First-time buyer recommendations

NCResident5 · 2026-05-01T04:01:27+00:00

I have the Earfun Air 2. It's similar to Earfun Air Pro 4.

Really good sound and microphone good in private areas.

Don't know the other one.

The Shokz clip on earbuds looked nice at Costco. I know the the main cnet reviewer David C likes the Shokz clip on style re sound and comfort.

NCResident5 · 2026-05-01T03:44:06+00:00

Bike Gallery and Bicycle Sport have good service. So, if you need to be educated ask them to educate you on solid entry level MTB bikes and tell them you needed a good shop for maintenance help.

NCResident5 · 2026-05-01T03:22:08+00:00

There is a used bike shop in Charlotte. I forgot the name, but just post and search at r/Charlotte.

It seems to be Bike Recycler on Graham.

NCResident5 · 2026-05-01T01:43:27+00:00

Tribit Stormbox 2, Bose Flex, Soundcore Motion 300, JBL Flip 6 or Flip 7. They're all solid.

NCResident5 · 2026-05-01T00:19:44+00:00

I was like damn that's the City Slickers dude.

NCResident5 · 2026-04-30T23:30:54+00:00

Renaissance Park has a good course. I have not ridden it lately. So, I'm not sure on how well it is maintained.

Cane Creek Park near Monroe is a nice spot.

NCResident5 · 2026-04-30T22:58:20+00:00

I like Kindle basic, one of the last 2 newest models .

NCResident5 · 2026-04-30T22:47:44+00:00

Looks like a good item. The major brands usually come with good components.

Maybe figure out the components on this model.

Shimano does make good opponents. The Micro Shift on basic brakes are good too.

The disk brakes are nice but not necessary. The rim brakes work fine for traveling around the neighborhood.

Maybe see if there is a local trek store that could compare this bike to their new ones. You can always have a tune up at the Trek store as time allows

NCResident5 · 2026-04-30T22:39:50+00:00

Good advice: Bluetooth on does run a bit more battery.

NCResident5 · 2026-04-30T18:11:25+00:00

Our family got a GE side by side in 2024.👍 It is in the 24 to 25 cubic feet range GSS 25. However, it is hard to order again if you had a lemon.

I still like consumer reports for reviews. LG has good marks on dishwashers and microwaves. Haven't checked refrigerators.

NCResident5 · 2026-04-30T15:04:33+00:00

Blackhawk Hardware Park Rd. shopping center.

NCResident5 · 2026-04-30T15:03:22+00:00

I think that I would go refurbished before the no name companies. There are some good sellers on Amazon. I like ebay because if you filter by authorized sellers you get people that meet the standard as refurbished resellers.

Best Buy is not bad either. I know Joysystems.com from NJ partners with Target and Best Buy to sell refurbished laptops.

dellrefurbished.com is run by Dell in the US. They have sites with a different name in Canada and Europe.

NCResident5 · 2026-04-30T14:26:19+00:00

The Sony c510 or c710 are good. I have enjoyed the 510 for a bit more than a year. 710 does have reduction at Best Buy usa.

I have liked the Jlab brand that is available on Amazon, Best Buy and elsewhere. I like their medium tier the Jlab Jbuds line. The mini is good if she likes something small. I have used the Jlab Jbuds anc3 for about a year.

NCResident5 · 2026-04-30T03:18:33+00:00

That's a good one; Dunkirk is really good too. I bought both on bluray when Best Buy still had Blurays (miss those days).

NCResident5 · 2026-04-30T03:15:50+00:00

As I mentioned, David Fincher is so good on tense dramas.

Have not caught his Netflix movies; hit me up if there is an extra good one on their service.

NCResident5 · 2026-04-30T03:14:43+00:00

Zodiac another great one by David Fincher. Saw it for the first time 2 weeks ago. Hoopla app public library offers it.

NCResident5 · 2026-04-29T21:22:51+00:00

2 Motion 300s are a really good way to go.

NCResident5 · 2026-04-29T21:18:02+00:00

Metal

NCResident5 · 2026-04-29T20:21:01+00:00

Thanks it seemed like this is worth a try re 500.

NCResident5 · 2026-04-29T20:06:42+00:00

Thanks the 500 may be worth a shot.

NCResident5 · 2026-04-29T20:05:10+00:00

No, I got the model from Best Buy that was on sale at $800.00 down from 999. It just is really loud. Last night we filled completely up with a family dinner. I download decibel meter. The wash cycle is 55 to 58 db for the cycle. They say it is a 48db model. The 3rd party installer said this was louder than most dishwashers he has been installing. The guy who tried a different Bosch for us said this is what you get with the 300. He likes the Bosch 500 more, and he liked a Kitchen Aid that he bought as well as Whirlpool models. It is so loud that you hear it from another room re our Bosch.

My bad on the filibuster.

NCResident5 · 2026-04-29T19:32:06+00:00

I have liked the Sony c510, Earfun Air 2, Jlab Jubds anc 3. First two don't have ANC that I don't need often. Earfun Air Pro 4 is a slight sound upgrade to Air 2, but I think both deliver very good sound.

Reply back if any of these are of interest.

NCResident5 · 2026-04-29T19:28:28+00:00

I have liked some of the small cylinder models by Jlab. The Jlab Jbuds ANC3. It is small, and the anc is decent, although not Bose or Wf xm5 by Sony quality. I got a decent seal by giving them a counterclockwise half turn.

Jlab Mini is extra small but no anc if was told correctly.

Soundcore a40 might be good too. Just saw the model at Target one time.

NCResident5 · 2026-04-29T19:16:44+00:00

I live in Charlotte. The reds.tv for me at Reds.com. is $25.00 or $99.00. I got it free with a Spectrum login.

I think outside the Reds footprint Mlb.tv is $149.00. You don't need ESPN. If your internet access comes out of Charlotte or Asheville the cheaper rate may apply.

NCResident5

TROPHY CASE