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OrbitKey Key Organizer, Strap and Clip review

OK, I admit it.  I am one of the people guilty of putting my phone and keys in the same pocket or bag.   I have suffered the consequences of my actions by getting scratches on my phone screen.  So when I got the opportunity to review the OrbitKey Key Organizer I jumped at the chance to see if it could save me from myself.  Let’s see if it does a good job protecting my phone from the dreaded key scratch.

What is it?

The OrbitKey Key Organizer is a cowhide leather or rubber key holder/organizer.  It comes in several different colors and really makes your jangling key collection much more organized, less noisy and less likely to scratch anything else in your pocket. You can purchase an additional ring clip that will easily let you add and remove additional items like a car key fob to the other end of the organizer.

Hardware specs

The leather key organizer has the following features:

  • Comes in 10 different color combinations in cowhide leather.
  • You can add monogramming for an additional $11.90 on the cowhide leather.
  • Fits 2 – 7 keys
  • Comes with a premium D-ring attachment
  • The active version of the organizer is made with water and dust resistant TPU polymers.
  • The active version comes in 7 different  colors

The Ring accessory has the following features:

  • Stainless steel enclosure surrounds a flexible polymer core.
  • Diameter – 30mm, Thickness – 3.5mm, Opening – 3.6mm
  • Carries up to 10 keys
  • Pinch and rotate to open
  • Secure mechanism

The OrbitKey Clip has the following features:

  • Length including Ring – 103mm, clip only – 52mm, width – 30.5mm, thickness – 4.5mm
  • Will hold up to 10 keys
  • Made of cowhide leather
  • Comes in three color combos – all black, tan with white stitching, and black with metal accessories.
  • Big gate opening on the carabiner
  • Comes with an OrbitKey Ring
  • Quick release system between the carabiner and the ring. Simply slide the metal band with the OrbitKey name up and slip out the leather strap.

The OrbitKey Strap has the following features:

  • Made with premium full-grain cowhide leather
  • Comes with OrbitKey  Ring
  • Carry up to 10 keys
  • Same quick release system as the Clip – Simply slide the metal band with the OrbitKey name up and slip out the leather strap.
  • Length with Ring – 238mm, Length strap only – 207.5mm, Width – 14mm, Thickness – 1.6mm

What’s in the box?

In the picture above you can see what came in each separate box.   The Key Organizer just included the organizer and no Ring accessory.  The Ring accessory can be purchased separately and came in the small package at the bottom of the picture.  The strap came with the strap and the Ring attached to it.   The Clip came with the carabiner and the Ring attached to it.   The boxes were are all made of cardboard/Kraft paper and can go into the recycle bin.

Design and features

The organizer is very simple to use.  In the picture above you can see the back side of the hardware used to hold the keys.  Simply grab a quarter or any handy coin and turn it counter clockwise to loosen the screw.

Once the back side of the hardware is off you can see the individual pieces.  There is a front cap with a tube attached that has the screw threads.  That inserts into one end of the leather strap.  There is a nice sturdy rivet attached to both sides of the leather on the inside of the strap.  Once the front side of the hardware is through the leather, there is a small washer that is in a concave shape.  That is used to control the tension of the keys.  You simply place your keys on to the threaded tube, close the other end of the leather band on top and screw the back cap back on to the front cap.  You can tighten or loosen the back cap to adjust the amount of tension in the keys.   I found it very easy to install my keys.  Time will tell if the tension will stay in place to my desired setting.

The above picture shows my current setup for my keys.  I am very simplistic and try to carry as few keys as possible.  I have my car key fob (Toyota Tacoma), a silver mailbox key and a gold house key.  I was using the Exotac key ring to make it easy to detach the key fob when I took the truck in for service or valet.

The above picture shows the Ring accessory.  Once I figured out the trick of how to use the release mechanism on the Ring I find that it is much easier to add and remove keys than on my Exotac.  I also love that the Ring is slightly smaller than the Exotac which keeps the mass down in my pockets and bags.   The one issue I did have with the Ring was that I had issues with my truck key fob.   Part of the problem is that the key fob for my truck does not have a very wide opening for a key ring and it really likes to keep getting hung up on the Ring when it encounters the inside plastic enclosing device.

The above picture shows the organizer with two keys inside and my truck fob attached.

What I ended up doing is using a small ring from the Exotac system and put that on the fob and then put the small ring on the OrbitKey Ring. This picture shows the same as the last picture, but with the two keys swiveled out and how I am using the smaller ring to attach my key fob.

What I like

I love the way these items from OrbitKey look.  They are very elegant.  No more jingling keys and the organizer should reduce the number of scratches I put on my phone when my keys and phone share the same space. The hardware seems top notch and I really don’t see how it would fail.  I will try and remember to do an update a few months from now to see how well the tension on the keys holds up over time. The Clip is a nice elegant option for those folks who like attaching their keys to the belt loops or possibly to a purse handle.  I also love how they market the strap towards other items besides keys.  They have pictures on their site of folks using the strap to small items like a compact camera or even a wallet or small purse.  I also love that they sell the hardware for the organizer separately should you ever need to replace it.  They also sell a few accessories like a bottle opener, multi-tool and 8 or 32GB USB drives that all will work in the organizer.

What needs to be improved

I was a bit frustrated by the extra depth of the Ring due to the quick release mechanism.  I realize though that I did have the same issue with the Exotac ring and had to use an additional smaller ring in order to connect the fob to the main ring.  I also noted that on the Clip the carabiner clip part is made of the same plastic that the quick release mechanism is on the Ring.  I wonder how durable that would be over time and think I would have preferred stainless steel there of which the rest of the carabiner is made.  I also found that pushing in the release mechanism on the carabiner several times started to make that plastic clip not sit as snugly as it used to.  I also think it would be nice if they offered an organizer that was a little shorter than the one they currently have.  I have about three-quarters of an inch of free space between the end of my key and the D-ring.  If it was about a half an inch shorter it would make for a more compact package.

Final thoughts

I think I will definitely be adding the smaller ring attachment to my truck key fob and use the organizer going forward.  I really think it is a nice look and I love that I no longer have jangling keys.  It does certainly make the whole package of key fob and two keys a bit bulkier but it is something I think I can get used to.  I would definitely recommend the organizer and the strap to anyone who is looking for a high quality and elegant method for organizing their keys.

Price: Leather organizer – $43.50, Active organizer – $24.90,  Ring single pack charcoal or navy – $14.90, Ring single pack black – $16.90, Clip – $42.90, Strap – $34.90  – NOTE they sell packages of 2  Rings at a discount of almost $5
Where to buy: OrbitKey and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by OrbitKey.

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OrbitKey Key Organizer, Strap and Clip review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 30, 2018 at 12:30 pm.

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Bedphones for bedheads

There are times when I am in bed and I’d like to lie on my side to listen to music or a podcast, etc. However, my earbuds stick out of my ears and make this uncomfortable. DubsLabs Bedphones are small on-ear headphones designed to allow you to listen to your music while lying on your side.

These headphones have “memory-wire” ear hooks to allow you to bend them around your ears to obtain the correct fit. They also have 23 mm full-range drivers and will last up to 13 hours on one charge.

The Bedphones also come in wired or wireless (Bluetooth) versions. Additionally, there are a couple of Bluetooth versions. One is a sports version, called Versafit, which has a silicone sweatproof covering over the headphones and the other is a sleeping version, called Bedphones, which has a foam padding covering them. The DubsLabs Bluetooth Bedphones are available from DubsLabs for $99.95 while the wired pair is available for $59.95.

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Bedphones for bedheads originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 30, 2018 at 11:30 am.

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Urban Armor Gear Plasma iPad Pro 12.9″ case review

The iPad Pro 12.9″ has been reviewed and discussed all over the Tech Press, and, love it or hate it, everyone agrees on one thing: it’s a big, thin, fragile slab that is a bit unnerving to handle. Adding a case to the already 1.5-pound unit is almost a given, but then it’s hard to schlep around. Enter our friends from Urban Armor Gear. They have designed a case they dubbed the Plasma, which protects this beast of an iPad while not significantly increasing the weight or the visual impact. Not an easy task.

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

What is it?

The UAG Plasma case combines the protection of a larger case with the features of a traditional iPad case – full back coverage, a pop-out stand, and access to the smart connector. They threw in a pencil clip for good measure. (Since I’ve taken to writing out my articles in Nebo with one of the iPads and my Apple Pencil, this ease of access is not lost on me!)

What’s in the box?

Just the case – no frills.

Design and features

The back cover of the Plasma is a hard, clear acrylic with the traditional UAG pattern of angular lines and open spaces etched in a clear v. frosted finish. I know it went against everything they consider holy, but the UAG logo was not emblazoned front and center in the large, silver type it usually comes in! It was instead writ small at the top center of the vertical orientation, under the pencil clip. (I give these guys a hard time about their logo, but their stuff is really kick@$$!) The photo below is the other side of the table from the photo just after the break above. I wanted to post it to show the difference in the stand between the Plasma (right) and other methods of holding an iPad at a good typing angle. That’s an iPad Pro 10.5″ on the left, but it takes up quite a bit more space due to the WedgeStand that’s supporting it.

As expected, the mics, camera, charging port, speaker grills, and earphone jack are all left open and accessible. Even the volume controls and the sleep/wake button are uncovered. The sleep/wake button and the earphone jacks are somewhat covered by overhanging protective eaves, however, which was a welcome touch. The power port has a large enough opening to easily allow an Apple Pencil to “assume the position” for charging.

While a nice feature, I found the Pencil clip a bit difficult to use. Putting the Pencil in is not a problem, but when I tried to remove it, I was always afraid of it breaking in the center as I pried up a loose end. I could probably just slide it up and out, but I’m still quite paranoid about hanging a $100 piece of plastic in an exposed loop in my bag. I have a case where I keep it nice and safe. For the record, I also never clipped good pens to the rings of spiral notebooks back in the day, either. You do you.

On the long edge opposite the pencil clip, there is a pop-out stand which gives the Plasma the ability to stand at a 16º slant from vertical. This position is quite nice if you’re watching a video, or writing in split-screen view with a keyboard. The frame below this pop-out prop can also be removed before installing the case, exposing the side of the iPad Pro that contains the smart connector, as well as those clever magnets that allow screen covers to be attached. Different from some covers on the market, this choice is reversible-you can leave it off on one trip where you want to add a smart keyboard or cover, then clip it back in when you want full coverage of the bumper. I like choices.

One oddity I found was the lanyard tether attachment point just under the earphone jack and the opposite side. As heavy, unwieldy, and awkward as I sometimes find the 12.9″, I have not once imagined threading a lanyard to it and having it hang around my neck. But, if that’s your thing, you can do it with the Plasma case! Might be good if you’re using it for field work and having to do something else with your hands with no good place to sit your iPad between annotations.

What I Like

  • Excellent protection around the rim and scratch-proof coverage for rear of the iPad.
  • Pop-out stand to allow the use of a keyboard.
  • Pencil clip for the daring.
  • Removable cover on Smart Connector/Magnetic Smart Cover edge.

What needs to be improved

  • Nothing, really.

Final thoughts

The iPad Pro 12.9″ continues to be a bit of a puzzle. Most users I know love theirs, but rarely take them out of their homes or offices. This case, with its open side for smart covers/keyboards and the kickstand, gives me enough protection that I have been taking mine out more. Look for it in your local Best Buy and consider how you could use your iPad Pro, rather than that heavy laptop. You may start a new trend!

Price: $89.99 for 12.9″, $79.99 for 9.7″and 10.5″ iPads.
Where to buy: This is a Best Buy exclusive.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Urban Armor Gear.

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Urban Armor Gear Plasma iPad Pro 12.9″ case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 30, 2018 at 10:30 am.

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Winter is coming. Arm yourself!

They do say that the pen is mightier than the sword, so these beautiful Montegrappa pens inspired by HBO’s Game of Thrones should prepare you to face the White Walkers.  The pens are available in ballpoint, rollerball, or fountain pen.  They are the second edition of Montegrappa pens inspired by the show, and these represent the primary noble houses of Westeros, plus a fifth pen for Westeros itself.

The pens have resin bodies and are accented with precious metals.  The pocket clip takes the form of the animal associated with the family; for example, the Stark pen has a direwolf clip.  The ballpoints deploy with a twist, while the fountain and rollerball pens have a twist cap.

I found these pens at Levenger.  They offer the ballpoints for $295 each or a set of four for $944.  The rollerballs are $325 each or a set of four for $1040.  The fountain pens are $350 each or a set of four for $1120.  Pens can also be purchased directly from Montegrappa.

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Winter is coming. Arm yourself! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 30, 2018 at 9:30 am.

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The Kokoon takes rest and relaxation to a whole new level.


As far back as I can remember I have struggled with insomnia and restless sleep. As time has gone by and my life has become more filled with work, and family responsibilities, rest and relaxation and effective sleep have become an elusive goal. It seems that my insomnia has become par for the course. Because of these challenges, I am always interested in any product that attempts to help in a safe way.

I just came across a device called Kokoon that claims to be the world’s first sleep sensing headphones and the Ultimate Sleep Sanctuary. According to the manufacturer, “Kokoon uses movement and EEG data to understand and analyze your individual sleep pattern”. (“Electroencephalography (EEG) is an electrophysiological monitoring method to record electrical activity of the brain”)

It uses active noise cancellation for complete quietness, along with an audio seal that works to stop external noise from penetrating the enclosure and reaching your ears. In addition, it effectively introduces white noise as you sleep, to ensure a better quality of rest.

If you would like to try out the Kokoon, you can head over to the Kokoon website and pre-order one for $299.99.

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The Kokoon takes rest and relaxation to a whole new level. originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 30, 2018 at 8:29 am.

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