The steel mace (mace bell or gada) has been used by Hindu warriors for over 2,000 years. It has recently found a new popularity in the fitness world as it strengthens and stabilizes the shoulders, back, core, hips and grip.
Although the mace can be intimidating due to its aggressive looking nature, getting into the mace is fairly easy.
With these three movements you can walk the path to master the mace.
Most people don't know how to pick up a heavy box from the floor without straining their backs. Why do most people understand the nuances of barbell, kettlebell, and even barbell movements? And of all the people you see lifting in gyms around the world, most are self-taught. The vast majority of people who lift do not learn to lift, but are self-taught or accompany group groups in which there is limited supervision or support.
Sound alarmist? Do the math. There are nearly 40,000 gyms and nearly 65 million members in the United States. Keep in mind that a place like Planet Fitness can have 1,400 outlets and 10 million members, and you can have 5,000 CrossFit gyms with less than a million members in total. The point is that, in the larger scheme, out of the 65 million athletes, maybe 1.5 million receive the best barbell and kettlebell instruction and some level of personal attention. Out of 100 people you see in a gym, maybe 3 really know what they're doing.
You kind of know it all yourself. You can see it on social media. All these videos and posts about the right and wrong way of doing things. ? can't you miss it. Some can be sad and no one has to give another lecture on knees toes in squats.
Unfortunately, we stick to it for two reasons: Qualified coaching and training are expensive and not accessible to the vast majority of trainees, and anyone can become a trainer, which means that there is no quality control in the fitness industry. Another fold is that celebrities are a currency and celebrity trainers on YouTube and Instagram have a very large audience.
On a positive note, the explosion of fitness content on social media has opened people up to Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, fitness, strongman, and many other strength exercises that are usually considered very specialized. A few years ago, you wouldn't see anyone deadlifting in a crunch gym.
On the negative side, Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, fitness, strongman, and many other strength exercises are all very, very technical. It takes a lot of time to learn and understand the correct form and safe practices. They are also not for everyone. You cannot be an occasional strong man or Olympic lifter.
If you want to learn how to clean and jerk properly, raise your deadlift without increasing your health insurance, swing a kettlebell, or just find out why your arms don't go over your shoulders when you lift the dumbbell to the side, you need some intellectual curiosity or mindful movement . A lack of curiosity or interest in learning the mechanics of an elevator is a failure, as is a lack of understanding of how your body actually responds and works in a particular movement.
For untrained people, the feeling of limited mobility and tightness in the body can simply be due to the fact that the body is not adequately supported, the tension is not properly distributed, or the body feels unbalanced when the focus drops to a crouch.
The secret of your first squat is that you feel great when you do it
If you really have ambitions in Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting or strongman, you will find the people who do it right. These are tough, esoteric sports that are great to look at and that can make you feel very strong, but they're not for everyone. They are sports. Most of the best coaches don't know what to do with casual practitioners if the main goal of any discipline is to win in competitions.
It's not that you choose a partner and play a game of tennis. Sure, you can judge your own performance over time by looking at how far you are pushing your own records, but that's not the culture. It is also a high-tech sport that you are likely to injure yourself without proper guidance or coaching support. If you are the only person who has learned how to detach yourself from YouTube and reach 100 kg, you are the exception and I should see the proof of your progress without external support.
7 steps to find the best coach for you
Fitness sports like CrossFit are an incredibly mixed collection of disciplines that run at speed. They are not easy to look at for traditionalists, but they do have a following. If you want to, you should have a trainer who is proven in every discipline, or some of them who have expertise in specific aspects.
Do you think indoor rowing is easy? Maybe it's on the surface, but it's very technical. Granted, you can do it casually, but if you want to make the most of it, you need to understand the mechanics of the form and be able to pass on that knowledge.
I taught myself how to type when I was in college. I put my fingers a button over my left hand, but it didn't matter because I had practiced enough to be able to type my work very quickly. So I decided to see how fast I could type and tried to relearn typing to improve my speed.
It turned out to be the hardest thing I could do based on what I did myself. That types. You know what that would mean if you were to sit with your left foot at an angle that is not optimal for 20 years. You wake up at 40 and find that squatting hurts and someone who is smarter than you points out a simple adjustment that could save you pain for half a lifetime. We are not always the best judge of us.
This is a contribution by Coach Daniel Bell. He should make it a maxim – drive a hundred miles, 2-4 times a month if you have to, but make it to this coaching session.
View this post on Instagram
You don't have to hammer in your garage alone – at least not all the time. And you can talk to your trainer face to face. When you're ready to level up, send an email to Rubbercityweightlifting@gmail.com
A contribution by Daniel Bell (@rubbercityweightlifting) on March 4, 2020 at 2:01 p.m. PST
All lifts are technical.
2020 Zero Motorcycles Zero S Review: A bare electric bike
"The 2020 Zero S is the most developed version of a vehicle with the longest production history in a product class that most people don't know exists."
A mature e-motorcycle design
Excellent driving per loading area
No gears, no clutch, no shifting
Powerful brakes and suspension
Inexpensive to fill up and maintain
Driver posture leaning forward
Driver and passenger pegs high
Expensive for an entry-level bike
Zero Motorcycles & # 39; 2020 Zero S is the most developed version of a vehicle with the longest production history in a product class that most people do not know existed. Most people would be surprised to learn that electric motorcycles are on the street today. You are even more surprised to hear that the first arrived over 12 years ago.
Zero Motorcycles' first production model was founded in 2006 by a former NASA engineer and was the Zero S in 2009, making 2020 the 12th model year. Depending on the buyer's installed power supply, the Zero S price varies between $ 10,995 and $ 18,390. The most powerful (and most expensive) Zero S has a maximum range of 223 miles in the city.
I asked Zero Motorcycles to suggest which model in its Nine Model 2020 range is the best choice for an e-bike rider who wants to choose the Zero as their first motorcycle. After discussing the lighter, bigger, more off-road looking bike Zero FXSI chose the Zero S with the lowest battery. I tested the 7.2 kWh Zero S base at a price of $ 10,995, which the company described as "ideal for the first rider looking for an entry-level road motorcycle."
The 2020 Zero S basic model is a must for e-motos. Acceleration takes place immediately with the full torque of the S from a standing start. Apart from tire noises and a slight whirring of the carbon drive belt, the bike is quiet. There is no clutch and no shifting because there is only one gear. As with most electric motorcycles, you don't need to know how to use a manual transmission to drive it.
To drive the Zero, simply turn the key and wait a few seconds for the indicators on the display to settle. Zero includes two throttle sections to protect the driver from accidental acceleration from a stationary stop. An engine stop switch on the right handle cuts power to the engine and the bike does not move when the stand is down.
The zero stays silent when it is on and ready to move.
The zero stays silent when it is on and ready to move. If you are only familiar with vehicles with gas or diesel engines, the lack of noise can lead you to believe that they are not switched on. Oh, but it is. It is definitely so.
I was careful with the gas at first. Electric motors can deliver the full torque from a stationary stop. It is therefore a good idea to be careful. However, I am happy to inform you that you can comfortably drive at slow speeds on the Zero S. The throttle is not overly sensitive, with excellent "feel" and granularity.
The regenerative braking of the Zero S charges the battery easily when you release the throttle. If you're familiar with engine braking in a manual transmission car, regenerative braking feels about the same, just quieter.
If you have to stop quickly, the Zero S brakes have more braking power than ever before. I found the learning curve for modulating the powerful braking system steeper than getting used to the gas. The Zero S has ABS disc brakes from Bosch with two 320 mm brake calipers at the front and one 240 mm brake caliper at the rear.
The Zero S brakes have more braking power than you will ever need.
This almost bare sports bike has no fairing and little body that covers the functional components. The driver geometry (the relative positions of the driver's handlebar, seat and footrests) requires a moderately forward-inclined posture. Leaning forward is great for driving fast and carving bends and canyons. Beginners with previous knowledge on a more upright bike have to adapt, but not as dramatically as with more aggressive bikes.
Motorcycle manufacturers are usually cautious when specifying acceleration figures. I haven't timed my runs, but I've heard from other Zero riders that 60 mph can be reached in less than 4 seconds. My butt says that is about right and as someone who is not an experienced driver it was exhilarating.
My test bike with the basic 7.2 kWh power pack has a maximum top speed of 98 mph with a sustained top speed of 80 mph. The nominal ranges for the Zero S with the basic power pack are 89 miles in city traffic, 45 miles at 70 mph on the highway and 60 miles combined.
When you're ready to pay for more range, the Zero SR, which is essentially the same bike, has a 14.4 kWh battery. The SR starts at $ 15,495 and increases the range to 179 miles for city trips, 90 miles on the freeway, or 120 miles together. For the maximum possible driving distance with Zero S models, you can also add the 3.3 kWh power tank for $ 2,895. The Zero SR with the Power Tank is designed for a maximum of 223 miles in the city, 112 miles on the highway or 150 miles together.
Note that larger power supplies don't just increase the price. You weigh more. The 7.2 kWh Zero S weighs 313 pounds. The Zero SR with the 14.4 kWh power pack weighs 408 pounds, and if you add the 3.3 kWh fuel tank for a total of 18 kWh, the weight increases to 452 pounds.
Your choice will balance cost, reach and weight. You cannot change the power supplies or add the fuel tank later. It is therefore important to buy the right combination of services right from the start.
The Zero S has an integrated 1.3 kW battery charger and a thick power cord that connects to a standard 110/220 power plug. Charging the Zero S requires 4.7 hours for a 95% charge or 5.2 hours for a 100% charge. With an optional $ 600 fast charger, a 100% charge will take 3.1 hours or a 95% charge will take 2.6 hours.
A third option is to purchase an optional cargo tank ($ 2,495). With the charging tank you can connect a standard level 2 charging station for 95% charging in one hour or 100% in 1.5 hours. Note that you cannot order a Zero S or SR with the Power Tank and Charge Tank options.
The Zero S has two preset performance profiles: Eco and Sport. The profiles control the maximum speed, torque and regeneration values.
As set at the factory, the Eco mode lowers the top speed to 100 km / h, limits the torque and selects the engine braking effect in the regeneration style. Sport mode unlocks the top speed of 98 mph, full torque and little or no regenerative braking. You can customize both profiles with the Zero mobile app.
The Zero S is well balanced so slow driving is easy.
I spent most of my time in Eco Mode with the Zero S through suburban neighborhoods, in small towns, as well as on country roads and highways. The Zero S is well balanced so slow driving is easy. I quickly got used to the gentle throttle to roll at speed as desired. The selected regeneration setting in Eco mode meant that I rarely had to use the brakes until I stopped.
Electric bikes are quiet, and that can be a mixed blessing. Motorcyclists are used to warning pedestrians and other drivers of noise, but you won't get that with an electric drivetrain. It's a good idea to place the horn button on the left handle so that you can notify anyone who needs it.
The advantage of running silently is that you are less likely to bother your neighbors with the Zero S, and certainly not with the noise. On one of my first rides, when I checked the operation of the bike, a neighbor who had seen me on e-bikes came over to check the Zero S.
"This is a real motorcycle?" he asked. I was able to answer without raising my voice over the Zero S engine because of course it was silent. I wouldn't have heard it on a normal motorcycle if I hadn't stopped and turned off the engine.
I really enjoyed the Zero S and was particularly impressed by its smooth, calm ride. Experienced sports cyclists would probably switch directly to sport mode and fly with it. The power, the brakes and the handling are definitely there.
The ease of use makes the Zero S accessible to beginners. I only hesitate that new drivers have to get used to the forward leaning driving position.
In a few years, there will be a lot more options for people who buy electric motorcycles, but Zero is already 12 years ahead. No other company has the experience and range of current Zero electric models.
The Harley-Davidson Livewire makes fans of most who ride it, and Harley has shown other concept electric bikes, but the $ 30,000 price for the Livewire limits its appeal. The Lightning Motorcycles LS-218 is the fastest production motorcycle, but starts at $ 38,888. Both motorcycles are aimed at experienced riders who can spend money.
Some companies make much smaller electric motorcycles, like the Ubco 2 × 2 and the Cake Kalk OR. They are cheaper, but often focus on off-road driving or on multiple surfaces with a lower top speed and a shorter range.
Zero Motorcycles offer a two-year general warranty and a five-year warranty on the power supply. Zero is an established company with distributors in the United States. Parts and service should therefore not matter.
Yes. If you are looking for an electric motorcycle for leisure riding or commuting, the Zero S is a good choice.
Editor's recommendations
Most people don't know how to pick up a heavy box from the floor without straining their backs. Why do most people understand the nuances of barbell, kettlebell, and even barbell movements? And of all the people you see lifting in gyms around the world, most are self-taught. The vast majority of people who lift do not learn to lift, but are self-taught or accompany group groups in which there is limited supervision or support.
Sound alarmist? Do the math. There are nearly 40,000 gyms and nearly 65 million members in the United States. Keep in mind that a place like Planet Fitness can have 1,400 outlets and 10 million members, and you can have 5,000 CrossFit gyms with less than a million members in total. The point is that, in the larger scheme, out of the 65 million athletes, maybe 1.5 million receive the best barbell and kettlebell instruction and some level of personal attention. Out of 100 people you see in a gym, maybe 3 really know what they're doing.
You kind of know it all yourself. You can see it on social media. All these videos and posts about the right and wrong way of doing things. ✅or ❌, you can't miss it. Some can be sad and no one has to give another lecture on knees toes in squats.
Unfortunately, we stick to it for two reasons: Qualified coaching and training are expensive and not accessible to the vast majority of trainees, and anyone can become a trainer, which means that there is no quality control in the fitness industry. Another fold is that celebrities are a currency and celebrity trainers on YouTube and Instagram have a very large audience.
On a positive note, the explosion of fitness content on social media has opened people up to Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, fitness, strongman, and many other strength exercises that are usually considered very specialized. A few years ago, you wouldn't see anyone deadlifting in a crunch gym.
On the negative side, Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, fitness, strongman and many other strength exercises are all very, very technical. It takes a lot of time to learn and understand the correct form and safe practices. They are also not for everyone. You cannot be an occasional strong man or Olympic lifter.
If you want to learn how to clean and jerk properly, raise your deadlift without increasing your health insurance, swing a kettlebell, or just find out why your arms don't go over your shoulders when you lift the dumbbell to the side, you need some intellectual curiosity or mindful movement . A lack of curiosity or interest in learning the mechanics of an elevator is a failure, as is a lack of understanding of how your body actually responds and works in a particular movement.
For untrained people feelings of Mobility restrictions and tightness in the body it can simply be because the body is not adequately supported, the tension is not distributed correctly or the body feels unbalanced if the focus falls into a crouch.
The secret of your first squat is that you feel great when you do it
If you really have ambitions in Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting or strongman, you will find the people who do it right. These are tough, esoteric sports that are great to look at and that can make you feel very strong, but they're not for everyone. They are sports. Most of the best coaches don't know what to do with casual practitioners if the main goal of any discipline is to win in competitions. It's not that you choose a partner and play a game of tennis. Sure, you can judge your own performance over time by looking at how far you are pushing your own records, but that's not the culture. It is also a high-tech sport that you are likely to injure yourself without proper guidance or coaching support. If you are the only person who has learned how to detach yourself from YouTube and reach 100 kg, you are the exception and I should see the proof of your progress without external support.
Fitness sports like CrossFit are an incredibly mixed collection of disciplines that run at speed. They are not easy to look at for traditionalists, but they do have a following. If you want to, you should have a trainer who is proven in every discipline, or some of them who have expertise in specific aspects. Do you think indoor rowing is easy? Maybe it's on the surface, but it's very technical. Granted, you can do it casually, but if you want to make the most of it, you need to understand the mechanics of the form and be able to pass on that knowledge.
I taught myself how to type when I was in college. I put my fingers a button over my left hand, but it didn't matter because I had practiced enough to be able to type my work very quickly. So I decided to see how fast I could type and tried to relearn typing to improve my speed. It turned out to be the hardest thing I could do based on what I did myself. That types. You know what that would mean if you were to sit with your left foot at an angle that is not optimal for 20 years. You wake up at 40 and find that squatting hurts and someone who is smarter than you points out a simple adjustment that could save you pain for half a lifetime. We are not always the best judge of us.
This is a contribution by Coach Daniel Bell. He should make it a maxim – drive a hundred miles, 2-4 times a month if you have to, but make it to this coaching session.
All lifts are technical.
"Arlos video doorbell is an elegant choice with solid video quality."
No fish instant on video
Sleek design
Intelligent A.I.
Works with Alexa
Requires wiring for a doorbell
His button doesn't look like a button
The Arlo video doorbell is a sleek, straightforward, intelligent video doorbell that covers all bases. It has a video camera that lets you catch pirates on the porch, motion detection, video calling, night vision, Alexa functions and many other functions that everyone can appreciate.
With many of these intelligent security devices, my first concern is simple. How easy is it to install? After all, a great security product is useless if you can't install it.
The Arlo video doorbell passed my installation test. If you already have a doorbell and chime box, the installation process is easy and the Arlo app guides you seamlessly through the process. There's even a step-by-step video if you're still lost.
However, if you don't have a doorbell and chime box yet, you're out of luck. You need to hire a professional to set up the Arlo video doorbell, or you need another doorbell that can be set up without existing hardware such as the August view or the ring video doorbell 2.
The biggest problem with video doorbells is that they can deliver a distorted fish-eye-like video. Nobody wants to see that. Arlo was able to solve the problem with an HD camera that has a 180-degree viewing angle and an aspect ratio of 1: 1.
The video looks a bit round, but you can see a lot more of the surroundings of your porch and garden, which gives you peace of mind that nobody is hiding sideways in the bushes. People cannot duck under the doorbell and hope not to be seen either as the Arlo captures the area below and in front of it.
Although the Arlo Video Doorbell has many great features and I love how slim and slim it looks, there is one big design problem: the button. If I came home to someone I wouldn't know what to push to ring the doorbell. Other video doorbells like the ring or the SkyBell Trim Plus have obvious buttons.
The doorbell button on the Arlo is literally not even button-shaped. It is concave. I'm pretty sure this is a design feature and not a function button. It's good that the Arlo has motion detection. Even if your visitors do not know that this immersion in the camera is a button, you will still be made aware of their presence.
False notifications can really result in you not wanting to use any security device of any kind. To counter notifications that are less helpful, Alro has developed Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) that can determine whether an item on your front end is a pet, package, or person. You can set up the app to notify you when such things are on your porch. You can also set up activity zones to prevent motion alarms in areas you don't want to monitor, such as: B. on the sidewalk in front of your house.
While other security apps make you open the app to view footage, Arlo doesn't. You can see footage right on your lock screen. This feature can be very helpful in an emergency because you can instantly see intruders or package theft so you can take immediate action.
Overall, the Arlo video doorbell is a great addition to any security series. It has a great video, Smart A.I. Features that protect your family and a modern, polished look. The price, at $ 149.99, is lower than most other premium video doorbells on the market. The main disadvantage is that you need an existing doorbell system or you need to hire a professional installer to set it up.
If you want a doorbell that is very easy to set up and doesn't require wiring, I would use Ring Video doorbell 2 instead, although you pay a little more for the ring.
The Arlo is nice to look at, but is made of thin plastic. I don't think it would stand up well to an intruder with a brick or hammer, but it will send you warnings if tampered with. It also comes with a limited warranty.
Yes, it has great features and comes from a reliable company.
Editor's recommendations
House of Marley Redemption ANC
"The Redemption ANC looks great, but little annoyances add up."
Active noise cancellation
Aesthetically impressive
Made from sustainable materials
Faulty touch controls
Bulky design
The new Redemption ANC True Wireless Headphones from House of Marley are the kind of product you want to love. There is a lot to discover between aesthetics, commitment to sustainability and the introduction of active noise cancellation.
Unfortunately my love is not blind. Despite all the positive aspects that House of Marley has packed into its $ 199 wireless earbuds, it's impossible to overlook the problems that these beauties hold hostage.
As part of the House of Marley mission statement, the brand, which belongs to the Bob Marley family, is committed to making its devices as sustainable as possible. The Redemption ANC are made from materials designed to reduce the environmental impact of the earbuds, including bamboo, Regrind silicone – material made by recovering and recycling post-process and post-consumer waste – and Regrind wood fiber composite , which is produced by combination of wood derivatives and plastic fibers.
Riley Young / Digital Trends
Who would have thought that environmental responsibility could look so good? The well-crafted bamboo finish of the Redemption ANC, as well as the matching design of the case in which they sit, make these buds the most attractive that are currently available. Compared to the conservative styles of other buds like Apple Air Pods 2 and Samsung Galaxy Buds +, these stand out when they sit in your ears.
Speaking of AirPods of the second edition: The Redemption ANC, like other real wireless earphones, has adopted the popular Apple style. The most noticeable difference is how big the Redemption ANC is compared to the AirPods. Weighing 0.15 pounds, I was constantly aware of the sturdy buds sticking out of my ears.
The silicone ear fins and three pairs of silicone ear gels that came with the Redemption ANC gave me a lot of customization options, and I had no problems finding the right combination.
After setting up the earbuds – there is no associated app here, just a quick start guide and a video that will effectively guide you through pairing with your mobile device – you can use the built-in controls on the device. Which, I thought, is a sensitive issue.
The Redemption ANC can turn active noise cancellation and ambient mode on and off, answer and end calls, pause and skip songs, and call your phone's voice assistant using the touch controls on each bud. Every function works. It just depends on how often you have to touch the buds before you find the right place for activation.
Riley Young / Digital Trends
In my experience, the Redemption ANC has the same problems as the House of Marley Liberate Air. There are no buttons on these buds. In order to use the touch controls, I had to exert precise pressure on an exact location on the stem. It was annoying at best, and in those cases I kept tapping the buds just to change lanes, which was annoying at worst.
On a positive note, due to the tricky touch controls, I didn't accidentally trigger a command when I set it in my ear. This is a common problem that I encounter when trying other, more sensitive earbuds.
Three taps on the Redemption ANC's left earbuds activate active noise cancellation, and three additional taps allow ambient mode to record ambient noise. Both functions worked well and were tested under conditions ranging from a moderately quiet office to a busy sidewalk.
Riley Young / Digital Trends
These features are no better than noise cancellation in the Apple Air Pods Pro or Sony WF-1000XM3, for example, but the Redemption ANC is at least $ 30 cheaper than either of these options. In fact, they belong to a select group of earphones that currently offer active noise cancellation for under $ 200. These include 1More True Wireless ANC and Amazon Echo Buds.
The Redemption ANC has some other, less sexy, but still important functions. House of Marley announces seven hours of playback on a single charge, but drops to five with active noise cancellation enabled. According to my tests, this was accurate, although the left bud seemed to die continuously almost 10 minutes before the right one. The case contains up to three additional charging processes that have been checked again and are therefore within the competitive range of the 24-hour battery life of the Apple AirPods 2.
They are IPX4 certified and offer welding and splash protection. They kept up well during training and on walks with the dog in the early morning dew.
When testing the sound quality of the Redemption ANC, there was only one logical starting point. I opened Spotify, went to the curated playlist "This is Bob Marley" and made myself comfortable.
Riley Young / Digital Trends
The bass response from The Redemption ANC is impressive. Marley songs like Jamming and Buffalo Soldier don't waste time introducing low cadences, and these buds never missed a beat. This is a nice change, considering that certain earphones in the lower range leave something to be desired.
Overall, I thought the sound was excellent, although it could have used a touch of high-end clarity in selections like Marley's Redemption Song and Exodus. While bass was welcomed by Marley as part of most discography, I sometimes found it overwhelming when I tried music outside the reggae genre. An adjustable equalizer that attenuates the lower end and improves the acoustics makes a significant contribution to making the Redemption ANC really sound special.
The call quality was a highlight as the Redemption ANC provided a clear dialogue across multiple calls even during rush hour.
House of Marley grants a two-year guarantee against defects in material or workmanship.
Adding active noise cancellation and improved sound quality to its second recording on real wireless earbuds is an important step in the right direction, but the Redemption ANC leaves us with too many unsolved problems.
For another $ 30, you can buy the Sony WF-1000XM3, which is one of our favorite real wireless earbuds. Alternatively, the Apple AirPods 2 are offered at the same price as the Redemption ANC. While they lack active noise cancellation, they have the upper hand over functions such as comfort and ease of use. The Elite Active 75t from Jabra also deserves to be part of this conversation. It offers above-average sound, battery life and water resistance.
House of Marley placed great emphasis on the materials from which these buds are made and even gave the insurance a two-year guarantee. The repayment ANC should be able to last.
No. I've enjoyed these earbuds, including their active noise canceling, outstanding looks, and sustainable initiative on which they were built. Ultimately, however, it is an oversized product that needs functional corrections. It shouldn't be this love.
Editor's recommendations
2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review: It's great, but get the LE
"The Toyota Camry Hybrid remains a reliable choice among hybrid sedans."
Outstanding reliability and security
An improved entune system is an improvement
The latest redesign still looks good
The basic equipment offers many great functions
With higher equipment, the fuel consumption is lower
The XLE can get quite expensive
Trunk is small for a medium sized sedan
The Toyota Camry Hybrid has been around for more than a decade, unlike the Corolla, which received a hybrid version for the first time in 2020. The Camry, however, benefited from regular updates from Toyota through its characteristic and reliable hybrid system. It also benefited from a major redesign in 2018 that gave it a sportier look and cutting-edge technology.
I drove the Camry Hybrid XLE, the highest configuration. The MSRP starts at $ 32,730, and some extras have been added to my test car, including the driver assistance package, adaptive headlights, a sunroof, and the navigation package that also updated the audio system. All in, including the target fee, my lender Camry was priced at $ 39,766.
A Camry hybrid without a bell or whistle starts at just over $ 28,000 for the base LE fairing. There's also a Hybrid SE that starts at $ 30,130 and adds a few luxurious details like faux leather upholstery and shift paddles.
Since I've driven the fanciest Camry Hybrid, it's only fair to compare it to the fanciest versions of its closest competition: the Honda Accord Hybrid and the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid. The Accord Hybrid's upper fairing is similar to that of the Camry Hybrid XLE (with the extras in my loaner) and starts at $ 36,245. The Ioniq Hybrid starts at $ 31,200, several thousand dollars lower.
The competition also comes from the house. The Toyota Prius is synonymous with hybrid technology, and its top spec also has a starting price north of $ 32,000.
Toyota's design is often designed as boring, boring, and for the masses, rather than having style. The redesign of the Camry in 2018, however, churned up the company's design language with a sportier look for the four-door mid-size sedan. The front end is more aggressive and the lines along the body stretch towards the rear of the car.
Toyota
The inside of the XLE is clean and tidy. The middle touchscreen of the updated infotainment system does not hover uncomfortably over the dashboard like the screen in the Camry. This trim also has tiger eye wood paneling that enhances the feeling of luxury.
Spaciousness and comfort are close to most mid-size sedans. The batteries are arranged so that they do not penetrate the seat or trunk, but the trunk is slightly smaller than that of the Accord and much smaller than that of the Ioniq. The Prius has less passenger space, but if you have to carry large or awkwardly shaped items, its hatchback is a big plus over the Camry's trunk.
My lender Camry's updated Entune infotainment system had razor-sharp graphics on a screen that could be split up to display several types of information, such as: B. the next round in the navigation area and the current title in the satellite radio. The touch inputs were simple, with physical buttons on either side of the screen. My Camry's improved infotainment included a bird's-eye view camera, which I appreciated when parking in parallel.
Kristen Hall-Geisler / Digital Trends
Setting up my phone for the Entune system was a breeze. I was able to pair my phone in less than 10 seconds. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all Camry hybrids, a major advance over previous model years where Android Auto was missing.
The driver receives a screen between the analog displays. This ad is full of information, though I'm sure it can be customized if you take the time to figure out how. If I own the car, I bring a cup of coffee to the driver's seat and spend some time in the driveway with the electronic instruction manual to set everything up as I like it. However, not everyone will be so patient.
Kristen Hall-Geisler / Digital Trends
The flood of information on this 7-inch TFT screen was overwhelming but useful, and the steering wheel controls made it easy to scroll through different types of information. I was able to check the fuel consumption of my trip, the route I was listening to, and the status of my driver assistance functions such as lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. My lender also had a 10-inch heads-up display (HUD) that was massive and visible in every light. I relied on the HUD for basics like speed, more than the 7 inch screen.
When you upgrade to expensive panels and add packages, you need to choose which high-tech features you like best. The top panel of the Accord Hybrid contains many functions of my Camry Hybrid XLE with additional packages. However, the Accord also has a WiFi hotspot, while the Camry can connect to Alexa. If you care about screen size, look elsewhere. The upper fairing of the Ioniq Hybrid has a 10.25-inch screen and the Prius Limited has an 11.6-inch screen.
Toyota made a fascinating choice for the Camry hybrid system. The basic LE cladding has lithium-ion batteries that are light and efficient. It combines 52 mpg.
But this is not the car that I drove. I had the XLE, which like the medium-weight SE has heavier and less efficient nickel-metal hydride batteries. It is an older technology that has served the Toyota hybrid system well for years, and it is less expensive. Unfortunately, this means that the fanciest Camry Hybrid has the lowest fuel consumption: an estimated 44 mpg city / 47 mpg highway / 46 mpg combined.
Toyota
This is much better than a conventional gas-only sedan, but not particularly good for a hybrid. The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid achieves a total of 55 mpg and the Prius XLE a total of 52 mpg. If you want to buy the Camry and save money, choose the cheaper and more efficient basic Camry.
The EPA estimates are also optimistic. They are a great way to compare apples to apples, but I personally find that my mileage rarely lives up to the EPA sticker. During my time, I only drove the Camry Hybrid XLE on roads and made no special efforts to reduce fuel consumption. I've seen just under 40 mpg, which is frankly better than I expected.
Regardless of which equipment package you drive, the Camry Hybrid delivers a total of 208 hp. The transmission was smooth and quiet, and the acceleration is punchy. It was not a problem to get into the traffic flow or carry out a quick pass.
Every Toyota is equipped as standard with a version of its Safety Sense Suite with technical functions for driver assistance. The Camry Hybrid has Safety Sense P, which includes a forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, a lane departure warning system and adaptive cruise control. If you want more, the driver assistance package offers a bird's-eye view camera, rear traffic alarm and the head-up display.
The insurance institute for road safety has awarded the 2020 Camry the Top Safety Pick +, its highest recommendation.
Safety Sense is as easy to use as any other system on the market. The controls are on the steering wheel and are easy to reach without a glance once you know where they are. By switching the middle display to show the safety technology, the tracking distance between you and the car in front of you and your lane keeping status become clear.
The insurance institute for road safety has awarded the 2020 Camry the Top Safety Pick +, its highest recommendation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the Camry Hybrid five out of five stars in all of its crash tests.
The predicted reliability values are above average for the Camry Hybrid, although there is currently a recall with a coolant leak. Toyota offers a typical warranty for the Camry Hybrid with 3 years / 36,000 miles for a comprehensive warranty and 5 years / 60,000 miles for the drivetrain. All hybrid components are guaranteed for 8 years / 100,000 miles.
While it was great to have all the bells and whistles in the Camry Hybrid XLE, the better fuel economy in the LE is attractive. I would go for this model and add the package that includes the sunroof, blind spot monitoring, and updated 8-inch touchscreen and entune system for around $ 2,700.
The 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid has been around for years. The technology is proven and reliable, and improvements over the years have kept the design and technology up to date. It is still a good choice for hybrid sedan buyers.
There are only a few disadvantages of a car that has so many features even in its basic configuration. But paying for the top panel of this test car didn't seem to work. The base Camry hybrid already contains a lot, and you can add most goodies at a reasonable price. In addition, the basic model is more efficient.
Yes, if you want a reliable, efficient limousine at a reasonable price. Just rethink the suspension for the top fairing.
Editor's recommendations
Google Stadia Premiere Edition
"Google Stadia has immense potential, but a confusing interface and small library sell it briefly."
Excellent picture quality
Plays excellently on TV and on the phone
1080p animal is free
Poor PC performance
Latency can be an issue
Too few games at the start
Subscription is not a good value
This review was updated by Matthew S. Smith on 03/04/2020.
I picked up Death Stranding when it was released. Not a download, but a real, physical CD. I took it home and put it on my PlayStation 4 Pro.
You think that would be the end, but it was not. An installation bar crawled across my screen at an agonizing pace. When it was done, I checked the time on my phone. An hour and a half had passed since I touched the game for the first time; 40 minutes since I put it in the console.
Google wants to fix this with Stadia.
Stadia is Google's cloud gaming service. You need an internet connection and a Google account. If you have this, starting a game is easy. No expensive console or gaming rig is required. There is no need to install from a disc or cassette. There is nothing to download. Just buy, play, and off you go.
That is the dream anyway. It is big and that means big obstacles. Errors, a lean library and confusing interface decisions bring Stadia's cloud gaming future to the ground.
Google relies on the simplicity of Stadia, but it is not easy. Misunderstandings about the service have increased since its announcement. It was called "Netflix for games". It was called a console replacement. It was referred to as a switch competitor.
Here is the summary: Stadia is a cloud service that runs games on Google's servers and then transfers them to your device. You can play on a TV, phone, or PC.
Stadia is not an all-in-one game library like Xbox Game Pass, so the comparison "Netflix for games" falls apart.
Stadia has two levels of service. The basic level offers 1080p quality with stereo sound. Unfortunately it is not yet available. The Stadia Pro tier costs $ 10 a month, offers 4K HDR quality, 5.1 surround sound, and benefits like free games and game discounts.
This isn't an all-in-one game library like Xbox Game Pass, so the Netflix for Games comparison falls apart. Aside from a handful of "free" games included in Stadia Pro, you need to buy the Stadia version of every game you want to play in the Stadia store.
Rich Shibley / Digital Trends
Confusion comes in the small print. You can play on your TV, but you'll need a Google Chromecast Ultra to launch it. You can play on a phone, but you need a supporting Android phone. You can play on your PC, but only in the Chrome browser.
There is more. PC users can play on startup, but they cannot play in 4K with HDR. That will not come until 2020. There is a whole table that lists the different ways in which Stadia devices and game controllers work together (or do not work together). You cannot buy games on TV. This is only possible in the Stadia app on your phone.
Stadia has a limitation for every situation.
Access is also confusing. Stadia was launched, but only if you either ordered the $ 129 Founder's Edition or bought the Premiere Edition for a similar price. This includes a Chromecast Ultra, a controller and three months of Stadia Pro. Don't you want the hardware? Then you won't be able to play for now, even if you're ready to pay for Stadia Pro.
It goes on and on and on. Stadia has a limitation for every situation that undermines the simplicity promised by Google.
No, I don't have to wait for a game to be installed like I did when I brought Death Stranding home. But Stadia still gives me a lot to fear.
The founders edition I received for this review includes the Chromecast Ultra and the Stadia controller. We have tested the Chromecast Ultra in the past and it is a simple streaming puck so I don’t spend time describing it. The Stadia Controller, new and unique in Stadia, is more fascinating.
OK, I lied. It is not. It is a generic controller. The design has a lot in common with the Nintendo Switch Pro controller, while the Thumbstick layout is similar to PlayStation's DualShock4.
The Stadia controller feels good in the hand and works well, but is not comparable to the controllers from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony. The triggers feel a bit loose and the D-Pad is vague compared to the DualShock 4 or Nintendo Switch Pro controller.
Rich Shibley / Digital Trends
The only unique features are two buttons that are located above the "Stadiums" button (which brings up the "Stadiums" menu) and below the "Select" and "Start" buttons. One calls Google Assistant, the other takes screenshots. Technically, these add more features, but I found them confusing. I have pressed the wrong key many times because I am used to having only two keys in this area. However, I assume that I will familiarize myself with the time.
The Stadia Controller can be purchased individually for $ 69. This is the Nintendo Prize and the Stadia Controller doesn't deserve it. An Xbox wireless controller costs $ 60 at MSRP and is often available for far less.
Some good news? The controller works with other games and services. It even works with other cloud gaming services like GeForce Now and Shadow from Nvidia.
You do not have to buy the Stadia controller if you wait until the service is generally available next year. Alternative controllers, including the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One controllers, can be used to play Stadia on a phone or PC. However, they don't work with Chromecast Ultra.
It's not looking good for Stadia, is it? The start of Google was half-hearted. Many functions are missing or confusing.
Here's the good news: Stadia works. The dream of seamless, patch-free, download-free and high quality games is true.
I spent most of my time playing Stadia on TV. My home has the luxury of gigabit internet, so I wasn't surprised to see smooth gameplay on my TV. Still, it's an impressive technical feat. The picture quality was excellent. Blur, banding and stuttering were rarely visible, but the image quality was comparable to a console most of the time.
As confirmation, I switched between Destiny 2 in Stadia and Destiny 2 in my PlayStation 4 Pro and found little difference. Details appeared the same on everyone. In dark scenes, the stadiums lacked contrast, but otherwise there were few flaws.
Rich Shibley / Digital Trends
The mobile experience (via WiFi) was even more breathtaking. Destiny 2 looked fantastic on the small, sharp display of the Pixel 3a. Stuttering and delay were rare annoyances that didn't stop me from playing the game.
I am still amazed at how smooth it felt. Stadia sets new standards for graphics quality on mobile devices. This is the full experience running in console quality on a smartphone. The phone doesn't even heat up and the battery life is reasonable as games are run in the cloud. I used less than half of the battery on the Pixel 3a during a two-hour session of Destiny 2.
Google promised to deliver a console-quality gaming experience over the Internet. At this point, Stadia delivers the goods. I couldn't tell the difference between Stadia and my PlayStation 4 Pro. Unlike my PlayStation, Stadia never asked to install, patch or update a game.
As an added bonus, Stadia's loading times are fantastic. Levels are usually loaded in just a few seconds. This is a big leap over the PlayStation 4 Pro, where charging times over 30 seconds are the norm.
At best, Stadia delivers what was promised. This is a technical achievement that deserves recognition. But I think you know what's next. It's time to talk about the shortcomings.
The latency was a companion on all devices that I tried. Google tried to downplay the latency in its marketing, but made no mistake. It is there.
The problem was the worst in Mortal Kombat 11, which like all fighting games requires accurate timing. After less than half an hour, I stopped playing in frustration. I was consistently hit shortly after I pressed the D-pad to dodge while my attacks wielded the space my opponent was just a moment before. I'm the first to admit I'm bad at fighting games, but I've played Mortal Kombat 11 on both the PC and the console. The game felt appealing to both.
Rich Shibley / Digital Trends
In Destiny 2, the latency was bearable thanks to the slow pace of action, but I found that I often missed over-corrected and melee attacks that I should have hit. It didn't make the game more difficult, but it lacked the crisp, snappy feeling I'm used to from playing Destiny 2 on a PC.
The problem was temporary and came and went like the tide. In the worst case, I turned 360 degrees in Destiny 2, as if I had suddenly teleported into a session from Tony Hawk. In other cases, the latency was absent, so even Mortal Kombat 11 felt smooth for a few minutes. Latency often correlated with reduced image quality and stuttering, but not always.
The picture quality can be excellent, but it can be neglected depending on the available bandwidth and the device you are playing with. As you'd expect, you'll have the best experience if you have a great ISP and can connect directly to a router via Ethernet. However, if you cannot do this, you can expect blurriness in the image. The level of softness depends on the resolution you want to play with and the quality of your connection. If you're using Wi-Fi, you can expect the picture quality to vary significantly during your gaming session.
How important that is depends on what you're playing. It didn't affect my experience in Destiny 2 as the game's strong art style shines through even when Stadia's image quality leaps. Shadow of the Tomb Raider, on the other hand, tries a sharp and realistic look. If you are on a PC or TV, you will find that the bandwidth forces the stream to a resolution well below that of the screen.
Stadia's technical achievements and shortcomings are worth discussing. It is a revolutionary platform with immense potential and serious problems. However, all of this may not matter since there is not much to play.
The platform offers a slim selection of games. The list includes several popular peculiarities, including Destiny 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, Metro Exodus, NBA 2K20, and the recent Tomb Raider trilogy.
Rich Shibley / Digital Trends
These are good games, nothing will lure players to Stadia from other platforms. Even Apple Arcade started with a strong selection of exclusive games.
I'm also deeply upset with Google's decision to create its own platform. This hurts Destiny 2 deeply, where you can only play with other Stadia players (but your profile is cross-save compatible). Want to show a friend a success in Red Dead Redemption 2? You need to take a photo of it on your phone because your friend may not have used Stadia and may not even have heard of it.
Google's game prices don't look good either. Many games are sold at their original MSRP. Mortal Kombat 11 for PlayStation 4 costs $ 25 on Amazon and $ 59.99 on Stadia. This pattern is repeated throughout the cast. Occasional sales lower the prices of selected titles, but the offers have not yet impressed.
The limited library makes Stadia Pro subscription difficult to bear. Why should you pay $ 60 for Mortal Kombat 11 in Stadia and get a monthly subscription of $ 10? This is only useful if you do not have a current generation console and a playable PC, but want to play modern games with 4K resolution and HDR switched on.
This is the most serious problem for stadiums. It's faster and more convenient than my PlayStation 4 Pro, but I can't play Death Stranding in Stadia. I also can't play Control, Civilization VI, The Witcher 3, Final Fantasy XIV and many other games that I enjoy. Patches and system updates are annoying, but I would rather deal with occasional patches or installations than just play the handful of titles on Stadia.
Streaming can use a lot of data, and Stadia is no exception. In fact, it is one of the data hungry services you can use today.
I tested the data usage when playing Destiny 2 on the Pixel 3a via WiFi. After three test runs, each lasting five minutes, the average data usage was approximately 830 megabytes per test. Do the math and Stadia consumes an incredible 10 gigabytes every hour.
Stadia consumes an incredible 10 gigabytes every hour.
Playing at this speed is not possible on the go, even if you have a data connection that is reliable enough to make it possible. You will quickly use up your data limit. Remember that even unlimited plans are not really unlimited. Heavy players may encounter their data limits when connected to the internet at home, although I assume that this will be rare.
The Stadia from Google is an amazing technical feat. I am honestly impressed with its quality and performance. I was skeptical, but I came out as a convert. Cloud gaming works. Home consoles will last at least another generation, but Stadia proves that the cloud can really replace a console – at least if you have an excellent internet connection.
That makes it a shame that the execution of Google Stadia has turned into a labyrinth with no exit and with many dead ends. The functions do not work the same on all devices. PC performance is a disaster. And the limited game library will not win Stadia fans.
Maybe one day I'll leave my consoles to the cloud, but I'll keep them for now. Stadia is not worth the price of the $ 129 Premium Edition or the $ 10 monthly subscription.
Alternatives include GeForce Now from Nvidia, Shadow, PlayStation Now and Microsoft’s Project xCloud, which is still being tested. Shadow is arguably the most mature of them, and since it mimics a PC, it can play almost anything a PC can play. The downside is pricing; With an annual commitment, it is at least $ 12.99 per month. Nvidia's GeForce Now is the budget option and even offers a free tier with a session limit of one hour, but limited to a resolution of 1080p.
Stadia has potential. However, you cannot play potential games.
Editor's recommendations
“You may have thought the camera was the best feature. It is not at the moment. "
Large, beautiful screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz
The zoom lens frames beautiful pictures
Battery life that blows through a day
First-class installations with 5G for every large carrier
Expensive
Inconsistent, sometimes erroneous photo and video performance
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is an elaborately equipped device with an extravagant price. With $ 1,400, you get an opulent 7-inch display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, the best internals you can expect from an Android phone, 5G compatibility with all major networks and, perhaps most importantly, a monstrous camera setup.
With 108 MP on the main lens, 48 MP on the telephoto camera and up to 100x zoom, it is clear which function Samsung expects for the knockout punch. Despite its robust statistics, this heavyweight is prevented from becoming the undisputed camera champion.
There are no two options – this is a big phone. With a 6.9-inch display – just a tenth of an inch less than usual – the slim Galaxy S20 Ultra is a large device that is somewhat unwieldy to hold.
My hands are slightly above average, and even I had to be extra careful to have a good grip when I pulled them out of a pocket or picked them up. It's big, heavy, and a bit top heavy (did you see the hump of the camera?). I used the one-hand mode for the first time because otherwise I simply cannot operate this phone with one hand.
Riley Young / Digital Trends
That said, it looks and feels like the Grand – or rather 1.4 Grand – you paid for it. The Quad HD + (3200 x 1440) Dynamic AMOLED delivers deep, deep black and popping, saturated colors paired with sharp detail reproduction. Combined with the booming clarity of stereo speakers, this is one of the best viewing experiences you can have on a phone.
It's as bright as the iPhone 11 Pro at its peak, making it easy to see in direct sunlight, while the saturated colors can help brighten darker areas for difficult viewing situations.
New this year is the 120 Hz refresh rate of the screen, twice that of the Samsung Galaxy S10 with the industry-standard refresh rate of 60 Hz and switching between tasks seems pleasantly fluid.
On paper, the camera setup of the Galaxy S20 Ultra is the main attraction of this device. You can get a big, beautiful screen on the S20 Plus for $ 200 less. The Ultra tilts the scale with a 108 MP main camera, accompanied by a similarly stacked 48 MP tele-shooter and a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle camera to top it off. While this system offers some advantages that no other phone can replicate at the same level, the overall performance of the camera is mixed.
Riley Young / Digital Trends
Several reviewers have reported a number of problems with the S20 Ultra's camera, which Samsung has officially fixed in a software update. Reported issues that were not officially named by Samsung include over-aggressive image processing (excessive sharpening and smoothing) and focus problems, two issues that are not new to the Galaxy S series.
We'll update our test when there's an update, but my S20 Ultra has shown significant improvements over the Galaxy S10 in all of these areas, apart from focusing.
In ideal lighting scenarios, the main camera of the S20 Ultra shoots great colors and details in the standard 12 MP recording mode, which takes pictures by pixel binning on the 108MP sensor. Here the Ultra shows its improvements in detail capture and dynamic range over the Galaxy S10 because it is less likely to blow out highlights, smooth out gradients, and produce excessively warm photos. This was the case for both the main sensor and the 40 megapixel selfie camera, which improved significantly in the same areas compared to the S10's selfie game.
More impressive details can be found in the 108 MP recording mode of the main camera. You can't see this kind of difference when looking at photos on your phone. However, zoom in on a specific area of a photo on a larger, higher resolution screen and you'll see how detailed this mode is. This way you can crop photos into a smaller area and still get perfectly divisible images.
Yes, the zoom lens is as impressive as you heard it, but after zooming in about 30 times, it becomes more of a party trick than anything else. High zoom images are too grainy to be useful as saying, "Look at what I can do." In addition, distant subjects are difficult to see with the naked eye. Therefore, you are unlikely to ever notice a shot that you can only take at 100x zoom. Even if you did, the grainy, blurry result would not be pleasant.
Compared to other devices such as the iPhone 11 Pro and Pixel 4 (maximum 2 x optical zoom), the S20 Ultra has a 4 x optical zoom and uses a mixture of digital and optical magnification called "space zoom" up to 100x. The Ultra captures appealing details up to 10 times, with Samsung saying it is "lossless" while the loss of quality of the iPhone and pixel becomes apparent. The S20 Ultra has some slight losses, but nothing like the Pixel and iPhone at this zoom level.
Compared to the Huawei P30 Pro, which has a 5x optical zoom and uses a similar optical / digital hybrid to achieve 10x, there is hardly any difference between the two when it comes to optimal lighting. Step into the night and you will see a noticeable advantage in dynamic color rendering for the zoom of the S20 Ultra over the P30 Pro.
Taking photos in low light and using Samsung night mode have been improved over the Galaxy S10. While the former's details and colors are the best, the latter is a step behind Google's Pixel 4 and iPhone 11 Pro conditions for consistently creating good-looking, accurate images.
There have been cases in less challenging low-light situations where the S20 Ultra took the best looking photo and produced sharp details and punchy colors that weren't too dramatic. But in challenging situations, such as a dark alley or even a dimly lit restaurant, the Ultra showed problems with focusing, heavily yellowed shots, and sometimes a blotchy mess.
These were situations in which the Pixel 4 and iPhone 11 Pro defeated the Ultra, and the same was true for handheld shots of the starry sky. It was easy to take these shots without errors on the iPhone and Pixel, but the S20 Ultra takes a few tries. In some situations in night mode, no usable photo could be taken at all.
Perhaps these issues will be fixed in the upcoming update, but at the moment software and processing are keeping the S20 Ultra from the dominance of the camera despite its strong hardware.
Single take is fun. This feature captures about ten seconds of video and then pulls portraits, black and white images, wide-angle photos, short GIF-like videos, and whatever the A.I. looks useful. This way you can quickly create alternative settings for a photo. It's perfect for quick, casual photos that you can share on social media or instant messaging.
8K video recording is available, but you may not want to use it. An obvious problem? There aren't many places you can really appreciate it except an 8K TV. It also doesn't work with other key features like Samsung's Super Steady Stabilizer. 8K videos take up an enormous amount of storage space (a 31-second video uses 301 MB of storage space – over half a gig per minute).
You can forget about 8K video recording after the sun sets. These videos are significantly more grainy than those shot at a lower resolution than 4K, even though they use the same camera sensor and lens. Stabilization disturbances, shutter rolls and accidental distortions (especially in bright light) are all evident.
In truth, most of these problems can affect the video recording of the Galaxy S20 Ultra, regardless of resolution, stabilization mode or lighting – it's just a question of the situation in which these effects occur the least. Although the iPhone 11 Pro is not perfect even at night, its superior image processing avoids the many disturbances, distortions and eye-shaking pans that the S20 Ultra generates. This is also the case when you step into daylight, although the problems of the Ultra are generally less.
The video looks best at 1080p and Super Steady in bright light. Distortions are much less common in daylight, but shutter rolls are still noticeable, making camera pans look edgy and overworked. Enabling Super Steady Stabilization, which only works with 1080p video, will reduce this so much that I would recommend taking photos with Super Steady enabled as much as possible.
Both 4K and 8K shots are less attractive due to their poorer stabilization and locking roller. At night, however, you have no choice but to do 4K or less without Super Steady, as 8K is useless in such low light conditions and Super Steady uses the Ultra wide-angle lens, which cannot capture enough light for a usable video even at night.
4K video at 60 fps at night looked best from all options, but distortion, glitches, and shutter rolls were still common, much more than on the iPhone 11 Pro.
The cameras may not deliver the promised decadence, but every other aspect of the S20 Ultra's performance doesn't disappoint. With 128, 256 or 512 GB of memory and 12 or 16 GB of RAM in combination with Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon 865 processor, you don't want anything anymore when playing, multitasking or using the Ultra every day. Add 5G support to all major U.S. networks, and you have an entertainment and workforce package that is as expensive as its price. This cannot be said about any iPhone or many Android phones – especially not one of the latest flagships.
If you're lucky enough to have around 5G and even more lucky that it is mmWave, you can expect download speeds of up to 1.6 Gbps during my NYC tests on Verizon's mmWave network, though I would often hit between 400-800 Mbps on Big Red's spotty mmWave cover. If you're not at Verizon, don't fret since the Ultra also works on Sub-6 GHz and 2.5 GHz -Access networks – good news for T-Mobile customers who enjoy much broader, but significantly slower (about 100Mbps top speed). 5G coverage.
Battery life can be where the S20 Ultra offers the most unassailable performance, and with so much going on, it is much appreciated that this basic but integral part of the great phone experience has not been shortened. Much like we saw the iPhone 11 Pro Max, this bigger phone has a bigger battery. With the refresh rate of 120 Hz activated on the display, a well-known source for increased battery consumption, I was able to use the S20 Ultra consistently for a whole day, with very little consumption for about a day and a half.
This was very similar to my experience with the iPhone, which has no 120 Hz display option. Activating a refresh rate of 60 Hz on the S20 Ultra can take an hour or more, depending on use, but for the smooth running of 120 Hz, this little bit of battery sacrifice is a breeze.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is almost everything you can expect from a high-end smartphone – on paper. In practice, it is a phone with a base price of $ 1400, which means it has to be the best or damn close. The camera does not meet this expectation.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus cost hundreds of dollars less and offer great big-screen experiences with plenty of battery life. The iPhone is also the well-rounded camera experience, although it can't keep up with the Ultra's zoom. Perhaps the upcoming Samsung update could at least result in parity in photography, although the videography is unlikely to match. The Note 10 offers the Samsung experience in a lighter, slightly smaller package with a pen for booting.
If you're a photography purist who doesn't care about spending a full day of battery life, the Pixel 4 XL is another option that offers a sleek Android experience and a camera to be with the iPhone Main competitor.
This is one of the best points of the S20 Ultra. It is equipped for a certain time. With all the important 5G bands and camera hardware that is ahead of its time (and at this time with its own software), the Ultra is designed for durability. All of this, combined with its IP68 water and dust resistance, means that you should work solidly with the Ultra for two years.
No. At the moment, it's hard to justify spending $ 1,400 on a camera-centric device that just isn't the best smartphone camera you can buy. For a similar big-screen experience, it seems just as good to get the S20 Plus for $ 200 less.
Editor's recommendations
"The EufyCam 2 signs up for subscriptions but maintains excellent video quality."
Rechargeable
The battery can last up to a year
Clear night vision
Wireless installation
Slight video delay
Some video distortion
The eufyCam 2 von Anker is an intelligent wireless surveillance camera that works with Google Assistant, Alexa and Apple Homekit. It has a 100 dB intruder siren, a long-lasting battery, impressive video quality and can detect human movements. It compares well with other large companies in the surveillance camera market, but has some disadvantages.
I'm not the one who climbs a ladder to connect cables to a surveillance camera, and I hate hiring people to install things. Nobody has time for it. Fortunately, the EufyCam 2 is wireless. Plus, the battery lasts a full 365 days, so you don't have to worry about the cameras after they've been installed for a year. When electricity is needed, the batteries are rechargeable.
Alina Bradford / Digital Trends
Setting up the EufyCam 2 takes longer than other wireless surveillance cameras because it has a hub that you have to set up before you even get to the cameras. Fortunately, the process is easy and the Eufy Security app (a different app than the other Anker Eufy Smart Home products) guides you through the steps.
Other cameras like the Arlo Pro 3 and the Ring Stick Up Cam charge premium services or save your videos in the cloud. This is a big trouble. The monthly payment is a charge that significantly increases the total cost of ownership. The last thing you need is a different subscription.
I think the people in anchor heard our cry for help. There is no fee for storing videos or anything. This is because everything is stored in the Eufy Hub. The hub has 16 GB of storage space for up to 3 months of video.
The eufyCam 2 has two thumbs up when it comes to video quality. It has a breathtaking video that is super clear. In fact, the video is much clearer than what I've seen from the Ring Stick Up camera, although both have 1080p HD cameras.
However, there is a little distortion that you don't normally see with high-end cameras like the Arlo Pro 3 and Ring. While distracting, I noticed that the video improves when the camera sees a person, so the face is amazingly clear.
That is the intention. Anker programmed the camera's recognition algorithm to recognize people. When a person is recognized, the AI improves video quality around the person's face to make the image as clear as possible.
The camera’s night vision is the clearest and sharpest I’ve ever seen.
Even better, the night vision of the camera is the clearest and sharpest I've seen on a surveillance camera. Usually night videos with most cameras are pixelated. The EufyCam 2 has sharp night shots that make it easier to see who is lurking on your veranda or in your garden.
The Eufy website says the video is real time, but I would be different. I noticed that there was at least a few seconds between the occurrence of an event and its appearance in the app's live feed. Well, a few seconds doesn't seem like much, but in an emergency situation, a few seconds can mean a lot.
It's hard to impress me when it comes to surveillance cameras, but I was really impressed with the EufyCam 2. It offers great videos, is compatible with a variety of smart home assistants, is easy to install, and lasts for a surprisingly long time Batteries are rechargeable. For me, these advantages outweigh the low video delay and the slight distortion of the fish eyes.
Yes and no. Other cameras, like the Ring Stick Up Camera and Arlo Pro 3, don't have the same video distortion, but the EufyCam 2 offers better clarity, especially at night. When it comes to price, this camera costs $ 350 more than most wireless cameras of its caliber, although it is cheaper than the Arlo Pro 3. It is worth noting that the price includes two EufyCam 2 cameras and the hub additional cameras includes price at $ 150 each.
The EufyCam feels robust. It will definitely withstand the weather and curious birds. It also comes with a limited warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee, no matter why you want to return it.
Yes. The excellent night vision alone would be a reason to buy it.
Editor's recommendations
