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  • Eachine Tyro 99 Racing Drone Review

    Eachine Tyro 99 Racing Drone Review

    racing drones

    Drones are becoming more and more popular these days. Long ago, drones were much bigger and were used in the military. Nowadays, drones are lightweight and are mostly used for having fun, tracking objects down, and capturing videos and images. In the future, drones will be capable of delivering food, expanding internet access, and delivering vaccines and other critical medical supplies to remote locations. There are many types of drones these days, and one of those types are racing drones.

    Racing drones are built for speed and are easy to build. Drone racing is becoming a popular hobby, and people who race drones can win prizes and money. If you are interested in purchasing your own racing drone, you have come to the right place. Today, I’ll be reviewing the Eachine Tyro 99 Racing Drone, a fast and high-quality drone. I hope this article helps you decide if you should purchase your own racing drone. 

    Eachine Tyro 99 Racing Drone Features And Performance 

    There are many features that the Eachine Tyro 99 Racing Drone has. From its quick assembly to its speed, these features are what make this racing drone the perfect choice for drone racers. Let’s take a look at the features that this product has. 

    Camera

    This racing drone has a camera, which can be a very handy feature. Not all drones have a camera built in on them. When racing drones don’t have a camera on them, it can be difficult to find a way to attach a camera onto them without weighing the drone down. However, this drone already has a camera built in it. With the camera, you can take videos and pictures that you can download onto your computer and even use them to make movies. 

    Comes With Everything You Need Except For A Radio Receiver

    This drone comes with everything you need. The only thing it doesn’t come with is a radio receiver, but that should be inexpensive. The radio receiver is what allows you to control your drone. When you purchase this drone, you will receive the following pieces: 

    • 1 x 210mm frame kit
    • 2 x 2206 2150KV brushless motor CW
    • 1 x 4 IN 1 30A BLHeli_S ESC
    • 2 x 2206 2150KV brushless motor CCW
    • 1 x 700TVL CMOS camera
    • 1 x 5.8G 40CH 0mw/25mw/200mw/600mw switchable VTX
    • 2 x Battery strap
    • 1 x Customized F4 flight controller
    • 10 x Racerstar 5038 2 blade propeller CW
    • 10 x Racerstar 5038 2 blade propeller CCW

    Easy To Assemble 

    Unlike some other drones, this is a drone kit. This means that you will need to assemble it yourself. Thankfully, the assembly is not too difficult for this drone. When assembling the Eachine Tyro 99 Racing Drone, make sure the antenna is installed at the output end before powering up to avoid damaging internal components. There are many benefits to purchasing a drone kit, with the main reason being that DIY drones are inexpensive. As you will see in a little bit, racing drones that you need to assemble yourself are much cheaper than pre-assembled racing drones.

    The main disadvantage of purchasing a DIY drone is that it may not look as nice as pre-assembled racing drones. Also, drone kits can take much longer to set up than pre-assembled racing drones. Pre-assembled drones are usually ready to fly right out of the box, but with a DIY drone kit, you have to take the time to assemble it. Overall, a DIY drone is the best way to go as far as the cost is concerned. 

    Good Price

    Drones can be expensive to buy. While some only cost $30, the ones that have high-quality are much more expensive. Camera drones are especially expensive, as they already have the camera built into them. Most drones cost hundreds of dollars, if not thousands. Fortunately, the Eachine Tyro 99 Racing Drone is not very expensive. Here on Bang Good, this racing drone only costs $99. Surprisingly, the quality of this drone is really good even though it is inexpensive. 

    Brushless Motors

    Not all drones have brushless motors. Brushless motors are said to be much more durable and have much better performance than other types of motors. Brushless motors are also much more powerful than other motors. ​​Eachine Tyro 99 Racing Drone​

    How To Get Started Racing Drones

    As I mentioned earlier, drone racing is becoming a very popular hobby. It doesn’t take much money to start racing drones, and you may end up winning prizes. If you are interested in joining the world of drone racing, read these tips before you get started. 

    Join the Drone Racing Community

    To begin, get familiar with the drone racing community. Check out USDRA and the Academy of Model Aeronautics for information on racing drones. Next, visit parks and other locations where drone pilots are. You may want to go to some drone races as well. Study how they fly their drones and do some research before you get started on racing your own drones.

    Purchase Your Racing Drone

    Next, you’ll need to purchase your racing drone. You must consider if you want a pre-assembled drone or a DIY drone kit. The drone that I reviewed today is a great option. It is easy to assemble and it has high speed. 

    Practice Using Your Racing Drone

    In order for you to become a great drone racer, you must first practice flying it. Make sure you practice flying the drone that you will be using at the race. Therefore, you will be used to it, as each drone is unique and functions differently. 

    Complete Your First Race

    Once you feel confident about your drone flying skills, it is time for you to enter your first drone race. Decide if you want to try a local drone race or if you want to travel to a race far away from your home. Make sure you sign up for it well in advance and don’t forget to review the list of rules. Arrive at the race early so that you can listen to any other rules and instructions. Don’t expect to win at the first drone race, but instead try the best you can and learn from your mistakes. 

    Common Questions For The Eachine Tyro 99 Racing Drone

    Although I have covered a lot of information on this racing drone, you may still have some questions. In this section, I’ll go over the top questions and their answers for the Eachine Tyro 99 Racing Drone.

    Where Can I Get An Instruction Manual?

    There is no instruction manual in the kit. In order for you to get an instruction manual, you can download the instructions here or you can check out Youtube for tutorials. 

    Can I Add A GPS To This Racing Drone?

    Yes, you can add a GPS to the Eachine Tyro 99 Racing Drone. 

    Is the Controller Included?

    Yes, the controller is included. However, you will have to purchase a radio receiver in order for it to work. 

    Eachine Tyro 99 Racing Drone Conclusion

    I hope this review of the Eachine Tyro 99 Racing Drone has helped you decide whether this racing drone is a good option for you or not. Racing drones are becoming more and more popular these days. There are many races where you can go and race your drones at. In this article, I gave some tips for racing your drone. As for the Eachine Tyro 99 Racing Drone, it is a high-quality drone built for speed. The assembly is very easy and it has many unique features. The price is very good for what you get. If you are interested in purchasing this drone, click here to learn more about it. 

    You can also use the coupon code “rchobbies8” to get a special discount 🙂

  • Alfawise X6A: DIY 3D Printer Review

    Alfawise X6A: DIY 3D Printer Review

    Alfawise DIY 3D Printer

    A rather new digital trend is the invention of the 3D printer. Since the time when the first 3D printer was invented in the mid-1980s, 3D printers have become more advanced. A 3D printer can make almost anything, such as plastic toys, metal machine parts, stoneware vases, and fancy chocolate cakes. Nowadays, 3D printers can even print replacement human body parts such as bones and cartilage. One very popular 3D printer is the Alfawise X6A Metal Quickly 3D DIY Printer. The Alfawise DIY 3D Printer features just about everything that you’d want in a 3D printer. It is ultra-quiet, easy to assemble, and continues printing when meeting sudden power interruption. Do you think you may be interested in this DIY 3D printer? Today, we’ll review this product so that you can decide if the Alfawise DIY 3D Printer is a good option for you.

    Alfawise 3D printer

    Alfawise DIY 3D Printer Features

    The Alfawise DIY 3D Printer has many useful features that make your life so much easier. While you may think that these features and even a 3D printer are not necessary, there are many benefits of having them. One of the main benefits of having a 3D printer is that fact that it gives you the freedom to create any design you’d like in an easy way. The Alfawise DIY 3D Printer is very easy to use and has so many beneficial features. Let’s take a look at these features here.

    Adjustable X-Axis and Y-Axis Belt

    A 3D object needs three axes to be represented within the 3D printing space and to be printed. The 3D printer axis system enables a 3D printer’s operation and gives the object depth and design. Therefore, these three axes are very important. In order for your 3D printer to print precise images and objects, it needs the proper tension. That is where this feature comes in handy. The Alfawise DIY 3D Printer features an adjustable X-axis and Y-axis belt.

    Automatic Leveling

    Another important feature that the Alfawise DIY 3D Printer has is the automatic leveling. Automatic leveling ensures that the 3D printing platform is level whenever you’re preparing to print. Manual leveling can be hard and time-consuming, which is why an automatic leveling system is a great feature. If you are new to 3D printers, the Alfawise X6A Metal Quickly 3D DIY Printer is a good investment. It is easy to use, and the results are great.

    Easy To Assemble

    One of the biggest advantages of this 3D printer is that it is easy to assemble. For some 3D printers, the assembly takes hours to do. However, most people who have assembled this product said it only took about 20 minutes or less to assemble it. There are two main parts that need to be connected together, and then you’ll need to plug a few cables in. After that, voila! Your DIY 3D printer is ready to be used. The sheet metal box is already assembled, so assembling this product takes a minimal amount of time.

    3.5-Inch Touchscreen

    This DIY 3D printer features a 3.5-inch touchscreen. The touchscreen is easy to operate and understand. Keep in mind that 3.5 inches are very small, so you’ll have to get used to the small touchscreen. Overall, the touchscreen is a nice feature that allows you to easily operate this DIY 3D printer.

    Front view of 3D printer

    Alfawise DIY 3D Printer Performance

    Now that we have taken a look at the features of this DIY 3D printer, you may be wondering how well the performance is. Overall, the Alfawise X6A Metal Quickly 3D DIY Printer is easy to use and is great at designing objects. Let’s take a closer look at how well this printer kit is at creating designs.

    Ultra-Quiet

    No one wants a loud 3D printer in their home. Fortunately, this 3D printing device is quiet. You don’t have to worry about this product being too loud for you to hear anything. Even when it is designing, you’ll hardly be able to hear that it is on.

    Continues Printing When Meeting Sudden Power Interruption

    Are you worried about a sudden power cut? Thankfully, a sudden power interruption won’t harm your 3D printer or your design. When an unexpected power outage occurs, the 3D printer automatically stores the current printing data and location. It then reduces the hotbed and waits for the power to recover. Once the power comes back on, it will continue printing. This is a nice feature that prevents you from losing your designs.

    Print Size: 220 x 220 x 220mm

    The maximum print size for this DIY 3D printer is 220 x 220 x 220mm. This gives you enough room to create the designs that you need.

    Alfawise X6A 3D printer

    Common Questions For the Alfawise DIY 3D Printer

    Do you still have some questions about the Alfawise DIY 3D Printer? If so, you are not alone. Many people have questions about this 3D printer, just like you do. That is why I have condensed the most popular questions about this DIY 3D printer into the section below.

    WHY IS MY ALFAWISE DIY 3D PRINTER OVERHEATING?

    There are many reasons why your 3D printer is overheating. One of those reasons could be that you are printing at too high of a temperature. Printing too fast can be another cause for overheating. Lastly, printing multiple parts at once can cause overheating.

    If you have been doing any of these three things, you should stop immediately. Overheating can also cause curling issues in your print. The plastic is extruded at a very hot temperature, and if it does not cool quickly, it may change the shape of the plastic over time. Therefore, you shouldn’t let your 3D printer become too hot. This DIY 3D printer features a double fan design, which helps prevent it from becoming overly heated or cooled.

    HOW DO I SOLVE CRACKING OR BREAKING OF LAYERS DURING PRINTING?

    3D printing builds a model by printing one layer at a time. Each layer is printed on the previous layer and finally builds the desired 3D shape. In order to make the final print solid and reliable, you need to make sure that each layer is fully bonded to the layer below it. If the layer does not adhere well to the layer, the final print may crack or break. So, how do you deal with cracking and breaking of the layers during printing?

    One reason could be that the layer height is too high. You can fix that by lowering the layer height. Another reason for breaking of layers during printing could be that the temperature is too low. Although you don’t want your DIY 3D printer to overheat, a temperature that is too low can cause the layers to break.

    Another cause for layers cracking and breaking is that the print speed is too fast and the wall thickness is too thin. A thicker wall means that there is less of a chance of it breaking. Make sure you are not printing your layers too fast, as this can cause breaking and cracking.

    ARE THERE ANY UPGRADES THAT MY DIY 3D PRINTER WILL NEED?

    Yes, you will most likely want to upgrade your DIY 3D printer at some point. Simple updates include changing the buttons, fans, extruder, and belt tensioners. These upgrades will help your 3D printer run better. For more information on 3D printer upgrades, check out our article on them here.

    alfawise diy 3d printer

    Final Thoughts On the Alfawise DIY 3D Printer

    I hope this article has answered all your questions about the Alfawise DIY 3D Printer. Over the years, 3D printing technology has become more and more advanced. The Alfawise X6A Metal Quickly 3D DIY Printer is the perfect choice for printing out objects and designs easily and quickly. This product does not make much noise, which is a bonus. Overall, this DIY 3D printer is a great buy. I hope this review has helped you decide if the Alfawise X6A Metal Quickly 3D DIY Printer is a good option for you. Want more information about Alfawise 3D printers? Check out our review of the Alfawise U20 3D Printer here.

  • Cheap 3D Printer Alfawise U20 Review

    Cheap 3D Printer Alfawise U20 Review

    Is this the best Cheap 3D Printer: Alfawise U20

    The Alfawise U20 is a hidden gem in a sea of 3D printers, even more so as a cheap 3D printer. At least this has been my experience so far. Looking at it, it looks like another CR10 style printer. It is similar to the Creality CR10 and the Tevo Tornado. The Alfawise U20 is a cheap 3d printer that has a couple of other features that puts it ahead of those two though.

    Alfawise U20

    Is this the Best Cheap 3D printer?

    3D printing has been a very distracting hobby. I like to tinker with them as much as I like to print with them. The Alfawise U20 doesn’t need tinkering though. I did add a filament cooling fan duct from thingiverse.com. It cools the filament from both the left and right side of the nozzle. This is typically the first modification done by hobbyists when they get a new printer. Which makes me wonder why the manufacturers don’t include them. The part cooling from the two sides can improve the prints in a big way on some printers. The Alfawise U20 didn’t seem to need it but I put one on anyway for this cheap 3D printer.

    fan duct

    Alfawise U20 3D printer: Specifications

    Brand:

    Alfawise

    Type

    DIY

    Model:

    U20

    Engraving Area

    300 x 300 x 400mm

    Frame material:

    Aluminum Alloy

    Nozzle quantity:

    Single

    Nozzle diameter:

    0.4mm

    Nozzle temperature:

    Room temperature to 250 degree

    Layer thickness:

    0.1-0.4mm

    Memory card offline print:

    SD card

    LCD Screen:

    Yes

    Print speed:

    20 – 150mm / s

    Supporting material:

    ABS,Carbon Fiber,PLA,TPU

    Material diameter:

    1.75mm

    Language:

    English & Chinese

    File format:

    G-code,STL

    XY-axis positioning accuracy:

    0.012mm

    Z-axis positioning accuracy:

    0.004mm

    Voltage:

    24V

    Host computer software:

    Cura,Repetier-Host

    Packing Type:

    unassembled packing

    System support:

    Windows / Linux / MAC

    Connector Type:

    SD card,USB

    Product weight

    12.0000 kg

    Package weight:

    14.3200 kg

    Product size:

    61.20 x 57.50 x 39.50 cm / 24.09 x 22.64 x 15.55 inches

    Package size:

    66.00 x 56.00 x 30.00 cm / 25.98 x 22.05 x 11.81 inches

    Unboxing the Alfawise U20

    The Alfawise U20 is packed like most cheap 3D printer kits these days. They come in packaging foam in layers. The top layer is the base with the bed. Under that you have the upper frame with the control box and box of tools and parts. Included with the printer is a set of allen keys, cutters, putty knife, a nozzle cleaner and full color manual. Also, with the U20 you get a 250g roll of PLA filament. It’s nice to see companies including more than the useless 10m pieces you see with many printers.

    SD Card

    The SD card comes with the typical free models free software and the manual in pdf format. I have been saying for some time now that Cura went downhill after version 15. I think the manufacturers know this too as they all include version 14 or 15 in their SD cards and USB sticks.

    Assembly

    Assembling this style printer is quick and easy. The Alfawise U20 comes about 90% complete like the Tevo Tornado and Anet E12. I prefer kits to be 0-20% pre-built, like I said above I love to tinker. I understand why they don’t for customers who are not as good at building things. It would be good if they offered different levels of completion like the Tevo Flash. To assemble the cheap 3d printer, the Alfawise U20 you just need to bolt the upper frame to the base and connect the wiring.

    There is one added feature to the Alfawise U20 that all printers mostly assembled should have. There are two bolts keeping the x gantry from moving during shipping. Be sure to remove them before you attempt to run this printer. The reason they need to be secure is that the Z motor get stretched and can break. The wiring is nicely marked with little plastic tags. You have to refer to the manual if you don’t know which is the x, y and z axis. I mixed up the X and Y on my first printer.  The bed is the Y axis.

    Also important when assembling the printer is that you set the power supply voltage before you turn it on. If it is set to 110 and you put 220 into it it’s going to kill the printer. Although if it is set to 220 and you put 110 into it you would be fine. It will not power on but it will not kill it either.

    Here are some pictures of my printer and inside the control box but I would advise you not to open your control box unless there is a problem and you know what you are doing.

    alfawise u20

    This cheap 3D printer comes with these little bed level knobs seen here on the left. The larger ones on the right are from the Ender 3. It would be nice to have the larger ones on all printers that have room for them.

    Software

    As I mentioned in the SD section the SD has Cura 15 included with it. I would say use that and if you can afford Simplify 3D then it’s worth the investment. You can keep Cura 15 on your PC and install the newest version at the same time. Give the newest version a try and if you get bad prints then try version 15.

    Cheap 3D Printer: Does it have Quality?

    The print quality of the Alfawise U20 was an awesome surprise with it being a cheap 3D printer. I thought maybe it would print similar to the Tevo Tornado and the JGAurora A5. It was nice to see it prints better than those two. That is my experience anyway. I spoke to a few others who have also said they also had a nice prints from the U20. And with mine it printed awesomely with no modifications.

    PLA Filament

    PLA is my favorite filament and getting a nice 250g roll with the printer is where I started. And to my surprise the included filament printed very well.

    Using the included roll, my first print was this little helix and this toolbox to hold the included tools.

    This is the bottom of the tool holder. I started the print with the hotend to far from the bed. Well I guess that is inaccurate, as the way the printer works the bed is set to low from the hotend. That is because the hotend starts at the same height every time and the bed is adjusted higher and lower to level the bed. The bottom layer should be smooth and solid.

    Being a batman fan and a Lego fan I printed a giant Lego Batman from thingiverse.com, the place to find almost anything you want to print.  There are a few lego Batman’s there.

    What is a review without a Benchy or two? The Benchy short for benchmark was made to test the printer’s ability to print different things like text, overhangs, bridges, circles, etc. and have something to display or give to a child after. Also there is a marvin keychain that does a similar thing. With the cheap 3D printer, the pictures don’t do these prints justice. They are very well printed compared to many other sub $500 printers. You can even see the super tiny 3D Benchy text on the back of the boat.

    ​

    PETG Filament

    PETG being an ABS alternative can be a pain to print because of it’s stringing. The two rolls I have, have not been nice to print. I thought it was the filament but after printing these I now know it was the printers. I printed the Benchy and Marvin to compare with the PLA. At first it started off under extruding so I bumped the heat by 10 degrees and it started printing very nice.

    So I then reprinted them at the higher temperature and to my surprise they printed very well. I know my past problems with the filament couldn’t have been just settings because I used those same settings here except the temp.

    So after that, I printed what I purchased the grey filament for. The Millennium Falcon! And boy did I like the results. I’m not a big fan of the shininess of the grey but it looks better in person then it does on camera.

    ​

    TPU Filament

    The one disappointment of this printer is TPU and flexibility. Because they are so flexible they are hard to feed down the long bowden tube to the hotend without it bunching up. Also when there is too much space between the feeding gear and the extruder casing then the filament can get wound up around the gear and jam. But there are prints on thingiverse that lessons the gap for flexible filament. I printed one before I got the printer, but it doesn’t fit the way the extruder is designed. I’m sure if I play with the settings and slow it down even more then the 20mmps I could get it to print. I just didn’t have time.

    The part I’m holding is supposed to fit where I put the other green box. But as you can see it will not fit.


    Modifications

    Like I said above the only mod I needed was this fan duct.

    As you can see the Tool holder was printed without the fan duct and it still printed great.

    PROS

    • Price and Quality 
    • Touch Screen Display 
    • Filament runout
    • Power recovery features
    • Well built construction

    CONS

    • Touch screen is flat on control box
    • Auto load and unload is to slow
    • Firmware is closed source so I can’t change things like the load/unload speed
    • Sleeves on the wires are not good and noisy as they rub on the frame

    PRINT QUALITY: 9.5/10

    BUILD QUALITY: 7/10

    USER INTERFACE & NAVIGATION: 8/10

    VALUE FOR MONEY: 9/10

    Final Judgement: Is this the best cheap 3D printer?

    You can’t go wrong with this printer. In fact, I would choose the Alfawise U20 over the Tevo Tornado or the JGAurora A5. The touch screen is a nice feature with a ton of settings for both the printer and the print. The flat angle is annoying but a small price for such a good printer. I’m sure someone if not me will design something to put it at a better angle. Learning 3D CAD would be fun. I did have to loosen the eccentric nut on the right side of the X gantry to prevent a bit of z tension. The look is nice with just enough of color and branding. The bed is removable glass with build tack on the top. Being a fan of glass beds I simply turned it over. So at any point on glass with hairspray and I can simply turn it back over to be stock. Also, this bed is the flattest bed I have had to date. This cheap 3D printer has so much going for it, I wish it was around when I purchased my first printer. If you purchase this printer I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. I don’t see many people with issues on the Alfawise U20 Facebook group.

    So Happy Printing and Welcome to the Hobby!

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  • Shark Ion Robot Review

    Shark Ion Robot Review

    Shark Ion Robot

    Are you tired of vacuuming your floor? If so, a robotic vacuum cleaner may be on your wish list. While there are many robot vacuums on the market, the Shark ION Robot Vacuum has just about everything you would look for in a robotic vacuum cleaner. It features dual spinning side brushes, a long-life battery, and it works with Alexa for voice control. Today, we’ll go into detail about the features this vacuum cleaner has, and we’ll give you our overall thoughts about the Shark ION Robot Vacuum.

    ​

    Shark Ion Robot Features

    The Shark ION Robot Vacuum has many useful features. Just like any other robotic vacuum cleaner, this product will clean your floors even when you are away from home. The Shark ION Robot Vacuum uses its sensors to navigate floors, carpets, and obstacles. According to the customer feedback on Amazon, this robotic vacuum cleaner works very well. Let’s take a closer look at the features this product has.

    [amazon box=”B075JRB2Z9″]

    Works With Alexa

    For those who have the Amazon device, Alexa, this feature can be convenient. A lot of the positive feedback was based on how well this robotic vacuum cleaner worked with Alexa. By simply saying, “Alexa, tell Shark to start cleaning”, the Shark ION Robot Vacuum will begin cleaning your house. Not only does Alexa start this vacuum for you, but it will also tell you where the vacuum is located. This can come in handy according to customers, especially when the Shark ION Robot Vacuum gets hung up. Although it rarely gets stuck in corners, when it does it is easy to find because Alexa will tell you where it is. But that’s not all. According to customers, Alexa can also tell you the amount of battery life your vacuum has left. Overall, customers were pleased with how easy it was to use this vacuum cleaner because of Alexa.

    ​​Dual Spinning Brushes

    The dual spinning side brushes pull in debris and dirt from corners and edges. They work by pulling debris out of the range of the vacuum and dragging it to the center where the main brush roll can pick it up. Therefore, these brushes are essential for this vacuum.

    Smart Sensors

    Many customers were amazed by how smart this vacuum is. It features a smart sensor, which prevents it from running into furniture or falling off stairs. This smart sensor also allows it to know when it is on the carpet and when it is on hard floors. The smart sensor is a helpful feature because, without it, the vacuum would constantly get stuck around furniture.​​​​

    Shark Ion Robot Performance

    We’ve already gone over the features of the Shark Ion Robot, but you may still be wondering what the performance of this vacuum is like. Most of the customers on Amazon were pleased with how this vacuum performed. Here are some of the things this vacuum cleaner can do.

    The Shark Ion Robot Can Be Controlled By Alexa

    As I have already mentioned, the Shark Ion Robot works well with Alexa. Alexa will not only start this vacuum when told to, but it will tell you the battery life, location, and cleaning schedule of the vacuum. Keep in mind that this does not work like a remote control. It uses voice control instead of pressing buttons. You don’t need to install the app Alexa in order to use this vacuum, but most customers enjoyed the simplicity of telling Alexa to turn on the vacuum. Cleaning just got so much easier with this vacuum.

    Cleans Up Pet Hair

    Perhaps what customers liked the most about this vacuum is that it can clean pet hair. This vacuum cleaner will also clean dust and allergens. The self-cleaning brush can manage and untangle long hair, string, and fibers, so you don’t have to remove them. A lot of customers compared the Shark Ion Robot with other vacuums, and overall the Shark Ion Robot performance is better. It does not become tangled easily, and pet hair quickly vanishes with this vacuum cleaner around.

    [amazon box=”B075JRB2Z9″]

    Dustbin Is Easy To Empty

    An easy-access dustbin detaches from the side, which allows you to empty the Shark Ion Robot quickly, easily, and without a mess. Once the dustbin is full of dust and debris, the vacuum cleaner will make a noise to let you know that it needs to be emptied.

    Will Clean For Up To An Hour Before Needing To Be Recharged

    The Shark Ion Robot will clean for a full hour before it needs to be recharged. When it does need to be recharged, the Shark Ion Robot will automatically return back over to its dock to charge.

    Low-Profile Design

    The low-profile design of this vacuum allows the Shark Ion Robot to clean beneath furniture. You don’t have to worry about this vacuum cleaner getting stuck underneath furniture.

    Common Questions For the Shark Ion Robot

    Do you still have questions about the Shark Ion Robot? No worries! I’ve gone over the most popular questions that people have asked on Amazon along with their answers. Hopefully, all your questions about the Shark Ion Robot will be answered.

    Will the Shark Ion Robot Work In a 3-Story Home?

    The Shark Ion Robot cannot go up and down stairs, so you would have to pick it up and put it on the next floor. Once you have placed it on one of the floors, you don’t have to worry about it falling down the stairs. It has sensors which prevent it from rolling off the stairs.

    Will the Shark Ion Robot Spot Clean?

    Yes, spot cleaning is an option. Simply press the button that says, “Spot”, and it will go in circles. When it is not spot cleaning, it does not go in circles but instead goes in straight lines.

    Does the Dock Need To Be Plugged Into An Outlet?

    Yes, you do need to plug the dock into an outlet in order for it to work. The dock is not very big, so it does not take up much room on the floor.

    Shark ION Robot: Final Conclusion

    I hope this article has answered all your questions about the Shark ION Robot Vacuum. As you can see, the Shark ION Robot Vacuum has many unique features. First, it works with Alexa, which prevents you from having to hit the “start” button all the time. Instead, you can simply tell Alexa when you want the Shark ION Robot Vacuum to begin cleaning. Another nice feature is the smart sensor, which prevents the Shark ION Robot Vacuum from running into furniture or falling down stairs. Its low-profile design prevents it from getting stuck under furniture as well. Most of the customer feedback on Amazon were positive for this robotic vacuum cleaner. I hope this review on the Shark ION Robot Vacuum has helped you decide if this vacuum cleaner is the right option for you. If you are looking to compare this vs the Xiaomi Mi robotic vacuum cleaner, you can read that here.​​​​

    [amazon box=”B075JRB2Z9″]

  • Action Camera 4k+ Review: EKEN Alfawise V50

    Action Camera 4k+ Review: EKEN Alfawise V50


    Action Camera 4k+ review: EKEN Alfawise V50


    eken alfawise action camera

    When you decide to buy an action camera, everyone’s first move is to look at the latest GoPro cameras. While they are great pieces of technology, they come with a very large price tag. I decided to see if I could get similar performance from a much cheaper option. That’s why I chose the EKEN Alfawise V50 Action Camera 4k+.  

    Are Gopros Worth it?

    I have asked myself this question hundreds of times. Should I spend several hundred dollars on an action camera? Especially when there are other models for significantly less? For most people the answer is no, and that is even more true after I tried out this action camera 4k+ from EKEN Alfawise.

    eken alfawise camera on stand

    Action Camera 4k+: Specifications

    At first glance the specs are not all that different. Here are some of the features from the Alfawise V50.

    Stunning ultra 4K video and 12MP photos in single, burst and time-lapse modes

    ● Durable by design, waterproof to 30m with a housing

    ● Preview and playback your shots, change settings and trim your footage, all on your action camera

    ● 170-degree wide angle fish-eye lens

    ● WiFi control design, you can remote control it

    ● Mini size, easy to carry and use

    ● 2-inch HD screen, lightweight and convenient

    ● Power supply: 1050mAh lithium battery ( included )

    ● External memory: 16 – 32GB TF card, UHS-3 or above ( not included )

    ● A 2.4G remote controller and a USB charging cable are included

    I was pleasantly surprised by all of the accessories and items that came with this camera. For this price point, having wifi capabilities is incredible. I had no issues with the remote or wifi setup and it all worked flawlessly.

    There were also several different mounts and attachments that came with it. You would have no issue connecting it to your helmet or bike right out of the box.

    This camera also has a small LCD screen on the back to navigate the menu options which I was very happy with. Some of the much more expensive action cameras on the market don’t even have that.

    Like most higher end action cameras this one also has a Lithium Ion rechargeable battery that come with it. You’ll want to buy a few extras and keep them on hand so you’re always ready to swap one out. This way you’ll never have to worry about missing that crucial shot when you’re out in the field.

    top of eken alfawise action camera

    Action Camera 4k+: Video Quality for EKEN Alfawise V50

    Here is what really matters. I was also surprised by the video quality of this action camera 4k+ . It is not the sharpest or clearest image, but it is easily good enough for most people. It was easy to see and watch back, even on the small screen.

    Is this the best video quality in an action camera 4k+ ? No, definitely not. But for almost anyone buying an action camera I think it will do just fine. If you are going on a family vacation or a trip and you need an action camera, or you want to experiment filming some of your hobbies, this camera will work great. You can also read our other reviews on more EKEN action camera 4k+

    The two biggest downsides to the video quality were the color and the stabilization. While the quality was fine, the one area it could improve is color. It’s not as bright as some other cameras, but for the price point I was thrilled.

    It also does not seem to have any stabilization, or if it does it doesn’t work extremely well. When I had this mounted on the handlebars of my motorcycle it seemed to shake quite a bit. Now, obviously any footage from that location is going to be shaky, I just think that some of the higher end cameras stabilize the footage better. Again, for the price I was thrilled.

    waterproof case
    EKEN Alfawise V50 4k+

    Action Camera 4k+: Should you buy the EKEN Alfawise V50

    Yes. I think this is a great camera that most people should purchase. I own GoPros and I own cheap action cameras and I still think this is absolutely worth purchasing. It may not be the absolute best camera out there, but for the value it is, you can’t go wrong.

    When you are deciding on what best value action camera, or expensive action camera to purchase, you cannot just compare the features. You have to compare what you get for the amount you spend. With this camera being so affordable, the performance is more that I could ask for. If you need more help deciding which action camera 4k+ is best for you, we have more reviews for you to check out here. 

    I think that this action camera 4k+ would be useful to any level of user. If you record a ton of action sports and usually use GoPros to get the best possible footage, then this camera would be a great “B” camera or backup. It would work great as a camera to use for filming things that risk the loss of equipment. You won’t have to worry about losing a $400 camera.

    If you are a beginner with action cameras and just want to test them out to see if you want to use them more in the future, then this camera is also perfect for you. It is a very cheap action camera that will do anything you need it to at an entry level price.

    packaging and unboxing EKEN Alfawise V50 4k+

    Action Camera 4k+: EKEN Alfawise V50 Conclusion

    The EKEN Alfawise V50 action camera 4k+ is a great entry level action camera or backup camera. You won’t beat it’s performance for the price and I would not hesitate to buy more of them in the future. The amount of accessories allow you to use it directly out of the box and start to record your awesome adventures.

    For more articles on any action camera 4k+, you can read them here.

    If you are in search of more information on only the EKEN action camera 4k+ series, you can also check that out here.

  • Creality Ender 3: Review

    Creality Ender 3

    Creality 3d printer

    [amazon fields=”B07BR3F9N6″ value=”button”]

    Does the Creality Ender 3 live up to the hype? Just like all the other communities, the 3D printing has its share of hyped up products. As the community grew with budget kits one printer stood out for being the first under $500 and needing little to no modifications to get great prints. That of course is the Creality CR10. Although it wasn’t without flaws and the users were quick to release improvements. Creality soon released updates to the CR10 calling it the CR10S. All the other chinese printer companies like Tevo, Anet and Tronxy followed with their own “clones” of the CR10. I use quotes because Anet tried going cheap with crappy parts and failed. Tevo copied the frame completely. Which I really liked. The Tornado being my favorite printer.

    Then Creality tried to cash in on the popularity of the CR10 with the CR10 Mini. For some reason the mini didn’t get hyped. Maybe it was timing maybe it was price. The Creality Ender 3 is super cheap and prints okay. It isn’t without issues though.

    [amazon box=”B07BR3F9N6″ template=”table”]

     

    creality 3d printer

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    Creality Ender 3: Specifications

    ​

    ModelEnder-3
    Modeling TechnologyFDM (Fused Deposition Modeling）
    Printing Size220*220*250mm
    Machine Size510*400*190mm
    Package weight8.6kg
    Max Traveling Speed180mm/s
    Filament1.75mm PLA,TPU,ABS
    InputAC 100-265V 50-60Hz
    OutputDC 24V 15A 360W
    Layer Thickness0.1-0.4mm
    Nozzle diameter0.4mm
    Precision±0.1mm
    File FormatSTL, OBJ, G-Code
    Working ModeOnline or SD offline
    Max Nozzle Temperature255℃
    Max Hot bed Temperature110℃

    Unboxing

    The Creality Ender 3 comes well packed in foam and with the extrusions wrapped with plastic wrap. Included in the box are the standard tools that come with the cheap kits. Typically that includes alen keys to put the printer together, a spatula as well as side cutters for trimming your prints.

    unboxing 3d printerunboxing parts

    ​SD Card

    The included 8Gig micro SD card has the standard assembly instructions and test files. I’m not good with pre sliced gcode files being included because the temp and settings chosen when sliced are specific to the filament and the users filament is likely different. And the included filament is usually too short to even print the test file. The SD card does include the driver and a copy of the free open source slicer software Cura. probably an out of date version as it’s update quite often now. Also included is a Troubleshootings pdf file.

    It is nice to have the SD card included. The micro SD card reader on the other hand is a piece of junk. Mine corrupted every card I put into it. I had to reformat them. Luckily I had a few others laying around.

    Assembly

    Building the ender is quite simple and the assembly guide was pretty straight forward. The base comes pre assembled. That is an issue for me because, as I have seen so many times before they don’t take care when assembling. In the case of the Creality Ender 3 there is a lot of people with a twisted base. Mine included. Maybe it is one person at creality assembling them with a crooked table. Also there is always loose screws that sometimes show in your prints. You can check out my Tevo Michelangelo  review to see what I mean.

    With the base built and the electronics done for you assembly is quick and easy. Mine has hot glue on all the wire connections which is bad if you need to remove one for troubleshooting or modifications. For any printer you buy needs to have pre assembled parts double checked.

    Software

    The SD card comes with two versions of Cura slicer software. An older version which I think works better then the newest one, and a newer version which is already outdated. A slicer is a program that slices the 3D object into layers, then turns it into instructions the printer can understand. If you need a free program then I would recommend Slic3r or Cura, but if you can afford it I would recommend Simplify3D.

    cura

    Print Quality

    The Ender 3 printer prints as well as the other sub $500 printers which is good because they can print as well as the expensive 3D printers. Not as consistently but most of the time. Although they need a bit of tinkering to get that level. Some even need you to spend extra money but not to much.

    PLA Filament

    PLA is my favorite filament. It prints very easily and prints well. I chose to stick with PLA for almost all prints. I have other filaments on hand for niche needs. HTPLA is a PLA that prints with higher temps. It allows you to anneal your prints for extra strength.

    I printed the 2 puppy models that came on the SD card. The kids in my wifes daycare loved them because they are big fans of the paw patrol TV show.

    puppy

    ​

    One of the best reasons to own a 3D printer is Cosplay. Before Halloween my son asked me to print some parts for his Halloween costume. I printed some goggles and a cane for him. The cane ran out of filament in the middle of the night which is a bit crazy since a filament runout sensor for a cent or two. The sensor will pause the print until you change the filament.That is one feature I put on all my printers that don’t come with them and will do the same to the Ender 3. It’s a simple thing to add and makes the printer better.

    googlesgooglesgooglescane

    I printed the mask for my sons costume on a bigger printer and he put the goggles on and painted it. It turned out great.

    mask

    The rest of my PLA prints are mods for the printer to help functionality and looks. See more in the modification section.

    TPU Filament

    TPU is a flexible filament that is good when you need a rubber type surface for things like tires, phone cases and hinges. I printed poison bottles for my sons costume but they didn’t turn out so well. I reprinted in PLA on the JGAurora A5.

    bottles

    [amazon box=”B00TI3JUTM,B01M63ZVUJ,B07DPLV4PC” template=”table”]

    Creality Ender 3: Modifications

    mods

    Modifications can serve a practical purpose or be just for looks. Some mods are a necessity though. For instance the Z alignment on the Ender 3 is so far off it needs something between the motor and the frame. If not it will bind when you try moving it. I used 2 of the cheap punched out wrenches that they send with printers for removing the nozzles. This seems to be a widespread problem because there are over 10 fixes for it on Thingiverse.com. I believe it has been corrected in the newer versions. I’m not sure how some of these things get past quality control.

    https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2925230

    After the Z alignment fix I was able to print items over 10cm. So next I printed the Muscle car Scoop to cover the oddly placed nainboard fan. The fan is below the bed and hotend bits of filament will get in and could break the blades. Also tools or screws could fall in and short out the board. Luckily someone made this awesome muscle car scoop to divert the flow and protect the fan and mainboard.  https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3150741

    Next I printed a cool drawer to hold tools, screws and spare parts. It fits perfectly between the center bed rail and the right frame that the display is connected to. I chose to use multiple colors for my mods so the printer doesn’t look so plain. They put the dragon logo on the bed and display which is more than most of the cheaper printers do. Tevo being my favorite when it comes to style.

    https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2989218

    Another handy print is this little Yoda feeder guide. This helps you turn the extruder motor to feed the filament through the PTFE tube to the hot end. There are other style feeders but I like Yoda so I chose that one.

    https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3141160

    The last mod that should be done and does help your prints is the Bullseye filament cooling fan duct. There are plenty of fan ducts but this one works great and doesn’t take to much room on the extruder carriage.

    https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2759439

    ​

    Other mods that are more form then function are:

    Filament guide to keep the filament off the threaded Z rod. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2920344

    ​

    A Display cover. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2987100

    Wire clips to keep the display wire from dangling. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2960375

    Rubber TPU feet to help keep vibrations quieter. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3020865/files

    A cable holder to keep the extruder and x carriage wires from snagging the bed.

    https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2949858

    Last and strictly for show, an X axis motor cover with the dragon logo on it.

    https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2924288

    ​

    Creality Ender 3: Pros and Cons

    I’m not sure what this is and I haven’t seen this before but ½ way through all the prints I did the wheels had this odd dust on them. Both the X and Y axis.

    PROS

    • Good Print Quality
    • Good Solid Frame
    • Slim and Stylish
    • Great Price
    • Big Bed leveling knobs

    CONS

    • On board drivers
    • Mods needed shouldn’t be up to the user to add or figure out.

    PRINT QUALITY: 8/10

    BUILD QUALITY: 7/10

    USER INTERFACE & NAVIGATION: 7/10

    VALUE FOR MONEY: 9/10

    Creality Ender 3: Final Summary

    After all the hype and putting this printer together and having the Z bind up I wasn’t impressed. I went to the Creality facebook group for answers and found it was wide spread. After fixing it and cooling off for all the extra work, I printed a few things and was impressed. This little printer at its current price is pretty good and easy to recommend. Is it perfect? Not really, but better then anything in its price range.