Home Reviews

Nyrius ORION streaming device review


REVIEW – Devices with wireless capability have become an assumed feature in today’s technology word. However, some wireless capabilities present more challenges than others. The ability to transmit audio and video wirelessly from source to a display has usually been offered with a large price tag attached to it. The Nyrius ORION streaming device promises the same capability but with a reasonable price tag. Let’s see what it delivers.

What is it?

The Nyrius ORION streaming device is a component package consisting of a transmitter and receiver and offers 1080P HD wireless transmission of video and any associated audio between the two components up to a 40′ range within line of sight.

What’s in the box


1 x Digital Wireless HD Transmitter
2 x External IR Remote Extender
1 x Digital Wireless HD Receiver
2 x AC Power Adapters
1 x 5ft HDMI Cable
2 x Screws/Screw Anchors
1 x Instruction Manual

Design and features

Specifications

Supported Video Resolution: 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576p, 480p (will support 4K content that has been downscaled to 1080p by source device)
3D Compatible: Yes
Audio Formats Supported: PCM 2CH, Dolby 5.1
Transmitter Ports: HDMI input, HDMI Loop-Through (Output), Micro USB (for power), 2.5mm Jack (for IR Emitter)
Receiver Ports: HDMI Output, Micro USB (for power), 3.5mm Jack (for IR Emitter)
Wireless Range: 40ft (streaming line of sight results in maximum range)
Transmission Frequency: 802.11 a, b, g, n; 5.8GHz (Band 1 & 4)
System Latency: Less than 500ms (average 150ms)
IR Frequency: 30-60 KHz
Wireless Technology: ORION GigaXtreme
Source Compatibility: Any source containing an HDMI output port
Display Compatibility: Any high-definition television or projector with HDMI input
Wall Mountable: Yes, Transmitter and Receiver have built-in keyhole slots
Multiple Receivers: Yes, Maximum of 4
Adapter Compatibility: Nyrius does not recommend using Digital to Analog Adapters with their Orion products. However, HDMI to mini-HDMI/micro-HDMI adapters are compatible
TX/RX Channel: 1 TX / 4 RX

This system consists of one Transmitter and one Receiver device that accept HDMI connectivity. They are identical in size, and measure approximately 3 1/4″ x 3 1/4″ x 1″. On the connectivity side of the receiver as shown below there is the HDMI Out port, an IR In port and a micro USB AC adapter port. The HDMI Out connects to an external display.


On the Transmitter as shown below, there is the HDMI In port, the HDMI Out port, an IR Out port, and a micro USB AC adapter power port. The HDMI In port is used to connect the source device to the transmitter and the HDMI Out allows for the direct connection to another monitor/device. This is a loop-through feature.


Both components have the pairing button as seen below that you press to make the connection between them.

Performance

The connection of these devices was straightforward and easy, and within a couple of minutes, I was transmitting wirelessly between my laptop and an external monitor.



When the Receiver is connected to the output display, the screen below is displayed as it awaits a signal from the Transmitter.


The LED indicator on each component lights steady white when the 2 are successfully connected and blinks red when they are not.

There is a slight lag between the source video and the remote display and there tends to be a bit more lag the further away from the source you are. Overall, it works quite well especially within the 20′ to 30′ range that I was able to perform my tests. I tried it on streaming devices, a PC laptop, and a MacBook.

If you are streaming from a media source that is in a different room than your display and you are receiving the audio/video signal with no problem, the IR extender feature allows you to control your streaming/media device like a streaming box from the display, by simply pointing the media device remote and the IR Extender and using the remote as you would when in front of your media/streaming device.

What I like

  • Size of Transmitter and Receiver
  • Operational range
  • Eas of set up and connectivity
  • Consistent connectivity

What can be improved

  • In terms of its specification and what it promises to do, it works as intended.

Final thoughts

The Nyrius ORION streaming device seems to be perfect for sitting on your couch with a laptop or even another streaming device and watching the content on a larger display without having to run wires between the source and the display. The fact that it is able to do so while displaying content at 1080P HD is also a nice feature. While there is a bit of lag, it is not noticeable if the output display is not compared to the input via another display that is connected to the source or the loop-through port, so this is really not an issue. The Nyrius Orion certainly has its niche, and for the features, the price, and how it performed during my tests, it is a good value.

Price: $149.99
Where to buy: Nyrius website and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Nyrius.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: , , ,

Nyrius ORION streaming device review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 17, 2018 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.

Aurochs Space Long Wallet review

REVIEW – What the heck is a long wallet, you ask? It’s a wallet designed with extra room for all of your stuff, but the dimensions are taller rather than thicker in order to keep a lean profile. We’re looking at the Space Long Wallet from our friends at Aurochs today, which brings the size in a luxurious vegetable tanned leather. It’s also very user-friendly. To the review!

What is it?

It’s a long weather wallet sized to fit all your cash, cards, and your phone.

Hardware specs

  • Full-grain vegetable tanned leather
  • 3.5” by 7.5”

Design and features

The Aurochs Space Wallet uses full-grain vegetable tanned cow leather as the primary material, and it’s lovely. The hand feel is soft & supple. The leather is just thick enough to provide nice density without feeling like a massive brick in your pocket.

On the interior, the Space wallet offsets the dark brown leather with tan secondary interior flaps to provide some contrast. This also adds a bit of usability by visually separating the slots when you are managing your stuff.

I previously reviewed the Aurochs Gravity Wallet, and was very impressed with the build quality then. It looks like Aurochs is getting even better with their finishing work in the new wallets. It’s precise, with nary a bad stitch or exposed seam to be found. Check out the close ups:

Nice, right? Even the little divider in one of the pockets is made 100% from leather. It’s only about an inch and a half long… that’s some nice precision work:

The form factor is a long bifold design that measures 7.5” tall by 3.5” wide. Other than an embossed company logo, you won’t find any additional ornamentation or design elements on the exterior. The leather just speaks for itself.

The left panel includes 4 card-sized slots, each of which has beveled edges to help you sort out your assortment of credit cards, business cards, and the like. I’d estimate that 8 cards can be kept there comfortably, and you could get to 12 cards in all with some stretching.

Behind the card slots is a vinyl-lined pocket for your big bills. No folding required! This pocket runs the height of the wallet, and is generous enough to pack a small stack of bills while allowing easy access. There’s no pinching your fingers to get into the bill slot (or any pockets on this wallet, for that matter).

Moving to the right panel, the front pocket is kind of a multipurpose slot. It’s got a magnetic strip closure and a small leather separator in the pocket so that you can use this space for assorted items like a USB card, a key, or your spare change. I didn’t find the magnetic strip to be super powerful, but it clips just enough to keep that loose stuff from falling out.

Behind the multipurpose pocket is another big pocket intended for your phone. This pocket is designed for a 6” phone, like the iPhone Xs. Check out the fit shots below for an iPhone Xs in its case:

The iPhone Xs Max and it’s 6.5” display will fit (barely), but it is a tight squeeze. Check out the pics below to see the Xs Max in the same space:

See that? It’s doable but very tight. I think you’d want to stick to 6″ phones to make the best use of this feature.

Performance

As far as daily use goes, the Space wallet is as simple and usable as it gets. Every pocket and slot is easy to manipulate, with soft leather that doesn’t pinch your fingers or make you work too hard to get to your stuff. The layout is well-sorted out to make maximum use of the large size and doesn’t gunk things up with fancy gimmicks. This is a wallet that’s really easy to live with on a daily basis.

The leather is just outstanding. The rich, supple texture makes it a nice product to handle. It slips easily in and out of your pocket. I also expect it to break in quickly, and the patina should be lovely as it ages.

My only real issues with the Aurochs Space Wallet are purely around personal preference. It’s a big wallet at 7.5” by 3.5” and can get thick with the phone in it’s slot. If you’re a front-pocket wallet person, you may find this wallet to be too big for you.

There are, of course, alternatives to carrying your wallet in your front pocket. I’ve worn it with dress pants that have deep front pockets, and it’s just fine. It’s perfect for slipping in the breast pocket of a sports coat (or jacket), or keeping in your bag or purse (it is a unisex design). I actually see this as a great travel wallet, especially since I seem to carry a bunch of extra cards and such when I am on the road. I’m also always carrying a bag when I travel.

What I like

  • Excellent craftsmanship
  • High quality vegetable tanned leather
  • Simple usability

What needs to be improved

  • Doesn’t fit larger phones
  • Long wallet form factor may not work for some people

Final thoughts

I continue to be impressed by both the quality and the design work coming from Aurochs on their small leather products. If you like keeping your pockets clutter-free, the Space Long Wallet is ideal for keeping all your essentials organized in one place. The leather is beautiful. The design is user-friendly. If you like the form factor of a longer wallet, this is a good one.

Price: $109.00
Where to buy: Aurochs Web Site.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Aurochs

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged:

Aurochs Space Long Wallet review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 16, 2018 at 11:00 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.

Audew Cordless Air Compressor Review

REVIEW – When I was given a chance to review this, I thought I was getting some kind of canned air that recharges. You know, the kind you use to blow dust out of keyboards? Nope, the Audew Cordless Air Compressor is a handheld rechargeable tool that lets you inflate automotive tires, bike tires, pool toys, balls, etc.

What is it?

This is a cordless, handheld air compressor for tires, bikes, balls, air mattresses, or anything else that needs inflation. Also comes with a 12v DC adapter for use in the car.

Hardware specs

-Rated voltage: DC-12V
-Rated power: 120W
-Max pressure: 150PSI
-Maximum current: 10A
-Maximum continuous working hours: 10mins ( 0~35Psi )
-Cable length: 118 inches
-Air hose length: 7 inches
-Size: 9.4*7.5*3.1 inches
-Weight: 2.8 lb

What’s in the box?

The package comes with the inflator, rechargeable battery, multiple tips/nozzles, and a 12V car adapter base.

Design and features

On the bottom of the base is a clever storage compartment for the flexible nozzle. It stores in the hollow portion of the “finger guard.”

The rechargeable battery also has a built-in storage for two nozzle tips. The black tip is a plain cone, and the familiar needle tip for balls. There’s a USB recharging cable that plugs into the base of the battery. An LED on the cable “box” lights up when charging.

There’s a 12V car adapter option included as well. This clever “battery” is actually hollow, and the cigar lighter plug stores in the empty base.

The tool has a lock, a trigger to turn the compressor on and off, and an LED area light.

Setup

You need to attach the flexible hose to the tip of the compressor. Here, I’ve used the needle tip to inflate a small ball.

Performance

I noticed that the LCD display indicates the current pressure. You can use the buttons to set the automatic shutoff point. Once the preset pressure is reached, the compressor turns off automatically. Yes, the compressor works with car tires as well.

If you’ve never used an electric compressor before, it does make quite a bit of noise. It’s definitely not a stealthy tool.

What I like

Clever storage for all the tips and adapters. The ability to program a preset pressure shutoff is a nice touch.

What needs to be improved

The plastics feel slightly cheap, but it keeps the weight down.

Final thoughts

If you’re tired of the traditional bike pump, or you don’t feel like traveling to the gas station to get air for your tires and pool toys, look no further than the Audew Cordless Air Compressor. I have a shop compressor in my garage, but it’s not portable and lightweight.

Price: $64.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Audew.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: ,

Audew Cordless Air Compressor Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 16, 2018 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.

KNZ SoundFlux dual driver wireless headphones review


REVIEW – Here we go again as I continue my enjoyable challenge of finding the “perfect” earbuds for my taste. So far, I have enjoyed some beautiful contenders, but I still think that somewhere out there are earbuds that will “wow” me beyond my imagination. The SoundFlux Earbuds by KNZ Technology are the next contestants. Let’s see how they do!

What is it?

The SoundFlux Earbuds by KNZ Technology are a pair of small and lightweight earbuds that like all others are designed for listening to music and conducting phone calls. As with most earbuds, they should be compatible with most Bluetooth equipped mobile devices.

What’s in the box


1 x Pair of SoundFlux Earbuds
3 x Pairs of Ear Tips
1 x Charging Case
1 x Micro USB Cable
1 x Instruction Manual
1 x KNZ Sticker

Design and features

SoundPass Mode:

The SoundPass mode allows you to be aware of your surroundings and engage with the environment without pausing your music or taking off your earpiece. You can turn it on to talk to people, noticing traffic; or turn it off to enjoy your own world.

Specifications:

Operating Instructions:

These earbuds are small and sleek and angled to fit easily and perfectly in your ears.


On the surface of each earbud, there is a sleek silver control button, and above it is a status LED.


On the front of the case is the KNZ branding and on the inside, there are the 2 charging slots and connectors.


At the back of the charging case, there is an on/off charging button, a micro USB charging port and a status LED.

Performance:

The KNZ wireless earbuds are very attractive and comfortable despite what first appears to be an odd shape.


When I placed them in my ears it was obvious that a lot of thought was put into the design because they fit in a way that makes them very secure and they nicely match to the contour of your ears. They are also very easy to set up. Once you charge them and take them out of the charging case, they go into pairing mode and you just need to select them in your mobile device Bluetooth settings. These are the first earbuds that have managed to take my listening to an entirely new level where earbuds are concerned. In my opinion, these earbuds have managed to cross the line into entry-level audiophile category. The lows, mids, and highs are beautifully separated and smoothly co-exist so that every audio characteristic is nicely present.

The maximum volume is as such that there is no distortion and the low frequency is also void of distortion. They do a great job of reproducing the pure musical genres of jazz and classical music as well as my other favorites, like easy listening, ballads, the classics, and gospel, and the reproduction is very detailed.
For phone use, they work very well and I did not experience any issues on either side of the conversation. The noise canceling works well, and the Bluetooth connectivity is rock solid.  I did not experience even one involuntary disconnection.

The only issue I encounter is that when I power off the charging case with the earbuds in it, or whenever it automatically powers off after charging the earbuds, if my phone is close, the earbuds automatically connect to my phone. In many cases when I cannot figure out why I am not able to hear a call I answer or make, or listen to audio directly from my phone, I realize that the earbuds have reconnected. The connection is very strong and the functional distance quite long, so this constantly happens when I am walking around my home. My current “fix”. is to physically power them off via their MFB button.

What I like

  • The build quality
  • The design
  • The great sound
  • Great value for the price

What can be improved

  • For its price range and quality, I can’t think of anything that can be improved

Final thoughts

For as long as I have been on this earbuds quest, I had my expectations set at a self-determined level primarily because I always believed that earbuds have many limitations that keep them from even scratching the surface of the audiophile category, which so far for me has been dominated by large over-the-ear headphones. These KNZ earbuds have redefined my expectations and made it harder for any future earbud contestants to claim supremacy. For now, KNZ owns the #1 position. Two thumbs up and well done!!!

Price: $74 (Intro price)
Where to buy: Pre-order via the KNZ Technology website
Source: The sample for this review was provided by KNZ Technology

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged:

KNZ SoundFlux dual driver wireless headphones review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 15, 2018 at 10:04 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.

Monowear Nylon Band and Perforated Apple Watch Leather Band review

REVIEW – The Apple Watch is clearly a success and multiple generations later, an easy device to spot on the wrists of strangers and acquaintances alike. Thanks to the interchangeable band interface, they are very easy to swap out for a new look. If you’re looking to customize your watch, or maybe someone else’s (holidays are close at hand after all), Monowear has some great options to make a watch a little more unique. I recently received two of their bands to review, so it’s time (watch pun) to look closer.

What is it?

The Nylon Band and Perforated Leather Band are two of eight different bands that Monowear currently has available for the Apple Watch. I chose these two specifically as options that visually strayed a little further away from stock bands.

Shared Options
2 Adapter sizes – 38/40mm or 42/44mm
5 Adapter colors – Space Grey Aluminum, Silver Aluminum, Gold (Series 1/2), Gold (Series 3/4), Silver Stainless Steel

Nylon Band
4 Band color options – Olive, Red, Black, Royal Blue & Yellow

Perforated Leather Band
4 Band color options – Chestnut, Grey, Black, Burgundy

What’s in the box?

Each box has just the watch band as it’s all you really need. I chose the Olive Nylon and Grey Perforated Leather bands.

Design and features

The Nylon Band is a double layer of… wait for it… nylon. Out of the box, it’s already nice and flexible. The design visually follows the traditional NATO/G10 look of the buckle and two additional rings from the outside, but without the nylon layer under the watch, as it would prevent any of the sensors from working. A tonal stitch around the perimeter keeps it all together. The nylon has a soft surface finish with plenty of support to prevent stretching while allowing it to wrap around your wrist easily.

The Perforated Leather Band is as it sounds. The top surface is leather with small perforations that are purely for aesthetics as the leather on the inside does not have the corresponding holes if the intent was for breathability. That inner layer is medium camel color on all four color options. Other notable design elements are a small amount of padding used between the layers to give the band some substance and a contrast stitch around the perimeter. The first band keeper is sandwiched into the construction whereas the second is free floating to handle larger overlaps when worn on smaller wrists.

If you’re interested in either of these bands (or other Monowear bands), their site allows you to choose your watch color so you can see exactly how your watch will look with each band color. Here’s a look at Burgundy Perforated band on the different watch body colors.

Setup

Installing either band involves following the process any Apple Watch owner should be familiar with at this point. On the underside of the watch, press the small, flush oval button with your thumbnail and while holding the button down, slide the installed band to either side. To install the new band align the adapter with the slot and slide into place. I prefer to have the digital crown of my watch face away from my wrist as it’s more comfortable for me and I can then use my thumb for the button and scroll functions.

Performance

Both bands have worked great throughout this review period. As you can see from the initial photos, I was still running my original launch watch (Series 0) when I received the bands. I’ve since upgraded to the Series 4 and the bands fit just as well.

Both of these bands use traditional buckles which I favor. It provides a secure and repeatably sized fit. Speaking of sizing, the bands come in one size fits most.  I use the 4th hole on the Nylon and the 3rd hole on the Leather band. The only fit annoyance I’ve encountered is the second keeper loop on the Leather band sliding out of place during wear.

How have they fared over the month I’ve been using them? Pretty darn well. There’s almost no visible wear on either of them save for the inside of the Leather band. The lighter camel color makes it hard to avoid water and sweat stains. This is definitely not unexpected and is one of the consistencies of light leathers.

The last detail I want to mention has to do with the adapter that fits into the watch. The fit is perfect and easy to install and remove. When it comes to ‘Space Grey’ however, I take issue. Here’s a pic of the Gen 0 and Gen 4 watches side by side. Color is very subjective and Apple’s Space Grey has shifted a bit over the years as the most recent Space Grey has a bit more red in it.

When you look at Monowear’s ‘Space Grey’, it’s hard to see anything but black. Again, the fit is great, but be aware that this specific color of the adapter will not match your Space Grey watch.

What I like

  • Quality
  • Comfort
  • Price
  • Band color options

What needs to be improved

  • Space Grey color matching

Final thoughts

Monowear has done a great job with both of the bands here. I have bought a number of ‘bargain’ watch bands for my Apple watch and many of them failed quickly. That is definitely not the case here and I would venture a guess that Monowear’s other bands have similar build quality making any of them a great buy given their affordable prices.

Price: $35 (Nylon Band), $52 (Perforated Leather Band)
Where to buy: Monowear
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Monowear

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged:

Monowear Nylon Band and Perforated Apple Watch Leather Band review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 15, 2018 at 8:05 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.