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The Vello DSLR Battery Grip adds life and safety to your shoot


One of the worst experiences for a photographer/videographer is being in the middle of a shoot with your trusty DSLR camera, and you run out of power. While this sounds like a simple issue, it occurs very often and usually at the most inappropriate time. As professionals we strive our best to not let this happen, either because it just looks bad in front of our clients, or because we miss a shot at a once in a lifetime photo/video opportunity.

Vello is a company that makes a lot of reasonably priced photography gear, and I especially like their extended battery grips that not only provide a longer time between changing batteries but in a pinch, there is an included adapter that works with AA batteries to provide power. The grips create a larger surface for gripping the camera and work well in both a horizontal and vertical posture. There is also a Vertical Position Shutter Release Button, an On/Off Switch for Battery Grip Controls, Vertical Position Control Buttons, a Hand Strap Eyelet, and a 1/4″-20 female accessory thread for direct connection to a 1/4″-20 mount. There is also a Canon ACK-E6 AC Adapter Kit that allows the battery grip to remain attached to the camera and be powered externally via AC power.

The Vello battery grips are available for several makes and models of cameras. You can pick one up (bare grip with no accessories), from B&H Photo Video for prices ranging from $60 to $100.

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The Vello DSLR Battery Grip adds life and safety to your shoot originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 26, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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Baseus Wireless Charging Gravity Car Mount review

Mounting your phone where you can see it while driving has become the norm. Whether you’re using it for a GPS system or entertainment, everyone wants their phone easy to get to, or at least within their visual field. I was recently sent a one-hand air vent clip from Baseus in black to test.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

What is it?

The Baseus wireless charger incorporates a clip-on air vent holder with a one-hand operation gravity holder, and then adds the secret sauce of wireless charging to the mix. The charger itself has a cable that runs to a power source, and the arms are activated by the downward pressure from the weight of the phone in the holder.

Hardware specs

  • Wireless charger
  • Gravity car mount
  • Safe and quick charging
  • One-hand operation

What’s in the box?

  • Clip-on charger
  • USB-A to microUSB cable
  • Instruction sheet

Design and features

The Baseus Wireless charger at first glance is a bit confusing. The two side arms and the bottom cradle are geared together inside somehow and don’t lock into place. While unboxing it, I moved them around, trying to find the “lock point,” but never got it to work. I plugged it into a spare microUSB cable at my desk and then placed my iPhone 8 Plus into the cradle, just to see if maybe having power would make it lock. When the phone got close to the clip, I felt and heard the familiar “ding” indicating charging. I was a bit surprised that it contacted so easily since I had read and heard on podcasts about how finicky many chargers are.


I was still a little confused on how it would lock into place until I put it in the proper orientation. The slight weight of the phone pulled the side arms around the device just enough to hold it firmly. When you grasp the top of the phone and lift it up, the base’s spring-loaded action draws it up slightly, and the arms are pushed outward, releasing the phone. I drove over some pretty bad road construction while testing, and never got large enough bumps to where the phone bounced out of the holder.


The spring on the air vent clip is quite tight. I could barely get it to open enough to get the prongs onto the vent slat. There is a slight “tooth” sticking up on the lower prong that prevents the clip from vibrating off over time, and foam glued to the inside of the jaws cushions them from scratching your dash. When it’s removed, there is no evidence it was ever there.

Setup

I recommend deciding where you’re going to place the holder first, then deciding on wiring routes. Also, connecting the wire before clipping the holder in place will make your install less stressful. It’s quite difficult to get the angle right on the wire once the clip is installed.

Performance

I cannot overstate how well this unit performed. It started charging every time my phone got within range, and never gave me a moment’s trouble when adjusting it. Once set into place, it is rock-solid, and just became part of my instrument panel, which is exactly what I want from a unit like this.

What I Like

  • One hand operation
  • Charging starts immediately and never stutters
  • Very adjustable, yet sturdy, with no vibration

What needs to be improved

  • Nothing

Final thoughts

As mentioned, I have several iPhone holders for in-car use. None were active when I was sent this unit. I’ve not taken it out since getting it, except to get a few photos of the back that I forgot to get before installing it. I use it almost every day and would buy another one if this one got broken or stolen. Much of that is because it’s so easy to put the phone into and take out. Even though I have to plug in a cable since I don’t have Bluetooth, it’s still far less hassle than any other car mount I have ever used, bar none.

Price: $27.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Baseus.

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Baseus Wireless Charging Gravity Car Mount review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 26, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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GORUCK Radio Ruck in limited re-release

After some extended R&R (pun intended), GORUCK, maker of arguably the toughest rucks (military term for backpacks) anywhere, have brought back their Radio Ruck for a limited release. With its shorter, wider and thicker shape, the Radio Ruck fits in between their GR1 21L and their Echo rucks and is a favorite of folks who are a bit on the shorter side (like yours truly).

Like all GORUCK rucks, the Radio Ruck is made of 1000D Cordura and includes MOLLE webbing for attaching items, a padded laptop compartment, thickly padded shoulder straps and multiple internal organization pockets. And yeah, like all GORUCK rucks, the Radio Ruck is a bit on the expensive side at $265, but with GORUCK’s well-known über-durability and their SCARS Lifetime Warranty, it just might be the only ruck you’ll need to buy. Ever. Ruck over to GORUCK.com for more intel or to order—but do it double time, because this limited re-release of the GORUCK Radio Ruck is selling most ricky-tick (fast).

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GORUCK Radio Ruck in limited re-release originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 26, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Too busy to mow your lawn? Let the WORX Landroid do it instead!

The WORX Landroid cuts out more time for you to enjoy your outdoor space when the weather is at its best. Similar to a Roomba — a robot vacuum, — the Landroid combs your lawn looking for disorderly grass in order to leave a well-manicured lawn in its wake. Think about all you could do with the time saved from not mowing your lawn all summer long.

Minimal maintenance

Rather than having your Landroid mowing the entire neighborhood’s yards, you have the option to set up a boundary for your mower.

This low-voltage wire requires installation on the inner and outer perimeters of your lawn. Depending on the size of your lawn, the installation process could take a few hours as it’s done by hand. Fortunately, the Landroid requires minimal maintenance once it undergoes installation.

Keep in mind, you’ll likely have to use a weed trimmer to achieve a perfect cut since the boundaries will prevent the mower from getting too close the perimeter of your yard.

Reasonably priced

For all of the time it saves you, the Landroid’s price tag competes with other high-end mowers. Priced just under $1,000, you’ll still find many of the same features found on more expensive models.

A unique algorithm maneuvers the machine around lawn decorations with ease and can guide itself through tight spaces.

The mower can efficiently cut up to a quarter acre with ease. And since curb appeal stakes a large factor in home sales, a well-cut lawn could be the difference in thousands of dollars in added home value.

Self-preserving

Equipped with a docking staging, capable of re-charging the Landroid in under 45 minutes, the mower can sense rain and will quickly retreat to its home base.

This sensing ensures your investment will stay in top shape through inclement weather.

Sounds of silence

When operating, the Landroid has a similar sound decimal to an air conditioning wall unit.

The less-intrusive white noise hum, compared to a gasoline-powered mower, allows you to mow without notifying the entire neighborhood. You also have the option to run the mower at night or early in the morning.

The mower has programmable features to run when you set it to, or you can let its sensors decide when it should mow next.

The Landroid turns a weekly chore into a maintenance task that you now administer rather than toil over. Your grass will have an everlasting groomed look.

Increased functionality

While the Landroid keeps your grass uniform, it doesn’t have an option for artistic patterns. You might miss your diamond shaped lawn masterpieces, but you’ll gain increased functionality.

The Landroid easily mows inclines up to 20 degrees and involves minimal decision making — you can modify the grass cut setting between 1.5 to four inches in height.

The state of your lawn conveys various messages about your personality.

The Landroid allows your yard to look more put together so you can focus your energy on life’s more valuable moments.

For more info visit Worx.com and Amazon where they are currently selling for $916.

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Too busy to mow your lawn? Let the WORX Landroid do it instead! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 26, 2018 at 7:00 am.

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Record your travels in this leather, antique-map journal

These leather journals from Tactile Craftworks start with supple leather hides sourced from a Milwaukee tannery.  The hides are then hand-cut and etched with antique map designs of old American cities, which makes these Etched Leather Map Journals perfect as a travel journal.

The maps are all of the 1890-1920s eras from the collections of the American Geographical Society.  The covers are all made of high-quality, full-grain leather with brass button closures.  They measure 6″ x 9″ x 1″ and have a 240-page Moleskine notebook with lined paper inside.  The Moleskine can be replaced, making this journal useable for a life-time.

You can choose from 16 city designs or from a cover with a simple pine tree design.  The Etched Leather Map Journal is $118.00 and available from The Grommet.

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Record your travels in this leather, antique-map journal originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 25, 2018 at 8:08 pm.

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