REVIEW – As an Eagle Scout and father to a scout, to me the idea of a firestarter that works by just pulling a string felt slightly insulting a first. Fire making is an essential scout skill, after all! Then I looked back at all the times I’ve been in difficult or near-miserable situations where […]
Pull Start Fire Pull String Firestarter review Read More
REVIEW – Do you use your iPhone’s built-in speakerphone frequently? Ever want a little extra “oomph”? I got to try out a little plug-in device designed to do just that. What is it? The Pioneer Rayz Rally is a plug and play mobile conference speaker that connects with just one Lightning connection to your iOS
Pioneer Rayz Rally iOS lightning speaker review Read More
REVIEW – Have you ever tried to inflate an air mattress or pool toy by mouth? Yes, it gets exhausting. I’ve been using inflatable camping pads for a few years, which I prefer over the foam ones. However, inflating a pad after a day of hiking or at altitude isn’t very fun. GIGA Pump 2.0
GIGA Pump 2.0 review Read More
REVIEW – When I was young I always remembered this inexpensive, orange-handled metal detector in the Radio Shack catalogs. Never got one. I’ve quietly wondered how well these things work. I finally got my chance with the Sakobs GC1032 metal detector. The hunt is on! What is it? The Sakobs GC1032 is a portable metal
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REVIEW – The charger battle in my home has heated up. I’m finally collecting more gadgets that accept USB-C plugs. However, I’m stuck with the tiny ones that come packed in the box. Zendure’s SuperPort Gallium Nitride (GaN) chargers just might be my ticket to charging heaven. What is it? The Zendure SuperPort S2 is
Zendure SuperPort S2 and S4 GaN USB-C charger review Read More
REVIEW – I’ve shied away from giant USB batteries for camping because it means lugging them around. But when I look back, a majority of my expeditions are “car camping” where weight isn’t an issue. More and more of my gadgets are finally coming with USB-C. Let’s take a look at the Zendure SuperTank Pro
REVIEW – One of my favorite kinds of flashlights are the kind that are keychain-sized, and rechargeable via USB. Today I get to try out a successor to one of my favorites. Will it take the top spot as my go-to everyday carry flashlight? What is it? The TIP SE is a 700 lumen USB-C
Nitecore TIP SE Dual-Core keychain EDC flashlight review Read More
REVIEW – I hate fan noise. When I built a PC, I went through great pains to pick quiet fans and components. When the bathroom fan got noisy, I replaced the motor. If I got a fancy fan to keep me cool, I wouldn’t keep it if I found the noise distracting. It’s time to
Dyson Pure Cool Me Personal Purifying Fan (BP01) review Read More
REVIEW – Yes, you’re right. I’ve never heard of TREBLAB either. In the age of lookalike Bluetooth speakers and unknown brands, I usually stick with the “famous names”. My son has started listening to music while working out, so I thought this might make a nice spare speaker. But first, some tire kicking! What is
TREBLAB HD77 Bluetooth speaker review Read More
REVIEW – If you are reading this from the far off future of the year 2050, welcome! This is the year 2020- the infamous year of COVID-19 and Shelter-in-Place. Many of us are working at home and suffering from the indignity of poor audio from webcams as we attempt to conference call with video en
JLAB Talk GO USB microphone review Read More
REVIEW – If you’re the owner of a smartphone, Apple Watch and wireless headphones, you’ve probably got a jumble of charging cables or wireless pads on your nightstand or desktop. I’ve tried a mix of cables and wireless pads but it still becomes a bit of a mess. Now the Logitech Powered 3-in-1 Charging Dock
Logitech Powered 3-in-1 Charging Dock Review Read More
REVIEW – I dislike wearing rings. All the ones I’ve seen for men are just boring. Manly Bands has a wide selection of interesting rings, and can even make something custom, all with a sense of humor. What is it? Manly Bands has rings for guys in many not-boring designs made from titanium, tungsten, wood,
REVIEW – As an adult Scouting volunteer for my son’s troop, I’m always looking for a way to keep my first aid gear organized. I was sent an LA Police Gear Medical Pouch and other accessories to try out. I’ve purchased from LA Police Gear before, but not their “store brand” items. Do they measure
LA Police Gear Medical Pouch Review Read More
REVIEW – There are so many Apple Watch bands out there, but few have caught my eye. That all changed when I saw Groove Life’s Dimension Topo strap with its distinctive pattern on both the outside and inside. What is it? The Groove Life Dimension Topo is a strap that is available for all
Groove Life Dimension Topo Apple Watch band review Read More
REVIEW – I’ve been using an old-school flatbed scanner at work for years, but I don’t like using it. Mine was dusty and slow, so I was eager to test out the Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500. Did it make me a happy camper? What is it? The Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500 is a compact, top-fed desktop scanner
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REVIEW – Tired of your old, creaky office chair wheels rolling across that cracked plastic mat? Stealtho office chair caster wheels may be just the thing to rejuvenate your trusty office chair. What is it? Stealtho wheels resemble inline skate wheels, made of an elastic polyurethane, for a smooth, scratch-free glide across your hardwood floors.
Stealtho office chair wheels review Read More
REVIEW – I have too many of those USB-chargable “power banks”. I can’t seem to find one I like. I usually find the biggest one I can find and pack a bunch of cables in a bag, then never use it because I can’t be bothered to fiddle with cables when on a campout in
Tech Care DS01 9000mAh power bank review Read More
REVIEW – Our family has a shared Mac Mini tucked behind a monitor. Unfortunately, plugging in USB accessories can be a little tricky when you hide the CPU, but the ORICO 4 Port USB 3.0 Clip-Type hub could solve just that. What is it? The ORICO 4-Port USB 3.0 Clip-Type hub does just what it
ORICO 4 Port Clip-Type USB 3.0 Hub review Read More
REVIEW – My son’s middle school uses iPads for turning in and managing homework. I wanted to hold back on tech obsolescence so I picked up a 2018 iPad Pro 11 for him with the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio, which doesn’t provide a lot of protection from falls. That’s where the Urban Armor Gear (UAG)
UAG Scout Folio Series iPad Pro case review Read More
REVIEW – I am a sucker for 2.1 channel audio systems: A left and right speaker plus a subwoofer. As an admitted bass-head, I really wanted to try out the new Creative Labs Pebble Plus speaker. What is it? the Pebble Plus is a USB-powered 2.1 desktop speaker system with subwoofer. What’s in the box?
Creative Labs Pebble Plus 2.1 USB desktop speakers with subwoofer review Read More