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xFryo XS2 Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds review


REVIEW – It is now 2019, and I am happy to continue my enjoyable challenge of finding the “perfect” earbuds for my taste. in 2018, I enjoyed the battle of the contenders, and this year I believe with the continuous evolution of technology, that there will be new earbuds that will “wow” me beyond my imagination. Let’s start the year off with the xFryo XS2 Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds.

What is it?

The xFryo XS2 Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds are lightweight, and like all others, they are designed for listening to music and conducting phone calls. As with most earbuds, they should be compatible with most Bluetooth equipped mobile devices.

What’s in the box


1 x xFryo XS2 Earbuds
1 x Micro USB Cable
3 x Ear Tips
1 x User Guide
1 x Warranty Leaflet

Design and features

Specifications

  • Measurements: 6.25″L x 1″W x .75″H
  • 2-in-1 Wireless Earbuds And Charging Tube
  • IP67 Certified Dust-proof And Waterproof Technology
  • V4.2 + EDR Bluetooth Technology With 10 Meter Wireless Range
  • CVC 6.0 Noise Cancellation
  • Rechargeable 850 MAh Capacity Power Bank
  • Music / Talk Time: 5 Hours
  • Charging Time: 2 Hours
  • Standby Time: 300 Hours

Features

  • Materials: Aluminum Alloy, Silicone
  • Aluminum Alloy Shell
  • Lightweight and Portable
  • Answer, Reject, and Redial Calls
  • Pause And Play Music
  • Built-In Microphone
  • Dual-Port Charging Tube With USB And Micro USB Ports
  • Patented Aluminum Polishing

The earbuds are what I would call medium sized, but they sit firmly and securely in your ears. The charging case is black with gold plated inserts and the earbuds connect to each end of the case.



There are rubberized waterproof covers on each side of the charging case that protect the ports/electronics. As shown below, on one side there is a rubberized cover that is marked “In”. Under the cover is the micro USB charging port.


On the other side of the charging case there is an “On” button, and underneath the rubberized cover, there is a standard USB port that can be used to charge devices, like cell phones. etc via the built-in power bank.


Performance

The first thing I did was to fully charge the case and earbuds. While being charged, there is a blue LED on the case that blinks.

Once fully charged, the LED remains a solid blue and when unplugged but charging the earbuds it is a solid red.

After I fully charged the earbuds I took them out of the charging case, I powered them on and they automatically synced with each other. They immediately showed up ion the Bluetooth device list on my smartphone. Pairing was quick and easy and they were ready for listening to music and of course conducting phone calls. These earbuds function well and hold their charge for a long time. Using them approximately 90 minutes each day for 5 days weekly, I only recharge the case once weekly.

I tested them by listening to several genres that I usually listen to including Contemporary Jazz, Easy Listening, The Classics, Gospel, etc., and I enjoyed the sound across all of the genres. The sound is quite good and well balanced for the lows, mids, and highs. Once listening to a quality track, there was no real discernable distortion in any frequency range, and there is a built-in volume limiter to add to the quality of the listening experience.

I also tested these on phone call functions and was pleased that they worked very well for both parties on the call. I usually encounter issues with using earbuds for phone calls where I cannot hear the other party or they cannot hear me. These earbuds worked well.

I also like the built-in option to charge my phone or similar device via the built-in power bank using the USB out port on the charging case.

What I like

  • The design and attractive style of the charging case
  • The build quality of the charging case
  • The built-in Power Bank feature

What can be improved

  • The inclusion of more ear tips of various sizes

Final thoughts

When I first saw the xFryo XS2 I really got a good first impression. Since then, I have really grown to like these earbuds. I am very pleased that despite what seems like a risk, the earbuds remain firmly in place when in the charging dock. They also stay in place in my ears and really provide a pleasurable listening experience. As I review more earbuds it is becoming very hard to rank them in my list of the best earbuds for me. I would say that these earbuds likely tie for 3rd place in my growing list of the top 5. Nicely done!!

Price: $125 (you can get 10% OFF sitewide by using the following this link, or by entering the following discount code at checkout: GADGETEER10
Where to buy: xFryo website
Source: The sample for this review was provided by xFryo.

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xFryo XS2 Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 17, 2019 at 9:30 am.

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Xiaomi Roborock E20 robot vacuum cleaner review


REVIEW – The floors in my home are carpeted with Berber carpet with the exception of the kitchen and bathrooms which are tiled. We vacuum every day, and for the past few years, we have been using the Dyson V6. The Dyson works quite well, but over time I have grown tired of this chore which I usually do at night when I return home from work, and when the kids are in bed and can no longer make a mess, at least until they wake up next the next morning. Recently, I was offered the opportunity to test and review the Xiaomi Roborock E20 Vacuum Cleaner and I readily accepted. Here is my summary!!

What is it?

The Xiaomi Roborock E20 Vacuum Cleaner is an efficient vacuum with built-in Artificial Intelligence. It works quickly and efficiently with 1800Pa of suction power and uses a dual-gyro system, and motion tracking sensors to create a high-efficiency cleaning path for every room. There are 13 onboard sensors to provide drop avoidance, anti-collision, trap prevention, self-charging, and resumption. It is able to vacuum and mop and with the use of the relevant app it can be controlled to start, stop, schedule, customize, charge, spot clean, check accessory status, and control movement direction. It is able to switch/increase its suction power automatically when it transitions from wood floors to carpet, and if it runs low on power it returns to its dock to recharge then resumes where it left off. It communicates with the app via 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and has a 2600mAh lithium battery for a long-lasting charge.

What’s in the box


1 x Xiaomi Roborock E20 Vacuum Cleaner
1 x Dock Charger
1 x AC Power Cord
1 x Waterproof Docking Pad
2 x Mopping Pads
1 x Water Tank
1 x Brush Cleaning Tool
2 x Vacuum Filters
1 x Quick Start Guide

Design and features

Features
Methodical cleaning: Dual-gyroscopes and high-precision optical tracking sensors allow E20 to clean methodically around a room, starting around the edge then the areas in between.
Intelligent systems: A full suite of sensors gives E20 the intelligence to effectively tackle complicated environments without falling off ledges, getting stuck, or running out of power.
Tangle Free: All brushes and wheels are designed to be tangle free, eliminating the need to open E20 robotic mop for cleaning. An included cleaning accessory can be used to remove hair from the outside of the cleaner making it perfect for picking up after your pets.
Obstacle crossing: Able to clamber up over obstacles as high as 0.8in, E20 easily handles thresholds, thin carpets, and other low barriers.
Carpet boost: When a carpet is detected, suction is increased to maximum to pull up deeply lodged dirt. Once off the carpet, normal suction returns.
Washable Filter: A high-efficiency E11 filter captures 99.2% of dust and allergens, down to just 0.3 microns. Its washable design extends its life and reduces replacement frequency.
Holiday Mode: In this mode, the LED indicator will dim, functions that have nothing to do with charging such as cleaning, recharging and remote control via wifi will be disabled, and the cleaner will enter low power consumption mode to maintain optimal battery performance.



Specifications


When you open up the cover on the top of the vacuum, you find the removable dust canister.


On the removable dust canister, there is a removable filter that attaches to the canister and prevents dust and debris for entering the suction chamber of the vacuum. The filters are actually washable and they provide two so that you can use the second while the first dries.


On the surface of the vacuum, there are 3 touch buttons. From left to right they are the spot cleaning button, the clean/on/off button and the recharge button. To reset the WiFi, you press and hold the spot cleaning and recharge buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds. The knob that is seen above the 3 touch control buttons is the omnidirectional recharge sensor.


If you look carefully at the picture below, you will see a small LED in the upper right-hand corner of the canister compartment. This LED is the WIFI indicator.


On the circular sides of the vacuum, there are two visible grilles. In the picture shown below, the grille on the left is the speaker, and on the right is the air outlet.


Underneath the vacuum, there is the main brush and suction port in the center, an extended 3-prong brush off to the side that allows the vacuum to brush square corners and to move dust into the path of its suction port, and the 3 wheels that it uses to maneuver. The diagram below the photo shows the details.



The picture below shows the docking mat that attaches to the charging dock. The vacuum rests on this mat when charging and when docked. The second row of pictures below shows the charging dock and the AC port located on its side.


Performance

This vacuum was basically a plug and play exercise, and it works very well. Initially, I did not find any clear instructions regarding the app, but I soon figured that I needed to download the Xiaomi Mi Home app which seems to recognize and control all AI devices within the Xiaomi device family. The Vacuums mapping ability is great and I am pretty sure that it does a better job of coverage than I do when using a handheld vacuum. I  like the options to regulate the suctioning power and that even when it is at full power, its noise level is much lower than a conventional vacuum. Here is a short video of it performing. I included the ambient sounds for reference.

The following are some of the screens from the app:



For more information, click here to view the manual.

What I like

  • The size
  • The built-in technology
  • The overall vacuuming performance
  • Its ability to know when it has finished vacuuming or when it is low on power and automatically return to its base
  • The versatility that makes it adaptable to multiple surfaces
  • The app and its ability to control the vacuum for anywhere

What can be improved

  • Since there are no clear instructions regarding the app, maybe they can add QR Codes for IOS and Android to their manual
  • I don’t know. Maybe it can learn to bring me dinner?
  • Possibly makes me lazy? (lol)

Final thoughts

Initially, I was very excited to test and review this robot vacuum, but I was really not sure what to expect. I was unsure of its ability to really vacuum effectively in regards to sucking up dist and debris, and if it could do a good job of properly vacuuming the entire area. I have to say the I am more than pleased with this vacuum and so much so that my Dyson now resides in the closet and has been reassigned to cleaning furniture and other items/areas that the robot vacuum can’t. I give this vacuum two thumbs up and then some!!! Well done!!

Price: $329.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Sample: The sample for this review was provided by Roborock.

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Xiaomi Roborock E20 robot vacuum cleaner review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 16, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Sense home energy monitor, iLive voice activated clock, and more – Review updates

REVIEW – We love testing products, but once we press the publish button on a new review, that doesn’t mean that will be the last you’ll hear about that product. Nope, we will revisit some of our reviews weeks, months, years, and even decades after we’ve posted that original review. Here’s our latest batch of updates. Scroll down to the bottom of each review to read the newest update.

Sense home energy monitoring device review by Howard Sneider

Tronsmart Mega Bluetooth 4.2 40W speaker review by Mike Dixon

DrinKup smart water bottle review by Lynn Lopez

MIUO Solar Motion Sensor Light Review by Lynn Lopez

iLive – Voice Activated Clock with Amazon Alexa Review By Lynn Lopez

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Sense home energy monitor, iLive voice activated clock, and more – Review updates originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 15, 2019 at 1:48 pm.

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Bellroy All-Conditions Essentials Pocket review

REVIEW – For a while, I’ve been searching for a product that will carry and help me organize me some of my essentials while traveling (and maybe on a daily basis, too).  I wanted it to hold and organize my wallet items and travel documents and have room for some other items as well.  Maybe something that I could stuff into my travel bag and an airplane seat pocket.  I’ve been a pretty big fan of Bellroy’s wallet’s for some time, having reviewed several of them here at The Gadgeteer, and their Elements Pocket Wallet remains one of my all-time favorites.   Bellroy discontinued their Elements line and replaced it with their All-Conditions line, and while browsing the collection I stumbled upon the Bellroy All-Conditions Essentials Pocket, which looked like it might meet all of my requirements.  How did it do?  Let’s find out!  Gadget on!

What is it?

The Bellroy All-Conditions Essential Pocket is a bit challenging to define succinctly.  It’s a wallet-like zipper pouch with a weather-resistant leather exterior that’s large enough to carry a Plus-size smartphone inside and also includes organization slots and pockets that can hold several other small essentials.

Hardware specs

  • Available in two water-resistant exterior materials:
    • All-Conditions 100% full-grain leather in Black, Charcoal, or Burnt Orange colors for $139 each
    • All-Conditions woven in Charcoal color for $89
  • Interior: Nylon
  • Holds 4 to 12+ cards
  • 5 internal pockets for coins, keys, folded bills, cables, etc
  • Fits a passport and p to a Plus-size iPhone
  • 184mm x 120mm (7.2in x 4.7in) footprint
  • Includes a Micro travel pen with refill
  • 3-year warranty

Packaging

I always appreciate Bellroy’s packaging, and the All-Conditions Essentials Pocket’s packaging is no exception. It’s an envelope/pouch made from heavy-duty cardboard and printed on its exterior is what appears to be a topographical map, implying travel and adventure.

The underside of the package’s flap closure tap reads, “ALL-CONDITIONS | water resistant | responsibly sourced | NON-TOXIC Materials to Give A LIFETIME OF happy service.”  Also, note what appears to be a small piece of paper just above where it reads “Refill – Pull here” with two arrows.  This is a cleverly-placed small envelope containing a refill for the included Micro travel pen.  More on this below.\

What’s in the package?

  • Bellroy All-Conditions Essentials Pocket
  • Micro Pen refill inside small envelope
  • Cardboard insert (not shown)

Design and features

My initial impression of the All-Conditions Essential Pocket was that it has a very cool, minimalist look, and feels like it is built from high-quality materials and manufacturing methods.

The exterior material looks and feels like leather and has a soft yet durable feel.  However, it doesn’t have any of that characteristic leather smell that you would expect from a brand-new leather wallet.  It wondered if this was because this leather material is perhaps treated with some type of moisture-resistance process that may dull that new leather smell.

Because the Essentials Pocket is part of Bellroy’s All-Conditions line of products, and because they tout the durability and in particular the water resistance of this leather, I decided to perform a simple “Farmer John” type test, as seen above.  I poured a bit of water on the Essentials Pocket and it immediately formed a bead and did not soak in.  I let it sit like this for several minutes before wiping the water off, and there was no evidence that water had even been present.  I have yet to be caught in the rain with the Essentials Pocket, but if I do, the results of this quick test give me some confidence that whatever I place inside it will stay dry.

In addition to the moisture-resistant exterior material, the Essentials Pocket is equipped with a water-resistant YKK zipper.  This zipper has plastic teeth that are attached to a plastic or rubberized material.  Although the teeth are plastic, they do mesh together and I had no issues opening and closing it.  The teeth mesh in such a way that helps contribute to the overall moisture resistance of the Essentials Pocket.  Another subtle feature is that it zips a bit shy of halfway around its perimeter.  This is actually a really useful feature because, on the closing end, the zipper comes up a bit higher, which helps somewhat capture and prevent items from falling out of the Essentials Pocket on that end.

In addition to the zipper, the Essentials Pocket includes a fairly unique zipper pull that consists of a short length of cord with a knotted end and a length of shrink-tubing over the cord.

The cord’s knotted end and the shrink tubing combine to make this zipper pull easier to grip than a standard zipper pull, even while wearing gloves or with wet hands.  The first time I encountered a zipper pull like this was when I purchased my GORUCK GR1 rucksack several years ago.  Note also the color of the zipper pull’s cord, which is color-coordinated with the Essentials Pocket’s interior; more on this below.

One of the aspects of the All-Conditions Pocket’s design that is quite obvious immediately is its size.  I’m not going to lie to you—it’s big.  However, there is a caveat to this.  While the Essentials Pocket looks and largely acts as a wallet, I suspect that there is a good reason that Bellroy dubbed this a “pocket” and not a “wallet,” and that is because it is much more than a wallet, as will be described in detail below.

To give a further idea of the Essentials Pocket’s size, in the photos above I’ve placed my iPhone 6 Plus in my Magpul Field Case to the right of it.  As you can see from the photos, the Essentials Pocket’s footprint is large enough to accommodate the iPhone within the case.  However, is the Essentials Pocket actually wide enough for this?  Read on and find out.

In the photo above, I’ve placed my Bellroy Elements Pocket Wallet above the Essentials Pocket.  The Elements Pocket Wallet seems to be made from the same or similar material to the Essentials Pocket, and that’s a good sign because the Elements Pocket Wallet has held up very well over time and near continuous use.

Next, let’s take a look inside.  The interior is made from a different fabric than the exterior, and in a sort of medium blue color.  Also, lots of space in here.

The bottom of the interior has a small leather tag stitched into it that reads “Made in India with Care.  Outer: 100% Full-Grain Leather.  Inner: Nylon.”  This interior nylon fabric is more cloth-like than the exterior water-resistant leather.  It is medium blue color (color-coordinated with the zipper pull cord), which helps see items down in the pockets in lower-visibility situations and also has a very faint grid pattern.  The material is fairly heavy and flexible (but not stretchy), feels durable, and is carefully stitched.

One side of the interior has two layers of pockets.  The outermost layer is a bit odd—it has a deep, narrow pocket on the left end, and along the remainder is a long, shallow pocket that runs rest of the entire length of the Essentials Pocket.  The innermost layer has two deep pockets, one that is about 2/3 the length of the Essentials Pocket, the other’s length is the remaining 1/3 of the overall length of the Essentials Pocket.

The other side of the interior has a small, narrow pocket on the left end that holds the included Micro travel pen.  The other pocket is a very large pocket that can hold a passport or a notebook.

Let’s take a look at the Micro travel pen.  As mentioned above, Bellroy has also included a refill in a small envelope.

The Micro travel pen has a sort of black chrome color and includes a clip to secure it into the Essentials Pocket.  It is quite slim and small, which helps it fit into the Essentials Pocket and not take up much space.

The Micro travel pen is operated by twisting the cap which extended the ink cartridge.  There is also a very small Bellroy owl logo on the clip.  It does feel a bit flimsy and because of its small size, the Micro travel pen is not particularly comfortable to write with, but for short-term jotting of notes or for filling out those landing cards, it works just fine.

Next, let’s load up the Essentials Pocket and see how it does.  To simulate what I might be carrying during an international trip, I loaded it up with my iPhone 6 Plus inside the Magpul Field Case, my passport, a short Apple Lightning cable, a set of iPhone earbuds, a few cash bills, and 6 cards.

The cards and cash fit in the innermost layer of pockets with some room to spare.  I coiled the Lightning cable and the earbuds and placed them into the long, shallow, outermost pocket—not much room to spare in this one.  I also placed the iPhone 6 Plus in Magpul Field Case into the main open space and it did fit—so far.

Quick side note on that deepish, rather narrow pocket on the left side.  I thought that it might be sized for a key, so I tried to place one of my keys in it.  As seen in the image above, it really didn’t fit, or at least a key of this shape wouldn’t fit or not without some fairly serious gyrations.

Next, let’s look at the pockets on the other side of the interior.  Starting on the left, the Micro travel pen sits securely in its little pocket.  To the left of this, I’ve placed my passport, which fits quite well with room to spare.

Above, a closeup of the Micro travel pen in its special pocket right next to my passport.

Just for fun, I slid a Moleskine Pocket Cahier Journal into the passport pocket.  The Pocket Cahier Journal is 3.5in x 5.5in, which is slightly larger than a US passport, and it also fits in this pocket just fun.

In the photo above, all of the gear above (with the exception of the key and the Moleskine Pocket Cahier Journal) has been loaded into the Essentials Pocket and zipped it up.  As seen, it’s a bit crowded, but it does still zip closed.

One more thing about the All-Conditions Essentials Pocket: it’s effectively too big to fit into any pants pocket—it will stick quite far out of a back pocket and has almost no hope of fitting into a front pocket—unless you are wearing pants with side cargo pockets, which will probably fit fine.  However, keep in mind that, as discussed above, the All-Conditions Essentials Pocket is really not a wallet, but an essentials organizer, so it stands to reason that it probably won’t fit well into most typical wallet-carrying places.  It fits fine when tossed into a bag or backpack, however.

What I like

  • Looks cool
  • It holds a lot of items, including a passport or notebook and a Plus-size iPhone
  • Exterior material and zipper are durable and moisture-resistant
  • Zipper pull is easy to grip and pull
  • Lots of organization features inside

What needs to be improved

  • It’s…big.  Too big to fit into most pants pockets, unless you are wearing cargo pants, but should fit fine in a jacket pocket or bag.  However, I can accept this, because, although the Essential Pocket looks like a wallet, it is really an organizer pouch.

Final thoughts

I’ve reviewed several Bellroy products here at The Gadgeteer, and I’d been intrigued by their All-Conditions line and especially the largish All-Conditions Essentials Pocket.  And, like the previous Bellroy wallets I have reviewed, the All-Conditions Essentials Pocket did not fail to impress.  It has impressive moisture resistance due to its exterior material and zipper, and internally it has multiple pockets that can be used to organize and carry several EDC-type items, including a passport and Plus-sized iPhone.  It’s a large item, but it needs to be kept in mind that it’s not actually a wallet, it is more of a rugged organizer pouch, and it probably won’t fit into most pants pockets, but will probably fit fine in a jacket pocket or in a bag.  If you are in the market for a smart-looking, durable organizer pouch with Bellroy’s reputation for quality of materials and manufacturing, then the All-Conditions Essentials Pocket is worth a look.

Price: All-Conditions woven model is $89, All-Conditions leather models are $139 each
Where to buy: Visit Bellroy.com or Amazon to order
Source: The product sample for this review was provided by Bellroy.

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Bellroy All-Conditions Essentials Pocket review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 15, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Mobile Edge Core Gaming Backpack w/Molded Panel 17″ review


REVIEW – Let me start this review by making it clear that I am not a gamer. However, my EDC gear includes many if not most of the gadgets that a gamer would carry. For that reason, I was very excited to receive the Mobile Edge-Core Gaming Backpack w/Molded Panel for review. So, here we go!!

What is it?

The Mobile Edge-Core Gaming Backpack with a Molded Panel is designed specifically for gamers and will hold most popular models of gaming laptops up to 17 inches, plus accessories. There are three large storage sections and it is has a compartment specifically for a USB power bank or external battery (You have to add your own). The design includes four side accessory pockets and a built-in external USB Port for charging or powering devices. The backpack is constructed from ballistic nylon and includes a molded back panel, a padded carry handle, and a trolley strap.

What’s in the box


1 x Mobile Edge-Core Gaming Backpack w/Molded Panel 17″
1 x Warranty Info card
1 x Informational Leaflet

Design and features

Features

    • External USB 3.0 Quick-Charge compatible port and built-in charging cable
    • Molded Front Panel
    • Sized to hold most popular models of Gaming Laptops up to 17″
    • Checkpoint-Friendly design to speed through TSA checkpoints
    • Constructed of durable ballistic nylon with tailored contrast stitching
    • Prewired universal power bank pocket for charging items in each section
    • Three separate sections for a laptop, tablet, keyboard, files, accessories and your personal items
    • Padded Air-Mesh shoulder straps, and ventilated back panel and trolley strap
    • Organizer section provides pockets for pens, phone, business cards, keys, cables, and other accessories
    • Separate poly-fleece lined iPad/Tablet pocket
    • High-capacity storage compartment holds all your gaming accessories
    • Four zippered side accessory pockets for cables, gaming mouse, phone, large water bottles, etc.
    • Lifetime Warranty

Specs:
Product Weight: 4.2 lbs.
Fits Laptops Up To: 17.3″
Product Dimensions (WxHxD): 19.5” x 17” x 9”
Laptop Compartment (WxHxD): 16.4” x 11.5” x 2”

It is important to note that this bag is constructed with Ballistic Nylon, and comes with a lifetime warranty. On the back of the backpack, there are two well-made adjustable shoulder straps with a cross body clasp that has the elasticity to allow for a great fit. The shoulder straps also have loops that allow you to attach small items like a flashlight, etc. The back of the backpack is well padded and molded to provide good air ventilation.

The two pictures below show each side of the backpack that includes upper and lower compartments. The picture on the left shows the side that had the built-in USB charging port.


The picture below on the left shows the bottom side pocket. It is quite large and has a mesh divider in the middle. The picture on the right shows the top pocket which is also quite spacious. As a reminder, these pockets are on both sides of the backpack.


On the back, there is also an elastic strap that goes across from side to side. This is great for attaching the backpack to the handle of a carry-on bag or suitcase.

Looking at the inside of the backpack from the back compartment there are 2 pockets. On one side there is a pocket with an elastic strap fastener that holds my 15″ HP laptop, my 13″ MacBook Pro and my 12.9″ iPad all at once. This pocket is designed to hold up to a 17″ laptop. Opposite that there is a mesh pocket also with an elastic strap fastener that I use to store documents, but it is deep enough to hold many accessories.


The picture below shows the handle that is sturdy and well padded.

In the middle section of the bag, there are large pockets on each side.


On the front side of one of the pockets where the USB cable passes through, there is another pocket with a smaller pocket on the inside and then a zippered mesh pocket on the outside.


In the front section of the backpack, there are several pockets. As shown in the pictures below, there are pockets for SD cards, business cards, pens, a key ring and a separate pocket for a USB battery pack.



On the bottom of the backpack, there is a zippered pocket that contains a rain cover that is secured by a buckle. As shown below, the rain cover protects the entire exposed area of the bag.


Performance

Just as I suspected, this backpack works well for me. The reinforced molded back panel not only helps to protect the contents but also ensures that the bag sits straight on your back without the weight of the contents causing it to be bottom heavy and disproportionate. The material seems very strong and the stitching seems to be top quality. I say “seems” because time will tell whether or not it stands up to the weight of the contents that I carry every day. I really like the pockets on the side which are big enough to hold a 16-ounce bottle of water and I am able to zip it closed with the bottle of water inside.  I carry 2 bottles of water, one in each pocket. The following is a list of the items that I carry regularly and comfortably in this backpack every day:

1 x 15” HP Laptop with Power Supply
1 x 13” MacBook Pro with Power Supply
1 x 12.9” iPad Pro with Power Supply
1 x USB Portable Battery Pack
2 x 16 oz. Bottles of Water
1 x iStorage DiskAshur Pro2 portable encrypted hard drive
1 x KNZ SoundFlux dual driver wireless headphones
1 x MPOW T5 True Wireless Earbuds
1 x LUX Wireless Earbuds from Ashley Chloe
1 x Shure Wired earbuds
1 x Linedock
1 x Netgear mobile Router with Power Supply
1 x Verizon MiFi with Power Supply
1 x iPhone 8 Plus with Power Supply
Miscellaneous items like pens, USB flash drives, cables (micro USB, USB-C, HDMI)


The picture below shows how the bag sits on your back. it is comfortable and stays straight.


What I like

  • Construction quality
  • Versatile design
  • The numerous compartments and pockets
  • The Molded external panel
  • The attractive look
  • Its ability to sit straight up on your back and provide balanced weight as opposed to allowing all the weight to go to the bottom.

What can be improved

  • For what it is designed to carry, I cannot think of anything

Final thoughts

This backpack has really lived up to my expectations, and as I previously stated, although I am not a gamer, I carry many similar gadgets and have a similar backpack need. I do feel that it is very well constructed and that it will stand up to my daily abuse. I am also reassured by the lifetime warranty. If you are in the market for a backpack like this, I feel very comfortable recommending this one. As a photographer, I have purchased more bags and backpacks than I can count or remember, and I am very clear that there is no such thing as one bag that fits all. With that in mind, I give this backpack two thumbs up and a well done!!

Price: $129.99
Where to buy: Mobile Edge website and Amazon
Sample: The sample for this review was provided by Mobile Edge.

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Mobile Edge Core Gaming Backpack w/Molded Panel 17″ review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 14, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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