Home 2019 February

VanTop Moment 4 4K Sports Action Camera review


REVIEW – After having a not-so-good experience with another brand of action camera, I decided to give the VanTop Moment 4K action camera a try. Was it a painful experience? Read on to find out!

What is it?

The VanTop Moment 4K action camera is, as it sounds, a 4k action camera that has a form factor much like other action cameras, at a much more affordable price. It features a Sony sensor, which is highly regarded when it comes to cameras.

What’s in the box?

  • VanTop Moment 4K action camera
  • Dual rechargeable 1050mAh batteries
  • Waterproof housing
  • Folding backpack
  • 32GB Kingston TF card
  • 2.4GHz remote with wrist strap
  • Long connector
  • Short connector (2)
  • Surface J-Hook Buckle
  • 360° adapter
  • Tripod mount Adapter
  • Bicycle handlebar Mount
  • Helmet mounts (2)
  • USB Cable
  • Cable tie
  • Cleaning cloth
  • Helmet belt
  • Adhesive pads (2)
  • Manual





Design and features

The VanTop Moment 4 4K action camera has a Sony 20MP true depth sensor. It features 4K/24fps video recording and 20mp image capturing. The high quality 170 degree lens provides for a wide angle view.

The 2.4 inch IPS touch screen provides for a real-time view of what you are shooting and makes the operation of the camera much easier than other products that don’t have a touch screen. This is what I consider as perhaps one of the “must have” features when it comes to cameras like these. Changing the settings and reviewing clips is so much easier using the touch screen as compared to other cameras that have a limited number of buttons. The camera only has two buttons, the Power/Mode button and the Shutter/Select button.



Two 1050mAh batteries provide for up to 70 minutes of video recording in 4K (per battery). The camera comes with a 32GB micro-sd card, and the specs say it supports cards up to 64GB (although the manual says 128GB).

Electronic image stabilization (EIS) provides for smoother video and photo capture during sports shooting and low light photo taking.

The 2.4ghz wireless remote is a very nice touch for a product at this price point and can be used to start and stop recording during extreme sports activities, although it is not waterproof. There are two buttons on the remote, one for taking a photo, and one for starting and stopping the video recording. Quite a nice feature! Alternatively, you can use the camera’s WiFi connection to configure and control it via the “Camking” smartphone app. The smartphone app can be used to transfer photos and video to your mobile device.

The VanTop Moment 4 4K action camera features multiple modes for both video and photos such as:

  • Video – Record Video
  • Photo – Capture a single photo
  • Motion Detection – Start recording when any movement is detected
  • Car Mode – Work as a driving recorder (dash cam)
  • Video Lapse – Records a video by capturing frames at a set time interval
  • Slow Motion – Records video in -2x or -4x slow motion (plays back at 30fps)
  • Photo Lapse – Captures a series of photos at set time intervals
  • Burst Mode – Captures a burst of photos
  • Under Water – Take pictures or record videos underwater (compensates for color changes)

With the waterproof case, the camera is water-resistant up to 100ft (30 meters) but is not designed for touch screen use so when in use you have to use the two buttons to change settings, which can be a bit frustrating.

Ports on the camera include the micro-sd card slot, micro-usb charging, and a micro HDMI port. This brings up one of the things I don’t like and that is that the ports are right next to the tripod socket, which requires the removal of any accessory screwed into the bottom in order to access the ports. This makes it almost useless as a car dash cam. The same goes for the battery and SD card.

Although the camera has settings for wide, medium, and narrow fields of view, the medium and narrow modes show a drastic loss of quality in the image without much difference in the field of view.

The slow-motion mode looks as though it records at 720p 120fps and then saves the video to playback at 30fps making it easier to use the video without processing it later.

The photo mode might be useful for some people, but overall I found the image quality of the photos to be very poor.

As a nice little bonus, the camera came with a nice little backpack that folds up into itself. Although I would probably not carry around the camera in it, I will toss it in my truck in case I ever need a little pack.



Sample video, Slow Motion video, and Time Lapse video.

What I like

  • Very nice touch screen
  • Smart phone app
  • Wireless remote
  • Many mounting accessories
  • Seems to have very good audio recording

What needs to be improved

  • The indicator LED for recording is only visible on the back, and is very difficult to see
  • Can’t shoot in 2.7K or 4K while using the phone app, other modes are limited
  • Tripod mount is too close to the power connector

Final thoughts

Overall I think I’ll get some good use of this camera. I plan to use it to film some of my photography outings where there’s always a chance it will end up in the sand or the lake.

Price: $79.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by VanTop.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged:

VanTop Moment 4 4K Sports Action Camera review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 23, 2019 at 9:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Up-armor your lighter with the Thyrm PyroVault Lighter Armor

NEWS – The Thyrm PyroVault Lighter Armor does what it says on the tin. The PyroVault is a rugged housing that accepts most Zippo-style inserts (either liquid fuel or butane).

The PyroVault is constructed from rugged, heat-resistant, reinforced polymer with an o-ring seal. The seal works to keep dirt and moisture out of the lighter mechanism, while simultaneously reducing the evaporation of liquid fuel from the lighter. The design includes a spring-loaded cap which is secured with an easy open latch. To help you keep track of your lighter, the Pyrovault includes both a  lanyard loop in the latch housing and a MOLLE-compatible clip on the back side of the housing.

While the housing does include an o-ring, the PyroVault is not rated for prolonged submersion or diving, so you won’t be able to light up a celebratory stogie during your cave diving excursion.

Thyrm does note that some butane torch inserts which use their own spring mechanisms to open and close the butane value will not work in the PyroVault since the inserts’ own springs are not used to open and close the housing.

They Thyrm PyroVault is available in rescue (orange), urban gray, black, olive drab (green), and flat dark earth (dark tan).

The PyroVault’s physical specifications are

Weight:             3.25 oz (without insert or fuel)
Dimensions:    7″ x 5″ x 0.86″

The PyroVault is designed and manufactured in the United States and retails for $29.99 without an insert. Additional details may be found at the manufacturer’s website www.thyrm.com and you can buy one from Amazon.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: ,

Up-armor your lighter with the Thyrm PyroVault Lighter Armor originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 23, 2019 at 8:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Hedgehog umbrella review

REVIEWS – When you live in southern Indiana, you just never know what the weather is going to be like. It’s February but we’ve had lots of rain and even thundersnow. Yes, that’s really a thing here. This week I’ve been testing the stormproof and unbreakable Hedgehog Umbrella. Let’s check it out.

What is it?

The Hedgehog Umbrella is a compact umbrella designed in Canada to withstand winds of up to 70MPH without turning inside out. That’s hurricane category 1 wind speeds.

Design and features

They sent me a Gen 2 in Sky Blue. The canopy is made of a 210 thread-count Water Repellent Pongee fabric that’s thin, but strong. You can choose from a variety of colors and you can even buy replacement canopies to easily switch out. Even better is the fact that they are going to soon offer a service where you can design your own canopy by uploading an image.

The umbrella ships with a slipcover which you’ll probably toss and promptly lose after the first time you use it.

When it’s collapsed and wrapped for storage, the umbrella measures 13 inches long and it weighs close to a pound. I consider this a medium sized umbrella that is small enough to fit in a backpack. I’ve seen and used umbrellas that are much smaller and easier to carry around, but this is the perfect size if you want true coverage and protection from rain. The ultra small ones really aren’t that useful in a storm.

The Hedgehog has a comfortable soft touch handle with a thick elastic cord. You might think that you can deploy the umbrella by pressing the button on the handle. You would be wrong. Unfortunately, there’s nothing automatic about the Hedgehog. This is a fully manual umbrella which is a bit disappointing given the price but I can understand that the automatic mechanisms are probably the weakest point of an umbrella the designers of the Hedgehog decided to bypass any issues by not including that feature.

So to open the Hedgehog, you just hold the handle in one hand and use your other hand to push the carbon fiber frame up the handle to the locking point at the top.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a robust frame as the one on the Hedgehog umbrella. It’s very sturdy and they claim that it is unbreakable.

When fully deployed, the umbrella is very roomy and large enough to that a friend can share with you.

When it’s time to collapse the umbrella, you just press the button on the center frame mechanism and it will unlock it so it can fold and slide back down the center handle.

The Hedgehog umbrella is perfectly balanced so it’s comfortable to walk with and I found that the canopy was large enough that I remained completely dry in all but sideways downpours.

What I like

  • Extremely well made
  • Withstands up to 70MPH winds
  • Ability to switch out the canopy
  • Ability to design your own canopy – coming soon
  • Lifetime warranty

What needs to be improved

  • It takes two hands to deploy it due to the lack of an automatic push button mechanism
  • Pricey

Final thoughts

The Hedgehog umbrella is very well made. I have no doubt that it’s been designed to last for years and the ability to switch out the canopy if there’s ever damage or if you just want a new color is great. The only issue I have with the umbrella other than the high price is that it takes two hands to open and close it. I don’t like wrestling with an umbrella when I’m going into and out of buildings and cars. I just want to hold it out in front of me, press a button and start walking. With the Hedgehog you can’t do that. If that’s not a deal breaker for you and you also live in a very windy/rainy area, this is definitely an umbrella to have in your bag.

Price: $79.00 – $99.00
Where to buy: Hedgehog Umbrella
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Hedgehog Umbrella.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: ,

Hedgehog umbrella review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 22, 2019 at 11:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Skinners combine the freedom of socks with the protection of shoes

NEWS – Who doesn’t like walking around in just their socks? They’re comfy, lightweight, and easy to put on, but they’re not very practical for walking around outside. That is until now. Skinners Barefoot Sock Shoes offer the comfort and freedom of socks with the protection of shoes.

Skinners pull-on design features both comfort and stability. The uppers are made of a stretchy, moisture-wicking, silver-infused antibacterial yarn. The yarn keeps your feet feeling good and helps to keep odors at bay.

The flexible, grippy shoe-like soles are made of durable, anti-abrasive Swedish polymer, perfect for outdoor activities like running, hiking, and even water sports. Or you can wear them indoors at the gym.

Their compact size makes them perfect for traveling.

Skinners are machine washable, and one pair can last up to hundreds of miles.

The Sock Shoes are available in a range of sizes from X-Small to XX-Large. And they come in a variety of colors to match any style.

You can purchase a pair of Skinners for $59.95 from The Grommet.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged:

Skinners combine the freedom of socks with the protection of shoes originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 22, 2019 at 10:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Blue Ember XLR Studio Microphone Review

REVIEW – Blue is an audio company known best for making many different types of microphones for podcasts, streamers, musicians, and audio professionals. Many podcast and Youtube content creators feature their products in their videos and shows, and I’ve always wanted to try one for myself since I wanted to start streaming on Twitch, as well as use it for online gaming chat. I got the chance to review the new Blue Ember XLR Studio microphone, so let’s take a look!

What is it?

The Blue Ember microphone is a studio microphone for recording, podcasting, and live-streaming. The XLR connection means that it delivers more crisp, clear sound rather than a USB connection and also reduces background noise.

Hardware specs

  • Transducer Type: Condenser capsule
  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid
  • Frequency Response: 38 Hz-20 kHz
  • Sensitivity: 12 mV/PA
  • Output Impedance: 40 ohms
  • Rate Load Impedance: 1k ohm
  • Maximum SPL: 132 dB SPL
  • Power Requirements: +48V DC Phantom Power
  • Weight: 0.84 lbs
  • Dimensions: 8.62″ x  1.5″ x 1.26″

What’s in the box?

  • Blue Ember microphone
  • stand mount
  • stand adapter
  • user manual

Design and features

The Blue Ember XLR Studio microphone is heavyweight, sleek and features a metallic blue-grey body with a black capsule. The thin body of the design makes it easy to position in smaller spaces, such as a computer desk or small music studio. It doesn’t take up a lot of real estate if you’re using it on camera, due to the fact that you speak into the side of the capsule rather than the front like a traditional microphone. It’s important to note that an audio mixer is that supports an XLR input is needed. You will also need a microphone stand or a desktop boom arm to hold the microphone. Blue supplies a small stand mount and stand adapter so that you can connect the mic to the stand.

Setup

Setup was a bit more complicated for me due to the nature of the Blue Ember having an XLR connection rather than a native USB connection. If you’re using it on a PC like I am, you will need an audio mixer that support an XLR input which then connects to a computer via USB. I was fortunate to have my brother lend me an XLR cable and a Behringer XENYX Q1202 audio mixer, but there are plenty of other options out there smaller/inexpensive mixers.

Performance

Compared to an old microphone I used to use, the Blue Ember mic’s sound blew me away. The crisp clear audio that I got was a huge improvement from the background noise I was used to getting with a microphone with USB connection. This makes sense since XLR connections are traditionally used for professional audio.

For this first sample, I just spoke a couple of sentences, in as quiet of a room as I could, with the audio mixer settings that I found appropriate for a speaking voice. I’m not an audiophile, but I liked how these settings worked for me chatting through discord for gaming, or if I do a Twitch broadcast.

For this sample, I read the intro paragraph off of Blue’s website:

If you’d like to hear more examples of the Blue Ember with musical instruments or singing, head over to their website or SoundCloud for better samples!

What I like

  • Wonderful, crisp sound
  • Thin design for out-of-the-way placement on camera
  • Solid weight and good feel in hand

What needs to be improved

  • Extra equipment needed to connect to a PC, such as an audio mixer, cables and mic stand

Final thoughts

For the value, the Blue Ember microphone is definitely recommended if you want some awesome quality audio for a podcast, stream, or video recording. It’s a wonderful upgrade to anyone looking to sound more professional, but note you will also need extra equipment for a full setup.

Price: $99.99
Where to buy:  Bluedesigns.com and BHPhoto
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Blue Microphones

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged:

Blue Ember XLR Studio Microphone Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 22, 2019 at 9:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.