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Rowkin Ascent Micro Bluetooth headphones review

REVIEW – Julian Perry and I have been on a quest to find a great pair of Bluetooth earbuds and I’m not sure which one of us will finish our quest first or even there’s even an end in sight since new earbuds are coming out every day and it’s too tempting to try yet another pair. The latest pair that I’ve been testing is the Ascent Micro true wireless headphones from Rowkin. Let’s check them out.

What is it?

The Rowkin Ascent Micro is the latest Bluetooth headphones from Rowkin and the 4th pair of wireless headphones that I’ve tested from this particular company. From their Bit Charge earbuds that I reviewed back in 2016, I have been interested in this form factor but wasn’t impressed with the way they performed. Then more recently I reviewed their Micro Touch earbuds and again, I wasn’t impressed… But now I have their latest Ascent Micros and… well… you’ll see as you read on.

What’s in the box?

Rowkin Ascent Micro charging case with 2 Bluetooth earbuds inside
USB-C charging cable
USB-C to USB adapter
2 extra sets of eartips

Hardware specs

Charging time:
• Earbud: ≤70 minutes
• Portable charging case: ≤120 minutes
Number of recharges: 4
Standby time (power on): Up to 70 hours, (power off): about 120 days
Music / Talk time: up to 3.5+ hours
Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Bluetooth profiles: HFP, HSP, AVRCP, A2DP and SPP
Audio enhancements: Noise reduction and echo cancellation

Design and features

The Rowkin Ascent Bluetooth earbuds are available in 2 versions. There is the Micro version that was sent to me and shown above, and the Charge version. What’s the difference? The style of the storage container. The Ascent Charge has a long storage case that doubles as a power bank and charges wireless on a Qi wireless charger. The Ascent Micro which I have has a storage case with a built-in battery that charges the earbuds using a USB-C cable.

Available in black, slate, or cobalt blue, the Ascent case has 2 slots that the earbuds snap into via a magnet that holds them in place.

The earbuds have a bullet shape like previous Rowkin earbuds that I’ve reviewed, but the eartip is angled to better fit in your ear canal.

Compared to the other three Rowkin buds that I’ve tested over the years, I think the Ascent earbuds have a more premium feel.

The Ascent buds also have a silicone ring which Rowkin has named the Retention Wheel. This wheel is supposed to provide a more ergonomic fit and to aid in keeping the earbuds in your ears.

The Retention Wheel can be removed if desired. I haven’t noticed much of a difference with the fit and the wheel installed or removed. The earbuds fit me fine either way. But of course, everyone’s ears have a unique shape.

I will say that the Rowkin Ascent earbuds are the most comfortable truly wireless earbuds that I’ve tested so far. I have no problem leaving them in my ears for an hour or two at a time and have experienced zero discomfort with them. The fit for me isn’t perfect though. I’ve had the earbuds fall out of my ears during workouts where I was moving around a lot. But wearing them while sitting at a desk has been perfect.

The Ascent earbuds charge in the included flip-top case. There’s a pin in each slot that plugs into the earbud when they are seated in the slot.

You will know that charging has begun when you see the two tiny LEDs on the earbuds throb red. When the LEDs turn off, that means the earbuds are fully charged.

On the bottom of the charging case are two LEDs on either side of the USB-C port. These LEDs provide a battery capacity status for the case. The instructions tell you to gently shake the case so the LEDs will light up but that didn’t work for me. To see the status, I would set the case on a flat surface and lift the end up slightly and let it fall back down.

I love the charging case because the buds are always charged and ready for me to use, which makes the battery life feel like it’s infinite. It’s actually pretty close at about 17+ hours per recharge of the case itself. The earbuds can be used for about 3.5hrs for music, but recharging them only takes about an hour.

How do they sound for music and video?

I used my Pixel 2 XL to do my testing of the Rowkin Ascent Micro earbuds along with streaming music services like Pandora, Spotify, and Amazon music. Music sounded good. I won’t say that these buds are fantastic and that autophiles should run out and buy a pair asap, but I enjoyed using them to listen to my favorite tunes.

I also tested them while watching video on Netflix and noticed no problems with the audio syncing with the video. Again, audio sounded good.

I’m very happy to report that I’ve yet to experience the issue I’ve had with other Rowkin earbuds in the past where the audio in one earbud will cut out for a second. This was always an annoying issue that would happen a couple times an hour, but after testing these earbuds over several days for hours at time, it hasn’t happened even once so it appears that using Bluetooth 5.0 and an LDS antenna has solved the problem.

Touch controls

Touch controls appear to be a popular feature for earbuds these days and I have to say that I’m not loving the trend so far. I much prefer physical buttons over capacitive buttons as 9 times out of 10, I’ll have to repeat the command before the earbuds decide to pay attention to my taps which I find annoying.

How do the sound for calls?

For calls, my side (the Rowkin) side of the conversations sounded great. But on more than one occasion as soon as I would answer a call and start talking, the person on the other end would ask me where I was why I sounded so bad. Apparently, I sounded like I’d fallen down a well, or as Jeanne so eloquently put it, I sounded like crap.

What I like

  • Comfortable
  • Good sound
  • Charging case provides up to 17hrs total playback time

What needs to be improved

  • Mediocre call audio quality on the side opposite the Rowkin side

Final thoughts

I’m happy to report that as of today, the Rowkin Ascent Micro earbuds are my favorite truly wireless earbuds. They power on almost instantly, pair quickly, sound good, fit comfortably, and conveniently charge in their storage case. The only slight knock that I’ll give them is that they are a bit on the pricey side compared to the 100’s of other wireless earbuds that are flooding the market but with that said, I’ve tried a few of them and so far the Rowkin Ascents are beating the others in all other aspects.

Price: $99.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Rowkin.

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Rowkin Ascent Micro Bluetooth headphones review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 22, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Why wait for Apple’s AirPower charger when you can get the SliceCharge 3-in-1 wireless charger today?

NEWS – The SliceCharge 3-in-1 Wireless Charger from Hard Cider Labs can charge three Qi-compatible items at once, and it’s available to order today.  It’s made of high-quality fabric and aluminum, and the anti-scratch fabric on top protects your gear as it charges.  The bottom of the charging pad is rubber for stability.

You can charge an Apple Watch and  2 Qi-protocol phones at the same time.

  • 7.5W fast charging for iPhone Xr/Xs/Xs Max, iPhone X/8/8 Plus
  • 10W fast charging for Samsung Galaxy S9/8/7
  • 3W charging for Apple Watch Series 3/2/1

Safety features include:

  • Over-voltage protection
  • Temperature control
  • Foreign object detection

The SliceCharge 3-in-1 Wireless Charger is available in Frosted White, Carmine Red, and Indigo Blue for $49.95 at Hard Cider Labs.

You can also charge Apple AirPods on the SliceCharge when they are in the Hard Cider Labs ElectroLeather AirPods Wireless Charging Case.  Qi-compatible coils inside the case send power to the AirPods’ charging case.  The premium PU leather case is available in Ashy Grey, Cayenne Red, and Cinnamon Brown.  The case can be used with any Qi charger.  Hard Cider Labs ElectroLeather AirPods Wireless Charging Case is $19.95.

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Why wait for Apple’s AirPower charger when you can get the SliceCharge 3-in-1 wireless charger today? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 22, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Bags, backpacks, EDC, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns

NEWS – This week we are bringing you information about four different crowdfunding campaigns that are currently running on Kickstarter and Indiegogo that will be of interest to EDC fans, and more.

The UltraLink – Elementally Elementary

What is it?

The UltraLink is a quick release EDC key and gear retention system made from raw Titanium and Aerospace Grade 7075T61 aluminum.

Why is it cool?

Just look at it. I think the UltraLink is cool because it looks like a movie prop from Guardians of the Galaxy or some other sci-fi flick. Gamble sent me an early sample of the UltraLink and I can confirm that it looks as good in real life as it does in their pictures. But good looks aren’t everything are they? This clip works great too as long as you don’t mind having to use two hands to unclip it because you have to use one hand to pinch the sides and the other hand to remove the clip. re-clipping (is that even a word?) is easier since you can do that just with one hand and you will be rewarded with a satisfying click when you do. Oh, one more thing that makes the UltraLink cool… the colored dot glows in the dark if you expose it to light.

Where can I find more info?

The UltraLink campaign ends on 11/15/18 and they have already met their funding goal of $7,500. You can pre-order an UltraLink starting at $83. After the UltraLink campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in March 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

PowerCube|WiFi|:WiFi Booster.Cube Socket

What is it?

The PowerCube is a WiFi hotspot and signal booster that is packaged in a small AC adapter sized package that plugs into the wall or an additional version that has a power cord.

Why is it cool?

I like the PowerCube is a small multi-function gadget that can be used as a WiFi hotspot that can share your internet with guests and friends without a password, it can also be used as a WiFi booster to extend the signal in your home, it can be used as a small power strip because it has 4 built-in power outlets, and it also shows the speed and number of connected devices right on the adapter itself.

Where can I find more info?

The PowerCube campaign ends on 11/18/18 and they just launched their campaign and are working towards their funding goal of $3,000. You can pre-order a PowerCube starting at $25. After the PowerCube campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in March 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Nanobag 2.0 & Nanopack -The ultimate ‘carry everywhere’ bags

What is it?

The Nanobag 2.0 & Nanopack are extremely thin/lightweight sailcloth bags and backpacks that fold down into a tiny pouch for easy carry.

Why is it cool?

I like the Nanobag 2.0 & Nanopack because they fold down into such a small form factor that makes it easy to carry one anywhere so you’ll have a reusable back when you need to carry items and won’t be tempted to grab a plastic bag.

Where can I find more info?

The Nanobag 2.0 & Nanopack campaign ends on 11/15/18 and they have already met their funding goal of $3,825. You can pre-order a Nanobag 2.0 or Nanopack starting at $10. After the Nanobag 2.0 & Nanopack campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in March 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

The 24Seven Modular Backpack and Survival Kit

What is it?

The 24Seven is a modular clamshell style 34L backpack that has been designed to perform as an everyday backpack (although on the large side…) but also includes a survival kit for emergency situations.

Why is it cool?

I like the 24Seven because of its modular design that features a “card” system where each card is designed to carry certain items like photography equipment, other tech, clothes, Dopp kit items, and even a pet water bowl and food pouch.

Where can I find more info?

The 24Seven campaign ends on 11/15/18 and they have already met their funding goal of $30,000. You can pre-order a 24Seven starting at $109. After the 24Seven campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2018. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.

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Bags, backpacks, EDC, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 21, 2018 at 4:00 pm.

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Give your dog a little more room while riding in the backseat of your car

NEWS – Little dogs always have plenty of room to spread out in the car, but big dogs may need a little more space to be comfortable.  The Kurgo Backseat Bridge covers the gap between the front seats and the backseat, extending the space for your dog to sit or lay.  Covering the gap also prevents your dog – big or small – from falling to the floor or just getting down there and getting up to no good.

The Kurgo bridge is sturdy enough to support 100 pounds.  It’s recommended for spaces not greater than 13″ from back of seat to seat edge.  There’s a partition to keep Fido from climbing onto the center console and getting into the front seats.  It’s made of 600d polyester with TPE backing and is completely waterproof.  Black on one side and sand on the other, the bridge can be flipped to match your car’s interior.  The Kurgo Backseat Bridge is $58.49 from the Chewy website.

To fully protect the backseat of your car, you could add a Kurgo Bench Seat Cover.  This waterproof and stain-resistant cover protects upholstery from getting muddy, wet, scratched, or torn.  The Kurgo Bench Seat Cover is $49.49, also from Chewy.

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Give your dog a little more room while riding in the backseat of your car originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 21, 2018 at 11:24 am.

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Saddleback Leather Simple iPad case review

REVIEW – Many moons ago I owned an original Saddleback Leather iPad case. It was a beautiful, beefy piece of leather. The new Simple iPad Case is a completely different animal. Simple and streamlined, it’s made for portability and optimal day-to-day usability. Fear not, however: you still get that gorgeous full-grain leather. To the review!

What is it?

It’s a leather iPad case for your iPad, iPad Air, or iPad Air 2.

Hardware specs

  • 10″ by 7″ by 0.5″
  • 0.55 pounds
  • Full-grain leather with pigskin suede lining

Design and features

The Saddleback Leather “Simple” designs offer lighter products with simplified designs as an alternative to their beefier, full-featured gear. The new Simple iPad Case is great example of this. You get all the benefits and style associated with quality leather, in a streamlined and extremely functional package.

While it is a simple shell-style design, Saddleback fans have no need to fret about the quality and construction on this item. a 7″ by 10″ piece of full-grain leather forms the back panel, while two 1” by 7” strips of leather on the front face form a pocket into which you slip your iPad.

My tester is the newer black leather, backed by pigskin suede to protect the iPad. It’s a beautiful, thick leather that measures roughly 1/8″ including the suede backing. It is thinner than some of the older leather pieces I’ve had from Saddleback, but I think it’s just as tough. It’s also got a great pliant feel. I like it quite a bit.

You’ll also see some subtle embossed logo work on the back face in the Saddleback logo and the tribute to Blue, founder Dave Munson’s dog. They’re nice touches that are tastefully handled, adding some character to the piece.

Black has always been my favorite color in Saddleback products, and they do a quality job with the dye work here. The leather is dyed through the whole piece, so scratches don’t pull up an underlying color. I haven’t seen any dye rub-off on clothes or other gear. It’s marvelous and speaks to my artistic side.

Saddleback Leather deserves a lot of credit here for their commitment to leather as a medium. There are three materials used in the build of this case: leather, pigskin suede, and marine-grade thread to keep it all together. That’s it. Even the spacers/bumpers between the layers are made wholly from leather dyed to match the case:

It would be easier (and probably cheaper) to solve design problems in a case like this with additions like plastic tabs, foam padding, or elastic webbing. Not that those solutions are inherently bad, but I appreciate that Saddleback doesn’t go that route. It’s a truly unique leather-focused design solution that’s *just* a bit more special as a result.

This case is designed for the 9.7″ iPads, specifically the 2017 iPad and multiple 2018 models (the iPad 9.7, Air, Air 2, and 9.7 Pro). You’ll find an assortment of cuts to accommodate the whole range of speakers, ports, and buttons on these models. As we walk through the slots, note that mine is an iPad Air 2. Here’s the audio-in port and sleep/wake button port. It looks tight, but the leather is flexible enough to get your fingers in there for obstruction-free operation:

The same goes for the bottom ports for the lightning cable and speakers:

The right-panel rocker buttons  have an additional slot cutout for easy access:

You’ll also find two cutouts for the rear camera to accommodate multiple model iterations:

When I first received the Simple iPad Case I was concerned by the fact that the front face and sides are completely exposed. After kicking it around a bit, however, I’m becoming more and more impressed with the design. There’s 1/4” of extra leather around all edges, so that thick leather absorbs side impacts to protect your tablet. It absolutely brings more protection than silicone shells like the Apple iPad cover, and only adds 8 ounces of weight to your kit if you’re including this in your daily carry.

Overall usability is excellent. There’s front flap or cover to mess with here. The entire screen edge-to-edge is accessible, with generous slots cut for the home button and front camera. Everything is easy to get to, and you don’t find yourself fumbling to get to the ports. It’s also wonderfully easy to handle, working perfectly with the iPad’s form factor. Nothing interferes with regular operation, and it feels solid in your hands. It slips easily in and out of your bag, with no protrusions or extra bits that could get caught on zippers. If you like your iPad covers lean & mean, this cover gets you there with the added protection and style of excellent leather.

The simple design does lack some capabilities found in more feature-rich cases. There’s no front cover for additional protection. It’s not compatible with the Apple keyboard. There’s also no integrated stand. If these are capabilities you are looking for, you’ll need to look elsewhere. If you’re looking for a great leather case that works well with the iPad’s natural form factor, however, the Simple iPad Case is worth putting on your shopping list.

What I like

  • Excellent leather quality and construction
  • Streamlined form that is easy to handle without adding significant bulk
  • Well-designed access to all the ports, controls, and speakers

What needs to be improved

  • No inherent flaws that I see

Final thoughts

If you’re looking for a well-built, straightforward iPad case with great looks, the Saddleback Leather Simple iPad Case is a great choice. The leather is fantastic, usability is excellent, and the simple form factor makes for easy handling and day-to-day use. You’ll also get Saddleback Leather’s famous 100-year warranty. This one is now in my EDC lineup, and I expect it to stay there for quite some time. Maybe not 100 years. We’ll see.

Price: $59.00
Where to buy: Saddleback
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Saddleback Leather.

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Saddleback Leather Simple iPad case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 21, 2018 at 9:42 am.

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