This review first appeared in issue 348 of PC Pro.
Armari’s lower-cost system is something of a technology showcase, exhibiting the latest options in processor, graphics and storage. The combination is one of the most powerful workstations you could buy for £4,500 inc VAT.
At the center of the Magnetar MC16R7 is AMD’s range-topping Ryzen 9 7950X. This potent 16-core processor uses AMD’s latest Zen 4 architecture and is manufactured on the 5nm process. This enables an incredible base clock of 4.5GHz, which is the boost clock for AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro processors. The 7950X’s boost clock of 5.7GHz is only a few hundred megahertz behind the best Intel has to offer, and only with the latter’s P-cores, so it’s good to see that Armari makes the most out of the Ryzen 9 via its own customized CPU liquid cooling.
Armari has also taken full advantage of the fact that the AMD Ryzen 7000 series supports DDR5 memory by supplying 64GB of 6,000MHz RAM in two 32GB modules, leaving two DIMM slots free for upgrades. This is the fastest-clocked memory of any system this month.
The Magnetar MC16R7 showcases the latest CPU, graphics and storage technology(Image credit: Future)
So the Magnetar MC16R7 has a cutting-edge processor, some of the fastest system memory available, and its graphics acceleration is bleeding edge, too. In the past, choosing AMD professional GPUs might be a good choice to keep within a budget, but it rarely beat the Nvidia alternative for performance. The AMD Radeon Pro W7800 is a different matter. It’s in the same price category as the Nvidia RTX A5000 and offers 4,480 unified shaders (which aren’t equivalent to CUDA cores) on AMD’s latest RDNA 3 architecture. It also boasts 32GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, offering 576GB/sec bandwidth.
Armari is notable in the UK market because it’s one of the few local PC integrators that designs its own chassis. However, these cases come at a premium so the Magnetar MC16R7 has been built into a Fractal Design Meshify 2. This is still a great basis for a workstation, with plenty of room inside for airflow and storage upgrades. There are six spaces for 3.5in or 2.5in drives included, and there could optionally be up to 14. On top of this there are two 2.5in-only spaces as standard, but up to four are possible.
You may want to build upon the single M.2 NVMe SSD Armari supplies, but what a great foundation it provides. It’s a 2TB Crucial T700 drive, which supports PCI Express 5, as does the Asus ProArt B650-Creator motherboard. The Crucial SSD delivers incredible throughput from a single drive. CrystalDiskMark recorded sustained reading at 12,373MB/sec and writing at 11,807MB/sec, which were close to twice as fast as some of the PCI Express 4 NVMe SSDs in other workstations this month.
The Fractal Design Meshify 2 case offers lots of room for airflow and upgrades(Image credit: Future)
Considering all the powerful components in the Magnetar MC16R7, it’s no surprise that it produced some stunning test results.Our media-focused benchmarks are the Intel Core i9’s forte, but the Armari system’s overall result of 772 is still incredible, significantly beating the other system this month based on an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X. Its Cinebench R23 multithread rendering result of 38,611 was the fastest in the £4,500 category, and the Blender rendering time of 265 seconds was also top in this class. The OpenCL-accelerated Adobe Media Encoder time of 105 seconds beat every other system this month.
The AMD Radeon Pro W7800 graphics may be around the same price as Nvidia’s RTX A5000, but its performance with SPECviewperf 2020 v3.1 is in a different league as well. The results of 235 in 3dsmax-07 and an unbelievable 846 in maya-06 imply this will be a consummate accelerator for 3D animation. Likewise, 155 in catia-06, 235 in creo-03, 622 in snx-04 and 460 in solidworks-07 show strong abilities with product development, CAD and engineering.
Its LuxMark 3.1 result of 14,919 is a little behind the RTX A5000, but GPU rendering in Blender took just 141 seconds, which is ahead.
Overall, the Armari Magnetar MC16R7 provides the best possible performance for the money in most areas. If you need a powerful all-round workstation, this system should be top of your list.
The GameSir Super Nova is a controller compatible with PC, mobile, and Nintendo Switch, and features Hall effect technology for enhanced precision and longevity from its thumbsticks.
It emulates the very familiar Xbox design, although the various colorways and RGB lighting add a little more vibrancy, especially the Whipped Pink variant. It also has a different D-pad, opting for the four-point approach.
In the hands, the Super Nova feels solid and well-made; in fact, it belies its modest price tag and rivals some of the best PC controllers in terms of build quality. It also features a magnetic faceplate, allowing for easy access to the swappable face buttons, designed to match whatever platform you’re playing on.
The buttons are satisfyingly damped and have very little play to them, sitting tightly in place yet still being easy to use. The same is true of the analog sticks, as there’s hardly any play in them at all. They are finished in a harder material than you might find on other controllers, but I still found them comfortable. However, the two optional back buttons are considerably less damped, and my fingers didn’t quite land in the optimal place for triggering them.
The Super Nova can be tweaked using the 'M' (multifunction) button on the front, which allows you to adjust aspects such as stick deadzone and RGB lighting, among others. But many more tweaks can be made using GameSir Connect, the brand’s peripheral tool on PC. Here you’ll find more options than I think I’ve ever seen offered in controller software, so everybody’s preferences should be catered for here.
There are curve profiles and actuation settings for the triggers and sticks, numerous button remapping options, and even an option to set motion controls to always on, allowing you to substitute them with analog stick or even mouse inputs.
To game with, the Super Nova puts in an admirable performance. The buttons are responsive, while the Hall effect technology in the sticks and triggers offer precise movements, although I did find the triggers a little too light to actuate, which did take some getting used to. I didn’t find the D-pad quite so amenable either, as I had to press more towards its center to get a consistent response, which isn’t ideal from an ergonomic standpoint.
Connectivity was good for the most part during my time with the Super Nova, as I managed to connect to multiple platforms via both Bluetooth and the 2.4GHz USB dongle. However, there were occasions when it failed to reconnect to the Nintendo Switch, with the controller failing to wake the console from its sleep. Switching between various devices isn’t the snappiest, either, although not many are lightning quick in this regard.
After several days of use the Super Nova was still going strong, although the lack of a battery readout, either on board or in the software, is a glaring omission; the only indicator is the flashing red RGB when it dips below 15%. GameSir did tell me that it should last about 15 hours, though, which is towards the lower end of the spectrum compared to its rivals.
For the price, though, the Super Nova offers great value for money, considering its performance and platform support, not to mention the incredible level of customization provided by Connect. The D-pad and some minor connectivity issues are drawbacks, but this is still a worthy choice for your next gamepad.
GameSir Super Nova review: Price and availability
$44.99 / £49.99 / AU$89
Available now in two colorways
Cheaper than rivals
The GameSir Super Nova costs $44.99 / £49.99 / AU$89 and is available now in two colorways: Nightfall Blue and Whipped Pink. It comes with a 2.4GHz USB dongle, as well as a charging base and USB cable. Other face plates in a variety of colors are also available from GameSir.
When it's on sale, the official Xbox Wireless Controller, one of the best Xbox controllers and best PC controllers, can be found for a little less than the Super Nova. While it’s a great all-round performer, it pales in comparison to the Super Nova in terms of features and customization options. It also lacks a rechargeable battery as standard.
If you’re after a gamepad with even more tweakability than the Super Nova, then the PDP Victrix Pro BFG, one of the best PS5 controllers and best controllers for Call of Duty, is a fine pick. This controller has a fully modular setup, allowing you to replace the face buttons, D-pad, and sticks depending on your preferences, as well as myriad customization options via the Victrix Control Hub App. However, it’s considerably more expensive than the Super Nova.
GameSir Super Nova review: specs
(Image credit: Future)
GameSir Super Nova review: design and features
Typical Xbox controller design
Well made
Incredibly in-depth software
The Super Nova is heavily inspired by the Xbox controller in terms of its form, with its substantial grips and asymmetrical analog sticks mirroring Microsoft’s official gamepad. The D-pad is a point of departure, though, as it harks back to older generations with its four-prong design, rather than a more modern circular hat. There’s also some RGB lighting, although this is quite subtle, confined to just two thin bars running around either grip.
In the hand, the Super Nova feels weighty without being onerous, and the overall construction seems solid. The removable, magnetic faceplate feels premium, as do the rubberized handles, which provide enough grip while maintaining good levels of comfort.
This high standard extends to the face buttons, as they feel smooth to the touch and are damped nicely. There’s very little wobble to them, as with some other controllers, which is especially impressive given they can be swapped around to align with the Nintendo Switch layout (hence the removable faceplate). The analog sticks are similarly solid, and although their material is a little harder than on many other sticks, I still found they offered enough grip.
The triggers are somewhat shallower than on some other controllers. Each has its own lock slider, situated on the back of the Super Nova, which shortens their travel considerably – useful when playing shooters and other games requiring rapid taps.
The two back buttons aren’t damped, and therefore feel less tactile. Also, I found they extended too far outwards, meaning my fingers failed to fall naturally on their end points for the best leverage.
These back buttons can be programmed using the M button at the bottom of the Super Nova – a button that can also be used to make other adjustments on the fly by pressing in conjunction with other buttons. You can change the RGB lighting, vibration intensity, and stick deadzone this way, as well as toggle the Turbo and Hair Trigger modes. These M button adjustments are responsive and provide feedback when changes are made, via flashes of the RGB lighting or small rumbles.
Other customizations can be made in the GameSir mobile app, although this is very limited. Thankfully, the Super Nova also works with GameSir Connect, the company’s peripheral software on PC. This facilitates many tweaks in addition to those accessible via the M button.
Connect provides remapping (including the option to assign multiple inputs to a single button), as well as multiple curve profiles for the sticks and the triggers. There are also various motion control settings, including an option to set which axes are active, as well as an option to turn on motion controls permanently. When this is activated, you can set motion controls to replace the input of either stick or even mouse movements. I was also pleased to see always-on motion controls work when using the Super Nova with the Switch, meaning you can use motion controls in place of the analog sticks with any Switch game.
There are plenty more tweaking options besides those I’ve already mentioned, and I struggle to think of any that are missing here. Connect is also stable for the most part, and the UI is clear and easy to use, although it’s a shame there are no explanations or visual feedback for some of the more advanced settings. What’s more, there doesn’t appear to be any way to save multiple profiles.
(Image credit: Future)
GameSir Super Nova review: performance
Satisfying and precise
Not the best D-pad
Some minor connectivity issues
The overall performance of the Super Nova is very good. The face buttons are responsive and a joy to use, thanks to their aforementioned dampening. However, while the same is true of the D-pad, I found this less satisfying to use.
When playing Tekken 8, for instance, a rapid series of inputs, especially rolls between adjacent directions, can be uncomfortable and unresponsive, especially towards the outer edges of each direction. I found that actually keeping my thumb towards the center of the d-pad improved matters, but was less ergonomic.
Both the triggers and the sticks on the Super Nova employ Hall effect technology, which is also used in some of the best gaming keyboards, and is often claimed to improve precision as well as longevity.
I found the sticks provided a good level of accuracy when playing Goldeneye 64 on the Switch, while modulating the throttle and brake with the triggers in Art of Rally was a smooth experience. However, the triggers don’t offer quite as much resistance as those on some other controllers, resulting in a more sensitive response and requiring a finer touch than usual.
Motion controls also performed well on the Nintendo Switch, providing accurate inputs as I found while aiming bows in Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, even rivaling some of the best Nintendo Switch controllers in this regard.
Connectivity is generally good, with the Super Nova connecting easily to PC via the 2.4GHz dongle, and just as easily via Bluetooth to my Android phone. Connecting via both wireless methods to the Nintendo Switch was also relatively straightforward, although there were occasions when I couldn’t wake the console from sleep with the controller.
Whether this is an issue with the gamepad or the console itself is hard to determine, but it’s a point worth mentioning all the same. Switching between various devices isn’t the quickest either, although many multiplatform controllers aren’t much quicker.
The battery life of the Super Nova is hard to determine, since there’s no indicator other than the RGB lighting flashing red when it dips below 15%. This means I can’t say how much battery life remained after my several days of testing, other than that it was above 15%. What’s more, GameSir doesn’t even provide an estimated battery life, although when I reached out to the company for a figure, it replied that it should last about 15 hours, which isn't particularly impressive compared to the competition.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the GameSir Super Nova?
Buy it if...
You want something familiar If you’re accustomed to Xbox gamepads, then you’ll be right at home here, as the design is virtually the same, aside from a few differences.
You want to tweak a lot From the back buttons and trigger locks to the seriously in-depth customization options, you can tailor the Super Nova to your exact preferences.
Don't buy it if...
You want the best D-pad The four-point design won’t be for everyone, and I found it difficult to use in games requiring heavy use of it.
You’re wanting to use it on PlayStation If you’re after one of the best PS5 controllers, then the Super Nova isn’t for you, as it’s not compatible with Sony’s console, nor does it have the same layout.
GameSir Super Nova review: Also consider
If you're after more wireless controllers, then take a look at some of these alternatives to the GameSir Super Nova.
PDP Victrix Pro BFG If it’s customization options you want, look no further than the Victrix Pro BFG. The unique modular hardware means you can set it up depending on the games you play, with further adjustments available via its software. You’ll have to part with considerably more cash than you would for the Super Nova, though.
Xbox Wireless Controller The standard-bearer for all gamepads, Microsoft’s official peripheral has the ergonomics and performance to make it the default choice for many. It can often be found for less than its original price, too. However, you can’t customize it anywhere close to the same extent as the Super Nova, and it lacks the same multiplatform reach. It doesn’t come with a rechargeable battery as standard, either.
I tested the Super Nova for several days, during which time I used it on PC, Nintendo Switch, and an Android phone. I used both the 2.4GHz dongle and Bluetooth where I could.
I played a variety of games to test the various aspects of the Super Nova’s performance. I played Tekken 8 to test the responsiveness and ergonomics of the face buttons and D-pad, Art of Rally to test the precision of the triggers, Goldeneye 64 on Switch Online to test stick aiming, and Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to test the motion controls and more general performance.
I have been gaming for decades, and during that time have experienced many different controllers. I have also reviewed a number of them, including other Hall effect and GameSir models.
The Dangbei Atom is a 1080p-resolution portable projector. Priced at $899 / £899 (with prices often falling to $699 / £699), it’s pricier than the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 and similarly priced to the LG CineBeam Q, two of the best portable projectors available.
The Dangbei Atom uses a laser DLP light engine and supports the HDR10 and HLG HDR formats, but only via streaming and not through an HDMI or USB connection, which is a shame for those looking to connect one of the best 4K Blu-ray players. It has auto keystone and auto focus, although its manual keystone adjustment is more effective. It also comes with Google TV built in, providing access to some of the best streaming services such as Netflix and Disney Plus. Connections on the Atom consist of one HDMI 2.0 and one USB port.
Picture quality is a mixed bag with the Atom. Its bright image gives more colorful scenes a vivid enough look, contrast is decent and it handles sports motion well. However, given its struggles with black levels and darker scenes, its picture won’t beat the best projectors anytime soon. Sound quality is better than expected, with a solid punch, but is still limited by the projector’s size.
The Atom is light and compact with an appealing blue, square design. For those who want to take a projector with plenty of smart features and capabilities on-the-go, it’ll do the job and easily fit in most small bags.
Dangbei Atom projector review: Price & release date
Contrast on the Dangbei Atom is decent overall, but textures appear too sharp in most picture presets other than Movie, where they look too soft. (Image credit: Future)
First released: February 2024
Price: $899 / £899
The Dangbei Atom’s $899 / £899 list price puts it in a similar price bracket to other portable projectors such as the LG CineBeam Q and Samsung Freestyle Gen 2. Prices for the Atom have dropped to $699 / £699 since its release.
Dangbei Atom projector review: Specs
Dangbei Atom review: Design & features
The Dangbei Atom has access to Google TV alongside other smart features such as Chromecast (Image credit: Future)
Sleek, portable design
Google TV smart platform
Laser DLP (ALPD)
The Dangbei Atom is a slim, compact portable projector. It measures 7.6 x 7.6 x 1.8 inches (19.5 x 19.5 x 4.75 cm) and weighs 2.8lbs (900g). The Atom is mains-powered only, with no battery option.
The 1080p-res Atom's DLP laser (ALPD - Advanced Laser Phosphor Display) light engine delivers a specified 1,200 ANSI lumens brightness. It can beam images up to 180 inches, which is impressive for a projector this small, and has both auto and manual keystone correction and focus. I found the auto focus to be very effective, but also found it best to use manual keystone correction.
The Atom’s Google TV smart platform features major streaming services including Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video. It has Google Voice Assistant for voice control and Chromecast for a wireless connection to phones and tablets. Physical connections include one HDMI port for video only and one USB-A port.
Both the HDR10 and HLG high dynamic range formats are supported, but only through the built-in streaming apps and not HDMI or USB. There is also support for 4K input, which is downscaled to the Atom’s native Full HD resolution. For audio, the Atom features 2 x 5W speakers.
Design & features: 4/5
Dangbei Atom projector review: Picture & sound quality
Where the Dangbei Atom's picture succeeds most is with brighter, more colorful images, such as from movies like Elemental (pictured) (Image credit: Future)
Bright, colorful image
Picture lacks detail
Passably good sound
For my testing of the Atom, I used an 80-inch, 1.0 gain matte white Optoma screen. Measuring the Atom’s brightness on a 10% white window pattern, it hit 109 nits in Movie mode – a significant step-up compared to the LG CineBeam Q, which hit 60 nits in Filmmaker Mode, but lower than the JMGO N1S Pro 4K, which hit 161 nits.
The Atom’s main strength is its surprisingly bright out-of-the-box image, which served more colorful scenes well. Watching Elemental, streamed on Disney Plus in HD and HDR10, colors looked punchy, particularly in scenes where Ember created glass sculptures. In Star Wars: The Last Jedi’s throne room lightsaber fight, reds mostly looked accurate, but were slightly too vivid.
Dangbei’s projector did a solid job displaying sports. The Standard mode provided the best picture and motion handling when I watched a football game streamed from Prime Video – a welcome result as there are no motion adjustments to work with in the setup menu.
The Atom struggled with dark movies. Watching a 4K Blu-ray of The Batman revealed an acceptable balance between light and dark tones, but black levels were raised, looking more gray than black. (I measured the Atom's contrast ratio at 181:1.) Shadow detail was solid overall, with elements in clothing such as Batman’s chest plate still visible.
The Atom also struggled with textures. Throughout most viewing in Movie mode, these appeared soft, even by portable projector standards. In other picture modes, textures appeared too sharp, giving them a fake look, with few picture settings available to fix this.
The Atom’s dual 5W speakers don’t create a room-filling sound, but are solid enough considering the projector’s size. Watching the Batmobile/Penguin chase scene in The Batman, the sound was clear, and there was some impact during explosions and car crashes. However, the soundstage was narrow, and the bass was limited.
The Atom has a game mode for gaming, but that’s the only related feature. Playing Battlefield V was a perfectly fine experience, but some lag was noticeable. When I measured it, the Atom's input lag was 60.4ms, an average score for a portable projector that's not specifically designed for gaming.
Picture and sound quality: 3.5/5
Dangbei Atom projector review: Value
The Dangbei Atom's included remote is typical for a Google TV remote. (Image credit: Future)
Smart features
Sleek design
Better priced rivals
Priced at $899 / £899 upon release, the Atom is nearly double the price of the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 in the UK but doesn’t deliver twice the performance. (It's similarly priced in the US.) Even the LG CineBeam Q, a 4K portable projector, can be found for $799 / £799.
The Atom's price has since dropped to $699 / £699, which is more palatable for the smart features and performance it offers. LG's CineBeam Q and Samsung's Freestyle Gen 2 are still better value overall, but the Atom is still a decent enough portable projector.
Value score: 3.5/5
Should I buy the Dangbei Atom projector?
The Dangbei Atom can be taken anywhere thanks to its slim, light design. (Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You want a seriously portable projector Thanks to its light weight and square design, the Dangbei Atom easily lends itself to on-the-go viewing.View Deal
You want a bright image The Atom's picture thrives with bright, colorful scenes (think animation), which look great for a projector this size and price. View Deal
Don't buy it if...
You want the best value portable projector Although priced well for its features, the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 and LG CineBeam Q provide better bang for your buck. View Deal
You want a consistent picture Although bright, the Atom's picture ultimately struggles, most notably with black levels and textures. View Deal
Also consider
LG CineBeam Q The LG CineBeam Q delivers an excellent 4K resolution picture plus a comprehensive list of smart features for a portable projector. It's often priced the same or marginally higher than the Dangbei Atom, and is a better value. Read our full LG CineBeam Q review.
Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 The Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 isn't as bright as the Dangbei Atom, but it's more well-featured and its picture quality is better overall. Plus, it's much cheaper in the UK. Read our full Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 projector review.
Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro Cheaper than the Dangbei Atom, the Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro offers a lot of the same features and better performance for less. Its not as portable or bright as the Atom, but those are the only places it falls short. Read our full Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro review.
How I tested the Dangbei Atom projector
(Image credit: Future)
Tested with an Optoma 80-inch, 1.0 gain matte white screen
Tested using Blu-ray, streaming sources
Measurements taken using Portrait Displays' Calman calibration software
To test the Dangbei Atom, I used streaming and disc sources. Watching reference scenes, I tested the Atom's picture quality, focusing on color accuracy, black levels, brightness and contrast, and textures.
To record measurements for color and grayscale accuracy, brightness, and contrast ratio, I used a colorimeter, test pattern generator and Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software.
The Atom was primarily tested in pitch-black conditions in TechRadar's testing room. It was also tested in varying lighting conditions to see how it would handle ambient light in other viewing situations.
The Garmin Lily 2 Active is a sleek, slim, great-looking smartwatch built for fitness, and that’s exactly what sets it apart from the rest of the Lily 2 lineup. To make things clear, there’s the original Lily 2, the Lily 2 Classic, and now the Lily 2 Active. While they all look similar, this newer Active version comes with two big upgrades – built-in GPS and longer battery life – making it a stronger choice for people who are serious about tracking their workouts.
The original Lily 2 and Classic models handled health and fitness well already (you can check out our Garmin Lily 2 review for more on that), but this version feels tailor-made for anyone who trains outdoors. That’s mostly thanks to the built-in GPS. In the other models, you’d need to connect to your phone to track routes. Here, you can leave your phone behind.
The Lily 2 Active is designed with smaller wrists in mind – whether that’s women or anyone who prefers a lighter, more compact smartwatch. Its 38mm case and narrower strap make it one of the most wearable fitness watches out there. Back when wearables first hit the market, many felt chunky and oversized. And I say that as someone who’s 5’7” with an athletic build – so I can only imagine how those early designs felt on truly petite wrists.
But don’t let the smaller size fool you, this is a fully-fledged fitness smartwatch. It has what Garmin calls a “hidden display,” meaning the screen disappears behind a patterned lens when not in use. The black-and-white liquid crystal screen looks more Kindle than Apple Watch, which won’t appeal to everyone. It’s not ultra-bright, and the touchscreen experience is a little different. But I actually liked it. Plus, the lack of a big, bright screen means you get far better battery life – up to nine days on a single charge – than even the best Apple Watches.
Under the hood, it’s packed with all the health, sleep, and fitness tracking features Garmin does so well – including heart rate, heart rate variability, pulse ox, and sleep tracking. All of that data feeds into Garmin’s app, where it’s turned into clear charts, sleep scores, fitness age estimates, and the brand’s clever “Body Battery” score – a simple way to check how much energy you’ve got left in the tank.
As you’d expect, fitness tracking is excellent. You get all the standard metrics, plus accurate GPS that’s fast to connect and delivers a full route map after your workout. So yes, it’s smaller and sleeker than most rivals, but it’s still powerful and a genuinely great option for anyone who wants a stylish fitness watch without compromise. Read on to find out what I thought after a full month of testing the Garmin Lily 2 Active.
Garmin Lily 2 Active review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Garmin)
Garmin Lily 2 Active is $299.99 / £299.99 / AU$499
Released in September 2024
The Garmin Lily 2 Active is priced at $299.99 / £299.99 / AU$499, which makes it more expensive than the standard Lily 2, priced at $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$429. But that extra cost gets you two solid upgrades: built-in GPS and a longer battery life – small changes, but ones that make a big difference if you’re into fitness tracking.
In terms of competition, the Lily 2 Active sits in a bit of a grey area. It’s pricier than many of the best fitness trackers, but still cheaper than most of the full-featured best smartwatches.
Take the latest Apple Watch Series 10, for example, it comes in at $399 / £399 / AU$649, and gives you a bright color screen, plenty of apps, and all the bells and whistles. But if you’re not looking for all that extra functionality, the Lily 2 Active might be a better fit.
On the flip side, you’ve got more affordable trackers like the Fitbit Luxe, which is around $109.95 / £109.99 / AU$199.95. It’s sleek and slim, but it doesn’t offer the same depth of fitness tracking, GPS, or overall build quality.
You could even compare it to the best smart rings, which are becoming a popular pick for people – especially women – who want wellness data without a bulky smartwatch. The Oura Ring 4 currently comes in at $349 / £349, and the Ringconn Gen 2 Air ring is around $199 (about £185 / AU$380). But while smart rings excel at sleep and recovery data, they’re not fitness-first devices.
In short, the Garmin Lily 2 Active is fairly priced for what it offers. It’s not cheap, but you’re paying for Garmin’s proven fitness tracking expertise in a stylish, compact design, and that’s a combo that still feels pretty unique in the wearable space.
Value score: 4/5
Garmin Lily 2 Active review: Specifications
Garmin Lily 2 Active review: Design
(Image credit: Garmin)
Slim and sleek 11mm thick case
Weighs just 29g
Comes in a range of stylish colors
Let’s start with what makes the Lily 2 Active really stand out, the design. This is a slim, lightweight smartwatch built with smaller wrists in mind – and it nails that brief.
I’m usually wary of tech “designed for women,” because let’s face it, that often just means pink and patronizing. But in the case of smartwatches, there is a real need for smaller options. Because while wearing the Lily 2 Active, several people asked me what it was, surprised to see a smartwatch that looked this compact. It’s a clear reminder that not everyone wants, or needs, a chunky wearable.
(Image credit: Garmin)
The watch case is just 11mm thick and weighs 29g, making it one of the lightest fitness watches I’ve worn. The silicone strap is also slimmer than average, incredibly comfortable and easy to swap thanks to the quick-release button. While you can fit smaller straps to other Garmin models, the slimmer casing here makes doing so more appealing.
The display is a 34mm liquid crystal monochrome screen, which gives the watch a more e-reader feel than something like the Apple Watch. Whether that’s a good thing or not depends on your taste. Personally, I like it; I don’t miss the bright screen. In fact, I love the trade-off for longer battery life. Bold, bright displays look great, but they drain power fast. That said, some people I asked didn’t love the screen, especially those used to the more punchy visuals of the Apple Watch.
(Image credit: Garmin)
Design-wise, there’s a decent range of colors and combinations, with both strap and casing options. You’ve got Jasper Green with a matching silicone band, Lunar Gold with a Bone strap, and Silver with a Purple Jasmine band. I tested the Jasper Green version and really liked it – subtle, classy, and stylish without being flashy.
A lot of smartwatches “for women” lean too hard into rose gold and unnecessary bling – or at least they used to back in the earlier days of wearable reviews. This one gets the balance just right. It looks good, goes with everything, and still turns heads enough for a few people to ask me about it.
One final note. If you’re comparing this to the original Lily 2 or wondering whether it’s worth the upgrade, the design is nearly identical. So if looks are your only concern, you might not notice much difference. The real upgrades are under the hood.
Design score: 4.5 / 5
Garmin Lily 2 Active review: Features
(Image credit: Garmin)
Built-in GPS
Deep wellness tracking
Garmin Coach training plans
One of the biggest upgrades the Lily 2 Active brings to the table is built-in GPS. Unlike the original Lily 2, which relies on connected GPS (i.e. using your phone’s signal), the Active version has its own GPS onboard. That’s great news for outdoor workouts. It means more accurate tracking and one less reason to bring your phone along.
You also get Garmin Coach, an in-app coaching tool designed for structured training plans. It’s aimed at runners or cyclists training for specific goals, like a 5K, 10K, or half marathon. You tell the app about your current routine, and it gives you a tailored plan with workouts, video content, and updates from your virtual coach. I tested the 5K plan during my review, and found it really easy to follow – a great alternative to third-party running apps, and one that keeps everything in one place.
The Lily 2 Active connects via Bluetooth and ANT+, so it pairs easily with your phone and other devices. You can also control music playback from your phone, but there’s no onboard music storage – worth noting if you like to leave your phone behind on runs.
As for health and wellness features, the Lily 2 Active is surprisingly packed for such a compact watch. There’s water intake tracking, women’s health tracking (including basic period prediction and the option to log symptoms and moods), and a wide range of fitness and recovery insights thanks to Garmin’s onboard sensors. You’ll get data about you heart rate, pulse ox, sleep, heart rate variability, respiration rate, stress levels and more.
All of this feeds into Garmin’s Connect app, where it’s turned into useful metrics like your Body Battery (a daily energy gauge), Fitness Age, and a breakdown of your sleep stages. It’s one of the most comprehensive wellness ecosystems you’ll find in a smartwatch – and it’s especially impressive given the Lily 2 Active’s size.
Features score: 4.5 / 5
Garmin Lily 2 Active review: Performance
(Image credit: Garmin)
Excellent battery life (up to nine days)
Accurate tracking and responsive GPS
Comfortable to wear day and night
Garmin’s performance really shines in the app experience, and I’d argue it’s just as important as the hardware. The Garmin Connect app might not have a sleek, nice-looking aesthetic (smart ring brands really lean into this), but it’s clean, functional, and packed with actionable data. The home screen is customizable with “cards” that show whatever you care about most – heart rate, stress, calories burned, sleep, intensity minutes, and more. That ease of use is crucial when you’re collecting this much data – it means the insights are actually useful.
Fitness tracking is another strong suit. There are loads of workout modes, from running, cycling, and walking to gym activities like HIIT, rowing, weightlifting, and even snowboarding and tennis. Press the top left button to start a workout, scroll through the list, and off you go. The GPS was quick to connect and reliably mapped my routes on runs and walks.
During outdoor runs, you can swipe through screens showing pace, heart rate, lap time, and more. You can even customize these to display your key metrics or set alerts for heart rate zones and lap splits.
I used it mainly for running, where GPS performance was solid and the mapping worked well. I also tested it during weightlifting – you just need to manually log rest periods, which was slightly annoying at first but easy once I got the hang of it.
The Lily 2 Active also plays well with other fitness ecosystems, including Strava, which is a big win for runners and cyclists.
Outside of workouts, the watch is simple but easy to use. The display doesn’t light up automatically when you lift your wrist – you need to flick it or tap the button, which took a little getting used to. Navigation is mostly through swiping, and you can customize the watch face to display key info like time, steps, Body Battery, and more. There’s also a handy little quick-access circle button at the bottom of the screen you can program with shortcuts.
Garmin’s Body Battery feature is something I genuinely found useful. It gives you a read on your energy levels throughout the day, based on a mix of heart rate, HRV, and activity data. I’m often wary of outsourcing how I feel to a device, but this was surprisingly spot-on – a good way to sense when to push and when to rest.
Stress tracking is another interesting one. It uses HRV to measure physical stress rather than emotional stress, but I found it helpful – especially as it explained dips in my Body Battery. Again, it’s not just tracking data, but helping you understand it.
And then there’s sleep tracking, which is honestly fantastic. Despite being a watch, it held its own against the smart rings I tested it alongside. It nailed my wake-ups and restlessness during the night, and gave me a clear, well-presented graph each morning with a simple sleep score.
And finally, the battery life. Garmin claims up to nine days, and in my testing, I regularly hit eight to nine. That’s a huge win. I love my Apple Watch, but having to charge it daily is frustrating, especially when you want to track sleep. The Lily 2 Active, with its low-power screen, comfortably lasted over a week per charge. That’s a game-changer for anyone who doesn’t want to be constantly tethered to a charger.
Performance: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Garmin)
Scorecard
Should I buy the Garmin Lily 2 Active?
Buy it if…
You like a more subtle screen The monochrome display isn’t as bold as rivals, but it’s easy on the eyes and helps stretch the battery to 9 days.
You have smaller wrists The compact 38mm case, slim strap, and lightweight design make it one of the most wearable fitness watches around.
You value wellness insights Features like Body Battery, sleep tracking, and stress monitoring make this great for everyday wellbeing, not just workouts.
Don’t buy it if…
You need a serious training or adventure watch It’s durable and well-equipped, but lacks the rugged build, onboard maps, and high-end performance features of Garmin’s more advanced watches.
You want a bright, always-on screen This display is stylish and functional, but it won’t suit those who prefer big, bold visuals like the Apple Watch.
You want music without your phone There’s no onboard storage, so you’ll need your phone nearby to listen to tunes during workouts.
Garmin Lily 2 Active: Also consider
Apple Watch Series 10
A fantastic all-round smartwatch that’s big, bold, and packed with features. Plus, it comes in a variety of case styles. But it’s significantly more expensive than the Lily 2 Active, and the battery life tops out at just 18 hours.
A sleek, circular smartwatch with excellent health and fitness features. It’s a great pick for Android users – especially if you’re drawn to the Lily 2 Active but have a Samsung phone.
More than a decade of experience testing health and fitness tech
I tested the Garmin Lily 2 Active for a full month, paired with an iPhone 14 Pro.
Aside from charging and showering (it is waterproof, but I didn’t fancy risking it with soap and shampoo), I wore it 24/7. I took it on outdoor runs, gym sessions, long walks, workdays in my home office, coffee shop outings, evenings on the sofa, and while I slept. Safe to say, it’s been tested across all kinds of settings and activities.
I’ve spent more than a decade reviewing health and fitness tech – from early wearables like the now-defunct Jawbone Up, to today’s smart rings, trackers, and full-on smartwatches. I’ve tested lifestyle-friendly devices as well as those built for serious training, so I know what matters when it comes to fit, comfort, performance, and long-term wearability.
The Edifier LolliClip make for a somewhat peculiar, yet enticing proposition. They have an open design – something typically marketed towards exercise lovers who want higher awareness of their surroundings and are willing to take this design’s inherent threat to sound quality. But the twist is that the earbuds are sculpted with audiophile-friendly features, like ANC, higher-resolution audio capabilities and spatial audio.
So, how does Edifier fare in its attempt to fuse high sound quality with an open-ear design? Largely, very well, actually.
Let’s start by talking about audio quality – an area where this model stacks up against some of the best open ear headphones around. The Edifier LolliClip are powered by a 13mm dynamic driver, which the manufacturer claims can plate up “dynamic, detailed, and powerful sound”. And I’d say that’s a fair assessment.
When tuning into I Want You by Moloko, the continuous bassline was relatively impactful – not as hard-hitting as some of the best wireless earbuds, but attention-grabbing nonetheless. But that low end, though prominent, could sound a little muddied at high volumes, meaning that pumping effect was slightly dampened. That’s forgivable for a pair of open ears, but something that audiophiles will pick up on.
If you want massive sub-bass you might be a little disappointed too. Some ultra-deep notes in The Boys Are Back In Town by Yung Gravy sounded a little understated, especially during vocal segments. But again – perhaps to be expected given the
But generally, bass is still solid considering these are open-ear. For example, when listening to Black Eye by Allie X, I was pretty impressed by the depth on offer, this time from the thumping drum machine. Vocals were clear too, with high notes sounding controlled and decently separated from other instrumental elements.
And generally, the LolliClip handles mids nicely, with guitar and synths in Alright by Jamiroquai sounding tonally accurate and decently balanced. Some finer details came through too, thanks to the LolliClip’s use of the LDAC codec, but you’re still not going to get the microscopic interpretation that, say, some of the best wired earbuds will supply.
If you’re not loving the sound signature, you can change things up a bit in the Edifier ConneX app with EQ adjustment. However, there’s not much here and I would advise against switching out of Classic when listening to music. Bass Boost caused the soundstage to get cluttered at high volumes and when testing Treble Boost, high-pitched sounds were, on occasion, overly forward. There’s a Vocal mode if you’re listening to podcasts, which works nicely, and I also discovered custom EQ in a sub menu, but this didn’t seem to work – a real shame.
On top of that, you can immerse yourself in spatial audio and head tracking. However, I’m still going to advise against this for one major reason: general audio quality takes quite the plunge when in use. There’s almost a distorted tone to music and although head tracking did follow my every move to commendable precision, I’d rather watch movies or blast tunes with the best available sound, sorry!
But there’s so much more to dig into with the Edifier ConneX app. For instance, you can activate adaptive ANC, which is not always a given for open-ear headphones. How good is it? Well, as you may expect, not top-tier – but it’s not bad either. I could still hear the sound of typing, for instance, when listening at around 70% volume, something you’d likely avoid with, say the AirPods Pro 2. But ANC still did a good job of dampening sounds like strangers chattering in the street and sound quality was about as good with, or without it turned on.
Speaking of turning ANC on and off, this segues into a major gripe I have with the LolliClip. When switching between these modes or adjusting EQ, playback cuts for a couple of seconds, which I found to be pretty frustrating. Even worse is when you activate LDAC – you have to wait for the earbuds to turn off, on again and restart playback. That all felt a bit clunky.
(Image credit: Future)
More generally, the in-app experience, via Edifier ConneX could be better too. Settings like LDAC activation, touch-control customization and more are hidden in a sub menu in the top right, which I didn’t spot at first. And this part of the app is rammed with all sorts of options. There’s a drainage feature that causes the earbuds to vibrate and discard excess moisture, tap sensitivity options for touch controls, a ‘find my earbuds’ option and wearing detection customizability, which enables you to pause (or not pause) playback when removing the buds.
But one feature – which was less hidden – really stood out to me: the health monitoring tools, including heart rate and blood oxygen tracking. Both of these use the pulse in your ear and produce results after a 30-second period, telling you your heart rate (in bpm) and blood oxygen (in %). The data is stored on a calendar so you can track changes over time too – something we loved in the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, for example.
That’s just one inclusion that shows the practicality of these buds. For instance, they're also IP56 dust and waterproof rated, which means they’re projected against strong water jets – that’s more than enough durability for rainy days and sweat-heavy workouts. They also offer solid playtime of 9 hours per charge – 39 hours with the charging case, meaning you’ll rarely have to juice them up.
Capable sound? Check. Decent feature set? Check. Practical build? Also check. But let’s check out how these buds perform in the looks department. In honesty, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. First of all, the case and buds have a glossy finish, which has a slightly cheap look to it and attracts fingerprints like a moth to a flame. The plastic charging case perhaps doesn’t feel too durable, either.
But I do quite like the clip-like appearance of the buds. It’s not particularly discreet, but carries a unique aesthetic as well as delivering security and comfortability. I tried the LolliClip out in black, but you can grab them in white instead if you’d prefer.
The Edifier LolliClip are a strong pair of open-ear headphones with above-average sound in the category. They combine that with plenty of playtime, health monitoring functionality and a clippy appearance that’s sure to attract plenty. At $129 (about £100 / AU$210), are they worth it? That really depends. If you’re set on the open design, that’s a solid price given the inclusion of ANC and adept audio quality. Still, there are a lot of cheaper, yet excellent rivals to check out in our guide to the best budget wireless earbuds, if you’re willing to sacrifice the looser fit.
But all in all, the LolliClip earn my recommendation, especially for those who are reluctant to sacrifice too much quality in the sound department. There are a lot of great alternatives to consider, though. If you’re a UK customer unable to snap up the LolliClip, I’d suggest the Honor Earbuds Open, which again serve up surprisingly good sound and an excellent fit, but also nuanced ANC and even a translation tool. And for US customers, why not take a look at the Anker Soundcore AeroClip, which plate up immersive audio, an excellent companion app and comfortable on ear feel.
(Image credit: Future)
Edifier LolliClip review: specs
Edifier LolliClip review: price and availability
$129.99 (about £100 / AU$210)
Launched in February 2025
The Edifier LolliClip released in the US during February 2025. They’re not available in the UK or Australia yet, but we’ll let you know if anything changes on that front. This model has a list price of $129.99 (about £100 / AU$210), which is in line with models like the Anker Soundcore AeroClip, for instance. That price should remain the same whether you purchase the black or white variant.
(Image credit: Future)
Should you buy the Edifier LolliClip?
Buy them if...
You don’t want to compromise on sound quality I was surprised by just how talented the Edifier LolliClip are when it comes to playing music. OK, you’re not going to get the most stunning, hi-res sound in the world, but for a pair of open ears, these sound great. You’re getting decently weighty bass, clear mids and pleasingly controlled highs. Little to no tinniness to contend with here – something that’s fairly common with open ear models.
You want earbuds for workouts Thanks to their open design, the Edifier LolliClip let in plenty of ambient noise – well, with adaptive noise cancelling turned off. That means you’ll be able to keep tabs on your surroundings if you’re on a run, say. That’s ideal for when you’re in traffic-heavy environments.
Don't buy them if...
You want awesome ANC Having noise cancelling at all is a win here, but in terms of effectiveness, it won’t compete with some of the best noise cancelling earbuds. If awesome ANC is a priority for you, I’d suggest checking out the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, which offer some of the best external noise crushing capabilities in the game.
You want a smooth companion app experience Unfortunately, the Edifier ConneX app is a bit painful to use. Selecting a different EQ mode causes sound to cut out for a while, you can’t save a custom tuning, activating LDAC causes the buds to reset and some key options are hidden in sub-menus. Sure, these are still pretty feature-rich, but playing around with the most interesting options can feel like a chore.
Edifier LolliClip review: also consider
Huawei FreeArc When we tested the Huawei FreeArc, we highlighted their “top-tier sound”, highly comfortable fit and crucially, competitive price. Yep, for less than £100 (about $130 / AU$200), you’re getting some of the best value open-ears on the market. There’s no ANC and battery life doesn’t quite stack up to that of this Edifier model. But hey, there’s still so much to love. Read our full Huawei FreeArc review.
OpenRock Pro The OpenRock Pro have one standout feature – their immense battery life. You’re getting 19 hours from a single charge, with 46 hours total thanks to the charging case. That’s great for a pair of open ears and should mean you can listen for around a week without needing to charge the case – what a win! Again, these have a competitive price and comfortable fit, but they’re a little bit more middling in the audio department. Read our full OpenRock Pro review.
Edifier LolliClip review: How I tested
(Image credit: Future)
Tested for one week
Used at home and while out and about
Predominantly tested using Tidal
I tested the Edifier LolliClip for one week, predominantly at home but also when outdoors. I exhausted all of their features, used them for casual and critical listening and assessed their quality with ANC switched on and off.
When listening to music, I made use of Tidal on my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. As always, I ran through the TechRadar testing playlist, which includes tracks from a variety of genres and is optimized for assessing sound quality across the frequencies. On top of that, I blasted a whole host of tunes from my personal library.
The Lumix ZS99 (called the Lumix TZ99 in some markets) is a relatively rarity in modern times – a brand new compact camera.
Only stop right there, most of it isn’t new at all. It uses the same sensor and lens combination as its predecessor, the ZS80D / TZ95D, only really adding the mandatory USB-C charging functionality that affects all new devices sold in the EU.
(Image credit: Future)
Worse still, Panasonic has seen fit to remove the small (but useful) viewfinder found in the previous incarnation. The screen remains the same as before, only now you’ll be completely reliant on it for every shot – shame.
This is not a bad camera by any stretch, but its highly versatile zoom is pretty much its only winning technical ability over your smartphone in 2025. You can get some good shots if you need to zoom, but pictures taken at the wide angle end are pretty much the same as any half-decent smartphone is capable of these days.
If you really want a separate device, and want to be able to zoom in close on distant subjects, then it’s a good choice – but don’t be surprised if you go back to using your phone in conditions such as low light.
Is the Lumix ZS99 one of the best compact cameras? Technically no, but it's one of the only travel zooms available, for a competitive price.
Panasonic Lumix ZS99 / TZ99: release date and price
$499 / £469 / AU$999.95
Available to buy now
All black or black and silver colourways available
These days, paying $499 / £469 for something that your smartphone can (sort of) already do might seem like a lot of cash to part with.
However, cameras such as this have had a resurgence in recent times, largely thanks to the influence of, er, influencers. Last year, such was the popularity of the ZS80D / TZ95D that you could expect to pay double the list price of the ZS99 / TZ99, with even second-hand prices being off the charts.
So the ZS99 / TZ99 is far from cheap, but there’s really not much to compete with it in today’s market – if it’s something you want, it’s reasonably well priced. That said, if you’re happy to live with a smaller zoom (10x), you can get hold of the Panasonic TZ200 for about the same price as a TZ99. You’ll lose the zoom reach, but you’ll get a one-inch sensor which produces better quality images, so that’s worth thinking about.
Price score: 4/5
(Image credit: Future)
Panasonic Lumix ZS99 / TZ99: specs
Panasonic Lumix ZS99 / TZ99: design and handling
Small, smartphone-sized sensor with 30x zoom
Front-facing touchscreen
No viewfinder
Lots of physical buttons
At the heart of the Lumix ZS99 sits a 20MP 1/2.3-inch sensor. It’s about the same size as those you’ll find in modern smartphones – in fact some smartphones are packing even larger sensors these days.
Disappointed? Well, don’t be too much – it’s what gives the ability to zoom to 30x, something which your smartphone definitely can’t do, optically at least. The biggest downside of a small sensor tends to be a loss of detail in low light conditions – which for travel might not be too much of a bugbear.
That 30x lens gives you 24-720mm in full-frame terms (the common reference for lens focal length), and just as with the sensor, it’s the same as found on the ZS80 / TZ95D, so there isn’t any improvement in image quality (see the next section).
If you want a camera that fits neatly into your pocket and that isn’t your smartphone, then this should fit the bill. It’s fatter than the average camera phone, but it’s not quite as lengthy. There’s grips on the front and rear of the camera which makes it feel a bit more secure than a slippery phone, too.
Settings changes can all be made via actual, physical controls. A tactile rarity in today’s modern screen obsessed world.
There’s a mode dial giving you access to full manual control, for example, while the zoom is controlled via a rocker switch around the shutter release. Several of the buttons can be customized to suit the functions you use most, which is helpful – and there are some additional touchscreen settings you can use too.
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One function which is particularly useful is the Zoom Compose Assist button. Handy for when you lose track of your subject while shooting at a long focal length – such as a bird in flight – it'll quickly zoom out so you can relocate the subject, and then the lens zooms right back in to your last setting when you let go of the button. Nifty.
The screen is also the same as found on the predecessor. It flips forward for selfies and video and has 1.84m dots. It’s detailed and bright enough for most uses, and it’s touch-sensitive too. In the bright sun it’s harder to see, which is why it’s disappointing that Panasonic has removed the viewfinder, found in the previous model. That said, it’s probably true to say that anybody coming from a smartphone won’t be used to a viewfinder and is unlikely to miss the option.
Design score: 4/5
Panasonic Lumix ZS99 / TZ99: performance
Good for zoom shots
At wide-angle, image quality similar to a smartphone
Low light quality is less impressive
We already knew what to expect from the camera, considering it uses the same sensor and lens as its predecessor.
In short – it’s good, but not great. At least, not by modern standards anyway. There’s only so much that a small sensor can realistically deliver, and while there are some things that this camera can do that your phone can’t, sometimes even a budget smartphone will outperform it.
If you find yourself shooting in good overall light, which isn’t too harsh, and you’re shooting a still or fairly placid subject then you’ll get some nice images. There’s a good amount of detail, colors are realistic (if a little dull), and exposures are well balanced. At the wide-angle end of the lens, your smartphone probably achieves the same results.
(Image credit: Future)
However, it’s when you engage that zoom that the magic happens. So long as you can keep the camera fairly steady, even shooting at that far 30x zoom can leave you with nice close-ups of distant subjects.
There’s in-built 5-axis Hybrid optical image stabilization (OIS), which works fairly well, but once you’re shooting at 20-30x, any additional steadiness you can provide will go a long way too.
As for tracking of subjects – there’s no way you’re going to follow a leopard or a motorcar, but for more predictable and slower wildlife you stand a fighting chance of capturing the subject, sharply focused.
Now for some bad news – low light. Smartphones do pretty well at this subject by taking lots of pictures and merging them together. Here, you don’t get that, so even when it’s only as low light as indoors, you will notice a fair amount of smudginess. Avoid using this camera inside buildings or after dark, and you’ll be golden.
Performance score: 3/5
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Panasonic Lumix ZS99 / TZ99: testing scorecard
Should I buy the Panasonic Lumix ZS99 / TZ99?
Buy it if...
You want a long zoom in a camera that fits into your pocket In terms of zooming capability, there's not much else that can zoom this far, this well and will still fit in your pocket. 30x zoom with your phone will leave you with a blurry mess, whereas you'll get some reasonable detail here. It's a good idea for travel and everyday snaps for that reason, even if overall image quality isn't amazing.
You like the idea of USB-C charging for all your devices Pretty much the only improvement from the ZS99's predecessor is the addition of USB-C charging. When you're traveling, only having one cable to charge everything is definitely a bonus.
You want a camera with a front-facing screen for selfies and vlogging The screen can face all the way forwards, putting yourself in the frame in front of those travel highlights. Amateur vloggers may also like it for the same reason.
Don't buy it if...
You already have a ZS80 / TZ95D It makes virtually no sense to buy this if you already have a ZS80 / TZ95D. That is unless you really, really want USB-C charging and never use the viewfinder anyway. The sensor, lens and screen are all exactly the same as before - don't assume a new camera means new tech.
You want a viewfinder OK we've mentioned this a few times now, but the viewfinder has been removed! Why? Perhaps you don't need one. But if you do, don't get this camera.
You shoot in low light with any frequency Low light performance is a weak area of this camera, so if it's something you do often, don't expect to take good shots with this camera. If you only shoot the odd thing after dark, it's less of a deal breaker.
How I tested the Panasonic Lumix ZS99 / TZ99
I used it in a variety of different shooting conditions
I took pictures at different focal lengths
I tried the different shooting modes
I tested the Panasonic Lumix ZS99 / TZ99 over two weeks, in a range of different locations and across different shooting conditions.
I used it to photograph landscapes and typical travel subjects, taking pictures at a variety of different focal lengths. I also took photos of animals to test the focus tracking.
I took the ZS99 indoors to evaluate what happens when light is low, as well as shooting in very bright sunlight and more overcast conditions.
This review first appeared in issue 349 of PC Pro.
SMBs that want the best on-premises remote support solution need look no further than NetSupport Manager (NSM). Now well into its third decade, NSM has been continuously updated, with version 14 on review providing a redesigned Control interface, support for Windows 11 and Server 2022 clients plus two-factor authentication (2FA) and SSL/TLS certificates to tighten up access security to remote systems.
Licensing couldn’t be any easier: pricing is based only on the number of supported systems. You don’t need to worry about subscriptions, either, with perpetual licensing for up to 500 systems costing a straight £10 each.
Installation is a breeze. We loaded the Control component on a Windows 10 host and used the separate Deploy tool to scan the local network and push the client to all our Windows desktops and servers. The client executable is now protected from malware actions; if its name is changed, it won’t be allowed to run.
The new Control interface focuses on ease of use and has a status bar at its base showing the number of clients plus those currently connected and an icon to disconnect them all with one click. Search facilities have been improved, the tree view can now be minimized, and if you double-click on a client in the main panel you can assign different actions such as starting remote control or remotely launching an application.
The NSM console delivers an impressive range of support tools(Image credit: Future)
The tree view uses dynamic grouping to neatly organize clients into categories such as Windows, macOS, Chrome OS and Android versions, hardware enclosure types and geographical locations. You can create custom groups using your preferred criteria and the tree also has options to browse for a client and see those that have sent help requests.
The free PIN Connect server accelerates support connections across large networks. The technician and user simply enter the same unique PIN and an instant connection is created for them.
Selecting a group in the tree shows all members in the main pane and a monitor mode displays scalable screen thumbnails so you can watch user activity in real-time. Users needn’t worry about privacy issues as when the Control app connects, their system tray app alerts them and they can disconnect at any time.
The iOS Manager mobile app offers easy access to all clients(Image credit: Future)
A remote control session opens a new window with a wealth of support tools presented in its upper menu. Along with choosing to control, share or passively view the screen, you can launch local apps, have text and audio chats, take screen captures, share clipboards and reboot the client.
NSM scores over cloud-hosted solutions as its distribution tool sends local files to multiple users, technicians can run training sessions by showing their screen to user groups and they can record Control host activities and replay them. And being an on-premises solution, performance between a host and client on the same LAN will be much faster.
Remote offices and home workers come under NSM’s support umbrella, too. The NSM Gateway and Connectivity Server are included in the price and allow technicians to reach out over the internet to systems with the client installed.
Security is tight: along with 256-bit AES session encryption, the Connectivity Server, Gateway and clients must all possess the same key. Remote clients can only connect to one gateway, the Connectivity Server connection log can be downloaded for further security analysis and larger sites can improve performance by using multiple Gateways in load-balanced configurations.
SMBs that prefer their support services in-house won’t find a better alternative to NetSupport Manager. It delivers a wealth of support tools, including secure access to home workers, while its perpetual licensing plans are highly affordable.
This review first appeared in issue 349 of PC Pro.
You can buy exotically named 15.6in portable monitors from Amazon for £100, but there are good reasons to pay extra for well-known brands. Brands such as MSI, with its history of producing high-quality desktop displays.
However, when paying £129, you must set your expectations low. This is a 6-bit panel that’s only capable of producing 16.7 million colors through a technology called frame rate control (FRC). The result is subdued, covering 57% of the sRGB gamut at best. That equates to 41% of DCI-P3, so this isn’t the screen I’d reach for to watch Netflix.
Despite this, MSI provides a Movie mode to accompany the Anti-Blue, Eco, Black-White and Office modes. Office is the best choice for brightness, peaking at 296cd/m2, but greys are blown out to near-white so I kept it at the native profile. This only hit 215cd/m2 at peak, which I kept it at to make whites look relatively white.
Ports include two USB-C sockets and a mini-HDMI input(Image credit: Future)
MSI makes no sacrifices when it comes to the speedy OSD. There are settings to control sharpness, low blue light, the response time (normal, fast or 4ms fastest) and even the company’s “Eye-Q” features. These are designed to keep people working in optimized fashion. For instance, you can use it to remind you to adjust your posture, or check for eye-strain using a grid. One more ergonomic plus: a highly effective anti-glare coating.
There are two usable albeit low-fidelity 1.5W speakers, but I’m more impressed by the two USB-C ports and a mini-HDMI input, so you can connect the monitor to three devices (including tablets and phones) simultaneously. I appreciate the flexibility, which is echoed by a rotating stand that means you can use the Pro MP161 in portrait mode as well as landscape.
At 750g, and measuring 12mm thick if you ignore the stand, this is a highly portable monitor. MSI also offers protection via a lightweight travel pouch that guards it from scratches (if not direct bashes). Add a two-year warranty and there are many reasons to choose the MSI Pro MP161 over its rivals, despite their price advantage.
Logitech Pro X Superlight 2 Dex: Two-minute review
The Logitech Pro X Superlight 2 Dex is a striped-back gaming mouse focused on performance above all else. Its looks are understated, and one could easily mistake it for a productivity mouse rather than one designed for gaming, especially given its lack of RGB lighting. However, the white and pink colorways do add an element of vibrancy.
It has a long profile, and the side walls curve inwards sharply. The mouse buttons also feel quite short, and have a steeper downwards rake than some rivals I’ve experienced, which emphasizes more contact with the finger tips. Coupled with the aforementioned concave figure, the Pro X Superlight 2 Dex encourages a claw-style grip.
True to many of Logitech’s gaming hardware, the Pro X Superlight 2 Dex feels well built, with premium materials that are put together in a sturdy fashion that rivals many of the best gaming mice. This extends to the buttons, which have next to no wobble, making for tight, satisfying presses.
Oddly, though, the scroll wheel can be moved sideways when pressed on its right side, almost as if it has tilt functionality, which it doesn’t. But despite this lapse in build quality, it gave me no issue when using it.
There are large PTFE skates underneath, and there’s even a spare cover for the dongle compartment that features another PTFE layer to increase coverage, further improving the smoothness of glides. However, the skates are quite thin, so the Pro X Superlight 2 Dex is definitely at its best on padded surfaces.
You can customize the Pro X Superlight 2 Dex using Logitech’s G HUB software. This allows you to set the DPI between 100 and 44,000, with five slots you can cycle between. Although there’s no dedicated DPI selector button on the Pro X Superlight 2 Dex – a strange omission since even spartan gaming mice usually include one – you can remap the inputs to make one.
There’s also the option to split the DPI adjustments for the X and Y axis, which not every peripheral tool offers. You can set the lift-off distance for each of the five slots as well, with low, medium, and high options. They lack measurements in millimeters, though, which some might find disappointing.
(Image credit: Future)
There are also various remapping options: not only can key inputs be assigned, but so too can numerous system functions and shortcuts. These include launching applications of your choosing and cycling audio inputs and outputs, among others. You can also set a button to be the G-Shift modifier, which gives you access to another layer of assignments when held. A macro creator is available too.
For gaming, the Pro X Superlight 2 Dex delivers a mixed performance. The 8K polling rate is welcome, and there’s no denying that aiming feels smooth and precise. However, I didn’t find the Pro X Superlight 2 Dex particularly conducive to my playing style.
The weight feels concentrated towards the rear, which means that when lifting off, it tends to tilt backwards, which isn’t ideal. Also, the acute side indentations made it hard for me to hold the Pro X Superlight 2 Dex securely, forcing me to grip tighter than usual, which in turn made swiping harder to achieve.
The mouse button clicks are also not as snappy as I would’ve liked. I also struggled to hit the side buttons easily, again due to the pinched sides. They are well damped, though, which makes them satisfying to hit, as is the middle click, although I would’ve liked a tad more feedback from it. The scroll wheel is lightly notched yet offers enough control and security, preventing accidental scrolls when clicking in.
The battery life of the Pro X Superlight 2 Dex seems fairly reasonable. I wasn’t able to test it to exhaustion, but after a day’s worth of varied use, it dipped by 6%, which seems in-line with Logitech’s claim of 95 hours. Charging takes about two hours and forty minutes, which is less impressive.
At $149, the Pro X Superlight 2 Dex is an expensive gaming mouse. While it does offer wireless connectivity and an 8K polling rate, it’s the same price as rivals such as the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro and the Logitech G502 X Plus. Both these mice are at the top of their class, with the former having excellent performance and the latter being great for features.
(Image credit: Future)
Logitech Pro X Superlight 2 Dex: Price & availability
(Image credit: Future)
$159 / £149 / AU$299
Available now
Same price as more feature-filled rivals
The Pro X Superlight 2 Dex costs $159 / £149 / AU$299 and is available now in black, white, and pink colorways. It comes with a braided USB-C-to-A cable and a 2.4GHz USB dongle with an extension adapter.
For an 8K wireless gaming mouse, the Pro X Superlight 2 Dex is quite expensive, considering its lack of features. The best gaming mouse in our view, the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro, is the same price. This too has an 8K polling rate, but we found it had better ergonomics.
The Pro X Superlight 2 Dex is also the same price as the Logitech G502 X Plus, which we thought was already quite expensive. However, it’s our pick as the best wireless gaming mouse for features, thanks to the extra buttons providing more scope for configuring inputs to your exact needs. Its maximum polling rate is only 1K, though, and at 106g, it’s considerably heavier as well.
Logitech Pro X Superlight 2 Dex: Specs
Should I buy the Logitech Pro X Superlight 2 Dex?
Buy it if...
You want good gaming specs The 8K polling rate of the Pro X Superlight 2 Dex will be sure to please the hardcore, as it offers next to no lag for supreme smoothness and precise aiming.
You want good customizations Logitech’s G HUB software offers plenty of remapping options, including some useful system-level shortcuts. DPI adjustments can also be made for each axis, and there’s three lift-off distances to choose from.
Don't buy it if...
You want lots of buttons The Pro X Superlight 2 Dex is very sparse, and doesn’t even have a dedicated DPI selector switch, which many gaming mice include.
You want the best ergonomics The side walls are cinched in tight, and the rear bias of the weight makes it awkward to grab and lift in my experience. Dyed-in-the-wool claw grippers might have a better time with it, though.
Logitech Pro X Superlight 2 Dex: Also consider
Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro Our pick as the best wireless mouse overall, the DeathAdder V3 Pro has wireless connectivity and an 8K polling rate, just like the Pro X Superlight 2 Dex. It’s the same price too, but we were more impressed with its superb performance and ergonomics. What’s more, it integrates with Razer Synapse, which offers plenty of customization options and tweaks. Read our Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro review.
Logitech G502 X Plus If it’s features you’re after, then the G502 X Plus has you covered. It has 13 programmable controls, as well as a side-tilting scroll wheel. However, it’s much heavier than the Pro X Superlight 2 Dex, and it lacks the top-draw 8K polling rate too, which might deter pro-level players. It’s also just as expensive, but for those who like plenty of buttons, this is one of the best gaming mice around. Read our Logitech G502 X Plus review.
How I tested the Logitech Pro X Superlight 2 Dex
Tested for a few days
Used for gaming, working, browsing
Plentiful PC gaming experience
I tested the Pro X Superlight 2 Dex for a few days, during which time I used it for gaming, productivity, and general browsing.
I played Counter-Strike 2, a good test for peripherals given it demands quick and accurate movements and button presses.
I have been PC gaming for over a decade and have used a myriad of pointers from a variety of brands, including Logitech. I have reviewed a large amount of gaming mice too.
Mild spoilers follow for Doctor Who season 2 episode 1.
Doctor Who is, in many ways, the ultimate comfort food for sci-fi fanatics. There are times when the iconic British TV show will surprise you with its storytelling, character evolution, and/or thematic exploration. By and large, though, you know what you're going to get with Gallifrey's greatest export: a mostly fun-filled romp across time and space.
For better or worse, that's a well-established formula that Doctor Who season 2 (or, for those of us who've watched it since its 2005 revival, Doctor Who season 15) doesn't tamper with. This season's opening chapter, titled 'The Robot Revolution', isn't as narratively revolutionary as its name suggests. Still, while season 2's premiere is predictable in its make-up, I largely had fun with what its 46-minute opener had to offer.
Paranoid android
'The Robot Revolution' introduces us to The Doctor's new companion Belinda (Image credit: Disney+/BBC One)
Season 2 opens with the titular Time Lord (Ncuti Gatwa) racing to find Belinda 'Bel' Chandra (Varada Sethu), a London-based nurse, for unknown reasons.
Unfortunately, no sooner does The Doctor track her down at her home, he can only watch as Bel is whisked away by a group of menacing robots – who, for reasons that'll become clear, claim she's their planet's Queen – to their home world.
Long story short: Bel is taken to a planet where everything is bizarrely named after her. That includes the world's moniker (Miss Belinda Chandra-1), its race of humans (Belinda Chandra-kind), and its main city (Belinda Chandra-Ville).
Bel's ties to a world that she has no recollection of are the least of her worries. Indeed, she's been kidnapped to marry this world's de-factor ruler and be fully assimilated as a human-robot hybrid not like classic Whovian villains The Cybermen (more on this comparison later). So much for a peaceful evening.
Hope is at hand, though. The Doctor has not only infiltrated Miss Belinda Chandra-1, but also teamed up with a group of human freedom fighters looking to overthrow their android oppressors. Cue a typically audacious rescue mission to save Bel and work out what's actually going on.
The Doctor tries to get to the bottom of what's happening on Belinda Chandra-1 (Image credit: Disney+/BBC One)
For those who recognize Sethu's Bel but can't quite place her, allow me to help: Sethu also played Mundy Flynn in 'Boom', which was arguably season 1/season 14's best episode. She also appeared in season 1 of Andor, FYI, and will do so again in Andor season 2, which arrives on Disney+ later this month.
But I digress. Unlike Peter Capaldi and Karen Gillan's supporting roles in season 4 episode 'The Fires of Pompeii' before they secured central roles in later seasons, Sethu's casting as Bel is deliberate.
Season 2 doesn't hide the fact that Bel and Mundy are related. Indeed, The Doctor confirms as much during an expository sequence where discussing a so-called Time Fracture that's a temporal border issue between Miss Belindra Chandra-1 and planet Earth. Continuity in a 70-year-old-plus TV series can be difficult to maintain, so cast additions like this – where an actor can play two versions of the same character – in any project is most welcome.
I'm pleased that loose plot threads from the show's first season on Disney+ haven't been fully discarded
As Doctor Who season 2's first trailer teased, its big mystery isn't just centered on Bel. It's also directly linked to the overarching narrative involving Gatwa's 15th Doctor that, as long as Gatwa is in for the long haul, should run for multiple seasons and, hopefully at some point, explain who or what the returning Mrs Flood is.
This isn't a novel creative and storytelling approach for Doctor Who. Other multi-season stories, such as those involving Matt Smith and Jodie Foster's iterations, have been structured similarly with their breadcrumb trail narratives that eventually lead to a grand reveal towards the end of each Doctor's existence.
Nevertheless, I'm pleased that loose plot threads from the show's first season on Disney+ haven't been fully discarded with the introduction of The Doctor's latest companion. Instead, it appears season 2 will build on the foundations laid by its predecessor and provide a semblance of storytelling pay-off amid this season's primary directive; one that'll see The Doctor attempt to take Bel home.
Companion pieces
This season's opener suggests Bel will give as good as she gets from The Doctor (Image credit: Disney+/BBC One)
To do so, he'll have to take the long way home. No spoilers for the premiere's ending and one of Doctor Who season 2's big mysteries, but everyone's favorite charismatic yet emotionally-damaged Time Lord will need more than a date and simple TARDIS handle-pull to get Bel safely back on terra firma.
The long journey home will provide ample opportunity to show Bel is a fantastic foil to the 15th Doctor, too.
The duo's dynamic already has the air of a spicy yet respect-laden relationship. Bel has a charismatic, compassionate, and capricious personality to match that of her contemporary, and she's not afraid to speak her mind (and put The Doctor in his place) if she disagrees with him.
The duo's dynamic already has the air of a spicy yet respect-laden relationship
One episode in, the pair's collaboration is more of a marriage of convenience than a bona fide friendship, but I expect that to change as this season progresses, and I can't wait to see how this dynamic evolves as it does so.
Predictably, I have grievances about episode 1 of one of the best Disney+ shows' sophomore season. Aside from its villain-in-chief, who's actually one of the more terrifying Doctor Who antagonists we've seen in a while, The Doctor and Bel's robotic foes are largely unoriginal. In fact, I'd say, unique design notwithstanding, they're an uninspired amalgam of two of the most notorious enemies in Doctor Who's rogue gallery – those being, the Daleks and Cybermen.
'The Robot Revolution' also moves at a break-neck pace. Episodes of Doctor Who are renowned for being breezy, but it feels like this one is particularly guilty of barrelling through its story without stopping to take a breath. That doesn't allow its most pertinent story beats to have the emotional impact they require.
I was hesitant about including this for fear of being labeled 'woke', but I will applaud the season 2 premiere for tackling the difficult and uneasy topic of toxic masculinity in a somewhat child-friendly manner. This is a family-first show, after all. Nonetheless, it's another brave and perfectly valid examination of present-day themes that aid the story and don't, as some may claim, ruin Doctor Who as a visual and/or narrative experience.
My verdict
'The Robot Revolution' doesn't break new ground for Doctor Who as a franchise, but there's plenty that'll entertain families and die-hard Whovians alike.
Visually, I'm eager to see season 2 maintain – and perhaps even build on – the trippy aesthetic that permeates its premiere. Story-wise, I hope it pushes the boundaries of the show and doesn't befall the same fate as past seasons.
Indeed, its forthcoming animated episode suggests the former will occasionally happen but, even at this early stage, I'm praying that the pay-off from season 2's big mystery is better than last season.
Otherwise, it'll do the classic Whovian thing of promising much and delivering little. This is a series that explores all of time and space, after all, so let's see some of that wibbly wobbly, timey-wimey magic return to the fore with increasing regularity, rather than being the exception to the norm.
Doctor Who season 2 premieres on Disney+ (internationally) and BBC One/BBC iPlayer (UK) on Saturday, April 12.
