By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman
Reviews of the Garmin Nuvi 2689LMT GPS, Kwikset Kevo door lock and the Maxell MB-2 portable Bluetooth 4.0 speaker.
If Garmin could, they would control the gas and brake pedals in addition to doing an amazing job of getting you where you want to go.
I tried out the company’s latest GPS unit, the Nuvi 2689LMT, and again they made me wonder how they can make a better GPS unit than the previous – but they always seem to.
By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman
Reviews of the Rachio Iro sprinkler system, Epson’s new luster metallic inkjet photo paper and VisionTek’s USB 7-port charging hub.
I was emailed an offer to try out the Rachio Iro sprinkler system, described as easy to set up and use. “As for the sprinkler, you plug it in where your old controller was and then it helps create a customized watering schedule with you home WiFi network. You then can change, update it from your phone anywhere you have a signal.”
Sure enough, it was pretty much that easy.
By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman
Tech reviews of the Vaavud wind meter, Audiovox Mobile TV device and Rapoo wireless keyboards.
When I saw an email inviting me to test the Vaavud wind meter, I thought it was just another one of those gimmick smartphone accessories.
But I decided to give this one a try since I’m a smartphone junkie and my wife thinks I’m a weather junkie. This could bring all my worlds together.
Much to my delight, the Vaavud works as advertised to “turn your smartphone into a high-tech meteorological tool.”
The cup-anemometer tool attaches to your headphone port (Android and iOS), and along with the Vaavud app, you instantly know the wind speed.
Of course the day I tested it there was no wind so I took it along for a ride in my neighborhood holding my iPhone 5s out the car window with the Vaavud attached.
It worked like a charm, reading the speed as I went faster or slower. The wind speed can be displayed in choices of m/s, knots, mph, km/h, bft.
The gadget is described as being designed like a wind measuring tool, the cup-anemometer. It has two-cup functionality instead of the standard three, enabling it to be pocket sized.
The app has user interactions with other Vaavud wind meter users globally to share your wind speed and find out what it is in other locations – the fun is endless!
Cost: $49.95 in choices of green, red or white
Details: Vaavud.com
By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman
Reviews of the Oregon Scientic Weather@Home, Voyager Edge Bluetooth and the Henge Docks Vertical Docking Station for Macs.
The Oregon Scientific Weather@Home (model BAR218HG) is one of those gadgets, which you don’t think you need until you need it.
With the weather station you no longer have to troll your TV stations, websites or apps to get weather reports. Instead you can become your own household’s weather-forecaster with the Bluetooth-enabled weather station you keep inside, paired with a temperature and humidity sensor you keep outside.
The sensor is powered by a single AA battery (not included) to take readings and send it to the weather station wirelessly. Then with Bluetooth you can read the results on your smartphone with the device’s free app (Android and iOS), up to 55 yards away.
Temperatures are also taken inside along with daily hi/lows, humidity and forecasts.
I compared the weather station vs my local news weatherman and they were both right on with predictions of temperatures more than 100 with a slight chance of an afternoon storm. While it doesn’t take much of a prediction with that forecast, they were both accurate as the week went on.
The Weather@Home is powered by 3 AA batteries (not included) and has other alerts for storm warnings, wind, frost, fog, the percentage of moon phase and an auto setting clock.
Cost: $53.64
Details: www.OregonScientific.com/us
By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman
Reviews of Samsung Galaxy Tab S, iHome iDL46 Charging Clock Radio and Patchnride tire repair kit.
When a brand new Samsung Galaxy Tab S arrives on the doorstep, I’d imagine most people would tear it open like the Christmas present you have been salivating over. In my case, it took me almost 2 weeks to open it but it only took about 2 seconds to find two great features.
Over the next few days I found many more, and in case you are wondering, the first two features were a back button and the ability to turn off all your running apps at once.
And before I get to anymore, I’ll come clean with full disclosure: I’m an Apple user. I have been for some time with computers, iPods, iPhones and iPads.
Typically when I use a non-Apple product I wonder why it doesn’t have some of the features I’m used to.
In this case I went back to my iPad wondering why it doesn’t have some of the features the Galaxy Tab S has, but I’m thinking these companies fight enough in courtrooms these days over who stole each other’s technology.
By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman
Reviews of the Microlab FC60BT wireless speaker system, Wicked Audio Divvy audio splitter and MOS Reach Power Everywhere AC/USB extension.
Making the right choice for a wireless speaker system can be mind-numbing with the endless choices. Go no further then the Microlab FC60BT.
Before I opened the Microlab sound system, I read the press release, which describes it as an “audio wireless Bluetooth/NFC 2.1 Subwoofer Speaker System, featuring Microlab’s patented HC2D Technology, a powerful subwoofer, and two advanced stereo satellite SQ speakers without enclosures for crystal clear sound without harmonic distortions or vibrations that often happen when speakers are enclosed.”
I can’t say it any better but to translate that into something understandable this system rocks the house.
By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman
Reviews of the Blumoo remote system, Grill Daddy kit, Tegware Bagel smartphone case and Sparkbeats app.
Blumoo, from Flyover Innovations, is a device that works with its own app to let you take control and eliminate the pile of remotes for infrared-controlled home entertainment devices.
I figured the setup would take some time, so I sat down with the device, instructions, my laptop, iPad and a nice big glass of ice tea.
After a few refills I was controlling my TV, Apple TV and even brushed the dust off my CD player.
Before starting you must figure out a place for the Blumoo hardware, a 2.75-inch tall device that looks like a mini coffee cup from the side. It’s built with an angled base enabling it to receive a signal from most anywhere in the room and is paired with your handheld device via Bluetooth.
The setup guide walks you through steps of what to plug in including RCA cables for audio and of course the included power supply.
By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman
Reviews of the Garmin Vivofit, Kenu Highline iPhone case and ECOXGEAR Ecoterra Boombox.
I had my editor test the Garmin Vivofit for 15 days since she is a fitness nut along and chases around a 2-year-old. Here is her viewpoint after testing.
I wore the Vivofit side-by-side with my year-old Fitbit Flex. There are a couple of differences: One, the battery – the Flex is rechargeable, while the Garmin takes two CR1632 batteries. Two, the Garmin has a screen to display information, while the Flex has five lights to indicate your day’s achievements. Both fitness trackers have similar band closures – and both are equally likely to be accidentally knocked off.
Compared to the Flex, the Garmin seems a bit stingy on the steps. But I think you always have to consider information like this “useful” but not absolute. The variation in my steps in the 12 days I was able to accurately compare (thanks to the battery needing to be recharged on the Flex) ranged from 2.1 percent to 13.8 percent.
Still, I prefer the Garmin to the Fitbit not only because of the battery type, but because the screen shows you the information you want to know with a quick scroll using the surface button. (Yes, there is a Fitbit with a screen, but it has been recalled for a band issue.)
Syncing is as easy as opening the app, holding the button on the device until “sync” appears and letting it do its thing. Garmin confirmed that any firmware updates will be sent automatically to the device while syncing.
Also, if you already own an ANT+ heart rate monitor, you can pair it with this device (though I didn’t try).
www.Garmin.com The Garmin Vivofit is $130 for just the band, or $170 for the tracker and a heart rate monitor.
By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman
Reviews of the Grove Dock for iPhone, Innergie Lifehub USB charging hub and Beanco Tech’s Mobile Home.
Without knowing what was in a box I recently received in the mail, one would think it was a brick.
Actually, it was the three-plus-pound solid steel Grove Dock for iPhone, which works with the iPhone 4 up to the new iPhone 5/5s lightning cables.
Built into the base is a cable management system to run your cable up to the device. Once it’s there, it wedges in place (and stays there) to let you dock your phone for charging.
The steel base comes in black or plated silver, but actually what makes this an attractive piece is the wood covering available in bamboo (my review unit), walnut or maple.
All your phone functions are accessible when docked and there are rubber bumpers on the bottom to prevent any surface scratching.
The dock costs more than the average, but it’s really a great item and even works with most iPhone cases.
It’s also 100-percent USA made in Portland, Ore., and personalized engraving is available with orders of 10 or more.
http://grovemade.com $79 for Bamboo, $99 for maple or walnut
By Gregg Ellman @greggellman The GoSmart RestPad is furry computer accessory designed to sit on your desk. Aside from the great feel, it helps prevent wrist pain associated with the endless amount of daily hours we spend looking at computer screens and mousing, which results in repetitive wrist injury or carpal tunnel syndrome. Like any […]
Follow
