BenQ HT2550 4K Projector Review

BenQ’s HT2550 4K Projector uses the newer, smaller, more affordable, and slightly lower “resolution” 4K UHD DLP chip. I’ve spent a lot of time this past week watching HDTV and movies with it. This is a smaller projector that packs a lot of performance while giving you a great value proposition. This short throw dlp projector gives you a 100 inch Screen at Just 10 feet. While not as small as those LED pocket throw projectors, this 9.3 pound device is still very portable with an 11” x 14” footprint.

This Projector Packs In A Lot Of Features

Is it worth the $1,399.00 price tag? That’s a fair question. Read on to see what we thought of this small but powerful projector. Pros: 4K capable Picture quality beats most, right out of the box Light and portable Great price and value Cons: 5-watt speaker is obviously not ideal No onboard media player to allow you to go PC-free Could use more smart features

Overview

The HT2550 has 2,200 lumens of brightness, a 1.2:1 zoom lens, and 4K HDR capabilities. This projector works best in a home theater, or anywhere that you can make very  dark. It comes with a decent remote, and has tons of settings to tweak colors and get the perfect picture. You also get a 4,000-hour lamp life at full power, which can stretch to 8,000 in Smart Eco mode. It is also 3D capable. So this projector packs in a ton of great features. The 5-Watt speaker is adequate, but of course is no substitute for quality sound. Right out of the box the picture quality is better than most projectors. It will need some tweaking and there are plenty of settings to do this. Once fine-tuned, the colors, in general, appear accurate. They provide adjustments for all six primary and secondary colors, as well as Flesh Tone and Color Enhancer settings. Flesh tones looked very good.

Design

The HT2550 has a nice curved shape and is just small enough to be portable for movie night. The size allows it to sit almost anywhere. As far as the fan sound, don’t expect your typical loud projector. This one operates with more of a hum that won’t interfere with your movie. It isn’t silent, but it’s pretty close. It has only the basic inputs in back including Audio In, Audio Out, PC, HDMI 1, HDMI 2, Mini USB, USB, TYPE A, and 12 V TRIGGER. Which brings us to the only real disappointment with this projector. The fact that it lacks an onboard media player. This means that you have to be connected to the source, whether it’s your TV, PC or laptop. These days that feature is a must. I understand that it would have increased the price, but I think consumers would have been willing to pay. Despite this oversight, the HT2550 remains a great value since it is so feature-heavy otherwise.

Focus

Aside from the varied image settings, you’ll need to take some time tuning it for the best possible focus. Small movements of the focus dial can produce large effects on the screen. Once you get it just right, you won’t need to touch it again unless you move the projector.

Setup

Setup is very simple. Just plug the power cord and source in, and turn the projector on. You may want to adjust like the zoom and focus, then you are good to go.

Picture Quality

Just about everything we watched on this projector was detailed, crisp and clear, as long as you are in the appropriate environment and have your settings correct. BenQ really made it easy to watch a quality picture relatively hassle-free.

Movie Night Will Never Be The Same

Bottom Line The BenQ HT2550 projector is a pleasant experience. It boots up without much of a delay, operates more quietly than most and has so many settings you that get more control. It comes with a very useful remote, which is nice because that isn’t always the case. There’s 4k and 3D capability built right in. Whether it’s movies, sports or gaming, this short throw projector has everything that you need. In fact, it has more than you need. The menus are all very intuitive and easy to navigate as well. We wish it had an onboard media player, but we can’t really complain about the great value for the price.

BenQ HT2550 4K Projector Review is available on GadgetReview - www.gadgetreview.com

BenQ HT2550 4K Projector Review published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/
via Tumblr BenQ HT2550 4K Projector Review

via Unbound - Blog http://jennifernaill.weebly.com/blog/benq-ht2550-4k-projector-review syndicated from http://www.gadgetreview.com

Best Mesh Routers 2018

Despite only having broken out onto the home networking scene a few short years ago, mesh routers have quickly become the preferred way that thousands of users set up a wireless network in their home. But with so many options to choose from (and so many of them being released in just the past year, making it difficult to tell which models stand the test of time), which is the best mesh router in 2018? After 30 hours of research, we’ve concluded that the Linksys Velop Mesh Networking system is the best mesh router of 2018, but why? Well it’s no secret that for over 20 years Linksys (and their parent company Belkin) have produced some of the best routers in the business, including our #1 pick for best overall router the Linksys WRT3200 ACM. This is no different in the case of the Linksys Velop system, which combines ease of setup, powerful antennas, and a wide variety of features into a stylish and slim package.

3 Best Mesh Routers Compared 2018

#1 Linksys Velop - The Best Mesh Router for the Money

Pros

• Functional, minimalist design
• Decent performance at short range
• Extremely user friendly

Cons

• No 2.4GHz/5GHz channel separation
• Slow speeds at distance
• Ridiculously high price for the 3-pack

When we tested the Linksys Velop last year, we were impressed with many different aspects of its build, design, and setup process. Firstly, the design itself is just about as minimal and unassuming as you can get, fine to blend into the background of your home rather than trying to take center stage in everything. Sure the nodes might be a bit bigger and bulkier than what you would get out of similar mesh systems like the Tera Nova, but what the Velop lacks in slim profiles it more than makes up for in performance and power at its rates ranges. Speaking of power, this is where the Velop truly shines. Although we did struggle to maintain consistent performance at the outermost ranges of the rated distance extension, the onboard AC6600 MU-MIMO, 2.4GHz/5GHz radio pumped out more than enough bandwidth to handle the needs of a family of 10, if it needed to. Getting the Velop running was also a breeze thanks to the dozens of innovations that Linksys has made to the overall setup process, making it one of the most user-friendly and feature-rich routers we’ve tested to date. Related: Mesh WiFi vs Router - Pick the Right One But all that power and simplicity comes at a hefty cost: $299.99 for the two pack, and nearly $450 for the three pack, which means that if you’re looking for something cheaper with just a few less features we might recommend going with one of the other options listed below.

#2 AmpliFi HD - Top Performing Mesh Router

Pros

• Clean, thoughtful design
• Solid performance at all ranges
• Intuitive setup and app UI

Cons

• Software was missing many core features
• HD model could be pricey for some

From the outside, nothing about the AmpliFi HD’s sleek, slim, and downright gorgeous looks would give you any hints about the beast of a router that’s hiding in wait underneath. The AmpliFi HD takes style and function to a whole new level with its small box main hub that features a tasteful (and helpful) onboard LCD display. This screen displays anything from the time to the current upload/download speeds you’re getting depending on your preference, and man, are those download speeds something to talk about. In our tests not only was the AmpliFi punching way above its weight class in its range, but its performance simply blew the doors off the place without even breaking a sweat. When left unchecked on the 5GHz band, the AmpliFi HD achieved scores of 534Mbps down/368Mbps up, which makes it one of the single fastest routers we’ve ever tested flat out. That said, one area where the AmpliFi HD was still lacking a bit was on the software side of things. The company has since added several of the features we dinged it for not having during our review (QoS, Parental Control, Guest Access), but they’re also slow to bring the router into the future with more nuanced options like port forwarding and DMZ options. All that said, unless you’re a hardcore geek for these types of configuration options the AmpliFi HD marries style, price, and power into an ultra-sleek package that anyone can set up in minutes.

#3 Google WiFi - Best Mesh Router for Stylish Homes

Pros

• Seamless software integration
• Simple setup
• Decent range/power

Cons

• Might be too expensive for some larger home owners
• No web-based app

Like everything Google does (except Google+, we don’t talk about that anymore), the Google WiFi mesh networking system combines the best elements of its competitors while also adding its own dose of Google flair on top of everything. According to the company’s specs, just a single Google WiFi node (only $99) can cover a home as large as 1500 sq. ft, while adding two additional nodes on top of that ($299) will get you a whopping 4500 sq. ft of total coverage. Related: What is Mesh? Understand before you buy The Google WiFi app is both simple to use and configure, making it easy for the non-tech savvy users out there to completely setup their home network to work exactly the way they want it and protect their network from outside threats. Google WiFi also comes with a nifty extra feature called Network Assist, which automatically switches to the band and channel that’s most optimized for the device you’re trying to connect from. This means you’ll never be left getting less than optimal speeds compared to another mesh networking system, and have a huge jump over traditional routers attached to extenders or repeaters instead. The one (admittedly pretty small) drawback of the Google WiFi home mesh networking system is its lack of any sort of web-based interface. The entire routing network is handled and configured from Google’s own WiFi mobile application for iOS and Android, which means desktop or laptop warriors will be left out of luck if they want to change a new setting on the fly while they’re disconnected from the primary network at work, for example.

#4 Netgear Orbi - Top MU-MIMO Mesh Router

Pros

• Alexa-integration support
• Tri-band radio
• High-bandwidth backhaul

Cons

• Less nodes might mean less coverage depending on your layout
• A bit bulkier than other units

The Netgear Orbi is the long-awaited mesh system released by one of the biggest networking giants in the world, and for the most part, the wait was well worth it. Using just two satellite nodes the Netgear Orbi can cover homes as large as 5000 sq. ft, which gives it the best bang for the buck power/range value of any router on this list. Netgear also brings the mesh system into the 21st century with its Alexa integration that lets you control every aspect of your home wireless networking experience just with your voice. There’s nothing quite like yelling out “Alexa, kick my kids off the internet for the night” and having the parental controls boot up in a few seconds seemingly almost by magic. There’s also a lot to be said about the tri-band high-bandwidth backhaul technology included with the Orbi, which as far as we can tell, is unique to Netgear’s mesh networking system alone. This configuration guarantees that your devices never drop connection or lose power depending on where they’re connecting from in the house, which feeds into the MU-MIMO capability to provide a truly one-of-a-kind browsing, streaming, and downloading experience. The only drawback that bears mentioning here is the bulkiness of the Orbi units, which, when stacked against other options like the Plume below can seem downright massive by comparison.

#5 Plume SuperPod - Longest Range

Pros

• Small, discreet pods
• Large number of nodes included in the default package
• Innovative pricing system if purchased through the company’s website
• Gorgeous design

Cons

• Not as much speed throughput as other options on this list
• Subscription plan may put some users off

While most mesh networking options on this list might include two, maybe three nodes per system by default (with the option to add additional nodes on for a price), the Plume SuperPods have gone with the “more is more” ethos, including six pods in your basic Plume kit. This means that you can truly customize your mesh networking experience, throwing a pod in just about every room where you plan on browsing the internet and then some. Probably the single best part about this approach (aside from the increased, even coverage of the signal) is that if you’re a gamer or heavy streamer, every pod also comes with the option to plug your device into the pod using a direct Ethernet hookup. For gamers this means less latency, less dropped packets, and more throughput overall when you’re in the heat of battle and need every bit of ping you can muster in the moment. Not only that, but Plume has also made strides to make its system more affordable, offering a monthly subscription plan which subsidizes the cost of the hardware. But it’s not all good. The subscription plan is required if you want to access features such as parental controls and QoS, which means that no matter what, even if you buy all the hardware up front for the full cost, you won’t be able to unlock the Plume’s full potential unless you pony up for an extra fee each month.

#6 Tenda Nova - Best Cheap Mesh Networking System

Pros

• Super cheap price of entry
• Decent performance for the cost
• Sleek design

Cons

• Power isn’t great
• Coverage could be better

If there’s one trend you might have already noticed on this list, it’s that no matter which mesh networking system you decide to go with, you should expect to spend in the upper $200-$500 range to get the full experience of everything that mesh routing has to offer. Not so with the Tenda Nova kit, which brings the cost of a three-node system down to an almost suspiciously low $99 out the door. Too good to be true? Well, kind of. Sure the Tenda Nova doesn’t have all the latest tech and suffers from the dreaded “backhaul” traffic problem thanks to its limited radio (where the speed of the extended nodes can suffer if the first node is hogging all the available bandwidth), but all that said the system does still put out a respectable amount of zip when used under the most optimal conditions. All in all we can’t fault the Nova Tenda for what it’s lacking when you get a gander at that price point. This system undercuts even the closest competition by a factor of almost half, which means that if you’re shopping for a mesh networking solution on a budget and need something that’ll work in a pinch, there’s nowhere else to go except with Nova.

#7 TP-Link Deco - Best Mesh Network Under $200

Pros

• Dedicated backhaul-channel enabled
• MU-MIMO enabled
• Comprehensive antivirus/firewall options
• Cheap

Cons

• A bit slower than the competition

It should come as no surprise that TP-Link, the dark horse of the routing industry over the past few years, would bring their same flair for power, performance, and feature-rich production to its newest and best mesh networking system to date. The TP-Link Deco takes all the best elements of routers the company has released in previous years and combines them all into a subversively powerful and feature-rich package. Whether it’s the dedicated backhaul-channel support thanks to the tri-band radio or the slew of onboard parental control, QoS, and firewall options, just about everything you could possibly want out of a router and a mesh system is ready to go in the Deco - all at a price that just skates under the $200 mark if you go with the available 2-node option. 

#8 Eero Home WiFi System - Best Mesh Router for Easy Setup

Pros

• Sleek design
• Low profile external nodes
• Simple to set up and use

Cons

• Pricey for what you get
• Coverage could be better for the cost

Above all else, the eero Home WiFi system holds the title of being one of the very first mesh networking systems to market, and has still managed to maintain its place as one of the best ever since. Originally launched as a Kickstarter project by a tech geek who was tired of troubleshooting his family’s WiFi problems, this little mesh networking system launched an entire industry that it continues to dominate both in sales and in innovation. The eero comes with most of the standard features we’ve come to expect out of mesh networking systems like MU-MIMO and comprehensive configuration settings in the eero app, but what it gains on these fronts it loses a bit of ground when you consider the price. At $400 the eero Beacon system is one of the most expensive systems on this list, and the coverage isn’t as impressive as what you’d get with smaller systems like the Orbi. That said, if you want one of the best mesh routers on shelves today, you simply can’t go wrong with the original that helped to define the entire genre that followed it.

What is a Mesh Router?

A mesh router is a new type of networking hardware that replaces traditional routers with a series of smaller, often much more stylish “nodes” which make up a “mesh” of coverage around your home. Mesh networking works by creating an ad-hoc link that stretches from node to node, removing the need for additional accessories like range extenders and routing repeaters to get a powerful and consistent signal to every area of your home completely unimpeded. Mesh systems are often preferred by customers with larger homes or those who want to browse in areas that can present challenges for less powerful traditional routers. This includes browsing in areas like your backyard, basement, or attic, and can also make it easier to get a more consistent signal to all of your devices at once no matter where you’re trying to surf from in the home.

How Much Should You Expect to Spend on a Mesh Router?

The one drawback that most of you’ve probably already noticed from the list above is that when compared against traditional routers, mesh networking systems can cost quite a bit more out of pocket. This is because physically you’re paying for more hardware, with most mesh systems including at least two nodes and many going up to five nodes to get complete coverage around your home. Because of this, you should expect to spend at least $50 - $200 more than you would for a competing traditional router, though in our opinion if you live in a large home there’s simply no better way to go for getting the most out of your local wireless network. Some options like the Tenda Nova are still relatively affordable with each three pack costing just a little under $100, though this can quickly add up when you need more than three nodes to get complete range and power coverage. Comparatively other options like the eero Pro will set you back a staggering $500 for the same three pack, and it’s in situations like these where you really need to break down all the features you’re looking for and if the Tenda Nova covers them all, consider going that route instead.

Mesh Router Buyers Guide

Below are the top features you should look for in a mesh router.

2.4GHz and 5GHz

• This is the big one. Not all mesh systems are made alike, and some may only feature a single bandwidth for you to stream and download your favorite content on.
• The entire point of buying a mesh system is to get the absolute most range and power possible out of every device you own, which means that the system you go with needs to support dual-band access in order to build the most complete coverage around your home.
• Some mesh systems break down the setup

MU-MIMO

• This is a newer feature that’s only been added to most routers (traditional and mesh) within the past few years, but ever since crashing onto the scene it’s become a near essential.
• It works like this: in non MU-MIMO routers every packet of data is sent to every device attached to the network one at a time in very, very rapid succession. While this generally is fine if everyone is in different parts of the house, where it starts to slow everything down is if, for example, the whole family is in the living room or kitchen and are all browsing from their devices at the same time.
• MU-MIMO, or “Multiple-In, Multiple-Out” fixes this problem with some clever directional routing techniques that stream a consistent number of packets to every device simultaneously. This can be vital if you’re say, trying to stream a movie on Netflix from your Smart TV while you and your kids are on your phones/tablets at the same time all gathered on the same couch.

High Bandwidth Rating

• As broadband speeds continue to increase around the globe, you’ll want to make sure you have a router that’s both future-proof and can handle the output of a full family all streaming, gaming, and downloading at the same time.
• Most of the benefits that you gain from mesh router ultimately come down to how much bandwidth it can handle, especially in the case of larger families who find themselves at their heaviest periods of usage all at the same time (3-10PM).

Solid Onboard Software/Easy Setup

• One of the main reasons why most consumers would want to choose a mesh routing system over a traditional router or router+range extender is ease of setup and a solid onboard software option.
• Mesh networks make it simple (sometimes even too much so) to get your home network up and running in 20 minutes or less. This is generally accomplished through mobile apps that connect to the main hub via local ad-hoc WiFi or Bluetooth, and will let you configure everything you need on the router directly from your preferred device without having to plug in a laptop or desktop via Ethernet to set things up properly.
• This section also covers the onboard features of a mesh system. Some mesh routers are (as we mentioned before) almost too simplistic, and don’t carry many of the more advanced configuration options we’ve come to expect on routers like parental controls, QoS settings, port forwarding and more. Be sure that when you scan the feature set of the router you plan to buy that it also includes everything you want in this space, or at least a promise from the company that they plan to patch those features in within six months of your purchase.

Stylish Design

• Another major reason that some customers prefer to go with a mesh routing system over a traditional router (even if they live in smaller homes that would be perfectly fine with a standard router), is style.
• Mesh routers do away with the big blocky routers of yesteryear with their huge, gaudy antennas sticking off all sides thanks to the technology that makes the whole thing work.
• Because mesh systems don’t need to use external routers and spread the load of the work to multiple units, these routers can be significantly more stylish and well-designed than their larger counterparts. Some options like the AmpliFi HD and Google Home are quite simply the most beautiful, well-designed routers we’ve ever seen, traditional or otherwise.

Enough Range to Cover Your Whole Home

• Finally, we come to the issue of range. As we spoke about before, you’ll want to be sure that you’re carefully checking the manufacturer’s website and spec list to build the perfect mesh system that’s custom-tailored to your home and layout.
• Not only that, you’ll also want to maximize what you get for your money. This means pushing every node in the network to its absolute limit of range from the main hub, while also giving just enough slack to prevent signal drops and power loss.
• The range factor will ultimately come down to your budget, your home size, and the base power rating of the mesh networking system you choose from the list above.

[/ft_alert]

Mistakes to Avoid

• Not Buying Enough Antennas: Although it can be tempting to skimp on the cost of your mesh routing system by only buying the most minimal options available from the manufacturer, we recommend doing a bit of research beforehand and see what the company recommends for your size home. This can also change depending on your use case (browsing outside, in a basement, in a house with 3+ floors, etc), so be sure to read all the specs and how much range you can expect to get out of each antenna before rolling through the checkout.
• Going With Mesh Routers When a Standard Router Will Do: Even though it might be tempting to go exclusively with a mesh routing system since they’re the newest hottest product on the block of home networking, realistically they’re only designed for a specific subset of the consumer market. This includes users who have large homes or struggle to maintain a reliable signal throughout their house when they move from one end to the next, but may not make as much sense for those living in apartments. Apartments and smaller homes (generally those under 2500 sq. ft) can be serviced fairly well by a standard router (which can cost significantly less than a mesh router), but of course you may also want something that’s less obtrusive and more stylish than a traditional router, which is where a mesh system might still be the better choice.
• Spending Too Much: Another common mistake that first-time mesh router buyers might make is pretty much the opposite of not buying enough antennas – buying too many! Again, you’ll be able to find the ratings for specific mesh systems on the manufacturer’s websites that will effectively break down exactly what kind of setup you’ll need to cover your specific house layout and device count.

The Top Questions About Mesh Routers Answered

The article Best Mesh Routers 2018 See more on: Gadget Review (GR)

Best Mesh Routers 2018 published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/
via Tumblr Best Mesh Routers 2018

via Unbound - Blog http://jennifernaill.weebly.com/blog/best-mesh-routers-2018 syndicated from http://www.gadgetreview.com

Best Deals and Prices on Appliances: How to Save the Most Money

Appliances are expensive, sometimes even if you want the most basic models. If you want the best deals and prices on appliances, you’ll need to put in some extra work and research. And if you’re in the market for new appliances, then you know this is one of the bigger purchases you can make for your home. And if you’ve done any preliminary research, you know just how much you can end up spending if you’re not careful. Fortunately, there are plenty of tips and tricks you can follow to get a great deal on new appliances, and we’re here to help. We’ve compiled the top ways to get the best deals and prices on appliances so you don’t waste too much of your time. Take a look at the ways you can stick to your budget when buying a new appliance.

Deals Are Great But Set a Budget Beforehand

If you’re serious about getting a good deal, you’ll need to get serious about setting the right budget and sticking to it! In many purchase decisions, it’s important to consider what features you want and need first. You would then determine what your budget is. When you’re looking at getting the best deal, the opposite is true. So first set your budget, then determine which features are absolute needs for that price point and which you can bear to lose to stick to your budget. Having a set budget helps you in a variety of ways. You can filter online searches by price and tell salespeople what your price is to avoid the fluffy sales tactics they employ when you go into a store.

Scratch and Dent Sections: Huge Savings with Tiny Defects

Most major furniture and appliance stores have a scratch and dent section where they sell steeply discounted products that have been damaged in some way, shape or form. While that may seem intimidating at first, it’s actually one of the best places to get the best deal on appliances. Most people think that scratch and dent sections only offer horribly damaged goods, but that simply isn’t true. If you’ve never looked through a scratch and dent section at your local furniture store, check it out next time you’re in. You’ll likely notice that most products are perfectly fine. This can only be good for you. Appliances with dings and dents often carry deep discounts because most people only consider appliances in pristine condition. If you’re lucky, you can even find products that are damaged in a way that won’t be visible once installed in your home. Don’t discount the scratch and dent section! They often offer the best savings out of anything else in this list.

Sales and Price Matching: More Research, More Savings

When’s the last time you heard about an appliance sale on your local radio or television stations? Probably yesterday, right? There’s hardly a time in the year when stores aren’t discounting their appliances. Retailers use seasonal sales like these just to get you into the store, where they can sell you more stuff. Studies have shown that most of these sales remain the same throughout the year. Fortunately, there’s still some value to these sales, especially when you combine them with price matching options. If you do your research, you can usually find a retailer that’s willing to price match both online and in-store pricing from other appliance sellers. With a little more digging, you can find stellar price matches that maximize your savings. The most important part of shopping sales is to not hold out on buying an appliance until the next sale. Buy a new appliance when you need one and shop the sales that are running at that time. If you hold off until you’re desperate, you’ll find you’re more willing to wiggle your budget around to fit your desperation.

Liquidation Centers: Not the Latest, but the Greatest Price

The purpose of liquidation centers is to sell the most product they can as fast as possible. In order to sell products as fast as they can, they will discount them to prices cheaper than you can get from wholesale retailers. You might be asking, what’s the catch? Liquidation centers often purchase factory defects or other unwanted merchandise directly from the manufacturers. This means you’re purchasing with a higher level of risk. When shopping liquidation sales, don’t be afraid to ask questions, but don’t expect to get many answers. Be sure to take your smartphone with you so you can do your research on the fly and find out as much as you can about the models you’re considering. You may also want to consider purchasing an extended warranty with liquidation purchases. If you decide to purchase a warranty, make sure to read the fine print! You want your warranty to cover things like repairs so you don’t end up paying more than you have to.

Wholesale Retailers: Cheaper than Most

Wholesale retailers often provide lower prices on big-ticket items like appliances. You can typically find even greater discounts on their websites. The only downside to purchasing from a wholesale retailer is that you typically need a membership to shop there. If you don’t shop there regularly, this can only serve to increase the money you spend on your new appliances, unless you shop on one of the rare “no membership needed” days. Wholesale retailers include stores like:

• Costco
• SAM’s Club
• BJ’s Wholesale Club

The best deals often come when these stores offer instant rebates in their mailer coupons. If you’re a member, make sure you’re receiving the monthly coupon books to keep an eye on these short-lived deals. If you find a deal, don’t hesitate to act fast. These deals usually only last as long as there’s stock, and you don’t want to miss out on the instant savings.

Floor Models: Hidden Savings

Similarly to scratch and dent sections, many furniture and appliance stores will offer to sell you their floor models when next year’s products have been released. Salespeople will often offer more discounts for floor models since they need to make room for the new appliances coming in. If you time it right, you can usually take advantage of these sales and snatch up the like-new floor models. If you decide to purchase a floor model, make sure you inspect it for any damage. Small dings can often mean huge discounts for you when you bring them up with the salesperson. Don’t be afraid to haggle a little to get the purchase in your price range. Just remember that floor models are usually sold as-is and cannot be returned for a full refund. There’s always some level of risk that comes with purchasing a display unit, but many times the savings are worth the risk.

Appliance Retailers: Which Are the Best?

Appliance retailers aren’t usually the cheapest places, especially when it comes to appliances, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a good deal during special sales or liquidation sales. But what are the best appliance retailers? There are tons of options to choose from, but choosing a reliable retailer can save you a l0t of money and headache in the long run. Some of the major appliance retailers to consider include:

• Abt (Online)
• Home Depot (In-Store & Online)
• Lowe’s (In-Store & Online)
• Walmart (In-Store & Online)
• Amazon (Online)

Craigslist: As a Last Resort

Sometimes, buying new just isn’t an option. While we always recommend purchasing brand-new appliances, we also understand that this isn’t always possible for everyone. In cases like these, you might need to turn to online classified sections like Craigslist. This should be a last resort. Buying gently used appliances carries the highest risk out of any of the options on our list for getting the best deals and prices on appliances. You never know what you’re going to get, and you can’t return the appliances if you’re not happy with them. When buying from Craigslist or another online classifieds website like Facebook Marketplace, the best advice we can give you is to use your best common sense and judgment. Look for appliances that come from clean and non-smoking homes, as they are the most likely to work the best. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions! Sellers expect this, and you won’t be out of place if you want to know more about the appliances you want to purchase. Be sure to go see the best appliance brands in person before purchasing them. Since they are likely in the seller’s home, you can even see if they work properly before purchasing. The other nice thing about buying from a private seller is the increased ability to haggle and get an even better deal. Research similar models online to see how others are setting their prices. This can give you some bargaining position, and you might just walk away with a killer deal.

The following blog post Best Deals and Prices on Appliances: How to Save the Most Money was originally published to website of gadgetreview

Best Deals and Prices on Appliances: How to Save the Most Money published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/
via Tumblr Best Deals and Prices on Appliances: How to Save the Most Money

via Unbound - Blog http://jennifernaill.weebly.com/blog/best-deals-and-prices-on-appliances-how-to-save-the-most-money syndicated from http://www.gadgetreview.com

Gotrax GXL Electric Scooter Review

Scooters have been around since before the 1950s. If you don’t believe me, you can watch some old black and white TV shows and see the kids riding them. But back then, scooters relied on the kid constantly propelling it forward with their own feet, much like the cars in The Flintstones. These days that seems like a lot of work. Luckily for us, we have electric scooters that will get you where you need to go, with minimum work on your part. The Gotrax GXL electric scooter is one of the latest.

Gotrax Does It Again

Gotrax is the leader in personal transport devices like hoverboards and now they are looking to offer the same experience with electric scooters. So does the GXL live up to their line of products? I recently spent some time with the GXL electric scooter, so read on to find out my impressions. Pros: Super Smooth Ride Powerful Great Performance Great Tires Cons: Heavy LED Headlight Needs To Be Bigger and Brighter Charge Time Of 4-5 Hours

Build Quality

The build quality is exactly what you would expect from Gotrax. This scooter is quality constructed and durable, which makes it a bit heavy, but that’s not a problem. More on the weight later. The entire scooter feels solid. There are no cheap or flimsy parts on this vehicle at all. Everything just feels superior and sturdy compared to other models on the market.

Design

The design is very sleek and stylish as well. This scooter was very well thought out. It’s heavy, but since it folds in half and the handlebar section locks into the bottom section, you can pick it up and carry it easily and it doesn’t feel so heavy in this configuration. The other big standout here is the LED screen, which is integrated into the stem. During our rides, the sun was out bright and we could still see it clearly. The throttle is on the right handlebar, and the rear brake controller is on the left, making controlling both very effortless.

Power/Performance

The GXL needs only a gentle push from you to get the electric motor going. The maximum speed is about 15.5 MPH with a range of around 9-12 miles on a single charge. Your max speed and mileage will vary depending on factors like the weight of the rider. This scooter has great torque and accelerates very fast. It may have a top speed of just 15.5, but when you get on this vehicle it feels like a real speed demon, which is very fun. Both brakes also work very nicely, whether you need to stop quick or slow to a stop. The red brake on the handlebars slows you, but if you need a hard stop, you can use the foot pedal on the board. Slight inclines proved to be no problem and the ride is ultra-smooth since it has 8.5" air-filled tires. You barely feel bumps at all unless you ride over something really bad. The LED headlight could be brighter. It isn’t up to the usual standard of LED lights on hoverboards. It looks fine at night but leaves you wanting more light.

Battery

You can charge the battery using the included power adapter and your battery will charge in about 4-5 hours.

Gotrax GXL Features

• UL2271 Certification
• 8.5" tires.
• LED headlight
• LED display
• Front and rear brakes
• 250 Watt motor
• 36V Lithium-ion battery
• Maximum rider weight is 220 Lbs.
• Scooter weight is 26.50 lbs
• IP54 Waterproof rating so it is water resistant
• Kickstand

https://youtu.be/ytfuPVcOpMs

Easy To Use and Fun

Bottom Line I have to say, right out of the box, the Gotrax GXL scooter is fun. Opening that box and putting it together will make it feel like Christmas. Gotrax made assembly incredibly simple so that anyone can put it together and start riding in minutes. Simply screw the handlebars onto the main frame, make sure it is charged up and you are ready to go. I love how it folds down to half its size for storage and easier carrying. Push a simple lever and you can unfold it and ride. The GXL has great acceleration and offers a smooth ride, with great braking when you need it. Gotrax really did a great job making the overall experience with this scooter a fun one, from unboxing to riding it all over town. Truth be told, I may be a scooter convert now. I think I like this better than riding a hoverboard and better than other balancing scooters.

The post Gotrax GXL Electric Scooter Review is courtesy of (GadgetReview)

Gotrax GXL Electric Scooter Review published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/
via Tumblr Gotrax GXL Electric Scooter Review

via Unbound - Blog http://jennifernaill.weebly.com/blog/gotrax-gxl-electric-scooter-review syndicated from http://www.gadgetreview.com

Gotrax Hoverfly ION LED Hoverboard Review

These days if you want to unleash your inner Marty McFly, two-wheeled hoverboards are as close as most of us will get. No worries though, they are working on real flying hoverboards for the masses. But in the meantime, if you want the next best thing, modern hoverboards offer plenty of excitement. The Gotrax Hoverfly ION LED Hoverboard is an affordable way to get into these vehicles. It comes in a variety of colors, is easy to rise and it has some very bright and cool LED lighting accents. Gotrax is the leader in the personal transport market because the company is known for releasing top of the line quality electric vehicles, which is why their hoverboards continue to be the most popular of 2018. The Hoverfly ION is no exception. Read on for my Hoverfly ION review below to learn about our experience with this hoverboard. Pros: Affordable Lightweight Has Self-Balancing Technology Cons: Low Range No Smartphone or Bluetooth Low Maximum Speed

Gotrax Hoverfly ION LED Hoverboard Build Quality

Like all of the Gotrax line, this one is durable and built to last. It has a solid construction that will stand up to a lot of abuse. It is light enough to carry with you but tough enough to take whatever you can dish out. So don’t worry about abusing it while you learn, this hoverboard can take it.

Gotrax Hoverfly ION Design

You have to give Gotrax credit. It’s not easy to design a hoverboard and make it stand out from the crowd, while also giving it good looks. They’ve managed to do just that though. It has bright futuristic lights that give it a great look, making it unique among other hoverboards. The front and rear have LED’s and there are also LED rings on the wheels which light up brightly. It doesn’t connect to your smartphone with a mobile app or even Bluetooth, but that’s okay. We really didn’t expect this from an entry level hoverboard. It also lacks the popular Bluetooth speakers that can be found on many models. This might disappoint those who are looking for a board that has all of the bells and whistles, but that isn’t what this model is about.

How Powerful Is The Gotrax Hoverfly ION?

The ION is more powerful than you might think given its price. It has a powerful 200-watt electric engine that kicks in as soon as you get on. You really feel the power, but it’s not overpowered for beginners. It has a max speed of 6.2 MPH. Again, just perfect for those who are new to hoverboards. The self-balancing technology in this model allows anyone to get on and get riding with very little trouble.

Gotrax Hoverfly ION Performance

Since this hoverboard is geared toward beginners, Gotrax did an impressive job of giving it just the right amount of power and stability. This makes it feel really nice to get on and feel the power beneath your feet, but not be overwhelmed. Beginners can get right on and take off. This hoverboard performed pretty flawlessly on flat surfaces, giving us a smooth and stable ride. It isn’t meant for grass or off-road riding, so naturally don’t take it off-road. Stay on a flat surface and you’ll be impressed at the quality of the ride.

Hoverfly ION Features

LED Lights It has bright LED lights in the center section, forward and back, then on each wheel. It makes for a beautiful and futuristic design that we instantly loved. Self-Balancing Mode Since the ION is all about beginner riders, the self-balancing mode allows the hoverboard to self-level to make it easier to ride. This is a great feature that will get many extra kids riding where they may not have been willing to try before. Lots Of Color Options You have many colors to choose from like white, black, orange, blue, yellow, pink, red and seafoam. So you can choose a color that’s right for you. Speed/Range The ION has a maximum speed of 6.2 MPH which is perfect for you if this is your first hoverboard. It also has a range of 5-9 miles per charge which is not bad at all for any entry level hoverboard. Charging Time We were hoping for a faster charging time, but this model will charge in 3-4 hours. That’s not the best, but again for the price and considering all of the other features that you get, we really can’t complain. Wheel Size The ION is outfitted with 6-inch wheels helping to keep things light and streamlined. They give you good traction and I can’t stress how cool these wheels look with their LED “rims”. Maximum Weight The max weight for a rider is 176 pounds. Bottom Line Inexperienced riders or new riders are getting a lot for their money with the Hoverfly ION. I think we can easily say that this is the absolute best hoverboard for any newcomer to the hoverboard craze. It’s durable, designed extremely well and powerful enough for the users it is marketed to. It gives you a very smooth ride. Gotrax is once again proving why they are the leader in hoverboards. Sure, you can get more features elsewhere and better speed, faster charging etc, but this isn’t for those people who are looking for those higher-end specs. This is the hoverboard that you should buy to begin your new two-wheeling adventures.

Gotrax Hoverfly ION LED Hoverboard Review is available on gadgetreview.com/

Gotrax Hoverfly ION LED Hoverboard Review published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/
via Tumblr Gotrax Hoverfly ION LED Hoverboard Review

via Unbound - Blog http://jennifernaill.weebly.com/blog/gotrax-hoverfly-ion-led-hoverboard-review syndicated from http://www.gadgetreview.com

Bloody Gaming SP Series Gaming Mouse Review

When you’re playing a highly competitive game online or just a casual game session with your friends, the right gaming mouse can make or break your game. Sure you love your headsets and your gaming keyboards, but the right mouse can give you the edge that you need to win. Bloody Gaming recently launched its all-new Signature Pro (SP) series of high-performance Optic-ALL gaming mice and they are packed with everything you need to gain a competitive edge and only what you need to win.

Great Design, Great Features

The Signature Pro series has a sleek design that’s reminiscent of a small tabletop stealth fighter and they have technology inside to match that aesthetic. These mice feature Bloody’s Light Strike (LK) optical switches in the L/R trigger buttons and a Light Strike scroll wheel sensor for scrolling smooth as butter. This is important because LK optical switches have a crazy fast response time of 0.02ms and are good for 50M+ clicks. Pros: Sleek design Smooth and precise tracking Good customization Cons: Not for gamers who want tons of excessive features The idea here is to keep it simple. There are no gimmicks or overly-engineered designs here. Just proven ergonomic designs with the right curves for various grip styles. Simple and effective. Ultimately that simple strategy is what wins you games with your gaming peripherals. Other features of the Signature Pro series include a Metal X Glide Armor Boot for smooth and precise AF tracking no matter what surface you are using, Pixart adjustable CPI optical sensors, 6 Sniping Modes for instant DPI switching to match mouse speed to gameplay needs and 8 programmable buttons Bloody Signature Pro (SP80) The SP80 is geared toward professional gamers, with a lightweight body design and an ergonomic shape that is ambidextrous. It has the aforementioned left and right trigger buttons with Light Strike Optical Switch technology and Bloody’s optical scroll wheel sensor. The optical gaming grade sensor and X Glide metal feet keep everything friction-free and accurate. Bloody Signature Pro (SP30) The SP30 is designed for e-sports gaming, with a minimalist style, and an ergonomic design for right-handed users. It is basically an all-purpose gaming mouse that also happens to offer gaming precision and tracking. This model has three shooting modes in the left button, six sniping modes and finely-tuned macros for customization. This mouse will win you the campaign for sure.

A Simple Way To Up Your Game

Bottom Line Both the SP80 and the SP30 live up to the hype. Both are as smooth as the company says and as accurate too. I tested each for several hours and I have to say that I’m convinced that they helped my game. Both are comfortable to use and it was pretty refreshing to use a gaming mouse that wasn’t overly complicated. The simplicity really helped me to stay on target so to speak, because it was easy to know which function did what. The simple designs here really help you to stay in the game and do what you need to do quickly. PC gaming is better with these mice.

Bloody Gaming SP Series Gaming Mouse Review is available on http://gadgetreview.com

Bloody Gaming SP Series Gaming Mouse Review published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/
via Tumblr Bloody Gaming SP Series Gaming Mouse Review

via Unbound - Blog http://jennifernaill.weebly.com/blog/bloody-gaming-sp-series-gaming-mouse-review syndicated from http://www.gadgetreview.com

EasySMX COOL 2000 Gaming Headset Review

Most gaming headsets don’t put on a light show, but the EasySMX COOL 2000 aims to be different sporting some cool LED lighting on the ear cups. This is an affordable entry level gaming headset that actually proves to be pretty versatile. It’s compatible with most popular platforms like the XBox One, PS4, mobile, PC and the Nintendo Switch.

Great Features For The Price

This headset achieves this versatility thanks to an included adapter. This means that you don’t multiple headsets to game between platforms. It comes with some pretty nice features too. Aside from the LED lighting, it packs in 50mm drivers, on-headset controls (for the lighting, volume adjustment, microphone), an omnidirectional microphone and an adjustability to fit most sized heads. Pros: Great design Very versatile Great entry-level headset Cons: A bit spacious for my ears Not great for music The adjustable headband is great and this headset feels good when you get it just right. Although it does feel a little bulky on your head. The on-headset controls are all very easy to use and intuitive to use, even when they are new. It’s easy to figure out which button does what when you wear it. One of the things that I like most about this headset is that the microphone arm is completely flexible, allowing you to position it exactly how you want and get it out of the way when you need to. It also has an LED light to let you know visually that it is turned on. The included adapter has a USB plug and a 2 in 1 cable(2 3.5 mm plugs). This is what allows you to switch between PC and console use easily. The overall aesthetic is pleasing. At first sight, you can tell this is designed for gamers, with its futuristic lines and bright LED lights. The sides of the ear cups have 5 light-up segments and a grill-work design that looks pretty awesome. Considering the entry-level price of the EasySMX COOL 2000 they are pretty comfortable to wear. I used these for about 3 hours during one PS4 gaming session and they didn’t bother me at all. I feel like they could be softer, but I didn’t otherwise have any discomfort or irritation. The padding is nice and soft. Though the earcups seem like they have some extra space compared to other models I’ve tried. That’s not a bad thing. The headset is also very lightweight. Setup is easy no matter what platform you are gaming on. If you are using a PC, you’ll need a spare mic port and audio port plus the USB port for the LED illumination. If you are on a console or mobile you’ll need to use the included adapter. There are no drivers or software needed for the headset. It’s all plug and play. While playing games, this headset performed better than average, which you normally would not expect from an entry-level model like this. Listening to music, it could have been a little better. It isn’t great for deep bass and in general, the music sounds thin. However, it is very clear. These are best used for gaming and movie watching.

Great For Gaming

Bottom Line As we mentioned, for this price range, this is a decent headset. And when you take into account that you can use it easily on multiple platforms, whether it’s the XBox One, PC or anything else, that means you don’t need multiple headsets. That’s a big plus. The design is decent and lightweight and if you dig those LED earcups you’ll be pretty much sold on these. These are great for gaming and movies, but for music, you might want to find something else with better sound quality. Overall, this is a solid headset at a great price.

EasySMX COOL 2000 Gaming Headset Review was originally seen on www.gadgetreview.com

EasySMX COOL 2000 Gaming Headset Review published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/
via Tumblr EasySMX COOL 2000 Gaming Headset Review

via Unbound - Blog http://jennifernaill.weebly.com/blog/easysmx-cool-2000-gaming-headset-review syndicated from http://www.gadgetreview.com