Archive for the ‘Tech Review’ Category

Case Closed!

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
The Commuter for iPhone 3G/3GS by Otterbox

The Commuter for iPhone 3G/3GS by Otterbox

When it comes to our Iphones, we here at the BusyGamer office have a whirlwind love affair with them. Sure every quarter a new phone seems to come out that is going to be the “Iphone??? killer… and while some of those phones have interesting features, we always come back to our little Apple joys. The apple is after all the forbidden fruit and you always desire what you can’t have. I don’t care about the other phones, they’re not the ones I want, after all. You can date a girl with a lazy eye… it doesn’t mean she’s asian, you’re just dating a girl with a lazy eye. I guess what I mean is, you can throw a hundred phones at me, they ain’t the Iphone, and unless your new phone comes preloaded with George Lucas’s number, well, I’m just not interested.

That being said, our phones’ protection is important to us. I mean we are the RECKON CREW for Pete’s sake, we put our livers through Hell, can you imagine what our phones go through? The default phone case of choice has always been the Otterbox Defender. Ever since we got this case, we loved it for it’s protection value. We wreck a lot of events and cons and this case is like a Humvee for your phone, it is totally protected from the elements. This is important when you are stumbling from bar to hotel room with a 6 foot wonder woman draped across your back and you can’t remember if it’s a dummy you stole from the dealer room or a passed out cosplayer. Calling your fellow crew members can be embarrassing enough but to find out your phone is damaged in the middle of your shenanigans, well… that’s just crossing the line, pal.

The Defender had ONE drawback. While it was like Fort Knox for your phone, it was also like carrying a VCR in your pocket (I don’t believe in belt clips it cramps my style). This, however, was a drawback I was willing to take.

THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
Imagine my surprise, BusyGamers, when Crutchboy informed me we would be testing some new Otterbox cases at our upcoming Star Wars weekend, I was stoked! Before we departed he gave me the new specimen to outfit my beloved phone. The phone case was the Otterbox Commuter (for me) and the Otterbox Commuter TL (for Crutchboy). There was not much difference between the two. The commuter had a more “wrap around??? kind of plastic on the sides of the phone which made it a bit more rigid but other than that, it was the same. The screen was unprotected unlike the Defender but it did come with a plastic screen protector. The case was smaller than the Defender and I was cautious to see how it would stand up in the trying weekend to come but we pressed on.

THE DRAWBACKS
As soon as we begin the process of outfitting the phone with the case we noticed a problem. The screen protector, which in picture instruction looked simple to put on, made me think I must have the dexterity skills of an ogre because my screen protector application did not go so smooth. I had to try twice (they only give you one protector) and had a lot of air bubbles on my screen. Crutchboy fared a little better. The bubbles were annoying. They seemed to flatten out after a while, but never really went away. Luckily they were practically invisible when the screen lit, but not much fun to look at otherwise. The big drawback on the protector is the lack of a replacement, so if you are like me and switch cases like Gamette wallpapers, you may find yourself buying an aftermarket screensaver just to use your case again.

Another drawback was the ports. The headphone jack was not as wide and big as the Defender model. This is important if you use a high end audio jack for your car stereo, like us. It did fit but almost not well enough. The charger port is rubberized and sort of a pain to use when using a car charger. You have to make sure the rubber closing piece is not obstructing the charger in the least as it could result in a sketchy connection (happened a few times before I realized it was me not plugging it right).

Commuter TL for iPhone 3G/3GS by Otterbox

Commuter TL for iPhone 3G/3GS by Otterbox

THE PROS
First off, the case gives you a reasonable amount of protection for its size. I was surprised with how rigid the wraparound plastic made the phone feel. The screen wasn’t covered but I had the feeling that it was in much better hands in the case than without.

Another thing I loved was that people knew it was an Iphone. The Defender had a habit of adding girth and size to the phone leading to people often asking me what type of phone it was. The case is built to leave the features open and ready to use. The ringer/vibrating switch for instance is exposed, making it easy to get to even if it is open to the elements.

THE ROADTEST
A Con with us is not easy and we took this bad boy for the ride of it’s life. First we went to see STAR WARS IN CONCERT where we mingled with security, were escorted all through the building, shoved our way to our special seats in the press area, and fought the crowds looking at the ultra cool exhibit. All the while I would pull out my phone and start tapping away. The camera function never faltered (all the pics that weekend were taken via iphone and photography apps) as the case leaves the camera exposed like 99 percent of all other cases except for the Defender which has a plastic covering.

The next day at Fan Days was no exception. I dropped the phone a few times (On carpet). No damage but they were all accidental. I did scratch the screen protector when I put my phone in the same pocket as my car keys (a dumb mistake but a mistake an average person would make so I’m glad it happened) the protector held up well with the exception of a raised nick on the protector itself, not a hindrance though.

The bars were cool. I didn’t spill any alcohol on them, that would just be stupid. But I did notice that girls didn’t respond negatively or positively to the case. This is important because an Iphone case should protect an Ipod. Of course you never want a girl to laugh at your phone in a public place but you should be able to know it’s an Iphone and not a cheesy imposter. One feature people in bars love is the fact that the case leaves a “window??? to accent the apple logo.

THE VERDICT
Despite the issues with the screen protection, I enjoyed this case. I actually still have it for everyday use. It’s a good case to use, great all around, and the black one (which I have) is simple and bold like a Johnny Cash song. If I am going to a dangerous weekend with the BG crew, I will still break out the Defender (also by Otterbox) but in the office, on a date or a casual night out, the Commuter works well. And that my friends, was the whole point.

The Otterbox Commuter lists for $34.95 and the Commuter TL lists for $29.95, both can be found here at www.OtterBox.com.

Meet the Mindflex

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

 

Concentration is a must in Mattel's MindFlex... So is a willingness to wear clips on your ears.
Concentration is a must in Mattel’s MindFlex… So is a willingness to wear clips on your ears.

Thanks to Mattel, we are now one step closer to the wishes of the science fiction nerd in us all. The ability to move objects with one’s mind has long been the subject of great interest but it seemed to be too far in the distant future. Game designers at Mattel, however, have decided that the future is NOW.

It may be physically impossible to simply move objects with your mind but thanks to the new technology involved in the production of the Mindflex, one can experience the satisfaction of actually using telekinesis to play this one of a kind game. The Mindflex is like no other game currently on the market. It’s a huge step up from the same childhood board games we’re used to; moving objects along colored squares, racing to the finish,  all to beat an opponent. This unique game allows a player to move a foam ball through various obstacles using nothing but their mind.

The foam ball is held in the air by a movable fan nozzle which is controlled by the human mind. The player wears a headset which has a forehead sensor that rests above the left eyebrow and clips that attach to the earlobes. These accessories allow the game to read the brain waves that the player is sending out and change them into data that the unit can understand which corresponds with the ball moving in various directions as the player learns to alternately focus and relax their mind. The Mindflex is a very versatile toy that both children and adults can equally enjoy and there are a variety of games that the players can select and keep track of scores. A variety of hoops, hurdles, funnels, and a teeter-totter can be positioned however you choose on the game console. Players use their minds to move the ball under, over, or through the obstacles. Several games test speed while another challenges players to lift a ball up and through a funnel, shooting it across the game console to score points.

These are the only cons I can clearly identify: Mindflex is not multi-player friendly as players must take turns in order to see who can score the highest. It is not a game that players can use simultaneously. Also, as intriguing as the game is, it might prove difficult for some. Concentration techniques will vary from person to person and patience as well as a willingness to experiment are rewarded. The cons still do not take away from the true uniqueness of the toy or make it less enjoyable to play. Fans of mazes and brain teasers will appreciate the mental challenge and creative types will like designing the obstacle courses. Mindflex makes a great party game and might be an impressive Christmas present for the boss.

Tech Review: Turtle Beach’s Ear Force HPA2 Headphones

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Time for an earful

I’m not a big fan of headphones. Typically, unless you’re willing to drop some major cash, they’re uncomfortable to wear, they get too hot, or they’re just plain heavy. So I’ve foregone headphones in the past except when dealing with games where I needed to be able to talk to teammates to play effectively.

They may look bulky at first but Turtle Beach's Ear Force HPA 2 headphones are quite comfortable

They may look bulky at first but Turtle Beach's Ear Force HPA 2 headphones are quite comfortable

At PAX this year, one of the booths we visited was Turtle Beach where they were displaying a variety of headsets from console flavors to good ol’ PC setups. There were wired headsets, wireless headsets, stylish headsets… The Reckon Crew was impressed to say the least.

Out of the choices I looked at, the one that really caught my eye was the Ear Force HPA2. Peter Ronick, a director of marketing for Turtle Beach was kind enough to take the time to give me a hands on demo and once I had them on my head, I was hooked.

Peter showed me how the headset had an in-line amp that was completely powered by a USB port on the PC. The 5.1 surround sound was completely immersing allowing me to hear the individual channels as if I were sitting in a movie theater with a top of the line sound system. And the cords included patch through cabling to allow for plugging an existing speaker setup when the headphones are not in use.

While the headset initially looked bulky, I quickly found that it was very lightweight and comfortable, hugging my ears without pressing them painfully to the side of my head. They set comfortably atop my head and the velvet ear cushions kept my ears and the sides of my face from heating up. After a few moments, it was easy to forget they were there.

The in-line amp includes the volume control (which also serves as the power switch) as well as controls to tweak your surround sound and the multiple channels it includes. Once you get the hang of where each dial is (they’re clearly labeled), it’s a cinch to modify settings on the fly.

The boom mic is detachable for ease of removal when it isn’t needed but with a nifty locking mechanism to ensure it’s plugged in properly and won’t come loose in the heat of battle. A few quick tests showed that the mic picked up very little external noise when I wasn’t speaking and the adjustable neck for the mic made it easy to position it perfectly.

I’ve been “road” testing the headphones for just over a month now with pretty much every PC game I have just to try and determine the best settings for each game. The setup and installation for the headphones went flawlessly and I was up and running in about ten minutes after some minor tweaks to my sound card settings. My card is capable of 7.1 surround sound so the 5.1 capability of the headphones worked perfectly.

Not only do I hear more on the games I’m playing, the 5.1 channels allow me to determine exactly where a sound is coming from. I can say with no doubt that the headphones have increased my ability to determine from where a hail of gunfire is originating from without looking, allowing me to determine the best course of evasion. And the damn things have made me jump more than once while playing Fallout 3 when the slapping of a Ghoul’s bare feet can be heard from a mile away.

I had very few complaints with the headphones. As I mentioned earlier, the volume control doubles as the power switch. This means each time I power off the headphones, I have to fiddle with the volume a bit to get it back to where I like it. A preset would have been nice but this is a very minor complaint.

I also had a friend with multiple piercings test the headphones and while she could stand them for short periods, they became uncomfortable for her gauged lobes after wearing them for any extended period. Again, this is a minor complaint and I’m certain with some minor adjustments, gamers who have gauged lobes would find the HPA2 as comfortable as I do.

The price for the headphones is modest. Most of the places I checked before posting this piece had the headphones up for a little under one hundred dollars. It’s hard to believe such high quality sound can be so affordable when considering what comparable headsets sell for.

Turtle Beach has the experience, the tech savvy, and the gear to rightfully claim they have some of the best headphones on the market. If you’re shopping for a headset with mic for your PC gaming needs, you can’t go wrong with their Ear Force HPA2.

You’re welcome to come find me and argue that point with me… But I’ll hear ya coming.

Gritskrieg – End of Line

Tech Review: Acer H233H 23″ LCD Monitor

Monday, October 19th, 2009
Even powered off, the Acer H233H is a good looking monitor

Even powered off, the Acer H233H is a good looking monitor

I resisted switching to an LCD monitor for a very long time. The experiences I had with the early LCD monitors involved a lot of blurring, shadowing, poor response times, and pretty much any other complaint you could imagine. So I stuck it out with my 22″ CRT for much too long. I admit it, it was sheer stubbornness.

But my CRT was getting old. The colors weren’t quite as bright any more and I noticed some distinct issues after I upgraded my gaming rig. It just wasn’t cutting it any more. I’d upgraded my gaming consoles to an LCD TV and I was pretty pleased with the results so I decided to retire my old faithful CRT and do some homework on some LCD monitors.

I checked online, went to the local electronics store, talked to more than a few of my techy friends, but I wasn’t getting a really clear idea on what manufacturer I should be looking at much less a specific monitor. Fortunately, I stumbled across the newest addition to my gaming rig while looking for a birthday gift for a friend. And I am now the proud owner of an Acer H233H 23″ hi-def LCD monitor.

The first thing that caught my eye was the sharp, vibrant colors. The store had a copy of Spiderman 2 running on the monitor and it looked gorgeous. I found out that it was a Blu-Ray copy that was running to the HDMI input on the monitor which was one of the three available inputs. HDMI, DVI, and the ever steadfast VGA.

The monitor itself looks sharp with its high gloss black finish. The touch controls on the front of the monitor are back lit without being distracting and add to the overall high tech look. The base is removable so that the device can be wall mounted if that catches your fancy and has two small 1.5W speakers built in if you want to further minimize desk clutter. You won’t be shattering any eardrums with the integrated speakers but they don’t sound tinny or small like most built in speakers tend to.

Unboxing the monitor proved it to be very lightweight, and with its small footprint on my desk, I immediately found myself with considerably more desk space than ever before. I set up the monitor, plugged in my DVI cable and fired everything up. The initial set up went smoothly and I fired up Fallout 3 to put the widescreen settings through some paces.

With a speedy 5ms response time, I had absolutely no issues with delays. There was zero ghosting, zero blur as I ran across the Wastelands. The images were just as sharp and clear as I remembered the high def demo in store being. The clarity of the graphics were amazing, the colors were perfect, and I could not have been happier with my choice.

Of course I had to try a movie playing from my PC to be certain so I fired up Iron Man to see what would happen. I was most certainly not displeased with the results. Moving to the sides of the monitor didn’t result in loss of image until I was almost looking at the monitor straight from the side. There was no shadowing during the movie, the image was crisp and clear, and switching from the movie to the desktop was smooth with no afterimages or blurring.

The technical specs for the monitor are impressive on their own (40000:1 Contrast Ratio, 1080p capable, 1920×1080 output) but tack on the astethic presentation of the device and a very affordable price tag ($200 or less from most retailers) and the Acer H233H is a high value purchase for the Busy Gamer.

Gritskrieg – End of Line










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