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Expand your Philips Hue system at a price that won’t break the bank

I’ve mentioned that I’ve got Philips Hue bulbs in almost all my lights in my condo now.  I’ll admit my setup was very expensive, and I spread the purchases out over about four years.  Prices started out at about $50 per bulb for the original color-changing bulbs, then they introduced some white-only bulbs, which were about $25/each as I recall.  The best price I recall paying for any of my bulbs was about $15 each for white-only.  But now Philips is offering a box with four Hue white-only bulbs for $42.49.  That’s about $10.62 per bulb!

The bulbs are the white A19 60W-equivalent, dimmable LED smart bulbs.  The bulbs use 9.5W to produce 840 lumens at 2700K, so they are soft-white bulbs – not color-changing.  Of course, you’ll need to provide a Hue bridge to use these smart bulbs.  And like all Philips Hue products, they are controllable with Amazon Echo devices, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Nest, IFTTT, and iOS and Android apps.

The Philips Hue White A19 60W Equivalent Dimmable LED Smart Light Bulb 4-Pack is $42.49 at Amazon.

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Expand your Philips Hue system at a price that won’t break the bank originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 30, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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The Studpop Magnetic Stud Finder nails it every time


One of the inherent talents that I have is the ability to be a handyman. For years I have worked on small fixes around the house, all the way up to bigger projects like constructing rooms in houses, including the framing, installing insulation, installing drywall, and hanging doors. I have a decent collection of hand tools, and power tools, so that I am always at the ready for the normal and infamous “honey do” list. I no longer regularly search the internet for tools, but I do get emails from companies that make tools and from time to time, I will take a closer look rather than just delete them after a glance.

Today I received just such an email, and I was intrigued to see the Studpop Magnetic Stud Finder. It is a simple but unique stud finder that unlike the stud finders that I own, it does not use batteries. It has a built-in popper that works with its built-in magnet to pop out whenever it detects a metal stud. The manufacturer claims that it works on sheetrock, plaster, tile, and lath. All you have to do when looking for a wall stud is to slide it along the wall just like you would an electronic stud finder. It is just that simple.

If you are intrigued by this design and would like to purchase one, you head over to Amazon and pick one up for $10.95.

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The Studpop Magnetic Stud Finder nails it every time originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 29, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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Save the Earth – recycle your chewing gum!

Some inconsiderate gum-chewers spit out their chewed gum on sidewalks or floors or stick it on furniture, where it always ends up on somebody’s shoe or on their clothing.  It reportedly costs UK city councils £150 million pounds a year to remove chewing gum litter from their streets.  I don’t know if there’s a gum removal squad in my city, but I’m sure cleaning up gum in businesses in the area is an extra chore the cleaning staff doesn’t want or need.  And even when it’s tossed out in a garbage can, the gum just adds to the landfill.  Did you know that chewing gum can be recycled?  I’m pretty sure that gum isn’t on the recyclables list in Greensboro, but if I had a Gumdrop On-the-Go keychain fob, I could cleanly collect my used gum and send it off to a company that does recycle it.

Gumdrop LTD, a UK company, has a method to recycle used gum into a product called Gum-tec® that can be used to make products from wellington boots, to mobile phone covers, stationery, packaging, and much more.  Gum-tec® is actually used to produce the Gumdrop fobs and receptacles.  The first step in recycling is collecting the gum, which is done by the Gumdrop On-the-Go keychain fob that looks like a pink bubblegum bubble.  Stuff your used gum in the fob, and when it’s filled, you send it to be recycled.

Sending it off for recycling can be accomplished in a couple of ways.  If you’re lucky enough to live in a city with a gum recycling program, you’ll see bins (like the one above) where you can drop off your filled fob.  Businesses could also provide the drop-off bins if they participate in Gumdrop’s program.  If not, you can print out a free mailing label so you can mail your On-the-Go fobs directly to Gumdrop.  Your gum, fob and all, will be recycled into more Gum-tec® products.

The Gumdrop On-the-Go fobs cost £9.99 (about $13.35 US) for a set of three.  Learn more about Gumdrop products and recycling chewing gum at the Gumdrop website.

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Save the Earth – recycle your chewing gum! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 29, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Give Dad a toiletry kit bag that could sail the Seven Seas

Toiletry kit bags for men are usually made of leather, but leather can be damaged by water from shaving gear that has to be packed away before it’s had time to dry or from leaking toiletries.  With the Black Carbon Fiber Toiletry Kit from RAGGEDedge Gear, water and spills won’t hurt a thing.  The bag is made of  black carbon fiber laminate sailcloth, so it will repel water and smells and is a cinch to wipe clean.

The folks at RAGGEDedge gear are competitive sailors, and they know that “laminate sailcloths are hard core materials, engineered specifically to perform in a wet environment, very efficiently turn wind into power, and maintain their integrity for the duration of their life as a sail. These materials are essentially the engine of Americas Cup boats, highly competitive one design classes, and other high end yachts.”  They knew this material would lend itself to making wallets, gear bags, and other accessories that will hold up to wear.

The bag measures 10” long x 5” tall x 4.5” wide.  It has an interior pocket to corral smaller items.  The marine-grade zipper won’t corrode, no matter how tough you are on your gear.  There’s a grab handle that can also be used to hang the bag.

The Black Carbon Fiber Toiletry Kit is $70.00 at RAGGEDedge Gear.

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Give Dad a toiletry kit bag that could sail the Seven Seas originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 29, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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The new Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art Lens may be the best of the best!


I am pretty sure that by now that many of my fellow photographers, and especially macro photographers, are anxiously awaiting the release of the Sigma’s new art lenses. I am referring specifically to the new Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art Lens.

As the first true macro lens in the Sigma Art series, it is designed to prioritize optical performance above all else. This lens is a true 1:1 macro lens, and as a part of the Art series, I am expecting it to be well made, and to provide “crisp” photos with great clarity and sharpness.

The lens is designed with a “focus-by-wire” system that eliminates any direct mechanical contact between the focus ring and the focus drive. According to Sigma, “all of this adds up to a lens capable of razor-sharp, well-delineated focus with beautiful bokeh”.

A new coreless DC motor assists with the task of acquiring focus with minimal noise, while the full-time manual focus remains available during autofocus. The lens is built in a dust and splash proof body, and it is compatible with the Sigma USB Dock that can be purchased separately. The initial release will be for Canon and Sigma mounts, with others to follow.

If you interested in the new Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art Lens, you can preorder one at B&H Photo Video for $569.

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The new Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art Lens may be the best of the best! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 29, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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