Disqus - Latest Comments for skiphunt

Re: The Best Cheap Bluetooth Earbuds So Far

skiphunt — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 10:57:49 -0000

Update: Brainwavz refused to replace their faulty headphones unless I return the bad ones to Hong Kong at my own expense. The best price I could find was $16.75 shipping from U.S. to Hong Kong. After several emails with Brainwavz customer support, they wouldn't budge on this. Instead, I complained about them to Amazon and bought another pair.

I decided to try out the Aukey earbuds recommended by wirecutter. They recommend the BP-40 model, but Aukey also has a new BP-60 model that's a couple dollars cheaper. Aukey tells me they are essentially the same, only a lighter button box, only come in light blue, and have a shorter cable. Otherwise, the same.

So far, I like them. I couldn't get a good seal with ANY of the rubber ear tips, until I removed the stabilizer wings. Now, I find I have an excellent seal and they don't move around. Haven't missed the stabilizers at all and also find them more comfortable without them.

The shorter cable is welcome to me. I don't drape it behind my neck because it sensations bugs me. I also like being able to easily get to the button box with my motorcycle helmet on.

I've only had these a week, so I can't comment on longevity yet. So far I'm happy with them. They sound decent, enough outside noise is blocked, and they have the magnets to hold together around your neck. If you're a giant body builder type, you might want to get the BP-40's recommended for the longer cable. I'm a bit above average sized body type, and the shorter cable works well for me.

The battery seems to last a long time too. I haven't gone over about 5hrs yet, but the iPhone was showing more than 75% power left. If true, these will be the longest running wireless buds I've had to date.

Re: Plotagraph Review

skiphunt — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 15:19:39 -0000

Only after you've paid the $5 for the iOS version... they released an update that slaps their logo on your work and they make you pay AGAIN to get rid of their logo.

I'd avoid this company like the plague. Does Trey have skin in this game? Is he the one advising they fleece customers who've already paid for the app?

Re: The Best Cheap Bluetooth Earbuds So Far

skiphunt — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 13:06:59 -0000

I think I'm about fed up with all the bluetooth offerings. I've now been through 5 pairs in the sub-$50 level and have either experienced low output, lack of noise isolation, charge doesn't last long, one or the other sides going dead inside of a month or so, charging issues develop within a couple months, etc.

I *thought* I'd found a great pair in the Brainwavz BLU model. It sounded decent, the charge at least lasted more than average, they were efficient with good volume, and blocked out external noise well while riding my motorcycle.

They too succumbed to one side going out inside of warranty, but Brainwavz customer support turned horrible. I'd just buy another pair but I can't with good conscience give a company with such poor customer service any more of my money.

I don't want to spend $100+ for wireless earbuds (need earbuds wireless instead of regular wireless so that I can wear inside a motorcycle helmet) because I've read similar complaints about one side cutting out, charging issues, etc. from the expensive ones too. At least in the sub-$50 range you're not out as much when they all seem to inevitably fail.

I'm not sure I like the collared design of the wirecutter's Skullcandy pick, but if that design delivers better efficiency/volume, battery life, decent noise cancellation, and they last a little while before one side cuts out or the charging fails... then I might be able to get used to them.

Has anyone bought both the Skullcandy pick AND the Aukey second choice and care to offer your experience with regard to volume/noise-isolation/battery-life/longevity?

I'm thinking I'll just give up on bluetooth and go back to wired earbuds, but if I were to try just one more pair, given what I've stated is more important to me, which pair should I try as my last pair before giving up?

Re: The Best Cheap Bluetooth Earbuds So Far

skiphunt — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 11:14:20 -0000

Mine just started failing on the right side. The audio is very faint and sometimes static.

I contacted Brainwavz 5 days ago since they're supposed to be under warranty, but they are not handling it as easy as they did when the wired ones failed.

This time, they want me to ship them back to China from here in the U.S. on my own dime. And if I take a picture of the postal receipt they'll send the earbuds before the bad ones are received.

The last time all they asked was for me to cut the bad ones up, take a photo to email them, and then they sent new ones. I think I had replacements inside of 5 days.

Unfortunately, they aren't doing that this time. I'm not sure I want to bother with it. Might try the wirecutter's Aukey pick instead. Disappointed they aren't handling the warranty claim better than this, but I guess good customer service must be rare these days. :(

UPDATE: These earbuds lasted 5 months an failed. Brainwavz customer support is now horrible. They want me to pay $15 to send them back to China first, before getting replacements. This is half of what they cost!

These were decent earbuds, but their customer service now fails big time. I WON'T be buying any more Brainwavz products. I originally bought Brainwavz based on wirecutter recommendations for the wired headphones. Those failed too, but they took care of it quickly. NOT SO this time.

Brainwavz has lost a repeat customer. :(

Re: The Best Cheap Bluetooth Earbuds So Far

skiphunt — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 17:09:59 -0000

UPDATE 2: Here's another follow up on the Brainwaves Blue Deltas. For the record, I have no connection to this company and paid full price for them on Amazon. I bought them because I had good luck with their wired versions that were recommended on wirecutter. And, when the wired ones failed, Brainwaves took care of replacing them without issue, so I trust them as a company.

One item that never gets reviewed in these reviews, is how long the headphones last. I don't suppose that's something realistically easy to ascertain, but it's just as important as the initial performance.

I've now been using these Brainwaves Blue Delta bluetooth headphones for about 5 months. ALL of the previous brands and models I've tried have failed inside of 6 weeks. Most of them didn't even last a month before the battery wouldn't hold a charge or one or both of the earbuds would lose sound.

Not so with these Brainwaves. They still work as well as they did when they were new. They still hold a charge and both earbuds work perfectly. I've been using them pretty much every day and have not babied them at all. They've been dropped numerous times, got excessively wet from getting caught in rain, and have whipped around in highway speed wind on my motorcycle.

Brainwavz has lost a repeat customer. :(

Re: The Best Cheap Bluetooth Earbuds So Far

skiphunt — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 19:23:58 -0000

I needed a new set of budget bluetooth headphones, but couldn't wait until this page gets updated. So, I went with the new Anker Slim earbuds from Amazon.

First pair of the new Anker Slims started having charge failures and random shutdowns within a week. Amazon refunded, but Anker support tried to make good on them by sending me another pair. I felt obligated to try some tests and report back to them in detail. But, after they found out that Amazon had already refunded them, they tried to force me to pay again. After I escalated the issue... they just let it go.

The second pair they sent me ended up failing too. The first pair started working again, but one side went out. The second pair lasted a little more than a month before one side of those went out too.

So, I tossed both pairs in the garbage and tried the Brainwaves Blue-Deltas because I'd had good luck with their wired versions, also recommended here.

The Brainwaves are much better than the Ankers so far. They don't have the magnets to hold them together around your neck, which I miss, but it's not a big deal. The sound is MUCH more efficient and they block out the noise much better as well. I've used them while riding my motorcycle and there's no comparison. The Brainwaves are significantly better and the fit is more comfortable to me.

No issues to report. Someone mentioned the volume control is bigger, but only marginally so. I prefer the size it is because it's easier to control the buttons.

I'm getting roughly 6-7hrs of playtime with them. And, the sound is similar... if not a little better than the wired Brainwaves Deltas I have.j

ps. In addition to all this, the Brainwaves Blue Deltas connect much more reliably and faster than the Ankers did. The Brainwaves blue deltas also stayed connected for about an additional 15 feet and they switch to another device easier, ie. I can disconnect from iPhone, then reconnect to my iPad without issue. The Ankers were more sketchy in this regard.

I don't mean to slam Anker. I've bought several of their products in the past and have always had good luck with them. It's a good brand. But, in the case of their slim bluetooth earbuds... I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. The Brainwaves blue deltas for near the same price (paid $29) have been a much better performers in every way so far.

Brainwavz has lost a repeat customer. :(

Re: Discussion of: Report: Russians Claim to Have Blackmail Info on Trump

skiphunt — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 09:42:07 -0000

Doesn't mean much... other than Newser is really more of a tabloid aggregator site... not really a legitimate news site. And these regular folks have an agenda.

I thought maybe they were all Breitbart flunkies trying to ratchet up conflict between opposing views. But, I think it's likely just banal, boring old tabloid methods to get more eyeballs and more advertising revenue.

None of this is really a revelation though. I think most of us kind of thought that anyway.

So, lesson is... don't let some of these flunkies get under your skin. They're just doing it to increase site traffic and profit, nothing more.

Go to sites like Reuters or the BBC if you want somewhat legitimate new reporting. Don't bother with this site unless you just dig the entertainment value of flunkies who answered one of those lame spam links entitled "earn money working from home". LOL

Re: Discussion of: Report: Russians Claim to Have Blackmail Info on Trump

skiphunt — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 01:49:38 -0000

Seems unlikely all the same users would all consistently be commenting during the same span of time every day. Not likely they're all on the same schedules, unless they all work together. ;)

Like I said, skim the user names you see tonight on trigger stories like this one. Make a mental note of the names. Then check out the same kinds of stories during the day and regular business hours tomorrow. Skim the names then too.

Over a few days, I think you'll see the same unlikely patterns. I'm not saying many of the commenters here aren't legitimate users, but I think there's a group working to manufacture or instigate regular outrage. This increases traffic, page reloads, clicks, and advertising revenue.

Newser is doing all kinds of interface tricks that appear to be design flaws or intentionally trip up users to click something the didn't intend to, all actually designed to increase page loads and clicks per user.

Re: Discussion of: Report: Russians Claim to Have Blackmail Info on Trump

skiphunt — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 01:31:46 -0000

Pay attention. During regular business hours, watch the user names of all the most vitriolic posters. They are always posting on all the same kinds of stories, saying similar inciting things over and over again, every day. Same general group.

But, none of them are posting in the evening. During the day, a story like this would have all the usual suspects, pretty much frothing at the mouth and spewing the same things, but tonight, none of them. Watch the patterns yourself if you don't believe me.

Re: Discussion of: Kellyanne Conway Responds to Trump Accusations

skiphunt — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 01:25:33 -0000

WTF? Newser has completely spun this story for Conway. The reality is that she was absolutely grilled by Meyers, losing her footing, caught in her disinformation and visibly shaken.

Watch the clip for yourself here: https://t.co/2BEAOIRGvn

Is Newser owned by Breitbart?! Would make sense given the amount of alt-right commenters who are regularly posting here.

Re: Discussion of: Report: Russians Claim to Have Blackmail Info on Trump

skiphunt — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 01:10:55 -0000

Something odd about these Newser comment sections. During the day, it's always the same group of user names commenting everyday and inciting conflict with very aggressive postings. There are regulars who give back as good as they get too. But, the strange part is almost none of them are here posting in the evening, from either side. Not their shift? ;)

Doesn't that seem odd? I've speculated that most may just be Newser staff hired to incite angry discourse to draw in more users who are constantly refreshing and revisiting pages to see the latest comments and faux political bitterness and/or gloating... For no other reason than to drive up traffic and Newser's click rate pricing for advertisers.

Re: Discussion of: 5 Best Lines From Michelle's Last Speech as First Lady

skiphunt — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 15:17:12 -0000

Intelligent. Level headed. Focussed on the progression and wellbeing of ALL Americans. A champion of diversity. Brilliant. Diplomatic. Classy.

Eight magnificent years of experience in the White House witnessing how it's supposed to be done.

Not a lying, petty, misogynistic, childish, egomaniacal, xenophobic, racist, bigot who cares for no one else buy lining his own pockets and those of his billionaire friends.

Re: Discussion of: 5 Best Lines From Michelle's Last Speech as First Lady

skiphunt — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 14:34:16 -0000

Michelle Obama 2020!!!

(if not sooner) :)

Re: Discussion of: Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on Foreign Cyberthreats, Russia Underway

skiphunt — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 18:08:05 -0000

Trump Inaugural Address Leaked By Russian Hackers

https://soundcloud.com/stei...

Re: Discussion of: Trump Plans to Do More Than Just Criticize CIA

skiphunt — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 10:03:26 -0000

Oh, so that's what part of the Putin KBG's real agenda is for putting their Manchurian candidate man-boy in office. Trumpy is right, looks like that sly devil Putin is pretty clever.

Re: Discussion of: Obama to Give Farewell Address From Chicago

skiphunt — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 20:28:32 -0000

One last request Mr. President!

https://www.change.org/p/co...

Re: Discussion of: Obama to Give Farewell Address From Chicago

skiphunt — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 20:20:59 -0000

Obama is the best president the U.S. has ever had. Hands down. No competition.
Full stop. He saved us from the garbage heap Bush left us with.

Thank you for your service Sir! You will be missed.

Re: Discussion of: Trump: Happy New Year, Losers

skiphunt — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 17:04:23 -0000

Friends of yours? https://www.washingtonpost....

Re: Discussion of: Trump: Happy New Year, Losers

skiphunt — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 17:03:26 -0000

That's it... keep backpedaling away from the horror you were gullible enough to vote for. And yep, Breitbart and reddit Trumptards were indeed calling for antagonizing any "liberal snowflakes" and encouraging them to off themselves. Want proof?

You should take a long hard look at the vile hate mongers you've obviously aligned yourself with.

Re: Discussion of: Trump: Happy New Year, Losers

skiphunt — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 12:21:56 -0000

The truth hurts doesn't it? Don't you feel stupid and ashamed for supporting a fascist bigot? You should.

Re: Discussion of: Trump: Happy New Year, Losers

skiphunt — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 11:28:40 -0000

I really don't get the trumptards... their kind has made it so easy to arm yourself at your local Walmart... don't they realize that there are liberal nutjobs also, who can just as easily pull a trigger?

Or, is that what they're egging on? Some kind of epic showdown between white bigots and everyone else?

Putting these people away before they hurt someone sounds like a splendid idea.

It's gonna be hilarious when Putin if finished with his puppet and then slips him a nice cup of radioactive Orange Julius. ;)

Re: Discussion of: Trump: Happy New Year, Losers

skiphunt — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 11:17:29 -0000

I heard that Trumplodytes were instructed just after the election to relentlessly antagonize all liberals and encourage them to get it over with and commit suicide.

My brother who unfortunately turned out to be a closeted bigot who voted for Trump told me this. Fortunately, he felt this tactic was a bit harsh.

Asked him where he got this ridiculous information, and he said it was on reddit and Breitbart.

Seriously? WTF is wrong with these Trumplodytes? They want all who aren't like them to leave the country or kill themselves?

Re: Discussion of: Report: Russians Hacked Journalist Before Her Murder

skiphunt — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 19:58:19 -0000

True

Re: Discussion of: Trump Accuses Obama of Sabotaging 'Smooth Transition'

skiphunt — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 15:14:29 -0000

EM: Like anybody that has half a mind, I feel that the republic is threatened, but this is a deeply internal threat. It’s not a threat from our enemies, from ISIS or ISIL or Al-Qaeda. You know, it’s an internal threat to what we stand for. (If we stand for anything, and I’m not so sure that we do anymore.) I often think about what I call fig leaf democracy. That we want to at least pay lip service to fairness, equality, even if it doesn’t exist, we want to pay lip service to it. We want to acknowledge that it’s a value that should be sought after, even if it can’t be attained. Equal opportunity, fairness, a level playing field for all. Even if it’s an illusory dream, we somehow think it’s part of our social compact, part of what defines us, that makes us who we are. That could also be some horrible self-deception or delusion.

I think the country is on the verge of becoming a disgrace. A disgrace to itself.

Maybe I sound severe, but to elect Trump is saying it’s okay to be self-deceived. It’s okay to say anything you want to say. It’s okay to sort of ignore reality and just make things up as you go along. It’s okay to be irrational, it’s okay to be any pernicious thing you want to be—racist, intolerant, duplicitous. Why not elect Diego as president? Or Richard III?

http://lithub.com/erroll-mo...

Re: Discussion of: Top 5 Democratic Presidential Candidates for 2020

skiphunt — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 15:32:59 -0000

Trump's win was a very unfortunate fluke. I don't believe for a second that he represents the will of the majority at all.

The "liberal media" that alt-right folks like to complain about, are actually owned by giant corporations who'll benefit handsomely from a Trump presidency. Large media companies like GE also build bombs, and other weapons of mass destruction. They controlled the message from start to finish. They reported that Hillary had it in the bag... reporting sometimes as high as a 90% chance of winning.

As a result, many who figured Hillary was going to win anyway, felt better voting for Trump in protest of all the rotten corruption in congress and politicians being bought off by multi-billionaires. I don't think many who voted for Trump really thought he'd win, but they felt Hillary represented a broken status quo.

Also, many Bernie supporters didn't like how he'd been cheated by the DNC and felt Hillary was being forced down their throats. So they didn't bother voting at all, or couldn't stomach voting for Hillary so they tossed away their votes on 3rd party long-shots. They too figured the powers that be would put Hillary in the White House anyway, so they could at least could vote in a way that didn't make them feel ill... since the so-called "liberal media" was reporting she was going to win anyway.

None of this means that a significant amount of the population really likes or truly supports Trump. He got lucky from a perfect storm where many were just plain fed up.

And don't kid yourself that your so-called "liberal media" didn't have an intentional hand in putting this charlatan in the oval office.

Yes, there are some true supporters of Trump. Not all, but a great many feel validated by their true xenophobic and bigoted tendencies. These are likely his loudest true-blue supporters, but I don't for a second believe they represent anything more than the fringe.

I'm not a Hillary supporter. I felt Bernie was our best shot in a century of having a true, honest representative of the people. And, you can bet the billionaire class was having no part of that. Those of you who honestly believe that Trump has your best interest at heart, and not solely his own and his wealthy cronies... I hope once you finally relax a little bit from your gloating... you'll take a good hard look at the actual actions of your boy, and don't just eat up his words. Judge him by his actions, then get back to us and tell us all how much you still love this guy.

I sincerely hope I'm wrong and that he has some kind of epiphany where he's truly interested in becoming a great leader of all American people, but I wouldn't take that bet based on his rhetoric and actions thus far.