Andy Jacobs

Catholic, husband, father, engineer. Purdue Boilermaker. Dad of pugs. Collector of Star Wars. Practicioner of fitness. Drinker of beers.

Bomber Barrel Duffel Bag, Mini Travel Kit and Firestarter Paracord Bracelet review

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I generally like things simple, functional and cool-looking. I am also a fan of bags for carrying all my gadgets and gear.  I’ve tried out a lot of bags for various purposes over the years and I’m sure I’ll try out many more. Although used messenger-type shoulder bags for many years and have recently switched over […]

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Under-the-Jack Pack provides stealthy laptop carry

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Look, I like big ol’, voluminous backpacks for hauling my gear as much as the next Gadgeteer. But sometimes you only need to carry minimal gear and want to be subtle and stealthy, like a gear ninja. For those missions, the crowdfunded Betabrand Under-the-Jack Pack might be essential. Betabrand designed this ultra-slim backpack to literally

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Look a little less scruffy in the Smuggler’s Jacket

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With Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens breaking records daily, the popularity of that Galaxy Far, Far Away is at an all-time high. So what better time for Betabrand to introduce their crowd-funded Smuggler’s Jacket. Inspired by the jacket worn by everyone’s favorite scruffy-looking nerf herder in Star Wars: Episode VI – The Empire

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Boxwave ClearTouch SmartButtons screen protector review

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What if you could add not only a layer of protection to your iPhone, but also a set of invisible buttons to help you use your iPhone more efficiently.  That’s what Boxwave promises with their ClearTouch SmartButtons screen protector.  Made from tempered glass, it boasts two invisible “buttons” at the bottom of the iPhone’s face

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Alpenlore belts pack a lot of survival gear

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Preparedness seems to be on the minds and hearts of an increasing number of folks these days. Whether you are a “prepper” getting ready for the doomsday scenario, a back-country hiker or a suburban warrior, an entire industry has been built around survival and preparedness. It’s not always easy to carry survival gear with us,

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PatchPALS review

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Velcro®-backed patches have become very popular in some circles, especially within military and related communities where they are often called “morale” patches. Additionally, clothing, backpacks and other soft goods designed for military, police or similar occupations include strips of webbing that can be used as modular attachment points for the customized addition of pouches and other accessories.

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Inateck MercuryBox Bluetooth Speaker review

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Music is everywhere these days, thanks to its digital portability and instant availability on iPods, smartphones and other devices the world over. But the tiny speakers aboard these devices aren’t exactly suited to rocking out loud.  That’s why the portable speaker market has boomed (pun intended) the past several years, with wireless Bluetooth connectivity one of the

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G-Shock goes smartwatch with GBA400 watch models

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I’m a big fan of Casio’s G-Shock watches; I’ve worn them for years and can vouch that they are some of the toughest watches in the world and packed with useful features. The latest G-Shock GB400 models include some new features that caught my eye. Bluetooth Smart enables linking between the watch and a phone for remote control

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Workout Sandbags are an alternative to pumping iron

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One of the latest crazes in the fitness world is “functional fitness” (strength, mobility and endurance training for real-world use rather than very specific gym-type exercises) and one of the tools that is growing in popularity for functional fitness training is the humble sandbag. Sandbags can be made in varying weights and sizes, plus they are

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REI Mini MultiTowel review

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In the worlds of rucking, backpacking, hiking and travel, there is an axiom: “Ounces become pounds.” This is loosely translated as, “Even small, lightweight items can add up to a lot of extra weight when walking around carrying that weight for miles.”  That’s one reason why absorbent microfiber towels have become popular among folks who participate in

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Arctic P324 BT Sports Bluetooth 4.0 Headphones review

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I use my earbuds daily: at the gym, working at my desk, mowing the lawn, and on and on. But sometimes I’d like to listen to my podcasts, tunes and other audio without having to deal with that annoying cable. I’d been wanting to try a pair of Bluetooth-based wireless headphones on the market today, so when

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X-Doria Defense Shield and Defense Gear iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus cases review

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Good protection for your smartphone can be difficult to find, depending on your criteria. Some folks go more for style, some for protection and some for a combination or for other factors. The bumper style has been popular for few years now, and X-Doria now produces two “bumper” style cases that offer both style and protection. The

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Dash 4.0 wallet is a slimmer, more expandable version

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Steven Elliot is at it again with a crowdfunded Kickstarter campaign for his newest wallet design, the Dash 4.0. It retains the quick-access thumb slot for a frequently-used card and the coated, synthetic Saffiano “leather” front from previous versions. It also builds on the previous three Dash wallets with several improvements including a flexible 4-way stretch elastic back for expansion

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Comply Foam Tips help customize your earphone fit

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I’m locked in a constant struggle with my earbuds–they just fall out of my ears. I’ve lost count of how many aftermarket earbuds with all sorts of tips I’ve tried out over the years. Evidently there are others who struggle with similar issues, because Comply Foam Tips makes a variety of earphone tips for people

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High Caliber Craftsman turns bullet casings into durable, elegant writing instruments

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Handcrafted, American-made products seems to be increasing in popularity in recent years, alongside military and firearm-inspired products and gear. High Caliber Craftsman sits at the nexus of this space, producing writing instruments and other items that are hand made from actual ammunition casings. With various calibers, finishes, coatings, colors and materials such as cerakote, carbon fiber, nickel

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Notch gear lets you wear your hat down low with shades

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I wear glasses daily (I can’t wear contacts) and wear ballcap-style hats often, especially when outdoors. I sometimes wish I could pull my cap down lower over my eyes, but my glasses or shades get in the way. Notch must have been reading my mind, because their hats potentially solve this problem.  Founded by a U.S.

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