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Tom Bihn Shadow Guide Backpack and Accessories review

REVIEW – A few years ago Tom Bihn introduced us to the Guide’s Pack, which was heavy on heritage-inspired looks and loaded with features for the outdoor wanderer. This week we’re looking at the Shadow Guide, which you can think of as it’s city-dwelling cousin. It’s just as rugged and functional, but a bit more streamlined for adventures that don’t involve mountains and hiking trails. To the review!

What is it?

It’s a 31-liter klettersack-style backpack.

Hardware specs

  • 21.7″ high by 12.6″ wide by 9.4″ deep
  • 31 liter capacity
  • 525 denier 2×2 ballistic nylon exterior
  • 210 denier 2×2 ballistic nylon exterior
  • 1050 denier HT ballistic nylon base
  • YKK Zippers
  • Duraflex, Nexus and Woojin hardware
  • 2 lb, 10 oz total weight

What’s in the box?

In addition to the bag, the package includes a removable sternum strap, a removable waist strap, and an 8″ key leash. You also get a set of zipper pulls, cinch straps, and a drawstring in bright red that you can use to swap out the black versions that ship with the pack.

Design and features

Streamlined simplicity is the name of the game with the Shadow Guide. While it shares the form factor with its off-road cousin, this profile is sleek and focused. And very, very black. Check out the views:

What’s with the red, you ask? The Shadow Guide ships with all-black straps and elements, but also includes a set of bright red straps and zipper/drawstring pulls are included if you want a pop of color. It’s easy to change them out. I actually prefer the red accents, because they break things up a bit. Here’s a shot of the extra straps, after I swapped out for the red ones:

While the Guide’s Pack includes a whole bunch of external attachment points and lash tabs for add-ons, the Shadow Guide ditches all of that. There’s a single loop at the base of the bag to attach a blinky light, and that’s it.

The Shadow Guide is a klettersack-style design. It’s a top-loader with a drawstring closure, covered with a lid that keeps the elements out of your bag. There’s also a second grab handle under that lid, so you can hang the bag if the lid is open. Very, very clever.

The lid snaps into place with two cinch straps and clip buckles. These straps are also adjustable so that you can tighten things up based on how much you are carrying:

The lid itself opens to a big pocket that measures roughly 9″ by 9″ by 3″, with the zippered opening facing towards you (or down if you’re not fully packed out). This configuration, coupled with a zipper hood, prevents rain from getting into your stuff.

On the underside of the lid are two smaller mesh pockets that each measure roughly 6″ by 4″ each for collecting your smaller things like pens, keys, pocket knives, and the like.

The main compartment is a vast cavern of open space that measures 12.6″ wide by 21.7″ tall by 9.4″ deep. There are no compartments or pockets in there. It’s wide open for maximum packing versatility.

Simple, right? Not exactly. Tom Bihn designs are all about systems for customization and flexibility. Let’s take a deeper look at how it carries, and how you customize the bag to meet your needs.

The Carry System

Tom Bihn has mastered the art of comfortable, adaptable carrying systems. The Shadow Guide incorporates elements of outdoor technical packs (like it’s country cousin) to make this happen.

We start with the back panel, which is composed of two elements. A mesh upper back panel promotes breathability, while a ballistic nylon lumbar pad provides comfort where the base hits your back. This pad also extends to the bottom of the bag to protect your gear from dropsies.

Behind that padded back panel is an internal frame made from a single piece of high-density plastic with a single (removable) aluminum stay that can be adjusted to match the curve of your back. This frame has 6 “fins” that insert into the slots seen in the picture below, allowing the frame to flex as you twist and move. You can also remove the frame entirely if that works for you.

The shoulder straps themselves are curved and padded with adjustments for just about any body type.

The hardware is chunky and built to last. Here’s a close up of the sternum strap hardware, as well as the hydration loop that comes in the package. These can both be removed completely if you don’t need them.

You’ll find a 1″ waist stabilizer strap included in the package, which is probably all you’ll need for regular daily carry. If you are hiking or traveling with heavy loads, you can also upgrade to the Shadow Guide Padded Hip Belt. Comparison pictures below:

The Shadow Guide has a pair of loops cleverly tucked in behind the shoulder strap attachment points at the base of the bag that will accommodate either belt with rugged clips.

This all adds up to a ridiculously comfortable carry system no matter how you choose to use it. And despite all of that technical functionality, it adds minimal bulk and weight to the bag. It’s got serious chops as a hiking bag, but you won’t look like a misplaced Sherpa that got lost at the office when you head into work.

The Accessory System

One of the strengths of Tom Bihn’s design philosophy is customization. While the bag is built to last forever, Tom recognizes that your carry needs will probably change on a regular basis. The Shadow Guide is made to adapt to these changing needs.

If you carry a laptop, Tom Bihn makes a sleeve called the Cache that can connect to attachment points in the main compartment of the bag. The Cache comes in sizes to accommodate just about every laptop and tablet out there, and the Shadow Guide handles them all. If you upgrade your laptop or carry different laptops at different times, you can swap them right into your bag. You can also swap that Cache out to other Tom Bihn bags. It’s all about flexibility.

The other killer feature found in all Tom Bihn bags are the “O” rings, which allow you to attach all sorts of straps and accessory pouches. You’ll find 5 on this bag: 2 in the main lid pocket, one in the smaller lid pockets, and two on the back of the main compartment of the bag. Tom Bihn includes one of their key straps with the bag, which allows me to hang my keys in multiple places:

Tom Bihn makes dozens of varieties of accessory pouches for just about every need which clip to the “O” rings. I’ve got a collection of these I’ve gathered over the years to sort out all my small stuff, so I can customize my pockets to whatever I am managing that day.

Tom Bihn also makes bigger accessory pouches for larger items or toiletries. I have two of these that I hang from the “O” rings in the main compartment. They sit high in the compartment so that I can flip them out as needed, with no fishing in the bottomless cavern!

See that grey/black pouch in the clip? That’s one of the new 3D Organizer Cubes. It’s 7″ by 4″ by 1-1/2″, and includes “O” rings on each side so that you can attach it to one of those key straps. It’s the perfect size for my MacBook power brick, cable, Magic Mouse and USB-C Adaptor.

It’s also got it’s own hanging hook if you want to use it as a toiletry organizer or Dopp kit.

This extensibility makes the Shadow Guide a true multitasker. I keep my laptop gear, iPhone accessories, work accessories, and personal stuff in separate accessory pouches. I can pop out the pouches I don’t need in moments and I am ready to go. If I switch between bags (I have a Tom Bihn briefcase as well), I can quickly transfer my gear without worrying that I forgot something. The options and combinations are endless.

Performance

The Tom Bihn Shadow Guide will never be mistaken for a slick, lean business pack. It’s a big bag, made for carrying your life on your back. But I love the streamlined simplicity, and I think it works just fine for the business commute. It excels as a multitasking commuter that can switch gears for travel, as a weekend companion, or for outdoor adventures.

Here’s my typical daily carry. I’ve got the MacBook Pro in it’s own sleeve, my iPad, my coffee making kit, and a whole boatload of office and gadget accessories:

I drop this in the bag, and it’s not even half full! I could fit my gym gear, a packed lunch, and a sweatshirt in there and still have room for more:

On a normal workday, I’ll ditch the sternum straps and waist strap. I’m 5’10” and 195 pounds for reference.

I haven’t done any hiking with the Shadow Guide yet, but I plan to. Here are some shots with the padded hip belt and sternum strap in place:

For all the goodness in the Shadow Guide, it’s important to note that the simplicity and add-on customization isn’t for everyone. If you like your bags to come pre-packaged with laptop compartments and all kinds of organization built in, this won’t be your thing. It also doesn’t have any external attachment points for hydration bottles and additional gear, but that’s what you’d get the Guide’s Pack for.

There is one other design element we should talk about, and that’s the zipper configuration on the lid. That big space is marvelous, and the “O” rings are great for adding pouches… but the zip does point towards the ground unless you are fully packed out. This means that little items run the risk of falling out if you’re not careful. If you’re not using accessory pouches, you’ll want to plan accordingly.

What I like

  • Perfect size for travel or hiking
  • Also perfect for carrying a days worth of work gear & gym clothes
  • Simple, easy configuration
  • Carry system is extremely comfortable and adaptable
  • Built to Tom Bihn’s quality standards; the build, materials, and construction are among the best in the business
  • Amazingly light at under 3 pounds

What needs to be improved

  • Little built in organization — may not appeal to those who don’t like purchasing extra accessories
  • The zip for the main pocket on the top lid points towards the ground — be careful with your packing and unpacking!

Final thoughts

You may notice that I didn’t dive into materials and construction on this review, and there’s a reason for that. It’s a Tom Bihn bag, and that means you’re getting the best in the business. Materials, construction, and assembly are flawless. It’s a bag you’ll buy for life; I have several Tom Bihn bags that are more than 10 years old, and still look (and function) like I bought them yesterday. You can see more about the construction details on their web site.

And that leads to my conclusion on this bag. If you’re looking for one bag that could do it all, the Shadow Guide may be the answer you are looking for. It’s got buttoned-down good looks, ample size without being ridiculous, and customization options to take you wherever you need to go. It will adapt to your needs as they change with simple precision. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Note that this is a limited edition bag, and is currently showing as unavailable on Tom Bihn’s web site. Hopefully, they’ll make another run of them. We’ll see!

Price: $220.00
Where to buy: Go to the Shadow Guide product page on the Tom Bihn web site.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Tom Bihn

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Tom Bihn Shadow Guide Backpack and Accessories review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 27, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Tenergy Indoor Grill review

REVIEW – I am a huge fan (no pun intended!) of grilling. I tend to cook that way on any temperate afternoon or evening, if I have the time and ingredients. When the Gadgeteers were offered a chance to try the Tenergy Indoor Electric Grill, I spent several milliseconds before responding with a huge “Me! Me! Me!” I was chosen and it arrived a week or so later and I’ve been forced to grill food on it for several meals. See what lengths the Gadgeteer team will go to for our readers?

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

What is it?

The Tenergy Electric Indoor grill is just that: an electric grill that can be used indoors for smokeless grilling of meats, veggies, or kabobs that you’d normally take out to your patio to grill over charcoal or a gas flame. Like an animal.

Specs

  • SMOKE-LESS TECHNOLOGY – Creates 80% less smoke than other indoor electric grills. The infrared heat is only directed at the grill rack’s surface and the cooling tray catches grease and oils before they get the chance to become smoke.
  • Advanced Infrared Heating Technology – 1660W powerful heating element cooks meats, fish, poultry, and vegetables perfectly. The unique infrared heating technology evenly spreads heat on the grill top. Food is guaranteed to cook uniformly, no cold zones or weak spots.
  • GRILL LIKE A PROFESSIONAL – Quickly heats up to an ideal grilling temperature of 446°F within 6 minutes. Enjoy searing meats and vegetables with steakhouse like quality diamond grill marks.
  • Easy Clean Non-Stick Surfaces: non-stick grid, dishwasher safe removable parts, makes cleaning easier than ever.

What’s in the box?

  • Grill box with captive power cable
  • Non-stick Grilling surface
  • Stainless steel removable drip pan
  • Instruction booklet
  • Warranty card

Design and features

The Tenergy indoor grill is a compact 19.5″ (including the grill’s handles) x 13.5″ x 7″. The grill area is 12″ x 8″. This means that you can’t put some larger items on it, and there’s no cover for smoking or holding in the heat to cook around the entire surface of the food. The heat only comes up from below.


The standard 3-prong plug fits most modern US electrical sockets and pulls no more power than a toaster oven or a waffle iron.
Before we get into the use and performance, let me give you an overview of the grill and how it works. First off, they spare no quarter in reminding you that this is an indoor grill, only, not for outdoor use, even on your deck, even under an overhang. Indoors only. OK, got it.


It is smokeless because the drippings from your grilled products do not touch the heat source, which is the usual source of smokey flare-ups. The infrared radiation comes from the two long inner walls, through clear glass panels that protect radiant foil reflectors that focus the heat from the lamps up to the surface of the grill.

Anything that falls through hits the much cooler drip tray and can be washed off easily in your dishwasher. The non-stick grill can also be put in the dishwasher, but in use, I found that it usually needed some soaking and non-abrasive elbow grease to clean, especially if fatty foods were involved.


There is no temperature control. It’s Off, WarmUp, and On – period. This means you’re going to have to monitor your foods more than you may be used to with a covered grill that has an adjustable flame, or a charcoal grill with a variable rack level. I found it also meant I turned some items more, in order to keep from burning.


The smaller size will mean you may have to cook in waves or shifts, rather than tossing on the entire meal. This only became a problem when I was trying to bulk grill food for lunches or larger groups. Normal cooking was fine.
Total run time may also present a problem. You should not run the grill longer than one hour at a time, and then it needs an hour rest.

Setup

Other than washing the pan and grill and wiping down the inner surfaces with a damp cloth to remove manufacturing detritus, there’s no real setup. You do need to place it on a flat, heat-proof surface (We use our glass cooktop because the Lovely Bride will have my head if I mess up her new countertops. Plus, this puts the grill under the range hood, should something start to smoke.)
Read the instruction manual. It’s only 8 large print pages of bullet points, and it’s going to prevent you from doing things that experienced grillers may take for granted. Like grilling frozen foods.

Performance

Our first use was for two fairly lean NY Strip steaks. They were at room temperature and took only 4-6 minutes per side to be perfectly medium rare. Drippage was minimal. Cleanup was a breeze.


The second outing, I got more adventurous. I usually grill about half of a 6.5-pound bag of frozen chicken thighs from Costco for a week of lunches and salads at a time. On my gas grill, they go on the grill frozen and take about 30 minutes from lighting the grill to bringing them inside. With the Tenergy, you cannot grill frozen foods, so I had to thaw them out in the fridge for a day or so. Then, I could only fit 4-6 on the small grill (versus 8-10 on my gas grill). They cooked nicely and turned out much more evenly cooked than on the gas grill, where rendering fat drips down onto the heat plates (the angled metal panels that cover the actual burners), burns, smokes, and flames up. This can sometimes overcook some parts of the food if you aren’t keeping an eye on it, but it also imparts a taste that was missing from my indoor-grilled foods.
My Lovely Bride volunteered for clean-up duty that night and reported that it was a horrendous ordeal to clean out the drip pan, the grilling grate, and the side panels. With the fatty thighs (half of which I had marinated in white wine and spices before cooking), they dripped and spattered in all directions, which made for a huge mess inside the heat box. “If you’d have cooked those outside on the gas grill, I wouldn’t have had to clean up anything!”

What I Like

  • Non-stick grilling surface.
  • Fast heat-up and use.
  • Smokeless cooking really works, if you follow directions.

What needs to be improved

  • I find it to be great, for what it is. Nothing to change for me.

Final thoughts

This will not replace a “real” grill if you’re someone who loves to release your inner hunter-gatherer. There will still be a need to fill the grill for a group, cook multiple courses for an afternoon or evening of many items, or to put on a large roast or pig butt. But as Punxsutawney Phil’s lies have become more apparent this February, I’ve enjoyed having a grilled steak in the evening without having to endure the cold, dark drizzle of a 35º “Early Spring” evening on the deck. And I’m sure there will be hot, miserable Dog Days of summer that I’ll want a steak or a grilled burger without the misery of standing outside with the humidity and the bugs. And for these occasions, Tenergy has provided a well-designed tech fix.

It’s not a small unit, but I don’t think it could really be made any smaller and be effective. We keep it in a lower shelf in the hall linen closet, where it’s just a few steps from the kitchen.

Price: $179.00
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Tenergy.

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Tenergy Indoor Grill review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 26, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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Echobox Ti-22BT wireless earbuds review

REVIEW – I don’t like earbuds. Let’s get that out of the way. However, my wife was tired of sweaty, over-the-ear headphones while working out, so I took a look at the Echobox Wireless Ti-22BT earbuds.

What is it?

Wireless Bluetooth stereo earbuds crafted from “aerospace grade titanium”

Hardware specs

  • Bluetooth 4.1
  • Water resistant (not waterproof)
  • 8 hours playtime
  • Magnetic housing
  • Inline controls
  • MicroUSB charging

What’s in the box?

Besides the usual micro USB cable, the headphones come with a small drawstring bag and an assortment of ear tips and ear hooks. The eartips come in different sizes, as well as materials. There’s milky-white silicone tips and black squishy foam tips.

Design and features

These look like many of the other Bluetooth earbuds you’d find on Amazon.
There are three buttons for volume and control. A small rubber flap covers the charging port. There’s not a lot of branding except on the side of the control.


There are magnets in the earbuds, which allow you to clip the two ends together.

Setup

There is a tiny LED on the controller above the + button. Press and hold the middle button for 6 seconds to enter pairing mode.

The headphones show up as “Echobox Ti-22 BT”.

Performance

I liked the black “horn” that help keep the earbuds in your ear. However, I found that sound quality depended heavily on actual fit.

Sound quality wasn’t anything to write home about, mostly because it depended so much on how they fit. It’s a good thing you get an assortment of tips to experiment with.

My wife tested them out (those are my ears pictured) and she complained that the earbuds kept falling out. She didn’t have the patience to try other tips, so she’s back to her sweaty, over-the-ear foam headphones. Yuck.

What I like

  • Lightweight
  • Magnetic snaps
  • Many different tips included

What needs to be improved

  • Expensive for the sound quality you get.

Final thoughts

If you like in-ear headphones, and you’re patient, the Echobox Wireless Ti-22BT earbuds look and feel pretty nice. If you don’t tolerate earbuds well, look elsewhere.

Price: $99.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Echobox.

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Echobox Ti-22BT wireless earbuds review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 26, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Outdoor Vitals Rhyolite Lightweight 45L backpack review

REVIEW – Camp Palawopec, in the rolling hills of Brown County, Indiana, is my son Mason’s happy place. But he’s had gear issues the last two summers, so this year he’s trying the Outdoor Vitals Rhyolite Lightweight internal frame 45L backpack.

Mason’s first year at camp, a sneaky raccoon unzipped his large canvas duffel and finished off his candy stash the very first night. The next year, he didn’t take any chances and brought his gear in a large plastic bin. It proved to be animal proof, but also too bulky to fit under his bunk.

He reviewed the Rhyolite backpack and says it lives up to his name, it’s certainly lightweight at just over 4 pounds. It’s also comfortable, with easily adjustable straps, including a heavy-duty, cushioned waist strap to protect his back.

Mason is 5’7” and the backpack fit well. It was fairly easy to get on and off, though certainly easier with a buddy once we packed it full.

What’s in the box

  • The backpack in a plastic bag
  • Packing slip
  • Outdoor Vitals sticker
  • Marketing postcard with a backpacking gear checklist

Specifications

  • Lightweight: 4 lbs 5 oz
  • Removable hood that doubles as a fanny pack
  • 600D polyester fabric waterproof to 1500mm
  • Adjustable suspension to fit those from 5’5″ up to 6’6″

Design and features

The fabric quality and backpack design make it waterproof enough for most backpacking adventures. Unless you’re expecting extreme weather, you can probably get away with skipping a separate rain cover.

We really appreciated the thoughtfulness and practicality of the design. There were convenient places for everything, from water bottles (or hydration-pack straw, if you go that route) to your phone and bug (or bear!) spray.

The many compartments and full-length zipper make it easy to find everything, even those items squished at the very bottom.

Our favorite little pockets were the ones on either side of the waist strap, making an easy grab for your phone or chapstick, sunscreen or protein bar. No need to take off your bag, or even twist, turn or reach for the essentials. And if you’re braving it through bear country, that’s no joke!

True outdoor enthusiasts or the most practical grown-ups might appreciate how the hood transforms into a removable fanny pack. My teenager wouldn’t even try it on. And, even as a totally uncool 40-something, I don’t think I’d wear it in public. We found the day pack (the name Rhyolite gives to their waist pack) bulky, awkward and unattractive. For day hikes, I’d much prefer a packable backpack or string sack.

We tested the 45L bag, which may or may not be large enough for Mason’s two-week nature getaway. Fortunately, with the many straps and axe loops, it’s very easy to fasten a tarp, sleeping bag, hammock, etc., to the outside of the bag.

The Rhyolite also comes in a 60L size for those who need more cargo room.

Our only remaining question is if this backpack is raccoon-proof. I guess we’ll find out this summer!

What we like

  • Comfortable and lightweight
  • Easy access to the inside
  • Well-designed, accessible pockets

What could be improved

  • Zip-off fanny pack is bulky, unattractive
  • Uncertain if it’s critter-proof

Final thoughts

The size, comfort, and design of this backpack make it a smart, practical choice for hiking and outdoor excursions. We will do a follow-up review after Mason puts it to the test at camp this summer.

Price: $84.97
Where to buy: Outdoor Vital’s Web site
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Outdoor Vitals. Please visit their site for more info.

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Outdoor Vitals Rhyolite Lightweight 45L backpack review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 26, 2019 at 8:00 am.

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swrve jeans, BeanPlus Cold Drip Coffee Brewer, and more – Review updates

REVIEW – You might wonder what happens to the products that we review. Do we keep using them long after the review has been posted or do they break after long term use? We answer those questions by posting long term updates to our past reviews and today we have four updates from Andy Jacobs for a review almost 5 years old and others that are going on 2 years old. Click on the review link and then scroll to the bottom to see what new info Andy has added.

Satechi 4-Port USB 3.0 Premium Aluminum Hub review by Andy Jacobs

BeanPlus Cold Drip Coffee Brewer review by Andy Jacobs

swrve CORDURA Slim jeans review by Andy Jacobs

PureGear PureBoom Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds review by Andy Jacobs

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swrve jeans, BeanPlus Cold Drip Coffee Brewer, and more – Review updates originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 25, 2019 at 1:25 pm.

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