NEWS – Mountain Dog Product leashes are made from recycled UIAA-certified dynamic rock climbing ropes – designed to stop a climber’s fall from great heights – so they can handle whatever your dog can dish out. The folks at Mountain Dogs are avid climbers, so they are invested in protecting the Earth’s natural beauty. That’s why they use recycled rope and why they manufacture their leashes by hand, producing almost no carbon footprint in the process. And it’s also why all their packaging and paper contains recycled materials.
They are also dog lovers, so they make quality products to protect their animals. The leashes have a loop at one end and a clip at the other end, and either end can hold almost 1500 pounds.
Some leashes are available with a clip or a carabiner, and some are available in a slip-leash style for use without a collar. Lengths vary by type of leash. They even offer the Mighty Mini Leash, designed for dogs up to 25 pounds; it’s made using 8mm anchor cord so it’s thinner and lighter than the other leashes, but it still can hold up to 1500 pounds. All leashes carry a lifetime warranty, even against chewing. Prices vary between $22.50 to $47.50. Learn more at Mountain Dog Products.
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REVIEW – With the advancement of technology in today’s world, we have the ability to automate numerous tasks and to better manage our security. A Dash Cam is becoming more common and necessary for recording accidents or interactions with other individuals. It also allows you to take scenic pictures and videos as you drive. While there are many models available, I am looking for one that takes great quality video and is easily removable for storage when I am not in my vehicle. The VAVA Dash Cam 2K seems like it could work, so let’s see.
What is it?
The VAVA Dash Cam 2K is a windshield mounted dashcam that records video as you drive and is capable of snapshots either via the app or by using an optional remote.
What’s in the box
1 x VAVA Dash Cam
1 x Car Charger
1 x Windshield Mount
1 x Micro USB Cable
1 x Pry Bar
5 x Cable Clips
1 x Instruction Manual
1 x Quick Installation Guide
Design and features
The VAVA Dash Cam 2K is a small, compact and lightweight dash cam that connects magnetically to its mounting base. This type of mount allows you to swivel the camera 360 degrees to record your entire surroundings. It records in either 2560 x 1440p 30fps QHD or 1920 x 1080p 60fp.
The base attaches to the windshield via the usual suction cup action, and on the other side where the Dash Cam connects, there is the magnetic circle for that attachment, and the micro USB port for the power connection via a micro USB cable and a DC car lighter adapter. The micro USB cable is very long, with enough length for you to use the provided pry bar to run it around the perimeter of the roof and pillars of the car, hiding it in the process. I did not install mine in this manner since I am testing it and did not want a permanent installation. The cable clips that are included are for this purpose.
On the opposite side of the camera lens, there is an SD card port (Supports Class 10 or Above SD Cards up to 128GB), a reset button and two LEDs, one for wifi connection indication and one for power indication.
Performance
The Vava Dash Cam has a 320mah Built-In Battery that allows the 3-axis G-sensor to activate and start recording footage even in parking mode. Both the video recordings and the snapshots are very clear, and the video stabilization is very good.
Snapshots:
Videos: (The following 2 videos were exported directly from my smartphone and then uploaded to YouTube)
On the daylight videos, it is quite easy to see the license plate of any vehicle in front of you. While the nighttime videos are clear as well, the reflection of opposing car lights make that task somewhat harder.
Each time you hit the brakes suddenly or hit a pothole, the Dash Cam detects it as a possible collision and starts an emergency recording. You do have the option in the settings to set the sensitivity for this action. When viewing the camera live on my phone, I noticed that every minute or so the screen would get completely grey and refresh. I did not see this in actual recordings on the SD card. I am not sure if the connection would be different and require less frequent refreshing if it was Bluetooth instead of WiFi.
App
Both iOS & Android Mobile Apps are available for this Dash Cam. Use of the app allows you to Preview, share, download, and edit photos and videos directly from your smartphone. You can also purchase a GPS module separately for GPS tracking. Once you download the VAVA Dash App and select it, you are on the Home Screen as shown first below. There are 4 icons at the bottom of the screen.
The second icon from the left takes you to the Dash Cam connect screen. The app sees the Dash Cam once it is powered on, and the manual provides the default password to connect to it. It connects via WiFi and not Bluetooth. You can also choose the video resolution from the “connect” screen.
Once you connect to the Dash Cam, you have the option to play the live real-time video, and below the video display screen, there are 4 icons. the top 2 icons allow you to take a snapshot of record a quick scene video just by touching them. You can also purchase a snapshot button that would allow you to instantly capture a photo. The bottom 2 icon allows you to view the videos or pictures recorded.
The 3rd icon at the bottom of the app takes you to a screen that allows you to view the recorded Snapshots, loop video, and Emergency videos.
The 4th icon to the bottom right takes you to the Register/ login screen. This screen also includes access to several other data and configuration screens.
With the use of the app and your smartphone, you can manage the recorded media directly without removing the SD card. These functions include previewing, sharing (you can share to social media platforms), downloading and editing photos and videos directly from your smartphone.
What I like
The size of the Dash Cam.
The great versatility created by the magnetic mount which is really just a great design.
The video resolution choices and the quality of the recorded video.
The built-in battery and the Parking mode.
What can be improved
Provide video resolution up to 4K
Final thoughts
The VAVA Dash Cam 2K is arguably one of the best dashcams that I have tested. And while I will admit that I have not tested more than 5 or 6 dashcams, I really like this one and the features that it offers. The ability to attach and detach the actual camera from the base magnetically is one of the best designs I have seen for this type of device. I no longer have to unscrew anything to remove the dash cam, and I cannot stress enough the convenience and efficiency of this quick release capability.
Another great feature is the availability of optional add-ons. I am about to purchase the optional GPS module so that I can always journal my trips and in the unlikely event that my whereabouts are ever challenged, I will have some level of proof. While it would be great to be able to record up to 4K, 2K is more than enough, especially since the recordings will eventually record over previous recordings. In my opinion, this dashcam is a great bang for the buck.
Price: $99.99 Where to buy: Amazon Source: The sample for this review was provided by VAVA.
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NEWS – The H204K9 K9 UNIT insulated stainless steel water bottle carries water just for your dog. The scoop-shaped lid comes off for use as a drinking bowl, so you won’t need to carry a separate bowl for him. The lid is 100% BPA-free plastic, so it won’t harm your little friend.
The bottle and lid are 100% recyclable. It measures 3.25″ x 3.25″ x 9.5″ and holds 25 ounces. The bottle is available in your choice of six environmentally-friendly paint finishes. The H204K9 K9 UNIT insulated stainless steel water bottle is $21.99 at the Chewy website.
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REVIEW – As an every-day carry (EDC) enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for a way to compartmentalize or simplify the things I take with me wherever I go. So when I found out about the EDC Wallet from Galen Leather, I was eager to get my hands on it.
What is it?
Galen Leather’s EDC Wallet is a minimalist zippered wallet for your pocket size, every day carry (EDC) tools. Equipped with a sturdy YKK zipper. It’s a pocket-sized carrier for cash, credit cards, and business cards.
Hardware Specs
11.5(4.52″)cm x 9(3.54″)cm x 2(0.78″)cm when closed
11.5(4.52″)cm x 15,5(6.10″)cm when opened
It can fit an A7 size notebook, Kaweco sport or similar size pens, or a mini flashlight. Includes an elastic outside pen loop for quick access.
What’s in the box?
Surprisingly, many items!
It’s crazy how much extra stuff they sent.
The Leather EDC Wallet, in a nice box, plus…
A care & cleaning card with date and maker stamp
A small metal 8” ruler with “Measure Twice Cut Once” emblazoned on it
A small, glass Evil Eye with a short story of its origins (more on this later)
Design and Features
I’m an EDC junkie. I love to see what others carry around with them everywhere they go. These photographic pocket-dumps are like glimpses into the everyday lives of fellow enthusiasts and I find myself making little wish-lists of future purchases.
Personally, I always carry at least the following, because you just never know when they’ll come in handy.
pocketknife (currently, the Swiss Army Spartan)
tube of lip balm
black Fisher Space Pen
microfiber cleaning cloth
Herschel canvas zipper wallet
Each individual item typically knocks around in the same front pocket of my jeans or khakis. It doesn’t cause too much of an issue, it just feels a bit sloppy.
So when I was approached with reviewing the EDC Wallet, I thought to myself, now there’s a great concept. Get all that loose stuff in a nice, neat, zippered package! I gave it a shot for a few weeks and here are some thoughts.
You can see the craftsmanship in the piece, and also how quickly the leather picks up scuffs.
The initial presentation on this wallet (and with what I’m assuming every item ordered from Galen Leather) is absolutely top-notch. From the classy boxes and sleeve, everything comes in to the extras included.
My wallet came with a beautiful metal ruler, a personalized care & cleaning card, and a glass Evil Eye(!) charm bead, which is a talisman for warding off a curse, transmitted by a look, that might cause injury or bad luck. It’s a pretty incredible package.
An interesting note on the “Care & Cleaning” card that came in the box:
For small scuffs or wear marks, simply rub your thumb or finger along the cleft between your nose and nostril for a bit of oil. With tight pressure rub the spot on your cover in a circular motion. The scuff should be less obvious.
I love this. It’s so direct and informal, like a care tip your grandpop would give you. “Jus’ rub yer nose on it, champ!”
The wallet itself is handcrafted in Istanbul (which probably explains the evil eye charm, much more common in that part of the world) from quality leather and strong stitching. It’s got a nice, smooth feel to it. The inner pockets and separating flap are made from a softer leather to protect the contents.
It use, the wallet does a good job of keeping everything in place. It can hold maybe 2-3 cards and some cash in the card pocket side, and the other side can contain a variety of items. I tested several configurations, pictured below, to give you an idea of what you could use the case for.
Several EDC loadout ideas.
For the most part during the review period, I carried my Swiss Army knife, a tube of lip balm, cleaning cloth, 2 credit cards and a Space Pen in the outer pen loop.
I will say that having a pen with a clip would have been better, as removing the wallet contents made the outer loop a little too loose for the pen to stay put.
The EDC Wallet kept everything together rather well. I didn’t feel the contents shifting around while it was zippered and the wallet fit in my pocket about as well as a typical thick bi-fold.
I think that having a thicker knife helped in keeping things in place. Thin knives or a bunch of small items seemed to shift around, as the thickness of the items didn’t cause enough tension against the inside to stay put.
One thing that took a while to get used to was how to hold the wallet in your hand in order to unzip it without heavier contents falling out. It seemed like there was never a good way of telling which side of the wallet was facing me… the card side or the EDC stuff side. More than once, I unzipped it thinking I was going to open it to the knife side, only to be wrong and, in failing to hold it flat enough, all my stuff clattered noisily to the ground.
Hey, did you know lip balm rolls surprisingly far when dropped in a supermarket? Fun fact.
Once I got used to how the wallet (and gravity) acted, I started opening it flat, like a small book, in order to keep the contents in place so I could grab what I needed.
Much safer to open up like a tiny book.
Overall, there is definitely a tradeoff for convenience by packing all your items into a case. The EDC Wallet keeps everything together quite nicely, but it also adds an extra barrier between you and the thing you need, like, right now.
Liked
very good value for the price
good size for the pocket, can hold a variety of essentials
top-notch presentation and extra goodies
Challenges
easy to accidentally spill contents upon opening — which way’s up?
the leather is easily scuffed but also pretty easy to buff out those marks (with a little nose oil)
Final Thoughts
Packing away all your loose pocket items into a handsome, leather case is a great way to keep everything together in a nice, neat package, but also a way to limit how quickly you can access those items. All in all, this wallet is fantastic. Especially for the price!
Price: $35 (really!) Where to buy: You can pick up the EDC Wallet on Galen’s website in a variety of colors. Source: The sample of this product was provided by Galen Leather Company.
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NEWS – The Dossier Folio from Levenger holds everything you need for a meeting or for a day at the office. This beautiful envelope-style leather portfolio has two sections to organize your papers and to hold your notepad and a tablet. There’s a card window inside to hold your ID or business card. A pen loop keeps a writing implement at hand.
It’s made of full-grain textured leather. It measures 15.13″ x 1.5″ x 10.13″ and can accommodate an iPad Pro. The flap is held closed with a magnet, and an exterior stash pocket holds extra papers or travel documents. Personalize it with three initials ($6.00 extra) or with a name ($12.00 extra). The Dossier Folio is available in black or navy for $179.00 at Levenger.
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