Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Friday, November 25, 2016
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Review: VisionTek 5 Device Charging Station
Intro
It's no secret that I have a metric crap-ton of devices that I use on a daily basis: iPhones, tablets, kindles, and even more kindles. Let's not forget that my wife also has her devices and between the both of us we have all the wall sockets under seize. If a guest wanted to charge something than they were just SOL. This is where the VisionTek 5 Device Charging Station comes in and helps rectify this a little.
Design
It's a very simple concept, it's simply a slotted piece of plastic that holds all your devices and then stores the power brick underneath. There are cutouts for cables to be routed to each slot and one for the power brick's cable as well. This works quite well, however, my biggest gripe is you have to remove the bottom piece for any cable management. This wouldn't be such a big deal except this was probably one of the most frustrating and aggravating things I had to accomplish that day, and I have 4 kids 8 and under! I don't own multiples of every charging cable so I am constantly adding and removing cables like this. If you use this, make sure you have a dedicated cable for the slots you want, cuz you ain't getting it back.
Charging
This is the best part of this whole product, it has 5 charging ports with a combined total amperage of 8 amps. If you only have one or two plugged in, they will operate at 3A! That's some crazy fast charging (think tablets and iPhone 7 Plus')! I like that the power brick has a modular cable instead of being coupled with the brick. This thing charges like a boss.
Conclusion
Truth be told, the plastic holder is simply not very good, but the power brick is stellar and I use it out of the plastic casing and is my go-to charger at my bedside. I think if the plastic lid were easier to manage and there was a grippier substance in each slot then I would probably end up using that more, but the inconvenience of having to remove the lid is simply too much effort, hence why I use it without the casing. It's a shame because the power brick is among my top favorite charging bricks, 3A for the win!Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Monday, October 24, 2016
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Friday, October 7, 2016
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Review: 1byone Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
It's not secret that I love gaming on my PC and am a complete sucker for RGB lighting. It should come as no surprise that the Mechanical Gaming Keyboard from 1byone had a certain allure for me with it's tantalizing RGB chroma animations and Kailh Blue mechanical keys. The real question is, how well does it handle in gaming? Let's find out.
I also appreciate other small details such as the braided USB cable, the aluminum backing, subtle honeycomb design accents, and red LED accent lighting that doesn't detract from the overall design aesthetic but compliments it rather nicely.
I'm not a huge fan of the large 1byone logo between the keyboard and space button, it just feels out of place to me and could have been much smaller and more subdued and detracts from the rest of the design.
Another thing that just feels is that the buttons are assigned equivalent keys from a keyboard, with some of the letters being displaced. For example, instead of "QWERT", you have "QWERP," then you have "ASDFB" instead of "ASDFG." You also have the Tab, Shift, and Ctrl keys, but without the spacing from the Caps Lock key.then there's a 'G' between Ctrl and Alt. This makes key bindings insanely difficult if you are switching between keyboards, and since this is a "half keyboard" you'll still want your main one plugged in. I was playing overwatch and had to remap some of the specials keys since a lot of keys got shuffled from switching, keep this in mind when you get this keyboard. I think the idea was to be able to write quick gaming acronyms such as "GG" and "PB."
Kailh Blue mechanical switches with key travel of 4.0 mm, plus full anti-ghosting ensures great feel and accuracy.
All I can say is that it's a HUGE difference over my dome keyboard keys. I love the tactile-ness they keys have and how every move in my games feel deliberate.
However, this is where things get a little rocky. The 28 keys that are mechanical are fantastic, but then there's that nifty space button. This button is, unfortunately, not mechanical as far as I can tell and feels EXTREMELY squishy and laggy. It sticks out like a sore thumb in contrast to the other lovely mechanical keys and is one of the most used buttons. I have learned to adapt to it over some time now and it's not near as bothersome as it was initially, but I can tell that it still affects game play often enough to be rather irksome. I would have been okay with adding $5 to the cost to make that critical key mechanical like the rest so it doesn't interfere with game play.
Design
This keyboard, simply put, looks stunning. I love the angles and aggressive black look with gray accents. The RGB LEDs are stunning with great brightness and refresh rate. It just has a hypnotizing look that is hard to describe and which videos do no justice. I love the design of the "space" button and how it's situated next to a very large wrist pad. It makes more sense to me in this design since it fits theshape of your hand quite comfortably.
I also appreciate other small details such as the braided USB cable, the aluminum backing, subtle honeycomb design accents, and red LED accent lighting that doesn't detract from the overall design aesthetic but compliments it rather nicely.
I'm not a huge fan of the large 1byone logo between the keyboard and space button, it just feels out of place to me and could have been much smaller and more subdued and detracts from the rest of the design.
Another thing that just feels is that the buttons are assigned equivalent keys from a keyboard, with some of the letters being displaced. For example, instead of "QWERT", you have "QWERP," then you have "ASDFB" instead of "ASDFG." You also have the Tab, Shift, and Ctrl keys, but without the spacing from the Caps Lock key.then there's a 'G' between Ctrl and Alt. This makes key bindings insanely difficult if you are switching between keyboards, and since this is a "half keyboard" you'll still want your main one plugged in. I was playing overwatch and had to remap some of the specials keys since a lot of keys got shuffled from switching, keep this in mind when you get this keyboard. I think the idea was to be able to write quick gaming acronyms such as "GG" and "PB."
Feel
I am by no means a mechanical keyboard-phile, in other words, I have a hard time telling the difference in minor nuances between all the different color switches. Here's how 1byone describes them:Kailh Blue mechanical switches with key travel of 4.0 mm, plus full anti-ghosting ensures great feel and accuracy.
All I can say is that it's a HUGE difference over my dome keyboard keys. I love the tactile-ness they keys have and how every move in my games feel deliberate.
However, this is where things get a little rocky. The 28 keys that are mechanical are fantastic, but then there's that nifty space button. This button is, unfortunately, not mechanical as far as I can tell and feels EXTREMELY squishy and laggy. It sticks out like a sore thumb in contrast to the other lovely mechanical keys and is one of the most used buttons. I have learned to adapt to it over some time now and it's not near as bothersome as it was initially, but I can tell that it still affects game play often enough to be rather irksome. I would have been okay with adding $5 to the cost to make that critical key mechanical like the rest so it doesn't interfere with game play.
LED
As I mentioned earlier, the LEDs on this keyboard are stunning. There are 7 (6 animated and then various static colors) primary lighting modes, I don't know the names of them, but I made a quick clip demoing them below:
The escape key is used as the switch for F1-F5 and 1-6 and is easy to use. The WASD keys are used for speed and brightness. Overall it's very simple and easy to toggle.
Conclusion
There is a lot to love from the keyboard: the mechanical keys, the RGB lightning, and overall build quality and feel. However, the space button's squishy and non-responsive behavior is a huge detraction from a solid keyboard. The funky key placement isn't that big of a deal and more of a preference things for me. I will say though, that with time, the space button has bothered me less and less, but it still catches me off gaurd often enough to remind me that I don't like it. Overall, it's a good value mechanical keyboard and one I am still using for regular Overwatch game play. If you're looking for a mechanical keyboard with RGB on a budget and need it for gaming, than I highly recommend this as an alternative to a full keyboard. However, if you're willing to save for a little longer then there are some full-featured keyboards that are worth keeping your eyes on.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Monday, September 5, 2016
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Friday, August 5, 2016
Monday, August 1, 2016
Review: 1byone Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
Today we will be taking a look at the 1byone Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor.
Amazon Link:
I have genetic hypertension so I take my blood pressure whenever I am able. It helps to have a quick and easy way to check it without having to run to the store. This little unit by 1byone is the perfect little blood pressure companion.
Now, I will start off by saying that this is not an IOT (Internet-Of-Things) device and the price reflects that, though having an upgraded version would be nice (I am not aware of one anyways).
The build quality is very good, but still noticeably plasticky feeling. The cuff is high quality and the velcro is surprisingly strong. The screen is a standard backlit LCD screen and has extra large numbers and icons making it super easy to read. I must say that the screen is very nice and one of the best features.
The interface is very simple and there's a memory for two users, making it easy to track progress over time, which is important for tracking over time and having an accurate history. There's only 3 buttons so it's confusing to navigate around, however, the instructions (amazingly) are quite good and I was able to navigate some of the setup with ease.
One thing I really like about this particular cuff is that it calculates that systolic and diastolic pressure while inflating rather than inflating and calculating on its way down. This means that the time your arm is under pressure is quite a bit less than other cuffs. This feature, along with being accurate (checked against other cuffs) makes it worth the price and makes it extremely easy to recommend. If your looking for a more connected device (IOT), then this is not for you, but this gets the job done and very well.
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Monday, July 25, 2016
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Friday, July 15, 2016
Friday, July 8, 2016
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Monday, June 27, 2016
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Friday, May 20, 2016
Monday, May 9, 2016
News: Final Fantasy X/X-2 to come to Steam May 12!
Engadget article here: http://www.engadget.com/2016/05/09/final-fantasy-x-re-released-fifth-times-a-charm/
I'm just going to re-link the article from Engadget here, but I am stoked about this. I own all versions of this game that I am aware of and this is the crowning remaster, which is making my reliance on console gaming quickly becoming a thing of the past. All that needs to happen now is the remaining Final Fantasies and Kingdom Hearts series to come to Steam and then i'ts game over for my consoles (except for Nintendo).
I'm just going to re-link the article from Engadget here, but I am stoked about this. I own all versions of this game that I am aware of and this is the crowning remaster, which is making my reliance on console gaming quickly becoming a thing of the past. All that needs to happen now is the remaining Final Fantasies and Kingdom Hearts series to come to Steam and then i'ts game over for my consoles (except for Nintendo).
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Review: 1byone Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker Dimmable Multicolored LED Light Bulb
Purchase on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1rM2PHt
I've been wanting to do simple LED ambient lighting for my YouTube channel (stay tuned for this in upcoming videos). I'll still probably get some LED strip lighting down the road, but this was a simpler solution for now and gives me the desired effect for the most part.
The overall construction is much better than I anticipated and has a nice heft to it, which for a Bluetooth speaker usually translates to better sound. There really isn't much else to say about the construction and quality other than it's good and satisfying. Though, it was a little bit bigger than I was anticipating, but not a big deal.
The connectivity was super simple, just add the "1byoneBulb" and you're off to the races and ready to play music and switch up them LED lights like you're a DJ at the club. (That's how I feel with it most of the time anyways.)
Now, it will play music, but I was having trouble getting it to play through the 1byOne App and would get an error, though I'm pretty sure it was because I use the Apple music streaming service. However, if I go from the Apple Music app and play directly from there it's no problem. The sound quality isn't the greatest and there is noticeable crackling and some distortion at louder volumes. It works well as a basic bluetooth speaker but don't expect anything beyond that, it get's the job done and that's about it, which for a light bulb, is perfectly fine. :-)
Where this thing really shine (pun intended) is the lighting. Though, I will say this up front, the default lighting was a bit cool (bluish) for my taste, but it's easily adjustable. Though the downside is you have to keep re configuring to that different shade each time you turn it on as the blue-cast white is the default.
Changing the lights is easy and a lot of fun. It's incredibly flexible and since it's RGB and dimmable, there are loads of options. You are greeted with several default color options as well as a color wheel where you can pick whatever color/shade/hue you want. The only other thing that would have been nice would have been savable custom presets as that would make some of my favorite combos more accessible. I would also liked to have seen a couple of options for effects, such as breathing, dancing to music, and walking through all the colors, as well as blinking. I think that would have upped the cool factor by quite a lot. I'm sure this could be added via a software update though and look forward to having those changing.
Overall, it's a great multi-color LED lightbulb that's just plain fun. I use it for ambient lighting for my YouTube channel and just works well. It's well made (the app needs some work still and some polish) but the color changing works as expected and works well. I would definitely recommend this LED bulb.
I've been wanting to do simple LED ambient lighting for my YouTube channel (stay tuned for this in upcoming videos). I'll still probably get some LED strip lighting down the road, but this was a simpler solution for now and gives me the desired effect for the most part.
The overall construction is much better than I anticipated and has a nice heft to it, which for a Bluetooth speaker usually translates to better sound. There really isn't much else to say about the construction and quality other than it's good and satisfying. Though, it was a little bit bigger than I was anticipating, but not a big deal.
The connectivity was super simple, just add the "1byoneBulb" and you're off to the races and ready to play music and switch up them LED lights like you're a DJ at the club. (That's how I feel with it most of the time anyways.)
Now, it will play music, but I was having trouble getting it to play through the 1byOne App and would get an error, though I'm pretty sure it was because I use the Apple music streaming service. However, if I go from the Apple Music app and play directly from there it's no problem. The sound quality isn't the greatest and there is noticeable crackling and some distortion at louder volumes. It works well as a basic bluetooth speaker but don't expect anything beyond that, it get's the job done and that's about it, which for a light bulb, is perfectly fine. :-)
Where this thing really shine (pun intended) is the lighting. Though, I will say this up front, the default lighting was a bit cool (bluish) for my taste, but it's easily adjustable. Though the downside is you have to keep re configuring to that different shade each time you turn it on as the blue-cast white is the default.
Changing the lights is easy and a lot of fun. It's incredibly flexible and since it's RGB and dimmable, there are loads of options. You are greeted with several default color options as well as a color wheel where you can pick whatever color/shade/hue you want. The only other thing that would have been nice would have been savable custom presets as that would make some of my favorite combos more accessible. I would also liked to have seen a couple of options for effects, such as breathing, dancing to music, and walking through all the colors, as well as blinking. I think that would have upped the cool factor by quite a lot. I'm sure this could be added via a software update though and look forward to having those changing.
Overall, it's a great multi-color LED lightbulb that's just plain fun. I use it for ambient lighting for my YouTube channel and just works well. It's well made (the app needs some work still and some polish) but the color changing works as expected and works well. I would definitely recommend this LED bulb.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
News: Busy With Lots of New Content!
Hi all!
I haven't updated my blog in a little bit so I thought I'd let you know what I've been up to:
I haven't updated my blog in a little bit so I thought I'd let you know what I've been up to:
- YouTube Channel!
- I have content planned for the next month and sticking to my weekly video cadence! Viewership is slowly rising but have seen a large influx in the last couple of days, largely thanks to the Oculus Rift and Intel HD 530 gaming. I have a new build that I will putting together for a video in the next week or so. It's an exciting time for sure!
- Reviews
- I have a few regular reviews that I am doing that got me where I am today, so stay tuned for several of those in the next couple of weeks as well.
- Blog
- The blog has been in the background quietly working for me to support the channel, but from today I plan on doing a weekly post, at a minimum, what I'm up to and what you have to look forward to as well as tech and PC related content.
Thank you all for your support for the blog and channel, I would not be where I am right now with you. If you haven't already, please subscribe to the channel here.
A way you can directly support the channel is by using my Amazon Affiliate link below. Just bookmark it and use it each time you go to Amazon. The channel will get the funding needed to continue to supply great content. Thanks for you help and keep your eye out for new content on the channel and blog!
Matthew Dykman
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Review: 1byone Outdoor / Shower Portable Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker
Product Link: 1byone Outdoor / Shower Portable Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker with Enhanced Bass, IPX6 Waterproof & Built-in Mic, Black
I have been through my fair share of portable Bluetooth speakers in my time so when I saw the size of this 1byone speaker and it's MSRP I honestly didn't have high expectations. To say I was pleasantly surprised by this Bluetooth speaker would be an understatement.
The overall construction feels solid and has a very satisfying weight to it. It is lined by rubber all the way around sealing off any entry points for water or dust, hence the IPX6 rating. This is well designed for being an on-the-go speaker, small and portable, and able to take a beating. I would not worry about dropping this at all or throwing it in a bag.
But, construction doesn't mean anything if the sound isn't any good. Well, let me just put any doubts to rest and say that the sound is amazing for it's price point. I do not claim to be an audiophile, but the clarity of the sound was excellent and was surprised by the range and fidelity of the sound. Bass was very satisfying for such a small speaker and managed to not overpower the mids and highs. The volume gets much louder than you would expect, but physics will always prevail and the sound quality will suffer if you get too loud. Don't expect it to fill a concert hall or anything, just be realistic as it is fairly small. The sound is where this little speaker shines and any feature beyond that is just gravy.
Speaking of features, it uses Bluetooth 4.0 and was extremely easy to pair with my iPhone 6s+. The battery level is shown in iOS once paired and battery life was as advertised and had no issues at all. There is also a microSD card slot, but I did not have one to test with, though I appreciate this inclusion. When you open the cover that exposes the USB port and card slot, the card slot flashes blue to let you know it's waiting for card input. There is also a USB mode where you can connect it to your PC through a micro USB cable. This worked real well and worked like a charm, much better than my built in monitor speakers.
I've always wanted a good Bluetooth speaker for my shower and it works for this purpose extremely well. The speaker does not mind getting wet at all. I guess you could technically take a call in the shower as well as there is a microphone input, but I don't recommend taking calls in the shower, it's just bad form. But you could if that's your thing.
Now, being a test engineer, I know that every design is not perfect or can be improved in some way and this speaker is no different. I had to read the manual to figure out exactly how to change the volume because I could not figure out how to change it. Turns out that you have to hold down the skip buttons for them to change the volume. This can be problematic since it doesn't step through the volumes but will just increase at some unknown rate. This makes finding a precise volume quite difficult. This could either be alleviated by adding dedicated volume buttons, or an audible "ding" for each new step volume instead of being a complete guessing game. The other minor quibble was that the flap covering the USB and card readers was a tad difficult, but nothing that affected anything major and still seemed to maintain waterproof abiility.
If you're looking for a Bluetooth speaker that is a good all-rounder and need something that can take a little bit of a beating, look no further than this guy. At around $20, it's a great bang for your buck Bluetooth speaker and definitely recommended.
I have been through my fair share of portable Bluetooth speakers in my time so when I saw the size of this 1byone speaker and it's MSRP I honestly didn't have high expectations. To say I was pleasantly surprised by this Bluetooth speaker would be an understatement.
The overall construction feels solid and has a very satisfying weight to it. It is lined by rubber all the way around sealing off any entry points for water or dust, hence the IPX6 rating. This is well designed for being an on-the-go speaker, small and portable, and able to take a beating. I would not worry about dropping this at all or throwing it in a bag.
Speaking of features, it uses Bluetooth 4.0 and was extremely easy to pair with my iPhone 6s+. The battery level is shown in iOS once paired and battery life was as advertised and had no issues at all. There is also a microSD card slot, but I did not have one to test with, though I appreciate this inclusion. When you open the cover that exposes the USB port and card slot, the card slot flashes blue to let you know it's waiting for card input. There is also a USB mode where you can connect it to your PC through a micro USB cable. This worked real well and worked like a charm, much better than my built in monitor speakers.
I've always wanted a good Bluetooth speaker for my shower and it works for this purpose extremely well. The speaker does not mind getting wet at all. I guess you could technically take a call in the shower as well as there is a microphone input, but I don't recommend taking calls in the shower, it's just bad form. But you could if that's your thing.
Now, being a test engineer, I know that every design is not perfect or can be improved in some way and this speaker is no different. I had to read the manual to figure out exactly how to change the volume because I could not figure out how to change it. Turns out that you have to hold down the skip buttons for them to change the volume. This can be problematic since it doesn't step through the volumes but will just increase at some unknown rate. This makes finding a precise volume quite difficult. This could either be alleviated by adding dedicated volume buttons, or an audible "ding" for each new step volume instead of being a complete guessing game. The other minor quibble was that the flap covering the USB and card readers was a tad difficult, but nothing that affected anything major and still seemed to maintain waterproof abiility.
If you're looking for a Bluetooth speaker that is a good all-rounder and need something that can take a little bit of a beating, look no further than this guy. At around $20, it's a great bang for your buck Bluetooth speaker and definitely recommended.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Sunday, March 13, 2016
SteamVR Ready!
Ran a quick benchmark for the SteamVR Performance Test and got an 11 in Fidelity. I'm excited to try the Oculus Rift out. VR FTW!
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Working on Episode 4 - Recovering From Strep Throat - Big Improvements Coming to the Channel
Hi everyone!
I had a minor slowdown thanks to a wonderful disease called strep throat. It knocked me out flat cold, even to the point that playing video games was too strenuous (#FWP). This set my channel back a couple of days, but fear not, my next episode should launch in the next couple of days. I thought I would get right to the fun stuff and benchmark my machine "Bahamut" comparing stock settings to overclocked settings. Fun stuff!
I also have some good talent working on a professional intro video to my channel and I couldn't be more excited! You'll know when it hits because it will be awesome.
What else? Hmmmmmm, well, I still have some videos in the pipeline that are ready to go and I am planning on future episodes and builds.
I am also trying to build my veiwership, so I would appreciate any help in spreading the word. I am also looking for constructive criticism (not that you need to ask for it on public projects) to help my channel grow.
Stay tuned for more PC-centric content!
I had a minor slowdown thanks to a wonderful disease called strep throat. It knocked me out flat cold, even to the point that playing video games was too strenuous (#FWP). This set my channel back a couple of days, but fear not, my next episode should launch in the next couple of days. I thought I would get right to the fun stuff and benchmark my machine "Bahamut" comparing stock settings to overclocked settings. Fun stuff!
I also have some good talent working on a professional intro video to my channel and I couldn't be more excited! You'll know when it hits because it will be awesome.
What else? Hmmmmmm, well, I still have some videos in the pipeline that are ready to go and I am planning on future episodes and builds.
I am also trying to build my veiwership, so I would appreciate any help in spreading the word. I am also looking for constructive criticism (not that you need to ask for it on public projects) to help my channel grow.
Stay tuned for more PC-centric content!
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Testing Methodologies: PC Noise Levels
One really cool aspect of what I do is learning new testing methodologies. Actually, my day job is built entirely around this concept. Something we have to ask ourselves any time we see results is "What does it mean?"
After spending some time with getting experiments setup for my upcoming episode "Aftermarket Fans on All-in-One Water Coolers: Noise vs Performance" I realized that my methodology wasn't sound enough (no pun intended, haha). I knew this was true by looking at the results of my experiments and thinking "What does this actually mean?" Well, if I didn't know, certainly no one else would.
The moral of the story, science is learning and science is fun! Stay tuned for upcoming episodes, there are several in the process of being filmed, edited, etc!
After spending some time with getting experiments setup for my upcoming episode "Aftermarket Fans on All-in-One Water Coolers: Noise vs Performance" I realized that my methodology wasn't sound enough (no pun intended, haha). I knew this was true by looking at the results of my experiments and thinking "What does this actually mean?" Well, if I didn't know, certainly no one else would.
The moral of the story, science is learning and science is fun! Stay tuned for upcoming episodes, there are several in the process of being filmed, edited, etc!
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Review: 1byone Bluetooth 4.1 Wireless In-Ear Headphones with HD Stereo Sound
Product Link: http://amzn.to/1QCLziq
After spending a few days with the 1byOne Wireless Sports Earphones, I've come to really enjoy the attention to detail that was put into this particular set.
After spending a few days with the 1byOne Wireless Sports Earphones, I've come to really enjoy the attention to detail that was put into this particular set.
Let first start with
the sound. In my opinion, this is one of the more important aspects to
reviewing any kind of headset, because if the sound is not any good, then the
rest of the features don't mean a whole lot. Now I do not claim to be an
audiophile by any stretch of the imagination, but what I can say is that this
set was an absolute joy to listen to.
Lows were surprisingly punchy, mids were clearer than most other
bluetooth sets I've reviewed and highs were not shrill. I have a wide variety
of musical tastes from classical and rock to techno and pop. All were extremely
pleasant to listen to. From a sound standpoint, these are the best bluetooth
headsets I have used.
Next is comfort. I'm
really not an earbud type of headphone listener, mostly because most any type
hurt my ears after a while. These were no exception, however, I grade comfort
of earbuds on how long it takes for them to become uncomfortable and these did
surprisingly well. I did find that around mid-day that my ears were starting to
hurt a little and had a take a break, one of a few during my work day. With that said, these are among the more
comfortable ear buds I've tried on any headphone, wired or bluetooth.
Battery life was
exactly as advertised and gave me the "battery low" cue after 7.5
hours of continuous use. They were quick and easy to charge which I can
definitely appreciate. A few other small details to mention are they were easy
to sync and had no issue here (this
isn't always true with this category amazingly enough). There's a small
LED to let you know it's doing something, and trust me, it's handier than you
may think. It'll flash blue and red when attempting to sync and red when
charging. It's the small details that really help.
The only place I had
any problems were with the microphone. All the commands for siri work as
advertised, but when I was talking with people on the phone, they had a hard
time hearing me. This may be that I have a big head and the band is a little
short on me, causing the mic to sit a little ways behind cheek. Maybe a little
more length to the band could have alleviated this for me. Though it probably
won't be the same for others so it may not be an issue for most people.
Pros:
+ Sounds is
excellent!
+ Comfortable for
earbuds.
+ Great battery
life.
+ Sleek looks (love
the color).
+ Presentation is
great as well as packaging.
+ Ease of use and
attention to detail.
Cons:
- Band length a
little on the short size for me.
- Related to above,
but mic was a little weak and people had a hard time hearing me.
Overall, this is a
fantastic set of bluetooth headphones. I appreciate the attention to the small
details such as the great packaging, sleek looks, excellent sound, useful yet
discreet status LED, and simple syncing and charging. Even for a set of earbuds,
these are a fantastic product and I highly recommend them for anyone looking
for a quality bluetooth set, especially if sound quality and looks are high on
your list.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Video: Episode 1 - Unboxing - Tech Armor ActivePower Mobile Power Banks
Don't forget to like and subscribe!
Sunday, February 21, 2016
News: Videos Coming Shortly!
Over the past month or so I have been hard at work getting a good video setup for YouTube videos for unboxings, reviews, and computer builds. I have invested in some fancy lights and software and have been playing around with setups, capturing video, and editing. I'm sure my style will change as time goes on, but these first couple of videos represent lots of preparation and work behind the scenes. I hope you enjoy the next chapter of Goto Tech Reviews. Stay tuned for some upcoming content!
While you're here, be sure to bookmark my YouTube channel and follow!
YouTube Channel!
Also, you can support my site through my Amazon affiliate link:
http://www.amazon.com/?tag=gototere-20
Thanks everyone!
While you're here, be sure to bookmark my YouTube channel and follow!
YouTube Channel!
Also, you can support my site through my Amazon affiliate link:
http://www.amazon.com/?tag=gototere-20
Thanks everyone!
Monday, February 15, 2016
Review: EasyAcc Kindle Paperwhite Case Ultra Slim Cover
This is a fantastic kindle case!
I have reviewed a lot of cases for all kinds of different products for a couple of years now and I can say pretty confidently that this is one of the best fits for a device. It doesn't take away from the original beauty of the Kindle Paperwhite but still adds plenty of protection to the body and screen. This lends itself for long reading sessions and minimizes fatigue; you don't feel like it's there, and I kind of think that's the point.
The overall feel is fantastic and allows for a great grip to the device. The magnetic latch works exactly as expected and has a nice, satisfying clack when shut. The fit is perfect and none of the controls are obstructed.
The pattern is nice and unique and gives it a nice personal flair. At $15, this case is a steal, especially when compared to the Amazon case.
Highly recommended!
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Review: 1byone Super Thin Omni-directional Indoor HDTV Antenna
Now for something a little different, TV!
This is a great little antenna, especially for the listed price. It's small, easy to tuck behind the TV, and the square sticker in the center makes it super easy to stick to the wall and has held up there since I have installed it. The connection was super easy and we went from 0 channels to 70+ (half were HD but will depend on your locale), not bad for an indoor HD antenna! Fantastic product and would highly recommend for anyone without an antenna who wants basic over the air channels.
Review: 1byone Genuine Leather Wallet Stand Folio Case with Card Slot for iPhone 6 / 6s, Black
First impressions are really good with this case. The leather has a nice sheen and overall feel to it. It doesn't look cheap and the seems look quality. The spaces for the credit cards are nice and are just right. Corners are protected well and there's plenty of easy access to all ports. It feels good in the hand and the phone feels protected.
There were a few minor things that I would change however. When you have cards in the wallet portion and you close the folio, it rests very unevenly (see picture). Also, the magnetic latch is a little weak for my taste and does not give a good satisfying pul when closed.
Overall, if you're looking a for a good general purpose leather folio for your iPhone 6, this is a pretty good value.
There were a few minor things that I would change however. When you have cards in the wallet portion and you close the folio, it rests very unevenly (see picture). Also, the magnetic latch is a little weak for my taste and does not give a good satisfying pul when closed.
Overall, if you're looking a for a good general purpose leather folio for your iPhone 6, this is a pretty good value.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
News: Journey to Youtube Channel Setup
Hi everyone!
I am committing myself to creating more content and branching out a bit. This site from the beginning has largely been a tech accessories review page. I am now starting to branch into reviewing, making guides for, and discussing PCs. Computers have always been a passion of mine and I want to share that passion with the world. I am currently drafting up potential YouTube episodes, buying guides, reviews, build logs, and some troubleshooting.
Here are some ideas that I am toying with (starting with my new Skylake build since I don't have sponsors....yet)
I really want to grow the audience as I believe that part of learning and growing comes when everyone participates and shares their knowledge (thank you internet).
So, I will keep you all updated with upcoming content and looking forward to expanding Goto Tech Reviews!
Matthew
I am committing myself to creating more content and branching out a bit. This site from the beginning has largely been a tech accessories review page. I am now starting to branch into reviewing, making guides for, and discussing PCs. Computers have always been a passion of mine and I want to share that passion with the world. I am currently drafting up potential YouTube episodes, buying guides, reviews, build logs, and some troubleshooting.
Here are some ideas that I am toying with (starting with my new Skylake build since I don't have sponsors....yet)
- Motherboard Review: MSI Z170A Gaming Pro
- GPU Showdown: NVidia GTX 970 vs GTX 980 Ti
- Intel Core i7-6700K Overclock Results
- Review: Phanteks Enthoo Luxe Case
- Review: Corsair H115i Extreme Performance AIO Water Cooler
- Introduce My Build
These are all just early ideas I have come up with and would love suggestions on what you would like to see so I can focus my energy there.
I really want to grow the audience as I believe that part of learning and growing comes when everyone participates and shares their knowledge (thank you internet).
So, I will keep you all updated with upcoming content and looking forward to expanding Goto Tech Reviews!
Matthew
Sunday, February 7, 2016
News: Still Working on YouTube Build Inspiration
Hey everyone! So I have already done the build now (twice actually) and have yet to actually record it. I have been drawing inspiration from other YouTube channels, like my favorites, Linus Tech Tips and Awesomesauce News. It's more of a self conscious thing and I don't like how I look and sound on camera but I actually did a few takes of introducing my build but never really felt satisfied.
I have definitely acquired the "build bug" as I like to call it. I have lots of ideas for fun videos and fun PC builds but just not sure where to start. I'd really like to build the blog and eventually have it be more YouTube centric.
Continue to stay tuned for more reviews and videos in the near future! Thanks everyone!
I have definitely acquired the "build bug" as I like to call it. I have lots of ideas for fun videos and fun PC builds but just not sure where to start. I'd really like to build the blog and eventually have it be more YouTube centric.
Continue to stay tuned for more reviews and videos in the near future! Thanks everyone!
Review: iPhone 6s, Prodigee Flow Blue for iPhone 6
My wife really loves this case and has a fantastic look and feel. She's pretty picky about the looks and she loves it and mentioned that it looked feminine without being over the top.
The case fits snug and looks to provide ample protection. The bottom plate is also snug, but just easy enough to remove if you want to dock it on your bedside. They really nailed it with that. We have not had any problems with the buttons and they are working great for us.
Overall, this is a fantastic case with great looks, good protection, all while being understated and complement the natural beauty of the iPhone 6. Highly Recommended!
The case fits snug and looks to provide ample protection. The bottom plate is also snug, but just easy enough to remove if you want to dock it on your bedside. They really nailed it with that. We have not had any problems with the buttons and they are working great for us.
Overall, this is a fantastic case with great looks, good protection, all while being understated and complement the natural beauty of the iPhone 6. Highly Recommended!
Saturday, January 30, 2016
News: Parts List
And here's the parts list:
- Intel "Skylake" Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz
- MSI Z170A Gaming Pro
- Phanteks Enthoo Luxe Case
- Crucial DDR4-2666MHz 16GB 2x8
- NVidia GTX 970 - EVGA-3975 SSC + ACX 2.0
- Corsair H115i Extreme Water Cooling
- EVGA 850W Gold Semi-Modular
Hooray! I'm working on a format for building my YouTube channel, featuring your's truly!
Friday, January 29, 2016
News and Upcoming DIY Build and Reviews
Hi all, been a while since I've done a non-review post on the blog. That doesn't I've been idle in the background, in fact quite the contrary.
It's kind of a long story that starts with, of all things, floors. To save some short term money I sold my trusty MacBookPro Retina 15 inch. I tried just using my wife's cheap netbook, but I still needed something that could do basic photo editing (Lightroom). Which lead me to the purchase of an Alienware Alpha.
It's kind of a long story that starts with, of all things, floors. To save some short term money I sold my trusty MacBookPro Retina 15 inch. I tried just using my wife's cheap netbook, but I still needed something that could do basic photo editing (Lightroom). Which lead me to the purchase of an Alienware Alpha.
I was exposed to a whole new world that I haven't visited in almost a decade. I could now upgrade the processor, which I immediately did to an Intel Core i5-4590S. I could also upgrade the RAM and the hard drive which I also did as well. It opened up my inner computer geek and like a gateway drug, left me wanting for more.
Before you know it, I'm selling it on Craigslist, looking up parts and doing research on Intel Skylake processors, Z170 motherboards, and DDR4 RAM. Not long after that, I have parts ordered for a new PC. Stay tuned for reviews on individual parts and the overall build as well as a review on the Alienware Alpha.
Review: LED Keyboard and Mouse Combo-BlueFinger® USB Wired
This is a fun keyboard set for the price, and I will review it as a set since that's how it came.
Keyboard:
The thing that stands out most isthe lightning design and LEDs. The design is striking enough (no pun intended) while not being as noisy looking as I thought it might from the pictures. I'm not a great typist, but I can say that I didn't encounter any issues in my regular use. I did do some light gaming on it (couple rounds of CS:GO) and managed just fine. The keys are easy to read and everything is how you would expect. Keep in mind that the Return key is an odd shape for the states, but I've gotten used to this by now so not a big deal for myself. There are seven different colors of LED with 5 levels of brightness and off. There's also another LED option where it cycles through each color, though I felt it was a tad fast for my personal taste, but still cool none the less. The keyboard has a good feel to it, just don't expect it to be a tank, but that's not the target for this anyways. Overall, it's a very pleasant keyboard to use and would recommend. I also appreciate the braided cabling to give it a more premium feel and look.
Mouse:
This is my current mouse of choice as it not only looks cool and feels natural in my hand, it also has the added benefit of being a very quiet mouse so it doesn't wake up my wife, which she appreciates. Happy wife, happy life right? :) There are 4 different colors and just does a slowbreathing pattern on the chosen color. I could nitpick and say I wish there was a couple more colors, like green and white for example, but that's just being picky. Overall it's easy to use and doesn't hinder any computing experience.
Overall, I would recommend this set for anyone looking an affordable and great looking casual LED keyboard and mouse set.
The thing that stands out most isthe lightning design and LEDs. The design is striking enough (no pun intended) while not being as noisy looking as I thought it might from the pictures. I'm not a great typist, but I can say that I didn't encounter any issues in my regular use. I did do some light gaming on it (couple rounds of CS:GO) and managed just fine. The keys are easy to read and everything is how you would expect. Keep in mind that the Return key is an odd shape for the states, but I've gotten used to this by now so not a big deal for myself. There are seven different colors of LED with 5 levels of brightness and off. There's also another LED option where it cycles through each color, though I felt it was a tad fast for my personal taste, but still cool none the less. The keyboard has a good feel to it, just don't expect it to be a tank, but that's not the target for this anyways. Overall, it's a very pleasant keyboard to use and would recommend. I also appreciate the braided cabling to give it a more premium feel and look.
Mouse:
This is my current mouse of choice as it not only looks cool and feels natural in my hand, it also has the added benefit of being a very quiet mouse so it doesn't wake up my wife, which she appreciates. Happy wife, happy life right? :) There are 4 different colors and just does a slowbreathing pattern on the chosen color. I could nitpick and say I wish there was a couple more colors, like green and white for example, but that's just being picky. Overall it's easy to use and doesn't hinder any computing experience.
Overall, I would recommend this set for anyone looking an affordable and great looking casual LED keyboard and mouse set.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Review: EasyAcc 7.2A 3 USB Ports Charging Desktop Power Strip
This is a perfect bedside stand for me. I've always had issues plugging things into the outlet by my bed. I've tried regular power strips but they look ugly and I'm mostly plugging in USB adapter so it looks like a flying spaghetti monster on my nightstand. This is a much more elegant solution. I don't have to plug in extra USB adapters and it's very convenient to access than behind my nightstand. I can charge my iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch. (First World Problems for sure).
There's also two standard outlets which are handy for quickly charging my laptop or just quick access (I have tons of electronic gizmos and widgets). Around on the side is an on/off switch for the whole unit, though I found it was a little too easy to bump.
In the front is a strange little plastic piece that extends. At first I was confused but the picture on the front shows that it's a little stand and actually works pretty well without looking obnoxious.
Highly recommended.
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