Gym in your pocket, portable ultrasonic cleaner, portable air pump, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns

This week we are bringing you five crowdfunding campaigns that are currently running on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. This week’s campaigns are for people who like to create media, people who like to workout, people who don’t like smudges, and more. Check out our picks for this week’s notable crowdfunding campaigns.

GRIP&SHOOT CAGE- Pro mobile rig

What is it?
The GRIP&SHOOT CAGE is a specially designed aluminum frame that turns your smartphone into a mobile media rig that can use lenses, microphones, lights, Bluetooth remote, and more.

Why do I like it?
More and more, smartphones are becoming the primary tool for media creaters, and I like the GRIP&SHOOT because it’s device agnostic. Instead of only catering to the iPhone crowd, this device can be used with most smartphones on the market.

Where can I find more info?
The GRIP&SHOOT CAGE campaign ends on 5/31/2018 and they are just starting their journey towards their funding goal of $25,000. You can pre-order a GRIP&SHOOT CAGE starting at $175. After the GRIP&SHOOT CAGE campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in August 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Smartclean Vision.5: A Portable Ultrasonic Cleaner

What is it?
Smartclean Vision.5 is a small ultrasonic cleaner that can be used to clean the dirt, smudges, and oil from eyeglasses and other small items without using chemicals.

Why do I like it?
I like the Smartclean Vision.5 because it looks like an easier and better way to clean my glasses every morning. As it is now, I either use an alcohol-based spray cleaner or regular soap and water. Sometimes my glasses come out clean and other times they look worse than before the cleaning. I like the idea of putting my glasses inside the Smartclean Vision.5, hopping in the shower and having perfectly clear glasses when I get out a couple mins later.

Where can I find more info?
The Smartclean Vision.5 campaign ends in 24 days and they have already reached their funding goal of $15,000. You can pre-order a Smartclean Vision.5 starting at $66. After the Smartclean Vision.5 campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in June 2018. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.

Max Pump 2 – the World’s Most Powerful Portable Air Pump

Blurb by Howard Sneider

What is it?
Max Pump 2 is a small rechargeable air and vacuum pump that can be used for inflating and deflating air mattresses, yoga balls, and the like.

Why do I like it?
I like the Max Pump 2 because when you’re camping or traveling, small, well performing, convergent devices are always appreciated. The pump is tiny; smaller than a soda can and only 150 grams. The rechargeable battery in the pump provides up to an hour of use. The pump performs with 10.6 CFM and up to 0.21 kPa of pressure to make life easier when life involves air beds, air mattresses, rubber boats, swimming pools, yoga balls or anything else that’s inflated with low pressure. The pump can also be used along with garment vacuum bags to compact items that normally take up a lot of room, such as sweaters and blankets. Strategically using these vacuum bags on a business trip may save you from needing to check luggage. If that wasn’t enough, the pump is IPX7 rated and can be used to charge other devices.

Where can I find more info?
The Max Pump 2 campaign ends on 6/13/2018 and they have already met their funding goal of $10,000. You can pre-order a Max Pump 2 starting at $25. After the Max Pump 2 campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in August 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

A Gym in your Pocket | MONKII

What is it?
Pocket MONKII is a tiny gym that fits in your pocket for fitness on the go.

Why do I like it?
I like the Pocket MONKII because it’s a convenient way to carry workout gear with you when you travel. It’s more compact than a bunch of fitness bands and you can do a lot more with the MONKII than you can with bands.

Where can I find more info?
The MONKII campaign ends on 6/28/2018 and they have already vaulted past their funding goal of $50,000. You can pre-order a MONKII starting at $99. After the MONKII campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in November 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Braza Bro EDC | The Must-Have Pocket & Keychain Mini Tool

blurb by Andy Jacobs

What is it?
The Braza Bro is a locking, keychain-sized, folding-blade knife that is small, lightweight, quickly deployable and razor sharp.

Why do I like it?
I find many folding knives intended for EDC to be too large for me to carry on a daily basis. However, the Braza Bro not only looks to be a perfect size for me to carry daily, it also contains several features that appeal to me, such as a stainless steel, ergonomically-contoured handle, a pocket clip, one-hand “flipper”-style deployment (with ceramic ball bearings), and a frame lock—all in a small, keychain-sized EDC knife.

Where can I find more info?
The Braza Bro campaign ends on 5/31/2018 and they have already met their funding goal of $6,500. You can pre-order a Braza Bro starting at $34. After the Braza Bro campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in July 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

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Gym in your pocket, portable ultrasonic cleaner, portable air pump, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 1, 2018 at 1:11 pm.

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TCL’s new 65-inch 6 Series might just be the best TV value of 2018

This is an exciting time of the year if you’re looking to buy a new TV. The new models showcased at CES in January are starting to hit the shelves. One of the year’s most intriguing offerings comes from TCL. They made a splash last year with their popular and highly rated 55-inch P Series 4K HDR TV with built-in Roku functionality. Priced at $649, it produced one of the best 4K HDR images of any budget tv available in 2017. This year they have added a new flagship model, the 6 Series.

The 6 Series has the same Roku TV smart platform, but TCL has upped the ante with an impressive list of new features, a larger 65-inch screen size, and a new bold, brushed metal design.

This set is loaded with features usually found on TVs costing $2-$3,000. But the TCL 6 Series is priced at a very budget friendly $1,000.

Features

  • Dolby Vision HDR
  • 120 contrast control zones (full-array local dimming)
  • Wide Color Gamut with TCL’s NBP Photon Technology
  • Roku TV Smart platform
  • Enhanced remote with voice control
  • High-speed 802.11ac wireless and Ethernet networking
  • 3 HDMI 2.0a ports with HDCP 2.2

The one feature that stands out for me is the 120 dimming zones. Full-array local dimming is what allows LED TVs to darken dark areas of the screen and boost bright areas of the screen, making for better contrast and richer colors. The more zones there are the better the local dimming is. With 120 dimming zones, the 6 Series should produce a great picture with darker blacks and brighter brights. I would love to get my hands on this TV to see how it performs in a living room setting.

It’s way too early to say that the TCL 6 Series is the best value of 2018. But with an impressive list of features at a price tag that other manufacturers just can’t touch, it promises to be on a very short list.

The TCL 6 Series 65-inch 4K HDR TV is available on Amazon for $999.99. It’s also available in a 55-inch model for just $649.99.

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TCL’s new 65-inch 6 Series might just be the best TV value of 2018 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 1, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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The ACK-E6 USB Power Kit AC Adapter Replacement DR-E6 DC Coupler Dummy Battery for Canon EOS cameras may just give me the power I am looking for!


A few nights ago I was working with my photo light box, shooting photos for product reviews, and messing around with some macro shots. After shooting for a while, I was “in the zone” when lo and behold my camera went dead. Of course I quickly realized that the batteries in my extended battery grip were depleted. While they were not fully charged when I started, I somehow did not realize that I had used them several times already, and that they were almost out of charge when I started to shoot.

This experience got me to thinking about power sources for my camera, especially when working in-studio, and even when at an event. I was curious to find out if there was another option that could provide for an even longer time between changing batteries, and could still remain portable.

My research led me to the ACK-E6 USB Power Kit AC Adapter, which in theory seems like a great solution for my needs. It is a dummy battery that fits inside of the extended battery grip, and can be powered by one USB power pack, or even two USB power packs to last even longer. Now I know that one might think that in this case why not use it directly into the battery slot in the camera. Well, the simple answer is that I like the size and grip that I get with the extended battery grip, and since the dummy battery will only take up one space in the battery grip, I could actually install a regular battery in the second space for even more “juice”. In addition, I am figuring that if the supplied cable is long enough, I can “rig up” a USB power pack on my gear belt, and actually shoot events for a long time with one high powered USB power pack. Keep in mind that this is all theory and speculation, but I did order this device, and I will write a follow-up story on my findings, and the results of my testing.

If you would like to purchase this device for specific Canon cameras (it is likely that this type of device is available for other camera brands as well), you can pick one up from Amazon for just $20.99.

If you first want to know the results of my testing, stay tuned!!

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The ACK-E6 USB Power Kit AC Adapter Replacement DR-E6 DC Coupler Dummy Battery for Canon EOS cameras may just give me the power I am looking for! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 1, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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These Justice League of America pens are mightier than the sword

Are you feeling inspired by all these superhero movies currently in theaters?  Are you wanting to feel a little heroic in your daily life?  Well, short of developing superpowers or becoming a billionaire vigilante, you’re not going to be joining the Justice League yourself.  Perhaps you can feel a little super just by using this pen set inspired by the Justice League.

Caran d’Ache has, for more than a hundred years, been creating fine writing instruments.  This set of pens has all the quality the company is known for, combined with the style of three of DC’s finest heroes.  The set of pens are inspired by Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman.

Each pen has gold-plating and cutter-inscribed decorative elements, pen caps with the Caran d’Ache hexagon logo, and each has engraved Swiss Made and Caran d’Ache labels.  Levenger describes each pen:

  • Wonder Woman: The pattern of Wonder Woman’s bracelet is cutter-engraved on the first part of the cap, with a raw, unpolished metallic finish to recall her costume. The second part of the cap is cutter-engraved and coated with translucent, burgundy lacquer to represent the metallic reflections of Wonder Woman’s bustier. On the bottom of the barrel, the pattern of her boots is cutter-engraved in a highly graphic design. There are also raw metallic finished recalling the look of her boots. The pink gold-plated ring is laser-engraved with the Swiss Made and Caran d’Ache labels. 
  • Batman: The barrel and cap are cutter-engraved with a chevron pattern, coated in translucent black lacquer with a satin finish. The ends of the cap and body are smooth and coated in black satin-finish lacquer. The pen ring is engraved with the Swiss Made and Caran d’Ache labels. 
  • Superman: The metallic appearance and scaly texture of the costume are reinterpreted by different cutter-engraved elements. The barrel and cap are engraved and coated in dense blue satin-finish lacquer. The cap recalls Superman’s torso and the barrel of the pen are his legs. The lower part of the barrel is coated in dark red lacquer and boasts a new engraving inspired by his boots. The gold-plated pen ring is laser-engraved with the Swiss Made and Caran d’Ache labels.

There are two sets available, each set for the serious collector with Bruce Wayne-deep pockets.  The rollerball set of three Caran d’Ache Justice League Trilogy pens in a presentation box is $3750.00.  The fountain pen set is $5550.00.  Learn more at Levenger.

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These Justice League of America pens are mightier than the sword originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 1, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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You’ll never drop your iPhone with the Adidas Grip case

You’ve probably seen lots of people who have those round pop up holders on the back of their phones called Popsockets. They come in all sorts of designs and are designed to stick to the back of the phone so you can put the pop out knob between two fingers of your hand. But how about a phone case that has a secure holding feature already built in like the Adidas Grip case for the iPhone 8 and iPhone X?

The Grip case has an anti-slip grip band that’s built into the back of the snap on case that lets you keep your phone in your hand while you run, and offers a stand function that allows you to watch workout videos more easily.

The case is made of a tough polycarbonate back with TPU bumpers that offer protection from everyday wear and tear. You can buy an Adidas Grip for $30 from adidas.com. Run out and get one now.

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You’ll never drop your iPhone with the Adidas Grip case originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 30, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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