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Safy Anti Theft Travel Bag review

CROWDFUNDING REVIEW – Keep your stuff safe while you travel, and look good doing it! We’re taking a look at the Safy Anti-Theft Travel Bag, a clever little bag that offers hardcore protection for your travel essentials from thieves and the elements. This is a Kickstarter project that ends this week, so you’ll want to jump on it if you’re interested. But let’s see how it works first! To the review!

What is it?

It’s a bag that protects your phones, cash, credit cards, and essential documents while you’re traveling.

Hardware specs

  • 8.9″ by 6.1″ by 2.5″
  • 1.43 pounds
  • IP44 water resistance
  • 60″ adjustable shoulder strap
  • RFID blocking pockets

Design and features

The Safy Anti Theft Travel Bag is a sharp looking piece of carry. At first glance, it just looks like a stylish little side bag. Mine came with the black leather face, but they offer a number of different styles and colors (including custom covers — more on that later). Here’s a front profile.

Side view below. Looks deceptively simple, right?

But flip it over, and you’ll see that it’s actually a hard case made from an ABS & polycarbonate material that offers impact and puncture resistance. It’s a little tank of a case.

You’ll also note that there are no zippers and no seams that wandering fingers can make their way into. The only way into the bag is through a combination lock that you set on the top of the bag.

Spin the wheels, push the button, and that’s the only way you get access to the goods. Check out the beefy frame on the sucker. It’s like a traveling safe deposit box!

The bag opens like a clamshell. Check out those hooks on the front face that prevent someone from prying it open. Coupled with a rubber gasket that seals the perimeter, you also get IP44 water resistance. It will keep your stuff dry, even if you venture out to the beach or the pool.

And look at the internal hinges! Someone is not going to pry those open either. Safy clearly thought through how to make this bag as secure as possible from all angles.

Now, you might think that a wandering thief could cut the bag loose at the straps… but no, my friend. They’re embedded with steel wires. And here’s another really clever bit: the attachment points are heavy plastic “keys” that insert into slots on the sides of the case. Once they’re locked in, they can only be released from tabs on the inside of the bag.

That means that you can secure this bag to a park bench, a beach chair, a picnic table, a train seat… and it ain’t going anywhere until you unlock the bag. Really clever, especially if you fancy a dip in the pool or a quick nap while traveling. Maybe someone could crack the strap with a pair of bolt cutters, but you’d see that coming.

You have two storage areas in the case for your stuff. On the rear face is a chamber that is roughly 7.25″ by 4.25″ by 1″ deep. An expandable pocket keeps your big items in place when you open the bag. I have my travel wallet, field notes, and headphones in here with plenty of room for my iPhone. I suspect that a smaller e-reader might fit in there.

The pockets on the front face are for your quick access stuff. There’s a cash pocket with a magnetic clasp, two card pockets for ID and credit cards, and a document pocket for your passport, boarding passes, and such. These pockets are RFID protected as well. That rear pocket also expands a bit if you have extra documents.

Performance

So how does the Safy Anti Theft Travel Bag work in practice? Pretty great, actually! I’ve used it for travel, and the top-opening design is great for quick access to the important stuff without your things spilling out. We locked it on a lounge chair by the pool where it kept 2 iPhones, my keys, my wallet, and assorted cards and cash (for pool bar drinks… you know) safe from overzealous splashing and wandering hands.

It’s just the right size for a wandering sidekick, too. You won’t get a whole bunch of stuff in there, but the essentials are nicely secured. Unfortunately, my vacation pics got all messed up, but here’s a shot of the Safy riding along with me.

(Go ahead. Try and take it. You still won’t get into my stuff.)

Here’s a side profile shot so you can see how compact it is. The 60″ shoulder strap is adjustable so it’s easy to find a comfortable position as a cross-body bag or slung to your side. Even on my chunky 5’10” 200 pound frame. You’ll need to get your own Star Wars shirt, though. I ain’t giving up mine.

Safy offers the case in multiple cover options as well. Mine is the black leather, which is also offered in beige. A black and white carbon fiber look lid can be had, and Safy will offer additional leather & fabric patterns if they reach their Kickstarter goal. And if you REALLY want to get funky, they’ll print a custom swappable cover for you from whatever picture or image you like (as long as it isn’t copyrighted). Check out the kickstarter link below for more information.

What I like

  • Maybe not bomb proof, but close!
  • Excellent build quality and construction.
  • Just big enough for the essentials while maintaining a slim profile.
  • Solid protection against pickpockets and thieves… every detail is covered.
  • Great beach bag or pool bag.
  • Lockable strap is a nice bonus feature for when you don’t feel like carrying it around.

What I’d change

  • Sized for the essentials, which I like. But a larger option might be nice if you’re rolling with a tablet.

Final thoughts

I really enjoyed using the Safy Anti Theft Travel Bag. It’s a simple and absolutely secure porter for my essential travel bits. Safy did a great job of dialing in the design to focus on its mission without complicating the overall usability. Style may be a subjective thing, but I think it works just as well as a men’s or women’s bag.

And if you want in on this one, you need to know that the Kickstarter only has a few days left! It closes on September 9 at 4:30 PM EDT, and there are still a good number of early bird specials available. Check out the link below for more info.

Price: Pledges start at $66 plus shipping. Super early bird specials are still available that include the extra customized lid.
Where to buy: Go forth to the kickstarter page while there is still time!
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Safy.

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Safy Anti Theft Travel Bag review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 5, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Mesh-It fidget pen review

REVIEW – Remember when fidget spinners were all the rage? Since that time, fidget toys have become popular gadgets for people who need a way to destress, focus, or just waste time. The only problem with most fidget toys is that they obviously look like toys. That means that a teacher might confiscate them and coworkers might become annoyed by them if used in meetings. Today I want to show you a fidget toy that isn’t really a toy at all, it’s the Mesh-It pen with covert fidget powers. Ready, set, fidget!

What is it?

Mesh-It is a ballpoint pen designed by a teacher and inventor from Texas that has a built-in fidget feature that is silent while remaining tactile and satisfying to use.

Design and features

Available in 3 colors, I was sent 3 Mesh-It prototype pens to test. The pens are made of a soft-touch plastic and have a twist mechanism that extends and retracts the pen tip.

The lightweight Mesh-It pens are a little longer than a standard Bic pen at XX inches long, but they don’t feel uncomfortable to hold and use.

The end of the barrel unscrews so you could easily replace the refill, but I’m hearing that refills won’t be offered which means that the pen is designed to use and then toss which is unfortunate.

How do you fidget with it?

At first glance, you might wonder how you can fidget with a pen other than twirling it or flipping it between your fingers. The Mesh-It pen is not that type of pen. The fidget feature of the pen is the nylon braided slots at the top of the pen barrel that provide your thumb and index finger a tactile area to rub. At least that’s all I thought the pen was good for until I actually got one and discovered that there’s a surprise “toy” inside.

Under the braiding, there’s a small round bead that you can slide back and forth in the tube by pinching it between your thumb and index finger.

It might not sound like the simple act of sliding a bead from one end of the pen cap to the other end would be that enjoyable, but it actually is. And the great thing about it is, that you can fidget with the Mesh-It pen and no one will notice because it doesn’t make any noise to cause a distraction. Well, let me take that back. There is one thing about this pen that does make a little noise. That’s the mechanism that extends and retracts the pen tip when you twist the barrel. It does make a clicking noise, but it’s not too loud.

What I like

  • Silent fidget toy

What I’d change

  • Offer ink refills

Final thoughts

Both kids and adults will like the Mesh-It pen because it will scratch their fidget itch to help with anxiety and stress, without causing a distraction to those around you.

Where can I find more info?

The Mesh-It pen campaign ends on 10/07/19 they are just getting started towards their funding goal of $5,000. You can pre-order a set of 3 Mesh-It pens starting at $18. After the Mesh-It pen campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Mesh-It.

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Mesh-It fidget pen review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 4, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Wingback Pen review

CROWDFUNDING REVIEW – Here at the Gadgeteer, we love our pens. The more unique that they are, the better as far as I’m concerned, and the Wingback mechanical pen fits that criteria just fine. This pen is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter and they sent me one to check out. Let’s take a closer look.

What is it?

The Wingback is a mechanical pen that has been designed start to finish and manufactured in the UK to reduce the product’s carbon footprint. The pen is available in either brass and stainless steel and it can be pen is customized using cutting edge rotary fiber laser engraving of up to 50 characters.

Design and features

As you can see, I was sent the European brass version of the pen which has a gorgeous fine satin finish that will only get better looking with time and use. The one they sent me is also one of their limited edition pens with a cool vampire wolf engraving.

The Wingback has a knurled grip on the lower barrel and a matching knurled twist knob at the top which extends and retracts the writing tip. Each pen is turned from a solid bar of material, knurled, milled and laser engraved before being assembled by hand.

They have partnered with select illustrators, tattooists and graffiti artists to bring their designs to life on Special Edition pens running throughout the campaign.

With a wide 10mm diameter, the Wingback pen has some weight, but it’s balanced and comfortable to use.

The Wingback pen is designed to use a Fisher Space Pen pressurized ink cartridge which will allow the pen to be used in any environment, from wet to dry and cold to hot.

The knob at the top is smooth to turn when extending and retracting the writing tip and makes for a fun (and silent) fidget toy.

What I like

  • Handcrafted attention to detail
  • Small size

What I’d change

  • Allow it to work with other ink refills (hint: Pilot G2!)

Final thoughts

The craftsmanship, style, and size of this pen make it a worthy addition to any pen lover’s EDC and the fact that you can customize it with an engraving of your name or short quote make it a one of a kind writing instrument.

Where can I find more info?

The Wingback campaign ends on 10/01/19 and they have already passed their funding goal of $2,435. You can pre-order a Wingback pen starting at $82. After the Wingback campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Wingback.

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Wingback Pen review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 30, 2019 at 8:13 am.

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Wingback Pen review

CROWDFUNDING REVIEW – Here at the Gadgeteer, we love our pens. The more unique that they are, the better as far as I’m concerned, and the Wingback mechanical pen fits that criteria just fine. This pen is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter and they sent me one to check out. Let’s take a closer look.

What is it?

The Wingback is a mechanical pen that has been designed start to finish and manufactured in the UK to reduce the product’s carbon footprint. The pen is available in either brass and stainless steel and it can be pen is customized using cutting edge rotary fiber laser engraving of up to 50 characters.

Design and features

As you can see, I was sent the European brass version of the pen which has a gorgeous fine satin finish that will only get better looking with time and use. The one they sent me is also one of their limited edition pens with a cool vampire wolf engraving.

The Wingback has a knurled grip on the lower barrel and a matching knurled twist knob at the top which extends and retracts the writing tip. Each pen is turned from a solid bar of material, knurled, milled and laser engraved before being assembled by hand.

They have partnered with select illustrators, tattooists and graffiti artists to bring their designs to life on Special Edition pens running throughout the campaign.

With a wide 10mm diameter, the Wingback pen has some weight, but it’s balanced and comfortable to use.

The Wingback pen is designed to use a Fisher Space Pen pressurized ink cartridge which will allow the pen to be used in any environment, from wet to dry and cold to hot.

The knob at the top is smooth to turn when extending and retracting the writing tip and makes for a fun (and silent) fidget toy.

What I like

  • Handcrafted attention to detail
  • Small size

What I’d change

  • Allow it to work with other ink refills (hint: Pilot G2!)

Final thoughts

The craftsmanship, style, and size of this pen make it a worthy addition to any pen lover’s EDC and the fact that you can customize it with an engraving of your name or short quote make it a one of a kind writing instrument.

Where can I find more info?

The Wingback campaign ends on 10/01/19 and they have already passed their funding goal of $2,435. You can pre-order a Wingback pen starting at $82. After the Wingback campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Wingback.

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Wingback Pen review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 30, 2019 at 8:13 am.

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Dine in style with Enso Essential pure titanium cutlery

CROWDFUNDING NEWS – Single-use plastics are in the news a lot lately for their non-environmentally friendly status.  What is a responsible person that loves eating fast food or Asian take-out to do?  Hop on over to Kickstarter and take a look at the Enso Essential pure titanium cutlery set.

Titanium offers several benefits.  First, it is naturally antimicrobial – much more so that the typical stainless steel used for cutlery. Titanium is completely tasteless, non-corrosive and hypoallergenic.

The full set includes a fork, knife, tablespoon, teaspoon, plus chopsticks and a straw.  A single set plus a carrying case starts at $52.  Chopsticks alone are $12.

They also offer four-piece place settings in two, four or six counts for home use.  Since they reached some stretch goals already, they offer full sets in stealth black and gold along with the standard titanium color.  Six place settings in the custom colors (24 pieces total) with a custom bamboo case run $369.

For more information, visit their campaign on Kickstarter. Funding ends Tuesday, September 24, 2019, 11:59 PM EDT.  They have already blown past their $10,000 funding goal with $136,272 pledged as of this writing.  If they hit a $200,000 stretch goal, they plan to add a rose gold set. Shipments to backers are targeted for October 2019.

If you are looking for a travel cutlery set or are looking for a really contemporary set with all the benefits titanium brings to the table (yes, I just did that), Enso Essentials might just make the cut (and that).

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Dine in style with Enso Essential pure titanium cutlery originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 27, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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