Bob Patterson

I'm a digital marketer and an illustrator with a passion for user experience. I constantly dabble in gadgets and technology, with a particular interest in bags & EDC products, cooking, and creative tools. I'm also an old school punk rock guy and a rabid fan of sci-fi and fantasy genres... I have the Yoda tattoo to prove it.

ANTOU Design Book NOTA Notebook review – customize your notes, endlessly

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/ October 23, 2022 / Reviews / journal, Notebooks, productivity / Leave a Comment

BookNOTA Notebook 1

CROWDFUNDING REVIEW – One notebook, endless possibilities. That’s the value proposition presented by the ANTOU Design Book NOTA Notebook. This Kickstarter campaign is for a notebook system that enables you to configure and control every aspect of your notebook setup from the paper to the page templates. Let’s explore this unique design for recording your […]

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NayoSmart Herman Osborn Roll Top Backpack review – Going to work in style!

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/ October 13, 2022 / Reviews / Backpack / Leave a Comment

NayoSmart RollTopBackpack 310

REVIEW – Going back the office requires a new backpack and fresh style. Enter the NayoSmart Herman Osborn Roll Top Backpack! This is a pack that sports some innovative design elements and materials to upscale your daily commute (or road trips). How does it do? To the review! What is it? The NayoSmart Herman Osborn

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Merach Fitness Q1S rowing machine review – Get fit and never leave your house!

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/ October 5, 2022 / Reviews / Health and fitness, rowing machine / 6 Comments

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REVIEW – Row yourself to fitness! The Merach Fitness Q1S Rowing Machine promises smooth, quiet operation with design details that will make your workouts more productive. Does it deliver? Let’s find out. To the review! What is it? The Merach Fitness Q1S is a rowing machine that uses a magnetic flywheel for resistance. Hardware specs

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UGREEN USB-C Multiport Adapter review – Connect to all the things!

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/ October 1, 2022 / Reviews / USB hub / 2 Comments

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REVIEW – A good portable multiport adaptor is an essential part of my kit for connecting to peripherals and charging devices. I think I have one in every bag and at least 3 of them around the house. Here’s where the UGREEN USB-C Multiport Adaptor joins the party. This multiport hub provides 10 (TEN!) different

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Memorism Blizz GS5 Grooming Kit review – Keeping it clean & classy

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/ August 8, 2022 / Reviews / Bathroom / 2 Comments

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REVIEW – Gentlemen: we need to clean up our business. That’s where Memorism Blizz GS5 Grooming Kit comes in. It is a full grooming kit with attachments and accessories to trim all the places. How well does it work? To the review! What is it? The Memorism Blizz GS5 Grooming Kit is a full-body grooming

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ODA Go Pack shoulder bag review – A great way to carry your EDC

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/ August 5, 2022 / Reviews / Bags / 4 Comments

Oda GoPack 1

REVIEW – Look at me, taking in some culture at the art museum! It just so happens that I’m rocking the perfect companion for this trip in my Oda Go Pack. It’s a bag that’s just big enough for carrying your essentials. No pockets required! To the review! What is it? The Oda Go Pack

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Cyetus Mini Espresso Maker review – fast, flexible, and innovative coffee tech for your caffeine needs!

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/ July 24, 2022 / Reviews / Coffee Brewer / 1 Comment

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REVIEW – Pardon my shaky hands… I have the caffeine jitters after a month of testing the Cyetus Mini Espresso Maker! This device delivers coffee crazy fast in multiple cup sizes from multiple coffee sources. Got grounds? Got Nespresso pods? Got Dulce Gusto pods? Get in here. I gotchu. To the review! What is it?

Cyetus Mini Espresso Maker review – fast, flexible, and innovative coffee tech for your caffeine needs! Read More

Hilife Clothes Steamer review – dispatches wrinkles with style and grace!

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/ July 23, 2022 / Reviews / Clothing / 1 Comment

Hilife ClothesSteamer 8

REVIEW – A clothes steamer is one of those utility appliances that you pick up in your journey towards adulting and hold on to for years. With that in mind, I now present the Hilife Clothes Steamer for your consideration. This compact fellow is looking to replace my old (and crusty) clothes steamer that’s been

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Edifier WiFi Smart Speaker review – big sound, no foolin’ around!

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/ July 20, 2022 / Reviews / Bluetooth speaker / Leave a Comment

Edifier WiFiSmartSpeaker 1

REVIEW – I know about Edifier’s reputation for speaker products (my son has a pair for his turntable), but now I have something new to play with! We’re looking at the Edifier WiFi Smart Speaker, which promises powerful sound with Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. Does it rock? Does it whimper? To the review! What is

Edifier WiFi Smart Speaker review – big sound, no foolin’ around! Read More

An EDC convertible laptop bag from Tom Bihn? Meet the Cambiata! Preorders open on July 20!

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/ July 19, 2022 / News / Backpack, Laptop bag / Leave a Comment

TomBihn CambiataConvertiblePack 1

NEWS – I love the flexibility of a good convertible bag, but many of the designs I see present usability compromises as you switch between carrying modes. The new Cambiata by Tom Bihn looks it might fix that! Tom Bihn calls it a convertible tote/backpack, but it looks more like a vertical messenger to me.

An EDC convertible laptop bag from Tom Bihn? Meet the Cambiata! Preorders open on July 20! Read More

Mifo S Wireless Earbuds review – perfect for active people!

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/ July 11, 2022 / Reviews / TWS earbuds / 2 Comments

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REVIEW – Workouts, running, cycling, walking… the Mifo S Wireless Earbuds are designed for doing the sporty things and the outdoorsey things with a rugged design and IPX7 water resistance. I beat these little guys around for a month to see how they hold up to the sweaty stuff. How do they do? To

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The Olight I5T Plus Pebble flashlight review – a solid EDC performer!

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/ June 22, 2022 / Reviews / EDC, Flashlight / 5 Comments

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REVIEW – It’s never a bad idea to have a flashlight in your EDC kit, and the Olight I5T Pebble Plus Flashlight is volunteering for duty. It’s pretty, but does it do the job? Let’s find out. To the review! What is it? The The Olight I5T Plus Pebble is an LED flashlight for your

The Olight I5T Plus Pebble flashlight review – a solid EDC performer! Read More

Waterfield Designs Agile Briefcase review – Keeping things trim & classy

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/ June 15, 2022 / Reviews / Bags / 2 Comments

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REVIEW – Briefcases are hit or miss for me. I often find them to be too small for my needs, too big to be practical, or built around odd styling. So here comes the Waterfield Agile Briefcase to challenge my thinking. It’s pretty. It’s functional. It’s from Waterfield, who makes some of the best bags

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SUNMYTH exercise bike review

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/ June 11, 2022 / Reviews / Exercise, exercise bike, Health and fitness / Leave a Comment

SUNMYTH ExerciseBike 3

REVIEW – Home exercise bikes are still a hot item in fitness these days, with hundreds (thousands?) of models and price points to choose from. The SUNMYTH Exercise Bike promises an improved experience over your bargain exercise bikes with a heavy-duty design, but it’s not as expensive as those $2000+ models. How do it do

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UGREEN 100W USB C Wall Charger review – is it really the one charger to rule (or replace) them all?

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/ June 6, 2022 / Reviews / Batteries and Chargers / 4 Comments

UGREEN 100WWall Charger 1

REVIEW – The UGREEN 100W USB C Wall Charger is designed to simplify your life by ditching all those extra chargers you need to haul around for your electronics. It’s got all the right stuff: portable, 100 W power output, and four ports to plug in all the things. Does it do the job? Is

UGREEN 100W USB C Wall Charger review – is it really the one charger to rule (or replace) them all? Read More

The Trakke Wester Roll-Top backpack is a thing of beauty, built for a lifetime of misadventures!

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/ May 18, 2022 / News / Bags / Leave a Comment

Trakke WesterRollTopBackpack 1

NEWS – Here’s treat coming at you from across the pond! Trakke is a Scotland-based shop that makes hand crafted bags from British-sourced materials. Waterproof waxed canvas is their weapon of choice for backpacks, messengers and accessories. Their latest design is called the Wester, and it’s a rolltop-style pack designed to keep your gear dry

The Trakke Wester Roll-Top backpack is a thing of beauty, built for a lifetime of misadventures! Read More

Treat your feet to some fresh leather slippers from WP Standard!

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/ May 17, 2022 / News / Shoes / 2 Comments

WPStandard MrGrumpyLeatherSlippers 1

NEWS – WP Standard does lovely things with leather including bags, wallets, belts, and all sorts of accessories. Now they have something to keep your feet happy with the new Mr. Grumpy leather slippers. They just look comfy, don’t they? These slippers are made from full-grain leather with a padded heel, and have a leather

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New bags from Tom Bihn! The new Paramour backpack, the return of the Smart Alec, and more!

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/ April 26, 2022 / News / Bags / Leave a Comment

TomBihn ParamourBackpack 1

NEWS – If you’re hunting for a new backpack, we’ve got some new drops coming from Tom Bihn in April! First up is the Paramour, which is a fusion of the recently released Paragon and Paradigm backpack designs.The main compartment includes an integrated padded laptop sleeve for bigger devices (up to 17″), and a “3D

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mbarc 7-Day pill organizer review – It levels up your travel game, but is it worth it?

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/ April 23, 2022 / Reviews / Health and fitness, Travel Gear / 3 Comments

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REVIEW – Yeah, yeah… I know what you’re going to say. “Bob, why do you need a fancy pill organizer when you get a cheap one at the dollar store?” That’s fair. But the mbarc 7-Day Pill Organizer promises an elevated experience in several useful and functional ways. I have thoughts. To the review! What

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Flybird Adjustable Weight Bench review – Get pumped!

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/ April 20, 2022 / Reviews / Exercise, Health and fitness / Leave a Comment

Flybird AjustableWeightBench 5

REVIEW – If you’re tired of that creaky old budget weight bench but don’t want (or need) a big rig for your workouts the Flybird Adjustable Weight Bench may be your jam. Don’t let the compact size fool you; it’s a tough and flexible little beastie that you can fold & stash away when you

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