Home Outdoor Gear

DynaTrap DT2000XL Insect Trap review


According to DynaTrap, size matters. DynaTrap engineers produce pesticide free mosquitoes killers of various shapes and sizes. The DT2000XL is the biggest, baddest insect trap in their lineup. The DynaTrap DT2000XL Insect Trap attracts and kills mosquitoes and other flying insects across 1 acre. And while here in Washington State, we do not get mosquitoes like they do in Alaska or Australia we do get our fair share of the flying pests. Now that spring is here, I am looking forward to seeing if this bad boy gets the job done… 

Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.

As I mentioned above, the DynaTrap DT2000XL is engineered to be a simple, chemical free insect trap capable of policing up to an acre of land from flying pests, specifically mosquitoes. A few years ago, I reviewed the Mosquito Magnet Commander which worked well enough but it was anything but simple. Not only did it require recharging the battery, propane and a chemical attractant, but integration into your wireless network as well. Other than needing to clean the trap occasionally, the DT2000XL is meant to be a plug and walk away bug-killing solution.

Specifications:

  • In the box: Trap, cleaning brush, and screwdriver
  • 7 ft. cord – 110V~
  • Size diameter 13” x 20”
  • Weight 7 lbs.
  • UV Bulb rated for 3,000 hrs
 Features:

  • Protects up to 1 Acre.
  • Durable, all-weather construction.
  • Pesticide and odor free.
  • Whisper quiet operation.
  • No zapping or buzzing. No expensive attractant or propane required.
  • Model #: DT2000XL

The DT2000XL insect trap is engineered for “3-way protection”. The way it works is a UV fluorescent bulb generates a warm light that attracts the insects. Then a second attractant, a Ti02 titanium dioxide-coated surface produces CO2 that further gets the mosquitoes’ attention. Finally, a “powerful, yet whisper-quiet vacuum fan” sucks the insects into the trap’s retaining cage where they dehydrate and die.

The UV Bulb is rated for 3,000 hrs of use. The DT2000XL has a durable, all-weather enclosure engineered to protect it from the elements. The power button is weather-hardened, with a rubber covering to protect the insect trap’s electronics. There is also a built-in fuse that protects the device from power surges.

We live on approximately 10 acres of forested land. And while the DT2000XL will not protect our whole place, it will cover where we spend many of our evenings outside. Our house is set above a ravine with a creek running thru it, with a pretty thick tree canopy covering the entire area. Prime breading ground for mosquitoes during our warm, wet spring and summer here in the Great Pacific Northwest. I setup the DT2000XL about 30 feet from where we barbecue and eat outside on the far side of a big cedar tree. Other than the extension cord, you can’t even tell it is there.

For my initial test run, I ran the DT2000XL three days over the Memorial Day weekend. The picture you see above is the result of how effective the trap was at capturing and killing flying insects during this span of time. Once attracted and captured, the bugs simply died from dehydration. When cleaning the cage, you do notice the trap does capture a wide variety of flying bugs from moths, to flies, to its true intended target: mosquitoes. I know this is not a very scientific study, but during the course of my review/operation of the DynaTrap the flying bug population in our backyard does seem to be greatly reduced and (more importantly) we’re seeing far fewer mosquitoes.

My initial impression of the DynaTrap DT2000XL Insect Trap is overall positive. It has been very effective in trapping and killing flying bugs during its first week of use. It’s simple setup and operation requiring only shoreline power make for a truly hassle-free experience. Add in the fact it requires no propane or attractant makes for an ideal way to reduce bugs and bites while enjoying hanging out outside during warm, summer nights 😀 .

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

 

Product Information

Price: $199.00
Manufacturer: DynaTrap
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • Electrical power
Pros:
  • Well made
  • Weather-resistant
  • Pesticide & odor free
  • Silent operation/No zapping or buzzing
  • No attractant or propane required
Cons:
  • None

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged:

DynaTrap DT2000XL Insect Trap review originally appeared on on June 8, 2017 at 8:09 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Forget about using a fishing pole, this RC boat will catch your next big one


Fisherman are well known for exaggerating the truth when they telling stories about their fishing adventures, so help make their next fishing story the most epic story ever with the Radio Ranger RC Fishing Boat from Fish Fun Co.

It might look like an ordinary radio remote controlled boat, but it can pull in fish up to 4lbs-5lbs!

The 34-inch long boat has a top speed of about 20 mph and features a 2.4 GHz radio that has a range of about 200-300 feet.

You can navigate the boat with the handheld controller and catch small fish with the included RC fishing pole. You can also use the boat to “drive” the fishing line from your pole out farther than you can cast the line and when a fish hits, the line disconnects so you reel him in.

The Radio Ranger RC Fishing Boat comes with batteries, extra propellers, fishing line, bobber, and a fishing hook. All you need is water and fish.

You can read more about the boat at rcfishingworld.com and you can order one for $99.95 from Amazon.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: ,

Forget about using a fishing pole, this RC boat will catch your next big one originally appeared on on May 7, 2017 at 9:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Using a SureCan gas can means never overfilling your lawn mower again


How many times have you refilled the gas tank on your lawn mower, weed eater, blower, chainsaw, etc. only to have it overflow and make a mess? I can’t count the number of times that I’ve done that and ended up with gas on my shoes, hands, and the ground. The problem is that traditional gas cans are awkward. I found a possible solution – the SureCan.

The SureCan is a 2.2-gallon gasoline dispenser that is made here in the US of 6 layers of polyethylene to provide long lasting durability.

It that has been designed so that you don’t need to tilt it to pour gas. The SureCan has an 8.5-inch flexible rotating spout and a thumb trigger that starts and stops the flow of gas.

The trigger opens a vent so that the flow of gas is quick, without any glug glug glug issues of other gas cans.

SureCan makes cans to hold gas, diesel fuel, and kerosene. The gas version of the can is priced at $41.12 and is available from Amazon.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: ,

Using a SureCan gas can means never overfilling your lawn mower again originally appeared on on May 6, 2017 at 10:18 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

This slingshot uses frickin laser beams


Remember when you were a kid and you made a slingshot with a Y-shaped stick, some elastic and used rocks as ammo? That was then and this is now. Behold the Assolar SS-12 multi-function super power stainless hunting laser slingshot of the future.

The SS-12 slingshot features a stainless steel frame, an infrared sight, and a laser flashlight, all of which should improve the accuracy of your aim.

The Assolar isn’t an ordinary slingshot though. In addition to launching pellets or small rocks, the SS-12 can shoot arrows! Daryl Dixon needs one of these bad boys to dispatch his next horde of zombies.

To shoot arrows with the slingshot, you just attach a special bracket which is included in the package. It’s up to you to supply the arrows. The

The Assolar SS-12 Multi-function Super Power Stainless Hunting Laser Slingshot looks like a lot of fun – until someone puts an eye out.

You can buy one for $84.98 at Amazon.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: ,

This slingshot uses frickin laser beams originally appeared on on May 2, 2017 at 1:54 pm.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

North St. Bags Flanders Backpack review

After what seemed like an endless winter, including a late-season snowstorm that dumped a foot and a half of snow, we’re finally starting to see some decent weather. And all that sun and warmth has put one thing on my mind… long hikes on one of the many trails in the area. One of the necessities for a day on the trail is a sturdy, comfortable backpack.

Enter the Flanders backpack. This handmade rucksack from Portland-based North St. Bags is a fitting companion for your both your most rugged hike or a daily work commute.

The Flanders backpack is roll-top, weatherproof and ready for action.

The backpack’s construction and quality is top-notch. All of the hardware felt like it could withstand a small explosion. The zippers are easy to open, the buckles snap together easily and stay closed, and the straps stayed in place. And due to the fact that it’s handmade, the shoulder straps and side compression straps are extremely tough. I used to own a Chrome messenger bag and would say that it matches that epic build quality and waterproofing while remaining very much lighter.

You can see the roll-top length from this angle. Closing it is like rolling a large lunch bag.

According to North St.’s website, the Flanders Backpack is made from “1000 denier CORDURA® nylon” with a waterproof liner made from “lightweight and durable VX-21 X-Pac™ sailcloth.” It also features:

  • Handmade, built to last a lifetime
  • Easy access external pockets and internal Velcro rows enable adding or swapping out pockets as needed
  • Bright lining makes finding items fast and easy
  • Side-sleeve for u-lock or bottle
  • Internal laptop sleeve
  • 1000 denier CORDURA® nylon
  • Waterproof X-Pac™ sailcloth liner
  • 2” buckle and strap

This inner X-Pac material is indeed very thin and durable. The tradeoff is that it’s also very noisy. Digging around for something inside the large compartment or the front pockets creates a crisp rustling that wouldn’t matter so much while hiking but might be really loud fetching something from a pocket in the middle of the night.

The chest strap keeps the backpack from moving around too much and further balances the weight distribution.

As far as features go, the Flanders is fairly minimal. There are two zippered front pockets, two side pockets that could easily fit a large water bottle, and an internal laptop sleeve. The main compartment opening is a roll-top and held shut with a large buckle. I noticed that when the buckle is undone, it hangs down over the first zippered pocket and gets in the way, but that’s a minor quibble. One could probably fit a 15″ laptop inside the laptop sleeve.

The large main compartment is cavernous.

The main compartment is quite large and could hold plenty of stuff. There isn’t much division for this area, and even though it’s large, there isn’t a lot of room for maneuverability, so I’d pack the things that you need to access frequently near the top. Four expansion straps along the side of the bag allow it to hold its shape very well no matter how full it is.

All of these features would be useless if the backpack itself was a pain to wear. Fortunately, the Flanders is super comfortable. Thick padding on the shoulder straps coupled with the chest strap allows the bag to hug close to your back and distributes the weight very well across both shoulders. I almost forgot I was wearing it during the review time.

I didn’t get a chance to test the weatherproofing in a downpour, but it did stand up well to some splashes from my water bottle. I imagine it would be just fine sitting on a wet ground or during a steady rain.

There wasn’t a lot I’d change about the Flanders backpack. That crew up on Portland sure knows how to put together a quality product. If you’re looking for a virtually indestructible, medium-sized backpack for hiking, commuting or travel, this bag could be the last one you’ll ever have to buy.

The Flanders Backpack is available now for $199 from North St. Bags.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by North St. Bags. Please visit their site for more information and to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $199.00
Manufacturer: North St. Bags
Pros:
  • Comfortable padding on shoulder straps
  • Good weight distribution and compression
  • Holds its shape well when full
  • Weatherproof and very durable
Cons:
  • Average number of default dividers/pockets
  • Buckle/strap obscures front pockets when undone
  • Liner material is very noisy

Filed in categories: Bags, Outdoor Gear, Reviews

Tagged:

North St. Bags Flanders Backpack review originally appeared on on April 13, 2017 at 6:48 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.