Product Review: Loog Pro VI Acoustic and Pro VI Electric Guitars

Loog Guitar

Pro VI Acoustic and Pro VI Electric

Loog

Our Score:  Pro VI Acoustic 4 out of 5 stars

                     Pro VI Electric 3.5 out of 5 stars

Loog Guitars burst on to the musical instrument scene in 2011 with a unique 3 stringed guitar design which utilizes the G, B and E strings and is set on a smaller scaled neck and body making it ideal for learners of all ages. In 2017 after a second successful Kickstarter campaign earning Loog the title of “Best-Selling Guitar Ever on Kickstarter” the company has yet to slow down or stop evolving their ever-growing product line.

The latest Loog offering is that of the Pro VI Acoustic and Electric models. Both guitars feature the companies first 6 string configurations which are set on larger scales and designed for guitarists ages 12 and up. Having purchased the 3 string Loog Pro for my son about a year ago both he and I were anxious to check out both new models, so we decided to start with the Pro VI Acoustic first as it was the most like our previous Loog.

After a quick tune up the Acoustic Pro VI was virtually ready to go right out of the box (something you do not often see from guitars in this price range). The overall feel of the guitar was quite good, and the added size of the neck and body balanced nicely in both sitting and standing positions. Where I felt the guitar really excelled was in the sound and projection. The parlor sized basswood body (available in 6 colors) has a mid-high tone range which helps each chord and note ring out loud and clear while the maple neck provides a solid fretting surface for both small and large hands. Though the fret ends could use a little work in the finishing department the guitar stays in tune quite well (a definite plus for younger players) and the overall playability and look of the guitar is quite good which made for an enjoyable playing experience.

Next, we fired up the Pro VI Electric guitar. After a quick install of a 9-volt battery (not included) via the compartment on the back and a flick of the micro switch located on the front of the guitar we were up and rocking. Though this is not Loog’s first attempt at amplification it is their first 6 string attempt and I have to say it is not half bad! The guitar features a paulownia body (available in 6 colors), 19 fret maple neck, volume & gain controls and an input jack for external amplification. Playability wise the Pro VI Electric has a comfortable feel with consistent balance despite the unique body shape. The maple neck has a straight, fast feel which will only get better the more you play it. Much like the Acoustic Pro VI and the Standard Pro I previously purchased I did find the fret work a little disappointing. The fret ends on both the upper and lower edge of the neck were rough and a bit inconsistent in length. This does seem to be a common flaw with Loog guitars and one I hope they look to address on future models. Sound wise it may take newer plays a little bit to adjust to the internal speaker sound when attempting to dial in a sound they like. Due to the limited controls (volume & gain) of the internal amp and the limited sweep of the knobs players basically get an all or nothing distorted tone which for some may be a little off putting and unusable especially if you are wanting a clean tone at higher volumes. Bypassing the internal amp via the front mounted input jack and plugging into an external amp did give the guitar a whole new feel and sound but not without a few quirks as using that input disables the volume and tone controls which may cause a bit of confusion for newer players. 

From head to toe the Pro VI Acoustic and Pro VI electric and great additions to the Loog line up. Yes, the guitars could benefit from some better finish work as both examples featured rough fret ends and inconsistent body finishes however you will be hard pressed to find anything as nice as what Loog offers in this price ( Pro VI Acoustic $149, Pro VI Electric $199). Not only does Loog offer solid instruments for all ages but the included flash card set and downloadable Loog learning app is a fun and interactive way for all ages to learn. For players wanting to expand their learning outside the App Loog lessons of all ability are offered in both group and private formats via Lessonface.com. Loog is more than just another guitar company with a product to sell. Along with providing an affordable, quality instrument the company is heavily invested in music education for both young and old so if you are looking to learn or want to expand your music knowledge then give Loog a look. You will not be disappointed. 

For more information visit https://loogguitars.com/

Author Bio:-  Rachael is a content writer at plantsumo.com, who has written on a Ultimate Resume Guide, from colored diamonds to SEO software. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, sketching, cooking, and video games.

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Filed Under: Instruments, Music Tagged With: acoustic, electric, guitars, loog, pro, product, ...

Lucha Libre Pro Wrestling Video Games Gain Popularity

What’s behind the passion for Luca Libre pro wrestling video games?

Lucha Libre, or “free fight” to give the Spanish phrase its English meaning, is the name given to the Mexican wrestling phenomenon. Its roots date back to the early 1900s when Mexico was in the throes of a revolutionary war against the infamous dictator, Porfirio Díaz.

As is often the case in times of war, the public craved diversions that distracted them from the reality of what was going on around them. Giovanni Reselevich y Antonio Fournier (two Italian entrepreneurs) seized the opportunity to promote a form of fighting whereby two opponents fought each other hand to hand without either protection or weapons of any kind.

It was an extremely aggressive and violent sport with little or nothing in the way of rules or regulations. These fights became known as “Lucha Libre,” and the fighters were dubbed ”Luchadores.” From its beginnings in local town rivalry, Lucha Libre soon began to develop an immense following, first throughout Mexico as a whole, and more recently across the world.

What makes Lucha Libre so popular

There are two aspects of Lucha Libre that set it apart from other types of popular wrestling. First, there are the masks that the Luchadores wear. These were first popularised by arguably the best Luchadore of all time – El Enmascarado de Plata, or “Saint, the Silver Masked Man.”

The other trademark that sets Lucha Libre apart from other forms of pro wrestling is the technical and acrobatic aerial skills that fighters display, particularly in the lighter weight (peso-semicompleto) divisions.

Lucha mania is now globally rampant and, the recently launched Lucha Maniacs Slot Machine is leading the charge. There are a many Lucha Libre games you can play right now, and here are snippets of just a few.

Guacamelee and Guacamelee 2 by Drinkbox Studios

The original Guacamelee (one of the so-called Metroidvania video games developed and published by Drinkwater Studios) was first released in April 2013 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Xbox 360. With its special brand of Lucha machismo, players pick up the role of Mexican farmer, Juan.

Together with his magical Luchadore mask, his mission is to rescue the daughter of the president who is the prisoner of a skeletal demon. The action takes place between the world of light and the world of dark, with the role player being able to switch between worlds.

For many devotees of pro wrestling video games, it remains one of the best ever made, and fans will be undoubtedly thrilled about the release of its sequel, Guacamelee 2. The action takes place seven years after Juan Aguacate’s original battle.

With an upgraded graphics engine and full of fabulous fresh fighting moves, this game tracks our now married farmer’s quest to defeat an evil menace that is out, not only to obliterate Mexico from the map, but time and space too.

With his powerful blue chicken buddy, Juan will take you with him through a world of dangers and fantastic new characters in this stunningly excellent follow-up to the original.

The Lucha Maniacs slot

Gaming house Yggdrasil came up with the great idea of combining people’s passion for playing slots, with the thrills and spills of the Lucha Libre pro-wrestling scene and they designed the Lucha Maniacs slot. It’s a 5-reel, 20 pay-line slot that you can play on all devices for just 20p.

This game comes complete with a free spin mode enabling players to start off with as many as 30 free spins. It incorporates random wilds, sticky wilds, stacked and wild wrestlers, and 3 x multipliers on Luchadores whereby you can accumulate more free spins, and shoot for its golden bet feature for larger wins.

Lucha Libre video games for kids

Between 2002 and 2005, American TV responded to the interest in Lucha Libre and at kiddy level by screening a cartoon series called Mucha Lucha. It was so popular that it was brought to the gaming industry in a video game for Gameboy Advance devices.

This is no doubt where many of today’s Lucha Libre fans first cut their teeth. At the time the game didn’t get the best of reviews, but lots of current LL game players may carry the guilty secret of their awakening to this particular brand of pro-wrestling.

The daddy of them all – Lucha Libre – Heroes del ring

Of course, no round-up of Lucha Libre pro-wrestling video games would be complete with mention of the daddy of them all – “Lucha Libre AAA – Heroes del ring.” “Heroes” comes out of the “Immersion” stables and was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 by Slang in October 2010. It was the first of the pro-wrestling video games to be based on Lucha Libre.

It uses real Mexican wrestlers as well as customisable Luchadores. Such was its success in Mexico that is was redeveloped by Sabarasa in Wii. It may seem a little outdated now, but it sparked off the Lucha Libre revolution and is still well worth a play.

Whether you are a devotee of the Lucha maniacs slot game or an avid fan of the Lucha Libre Britannia scene, there can be little doubt that this form of pro-wrestling is here to stay.

 

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Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: gain, games, libre, lucha, popularity, pro, ...

Product Review: V2 Pro Series 3

V2 Cigs have been around for years they were one of the original electronic cigarette manufacturers and are known around the world as makers of high quality electronic cigarettes. The V2 Pro Series 3 is perfect vape for all your stealth vaping needs, as it looks like a regular electronic cigarette and doesn’t produce much visible vapor. You can also easily switch the cartridges around depending on what you choose to vape. However, because of this small size, it also has a small capacity, so this is really for more of a solo vaper.

In e-cigarette mode, the V2 Pro shines, besting other e cigs that are in its class and price range with good vapor production. Those who prefer a hit akin to traditional cigarettes will enjoy the V2 Pro immensely. There is also a ten-second cut-off time to prevent e-liquid from tasting burnt. The tank attachment for this device are quite impressive. Unlike other tanks where I have experience several leaks while testing, the V2 Pro proves it’s a solid Vape pen. Clouds are not as massive as other e-cigarettes and tank combos, but the vapor it delivers is warm and satisfying to the user.

The V2 Pro features a two minute automatic shut off which to help minimize incidents of overheating over using the battery.  The magnetic connection of a V2 Cigs 3-in-1 removes threading issues and also unifies the exterior appearance of this electronic cigarette/vaporizer. The connection is made sturdier by the fact that your cartridge slots into a portal shaped to accept its size and shape. All cartridges feature the same dimensions, but smart technology differentiates each one for the benefit of V2 Cig’s Pro Series 3 rechargeable battery.

If you’re looking for an affordable pen vaporizer with stealth in mind, or a pen that can do dry herbs, this is the vape for you. For $59.99, you can own the base. But it’s useless without at least one cartridge since no other company has introduced magnetic connections yet. That’s the price you pay to replace your battery when it runs out of juice. A starter kit costs $62.26 and features the e liquid cartridge with a USB charger cable. Add a Loose Leaf cartridge for $26.92 and an essential oil version for the same price.

I was pleasantly surprised by the life of their Pro Series 3 battery as it lasted my entire day (roughly 8 hours of sporadic use) it lasts a long time. E liquid lasts long enough to get up to 800 puffs out of a full cartridge. While the Series 3 may not be the best at everything, it does a lot. If you need a vape that can do it all, and you don’t want multiple units, this is probably one of the best vaporizers to buy. Click here to buy.

Pros

  • Ultra small and compact
  • Very discreet and stealthy, looks like an electronic cigarette
  • Vapes dried herb evenly and thoroughly
  • Can be used with e-liquid
  • Components clip together magnetically
  • Can be used while charging
  • Charger connects to regular USB (adaptor available for car lighter)
  • One of the best vapes in it’s price range
  • Doesn’t burn herb like most vape pens

Cons

  • Features only one temperature setting
  • The heating chamber holds a very small amount of herb (about .1 of a gram)
  • Ring around the mouthpiece gets quite hot after extended use
  • Battery only lasts about 30-45 minutes per charge

 

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Filed Under: Appliances Tagged With: 3, pro, product, review, series, v2, ...

Product Feature: V2 Pro Series 7 Vaporizer Kit

When it comes to vaporizers, I have been on the search for the perfect tool. V2 is a company that I found and and offers one hell of a product. That product is the V2 Pro Series 7 Kit includes everything . This is the one-stop tool for all your vaping needs. Some of the new features include like variable voltage and temperature settings. These are items that I specifically look for in a vaporizer. Another outstanding feature on the Series 7 is that it has a bigger storage capacity and solid battery life.

If you are familiar with the Series 3 vape pen then this is not new for I zoned in on the Series 7 since it offers cartridges for for add-on like loose leaf, e-liquid and wax. If you purchase this kit above that we are feature luckily it comes with both the e-liquid and loose leaf cartridges. Otherwise, they the cartridges are available to purchase individually. But let me tell you have these three cartridges today makes this the one of the best choices for all-in-one vaporizers.

One of my main urks about this product originally was the button pressing to get to where you need to get. I am used to it now and definitely have no issue but it did take a little bit to become a habit. To turn it on you have to click fast five times. Then you have to press two more times within a half a second…(Confused a little?)…then still flashing each of the three lines and you will be able to press it again when the level you want is lit. Lastly, once your temperature is chosen you hold the button for about 5-7 seconds which will turn on the heater. It turns off about a short period on its own and you press the button three times to turn it fully off and you will see a red light flash.

Overall, I have been very satisfied so far with this product. Once you get used to the routine above it just feels natural and I was worried at first it would be annoying but honestly not at all. I also love that the Series 7 has this smart technology so that it recognizes which cartridge type you have inserted and automatically heat to optimum vaporizing temperature. This allows you to just relax and enjoy!

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Filed Under: Appliances, Technology Tagged With: 7, feature, kit, pro, product, series, ...

Product Review “Elite Pro Tournament Headset”

 

Turtle Beach is a brand that’s long been in the headset game, and they have had their fair share of competition. The Turtle Beach Elite Pro Tournament headset, as its name suggests, targets gamers who aim to play at a professional level. This Headset is uses a strong frame of metal, that encompasses most of the headset. Though the usual areas still have other parts such as the ear cup covers. But overall at first glance it seems to be a headset meant to survive consistent use.

A feature that I truly appreciated was the ability to pop off the ear cushions and with the flip of a switch cause an indent in them that’s designed to allow glasses to be worn comfortably with the headset. This actually removed pressure, where other headsets would create after long use. During gaming the headset sounds great at any rate, personally I would have like some more on the low ends but with its design offering impressive noise cancelling that helps to make its output more impressive. And the clarity of the mic paired with the TAC create clear precise audio for you and your team.

The Elite package comes with the Tactical Audio Controller (TAC) which adds even more options by using a Powered mixer. The TAC headset offers simulated 7.1 surround sound through 16 surround sound presets. If you’re an upcoming eSports star, the Elite Pro headset is slowing making its way up to the standard for audio. Now the Price tag is on the high end but a lower price would mean losing out on features. Final verdict is that with a little lower price it could be the Must-Have for the year.

 

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Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: elite, headset, pro, product, review, tournament, ...

Major League Gaming Breaks Records With 181,000 Unique Concurrent Online Viewers of Orlando Pro Circuit Video Game Competition

Major League Gaming Breaks Records With 181,000 Unique Concurrent Online Viewers of Orlando Pro Circuit Video Game Competition
Fourth Consecutive Record Breaking Online Broadcast of the 2011 Pro Circuit Season
More than 3.2 Million Hours of Video Consumed by Viewers Over the Weekend

NEW YORK—October 20, 2011—Major League Gaming (MLG), the world’s largest competitive video game league, continued its record breaking 2011 Pro Circuit season with 181,000 unique concurrent online viewers tuning in for the LIVE streaming broadcast of the Orlando Pro Circuit competition last weekend.  The fourth consecutive record breaking online broadcast of the season, Orlando viewing numbers surpassed the previous record of 138,000 concurrent viewers for the Raleigh Pro Circuit in August. Over the three-day competition October 14-16th, more than 3.2 million hours of video were consumed online and more than 15,000 fans attended in person. Working with Streamworks, the global, end-to-end streaming company that delivers a superior video experience across any network to any device, MLG delivered uninterrupted 720p high definition, high-quality video streams of the competition. Pro Circuit competitions and rebroadcasts of all matches are available on MLG.tv.

“The record-breaking viewership of our LIVE broadcasts this year is truly elevating the global presence of e-sports, placing MLG viewing in the same ballpark as traditional TV viewing numbers,” said Sundance DiGiovanni, CEO, Major League Gaming. “The support of our community is undeniable and fans can expect more high-quality streaming, intense match ups and 2012 season announcements during our 2011 Pro Circuit Championship LIVE from Providence, Rhode Island, November 18-20.”

The six-city 2011 MLG Pro Circuit places the most talented video game players alongside their toughest opponents as they battle for more than $1 million in prizes. The season culminates with the 2011 National Championship next month where the world’s best players will compete for more than $600,000 in prizes and stipends. Spectator and competitor passes can be purchased online.

To receive ad-free streams, discounts on passes and other added benefits, fans can become MLG League Members.  Gold MLG League members ($29.99-12 months) receive $10 off competitor passes and $5 off spectator passes, early entry into the event, high definition ad-free LIVE video streams for home viewing, discounts on MLG apparel and partner products and more. Silver MLG League members ($9.99-3 months) receive access to high definition, ad-free streams of Pro Circuit competitions,  premium VoD, access to member only forums and more.

About Major League Gaming:
Founded in 2002, Major League Gaming (MLG) (www.majorleaguegaming.com) is the dominant media property exclusively targeting tens of millions of consumers worldwide who have a passion for playing video games as a competitive social activity. The company gives aspiring gamers around the world an opportunity to compete, improve their skills, and socialize through a thriving competitive community with more than 750,000 matches each month online and LIVE in-person Pro Circuit tournaments in cities nationwide. MLG broadcasts all Pro Circuit play via LIVE streaming online to hundreds of thousands of fans in more than 170 countries.  MLG also provides extensive online editorial and video content to more than 8 million unique fans each month including LIVE and on-demand original programming related to games, technology and more at MLG.tv and MLG Live.

 

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Filed Under: Game Headlines Tagged With: 181000, breaks, circuit, competition, concurrent, game, ...

Event Review: Major League Gaming Pro Circuit 2011

Major League Gaming Pro Circuit
Gaylord Palms Hotel
Orlando, FL – October 14-16, 2011

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

This weekend I had the privilege of attending the Major League Gaming (MLG) event held in Orlando, FL, at the beautiful Gaylord Palms Hotel. The Major League Gaming event is a tournament event that brings hardcore gamers together to compete in tournaments against each other.

MLG was founded in 2002 by Sundance DiGiovann and Mike Sepso, who wanted to bring computer and console game tournaments to a competitive and spectator market. They have partnered with PlayStation and have many sponsors such as Sony Ericsson and Alienware who provide the computers and monitors, and Dr. Pepper and Stride gum who not only sponsor the organization but also provide free samples at the events.

The event it’s self is very well organized, allowing for amateur players to play against already established professional players after competing against each other. The games are displayed on large screens above the players so the audience can watch from a “spectator” perspective. There was a section for “Halo: Reach” for the Xbox 360, “Call of Duty: Black Ops” on PlayStation 3, and “StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty” on the PC. The excitement of the audience was so intense as the competitors get into watching the players competed, clapping and shouting with as much enthusiasm as a rock concert.

Audience members are even allowed the option, for a minimal increase to their attendance fee, to play the games in separate areas on individual computers and console. This allows the opportunity for gamers who have not played the games before to experience them.

I made several attempts to try getting an interview with any of the professional gamers and since they were so busy most of the time playing games I was extremely fortunate to catch a few minutes with each Michael Cavanaugh and Cody “Wethy” Wetherald, who are both on teams sponsored by “QuanTic”.

 

Pro Gamer: Michael Cavanaugh, age 23

Desiree Yates: So Michael, how long have you been with your current team?
Michael Cavanaugh: About 6 years.

DY: When did you first start playing video games as a career?
MC: I started when I was in High School on “Halo 2” then “Halo: Reach”.

DY: From experience I understand there were a lot of major changes from “Halo 2” to “Halo: Reach”, such as the major increase in weapon choices. Do you think maybe the weapon choices has gone a little overboard?
MC: No, I don’t think they went overboard at all. In fact I think they were perfect. I like the new sprint feature and jet pack the most.

DY: So when did you sign on with MLG and can you tell us roughly how much you make playing console games professionally?
MC: I’ve been with MLG since July 2005 and contracted for $250,000 a year.

DY: Wow, impressive! Do you have your own sponsers?
MC: Yeah, RedBull, Apex Esports, partnered with Twitch.tv, and a few others. (National Guard)

DY: So you are here in Orlando, FL right now for this tournament. How do you like Orlando?
MC: I like Orlando because of the sights and activities and I am staying four more days after the competition with my girlfriend.

 

Pro Gamer: Cody “Wethy” Wetherald

Desiree Yates: So Cody, what team are you on and how long have you played on that team?
Cody “Wethy” Wetherald: I’ve been on “QuanTic LeveraGe” team since “Call of Duty: Black Ops” and “Modern Warfare II” and I’ve also been playing “Modern Warfare III”.

DY: So can you tell me a bit about your experience as a professional gamer?
CW: I travel with MLG and love these events. There has been a major increase in sponsorship and turnout (from spectators). This is an industry that is still growing and will never go away, it will keep getting bigger and bigger.

Both Michael Cavanaugh and Cody Wetherald only had so much time before they had to get into another game, but it was obvious by their big smiles and energy they absolutely loved what they do for a living. And who wouldn’t? There are kids and adults of all ages out there that would love a chance to play video games and get paid for it. I know I sure would!

While the games themselves were terrific and the competitions were, well, competitive, I found the announcers though to be rather amateur. They gave off the impression they were probably related to someone to get the position as an announcer. After speaking to a few of the spectators, there seemed to be a somewhat general consensus agreeing with my observation that everyone would appreciate a little more swag, other then the free “Dr. Pepper” drinks and samples of “Warheads” candy and “STRIDE” gum.

Overall I found the event to be a terrific opportunity to experience what the hardcore gamer can do when put to the test. Their reaction times are phenomenal and they clearly know every inch of every map on their specialized games. Having been addicted to “Halo 2” myself, I can definitely understand their drive to want to know everything they can to exploit their opportunity to get just one more win. The sense of achievement even with something as simple as winning a video game is one that gamers have experienced since the early arcade games…where kids would burn through quarter after quarter.

Games today are much easier then they were originally. Just play a game of “Zelda” and you will notice it. But in a sense gamers have not really changed much…we all love the games…we play the ones we love the most several times working out several angles and scenarios on the “RPG” games and continue to strive to kick the heck out of our friends and others. This industry may still be in it’s beginning stages in some ways, but from the location of the event, the increasing sponsors and attendance from spectators…it is obvious this industry will just keep getting bigger and bigger.

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Filed Under: Game Headlines Tagged With: 2011, circuit, event, gaming, league, major, ...
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