I have been reviewing charging stands almost since the first day having an Apple Watch. We have seen everything from metal folding stands to exotic wood travel stands to charging gizmos that take over every function on your nightstand but the controller for your electric blanket. Some have been great, others have been – um – misguided. None, however, have not required you to add your own Apple Watch charger (which adds an additional $30, minimum, plus the hassle of threading it through the stand’s wiring channels.) Until now. Kanex has just released a stand for Apple Watch that includes the magnetic charging puck, as well as a single USB port. I was sent one to test and was excited to give it a go.
Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.
The stand is disarming in its simplicity. It’s a disc almost 4″ in diameter, with a space gray plastic finish and black plastic accents. There is a simple company logo centered on the disc. The 5/8″ thick base has a rubber gasket on the bottom to keep it firmly on your desk or nightstand. A metal tube almost 1/4″ in diameter rises just over three inches from the base, and curves gently to a position centered over the base. The charging puck is affixed to a metal holder set at a permanent 29º angle. The holder is smooth and nicely rounded. The fittings between the puck holder, the tube, and the base are both smooth and tight. There is no play at all.
The unit weighs only 7.35 ounces but feels substantial. Because of the right angle between the base and the upright of the watch stand, this is not something you’re going to pack for trips or move about – it’s going to sit quietly on your desk or nightstand and do what it’s supposed to when called on.
The single USB port on the rear of the base means you can also charge an iPad, iPhone, or your partner’s Apple Watch, but you’ll need to supply your own cable. I was a bit put off when I unboxed it and found that the power was provided by a round positive-tip plug, rather than the standard mini- or microUSB. Kanex, however, took the important step of providing an extra long plug that fits deeply into the body of the base for added strain relief. There is virtually no possible way to get the plug and pin misaligned and possibly damaged. It holds tightly, and powers the charger and USB port reliably.
At $79.95, it’s a little spendy, but, remember, there’s a $30 Apple Watch charger included, and a single USB charger, which would run another $5-$10. I, personally, would not hesitate to spend $80 for a quality piece like this.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Kanex. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.
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With so many action cameras on the market today, the only real decision you have to make is how much you want to pay. Sure, you can spend hundreds for the top of the line POV action camera but what if your budget isn’t hundreds of dollars? Well, with the MGCOOL Explorer ES I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the price that it goes for.
The MGCOOL Explorer ES is a mid-range action camera that has a price point of less than $40.00 and is geared toward the average consumer looking to capture high quality HD footage without spending that high end camera price. Nowadays, people using action cameras aren’t just the usual extreme athlete from the earlier days of extreme sports trying to record themselves jumping off of bridges on bungee cords, or parachuting out of a plane, or jumping huge gaps on a mountain bike, or skating a huge session on a vert ramp or surfing the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii. More and more people using action cameras today are your everyday people like a mom or dad on a family vacation, a college student at a music festival, or a kid filming an intense water balloon fight at their birthday party.
The specs on the camera as follows: first of all it can record in 3K, 2.7K, 1080, 720, and 480. Keep in mind that shooting in 3K there is only a 15fps frame rate when recording in this setting. Although the footage is usable, you won’t get that fluid motion that you would get a recording in 30fps or for even smoother footage recording at 60fps. And if you are looking for the more cinematic look, there are action cameras that record at 24fps.
The next setting down is 2.7K, which records in 30fps, then 1080P at 60fps and 30fps and then 720P at 120, 60, and 30fps. The MGCOOL Explorer ES records at an MP4 video format and has a H.264 compression mode.
In still camera mode, you can capture in 16M, 12M, 8M, 5M, and 2M.
The Explorer ES has a nice 170° wide angle lens so capturing all the action in front of the camera won’t be missed. It has a 2.0″ inch screen display on the back which is great to help frame your shots and it makes it easier to review your captured footage so you won’t have to squint to see it.
The Explorer ES has the familiar rectangle shape that is common whenever anyone thinks of an action or POV camera. It is 2.3″ in. x 1.61 in. x 1.14: in. and it weighs in at 1.94 ounces.
One thing that I paid close attention to is the picture quality of this camera. I wanted to see how good the quality was on a mid-range camera versus the quality of a higher priced high-end camera. On a bright sunny day, the video was good and picture quality on the MGCOOL Explorer ES looked great for a mid-range camera. However, in low light, the camera struggled a bit. There was graininess and soft images. But, if you aren’t doing a lot of low light or night shot then this camera will do just fine. How can you go wrong on a camera for under $40 dollars?
The images from a sunny day and well it rooms looked crisp and clear and there was a good balance between the brightness and contrast. However, I did notice that the center of the footage was the sharpest and around the edges were a little soft but not too soft to be a deal breaker. Not bad for a mid-range camera at this price.
Keep in mind that since this is a mid-range camera you don’t have much control over the camera settings. There is only a setting for Exposure and White Balance. You can increase or decrease the brightness in the Exposure settings and select between Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Incandescent Light, or Florescent Light for the White Balance.
The MGCOOL Explorer ES has a microSD card slot on the side of the camera and directly beside that slot is the microUSB charging port. The Explorer ES can support microSD cards up to 64GB. Although, there are microSD cards that are geared specifically towards recording 4K, 3K and 2.7K footage, I used an 8GB Centron microSD card while recording in 3K and had no problems whatsoever. I tested out the other resolutions and the Explorer ES did just fine. Just be sure the microSD card you are using is a Class 10 card. Anything lower than that and you could have issues recording in high HD resolutions, especially recording in 3k or 2.7K.
Aside from the minimal camera controls, another thing to point out that puts this camera into the mid-range category is the lack of a mini-HDMI out port. Unless you find yourself constantly connecting your action camera to your TV to view your footage, then the lack of the mini-HDMI port won’t be missed. I know that I myself typically view my captured footage on my computer after I insert the microSD card into a card reader, so not having a mini-HDMI port wasn’t a big deal for me. I can still review footage I shot on the camera with the large 2″ inch LCD screen on the back if I need to.
On the plus side, although this is a mid-range camera it does have WI-Fi capabilities so you’ll be able to monitor and review your camera from your Android or iOS device via MGCOOL’s app for Android and iOS devices. I was happy to see that there was barely any lag from the camera to my LG G4 Android phone. Some action cameras I have used there was a lag in the app’s video monitor when I moved the camera. There was about a one second delay after I move the camera. With t he MGCOOL Explorer ES, the movement was almost instant. For me, the delay, or lag, is more of a pet peeve. For some users out there it may not bother you. You’ll have to play around with it and see what you think. The connection distance between your device and the Explorer is a 10m or 30ft. To activate the Wi-Fi, you can just press the top toggle button on the side of the camera and it will activate the camera’s Wi-Fi. If you look very closely you can see the Wi-Fi icon on the top button.
Another nice feature that the Explorer ES can do is the option to record in Driving Mode. Basically, you can use this camera as a dash camera in your car. In this setting, the camera will automatically write over the microSD card when it gets full. This is good to have when the camera records all the action in front of your car in case you find yourself in a fender bender.
The MGCOOL Explorer comes with a 1050mAh Li-ion battery which is nice compared to other action cameras that only come with a 900mAh Li-ion battery. The bigger battery gives you some extra juice for the camera. As a matter of fact, I tested the camera shooting in 1080P/60fps and managed to squeeze out 2 hours on a single charge. While I was surprised at that battery life I tested it again on another day using the same 1080P/60fps settings and got the same 2 hours out of the battery. In the 3k setting, I got and hour and 30 minutes and in the 2.7K I got one hour and 20 minutes. So, I’m not sure if shooting in a lower resolution helped prolong the battery life but I would need to do more testing. Either way, having a 1050mAh battery is a nice option to have with action cameras. The more juice the better.
For a mid-range camera, the MGCOOL Explorer ES is an action camera that captures high-resolution footage at a low price range. And when I saw low price range I mean low. So for people out there that want to get into shooting with action cameras but don’t want, or need, to spend a lot of money, the Explorer ES by MGCOOL is a perfect camera to introduce yourself into the world of action and POV cameras. I would say this is a great starting camera if you want to dip your proverbial foot into the pool of action cameras and find out what quality and resolution you have a need for.
The Explorer ES comes with several accessories and mounts to get you going and to start using the camera in many action scenarios. For the quality and price of this camera, you can get several Explorer ES cameras for the price of one high-end camera. MGCOOL also offers a 2 year warranty on this camera.
Although I really don’t like uploading videos larger than 1080 to Youtube because of Youtube’s compression, you can check out a small test clip I shot with the Explorer ES below.
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Over the past year or so, I’ve gradually been adding to my home automation and security system. Being a Gadgeteer, I’ve enjoyed implementing different cameras into my system and jumped at the chance to review Foscam’s FI996EP Security Camera.
The camera arrived in its own nest of closed-cell foam, accompanied by an Ethernet cable and power adapter. The power adapter is somewhat redundant because this camera can be powered by PoE, or Power over Ethernet if your switch is so equipped. Power supply current is 1 Amp. I used the power supply to configure the camera but set it aside, preferring the streamlined convenience of PoE.
Foscam has a reputation for making sturdy, reliable cameras. The FI996EP is no exception. The housing on this camera is virtually bulletproof. It’s quite heavy, and entirely metal, with a clear plastic dome to protect the camera, SD card, and infrared electronics from the elements. I’m not exaggerating when I say this camera is built like a tank.
Triple hex-head screws hold the cover in place. It’s not included, so you may have to rummage around your tool box to crack open this egg. Once opened, the camera can be pivoted from straight down to about 70° inclination. Clearly, designed to be mounted on a ceiling and aimed in the direction of naughtiness, um… interest.
I downloaded the Foscam App using the instructions from the installation manual, applied for an account, plugged the camera into an Ethernet port, applied power, and scanned the QR code on the camera base to add the camera to the app. All took less than five minutes. With very little lag, the first images popped onto my screen. Images were clear and crisp. Switching from full color to black-and-white infrared “night vision” was virtually instantaneous. The FI996EP sports an SD card slot to capture images, or you can opt for paid cloud storage. The camera can also be accessed through web browsers using Foscam’s “Equipment Browser” software, but I will primarily use the iOS app.
A five-headed cord sprouts from the camera’s base allowing access to the Ethernet port, reset switch, power jack, and composite video, should there be a need to connect to an existing security system or DVR.
I found this camera to be a capable addition to my home security system and I had no trouble with setup or use, but it should be noted, this camera does not have wireless capabilities and requires wired Ethernet for IP connectivity. This may be a deal-breaker for some, but the ruggedness, ease of use and image quality shouldn’t be overlooked.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Foscam. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.
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I typically do not have a case on my iPhone, preferring the natural feel of the smartphone itself. But I do worry a bit about buggering my very expensive tech-toy due to my desire to use it naked. I sometimes use a case when I’m feeling conservative but most feel so bulky and in the way. totallee’s thin leather iPhone case tries to bridge the gap between the two extremes. This case is about as minimalist as you can find, barely changing the look, feel, and weight of the sleek and slim device.
Note: Click the images to see a larger view.
totallee is a startup company based out of South Pasadena, CA. Their primary mission is to make thin iPhone cases that provide decent protection without adding bulk. When totallee began in 2013, they wanted to develop a line of cases that are “thin, elegant and fairly priced”. According to their website, they’re a “group of hard working, creative individuals who care about the products we sell and about the people we sell them to.”
Truth be told, when I first opened the packaging and held the totallee thin leather case my initial impression was less than positive. It felt cheap and at best, mediocrely made. But with time, it has definitely grown on me. I’ve had it on my iPhone 7+ for several weeks and have not gotten tired of it.
The case itself is made from polypropylene and is a mere 0.02″ thick, weighing in at 0.1 oz. The thin leather iPhone case features a genuine lambskin leather backing that is inset into the plastic.
The $29 thin leather iPhone case is perfectly fitted for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Here you can see it installed on my smartphone…it is a very tight fit with zero gaps whatsoever. totallee’s goal is to: keep your iPhone 7 Plus looking like an iPhone.
The lambskin leather on the back of the case adds texture and grip to your slippery device. I was surprised to find out the “leather case” only had leather on the back vs the whole case. But overall the design works very well.
This case snaps-on the smartphone and covers/protects 99% 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 easily pressed when desired.
The totallee case has a cutout for the lighting connector and speaker holes on its base.
The case covers the entire top of the iPhone.
totallee backs their $29 thin leather iPhone case with a 2-year hassle-free warranty. It is available for the iPhone 6/6+/7/7+ in black and as the name implies costs 29 bones.
The totallee $29 thin leather iPhone 7 case is great minimalistic protection for your sleek and slim smartphone. This case adds little bulk or weight to your iPhone while providing decent protection from bumps, nicks, or scrapes. Though it wouldn’t add much drop or impact protection. An added bonus is that the totallee case enables me to sandwich a metal plate between it and my iPhone to use the magnetic mounts in my vehicles. Bottom line: 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 protecting it from the outside world.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by totallee. Please visit their site for more info and to order. You can also see other totallee cases on Amazon.
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There are so many home security cameras on the market, that it can be frustrating to figure out which one to choose. Do you go with a tried and true brand like Nest or DLink, or do you try a less expensive brand like the Momentum Wi-Fi Video Camera which I’m going to tell you about today? Let’s find out.
What is it?
Momentum is a WiFi home security camera with the following features:
Two-way talk through the mobile app
720p HD resolution (720×1280)
110-degree viewing angle
Built-in night vision
Dual band Wi-Fi support (2.4GHz and 5.0GHz)
Integration with NEST and future home security products from Momentum *
*This is according to the Momentum site. At this time I can’t find any way to implement this integration.
What’s in the box?
Momentum 720P wireless camera
AC adapter
micro USB charging cable
Mounting hardware
Manual
Quick start guide
Design and features
The Momentum WiFi Video Camera has a black and brushed silver plastic case.
On the front is the 720P camera lens, a status LED, and a microphone for two-way communication.
On the back of the camera is a speaker, a micro USB connection for the included power cable, and a reset button.
On one side of the camera is a micro SD card slot. A memory card is not included with the camera, but it will work with cards that have up to 128GB capacity.
The camera’s base is magnetic. It will stick to any flat steel surface or you can use the included steel plate to attach the camera to a wall or ceiling.
The angle of the camera can be adjusted by pivoting it in the base.
Setup
To setup the Momentum camera, you install the iOS or Android app on your mobile device. I did my testing with an LG G6 and an iPhone 7 Plus.
The application then guides you step by step to add the camera. Basically, you just plug in the camera, point the phone’s camera at the QR code on the back and it detects your WiFi network. Then you just wait for it to complete the setup.
I had a few glitches during the initial setup where the app detected the camera but never finished setting it up. Note that I was setting up the Momentum camera within 3.5 feet from my wireless rounder and phone. After a couple of reboots, it finally worked.
Usage
The user interface for the Momentum app has a tiled layout that is easy enough to navigate. There’s a large tile for the camera (it’s not a live view though), a tile/button to go into the activity list and a tile/button to go into the rules setup.
Note that the camera comes with a 30 day free trial of the Momentum cloud service, but the service is not mandatory. Without the service, the camera can save photos and manually captured videos to the micro SD card. The camera will not (as far as I can tell) record ALL footage to the micro SD card.
The rules setup is very basic. All you can do is set it to trigger on motion and set the days/times when the triggers will be active. There isn’t a way to set zones or other advanced features that some home security cameras offer.
Tapping the camera tile on the app’s dashboard will take you into the live view of the camera which you see above on the left. Below the live view are icons for two-way communication, video recording, camera snapshot, and the activity list. The slider switch at the top of the screen turns the camera on/off.
When motion is triggered, you’ll receive a notice on your phone like you see in the image in the middle. This notification does not include a thumbnail of the motion. To see what triggered the notification, you have to go to the activities page which shows a list of all the triggered events (above on the right).
The activities screen is not accurate or updated correctly. It will list some events that happened yesterday under the heading for today. And as you can see, each entry does not always show a thumbnail.
But even worse is the fact that very often, I’ll click on one of the notifications in the list and it will act like it’s going to play the recorded video clip but it’s completely blank. This is one of the most frustrating problems with the Momentum camera, but it’s not the only problem.
Another problem is with the night vision IR. See the image above? That was taken around 8 AM in the morning. It’s a little gloomy outside, but it’s not that dark right?
During the same time, the live view through the Momentum app looks like this. As far as I can tell, there’s no way to deactivate the IR feature or schedule it for only certain times of the day.
Final thoughts
For $49.99 I was hoping that the Momentum Wi-Fi Video Camera would be a good deal, but it turned out to be a dud. It’s fine if all you want to use it for is a live viewer, but if you want to depend on it for motion alerts, you’ll be very disappointed. My advice is to skip this one.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Momentum. Please visit their site for more info.
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