08 May
Blog

Keeping Skin Younger For Longer

When it comes to your skin, it's the largest organ in your body and probably the most susceptible to wear and tear as it has to fight the external elements every day. Some people are naturally blessed with good skin due to their genetics, while others are more prone to breakouts, acne and other skin care problems. So what can we do to keep our skin looking younger for longer? With many beauty products and processes that the world promises us, it is difficult to know which is the real business. Here are some ways that can help you maintain that youthful glow into your later years or even rewind the clock.

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Hydration is the key

When we think of water, it has a fairly simple taste, maybe a little boring. However, water is synonymous with moisture, and that's all for our skin. The body needs a lot of moisture to keep our skin elastic and shiny. Your skin cells are made of water. So they don't work optimally without water. A lack of water means that your skin is drier, scaly and more prone to wrinkles. Water can help prevent skin conditions from flaring up or persisting, and we lose large amounts of water every day. We have to put it back in our body somehow. Drinking water – around 1.5 liters per day – helps to maintain the right amount of moisture for your body. Drink more when you have exercised.

You may also want to add a particularly moisturizing moisturizer to your skin care routine and try to avoid the things that can dry you out, such as: B. drinking alcohol.

The art of sleeping

Sleeping is a nice thing. It is an opportunity for our body to recover and repair to function optimally for the next day. Without sleep we endanger our body and therefore our skin also suffers. Think swollen and dark under the eyes and more breakouts on the skin. When you hit the hay, you want to make sure that you sleep on a silk pillow and / or wear a silk eye mask. Silk is a gentle material on the skin and therefore does not damage the surface of the skin.

Silk also keeps you cooler at night, which means you sweat less. Sweat causes our breakouts by clogging the pores. No sweating means no stains! It can also avoid other skin problems like creepy skin that are explained here https://www.siobeauty.com/blogs/news/crepey-skin, which can be most common in older women.

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Protect your skin all year round

If you don't have a skin care routine, it's time to get one. Skin care is important for all ages, and you should use the right care to protect your skin from damage. No matter what the weather, you should always apply sunscreen under your makeup or as part of your morning skin care routine before going out. UV rays can be harmful to the skin and cause sun damage. Even when the sun is not shining, these rays can penetrate through the clouds and into your skin. It is therefore a good idea to lather up a good layer of SPF 15-20 every day.

Have a skin care routine that works for you and not because you've heard about the latest skin care trend that consists of 1,439 different products that you need to use every morning. You will only get bored or demotivated to continue the routine. The main ones are an oil cleaner that removes dirt and makeup, a moisturizer, and an exfoliating element like a face scrub or mask that you can do every few days.

Acids are also great at home if you want to add an additional product to your routine. Retinoids have anti-aging and anti-acne properties that have made them so popular among men and women around the world.

Eat and drink well

Unfortunately, it is as good as the Chinese take-away food, and it will likely not benefit your skin or body if you eat it too often. Healthy eating is all about moderation. It is important to know when you are eating too much and to be aware that you are bringing the right amount of healthy food to less healthy food. Avoid coffee and opt for a fruit tea like peppermint or green tea. If removing coffee as a whole is too difficult, limit your coffee consumption and replace the others with fruit tea.

Fruits and vegetables are goodies and do not rot your teeth like sweets. Find fruits or vegetables you like to eat. There are so many out there that there will be one or two you can learn to love! Try to go for five days, which is very little if you think about spreading them out throughout the day.

Try to find foods that benefit the skin's appearance. Fatty fish and avocados are just a few examples.

Remove bad habits

Bad habits can often affect the skin, such as B. Smoking and heavy drinking. Try to replace the habit that harms your skin with something that will hopefully make you stop it altogether. Or when it comes to something like alcohol, make sure to replace your liquids with plenty of moisture the next day.

Picking in places or biting nails is also a common bad habit and it is often a trigger or boredom or stress that causes you to pick in one place or bite a nail. Find out where these triggers come from so you can get to the bottom of the problem.

Exercise frequently

It's not something many of us like to do, and it gets harder as you get older. However, frequent training can dramatically improve the appearance of your skin. Training can pump blood around your veins, flush your skin, and prevent the dermis and outer part of the epidermis from thickening. Exercise is known to reduce stress and flush out toxins, two things that are responsible for affecting the skin. Train in your own way and do sports or exercises that you enjoy doing. Stretch a lot before and after so that the muscles are properly cared for.

Image source

Make makeup easy

Applying makeup daily will somehow aggravate the skin, and this can often include breakouts and inflammation of the skin. With some many cosmetic products, you can opt for an easier makeup routine from time to time. BB and CC creams are good and do not suffocate the pores like a full-surface primer. Tinted moisturizers are also a good alternative to foundation. Use fixative sprays all day to give your skin a little moisture and gradually apply the makeup.

Get a facial

With so many wonderful clinics and beauty salons at your disposal, there are so many options available for different facials that can help the struggle to restore youthful radiance. Here are a few examples:

  • Lymphatic Massage Facial – If your body has trouble removing the lymph, it leads to water retention and swelling. The stimulation of the lymph glands by massage helps to relieve tension and reduce swelling.
  • Vampire facial treatment – made famous by Kim Kardashian, the vampire facial treatment is not for the faint of heart. It is a non-surgical alternative to a face lift. The skin is rejuvenated and wrinkles are reduced by injecting a gel-like substance, which is partly produced from the patient's blood.
  • Facial Microdermabrasion – Another non-surgical option, microdermabrasion, uses tiny grains to polish the old layers of skin. It's not as aggressive as dermabrasion, where tiny skin needles break apart old skin cells.
  • Gold Facial – For a fancy facial, you may like a little gold. Gold in combination with the Gamma PGA compound improves the overall complexion.
  • Enzyme Facial – These facials are popular with acne sufferers and help eliminate breakouts while cleaning the skin. They cleanse the skin thoroughly with fruit enzymes, paired with wonderful antioxidants and moisturizers.

Cut out the negatives

Many things can contribute to the aging of our skin, but nothing withers more than stress and the rides of life. Therefore, it is important to cut out any negative things in your life that cause you pain, stress, or sadness. Sometimes they are inevitable, but mostly they can be removed by yourself. So cut out the negativity and only bring positivity into your life. No job is worth the stress that affects your health, and life is too short to sweat the little things.

So there you have it, the secret of youthful skin. Unfortunately, there is no permanent solution to preserve your youth. We all grow old at some point and unfortunately our skin. However, if you do some of these steps, you can keep what you have as long as you are still able.

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08 May
Blog

Acer Swift 3 (2020) Review: Eight-Core Ryzen Laptop For $650

acer swift 3 2020 review ryzen

"The Acer Swift 3 with Ryzen 4000 is the most powerful budget notebook to date."

  • Solid build quality

  • Top performance

  • Great value for money

  • Comfortable keyboard

  • Mediocre touchpad

  • Weak display, narrow color gamut

Cheap laptops are not nice. However, if they are just as powerful as more expensive laptops, the lack of subtleties can be forgiven.

But what if a cheap laptop was more powerful than these expensive laptops? How much more powerful

That describes the Acer Swift 3 for $ 650. He is one of the first to use the new Ryzen 4000 processors, which offer eight cores and eight threads. Intel eight-core laptops typically cost over $ 2,000. Will the Swift 3 introduce a new era of performance for affordable laptops?

performance

The key figure is the level of awareness of the 3rd generation AMD Ryzen 7 processors. This is what sets it apart from the standard Intel tariff. Eight cores across the board are no joke – that's twice as much as a competing 10th generation Intel chip. You'll need to switch to an Intel Core i9 laptop like the Dell XPS 15 to get eight cores that aren't used in such small laptops.

This is a small laptop. It has a 14-inch screen, weighs just 2.65 pounds, and is 0.63 inches thick – not much bigger than the new 13-inch MacBook Pro. And yet it has the same core count as a 16-inch MacBook Pro for $ 2,799.

Why is the core count so important? Four more cores should theoretically turn this otherwise modest piece of magnesium into something far stronger. More cores mean better performance on key tasks where most inexpensive laptops aren't particularly good. Applications in the Adobe Suite are a good example. They often use as many processor cores as they are fed.

I tested this with handbrake video encoding. The Acer Swift 3 completed transcoding a 4K movie trailer in just 2.5 minutes. This is 50% faster than the Intel version of the same laptop. That's what you get with four additional cores. It's even 21% faster than the XPS 13, a laptop that I praised for how hard it squeezes its quad-core processor.

That doesn't mean it can compete with other 8-core laptops. The Core i9 in the 16-inch MacBook Pro encoded the video 24% faster than the Swift 3. The Ryzen 7 4900H in the ROG Zephyrus G14 was 33% faster.

There are two reasons. The first is that the Acer Swift 3 uses the Ryzen 7 4700U, which is only a 15-watt part. Lower thermal design performance means less scope for performance. That alone explains why a slightly larger laptop with a 35-watt processor like the Asus Zephyrus G14 performs better. The Ryzen 7 4700U also does not have simultaneous multithreading. Most 8-core competitors have this, which means that their 8 processor cores act as 16 virtual cores.

I haven't tested the Ryzen 7 4800U with its 16 threads yet, but this isn't an option with the Swift 3. Instead, Acer sells a model with the Ryzen 5 4500U with six cores for $ 20 less. Although it has 8 GB of RAM to match the Ryzen 7 model, it only has 256 GB of SSD storage compared to the 512 GB in my test device. Therefore, the $ 20 upgrade is worthwhile.

Acer's built-in Radeon graphics are powerful compared to Intel's Iris graphics. I played Rocket League in 1080p with the quality settings (the middle settings of the game) at almost 60 frames per second. They are a big improvement over the built-in graphics of the past few years, but they don't turn the Swift 3 into a gaming laptop.

Display, keyboard and touchpad

A $ 650 laptop has to compromise somewhere – there's no getting around it. The biggest compromise of the Acer Swift 3 is the display.

It's a 14-inch 1080p screen that's disappointing in every way. The color gamut is limited to only 64% of the sRGB color gamut, and the colors are inaccurate. It does not completely ruin the experience of moving, nor does it hinder the completion of the work. It becomes a problem when you work with colors, be it photography, video editing, or graphic design.

What good is fast video editing if you can't trust the colors on your screen? For this reason, the Swift 3 is not ideal for photography or videography. These apps may run, but if you need to connect an external monitor for accurate colors.

The screen is also dark. The maximum brightness is only 233 nits. Even many inexpensive laptops have screens with more than 300 nits. This is a problem when using the laptop in a bright environment.

The other big compromise is appearance. The Acer Swift 3 is not ugly, but it has all the obvious problems with inexpensive laptops. The lower bezel is chunky and covers the screen with textured black plastic. The lid and keyboard deck have the wrong aluminum look and the case is covered with stickers, the removal of which is not fun. Even the backlight under the keyboard is a bit off. The white light is pretty bright, but there is no light under the space bar, which is a little strange.

Then there's the touchpad, which was my biggest hurdle when I tried to use the Swift 3 as my daily driver. It is made of plastic, does not run very smoothly and has a loud click mechanism. It's what I'm used to from a touchpad on a laptop under $ 800.

However, it is slightly larger than some other inexpensive laptops and supports Windows Precision gestures. It doesn't focus on the laptop either, which takes some getting used to.

Switching to the keyboard is one of the most enjoyable aspects of Swift 3. There's a lot to travel around without the keys feeling mushy. The buttons have a nice bottom-out action and the layout feels pleasant. The fingerprint scanner is located on the right under the arrow keys, but there is no Windows Hello IR camera.

Battery life, connections and bloatware

Battery life is another area where affordable laptops often suffer. The Acer Swift 3 is not particularly good in this area. It takes just under eight hours of easy use, but in my daily routine it took less than six hours. You can get more with more expensive laptops like the Dell XPS 13 or even the ZenBook 13 UX333.

However, the performance is good enough for a laptop of this price. In fact, the Ryzen 7 model outlasts the Intel version by 45 minutes.

Port selection is another disadvantage of cheaper laptops. There is a lot of variety here, but the ports are not the most modern. You get a single HDMI port, two USB-A ports and a single USB-C port. Unfortunately, it is still powered by a proprietary barrel connector because the USB-C connector does not support power throughput. A version of the Intel 3-based Swift 3 offers Thunderbolt 3 support, although it only costs $ 700.

Bloatware is finally available. It is in effect as if to remind you how much you have received. Removal is not difficult, but it's a bit irritating between Norton, ExpressVPN, Farm Heroes Saga, GoTrust ID, and Acer's proprietary apps.

Our opinion

Eight cores in a $ 650 laptop seem too good to be true. It is not. The Acer Swift 3 is by far the most powerful, affordable notebook ever and beats Intel laptops that are twice as expensive. The display quality is the main weakness, but I was surprised at how much value Acer could put in this affordable 14-inch laptop.

Are there alternatives?

The Acer Swift 3 is one of the first to support AMD's new Ryzen 4000 processors, but it won't be the last. From ThinkPads to gaming laptops, everything is equipped with these eight-core chips, although the Swift 3 is the cheapest model that has been announced so far.

Other laptops in this price range are the Dell Inspiron 14 5000 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 14-inch, but none have the performance that the Swift 3 Ryzen Edition offers. A good alternative is the Dell G3, which offers a better graphics card for games and can configure up to six cores. However, it is a much chunkier laptop and has a far worse battery life.

After all, Chromebooks offer good value in this price range. They're not as powerful and can't run the same applications, but an option like the Pixelbook Go starts at $ 649, has a far better screen, and incredible battery life.

How long it will take?

The Acer Swift 3 is a fairly robust laptop with current components. It should take four to five years before it shows its age. However, Acer's limited one-year warranty doesn't help you much in this regard.

Should you buy it

Yes. The Acer Swift 3 dominates the competition when it comes to absolute performance.

Editor's recommendations




08 May
Blog

How Eminence Came To Vancouver, Canada

Eminence Organics has come a long way from our humble beginnings in Hungary. Since 1958, our mission to naturally improve your well-being through exceptional products and service has led us from the Hungarian countryside to Vancouver, Canada and beyond. Today we have roots in Hungary on the Eminence Certified Organic Farm, a growing team at our headquarters in Vancouver and thousands of spa partners who lead our result-oriented organic products worldwide. Here's a quick look at our incredible journey.

From Hungary with love

Eminence Organic Skin Care started years ago with the organic ingredients and natural skin care techniques that have been used by the Koronczay family for generations. However, the defining experience that led Boldijarre and Attila Koronczay Entry into the skin care industry was unlikely. At the age of four, Boldijarre was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of leukemia and was given a 0.1% chance of survival. His mother and grandmother turned to organic Nutrition to heal his body. Incredibly, Boldijarre recovered completely and since then the brothers' goal has been to improve people's wellbeing through organic nutrition and skin care.

Boldijarre and Attila Koronczay

Moving to Vancouver, Canada

Years after his recovery, Boldijarre followed in the Koronczay family's footsteps and became a trained beautician with a passion for natural and organic ingredients. With the aim of offering organic skin care products worldwide, he and Attila targeted Vancouver, Canada in 1996. Boldijarre says: “We chose Vancouver in particular because the city offers a healthy lifestyle and is one of the greenest cities in North America. We also looked for a place that has a mild climate all year round due to natural and heat sensitive products. "

Initially, the Koronczay brothers worked in minimum wages and renovated apartments for rent. Attila recalls: “We dealt with years of rejection while the market was not ready to understand the benefits of organic. Even the spa industry wasn't interested in organic products … My brother and I shared a sofa bed for almost a decade. But we shared the same dream and commitment to our ideas and to each other.”

A global brand

It took nine years for Eminence Organics to launch in North America. The company started small when Boldijarre worked in a local spa and shared the skin care line with his private customers. His Hungarian-style organic facials and massage techniques quickly spread and he soon had a long waiting list. With a background in engineering and logistics, Attila oversaw business operations and brought Eminence Organics products from Hungary to North America.

Today Boldijarre is an icon of the spa industry with an unprecedented reputation as a master cosmetician who develops skin care products that have attracted A-list customers, including Katherine Heigl, Laura Dern and Kristen Bell. Attila continues to manage the company's day-to-day operations and oversee agricultural production, product development and manufacturing in Hungary.

Attila continues to manage the company's day-to-day operations and oversee agricultural production, product development and manufacturing in Hungary.

Our headquarters are in Vancouver, but we are closely connected to our Hungarian roots. At Eminence we often get the question: "Is Eminence really made in Hungary?". All of our products are formulated in Hungary, where most are also made and then hand-cast to Canada. Although a large number of our natural, organic and Biodynamic® ingredients are sourced worldwide, the majority are still grown in Hungary.

Eminence Certified Organic Farm in Hungary

Ingredients for success

We at Eminence Organics are incredibly proud of how far we've come. The secret to success? Boldijarre tells Dermascope: “Success works all the time and makes it easy. Only through decades of hard work, late nights, victims, hard battles, and hundreds of miles spent on the streets each year has Eminence become the global brand it is today. "

Watch this video to see some of the milestones that marked our journey:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aq2Rhfi8RA [/ embed]

How long have you been a fan of Eminence Organics? We would love to hear how you were introduced to our skin care! Let us know your story in the comments below or join the conversation on social media.

Note: This post was originally published in July 2018 and has been updated for accuracy and completeness. .

08 May
Blog

How to Plan a Romantic Couples Massage

Is there anything better than a massage? Get a massage with your partner. Whether you're on a honeymoon, celebrating an anniversary, or just want to have a good time, the couple massage is an excellent way to relax and be together. However, a couple massage is more than just an appointment. Here are some tips on how to plan the best possible experience.

Plan your whole day around your appointment

Sure, your massage may only last an hour or two, but the effects last much, much longer. If you want to plan something after your massage, that's fine, but make sure it's something relaxing. After all, you feel incredibly relaxed after your massage. You may even feel a little sleepy. Save all your exciting activities either before your massage or for another day.

Eat light ahead of time

You don't want to lie on your stomach for a long time when it's full. The food before the massage is perfectly fine, it is even recommended. However, skip the heavy meals. Instead, opt for a lighter fare and eat about an hour or two before your appointment. At the same time, you don't want to reserve dinner right after your appointment. This way, you don't have to hurry up, which completely nullifies the relaxation you've just done.

Turn off the tech

How can you possibly relax when you're stuck to your smart devices all the time? The answer is: you can't. Turn off your phones, or at least to vibrate them, and leave them where you can't reach them. This prevents unnecessary distractions and allows you to relax completely. The rest of the world will be waiting for you right there when you are done.

Use the extras

There are a number of day spas that offer saunas, fitness centers and other amenities that are part of your reservation. Arrive early or plan to stay a little later to take full advantage of these extras. An example of this is the upscale Viva Day Spa in Austin, which offers couple massages with an additional sauna session with cool peppermint towels and a treatment with hot herbal steam towels. Even if your day spa does not offer these amenities, you should arrive at least 15 to 20 minutes earlier. This helps prevent you and your massage therapists from rushing around.

Consider some add-ons to your massage

When planning your couple's massage, you don't just have to plan a massage. Check out the little add-ons your spa has to offer. Perhaps your partner could use a little aromatherapy if they have had a lot of stress at work lately. Or if it's a bit cool outside, consider adding extra warmth to you both with hot stones.

Neither of you need the same exact treatment

Both of you will seek personal advice from your massage therapist. This way, you can both get the best massage that suits your specific needs. You don't need the same type of massage. While you may benefit from a relaxing Swedish massage, your partner can get more out of the appointment with a deep massage. You may need to focus more on your shoulders while your partner needs to focus more on your lower back. If you personalize your massages, you can be sure that you both have the best possible time.

Protect the alcohol

You may be offered a bottle of champagne or a flute of champagne during your massage. While a small amount is fine, watch your recording both before and after your appointment. Drinking before the massage can affect your experience. If you want to have a drink afterwards, pay attention to your intake as it hits you faster because your circulatory system works faster. It is also important that you drink plenty of water.

With a little planning, you and your partner can enjoy an incredible, romantic couple massage that you both enjoy very much. After all, you both deserve to have a good time, no matter what the occasion.

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08 May
Blog

DJI Mavic Air 2 Review: Better, Smarter, and Stronger

"Whether you are traveling for the first time or as a casual pilot, the DJI Mavic Air 2 rules the sky."

  • Detailed and crisp 4K 60 FPS footage

  • Excellent dynamic range with HDR recording

  • Easy to control

  • Long lasting battery life

  • Obstacle avoidance

  • The camera cannot deal with poor lighting conditions

DJI's dominance in the consumer drone market is relentless. It wasn't until last autumn that the company delighted everyone with its lightest and smallest drone, the Mavic Mini. However, to reach this size, the company had to remove some features that made it attractive for first-time buyers, but not for serious enthusiasts.

Enter the Mavic Air 2, successor to Mavic Air from 2018 and a far more legitimate competitor in the prosumer market. Given its outstanding features like 4K recording at 60 frames per second (FPS), the high-resolution 48-megapixel snapshot mode and a flight time of 34 minutes, you would think that this would cost as much as the Mavic Pro 2, but it does not, and that's what sets it apart.

Bloat

The Mavic Air 2 is slightly larger and heavier than its predecessor (570 grams). This is not a problem at all because the arms can be folded quickly for easy storage – ideal for stowing in a backpack. Sure, the Mavic Mini can be flown without having to register it with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), but the Mavic Air 2 maintains the same portability to make it a weekend street fighter. For comparison: The Mavic Mini measures 160 x 202 x 55 mm unfolded, while the Mavic Air 2 is not much larger with 183 x 253 x 77 mm.

As for looks, I don't mind that it has more to do with the Mavic Pro line – it's still a sleek drone. It has the same hard lines on its chassis, making it look more aggressive than its predecessor. Frankly, given the upgrades under the hood, it's a legitimate change. DJI drones have always set a standard for appearance, and the Mavic Pro maintains that. It looks and feels like a high-end part of the kit.

DJI Mavic Air 2 body close-up

If you are worried that the extra mass will slow down the speed, you shouldn't. The speed is not affected a bit – like its predecessor, it can reach a maximum speed of 42.5 miles per hour. You really get a feel for its speed in sport mode, which has stricter controls that help the Mavic Air 2 achieve a sophisticated acrobatics in the air. The maximum speed is only available in sport mode.

For most pilots, the normal mode with its balance between speed and responsiveness is more than enough, while the tripod mode offers slower and quieter movements.

It's also quieter than other drones I've flown, and its hum is almost quiet when it hovers in the air at about 150 feet. The most impressive thing is that the battery is designed for a flight time of 34 minutes, which is the longest in the Mavic line. Only a few drones for end users ever reach a speed of almost 30 minutes, with the vast majority clocking in the range of 20 to 25 minutes.

There is a lot of muscle power in a compact body.

Beginners will appreciate the intelligent pilot functions of the Mavic Air 2, which protect the drone from collisions and risky situations. The same forward and backward obstacle sensors as in the Mavic Air are also here, although they benefit from the predecessor by additional sensors pointing downwards. All of this helps power the latest DJI obstacle avoidance system.

In my experience, it has prevented the drone that is dead in its tracks from hitting a tree, even if you are still pressing your thumb on the controls. When you spend a huge amount of money on the Mavic Air 2, it's comforting that it's smart enough to avoid these disasters.

So when you look at everything that is on board, it is remarkable that everything is well packed together. It's a lot of muscle in a compact body.

Camera quality

At the center of the Mavic Air 2 is a new 12 megapixel 1/2-inch Quad Bayer CMOS sensor on a 3-axis gimbal. It is a larger sensor than the Mavic Air and Mavic Mini, so the overall performance alone can be improved.

Shutterbugs are particularly pleased with a new high-resolution 48 megapixel mode. Some comparison shots have greater detail and sharpness compared to the 12 megapixel shots, but the dynamic range isn't as good. However, some details in the shadows can be restored using an editor in the post. There's definitely a reason to use high-resolution mode, especially if you want to crop images later. In addition, I found the 12 megapixel snapshots perfect for social media posts.

There are significant improvements everywhere on the video page. It primarily records 4K video at 60 FPS, which even surpasses the 4K recording of the Mavic 2 Pro at 30 FPS. It's also worth noting that in this mode, a bit rate of 120Mbps (with HDR video recording at 100Mbps) is recorded, which gives more space to get details in the shadows and lights in the post. I also prefer the D-Cinelike profile because of its low contrast and unsaturated colors, because I can sort it better in the post according to my wishes.

It is undisputed that 4K 60 FPS and a bit rate of 120 Mbit / s are unique offers in the Mavic series and are also unique for drones in the same price range. Around $ 1,000 drones offer 4K 60FPS, and you'll generally have to run into this higher price range to get a competitive video bitrate.

The Mavic Air 2 also offers HDR video recording, a handy option for those who want to get the best results without having to work on footage later. This is due to the improved dynamic range as the highlights are toned down to prevent the sky from being blown out. Colors also get an increase in saturation to improve the overall picture, but noise is more common in shadows. In ideal conditions, however, it's not as distracting when it's sunny.

DJI Mavic Air 2 close-up of the camera

Other notable improvements over the predecessor are 1080p slow motion with 120 and 240 FPS and an 8K hyperlapse mode, which speeds up the footage in bite-size clips considerably. In addition, you have the cool shooting modes – like rocket, circle, and asteroid – that DJI has perfected to offer professional video to content creators.

The Mavic Air 2 has the tools and features that professionals crave to continue producing high quality content, but is also great for new flyers. The only disadvantage is that the quality decreases significantly in poor lighting conditions. I took it out at dusk with the sun already below the horizon. Even the larger sensor is still not enough to draw more light from the scene, which leads to high noise and loss of detail.

There are differences in performance, for example, that you get from the larger 1-inch sensor of the Mavic Pro 2 compared to this, which is why it is no surprise that performance in poor lighting conditions is not a drastic improvement over its predecessor. I wouldn't expect another drone with a 1/2 inch sensor to perform better.

Fly smarter

It's been a while since I last piloted a drone, but the safety standards introduced with the Mavic Air 2 make flying a breeze. Of course, the obstacle sensors discussed earlier help avoid collisions, but there are some other safety features that calm the mind.

The landing of the Mavic Air 2 is made easier under difficult lighting conditions by an additional light on the bottom of the drone. AirSense technology enables ADS-B signals to be received from other nearby aircraft and displays their locations on the screen. Finally, the updated APAS 3.0 system intelligently enables the Mavic Air 2 to avoid collisions and, in some situations, allows it to determine a path around obstacles. It is not always perfect to make some of these decisions, but I still have to face a serious collision.

DJI Mavic Air 2 controller

The controller supplied with the Mavic Air 2 has been redesigned. This time there is an area that you pull out from above to weigh your smartphone. It can be a little picky, especially if you have a thicker case on your phone. However, I like how the corresponding cable for connecting your smartphone is neatly stowed in the controller. The controller is a bit bulky, but I found it convenient to use.

In one case, the video feed was disconnected from the drone approximately 600 feet from my location during a flight. It was a heartbreaking moment, but I restarted the app, walked a few steps from my location, and the feed was set up again.

The Mavic Air 2 has updated Ocusync 2.0 transmission technology, which is supposed to deliver a reliable video feed at a distance of more than 10 kilometers, but must be line of sight. In my case, a small building may have blocked the connection. Fortunately, I only had to move a little to reconnect.

Our opinion

The DJI Mavic Air 2 is an impressive drone that is fun, easy and safe to fly. Whether you are new to the drone scene or an experienced professional pilot, the Mavic Air 2 offers everything you need. The price of the standard package is $ 799. However, I recommend spending the extra money to pick up the "Fly More Combo" for $ 988 as you get more value. You get a total of three batteries, a set of ND filters, additional propeller blades and a carrying case for the extra money.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes and no. The DJI Mavic Mini is an excellent drone for first and occasional pilots, which is partly due to its small size and lower costs. However, it does not achieve nearly the same range of functions as the Mavic Air 2.

Professionals who value performance should take a look at the Mavic 2 Pro, especially the larger sensor, which is better equipped in low light conditions. However, it is twice as expensive.

As for the rest? The only other drone that comes close to the Mavic Air 2 is the Skydio 2, which has a more sophisticated obstacle avoidance system. However, it costs more, runs shorter on battery life, and doesn't collapse into a more compact size.

How long it will take?

If you take the right flight arrangements, the solid build quality of the Mavic Air 2 will keep it going smoothly for a while. The propeller blades may need to be replaced at some point, but DJI throws an extra set into the box.

Buyers should also consider buying DJI Care Refresh + for $ 135 to protect the drone from water damage, collisions, and other crashes. It is comforting when you fly.

Should you buy it

Yes. This is an excellent drone that combines a lot of functions at a medium price.

Editor's recommendations




08 May
Blog

What To Expect When You Buy Eminence Organic Skin Care

If you want to buy one Eminence Organic Skin Care You may not be aware that you are taking home much more than a new favorite product. We are committed to ensuring that each product is a unique experience that changes your skin, supports the environment and gives something back to the global community. Read on to find out exactly what to expect when buying an Eminence Organics product.

High quality ingredients

Rest assured that you are buying treatment that contains only that from Eminence Organics The best natural, organic and Biodynamic® ingredients ensure the healthiest and most effective results. All of our products pride themselves on being free of parabens, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfates, harmful colors and fragrances, mineral oils, petroleum and other harsh cosmetic chemicals.

In addition, each product is handmade from handpicked ingredients. Strong heating or hydrogenation processes are avoided during production to ensure that vitamins are absorbed in their natural base. This means that our ingredients deliver dramatic results Actual seeds, pulp and peel convey the regenerative and healing powers that only nature can produce. As stated by our Product Support Representative and Certified Esthetician Alicia Hawthorne::

“We use ingredients such as fresh pulp, plants and spices such as peppers for result-oriented, effective skin care. All Eminence products are freshest in the first 12 to 15 months from the date of purchase – as long as they are purchased through an authorized Eminence Organics dealer. "

Products that last a long time

Although the ingredients have been harvested with the utmost freshness, there is no need to worry that you have to consume your entire product immediately. When you buy Eminence Organics, you are also buying a product that will last.

Eminence Organics face masks

The ingredients used are extremely strong and A small product goes far. You may even prefer mixing masks and moisturizers with water to make it easier to use and further extend the life of your purchase. If you are worried about product spoilage, don't fret! Alicia also mentions:

"Products do not necessarily go bad 12-15 months after buying Eminence. In this case, they are the freshest."

Our online reviews reflect our goal of developing durable and effective products. On Facebook, along with a five star rating, Jade Smith writes:

"The best skin care products worth every penny! Love how many products you have to choose from, different varieties, and how long it takes to use them every day. "

Also on Facebook, Jennifer Azzati Abjornson gives a five-star rating and shares:

"I just started in a spa a month ago. I love that line. I tried and bought several products. It's expensive, but I don't mind spending it because it takes a long time, as long as it does a little bit. I highly recommend it. "

Supporting the community and the environment

Not only will you see strong and effective results, but when you buy Eminence Organics you also support the community and the environment. Josie Barton, Product Support Officer at Eminence Organics and Certified Cosmetician, says:

"I've been an Eminence fan for a long time. I think it's great that it's a result-oriented, organic line that I can trust. The products are fresh, fun and make my skin feel and look healthiest! Apart from that, Eminence is a future-oriented, environmentally friendly company. I have always loved supporting this brand because I know that my money contributes to extraordinary purposes. "

Eminence Kids Foundation child holding sign

As a Certified B Corporation®, we strive to meet the highest standards of total social and environmental performance. In collaboration with Trees for the Future, every time you buy a product, a tree is planted in a developing country. Through this Forests for the future We successfully planted over ten million trees in the program – and it counts!

In addition, part of every retail product sold is donated to our charity: The Eminence Kids Foundation. The Eminence Kids Foundation is dedicated to providing organic products from the region nutritious foods for seriously ill children as an essential part of their treatment. Through Eminence Kids, we were able to work with six long-term care organizations around the world dedicated to healing children.

Find out more about our milestones, awards, donations to charity, the Eminence Kids Foundation and how many trees we planted in our video. Bring luck – corporate success:

[Embed] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoOEtpMMupY [/ embed]

Professional techniques

Not only will you find that our retail products are a luxury purchase that you can feel comfortable in, but with the support of your local spa, you will be introduced to the pure relaxation and healing that only professional techniques can do. We firmly believe in our partnership with spas and offer them additional ones Products only suitable for professional use that make your skin radiant and fresh.

The certified beauticians in our partner spas are trained in the latest ingredients, special techniques and massages to ensure that your treatments are an unforgettable experience. We regard our spas as a goal to change your psychological and physiological well-being and as a decisive step in your holistic skin care ritual.

Where are Eminence Organics products made?

All of our products are formulated in Hungary, where most are also made and then hand-cast to Canada. Although a large number of our natural, organic and Biodynamic® ingredients are sourced worldwide, the majority are grown in Hungary.

Where can you buy Eminence Organics products?

Eminence Organic Skin Care is now available in over 60 countries worldwide. Since we firmly believe in professional techniques, we recommend buying from an authorized partner spa. The The spa locator helps you to find the closest location. The advantage of buying Eminence Organics in the spa is the additional support and guidance from a beautician. If you have trouble finding a spa or want to shop internationally, please email our product support team who will be happy to help you find an authorized dealer.

Note: This post was originally published in August 2018 and updated for accuracy and completeness.

07 May
Blog

The Double Cleansing Routine and Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser Review

uhhh Going home after a long day at work isn't it just the best? There is nothing more peaceful than going home after a long day and sitting in your favorite chair and watching your favorite show. There is one other favorite activity that I like to do when I return, namely removing my make-up. I agree that there were days when I committed the sin of sliding between sheets and going to bed without removing makeup, but I learned my lesson the hard way.

Today I'm going to review one of the new products I've tried – CLARINS Gentle foaming cleanser for combination skin or oily skin. The price of this is $ 26 for 130 ml. The main ingredients for this facial cleanser are gypsophila extract and tamarind. The Micro bio ecolia extracted from natural sugar help to maintain the skin's natural moisture balance and cleanse the skin from the inside out. A small product of only one pea size goes a long way.

The cleaning supplies comes in a light green plastic tube. The texture is creamy and light, like all foaming cleaning agents. This must be massaged on damp skin and forms a good foam after mixing with water. My skin feels really clean after use and I can say that every pore is deeply cleaned because my face looks very fresh and clear.

Apparently it is low in alcohol and sulfates because my skin reacts poorly with these two ingredients. It contains glycerin, water and stearic acid in high concentrations, hence the slippery feeling and also the lack of a dry feeling after use. The scent of this product is very pleasant, but not strong to bother you.

Washing my face with this product is actually the second step in my DC night routine (double cleansing). For those who are not aware of it double cleaningLet me say it's a simple process, but we often ignore it.
First round I remove my makeup with micellar water, or sometimes even use an oil-based makeup remover for strong makeup. As soon as I have removed all of the makeup, I use a water-based cleanser (currently this facial cleanser) and there I devote all my attention.

The second step Double cleaning should never be as quick as a splash. You actually need to massage your cleanser in for a minute to remove all toxins and makeup. It's always the best idea to use lukewarm water to clean your face. You don't want your skin to be irritated by extremely cold or hot water. By taking a few minutes to clean your face and using two types of cleanser, you are actually helping your skin stay flawless. Because both the first layer of sebum, heavy makeup, sunscreen and deeper layers of Pore ​​bacteria If they are removed during double cleaning, you can protect the skin from acne-causing bacteria and other skin problems.

Back to the product, I have used several facial cleansers and generally do not clean them thoroughly. CLARINS Gentle foaming cleanser for combination skin or oily skin. Cleanses my skin without irritating or making it very dry. It does an excellent job of ridding my skin of blackheads. In winter, however, you need to add a good moisturizer to this detergent.

A total of, that's a real one Effective and Deep cleansing facial wash This removes my make-up and dirt from my face and the skin feels fresh and clean. I highly recommend trying this!

BnB rating: 9.1 / 10

My hybrid product idea: I want to create a mixture of make-up remover and cleaning cloth. So you don't have to wash your face after removing the makeup. Just get an all-in-one wipe that creates foam when immersed in water and instantly removes all traces of makeup and dirt.

Copyright © Beautyndbest.com

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07 May
Blog

Sony WF-SP800N Review: Huge Stamina, ANC, And Awesome Sound

Sony WF SP800N review presented

"Like a top athlete, Sony's WF-SP800N earphones stand out for everything they do."

  • good sound

  • Best in class battery life

  • Very good water and dust protection

  • Good active noise cancellation

  • Outstanding call quality

  • Bulky charging case

  • No wireless charging

If you've looked at the best wireless earbuds in the past year, you know we know the world of the Sony WF-1000XM3. They excel in so many areas like noise cancellation, sound quality, and call quality that you have to dig quite deep to find bugs.

However, we were much less impressed by Sony's last attempt to create a set of true wireless earphones for the sports audience, the WF-SP700N. The bad battery life was our main criticism and the active noise cancellation did not impress us.

Enter the WF-SP800N: the highly anticipated update from Sony for its sport-oriented real wireless earbuds. At $ 200, they're a little more expensive now, but Sony seems to have learned all the lessons from the WF-1000XM3 to bring the SP800Ns up to date. They are available for Pre-order now from Amazon and Best Buy, with deliveries from the end of May.

Was Sony successful? Let’s take a closer look.

Classic design with a twist

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The WF-SP800N follows the same general design that Sony has used for all earphones – it has a slightly elongated body that protrudes from the ear. Gone is the weird lima bean shape of the WF-SP700N, but these are still bulky than most of today's much smaller earbuds. They are also surprisingly heavy. At 9.5 grams, they are 1 gram heavier than the XM3 and almost twice as heavy as the Jabra Elite 75t, which weighs 5.5 grams.

Not that they feel heavy – in fact, adding a silicone ear fin helps them stay comfortably anchored. However, if you knock on the sidewalk, you are definitely aware of it.

To put the ear fin in the correct position, you have to do a double twist when inserting it: a backward rotation to insert the ear fin into your ear and a forward rotation to lock it in place. This tilts the earphones down – a different angle than the XM3.

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The combination of the large overall size of the SP800N and the integrated ear fins means that the charging case also plays a major role. It's smaller than the case of the Powerbeats Pro and WF-1000XM3 and much smaller than the chunky case of the SP700N, but compared to the Jabra Elite 75t – a model that I used during my test of the SP800N – it's much bigger and not what I would call pocket-friendly. In the picture above, the blue case is actually that of the Jabra Elite Active 75t, but it is identical to the case of the Elite 75t.

Unlike Apple's more expensive AirPods Pro, there is no wireless charging option, just USB-C.

See the best battery

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

When the SP700N's battery life wasn't particularly long, the SP800N was clearly designed to be overwhelming: it offers an impressive battery life of nine hours with the ANC function on and an enormous 13 hours with the battery off. That's three more ANC hours and five more non-ANC hours than the WF-1000XM3. I haven't been able to confirm these statistics during my short time with the earbuds, but Sony's claims are usually consistent with the actual results.

The 13-hour performance without ANC smashes all other real wireless earbuds we've seen

After nine hours with ANC, they're only an hour behind the MW07 Plus from Master and Dynamic, but the 13-hour performance without ANC outperforms any other real wireless earbuds we've seen, including the Samsung Galaxy Buds + that followed 11 hours ahead.

The charging case contains only a single charge, which is a surprise given its physical size. However, you cannot argue with the total wireless time of 26 hours when you need it. According to Sony, the 10-minute quick charge offers up to 60 minutes of music playback for fast charging.

ANC added

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Sony can very much appreciate the popularity of active noise cancellation on real wireless earbuds – more has been done to promote this feature than any other company.

The SP800N doesn't have Sony's premier ANC technology, the proprietary QN1e ANC chip in the WF-1000XM3, and Sony can't say what ANC technology the SP800N uses. But we know that: it works very well.

When I check a function like ANC during a pandemic, I can't say much about performance on a flight, but when I use a combination of bathroom fans and vacuum cleaners as a replacement, I can safely say that the SP800N shouldn't have a problem with the white noise of an airplane cabin.

Sony won't say what technology the SP800N's noise cancellation is based on, but we do know this: it works very well.

Outside is a different story. When using ANC while walking and jogging, I found that even the slightest breeze made unwanted noise because the external microphones incorrectly tried to compensate for a noise that wasn't really there.

However, it's not a big deal. Thanks to the tight sealing of the earplugs, the earphones offer excellent passive sound isolation, so you probably don't have the need to activate ANC outdoors.

Call to all athletes

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Despite the wind-related problems of your ANC, the SP800N offers impressive call quality. I've put many real wireless earbuds through the phone call test, and they're the first ones my callers have described as ringing on my phone – kudos, as most earbuds force you to compromise on the clarity you get Your phone to your ear.

The wind was occasionally felt, as were passing cars, but the overall experience was excellent.

I've had a case where the earphones lost connection to my phone while on a call, but that seems to be an isolated case. Wireless connectivity is generally excellent with the SP800N.

Excellent sound

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

One of the advantages of using Sony wireless headphones and real wireless earphones is the company's Headphones Connect app, which allows you to customize a variety of settings, including the EQ. Unfortunately, the app wasn't ready to work with the SP800N during my trial period, so I had to make do with Sony's factory sound settings. And I couldn't have been happier.

If you want your training to be accompanied by a driving bass forward beat, you will love the SP800N.

The SP800N sounds ready to use. The tones are warm and rich, and the lows, mids and highs are well defined so that the vocals stay clear and crisp. The sound stage is both wide and deep, which smaller earphones simply cannot reproduce. And then there's the bass. It's deeply resonant and offers an impressive level of immersion in bass-heavy tracks, but it just stops being shy to be overwhelming. If you want your training to be accompanied by a driving bass forward beat, you will love the SP800N.

If you don't like the big bass, you can adjust the EQ in the Headphones Connect app, but I couldn't test this.

The right touch

As with the XM3 from Sony, all controls are controlled via touch-sensitive areas on the earphones. They are very accurate, so accidental knocking is rare, but only the top half of the earphone can be used. This means that you have to get used to finding the specific areas with your finger instead of just tapping anywhere on the outside of the earphone. I personally prefer the physical buttons on the Jabra Elite 75t, but the controls on the SP800N work just fine. By default, you get play / pause, skip tracks, answer / end calls, access to voice assistants and ANC mode. However, these can be changed in the Headphones Connect app. If you want volume control, you can have it, but you need to decide which of the other features you want to swap for it.

Like many true premium wireless earphones, the SP800N has wear sensors that automatically pause your music when you remove an earphone.

Our opinion

For $ 30 less than Sony's superb WF-1000XM3, the $ 200 WF-SP800N offers everything you can expect from a set of real wireless earbuds, including excellent sound, decent ANC, great battery life, and full protection from an IP55 -Water resistance rating. A somewhat bulky charging case that doesn't allow wireless charging is one of the few downsides, but I suspect that for many, this won't be a deal breaker.

Is there a better alternative?

When you're ready to spend $ 30 more and do without the SP800N's gigantic battery and IP55 protection, Sony's WF-1000XM3 offers better ANC and sound quality. However, we are only talking about a small improvement for both.

For $ 20 less, Jabra's $ 180 Elite 75t may be a better competitor. It can't keep up with the SP800N's battery life and has no ANC, but I think they sound very similar, they're both IP55, and the Jabras are smaller and more comfortable.

How long it will take?

As with most Sony products, the WF-SP800N comes with a one-year warranty. However, this is probably not an indicator of the life of the earphones. They are very well built and with an IP55 degree of protection you can throw very little on them so that they do not survive. Treat them well and keep them in the charging case when not in use. They should be used regularly for many years.

Should you buy it

Absolutely. Currently, the WF-SP800N occupies a unique position in the real wireless world: it is cheaper than most premium earphones and offers fantastic performance in all areas that matter most.

Editor's recommendations




07 May
Blog

Soap & Glory Smoothie Star Breakfast Scrub Review

As the weather gets better here in Missouri, I've been considering switching to some new skincare products, and Soap & Glory Smoothie Star Breakfast Scrub is one of them. This is an effective peeling based on cream, which is perfect for a mild peeling in winter. Because the peeling is sugar-based, it doesn't sting like some salt-based peels, but contains honey as one of the main ingredients that help moisturize the skin.

Price: $ 11.99 in the U.S.

Soap & Glory Smoothie Star breakfast scrub comes in one transparent Plastic jar with a pink cap. The glass is quite sturdy and the cap closes tightly, so the contents stay safe even in my checked baggage. Although I prefer tubes packaging As it is more hygienic, I would recommend removing the product with a spatula when using it in the shower. For the first-When I used it in the shower, it was hard for me to use because the peeling made my bathtub messy (the raw sugar it contains dissolves quickly). After reading the manual I really started to apply this to damp skin and Not on slippery wet skin … this way it lasted long enough to properly scrub and exfoliate my skin.

Most of the body scrubs I've used in the past were too abrasive, some even made my skin red, but honestly it didn't! The Cupuacu scrubbies soften my skin and give it a beautiful luxurious shine. Did I tell you that this scrub has an amazing smell, Oh YEAH! I can describe that Fragrance so tasty not that I would have eaten it, but seriously wonderful fresh fragrance. The scent remains for a good 1-2 hours and persists even after this time. Soap & Glory Breakfast Scrub contains oats, sugar, shea, banana, almond, maple and honey as key ingredients.

The peeling gently cleanses my skin and makes it smooth as soon as you wash the peeling off. There are no residues after washing and my skin does not dry out, although I always apply a body lotion after showering.

A total ofThis is a wonderful peeling that is suitable for all skin types. I especially like it in winter because it softens my skin. It exfoliates, helps remove dry skin, and my skin feels fresh and smooth. If you are looking for a good body scrub this is worth a try! Yes and this delicious fragrance to wake up to!

BnB rating: 8.9 / 10

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07 May
Blog

Anycubic Photon 3D Printer Review

anycubic photon review 3d printer feat

Anycubic Photon 3D printer

"The Photon is one of the most detailed 3D printers you can get for $ 500 – but it's not perfect."

  • Extremely detailed prints

  • Touchscreen interface

  • Affordable price

  • No peeling mechanism

  • Small building area

Until recently, consumer-level stereolithography printers were essentially the unicorns of the 3D printing world. For years, there were few of them sold to consumers, and they were usually far too expensive for most 3D printing enthusiasts to afford.

Fortunately, that is starting to change. Over the past year, resin-based printers have entered the consumer market with increasing frequency – and this includes some extremely affordable options.

A typical example? The Anycubic Photon, one of the first SLA / DLP printers to hit the market at under $ 500. But can a cheap printer really be compared to industry giants like Ultimaker, Lulzbot and Formlabs? We took a spin to find out.

The Anycubic Photon was awarded the prize for the best products of the year. Make sure you check all other choices for the best 2018 products.

Excellent functions and specifications

There are a few things that make this printer stand out from the rest of the pack. It is primarily a DLP printer. This means that instead of spraying plastic filaments through a hot nozzle to create objects, UV light is radiated into a container with photoreactive resin to harden each layer. It is a fundamentally different machine than the Makerbots and Ultimakers in the world.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Second, it's tiny. In contrast to most consumer 3D printers, the Photon is about the size of two assembled shoe boxes and can therefore fit comfortably on your desktop. Unfortunately, this tiny space requirement also means that the printer has a correspondingly small construction area, so that you cannot print anything larger than 115 x 65 x 155 millimeters (4.5 x 2.5 x 6.1 inches) with this device.

It is far more detailed than even the highest quality FDM printers we have ever tested.

Fortunately, the photon offsets its tiny footprint with some incredible resolution / accuracy statistics. It can print layers less than 10 microns thick, making it far more detailed than even the highest quality FDM printers we've ever tested.

To top it off, the Photon is also equipped with a 2.8-inch touchscreen interface, which makes it much easier to adjust settings and start printing.

Setup and configuration

Setting up an SLA / DLP printer differs significantly from setting up an FDM printer. The good news is that this is easier with the photon too.

The printer is almost fully assembled, so preparing it for the first print is a breeze. There are essentially two steps: install and level the build plate, and then attach the resin container.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Unfortunately, the process of leveling the building board is in no way automated, but it is still relatively easy to carry out. To ensure that you set the starting point of the Z axis to the correct height, Anycubic asks you to place a piece of printer paper on the LCD screen and then lower the build plate until you feel resistance as you move the paper. It's not the most polished system, but it works and can be completed in just a few minutes.

Once you have completed the leveling process, all you have to do is install the resin container and fill it with the supplied resin. All you have to do is loosen and tighten a pair of button screws, so you don't even need tools to do it.

Design and build quality

Don't be fooled by the fact that this printer only costs $ 500. It's amazingly well built for a printer that's so budget friendly. The building board and the resin tub are made of machined aluminum, for example, while the machine frame is made of stamped sheet metal. Nothing about it feels cheap.

The printer lacks many of the sophisticated design elements that are common in high-end machines.

However, the design is fairly simple. Aside from the touchscreen interface, the printer lacks many of the sophisticated design elements that are common in high-end machines. There is no automatic resin filler to begin with. So when your goose bumps run out, you have to stop the pressure and add more yourself. The photon also has no peeling or wiping mechanism, which increases the likelihood of printing errors.

It is also worth noting that this computer is designed to use a DLP process instead of a real SLA. This means that the printer does not flash and move a laser spot into the resin to keep track of the shape of each layer, but uses an LCD screen to cure an entire layer at a time. This leads to slight (but remarkable) differences in print quality, which we will discuss later.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

All in all, this printer is very well built, but it lacks a bit of design – at least from a technical and performance perspective. From the appearance alone, it's almost impossible to say that the photon only costs $ 500. However, if you examine some of the technical elements closely, you can see where Anycubic cuts corners. Still, this is a lot of printers for the price.

User interface and software

The integrated user interface of the Photon is as simple and straightforward as possible. The menu directory is extremely simple, so you can hardly get lost or confused. In addition, everything is touchscreen, so navigation between the menus is very intuitive. If you can use a smartphone, you can use this printer.

Anycubic's proprietary slicing program, Photon Slicer, is also fairly simple – if not a bit primitive and functional. It's not very pretty to look at and feels a bit like a CAD program from 1997, but the advantage is that it's also pretty minimalistic. There are not many options in which you can get lost, which makes it very easy and accessible for beginners. Even without previous experience with the program, we managed to start it and prepare our first 3D model within a few minutes.

Printing performance

The photon has gotten a lot of hype in the past few months and after testing it for a few weeks, we are here to tell you that the hype is absolutely justified. This printer beats far beyond its weight class.

When we first printed it, we skipped the usual 3D benchmark benchmark and threw the photon directly into the deep end with a ridiculously detailed "Bearded Yell" statue. This print eats FDM printers for breakfast and usually has all kinds of aberrations, over-extrusion artifacts and significant loss of detail. We were excited to see if this small SLA printer could do better.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

To our great joy, the photon made the model print look like a cake. There were some places where printing errors occurred, but the remaining 95 percent of the model was practically error-free. Fine details – such as the wrinkles on his forehead, individual hairs in his eyebrows and the shallow depressions in his molars – were all reproduced with astonishing accuracy. The surface quality was so good that it was almost impossible to distinguish one layer from the next. In some cases, the people we showed it to in the office didn't notice that the model was 3D printed.

Our second test model (a very detailed lock) came out even better. Without a magnifying glass, we couldn't even see individual layers. Tiny elements like the battlements and battlements of the castle (which were so small that they justifiably couldn't be reproduced on an FDM printer) came out perfectly. The only other machine we've tested that delivers such incredible details is the Form 2, which costs $ 3,200.

This printer offers an incredible amount of bang for your buck when it comes to resolution and surface finish.

However, there were some minor problems. In our first two test prints, certain sections looked crushed as if someone had flattened them with a hot iron or hit them with a belt sander. These errors were caused by incomplete peeling – when the resin solidifies after the impact of UV light, but adheres more firmly to the bottom of the resin container than to the printed part, so the printer does not completely peel off to the next level.

Since the photon has no peel mechanism (some printers tip one end of the resin container so that the part gradually peels off from left to right instead of pulling straight up and peeling all parts at the same time), it is more prone to these types of errors. Despite the fact that the photon does not detach carefully, these errors have occurred to a very limited extent.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The other thing to note is that this DLP printer is also prone to voxelization due to its fact. Simply put, this is basically the 3D version of the pixelation. The UV light of this device is emitted from a pixel-based LCD screen, so that smooth curves cannot be generated at the microscopic level. Imagine trying to build a ball out of Legos. It is only on a really small scale.

Fortunately, in the case of the photon, this voxelization is so slight that you don't really notice it until you look for it. It's like watching movies on a huge TV. If you really approach, you can see the pixels, but practically nonexistent at normal range.

Our opinion

The Photon is without a doubt one of the best printers you can get for $ 500.

It's definitely not on a par with high-end printers like the Formlabs Form 2 when it comes to functionality and reliability, but in terms of pure print quality, it's just a few steps. If you print the same object on both machines and place it side by side, most people cannot tell the difference. That is damn impressive.

Is there a better alternative?

If you're looking for the most detailed, high-resolution prints for the least amount of money, look no further. This printer offers an incredible amount of bang for your buck when it comes to resolution and surface finish.

However, it is also worth noting that resin printers are not for everyone. Resin is sticky, messy, and a pain in the ass to clean up. You must soak finished parts in isopropyl alcohol to remove uncured resin and wear nitrile gloves to avoid direct contact. In other words, SLA printers are relatively maintenance-intensive. So if you are unwilling to post-process or plan to print in large quantities, we recommend sticking with FDM.

The photon is also not the best choice if you need to print large or even medium-sized objects. We recommend spending your money on an FDM printer like the Monoprice Maker Select Plus, which has a much larger envelope, but still costs less than $ 500.

How long it will take?

For the most part, there are not very many components on this machine that are likely to wear out – apart from the non-stick FEP plates on the bottom of the resin container, which you need to replace regularly anyway. The photon doesn't have many moving parts. As long as you keep the threaded rod oiled and maintain the resin pan carefully, it will likely take years.

Should you buy it

Hell yes you should. There are many ways to spend $ 500 and this is one of the best we can think of.

Editor's recommendations




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