.
COLOR ACCURACY
I had minimal hopes for the QD7. For the better part of the last 5 years, I have been watching on the first generation of OLED TV’s. At the time, my TV was impressive, with unrivaled black levels and contrast. In addition, when I installed the TV, I was able to get the TV calibrated nearly perfectly, with every parameter measuring a Delta Error of less than 2 (Delta Errors less than 2, mean color inaccuracies imperceptible to the human eye). It has been an awesome TV from day one.
I had minimal hopes for the QD7. For the better part of the last 5 years, I have been watching on the first generation of OLED TV’s. At the time, my TV was impressive, with unrivaled black levels and contrast. In addition, when I installed the TV, I was able to get the TV calibrated nearly perfectly, with every parameter measuring a Delta Error of less than 2 (Delta Errors less than 2, mean color inaccuracies imperceptible to the human eye). It has been an awesome TV from day one.
However, after all these years, I finally got bit by the Achilles heel of OLED TV, screen burn-in. My wife’s fascination with the news has forever burned in the banner across the bottom of the TV. Ugh.
After installing the Hisense and watching content for a couple of nights, I arbitrarily decided that the panel was broken-in and I could test its accuracy. After making some preliminary adjustments to get the picture in the ballpark, it was time to measure the panel with calibration equipment.
After installing the Hisense and watching content for a couple of nights, I arbitrarily decided that the panel was broken-in and I could test its accuracy. After making some preliminary adjustments to get the picture in the ballpark, it was time to measure the panel with calibration equipment.
So, the big question is; just how does the QD7 compare to the OLED. Is it as accurate?
Technically, no it isn’t. The QD7 struggles with red from 0 – 20%. This means that in these low light situations, the image is slightly more red than perfect. However, from 30% – 100% color accuracy is impressive. Measuring Delta Errors less than 2 in all primary and secondary colors along with near perfection in overall white balance (at least according to my colorimeter and accompanying freeware/shareware calibration software). Frankly the little bit of error in the low end is imperceptible. Colors don’t look distorted or odd. It is a statistical anomaly more than anything (at least to my eye).
Technically, no it isn’t. The QD7 struggles with red from 0 – 20%. This means that in these low light situations, the image is slightly more red than perfect. However, from 30% – 100% color accuracy is impressive. Measuring Delta Errors less than 2 in all primary and secondary colors along with near perfection in overall white balance (at least according to my colorimeter and accompanying freeware/shareware calibration software). Frankly the little bit of error in the low end is imperceptible. Colors don’t look distorted or odd. It is a statistical anomaly more than anything (at least to my eye).
BACKLIGHT vs OLED
When comparing TV’s today, everything revolves around the OLED. It sets the standard for contrast, black levels, and picture quality. So, how does the QD7 compare? Very well. I’m not sure how many dimming zones the QD7 has, but it is a bunch. There’s no light bleeding around the top and bottom on movies mastered in 2.35:1. Black bars on the top and bottom of movies are BLACK. No bleeding. Same with old school shows shot in the 4:3 format. Black bars on the sides of the program are black. No bleeding.
When comparing TV’s today, everything revolves around the OLED. It sets the standard for contrast, black levels, and picture quality. So, how does the QD7 compare? Very well. I’m not sure how many dimming zones the QD7 has, but it is a bunch. There’s no light bleeding around the top and bottom on movies mastered in 2.35:1. Black bars on the top and bottom of movies are BLACK. No bleeding. Same with old school shows shot in the 4:3 format. Black bars on the sides of the program are black. No bleeding.
I’m a big fan of sci-fi movies. Any movie set in outer space is the bane of LED TVs. They have an extremely hard time controlling light output. Typically, outer space isn’t black; it’s an odd shade of gray. It just can’t be stopped. Edge-lit TV’s only make the problem that much worse. However, the QD7 boasts a direct backlit display with FALD (Full Array Local Dimming). Light control from the panel is impressive. There is minimal blooming and minimal artifacts. I was taken aback at just how impressive the QD7 can control its light output. Does it match the inky blacks and contrast of an OLED? No. But it is close. Very close. So much so, I would venture to bet unless you had both TV’s side by side, you would be hard pressed to tell a difference.
GAMING
The QD7 supports an impressive 144Hz refresh rate from its 4k panel. The TV immediately changes to game mode when connecting to a PC or console. My gaming laptop was immediately recognized as was my Xbox Series X. My gaming laptop was able to take full advantage of the 144Hz refresh rate; my Xbox played at 120Hz. I noticed no discernible lag or input delay. Maybe if I was a full-time gamer, it would matter, for me it makes no difference. Images are bright, vibrant, and judder free even with the quickest of moves.
The QD7 supports an impressive 144Hz refresh rate from its 4k panel. The TV immediately changes to game mode when connecting to a PC or console. My gaming laptop was immediately recognized as was my Xbox Series X. My gaming laptop was able to take full advantage of the 144Hz refresh rate; my Xbox played at 120Hz. I noticed no discernible lag or input delay. Maybe if I was a full-time gamer, it would matter, for me it makes no difference. Images are bright, vibrant, and judder free even with the quickest of moves.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I was not prepared to like the QD7 as much as I do. I have been an OLED snob for years now. The more I watch content on the QD7, the more I like it. QLED and LED technology have progressed a bunch in the past 5 years since I got my first gen OLED. The QD7 has a picture quality that was unimaginable a few years ago. Blacks are now black. Can it match the true performance of OLED’s black levels? No. But the gap has narrowed to the point where the differences are minimal.
I was not prepared to like the QD7 as much as I do. I have been an OLED snob for years now. The more I watch content on the QD7, the more I like it. QLED and LED technology have progressed a bunch in the past 5 years since I got my first gen OLED. The QD7 has a picture quality that was unimaginable a few years ago. Blacks are now black. Can it match the true performance of OLED’s black levels? No. But the gap has narrowed to the point where the differences are minimal.
There is one area where the QD7 totally dominates my OLED. That is overall brightness. The QD7 can get extremely bright. FAR brighter than my OLED ever could. So much so that in a dark room, it almost hurts your eyes.
At the end of the day, here is the question: Would I trade my OLED (assuming it didn’t have burn-in) for the QD7? I have to say: Yes. I know this is an unpopular opinion, but what the QD7 gives up in black level, it makes up for in brightness and vibrance. The differences aren’t enough to sway me back to the OLED. I took my OLED off the wall and installed the QD7. A true back-to-back comparison. The QD7 is an impressive offering from Hisense. From the shear size of the TV, to the brightness, to the excellent light control, the QD7 has a lot going for it. The calibrated QD7’s colors are richer and more vibrant than they ever have been on my calibrated OLED.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Max captures everything around you in a stunning 5.6K spherical video while completely erasing your extension pole from the shot. Just point Max anywhere and pick the best angles later. You’ll be able to create immersive point-of-view footage, selfie shots, follow-cam footage and more from the same video. The GoPro Quik app makes it easy to reframe and automatically track objects while powerful editing tools help you create videos that you can share right from your phone. Intuitive camera controls let you tap and swipe to take ultra steady 360-time warp shots and 360 photos or standard video in single lens mode with unbreakable max hyper smooth video stabilization and horizon lock. Rugged, durable, waterproof and mountable, Max is ready to capture your adventures from every angle and perspective.
Customer Rating
5
360-Degree camera views, but lacks true 4k
on April 29, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: Action camera that can record videos and take photos with a 360-degree field of view.
PROS
360-degree video
Automatic Selfie Stick Removal
Multiple Photo and Video Recording Options
Effective Image Stabilization
Automatic Horizon Leveling
Slick & Smooth App
Standardized ¼”x20 Mounting
360-degree video
Automatic Selfie Stick Removal
Multiple Photo and Video Recording Options
Effective Image Stabilization
Automatic Horizon Leveling
Slick & Smooth App
Standardized ¼”x20 Mounting
CONS
360 Video Max Resolution is 5.6k @ 30fps
360 Video Max Resolution is 3k @ 60fps
Hero Mode Limited to 1440p @ 60fps
360 Video Max Resolution is 5.6k @ 30fps
360 Video Max Resolution is 3k @ 60fps
Hero Mode Limited to 1440p @ 60fps
USE
The GoPro Max 360 is my first ever action camera. I’ve been eyeing them for years, so when this came up for review, I was excited to give it a try.
The GoPro Max 360 is my first ever action camera. I’ve been eyeing them for years, so when this came up for review, I was excited to give it a try.
I wanted an action camera to use a “dashcam” for my motorcycle. I didn’t like the idea of hardwiring or semi-permanent mounting to my bike. I wanted something that was easy to mount and still gave me the option of recording video from front and/or the back. Something that could not only record rides and track days but also be just at home recording mundane day-to-day commuting. But I was unsure how an actual action camera would stand up to the rigors of motorcycling. Exposed to the elements, constant vibration from the engine, stiff motorcycle suspension tuning, the Max 360 had a lot to overcome.
The Max 360 has recorded clear video regardless of my activity. Commutes, back roads, etc. have not phased the 360. The video is clear and nearly perfectly stable, only getting upset from an unsuspecting pothole, expansion joint, or some other form of abnormality. But 99% of the time, video is rock solid. The same can be said for the automatic horizon leveling. It’s remarkable at how well it keeps the camera level. Except for sudden, hard cornering video remains perfectly flat.
I really like that this feature can be disabled if so desired. I like having it on during commutes, but it makes for a much more enjoyable video turning it off during back road rides giving you a good idea of the lean angles.
I really like that this feature can be disabled if so desired. I like having it on during commutes, but it makes for a much more enjoyable video turning it off during back road rides giving you a good idea of the lean angles.
QUIK APP
The GoPro Quik app is easy to use and figure out, even for a newbie like me and with a camera that has so many options and settings. Honestly, it’s the preferred way to adjust the camera and its settings. While you can still adjust the Max 360 from the touchscreen display, using the app and a phone is so much easier. After only a few minutes with the Quik app, I felt like a pro. It is extremely easy to navigate.
The GoPro Quik app is easy to use and figure out, even for a newbie like me and with a camera that has so many options and settings. Honestly, it’s the preferred way to adjust the camera and its settings. While you can still adjust the Max 360 from the touchscreen display, using the app and a phone is so much easier. After only a few minutes with the Quik app, I felt like a pro. It is extremely easy to navigate.
The Quik app is also the preferred way to download videos from the camera as well. First the app looks for the camera via Bluetooth. Once discovered, it connects to the 360 via Bluetooth. When you ask the app to offload videos, preview videos, or do a live view, your phone connects to the camera via Wi-Fi (all of this is easily configured during the initial set-up). The phone gets a low-resolution version of what is saved on the camera for previews, then can download the high-resolution version should you choose. Accessing images and videos is quick and efficient, especially if you opt for the 5GHz Wi-Fi connection.
Speaking of the Quik app, my favorite feature of the app has to be the live preview. Once your camera is set and mounted, you can opt for the live preview option and your phone can then be used to see what the GoPro sees. The phone mimics whatever recording setting you have the GoPro set to; wide, narrow, 360, etc. Using your phone’s built-in accelerometers, you can move the phone around to see the entire view from the GoPro. So slick!!!!!
CONS
Images and videos are plenty clear at 1440p, easily able to capture license plates, but the video still falls far behind full 4k quality, especially noticeable during Hero mode (Hero mode is front camera only). There are times that I wished for higher resolution videos. In a perfect world, the GoPro would be an 8k device, not a 5.6k device. At 8k the buyer would have the option of two 4k cameras. As it stands the Max 360 can do 5.6k resolution at 30fps, but drops down to only 3k resolution at 60fps.
Images and videos are plenty clear at 1440p, easily able to capture license plates, but the video still falls far behind full 4k quality, especially noticeable during Hero mode (Hero mode is front camera only). There are times that I wished for higher resolution videos. In a perfect world, the GoPro would be an 8k device, not a 5.6k device. At 8k the buyer would have the option of two 4k cameras. As it stands the Max 360 can do 5.6k resolution at 30fps, but drops down to only 3k resolution at 60fps.
The Max 360 gets quite warm during use. Even when trying it out in the air-conditioned house, it still gets quite warm to the touch. I am curious to how well it will function in the 100+ degree heat of the summer.
The included 64GB micro-SD card is good for about 2hrs of recording, as is the battery. Because of the design on the GoPro, getting higher capacity batteries doesn’t appear to be an option.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Even though the Max 360 lacks true 4k cameras front and rear, images and video are still sharp. The camera has held up well in its use to date. Even with all my commutes and rides, the camera is still pristine and unscathed. The rubberized exterior appears to be doing an extremely good job at protecting the camera from the elements.
Even though the Max 360 lacks true 4k cameras front and rear, images and video are still sharp. The camera has held up well in its use to date. Even with all my commutes and rides, the camera is still pristine and unscathed. The rubberized exterior appears to be doing an extremely good job at protecting the camera from the elements.
There are so many recording modes and features, I could write pages about all the different options and features. I know I didn’t touch on them a great deal here. If you have a specific or unique need for a camera the Max 360 probably has a mode or setting to suit.
The Max 360 is fulfilling its role nicely in its short time with me. It gives me all the functionality of an action camera and with an aftermarket handlebar mount, a “dash cam”, in one small, tidy, and light package.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Let creativity reign with the HP OmniBook X Flip 14 Next Gen AI PC. With 4 versatile modes, this thin and light Next Gen AI PC enables you to work and play from anywhere, at any angle. AI-boosted power and speed, along with an all-day, fast-charge battery, keeps you going. While a 2K IPS touch screen provides the best possible view.
Customer Rating
4
Good, All Around 2-in-1. Needs less Bloatware.
on April 27, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: Nice 2-in-1 with fair battery life and decent specs.
KEY SPECS
6C / 12T AMD Ryzen 5 340 AI Processor
16GB DDR5 RAM
1 x HDMI 2.1 Port
1 x USB-C 10Gb Port
1 x USB-C 40Gb Port
2 x USB-A Ports
1 x 3.5mm Headphone Port
6C / 12T AMD Ryzen 5 340 AI Processor
16GB DDR5 RAM
1 x HDMI 2.1 Port
1 x USB-C 10Gb Port
1 x USB-C 40Gb Port
2 x USB-A Ports
1 x 3.5mm Headphone Port
PROS
Good Processing Power for Nearly Any Work Task
Can be used as a traditional laptop or as a tablet
Good sound quality while used as a laptop
Backlit keyboard
Good Processing Power for Nearly Any Work Task
Can be used as a traditional laptop or as a tablet
Good sound quality while used as a laptop
Backlit keyboard
CONS
Battery life not as good as advertised
Downward firing speakers
Bloatware leads to errors when attempting removal
Battery life not as good as advertised
Downward firing speakers
Bloatware leads to errors when attempting removal
USE
The HP OmniBook has plenty of power for most any day-to-day task whether it be work or pleasure. The AMD Ryzen 5 AI processor has a total of 6 cores. 3 Performance and 3 Economy Cores. Unlike its Intel counterpart, the AMD cores all support multiple threads. I was able to stream full HD video while still preparing documents and having multiple browser tabs open in the background. Rarely did it bog down or feel burdened. Combined with a respectable 16GB or RAM and Radeon 840M Graphics, the OmniBook has plenty of reserve power for most any need. Even during my most demanding parts of the day, overall memory utilization rarely topped 50%. CPU utilization varies wildly from minute to minute, but even with everything mentioned above, the Ryzen 5 never lost its cool and remained quiet the entire day. It was a pleasant surprise.
The HP OmniBook has plenty of power for most any day-to-day task whether it be work or pleasure. The AMD Ryzen 5 AI processor has a total of 6 cores. 3 Performance and 3 Economy Cores. Unlike its Intel counterpart, the AMD cores all support multiple threads. I was able to stream full HD video while still preparing documents and having multiple browser tabs open in the background. Rarely did it bog down or feel burdened. Combined with a respectable 16GB or RAM and Radeon 840M Graphics, the OmniBook has plenty of reserve power for most any need. Even during my most demanding parts of the day, overall memory utilization rarely topped 50%. CPU utilization varies wildly from minute to minute, but even with everything mentioned above, the Ryzen 5 never lost its cool and remained quiet the entire day. It was a pleasant surprise.
The backlit keyboard is a nice addition when using the OmniBook as a traditional laptop. This day and age, I would not consider a 2-in-1 or any other laptop for that matter without a backlit keyboard. Unfortunately, this same keyboard isn’t the best. Its actuation feels cheap and the keys have no texture to easily differentiate one from another. Competitors’ laptops have far better keyboards.
With a resolution of just 1920 x 1200, the 14-inch screen is still clear, and the font is legible and smooth. The touchscreen is accurate and responsive. Combined with the Corning Gorilla Glass, it makes for a tough, clear display.
CONS
The biggest drawback of the OmniBook is the included bloatware. The biggest offender is McAfee anti-virus. It is an unnecessary and resource hungry program. In addition, the Omnibook ships with several other programs to try and make video conferencing look and sound much better. Programs like Poly Camera Pro, Windows Studio Effects, and other HP “Optimization” programs add up to a taxing demand on the CPU. If you use your OmniBook for video conferencing, WFH, etc. you may find that these programs are very beneficial, especially the AI noise reduction. For me, I rarely use video conferencing, so they were unnecessary, and with them always starting up by default, they used up precious system resources, bogging the system down forcing me to manually deactivate them.
The biggest drawback of the OmniBook is the included bloatware. The biggest offender is McAfee anti-virus. It is an unnecessary and resource hungry program. In addition, the Omnibook ships with several other programs to try and make video conferencing look and sound much better. Programs like Poly Camera Pro, Windows Studio Effects, and other HP “Optimization” programs add up to a taxing demand on the CPU. If you use your OmniBook for video conferencing, WFH, etc. you may find that these programs are very beneficial, especially the AI noise reduction. For me, I rarely use video conferencing, so they were unnecessary, and with them always starting up by default, they used up precious system resources, bogging the system down forcing me to manually deactivate them.
Speakers. The sound quality of the speakers is quite good. I found them to be some of the better speakers I’ve used on a laptop. The HP audio tuning works well and the inclusion of DTS audio processing makes them that much better. The problem is that they fire downward. They work great when using the OmniBook as a laptop with the sound bouncing off your desk to your ears, but when used as a tablet, the audio is pointed away from you. Not ideal.
While HP touts “All Day” performance from the OmniBook. I found myself averaging about 5 hours of constant use before reaching for a charger. This is at 50% screen brightness and video streaming nearly the entire time.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The HP OmniBook offers a lot in a small package. It’s nowhere near the lightest or most powerful laptop on the market, but it strikes a nice balance. Enough processing power, memory, and storage to be a useful device for years to come.
The HP OmniBook offers a lot in a small package. It’s nowhere near the lightest or most powerful laptop on the market, but it strikes a nice balance. Enough processing power, memory, and storage to be a useful device for years to come.
I would still like to have better actuation from the keyboard without the buttons feeling cheap and fragile and I would absolutely love to see HP stop using the often troublesome MediaTek Wi-Fi card, but the OmniBook is still a good laptop and worthy of a look if you are in the market for a 2-in-1, especially if used for teleconferencing and WFH scenarios.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: A different twist on traditional earbuds. They have better audio quality and fit than the Shokz OpenFit 2’s.
PROS
Lightweight & Extremely Comfortable
Supports Dolby Audio & High-Resolution Audio
Excellent Battery Life
Better than Shokz “Flagship” Open Fit 2
Lightweight & Extremely Comfortable
Supports Dolby Audio & High-Resolution Audio
Excellent Battery Life
Better than Shokz “Flagship” Open Fit 2
CONS
Mixed retention results during workouts
No ANC
Mixed retention results during workouts
No ANC
USE
The Open Dots are Shokz latest entry into their “Open” line of earbuds. Straying away from the traditional in-ear buds that most other manufacturers pursue, Shokz focuses on bone conducting models and on ear models.
The Open Dots are Shokz latest entry into their “Open” line of earbuds. Straying away from the traditional in-ear buds that most other manufacturers pursue, Shokz focuses on bone conducting models and on ear models.
Unlike traditional buds that fit into the ear or over the ear, the Open Dots “clip” on to the back of your ear and hook into the ear. It feels odd when you first try them on. But, after about a minute, I found myself not ever wanting to go back to a traditional earbud that clips over the top of the ear. The Open Dots fit far better than any other clip over the ear buds have ever fit, at least for my ears and in my opinion. No matter how hard I tried, I just never could get comfortable with the clip over style buds. They never seemed secure. Not so with the Open Dots. They feel more stable and secure than many others.
Like all good quality ear buds, the Open Dots support high-resolution audio playback, including Dolby Audio. My HMD Android phone immediately indicated that the Dots supported high-resolution audio immediately after pairing. Sound quality is quite good, especially if you subscribe to streaming services that offer high-resolution audio capabilities.
Call quality is as good as any other earbuds on the market. Not stellar and nothing that really stands out, but on par with all the others. Wind attenuation during calls was fair, but with these buds not sitting down into the ear canal, don’t expect pristine audio during calls in the wind. I often found myself turning up the volume to compensate for wind noise intruding around the ear buds.
Battery life is exceptional. The Open Dots have battery life on par with Shokz’s best buds. Even after several hours of listening to music and podcasts, there was still plenty of battery life left for a couple more hours. OUTSTANDING. The Open Dots have a much better battery life than many of Shokz’s competitors.
NEGATIVES
There is no active noise cancellation. If I wore ear buds while traveling only, these would NOT be my go-to ear buds. There is no way to drown out ambient noise on planes or other forms of mass transit.
There is no active noise cancellation. If I wore ear buds while traveling only, these would NOT be my go-to ear buds. There is no way to drown out ambient noise on planes or other forms of mass transit.
The Shokz app is not as refined as the competition. It is simple to use and easy to understand but also lacks integration with music streaming services that the competition does. Because of this, you are forced to switch between apps to adjust the buds or to the streaming service of your choice. The competition includes basic playback functions of your current streaming services on their landing page of their apps, and it is a convenient and welcome addition.
FINAL THOUGHTS
During workouts, I find the Open Dots could use just a touch more tension to stay in place, but I still like them better than any over the ear buds that I currently have. Clipping on to the ear is intuitive and convenient and is more comfortable than any other set of ear buds I’ve tried to date.
During workouts, I find the Open Dots could use just a touch more tension to stay in place, but I still like them better than any over the ear buds that I currently have. Clipping on to the ear is intuitive and convenient and is more comfortable than any other set of ear buds I’ve tried to date.
The deal breaker for me is the lack of ANC. I use my earbuds a lot while traveling and these just don’t have the ability to drown out the ambient noise. To be fair to the Dots, they do a better job at isolating the listener far better than the Open Fit 2’s ever did for me, but they still let in too much outside noise.
However, when I’m not traveling, I find myself reaching for Open Dots more and more and that says a lot. Call quality without wind is good and audio playback is crisp and clean, even if lacking in the bass department. Still, the Open Dots are a comfortable set of ear buds that have excellent battery life.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Snaptain P30 Pro is a 4K drone with GPS that uses brushless motors to deliver powerful power, smart flight and Return to home to make flying easier and safer, with a weight of less than 249g exempt from FAA registration. The new user interaction system and novice mode make use easier and faster.
Customer Rating
4
Lacks precise hovering, but offers many features
on April 18, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: Nearly everything the big 3 letter brand has at a fraction of the price.
PROS
Decent image quality from 4k camera
20+ minutes of flight time per battery
Excellent remote
Well-designed app
Weighs less than 250g
Decent image quality from 4k camera
20+ minutes of flight time per battery
Excellent remote
Well-designed app
Weighs less than 250g
CONS
Image quality doesn’t match the industry leader
Hover isn’t nearly as precise
Props are loud in flight
Flight distance not as good as Occusync
Image quality doesn’t match the industry leader
Hover isn’t nearly as precise
Props are loud in flight
Flight distance not as good as Occusync
USE
Let’s face it, there has only been 1 key player in the personal drone space for quite some time. They turned out a quality product that was EXTREMELY easy to fly and an app that was user-friendly, keeping even the most novice pilots out of trouble. This company has become what I refer to as: The Gold Standard for personal drones.
Let’s face it, there has only been 1 key player in the personal drone space for quite some time. They turned out a quality product that was EXTREMELY easy to fly and an app that was user-friendly, keeping even the most novice pilots out of trouble. This company has become what I refer to as: The Gold Standard for personal drones.
The P30 Pro’s resemblance to the gold standard is uncanny. Styled and looking exactly like my current drone, I must look at each one prior to flight to see which one I picked up. They are that eerily similar. Size, shape, weight, even the carry cases are nearly exact matches. I guess it is true what they say: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
So, let’s get straight to the point and answer what I’m sure is the top of everyone’s questions? Does it fly as well as the competitor? For the most part, Yes. Where the Snaptain suffers compared to the OG is in hovering. It is slow to take up a consistent hover. The P30 often lists side to side or up and down, where the OG is nearly rock solid in hover. Other than that, there isn’t a great deal of difference between the two.
The P30 has nearly the same flight controls as well. It takes off the same way, lands the same and it sports 3 manual flight modes: Camera, Normal, and Sport. Not to mention it also supports Point of Interest flight, Follow me, and you can even program a pre-planned flight route into the software. Same as the OG.
Having dozens upon dozens of flight hours on my current drone, I felt right at home on the P30 with little to no learning curve. It is remarkable how similar in performance and features the P30 is compared to my current platform. The Snaptain ecosystem has performed flawlessly to this point. My android-based HMD phone paired immediately with the P30. The Snaptain app installed and has worked without any issues during any of my flights. I have had zero issues with any flights to date. No runaways, no communication failures, no lost links, nothing. Not even when pushing the distance boundaries of the drone. Well done.
CONS
Hovering is the biggest con of the P30. While it can hover, it often is slow to react. I often find the drone listing aimlessly right or left while hovering, taking a few corrections to get it lined out and its wits about it before it stays still. Same with vertical movement. My current drone will hover within just a few inches of it set height. The Snaptain will as well, but there are just a lot more of those inches and it is a general altitude, not an absolute. This is one area where Snaptain really needs to improve upon their offering. My current drone can easily be flown around my house. It is stable and hovers without waiver, provided there is adequate light. The P30? Not so much. Hover mode for the P30 is just a ballpark position for it. I’m hoping Snaptain can improve its hover characteristics with future firmware updates and it’s not an issue with the bottom sensor pack.
Hovering is the biggest con of the P30. While it can hover, it often is slow to react. I often find the drone listing aimlessly right or left while hovering, taking a few corrections to get it lined out and its wits about it before it stays still. Same with vertical movement. My current drone will hover within just a few inches of it set height. The Snaptain will as well, but there are just a lot more of those inches and it is a general altitude, not an absolute. This is one area where Snaptain really needs to improve upon their offering. My current drone can easily be flown around my house. It is stable and hovers without waiver, provided there is adequate light. The P30? Not so much. Hover mode for the P30 is just a ballpark position for it. I’m hoping Snaptain can improve its hover characteristics with future firmware updates and it’s not an issue with the bottom sensor pack.
Camera. The camera is another con for me. But I am spoiled by my current drone. It takes great 4k pictures. The P30 will take a decent 4k picture, the image quality isn’t as crisp and sharp as I would like it to be. To make matters worse, 4k video is recorded at only 20fps. 20fps in the United States is an uncommon framerate, making fast action videos appear to judder and are not fluid smooth like a higher framerate can achieve. The P30 does not have the processing power to record at 30fps or 60fps that is common in the States.
Distance / Situational Awareness. The P30 just doesn’t have the transmission range most folks are accustomed to nowadays. It is limited to about 1600 feet. While this is still quite a distance, it is nowhere near the distance as the OG, not even close. Honestly, the limited flight distance is probably for the best. The P30’s app has no provisions to ensure you operate in uncontrolled Class G airspace or alert you to any TFR’s. This is one feature that is sorely needed and missed, especially when marketed toward novice pilots. The pilot has to do their due diligence to ensure they are not violating FAA airspace, the app, nor the drone, report it. Fortunately, there are numerous companion apps that are available at free or not cost that will take care of this.
FINAL THOUGHTS
At the end of the day, this excels at exactly what it is intended for. It is priced right for beginners and has plenty of features to make flying fun. It is easy to fly (provided its outdoors), with push button takeoffs and landing, long lasting battery, and an intuitive remote and app.
At the end of the day, this excels at exactly what it is intended for. It is priced right for beginners and has plenty of features to make flying fun. It is easy to fly (provided its outdoors), with push button takeoffs and landing, long lasting battery, and an intuitive remote and app.
The P30 is WAY easier to operate than lesser drones even if it doesn’t match the industry standard in terms of hovering. Buyers would be hard pressed to find a more feature rich drone at this price point. While I wouldn’t use this drone for videography, it takes perfectly acceptable vacation photos.
With good drones being so hard to get and find now, the Snaptain P30 deserves a look. A drone that is easy enough to operate for novices but still has just enough features to keep more experienced pilots interested as well.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience superior sound with powerful boosted audio, deep bass, and vibrant 360° Party Lights. Designed for portability, this speaker is easy to carry, so your music and party vibes can go wherever you do. Perfect for any setting, it delivers immersive sound and lighting to elevate every moment.
Customer Rating
5
Big sound in a small package
on April 15, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: Sony packs a lot of sound in a small package. Combining 2 tweeters, a mid-woofer, and 2 passive radiators, the ULT 5 has big sound.
PROS
ULT produces big, punchy sound
Higher bitrate LDAC support for Android devices
Easy to use Sony Connect App
ULT produces big, punchy sound
Higher bitrate LDAC support for Android devices
Easy to use Sony Connect App
CONS
Sony relabeled Mega-Bass to ULT
Sony relabeled Mega-Bass to ULT
USE
The new ULT 5 speaker is an evolutionary step in Sony’s party speaker lineup. Sonically, it is almost identical to its predecessor, which I reviewed at an earlier date. Not that it is a bad thing. Sony changed the look and form factor while retaining what made the prior generation appealing.
The new ULT 5 speaker is an evolutionary step in Sony’s party speaker lineup. Sonically, it is almost identical to its predecessor, which I reviewed at an earlier date. Not that it is a bad thing. Sony changed the look and form factor while retaining what made the prior generation appealing.
The Sony Connect App has evolved over time and is quite easy to use and understand. It is your central interface for the ULT and prior generations. Firmware, lighting, DJ effects, equalizer, Bluetooth connections, and streaming services are readily available on 1 easy to understand screen. Even on a phone, the Connect App is simple and well laid out. Much easier than most of the competition.
I have complained in the past about Sony’s issue with what I refer to as digital hiss. Not being able to pinpoint the source (amp or Bluetooth) Sony speakers exhibited this trait while in standby or during quiet passages in or between songs. For a long time, I didn’t recommend their products because of this. I am happy to report that the issue has been resolved. The new ULT 5 doesn’t suffer from this issue like previous generations have been plagued with. Quiet passages and between tracks are now silent, just as they should be. Thank you for listening to my complaints Sony!
The Connect feature makes the ULT 5 easy to link to other Sony party speakers. With a simple button press, the ULT 5 can be synced with other Sony speakers making for a seamless listening experience. Numerous speakers can all be linked together to have music reproduction in perfect sync. It is slick and works extremely well, taking all the headaches out of trying to Bluetooth to multiple speakers at once.
The ULT 5 sports a generous sized battery, good for up to 25 hours of playback before charging. Even at moderate listening levels for several hours, the ULT 5 has barely come down in charge. 25 hours seems achievable. Additionally, the ULT 5 is also IP67 rated against dust and water infiltration. A must when you have a party speaker at the pool. You can take the ULT 5 with you wherever you go and not have to worry about running out of power or having water or other environmental elements ruin your fun.
NEGATIVES
I am thoroughly bummed that Sony has done away with Mega Bass. For decades, it has been a trademark of Sony products. MP3 players, speakers, even old Walkmans, CD players, etc. All had a Mega Bass function. It is synonymous with Sony. The ULT button on the ULT 5 does the EXACT same Mega Bass does, just now with a different name. It is a shame. The nostalgia is gone.
I am thoroughly bummed that Sony has done away with Mega Bass. For decades, it has been a trademark of Sony products. MP3 players, speakers, even old Walkmans, CD players, etc. All had a Mega Bass function. It is synonymous with Sony. The ULT button on the ULT 5 does the EXACT same Mega Bass does, just now with a different name. It is a shame. The nostalgia is gone.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Sony ULT Field 5 is a worthy upgrade to the Sony party speaker line. It has good sound, lasts up to 25 hours on a charge, and is IP67 rated against dust and water. Whether it be at the house, lake, pool, or backyard, the ULT 5 is a great option.
The Sony ULT Field 5 is a worthy upgrade to the Sony party speaker line. It has good sound, lasts up to 25 hours on a charge, and is IP67 rated against dust and water. Whether it be at the house, lake, pool, or backyard, the ULT 5 is a great option.
Easily connectable to other Sony party speakers should you need more sound and volume, the ULT 5 is fun speaker that should easily stand up to the rigors of a party environment.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience unparalleled gaming freedom with the Turtle Beach Kone II Air wireless ergonomic gaming mouse. Its exceptional battery life lets you play for weeks uninterrupted, lasting up to 350 hours via low-latency Bluetooth or up to 130 hours using high-performance 2.4GHz wireless. Designed with ergonomic precision, it fits comfortably in medium to larger hands, accommodating various grip styles such as claw, palm, or fingertip plus additional grip tape is included for enhanced control. Take command of your gameplay with Easy-Shift [+] duplicator technology, expanding its 7 buttons and 4D scroll wheel into 21 customizable functions. Glide seamlessly through content with the multi-function 4D scroll wheel, offering both free-spinning and tactile scrolling options, along with fully customizable tilt controls. Engineered for speed and durability, its TITAN Optical Switches ensure precise and reliable clicks over a 100 million click life cycle. Equipped with the advanced Owl-Eye 26K optical sensor, enjoy superb tracking performance from 50 DPI up to 26K DPI with 650 IPS (16.5m/s), complemented by pure, heat-treated PTFE glides for smooth mouse movements. Customize your gaming experience with dual-zone RGB illumination and charge effortlessly with the ultra-flexible PhantomFlex charging cable and USB-C-to-A adapter. NVIDIA Reflex compatibility further enhances your gaming prowess, delivering sub-25ms response times for lightning-fast reactions and enhanced aim precision.
Customer Rating
4
Finally, A Mouse for Larger Hands
on April 13, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: The Kone 2 Air is a well, made gaming mouse made for folks with larger hands. It supports optical switches rated at 100M clicks, 26k DPI Optical Sensor, fully programmable buttons and scroll wheel, along with multiple profile options.
PROS
Fits medium to large hands
26000 DPI Optical Sensor
Titan Optical Switches rated at 100M clicks
Numerous customization options
26000 DPI Optical Sensor
Titan Optical Switches rated at 100M clicks
Numerous customization options
CONS
Smaller hands will find it unwieldly
Heavy
Smaller hands will find it unwieldly
Heavy
USE
The Turtle Beach Kone 2 Air fully bucks the current trend of producing the smallest, lightest gaming mouse on the market. Finally, a mouse with some heft that doesn’t feel like a kid’s toy in your hand.
The Turtle Beach Kone 2 Air fully bucks the current trend of producing the smallest, lightest gaming mouse on the market. Finally, a mouse with some heft that doesn’t feel like a kid’s toy in your hand.
Like I said in my TLDR section. The Kone 2 makes a 180 degree turn from trying to design the lightest gaming mouse on the market. It absolutely dwarfs my mice from the competition, looking massive when compared side by side. It is big and heavy, and I like it. My hands aren’t the biggest out there, but even I find the small gaming mice cumbersome. Too small. The Kone 2 has some heft and doesn’t hide it.
Sporting a 26000-dpi optical sensor and Turtle Beach’s Titan Optical Sensors rated at 100,000,000 clicks, the Kone 2 is built to last. Unlike my other small gaming mice, the Kone 2 has some dampening built into the optical switches. Honestly, I was quite surprised when I first clicked it. I was expecting a solid click and instead got a muted, well-dampened, satisfying click. A gaming mouse that is finally quiet. Wow! It is TOTALLY different than all the other gaming mice I’ve reviewed to date.
SOFTWARE
The Kone 2 is controlled and customized by the Turtle Beach Swarm software. Formally known as the Roccat Swarm software. It has undergone a thorough revision since I last installed and used it. Compared to the competition, the software feels spartan and minimalistic. That’s a good thing. All options to customize and control the mouse and its dongle are EXTREMELY easy to figure out.
The Kone 2 is controlled and customized by the Turtle Beach Swarm software. Formally known as the Roccat Swarm software. It has undergone a thorough revision since I last installed and used it. Compared to the competition, the software feels spartan and minimalistic. That’s a good thing. All options to customize and control the mouse and its dongle are EXTREMELY easy to figure out.
The Swarm software redesign is a huge upgrade over the previous Roccat Swarm software. I hope all other manufacturers buy a Kone 2 and install the Swarm software. No “modules” to download. No bloat. No frills. Straight and to the point. Simple, easy. Not to mention, the total download size was roughly 85MB. No 500+ MB files from Turtle Beach. SWEET!!! The Turtle Beach Swarm software is now my favorite software for peripherals. I’ve got mice and keyboards from nearly every manufacturer and this software is the best.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I like the Kone 2 way more than I ever thought I would. I’ve complained numerous times before about the ever-shrinking mouse issue and Turtle Beach listened. They put out a product that is heavy and feels solid. No more cheap feeling plastics to save weight. There are no weights to add or remove, the Kone 2 doesn’t need it. It seems to be built like a tank.
I like the Kone 2 way more than I ever thought I would. I’ve complained numerous times before about the ever-shrinking mouse issue and Turtle Beach listened. They put out a product that is heavy and feels solid. No more cheap feeling plastics to save weight. There are no weights to add or remove, the Kone 2 doesn’t need it. It seems to be built like a tank.
I do wish it had some additional texturing or rubber-like material on the sides to make it grippier in the hand, but I can overlook it. Every button is fully customizable, as is the scroll wheel. It is a well-thought-out and designed product. If you are like me and longed for a mouse that doesn’t feel like a cheap kid’s toy, the Kone 2 Air deserves a look.
RECOMMENDED
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Hear everything around you in your favorite games with custom-tuned 50mm drivers and Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio. Stay connected with ultra-fast 2.4GHz wireless* or Bluetooth, and game longer with up to 70 hours of battery life. Quickly charging for just 15 minutes adds 6 more hours of battery life. Designed for PlayStation 5, PC, and more, VOID WIRELESS v2 offers multiplatform compatibility and breathable memory foam ear cushions for all-day comfort. The omni-directional microphone has NVIDIA Broadcast technology* which ensures your communication is clear and noise-free. On-ear controls let you mute, adjust volume, or switch modes instantly, while iCUE software gives you full control over sound and RGB lighting.
Customer Rating
4
Compressed Audio, but a Generational Improvement
on April 10, 2025
Posted by: NAMO
TLDR: Compared to Corsair’s previous generation & similarly priced HS80’s, the Void 2’s represent a marked improvement in audio quality even if the audio is overly compressed.
PROS
Audio Quality much improved over HS80’s
Supports Dolby Atmos spatial audio
2.4GHz Range is Outstanding
Audio Quality much improved over HS80’s
Supports Dolby Atmos spatial audio
2.4GHz Range is Outstanding
CONS
Audio is still overly compressed and not as open & airy as the best gaming headsets
Headband too narrow for my melon leading to a poor seal around the ear
RGB lighting pointless & seems like an afterthought
Audio is still overly compressed and not as open & airy as the best gaming headsets
Headband too narrow for my melon leading to a poor seal around the ear
RGB lighting pointless & seems like an afterthought
SET-UP
The Void 2’s are set-up and configured by Corsair’s iCue software. While not my favorite, it does a decent job of making things easy enough. I will say that the software is about due for an overhaul. It is starting to get quite long in the tooth. Competitors’ products are more intuitive, polished, and easier to learn, but iCue isn’t the worst on the block either.
The Void 2’s are set-up and configured by Corsair’s iCue software. While not my favorite, it does a decent job of making things easy enough. I will say that the software is about due for an overhaul. It is starting to get quite long in the tooth. Competitors’ products are more intuitive, polished, and easier to learn, but iCue isn’t the worst on the block either.
One thing worth noting is that Corsair claims that the iCue software only installs the modules necessary based on your peripherals (or so they say). That is a nice change and keeps you from installing a whole suite of programs and features you may never need or want. Goodbye 1GB installation files!
Thankfully, the Void 2’s can be used without the iCue software should you choose to do so. Aside from the RGB lighting controls, I found the Void 2’s worked equally well with just downloading the Dolby Access app from the Windows store. Sometimes, less is more, and I like not being mandated to manufacturer’s software to get a peripheral to function properly. Yes, you do lose the ability to control RGB lighting and firmware updates, but this is one of the few products that can function independent of its software!
PERFORMANCE
While the Void 2’s are still not as good in terms of audio quality as some of its competitors, Corsair has improved the audio quality from its previous generation of products. Unlike my review of the HS80’s, I found the new Void 2’s to be much more adept at music and movies. Not that the sound quality is necessarily bad, audio just seems overly compressed. The Voids don’t sound nearly as open, light, and airy as many of its competitors.
While the Void 2’s are still not as good in terms of audio quality as some of its competitors, Corsair has improved the audio quality from its previous generation of products. Unlike my review of the HS80’s, I found the new Void 2’s to be much more adept at music and movies. Not that the sound quality is necessarily bad, audio just seems overly compressed. The Voids don’t sound nearly as open, light, and airy as many of its competitors.
I tried my best to open up the soundstage, but it just wasn’t happening. No matter if I used the 2.4GHz dongle or Bluetooth, it didn’t matter. I tried tuning it out with the Dolby Access app or the DTS app, but neither restored that spacious feeling I like.
Still, the Void 2’s produced decent sound quality. I found I liked them the more I used them. While specifications at the time of writing are sparse, I’m guessing, like the previous generation, the Void 2’s use 50mm drivers and have a full range of 20Hz – 20,000Hz. Bass response was markedly improved over the HS80’s as well, but the higher frequencies still seem subdued and compressed.
Speaking of that 2.4GHz dongle. Corsair nailed it on their transmission distance. I was able to walk from one end of my house where the office is to the far opposite side of the house with multiple walls in between with ZERO audio loss. WOW!!! Great job Corsair. That’s at least 60 feet away (direct line) and at least 6 walls in between. OUTSTANDING!
CONS
First. The biggest drawback is the overly compressed sounding audio. I’m guessing it is an algorithm issue, and I’ll bet Corsair can improve it with a firmware update in the future. Still, the audio is perfectly acceptable for gaming. You won’t give the audio quality a second thought if using the Voids for gaming. It is only when you want to chill with some music or a good movie do I notice the difference compared to my current set of cans.
First. The biggest drawback is the overly compressed sounding audio. I’m guessing it is an algorithm issue, and I’ll bet Corsair can improve it with a firmware update in the future. Still, the audio is perfectly acceptable for gaming. You won’t give the audio quality a second thought if using the Voids for gaming. It is only when you want to chill with some music or a good movie do I notice the difference compared to my current set of cans.
Second. The RGB lighting honestly looks like an afterthought. When I first laid eyes on them, I thought the lighting was added because a designer forgot to check that box off in the design stage. No illuminated logo, just 2 random bars that face the front of the headphones. It looks cheap and out of place.
Third. For my big melon, the Void 2’s don’t fit quite right. If you have a normal sized head, you probably won’t experience any issues, but the top of the Voids are just a bit too narrow, forcing the bottom of the cups to not seal as good as the top half for me. Because of that, ambient sound leaks in. There is enough leakage that ambient noise almost seems like it’s being amplified while wearing the Voids. I attribute this primarily to the poor seal along the bottom of the ear cup. Most users probably won’t be affected by it.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Corsair did a fine job with the latest updates to the Void 2. Audio quality is improved over their previous generation of products that are similarly priced. While I do miss the spacious sound stage of my current cans, the more I use the Voids, the less I notice it.
Corsair did a fine job with the latest updates to the Void 2. Audio quality is improved over their previous generation of products that are similarly priced. While I do miss the spacious sound stage of my current cans, the more I use the Voids, the less I notice it.
This is not an issue that I experience or care about while gaming. During game play, the Voids sound just as good as any similarly priced competitors’ products. It is only when I switch over to listening to music or movies do I notice any real difference.
Unlike the HS80’s I reviewed, the Voids 2’s are not a deal breaker for me. Corsair has done what is needed to be done to improve the audio quality of this generation of headphones. I give the new Void 2’s a solid 4.5 on gaming and now a 4 on movies and music. A definite step up from the last generation.
RECOMMENDED
I would 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.
Is this a self-propelled vacuum? Is there a Bissell that is?
Good Evening,
Unfortunately, no. This vac is not self-propelled.
Unfortunately, no. This vac is not self-propelled.
3 years, 7 months ago
by
NAMO
Yes, it's that powerful: Play with performance with a powerful AMD processor and mighty graphics. All that power stays cool with our frosty OMEN Tempest Cooling. We can't stop others from feeling a little envy. Gaming shouldn't feel this good: Feast your eyes on this 16.1 diagonal inch machine, boasting a high resolution and fast refresh rate. The floating hinge design and Audio by Bang & Olufsen show it off while you go off. And the long battery life lets you play even longer. One place. All play. OMEN Gaming Hub is your one-stop shop to elevating your play. From getting rewards just by gaming, to controlling every little performance and lighting option of your machine, the list goes on. Every game, every play, every moment is now in your control.
Where is the camera located? At the top?
Good Evening,
It is at the top center of the display.
It is at the top center of the display.
3 years, 11 months ago
by
NAMO
Yes, it's that powerful: Play with performance with a powerful AMD processor and mighty graphics. All that power stays cool with our frosty OMEN Tempest Cooling. We can't stop others from feeling a little envy. Gaming shouldn't feel this good: Feast your eyes on this 16.1 diagonal inch machine, boasting a high resolution and fast refresh rate. The floating hinge design and Audio by Bang & Olufsen show it off while you go off. And the long battery life lets you play even longer. One place. All play. OMEN Gaming Hub is your one-stop shop to elevating your play. From getting rewards just by gaming, to controlling every little performance and lighting option of your machine, the list goes on. Every game, every play, every moment is now in your control.
Does this laptop have a MUX switch?
Good Evening,
I don't believe so. Unlike other laptops, that have both integrated graphics for the main display and an aftermarket solution (AMD or nVidia) for an external display, this laptop appears to be use the onboard, integrated graphics at all times.
I don't believe so. Unlike other laptops, that have both integrated graphics for the main display and an aftermarket solution (AMD or nVidia) for an external display, this laptop appears to be use the onboard, integrated graphics at all times.
3 years, 11 months ago
by
NAMO
Yes, it's that powerful: Play with performance with a powerful AMD processor and mighty graphics. All that power stays cool with our frosty OMEN Tempest Cooling. We can't stop others from feeling a little envy. Gaming shouldn't feel this good: Feast your eyes on this 16.1 diagonal inch machine, boasting a high resolution and fast refresh rate. The floating hinge design and Audio by Bang & Olufsen show it off while you go off. And the long battery life lets you play even longer. One place. All play. OMEN Gaming Hub is your one-stop shop to elevating your play. From getting rewards just by gaming, to controlling every little performance and lighting option of your machine, the list goes on. Every game, every play, every moment is now in your control.
About how long does the battery last from a full charge?
Good Evening,
I'm getting roughly 2-3 hours of casual use (watching videos, web surfing, emails, etc)
If I'm gaming, I get an hour or so, depending on the graphics needs of the game.
I'm getting roughly 2-3 hours of casual use (watching videos, web surfing, emails, etc)
If I'm gaming, I get an hour or so, depending on the graphics needs of the game.
3 years, 11 months ago
by
NAMO
For on-the-GO peace of mind. Use UV light with or without a vacuum function so you can safely clean your phone, car and plane seat, hotel room, luggage and more.
Is the filtration true HEPA or HEPA-like?
Good Afternoon,
According to Raycop, this unit has true HEPA filtration, with a Level 13 HEPA filter that comes pre-installed in the unit.
Thanks!
According to Raycop, this unit has true HEPA filtration, with a Level 13 HEPA filter that comes pre-installed in the unit.
Thanks!
4 years, 2 months ago
by
NAMO
Pure One S11 is a high-performance cordless vacuum. It features iLoop™ Smart Sensor Technology which senses hidden dirt, dust, hair, pollen, and dander, and automatically adjusts suction power in real-time for an effortless cleaning experience. Pure One S11’s full-size multi-tasker power brush ensures you get a deep, thorough clean of carpets, bare floors, fabric, and more. Get up to 130W of suction power in Max mode.
Does it come with 2 batteries?
Good Afternoon,
No, this vacuum doesn't come with 2 batteries. Just the one. One a positive note, the wall mount includes a spot to charge a 2nd battery and can charge a 2nd battery simultaneously while charging the battery in vacuum.
Thanks.
No, this vacuum doesn't come with 2 batteries. Just the one. One a positive note, the wall mount includes a spot to charge a 2nd battery and can charge a 2nd battery simultaneously while charging the battery in vacuum.
Thanks.
4 years, 8 months ago
by
NAMO
Pure One S11 is a high-performance cordless vacuum. It features iLoop™ Smart Sensor Technology which senses hidden dirt, dust, hair, pollen, and dander, and automatically adjusts suction power in real-time for an effortless cleaning experience. Pure One S11’s full-size multi-tasker power brush ensures you get a deep, thorough clean of carpets, bare floors, fabric, and more. Get up to 130W of suction power in Max mode.
DOES THE POWER BUTTON HAVE TO BE PHYSICALLY CONTINUALLY HELD DOWN BY THE USER TO KEEP THE DEVICE IN THE RUNNING MODE ( AS WITH THE DYSON CORDLESS VACUUMS ) ?
Good Afternoon,
No, you don't have to hold the trigger down the whole time like your Dyson. There is a small lever just above your thumb (assuming you are right-handed) that can be used to hold the trigger down while in use.
Thanks.
No, you don't have to hold the trigger down the whole time like your Dyson. There is a small lever just above your thumb (assuming you are right-handed) that can be used to hold the trigger down while in use.
Thanks.
4 years, 8 months ago
by
NAMO
Enhance your TV experience without compromising your room’s design with the Sonance MAG SSTVAUDIO Sonos Powered 2.0-Channel Soundbar Alternative. This premium 2.0-channel TV audio solution combines LCR in-wall speakers, a Sonos Amp, and a behind-the-TV Sonance wall box, delivering stunning clarity and deep sound while keeping all electronics hidden from view. Designed as a discreet soundbar alternative, this system features two MAG6 LCR speakers with pivoting silk dome tweeters and dual 6.5" woofers, ideal for media rooms, living rooms, and TV audio upgrades. The included Sonos Amp powers your speakers, supports AirPlay 2, and connects directly to your TV via HDMI ARC, making it easy to control everything with your existing TV remote. The included PowerBridge kit and Sonance wall box conceal the Sonos amp, wiring, and even streaming devices like Apple TV®, Roku®, Amazon Fire TV Stick®, and Google TV Streamer®, eliminating the need for TV stands or exposed cables. Paintable grilles blend into your walls, making this system ideal for any TV in any room of your home. With a design-first approach, the MAG SSTVAUDIO is the ultimate in-wall TV speaker system for design-conscious homes.
Can you attach a sub to this system as well for extra bass, or are you stuck with just the 2 included speakers? And is the amp powerful enough for a sub?
Good Evening. Yes, you can pair a sub with this system. Using the Sonos app, you can add a Sonos sub or the amp has a line out to add a sub via line out connection. The sub will have to be self powered, the Sonos amp will not supply power to drive the sub.
Thanks.
Thanks.
4 years, 8 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.
Why in the graphics for the specs its says intel hd graphics is there not a gtx 1660 TI?
It is the 9th Generation 9700 processor with an nVidia GTX 1660Ti graphics card. I believe all the Intel processors include onboard graphics too.
6 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.
Is there a gtx 1660ti installed or not? What size pwr supply?
Yes, the system does include the 1660Ti. HP product specs say it is a 500W Power Supply.
6 years ago
by
NAMO