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SZNS Burnt Sienna wallet review


The popularity of minimalist wallets is driving innovation in this field, providing the people with what they have been craving – the downsizing of the traditional men’s and women’s wallets of the past. I’ll admit that I’m one of those people who has been craving a smaller wallet. This time I’m reviewing the SZNS (pronounced “seasons”) Burnt Sienna wallet. Thus far, I’ve found that it is an attractive minimalist wallet for today’s professional, it’s a nice size for credit cards and business cards, it’s made of very thin leather to minimize thickness, and has RFID blocking in each of its three pockets. However, because it is made of very thin leather, I wonder about the longevity of the wallet.

The SZNS wallet came in an attractive black box with a sliding drawer.

The wallet also came with an SZNS decal and a microfiber cloth to clean the wallet.

Design & Build Quality


First Impression: One of the first things that you notice about the SZNS Burnt Sienna wallet is that it holds your cards and paper money vertically. I love that feature. The front and back of the wallet are similar. Each side has a pocket with a diagonal opening to insert cards and/or banknotes. The front of the wallet displays the “SZNS” logo located along the bottom right corner and the back of the wallet contains a very nice self-retracting pull tab used to extract the cards or banknotes in the center pocket.

When I received the SZNS wallet, I took some pictures of it while it was empty. Then after having inserted all my cards and money into the wallet, I noticed a 5 mm slit in the leather above the logo that I don’t think was there before inserting my cards. It was such a clean cut that it was difficult to see, but it was there. I’m not sure how it happened since I hadn’t even started using the wallet yet – I only inserted my cards and money. However, Mr. Amir Sigari, the co-creator of the SZNS wallets with his mother, was very courteous and very quickly sent out a new wallet. They offer free returns on wallets with defects and will exchange it or give you a full refund. They also offer a two-year warranty on this wallet

Leather: The wallet is made of semi-aniline leather. What is that? Pure or full aniline leather is a full grain leather that has been dyed throughout and “has not received any coating of pigmented finish” (By the way, you want full grain leather as opposed to top grain, genuine leather, or bonded leather). Semi-aniline leather is also a full grain leather that has been dyed throughout like aniline leather, however, semi-aniline leather additionally has a “small quantity of pigment, not so much as to conceal the natural characteristics of the hide” (from leatherusa.org) which gives it a more consistent look, protects the leather from some stains, and makes it more durable. Since this wallet has a small amount of pigment on the surface, it will not develop a patina like full aniline leather wallets.

Thread: The thread used in this wallet is a thin a cotton/nylon thread. Although, according to Mr. Sigari, they intend on increasing the size of the thread in the future.



Lining: Each of the three pockets of the wallet is lined with a satin-like lining that incorporates RFID blocking. The above photo on the right shows how the center pocket has sewn into it a black elastic strap with a leather pull tab which extends through the top of the pocket to the back side of the wallet.

According to Mr. Sigari, “both the leather and the RFID blocking inner fabric are die cut by a large stamping machine, after that everything is done by hand.”

Size: The thickness of the wallet when it is empty is about 5 mm.

The wallet is about 4.25″ long (~11 cm). This is a good size to accommodate credit cards and especially business cards. 

When compared to the Benjamin Bott Chickadee leather wallet that I recently reviewed, the SZNS wallet is taller but about the same width. You can also tell the difference in the leathers and thread used, both of which are thicker in the Chickadee wallet.

Use


I placed two plastic cards in the front pocket and six cards (two plastic cards, 4 paper cards) in the center pocket. I also placed two plastic cards in the back pocket as well as some cash (two banknotes).

Extracting the cards from the center slot was easy with the self-retracting pull tab. It was also easy to extract the cards from the front and back of the wallet because they were exposed enough to do so. The wallet was tight when filled with all these cards/bills but not too tight to make extracting the contents really difficult and yet not too loose so that you would lose your money or cards.
When full, the wallet was a little less that 0.75 inches thick (or about 1.8 cm thick). The wallet fits well in my hand and comfortably carries everything that I need. It really does minimize the bulk of traditional wallets.

Final Thoughts

The SZNS Burnt Sienna wallet is a professional looking lightweight leather wallet. It has the benefit of having three pockets, each lined with RFID blocking material and is tall enough to accommodate business cards as well as credit cards and cash. I was able to insert all of my necessary cards without having to leave anything out (six plastic cards and four paper cards). The wallet was not too tight to make extracting the cards really difficult and yet not too loose so that I would lose cards or money. However, the wallet is made with very thin leather and thin cotton/nylon thread. In addition, the wallet has only a two-year warranty and it is my impression that the wallet may not last a lifetime.

When comparing the SZNS wallet to my two favorite wallets, the Benjamin Bott Chickadee wallet and the Garzini Essenziale Finestra wallet I find that I still prefer the other two. Even though the SZNS wallet has RFID blocking and a self-retracting pull tab, the Chickadee wallet is the best made and the most minimalistic of the three but I also love the design of the Garzini wallet for the accessibility of my cards and money.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by SZNS Apparel. Please visit their site for more info.

 

Product Information

Price: $45.00
Manufacturer: SZNS Apparel
Pros:
  • All three pockets are RFID blocking
  • Attractive wallet for today's professional
  • Tall enough to accommodate buisiness cards and credit cards
  • Easily accommodates six plastic cards and four paper cards
  • Not too loose or tight
Cons:
  • Leather is thin
  • Thread is thin

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SZNS Burnt Sienna wallet review originally appeared on on July 10, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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Satechi’s new R1 Aluminum foldable stand takes your smartphone, tablet, and laptop to new heights

I like accessories that have more than one use or can be used with more than one device. The new Satechi R1 Aluminum foldable stand is just such an accessory. Compatible with smartphones, tablets, and even laptops. This universal stand can position devices in multiple ways to provide the best viewing experience for watching videos, playing gaming, video chatting, using a device with a Bluetooth keyboard, and more.

The Satechi R1 device stand has a sleek design and a solid aluminum construction with a 270-degree mount hinge and an 180-degree base hinge. The case-friendly stand features rubber support grips that can hold mobile devices and laptops without fear of scratching or slipping.

When you’re done using the stand or want to take it with you, it easily folds up for storage or travel.

The Satechi R1 Aluminum Foldable Stand is available now in space gray, silver, gold or rose gold. You can purchase it for $39.99 at Satechi.net and for even less at Amazon.

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Satechi’s new R1 Aluminum foldable stand takes your smartphone, tablet, and laptop to new heights originally appeared on on July 10, 2017 at 6:44 am.

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Soap Studio MIND: The Batman vs. Superman Dawn of Justice Cerebral Combat Trainer game review

Do you think the next logical step in video gaming is mind control? If so, then you’ll love the concept of Soap Studio’s MIND: The Batman vs. Superman Dawn of Justice Cerebral Combat Trainer. It’s a video game that I was sent to review. It sounded like fun, but it turned out to be pretty lame. Let’s take a look.

What’s in the package?

MIND headset
Holo-Box
USB charging cable
Instructions

Design and features

The Cerebral Combat Trainer has two main components. The MIND headset and the Holo-Box. First, let’s talk about the MIND headset which is shown above. It looks like a pair of headphones, but the adjustable band rests against your forehead and not the top of your head.

The headset has a micro USB connection for charging the internal batteries. On the top of one of the “ear pieces” is a power button and a tiny status LED.

The shiny parts of the headset rest against the backs of your ears. The headset does not play any sounds. It’s just there to detect your brain waves.

The other component is the Holo-Box which is just a three-sided open-topped plastic box. A clear piece of plastic is inserted into the box at an angle to act as a mirror.

Your Android or iOS device rests face down on the Holo-Box. The phone’s screen reflects off the angled plastic to create a very viewing box.

I tested the MIND Holo-Box with my iPhone 7 Plus and didn’t really see any advantage to using the Holo-Box because the size of the “screen” in the box wasn’t any bigger or better than just viewing with the phone. The info on the package says

By combining a smartphone and a Holo-Box, players can experience a 3D holographic projection, as if in a private cinema.

Yeah… no. Not even close. It’s just a mirror image of your phone’s display. Nothing 3D about it. At all.

It’s time to control Batman with my brain!

Before getting all brainy, you first have to charge the headset with the included (or any) micro USB charging cable. Then you put on the headset with the band touching your forehead and the earpieces resting on your ears like the frames of a pair of eyeglasses. And that’s where I ran into another problem with the MIND Cerebral Combat Trainer. It doesn’t fit if you wear glasses because the eyeglasses temples prevent the headset from properly resting on your ears.

With my glasses removed and the MIND headset in place, I launched the MIND app on my iPhone 7 Plus and was giving the choice of using the Holo-Box or just the phone. I tried it with the Holo-Box first and was instructed to place the phone on the Holo-Box.

The app then begins the headset connection phase.

I had a hard time getting the headset to fit correctly on my head. See that tiny icon in the lower left corner that looks like a pair of headphones with a red X in the center? That icon would continuously switch from X which is bad, to yellow which is good.

I finally got a good connection and went through some calibration tests where I was asked to blink twice and to make the Batman logo spin faster.

Once I passed the calibration steps, the game proceeds.

The game has several levels which are represented in a circular pattern. By double blinking your eyes, you can switch between the levels, but to select the level to play you have to tap the screen. If you’re using the Holo-Box, that means you have to pick up the phone, tap the screen and then set it back on top of the Holo-Box.

Each level instructs you to do something with your mind. In the first level, it’s your job to have Batman fly through gates.

The idea is that you use your mind to make Batman fly higher or lower so that he doesn’t miss a gate.

Easy right? Actually yes. Very easy. I didn’t even try to focus my thoughts on Batman’s flying. I just watched the screen and he was able to get through every gate without problems. Hmmm…. Either my brain is insanely powerful, or this game is lame…

The next level has you help Batman hack a lock by spinning gears until they snap in place. Again, I had no problem getting through this level by no even trying.

I didn’t run into trouble until the third level. In this level, Batman is in a parking garage and bad guys appear out of thin are. You’re supposed to us your mind to move a target over the bad guy and then Batman will zap him. I was horrible at this level and got seriously annoyed at the game because it seemed like it would just do things randomly no matter if I focused or not.

Final thoughts

After the third level, I was done with the Soap Studio’s MIND: The Batman vs. Superman Dawn of Justice Cerebral Combat Trainer. It’s not fun and it’s crazy expensive at $120 with over $80 shipping to the US. A kid might enjoy goofing around with this game (for about 30 minutes), but not at that price. My advice is to skip this one and use your mind for something more productive like reading an actual Batman or Superman comic.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Soap Studio. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $120 + shipping
Manufacturer: Soap Studio
Pros:
  • I really can't think of anything good to say about this product
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Shipping is very expensive
  • Not sure you can really control anything in the game with your mind
  • You have to pick up the phone from the Holo device to press buttons on the screen
  • Can't wear glasses with the headset

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Soap Studio MIND: The Batman vs. Superman Dawn of Justice Cerebral Combat Trainer game review originally appeared on on July 9, 2017 at 5:22 pm.

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Kanex’s Apple Watch charging stand review

I have been reviewing charging stands almost since the first day having an Apple Watch. We have seen everything from metal folding stands to exotic wood travel stands to charging gizmos that take over every function on your nightstand but the controller for your electric blanket. Some have been great, others have been – um – misguided. None, however, have not required you to add your own Apple Watch charger (which adds an additional $30, minimum, plus the hassle of threading it through the stand’s wiring channels.) Until now. Kanex has just released a stand for Apple Watch that includes the magnetic charging puck, as well as a single USB port. I was sent one to test and was excited to give it a go.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

The stand is disarming in its simplicity. It’s a disc almost 4″ in diameter, with a space gray plastic finish and black plastic accents. There is a simple company logo centered on the disc. The 5/8″ thick base has a rubber gasket on the bottom to keep it firmly on your desk or nightstand. A metal tube almost 1/4″ in diameter rises just over three inches from the base, and curves gently to a position centered over the base. The charging puck is affixed to a metal holder set at a permanent 29º angle. The holder is smooth and nicely rounded. The fittings between the puck holder, the tube, and the base are both smooth and tight. There is no play at all.


The unit weighs only 7.35 ounces but feels substantial. Because of the right angle between the base and the upright of the watch stand, this is not something you’re going to pack for trips or move about – it’s going to sit quietly on your desk or nightstand and do what it’s supposed to when called on.


The single USB port on the rear of the base means you can also charge an iPad, iPhone, or your partner’s Apple Watch, but you’ll need to supply your own cable. I was a bit put off when I unboxed it and found that the power was provided by a round positive-tip plug, rather than the standard mini- or microUSB. Kanex, however, took the important step of providing an extra long plug that fits deeply into the body of the base for added strain relief. There is virtually no possible way to get the plug and pin misaligned and possibly damaged. It holds tightly, and powers the charger and USB port reliably.

At $79.95, it’s a little spendy, but, remember, there’s a $30 Apple Watch charger included, and a single USB charger, which would run another $5-$10. I, personally, would not hesitate to spend $80 for a quality piece like this.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Kanex. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $79.95
Manufacturer: Kanex
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • Apple watch, any generation, and 110 US power outlet
Pros:
  • No need to use your stock charging puck!
  • Solid construction
  • Good strain relief on power connector
  • USB port for another device

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Kanex’s Apple Watch charging stand review originally appeared on on July 9, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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The Sac Daddy: A new, larger Nutsac for your laptop

The company name does induce (intentional) giggles, but NutSac Bags has been designing some pretty solid man bags & satchels for a while now. While previous designs emphasized minimalist carry (up to an iPad Pro), the latest design is designed for daily business carry with more room and more features for hauling your office on your shoulder. 

Dubbed the “Sac Daddy,” this new bag measures in at 15″ by 10.5″ by 3″ and will handle up to a 15″ laptop. While it follows the same minimalist form factor as their previous products, the Sac Daddy also includes an open back magazine pocket, additional padding for laptop protection, and a leather strap pad for comfort. The primary materials are waxed canvas and full-grain leather. It’s also available in tan (shown in the picture above) and black.

I’m a fan of the NutSac company. They source all of their materials & build their products in the US, and implement a “full transparency” pricing model: click on the product and you can see (down to the penny) how the price was determined. I have yet to handle one personally, but all the reviews on previous products I have seen have been excellent. The Sac Daddy retails for $214.00. Visit their website for more information!

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The Sac Daddy: A new, larger Nutsac for your laptop originally appeared on on July 9, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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