Best GPS & Navigation Equipment
Wesoo K1 Fitness Tracker: Activity Tracker Smart Band with Sleep Monitor. Stylish Design and Replaceable Bands. The all new Wesoo K1 ultra-thin and super lightweight fitness tracker satisfies your personalized needs. Monitor Your Sleep Quality. The fitness tracker automatically monitor how long and how well you sleep at night, by reading all these sleep metrics you can get to know your health condition. 【DISCOVER MORE FEATURES】 Wesoo K1 fitness tracker supports date & time auto sync, sedentary alert, alarm, incoming call notification. Replaceable wristband makes your everyday workout stylish and colorful.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The setup is easy – just take it out of the box and plug it in to a charging base for 10 minutes and download the app. On the watch, you can see the time/date, steps taken, miles walked/ran, calories burned, active time, and alarm."
"This tracker also allows you to set specific mileage, sleep goals, activities duration, calories and also records them for the week and gives you a readout. It is IPX7 level waterproof which means you can wear the bracelet in rainy and stormy weather. It also resists 1-meter depth water and splashes in daily use but I would not advise swimming, bathing or showering with it on. Some of the other specifications are: Battery: 45mAh Rechargeable Li-Polymer Battery. Screen Size: 0.87 inch. Stand-by Time: Up to 7 days. N. Weight: 19.6 grams / Size: 240*16*10mm. Band color: Black (Blue or purple optional). Band Material: Thermoplastic Polyurethanes (TPU). System Requirements: -Bluetooth 4.0 enabled. -iOS 9 or above, Android 4.4 or above."
"But it took me a minute to realize I had to turn SNS fully on before it would open additional messaging options. (Note: text messages still read horizontally, which is nice. My wife just bought one of the other brands from Amazon (pink band, $23). Other than the fact that some have a heart rate monitor and others do not, it REALLY looks like many of these brands on Amazon ARE THE EXACT SAME THING -- only with different bands, ad pictures, spec charts, etc. But side by side with my wife's, the actual fitness tracker body looks EXACTLY the same. When I do a general search on Amazon for "fitness tracker," 20 items come up on page 1. If I'm seeing this correctly, 12 of them are the exact same thing (with or without heart rate monitor), but I never would have known it because the pictures look so different, and the spec sheets aren't the same either. If I would have known that, I wouldn't have compared specs side by side FOR SO LONG, trying to find the best option."
"I am happy with this is fitness tracker。It's easy to setup with phone，the tracker monitor my daily workout activities including steps，distance，calories and activity time。i love it，great product！."
Features 1+ year battery life Reminds you to stay active with move bar and audible alert Learns your activity level and proposes a personalized daily goal Shows steps, calories, distance and time of day on backlit display; monitors sleep Automatically syncs to Garmin Connect to save, plan and share progress. It even reminds you to stay active throughout your day with its move bar with audible alert that lets you know when you’ve been idle for an hour or longer. Research shows prolonged periods of inactivity such as sitting at a desk decreases your body’s production of fat-burning enzymes. And thanks to its 1+ year battery life, you can keep this activity tracker on your wrist around the clock, helping you turn good intentions into lifelong habits. At Garmin Connect, our free online fitness community, you can earn virtual badges and view your progress. Throughout your day, vívofit 2 automatically syncs to Garmin Connect, where you can see a complete picture of your progress, join online challenges and earn virtual badges for extra motivation. Move bar w/audible alert - Reminds you to stay active throughout the day by displaying a red move bar and sounding an alert after one hour of inactivity.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"For a quick review of the pros and cons (more detail below): PROS: No recharging. Waterproof (to 50 meters). Shows time and date. Audible alert (when you’ve been inactive for an hour). Backlit screen so you can see it in the dark. Default/home screen option. Locking strap. Automatic or customized step goal (optional). Activity timer. Pairs with a HRM (sold separately). CONS: No reminder alerts to bug you when you remain inactive**. No vibrating alert**. No customization with alert reminders. No manual alarms that you can set. ** Indicates why stars were lost – if they fix, I’ll update my review (I explain below under "Alerts"). GENERAL: I chose the Vivofit fitness tracker over the other options out there because it doesn't need to be recharged and its waterproof (to 50 meters) - two very important things for me. AUDIBLE ALERTS (new to the Vivofit 2): Audible alerts were lacking from the original Vivofit, and I was so excited for this option. Here’s how the new audible alert works on my device: as the inactivity bar first starts to grow (after 15 minutes of inactivity), it gives you a single chirp. So instead, I just manually entered my sleep time in Garmin Connect (when I did that, it still showed my activity level, but the sleep time was a total guess). SCREENS (on the device): I LOVE that the device shows the time!!! What’s great is that you can set a “default” screen for your device! On the device, you can scroll through the following screens: Time, Date, Steps, Step Goal, Calories, Distance, and Heart Rate. You can select which of these screens you want to see on your device by going to Garmin Connect > Device Settings. ACTIVITY TIMER: The Vivofit 2 now has an activity timer on the device. Without the HRM, I had to go into Garmin Connect and manually add an activity if I wanted it to show up. The device sends the activity info to Garmin Connect when it syncs – which then pushes the activity out to My Fitness Pal (more on MFP below). Sometimes it says the activity is “running,” but I can easily edit the title of the activity in Garmin Connect as needed. In the device settings area, I can choose the default activity screen and also which screens are available on the device during that activity, for example, I can hide the date screen during an activity but show it when not in an activity – very nice! I added a picture of what today’s activity looked like on Garmin Connect using both the activity timer and my HRM. The HRM on the machine (when I held it) showed my heart rate to be about 1-2 beats different than the device showed, but went up and down at the same time, so I think it’s pretty accurate. You can manually set the device to sleep mode when you go to bed and then turn off sleep mode when you wake up. In User Settings, you can set up your “Normal Sleep Time.” If you forget to turn on sleep mode, just go into Garmin Connect, confirm your sleep time for the night and it will show your movement levels anyway (so don’t worry much if you forget to turn it on). My device has been tracking my sleep time automatically (I think this came from a firmware update and will work on the original Vivofit also). I always forget to turn on sleep mode, and I had to go into Garmin Connect and manually enter my sleep time before it would show my activity level during sleep. With the Vivofit 2, my actual sleep time shows automatically – even if it’s not the same as my “Normal Sleep Hours.” For example, my “Normal Sleep Hours” are set to 8:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. Last night, I didn’t turn on sleep mode or confirm my sleep time in Garmin Connect, yet it shows that I slept from 9:34 p.m. – 5:37 a.m.!! STEP GOAL: By default, the device gives you an auto goal for steps that automatically adjusts depending on whether you miss or meet the goal. You do this on Garmin Connect > Device Settings. GARMIN CONNECT: Garmin Connect is fairly easy to use. The device now auto syncs with Garmin Connect. So when I’m active, Garmin Connect sends that activity (and calories burned) to MFP. On MFP, there’s an option to “Enable Negative Adjustments.” When I’m particularly inactive (very low on steps), Garmin Connect sends a negative activity adjustment to my MFP “Exercise” page. I’ve considered returning it several times because of the disappointing audible alerts (and lack of a silent alert), but in the end, I kept it because it’s the only device I know if that’s waterproof and doesn’t have to be charged."
"I've had the Fitbit Flex, Fitbit Force, original Vivofit, Vivosmart, Fitbit Charge HR and now have the Vivofit 2 AND the Fitbit Zip. After having gone back and forth between Fitbit and Garmin, I am going with the Vivofit 2 (for now). [Battery Life in Vivosmart and Vivofit 2] I had the original Vivofit and did a lot of international travel at the time. So for me, Vivofit2 > Vivosmart because: 1) I don't need alerts (on both wrists). 2) I don't have to charge it or even really think about charging it. 3) Readability of the screen. 4) Vivofit 2 has auto-sleep tracking (this may have been added via a software update to the Vivosmart - I do not know.). Like the Vivofit 2, the Fitbit Charge HR does auto-sleep tracking. That may not be a big deal for many people but more than once, I got into the shower, got it wet and then took it off and dried it immediately. Alerts for calls usually didn't hit the Fitbit Charge HR until I'd already answered a call so, again, not particularly useful for me but YMMV. Last, I found that the little nagging red bar on the Garmin devices (Vivofit, Vivofit 2, Vivosmart) really does make me get up and move. Fitbit gives you a 10,000 step daily goal which you can manually change. If you are like a lot of people who aren't very active and you start off at 5,000 steps and you do 5,000 steps - that a successful day for you. However, all of those days are 'fails' in Fitbit. Vivofit2 > Fitbit Charge HR because. 1) the Vivofit 2 is waterproof to 5 ATM. 2) battery life is amazing. 3) the inactivity alert does work for me and. 4) it connects to a HRM when I want it to (which is not FULL time). 5) some style alternatives. 6) adjusting daily step goals. *** Fitbit Platform/Dashboard v Garmin Platform/Dashboard *** Here's what will be a big factor for many people that is not going to be obvious from a hardware review. 2) If you want motivation from friends, most people have Fitbit over Garmin. It does little more than track steps for me and that's the basis of all of my competitions with friends in Fitbit so... that's how I keep the wrist-based wearable I like but can pretty easily still compete with friends on Fitbit (if you find yourself also debating these things). If you happen to use both, like me, when you do "activities" in Garmin, those *can* sync over to Fitbit so your jogs, workouts, swims - all of that - can be synced with Fitbit and show up there. *** Potential Sync Issue in Garmin Connect *** I have a Note 4 and when I first tried to pair the Vivofit 2 through Garmin Connect (the mobile app), it would initially pair, show as connected - and then immediately disconnect. I called Garmin and was told that I may have too many devices paired via bluetooth, even if only one device was actively connected."
Size: 1-Pack |. Configuration: Pack only. If your Tile isn't where you left it, you can anonymously enlist the help of the Tile community in your search.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"As it clearly outlines in the screen shots, anyone else who happens to have the app installed and is near you will cause the tile to report its location through THEIR phone. That's right, the company can find out where you shop, eat, go to church, jog, or walk the dog simply by your tile reporting its location through someone else's phone running the app. Once the app is ready to go it pairs with the tile easily and then there are some very interesting features. You do have to register and create an account in order to get to the point where you can tie a tile to the app. If, and I say if reluctantly, you have location services turned on the web site will allow you to view the last known location of the tile(s) under your account on a map. Now proximity here is Bluetooth distance which is at best 10 meters (30 feet) so the location overlaid on the map will be fairly close to where the tile was left as long as the location services on your phone can actually get a GPS lock (this gets far to technical to explain here but buildings, underground parking and just about any structure can block GPS signals). What I really liked, if you have the tile in hand but can't find the phone, double press the silver tile logo and if the phone is within range it will play a tune associated with the app. All in all, this is an easy to use device and there will be dozens of applications you could think of. I found the app very simple both to set up and use. The tile itself while having to real speaker isn't really loud enough to heard when trapped between cushions on a sofa or stuffed in a purse. I like that pairing a tile with the app is painless, totally non-technical. When using the web interface, I found the site easy to access through both the app and PC online. There are so many Bluetooth devices we already use that we can have a good idea of the coverage that can be expected between phone and tile. The app works and does not require a 10-year-old to set it up. Great idea and product but beware the intrusion to your comings and goings."
"I have since tried several other brands of thing finders (TrackR, Hiro), but keep coming back to Tile on account of the user interface in the app, the range, and the form factor. The finder alarm is loud enough that you can actually find what you have linked to your tile, and is simple to activate. My only gripe is that it would be great if it was a little longer on one side, perhaps exactly the dimensions (at least length and width, thickness is already perfect) as a credit card. OR, make a super cool credit card holder that this securely inserts into. When the battery died, you had to send it in and get a replacement at a decent discount from retail price. Assuming battery life is similar to regular tile, you are looking at a yearly re-investment."
"A great feature that I didn’t realize it was capable of is the fact that the Tile can also be used to track in reverse to find a missing phone."
"I have read that the battery life on these isn't long - not more than a year or two - but since they're not too expensive, well, perhaps there's a trade-off."
"My primary criticism is that the volume of the Tile is weak."
Best Marine GPS Units & Chartplotters
The GPSMAP 1040xs keyed chartplotter/sonar combo has a 10-inch color SVGA display and comes with preloaded U.S. LakeVu HD and Blue Chart g2 coastal maps. Built-in Garmin HD-ID 1 kW sonar, CHIRP and DownVu scanning sonar with CHIRP technology.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It's a perfect upgrade from my 3210."
"Husband loves it!!"
Best GPS Trackers
Whether you want to track a suspicious spouse, a teenagers vehicle, an elderly parent, or valuable equipment at your company, this tracker is the perfect choice. An available waterproof magnetic case lets you easily attach the GL300 to any vehicle or asset, and an available belt holster lets you easily track a person. Perfect for tracking vehicles, teens, spouses, elderly persons or assets.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This thing worked like a charm."
"Cons. - The website used for all tracking and reporting IS NOT HTTPS (secured using TLS / SSL); your logon and password are sent unencrypted for the tracking portal. - Your entire browsing session for the SpyTec Portal IS NOT HTTPS; anyone able to sniff your network traffic knows exactly what you are browsing while on the Portal. - The GPS seems to be off by up to about 30-40 feet on our unit; may lead to improper street address resolution. - The web portal seems to be geared to tracking "drivers," as if this product is only to be used for tracking vehicles. Pros. - The SpyTec web portal is well thought out in general. - The web portal can be accessed from any modern browser, not limiting you to a specific Android or iOS application, for example. - The service does allow you to define areas to be notified when the GPS leaves / returns to certain area. - It appears to be much more effective than bracelet GPS devices sold for children, especially in that it works to some extent inside buildings. - Mapping / Reporting is based on Google Maps, and that's pretty nice. Background: We purchased this unit to track our 3 year old child that suffers from an Autistic Spectrum Disorder."
"Device worked absolutely awesome."
"The greatest device on the market."
"If you have any thought that your partner is cheating, i highly recommend this product to give you peace of mind."
"Product is very good, just needs better satellite pin point position."
"This product is great and the customer service is the best I have ever experienced."
"Easiest product I've ever used."
Best GPS Units
Battery Life 11 Hours Training, 9 Days Watch, Activity Tracking, Notifications + Heart Rate.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"With a brightly coloured strap, it could even look like a trendy time piece that doesn’t scream “FITNESS TRACKER!”. --HR recording--. I compared the HR data to that from a Polar H7 Bluetooth Smart HRM and the comparison is shown in the attached pictures. Finishing time. Features like training calendar and my workouts require that you log into Garmin Connect web and do some planning. The FR 235 allows the user to set interval distance, duration and time right from the watch device. As for finishing time, you just need to set a distance and go about your run while the FR235 will display roughly how fast you can complete the distance based on the current pace. The screen during activity tracking can be set to a total of 5 screens of which 2 can be further split into 4 data fields each. So in total you’re getting 4+4+1 (Heart rate) +1 (HR Zone gauge)+1 (Clock)= 11 stats to view during tracked activities. --Smart notifications—. The FR235 allows you to expand and read smart notifications or set the mode of alert, be it audio, vibration or both. --All day activity tracker—. The FR235 tracks steps, distance, calories burned, sleep, all day HR and intensity minutes but it doesn’t track number of stairs climbed due to the lack of a barometer. I was able to set alerts during a tracked activity session to buzz when I go beyond a certain HR. • Measure all day heart rate and heart rate during tracked activity sessions. • GPS+Glonass enabled with smart or per second tracking. • Vibration and audio enabled for smart notifications, alarms, move alerts. • Expand and read full messages on FR 235 display. • Pick up phone calls only. • Heavily customisable. • Garmin Connect IQ compatible for apps and watch face downloads. • VO2 Max score, Race time predictor, Recovery advisor. • Automatic laps for 1km/1 mile or customised. • Auto pause during tracked runs. • Interval run features. • Water resistant to 5 ATM. • Big screen that is not touch enabled. • Sunlight readable screen with back light. • Connect IQ compatible. • Reads lap number and time from Garmin Connect mobile app from connected smart phone. • Shows weather and calender events from smart phone. • Water resistant to 5 ATM. Cons. • Navigation on the FR235 takes getting used to. • No virtual pacer feature. --Updated 28th Jan 2016--. Well I had the watch for a while now."
"I was a runner through the Charge and Surge (GPS) but then had a knee injury and became a gym rat through the Blaze time period. This was an epic fail for me and although Fitbit customer service was awesome and replaced it under warranty, the new unit still did not work on GPS. It had a lot of bluetooth problems including not connecting often so that I could access music controls. It's also MUCH easier to download apps, widgets and watch faces connected to your computer than to your smart phone. I have read lots of reviews here that say this product has a bad hrm, but I have found that to be untrue. Since I have had many fitbits with this feature and experience with Polar heart rate straps (they cut my skin so I had to stop using them), I believe that the heart rate monitor is pretty reliable. It does not show the heart beat moving like the Blaze does, but that's minor and it does take a minute to update. Also, the Garmin does not let you know when you have reached your goal and that feature on the blaze was kind of cute. I wish they made small watch band sizes for women like me. Here is where I agree with the reviewer about making sure that you are buying this watch for the right reasons! -On the first night I had my Garmin, I was 100% sure I was going to return it because the set up process was such a pain in the butt. If Garmin could hire a Fitbit software engineer to sort out their IOS app, I would be a happy camper. I don't see any icon or any indicator that it is charging and I have to just come back in a few minutes to see if the percentage has changed. I charged it fully on Wednesday and then used it only during the day (turning it off at night) and it is Sunday now. I was very sad to leave Fitbit and I will probably go back if they ever come out with a Surge 2 that is not square (hate that look) so I can use their awesome app and do challenges with my friends and coworkers."
Best Vehicle GPS Units & Equipment
Garmin Real Directions - Garmin Real Directions guides like a friend using landmarks and traffic lights.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It warned us of an accident that took place on the road 20 miles ahead of us while driving at night and on the return trip it warned us of an interstate closure because of a severe accident, then directed us on an alternative route to not get stuck in traffic."
"The Garmin StreetPilot 2720 was a top of the line unit back in 2006 and I was pleased to find that the "cutting edge" tech of 2006 is now in the "low end" Nuvi series of modern models. The GPS on a smartphone tends to drain it, then you have to have a cable running to your lap or a windshield mount and I find it a big pain in the you know what. This isn't a problem if you never leave New York City or San Francisco, but for those of us who live out in the country or do field service of some sort and travel all over (big cities and small towns), there are still places where my phone can't get 3G or can't find any data connection. The directions are very accurate and if you hook it up to a PC and download Garmin Express you can get alternate voices and vehicles. Of course the built in voices do Text To Speech and will say things like "In half a mile, turn left on Miller street". The screen CAN be a tad bit hard to read compared to my old 3.7" Garmin StreetPilot 2720, but just a small turn to the left or right will fix it. For example I added a shortcut to the "Fast Food" section in addition to the standard restaurant icon as I frequent those the most (hey, don't judge me). The only two things I found that I wish I could change would be (1) having a north indicator (red arrow or letter N with a pointer) on the screen at all times."
"Directions are clear, and I appreciate the way the Nuvi warns me about getting into the correct lanes so that I can make subsequent turns."
"In all honesty, I received my new GPS for our second vehicle yesterday afternoon, so it's not like I've tried it for a long time before writing this review. Last night I went to the Garmin site, registered it and downloaded any new maps and updates, transferred all my favorite locations from the older GPS to this new one and got it ready to use this morning. That for people like me with severe arrested development, was great fun, and now Garmin forces us to keep the same boring settings."
"This was quite the upgrade from my Nuvi 52, so the learning curve as been a chore and not quite as user friendly."
"So far so good, I upgraded my GPS, I'm travel a lot so I needed something that I could depend on."
"It took me a while to learn how to use this model having had another Garmin with a smaller screen since 2008 but the more I use this one it has really nice features to make a driving trip more fun and secure, like warnings ."
"I used it for the first time and it got me to my destination without any problems."
Best Mapping
Tailor your trip to your personal style, such as preferred road types, start and stop times, and more. Calculate your mileage, fuel costs, and arrival times, and compare different routes you’re considering before you leave. Free construction updates will help you avoid delays – and maybe find a new favorite spot along a detour route. See customer ratings and reviews to take the guesswork out of where to go, and then take a peek at that location using Bing maps bird’s eye aerial imagery when you are online. Create a trip tailored around your favorite hobby whether you are a history buff, BBQ enthusiast, or NASCAR fan. Key Features No Internet connection required Updated street-level maps of the United States and Canada with 150,000 new miles of roads More than 2.5 million points of interest including national parks, casinos, hotels, campgrounds, and more Change your route on-the-go by dragging and dropping View the quickest routes with one-click trip optimization ; add notes for planned stops, reservations, phone numbers, or other details Customize your trip with preferences such as driving times and speeds, start and stop times, and road types Calculate fuel costs before you go Share trips to your Garmin device for navigation and spoken directions See customer ratings and reviews on businesses when you are online Share trip details , such as route information and stops, with friends and family Easy-to-read night map display for navigating in low light Bing aerial map views and search results (when connected to the Internet). Additional items or services are required to use certain features: Microsoft Outlook 2007 or 2010 required to use Send To features Broadband Internet service (connect time charges may apply) GPS device that supports NMEA 2.0 or later and USB port Internet Explorer (will not displace your primary browser). Plan your trip including multiple destinations, rest stops, scenic detours, fuel stops and more-all with no Internet connection required.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The only other modification to the software that I see is that MS has changed the menu icons from multicolor and eye appealing to very flat, basic two-tone blank and white. With S&T all I have to do is tell it to avoid this area by dragging the mouse over the map and the planned route is instantly modified. The little units have their place but my preference for long distance travel planning and GPS tracking is still with S&T."
"In addition to maintaining several thousand points, I receive addresses several times a day from people whereby I find their location and give them directions to the closest point in my database. What has forced me to upgrade from 2007 is the new map data so I can match newer addresses. I match by GPS coordinates because the same errors and bad alternative suggestions come up here when I match by addresses, and there is no way to go into the map to find the right info without cancelling the matching procedure. Once the data is in, you have to manually check all the attributes you want to display that did not match their list of predetermined attributes. If there are many sets of data imported and many attributes you want displayed for each point, it is slow going in checking all those boxes to display the data (couldn't they display all by default?). If some addresses did not match before, you will have to handle those errors all over again, check all the show data boxes again, reassign the icon, etc. I tried to copy/paste points from 2007 to 2013; the listing appears in the legend, but without points on the map. Icons: One reason I did not upgrade after 2007 was that the new icons for points were ugly and busy. When I have several thousand points on my map, pretty detailed icons are not a plus. In 2007, I could get around the lack of this feature by doing a slight name change to a data set, and then it would bump it to the top of the list (where I could then change the name back to the original). This "feature" has been removed, and I can find no way to order the list of icons short of importing/creating them in the order you want. Map data: I am assuming it is as updated as their data provider can get."
"The purpose of having the Streets&Trips Software is mainly for trip planning. In trip planning, I prefer to use MS Streets&Trips than the on-line based maps (Google map, bing map...etc) for following reasons: 1. Every planned trip becomes a single map file that can be easily reviewed at later time. This is especially useful when I am on a multi-day trip. Multiple Destinations: MS Streets&Trips is especially good if you have more than 3 stops on a trip. With MS Streets&Trips, I can zoom in/out the map to get exact print out. However, I agree with other reviewers that MS Streets&Trips 2013 does not seem to be much different from MS Streets&Trips 2009."
Best Security & Surveillance Equipment
Ring keeps your home secure and your family safe by protecting you against intruders, burglars, package thieves and any other unwanted guests. Whether you’re halfway across the world, or just too busy to walk to the door, Ring lets you see, hear and speak to visitors from the comfort of your smartphone, tablet or PC. From the free Ring app, you can see your visitors in brilliant HD video, and hear and speak to them with crisp two-way audio. Get instant alerts when visitors press your Doorbell or trigger the built-in motion sensors. Lifetime purchase protection: If your Ring Doorbell gets stolen, we’ll replace it for free!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Tried increasing the sensitivity to the point where I was grabbing cars driving down the street but still only got people leaving my front door. But if you could link the doorbell into your security system you would have an actual video of everything in your possession and you could access it from any computer in the world. 3 - If you do not answer the alert fast enough, you are locked out-- even though someone is standing at your front door. I think the Chime would be MUCH improved if it had an ultra-brite LED on top (that you could turn on or off) that would flash when the bell rings. Update 3/24/16 - Ring has added “Live View” to their feature set. Obviously, it also lets you “dial in” any time you wish to check out your front or back yard (where ever your doorbell is)."
"Update 6/6/2017. Someone pried the button off my doorbell and I had to interact with Ring customer service for the first time. On top of that, I'm pretty sure a break-in to my neighbour's house was averted when a suspicious person came to look through her windows last night and she confront him through her Ring. According to the Ring support site this feature is being steadily rolled out and users will receive an email when their device has been enabled. Note : According to the support page on Live View, you will only have this feature on the regular Ring if you are connected to doorbell wiring for power. In my previous update 3/19/2016 I erroneously stated that only Ring Pro will have live view. As Joe pointed out in the comments, Live View should be available as a firmware update for existing Ring devices. Due to a manufacturing issue where I started seeing the video feed of SOMEONE ELSE’S front door instead of mine, I got a Ring instead. Having had a chance to install both on my door, here are my impressions: ***Installation***. Skybell comes with the bell, a mounting plate, and some instructions. You can get some trickle power from the doorbell, but depending on the weather and use, you may find you drain the battery faster than it charges. Ring shows you recent activity, but you need to pay a $3 a month subscription to see your videos on cloud. I suspect the design team had to make some trade-offs between video quality and ability to power the unit via battery / trickle charge from the doorbell electrical wire. That said, I am able to identify the voices and recognize people in the camera so that for me is sufficient though of course I hope that future generations will continue to improve in this respect. Ring's cloud recording page gives you a pretty accurate idea of what your videos would look like. My doorbell button was probably tampered with and they issued an exchange, no questions asked within minutes of contact."
"I came home one day and the door bell button was stuck in the down position and the unit burned out. Unfortunately the replacement unit had trouble connecting to my solid wi-fi and I was directed to reboot the unit by holding down the orange button for 20 seconds. My unit was hardwired to my doorbell using a 16 volt transformer and mechanical door bell and the first unit worked fine until it burned out."
Best Portable Audio & Video
SoundCore The Bluetooth Speaker with Superior Sound and Playtime. Worry-Free Warranty At Anker, we believe in our products. SUPERIOR SOUND QUALITY: Experience your music in full-bodied stereo realized through dual high-performance drivers and a unique spiral bass port (patented). WHAT YOU GET: Anker SoundCore Bluetooth speaker, Micro USB charging cable, welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty and friendly customer service.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Our primary use is for streaming music or internet radio services such as Pandora and Spotify, and listening by the pool and while having dinner. Upon the very first look, when opening up the box, you get a sense that Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3 is a very no-frills, inexpensive speaker. The packaging, the speaker, the extremely short, tiny USB charging cable. Conversely, the Anker SoundCore gave the impression that you were opening up a well-constructed, tiny speaker. It was packaged nicely, easy instructions, it felt a lot more substantial than the Cambridge SoundWorks OontZ Angle 3. Great packaging, a super long and thick USB charging cable that came in an eye-catching orange colored jacket. The sound coming out of the Anker SoundCore is very balanced and fairly loud for such a small speaker. I would lean more towards the 4 Star mark on the Anker SoundCore simply for delivering a very nice, balanced sound quality, and is capable of filling a small room. The Flip 3 Splashproof produced a rich, full sound that was extremely clear and thumped just the right amount of bass. Update: Even though the JBL Flip 3 Splashproof sounds very good, the Bluetooth range is awful."
"I didn't think much of it at first but I wanted to compare sound to my other MUCH used Anker Bluetooth speaker. My square Anker speaker sounded just as clear at full volume, albeit not quite as loud. The SoundCore is an attractive speaker and it sounds very nice compared to its price point. UPDATE: 12/6. Anker has reached out to me to let me know that the speaker stops playing at loud volumes to protect from hearing / device damage. I exclaimed my dissatisfaction with this as the SoundCore speakers higher volume was one of my biggest reasons for liking this speaker. Final update 12/28/2015. I received my new SoundCore speaker and I am happy to announce that this new speaker does not have the audio issues my first speaker did. The speaker is able to go to full volume while continuing consistent playback with great sound for a speaker at this price. If all of this really was just a "bug" or planned execution to save the speakers and/or prevent hearing damage to just be updated and fixed at a later date, I'm a bit disappointed but I do like the speaker."
"---------------. ORIGINAL REVIEW: I love a lot of anchor products, and this one is just okay. The second problem is when there is no music feed and often between changing songs there is a displeasing, low "BipDUNNN" sound as it's searching for audio or refreshing Bluetooth connection or something. I use this device near my bed for sleeping with music and that noise often wakes me up in a jarring way."
Best Televisions & Video Products
Enjoy tens of thousands of channels, apps, and Alexa skills with access to over 500,000 movies and TV episodes from Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO, SHOWTIME, NBC, and more. Watch the best of live TV and sports from AMC, HGTV, ESPN, FOX, and others with a subscription to DIRECTV NOW, Sling TV, or top-rated primetime shows with CBS All Access. Amazon Prime membership unlocks thousands of movies and TV episodes, including Thursday Night Football, Amazon Original Series, Amazon Channels, and ad-free listening to millions of songs with Prime Music.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"After doing some research, I bought 3 Amazon Fire Sticks with the voice remote, cancelled Dish, upgraded to 30Mbps internet, added Sling 25 channels, added standard Hulu, and CBS All Access. Guess who still gets 96+% of the channels watched, added Prime Music and several hundred shows (that networks don't play) to all the TVs in the house, and saved over $700 per year compared to what I paid this past year?"
"The AFS is a device that provides you with both the hardware and software needed to watch such shows and it bundles everything together nicely so it is extremely easy to use. Some apps (channels) are free and they offer limited programming on demand from shows they aired in the past. PlayStation Vue (the one I signed up with) offers bundled packages of channels just like cable or satellite services and they are live broadcasts! The amazing thing with Vue is you can go into the guide, pick a show that was aired, say, two hours ago that you missed and watch it in its entirety! Another sweet thing about using the AFS for television viewing is no installer has to come to your house to set up your equipment and when you’re finished with their service nothing has to be returned."
"And I even bought a TV sound bar to improve my watching experience,TV Sound Bar, Meidong Bluetooth Soundbar with Built-in Subwoofer, 36 inch 2.0 Channel Home Theater Speakers, Wireless and Wired Bluetooth Audio for TV/PC/ Phones/Tablets/ Echo dot (2017 Model) it is a really good partner with my old TVs,also recommend. I found that the included power adapter isn't really necessary as long as you have a powered USB Port on your TV to plug it in to.I did notice that if you are using the 2.4GHZ wireless on your Wireless Network it does affect the speed especially if you have COMCAST/XFinity-, or other Cable provider as they are throttling the 2.4GHZ bandwidth to 25Gbps. If you don't know for sure run a SpeedTest and find out what your download speed is- upload is not at Full Duplex so it will be slower on both bands. It comes pre-loaded with your Amazon account details, so the only setup you need is to plug it in and enter your WiFi password, using a simple on-screen prompt. A short HDMI extension cable is included, which is handy if your TV has awkwardly-positioned ports. As with the previous-gen Stick, the extension cable also seems to boost WiFi reception a bit. It has the usual 4-way navigation pad and media controls, but no volume buttons - you’ll need to keep your TV remote handy for that."
Best Camera & Photo
Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Film (3 Twin Packs, 60 Total Pictures) [International Version product - No warranty]. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"When you put on your film on the camera for the first time, and take a pic for the first time with that cartridge, the first thing that is gonna come out is a black cover that was protecting the film."
"Purchased for my baby shower and used with a Polaroid camera."
"My daughter loves he camera and this is a great deal on the film."
"Can't live without it!"
"Our pictures are pinned up and rotated throughout the year."
"Greal listing!"
"Only received 1/3 of my order, pretty disappointed.."
"They would not process correctly and had huge black/white spots - despite me never exposing the film to light."
Best Marine Electronics
These devices are designed to allow you to mark your favorite fishing spot and easily navigate back to it tomorrow, saving you time and money. CHIRP sonar is able to create crisper fish arches with better target separation.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The amount of detail you can see on color fish finder vs black and white is AMAZING! GPS comes in handy for marking hot spots and marking the dock you used to get in the water so you don't get lost trying to get back."
"Great product has everything I need can't wait to use it in the spring."
"Husband loves this product."
"looks good and works fine."
"Easy to set up,legible, priced right."
Best Car Electronics
Unlike ordinary Bluetooth earbuds for running and workouts, this comfort-fit earbuds allows for easy and accurate one-touch control located on the neckband, no need to take off the earbuds. You can control all functions of music and calls easily via the buttons on the headset. To protect the earbud cable against the damage of pulling force, please pinch the earplugs instead of the cables when pulling earplugs out of the shark-like magnet which can ganrantee the lifespan of earbuds by using it in the right way. CONVENIENT SHARK-LIKE MAGNET and PLEASE NOTE: The built-in magnet attracts the earplugs when you don’t need them, greatly decreasing the burden on ears and giving you a convenient storage way to carry around.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have had LG, Plantronics and other name brand and expensive Bluetooth headsets that have stopped working just over the year where the warranty expires. I refused to pay for another overpriced pair of Bluetooth headsets and came across these and based on the economical price, and when I received them, I knew I was #winning---- they are easy to use, even for my technologically challenged husband."
"The original microphone was bad and no Amazon return available, but whole unit was replaced by Mpow without any additional charge or any hassle. The silly-seeming "JAWS" that hold the earpiece with extra strong magnets ARE ACTUALLY FANTASTIC (even though I didn't realize at first how great it is, and I thought the marketing of them was silly). On my SoundPEATS my ear pieces fall out of their holder cups, and routinely catch on things as I go by. The playback quality has a strong base tone (maybe +1 to much for my taste) and is VERY clear for music and audiobooks (like Audible.com). Irritating while in the middle of a dirty-hands task, but they just shut off and my phone turned off my audiobook, so really not a bad "failure" mode (the headphones actually worked exactly as designed - but do watch your battery level)."
"Love these!"
":( everything works the same and it still has an awesome battery life but if you want a vibrating headset like I did this is probably not the headset for you. This headset works great even when my phone is in my back pocket."
"Cons: Uncomfortable earbud shape."
Best Computers & Electronics Service Plans
The Most Reviewed Protection Plan on Amazon SquareTrade customers love sharing stories about how we've saved their day—and they've made us the most reviewed protection plan on Amazon. Protection from Common Malfunctions Repairing your average mechanical or electrical failure can cost as much as buying a new item. SquareTrade covers you beyond the manufacturer's warranty, including parts and labor. Transferring your protection plan is free and can be done online or over the phone. Electronic Delivery We'll email your protection plan to you within two hours of purchase. Things to know: SquareTrade Protection Plans are only valid for new products purchased at Amazon within the last 30 days. Your plan begins on the date you purchased your item and is inclusive of the manufacturer's warranty period. If your item arrives late, call SquareTrade and your plan can be extended to the shipping date. Cancel anytime, full refund in the first 30 days.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"After looking through the other reviews though, I found that there was some serious distortion of the results because many of the positive reviews came from people who had never had to file a claim. First, here are the overall results: **Definitely Filed a Claim**. Positive: 23. Neutral: 1. Negative: 11. **Definitely Did Not File a Claim**. Positive: 35. Neutral: 7. Negative: 11. **Unclear**. Positive: 33. Neutral: 2. Negative: 4. Quantitative analysis: _Of the people who actually used the service, about 2/3 were happy. _Only 25% of positive reviews came from people who definitely filed a claim, compared to 42% of negative reviews coming from people who definitely filed a claim, suggesting that the current starred rating is significantly too high. Qualitative analysis: _In all fairness, a few of the negative reviews from people who filed a claim came from people who were dissatisfied for reasons that related at least partly to their own misunderstanding of the product."
"I am a behavioral biology/computer science student at Johns Hopkins University, I run art/garden camp in the summer for children. More specifically, when I asked whether or not I would be able to be compensated in any way for having my laptop in transit back and forth from square trade for four months, the answer was no (this is slightly understandable but it gets worse). The third time they sent back my device, they replaced the hardrive, yet the computer still turned off within an hour of having received it. They happened to install the wrong hardrive the second time they send back the device--they gave me a similar i7 processor but one without a turbo drive. Awesome so great of you squaretrade what good customer service ("we'll just wait them out!!"). In the end they promised me 800$ for my laptop and the amount that they had made me wait, they had also violated a little something known as the Lemon law (look it up), and yes I was quite happy for a brief moment. I can only imagine how horrible this would be for a family with a real claim that does not have the time for this bureaucratic maze. I have no reason to try and steal a hardrive from squaretrade, I simply wanted a working laptop. It is obviously in squaretrades best interest to set up a mechanism that prevents them from being predated upon by people looking to make a quick buck. There is no accountability on their part and because of this I am stuck with a laptop with the wrong hardrive, that shuts off periodically, and the cherry on top was that I was accused of criminal activity."
"Do not buy a plan here, I just got my laptop from repair and it looks like they beat the shit out of it."
Best Outlet
Indoor/outdoor weather-resistant cameras.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Fortunately for me, I do have lighting around my home and will be installing a motion detector on my flood lights to make the camera in the rear of my home more effective."
"Two of the four cameras are just now needing new batteries. I understand that it can be an expensive proposition to need two cameras at each location, however if all you need are the possible entry points to to you home or location to be monitored I think these are just the ticket. I really like the versatility of having zero wires the cameras can literally be placed anywhere within range of your WiFi ie in trees, on roof etc.. The cameras in front pretty much cover the whole front of my home the way I have them set up, and the same in the back."
"So as a user your forced to select 120 always making the other settings useless. Related note on Android you can't even scrub the video playback, you see a play button that you can toggle between playing and pausing but you can never go back in time. I have the camera over looking a large area, so lets say a person walking is like 20 feet away, they are able to walk anywhere from 1/2 the frame to 3/4 of the frame before it kicks into video mode. So basically you're forced to put the cameras so far back to give adequate boot up time for camera recording that the video quality is useless. The solution posted on your forums is to use 2 cameras to over lap an area and daisy chain the detection of one to start the next one. At $150 a camera that is NOT acceptable."
Best Home Audio & Theater Products
Play music simultaneously across Echo devices and speakers connected via cable with multi-room music.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"He was in tears with happiness when Alexa played 70's music, played Jeopardy, answered all his questions and wakes him up every morning."
"The main problem is that excellent products like the Samsung Smart Things hub, which do a fantastic job of unifying a slew of different connected devices from different companies (Nest, Honeywell, Phillips, and so on), still lacked the web connectivity and entertainment support I wanted, so I'd still end up needing my tablet or phone. Thanks to fantastic third party support, the Dot has no problem controlling all of my smart stuff while allowing me to listen to music, order food, check the weather, listen to the radio, set alarms and timers, all of which is easily accomplished through simple voice commands. Similar to the smartphone and tablet I use every day that didn't exist just a few short years ago. Kinda hard to quantify, but I'd guess Alexa is at least twice as likely to understand long, complex phrases and has also gained noticeable accuracy when ambient noise I'd present. I was a bit worried initially that Alexa might be triggered accidentally by ambient TV or general household noise, so I'm really impressed that it's only happened twice so far. If it's a concern, the mic can be temporarily disabled, so the dot won't trigger and listen accidentally. I've had no problem pairing the dot to a variety of devices including: two different Bluetooth speakers, my Galaxy S7 edge, and pioneer receiver. Even though the microphones are extremely sensitive and quite accurate, I've found that the Dot works best when placed on a surface that's close to the level of the person speaking to it. If you'd like to place the dot higher, it works much better when flush with the wall, instead of sitting on a shelf etc. I tried both setups and found with a couple nails set apart to make a cradle facing the dot out towards the room works best for me (sorry for the run on sentence lol). Unlike the upcoming Google Home BT speaker, the Dot and other Alexa devices are unable to answer general web queries. They do a decent job of answering factual questions like "How far away is the sun" but I'd really like too see Amazon add a "search" function."
"A few days ago I was searching for something to put my mind at ease and saw the advertisement for the Amazon Echo on the Amazon app. The Amazon echo did not replace my beautiful cat kouga but it did bring stop the empty feeling around the house for now. I added a picture of my cat instead of the echo since everyone already knows what the echo looks like."
"This was my first purchase of Echo and I gave it to my mom who did not want it or think she needed it, haha I purchased Echo dot for 2 reasons, 1) I had wanted the original echo but thought the near $200 price tag was too steep so this price was perfect and 2) I wanted to get something for my mom that would open her mind to the power of technology and the need for change because ultimately I want her to have amazon fire tv because her monthly cable bill is insanely high but she has always been resistant to change. She had no wifi in her bedroom but I resolved that when I purchased TP Link AV500 Wi Fi Range Extender, Powerline Edition which did what no other wifi extender I purchased in past could do, gave my mom's room a secure wifi connection; apparently using already existing phone lines. TP-Link and Echo / Alexa have given my mom a whole new level of excitement, bewilderment, curiosity and wonder and we have only scratched the surface to the power of Echo."
Best Audio Headphones
Eight vivid fashion color options with color-matching earbuds and cords (color-matching for iPod Nano 5th generation).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"These earphones also do a decent job at keeping the audio 'localized', meaning if you are jamming music at full blast, the sound will leak from the earphones, but not too much. I have the old Samsung Galaxy S2 earphones and the new Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge earphones to compare comfort/ergo fit to. Yet despite my loyalty to Samsung Galaxy smartphones, the fit of their earphones are always terrible, even the latest S6 Edge earphone accessory. Here is why the fit and comfort of the humble Panasonic make my ears happier than most earpieces: - See Samsung Galaxy S2 earphones. Nice soft silicone gel earpad but poor earbud shape that doesn't 'lock' into place with the natural shape of the outer ear. Better quality silicone gel earpad that attempts to cushion the supposed natural shape of the ear canal entrance, but utterly fails for anyone with normal sized ears. Even with the smallest size gel earpads, the earphones frequently pop out and is very annoying. I got my S6 Edge summer of 2015 and I have already used all spare gel earpads + another set of replacement earpads (if you look closely at the photo, I had to resort to a Left earpad for my Right earbud because I had no more replacement earpads to use)."
"I am at work, next to the window, and there is a LITERAL JACKHAMMER outside the window."
"These are my first pair of in-ear earbuds and as many have already said, they are to be worn sealed into the ear canal to get the proper fidelity. I understand that everyone's ears are shaped a little differently but what I found that worked for me was to insert the bud into the opening of my ear canal and rotate it while applying inward pressure (kind of like turning a screw) until the cable/shaft points upwards (see my pic). That being said, once fitted correctly - sealed in the ear canal - these buds provide an adequate (quite a bit actually) amount of bass and sound isolation compared to the regular headphones that simply rest in front of the ear opening. Summary: These Panasonic in-ear earbuds are a great value and have exceptional sound... once you learn how to properly use them."
Best Office Electronics Products
2 minute continuous run time with 30 minute cool down time; Auto start and manual reverse to clear paper jams.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I want to preface this review by saying that I purchased the AmazonBasics 12-Sheet High Security Micro-Cut Paper/CD/Credit Card Shredder with Pullout Basket, and that thing is absolutely wonderful. If you have a bunch of shredding to do, consider the bigger shredder- AmazonBasics 12-Sheet High Security Micro-Cut Paper/CD/Credit Card Shredder with Pullout Basket."
"The items you run into the machine are diagonally cross cut instead of the straight line cutting (pictures attached). Anyone with time on their hands can sit down and place all of your straight line cut documents back together which is why I recommend you stick to the diagonally cross cut feature at the least - which this one offers. Micro-cutting is the ultimate feature to have. If you do happen to jam it or it slows down because you added to many pages at one time it does have a reverse switch."
"If you put more than 6 pages, the motor bogs down but will slowly chew through it- I've done that a few times where it just stopped. There is a safety switch on the back that only allows the shredder to work while in the supplied can (this prevents chopped fingers if you don't unplug it while cleaning the teeth out; BUT if you want to shred into a bigger container, you aren't able to.)."
"I bought this to shred some extra personal documents I had around the house and it works great."
"Also, if you shred several documents in sequences, the machine will overheat and shut itself off."
"A few days ago I tossed in some insurance documents--about 6 pages worth--and the shredder jammed halfway through. I put it in reverse, and it made noises like it was in reverse, but the documents did not come out."
Best Cell Phones & Accessories
Crystal Clear Distortion-Free Sound Surprisingly Loud Volume Rain Proof- Splash Proof - Shower Proof Ultra-Portable, Ultra-Lightweight Stylish Design plays horizontally and stands to play vertically Hands Free Personal Speaker Phone Connects quickly over Bluetooth to your iPhone, Smartphone, and Tablet Listen to music, videos, movies, apps, and games. Connect in just a few seconds over Bluetooth to your iPhone, Smartphone, and Tablet Play from Chromebooks, Windows 7-8 systems, TVs and non-Bluetooth devices using the included 3.5mm audio cable connected to the OontZ Angle 3 AUX-IN jack Play wirelessly over Bluetooth up to 30 unobstructed feet away from your phone or tablet Rechargeable battery charges using the included Micro USB cable, connected to a USB wall charger (not included) or from your PC or laptop. *. Battery play time varies and may be less than 12 hours for a number of reasons including the listening volume (the louder the volume, the shorter the play time), the device, Bluetooth connection, and music genre and music source. CONNECT OVER BLUETOOTH IN SECONDS to: iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops, Computers, Chromebooks ---- To play from TVs and non-Bluetooth devices use the included 3.5mm audio cable connected to the AUX-IN jack --- BUILT-IN MIC for handsfree speakerphone calls from Smartphones and iPhones --- includes Micro-USB charging cable and 3.5mm audio cable -- Official OontZ Angle 3 Carry Case available sold separately on Amazon.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I did a lot of research before choosing this speaker. He ordered the 3 PLUS and says it is a better speaker than his Jawbone Bluetooth Speaker for less than half the cost. I use the smaller speaker, which sets on a high shelf in my shower, as it is water resistant & splash proof. I would go for the Angle 3 PLUS as the price difference is only about $7 unless a smaller speaker is your goal. I have referred several people to this powerful little speaker and all are very happy with their purchase."
"Best speaker I've ever purchased."
"I bought three Bluetooth speakers hoping ONE would be usable. I bought the Cambridge SoundWorks Oontz Angle 3, the Anker Classic Portable, and the Boombotix REX. If you want to nitpick, the Boombotix is the smallest, the Anker is next, and the Cambridge is the largest. The Boombotix is sturdy and easy to use, the buttons are a little close together, but they work well. The Cambridge Angle 3 is sturdy and I love the shape. The rubber end caps are a mixed blessing. I recommend standing it up if you put a lot of volume through it because once the bass starts to thump it will bounce and wiggle it's way all over the place. But standing up the passive radiator on the bottom doesn't propel it all over. None of them are on par with the large Sound Dock or Klipsch type speakers, but they could hardly be expected to compete with those at this size and price.The Cambridge is my favorite because it has more bass than the other two. There's an audio out jack, which you can use to run a second speaker (of any make). I chose the Angle 3, it fits my needs best with the best imitation of bass, but the others are good enough that I've decided to keep them and use them too."
Best Computers & Accessories
Enjoy tens of thousands of channels, apps, and Alexa skills with access to over 500,000 movies and TV episodes from Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, and more. Watch the best of live TV and sports from AMC, HGTV, ESPN, FOX, and others with a subscription to DIRECTV NOW, Sling TV, or top-rated primetime shows with CBS All Access. Prime membership unlocks thousands of movies and TV episodes, including Thursday Night Football, Amazon Original Series, Amazon Channels, and ad-free listening to millions of songs with Prime Music.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"After doing some research, I bought 3 Amazon Fire Sticks with the voice remote, cancelled Dish, upgraded to 30Mbps internet, added Sling 25 channels, added standard Hulu, and CBS All Access. Guess who still gets 96+% of the channels watched, added Prime Music and several hundred shows (that networks don't play) to all the TVs in the house, and saved over $700 per year compared to what I paid this past year?"
"And I even bought a TV sound bar to improve my watching experience,TV Sound Bar, Meidong Bluetooth Soundbar with Built-in Subwoofer, 36 inch 2.0 Channel Home Theater Speakers, Wireless and Wired Bluetooth Audio for TV/PC/ Phones/Tablets/ Echo dot (2017 Model) it is a really good partner with my old TVs,also recommend. I found that the included power adapter isn't really necessary as long as you have a powered USB Port on your TV to plug it in to.I did notice that if you are using the 2.4GHZ wireless on your Wireless Network it does affect the speed especially if you have COMCAST/XFinity-, or other Cable provider as they are throttling the 2.4GHZ bandwidth to 25Gbps. If you don't know for sure run a SpeedTest and find out what your download speed is- upload is not at Full Duplex so it will be slower on both bands. It comes pre-loaded with your Amazon account details, so the only setup you need is to plug it in and enter your WiFi password, using a simple on-screen prompt. A short HDMI extension cable is included, which is handy if your TV has awkwardly-positioned ports. As with the previous-gen Stick, the extension cable also seems to boost WiFi reception a bit. It has the usual 4-way navigation pad and media controls, but no volume buttons - you’ll need to keep your TV remote handy for that."
"The AFS is a device that provides you with both the hardware and software needed to watch such shows and it bundles everything together nicely so it is extremely easy to use. Some apps (channels) are free and they offer limited programming on demand from shows they aired in the past. PlayStation Vue (the one I signed up with) offers bundled packages of channels just like cable or satellite services and they are live broadcasts! The amazing thing with Vue is you can go into the guide, pick a show that was aired, say, two hours ago that you missed and watch it in its entirety! Another sweet thing about using the AFS for television viewing is no installer has to come to your house to set up your equipment and when you’re finished with their service nothing has to be returned."
Best Electronics Accessories & Supplies
Crystal Clear Distortion-Free Sound Surprisingly Loud Volume Rain Proof- Splash Proof - Shower Proof Ultra-Portable, Ultra-Lightweight Stylish Design plays horizontally and stands to play vertically Hands Free Personal Speaker Phone Connects quickly over Bluetooth to your iPhone, Smartphone, and Tablet Listen to music, videos, movies, apps, and games. Connect in just a few seconds over Bluetooth to your iPhone, Smartphone, and Tablet Play from Chromebooks, Windows 7-8 systems, TVs and non-Bluetooth devices using the included 3.5mm audio cable connected to the OontZ Angle 3 AUX-IN jack Play wirelessly over Bluetooth up to 30 unobstructed feet away from your phone or tablet Rechargeable battery charges using the included Micro USB cable, connected to a USB wall charger (not included) or from your PC or laptop. *. Battery play time varies and may be less than 12 hours for a number of reasons including the listening volume (the louder the volume, the shorter the play time), the device, Bluetooth connection, and music genre and music source. CONNECT OVER BLUETOOTH IN SECONDS to: iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops, Computers, Chromebooks ---- To play from TVs and non-Bluetooth devices use the included 3.5mm audio cable connected to the AUX-IN jack --- BUILT-IN MIC for handsfree speakerphone calls from Smartphones and iPhones --- includes Micro-USB charging cable and 3.5mm audio cable -- Official OontZ Angle 3 Carry Case available sold separately on Amazon.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I did a lot of research before choosing this speaker. He ordered the 3 PLUS and says it is a better speaker than his Jawbone Bluetooth Speaker for less than half the cost. I use the smaller speaker, which sets on a high shelf in my shower, as it is water resistant & splash proof. I would go for the Angle 3 PLUS as the price difference is only about $7 unless a smaller speaker is your goal. I have referred several people to this powerful little speaker and all are very happy with their purchase."
"Best speaker I've ever purchased."
"I bought three Bluetooth speakers hoping ONE would be usable. I bought the Cambridge SoundWorks Oontz Angle 3, the Anker Classic Portable, and the Boombotix REX. If you want to nitpick, the Boombotix is the smallest, the Anker is next, and the Cambridge is the largest. The Boombotix is sturdy and easy to use, the buttons are a little close together, but they work well. The Cambridge Angle 3 is sturdy and I love the shape. The rubber end caps are a mixed blessing. I recommend standing it up if you put a lot of volume through it because once the bass starts to thump it will bounce and wiggle it's way all over the place. But standing up the passive radiator on the bottom doesn't propel it all over. None of them are on par with the large Sound Dock or Klipsch type speakers, but they could hardly be expected to compete with those at this size and price.The Cambridge is my favorite because it has more bass than the other two. There's an audio out jack, which you can use to run a second speaker (of any make). I chose the Angle 3, it fits my needs best with the best imitation of bass, but the others are good enough that I've decided to keep them and use them too."
Best Video Game Consoles & Accessories
The mobility of a handheld is now added to the power of a home gaming system, with unprecedented new play styles brought to life by the two new Joy-Con controllers. At home the main unit rests in the Nintendo Switch dock, which connects the system to the TV and lets you play with family and friends in the comfort of your living room. You can also enjoy the same great games in tabletop mode by using the included stand to prop the system up. In addition to providing single and multiplayer thrills at home, the Nintendo Switch system also enables gamers to play the same title wherever, whenever and with whomever they choose.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"So, despite my complaints I bit the bullet and got the Nintendo Switch, which I'll likely be selling my WiiU to make up the difference for that mess. It's a surprisingly well built machine, it's the first tablet I've seen with screws that would allow you to open it up to change the battery if it were to fail. The joycons feel really well built, and it's nice that you can sit back with your hands not together with normal controllers, especially if you're like me and have wide shoulders and a barreled chest. The biggest issue I have is the minus button on the left joycon, I cannot for the life of me reach to hit it with my thumb, I gotta use my other hand. Totally serviceable, though if you have bigger hands you may not like the right analog stick location unless you're using the included joycon holder thing. Speaking of which, the transition is pretty swift, put it into the dock, it's instantly on the TV, something I've wanted for YEARS. Do not bother with saving games here, find a microSD card, make sure it's a fast one and get no less than 64GB. If people mock the Game Gear for crap battery life, this thing lasts less than even that device playing something like Breath of the Wild. I have a Surface Pro 4 and had a SP2 which yes is a more expensive device but the kickstand being my point goes across the entire back flush and shouldn't be too hard. I've seen a youtube vid of a guy doing so, he dun' messed up because held even at the VERY edges of the joycons, no problem. The dock simply provides extra power/electricity and a video out, the switch recognizes it and increases it's own CPU/GPU clockspeed. Breath of the Wild runs at 900p in docked mode vs 720p and has slightly better texture filtering at a distance. Something to keep in mind that there's no standard for how this works with games, Dragon Quest Heroes demo (japan only) runs at 1080p 30fps (with a lot of slowdown) in docked mode and 720p and the framerate is terrible (worse than the vita version) to the point it's unplayable. (at time of writing, digital foundry did a frame analysis, demo / full release may be different. Your Switch doesn't become possessed and slam itself over like one of those really goofy commercials featuring comically clumsy people. The kickstand will spring off of it (this is a GOOD thing) if pressed on so it does not break inside the unit, you can literally clip it back on. -No, the Switch doesn't easily slide into the dock as they depict in commercials where it's super swift, you lower the Switch in carefully to not damage the USB-C at the bottom, awkwardly work to get the 2 buttons on the back of the joycons to eject them and pull them off. (Resident Evil Revelations, Monster Hunter Generations, 7th Dragon 3: Code VFD<=please play this game if you like RPGS). Nintendo did a pretty good job, there's some major flaws about the unit, but that said I think I could list some issues with the PS4 in a proper review. (I bought mine for Disgaea 5, Zelda, Sonic, Freedom Planet 2 (possibly) and other interesting indie titles. Please review the date this review was written or edited before commenting about a feature or game running differently, games and hardware are frequently updated and I am not constantly waiting for updates & diligently testing every single one."
"So many games I cannot keep up with... We actually ended up getting a 2nd switch because the Wife and Kids kept stealing it from me when I was playing Zelda."
"I purchased a carrying case, the Hestia model, which gives added protection to the unit when it is being transported."
"I would spend the extra money to get a Pro controller if you're going to play it docked most of the time, and a good gaming headset to appreciate the sound handheld."
"I wasn't sure how I'd like this but man more consoles need to be like this!"
"Great way to connect with your kids on their level."
"We had one switch console and bought a second so the kids can each have their own to play online with their cousins."
"This is great and my son loves it."
Best Wearable Technology
Stay connected with call, text & calendar alerts and notifications from your favorite apps like Gmail, Facebook and more (when phone is nearby).Start a FitStar workout on your wrist and get step-by-step instructions and graphics to ensure you complete each move correctly.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"PROs: - Large screen, easy to read display. - Nice gorilla glass screen that doesn't get scratched. - Accurate heart rate monitor without the need for chest strap. - Automatically tracks steps, sleep, workouts, heart rate. You really don't need to manually start activities like running, walking, or elliptical, the watch automatically picks up these activities and logs them based on movement and heart rate. CONs: - Hexagonal design may not be aesthetically pleasing (but not bad once you get used to it). - No built-in GPS to map runs and bike rides (need to carry phone to map). - Not waterproof so can't be worn in the pool. - Watch needs to be removed from frame every time for charging. - Screen doesn't always come on when I raise my wrist. **. SCREEN – I am used to wearing somewhat large watches like the Garmin 920XT, and the Blaze is just fine. Yes, the design may seem odd a bit at first given the width and the space between the frame and actual watch, but the benefit of a large size is that the screen is super easy to read without having to pull your wrist up, a simple flick and you can view all snapshots and smart notifications in a discrete way (useful when you're sitting in meetings). The screen, similar to the Apple watch, stays off, and can be turned on with the simple turn of a wrist. I have found that raising the wrist doesn't always turn on the screen (this works flawlessly with the Apple watch), however if you "flick" your wrist towards you, the screen will turn on right away. I have extensively compared heart rate shown by the Blaze to that shown by the Apple watch (which is usually WAY off) and that shown by my Garmin chest strap HRM, which is considered the most accurate. With the built-in heart rate monitor, it automatically tracks your activities and calories burnt in case you forget to manually start a workout on the watch. With the Blaze, it has an Auto-Sleep feature that doesn't require you to turn on the sleep mode, it will automatically detect that you are sleeping based on lack of movement and heart rate. I did notice that if I am using my phone like listening to music (and not looking at the phone screen), notifications do not show on the watch. I charger like the Apple watch would have been ideal where you can simply drop the watch on the charging pad and it will charge right away. That being said, I have accidentally worn the Blaze in the shower a few times already (I'm probably still used to my Garmin watch which I didn't need to take off) and the watch held up just fine. QUICK COMPARISON WITH APPLE WATCH: - Apple watch is sleeker and feels more comfortable on the wrist. - Apple watch has a better and crisper resolution compared to Blaze's screen. Apple watch doesn't track sleep and requires you to manually start logging an activity. - Both have smart notifications and show text messages, calls, calendar appointments, but Apple watch lets you do more like view WhatsApp messages and other phone notifications, and answer calls right on the watch. - Blaze has a 5-6 day battery life with normal use compared to Apple watch which needs to be charged every 1-2 days. - Blaze - $199, Apple watch - $349 for base model. BOTTOM LINE: - If you have an older fitness tracker band like the Fitbit Flex or Jawbone Up, the Blaze is a great upgrade with all its new features (heart rate monitor, auto activity/sleep tracker, smart notifications). - If you have an Apple watch, I guess the Blaze doesn't offer that much more to make it worthy of a switch (though I'm a huge fan of the accurate HRM and auto tracking in the Blaze). Just adding a few minor observations in addition to the initial review: - If you let the watch automatically track a workout, it starts logging it after the first 5-10 minutes, basically only once your heart rate picks up. Minor issue, immaterial in my opinion - if you want a precise log of your workouts, you can manually start the workout on the watch and it will log it as a 1-hour workout. - The watch automatically detects when you're sleeping based on movement (lack of) and heart rate, however it doesn't automatically turn off notifications during this time. To turn off notifications when sleeping, you can either put your phone in sleep mode, or switch off notifications on the watch by simply swiping down on the main screen."
"It continually tracks your heart rate, your steps, stairs climbed, calories burned, active minutes, miles, exercise, and sleep. It seamlessly works with the FitBit app, which can also help you keep track of your calories consumed (works with apps like MyFitnessPal, Weight Watchers, etc), water intake, and weight. All of them have been the Milanese style bands and the ones that came from china caused major hives/break outs on my wrist, one of which required a prescription cream to resolve. One milanese band has worked consistently well for me without skin issues and no problems with the magnet slipping. Please note this is NOT an affiliate link and none of the things in the post are sponsored. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01J0RAP3U/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1. -As of the date of this review, the watch does NOT have "reminder to move" functionality. Doing some reading, it looks like FitBit plans to have a firmware update in the future to include this, but as of now, it does not. What I would like to see is a reminder to move during hours that you set based on the amount of steps you want to achieve in a day. I had a fitness tracker several years ago that would buzz if you had been sedentary for 10 minutes. This functionality would be great for people with office jobs that sit all day. FitBit has a proprietary charger so you can't just use any standard cord to plug it in. You have to take the face of the watch out of the band and put it in a boxed-frame like charger to charge. I haven't had a problem with it, but I did have a couple of glass screen protectors on it and they both broke within a day, but my watch face is still fine without scratches."