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Star Wars – The Last Jedi Portable Battery Charger With Laser Pointer review

So you’re a discerning Star Wars fan. You thought you had all the toys and gear… until now. How about a lightsaber that’s also a charger for your portable devices and a laser pointer?

What, you don’t have one of those? This is your lucky day. We’re going to find out more. We’d be honored if you would join us!

What is it?

It’s an officially licensed reproduction of Rey’s lightsaber from Star Wars – The Last Jedi, scaled down for portability. It’s a mobile device charger. It’s also a laser pointer, so you can show off your Jedi skills while pointing out the highlights in that PowerPoint presentation. You’ll just need to provide your own sound effects.

Hardware specs

  • Battery Type: Lithium-ion Battery
  • Battery Capacity: 6,000 mAh
  • Input (Micro USB): 5V@2A
  • Output (USB Type A): 5V@2A
  • Dimensions: 26 x 26 x 179mm
  • Compatible: iPhone, Android & Window Mobile Phones

What’s in the box?

The package comes with the lightsaber/charger/laser pointer, and a micro-USB charging cable.

Design and features

The device is modeled after the most famous lightsaber in the Star Wars saga, owned by the Skywalker clan and ultimately passed to Rey in the Force Awakens. If you’re a stickler for replica details, it’s a good one: all the knobs, buttons, and finishing details are on point despite being nonfunctional (it’s all molded plastic). It’s also a surprisingly substantial build, measuring 7” long and weighing in at 5 ounces. With a rubber grip for easy handling, it looks & feels durable enough to take some rough use.

The base of the handle is where your charging happens. There’s a full-sized USB port for charging your mobile devices and a micro-USB port for charging the unit. A nice USB-to-micro-USB cable is included that doubles as a lanyard that can be attached to the lightsaber. 

The laser pointer projects from the business end of the lightsaber, and is activated by a tiny button next to the USB port on the base. The lase is blue, of course, keeping with the authenticity of the replica (no red Sith lighting here!).

Setup

Setup is a straightforward affair. Find yourself a USB port, and plug in via the micro-USB cable to charge it up. You can also plug your device into the USB port to charge both items simultaneously.

Performance

With my iPhone 6S and moderate use, I was able to go about 4 days before I needed to go find an outlet. There are a lot of variables that go into the power consumption equation, however: device capacity, amount and type of usage, and age of the devices all impact charging potential. My iPhone has an 1800 mAh, for example. While the iPhone 7 and 8 have similar battery sizes to the 6S, the iPhone 7/8 plus models (or the Galaxy s8) ring in at around 3000 mAh capacity (give or take). They also consume power faster for those big screens. You’ll want to consider your device and usage requirements to see if 6000 mAh is enough to get you between recharges.

I should also note that the 5V@2A USB port is not sufficient for charging most tablets. With only 6000 mAh, it won’t get you far anyway… but you can’t use it as an emergency power source in a pinch.

The laser pointer itself is surprisingly legit. It’s not good power and a range that’s strong enough to use across a large conference room. And it feels good to use as a pointing device, being a bit more beefy than a tiny clicker. It’s not exactly subtle, however… you’ll own your geek cred when you pull this out of your bag (I have a Yoda tattoo. I won’t judge.).

Unfortunately, the Brando Star Wars Lightsaber Portable Battery Charger and laser Pointer is a bulky and expensive piece of gear for what it does. Ultra-compact, pocket-sized 6000 mAh mobile chargers are pretty easy to come by for under $20. Chargers this size typically sport 20000 mAh or more (enough to charge some tablets), and can be had in the $30 to $50 range. While the laser pointer is a nice touch, it doesn’t justify a retail price of $100 for this unit if you’re just looking for a mobile charging device. It’s also too big to fit in your pocket, so be prepared to stash it in your bag or backpack on the go.

What I like

  • It’s a quality replica piece.
  • Well built, durable, and substantial.
  • It’s got a good laser pointer for calling out those flaws in the Death Star design.
  • Hardcore Star Wars fanboy/fangirl credentials. Respect.

What needs to be improved

  • It’s big and bulky for a mobile charger.
  • 6000 mAh charge capacity is on the low end these days.
  • Not able to charge tablets and similar higher-powered devices.
  • Expensive for a charging device with limited capacity.

Final thoughts

Here’s the thing: the Brando Star Wars Lightsaber Portable Battery Charger and laser Pointer is intended as a collectible movie replica product. If you’re a big Star Wars fan, this is a pretty cool gadget to add to your collection. It’s a neat conversation piece, and it’s actually got some useful functionality. It’s not cheap at $100, however, and there are plenty of more portable (and more powerful) charging options out there at significantly lower price points. The choice is yours, my Jedi friend. Let the Force guide your actions.
Price: $100
Where to buy: Brando
Source: The sample of the product was provided by Brando.

SANDMARC iPhone X camera lenses review

SANDMARC offers camera products for GoPro, DJI drones, the iPhone 7, 8 (both standard and plus models), and the iPhone X.  The lenses I will be talking about are the iPhone X versions.

What is it?

The SANDMARC Lenses for iPhone are easily attachable lenses, each serving a specific purpose for the kind of photograph you are wanting to take.  Installation is quick and easy and the lenses produce a high-quality image that takes your photos to the next level through the use of the macro, fisheye or wide lenses.  Later in the review, I will show you some photos taken with and without the SANDMARC lenses to show the difference that they make.

Hardware specs

Lets first talk about attachment to your phone.  Each lens comes with its own iPhone case that allows for simple attachment of your lens.  when not using a lens, the case will work to protect your phone but is not the most rugged case out there, but that’s not the intended purpose.  The attachment point on the case protrudes quite a bit from the body of the phone so if you don’t plan on using the lens(es) often, you might find the clip attachment an easier solution.  Also included with each lens is a clip that attaches to the lens and clips onto your phone, whether or not you are using another kind of iPhone case.  This flexibility is a really nice feature to of these products.  If I was going to be spending a day shooting pictures I would just use the case provided for quick attachment of whichever lens I needed.  For the one off occasions I use the clip so I don’t have to remove my regular iPhone case.

Picture below was taken without a SANDMARC Lens

Wide lens: this lens gives you 2 times more field of view; 16mm lens; 0.56X magnification; 71g; 24.2 mm height and 42 mm diameter.  This is a great lens for action shots, outdoor/landscape photography and travel.

The picture below is the same shot as above using the wide lens.

Fisheye lens: this lens gives you 5 times more field of view; 10 mm lens; 55 g, 23 mm height; 38 mm diameter.  This lens is perfect for large landscape shots, sporting events and anything else that a very wide field of view would make for a more stunning photograph.

The picture below is the same shot using the fisheye lens

Macro lens: designed to capture details not seen by the naked eye you will be very impressed by the vivid details that are uncovered with this lens.  Ideal for photographing small objects at very close range the macro lens is ideal for photographing flowers, insects, snowflakes and other detailed still subjects that we don’t often get to see the details of.  25 mm lens; 10X magnification; 25.4 g; 15 mm height; 38 mm diameter.

What’s in the box?

Each lens comes packaged with an iPhone case, a clip on attachment, lens covers, a soft carrying pouch and a microfiber cloth.

Designs and features

The thoughtful design of how these lenses seem to be a natural extension of the iPhone makes for a very easy and enjoyable user experience.  If it was a pain or a process to attach them I don’t think I would be using them as much as I am.  When you use the clip to attach it to the phone, it is easy to line it up with the lens on the phone because you can easily see the placement and alignment on the screen.  The weight of the lenses are definitely noticeable and make your phone feel a lot more like a regular camera.  You won’t likely be slipping your phone with the lens attached into your pocket because to produce the effects you get with each lens, they are not small but that is to be expected.

Positives

High quality and sturdy lenses and housings that feel like high grade camera equipment; stunning images that elevate the already great camera on the iPhone X to the next level; cases and clips that are designed to work interchangeably if you own more than one of their lenses; available for iPhones models 7 and up; can be purchased individually or as a set including all three lenses I have discussed.

Negatives

The case probably isn’t something you would want to use as your everyday iPhone case but to be fair, I’m not sure that is the intent of it.  Honestly, I haven’t found a real negative concerning this set of lenses.

Final thoughts

I have always been intrigued by the lens attachments for mobile phones that I have seen over the past couple of years.  To say that I was skeptical about the functionality, quality and difference they would make would be putting it mildly.  Recently I was sent a set of lenses from SANDMARC (wide angle, macro and fisheye) and after quickly attaching them to my phone and snapping some photos, I was thoroughly impressed.  The design of the lenses and how they attach/clip to your phone is very well thought out.  I really enjoyed using the included iPhone case for quick installation of a lens or changing them when needed but I have found myself using the clip on function even more as I quickly grab a lens to take a shot.  Each case is the same so if you buy multiple lenses, you can use one case to attach all the lenses, which makes for a very convenient platform to elevate your photography by quickly snapping in a new lens.

After using these for the last few weeks I couldn’t be happier with them and have been really impressed with the difference they have made with my photographs.  If you enjoy taking high quality pictures and going beyond what your phone is capable of, I wholeheartedly recommend checking these lenses out.

Price: Macro: $69.99, Wide angle: $89.99, Fisheye: $79.99, Set of all 3: $189.99
Where to buy: SANDMARC
Source: The samples for this review were provided by SANDMARC.

Nikko Air Race Vision 220 FPV Pro drone review

The Drone Racing League and Toy State have developed the Nikko Air line of racing drones powered by the same technology used by professional DRL  pilots. The first models to come out of this partnership went on sale in August 2017. I had a chance to review one and experience the fast-paced fun of drone racing. Read on to see what I think!

What Is It?

Drone racing is an extreme sport in which pilots compete head-to-head with small flying drones while wearing first-person-view goggles. Like every type of competition, proficiency only comes with practice. The Nikko Air Race Vision 220 FPV Pro provides everything you need to start racing drones and practice the skills needed by a professional drone pilot. The kit includes real-time video transmission to a full color screen and FPV goggles that provide an immersive flight experience. Just in case, the drone is designed to be resistant to crashes. The controller has progressive flight modes and speed limiters that can be adjusted as skills improve akin to removing training wheels on a bicycle. The controller also has 4 buttons which are configured for one touch stunts. The drone can be connected to a computer to interface the controller to a DRL simulator on Steam or custom configured using BetaFlight.

Hardware Specs

  • 220 mm wheelbase
  • 5.8 GHz analog transmission
  • 4.3″ LCD screen
  • 130 degree wide angle camera with adjustable mount pitch
  • Highly durable composite frame designed to flex, bend and crash
  • 16 pre-programmed stunts
  • Speeds of 25+ miles per hour
  • removable propeller guards
  • View and record stills and video from the drone POV
  • BetaFlight controller tuning
  • Hard case quick swap battery design
  • Interchangeable pinch and thumb stick controls
  • Does not require FAA registration

What’s in the box?

  • Racing drone
  • Controller + 4 AA batteries
  • FPV goggles
  • SD Card
  • Screen Holder
  • Thumb sticks
  • 2 of 7.4 V Rechargeable Li-PO batteries
  • USB charging cable
  • 2 “A” and 2 “B” replacement propellers
  • 4.3” LCD Screen + 4 AA batteries
  • Instruction booklet

Design and Features

One of the stand out features of this kit is how complete it is.

The package contains everything needed to start flying a few minutes after opening the tape on the box.

The package even includes batteries for the screen and the remote controller.

However, it seems that the batteries aren’t quite as fresh as they could be – the life indicator on the video display isn’t quite full even when used for the very first time.

The drone is a 220 mm wheelbase design. A dollar is included in the picture for scale.

its a decent sized unit to learn how to pilot. One thing that is deceptive from the picture above is the type of motor installed on the drone. It looks like they are brushless type motors from a distance. But, upon closer inspection:

They are actually brushed gear motors. The drone still has plenty of pep, but an experienced pilot may complain about the responsiveness and top speed achievable.

The manual states that fully charging the battery will take from 60 to 180 minutes. Furthermore, the batteries may only be charged when installed in the drone. However, the batteries in the box were mostly charged.

Its nice that the battery installation doesn’t require handling connectors. I tied the drone to a stool and ran the throttle close to 90% of capacity with a full battery. The battery lasted for 4:50 before the controller started to vibrate, alerting a low battery. The drone motors stopped 10 seconds later. This probably translates to the rated 6 minute flying time because rarely is the throttle turned up this much.

The controller is more like a game controller than a model aircraft controller, but that makes it easy to hold. I noticed that sometimes my yaw doesn’t center all the way back, but I usually have a finger on throttle anyway.

The buttons for tricks are easily reachable from the controller handles. The controller also has a vibration motor in it. It will vibrate when various settings and modes are made and will also vibrate to alert you that the drone battery is weak.

The controller has three built in modes: The Nikko mode has auto banking, the auto mode has auto leveling, and the pro mode has full acrobatic ability. The Nikko mode switches the yaw to the right stick and the roll to the left. The auto and pro modes have the same controller layout, with the throttle and yaw on the left and the pitch and roll on the right. It seems confusing that beginner lessons would be done in one mode and later lessons would be in another. Imagine, after driving for 6 months, that you learn the left pedal is really for breaking and the right is the accelerator.  The controller also has two speed limiting settings: 1 is 50% max, 2 is 75% max and 3 permits 100% maximum speed.

Usually the first thing that is required when using a drone is trimming out the drift. The Race Vision is no exception, but the controller for this unit doesn’t have the usual trim wheels. Instead the pitch and roll stick is pushed in the direction opposite the drift. This is simple in theory but lacks the ability to specify the amount of trim applied. It may take a few repetitions to get it just right. Once it is trimmed out though the drone has a good ability to hover in one spot.

 A pilot that can comfortably control the drone in P mode has the ability to adjust the responsiveness of the pitch, roll, and yaw by changing the PID tuning parameters in BetaFlight. Because the flight controller is BetaFlight compatible the flying experience can be tailored to personal preferences. Programming the drone is achieved by connecting it to a computer via a USB cable and then using the BetaFlight software in Chrome to adjust the settings.

There are 16 stunts available by pressing bumper buttons in combination with the right stick. See the excerpt from the instruction manual below. The P mode has no auto-leveling so these stunts are possible by just using the sticks, but are also accessible by using the buttons.

Rarely does the topic of learning to fly drones or drone stunts not include some discussion of crashes. The frame of the Race Vision drone is very robust and can take a beating. The nylon frame is designed to flex and adsorb the energy of a crash and ensures a damping of the impact. The propeller protectors limit damage to the propellers and other property during an impact and are removable for more advanced pilots.

The Race Vision 220 FPV comes with a 4.3″ LCD video screen. It is powered by 4 AA (included) batteries. The screen receives an analog 5.8Ghz signal which has the advantage of much less latency and greater range than WI-FI signal. The screen also has the capability of recording the incoming video. A 4GB Class 4 SD card is included with the set for this purpose.  The recorded video is in .AVI format and has the following characteristics:

Bit rate : 6,711 kb/s
Width : 720 pixels
Height : 240 pixels
Frame rate : 60.000 FPS

The screen is also capable of recording still pictures with a resolution of 720 x 240 pixels.

The screen is designed to either be mounted on top of the controller or at the end of a head-mounted display.

The image in the head mount display appears as a 48″ diagonal image at 3 feet distance. The image is neither stereoscopic nor convincingly immersive; the real benefit of the head-mounted design is that it allows training from a drone POV and completely isolated from observing the flight 3rd person.

There are 3 basic ways to fly the drone: out in the open individually, out in the open with friends, or with the simulator. Using the drone individually is the most obvious scenario. I found that the range for the FPV was somewhat limited compared to other more professional units, but beat out what is typically provided by WI-FI drones. The video starts to cut out about 50 yards and when using the drone in a line-of-sight scenario. However, becasue the transmission is a linear 5.8 GHz signal (5732, 5769, 5806, or 5843 MHz) the FPV may be used with many other FPV goggles that support these frequencies. Also, the 130 degree FOV paired with the 240 TVL resolution made for difficult viewing at times.

One good thing about the camera on the drone is that it is also designed with growth in mind – the camera angle can be increased as the pitch is increased with faster flying speeds.

Each frequency has a different tail light LED color: green, cyan, blue, and violet. Unfortunately, the blue and cyan LEDs are virtually indistinguishable.

Using the drone with the simulator allows new pilots to learn how to fly a racing drone. The simulator allows pilots to practice the controls and perfect the basics before taking flight in real life. On the computer pilots can master skills, race against friends, and compete in actual DRL courses. The  DRL simulator runs on the Steam game platform, which means it is cross-platform.

After installing Steam and the DRL simulator, the drone is USB connected to the computer and the controller can interact with the game just like it is being used in real life.

The image below is a screenshot from one of the training sessions

In the field I had a ball playing with this. I also crashed it a bunch of times too. The frame and propellers withstood all of my hard landings. The video I recorded has the quality of a bad VCR but looked better as I was filming.

Positives

  • True novice to expert flexibility
  • Complete kit includes everything (even batteries and an SD card!)
  • BetaFlight compatible
  • Simulator learning
  • Durable design

Negatives

  • Limited FPV range
  • Limited controller range
  • Marginal recorded video quality

Final thoughts

Having a drone controller and FPV goggles all in one package is nice. Its also great that the drone is designed for the novice through the enthusiast. I think the greatest benefit to this is the simulator. This is the perfect collection of merchandise and the right price point to get someone who is curious about drone racing into the sport.  If you are looking for a system for a pilot that has intermediate experience, there are some comparably priced units on Amazon that don’t have simulator capability and may not have channel specific LEDs but have brushless motors, carbon fiber construction, 15 minute flight time, and HD video.

Price:  $169.99
Where to buy: Target
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Nikko Air.

Healbe GoBe 2 Smart Life Band fitness tracker review

Did you start the new year off with a resolution to exercise more and improve your fitness level? If you answered yes, how are you measuring your progress towards your goals? If you have been shopping for a wearable fitness tracker but don’t know which one to choose from the crowded market of trackers, you’ll be thrilled to find out that I’m going to make your choice even harder by telling you about the Healbe GoBe 2 Smart Life Band fitness tracker.

What is it?

The Healbe GoBe 2 is a fitness tracker that measures all the normal things that most fitness trackers measure, like your steps, sleep, and even your heart rate. But the GoBe 2 goes quite a bit further by also tracking calorie intake, calories burned, energy balance, hydration levels, and emotional state.

What’s in the box?

  • Healbe GoBe 2 fitness band
  • Charging dock
  • Charging cable
  • Instructions

Design and features

The GoBe 2 is a made of black plastic with a flexible and adjustable wristband. The top of the GoBe is actually a display. I’ll show you more about that in a bit.

The wristband can be replaced and various color straps are available for purchase from the Healbe website.

There’s only one button on the GoBe, which toggles power to the tracker and shows the time and other status indicators when pressed multiple times.

A large gold sensor is built into the underside of the tracker. This sensor is designed to make contact with the top of your wrist so that it can measure your calorie intake, stress levels, hydration levels, and heart rate.

There are also two small electrical contacts on the underside of the tracker that connects to the charging dock to charge the tracker.

The included dock snaps to the bottom of the GoBe 2 fitness tracker by magnets. The included micro USB cable plugs into the dock and the other end can plug into a free USB port on your computer or into a USB adapter (not included) to charge the tracker.

You’ll become very familiar with the charging dock because you’ll be charging the Healbe GoBe 2 every day. You might be able to squeeze two days of use out of the GoBe if you turn it off while you’re sleeping, but then you’ll be losing sleep tracking data. They recommend that you charge the GoBe each day when you’re sitting at your desk or showering.

Compared to other fitness trackers on the market, I found the Healbe GoBe 2 to be huge. Here it is on my wrist. For reference, I’m 5’6″ and 129lbs. The GoBe looked and felt like I was wearing some sort of house arrest monitor.

Remember, I mentioned above that the gold plate on the bottom of the tracker has to make full contact with the skin on your wrist? Well, that means that you have to keep the strap snug. If the tracker isn’t making full contact, it will vibrate and show NO CONTACT on the display to let you know that you need to tighten the strap. I found the GoBe to be uncomfortable to wear all day and it even irritated my skin slightly.

For the most part, you won’t look at the tracker while you’re wearing it although you can press the button on the side to show the time which lights up in a bright blue old school dot matrix style display. Tip: Don’t check the time in the middle of the night when you’re half awake because it will blind you.

Subsequent presses of the button on the GoBe will cycle through readings for battery status, heart rate, steps, hydration level, and more. It’s easier to consult the Healbe app when you want to check the fitness data.

Healbe app

The Healbe mobile app has an easy to use interface that has a dashboard that displays calorie info, hydration info, heart rate, sleep data, and stress info.

I was really interested in the calorie and hydration features of this fitness tracker. If you’ve ever used apps that count your calories vs. presumed calorie burn, you will probably agree that they are tedious and a pain to use. The allure of not having to manually enter food and exercise sounded great to me.

First of all, how does this wearable fitness tracker even measure calorie intake and burn rate?

When you eat, food travels to your stomach to be broken down and digested.
10-15 minutes after you eat, your body starts converting the carbohydrates in your food into glucose. This process continues for up to 4-6 hours, depending on what you eat and your body’s unique physiology.
As glucose concentrations rise, your cells absorb glucose and release water. Fat and protein in your food influences the rate of glucose absorption—leading to different shapes and durations of the “glucose curve,” which GoBe measures.
GoBe uses an impedance sensor to measure the fluid moving in and out of your cells—continuously, around the clock.
Healbe FLOW™ Technology uses an advanced algorithm to analyze impedance readings and calculate calorie intake based on your glucose curves, giving you a complete picture of your calorie and nutritional intake over time.


If you expect the GoBe 2 to accurately show you exactly how many calories you consumed and the exact number of calories you burned, or how much water you drink on a given day, you’ll be disappointed.

The app will show you percentages of fat, carbs, and protein consumed, and will also show if you had a calorie surplus or calorie deficit for the day. This can be useful if your goal is to lose weight. However, the readings change throughout the day, so you won’t be able to check the app 5 minutes after you swallowed the last bite of your cheeseburger and see that you just consumed 500 calories. It can take between 5 minutes and 6 hours for the calories to be tracked.

The app shows spikes after a meal or after you’ve drunk something, but it also shows changes when you’ve not eaten anything at all and doesn’t show exact calorie amounts.

I also found it odd that the app would show that my hydration was low in the middle of the night, but then show that it got better before I took even one sip of water the next day.

So while the calorie tracking feature is interesting and I’m excited about the possibilities going forward, I wasn’t wowed.


I did like the GoBe’s heart rate tracking feature and experimental blood pressure reading feature.


The sleep tracking feature was only mildly interesting. The sleep tracking reports in the mobile app don’t let you see details like the amount of time you were in REM sleep versions light sleep or the exact times you were in each level of sleep.


The Healbe GoBe 2 can even track your emotion/stress levels. I was skeptical about this feature but changed my mind when the tracker vibrated to tell me that I was having a tension episode right as I was getting ready to record my voice for a video that I was working on.

Healbe web app

If you prefer viewing your fitness data or a larger screen, there’s a Healbe web app that you can sign into. You’ll be reminded of this each week when you receive an email from Healbe with a weekly report. Clicking the More Data button will prompt you to login to their web app.




The web app is excruciatingly slow, but it does allow a deeper dive into the data where you can see timestamps for calorie, heart rate, stress levels, sleep data, etc.

As I mentioned earlier, I’m not convinced that the GoBe 2 reports calorie intake or calorie burn accurately. I wore the GoBe 2 for a full day (minus a short time where I had to charge it which you will see above) and the web app reported that I only had 1063 calories that day. I know that number is significantly lower than it should be because we had a big bowl of oatmeal with walnuts and berries for breakfast, a whole turkey sandwich with chips for lunch, a couple of pieces of chocolate after lunch, soup and crackers for dinner, and a piece of homemade banana bread with chocolate chips later after dinner.

What I like

  • Calorie intake and calorie burn features show promise
  • Hydration level features
  • Continuous heart rate measurement
  • Can export data to Google Fit

What needs to be improved

  • Price is high
  • Short battery life
  • Bulky and not comfortable to wear
  • Calorie intake number doesn’t seem accurate
  • Web app is painfully slow

Final thoughts

Although I found the GoBe 2 to be bulky and uncomfortable to wear, I’m hoping that these calorie tracking features continue to evolve. Being able to see accurate trends that show how the fuel (food) I put in compares with the fuel I burn can be a powerful tool for staying healthy and at an optimal weight. As it stands, I can’t quite give my full recommendation for the Healbe GoBe 2 based on my own experience. But I will definitely keep an eye on future versions of this product.

Price: $199.00
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Healbe.

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Holsem x12 power strip with USB review

As Gadgeteers, what if I told you that there is one single item that all of us have, or will have, in the next year or two? What would you guess it to be? You may already have multiple of these. But, if you don’t (yet), the offerings are becoming too interesting to pass up. I speak, of course, of the combined power outlet and USB charging port. (OK, if you guessed flying car, I am really proud of you. But, sadly, not yet!)  I was recently sent an extension power tap from Holsem that has 12 regular 12V power outlets, and three 5v 3.1A USB A ports, 2 of which are IQ ports. I had to fight with my Lovely Bride because she wanted to spirit it away to her annual sewing camp where it would have served as a base station for loads of sewers, crafters, and electric embroiderers. Actually, that’s a pretty good use case and proves my point: having one of these in your home, family room or office is an inevitability, and it’s not just geeky Gadget lovers who need them. In her sewing room, she has a sewing machine, serger, iron, steamer, her laptop on occasion, an iPad and her phone. Maybe she would be better server by Holsem’s 8-port model, but it’s still a valid idea.

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

What is it?

The unit is called a Model X12, for obvious reasons. It measures 13” x 4.5” x 1.5”, which means it is roughly the shape of an aircraft carrier. Fortunately, the designers didn’t just expect it to sit on your work surface. There are 4 keyhole slots so that you can mount it to a vertical surface (like under the backside of your desk or on a baseboard). The keyholes are molded so that only two of them can be used at a time, and can only position it horizontally, with the power cord at either end, but that does give you easy options for which way to orient the unit. I think having a vertical option might have been a nice touch.

Design and features

The upper deck has the classic power adapter layout: cord on one narrow (top) end, power/circuit breaker reset switch, a row of power taps, then the USB ports in a line across the bottom. With 12 ports, Holsem took the interesting step of putting 6 power outlets straight down the center at standard 1.24” spacing, and the remaining 6 oriented 90º away, three on each side, on 2.125” centers. That means 6 wall warts and 6 normal plugs can fit without getting in each other’s way. Pretty nice! The USB ports are a bit tighter, just under an inch between centers. The power cord is 6 feet long, with no visible strain relief on the outlet side, but heavy molding around the straight plug. The plug will require at least three or four inches from the outlet to prevent compromising the molding of the plug, so this is not meant to go behind furniture.


I have replaced the power drop on my desk no fewer than 4 times since we’ve been in this house – four years. (See the “before” image above with no available 12V outlets on an 8 outlet/5 USB power adapter.) But with each new iteration of this type product, I see more benefit. (See same plugs as above moved to Holsen 12x.)

Hardware specs

Their website lists the features like so:

  • 6 compactly allocated sockets: ideal for regular plugs
  • 6 widely spaced sockets: enable you to manage with bulky plugs easily
  • 2 Smart USB Ports and 1 Common USB Port: The 2 built-in Smart IC technology USB ports detect your devices automatically and deliver the fastest possible charge speed up to 5V/2.4 A per port
  • 24-month Warranty and lifetime technical support

Safety:

  • Surge Protection: Fully built-in 3-line surge protection safeguards your devices from voltage fluctuations, surges, and spikes. The green LED light makes the surge protection function visible and more reliable.
  • Overload Protection: In the event of power overload, the reliable Double-Break safety switch will trip off automatically to protect your devices and your home. After one year’s testing and several adjustments by our dedicated engineers, we’ve found the ideal force level for our Double-Break safety switch, and make sure it won’t get stuck after a long term of use.
  • Heavy-duty power cord: premium protection for your electronic devices and your home/office

Convenient:

  • Keyhole slots on the back: Keyhole slots on the back allow you to easily mount it to a wall or baseboard.

Flame Retardant Material:

  • The flame retardant material is able to withstand temperature up to 1,380℉(750℃).

Warranty:

  • Worry-free 24-month warranty
  • 30-day no-hassle return & refund guarantee
  • Friendly customer service team

What’s in the box?

The unit and a warranty statement. No plastic, no foam, just paper, cardboard, and the power tap. Nice!

Positives

  • Wide, sleek styling doesn’t need to be hidden
  • 6 power outlets spaced for “wall warts”
  • Strain relief on plug

Negatives

  • Only 2 of the attachment points can be used at a time
  • Attachment points give no vertical options
  • Only 3 USB ports? Really?

Final thoughts

I had not planned for the Holsem Model x12 to stay topside on my main desk because I am overly dependent on USB charging. But I do have a Dremel battery charger, two hard drive adapters, and the occasional need to charge my LED photo lights, which use a wide charger. It would be nice to have a ton of USB connectors built in, rather than have to fill up 12-volt slots with power adapters, but we’ll see how it goes. I really do like the smooth lines and the two-tone look of the white top and the grey underside.

Price: $31.99
Where to buy: It is available from many stores online, including Amazon.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Holsem.