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Wicked Audio ARQ True Wireless Earbuds review


REVIEW – Here we go again as we continue on my quest to find the best earbuds for my taste. So far, I have encountered some really nice challenges, but as an Audiophile, I am looking for that surprise that will go beyond being great for daily listening category into the “also reserved for dedicated Audiophile listening” category without breaking the bank. Maybe I am asking for too much, but one never knows. The latest contestant is the Wicked Audio ARQ True Wireless Earbuds. So here we go!!

What is it?

The Wicked Audio ARQ True Wireless Earbuds are a pair of lightweight, medium size earbuds that are designed for listening to music and conducting phone calls. The charging case also includes the capability to power/charge external devices.  As with most earbuds, they should be compatible with most Bluetooth equipped mobile devices.

What’s in the box



1 x Pair of Wicked Audio Arq True Wireless Earbuds
3 x Pairs of Ear Tips
1 x Instruction Booklet
1 x Quick Start Leaflet
1 x Micro USB to USB Charging Cord
1 x Charging Case

Design and features

The charging case for these earbuds is relatively large, measuring 5 1/4″ long with a diameter of 1 1/4″. On the right side, there is the earbud charging compartment with the usual charging slots and the embedded contacts for charging. The rest of the case holds the internal battery pack. The earbuds are what I consider medium size.


The earbuds sit neatly in their charging slots. In between them, it a power/on/off button that you use to turn on/off the charging mode.


On the front of the case where the earbuds are stored/charged, there is a button to release the cover.


On the side of the charging case opposite the earbuds, there is the micro USB charging port and a standard USB port for charging/powering external devices.

Performance

Specs:
– Driver: 10mm
– Sensitivity: 103 dB
– Frequency: 20-20,000Hz
– Impedance: 16Ohms
– Bluetooth Version: 4.2
– Earbud Battery Life: 3 Hours
– Additional Playtime: 60 Hours
– Range: 32ft
– Earbud Charge Time: 30 Minutes
– Power Bank Charge Time: 5 Hours
– Power Bank Battery: 2600mAh
These earbuds are nicely packaged and once fully charged, they are very easy to set up. When you remove them from the case, you press the button on each earbud simultaneously and they power on and give you the usual voice commands indicating the on status, and connection to each other. Once you select them in your phone’s Bluetooth settings, they confirm that they are paired. After the initial pairing, they remain known to your device as is the norm with Bluetooth devices. The following is the charging process:

When you engage the power on/off button that lies in between the earbuds, they start charging, and their individual LEDs are red.


In addition, the 4 LED charge level lights also turn on and light blue. These lights indicate that the earbuds are charging and also the level of charge remaining in the built-in battery.


The picture below shows me charging/powering my portable audio recorder via the built-in battery.

The following are the operating instructions:

First of all, I must say how pleased I am that these earbuds work well for me for phone calls. This is usually a challenge for me, so this is always an automatic plus for me.
In terms of music, the earbuds sound pretty good with a nice balance of lows, mids, and highs. The volume level can be raised so that they are quite loud, but I do not play them at full volume. I found them to perform nicely for daily listening with the genres that I tested that include my usual which are Contemporary Jazz, Gospel, Easy Listening, Reggae, Soul/Ballads, The Classics, etc. The charge lasts quite long and is comparable to most earbuds, and the noise canceling works well.

The two main issues that I encountered were that the Bluetooth connection would randomly drop out individually. While either side would only drop out for a very short time and while they reconnect automatically, this issue is very disruptive to my listening experience. In addition, you have to power on and off the earbuds for each use. They do not automatically disconnect from the Bluetooth connection when placed into the charging case. Since I am used to my earbuds doing so, I would forget to power them off and they would remain connected. This is a pain when they are put away and I receive a phone call or attempt to make a call, and have to remember that they are connected and manually disconnect them to proceed.

For additional information, click here for the manual.

What I like

  • Build quality
  • Decent sound
  • Built-in power bank for external charging

What can be improved

  • Bluetooth connectivity while listening to music
  • Bluetooth disconnection

Final thoughts

The Wicked Audio ARQ True Wireless Earbuds are quite good despite the two main caveats that I mentioned. They are well built, and the built-in battery pack charging/powering capability is a nice feature. In terms of the competition for the best earbuds for me, they do not win the top position, but they have certainly captured a position within the current top 5. Wicked Audio did a decent job with them and the price is reasonable.

Price: $79.99
Where to buy: Wicked Audio website and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Wicked Audio.

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Wicked Audio ARQ True Wireless Earbuds review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 7, 2018 at 11:02 am.

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FinalStraw reusable folding straw review


REVIEW – I just returned from a week’s vacation on Sanibel Island Florida and I immediately noticed that all but one of the restaurants that we visited provided paper straws instead of plastic straws. Why does this matter? Because Americans throw away 500 million plastic straws every day. Think about that a minute. Can you imagine that much plastic that goes unrecycled? Millions of these straws end up in the ocean where they hurt sea turtles, fish, and other animals. Is there a solution? Maybe. One possible solution is the FinalStraw reusable folding straw. Let’s see if it sucks, but in a good way.

What is it?

The FinalStraw is a reusable BPA free and dishwasher safe straw that folds down into a pocket-sized bundle.

What’s in the box?

FinalStraw
Storage container
Drying rack
Squeegee cleaner

Design and features

 

The FinalStraw case is available in several colors, but I was sent the “goes with everything” Shark Butt grey version. The case has a flip top that opens to reveal a funky looking folded straw.

Grabbing one of the silicone ends allows you to pull the FinalStraw from the case.

Doing so causes the 9-inch straw to automagically unfold for immediate use. The unfolding action makes me feel like I’m a magician every time I do it.

A closer look reveals that the straw is really a medical & food grade TPE tube which is inserted into four sections of 304 stainless steel which fit into each other to create a sturdy and reusable drink-sipping accessory.

Sipping performance

Does the FinalStraw perform like other straws? Yes and no. As you can see from the image above, the FinalStraw fits in a bottle of milk like other straws, and I can drink from it like I can with an evil plastic straw. But… yes, there’s always a but. And in this case, there are several buts to consider before using the FinalStraw as your final straw.

The first difference that I noticed is that the 7mm diameter of the FinalStraw is much smaller than plastic straws that I had laying around in my silverware drawer.  Why does this matter? Because the smaller diameter means you have to suck harder to drink using this straw. This is especially true if the drink is thicker like a smoothie or workout shake.

The FinalStraw is also heavier and feels kind of sloppy and wiggly when you use it to stir your drink. That shouldn’t be a surprise since it’s made of steel and is made of four separate pieces.

The ends of the FinalStraw are made of silicone which is great for mouthfeel and for people who like to chew or bite the ends of their straws (weirdos). But I noticed that the end in the bottle or cup would sometimes stick to the bottom of the cup so that sipping would stop abruptly. If you’ve ever been stopped in mid-sip, you can understand how this is can be pretty tragic.

You’ve finished your drink, now what?

After you’ve sucked up the last drop of your soda or workout shake, what do you do with the FinalStraw? If you’ve used it to drink anything but water, you’ll need to rinse the inside and outside, and clean it. To do that, you pull the drying rack out of the storage container. Wrapped around the bottom of the drying rack is a squeegee cleaner.

The squeegee cleaner is a silicone cord with one end that is a little larger than the opposite end.

To clean the FinalStraw, you remove the squeegee cleaner from the drying rack and slide one end through the straw.

Then you pull the larger end through the length of the FinalStraw which squeegees out any remaining liquid or gunk (ick).

The final step is to fold up the straw and insert it back into the storage container once you’ve wrapped the squeegee cleaner around the drying rack and replaced the rack in the container. Wow, that seems like a lot more work than using a plastic straw, doesn’t it? Yes, it is… Folding the straw back up so you can put in the storage case makes you feel kind of dorky when you’re out in public because it’s a little awkward.

What I like

  • It’s fun to pull the FinalStraw out of the case so it unfolds like magic
  • Makes me feel like I’m saving the world from evil plastic straws
  • Made to last

What needs to be improved

  • The price
  • Diameter

Final thoughts

I recycle everything I can, and I even reuse plastic straws. You should see my silverware drawer, it’s full of them. I was hoping that the FinalStraw would be an excellent alternative to plastic straws, but the biggest issue comes down to price. I don’t know many people who are willing to spend $25 for a straw. Granted, this straw is made to last a lifetime, but $25 is hard to swallow (sorry, I couldn’t resist). Then there is the fact that the diameter is narrow which requires more sucking power sip drinks. And then last but not least, there’s the fact that you have to clean this straw after each use. That’s a lot of effort. While I agree that reducing the number of plastic straws is obviously a good idea, I think there has to be a better way to do that. Paper straws are one alternative since they will break down over time. The FinalStraw is a move in the right direction, but I don’t think it’s the final solution. What do you think? Share you thoughts in the comments below.

Price: $25.00
Where to buy: FinalStraw
Source: The sample for this review was provided by FinalStraw.

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FinalStraw reusable folding straw review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 7, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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PRO-SYS VarioSonic Electric Toothbrush review

REVIEW – Yeah, I know… electric toothbrushes aren’t the sexiest gadgets. But they are an important tool in your daily cleaning routine. If you’re shopping for some power-assisted dental hygiene the PRO-SYS VarioSonic is a simple, cost-effective solution worth our consideration. And if you’ve been avoiding an electric toothbrush because you have sensitivity issues (like I do), this particular gadget is even better. To the review!

What is it?

It’s a rechargeable electric toothbrush with 5 different speeds and 5 different brushes for a total of 25 possible brushing intensities.

  • Hardware specs
  • Rechargeable battery runs for over 1 month on a full charge
  • DuPont Tynex Bristles for all brush heads
  • 5 levels of intensity
  • 2 minute timer

What’s in the box?

The package includes the toothbrush, 5 brush heads, a charging dock, a USB wall adaptor, and a travel case. An instruction manual is also included.

Design and features

There are lots of electric toothbrushes out there with a wide range of features and options. The PRO-SYS VarioSonic keeps things simple: excellent design, simple functionality, and great ergonomics. You pretty much get everything you need in a great toothbrush out of the box, without paying for a bunch of features you’ll probably never use.

The VarioSonic is lightweight and maneuverable in your hand. It doesn’t have features like a rubberized grip, but I didn’t miss this in normal use.

One of the great things about the VarioSonic is that it caters specifically to those with sensitivity issues. You get 5 different toothbrush heads, each with different degrees of brush stiffness and contouring based on your needs. “Normal Soft” is the standard brush for folks without sensitivity issues and healthy gums:

For comparison, here’s a close up of the “Hybrid Soft” that represents the midrange of the set. It uses a combination of the “Normal Soft” bristles with an outer ring of longer, softer bristles for deep cleaning. High-quality DuPont Tynex bristles are used in all the brushes:

The brush heads run down to a “Super Soft” level for really sensitive teeth and gums. If you have sensitivity issues, this package gives you everything you need for comfortable brushing without having to buy any extras. That’s great if you’ve been afraid to check out an electric toothbrush. Options abound here.

Once you’ve chosen a brush head, you’ll find that there is a single button on the handle for operation. Pushing the button cycles through 5 level of intensity, each of which is accompanied by an audio tone that drops with each level for additional feedback. The pic below shows the middle level selected. When combined with the 5 brush heads, this makes for 25 different levels of softness and intensity to choose from to match your specific needs. You can even start on really gentle settings with the softest brush and work your way up as you get more comfortable!

Regardless of the level you choose, the brush runs through a two minute brush cycle. The brushing pauses every 30 seconds to indicate that you should move to the next quadrant in your mouth (upper right, lower right, upper left, lower left) for a proper cleaning. If you’re wondering about the quality of the brushing, you should know that the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs has provided their seal of approval on the VarioSonic as safe & effective when used as directed.

The charging setup is also very well executed, using a USB cable to connect the charging dock. A USB power block is provided in the kit, but you could plug directly into a USB wall socket or even a portable charger in a pinch. Note that you cannot get the USB port wet, so you’ll want to be careful handling it!

PRO-SYS has also provided a nice traveling case with the package. It’s a nicely contoured and slim design that makes it easy to travel with, and includes a pair of light magnets to ensure a tight seal. The build feels like much more than an afterthought. Combined with a battery life that is rated for more than a month of regular use between charges, and you’ll find that the VarioSonic is really easy to travel with.

Daily use with the PRO-SYS VarioSonic is great. It handles well, feels good, and provides everything you need for your daily dental maintenance. It does not have features like the ultraviolet cleaning or gum massage modes, but I don’t know that you need those for this device to be effective. It does the job simply and well.

I should note that the selection of soft brushes is a great bonus. I’m a dentist’s worst nightmare with some pretty bad sensitivity issues. While my Sonicare does a great job, it does put a pounding on my sensitive teeth. The VarioSonic provides a gentler brushing (even at max intensity) that is much more comfortable for me.

There’s also the issue of price. You can pick up the VarioSonic on Amazon right now for $69.99 on Amazon Prime. That’s a pretty good value for an ADA-approved electric toothbrush when compared to Sonicare or Oral-B pricing. You also get 5 different brush heads to boot. I think it’s a pretty good deal.

What I like

  • Quiet operation
  • Lightweight and easy to handle
  • USB charging options
  • Multiple brush heads and intensity levels out of the box
  • Ideal for those with sensitivity issues

What needs to be improved

  • Keep the USB connectors away from water

Final thoughts

In a market filled with electric toothbrushes, the PRO-SYS VarioSonic provides a simple & effective design at a reasonable price point. If you have particularly sensitive teeth, this is a great option over some other brands that provide more power but aren’t as kind to those with dental issues.

Price: $69.99
Where to buy: Get it on Amazon or visit the Variosonic product page on the PRO-SYS web site to buy direct.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by PRO-SYS

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PRO-SYS VarioSonic Electric Toothbrush review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 6, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Roccat Score gaming headset review


REVIEW – I picked up a Nintendo Switch over the summer because I loved the portability. One thing that is annoying about it is that Bluetooth headphones do not connect to it without an adapter. This meant most of my headphones didn’t work with it. I saw the Roccat Score and thought that maybe they would be a good fit to go along with the Switch, since they are small, portable, and meant for gaming.

What is it?

The Roccat Score gaming headphones are styled like earbuds but designed with gamers in mind.

Hardware specs

  • Headphones:
    Measured Frequency response: 20~20.000Hz
    Sensitivity at 1kHz: 108dB
    mid/high frequency driver diameter: 6.8mm (12 ohm impedence)
    low frequency driver diameter: 10mm (16 ohm impedence)
  • Microphone:
    Sensitivity at 1kHz: -42dB
    Impedance: 2.2kO
    Signal-to-noise ratio: >55dB
    Measured Frequency response: 50~12.000Hz

What’s in the box?

In the box, you’ll find the Roccat Score headphones, case, seven different styles of eartips, PC adapter (for microphone/headphone ports), and instruction manual. Six of the tips are standard, but the seventh is memory foam which was interesting.

Design and features

The thing that makes these headphones more unique compared to standard gaming headphones is that they are in-ear with no microphone that goes in front of your mouth. Like I mentioned above, this seemed like an ideal combination for the Nintendo Switch and mobile gaming in general.

Out of the wide variety of ear tips, my favorite ended up being the memory foam ones. It took a few tries to get the fit to be comfortable, but after I got the knack of it, they stayed in my ears and were comfortable for almost two hours straight.

After the headphones are inserted into the ear, the cord is looped up and over the ear with a nice and pliable cable that reminded me of soft (but not fuzzy) pipe cleaners. This kept the cord in place but also was comfortable on the top of my ear.

The microphone is located partially down the audio cable which was the one drawback these had. My friends noted that I sounded very ‘tinny’ because the microphone was picking up a lot of background noise and echoing due to being so far from my lips. They could understand me just fine but I sounded wrong to them.

Music sounded decent, with a nice mid-range and bass, and average quality highs. During games, you could hear footsteps and different sound effects pretty well, though you won’t get the huge booms when a bomb blows up near you since the bass is not extremely powerful. On the Switch, the music and sound effects from Breath of the Wild sounded great.

What I like

  • Variety of ear tips

What needs to be improved

  • The microphone sounds ‘tinny’

Final thoughts

Overall, I thought the Roccat Score headphones were a decent companion to the Nintendo Switch due to the portability, but I would not use them on my PC. The sound quality was decent but the microphone left a lot to be desired. If you can pick up a pair for around $50 or less, the Roccat Score headphones might be nice to toss in a backpack for travel, but I wouldn’t recommend them for much more than that.

Price: $59.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Roccat.

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Roccat Score gaming headset review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 6, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Lynktec Bolt wireless car charger review


REVIEW – As a self-proclaimed gadget nerd, I surround myself with every possible gadget and embrace every convenience that they offer. These days where the phone is an integral part of our lives, it is very apparent that driving while operating a phone is a very bad idea and against the law at least here in the USA. Phone mounts for cars have almost become a standard accessory in every car, with some offering more convenience than others.  The Lynktec Bolt wireless car charger is a new addition to an already very crowded field of car charger mounts. However, it offers features that I know that I would like. Here is my review.

What is it?

The Lynktec Bolt wireless car charger is a wireless phone charger that can be mounted to the vent louver, windshield or dashboard. It includes a built-in battery that provides operational power even when the car is turned off.

What’s in the box


1 x Bolt Car Mount
1 x Air Vent Holder
1 x USB-C to USB Cable
1 x Dual USB Car Charger (3.0/2.1A)
1 x Instruction Manual

Design and features

This mount has a bottom rest and two side arms that open and close electronically when the top touchpad is engaged. In the middle where the back of the phone rests is the Qi wireless charger, and above is the Infrared Lock Sensor that senses when a phone is placed into the mount and engages the securing arms to close.


The vent visor clip is connected to the back of the mount via the supplied nut and you press the button above the clip to open the clip and slide it onto the vent louver.



At the bottom of the mount, there is a USB-C power port.


The USB-C to USB cable plugs into the power port on the mount and the other end into the 12V car adapter.

Performance:

Features:

  • Automatic lock & unlock with one touch release
  • Qi-certified fast wireless charger
  • Adjustable stand for 4″ to 6.7″ devices
  • Rotates from portrait to landscape mode
  • 250 mAh backup battery operates mount when disconnected from the power

Below you can see how the mount connects to the vent louver.


The picture below shows the mount connected to the vent with my iPhone 10XS Max in the mount.


In the upper right-hand corner of the phone screen, you can see the icon that is green indicating that the phone is being charged.


The car adapter power plug has the capacity to accommodate 2 USB cables. Only the one labeled 2.1A will work for the wireless charging feature.


The picture below on the left shows the red wireless charging indicator which is on the bottom right side of the mount. The picture on the right shows the blue power indicator that is on the opposite side.


At the top of the mount, there is the touch control that opens and closes the securing arms by touch.

What I like

  • The Qi wireless charging capability
  • Can be used in both portrait and landscape mode
  • The build quality
  • The electronic arms that hold the phone
  • The touch operation

What can be improved

  • Based on the cost of this device, both the air vent mount and the dash/windshield mount should be included

Final thoughts

Not too long ag0, I reviewed a dash mounted phone holder that included arms that operated electronically but did not include Qi wireless charging. While it was a sturdy mount, I had to keep plugging in a separate cable into my iPhone for charging. I remember thinking how great it would be if wireless charging was included. This mount includes that great feature. Since the electronic arms on the mount that I previously reviewed mount began to fail after a few months, time will tell whether this device will do the same or stand up to the daily abuse. While I do think that for the price, the windshield/dash mount should be included, I will still give this Lynktec Bolt wireless car charger two thumbs up for now!!

Price: $49.99 (A telescopic Dash & Windshield suction are sold separately for $9.99)
Where to buy: Lynktec website and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Lynktec.

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Lynktec Bolt wireless car charger review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 5, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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