Showers Pass Transit waterproof backpack review

 

REVIEW – The Showers Pass Transit waterproof backpack is a high-capacity backpack that is made with waterproof materials. It features a highly customizable design for a comfortable and secure fit and LED beacon lights for safety in the dark.  Read on to see what I think!

What is it?

The Showers Pass Transit waterproof backpack is a technical solution to the age-old question of how to protect the contents of a backpack from the elements. For years people have resorted to putting the contents of a backpack in waterproof containers inside the pack, covering the outside of the pack with a waterproof enclosure, or a combination of the two. The Transit backpack incorporates waterproof materials and construction into the design of the pack. The result is a backpack that should protect the contents no matter what you throw at it. Not only is the pack water resistant but it is comfortable to wear too. The pack design includes features for both daily use and more rigorous excursions.

What’s in the box?


Showers Pass Transit waterproof backpack
Beacon Lights

Design and features

Specifications

Weight: 4 lbs
Capacity: 42 Liters, 5511 in3
Waterproof Construction
Fits a 17” Laptop
360° 3M Reflective Trim
Beacon Light compatible

Unboxing

The Transit waterproof backpack is shipped in a box that is roughly 20″ x 14″ x 6″. The box is printed with the Showers Pass Mosaic Map (a custom mosaic of the world’s great cycling cities (Portland, New York, Washington DC, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, London, Newcastle, Berlin, Sydney, and Taipei). The backpack only fits into the box with the base panel folded up and the sides folded in. In other words, The backpack has dimensions closer to a small suitcase.

Design of the Transit backpack

Water tightness

The water tightness of this backpack comes from 100% waterproof, fully welded construction with a single-side thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) waterproof coating on a rugged and durable 840-denier Nylon. The seams on the pack are all lap welded to ensure that no water penetrates the seam.

The bulk of the material is only waterproofed on one side. The one-sided construction permits the uncoated nylon side to dry out if it does get wet. Note that while this pack is waterproof, it isn’t necessarily submersible; the zipper on the main compartment is shielded from spray it may receive from rain but will leak if it is submerged. The zippers on the front and side of the back are watertight, with rubber gaskets that come together under compression when the zipper is closed. The tops of the zippers are protected from the rain by rubber boots.

Reinforcement stitching on the load lifters is also covered by the waterproof layer. Over the entire backpack there only appears to be three or four places where water could enter: the front compartment flap closure, the front compartment drain holes, the 3D mesh spacer stitching to the inside of the main compartment, and the main compartment zipper closure (with significant water exposure). Below is a picture of the front compartment drain holes taken when the pack is held upside down.

Over time, the TPU may also be compromised; there isn’t any reinforcement layer on the bottom and a seam or material failure here could be a route of entry if the pack is put down in a wet location.

Support

The 3D mesh spacer back panels wick moisture dry quickly and allow air circulation while the pack is worn. There is a flexible plastic stiffening panel mounted along the back internal to the backpack. The panel is not rigid but provides enough support to ensure the pack stays upright while being packed and gives it some shape when carrying bulky light objects. The height of the shoulder straps to the hip belt is about 18″ from the base of the hip belt to the apex of the shoulder strap and is not adjustable. This is acceptable for most American men but perhaps too big for smaller women (according to NASA). An adjustable width and height sternum strap spans the shoulder straps and includes an elastic section (if this elastic section is not stretched then the tension of the strap is perfect). It looks as if the strap can be slid along the rail that it fits into, but once it is connected it doesn’t budge.

The strap must be pulled off the rail it clips on to in order to open and close the strap.

I’d prefer another quick release for this strap since it seems like the strap or the rail will break over time. The hip strap is adjustable on each side and can be folded backward and secured against the front panel when not in use. The clasp on the belt mates with corresponding clasps on the rear of the pack. The belt is also completely removable because it is attached by velcro below the lumbar support. The belt has a couple of pockets on it and can be used as a standalone fanny pack (or whatever you call them in GB).

The previously mentioned load lifters have an elastic retention strap that ensures the pack doesn’t bounce too much. The pack has a removable plastic support along the bottom of the main compartment and a plastic support built into the rear. These supports allow the bag to stand upright when not worn (assuming it is not packed top heavy).

Compartments

The outside has a number of places to store items. The topside of the main compartment has a 7″ x 5″ fleece lined compartment. There is also a side pocket accessible from the outside that is not lined. The front pocket has side zippers and a stretchy mesh gusset on each side and it is designed to hold a bicycle helmet.

The hip belt has two zippered compartments, one with a key latch inside. Inside the main compartment is a fleece lined 17″ and 10″ computer/tablet sleeve. The compartments are secured about an inch from the base of the bag and the top can be closed with a velcro strap. There is a bottle pocket on the left and right of the inside.

The pack shows it’s cycling roots by not including a bottle pocket on the outside (because your water is mounted to the bike frame). On the inside front, there are two more generous bottle like pockets and another fleece-lined pocket.

There is also a ket latch on the inside of the main compartment.

Attachments

The Shoulder straps have elastic nylon straps at the apex which can be used to mount hardware normally supported by a belt clip. There are 5 nylon daisy-chain loops on either side of the sternum and an aluminum clip in the center loop of each side. Oversized compression straps on the left and the right can be used to carry larger items, such as a D lock/U lock.

Safety

Large stripes on the shoulders, the Showers Pass logo, and Showers Pass brand name on the rear are made with 3M reflective materials. The picture below was taken in a dark room with the light from behind the camera.

Grommets on the side compression straps and on the front pocket support Beacon Lights. These are small lightweight battery powered LEDs in a water-resistant enclosure. They operate in three modes: a low-frequency flash for a total of 1000 hrs per battery, a rapid flash for 500 hours per battery, and a constant illumination for 50 hours per battery.

The battery is a CR2032. The light will automatically turn off after 2 hours.

Performance

I used the pack to hold a variety of items. Filled with a computer and a few pages of notes, the material moved around a lot inside, even when the compressions straps on the side were closed as much as possible. When I put a bit more inside to stabilize it (a rather large lunchbox) the performance improved. Most of the weight of the pack was on my shoulders. This is acceptable for day-pack operation and if you have a fairly forgiving bicycle seat. When I added more weight I noticed that the non-adjustability of the strap to hip-belt distance. The belt was too high, and making the shoulder straps longer just caused the pack to fall away from my body. I had a hard time using the belt as a load support. Maybe the belt is just designed to limit sway, but it has the look and feel of a load supporting part of the pack.

The beacon lights were tested on the pack about 100 ft away at night and they do light up rather well. The video is blurry because there is nothing for the camera to focus on, but you can see from the video that they do provide a good visual indication at night. The setting was the longest interval (longest battery life) in the video and all 4 beacon lights were on.

The last test performed was a waterproof test. I filled the entire contents of the bag with paper towels. I used a pillow in a white cotton case to fill out some of the bulk of the bag. Then I put the bag in the shower and hit it from each side for 5 minutes. At the end of the experiment, I dried off the outside of the pack and inspected the paper towels. Everything was dry except the front pocket. Below you can see a picture of the paper towel and the inside of the pocket with a water drip towards the top left of the picture.

my guess is that when I placed the pack on the floor of the shower some water entered the drain holes.

What I like

  • Spacious
  • highly visible
  • water resistant
  • Unique cycling design

What needs to be improved

  • Expensive
  • Fit adjustments
  • Design of outer pocket

Final thoughts

The size of this pack is truly spacious and the water-resistant design should be appreciated by anyone who has ever been caught in the rain. There are other manufacturers of waterproof, even submersible, packs that have about as much storage for less cost.

Price: $264.00
Where to buy: ShowersPass and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by ShowersPass.

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Showers Pass Transit waterproof backpack review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 1, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Go to sleep and wake up more naturally with the Philips Somneo clock

NEWS – I have a lot of trouble going to sleep at night, so I’m very intrigued with this clock from Philips.  Using light and sounds, the Somneo is supposed to help you fall asleep and wake more naturally.  At night, the RelaxBreathe function uses lights to help you relax and unwind to guide you into sleep.  In the morning, it uses lights and sound to wake you.  Somneo uses bright yellow, warm orange, and soft red lights to simulate sunrise and sunset.  You can wake to white noise, natural sounds, an FM station, or songs on your phone.  It saves two alarm settings, one for weekdays, one for weekends, to waken you.

The clock has an AUX in to connect your phone for music, and it has a USB port for charging the phone.  It has a power backup to keep your clock going for up to 8 hours in the event of a power outage.  The smart-touch display lets you set the clock quickly and easily.  It has a midnight setting that provides just enough light to find your way in the dark at night and a reading setting with multiple light settings that let you choose which is just right to read by.

The Philips Somneo Sleep and Wake-up Light Therapy Lamp is $199.00 at Amazon.

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Go to sleep and wake up more naturally with the Philips Somneo clock originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 1, 2019 at 8:00 am.

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The Gadgeteer’s top 12 posts of 2018

ARTICLE – It’s hard to believe, but in just a few hours, 2018 will be over. At this time every year, I like to post an article that lists the most popular posts of the last year. It’s always fun to look back and see what content everyone was interested in. Let’s see if there are any surprises this year.

12. Energizer Recharge Value AA/AAA NiMH Battery Charger review By Julie Strietelmeier (February, 2013)

We start off with an 8-year-old review of a battery charger. I used this charger for years after I reviewed it because I liked the big LED indicator that would let me know when the batteries were fully charged. I ended up switching over to Eneloop batteries a couple years ago though.

11. SJCAM SJ4000 Action Camera review by Raul Sanchez (October, 2014)

This action camera review was last year’s #4 most read review on The Gadgeteer, so it’s dropped 7 spots. Considering the review is 4 years old, it surprises me that it’s still on the list after this length of time.

10. This is the ceiling fan for people who don’t like ceiling fans By Janet Cloninger (December, 2018)

This one is a surprise. It’s a news post that Janet wrote just a few days ago. It’s always interesting to see what types of posts go “viral” compared to other posts. I wonder if it’s the image of the product that causes people to want to read more about it or the title. Either way, I have this fan on my wish list when we remodel our kitchen.

9. Campark Sports Camera review By Andy Chen (June, 2016)

Here’s another action camera and it’s the first time this review has shown up on a yearly top posts list. He had mixed feelings about this inexpensive camera that doesn’t even appear to be available for purchase any longer. Although there are other Campark models on Amazon that are available.

8. Julie’s Favorite Gear page

I like to update my favorite gear page several times a year as I change bags, phones, computers, and other accessories that I use every day. For 2019 I plan to switch phones from the Pixel 2 XL to something new. Right now I’m leaning towards the Samsung Galaxy S10 just because it’s going to be available the soonest. I also plan to get a new gear bag as I’ve been carrying the same Timbuk2 messenger for a few years (it’s the grey and blue one shown above to the left of my elbow.

 

7. The SkyWire TV antenna may be the one that lets you cut the cable TV cord! By (May, 2018)

Julian wrote a news post about this OTA antenna and a bunch of people wrote angry comments complaining that it didn’t work as advertised. Basically, people don’t understand that these antennas are completely dependent on how far you’re located from where the networks are broadcasting. This prompted Janet to write a post on what to know before buying an antenna like the Skywire.

6. QCY Q29 Wireless Bluetooth headphones review By Andy Jacobs (February, 2017)

5. Make it yourself – Midori Traveler’s style leather Moleskine Cahier or Field Notes notebook cover by Julie Strietelmeier (August, 2013)

I’m continually surprised that this 5-year-old DIY article continues to show up as one of the site’s most read posts of the year. Last year it was #8 and this year it was even more popular. I actually have an idea for a new notebook cover design that I’m going to try out soon. Should I write another DIY article about it?

4. PadMate PaMu Scroll BT 5.0 wireless earbuds review By Smythe Richbourg (September, 2018)

This must be the year for completely wireless earbuds as we have reviewed a LOT of them.

3. Ridge Wallet review by Jason Griffin (May, 2015)

There’s only one wallet on this year’s top posts list and it’s a review from 2015. Funny thing is that it was also at #3 on last year’s top list. It’s definitely a popular minimalist wallet that continues to be popular.

2. Walabot DIY review By Dave Rees (November, 2016)

Although Dave wasn’t all that impressed with this DIY tool, a lot of people must have bought one because this review sure does get read a lot. It was even more popular this year than last as it’s gone from the #7 spot in 2017 to the #2 spot this year.

1. Harry’s razors review By Dennis Moore (December, 2016)

And the #1 most read post for the second year in a row on The Gadgeteer is a review for a razor. Read 114,548 times, it sure is a popular razor! We’ll have to see if it can be unseated in 2019.

Do you have a favorite article that we posted in 2018 that was not included in this list? If so, please share it in the comment section below.

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The Gadgeteer’s top 12 posts of 2018 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 31, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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Cowin E8 over-the-ear noise-cancelling headphones review

REVIEW – Noise-cancelling over-the-ear headphones are a great investment for this time of year. If you’re traveling, you’re probably needing the soothing envelope of your own sounds, whether it’s a podcast, an audiobook, music, or something calming like a neutral soundscape. Corded is fine, but if it’s wireless, so much the better. Cowin recently sent us a set of their E8 model Over-the-ear noise-cancelling headphones, and I’ve been testing them. Come into my quiet place and let’s talk about them.

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

What is it?

The Cowin E8’s are a very nice looking, well-built set of over-the-ear headphones. They arrive in a hardshell, form-fitting protective zippered case with all the cords, cables, and adapters you can imagine.

Hardware specs

  • Impact-resistant materials
  • Corrosion-resistant stainless steel headband spring
  • Premium listening experience with Adaptive Noise Cancelling (ANC)
  • 18 Month Warranty
  • Cushions feature advanced venting and ergonomic pivoting
  • Advanced mic system with HD Voice on calls

What’s in the box?

  • Headphones
  • Hard-shell travel case with net pocket for accessories
  • USB charge cable for battery
  • 1/8″ – 1/4″ adapter
  • Proprietary audio cable to connect to AUX
  • Airline audio adapter
  • Velveteen drawstring bag for above adapters

Design and features

The Cowin E8’s are a premium-look and feel in the NC Headphone space. Leather earcups, nicely stitched headband and padding around the earcups, and a soft, springy mesh over the actual speakers inside, as well as firm, sure switches make every touch a positive experience. There is no creak, squeak, or groan when you bend and adjust the unit to your head. The wide steel band that slides into and out of the headband for adjustment is etched to give you a place to reset to, should you share them, or pack them away and the adjustment gets changed.

Like most over-the-ear headphones, the E-8’s fully cover your ears and seal against your head. This prevents much background noise from permeating your soundscape. But sometimes, say, in my office right now, there may be a machine running that is distracting. Like, say, a dehumidifier. Turning on noise-cancellation reduces this noise from a low roar to a slight whoosh. A tiny bit of background music or sounds will remove it entirely.

All controls for the Noise cancellation and the Bluetooth connection, as well as phone and playback controls, are on the right earcup. The top brass round button engages or disengages the noise-cancellation, while the power button turns the Bluetooth radio on or off with a long-press. A short press of the power button while connected will stop or start music playback, or connect/disconnect a call. At the very bottom below the buttons, there is an open microUSB charging port, and the 3/32″ proprietary audio input jack.

Performance

The headphones work well to isolate unwanted sounds from the environment without using noise cancellation technology. If there are really loud or irritating sounds, turning on noise-cancellation will produce an anti-wave to cancel it out. Plane engines, loud machinery, or other loud, repetitive noises will simply disappear.

What I Like

  • Nicely padded ear cups with sound-isolating properties
  • Comfortable band and adjustments
  • Nice travel case with a net pocket for cables
  • Easy to find and use controls
  • Rechargeable battery for Noise Cancelling feature

What needs to be improved

  • Small, non-standard AUX cable for headphones (difficult to replace)
  • Not stereo when using cable
  • Battery has short shelf-charge life

Final thoughts

I love over-the-ear headphones. Whenever I’m sitting at my Mac, I’m usually wearing a set, since others in the house are rarely in the mood for whatever sounds and music are coming from my virtual environment. The other reason I love them is the immersion you get from being fully surrounded by the soundscape of whatever you’re listening to. The E8s from Cowin are a well-made set of headphones that have a decent sound profile but are hampered by a few little electronics issues. First, they went with a cheaper 3/32” connector into the headphone for the wired connection. Why? The 1/8” jack cannot possibly be that much larger. and you know what? As a result, when operating with the noise cancellation and only the wired headphone, only the right side gets sound. How special is that?

The battery only lasts a few days when not being used or charged. Before you leave for a trip where you’re expecting to use this, make sure you have it freshly charged.

Price: $149.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Cowin

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Cowin E8 over-the-ear noise-cancelling headphones review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 31, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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This gadget will let you lick your plate in public

NEWS – Forktula is a reusable slide on spatula for your fork that you can use to scrape the last yummy drop or crumb from your plate without actually picking it up and licking it like an animal. Made with food-grade silicone, Forktulas come in four colors and are priced at $7.50 for a pack of four.

Forktula was a successful Kickstarter campaign back in 2017, and now you can have your own sauce saving fork accessory by heading over to forktula.com. They say that using a Forktula prevents you from making that annoying scraping noise when using your fork, but here’s hoping that the Forktula doesn’t replace the fork on plate scraping noise with an embarrassing squeegee “fart” noise – think windshield wipers on a semi-dry window and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

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This gadget will let you lick your plate in public originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 31, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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