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Tom Bihn Luminary 15 Backpack review

REVIEW – To all the day trippers and travelers out there: I have a bag that should be on your short list. The Luminary 15 comes to us from the legendary Tom Bihn, and it’s good. Really, really good. To the review!

What is it?

It’s a 15 liter daypack that will also accommodate your 13″ laptop or tablet.

Hardware specs

  • 11″ by 16.5″ by 7.9″ deep
  • 1 pound 8 ounces total weight
  • 15 liter capacity
  • 525 denier 2×2 ballistic nylon exterior
  • 210 denier 2×2 ballistic nylon interior
  • #8 YKK Aquaguard zippers
  • Duraflex, Nexus, and Woojin hardware

Design and features

I am loving the modern, stealthy profile of the Tom Bihn Luminary. The teardrop shape is sleek and composed, with a bit of accent piping and gentle contours that accentuate the curved form. It’s a great looking bag.

Here’s a side view. You’d never guess that that stealthy shape has a 15 liter capacity.

It also has a structured base panel, which helps when packing the bag out. Your gear won’t collect at the bottom in a big olds mass of confusion.

You’ll find two exterior pockets for small stuff. The left pocket measures roughly 4″ by 7″, sized for your assorted small bits. You’ll get a bigger phone in there as well. My iPhone XS Max in its case fits perfectly.

The right pocket is a bit taller at 4″ by 9″. This will fit a small water bottle, a small tablet, or your sunglasses. And see that accessory strap? Both front pockets feature one of Tom Bihn’s O-rings as attachment points, tucked up on the inside corner (towards the center of the bag) for hanging accessories.

This bag also features an integrated padded laptop/tablet pocket, something you don’t see in all of Tom Bihn’s bags. The space is roughly 10.5″ by 14″, with an 11″ external zipper for access from the back left side of the bag. This will fit a 13″ laptop or a 12.9″ iPad (with case and keyboard), with room for a notebook.

The backpack is a top loader, with double zips that run about 6″ down the sides of the bags. See that sleeve in the center of the chamber? That’s for your hydration bottle, or to separate the main compartment into three sub-pockets. If you don’t need it you can unzip that sleeve, allowing the whole interior to be open for packing. Two additional O-rings are found at the top of the chamber.

When you open the main compartment, you’ll also find another 4″ by 7″ storage pocket. While the sides of this pouch are secured to the liner, the bottom is not. This means that pocket will expand as you fill it out.

Moving to the rear of the bag, you’ll see some enhancements to Tom Bihn’s already excellent carry system. The rear panel is padded but is not ventilated, which is typical for daypacks that won’t see extended duty with heavy loads. The top carry handle is made from a new softer material that’s much more comfortable than a stiff piece of vinyl.

A removable sternum strap is included. The strap length is generous and can also be adjusted vertically on that anchor strap, allowing it to accommodate all kinds of body types.

The shoulder straps are 2″ wide and about 3/8″ thick, made from closed foam materials. You won’t find any grippy material on the underside, which makes for easy removal on the go.

You’ll also get a waist strap for stabilizing the bag, which attaches with two loops tucked under the shoulder strap attachment points. I don’t know that you’ll need a waist strap with a bag this small, but it is completely removable if you won’t want to use it. It’s nice that Tom Bihn includes it if you’re planning on more rigorous outdoor activities.

Performance

Tom Bihn bags are at their best when they focus on simple, flexible designs. The Luminary 15 hits all those marks. This is truly a bag that you can take for day trips, outdoor activities, and the office commute. This is a bag that carries a reasonable amount of stuff, looks good in just about any environment, and does a great job of staying out of your way as you go about your business.

Here are a few shots of your Humble Reviewer during a recent day trip wandering the shops of Doylestown, PA. For day trips I really like the lean profile. I don’t feel like I am going to knock stuff off shelves every time I turn around, and the carry system is so well balanced that I barely feel it on my shoulders.

I love the flexibility that the Tom Bihn “O-rings” deliver. My keys tuck neatly away in one of the front pockets, ready for action. I’ve collected a bunch of their attachment straps and accessory bags in different sizes over the years that can serve custom duty depending on what I am carrying that day. Cable bags, medicines, contact lens accessories, charging cables, change for parking meters… just swap out the pouches you need and you’re good to go.

I’ve been a huge fan of the Luminary 15 as a lean & mean work commuter. The look is great for business casual environments, and I can load up my 13″ MacBook Pro with room to spare in the padded compartment. Note that the opening is not as deep as the length of the bag, which requires a three-point-turn to get your laptop in there. I’m OK with that, because it adds a bit of extra security. You won’t get a bigger laptop in there though.

Here’s a shot of my work loadout. I have two of those Tom Bihn accessory bags tethered to the “O-rings” in the main compartment for all my work accessories (power bricks, mouse, cables, etc.) My hydration bottle is in the middle sleeve, and those pouches tuck nicely in the side pockets. They’re still easily accessible with a quick tug.

Tom Bihn works magic with maximizing space in the design of their bags. I have my laptop, notebook, hydration bottle, and accessories loaded in and I still have all kinds of space available. Look at that vertical space in the main compartment! I’ve got room for a lunch or a light jacket, and a bit more. And this doesn’t even touch the front pockets. I have 20L+ messenger bags that don’t optimize space like this. It really is impressive.

On that day trip, I unzipped the bottle sleeve in the main compartment to make room for treasures gathered during the day. I’m about 1/3 full here with room to spare.

If you’re thinking about incorporating outdoor activities into your daily adventures, you’ll love the simplicity and durability of this bag as well. The materials are bomb proof and water resistant; add the Aquaguard YKK zips throughout and you’ve got a nice watertight package to manage against sudden downpours. The carry system is super comfortable despite its simple design, and the whole rig is easy to clean.

For travelers, this is a perfect carryon. Not only will it fit under the airline seat, but it has the flexibility and durability for some sightseeing mayhem when you get to your destination. And the stealthy design won’t advertise what you’re carrying.

Overall usability is just outstanding. Simple, effective, and very easy to live with on a daily basis. It’s so easy to use that I don’t want to give it up no matter where I am going. And that, my friends, is a sign of really good design.

If there is one flaw to be had, it’s a minor one. The straps throughout are generous to accommodate a variety of body types, but there’s no built-in solution to wrangle those dangling straps. A lot of bag makers now include an elastic loop or clip for this purpose, and I’d love to see that here. But that’s a thing I can live with.

What I like

  • Simple, effective design with excellent usability.
  • Sleek, minimalist look.
  • Layout maximizes every square inch of space.
  • Excellent, comfortable carry system.
  • A flexible multitasker that supports customization.
  • It’s a Tom Bihn bag. It’s built to last forever.

What I’d change

  • Won’t fit bigger laptops.
  • Would like some way to manage the extra strappy bits.

Final thoughts

The Luminary 15 exemplifies the best to be found in Tom Bihn designs. Like a great pair of jeans, it’s just perfect for so many different situations. The usability is excellent, the build is exceptional, and it carries more than you would expect from a 15 liter pack. If you’re looking to add a smaller multitasker to your arsenal, the Tom Bihn Luminary 15 absolutely should be on your short list for consideration.

Price: $140.00
Where to buy: Go to the Luminary 15 page on the Tom Bihn web site.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Tom Bihn.

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Tom Bihn Luminary 15 Backpack review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 21, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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BluShark Pass-Through Watch Straps review

REVIEW – BluShark is a relatively young company that specializes premium pass-through (i.e. NATO-style) watch straps, but also makes traditional two-piece straps. I’ve been wearing pass-through straps on my watches for many years (for a variety of reasons discussed later) and have tried straps from most of the well-known brands. The opportunity to review BluShark straps came at an opportune time as I was about to replace one of my straps that had become a bit shabby looking and had been looking to dress up my every-day watch for the past 6 months or so.

What is it?

BluShark’s pass-through straps are high quality, reasonably-priced straps for wristwatches.

What are pass-through straps?

The pass-through strap is a single-piece of strap with runs over the 12-o’clock springbar (or fixed rod) between the upper lugs on the end of the watch case, under the watch, and then back up and over the 6-o’clock springbar / rod. The single-piece strap offers multiple advantages over traditional two-piece straps when wearing a wristwatch, especially when wearing a mission-critical watch in an “extreme” environment (even something as simple as day-hiking or camping, to scuba diving, motorcycle racing, or mountain climbing) or wearing a wristwatch with great intrinsic or sentimental value. These advantages include

  • protecting the back of the watch
  • allowing for a snugger fit with less risk of damaging either the strap or the springbars
  • security: failure of a single springbar will not cause the watch to fall off, just merely flop around. This allows the wearer to relocate the watch to a pocket rather than having to try and locate where the watch fell or having to replace the watch when he/she returns from the current expedition.

There are several good references to wearing a NATO strap online. One of the more comprehensive ones is at Watchient, although until looking up this reference, I had never seen a “single loop” described, but have since found several references to this “thinner’ way of wearing a NATO strap. Personally, I find it to be very awkward to put on and frankly uncomfortable to wear with thicker straps.

What’s in the box?

I was sent two BluStrap pass-through straps:

  • 22 mm Bond – Orange Watch Strap
  • 24 mm 3-ring Orange Watch Strap

Each strap arrived in a protective plastic sleeve. Also included in the box was a small microfiber watch cleaning cloth.

Design and features

The 3-ring strap is constructed of a soft, pliable nylon weave with a decorative and functional stitch line running down the center of the strap. The round-profile rings are  brushed stainless steel. It is a standard length strap that measures 11 inches long.

The Bond strap is built around a ballistic nylon strap with polished stainless steel hardware with a rectangular profile for a more refined look. The design of this strap includes a separate backer strap that lays flat against the skin. This strap also 11 inches long.

The photographs below show how the BluStrap 3-Ring compares in dimension and construction to a similar 3-ring Martac strap.

As you can see the nylon material used in the Martac strap is slightly thicker, but the metal rings on the BluShark are slightly thicker.

 

The stitching on the BluShark is slightly neater than that on the Martac strap. The edges of the hole for the central bar of the buckle appear neater on the BluShark strap as well.

 

A comparison of the Bond dual-layer strap to a much-larger Martac strap (designed to be worn over the top of diving suits (including some semi-rigid suits) shows that Bond strap is designed to be a more refined strap with thinner material ad more attention to the aesthetics of the stitching as compared to the heavy-duty Martac.

The Bond strap is definitely more of a gentleman’s watch strap, or at least matches style and performance as compared to the more utilitarian styling of the Martac strap.

Performance

I have been wearing the Bond strap on my vintage Glycine Airman SST (my daily wear watch) for a month now, and I am very happy with the fit of the strap and the way it complements my timepiece of choice.  The only thing that I would change is an aesthetic choice–I would purchase a brushed metal finish strap rather than a polished one.

The black-gray-orange stripes on the Bond Orange band are an excellent complement to the colors of a vintage Glycine Airman SST “Pumpkin.”

The tail on the Bond sits comfortably inside the rings and does not catch on my sleeves.

I tried the 3-ring strap with my camping / working in the yard / swimming / snorkeling watch, a Suunto Core All-Black. I had no problems with the way the strap felt on my wrist and it worked well for the five-or-six days that I wore it. However, I found that the geometry of my arrangement of mounting bars requires a strap longer than 11 inches. The tail didn’t stick out far enough to stay tucked in and was just long enough to keep getting caught on the gauntlet buttons on my shirt sleeves, or worse on branches, twigs, and other plant appendages.

My current Martac strap is many millimeters longer than the BluShark.

Here is my Suunto Core in its historical configuration. Note that the strap is long enough to tuck back under.

These photos show the BluShark 3-Ring strap installed on my Suunto Core.

As you can see the tail of the strap stick out awkwardly. For this particular watch setup on my wrist, the BluShark is not the best option. Those readers with wrists smaller than a baseball bat may have better luck.

The Bond Orange strap has replaced the Martac orange-stripe strap that I’ve been wearing for 5 years. The Orange 3-ring will unfortunately not be replacing my old strap on the Suunto. I like the way the BluShark straps feel against my skin, but in the case of the Suunto, function will have to trump form. I’m going to put the 3-Ring in my collection of 10+ pass-through straps to await duty on a TBD future watch.

What I like

  • High quality material and construction techniques
  • Reasonable cost for the quality of the product
  • Good variety in the type, style, color, and materials (see website)

What I’d change

  • I would like to see the straps offered in a longer length for those of us with larger wrists.

Final thoughts

BluShark straps are of superior quality. The attention to detail and style, coupled with their reasonable prices make them an affordable and simple way to dress up your office watch and keep your outdoor watch with you even in the event of a springbar failure.

Price: $18+  (Bond $18, 3-ring $19)
Where to buy: BluShark Straps
Source: The samples of these products were provided by BluShark Straps.

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BluShark Pass-Through Watch Straps review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 20, 2019 at 10:15 am.

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Logitech Harmony Express Universal voice remote review

REVIEW – I own a lot of home entertainment devices, and with that comes a plethora of remote controls. I’ve looked into purchasing a universal remote, but most of them seemed intimidating and hard to use. Then I stumbled upon the Harmony Express Universal voice remote. Can a universal remote really control all my devices using just my voice?

What is it?

The Harmony Express remote is a universal voice remote with Amazon Alexa built-in. It allows you to control up to 15 home entertainment devices with your voice. And it works with over 250,000 devices.

What’s in the box?

  • Harmony Express remote
  • Blaster
  • IR mini-blaster
  • Power adaptor
  • USB cable

Design and features

The Harmony Express remote is about the least intimidating universal remote you’ll ever see. It’s only 5-inches long and fits perfectly in the palm of your hand, so all of the buttons are easily accessible with your thumb. Aside from its diminutive size, the other thing that sticks out is the lack of buttons. Express only has the essential buttons for home entertainment. There are only 9 in total. That’s because most of what you control can be done using your voice and Amazon Alexa.

The OK/Alexa button is located at the top part of the remote surrounded by a directional pad. Below that are 3 rows consisting of 3 buttons. The top 3 buttons can be configured to send one command when using a long press, and send an alternate command when using a short press. For example, when watching DirecTV a short press of the home button brings up the channel guide, a long press brings up the info screen. The remaining buttons control playback and volume control.

The buttons are backlit so you can always find the right button, even in low light.

There’s a small speaker on the back of the remote for Alexa and a Micro-USB port on the bottom for charging the remote’s battery.

Setup

To set up and start using Harmony Express, you have to plug in the blaster and place it in an open space near your entertainment system. You can also use the included mini-blaster to extend the blaster’s infrared range if you have devices that are located inside of a closed cabinet or are out of the blaster’s range.

The remote needs to be charged before using it. Express uses a rechargeable battery that charges via a USB cable. The remote’s ring will pulse when charging and will remain solid when fully charged. The battery will last about a month with normal use.

Harmony Express app

The rest of the setup is down from the Harmony Express app. The app is what you’ll use to set up and connect all your devices. It makes setup fairly easy, the whole process takes about 15-20 minutes.

When you open the app it will guide you through the following steps: connecting the Blaster to Wi-Fi, creating or linking your Amazon account, selecting the room you’ll be using the remote in, and adding your devices.

During setup, Harmony Express recognized my AppleTV and DirecTV Genie automatically, but I had to connect my other devices manually. This is done using the devices model #. It’s not hard to do, but it is kind of a pain.

The app determines how many HDMI inputs your TV has. From there, just drag and drop the device into the proper input to connect it.

Aside from setting up the remote, the Express app can be used to check its battery level, edit setup, Change Room and Device settings and see a list of “What to say” to control your devices.

The Express app also acts as an extension of the physical remote, allowing you to control a single device like your tv or set-top box. Selecting a device will bring up a list of commands. To control the device, just tap on the desired function.

And if you lose or misplace your remote, just tap on the remote icon in the app and Harmony Express will emit a tone to let you know where it’s at.

Using Harmony Express

Pressing and holding the OK button activates Alexa, you can then ask her to do whatever you want. You can turn on the TV, open an app like Netflix, or tune to your favorite channel.

The Harmony Express app does all the hard work of keeping track of devices, inputs, and settings. A simple command will turn on all the devices you need and make sure the settings are just right. For example, if I say “Go to Netflix”, Harmony Express will turn on my TV and soundbar, switch inputs to my AppleTV, and launch Netflix. And when switching devices, Express automatically powers off the last device used.

There are specific commands you have to get used to saying. For example, if you want Express to turn on the TV, you would say “Turn on TV”. If you want to go to a specific channel on DirecTV, you would say “Go to ESPN”, or say a channel number “Go to channel 230”.

Launching apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or ESPN is just as easy.  To launch Netflix you would say, “Go to Netflix” or “Go to Amazon Prime Video”.  It does take some getting used to, but you become accustomed to it the more you use the remote. The short video below shows how some of the voice commands work.

Harmony Express isn’t just for watching TV. It can do just about anything that Alexa can do. You can set reminders, get the latest weather, or find out when your favorite team is playing. Plus, anything you already control via Alexa can also be controlled with Harmony Express. I use it to control both my smart bulbs and smart lock. About the only thing you cant do is play music or make phone calls.

What I like

  • Easy to set up and use
  • Amazon Alexa
  • Backlit buttons
  • Voice control
  • Good size

What I’d change

  • Doesn’t automatically recognize all devices during setup

Final thoughts

The Harmony Express packs a lot of punch for such a small remote. It has much of the same functionality as their Harmony Elite remote ($349.99), but it’s easier to use and less expensive. It’s great being able to use one remote to control all off my devices. And having access to Alexa is a nice added bonus. If you’re looking for a universal remote that’s easy to set up and even easier to use the Harmony Express is a great choice.

Price: $249.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Logitech.

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Logitech Harmony Express Universal voice remote review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 20, 2019 at 9:15 am.

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Waterfield Designs Passport Finn Access Wallet review

REVIEW – The Waterfield Designs Finn Wallet has been one of their staple products for many years and has undergone several updates during that time.  One of the more dramatic updates was the creation of the Finn Access Wallet, which added an exterior pocket for quick card access to the outside of the wallet.  Waterfield Designs has recently updated several of their wallets, including their Finn Access Wallet, adding new sizes.  We were provided with a Passport size Finn Access Wallet to try out.  Let’s check it out!  Gadget on!

What is it?

The Passport Finn Access Wallet is a large, zipper wallet with a quick-access side pocket that is designed to hold not only several cards, some cash bills, and other smaller items inside, but can also hold a US Passport in its external pocket.

Hardware specs

  • Size options
    • Compact: 4.25″ x 3” x 0.75″ weighing 1.4 oz. for $69
    • International: 4.25″ x 3.375” x 0.75″ weighing 1.4 oz. for $69
    • iPhone XS: 6″ x 3.5” x 0.75″ weighing 2.2 oz. $69
    • Passport: 5.75″ x 4.25” x 0.75″ weighing 1.8 oz. $79
  • Material and color options= Full-grain, deer-tanned leather in Brown, Blue, or Black color (Black reviewed here)
  • Capacity by size
    • Compact: 20+ credit cards plus a wad of cash; Quick access pocket fits 1-2 cards
    • International: 20+ credit cards plus a wad of cash, including US or foreign-sized currency; Quick access pocket fits 1-2 cards
    • iPhone XS: 20+ credit cards, US or larger currency, and an iPhone XS or similarly-sized smartphone; Quick access pocket fits 1-2 cards
    • Passport: 10+ credit cards and US or larger foreign currency and designed to hold a US Passport; Quick access pocket fits a US passport (125 x 88 mm)
  • RFID blocking liner option available for an additional $10
  • Zipper: YKK self-locking
  • Location of manufacture: Workshop crafted in San Francisco, CA, USA

Design and features

The Finn Access Wallet is one of the more recent variants of Waterfield Designs’ staple Finn Wallet that includes an exterior pocket on one side for quick access to often-used cards or other items.  This Passport size is designed to hold a Passport for travel.

My first impression of the Finn Access Wallet was that-the leather’s texture feels and looks as soft and supple as butter, and also that this is quite a large wallet.

The full-grain, deer-tanned leather of this review sample was quite impressive in look and feel and is currently available in Brown, Blue, or this Black color.

As listed above, the Finn Access Wallet is available in several sizes: Compact (designed to hold 20+ cards and US cash bills, plus 1-2 cards in the external slot), International (designed to hold 20+ cards and foreign bills, plus 1-2 cards in the external slot), iPhone XS (designed to hold several cash bills, cards, and iPhone XS or other similarly-sized smartphones inside it, plus 1-2 cards in the external slot), and Passport (pictured here—designed to hold 10+ cards, US or foreign cash bills and a US Passport either internally in the external pocket).  Each of these has an increasing footprint size to accommodate the noted contents, yet like the standard Finn Wallet, each remains quite compact for what they are designed to hold.  But make no mistake—this Passport size of the Finn Access Wallet is indeed a big wallet.  As will be seen below, the Passport Finn Access Wallet will work for back pocket carry, though it may be a bit snug for most pants, and front-pocket carry is likely out of the question (the typically larger thigh pockets of cargo pants would be a viable option, however).  The Passport Finn Access Wallet is probably best suited to be carried in a jacket pocket, purse, or bag.

Despite having a large footprint size, all versions of the Finn Access Wallet are still quite thin.

Like the standard Finn Wallet, all versions of the Finn Access Wallet also feature a YKK locking zipper to help avoid accidental opening and keep the wallet’s contents secure.

The feature that separates the standard Finn Wallet from this Finn Access Wallet is this external access pocket that is integrated directly into the Finn Access Wallet’s leather, not stitched onto it which would add material layers, and therefore it helps keep the Finn Access Wallet thin and compact.

As seen above, the Passport Finn Access Wallet holds a US-sized Passport in its external access pocket perfectly.  The fit of the Passport in this pocket was just a bit snug, but I actually think this is perfect because you don’t want your Passport to be accidentally falling out of it while you walking through the airport or anywhere else while traveling.

Above, another photo of my well-worn Passport sitting securely in the Finn Access Wallet’s side access pocket.

An additional accessory that the Passport size of the Finn Access Wallet is designed to hold is this micro pen.  In full disclosure, I’m not sure if the Passport Finn Access wallet actually includes this small pen, or if the Waterfield Design folks just helpfully tossed this into the package with this wallet.  I don’t see anywhere on the Waterfield Designs site where you can purchase this small pen separately (however, one is definitely included with their Travel Wallet, the review of which is in process, so stay tuned).

This miniature pen is a ballpoint twist-type, and fit in the hand nicely, though I would use it more in a pinch, such as for signing a check than for writing the Great American Novel, but it is certainly handy in a pinch.  It also includes a pocket clip which is handy for securing it into the inside of the Passport Finn Access Wallet as you will see below.

Like the standard Finn Wallet, the Passport Finn Access Wallet includes a lined interior which can be selected with optional RFID blocking for an additional $10.  And like the standard Finn Wallet, there are also organizational pockets inside.  However, because the Passport version is larger than some of the other versions, it has more space to allow for additional pockets.  As seen in the image above, the Passport version includes a large pocket plus a small pocket on the left, and two identically-sized pockets on the right.  More on these below.

To test out the Passport Finn Access Wallet, I loaded it up with the above items: 6 bills and 7 cards, the mini pen, an iPhone Lightning charging cable, and my US Passport which is a fair representation of what I might typically carry in my wallet while on a business trip, especially outside the US.

The image above shows the items loaded into the Passport Finn Access Wallet.  On the left, the larger pockets hold the iPhone Lightning cable with loads of room to spare, while the mini pen clips into the small pocket and is held securely.  On the right, one of the pockets holds the cash and the other holds the cards, and both have plenty of space left for more.

Above and below, some additional photos of the Passport Access Wallet from various angles showing the interior and the items I loaded into it.

Above, a photo of the inside of the Passport Access Wallet showing the small pen pocket to the left and the large pocket the Apple iPhone Lightning cable inside.

The above phone shows the inside of the Passport Access Wallet showing the two same-sized pockets with the 7 double-folded cash bills in the left pocket and the 6 cards in the right pocket.

Even with the Passport Access Wallet loaded with the items shown above—including the Passport in the outside access pocket—it largely maintains its thinness, which is quite impressive.

The Passport Finn Access Wallet was designed to hold a smaller wallet inside while traveling.  In the above photo, I’ve placed the Waterfield Designs Minemo Slim Wallet inside the Passport Finn Access Wallet and it fit with room to spare and I could even zip the Passport Finn Access Wallet close with no issues.

Next up was the Waterfield Designs Micro Wallet, which also fit inside the Passport Access Wallet, no problem at all.

Finally, the Compact Finn Wallet (which is approximately the same size as the Micro Wallet) also fit fine inside the Passport Finn Access Wallet, thus demonstrating that it can be used to hold one of Waterfield Designs’ smaller wallets while traveling or while out and about.

While the Passport Finn Access Wallet does indeed have a large footprint—larger than most traditional wallets, and for good reasons—it is not impossible to carry it in your back pocket, but it will likely be a tight fit, as seen above.

However, front pocket carry is probably not going to work well, as seen in the image above.  For most people, the Passport Finn Access Wallet’s footprint is just too large to be comfortable when carried in a front pocket.

What I like

  • For a large wallet, it still retains its slimness, even with several items placed inside
  • Well laid-out interior organizational pocket
  • Exterior quick-access pocket fit US Passport snugly and keeps it handy
  • Locking YKK zipper provides quick yet secure access to contents and could also be used to hold small items like cables, adapters, etc
  • High-quality materials and construction–the leather looks and feels great and seems very durable

What I’d change

  • Nothing!

Final thoughts

The Waterfield Designs Passport Finn Access Wallet is indeed a bit of beast in terms of footprint size but still manages to remain slim even with multiple items packed into it.   The locking zipper helps keep contents secure and the quick access pocket is very handy.  It has a classic look and the leather has a great look and feel.  I think the price is very reasonable considering its size, functionality as a passport-holding travel wallet, materials and construction, which give me the impression that it will last a long time, as Waterfield Designs’ products are known to do, and will only age gracefully over time.

Price:

  • Compact, International, or iPhone XS sizes each for $69
  • Passport size for $79
  • Add $10 for RFID blocking liner

Where to buy: Waterfield Designs (AKA SF Bags)
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Waterfield Designs

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Waterfield Designs Passport Finn Access Wallet review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 20, 2019 at 8:14 am.

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Deenkee 10 in 1 Pressure Instant Pot review

REVIEW – I can remember a time not too long ago when I would spend hours in the kitchen preparing that special meal for my wife, or for guests on occasion when I was in the mood to do the cooking. Some of the Caribbean dishes I would cook involve processes of preparing several individual ingredients prior to creating the main dish. On many occasions, just the thought of the long process and work would make me suggest eating out and saving myself the experience. These days, appliances have been invented that do the work of many processes in a simple and easy way. The Deenkee 10 in 1 Pressure Instant Pot is a good example of such an appliance.

What is it?

This DEENKEE 6Qt. Pressure Cooker is a programmable kitchen appliance that incorporates features like a large LED display and an easy to use interface to easily adjust cooking settings and pressure levels or to stop/cancel the cooking process at any time. It replaces 10 common kitchen appliances and cooks food up to 70% faster than traditional cooking methods. It also features a one-button pressure release, a detachable carrying handle and a glass lid for the inner pot. It is ETL, FCC, & FDA certified.

What’s in the box


1 x Deenkee 10 in 1 Pressure Instant Pot
1 x Spoon
1 x Ladle
1 x Measuring Cup
1 x Glass lid
1 x Sealing Ring
1 x User Manual
1 x Steam Rack
1 x Recipe Book

Design and features

Specifications:
Voltage: AC 220V / 50Hz
Rated Power: 1000W
Capacity: 6 qt (6 Liters)

Features:

  • 10-1 Muti-Function: Deenkee gives you the flexibility to manually input cooking times when required and you also have the pre-programmed smart programs already set for many dishes such as Oatmeal, Broth/Soup, Poultry, Yogurt, Egg, Beans/Chilli, Rice, Pressure Cook (Manual Setting), Meat/Stew, Cake. Slow Cook, Steam, Saute, Canning & Multi-Grain so all of your favorite dishes are as easy as pressing a button
  • Healthy and Built to last: Ceramic non-stick interior coating, plastic PTFE and PFOA free for even heat distribution, fully sealed environment seals in the flavors, nutrients and aromas within the food to Healthy, stainless steel (18/10) inner cooking pot made from food grade 304 ss, no chemical coating, 3-ply bottom for even heat distribution, fully sealed environment traps the flavors, nutrients and aromas within the food
  • Safety: Safety locking lid, Automatic pressure control, Electrical Current & Temperature fuse, Pressure regulation system, Smart locking sensors, Anti-Block shield, Automatic temperature control, Pressure protection system, Heat resistant cooking mitts, Temperature monitor.
  • Accessory Kit: Included is a tempered glass lid (perfect for slow cooking and sautéing) 2 egg racks/steaming trivets, ladle, rice paddle, cooking mitts, extra silicone sealing ring, stainless steel steaming basket, stainless steel inner cooking pot, and a measuring cup
    On the top of the Instant Pot, there is the lid handle with the red pressure release button partially underneath it, and the pressure release valve off to the side.

    On the back of the lid, there is the hinge.

Performance

This Instant Pot is well built with stainless steel around the middle and a heavy-duty plastic lid and base. The control panel on the front is easy to read and navigate.

Since it comes fully assembled, I will not get into describing some of the smaller parts under the lid, but that information is available in the manual.

The Instant Pot has a stainless steel removable inner pot where you place the ingredients to be cooked. The control panel has preset buttons that provide preset cooking times for specific dishes and ingredients. I am initially from the Caribbean, and most of the dishes we cook in my home have their own Caribbean twist and flair. So, when we first tried the Instant Pot we used the preset settings and once we determined how the dish turned out, we adjusted the cooking time to suit what we wanted.

Below are some before and after photos of one of our dishes. It is a version of baked chicken with BBQ sauce.



Below are the ingredients for a traditional Caribbean dish called Cook-Up.

Below you see the served dish of the meal prepared above.

What I like

  • The build quality
  • The versatility/cooking options
  • The end results

What I’d change

    • It does what it is designed to do

Final thoughts

The Deenkee 10 in 1 Pressure Instant Pot is a really great appliance that incorporates so much functionality that with practice you can prepare a large variety of meals. The reason I say practice, is that once you get the process down, you have to figure out the cooking times and which setting works best for the dish you are preparing. In my opinion, the preset times serve as a general reference time. This can only be perfected with frequent use and trial and error. The build quality is great and I am sure that barring any unforeseen issue, that this appliance will be in my kitchen for years. I give it a well done and two thumbs up!!

Price: $95.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Sample: The sample for this review was provided by Deenkee.

Filed in categories: Reviews

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Deenkee 10 in 1 Pressure Instant Pot review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 19, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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