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Hardware Reviews

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Lifestyle photo for Fitbit Inspire 2.
GamingFitnessHardwareHardware ReviewsVideo Content
Guy 2273 Views , ,

Fitbit: Inspire 2 – Review

The Fitbit Inspire 2 sits in the mid-level device slot of the 2020 Summer range, but it is by no means limited in features.

Back in May, I reviewed the Fitbit Charge 4 and found it a great tool to help in my training. Over the following months I have come to really rely on it for exercise goal setting and feedback.

The new range of Fitbits are dropping for summer,  so it seemed fitting for me to take some of the new devices for a test run…(yep, I meant that pun)

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JBL Quantum
GamingHardwareHardware ReviewsiOSPC / MacPS4Switch ConsoleVideo ContentXbox One
Richard Armitt 1905 Views , , , ,

JBL QUANTUM Wireless 600, review

JBL ANZ very kindly supplied us with a set of Wireless 600 headphones to celebrate their Australian launch last week. Over the course of this year they have made a big impact in New Zealand with their gaming range and we have been able to review some of the range previously.

Of course JBL are not only known for their Gaming Headsets, as part of the Harman Karman Group they are responsible for a range of lifestyle audio devices too. Some of which will be finding their way to Australasia soon.

The Wireless 600 is a set that is easy to put on, the packaged (braided) cables make it simple to swap out from PS4, to Mac, to Xbox to Switch. I am happy with it and will be making the most of them.

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FitBit Family
GamingHardwareHardware Reviews
Richard Armitt 1308 Views , , , , ,

The Fitbit Family just got three additions

The Fitbit Family has been something of a revelation in wearables over the last two years. Especially for those of us without Apple phones. Falling neatly into our Tech area we’ve had the opportunity to get Guy in a sweat with a couple of them. His recent feature on Active Zone Minutes (AZM) was well worth a look.

As a spectator of Fitbit in my family, I’ve been impressed. Now FitBit have launched three new models. No doubt after such an unprecedented year they’ll be on a lot of virtual Christmas Lists come December.

I haven’t worn a watch in decades. However there is enough tech squeezed into this series to make it damn sexy again!

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Epos Sennheiser GSX300 external sound card
GamingHardwareHardware ReviewsPC / Mac
Gerard Campbell 1301 Views , ,

Epos Sennheiser GSX300 external sound card

For those older gamers reading this, you’ll remember vividly how it used to be commonplace to have a dedicated sound card in your PC: On-board audio encoding wasn’t a thing back in the days of beige boxes, shareware and 486CPUs.

As PCs became more and more modern, motherboards started appearing with in-built sound cards offering OK but often not stellar sound. Still, it was early days and you made the most of what you had. I still remember my Creative Labs Sound Blaster sound cards with fond memories.

Fast forward to today

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Full inbox lineup for Fitbit Charge 4.
GamingFitnessHardware Reviews
Guy 2072 Views , ,

AZM on Fitbit – Min-Maxing your health stats IRL!

In May this year, I reviewed the new FitBit Charge 4 and the overall takeaway was that it’s an excellent fitness tracker, that for a ‘Gamer’ helped formalised my training regime and even gamified my day-to-day workouts. 

I admit, that at the time I didn’t fully appreciate what this wee device could do. Initially I set myself simple time goals for workouts to complete. Later I used the FitBit app to understand my workouts and in particular making the most of them by using the Active Zone Minutes (AZM) system.

To put it in ‘Gamer’ terms. My FitBit device and the AZM system has given me a tangible way to have stats to Min-Max, to get the best returns on my health and heart. It’s like dungeon crawling in real life!!

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ATARI VCS - walnut
GamingATARI VCSGame NewsHardwareHardware Reviews
Richard Armitt 3358 Views , , , , , ,

ATARI VCS, Bluemouth confirmed as local distributor

The back end of the year and especially November is starting to look crowded. With Sony and Xbox still unconfirmed on launch dates or pricing for their new consoles, the rebooted ATARI VCS is coming in hot.

The big news for Australasia is that Bluemouth have been secured as the local distribution partner for the new “PC/Console Hybrid”. Effective from 14th August 2020, Bluemouth will bring their 17 years of experience to supply Australia and New Zealand.

With Sony and Microsoft still unconfirmed on dates and pricing, November 20th could go either way for the ATARI VCS. It might not have the system selling AAA games that the fans want, but there’s a big enough user base for people to want to try something different.

If the market positioning is right, you’d have to admit. “A third player has entered the game.”

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JBL Quantum 400
GamingHardwareHardware ReviewsPC / MacPS4Switch ConsoleVideo ContentXbox One
Guy 3556 Views , , ,

JBL Quantum 400 Headset – Review

JBL have been a mainstay of the home audio fraternity since 1946. They have in recent years been brought under the Samsung Electronics umbrella, which may explain why after so many years, they have finally taken the leap into Gaming Headsets see what we think of the Quantum 400.

They have certainly jumped in boots and all too. The new ‘Quantum’ range boasts seven different models. Spanning entry level headsets through to models with head-tracking, noise cancellation and wireless surround sound.

The JBL Quantum 400s are a great headset. If the rest of the Quantum range have had this much thought put into them, then safe to say JBL are not here to muck about, Gamers!

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JBL Quantum 400 Unboxing
GamingHardwareHardware ReviewsVideo Contentyoutube review
Guy 1524 Views , , , ,

JBL Quantum 400 – Video Unboxing

A quick unboxing of the brand new JBL Quantum 400 gaming headset, so why not take a look. Keep an eye on the site and for the full Review in the next few weeks.

First impressions are good though, but we will see how they stack up with some gaming hours under their belt!

Remember, as always…Click, Like and Share!

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Full inbox lineup for Fitbit Charge 4.
FitnessGamingHardwareHardware Reviews
Guy 1861 Views , , , , ,

FitBit: Charge 4 – Review

For the past week I have swapped out my trusty time piece for the brand new FitBit Charge 4.

My “wrist real estate” is a valuable commodity in 2020. If I’m going to stick something on the all important none-master-side wrist, it better be worth my while. 

This impressive little GPS Fitness Tracker, has managed to punch its way into the Smart Watch space.

The actual nuts and bolts are like this. The FitBit: Charge 4 is a compact fitness tracker that will monitor a myriad of fitness data points. Including heart rate, steps, distance traveled, sleep patterns, minutes in various cardio zones… and more.

Thanks to FitBit for the review item to trial, any questions feel free to ask me @nzBrowncoat on Twitter.

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Sennheiser GSP 370 headphones
GamingHardware ReviewsPS4youtube review
Guy 1039 Views , , , ,

Sennheiser GSP 370 Headphones, Review (YouTube)

It’s been a while since my last Video Review. So I thought would come back strong with one of our favorites at Koru-Cottage… a Sennheiser GSP 370 headphones review to be precise.

German company Sennheiser is a very well established name in the audio world, in fact they have been around since 1945. They have however only in recent years ventured into the niche space of video game headsets, and now they boast a sizable range.

The Sennheiser GSP 370 wireless gaming headphones are some of the most impressive wireless headphones I have ever used. That said, to enjoy the quality and comfort you have to make sacrifices.

Check out the full Video Review below and remember…Like, Sub and Share people!

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Phillips Hue and Bridge
HardwareHardware ReviewsiOS
Richard Armitt 794 Views , , ,

Phillips Hue, go into the light

In summary there is more than meets the eye with the Phillips Hue, once you start to tinker and play setting the mood becomes an event in itself. There is much I have not touched on here, but being able to program set routines and actions just builds on the automation dream.

My other absolute favourite benefit is being able to set the lights to ‘on’ as I approach the house, no more stumbling home in the dark because you didn’t think it would be that long.

I’m sold, well and truly – the Hue bulbs will certainly be staying and I will be extending them out across the house as soon as I can.

Follow the light.

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