02 Mar
Blog

2021 Kia Seltos First Drive Review: Great Tech, Great Value

2021 Kia Seltos

2021 Kia Seltos

"The 2021 Kia Seltos offers functionality and technology alike."

  • Spacious interior

  • Capable all-wheel drive

  • Peppy turbo engine

  • Great technical value

  • Control elements for driver assistance buried in the touchscreen

  • Mediocre handling

Variety can be the spice of life, right? But too much spice can cause heartburn.

In the media campaign for the Seltos 2021, Kia listed no fewer than 17 vehicles as potential competitors for its new subcompact crossover. This list includes prestigious models such as the Honda HR-V and the Hyundai Kona, the latter from Kia's parent brand. What did Kia do to differentiate the Seltos from this large group of rivals?

Shoppers may think they'll get sturdy SUVs, but vehicles in this class are essentially hatchbacks on stilts. Nevertheless, Kia made the Seltos as SUV-like as possible and gave it a more sophisticated all-wheel drive system than many of its competitors. Kia also emphasized the value and gave the Seltos a long list of driver aids and technical features.

Kia offers buyers a unique selection. The base price of $ 23,110 buys either an LX model with all-wheel drive or an S model without all-wheel drive (with more technical functions). Kia provided a four-wheel drive SX model with all-wheel drive for testing that starts at $ 29,010.

2021 Kia Seltos

Design & interior

The Seltos shares a base platform with the Hyundai Kona, but the two crossovers couldn't be more different when it comes to the exterior design. Where the Hyundai consists only of science fiction curves, the Kia looks more traditional and angular. It may be more like a compact hatchback, but the Seltos looks like an SUV.

It also offers more SUV-like benefits than many of its competitors. The Seltos offers significantly more space in the rear seats than its Kona platform mate and more cargo space than any direct competitor. However, the "Magic" folding mechanism of the Honda HR-V in the rear seat makes it easier to use the available cargo space. The Honda also offers more legroom in the rear seats than the Kia, while the Jeep Renegade offers more headroom in the front and rear. Regardless, the Seltos offers enough additional benefits to justify buying a car of comparable size – which is not always the case in this segment.

The interior of the Selto is also a nice place. It's not exactly fancy, but the materials feel reasonable for this price range. The upright roof leaves plenty of space for glass, offers a good view to the outside and gives the interior an airy feeling. The front seats felt decently comfortable in one day, and the back seats lean back.

2021 Kia Seltos

Tech, infotainment & driver assistant

The standard infotainment system includes an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SX models receive a 10.25-inch touchscreen as well as integrated navigation and satellite radio. While the systems have Kia's Uvo branding, they have the same graphics as the BlueLink systems we saw in the last Hyundai models.

It is not a bad thing. It is typical for Kia (and Hyundai) that the infotainment interface is not a problem, but is still easy to use. The only big mistake is that Kia forces the driver to dive deep into the on-screen menus to turn the driver aids on and off. It's not exactly easy to drive while driving, and we'd like Kia to have some hard buttons instead.

Speaking of driver aids: The Seltos offers more than its sibling Hyundai Kona. The LX equipment variant is equipped as standard with autonomous emergency braking (including pedestrian and cyclist detection) and a driver's attention monitor. For the same basic price, the S equipment variant offers a lane departure warning system and an automatic high beam. However, you have to do without the all-wheel drive to get it.

The infotainment interface is a bit uncomplicated, but still easy to use.

The adaptive cruise control is available, but only in the upper SX equipment variant. This function is not available on the Kona at all, but is available on some competitors and on the Honda HR-V standard. The Nissan Rogue Sport is available with the automaker's ProPilot Assist system, which combines adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering.

The Seltos also has a lane keeping assistant, which gives the lane keeping assistant a little more functionality. As standard, equipment variant S shows the center of the lane and not the lane markings in order to keep the vehicle on the right track. This means that the system steers proactively instead of waiting for the car to get off track. You can feel how the tracking support works, almost as if there are another pair of hands on the steering wheel. However, the inputs are relatively gentle, unlike some of the more basic lane keeping assistants we've come across.

2021 Kia Seltos

Experience behind the wheel

The Seltos comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine that delivers 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. This engine is connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which Kia calls the intelligent variable transmission (IVT). Our test car had the optional 1.6-liter four-cylinder with turbocharger. Thanks to turbocharging, this smaller engine delivers 175 hp and 195 lb-ft. Kia paired it with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission for a sportier driving experience.

The turbocharged powertrain is a winner. The engine offers a lot of grunt and the fast gear changes of the double clutch transmission help to form the post. This is basically the same as the Hyundai Kona Ultimate, and it was also a standout feature of this car.

However, the Kia lacks the sporty handling of the Hyundai. There's nothing wrong with handling the Selto, but it's not as sharp and precise as the Kona. However, the Seltos is more comfortable to drive than the Kona, and the target buyer is more concerned with it than with the ability to carve corners. If you want your little crossover to feel like a sports car, buy the Hyundai or even better the Mazda CX-30.

The turbocharged powertrain is a winner.

The Seltos is available with front or four-wheel drive, the latter offering more functions than many systems in this segment. It allows the driver to manually lock the torque in a 50/50 split front / rear to ensure that the car doesn't drive front-wheel as standard. Torque vectoring directs performance from side to side to turn the seltos into corners. Hill start assist and hill descent control are standard. The four-wheel drive system even has a cool name: Dynamax.

These functions should increase confidence in bad weather or on unpaved roads, but do not make the Seltos an off-roader. Kia quickly pointed out that the Seltos has a better approach angle than a Jeep Renegade or Subaru Crosstrek, which means you're less likely to smash the front end into something when driving over uneven terrain.

But the Seltos has less ground clearance than the Crosstrek or Renegade. On a dirt road that was part of the route, something scratched the floor of the car. It is therefore hard to imagine that you feel safe when driving the Seltos on an actual off-road trail. The Renegade remains the only vehicle in this segment with real off-road capabilities.

2021 Kia Seltos

Fuel consumption and security

The fuel consumption values ​​for the 2.0-liter / CVT combination are 31 mpg (29 mpg city, 34 mpg motorway) with front-wheel drive and 29 mpg (27 mpg city, 31 mpg motorway) with all-wheel drive. The 1.6-liter turbo engine and the dual clutch transmission are only available with all-wheel drive and have a total output of 27 mpg (25 mpg city, 30 mpg highway).

Fuel consumption is quite competitive compared to other vehicles in this segment, not to mention some conventional cars. Less aerodynamic body and extra weight usually result in crossovers being penalized for mileage, but this is not very serious.

The Seltos delivers the things that distinguish crossovers from ordinary cars.

The Seltos is a new model, so it is difficult to predict future reliability. However, Kia has an overall good reputation for reliability and offers generous warranty coverage. The Kia 10-year warranty on the drivetrain and the five-year warranty of 60,000 miles on the drivetrain are only covered by the parent company Hyundai.

Crash test assessments by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are currently not available.

How DT would configure this car

The SX trim level seems to be the best option. It not only receives the livelier turbo engine and the fast-switching dual clutch transmission, but is also the only equipment variant from Seltos with adaptive cruise control. Since the SX is the top equipment variant, it also contains the technical features of the bottom equipment variants such as autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and charging the mobile phone. Even with a base price that's about $ 6,000 higher than the cheapest Seltos, the long list of features of the SX is a good value.

Our opinion

Many crossovers in this price range claim to offer SUV robustness, but are really just glorified hatchback models. The 2021 Kia Seltos is the real deal.

The Seltos delivers the things that distinguish crossovers from ordinary cars. It offers impressive cargo space for a vehicle of this size and an all-wheel drive system that makes a real difference in bad weather. This is in contrast to the platform colleague of the Selto, the Hyundai Kona. While the Kona is a good vehicle, its lack of cargo space and car-like behavior make it difficult to buy a vehicle instead of a conventional hatchback.

In such a crowded field, competitors inevitably do certain things better than the Seltos. The Kia lacks the off-road capability of the Jeep Renegade or the off-road capability of the Mazda CX-30. While Seltos is available with many driver aids, the Honda HR-V offers more of them as standard. Although it may not be the best in some areas, the Seltos does everything well.

Should you get one?

Yes. The Seltos is an impressive value.

Editor's recommendations




02 Mar
Blog

Blackmagic Design Ursa Mini Pro 4.6K G2 Hands-on Review

blackmagic design ursa mini pro 46k g2 rating 5

Blackmagic Design Ursa Mini Pro 4.6K G2 to touch

"The hardware is great, but Blackmagic RAW is a game changer for indie and small budget productions."

  • Blackmagic RAW codec

  • 120 fps 4.6K

  • Accessible user interface

  • Built-in ND filters

  • Cumbersome placement of the iris dial

  • Some nickel and diming for accessories

"Bear" is a fitting name for the beast that is Ursa Mini Pro 4.6K G2 from Blackmagic Design, the flagship of the company's cinema camera. But it is a well-trained bear. The Ursa is docile where other such machines appear fearsome in their complexity. I've never been so amazed at how easy a camera is to take professional pictures.

It really feels like cheating. Turn it on, point it at something, press record, and there will be a picture for the big screen. If you know how to use a DSLR, you can find out the Ursa in minutes.

Okay, it takes a bit more work. You first need to decide which record button to press – there are approximately four of them. But once you've chosen your favorite, there's nothing standing in the way of making your director's dreams come true. At least from a technical point of view.

Despite my love of techno, the Ursa remains outside my league – and yet not alien to my budget. I won't buy one soon for a five under $ 6,000, but it's a lot cheaper than comparable movie cameras from other manufacturers.

I'm not sure why a Red or Arri, the camera of choice in Hollywood, is worth tens of thousands more. But as someone who shoots video with a mirrorless hybrid camera, I can see the value of climbing to Ursa. Six giants are a lot of money. But here, with the Ursa, it feels like a bargain.

Design and user interface

The original Ursa Mini Pro 4.6K was the first Blackmagic camera to feel ready. After a few years of eye-catching and bizarre designs, Blackmagic landed on a familiar shape that bridges the gap between a cinema camera and an ENG camcorder.

The G2 refines the formula with small but important improvements to the electronics without changing what has already worked. The result is not only a professional video camera that shames my aging but trustworthy Fujifilm X-T2, but also the best value in the cinema world.

Blackmagic gets a low price by selling you a bare bones camera. A viewfinder, a battery and a handle are add-ons that can add hundreds or thousands to the price. This can make cameras like the Canon C200 cheaper for $ 6,500 with viewfinder and battery. However, the Ursa has a hardware advantage: 15 levels of the announced dynamic range compared to Canon's 13, higher frame rates and a more versatile RAW format.

Although not new, the built-in filter control with neutral density is a key feature of the Ursa – and many dedicated video cameras. You can select 0, 2, 4 or 6 stops by turning an adjustment wheel so that you never have to deal with a screw-on lens filter. Think of sunglasses for your camera. ND filters reduce light and allow you to keep a slower shutter speed for smooth movements and / or a larger aperture for a shallower depth of field when shooting in bright environments.

The viewfinder may not be standard, but a touchscreen monitor is the most accessible user interface you can get with a camera. Blackmagic has set itself the goal of standardizing the user interface for all camera models. So if you have a pocket cinema camera, you will feel at home with the Ursa. The user interface is easy to learn if you have not used a Blackmagic camera before.

The Ursa has numerous physical buttons and toggle switches for access to frequently used functions such as ISO, shutter angle / speed and white balance. A complaint? The iris dial is hard to reach when the monitor is open, a design flaw that Blackmagic may have missed because cameramen who use real cinema lenses use the iris ring on the lens.

Not me. I used standard Canon EF lenses. Apart from the bizarre iris control, I love that about the Ursa. Camera lenses are much cheaper than their cinema counterparts, but often of no less optical quality. (However, the Ursa's autofocus features aren't good – stick to manual focus.)

For this test, Sigma lent me its 18-35mm and 50-100mm f / 1.8 lenses, a pair of zooms that make a strong case for being the only lenses you need. Together, they're worth about $ 1,900. Sure, that's a bit of a change, but it's a far cry from the $ 8,000 required for theatrical versions of these lenses. (In truth, this is still quite affordable in the field of cinema glass.)

In addition, the Ursa Mini Pro has interchangeable lens mounts. In addition to the active Canon EF mount, you can use PL (the standard for cinema cameras), B4 for broadcast lenses, or even a passive Nikon F mount. The latter opens up the Ursa to a decade-long legacy of photographic lenses. I have a small collection of Nikon glass from the film era that I would like to have tested on the Ursa. Next time.

Of course, cinema lenses have some advantages – mostly they make you look like an ass – but Blackmagic's willingness to let you mount any old DSLR lens natively is a big plus for the indie and student filmmakers. From news gathering to film production, the Ursa Mini Pro can be configured to fill a variety of roles. The Digital Trends video team even used it on the floor at CES 2020.

Performance and picture quality

The updated electronics of the Ursa Mini Pro G2 are all about speed. Above all, this means new slow motion HFR (High Frame Rate) options. 4.6K footage can be captured at up to 120 frames per second, while 1080p can reach 300 fps. The 4.6K / 120 film material is recorded across the entire width of the sensor and automatically played back in slow motion (up to 5 times with 24p pictures).

It looks absolutely awesome. I also appreciated how the camera records audio in HFR mode, which many smaller cameras don't. This way, you can either slow down the audio in the mail to adjust it to the footage (think of the dramatic “Noooooo!” Shouted by a character approaching a certain doom) or the footage back to real-time speed boot up and use it more or less -less like a normal clip if you have to.

The updated electronics increase the maximum ISO by 3,200. That's nothing compared to modern still cameras with ISOs by the hundreds of thousands, but it makes the Ursa usable indoors. It is important that this high ISO value is useful when shooting HFR footage. This requires a faster shutter speed and requires compensation by either opening the iris or increasing the ISO.

Footage shot with ISO 3,200 can look grainy, especially when you try to lift the shadows in the post, but I never thought it would look bad. It's what it is, and you should try to stay at lower ISOs if possible, but I appreciate having that extra stop when I needed it.

Thanks to faster processing, the readout time of the sensor is shortened and the "Jello Cam" effect of the electronic roller shutter is controlled. In practice, I didn't notice it at all, except in very fast pans where I specifically searched for it.

File quality and flexibility

When I tested the first generation Ursa Mini Pro 4.6K, it was before Blackmagic released its RAW video format. It could record Cinema DNG, an open RAW format from Adobe, but I didn't have the storage or processing power to handle it. With the G2, I have finally experienced the power of Blackmagic RAW first-hand and it is absolutely revolutionary.

This is a RAW video format for the rest of us. With selectable compression levels up to 12: 1, .braw clips can be recorded on standard SD cards. In fact, the bit rate at 12: 1 compression is lower than the 400 megabits per second non-RAW codecs in cameras like the Panasonic Lumix GH5s and the Fujifilm X-T3. You still want a fast V90 card to be safe, but you don't have to be a professional studio or have a big budget to work with RAW video. That's great.

Sample material taken with the Ursa Mini Pro G2 Daven Mathies / Digital Trends

I recorded all of my test material in .braw with 12: 1 compression and it looked great. I edited and colored the clips in Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve 16 on my eight year old iMac and it worked. Performance was problematic after adding more than the most basic color adjustment, but the fact that it worked at all is impressive.

If you're concerned about editing performance, Ursa can record proxy files in addition to RAW footage, so you don't have to create proxies when importing.

I am not an experienced colorist or even an experienced DaVinci Resolve user, but I come from the world of still photography, where RAW files have been common for many years. Working with RAW videos seems familiar to me. In some ways, it is easier to work with other codecs like h.264 or even ProRes, which are often recorded with a flat logarithmic tone curve to maintain dynamic range and look like garbage before color correction is applied.

In contrast, Blackmagic RAW material can be used directly from the camera. It is also flexible. Even at 12: 1 compression, I was amazed at how many details I could pull out of the shadows.

Not everyone needs RAW video, but as Blackmagic explained to me, Blackmagic RAW offers the best quality-to-file ratio at any compression level compared to non-RAW formats. There is no reason not to use it. Well, unless you want to import directly into Final Cut Pro X, which currently doesn't have a plugin to support .braw files. (There is a plugin for Adobe Premiere Pro.)

Conclusion

The Ursa Mini Pro G2 is proof that we are living in an incredible time for photo and video equipment. I am jealous of today's film students who may have access to it. They can produce large-screen films in their dormitories and never know how difficult it is to record and edit standard-definition footage on MiniDV tapes.

Of course, for many of us, $ 6,000 could just as easily be $ 60,000. If it's out of your budget, it's out of your budget. However, some of the Ursa's most important functions – such as Blackmagic RAW – are available in the cheaper Pocket Cinema Camera series. The Ursa Mini Pro may still be a desirable product for people like me, but unlike a Red or an Arri, it's not a dream. I can at least afford to rent it.

Editor's recommendations




01 Mar
Blog

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4.0 Pro Review: Size Hardly Matters

Olympus OMD E M1

Olympus M.Zuiko ED 12-45mm F4.0 Pro Test: Small but robust

"The Olympus 12-45 mm 1: 4 is the smallest in its class and a breeze."

  • Built to last

  • Very compact

  • Macro focus

  • Sharp

  • Affordable

  • F / 4 is limited to Micro Four Thirds

  • No manual focus switch or focus scale

  • Some barrel distortion

When you take the mirror out of the camera, a smaller housing is created. With lenses, however, nothing needs to be removed to achieve a smaller look. While some brands have been able to save a few ounces, lenses still lag far behind in portability. However, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45 mm F4.0 Pro is the most compact and lightest of all lenses in this class.

Part of that is thanks to the smaller Micro Four Thirds format, but this new 12-45mm is still impressively small. According to Olympus, there are almost 190 precision-made parts in the 2.76-inch long housing of the lens. Despite the size, Olympus managed to achieve the highest level of macroeconomic ability, excellent sharpness and weather protection.

The question is whether the smaller size and lower price can offset a narrower aperture compared to Olympus' existing f / 2.8 option. We combined the lens with the new Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III to find out.

Design features

Weighing just under 9 ounces, the Olympus 12-45mm 1: 4 Pro is a lens that feels well balanced on the front of a mirrorless body. Olympus says it's the most compact and lightest in its class, but the Four Thirds sensor with its 2-fold crop factor already gives it an advantage as the lens is compared to 24-90mm full frame lenses.

While the lens is light, Olympus hasn't left out the weather seal. My test device survived accidental dousing by an ocean wave and was no worse for wear.

The Olympus 12-45 mm 1: 4 consists of 12 elements in nine groups, including the optical Zuiko extra-low reflection coating to combat flares and ghosting.

The lens is made of metal and lies well in the hand. However, the smaller size leaves less space for controls, just the zoom and focus ring. Both are smooth and easy to adjust.

In contrast to many other Olympus lenses, the focus ring is not retracted to switch to manual focus. There is also no place for a focus scale.

The Olympus 12-45 mm 1: 4 Pro not only covers a decent zoom range, but also offers almost macro levels with a 0.5x playback ratio (35 mm equivalent) over the entire zoom range. This creates a high degree of versatility with such a small lens, so you can switch from wide-angle to medium-telephoto to macro without having to change the lenses.

The autofocus was able to keep up with the subjects quickly and accurately. It didn't seem to struggle or hunt back and forth even with limited lighting, a good sign of a relatively slow lens.

Image quality & examples

This pro in the name is small, but it brings the 12-45 mm in the high-end lens family from Olympus – and it shows. Overall, the lens takes some sharp, colorful pictures, while most distortion remains low.

The sharpness is excellent in the entire zoom range, even when the shots are wide open. There is a subtle difference between 1: 4 and 1: 5, but with such a small amount, this is probably not important for real recordings.

The lens has a slight vignette on the corners at 12 mm and 45 mm. Both are small enough to undo post-processing.

At 12 mm there is a noticeable barrel distortion, which decreases as you enlarge it. With a wide-angle zoom, the distortion is not out of the norm and can be corrected with a few changes afterwards. As soon as machining programs support the lens, a quick profile correction should be an even faster solution.

Overall, Flare is well controlled. At the wrong angle, the light creates a small green torch. Smaller light sources also tend to starburst.

Chromatic aberration was also difficult to find. I spotted some light purple and blue edges along high contrast objects on the edge of the frame, but I really had to look for them.

While the image quality is solid, the 1: 4 aperture is not very bright for a pro lens. In combination with the Micro Four Thirds format, it is therefore more difficult to obtain smooth, creamy backgrounds. It is also a bad combination for shooting in low light. Given the lens' focus on portability, these are compromises that customers are likely to accept.

Our opinion

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4.0 Pro, available for around $ 650 from April 7, is a solid little lens that lets you take great pictures. The robust construction and small size mix with the almost macro-capable functions and the long range to create a lens that is likely to spend a lot of time on the camera.

However, the smaller size eliminates some common design elements, such as simply switching from automatic to manual focus and a focus scale. The narrower aperture of 1: 4 is also not ideal in every scenario.

How long it will take?

The metal construction and weatherproofing should help this lens be used for several years and is unlikely to be replaced for many years.

Is there a better option?

Yes – if you have a larger budget and a little more space in your camera bag. The M.Zuiko ED 12-40 mm 1: 2.8 Pro has the same robust construction and is also designed for high-end image quality. However, it's 4.5 ounces heavier and about $ 350 more.

Should you buy it

Yes. Buy the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4.0 Pro if you need a compact wide-angle zoom that delivers excellent image quality but doesn't require a large aperture.

Editor's recommendations




01 Mar
Blog

Sennheiser HD 450BT Headphones Review: Affordable Cans

Sennheiser HD 450BT ANC headphones

Sennheiser HD 450BT headphones Review: Good value for money, with some limitations

"Impressive features, style, and noise cancellation are an affordable option for price-conscious buyers."

  • Sleek, understated style

  • Excellent battery life

  • Good build quality

  • Solid noise cancellation

  • Smooth, clean bass reproduction

  • Inconsistent tone signature

  • No automatic pause or ambient noise mode

  • App / EQ not useful

High-end travel cans like the indelible WH-1000XM3 from Sony are becoming an essential necessity for commuters and travelers. But if you can't spit out $ 300 to $ 400 (or can't find a good sale), it's possible to purchase a pair of wireless cans that offer the same benefits – from active noise canceling to deadly battery life and sound – , for less?

Headphones like the Sennheiser HD 450BT hope to make the argument that you can spend less and still get a lot. And on paper, the latest iteration is a good case. The magic value of $ 200 (450 BT) offers noise reduction, a full 30 hours of battery life and many other functions with a capital letter "V". However, before you click the "Buy" button, you want to know exactly where the rubber for these middle-class cans meets the proverbial road.

The look (and feel) of luxury

If there's one thing you can clearly say about the HD 450BT, it's that it looks like this. The 450BT is in matt black and has soft silver accents to break up the monotony. It makes the "business traveler" look cold and offers just enough style points to keep you from falling asleep. In other words, their aesthetics match most of the flagship headphones, including the Sony pair mentioned above.

Sennheiser HD 450BT ANC headphones Riley Young / Digital Trends

In addition, the matt plastic ear cups and headband of the 450BT feel just like the comfortable ear cushions, which are wrapped in inviting synthetic leather. The only limitation is the padding on the underside of the headband, which feels much less comfortable when touched than you would like for a long flight or constant commuting. That said, although the band didn't rock my head in pillow-like goodness, it never felt uncomfortable even after I had worn them for a few hours. The only little problem I am going to offer is that I wish the ear pads were only a shade wider, but it didn't bother me.

Keys on keys

Instead of adding expensive touch controls, the HD 450BT uses an all-button control system. Overall, it works relatively well, but there is a real learning curve. Technically speaking, there are only four buttons on the right auricle. However, this includes three multipurpose buttons, including a power / ANC button, a volume rocker, and a multi-button that does everything from answering calls to skipping tracks.

It is this last key that turns out to be the most annoying as you move through the sequence. Not only is it a bit of a hassle when skipping songs (I found that a quick flick of the thumb works best), skipping backwards from what is logical. If you move the key forward – towards your face – you actually jump back and vice versa. After more than a week I usually don't have it anymore, but I still mix it occasionally.

The voice assistant feature is a great addition, but there is something strange to keep in mind. I'm actually glad Sennheiser made this the only single-function key, but it seems to happen to do two things. When you tap for voice support, the headphones also pass on ambient noise. The strange part, however, is that there doesn't seem to be any other way to do this, which means you have to take off your headphones if you want to hear things like train or flight attendant announcements. I hope this is something that Sennheiser addresses in a firmware update.

The entire range of functions would have been reserved for first-class headphones just recently.

Even without transparent sound, a number of features are impressive, including instant access to the voice assistant, battery life for a longer flight (and more expensive headphones like the 700 from Bose), solid noise cancellation, aptX support for compatible devices and much more , Such a range of extras would have been reserved for top-of-the-range headphones recently.

What you don't get

While the HD 450BT is above its weight in the feature section, there are some useful ones that you will definitely miss. First, there is no automatic pause that is useful for quickly pausing music when you remove an ear cup, and you can also thoughtlessly turn off the headphones without worrying about battery drain.

After getting used to this feature from the WH-1000XM3 to Apple's AirPods, I had to keep reminding myself to pause the music.

In addition, the Sennheiser Smart Control app is pretty useless for these headphones anyway. The only real function is an EQ, but I'll give you my audio engineer certificate (I have it somewhere, I think) if you can figure out how to use it. As an esoterically shining band, it is not manageable to properly tune the sound. How about a basic parametric or graphic EQ, folks?

A mixture of passive and active noise reduction keeps outside interference out.

noise control

Although I couldn't use the HD 450BT for the traveling Holy Grail – a long flight – I can report that they do a solid job in a variety of settings to keep unwanted noise away. This seems to be due to a clever combination of passive isolation and active noise cancellation, which keeps your listening sessions unrestricted and outside annoyances at bay.

Sennheiser HD 450BT ANC headphones Riley Young / Digital Trends

The comfortable cushions in themselves block a lot of unwanted hustle and bustle, while noise cancellation adds an extra layer to fairly effectively suppress engine humming and other booming noises. While they're not a replacement for the WH-1000XM3 – which even offers additional pressure control for extra points – or one of Bose's top picks in the genre, the 700 or the QC35 II, the HD 450BT is sure to give your trips some peace and quiet ,

Decent (albeit inconsistent) sound

Since these are Sennheiser headphones, the strangest part of my HD 450BT experience was the inconsistent sound quality that I experienced during my listening sessions. First of all, let me say that the headphones offer a balanced, relatively detailed sound and also present instruments without "masking" well, which means that instruments are rarely lost in the mix.

I particularly like the bass reproduction of the 450BT. For someone who hates bass-heavy cans, they are perfectly reserved, yet present the tone and color from kick drums to bass guitar with power and clarity. Paul McCartney's exquisite bass tone on Something shows itself in all its soft, chocolatey splendor. And while the bass never gets overwhelming, it hits hard where it is needed for hip-hop and electronic tracks.

The presence that I expect from Sennheiser in the medium and high range is missing here.

The strangest thing about the 450BT is the mixture of a bright shimmer on acoustic instruments and vocals and a lack of presence in the middle range. The combination gives some recordings too much tinsel (and too little body) in instruments and vocals, while others are draped with a foggy taste.

While the lighter color affected most of the tracks, a prime example of the latter can be heard in Vampire Weekends Married in a Gold Rush. Danielle Haim's voice is depressed in the mix, while her first appearance sounds much more like "Fshared a moment in a cafe" than "Shared".

Riley Young / Digital Trends

This was also not always the case. Some songs were played so clearly that I had to pause over my previous grades. But overall, the presence that I expect from Sennheiser in the middle and high range is missing, as is the reddish warmth of the lower mids, which is something of a Sennheiser specialty.

You could say that I find the sound quality of the HD 450BT hard for its price, and if so, I'll take the heat. In fact, you can often buy a pair of our favorite wireless cans in-store right now, the WH-1000XM3, which rightly sneaks into this test over and over again for just $ 250. And frankly, they outperform the HD 450BT in terms of clarity, instrumental definition, soundstage and level of detail.

For most titles, the HD 450BT does a good (if limited) job of delivering the goods, and less picky listeners are likely to be happy.

warranty

Sennheiser grants a generous two-year warranty on most products, including the HD 450BT. More information is available on the Sennheiser website.

Our opinion

The Sennheiser HD 450BT isn't the best value in the industry, but at just $ 200, the impressive features, stylish look, and solid noise cancellation are a good option for those in high-end travel cans want to dive in without high end price.

Is there a better alternative?

If you can look for a business, yes. Whether it is the WH-1000XM3 or the QC35 II, it is the aging guild of travel boxes that offers the best value for money these days. Is that Sennheiser's fault? I would say no, and every new pair of cans will charge a premium for headphones that have been in the tooth for a long time. With a 30 hour battery and plenty of style and comfort, the HD 450BT is worth considering.

However, if you want to make a splash in this highly competitive segment, you have to give people every reason to throw the flagships away, and the HD 450BT isn't quite there.

Should you buy them

If $ 200 is your ultimate budget cutoff (or even a stretch), yes. Their noise cancellation and extra long battery alone are enough to get them talking. However, if you can sneak a little higher, it is worth looking for a sale of the flagship models, as this is where the serious value lies. At least until the next models arrive and they are discontinued.

Editor's recommendations




01 Mar
Blog

Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 Review: The Best Game Controller

Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 Review Microsoft 3

Xbox One Elite Controller Series 2

"The Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 is the best game controller we have ever used."

  • Huge buttons and triggers

  • Excellent control pad

  • Fully customizable rear paddle

  • Adjustable analog sticks

  • Very solid build

  • Case has lots of bells and whistles

Microsoft's standard Xbox One controller lacks the fancy DualShock 4 touch bar on the PS4 or the "HD Rumble" of the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con, but its reliability and design make it undoubtedly great. There is very little to improve – either by correcting features or adding new ones – but Microsoft has found a way with the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2.

With a price tag that matches the impressive design and build quality, it costs the equivalent of three Xbox One games at full price. Even so, it's easy to see why within a few minutes of using it. This is the best video game controller ever made and a simple recommendation for competitive gamers.

What is the same?

The Series 2 Xbox Elite Controller is based on the regular Xbox One controller, so the placement of buttons and sticks feels familiar. Both shoulder buttons and the triggers feel almost identical to the standard Xbox One controller in terms of driving distance and pressure required.

The connectors on the base of the controller reflect the normal model with a 3.5mm jack and the proprietary connector that came with the controllers of the 2013 console. Accessories provided for the standard controller should fit without any problems, unless they need to be wrapped around the back.

This is the best video game controller ever made.

Although the charging port is still next to the sync button, it's USB-C instead of micro-USB, so cable compatibility may be an issue.

Classic Xbox design

Lisa Marie Segarra / Digital Trends

The look can be deceptive, and although the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 looks like a standard Xbox One controller at first inspection and feels like a standard Xbox One controller, it offers a lot of bells and whistles that you won't find in the standard design.

The players will immediately notice that the directional pad is circular, which is strange. Fortunately, it is removable and can be replaced with a traditional cross-style directional pad. After toggling, it becomes the best d-pad I've ever used, with a firm tactile click that doesn't require excessive force. This design will be used for the upcoming Xbox Series X console, so it will be more common by the end of 2020.

Similar to third-party offerings like the Scuf Vantage, the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 has removable analog sticks that are held in place by magnets. They can be easily removed and replaced with the alternatives contained in the carrying case. Players who prefer a convex design can switch easily, as can those who want a shorter or larger racket.

However, the adjustable voltage regulator below is more impressive than the options offered. With an included key, players can move their sticks looser or tighter, depending on their preferences. I found it a bit loose by default, but it took less than a minute to repair and didn't require disassembly other than popping the stick out.

The tension of the triggers themselves cannot be adjusted as with the Scuf Vantage, but they do have a three-stage hair release system. By default, they move roughly to the standard controller, but flipping the switch can reduce that by more than half. For first person shooters, a short travel distance can increase the competitiveness of players and it is possible to leave them in different settings.

New features and customization

Lisa Marie Segarra / Digital Trends

The Series 2 corresponds to the first Elite Controller design from Microsoft and has four removable paddles on the back. By default, they are programmed on each of the four face buttons so you can keep your thumbs on the analog sticks while performing other functions. With the Xbox Accessories app on Xbox One or PC, these can be reprogrammed for other functions, including pressing a button on the analog sticks.

Multiple profiles for specific games or multiple users can be saved. If you hold down the special profile button on the front of the controller, the paddles are completely deactivated. This came in handy when playing hectic games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, so I didn't have to worry about accidentally swapping a weapon by pounding a paddle. Removing the paddles is a breeze as they are also magnetically connected. If a guest is against it, the removal takes only a few seconds.

The paddles can be completely reprogrammed.

Since the paddles work by pressing a smaller hidden button underneath, they leave a small hole when removed, which is hardly noticeable. No wires are visible inside, and dust or crumbs are unlikely to accumulate if left out permanently. Spending almost $ 200 on a failed controller and removing its biggest feature may seem silly, but the customization is valued above all.

The tote bag is great

Lisa Marie Segarra / Digital Trends

A carrying case is usually no longer considered once the controller has been removed, but Microsoft has chosen the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2. The bag has magnetic slots for all the accessories included. Aside from being easy to store, it improves the transportation of the controller without worrying about one of the small parts rolling around or falling out when the case is opened.

The housing has slots for all the accessories supplied.

It also has an integrated charging station and a hidden cable connection, so you don't have to remove the controller to charge it. It's not a necessity, but it does add a bit of flair to justify the cost.

Our opinion

Yes, it's expensive, but the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 is a phenomenal controller. You will find it difficult to use something else after spending a few hours playing it, and it was difficult for us to find bugs.

Is there a better alternative?

Provided that the price does not matter, there is no better alternative.

How long it will take?

The battery can last up to 40 hours when fully charged. The controller is designed to withstand abuse and is much harder than the standard Xbox One controller.

Should you buy it

Yes, unless you are a very occasional player who doesn't need the frills or doesn't care. It is the best video game controller I have ever used.

Editor's recommendations




29 Feb
Blog

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Review: Affordable Hybrid For The Masses

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid review ry 4th

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Review: Affordable hybrid for the masses

"The Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 is an excellent choice for frugal buyers."

  • Affordable prices

  • A lot of drive safety technology

  • Dynamic cruise control works well

  • Attractive styling

  • Modest trunk

  • Entune infotainment needs work

If you've been waiting for the hybrid version of Toyota's most popular and cheapest sedan to come to US dealers, this is your year. The 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Sedan is here and it's about $ 23,000 to launch.

Corolla is not a new kid on the block. It made its debut in the late 1960s with more than 46 million copies sold worldwide. Many other Toyotas received hybrid treatment before the Corolla, including the RAV4, Highlander and even the Camry, Corolla's bigger sibling.

The Corolla Hybrid is affordable, but not the cheapest hybrid. The 2020 Honda Insight and 2020 Hyundai Ioniq are a few hundred dollars cheaper.

I tested the Corolla Hybrid in rainy January weather in the Pacific Northwest. It is an ideal time to test the driver assistance functions of the car (without deliberately endangering myself or the car).

design

Toyota has revised its range in recent years and this year it was Corolla's turn. Toyota decided that the car might as well be designed for a hybrid powertrain as well as the usual gasoline-only engine. This speaks for the success of Toyota’s hybrid technology, which has slowly but surely crept in from the Prius into other Toyota vehicles.

While some cars can continue to drive without a visit to the design team, the Corolla is popular and the Toyota design team visits it often. The last complete redesign took place in 2014 with an update in 2017. In between, Toyota has published special editions. The equipment variants and functions are revised considerably each year to keep up with the new trends.

The 2020 Corolla Hybrid features a simplified version of the new Toyota Camry front with a large grille and a sloping bonnet. It may not be the most exciting design, but given the price, it's nothing to make fun of.

2020 Toyota Corolla back seatRiley Young / Digital Trends

You can find more cargo space in the trunk of the Honda Insight or in the hatchback Hyundai Ioniq. If you are just trying to choose between the hybrid and the non-hybrid Corolla sedan, you will be happy to know that the hybrid system does not penetrate the trunk. But trucks are still among the smallest in its segment.

Seating is typical of a small car. The front seats are fine for most people, and the rear seats are tight for adults. The batteries are located under the rear seat, so that the seat for the rear passengers is not affected more than usual in a car of this size.

technology

The Corolla Hybrid has an 8-inch touchscreen that is mounted high in the center console for maximum visibility. This is a common design for Toyota interiors, and although it's functional, I've always found it strange. It looks like it should fold down when you're not using it, but it doesn't work. The strange design of the screen makes the interior look old-fashioned than it is.

The driver has a large 7-inch digital display that you can customize to display the information you want. You can choose to display, for example, the odometer or the outside temperature. I have set it to show current fuel consumption and fuel consumption as I would like to see how my driving affects my average mileage in real time. After all, this is a hybrid.

Riley Young / Digital Trends

Unfortunately for Toyota, the Entune infotainment system lags behind Corolla's competitors. It is compatible with Apple CarPlay, but not with Android Auto. There is a USB port that is common for every vehicle in 2020, but is in an inconvenient place on the right side of the center console.

The basic system of the Hyundai Ioniq is easier to use and offers both Android and Apple compatibility. There is also an upgrade with a larger screen and wireless charging. The Honda Insight's basic infotainment system is sparse and resembles what you'll find in the Corolla. But like the Ioniq, Honda offers an improved system with a larger screen and a WiFi hotspot.

For those who work their Prime membership for everything that's worth it, Corolla's Entune system is compatible with Amazon Alexa. This is still an unusual feature in any car, let alone one that sells for less than $ 25,000.

fuel consumption

If you're considering the Corolla Hybrid, you're probably in for fuel economy. You will not be disappointed. The hybrid is rated by the EPA at a combined speed of 52 mpg, with city and highway averages in the late 1950s. The Corolla only with gas is designed for a combined output of approx. 33 mpg, depending on which model it is.

That's great compared to most cars, but pretty typical of a modern hybrid sedan. The Honda Insight publishes almost identical numbers with a total of 52 mpg. The Hyundai Ioniq surpasses both with a combined 58 mpg.

2020 Toyota Corolla HybridRiley Young / Digital Trends

There is an EV mode with which the car can only use battery power at very low speeds and very short distances. At first I found this disappointing because any acceleration would leave EV mode to get going. Then I found an application: sneaking around in traffic. I could use EV mode while waiting for a light to change or an accident to go out.

I drove the Corolla a little over a hundred miles over a week. This was mostly the case on roads and local highways, so I never set it to 65 mph. I was also not careful with my acceleration, which I found peppy enough in the city. On rainy days I made a few short trips to the grocery store about a mile away, which is terrible for everyone's gasoline consumption.

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid front seatsRiley Young / Digital Trends

At the end of my test drive, the middle display showed me that my real fuel consumption was in the mid-1940s. That number is low, but my miles were completely stop-and-go. If you can set the adaptive cruise control for longer distances than me, your mileage may be closer to the EPA numbers.

safety

The Corolla features Toyota's Safety Sense Suite with driver assistance functions and a full list of safety technologies. I have used all but two functions. automatic high beam as well as pedestrian and cyclist detection. I was in town so high beam was not necessary and no one stepped in front of my car or drove.

My toughest test was on a rainy night on a street with dubious markings and irregular traffic patterns. The lane keeping assistant was able to find the middle dotted lane with reflectors, but it was difficult for him to find the correct lane marking that had broken down in places. The Corolla's steering assistant gently suggested that I hug the middle lane marker more than I would like.

I had also set dynamic cruise control on this trip and it worked well. This system will bring you to the limit and if it detects that the car has moved in front of you, you will be asked to press a button or restart the accelerator. It follows traffic as it should. It was able to adapt quickly when another car entered my lane, and it correctly displayed the speed limit sign.

The dynamic speed control was able to adapt quickly when another car entered my lane.

The National Highway Safety Traffic Association rated the Corolla Hybrid five out of five stars, with perfect results in front and side crash tests and four out of five stars in the rollover test. The insurance institute for road traffic safety has awarded Corolla a top safety ax because it received the top grade “good” in every test.

The Honda Insight was recognized as a Top Safety Pick + for its excellent crash test ratings and headlight lighting. The Hyundai Ioniq has not yet been tested by the NHTSA, but received top marks in all IIHS tests.

The Corolla Hybrid has a comprehensive 3 year / 36,000 miles warranty and 5 years / 60,000 miles warranty on the powertrain. Hybrid components are guaranteed for 8 years / 100,000 miles.

Price and availability

The base MRSP of the Toyota Corolla is $ 22,950. Our tested price was $ 24,303. The extra money went only to a body protection package and carpet mats. Since I tested the car in bad weather in January, these were smart additions from Toyota.

How DT would configure this car

The Corolla Hybrid comes in just one version, the LE, and is only available as a sedan. There are no options or packages for this car. When you visit Toyota.com and build a Corolla to your specifications, you can choose the interior and exterior colors and add accessories such as floor mats and crossbars on the roof. That's it.

You can at least choose the color, and although the test car was in Celestite, a gray-blue shade, blue print is definitely the way to go.

Wrap up

The Corolla has long been an affordable car for the masses. Now it's an affordable hybrid for the masses.

The Corolla Hybrid doesn't offer much luxury. Some of the upper panels of the gasoline-powered Corolla are prettier than this, and there are no options like leather upholstery or heated seats to refine the hybrid. This Corolla is a hybrid for people on a budget, whose first priority is a safe, reliable car and whose second priority is fuel consumption.

Still, the Corolla's Drive Assist technology is solid for the price. It wasn't perfect, but it worked well even in harsh conditions. I just wish the Toyota Entune system would be better and offer Android auto support.

Should you buy the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid?

Yes. If you are looking for a reliable, low-cost limousine from a manufacturer with a decades-long hybrid record, the 2020 Corolla Hybrid is the right choice for you. Just don't expect a fantastic infotainment experience.

Editor's recommendations




29 Feb
Blog

Rad Power Bikes RadRover Step-Thru Review: Carry all the things

RadRover Step-Thru, white, with accessories

Rad Power Bikes RadRover Step-Thru Review: Wear all things

"With the RadRover Step-Thru you can easily conquer food excursions."

  • Excellent value for money

  • Smooth ride

  • Extremely versatile

  • The step-thru frame is accessible

  • Heavy and bulky

  • Seat adjustment difficult for short drivers

The new RadRover Step-Thru E-Bike from Rad Power Bikes improves the accessibility for the rider compared to the RadRover, the bestseller of the popular brand. Mounting and driving the RadRover Step-Thru model is easier for those of us who are challenged for height and flexibility due to the cross tube design and the 30.5-inch step-over height of the RadRover.

The robust and versatile RadRover models with fat tires offer impressive value for money at identical starting prices of $ 1,499. Sure, you can find e-bikes for under $ 1,000 that are said to have the same functionality but lack the quality additions and support of RadRovers' company. And those with deep pockets can spend $ 5,000 or more on special e-bikes designed for street racing or competitive mountain hikes.

RadRover Step-Thru, white, stock

The two RadRovers, like the other models from Rad Power Bikes, are just the thing in terms of the quality and durability that most people expect at this price. The price range from $ 1,200 to $ 1,800 is the fastest growing segment of the e-bike market, with Rad Power Bikes and Juiced Bikes currently being the sales leaders.

Best use

The versatile RadRovers are characterized by recreation and transport on and off the road in cities and villages, on hiking trails and on the beach, on campsites, in parks and, if they are equipped with the right accessories, for errands and shopping.

Neither the RadRover Step-Thru nor the cross-tube version are the best choice for all e-bike applications. The relatively heavy RadRovers are not suitable as electric mountain bikes, and you don't want to take part in a hooligan-style flat bike race. The weight and mass of the RadRovers also exclude them as urban mobility alternatives, since daily trips up and down stairs or with elevators would quickly get old.

Speed, range and components

The RadRover Step-Thru is a class 2 e-bike, which means you can use electrical energy to reach speeds of up to 32 km / h. The battery-powered electric motor on the rear hub of the bike works in two ways. You can choose from five electrical assistance levels if you pedal the bike with a 7-speed Shimano derailleur.

There is also a twist-grip gas on the right handle, which you can use to support the power supply with or without pedaling. In both cases, the electrical support is switched off at 32 km / h and only reactivated when your speed drops below this threshold.

The RadRover Step-Thru's rechargeable lithium-ion NCA battery has a range of 25 to 45 miles. The mileage depends on the full load (ie you and your belongings), speed, incline, temperature, tire pressure and more than any other factor on the extent to which you use more battery power than pedal power. It takes 5 to 6 hours to fully charge the battery with the supplied charger.

The bike rides on Kenda Juggernaut tires with a width of 4 inches and a diameter of 26 inches, which were specially developed for Rad Power Bikes. These tires have a slightly aggressive tread and a puncture-proof inner shoe, which is required for bicycles that are driven at different speeds on e-bike speeds. Adjusting the tire's air pressure can also significantly improve driving comfort.

Tektro's mechanical 180 mm disc brakes offer high braking power. While hydraulic disc brakes require less pinch pressure, they cost more and require more maintenance than mechanical brakes.

The RadRover models have a front suspension fork with adjustable preload and 80 mm of travel. You can easily adjust the fork with your fingers. If you prefer a rigid frame, there is also a lock. The lighting includes a new wheel LED halo front light and a rear light that becomes brighter when braking. The RadRover Step-Thru and the latest version of the RadRover are equipped with black fenders as standard – fenders were previously an option.

Build and assemble

Rad Power Bikes mainly sells e-bikes directly to the buyer. Shipping is included in the sales price. Rad also has showrooms in Seattle, Vancouver, BC and the Netherlands as well as numerous locations in North America, Central America and Europe where you can test different models.

Rad ships e-bikes in a large box with the front wheel and seat removed and the handlebars removed. The only part you may need help with is lifting the bike out of the shipping carton. Bike contains the necessary tools with the bike. Rad Power Bikes also sends printed instruction manuals with each of its motorcycles – most other manufacturers now rely on online manuals.

Using the manual and videos available on the bike website, you can expect to spend an hour or two assembling the e-bike, depending on how well you are familiar with the process.

To check the versatility of the Step-Thru, we asked for optional front and rear racks ($ 69 and $ 80 respectively), a front metal basket ($ 79), and a pair of panniers or saddlebags ($ 89 each) to attach to the rear rack , The correct installation of the accessories took about two hours at a careful and methodical pace. The final price of the RadRover Step-Thru with accessories was $ 1,885.

So how big and heavy is it?

The overall length of the RadRover Step-Thru is 75 inches, the handlebar height is 47.5 inches and the seat height (from the bottom of the pedal) is 28 inches to 37 inches. The stand-over height of the step-thru is only 20.25 inches. The RadRover dimensions are approximately the same as for the Step-Thru, except for the 30.5-inch standover height. The extra 10 inches make a big difference when getting in and out.

The recommended rider height for the RadRover ranges from 5 feet, 4 inches to 6 feet, 2 inches. Thanks to its lower standover height, the recommended driver height of the Step-Thru ranges from 5 feet, 0 inches to 6 feet, 2 inches. Both versions have a 275 pound payload that includes passengers, luggage, and installed accessories.

When I checked in to a Facebook Rad Power Bikes group of owners, I found that 5 feet, 7 inches was the height at which people started to question the feasibility of buying a RadRover, especially if they were going to do a rack add. I am exactly 5 feet, 7 inches and I found it convenient to assemble the bike before adding the luggage rack and panniers. With the accessories installed, I always stepped through the frame. I have a 29-inch inseam and found a happy compromise by adjusting the seat height so that when I pedal, my legs stretch out almost completely and still reach the ground without leaving the seat at stop signs or crossings.

RadRover Step-Thru, white, on towbar

The Step Thru model weighs 71 pounds, two pounds more than the RadRover. After installing the accessories listed above, the bike weighed 83 pounds. Without accessories, the RadRover Step-Thru is just a few pounds heavier than other bike models like the 65-pound RadRunner or the 67-pound RadMini. However, lifting was noticeably harder with the accessories on the Step-Thru.

When I was transporting the RadRover Step-Thru to drive in different areas in southeastern North Carolina, it was easy to mount it on a tow bar carrier.

horse riding

Rad Power Bikes RadRover Step-Thru

I have covered miles on the RadRover StepThru both on the road and off-road across fields, on unpaved roads and on asphalt roads and paths. Most of the time I pedaled and used the throttle. The throttle is especially useful when driving away from a stop or intersection with traffic and responds quickly with the instant torque typical of electric vehicles. Keeping 32 km / h or more nearby wasn't a challenge, although there are few hills in our coastal region. The fat tires definitely contributed to my confidence in the bike when I was driving on the side of the road.

Based on my recent experience with e-bikes with disc brakes of similar size, including the much lighter RadRunner, I was initially concerned about the braking power of the RadRover Step-Thru's brakes, especially after adding the luggage rack and other accessories. In practice, however, I pulled the brake levers a little harder and the bike stopped very quickly. E-bikes do not have an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and I could easily lock the wheels for a slide stop.

When driving on anything other than paved surfaces, I found that I was relying more on gas performance and less on pedaling. Even when the front suspension was set for more travel and the tire pressure was lower, the ride was so nervous that I was more likely to stand on the pedals to use my knees as additional suspension components.

Preferences for the bike seat style vary widely between riders. The RadRover has a Velo Plush saddle, which some riders from the Rad Owners Facebook group praise. If I had bought the RadRover I would probably replace the seat for a more comfortable ride and possibly also replace the seat post with a suspension post. Replacing the standard components would likely cost $ 150 to $ 200 for replacement parts. So sitting is another area where bikes kept the price down with a mid-range seat that many people consider perfectly acceptable.

When driving the RadRover Step-Thru on a variety of surfaces, usually at or near the top speed of 32 km / h, I didn't notice any tremors after the ride or found any loose components or accessories. I jumped a few curbs at full speed, and while the contents of the basket, which wasn't secured, moved a little, the bike didn't stall or become squirrel-like before it regained traction and momentum.

Our opinion

The RadRover Step-Thru lives up to the reputation of the conventionally designed RadRover as a solidly constructed all-purpose e-bike. The Step Thru never stalled, trembled, or disappointed when traveling.

This bike is so sturdy and has enough space that it can function as a cargo bike – unless you want to carry several passengers in optional child seats. I didn't use it that way, but the rear panniers, luggage rack, and front basket could do most grocery shopping, sporting goods, or work tools. This is as much storage space as you need to buy an extended length cargo bike.

It's easy to see why the RadRover is Rad Power Bikes' best seller, and the Step Thru version could capture riders who would otherwise buy the RadCity Step Thru model with narrow tires. The fat tires of the RadRover give the e-bike more versatility, albeit at a certain price for easy pedaling.

Is there a better alternative?

Some riders prefer the RadRover model with cross tube only for visual reasons, but a representative of Rad assured us that there was no difference in structural stiffness. The RadRover Step-Thru is available with a black or white frame, each with black fenders. The Cross Tube RadRover is only delivered with a black frame. Our test bike was white because this was the available color, but I also think it gives the bike better visibility compared to a completely black model. If you want a fat tire wheel but need more mobility, the collapsible RadMini is an excellent alternative at the same price of $ 1,499.

Among other brands, the Juiced Bikes RipCurrent Fat Tire e-bike might be a good choice, though at $ 1,899, it costs $ 400 more than the RadRover. The RipCurrent is a class 3 bike with a top speed of 45 km / h, but the usual fenders of the RadRover are missing. CSC Motorcycles recently launched the CSC FT750-26, a new e-bike with fat tires, lots of premium components and a top speed of 25 to 28 miles per hour. It has a list price of $ 1,688.

How long it will take?

All Rad Power Bikes have a 1 year warranty against manufacturing defects. However, we assume that this bike will last 3 to 5 years or more. Rad is known for bicycles with solid structural components. The other elements are all recognized brand names. Therefore, there should be no problem if you need to replace parts in the future. Rad also has live customer service hours seven days a week from the company's headquarters in Seattle.

Should you buy one?

Yes. If you are looking for a solid e-bike that can be used as a general purpose vehicle in different environments, the RadRover Step-Thru will not disappoint. If you buy another e-bike in the future, the Step Thru is still a great bike because the Step Thru frame makes it accessible and easy to use for a variety of riders.

Editor's recommendations




28 Feb
Blog

Warcraft 3 Reforged Review: The RTS Classic Gets A Stale Update

Warcraft 3 reforged

Warcraft III Reforged Review: A mediocre remaster

"Warcraft III: Reforged is a much-needed remaster that is not entirely complete."

  • Preserve the best parts of the original game

  • Accessibility added in campaign

  • Custom cards are still glowing

  • Detailed new pictures

  • Missing key features

  • Frustrating mistakes

  • Outdated interface

Imagine a world without Warcraft III for a moment. In this reality, nobody uses the game's World Editor tool to create Defense of the Ancients. In return, Valve never acquired the rights to the mod and developed DOTA 2, a game that created the conditions for the modern esport boom. Similarly, the commercial success of Warcraft III World of Warcraft would not have given it an early dynamic. Without a leg up, will the latter become a massive mainstream success that will forever change the industry’s approach to games-as-a-service?

It's impossible to guess the storyline when it comes to hypotheses, but we rarely think about how very old favorites shaped the future of the gaming industry. With this in mind, Warcraft III: Reforged, Blizzard's new remaster of the 18-year-old strategy classic, comes at a fascinating time. Reforged lands in the modern landscape that accidentally shaped the original, giving us a rare moment to think about the legacy of Warcraft III.

While Warcraft III: Reforged isn't the full remake that some fans had hoped for, it's an effective, unfinished remaster that highlights the strengths of the original game with welcome graphical updates.

Relive a classic

Reforged doesn't change anything fundamentally about Warcraft III, and that's its greatest strength. If anything, the new version only reinforces what is so sustainable about the classic strategy. It's a fast paced game in which players have to beat their opponents in an arms race that rewards efficient multitasking and careful planning.

In the game, players collect resources to build structures, win new troops, and receive upgrades to help them fight. It's simple on the surface, but slowly getting more complex as players dive deeper into its hybrid strategy RPG systems.

Reforged doesn't change anything fundamentally about Warcraft III, and that's its greatest strength.

Mastering the game is a tripartite approach. It starts with the game's massive campaign, in which each mission is collected by both Reign of Chaos and the Frozen Throne expansion. The story still serves as an excellent fantasy adventure, but is also a useful tutorial in retrospect. The missions guide players through a number of different scenarios, from wave defense to targeted exploration, and introduce every playable race along the way.

Here you can slowly gather skills and see how the game can be played. Blizzard has skilfully strengthened this idea by making it more accessible in Reforged. Adding a story difficulty level helps shorten the game's learning curve and make it friendlier for new players.

Warcraft 3 reforged

Versus multiplayer remains the core of the game for seasoned fans, and Blizzard is careful not to rock the boat. While the mode offers a number of balance optimizations, the overall flow remains unchanged. It's easy to understand why people still play the game 18 years later. This is a well-matched competitive experience that can take a lifetime to master.

Finally, there's the custom element of the game that allows players to create their own maps and modes through an extremely powerful (and complicated) level editor tool. After almost two decades, custom content still remains the heart and soul of the game. The players pump out wildly different creations that are a joy. At some point, I opened a Star Wars mode and had to laugh when a huge Death Star swept across a chaotic battle scene.

Funnily enough, in addition to the tool, Blizzard has released a new policy for acceptable use that this card is now technically violating. Stricter politics has stirred up the game's community, worried about how this could limit the creative freedom that led to DOTA. It's too early to say whether Reforged has lost the 2002 freewheeling feel, but according to the list of currently available wild maps, it seems that the Blizzard community is not going to let their creativity stand in the way.

Warcraft III is still exactly what you make of it, and that's proof of the robust content suite of the original game, all of which are well preserved here.

A fresh coat of paint

The real selling point of Reforged is its aesthetic updates that modernize the outdated graphics of the original game. Gone are the days of flat textures, which are becoming increasingly difficult to recognize over time. Instead, Reforged's visual style brings the game closer to World of Warcraft and makes it more familiar to new players.

The characters are more detailed and expressive than ever, and even subtle changes bring new life to the game. The Warcraft series is full of personality, and the updated art style only underlines this strength. Falling back on one of the game's classic meta-easter eggs, the little animal explodes in a blood and bone well, leaving a big crack in the ground where it once stood.

Warcraft 3: New Forged

The point of a remaster is not to turn a game completely upside down. It is a matter of healthy game conservation. A good remaster makes players feel like they did when they first played the game, and the recent high-resolution upgrade from Shadow of the Colossus is a prime example of this. The original game was absolutely impressive in 2005, but will feel comparatively boring in 2020. The newer version communicates its early visualization excellently, without indulging in revisionist history to update the core experience.

Reforged takes a similarly effective approach, and it's a change that didn't feel very convincing at first until I switched the game to Classic View and found out how much detail my brain had filled in then.

The Warcraft series is full of personality, and the updated art style only underlines this strength.

The visual upgrade is effective, but it leads to another problem. The user interface feels prehistoric when placed next to the more modern look. So there is a strange tension between modern looks and modern looks.

In addition, story points feel flat due to the lack of dynamic camera work during the cut scenes in the game. Blizzard had originally planned to update them in Reforged, but that was scrapped somewhere along the way.

Warcraft III is fun, but cannot cross the line between a successful remaster and a full remake. The graphics are pimped, but the game's general approach may be too valuable in some places, causing some of the game's less flattering elements to surface.

The almost final edition

While Reforged forms the basis for the ultimate edition of Warcraft III, the current version of the game still feels like beta at times. With most new games, this wouldn't be a big problem. It has become the standard for service-style games to start with a reduced functionality and build slowly over time. Players spend their first months with a new game that learns its systems and finds the loops as improvements occur.

But reforged is a more difficult situation. Not only is it a remaster of an 18 year old game, it is also one that is built right into the 2002 release. This means that the classic edition inherits changes such as balance optimizations to enable cross-play between games, similar to what Blizzard does with Overwatch 2. It's an ambitious strategy that has given Blizzard a shorter grace period than the players you expect from modern games.

Clans, automated tournaments, custom campaigns, ladder functions and more are missing from the current build.

Unfortunately, the release on the first day doesn't quite stand the landing. Reforged has a fair share of errors that vary in size. The successful connection to custom games is a game in itself at the moment. There was an issue on several occasions when I loaded a campaign mission and was directed straight to a defeat screen, forcing me to restart the game.

Warcraft 3 forged again

The stranger thing about Reforged is Blizzard's decision to launch the game without certain features, some of which were available on the very first day of 2002. Clans, automated tournaments, custom campaigns, managerial functions and more are missing in the current build. The release feels particularly premature.

Missing features aren't a deal-breaker for the game in the long run, but they take some of the air out of a triumphant return to the past. A remaster should be an exclamation mark; a ceremonial punctuation mark for the performance of a game. Reforged is more of an ellipse where players have to ask: "and …?"

Instead of having a moment to think about Warcraft III, fans are now focusing on Reforged's shortcomings, which are more distracting than outdated graphics.

Our opinion

The highest praise I can give Reforged is that it is still Warcraft III. The outstanding single player campaign and the strategic multiplayer action are well preserved here. The updated graphics are a welcome addition, replacing the outdated graphics of the original game with an expressive new look.

Unfortunately, the launch version of the game is far from complete, as bugs and important missing features prevent the current build from being the final version of Warcraft III. It'll probably get there sometime, but it's strange that a remaster feels like it starts over and doesn't present an end point.

Is there a better alternative?

I would say classic Warcraft III, but this game has now inherited many of the problems that plague Reforged. At the moment, Starcraft II: Remastered is scratching a similar itch while Blizzard smoothes things out.

How long it will take?

Overall, the campaign will take 30 to 40 hours, but the Versus multiplayer and custom maps make it a truly endless experience spanning 18 years.

Should you buy it

Yes, if you liked the original. It's still one of the best strategy games of all time, though it's still a long way to go before it's a final version of Warcraft III.

Editor's recommendations




28 Feb
Blog

Electrolux EFLS627UIW 4.4 Cubic Feet 600 Series Front Load Washer Review

electrolux efls627uiw press render

Electrolux EFLS627UIW 4.4 cubic feet 600 series front loading washing machine

"When used correctly, the stain-fighting power of this Electrolux machine is impressive."

  • Reversible door washing

  • Fit a lot in the machine

  • Better performance when using a POD

  • Steam option for deep cleaning

  • Long wash cycles overall

  • Bad stain remover if only detergent is used

  • No hand washing option

The Electrolux Perfect Steam ™ washing machine with front loader and LuxCare Wash and SmartBoost was developed to combat stains. When used correctly with the right stain control agents, it does a good job. However, these functions are a waste for people who only want to use detergent in their laundry and nothing else.

Big and brave

The white (also available in gray) washing machine is full of frills, and most of them have one goal: stain removal. In true Electrolux fashion, the front loader model is attractive – the type of machine that you would expect in a custom home. Perhaps our favorite design feature is the reversible door of the washing machine, so it can be used in almost any large room with installation restrictions.

In true Electrolux fashion, the front-loading washing machine is attractive – the type of machine that you would expect in a custom home.

The 4.4 cubic foot washer measures 38 x 27 x 32 inches (H x W x D) and is therefore not ideal for more compact washrooms. These dimensions are not far from the slightly larger 4.8 cubic foot Maytag MHW6630HC0. The Elektrolux accompanying dryer Electrolux EFME627UTT is similar in size. Like most washing machines these days, you can purchase an optional 15-inch pedestal on which you can place it so you don't have to bend down to use the machine.

Simple panel

The Electrolux Front Load Perfect Steam washing machine has a lot of settings and we found that navigating was a breeze. The cycle selector offers options for heavy duty, whitest whites, normal, active wear, color, 15-minute quick wash, delicate wash, rinse and spin and clean washing machine. Once you have selected a setting, you can adjust the temperature (disinfect, hot, warm, cold and tap color), the type of floor (solid floor, max, heavy, normal and light) and the spin speed (max, high), medium , low and no spin).

For additional stain control, you can also choose between StainSoak and Perfect Steam. When using the StainSoak feature, you can also choose the type of stain you want to remove (chocolate, blood, or a stain). There are also options for Extra Rinse, Wrinkle Release, Extended Refresh, Delay Rinse and Control Lock. As with most washing machines, there are restrictions on what options you can add to a wash.

On the far right of the control panel you will find the Start / Pause, Cancel and PODS buttons. On the far left of the machine is a pull-out drawer into which you can fill detergent, fabric softener, bleach and even the pods. If you choose to use a pod for your washing needs, also press the PODS button on the control panel. There is also a stain treatment liquid compartment that you want to fill when using the StainSoak function. This option extends a cycle by approximately 10 minutes.

The LED display also has a variety of instructions. In addition to the large digital timer (you can see how much time is left from a distance), you can choose the type of stain you want to treat, mute the sound, and check if your wash combination is environmentally friendly. The letters "close door" light up when the door is not locked.

Once you have loaded items into the device, press the power button to select your settings. The digital display shows relevant symbols and an estimated time how long the charging process will take. We should note that many of the cycles on this machine take well over an hour. However, if you're in a hurry and have a small load, you can use the 15-minute cycle to clean clothes that aren't stained.

A stain on performance

With all of the stain removal options available, we were keen to love the Electrolux 600 series washing machine. Unfortunately not so much. We can say that using a POD instead of a standard detergent made a significant difference. This is probably because a POD usually contains more than just laundry detergent. In our tests, however, as in our practice, we only used basic HE detergent and did not add any additional stain control or detergent.

Using a POD instead of a standard detergent makes a significant difference in performance.

We ran different loads over a few months and were satisfied with the results. When it was time to test the stain removal functions, the results were a bit mixed. We washed a basic load of minimal stain clothing on Delicates and selected Normal Soil, Cold, and Low Spin to remove almost all of the stains. To be fair: an item had a stain that we have been trying to remove for months.

To really put it to the test, we sprayed cooking oil, red wine and hot sauce over T-shirts, heavy cotton shorts, polos, khaki pants and a buttoned shirt. We leave these stains on for a few hours. We did not use a stain remover and washed these items with the "Normal" setting with warm temperature, normal bottom, medium spin and perfect steam. While these settings may not be optimal to combat stains in this machine, we usually test all washing machines. Sixty-eight minutes later, when the cycle was complete, we still saw the residue of some stains. When washing the items again in a longer cycle using some of the stain control settings specific to this model, the results were much better and almost all of the stains were gone.

warranty information

The Electrolux washing machine comes with a one-year guarantee that covers parts and labor. During the second year of operation, Electrolux pays for the replacement of defective parts. In addition, the manufacturer will cover the inner wash tub for the life of the product and the wash tub drive motor for ten years. Workers are no longer included after the first year.

Our opinion

In the end, the Electrolux Front Load Perfect steam scrubber with LuxCare Wash and SmartBoost can do a good job of fighting stains, but you need to make sure that you are using the right stain remover and settings. If you are someone who likes to use PODs, you will appreciate the space available in the dispenser and will likely get more stain control power from them. However, if you don't want to add extra detergents to your laundry load, this may not be the best solution.

Is there a better alternative?

We were more impressed with the Electrolux EFLS537UIW front loading washing machine with LuxCare washing system, which costs less and removes stains better when only detergent is used. However, the model is a bit smaller. That said, Electrolux models generally have deceptively large tubs, so you should be able to easily fit king-size duvets into them. It really depends on what you want, and our washer and dryer shopping guide can help you decide which features are most important to you.

How long it will take?

Front load washers typically do not last as long as top load machines. usually have a longer lifespan than front loading washing machines. The experts say a washing machine should last between 10 and 14 years, and is probably closer to 10 than 14.

Should you buy it

We weren't so impressed with the machine's stain-fighting abilities – although there were plenty of them. For a washing machine that costs over $ 1,200, it really should have been better to clean clothes. If you need a reversible door washing machine, we recommend that you check out other Electrolux models with some basic stain control features.

Editor's recommendations




28 Feb
Blog

Electrolux EFME627UTT 8.0 Cubic Feet 600 Series Front Load Dryer Review

Electrolux washer and dryer side by side

Electrolux EFME627UTT 8.0 cubic feet 600 front loader electric dryer

"This top-of-the-range model offers a variety of functions that are ideal for a busy family or a household."

  • wrinkle control

  • Spacious

  • steam option

  • Fast drying cycle

  • Cycles can run longer than the assigned time

  • Short cycle works best with smaller loads

The electric Elektrolux front-loading steam dryer with PredictiveDry and immediate update is very spacious and can process several blankets. The best thing is that the internal LED lighting of this model can help you find the missing sock in the columns of the dryer.

Built for bulky items

The white dryer (also available in gray) offers all first-class functions, including steam with wrinkle removal. This Electrolux model in combination with the washing machine of the Electrolux 600 series gives even the most boring washrooms in the basement style. Like most dryers, the Electrolux has a reversible door. Perhaps our preferred design feature is the basket style lint filter, as it is easy to clean and has twice as much space to collect dryer waste.

The 8.0 cubic foot dryer measures 38 x 27 x 31.5 inches (H x W x D). Although you can get an accessory to stack it on the washing machine, you will probably enjoy it more if you place it side by side. Page. The accompanying disk of the Electrolux is similar in size. If you're looking for a more ergonomic setup, an optional 15-inch base is available, so you can use the machine without stooping.

The Electrolux Front Load Perfect Steam 600 dryer is equipped with user-friendly settings. You can select cycles for heavy / hand towels, allergen, normal, active wear, mixed load, 15-minute quick drying, delicates, time drying and instant updating. Once you have selected a cycle, you can adjust the temperature (disinfect, high, normal, low and air drying), the degree of dryness (max, high, normal, less and moist) and the drying time (auto, 75 minutes) 60 min, 45 min and 30 min). Additional options include Perfect Steam, Anti-Static, Eco, Wrinkle Release, Extended Tumble, Delay Time and Control Lock. The options you choose depend on which drying cycle you originally selected.

On the far right of the control panel are buttons for start / pause and cancel. The LED display has a large digital timer (you can see the remaining time some distance away) and information about the sound of the machine, the lock and whether it is an environmentally friendly charge. You do not have to ask yourself whether it is time to clean the fluff filter, because if so, the letters "Clean fluff" light up on the display. Once you've loaded items into the device, press the power button to select your settings and press Start. The timer on the digital display tells you how long the cycle should last.

drying Dynamo

We used the Electrolux dryer for a few months and were happy with the results. In general, the cycles ran slightly longer than indicated on the digital display. However, it usually didn't take more than ten minutes. You can also change the settings during a cycle by pressing the Start / Pause button, making the new selection, and then pressing Start.

The 15-minute drying cycle works excellently for small loads in an emergency.

During our tests, we made two loads of different items, including delicates, tablecloths and shirt blouses. We dried the clothes with Activewear, Normal Temperature and Normal Dry as well as the automatic time setting. After 35 minutes the rather heavy load came out dry. In addition, we put a dry, wrinkled shirt in the dryer and activated the instant update cycle with the "perfect steam" option. Although the top did not come out perfectly, most of the wrinkles were removed. We appreciated the 15-minute drying cycle, which works great with small loads.

warranty information

The Electrolux dryer has a one-year warranty on parts and labor. During the second year of operation, Electrolux pays to replace defective parts, but after the first year there are no more workers.

Our opinion

The Electrolux Front Load Perfect steam dryer is a solid machine. This top-of-the-range model offers a variety of functions that are ideal for a busy family or a household. However, if you only need a simple dryer, this model is more than you want.

Is there a better alternative?

We were impressed with this dryer and are comparable to other high-end models available. If you're looking for a solid, less frills model that costs less, check out the LG DLE7100W. The dryer is a bit smaller at 7.3 cubic feet and costs about half the price. When you buy a dryer, you should make a list of the main features. Read our washer and dryer shopping guide for an idea of ​​what's available.

How long it will take?

According to experts, this Electrolux front-loading dryer should have a lifespan of 10 to 13 years.

Should you buy it

The Electrolux Front Load Perfect steam dryer of the 600 series is impressive and equipped with functions that are extensive. You'll pay for it though – this dryer costs over $ 1,300. While this is expensive, you are unlikely to replace it until ten years from now.

Editor's recommendations




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