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Samsung Galaxy S9, Waterfield Designs gear, camera gear, and more – Weekly roundup

Happy weekend Gadgeteers! I hope everyone is having a nice relaxing Saturday so far. To help you relax even more, how about checking out a full listing of everything we posted on The Gadgeteer this week. I’m sure there’s something you missed reading. Take a look!

Articles

Julie’s gadget diary – The Samsung Galaxy S9 is a great phone, so why don’t I love it?

News

The Lexar Professional Workflow HR1 Hub adds efficiency where it is needed

The Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone is a great addition to a DSLR recording kit

Retrofit your existing downlights with smart IPhilips Hue kits

The Oregon Trail Handheld Game brings you dysentery on-the-go

The new Nest Temperature Sensor helps rid your home of hot and cold spots

The Pelican S100 Sport Elite Laptop Backpack is at the head of the class

Protect your hearing and ornament your ears with the Loop High Fidelity Earplugs

The Flashpoint Budget Macro Focusing Rail Set will fine tune your macro photography

Stay toasty warm on your next camping trip with the Alice heated sleeping blanket

Protect your AirPods with a PodPocket

Philips Hue will venture outdoors this summer

Increase your safety and visibility with the Vinida LED reflective belt

The Think Tank Photo Digital Holster will let you win your next photo shoot out

PAWD is a pet crate that doesn’t look like a jail cell

The Yongnuo YN-14EX-C Macro Ring Flash is a winner!

Adjust the angle of your Ring doorbell for a perfect view of who’s at the door

Take pics with your DSLR without touching the shutter button

Add the unique beauty of natural wood to your Apple Watch with Ottm’s Hardwood bands

Brew coffee at room temperature with the Asobu portable coffee brewer

Dine like you’re at Hogwarts

The Ruggard Alpine 600 Lens Backpack for DSLR and 600/800mm lens is a winner!

SanDisk announces world’s fastest UHS-I microSD card

Reviews

BenQ treVolo S electrostatic bluetooth speaker review

steelseries Arctis 7 wireless gaming headset review

Saddleback Leather Company Tablet Notepad Holder review

LOOK-IT Wireless Backup Camera review

Flowfold Stormproof Limited Conductor Duffle review

ACGAM G402 gaming mouse review

WaterField Designs Finn Access wallet review

Moshi Avanti Air wireless on-ear headphones review

Showers Pass Trailhead Bamboo-Merino Hoodie review

IQAir AirVisual Pro Air Quality Monitor review

Speak Music Muse Alexa voice assistant review

Waterfield Atlas Executive Athletic Holdall review

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Samsung Galaxy S9, Waterfield Designs gear, camera gear, and more – Weekly roundup originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 17, 2018 at 5:48 pm.

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The Lexar Professional Workflow HR1 Hub adds efficiency where it is needed


Whenever I am in the studio and I have to work on editing photos and footage that I have shot over a few days, I usually have a bunch of different media full of files that I need to transfer to my editing computer. At any given time, I may have a couple of SDXC cards, a couple of compact flash cards and even some micro SD cards. I used to find the process of transferring the files very tedious since I would normally use a small multi-purpose USB reader and copy each card one at a time.

Some time ago, I decided to examine the efficiency of my workflow, and the copying of files seemed like a logical process that needed to be made more efficient. After some research, I found and purchased the Lexar Professional Workflow HR1 Hub. This is a very nice, small and compact modular 4-bay hub that accepts up to four different types of card readers, and via USB 3.0, it is able to transfer the files from all 4 of the readers simultaneously. The modules that are offered for this hub include readers for SDHC, SDXC, Micro SDHC, Micro SDXC, CompactFlash, CFast and XQD cards. There are also two flash storage drives that are available in 256 or 512GB sizes.

The Lexar HR1 Hub is both MAC and Windows compatible, and it has been an amazing addition to my workflow and has definitely added much better efficiency to my process. You can pick one up at Adorama for $58.95.

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The Lexar Professional Workflow HR1 Hub adds efficiency where it is needed originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 17, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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BenQ treVolo S electrostatic bluetooth speaker review

These days I really don’t pay attention to bluetooth speakers, unless there’s something really unique about it. The BenQ treVolo S stood out due to it’s unusual “folding” configuration… and electrostatic speakers?

What is it?

I know BenQ from their video products (I have two of their 4K displays at work), but not Bluetooth speakers. BenQ claims the treVolo S is the world’s smallest electrostatic Bluetooth speaker. It features dual woofers and dual amplifiers, plus electrostatic speakers that unfold from the sides.

Hardware specs

Frequency Response:  60 Hz – 20 kHz‎
Bluetooth:  Bluetooth 4.2
aptX Support: No
NFC:  Yes
Input Types: 3.5 mm stereo input; USB audio‎ (DAC)
Duo Mode:  Yes (Stereo / Party mode)‎
Sound Mode:  Pure/3D
Playing Time: 18 hours (Dependence on user scenario)‎
Keys:  Power Key, BT Pairing Key, Volume Key (+-), 3D Mode Key, Play / Pause‎
LED Indicator: Power key : Red LED x1; Green LED x1 ; BT Pairing Key : Blue LED x1‎
Microphone: No
Battery: Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery‎
IO Port: Micro USB x1 ; Line-in x1‎
Input Power Rating:  DC 5V 2A‎
Temperature Range for Use‎:  0~40º C‎
Dimension‎: 63.2×157.5×96.3 mm (Closed)‎
Weight: 1kg

What’s in the box?

Speaker, mini USB charger with mains plug, instructions and drawstring bag.

Design and features

The treVolo S stands upright with a non-skid rubbery pad at the base.  All controls are located at the top along two LED lights indicating charging, bluetooth status and 3D mode.The white model is pretty hard to read and photograph.  There are no markings on the rear for micro USB and the aux input.  That micro USB is used for charging and for USB audio (DAC).
Here’s the treVolo S with it’s two electrostatic panels unfolded.  Note the perforated sides for the dual woofers inside the main body.

Setup

A companion app is available for the speaker, but is not necessary unless you have two treVolo speakers.  If so, you can pair two in “Duo mode” for a stereo pair, or as synchronized sets.

The only other control on the app is the “3D Sound”, which can also be done from one of the six buttons on the speaker’s top panel.

BenQ describes 3D sound as a form of “spatial enhancement”.  The difference is subtle, but it did make music sound “wider”.  I think it’s a matter of personal preference.

Performance

For better or for worse, many people wonder if speakers “sound like Bose”.  I put the two side by side and took a listen.  (No, not like the photo above, positioned for artistic taste!)

As can be expected, the Bose Soundlink Mini II, which is roughly the same size (small) sounded stronger at the low end, which is what Bose is famous for.  The treVolo S couldn’t keep up with the low end until I placed it in a corner.  Placing speakers in a corner exaggerates the bass, and the treVolo S really came alive.

If you’re looking for raw power, the treVolo S couldn’t keep up with the Bose Soundlink Mini II.  The Bose was louder at maximum “can you please turn that down?” volume.

What I like

The treVolo S oozes with built quality. The speakers unfold smoothly, and there’s a confident heft to the whole thing that inspires confidence.  According to BenQ, the built-in DAC provides the cleanest listening experience, which is something the Bose Soundlink Mini just doesn’t have as an option. Audio sounded crisp and clean from the electrostatic speakers regardless of mode (3D or not).

What needs to be improved

If you’re a bass head, stick the treVolo S in a corner- otherwise, get the Bose.  The treVolo’s maximum volume could be a little higher.

Final thoughts

If you’re a fan of electrostatic speakers, look no further!  Solid build and clean looks make for a nice all-around package unless you demand ground-shaking bass.

Price: $199.00
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by BenQ.

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BenQ treVolo S electrostatic bluetooth speaker review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 17, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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The Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone is a great addition to a DSLR recording kit


Whenever I want to shoot a quick video, I tend to grab my DSLR as opposed to my Canon or Sony professional video cameras, which are much bigger and heavier, and require me to drag along much more equipment. My DSLR and an external audio recorder are usually enough, but there have been times when I have tried to synchronize the audio from the recorder with the audio recorded by the camera mic, and the audio from the camera mic was so noisy and unfocused, that it created problems. Then at other times, I needed to shoot a video and immediately use the footage with the audio recorded by the camera mics, and that too was bad.

It was obvious that I needed a better solution for such occasions, so I purchased the Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone, and it has worked out well. It is true to its name, as it is quite small and compact but does a very good job of capturing directional audio, and really does outperform the mic on the camera. The Rode comes with a detachable coiled cable that connects to it via a 3.5mm female jack, and the other end connects to the mic input on the DSLR. I really like that the coiled cable stays out of the way. There is also a nice shoe mount that is included, and a “dead cat” windscreen that works very well when filming outdoors in windy conditions, and indoors where even ambient noise from an air conditioner could affect a recording.

If you would like to give the Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone a try, you can pick one up at Amazon for $59.00.

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The Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone is a great addition to a DSLR recording kit originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 17, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Retrofit your existing downlights with smart IPhilips Hue kits

I have an old-style downlight in my foyer, and I wanted a smart bulb for it.  I saw a lot of  retrofit kits for recessed lights with the light source and trim kit in one.   But those weren’t what I wanted, because none I found were wirelessly controllable.  I gave up on those kits and just bought a new trim kit and a Hue BR30 bulb that’s a bit too short for the old-style downlight.  It works okay, but it’s a bit dimmer than it should be because the end of the bulb is recessed in that old, deeper-than-normal fixture.  I may have to replace that with the Philips Hue White Ambiance Smart Retrofit Recessed Downlight now that I’ve found them.

The Hue downlight kit is available in sizes to fit 4″ or 5/6″ recessed fixtures.  Just like other Hue bulbs, these retrofit kits must be paired with the Hue bridge.  Once paired, they can be controlled, dimmed, and scheduled using the Hue app, Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s HomeKit, and Hue Tap and dimmer switches.  These aren’t the color-changing bulbs; they are White Ambience, meaning they have what Philips describes as 50,000 shades of white, from warm to cool white.

You can purchase the 4″ kit or the 5/6″ kit Philips Hue White Ambience Smart Retrofit Recessed Downlight for $35 at Home Depot.  If you don’t already have one, you’ll also need the Philips Hue bridge.

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Retrofit your existing downlights with smart IPhilips Hue kits originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 17, 2018 at 8:18 am.

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