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Nodus Compact Coin RFID Shielding Wallet review

The Nodus Compact Coin Wallet is a great slim-profile wallet with the added bonus of RFID shielding technology. The build quality and materials are top-notch with the only real drawback being the expensive price tag.

The Nodus Compact coin arrives in some great packaging befitting of its overall quality.

The wallet itself is packaged inside of a lovely little fabric pouch emblazoned with the Nodus logo.

The Compact Coin comes with a handy little info card detailing the purpose of the internal sleeves and pockets.

Nodus Compact Coin Features

  • Holds 2-17 Cards + Coins + Folded Notes + 1 Key
  • Keeps all inner cards safe & stops ‘Card Clash’ with RFID shielding
  • Pays contactless from two external RFID enabled cards
  • Expandable internal coin pocket
  • Dedicated note sleeve with key slot
  • Full grain vegetable tanned Italian leather
  • 2.7 in tall x 4 in wide

The Italian leather of the Compact Coin is soft and supple, but feels amazingly resilient. Embedded in the fabric is Nodus’ RFID shielding technology which prevents criminals from scanning any RFID chip enabled credit cards held inside the wallet.

The outside sleeves allow for easy access to cards that you use often or for RFID enabled cards that you want to be easily scannable.

After a few weeks of daily use, the Compact Coin has quickly become part of my every day carry. I’m always surprised by how easily it disappears into my front pocket and by how many items I can fit inside.

The one thing about the Compact Coin that’s both annoying and ironic is that it is definitely not useful for holding coins. Any coins placed in the designated coin section inevitably end up dispersed throughout the wallet after the slightest bit of jostling.

The key compartment is much more useful and allows you to keep one emergency key on your person at all times. It’s a bit too small for a full vehicle key, but works great for a house key or something smaller.

The zipper and surrounding material keep all of the wallet’s important contents secure inside despite my efforts to overload the wallet with credit cards and various shopper loyalty cards.

The Compact Coin comes in four colors; Chestnut Brown, Ebony Black, Dark Teal, and Taupe Grey. Nodus covers the wallet with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty against material and manufacturing defects when used under normal conditions and for the purpose intended.

Positives

  • Compact with a slim profile
  • RFID Shielding
  • Great quality
  • Holds many items

Negatives

  • Expensive
  • Not useful for holding coins

Final thoughts

I’m a big fan of the Nodus Compact Coin Wallet. It holds a ton of items, is of great quality, and if protecting your RFID chip enabled cards is important to you, this is a great option. Just don’t try to carry too many coins in the Coin.

Price: $78.76
Where to buy: Nodus
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Nodus. Please visit their site for more info and to order.

WellBe Stress Management Bracelet review

Stress sucks. We all have it at some point, and more and more studies point to how extended periods of stress can impact our physical well-being. The WellBe is a wearable device that, when paired with the app on your smartphone, helps you to understand how your stress is triggered and how to manage it. How does it work in practice? Let’s take a break, chill for a few minutes, and check it out!

Overview and setup

The WellBe Stress Management Bracelet is a Bluetooth-enabled wearable that’s integrated with a mobile app on your smartphone. It uses a proprietary algorithm based on your heart rate and variable heart rate to identify your levels of stress and calmness throughout the day, and then provides tools to help you analyze and manage your stress triggers.

The bracelet itself is an attractive piece of gear that wears like a watch. I’m testing the cork band with silver/steel hardware (leather bands are also available), and I get compliments whenever I wear it. It’s lightweight and comfortable to wear, which is especially important since you need to wear it continuously. The kit includes a charging cradle that connects to your power source via the included USB to USB-micro charging cable.

Setup is guided by the WellBe app which provides an excellent set of step-by step instructions for device pairing, app setup, and taking baseline measurements. You’ll also want to allow access to both GPS location data and your calendar to take full advantage of all the measurement tools. WellBe also provide videos and an extensive FAQ section on their website to help with the setup, making the process as painless as possible.

To function properly you’ll need to wear the bracelet and keep the mobile app open at all times. Internet access is also required as part of the monitoring process, but the bracelet will keep up to 24 hours of data and conduct periodic syncing to update the app.

Monitoring your stress levels

Once everything is a setup, your measurements are taken on an hourly basis. You can also conduct a real-time measurement by tapping the “check” button on the home screen and following the instructions. Based on the results your stress level is measured on a 100 point color coordinated scale ranging from Calm (blue, under 30%) to High Stress (red, 80% and above). This data is recorded and synchronized to the time, your location, and your schedule.

 

The app provides ongoing reporting about your levels of stress and calmness. Tap the “stats” button on the home screen to see your average heart rate, stress levels, and stress management activities for the day. Tap the “learn” button to see how these statistics correlate to your places, schedule, and/or meetings over time. Over time, you’ll be able to build an understanding of where and how your stress is triggered.

Managing your stress

The WellBe will notify you if you are stressed and suggest that you engage in one of the audio-based mindfulness meditation exercises on the app. You can also access the exercises by tapping the “relax” button on the home screen. Content includes instructive meditation exercises, mindfulness readings, and ambient music organized by program length from 3 to 20 minutes. The app will report changes in your stress levels before and after using the exercises, and record these activities in your daily reports. The pics below provide a walkthrough of the process.

        

If you tap the “learn” button, you’ll find a series of immersive podcast-style stress prevention programs. Topics are organized by channels that vary in style and content like “The 21 day healing journey” or “Meditation for Busy People.” The whole library consists of 130+ episodes and over 30 hours of content. Each channel includes the first two episodes for free, but access to the full library requires an in-app subscription purchase of $9.99 a month. You do not need to subscribe to these programs to use the mindfulness exercises in the “relax” section.

Daily Use

After using the WellBe Stress Management Bracelet for a couple of weeks, I think it’s a good tool for stress management with a lot of potential. There are some aspects of the device that could be improved, however, with respect to the hardware. Let’s take a look at the details. 

I really like the design of the WellBe mobile app. The intuitive user interface and excellent help tools minimize any learning curves required to effectively use the app. The reporting tools are simple and easy to comprehend, enabling you to quickly leverage the information to understand where and how your stress is triggered. The integration of the mindfulness exercises is also well-executed, so you can see the progress you’re making as you use them to reduce your stress levels. I also appreciate that the in-app purchases aren’t overplayed. You don’t need to buy the extended programs to take advantage of the full functionality of the app, and you’re not peppered with constant prompts to buy them.

There is room for improvement in the reporting tools. The daily stats are great for assessing your overall wellness. The “schedule” report helps to pinpoint specific times that trigger stress events, and includes weekly and monthly data roll ups to help identify trends over time. The “places” report, however, just toggles through your locations based on the hourly readings; it would be better if it aggregated location data for easy comparison. I found the “meetings” report to be less useful, because I don’t sync my work schedule to my phone. Given the overall strength of the reporting tools, however, none of these are deal breakers for me. I would expect that WellBe will refine the reporting over time.

  

The bigger area of concern for me with the WellBe is the hardware. WellBe had to send me a replacement bracelet, because the first one I got kept falling apart. The replacement has held up well for the two weeks I have used it, but the build is not super-rugged. The core unit sits under the band, and is locked in place with a metal collar that clips around the band itself. Under normal conditions, I don’t expect this to be an issue… but based on my experience with the first unit, I don’t believe that it will hold up to heavy physical abuse. I wouldn’t wear it to the gym or while doing outdoor activities, for example. I’m not comfortable wearing it to bed per the instructions, because I’m afraid it might get caught on something. It’s also water-resistant but not waterproof, so you won’t want to wear it in the shower or while you’re working in the kitchen.

I’ve noticed some issues with taking measurements. Since the bracelet only takes measurements once per hour, there are a lot of potential gaps in the data. There have been situations where I did not have the bracelet tight enough on my wrist, and have lost extended periods of data as a result (this seems to be a common problem pointed out in the help documentation on the web site). Sometimes the device also records false data. As I write this review, the app is notifying me that I am under high stress… but I am not wearing the bracelet. Readings after physical activity like a workout may also present false readings. I think that these issues will level out as you collect data over time (and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for using the device), but there are enough discrepancies here that I think they are worth considering.

Finally, the app and bracelet combination are power hogs. The bracelet will go for about a day and a half without recharging; WellBe suggests that you charge it each day while you shower for this reason. Keeping the app open for continuous monitoring and operation also puts a noticeable drain on your smartphone’s battery. If you’re used to charging often this won’t be an issue for you, but it is something to keep in mind.

Positives

  • A good looking and comfortable wearable
  • Excellent, intuitive mobile app
  • Robust reporting
  • Well-designed integrated stress management tools
  • Friendly, comprehensive support on the app and WellBe’s web site

Negatives

  • Measurements can be inconsistent
  • Bracelet durability limits use to light-duty activities (also not waterproof)
  • Drains a lot of power on your mobile device due to continuous use

Final thoughts

Despite some of my concerns, I found the WellBe Stress Management Bracelet to be a well-rounded and convenient package for stress management. The app is excellent, integrating nice reporting and stress management tools in a portable solution that performs as advertised. The WellBe website is also very good, providing a lot of additional support for stress management. The bracelet is not going to be as durable as some wearables that are designed for exercise and outdoor activities, but it’s fine for day-to-day use under normal conditions. With some improvements to the hardware and reporting, it could be a truly excellent all-around solution.

Price: $199.00 MSRP
Where to buy: Wellbe and Amazon
Source: the sample for this review was provided by WellBe. Please visit their site for more information.

 

Tech21 Evo Check Pixel 2 XL case review

When I decided to switch back to Android and buy a Pixel 2 XL after using an iPhone 7 Plus for a few months, I began shopping for cases even before the phone was delivered because I didn’t want my brand new phone to get a scratch. One of the first Pixel 2 XL cases that I was offered to review was the Tech21 Evo Check. Let’s check it out. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

What is it?

The Tech21 Evo Check is a snap-on cover for the Pixel 2 XL that is designed to provide drop protection up to 10ft and comes in clear/white or smokey/black as shown here.

Design and features

The box that the Evo Check comes in describes this case as an ultra-thin lightweight case. They are right, it doesn’t weigh much at all, but I don’t consider it to be ultra-thin compared to the Totallee cases that we’ve reviewed, but It’s thin considering that it offers drop protection.

The Evo Check has a 3-layer construction that consists of a semi-transparent flexible outer shell that cushions impact. This outer layer of the case is glossy and picks up fingerprints and smudges very quickly.

Inside the shell has a checkered pattern that is slightly raised.

You’ll also notice the frame around the sides. This skeletal frame has been designed to deflect force away from the phone if you drop it.

The wrap around sides uses FlexShock to absorb the remaining force. The sides also protect the display as they are raised slightly higher than the surface of the screen.

These 3 layers will protect the Pixel 2 XL from up to a 3m/10ft drop. Did I test that claim? Ummmmm, no. But I will say that this case feels substantial. Does “substantial” translate to “bulky”? Yes, I do think this case is a little bulkier than what I personally like. But I don’t usually buy cases that have drop protection features.

The Tech21 Evo Check case adds some extra width to the Pixel 2 XL. This is something I noticed the first time I tried to slip the phone into my back jeans pocket. Although it still fit in my pocket, I had to wiggle it a bit.

When the Pixel 2 XL is in the case, you still have access to the charging port at the bottom, the camera on the back, and the fingerprint sensor.

There are buttons on the right side of the case for power and volume. These buttons are not very finger friendly. I found them to be stiff to press and annoying to use.

Positives

  • Provides up to 10ft drop protection
  • Sides are raised to protect the screen when the phone is laying face down

Negatives

  • Back of the case is a fingerprint and smudge magnet
  • Buttons are hard to press
  • Adds some bulk

Final thoughts

As long as you don’t mind fingerprints and smudges on the back and the stiff built-in buttons which I found hard to press, the Tech21 Evo Check case will protect your Pixel 2 XL from most drops and everyday wear and tear.

Price: $44.95
Where to buy: Tech21.com and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Tech21.

Alto Original and Anello iPhone X cases and neck strap review


The release of the iPhone X was exciting, but I had to convince myself it was worth it due to the hefty price tag. The larger display, yet smaller design topped with wireless charging ended up selling it for me. Now that I’ve got a mortgage payment in my pocket, I had to get a case right away. Luckily for me, Alto was on top of things and their Original leather case, Anello leather case, and optional neck strap arrived a day before the iPhone X was released.


Both cases are similar in design; a hard shell wrapped in aniline leather on the outside, and a soft microfiber lining on the inside. A few tweaks on the outside are what set the two apart.

The Original leather case is simple, which I really like. The green color is vivid, yet muted, and I’ve received quite a few compliments on the case. It snapped on super easy, yet is surprisingly resistant to being removed. It is thick enough to be protective, but still quite lightweight. Even in this case, my phone can fit within the old case of my iPhone 7 Plus. The camera cutout does not interfere with the flash, and has been evenly cut to be slightly wider than the cameras themselves.

Because I am paranoid about breaking my screen, having a lip on the front of the case is very important to me. I am happy to say that both the Original leather case and the Anello leather case have an ample front lip, enough that my glass screen protector is just under the lip height.


The biggest difference between the Original and Anello is a metal D ring that can be used with their optional neck strap. Of course, you could put a dangling bit of jewelry, a key-chain, or anything else on it as well. It is held on by a rivet and seems very sturdy.


The Anello is also two-tone, rather than a single piece of leather. This gives a little extra color, which I really liked. Where the two colors come together, the seam is nice and even. As with the Original, the cutout for the cameras is well done and does not interfere with the flash at all.


When I saw the optional neck strap, it confused me and took a bit to realize that it could be a nifty addition to the Anello case. For day to day use, I would not use the neck strap. For a vacation, however, I can see how easy it would be to just keep the phone around your neck rather than in your hand. Then you can have easy access to take a quick picture of the scenery.


It is sewn well, with a well-made metal clasp, and seems like it would hold up well with day to day use.

I do not have a wireless charger, so I could not test if it impeded the wireless charging. I do have a small metal plate that I use to mount my phone to my car vent, and that worked perfectly inside of both cases.

Since the cases are nearly the same in base design, the last paragraphs here work to describe both cases.


The bottom is nearly completely cut out except for the edges, so there will be no problems with plugging in any Lightning cable. However, this could leave the bottom a little vulnerable to scratches. So far, mine has been well protected.

Both the volume buttons and vibrate switch are cut out, which could also lead to a few scratches on that side. I wish they’d have designed buttons into the case since there is a lot of open space on the sides/back, but some people like it this way.

Lastly, the Siri button has been cut out. While I dislike cutouts, I will say, they are well done and all the buttons are easily accessible.

Just after finishing up the above part of the review, I had a near disaster experience. As you can see, my stairs are made of cement and gravel. I tripped on the bottom stair with my phone in hand and on my way down had to drop my phone at a high rate of speed to prevent me from falling on it. The case took a bruising, but my phone stayed perfectly safe. Needless to say, I am now very satisfied with the protection of this case.

Overall, the Original leather case was my favorite of the two. I really liked the simplicity of it and how easy it was to slip into my purse. The colors of the Anello were great though, as the coral was vivid and the mild peach color offset the boldness of the coral. Some people may like the Anello case with the D ring and neck strap, but it was not my cup of tea. Both cases were very well made, seem quite protective, and really adds some elegance to the iPhone X. If you are wanting a nice leather case for your new phone, take a look at Alto’s lineup of cases.

Positives:

  • Very stylish and well made
  • Lightweight
  • Protective

Negatives:

  • D ring makes it so the case doesn’t lay flat (Anello case)

Price: Cases – $62, Neck Strap – $29
Where to buy: Alto and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Alto.

CHOETECH Fast Wireless Charging Stand review

Now that the iPhone 8 and iPhone X are out and shipping more people are becoming interested in Qi charging. I have been using Qi charging for a while on both my iPhone 5 and 6 with a Dog&Bone case that I previously reviewed, I love the convenience. CHOETECH, a maker of cases, stands chargers, other gear and gadgets have sent me one of their new Qi Fast Wireless Charging Stands to review.

Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.

As I mentioned from above, I have an iPhone 6 with a Qi-enabled case, so that is what I will be using to test this charger. I will also note that on the CHOETECH Amazon page the iPhone 8 and X are listed as phones that it will charge in the standard charging mode. I will test this and post my results when our iPhone X arrives. Although I don’t usually cut and paste all this type of information from a product website (I usually just post the specs and or features) I believe this information is important for an informed choice.

Wireless Convenience
Bid farewell to tangled wires and messy cables with CHOETECH Fast Wireless Charger. It is compatible with Qi-enabled device or device with a Qi-enabled cover.

Two Charge Modes
(1). Fast Charge Compatible Devices:
– Samsung Galaxy S8/S8 Plus S7/S7 Edge/S6 Edge+/Note 5
(2). Standard Charge Compatible Device:
– Samsung Galaxy S6/S6 Edge
– Nexus 4/Nexus 5/Nexus 6
– Nokia Lumia 920/1020/928, Lumia 950/950 XL
– HTC 8X (not UK version) / HTC Droid DNA / Rzound

Incompatible device:
Moto Droid Turbo/LG V10

Specifications:
Input: 5V/2A; 9V/1.8A (Max.)
Output: 10W (Max.)

Note:
1.The wireless charger needs to plugged into a wall outlet to work. It is a bit incompatible with original adapter that came from S8 or S8 Plus.
2.The Fast Charge feature is only compatible with Galaxy Note5 / S6 edge+,S7 and S7 Edge, S8/S8 Plus models.
3.QC 2.0 Adaptive Fast Charger is required for the fast charge wireless charging feature, please use QC 2.0 original adapter( Except adapter from S8 or S8 Plus) as its power source.
4.The protective case is normally suggested to be removed if it is too thick during charging as it will affect charging or may lead to overheating (OtterBox case must remove).
5.Some devices such as iPhone 7/7 Plus/6/6 Plus, LG G4, Note 4 require an additional wireless charging receiver (Not Included).

The CHOETECH Fast Wireless Charging Stand comes with the charging stand and a USB to Micro USB cable,

The front of the charging stand has the CHOETECH name, a ledge to rest your phone on and an indicator light to allow you to see if the stand is charging or in standby mode. The indicator light also changes color depending on the charge speed, a green light means you are charging at the standard rate and a blue light lets you know that you are fast charging

The rear of the CHOETECH Fast Wireless Charging Stand has the Micro USB port at the bottom of the stand.

The sides of the stand have a little architectural style to it making it a little more interesting to look at.

The bottom of the stand has four rubberized foot pads to keep the stand from slipping, the model number and various bits of technical information.

To charge your phone all you need to do is place it on the stand as long as it is Qi capable or you have a Qi-capable cover on your phone the indicator light should change to show you are charging. Notice my phone charges at the regular rate so the light is green.

So, what is my bottom line here? I like the CHOETECH Fast Wireless Charging Stand. The charging stand does exactly what it is designed to do, charge your phone using induction charging (Qi). The CHOETECH Wireless Charging Stand is sturdy to use and attractive to look at. The stand seems solid and has some weight to it. The indicator light is a nice feature letting you know that your phone is charging. Although I did not have a chance to test the fast charging feature (up to 1.4x faster than regular charge) I think this is a nice feature to have. I can only think of two shortcomings of the stand. First, it does not include a power plug or charging block to plug your USB to Micro USB cable into a power outlet. The other issue is that the indicator light does not change to show when your phone is charged, it always stays the same color (in my case green) when your phone is on the stand fully charged or not. Overall, if you are looking for a nice, fairly priced Qi charging stand, I think that the CHOETECH Fast Wireless Charging Stand is well worth a look.

Positives:

  • Fast Charging capability
  • Simple but sturdy design

Negatives:

  • No charging block

Price: $21.45
Where you can buy one: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by CHOETECH.