Uniden MHS157 Dual Band VHF/UHF 2-way radio

More and more people are buying 2-way radios for their overland or marine adventures. The frequencies differ for each: UHF for land and VHF for water. This means having a separate 2-way for each. We review the Uniden MHS157 dual band VHF/UHF 2-way radio that enables you to have one handheld offering land and marine in one radio.

What is VHF vs UHF radio?

VHF stands for Very High Frequency and supports the marine 2-way frequencies used in Australia. You should possess a Marine radio or short-range radio certificate to operate a VHF radio. VHF Marine radio is used for all marine traffic, distress, and safety calls. A good practice when going out in your boat, especially offshore, is logging into and out of the local Marine rescue base using Channel 16. Marine weather is also transmitted on these frequencies. For safety and inter-boat communication, most boats carry a VHF radio.

UHF stands for Ultra High Frequency and is the primary band for land-based 2-way communication. No license is required to use it; you will find it used in restaurants, retail stores, job sites and farms beyond recreational use. Any serious RV traveller, truckie or 4-wheel driver will have a UHF 2-way radio.

We previously wrote a guide to buying a handheld radio or walkie-talkie. VHF and UHF radios can be bought in either 12-volt inbuilt units for a vehicle or boat or as a handheld unit containing a battery power source. Different models can transmit at different power outputs of up to 5 watts, which will determine the range the other party will receive. Many other factors affect range, including antenna type, topography and obstacles.

A UHF radio is for land use, and a VHF radio is for Marine Use!

Uniden MHS157 dual band VHF/UHF Features

Many people will buy a UHF radio for land use and a VHF for marine use. Most, including myself, had no idea you could have one unit to achieve both. Uniden is the only brand in Australia to produce dual-band radios for consumers.

The MHS157 is bright yellow, so it is hard to miss, especially if you drop it overboard. If you did, it will float and is also IPX7-rated. It would be best not to intentionally give your radio a swim. Still, IPX7 means it is designed to withstand 1 metre of submersion for 30 minutes if you do. If your boat turned over, the radio would float, and you could call for help.

Transmission power determines how far your voice will travel. When used in close range, you do not want everyone in long range listening to what you say, so a lower power is more suitable. A lower transmission power will also extend battery life. Both bands have low, medium, and high power settings, and the transmit key (push to talk button) has a second transmit button labelled boost. When pressing this button, it automatically transmits at the highest level, no matter your default power setting. In Marine VHF mode, the choices are 1W, 2.5W and 5W. In Land UHF mode 0.5W, 1.5W and 2.5W. Note that other UHF handhelds can legally transmit at up to 5W.

The VHF features include a dedicated weather channel key, which will tune you into channel 67 for Australia, where weather forecasts are regularly broadcast. A triple watch mode allows you to monitor three channels simultaneously, such as Ch16 for emergencies, the weather channel, and another channel you might be communicating with your mates. The VHF channels you can access are the international channels, so unlike the land channels, your marine channels will work no matter where you are in the world.

The UHF band has the standard 80 channels available in Australia and will also work with repeater stations, extending your reception up to 100km, depending on conditions. For those wanting more privacy, the UHF can be set up with DCS and CTCSS codes so only the other party with similar settings will hear the conversation.

The Uniden MHS157 Dual Band VHF/UHF retails for $300 and comes with a 3-year warranty.

What comes in the box?

You will find the radio with a belt clip and the antenna removed in the box. There are two battery options: an 1100mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable battery or a battery tray requiring 4 AAA batteries (AAA batteries not supplied). The AAA battery option gives you a get-out-of-jail ticket, assuming you have some AAA batteries and no charging source for the Lithium. Note transmission power output is reduced when using the AAA solution.

To recharge the Lithium battery, the Handheld radio is placed in a supplied cradle with a 12-volt cig charge charger lead and a mains power lead.

The radio must be assembled by removing the rear cover, plugging in the required battery pack, replacing the back cover and installing the screw-in antenna and belt clip.

Using the Uniden MHS157

The Uniden MHS 157 Dual Band VHF/UHF radio has a longer antenna than other UHF handhelds, but its construction is flexible and durable. The upside is it is harder to lose. The illuminated display is easy to read with a battery indicator, channel, band, and power setting. Changing between UHF and VHF is as simple as pressing the Band/Menu button once. Keylock can also be activated to stop you from invertedly changing channels, etc.

Voice reproduction is clear and loud with the squelch at the default setting. Squelch helps to cut out the background hiss enabling clearer reception.

We did not like the belt clip, which seems less useful than what we have seen in other models with a spring clip. We would have liked to have had the ability to scan all channels rather than a select few. However, this is more for fun than practicality.

Two features we like that we have not seen before include a vibrate function when a transmission is received on the UHF and a busy channel lockout, which stops you from transmitting when the channel is active.

Note the knob on the top at the left is not for volume but a waterproof cover for an external speaker to be connected.

Summary – Dual Band VHF/UHF Radio Review

If you own a trailer boat and a four-wheel drive to tow it, then the Uniden MHS157 Dual Band VHF/UHF radio is for you. One device will fulfil most of your basic 2-way needs with your safety and communication covered.

Even if you don’t own a boat, this unit makes a great handheld to pair with an in-car mounted UHF. Suppose your are camping on the beach, and you can also use it to communicate with your mates out in their boats and for in-car to handheld communication.

Phillips 5000 series Kettle and Toaster review

A saying goes along the lines of buy cheap, pay twice. This is exactly what happened at the Small Business Answers office. Our toaster recently failed, and we went to Big W and bought the home brand product because it was just for the office. The sub $10 toaster lasted about a month before it failed. We review the Phillips 5000 series Kettle and Toaster to understand why you should spend a little more.

Should you spend more on a branded product?

With a mandatory Australian warranty, if an appliance fails, yes, you can get another, but do you want the inconvenience of doing that? If you buy at a price, you will unlikely get the quality and features of a branded product. Our experience is paying that bit extra for a brand to get the quality and piece of mind for years from a brand that has to differentiate its offer from something sold purely at the cheapest price.

Phillips HD9353 Kettle Features

The Philips 5000 series stainless steel HD9353 Kettle is a 2000W 1.7 Litre with a standalone base and a keep warm feature.

This kettle retails for $90 and comes with a 2-year warranty.

It is particularly useful for a small office environment. Once you boil the kettle, the keep warm feature keeps the water boiled so when the next person comes to make a cup of tea, the water is ready to be poured. A safety feature ensures the kettle switches off in a boil-dry situation.

The cord and non-slip base are separate from the kettle, delivering a cordless experience for pouring once boiled. The boiling process is fast, with a flat 2060-watt boiling element with an LED light to indicate operation.

Those users who live in a region with hard water (areas with higher water levels of calcium or magnesium) will benefit from the 200-micron filter, which will catch any scale produced as a by-product of boiling hard water.

Other features include an easy-to-read water level indicator, push-button lid and windable cord storage in the base.

Phillips HD2650 Toaster Features

The Phillips 5000 series stainless steel HD2650/90 Toaster has a 2-slot wide slice capacity with bun rack and defrost mode.

The HD2650/90 retails for $90 and has a two-year warranty.

If you ever thought all toasters were the same beyond appearance, you are wrong. It is the little things that make the difference. Assume you have a thin slice of toast and a thick crumpet, both of which need toasting. To accommodate, a wide slot solves this. Still, not really, as unless you can centre both a thick and thin slice within the toaster, you will have uneven cooking. The 5000 series uses a centring mechanism to accommodate whatever you place in each slot. When removing your toast, the toasting lever can be lifted to extend your smaller items out of the toaster, which is much safer than putting your fingers into the slot.

Rolls or items such as croissants can be warmed on a raised frame above the toaster with a suggested temp setting to associate this on the dial with a special symbol, making it simple to understand what to do.

The reheat button was a feature we could find no explanation for in the manual on the website or the box. How many times have you cooked your toast, been disrupted and ended up eating cold toast. Now, simply press the reheat button.

Other features include a removable bread crumb tray, 8 browning settings, a defrost mode and a stop button that cancels the cycle when pressed, which is great for raisin toast, which cooks more quickly.

Safety-wise, there is an auto-off if a slice of toast gets stuck.

Using the Phillips 5000 series Kettle and Toaster

When it comes to appliances, you expect them to work and keep working. The real test is the test of time, and we have no reason to believe the 5000 series will not survive that.

When using the Phillips 5000 series kettle and toaster in a work environment, users tend not to be as careful as in their own home. The sturdy construction and 2-year warranty give that peace of mind.

So far, the water is boiled, the toast is made, and everyone in the office is happy.

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EPOS IMPACT 1061 ANC review

Noise-cancelling headphones are no longer just for call centres. Our new world is filled with video calls, open-plan offices or working from home. Noise cancellation has become more important than ever before. We look at the latest high-end business headsets, the EPOS IMPACT 1061 review.

What is an EPOS IPACT 1000?

The 1000 series from EPOS lets you choose between a single or double-sided (ear) headset, whether noise cancellation is a feature (ANC), which applications you will use, Microsoft Teams or Unified Communication, and if you require the charging stand.

The EPOS IMPACT 1061 is a high-end wireless headset designed for professionals who must make clear calls and collaborate effectively in noisy environments. It features active noise cancellation (ANC), a high-quality microphone, and a comfortable design.

The ANC effectively blocks background noise, such as traffic, construction, and office chatter. This allows you to focus on your calls and meetings without being interrupted. The microphone is also excellent, with clear sound quality and good noise suppression. This makes it ideal for video conferencing and online meetings.

The IMPACT 1000 is comfortable to wear for long periods. The ear cups are padded with memory foam, and the headband is adjustable. The headset also has a sleek and stylish design.

 In addition to ANC and a good microphone, the IMPACT 1061 also offers several other features, such as:
  • Triple Bluetooth connectivity: Connect to up to three devices simultaneously to easily switch between calls and music.
  • Wireless charging: The headset has an optional wireless charging stand, so you can easily top up the battery without plugging it in. Unlike some other models available, this stand does not have any wireless capabilities for enhanced connection.
  • Long battery life: The headset can last up to 30 hours on a single charge.
  • Durable build quality: The headset is made from high-quality materials and is designed to withstand everyday use.
The IMPACT 1061 is also compatible with the EPOS Connect App, which offers several additional features, such as:
  • Active noise cancellation (ANC) presets: Choose from various ANC presets to optimize the noise cancellation for your environment.
  • Sidetone: Adjust the sidetone level to hear your voice in the headset.
  • Equalizer: Adjust the EQ settings to customize the sound profile.

WHY should you buy wireless noise-cancelling headsets?

EPOS markets these headsets with a feature called BrainAdapt. Put simply, this is just a fancy name for noise cancellation. The theory is that reducing the amount of background noise makes it easier for your brain to concentrate. We are massive fans of noise cancellation. More commonly called ANC or Adaptive Noise Cancellation.

These EPOS headphones not only reduce background noise for the wearer but also reduce background noise entering the microphone. Hence, the person at the other end also has an enhanced experience.

The result is both parties can clearly hear one another, and the conversation is easy to understand.

What is in the Box?

In the 1061 T ANC box, you will find the headset, a soft carry pouch, a USB Bluetooth dongle, a 1.2m USB cable and a wireless charging stand.

The getting started instructions are written on the inside of the box, which is clever.

Some additional features of the headset:

  • The ear cups are made of soft leatherette and are well-padded, providing a comfortable fit.
  • The headband is also padded and adjustable, so you can find the perfect fit.
  • The microphone is on a flexible boom arm, so you can position it in the best spot for your voice.
  • The headset has a touch-sensitive control panel on the right ear cup. This panel lets you answer calls, control music playback, and adjust the volume.
  • The headset comes with a carrying case and a wireless charging stand.

Prices for the EPOS IMPACT 1000 series start at $485 for single-sided headphone and $659 for double-sided headphones with ANC to the top of the line with a charging stand for $735. The included warranty is 2 years.

Using the IMPACT 1061 headset

My go-to test for any headset I test is walking the street while calling my mother on a telephone call. This is the ultimate test for both parties to see the effects of cars, trucks, construction, lawnmowers, etc. I am pleased to share that these headsets deliver and have the best ANC for the user and recipient I have ever tested. This is key because it really is the point of these headsets and also goes a long way to justify their top-end price tag.

These headsets are also designed to be worn all day, so they must be comfortable and not give you a headache from pushing on your head. The microphone must also not be intrusive. Everyone’s head is different, but I found these headsets to be very comfortable. The button on the bottom of the left earphone (The microphone is normally on your right) allows you to easily enable talk-through mode, allowing conversation without removing the headphones. I also found that taking my glasses on and off was not burdened at all by the headphones.

The 30m quoted Bluetooth range is more than enough. I could comfortably walk around all parts of my house whilst maintaining a call.

Our Take EPOS 1061 ANC headset review

The EPOS IMPACT 1061 is a great choice for professionals who need a high-quality wireless headset with ANC. It is comfortable to wear, has a good microphone, and offers several useful features. However, it is also pricey, so it may not be the best choice for everyone.

These headphones have really got noise cancellation right and are just as effective at removing yelling children as workmates.

Also read our guide on buying headsets for business

EXPAND Vision 1M USB meeting room camera review

Face-to-face meetings no longer mean you are in the same location. For small businesses, this is both good and bad. The good is less travelling time, and the bad is the quality of your image and audio at your client’s end.

What is an EXPAND Vision 1M USB meeting room camera?

The EPOS EXPAND Vision 1M USB meeting room camera is a USB camera designed to be used in a room of up to around 10 people. The camera is portable but can also be permanently installed in a meeting room.

WHY should you consider a meeting room camera?

Over the years, video conferencing from a meeting room has been problematic. Primarily driven by using the equipment has been so complicated that no one knows how to use the equipment. Systems have also been so expensive that they have been prohibitive to small businesses. Although not cheap in small business terms, this 4K resolution capable camera automatically adjusts its zoom to ensure members in the room are in frame and thus inclusive to the participants not in the room. The $1,185 recommended retail price provides a simple solution and includes quality features that work.

What is in the Box?

Not much! But that is the point. You get the camera, USB A to USB C cable, bracket, and screws. The instructions are printed on the inside of the box, so there is less to throw out.

The camera has a 2-year warranty, measures 42x194x34 mm and weighs less than 700 grams. We know the camera supports 4K resolution, equal to the best image most consumer TVs can produce today. There are, however, no published specs on the camera. Visually it is much larger than what you would find installed in a laptop or webcam, meaning its image quality will be higher. Bigger lenses let in more light etc.

Physically there is one button on the top, which, once powered then pressed, causes a mechanical eyelid to close over the camera lens for privacy. On either side of the lens are two led strips illuminating when the camera is live, indicating you are being recorded.

On the rear of the camera is a Kensington lock which can be used for security.

Using the EXPAND Vision 1M meeting room camera

The EXPAND Vision 1M Can be placed on a table, mounted on a wall or even mounted on a standard camera tripod. As long as it points at the audience, an intelligent framing mode automatically refocuses the camera on the subjects in the room. I tested this by moving around a room whilst on a call to which the camera would refocus on me and best use the available image space. If I was the only person in the room, the camera would zoom in on me so my head and the top of my torso would be in the frame. If others were in the room, it would zoom out so everyone sitting at the table was in focus. The key benefit here is that no human interaction is required; the camera does this automatically.

Setting up and using the camera is as simple as plugging the camera into your PC’s USB port. The camera is certified and works best with Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Once your video conferencing software is open (e.g., Zoom), go to your settings, and you will find the Vison M1 is available to be selected under the video settings. Please select it, and now your conferencing software is using the M1.

The Vision M1 can be used with a separate room controller, making it independent of an individual’s PC. We see this as an unnecessary expense for small businesses and start to complicate the installation and use.

For audio, you do need a separate speaker and microphone. This can be done with your attached laptop or an independent speaker, speaker and microphone. Please search our site for reviews on speakerphones. EPOS has a solution called an Expand80, but you could use any brand, and a speaker phone will provide a much better result.

Our Take EXPAND Vision 1M meeting room camera review

Having multiple people in a room and doing a conference call has traditionally been problematic. The quality of the image and who is in the frame for the external parties on a conference call is normally not a good experience.

The EXPAND Vision 1M meeting room camera is a plug-and-play 4K high-resolution camera that automatically keeps all participants in focus. Set up is a breeze, and using the camera is as simple as selecting the Vision M1 in Zoom or Teams and getting on with business.

Tado smart AC control review

Electricity prices to increase by 20%. This seems to be a common news headline these days. With this in mind, how do we keep an eye on saving electricity in a small office? One of the biggest uses of electricity is heating and cooling. With this in mind, we look at the Tado smart AC control

WHY should you consider a smart AC control?

The Tado smart AC control V3+ is a wireless smart device that controls your air conditioner (AC) to help you save energy. This accessory is mounted in the same room as your AC and effectively replaces your remote control. The Tado has several smarts inside that allow a schedule to be set up of operation times and different temperatures. It can detect if anyone is in the room or if a window or door has been left open. It can even be set up to geo-fence, which means it will switch on the AC when you are getting close to your office in the car and switch it off if you go outside that area based on the location sent from your smartphone.

What is in the Box?

The Tado smart AC control is available from stores like JB HiFi and Officeworks for $143. Inside the box, you will find a 100mm by 100mm x 15mm panel available in both white and black. A 1.85m USB cable and an AC power supply. There is a quick start guide to download the Tado app to your Apple or Android smartphone.

The sensor is capable of measuring temperature and humidity. It has a LED matrix pattern on the front which can display basic words symbols and the temperature. The surface also recognises when it is touched.

Within your office, you could support up to 25 air conditioners with 25 Tado’s, and up to 100 staff could use the App.

Using the Tado controller

The setup was very simple. The unit comes with 2 sticky pads allowing you to mount the box easily to the wall. The rear of the unit has lugs enabling you to wind up any excess cable.

After registering the App, you scan the QR code on the removable front sticker or rear, point your AC’s wireless remote at the Tado and press on as if you were starting your AC. I was surprised that the Tado instantly recognised my AC. Other than customising settings on the App, I was done. Setting up a smart home is not normally this easy. Speaking of which, Tado works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit.

Humidity is a problem in some parts of Australia, especially Sydney, where the temperature may be comfortable, but the humidity is not. Tado is smart enough to change your AC to dehumidify a room rather than cooling it again to save electricity.

We did not like that although all the basic features are included in the purchase price, advanced features such as auto assist must be subscribed to via the App for $5 a month. The key features that will save power, like geo-fencing, are the auto assist features.

Our Take SanDisk Extreme PRO review

The Tado smart AC control turns your dumb AC into a smart one that allows you to control temperature and run times to minimise your power bills.

Tado is so confident they offer a 100-day money-back guarantee.

This product will suit those businesses that run their AC whenever people are in the office and help you save money, especially for those forgetful staff members that forget to turn the AC off at night.

SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD review

Copying data, backing up data or simply removing some photos from your phone has been made super simple with the cloud (internet). However, what if you have no internet access, insufficient allowance, or want to keep a copy of your data yourself. For this very purpose, we have reviewed the SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD

What is SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD?

The SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD is an external super fast solid state hard drive built to fit in your pocket. It is resistant to dropping, dust and water.

WHY should you consider a Portable SSD?

The Extreme Pro allows you to access your data files anywhere and anytime as long as you can plug it into a supported smartphone or PC. This tiny drive easily fits in your pocket or can hang from your backpack, meaning where you go, it goes. It connects via a cable and draws its power from your device, so no internet or mains power is required. You can carry a large amount of data in 1TB, 2TB or 4TB capacities.

The SanDisk Extreme Pro suits photographers or anyone creating large amounts of data on the run. It also lends itself nicely to backing up your small office data and taking it home with you each night rather than transporting traditional bulky hard drives. Data not on the internet is harder to steal or encrypt via ransomware.

What is in the Box?

The drive measures approximately 1cm x 6cm x 11cm and weighs less than 90 grams making it very easy to slip into a pocket. It is made with a forged aluminium chassis that protects the drive and is handy for dissipating heat. The heat dissipation allows consistent transfer speeds of up to 2000MB/s for both read and write, which is about as good as you will get with an external drive. A rubber coating on its exterior means the drive can survive a 2m fall and is IP55 water and dust resistant.

Included in the box are both a USB -C and a USB-A cable allowing you to connect to different devices.

Priced from $399, Western Digital, who owns the SanDisk brand, is so confident in the product that it comes with a 5-year warranty.

Using the SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD

SBA tested the 1TB model and found the hard drive in our latest Dell notebook could not keep up with the SanDisk. Large video files are copied across as if they were single photos. Thus, this SSD will minimise the time taken to transfer data.

If I was uploading files to the internet via the NBN, I could do this at a maximum speed of 20MB/s, given my average NBN plan. This means SanDisk has the potential to transfer the data 100 times faster.

The drive is so fast that we can edit video straight off and to the drive without storing any video footage on the PC’s drive.

An unexpected benefit of this drive is that I can connect the USB-C cable straight to my Android Oppo smartphone. The phone powers the drive when connected; if I needed to remove photos, it is as simple as copy and paste. I transferred 1329 photos in less than 15 seconds.

For those who want to keep the data safe on the drive. Software is included for PC and Mac that allows 256-bit AES hardware encryption which will keep your data private with password access.

Our Take SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD review

For users who own a compatible Android phone and take lots of videos and photos, this is the new thumb drive from 10 years ago. Being able to transfer data at blazing speed, encrypt it and know the storage device can take a battering in the elements is peace of mind for your data.

Small businesses can use the Extreme PRO Portable SSD to quickly and easily keep a backup of their most important data and take it home with them each night in their pocket. This ensures that data can be restored and business continuity continues if disaster strikes.

Uniden App Cam PANO dual lens review

With one of our eyes, we can see approximately 130 degrees horizontally; with two eyes, that increases to around 200 degrees. For perspective, 180 degrees is straight left and right and everything in between. When it comes to a camera lens, a special single lens can see up to 180 degrees, but the picture is very distorted. The Uniden App Cam PANO has solved this dilemma by providing a security camera that uses two cameras with images stitched together to give an accurate 170-degree field of view.

In this review, we look at how a Uniden PANO can benefit your small business or home and how it stacks up.

What is an App Cam PANO??

The Uniden App Cam PANO is a weatherproof 4K resolution dual lens spotlight security camera providing an accurate 170-degree image.

Traditionally, a fish eye style of lens would be used to get such a wide field of view, which caused the image to be drastically distorted. This is not ideal when the image is used for security camera footage for accurate surveillance. The Uniden PANO has two cameras built into its housing, each capturing footage at a slightly different angle off-centre. The image from each camera is then digitally merged to produce a single image with accurate proportions.

Uniden app cam PANO 170-degree field of view
Old App Cam solo field of view

Why should you consider an App Cam PANO?

The PANO is a mains-powered camera with dual-band 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi connectivity. Being mains powered allows the camera to record continuously to a bought separately SD card. Battery-powered cameras are limited to recording in segments to save battery power. The support for dual-band Wi-Fi allows easier connection to your Wi-Fi network. Also, it provides a faster medium to transfer the 4K images. A 4K image is 4 times the quality you will see on a Free to air HD broadcast but also requires 4 times the storage and network bandwidth to be transferred. Those with no or poor Wi-Fi coverage also have the option to connect an Ethernet cable to the camera.

The PANO has built-in 560 lumens spotlights which activate when motion is detected. This helps improve the colour reproduction at night to about 10 metres from the camera. The lights can be deactivated with the cameras still recording an accurate night vision image up to 30 metres away but with less colour.

A challenge of video surveillance is the number of false triggers that can occur. A bush blowing in the wind, a dog or even, sometimes, a large insect can trigger an alert. Uniden uses a passive infrared sensor to identify movement combined with some artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce false alerts and allow you to differentiate between people and cars. This means if you had the camera facing a busy road, you can ignore cars moving past and only identify people. An additional feature within the setting is Pet detection (Beta), which will use that same AI to keep an eye on your cats or dogs. These features are customisable with additional sensitivity control.

If you install the maximum SD card size of 256GB, you can record up to 8 hours of footage. The camera can also be connected to Uniden’s Network Video Recorder (NVR) solution, which supports up to 3TB of recording or 93 hours.

Other handy features include the ability to have customised recordable voice alerts if the camera is triggered. An example, you could record a message” you have been captured on video surveillance; please leave the premises”. If that’s not your style, then a plain old siren can be triggered. If you wish certain parts of the image not to trigger an alert, you can mask that section and blur out certain parts of the recorded image for privacy.

A reason not to buy The PANO is the lack of Cloud connectivity. You cannot save the camera vision directly to cloud storage from the PANO. Other App cam models come with 7 days of free cloud storage with the option to subscribe for longer storage periods.

What is in the Uniden box?

In the box, you will find all the mounting hardware to install your camera on a horizontal or vertical surface and a pole. You will note the PANO comes with 2 antennae which help with the reception and moving the larger amount of data from the high-resolution camera.

PLANO size versus SOLO

If Wi-Fi reception is impossible, the power cable has a tail with an Ethernet socket. This allows the camera to be connected to an NVR or simply the Internet via an Ethernet cable.

The camera is much bigger than previous models weighing in at 700 grams and measuring 195x103x56 mm.

Using the app cam PANO

A word of warning when installing the camera. Consider carefully how you will mount it and ensure the mounting plate is orientated to allow the provided brackets to bend in the direction you need. I got it wrong and had to remove the bracket and redrill the holes to rotate it 180 degrees.

Initial setup of the camera to connect it you the App Cam solo App is done before mounting. The process is straightforward, with your phone scanning a QR code on the camera. Once operational and mounted, you can use the app to customise the various settings. It is from here that the features discussed above are controlled.

The live camera vision can also be shared with others. The process is as simple as downloading the app and scanning a QR code from the initial administrator’s phone or a photo of the QR code.

A quirky feature allows time-lapse images to be captured, creating a minute-long montage of a set period. You might use this to create a montage of a day through the construction of a new building.

Previous to the PANO, I had an HD camera in a similar position. The PANO can see my complete back garden, whereas I only had a partial view before. This not only ensures that any intruder is captured on video but also there are no blind spots for someone to approach and disable the camera without being seen.

zoomed in image from Uniden Solo (1K resolution)
Zoomed in image from PLANO 4K resolution

The stitched-together image is impressive. Coupled with the 4K resolution, you can zoom into detail across a wide panorama.

Our Take

The Uniden app cam PANO takes the range of cameras from Uniden in a unique direction by offering a twin lens(camera) solution enabling almost a side-to-side view in 4K resolution. In a security situation, this ensures you get the detail and complete view from the perspective of a wall looking out. Its powerful night vision and added security lights ensure that darkness is not an inhibitor to its functionality. With the ability to ignore cars from a busy road to avoid unnecessary alerts on your smartphone, we rate this security camera highly.

More details can be found from Uniden and it is available for $399.95

Video doorbell for small business?

With so many staff working from home, your office might be unattended or short-staffed. A video doorbell may be just the solution to allow your small business to continue functioning even if no one is in the office.

What is a video doorbell?

A video doorbell allows a video image to be displayed on a screen when someone presses the doorbell. A smart doorbell is an internet-connected doorbell that will enable notifications and pictures to be sent to a smartphone or a smart home assistant screen.

One of the cool features of a smart doorbell is that you can answer your door from anywhere in the world with internet access. You do not have to be in the same physical location.

If we assume everyone works from home on a Wednesday and there is no one at your work location. A courier presses your doorbell, and you immediately get an alert on your smartphone and an image of the courier. With 2-way talk, you can ask for your delivery to be left at the business next door. 

Another good scenario is to help deal with door-to-door salespeople. You could send them on their way without even leaving your desk.

Why should you consider a ring video doorbell?

All this technology sounds pretty expensive. Ring, an Amazon company, sells their 2nd generation video doorbell for $150. For an extra $40, you can add a wireless chime. The chime lets others know you have a visitor without the smartphone app.

The doorbell comes with a charging cable and installation screws, including special security screws stopping someone from simply removing your doorbell from its bracket. Unless you hardwire the doorbell, you will need to remove the doorbell periodically to recharge its battery.

It is a pretty simple installation by screwing into a wall or door frame if used wirelessly. The ring doorbell does need to be within wireless range of your business Wi-Fi router. This, combined with downloading the ring app, will allow you to control and receive alerts. Your smartphone app enables video images to be displayed and for 2-way communication to occur with your visitor who has pressed the doorbell.

The ring can also be configured so you can also receive notifications if someone comes within view of the camera. This is a great security feature and does not require the visitor to push the button, whether a welcome visitor or not.

Features of the Ring generation 2 doorbell

The camera can record video in HD, the same resolution you would experience on an HD free-to-air TV channel. If it is nighttime and you have no external lights, the camera will see for approximately 10 meters in black and white tones.

Connectivity to the Ring is via 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi. As an Amazon product, you can use Alexa connectivity if you have an Amazon smart home ecosystem.

The ring doorbell is also capable of six pre-set responses if you are away from your smartphone, for example, while exercising.

Real-world tests

The notification is surprisingly fast given that the act of pressing the button must go through the internet to cloud-based servers.

One of the challenges of video surveillance is that the camera can pick up movement in the background. For example, if your video doorbell faced a busy street, we would not recommend using movement detection as you would constantly be getting alerts. There is a feature where you can mask video capture areas so movements in those sections will not trigger a warning.

Areas of the screed can also be masked so they will not be recorded if you need to maintain someone’s privacy.

The setup procedure via the app is very easy, with a step-by-step guide including a guide to help you actually install the doorbell on the wall.

If you wish to keep a record of videos, a subscription Ring protection plan is available for $4.95. This plan enables recordings to be stored for 180 days and also be exported for your own storage. This plan also adds person detection, determining if a person is in the shot and only sending a notification.

Our Take

Your small business with a located entry will benefit from a video doorbell by sending motion alerts as well as from a doorbell being pressed to your smartphone.

Two-way talk allows you to interact with your visitor even if you are in another city or perhaps just a few meters away from your desk.

This smart doorbell at a low entry price gives you greater flexibility to manage your visitors even when no one is at your business premises.

D-link Eagle Pro AI M32 review

We are a big fan of the Eagle Pro AI range of routers at Small Business Answers. We have previously reviewed the D-Link M15 mesh router solution in the range for our sister publication GadgetGuy. As a small business, you may not understand what a wireless network router is or how important it is in running your business. In this review of the D-Link Eagle Pro AI M32, we will cut through the jargon and share with you the benefits of rolling out a Mesh Wi-Fi solution.

What is a Mesh Wi-Fi router?

Let’s start by talking about the problem you are solving. Employees need to connect to the internet and share information within your business location. The device they are using could be a barcode scanner, an eftpos terminal, a tablet, a PC, a printer a shared data storage solution.

To achieve this, you need a Wi-Fi router. A Wi-Fi router takes a single connection from most likely the NBN or could be a 4G/5G mobile data hotspot. And share that internet access either by Ethernet cable or a Wi-Fi signal. A router takes one connection and allows multiple devices to connect to it whilst being a traffic cop to ensure everything runs smoothly.

A Mesh Wi-Fi router allows you to have several Satellite boxes spread around your premises to extend the Wi-Fi range. Thus, you could have good Wi-Fi coverage in your showroom, back office and warehouse. Each satellite needs to be in good Wi-Fi range of each other, and this will be around 15-20 meters depending on interference like walls which reduce the signal strength. The Satellites can also be linked by Ethernet cable, allowing you to place a satellite out of Wi-Fi range.

Mesh makes extending your Wi-Fi network across a greater area easier and allows your connected devices to connect seamlessly. Older extender devices were hard to set up, and your devices did not like switching between the router and different extenders.

WHY should you consider a D-Link M32?

The D-Link M32 is D-Links fastest speed W-Fi Mesh solution. It supports a 2.4Ghz (will provide a greater range) up to data transfer speeds of 800Mbps and 5Ghz (faster speeds) up to 2400Mbps Wi-Fi frequencies.

The M32 3-pack will give you Wi-Fi coverage in a larger area up to 710 square metres for a small business or a home.

Suppose you have lots of devices that will share your mesh system. In that case, the M32 can support up to 8 simultaneous data streams with its antenna configuration. This is double what was previously supported on their M15 model. Think of it as if you had 20 people in a room 8 conversations could be happening at once, whereas once only 4 could occur. You could have more than 100 devices connected to the mesh system; they would all have to take their turn but unlikely need to communicate all at once.

The latest Wi-Fi 6 standard is supported, which means any devices supporting Wi-Fi 6 will benefit from better security, improved coverage and faster throughput.

The Eagle Pro uses artificial intelligence. This is clever software that automatically makes things work better by adjusting the signals to improve your individual situation. Let’s say your business is in a busy industrial or retail complex where each other business has a Wi-Fi network. This will mean everyone is competing for radio frequencies or channels. The Eagle Pro will work out which channels others are not using and automatically use the least congested channels.

The M32 automatically moves your connected devices between the Wi-Fi bands to maximise performance. It will also recognise some applications need more bandwidth. The software ensures that devices needing lots of internet bandwidth get what it needs to work properly, like video conferencing.

What is in the Box?

The M32, also called Eagle Pro AI AX3200 Mesh system, is available in a 3-pack for $600 and a 2-pack for $449. Having the 3rd satellite will increase your coverage from up to 510 square meters to up to 710 square metres. Range depends on environmental factors such as electrical or radio interference and physical barriers like furniture, walls, floors, or windows.

The tested 3 pack has 3 satellites with power packs, an Ethernet cable and a simple start-up sheet.

Extending your coverage further is simply a matter of adding an additional satellite. D-Link makes this simple by offering a whole range of Eagle Pro products which will all work together to expand your mesh solution.

The M32 has a 2 Gigabit LAN (local area network) port on each satellite so devices like a printer or shared storage device can easily be connected. This is useful if the device you want to connect does not support Wi-Fi. Alternatively, network traffic for the connected device is expected to be very high. Meaning it does not have to wait for its turn to communicate via Wi-Fi.

Using the D-Link Eagle Pro AI M32

All the Eagle Pro products from D-Link use the same smartphone App to set up your new router. Unlike previous mesh multipacks from D-Link, any of the 2 or 3 included 16 x 7 x 19cm satellites can be used as the box you connect to the internet. This is done with a supplied Ethernet cable that connects to your NBN modem and the yellow Ethernet port on the rear of your M32 box. Plug in the router and press the power switch next to the cable input.

After installing and opening the Eagle Pro AI app, you must scan a QR code on your phone located at the bottom of the device. The app then asks if you are setting up a new network or extending an existing one. Now simply follow the instruction on your smartphone screen, and the default answers will work well.

Once your first satellite is activated, the app will prompt you to set up additional units. You will know if the additional satellite is in Wi-Fi range when you power it up, and a solid white LED is displayed on the top of the new satellite.

You can set up a guest network to keep guests separate from your business devices and information. For example, allow cafe customers to access the internet. You can also limit customers’ speed to keep the best performance for the business. The guest’s access setup is as simple as scanning a QR code.

The Eagle Pro-AI app for your smartphone will allow you to customise your setup, receive notifications & usage reports, and set up schedules and block certain sites.

Our Take

Your small business, whether on dedicated premises or in a home, needs fast, reliable internet access. To achieve this, you want a reliable, simple to set up and run Wi-Fi router that will provide fast internet to allow all users to do their job.

The Eagle Pro AI M32 from D-Link is such a device using the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, Mesh technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ensure everything in the background runs well. This Mesh solution will ensure devices do not suffer from congestion and are usable throughout your entire office area.

The M32 is cost-effective, is part of an excellent ecosystem that gives you expansion options and is easy to set up.

Uniden UPP1000 Jump-start Kit review

According to the NRMA (NSW car breakdown assistance), the most common causes of breakdown are flat batteries, flat tyres and running out of petrol. Cars are much more reliable now, and let’s face it, most cars carry a spare tyre and ignore the low fuel light at your peril. A flat battery is also something we can deal with, and we look at the Uniden UPP1000 jump start kit.

The Uniden UPP1000 is a rugged portable car battery jump start kit and USB power bank that will start a flat car battery.

What is a Jumpstart kit?

A portable car battery jump starter kit is everything you need to start a vehicle flat battery. The kit has a portable battery that can power a vehicle’s electrical system to enable the starter motor to start the engine.

WHY should you consider a Jumpstart kit?

Running a small business, you probably rely heavily on your vehicle for transport. If the battery goes flat due to age or simply leaving a light on, you are stranded and not making money. This can happen at any time and most likely when it is most inconvenient.

The whole kit weighs 1kg, and the carry case measures 21 x 9 x 13 cm, so it will easily fit in your glove box, underneath the seat or car boot. At the RRP of $200, it’s great insurance if you don’t have roadside assistance or the time to wait for them to arrive.

What is in the Box?

Modern Lithium battery technology means that a 10,000mAh battery can produce 250 cold cranking amps. That’s enough juice to start up a 7-litre petrol engine or a 5 Litre diesel engine. Thus, you could start a small truck(12v) with this device. An included jumper cable with large alligator clips allows you to connect to your vehicle’s 12-volt battery terminals.

The UPP1000 is also a portable power bank which means you can recharge your mobile phone, tablet or other devices that support USB charging. There are two USB-A sockets and one USB-C socket with a maximum output of 18 watts. There are even 3 USB-A cables included (to USB-C, Micro USB, and Mini USB)

To charge the Uniden, included in the package is a USB wall charger (240 volts) and a cig charger plug to use in your car’s 12-volt socket. From flat, it will take 7 to 10 hours to charge.

The Uniden battery is waterproof IP67, has a rugged impact-resistant rubber coating, and the electrical outlets are covered by a rubber grommet. This and all the accessories fit into a durable carry case.

Using the Uniden UPP1000

It is important to recognise that Uniden recommends that the UP1000 be recharged every 3 months to ensure it is ready to go when needed. A good habit may be to do this every time your BAS is due. If unused, the battery will lose 20% of its capacity annually and has a useful life of 1000 chargers.

When you recharge it, 4 external LED lights indicate the charging state. Each illuminated LED equals 25%, so 3 lit LEDs means you have 75% battery capacity.

If you need a torch in your car, the UPP1000 has a LED light that will last a very long time if you are not doing anything else. The light is also able to signal SOS.

To charge a smartphone etc., simply insert a USB. The external button on the Uniden battery pack operates merely the light.

Our favourite feature is that the two alligator clips are slightly different lengths. This has nothing to do with one battery terminal being further away from the other but with ensuring the two alligator clips do not touch each other and cause a short circuit. The plug into your Uniden battery has clear instructions to help you jump-start your car versus flipping through the paper instruction manual.

Don’t stress about short circuits, as the UPP1000 has several circuit safety features to keep you and the start kit safe.

Depending on just how flat your battery is (The car still needs to have a working car battery), the Uniden has 2 modes. The first is active once you connect the blue plug of your jumper cables to the Uniden battery. Match the red and black alligator clips to your red and black car battery terminals. Once you see a red and green flashing light on the jumper cable plug, you are ready to start your car.

Uniden recommends that you disconnect the jumper leads and wait 30 seconds between each additional attempt to start your car. After 3 attempts, you can try the 2nd mode called “force start”. Activated by pressing a button on the jumper cable, this mode increases the current, maximising your ability to start your vehicle.

Although we tested this unit, we did not have the vehicles to push the UP1000 to its limits. Still, Uniden shares some videos of just how powerful this unit is.

Our Take

This is a great piece of mind accessory. Whether it be being able to charge your smartphone or deal with the most common car breakdown, a flat battery. The Uniden UPP100 Jump start kit is cheap insurance. This lightweight package has everything you need and easy instructions to start your engine. Whether it be for your tradie Ute, rescuing you on that camping trip when the kids left the radio and interior light on or just the security for your partners’ car.