PetSafe Stay and Play Compact Wireless Fence

Whether your dog is rolling on his back in the grass or playing a game of fetch, the PetSafe® Stay & Play Compact Wireless Fence claims to give your best friend freedom to safely enjoy his favorite yard activities without straying out of the wireless boundary. There is no need to bury any wires or build a traditional fence, with the turn of a dial the Stay & Play Wireless Fence lets you create a circular boundary up to 3/4-acre. Before trying this out I had my suspicions that this would work best on small or timid dogs and that my three fearless adult Staffordshire Bull Terriers might just ignore the electric static shock the fence relies on and I was proved correct, however, as part of a training plan for young dogs, this is could be a great system.

PetSafe® Stay & Play Compact Wireless Fence claims to give your best friend freedom to safely enjoy his favorite yard activities without straying out of the wireless boundary
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With this wireless fence, place the compact transmitter indoors or in a shed with power then decide how far to extend the boundary to fit your property, set up time is about 1-2 hours but is not fiddly as the boundary is adjustable with a turn of the dial. Temporarily define the pet area with the included boundary flags for a visual aid while training your pet. The transmitter sends a constant radio signal in the area. Your pet receives a warning tone from the collar as he approaches the boundary zone. If he strays further, he receives a safe static “correction” shock reminding him to return to the pet area.

The collar offers 5 levels of static correction, plus a tone-only option, so you are sure to find the right fit for your pet’s temperament. With just a few short training sessions, you’ll create a secure boundary for freedom and fun.

If you enjoy camping or traveling in your RV with your dog you can also take this portable wireless fence with you wherever you go. The fence set comes with one rechargeable PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Fence Receiver Collar. The collar has two blunt metal contacts that sit inside the collar against your dogs neck and deliver the static shock and comes with a spare, longer set of contacts for dogs with thicker coats. The collars have a tone-only mode plus 5 levels of adjustable static “correction” depending on your dog’s temperament. The collar is recommended for pets who weigh 5 pounds or more and fits neck sizes between 6-28 inches. The interchangeable design of the collar strap lets you customize your pet’s collar using any 3/4-inch non-metallic strap of your choice. If you have more than 1 pet at home, simply pick up as many additional receiver collars as you need so all of your pets can use the same wireless system.

The collar is recommended for pets who weigh 5 pounds or more and fits neck sizes between 6-28 inches
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As I suspected the highest shock setting just annoyed my dogs and scared them but as a fighting breed, they just pushed past the shocks and ran where ever the wanted, as they usually do. For adult dogs with little regard for pain this system is not ideal but for training, it could work very well. The shocks are definitely enough to reinforce the boundary as part of a training plan so bear that in mind.

Features

• 3/4 Acre of Circular Coverage – The adjustable circular range allows up to 3/4-acre of coverage (22-105 ft in all directions) from the placement of the indoor transmitter
• No Wire to Bury – A wireless boundary allows you to create a safe barrier around your yard to protect your pets without spending time burying wires
• 5 Levels of Correction – The system features 5 levels of static correction plus a tone-only mode
• Static-Free Reentry – Allows your pet to return home without being corrected if your pet passes the boundary
• Stay & Play Collar – System comes with 1 waterproof, rechargeable receiver collar that comfortably fits dogs 5 lb and up and adjusts to fit neck sizes 6-28 in
• Simple Set-Up – Set up your new wireless fence in just 1-2 hours to give your dog a secure play area
• Portable – Take this compact, portable fence with you when you and your dog go camping or travel in your RV (outlet required)
• Contain All Your Pets – – With the purchase of additional collars, this wireless fence allows you to safely contain an unlimited number of pets with one fence system

The shocks are definitely enough to reinforce the boundary as part of a training plan so bear that in mind
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The very nature of the wireless base station design means the pet area cannot be changed into a square or any angular shape, a circle is what you get so be ready to fit it to your garden area. PetSafe also warns that a variety of factors including terrain, topography, and metal objects may affect operating range so watch out for metal sheds and possibly play items like swings and trampolines limiting the effectiveness. Overall it is a pretty solid system to help train your furry friend but for those with older stubborn dogs like mine, I advise you don’t’ set it and forget it as if your dog wants to get out it will.

System Includes

• Transmitter with power adaptor
• Waterproof receiver with adjustable collar
• Receiver charger
• PetSafe® rechargeable Li-ion battery; non-replaceable
• 50 training flags
• Test light tool
• Short and long contact points for short or long-haired pets
• Contact point wrench
• Product manual
• 1 year warranty

You can grab one here for $314.99 inc free shipping.

YI 1080p Home Camera

This sleek-looking wide-angle HD camera is designed to sit inconspicuously in your home and allow you to monitor it from afar. It also detects movement and can auto-record video clips when it does so. With 1080p HD resolution, f/2.0 aperture and a 112° wide-angle lens, the camera provides pretty good coverage in low-quality high definition. The sensor is very low on pixels and the picture quality reflects that but it is a step up from good old CCTV. With a simple double-tap, you can zoom up to 4x and focus on the details and through an integrated gyroscope, you can have a complete panoramic view by simply panning your smartphone left and right.

With 1080p HD resolution, f/2.0 aperture and a 112° wide-angle lens, the camera provides pretty good coverage in low-quality high definition
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YI Cloud is an optional cloud back up system for your recordings and offers loop-recording with no storage limit, so even if your YI Home Camera is stolen or damaged, your footage will still be secure and accessible on the cloud. If you don’t want to put a MicroSD in your camera you can try YI Cloud on a one-month free trial. Download the YI Home App PC/Mac client and view up to 4 live camera feeds (additional cameras required) on one screen, wherever you are. Keep track of what’s going on in every room of your house or small business, and feel rest assured that you won’t miss a thing. It is important to point out that the YI Home camera is only compatible on a 2.4GHz band network, 5GHz networks are not supported.

YI Cloud is an optional cloud back up system for your recordings and offers loop-recording with no storage limit, so even if your YI Home Camera is stolen or damaged, your footage will still be secure and accessible on the cloud
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The camera also boasts powerful audio detection and claims that its advanced algorithms can detect your baby’s cry within seconds and automatically sends a notification straight to your smartphone
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The camera also boasts powerful audio detection and claims that its “advanced algorithms” can detect your baby’s cry within seconds and automatically sends a notification straight to your smartphone. Not having a baby or being willing to cry like an infant in order to test this feature I will make no comment. However the night vision features are cool, you can see your rooms quite well at night, without any LED or infrared glare. The system also features an optional 24/7 emergency response service so you can get help when you need it. Powered by Noonlight and apparently trusted by 1.5 million users since 2013 and with 130,000+ emergencies handled across the U.S. you can, with one touch, be connected with Noonlight’s Certified Dispatchers who can dispatch police, fire, or EMS to your home when you are away… whether you are at work or on holiday abroad.

All in all the camera and networked app on my Android phone worked really well and I was excited to see if the two-way audio system worked as advertised
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All in all the camera and networked app on my Android phone worked really well and I was excited to see if the two-way audio system worked as advertised. The built-in microphone allows you to have conversations through the YI Home App, wherever you are, its intercom mode lets you activate the microphone and speaker, so you can send commands to your pet, or scare off unwanted guests. Hands-free mode claims to allow for a flexible two-way conversation with your loved ones. Sadly I couldn’t get this to work at all. I tried to share the app QR code with my family and allow them access to talk to me like a video chat but it did not work. However, the activity alerts worked well and I received real-time notifications whenever motion was detected. YI’s safety hallmark Motion Detection/Tracking Algorithm accurately identifies, tracks, and records movement and optionally sends 6-second Activity Alerts to help you keep up with everything.

SPEC
112° wide-angle
3D Noise Reduction, 4X digital zoom, LDC
1/2.7″ 2MP CMOS sensor
1080p/15 fps
8 x 940nm IR LEDs
Non-invasive, perfect for baby monitor
Motion Detection, 7-days activity alert video storage in YI cloud free of charge
Real-time Activity Alerts/Baby Crying
Two-Way Audio, Dual Modes: Intercom/Hands-free
Local: Class 4 and above, 8-32G Memory Card Cloud: Standard, and Premium plan available
Mobile: Android/iOS (Windows Phone not supported) in 1 integrated app, up to 12 devices PC: Windows XP and above, and Mac OS

The Yi Home 1080p Camera is currently discounted and can be picked up here for $21.49 reduced from $34.99

CBDMedic Topical Pain Relief & Facil Cleanser

I’m a huge convert to CBD pain relief and regularly use it for joint and muscle discomfort. CBDMedic offers a full range of CBD based products but here we are testing their ACTIVE SPORT Pain Relief Ointment which provides ‘advanced pain relief for tired and aching muscles and joints’. Not only does this stuff smell amazing but it can be applied before, during, and after walks, runs, or workouts, so sore muscles won’t slow you down. From strains to joint distress and muscle pulls I can say that ACTIVE SPORT formula does offer highly effective relief and get me back in the game!

Not only does this stuff smell amazing but it can be applied before, during, and after walks, runs, or workouts, so sore muscles won’t slow you down
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• Blended with THC-Free Hemp Extract & Other Natural Moisturizers
• 200mg CBD Hemp Extract per 40g Tube
• Dermatologist Tested – Hypoallergenic
• 100% Naturally Derived
• #1 CBD Muscle Rub

The Active Sport Pain Relief Ointment is available here for $39.99 per tube or subscribe and save 15%.

Next up is CBDMEDIC NATURAL FOAMING Facial Natural Cleanser which uses a proprietary formulation designed to provide natural and effective care for sensitive skin. I passed this test off to my wife as I treasure my wrinkly and rugged visage (yeah right!) but her feedback was very positive and she reported it feeling fresh and grease-free compared to other natural skincare products. She said it was cooling, refreshing and a very pleasant sensation that left her skin feeling soft and balanced (whatever that means).

Our NATURAL FOAMING Facial Cleanser is gentle on the skin and will leave your skin feeling healthy and revitalized! Use our NATURAL FOAMING Facial Cleanser on a daily basis to gently wash your skin without drying or clogging pores
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• Blended with THC-Free Hemp Extract & Other Natural Moisturizers
• 50mg CBD Hemp Extract per 50ml Bottle
• 100% Naturally Derived

The Natural Foaming Facial Natural Cleanser is $19.99 per tube here or subscribe and save 15%.

Vissles 3-in-1 Wireless Charger

Compatibility with most wireless chargers can be a frustration but Vissles 3-in-1 Wireless Charger offers more device options than most and all for a reasonable $45.

Tom Atkinson is Reviews & Dep. Editor at Tech Trends. Follow him on Twitter @techtrends_tech

The post April 2020 Product Reviews appeared first on Tech Trends.

Wireless is the future, no doubt, but do these four mid-priced Bluetooth headphones sound good enough to kill off the cable?

I am quite attached to cables, cabled audio in particular, and have always found better sound via a nice quality cable than via Bluetooth. However, technology is evolving all the time and Bluetooth is no exception so let’s take a look at where we are in 2018. We’re now up to Bluetooth 5 but only top-end devices including the Samsung Galaxy S8 + S9 and Apple’s iPhone X feature it, while the rest of us are still using version 4.0, 4.1 or 4.2. I am happy to say that since 4.0 the sound quality has been pretty decent and since then new versions have primarily improved only data speeds and the power saving features of Bluetooth, but lets put the sound to the test!

I am quite attached to cables, cabled audio in particular, and have always found better sound via a nice quality cable than via Bluetooth but...
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Here we have three new Bluetooth headphones, the first, Wicked Audio Raiders are small and lightweight, the JBL Harman E55BT are over the ear and noise cancelling and the Crazybaby Air are tiny, independent earbuds, so we are looking at a range of styles and technologies here but I would classify all these as low to mid-range in price (Under $200). I will also include the reasonably priced Skullcandy Crushers I reviewed last year as a reference. I tested them all with a MacBook Air and an Honor 7X which use Bluetooth 4.0 and 4.1 respectively. I don’t know about you but I still only buy laptops and smartphones that include a 3.5mm jack, I might not always use it but it is there if I need the best sound possible so lets take a close look at these Bluetooth samples to see if I should I throw away my old school wired headphones now or wait a bit?

I only buy devices that include a 3.5mm jack but lets take a close look at these Bluetooth headphones to see if I should I throw away my wired cans now, or wait a bit
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Wicked Audio Raider

The Wicked Audio Raiders are very small and very well designed, carved from walnut for a classy look and with Neck Lock technology, a cable that, well, locks them around your neck. Minimal is the word that best describes these but despite their size they claim an 8-hour battery life, I got 6.5 hours in my test but that is still damn good and charging was very quick! They have a Mic for calls and track controls mounted on the cable and should work up to 32 feet from your device.

The Raider gets its street cred from being carved from dense walnut wood. Wood speaker chambers deliver hi-res sound, producing extremely crisp highs and rumbling lows that’ll make your whole body tremble.

Voice recordings sounded great via 7X but very tinny and scratchy via the MacBook but on both devices music sounded quite good
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The results were interesting, via the phone, there was faint static when no audio was playing which was annoying but this was not the case when connected to the MacBook. Voice recordings sounded great via 7X but very tinny and scratchy via the MacBook but on both devices, music sounded quite good. The Bass and treble were well defined but the mids were quite muddy, especially with complex tracks but they were generally a comfortable listen.

We want you to hear the music the way it’s intended to be heard; undistorted. You’ll hear the music in it’s original state. The way the artist intended it to be heard. You’re going to get Earth shattering, rock you to the core, ghetto blaster bass! Bass so kind it will put a smile on your face for days.

When inserting and removing the buds there was a crunchy plastic sound, like scrunching up cellophane in your hand, strange but this was not evident while you are wearing them
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I really liked the design and features of the Raiders but for the price the sound is only OK, however, there was another issue. When inserting and removing the buds there was a crunchy plastic sound, like scrunching up cellophane in your hand, strange but this was not evident while you are wearing them. Overall they are OK Bluetooth headphones for the money but spend a little more and you can get better results.

Buy $54.99

JBL Harman E55BT

These JBL E55BT wireless over-ear headphones feature up to 20 hours of battery life with an incredible 2 hour charge time! They offer wired or Bluetooth connections and have active noise cancellation. While comfortable, design wise they are nothing special but I found the sound to be really good. They are not bass or treble heavy as most mid-priced headphones tend to be but are very well balanced across the range.

For noisy commutes, however, they would be ideal, blocking out the passengers around you
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With a sleek appearance, various color options and the added convenience of a detachable cable with remote and microphone, you’ll never want to be seen without your E55BT headphones.

These were a bit of a surprise and the open and crisp sound was very good for music but did make listening to speech, tinny and a bit sharp
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They excel at detail and give a very considered sound that lets you isolate and identify instruments in arrangements. I did find the noise cancellation a bit over the top and when no audio is playing the cancellation can make the world around you feel strange and I got a bit disoriented when standing up. For noisy commutes, however, they would be ideal, blocking out the passengers around you.

The ergonomic around-ear design means that your entertainment continues and your fun factor gets amped up no matter what you’re doing – working, commuting, or just making your way around town

These were a bit of a surprise and the open and crisp sound was very good for music but did make listening to speech tinny and a bit sharp. They are unremarkable to look at but somehow stylish at the same time, not over the top, however, if you want that JBL offers the E series in a variety of garish colours.

Buy: £79.99 reduced from £99.99 on Amazon in the UK

Crazybaby Air

These Air headphones from Chinese company Crazybaby are the future of wireless Bluetooth audio. They are tiny, independent, earbuds and come with a very cool portable charging and recharging capsule, they look amazing and I was relieved to find they sound as good as they look. The Air buds demand a good fit, so come with a variety of rubber buds and I easily found a pair that kept them firmly in my ears with no discomfort. They also have a speaker for calls and work with Personal Assistants including Google, Cortana & Siri.

We believe wireless is the future of music. Air is the world’s 1st carbon nanotube true wireless stereo headphones. With a companion portable charging capsule, you can experience high-fidelity wireless music anywhere

Crazybaby have used 5.2 mm customized speaker drivers and cutting-edge Carbon Nanotube diaphragms to deliver the best sound I have ever experienced from any headphones
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The tiny size means you only get three hours out of them but the charging capsule contains a battery that will top them up on the move, perfect for commuting. I tested them on trains, planes and, yes, automobiles and enjoyed great sound with excellent noise isolation. Crazybaby have used 5.2 mm customized speaker drivers and cutting-edge Carbon Nanotube diaphragms to deliver the best sound I have ever experienced from any Bluetooth headphones. It is perfectly balanced with strong bass, lush mids and crisp treble and most revealingly does not get confused or muddy on complex, driving tracks. Vocals are so detailed and human it is hard to believe the Air buds are so tiny and for the price, they deliver a wonderful experience. The Bluetooth 4.2 protocol increases the data transmission speed by 2.5 times, if you have a 4.2 capable device, meaning higher bit rate music files play better giving a rich and luscious, yet detailed sound.

In a world flooded with Bluetooth technology, Air is a cut above the rest. The latest CSR high quality decoding chip provides a consistent reliable connection that never drops out. By including the latest embedded CSR chipset, Air delivers high-performance TWS (True Wireless Stereo)

The Crazybaby Air buds are simply without peer in the mid-priced headphone category, sounding incredible and useful in all sorts of situations including travelling and VR
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The Crazybaby Air buds are simply without peer in the mid-priced headphone category, sounding incredible and useful in all sorts of situations from working to travelling, gaming and VR. Their one flaw is the bud to bud Bluetooth connection which drops quite frequently in environments with lots of electrical appliances and Wi-Fi around. Performance in my home office was not great. Sitting at my desk next to seven powered appliances the bud to bud connection was a bit patchy but out and about the dropouts happened less regularly. This is a major annoyance but the sound quality is so good that I was happy to live with an occasional connection glitch. If they fix this issue and put more capable Bluetooth chips in the next model they might just create the best wireless headphones in the world.

Buy: $169

Conclusion

The post Product Review: Bluetooth Headphones Group Test appeared first on Tech Trends.