Category: #Reviews

Tech Review – Garmin campervan Sat-Nav review

I have been testing this piece of kit out for a few weeks now and one thing people say is this not redundant and I do get their point with our mobile phones doing everything from weather to music calls and traffic but this is on a smaller scale and phones are not specifically designed for the aforementioned.

Garmin are well known in the industry and also have dash cams and smartwatches too some of which we have reviewed in the past but today we take a closer look at the Campervan Sat-Nav, we also have a real hands on look at the unit in our video review below so you get some context over stock image reviews. We show you the features, the unit in operation and more so you get to get a better idea of what exactly you get from the product.

Build and set up

Basically it is a big tablet and it is a well built one at that however it can be placed nicely in your window or where suits you best and it is a simply suction cup and cable to get things going and you are good to go, you might be better off walking through the menu first to change any settings that suit your need though. You should also download the Garmin Drivesmart app to get extra features, I did once snub the app but it has much improved and now includes really cool weather features too, live traffic and much more

The display is bright and clear and one thing I love is the voice navigation it is pleasing which some might find odd but I love it it is clear loud and not really robotic like some systems are. You can also make calls on this and again clear and concise.

Who is this for

It is aimed at those who like camping which has seen a huge rise in recent times but anyone can use it including van drivers that want that bit more and you can see yourself what is on offer via the menu and if like me you like hotels, food and the likes there is a tripdavisor suggestion tool along with many others which you can select from to suit your own personal requirements. Having said all that this can be used by anyone in fairness and it is a nice piece of kit to have.

Features

The Campervan Sat-Nav has many features on board which basically covers you all round, you have Bluetooth, WiFi big clear screen loud clear navigation prompts, warnings for your speed which is vital for how things work today with the fish in a barrel approach by the speed detection vans and pop up windows for turns where applicable to give you a better view of the lanes you might be approaching, again all this is seen in the video review..

Price

This might put some off for a standalone kit, even for me I was kind of leaning the same direction but the pros outweigh the cons as you keep your phone to yourself and you have everything else at your fingertips here on a big screen and the feature I love most asides the navigation is the weather feature which is really cool.. The price of this unit will set you back 299 euros

BUY HERE

Video link 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tech Review – Google Nest Cam (indoor, wired) review

The next product in from Google is the Nest indoor cam wired, again like its Nest Cam Floodlight this requires a socket which most houses today have lots of, this one is less complicated that the outdoor one and comes with a nice long cable so you can be a bit picky if required where to place the camera which is small and compact and looks well if I do say so.

This camera has some limitations though as to how much it can move as it is fixed having said that it can be mounted on a wall to so the choice is yours on where to place it and again you can move it around the house if required..

People might often ask why do we need indoor cameras and I have heard so called security experts stating there is no need for them on Irish radio before which is utter rubbish and let me tell you why this is rubbish.

Firstly they can be used to protect your home should someone get by the rest of your set-up, Secondly you can use them to monitor elderly parents and so on and I know some that do and lastly you can use them to monitor your pets at home should you be out for a few hours or even if you are out for a short period and something happens or the pet get disturbed for example you are a click away to see what is going on so for me that statement still is a laughable one at best.

 

 

The indoor cam comes with all the same features as you would expect and we go through these with sample footage in our video review below and show you around the app and also how it looks like on your mest hub, this is a simple plug and play set up and you will be up and running in less that 5 minutes and your camera is good to go, you should familiarise yourself with the app and get to grips with what is on offer and the settings that are inside but we have you covered there.

Finally it is not another camera you need to keep charging as it is powered by your home socket which is another benefit and therefore nothing to worry about keeping an eye on the battery, the wireless cameras do give you plenty of notice too so there is nothing to worry about in the grand scheme of things overall and if like you you are invested in Google hardwear this is another addition you should think about adding to your home, the only caveat with this and the other google cameras is there is no pan and tilt options but in their next iteration this might be something for them to include going forward but other than that it is fine as is once placed in the best place for you that gives you the best coverage.

Click the link below to pick up the new indoor wired cam and check out some more there and check out our hands on review below.

Video Review

BUY HERE 

 

Tech Review – Puro Sound labs BT2200 kids headphones

The Puro Sound Labs BT2200 come equipped with a volume restrictor of 85 dB to limit output that a child cannot go above. The 40 mm dynamic driver combining with 82% noise isolation renders sounds more clearly, with the dynamic range from 20Hz to 20kHz and less than 1% harmonic distortion. This studio grade audio quality together with the Puro Balanced Response® ensures the headphones deliver an amazing listening experience with clear, crisp vocals and full, dynamic bass all within 85 dB volume limit.

The BT2200 is made with high quality materials to help prevent the possibility of allergies whilst using the headphones in the wireless mode stops the dangers of possible cable entanglement and tripping.

The ultra-lightweight design allows children to enjoy their favourite tunes without pressure to head or ears. An adjustable headband completes the natural, fine-tuned fit whilst the protein leather ear cups offers the optimal in comfort.

Controls are limited here however these are for kids use not adults so we have to take that into account here but it is an easy headset to use with raised buttons for ease of use and all kept on one side, you can play and pause music and change the volume and that is where it ends so skip and reverse tracks not present which is not a huge deal from a kids perspective.

The battery life is around 19-20 hours which is good for a kids headset and you can get a few days easily however it depends on how many hours a day but you will get at least two days of heavy use. Overall these a a really premium looking headset with great sound and great for kids with the added protection of their hearing which is vital.

BUY 

Video

 

Tech Review – Skullcandy Push Active Skull-iQ true wireless.

I go through many earbuds here, in fact the most true wireless earbuds in Ireland for any tech review site here and every now and them something different comes along and I genuinely say to myself “these are something different” and this is the case for the new Skullcandy Push Active Skull-iQ which I have been testing a while now and you will get to see why in our full real hands on video review below, for context we like to show you more than stock images and show you the products we review so you get a better idea of what you are getting.

So what makes these different you may ask me, Well there is two things here that make these different apart from their great sound and we will go into this as we go on here in the review..

Build and design.

These come in a larger than usual case which is fine with me and it stands out once opened up with a nice bright Orange and Black look to it, the case is nice to hold, might be to big for some but overall it is a solid case to protect your earbuds and the magnets inside are strong too and the earbuds will not fall out. These also come with an IP55 rating which is Sweat and Water Resistance.

Skullcandy Push Active Skull-iQ techbuzzireland

Comfort and fit

These also fit really well too and have over ear hooks that goes around the ear and will not fall out of your ears,even for the most active folk and can be worn jogging or in the gym, there is one button on each side for controls but they have a new trick up their sleeve and buttons do not have to be used at all and you can just say “Hey Skullcandy” to do what you need them to do, more on this in the video below you need to see this in action.

Sound

At the price you pay here you get great sound however no ANC but this is fine with the really secure fit you will not hear much going on outside anyway unless outdoors in a noisy environment, with my ususal test loop they performed really well, highs lows and mids are fine and a good balance overall and then you have the app to play around with too with the EQ settings and also edit the button controls too which is excellent.

Hey Skullcandy

Users can simply  say, “Hey Skullcandy” to initiate seamless voice control. They can then give commands to play or pause  content, accept or reject calls, turn on Stay-Aware Mode for enhanced safety and even launch Spotify. Through a  partnership with the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service, Skullcandy is the first to provide  voice-activated Spotify Tap™ access. A simple, “Hey Skullcandy, Spotify” voice command enables the most  frictionless way to access music and podcasts, or users can press a button on their earbuds to activate. Skull-iQ also makes it easy to issue audio commands directly to a device’s personal voice assistant without any additional  setup. These game-changing convenience features are ideal for anyone seeking added flexibility, but especially  important for active lifestyle users engaged in activities like snowboarding, mountain biking, skateboarding and  more.

As they say above this is the one of the new features I really like and it works well as you will see in our video review below and not only this you can use your earbuds as a remote shutter for your phones camera and this is something else I really like and something that will be very handy for people out there..

Conclusion

These are a super pair of earbuds for the price you pay and the features you get, there is some exclusions like auto play and pause and no wireless charging however this is fine there is fast charge and with the features aside that these are something for the more active folk or anyone in fact to consider looking at.

 

Push Active True Wireless Earbuds – £69.99 MSRP.

  • Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology – Issue simple, hands-free voice commands to take calls, change tracks,  adjust volume, turn on Stay-Aware Mode, activate device assistant, launch Spotify Tap, and more. • Over-the-Air Updates – Update earbuds via the Skullcandy App to add new features for enhanced functionality  and added value.
  • Premium Audio Quality – Experience supreme sound thanks to expertly-tuned acoustic drivers, dual  noise-reducing microphones for natural and clear call quality and a noise-isolating fit.
  • Up to 44 Hours of Battery Life – Listen longer with 10 hours of battery life in the earbuds and 34 hours in the  charging case.
  • USB-C Rapid Charging Case – For 10 minutes spent in the case, receive 2 hours of battery life. • True Wireless via Bluetooth® 5.2.
  • Auto On/Connect – Enjoy automatic turn on and pairing with the last device used.
  • IP55 Sweat and Water Resistance – Go on any adventure without missing a beat.
  • Built-in Tile™ Finding Technology – If an earbud is misplaced, simply ‘ring’ it from the Tile app.

For more information on Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology as well as Push Active True Wireless Earbuds,  visit http://www.skullcandy.co.uk

See the video below for more context and how they work.

 

 

Tech Review – The Jabra Elite 3

Over the last while I have been testing the all new Jabra Elite 3 which is their latest entry to the market and it is their first affordable pair if you will keeping much of their trademarks in play here, I have said for a long time now Apple and their prowess in the earbuds market is long gone and any tech journalist that continues to say different is just a mega fan boy in denial and that is all there is to it and before you get rich with your keyboard I own Airpods, there is much better value out there now and Jabra now throw a new pair of earbuds into the mix. You can check out the full unboxing HERE

Build and design

The design has changed slightly and more industrial looking but this is ok and they look well in the standard dark gray we have you can see an image compared to the 85t below, they fit well in the ears and give a good seal and are locked into place rather well and with the right size tips on you should be good to go and get the maximum benefits you would expect, there is no stem on these like previous models either and perhaps something other folks might like but earbuds with or without a stem do not bother me.

These also have a smaller profile that the 85t and do not stick out as much and that could be a big win for some too and again something that does not bother me much but does for others.

Jabra Elite 3 vs 85t techbuzzireland

Controls

The controls work well here and by that I mean you have a large are top tap here with that clicky button effect over the tap a certain area which means you are guaranteed to pull off the command you want and you also get the Sound Plus app but here is what I found really odd was that you loose adjustable EQ controls you get from say the 85t, in fact when testing at first I thought I was loosing the head for a minute and popped back in the 85t just to be sure and I was right, this is an odd exclusion here but you have to remember the price but you do get the access to the app which is a bonus.We go through the controls as ususal in the video review but for the most we have go the needs required and expected at this price point.

Sound

The part people really only want to read in a review – I will be the first to admit given I am a huge Jabra fan but we are not biased here, they are no 85t but also they are sub 100 euro earbuds either, they do lack ANC and Auto Play/Pause but with the seal you get with the right tips gets them off the hook for passive noise isolation here and as for the Play/Pause thing it never bothered me you have controls to stop the music after all. If this is your first venture into buying new earbuds you will not be disappointed and from coming down from the 75t I was not either given the price of the earbuds the overall sound was great, not as loud or punchy or defined as the 85t but a decent job overall with highs lows and mids and are fine for Netflix You Tube and music and it is better again in a quiet environment.

Conclusion

For the price you pay here you are doing well for the money even with the excluded features, you do get an IP55 rating which is sufficient for most,decent battery life and an overall good listening experience which overall I would describe as bright, they are robust and easy to use and you have to remember the cost of these, Jabra is a well known brand and that might slip people’s minds here but the entire package as a whole delivers overall and throws a spanner into the works for other manufacturers to think about, just like smartphones the cost to performance ratio has dropped significantly over the last few years and the time has well come for earbuds too.

See video below for more. BUY

Tech Review – Google Nest Cam with floodlight (wired)

As most are aware Google have launched a new range of home security products and the latest to hit the shelf is their new outdoor camera with floodlights thrown in for good measure and this time it is wired, some might not like the idea of a wired product however if it suits and you have an outdoor connection box this saves you having to drill through a wall and is also one less camera to charge.

By no means is this a small unit you can see the full unboxing here and from that point of view it is a deterrent alone, the camera that mounts onto the floodlight is the same as the other one we reviewed which is the outdoor cam for those wondering, it is the same unit and will match your existing set-up. I have this placed out my back garden pointing towards the office and my neighbours have noticed how bright it is which is a good sign and it also helps them when they are out late at night and from my point of view it is excellent should you need to be out the back garden late say putting out the bins etc.

Set-Up is simple enough however this time around it might not suit all due to the wiring required, I have an existing outside socket which worked for me but you can go through a wall if required with a verified electrician of course, but you do need to get up on a ladder and drill 4 holes to mount the mounting plate, we have done a different video review with this one and is a vlog style and you can watch that below and also get a look at what you get and what is in the app as there is the floodlight to think about here which has a simple intuitive control to brighten and dim it or just turn it on or off.

This camera is for someone who wants a decent light and especially with the dark evenings and mornings with us now it ideal to have this as part of your setup and besides that keeping your property secure, this is also something that has invested in Google Products like myself and with that you get an entire ecosystem which is better than having several types and then everything is at your fingertips on your smartphone in one app which for me is the right route to go.

The bonus of having the wired camera is that you do not have to keep charging it where as the wireless versions do require charging every now and then and that is one major benefit here, even though wired may seem like trouble having to set up it can be done quite simply so do not let that get in the way of a solid purchase if you are already invested in Google hardwear and want to get this floodlight

Specs

See the full video below for a look at the set up, the app and its features.

 

 

Tech Review – ITSKINS hybrid clear case for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3

Next up in our Samsung Galaxy Z flip3 case round up is the latest on offer from ITSKINS who recently partnered with Samsung and this case is one for those who like to see their natural colour of their device, this one does this and also protects your device both front and rear with a raised edge on the front allowing you to place the device face down.

There is several colours available to choose from too which is nice and you are not stuck with the usual that some manufacturers offer. The case also provides a better grip and also the buttons are tactile and work well..

This slim, crystal-clear case lets you show off your phone’s premium design. A custom anti-yellowing TPU polymer ensures your case stays clear longer.With an optical-grade acrylic armor hardback and dual material construction, HYBRID // CLEAR offers premium drop protection to your device. Our signature HEXOTEK impact absorption technology has been integrated into the interior perimeter of the case, making it drop safe from up to 3M/ 10 Feet. The slim, lightweight design won’t add extra bulk to your phone. Raised edges shield the screen and camera against everyday bumps and scratches. Our custom high-performance antimicrobial polymer helps keep your phone microbe and germ-free. HYBRID // CLEAR has been Eco-Designed, using 100% recyclable materials and produced with sustainable methods wherever possible

See the video below for more –  BUY

 

Tech Review – PHNX case round up for the iPhone 13 Pro

PHNX formerly MNML have been a regular feature on techbuzzireland and have now a range of cases for the iPhone 13 series, we have the iPhone 13 pro and they have sent us over some cases to check out which give you a super clean look and one that is minimal, these cases are best used with screen protectors to give you protection but they do not add any bulk to your device like some cases do, they are 0.35mm thin and come in three different colours.

The cases also work well with wireless charging and are not fingerprint magnets either and are very robust given how thin they are and are an ideal pick up for your smartphone if you just want something simple.

Features of the cases are

  • Slim, sleek, non-branded case preserves the beautiful look and feel Apple phones are famous for
  • Raised bump around back camera provides camera extra protection from scratches
  • Special finish prevents fingerprints on the notorious fingerprint-magnet iPhone glass back

See their website for a full range of cases and check the video below to see what exactly you are going to get. Check out the iPhone 13 pro case lineup and get a 25% discount HERE using the code Techbuzz

Tech Review – Otterbox Stand for MagSafe Charger

If you need accessories for your iPhone 13/Pro/Max  check out the Otterbox Stand for MagSafe charger which is very usefull in more ways than one, there is a myriad of MagSafe accessories out there now and if you own Otterbox with Magsafe cases this is a must for the Otterbox fan.

This makes life much easier for those who do not like wires and it also comes with a good cable management system too which for me is ideal this can be used on your bedside locker or beside your PC as an extra tool having your device at hand for social media, calls and media consumption keeping your PC free which I find productive and very handy to have, you could also use it on your bedside locker too for viewing media and so on and your phone can be used in both vertical and horizontal mode which makes it and ideal accessory and also makes a great gift if you know someone that could do with it.

The build quality is also excellent here, it might be white but has a matt finish is very robust with cable management to keep the cable out of the way, it does not collect fingerprints and has a rubberised base to stop it moving around and is a really premium finish and will not get scratched either.

FEATURES  

  • Designed for seamless interaction with Apple MagSafe Charger, iPhone  and cases with MagSafe*  
  • Accommodates strong magnetic alignment and attachment  
  • Precision-fit design for Apple MagSafe Charger (sold separately) 
  • No-slip, weighted form holds stand in place as iPhone clicks on and off • Facilitates optimal wireless charging speeds up to 15W for iPhones with MagSafe • Suspends iPhone securely at any angle while charging, streaming and connecting • Compact design and styling blends in around the home and home office • Premium finish resists scratches and fingerprints 
  • Sleek stand with cable routing feature protects cable 
  • Legendary durable OtterBox design 
  • Hassle-free customer service 
  • For best experience and protection, attach to an OtterBox for MagSafe case† 

BUY HERE  Check the video review below.