ETON emergency lights, Thinkware F800 dashcam, Shinola Zieba knife, and more – Review updates

Today we have five review updates from Janet and Dave Rees. These review updates offer insight to how the products that we review stand the test of time. Click through to see a list of our latest updated reviews and then scroll to the bottom of each page to see the update.

Eton Blackout Buddy emergency lighting and LED flashlight review by Janet Cloninger

Belkin Valet Charge Dock for Apple Watch + iPhone review by Janet Cloninger

Shinola + Zieba New York MS3 Manhattan Special Pocket Knife review by Dave Rees

Jabra Elite Sport earbuds review by Dave Rees

Thinkware F800 dashcam review by Dave Rees

 

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ETON emergency lights, Thinkware F800 dashcam, Shinola Zieba knife, and more – Review updates originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 7, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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Morph: Pillow of the Gods review

 

If you’ve ever taken a long trip that involves public transportation, you’ve been there: you’re trying to catch a nap, but your head keeps bobbing around, or is rattling against the bulkhead or window. Travel pillows come in all shapes, materials, and sizes, from plushy inflatables to beanbags filled with soft foam pellets. Into this crowded market comes the Morph: Pillow of the Gods. They sent me one to put its divine powers to the test.

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

There are three pieces to the Morph: a drawstring nylon stuff sack, a 2.5 foot long branded ribbon, and the pillow itself. The stuff sack is red, well-sewn, and thin, which adds little weight to your bag. (I’ve found that things like serged edges on fabric and turned-under seams show an attention to detail that often carries throughout the product.) The 1.5” wide ribbon has a grommet on one end with a locking S-hook of thin, stamped metal. The main piece, the pillow, is covered in a removable plush velour fabric with a zipper along one seam. The internal stuffing is a single ball of memory foam. This allows the pillow to be compressed and mold itself to you in infinite ways.


The ribbon has thick, rubberized printing along most of its length, which prevents it from sliding around if you pull it. And here is where the Morph’s superpower is revealed. You clip the ribbon onto the pillow cover’s zipper pull, and this lets you anchor the pillow in place. If you move, and the pillow slips out of place, it’s not going to go running three rows up under seats or be lost into the nooks and crannies of the under seat space of the person behind you. You simply pull it back by its tether and place it back where you had it.

In order to give the Gadgeteer community the best benefit from product testing, I have been taking naps during part of my lunch break with the Morph pillow for a few weeks now. (Here at The Gadgeteer, we really put our all into testing for you folks!) Comparing it to the wadded fleece jersey I had previously used during naps, I can say it’s much more comfortable and easier to find that perfect nap position. My testing budget did not allow for a quick overseas flight to give it a full battery of performance tests, but I think I can say it worked well.

While it is comfortable and easy to place into service, and I do like the addition of the tether, I can’t say that this pillow is truly the Pillow of the Gods, but it’ll give you a bit of comfort when you’re trying to relax in a cramped space.

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

 

Product Information

Price: usually $29.99, currently on sale for $9.99 on Amazon
Manufacturer: Morph
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • memory foam
  • fluffy
  • washable outer shell
Cons:
  • not as compact as inflatables
  • round shape not easy to manage in some spaces

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Morph: Pillow of the Gods review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 6, 2017 at 11:00 am.

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totallee $29 thin leather iPhone X case review

Even though I had many high end iPhone 7 cases to choose from, the case that protected my smartphone the longest in 2017 was the totallee $29 thin leather iPhone 7 case. I found its simple, minimalistic design perfect for protecting my iPhone from minor bumps and scrapes without taking anything away from the look and feel of the device itself. So, when I decided I was going to upgrade to the iPhone X, I immediately checked to see if totallee was planning on creating a similar case for Apple’s latest & greatest. Thankfully they have and sent one my way for us to check out. 

Truth be told when you pull the totallee case out of its packaging it doesn’t really impress. Not at all actually… It feels very thin, plasticky, and flimsy. But once you insert your iPhone X into the case, it takes on a whole new personality. The totallee case feels great on the phone, adding grippability and protection without any added weight or bulk to the sleek and slim device.

The case itself is made from polypropylene and is a mere 0.02″ thick, weighing in at 0.1 oz. The totallee leather iPhone case features an ultra-thin lambskin leather backing that is inset into the plastic. The case is perfectly fitted for the iPhone X, having a very tight fit with zero gaps whatsoever. totallee’s goal is to: keep your iPhone looking like an iPhone.

The totallee 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.

This case snaps-on the smartphone and covers/protects nearly all of the iPhone’s sides and back. Instead of push-throughs, the totallee case has well-fitted cutouts that allow access to the iPhone’s mute, volume, and power buttons. The buttons themselves are slightly recessed but are easily pressed when desired.

The case covers the entire top of the iPhone. The X’s camera bump is perfectly flush with the case.

The right side has a single cutout for the Siri/Apple Pay/power button.

The totallee case has a cutout for the lightning connector and speaker holes on its base.

totallee backs their cases with a hassle-free, 2-year warranty.

Like its siblings, the totallee $29 thin leather iPhone X case is great minimalistic protection for the latest and greatest iPhone on the market. This case adds little bulk or weight to your smartphone while providing decent protection from bumps, nicks, or scrapes. Though it wouldn’t add much drop or impact protection. The totallee case does not interfere with the iPhone X’s ability to wirelessly charge. Just like its predecessor: The totallee thin leather iPhone case is well made/engineered from solid materials, designed to keep your iPhone looking and feeling as Apple intended while adding grippability and protecting it from the outside world.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by totallee. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order one at a substantial discount.

 

Product Information

Price: $29
Manufacturer: totallee
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • iPhone X
Pros:
  • Excellent minimalistic design
  • Solid materials
  • Perfect fit
  • Protection from nicks, scrapes, bumps
  • Great value
  • Hassle-free, 2-year warranty
Cons:
  • None

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totallee $29 thin leather iPhone X case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 5, 2017 at 11:48 am.

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Trayvax Element Old Glory Brand wallet review

The Trayvax Element Old Glory wallet is for the person who wants to make a statement with the wallet’s unique form and function shape.  And its guaranteed to get a few stares and a few comments.
On the outside of this Tobacco Brown wallet, there is an American flag branded onto the side flap which covers the money clip on the inside. It is made of a very nice top grain oil tanned leather that looks and feels durable. The wallet is accented by a MIL-SPEC paracord trim along one side of the wallet.
One of the first things I noticed when I opened the box was the aroma of the leather itself. Something about fine quality leather has that certain smell to it.
On the inside of the wallet is a black solid stainless steel metal frame, with a durable Melonite finish, in which the leather exterior wraps around to compliment the wallet shape. On the metal frame is a bottle opener in case you need it.
I personally never used the built-in bottle opener on anything even though I own a belt and a pair of Reef flip-flops that have a built-in bottle opener on them. But I suppose if you find yourself in need of a bottle opener then having the Trayvax wallet would be very handy to have with you. Plus, the metal frame makes the wallet RFID resistant so it helps to protect from radio waves and identity theft.
The Trayvax is 4.5″ inches long, 2.8″ inches wide, and 1.5″ inches thick. And it weighs in at 5 ounces.
 Along one edge of the metal frame are grooved notches for a better grip of the wallet. And at the top of the wallets frame is a small eyelet opening where you can attach your keyring or Trayvax’s own Keyton Clip-Carabiner Keychain.  The Keyton Clip is an optional accessory for the Element wallet that you attach to the wallet and clip to your belt loop to keep the wallet secured to your hip or you can clip it almost anywhere.
 Although the Trayvax website states that this wallet can hold between 3 to 10 cards I was skeptical at first to believe that this wallet could hold that many cards.  When you first unbox the wallet you will see how thin the wallet initially is and you’ll wonder how exactly you’ll get more than 2 credit cards in there.  Apparently, there is a little method to do before you can carry all those cards. According to the instructions, you must first insert several cards into the Trayvax wallet and then soak the wallet with the cards in it for 10 minutes. This will not only stretch out the wallets leather material but will also keep its shape after the wallet dries.
 Surprisingly, the soaking and drying of the wallet did allow the leather to stretch and maintain the shape to accommodate several cards, drivers license, insurance card, business cards and some cash.  An added bonus is that the color of the leather darkened and now it looks a little worn in and not so new. Kind of like a favorite pair of jeans that fit just right after one or two washes. It has a whole new look to it.
 Because of the size of the wallet, it can fit comfortably in your back pocket and just as comfortable in your front pocket. I tend to carry my wallet in my back pocket and then if I know I have to sit for a long period of time I switch my wallet into my front pocket.  I do this because I don’t want sit lopsided which can cause my lower back to ache if I sit unevenly too long.
 At first, I was concerned about the metal part that protruded from the end of the wallet getting in the way or at least be uncomfortable in my pocket but it wasn’t like that at all.
Sitting with the wallet in my back pocket wasn’t cumbersome as long as you remember to keep the metal end pointing out of your pocket rather than pointing down. Having the Trayvax in your back pocket feels like a regular leather wallet.
The overall size of the wallet fit generously in both the front and back pocket of my jeans.
On one side of the wallet is a small opening that allows you to slide a card upwards with your finger to retrieve the cards in the wallet. With only about 6 cards I had inside the wallet, sliding a card up did take some effort. It wasn’t terribly difficult but with that many cards, it should be expected. Makes me wonder how it would be if I had one or two more cards jammed in the wallet. Under the flap, where the money clip is located,  it is very easy to insert and retrieve cash that you place there. The flap helps keeps the cash in place and the strap keeps the flap shut.
 This wallet is a pretty cool leather minimalist wallet that can fit in your back or front pocket. And be prepared to be at the register a little longer when you pull this wallet out to retrieve your debit card, credit card or cash when you make your payment. You will definitely get a few “oohs” and “ahs”, polite inquiries, or some light conversation about this Trayvax Element leather wallet. So, while you are making your payment, don’t be surprised if someone pays you a compliment.
Trayvax also sent along their wallet comb, the Shift. It’s a Dual-Sided Stainless Steel Comb about the size of a credit card and is about as thick as one. The Shift has can be carried in the Element wallet as well since it will fit inside the wallet. It has comb teeth on opposite sides of each other. One side is a fine tooth comb and the other side is a wide tooth comb. The Shift is not only intended for combing the hair on your head but can be used for beards as well. I must say I gave it a try and it actually works like a regular comb. I didn’t think it would make a difference but the Shift worked well if not better than other combs I have used. The Shift is very well made and constructed, and yes, it has a bottle opener on it too. Why? Why not.
The Trayvax Element wallet and the Shift stainless steel comb are both made in USA and come with a Trayvax 65-year Heirloom Warranty.

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

 

Product Information

Price: $89.99
Manufacturer: Trayvax
Pros:
  • Quality made product.
  • RFID resistant.
  • Tough top grain leather.
  • Can hold several cards.
  • Built-in bottle opener.
  • Secure snap button and strap.
Cons:
  • Metal frame could hurt if sat on too hard.
  • Too many cards make sliding difficult.

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Trayvax Element Old Glory Brand wallet review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 5, 2017 at 10:30 am.

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QICENT 10 Port USB Hub review

The 10 port USB hub from QICENT is pretty self-explanatory.  After receiving this sample to review, the particular model that I received is no longer available for sale on Amazon or anywhere else that I could find for that matter.  Other offerings from QICENT are similar and can be found on Amazon but this particular model seems to have disappeared. 

Overall the device works as advertised.  It plugs into a single USB on your computer or docking station and also a wall power outlet and provides 10 USB ports and an additional 2 charging ports, which provide rapid charging but no data transfer.

The model I received has a plastic body rather than the aluminum that is offered on other models.  The plastic body makes the port feel very cheap and not worth the $30 (this is an approximation since it is no longer available) it was being offered for on Amazon.  If you are looking for an expansion hub, I would highly recommend buying one with an aluminum body.  Overall this device does what it is designed for.  It will connect up to 10 USB devices like external hard drives, thumb drives, phones, etc. to your computer simultaneously while also charging two other devices.  It has an attractive look, the USB ports are spaced appropriately so you can actually fit plugs or thumb drives into neighboring ports and the cables provided are long enough to reach your power outlet and computer even if they are not right next to them.  There are also indicator lights that light up when a device is plugged in, telling you that the device recognizes your USB and data/power is being transferred.

Overall I would not recommend this particular model, which doesn’t appear to matter since it seems to now be unavailable.  The cheap feeling of the body just makes it feel like it should be sold for <$10.  Because it does accomplish the single goal that justifies its existence, I would recommend checking out the aluminum body versions of their different hubs.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by QICENT.  USB hubs from QICENT similar to this can be found on Amazon.

 

Product Information

Price:
Manufacturer: QICENT
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Clean aesthetics, plenty of ports for data transfer, 2 additional ports for rapid charging.
Cons:
  • Overpriced for a cheap feeling plastic body.

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QICENT 10 Port USB Hub review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 4, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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