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!

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.



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.

Video: Episode 2 - Unboxing - 1byOne Wireless Sports Earphones


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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!

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.

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)

  • 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!

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!