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Tech Reviews, video game reviews

I’ve had Digimon Vital Bracelet BE for a Couple Weeks now…

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I’ve been using the Digimon Vital Bracelet for a couple of weeks, and I’ve got some things to say about the experience. Make sure you check out my initial impressions for some context that I won’t be repeating in this update.

If you buy the Vital Bracelet, get a screen protector. I was incredibly careful and still managed to get some notable scratches after the first few days. I didn’t expect to get gorilla glass with this toy, but I did expect something a bit sturdier for something meant to encourage fitness. You can get reasonably priced screen protectors on Amazon, but I’ve been using tape. It won’t protect the face from serious impacts, but it will help mitigate the scratches. If you want this device to last you a while, I recommend investing in some added protection.

I have a smartwatch that I use to track vitals, so I wore two watches for about a week before I was told I couldn’t. You are going to notice how cheap the bands feel, but that feeling goes away after a bit of use. They work well enough, and you don’t have to worry about them coming randomly undone. You can buy nicer sturdier bands on eBay, but I can’t vouch for the quality. As a fitness tracker, it’s not accurate. The watch does a good enough job to track your vitals for the game, but I wouldn’t rely on it for an accurate assessment. There is a specific market for this game, and if you like vpets and enjoy the IPs, it’s a fine watch with a cute little character you can interact with. The design is subtle and won’t look out of place if you decide to take it around people.

After a week, I removed the bands and carried them around like a key chain. I put a piece of clear tape over the sensor to trick the device into thinking it was still reading my vitals. This setup isn’t as accurate as wearing it as a watch, but the difference is negligible. If you have the means and want to spend a bit extra, you can find special cases online that do the same and provide a bit more protection. I haven’t looked into these options too deeply, but I’ve seen some cool stuff. Always make sure you read the reviews and buy from reputable sources.

I love most of the experience with the Vital Bracelet so far. It might be a symptom of the novelty, but I’ve found it easier to convince myself to be more active. I understand this alone won’t make me fit, but I have been a lot more active since. This only works for me because I love Digimon, and there is a meaningful incentive. If you aren’t a fan of Digimon or any of the available IPs, you won’t get the same kind of drive from something like this.

The worst part of this whole experience is the official companion app. The app is slow, clunky, and buggy. I was able to upload my first Digimon to test things out, but I haven’t been able to get her back. I know there are workarounds and an update I’ll need to look into, but it is frustrating to have a portion of this game not work out of the box. Before getting the Vital Bracelet, I saw a lot of user frustration online surrounding the app’s performance. I brushed it off as gamers being resistant to change, but there is some truth to how terrible this app is. It doesn’t work, and when it does, it is frustratingly slow. If Bandai wants the Vital Bracelet to be successful, they need to work on making this app more seamless and smooth. At the moment, the app is the biggest barrier to entry, and I find it hard to recommend it to people who aren’t that invested in Digimon.

That said, I am still hopeful about the Vital Bracelet’s future. There seems to be a healthy population of people who play the game regularly despite the app’s flaws. Bandai recently dropped an update that people seem to be happy about, and there are some workarounds I need to look into to set Jellymon free. That said, it is hard to recommend a game that isn’t exactly polished. I don’t mean to say that to discourage you from buying a Vital Bracelet. If you like Digimon or any of the supported IPs, it’s a cute thing to collect. There are enough forums and discords out there to make this product usable, but it is frustrating to buy something that isn’t perfectly usable out of the box.

If you want to buy the watch, the BE is the latest edition. You can get them on Amazon without a Dim in Black and White. The VV version does include a dim if you don’t mind the red. Your other option is to have them imported from Japan through either eBay or a trusted online retailer. I’ve seen Zenintcg thrown around a bit, but I haven’t bought from them. Always make your own research.

Tech Reviews

Tech Review: Logitech G335 Gaming Headset

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If you like what I do and want to show your support, please consider buying me a coffee

I want to start by saying that this isn’t a sponsored review. Unfortunately, I bought this headset with my own money. I will add affiliate links to the headset if you choose to buy it, but that won’t affect my opinion of the product.

The Logitech G355 Headset isn’t worth the $70 they are asking for. I got it on sale for $30 and feel a little better about my purchase, but you are getting what you pay for. Out of the box, this headset looks and feels cheap. The plastic feels so fragile that I thought it was going to break when I put them on. Thankfully they didn’t, but I don’t see them outliving my gaming career.

Images are from Amazon Product Page

The headset comes with a 3.5 mm headphone jack, but it includes a mic splitter for those of you playing on PC. It says it is compatible with all consoles and PC, but I only tested it for PC. Your mileage may vary, but I doubt it. The only cool feature this comes with is a nifty little wheel for volume control that is built into the headset. The G335 comes in black, mint, and white.

The only positive feature of this headset is how comfortable they are, but this is sure to be short-lived. The pads cupped my ears nicely, and the padding was thick and firm. They are a bit stiff out of the box, but they start to conform to your shape relatively quickly. The style of the ear pads prevented any noise from bleeding in or out, which is nice if you share a room. They aren’t sound canceling, but they will do the job for a time. I don’t have faith in the padding keeping its integrity for long. While the headset did get more comfortable over time, how quickly it did so has me worried. The G355 isn’t made with quality materials, and in a year or so, I fear they will become deflated and ugly.

If you are looking for a headset to talk with your friends, look elsewhere. While they may be better than other headsets in the $30 range, the mic is terrible. The mic does a terrible job of filtering any background noise. Whoever is on the receiving end of your voice chats will hear everything. The placement of the mic is too high, and trying to set gates to help filter the sound is useless. I found the best way to use this mic was through the use of a DAC/AMP, but I had to almost yell for the mic to pick up my voice. I used the Soundblaster X3 for my testing, but if you are going to buy a DAC for this headset, you are better off buying a better headset. I’ve included my audio test bellow:

https://churapereviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/mictest.mp3

The sound on this headset is alright. Music sounds very flat, even with equalizers or a DAC. It does have a decent amount of bass, but I fear it was only added to trick people into thinking it is a better headset. The boosted bass just makes everything sound flattered.

These will do if you need a cheap headset and don’t care about the sound or the mic, but only get these for $30. The colors are nice, but the cheap build will mean that these will be in the trash in a couple of years. For those of you interested, you can find this headset in all its colors on Amazon.

Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today! You can also try Amazon Prime with my Affiliate link!

Tech Reviews

Tech Review: Redragon K585 DITI Keypad

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If you like what I do and want to show your support, please consider buying me a coffee

I want to start off by mentioning that this isn’t a sponsored review. I bought this with my own money and these will be my honest review. All links in this review are my affiliate links, I get a little money if you choose to buy anything I link to.

The Redragon K585 DITI is a mechanical gaming keypad. The keypad has 42 keys and 7 onboard macro keys that are easy to program through their software. You get three options for key switches: red, brown, and blue. The red switches are their silent option, blue is their loudest, and brown is in between. The Redragon K585 DITI is available in both wired and wireless options. And just so you know that this is a gaming keypad, it has RGB.

Out of the box, you get the keypad, a plastic wrist rest, a keycap puller, a switch puller, a braided USB-c cable, a wireless dongle, extra switches for replacement, and a sticker. I choose the wireless option with the blue caps, so my set came with five blue switches.

Images taken from Amazon product page

At first glance, this keypad looks cheap. When you use it, it feels and sounds cheap as well. It’s not unusable nor breaks easily, but it is something to keep in mind. The blue switches are very loud; I recommend you buy one of the quieter options even if you like the sound. The blue switches do not produce the satisfying mechanical sound I am used to, but rather a cheap clanging that will annoy your housemates. You can probably lube the switches to reduce the sound and eliminate some of the clangings, but that is too much effort for a cheap keypad. You are better off spending a bit more for something better.

I used the keypad for about a month for all my gaming. The performance of the keypad was great at first. There was no noticeable latency, but the clanging got annoying. If you are using voice chat, everyone is going to hear your keypresses. Unfortunately, the wireless feature stopped working after a day. I tried updating the firmware, switching ports, and charging the battery, but the fixes were only temporary. I ended up returning the keypad because I couldn’t use it wirelessly.

Programing this keypad is easy. You plug in the keypad and use the software to customize the keys, macros, and lighting profiles. You can change the lighting profiles on the keyboard without having to go into the software which is nice. The macros were nice and I would use them to bind keys that I needed for gaming that this keypad didn’t have. Unfortunately, my bindings kept clearing so I stopped using them pretty early on as well.

The RGB is okay and offers a few options, but you are limited to the preset profiles. If you want better customization, I suggest you get a different keyboard. One pretty cool feature this keyboard has is that the backlight turns off when it is not in use. Unfortunately, I can’t speak about the battery life since I was forced to mostly use it wired. I recommend buying the wired version instead.

Maintenance for the keypad is very easy. The keycaps and switches are easy to remove for cleaning and replacement. I dropped the keypad accidentally from a low height, and one of the keycaps fell off. I was able to put it back without an incident, but I fear a higher drop might prove disastrous.

If you are looking to make your setup more ergonomic, look elsewhere. Although I found my hand position on this keypad comfortable, I could only game on this for an hour before my hand would cramp out and remain useless. The wrist rest offers no additional support and seems more like a gimmick than a feature. You are better off purchasing a third-party wrist wrest. If you are looking for an ergonomic mechanical keyboard, you are better off with the Kinesis Freestyle. You can see my full review on that here.

So is the Redragon K585 DITI worth your money? No, it is not. It feels, looks, and sounds cheap. The only reason I can see someone buying this keypad is if they need the portability. Otherwise, I suggest you spend a little more and buy a full-sized or split keyboard. If you are getting this keypad, get the wired version with quieter switches. You can buy both wireless and wired on Amazon with my affiliate links. The Redragon K585 DITI isn’t a terrible product, but you have better options.

Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today! You can also try Amazon Prime with my Affiliate link!

Tech Reviews

Tech Review: Razer Orbweaver Keypad

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My search for a more ergonomic gaming setup eventually landed me the Razor Orbweaver. Unfortunately, this device is no longer supported by Razor, and each day becomes an increased gamble of whether or not it will continue to work. That said, I love this keypad to bits and will continue to use it till it officially dies. I won’t be linking to this product because all I could find were listings with inflated prices that are not justifiable for this keypad. The most ideal price for this would be $50-$60 new, and that is pushing it.

The Orbweaver is a 30-button keypad that you can reprogram to fit your gaming style. The keypad can be easily remapped through the official Synapse app. You can save multiple different profiles that are game or program-specific. You can program the device to automatically switch profiles when certain programs or games are running. One issue I have with the software is that you do need to have an account with Razor to access your keybinds. The software will occasionally log you out, and if you lose your password, you have to start over. I wish they would have had onboard memory so that I didn’t have to sign into synapse every single time. Otherwise, the program is pretty straightforward, but I have heard people having issues with the buggy software.

Please note that Razor is no longer supporting the Orbweaver. There will no longer be any updates to the firmware or the software; it will eventually become unusable. I am sure there are third-party open-sourced solutions for remapping this device, but I haven’t looked into any because the current configuration works for me.

Images are from Amazon store

Build quality is another issue that you should consider when buying this keypad. It looks cool out of the box, but it feels cheap. I purchased mine as an Amazon renewed, and while I did get lucky, one of the directions on the thumbstick stopped working when the window for exchange closed. Since then, the bottom thumb key has stopped registering presses consistently, and I fear it will eventually stop registering presses completely. Aside from these two issues, the Orbweaver works perfectly, and I still plan on daily driving it till it dies.

What I love about the Orbweaver is how customizable the experience is. You can readjust the wrist, palm, and thumb rests to fit your hand size. People with larger hands might have an issue, but I was able to find a perfect configuration that has allowed for a much more comfortable gaming experience. I used to get bad wrist and hand pain that limited how much meaningful gaming I could get from a session. I used to only be able to manage 30 minutes of gaming before I had to give up because the pain was too much. I can now play for a lot longer without issue, although I still recommend taking regular breaks and stretching. This isn’t a perfect solution, and the pain comes back if I use the computer for longer than I should. This is currently the best solution I have found for me and my hands.

For gaming, the Orbweaver has been a fantastic upgrade. The pain in my hands and wrists used to make it difficult to hit all the number keys. This greatly affected my reflexes, and it made competitive gaming impossible. I love being able to remap the key to fit both my hands and my play style. I no longer have issues with overextension to reach the keys. If you are looking for something more comfortable, or even something that is more convenient, this keypad is a great option.

I love the Orbweaver, and under normal circumstances, I would be recommending it, but it’s just too expensive for what you are getting. Anyone over $50 new is asking too much. Buying it used is a gamble because the build quality isn’t reliable enough to be worth the risk. It won’t be falling apart, but it is something to keep in mind before paying. This device is also reaching the end of its life, and when Razor stops supporting its software, you will have to deal with third-party solutions. It is probably a better idea to look for alternatives or the Orbweaver’s successors if you thinking of buying a keypad unless you find it for cheap and don’t mind working a little harder.

Tech Reviews

Tech Review: Kinesis Freestyle2 Ergonomic Keyboard

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Last post I wrote about the Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB Keyboard, an ergonomic gaming keyboard that is nice but expensive. Know that if you are purchasing the Freestyle Edge, you are paying for the luxury of RGB backlighting. You can see my full review of the Freestyle Edge here. For a more affordable option, consider the Kinesis Freestyle2.

Before I begin, I would like to mention that I am not a doctor, and this review is based on my personal experience. For medical advice, always consult a doctor. This is not a paid review, but I will be using affiliate links to the products. If you choose to purchase anything I recommend, I get a small commission if you buy using my links. It isn’t much, but every little bit helps.

The Kinesis Freestyle2 is a wired split keyboard designed for ergonomics. The keyboard comes in a nine-inch split and a 20-inch split variation. I have the nine-inch split version, and I don’t feel like I need any more. Plan for your setup. I have wide shoulders, and the split design has allowed for a more comfortable position.

All images are from the amazon Product page.

My only complaint about the Kinesis split keyboards is that they do not come with the optional tenting kit. Kinesis offers an optional tenting kit for all their split keyboards for a more ergonomic experience. I used the Freestyle2 without the kit, but I am so used to the tilt that I had to buy the kit for this one as well. Most people should be fine using the keyboard without the kit, but personally, the tenting kit makes long typing sessions a lot more comfortable. The Freestyle2 has two options for tenting, a 15-degree variant ($40 on Amazon) and a 90-degree variant ($200 on Amazon). I use the 15-degree variant and think it is perfectly fine, but the 90-degree is a solid option if you prefer a vertical keyboard. I don’t have any experience with the 90-degree version and can’t speak on how sturdy it is.

The main differences between the Freestyle Edge and the Freestyle 2 are the switches and backlight. The Freestyle2 is a membrane keyboard with no backlight and it honestly doesn’t need either. The key presses are soft and responsive, but they aren’t customizable. I have been using this keyboard regularly for two years and haven’t seen any visible signs of wear and tear. Unfortunately, Kinesis doesn’t offer keycap replacements keycaps or mac conversions for this keyboard. The Freestyle2 also comes with a few preprogrammed macro keys for productivity. I haven’t found too much use for these with my workflow.

I used to use a cheap flat keyboard for work that left my hands useless by the end of my shift. There were days when I couldn’t finish my work because the pain would be unbearable. Since making the switch to the Freestyle2, I haven’t had any issues with pain in my hands and wrists. I recommend taking regular breaks and looking into stretches for added comfort. My only other complaint about this keyboard is that there is no number keypad. I don’t really need one for my workflow, the number line works well enough, but the split design makes using numbers a slower experience. It isn’t unmanageable, but people who work with numbers should look into getting a separate keypad. Kinesis offers a Numeric Keypad, currently $35.95 on Amazon, but you can choose your presence.

If you are looking to make your setup a bit more ergonomic, consider the Kinesis Freestyle2 Keyboard, currently $89 on Amazon. This is the perfect option if you don’t care about a backlight, customizations, or key switches. I will be continuing this series with some gaming peripherals that have also helped save my hands a bit more strain. Stay tuned for more.

Tech Reviews

Tech Review: Kenisis Freestyle Edge RGB Keyboard

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I’ve done a lot of research to find an ergonomic setup that fits my lifestyle. I do a lot of typing and gaming on my computer, and I needed a keyboard that could transition from both seamlessly. I was using a cheap mechanical keyboard before that left my hands useless. I love mechanical keyboards and wanted to find an ergonomic version that also had a backlight. The Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB keyboard was my answer, but it might not be yours.

Before I continue with this review, I would like to take a moment to mention that I am not a doctor. This review is based on my experience. Please consult your doctor for any medical concerns. I will also be using affiliate links for the product. If you decide to purchase the product, I get a small commission, but these will be my honest thoughts on the keyboard.

The Kinesis Freestyle Edge is a split keyboard. The split design allows for more natural hand placement, ideally relieving unnecessary strain from your hands and wrists. I have wide shoulders, and the split design allows for a more ideal placement that better fits my frame.

As far as mechanical keyboards go, the Edge is on the quieter side. I did opt for the quieter brown switches because I wanted softer key presses, but you can get one with the louder and more tactile blue switches if that fits your style better. The brown switches aren’t completely quiet, and you do get some sound, but it isn’t as loud as some of the cheaper mechanical keyboards out there.

This keyboard comes with nine programable macro keys that can be easily adjusted on the keyboard or through the official software. You can save two different profiles, which is nice if you share a computer with someone else or if you need nine extra macro keys. I don’t have much use for the macros except for media keys at the moment, but setting them up was very simple. The RGB profile can also be adjusted easily through the software. Any changes you make to this keyboard whether it be macros, profiles, or RGB is saved to the keyboard directly. If you switch to a different computer, all your profiles and macros transfer with the keyboard. It’s nice to not have to have another account to access your preferences or lose them if your computer wipes.

I love this keyboard and have been daily driving it for nearly three years without any issues. My only complaint with this keyboard is that it doesn’t come with the lift kit. Kineses offers a separate kit which isn’t necessary, but I do recommend it getting one. I used the keyboard without the kit for about a week before giving in and buying one. There was nothing wrong with the flat setup of the keyboard, but I use my computer too much and needed the additional ergonomics. The lift kit offers a more natural position for your hands, and I honestly can’t go back to using anything else.

The keycaps are nice. They are very soft to the touch, but you can customize your keyboard with third-party caps if they fit MX switches. Be mindful of the measurements. You might have trouble finding spacebars that fit this board. If you have a mac, Kinesis offers a separate kit to change your command keys. Unfortunately, the kit is an additional $28, and you have to install it yourself. The installation is very easy, even if you have no prior experience.

The Freestyle Edge is an adequate keyboard for gaming. The keys are responsive and easy to press, but the function keys are a bit out of reach for me. I often had to stretch to hit these keys, and my performance suffered. Games where I needed to press these keys more often would also tire my hands out more quickly. This is possibly a personal problem for my short stubby fingers, but it is something to keep in mind. Games that don’t require the function keys are fine. I could play for a lot longer before feeling any discomfort. I still recommend taking regular breaks and doing stretches keyboard this won’t fix the issues completely. For people who play and work a healthy amount, the Freestyle Edge is a fantastic solution.

So is it worth it? Honestly, this keyboard is a bit pricey for what you get. I bought it because I liked the style and the RGB and didn’t mind the tax for both options. But if you are on a budget and only need the ergonomics, there are better options. The Kenisis Freestyle Edge has made a huge difference in my setup, and I do not regret my purchase. I understand that this keyboard isn’t for everyone, but for those interested, you can buy it on Amazon.