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Backpacks, Flashlights, couches, and more – Weekly roundup

NEWS – Grab a cold beverage, find a comfy chair, kick your feet up, and relax with some great gadget reviews. Check out this full listing of everything we posted this week on The Gadgeteer.

ARTICLES

REVIEWS

NEWS

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Backpacks, Flashlights, couches, and more – Weekly roundup originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 4, 2019 at 8:06 pm.

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8 Control Center Widgets for iPhone that Are Actually Useful

In addition to the app shortcuts embedded in Control Center, iOS offers access to uniquely functional shortcuts through the Control Center menu. While shortcuts like Notes, Calculator, and Voice Memos simply launch the associated app, they’re still useful. But it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why. Not every Control Center widget works the same way: some are actually useful. Here are our favorite control center shortcuts for your iPhone that you could be using today. Control Center widgets can be added and removed in “Settings -> Control Center -> Customize Controls.” The order of the widgets can be changed by dragging and reordering… Read more

How to Make Mobile Safari Save Your Passwords on iOS

Security experts are always reminding you that your accounts should always have a strong password. The only problem with that is that remembering strong passwords for various accounts can be almost impossible. The question you may ask yourself is where you can keep your passwords. The answer to that question is debatable, but if you decide to keep your passwords in your Safari browser, the following guide will show you how to do that so that the next time you need to sign into your accounts, you won’t have to depend on a third-party app. Related: Safari Not Working on Your iPhone? Here’s How to… Read more

Solo New York Lead Slim Brief review

REVIEW – Screens being what they are these days (thin slabs of glass of varying sizes), how we carry them around is changing. I’ve moved from a huge backpack to a smaller one, and then to a sling, and I’m still trying to find the sweet spot. Solo offered the team their new Lead Slim Brief bag, and I’ve been using it for a few weeks now, so I’m ready to report.

What is it?

A standard sized briefcase with a permanently attached strap doesn’t sound that unique. Even with Solo’s signature t-bar zipper pulls, it’s still understated. But there are a few surprises inside.

Design and features

While the basics of a briefcase haven’t changed much in the past dozen decades, the materials and interior layouts have gotten smarter.

On the front, Solo added a full-length pocket tucked into a pleat of material that also includes another overlapping pocket. This outer area is secured with a vertical zipper. Inside the full-length compartment, there are a few tight pen loops and card slots. You’re not going to be able to store thick materials in here, but travel documents and pens for filling out the customs declaration will fit with ease. The rest of the pocket has enough space for chargers and cables.


The main interior is one large compartment, with an 8” x 10” patch of padded material sewn onto the back wall, suspended just a little from the bottom of the case. At 16” x 13” x 2” outer dimensions, you’re easily able to fit all but the most daunting gamer laptop into the main pocket. Depending on what else you need to carry, this may be enough. The tablet pocket is not large enough for me to fit my iPad Pro 10.5” device laterally. It’ll just fit vertically, and still not block the zipper, but it’s close. Naked, the device fits with room to spare, but not enough for a two-sided folio case.


Across the back is a 1.75” strap of nylon webbing, sewn in to allow your roll-aboard’s handle to fit through. There’s a patch of Velcro to hold it down as well.


The outer materials of this brief are a black slick, tight nylon fabric. It is abrasion resistant, and probably somewhat water resistant. The very bottom piece is a rubberized fabric. Seams are all hidden, but there are a few hits of color to hint at the interior.


Inside, the seams are all covered and double-stitched. The lining material is a similar feel, but lighter weight of the outer material, but in a deep maroon, rather than basic black.
While the zippers are all covered, the material doesn’t feel water-resistant. I’m sure a sprinkle won’t soak you, but I’d avoid heavy downpours.

What I like

  • Professional look and feel in all materials and design
  • Long adjustable strap with sliding shoulder pad
  • Material is easy to keep clean
  • 5 year limited warranty

What needs to be improved

  • If you’re going to put in pen slots and card slots, put in enough fabric to actually get something into them.
  • Tablet pocket is also a bit skimpy. No one carries a bare tablet around.

Final thoughts

When I first saw the inside of this bag, I was a bit skeptical. But after using it, I’ve grown to like the sleek minimalism of having just this bit of kit. I can carry my meds, iPad, keyboard, and a few bulkier items with ease, and this bag makes me look like an expert.

Price: $49.99
Where to buy: Solo New York webstore
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Solo New York.

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Solo New York Lead Slim Brief review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 4, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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Nitecore MH12GTS flashlight review


REVIEW – I have no clue how many flashlights I currently own and how many I have purchased over the years. What I do know is that many of them have advertised as being tough enough to handle daily abuse and to have adequate light settings and options for every need. Any flashlight that hangs out in the gear bag of a photographer/videographer will go through its share of abuse. I need a flashlight that can “take a licking and keep on ticking”. The Nitecore MH12GTS flashlight promises to do just that. Let’s see what first impression it leaves me with.

What is it?

The Nitecore MH12GTS flashlight is an 1800 lumen long throw beam rechargeable flashlight. Its features include 5 brightness levels and 3 special modes, and it is waterproof and submersible to be compatible with both indoor and outdoor applications.

What’s in the box


1 x Nitecore MH12GTS Flashlight
1 x NL1835HP 3500mAh Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
1 x Micro USB Charging Cable
1 x Belt Holster
1 x Pocket Clip
1 x Tactical Ring
1 x Lanyard
1 x Spare O-ring
1 x Instruction Manual
1 x Warranty Card

Design and features

Features:

  • Maximum output of 1800 lumens with 247 yards of throw
  • 5 brightness levels and 3 special modes (strobe, SOS, Beacon)
  • Direct access to Turbo and Ultralow mode
  • Tactical tail switch and metal side switch allow for easy one-hand operation
  • Built-in charging via micro-USB port
  • NL 1835HP 3500mAh 18650 rechargeable battery included

Specifications:
LED: CREE XHP35 HD
Maximum Brightness: 1800 lumens
Peak Beam Distance: 247 yards
Peak Beam Intensity: 12760 cd
IP Rating: IPX8 – 2m waterproof and submersible
Impact Resistance: 1m
Weight: 3.51oz

Brightness Outputs

MODE OUTPUT RUNTIME
Turbo 1800 lumens 30 min
High 900 lumens 2 hr 15 min
Mid 240 lumens 5 hr 45 min
Low 70 lumens 19 hr
Ultralow 1 lumen 250 hr

This Nitecore flashlight is all metal and ruggedly built. On the side, there is a selector switch that is used to select the light intensity and modes.

Also around the side of the flashlight, there is the brand and model number. In the photo below above the brand, you can see the installed tactical ring.

The photo below shows the pocket clip attached to the flashlight.

On the bottom of the flashlight, there is the micro USB charging port with a waterproof cover. The is also the on/off switch next to the charging port.


For recharging, you simply plug the micro USB cable into the charging port and the other end of the cable to a compatible power supply.

The flashlight fits neatly and securely into the belt holster so that you can include it with your EDC devices.

Performance

Right out of the box, this flashlight feels well built and of good quality. Charging it is very easy by simply removing the waterproof charging port cover and plugging the micro USB charging cable in and the other end of the cable to a power source. There is a blue LED on the back that blinks until the flashlight it charged and then it stays solid blue once fully charged. It is that simple and then it is ready for use. The light intensity selection is great and at the highest intensity, the light throw is incredible. Having the option to choose from multiple levels of intensity is great. For example, double pressing the selection button puts it in strobe mode and results in a blinding strobe light. Here is a quick demo fo the light intensity levels and the strobe:

What I like

  • The built quality
  • The light selection options
  • The rechargeable option
  • The included belt holder/case

What can be improved

  • So far it does exactly what it is supposed to do

Final thoughts

The Nitecore MH12GTS flashlight is well built, and so far I am very pleased with it. It provides more than enough light for various applications and seems like it will withstand the abuse that is an inherent part of being a resident of my gear bag. The belt pouch is strong and will serve that purpose well, albeit not the way I will carry the flashlight. I give Nitecore two thumbs up for this one!!

Price: $99.95
Where to buy: Nitecore
Sample: The sample for his review was provided by Nitecore

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Nitecore MH12GTS flashlight review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 4, 2019 at 8:51 am.

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