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Incipio DualPro Pixel 2 XL case review


REVIEW – I love my Pixel 2 XL. It’s a beautiful phone, but it is $850 and since I’m such a klutz, I must cover it up with a case that provides drop protection. I currently have a Caseology Vault case that provides military-grade drop protection, however, the case is a boring black color. I then spied the DualPro case from Incipio which also provides drop protection and thus, I was eager to check it out. After testing, I found that it is a well-made protective Pixel 2 XL case but adds a moderate amount of bulk to my beautiful phone and is also a fingerprint magnet.

What is it?

The Incipio DualPro case is a two-layer cellphone case with a scratch-resistant rigid polycarbonate outer shell and a shock absorbing flexible silicone inner lining that provides drop protection for the accident-prone like me.

Design and features

I received the merlot colored Incipio DualPro Pixel 2 XL case to test. The case also comes in black, gunmetal, iridescent red with black lining, and navy colors. I chose the merlot color because all the others were either too dark or too bright for my taste. I would have preferred a light blue.

The back of the case is a rigid polycarbonate shell that has a matte, velvety, “soft-touch” finish. It’s strangely fun and satisfying to feel this case.

The Also located on the back of the case is the INCIPIO logo. I find that this detracts from the design and overall appearance of the case.

The inside of the case is made of a flexible shock absorbing silicone material. There is no texture on the inside. In the photo above, you can see the inside of the separated layers of the DualPro case. On the left is the hard plastic outer portion and on the right is the inner flexible portion. The above photo shows the outside of the two separated layers. The inner layer is fairly flexible. The Pixel 2 XL slides easily into and fits perfectly in the DualPro case. There were no misalignment issues between the two layers after inserting the phone into the case. However, it is a bit more difficult to extract the phone from the case. I really had to wedge my fingers in between the case and phone just to pry it out.

The cutouts for the camera and the fingerprint sensors were large enough and properly located. In fact, the fingerprint sensor cutout seemed a tad too large, but I found that got used to it.
In the above photo, the cutout for the charging port illustrates that there is enough room for your USB-C charging cables. And the cutout for the microphone is perfectly placed. In addition, the power button and volume buttons are precisely positioned as well. There is enough of a lip (~2mm) surrounding the front of the phone to help prevent screen scratches when laying the phone face down on a surface. I do not own a screen protector for my phone, so I do not know how well the case works with one.

Performance

While using the case over this past month, I had no problems inserting any of the variety of USB-C charging cables I own into the phone’s charging port. I also did not have any problems taking pictures using the phone’s camera with the case on. The power and volume buttons were a little stiffer than those on my Caseology Vault case, but they were still clicky and responsive. The case also allows you to use the Active Edge feature of the phone without difficulty.

There were a few of things that I really didn’t like about the DualPro case. The dark merlot color is rather lifeless, the hard outer shell is a fingerprint magnet as shown in the photo above, and the case adds a moderate amount of bulk to the phone.

It also collects dust and lint around the edges of the case as shown above. Even so, I still prefer this case over the Caseology Vault, but only by the slimmest of margins.

My husband purchased the DualPro case for his HTC U11 phone. The silver color that he chose still collects fingerprints but seems to hide them much better. He also dropped his phone from about three feet onto concrete and it protected his phone; although, now there are scratches on the corners of the case where it bounced around. Incipio drop-tests the DualPro cases at 10 feet.

What I like

  • The case appears to be well-made
  • It provides military-grade drop protection (from 10 feet) using two layers
  • The cutouts are well sized and perfectly aligned (you are able to use different USB-C charging cables)
  • You can easily use the Active Edge features of the phone with the case on
  • The power and volume buttons are stiff but clicky and responsive

What needs to be improved

  • The merlot color is dull and lifeless
  • The case is a fingerprint magnet
  • It adds a moderate amount of bulk to the phone

Final thoughts

The Incipio DualPro Pixel 2 XL case is a decent case for those of you who want (or need) to protect your phone from impact. It provides military-grade drop protection and has precisely aligned cutouts for my phone. I can also easily use the Active Edge feature of my phone with the case on. In addition, the buttons are stiff but clicky and responsive.

However, it adds a moderate amount of bulk to my phone and the merlot color is rather dull and lifeless. Also, the case is a fingerprint magnet and collects dust around the edges which drives me crazy. Even so, this is the case that I am choosing to use at the moment because I trust it will protect my phone from me and my klutziness.

Price: $15.00 – $29.99
Where to buy: Amazon and Incipio
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Incipio.

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Incipio DualPro Pixel 2 XL case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 8, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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iFrogz Cocoon earbud charging case review

REVIEW – With the move from wired earbuds to wireless, there is one issue that we have to all deal with: How do you transport and charge these tiny wireless gadgets? Well, iFrogz is glad you asked. They have developed a rigid container that will hold most wireless earbuds on the market, as well as providing a battery to charge them during storage: the iFrogz Cocoon Earbud Charging Case. They sent me one in Grey and Red to test and report to you.

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

What is it?

As the name says, the Cocoon is a charging and storage case designed for wireless earbuds. The unit can be used to charge and store other electronics, as well as car keys, sim cards, mini tools, fitness trackers or anything else, but let’s consider it for the problem at hand first.


Available in Grey with Red or Blue silicone accents, the rigid, sealable box fits easily into pockets, packs, glove boxes, car consoles, or bike panniers. While no guaranteed IPx rating is stated, it seems to be reasonable to expect it to prevent dust and sand from getting in, but I’d shy away from taking it on a river cruise or to the beach. It’s a good place to store small items you want to prevent from getting lost in the bottom of a pack.

What’s in the box?

  • Cocoon
  • 4in micro USB cable.

Design and features

The iFrogz Cocoon is made from a rigid, yet smooth-surfaced plastic. The lid is 3.5” across, and the base is 2.375”. The entire outside is just under 2” tall. Inside, the lid curves up in a slight turtle shell and has a silicone net to hold a cable or other small item. The inside is almost 1.25” deep with a USB port under the hinge.

The difference between outside and inside dimension is the battery built into the base. There’s a battery gauge on the bottom with 4 LEDs to indicate how much juice is left. Given the small size of most wireless earbuds, the 580 mAh is supposed to recharge a pair 4-5 times. Your mileage will vary with the brand and charging pattern of your earbuds, I’m sure.

What I Like

  • Rigid case prevents tangling and crushing damage to earbuds.
  • Gives the user a place to store earbuds, rather than tossing them into a pocket.

What needs to be improved

  • Since it’s rigid, it takes up more room than just one or two sets of earbuds would.

Final thoughts

I have mixed feelings about this item. I like it for the charging ease, but the inside seems cramped for the amount of space the entire unit takes up. I previously had two earbuds in a semi-rigid zipper pouch, and it seemed to take up less space. but the Cocoon is much more protective and adds the charging capability. If you don’t have a current solution, I would consider this, but if you’re ok with where you store them now, I wouldn’t. Might make a good gift for someone you see always having issues storing their earbuds.

Price: $29.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by iFrogz, a division of Zagg.

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iFrogz Cocoon earbud charging case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 7, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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Logitech Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mice and PowerPlay review

In the world of gaming, it’s not uncommon for large sums of money to be spent for the smallest increases in specs. Response time, clicks per minute, precision, all of these are thought to be immediately lost when buying a wireless mouse. Yet with the improvements made by Logitech, the G903 and G703 are able to maintain tournament level performance while also being user friendly wireless mice.

To combat the other weakness of wireless products, charging, the Logitech PowerPlay allows the user to charge their mouse as they play.

What is it?

The G903 and G703 are gaming mice that utilizes Logitech’s Lightspeed technology to support latency free wireless play. Though the G703 has many of the same capabilities, it lacks some of customizable hardware or ability to be used ambidextrously.

The PowerPlay is wireless charging station/mat that acts as a mousepad while the user plays. This prevents the need for stopping a play session to plug in the Logitech mice into power.

Design and features

These mice work well both on their own and with the PowerPlay pad. To get all of the features associated with the mice, you can download the LGS (Logitech Gaming Software), which allows the mice to use on board memory, change their lighting, and save power.

G903

The difference in latency between the Lightspeed technology and a corded mouse is quite literally impossible to notice. There are no moments of lag with this mouse, and the sensor is the most precise on the market and has an insane range of 200-12000 DPI. To take advantage of this, the software is programmable, able to save five different DPI settings to be switched between. In order to store these, the mouse has it’s own internal memory so that any settings saved on it will be shared with whatever computer it is connected with. These settings can be for different games, such as lower sensitivity for games that necessitate accuracy, and saved easily in the Logitech Gaming Software program.

In the Box:

  • Lightspeed G903 gaming mouse
  • Plug-and-forget nano receiver
  • USB charging/data cable
  • Accessories case
  • Optional receiver extension adapter
  • Optional 10-gram weight
  • Optional side buttons (2x left, 2x right)
  • Button covers (left, right)
  • User documentation

Even though it is relatively lightweight, the G903 is very well made with a solid quality feel to it. The design of the mouse is ergonomic, easy to manipulate, and comfortable to hold.

Not only is the software of the mouse adjustable, so is the hardware. The magnetic side buttons can be easily snapped onto the mouse, allowing the G903 to have up to 11 programmable buttons. They can be put on either side, meaning both left and right handed players can comfortably use the mouse.

Different configurations of buttons allow the user to input more commands on the mouse, which becomes convenient once a game uses more buttons than you can comfortably reach on the keyboard. For me, I assigned the melee and push to talk buttons on the left side of the mouse and the interact button on the scroll wheel. This enables quicker inputs as the buttons are kept closer to each of your fingers, rather than spreading out from your keyboard hand.

The 10g weight can help add a little more heft to moving the mouse, but for me the difference between the 110g mouse with or without the additional mass wasn’t that apparent when I was playing.

The mouse comes pre-charged in the box, so after plugging in the nano receiver and pairing the mouse, it’s ready to go. When it inevitably dies (more on that later), you can plug in the USB charging cord and use it as a corded mouse. The charge time with the USB is extremely short, being able to bring the mouse up to it’s full 24 hour (or 32 with no lighting) battery life quickly.

G703

The slightly smaller and less expensive version of the G903 is just as powerful as it’s larger sibling, using the same sensor and Lightspeed technologies. The main difference between the two, is its simple right-handed frame without the magnetic customizability of the G903.

In the Box:

  • G703 gaming mouse
  • Charging/data cable
  • Wireless USB adapter
  • 10g optional weight
  • User documentation

The design of the G703 works better for people who like less complicated mice, with two programmable buttons on the side and an additional one behind the mouse wheel.

Including the wheel, this brings the mouse to six programmable buttons, which can also be customized with on the Logitech Gaming Software.

In my hand, the G703 felt a little small (I have large hands), but the quality of the device made up for the minor inconvenience. Unlike the G903, the G703 also comes in white. Overall, the G703 is almost everything that the G903 is, but at a lower price point.

PowerPlay system

Even with the incredible abilities of the Logitech mice, they are still mortal wirelesses devices. Though both mice have impressive battery-life, it is Murphy’s law of devices that they will die at the worst possible time during a critical epic battle. The combination of a mousepad and charger solves this issue by providing power as you play. While this doesn’t charge the mouse in as short a time as the cord, it doesn’t matter because the pad can charge the mouse while it is in motion. So the user can play forever with the wireless trickle charging the pad provides. However, to prevent the mouse from constantly hitting 100% and hurting the battery, the pad keeps the mouse at around 85% constantly, which isn’t a problem unless you use it away from the POWERPLAY.

In the Box:

  • POWERPLAY Base
  • POWERCORE Module
  • USB charging/data cable
  • Hard Gaming Mouse Pad (G440)
  • Cloth Gaming Mouse Pad
  • User documentation

After replacing the magnetic weight on the bottom of the compatible mouse with the PowerCore Module, unplug the connection cord from the nano receiver and into the PowerPlay Base which should then light up. Once the mouse is on and paired, that’s it. Logitech has done well to make their devices work in sync without issue, with the cord included with the mice and the PowerPlay being the same as well.

One thing to note however, to connect the PowerPlay pad to another mouse, you must use the Logitech Gaming Software to unpair the current mouse and then repeat the pairing process with the new mouse. This wasn’t immediately apparent to me till I found it on the Logitech support page, but in all likelihood most users won’t have to do this unless they upgrade to a new logitech mouse.

The hard and cloth pads that the PowerPlay comes with are comfortable, providing users either a smoother surface for snap reflexes or a softer area with more friction for accuracy. While they are easy to switch out, they come with a caveat that trying to use other pads on top of the base may hinder or stop the charging process entirely.

What I like – G903

  • Well made
  • Ambidextrous
  • Easily customizable weight and configuration
  • Instantaneous movement/lagless play

What needs to be improved – G903

  • None

What I like – G703

  • Just as nicely made and fast as the G903
  • Easily customizable weight and configuration
  • Instantaneous movement/lagless play
  • Sleek frame

What needs to be improved- G703

  • A little small

What I like – PowerPlay

  • Wireless charging
  • Easy to pair
  • No need to stop for charging

What needs to be improved – PowerPlay

  • Specific mouse pads
  • Cost

Final thoughts

Both the G903 and G703 boast a lagless, truly wireless gaming experience that never needs to be recharged while retaining the performance and customization of the highest quality wired mice. The G903 is a high-end, feature rich mouse that can be personalized in both software and hardware. The G703 has the same technologies and performance for less. The PowerPlay can allow either of these mice to stay charged for as long as they function (a long time) but bears a relatively hefty cost for the convenience. In conclusion, I’d recommend the G703 the strongest, with the G903 as a close second if you need the extra utility, and reserve the PowerPlay only for true marathon gamers.

Price: G903 – $149.99 / G703 – $99.99 / PowerPlay – $99.99
Where to buy: Link to where you can buy this product from Logitech or Amazon.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Logitech.

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Logitech Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mice and PowerPlay review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 6, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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The Marshinator rice cereal treats review

REVIEW – In the past, we haven’t reviewed many food items here on The Gadgeteer but that’s about to change really quick because today I want to tell you about some delicious snacks that will make you remember a favorite treat from when you were a kid.

What is it?

The Marshinator treats are a new twist on the classic marshmallow rice cereal treats from your childhood. Or if you’re like me, you’re in your 5th decade and you still eat these treats semi-frequently because they are yummy!

As the story goes, the originator of The Marshinator treats had forgotten to buy a Valentine’s Day gift for his fiancé. He remembered that she loved rice cereal treats, so he whipped up a batch and shaped them into hearts. It melted hers and The Marshinator treats were born.

There are currently 10 different flavors of The Marshinator treats and they can be purchased in packs of 4, 6, and 12. I was sent a 4 pack of the flavors shown above. The full list of flavors available is as follows: Classic, Fruit Blast, Vanilla Almond, Cookies & Cream, Cappuccino, Peanut Butter Chocolate, S’mores, Cocoa Blast, and Matcha.

Each treat hand-made and is individually packaged in a sealed plastic wrapper with a cardboard sleeve that has The Marshinator story on the back along with the ingredients and nutritional facts.

Each treat has different ingredients in addition to the rice cereal and marshmallow and each treat will have different nutritional facts such as the calories. FYI: if you’re watching your calorie intake, it might be best to skip these treats because each 3 x 2-inch treat is considered 2 servings. For example, the Fruit Blast treat shown above is 205 calories per serving. If you eat the whole thing, you’ve just consumed 405 calories.

Note: The Marshinator website does not list the nutritional facts for each treat.

If calorie counting isn’t something you care about, then go crazy because these rice cereal treats are very good! They are crispy but not hard like some rice cereal treats. The contrast of crispiness to soft marshmallow chewiness makes for a perfect bite. They also aren’t overpoweringly sweet which I really like. I’ll admit that I have a sweet tooth, but I don’t want my treats to be a straight-up sugar bomb.

The unique flavors of these treats will make you forget that they are a treat for children because you will want to try each one.

Of the selection of samples sent to me to try, my favorite was the Cookies & Cream for the Oreo style cookie chunks and cream topping. It also had the most calories of the ones I sampled at a whopping 632 calories per treat. Yikes! I split each one with Jeanne because I do keep track of my calories. At least most of the time 😉

What I like

  • Yummy!
  • 10 unique flavors to choose from
  • Handmade

What needs to be improved

  • No discount for buying more
  • The website does not show nutritional content for each treat

Final thoughts

When it comes to rice cereal treats, I prefer the straight up old school version without any extras. But The Marshinator treats were a surprising and enjoyable upgrade to one of my all-time favorite treats. As long as you realize that they are 2 servings per treat and you don’t mind paying $4 for each one with no discount if you buy more, they will bring a smile to your face and tummy and fond memories to your mind. Now I want to try the other 6 flavors!

Price: $16/4pk, $24/6pk, $48/12pk
Where to buy: The Marshinator
Source: The sample of this product was provided by The Marshinator.

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The Marshinator rice cereal treats review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 6, 2018 at 9:05 am.

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Nomad Battery Cable review


If you depend on your smartphone as much as I do, then anything that adds convenience is worth at least a “second look”, and in many cases, is worth trying. When I saw the Nomad battery cable, its initial appearance seemed to be unique, so I decided to test it out.

What is it?

The Nomad Battery Cable is a cable designed for the iPhone that offers the ability to charge the phone and transfer date all in one cable, with a lightning adapter on one end, an inline battery, and a USB plug on the other end.

What’s in the box


In the box, you will find the Battery cable, and the instructions printed on the inside of the box.

Design and features

Specifications

1X iPhone charge
Apple MFi approved
Pass-through charging technology
Capacity: 2800mAh
Input: USB A 5V/1.5A
Output: Apple Lightning 5V/1.5A
Length: 1.5 meter

The Nomad Battery Cable is a rugged cable that according to the manufacturer is made from Ballistic Nylon. The inline battery is encased in an aluminum housing. This cable is compatible with the iPhone 5 through iPhone X, and it is not designed for iPad. When fully charged, the inline battery is capable of providing one full phone charge. During testing, my iPhone 8 Plus was charged at about 20% per hour.
The cable is 5 feet long, with a USB connector on one end and a lightning connector on the other. The inline battery starts at approximately 11 inches from the USB end of the cable and the length of the battery enclosure is approximately 5 inches long.


Nomad includes a silicone cable strap on the cable to conveniently keep the cable wrapped up neatly when not in use or when in use in close proximity.
Rather than include an instruction booklet, Nomad uses a minimalist style and prints the instructions on the inside of the box.

On the side of the battery enclosure, there is a button to test the battery charge status, and a LED that lights orange when the battery needs to be charged or is less than 30 % charged, and lights up white when it is fully charged or charged anywhere between 30% and 100%. If the battery charge is really low, the LED flashes orange.


What I like

I like that the cable is made extremely well, and seems very unlikely to easily suffer from the fraying damage that most cables do. I also like that the battery is built into the cable so that I can carry just this one cable for both data and charging purposes.

What can be improved

I find that the length of the cable can become an issue at times even with the silicone strap. I think that if the cable can be housed in some retractable way, then it would work better for my daily use.

Final thoughts

After using the Nomad Battery Cable for a while, I am still “on the fence” about whether or not it will become a part of my “go to” bag of accessories. While the concept is good, I can buy a USB battery pack with more capacity and a well-built lightning cable for much less than the cost of this item. While this cable offers the two options in one convenient package, its use is limited to specific phones and to only providing one charge before it needs to be recharged. It can definitely be very helpful in an emergency, but I am undecided about its practicality beyond that. Maybe I will post an update in a month or two if my opinion changes.

Price: $49.95
Where to buy: Nomad website and Amazon.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Nomad

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Nomad Battery Cable review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 5, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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