Review: VR Box (Virtual Reality Headset)

Bought this new virtual reality headset. VR Box. This is a quite decent product, which gives some enjoyable experience without burning a hole in the pocket. I bought it for RM 70. Compared to similar products from Oculus and Samsung, it is quite reasonably priced. However, one must be careful while drawing such comparisons.

Oculus is probably the best-in-class and gives an exceptional immersive experience. Comparatively, VR Box is definitely not as immersive. But what more you can ask for RM 70?

You need a smartphone to enjoy VR Box and that is not an issue as who doesn't have a smart phone these days. I recommend a bluetooth headset and a bluetooth controller to make the experience more enjoyable and hassle-free.

One downside of the headset is that a long use gives motion sickness and nausea. I am not sure if this is an issue with this headset or do all Virtual Reality headset include this issue in the package.

Overall, a pretty decent gadget that is reasonably priced.

Note 5: Succumbed to the temptation

New Toy

Product Review: Case Logic XNSLR 7

XNSLR 7 is the new entrant in my collection of cameras and accessories. Here is the reason why I bought it.

Problem Statement

I travel very frequently and whenever I travel, I carry at least two piece of luggage...my laptop bag and my camera bag. I cannot fit my camera and accessories in the laptop bag as I carry one SLR camera, one super zoom camera, one 70-300 lens and one 18-55 lens. Moreover, I carry a lot of other equipment like battery charger, table tripod, tripod, filter lenses etc. So, I had no option but to carry two bags. Moreover, these two bags cannot be checked-in and it is painful and uncomfortable to carry these two bags while travelling (especially on Terminal 3 on Delhi Airport). Hence, I was looking for a solution.

Solution

The solution came in the form of Case Logic's XNSLR 7. This bag allows me to carry my laptop and accessories with my entire range of cameras and accessories. In fact it has room for more and so I have filled in four hard disks, my phone charger, my PSP and its charger. Following are its positive and negative points;

Positives:

• Space: As mentioned earlier, it can accommodate a lot of camera gear and you would still find more space. To give you an idea, my bag holds a Canon 450D, a Canon S5IS, a 18-55 lens, a 70-300 lens, filter lenses (3), a battery charger, camera cleaning kit, a table tripod, a medium length tripod, filter lenses, spare batteries, a 15 inch laptop, power cord, laptop accessories bag, mouse, wireless pointer, 4 hard disks, PSP and its charger and my mobile phone charger. With all these, it is full but it definitely has more equipment than I need
• Structure: Two best things about the bag are (1) the camera cradle; (2) the zipper on the side that gives quicker access to any additional camera or lens. The camera cradle allows me to put my SLR camera without removing the 70-300 lens. I would admit that my earlier camera bag also allowed me to do the same but with this cradle, I do not have to worry about the safety of the lens and the camera. The way the cradle has been placed in the bag, it allows easy access to the camera without exposing the entire bag to the elements. The zipper on the side helps me in taking out my S5IS camera in no time. That helps in not missing out on any opportunity to click a picture
• Strength: Its early days but the bag looks pretty sturdy to me. I had looked at several options before zeroing upon this bag. The main reason I did not go ahead with those options was the strength of those bags. I was planning to load a truck load of equipment in the bag and I wanted to be doubly sure that the bag is strong enough. So far, I am happy with my decision
• Looks: This is a attribute on which the opinion can differ from person to person. I personally believe that the bag is fairly good looking
• Safety: As mentioned in one of the earlier points, one real good quality of the bag is that it offers easy access to the equipment and helps in avoiding too much exposure to the elements 

Negatives:

• Weight: The bag itself is not too heavy but after loading all the gear/equipment, it does become heavy. In my case, my laptop probably weighs a ton and that adds to the overall weight of the bag. With my equipment, the bag can be carried ONLY by strong shoulders. Though it is a negative attribute but I would like to add that I am pretty okay with the weight. After all, you cannot have everything. One has to prioritize the needs and compromise on certain aspects to accommodate the more important ones. In my case, I am okay with the weight of the bag, especially when I have both the straps on (carrying it on both shoulders)
• Price: The bag was not available in India so I had to get it from a seller who imports camera accessories from other countries. I got it through ebay and it costed me INR 9990. Now, for a bag, that is a huge sum to pay. I do have difficulty in justifying my purchase to others. However, there were no cheaper alternatives available that scored highly on my priority list of attributes. Some had space but they were not sturdy, some were sturdy but they would not have accommodated all my gear/equipment. I wanted a bag that could have accommodated my current gear as well as the gear that I am likely to go for in future. Keeping that in mind, XNSLR 7 looked the best fit. I agree that I would have loved to have a cheaper alternative. I would also agree that the bag scores less on value for money but that is not because the overall benefits are low. It is just that the money that I had to shelve out was pretty high. Overall, I am not too unhappy on the value for money aspect

Verdict: I Recommend It!!!

Anyone who is looking for a laptop cum camera bag, I would say that before selecting a bag, look at your current camera gear and also keep in mind the additional gear that you may purchase. You would not like to get into a situation in which you have invested heavily in a bag and a year down the line you find it smaller than what you need. 

I believe that except its price, XNSLR 7 offers a pretty attractive package. I would definitely recommend it. However, if you find another bag that can safely store a lot of equipment and is much cheaper, please let me know as I would love to invest in that bag!!!

Tata Indicom: Dead Horse

I recently purchased a Tata Indicom "Plug 2 Surf" USB modem. I already have a broadband connection at home but I needed a USB modem since I had some travel plans and wanted to stay connected. High hopes!!!

15 Minute Customer Delight

I called up Tata Indicom customer care to enquire about the offers and plans. I was told about a great offer and was told that an executive can deliver the modem at my door step. I was pretty happy with such service. Didnt know that it was just a bait!!!

The Actual Customer Service Starts

Villain#1 (Sales Executive): The same day, a sales executive came to my place and asked me to fill a form. I did that. Then he took the money and got up to leave!!! I asked him for the USB modem. He told me that someone else will come to verify the address and that guy will give the USB modem. Later, the customer care executive called and asked whether I have received the modem or not!!! When told about what happened, she almost scolded me for not taking the modem from the sales executive. But madam, how am I supposed to know that your executives can be cheats??? I tried calling the sales executive but he did not pick up. This happened for the most part of next day as well. Then I received a call from the customer care. I was told that I will get the modem in half an hour. After waiting for an hour and half, I called up the sales executive and he said that he will be at my place in 15 minutes. After several more calls and a couple of hours, he sent a boy with the modem. The boy knew nothing about the device, laptops, installation process etc. He just told me that he cant help much and my connection will be activated by the end of day.

Late in the night, I tried connecting the modem. Nothing happened. Then, I figured out that there is an installation CD that has been provided. For some reason, this was kept a secret!!! May be they thought that CD has documents related to national security or probably the design details of Tata Nano!!! Anyways, after installing the CD, the modem started to work....at least the signal strenth related numbers suggested that. But there was a "small" problem.....none of the sites were opening. Probably, the Tata Indicom folks thought that I have taken the connection just to check out the signal strength!!!!

I tried calling the customer care(technical)!!!! I was asked for a 10 digit number!!!! More mysteries!!!! I was never provided with a 10 digit number. I went through the manual and realised that the number is actually a phone number. Luckily I have a CDMA phone. I plugged the sim card in my phone and checked the phone number. Later, I was told by the customer care that a technician will come to my place in 12 hours. He almost admitted that someone should have communicated the phone number to me.

Villain # 2 (Technician): The technician came to my place and within 5 minutes decided that I need to format my laptop!!!! Threw some technical jargons to suggest that the problem is with my laptop. How convenient!!! I suggested him that he should try connecting the modem to his laptop. Surprise Surprise!!!! It did not work!!! Then he tried connecting his own modem to his laptop....that didnt work either. Then came the best solution. It cant work at my place so I should go outside my home to use the connection. I visualized myself sitting under a tree outside my home and checking my mails. I almost smiled. I asked him to get out. How rude of me!!!

Villain # 3 (Technical Support Call Center): I called up the technical support and asked them what shall I do now. They told me that the connection may not work at my place. In that case, I can ask for a full refund. But for that, a technician will have to report that the connection wont work at my place. I told them that a technician has already visited and he has told me that the connection wont work in my house. But the customer care exec told me that the technician has reported back that the customer is using his personal modem and there is a problem with the modem!!!! WOW!!! I told the buggers that I have purchased the modem from Tata Indicom only. Then I was told that I can go to the nearest outlet, fill a form and ask for a refund. Finally!!!

I did just that. I went to a nearby outlet but.........I was told that they cannot help me. I called up the customer care and they told me that only the executive that delivered the modem can help me with the refund!!!! And we curse the government for bureaucracy!!!!

I tried calling the executive. For the first 10 thousand times he did not pick up. Then I sent a message to him that I am going to lodge a police complaint against him. In 2 minutes he called up and told me that he was in a meeting. Not even Ratan Tata would be so busy with meetings!!! He came up with another brilliant solution. He told me that it seems that I have not installed the CD properly so he will send someone to install it!!! I told him that it says connected but none of the sites are opening. He told me that in that case, it is a problem with signal and contact technical support. He also told me that in no case will I get a refund. I called technical support and talked to them in the most colorful language that I have ever used. How rude of me!!!

Villain # 4 (Billing Team): In the evening, someone called up from the billing team and said that he can close the connection if I want. I asked that I will be more than happy but what about the refund? He told me that there wont be any refund made. And he told me that I should try taking the modem with me on the trip and it will surely work.

I did that. But, as expected, the modem/connection did not work!!!

I have thrown the modem!!!!

Lessons Learnt:

1. Never use a Tata product as the product and the customer service sucks

2. I was planning to get a Tata Sky connection but now, thats out of question

3. I should try "anulom vilom" and "pranayam". I am a BP patient and I can easily have a heart attack while dealing with customer care executives. I was on the verge of heart attacks several times during this whole process.

4. Tata Indicom has launched a new product. In its promos it shows that race horses to suggest the speed. I beg to differ. I think Tata Indicom is in the business of selling "dead horses"

4. I know solved the mystery regarding vampires and draculas. I know where are all of them now. All of them are working as customer care executives. I think the biggest eligibility criteria for becoming a customer care executive is that you must know how to suck the blood of the customers!!!!

Nokia 5610: Just Like Marriage

Marriage

Nokia 5610 is my first, relatively costly mobile set. I am pretty bad with technology and I do not care if my phone has a camera or not (as I carry a camera everywhere) and so I have always used the basic models. But this beauty really appealed me. Though it was much costlier than the other sets that I have used till now, I really did not mind as it seemed worth the investment. I brought it home.

Honeymoon

Initial days were great. Everyone was "wowed". Looks were great. Sound clarity was good. I was really happy and satisfied.....infact "orgasmic"!!!!

Trouble in Paradise

Initial problems started when one fine day, the phone suddenly went dead. My efforts to restart it went in vain. Only after I took the battery off and tried restarting it, my phone came out of the coma. But this became a regular feature. Many of you would think that I have loaded the cell with all kind of junk (pictures, softwares, music) but thats not true.

Recently the slider key on the phone (the one that is used to directly go to the music player and radio) came off. To my horror, I came to know that the part is not covered under warranty. Moreover, it can not be replaced anytime soon since the replacement parts are yet to arrive in the market!!! Going by the other reviews, I understand that this is not a one-off phenomenon and several users are facing the same problem. I have reached out Nokia folks (in-laws) but there is no response yet.

Heading towards Divorce

The USP of this phone is the look. If the part can not be replaced/repaired, I would prefer dumping this one and bringing another one. (But ya, thats is something I wont do in marriage). I wont recommend the phone to anyone.

Canon: Customer Delight

It was just about two and half years back that I felt that I should buy a camera. Back then, I had limited knowledge of these equipments (I would like to believe that it has changed over the period!!!!) but I had a strong desire as photography had always intrigued me. I bought a Canon A75 camera as I had used my sister's Canon A70 and was pretty familiar with the functioning.

The camera was my soulmate for around two years but just when I got married, it decided to make way for the new soulmate. It developed some problem and it's LCD blacked out. I thought that I have lost my camera forever :(

Around 20 days back, I decided that I will try and get the camera repaired. I stepped out of my place to take the camera to a Canon Service Center but on locating a Canon dealer on the way, I took the camera him. The guy told me that the problem was with the CCD and it will take 21 days (nothing more and nothing less) and 3,500/-INR to get the camera repaired. I was like....WOW!!!.....I was thinking that it will cost me much more, if at all a repair was possible. The "21 days" timeline did surprise me. After all, we all are pretty used to hearing "time lagega, sir" in such cases. But I thought that Canon, being such a huge name in camera space, must have set time for various types of repair. I felt pretty bad to leave my beloved camera behind. I still did that thinking that it will be worth it as my camera will make a recovery and come back to me.

On the 17th day, I gave the dealer a call to enquire whether I will be getting back my camera on the 21st day. I was pretty excited about getting my camera back. To my surprise I got the answer that I had expected initially..."time lagega, sir". I was told that it would take at least ten more days and in some cases it takes three months also!!!! Now, if I say that I was pretty pissed on this answer then it will be a huge understatement!!! I had plans to use the camera on a vacation in July. I asked for the owner and questioned him that how come I was not communicated. He did not have an answer to that but he simply said that in such cases, it takes time. Dude, if it takes time, you should at least let the customer know. May be I would not have given the camera for repair at all!!!!

I made up my mind that I will file a case in the consumer forum....supreme court....take the matter to the media...the President....American President and anyone who can help. But I started with filing a complaint on the Canon website. While doing that I noticed a customer service call center number. I gave them a call and explained them my problem. I was immediately asked to have a talk with the India Customer Service Head and the Andhra Pradesh Customer Service Manager (I stay at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh). I had a talk with the AP Manager and I was told that in half an hour I will be given the status. To my surprise, in 10 minutes the dealer (!!!) called up and said that he will deliver the camera on the next day (a good three days short of the initially communicated delivery date)!!!! Post that, I received a call from the AP Manager and some other official too and they apologized for the mishap. They suggested that for any customer service related issues or repairs, one should reach out to Canon Service Center. I was very happy with the quick response from Canon. But it did not end there. They delighted me by telling me that I would not be charged anything for the service and the dealer will bear the expenses!!!!

I saved 3,500 Rupees and got my camera in time simply because I dont have the "chalta hai" attitude. A lot of people would not have made all that effort and would have accepted the dealer's bullshit. But in the process, I came to know that Canon not only makes super cool cameras but also provides super cool service to its customers. Kudos to Canon!!!!