While it may sound hard to believe, Fisker, Inc. has gone through a major rough patch lately with declining stock and sales. There are a number of reasons that come to mind, including some very simple things that make the brand elusive (marketing). While this is a dark and a cloudy day for the EV manufacturer, it's an opportunity for a number of consumers seeking to buy a vehicle to land luxury vehicles for a steep discount. I'm talking... super steep at $24,000 off. This drops the top model below the base model, and if you love tech and have the coin... this might be the ride for you.
(Source Fisker, Inc.)
The solar powered Fisker Ocean Extreme that normally goes for $61,499 is currently being sold for $37,499 at Fisker Jacksonville. The lowest priced option is the Fisker Ocean Ultra, which is normally $52,999 and is currently available at the same location for $34,999. Prices are similar at Classic Fisker of Atlanta.
(Source EvehiclesDB)
Will this increase the incentive for the average consumer to buy and possible encourage the brand to take a different approach in terms of what the middle to lower class can afford? Only time will tell, but Fisker has to make it make (common) sense.
(Source HonestJohn UK)
The Fisker Ocean has what they call the Fisker Pulse Audio System. This audio system is 3D surround sound system featureing ELS Studio 3D. It has DJX 3D Surround, 15 speakers, a 19L subwoofer, and 6 speakers in the dashboard.
Additional Features Include:
Limo Mode
Cali Mode
Boost Mode
Find My Fisker
360 Miles full charge
Powertrain: Dual Motor AWD w/ Rear Disconnect
Battery: Hyper Range
SolarSky Roof (charge without a station)
Drive Modes: Earth, Fun, Hyper
Revolve 17.1" Centeral Touchscreen
Digital Rear View Mirror
Power Liftgate
Front/Rear Heated Seats
(The Ultra has the same features minu the 3D surround, Limo mode, and a few other options. Some options are replaced with things like Fisker Premium Sound +, and... OpenSky Roof vs SolarSky.)
For the record, it's not just Fisker, because Tesla's feeling the heat too. Tesla says its the hybrid craze, but... just like Fisker they need to get onboard with what works and what's actually affordable. There are more people tired of the tricks and games than not in terms of getting behind the wheel of an affordable vehicle, so some have just budgeted for rideshare and called it a day. I know a guy who broke it all the way down too. He factored in car payment, insurance, gas prices, maintenance, registration, potential tickets he'd avoid and he's saving hundreds of dollars. People get creatively strategic in terms of saving money when a budget is imperative. So I don't know how many people are moving in the direction of ole' Doug, but... you never know how many will. There needs to be an incentive to make some want to get behind the wheel of a vehicle again, and one of the biggest factors is affordability. Am I right or am I right? I love all types of cool looking vehicles, but i'm not spend crazy coin on them.
Before I jump into this review... shout out to the ladies from the Akaso team for providing us these products for review. My opinions are my own.
This review of the Akaso V50 Elite aims to provide you with an understanding of this action camera's capabilities, and to provide you with visual comparisons alongside the Akaso Brave 7 LE. These products often stand as budget-friendly alternatives to the renowned GoPro series, but are they any good? Our key objective is to evaluate whether the Akaso V50 Elite delivers value for its price... especially for the average person (because everyone isn't strapping cameras onto dirt bikes, skateboards, snowboards, etc). So... without further ado, let's dive into the details.
Build Quality: The Akaso V50 Elite doesn't skimp on build quality at this price, with a sturdy feel courtesy of rubberized body, thicker plastics, but when compared to the feel of the Akaso Brave 7 LE... it feels like the lower tier option. The V50 Elite has a quality build, but the premium quality feel goes to the Brave 7 LE... in my opinion. Opinions may vary on that, but i'm talking about things like the button quality and the compartment covers.
I will say this though, you will greatly appreciate how easy it is to turn on the V50 Elite and operate it with the lighter clicky buttons, especially those of you who don't really have the finger strength to add a tad bit of oomph to your presses to turn on the Brave 7 LE.
V50 Elite is a lighter camera, which doesn't mean it provides lower quality results in terms of video. There are benefits to having a lighter option, which includes the ease of holding it (which is increased by the grip). Also, it's easier to mount and theres a decreased chance of it tilting or tipping when you make a jerking movement or anything of the sort. It's always good to have a solid mount regardless, but... you know what happens when something is top heavy.
A minus could be the lack of a protective cover for the ports + SD card slot on the V50 Elite, which could otherwise increase the overall aesthetics and offer protection from dust and debris. This would have been a suitable inclusion, but I don't mind when I can simply swap out SD cards... so this camera would be the one I would see being used by a family for a day out at one of the amusement parks in the area.
A door still wouldn't hurt, but quickly swapping out the SD cards would keep the captures flowing. You have to open the battery slot to get the SD card out of the Brave 7 LE.
Camera + Extras: As you see in the image above, the camera's package comes packed with plenty of accessories on deck without the need to run out and buy some of the same types (this applies to both cameras). Included with the Akaso V50 Elite package are the following items:
- AKASO V50 Elite Action Camera
- Remote Control
- Two 1050mAh Batteries
- Waterproof Housing
- Battery Charger
- Bicycle Stand
- Six Mount Adapters
- Two Double-Sided Adhesive Tapes
- Two Helmet Mounts
- Set of Bandages
- Five Tether Cords
- Protective Backdoor
- (Micro) USB Cable
- Lens Cleaning Cloth
- Quick Start Guide
A great addition is the camera mount - attached to the packaging. Though it may require some effort to detach, this little mount can serve well on any flat surface, such as your desk, and doubling as a webcam stand. This is not only convenient but also a clever way to reuse packaging materials if removing the base from the box wasn't the intent (beyond removing the waterproof case).
Technically these didn't come in the Akaso V50 Elite's package, but... the Akaso tripods and selfie sticks were sent by the team along with a SanDisk microSD card. I don't need to do a full review on these, but what I will say is that the tripods are a nice quality build + the SD card is meant for use with 4K UHD.
Camera Specs:
No external mic capabilities are currently available for this camera, it's only internal... allegedly (i'm going to figure this out for you before this review is up, because I have an Akaso external mic). The camera does have bluetooth, so it should totally be incapable of having bluetooth mic capability. I believe a firmware update could change this. Another downside (if an external mic test doesn't check out) is that there is no 60FPS image stabilization, but which action cameras provide this option? Use a gimbal and call it a day or turn on the EIC in 4K 30FPS. You also don't have a waterproof housing on this one (unlike the Brave 7 LE), so you have to rely on the case for water protection.
I don't advise recording video in low light conditions because the results are grainy. Get a light attachment and learn how to light up your scenes properly.
You can capture 20MP images, in addition to video in 4K 60FPS, 4K 30FPS, 2.7K 60FPS, 2.7K 30FPS, 1080P 120FPS, 720P 240FPS
Your photos and video will be stored on Micro SD. I use the SanDisk 128GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card that works well with 4K cameras... in the Akaso Brave 7 LE.
I didn't get a chance to test how deep this waterproof camera can go in the case, but it did well in a bowl of water. The camera was nice and dry on the inside with no leaks or dew to report. As far as how deep you can go when diving with this camera, Akaso says the limit is 131 feet with the waterproof case.
Other stats include an 8X zoom, Slow motion, Time lapse, Touchscreen, CMOS photo sensor technology, and Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI + Bluetooth connectivity. While I don't like the fact that the SD card slot and other ports are open... it's really convenient to quickly access the SD card. No need to remove this camera from the tripod unless you need to... change the 1050 mAh battery.
V50 Elite voice control feature: This is useful because at times you don't want to use the cameras control and possibly shift the camera from a desired shot. And if you're positioned a certain way, you may not want to move from that pose or hold/show the remote in your shot, so you can use your voice to call out commands to either start the video ("Akaso Start Video") or take a photo ("Akaso Take Photo").
To stop video, just say, "Akaso Stop Video".
To order pizza, just say... nothing, i'm just kidding.
The presence of more expensive action cameras like the GoPro in the market... is also great for Akaso camera owners because it guarantees high-quality accessories. Akaso doesn't create a lot of first party accessories beyond the mic, tripod, and selfie stick. Yes, you do get the hard plastic accessories included, but... i'm talking about the accessories like a gimbal. I love the Akaso selfie stick and tripod, these are great quality, and the mic is no slouch either, but the other options have opened the door to sweet compatible options... and all in one action camera kits, etc.
By the way, one of the noticeable differences between the V50 Elite and the Brave 7 LE is the V50 has one screen. You can't see yourself on a front facing camera to ensure that a selfie is on point (unless you use the app), but... speaking of visual quality, let's move on to video + photo quality.
Video + Photo Quality: Talking about this would be pointless, so... press play!
So after seeing the video, you hear that the external mic works on the Akaso V50 Elite! By the way, content creators will enjoy the Akaso app that gives you access to control the camera (via it's wifi feature), as well as the ability to edit your photos and video. You can add covers, waters, and all that good stuff... plus the ability to share content with fellow Akaso camera owners in the app (and beyond).
You don't just get access to the cameras photos/video for editing, you also get access to the settings!
Price: The Akaso V50 Elite is priced at $139.99 with a promotional discount of $25 available (add $10 to get a 64GB SD card included). The Akaso Brave 7 LE is normally $169.99 but it's $139.99 (at 18%) + a promotional discount of $25 is also available for this camera. We have unpacked the essentials; now you have a clearer picture to determine if the Akaso V50 Elite aligns with your action camera needs and budget. If you provide them with the proper lighting... the results get the job done.
Ah, the age-old battle of Home Owners vs. Squatters is heating up this year! In this corner, we have the latest and greatest in home security gadgets being wielded by home owners. And in the other corner, the cunning and persistent squatters looking to make your casa their casa. Who will emerge victorious in this epic showdown? You, the home owner, that's who!
Let's talk about some of the high-tech contenders vying to keep your home safe and squatter-free:
Smart Security Cameras: These all-seeing eyes keep a 24/7 watch on your property, sending live alerts to your phone if any suspicious activity is detected. With night vision, motion sensing, and remote viewing capabilities, squatters won't stand a chance! Plus, you can yell at them through the two-way audio to get off your lawn.
Smart Locks: Forget hiding spare keys under the mat. Smart locks let you control access to your home right from your smartphone. Grant temporary codes to guests or service providers, and revoke access in a snap. Squatters can't pick a lock that doesn't exist!
The BRINKS ANSI Grade 2 Commercial Keypad lever made me think twice about smart locks (in a good way). I was paranoid about such devices (which I still am) but after using it, I love the fact that you can literally remove all access when you're not there (vacation or after business hours). When codes aren't activated, the keypad has zero effect on the handle. - Blu
Smart Lighting: Nothing deters would-be intruders like a house that appears occupied. With smart lighting, you can set schedules, randomize patterns, and control your lights from anywhere. Keep squatters guessing and your electric bill in check. It's a win-win!
Smart Alarm Systems: If a squatter manages to breach your high-tech perimeter, a smart alarm system is your next line of defense. Blaring sirens, flashing lights, and instant alerts to your phone and the authorities will send them running for the hills. Some systems even have smoke, carbon monoxide, and flood detectors for extra protection.
But tech alone isn't enough to fully fortify your castle. Here are some practical security measures to bolster your defenses:
Reinforce entry points with deadbolt locks, strike plates, and window locks
Install motion-activated floodlights around your property's perimeter
Get to know your neighbors and join a neighborhood watch program
If you'll be away, have a trusted friend house sit or pick up your mail
Consider adopting a guard dog (or at least putting up a "Beware of Dog" sign).
By combining cutting-edge tech with tried-and-true tactics, you can create a seemingly impenetrable fortress that even the most determined squatters and burglars won't want to mess with. So go forth, my tech-savvy friends, and show those freeloading intruders who's boss! Your home is your sanctuary, and with the power of technology on your side, you can keep it that way.
In all seriousness, we felt the need to provide an article of this type... after the recent viral video from a Tiktokker. He felt that it would be a great idea to encourage fellow migrants who cross the border illegally to squat in homes instead. Squatting has resulted in home owners being harmed, so if you suspect that someone is in your home, back out immediately and notify the police.- Blu
Stay safe, stay vigilant, and long live the champion of your home - that's you!
Before I get started, shout out to the 1More Team for supplying these headphones for review. My opinions are my own.
I wasn't sure what to expect with these open earbuds, especially when you consider the fact that they sit on the ear canal instead of being inserted within it. These are meant to be the ideal headphones for fitness, hence "Fit" is in the name, but... do they check out? Let's jump in and find out after this unboxing!
Save even more... below!
Quality + Comfort: I have to speak on the quality of this packaging first. 1More S50s basically come in a hardbound case (basically a hardbound bookcover) keeping them safe and... sound. This has been a trend that 1More has maintained for well over a decade for their higher-quality headphones and it definitely makes the case worth keeping (which works great for those upgrading, because the case won't fall apart ahead of a future reselling).
Now as far as the clamshell charging case, it's a durable plastic shell with an additional layer on the interior top and bottom. The connection point is nice and open for cleaning too, which is great if things begin to get a little gunky in there... especially if you're working out consistently. There's space to run a Q-Tip and get them nice and cleaned up for a clean connection so that they can properly charge. If you've owned earbuds before... you know exactly what i'm talking about.
Now in terms of the earbuds, you get earhooks that keep the earbuds in place quite well.
The 1More Fit S50s themselves surprised me in regards to how they fit, because they sit on the ear canal, so... I was (honestly) unsure how they were going to remain on my ears while working out. The only thing I didn't do to test these was... roll around on the ground or flip, but pushups, walking, jogging/running around with my daughter at the park (and running across a wall or two on occassion)... didn't result in them falling out or getting loose. Leaning my head from side to side and rotating it to stretch my neck (btw great for headaches caused my neck tension) didn't cause them to fall out either... but I did a slight adjustment to push them back over the ear canal if I was doing something on my side.
For the most part, the built-in memory wire in the ear hook does its job well... and I'm glad it's flexible because that aids in the comfort instead of a stiff piece of plastic.
Speaking of comfort, my tolerance for these headphones was strong... except for the times I attempted to sleep with them on. They stayed for the most part, but the comfort level wasn't there for me to get zzz's with them on for the full night so I took them off. It wasn't discomfort on my ear canal, it was the earhook. I think it's an okay trade-off when you compare it to in-ear earbuds at times (at least for me) because if I feel any itchiness in my ear canal during workouts... they have to come out. These weren't made for sleeping (at least for me), so they check out for use other than calling the cows home.
Sound: In terms of sound, I want to touch on a few things here. I'll skip the obvious one for now, so that I can speak on the open-air tech that allows you to hear the world around you. Situational awareness is a must when you're out and about being active... but I was concerned about the audio. Luckily, I've tested it... and the quality of the sound isn't affected for the most part.
The only thing that you may not be thrilled about when it comes to hearing the outside world a bit more... is when you are listening to ASMR, so make sure to find a quiet room and your good.
By the way, Luca Bignardi was the sound engineer on these too, which also serve up 12 studio-level EQ presets from Sonarworks. Basically what that means is that a grammy award winning sound enginner tuned these earbuds to deliver a natural, authentic sound. Plus... the 10+ Authoritative Music Industry Award winning Sonarworks software, delivers presets recommemnded by grammy award winning sound engineers that are also used by over 200,000 studios.
How do these open HiFi earbuds sound to me? These are some damn good earbuds according to my ears. Right out of the gate, I played:
Gerald Albright - What you see is what you get... it's just one of those songs that should have a "Play in HiFi" label on it or something... because the instruments deliver a beautiful combination of awesome that put me in vacay mode every time I hear the track. These headphones pick up the various instruments and their placement when recorded. I hear Gerald on the sax front and center, the vocalists (left, right, and center), maracas or shakers to the left, the thump of that bass and... everything in between. By the way, the Eastrock stainless steel shaker set and the Kandu Clever shakers are pretty cool instruments.
From there I made a shift into ASMR based on the time. So I utilized a nice quiet space to kick back and indulge in what I consider as the headliners for my ASMR experience. There are different styles and approaches, and these are the ones I prefer:
Tingting ASMR, Gentle Whispering ASMR, and Frivolousfox ASMR... are my faves because they take the quality of their productions seriously. Their soft sound takes advantage of the diamond-like carbon diaphragm of these headphones that picks up subtle details well (trust me).
I've listened to ASMR for well over a decade now, and you can tell who aims to deliver without unwanted background noise, quality sound through a good 360 mic (using ambisonic technology)... and they know what they're doing. They aren't harsh with the mic or mics, they keep things gentle and pleasant for great results, and... I salute that by... (ummm) going to sleep.
Once I got up, I hit continue on the party by listening to:
mr.&mrs. smith... is an interesting show, with some hot & cold audio. Not hot and cold bad, but instrumentals and sound effects kick up at various points and they like to zero in on elements of combat (i.e. gun shots). The earbuds don't mesh up the audio, you can hear the separate sounds and where they are in the environment thanks to the PurePower Driver that boosts those suble nuance sounds. I could hear movement in the background (behind me) with these headphones... which increases the immersive spatial audio experience. I know some people don't see the value in anything above a base audio set up, but... (good luck with that) you don't know what you're missing.
SWAT... starring Shemar Moore, has some action packed audio too. I think I noticed more boom and thumps from gun fire in the episodes of this show.
Fun fact: I know Shemar's friend... Romeo, he's a pretty cool dude. He's the reason I know... Keybeaux.
I also had the pleasure of playing, Pacific Drive and listening to the audio with these headphones. This was an enjoyable experience for sure. Not every game or track delivers the same quality, but the ones delivered with quality in mind... will stand out with HiFi audio like the 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50. Also another plus is if you're pressed for time and the tech juice is running low, fast charge comes to the rescue. You can get 2 hours out of a 5 minute charge... to work out.
By the way, I heard the guitar strumming the melody more to the right side in the Mink Slide track... which I think stood out in a pair of headphones that were 2 to 3 times the price of these. Some headphones don't pick these things up, but despite the specs of these headphones I was still surprised that the sound is as clear... despite the openess. I thought that I'd get a potential sound loss for the sake of them not being in-ear and being open.
Last but not least... the calls are clear ladies and gentlemen, even with my lower tone of voice. I can be heard, and I was able to hear without asking or being asked to repeat. The AI noice reduction most likely has something to do with that. It picks up the human voice with the goal of minimizing background noise that isn't identified as such through the 4 MEMS microphones. Even when it comes to a crowd at the store (like the ones who have yet to implement self check out), it can reduce the background noise by 30dB.
The 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50 use an AI Deep Neural Network (DNN) technology to make your calls that much clearer by weeding out what shouldn't be in the call basically. I'm not fully familiar with the tech and the layered structure it follows regarding data... so I won't even attempt to try, but I haven't had to repeat myself in calls that've I've made using these earbuds. If DNNs sound familiar, you may have heard about it regarding self-driving cars, drones, games, and things of that nature.
Tuned by Multi Grammy Award Winning Sound Engineer
Open-Air Tech for Situational Awareness and Safety
Price:There's currently a sale for these headphones on the 1More site for 33% off, bringing them from $149.99 down to $99.99. Great price, but... after doing some digging, if you use the coupon, and the promo code, you can save $43... here. That brings the total down to $86.99 before taxes, but... you're still saving over $7 bucks after taxes.
