CombatCritic's TravelValue™: best

CombatCritic™ ... World traveler - 42 countries and counting; Military Leader - Four combat operations; Amateur chef; Published author and producer - over 4 million visitors on seven platforms! Yelp "Black" Elite '14/'15/ '16/ '17/ '18/ '19 / '20/ '21/ '22 / '23 / '24; TripAdvisor ¨Local Guide¨, Zomato "VERIFIED CONNOISSEUR"; Booking.com "GENIUS"; and Foursquare "INSIDER". On the Front Lines in the Battle Against Mediocrity - Follow Me To TravelValue™ ... That's A Freakin' Order!

Showing posts with label best. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

TravelTech: 2019 - Best International SIM Card And No-Contract Plan For Travel Within The EU

Traveling to Europe and want to pay just $25 for all of the talk, text and data you need with no roaming charges in all 48 European countries and 77 countries worldwide (including the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and Spain)? Well, you are in luck!

You can get a Vodafone UK SIM card in the United Kingdom from any Vodafone store and most telephone shops for just £1 and a £20 pay-as-you-go big value bundle that includes 1,000 minutes of talk and unlimited texts (local - in the European country that you are in and to UK numbers) and 8GB of 4G/LTE data good for 30 days. Unlike some countries, such as Italy for example, you do not need to show a passport or any other ID when purchasing the SIM card or bundle. Being a pay-as-you-go option, bundles can renew every 30 days (if you so choose), so you can use the SIM card for 4 days, 4 weeks, 4 months or 4 years.

You will need an unlocked GSM phone (AT&T and T-Mobile use the GSM network - Sprint, Verizon and other US carriers do not) to take advantage of this offer. You can buy an unlocked GSM phone on Amazon relatively inexpensively before you leave or you can rent or buy one when you arrive in the UK. Just pop the SIM card in your phone - they come in all three sizes: standard, micro, and nano - and off you go!

When you arrive in another free-roaming country you will get a text welcoming you and your smart phone will connect to a local network automatically. I bought my SIM card in London and traveled to France, Italy and Portugal over a period of two plus months, seamlessly traveling with 100% connectivity everywhere I went. You can top-up your SIM online, over the phone, by text, or, do as I did, by adding an additional two months worth of credit (£40) before I left London.

Unused minutes and data rollover automatically and you can create a mobile hotspot (which Vodafone - Italy will not allow you to do) if you like. I was also able to stream video everywhere we went. I received an offer to add an additional 20GB of data for just £3 after the first month, giving me a total of 34GB of data ... HOOAH!

Translation for Civilians:

HOOAH!: "Phonetic spelling of the acronym HUA, which stands for 'Heard Understood Acknowledged.' Originally used by the British in the late 1800's in Afghanistan. More recently adopted by the United States Army to indicate an affirmative or a pleased response." - Urban Dictionary

"The Department of Military Science and Leadership, University of Tennessee claim HOOAH 'refers to or means anything except no' ... Regardless of its meaning ... the term is an expression of high morale, confidence, motivation and spirit." - WarChronicle.com

"The U.S. Air Force stole 'HOOAH' from the Army because we were part of the Army until 1947 and rather than waste a bunch of time coming up with something new and unique like "ROO-YAH" or "HAL-A-LOO-YAH", we said 'screw it, let's go with HOOAH' ... thanks Army ... HOOAH!" - CombatCritic

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

How To Save Money And Get The Best Exchange Rate While Traveling Abroad

I belong to numerous travel pages on Facebook and elsewhere, having seen many posts asking about the best way to exchange moneys while traveling abroad. Here is one I found on Facebook recently:

"Can I change my US$ to Yen (in Japan) somewhere or should I change it here (in the US)?"

Being the host of a popular travel blog and YouTube channel, I have traveled to 43 countries so far. In my experience, you ALWAYS get a much better exchange rate though ATMs (versus currency exchanges) using a globally accepted debit card (e.g. Mastercard / Cirrus or Visa / Plus). My bank (USAA) reimburses me up to $15 per month for other bank's ATM usage fees in the US, but overseas they charge a 1% fee (per ATM transaction) and DO NOT reimburse ATM usage fees abroad any longer.

However, due to the prevalence of pickpockets in many tourist areas, I prefer carrying as little cash as necessary and using a credit card with NO FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEES. The exchange rate is equally as low (as debit cards) and cards can be replaced quickly (within 2-3 days in some cases) and easily by calling a local toll free number (take a picture of the front and back of your cards so you have all of the necessary information). I misplaced a Chase Visa card in England last January and had my replacement card in just two days.

When all is said and done, the best way to pay for travel is with a rewards credit card (paid in-full every payment cycle of course) for most purchases and an international debit card for ATM withdrawals in order to have cash available for merchants that do not accept credit cards (which is very common in countries like India). Keep only enough cash on you to cover a meal or purchase of under $100 and you will not be too disappointed if you happen to find your wallet missing after a crowded bus or metro ride.

Happy travels!

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Title: How To Save Money And Get The Best Exchange Rate While Traveling Abroad

Key Words: how, best, exchange, rate, traveling, abroad, ATM, fee, credit, card, debit, money, cash, currency, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, Google, Facebook

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

CombatCritic Is The #1 Reviewer In Portland, Oregon ... HOOAH!

It's Official ... CombatCritic is the #1 Reviewer in Portland, Oregon according to Zomato ... HOOAH!

Sunday, May 1, 2016

CombatCritic's "TravelValue' Passes The 100,000 Visitor Milestone In Just 3 Years ... Thanks To You!

Thanks to you ...

Pageviews last month: 4,207

Pageviews all time history: 100,923

100,000 visitors in just 3 years and growing exponentially!

Thank you to all of our loyal readers!

CombatCritic

"On The Front Lines In The Battle Against Mediocrity"

Monday, January 18, 2016

TravelTech: Mohu Leaf50 - Poor Product - Best Buy And Mohu Refuse To Honor Warranty

Mohu
2720 Discovery Drive,
Raleigh, N.C. 27616
Phone: 1-855-446-6648
Website: GoMohu.com
Email: support@gomohu.com
Prices: $$$$ Quality: @@@@

Mohu Leaf 50 Amplified Digital Indoor TV Antenna

Maybe you like to travel in your motor home, RV, 5th Wheel, or camper and watch TV along the way. A portable, amplified antenna with a range of 50 miles would come in handy in many locations around the U.S., eliminating the need for an expensive satellite dish. Enter the Mohu Leaf50, just the thing you need and only $70, what a bargain ... WRONG!

The Mohu Leaf50 is advertised as a small, portable amplified multi-directional antenna that gets great reception with a range of 50 miles. I beg to differ.

After paying $70+tax for this piece of plastic the size of a laptop screen, 10 feet of coaxial cable and connectors, and a USB that plugs into your TV, I have had nothing but problems. Watch the video below for proof.

We are less than 40 miles from all broadcast towers in Kansas City and Topeka, well within the "50 mile" radius of the Mohu Leaf50, but reception is poor, sporadic and frustrating even though the terrain between us and the towers in relatively flat.

Having bought the Leaf50 at Best Buy, Best Buy and Mohu refused to refund my money even though even though I am only 5 months into the one-year warranty. Mohu also requires me to pay shipping if the product is defective, which it is.

The Leaf 50 Indoor HDTV Antenna by Mohu does not work as advertised. Ten feet of coaxial cable connects to a piece of plastic the size of a laptop computer screen and it is supposed to get "great" reception with a "range of 50 miles". We are not on the road, but live in Lawrence, Kansas and it is a straight shot (flat) to Kansas City and Topeka with transmission towers 35-40 miles away (see FCC photos below) and the signals fade out constantly, a real irritation.

I bought the Leaf 50 at Best Buy in August because of the reviews and figured that being an amplified, multi-directional antenna with a 50 mile radius, 35-40 miles of flat Midwest terrain should be a breeze. That dog won't hunt Mohu!

It worked "OK" for a couple months with intermittent but tolerable cut-outs, but when winter started to set-in, the cut outs became more frequent and longer on all channels. We have a few trees around the house so you would think that with the leaves being gone reception would get better, but it got worse, a lot worse.

FCC Transmission Tower Locator Screenshot Based On Our Location

I took the Mohu Leaf 50 back to Best Buy in December, but they would not honor Mohu's 1-year warranty, telling me "sorry, it's outside our 15-day return policy, you'll have to deal with Mohu". That is exactly the reason why this was the only thing I had purchased at Best Buy in seven years, their lousy return policy, and it will be the last thing I ever buy at Best Buy! There are too many web-based retailers out there to have to shop at a store that cares so little about their customers.

TV Reception Maps - Transmission Tower Locator Website

$70 plus tax for this cheap piece of plastic and co-axial cable is absurd and I cannot recommend that you buy one unless you are very close to the transmitters. Even though the FCC online digital reception map indicates that Fox (WDAF - 35 miles), CBS (KCTV - 35.7 miles), and ABC (KMBC - 39.3 miles) are all in the "green" (strongest) signal category, the constant loss of signal and reception is an aggravation I can live without. What a waste of $75. Our $7 rabbit ears get better reception than the Mohu Leaf 50.

As directed by Best Buy, I contacted Mohu on January 11th, asking for a refund. Here was their response:

"Dear Combatcritic,

We would like to acknowledge that we have received your request and a ticket has been created with Ticket ID - xx360. A representative will be reviewing your request on and will send you a personal response. This usually happens within 24 hours.

Please remember should you need troubleshooting assistance or if you would like to know what channels you should receive at your location you will need to send us your complete address so we can provide you with the most accurate assistance on the first contact. Should you need to provide us with any additional information such as your address, order number, etc. simply visit your inbox and reply to the email confirmation.

You may also be able to find immediate help using the links below.

Sincerely,

Mohu Sales and Service

Business Hours: Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm EST"

I sent them my address that same day as requested, but after ten days (January 21st) I still have not been contacted by a Mohu Representative. So much for doing what they promise.

Here is the warranty and return verbiage from the Mohu website:

"Mohu Warranty and Returns

Warranty Details
Mohu warrants our products against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase. During this period, the products will be replaced or repaired at no charge. This warranty does not cover damage due to acts of nature, commercial use, accident, misuse, abuse, or negligence. This warranty is valid only in the USA and Canada.

There are no implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purchase except to the extent that implied warranties of either sort are required by applicable law, in such case, each warranty is limited in duration to the one year.

Return Procedure
If you cannot locate your packing slip, please contact us via our Contact Us page http://www.gomohu.com/contact/ or by phone at our toll-free number 1-855-4GOMOHU (919-896-7696, 8am-5pm EST, M-F) about items you would like to return. Include your name, order number and approximate date of purchase for faster service.

Customer is responsible for all return shipping charges.

Items should be returned to the following address:

Mohu, Inc.Attn: Return Department2720 Discovery Drive,Raleigh, NC 27616

Returns sent to any other address will not be accepted."

I sent Mohu Customer Support the following message on January 17th:

"I disconnected the amplifier as your website suggests, but our reception only got worse. I have a strong signal on most channels, just like the FCC website (and yours) says I should based on our location and that of the towers. Here’s a video showing the problems:

As you can see from the FCC website's data and our TV's signal strength indicator, the signal is very strong, but the picture fades in and out. Please let me know how to troubleshoot because I am not paying shipping to return your defective product. If we cannot fix this quickly, I’ll take the $70 loss and publish my review for Moho and Best Buy based on my experience.

I have moved the antenna everywhere in the room based on the limitations of the cables provided and nothing has helped. I also unplugged the amplifier from the TV because Mohu said the amplifier could be faulty, but I had pretty much the same reception with the amplifier disengaged.

Mohu finally contacted me and they refuse to fix the problem or stand behind their product:

"I apologize the below reply was not received, unfortunately this antenna will not work for your needs.

Unfortunately the reception at ground level is weaker than shown of the FCC due to hills between you and the broadcast towers.

At ground level the signal strength for most of the transmitters are in the low 30 decibel range which is typically too weak for the antenna to receive. To improve reception or have signals similar to the FCC database the antenna needs to be elevated. You should try the Leaf 50 antenna on the second floor or in the attic, you can use an extension coax cable after the amplifier to the TV less than 20 feet.

The Sky 60 antenna is the only Mohu antenna that can be mounted on the roof for the best signal reception as well as connect more than 1 TV through a splitter. This antenna is also the best option for customers interested in recording the TV shows.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Sincerely,

Michelle, Mohu Sales and Service, 855-446-6648"

Oddly enough, contrary to Michele's claim that my "antenna will not work", Mohu's very own website claims that the Mohu Leaf50 is in-fact recommended for my location (note zip code for Lawrence, Kansas and the date in the screenshots below), adding that it will receive "25 channels":

So why does Mohu now claim that I have the wrong antenna? Here was my response to Michelle:

"Then why does your website recommend the Leaf50 for Lawrence, Kansas residents (66044) like me, falsely advertising 25 channels received?

Your company has some serious integrity problems, false advertising included, and I will report you to the FCC as well as the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office.

I will eat the $75 I wasted on your product, take it with me to the firing range, and use it for target practice with my 9mm Beretta, posting the video on my popular YouTube channel with a link to my review of Mohu on my highly rated blog: http://www.combatcritic.com/2016/01/traveltech-mohu-leaf50-antenna-with-50.html. Can you say “viral” video? Sure you can!

Good luck with your lousy products and deceptive business practices. What goes around, comes around Mohu!"

I have already lost $75 on this product and I am not about to waste another minute dealing with this unscrupulous company. Their product is defective, not my fault, so why should I pay for shipping or another antenna? Most reputable companies cover shipping and send pre-paid return labels when their products go "tits-up". I guess that tells us what kind of company we are dealing with at Mohu. Their warranty is a joke and, well, I am not exactly laughing about their product.

Excuse me while I go buy a real antenna from a reputable company ... and it WILL NOT be Best Buy.

CombatCritic Gives Mohu, The Mohu Leaf50, and Best Buy 1 Bomb Out Of 10 And A Spot On My 'WALL OF SHAME" ... More Bombs Are Better!

One Bomb Equates To:

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Title: TravelTech: Mohu Leaf50 - Poor Product - Best Buy And Mohu Refuse To Honor Warranty

Key Words: Mohu Leaf50, Mohu, leaf, 50, amplified, HDTV, HD, multi-directional, antenna, TV, best, buy, junk, false advertising, Best Buy, travel, value, product, technology, tech, review

Translation for Civilians: FUBAR = "Fucked-Up Beyond All Repair"

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Best Pizza in Lawrence (Kansas)!

Tad's Pizzeria

1410 Kasold Dr
Lawrence, KS 66049

(785) 856-3131

Web: Tad's Pizza Lawrence

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tadspizzeria

Price: $$$$$

I know it is not saying much when I say that Tad's has the best pizza in Lawrence, a town of 90,000 with some of the poorest restaurant choices per capita in the nation, if not the world, particularly when it comes to Italian food.

I had heard that Tad's had good pizza a few weeks before our recent trip to Puerto Rico, but we did not have a chance to try it before we left. Upon our return I was too burnt-out to cook, so I ordered from Tad's mobile website while in the sauna at the gym. Their site is actually quite user-friendly and easy to navigate, but I was dismayed when I realized that when I created an account to order our food, I had apparently signed-up for a service called "EatStreet". Tad's and/or EatStreet should warn you before enrolling in a service without your permission, including "push" notifications I neither wanted nor needed.

Back to the food ...

I ordered two pizzas, one NY Cheese and one NY White, and at $14 and $16 respectively for an 18", not a bad investment. Wheat State Pizza is comparable in price, but offers Groupons from time to time, making them a better value. Tad's should consider doing the same or offer more specials than the limited number they have now. With tax and tip, the bill totaled about $36, not cheap for "PIZZA NIGHT". I routinely order the most basic menu item available on my first visit to a restaurant, in this case no pepperoni, sausage, or ... YUCK ... PINEAPPLE, to see if they can get the basics right.

The pizzas arrived promptly even though Tad's is across town from our house and the delivery person was very friendly and polite. My only critique was that when I handed him $40 for a $30 order, he asked "do you need some change", to which I responded "yes, please!".

The red, cheese pizza was delicious and reminiscent of the pizza "back East", thin dough and crust, well seasoned sauce, and good mozzarella cheese, the type that stretches when you pull the slicers apart. I do not know why it is so easy to find good pizza in New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania where even the bad pizza joints serve pizza better than most places in Kansas.

The white pizza was also very good with no sauce, abundant mozzarella cheese, and a dollup of ricotta on each of the eight slices. The pizza could have been improved with some extra-virgin olive oil brushed on the dough before adding the cheeses or possibly some garlic, oregano, and/or basil added under or on top of the cheeses. It was a bit dry and lacking taste, but was tasty nonetheless.

We will definitely be ordering Tad's pizza again. My only recommendation being that it would be nice if they offered salami as a topping. I have never sen a true NY pizzeria that did not have salami and my favorite addition to a simple cheese pizza.

Overpriced by a buck or two a pie, CombatCritic Gives Tad's Pizzeria 7 Out of 10 Bombs based on VALUE ... BOMBS ARE GOOD!

Read Chris S.'s review of Tad's Pizzeria on Yelp

Key Words: best, pizza, lawrence, food, tad 's, mozzarella, cheese, pizzeria, salami, NY, New York, white, ricotta, basil, oregano, delivery, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value

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