Reviews – Page 275

Mr. Lentz Double Passport Wallet review

Traveling in today’s environment with heightened security and tightened airline rules/regulations can be a real pain. Just keeping up with your travel documents and passports can be tough. I have been fortunate enough to travel on a regular basis and I am usually not alone when I travel, so that means keeping up with double the travel documents for the trip. Recently, I was offered a chance to review a product that could help make my travel a little easier, the Mr. Lentz Double Passport Wallet.

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

The Mr. Letz Double Passport Wallet is designed to carry more than just your passport. The wallet has four credit card pockets made to hold up to 12 cards. This leather passport wallet although simple in design is well thought out with an included pen and a small notebook.

As noted above the Mr. Letz Double Passport Wallet comes with a pen and a small notebook, but the folks at Mr. Letz also provide you with a small tin of leather conditioner to keep your wallet in great shape for years of use.

As you can see from the first two photos the front and back of the wallet are pretty much the same, the wallet is basically a mirror image of itself (again simple but effective). The top of the wallet does have slits cut into it to allow the included ink pen to be secured into the wallet.

As you can see both sides of the wallet are identical except for the “MR” sampling in the left side and a number stamped on the right side. The rivets are well placed and solid.

Although I will not carry the included notebook, the Mr. Letz Double Passport Wallet has room for all my essentials; two passports, business cards, credit cards and travel industry ID cards. With all of those items packed inside the wallet, it still maintains a slim profile.

So, what’s my bottom line here? Great product. Sometimes we confuse simple and basic with average and low quality, that is not the case here. The Mr. Letz Double Passport Wallet delivers a quality built, functional product that meets a purpose. To be honest, although I love the feel and look of good leather products they are not always practical for my travel needs. The Mr. Letz Double Passport Wallet is one of the rare exceptions. Even with all of my cards and passports in the wallet, it is still slim and compact enough to carry comfortably. The wallet should outlast any nylon or other fabric wallets that I have and will get better looking and feeling as it wears. Although I won’t probably carry the notebook the pen is a great feature along with the included tin of conditioner to help keep your wallet in tip top shape. I will say that with a base price of $82 (The Western Brown version I reviewed is listed at $84) it may seem a bit pricey, but this truly is a “you get what you pay for” type of product and quality is not cheap. The Mr. Letz Double Passport Wallet is available on the Mr. Letz web page along with other fine leather products.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Mr. Lentz Leather Goods. Visit their site for more info.

Product Information

Price:	$82 – $84
Manufacturer:	Mr. Lentz Leather Goods
Pros:	Slim profile Quality made
Cons:	None

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Travel Gear, Wallets

Mr. Lentz Double Passport Wallet review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 22, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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Julie’s favorite gear, Rhinoshield CrashGuard Bumper, and more – Review updates

We have a few quick review updates for you today, including an update to my Julie’s favorite gear list. Click through to see the list of updated reviews and then scroll to the bottom of each review to read the latest updates.

Julie’s Favorite Gear – I added a couple things and removed a couple of things. Can you spot the differences?

RhinoShield iPhone 7 Plus cases review by Julie Strietelmeier. The update is to the CrashGuard Bumper Case section of the review.

FlexUSB Adapter Review by Julie Strietelmeier

Archeer A320 Bluetooth speaker review by Michael Strange

Product Information

Price:

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: review updates

Julie’s favorite gear, Rhinoshield CrashGuard Bumper, and more – Review updates originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 22, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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ThanoTech K11 iPhone Bumper review

When I recently switched to an iPhone 7 Plus, I felt the need to find a case to protect my investment without adding a lot of extra weight and bulk. When I stumbled upon the ThanoTech K11 Bumper while doing some online shopping, I knew I had to try it. Let’s check it out.

What is it?

The ThanoTech K11 is a bumper style case for the iPhone made of anodized aluminum and flexible TPU. It’s a way to protect the iPhone from up to a 16-foot drop without adding the bulk of a full coverage case.

The K11 is available in black, silver, gold, rose gold, and red. I was sent the silver version.

The K11 is a bumper style case that only covers the outside edges of the phone, which doesn’t sound like it would be very protective, but bumper features two layers of material. There’s an interior layer that’s made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) and an exterior shell of 6063 T6 aircraft grade anodized aluminum. TPU is a hybrid material that’s a mixture of hard plastic and soft silicone. It helps absorb shock from drops and can protect the iPhone from up to a 16ft drop when it’s in this case.

The cool thing about the combination of TPU and aluminum is that the TPU makes the bumper flexible and that makes it much easier to insert and remove the phone.

Installation is simple. Just put the bottom corners in the bumper snap the top edges in place. It takes only a little effort, but you won’t feel like you’re going to snap the phone in half like I’ve felt with other iPhone cases and bumpers.

Once seated, you still have access to all the iPhone’s ports and buttons. The lightning port cutout on the bottom edge is large enough to fit most 3rd party cables. I’ve yet to find one that is too large.

On the left edge of the bumper, there is a cutout for the mute switch and individual buttons for volume. Unlike some cases, that have molded buttons, the K11 has individual metal buttons that provide excellent tactile feedback.

You’ll find the same type of button over the power button on the opposite side of the phone.

And on the back of the phone, you’ll see that the entire back of the iPhone is exposed. The front and back edges of the bumper are raised so that the front and back of the phone is slightly elevated when placed on a flat surface.

The area above the camera lens is raised evfurtherter to protect the camera lens.

If you’re worried about scratches, ThanoTech includes a protector that you can install on the back of the phone. Actually, they include two back protectors with the Kll Bumper

The K11 is pretty minimal as far as cases go, but it does add some width all the way around the phone. If you have small pants pockets, you might notice that you have less wiggle room when using your phone in this case and you try to put it in your pocket.

You might be wondering if the aluminum has a negative impact on your signal reception. The answer is no, it doesn’t due to the layer of TPU that’s between the phone and the aluminum. I’ve noticed no issues with signal strength degrading in the weeks that I’ve been using this bumper case on my iPhone 7 Plus.

Final thoughts

I had not heard of ThanoTech before reviewing their K11 Bumper. I’m impressed with how nice their products are. They look sharp and are really well made. They also sent me a charging adapter for the car which is made of stainless steel which is extra nice.

Bumper cases might not be right for everyone, but for people who want drop protection without completely covering every surface of their phone, the ThanoTech K11 Bumper is an option.

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

Product Information

Price:	$34.95
Manufacturer:	ThanoTech
Retailer:	Amazon
Pros:	Easy to install Easy to remove Edges raised to keep screen, camera, and back from scratching Less bulk than a full coverage case
Cons:	Does add some width to the phone

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bumper case, Cases and Covers, iPhone

ThanoTech K11 iPhone Bumper review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 21, 2017 at 1:58 pm.

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TaoTronics 2K car dash cam review

I have never had a dash camera before so you are getting my review of the TaoTronics 2K Car Dash Cam (TT-CD06) as a total neophyte. The camera comes well packaged and includes:

A camera that supports 2K video recording at 30 fps and 1080P footage at 45 fps for high-quality captures even in low light conditions and a 160° Wide Angle Lens
Dual- port USB 12V adaptor
11.8’ and 5.9” USB cables
Suction cup and 3M adhesive window mounts
Installation kit includes cable guides, extra adhesive pad, and spudger for putting the cable around the windshield
32GB Class 10 Micro SD card (Samsung)
User Guide and offer card

Setup was easy and included installing the card, attaching the mount and cable, and powering up. The TT-CD06 starts automatically on power being applied via the USB cable and starts a rolling record. A blinking red led in the upper right corner indicates the record mode and a blue light indicates power. Connectors include USB and HDMI out. The display (backlight) turns off automatically after three minutes. The rolling record time is selectable between 1, 3, and 5 minutes. Other settings exist for date and time, mic on/off, video resolution, exposure, white balance, and file management. The unit does not have a GPS. In case of a collision, the latest recording is locked (did not test…!). Recording and microphone can be triggered manually as well for things like traffic stops, etc.

My experiences with the camera were generally positive. The display is bright even in the southwest sun as was the suction cup mount. Night vision is good as well. I did have a problem with the unit powering off but this was fixed by the firmware update on the TaoTronics web site. The update is performed by loading the firmware on a formatted SD card. It would have been nice to have it available over the USB cable. Another minor gotcha for me was the unit itself says “connecting USB” even when it is already connected.

I kept the unit in the 1920×1080 HDR. This also looked quite good at night. My biggest complaint about the whole experience is the poor translation of the manual. There are two features mentioned in the manual – G-Sensor and Park mode. The unit will automatically lock the video in case of a shock but there is an additional mode. The manual also recommends that this mode be OFF during normal driving. The unit also has a high power capacitor supporting park mode with power removed. When the unit is in park mode, it will recode a bump to the car, however, this mode is also recommended to be OFF in normal operation. I found it annoying to turn on every time I stopped the car. A better feature would for this mode to enable automatically upon power being removed. I asked support and the marketing manager and never got a good explanation of how to use these TT-CD06 features effectively.

Overall, I think the unit is well made and operated flawlessly after the firmware update. It is small and discrete and was almost unnoticeable behind my rear view menu. The user interface is fast and responsive. Video quality is quite good. As for features, there are a couple I would like but they do drive the cost up for dash cams. The first would be GPS or a GPS interface, be that wired or wireless, to stamp the location of a video. The second would be both front and rear-facing cameras, esp. if I were a Lyft or Uber driver. Though the driver in the front car of a rear end collision is rarely at fault, it would be nice to have a record if that occurred. As for Lyft/Uber drivers, sometimes passengers are not always well behaved and I will leave it at that… For an entry-level unit, I was pleased with the TaoTronics 2K Car Dash Cam and think it is fairly priced.

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

Product Information

Price:	$68.99
Manufacturer:	TaoTronics
Retailer:	Amazon
Pros:	Small and Discrete Fast Everything included and ready to go
Cons:	Some confusing instructions No provisions for GPS

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Car Gear, dash cam

TaoTronics 2K car dash cam review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 21, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 review

If you are a frequent traveler like I am, you probably have a pretty high standard for your suitcases and travel gear. I am no different. I travel 25-50% of my time for my job and finding that perfect bag for those 2-4 day trips has been an ongoing quest. I have quite a collection of different duffels, suitcases, roller bags, etc. and each has had their benefits but also their drawbacks, leaving me searching for that ultimate bag for my work trips.

When I had the opportunity to review the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 travel bag, I was excited to have another option for my travel needs but managed my expectations because I have yet to find the perfect bag and there is always something that just isn’t quite right for my needs. I can say right now that I am more impressed with this bag and accessory system than I have been with ANY other product I have used since becoming such a frequent flyer.

The size of the Aeronaut 45 is designed to meet the maximum carry-on dimensions for your major airlines (22″ x 14″ x 9″) but maximizes the space and can be internally modified to fit your exact needs. “(T)he Aeronaut is at once soft luggage, a duffel bag, and a backpack” as described in the product description. the backpack straps can be completely hidden, allowing you to use the top handle or the optional shoulder strap should you want to carry it over the shoulder or cross body. The Aeronaut is not a roller bag and that is fine by me!

Many duffel bags are simply a sack with no compartmentalization or have a tiny pocket that serves little purpose for actually organizing your clothes/equipment. The Aeronaut 45 is smartly divided into three compartments, a main/center compartment where most of your clothing will go, which is flanked by two large end compartments on each side that will actually hold a lot. I wear a size 14 shoe and I was able to fit a pair of my bulky clodhoppers in one of the side compartments (the website says they can accommodate a size 12 running shoe so I am guessing nobody there had a size 14 to test but mine fit like a glove). This is the first time I have had a carry-on sized bag that I was able to keep a pair of my pontoon sized shoes in anything other than the main storage compartment. This was the first thing I tested when I received the bag and when I discovered that both shoes would fit in one pocket, I was ready to call it a victory and write this review, but there is so much more to the bag and the accessories, I might as well earn my keep and look into the rest of it.

The bag is offered in a myriad of external and internal color combinations with more on the way. Constructed ballistic ripstop nylon, this bag will have no issues being used regularly and being thrown in overhead bins or in the seat in front of you. The materials feel thick and sturdy yet lightweight and flexible at the same time. All zippers are YKK and any external zippers are also YKK Aquagaurd Coil Zippers. Everything on this bag looks and feels like it was designed with longevity in mind and to be a piece you will use for years.

The main compartment is the perfect size for folded pants or dress shirts and work perfectly with their optional packing cube accessories or with many of the packing accessories you might already own. I have a couple sets of organizing cubes from other manufacturers and they fit quite well but I really like the ones from Tom Bihn because of their clear intent to be used with this product. There are so many little conveniences that have been so thoughtfully designed into this bag it is difficult to list them all but everything on the bag is there for a reason and you will find that you will miss them if you go back to using another bag after this.

I am a bigger guy (6’1″, 230#) and the bag fit me perfectly in backpack mode but also adjusted to fit my wife who is much more petite than I am. I usually prefer a shoulder strap and was fortunate to receive one of those as well but I can see myself using the backpack mode as often or more often than the shoulder strap because of how comfortable it is and how well the straps and back are padded to make for a comfortable carry over long distances.

The offer a comprehensive range of travel accessories, which can be ordered to match your Aeronaut bag. I received a couple of large packing cubes for organizing pants and shirts inside the Aeronaut; some of the travel stuff sacks, which can be used as compression sacks for lightweight jackets, socks/underwear, dirty clothes or just anything you want to keep separate and tuck into nooks and crannies in the bag; a 3D Clear Organizing Cube for holding my toiletries and can be easily taken out at airport security if it is holding liquid; and the shoulder strap, which gives me an additional option for how to carry the bag. The shoulder strap is the most comfortable strap I have ever had on any bag. It is constructed from soft neoprene with a stretch backing, which makes the bag feel 50% lighter on your shoulder and cuts down on the pressure point on your shoulder or collarbone. The all-metal hardware on the shoulder strap is another sign of quality and assures me that I won’t have to deal with a broken plastic buckle at an inopportune time. With a retail price of $295, I think this bag is a bargain.

Overall I think Tom Bihn hit a home run with this product. I have recommended it to people in my office when we talk about our travel and the gear we use. I highly recommend this bag and strongly encourage you to look into their accessories to help organize your packing. I have actually been using the pouches on their own to carry small items to my kid’s soccer games and also to keep things organized in my car. the versatility offered by all of these products is one of the reasons it is my new go-to for my short business trips.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Tom Bihn. For more information please visit their website.

Product Information

Price:	$295.00
Manufacturer:	Tom Bihn
Pros:	Extremely well engineered and constructed bag that has the traveler in mind; very competitively priced for the quality, versatility, and functionality of this bag; best shoulder strap I have ever had on any bag; the backpack straps are completely hidden when not in use.
Cons:	I am actually at a loss here. I have no complaints, which is a first for me with bags and travel gear.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bags, Travel Gear

Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 20, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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