Like many hobbyists, I rely on a good soldering iron.  I’ve been soldering since the 3rd grade, and I’ve had quite a few soldering irons over the years.  I’m currently using a Weller soldering station that I’ve had over 20 years (still going strong), so when I had a chance to try a new Weller soldering iron with built-in LEDs, I jumped at the opportunity.  I received the 25W Standard Duty soldering iron.

Billed as a high-performance soldering iron for hobbyists, the new Weller soldering irons also received a red dot award for product design.

This is the model SP25NUS, a 25-watt soldering iron.

• Three LED lights for limited application shadowing
• Round Co-molded soft grip handle design for easy tip positioning
• Triangular handle area for maximum tip control
• Stainless steel barrel and heater
• UL listed – cUL version available
• Excellent quality consumer iron 8 1/4″ (210mm) long
• Light duty iron, (25watts) for joining 16 AWG wire or smaller
• Use on small electrical/electronic assemblies, appliance repair, etc.
• IMPORTANT: Use only Weller® tips

Inside the packaging you’ll find the soldering iron, a little user’s guide, and an iron stand to keep the hot tip off your work surface.

Made in Mexico, if you’re curious.

Here’s the iron resting on the stand.

This soldering iron features a rubberized grip and a three-sided shape in the middle.

Here you can see the three white LEDs that light up your work area.  Pretty neat!  There’s no on-off switch, which is just fine.  Bonus:  When the lights are on, the iron is also on!  Yes, I’ve burned myself brushing my hand against a still-hot iron!

You’ll also notice the triangular shape a little better here.  This really helps prevent  the iron from rolling away at the worst possible time.  Fantastic!

I found the new Weller SP25NUS LED-lit soldering iron comfortable and practical.  Sure, the included stand is a little light-weight, but at a price of $14.99 to $27.99 (about $16.99 as shown) for the soldering iron, you can afford to get a decent soldering iron stand.  I won’t be giving up my veteran Weller soldering station, but this will be my go-to second soldering iron.

Filed in categories: Do-It-Yourself, How-To, Reviews

Tagged: soldering iron, Tools

Weller SP25NUS LED-lit Soldering Iron review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 18, 2013 at 11:00 am.

Looking to take that FPS (First Person Shooter) experience to the next level? Are you tired of dropping the enemy like every other gamer out there? Do you want to have the baddest @ssed looking game controller in cyberspace? The the Delta Six game controller may be what you need to add to your gaming arsenal. The Delta Six is a FPS game controller built to look and feel like a real weapon. The Delta Six has the ability to know when you lift the controller to aim or move it to melee, it uses motion control as well as other technologies to achieve this level of sophistication. The Delta Six is built on the Arduino platform and is open source so developers can interface with it. The Delta Six is a Kickstarter project by David Kotkin and is seeking funding until June 7, 2013 with an estimated delivery in Dec 2013. This controller is compatible with the PC, XBOX and PS3 and will be upgradeable to the next generation systems via a downloadable patch. Funding options start at $1 and run to $500 with $159 getting you a Delta Six game controller.

Filed in categories: Crowdfunded, Gaming Gear, News

Tagged: Crowdfunded, PC Gaming, PS3, XBox

Delta Six game controller adds firepower to your shooting games originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 18, 2013 at 9:00 am.

I was finally able to kick my daily 20 oz Diet Coke habit several months ago by using a 24 oz. Bubba Brands Hero insulated steel bottle. I fill with 5 ice cubes from home and when I get to work, I fill it with cold water and 2 Twinings Cold Brew iced tea bags. By noon I have perfect ice cold iced tea. That works great for lunch time, but I’ve been looking for an alternative to hot tea or plain water for the rest of the day. I think I have found what might be the perfect gadget solution with Zing Anything Aqua Zinger water bottles. The Aqua Zinger features a double walled stainless steel bottle with a BPA free plastic cap and special grinder section that screws to the bottom where you place pieces of fruit, mint, etc.  When you twist that section, it grinds the pieces into pulp and allows the extracted flavors to travel through a fine-combed mesh screen to  infuse the water. This results in a flavorful water, without sugar or chemical additives. Zing Anything offers 3 other Zingers including one made specifically for use with citrus and one for making salad dressings. Prices range from $16.99 – $25.99. They have sent me a few samples, so look for a review soon.

Filed in categories: Health, Fitness, Sports, Home, Kitchen, News

Tagged: Beverage

Put a little Zing in your water, vodka and salad dressings originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 17, 2013 at 5:46 pm.

I once saw a TV show where a woman was walking down a busy sidewalk, not doing anything in particular, not even bumping into the people she passed.  She seemed innocent, but she had a RF reader in her bag that was scanning the RFID-enabled cards inside the wallets of everyone she passed, and she was able to use the information she gleaned walking down the street to make purchases against other people’s cards.  Who knows what information about you is floating around out there just because you have one of those easy-pay credit cards or keychain fobs or because you are carrying your passport.  I’ve written a lot of news posts about various RFID-blocking wallets, but most of those seem to be designed for men.  This Card Case from StewartStand is in their Women’s line, and it, like their other accessories, incorporates stainless steel in the design to protect your information from RFID readers when you don’t want it read.  How well does it work?

All images can be clicked for an enlarged view.

The Card Case is available in Black, Cobalt, Red, and Tan.  Although these card cases are shown in the Women’s line, I think they would appeal to men, especially in the black and tan colors.  StewartStand says these cases are made of Italian leather and their stainless steel woven fabric.   The stitching is straight and even with no loose threads.  The leather on this side of the case is stamped with the StewartStand name.

The case measures 3.8″ X 2.6″ X 0.2″ and weighs 0.95 ounces on my digital kitchen scale.

You can see quite a bit of the stainless steel fabric in this view.  I would think that a metal fabric would be rough and scratchy and likely to snag clothing, but the fabric used in this card case is as smooth as silk.  It doesn’t catch on my clothing, even when I tried rubbing it over a knit fabric.  The metal fabric is cooler to the touch than the leather is.  It is a medium-light gray color with a reflective sheen, but it’s not shiny – you won’t be signaling planes with this or checking your reflection before going to a meeting.

This side of the wallet has one outside pocket.

This side of the wallet has two pockets.  You can fit a card behind the leather panel, and another card behind the slip of metal fabric, too.

The stainless steel fabric and the leather piece are all lined with a light tan twill fabric.

You can also see the interior of the middle pocket in this picture.  The full length of both sides of this pocket is made of the metal fabric.  The black tag is stamped “Genuine Leather” and “Made in India”.

This is a compact case, and I was only able to fit four cards in, with two in the center pocket and one each in the outside pockets.  I might have been able to squeeze another one in, but I didn’t want to make it too difficult to remove them.  Not all of your cards are going to be RFID cards anyway, so you can store only those that need to be shielded in this case.

I don’t have an RFID card, and my state doesn’t have driver’s licenses with that functionality, either.  My husband has an ID card key for work, and I thought I’d try it with this case.  The card could be read in the case, and my husband confirmed that the security system doesn’t use RFID.  Luckily, they do use RFID technology for other things where he works, and he asked a coworker if he could test the case with some of their in-house equipment. The coworker had checked other RFID-shielding wallets in the past, and he didn’t seem to have a lot of hope that this thin little leather case would work any better than the metal wallets he’d seen.

He placed a few RFID tags inside the wallet’s center compartment and used the scanner to read them.  He got nothing, despite trying several scans from different angles.  He pulled an RFID tag out of the wallet, and it read immediately.  He pressed on the ends of the case to cause the center pocket to open a bit to see if he could read the tags that way, but he still couldn’t get a reading.  He then tried putting some tags inside each of the outside metal pockets, and once again, he couldn’t read them while they were inside the Card Case.  He was only able to read a tag when it was pulled partially out of the case.  The StewartStand case worked perfectly to prevent reading any tags stored inside the metal-fabric pockets.

The StewartStand Card Case is a simple, compact little case that does just what it promises – shields your RFID-readable cards from unauthorized access.  It’s attractive and well-made, and it’s small enough that you could perhaps fit it inside a larger wallet to hold just those cards that need to be shielded.  StewartStand has other card cases that they include in their Mens’ line, but I think this case would work just as well for a man as for a woman, especially in the black and tan colors.  They have many other styles of wallets and card cases in both their Women’s and Mens’ lines.  Some cases are more utilitarian and compact and others are bigger and more decorative, but they all incorporate the stainless steel fabric that protects against RFID skimming.  I’ve seen similarly-sized card cases for less, but they don’t shield against anything.  Consider it a $49.50 insurance policy to protect your information.

Filed in categories: Gear, Reviews, Wallets

Tagged: Card Case, RFID shielding, Wallet

StewartStand RFID-blocking Card Case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 17, 2013 at 11:00 am.

If you like to use fresh herbs in your cooking but you’re tired of how quickly those expensive packets from the grocery store wilt, you need the Herb Savor from Prepara.  The Herb Savor has been proven to keep herbs fresh for up to three weeks.  You just place the herbs in the basket with stems pointing down, rinse them, stand the basket in the base that’s been filled with fresh water, and place everything in the refrigerator.  The Herb Savor also works to keep asparagus fresh.  It’s available from Prepara (at the above link) for $29.99 or from Amazon for $27.89 (and eligible for Prime shipping).

Filed in categories: Home, Kitchen, News

Tagged: Food related, Kitchen gear

Keep fresh herbs fresh longer with the Herb Savor originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 17, 2013 at 10:00 am.

Friday’s LogicBUY Deal is the configurable 14″ Dell Inspiron 14Z Core i5 Ultrabook, starting at $549.99.  Features:

• 3rd-gen Intel Core CPU (Ivy Bridge)
  
• 6GB RAM
• 500GB Hard Drive, 32GB mSATA SSD, 3-in-1 card reader
• Two USB 3.0 ports, HDMI v1.4a port
• HD webcam
• Skullcandy stereo speakers
• 15-month McAfee SecurityCenter subscription
• 90-day Premium Phone Support
• Windows 8 OS

$888.99 – $289 instant savings – $50 coupon code = $549.99 with free shipping.   This is the lowest price ever found by LogicBUY for this product.

This deal expires May 22, 2013 or sooner. Check the above link for more details on this deal, and check the LogicBUY home page for other deals.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: Deal of the Day

Deal of the Day – 14″ Dell Inspiron 14z Core i5 Ultrabook originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 17, 2013 at 9:00 am.

As someone who loves music, is a wannabe musician, iPad mini owner and The Gadgeteer, I love any gadgets or apps that allow me turn my tablet into a musical instrument. We’ve seen apps that convert your iPad into a piano, guitar, ukulele and even a drum set. Using your fingers to play piano, guitar and uke apps feels pretty natural, but using your fingers to play a beat in a drum app just feels a little wrong. Drummerz Drumsticks are now available to bring a new level of realism to your tablet beats. These capacitive drumsticks are safe to use on your tablet’s display without fear of damage. Get a pair today for $34.99

Filed in categories: Android related, iPhone, iPad, iPod, Music Gear, News, Tablets, Ultra Portables

Tagged: Instrument, Music, Tablet

Drummerz Drumsticks – Create a beat that anyone can march to originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 17, 2013 at 8:00 am.

Surge protectors are a necessary part of a gadget-lover’s life, but they aren’t the prettiest equipment you own.  I have an ugly gray surge protector peeping out from under my TV cabinet now.  It doesn’t blend in with the shadows under the cabinet, and it certainly doesn’t match my hardwood floors.  It could if I had an Invisiplug surge protector.  They come in three hardwood finishes to help them blend in with the appearance of your hardwood floors or baseboards.  The Invisiplug has a 3-ft grounded cord, master power switch, 15A circuit breaker, and is protected to 90 joules.  It’s also wall-mountable.  It’s available in light natural, medium cherry, or dark oak from Amazon for $15.99 (eligible for Prime shipping) or Lowes for $19.98.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Surge protection

Camouflage your surge protector originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 16, 2013 at 12:00 pm.

The majority of earphones today are just that – earphones. However, some audio companies have recently been creating music player apps that are tuned specifically for their particular earphone. When I first got a glimpse of the new EarPhone-12 from XTZ, I wondered if their digital sound processing (DSP), developed in conjunction with Dirac Research, would be as magical as promised. DSP has been XTZ’s main selling point for the EarPhone-12; it’s all over their marketing.  In the end, I’m both impressed and disappointed in the thinking behind these audio beauties.

The EarPhone-12 is a looker. They’re visually similar to the Ortofon e-Q7, which are much more expensive than the EarPhone-12. Actually, I prefer the look of the EarPhone-12. They sport a cool, chrome-coated design that attracts positive attention. However, the chrome is not as it seems. What I thought was metal is really just chromed plastic. As a result, they feel less substantial than they appear in photos.

Once you get past that initial disappointment, the EarPhone-12 turns out to be a competent, comfortable earphone that will do what’s expected with few surprises, good or bad.

Let’s first deal with the aesthetics.  There are some unique attributes that set the EarPhone-12 apart from the competition. Aside from the chrome, they are magnetized, so that they literally snap together for storage. This simple feature makes using them easier.  Plus the flat cord aids in preventing tangling, but it’s not completely successful. There is no case included, which is a mistake in this price range. The mini plug is a right-angle, which helps with durability. XTZ did include both an airline and mini plug-to-3.5mm stereo plug adapters. There are three sizes of silicone tips. None of them fit me well enough to provide needed bass. I borrowed an extra pair of tips from another brand, and it was an instant improvement. The included tips may fit your ears with no problems.

The most interesting aspect to the EarPhone-12 is a free XTZ Player app XTZ has made available for downloading. It’s an iOS app using digital sound processing adapted from Dirac Research’s Dirac HD app (which is optimized for Apple’s earbuds). Dirac Research is a Swedish company that tweaks audio for auto and home use. They modified their original app  to create the XTZ Player , which is tuned exclusively for the EarPhone-12. Visually, the two apps are identical.

There are some issues I have with this app. The main problem is it’s for iOS devices only. If you listen to your music with a Mac or PC, Android device, or even an iPod Classic, you won’t benefit from any audio improvements this app provides.

I could easily compare examples of music with XTZ Player turned on and off, but it’s more complicated than that. The music on my iPhone 5 sounded better without DSP processing than with DSP turned off. That sounds like it makes no sense. Shouldn’t any music heard without DSP sound identical to music with DSP turned off? It should, but it doesn’t. Let me try to be clear here: If you are listening to music through the XTZ Player app with DSP turned off, your music will sound worse than just listening to music through an iOS player – such as iTunes – which has no DSP at all.

The reason I even bother with the previous statement is because if the app makes music sound worse with DSP turned off, how true is the music when its turned on

I’m not convinced the audio improvement is enough to get excited about, anyway. I liken the audio improvement to what Dolby did for cassette tape. If you are old enough to remember mix tapes, Dolby was an effect which could erase tape hiss and noise from the background when taping your favorite songs from record albums played on turntables. However, using Dolby came at a price: the sound became a bit more muffled and false sounding. A similar analogy can be applied here.

When listening with XTZ Player on, the sound is fuller and more open. Everything is boosted a bit. However, you can probably get close to the same effect by some well chosen settings with an equalizer.

For instance, the lovely Cowboy Junkies song,”I’m So Lonesome, I Could Cry”, does Hank Williams proud. It’s an achingly mournful ode to hopelessness. With DSP turned on, the sound floor becomes quieter, but the effect is subtle at best. DSP does not help with sibilance, which is present on this song. Incidentally, there is an extra button on the app called Boost 1 whose effect is so minor, I could barely tell the difference. Also, remember that listening in a noisy environment will negate any audible audio improvement.

I tried using DSP with the incredible Bryan Ferry Orchestra album, “All That Jazz,” a tribute to the early jazz era of 1920s America. The album was recorded in mono, just like it would have been in the era before stereo existed. DSP had no effect on this album at all, which tells me that it needs a stereo signal to be useful.

XTZ has almost exclusively tied the EarPhone-12 to DSP, which makes any subtle audio improvements a bit disappointing. However, the EarPhone-12 can compete with others in its price range – without DSP. Add the cool, chrome look and you may enjoy the EarPhone-12 without ever needing to download any free apps.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear, iPhone, iPad, iPod, Reviews

Tagged: Headphones and earbuds

XTZ Earphone-12 review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 16, 2013 at 11:00 am.

With this 30-pin accessory, you can watch live TV broadcasts on your iOS device.  You don’t need WiFi access, and you won’t use your data plan minutes, either.  You do need to be in certain geographic areas in the US to use the Dyle mobile TV unit from Belkin, though.  Dyle mobile TV broadcasts live local programming from major TV networks and  uses the ATSC-M/H standard.  To find out if you are in a coverage area, check Belkin’s coverage map.   (Belkin says they will be adding new areas.)  Dyle has a extendable titanium antenna for the best possible signal reception, and it has a microUSB port that can be used with an optional cable and charger that can recharge your iPhone (4/4S) or iPad (original, 2, or 3rd gen) as you watch TV.  The Dyle is available now at Belkin for $129.99.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear, iPhone, iPad, iPod, News

Tagged: TV tuner for iOS devices

Watch over-the-air TV on your iOS device with the Belkin Dyle originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 16, 2013 at 10:27 am.

Thursday’s LogicBUY Deal is the 27″ Dell UltraSharp U2711 LCD Monitor for $599.  Features:

• WQHD 2560 X 1400-resolution IPS panel
• 6ms gray-to-gray response time, 80,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
• 8-in-1 card reader, 1 USB 2.0 upstream port, 4 USB 2.0 downstream port
• Video connectors: HDMI 1.3, DisplayPort, two DVI, component and composite
  

$999 – $400 instant savings = $599 with free shipping.

This deal expires May 17, 2013 or sooner. Check the above link for more details on this deal, and check the LogicBUY home page for other deals.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: Deal of the Day

Deal of the Day – 27″ Dell UltraSharp U2711 2560 X 1440 LCD monitor originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 16, 2013 at 9:08 am.

If you’ve been keeping up with my recent gadget diary posts, you’ll know that I’ve been interested in wirelessly charging my Samsung Galaxy S3. After a couple different cradles and a custom ROM, I’m happily charging without wires using the Qi wireless charging standard. That’s why my interest was piqued when I heard the news that the 2014 Jeep Cherokee and Toyota Prius will be offering Qi wireless charging cradles built into these new vehicle models.

The Qi standard for wireless charging is the only wireless charging standard in cars today and more are expected in the near future. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4, Nexus 4, Nokia Lumia 920, HTC Droid DNA and many others have Qi compatibility. With Qi’s installed base growing, car companies increasingly are interested in offering Qi charging in their cars so drivers can finally get rid of their charging cords.

Before someone points out the fact that the image above shows an iPhone, and iPhones do NOT have Qi charging capability, I know this. This is the image the Qi people sent me that is supposed to be from the 2014 Jeep Cherokee. Maybe it means wireless charging will be built in to the iPhone 6 Full press release after the jump.

2014 JEEP_® CHEROKEE AND TOYOTA PRIUS JOIN THE FAST GROWING QI WIRELESS CHARGING ECOSYSTEM

In-Vehicle Qi Wireless Charging  Now Available in Toyota Avalon,Toyota Prius, has been announced as an available feature in the 2014 Jeep_® Cherokee, and in the Ssangyong Chairman

PISCATAWAY, NJ – May 1, 2013 – The 2014 Jeep_® Cherokee and Toyota Prius will offer in-vehicle Qi wireless charging, joining a growing list of automobiles equipped with the Wireless Power Consortium’s (WPC) Qi wireless charging standard.

The Jeep Cherokee will offer a factory installed Qi wireless charging pad later this year. The optional feature — located in the center console — featuring technology developed by Leggett & Platt, is part of the optional Uconnect 8.4 package. To charge a Qi-compatible device, such as the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC Droid DNA, or Nokia Lumia 920, customers simply place it in the middle console to power up.

The Toyota Prius is available with a specially designed console tray designed by Japanese auto component manufacturer Denso that fits the exact specifications of the Prius. The dealer-installed charger uses jointly developed technology from PLDS and ConvenientPower that lets consumers charge any smartphone supporting the Qi standard by simply placing the phone on the charger.

“The Qi ecosystem now includes over 180 products and Qi is the only wireless power solution directly integrated into flagship smartphones and automobiles,” said Stefan Graf, Director of Marketing & New Technologies of PLDS, a WPC member company. “As the number of Qi-enabled devices continues to grow, consumers want to be able to charge their phones wirelessly everywhere they go, especially in their automobile. Within the next year, we are going to see many more automobiles throughout the US, Asia Pacific, and Europe with really exciting Qi wireless charging capabilities.”

Qi is backed by more than 130 leading companies of the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) like Blackberry, ConvenientPower, Energizer, HTC, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Philips Electronics, Samsung, Sony, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, and Verizon Wireless.

Qi is the global standard for wireless power and cuts the last remaining cord in consumer electronics – the charging cord. With Qi, any Qi-enabled device can be charged by placing them on – or near – any Qi-enabled surface or charger, regardless of brand or manufacturer.

“Automobile integration is a critical aspect of a wireless charging ecosystem,” said Michael Morgan of ABI Research. “Now that Qi is being offered as an out of the box feature on some of the newest smartphones, automobile companies see an expanding installed base of users and are very interested in leveraging that with increased Qi integration into their new car models. Qi has made some impressive gains in the automotive space this year.”

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee and Toyota Prius join the rapidly expanding Qi ecosystem of mobile devices, charging accessories, charging locations, and automobiles, making it possible for consumers to charge their devices wherever they go. The 2013 Toyota Avalon Limited, which includes integrated Qi wireless charging in the center console, is already in production and for sale today. Recently, Korean automaker Ssangyong announced that the WPC’s Qi technology will be in the interior console of its Chairman model and a key feature in all Ssangyong’s future vehicles.

In addition to factory and dealer installed options, many aftermarket automotive Qi products are on sale today, including the Nokia NFC Qi Wireless Charging Car Holder and the Audiovox Aftermarket Qi Charger designed by PLDS.

Qi is an open, fully flexible standard capable of evolving its technology and features to offer the best user experience while maintaining compatibility with all products that have the Qi logo. It offers the widest range of features to optimize user convenience and product choices:  support for both inductive and resonant charging, spatial freedom, and intelligent power management.

For more information, visit: www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com

About Qi and the Wireless Power Consortium

Established in December 2008, the Wireless Power Consortium’s mission is to establish Qi as the global standard for wirelessly charging electronic products. The more than 130 members of WPC include industry leaders in mobile phones, consumer electronics, batteries, semiconductors, components, wireless power technology and infrastructure such as wireless operators, furniture and automotive parts companies. Qi products are available in the United States, Asia Pacific, and Europe.

Filed in categories: Cables, Batteries, Car Gear, News

Tagged: Car, charging, Qi

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee and Toyota Prius will offer in-vehicle Qi wireless charging originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 16, 2013 at 8:07 am.

A bored kitty is a destructive kitty.  With the Solar Powered Cat Tantalizer from Hammacher Schlemmer, your cat will be too entertained to have time to shred the toilet paper and up-root and chew your potted plants.  Stick the toy in a window or glass door with the industrial-strength suction cups, and the solar panel on the back will activate the toy when it receives direct sunlight.  The unpredictable bobbing and swaying of the feathers and dangling plastic ball will keep Muffin’s attention so she’ll have plenty of opportunity to exercise and practice her hunting skills without killing anything.  You can remove the rod for interactive play with your cat, and you can turn it off when the cat (or you) needs some quiet time.  It’s $39.95 and will begin shipping 5/20/13.

Filed in categories: News, Pet Gadgets

Tagged: Pet Gadgets

Idle paws are the devil’s workshop originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 15, 2013 at 12:00 pm.

Remote control cars are always fun, but the downside of the classic remote control cars is that they are fairly large and require an even larger area to play on.  Then someone invented those micro RC cars that are pocket-friendly, but those RC cars only go one speed, which is super fast and right off the table-top.  ZenWheels solved the super-fast speed problem and also gave us some extra features in their version of the micro cars.

Inside the package, you’ll find the Micro RC Car, 12 cones, timing gate, microUSB cable, and the instructions.

The Micro RC Car even comes in its own protective case which doubles as a display case.

I got the white colored Micro Car.  There’s no branding on the car, but it looks like a sporty coupe.

On the front of the car are working headlights and turning blinkers (with sound).

On the back are the reverse and breaking lights along with a micro USB charging port.

The Micro RC Car is about the size of real car’s key fob.

The timing gate has a magnetic bar at the bottom for the Micro Car to detect when it crosses the finish line.  If you start a race in the app, then crossing the timing gate will split the lap time.

On the bottom of the car are the on/off switch and the underbody lights (located right under the wheels).

The microUSB cable is a bit short, but it works.  You can use any other micro USB cables/chargers you have laying around as well.

The Micro RC Car is fully controlled by an iOS or Android app via Bluetooth.  All the functionality and settings are set within the app itself.  The Micro RC Car doesn’t zoom right off the table when you play with it.  This Micro RC Car has perfect precision when you drive it.  You have full control of the speed and wheel rotation.  You can even parallel park the car perfectly.  But that’s not all, this Micro RC Car has lots of extra features such as:

1) Turning blinker lights with blinking sounds
2) Hazard lights with blinking sounds
3) Low and high beam head lights
4) Horn
5) Blue undercarriage lights
6) Glowing blue undercarriage lights
7) Sirens with all lights flashing
8) All lights with no sounds
9) Setting screen on the app which includes trim and wheel settings.
10) Different ways of controlling your Micro RC Car

On the website it listed that the Micro RC Car provides haptic feedback through the app.  I didn’t experience this on either the iOS or the Android apps.

The Micro RC Car comes in 8 colors: White, Silver, Black, Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, and Yellow.  It costs $89.99, which some of you might think is expensive for a micro RC car.  But I think this is totally worth it for all the extra functionality and precision of the car.  You can purchase the ZenWheels Micro RC Car direct from their website.

Here’s a video of the app:

Filed in categories: Android related, Bluetooth Gear, Geek Toys, iPhone, iPad, iPod, Reviews

Tagged: RC Toy

ZenWheels Micro Car review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 15, 2013 at 11:00 am.

Well, you’ll at least be able to stop replacing your in-car device mounts if you purchase the Innotraveler Universal Car Mount from Seidio.  This mount has a baseplate and two re-useable adhesive pads to hold your phone, GPS, MP3 player, or other small device (up to a 5.5″ screen) securely in the mount.  You anchor the Innotraveler to your car’s windshield or dash with the locking suction cup base on the adjustable stand.  It’s $29.95 at Seidio and is available for shipping now.

Filed in categories: Car Gear, News

Tagged: In-car mounting system for smartphone, universal phone stand

Stop replacing all your accessories every time you get a new device originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 15, 2013 at 10:00 am.

LogicBUY’s Deal for Wednesday is the configurable 18.4″ Alienware M18x Core i7-3740QM 2.7GHz Quad-core gaming laptop, starting at $2749.00.  Features:

• 1080p screen
• Dual 2GB Radeon HD 7970M CrossFireX Graphics
  
• 16GB  DDR3 1600MHz memory
• 1TB RAID 0 (2x 500GB SATA 3Gb/s Hard Drives), 32GB mSATA Caching SSD, DVD burner
• 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0
• Two USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, eSATA, miniDisplayPort
• Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)

$3204.00 – $355 instant savings – $100 coupon code = $2749.00 with free shipping.

This deal expires May 17, 2013 or sooner. Check the above link for more details on this deal, and check the LogicBUY home page for other deals.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: Deal of the Day

Deal of the Day – Alienware M18x Core i7 Quad-core 1080p gaming laptop with dual 2GB Radeon HD 7970M CrossFireX originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 15, 2013 at 9:00 am.

To me, LEGO bricks represent childhood, imagination and fun. This new book from Starch Press on the other hand, does not. The 232 page BrickGun Book by Jeff Boen has step-by-step instructions for building five handgun replicas from readily available LEGO pieces. Model plans include the classic Berreta 92FS and a rubber-band-firing MAC-11. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m not a gun person, but this book just bums me out for some reason…

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, News

Tagged: LEGO

This LEGO book makes me sad originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 15, 2013 at 8:03 am.

The ChefPad from Archos is a full-featured Android tablet that’s been pre-loaded with the best apps for cooking enthusiasts.  The tablet has a dual-core 1.6GHz CPU, a quad-core GPU, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB capacity (expandable via microSD card) and is powered by Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean).  It also has a 9.7” 1024 X 768 capacitive screen, 2MP cameras front and back, WiFi, 1080p HD video playback, and mini HDMI.  In addition to the pre-loaded cooking apps, it has HD video player, email, web browsing, news, games, eBooks, and weather forecast apps – plus access to Google Play for other apps.  It will begin shipping in June for $209.99.  Read the product page at Archos for more details and to pre-order a ChefPad for yourself.  (The ChefPad is shown wearing the included silicone case and using the included stand.)

Filed in categories: Android related, News, Tablets, Ultra Portables

Tagged: Android tablet

Archos introduces the ChefPad, an Android tablet especially for cooking enthusiasts originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 14, 2013 at 12:00 pm.

Getting fit and staying fit requires daily effort that can quickly turn into drudgery if you lack motivation. I’ve found several things that have helped me stick to my fitness activities. One is the Virgin Healthmiles program that everyone at my day job (Cummins Inc.) is enrolled in. We get a simple pedometer that counts our steps and we earn points as we go along that can be traded in for cash. Money is always a great motivator right? I’m also lucky that I have a friend at work who practically drags me away from my desk twice a day to take a walk… even when I whine that I don’t want to or am too busy. If it wasn’t for him, I’d probably never get up all day.

If you don’t have a health initiative through your job or someone like my friend Bill, then an activity tracking gadget  like the new Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity + Sleep Wristband is another way to help stay motivated. Fitbit sent me the Flex and I’ve been using it for the past week. Let’s see how well it has performed.

Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.

What’s in the box

Fitbit Flex Wristband
USB charging cable
USB wireless sync dongle

Activity trackers are becoming very popular gadgets in the battle of the bulge, and wrist worn versions seem to be the latest next big thing. It started with the Nike FuelBand and more recently the Jawbone Up. Both are popular, but I’ve been anxiously waiting to try the Fitbit Flex because Fitbit has a good track record for providing quality fitness trackers.

What can the Fitbit Flex track?

• Steps taken
• Distance traveled
• Calories burned
• Sleep
• Very Active Minutes

How do you wear and use the Fitbit Flex?

The Flex is housed in a flexible elastomer wristband that is available in either black or slate. Additional bands can be purchased separately in other colors like teal, tangerine and navy.

The strap can be adjusted to accommodate different sized wrists by using the two pronged metal clasp. In all honesty, I don’t like the strap design. I find it hard to put it on by myself. The prongs are hard to press into the slots.

Luckily, the Flex is water-resistant. That means once you put it on, you can leave it on… even when you shower or go swimming. However, you will need to remove it every 5 days to charge it.

The tracker itself is very tiny and can be removed from the wristband in order to put it in another band or to charge it. To remove it, you just pop it out of the band like you see here.

The tracker is about the size of a really large vitamin.

One end of the tracker has a row of 5 white LEDs. This is the only “display” on the Flex. The LEDs show how you’re stacking up against your daily goal. Each light represents 20% of your goal. You can choose steps, calories, or distance.

To begin using the Flex, you first need to make sure it’s charged. You do this by removing the tracker from the wristband and placing it in the included USB charging tray. You’ll also want to insert the included USB wireless syncing dongle into a free USB port on your PC or Mac computer. It seems strange to me that a dongle is required for syncing instead of being able to use WiFi or Bluetooth. After all, the Flex has Bluetooth built in for the smartphone syncing feature…

After you have the Flex charged up, you can put it on your wrist and start racking up steps. But without an actual display, how do you see data about your activities? There are 2 ways. The first way is to simply tap the top of the Flex wristband. This will cause the LEDs to light up. Each LED is 20% of your goal, which by default is 10,000 steps per day. You can change this number by logging into your online Fitbit account.

To see more info about your daily activity, you have to sync with your desktop computer or smartphone and then login to the Fitbit website dashboard or use the iOS or Android smartphone app.

I tested the Flex with the Android app on my Samsung Galaxy S3 (shown above) and also with the iOS iPhone app on my iPad mini. The Flex should sync wirelessly with both devices, but I was only successful in syncing with the iPad mini. I was also able to sync using the USB dongle and my Macbook Air.

The app has a scrolling main dashboard that shows your daily total of steps, distance traveled, calories burned based on your activity and physical stats which you enter when you create your Fitbit account.

You can drill down into the individual stats for more info and graphs.

In addition to total steps and distance traveled, the Flex also can also track your sleep patterns and your food (calories) and water intake. Although I tried the food and water logging features, they wouldn’t be something I would actually use…. mainly because I’m lazy and forget. Tracking water is easy, but adding the foods you eat during the day is a hassle especially when you don’t eat a lot of pre-processed foods like I do. You can enter your own foods, but this raises the hassle bar even farther.

Tracking your sleep is another useful feature as long as you can remember to put the Flex into sleep tracking mode when you go to bed. You do this by rapidly tapping the Flex. You’ll need to remember to toggle back into activity tracking mode when you wake up too. Using the built in sensors, the Flex can detect how quickly you fall asleep and how many times you wake up during the night.

There’s also an option to set a wake alarm. But unlike the Jawbone Up’s alarm, which tries to wake you when you’re in a light sleep mode, the Flex just vibrates at the time you specify. You can silence the alarm by tapping the top of the wristband.

Using the Fitbit Flex for a week

In the week that I’ve been testing the Flex, I’ve found that it records more steps than my uber-cheap Virgin Healthmiles pedometer. I tend to trust the Flex more since it has more sensors. I read some of the Fitbit forums where people were complaining that other Fitbit trackers recorded steps during people’s daily commutes to and from work in a moving vehicle. I’m happy to say that in my testing, the Flex doesn’t seem to have this behavior.

One thing I was surprised to learn is that the Flex does not count stairs… The Fitbit One does.

This is the 2nd wrist worn activity tracker that I’ve reviewed (see the Jawbone Up link below in the related links section) and it’s reinforced the fact that I personally don’t like wearing something on my wrist 24/7. The Flex is uncomfortable, but it does annoy me when it rubs my wrist while typing at the computer. I also noticed it at night while sleeping.

I also find that I like the instant gratification that I get when I look down at my cheap pedometer and see the number of steps I’ve walked instead of an LED that represents a percentage. That said, I do like the smartphone app which does provide almost the same type of instant gratification.

I haven’t had the Flex long enough to comment on battery life, but it’s rated for 5 days, which is adequate.

What I liked about the Fitbit Flex

The Flex is easy setup and the automatic wireless syncing with my Mac (using the USB dongle) is nice because I don’t have to think about it. As long as I’m near the computer with the dongle and it’s powered on, it will sync my activity.

I also like that so many iOS and Android apps are compatible with Fitbit products including the Flex, including my favorite Runkeeper.

What I didn’t like about the Fitbit Flex

There are a few things that I would like to see approved. The band needs to be easier to put on and it needs to track stairs. If I could have all my wishes come true, it would also be able to sync to my Mac without a USB dongle, the ability to be worn somewhere other than my wrist and it would have a tiny LCD display to show the number of steps.

Bottom line

At the time of this writing, the Fitbit Flex is the best activity tracker currently available due to price, tracking accuracy (it has more sensors than other wrist worn trackers) and great 3rd party app compatibility. If I was in the market for an wrist worn tracker, this would be the one I would choose.

Filed in categories: Health, Fitness, Sports, Reviews

Tagged: Activity tracker, Fitness, pedometer

Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity + Sleep Wristband review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 14, 2013 at 11:00 am.

Apple’s Camera Connection Kit will let you transfer photos to your iPad, but it doesn’t allow you to copy files off the iPad.  It handles several image and video file formats, but nothing else.  With The Only Read and Write iPad Flash Drive from Hammacher Schlemmer, you can, as you might guess, both read and write files between the drive and your iPad.  It handles 35 file formats, including Microsoft Word and Excel files, PDFs, JPGs, MP4, and MP3.  It holds 16GB of files that you can transfer to/from the iOS device, or you can just access them directly from the drive without copying them over.  A free app handles files transfers and lets you back up your contacts or emails less than 10MB.  It actually works with the iPhone (5, 4S, 4, and 3GS); iPod touch (5th, 4th, and 3rd gen); all iPad models, including the iPad mini.  It requires iOS 6, and you may have to supply your own Lightning adapter for the newest-generation iOS devices.  It has a USB plug so you can use it with your computer, too.  It will begin shipping June 6 from Hammacher Schlemmer, and it sells for $169.95.

Filed in categories: Cables, Batteries, iPhone, iPad, iPod, News

Tagged: Flash drive for iOS, iOS accessory

Read and write flashdrive for your iPad and other iOS devices originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 14, 2013 at 10:00 am.

Tuesday’s LogicBUY Deal is the 10.1″ Dell XPS 10 Windows RT tablet for $299.99 after a $150 discount.  Features:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 1.5GHz Dual-core processor
• 32GB storage
• 1366 X 768 10.1″ screen with 10pt multi-touch and pen support
• 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0
• 2MP Webcam, 5MP back camera
• Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT
• 1 Year ProSupport
• 1 Year Rapid Return for Repair
  
• Optional Dell Mobile Keyboard Dock

$449.99 – $150 savings = $299.99 with free shipping.

This deal expires May 17, 2013 or sooner. Check the above link for more details on this deal, and check the LogicBUY home page for other deals.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: Deal of the Day

Deal of the Day – Dell XPS 10 32GB Dual-core Windows RT tablet originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 14, 2013 at 9:00 am.

If you are one of the many users that were upset by hearing that Google Reader was being retired, then take a look at Ino Reader.  It’s a free, browser-based RSS reader that has a simple and easy to use interface.  You can sign in with Google, Facebook, or create a new login with email.  You can add subscriptions manually, import subscriptions via OPML, or import your Google Takeout data.  It has social media sharing options, as well as Pocket and Instapaper integration.  There’s a Google Chrome extension and a mobile viewing site if you want to read on a tablet or smartphone.  I’m hoping they create an iOS and Android app soon.

This is my RSS reader of choice at the moment, so check it out and let us know what you think in the comments!

Filed in categories: Miscellaneous, News

Tagged: Google Reader, rss

Ino Reader is a potential replacement for Google Reader originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 14, 2013 at 8:00 am.

Others have posted their everyday carry bags, so I thought I would post mine as well. However, I am a homemaker who focuses on karate, so my EDC bag is much different than my fellow Gadgeteers.

I do not have a backpack or special bag for everyday; I just use my purse. It’s boring and holds basics, so not worth writing about.  Since I go to karate several times a week, Julie thought it would be interesting for you all to see my everyday karate carry bag, since it’s the closest thing I have to a true EDC bag. So, here it is!

• OGIO Gymbo Duffel Bag – Sadly, it’s discontinued, but it’s simple with three pockets and a water bottle holder. I wish the side pocket was a little bigger so I could separate my uniform from my gear, but it does its job well.
• Random water bottle – I lost my water bottle and this was given to me to replace it. I would welcome some good ideas for a replacement!
• Macho kick, punch, and shin guards – Extra padding so I do not hurt my sparring partners on accident.
• Cheap 99 cent mouth guard and case. Who would have thought the cheapest one fit best?
• Tonfas, nunchaku, and fan – These weapons change based on what I am working on. I also have a set of sais that I take along.
• Lightweight Century karate uniform (gi) and belt – I choose the lightweight over heavyweight because of the fabric. The lightweight just feels better to me.
• Deodorant, Band-Aids, extra water, and hair ties – These are in case I forget something at home. All but the Band-Aids are vital every day!
• Kinovo BTH220 Bluetooth headphones – These are great while lifting weights. No cords to get caught in, and cheap, so easily replaceable.
• Rejuvenation Women’s Pro power gloves (size small) – I must keep my delicate hands from getting calluses when lifting weights, and these were the only ones small enough for my hands.
• Relic watch with timer and pulse reader – This isn’t used much since I do not do spin class often, but when I do spin, its nice to be able to check my pulse and how far along we are.
• A pen – No paper though, which I found quite amusing. I must have taken the notepad out a while ago for some reason.
• Spare change – The dojo offers snacks and Gatorade for purchase, which I take advantage of now and then.
• MultiSac purse – Included inside: iPhone 5, pills, Apple earbuds, wallet, pen, scrap paper, and if I am lucky, there may be money in there.

The weapons, uniform, Macho sparring gear, and mouth guard are all in the main pocket of the duffel bag. The secondary pocket, which is supposed to be used for dirty items or shoes, I use for easy access to my purse, watch, deodorant, and extra water.  The smallest pouch holds the pen, change, Band-Aids, and hair ties. Like I said above, I would love one more storage area for my uniform so I can keep it separate from the sparring gear. I do like the reinforced plastic handle on the bag, though, since sometimes the bag can get a little heavy with my weapons.

So that is it! I tend to keep my gadgets safe at home so they do not get lost or stolen, and I definitely could afford to upgrade a few things – such as my water bottle and headphones. When going out, I only try to bring things I will actually use, so that is why my EDC bag is much different and much lighter on the gadgets.

Filed in categories: Articles, Gear

Tagged: EDC

Everyday Carry Bags – Ryan Chapman originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 13, 2013 at 7:30 pm.

If you’ll be at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the next few weekends, you can have yourself immortalized as a 3D Stormtrooper figurine for only $99.95 (plus shipping and taxes).  The D-Tech Me experience is a 10-minute process that uses the “world’s highest-resolution, single-shot 3D face scanner created by [Disney's] Imagineering scientists with Disney Research labs. That captured image is later sent to a high resolution 3D printer to create the figurine.”  If you prefer, you can have yourself cast in Carbonite.  You’ll have to wait up to 8 weeks to receive the figurine, and you’ll also get either a button (Stormtrooper) or a light-up band, depending on your type of figurine.  Go to the Disney Parks Blog to read more about the Star Wars figurines and how you can book your own experience.

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, News

Tagged: 3d printing, collectibles, Star Wars

You can have a 3D Star Wars Stormtrooper figurine with your face on it originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 13, 2013 at 12:00 pm.

If you think all camera straps are the same, then think again. Did you think about it? Well, then you know that the camera strap is basically connected to the camera and hangs around your neck. Pretty simple, right?  Well, it can get a little more complicated than you think. When you consider the comfort, the convenience and the style, then it becomes more than just a plain strap.  It becomes a feature.

OP/TECH  Utility Sling Strap seems to incorporate these characteristics in their product. The Utility Sling Strap consists of a neoprene shoulder strap, two quick disconnect System connectors, and two Uni-Loop Adapters.

The first thing that caught my attention was the Sling Strap’s ability to slide the camera smoothly up and down the strap. Considering that I always carry my camera strapped across my chest, this feature made this strap ideal for for me.

I find it cumbersome to have anything strapped around my neck. I don’t find it comfortable, let alone convenient.  Your camera just hangs there in the way of your body, ready to knock into something.  I like to have my camera at my side and out of the way when I am not using it, then when I need it, I just just bring it up to my eye. Having the camera rest in front of me just seems to get in my way. When my camera rests at my side I can keep my hand on it to avoid it swaying back and forth and I have control of it. This way, I feel like my hand is in a normal, relaxed position rather than if I held the camera in front of me. Besides I don’t like anything pulling on my neck. But then again keeping the camera to my side could just be a personal preference too. Since I typically shoot and carry my camera with the strap over my shoulder, it is refreshing to have a company make a product that caters to your preferences. Big thumbs up to OP/TECH.

Another feature that I unknowingly discovered is the non-skid neoprene section of the strap system. One night while I was taking pictures of my brother’s band, I mentioned to one of my friends that I noticed that my camera felt different. A good different though. My camera didn’t feel uncomfortable after a long time of having it slung over my shoulder. What I was noticing was that my camera was feeling lighter and comfortable. I have a Canon 60D with a battery grip on it so those two together have added weight. Since attaching the Sling Strap to my camera and using it all night, I could definitely tell the difference.

The shoulder pad is made with OP/TECH’s patented internal “control-stretch” system which allows reduction in the weight of the camera due to the stretching of the neoprene. And because the strap is wider in width, it helps reduce pressure on your shoulders, making it more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Basically, the neoprene acts as a shock absorber, kind of  like a bungee cord, lessening the weight of the camera. And because it has a the non-skid pad, it stays in place when you slide the camera up and down the strap.

The straps are attached to the neoprene strap by heavy duty plastic connectors. They feel sturdy and strong enough to support my camera with the additional battery grip and extra non-kit lens. After weighing my camera with grip and lens, it came to around 6 lbs.  These connectors aren’t made from cheap plastic. They feel very solid and they lock solid too. However, for those of you  who want added security or want that extra peace of mind, OP/TECH sells Secure-Its. They are type of Velcro that threads through the connectors to help prevent the connectors from coming apart.

The straps have a cord loop at the end that attaches to the camera body. There is a piece of leather that combines the loop and the connector together.  The leather tab seems to be quality leather and the stitching is well sewn. This is reassuring to me, considering that this is one part of what is securing my camera and keeping it from falling and smashing to the ground. OP/TECH appears to use quality material in the construction of their products. I have a leather hand strap that I like to use on my camera, and I was able to also attach the OP/TECH connectors with a little effort. It would have taken less effort without the hand strap attached, but it really was no problem at all. I love having both straps attached to my camera. It allows me versatility when I maneuver my camera at shows and gigs.

I have been using the Utility Sling Strap for awhile, and it has turned out to be a very useful addition to my DSLR camera arsenal. My camera glides smoothly and flawlessly each time I use the strap, and my camera hangs nicely at my side and out of the way until I need it. And when I need to take a picture, I just grab my camera, slide it up to my eye and take my shot.

You never really think about camera straps unless you are looking for  something with a cool or pretty design since they really only serve one main purpose – to hang your camera around your neck. But when you think about it, a camera strap has factors and characteristics that can make carrying your camera comfortable, tolerable, and maybe even enjoyable. Because OP/TECH offers many numerous connectors in their catalog, you can literally have connectors on other cameras, or binoculars for that matter, so that attaching your neoprene strap is as easy as unsnapping and snapping the connector to swap out to another camera.

In addition to the connectors on the Utility Sing Strap, I have a Uni Adaptor loop that I use with my Canon 20D. With this smaller strap, it can be used as a small carrying handle without the neoprene pad attached.

You can check out the Utility Sling Strap and a whole lot more products and accessories on OP/TECH’s website, as well as helpful videos demonstrating and showcasing a few of their products.

Keep in mind that OP/TECH offers many many various systems that you can customize to fit any needs you may have. You can check out the tons of straps and connection adapters as well as bags, cases, and covers on their website.

Filed in categories: Camera Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Camera accessory, Camera strap

OP/TECH USA Utility Sling Strap review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 13, 2013 at 11:00 am.