Brinks Commercial Keypad Entry Lever... Reviewed!

I thought this was going to come in January, but it arrived before Christmas. So... here's my review.


This keyless keypad doesn't require a key, but... is it worth the money? Let's jump in!


Quality: The Keypad Entry Lever's quality can be felt as soon as you hold the parts in your hand. The parts are a nice polished metal with solid zinc diecast levers and weighs in at 4.52lbs. The parts don't wiggle, there's nothing loose or feels cheap, it's a commercial product, and... represents that classification well.


Security: Security-wise, this lever has an ANSI Grade 2... meaning the lock can withhold a certain level of force in terms of someone attempting to strike it and gain entry. This product requires at least 5 strikes from 75ft.-lbf to gain entry.


The foot-pound force is a unit of energy while lbf is a pound of force. Think of a ram striking the lever from a distance of one foot.

Outside of the security that prevents unwanted entry through the build quality, and traditional lock, but you also have the keypad that doesn't just keep the door unlocked after one of (up to) 99 codes has been entered. Give it a few seconds and it locks back unless you unlock it on the inside for reentry without a pincode or a key. 

To increase the security, you can even set it to vacation mode and disable all codes for those times when you're away. So no one can fidget with the lock while you're enjoying yourself in the States or abroad. I'd even set it to vacation mode after hours because that increases the security, but these are also used for spaces utilized around the clock (laundry rooms, gyms, PC rooms in hotels, etc).


Installation: Installation is a bit of a challenge, but if you follow the manual... you can do it.



Price: Pricewise... you can get the Brinks Commercial Keypad Entry Lever for $129. Is it worth it? Yes, this can be used for several needs for you and your team, tenants, employees, family members, AirBnB customers, and all that good stuff. You don't have to jump up out of your bed and go let someone into a room, unit, or home... all they need is a 6-digit code and they're in. These codes can be changed as well, just in case you want to deny access after a certain time. So it's worth it, it provides access without your constant need to be there but it also protects the people and property behind the door. Did I forget to mention that it comes with a 10-year limited warranty? Yeah... that part too.


Quality 5

Security 5

Installation 5

Price 5


5 out of 5 Cool Points




Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever... Reviewed!


Story: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever is a film about Greg Heffley's holiday adventure involving him and his best friend Rowley doing a bad bad thing and fearing that this will bring Christmas crashing down on him as others get closer and closer to the truth of finding out who the actual culprits were who damaged a snow plowing truck. This set off a crazy chain of events as Greg went on a mission to cover up what he did and still walk away with a win on Christmas. What's the win? Well, it's a new game system, unless he's exposed for being naughty. This film is rated PG, so basically if you're familiar with the franchise and you let your children watch Home Alone films, you might not find an issue with this installment either.



Visuals: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever is visually appealing, and I enjoyed the animated action from beginning to end. They took the traditional diary of a wimpy kid art style and maintained it in 3D without making the characters look weird. You're going to see various angles in this 4K Ultra HD film, from the worm's eye view looking up at the top of the basement stairs, to the bird's eye view of Rowley looking down at Greg wondering what the heck he was doing outside of his window. There were some pretty cool angles mixed in during this adventure.

Audio: Audio-wise, this film features Dolby Atmos in 5.1... so crank up the surround sound to a tolerable level to immerse yourself and enjoy this family-focused Christmas comedy. The sound is clean, and they deliver the music and sound effects at the right times to boost the immersive experience. Revealing Alfrendo is a great example. There was background music, but it amps up a bit for effect.

Price: Pricewise, you aren't paying a thing for this film outside of your Disney Plus subscription. That includes this movie + other shows and movies, so that's a win-win.

Overall, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good holiday adventure. It's a heartwarming film that will leave you feeling happy and satisfied. So, grab a bowl of popcorn, snuggle up on the couch, and get ready for a fun-filled ride!


Story 5

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price 5


5 out of 5 Cool Points



Sophima | Guest Contributor
                          + BLU 

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Babylon 5: The Complete Series... Reviewed!

Thank you to Warner Bros for providing a copy of this product for review, my opinions are my own.

Time to journey through Time and Space with Babylon 5: The Complete Series!


Story: Babylon 5 is a science fiction television series that takes us on an intergalactic journey filled with political drama, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes. The show is set during the years 2257 to 2262, each year representing a season. The show revolves around the eponymous space station, which becomes a meeting point for various alien races, each representing their own interests. As the series unfolds, a grand narrative emerges, delving deep into power struggles, diplomacy, personal relationships, and the fight against ancient forces threatening the galaxy. It's an intergalactic space opera. While some episodes may seem slower in progressing the overarching plot, each contributes to the greater narrative of this series. This set contains all 110 original episodes fully remastered!

Babylon 5 transcends the surface-level expectations of a typical sci-fi series, seamlessly blending political, philosophical, and ethical themes into its compelling narrative. It tackles profound questions surrounding identity, destiny, morality, and the cyclical nature of history. The show's tone effortlessly oscillates between humor and darkness, infused with moral ambiguity and emotional depth.

The ensemble cast of Babylon 5 shines brightly, breathing life into their multidimensional characters. From the commanding presence of Captain John Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner) to the enigmatic and wise Ambassador G'Kar (Andreas Katsulas) and the stoic Commander Susan Ivanova (Claudia Christian), each actor delivers captivating performances, fostering deep connections between the audience and the characters' struggles, triumphs, and personal growth. Speaking of characters, I would like a full Zathra's story explaining all of their connections, and how they came to be. Zathra's is a huge player in the series, but why him and his brothers?

Fun fact: Babylon 5 has a second wind via the recent animated film and plans for future installments.

Visuals: Under the visionary direction of J. Michael Straczynski, Babylon 5 raises the bar for science fiction storytelling. The series masterfully balances episodic narratives with an overarching story arc, allowing for a rewarding long-term investment. The cinematography, while limited by its era, still manages to capture the grandeur of the space station, utilizing various camera angles and techniques to enhance the immersive experience.


Audio:
 The evocative score of Babylon 5 was composed by Christopher Franke, the music soars and swells, encompassing a wide range of emotions and enhancing the already immersive universe. DTS-HD 5.1 Master audio.

Price: Babylon 5: The Complete Series is priced at $99.99 SRP. I think this is fair, but I don't like the case. The decision to package it in this case would be fine if the discs didn't fall off. When the discs are no longer snapped into the holder, they face the risk of being scratched.


Story 5

Visuals 4

Audio 4

Price 5

4.5 out of 5 Cool Points




Sophima | Guest Contributor

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FTS: The 'Identity V' Christmas Event is Coming to Town!

Hangzhou, China – December 14, 2023 – NetEase Games' 1V4 asymmetric competitive mobile game Identity V launches its Christmas event “Letter on a Snowy Winter Night” today! Christmas spirit fills the whole place, as players find new Christmas costumes as well as various festive furniture under the tree  and can aid the game's Postman to deliver mysterious letters!



Send mysterious letters to unlock special rewards!
On Christmas Eve, the Postman, still hard at work, receives a special mission from a mysterious man to deliver a stack of Christmas letters. Help the Postman pick the perfect recipient based on various conditions!

After the update on December 14th, visitors can complete check-ins to claim wonderful rewards including Coordinator - Xmas Ensemble and Sculptor - Xmas Ensemble (choose 1 out of 2), StickerEvent PortraitEvent Portrait frames, as well as upgradable B furniture! Get tokens by completing tasks and redeem the decorations needed for upgrading, so the Christmas tree can warm hearts and hands this snowy Christmas Eve.


New Christmas costumes to start the party!
Besides the Christmas tree, the Painter and the Postman have already dressed up in their Christmas costumes and put on their Santa hats to share gifts with The FeasterWith the aurora borealis, the first officer also changes into a warm Christmas costume as a way to travel through the wind and snow in search of the most beautiful stars.

After maintenance on December 7, Evil Reptilian A costume - Christmas Party returned to the store. After maintenance on December 14, Season 29 Essence 3 containing Postman S costume Christmas Messenger, Painter A costume Cozy Christmas Eve and The Feaster A costume Krampus, and First Officer A Costume Star Seeker will be available. Meanwhile, [Unique Fashion] Bartender - Christmas Outfit, [Unique Fashion] Cowboy - Christmas Outfit and [Unique Attendant] Naughty Bruce return to the Event Store. Barmaid and Cowboy B Costume - Xmas Ensemble, and B Pet - Naughty Bruceare will return, too.

Christmas decorations make the manor sparkle!
Lacking a festive touch in your room? Don't worry, part of the Christmas furniture has returned on December 7, with fireplaces, chairs, cabinets, and more. This year, there will also be new furniture, besides the Christmas tree that needs to be decorated by players. The store will be updated with 4 B furniture pieces and 2 A furniture, including an elk, snowman, carpet and other winter themes.


The Christmas spirit has arrived all around The Manor, including the Matching Room, so players can be merry and bright while waiting for the next game to start!

"As the holiday draws near, the Christmas atmosphere in the game becomes even more prominent." Said Ethan Wang, Senior Vice President of NetEase, Inc. "We have prepared a wealth of content, aiming to bring players more joy and surprises. I believe this update will provide an unforgettable gaming experience for everyone."

After the maintenance on December 21st, the Christmas-themed public map will be available for a limited time. Be sure to invite your friends and relatives who have been with you all year to visit the map and experience snowball fights, ice skating, and performances together.