Our Picks

I throw this out every once in a while.  Is anyone interested in writing up "semi-formal" reviews here on the forums?  I say semi-formal because they don't have to be pro level, just a good attempt at telling the story about the gear.  Something you have purchased lately.  You don't have to go buy stuff, just incorporate what you have already have purchased.  Hit me up with any questions.  You never know where it will lead!

D-Link has dropped a couple of new products and additions to their lineup of smart home gear.  Hold on because there is a lot of gear!
Let's start with cameras.  D-Link has new Wi-Fi cameras, the Full HD Pan and Tilt Pro Wi-Fi Camera (DCS-8302LH) and Full HD Indoor and Outdoor Pro Wi-Fi Camera (DCS-8526LH).  These are not just new, and good looking cams, they can now perform people detection and glass break detection.  The new cameras also feature expanded ways for customers to save video, including ONVIF Profile S, which enables custom storage and streaming options to personal NAS devices, built-in storage microSD capacity up to 256 GB, as well as free and paid cloud storage options. 
 

 
This year's camera models include both an indoor and an outdoor model. The outdoor model features a spotlight and siren that can be triggered when motion is detected, deterring potential intruders. The indoor model pans around to give a full 360-degree view of any room and tracks motion. Both include two-way audio. 
Full HD Pan and Tilt Pro Wi-Fi Camera is the model (DCS-8302LH), available in Q2, 2020, and retail pricing will be $99.99.
Full HD Indoor and Outdoor Pro Wi-Fi Camera is the model (DCS-8526LH), available in Q3, 2020, and retail pricing will be $119.99.
One of my favorite products is Wi-Fi.  D-Link has a whole lot of new products coming including Wi-Fi 6, Mesh, Alexa and Google Assistant integration, IFTTT, Parental Controls, and more!
 

 
There are so many new SKU's that I can't make heads or tails of them!  I'm going to be speaking with D-Link more this week and will sort all of these out. I do want you to see all they are offering and what the release date and projected retail pricing will be.

AC1900 Scalable Mesh Wi-Fi Router (COVR-1900-US), Q1 2020, $119.99
AC1750 Mesh Wi-Fi Router (DIR-1750-US), Q1 2020, $99.99
AC1900 Mesh Wi-Fi Router (DIR-1950-US), Q1 2020, $119.99
AC1750 Mesh Wi-Fi Range Extender (DAP-1755-US), Q1 2020, $99.99
AC1950 Mesh Wi-Fi Range Extender (DAP-1955-US), Q1 2020, $109.99
Smart AX1500 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router (DIR-X1560-US), Q1 2020, $119.99
Smart AX1800 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router (DIR-X1870-US), Q2 2020, $139.99
Smart AX2400 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router (DIR-X2460-US), Q3 2020, $159.99
Smart AX5400 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router (DIR-X5460-US), Q1 2020, $279.99
AX1800 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Range Extender (DAP-X1870-US), Q2 2020, $129.99
AX1800 Whole Home Mesh System (COVR-X1872-US), QX22020, $269.99

Get ya Merch here!  I've created a T-Shirt shop with the famous RESET paperclip. I've pasted that clip on just about everything so you can wear it around town!  Cable bags, Coffee Mugs, T-Shirts, and more. 
 
https://reset.threadless.com/
 
or you can get it it via
 
https://reset.fm/store
 
Here is the main design.
 

 
Below is a part of the order that I put in!  
 
 

 
The Heather Grey above is the Extra Soft version and it is awesome.  I highly recommend the softness!    The "Chili Red" is the Tri-Blend and probably my favorite feel and color.

 
This is the Zip-Up Hoody, Heather Indigo, Sponge Fleece, Men's, Large.  In my podcast I couldn't remember what style it was but it is Sponge Fleece. It's REALLY soft on the inside. Soft outside as well. The only problem is with the zip up hoody the logo is on the back. Regular hoody, it will be on the front.
 
https://reset.threadless.com/
 
or you can get it it via
 
https://reset.fm/store
 
Thank you for supporting this community. Everything you purchase will help keep the lights on the hard drives spinning.
 

Microsoft's OneDrive has a few new features and options worth pointing out.  Personal Vault and Expandable Storage.
 
Personal Vault is a protected area in OneDrive that can only be accessed with a strong authentication method or a second step of identity verification, such as your fingerprint, face, PIN, or a code sent to you via email or SMS. 
 
Personal Vault gives you an added layer of protection for your most important files, photos, and videos—for example, copies of documents such as your passport, driver’s license, or insurance information—should someone gain access to your account or device.
Plus, this added security won’t slow you down. You can quickly access your important documents, photos, and files with confidence wherever you are, on your PC, OneDrive.com, or your mobile device.

 
Beyond a second layer of identity verification, Personal Vault also includes the following security measures:
 
Scan and shoot—Using the OneDrive app, you can scan documents or shoot photos directly into your Personal Vault, keeping them off less secure areas of your device, like your camera roll.
Automatic locking—No need to worry about whether you left your Personal Vault or your files open—both will close and lock automatically after a period of inactivity.
BitLocker encryption—On Windows 10 PCs, OneDrive automatically syncs your Personal Vault files to a BitLocker-encrypted area of your local hard drive.
Restricted sharing—To prevent accidental sharing, files in Personal Vault and shared items moved into Personal Vault cannot be shared.
 
Taken together, these security measures help ensure that Personal Vault files are not stored unprotected on your PC, and your files have additional protection, even if your Windows 10 PC or mobile device is lost, stolen, or someone gains access to it or to your account.
 
Expandable Storage
 
If you are and Office 365 Subscriber you get 1 TB of OneDrive storage space with all the other Office goodies like Word, Excel, etc.  I know personally that I have gone over the 1TB limit and have always wanted to be able to add additional storage to my account.  Now you can!

 
Pick and option and keep on hoarding, errr, I mean saving! Cancel anytime, upgrade at any moment.

Ubiquiti has been busy.  There area ton of new items to recently released and I'm going to share two of my favorites.
 
The UAP Flex HD and the Unifi Dream machine. The Flex HD is a mouthful of descriptors like most of UI gear is.  It's a 2Ghz 2x2 MIMO, 5GHz 4x4 MU-MIMO, POE, Indoor/Outdoor, multi mount, mesh point that is no bigger than a can of Coke.

 
You will still need the Unifi controller although you can configure it with basic functionality with the Unifi App.  I've always found it's best to configure with your controller and then use the app as an add-on.  There are several mounting options that include sitting it on a shelf! That is something that Unifi has not had before unless you count the ceiling AP I have awkwardly mounted placed on top of a few books.  It can be found on the Unifi store for $179.
 
https://store.ui.com/collections/wireless/products/unifi-flexhd
 
The Dream Machine is an altogether different beast that I hope lives up to its naming.  This is the gateway drug, for lack of a better term, to the Unifi world.  The starter kit.  It is an Access Point, Gigabit Switch, Security Gateway, and the Cloud Key all in one package.  The latter being the most significant as this is something that has deterred new users from getting started with Unifi.  Requiring new users to purchase a $100 item just to run the AP's has been somewhat of a roadblock in the past.  Granted, that is improving every year with the ability to run it in the cloud, on a NAS, a Pi, Docker, MacOS, and of course Windows, it is still a barricade to getting up and running when manufacturers such as Eero offer simplicity in an app.
 

 
The switch includes 4 LAN Ports and 1 WAN port.  All of which are Gigabit and security services such as IPS are rated at Gigabit speed. It's $299 in the Unifi store but I'm unsure how nicely it will play with other Unifi gear.  This may be a nice "first AP" with its built in Cloud Key if you can add additional units or other Unifi access points.
 
https://store.ui.com/collections/routing-switching/products/unifi-dream-machine

Let's start small with the definition. If you know about podcasts already you can skip ahead.  
 
What is a podcast?  There is no set definition but in general a podcast is a voice recording on a subject that you can usually listen to however and whenever you want.  Let's break these down a little bit and that will also help define the term for you.

Here is something that wasn't planned but came to me while I was at Unveiled.  The Unveiled event was a little lackluster so I had a little fun with the DJI Osmo Pocket.  Take a look.
 
 

It's the most important post covering CES.  The swag bag review.
 
 
 

I talked with TP-Link about their AX series routers.  The Deco X10 is a Tri-Band mesh router that will come in a pack of two for $350.  I was told Q3 for release but if that sounds like a long time don't forget that we don't have anything that will talk with the AX standard yet.  
It's a good looking box that I hope will perform well and have plenty of features.  I've read good things about the Deco series and there were a few good sales last year on the M5.  I really should test the M5!
 

 
Here it is.  Yes, it's huge! Not a hockey puck like the M5 is.  What do you think?

ASUStor AS4004T NAS - Short and Sweet Review

Post your deals and links.  It's fun to come back and share what kind of loot you picked up! 
 
Netgear Deals
 

 
 
 
 

I just subscribed to HD HomeRun Premium TV to see what it is all about.  Hello, I'm watching HGTV now!  Over ten years cutting the cord and this is a first.  All of those years have been with SiliconDust and the HDHR.  I had the older white ones with two coax inputs and I recall the move to the newer unit with only a single coax input as mind blowing!  I had two of the older ones so coax and splitters were a big mess.  Now, I have OTA and a good handful of cable channels.  I'm configuring it on Plex as I type this up.
 

 
 
Get your hardware here - https://amzn.to/2BKxTkC
Subscribe here - https://shop.silicondust.com/shop/product-category/premium-tv/

PRTG vs. Domotz
https://www.domotz.com/
 

Microsoft announced a new Surface device last night, the Surface Go.  The announcement felt forced as leaks were dropping all over the place so it looks like the Surface Team just said, "what the heck," post it! 
 
It's a confusing addition to the family. Remember Surface 3?  The Go is a much improved device but I'll have to get my hands on it in order to fully judge it.  I loved the 3 and still own it with a dock.
 
It starts at $399 which is great but the hardware is a bit limited at that price point.  It starts with the Pentium Gold 4415y processor. Here is a comparison to show you some characteristics versus the Core i3. It also starts at 4Gb of RAM and a 64Gb eMMC drive.  It's only 1.15 pounds and will have LTE options in the future.
 
I've read a ton of posts on this device where there is "target market" confusion.  Read it for yourself straight from Microsoft's mouth. "Empower your workforce with the lightest, most compact Surface yet"

 
 
Here is the announcement post - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/business/surface-go
 
Most articles are comparing it to iPad's and Chromebooks and although i think it will be a good alternative to the Chromebook I don't think it is a direct compare to the iPad nor targeting it.  I think it is a build that came from direct feedback from the working market.  A light portable with pen ability that doesn't cost $1500 if it is dropped. Pretty simple.
 

 
My biggest disappointment is the keyboard.  Yup, gotta add $99 if you don't want to type on glass.
 
Will enthusiasts buy it? Couch PC? Reader by the bed?  This little Surface has a lot of merit on paper so we will see how it holds up when it ships on August 2nd.  Let me know down below if you are going to get one.
 
Buy here - https://store.microsoft.com
 
Short Link to share - https://fave.co/2KOUe4N
 

Brave Browser and the Basic Attention Token (BAT)
 
https://brave.com/hom691
 
This one is new to me but the coin is not.  BAT Coin may sound funny but it is a serious "ALT" coin.  
https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/basic-attention-token/

ICY DOCK is the leading expert in data storage enclosures and accessories.
 
Introducing ToughArmor
ToughArmor is ICY DOCK’s rugged enterprise-grade line of 2.5” SSD and HDD enclosures, utilizing the standard external 5.25” bay, external 3.5” bay (floppy bay), and the slim optical bay (ODD bay). All ToughArmor models feature ruggedized full-metal enclosures and trays, to keep your sensitive data protected, as well as meeting many flammability requirements.

RESET Forums and RESET Podcast
JSE Coin Crypto Store
 
Here you can purchase RESET items with your JSE Coin.  If you haven't heard of JSE Coin and want to get started you can read up about that here - https://homeservershow.com/miner/ . You will get a signup bonus of JSE Coin just for signing up and getting started.
 
Shout Out on RESET Podcast
3 JSE

Synology C2 Backup Now Available to US Customers
 
This is a data backup service that Synology released to EU customers last year.  I remember trying to get it to install and it wouldn't take my CC# because of location.  Fair enough, will it now and how much will it cost?

I learned this at CES 2018 and First Alert didn't like it.  Didn't like it at all.  In fact, they brought over someone else for me to speak with so they could try to save face and hush me up.

Rachio has just announced version 3 of their popular sprinkler system controller.  Rachio's generation 2 hardware was such an improvement on their first controller it may be hard to top.  Gen 3 looks great and has new hardware to go with it.

This is a fantastic deal.  $249 for the Moto X4 on Project Fi. I pay $20 a month for unlimited phone calls and texts plus $10 a month per Gigabyte of data used.  My Bill is usually at that $30 mark plus fees.  If you use more data you pay for it.  If you use over 60Gb you pay up to 60 Gb and then the rest is free up to 15Gb, then you get a little throttle back on speed.  It's a great service that I can't recommend enough.
 
Sign up now and get a $20 credit.
 
You can also get it on 24 months No Interest via Google.  Pay $10 a month or pay it off anytime during that 2 years.  Once you are on Fi you can get new phones at zero interest.  Order through the app and never go into the Verizon or ATT store again.
 
My favorite part?  International service.  Same data fees as home with no surcharge.  Oh, and free data SIMs.  You can order a free data SIM, meaning, if you have a second device that you want to use as data you can get a SIM with no monthly fee.  It uses your same data pool.  Tablet, second phone, laptop, etc.
 

 
Sign up and get $20 credit too.  I'll get a credit as well.  https://g.co/fi/r/9WX36D
 

Hey all,
 
I've got a goodie bag full of stuff that I want to give away to a Patreon subscriber.  At the end of the give away period I'll put all the names in a hat and draw one.  Not a Patreon Supporter?  It is so easy.  Go here - http://patreon.com/davidmccabe  Sign up for any level.  I may....weight the higher subs a little more.  Maybe put them in twice or something. $5 and up club.  I do have some more give away items coming up too.  Bigger things!
 
  
 
Here is the lot so far.  Probably some RESET stickers too!  What is this stuff?  PopSocket for a phone, Acronis Webcam cover, slider thingy, D-Link Luggage Tag, a pen from someone, Autel Robotics, "Remove before Flight" zipper pull.  I have one on my backpack.  CES stuff!
 
Rules.  Subscribe on Patreon.  You gotta stay at least a month! BTW, I use Patreon to pay hosting fees, backups, software licenses, etc.  It helps tremendously!
 
Go here - http://patreon.com/davidmccabe  Sign up for any level.  I will probably draw this out on February 9th, 2018.

Trying to help a local small business setup firewall/router in two locations with VPN site to site. 
They have a very limited budget, under $250 per site.
I was looking at:
Cisco RV320
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/routers/rv320-dual-gigabit-wan-vpn-router/index.html
or
Ubiquiti Enterprise Gateway Router
https://www.ubnt.com/unifi-routing/usg/
Anyone worked with either/both of these?
Thoughts?
Other recomendations?

I've been putting this together (on paper) for over a week.  This build has several goals.
 
1. Budget Build. Let's not break the bank.
2. Leverage parts from your stash as a server builder.
3. Mine as many different things as possible at once without impacting each other
4. Have it all fit in a case. No open air frames or rigs.

I've been a big fan of this product and have it running in my home.  It's now $20 off if you follow this link.
 
http://mbsy.co/circlemedia/mccabeio
 

 
There is an Amazon link to buy it and December 17th to 22nd it will also be $20 off on the Circle website.  So heads up!
 
Take a look at the video below for a better understanding of what it can do for you.  In my house, if anything hops on my wifi the box will notify me immediately.  I've set it up so anything that jumps on is put in a KID friendly profile.  I look at what they are seeing on their iPads and can turn off apps. YouTube, Safari, App Store = Off.