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Protect your luggage with AirBolt, the first Bluetooth-connected travel lock

With the AirBolt, you won’t need a key nor a combination to unlock your luggage.  AirBolt connects to your mobile device via Bluetooth, so you can lock or unlock it using an app.  You can also track your luggage, sound alarms when your bag is moved past a proximity boundary, or sound an alarm to help you find your bag when it’s hidden from view using the app on your Android or Apple phone.

AirBolt says of their lock:  “We are officially TSA accepted and we meet relevant legislative requirements for the AirBolt to be flight ready by their standards. The AirBolt also features a timed-Aeroplane mode that turns off the Bluetooth transmitter for a specified period of time.  Finally, we are also FCC and CE Certified.”

The travel lock has a rechargeable battery and is weather resistant.  You unlock it by pressing a button in the app, but you can also set a backup password to prevent someone from using your phone to unlock AirBolt without your permission.  If you make your destination but your luggage doesn’t, “crowdsourced” tracking can help you identify the last seen location of your bag – which could help you help the airline locate your bag.

All these features make the AirBolt a perfect travel lock, but its usefulness isn’t restricted to travel.  You can use the AirBolt to lock up anything you need protected.

The AirBolt travel lock is available in a variety of colors for $79.95 from AirBolt.

ACGAM AG6X mechanical gaming keyboard review

I’m a touch typist who loves a good, “clicky” keyboard. For a while I’ve been intrigued with the TKL or ten keyless models that only have 61 keys without the number pad attached. This allows for portability, since some laptops just have terrible keyboards (I’m looking at you, 2016 and newer MacBooks). I also game very lightly with Overwatch and CSGO my go to when I need to let out some steam, so when the ACGam AG6X mechanical gaming keyboard came my way, I definitely wanted to try it.

What is it?

The ACGam AG6X is a mechanical, 61-key, backlit, wired gaming keyboard.

Specifications

  • USB wired
  • 61 key US Layout
  • Fully programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording
  • White backlit design
  • Anti-ghosting design  that lets you perfectly execute up to 105 commands at the same time
  • Blue Gaote/OUTEMU switches
  • Compatible with Windows, Mac or Linux
  • Size: 11.5 x 4.05 x 1.57 inches
  • Weight: 1.25 lbs

What’s in the box?

  • 1 x ACGAM gaming keyboard
  • 1 x keycap puller
  • 1 x driver CD
  • 1 x user manual

Design and Features


The ACGam AG6X wired gaming keyboard is made of aluminum and ABS plastic. Overall it has a nice solid build, and the quality feels pretty good when typing on it. The key switches are OUTEMU blue, which is a Cherry MX blue clone. They are one of the most “clicky” and loud key switches when it comes to mechanical keyboards. A keyboard with blue switches is definitely not something you want to bring to your workplace, unless you hate your co-workers next to you. 😀 Here’s the usb-c port that connects to the keyboard and PC usb port.

Software

The AG6X gaming keyboard comes with software for Windows only. Here you can adjust the back light design, and choose from multiple styles: snake marquee, ripple, wave, breathing, reactive and solid modes. There is also an option to record macros, for gaming, or anything you need multiple key combinations for. I didn’t use that feature but seems cool to have it available.

What I like

  • Compact design
  • Very tactile feedback
  • Good construction

What needs to be improved

  • The white backlight is a bit yellow. Bright white would be more pleasing
  • I find it tough to use a 61-key layout since the function key needs to be pressed to use arrow keys

Final thoughts

Overall I really liked typing with the ACGam AG6X gaming keyboard. I like how sturdy it felt and the response time during game play was pretty good. The blue key switches are a bit too loud for me, however, but that’s a matter of personal preference. I think this would be a great keyboard to bring over a friend’s place or a LAN party to game, as it’s so small and portable!

Price: $37.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by ACGam

You’ll always be in uniform with these Star Trek messenger bags

You may not be able to wear your Star Trek uniforms to work, but you can probably carry your gear in one of these Star Trek TNG Uniform Messenger Bags.  This exclusive from ThinkGeek, home of the coolest stuff, are officially licensed.  They are currently only available in Command Red and Sciences Blue.

The bags are made of polyurethane and polyester, with a black ST:TNG lining fabric and an adjustable seatbelt webbing shoulder strap with pad.  The main compartment is 14.75″ wide x 11″ tall and has a zipper closure and two sections with a padded divider.  Under the flap are a magnetic pouch, zippered pouch, open pouch, and two pen slots.  The outside has a combadge, and there are pips located under the flap.

The Star Trek TNG Uniform Messenger Bags are currently on sale for $29.99 at ThinkGeek.

Manhattan Portage Pen Cases: compact, protective, durable affordable

Here at The Gadgeteer, we appreciate good gadget storage and transportation devices and pen/pencil cases are no exception.  If you are familiar with Manhattan Portage, you know that they offer high-quality, well-built and durable bags, backpacks, cases and other accessories at reasonable prices.  Recently I stumbled upon Manhattan Portage’s Pen Cases.  Built from 1000D CORDURA® Classic fabric with a robust zipper, these cases include five pockets of varying widths that are nested such that their contents are less likely to contact each other when the case is closed.  Available in both Half Zip (with protective top flap) and Clamshell (with full zipper, pictured above) styles and Black, Grey, Red and Navy colors, each for $25.00.  Zip over to ManhattanPortage.com for more info or to order.

Forget winter! Summer’s coming, and you’ll need a new grill!

According to Wikipedia, a kamado is a traditional wood- or charcoal-fired Japanese stove.  Americans were introduced to this style of cooking during WWII, and that design has been incorporated into ceramic grills, like these Kamado Grills.  This model from Vision Grills is made with a thick ceramic body to retain heat, and they are designed to burn charcoal.  They incorporate a slot for an electric charcoal lighter, and they have dual calibrated draft-in dials for heat control, an ash-removal drawer, and a metal top vent.

Inside, you’ll find a dual-tier grill that has 604 square inches of cooking space.  This particular model, the Kamado Professional Ceramic Charcoal Grill with Grill Cover, also has two drop-down shelves, and the top has dual springs to help with the lift weight.

This Kamado Professional grill is $699.00 at Home Depot.