Home 2017 November

Burkley Magnetic Detachable Leather Wallet iPhone X case review

Last year I reviewed several Burkley iPhone 7 cases, one classic case, and one minimalistic wallet. Both very well made and designed to not only protect your smartphone but accentuate it in nicely done Turkish leather. With the release of the iPhone X, Burkley has recently introduced a suite of cases meant to protect Apple’s latest & greatest flagship. For this review, they sent their magnetic detachable leather wallet case for us to check out. 

The Burkley magnetic wallet combines 2-in-1 functionality into a single case. A book-style leather wallet and a detachable snap-on case that can be used independently or in combination.

The case is constructed of an impact resistant polycarbonate infrastructure with a piece of well-finished leather inlaid into the back of the case. The smooth rubber finish and natural Turkish leather skin inside the case protects the back of the handset against scratches and smudges.

The case is nicely fitted for the iPhone X, having a very tight fit with zero gaps along the curved edge where the plastic meets the stainless steel sides.

My only gripe in craftsmanship is there is a small gap between the inlayed back leather and the case itself. This space goes around much of the leather. Even though it is a small thing, I envision that void eventually getting ick/dust/crumbs trapped in the gap.

The snap-on case magnetically connects to the leather wallet. As I mentioned above, the wallet has a book-style orientation that is held closed by a magnet flap.

The wallet can hold identification, credit cards, bills, etc. Once broken in, the wallet can hold 6 or so cards and a fair amount of money. I hate to say it, but a majority of the time I need to carry more junk/happiness than this wallet has a capacity for. But my wife was VERY interested in its functionality and form factor. So, if/when she inherits my X next year (when I upgrade to the X+) this case maybe a serious contender as her case.

This case clicks onto the smartphone, covering and protecting nearly all of the iPhone’s sides and back. There are push-throughs for all the buttons and a cutout that allows access to the iPhone’s mute switch. The buttons themselves are easily pressed when desired and have a good tactile feel to them.

The case covers the entire top of the iPhone.

The right side has a single push-thru for the Siri/Apple Pay/power button.

The base of the case has cutouts for the lightning connector and speaker holes.

The Burkley case perfectly wraps around all sides of the X but does not extend above the screen. Which I actually prefer in a case so your thumb and fingers can flow/swipe on & off the screen without bumping into any edging. The case works well with a screen protector, as seen installed in this pic.

While the case itself doesn’t add much bulk or weight to the iPhone, once you add the wallet full of cards and money the combo does get pretty thick. That said, I can see this wholistic single solution working for many folks.

The case feels great on the iPhone, adding grippability and protection without adding much weight or bulk to the sleek and slim device. The leather on the back and rubber sides is a great combination of look, feel, and form while adding a decent amount of protection.

Even the wallet and case combo has a nice feel. It’s combined form factor isn’t too unwieldy and would easily fit in a coat pocket or purse.

The Burkley magnetic detachable leather wallet case also adds a good deal of operational functionality to the iPhone. Not only does it enable you to carry credit cards and money, but allows you to use magnetic mounts and the wallet acts as a stand for watching media content.

The iPhone X’s camera bump is slightly recessed providing greater protection.

In addition to Distressed Coffee, the Magnetic Detachable Leather Wallet Case For Apple iPhone X is also available in: Burnished Tan, Pebble Black, Antique Golden Brown, Distressed Antique Camel and Saffiano Navy Blue.

Overall, I like the Burkley’s detachable/magnetic leather case and wallet combo. The pair adds both protection and functionality to the iPhone X. Its detachability and magnetic interface make it extremely versatile as well. The rubber and leather case gives excellent grip-ability to the very slick iPhone. A solid choice for consideration if you’re looking for this kind of wallet/case combo.

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

 

Product Information

Price: $69
Manufacturer: Burkley Cases
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • iPhone X
Pros:
  • Excellent material quality
  • Nice functionality/combo case
  • Detachable
  • Well fitted for iPhone X
  • Can carry many credit cards/ID and bills
  • Can transform into iPhone stand
Cons:
  • Back leather in case should be more precisely fitted for inset.

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Burkley Magnetic Detachable Leather Wallet iPhone X case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 27, 2017 at 4:51 pm.

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The Nest Thermostat 3rd Generation is on sale right now for $169.15!

Quick! Get your 3rd Generation Nest Thermostat for $169.15 at Amazon (down from $249.99, Stainless Steel version)! I have one and am very pleased with it. During the first week of using it, it learns the temperatures that you like and uses that information to program itself (you can alter the program at any time). The Nest Thermostat connects to your WiFi so that you can control the temperature even when you are away from home (a feature I particularly enjoy). In addition, I find that each of us uses it every day to find out the outside temperatures for the day in order to dress appropriately for the weather here. This thermostat works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home too, just in case you were wondering. This sale pertains only to the Stainless Steel version. The Copper version is $189 and the White version is $199. I have no idea how long this sale will last, so if you’ve been wanting one or know someone who does, now is the time! Just head over to Amazon to purchase one now. If you find that this is still too expensive for you, you might try to find an energy company near you that will offer you one for free if you sign up for certain duration of their service (I received my Nest for free by signing up for two years of service).

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The Nest Thermostat 3rd Generation is on sale right now for $169.15! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 27, 2017 at 3:25 pm.

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Cyber Monday Deal on Schlage Smart Lock with Handleset

The Schlage Smart Lock I reviewed here is on sale at Home Depot and includes free delivery. The sale item includes the Schlage Connect Satin Nickel Camelot Smart Lock with alarm and Handleset with left-handed accent lever. The deal saves you $108.56 (38%) off the normal sale price of $287.56 so you can get everything for $179.00. Visit Home Depot for the deal! Hurry – the sale ends 11/30!

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Cyber Monday Deal on Schlage Smart Lock with Handleset originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 27, 2017 at 1:37 pm.

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Gift Guide: Gear for the EDC enthusiast

You know the type… they always seem to have a little pocketknife, pen, tool or cloth for every situation, jumping in at the right time to help you open a package or clean up a little mess. Jacob and Janet have teamed up to create this list with the hopes that something will catch your eye for that special someone, or yourself. 

Recycled Firefighter – Nomex Handkerchief

This fire resistant and absorbent Nomex handkerchief comes in several handsome colors and is a great pocket companion for all your other EDC things. It’s 11×11” and looks to be one of the top reviewed items on their site.

Price: $24 • Recycled Firefighter

Taylor Stitch – Raw Brass Keyhook

Cast from raw brass, this minimalistic keyhook looks great and will only look better with age as it develops a natural patina. It will last basically forever and goes with just about everything.

Price: $32 • Taylor Stitch

Standard Goods – Good and Well Co. Cologne Balm

Sometimes you need a little scent boost to feel refreshed in the middle of the day and these little cologne balms are perfect for a quick dab of olfactory goodness. They come in natural scents like sandalwood and black spruce needle.

Price: $20 • Standard Goods

Quiet Carry – Q2 Titanium Key Organizer

The Q2 consolidates 4-8 keys within a titanium housing and also incorporates a locking blade with your choice of blade type – multitool, bottle opener with a knife blade or clip point blade. Note from Julie: I reviewed their Bandit keychain knife and recommend it as well made useful little knife.

Price: $68 • Quiet Carry

Draplin Design Co – DDC Stuff Sheath

There are lots of us who carry around a little notebook to jot down ideas in, like a little Field Notes pad or Moleskine Cahier, only to have them mangled by a denim back pocket. So Draplin Design created a leather sheath for wrangling your small notebook, receipts, note scraps, tickets and whatever else you might have bouncing around inside your bag or pockets.

Price: $39.99 • Draplin Design Co.

Keyport Slide 3.0 key organizer

The Gadgeteer has reviewed every iteration of the Keyport Slide, and we recently reviewed the Slide 3.0, the newest version.  It’s available with four or six ports to hold a combination of key slides and tools like USB flash drives and pens.  The normal slide plates can be replaced with one with a flashlight, a knife blade, or one with both a flashlight and a TrackR locator.

Price: $39 for the four slot; $49 for the 6 slot
Read our review: Keyport Slide 3.0 and Pivot key organizers review
Where you can buy one: Keyport

Snake Hook

When you carry light without a gear bag, you may want something to make sure your keys don’t fall out of your pocket. The Snake Hook attaches to your belt to secure your keychain.  The Snake Hook keychain hook (also known as a pelican hook, key loop, or belt hook by some) is made of solid brass in the USA.  It measures 2-5/8″ long x 3/8″ wide x 5/8” deep.

Price: $24
Where you can buy one: Snake Bite Co.

True Utility FIXR Multi-tool (20 tools in 1)

The True Utility FIXR multi-tool is like having a toolbox in your pocket.  This little powerhouse is packed with twenty tools: various screwdrivers, wrenches, box cutter, pry bar, bottle opener, nail cleaner, bicycle spoke wrench, ruler, cutting blade, wire stripper, and more.  It’s 3.3″ X 1″ X 0.35″, so it won’t take up much room in your bag or pocket.

Price: $12.13
Read our review: True Utility FIXR multi-tool review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Snake Bite Church Key Bottle Opener

Most bottle/can openers I’ve seen have one rounded end for popping off bottle caps and one sharp, pointy end for punching holes in cans.  These days, most beverage cans come with pop-tops, so many can openers now only have the rounded end for bottle caps.  The Snake Bite opener has only a pointed end – actually an end with two points.  The two points allow it to fit over a bottle cap, so you can still open a bottled beverage with it.  And they will, of course, allow you to punch two triangular holes in a can.  Why do you need the holes when you have a pop-top?  The holes vent the can, resulting in a less foamy, less bubbly pour.

The Snake Bite Church Key is made of 302 stainless steel.  It’s covered by a 6-oz vegetable-tanned leather sheath that’s held together with a military-grade kydex holster rivet and hard-drawn nickel-plated steel split ring.  It’s available in a variety of leather colors and special editions.

Price: $25
Where you can buy one:Snake Bite Co.

LighterBro multitool sleeve for BIC lighter

LighterBro multitool sleeves turn a standard or a mini BIC lighter into a multi-functional pocket tool.  Depending on the model, you’ll add tools like knife blades, scissors, screwdrivers, awls, rulers, and more.  The sleeves are made of Japanese steel for strength, and they are available in a variety of colors and toolsets.  You’ll need to supply your own BIC lighter.

Price: $10-20, depending on size, color, and toolset
Read our news post: LighterBro turns a BIC lighter into a multi-tool
Where you can buy one: LighterBro

Titanium Innovations IlluminaTi CA1-TI Flashlight

This little keychain flashlight has a titanium body for strength and a CREE XP-G G2 LED bulb and OP reflector for brightness and endurance.  It’s rated IPX-7 for water-resistance.  It uses a common AAA battery (Li, NiMh, or alkaline; alkaline is included).  By twisting the barrel, you turn the light on through a low, medium, or high setting.

Price: $49.95
Read our news post: Titanium Innovations IlluminaTi Flashlight
Where you can buy one: BatteryJunction

PK-TPE-BK Tactical Pen & Writing Instrument

This pen might literally be mightier than the sword, in every sense of the word.  It’s made of CNC machine milled high-grade aerospace aluminum, measures 5.75″ long, and weighs 1.6 ounces.  It has a threaded cap that can post on the lethal-looking end when you are using the included Fisher Space Pen refill for writing.  Screw the cap over the pen when you are using the pointy end for “taking names”.

Price: $169.95
Read our post: This PK Design Labs tactical pen is made of nightmares
Where you can buy one: PK Design Labs or Amazon

BIC 4-color 3+1 Ball Pen and Pencil

You’ve probably seen those BIC pens with the blue and white barrels and the four different colors of ink: red, blue, green, and black.  This version has a silver and white barrel, and it has replaced the green ink with a 0.7mm mechanical pencil.  There’s a push button on the top of the pen that advances the lead, and there’s a white pencil eraser under the clear cap on the push button.

Price: $5.48
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Fisher Space Pen

Fisher Space Pens were created for astronauts to use in the rigors of space.  They’ll write through water or oil spots on paper; write at any angle, even upside-down; even write in zero gravity – so they should be able to handle anything you experience in your day.  The pens come in various sizes, including the very compact Bullet version shown above.  They come in various colors and in different designs, so you can find a pen that suits your needs.

Price: $17,89 for matte black bullet, shown above.  Prices vary for other models.
Read our post: Did you know that there’s a Fisher Space pen for your backpack?
Where you can buy one: Amazon or Fisher Space Pen

Timbuk2 Blue Bottle Coffee Travel Kit

This won’t fit in your pocket, but it might prove a vital piece of equipment for the coffee addict.  Timbuk2 has stowed a Porlex mini hand grinder (burr), Blue Bottle travel dripper, two porcelain-covered steel Falcon enamelware tumblers, and two Timbuk2 Zarf cup covers into their own perfectly-sized travel bag.  The kit comes with some filters and some beans to get you started.

Price: $125
Read our news post: Brew your coffee your way with this Timbuk2 travel kit
Where you can buy one: Timbuk2 Designs

Knomo Elektronista Crossbody / Clutch Bag

The Elektronista is made by Knomo and designed in conjunction with Danish blogger and broadcaster, Christiane Vejlø.  We first told you about it back in 2015, and it’s still available today.  It may seem like just a feminine gear bag, but it’s actually a portable charging station for your mobile devices.  It’s big enough to hold a 10″ tablet inside, plus there are lots of pockets and pouches to keep your phone and smaller gear neatly organized.  A detachable strap allows you to wear it crossbody or carry it as a clutch with the strap removed.  It also comes complete with a 5000mAh battery and micro USB charging cable; you’ll need to provide your own Apple cable, if needed.  The Elektronista is available in either leather or a splash-resistant material.

Price: $269 for leather; $199 for fabric, with some colors on sale at $99
Read our news post: Here’s the ultimate charging clutch for the gadget-loving woman
Where you can buy one: Knomo

ParaWallet paracord wallet

This bi-fold style wallet may not be as sleek as some wallets, but it could save you in extreme circumstances.  It’s made of 50+ feet of 550 lb 7-strand paracord that can be unraveled and used to help you feed yourself or get yourself out of sticky circumstances.  It also has a ferrocerium fire starter rod, a stainless steel emblem, and tinder (hidden inside tag) so you can start a fire.

Price: $65
Read our news post: You can catch a fish and start a fire to cook it with this wallet
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Pearl Compact Mirror and USB Battery Pack

Multifunctional items are the key to traveling light, and the Pearl compact Mirror and USB Battery Pack has three functions in a small package.  It’s about the same size as a mirrored compact, and inside you’ll find both a regular and a magnifying mirror so you can check your hair before heading to that meeting.  But it also packs a 3000mAh battery inside that can be used to recharge your mobile device or to power the ring of LEDs around one of the mirrors.  The LEDs help you see yourself better in the mirror, and they can even function as a flashlight in a pinch.

Price: $20-30, depending on color
Read our review: Pearl Compact Mirror and USB Battery Pack review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

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Gift Guide: Gear for the EDC enthusiast originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 27, 2017 at 12:00 pm.

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V-Moda Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones review

I generally put headphones I review into three categories: Too bassy, too accurate or a balance between the two extremes. Headphones that are too bassy make music sound muffled and oppressive. Overly accurate headphones will accentuate everything that is good in music if the music you are listening to is taken from high-resolution files. But they also expose the bad because they can’t tell the difference. It’s the middle ground—mama bear if you will—where many headphones belong. Among these are the V-Moda Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones.

V-Moda entered the headphone market by wisely crowd-sourcing—among headphone enthusiasts—the sound signature for their original Crossfade headphone. V-Moda’s plan worked. The Crossfade sold well and spawned other models culminating in the Crossfade 2. Now, V-Moda has made a wireless version of the Crossfade 2 and why not? Bluetooth quality has improved dramatically over the last few years and keeps getting better. Plus, everyone seems to be jumping on the Bluetooth bandwagon.

V-Moda’s Crossfade 2 Wireless has managed to keep its unique and wonderful folding engineering called “CliqFold”. It has to be seen to be appreciated. These are full-sized headphones that fold into something quite small and can be put into their equally small form-fitted hard case. So you get the best of many worlds. The Wireless Crossfade 2 headphones are truly portable.

The case will hold both the charging and wired-mode cables, although it does get a bit cramped when closing the case. The case also has two clever, removable vent port covers. When removed, air can circulate inside the case during storage. This is a bigger deal than it seems at first. I’ve actually found a fine mold on ear pads inside cases that were sealed a bit too well.

Speaking of ear pads, the Crossfade 2’s pads are really comfortable. I have experienced no discomfort after hours of wearing. Surprisingly, this is not the norm. The Crossfade 2 headphone is called over-ear, but on my head, the ear cups are on the small side (for over-ear). That’s not a big deal for me, but it’s something to consider if you have larger ears.

The headband is made of vegan leather (I prefer real leather—apologies to cows everywhere). More headband padding would be better, but that’s a minor complaint since comfort is not compromised.

V-Moda has used materials judicially—the Crossfade 2’s metal frame is thin, yet quite strong. There isn’t any wasted space. Each piece serves a purpose and still, the Crossfade 2 Wireless is one of the better-looking headphones on the market in its price range. However, they are not conservatively designed, so you may disagree.

The Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones come in three color combinations: Matte Black/black metal; matte white/silver metal and black/rose gold metal. I received the white model with a silver steel frame. Even though I prefer black, I have to photograph what I review and white shows details that are difficult to highlight when everything is black. So, white it is.

It doesn’t stop there. V-Moda wants to promote an interesting aspect to the Crossfade headphones: The metal plates on each ear cup are customizable. You can either choose one of V-Moda’s designs or send V-Moda one of your own. If you’re not creative, V-Moda offers many (almost too many) choices and colors in either 3D printed precious metal, 3D printed steel, 3D printed fibre or laser etched metal, which is what I chose. I sent V-Moda my logo to be printed white on black. They are quite unusual looking on the white model I received. This makes for great photos, but I’ve also grown to like the look. Putting your name on some headphones makes them yours. I like that! Note that the custom plates are an extra-cost option.

Obviously, these are Bluetooth wireless headphones. With many headphones, pairing with your smartphone or other Bluetooth enabled device can be a pain, but not with the Crossfade 2. Just slide the On/off button and hold for 3 seconds. That’s it. Weird radar sound prompts tell you when you’re connected. I prefer voices that actually say “Connected” as some headphones do, but it’s no big deal. What is a big deal is that you have to remember to turn the headphone off when you’re done. Despite the generous 14+ hours of battery life, I have drained the battery by forgetting. For forgetful people like me, it would be nice if the headphones could automatically shut down after a few minutes of not being worn.

The right ear cup houses basic music controls: Volume up/down; pause/play and track skip forward/backward. The buttons have embossed controls that are easy to feel without distraction.

The Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones have a built-in mic for calls. In testing, persons I was talking to could hear me fine, but the quality was not as good as speaking directly into the phone itself. V-Moda makes an optional boom mic that makes calls sound great and they are perfect for gamers. In my testing, the mic had to be used in wired mode because plugging them in shut off Bluetooth.

As I said earlier in this review, the sound signature of the CrossFade 2 Wireless headphones is what I call “mama bear”. This middle ground makes them slightly warm sounding and accurate at the same time. What does this mean? As long as you are not listening to heavily compressed MP3 files, these headphones will accurately portray your music with all its nuances giving you a pleasing reproduction. However, they are not so accurate that they reveal every glitch in a music file. Minor irritants that are brought out with super accurate phones are masked over, so what’s left is the fun factor of listening to your favorite song. That’s what “warm” sound means. That is not an easy thing to do when making headphones, but V-Moda did it with these.

While testing the Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones, I primarily used my iPhone 7+ as the music source. Whether using Bluetooth or hardwired or listening to Apple Music or CDs I’ve stored on the device itself, I’m not disappointed. Having said that, the Crossfade 2s do sound better hard wired than wireless. The volume is louder, plus there is more clarity and punch to the music. That’s normal. Hard-wired always sounds better. Bluetooth has vastly improved, but it still can’t compete with wires—at least not yet. I’m convinced that one day soon, it will sound just as good as wired. Despite that, I used Bluetooth almost all the time. It’s just too convenient and the audio is still great.

Rachmaninov’s choral masterpiece “Bless the Lord, O my Soul” is music that is so beautiful that it will give you goosebumps. The Moscow Chamber Choir is pitch perfect and haunting at the same time. The recording is sublime and the Crossfade 2 wireless headphones add just the right amount of warmth. When you’re as big a fan of Russian Choral music as I am, listening with these headphone is a major treat.

Speaking of goosebumps, Enya’s “Water Shows the Hidden Heart” from the album “Amaratine” is a speaker tester halfway through the song when Enya’s voice reaches into the stratosphere. It’s at this point in the song where distortion can happen. The Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones breezed right through the passage with no problems. Her singing retained all its beauty, sans distortion.

That’s not to say that the Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones can’t rock. Siouxsie and the Banshees thumper, “Peek-A-Boo” packs a bass wallop that can cause people to rip headphones off heads in bass distortion frustration. However, these headphones provide a bottom kick that can be felt in your head as well as heard. And I even cranked up the volume. My ears gave out before any distortion showed up. Fun.

V-Moda offers what they call Six-Star service, which is a one-year warranty plus a 50% replacement cost for life.

\V-Moda clearly has a winner with the Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones. They’re not cheap, but if you want a pair of headphones that fit that middle spot where they sound good with all kinds of music, are built like a tank and are wireless, then the Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones will start to look like a bargain.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by V-Moda. The Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones sell for $330 US. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $350 US
Manufacturer: V-Moda
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Fit that middle ground for all kinds of music
  • Extremely comfortable
  • Built well
  • Fold into an impossibly small shape
Cons:
  • Not cheap
  • So-so built-in mic (optional boom mic fixes that)

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V-Moda Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 27, 2017 at 11:00 am.

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