Reviews

Reviews about interesting gadgets, gear, mobile technology and lifestyle products.

Twelve South Curve Flex laptop stand review – Puts your laptop at eye level, and looks good doing it

curve flex 5

REVIEW – No one likes to look up your nose.  But that’s likely what is happening if you use your laptop on your desk for video meetings (unless you’re sitting on a milk crate!).  The camera is a foot or two below your eyes, so with the screen tilted back and framing your face, the […]

Twelve South Curve Flex laptop stand review – Puts your laptop at eye level, and looks good doing it Read More




GameSir-X2 Pro-Xbox (Android) gaming controller review – like carrying around an Xbox Series X

gamesir x2 pro 12

REVIEW – I game on phones quite often. Much of that time has been spent using something like a Razer Kishi controller, or more recently the GameSir X2 Bluetooth that I bought personally after Julie reviewed it last year. Most of the time I play streaming games like through Xbox Gamepass, Nvidia Geforce Now, or

GameSir-X2 Pro-Xbox (Android) gaming controller review – like carrying around an Xbox Series X Read More

Growatt Infinity 1500 power station review

Growatt PowerStation 18

REVIEW – After a power outage that lasted more than three days, we’ve been researching options to keep our fridge cold and devices charged in case it ever happens again. At the time, we borrowed a friend’s gas-powered generator, but those are loud, expensive and cumbersome. We’ve tested power stations before, but they tend to

Growatt Infinity 1500 power station review Read More

Hikers Brew coffee review – A buzz that’s no bother to bees or bears

HIKERS BREW 17

REVIEW – Some people don’t like flavored coffees. Hikers Brew makes flavored and unflavored coffees. I don’t like flavored coffee. But – Hikers Brew flavors are good. I surprised myself that I would revisit the Hikers Brew flavors. After one cup for science, I could have stopped, but I had seconds and thirds of most

Hikers Brew coffee review – A buzz that’s no bother to bees or bears Read More




Creative Sound Blaster X1 USB DAC and headphone amplifier review

creative soundblasterX1 01

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

Fremo X700 650W LiFePO4 Power Station review – a perfect balance between portability and power

Fremo X700 15

REVIEW – Face it, we all live on electricity—period. And when power is disrupted, we suffer. One thing is certain—power will always go out at one time or another. When it happens, we grab candles, flashlights, and portable radios to ride it out until power is restored, usually an hour or so later. Sometimes, we

Fremo X700 650W LiFePO4 Power Station review – a perfect balance between portability and power Read More

Zyber 3 in 1 Quest attachment set review – enhance your Oculus Quest gameplay!

zyber questacc 1

REVIEW – After picking up an Oculus Quest 2 late last year, I have been happily plunking away at Beat Saber, which is by far my favorite game. Not only are there great songs to play with, but it actually gives a decent arm workout after a while of gameplay. I was told about the

Zyber 3 in 1 Quest attachment set review – enhance your Oculus Quest gameplay! Read More




Kensington SmartView Organizing Laptop Riser review

kensington smartview organizing laptop riser 02

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

Stashers Modular Insulated Hike & Bike Adventure Bags review – EDC-C? (Every Day Cold Carry?)

SMAB 01

REVIEW – Headed over to a friend’s house and want to bring a few cold drinks along? Oh, you’re thinking of riding your bicycle there or maybe even walking? That takes the typical cooler out of play. What if I told you that there’s a solution that’s bike and/or hike-friendly and doesn’t take up much

Stashers Modular Insulated Hike & Bike Adventure Bags review – EDC-C? (Every Day Cold Carry?) Read More

ModiBot review – Fun customizable action figures

modibot 15

REVIEW – Do you like action figures? What about LEGO minifigs? If you answered yes to either of those questions, I think you’ll enjoy ModiBot action figures too. Let’s find out why I say that. What is it? ModiBot “Mo” figures are 5-inch tall DIY action figures that you can assemble and customize. What’s in

ModiBot review – Fun customizable action figures Read More




UNIZLIJM Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor review

UNIZLIJM Tire Inflator 1

REVIEW – In my household, we have 2 vehicles, 2 electric bikes, a regular bike, numerous pool inflatables, and various footballs, soccer balls, etc. So we have lots of things that need to be filled with air on a regular basis.  Especially the pool inflatables during the summer.  Good Lord, I am tired of blowing

UNIZLIJM Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor review Read More

Workstream by Monoprice Computer Desk review – Perfect for work or play!

Monoprice Workstream Desk 9

REVIEW – In a sea of budget furniture options, it can be hard to find the goldilocks zone of quality at a price point that won’t break the bank.  The small but mighty Workstream by Monoprice Computer Desk has some surprises built in, at an equally surprising price. What is it? The Workstream series is the

Workstream by Monoprice Computer Desk review – Perfect for work or play! Read More

UGREEN 100W USB-C DigiNest Pro charging station review

UGREEN 100W DigiNestPro 08

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




Gigalumi Solar Bronze Finished Garden Lights review – Light your way with the power of the sun!

GSGL 01

REVIEW – We moved into a new home almost a year ago and a good chunk of the wired landscape lighting no longer functioned. It was a combination of transformers, broken or rotted wiring, and general disrepair. As a result, I was already looking into some solar lighting when the opportunity came up to review

Gigalumi Solar Bronze Finished Garden Lights review – Light your way with the power of the sun! Read More




SMONET 7500L projector review – Family movie fun, on a budget

smonet projector 3

REVIEW – Projectors used to be an item of decadence.  I remember my uncle had a home-theater setup built around a projector mounted on his ceiling, and that he was proud of how much it had cost.  When I was teaching college courses, we would need to seriously consider our budget if we had to

SMONET 7500L projector review – Family movie fun, on a budget Read More

Mobile Edge CORE Special Edition gaming backpack review – a large backpack to carry just about anything you need

Mobile Edge CORE Gaming Backpack

REVIEW – Gamer on the go? Tech support specialist with lots of stuff to keep with you? If you need a reliable backpack to keep all your tech with you Mobile Edge has a solution for you with their CORE Gaming Backpack – Special Edition.  What is it? The Mobile Edge CORE Gaming Backpack –

Mobile Edge CORE Special Edition gaming backpack review – a large backpack to carry just about anything you need Read More

Innova 7111 Smart Diagnostic System OBD Scanner Tablet review – diagnose check engine lights yourself

Innova 7111 OBD Scanner 01

REVIEW – Back in the day, I used to work on my own cars but I gave it up as they became more computer than mechanical. My check engine light came on the other day so I decided to see if I could diagnose it myself but you need a scanner to do that these

Innova 7111 Smart Diagnostic System OBD Scanner Tablet review – diagnose check engine lights yourself Read More

Mudix S2 1080P video projector review- Big-screen goodness for a pretty price!

Mudix 1080P video projector 44

REVIEW – I love movies, but watching them on the “small screen” doesn’t measure up to the experience of seeing them on “the big screen.” Post-Covid, more and more movies, and series are either sent directly to video or are available shortly after theater release. So, how can you bring that “big screen experience” home?

Mudix S2 1080P video projector review- Big-screen goodness for a pretty price! Read More