This week we are bringing you nine crowdfunding campaigns that are currently running on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. This week’s campaigns are for people who like Star Wars, the outdoors, EDC gear, music, and more. Check out our picks for this week’s notable crowdfunding campaigns.
Rainsaber umbrella
What is it?
The Rainsaber umbrella is a Star Wars fan’s ultimate rain protection tool (and weapon). It’s an umbrella with a built-in lightsaber.
Why do I like it?
It’s a lightsaber umbrella for goodness sake. What’s not to like?! It’s nerdy, it’s cool, and it’s motion activated with lightsaber colors and sound effects. Oh, it protects you from the rain too.
Where can I find more info?
TheRainsaber campaign ends on 6/04/18 and they are very close to reaching their funding goal of $30,000. You can pre-order a Rainsaber starting at $145. After the Rainsaber campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
ARIA Waterproof Earbuds
blurb by Julian Perry
What is it?
The xFyro ARIA Bluetooth 5.0 earbuds are Waterproof Wireless Earbuds.
Why do I like it?
I like the xFyro ARIA Bluetooth 5.0 earbuds because they are full-featured, waterproof earbuds with features that include Bluetooth 5, an IP67 waterproof rating, noise cancellation, access to virtual assistants like Google Assistant and Siri, state-of-the-art speakers with a touch-activated microphone, in-ear detection, volume control, and automatic pairing.
The xFyro ARIA earbuds also integrate stereo calling as well as “dual beam-forming microphones and high-speed charging, that enables up to 3 hours of listening time after a quick 15-minute charge”. xFyro claims that the earbuds have an 8-hour battery life per charge and that the case with its built-in battery can recharge the earbuds at least 3 times for a total of 32 hours.
Where can I find more info?
The xFyro ARIA Bluetooth 5.0 earbuds campaign ends on 6/28/18. They have already exceeded their funding goal of $10,000, and you can pre-order starting at $170 now on their Indiegogo page. They are expected to start shipping in August 2018. Visit the xFyro website for all the details.
Molecularis – Reinventing the Flip Book
What is it?
Molecularis is a DIY flipbook for creative people.
Why do I like it?
I like the Molecularis flipbook because it’s not like a typical flipbook that only offers two animations when you flip the pages. The Molecularis flipbook offers six animated sequences depending on how you flip it and you get to color it yourself.
Where can I find more info?
The Molecularis campaign already ended, but you can buy order one through Indiegogo’s INDEMAND platform for €25.00 ($29.17 US) with shipping in October 2018. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.
The New Jamstik Guitars – For Learning & Creating
What is it?
The Jamstik is a mini 6 stringed guitar that you don’t have to tune and it has sensors in the fretboard to aid in learning.
Why do I like it?
I like Jamstik guitars because they are travel-friendly mini guitars that you can use to learn, practice and create music. They may look like a toy, but they are actually full-fledged musical instruments. I reviewed one of the original Jamstik’s a few years ago and I still think it’s a fun instrument.
Now there are 2 different versions of the Jamstik. There’s the shorter Jamstik 7 for people who want to learn to play guitar anywhere and there’s the Jamstik 12 which has a longer fretboard and is designed for people who can already play guitar and want a travel-worthy MIDI guitar for music creation.
Where can I find more info?
The Jamstik campaign ends on 6/25/18 and they’ve already passed their funding goal of $75,000. You can pre-order a Jamstik starting at $179. After the Jamstik campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in August 2018. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.
Tinkamo | Smart Building Blocks
What is it?
Tinkamo is a system of smart wireless building modules that have been designed for children ages 5-12 and consist of motors, sensors, cameras, speakers, and more.
Why do I like it?
I like the Tinkamo system because kids can use Tinkamo blocks their LEGO bricks to bring their existing models to life or to create brand new interactive toys while learning to code using a mobile app.
Where can I find more info?
The Tinkamo campaign ends on 6/22/18 and they’ve already met their funding goal of $50,000. You can pre-order Tinkamo starting at $29. After the Tinkamo campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in November 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
Butter Twist
What is it?
The Butter Twist is an all in one butter stick holder, measurer, and spreader.
Why do I like it?
I’ve reviewed several butter spreading gadgets over the years like the biēm butter sprayer, the Cooks Innovations Butter Mill, and the SpreadThat! butter knife. None of those have managed to “stick” for me. They were either too much of a hassle to use and clean, or they just didn’t work. The Butter Twist looks like a much better butter gadget because it does more than one thing without needing batteries. It will hold a stick of butter, measure it in tablespoons, and cut it without dirtying a knife. It’s also dishwasher safe.
Where can I find more info?
The Butter Twist campaign ends on 6/29/18 and they still have a way to go before they reach their funding goal of $20,000. You can pre-order a Butter Twist starting at $15. After the Butter Twist campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in October 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
Lever Gear CLiP System
What is it?
The CLiP System is a small metal EDC storage container that has been designed to clip to your pocket, your keychain or your gear bag.
Why do I like it?
I’m a fan of EDC gear and I like the CLiP System because it looks like a cool little storage option for my smallest items that I don’t want rolling around in the bottom of my main gear bag or even my larger pouches. I like that the CLiP System can double as a bit driver or a flashlight and that it’s flat so it fits easier in a pocket on a keychain.
Where can I find more info?
The CLiP System campaign ends on 6/28/18 and they have already passed their funding goal of $16,000. You can pre-order a CLiP System starting at $38. After the CLiP System campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in November 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
LEMURO: Transform Your Smartphone Into A Powerful Camera
What is it?
LEMURO is a case and lens solution for your smartphone.
Why do I like it?
I switched over to using my Pixel 2 XL as my only camera last fall when I sold my Canon 70D DSLR and I haven’t looked back. I love the Pixel’s camera but sometimes I wish I had a better telephoto or macro lens. I looked into clip-on lenses but found only one solution (Momento) that was currently available for my phone. I’ve been dragging my feet on purchasing a set of lenses just because the full set is pretty expensive. But then I stumbled upon this campaign and am hoping that they will have a version for the Pixel and other phones besides iPhones.
Where can I find more info?
The LEMURO campaign ends on 6/22/18 and they have already passed their funding goal of $11,667. You can pre-order a LEMURO starting at $29. After the LEMURO campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in November 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
COMBAR™ | An Incredibly Rugged Heavy-Duty Multi-Tool
What is it?
COMBAR is a 5-in-1 high-quality heavy-duty outdoor tool that includes a hammer, ax, spade, knife, and saw.
Why do I like it?
Although it’s expensive at $359, the COMBAR looks like a rugged all-in-one tool outdoor survival tool that you can easily carry on your belt. I’m not a camper or a survivalist, but if I did enjoy those activities, I’d want a smallish tool like this one always close at hand when I was hiking around in the woods. It also has a lifetime warranty which is great for a tool like this one which will not be babied.
Where can I find more info?
The COMBAR campaign ends on 6/7/18 and they have already passed their funding goal of $55,000. You can pre-order a COMBAR starting at $359. After the COMBAR campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
Gadgeteer Comment Policy - Please read before commenting
I would personally go for a real guitar. You don’t want to get too comfortable playing a JamStick.
The blue glow of the Rainsaber will affect your night vision – I learned that after following my kids trick-or-treating while wearing a Jedi/lightsaber costume.
You can make it any color you like. How about red? 🙂
I’ll bet that would help. My lightsaber can only do blue. Gotta turn to the Dark Side, I guess.