Tag: #review

Tech Review – Google Pixel Watch

Ok so the Pixel watch has been on my wrist long enough to tell you what I think and for the most part it is good but there is some caveats being a first gen device but I dont think Google it trying to outdo anyone here yet alone itself, there has been a mixed reaction to the Pixel Watch like Pixel phones which is an annual clickbait fest for those putting the downer on new things from Google yet give Apple an easy pass but that is them and not us be I will tell how my experience has been over the last few weeks. Setting up the watch was a breeze and only took 5 mins to get fully up and running.

Ok lets start with the problems I have with the watch and first up is the size, it is too small and Google should have had two models out the gate to get this off the ground, the build quality is excellent though and it is a solid piece of kit and it has grown on me over time. So the size is small and remember that is just for me I have bigger wrists than others and it is a personal opinion and I am more custom to 44/45mm sized watches but still like I said it has grown on me..

Next up is the speaker, it is not the loudest in the world and there is a demo in the video review below but it does the job in quite places and often where I take most my calls it was not too bad outdoors and the other end could here me fine too but being a small watch means smaller things inside right?

Having an excellent build they said. Well it is but somehow mine got slight scratches on the screen which I did mention some concern for in the unboxing and watch strap review I did recently and it has minor scuffs on it, there is no accessories yet and nothing in the works from Google by the looks of it and it will be hard to get a decent screen protector that will actually work due to the shape of the watch but you could get a shell I guess and Google should look into it..

Last thing is notifications especially in house, my prime example is google home I am invested in the Google Ecosystem and the images do not come up on the screen but do on other smartwatches I have and Apple watch and one of my older watches the Moto 360 has the preview images on it so I think this can be fixed with an update, also some other apps do not get notifications like Twitter and Instagram despite being turned on.

After all that the rest is good and above is not all that huge apart from the physical size of the watch and so on but it delivers everywhere else you would want a smartwatch to do, for me I have taken more of a shine to smartwatches as they keep me off my phone and with the Pixel 7 both make that happen with being able to do most things from the watch or by just talking to the devices and keeps me from distraction and taking out my phone and going through things as you do which I tend to do after work now or in bed and catch up on the less important things like social media and emails etc.

The Pixel watch is great to get things done and dusted quickly with the on board tools for example my WhatsApp groups etc I can dismiss ( you can dismiss anything and clear from your notifications on your watch to clear on the phone) but you can also reply with emojis pull up the keyboard or speak, again i demo this in the review I love it and it does not distract me, I know see myself reacting more from the watch than I do from the phone which does it impede the battery life but it does charge up quickly.

Fitness, yeah you get 6 months free fitbit but have to pay for it after which is a bit of sting in the tail for some along with the price of the watch itself but for those who want that but more get it that way and the rest can be still used as normal, the live heart rate is a great idea and the general usability of the watch for fitness tracking like steps and all that good stuff and is enough for me, I am not one of those into getting sleep tracking data etc and I just use the general offerings most would use that buy simply fitness trackers..cheap and cheerful ones..The Fitbit experience is completely redesigned for Google Pixel Watch, with 40 exercise modes available to track your favourite workouts and all-day activities including steps, distance with built-in GPS and Active Zone Minutes, You can also avail of the ECG app if you wish.

For looks we have got watch faces tiles and complications to pick from to spruce things up but we should see more as time goes buy which would be nice but it must be said the ones that came with the watch app are great and I have two i change between, within the app also allows you to customise things some more which we looked at in the unboxing and the the review below.

Overall for me the watch does what i need in a smartwatch, keeps me away from my phone and that is a Pixel 7 which is probably not the right thing to say as I love it but the point is reducing time on my phone this watch does that and both products complement each other well, the price might be a problem and the other things mentioned above but for their first try it is a good one and I look forward to what is next and will continue to wear this one until then.  Check the video below for more.

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Video

 

 

Tech Review – Nokia G60 5G

Ok so Nokia is back i town with some new phones and one message they are sending out is sustainability and the environment and I go to see this first hand at their launch event in Dublin recently and go to see their new range of devices and also the new packaging which all sends a clear message, the phones do feel different in the hand but this does not deflect from the product and from using the Nokia G60 the last few weeks it has served me well it must be said for the money this comes in at and that is also from a power users perspective who threw everything at the phone i would usually do on a daily basis. Well one slight annoyance was I had no case on the phone which bugs me but I went ahead anyway and it did a great job. You can see the first look and walkthrough of the device here where I go over the UI and more on the device.

I have been saying some time now there is no need to spend over 300 euro on a phone anymore and if you are just a general user for emails social media and photos this easily does the task and not only that it has a huge screen to consume media on too which for me is a vital part of a smartphone. not only that decent battery life too which again is for most people and this one has something for everyone including a decent shooter.

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The G60 could be seen as a mid ranger device which is a sweet spot for many depending on what needs they have, in the looks department from the rear it does look more expensive than it is and given it is made with recycled material you will get that cheapish feel from it at first but it is robust and has not yet got a mark on it from using with no case and this is a good thing from my point of view on how I use my phones. This also does not collect fingerprints. When it comes to the 5G aspect which this phone is for the network I am on I do not get real 5G speeds and changing it has been deplorable on any phone I use but this G60 is thinking ahead here and when it does get better I hope to see an improvement and cant give an honest answer on the 5G aspect but it does work fantastically under normal 4G conditions.

Nokia G60 5G is built to last longer, using 60% recycled plastic. It gets 3 years of warranty,³ OS upgrades and monthly security updates,¹ so you can rest assured your Nokia G60 5G remains cutting-edge. It delivers on premium performance, our latest AI camera experience, and our signature durability too. Plus, the 6.58” FHD+ 120 Hz display gives you a super-smooth everyday smartphone experience, all at an easy-to-hold size.

The screen again is another great feature on this phone it is big crisp and bright with minimal bezels apart from the bigger chin and for most will be fine, yes there is a teardrop front facing camera which many loath but really it does not get in the way and going forward Nokia do need to ditch it.

The camera and audio was decent too and with OZO audio built in you can tell the difference you can be the judge of the image and photo gallery below with both day and night video and image samples to pick from.

 

 

The battery life is quite good, now unless like me who is a power user I used for two weeks as a main device and a week as my secondary device which would fall into the hands of a simple daily driver for most people and there is a notable difference to be had here and of course expected. You will easily get more than a day on one charge however for me less than a full day didn’t cut it and to be fair it is like that with any daily driver I use full time however good overall for the average user. There is no wireless charging present here but again the jury is still out on that as a necessity. The phone has 20W charging and does not come with a charger as expected as we all have plenty of them knocking around the house.

For me as someone who user high end phones most of the time I could easily use this to do what I do on a daily basis with the bigger screen which I like most but not the best under extreme sunlight but in Ireland the chances of that ruining your day is slim there is a good speaker on the phone it is light and has all you need and again you are keeping the environment in mind too so overall for the price you get a decent phone. I have also done some video reviews of late with this device, can you pick them out? The audio is a tip…

Camera – Capture Fusion for UW, Night Mode 2.0, Dark Vision, Tripod Mode, Night Selfie, AI Portrait
Front camera:8 MP,  1.12µm, f/2.0, 1/4” Rear camera:50 MP  Main 0.7µm (1.4µm 4-in-1), f/1.8, 1/2.5”
+ 5 MP  Ultrawide f/2.2, 1/5” + 2 MP  Depth f/2.4, 1/5” Rear flash LED
Bluetooth: 5.1
Features: NFC + eSIM
Headphone jack:3.5 mm
Location: GPS/AGPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo
USB connection: USB Type-C (USB 2.0) OTG
WiFi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax-ready (2.4/5G dual band)

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Tech Review – Google Pixel 7

OK so we have been testing the Google Pixel 7 some weeks now and it is time to talk about the latest device from Google and it is a device to take note of, I shared my early thoughts here with three days of use but a review after a few days with any phone is simply not a review as I have said before and with this device I think it is fair to say is what is inside is what counts this time around with all the smarts and so on.

Lets start with the build quality and for me it is fine, it is light and yes it is slippy but that camera bar is an aide for you to balance the device and a case will sort out the slippy end of things, the buttons are placed perfectly for me and the screen is nice with minimal bezels on show and for reference there is no scratches or marks on the camera bar yet and for me it feels good in the hand and it is really just a simple design that we have seen before from Google and I am fine with it, the camera bar again is a talking point it suits some and not others and that is just how phones go you either like it lump it or live with it..

Loaded up with plenty of apps it has not slowed down for me and has become more so a tool than a phone per say. Yes I use the camera daily but for me it is the smarts inside that make it a handy tool in my pocket as well as a great point and shoot camera amongst other things and will be my daily driver for the foreseeable future I usually carry two phones daily sometimes three as it is what I do but the main sim card will be in the Pixel 7 and will be staying there until the next offering comes along providing things stay as is now which is great bar one gripe which I will get onto later.

With my reviews I dont waffle on about the specs and just get to it I will l leave a link the the first impressions page which has a lengthy video walking through the device and now that I have used and tested those features I can speak about them and how this phone has been as a main daily driver since that video.

OK being a power user is where I am at, with multiple apps on the go multiple email accounts social media and more it has been fine in that respect no lag no freezing screen and when multitasking this is important and for those who do the same will agree, Pixel devices have been generally fast and worked well for me even down to the 6a which I still use for work and video reviews today however one thing that has been an issue is video processing and the same still applies with the Pixel 7 and i did lean towards the app been the problem but with several devices as my disposal during testing this seems to be still slower than my other phones and identical to the 6a with the speed having tested the same video, most of my recent reviews though have been shot with the Pixel 7 and I will continue to use the phone to do so with the workload I have with case reviews and tech products but overall the results still come out great but the time to process is annoying and probably the only thing I can say that is negative about the phones.

 

 

The camera is what most people will know pixel devices for and again we have a great camera and the video is also great, for anyone that wants a point and shoot camera the Pixel is the one to go to get the best shots with little effort and is as a good as the iPhone, yes I said iPhone and being a hater for years I have the 14 pro and have to admit the camera is great but the pixel is half the price lads. Below I have taken some videos and images both day and night so you can be the judge of what you see. It is one of the best camera phones on the market and the only one that gives any user the best point and shoot results time and time again for me and this is from using several phones doing the same shots in my testing and it is noted that the Pixel phones are best in class for this with favourable results in comparison, I am no photography expert and dont get deep into the spiel that comes with it but for a point and shoot camera phone any pixel is it really.

The camera has lots of tricks and the AI does lots of the heavy haulage but the results are great and the tools at hand are too like image blur and my favourite is magic eraser which for me has been a useful tool and I love it especially for work and personal matters, in the work capacity it is great for removing unwanted labels and text and also private information, you be saying you can use the tools already there baked into the camera app but no this works better and is cleaner and looks more natural and it is a super useful tool.

 

What is inside the Pixel for is is what makes it my daily driver, as mentioned many times before it is the likes of Google lens for example which is the most used feature on my Pixel phones, again point at the target or text in any language you get your results and edit there and then to exactly what you require from the subject I love it and it keeps getting better over time with more accuracy. As my readers know I am a trainer collector and here is a sample of daily use below with a photo taken in a shop and the results there and then right in front of me..

The Pixel 7 has many more features such as the voice recorder which translates in real time which is handy for many purposes such as taking notes and more again a great tool for creators, live playing is also a handy feature for that favourite song you could never remember and of course your smarts in house there is so much to do with little effort which is a good thing and makes keeping your phone in your hand less a good thing alongside your Pixel Watch.

Overall for the the Pixel 7 is a great phone at a great price with AI and the camera being top features on the phone, it makes life simple has a decent battery and looks well too it does not have the 120 hz refresh rate some people bang on about and we are at 90hz on the Pixel 7 which is fine the display is great and fine for media consumption you get wireless charging and your mobile payment options which many use today, the zoom on the camera could of been a bit better .ie further away than some rivals but for what it is it does a decent job and with the cinematic effect now on board it ads to the camera features which is welcome, the Pixel devices can and hopefully will get better but for now remains one of the best phones when it comes to value for money, maybe next time we might get the pro model to check out and I can talk about those devices but for now and the previous models it has been the base model however I am not complaining they are great devices for their asking price.

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Tech Review – ITSKINS case round up for the iPhone 14 Pro

We have been testing out ITSKINS cases since their launch some time ago and they are great cases it must be said and for the iPhone range and other devices there is a massive range to pick from to suit all tastes and we get a taste of what is on offer for your iPhone 14 Pro with the range of cases we have here to check out from the company. With these cases you get full protection with bumpers front and back and extra grip and not only this we have wireless charging on all cases as tested below in our video review and of course the buttons work well and all ports are accessible as you would expect.

What does ITSKINS offer with their cases.

ITSKINS strives for green manufacturing and it can be seen in every product that we release. From compostable cases to plant-based inks, we are always looking for more ways to reduce our carbon footprint while creating great products.

Extra strong magnets align and attach better to MagSafe chargers and accessories. All their MagSafe cases use 100% recycled rare earth elements in all of the magnets.

 

With a message being clearly sent here by the company they are keeping the environment in mind and giving you good value for money with their cases and excellent protection for whatever device you use and we can stand by this as we have been using their cases some time, check out the range we have in for the iPhone 14 Pro below

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Video

Tech Review – Tronsmart T7 portable outdoor speaker

Another speaker has landed from Tronsmart and again a portable outdoor one which will suit may folks, given the time of year now this will be favourable more an indoor speaker but if you have an office or marque up well then you are good to go and enjoy the punch this speaker will give you, not as punchy or loud as the Bang Mini but good all the same..

This time around we have access to their app which is great, the bang mini has no access yet but would be nice to see to give you some more control over the EQ but to be fair it is decent out of the box as is and packs a punch with nice bass thrown in and this speaker does give you options to play around some more which you can see below and of course in the video review with audio samples given of course, we dont leave you with stock image reviews with no context.

Design is familiar here with the speaker and generally looks well it is also robust with having a 360 degree sound output it is well built to let those speakers air properly and the speaker can be sat any way once standing on its side, on the top we have a volume wheel and this is also surrounded by a ring that changes colour which adds to the effects and great for home parties and so on and you can impress your guests as it is not just a boring speaker that sits there. There is buttons down the side for easy controls and of course you have the app the enhance the sound which is great.

There is a great punch to the speaker when it comes to sound and will easily fill a room and depending on your music taste and genre you have the app to fine tune it some more so it will work for anyone no matter what music you listen to. Check the video below for sound samples and more and see what you can expect for your money and it is a very affordable speaker that delivers on sound looks and features with added light effects to step things up a bit.

Features

  • SoundPulse Audio.
  • 360° Surround Sound.
  • IPX7 Waterproof.
  • Stereo Pairing.
  • Vibrant LED Modes.
  • Custom Equalizers via App.

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Video review 

Tech Review – Skullcandy SLYR gaming headphones

When it comes to gaming headphones there is plenty to pick from on the market today you have ones that cost a small fortune and ones that comes with all the bells and whistles and some RGB lights to impress people even more but then you have affordable offerings out there that are just plug and play and this is where these headphones rest and not only that these give you a superb audio experience for your gaming needs and also the voice aspect for multiplayer games is great, for me in my testing on both the Xbox and Nintendo Switch it made my experince more immersive, one of my family members went as far to say you get a cinema type experince from the audio delivered and they are not wrong, my game play on consoles is not a huge thing I do today however when I do I like to have the best experience available and for the cost of these headphones you get this and they impressed me as a whole and for the price you cant complain.

 

Ok some might see these as boring being plug and play but get immersive sound and yes there is no app or software involved here and it is kept simple there is a removable mic and you have one button to mute the headset and a volume wheel, it is all so easy and no set-up required and keeping the plug and play format the way it should be and for me easy to recommend for that gamer you know in your life and an ideal gift for Christmas or just a gift in general, the headset is light and comfortable and can be worn for hours on end, check the video below for more.

Features

SLYR Multi-Platform Wired Gaming Headset – £59.99 MSRP

  • Skullcandy Supreme Sound – Unique audio-tuning process enables users to maximise the depth and detail of each sound

  • Bi-Directional Mic – Improves voice pickup for enhanced communications

  • Mute & Volume Control – Easy-to-reach, on-board controls enable gamers to quickly mute and adjust volume without gameplay interference

  • Durable, Lightweight Design – Constructed from tough, lightweight materials including head-conforming memory-foam ear cushions wrapped in moisture wicking and breathable material

  • Connection Type: 3.5mm Aux, PC Splitter
    Impedance: 32Ω
    Driver Diameter: 50mm
    THD: <2% at 1KHz
    Sound Pressure Level: 95±3dB
    Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20KHz
    Weight: 265g

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Video

Tech Review – Mkeke Magsafe cases for the iPhone 14 pro/pro max

Recently we checked out the Mkeke clear case for the iPhone 14 pro here and now we have their latest case on offer which is the Mkeke strong magnetic cases for the iPhone 14 pro and pro max, these cases will offer maximum protection for both devices and are clear which enables you too see the natural colour of your device which many like to do, furthermore they are both MagSafe compatible and we have tried and tested here and they work well..

With having a lip on the front it offers protection to place your device face down and on the rear the camera lens is also protected and having extra protection on the corners they give your device full protection all round and gives you additional grip to which is handy considering the price it will cost you if you drop the device and see your repair bill for a cracked screen etc.

Check the video below for more

Features

  • For iPhone 14 Pro Max case with MagSafe is compatible with all QI certified MagSafe chargers,car mounts. Built-in N52 magnets with strong magnetic attraction reaches 2400GS effectively strengthen magnetic connections and ensure Wireless/MagSafe Charging is automatically aligned to give you faster and safer charging.
  • Crystal clear case fit for iPhone 14 pro max released in 2022. Shows off the brilliant color of your phone while providing extra protection without adding bulk.crafted with a blend of TPU and Acrylic which effectively resist stains and sweat, not easy to get greasy and yellow over time.
  • Double protection: extra bumper on corners raise to 3.1mm, the outer bumpers is scratch resistant and the built-in air bag is shockproof with Military Grade Drop protection,which will protect your cellphone when you inevitably drop it.
  • Raised edges to protect your camera: The edges of the case around the camera and the screen are raised by 3.53mm which is enough to buffer the phone and reduce pressure when hitting the ground.easy in and out of pocket.
  • It undergoes thousands of hours of testing throughout the design and manufacturing process just for your comfortable and easy grip. line up perfectly and easy access to all buttons.

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Video

Tech review – Jabra Elite 5

The Jabra Elite 5 have been in our ears some weeks now and some flights which made way for perfect testing environments and how they perform with ANC which is probably the one of the most important features those look out for today, the Jabra elite 5 and some other earbuds went through the same test and stay tuned for other earbud reviews soon but today it is all about Jabra in which there is always a pair with me on my travels regardless where I go on my travels and that is a good thing to be able to say.

First thing is the look and design which is familiar which is fine but for me the colour is what wins the looks department standing out from the usual black colours we tend to see, Jabra do over time often release other colourways later on in their product cycle which is great and I got the lucky end of the deal this time with this colour option and love it and not only that they have been through alot and have not got dirty or has the colour faded. Battery life is great with around 6.5 hours per charge with full ANC and volume for those who do not go the max they will get longer and you have also got wireless charging on deck and a ten minute charge gives you and hours playtime. A big feature to point out is multipoint connection which is often left out at higher priced earbuds and this feature is for those who want to connect more than one device at once so ideal for me and those who work at home or indeed an office environment.

Design is familiar here and in line with the current portfolio of earbuds which we have recently reviewed which for me is fine, if you are a current user of Jabras line this will fit in well and no learning curves or muscle memory to use the earbuds, we have the SoundPlus app to enhance the listening experience and again this is excellent as expected, as mentioned above the ANC works a treat whilst not the best they are excellent for calls and the most important feature I guess is the audio experience.

Highs lows and mids are fine and the volume is loud enough even for me, we have SBC AAC and aptX codex here which the later people look for these days and for a mid priced pair of earbuds that is good. For music movies and more they do a great job and very centred, on my usual test loop they pass my test which is hours of music videos and movies and I cant complain and for the price paid nor should you.

Check the video review for more and check out the app.

 

Jabra Elite 5 key features and specifications:

  • Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) blocks more background noise, powered by the Qualcomm QCC3050 Bluetooth SoC
  • 6-microphone call technology with wind noise suppression
  • Powerful 6mm speakers for goosebump-inducing, heart-racing, soaring sound
  • Customizable EQ and Spotify Tap Playback
  • Up to 7 hours play time with ANC on (up to 28 hours with wireless charging case)
  • Qualcomm® aptX™ Audio
  • Google Assistant and Alexa Built In for hands-free assistance on-the-go
  • Easy pairing with Google Fast Pair* and Microsoft Swift Pair*
  • Bluetooth Multipoint keeps you connected to two devices at once
  • IP55-rated protection against dust and water

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Video review

Tech Review – Mercusys AX3000 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System Halo H80X

The typical router as supplied by your ISP (contrary to their marketing literature), may be of basic quality and give a reasonable Wi-Fi range, but if a few of these are placed in the same areas, as your router, there may be congestion on certain frequency ranges and poor broadband speed or coverage. (Depending on the router and technical experience the frequency range may be changed but may require some specialised knowledge) The Halo H80X is a specialised kit to increase the range and allow a repeater of the signal.

Note: the Halo can only forward the signal going into the building,  if the signal is poor at the junction box or default router to Halo, this  will not increase this,  while if the signal is good coming into the building, in theory, this should spread the  signal evenly throughout the building ensuring no black spots or poor coverage in parts of the building.  Albeit coverage may depend on the type of construction within the building, large thick concrete walls or   tinfoil-backed walls or fireproof doors will diminish signal quality.  The Halo will certainly improve this signal, allowing the option to place close to black spots to improve the broadband experience. The location of the Halo is also a key factor in terms of range and quality of the signal, this should be placed as far as practical in an open space away from large metal items or e.g., book cabinet which would diminish the speed dramatically, the app gives a guideline on the best locations for the Halo. The Kit came with a clear specifications called out on the packaging giving full detail of what the kit could do.

 

Package Contents see unboxing below for more 

2-pack

2× Halo H80X Units

1× RJ45 Ethernet Cable

2× Power Adapters

Quick Installation Guide

 Note this comes in a 2 or 3 pack Kit, this review has been using the 2-pack kit, The 3 pack could be used to extend the range further.

 

Features:

  •       Dual Band WiFi 6 Speeds up to 3000 Mbps – 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz.†
  •       Seamless Roaming with One Unified Network – Halo units work together to automatically switch between Halos as you move around your home with a single unified WiFi name and password.‡
  •       Whole Home Coverage – Blanket up to 5,000 ft² (460 m²) with high-speed WiFi, eliminating WiFi dead zones at your home.†
  •       Connect over 150 Devices – Provide fast and stable connections over 150 devices.†
  •       Easily Mange Your Home Network – Use the MERCUSYS App to quickly set up and manage your WiFi. You can also manage your kids’ online time and contents.
  •       Full Gigabit Ports – 3× Gigabit ports per Halo unit for lightning-fast wired connections.**

Reset Button:

The one option I always like in a product is the option to reset the system to ensure if issues on the setup etc, you can start from scratch,

  •       Press 1 second to reset Halo to factory default settings.

 

Setup:

The first impression of the instruction guide was disappointing in that there is a manual included, there is one page of instructions in English, this shows a QR code, scanning allowed the app to be downloaded, but this did not give any circuit diagram for network connection. There was a help option, albeit the setup is logical, but would benefit from a basic diagram option to connect the devices.

Suggested setup option via Mercusys support links

1. Turn off the modem, and remove the backup battery if it has one.

2. Connect the modem to either Ethernet port on the router.

3. Power on the router, and wait for it to start.

4. Turn on the modem.

 

Login the web interface 

1. Connect to the main router wirelessly using the default SSID (network name) printed on the main router’s label.

2. Open a web browser and enter the default domain name http://mwlogin.net in the address field to access the web management page.

3. A login window will appear. Create a login password when prompted.

Tips: For subsequent login, use the password you set.

 

App setup – MERCUSYS app

The app has over 100K+ downloads with a 3.3 star rating out of 5, the setup is standard for app given the functionality.

Android app setting –

 

There is a variety of different options within the functionality of the app this includes a very useful feature of network optimization. If the unit is used in a highly congested area with a lot of neighbour’s routers on the same frequency the network optimization can pick the best frequency and update as required, this works but does not tell you what frequency it is changed to.  Alternatively, if required to blacklist a particular unit, a device can be easily achieved.  A very useful feature is the parental controls this allows to prevent access to example over 18 sites or configure individual sites blocked, e.g., Facebook if not be required. This has options as used for a junior person, it may also be used for a child, preteen, or adult  blocking social networking downloads blocked. If used in an office environment there is a website category with specific websites that can be blocked, most staff that work in a commercial environment will be aware certain sites are blocked by their local IT department.  This can be achieved within the app by updating the website and blocking specific sites example Facebook.  Or whatever sites are deemed inappropriate for staff, again for younger generations it could also be used to block specific areas that are not required.

Reporting features are available to give an idea of how much data is being used which can give an indication that may assist in security implications. Within the advanced features, there is a variety of technical settings that configures by specialised, teams. One feature which is quite useful is the LED, the LED can be turned off or set for a night mode to switch off at night-time if the unit is used in a bedroom.

The  app has an option to  easily see what devices are connected, for example, smartphones,  home network laptops etc this is very handy to visually see if something is connected which should not be connected or unexpected, this is  similar to having a review of your credit card bills to ensure everything looks in place having a look at your own network to see what’s connected is possibly good practise now and again.

Within the Wi-Fi settings on the app 2.4 GHz 5 giga Hertz functionality can be turned off and, on,  the guest, the network can be enabled or disabled. The main network name can be changed, or the password can easily be updated

 

Compare mobile app (android) vs web link

Typically I would expect to be able to do the same function on the app as the website, ( http://mwlogin.net ) The web login has minimal practical use, in that changes, etc cannot be made only view the setting, Any changes to the network etc allow the guest network to be turned on, parental controls etc is required to be done via the mobile app. This may result in a lot of wasted time if searching on the web link for functionality.

The web link does allow the software to be updated via e.g., a memory stick or via the web.

Results:

As part of this techbuzz review, the H80X was set up as above.  A speed test was done from various rooms in the house, with all doors closed and no other internet surfing etc turned on

In each room a windows laptop was connected to the initial network and a speed test was run 3 times,  Download, Upload speed and latency were tested, the average rate was logged, in the same room the connection was changed to the Mercusys  Ax3000 Halo H80X ( network called techbuzz )  and again the speed was tested an averaged from 3 readings, this was done in the rooms below.

Techbuzz speed tests comparison from ISP router to Mercusys Ax3000 Halo H80X (network called techbuzz)

 Analysis of the data:

Within the same room as the router (Classed as the Sitting room)

Tested location   Standard internet provider router     Techbuzz – Mercusys  Ax3000 Halo H80X
    Download (Mbps) Upload (Mbps) Latency (ms)   Download (Mbps) Upload (Mbps) Latency (ms)
             
Sitting room (router placed)   270 51 13   360 50 14

The data showed an improvement from 270 Mbps to 360 on the Halo H80X which I believe is down to the app optimisation frequency picking out the best network frequencies or uncongested frequency.

There was no coverage from the ISP router in the indication the Halo expanded the coverage

Downstairs utility room   Not connect Not connect Not connect   11 14 16

The furthest room has the biggest increase in broadband speed going from initially 12 Mbps to 190 Mbps, and half the latency which would benefit gamers,

Upstairs furthest bedroom   12 4.1 32   190 47 16

 

Additional Test done:

As part of the testing, a windows laptop was connected to the Halo and walked to his furthest part of the drive until reduced coverage.  subsequently walked to the back of the garden where the Halo in front would not have coverage, this worked seamlessly on the handover from one Halo to the next without any drop our loss in signal

Conclusion:

With the Halo a few minor niggles in terms of the lack of network diagrams, the colour of the White box with a black plug, (I would prefer from aesthetics to have all white or all back colours) The Web app is of little practical use.

Overall, the kit comes with many useful features in terms of, Dual frequency, security, Parental controls, and network optimisation but more importantly for anyone with blackspots  / poor Wi-Fi coverage this kit does exactly as described and what it is designed to do as seen on the test results carried out by Techbuzz in a consistence manner and comparison to the ISP equipment.

Technology continues to advance and poor coverage can be fixed by the non-technical with this kit that works as broadband should, a Must for those with Wi-fi blackspots.

BUY 

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