11 Aug
Blog

Mangosteen Face & Body Skin Care Treatment

Since the advent of selfies and makeup highlighters, we've all wanted glowing complexions. So why not consider extending that glow from the neck down? With our recent addition to the Mangosteen collection to include full-body skin care, you can adjust to the radiance from head to toe – at home or in the spa.

The original Mangosteen collection (Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser, Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate and Mangosteen Lactic Pro Peel 10%) immediately won over fans with its benefits for renewing and revitalizing the skin. Here's why:

  • The mangosteen collection is suitable for all skin types and treats a wide variety of skin conditions. It's gentle enough on sensitive skin (including exfoliating for professionals only) but strong enough to resurface and lighten the appearance of a dull, tired complexion.
  • It's easy to fall in love with mangosteen for its heavenly scent – an aroma that comes straight from paradise and takes the skin care experience to the next level.
  • Mangosteen is a superfruit that is loaded with antioxidants. It works with our proprietary lactic acid complex and red clover blossom extract to reveal glowing skin and minimized pores without redness or downtime.

Eminence Organics Mangosteen Skin Care Products for Face and Body

These two new skin care superstars use the same gentle lactic acid to reapply skin all over without peeling it off. This restores the moisture that is essential to achieve the desired shine.

With the new mangosteen gel moisturizing cream and the mangosteen revitalizing mist, the "Queen of Fruits" officially rules the face menu in the spa and many personal skin care collections. With the new additions Mangosteen Body Lotion and Mangosteen Replenishing Hand Cream to the collection, this super fruit is also extremely important for body care. These two new skincare superstars use the same gentle lactic acid to reapply skin all over your body without peeling it off – and actually restore the moisture essential to achieving the desired glow. While you experience instant glowing skin, the active antioxidants in mangosteen (known as xanthones) also improve and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. What more could you want from face and body skin care products?

Mangosteen face and body skin care

For a natural look from head to toe, here are step-by-step face and body care products for skin care at home. If you're a spa professional, consider our extra steps to bring the full mangosteen experience to your customers.

Clean

Mix the Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser with a few drops of water to create a milky foam. The lactic acid gently loosens dead skin cells and goes well with a couple of Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant shakes – optional for those who like manual polishing. Remove with a warm, damp towel.

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Eminence Organics Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser

Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser

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Eminence Organics Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant

Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant

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peeling

Use your favorite Eminence Organics scrub for extra shine. We recommend choosing the right Vitaskin peeling scrub (calm skin, glowing skin, clear skin, or firm skin) that suits your skin care goals. For spa professionals, follow this step with the Mangosteen Lactic Pro Peel 10% for next level brightness.

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Eminence Organics Calm Skin Chamomile Peeling

Calm chamomile peeling

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Eminence Organics Bright Skin Licorice Root Peel

Light skin licorice root peeling

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Please also note these products: Clear Skin Willow Bark Exfoliating Scrub, Acai Peeling Peeling with firm skin

Clay & essence

Spray with the Mangosteen Revitalizing Mist for an invigorating boost or apply with cotton pads. No rinsing is required … and minimized pores are guaranteed.

If desired, follow with an essence. Dispense a few drops of the Birch Water Cleansing Essence and gently press into the skin until completely absorbed. This groundbreaking step increases hydration and provides additional replenishment.

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Eminence Organics Mangosteen Revitalizing Mist

Mangosteen Revitalizing Mist

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Eminence Organics Birch Water Purifying Essence

Birch water purifying essence

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Mask (optional)

To further customize your treatment, choose a mask based on your skin care goals. We love the Balancing Masque Duo for oily or combination skin types and the Bamboo Age Corrective Masque for normal to dry skin types. Leave on for 5-10 minutes with a warm, damp towel before removing.

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Eminence Organics Balancing Masque Duo

Balancing Masque Duo

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Eminence Organics Bamboo Time Corrective Mask

Bamboo time corrective mask

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To treat

Apply Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate in a thin layer for a nifty treatment that works wonderfully under makeup too. Mix with our best-selling Bamboo Firming Fluid for additional benefits that improve the visible signs of aging.

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Eminence Organics Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate

Daily mangosteen resurfacing concentrate

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Eminence Organics bamboo firming liquid

Bamboo firming liquid

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Moisten

Warm a small amount of the mangosteen gel moisturizer between your hands and massage it onto your face, neck, and décolleté for an ultra-smooth, velvety finish. Feel free to add a few drops of Rose Hip Triple C + E Firming Oil for those in need of extra moisture – or just for that luxurious feel and scent!

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Eminence Organics Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer

Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer

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Eminence Organics Rose Hips Triple C + E Firming Oil

Rose hip triple C + E firming oil

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massage

Spa professionals can use the Mangosteen Body Lotion to perform a relaxing hand and arm massage. If you follow this routine at home, you can get a willing quarantine partner to take this step. Finally, apply the mangosteen hand cream to reapply the skin and leave it feeling smooth and silky.

Product selection

Eminence Organics Mangosteen Body Lotion

Mangosteen body lotion

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Eminence Organics Mangosteen Regenerating Hand Cream

Mangosteen refill hand cream

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Eye care (optional)

Carefully apply a thin layer of eye cream in soft, mixing movements. We love the Neroli Age Corrective Eye Serum, which is applied under the Hibiscus Ultra Lift Eye Cream for instantly glowing eyes.

Product selection

Eminence Organics Neroli Age Corrective Eye Serum

Neroli Age Corrective Eye Serum

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Eminence Organics Hibiscus Ultra Lift Eye Cream

Hibiscus Ultra Lift eye cream

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suncream

It is important to use sunscreen a week after treatment (and always)! Apply our Sun Defense Minerals and set them in with a squirt of toner or water. In the spa, this is a mandatory step after a peeling treatment as the skin is more sensitive to the sun.

Product selection

Eminence Organics Sunscreen Minerals SPF 30

Sun Defense Minerals SPF 30

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Whether at home or in the spa, with this treatment the skin feels resurfaced, refined and replenished. Which product from the mangosteen collection do you like best? Let us know in the comments below or tell us on social media.

11 Aug
Blog

LG Gram 14 2-in-1 (2020) Review: Not Just a Light Laptop

lg grams 14 2 in 1 2020 review 05

"The LG Gram 14 2-in-1 is an extremely light laptop, but it does more than just that."

  • Solid productivity performance

  • Extremely light

  • Generally good input options

  • Strong connectivity

  • Expensive

  • The performance has decreased slightly compared to the previous generation

As you can tell by the name, LG's Gram laptops focus on weight – especially light weight. While thin and light laptops have gotten a lot thinner and lighter, the LG Gram line has managed to keep its place with some of the lightest laptops you can buy.

LG just updated its Gram 14 2-in-1, which weighs just 2.52 pounds. It's insanely easy, despite having all of the high-end specs you'd expect in a $ 1,600 laptop. But does this laptop have more to offer than just its light weight?

design

The Gram 14 weighs 2.52 pounds, which is definitely on the lower end of the scale for 14-inch 2-in-1 laptops. Imagine a direct competitor, the Lenovo Yoga C940, which weighs 3.04 pounds – a half-pound difference that you can tell when you hold it in either hand. Even a smaller 2-in-1, the HP Specter x360 13, is heavier at 2.88 pounds. Simply put, the Gram 14 achieves its goal of being a noticeably lighter alternative.

Much of this has to do with the choice of materials, especially the magnesium alloy that makes up the laptop's case. This metal manages to keep things lightweight while still being reasonably sturdy, though I've noticed a few bends in the lid and some keyboard flexes. The Gram 14 feels like it's made of plastic. That's not a bad thing in and of itself, but it hurts when you factor in the $ 1,600 price tag.

Despite its low weight, the Gram 14 is not the thinnest notebook.

However, once you overcome this mental hurdle, you will appreciate how LG managed to make the laptop so light and solid that you don't have to worry about its ability to endure abuse.

Despite its weight, the Gram 14 is not the thinnest notebook at 0.70 inches. The Yoga C940 is thinner at 0.57 inches and the HP Specter x360 13 is 0.67 inches. And you'll be pleased with that extra thickness as, as we'll learn, it improves connectivity and battery capacity.

In terms of aesthetics, the Gram 14 can best be described as "handsome". It's an attractive dark silver color (it's also available in white) with a bold white Gram logo on the lid and keyboard font that curiously compliments the design. There's nothing here to get a lot of attention, but I like the look. I would prefer it to Lenovo's yoga aesthetic, which is as conservative as it is boring. HP's Specter line is still the most extravagant, of course, and the Gram 14 doesn't come close.

Connectivity is impressive for a laptop this thin and light. There's a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 3 support (and an upgrade from the previous model without this useful connection), a full-size HDMI port, two USB-A 3.1 ports, and a microSD card reader. Wireless connectivity is provided by Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5, which keeps the laptop up to date with the latest in wireless technology.

performance

When I reviewed the 2019 version of the Gram 14, it was a strong performance for its CPU class. This time it fell off a bit.

In the synthetic Geekbench 4, for example, the 2019 version with its eighth generation Core i7-8565U achieved 5,013 points in the single-core test and 15,496 points in the multi-core test. The new Gram 14 with its quad-core Intel Core i7-10510U scored 5,244 and 14,789 points respectively and dropped out in the multi-core test. Looking at Geekbench 5, the Gram 14 scored 1,170 and 3,480, respectively, compared to the Asus ZenBook Duo with the same CPU that manages 1,183 and 4,221. The Gram 14 simply lags behind in this test.

When switching to our real-world handbrake test, which converts a 420MB video file to H.265, the 2019 Gram 14 took about 4.1 minutes to complete the test with an older version of Handbrake, while the new Gram 14 took five Took seconds longer. We didn't test the same CPU with the latest version of Handbrake, but it took the Gram 14 five minutes to complete the test compared to the Acer Spin 3, which took a Core i5-1035G1 in just over four minutes.

None of this is a tragedy, of course. These results mean you don't want to use the Gram 14 for high-level photo and video editing tasks, but it does work for just about any productivity, web browsing, and multimedia task you might want to do. And that's exactly the focus of this laptop – providing a lightweight platform that productivity workers love to take with them. In this respect the gram 14 shines.

With Intel UHD Graphics, this is of course not a gaming laptop. If you stick to older, low-resolution, graphical-detail titles, you can play light games, but that's about all you can expect.

Battery life

Somehow, LG managed to pack 72 watt hours of battery capacity into the lightweight housing of the Gram 14. That's a lot of battery for a 14-inch laptop, and I expected some strong battery results.

What I got was strong, but not spectacular longevity. Battery life has been one of the most notable improvements in recent laptops, and the Gram 14 sits on the top shelf in this category. It's not the most durable we've tested, but it does give you a good, long day off the hook.

First, it did nearly 4.5 hours in our demanding Basemark web benchmark test. That's on the high end of the average, which is a bit strange because the Gram 14 doesn't exactly push the CPU to its limits and I was expecting more here. The Asus ZenBook Duo lasted almost five hours longer and the Dell XPS 13 with its Core i7-1065G7 almost half an hour longer. So Gram 14 did well here, but not great.

The LG Gram 14 will get you through a whole working day and much more.

The switch to the web browser test and the Gram 14 was a bit stronger. It ran for roughly 11.3 hours, which is a strong – but also not class-leading – score that indicates a long-lasting productivity laptop. The ZenBook Duo only lasted 8.5 hours, while the XPS 13 lasted 13 minutes longer. Finally, watch our video loop test looping a local Full HD The Avengers trailer until the battery runs out. Here the Gram 14 lasted 16.6 hours, beating the 11.9 hours of the ZenBook Duo and the 14.5 hours of the XPS 13. You'll find the Gram 14 an excellent laptop for getting Netflix on the road .

Ultimately, I have to rate the Gram 14 as impressive in terms of battery life, all the more so since you don't pay a premium in terms of weight for total battery capacity. The Gram 14 will take you through a full day of work and more, which is all you can ask from such a featherweight machine.

display

If you look at our display database, you can see a remarkably consistent trend. Laptops like the Apple MacBook and the Dell XPS 15 have fantastic displays with brilliant and precise colors, deep contrast and high brightness. Then there are inexpensive displays with faint colors, poor accuracy, and dull panels with less contrast. Right in the middle is the premium average, which is almost exactly where the Gram 14's display drops off.

It's comfortably bright at 320 nits, which exceeds our preference of 300 nits, while its 830: 1 contrast falls below our preferred 1,000: 1 ratio. But that's similar or better than some other laptops like the Lenovo Yoga C930 (we haven't tested the C940 yet) which came in at 294 nits and a contrast of 650: 1. The Dell XPS 13 was much brighter at 377 nits and had a contrast ratio of 1,440: 1.

The display is one of the worst color accuracies we've seen in a while.

In terms of color, the Gram 14 managed 70% AdobeRGB and 95% sRGB. Again, this is roughly average for premium laptops. although the XPS 13 outperforms it with 77% and 97% respectively. Where the Gram 14 falls, the color accuracy is 5.11 (1.0 or less is considered accurate), which means colors can be found everywhere compared to a laptop like the XPS 13, which scored 1.53 were. The Gram 14's score is one of the worst we've seen in a while, and there's no excuse for an expensive laptop like this one.

Still, I enjoyed using the display while writing the review. Black text on a white background popped up in a way that was comfortable for long-term writing, and the only time I noticed the inaccurate colors was when I compared it side by side with another laptop. If you're the creative type who demands a wide gamut and accurate colors, control should be clear. For productivity users and multimedia watchers, however, the Gram 14's laptop is more than good enough.

The sound was clear and pleasant, although the volume was absent. There was little bass, of course, but few laptops outside of Apple's latest MacBook Pros can claim a lot of low-end reactions. Highs and mids were fine, so the speakers were fine for the occasional YouTube and Netflix sessions (in a quiet room), but headphones or bluetooth speakers would still be a boon.

Keyboard and touchpad

The keyboard on the Gram 14 appears to be the same as the previous model, which is generally a good thing. First of all, as mentioned above, it's a nice looking keyboard with a nice, clear, attractive font and effective backlighting. Second, it has a fast mechanism that is good for long writes, although it's a bit shallow for my tastes. Lots of people may agree, so I rate the keyboard very good – not quite on par with the excellent keyboard on the HP Specter x360 13, but not too far off.

The touchpad is average in size and supports Microsoft Precision drivers with solid support for Windows 10 multi-touch gestures. The display is of course touch sensitive, and the included active pen supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and works well with Microsoft inks. Overall, input is a strength.

Windows 10 Hello support without a password is provided by a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button. It works well, quickly and accurately and saves me the hassle of entering a PIN or password.

Our opinion

The LG Gram 14 2-in-1 fulfills its primary goal of being a lightweight 2-in-1 productivity that is particularly easy to transport. Performance is a bit slower than the last version, but it's not unusual – it's still fast enough for the productivity users' goal. Battery life is a strong point, as are the input options.

There is stiff competition out there, however, and some of them are much cheaper than the Gram 14. However, it's tough to beat the LG Gram 14 for the ultimate in portability.

Are there alternatives?

The Lenovo Yoga C940 is a strong competitor to the Gram 14. It is likely faster and more solidly built, with great audio performance and a better keyboard. While the battery life isn't that long, it makes up for it with a price tag that is about $ 300 lower.

You could also cut the price significantly (around under $ 1,000) and consider the HP Envy x360. Thanks to the powerful Ryzen 4000 CPUs from AMD and an overall better build quality, you get significantly faster performance without adding too much weight. However, you are giving up on battery life.

Finally, LG sells a Gram 14 clamshell that's even lighter at 2.2 pounds and the same basic size as the 2-in-1. It's only configured with a Core i5, but if you don't need the speed or the 2-in-1 functionality, you can save 14 cash compared to the 2-in-1 price of 1,600 grams – the clamshell is out now available at $ 950 and $ 1,200 at retail.

How long it will take?

The LG Gram 14 2-in-1 is built well enough that it should last for years. And with the latest components and Thunderbolt3, it's relatively future-proof. As always, we complain about the short one-year guarantee.

Should you buy it?

Yes, but only if you have a super light laptop. When performance or build quality are higher priorities, better laptops and 2-in-1 devices are available.

Editor's recommendations




10 Aug
Blog

2020 Volkswagen ID.3 First Drive: The Four-Wheeled iPhone

2020 volkswagen id3 review firstdrive gallery1

2020 Volkswagen ID.3 first drive: The iCar Apple not built

"The Volkswagen ID.3 is attractive and user-friendly and an electric vehicle that you can live with every day."

  • Smooth, linear drive train

  • Usable electric range

  • Extra spacious interior

After stopping to take a few photos, I briefly loosened the rear wheels while pulling off a dirt road, which was hardly unusual. What surprised me was that this happened behind the wheel of a Volkswagen. The company has largely stayed away from rear-wheel drive vehicles since ceasing production of the iconic rear-engined Beetle. Although the ID.3 opens the next chapter in Volkswagen history, it also picks up where its sought-after ancestor left off.

Before we dive in, let's dispel a myth: No nudging or nudging will convince Volkswagen to sell the ID.3 in the USA. It is clearly not happening. And yet it's worth a closer look, because the technology it introduces will permeate over half a dozen electric cars to come, including a Tiguan-sized crossover called ID.4, which will eventually be built in the US and which has been long awaited Modern bus preview thanks to the ID.Buzz concept.

Start over

Volkswagen developed the ID.3 on a blank board. It's not an electric version of an existing car like the E-Golf was, and it shares almost no parts with other recent additions to the company's range, like the eighth-generation Golf. It's his own thing. It is the beginning of a new adventure for Volkswagen. It is based on a specially developed architecture called MEB, which in its standard configuration has rear-wheel drive. However, all-wheel drive is as simple as adding a second electric motor over the front axle. Volkswagen told me MEB was flexible enough to support anything from a city-friendly hatchback to a family-sized SUV. Limousines, wagons and vans are also planned.

Although recognizable as a member of the Volkswagen family, the ID.3 shares very few stylistic elements with its siblings, and its proportions are anything but anodyne. It's 100 percent electric and wasn't designed for internal combustion engines (not even a range extender), so stylists could extend the wheelbase to almost Passat-like proportions while reducing the overhangs. Its motor is compact enough to fit in a sports bag.

Stylists have put a lot of energy into reducing the visual bulk of the ID.3 with styling cues.

The ID.3 measures 167.8 inches end to end, is 71.2 inches wide, and 61.1 inches tall, meaning it's an inch shorter, about an inch narrower, and four inches taller than the latest Golf. It's a bit higher than expected because the lithium-ion battery that sets the engine in motion is stowed right under the passenger compartment. Silke Bagschik, Head of Marketing and Sales for Electric Cars at Volkswagen, explained that stylists had put a lot of energy into reducing the visual mass of the ID.3 by using stylistic elements like plastic panels on the underside of the doors and a curved panel that clipped from there the base of the windshield extends to the top of the tailgate.

Do these mind tricks work? You tell me.

The ID.3 is a little larger than the average hatchback, but also much more spacious inside. The bottom is a little higher than expected, which in turn is due to the battery underneath. However, it is completely flat and offers a surprising amount of legroom, regardless of whether you are sitting in front or in the back. It offers 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space, space for four or five adults, depending on the configuration, and numerous storage spaces in the cabin. And yes, the pedals are marked with play and pause, just like the ID concept that was unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show and the stunning ID. Buggy concept I drove in sunny California in 2019 The production version of the retro The fabulous ID.Buzz concept, which is expected to appear in 2022, will also receive it.

Ronan Glon

Apple? Is that you?

From the driver's seat, the ID.3 feels like a car that turns everything you can eat at the technology counter and keeps a small piece of heritage for dessert. It's a fascinating paradox. Instead of looking at circular displays, the driver is faced with a 5.3-inch screen that shows everything they need to know while driving (like speed, available range, and navigation instructions) and nothing superfluous. Although the electric motor can spin up to 16,000 rpm, you won't find a tachometer in your line of sight. I like this simple approach, but it's not new. In a way, it reminds me of my 1972 Beetle, which has an equally simple instrument cluster that consists of a single track. It groups an analog speedometer, an odometer, a fuel gauge (which is broken after almost 50 years) and … that's it.

Ronan Glon

There is a 10-inch freestanding touchscreen on the dashboard. It shows off a new infotainment system that looks and feels like a tablet. It is easy to use, the graphics are sharp, it responds quickly to inputs and the menus are arranged logically. Touch-sensitive sliders just below the screen replace the bulky knobs, dials and buttons on the climate system. There's another touch-sensitive slider to adjust the volume of the stereo, as well as additional touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel that control the various driving aids (like adaptive cruise control). Do you notice a pattern? Almost everything in the ID.3 is touchable, with the exception of key systems such as turn signals and windshield wipers, which for security reasons should not be replaced by buttons on a screen.

Touch-sensitive sliders just below the screen replace the bulky knobs, dials and buttons on the climate system.

Volkswagen kept conventional power window switches, but instead of four, only two are embedded in the door panel on the driver's side. Opening or closing the rear windows from the driver's seat requires pressing a backlit button that – you guessed it – is touch sensitive to activate it and using the same two switches that control the front windows. By tapping again, the rear windows are disengaged and the front windows are supplied with power again.

Ronan Glon

From the driver's seat, the ID.3 feels like a giant iPhone before you even move. I know this is an overused cliché, but I've never seen a vehicle that embodies it so accurately. It has been a few years since we heard about Apple's auto project. The ID.3's blend of simple, clean design and user-friendly technology makes it the closest thing ever to mass production to the long-rumored iCar.

Always gentle

One of the few buttons in the cab is on the right side of the steering column. It is used to wake up the electric motor. Volkswagen told me that it didn't need to add this feature, its engineers could easily have programmed the car to wake up on its own by recognizing its key fob, but decided to add it at the last minute because it noticed some Owners Did That Switching from gasoline to electricity will appreciate a dose of familiarity in an otherwise unfamiliar setting. Driving down is as easy as pressing the brake pedal – I mean pressing the pause pedal – and turning a small lever next to the instrument cluster to shift into gear.

At the time of writing, buyers have three lithium-ion battery packs to choose from: 48, 62 and 82 kilowatt hours. These numbers correspond to a maximum range of 205, 260 and 340 miles. Note, however, that these numbers were obtained for the WLTP test cycle used in Europe, which for electric vehicles brazenly relies on the optimistic side of the scale. Regardless of which battery you sit on, it routes the stored power to a rear engine that has 204 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of instant torque. Electric cars are heavier than comparable gasoline-powered models, and the 3,790-pound ID.3 is no exception. The time from zero to 100 km / h is 9.2 or 7.3 seconds, depending on how it is configured. It's not fast, but it's brisk.

Sleek and nimble, the ID.3 is a true city dweller who loves to jump from light to light in crowded cities.

Sleek and nimble, the ID.3 is a true city dweller who loves to jump from light to light in crowded cities. The design forces viewers to pause while eating, stare for a few seconds, and wonder if they should report a UFO sighting. The best part about driving this car in an urban center is not interrupting meals. It's the dazzlingly tight turning radius that makes maneuvering to or from a parking lot a breeze. Volkswagen said it had succeeded in teaching the ID.3 to turn on a cent because there is no engine between the front wheels. It is therefore believed that the other members of the ID family with rear-wheel drive offer motorists the ability to do a three-point turn at a time.

It is pleasant to drive on the winding back roads of Germany, where the relatively aggressive energy recovery system – when operated with the same lever that shifts the gear – allows driving with a pedal. For example, instead of braking when entering a city, you can simply take your foot off the accelerator and let the ID.3 slow down while the motor gains kinetic energy and feeds it back to the battery. Alternatively, the adaptive cruise control analyzes the navigation data and automatically slows the hatchback if it determines that the speed limit is about to change. The instrument cluster displays a message to let the driver know what's going on. When you're traveling at 100 km / h, it will flash “70 ahead” before slowing down so you won't be surprised when the car makes decisions for you.

Ronan Glon

Don't let the datasheet fool you. The ID.3 has a rear-engine and rear-wheel drive, but doesn't feel like a Porsche 911 or the current-generation Renault Twingo that is popular on this side of the pond. The heaviest part of the car is the battery, which takes up most of the space between the axles, making the ID.3 … feel preloaded from below. Its center of gravity is lower than that of a golf, so it is firmly planted on the road. If you're looking for a comprehensive performance, you'll have to wait patiently for Volkswagen to bring out a line of GTX-badged electric cars. It's too early to say if the ID.3 will be part of the range, though it does well for a sportier chassis setup.

Instead, the ID.3 is best enjoyed when driven calmly and relaxed. It provides linear acceleration, in part because the engine turns the rear wheels through a fixed-ratio gearbox that never shifts. The steering is well weighted without much feedback and the ride is pretty firm but not punishing. And the ID.3 is incredibly quiet as soon as the warning signal for pedestrians over 19 km / h switches off. The only noise in the cabin comes from the wind and tires, but neither is excessive or annoying – and both are inevitable regardless of what drives a car.

The ID.3 is incredibly quiet as soon as the pedestrian warning tone switches off above 19 km / h.

With my cell phone and an app called Sound Meter, I recorded around 68 decibels in the ID.3's cabin while driving at 75 miles per hour on an empty German autobahn. There were no other cars around; It was just the battery-powered Volkswagen and me. Of course the windows were closed and the stereo was turned off. Admittedly, this is hardly a scientific measurement, and I will never present myself as a car interior noisologist. So take this reading with a grain of salt. The declared app 68 decibels corresponds to a normal conversation. For context, it was found that a rating of 20 decibels is as quiet as a mosquito and 40 decibels is equivalent to the noise level in a library. And do you remember the 1972 Beetle I mentioned earlier? The air-cooled quadruple engine belts off about 82 decibels when I start it up after sitting for a few days.

The ID.3's user interface remains intuitive, although I wish Volkswagen had built in a volume control instead of a slider – I like these better when they're edible, preferably stuffed with beef and cheddar. This is not the most accurate method of turning the stereo up or down. And the two-step buttons on the multifunction steering wheel are extremely sensitive, although I imagine it's a habit to apply the right amount of pressure when you're behind the wheel for several days. Volkswagen informed me that the cool augmented reality head-up display announced in 2019 has been delayed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has forced it to neutralize its global operations. The function will be transferred to the ID.3 ordered with it via a wireless software update before the end of 2020.

My time behind the wheel of the ID.3 was too short to measure the range accurately. However, it is important to remember how far you can get to charge a charge last. This will depend on a variety of factors including your driving style and manner of driving, wearing and the road conditions. Volkswagen emphasized that the 77 kilowatt hour battery is compatible with the 125 kilowatt fast charging technology. The two smaller packs have an output of 100 kilowatts.

Our opinion

With the ID.3, Volkswagen is proving that it is serious about bringing electric vehicles into the mainstream. It is a car that represents a holistic, informed, and engineering-led effort to make battery-powered technology attractive, usable, and relatively affordable for as many drivers as possible. Mainstream is the key word here. Volkswagen pointed out that it is a volume-oriented manufacturer. The decision not to sell the ID.3 in the US, where hatchbacks are housed in a shrinking niche, makes perfect business and marketing sense. Simply put, nobody would buy it. That's why the standard Golf isn't returning and Honda is keeping the E off our shores.

Electrical engineering is still not cheap, even if it is a production car. Therefore, the ID.3 is considerably more expensive than a comparable petrol-powered hatchback. In Germany, its home market, it has a base price of 35,574 euros (about $ 42,000) before taking into account the various available incentives. To put this number in perspective, the Golf starts at 19,880 euros (approx. 23,500 US dollars) and an entry level The Audi A4 costs 33,240 euros. However, if you are willing to pay the price, when you have decided that an electric car will suit your lifestyle, and if you live in a market where the ID.3 will be available, this is an excellent choice that may be can be the only car in your garage.

Americans don't have to apply, even if they ask nicely, but everything I liked about the ID.3 (including the smooth drivetrain and easy-to-use technology) will arrive on our shores in a bigger, bigger package called ID.4 That is due it will be in the same emerging segment as the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Nissan Ariya, and the Tesla Model Y, among others. It will be full. let the games begin.

Editor's recommendations




10 Aug
Blog

PuroPro Review: Save Your Hearing While Savoring The Sound

PuroPro headphones

"Crank & # 39; em to 11. With the built-in volume limiter, your ears will thank you."

  • Very convenient

  • Very good sound quality

  • Healthy volume limitation

  • Good battery life

  • Mediocre ANC

  • No multi-device pairing

  • No fast charging

What do you look for when buying new wireless headphones?

Good sound? Obviously. Long battery life? Yes, please. Active noise cancellation (ANC)? Yes of course. I mean it's 2020 isn't it? What about hearing protection?

Say what?

Exactly.

Puro Sound Labs has focused on one idea since its inception: Preventing Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) by developing headphones that automatically limit their maximum volume to safe levels.

The company rightly received props for its kid-friendly Puro headphones, but now it's targeting an entirely different market: those looking for a high-performance set of ANC wireless headphones.

Can his $ 200 PuroPro deliver all the bells and whistles we're used to while taking care of our overworked ears? Let's find out.

What's in the box?

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PuroPro headphones "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn5.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/puropro-00021-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: // www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Before we discuss what is in the box, let's take a moment and appreciate the box itself. I am going to assume that it is balsa wood, that it is incredibly light, and that it easily deals with the question of what with What to do with the packaging of the headphones is: just use it as you wish.

It looks pretty good, and while it obviously doesn't require much abuse, it could be a handy place to store charging cables, pen drives, or any number of other digital accessories that have taken over our lives.

In this box you will find the PuroPro in its hard-shell carrying case as well as a micro-USB charging cable and an analogue cable for volume limitation. Apart from the cardboard sleeve with which the wooden box is wrapped, the PuroPro does not contain any materials that have to be disposed of or recycled.

design

One look at the PuroPro and you will know exactly what inspired its design. They are a real eye-catcher for the wireless headphones WH-1000XM4 from Sony. That's not a bad thing. If you want to copy someone, you can copy the best too.

The resemblance goes deeper than the looks, although they are clad in matte black plastic, they really look very similar. The sleek, pivoting ear cups are held in place with forks that blend seamlessly with the headband. These can be rotated a full 45 degrees so that the ear cups lie flat around the neck and can be folded up on the integrated hinges for easier storage.

The ear pads are very plush and super comfortable. But because they're so well padded, there's a fair bit of leeway. Move too fast and you can feel the PuroPro shifting on your head. Those with larger heads may not notice this as much, but my noggin was already on the smallest headband setting so people with smaller heads might find it problematic.

As long as you don't plan on using them for jogging, I wouldn't worry about that. I certainly wouldn't forego an ounce of their impressive comfort for more stability.

The fork vertebrae move with virtually no resistance, and while that sounds good, it reminds me of mechanisms on cheaper models – it's the only thing that detracts from an otherwise high-quality design.

Battery life

PuroPro headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

After 32 hours of claimed battery life with the ANC turned off and 28 hours with the ANC turned on, the PuroPro are spot on with some of the best wireless ANC headphones. It's roughly the same as the Sony WH-1000XM3 or XM4 and much better than the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700, which only lasted 20 hours.

There is no quick charge option that virtually all headphones have these days.

It takes a long time to fully charge, but strangely enough, there is no quick charge option that virtually all headphones have these days.

The charging process takes place via a micro USB connection. Depending on your smartphone, you may need to carry two cables with you when you travel.

Control and ease of use

PuroPro headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

You will not find any fancy touch controls on the PuroPro. Instead, you get a simple and easy-to-use set of physical buttons on the bottom of the right ear cup.

It's a pretty typical arrangement: a rocker button is used to change the volume and track skipping functions, while the power button acts as a multifunctional control for power, play / pause, answer / end calls, access to voice assistants and Putting on the headphones is used in the Bluetooth pairing mode.

With a third button you can switch through the three ANC modes (two ANC levels plus one off mode).

Once you remember the keystroke sequences, using the controls becomes effortless.

At just $ 200, the PuroPro can't be expected to have all of the features that more expensive headphones have, but I wish it had two: a wear sensor that some wireless headphones use to automatically pause music when you remove them from your ear and Bluetooth Multipoint, which means you can pair the headphones with two devices such as a phone and a computer at the same time.

Sound quality

PuroPro headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Although these are headphones that intentionally limit the volume, the PuroPro makes an admirable contribution to maintaining sound quality.

Their EQ is remarkably neutral and mostly avoids playing favorites with low, medium or high frequencies. The bass is clear but never overwhelming, and both vocals and instruments have a chance to shine.

There's both warmth and definition, and although the PuroPro doesn't place individual sounds around you with great precision, the soundstage itself is still comfortably wide.

Their EQ is remarkably neutral and mostly avoids playing favorites with low, medium or high frequencies.

In order to hear the PuroPro at its best, you must activate the ANC function at least on level 1. Without the ANC switched on, low-end sounds suddenly lose their power and the mids and highs turn up uncomfortably. This has the effect of overemphasizing the singing, most noticeable in male tenor singers. On The Doors & # 39; deeply haunted Riders On The Storm, Jim Morrison's voice is more sharp than smoky.

Fortunately, this bizarre ANC requirement doesn't affect the PuroPro's analog wired performance – you get all of the sound quality even when these are turned off.

Volume limit

Not only are the PuroPro really decent wireless headphones, but their main attraction is the volume limiter too.

If you're using the headphones wirelessly, you can choose between the default 85dB maximum volume or switch to the more liberal 95dB by pressing and holding the volume buttons for three seconds. If you use the supplied analog cable for wired listening, the volume is limited to 85 dB.

Overall, the ANC function does not do justice to the term "noise suppression" – it is more similar to noise reduction.

You can always work around these limitations by using your own headphone cable. However, I strongly recommend adhering to them. If you are used to being free to rule your volume, there is a good chance you will exceed 85 dB. I don't see myself as someone who routinely turn up the volume, but I was still surprised when I hit the 85dB max – it's quieter than I expected.

I think that's a good thing – it means the PuroPro gives me the opportunity to revert my listening habits to healthier levels. According to Puro Sound Labs, 85 dB is the maximum safe sound level recommended by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) and allows for up to 8 hours of safe hearing.

Noise cancellation

Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

As I said before, turning on the ANC on the PuroPro while wirelessly listening is a must if you want decent sound. Overall, however, the ANC function does not do justice to the term "noise suppression" – it is more similar to noise reduction.

According to Puro Sound Labs, level 1 of the ANC offers 32dB of deep noise reduction, while level 2 offers more general 15dB of noise reduction.

Level 1 was able to reduce the noise of a nearby bathroom fan, but not by an amount that made it fade into the background. Level 2 sounded identical to me.

And while ANC performance is mediocre, neither Level 1 nor Level 2 introduce unwanted noise – a characteristic of poorly executed ANC – so at least your music quality won't be affected, even if you can't eliminate as much external sounds as possible you would like .

In contrast to some headphones with ANC, the PuroPro does not have an ambient mode for introducing external sounds.

Call quality

Call quality on the PuroPro tended to vary widely and it was difficult to get a consistent result. Walking on a street with the occasional car passing turned out to be easy for the headphones, and my caller sometimes didn't even notice the vehicles passing by. Then, as I sat in a very quiet room in a garden, my caller noticed a decrease in call quality, with the microphones apparently picking up noises that I wasn't aware of.

I wouldn't rate this performance as abnormally poor, but like many wireless headphones, call quality isn't one of PuroPro's strong points.

Our opinion

While not spectacular for noise cancellation, the PuroPro are comfortable wireless headphones with good sound quality and a unique volume limiting feature that is designed to protect your hearing from the long-term damage that can be caused by exposure to loud music.

Is there a better alternative?

The volume limit can be found on several models of children's headphones, including those made by Puro Sound Labs. However, the PuroPro are the only model I've seen that is aimed at adults. As such, they are in a class of their own. But if this feature isn't strictly necessary, check out our list of the best wireless headphones for some great alternatives.

How long will they last?

The PuroPro comes with a one-year warranty from Puro Sound Labs. Their overall build quality is good, as are the materials. You can expect them to last as long as most products in this category if you take care of them.

Should you buy it?

Yes, but only if volume limiting is a must.

Editor's recommendations




10 Aug
Blog

Spiderman Push-Ups: One Bodyweight Exercise to Rule Them All

Pushups are the gold standard in bodyweight training and at home. In fact, they probably deserve to be the first exercise from toddler to senior. They don't require any special skills or genetic predispositions at any level, they are adaptable to almost any situation, and they never let you down, get easier, or cease to be useful.

My grandfather, a veteran, would get up every morning until he died at the age of 94 and hit 20 pushups before we did anything else. No excuses. Do push-ups.

Increase your push up game

The Spiderman push-up is a variant that not only gets you out of the rut if a push-up bores you or doesn't give you the sense of achievement you long for, but also offers a full-body workout that hits a trifecta of strength, endurance and Agility in a movement that is difficult to control.

There are a few things that you need to be aware of before jumping into this move:

  1. They effectively hold a perfect plank position, top and bottom handles, throughout the position. That means whether you are in the up or down position of the push-up, you are maintaining a straight line from head to butt, you are not dropping your pelvis so it looks like you are about to hump the floor and you will feel tension through the length of your body. Just remember to avoid straining your lower back
  2. Your elbows don't try to escape and stay in place by your side throughout the movement. This is exactly what they try to do when you feel tired or lack the flexibility to get your knees in the right position. You want to feel the power build up through your arms and upper body, and then conquer those elbows
  3. You will open your hips at one point, meaning that you have an antagonistic interaction that is taking place between the tension in your body and the loose movement of your leg that opens up as your knees move towards your elbow. You want your lower body to be included, not left out. Therefore, when you raise your knees, focus on the shape and strength of your legs
  4. You need to think of this exercise as both unilateral and bilateral as it goes both ways. So try to feel the shifts in movement and tension through your body and react to the forces that are at play. You want to create variations that change the needs of this exercise and then you want to know the flow of movements

With that in mind, the instructions in this video are straightforward. As I said earlier, this is not a complicated exercise, but when you think about the technique and form requirements, there are many challenges you have to overcome to complete them.

When you're ready, you can make a pretty strong case for building a full, high-intensity workout around the Spiderman push-up. Change the pace to controlled, slower movements and you'll create constant tension in your muscles to emphasize more strength.

Increase the pace while maintaining strict form and you should be able to create a strenuous full body HIIT workout. Do it casually, including to warm up, and you could get all of your joints moving and feel like you open up a little.

Just keep that strong line that runs through your torso so that you don't twist or collapse at any point. Otherwise, adjust the rep scheme, your rest time between sets, or whatever so you don't blow away unnecessarily.

The key to bodyweight exercises (especially pushups) is how you can sit in the driver's seat and do them the way you want.

The Spiderman push-up is pretty good at giving you feedback on your entire body, and it can probably teach you a little more about yourself and your weaknesses and strengths.

09 Aug
Blog

Spiderman Push-Ups: One Bodyweight Exercise to Rule Them All

Pushups are the gold standard in bodyweight training and at home. In fact, they probably deserve to be the first exercise from toddler to senior. They don't require any special skills or genetic predispositions at any level, they are adaptable to almost any situation, and they never let you down, get easier, or cease to be useful.

My grandfather, a veteran, would get up every morning until he died at the age of 94 and hit 20 pushups before we did anything else. No excuses. Do push-ups.

Increase your push up game

The Spiderman push-up is a variant that not only gets you out of the rut if a push-up bores you or doesn't give you the sense of achievement you long for, but also offers a full-body workout that hits a trifecta of strength, endurance and Agility in a movement that is difficult to control.

There are a few things that you need to be aware of before jumping into this move:

  1. They effectively hold a perfect plank position, top and bottom handles, throughout the position. That means whether you are in the up or down position of the push-up, you are maintaining a straight line from head to butt, you are not dropping your pelvis so it looks like you are about to hump the floor and you will feel tension through the length of your body. Just remember to avoid straining your lower back
  2. Your elbows don't try to escape and stay in place by your side throughout the movement. This is exactly what they try to do when you feel tired or lack the flexibility to get your knees in the right position. You want to feel the power build up through your arms and upper body, and then conquer those elbows
  3. You will open your hips at one point, meaning that you have an antagonistic interaction that is taking place between the tension in your body and the loose movement of your leg that opens up as your knees move towards your elbow. You want your lower body to be included, not left out. Therefore, when you raise your knees, focus on the shape and strength of your legs
  4. You need to think of this exercise as both unilateral and bilateral as it goes both ways. So try to feel the shifts in movement and tension through your body and react to the forces that are at play. You want to create variations that change the needs of this exercise and then you want to know the flow of movements

With that in mind, the instructions in this video are straightforward. As I said earlier, this is not a complicated exercise, but when you think about the technique and form requirements, there are many challenges you have to overcome to complete them.

When you're ready, you can make a pretty strong case for building a full, high-intensity workout around the Spiderman push-up. Change the pace to controlled, slower movements and you'll create constant tension in your muscles to emphasize more strength.

Increase the pace while maintaining strict form and you should be able to create a strenuous full body HIIT workout. Do it casually, including to warm up, and you could get all of your joints moving and feel like you open up a little.

Just keep that strong line that runs through your torso so that you don't twist or collapse at any point. Otherwise, adjust the rep scheme, your rest time between sets, or whatever so you don't blow away unnecessarily.

The key to bodyweight exercises (especially pushups) is how you can sit in the driver's seat and do them the way you want.

The Spiderman push-up is pretty good at giving you feedback on your entire body, and it can probably teach you a little more about yourself and your weaknesses and strengths.

09 Aug
Blog

Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) Review: Light on Upgrades

Bell video doorbell 2nd generation 2020 rating 2 and post person

Ring video doorbell 2nd gen.

"The cheapest ring is not a revelation, but its price is."

  • Inexpensive

  • Great app experience

  • Privacy Zone censors certain areas

  • easy installation

  • No replaceable battery

  • Glitchy video and audio

Several video doorbells have gone through since the original was released in 2013. There were Elite, Pro, Ring Video Doorbell 2, Ring Video Doorbell 3, and Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus. After all that, the company returned to the original with the Ring video doorbell 2nd gen. ($ 100).

How does it differ from all of its cousins? It's $ 100 price tag. It's by far the cheapest bells launched this year – Bells 3 and 3 Plus for Ring Video cost $ 200 and $ 230, respectively. That's a big difference. Is it worthy of the premium brand Ring? I tried the 2nd generation to see how it stood out from the competition and the other ring doorbells.

Ring Video Doorbell Gen 2 and Post Personring

installation

Like the other Ring Video Doorbells, Generation 2 is very easy to install. The instructions in the app will guide you through everything step by step. The kit even includes a level, screwdriver, and drill bit in case you need a drill bit. All you have to do is attach the mounting plate to the wall or door frame with a couple of screws, click the doorbell onto the plate, and then secure everything with two more screws. The wireless installation takes about 30 minutes in total. If you're replacing another wired doorbell, the installation won't take much longer because it connects to the cables you already have. However, if you want it to be wired but don't currently have a wired doorbell, you will need to get a professional to do the installation.

Still not an easy way to top up

Ring Video Doorbell Gen 2 BackAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

The very first thing I noticed is how difficult it is to charge this new model. The other new video doorbells in the Ring range have a detachable faceplate that allows you to remove the battery to recharge. The Ring Video Doorbell (2nd generation) does not have a removable battery. The entire doorbell must be completely removed from the mounting plate as the charging port is on the back of the doorbell. This is the same method as the first generation Ring Video Doorbell. That means you have to loosen two security screws to be able to recharge the doorbell. What a pain! While the doorbell is charging, instead of a doorbell, you have an ugly mounting plate next to your door.

Other than having to unplug the doorbell from the front panel and load it in, the battery isn't that bad. Like the other ring doorbells, it should only need to be charged every few months. Overall, it consumes around 1% of its battery life every day.

Video

The Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation) has a 1080p HD camera, just like the Ring Doorbell 2, the Ring Doorbell 3 and the Ring Doorbell 3 Plus. It's leaps and bounds better than the 1st generation with a 720p HD camera, however. What's even more surprising is that this 2nd generation model has higher color saturation and better contrast, possibly a little too much contrast, despite the same video specifications as the 3 Plus.

The curvature of the fish shell around the edges of the video seems a little less obvious.

Also, the curvature of the fish shell seems a little less obvious around the edges of the video. As I've said in other doorbell reviews, curvature distortion is an issue that should have been resolved by now. Among other things, the Arlo Video doorbell figured out how to create a doorbell without distorting the edges. Why is Ring sleeping on this upgrade?

Ring Video Doorbell Gen 2 VideoAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

The 2nd generation has night vision just like their brand friends. It's similar to other night vision doorbells, but far from amazing. The contrast is good and faces are pretty recognizable. When it is really dark outside, the camera switches to black and white footage. As long as the lights on your porch are on, they will still be recorded in color.

The video is corrupted if the person moves in front of the camera. It corrects itself in a few seconds, but is still annoying. You would think that this is due to the fact that it only has 2.0GHz Wi-Fi connectivity. Not so. The other ringtones also have this problem even when using a 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi connection.

The field of view (how much area the camera can "see") is somewhat narrower than with other doorbell doors. The Ring Video doorbell (2nd generation) has a field of view of 155 degrees, while the 3 Plus is a little wider 160 degrees. Frankly, this didn't seem to make much of a difference when comparing footage side by side. The original model has a 180 degree field of view so I'm a little confused. You would expect Gen 2 to be an upgrade, not a downgrade.

Ring Video Doorbell Gen 2 VideoAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

While you can watch live videos for free, you will need a subscription to save your videos. The ring protection plan allows you to review and share videos and photos for up to 60 days. It costs just $ 3 per month per device or $ 10 per month for your entire household. So it's not particularly expensive. It's similar to other plans like Nest Aware for Google's Nest Hello, but other companies like August offer free video storage for their doorbells.

Audio

Ring video doorbell 2nd generation on the doorAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

Two-way audio is a feature found throughout the Ring line of video doorbells. You can talk to anyone at your door without opening it or even being home. The noise-canceling technology really helps to attenuate ambient noise so you can hear the person speaking clearly. The sound is also very loud. The only problem is with the microphone and speaker turning on and off so the sound is a bit choppy on either side of the conversation.

properties

The Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation) has most of the same functionality as any other Ring Doorbell, mainly because they all use the same app. One thing that isn't there is the pre-roll option, which allows the camera to record a four-second preview video in front of a motion alarm, which is exclusive to the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus. It's helpful when you need more footage, such as identifying someone on a video, but it's not a huge loss.

Many Ring competitors use artificial intelligence to detect and warn you when a package is on your porch. However, Ring does not offer it for a single model. Maybe I'm just overestimating what a great feature this is. I think it's pretty helpful, but Ring maybe not. It's artificial intelligence that can tell the difference between people, animals, or cars so that motion notifications are more accurate.

Ring Video Doorbell Gen 2 with 3 PlusRing Video Doorbell Gen 2 next to the 3 Plus Alina Bradford / Digital Trends

To save battery power and reduce constant notifications, there are several ways you can customize the camera's motion detection. The motion detection area can be adjusted so that it only detects movement on your porch or as far as the sidewalk. You can also adjust the sensitivity of the motion detection. If you don't want any notifications at all, you can turn off motion alarms for 30 minutes to four hours.

There is a privacy zone option that literally blocks part of the yard in the video.

If you have a part of your yard that you don't want the camera to see, there is a privacy zone that literally blocks that part of the yard in the video via a black box. Think of it as your own censorship bar. This can be helpful if you don't want the camera to record your children's play or pool areas if you are concerned that the footage is being hacked.

I say this a lot in my reviews but I will say it again. I love the Ring app. It's not buggy and easy to use. Even better, you'll get live crime and security alerts reported by your neighbors or local law enforcement, as well as weekly security reports. This is the only doorbell app that has it all. In fact, the app is one of Ring's biggest selling points.

Ring App

Our opinion

It really seems like Ring is just producing video doorbells without much innovation. The Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation) is almost indistinguishable from the other new video doorbells except that it does not have a removable battery or 5.0 GHz WiFi connectivity option and has a slightly narrower field of view. The special thing is the price. The Ring Video Doorbell 3 is $ 200, while this 2nd generation model is $ 100. That's a great incentive.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want a ring video doorbell, this is your best bet for the price. The Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus has an additional pre-roll option and a replaceable battery. However, it's not worth paying an extra $ 135. A better option might be the Ring Video Doorbell 3, which brings the cost down to $ 200 and has the same features and specifications as the 3 Plus except for the pre-roll feature.

For better video quality, I would recommend the Arlo Video Doorbell or another option on our list of the best video doorbells. That said, Ring has the best app out there, and if you have other Ring products I definitely recommend the Gen 2.

How long it will take?

Since this doorbell is a solid piece with no removable faceplate, it may seem more durable than other ring doorbells. It comes with a one year limited warranty. If it is stolen, Ring will replace it for free.

Should you buy it

Yes. It's actually a decent doorbell for the price. You also get the great Ring app.

Editor's recommendations




09 Aug
Blog

Build A Strong Back Without a Gym

My first introduction to strength training was in my sophomore year. Every day after my last class, I made my way to the gym and got ready to let off steam. Going to the gym was part of my daily routine – a routine I still follow provided there is less bicep curls.

Now things are different and most, if not all, gyms are closed for the time being. So what are you doing? The possibilities are endless thanks to social media for #athomeworkouts by talented trainers.

Here are some of my favorites:

You don't need fancy setup or equipment to build incredible strength. Since you may not have access to a chin-up bar or free weights, I wanted to share some of my favorite body weight exercises for developing a strong rear chain.

Rocking cues

  • Initiate the movement through the shoulder blades.

  • Keep your arms locked and push through your arms the entire time.

  • Put something soft under your knees to help with discomfort.

Increased rocking cues

  • Raise your knees.

  • Initiate the movement through the shoulder blades.

  • Keep your arms locked and push them through.

  • Move with control all the time.

Baby crawl cues

  • Move with contralateral motion. (The right arm moves with the left leg.)

  • Look straight ahead and keep your back long.

  • Initiate movement through the shoulder blades

Leopard crawl cues

  • Raise your knees

  • Move with contralateral motion. (The right arm moves with the left leg.)

  • Look straight ahead and avoid rounding your lower back.

  • Initiate movement through the shoulder blades

Hollow crawl cues

  • Push yourself off the floor and tuck your tailbone in while focusing on squeezing your shoulders.

  • Move with contralateral motion (the right arm moves with the left leg).

  • Initiate movement through the shoulder blades

  • For added challenge, try balancing with two limbs off the floor

Forearm planks notices

  • Place your forearms on the floor with your shoulders stacked above your elbows.

  • Activate your glutes by squeezing your legs together.

  • Push away from the floor as you pull your shoulder blades into your back pocket.

Keywords

  • Put a pusher or towel under your feet.

  • Place your forearms on the floor with your shoulders stacked above your elbows.

  • Activate your glutes by squeezing your legs together.

  • Push away from the floor as you pull your shoulder blades into your back pocket.

Notes on windshield wipers

  • Keep your shoulder blades in contact with the ground at all times.

  • Squeeze your ankles and knees together throughout your range of motion.

  • As your lower body moves to the right, fold your right palm up. Repeat the process to the left.

Tabletop rock cues

  • Slide through your arms and lift your chest.

  • Drive your hips towards the ceiling.

  • Push through your arms to shift your weight forward.

  • Pull your shoulder blades down to return to your starting position.

3-point bridge information

  • Slide through your arms and lift your chest.

  • Drive your hips towards the ceiling.

  • Bend one arm and glue it to your ribs.

  • Shift your weight back over the support arm.

  • When you feel stable, you can stretch your curved arm over your head.

Bridge pushup cues

  • Keep your feet hip-width apart.

  • As you slide onto the bridge, focus on relaxing the glutes and activating the quadriceps.

  • Slide through your arms and raise your chest.

  • As you push through the quadriceps, you are shifting your weight back into your arms.

Sets and repetitions

You can customize any of these exercises to suit your training needs. I'm a big fan of following timed sets rather than aiming for a specific number of reps. Timed work allows me to focus on the quality of every move while keeping every session short and sweet.

Sample session

Preparation: 5 minutes

Exercise: 5 minutes

Leopard crawl

  • Practice moving with control and take as many breaks as necessary during the 5 minutes.
  • Focus on the quality of the movement over the quantity.

to press: 30 seconds per exercise with a 30 second break after the exercise

goal:: 5 rounds

Think: How did your session go? Were there any moves that challenged you? What is a positive aspect of your training session today?

Try one of these movements on your next workout and reap the benefits of a strong back.

09 Aug
Blog

Sony X950H 4K HDR TV Review: Seriously Satisfying TV

"Excellent picture quality that is completely satisfactory."

  • Very bright

  • Impressive black levels

  • Movement handling of the highest quality

  • Excellent out-of-box color

  • No support for variable update rates

  • Unstable table stand

You might not need a TV as great as the Sony X950H, but if you see one in person, I'm willing to bet you'll want it.

To be honest, if you're interested in a Sony TV with great picture quality and player-friendly features, the Sony X900H, which sits right below the X950H we reviewed here, is a better choice. However, if you are one of those who only needs the best picture quality from an LED TV, the X950H is for you. If you want the best picture quality Sony is making this year – and indeed one of the best TVs to buy in 2020 – you should consider the Sony A8H OLED TV.

For perspective, the X950H is available in 49, 55, 65, 75, and 85-inch versions for $ 998, 1198, 1698, 2798, and $ 3,998, respectively (non-sale price). The X900H is available in 55-, 65-, 75-, and 85-inch variants priced at $ 998, $ 1298, $ 2198, and $ 2798, respectively. That translates to a $ 400 premium for the 65-inch X950H over the X900H.

For those who don't know, I'm a non-apologetic fan of Sony's best TVs. The reason: image processing. Sony's stated goal of making the Creator's intention come true is certainly a line of marketing, but this is something the company has succeeded in doing through a vision chip that takes an LED TV panel off the shelf every business Can buy and convert into a work of art.

To be clear, I understand that this type of accuracy is not a priority for many buyers, and it is true that there are many cheaper TVs out there that would be a more practical choice for most people. The X950H is certainly a niche TV, and Sony makes no apologies for it. Is it right for you Let's find out.

Out of the box

Prepare for a rather complicated unboxing experience. A lot of plastic adheres to the X950H, presumably to protect its beautiful, shiny design accents. There's also a ton of paper in the form of product manuals and setup guides that I usually want to throw in the trash.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

In that case, you may want to stick with the installation instructions when you stand mount the TV – or just watch my X950H unboxing video – as installing the TVs … is less than intuitive. On the plus side, there are two ways to align your feet. One places feet on the far ends of the TV, the other points inward for a tighter footprint (but it looks goofy).

Once the TV is set up, you'll likely admire its form factor. The X950H doesn't have a particularly thin profile due to its local full array dimming backlight system, but its bezels are almost non-existent. Sure, there's still a black panel in your room, but it's a classy one.

Sure, there's still a black panel in your room, but it's a classy one.

Depending on the lighting in your room, you may find that the TV's screen creates a kind of rainbow effect when it is turned off or when dark content is displayed in a bright room. I believe this is due to a combination of anti-glare treatment and a panel layer that improves the image quality out of the angle. I've seen this on other TVs, and while I didn't find it a problem during most of my testing period, I was a little apprehensive while trying to watch Netflix's notoriously dark Ozark when sunlight fell into the room. I saw less of myself and the room, but I also saw a hazy rainbow.

configuration

Studies have shown that most people do not make any adjustments to picture settings when they bring their TVs home. If you don't, please know that the X950H's out-of-the-box “standard” image preset is one of the least disgusting I've seen from any manufacturer.

If you buy that particular TV, I'd bet you want the best picture quality possible. To do this, I would recommend starting with the "custom" mode, which has the best color accuracy in box. The custom mode may be a little dark. So you can adjust the backlight setting to get the brightness level you want. Otherwise you don't have to touch anything else.

sony x950h 4k hdr tv review sonyx950h 200807 9Dan Baker / Digital Trends

sony x950h 4k hdr tv review sonyx950h 200807 5thDan Baker / Digital Trends

sony x950h 4k hdr tv review sonyx950h 200807 8Dan Baker / Digital Trends

sony x950h 4k hdr tv review sonyx950h 200807 7Dan Baker / Digital Trends

This works for SDR content, but you also want to choose the HDR picture preset that you like best for both HDR10 and Dolby Vision content. I suggest going to the YouTube app, looking for 4K HDR content, and playing one of the clips shown. Go into the picture settings and choose the HDR picture mode that you like the most.

For Dolby Vision adjustments, I recommend playing a Dolby Vision-enabled clip from Netflix. Go back into the picture settings and choose the Dolby Vision preset (light or dark) that you like best.

An additional note for the setup: Sony offers a "light sensor" option, with which not only the brightness of the X950H, but also its gamma curve is automatically adjusted to the lighting situation in your room. I find the feature to work very well, but it will also darken the picture in dark rooms. So if you prefer the most punchy HDR experience you can get, this feature should be turned off.

sound

I don't often talk about the sound quality of a TV as it is almost always poor and in dire need of at least a soundbar for something other than watching the news. With the X950H, however, it's worth discussing.

Two additional speakers offer impressive tricks.

Sony's sound strategy with the X950H was to place small speakers on each side of the TV that sit just below the top to give the sound a sense of directionality and spaciousness. These two additional speakers work with the two downward facing speakers on the bottom of the TV and do some impressive tricks. While I wouldn't call the sound high-fidelity, I'll say that the sound is way better than most TVs and action-packed movies that add some immersion.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Still, I would suggest developing a better sound system for an experience that sounds as good as it looks.

picture quality

If you've spent a lot of time reading TV reviews lately, you've probably heard a lot about zones and nits. Zones refers to the number of local dimming zones a television's backlight system needs to control black levels and improve contrast. Usually more zones are better.

Nits refers to the measurement of the peak brightness a television is capable of, and as you can probably imagine, is more broadly considered to be better.

Sony breaks both rules. Please allow me to spit out for a moment. Skip the next two paragraphs if you want the end result.

Sony doesn't discuss how many zones its TVs have, nor does it like to talk about peak brightness measurements, claiming in either case that the numbers don't necessarily represent performance. I agree to some extent, but for a grin, I measured the X950H's peak brightness in custom picture mode at around 980 nits (with a 10 nits variance in either direction). For those who didn't know their nits from their gloves, that's a very respectable number.

I didn't count zones because I don't care and it's difficult to work with a Sony TV. Sony has some backlighting magic and is really the only TV manufacturer I know that manages to make the number of zones almost irrelevant. The fact that it is difficult to count the backlight zones in the X950H is evidence of this fact.

The bottom line is that the X950H is more than bright enough to provide a great HDR experience.

The bottom line is that the X950H is more than bright enough to deliver a great HDR experience while maintaining great black levels without suppressing details in low light. The backlight controls are very good, which means that the halos you may see around bright objects on a dark background are minimized quite well. This also results in very black mailbox bars that don't turn gray when the action on the screen turns bright, and doesn't overly brighten the screen when subtitles are used.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The out-of-box color is very good in custom mode too and surprisingly good in game mode. Game mode normally throws color accuracy to the wind, but with the X950H I was pleasantly surprised that it assumed a warmer color temperature while the overall brightness was very high. More about playing in a moment.

The handling of movements is excellent with the X950H and offers smooth, stutter-free movie playback as well as stuttering movements of 60 Hz content on Netflix and YouTube. The processing of the X950H also eliminates any moiré effect that can occur with very narrow, uniform patterns such as the window grilles or the narrow patterns of high-rise buildings.

The processing of the X950H is really excellent when content with low bit depth is processed by streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube or Hulu (really all of them). With other televisions, it's not uncommon to see an effect called banding over large areas of color – think of a large picture of the sky with subtle changes in the color of blue – where there are semicircular bands of color. However, the Sony X950H's processor smooths things out quite successfully.

The X950H has an excellent cinematic picture.

My only complaint about image quality is the out of angle viewing. Contrast and color decrease significantly when you are not in the middle of the television. This is typical of LED TVs with VA panels, but Sony's X wide angle technology made me hope for a better one. Ultimately, I'm glad that no elements of the overall image quality were sacrificed for wide-angle viewing. It's best to just accept how VA LED TVs are and enjoy the superior contrast that they offer.

When all the picture quality components are put together, the X950H gives you an excellent film image. It's deep, rich, and punchy when called to sparkle. Simply put, it's one of the best images I've seen on an LED TV, especially at its price point.

Not for gamers

While the X950H's 18.3 millisecond input lag is good for most casual gaming scenarios, this model lacks the variable refresh rate (VRR) support we're seeing across a wide range of TVs this year. Sony told me that this TV primarily appeals to movie fans and decided not to give it some of the features it blessed its X900H with, including VRR (via future updates) and an ATSC 3.0 tuner.

Android TV experience

Until recently, Android TV was a frustratingly sluggish experience. Fortunately, the on-chip system that is currently used in most 2020 TVs handles Android TV with no significant delays or loading times. Fans of the Google experience will appreciate that previously signed-in apps can be easily updated automatically, eliminating the need to re-enter usernames and passwords. By signing in to Google, YouTube users can keep their viewing history and suggested videos consistent across devices.

Our opinion

The Sony X950H offers great picture quality, surprisingly good sound and a solid Smart TV experience. Image processing improves the visibility of all sources thanks to the excellent upscaling and the ability to clean up content with shallow bit depth. While it may not be the best choice for gamers, it is an ideal television for movie fans. While I am very confident in recommending this TV, I have to be close to the Editor's Choice Award as I think it serves a very niche audience.

Is there a better alternative?

I think the Sony X900H is a handy alternative for those who want great Sony picture quality with gamer-friendly features. The Samsung Q80T is a strong competitor in this price range too. We haven't seen what's coming from Vizio this year and will update this section as soon as we've had some hands-on time.

How long it will take

The lack of HDMI 2.1 compatibility, for which Sony needs a lot of heat, makes me take a break in terms of future security. However, given Sony's solid track record of build quality and the great picture quality of the X950H, I am confident that this TV will be relevant for many years to come.

warranty

Sony provides a one-year parts and labor warranty when purchased from an authorized dealer.

Should you buy it

Hardcore cinephiles will love the X950H, but most people in the market will likely be looking for better overall value or a TV with more updated features. I say if you are among those who want the best picture they can get from an LED TV right now, the X950H is a great choice. Those who are less enthusiastic may want to look elsewhere.

Editor's recommendations




08 Aug
Blog

Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro: Purging Pesky Porch Pirates

Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro installed.

Vivint doorbell camera Pro

"The Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro's mission is to proactively protect your packages with A.I."

  • Extremely wide field of view

  • Intelligent integration into the Vivint system

  • Slim, durable construction

  • SmartSentry mode protects your packages

  • Professional installation ensures impeccable performance

  • Must be bought with Vivint system, not alone

  • The depth of field of night vision is shallow

  • Limited A.I.

Parcel theft has become a phenomenon in recent years. Vivint set out to curb this behavior with a new SmartSentry deterrent mode that actively protects your packages from thieves. This new deterrent mode has been incorporated into the new Video Doorbell Camera Pro, which is built into the rest of the Vivint package. I've put the doorbell through its paces for the last month and I've learned that.

The Vivint doorbell camera Pro immediately offers the same restrictions as the rest of the Vivint device family. You need a Vivint security system installed in your home in order to use the doorbell. If you're just looking for a video doorbell, this is where you can stop reading. However, if you are interested in the Vivint system, read on because the doorbell does some great things.

Low profile

The Doorbell Camera Pro Hardware is slim compared to most other doorbell cameras. It still looks a lot like a video doorbell, but some options like Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus are clunky. The Vivint doorbell is much slimmer, which homeowners should appreciate. The black face of the doorbell starts with subtle branding on top, with the camera lens directly below and the doorbell button below. A ring light surrounds the doorbell button. The rest of the case is white.

The Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro has many functions in common with other doorbell cameras. It comes with a 65dB speaker and microphone for bidirectional communication. Visitors reported that the speaker was clear and easy to hear. The microphone is very sensitive and visitors can also be heard clearly. The camera records and transmits videos at 1080p. You can also unlock doors directly from the camera interface, which is convenient.

No escape from this camera

This doorbell has two hero functions, the first of which is a 180 degree field of view from left to right and top to bottom. This is similar to the Arlo Video doorbell. The advantage is obvious – even a package on your doormat is visible. The large field of view also allows you to see your entire porch. That’s really impressive in practice. My front door is set into the brick so I can't take full advantage of the left-to-right view, but the 180-degree top and bottom are certainly beneficial.

The Vivint Smart Doorbell Pro is expensive at $ 250. As mentioned, the doorbell is installed professionally, which sometimes costs $ 99. But the $ 99 is the cost of installing everything in your home, not just the doorbell. Therefore, it is difficult to estimate the installation cost. For my part, my installers were quick, competent and very professional. Overall, they also saved me a lot of the hassle of installing it myself. Speaking of which, my plumbers offered to run the doorbell up to the brick paneling of my house so I could take advantage of the 180 degree field of view, but I declined. I've never been a fan of this look.

The video quality of the 180 degree camera is sufficient for this purpose. The quality is to be expected from a midrange phone, for example. That's fine for identifying visitors, bad for club selfies. The center of the frame is pretty clear with a fisheye effect when you come out to the edges of the frame. The clarity is sharp about 10 feet away and then drops off quickly. My mailbox 45 feet away is a pixelated work of art.

Proactive protection

When deterrent mode is activated and a person is detected, the ring light will glow red.

The other hero feature is similar to the one I tested with the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro and is the SmartSentry deterrent mode which is powered by Artificial Intelligence (A.I.). Vivint really wanted to focus on package delivery and looting porches, so the doorbell has a guard mode. When the camera detects that a package is being delivered, you will be notified on your phone. From there, you can activate deterrent mode. When someone else approaches your porch, they will play the deterrent tone. I prefer the whistle followed by "camera shot" but there are other tones to choose from.

In my tests, this feature worked very well. Whenever deterrent mode was on and a person approached, there was no doubt that they were being recorded. Vivint's chief technical officer JT Hwang said that many people use deterrent mode at night, not just to protect packaging, but just to keep people away from their homes. It's not very neighborly, but I'm not going to judge it. As long as Vivint A.I. I would like to see an extra step by adding face recognition. That way the doorbell won't yell at me when I get my own package.

The ring light around the doorbell meant notification, not lighting. When the deterrent is played, the ring will glow red. If someone approaches the door while SmartSentry is off, the ring light will turn white. It's handy at night for visitors to see the button.

Limited recognition

The Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro has the same disadvantage as the Outdoor Camera Pro. The doorbell only recognizes parcels and people. It doesn't detect any other movement or sound like the Nest Hello Video doorbell and I miss that. If there is an animal living under my porch or a loud crack occurs somewhere in the neighborhood, I'd love to hear about it. Vivint says it's A.I. Efforts to protect packets, but other events may occur in the future. At least Vivint is clear about his priorities.

Another limitation of the camera that the Outdoor Camera Pro mirrors is the reliance on the Smart Drive to record a 24/7 feed. Without the smart drive, the doorbell will record events when a person or package is detected and you will get a live view of the camera, but the footage will not be cleaned. If you want to record around the clock, plan on spending the extra cash on the smart drive.

Limited range but in line with mission

I noticed that the range of night vision is particularly limited compared to a Nest Hello video doorbell. Below I have placed a screenshot of each doorbell side by side at night. In both shots you can clearly see the Santa Claus statue standing on the edge of my porch (yes, even in August). When shooting the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro, the image quickly falls off directly behind the veranda. With the Nest Hello doorbell, the rest of the front yard is free – or at least if I cleaned the camera lens and that was a lesson, kids. Remember to clean your doorbell camera's lens from time to time.

Screenshot of Nest Hallo "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-6-2534726

Screenshot of the Vivint app "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-6-2534727

When I spoke to Vivint's CTO about this, he explained that the strength of the infrared light is a compromise due to power and heat issues. The infrared light from Vivint's Outdoor Pro cameras is stronger because they draw their own energy. If you are limited to doorbell current and trying to capture such a wide field of view, you will hit a wall. I get that, and the camera area covers my entire porch, which is in line with Vivint's mission – your porch and your packages. To be fair, that's covered.

Finally, just like the rest of the Vivint system, compatibility with certain smart displays would be good. When someone rings the doorbell, the video will appear on the Vivint security panel. That's nice, but when I'm in the kitchen I already have a Lenovo Smart Display. Vivint is looking into the integration of smart displays, but it's not there yet, which is disappointing.

Our opinion

Snapshot from the Vivint doorbell camera Pro

This is a doorbell camera with a specific mission that is refreshing in its own way. Nowadays, smart tech seems to want to be everything for everyone. This doorbell is designed to protect your packages. This is arguably the best reason for a video doorbell. Also, unlike many other A.I. Proactively protect packages. A video doorbell can help you catch thieves, but SmartSentry will stop them before you lose your belongings. I wouldn't be surprised if more doorbell cameras took on a similar role in the years to come.

Is there a better alternative?

There is a wide variety of doorbell cameras available in the market. The Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation), Nest Hello and others have the "See who's at your door" theme covered. But none of them proactively protect what's on your doorstep. This also begs the question of whether there is a better alternative that integrates with Vivint. Since this doorbell is part of that system, the answer to this question is a simple no.

Will it take?

Yes. The Vivint doorbell Pro is made of solid polycarbonate and seems to be very durable. The operating range is between minus 20 degrees Celsius and 45 degrees. The warranty applies to all Vivint devices for the duration of a customer's customer service contract. All required service visits are free for the first 120 days after installation. Service visits cost $ 49 after 120 days. After the 120-day period has expired, follow-up service visits within 30 days of a $ 49 service visit are free for the same reason.

Should you buy it

Like everything in the Vivint ecosystem, the answer is yes, provided you purchase Vivint security for the entire home. Not only does the doorbell integrate with the rest of the Vivint system that you are already buying, but the price is also competitive. While this doorbell was offered as a standalone option, I think it's worth buying. The large field of view and proactive SmartSentry mode are worth a few extra dollars. That's a lot of great things in one package. Even given the tradeoffs, this is a good buy in itself regardless of the Vivint system.

Editor's recommendations




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