Category: #Reviews

Review – The Nextbase 522 GW Dashcam and rear window camera. #Nextbase #Dashcams #Motoring

Having a dash cam should be mandatory in this day and age especially with our cartel insurance industry to crack down on fraudulent claims and so on which come to think my policy is up for renewal very soon which I cant wait to see if I get another hike. By now it should be a standard in vehicles as it is not expensive to install or for manufacturers to make their own but I have been saying that years now but no change.

The 522 GW is part of the new Nextbase line up and we also have the rear camera mount too which covers both sides and ideal and easy to install which is important. This rear camera can be also used as an inward camera or pointing out the back window, The main camera will be applied to your windscreen with a sticky pad and the same applies to the rear which just attaches itself with a cable extension into the side of the front unit.

You will need a different sd card to begin with and this was a spot of bother here trying to find one that works you will need a U3 class ten card as this is 4K and cards below will not allow you record footage, some cards will but you will not be able to use the rear camera and you will get 1080p clips on a lower rated cards so you need to get the right card to have full functionality on the unit for clips front and rear,the set up is different as you would find on other dashcams and here is the following even when set up with the right card installed.

There is different settings on the camera when both front and rear in use

Front – 1440p @30fps Rear – 720p @30fps
Front – 1080p @60fps Rear – 720p @30fps
Front – 1080p @30fps Rear – 1080p @30fps
SET UP GUIDE

The UI on the GW522 is easy to navigate and is all touch which is great with easy to follow set up as seen above in the video and the menu seems to be narrowed down a bit better than previous models in the older lineup you can pick your own settings or leave at default it is pretty much ready to plug and play on opening the box but you might want to change some options to suit your region but this is easy and takes two minutes to go through the whole menu setup.

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After that it is pretty much up to you how to use it, you more or less just leave it there and let it do its thing or you can interact with the App and Amazon Alexa but the app is a bit frustrating at times and prefers a home WiFi connection to work I could not set on my phone to use the features like download clips on the fly which is handy but when you are connected to the WiFi things seem ok and you will see below what I mean in the Video.

However when I did manage to get the Bluetooth connection working  (after a few attempts later on)it opens a new way to transfer files on the fly,This is excellent for grabbing footage on the go and for sharing download speeds as you would expect are network dependent on the go, typical file was around 110MB and you can see from above the result and you get a map built in which is cool.

Once up and running all is good though the same applies when you connect to your pc with the provided cable file transfer is simple and viewing files is the same,you get high and low res options and saved clips will be in the protected folder these are the important files no doubt that you have saved or it could be a combination of both as mentioned before with clips automatically saving from bumps or audio but I found if you turn off the audio and turn down the sensor you should be fine having space taken up on your sd card and then having to look for them.

Footage comes out great no doubt even at night time with both front and rear cams, I had to upload clips separate because my phone would not allow it due to 4K to make just the one video so I kept these seperate so it is easier for you to decide what you need to see.

Overall this 522GW is a simple and effective camera to use and anyone will be able to install this and manage,there is a walk-through guide above if you are stuck for menu and set up purposes. The design here too is also nice and looks current and sleek and brings a fresh look to their line up which was needed having said that their is nothing wrong with the older models it is just nice to see the company bring a fresh design to the table. These are not cheap by some peoples standards as we can now buy dashcams for little or nothing but the saying is true you get what you pay for so in short I would have no problem recommending this to anyone if you want to be sure your footage is safe and you car, I tested the rear camera pointing out but as mentioned you can use inward too so you have choice.

The problem with the cheap dashcams you often find in garages and euro stores are not worth the punt in my book due to them breaking to easily ,not functioning all the time and footage being destroyed by corrupting you sd card or else the cheap sd card you get with them.

Key Features: 1440p HD resolution at 30 fps, Inbuilt Polarising Filter, 3” HD IPS touch screen, 140° viewing angle, 10Hz GPS Module, Bluetooth 4.2 , Wi-Fi via MyNextbase Connect and PC/Mac software – MyNextbase Play

Note- For this product a U3 class microSD card is required.

BUY – https://www.nextbase.com/en-ie/dash-cams/522gw-dash-cam/

Rear window camera – https://www.nextbase.com/en-ie/modules/rear-window-camera-2/#buy-now

Minut Point smart home alarm review with NO CAMERA. #Security #MinutPoint #Smarthome #Tech

Most of us are familiar with home security systems but what about one with no camera? Well here it is and it does more than just monitor your property security wise again with NO CAMERA so privacy is another less concern as many folk are these days.

The MINUT POINT is a simple to install system and it is also small and non intrusive, You would in fact forget it is not there and better again it is wireless, You just remove the sticky tape from the metal support plate and stick it on the ceiling then attach your point and hey presto you are more or less done.

Next thing to do is activate and sync it with the app that is on both Android and Apple, We tested this on the Android platform. The app is great and simple to use and navigate,we go through this in the video below.. But here is some samples of the app below and how easy it is to follow

It will take a week for the mould result to come back to get an accurate reading and this is a good indicator to have in your home and something to watch it as mould is not a good thing by any means, I have just moved into a new house so all is good so far but now I can keep an eye on it.

Asides that there is temperature, humidity,noise level and path light too so who needs those weather apps???

How it works is simple, As opposed to the typical camera set up this does not have one which I love, I have enough cameras here as is but it is what it is but privacy is a huge concern for me and probably just about anyone else in this day and age. This little gadget is smarter than you think and can monitor more than just noise… I go into more detail in video review.

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During my review period Minut launched Minut Plus.. The information is below. Then skip to the video review and we take a look at the app. This is really a great product especially for those who are concerned about privacy and we will have more from Minut on that topic very soon so stay tune for that. Is this a product I would co-sign?? Yes easily… If you have any questions feel free to ask as we have spent enough time with the product to assist and as always we help out people with questions after our reviews on all our social channels which is becoming more prevalent with people especially having set up issues and so on,We are here to help with all tech reviewed here and more..

Installing mode

 

What is Minut Plus?

It’s a $7.99/€7.99/£6.99/79 SEK* month service that enables customers to add friends and family to help monitor their home, manage multiple properties and have access to unlimited sensor data history.

Customers will have the option to stay on a basic plan with no monthly cost, or to upgrade to Minut Plus and enjoy the benefit of creating smart neighborhood watch networks. Your chosen friends, family, or neighbors, will be notified in the event of motion detection, broken windows, or an alarm sound in your home when you’re away so you can help each other out when needed. Accessing all historical sensor data will provide valuable insight into the dynamics of the home environment over time.

Our goal when making the distinction between Minut Plus and the basic plan was to keep things simple and allow customers usage of the service to grow over time, and upgrading when they feel that it represents good value, rather than a requirement as part of the purchase.

Why a Monthly Plan?

Minut never stands still. We are continually improving our operations, services and products for our customers. Above all, we always want to be a straightforward and honest business that’s trusted by our customers, community and partners.

The decision to implement the Minut Plus plan came from our desire to sustainably fund development and maintenance without selling your right to privacy to the highest bidder. The only way we can see this working in the long term is to have a monthly plan for those who get the most value from the service. We hope you agree and feel that we’ve made the right choice.

What does this mean for you? 

We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the support of our early customers and we don’t want to change a service that so many of you have come to rely on. Because of that, we’re not going to make any changes to your current account setup. You will be able to keep your account the way it is today, i.e. you will be able to keep the number of users and homes. If you wish to add more users or homes to your account from now on, you will need to upgrade to Minut Plus.

If you are using Minut for multiple short stay properties and have questions, please contact shortstay@minut.com.

If you choose to upgrade to Minut Plus we will give you a one year free trial. The deadline to activate your one year free trial is 31st of December 2019. After this date, a 30 day free trial will apply. 
When your one year free trial ends, you will be charged monthly. You have the option to cancel your Minut Plus plan at any point.

Perfect for every home

 

Bedroom – If you live in shared house, you can now monitor your private space.

Apartment – Easy to install, affordable and movable. The perfect solution for renters and owners.

House – Easily install and connect multiple devices to ensure your home and family are safe.

Short term rentals – A discreet, light-weight device that makes remote monitoring easy and effective.

How to upgrade to Minut Plus: 

Android user: 
1. Open Point app
2. Visit Profile settings
3. Tap Upgrade plan
4. Proceed to checkout
5. Enter card details
6. Start plan
7. Subscribe to Minut Plus

iOS user:
1. Visit https://my.minut.com
2. Login with your Minut account
3. Tap get Plus
4. Proceed to checkout
5. Enter card details
6. Start plan
7. Subscribe to Minut Plus

BUY HERE

Review – The HIFIMAN TWS-600 True Wireless earbuds. #HIFIMAN #Tech #TrueWireless

I am on a big true wireless earbud run at the minute and have tested countless pairs and many more on the way, The latest to hit my ears is from HIFIMAN and out of the gate they stand out from the rest with some cool specs on offer and fully featured too.

These come well presented and all the bits and pieces you expect to get with such a package and best of all is the case they come in which is different and really nice with their branding on top and it looks really well,premium and it is robust with USB-C charging and this is all a good start.

I am always up for something that looks different an these do just that and when you open the box they stand out and light up and do not look like earbuds at all and many folk who have seen them said “what the fcuk are they?” which I found funny only to tell them they are true wireless earbuds. People then say NO.. I say here put them on and then they hear the sound quality and feel and impressed.

Now the strange thing with these is they took time to break in which is a first for me but did not bother me as I test erabuds out for around 40 HRS before I share my thoughts and these took 20 hours to break in and yes they got better with that break in period..

They sit comfortably in the ears too and are well built and the earbuds look premium too and wont move once the correct tips for you are used. My only gripe which I will mention now is that there is no app to accompany them for an EQ which can be forgiven if you want crystal clear audio and sound. The sound is well balanced sharp and crisp is best describing them and overall a good listening experience. Phone calls are also great and the volume is plenty aloud which is just how I like my earbuds and the do isolate some of the external noise once fitted correctly.

Controls are easy to use with the usual one,two or three taps scenario which I go through in the review video below. These offer sweat and dust resistant so will be fine for most and have a bluetooth range of up to 490ft of connectivity, I did not get a measure tape out and get a number but they are not far off from my test results, Battery life is also good offering up to 38.5 hours which is on par with their claims and overall I was happy with them and these are now one of my grab and go pairs out of my collection when I am on the move or just lying in bed listening to music and watching YouTube as I do every evening.

BUY HERE 

VIDEO REVIEW

Review – The Polaroid One Step+ i-Type camera. #Polaroid #Photography #Tech

This is my second real camera if you will to review and having used the Instax mini Li Play it is nice to actually hold a camera and capture an image with a proper camera and I say that as I always use my smartphone and never owned a real standalone camera however this is different to some degree. First check out the unboxing then we will take a look later at a video review.. If you want to check out a similar camera the Mini Li-Play is a good example

Simplicity is what it is all about here with nostalgia being the theme given its boxy look most people will not mind its cumbersome shape and size. The camera is nothing like modern cameras of today and ones you would need a degree in just to take an image as most people just want to point and shoot and job done,even now with smartphones we see post processing software to modify or edit images which for me is false,depending on the subject of course all of that is cut out here with a simple click and go with minor changes on offer via the app on this model.

I only had the Black and White film to test this camera on which is a pity but if you are into those type of images you will not be disappointed with the turnout of the images and you can see side by side the phones image vs the camera image which will be ejected from you camera just like the old days and this is whom this camera is for and even people today who remember the time these were a thing which I do or even the youth of today would like the idea and it is a nice camera to have even if you are collector of sorts which many will appreciate and they not expensive either,check out the video review and app walk through below for more.

  • Measures approx. 15 cm x 11 cm x 10 cm
  • Weighs approx. 493 grams (without film)
  • Material: ABS plastic and polycarbonate
  • Tripod mount
  • External viewfinder
  • Lens: fixed focus
  • Lens material: polycarbonate
  • Standard focal length: 103 mm
  • Portrait focal length: 89 mm
  • Battery: 1100mAh lithium-ion
  • Charges via USB (cable included)

BUY HERE

 

Review – The tp-link Kasa Spot home security camera. #Tech #TPLINK #KasaSpot #Security

If you are in the market for a new security camera or an additional one that is easy to set up with no issues this is the one, Right now on Amazon this sells for around €32 which is good for the money in my book.

Set up took me around three minutes and that for sure is a good thing,some cameras take much longer and can be annoying but here it is almost plug and play and you are good to go,you have to enter minimal information and connect to your WiFi from the app and thats it,no messing with location or qr codes for the camera to scan,you then place it where you want and you are done.

You are limited to an extent as to where you can put it as it is a wired camera but there is a decent cable inside the box and the camera is also small and light and not cumbersome and can be placed just about anywhere. The app is easy to navigate too you will see all this in the video review below and the options to change the settings is simple and nothing too difficult about the whole process which is welcome and compared to other apps it is less convoluted and nothing hidden deep in menus.

You can set up up to 4 activity zones which is handy and can cut down on notifications you do not need the camera is sensitive but can be changed but having the option to insert activity zones is good and not seen to often at this price range. I have tested the camera out in several situations and found for example pointing out one window my neighbours washing on the line constantly set it off but with some adjustments that cured it, You can point out the window too you do not have to have it strictly pointing indoors so that is also good, For indoor use it is where it will shine best with two way audio that is clear and clear footage which can be changed from 720-1080p though this requires a stronger internet connection.

 

You will get good footage day or night you can see samples in the video review and this is well worth the money and the only gripe I have is in the app where you cant dismiss notifications and they stay in the timeline but this is something I have seen on other cameras at this pricepoint.

Check the video below for footage and the app review and feel free to comment below or on our social channels.

Features

  • Sharp and clear 1080p full-HD video

  • Crisp two-way audio for seamless communication

  • Wide angle view 130 degrees – Set it up in a corner and get a full view of your room

  • Night vision up to 20 feet

  • Automatic alerts when your Spot detects motion or sound – No need to check your Kasa Spot throughout the day

  • Configure up to 4 customizable zones for more meaningful alerts at no extra cost

  • Up to 30 days of cloud storage

The KC100 from £29.99 from Amazon.

VIDEO REVIEW

Review – The Tonies toniebox a great idea for kids and parents. #Tonies #Tech #Kids

This is aimed at kids more so but it is also great for parents alike and a great tool using technology,this is a simple product executed well and its robust an easy product to set up and use be it with your smartphone or laptop.It is a new audio experience..

The idea works on storytelling and there is many character to pick from plus you get a creative tonie in the box and this is where it shines as it allows you to create your own story and not only that you can create messages for loved ones too and it works again via your smartphone or laptop and can be synced you can also use both to adjust some settings on the toniebox.

It is a simple well executed idea which can only improve with time and more options to add as time goes on, the current characters in the Tonie-Family already include some well-known faces such as The Gruffalo, Stick Man, Little Red Riding Hood and The Snowman,  and whilst Creative-Tonies allow users to upload up to 90 minutes of their own audio content.

Portability also plays a roll here which allows you to take this anywhere once it is kept charged you can of course you bring the charger with you but the main thing here is you are not stuck to a power outlet to use it..

If your child is into reading or audiobooks this is a great idea and I can certainly recommend it and my only gripe with the product is that it has its own proprietary charger so if you loose it you are done.

Visitors to the tonies Facebook page via the mobile app can access the feature whether they have a Toniebox or not. Once the AR is activated, an animated Baloo or Simba Tonie will appear on screen and users will be able to preview an exclusive audio sample as well as having a glimpse of the characters in 3D on the box before they go on sale.  It allows you to super-impose the new Disney tonies onto the tonie box, so that you can trial it without buying it which is pretty cool.

BUY – Tonies and Tonieboxes are available to purchase from selected toy retailers, bookshops and via the tonies® website www.tonies.com/shop.

Review – The House Of Marley No bounds bluetooth speaker. #Bluetooth #Speakers

I own quite many bluetooth speakers and it is always nice to see what is on offer, Design language can vary from square typed to round or odd shapes but this speaker has overall a quite nice design that actually reminds me of the Echo dot which is a good thing by the way..It is slightly bigger for those who want to know.

With its nice rounded shape with a cork base rubberized sides and material on top it has more than just your standard speaker has and it is also made with recyclable materials and for each speaker you buy the company plants a tree which is welcome with the talk of climate change.

Ease of set up and use is another key factor with the speaker although hard to see due to the colour you have 5 buttons in total. Power/On/Off – Bluetooth pairing – Volume up/down and Play and pause and all work fine to the touch without hassle and have good feedback. On the underside you have a rubber stopper going around the base to keep it still and that it does even with our testing a max volume it did not budge where some previous speakers we test did tend to ramble off and this is good.

The name “No Bounds” means you can put this anywhere and indeed you can be it a flat surface or hang it onto whatever you like with the carabiner clip provided and it still sounds good hanging from several areas I tested, Also to add to the freedom you can bring it to the pool or beach or a picnic and not worry about it getting wet with its IP67 rating which is a real bonus and we dipped into water just to see and yes it survived the test.

 

The sound quality is quite good for its size and it has good base too but no EQ app which is fine,many bluetooth speakers do not have such an app so it is not a caveat. The sound is loud and clear and there is good clarity and also taking a phone call is good it has a deep sound overall you could say but it will not disappoint, you can hear in the video review below on how it sounds.

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Battery life is around 10 hours which again is good and on par with the claim and I was very happy with it as a whole and the price you pay for it which is around €45 at the time of press, Not only that these come in several colours and which all are nice and stand out and look well, You cant go wrong.

BUY 

Review – Baseus Superlative Multifunctional HUB USB-C #Baseus #Tech

Baseus, is an innovative digital accessory brand has announced the launch of new products into the UK market. We have some in house here and we are in the process of going through them.  Since 2009 Baseus has been researching, developing and designing sleek and innovative products aimed at users who want fashion forward tech accessories. Their products are now available in the UK too for those whom want to purchase high quality goods.

The multifunctional hub range will meet every need of almost all USB C devices. Portable and compact, making it convenient to take with you when you are on the go. Ranging from a hub with built in wireless iWatch charging, to the 7 in 1 USB C hub, there are 5 in the range. Our model is one which most people would adhere to but with wireless products on the rise it is great to see Wireless charging built into such and a great idea and again less cables to worry about especially on the go or even in the office or at home and also it is a very portable piece to have in your tech bag or even for your average PC/Laptop user giving you more flexibility.

This model looks and feels good with a subtle LED light on the top which looks well and with an Aluminium alloy frame and tempered glass panel this will look great hooked up to any PC. There are many similar products out there that do the same thing mostly made with plastic and simply wont last long but this will last and look good doing it.

See on BASEUS

BUY ON AMAZON

Review – The MINIX NEO portable SSD storage hub with versatile adapter. #MINIX #NEO #Storage

The MINIX NEO SSD storgae hub with adapter is a first that combines both for those who are not custom to using such,typically we get adapters that have all the ports we need bit none have storage built in but this one changes this and it is certainly welcome and not expensive either with the configurations at hand, You can decide between a 120GB version and a 240GB version only loosing out on 50 MBs of read and right speed on the cheaper 120 GB model.

These are also not a cheap build by any means they look good and have an LED on the top to let you know you are connected, Advertised as an addition to your MAC BOOK these will also work on Windows laptops with a USB-C connection however you can pick up pass through adapters if your laptop has no USB-C as one of mine does not and I have tested on both and they work just fine.

Underneath there is 4 rubber stoppers to keep it form moving not that it will go far with the built in cable provided which is just the right length too. These are ideal for travelling or on the go people who upload or move content around they are very light and the look more premuim than cheap too.

The transfer speed is noticeable and they also work with mobile phones with USB-C ports which most have today which is another bonus for storage or file transfer on the move. Overall this is an ideal product to have in your bag if you want extra connectivity and storage options on the go and looking premium too.

More information about the brand new MINIX NEO Storage and the complete MINIX portfolio is available at http://minix.com.hk/.