NEWS – Google has made a nice change for out of warranty Pixel Watch problems. Normally when our devices fail after the warranty expires, our choice is to buy another at retail price or do without. From the Google Pixel Watch Help site: “If your Pixel Watch is out of warranty or your claim isn’t […]
Pixel Watch failed and out of warranty? Google may replace it at a discount Read More
NEWS – Gerber has just announced its first-ever outdoor cookware collection. I got on the early notice list last month when they announced a tease about something new coming. They say “The ComplEAT Camp Cook Collection allows you to prep, cook, and serve without sacrificing space and utility.“ On their website, I see a ComplEAT
Gerber Knife Company just introduced camping cookware Read More
NEWS – Android Authority has reported that the Bullitt Group is shutting down. The Bullitt Group was the maker of CAT and Moto-branded rugged phones. Several CAT rugged phones like the CAT S22 Flip Phone have been reviewed here over the years, but we won’t see more. Rugged phones are known for being tough, often
It’s the end of the line for CAT Phones Read More
REVIEW – The POWERΛDD PRO Laptop Power Bank was a reliable performer. Spoiler. But you won’t waste your time reading on to see what it can do and how it might be a useful tool to prevent dreaded dead devices. What is it? The POWERΛDD PRO Laptop Power Bank is a rechargeable, 100W, 20000mAh lithium
POWERΛDD PRO Laptop Power Bank review – Power from its bank without robbing yours Read More
NEWS – The announcement here and many other places confirm that Fossil will stop making Wear OS smartwatches as of its ‘Gen 6 line’ which is currently sold at the fossil.com website and elsewhere. 9to5Google reports that Fossil never achieved better than 2.2% of the smartwatch market so the decision comes with little surprise. Fossil
Watchmaker Fossil has RIP’d its smartwatch business Read More
REVIEW – You’re about to enter the sexy, exciting world of… Wall plug chargers ! I can’t do it. I’m not a hype-er. Chargers should just work. But isn’t that what we need them for? The best ones give us reliable, steady power when a device needs to be powered up. Baseus sent their PowerMega
Baseus Charger reviews – One for the wall, one for the pocket Read More
NEWS – I don’t do advertisements or promotions and this is not a sponsored piece. I have found this to be among the best ten dollars I’ve spent. This set happens to have come from a local Harbor Freight store. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to reach for my mini-driver set
If you don’t get this mini-driver set at Harbor Freight, get one somewhere! Read More
NEWS – Amazon’s newest Fire Tablet, the Fire HD 10, is on sale for $104.99. Other models also seem to be discounted. The 3GB RAM should be sufficient for browsing, reading, streaming and light gaming and it has 64GB of storage. If you don’t need to add a lot of apps the 32GB version is
Amazon’s newest tablet is on sale – make it run Android apps Read More
REVIEW – The Oukitel BT20 Smartwatch carries the same brand name as large, portable power stations Gadgeteer reviewers have published here. It figures it has a large-ish battery, but at $60 how close to ‘smart’ is this watch? I’ve reviewed some doozies before and this price range usually marks where I approach with lower expectations.
Oukitel BT20 Smartwatch review – A mix of great, and ‘opportunities’ Read More
REVIEW – The FreeTiger FT51 pocket knife is one sharp cookie – cutter. Sorry if I said that in a previous review, but I was immediately impressed with the sharpness of the blade on this knife and the ‘no cheap feel,’ knowing this knife costs under $30. How will it stand up to my normal
FreeTiger FT51 Pocket Knife review – It doesn’t cut – into your wallet Read More
NEWS – Notify for Smartwatches can elevate no-name smartwatches to a new level. I just reviewed two smartwatches back to back and both were brand names you probably don’t know. Those reviews will appear soon. The major problem with both watches was zero customize-ability to the vibrations they deliver. If you don’t notice one, single,
Can an app make a mediocre smartwatch great? Read More
CROWDFUNDING NEWS – A high tech retro gaming watch is on Kickstarter. The overachiever developer, Jason Rogers, crossed paths with the developer of the Pebble Watch, thought, planned and is about to produce a retro gaming watch with smartwatch features. This guy was a naval submarine officer, and has degrees in physics, nuclear engineering, computer
Strap this Game Boy-ish smartwatch on your wrist! Read More
REVIEW – The Bookman Volume 800 bike light is ready to hit the road, so you don’t. It sends a maximum 800 lumens in a wide light beam that will insure you are seen by anyone in front of you and can see everything in front of you as you ride. But there were some
Bookman Volume 800 bike light review – A bright idea? Read More
REVIEW – The KOSPET TANK X1 smartwatch was offered for review and the brand was familiar to me. I reviewed a KOSPET watch in 2021 and after the review I promptly took it to electronic recycling with no regrets. I was interested to see if KOSPET had matured as a fitness tracker manufacturer. Other reviews
KOSPET TANK X1 Smartwatch review – Smarter than his older brother? Read More
REVIEW – The 5.11 Maxgrip Trainer Shoe is one durable shoe. If you’re looking for a pillowy, marshmallowy feel, you’ll need to keep shopping, but while those features may be great for running shoes, I look for stability, foot protection and support for a gym, hiking, or camping shoe. I think the Maxgrip Trainers would
5.11 Maxgrip Trainer Shoe comparison review – In, out, and back in my comfort zone Read More
REVIEW – I had high hopes, but the Blackview Tab 70 Wifi Android tablet frankly needs work. Read on to see my trials and travails and maybe at this price point you could still find a use for one. What is it? The Blackview Tab 70 Wifi is a 10” tablet computer with an OS
Blackview Tab 70 Android tablet review – Great price via compromise Read More
NEWS – Our phones are among our most important gadgets. Most of us have at least one weather app onboard. Some of us may have a half-dozen. (Guilty as charged.) We’ve reviewed several weather radios here but they only broadcast from one source. Some degree (ha) of weather watching matters to most of us. When
What do you trust, a weather radio or weather apps? This website tells you! Read More
REVIEW – The Outdoor Edge Pivot Knife is a ‘neck knife’ or ‘boot knife’. I’ve heard this style referred to as a ‘LDK’ or ‘last ditch knife’. Enough quote marks for one review. The Pivot knife is versatile enough to be carried in all those ways, or even in a pocket with the belt clip
Outdoor Edge Pivot knife review – For boot, belt or neck Read More
REVIEW – I was initially skeptical about the Outdoor Edge Razor VX2 Knife but in no time I became impressed with it. A knife with a replaceable blade? How safe is that? How secure can the blade be? Based on no facts at all, I was concerned the knife would be a hardware-store-grade, kitschy knife
Outdoor Edge Razor VX2 knife review – From skeptic to enthusiast in a day Read More
REVIEW – The iWALK PowerSquid Portable Charger contains three commonly used cables in a package that won’t break the back or bank. If you run your phone to empty, the PowerSquid can fully charge it. If you’re a ‘top-offer’ like me, you can get several charges out of this little power pack. What is it?
iWALK PowerSquid Portable Charger review – Power in your palm Read More