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MyAntenna P1 Laser Distance Meter review

When I was growing up and helping my dad with building projects, he would always remind me, “Measure twice, and cut once.” There were many times my reply was “Dad, I cut this board twice and it’s STILL too short!” I’m sure he would have heard that less often if I had a MyAntenna Laser distance meter. 

There are plenty of laser distance measurement tools available, ranging in price from about $20 to hundreds. I’ve used several over the years and they all worked about the same – turn it on, put the end starting where you want to measure and put the laser dot on the other end you are trying to measure, read the display, and done.  Not having to physically move to the other end in some situations can be a lifesaver.

A few years ago, I borrowed a laser distance meter to measure my house for siding. Not needing to pull out a ladder to measure from the ground to the bottom of the soffits was indispensable. If I were to pull out ladders, measuring tapes and get help reading the distance, or give instructions to my non-technical family, the job would have taken considerably longer and would probably have resulted in an argument (only joking, Sweetheart). With a laser distance meter, I could do the job myself.

MyAntenna’s P1 debuted on Kickstarter. I was one of the investors and appreciated the opportunity to review this product. Opening the simple, Apple-esque, white box, the P1 was nested in comfy form-fitting foam. The bright green casing should make it easy to locate on a cluttered job site or in a drawer surrounded by safety pins, screwdrivers and packing tape.  It measures about 4 x 1-1/4 x 5/8 inches, considerably smaller than any similar products I’ve used.  The batteries were not included, apparently due to some shipping restrictions.

After loading it with two AAA batteries, a long touch of the solitary button turned it on and it within two seconds it was making measurements. While taking measurements, the P1 beeps about once a second. It defaults to Metric units and is accurate to 1mm. When turned on, another quick touch of the button turns off the laser and locks the current value on the screen – very handy when measuring something when the display can’t be viewed, Yes, I measured my own height using this feature and, dang, I am so short.  Measurements are from the tail-end of the tool (it automatically adds the length of the tool to the measurement).  Very short measurements, less than about 6 inches or 15cm (or .16ft,  50mm, with the mirror attached) will result in an “Er261.” There a few other errors called out in the instruction manual, such as over temperature and weak signal, but I did not encounter any of these during testing. The P1 also turns the laser off after 90 seconds and the tool off after two minutes.

The display is bright white on a black background and easy to read. In addition to the distance measurements, there is a battery strength indicator and red dot indicating the laser is on.

A really useful feature is “Quick Touch.” When the unit is on, a double click of the button starts a ten-second countdown before measurement starts. This allows a user to position the P1, then move to the destination position, perhaps to position an object for the laser to target. A beep once a second is followed by rapid beeps signaling the final three seconds, the measurement is completed and is latched on the display. Very handy!

For those in countries using Imperial measurements, a triple click of the button toggles measurements from meters to feet, but take note, measurements are in feet and 1/1000th inch – the meter does not display fractions. In other words, six inches is displayed as 0.500 feet.  I would have liked it if the P1 remembered that I use Imperial measurements, but after turning the unit off, it defaults to metric measurements again.

To make things even more convenient, MyAntenna includes a magnetic mirror that attaches to the body of the P1 and allows measurements at 90°. I found this tool to be particularly useful when measuring from one wall to another or from the top of a wall-mounted television to the floor. I found this tool to be particularly useful when measuring from one wall to another or from the top of a wall-mounted television to the floor. The tool “knows” when the magnetic angled mirror is attached and changes the measurement zero point from the back of the meter to the bottom of the meter. Pretty slick!

The MyAntenna P1 is reasonably priced, sturdy, accurate, fun and easy to use. I appreciated that it uses common batteries with its compact size and it’s already replaced the measuring tape in my tool pack. Besides being really handy, when it isn’t measuring something, my cat loves to chase that little red dot around!

Source: The sample for this review was provided by MyAntenna. Please visit their Indiegogo campaign page for more info.

 

Product Information

Price: $49.00
Manufacturer: MyAntenna
Pros:
  • Compact size
  • Easy to use
  • Common batteries
  • Inexpensive
Cons:
  • Always defaults to metric measurements after a power cycle. To be fair, this might be a pro if you live in a Metric country 🙂

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MyAntenna P1 Laser Distance Meter review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 2, 2017 at 4:12 pm.

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Big Idea Design Ti Pocket Pro Pen review

If you have visited my favorite gear page since January of this year, you may have noticed that my favorite EDC pen has been the Ti Arto pen from Big Idea Design. I love that pen, but now I have a new love that has replaced it as my favorite EDC pen. It’s the Ti Pocket Pro Pen also from Big Idea Design. Let’s take a look and find out why I like this pen better than the Ti Arto.

What is it?

The Big Idea Design Ti Pocket Pro Pen is an EDC (every day carry) pen that is constructed entirely from Grade 5 Titanium (except for the pocket clip, which is made of Grade 4 Titanium).

Design and features

The Ti Pocket Pro pen is available in either stonewashed titanium or antique black. I was sent the antique black version. Black isn’t usually a color that I choose for my accessories, but I’m glad that I did with this pen because the finish looks perfect without any defects. I can’t wait to see how it looks after it gets some wear on it.

The length of the pen adjusts to accommodate the length of the ink refill. It can be as short as 4.11 Inches / 104.5 MM. To as long as 4.65 Inches / 118 MM depending on the refill.

The barrel smoothly tightens to expose the writing tip and loosens to retract it.

Inserting and removing ink refills is very easy. The barrel unscrews, you remove the refill, and spring and then reverse the process with the new refill.

The Ti Pocket Pro comes with a Schneider Gel 0.4 black gel ink refill installed. I also tried a longer Uniball Signo refill and had zero problems installing it in the pen.

There are 80+ refills that are compatible with the Ti Pocket Pro, so chances are good that your favorite is on that list.

The Ti Pocket Pro pen is shorter than other pens that I’ve used, but that doesn’t cause any problems with writing comfort. This isn’t one of those mini pens that will cause your hand to cramp up when you start trying to write with it. The Ti Pocket Pro is easy to hold and the slots in the barrel provide just the right amount of grip without being sharp or uncomfortable.

Final thoughts

Big Idea Design has another winner on their hands with the Ti Pocket Pro pen. It’s my new favorite EDC pen and goes with me to and from my day job. Why do I like this new pen better than the Ti Arto? Mainly because it’s quicker to use since I don’t have to unscrew a cap and post it on the back of the pen. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy using the Ti Arto. But now I just leave it home to use it there.

I have nothing but good things to say about this pen and all the products that come out of Big Idea Design. They make pens that are built to be used for years to come and that’s just what I plan to do with the Ti Pocket Pro.

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

 

Product Information

Price: $75.00
Manufacturer: Big Idea Design
Pros:
  • Can be used with 80+ refills
  • Compact, pocket-friendly
  • No caps to lose
  • Quality parts and construction
Cons:
  • Length may be an issue depending on hand size

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Big Idea Design Ti Pocket Pro Pen review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 2, 2017 at 11:21 am.

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Bezalel Latitute case & Omnia wireless car charger review

I love my iPhone, but the one thing that it has been lacking in is wireless charging. You can get a case with a battery inside that will wirelessly charge, but it adds bulk, and I enjoy the small form factor of the iPhone. I noticed Bezalel had a case solely for wireless charging called the Latitude, so I had to try it out. They also included their Omnia wireless car charger so I could wirelessly charge in the car. Nifty!


The Latitude case comes with the case and instruction manual, while the Omnia car charger comes with the charging base, 12-24V USB car adapter, USB-C cord, and of course, an instruction manual.

The case itself is pretty basic with a cover/insert for the Lightning port that keeps dust from getting inside as well as attaching the case to the phone for charging. It can be easily removed to use a regular Lightning cable or headphones with. There is a nice soft layer inside to protect your phone from the plastic as well. It was very easy to slide the case on and remove it if necessary, but it was still plenty secure on the phone.

Now, I say the case is basic, but that’s not a bad thing. Sometimes simplicity is better. The case has a nice feel to it and felt nice in my hand, and the logo on the back gives just enough design to keep it from looking boring. The front has a lip to protect the screen… unless you drop it on a rock driveway. It did well at protecting my phone from every drop but that one, but that’s not the case’s fault. It did a good job protecting my phone.

There are no buttons on the case, but the cutouts for accessing them on the phone are cut well and provide good access. The bottom is cut out completely except for the Lightning port insert, and that was a little rough around the edges, but still worked out fine.

So that’s the case, now let’s talk about the Omnia wireless car charger. This is one solid but well made unit. The only part that was not well made was the USB car adapter. I ended up having to use another one because it would not stay in the socket. Hopefully, it was just bad luck.

The most difficult part was putting it on the vent. It is difficult to press the button down to open the ‘jaws’ that clamp onto the vent, but it needs to be due to the weight of the charger itself. I really liked how it allowed the phone to be viewed at different angles. I placed it on the vent towards the passenger side of the center console and angled it towards me. This allowed me full use of the touch screen display my car has.

The magnet used to attach the case to the Omnia is strong and it did not detach due to bumps and normal driving. It was very easy to attach and remove the phone from the charger and it took only a second or two for the phone to start charging. It was very easy to keep my phone charged while I drove, especially when I used the GPS.


Unfortunately, though, the Omnia is very heavy with the phone attached and after a few days would nearly be falling off of the vent itself, despite the firm grip it had. A couple of times each week I would need to remove it and adjust it again, which was annoying when I happened to be in a hurry that day! If they could lighten the charging base up a little bit, or find a way to keep it firmly in place, this would be an excellent product. As a reference, I have a magnetic base that I used before that stays in the same vent location with no problem at all.

I absolutely loved the idea of allowing wireless charging to come to the iPhone (and yes, I know the newest generation will have it built-in) and I think that Bezalel has done a good job with making a protective case that allows for wireless charging without the bulk. The Omnia car charger could stand to lose a little weight to keep it from falling out of thin vents, but it would be a solid product if it stays put in your car. There is a chance the iPhone 6/7 (non Plus) version of the case could work better with the Omnia, as that would be less weight overall.

Overall, if I looked seriously into wireless charging, I would be tempted with the Bezalel Latitude case. Would I buy the Omnia to go with it? Probably not, though only because it kept falling out of the vent, not because it didn’t charge the phone.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Bezalel. Please visit their website for more information and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: Latitude (iPhone 7 Plus): $59.90 – Omnia $59.90
Manufacturer: Bezalel
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • – Easy to charge your phone while driving
  • – Can have your phone in various viewing angles
Cons:
  • – Falls out of the vent due to weight

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Bezalel Latitute case & Omnia wireless car charger review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 2, 2017 at 8:05 am.

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Arckit GO Colours review

I’ve always enjoyed building sets like models and construction sets from LEGO, Erector, and more. The Arckit GO Colours is a model building system that is used by schools and universities as a classroom teaching tool of STEM concepts for developing fundamental design skills. But is this set fun to build? Let’s find out.

What is it?

Arckit sets are construction “toys” that are in the same general realm as LEGO sets, but Arckits are more architectural in nature and are marketed as STEM toys. STEM stands for Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This particular set is rated for kids ages 10 and up.

What’s in the package?

Arckit offers a variety of sets, but I was sent their GO Colours set which includes 175+ pieces.

The larger pieces fill the box and groups of smaller pieces are packaged in clear plastic bags.

The pieces themselves are made of hard plastic and come in various colors.

The pieces either have tiny holes…

Or tiny posts that fit in the tiny holes.

A pictorial instruction sheet is included with the model to help you build it step-by-step.

Let’s get building!

My first thought about the Arckit was that it would be easy to build because they are similar to LEGO sets of which I’ve built many over the years/decades.

I didn’t take long into the task of building the set, that I started re-thinking that notion. First of all the illustrations in the instruction sheet are not that easy to understand because the drawings are too small and it’s tough to see the individual parts.

I constructed the base layer incorrectly twice due to this issue. But once I got the first step completed I thought I was home free. I was wrong.

Building the walls was frustrating because the wall pieces either have straight edges or angled edges. It’s not easy to determine which type is needed by looking at the instructions without using a magnifying glass.

Once I got past the base layer, the rest of the build got wonky really quickly because it’s not easy to seat the pieces with the posts into the pieces with the holes.

Trying to fit the second-floor layer on top of the structure was almost impossible. As you can see from the image above, the posts and holes don’t want to line up together. Trying to force the pieces in place just results in the other end popping up or other parts unconnecting.



This is what the model is supposed to look like when it’s completed. I never got that far.

Final thoughts

I devoted a couple hours to the task of build this model but got aggravated at the 30-minute mark and gave up which isn’t something I usually like to do. I’m an adult and got frustrated really quickly, so I can’t imagine that a 10-year-old child will fare much better.

While I love the idea of these building sets and all construction sets, I think Arckits are too fiddly for the average child (or adult). They are also too expensive compared to other more mainstream model building construction toys on the market.

If anyone out there has tried Arckits and has had a different experience, please let me know. But as it is, I’m not impressed and did not have fun building the set that was sent to me.

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

 

Product Information

Price: $59.99
Manufacturer: Arckit
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Educational
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Tedious to construct
  • Directions are lacking

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Arckit GO Colours review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 1, 2017 at 10:09 am.

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CaseMade iPad Pro 10.5″ leather case review

One of the first things most of us do after we purchase a new phone or tablet is to shop for a case to protect or add to the look of that shiny new device. There are literally thousands of choices which can make this quite an arduous task. When I purchased my 10.5” iPad Pro I chose to go with Logitech’s Slim Combo case. The main reason I chose it was because it had a keyboard and a holder for my Apple Pencil. I really like the case, but it’s a little bulky to use every day. I wanted another case for everyday use, something that had a nice look and complimented my shiny new iPad Pro. I got the chance to review such a case for the Gadgeteer. The CaseMade 10.5”  iPad Pro leather case. It’s a nice case that met my requirements but it’s not without its faults.

The CaseMade 10.5” iPad Pro leather case is made From 100% Italian cowhide leather. Inside there is a soft-touch polycarbonate mold that snugly holds the iPad Pro. The case also incorporates Apples smart cover sleep/wake technology. This means your iPad will be automatically put to sleep once the Casemade cover has been closed and instantly woken up once the Casemade cover has been opened.

Design

The black 100% Italian cowhide leather and unique red stitching give this case a real sophisticated look. I also like the emblazoned CaseMade logo on the lower left corner of the case. It’s a small detail but adds to the cases rich look. The inside cover has a soft, brushed finish so it won’t scratch your iPad’s screen. Thin and lightweight, this case is a perfect compliment to the minimalistic design of the 10.5” iPad Pro.

The polycarbonate mold inside does a nice job of holding my iPad in place. The material is pretty flexible and each mold is form-fitted to the iPad Pro ensuring a snug secure fit. There are cut-outs on the side and top and bottom to allow easy access to all of the iPad Pro’s external features including the camera, lightning connector, volume buttons and headphone jack. The mold is completely open on both the top and bottom except for the corners. Although the access is nice I would have preferred a little more coverage on the top and bottom to protect my investment.

Functionality

I was happy that this case offered the Apple Smart Cover sleep/wake technology. Every iPad case I’ve owned in the past had this feature and it’s one thing I look for when buying a new case. Unfortunately, this is where one of the faults I mentioned pops up. The feature works, but I have to move the cover around in order for it to lock my iPad. It’s as if the magnet inside the case is misaligned. It’s not a deal breaker, however, if you’re going to use this as a selling point it should work properly.

The case also doubles as a horizontal stand with two separate viewing positions. This is done by folding the case over and sliding the cover into a slot that is sewn into the back of the case. I really like this feature. It provides a nice viewing angle while on my lap and it’s very sturdy when used in the upright position. The lay-down position is perfect for using your iPad on your lap and makes it easy to do some quick typing using the iPad’s on-screen keyboard. The upright position is perfect for browsing the web, checking out social media like Twitter and Instagram or viewing videos and movies.

What I like

I like the look and feel of the 100% Italian cowhide leather. I like the functionality of the two different viewing positions. I like that it’s thin and lightweight.

What I don’t like

I don’t like that the sleep/wake function doesn’t work properly. I don’t like that there isn’t a place for my Apple Pencil.

Overall

I’ve used the CaseMade 10.5″ iPad Pro leather case as my everyday case for the last few weeks and I have to say that I really like it. As mentioned it does have its faults but none of them would keep me from recommending this case. If you’re looking for a nice minimalistic leather case at a reasonable price the CaseMade 10.5″ iPad Pro leather case may be for you. The case comes in 2 colors, black and tan and is priced at $64.95.

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

 

Product Information

Price: $64.95
Manufacturer: CaseMade
Pros:
  • 100% Italian cowhide leather
  • Thin and lightweight
  • Doubles as a horizontal viewing stand
Cons:
  • Sleep/wake feature doesn't work properly
  • No holder for Apple Pencil

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CaseMade iPad Pro 10.5″ leather case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 1, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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