The Gadgeteer is moving to a new server

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NEWS – This is a quick announcement to let everyone know that we’ll be moving to a new web server early Saturday morning. There may be a service disruption for a day or so while all the name servers are being updated. If you are not seeing content updates for more than a couple of days, you’re still accessing the old site; please be careful when leaving comments because anything posted on the old site after 1 AM Central time tomorrow (Saturday) will be lost. You will know that you’ve arrived on the new site when you see posts newer than this one. 🙂

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The Gadgeteer is moving to a new server originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 5, 2018 at 10:00 pm.

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Gadgeteer Team EDC 2018 updates – Jacob Haas

ARTICLE – Below is a list of EDC gear I carry daily on my person.

1. BeatsX earphones
2. iPhone 7 Plus in a black Jisoncase Leather Slim-Fit case
3. Spyderco Ambitious G-10 knife
4. Herschel Felix Wallet
5. Lip balm (currently a stick of Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula)

And below are the items I typically carry in my bag. I currently use the Danny P. Leather Messenger bag, which I reviewed previously. Although I’m really taking a hard look at Adam Savage’s EDC Two… it looks awesome.
1. 12.9” iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard cover
2. Herschel Settlement Case that charging cables, adapters, an iPad SD card reader and many types of pens and highlighters
3. Lihit Lab Smart Fit Actact Wide Open Pen Case that I use as a dopp kit / first aid kit
4. a protein bar
5. Word Dot Grid notebook

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Gadgeteer Team EDC 2018 updates – Jacob Haas originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 4, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Gadgeteer Team EDC 2018 updates – Bob Patterson


ARTICLE – So what’s in my EDC? I usually commute to the office every day by car, but I do take the train to downtown Philadelphia a couple of times a month for meetings. Here’s how I gear up for a typical workday.

The Bag

The Bellroy Classic Plus Backpack has made it into my daily rotation, and I’m a huge fan. Just the right size for day trips, with a streamlined profile that makes it easy to maneuver in crowds. I love the organization of this bag, and the fact that it’s got enough style that I can dress it up with a jacket if need be.

Not Shown: As a frequent bag reviewer, I’m also switching out my primary carry from time to time. I love the Saddleback Leather Front Pocket Gear Bag when I want a big ol’ bag to throw stuff in. The Topo Designs Commuter Briefcase is also a favorite for its simple design, business-ready look, and the ability to convert to a backpack in a pinch. I’m still hunting for the perfect daily messenger bag, however, and will keep you up-to-speed as the hunt continues!

The Electronics

I just got a shiny new MacBook Pro 13″. It’s the basic model without the touch bar. I love the speed and portability of this little guy, and the screen is perfectly fine for working all day. The Thunderbolt-only ports are kind of a love/hate thing… I also carry a Belkin Adaptor that includes an HDMI and USB port for plugging in accessories (not shown).

I use an iPad Air 2 for the daily commute that’s connected to my work systems. I also have an iPad Pro 12.9″ (not shown) and Apple Pencil (also not shown) for personal use when I do my digital illustration work.

The Carry Accessories

Organizer pouches complete me. There’s no better way to wrangle your extra bits and doodads. I carry a Topo Designs Large Accessory Pouch for all those things that I don’t need to get to as often like medicines, screen cleaners, contact lens stuff, and spare charger cables. The Tom Bihn Cubelet is my favorite pouch for Apple device chargers and cables. It’s perfectly sized for a couple of power bricks and chords. I have a whole bunch of different Tom Bihn Organizer Pouches in smaller sizes (not shown) that I swap out as needed.

My iPad cover is a new one. It’s the new Saddleback Leather iPad Case, and it’s lean & mean beauty that doesn’t have the bulk of the original design (which I also own). Review coming soon!

My charger is the RavPower 16750 MaH Phone Charger, and it’s my favorite charger to date. Two USB ports for dual-charging, and a battery life that goes on for days and days. I never leave home without it.

My iPhone 6S case is one of the first items I reviewed for The Gadgeteer: a product that uses actual stone (slate, I believe) in the case backing. I love the look and slim design, so I keep using it. The manufacturer seems to have gone out of business. I’ll be upgrading to a new phone soon, so I am looking forward to testing some new options!

My wallet is the Flowfold Limited Edition Bifold Wallet. It’s made from super-high-tech sailcloth with X-ply technology. It’s slim, super-lightweight, and water-resistant. I love minimalist wallets.

Assorted Extras

The Yeti Insulated Travel Mugs are the greatest thing on Earth. The insulation is amazingly effective, and they retain a water-tight seal so they don’t leak if they get tossed around. My favorite bit about these is a little-known secret: the slider on the top is magnetic, which means you can completely remove it for deep cleaning. Plus, it’s just about as bomb-proof as you can get.

I happily admit that I am a coffee addict, and I recently started roasting my own beans (yeah, I’m that guy). I grind up what I need for the day, and use simple Ball Jars for transport. The thick glass is durable, and the sealed lids keep the beans (and grind) fresh. You can get high-tech options, but sometimes the classics just do the job right.

I am never without a pocket knife. Whether I’m opening packages or cutting an apple, I always find it handy to keep around. I have two that I switch between. One is a collaboration between Opinel and Topo Designs that comes in its own case (not shown), but it can be a bit bulky for day-to-day office running. For that purpose, I use the Higo No Kami fold out knife shown here. It’s elegant, small, simple, and has a legacy that dates back to the Samurai sword makers. It’s kind of cool as a piece of history in your pocket.

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Gadgeteer Team EDC 2018 updates – Bob Patterson originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 3, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Gadgeteer Team EDC 2018 updates – Alex Birch

ARTICLE – It’s always fun to see what is in someone’s pack. Here’s what I travel with on a daily basis.

What is that and where can I get one?

  1. MacBook Pro

    1. Lego baseplate

      • Allows me to get my lego fix daily as I use any of the items I’ve stuck on there
      • I’ve been running this system for probably 10 years and it’s started more conversations than anything else
      • Trimmed by hand and held on with Nitto double stick tape
      • All connected items have flat-top lego pieces stuck on the bottom with 3M VHB tape
    2. Seagate Backup Slim 2GB USB 3.0 drive with Cable Creation USB 3.0 to USB-C cable

      • 1GB partition for a full time-machine backup and the other for data storage and music library
      • Swapped out the one that came with the Seagate so it would work directly on MacBook if needed
    3. Satechi Aluminum TypeC Hub Adapter

      • 2 USB 3.o, 2 USB-C, micro and SD slots and HDMI
      • Ports also serve as cable/drive storage spots when not in actual use
    4. 32GB Leef USB drive with a zipper pull from Solo NY backpack
    5. Thinoptics Reading glasses

      • I’m getting old and now need reading glasses. This keeps them on me.
  2. Lamy Swift pen

    • Love the way this thing writes
  3. Fisher X-Mark Bullet Space Pen

    • Works when everything else won’t
  4. United Bees Meeting Notebook

    • Also usually have their Gantt and ToDo notebooks on me as well
    • Found these in a Singapore mall stationary store
  5. Crank Brothers Y16 Multi-tool

    • I ride a bicycle multiple times a week and this has the tools I need
  6. Yoobao battery pack with Anker Powerline II USB cable
    • Inexpensive and works, but no longer available with Lightning
    • Had to upgrade the cable
  7. Airpods with ACOUS ear gels and Elago Cable Button

    • I really like my Airpods, but they don’t fit my ears at all (not even close)
    • The ACOUS ear gels solved that problem completely
    • The cable button sticks to the Airpods case and gives the gels a home
  8. MacBook Power adapter and Power Trend Magnetic USB-C Charging Cable
    • I really missed Apple’s magnetic connector
  9. Stanley water bottle with requisite stickers
  10. iPad Pro 9.7″ in iVapo folio case with Apple Pencil
  11. Marmot PreCip Jacket

    • Lightweight rain/wind jacket.
    • San Francisco is notorious for sudden weather changes.

The Bag it all goes in

Mission Workshop R6 Field Pack

This is a great modular pack with interchangeable pouches and pockets. The Commuter is closest to what I’m running here. It’s crazy comfortable even when overloaded. The Arkiv hardware is metal which is awesome but compounds the empty weight when you keep adding pouches. @MissionWorkshop – Please make some glass-filled nylon hardware!

Other items that find themselves in/on the bag frequently…

Bern bike helmet, Various bike locks, Patagonia hooded puffy, Dainese moto gloves, Ten-One Mountie Plus, Assorted carabiners, A’s ballcap (Go A’s!)

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Gadgeteer Team EDC 2018 updates – Alex Birch originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 2, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Gadgeteer Team EDC 2018 updates – Kathleen Chapman

ARTICLE – My EDC hasn’t changed much from last year. I no longer carry around my iPod Touch 6G and I have added a couple of things. Here is a list of my current EDC. The links for each item will lead you to the review of that item (if there is one) within which you can then click on the link at the end of the review to purchase the item if you are interested.

1. Colonel Littleton No. 18 Leather Hunt Bag

I’ve been using the Colonel Littleton No. 18 Leather Hunt Bag for about 1.5 years and it has held up well. It is very well made using full grain leather, is durable, and holds all that I need it to.  It also saves me from having to go shopping for a new purse every year which I loathe having to do.

2. Small trash bag

Just in case I need one, which happens every now and then.

3. OLALA 7800 mAh Power Bank

This portable charger has saved my phone a few times while running around town. It has built-in micro-USB and Lightning cables which frees me from having to carry around additional cables.

4. Ancicraft Simple Classic Vintage Soft Genuine Leather Pencil Pouch

This leather pencil pouch (7.75″ L x 4″ W) carries all my makeup as well as tweezers and fingernail clippers. It’s not made from the best leather, but I haven’t been able to find a full grain leather pencil/makeup case in this particular size.

5. Lotion/hand sanitizer/pill bottle

I periodically need hand lotion especially in the wintertime, hand sanitizer especially during flu season, and a small pharmacy packed inside my pill bottle for various needs.

6. Loop High Fidelity Earplugs

This is a new item that I carry around with me. I use these to help dampen the sound level of our church service music each week which helps immensely with my hearing issues.

7. 60 inch/150 centimeter retractable tape measure

I use this tape measure all the time. It’s so handy that even my husband uses it while we’re out and about.

8. Microfiber cloth

I use this to clean the various screens/lenses that I carry with me (my phone’s screen and camera lens and my clip-on microscope lens). Underneath the cloth is a wallet-sized card that summarizes the Gospel which lifts my spirits on bad days and reminds me how much I’m loved and that I’m never alone.

9. My First Lab STEM Starter Kit: Smartphone Microscope

This is another new item. I carry this small clip-on microscope around just in case some interesting insects cross my path (I’m an entomologist – I like bugs!). I place the microscope’s lens over my phone’s camera lens to magnify the object. I can then take photos of the object too. Awesome.

10. MPOW Swift Bluetooth 4.0 Headphones

Although the Jaybird X3 earbuds are my primary use headphones while at home, I use the MPOW Swift headphones when I’m away from home just in case I want to pass the time while in line at oh, say, the DMV or something (I might as well learn on YouTube how to build a house while I’m waiting). These headphones are really comfortable, inexpensive and sound great.

11. Anker USB-C to Micro USB Adapter/SIM card tool

Since I upgraded my phone to the Google Pixel 2 XL, I needed an adapter to use with my OLALA portable battery which has the built-in micro-USB cable. I like the adapter and it works well. I also keep a SIM card tool with me just in case I might need a small pointy object.

12. Polar M400 sports watch

I’ve had this watch for years now. It works with my Polar H7 heart rate monitor chest strap and calculates the stats that I’m interested in when I exercise. I also use it to alert me to texts messages and other notifications on my phone. It doesn’t have any other smart features, but it provides enough to keep me happy.

13. Pixel 2 XL phone/Caseology Legion Pixel 2 XL case

I love my Pixel 2 XL phone. It receives OS updates almost immediately which is of utmost importance to me. In addition, the camera is AWESOME – I use it to photograph all my review items. Furthermore, the screen is large enough to watch videos and the fingerprint sensor works really well.

I use the Caseology Legion case on my Pixel 2 XL phone (shown above) to protect it from drops (it’s a military-grade drop tested case). I’d rather not have any case on this beautiful phone, but since I paid $850 for it and I tend to be clumsy, better safe than sorry.

14. Small notepad

You never know when you might need some paper…

15. Garzini Essenziale Finestra wallet

This is my primary use wallet. It is a leather wallet which carries all my necessary cards (6 plastic cards and 5 paper cards) and dollar bills. I’ve used it for almost two years and it looks virtually new. I love it!

16. Benjamin Bott Design Chickadee English Tan ultra minimalist wallet

This is a “full grain English tan Dublin Horween leather (4.5 oz or 1.8 mm)” wallet. This wallet is an awesome durable minimalist leather wallet. It’s gorgeous to look at and incredibly well made. I use it to carry around my restaurant cards, coupons, bandaids, and alcohol wipes.

17. Writing Utensils (in order from left to right in the top photo)

I keep things like the Sharpie highlighter and Twin-Tip permanent marker on hand for highlighting reading materials and for mailing packages.

The Big Idea Ti pens are my favorite pens. The Ti Arto pen (the silver pen) accommodates over 200+ refills and is a nice length pen that also has a great weight and feel to it but requires you to unscrew the cap and post it on the end of the pen. The Ti Pocket Pro (the black pen) automatically adjusts to the length of 80+ different refills and twists open when you need a pen in a hurry.

The Pentel Twist-Erase pencil (the black pencil) is my favorite mechanical pencil because of its simple design and the fact that it contains a replaceable twist eraser. My husband and I have used this pencil since our college days and that was in the last century. You might say it’s vintage.

18. Colonel Littleton Pencil Case

As you can see, I love leather. I love this leather pencil case. It is simple and very well made using full grain leather. It keeps all my writing utensils upright in my purse and easily accessible. It is rather tall (6.5″ H x 3” W), but it fits well in my Colonel Littleton No. 18 Leather Hunt Bag.

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Gadgeteer Team EDC 2018 updates – Kathleen Chapman originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 1, 2018 at 10:15 am.

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