Loupedeck +
Despite the fact that the classic mouse and keyboard have been around for many years, they are still the most convenient devices. And all the rethinking is, at best, 'almost as comfortable'. You don't have to go far for an example. Butterfly keyboards and a touch strip instead of a screen in a MacBook Pro, marketed Apple as a new evolution, are in fact inconvenient things. There are suspicions that we will finally abandon the 3.5 mm connector, forget about flash drives, USB ports, and standard keyboards will not go anywhere.
Simply put, I was rather skeptical when Loupedeck + was sent for review. This is a console that promises to make it easier to interact with graphics and video editors.
Considering the price of 18,990 rubles, I believe that this is a gadget for professionals who spend a lot of time editing content. Wedding photographers immediately come to mind. They usually have to process mountains of photos and videos. Looking ahead, I can say that for them, with a high probability, the purchase of Loupedeck + will be a good investment, since the console turned out to be a convenient thing.
About appearance
Loupedeck + is a remote control with an abundance of wheels and buttons. There are no complaints about the assembly. Good plastic, no backlash. The console is connected to the computer via USB. I thought what the option with connection via Bluetooth could have done.
In theory, you need to download the proprietary software, but if you connect Loupedeck + just like that, the console will work too. Each button is signed and it will perform its function. Here's the Copy button, here's Paste, here's Exposure, here's White Balance. But the software is still better to download, since Loupedeck + has a lot of 'empty' buttons to which you can tie the necessary functions. You can also set your own profiles for different programs.
About impressions
I already wrote that the potential of any new gadget or technology should be assessed from the position of whether the comfort from its use exceeds the suffering. For example, a regular keyboard is a rather difficult device to master, but if you learn to type blindly and memorize the basic universal hotkey combinations, then in terms of ease of use it will probably be able to surpass only a completely voice control interface.
In the case of Loupedeck +, as a conditional 'suffering' you can endure the fact that you have to get used to a new gadget. After all, professionals usually develop muscle memory for key combinations when their fingers jump on the keyboard. But comfort, in my opinion, still outweighs.
Firstly, there are relatively few keys, wheels and toggle switches, and they are located at a considerable distance from each other. You will have to retrain, but the classic situation when you impatiently click your thumb on your middle finger in the hope that it will help you find the right button can be avoided. I would say that it takes 2-3 hours to memorize the order of all the main buttons. The same amount to get used to the keyboard and start experimenting with creating hotkeys and shortcuts.
Secondly, Loupedeck + allows you to use physical buttons for what used to be done either with a mouse or by setting a digital value. And with the use of toggle switches, the accuracy and speed of operation are greatly enhanced
Thirdly, the device's ergonomics allows it to be used 'blindly'.
In conclusion, I can say that if I were to make a living processing photography, I would get myself such a thing.
Unfortunately, the price of the device is not what you can buy, and if you don't like it, put it aside. The 'toad' will choke. I recommend trying to find Loupedeck + for a test. For 2-3 full working days. The optimal time to evaluate the gadget.
Headphones from Basta MusicDealer S BT
Price: 4 990 rubles
At the end of May, rap artist Basta presented various headphones under the Z MusicDealer brand to the public. It's like a drug dealer and other gangsta shit, but it's legal. Very cool name, right?
Speaking about headphones from rappers, I can't help but note that so far, everything turns out very clearly in accordance with the merits of a particular artist. For example, Dr. Dre is a great artist and a great producer. Beats by Dr. Dre's are awesome when measured by the combination of marketing and sound. Yes, you can bet some Bose sounds better and for the price better. But in Bose, you won't be as cool as in Beats.
And here is the rapper Timati. And when it comes to him, first of all I want to say that he makes great burgers. But he has very few successful musical compositions. It's hard to listen, both in content and rhymes, and in sound. So his headphones turned out to be the same as his music. Converted Chinese consumer goods at an exorbitant price.
And finally, there is Vasily-Basta-Noggano-Nintendo. His tracks may be like or, for example, I may not like. But it must be admitted that Mr. Vakulenko makes a high-quality mass rap-pop product.
So the headphones turned out to be very high quality. And I would not even say that they are too expensive. Price – 4,990 rubles.
The package was approached with soul. The headphones come in a metal box with an embossed logo and a dust jacket on which Basta tells how serious he is about what he does.
Inside the box, of course, is pure gypsy. In addition to the headphones, a case, and instructions, there is also a set of stickers, a chevron, a rubber patch (cup holder ?!) and even a backpack bag (!). The backpack is of course aerobatics. Manned, as they say, brotherly and from the heart.
The headphones themselves are in the case. I was initially disappointed with them. The cable is rigid, the headband is somehow light and cheap to the touch, and the head-capsules of the headphones are weighty. I also didn't like the design of the microUSB charging, and it is not covered by anything.
Having spent more than a week in the headphones, I can say that in the end there are no questions about the cable. Hard, yes, okay. Doesn't interfere. The headband rests comfortably on the neck and is not felt. The headphone capsules are really heavy, but not annoying. However, headphones are not for active use. You will not take for a run – they will quickly fly out of your ears. But as a headphone for every day, it's a good thing.
First, the headphones have excellent noise isolation. They fit tightly into the ear, morally suppressing the surrounding noise. You can listen with pleasure even on the subway.
Secondly, the headphones have an excellent volume reserve and some unrealistic bass. Powerful, loud, juicy. Directly high. But this is also the minus of the headphones. They are 'sharpened' to hammer. Any rap and pop music, where drums take the main place, will be gorgeous on them. But if there is no bass in the composition, then the headphones will sound normally. On the other hand, they will still be clearly better than the same Samsung headset I use. But it is also positioned as a headset, and here is a Music dealer, everything is, so I was hoping for something more.
In promotional materials, Basta writes that he made headphones for himself. It is necessary to give Mr. Vakulenko to listen to more diverse music, then, perhaps, the next generation of 'ears' will be more universal.
Thirdly, the headphone heads can be removed and transplanted onto a standard wire with a 3.5 mm jack, which lies in the pocket of the case. Good idea considering the headphones take 2 hours to charge. The battery life is about 6.5 – 7 hours. Enough to drive from work and to work for three days, and then they start screaming that they should be charging.
The headphones have a few ridiculous (I'm not saying bad! Precisely ridiculous) moments:
- Headphones say 'Turn on' and 'Turn off' in the voice of a hoarse Chinese robot. Why was this done?
- Why isn't the microUSB charging port covered? It's so easy
- Why is a mini backpack included?
- Why is there a blinking blue LED on the control panel? I have the same on a sports headset from Motorola. It blinks and attracts the attention of others
- Vkusovschina, but, in my opinion, on the remote control the lowest button is always the first to hit the finger. It would be logical to tie the function of fast forwarding the track forward, and not backward, as it is now. The manufacturer's logic is that the increase in sound is at the top, and the increase is a type of movement forward, so there is fast forward
- And the last thing is precisely the bad moment. I may not have found this, but you cannot call Google Assistant from the headphones. By the way, talking on headphones is very good. Specifically, none of the interlocutors said anything bad.
The price of the headphones is 4,990 rubles. In my opinion, the cost is fair. Great quality headphones for every day.
Wireless charger
They also brought wireless charging for the test.
But I don't really understand what to test here. Plugged it in. Put the phone on top, charging. All. It's comfortable. But my Samsung Galaxy Note 9 took 1.5 times longer to charge wirelessly than wired.
I guess the scenario for wireless charging is like this: connect and place next to the monitor. And throw the phone not on the table, but on it, then it will always be recharged. Throughout the test, I did just that. Very comfortably.
But in general, I am wary of wireless charging and fast charging. It seems to me that they can overheat the phone, which can lead to premature battery degradation. But still, the battery will last for an average smartphone lifespan of 2 years. I think it is more correct to do what you feel most comfortable, and then take the device to the official service center, where the battery will be replaced for a modest sum of 2-3 thousand rubles.