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Brightech Madison Wireless Charging Table & LED Lamp review

REVIEW – I feel like I’m integrating my house with more technology every time I review a product and today is no different with a review of the Brightech Madison Wireless Charging Table & LED Lamp. Now I have a great looking side table with some great charging capabilities. Lets take a closer look!

What is it?

This is a designer side table with an LED lamp, Qi charging area, standard electrical outlet and USB port.

What’s in the box?

All of the parts and pieces needed to assemble the table, including an LED light bulb.

Design and features

The table has a Qi charging pad on the top shelf, with a green indicator light on the front next to the electrical outlet and USB port. Constructed with light weight components, the table is easy to move but still very sturdy. There is a low and middle shelf for storage and then the upper table top.

Setup

Pretty straight forward, you assemble the table per the instructions and plug it into the wall. Putting it together was extremely easy and the pieces are all labeled by a letter that is easily referenced in the instruction manual.

Performance

The light provided emits a good amount of light and the various methods to charge all work well. It’s very convenient and great to be able to charge without having to plug in. With the additional USB, we are able to charge our iPad via lightning cord as well. The stylish design makes it a nice fit in the room as well. Additionally, it is available in two different colors: classic black and havana brown. Finally, the lamp arm swings from side to side if you need to give yourself more light.

What I like

  • Three different ways to charge
  • Quality design and sturdy construction
  • Very stylish and sleek
  • Excellent price point

What I would change

  • I think I would pay more to have two Qi charging spots on the top, but that’s just a personal preference since we both have iPhones that allow for Qi charging.

Final thoughts

I really like the Madison charging table, it fits great into our theater room providing light, charging and a convenient storage option in our busy room. For anyone looking for a new side table with great features, I’d definitely recommend this table.

Price: $89.99
Where to buy: Brightech and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Brightech.

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Brightech Madison Wireless Charging Table & LED Lamp review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 28, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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Grand Trunk Trunktech Hammock review

REVIEW – Can a hammock be on an EDC list? I would have said no, but the Trunktech Hammock by Grand Trunk might just find a spot in your pack if hanging around is in your list of daily activities.

What is it?

It’s a hammock that aims to change your preconceptions of the category by packing small, weighing little and surprising you with its versatility.

What’s in the box?

  • Trunktech hammock
  • 2 carabiners
  • Quick instruction card

Hardware specs

  • Material: Proprietary 40D 1.1 oz Diamond Ripstop Nylon
  • Capacity: 500 lbs
  • Weight: 11.7 oz
  • Unfolded Dimensions: 11′ x 4’10”
  • They also make a double: 15.5 oz | 11′ x 6’6″

Design and features

It’s clear when you pick this up for the first time that this is not your grandfather’s hammock. It’s crazy light and stuffs into a storage bag that’s permanently attached meaning you can’t lose it.

There’s a webbing handle across the bottom of the bag that you can use to lash it to the outside of your pack should there not be enough room inside (unlikely). There’s also plenty of room with the hammock fully stored anyway so you can fit the additional ropes you’ll want for hanging around.

The hanging ends show that the hammock is actually a rectangle with the webbing running through a channel that bunches each of the ends up in a way that lets the hammock really form that pocket for your body. For strength, the channel is triple-stitched and the webbing is box stitched.

Setup

Grand Trunk has made the setup as simple as it gets. Un-cinch the back and un-stuff the hammock which already has the carabiners attached. From there, you’re looking for the right pair of trees or anchor points. The only thing to provide beyond that is your own cord/rope for anchoring to trees/branches. We cut a pair of 6′ ropes which also fit into the storage bag.

If you want some hanging solutions that are pre-thought out for the purpose, Grand Trunk (I’ll refer to them as GT going forward) also makes a few of those including straps and tree protector slings.

Performance

What are the key metrics in determining a good hammock? It likely depends on the hammock as well as what you wanted a hammock for in the first place. Would this one work on a hammock stand in your back yard? Sure, but that would definitely sell this one short, and big hammocks designed for a solitary location probably have some upsides as a result.

The fact that this GT hammock is not designed to be stationary is the point. The fabric is a ripstop nylon that’s buttery soft and super durable as well as breathable which just makes for good lounging. GT has designed the hammock to support up to 500 lbs which goes to show just how strong this material is. Keep in mind that weight limit assumes you’re using quality ropes or webbing to hang it.

I tossed the hammock to my son halfway through his final exam week of senior year in high school. I got these photos back that afternoon following an AP Calc test. Definitely a good way to kick back.

You can see that based on the available trees, he chose to suspend from the horizontal branches which made for a more U-shaped hang. You’d definitely want to string around trunks horizontally for a more laid out position.

The Trunktech shines when it comes to packing. It just stuffs back into the attached storage pouch, and is smaller than a typical reusable water bottle and would easily double as a pillow should the need arise.

As for colors and options, we received the Teal/Turquoise in their single size. There’s also a double size and 5 additional colors to choose from not to mention plenty of other hammocks, products and accessories on GT’s site.

What I like

  • Ultra light and small
  • Easy to deploy and store
  • Comfortable strong fabric

What needs to be improved

  • Nothing

Final thoughts

So if you’re looking for an EDC hammock, you’ve found it. Light, small, soft and strong. It’ll fit in your pack or even lash to your belt for those impromptu hangs that you know you want to take. It’s definitely in my son’s pack for the summer.

Price: $59.95 ($69.95 for Double)
Where to buy: Grand Trunk and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Grand Trunk.

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Grand Trunk Trunktech Hammock review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 16, 2019 at 9:31 am.

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IKEA wants to transport your living room to the “Upside Down” with the Real Life Series

NEWS – I’m a huge fan of the Netflix series “Stranger Things” so I was intrigued when I saw that IKEA had recreated the Byers family’s iconic living room ahead of  Season 3’s July 4th return. Not only did they recreate the room as part of the IKEA Real Life Series, but you can buy each piece to put in your very own house.

They have everything you need to bring the room to life, from the infamous letter wall, Christmas lights, chairs and coffee table. Altogether there are 21 different pieces, and IKEA says the cost is approximately $1,441.54.

IKEA says this about the Real Life Series, “We brought to life the iconic living rooms of the most beloved families of all times, through tons of furniture combinations in lots of different styles and sizes – and at affordable prices.” There are two other iconic living rooms that you can recreate from “The Simpsons” and “Friends”.

Just imagine sitting in the Byers living room and watching what is sure to be the television event of the summer.

For more info head over to IKEA.

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IKEA wants to transport your living room to the “Upside Down” with the Real Life Series originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 6, 2019 at 8:00 am.

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E-WIN Champion Series gaming chair review


REVIEW – Gaming; it’s something we are capable of doing for hours at a time, but don’t give any thought into the chair we sit in! I’ve recently started to get back into PC gaming after a bit of a hiatus and realized that the chair I have is not all that comfortable. I wanted something that would give me more back and bottom support, as well as keep me happy while working or gaming for a few hours. I recently got the chance to review one of E-WIN’s gaming chairs, so I chose the awesome looking E-WIN Champion Series Gaming chair. Let’s take a look!

What is it?

The E-WIN Champion Series Gaming Chair is ergonomic, padded with a racing seat design and PU leather material. It has vertical adjustments along with adjustable armrests, and a quilted surface. It comes with both a neck and back pillow for comfort.

What’s in the box?

  • Disassembled chair
  • Screws, bolts etc
  • Instruction manual
  • White gloves

Hardware specs

The E-WIN Gaming Chair’s frame construction is metal, with high-density separated foam. The rolling wheels and base are made of aluminum, and the cover of the entire chair is PU leather with a quilted pattern down the middle. The height of the chair goes from 14.6 in – 18.9 in, and the width is about 29.6 in including the armrests. The angle at which the chair tilts forwards and back is between 85 – 155 degrees. The max supported weight is 330lbs.

Design and features

The E-WIN Champion Series Gaming Chair is designed for comfort in mind while gaming or office work. The armrests have front, back, left and right sliding buttons, which are great for someone like me who is constantly adjusting the comfort level of the chair. The seat height is adjustable and the back can recline between 85 and 155 degrees.
The lowest height setting of the chair is a slight problem for someone my height (5’4″) who has shorter legs (26″ inseam) since my feet don’t hit the floor flat. While this isn’t a deal breaker, I sometimes had trouble getting up without the chair tiling forward a bit. I’d love for it to be an inch or two lower like other office chairs.

There are adjustable and removable neck and back pillows attached with straps. I liked the support of having the back pillow the best since it fits my lumbar region nicely.

Setup

Set up was pretty easy compared to traditional office chairs. E-WIN provided white gloves to protect your hands, which was a nice touch. The instructions were pretty clear and it took me a couple of hours to assemble. The parts weren’t too heavy so I was able to lift and put it together myself.

What I like

  • Sturdy feel
  • PU leather has a decent feel
  • Very comfortable for many hours (4+) of sitting

What needs to be improved

  • Height adjustment should go lower

Final thoughts

I really enjoyed using the E-WIN Champion Series Gaming Chair for everyday use. I love the back support/pillows, how wide and tall the chair is, and is breathable. It’s very ergonomic and has great support for the lower back. I’d probably recommend it a bit more if you’re a bit taller or have longer legs, but overall it’s extremely comfortable!

Price: $309.00
Where to buy: ewinracing.com and Amazon. If ordering from the EWIN site, you can use the
code “Gadgeteer” for 20% off
Source: The sample of this product was provided by E-WIN Racing.

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E-WIN Champion Series gaming chair review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 29, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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Coddle Gjemeni Couch review

REVIEW – Is a couch a gadget? Normally the answer would be no. But the couch I’m going to show you today is different. The Gjemeni Couch from Coddle is the transformer of couches. Let’s check it out.

What is it?

The Gjemeni Couch from Coddle is a couch, it’s a bed, and more.

What’s in the box?

When I agreed to review the Gjemeni Couch, I was told that it would be delivered by a special delivery service and not UPS or FedEx. So I took the day off to wait for it. A large truck showed up and deposited the giant bubble wrapped package on my front porch that you see above. They asked if I wanted them to take it in the house but I figured it would be easier for me to open, and assemble and take it in side myself. Note to anyone who is thinking of buying this couch – let them take it inside for you. Trust me.

Unboxing

I waited for Jeanne to get home from work so she could help me. I’m lucky to have someone who rarely questions me when I have something new that needs to be set up.

After removing the bubble wrap on the outside of the box, we opened it to see what you see above, a very large flat piece of furniture that required no assembly other than attaching 4 legs.

The chromed legs were contained in a small box with instructions and two strange pieces of leather.

The assembly of the Gjemeni Couch was quick and easy given that the legs were marked and no tools were required. Just slip the leg over the post and then press the spring loaded button with your thumb while pressing the leg in place.

Hey, that’s what those little leather pieces were for. Thumb protectors. They were a nice touch and are important to use if you don’t want to pinch your fingers.

With the 4 legs attached and the protective red foam sheets removed, the next step was to get the whole unit into the house. Let me just say that this was the hardest part of the whole review. Luckily the couch was protected with a black canvas cover because we had to slide/push it across the deck. It was not easy because we are wimps and the couch was heavy (~140lbs) and there weren’t any easy ways to grab it.

Design and features

It took some effort, but we got it in the house and from there it was easy to fold up the 2 back pieces to create the couch that you see above. I was sent the grey microfiber version of the couch, but it’s also available in brown, black, white, and red leather. Unfortunately, the base/legs are only available in chromed stainless steel which might not be everyone’s style

One of the cool features of the Gjemeni Couch is that each side has its own power outlet and 2 USB ports. You just have to plug the couch into power (wow, I never thought I’d ever need to type that sentence!) with the built-in power cord. If you don’t want to use this feature, the cord stores inside the couch in a zippered pocket.

The outlet on each side comes with a protective plug cover that is easily removed.

Being able to charge my gadgets from the couch is convenient as I’ve had many times when my MacBook or phone was low on juice while relaxing on the couch.

Comfort and functionality

The Coddle Gjemeni Couch is a great size. It’s long enough to accommodate 3 or even 4 people. The couch is made of 4 layers of foam but it is important to understand that this couch is really firm. I wish it was a little more comfy cozy, and hope it will “break” in with time.

What it might lack in coziness, it more than makes up for in versatility. Each back piece can be positioned up or down.

With both pieces down, the couch converts into a bed. You can even buy an optional 3-inch padded couch topper for added comfort.

I like a firm bed, so lying on the couch feels comfortable to me and I love the idea that we now have a way for a guest to stay over if needed. Note that I’m 5’6″ tall, so you get an idea of the length of this couch/bed.

The sides can also fold up to create a shorter (looking) couch.

Or just put up one side to create a lounger.

Check out the quick video that I made showing how to convert the couch into the different forms.

What I like

  • Easy to convert from couch to a bed
  • Built-in power and USB ports on each side

What needs to be improved

  • Expensive
  • Might be considered too firm
  • Offer other finishes for the base

Final thoughts

If you don’t have a guest room in your home or any way to accommodate overnight guests, a sleeper sofa is a great option. The Coddle Gjemeni Couch is a couch that can convert into more than just a bed and even keeps your gadgets charged while you’re relaxing. If the price fits your budget (they do offer a 60-day return policy) and you don’t mind a firm cushion, this couch it is a winner.

Price: $999.00 (includes free shipping)
Where to buy: Coddleme.com
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Coddle.

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Coddle Gjemeni Couch review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 1, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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