Category: #Reviews

Tech Review – Padmate S30 Bone Conduction Open-Ear Sport Headphones

Over the last few weeks we have been testing out the latest from Padmate and this product is for the sports fan and perhaps more and it is their new S30 Bone Conduction Open-Ear sport headphones. Small and compact too they are ultra portable ultra light and fit really well.

So what are the Padmate S30 Bone conduction headphones all about..

Open ear design

The open-ear design, powered by bone conduction technology, allows you to hear your surrounding sounds clearly and provide bud-free, comfortable listening, and also a perfect partner for listening to audiobooks.

Bone conduction technology

Enjoy hours of music without damaging your ears. It features bone conduction technology that creates vibrations to transmit sound through the bones of your face (jawbones and cheekbones) directly to the inner ear.

IPX5 waterproof

The nano-coating inside the headset can easily resist sweat and rain, making the Padmate S30 an ideal choice for outdoor sports, running, jogging, hiking, MTB, cycling. (Not intended for swimming)

Battery LIfe

With 150 mAh of polymer battery and easy commands such as play, skip, pause, and back-a-track, you can enjoy music, calls, audiobooks, and podcasts all day long. 6 hours battery life at max volume, more than 8 hours batter life at 50% volume. 150 hours standby time this pretty much came true for real life use during my testing. There is no volume controls present but this is not a huge deal.

Sound

They sound fairly decent overall however there is no access to their app as yet hopefully this changes down the road to give you their full app experience as it is one of the best ones out there but users will be fine with the volume and soundstage from the device, highs lows and mids are find direction is good and so on, being different from your traditional earbuds/headphones one might feel off put but don’t be.

Fit

Designed for athletes and more these wireless headphones stay put for all-day listening while keeping you motivated and aware of your surroundings.

With up to 10m of range, you will never have to reach your device again and again. It effortlessly connects with smartphones, tablets and other Bluetooth-enabled devices in no time

Features and FAQ

CAN OTHERS HEAR YOUR MUSIC?

No. Padmate S30 sends vibrations into your inner ear through bone conduction technology, leaving your ears open to your surroundings while still providing a private listening experience.

DOES PADMATE S30 COME IN DIFFERENT SIZES?

No, Padmate S30 will come in one standard size.

CAN I SKIP SONGS WITH PADMATE S30?

Yes, pressing 3 times on the “Power off” Button to play next song , pressing 4 times on the “-” button to play the previous song.

CAN I USE SIRI/GOOGLE ASSISTANT/ALEXA WITH MY PADMATED S30?

After connected with devices, you can activate voice assistant (such as Siri, etc.) by pressing 2 times on the “Power off” Button.

CAN PADMATE S30 BE USED TO TAKE CALLS?

Yes, Padmate S30 has two microphones for phone calls.

DOES PADMATE S30 COME WITH A WARRANTY?

Yes, Padmate S30 comes with a one-year warranty that covers manufacturer defects. The warranty does not cover misuse of the product, loss or theft.

Get 20% off with the code TB20

BUY

Video Review

Tech Review – Instax Mini Evo camera

The Instax Evo mini camera is the latest camera on offer which is a cool gadget to have at your disposal, most of us today use our smartphones to take images and in most cases they go no further than your phone or else stored on your pc or a drive but with this camera you can print out the moments captured on your phone and indeed with the camera itself which allows for plenty of creativity before you even take the picture and then more after.

This camera features 10 integrated lens modes and 10 filter options, offering 100 different combinations for photographers to express themselves creatively with unique, one-off shots.

Instax Mini Evo front

There is lots of filters and other options to toy around with here to on the Instax Mini Evo and I have been carrying about with me over the last few days and found it a joy to use and it has a simple UI to work through too and of course their app which we go through in detail in the video review below.. You can see the unboxing HERE

For me over the years I use my smartphone to take images but rarely a camera unless I use one from Instax which I have been over the last few years I find it nice that I can print an image there and then and not only that but share with others should they want a copy of the image, the only caveat here with such cameras is the cost of prints but I find these cameras would be more useful in treasured moments or ones created so buying packets of film every week would not really be the case.

Instax Mini Evo Top

What makes this camera fun is the options available for the user with the filters and more unlike other cameras you have a screen to use and options built in here to which allows you get the full feature set available and not just a limited standard list of settings, The build quality of the camera is robust and I like the overall design, more compact than other models it is more portable and I really the the silver buttons and controls which gives the unit a nice two tone effect and looks more on the premium side.

Instax Mini Evo Back

There is also a option to mount the camera on a tripod which some will find a real treat, this can be used for timed photos or group photos etc with the remote option on the app and more, Overall the image quality is decent but not to the full value your phone or the camera itself might take but this is not what the intent of the camera is, the camera is easy to use given all the options on it and ideal for those who like photography in general and even novices and overall if you just want to snap a photo and print this is what you need.

BUY

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Tech Review – Ergotron JŪV Wall mounted workstation

With working from home now a thing the right tools for the job would be required for those who do so and now being a more permanent option for many as some do have the hybrid option this is a desk you should look at which comes in several forms and colours electric and non electric, this is part one of my review in its current state as I am waiting on new equipment to arrive however even as it is now it suits my needs and more and the rest just adds to the options you get with this company that thinks of everything.

I have been using their older sit stand desk for some time and this alone is another option for those who want the most robust equipment at their disposal, heavy yet portable this desk can be moved around the house too but I advise two people move it if doing so, the same applies to the latest table on offer which is a two man job to lift and install and it will take around an hour or so taking your time to get this right with the level it is set height wise and width wise so be sure to make sure you have the space and include all the optional extras that come with it.

The desk does fold away which is neat and does not look to out of place either you have a massive work space enough for two desktops or two laptops and there is also risers on the rear if you wish to avail of those, you also have an electric option to raise and lower the desk which is handy and the materials used are top notch as expected from the company and they will last and ny old sit stand table is testament to that which I have in another room.

Ergotron JUV wall mounted desk set up 2

As seen above and the header image is two examples of how I have been using the desk but there is many more ways to do so and we will see all this in a later review when the good arrive for my final permanent office space, what I like about this top is the space available at hand it can be split into two almost and have your work and in my case review space on the one desk and not having to worry about anything, behind the centre monitor is where all the cables go and you can also remove the cover where you can hide cables and more and this is where the risers can be fixed too for mounted monitors.

Designed with Ergotron’s patented Constant Force technology, the non-electric JŪV™ Wall mount supports agility by allowing users to move quickly and quietly from sit to stand, eight to ten times faster than traditional height-adjustable tables. It offers the full BIFMA ergonomic range – an industry-first for a non-electric adjustable surface – and is built with a fully concealed cable management system, giving users instant access to power and data without sacrificing aesthetics.

There is a difference here as there is no cut out if you will to lean in toward your workstation like the last one which I became custom to but after using this for some time now this is also fine and working with both is not really an issue now it would be down to personal preference I guess and what your needs are but both fine for me.

The JŪV™ Wall range is available in a variety of size and colour combinations; the JŪV engine in Graphite or Snow White, and the worksurface in Birch Wood or Icy White. Customers can always stay connected and work efficiently, thanks to direct access to power and charging adding the special JŪV power accessory. Next to that, they can complete their ergonomic experience with the monitor riser accessory available for up to two computer screens.

If you are working from home you should check out what the company has to offer and not only do they cater for folks working from home they also work with other fields such as medical and so on see Ergotron for more and what they can offer you

Tech Review – KOVOL Sprint 65W PD 4-Port GaN Fast Charger – Charging Mate

Need a portable accessory that can charge up to 4 devices on the go well the KOVOL Charge Mate might just be for you, this is a handy portable device that sports 4 outlets which for those who use many devices on the go or at home can charge all in one go which is handy, You have 2 USB-C power delivery ports and 2 USB-A quick charging ports.

Built-in safety features prevent damage from problems such as short-circuit, over-charging and over-current, Designed to continuously monitor the power needs of connected devices, the charger supplies optimum current to each device, thus maximizing charging efficiency, Quick Charge-compatible smartphones can be charged to 80% in just 35 minutes..

Power Distribution:

Use 1 USB-C port: PD 65W
Use 1 USB-A port: QC 3.0 18W
Use 2 USB-C ports: USB-C – PD 45W/ USB-C – PD 20W
Use 2 USB-A ports: USB-A+USB-A=15W
Use 1 USB-C + 2 USB-A ports: USB-C – PD 45W/ USB-A+USB-A=15W
Use 2 USB-C + 1 USB-A ports: USB-C – PD 30W/ USB-C – PD 20W/ USB-A – QC 3.0 15W
When connected to all ports: USB-C – PD 30W/ USB-C – PD 20W/ USB-A+USB-A=15W

Features

  • 65W PD Fast Charging: Charge a single MacBook Pro 15.4″ from 0–100% in just 2 hours at full 65W or fast charge an iPhone 13 from 0–50% in 30 minutes at 20W power or higher
  • Simultaneous High-Speed Charging: Dual USB-C ports（65W total output）support simultaneous fast charging of your MacBook Air (45W) and iPhone (20W)
  • 4-in-1 Charger: This GaN charger enables you to power 4 devices at the same time, meanwhile, intelligent power allocation supplies optimal charging for each device
  • Greater with GaN Tech: Powered by gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors, the small size (2.99″ x 1.61″ x 1.61″) of the Kovol USB-C charging station provides superior heat dissipation and ultra-efficient charging to your devices
  • Universal Compatibility: PD port with 25W PPS supports ultra-fast charging of Galaxy S21/Note 20. Plus, this USB-C desktop charger features PD 3.0 and QC 3.0 charging technologies for dynamic quick charging of any compatible device
  • Safety First: Equipped with Kovol’s exclusive Q-Pulse charging tech and multiple protection features, problems such as short-circuit, over-current, and other issues are eliminated. Kovol offers total buyer confidence by providing a 12-month warranty, with a further 12 months upon product registration on the website
  • 24-Month Guarantee: Kovol offers total buyer confidence by providing a 24-month warranty for orders made directly on Kovol’s website

BUY 

Video Link

Tech Review – Garmin Instinct Solar review

I have a thing for watches and have lots of them and over the years this has extended to smart watches and now I have a collection of those too and people again ask WHY but just like my phone collection which both happened by accident really because of what i do it is nice to pick and choose from and weigh up what is on offer and it is good to change over every now and then, currently I am using the Apple Watch Series 7 45mm which I have left aside to check out this offering from Garmin as it has quite alot on offer despite its clean plain looks vs a stand out looking bright screen face and full of colour do not let the black and white screen on the solar instinct fool you.

Build is solid on the Instinct Solar and one of the best you may find out there this is as tough as it gets, having used this for a few weeks it has had all kinds of bangs and knocks and not a mark to be seen which is remarkable which less can be said for other watches I have which have had to have a cover added or screen replacement so for me this is win.

On the looks department well it is pretty bog standard and plain akin to a casio however people like this and some do not for me it is new and by that I mean it is a first of a kind when it comes to a display I do own older similar styled non smart watches just because your watch might be plain and simple looking does not mean it is not capable and that is what most folk I showed this watch could not believe when I showed them however there is some caveats here but overall not much else to complain about being honest.

The watch has 3 pushers on the left and 2 on the right and all labelled these pushers are also solid with a texture and easy to identify blindly and function well all the time,sometimes pushers can get blocked or simply fail to work which is not the case here certainly after what I put it through.

The screen is Black and White but it does not take away the features available or what you can avail of built in on the app, there is something for everyone here no matter what sport you are into, you can see more of what I mean in the video below. The screen is power glass which can keep your watch topped up on the go never mind the insane battery life which is really impressive and for someone who hates charging a smartwatch daily this is one key feature for me that I like, I have not had to charge the watch yet since it landed which is great.

To get going you will need the garmin connect app which is quite good actually in terms of functionality and easy enough to set up and navigate and once applied you can custom to your needs like any other offering out there and control what you want delivered to your watch, this is something you spend time on with any smartwatch as having the dam thing going off all day can be annoying and for me I tailor what I want to receive.

This watch is ideal for the outdoors for the most and also has a built in compass which is handy but it also offers health features galore so it is a pretty solid overall purchase if you can get past the black and white affair on the screen yet robust and solid with graphs galore and more which can deliver much useful information to you, the price though might out some off due to the influx of cheaper watches out there but again these do not offer as much as this one does, perhaps if this was a color screen it might be more attractive but then so would the price.

BUY 

Video Link 

Tech Review – Jabra Elite 7 Active

Jabra is a brand that we have been using and reviewing for some years now and they are a favourite here in techbuzz because they are consistent and the brand is strong and they like to innovate and each year for any brand it gets harder to improve on the previous and with competition rife and in an oversaturated market for true wireless earbuds it is a tough game to play and with three new pairs of earbuds this year from the brand it did give others something to think about having all tiers covered at entry mid tier and high end.

The Jabra Elite 7 is one of their high end offerings and quite similar to the Elite 7 Pro and for me always an exciting time to test a product as I have been a huge fan of their earbuds and they have been a high end offering but as mentioned Jabra have tackled the entry and mid level tiers, they have been always a strong winner in the high end market so how does the new Elite 7 stack up this time..

UNBOXING THE ELITE 7 ACTIVE 

 

Design, build and fit.

Jabra have changed the design language here and all of their new earbuds, it is clean simple and works and nothing too outlandish either, the profile is also good for size and they fit well with a good seal once using the right tips which is a must wearing any earbuds. They have a more flat appearance than older models however they have a good seal.The buttons are clicky and tactile and work 100% and some prefer this over the touch option for me either is fine but I tend to lean towards the buttons option.

 

Setting up

The setup is simple as always, in almost all cases an update is due out of the box which takes a few minutes and you are good to go to get the latest features on your earbuds and you should update anytime you are prompted to do so, then head through the app to personalise to your needs, you have headset settings My Fit which is important My Sound My Controls etc. See below for what you will expect to find. And with them latest update you can now get multipoint connection. This is crucial for those who work on two devices.

Controls

Controls are quality and work each time, again Jabra have the clicky button effect which I like but the thing is you can change the settings to what suits you best and this is great as there is many settings here available which makes it much better than custom defaults you tend to get on other earbuds this should be the same for all earbuds in my opinion.

Sound

The sound is always the key factor in these reviews and one argues everyone’s ears differ which is correct but when testing earbuds on such a regular basis it is not hard to find what is rubbish and what is not, the Jabra soundstage has always been a great one, highs lows and mids are great and with my usual testing regime they have done a really impressive job with no lag latency noted, again you have the custom EQ here to play with, they can be used individually too which is great, the ANC is also now adjustable and to the max is the way to go but I found the ANC not quite as strong as previous models and perhaps a software update might fix that but overall strong enough and better in quiet environments. It was hard to tell the difference here between these and the 7 Pro being honest.

Jabra Elite 7 Active techbuzzireland
Elite 7 Active Techbuzzireland

Conclusion

If you want a great pair of earbuds check these out the days of overpriced alternatives are long gone and the same applies to Apples prowess here, some still might find these still too expensive but you have to pay to play here given there is cheaper earbuds out there now with much of what you find here but it is the overall experience here in one package you will get here that wins for me. However with the 7 Pro out there and the new Elite 4 there is much on offer at all price tiers here and the 7 Pro has a slight bit more to offer.

Buy

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Tech Review – ROXi Karaoke Mic and TV app

Most of us would be familiar or tried a hand a Karaoke in our time and it is a great entertainment platform which you would see lots of on holidays and in pubs and it is a great idea for entertaining the family at home and so on which over the last two years would be a more familiar place to use such equipment but with things now taking a turn it will not be long before Karaoke will be in full swing again in local bars where after a few pints you might get brave and pic up that mic,something I have tried in the past and miserably failed at..

Over the years this has been brought into the home though and it is great for family gatherings and over the Xmas period I tired this out with family and friends none of which wanted to be featured in my video but so be it but there was plenty of fun had with this and passed lots of time. I remember as a kid when Karaoke machines came out and then they got integrated into consoles which is more my scene and again had a dabble at it with the same results and just sat back and watched the rest blast away..

The ROXi system though keeps it simple with no expensive hardware required to get going and now there is a new TV app which we spoke about before here on site. This makes access even easier for everyone and can give you something to do if you are bored and want to liven things up. The MIc itself is easy to use with just two slider buttons and a power key and that is it..

Set Up is simple and only takes minutes with the bundle tested which was a Mic and Amazon Fire stick, If you have a compatible TV you can download the app and a software update is all that was required in my instance and you are good to go straight away, The UI is clean and easy to navigate and similar to YouTube but you can check out the video below for more and what you find in the UI which is easy to use which for me is important and ideal for family use no matter what age they are.

Overall this is an affordable home entertainment package which is great for family and friends and if you are into your music this is a real bonus. There is over 140K songs to pick from and a cool game to guess the track there is also a premium package you can sign up for and you get a free mic, it is little money if this is your thing and we all probably have enough subscriptions right now and while I am here it is a good time to check at what you really need and perhaps save yourself a few quid which I did and cancelled loads and then leave yourself open to spend your money elsewhere and if music is your thing this perhaps could be an option for you and the family.

BUY

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Tech Review – Edifier G2000 gaming speakers

The Edifier G2000 gaming speakers are a compact pair of speakers yet powerful with really nice bass aimed at gamers however these can be used for more than just gaming they can be used with your consoles mobile and PC as you will see in the video review below.

Build quality is also robust here and the controls are laid out simple too for ease of use with a mechanical shift lever to control the volume also present on the same side is the power on/off switch and a switch for light effects to change the mood which I find better than speakers that sit there and do nothing.The G2000 offers a range of connection options and is compatible with Bluetooth v4.2, USB and 3.5mm AUX; PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox, Laptop, TV, CD player and mobile phones can all easily be connected to begin your gaming experience, they however did not work with my Nintendo wii which is probably too old now but a console I still use today alongside my PS5 which I tested on and Xbox and works seamlessly.

Edifier G2000 speakers rear

Being small and compact as they are makes these portable and can be easily moved to another room if required and as an example during my testing this is what I did and to connect to another device is hassle free, these are also great for your laptop and for your mobile phone if you want to blast out the tunes so they are a worthy investment if you want some speakers to do just more than entertain the gaming folk and for me make them a sensible purchase that packs a punch with sound too and will easily fill a room in any house.

Edifier G2000 front

Main Features:

  • 2.75-inch full-range unit with 16W RMS power output
  • Column-shaped cabinet with backward mega bass port
  • 12 light effects enhance the gaming experience
  • Mechanical shift lever easy to control volume
  • Music, game and movie sound modes supported
  • Bluetooth/USB sound card/AUX input available
  • Dedicated power adapter for stable and safe power supply
  • Subwoofer output interface included

BUY 

Video Link

Tech Review – New Bee Wireless Headset M50

The New Bee M50 wireless headset is ideal for those on the go or even at home, the headset sports dual connection meaning it can connect to two devices at once and for those working at home will know this is an ideal feature to have at your disposal as many headsets are now starting to offer this feature but no so industry wide, this is also beneficial to those in an office environment too.

The headset is lightweight and fits nicely on the ear and has a retractable mic with a mute switch you can control your calls here too and also listen to music which the quality is not bad either if you wish so again this is another feature some might find useful, calls are pretty clear on this headset from both ends during my testing and does not sound muffled and the real bonus here is you have a 65 ft range on this rather than a standard 30 ft range on most headsets and in my house my limit was say 50 ft and it worked fine and I tried walking outdoors and it did begin to taper off around 60 ft before breaking up.

The build quality is robust and it does look premium with the silver backing and the buttons work well given their size,they are raised so this helps for those with big fingers. This headset can be worn either side too which is handy and has dual mic technology making it a product to certainly check out if you are in the market for an affordable headset.

See the video below for more.

  • 24 Hour Talk Time & 60 Day Standby
  • 20 Meter Connection Distance
  • Wide Compatibility & Advanced Bluetooth 5.2
  • Handsfree & CVC 8.0 Noise Cancelling Technology
  • Comfortable for All Day Wear & Adjustable 360° For Both Ears

BUY 

Video Link