Home 2017 November

Ti Arto EDC pen, AmpliFi Teleport, GoBag vacuum compressible backpack, Fidget spinner iPhone case, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns

This week we are featuring six crowdfunding campaigns from Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Click through to read more details about these five crowdfunded products.

Ti Arto EDC :The Ultimate Refill Friendly Everyday Carry Pen

What is it?
The Ti Arto EDC is the latest project from Big Idea Design. This is an update to the Ti Arto Pen that I reviewed and still use daily.

Why do I like it?
I love everything that Big Idea Design creates. I use their original Ti Arto pen every day at home and I carry their Ti Pocket Pro Pen with me every day too. I know the Ti Arto EDC will be a successful project and a great pen because everything that they create has been awesome so far. The Ti Arto EDC improves on the original Ti Arto by subtle updates and major updates to the mechanism which allows for 100’s of different pen refills to be used with this pen.

Where can I find more info?
The Ti Arto EDC campaign ends in 35 days and they have already blown past their funding goal of $5,000. You can pre-order a Ti Arto EDC pen starting at $65. After the Ti Arto EDC campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in May 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

AmpliFi Teleport : The Home Wi-Fi that Covers the World

What is it?
AmpliFi Teleport is a small adapter that allows you to connect to your home network’s  AmpliFi router and use the network resources from anywhere in the world.

Why do I like it?
I already know that AmpliFi makes great networking devices because I reviewed the original AmpliFi WiFi router and loved it. I used it exclusively for a year until I switched to a new home broadband provider which requires their own router. I’d love to try out the Teleport because it looks like the perfect device to take with you when you travel so that you can connect to your home network and all the devices at home like your home security, printers, backup drives, etc.

Where can I find more info?
The AmpliFi Teleport campaign ends in 8 days and they are less than $5,000 from their funding goal of $50,000. You can pre-order an AmpliFi Teleport starting at $89. After the AmpliFi Teleport campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Wolffepack Luna: UltraEasy Baby Changing Backpack Diaper Bag

What is it?
The Wolffepack Luna is a specially designed backpack diaper bag that swings to the front, without the hassle of unstrapping.

Why do I like it?
Dennis reviewed the Wolffepack Metro backpack two years ago and really liked the ability to access the contents of the bag without removing it from his back. The Wolffepack Luna now gives parents that same functionality with this newly designed diaper bag that provides one-handed access even if the other hand/arm is holding baby.

Where can I find more info?
The Wolffepack Luna campaign ends in 19 days and they are currently $5,000 from their funding goal of $19,716. You can pre-order a Wolffepack Luna starting at $89. After the Wolffepack Luna campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

GoBag | The Vacuum Compressible Carry-on Backpack

What is it?
The GoBag is the ultimate travel vacuum compressable backpack that will allow you to leave your regular luggage at home so you can skip the baggage carousel.

Why do I like it?
Every time we go on a trip, we pack a large rolling suitcase and another smaller rolling suitcase to hold all our toiletry items. rolling the bags around the airport, checking them in, and paying extra baggage fees means hassle and money. The GoBag looks like a great way to avoid hassle and fees because it’s been designed to hold a week’s worth of clothes while still allowing for easy access to your laptop and other gear.

Where can I find more info?
The GoBag campaign ends in 29 days and they have already passed their funding goal of $13,144. You can pre-order a GoBag starting at $163. After the GoBag campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in June 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

LUDICASE: Fidget iPhone X case

What is it?
LUDICASE turns your iPhone 6/7/8 or iPhone X into a fidget spinner. No, I’m not kidding.

Why do I like it?
I like it because it’s goofy and fun. Everyone wants to wring out as much juice from the fidget spinner fad as possible and this case is not something I expected. It’s definitely a conversation starter.

Where can I find more info?
The LUDICASE campaign ends in 23 days and they have already passed their funding goal of $10,000. You can pre-order a LUDICASE starting at $15. After the LUDICASE campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2017. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.

Gravity Museum – Space Exploration Kit on your tabletop.

What is it?
The Gravity Museum is a new project from the same folks that created the MoonDrop project that we talked about this past spring.

Why do I like it?
I like the Gravity Museum because it sparks your imagination and makes you think about other planets besides the one we’re on right now. It looks like a great little table top science lab for kids and adults who are interested in astronomy and space.

Where can I find more info?
The Gravity Museum campaign ends in 28 days and they are still working towards their funding goal of $26,288. You can pre-order a Gravity Museum starting at $92. After the Gravity Museum campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in March 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

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Ti Arto EDC pen, AmpliFi Teleport, GoBag vacuum compressible backpack, Fidget spinner iPhone case, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 15, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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Gift Guide: Bags and backpacks

What do you buy for a Gadgeteer who loves gear, but you’re not sure what new gear to get them?  Easy, you buy them a stylish but functional bag or backpack to carry their gear. We’ve created a gift guide of unique, useful, bags and related accessories. Enjoy!

Backpacks

Price range $100+

Timbuk2 Muttmover and Muttmover Light backpacks

Inspired by an employee’s commute with their dog, the folks at Timbuk2 designed a backpack to give your dog a safe place to ride while you walk, bike, or hike.  The Muttmover bags have a clip inside to keep your dog from jumping out, and there are pockets and pouches on the outside to hold the gear you and your dog need for a day out.  The Muttmover seen in the photo above is designed for dogs up to 20 pounds.  The Muttmover Light is available in two sizes for dogs up to 35 pounds.

Price: $118; $159-$179 for Muttmover Light
Read our post: He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother – er, dog – Part Deux
Where you can buy one: Timbuk2

Pad & Quill Roll Top Leather Backpack

This Pad & Quill backpack is made to last, with full-grain, tumbled American bridle leather; parachute-grade, UV-resistant nylon stitching; hand-pounded copper rivets; and solid nickel hardware.  Inside is a dedicated pocket for an iPad Pro 12.9 or up to a 15″ laptop.  The roll-top closure is weatherproof, and a side zipper makes it easy to quickly grab something from the interior.  The Roll Top Leather Backpack has a 25-year warranty and a 30-day money back promise.

Price: $319.00
Read our review: Pad & Quill Roll Top Leather Backpack review
Where you can buy one: Pad & Quill

Price range $50 – $100

Alpine Division 2017 McKenzie Backpack

The Alpine Division 2017 McKenzie Backpack is a simple & well-constructed rucksack. While its roots are in outdoor adventures, its streamlined profile and sophisticated styling make it an excellent (and durable) business commuter as well. Its size is ideal as a daypack or a travel companion when you need some of that extra flexible space.

Price: $54.00
Read our review: Alpine Division 2017 McKenzie Backpack review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

North St. Bags Pioneer 12 Hip Pack

If you’re not a fan of backpacks or shoulder bags, consider a hip pack. Nope, they are not called fanny packs anymore and they are actually…wait for it… HIP!

Price: $65.00 – $77.00
Read our review: North St. Bags Pioneer 12 Hip Pack review
Where you can buy one: North St. Bags

Price range $10 – $50

Star Wars R2D2 Knapsack Backpack

This Star Wars backpack is probably better suited to children or the young-at-heart who doesn’t need to carry a laptop or a lot of heavy textbooks.  It’s made of 100% polyester and has snaps and a drawstring closure.  This officially licensed backpack is 14″ X 17″ and has adjustable straps that some reviewers say will even fit adults.

Price: $23.45
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Shoulder Bags

Price range $100+

Timbuk2 Sunset Messenger Bag

The Timbuk2 Sunset Messenger bag is available in acid-washed cotton denim exterior and has a casual air that works in most environments.  It has premium trims and hardware; snaps and magnetized closures keep everything securely inside.  The interior is lined with soft fabric to protect all your gear.  A padded interior sleeve holds up to a 13″ laptop, and there’s plenty of room for your phone and other gear.

Price: $109
Where you can buy one: Timbuk2

Sena Cases Heritage Leather Commuter Bag

The Timbuk2 Sunset Messenger is more casual, but the Heritage Leather Commuter Bag from Sena Cases will be right at home in the most formal situations.  The commuter is handmade from Heritage leather, which is vegetable-tanned and tumbled to develop a natural texture.  It will darken with age and develop a natural patina.  The bag has a shoulder strap and double grip handles.  Inside, you’ll find a laptop compartment that accommodates up to a 15″ laptop, plus pockets for phones, notebooks, and other items.  On the exterior, a zippered front pocket and a magnetically-closed rear pocket provide even more storage.  The corners of the bag are reinforced, and the bottom is protected by metal feet.  The bag is available in a light and a dark (shown) brown; both bags have gunmetal hardware.

Price: $369.95
Where you can buy one: Sena Cases

Waterfield Designs Maverick Laptop Messenger Bag

You can always expect compact, sleek designs from WaterField, and the Maverick Laptop Messenger Bag is no exception.  It’s made of distressed, full-grain leather that will develop a richer patina with use, and has a 1.5″ webbing strap.  The hardware is black metal screw studs and industrial-grade rivets.  The interior is left unlined to show the beauty of the rawhide.  There are two padded interior pockets for a laptop and a tablet.  It’s available in black, chocolate, or grizzly leather and in a compact or full size to best fit your gear.

Price: $289 for compact; $319 for full
Read our review: Waterfield Designs Maverick Laptop Messenger Bag review
Where you can buy one: WaterField Designs

Price range $50 – $100

Tom Bihn Swift Bag

Several years ago, we reviewed the Tom Bihn Little Swift bag, which was a smaller size of the Swift bag designed by Tom for knitters.  Turns out, the Little Swift was a great everyday bag, with room to hold everything needed for the day, including ebook readers for even an iPad in a Cache sleeve.  The new iPad Pro 12.9″ needs more room, which is amply provided by the full-sized Swift.  The Pro fits inside the Horizontal iPad Pro 12.9 with Smart Keyboard Cache ($40.00), which in turn fits inside the Swift.  The internal clear, zippered pockets and the included Yarn Stuff Sack organize and secure all your daily gear inside.  It may be designed to hold knitting gear, but it works great as a daily gear bag.  We haven’t reviewed the Swift, but check out our review of the Little Swift to learn more about these bags.

Price: $90.00
Read our review: Tom Bihn Little Swift Review
Where you can buy one: Tom Bihn

Rolling bags

Price range $100+

ec-bc Sparrow II Wheeled Garment Bag

This wheeled carry-on bag holds all your gear and can charge it too!

Price: $299.99
Read our review: ec-bc Sparrow II Wheeled Garment Bag review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Biaggi Contempo 28″ Expandable 4 Wheel Spinner Upright folding luggage

This is a well made rolling case that has all the right features that you want in a piece of luggage. It expands to hold all your clothes and gear, and can then completely collapse for easy storage when you’re not traveling.

Price: $199.99
Read our review: Biaggi Contempo 28″ Expandable 4 Wheel Spinner Upright folding luggage review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Price range $10 – $50

AmazonBasics Rolling Laptop Case

My husband recently pinched a nerve in his back, resulting in a lot of pain and a weakened right arm.  His physical therapist told him to stop carrying heavy bags, so I went in search of a rolling laptop bag for him.  I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on it because I was afraid he would abandon it when his back was better.  I found that Amazon offered a rolling laptop bag in their AmazonBasics line.  I’ve loved every AmazonBasics product I’ve bought, so I decided I’d get this Rolling Laptop Case for Butch.  He’s used it for a couple of weeks now, and he has found it carries his 15″ laptop, binder, and other stuff with room to spare.  It rolls easily and quietly, and best of all, the handle extends to 39 or so inches, so my 6’2″-tall husband can pull it without it banging into his heels.

Price: $35.99
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Bag accessories

Price range $10 – $50

OP/TECH S.O.S. Curve Strap

This OP/Tech S.O.S. Curve Strap has been around for a long time, as witnessed by the 2004 Gadgeteer review (look at the bottom for this strap).  This strap has a neoprene panel acts as a “shock absorber” to make even the heaviest bag feel up to 50% lighter. The back of the neoprene panel has a non-slip surface to help keep the bag in place.  Heavy-duty 1.5″ webbing and sturdy metal hardware complete the S.O.S. (Saves on Shoulders) strap.  The length is adjustable, and it will work on a variety of bags, including briefcases, laptop bags, and luggage.

Price: $23.95
Read our review: Bag Strap Review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Packing Cubes and pouches

I know this might not seem like a very exciting gift idea, but once you start using packing cubes in your luggage, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without them. These zippered cubes with see-through tops and zippered pouches will keep everything in your luggage organized, neat, and tidy.

Price: $13.49
Where you can buy one: Amazon

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Gift Guide: Bags and backpacks originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 15, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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Pandora can now be controlled directly from within the Sonos App

Back in October, alongside the launch of the Sonos One, Sonos told us about several forth coming software updates which would include the ability to control Sonos directly from additional partner apps. Making true to that promise, today Sonos announced that you can now control your Sonos system directly through the Pandora app. And for those of you who own a Sonos One, you can now command Alexa to play Pandora stations. All three of Pandora’s services are supported by this new update – that includes Pandora, Pandora Plus, and now Pandora Premium. The Pandora app update is being rolled out to both iOS and Android versions and they are available to download today. 

Sonos says that a similar update for Tidal is on its way soon and that direct control and Alexa support will roll out to Audible, iHeartRadio and Kuke Music apps in 2018.

You can check out our review of the Sonos One here.

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Pandora can now be controlled directly from within the Sonos App originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 15, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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Newsflash – GoPro Fusion 360-degree camera now shipping

GoPro is just about single-handedly responsible for bringing wide-angle action video to the masses. But GoPro is also an adaptive company and not complacent to rest on its past successes. In response to the growing trend of VR and 360-degree spherical content, GoPro has developed Fusion with the ability to capture immersive 5.2K 360-degree movies. 

The camera features:

  • 5.2K30 and 3K60 Spherical Video
  • 18MP Spherical Photo
  • OverCapture Allows for Traditional Video Creation from 360 Footage
  • Advanced Stabilization
  • 360 Audio
  • Waterproof to 16ft (5m)
  • Time Lapse Video + Photo, Night Lapse and Burst Modes
  • Voice Control in 10 Languages
  • GPS, Accelerometer, Gyroscope and Compass
  • Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
  • In-box with: Fusion Grip, protective case, sticky mounts, battery, charging cable

GoPro has a reputation for great design, and this camera is already receiving praise for its outstanding design and engineering, earning a CES 2018 Innovation Award in the digital imaging category. Users can control the camera, live preview their shots, and stitch, trim and share content with the iOS GoPro app (Android coming soon). Desktop editing software supports a GoPro feature called  OverCapture, which lets you re-frame and save traditional fixed perspective videos from the captured 360-degree video. Yes, we’re much closer to being able to manipulate photos like Deckard. GoPro says a mobile OverCapture experience and new visual presets including Tiny Planet and PanoFlow will be released in early 2018.

Fusion is available today on GoPro.com and shipping 11/14/17 to USA, Canada, United Kingdom and the European Union for $699.99 (US); €749.99 EUR.

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Newsflash – GoPro Fusion 360-degree camera now shipping originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 14, 2017 at 8:41 pm.

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Lioe Phantom S420 scissors review

When Lioe design reached out to see if I would like to review the Lioe Titan business card holder they asked if I would also be interested in reviewing the Phantom S420 scissors.  I told Julie I’d be happy to check them out. Many of the items reviewed on The Gadgeteer are evaluated to describe and demonstrate their technical or tactical features. These scissors were primarily designed to enhance the aesthetic of everyday scissors, but also to cut. We’ll demonstrate the various ways to show off these scissors but also evaluate how they cut. Read on to see what I think!

Unboxing

The Phantom S420 scissors come in a slipcase covered black box appropriate for gift giving.

Below the slipcover is a black box emblazoned with the Lioe (pronounced Lee-Oh) logo.

Inside the scissors and display stand are fit into a precision cut foam insert. The box also includes an instruction card on how to use the display stand and a warning card that brings attention to the fact that these scissors are a sharpened cutting tool recommended for adult use only. The card includes language that waives Lioe’s liability for injuries due to improper use. Apparently, these scissors were used to cut a check to the Lioe Design attorney.

Display

Scissors used for routine secretarial work still spend most of the time in storage.  The idea behind these scissors was to get them out of a desk drawer or pencil cup and display them as a unique piece of functional art.  The feature image at the start of this review and the images below demonstrate how the shapes, surface finishes, colors, and textures evoke artistic elements of industrial design that transcend functionality and have come to be appreciated as objets d’art. The flutes on the image above and voids on the image below remind me of the flutes and vents on a set of disc brake rotors of a world-class racing car, or the sides of a Reading Streamliner.  The thumb and finger holes look like the voids cut out of steel beams. The red bushing on the central screw looks like a ruby jewel used in watchmaking. All these elements give the phantom scissors an appearance of something other than scissors.

The scissors are meant to be displayed. They come with a highly polished stainless steel display stand. The scissors slide into a groove and the stand widens the base enough for the scissors to stand upright on their side.The scissorss may be displayed as shown on the feature image or the image above, but may also be displayed by positioning the stand according to the images below. These positions give the display potential energy and adds a sense of strength. The scissors appear ‘stronger’ because they must support their own weight.

The two configurations above are probably the easiest way to display the scissors. Getting the scissors to sit in the stand at the end of the handle requires the stand be in a particular location versus it being positioned anywhere along the handle as in above. The configurations below require two-hands to hold the stand up on edge and also place the handle steel into the notch.

Use

The Phantom scissors have an artistic compromise that makes them a little bit different to use than the typical pair of scissors. The edges of the blades are positioned behind the knuckles of the thumb and fingers when holding the scissors and the edges do not pivot directly opposite the screw.  Because of this design (or even in spite of it) the cutting seems a bit more difficult to control than compared to using a standard scissors from OfficeMax. The tension can be adjusted by the central screw, but it is a Torx T8 style bolt.

Although the design is somewhat ambidextrous in that the thumb and finger holes are not contoured, the design of the scissors is actually left-handed, with the thumb blade on top of the finger blade when the thumb is positioned on the left. This means that right-handed users will tend to force the blades apart when closing. The area where the screw is located is very large so perhaps this effect will be minimized. My impression of this phenomenon is poor because I’m a lefty who has used right handed scissors all my life. Even if the alignment of the blades is unaffected by the asymmetric mechanics of the left and fight hands, right-handed individuals will need to cut across their body to see the  paper being cut because the finger blade will obscure the view if the scissors are held out strait.

Performance

Since I don’t have access to one of these I needed to come up with my own performance evaluation. The first test was to cut precisely across the lines of a piece of paper. The results below are from the Phantom 420.

The results below are from the OfficeMax scissors pictured above. I think that the OfficeMax scissors were easier to use. The results may appear to be the same but I had to concentrate a lot more to complete the cuts with the Phantom.

The next test was seeing how many sheets of paper the scissors could cut through and how those cuts looked. The paper below demonstrates the cutting performance through the indicated number of sheets. In reality, I just foled the paper upon itself and cut across the bundle. The sheet below was cut by the Phantom 420.

This sheet was cut by the OfficeMax scissors. There is barely a difference. The OfficeMax scissors were more comfortable because the handle is padded, but overall the results of the cuts look very similar. Both scissors had difficulty with the 32 sheet count.

Conclusion

These scissors are fantastic to look at and I can admire them all day, but when it come time to use them I miss my generic (right-handed) OfficeMax scissors.  Also, in keeping with the maxim “good art isn’t cheap, cheap art isn’t good” the Phantom scissors cost $65; quite a bit more than the $5.99 OfficeMax pair. Maybe if I keep using them I’ll learn to like them more, but for now I feel like they are like a great looking pop music act with only an average voice. Perhaps with some refinements they will be more appreciated, but for now they don’t make the cut.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Lioe. Please visit their site for more info and you can order one from Amazon.

 

Product Information

Price: $65
Manufacturer: Lioe
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • Light Duty Office Use – Paper or Card Stock Only
Pros:
  • style
  • left handed design for left handed people
Cons:
  • price
  • performance
  • left handed design for right handed people
  • unpadded finger/thumb hole

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Lioe Phantom S420 scissors review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 14, 2017 at 2:00 pm.

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