Leading real hands on tech review site in Ireland with technology, business news and more. Jim O Brien Tech.
Author: brendanlahert
20 years’ experience in the commercial technical industry. Interested in technology.
Certified ITIL v3 Service Management, Project Management Prince 2, Six Sigma.
The box looks sporty and funky, highlighting the key features in terms of sweat resistance and a battery life up to 9 hours. The unit earbud type is light and the sticky gels stand out; not your typical black or white earphone colours. The unit design allows the cable to be kept out of sight / harm’s way when travelling but allowing the cable to be pressed into a ͞passage along the top of the neckband.
Box Contains – Method Wireless, Three Pairs of Silicone Ear Gels (Small, Medium, Large), Micro USB to USB Charging Cable.
Product Details – Headphone type: Bluetooth in-ear – Speaker driver: 9 mm – Impedence: 16 ohms – Sound Pressure: 102 db at 1 kHz – THD: 3 per cent at 1 kHz – Product Dimensions: 185 x 133 x 35 ( L x W x H) – Item weight: 48 g – Shipping weight: 305 g – Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz – Bluetooth version: 4.1
UNBOXING
Features
Bluetooth wireless – cuts the cord; enjoy the convenience of Bluetooth wireless connectivity.
9-HOUR BATTERY – Listen longer and work harder with nine hours of rechargeable battery life.
FlexSport collar – the distinct FlexSport collar is comfortable and secure around the neck.
DualLock fit – stay put; the two technologies behind DualLock keep buds securely in your ear.
Sweat resistant – sweat strong; sonically-welded construction makes these buds fully sweat resistant Call, track, volume control.
Take control; integrated remote buttons put you in command of music and calls.
Connectvity – The setup was standard with Bluetooth connectivity, you can wander up to 10 meters from your mobile device while streaming music and calls (but walls, type of materials, etc. can all affect the range).
Warranty – The units come with a 2-year warranty. The 2-year warranty is great to see the manufactures confidence in their product with some units costing 3 times the price giving only a 1-year warranty.
Overview – The Skullcandy sport is a stylish neckband-style wireless headphone available is a few colours e.g. Navy, White. The wire to the ear appears light weight which has the potential to wear down. The build quality in terms of the plastic did not excite to touch, while the larger buttons was a bonus to operate.
The unit fitted snugly into the ear (using the correct size of Silicone Ear Gels), the audio quality from music and calls was impressive for the cost of the unit. The sweat-resistant design is a must for gym or active lifestyle and that they won’t fall off. The Skullcandy Sport has comfort and convenience of no dangling wires, with a good battery life that won’t break the bank.
The Chipolo tracker comes in several styles, Two look like a large coins with a striking colour, approx. 1.5 inches in diameter and 0.23 inches thick and the other is a credit card type style which is really convenient for wallets of all sizes, The circular ones fit on to a keyring with a normal set of keys. The units are sealed water-resistant up to IP5 standards, (not suitable to submerge in water). The units felt strong and able to withstand a knock or two. The Chipolo models tested are all clickable, which can be heard pressing.
Features:
Chipolo Smart Keyring Bluetooth
Water resistant Up to IP5 standards
Loudest 100db ring, Chipolo Card 95db
15 months battery life, Chipolo card 12 months
Setup:
The setup is straightforward, download the Chipolo app available for Android and iOS devices (the QR code can be scanned and download directly). Configuration is standard asking a few basic questions on the setup. Note: The App may reduce the battery performance of your phone, as it requires location and Bluetooth to be turned on.
THE APP
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The Chipolo is attached to your key for example (except the chipolo card) to ensure if you lose / misplace your keys in a Bluetooth range of your phone, they can be found. If the keys are lost, using the app the Chipolo the unit can ring with a sound. Alternatively, if you lose your phone, you can press the Chipolo to have your phone ring (within Bluetooth range). If your keys are lost outside of Bluetooth range they can be found via the Lost & Found Chipolo Community.
They can search for your belongings through the anonymous Lost & Found network. The unit can be marked as lost, (via the Chipolo app) which sends anonymous signal to the community. When one of the Chipolo community members passes by your lost item, their phone will record your lost Chipolo’s new location. An anonymous notification of your Chipolo’s new location is sent to the Chipolo app on your phone and to your email.
The battery lifetime is 1 year – 15 months which is not replaceable while Chipolo offer discounted renewal program to replace the Chipolo. In the event your Chipolo battery is dead / lost etc, the Chipolo Support follow up to ensure this is communicated to you, which is a real positive.
*******************
Hello TechBuzz,
Your Chipolo Application has been offline for the past 48 hours, therefore the last known location of your belongings cannot update. If you did this on purpose, please ignore this e-mail.
Please note that in case of lost valuables we won’t be able to help you find them
To fix this, please make sure that your Chipolo Application is running and that your phone is online. Take a look at our knowledge base and/or contact our support for more information. We are online 24/7 to help.
If you don’t want to receive e-mails about your Chipolo Application status, please contact us via support and we will turn them off for you.
If you have a habit of losing your keys, wallet handbag or other personal valuables then the cost of this item is minimal as compared to the hassle to replace personal items.
This product is marketed as “aims to provide innovative products that assist consumers with their daily household chores, leading to a more comfortable and enjoyable life.” The robotic vacuum cleaner looks solid, surrounded by a soft bumper with rugged wheels. The unit came with a variety of accessories; side brush, remote control, water reservoir.
Box Contains:
1x Floor cleaning robot DEEBOT OZMO 610, 1x OZMO water tank, 2x Washable and reusable microfiber cleaning cloths, 4x Side brushes, 2x Dust filter, 1x Direct suction attachment, 1x Manual, 1x Cleaning tools, 1x Charging dock.
Features:
Smart Cleaning Path with less missing
OZMO mopping system for superior cleaning
V-shaped main brush for more lifting
Selective cleaning modes for various messes
App Control DEEBOT, anytime, anywhere
Stair Safety Technology
Auto Start at One Touch
Specifications:
Noise Level: The noise level, 65 dB is too loud to have running in the same room if you are sleeping but when the unit was used downstairs during the night with the doors closed the sound was not heard.
Battery Charging:
The DM88-BYD, 3000mAH battery gives 110 minutes of run time on a full charge. This takes approx. 4 hours to fully recharge. There is the option to have the unit return to the charging dock via the remote, alternative when the units battery power gets low, DEEBOT automatically returns to its docking station, by itself. The location is memorised, and cleaning continues from where it left off. There does not appear at present an option to purchase a replacement battery (which may be required after 3 / 4 years use).
Mopping System:
The Ecovacs Deebot OZMO 610 robot vacuum has a reservoir that holds 300 milliliters of water, which is managed by a smart water pump that prevents leaks from occurring. There is small suite of sensors to ensure that the vacuum mop mode only runs on hard floors, and it keeps the microfiber mop pad from becoming saturated and subsequently ineffective. There is a smart cleaning pad with interchangeable suction inlet, allowing different floor type cleaned.
The DEEBOT- 0zmo 610 can manoeuvre to conquer difficult locations between chairs / tables / stair drops with ease using multiple sensors that distinguishes the dangers. The heavy-duty wheels can climb 0.6-inch thresholds. The unit has a bumper rail with infrared anti-collision sensors to avoid obstacles. The stair safety technology has anti-drop sensors to clean around stairs without the risk of falling. This unit is low enough to clean under some sofas, which in the past had to be manually pulled out, cleaned, washed and then pushed back in place.
The Brand:
ECOVACS ROBOTICS has been around since before 2006 refocusing on research and development, design, manufacture and the sales of robotic home appliances. Their R&D team has over 100 engineers and specialists hold 345 trademarks and over 1,000 patents in China and overseas.
Warranty: One-year manufacturer’s warranty, this is one gripe with this unit as the build quality and design should affirm a 3-year warranty within Europe, rather than a 1 year.
Compare models:
Setup – first use.
The unit requires minimum knowledge to setup; this required a few accessories fitted to the unit (a quick start guide supplied). This unit has an auto start, one touch of a button and simple start button which allows you to instantly start the clean. Press once, then DEEBOT immediately gets to work. The unit can also be controlled via the supplied remote,
3 – Edge cleaning mode (Clean the edges and corners in a room)
App – Programming the Robot
The Deebot can be programmed weekly to clean multiple times per day at specific times using the Ecovacs app. The Ecovacs app has got 2.5 out of 5 stars. The main reasons for dropping stars is “App invasive permissions / lack of push notification” (to tell you if the vacuum needs assistance). The app allows control of the DEEBOT, anytime, anywhere ensuring when you return from home the house has been cleaned in advance.
Maintenance:
The maintenance on the unit is basic and requires no technical knowledge. The brushes can be removed. Removal of the reservoir, cleaning cloth, etc. are easy to remove and clean under a tap as required. The Ecovacs accessories are freely available on Amazon at reasonable prices (except the battery).
Industry Norm:
Any of the main manufacturers that currently do a SWOT analysis on the market should see this versatile technology as the key threat to their business. This technology only used for a week, leaves traditional vacuum cleaners in the dust. This technology is not a ‘should I get one or not?’ question, it’s what model I should get? You would still need a basic vacuum cleaner for stairs, cobwebs on the ceiling, dust on the skirting board, etc. (The ECOVACS ROBOTICS DEEBOT R98 would work for all areas). The features of this technology can still be done manually, while the same can be said for a dishwasher, but why waste time and energy doing work that can be automated.
This robotic vacuum cleaner is like using Sky+, satellite navigation or VR glasses for the first time – WOW. The DEEBOT- 0zmo 610 works and it’s hard to go back to traditional methods once used.
The DEEBOT- 0zmo 610 does what the marketing team states; ‘provide innovative products that assist consumers with their daily household chores, leading to a more comfortable and enjoyable life’. Does it clean as well as a traditional cleaner / mop & bucket? This works and makes life easier and unless the floors are tested with a microscope I found no issues on DEEBOT- OZMO 610 cleaning ability. This is a major thumbs up for this product and a product / technology highly recommended.
The earphones design looks trendy and fashionable, with a flexible design to bend around as required. The most striking feature on this headset in the weight at 34g. they are balanced in a way, it’s easy to forget you are wearing them. The Packaging looks great with all the features you would expect in a high-end earphone including ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) feature.
Features:
Bluetooth: 4.2
Speaker size: φ10mm
Sensitivity: 99±3dB
Impedance: 16Ω±15%
Frequency range: 20Hz-20kHz +1/-3dB
Hands-free with microphone and volume control
Stand-by time: 700h
Play time: 15h (ANC off, BT on) 7h (ANC on, BT on)
Charging: Micro USB, about 2,5h charging time
Compatible with Android, iOS and Windows
Weight: 34 g
Weight including packaging: 240 g
Package size: 160x42x193mm
The Brand:
Urbanista was founded in Stockholm, 2010. Their Specialties include product development, audio, brand development, Urban lifestyle, earphones, headphones, music, and Lifestyle. Urbanista have distribution covering over 80 markets. Their products are sold by over 10 000 retailers around the globe, like Harrods, Selfridges, Nordstrom and Urban Outfitters amongst others. This is a brand you can have confidence in.
Warranty:
Urbanista one-year limited warranty
ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) feature:
This feature when switch on (by a press of a button.) is indicated by a green light. The battery life is nearly halved when this feature is turned on. The. ANC filters external surrounding sounds resulting in a high-quality audio without the hum of background noise. The only fault I have with this feature is, “I would have set this as the default setting to on’’ the audio quality removing most external noise (up to 25 dB) is a feature when used for a few hours is very hard to go back to and use the earphones without this feature turned on. When the ANC is off they work as most earphones do, but why have an amazing feature defaulted to off. With the ANC off, you get better battery life, but at 7 hours playtime on, this would work for most people use. The ANC when in use required a comparison with other earphones to show the real difference for real music lovers. This is an impressive feature on these earphones.
Setup & Use:
The setup is standard, connect to Bluetooth as standard on a phone (compatible with Android, iOS & Windows), There is left & right-side earphones. The earphones built in microphone can take and make calls. The call quality for both was excellent via an android phone. The weight of the earphones which are not the lightest used but balanced in such a way they become forgotten when wearing. The material is flexible allowing the earphones to be folded away as required, this is great when used indoors or outdoors.
The Urbanista Milan comes with a choice of earphone connectors allowing a variety of sizes used. The audio quality from a variety of sources gave a reduced sensitivity to external electrical noise, this was noticeable when used the ANC features. The control buttons were easy to use, whether changing the volume or asking Siri questions. The battery life is excellent even when using the ANC feature. The Urbanista Milan is a high-end product, the active noise cancelling technology is a must when out and about. They are stylish, practical, hit a few of the right notes, the earphones are exceptionally comfortable to wear for long periods at a time. The Urbanista Milan Fluffy Cloud is a delight to use, practical & quality.
The first impression is the retro look and feel of the unit with its foldable bellows design, with a lot of the features you would expect on a traditional camera. WOW. The analogue takes Instax Square Film. The unit folds up when not in use and is the first Analogue dual format glass-lens automatic instant camera. This camera caught the attention of the younger generation which are used to everything now!
Package includes:
Lomo’Instant Square Camera Black
Remote control shutter release
Four colour Gel Flash Filters
Paper frames to display your instant photos
Magnet stickers to display your instant photos
Glue dots to stick your instant pictures
Photo clips to build structures out of your instant snaps
Features:
Square Format
Works with Fujifilm Instax Square Film to give you a perfectly balanced frame with a scale of 1:1 — the iconic format that made instant photography what it is today. It dares you to make your subject the centre of the universe, and leaves plenty of space for creative composition.
Auto Mode
Automatically adjusts shutter speed, aperture and flash output; and makes sure that your shots are perfectly exposed — no matter where you’re exploring or what you’re discovering.
Foldable Bellows Design
Looks super cool and lets you reduce the Lomo’Instant Square to a third of its size.
Self-Timer
Gives you time to run, jump, grab your best friend and strike a pose.
Remote Control Shutter Release
Snaps your shutter from afar so that you can focus on diving into the good madness.
Multiple Exposure Mode
Lets you layer up the loco by exposing one frame as many times as you like.
Long Exposure Mode
Keeps your shutter open for as long as 30 seconds so that you can unleash your creativity in crazy light paintings.
Exposure Compensation:
Lightens or darkens your frame so that you can be master of your own destiny.
Built-In Flash & Flash Off Mode
Lets you decide just how much light you want to shine on your shenanigans.
Colour Gel Flash Filters
Slide over your flash to tint your squares a whole new colour — everything you need to ride the rainbow!
Extras
Photo clips, photo stands, glue dots and magnet stickers to display your super square frames.
Shooting Tip Cards
25 ways to keep the inspiration rolling. Give them a try and then see what else you can come up with!
Accessories:
These are the only minor gripes with this camera. The camera comes with no batteries for the remote CR2025 (3V) like your car key fob battery, or the main unit which requires 2 x CR2 batteries (6V), these are not standard batteries and not available in local supermarkets. The accessories supplied, remote & filters have the potential to get lost as the camera is not supplied with a carry case or strap. These would be the first recommendation to consider a case and strap to protect the camera and avoid the rain.
Observations of uses:
The Lomo’Instant Square is more about learning to take good quality well planned photos. The kit supplied came with an instruction book which allows you to read the manual & cross reference the number to the camera. There are many instruction manuals supplied with products which are never read. This manual should be read including the tips to get the most out of the camera. The Learn instant cards supplied give you the option to look at a photo and use the same setting as used by the professional. This is a great option to learn new techniques for photos.
The accessories filters are supplied gives a new dimension to the photo but after trail and error, these work best in a dark environment. The zoom option, normal, infinity closeup works, but you can’t tell from the viewfinder the settings, rather look at the setting on the front. The flash can be turned off & on as required (this is not available in many budget instant cameras)
The light on the side of the camera gave a clear visually indication how much paper was left which is handy to be aware of when you need to change paper. The paper comes in packs of 10 sheets. Printing to develop the picture can take 10 / 15 minutes to develop, this is a great time to, watch and see how the photo is coming out.
There is a variety of features which are handy and unexpected on a retro style unit, the remote control, auto power off after 5 minutes use, tripod option, flash option and timer option.
The 25 tips for taking photo are great, you look at a picture on a card, if taking a similar picture, this advised what setting are required to get maximum results. This is a great way to learn & experiment with the camera. The innovation with the option to stick all the photo together with a plastic frame gave an enchanting collage collection.
Photo quality:
The quality of the photo does not do justice to them from the attached photos taken with a digital camera. The photos come out, a fades colour in a positive way. They stand out from your traditional photo.
Evaluation:
The use of this camera encapsulates the priorities of the artistic nature of the end image art. This has the flamboyance over the precedence of practicality and the attention to the details often forgotten by the trend to snap everything inside without viewing the full pictures. The Nostalgic style gave the impression of minimum functionality but was packed with a punch of abundant features.
This is not a child toy, expensive and takes a knack / hang of to get used to it, there is no speed photo as done with your smart phone rather the photo takes consideration and an eye for ascetic appreciation of the images. The unit while not inexpensive would not be the main decision-making choice for the camera while the paper adds additional cost to the use on the camera.
There is ample artistic features, modes, and controls for practical use. This is a feature rich camera, analogue compact camera with a nostalgic feel that has a wow factor with people asking you about it. The retro style will not suite all, but if you’re into something different with a keen eye for photography this will allow you to catch the mood and visual characteristics, and your friends imagination.
The NETGEAR Orbi AC2200 RBK40 is described as a solution to cover a large area using a Tri-band Wi-Fi to deliver faster internet speed as devices connect. This also has the option to add additional units to expand this range. The units are less industrial looking than many technology office-based equipment, this can fit in with the decor of a family home.
Contents:
One (1) Orbi Router (RBR40)
One (1) Orbi Satellite (RBS40)
One (1) 2m Ethernet cable
Two (2) 12V/2.5A power adapters
Quick start guide
Features:
Fast whole home Wi-Fi system – covers up to 250 M squared with high performance Wi-Fi; kit includes Wi-Fi router and satellites
Tri-Band technology – unlike other Wi-Fi sets that lose speed as you add devices, Orbi routers maintain data flow for your connected devices using a dedicated backhaul connection
Quick and easy setup – no need to create new accounts; just download the Orbi app, plug in your system and follow the instructions on your PC, Mac or mobile device to get your house on the net
Guest network – easily set up a separate and secure Wi-Fi network for visitors and guests to use; an ideal web gear combo for movie streaming and gaming sessions with friends and family
Compatible with Amazon Echo/Alexa – control your home network using voice commands
Dimensions 6.4 x 3.1 x 8.0in (Router), 6.4 x 3.1 x 8.0in (Satellite)
Weight 1.65lb (Router), 1.65lb (Satellite)
Gigabit Ethernet ports (Router) 1 WAN and 3 LAN
Gigabit Ethernet Port (per Satellite) 4 LAN
Beamforming Yes
Works with Orbi OS Yes
Orbi App Yes
Guest WiFi network Yes
WPA/PSK2 support Yes
Works with Amazon Alexa & the Google Assistant Yes
Note: If you have an old brick house with thick walls or allot of tinfoil plasterboard to improve your installation, older type cordless phone, or a mirror at the back your current router, you may experience low Wi-Fi range.
Setup:
The setup required minimum technical knowledge and straightforward. Connect a network cable from the Netgear Orbi to your router, plug in the unit & watch as the light change colour until they become a solid colour. The satellite is recommended to be placed in the centre of the property and plugged in, leaving for under 2 minutes to get a connection to the Orbi router. The light then changes to a blue colour to indicate a strong connection, (amber indicted a poorer signal meaning the unit should be placed closer to the Orbi router). The phone / tablet/ laptops etc connect as normal using the Wifi code on the unit. Registration of the unit is done on line with the usual questions and backup security question
Setup video: The range can be further extended by using additional satellite units a daisy chain or star network topologies. The daisy chain networking allows you to connect either to the router or to the satellite increasing the range. Those of a technical nature can delve into other network functionality.
NETGEAR Orbi App:
This has Installs 50,000 – 100,000 with a rating of 4.1 out of 5, the installs app dashboard gives an overview of the network status.
Settings. Manage your Orbi router and its WiFi settings.
Device List. View a list of devices connected to your network with the ability to pause and resume WiFi for each.
Guest WiFi. Create a guest WiFi network and securely share your network details with friends and family.
Parental Controls. Enable Circle with Disney Smart Parental Controls on your Orbi System.
Traffic Meter. Monitor data usage over time.
Speed Test. Test the Internet speed of your service provider.
Support. Access Orbi system information and the community forum.
Note: If you have poor internet coming to your business / home the NETGEAR Orbi will not speed it up, rather distribute WiFi evenly around your property.
What’s the warranty on my Orbi WiFi System?
NETGEAR products have a quality brand name, quality reputation and work well. The warranty should be a selling factor for this product, but unfortunately Netgear appear to hide behind bureaucracy of paperwork to advise on what’s not covered, returns or damaged etc . Throughout 5 separate worldwide sites, they fail to address a simple question, how long is the warranty for a NETGEAR Orbi product. Netgear leave you hanging like a Hitchcock movie, never answering the simple question.
This unit was setup in the house, the data on the smart phone was turned off, only connected it via WiFi (without the NETGEAR Orbi) connected. A YouTube video was watched while slowly walking away from the router. This resulted in a drop-in signal of YouTube video just outside the front door. Again, the same exercise, but connected the NETGEAR Orbi, the range and quality increased while sitting in the car outside the house. The range increase was very noticeable and speed test improved with the use of the NETGEAR Orbi.
When the unit was used with 4 Laptops all watching a YouTube video, again the Wi-Fi signal seemed solid with the usual buffering or dropout previously experienced diminished. Various software apps were used as tests but the practically of real life viewing a video gave clear concrete confirmation of the range increase and sharing of bandwidth.
The Netgear Orbi provided fast, reliable internet around the home with minimum setup required. If you suffer from poor signal / drop out areas weather due to distance or apartment living with interference from other routers close by, Then the Netgear Orbi would provide a first-rate solution.
The Urbanista San Francisco earphones are multi-functional earphones for everyday use. This colour would not suit everyone but could be a dream earphone for some. The flat cable looks strong and is designed to be tangle free. The remote allows you to take calls and control your music.
Box Contains:
Urbanista San Francisco In-Ear Headphones – Green Camo
Features:
The earpieces are perfectly shaped for an ergonomic fit
Tangle-free flat cable is as practical as it is stylish
The remote allows you to take calls, pause and play your tunes or skip between tracks
Whether you’re listening to your favourite music or chatting with a friend on the phone, the San Francisco set gives you an enjoyable audio experience with crisp highs and a rich sound.
Specification:
Speaker size: φ14.2mm
95dB ±3dB SPL @1KHz
Impedance: 32ohms ±15% @1KHz
Frequency: 20-20.000Hz
Hands-free with microphone
Compatible with Android, iOS and Windows
Weight: 16g (without packaging)
Weight including packaging: 61g
Packaging size: 50x30x120mm
Warranty:
Urbanista One Year Limited Warranty
Colours:
There is a variety of colours available to match your style to name a few, San Francisco Blue Petroleum, Pink Paradise, Sunset Boulevard, Lucky Rainbow, Coral Island, Dark Clown, Crispy Apple, and Fluffy Cloud
Overview:
One on the advantages (double edge sword) of these earphones is the earphone themselves, they don’t have the option to inset a larger or smaller gel to fit the size of your ears, one size fits all approach. This works great if they fit comfortable, however some of the more expensive may include a gel type earpiece that can often get lost / fall off a continuous wear. The flat cable is a bonus to prevent tangles to the cable even after been folded into a pocket.
The audio quality is respectable for the price range while when the volume was turned up to max, this could be heard by another person sitting beside you. The remote allows you to take calls, pause and play your tunes or skip between tracks. San Francisco is compatible with Android, iOS and Windows. This worked perfectly when connected to a laptop and iPhone.
The Jabra Stealth Bluetooth Headset design (colours) may or may not be to all taste, however this is a solid build quality. The design is simplistic, necessitating the need for a variety of buttons to clutter the functionality on the headset. There are no volume buttons and the front of the unit has the answer and end-call buttons on the front of the headset in easy reach with the voice control button on the bottom of the headset.
Features:
Approx. 2 hours to recharge the headset
Micro USB hidden under the port protector
Different sized ear gels to fit your ears
Can be worn on the left or the right ear
Great battery life
Lightweight
3 buttons and a single lead
Android NFC option to pair the unit
Noise isolation
App: Jabra Assist is a smartphone app that enables GPS tracking of the headset, pairing assistance, and headset battery status. Android download – Google Play, iOS download – App Store.
Warranty:A limited one-year warranty applies to all Jabra mobile products purchased from an authorised reseller.
Connect to phone:
The connection to a smart phone is standard; Press and hold (3 secs) the Answer/End button until the Bluetooth indicator flashes blue, and pairing mode is announced in the headset. The voice-guided pairing instructions are then followed. Near-field communication (NFC) in a smart phone can also be used by enabling the NFC, then slowly slide the NFC zone of the headset against the NFC zone of the mobile device until a connection is confirmed.
One advantage of the mono earpiece is the awareness of the surroundings when on a call or listening to music, (watch someone unfamiliar singing or talking very loudly when they have two earphones plugged in). The Jabra Stealth headset is secure and comfortable when in use while also has the requirement you would expect from Jabra i.e. good audio quality and noise cancelling technology.
There are obvious similarities to a military plane using stealth technology design with the Nighthawk s8000, which looks great and is solid. This has zinc-alloy housing for durability with a soft-touch no-slip base and the switch looks in place in a home / bedroom as compared to many industrial looking units.
Box Contains:
1 x Nighthawk S8000 Gaming and Streaming 8 Port Advanced Gigabit Ethernet Switch (GS808E)
AC power adapter (localised to country of sale)
Quick Installation guide
Note: The unit does not come with any network cables.
Features:
Cool-touch premium zinc-alloy housing for durability and looks and has a soft-touch no-slip base
Ideal for multi-user online/VR gaming and 4K HD video/media streaming
Low latency for utmost gaming experience
Three levels of network traffic prioritisation and QoS management for ultra-high performance
IGMP snooping support for multicast operation
Note: Most residential router supplied by your ISP will have 4 port switches while the Nighthawk s8000 is listed an 8-port switch, but you can only have 7 additional ports and one is connected to your router.
Warranty: 3-year warranty
Basic Setup:
The Netgear – Nighthawk s8000 can be plugged into your router and used to connect to your smart TV / PC etc. with no setup required. This would work the same as a dump / unmanaged switch albeit more expensive than the norm. The basic advantage of the Nighthawk S8000 would be to reduce the router load in analysing and forwarding data packets between computer networks therefore increasing the speed.
Advanced Setup:
Once you are logged into the Nighthawk S8000 Managed switch, you have the option to set priority of the ports e.g. port 3 media servers to a high priority with others to a low priority. This may be important if the unit is connected in the home / small office with a business PC / application required priority as the data will be sent first from high priority port, with the others on a lower priority. This is different to your normal unmanaged dumb switch as compared to this managed switch. The setup to achieve this higher priority is easy from the Netgear menu.
There is also an option to rate limit each port, to control how fast they are and how much allowed. You can have higher bandwidth to your preference choice / applications port / PC. If you have fibre broadband of 100Mbs, some ports could be reduced to 8Mbs especially if juniors are in the house. The port can transmit up to 1000 Mbs (giga bit connection) while the general top speeds available for residential customer is 360 Mb for the UK & Ireland.
To access the switch from a computer and discover the IP address of the switch:
The manual is short and while not complicated, getting to the IP Address could confuse some if unfamiliar with internal IP address, or range of IP addresses. It is advised to open Windows Explorer and follow a few steps or Safari browser for a Mac.
Windows Set up
Default Password – Password
Menu
Menu – Prioritisation
Menu – to test cable
Menu -Pre-sets
Terminology here may be confusing to a non-gamer, reference on Link Aggregation
Gaming:
There is an obvious advantage for gamers as connecting your PC via Wi-Fi will result in a higher latency and can cause delays in a game where speed is paramount. Priority can be set to assist for specific ports as required.
LED Lights:
The switch at the rear turns off the blinking LED. These can also be turned off via the network. Unfortunately, the front blue lights which look good in the beginning can be annoying if used in a bedroom and cannot be turned off. If these could be turned off there would be no way to know if the system was operational or not.
Is it worth it compared to a “dumb/ unmanaged” switch?
The difference between a budget switch and the Netgear – Nighthawk s8000 other than the brand and build quality would be the features to control the ports priority & speed.
Often the managed switches are used by large professionally for managed networks for advanced management features and/or reliability. You can link aggregation, 4 times faster, e.g. you can link ports 1 to 4 together to connect to work in parallel, the connecting product must have the same switches to match the ports for increased bandwidth. You can control, the prioritization of the ports. Some expensive router can do this prioritization, generally the main routers as supplied by your ISP would not have the technology. The Nighthawk s8000 managed switch is designed for gaming & streaming, reducing the workload of your router given faster response times. The Nighthawk S8000 brings low latency, traffic and port prioritisation, and Quality of Service (QoS) management in high-demanding online/VR gaming and media streaming. If speed is your thing, gaming or ease of use, then it’s worth it.
