Category: #Reviews

Review – Speedlink -Fieris Illuminated Gaming Mousepad. #Gaming #SpeedLink

If you’re a gamer with the top of the range graphics processing, top spec central processing unit for the demanding games. Possible you may have overlooked an option, a Gaming Mousepad to the rescue!

A mousepad that offers total pixel-perfect gliding accuracy and is optimised to handle any setting and sensor resolution no matter which mouse type you prefer? The FIERIS gives control in terms of speed and pixel-precise precision via a non-slip backing. This is a long way from the original mousepad which was first developed in 1969. The first observation on the mat is the thickness and quality of the feel of the mat itself.

 

 

 

Fieris Illuminated Gaming Mousepad -Features:
• Gaming Mousepad
• Featured red glow
• Ultra precise
• Smooth textile surface for minimal friction
• Connects to and powered by the USB port
• Outstanding gliding performance
• Grippy non-slip backing for maximum slip-resistance
• Compatible with all optical and laser sensors
• 35.5cm long, 25.5cm wide, 0.4cm thick
• USB cable included (150cm)

 

 

 

There is also red glow with the FIERIS’s slimline lightpipe rounds off this mouse pad.
Further information available at
http://www.speedlink.com/?p=2&cat=N2B&pid=43531&paus=1 Product No.: SL-620103-BK

If you devote a good bit of your life to gaming and just love to game, or game when there is nothing else to do and or want to pass some time. Either way having the best equipment is required for highend gaming performance, this mousepad may be the missing piece of the game.

Available from:
https://www.amazon.com/Speedlink-Fieris-Illuminated-Mousepad-Sl-620103-
Bk/dp/B01C5XDG3w Price: $38.33
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SL-620103-BK-SPEEDLINK-Fieris-Illuminated-GamingMousepad-Black-Red-SL-620103-/322205664822
£34.62

Review – The @noreve leather case for the Blackberry KEYOne. #Blackberry #Noreve

The Blackberry KEYOne is my phone of choice at the moment along with some others but for now its my daily driver so I need some kind of protection on the device to keep it form harms way,Traditionally I do not use cases on my Blackberry phones due the rubber textured backing which makes them grippy but when out and about I need something just in case, We have checked out the noreve leather case for the KEYOne check out the video and images below for the details…

 

Features.

– Elegant case conceived in top quality handcrafted leather
– Hand-crafted manufacturing quality
– Easy-to-close case without non-magnetic closure nor snap closure
– Slim and padded design
– Protects the device in an optimal manner
– All sides protective case
– Access to basic functions (multiple openings on the leather)
– Camera lens & flash access
– Headphones and headset jack access
– Charging and synchronization cable access
– Cut to shape for the LED
– Beautiful interior lining embossed with the Noreve logo

BUY HERE 

 

Review – #SoundMoovz – Make music by just moving. #Kids #Tech #Music

This is different but has it got life in it? Time will tell and given how creative you are and how music is changing I think it has potential..

We are the first in Ireland to test out this new product which is realistically for those into music and dance something which i lack the latter I gave it shot and let some of the family test it out over the last few weeks,They enjoyed it, I enjoyed the creative side that all kids have today and they enjoyed the experience,For me though its just too much work BUT… After a few beers on a sunny evening lets say I tried but failed drastically to impress. Oh Well!!

What is SoundMoovz.

SoundMoovz are wearable motion-activated musical bandz (RPP £49.99) that send a Bluetooth signal to the SoundMoovz App on your smart device. By simply moving your wrist and/or ankles; you can create beats, rhythms and music or layer your beat onto a song. Connect to a wireless speaker for louder music, the only limit is your imagination.

What do they look like.

 

 

Who are they for.

Anyone to be honest but mainly targeting folk who are into dance and so on or even fitness at home you can be watching that fitness DVD or playing fitness games on your console and muddle it all up and let the tunes flow.

Build quality.

Simple and robust with one clip fastning that easily releases too there is no charging required here which is nice for a change, There is a battery pre-installed akin to what you find on a car remote so you can pick one up anywhere. The body has a rectangular fitness gadget shape and the strap passes through the rear in one strip. It will last some time too and will survive any drops, There is just one switch on the side to switch it on/off indicated on with a red marking when you slide the switch..

Set Up.

Easy if you are familiar with the Bluetooth process lark,this time you need to extend to two devices or a home system even For me I tried a speaker and a home system, The latter works better of course with surround sound, You just pair your smart phone or tablet to it and lets the tunes blow the house down.. The app is easy to follow which you need to download and within the app you can the go select tracks,backing tracks or your own pre-installed music also seen in the unboxing video..

For me its a good product for the market its after and creativity and with the tech we have now today creeping into almost anything we do possibilities are really endless. Kids especially are creative and it would be better relaxing and watching them get their creative side at work because for the older generation it perhaps would not be the brightest moments in our lives having said that it’s really a nice idea and will last as long people are creative and as said already with technology and kids in the one room this is a ticking time bomb and ideas come from nowhere and creativity is always something that is going to grow along with technology…

BUY HERE  

 

Review – The Jabra Evolve  75 headphones and stand. #Jabra #JabraEvolve75 #Office

Another product from Jabra you say.. Yeah well they are good quality products and offer those what is required for your own personal space and especially in the office and if you are in a communal or open space office these are what you need…

Packaging is as expected from Jabra with this product,packed in a nice sturdy box which you could nearly sit on and beneath we are presented with the goods. A carry case is also present which is excellent due to the headphones being a bit on the delicate side and sporting a retractable mic the case is tough and will also house your headphones whilst carrying them about along with some extra cables should you require them ,though its a given to carry them at all times for me just incase…

 

 

Unboxing the Jabra Evolve  75 

 

Build quality and looks:

It looks great and its solid given it feels a bit on the flimsy side because it’s so light. The materials used we have seen before but overall its robust and should last some time should you take care of it. The headband is thin however comfortable with a rubber textured lining underneath the band which makes it comfortable for long-term use be it in office or at home listening you your own music or even working from home if that’s the case.

The cups are nice,Smaller than what I am typically using but they are comfortable which is nice much more so than I though by looking at them,they nestle nicely on the ears and block out the sound quite well which i did not expect so I was pleased here and the size matter just vanished then to what I am custom to.

 

 

The controls are nicely placed too, On the right cup we have power on/off micro USB port,battery indicator and bluetooth indicator which have the typical status colours we see on headsets, Also we have volume control and the mic which can be folded back up and it locks in place with a magnet which is cool… On the right we the ANC button (Active Noise Cancellation) which is a great feature and we have the option to listen in by tapping the circular button which again is a great feature to have without having to remove the headset at all..

 

 

Phone calls on this are clear and crisp and listening to music from your laptop is also a nice experience,In fact the sound is much better than expected from such a headset and its intended use which would be mainly office. I used for both office and personal use at night-time when I like to listen to some music or look on You Tube when I go to bed the sound its excellent and its loud which for me is important, I just like loud its my preference.

 

The stand that comes with it is quite handy and optional and it sits nicely beside your laptop or home PC and can be charged via USB or indeed a wall charger so in a working environment you need not worry about battery as  you can pop it onto the stand for a few minutes and charge up or again just use the standard method via the port on the headset and wall charger,the stand is solid and I mean solid its a one piece unit made with tough plastic and its got a soft rubber feeling bottom which will stop it from shifting and of course there is a status LED on the front to keep you aware of its power status…

 

The Jabra Evolve 75 can be connected to two devices at once which again is a bonus and for someone like me who working and testing on the go or at home this is ideal and sames time swapping between items to test on it comes with the same dongle that is included in the Speak 710 system we reviewed a few weeks ago and makes life so much easier..

Overall I was happy with the product and have and still do use many Jabra products here at home and they all work fine and serve their purpose and have not let me down once so I have an ecosytem of Jabra tech at my disposal at all times which suit my needs be it working from home,on the go or just relaxing listening to my own music.. Check out our REVIEW catalouge of the Jabra products I use and if there is any questions just drop a line below or hit me up on social. You know where to find me..

BUY HERE 

 

 

Review – Edifier MP211 portable mini bluetooth speaker. #Edifier #Music

I have gone through countless speakers now and can clearly tell whats good from bad particularly when it comes to sound ,some I have not even posted they where that bad. 

The speaker in question is really nice to hold and has no rough corners either and our one came in Black which for me is a dull colour but I prefer bright colours which is besides the point,it sounds good and still looks good. Packed inside we get a lanyard strap which must be still a thing and the cables required for power and connection should you run out of power. All in all presented quite well and perhaps a carry case might have been an option to hold the cables. Also it sports micro sd support which is rather handy so again  if you where to have several of these a travel bag would have been ideal but its certainly not a dealbreaker..

 

 

Build Quality –  Its solid however plastic but robust enough and should survive drops but for how long is anyones guess. Atop is where all the fucntion controls are placed with raised easy to find and navigate keys even blindly, Pause/Stop / FF /REW/skip track/Call answer/end are all there in one simple row so there is no fussing to find buttons on different areas of the unit ,all you need is there right at hand.. The bottom of the unit has rubber feet which will stop if from shifting and works well depending on surface maxed out too.

 

 

The rear is where the inputs are, as mentioned we have a micro sd card slot which is great to carry your own music even if you are not streaming from your phones content or streaming service you can preload music onto an sd card and have an abundance of music at hand which for many is a good thing, Personally I do not use any streaming service for music and just have my own on an sd card or just listen to You tube so for me its ideal in those respects. Also on the rear we have a mains on/off switch charging indicator and AUX input.

 

 

The front is sporting the NFC and the front facing speaker grille with the rounded corners it looks well from any angle and better than the more traditional boxy square look we most often see which is a tad dated for me these days but again this depends on how its designed and colour can make a difference too. As mentioned Black is boring but thats just my taste and not something to take on board its a personal matter nothing else…

 

Overall this is a nice speaker which has all the trimming required for use around the home,in a personal space or just for sharing music to some of your friends,It is small and small is portable but not always good,this though is loud has good sounds reproducing music quite well with mids,highs and lows and has some decent bass too it so for me it passes the test for its price range considered all on offer here..

Features

  • TYPE Mini speaker
  • TOTAL POWER OUTPUT 2 x2W
  • SNR  ≧85dBA
  • INPUT SENSITIVITY  600±50mV
  • FREQUENCY  200Hz-20KHz
  • POWER SUPPLY  Built-in Li-ion Battery / 5V DC
  • DIMENSION  150 × 62 × 31 mm
  • WEIGHT  0.215KG

BUY HERE 

 

Review – Sitpack,Compact foldable seat,travel anywhere with your own seat. #Sitpack

Going to a concert.picnic or tech event it will come in handy when least expected albeit a little heavy but its more portable than a chair.

On seeing this at launch I wondered how well this would do and thought the idea was quirky and who would buy into it but it is a rather simple clever solution to what we look for and cant find when travelling,especially at concerts,if you are camping out at a picnic and for the likes of me tech events which in most cases you are left standing,this is again discreet enough to take out of your back and extend the telescopic rod and drop your backside on the top and relax and if in a crowd nobody would even notice even if at a bus stop or train station this would come in handy and its discreet enough but you might get the odd stare which is not a bad thing to be honest once the nosey ones find out what it actually is.

 

Its not huge but a tad cumbersome with some weight (at first but you get over it) but that can be forgiven because its portable and more conveineint than a foldable chair for example which would look rediculous on your should and you certainly will not fit one in your laptop bag or backpack if you are travelling without a motor..

It works simply by extending the tubes which then lock into place and it does remain locked and feels sturdy and at no time did i think it would collapse, The end which sits on the ground is circular with a rubebrised grip also remained solid on concrete for example so in grass,on a carpet or tile floor it remains solid and robust and the seat is actaully comfortable,more than it looks actually given its size and if you are fussy and want a colour there is several available.

 

 

Construction – Made out of the same polycarbonate used in riot shields and bulletproof glass enforced with glassfiber, it is incredibly strong, light (less than 13 ounces) and does not need to be taken apart for  recycling as it is made of one material. It can support the weight of over 286 lbs. so is suitable for people of all shapes and sizes and at only 16.8cm (inch or CM) tall and 6.6cm  (inch or CM) in diameter..

 

 

Overall for me it is a simple great idea that will remain in my travel bag permanently now and it fits into my two custom tech travel bags, despite the odd looks I got whislt testing it out in the wild it did not bother me in the least because when people seen the idea they where left more red faced than anything other than the odd joke which in todays world is to be expected. You can now purchase sitpack in the UK too and there is an updated version avaialble soon which we look forward o trying out, At first on opening its a bit stiff and hard to seperate the two wings but after some use this will loosen up and the mechanics will work more freely.

 

You can purchase sitpack HERE 

 

 

 

Unboxing and First Look – The Edifier MP211 Bluetooth Speaker. #Bluetooth #Speaker #Edifier

Another day another speaker!!! This time around its from Edifier.. Edifier specialises in premium audio solutions that showcase technological innovation and design elegance. We deliver outstanding sound experience through a wide range of sound systems for personal entertainment and professional excellence.

This is a nice portable speaker well built with a nice feel to it and a host of bits n bobs thrown in to ensure the user has all they need this also sports micro SD cards too which is excellent and its got all the ususal features you would expect to find even though its on the smaller side which makes it portable which is of course important for many…

 

 

Features

  • TYPE Mini speaker
  • TOTAL POWER OUTPUT 2 x2W
  • SNR  ≧85dBA
  • INPUT SENSITIVITY  600±50mV
  • FREQUENCY  200Hz-20KHz
  • POWER SUPPLY  Built-in Li-ion Battery / 5V DC
  • DIMENSION  150 × 62 × 31 mm
  • WEIGHT  0.215KG

See more HERE 

Review – BT Audio Baby Monitor 450. #Baby #Parenting #BT

If your planning on having a new baby, it’s not a question of having a Baby Monitor it’s a question of which one, what brand, what features required, what budget.
A recent survey advised in terms of features or units shipped, the audio only segment accounted for more than 45% of the market share and held the leading position in 2016. It was followed by the audio and video segment. The analogue segment was declining to the digital technology. The BT Audio BabyMonitor 450 is in the audio & digital range.

 

 

 

Contents:
A parent unit for you, a monitor for the baby’s room, two mains power adaptors, two rechargeable
batteries and a user guide to walk you through the set-up process.
Key Features:
• Long Range of 300m outdoors and 50m indoors, (this will let you know when you are out of
range.)
• Interference Free HD sound
• Two Way Talk back, (this works very well and clear audio)
• Lightshow Projection Show
• 18 lullabies
• 1.8″ LCD Display
• Adjustable Nightlight
• Temperature Display and Alerts

 

I like the monitor which comes with sound level lights, which can easily be seen, even if the sound is turned off, as the sound level increases the light gets brighter. Again, the temperature display works well, should the temperature deviate above or below 16 and 24 degrees, there is an alert. The TwoWay Talk back is handy especially when one parent goes to the room and forgets something. The Starand Moon Lightshow projects gentle coloured shapes onto your baby’s ceiling to calm your baby.There is also lullabies to help them drift off to sleep. The HD audio is quite clear with no interferenceheard. I can’t fault the audio.

 

 

Why BT?
BT previous range of baby monitors had won multiple awards, this new range of monitors appear to follow the previous strengths of the older models in terms of simplicity and reliability, while this model will not break the bank but does the job that required.
When deciding on a Baby monitor, the first step is checking what’s important to you, how far is the room away from where the cot is, do you want just audio / video, digital / analogue, can you get interference from wi-fi, mobile phones, your budget, below is a over view of the main features of the BT range..

 

 

Dislikes:
The units come with a 1 year warranty, (more expensive baby monitors, still only come with a 1 year warranty) This is not just a BT issue, most of the Baby Monitor manufactures provide only a 1 year warranty) BT advise on their manual we are always looking to make our products last longer and use less power, so we don’t have such a big impact on the environment, my suggestion is to give a free 3-year warranty. Stand out from the crowd!

 

The charger comes supplied with the package as a 6 V- 400ma charger, again another charger while over 90% of the population in Europe will have a standard usb charger in the home, (or a power pack at hand) why not use the same leads saving unnecessary clutter. In fairness on the above dislikes, this is nit-picking and should not put you off this product, rather turning a very good product into 100% within its category.

Note: This BT Audio Baby Monitor 450 can also be used for an elderly relative that requires looking after as similar principles apply, should the person awake at night, this BT Audio Baby Monitor 450 is ideal without the video / camera mode respecting their privacy,
Overview
If you are looking for a quality product, with good functionality and easy to use without the camera option at a good price, you can’t go wrong with the BT Audio Baby Monitor 450

http://www.boots.ie/bt-audio-baby-monitor-450-10226998p €36.05

https://www.smythstoys.com/ie/en-ie/baby/monitors/bt-audio-baby-monitor-450/p/156737 €59.99

Review – Casio Protrek Smart WSD-F20 #SmartWatch #Wearables #Casio

This is the swiss army knife of watches, it looks & feels strong, rugged for the outdoors with all the trimmings for use where ever you go. This may look like a watch for the great outdoors,or an adventurer’s best friend but if you’re with your mates of a Friday night, heading into a board room meeting, this watch will certainly catch their attention, it looks and feels good, built like a tank and array of features to go with it.
Battery Charging:
First the charging, as with many products we have issues with the different type of chargers its proprietry charging used, Again Cassio have gone with a different type, but what a good choice, Magnetic charging terminal, this clicks to the side of the watch easily, connected / disconnected with out any concentration. Again, they got it right in terms of using a standard USB charger, meaning you could your own phone charger if stuck or if out and about, use a power brick. Recharge time takes Approx. 2 hours, Battery Life (when GPS is not in use) Normal use (colour display): 1 day, roughly Normal use (colour display Auto Off*4): 2 days, roughly. When the battery goes
down to less than 5%, the watch will automatically switch to monochrome LCD watch face and dimmed screen illumination.
What do you get for your money! (just to mention a few)
➢ GPS, Colour Maps which can be used offline, 1.32-inch dual layer display
➢ Colour TFT LCD and monochrome LCD
➢ Capacitive touchscreen,
➢ Sensors Pressure (air pressure, altitude) sensor, accelerometer, gyrometer,
compass (magnetic) sensor
➢ Microphone
➢ Vibrator
➢ BatteryLithium-ion battery
➢ Wireless Connectivity Bluetooth® V4.1 (Low Energy)
➢ Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n)
➢ Buttons TOOL button, Power button, APP button
Full spec details available at http://support.casio.com
Size & Weight.
My initial feeling, its Big! until I compared this to a leading fashion brand for the ladies which was similar in cost, but heavier and slightly smaller that this Casio but only gave the time and date.
✓ Size of Case Approx. 61.7mm × 57.7mm × 15.3mm (H × W × D)
✓ WeightApprox. 92g (including watchband)
The Brand – Casio
Founded in 1946, headquartered Tokyo, Japan, they know their stuff about watches.
Will it break easy, as can be used in the outdoors, for trekking, cycling, paddling and even
fishing.
Again, Casio know their stuff,
✓ Water Resistance to 50 meters
✓ Environmental Durability to MIL-STD-810G (United States military standard issued by
the U.S. Department of Défense And Yes, it comes with an inbuilt torch!
Setting up:
Setting up initially will take time, this is like setting up a new phone, Bluetooth to your phone,copy contacts over, download an app to your phone, (Android Wear) allowing your contacts to be copied to the phone. The Watch was paired to an android phone. Available also on iOS
following models with iOS 9.0 or later: iPhone 5 or later, https://wsd.casio.com/us/en/wsdf20/products/.
Once set up and running, the buttons take a while to get used to. Google maps worked great, (especially as you can download offline maps) with the low-power GPS. This Supports positioning data from three satellites. The array of application in terms of altitude, finding my
phone, fit, fit workout, activity. Play store, translate, weather and the option to download many more app, The Activity option can track activities like snow sports, cycling and fishing giving allot of data on the routes.
This is cool from the App, depending on your mood, on your phone, e.g. watch face, Touch the watch face that you require on your smart phone, this instantly changes via Bluetooth to your phone to have the same watch face. As expected if you get a message e.g. WhatsApp
this beeps on the phone with sender details from your contact listing.
Is it worth the money!
Wether you are into toys for the boys, gadgets or an avid outdoor fan, its got a well packed array
of features, style and technology in one piece of kit.
I have not used this in the great outdoors rather Toys for the boys, I’m a fan,
https://www.fruugo.ie/casio-pro-trek-smart-outdoor-watch-wsd-f20-bkaae  €499.00