Sandisk Dual Drive Go – Smartphone back up

Posted on April 17, 2025 by Angus Jones

I have a holiday of a lifetime planned, and like most people, I will use my smartphone to take pictures. Some of the photos I take will be priceless, but what if I lose or damage my phone? Where I am going, there is little mobile coverage, and global roaming is expensive to upload Gigabytes of data. We review the Sandisk Dual Drive Go USB Type-C to see if it solves our problem and potentially others.

Why do you need to back up a Smartphone?

Backing up a smartphone is essential for safeguarding your data in case of loss, theft, or device malfunction. Having two or more copies of your photos, contacts, and even your apps and settings means you can quickly get back to where you were before the disaster.

Beyond backup, how many times have you heard someone say, “I have run out of room on my phone?” Another common question is, “How do I transfer images from my phone to my computer?”

If you are tech-savvy and Wi-Fi and mobile data are accessible and cheap, the cloud is your friend, easily helping with data transfer.

Alternatively, you can connect your smartphone to a PC using a USB cable and transfer data that way.

The most tactile way is to use an attached memory card, stick or hard drive where data is copied onto the drive and accessed from another device.

What are the Sandisk Dual Drive Go features?

The Sandisk Dual Drive Go is a tiny USB flash drive with a USB-C and A connector for smartphone file transfers and backup.

The drive is available in four colours, and memory sizes include 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1 TB.

With its USB-C connector, the Sandisk can be connected to an Apple iPhone 15 or an Android phone. The other end of the flash drive has a USB-A plug, which enables the drive to be connected to any PC.

Specific compatibility for phones, laptops, and tablets with operating systems:

iOS 10.0.2+
Android 11+
macOS v.10.9+
Windows 10+

The drive is tiny, at just 44x12x9 mm, and weighs approximately 4 grams. It could be easily lost, so a keyring hole is a welcome feature. A 5-year warranty and a swivel cover protect the USB-C plug on the move.

Using the Delta 3 Plus

I tested the 256GB version of the Sandisk, which matches the memory capacity of my smartphone.

When we connect to our Android phone, the Android file manager automatically opens. Alternatively, Sandisk has an app available on the App Store called Sandisk Memory Zone Explore.

You can copy or move files or folders from the Android file manager to the drive. Moving a file removes it from the phone, freeing up space for photos.

The Sandisk Memory Zone app has similar functionality but also includes an automatic or manual backup function. If set to auto, it backs up anything on your phone by simply plugging in the flash drive.

I am always taking photos of products for reviews, and although I can use the cloud or a direct connection from my PC, I mostly email the photos. This drive is a more tactile and simpler method of transferring a photo with no quality loss and, in most cases, quicker. Moving a few photos to a dedicated folder ensures that when you plug the drive into your PC, you are not waiting for your PC to interrogate 2,000 photos before you download the one you want.

Who is the Sandisk Dual Drive Go for?

At $45, you can buy a 128GB drive that matches most smartphones’ memory capacity. This is an economical way to ensure you can back up your smartphone anywhere.

If you are not technically minded, this physical product allows you to move files, photos, and videos off your phone, freeing up space. Having both a USB-C and USB-A plug gives the product versatility to connect to any product except older Apple products.

Jabra SPEAK2 75 portable speakerphone review

Posted on March 12, 2025 by Angus Jones

Two years ago, we reviewed the Jabra SPEAK2 55 portable speaker, and we found it to be a great speakerphone for the home office or the bonnet of someone’s car at a construction site. Its big brother has just been released, and we review the Jabra SPEAK2 75.

What is a Jabra SPEAK2 75 professional portable speakerphone?

The Jabra SPEAK2 75 is a wireless PC or smartphone rechargeable speakerphone for group conversations. It is a large hockey puck-looking device with an internal speaker and 4 inbuilt microphones ideal for conversations in small meeting room. It allows you to have a hands-free/headset-free conversation up to 2.5m from the microphone, whether at a boardroom table or the bonnet of your car. It is ideal if several people are at your end so everyone can join the conversation.

WHY should you consider the SPEAK 2 75 over the SPEAK2 55?

A speakerphone enhances the sound substantially compared to a PC or smartphone speakers and microphone. A larger speaker and numerous microphones achieve this sound enhancement to ensure everyone in the room is heard.

Whereas the SPEAK2 55 has an internal battery that will last up to 12 hours, the 75’s battery will allow you to stay wireless for up to 32 hours or four business hour days. It can be connected to your PC or smartphone by Bluetooth or plugged into a USB C or USB A socket with the included tethered adapter, which also facilitates charging at up to 15W.

Jabra supports full duplex, meaning you can talk while others speak. You will be heard, exactly like what happens in a normal conversation. The SPEAK2 75 allows you to link two 75’s together to increase the room’s size and allow more people to participate in a conference call. Let’s assume you have a long conference table, and more people are working from the office. Two SPEAK2 75’s can be linked at the press of a button to allow people at each end of the table to hear clearly and be heard on a call.

If you are worried that your voice will not be heard, you can now be alerted of this with a Mic quality indicator. This indicator is the green LED ring turns from green to orange if the speaker’s voice is not being heard properly, prompting the speaker to move closer to the microphone. (Feature needs to be activated in the App)

The 75’s size has also increased to 155mm diameter from 140mm on the 55. Its weight has also increased to 466 grams from 280 grams. Other than the bigger battery, the big change is a 6.5 cm speaker versus 5cm. This change has significantly improved the sound quality, especially the lower base sounds.

The 75 also supports Bluetooth 5.2, up from 5.1 on the 55, contributing to improved audio over Bluetooth connections.

What is in the Box?

The Jabra Speak2 75 is an investment at $600 but does come with a 100-day return policy.

The box contains only two items: the SPEAK2 75 and a felt carry pouch to protect the Jabra while traveling with it. The 70cm USB cable is built into the product.

The Jabra has a diameter of 15.5cm and is just over 5cm thick. It weighs 466 grams and is IP64-rated, meaning it is resistant to water and dust.

The USB cable winds around the base for storage and has a USB-C plug and a USB-A adapter tethered. Buttons on the unit allow you to Power on/off, answer a call, end or reject a call, increase and decrease volume, mute a conversation, pair via Bluetooth, check the Battery status and use a smart button. An LED ring of light helps you understand the status, such as mic quality, mute, battery and volume levels, depending on which button is pressed.

The smart button function can be configured to control the Play/Pause, Voice Assistant or Speed Dial of a single number.

Using the SPEAK2 75 speakerphone

When I turned the SPEAK2 75 on for both my PC and Android phone, I immediately saw and was asked if I would like to add the Jabra device. This makes Bluetooth installation easy. We recommend downloading the Jabra App to your PC or smartphone, as additional settings can be accessed and software updates added.

As expected, the Jabra works with Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Google Meet. I have been using it for 3 weeks on my Team’s calls and found a richness in my colleagues’ voices and heard more nuances in their tones. My colleagues tell me they could not hear the garbage truck that went by whilst I was speaking, which is great on the noise-cancelling front from both Jabra and Microsoft working together. The difference from the lower model is significant when listening to music via the speaker. I was quite happy with the 55 compared to my PC speakers, but the 75 takes the music playback to the next level.

A feature we like is voice level normalisation, which means that the Jabra automatically adjusts each person’s voice to a similar level. Thus, if you have three people in a room at different distances from the microphones and speak at different loudnesses, the people at the other end of the connection will hear everyone’s voice at the same volume.

Running a small business means you cannot afford to provide all staff members with a SPEAK2. As the Jabra supports connecting up to 8 different Bluetooth devices, multiple people could share a unit without deleting the previous user.

Our Take Jabra SPEAK2 75 review

If your business wants its employees to be inclusive on video/audio calls and for everyone to be engaged and have their say, then the SPEAK2 75 will deliver that reality.

The Jabra is versatile with its long battery life, quality sound, and the ability to pair two units to include more people.

Last but not least, for your downtime, the music quality payback has lifted to a whole new level, whether on-site, off-site, or at home.

Cutting-edge TP-Link’s Omada L3 switches

Posted on May 16, 2024 by Angus Jones

TP-Link’s long awaited Omada L3 switches unleash cutting-edge networking tech, in a stackable case

Expectations are high and latencies (hopefully) at impressive new lows, as TP-Link unleashes its first Layer 3 switch, the Omada L3 SG6654. It’s an enterprise switch and has the flexibility to be deployed in almost any kind of business or organisation, even as an ISP.

Scalable and stackable

Layer 3 switches can be used at the core layer, aggregation layer, or the access layer. This means less dependence on routers to manage access, and that in turn can reduce the number of network devices you need.

Reduce to a single stack in the network manager’s office, you ask? Well that depends on the network, of course, but Omada L3 switches are engineered to be “physically stackable”. No racks or rack mounting hardware needed, just place Omada L3 switches on top of each other. All power and airflow is on-board.

Physical stacking is likely to be useful when Omada L3 switches are configured in groups, to dynamically back up each other (VRRP). There’s also ring topology support for even more rapid protection and recovery (ERPS).

Expanded networking choices

L3 switches expand your networking options, but then those options become increasingly mission-critical, so you worry about points of failure, and that’s why Omada L3 switches have dual power supplies.

Let’s talk layer 3 capabilities. Static Routing, RIP, OSPF, and ECMP come with abundant Layer 3 routing protocols that support a scalable network. Multicast routing protocols guarantee efficient routing for multicast groups. DHCP Server and DHCP Relay are also supported.

If this sounds like boilerplate, it is – these devices are intended for the full gamut of possible deployments, any network environment you can imagine really. TP-Link sees the

Omada L3 switches as ideal for very large or complex networks, even ISPs.

It’s worth noting that TP-Link’s Omada L3 switches also include the full gamut of L2+ functionality, with 802.3ah OAM, DDM, sFlow, QinQ, L2PT PPPoE ID Insertion, IGMP authentication, and more.

As more Wi-Fi 7 access points roll out and SMBs upgrade their devices to next generation Wi-Fi 7, the expectation will be for very high bandwidth. Omada L3 switches have SFP28 25Gbps slots, which helps future-proof your network. Some models have up to 820Gbps of switching capacity per unit.

TP-Link’s Wi-Fi 7 Omada access points

Posted on April 23, 2024 by Angus Jones

Expectations are high and latencies (hopefully) at impressive new lows, as TP-Link unleashes its first Omada Cloud Layer 3 switches, including the Omada L3 SG6654XHP and SG6654X. These are enterprise switches with the flexibility to be deployed in almost any kind of business or organisation, even as an ISP.

Scalable and stackable

Expanded networking choices

If this sounds like boilerplate, it is – these devices are intended for the full gamut of possible deployments, any network environment you can imagine really. TP-Link sees the

Omada L3 switches as ideal for very large or complex networks, even ISPs.

It’s worth noting that TP-Link’s Omada L3 switches also include the full gamut of L2+ functionality, with 802.3ah OAM, DDM, sFlow, QinQ, L2PT PPPoE ID Insertion, IGMP authentication, and more.

Read more TP-Link articles on Small Business Answers.

TP-Link’s Omada bridge kit has a 5km range

Posted on April 19, 2024 by Angus Jones

Businesses and other users who need their networks to cover very large properties, or multiple properties, can now link wirelessly at a range of up to five kilometres, by adding an Omada EAP215 bridge kit.

It’s no more complex than an indoor Wi-Fi extender, but outdoor spec means weatherproofing, and each unit has ethernet ports, intended for surveillance cameras but they also work for data.

Long range and IP65 rated

The EAP215 uses the 802.11ac protocol, which gives 867Mbps over the 5GHz channel. The units come paired, which means they are configured to automatically set up, establish, and maintain the radio link, through most conditions. Of course, the five kilometre range is an ideal maximum, and real world conditions will be less.

In the meantime, TP-Link wants us to consider the three 1Gbps ports on each unit, supporting Power Over Ethernet and suggestive of such broad possibility, the actual example config of two outdoor network cameras (over Ethernet) and a solar power system (via passive POE) with no need to install additional electrical outlets, seems almost too basic.

Since your EAP215 bridge is meant to be a permanent install, TP-Link gives it the necessary toughness, as they say. IP65 waterproofing is at home in the rain, and there’s lightning protection on board as well.

Catering for… catering

TP-Link reckons the EAP215 is also a great fit for food and beverage businesses, as it can bring your guests 802.11ac wireless internet to outdoor patios, verandas and terraces that might otherwise be awkward to connect using other access point technologies.

As an Omada device, the EAP215 is managed using the Omada Cloud Management System. Network managers can explain the submenus, but in the EAP215 bridge kit’s case, being able to quickly check the status of such a long dedicated wireless link is sure to save you an even longer walk.

For short-range indoor/outdoor installations, the Omada EAP211 Bridge KIT provides a similar feature set to the EAP215 and can connect locations up to one kilometre apart.

Read more TP-Link articles on Small Business Answers.

Uniden MHS157 Dual Band VHF/UHF 2-way radio

Posted on November 7, 2023 by Angus Jones

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

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Angus Jones

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.

EPOS IMPACT 1061 ANC review

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Angus Jones

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

Posted on May 25, 2023 by Angus Jones

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

Posted on March 10, 2023 by Angus Jones

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.