LifeTrak Zoom HRV Wearable Body Computer Review

Fitness trackers all seem to have similar features; pedometer, calories burned, heart monitor, sleep tracker, watch, etc. They’re great for helping to track the daily habits of an average person or someone beginning a fitness or health regimen. However, most fitness trackers are just too basic for a serious athlete or someone interested in their overall fitness condition. That’s where the LifeTrak Zoom HRV (model number LTK7M002) comes into play. The LifeTrack Zoom HRV will continuously measure heart rate and heart rate variability which helps a true athlete know when to train and how hard to push. It’s the perfect multi-sport fitness tracker and an extremely thorough heart rate monitor.

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11 April 201728 October 2017ReviewsBy Olin Coles

COUGAR Armor Gaming Chair Review

When Champ Chairs offered us a chance to test the COUGAR Armor gaming chair, I couldn’t say no. Literally, my body wouldn’t allow it. COUGAR is well known to gamers for their keyboard and mouse peripherals, but they also rock my favorite color on their products: orange. It looks great (to me), but how does it feel after extended gaming?

28 February 2017StorageBy Olin Coles

ADATA SU800 SSD Ultimate Review

The ADATA SU800 SSD is a 2.5″ solid state drive for the ever-popular SATA 6Gb/s interface found on mainstream desktop and notebook PCs. ADATA promises 560 MB/s read and 520 MB/s write speeds with their new 3D NAND technology, allowing Ultimate SU800 to deliver higher storage density and reliability than ever before. SU800 also features intelligent SLC caching, a DRAM cache buffer to boost transfer performance, and Low-Density Parity Check ECC. In this article for Benchmark Reviews, we test the 512GB ADATA SSD Ultimate SU800 against the competition.

11 October 201622 November 2016ReviewsBy Olin Coles

ARCHEER QC 2.0 Car Charger USB Adapter Review

Practically every vehicle has a 12V cigarette lighter receptacle, but most lack sufficient USB power outlets. That’s where Archeer car chargers come in, utilizing Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 technology on adapters with as many as three USB ports and power output up to 5 volts/3.0 amps. In this article for Benchmark Reviews, we test a pair of Archeer QC 2.0 chargers for fast-charge functionality while on a week-long road trip.

9 September 201622 November 2016CoolingBy Olin Coles

MasterLiquid Pro 240 Cooler Review

Cooler Master recently announced their new MasterLiquid series of all-in-one liquid CPU coolers, built using a special “FlowOp” technology that analyzes how heat is absorbed and dissipated to construct a better cooling solution than the competition. The end result was a dual chamber design that improved the cooling performance, but also dramatically extended the product’s functional lifetime. In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests the Cooler Master MasterLiquid Pro 240 CPU cooler (MLY-D24M-A20MB-R1) to see how well it performs.

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10 May 201622 November 2016Computer Hardware SpotlightBy Olin Coles

Cooler Master MasterCase Maker 5 Preview

Do you like to tinker and build? Of course you do, and Cooler Master knows this. For over twenty years they’ve supplied PC enthusiasts with the tools and hardware to tweak and modify their otherwise boring computer systems. In this spotlight preview article for Benchmark Reviews we’ll sneak a peek at Cooler Master’s latest creation: MasterCase Maker 5 tower computer enclosure (MCZ-005M-KWN00), checking form and functionality.

19 April 201622 November 2016Computer Hardware SpotlightBy Olin Coles

Cooler Master MasterLiquid Pro 240 Preview

Cooler Master has just announced their new MasterLiquid series of CPU coolers, built using a special “FlowOp” technology that analyzes how heat is absorbed and dissipated to construct a better cooling solution than the competition. The end result was a dual chamber design that did both improve the cooling performance, but also dramatically extended the product’s functional lifetime. In this preview article, Benchmark Reviews covers some of the finer points that separate the MasterLiquid cooler series from everything else on the market.

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26 February 201622 November 2016Computer Hardware SpotlightBy Olin Coles

MasterAir Maker 8 Heatsink Spotlight

Cooler Master has a name that demands a dominating presence in the aftermarket cooling industry, and every year, without fail, they produce new and innovative heatsink designs offering the best of function and fashion. New for 2016 is the MasterAir Maker 8, a dual-140mm cooled customizable headsink compatible with every known motherboard socket from the past nine years. In this article, Benchmark Reviews spotlights the Cooler Master MasterAir Maker 8 heatsink and its many unique features.

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1 January 201622 November 2016PeripheralsBy Olin Coles

Zalman ZM-K700M Mechanical Keyboard Review

I’m picky, and have been described as a perfectionist too many times to count. So it stands to reason that the keyboard, that peripheral attachment that works like a natural extensions of the body for the eSports gamer, becomes a personal choice for many. Keyboards are used for both everyday workload as well as entertainment, so picking the right one is important. In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests the Zalman ZM-K700M Mechanical Gaming LED Keyboard, which features genuine Cherry MX Red switches with LED backlighting, and programmable macro capability.

30 November 201529 March 2017Manufacturer NewsBy News Reporter

Chamber Chiller Gun Barrel Cooling Fan Announced

30 NOVEMBER 2015 – Reno, NV: The firearms industry has been on fire in 2015, but it has also been a very hot year for outdoor shooters. For some, the competitive summer months caused equipment failures for shooters trying to push their rifle and cartridge to the mechanical limits. When steel becomes overheated the barrel harmonics change: vibration increases, and accuracy diminishes. Overheating is a problem for plenty of shooters, because a hot barrel also contributes to increased throat erosion and pressure failures. Shooters want a cool barrel, so that wear is minimized and accuracy is consistent. Using a 3D printer and commercially available components, avid long-range shooter Olin Coles has developed a product he calls the “Chamber Chiller” gun […]

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28 October 20151 May 2018PeripheralsBy Olin Coles

CMStorm QuickFire XTi Mechanical Keyboard Review

Without question, keyboard and mouse peripherals have become natural extensions of the body for the eSports gamer. Of the two, keyboards are used for both everyday workload as well as entertainment. In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests the Cooler Master Quick Fire XTi Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, which features genuine Cherry MX Blue clicky switches, customizable multi-color LED backlighting, and programmable macro capability.

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22 October 20155 February 2018StorageBy Olin Coles

Samsung SSD 950 PRO Solid State Drive Review

In this article Benchmark Reviews tests the Samsung SSD 950 PRO, an M.2 solid state drive among the first to utilize the ultra-fast NVMe protocol, on both Intel X99 and Z170 platforms. Featuring Samsung’s second generation 32-layer MLC V-NAND, SSD 950 PRO M.2 is available in 256 GB and 512 GB storage capacities. The SSD 950 PRO utilizes Samsung’s UDX controller to deliver sequential read speeds up to 2500 MB/s and writes up to 1500 MB/s, while random read performance reaches up to 300,000 IOPS and write speeds up to 110,000 IOPS. Performance is further optimized with Samsung Magician software, and durability enhanced by the drive’s Dynamic Thermal Guard and AES 256-bit Full Disk Encryption. 950 PRO includes a 5-year limited warranty, and promises up to 400 terabytes written (TBW) for 512GB model.

6 October 20153 January 2018Media PlayersBy Olin Coles

Beelink GTQ 4K Android TV Box Review

In this article for Benchmark Reviews, we test the Beelink GTQ Android TV BOX Media Center. Promoted as a 4K-ready media player with quad-core Amlogic S812 CPU and eight-core ARM Mali-450 GPU utilizing the new H.265 decoder ideal for 4K Ultra HD picture quality, the Beelink GTQ fills its compact metal shell with powerful hardware comparable to most laptop computers. While a 1000-Mb Gigabit Ethernet port is available, the Beelink GTQ also takes advantage of 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz wireless b/g/n networks.

30 September 201530 September 2015Media PlayersBy Olin Coles

Pivos XIOS XS Media Center Spotlight

The Pivos XIOS XS is built on the Google Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) tablet platform, enabling this media player to natively support HTML5, Chrome, Flash, and even the installation of Google Play apps or APK packages. Capable of playing all modern audio and video CODECs, Pivos’ XIOS XS + TOFU Media Center flexes its 1.5 GHz dual-core ARM Cortex A9 processor and Mali 400 MHz 3D graphics paired with 1GB of DDR3 memory to produce high-definition audio and video output. In this article Benchmark Reviews examines the Pivos XIOS XS Media Center for this product spotlight.

15 September 2015Computer Technology GuidesBy Olin Coles

Keeping Hot Laptops Cool and Running Fast

Back in the day, before everybody started checking email on their smartwatch or shopping online with their phone, mobile users did their work on laptop computers. These days tablets and smart devices get most the attention, but notebook computers are still beating them on performance and productivity. Unfortunately, all that power generates heat, which slows down the system to maintain stability. But what if it didn’t have to? That’s where notebook coolers come in, such as the Cooler Master NotePal Ergostand III used as our example in this article about keeping hot laptops cool and running fast.

2 September 20152 September 2015ReviewsBy Olin Coles

Vertagear SL2000 Gaming Chair Review

Much like the beds we sleep in, it’s very important to select the right chair to sit in for a good portion of our lives. I owned a comfortable office chair that followed me around after college, and played several roles at the dining table on occasion. More recently, there was the expensive Embody chair review that stirred controversy. Now we’ve got gaming chairs, bringing style together with luxury. In this article for Benchmark Reviews, I report my test results with the Vertagear SL2000 S-Line Racing Series gaming chair.

11 August 201511 August 2015Computer Technology GuidesBy Olin Coles

Preparing System Image for Windows 10 Upgrade

Microsoft has generously offered Windows 10 as a free upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users, and so far the response has been very positive. In this article Benchmark Reviews details the steps needed to successfully complete a full backup of Windows 7 or Windows 8 to a System Image, prior to upgrading to Windows 10. This process preserves everything on the drive, and may be used to restore back to your previous installation without losing any data or applications. This guide may also be used to create a Windows 10 backup System Image, or for creating a hard disk image that can be restored onto an SSD.

1 June 2015Technology EditorialsBy Olin Coles

Reserve your FREE Windows 10 Upgrade Now

You might have noticed something different about your computer when you logged on this morning: a notification alerting you to ‘Get Windows 10’. This is Microsoft’s next step in upgrading users to the latest Operating System, and they’re giving it away for FREE. Just reserve your upgrade by verifying eligibility with an email address, and you’re done. Just sit back, relax, and wait until the download becomes available.

30 April 2015Computer Hardware SpotlightBy Olin Coles

High-Rely MPac-G2 RAID Backup Drive Performance

MPac-G2 is essentially made up of two 2.5″ drives (either hard disk or solid state) paired together into a steel cartridge that houses a RAID controller. This cartridge is then used to store backup data that can be accessed outside the backup appliance at extreme speeds for disaster recovery purposes, either by the integrated SATA 6Gb/s port or SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port.

27 April 201531 August 2015StorageBy Olin Coles

Kingston HyperX Savage SSD Review

HyperX, a division of Kingston, had been making headlines. It began with their Predator PCIe M.2 SSD, which fetched data at more than 1400 MB/s. In this article Benchmark Reviews tests the HyperX Savage SSD, designed for performance enthusiasts and replaces the HyperX 3K solid state drive. HyperX Savage utilizes a quad-core eight-channel Phison PS3110-S10 storage controller capable of 560 MB/s read and 530 MB/s write speeds. The 240GB HyperX Savage SSD Upgrade Bundle Kit received for testing (SHSS3B7A/240G) will be tested against the fastest solid state drives available for the SATA interface.

18 April 201518 April 2015StorageBy Olin Coles

Kingston HyperX Predator PCIe M.2 SSD Review

Are you in a hurry? Solid state Drive Technology has been serving up data at the fastest rates available to consumers, quickly earning the distinction of ‘instant’ storage. SSDs built for the SATA interface already make most computers open applications in a snap, but the latest generation of PCI-Express 2.0 based SSDs bring that title closer to the truth. The new Kingston HyperX Predator PCIe M.2 SSD is one such example, and boasts 1400 MB/s read speeds with 1000 MB/s compressible data writes. Available in 240/480GB storage capacities, and available as a single M.2 drive or installed to a half-height half-length PCI-Express 2.0 adapter, in this article Benchmark Reviews tests the Kingston Predator against the fastest SSDs on the market.

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10 April 201528 April 2015ReviewsBy Olin Coles

Kwikset SmartCode 916 Electronic Deadbolt Review

The recent rash of burglaries concerned me, as my new home shared the same basic deadbolt as everyone else. I check with neighbors, and a popular choice with contractors was the Kwikset SmartCode 916 Zâ€‘Wave Touchscreen Electronic Deadbolt, which auto-locks after thirty seconds and can wirelessly communicate with security and home automation systems via encrypted Z-Wave technology. Mine installed in minutes, and is the subject of this article for Benchmark Reviews.

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4 April 20154 April 2015ReviewsBy Olin Coles

AKRacing Rush Gaming Chair Review

I have a long personal history with chairs, going all the way back to my early days as an infant sitting tall in a high-chair. I recall the steel folding chairs heated by the sun during my graduation commencement. There was even a memorable chair that followed me around after college, and played several roles at the dining table and behind the office desk. More recently, there was the expensive Embody Chair that stirred controversy. In this article for Benchmark Reviews, I spend hours on my seat to test the new AKRacing Rush gaming chair.

3 April 201515 April 2015StorageBy Olin Coles

Samsung SSD 850 EVO mSATA Review

Powered by their own 32-layer 3D V-NAND technology, the Samsung SSD 850 EVO replaces the 840 EVO solid state drive and delivers up to twice the density and write speed of traditional 20nm planar NAND flash components. In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests the 250GB Samsung SSD 850 EVO mSATA drive against the fastest solid state drives available.

30 March 201515 April 2015StorageBy Olin Coles

Crucial BX100 SSD Review

Crucial has returned with the BX100 series solid state drive, featuring Micron’s most affordable 16nm NAND flash components. The Crucial BX100 SSD offers excellent performance to value-driven mainstream users, and delivers enthusiast speeds at a reasonable price. Benchmark Reviews tests the BX100 solid state drive against the fastest SSDs available.