Toffee Commuter Satchel review

I’m a huge fan of backpacks and bags of all kinds, and one of my favorite bags with a shoulder strap is the Mission Rucksack by Toffee. I loved bringing that on the plane, but I have started using my iPad less and less, and I usually just bring my MacBook Pro on trips now. Toffee’s new Commuter Satchel is made for a 13 or 15-inch laptop, so I was excited to be able to try it out and see how it compared to the previous Toffee bag I loved.

My old Toffee bag still looks great after over three years, and that is with trips locally and across the country on a plane. The Commuter Satchel is made of the same tough waxed canvas, leather trim, and a similar design, but the satchel has a few very nice modifications that was happy to see.

The shoulder strap is sturdy and durable, with an adjustable canvas pad. This definitely helped keep the shoulder strap from digging into my shoulder, and was necessary with the extra weight a larger bag can carry. I consider myself an average height for a woman, and it fit me with about six inches of strap that could be extended.

Other than fitting my MacBook, the design change I liked best was having a magnetic clasp to keep the flap held down. It is so much easier to get in and out of the satchel compared to the old bag, which used buckles that you had to manually adjust. Of course, it is easier to accidentally open the flap now as well, but I would prefer that to the buckles.

The backside of the satchel has a zippered compartment, which I used mainly for my phone and smaller items that could easily fall out of the main area of the satchel. The zippers are sturdy, well made, and easy to use, and there was room for my Kindle or 8-inch tablet if I had wanted.


When you open the front flap, you’ll find two small pouches, a large pouch with a sleeve for a 13″ laptop, and another zippered compartment. There is plenty of space inside for a MacBook, iPad Air, and one or two magazines. I could fit a Kindle and an 8-inch tablet within the smaller pouches, and with the flap closed, I never worried about them falling out. The full dimensions of the satchel are approximately 14.1″ x 10.6″ x 2.3″.


The satchel is just big enough that I can toss a sketchbook in with some colored pencils as well as my MacBook, or perhaps a drawing tablet and MacBook if I wanted to go out of the house to do a bit of art. The inside is nice and padded, especially around the laptop compartment, and you can snap the compartment closed to keep your laptop from moving around too much. Even with the padding, it’s big enough to be versatile to use, but small enough that you won’t be filling it up and hurting your shoulder with the weight of the bag.

I used the inner zippered pocket to hold coins, cash, and my wallet. Since tossing my crossbody purse into the bag would have taken up room, I just moved everything into the satchel and used it as if it were an EDC bag. It definitely worked very well, as I loved the look and feel of this bag.


Overall, I really liked the Commuter Satchel by Toffee. The look, feel, and usability of this bag is great, and I can carry my MacBook around without being paranoid that it will be damaged. If I find myself carrying around an EDC bag regularly, this would be my go-to bag. Since I know the quality is top notch, I would not hesitate to recommend the Commuter Satchel to anyone looking for a solid laptop bag for their every day needs.

Source: The sample used in this review was provided by Toffee. Please visit their website for more information.

 

Product Information

Price: $154.50
Manufacturer: Toffee
Pros:
  • Sturdy and well made
  • Laptop compartment very padded
  • Looks very stylish
Cons:
  • None

Filed in categories: Bags, Reviews

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Toffee Commuter Satchel review originally appeared on on March 16, 2017 at 8:13 am.

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Velv will let you oxygenate young wine in no time

An unexpected visit from an old friend and an unopened bottle of Caymus. If you’re amongst the fortunate few to have old friends and a bottle of Caymus you surely know how tragic this event is. But wait! Don’t despair! There’s a gadget to the rescue!  The newly available Velv Wine Oxygenator will develop that bottle’s best bouquet in no time, using 99.5% oxygen to imbue a soft, silky taste and optimal aromatics in three to seven minutes, depending on the varietal.  The Velv uses an oxygen capsule in the handle and a long wand with a sintered tip to disperse microbubbles of oxygen into the wine, even within the bottle.  The manufacturers claim that by increasing the amount of Oxygen, reactions that alter the bouquet are completed more quickly and therefore occur before aroma and taste are lost due to the traditional decanting process. Intrigued? Curiosity will cost you – the starter kit costs $300 and includes the Velv Wine Oxygenator, one Velv PUREOXYGEN capsule, and a Velv Protective Case. Each capsule can prepare approximately 5 to 10 bottles of wine, and additional 2-packs of capsules are available online for $25. For more information, visit www.velvwine.com.

Filed in categories: Home and Kitchen, News

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Velv will let you oxygenate young wine in no time originally appeared on on March 16, 2017 at 6:55 am.

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APC Essential SurgeArrest 6 outlet P6WU2 review

You can never have too may power outlets!  Instead of the typical outlet strip, I get to try out the APC Essential SurgeArrest 6, which sits over your existing wall outlet, giving you not only 6 AC outlets but 2 USB charging ports, too.

Specifications:

  • Nominal Operating Voltage: 120VAC, 50-60 Hz
  • Maximum Amperage: 15A
  • Joule Rating: 1080 Joules
  • Dimensions (HxWxD): 1.5 in. x 4 in. x 5.5 in.

As the name implies, the P6WU2 provides 6 AC outlets (three on each side) and two USB charging ports (2.4 amp).  Two LEDs on the front indicate if surge protection is working, and another indicating wiring fault.
Here you can see either side of the P6WU2 (three outlets each side).  Notice the threaded screw in the middle?  APC cautions you to use only with a duplex receptacle that has a center screw.  Without taking the P6WU2 apart, I am not positive this screw gives a mechanical bond to ground, but it does reduce the chance your plugs get yanked off the wall.

The P6WU2 is plugged in.  Green light = everything good!

The configuration of the AC outlets from the side gives your wiring a slightly lower profile.  Here’s the P6WU2 living under my desk.  I still have two spare AC outlets, and I have still have two USB ports to go.

For more information about the APC Essential SurgeArrest P6WU2, check out the link.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by APC. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $18
Manufacturer: APC
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • 120VAC, 50-60 Hz
Pros:
  • Low-profile, provides 6 outlets and surge protection plus 2 USB ports.
Cons:
  • None

Filed in categories: Cables, Batteries and Chargers, Reviews

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APC Essential SurgeArrest 6 outlet P6WU2 review originally appeared on on March 15, 2017 at 4:27 pm.

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iFrogz Impulse Wireless headphones review

We all need to listen to things on our devices from time to time without the distraction of other noises, or without causing interruption to those around us. Earbuds are the quick-and-dirty solution, but if you’re watching a movie, or sitting down for a good long study/work session, you’re going to want something a little more comfortable with better sound. iFrogz, a vendor of mobile products like cases and headphones, has recently released an on-ear set of cans they call the Impulse Wireless headphones and sent a sample pair to The Gadgeteer to test out. I’ve been listening to them for a few weeks now.

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


The impulse Wireless Headphones are available in three colorways: white with brown speaker pads, gray with black accents, or black with red accents. I was sent the black/red one and found it very attractive. The color is used very sparingly, just on the face of the speaker pads and the stitching across the top of the headband. Stitching is even and tight, and the seams around the ear cups are well-placed on the edge of the disc. The holes punched into the speaker grills were cleanly made.


The first thing you’ll notice, however, is that the actual headphones (not just the band) feel very substantial. They aren’t heavy, per se, but they don’t feel cheap and fragile like many lightweight headphones do. The hinge on each side is covered and mounted in the center, with no exposed joints, rather than having small gimbals on each side.

This will prevent rogue wires and charger plugs from possibly getting caught inside the mechanism in your bag. The cups fold up into the arc of the well-padded band for travel, again on sturdy, wide hinges. There is no bag included, but the construction is compact and sturdy enough to not really need one.

The controls are minimal, and simple to use: on/off/pairing button on left ear, volume toggle and call answer/pause button on the right. The volume toggle is on either side of the band, so you can readily hit the correct side easily. The charging port on the right ear cup fits an included standard microUSB plug, and the left ear cup has a port for a speaker/mic cable (also included) next to the mic.

I hadn’t intended to listen to anything while writing today, but when I got to my favorite café, on such a temperate windy day, I decided to sit outside and listen to nature. Unfortunately, there was a gaggle of moms with screaming babies waiting for the older children at the school next door, and they were all screaming loudly over the infants. Rather than pack up and move inside, I donned the iFrogz and put on my Southern Rock playlist on Spotify. Atlanta Rhythm Section, J. Giles, Little Feat and Lynyrd Skynyrd can drown out almost anything. I was able to hear the separation of guitars, bass, drums and vocals cleanly, with only the loudest screams of children or laughter piercing my cocoon.
Previously, I’ve used these cans with my iPhone to have a conversation with my mom, and she had no problem hearing me. The small mic in the left headphone picked up my voice admirably. I’ve also used the Impulses wired with both my Mac and an iPad connected with a Belkin Rockstar. Sounds from the Mac, where I was mostly writing and surfing mixed effortlessly with the Netflix or Amazon Prime streamed media from my iPad. Either source worked great and had no lag between video and sound. Weighing in at 7.5 ounces, the Impulse Wireless headphones will hardly make a dent in your bag’s weight, but they will greatly enhance your listening experience. At $60, they are right in the middle of the lightweight headphone category, so while you’ll find some that may be less expensive, I doubt they’ll be significantly better, either for sound or build quality.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by iFrogz. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $59.99
Manufacturer: iFrogz
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • Sound source with Bluetooth or AUX output.
Pros:
  • Light, comfortable
  • Decent sound for size
  • Good battery life
  • Sturdy
Cons:
  • On ear – allows some ambient sound in
  • Not comfortable for all-day wear

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV, Bluetooth Gear, Reviews

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iFrogz Impulse Wireless headphones review originally appeared on on March 15, 2017 at 8:30 am.

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Coffee tables shaped like mix tapes, retro keyboards, rearview camera for bikes and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns

This week I bring you five crowdfunding campaigns that include two quirky products that will make you smile and three products that look useful. Let me know if you end up supporting any of them.

TAYBLES: The Original Cassette Tape Coffee Table

What is it?
TAYBLES are coffee tables made of wood that are replicas of cassette tapes.

Why do I like it?
I like TAYBLES because they have a fun retro vibe while still being able to perform as a coffee table. TAYBLES have a stainless steel cup holder in the center of each spindle and have a storage area that can hold remotes and other small items. The top of the TAYBLE has a label that doubles as a whiteboard that you can write on with dry erase markers that let you name your “mix tape”.

Where can I find more info?
With 6 days left in their campaign, The TAYBLES campaign has already passed their funding goal of $35,000. You can pre-order a TAYBLE starting at $220. After the TAYBLES campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in June 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Tubey – The Mini Wacky Wavy Inflatable Flailing Tube Man

What is it?
Tubey is a miniature flailing tube man. You’ve probably seen the full sized tube men in front of car dealerships or other stores. They are set up to get the attention of people passing by.

Why do I like it?
I like Tubey because I love the full sized flailing tube guys. They always make me smile when I see them so having a miniature one on my desk would be super fun. The only down side is that they don’t expect to ship until December. Ouch!

Where can I find more info?
With 24 days left in their campaign, The Tubey campaign has quite a bit of work to do to reach their funding goal of $60,000. You can pre-order a Tubey starting at $15. After the Tubey campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

lofree: typewriter inspired mechanical keyboard

What is it?
lofree is a Bluetooth keyboard with a retro look and unique round keycaps.

Why do I like it?
I like lofree because it has a cool looking design that features backlit round key caps and clicky-clacky action that makes it sound like a mechanical typewriter. lofree has the same layout as Apple’s wireless keyboard and can pair with up to 3 devices. The keyboards will be available in different colors and the battery life will be up to 15 months on a charge.

Where can I find more info?
With a month left in their campaign, The lofree campaign has already blown past their funding goal of $10,000 by more than $300,000! You can pre-order a lofree starting at $79. After the lofree campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in May 2017. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.

HEXAGON – Camera, Signals, & Sensors for Cyclists

What is it?
HEXAGON is a wireless full HD (1080p/720p) rear-view camera for your bicycle that links to your smartphone.

Why do I like it?
I like HEXAGON because it will let cyclists see traffic behind them and offers extra features like directional blinkers, power bank, activity tracker, odometer, live streaming of your ride and more.

Where can I find more info?
With a month left in their campaign, The HEXAGON campaign still has work to do to reach their funding goal of $30,000. You can pre-order a HEXAGON starting at $99. After the HEXAGON campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in September 2017. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.

Iconiq Qore – The Stackable Insulated Food Container

What is it?
The Iconiq Qore is a double walled vacuum insulated modular food storage container that can keep cold foods cold for up to 12hrs and hot foods hot for up to 6hrs.

Why do I like it?
I like the Iconiq Qore because it looks like a handy way to keep your foods at the right temps without needing a refrigerator or microwave. You can stack a cold food item like a salad next to a hot food item like soup and both items will be at the right temp when it comes time for lunch. I also like that it’s BPA free and it even includes a folding spork.

Where can I find more info?
With 25 days left in their campaign, The Iconiq Qore campaign still has some work to do before they will reacy their funding goal of $20,000. You can pre-order an Iconiq Qore starting at $13. After the Iconiq Qore campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in June 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Filed in categories: News

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Coffee tables shaped like mix tapes, retro keyboards, rearview camera for bikes and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns originally appeared on on March 15, 2017 at 7:28 am.

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