REVIEW – I live in California where we’ve been in a mega-drought for many years. The idea of having an umbrella seems rather pointless. Of course, this winter has been abnormally wet for some reason! Where can I find a decent umbrella I might not want to lose, and won’t fall apart after two days? […]
Helinox Umbrella One review – Fighting off the rain and sun Read More
REVIEW – The folks at Shargeek have been on a roll lately. It wasn’t that long ago that the Retro 35W Mac-shaped charger charmed its way into the world, but the Retro 67 takes the nerd factor up a few notches with three USB-C ports and a green phosphor screen inspired display with some “Matrix”
Shargeek Retro 67 USB-C charger review – Old school Mac charm Read More
REVIEW – I’ve already got one EV parked in the garage. I enjoy the convenience of charging at home and the thrill of strong acceleration. This time I’m scaling much smaller with the Atomi Alpha Electric Scooter. My EV fleet has now increased by one. What is it? The Atomi Alpha is a sleek lithium-ion
Atomi Alpha electric scooter review Read More
REVIEW – Where I live in California, the threat of power outage due to earthquakes, wildfires, or heat emergencies is very real. Is there a non-gas generator that can step up to the task? We’re talking far beyond charging up smartphones or tablets. What about higher-draw appliances? I put the Zendure Superbase Pro 2000 Power
Zendure SuperBase Pro 2000 power station review – Shocking capacity! Read More
REVIEW – I’ve been wearing stiff, boring leather belts for quite some time. I had a chance to mix things up a bit and add a dash of style with the Arcade Belts Adventure series. What is it? Arcade Belts Adventure series belts are made of 85% post-consumer recycled polyester and feature a no-hole, custom
Arcade Adventure Belt review – Strap in for comfort Read More
REVIEW – Not too long ago the car wouldn’t start. Dreaded dead battery! Fortunately, I have an automotive battery charger and I was able to nurse the battery back to health. But is the battery still OK or on the way out? Is it something other than the battery? Before taking it in or swapping
FOXWELL BT705 car battery tester review – Stay current on your battery health Read More
REVIEW – This year I was issued a company laptop, which means I had an excuse to look for a laptop bag! What can carry my laptop, accessories, and other essentials while looking good and staying organized? Let’s look at the STM Goods DUX 16L backpack. What is it? The STM Goods DUX 16L backpack
STM Goods DUX 16L Backpack review Read More
REVIEW -My son has been sitting on a dining room chair at his gaming PC. He says it gets uncomfortable, and I believe it. I’m not a fan of those flashy so-called gaming chairs that look like seats taken from a sports car, so I was very glad to have a chance to look at
Vari Performance Task Chair review – Come have a seat Read More
REVIEW – For as long as I’ve had a garage, I’ve always had a 12V DC power supply on my bench for testing various electronics and gadgets. With a variable supply and LED readout, the Kaiweets PS-3010F DC power supply just might find a permanent spot on my bench. What is it? The Kaiweets PD-3010F
Kaiweets PS-3010F DC Power Supply review Read More
REVIEW – I’ve noticed that when I go camping with our Scout troop, I usually shove my lunch into any nearby paper or plastic bag I can find. I never remember to use a small cooler. Now I get to try out a soft-sided lunch bag without a load of branding, which is exactly my
Tacticism 12L Lunch Bag review – Stay cool, look cool Read More
REVIEW – Since headphone ports on mobile devices are a dying breed, I’ve been using a cheap adaptor for my iPad Pro, which uses USB-C but no headphone jack. And no, I don’t like using Bluetooth! Today I get to try the Creative Sound Blaster X1 USB DAC. What is it? The Creative Sound Blaster
Creative Sound Blaster X1 USB DAC and headphone amplifier review Read More
REVIEW – One nice thing about laptops: They can serve as your only computer. The downside is they don’t lend themselves to good ergonomics. Most of us use them too low when placed on a desktop. The Kensington SmartView Organizing Laptop Riser aims to fix this. What is it? Built in collaboration with Microsoft, the
Kensington SmartView Organizing Laptop Riser review Read More
REVIEW – Like it or not, the charging world is headed towards USB-C. I don’t consider a desktop charger if it doesn’t have USB-C! Fortunately, the UGREEN 100W USB-C DigiNest Pro charging station is a slick product that has you covered. What is it? The UGREEN DigiNest Pro is billed as a 7-in-1 charging station.
UGREEN 100W USB-C DigiNest Pro charging station review Read More
REVIEW – If you are unfamiliar with Waterfield Designs (aka SFBags) then you should know that they make some of the best bags and gear, hands down. I still have laptop sleeves from 10+ years ago that have held up beautifully. This time, I got my hands on their new lovely Essential Duffel, which I’ve
Waterfield Designs Essential Duffel review Read More
REVIEW – Ever since iPads came into our lives, there have been countless accessories to hold them. This time, I get to take a look at the TwelveSouth HoverBar Duo tablet holder. I was excited because I know TweleveSouth for their Apple accessories. Does the product live up to the name? What is it? The
TwelveSouth HoverBar Duo tablet holder review Read More
REVIEW – Ever since video chats from home became commonplace, I’ve thought about how I could show objects or documents without holding them up to the camera. Document cameras have been around for a long time, but I was reluctant to try one until the CZUR Aura X Pro scanner came around. What is it?
CZUR Aura X Pro portable scanner review Read More
REVIEW – I really didn’t care about headsets until everyone was videoconferencing from home. Generally, headset microphones sound better to your audience than the one built into your laptop, and the on-ear speaker gives you listening privacy. The ESKA H5 headset boasts “AI-Powered” noise reduction in a professional-looking package. What is it? The model H5
ESKA H5 Bluetooth computer headset review Read More
REVIEW – I’ve seen “noise machines” in doctors offices. Maybe you have too! Years ago I bought one for a family member, but the LectroFan EVO is an all-electronic devices with 22 different sound options. Time to put them side by side. What is it? Unlike competitors that generate mechanical noises, the LectroFan EVO has
LectroFan EVO sleep sound machine review Read More
REVIEW – Sennheiser headphones are my go-to brand for home use. This time, I take a look at the PC38X, by EPOS- the new name for Sennheiser’s Gaming brand. How different will this headset be from the Sennheisers I’m familiar with? Let’s find out. What is it? The DROP + EPOS PC38X is an upgraded
DROP + EPOS PC38X gaming headset review Read More
REVIEW – I really don’t like using the speakerphone on my iPhone, because I don’t like how others sound when THEY’RE using a speakerphone. I don’t want to sound like I’m “in a cave” or distant. Maybe the Beyerdynamic SPACE speakerphone will put those concerns to rest for me. What is it? I know Beyerdynamic
Beyerdynamic SPACE Bluetooth speakerphone review Read More