07 Mar
Blog

Formlabs Form 1+ SLA 3D Printer Review

Formlabs Form 1+ SLA 3D printer

"Formlabs & # 39; Form 1+ produces some of the highest quality prints we've seen from a 3D printer, but high up-front costs and maintenance will scare off hobbyists."

  • Outstanding print quality

  • Attractive design

  • Supports multiple materials

  • Expensive

  • Maintenance intensive

  • Too complex for DIY repairs

When you hear the expression “3D printer”, you are probably imagining a conventional FDM (Filament Deposition Modeling) printer. These are the ones who take a thermoplastic coil, heat it up and spray it through a nozzle to create objects layer by layer. This technology has made leaps and bounds in recent years and is still improving today – but recently another 3D printing technique has crept into the mainstream: stereolithography, or SLA for short.

Instead of melting plastic to create objects layer by layer, SLA printers use a laser projection system to “grow” objects from a pool of UV-curable resin. When the laser flashes over the resin shell, a thin layer solidifies on the building board, which is slowly pulled upwards with each new layer.

Formlabs' Form 1 printer (which has now become Form 1+) was one of the first consumer-oriented SLA printers to hit the market. At $ 3,300, it's still more than most FDM consumer models, but according to the company, it can "outperform even high-end FDM presses."

Does it live up to all the hype? We got our hands on the company's new and improved Form 1+ to find out.

Features and specifications

When unpacked, the form weighs 1+ 18 pounds and measures 12 x 11 x 18 inches. Compared to most of the other 3D printers we've used, it's definitely a bit more compact – so it can be placed almost anywhere – including your desk. It's not that big that it affects all of your desktop real estate.

The bad news is that this leads to a relatively small construction area. Under its UV-blocking orange hood is the Form 1+ with a 4.9 × 4.9 × 6.5 inch building board, a removable resin shell and a 405-nm violet laser of class 1. Basically, this last specification means that the laser is strong enough to solidify resin with just a short flash, but not so strong that it burns your eyeballs if you stare into the printer while it is making your parts.

The machine also comes with the Form Finishing Kit: a set of tools, trays and other materials that you can use to improve your prints after they are finished. This is a nice touch for sure, but it's not just a nice little bonus that Formlabs introduced as a bonus – it's crucial and you have to use it every time you print something. More on that later.

Finally, the printer comes with a number of different "functional resins" that allow you to print more than just hard plastic parts. In addition to the normal photopolymer resin, Formlabs also offers a clear resin for faster printing, a flexible variant for the production of parts that can be bent easily, and a “pourable” variant for the production of molds.

Setup and configuration

According to Formlabs, Form 1+ was created to be simple and easy to use. This statement could not be truer in terms of furnishings. We are not sure if it could be easier. Everything is pre-assembled and since there is no filament extruder to play with, the machine does not need to be calibrated. To start printing, all you have to do is empty some resin into the tray, connect the printer to your computer's USB port, load a print file, and click Go.

The most difficult part of the setup is probably the installation of the associated software. Due to the nature of Formlabs' SLA printing technology, the printer cannot use conventional slicer programs such as Cura or Slic3r – it only works with PreForm.

Fortunately, the program is fairly easy to install and use. The user interface is great – the menus are organized logically, the icons make the button functions fairly obvious even to the unfamiliar user, and editing your 3D model is extremely intuitive. The learning curve is extremely low, but this is partly due to the fact that no advanced customization options are available in the program.

The system's default configuration settings should be sufficient to get you started. If something does not work or you need to make adjustments, all advanced settings are made in PreForm. This saves you the tedious task of navigating through menus on a tiny LCD screen and allows you to use a mouse instead of a button or a directional pad.

Construction quality and design

If a 3D printer can look cool, Formlabs has made it here. Unlike the efficiency-oriented industrial look that most printers seem to prefer, Form 1+ offers a much more elegant and attractive design. It looks like a modern "box with curved corners", which makes it feel a little more polished and professional – if you don't mind this large orange UV hood.

Practically every component feels robust and reliable on this machine.

Form 1+ also achieved good grades for the build quality. Nothing about it feels weak or cheap. The hinges on the bonnet, the clips in the resin shell, the single button on the front – practically every component feels robust and reliable with this machine. And although it probably wouldn't survive a fall from your desk, the occasional accidental bump won't bother him.

Printing performance

To test the capabilities of the printer, we went through our usual glove with print benchmarks and test objects.

The first thing we measured was the print speed. In theory, these SLA printers are said to be much faster than their brothers, who melt filaments because they only have to flash a laser over the resin shell to create a layer. To test the speed, we first printed a 1x1x1 centimeter cube with the standard layer thickness of 100 micrometers. With this setting, the printing took exactly 19 minutes. However, this is not particularly quick. For the second test, we increased the layer thickness to 200 micrometers (which is only possible with the clear resin from Formlabs – not with the colored variant). With these settings, the printer spat out the cube flat in 9 minutes. However, at the highest resolution settings (25 micron layer thickness), printing the same cube takes well over an hour.

Formlabs Form 1+ 3D printerBill Roberson / Digital Trends

Bill Roberson / Digital Trends

Based on these tests, it is clear that Form 1+ is not much faster or slower than an average FDM printer. At the standard resolution, it chugs at about the same pace as the other printers. However, if you reduce the layer thickness and use the printer's potential for full resolution, it will take a little longer. Even with SLA technology, the compromise between resolution and speed is about the same as with FDM.

That said, other print statistics are really impressive. Form 1+ absolutely shredded the test object “STRG V” printed by us, with which, for example, minimum wall thickness, maximum unsupported span, maximum overhang angle and more are to be tested. The piece was definitely not perfect, but it was much cleaner and more complete than what we normally see from FDM printers.

After a few weeks, it's pretty clear that Formlabs isn't just blowing smoke with all the claims about professional print quality. The Form 1+ indeed offers more detailed, higher quality prints than many other consumer-oriented 3D printers currently available. It's not much faster, but there are only a handful of competing machines that can do what this thing does. Oh, and not to mention that Form 1+ can also print flexible materials, which is pretty cool.

Maintenance, repairability, upgradeability

If there is an area where Form 1+ has problems, it is maintenance. The photopolymer resin that SLA printers use is an absolute pain in the ass. We can't knock on the Form 1+ specifically for that, as it's definitely not the only printer that works this way – but handling resin is definitely a nightmare – at least compared to a spool of plastic filament.

Resin requires drastically more attention to detail than ABS or PLA filaments. Before printing, you need to make sure there are no large bubbles in the resin tray as they may create a hole in your print. Sometimes a small hole is not a big deal, but sometimes it can ruin your entire model. The resin is also more viscous than water, so bubbles do not always rise very quickly to allow for easy bursting. So sometimes you have to wait for them to dissolve.

Formlabs Form 1+ 3D printerBill Roberson / Digital Trends

Bill Roberson / Digital Trends

And that's just step one. The real fun starts after your print is done. In this case, you'll need to put on rubber gloves (trust me, don't do it with your bare hands), pry the sticky model off the build plate, and wipe it around in a bath with isopropyl alcohol. This will dissolve uncured resin that may adhere to your model.

But you're still not out of the forest! Before you start printing again, you have to do one step. To make sure there are no cured parts lurking in the resin shell (which would block the laser and screw up your pressure), you'll need to rake a comb through the Goop pool to catch stragglers. Then you need to remove the tool used, wait for the bubbles to dissolve, and then start printing again. It's pretty tiring to be honest.

The photopolymer resin that SLA printers use is an absolute pain in the ass.

Repairability is also a difficult task for the printer. Formlabs has tried to keep moving parts as small as possible so that errors occur less frequently. That's nice – but if there is a chance that something will go wrong, getting into this machine and repairing it yourself is probably a difficult task. Everything about this printer is inherently more complicated than the technology that powers an FDM printer.

Smaller problems can be fixed easily enough – for example, a dusty mirror can be cleaned with a can of compressed air in just a minute – but bigger problems (an engine stops working, the mirror loses alignment, the laser breaks out, or you if you do If you drop some resin in the lower chamber, you will almost certainly need to contact customer service or send your printer in for repair.

The DT accessory package

Improve your game and get the most out of your equipment with the following extras selected by our editors:

Isopropyl alcohol ($ 25)

Canned air ($ 5.84)

flexible resin ($ 99)

However, we haven't found any of these issues during our testing, so we have every reason to believe that these issues are extremely rare. But still – if you ever have an accident, it's probably not going to be a DIY repair, which is annoying.

You can now simply forget that it can be updated. You get what you see with this machine. You can buy new types of resin and some spare parts, but as far as we can tell, the machine is not designed for upgrades or extensions.

Conclusion

Comparing an SLA printer to an FDM printer is similar to comparing apples to oranges: they are certainly different, but ultimately they are both fruits. Anyone who says you can't compare the two is a fool.

The Form 1+ is arguably one of the best consumer-oriented SLA printers currently available – but within the broader category of 3D printers, it is not necessarily the leader – at least in the opinion of this reviewer. The print resolution this device offers is excellent and, thanks to several quality measurements, far ahead of most FDM printers.

But not all of them. The Ultimaker 2 offers the same specifications for maximum resolution (only 25 microns) and can produce comparable prints without worrying about photopolymer resin (which is not only messy, but costs $ 150 per bottle). It's also $ 800 cheaper than the $ 3,300 Form 1+.

Simply put, we would only recommend this printer if your only concern is print quality. If you want the best prints you can possibly get from a printer in this price range, look no further.

However, if you're interested in things like price, convenience, and repairability, you should consider other options. There are tons of traditional FDM printers that offer slightly poorer print quality but also require far less maintenance and are sold at a much cheaper price.

While Form 1+ is definitely at the top of the list in terms of printing performance, you can get a lot more for your money elsewhere.

Heights

  • Outstanding print quality
  • Attractive design
  • Supports multiple materials

Lows

  • Expensive
  • Maintenance intensive
  • Too complex for DIY repairs

Editor's recommendations




06 Mar
Blog

Cake Kalk OR Review: Radical, Responsible Electric Dirt Bike

Cake lime OR

  • Outstanding workmanship

  • So much strength

  • Light

  • Environmentally friendly

  • Expensive

  • No app

  • Limited tire selection

If Ikea and Tesla had a baby, it would be the Cake Kalk OR. Simple, but equipped with the latest technology and flush with design elements.

Aside from the analogies, I had the opportunity to rip the Cake Kalk OR through an humid Oregon landscape for an afternoon, and found that this little electric dirt bike had its own personality.

Cake may not be a name you've heard of. Cake comes from Sweden and entered the motorcycle scene with a completely different ethos. It wants to accelerate the path to an emission-free society with excitement and responsibility.

Excitement is a must for everything related to motorsport, but responsibility? In addition to Cakes, four bikes with Kalk OR, Kalk & and the upcoming Osa + and Osa Lite offer Cake Solar panels by working with Solar power. Offering solar panels is certainly responsible, but most of all it's different. Building a new category of super-light electric motorcycles is one thing, but the logistics of offering a fuel source is a completely different can that is reminiscent of another fully electric brand, Tesla.

design

The off-road bike that Cake launched onto the market, the Kalk OR, is a cross between a downhill mountain bike and a motocross dirt bike. It defines a new motorcycle segment, the Cake Light Electric Offroad or L.E.O.s.

It attracts a lot of attention. Within minutes of putting my butt on the bike, passers-by stopped to chat about specs and take a closer look at a bike that is so obviously different.

Cake lime OR

Cake has thought about every element of the Calk OR. It would have been easier to get a tire that's already in production, but Cake wanted the only part of that bike that touches the earth to be one of the most thoughtful. Cake has designed the Trail Saver tires so that they offer grip in the dirt and the trail remains intact.

My first impression was that these eco tires wouldn't cut it in the muddy winter in Oregon that I wanted to put them on. After massaging the air pressure lightly and getting used to the enormous torque, I found that the tires were suitable in very slippery conditions.

The tires are supported by the minimal weight of the Kalk OR. With aluminum wheels, swingarm and frame, and carbon fiber body parts, the Kalk OR has a hair of over 152 pounds. To put this into context, a 250cc dirt bike usually weighs between 240 and 270 pounds, while most downhill mountain bikes weigh 30 to 40 pounds.

performance

The Kalk OR feels like a dirt bike that should be thrown around like a rag doll. Even when I pounded this Swedish fish through mud, the stakes never felt too high. Even if you swing the rear end around and try to achieve your longest drift so far, thanks to the low weight and lack of swing of the bike, you can build muscle through a typical high-side misstep.

That said, finding problems and the fun associated with them is still easy when you have so much strength. The Kalk OR contains an 11 kW electric motor. This corresponds to approximately 14 hp, which is not much compared to 250 cc motocross machines with around 45 to 50 hp.

However, electric motors are not about performance. It's about torque. The Kalk OR engine has a dazzling torque of 280 Nm, which is 206 lb-ft. A typical 250cc bike offers 30-35 lb-ft. The Kalk OR makes optimum use of its 14 hp and brings you to a maximum speed of 50 miles per hour with torque.

With all the mud and slipping on my trip, I would have been overwhelmed if the different power and braking modes of the Kalk OR had not existed. The control panel in front of the driver is more accessible and easier to understand.

The Kalk OR has three performance modes:

  1. Explore mode, which limits the top speed to 45 km / h, dampens throttle response and limits overall performance.
  2. Excite mode that removes the speed limiter while increasing throttle response and performance.
  3. Excel mode, which offers you everything that the lime surgery can distribute.

These modes give you very different experiences, almost like getting three bikes in one. However, if you increase the performance, the range of your battery will inevitably decrease from 3-4 hours in Explore to 1 hour in Excel.

Fortunately, these numbers seem to be conservative estimates. I saw over 3 hours when I switched between Excite and Excel modes. However, keep in mind that the range will vary based on driver weight, driving style and terrain.

The bike's three braking modes may not be as intuitive for an inexperienced rider. This is because they have nothing to do with the physical brakes that work great and deserve an honorable mention, but rather how much the engine slows you down when you depress the throttle.

Level three offers the highest level of motor-assisted braking, while level one completely eliminates it, making the Kalk OR feel more like a mountain bike. Motor brake modes 2 and 3 also help extend battery life. It's like a two-on-one deal for helpful engine management.

When you stop charging the Kalk OR, charging from a standard outlet is surprisingly quick. 0-80% take 1.5 hours and 0-100% take 2.5 hours. That means a good trail run in the morning, a relaxed lunch, and another 4-6 hours of riding in a day, which should be enough to keep even the most hearty enthusiasts thin.

When I saw that the lime surgery was only delivered with a complete Öhlins setup, my jaw dropped. Öhlins, known for its first-class components, is usually reserved for the highest quality fairings of the highest quality motorcycles.

As expected, the suspension is smooth and fully adjustable, so you can choose any ride you want to throw on it. This is an aspect of lime OR OR I am absolutely confident that if you are not a professional driver you will never miss it.

It's great, but it's expensive

The Kalk OR is a movement in a very friendly direction for the two-wheeled world. The ability to slow down performance makes the Kalk OR viable for riders with different abilities, and while the lack of weight makes it easier for experienced riders to throw around, it's much less intimidating for newbies.

So is the Kalk OR dirt bike perfect? Not quite, although my problems are minor.

Cake built a 24-inch wheel for the Calk OR, an unusual size in the motorcycle world. This means that you won't get ahead with Cake's proprietary Trail Saver tire, whether you like it or not. At $ 90 a piece, they're not the cheapest options and are only available from the manufacturer.

The custom components are not cheap either. At $ 13,000, the cost of the ride is quite high due to the cute Swedish technology and premium parts. On the other hand, you can think of Kalk OR as three motorcycles in one – and maybe that's enough to make the difference for you.

My final problem is the lack of an app. I want telemetry and statistics and I want it now. The Cake people have assured me that this is planned, but at the moment your battery life is limited to four small LED indicators, and firmware upgrades must be done via a wired connection.

Warranty information

The Cake Kalk OR is covered by two years parts and labor, except normal wear and tear.

Our opinion

The Kalk OR is a super light bike with melting amounts of fully electric torque and the highest quality parts. All from a company that underpins its claims to be environmentally conscious with actionable steps you can take to make a difference. Is this the most guilt-free off-road fun you can have? Possibly.

Is there a better alternative?

The first alternative is lime &. The & is the OP's street sibling, which has a slightly smaller sprocket, a standard 19-inch wheel, lights, and a dashboard.

Another option is the newly announced Ubco FRX1which will be available later this year. The FRX1 costs $ 3,000 less than the OR and might be as fast, but doesn't have the incredible suspension of the Cake Kalk OR. I will know more about the FRX1 when I get the chance to drive one later this year.

Because I know that if I don't mention Zero Motorcycles, someone will be angry, None of the Zero models apply to this category of super-light electric trail bikes. Cake's lineup, compared to Zero's, is made up of apples and oranges. End of the story.

How long it will take?

The quality of this bike is top notch. Even the ridiculously white seat got cleaned with minimal effort after being whipped with mud all day. I assume that you can work with such a well-designed and simple machine without any problems in the coming years. The solid build is then secured by the ability of the Kalk OR to update the firmware and replace the batteries.

Should you buy it

Yes. For my money, however, I would spend the additional $ 1,000 and upgrade to Lime & Street. The Cake Kalk OR is a fun bike on and off the trail.

Editor's recommendations




06 Mar
Blog

Kwikset Halo Review: A Tough Smart Lock That’s Hard To Love

kwikset halo

"You won't find a more stable Smart Lock, but the functionality is questionable."

  • Durable construction

  • Versatile entry

  • Must replace your latch

  • Bad installation experience

  • Touchpad is an annoyance

The Halo from Kwikset is an intelligent lock that can be controlled with an app, codes or an old-fashioned set of keys. This versatility, paired with super hard hardware, seems to be a winning combination. But while the halo has a lot to offer, there are some shortcomings that make it less practical than it looked at first glance.

installation

The halo is more difficult to install than some locks because you have to take out your current latch and install a new one. Other door locks like the August Smart Lock or the Wyze Lock fit over your existing bolt and make the transition easier. If you're not mechanically inclined (like me), getting the old latch out and inserting the new one can be frustrating.

If you don't need to install a new latch, why should you do that?

Kwikset's instructions even say that you may need a wooden chisel during installation. I'm not sure how many households have a wooden chisel on hand, but I tend to estimate few.

Halo before installation

However, my biggest frustration with the installation was due to the app. The quick start guide will ask you to download the app. You will then need to follow the on-screen instructions to install the lock. Paper instructions are not included.

However, I had to switch screens to answer a text. When I got back to the app, she insisted that I go through a long, lengthy account login process. When that was done, I never returned to the installation process. I had to find it again and then try to find the installation screen I was on before the interruption. That seems to me to be a usability error.

durability

Most of the characteristic of this intelligent lock is its toughness. The halo is shockproof, fireproof for up to 20 minutes, pickproof and hardened against drills or saws. Even the connecting wires inside are reinforced. This is a stable lock. You can only tell by its weight that it is made to last.

Keyboard and access

Halo app and lock

The Halo has a keyboard that lights up for easy viewing, but doesn't miss the problems with touchpads.

The big problem is sensitivity. You need to touch the pad to activate it and then enter your key code. I found that if I didn't enter my code quickly enough within seconds, the pad would fall asleep and wouldn't wake up again. I stood around, tapping the screen impatiently, trying to bring him back to life for a minute or two. If you're in a hurry to get in, this is a no-go.

In addition, the keyboard clearly shows fingerprints. This means that a potential crook can look at the pattern of fingerprints on the touchpad and find your code easily. I tried wiping the touchpad after use, but who will really clean the lock every time they use it?

One feature I like is that you can use the app to turn off the keyboard completely. You can then use your keys or the app to control the locking and unlocking of your door. It undermines the sense of an intelligent lock with a keyboard, but that shows you how much I don't like the Halo keyboard.

Too bad, because this lock can store up to 250 user codes, including time limits and expiration dates, which you can control via the app. I can see where that would be useful.

The alarm didn't work

One of the features I liked when I first heard about the Halo is that an alarm sounds when the code is entered incorrectly three times. This would let you know immediately if someone tried to find out your code and break into your home.

Kwikset Halo code options

So I tried it in the interest of science. I entered three random codes and nothing happened to my dismay. There was no alarm. No notification appeared on my phone. Other attempts have also not triggered an alarm.

I contacted the company's support team and they were informed that the batteries may be weak or the connection may become loose. Neither seemed to be the cause. As far as I can tell, the function just doesn't work as an advertisement.

Our opinion

The Kwikset Halo is disappointing. The keyboard is tedious and installing a new latch is a big problem. At $ 229, other smart locks are cheaper and work better.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. The August Smart Lock Pro only costs $ 85 and works with your current latch. If you want a smart lock with a keyboard, choose the Nest X Yale or the Schlage Encode. They cost roughly the same, but these locks work better overall.

Will it take?

Absolutely. It is a beast. A lifetime warranty is also provided.

Should you buy it

The halo has no match when it comes to strength and toughness, but the technology isn't great. Pass this on.

Editor's recommendations




06 Mar
Blog

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Review: Best Travel Camera?

Olympus OMD E M1

"The Olympus E-M1 Mark III makes previously impossible recordings easy."

  • Excellent stabilization

  • Starry sky auto focus

  • Fast performance

  • High-resolution handheld mode

  • Weatherproof

  • EVF could be better

  • The measurement was somewhat unpredictable

  • Same sensor as Mark II

Some photographers are pixel peepers. They reach for the largest sensors with the highest resolution and are only looking for the sharpest optics in order to reproduce a test card perfectly. The $ 1,800 Olympus OMD E-M1 Mark III won't please these photographers. in fact, it completely ignores them.

This is the camera for everyone else, especially for those who value a compact, adventurous system. Photographers who want long zoom and short size lenses; and photographers looking for a camera that makes even the most difficult shots fun.

Olympus suspends the full-frame race, sticks to the smaller Micro Four Thirds format that it developed, and focuses on usability with features that no other brand offers. For the most part, it works.

This includes brand new features like Starry Sky AF, an autofocus mode specifically designed to focus on the stars (those in the sky; this is not a paparazzi mode). This includes a stabilizing system with 7.5 apertures and built-in ND filters (neutral density), with which you can leave the tripod and the screw-on filter (mostly anyway) at home.

We tested the limits of the E-M1 Mark III on the beaches and jungles of Costa Rica for four days and then put the camera through its paces in a northeastern winter for a few weeks. While the E-M1 Mark III isn't the best camera you can buy for $ 1,800, it's the best interchangeable camera on the go.

Design and build quality

The E-M1 Mark III offers similar functions to the E-M1X, but in a smaller form without the built-in battery handle. With the 12-45mm 1: 4 PRO, the smallest weatherproof combination that Olympus offers. I was able to put the camera, four lenses, two teleconverters – enough for a range of 600 mm – and an iPad in a backpack. I even had enough space to put my tripod in my backpack instead of strapping it out. A difference that allowed me to pack everything in hand luggage for a four-day international photo tour.

Despite the smaller size and weight – around 20.5 ounces – the handle of the E-M1 Mark III is comfortable and there is still plenty of room for physical controls, including dual controls and an auto focus joystick. Olympus was also able to use two SD card slots, although only slot is UHS-II compatible.

The control layout is solid, if not perfect. I love the programmable mode switch that can be used to quickly switch between two camera settings. Although it can do much more, I used it to quickly switch from simple to continuous autofocus when photographing wildlife.

A joystick, two steering wheels and an ISO button near the thumb provide easy focus and exposure settings. The key combinations for focus modes, measurement, burst, timer and flash are located in the top left.

On the less positive side, the record button and exposure compensation are right next to each other on the top of the camera near the trigger. With the same size and shape, I accidentally started recording several times when I wanted to adjust the exposure. These two controls take a little more time to use the camera comfortably without having to pull the viewfinder away from my eye.

For more controls, a quick menu contains less frequently used options. The full menu is known to anyone who has previously shot Olympus, but it takes a bit of a hunt to find options for less known people.

The E-M1 III uses a 3-inch, 1.037 million dot touchscreen that is tilted to the side of the camera, so you can rotate the screen in selfie orientation without being blocked by a tripod.

As with the E-M1X, however, I was not impressed by the electronic viewfinder. The refresh rate was solid, but the images had less contrast than the LCD screen. With 2.36 million points, there are several EVFs on the market that offer a higher resolution.

The magnesium alloy case is sealed against dust and splashes and feels firm in the hands, which is no surprise to anyone who previously used a high-end Olympus camera. It even survived my accidental durability test when the tide came in a little faster than expected while the camera was on the beach. Although it is more of a partial immersion than a simple splash, both the E-M1 and the new 12-45mm kit lens were no worse to carry. A small amount of beach sand penetrated directly into the battery compartment, but if the camera survives being hit by a sea wave, it should be able to survive the announced splash and dust without any problems.

The E-M1 Mark III does not have the double batteries of the E-M1X, but the battery life of a mirrorless camera is solid. I didn't have to replace the battery until the end of the day, about 800 shots later. (My preference for burst mode usually allows me to achieve more than the specified battery life – the CIPA rating is 420 shots or 900 in quick sleep mode).

Features and performance

Shot with Starry Sky AF and a tripod, edited in Adobe Lightroom

Compared to larger cameras, taking pictures with the E-M1 Mark III is liberating. While most mirrorless cameras are easy to carry, the E-M1 can leave both the tripod and the ND filters in most cases. With a 7-stage stabilization system (7.5 with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100 mm f / 4.0 PRO lens) and the built-in NDs, I took several long-term exposures of ocean waves during the day without removing my tripod from the take backpack.

Olympus has the best stabilization system of any manufacturer, and says that most people can take 6-second wide-angle shots without a tripod. This is impressive. But with a firm grip it is possible to get even more out. Although I love long exposures, I hate taking my tripod anywhere and I took long exposures much more often because I could hold them in my hand.

Starry Sky AF is a new feature that is unknown to other brands. It worked surprisingly well.

Long-term handheld exposures aren't new to the E-M1 Mark III, but a handheld photo of the night sky without a tripod – or manual focus – is definitely. The camera's new Starry Sky AF mode does not use contrast detection, phase detection, or even a hybrid of the two systems. Instead, the luminance is used to look for the points of light that create stars against a black sky.

The system has two modes: speed priority for hand shooting and accuracy priority when working on a tripod. The mode is also set up to use the focus with the back button instead of focusing with half a press on the shutter button, so the focus remains locked when you re-formulate the shot.

Photographing stars is one of the more difficult types of photography, since a tripod is usually required and the sweet spot must be found on the manual focus ring, which can take multiple test shots before it is just right. The combination of stabilization and starry AF of the E-M1 III simplifies the shooting of stars, makes it easier for advanced photographers and is accessible for beginners. I would still prefer a tripod to get the best results, but the fact that one isn't required is very impressive.

Starry Sky AF is a new feature that is unknown to other brands. It worked surprisingly well. While not as fast as the camera's usual autofocus, it surpasses manual focus. And because the system is based on luminance, it also works with other types of light sources that are surrounded by darkness, such as night cityscapes.

While the Starry Sky AF is the star of the show, the 121-point on-chip phase detection autofocus system on the E-M1 Mark III – a system almost identical to the E-M1X – performs well. The focusing speed is not record-breaking, but has kept pace with everything from surfers to birds in flight. The auto focus in low light is also respectable, if not the best in its class, with a sensitivity of up to -3.5 EV.

Eye AF is comparable to other mirrorless systems from competitors.

Face and eye AF also worked well and quickly recognized and fixed the eyes. While probably not fast enough for sports, eye AF is comparable to other mirrorless systems from competitors. Some systems, such as the Nikon Z 6 and Z 7, require the use of an automatic AF area for eye AF to work. The E-M1 Mark III can use eye AF in group AF mode, which means you don't have to switch between focus modes as much as your subjects change. Eye AF for animals, a function that is becoming increasingly common with other brands, is also missing.

Tracking autofocus worked just as well as any camera I've shot with – which means it sometimes works and sometimes it's junk. I managed to take a few sharp shots, but with group mode and simple continuous autofocus, I got better results. However, I don't really count this as a negative because I haven't yet met a tracking autofocus camera that is good enough for quick actions (newer Sony models like the A6600 might be an exception).

The E-M1 Mark III also didn't inherit the E-M1X's motorsport focus mode (which actually works quite well for tracking). The niche function requires two processors to function and therefore remains exclusive to the high-end flagship model. However, the single processor of the E-M1 upgraded to TruPic IX still manages to achieve the most performance.

The E-M1 III is fast enough for most photographers. It can shoot with the mechanics at 10 frames per second or with the quiet electronic shutter at 18 frames per second. If you don't need continuous autofocus, You can increase this speed up to 15 or 60 fps. The frame buffer limits approximately 76 RAW shots when shooting at 18 frames per second. However, we have found that this is sufficient to accommodate everything from birds to surfers.

The TruPic IX processor also enables a new high-resolution handheld mode that uses the image stabilization system and the tiny movements of your hands to merge 16 photos into a 50 megapixel file. The mode is only suitable for perfectly calm subjects, but offers the possibility of achieving a higher resolution if the 20.4 megapixels of the sensor are not sufficient.

picture quality

The E-M1 Mark III has the same sensor as the Mark II with the same resolution of 20 MP. Given the small size of the sensor, increasing the resolution will eventually reduce the return, so 20 MP is fine. However, there is no way around the fact that this sensor, which is now many years old, has limitations compared to larger, more modern sensors. The E-M1 Mark III is still good enough for most photographers, but don't expect a jump in image quality over older models.

However, this smaller sensor has advantages. One of the biggest advantages of the 2X crop factor makes it easier to achieve a longer focal length. 600 mm equivalent range, a groundbreaking focal length in full screen mode, can be easily taken along.

The excellent image stabilization is also of great help with these long lenses. Even with relatively slow shutter speeds, the details remained sharp when shooting with a 600 mm handheld.

And while the sensor remains unchanged, a new detail priority mode processes high ISO images twice, slowing the camera down but increasing the level of detail. When processing with speed priority, the noise creeps in around ISO 800, and details and sharpness tend to go down around ISO 3,200. Fortunately, the excellent stabilization for still subjects can help keep the ISO low.

The camera's metering system felt less predictable than most of the others even in spot metering mode, and I was regularly on the exposure compensation dial to get the picture right in aperture priority and shutter priority mode.

This gator was polite enough for high-resolution mode, though it took a few tries.

If you need additional resolution, the high-resolution handheld mode can be of great help. The photo above was taken in this mode and even cropped in the mail. The subject must remain still, and the camera takes a few extra seconds to put everything together, but provides detail for some subjects.

The video follows a similar pattern with good color and excellent stabilization. Taking even wide-angle shots without a tripod was easy, with just a little movement in the video. The detail is excellent thanks to the 4K resolution of the cinema.

Price and availability

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is $ 1,800 and was released on February 24th.

Our opinion

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is a small camera, but it is also a camera that works in a way that other cameras cannot. Features like Starry Sky AF and high-resolution handheld mode are unique advantages. Because you pack a weatherproof camera and smaller lenses, leave the tripod and the ND filters at home and still get solid images, the E-M1 Mark III is an ideal camera on the go.

But it is not perfect. The viewfinder resolution is a few generations out of date, the measuring system feels inconsistent and many other basic systems such as the 121-point autofocus and the 20MP Four Thirds sensor are adopted by the Mark II.

Is there a better alternative?

For $ 1,800, you get a lot of camera, including the recently announced Fujifilm X-T4, which has a larger APS-C sensor but is similar in size to the E-M1. Even the Sony A7 III in full screen mode is the better choice for photographers who are more concerned with the highest image quality than with large zoom and a lot of stabilization.

However, no competing camera has 7-stage image stabilization (the Fuji comes close to 6.5, but only with selected lenses). No other camera can focus on the stars or take astrophotography without a tripod. And no other format can pack a 600 mm range in a 300 mm lens.

So whether there is a "better" camera depends on your definition of "better". Is there a camera with better picture quality for the price? Absolutely. But is there a better alternative for travel photography? Probably not.

How long it will take?

The weather seal makes the E-M1 Mark III a tough machine. With 400,000 operations, the updated shutter is one of the best from Olympus. My test device survived being partially submerged in sea water. Aside from more extreme disasters, the camera should last for many years and even longer if Olympus chose the Mark IV.

Should you buy it

Yes, if you want a great interchangeable lens camera on the go or are obsessed with long exposure, but hate to carry a tripod around. Image stabilization, built-in NDs and Starry Sky AF are all great.

The smaller sensor is less suitable for genres such as portraits, weddings and fashion, where you can spend a similar amount of money on a full frame body and where the advanced features of the E-M1 III just don't work.

Editor's recommendations




06 Mar
Blog

Jabra Elite Active 75t review: Fully waterproof wonders

Jabra Elite Active 75t

"For $ 20 more than the Elite 75t, you get complete water protection and a super secure fit."

  • Safe and comfortable fit

  • Great sound quality

  • Waterproof

  • Good call quality

  • No wireless charging

  • Average battery life

When Jabra released its latest real wireless earbuds, the Elite 75t, we knew it wouldn't be long before the Elite Active 75t came out. After all, the same pattern occurred in 2018 when the company first launched the Elite 65t and then the Elite Active 65t.

Yes, history has repeated itself, and the Elite Active 75t can now be pre-ordered for $ 200-20 more than the Elite 75t. Although the new models are more expensive than their predecessors, the price difference between active and inactive versions remains the same.

Unlike the Elite Active 65t, which offers better water protection than the Elite 65t and built-in accelerometers for basic tracking of in-app activities, the Elite Active 75t offers only two small improvements. Complete sealing thanks to protection class IP57 and a slightly grippier outer surface. Are they worth the upgrade? Let's find out.

Design and comfort

Jabra Elite Active 75tSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

We just come out and say it. The Jabra Elite 75t are the best fitting real wireless earbuds we've tried here at Digital Trends, and the Elite Active 75t are identical. They have the same ergonomic shape that feels like it was specially shaped for my ears. I know they don't fit everybody like a glove, but your chances of getting a good fit are better with these buds than with many other options.

Rest assured, the Elite Active 75t will not be released unintentionally.

The Elite Active 75t doubles this ergonomics with a slightly rubber-like outer surface. It is barely noticeable until you insert it in your ear, and it immediately becomes clear that if you don't pluck them freely, they won't go anywhere.

This is true when you use it for the first time, and it's still true an hour after your workout, as sweat has turned from a trickle to a current. Most people will find that the Elite 75t is completely safe, but if you want an extra level of safety, the Elite Actives offer just that.

If you've ever shied away from the Jabra Elites because they lack the ear hooks of a Powerbeats Pro or JLab Epic Air Sport, you can be sure that the Elite Active 75t won't be released unintentionally.

I found the standard medium tips to fit perfectly, but Jabra also includes a small and a large set.

Audio quality

Jabra Elite Active 75t just in caseSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Elite Active 75t sounds great. Some real wireless earbuds, especially at cheaper prices, feel like a compromise. You have the convenience of being completely wireless, but at the expense of decent sound. This is not the case here.

The Elite Actives do what good earphones should do: bring your music closer and discover nuances that you may not have heard through speakers or even headphones. With low, medium, and high frequencies, all of which are fully rendered, the Elite Active 75t is cheap compared to medium-range wired earbuds and the similar prices, but not completely wireless Bowers and Wilkins PI3.

To get a much better sound, you need to upgrade to the $ 300 master and Dynamic MW07 Plus.

They bring your music closer and let you discover nuances that you may not have heard before.

Although Jabra hasn't discussed the acoustic differences between the Elite 75t and the Elite Active 75t, I can tell you that they have unique sound signatures. The Elite 75t are large and bombastic with a bass forward sound that some may find overwhelming. The Elite Active 75t are much more balanced in comparison. With the free Jabra Sound + app for Android and iOS, you can customize the EQ to your heart's content. However, the default setting is very pleasantly neutral and suitable for most music genres.

You won't find active noise cancellation on the Elites, like more expensive buds like Apple's AirPods Pro or Sony's WF-1000XM3, but passive noise isolation through the silicone earplugs reduces most outside noise to the point where it doesn't occur more. t compete with your music. I guarantee that you will need to use Jabra's HearThrough system to have a personal conversation with the Elite Active 75t in your ears.

Controls and app

Jabra Elite Active 75tSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

We see more and more real wireless earbuds opting for touch controls instead of physical buttons. That's not a bad thing, especially when these touch controls are responsive and easy to use. Some, like Apple's AirPods Pro, are excellent. Others, well, not so much.

That's why I appreciate Jabra's only physical button on every Elite Active 75t earphone. They're easy to find with your fingers (whether you're wearing gloves or naked), easy to use (a light press is all that's needed), and can control almost all of the important functions, including volume and voice assistant access.

At the moment, you need to remember what the individual key and button combinations are responsible for, even if they don't feel intuitive. However, with an update to the Sound + app that will be released later this year, you can customize the way the buttons work.

Portability and ports

Jabra Elite Active 75t charging caseSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Even if your real wireless earbuds like the amazing Samsung Galaxy Buds + can hold all day, you probably won't be wearing them all day, so a good charging case is important. The charging case of the Elite Active 75t is very small, so it can easily be put in your pocket. The hinged lid can also be easily opened with one hand, but closes with a satisfactory click thanks to a tiny magnet.

A second set of stronger magnets will keep the earbuds docked in their sockets until you are ready to remove them. The overall construction and materials of the case are both superb, and a tiny LED on the back gives you a color-based battery status when you open or close the lid.

The USB-C connection is handy for charging (assuming you're a USB-C person), but there's no wireless charging – a bit of a disappointment considering the price.

Battery life

Jabra claims that the Elite Active 75t has a life of 7.5 hours before it needs to be returned to the charging case. I just reached this number when I played music between 50% and 75% volume. In today's world, this performance is good – certainly better than anything Apple's products can do (the AirPods and AirPods Pro each last about 5 hours) – but it's still far from the top of the charts.

Is this a problem? Let's be honest. Very few of us will ever want or need to listen to their buds for more than 7 hours. Still, it's a competitive world out there, and if Samsung can deliver 11 hours in one set of earphones that cost $ 50 less, it tells us what to expect from other real wireless buds.

With a total of 28 hours (including charging case) and a quick charging time of 15 minutes for 60 minutes of playing time, the Elite Active 75t doesn't have to apologize on this front.

durability

The Elite Active 75t isn't the first true wireless earbud to offer the waterproof protection that IP57 provides, but it's hard for us to find a set that doesn't compromise.

This is the real reason why you should consider the extra $ 20 when choosing between the elites and the elite activists. It's like an insurance policy. They pay a little more in advance to make sure that these buds, even if they choose an unintentional Kerplunk, will survive to play another day.

Does this insurance policy last? I carried her in the gym, in the shower after the gym, and let her sit in a sink for 10 minutes without a problem.

Technically speaking, IP57 means you can let them swim, but I would advise against it. For one thing, water and Bluetooth are bad companions. Connection problems are likely to occur. Second, as safe as the Elite Actives are, you will be a sad puppy if one or both of you can break free in the sea. In a pool, I guess the chances of recovery are a little better.

Too close to call

I found the call quality of the Elite 75t very good in almost all situations, and the Elite Active 75t performed equally well. The ability to use the correct earbuds alone is useful for calls, as is the side-tone feature for calls with two earbuds. It works just like HearThrough mode, so you can hear as much of your own voice as you want.

Warranty information

The Jabra Elite Active 75t comes with a two-year manufacturer's warranty against dust and sweat.

Our opinion

The Jabra Elite Active 75t is identical in almost every respect to the excellent Elite 75t and offers a more secure fit and better protection from water for an additional investment of $ 20. They have a flatter EQ that reduces the strong bass signature of the Elite 75t, which can seduce those who don't need additional robustness, but simply want a more neutral sound.

Is there a better alternative?

No. If you want a set of completely waterproof, wireless earbuds that sound fantastic and fit like a glove, you won't find a better product than the Jabra Elite Active 75t – at all costs. If you mainly focus on water resistance and want to save some money, you'll get $ 150 JBL Reflect Flows They offer the same protection from water and a longer battery life, but they don't sound as good as the Jabras and they lack some functions like volume control.

How long it will take?

Jabra products are solidly made from high quality materials. The Elite Active 75t are no exception. We expect them to last for many years as long as they are not misused.

Should you buy them

Yes. The secure and comfortable fit of the Jabra Elite Active 75t as well as the excellent sound quality and protection from dust and water make it a perfect companion for everything from daily commuting to the most strenuous workout. As long as you are not looking for active noise cancellation or long battery life, they are a good choice.

Editor's recommendations




06 Mar
Blog

UE Hyperboom Review: Big Bass in a Bluetooth Speaker

Ultimate ears hyperboom

"The hyperboom will be the life of every party."

  • Easy setup, easy music playback

  • Variety of source options

  • Excellent battery life

  • Impressive low end

  • No Wi-Fi compatibility

  • Less portable than its predecessor

A company needs Moxie to switch from a product that becomes the signature of the brand. In order for such a shift to be justified, the change must be necessary to meet the wishes of the fans. The Ultimate Ears Hyperboom achieves this.

Ultimate Ears & # 39; Hyperboom is a massive Bluetooth speaker and a departure from everything Ultimate Ears has produced so far. The Hyperboom is designed to completely fill your home with music, a contrast to the mantra of its predecessors on the go.

When the $ 399 hyperboom arrives in early March, it will in many ways represent a leap of confidence for the UE and catapult it into a different class of speakers with new competitors and challenges. Fortunately, Ultimate Ears has landed with an impressive new product.

Out of the box

The UE Hyperboom surprised me at first glance. I knew I would have a new UE product to review, but details beyond that were rare. I was expecting a speaker similar to the Megaboom 3, a two-pound, cylindrical unit designed for gripping and walking. But with a whopping 13 pounds, the huge hyperboom was an oversized surprise.

There is a reason for the larger space requirement. During a briefing about the speaker, Doug Ebert, Global Product Manager at Ultimate Ears, said his team had looked closely at how UE speakers are used by customers. Often, he said, they were used in a party setting at home. They worked, but often lacked the level of noise required for a real fiesta.

Ultimate ears hyperboomRiley Young / Digital Trends

"It was a great sound, but not enough to get people off the couch and really dance," said Ebert. "It has to be loud and it has to be quiet."

This gave rise to the UE Hyperboom. The elegantly manufactured device was delivered in its own styrofoam crib with a small cardboard insert with a charging cable and brief instructions. However, you do not need these instructions, because after turning off the speaker and pressing the power button, a clear voice prompts you to download the associated app from UE and follow the setup instructions.

The actual setup was just as it should be. It was to pair my mobile device with the hyperboom via Bluetooth and allow the appropriate permissions. The app also asked me to set up my start music (more on that later) by linking services from Amazon, Deezer or Spotify. Dead easy.

Design and connectivity

The Hyperboom is technically portable, but you won't get far. Ebert said it was designed as "home and next door home" and my experience confirmed this. The hyperboom is powerful, but can be moved from room to room or in the back yard to deliver grill music. However, I do not recommend hiking with it.

Most of the weight comes from the drivers packed into the 14-inch rectangular cabinet. The Hyperboom features a pair of 4.5-inch woofers, a pair of 1-inch tweeters, and two passive radiators, each larger than one of UE's earlier products, the Boom.

Ultimate ears hyperboomRiley Young / Digital Trends

There is a lot going on on the loudspeaker: an on / off switch, a microphone for the adaptive equalizer of the UE, the standard UE volume keys, a series of keys for switching between sources and what UE calls the “magic button”, one One-touch music controls that let you start playlists, play, pause, and skip tracks. There are several inputs on the back of the speaker, including a 3.5 mm jack, an optical audio input, a USB port for charging mobile devices and a charging port for the speaker.

In addition to the auxiliary and optical inputs, the Hyperboom also offers the option of switching between two connected Bluetooth devices.

portability

I enjoyed the ease of use as I was able to get out of the house, come back and continue the playlist I was listening to without picking up my phone.

My biggest problem, as is the case with most Bluetooth speakers, occurred when my music was interrupted by phone calls all day long. To be honest, it's okay if I'm alone because the music has to wane so I can still take the call. But in a livelier atmosphere with other people, it's annoying.

Ultimate ears hyperboomRiley Young / Digital Trends

That brings me to the one missing feature. The Hyperboom does not have WiFi. Granted, none of the previous boom speakers had WiFi (but UE's blast models did), but for a $ 400 speaker intended for home listening, the lack of WiFi is an enigmatic omission. Wi-Fi provides better sound quality and eliminates the problem of phone calls interrupting a jam session.

The Hyperboom offers 24 hours of battery life depending on how loud you play (I've seen a full day of moderate to loud playback without charging). It also has an IPX4 protection class that protects against spills and splashes, and the ability to connect to other speakers in the boom family. All of this corresponds to the mission of semi-portable music. It's easy to place the hyperboom in a room and not worry about it all day.

Audio performance

The hyperboom sounds good. Really good. Songs like Jolene from the Zac Brown Band or Wish You Were Here from Pink Floyd let the Hyperboom demonstrate its ability to glide elegantly through different frequencies and tones. It is by no means an audiophile quality, but it made for an entertaining listening experience.

The hyperboom was brightest when playing titles with a significantly low end. According to UE, the hyperboom can reach up to 45 Hz, and I was pleasantly surprised to hear that it constantly reaches that deep in tracks like Rodeo by Lil Nas X. I also felt it after moving the speaker from my open living room to a closer office. Logics Everyday and Collboy Greens from Schoolboy Q gave me a familiar flutter in my chest. This speaker can rock you. Literally.

Ultimate ears hyperboomRiley Young / Digital Trends

UE uses the speaker's microphone to measure the room it is in and adjusts its EQ to the environment. Probably for this reason, I have not noticed any significant loss of quality when moving from different rooms in my house to the backyard, apart from an expected slump in the lower area outdoors.

The app also has a customizable EQ that allows you to customize the sound to your liking, as well as presets that specialize in cinema, podcasts, and bass boosting. The podcast setting drowned out low frequencies, which was a good help when you heard voices like Dax Shepard's low growl at Armchair Experts.

I haven't spent much time with the hyper boom connected to my TV. It was good. Just don't expect it to produce what a soundbar or home theater system could do. This speaker focuses on music.

Ultimate Ears Hyperboom vs. Sonos Move

In a showdown, I put the UE Hyperboom against a Sonos Move that I had on hand. Despite the obvious size differences (the Move is lighter at 6.61 pounds and just under 10 inches tall), the pair is priced at $ 399.

The hyperboom exceeded the move in bass-heavy songs; The Move just couldn't breathe as much air as the bigger hyperboom. Apart from the lower end, the move turned out to be a clear winner, with a more detailed, refined sound in my ears.

What you prefer depends on what you need. The Sonos Move is more sophisticated, but the UE Hyperboom is more suitable for larger rooms and parties.

Ultimate Hyperboom EarsRiley Young / Digital Trends

Warranty information

The Ultimate Ears Hyperboom comes with a two-year limited hardware warranty.

Our opinion

The UE Hyperboom is a big speaker and an even bigger step for the brand. Almost everything about this speaker, from its selection of functions to its roof noise, is designed to take the Bluetooth landscape of the home by storm. Even without Wi-Fi, competitors may want to close the hatches.

Is there a better alternative?

Although they may not have been direct competitors before, UE and Sonos seem to be shooting with Hyperboom and Move for the same corner of the market. For those who are looking for Wi-Fi functions, multi-room functions and smart home control, the Move is an appealing alternative.

At $ 285, the Riva Festival is currently another solid speaker that hovers in the same price range as the Hyperboom. But don't make a mistake. For the money, UE offers premium performance with the Hyperboom.

How long it will take?

The UE Booms family has proven to be one of the most durable Bluetooth speakers available. Although the hyperboom isn't quite as eco-friendly, I'm confident that this will be another speaker that's built to last.

Should you buy it

Yes. Despite its Wi-Fi shortcomings, the Hyperboom delivers the most dynamic sound we've heard from a Bluetooth speaker, and it's sure to be the life force behind every party.

Editor's recommendations




05 Mar
Blog

Wyze Lock Review: The Most Fuss-free Lock on the Market

Wyze Smart Home lock on a door

"If you're looking for an affordable smart lock that just works, this is the one for you."

  • Inexpensive

  • Intuitive app

  • Easy to install

  • Easy to use

  • You cannot restrict access to digital keys

  • The app is a bit slow

With Wyze Lock ($ 90), unlike other smart locks, you can keep your keys and bolts. It is essentially screwed onto what you already need to provide your bolt smart lock functions in just a few minutes. People who like the idea of ​​an intelligent lock but don't like the idea of ​​learning complicated apps will really enjoy this lock. It is easy to install and use.

Installation is a breeze

Setting up the Wyze Lock is a breeze. With the Wyze app you will be guided through every tiny step, so the installation itself is very easy for me and I have absolutely no knowledge of tools. Basically, you remove the back plate of your bolt, fasten the Wyze installation plate by screwing in two screws, then put on the Wyze lock and tighten two more screws, similar to the August Smart Lock (3rd generation).

It takes about 15 minutes and all you need is a screwdriver.

From there, the lock just needs to be calibrated (the app does most of the work) and you're done. It takes about 15 minutes and all you need is a screwdriver.

The app is pretty awesome too

Sure it's easy to install, but how easy is it to use? I was pleasantly surprised that using the app to lock and unlock your door is as easy as tapping an icon. The app records these commands and displays them just below the icon so you know who did what to your lock. You will also find out whether your door has been left open. This is especially helpful if you have children who don't seem to know what a doorknob is for.

Install the Wyze Lock

However, the castle itself doesn't do all this magic for itself. The Wyze Gateway comes with a lock that you can use to connect to your WLAN. Don't worry that you need to install this device. The gateway is just a small, round sensor that plugs into a wall outlet near your door. However, if the power fails, you can use the Wyze Lock with a Bluetooth connection.

In Settings, you can unlock and unlock features for family members, friends, or roommates by sending them an email. The email describes how the person can set up access to their virtual key.

You can also set up a schedule that automatically locks the door when it has been closed for a certain number of minutes. Since I usually forget to lock my front door, I like that the Wyze Castle has my back. I usually have my hands full with groceries, dog leads or packages when I get home, so the automatic unlock function is good too. The app uses the location of your phone to inform the lock about your home. It will be unlocked when you go to the door.

I like that Wyze Lock has my back.

The only thing I don't really like about the Wyze app is that every time you change a setting, it displays a loading screen that displays for about 30 seconds. It gets on my nerves, especially when I'm in a hurry.

What the Wyze Lock doesn't do

The Wyze Lock is for people who want a simple lock. It should not be combined with extended locks. For example, it doesn't have a keyboard like the Nest X Yale (although you can add this feature by installing the Wyze Lock keyboard), it can't be unlocked with your fingerprint like the Kwikset's Halo Touch, and it's not allowed Set virtual keys. With August, for example, you can determine how long someone has access to your lock. So, for example, if you want to give a friend access to your home to water your plants while on vacation, you can limit the lock's operating time to just one week.

Wyze Lock not on the door yet

It is also not compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant at this time, although Wyze Labs says the feature will be available this year. This means that, unlike almost all of the main competitors, there is no way to control the lock with voice commands.

Our opinion

With a price tag of $ 90, the Wyze Castle is the affordable choice. It is also the best choice for those who want basic smart lock functions without additional functions. The app is also a breeze, even if it's a little slow.

Although I'm not sure about the simplicity of this lock, there was an important function that I needed for the Wyze lock, but it was left out. You really need to be able to restrict access to virtual keys. You can manually delete someone else's key at any time. However, if you forget, this can lead to a problem that could easily have been prevented.

Are there any better alternatives?

Yes. The August Smart Lock (3rd generation) is almost the same lock, but with a few more functions. Although the original price for the August Castle was $ 150, you can now purchase it for around $ 93. The only downside in August is that a separate Wi-Fi bridge is required for remote access and third-party integration. If you buy the bridge, the price will increase by around $ 60. The Wyze Lock comes with everything it needs, making it much cheaper.

Will it take?

I have to admit, I wonder. The main part of the lock is only attached to the mounting plate with two tiny screws. A good blow or a toddler hanging on it can pull the Wyze lock straight from the door. There is a one-year limited warranty, but only for defective parts.

Should you buy it

If you're on a budget and don't want to buy a bridge for August, you'll be happy with the Wyze Lock.

Editor's recommendations




05 Mar
Blog

Jabra Elite 75t Review: Massive Bass From Tiny Buds

Jabra Elite 75t real wireless headphones

"With its excellent fit, comfort and battery life, the Elite 75t from Jabra are small but deliver a large bass."

  • Should fit most ears

  • Full, rich sound

  • Very light and convenient

  • Very portable

  • Outstanding call quality

  • Bass can be too much for some

  • No hands-free assistant option

  • Average battery life

The Jabra Elite 75t are the company's newest and best wireless earbuds. Originally planned for $ 200, Jabra lowered the price to $ 180 shortly before they hit the stores in November 2019.

This puts the Elite 75t in the middle of a crowded category: They are cheaper than a set of normal Apple AirPods with a wireless charging case, but more expensive than those who use a normal case. They're considerably cheaper than the Apple AirPods Pro, valued at $ 249, and yet are $ 20 to $ 30 more expensive than the Jabra Elite 65t, which the company plans to continue selling.

How does the Elite 75t stack up? Do they have enough features to justify a place in this exploding market and are they really as comfortable as Jabra has claimed? We put her to the test to find out.

Crazy comfort

It's true: the Elite 75t are extremely comfortable for real wireless earbuds. If you hate filling your ear canals with silicone, you won't magically become a fan of this sensation. But they're incredibly small, making them sit well in your outer ear and create less pressure in your ear canal to keep them there. Not only is this overall more comfortable, it may also give you the opportunity to enjoy real wireless earbuds if you're having trouble fitting other models.

Jabra Elite 75t real wireless headphonesRich Shibley / Digital Trends

Unlike most real wireless in-ear earphones, the Elite 75t doesn't come with ear fins – the tiny silicone tabs that anchor a bud and prevent it from popping out. This is because they are small and light enough not to need them. This ultra-low weight virtually eliminates the feeling of bulk that other earphones can create during intense activities such as running. They really go away as soon as you put them in your ears.

Big, bold bass

Given the small size of the Elite 75t, one thing I wasn't expecting was the huge, deep, and resonant bass. When I started it for the first time, I was surprised and started looking for the EQ settings in the Jabra Sound + app. The equalizer was not messed up – it was set to the flat factory profile. The bottom line is that the Elite 75t has been tuned to prefer low frequencies, sometimes at the expense of clear and detailed highs or clear mids.

They are perfect for watching movies – who needs a subwoofer when you have the Elite 75t?

For some listeners, this is a treat. You won't usually find real wireless earbuds with this kind of bombastic bass response. So if you've been looking for buds that can mimic the boom that is usually associated with large over-the-ear cans like Beats Studios, you're here. I will love the Elite 75t. For some genres like jazz and classical, this distinctive low-end warms the sound and lets you feel the deep vibrations of the bass, which is played in a confined space. They are perfect for watching movies – who needs a subwoofer when you have the Elite 75t?

Music fans with a preference for balanced and precise acoustics should look elsewhere. Even after playing extensively with the EQ settings, it was impossible to find a really neutral setting that would allow my favorite songs to be played without prejudice.

Pocket mates

Aside from the bass, one of the first things you notice about the Elite 75ts is how small they are and how small their charging case is. Both were significantly reduced from the 65t, which makes them perfect travel companions, whether you prefer bags or purses or whether you go to work or to training. You just have to look at the Amazon Echo Buds to see how well the Elite 75t fits in your pocket.

Jabra Elite 75t real wireless headphonesRich Shibley / Digital Trends

The charging case has a lid that snaps into place with a magnetic seal. Even if it should accidentally open, the earbuds are firmly magnetically locked, making it unlikely that the earbuds will get out of control. Fortunately, in this case, you can use the Sound + app to track the location of the Elite 75t and force it to howl high if it gets stuck in the recesses of a sofa or wallet.

I was glad to see the charging case updated to USB-C as this is pretty much the standard for all (non-iOS) phones now, but I would prefer the charging indicator to be in the front rather than the back.

The case isn't as easy to open with one hand as the original AirPods or the super cool Klipsch T5, but we doubt that this will be a deal breaker for everyone.

Push your buttons

Real wireless earphones usually use a variation of touch-sensitive surfaces or good, old-fashioned buttons. The Elite 75t chooses the latter – one on each earphone – and I really like them. They are easy to use, you know exactly whether you pressed them or not thanks to a satisfactory click, and it is much more difficult to accidentally trigger them.

Jabra Elite 75t real wireless headphonesRich Shibley / Digital Trends

You may need to put a few fingers on the side of your head for better click accuracy. However, I do the job of repeatedly tapping an earphone into my skull to stop my music. You get a wide range of activities – four actions per earbud – with single, double, triple and long clicks.

All important tasks are covered: play / pause, skip / track tracks, answer / end calls, turn HearThrough mode on / off, volume and voice assistant. The only downside is that you can't have a say in what each button does. Every earphone and click combination has a specific action, but Jabra tells us that an update to the Jabra Sound + app in 2020 will activate "MyControls", a function to customize the button function.

It is your call

Jabra has a long history of making Bluetooth headsets with excellent call quality, and the Elite 75t doesn't disappoint. The four-microphone array can easily handle a variety of environments, and callers found it easy to hear me (and me, them).

Frequent voice callers will appreciate that you can use both earbuds or just the right earbud to make and receive calls.

When I first tested the Elite 75t, I noticed the inability to hear itself while I was on the phone with two earbuds. It turned out that I had missed the "Sidetone" function, which enables just that. With the Sound + app, you can not only switch Sidetone on or off using the left earbud, but also adjust how much of your voice gets through. After trying it out, I'm happy to let you know that it works very well and makes the Elite 75t a great companion for phone calls.

Asked and answered

In a similar context, it is also very easy to make yourself heard when you speak to your preferred voice assistant. Pressing the right earphone button twice activates either Alexa or Siri (on iOS) or Alexa or Google Assistant (on Android). As practical as it is, my time with the Echo Buds has made me a hands-free Alexa addict, and I want to be able to call any voice assistant by simply asking for it.

There are many cases where it is more convenient and safer to keep your hands where they are. There may even be emergencies where you simply cannot reach your ears or your phone. If you can say, "Hey Google, call 9-1-1," it can save your life. Jabra, if you're listening, please consider this for the Elite 85t.

Good (not great) battery

Jabra claims that the Elite 75t can last 7.5 hours on a full charge. In our tests, in which the earphones were operated continuously at maximum volume, we were only able to use them for almost 7 hours. Many new real wireless earbuds that aren't made by Apple are better, but it's still a solid upgrade over previous generations, and all the more impressive considering their small size.

The charging case is suitable for almost three full charges, so that you have a total time of approx. 28 hours between the plug-ins. With the quick charge function, you can take an hour with just 15 minutes of charge.

Quite passive

A feature that is becoming increasingly common in real wireless earbuds is active noise cancellation. Sony has it. Apple's expensive new AirPods Pro have it. Even the budget-friendly Echo Buds have it. But the Elite 75t doesn't.

On the one hand, you could argue that these in-ear earphones don't really need them due to their almost complete noise isolation. Because the noise isolation is so good, HearThrough mode offers adjustable microphone sensitivity to make noise when you need to know your surroundings better (or to have your name heard by the barista at Starbucks).

Would noise cancellation be a nice addition? Yes. But you don't need it to enjoy the Elite 75t, especially at its price.

Our opinion

The Jabra Elite 75t is small, but very comfortable and is a good choice for small ears or for those who want to wear earphones for a long time – something that enables their battery life of 7.5 hours. Their bass-heavy EQ is impressive given its size – but not for everyone. Overall, it is a highly portable, high-quality set of real radio buds with user-friendly controls and excellent call quality.

Is there a better alternative?

If you don't mind a slightly larger bud and a battery life of just 5 hours, the Amazon Echo Buds offer more features and less bass-intensive sound for a very reasonable $ 130. If battery life is paramount, you should definitely consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds + for $ 150.

However, if you are an iPhone user, you need to check out the excellent AirPods Pro. They cost $ 70 more but offer amazing noise cancellation, great sound, and go perfectly with Siri. However, none of these earphones can keep up with the water and dust protection class IP55 of the Elite 75t and the excellent ergonomics. If you want even more protection from water, the Elite Active 75t will soon be available with protection class IP57 for $ 200.

How long will they last?

The Jabra Elite 75t has a two-year warranty that is above average. The water and dust resistance corresponds to protection class IP55. This suggests that in the long run, they're at least as robust (if not significantly more) than many of the other real wireless earphones out there.

Jabra's build quality is excellent and the battery is solid (for real radio buds anyway), so they should last for years.

Should you buy them

If you're a fan of bone-shaking bass, you've come to the right place – the Elite 75t are the real wireless earbuds for you. They are also a good choice if you are having trouble fitting the earbuds. If you're looking for a more balanced sound, the Elite Active 75t will be available shortly and offer a less bass-heavy EQ in addition to its better water resistance.

Editor's recommendations




05 Mar
Blog

An Introduction to Running Cadence

Among other things, technology lovers, data junkies or sports science nerds like me can follow that the cadence can be easily monitored on a GPS device. A 2016 study showed that using a commercially available watch such as a Garmin is, among other things, a reliable and valid method of tracking cadence. 1.9

The definition of the current cadence

We have known for years that many walking injuries are related to the forces that go through the body when it hits the ground with every step.

Cadence is the number of steps a person takes per minute. The reason we started paying attention is that research a few years ago has shown that this correlates with the influence of the legs with every foot strike.

Higher cadence means more steps per minute, which means less strain or impact on a run. Kind of cool, right?

Increasing the cadence can also help when crossing. Opening your crotch is a great thing for sprinting, but not efficient for distance running. For this reason, Usain Bolt does not run marathons. Most people who cross the country with their knees locked hit their heels on the ground at the point of impact.

It is a braking movement that causes a choppy step. This places a heavy strain on the joints and can lead to injuries over time. Think about how often your leg hits the ground over a 5, 10, or 15 mile run.

Change your cadence

A recent study of healthy runners running at 7.5% higher cadence for 8 weeks showed an 18-10% reduction in their stress rate (impact force) .8

These runners kept their new shape a month later. If you don't have an injury, you don't need to increase your cadence. Unless you are overwhelmed.

If you have an injury, changing your cadence can help. Studies have shown that this helps with problems such as stress fractures and lower leg injuries such as shin splints.5,8 An increased cadence has also shown an increase in the activation of the gluteal muscles.5

Making better use of these muscles during a run can help with the biomechanics associated with other injuries like IT band syndrome. 3,10

Increase your cadence

The first thing you need to do is find your cadence. Count the number of times your right foot hits the ground in 30 seconds. Multiply this by four to get the total number of footbeats per minute.

You may be thinking, "But I read on social media, or a friend told me, or a famous running magazine wrote that I should run at a cadence of 160-180. And more is better, so I shoot for 180 ! "

The media suggested a cadence of 160-180 since cadence studies were published a few years ago. In them, the participants had an average cadence of 165-185. However, I was lucky that the author presented his research results.

They are quick to notice that their results are based on increasing each runner's individual cadence by 5-10% .4.8 The mean of their subjects was 165-185, but there was great variability among all participants in the study.

If you're 140, try 147 (5%). Once you are familiar with it, try 7.5%. If you still go too far or are in pain, try 10% – and contact a PT or other sports doctor.

For all high-flyers out there, you don't have to increase your cadence above 10%. More than that will do great damage to your running economy. This is basically how much oxygen or energy you need to keep up a pace – making you run less efficiently.

The trick is to find a sweet spot for your shape that is sufficient for you not to "brake" with every step, but not so quickly that you have difficulty turning your feet over.

Use your phone to track your running

Metronome apps let you put your new, improved cadence into practice. I got good results with Run Tempo and Pro Metronome. There are other versions that can even sync your music to your tempo, which is great because who wants to hear generic pounding for 5 miles?

If you change your cadence, be patient. At first glance it will seem terribly awkward to run with a faster turnover. Use intervals first. When listening to music, start with one song “On” and two songs “Off”. Then try two one and one and increase the switch-on time from there.

Reduce your risk of injury

Recent research has focused on reducing a runner's vertical vibration or bounce.1 If you decrease this, not only will the ground reaction forces decrease, but the cadence will also decrease. So instead of counting, try to keep your body as low as possible on the floor.

Concentrate on running "softer" and not jumping. This is also traceable on some portable devices. When we talk about keeping your body on the floor, we are not talking about slumping or hanging. Keep your shoulders upright and your hips slightly bent forward.

You can also try increasing your stride from your stride. Studies have shown that the tension and load on the shins are influenced by the step size. If your posture is narrower, the lower leg is generally subjected to greater stress. 7

Do not try all of these methods at the same time. It is difficult to keep all of these changes going on for miles, and you don't know which factor actually helps. If you have a question, plan a gait analysis with a running expert to determine exactly what will help your individual needs or training.

Finally, remember to manage your training load or intensity. Your cadence or shape doesn't matter if you're constantly revising your joints and tendons. If you have racing goals, increase your mileage accordingly. There is a fine line between too much and too little.

The conclusion of the cadence

The cadence depends on how much stress or impact passes through the body when you run. If you have or have had an injury in the past, increasing your cadence may be an option for your workout.

Find your individual cadence. Not everyone should run at 165-185 steps per minute. There are other ways to reduce the impact or risk of injury, e.g. B. Increase the step size, change the training load and reduce the vertical vibration or jump.

References:

1. Adams, Douglas, Federico Pozzi, Anthony Carroll, Andrew Rombach and Joseph Zeni. "Validity and reliability of a commercial fitness watch for measuring running dynamics." Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy 46, No. 6 (2016): 471-76.

2. Adams, Douglas, Federico Pozzi, Richard W. Willy, Anthony Carrol and Joseph Zeni. "Changing cadence or vertical vibration while running: effects on running related injury factors." International Journal of Sports Physiotherapy 13, No. 4 (2018): 633–42.

3. Fredericson, Michael, Curtis L. Cookingham, Ajit M. Chaudhari, Brian C. Dowdell, Nina Oestreicher and Shirley A. Sahrmann. "Weakness of the hip abductor in distance runners with iliotibial band syndrome." Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine 10, No. 3 (2000): 169-75.

4. Heiderscheit, Bryan C., Elizabeth S. Chumanov, Max P. Michalski, Christa M. Wille and Michael B. Ryan. "Effects of the manipulation of the cadence on the joint mechanics while running." Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise 43, No. 2 (2011): 296-302.

5. Lenhart, Rachel, Darryl Thelen and Bryan Heiderscheit. "Hip muscle strain when running at different walking speeds." Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy 44, No. 10 (2014).

6. Lenhart, Rachel L., Darryl G. Thelen, Christa M. Wille, Elizabeth S. Chumanov and Bryan C. Heiderscheit. "Increasing the walking step rate reduces the patellofemoral joint forces." Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise 46, No. 3 (2014): 557–64.

7. Meardon, Stacey A. and Timothy R. Derrick. "Effect of manipulation of the step size on the tibia tension during running." Journal of Biomechanics 47, No. 11 (2014): 2738-44.

8. Willy, R.W., L. Buchenic, K. Rogacki, J. Ackerman, A. Schmidt and J.D. Willson. "In-field gait retraining and mobile monitoring to treat ongoing biomechanics related to tibia stress fractures." Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sport 26, No. 2 (April 2015): 197–205.

9. Willy, Richard W. “Innovations and pitfalls in the use of portable devices in the prevention and rehabilitation of injuries related to running.” Physiotherapy in sports 29 (2018): 26–33.

10. Worp, Maarten P. Van Der, Nick Van Der Horst, Anton De Wijer, Frank J.G. Backx and Maria W. G. Nijhuis-Van Der Sanden. "Iliotibial band syndrome in runners." Sports medicine 42, no. 11 (2012): 969-92.

05 Mar
Blog

Nvidia GeForce Now Review (In-Depth): Cloud Gaming For Less

nvidia geforce is now reviewing Assassin's Creed Odyssey 1080p 2

Nvidia GeForce Now Review (detailed): Great cloud gaming on a budget

"It's not perfect, but Nvidia's GeForce Now is a great cloud gaming platform that is both affordable and accessible."

  • Affordable prices

  • Simple software

  • Great game selection

  • Low input latency

  • So-so picture quality

  • Requires an excellent bandwidth

  • No iOS app

Updated 02/23/2020: Added information about Activision-Blizzard and Bethesda that are withdrawing from GeForce Now.

What do you do with a thick stack of high-end GPUs and data center hardware expertise? If you are Nvidia, create a cloud gaming platform.

I was surprised when I first heard about GeForce Now in early 2018. After further consideration, however, this makes sense. Nvidia has dominated consumer graphics for the past decade, but has also expanded its presence in data centers. The company's revenue from this market increased tenfold between 2015 and the end of 2019.

This is a stroke of luck for Nvidia. However, there is no question that gaming remains central to the company. High-performance PC hardware is the entire brand of the green team. GeForce Now brings the company's new strength to home in data centers, while larger competitors such as Google and Microsoft are entering cloud gaming.

This is how GeForce Now works

Nvidia's GeForce Now calls itself a "cloud-based game streaming service", but it differs from most of its competitors. Unlike Google Stadia and PlayStation Now, GeForce Now is not a digital storefront. The company does not sell games to you. It only sells the service. You bring your own collection from other digital storefronts.

Nvidia is compatible with hundreds of titles across a variety of storefronts, including Steam, The Epic Store, and Ubisoft (Activision-Blizzard discontinued its games soon after launch, as did Bethesda, unfortunately). You buy the games in other stores as if you wanted to play them on a home PC.

This means that game ownership and the GeForce Now service are completely separate. You can buy a Steam game with the intention of playing on GeForce Now, but the two are never connected or interdependent. If you log out, you will still have the game on Steam and can play it on any PC.

Eight of the ten most played titles on Steam can be played on GeForce Now

This approach may feel counterintuitive, but bypasses the library problem that has stalled Stadia's launch by Google. GeForce Now is already compatible with many games and there is a good chance that you have at least some.

Personally, I got into GeForce Now with over 50 compatible games. And since I've already paid for them, they're all games I'm interested in. The library has gaps: Activision-Blizzard and Bethesda have disappeared and you won't find anything from Electronic Arts.

However, many popular games are compatible. Fortnite, Warframe, Civilization VI, Metro Exodus, Assassins Creed Odyssey, Destiny 2 and ARK: Survival Evolved are available, among others. At the time of this writing, eight of the ten most played titles are playable on Steam on GeForce Now.

Availability: Windows, MacOS and Android (not iOS)

Like Stadia, Shadow, and most cloud gaming services, GeForce Now relies on a local application to stream games to your device. Nvidia supports Windows, MacOS, most Android smartphones and tablets and Nvidia's Shield.

IOS support is the gap in this lineup, and it doesn't appear that Nvidia will appear there anytime soon. When asked, Nvidia's Jordan Blade said reporters should "talk to Apple about it."

As an iPhone fan, this is a problem. I have access to an Android device for testing purposes, but it is not my daily driver. Due to the lack of iOS support, GeForce Now is a no-go for portable games. I hope Nvidia and Apple can fix their gap and bring an app for iOS soon.

Software, registration and setup: simple, with some problems

Joining GeForce Now could be easier. Some loops have to be skipped to download the client, although this is not serious. Click "Join Today", sign in, and download it. Nevertheless, these obstacles seem strange given the simplicity of the service and Nvidia's free service level. Nvidia should offer a download link directly from the GeForce Now homepage and ask users to sign in only after downloading the client.

Once installed, the GeForce Now client is quickly available. I've tried numerous PCs, from high-end desktops to a five-year-old laptop. No system stumbled for a moment.

Nvidia GeForce Now interfaceNvidia GeForce Now PC client

Navigating in the PC client like on the website could be easier. GeForce Now cannot automatically scan Steam, Epic and GOG to find compatible titles that you already own. Instead, you need to search for titles. There is also no way in GeForce Now to check if you own a game before launching. So you can add a game to your library that you don't own. I think some users will find this confusing. For most apps (games or otherwise), you cannot add a title to your library before checking ownership.

Starting a game opens a bandwidth test, which, if all goes well, will soon be followed by the game stream. It gets uncomfortable here.

As mentioned earlier, GeForce Now is exclusively a game streaming service. The games you play are the same ones that you would play on a regular PC and you start them through the respective services. This means that you have to sign up twice to play a game, once for Nvidia Now and again after launching Steam, Epic or any other service on which the game is located.

My display settings and other configuration details were not always saved.

GeForce Now typically stores your digital storefront credentials, but not always. I only had to sign in to Ubisoft's Uplay once, but Steam asked me to sign in every time. I also noticed that my display settings and other configuration details were rarely transferred between sessions.

The GeForce Now software client might be better, but it benefits from the simplicity of the Nvidia service. Since Nvidia does not sell games, neither a shop front nor the luggage provided is required. There is no shopping cart, no refund, no reviews. There are only three things you can do in the client: view your account settings, add games to your library, and start games. This makes GeForce Now easy to understand, despite its shortcomings in the user interface.

Latency and responsiveness: cloud gaming at lightning speed

Nvidia's official review documentation does not provide specific information about the latency of GeForce Now. The same applies to the company's website. Aside from a bizarre statement about negative latency, Google Stadia also avoids certain promises about latency.

There is a competitor that does it better: Shadow. The dark horse of cloud gaming offers a robust real-time monitoring tool with a real-time latency monitor. Shadow doesn't make promises either, but at least it makes latency a breeze.

GeForce Now has an advanced network analysis tool that is available with a keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + Alt + F6). However, it is clearly intended for debugging. The information contained therein is difficult to understand without a cheat sheet.

In most cases, GeForce Now's latency is not high enough to cause a serious problem. Nvidia's network analysis tool reported a latency of 25 to 35 milliseconds over WiFi and 20 to 30 milliseconds over Ethernet.

As a reference, every frame of a game that runs at perfectly smooth 60 frames per second remains 16.667 (of course repeated) milliseconds on the screen. GeForce Now latency is equivalent to a delay of one to two frames at 60 frames per second. This is noticeable and can spoil the fun in some games.

However, I spent most of my time in Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Age of Wonders: Planetfall. In these games, I found no reason to complain. I also spent some time in Destiny 2 and Civilization VI. Again, latency was rarely an issue.

Nvidia's network analysis tool reported a latency of 25 to 35 milliseconds over WiFi and 20 to 30 milliseconds over Ethernet.

Latency is usually not a problem for Google Stadia, but it can become a problem if connections are not optimal. Shadow is now on par with GeForce Now and reports between 20 and 30 milliseconds over an Ethernet connection and a few milliseconds over it via WLAN.

Overall, GeForce Now is a smooth and clear experience, even with connections that don't meet Nvidia's ideal recommendations. It is clear that Nvidia makes responsive gameplay a priority.

Graphics quality: 1080p is fast, but not attractive

In contrast to Google Stadia or Shadow, Nvidia GeForce Now only promises a resolution of 1080p at up to 60 frames per second. This decision is not intuitive. Nvidia, a leading provider of PC graphics, is closely associated with visual fidelity and high frame rates. However, Nvidia's competitors have the upper hand and offer support for higher resolutions and frame rates.

I understand Nvidia's motivation. The company points out that the vast majority of PC gamers are playing at 1080p resolution and they're right. According to Steam's hardware survey, around 64% of players play at 1080p and most of the remaining players play at a lower, not higher, resolution. Less than 6% of gamers play at 1440p and less than 2% play on a 4K display.

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Despite its resolution limitation, Nvidia throws a lot of hardware on GeForce Now, and it shows. I launched Assassins Creed: Odyssey, a notoriously challenging game that even high-end gaming desktops can hardly handle. After five test runs on three different systems, the Odyssey benchmark averaged 62 frames per second.

This corresponds to Nvidia's RTX 2060 Super, which averaged 64 frames per second when we tested it at the end of last year. GeForce Now can't quite keep up with the best graphics cards from Nvidia. The RTX 2080 Super achieves an average of 78 frames per second in Assassins Creed: Odyssey with 1080p and ultra-high details. Even the RTX 2070 Super is faster and reaches 70 frames per second.

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However, the comparison is not that easy. A cloud gaming service like GeForce Now is theoretically updated over time at no additional cost to you, while buying a new graphics card is a significant hassle. A full year of GeForce Now costs $ 60. The GeForce RTX 2060 Super costs $ 400. The sale price of this card could apply to GeForce Now for more than six years.

And remember, GeForce Now only promises 60 FPS. This means that anything over 60 frames is wasted. These additional frames are lost because regardless of how fast the hardware works on the server side, you are bound to the 1080p 60FPS stream that is transferred to your device.

A full year of GeForce Now costs $ 60. The GeForce RTX 2060 Super costs $ 400.

While the gameplay is smooth and correct with a stable connection, the image quality is not as robust as I hoped. At first I thought my complaints were due to poor connection quality. However, when I tested on more systems, I had to accept the limitations of GeForce Now.

The most important thing seems to be the resolution. GeForce Now claims up to 1080p, but I haven't seen that in many situations, even with connections that are superior to those specified by Nvidia. Image quality was often muddy compared to 1080p rendered on a local GPU, suggesting my stream was below target resolution. An insight into the extended diagnosis (accessible via the key combination Ctrl-Alt-F6) resulted in a stream that was often 720p and not 1080p.

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Macroblocking, a result of video compression, was more visible than I would prefer. This was most striking in high-contrast scenes with considerable movement. Any game that uses light shafts or blooms liberally will likely bring this problem to the fore. But sometimes I noticed it when I scrolled the map in Age of Wonders: Planetfall.

I admit that GeForce Now is undoubtedly an upgrade of what the PCs I've played with can usually offer. Compared to Stadia or Shadow, however, GeForce Now felt a step back. Compression artifacts were more common and obvious, and resolution output was below 1080p more often than expected. GeForce Now is fluid, but the graphics didn't impress me.

Graphics quality: 1440p and higher

Unfortunately, the problems I had with 1080p games were just the tip of the iceberg.

Most of my devices are not connected to a 1080p screen. My home desktop display is 1440p. My office display is ultra wide at 3,440 x 1,440. Most GPU tests in the Digital Trends office are performed on a 4K monitor in the Digital Trends laboratory. If you limit the resolution to 1080p, the devices I play games with will not match the maximum resolution of GeForce Now.

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The problem is compounded by GeForce Now's disappointing image scaling. The image quality on my 1440p monitor was poor and the output was blurry, blocky, and confused. In comparison, 1080p YouTube videos look like a dream. I had the same experience on a 4K monitor.

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Even stranger, the quality of a 1440p monitor or a 4K monitor has improved (if only slightly) when the resolution of this display has been manually set to 1080p. I am not the only one to notice this. Users on the Nvidia forums and GeForce Now Reddit have seen the same result. For me, this suggests that something is wrong with the way GeForce Now handles resolution beyond 1080p.

The image quality on my 1440p monitor was poor. The output was blurry, blocky, and confused.

This puts GeForce Now at a huge disadvantage for some players. Stadia may have difficulty maintaining 4K resolution, but still looks pretty sharp. Shadow has no problem with 1440p. In fact, I've used it extensively with a 1440p display, and sometimes I was really amazed at how sharp it looks. The current version of GeForce Now cannot overshadow these alternatives if you intend to achieve a resolution above 1080p.

Ray tracing feels like a controversial point for now

GeForce Now subscribers get access to RTX ray tracing. It's an appealing feature on paper, but it remains a niche. The selection of games that support RTX ray tracing remains small, and the visual impact of the feature isn't as important as you might think.

Over time, ray tracing may become more important as more games support it. On the other hand, there is no reason why Stadia, Shadow or Microsoft xCloud could not take over the function in the future.

Connection reliability: stick to Ethernet for the best experience

GeForce Now, like all cloud gaming services, is a data eater. The Nvidia documentation recommends a connection of at least 15 Mbit / s for 720p60 or 30 Mbit / s for 1080p60. A low-latency 50Mbps connection is recommended for the best experience.

Remember that this is the actual connection speed. Therefore, an Internet service at home that announces 50 Mbit / s can be neglected. You also need a strong, reliable Wi-Fi network. The WiFi router provided by your Internet service provider only cuts it off if you play in the same room as it.

These restrictions limit GeForce Now to strong internet connections in clear home networks. The office for digital trends easily meets the requirements of GeForce Now on paper and lands on average between 100 and 200 Mbit / s per second. However, the office network serves hundreds of devices, which GeForce Now holds back. The service endeavored to maintain a constant image quality and occasionally suffered dropouts that could last for several seconds.

I admire the tenacity of GeForce Now. GeForce Now doesn't issue dropouts, but doesn't give up. I can't remember a single interruption throughout my testing period. The client warns of a bad connection before real problems occur and aggressively lowers the resolution to maintain a stable session. So if you don't get up and take an insane blow against your router's direction, I doubt you'll be booted by a game.

GeForce Now did better at home, where I'm lucky enough to have gigabit internet. This is as fast a connection as most people in the US can hope for, and GeForce Now appreciates the extra bandwidth.

On the Gigabit Internet via GeForce Now, GeForce Now delivers a smooth and reliable stream. Dropouts are rare and occur only a few times during my tests for this connection. Even then, the drops only lasted milliseconds and then turned out to be more than a minor annoyance.

I can't remember a single interruption throughout my testing period.

The connection quality was poor, but still good over WiFi. The connection was usually reliable, but occasional dropouts and interruptions occurred. Sometimes my connection problems were obviously a limitation of Wi-Fi. I have found that the quality of GeForce Now deteriorates significantly when someone walks down a hallway that happens to be directly between the router and my HTPC.

However, Google Stadia and Shadow have similar problems with Wi-Fi. You need an Ethernet connection or an extremely fast and extensive mesh Wi-Fi network to get the best experience with any cloud gaming service.

Data usage: It's a lot, but less than some competitors

GeForce Now warns that up to 10 gigabytes of data can be used per hour. In my tests, GeForce Now transmitted an average of 6.6 gigabytes of data per hour over a Gigabit Ethernet connection. This is in line with my analysis of the GeForce Now beta in January 2018.

This is less than Google Stadia, which I tested at up to 10 gigabytes per hour (other publications have claimed that data usage is 20 gigabytes per hour). The advantage of GeForce Now is not a big surprise given the 1080p limitation. The resolution has a huge impact on the bandwidth.

Nevertheless, there is a lot of data. A player with an average of two hours a day would consume a hair of almost 400 gigabytes each month. Most ISP service plans allow this, but that adds to other streaming (like Netflix or Hulu) and game downloads.

However, if you're lucky enough to have an unrestricted gigabit connection, data usage is not a problem. The connection quality over a gigabit connection was smooth and consistent – as long as I was within reasonable range of my router. I didn't notice any performance issues when other home devices streamed movies or downloaded large files.

Whether data uses a problem simply depends on your internet connection and the data limits of your internet service provider. It's hard to predict how well it will work without trying first. It's good that basic access to GeForce Now is free and you can try it out before you pay cash.

GeForce Now on Mobile: As good as Stadia

I didn't focus on the GeForce Now mobile app during my review. As already mentioned, there is no app for iOS available for Nvidia. But I broke out an Android device to try mobile games. In short, I used the exact same setup that Google sent for my Stadia review – a Google Pixel 3a connected to the Google Stadia controller.

Yes that's right. The Google Stadia controller worked. Most USB and Bluetooth controllers should do this because Android's gamepad support is extensive. Xbox One and PlayStation 4 controllers should work wired or wireless with minimal setup.

As with Stadia, Mobile is an excellent place to experience GeForce Now. It's as easy and simple to use as it is on a PC, and I didn't find the login process confusing. Games also look better because the display of a smartphone is smaller. A 720p stream looks great on a 5-inch or 6-inch smartphone display. The same 720p stream doesn't look particularly good on a 24-inch 1080p monitor.

Not every game is playable on the go. They are largely limited to games with controller support, since games based on mouse input are largely or completely unplayable. This leaves most strategy games off the table. I would like to play Stellaris on Android via GeForce Now, but that is not yet feasible.

GeForce Now on Mac: The best cloud gaming option

I haven't spent much time using GeForce Now on Mac either, but I wanted to give it a try. I broke out the lab workhorse Mac, a MacBook Air around 2015, and installed GeForce Now. The judgment? It is solid.

The app itself looks identical to the PC version. I'm sure there's a difference somewhere, but I can't find it under any circumstances. It doesn't look like modern Mac apps, but it works without problems.

GeForce Now on Mac

The gameplay was impressive and underlined the unique ability of cloud games to eliminate platform differences. With GeForce Now, I was able to access dozens of games that I usually can't play on a Mac. They all looked and played the same way as with GeForce Now on a Windows laptop.

In short, GeForce Now shares all the strengths and weaknesses of the service on Windows. However, since MacOS does not offer extensive game support, GeForce Now provides access to a completely new game world.

Pricing

GeForce Now memberships

You can use Nvidia's GeForce Now for free with some restrictions. Free players do not have priority access to servers, so login queues may occur at peak times. They also have a session duration of one hour. Then you have to log in again. After all, free players cannot activate RTX graphics.

You can use Nvidia's GeForce Now for free.

The free tier limits mean you probably won't be using it as your main gaming platform, but Nvidia isn't stingy. Denken Sie daran, dass GeForce Now kein Geschäft ist und dass Spiele, die Sie im Service spielen, nicht gekürzt werden. Ich bin überrascht, dass es überhaupt eine kostenlose Stufe gibt.

Die Gründerstufe ist die einzige kostenpflichtige Abonnementoption. Derzeit sind es 4,99 US-Dollar pro Monat, und die Preise werden irgendwann in der Zukunft steigen. Nvidia hat nicht gesagt, wo der Preis landen wird, aber ich denke, es ist sicher zu spekulieren, dass Nvidia jeden Monat zwischen 7,99 und 9,99 US-Dollar berechnet. Gründer haben vorrangige Anmeldezeiten, eine nahezu unbegrenzte Sitzungsdauer (laut Nvidia sechs Stunden) und können RTX-Raytracing in Spielen aktivieren, die diese Funktion unterstützen.

Umweltschutz & Nachhaltigkeit

Wie alle Cloud-Gaming-Dienste ist auch die GeForce Now von Nvidia auf riesige Rechenzentren angewiesen, die viel Strom und in einigen Fällen auch andere Ressourcen wie Wasser verbrauchen. Dies führt zu Umweltproblemen. In einigen Fällen kann ein Cloud-Gaming-Dienst die CO2-Auswirkungen von Spielen insgesamt erhöhen.

Googles Rechenzentrum in The Dalles, OregonGoogles Rechenzentrum in The Dalles, Oregon Daven Mathies / Digitale Trends

Im Gegensatz zu Google oder Microsoft hat sich Nvidia nicht dazu verpflichtet, klimaneutral zu werden. Es werden auch keine Energieeffizienzkennzahlen für seine Rechenzentren oder Rechenzentren veröffentlicht, mit denen es zusammenarbeitet. Obwohl Nvidia erklärt hat, dass das Unternehmen in Zukunft klimaneutral sein will, gibt es keinen spezifischen Zeitplan.

Diese Mängel ändern nichts an der Qualität des Dienstes, aber Sie sollten dies berücksichtigen, wenn Sie vom Klimawandel betroffen sind. Nvidia könnte (und sollte) es besser machen.

Our opinion

GeForce Now ist eine kostengünstige Alternative zu Google Stadia mit mehr Spielen und einer kostenlosen Stufe, die das Ausprobieren erleichtert. Die Bildqualität ist jedoch nur mittelmäßig und das Gameplay ist nur über eine extrem schnelle und zuverlässige Verbindung stabil.

Is there a better alternative?

Google Stadia ist teurer und verfügt über eine kleinere Spielbibliothek, bietet jedoch meiner Erfahrung nach eine bessere Bildqualität. Es unterstützt auch Funktionen wie 4K-Auflösung und HDR. Shadow ist insgesamt zuverlässiger und funktionaler.

Stadien und Schatten sind jedoch teurer, und das ist für beide ein Problem. GeForce Now unterbietet den Preis und liefert dennoch eine solide Spielbibliothek. GeForce hat jetzt auch eine kostenlose Stufe, sodass Sie es ausprobieren können, bevor Sie einen Cent bezahlen.

Solltest du es kaufen?

Yes. GeForce Now ist noch lange nicht perfekt, aber mit einer kostenlosen Stufe für alle und einer niedrigen Abonnementgebühr von 4,99 US-Dollar ist GeForce Now der intuitivste und zugänglichste Cloud-Gaming-Service, den es je gab.

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