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Lioe Phantom S420 scissors review

When Lioe design reached out to see if I would like to review the Lioe Titan business card holder they asked if I would also be interested in reviewing the Phantom S420 scissors.  I told Julie I’d be happy to check them out. Many of the items reviewed on The Gadgeteer are evaluated to describe and demonstrate their technical or tactical features. These scissors were primarily designed to enhance the aesthetic of everyday scissors, but also to cut. We’ll demonstrate the various ways to show off these scissors but also evaluate how they cut. Read on to see what I think!

Unboxing

The Phantom S420 scissors come in a slipcase covered black box appropriate for gift giving.

Below the slipcover is a black box emblazoned with the Lioe (pronounced Lee-Oh) logo.

Inside the scissors and display stand are fit into a precision cut foam insert. The box also includes an instruction card on how to use the display stand and a warning card that brings attention to the fact that these scissors are a sharpened cutting tool recommended for adult use only. The card includes language that waives Lioe’s liability for injuries due to improper use. Apparently, these scissors were used to cut a check to the Lioe Design attorney.

Display

Scissors used for routine secretarial work still spend most of the time in storage.  The idea behind these scissors was to get them out of a desk drawer or pencil cup and display them as a unique piece of functional art.  The feature image at the start of this review and the images below demonstrate how the shapes, surface finishes, colors, and textures evoke artistic elements of industrial design that transcend functionality and have come to be appreciated as objets d’art. The flutes on the image above and voids on the image below remind me of the flutes and vents on a set of disc brake rotors of a world-class racing car, or the sides of a Reading Streamliner.  The thumb and finger holes look like the voids cut out of steel beams. The red bushing on the central screw looks like a ruby jewel used in watchmaking. All these elements give the phantom scissors an appearance of something other than scissors.

The scissors are meant to be displayed. They come with a highly polished stainless steel display stand. The scissors slide into a groove and the stand widens the base enough for the scissors to stand upright on their side.The scissorss may be displayed as shown on the feature image or the image above, but may also be displayed by positioning the stand according to the images below. These positions give the display potential energy and adds a sense of strength. The scissors appear ‘stronger’ because they must support their own weight.

The two configurations above are probably the easiest way to display the scissors. Getting the scissors to sit in the stand at the end of the handle requires the stand be in a particular location versus it being positioned anywhere along the handle as in above. The configurations below require two-hands to hold the stand up on edge and also place the handle steel into the notch.

Use

The Phantom scissors have an artistic compromise that makes them a little bit different to use than the typical pair of scissors. The edges of the blades are positioned behind the knuckles of the thumb and fingers when holding the scissors and the edges do not pivot directly opposite the screw.  Because of this design (or even in spite of it) the cutting seems a bit more difficult to control than compared to using a standard scissors from OfficeMax. The tension can be adjusted by the central screw, but it is a Torx T8 style bolt.

Although the design is somewhat ambidextrous in that the thumb and finger holes are not contoured, the design of the scissors is actually left-handed, with the thumb blade on top of the finger blade when the thumb is positioned on the left. This means that right-handed users will tend to force the blades apart when closing. The area where the screw is located is very large so perhaps this effect will be minimized. My impression of this phenomenon is poor because I’m a lefty who has used right handed scissors all my life. Even if the alignment of the blades is unaffected by the asymmetric mechanics of the left and fight hands, right-handed individuals will need to cut across their body to see the  paper being cut because the finger blade will obscure the view if the scissors are held out strait.

Performance

Since I don’t have access to one of these I needed to come up with my own performance evaluation. The first test was to cut precisely across the lines of a piece of paper. The results below are from the Phantom 420.

The results below are from the OfficeMax scissors pictured above. I think that the OfficeMax scissors were easier to use. The results may appear to be the same but I had to concentrate a lot more to complete the cuts with the Phantom.

The next test was seeing how many sheets of paper the scissors could cut through and how those cuts looked. The paper below demonstrates the cutting performance through the indicated number of sheets. In reality, I just foled the paper upon itself and cut across the bundle. The sheet below was cut by the Phantom 420.

This sheet was cut by the OfficeMax scissors. There is barely a difference. The OfficeMax scissors were more comfortable because the handle is padded, but overall the results of the cuts look very similar. Both scissors had difficulty with the 32 sheet count.

Conclusion

These scissors are fantastic to look at and I can admire them all day, but when it come time to use them I miss my generic (right-handed) OfficeMax scissors.  Also, in keeping with the maxim “good art isn’t cheap, cheap art isn’t good” the Phantom scissors cost $65; quite a bit more than the $5.99 OfficeMax pair. Maybe if I keep using them I’ll learn to like them more, but for now I feel like they are like a great looking pop music act with only an average voice. Perhaps with some refinements they will be more appreciated, but for now they don’t make the cut.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Lioe. Please visit their site for more info and you can order one from Amazon.

 

Product Information

Price: $65
Manufacturer: Lioe
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • Light Duty Office Use – Paper or Card Stock Only
Pros:
  • style
  • left handed design for left handed people
Cons:
  • price
  • performance
  • left handed design for right handed people
  • unpadded finger/thumb hole

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Lioe Phantom S420 scissors review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 14, 2017 at 2:00 pm.

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FABRIQ Chorus Portable Smart Speaker with Amazon Alexa review

Give me a speaker, a Bluetooth or wifi connection, throw in a dollop of Amazon Alexa’s brains and witty personality and top that off with a pinch of Spotify or Amazon Music and it looks like a recipe for sheer gadget bliss.  The great thing about this recipe is that all the ingredients are accessible through the Fabriq Chorus Smart Speaker. Let’s have a look-see. 

In the Box (See pic below)

1 Chorus speaker
1 Charging dock
1 Cable for charging with USB to wall adapter

Set up

The set up was pretty simple for both wifi and Bluetooth. After you plug in the unit (it does come precharged, but why not charge it more?) and download the app from either the Apple Store or Google Play, you’ll go through the setup process which is guided by the Fabriq app.

One thing to keep in mind is that you need to make sure you are connecting to the same network that your phone is connected to.  I know that seems painfully obvious, but you could run into problems if you have two networks in your home like I do.

After the device is powered on, the ring around the bottom lights up like the pic below and blinks white and plays a little tune. This white light lets you know it’s either connected to wifi, or it’s ready to be connected (the device is pictured here off the charging dock). After the initial setup, whenever it is turned on, it will still blink, but after a couple of seconds, it says, “connected” so you know you are ready to rock.

The next step is locating the “pair” button that is hidden under the secret plastic door on the back of the device (see photo below). This is the button you will use to connect to Bluetooth or a wifi connection. If your phone is connected to a wifi network, the speaker will try and connect to it, so if you want to use Bluetooth, you need to turn off the wifi connection on your phone and press the pair button again. Note: If you use the speaker with a Bluetooth connection and you arrive home again and wish to use it on the wifi network, you must repair the device using the app. Don’t worry, it’s a very quick process, but it’s good to know.  I didn’t realize this and I just kept pressing the pair button over and over and it wouldn’t pair.  It tells you to see the app for help though (here’s your sign!), and when you do, the app walks you through connection again.

After pairing, you can begin to explore the wonderfulness of the speaker. I haven’t personally tried, but the directions say that you can pair up to 10 Fabriq speakers and use them together, or control them individually….that would be some pretty cool surround sound.

A great thing about this speaker, in my opinion, is once you set it up to use on wifi, you don’t have to keep referring to the app to control it. The lighted ring around the bottom can tell you what you need to know and there are volume control buttons on the back.  I already discussed the white light, the blue light (above pic) is when you’ve enabled the Bluetooth setting…go figure! There is a red light also and that is what tells you the battery is about to die. This happens typically after about 5-6 hours after being off the charger, depending on what the speaker is being used for. I feel like my face is in my phone enough and being able to use this speaker easily, by just speaking to it and observing what color the rings are has been great!

What can it do?

If you already have an Amazon Alexa app on your phone, you simply need to connect Fabriq to the account. If you don’t have it, you need to get it in order to use the Amazon Alexa functions.  Once you do that, you can say the wake word, “Alexa” and then any command that you would tell your Amazon Echo.  The one problem that I have found with this device is that she doesn’t “hear” as well as my Echo, and I find myself having to raise my voice, or my other devices in other rooms will pick up my command first. In order to combat this, I changed the wake word on my Echo to “Amazon” and my Echo Dot is now called “Echo”.  The Fabriq speaker gets to have the name “Alexa” because I went into the Alexa app and the option to change the wake word was not available…but it’s okay with me because I think she looks more like an Alexa anyway. So now, just like with my children, I end up saying all of their names before I get to the one I want. It’s pretty comical actually…Alexa, Echo…. Amazon!

The above pic allows you see how the unit sets on the charger and what the connectors look like on the bottom. It doesn’t have to click, lock, or be set down in any certain way in order to charge or to be removed from the dock.

The sound quality of this little speaker is actually comparable to the Amazon Echo, and much better sounding than the Dot. I was hoping to add this speaker to my group I named “Everywhere” so that I could have my Amazon Music play from all three devices simultaneously instead of just the two, however, that option is not available.  So, if you want to connect this speaker to others to play together for a multi-room effect, you’ll just have to get more Fabriq speakers!

Final Thoughts

I’ve been pretty impressed by this speaker and it’s sound quality, it’s portability and frankly, I think its got a pretty cool look.  I have enjoyed being able to take it to the tennis court for some motivational hype music while my daughter and I hit the ball around and to the beach for some relaxing music as we sunbathe.  I found the setup to be simple, and once I renamed my other Alexa devices, there was harmony in the house once again, and everyone was able to “listen” without interrupting each other.  I don’t think that this Fabriq Smart Speaker hears as well as the Amazon Echo speakers, but that is a pretty high bar because Echo speakers hear it all! Lastly, it looks as if Elsa the cat has accepted the Fabriq speaker into our home….and that is not something you see every day!

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Fabriq. Please visit www.thefabriq.com for more information and go to Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $99.99
Manufacturer: Fabriq
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • A smartphone
  • An electrical outlet or USB port for charging
  • The Amazon Alexa app (or you won't be able to use those features)
  • Wifi or Bluetooth connection
Pros:
  • Portable, can be used away from wifi connection with Bluetooth
  • Can be used to control smart home features and most other skills that Alexa uses
  • Has great sound quality
  • Can pair up to 10 Fabriq speakers
  • After pairing, heavy App usage is not needed
Cons:
  • Charge only lasts 5-6 hours
  • Doesn't "hear" quite as well as the Amazon Echo products
  • Does not pair with other Echo Speakers to play Amazon Music simultaneously

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FABRIQ Chorus Portable Smart Speaker with Amazon Alexa review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 14, 2017 at 11:00 am.

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Anki Cozmo robot review


Let me state up front that the Anki Cozmo robot is a difficult review to write. It’s not because I don’t like it (frankly, negative reviews are easy to write); it’s because I really like this robot and it does so many things—most of them silly—that I’m having a hard time deciding what to leave in and what to delete. So, let me start off the review by saying, “If you want the coolest holiday gift for 2017, this is it.”

Well, that was easy. Now for the hard part …

When I first saw Cozmo online in a series of hilarious Anki videos, I was reminded of Pixar’s Wall-E. Cozmo loosely resembles Wall-E with his various noises and pseudo-language as he expresses joy—or quite the opposite. I don’t know whether Cozmo is a he, she or it, so I will use “he” since Cozmo is a boy’s name and calling him an it robs him of his personality.

Cozmo is a small, intelligent robot that will win you over with his ability to learn and his desire to beat you in every game he plays with you. He learns and gets more competitive as you interact with him. He is self-centered, petulant, moody and lovable—much like a cat.

Cozmo knows some games and will perform some tricks right out of the box, but as you spend time with him, other games and tricks are opened up. When you play with Cozmo each day, you’re awarded play tokens. Acquire three and you can unlock what Anki calls Bonus Boxes where you can redeem rewards—sparks, games, and tricks. Sparks are like points that are used to start a game or trick with Cozmo. Different games require different amounts of Sparks. Cozmo can also earn Sparks by winning games. Sometimes Cozmo chooses a game to play and sometimes it’s up to you. Either way, he’s constantly reminding you he wants to play.

Note: I made some videos, but they don’t do justice to everything Cozmo can do. There are countless Cosmo videos on YouTube that do a better job. Plus the quality is lacking—I had to use my iPad to shoot video because the Anki app will not work in the background on a smartphone, so multitasking is not possible.

Cozmo gets bored easily and can cause mischief. He always wants to pounce on your finger, play a song or go exploring. He’s even recognized our pet dogs! Speaking of recognition, when you first unbox Cozmo, you go through this facial recognition by typing your name and letting Cozmo scan your face. A built-in camera performs the scan and then Cozmo clearly pronounces your name. Anki assures us that no personal info ever goes out and that everything is stored in Cozmo himself and not shared with anyone. Note: Should you decide, Cozmo can be easily and completely erased.

Sometimes you can play tricks on Cozmo. Either putting him upside down or rearing him up on his back wheels will upset him. He will do everything he can to right himself up. Many times, his head, lift (arms) and tread (wheels) need recalibration. This is easily done in the free iOS or Android app that must be downloaded for Cozmo to work. This app controls everything Cozmo. It tells you what he’s thinking, how to set up a game or trick, and even keeps count of the sparks left in your “bank.”

The app also lets you know then Cozmo’s battery is getting low or when he needs to be fed. It also keeps track of the three cubes which are Cozmo’s toys. These blocks have specific icons for identification. The cubes have colors that turn on and off depending on how they’re used. A blue cube means that Cozmo sees it, but a green glowing cube means that Cozmo will interact with it. Which blocks become blue or green seems to be completely random. The cubes can display many different colors during game time.

Starting Cozmo up is a multi-step affair. First, you have to place him in his base regardless of whether he’s charged or not. Then he needs to be connected to a smartphone via his own WiFi network. Once that’s done, he wakes up and rolls off the base. Usually, Cozmo needs tuning up and feeding before any activities can take place. Feeding Cozmo involves shaking a blue glowing cube until it remains bright and then letting him find it and ‘drink’ from it. Sometimes, he even gets the hiccups. Of course, it’s all for show since it has nothing to do with a charged or empty battery. But hey, it’s a pet, ya’ know?

Tuning up requires scanning Cozmo and then following instructions given by the app to “fix” him by aligning his tread wheels, calibrating his lift and adjusting his head. I not sure how necessary this procedure is, but it’s fun to do as the app asks.

Once you have Cozmo set up, you’ll want him to recognize you. If you’ve already performed facial scanning, he will see you and say your name. Sometimes, you may have to re-introduce yourself after you power him up. I told Cozmo my name was “Billy Bob” because my name is actually William Robert and it sounds better than just “Bill”.

After you play a few games and spend time with Cozmo, you collect sparks that are used as tokens to play more games. As days go by, more sparks are added and conversely, with these sparks, more games are added. Be careful though, Cozmo does not like to be ignored and will throw a fit if you don’t pay enough attention to him. He also expresses displeasure when he wants to play a game and you say no or you say yes and then beat him. However, it’s fun to watch Cozmo randomly play games and performing tricks to amuse himself (and us in the process).

There are more advanced activities for Cozmo in the Discover section of the app.

My favorite Cozmo activity is Explore Mode. This utilizes the built-in camera (what Cozmo “sees”). You see what he sees on your smartphone screen. You can then control Cozmo by moving, turning and manipulating his arms and head. Plus he will recognize a cube, human or even a pet and will greet you (or your pet) by pressing the Greet button on the screen. Cozmo can be made too either lift or roll a cube. Plus, you can drive him around using his camera as an eye. It allows you to see your surroundings from Cozmo’s viewpoint. More than once in this mode, he recognized me and said my name. I also had fun terrorizing my 75 lb dog with Cozmo driving around on the floor and seeing it from Cozmo’s point of view. My poor dog didn’t know what to make of him, so he walked away. If he had attacked Cozmo, this review may have ended quickly! You can also type anything into the app and Cozmo will say it.

Another mode for the adventurous is what the app calls Code Lab. This allows you to instruct Cozmo in different tasks by piecing together code blocks to make a program. It’s rudimentary, but it works flawlessly. Even though I don’t have a coding bone in my body, I could program simple tasks for Cozmo. I can envision kids gaining an interest in coding with this simple and intuitive game just to make Cozmo do what they want. Note: There is also a Cozmo Software Development Kit (SDK) for hard-core coders.

When you turn off the app, Cozmo lets out a disappointed sigh (or two or three) and begins snoring quite loudly. After a bit, he shuts down completely and must be re-awakened using the app’s Connect button. He then looks around and will call out your name when he recognizes you.

Cozmo is one of those intelligent toys that rewards the kid in all of us. As we spend more time with him, he becomes even more entertaining and opens up more games. I have yet to discover everything Cozmo has to offer despite the time I’ve spent with him. And isn’t that one of the joys of any toy—discovering new things about it even after hours of playtime?

Cozmo is not an inexpensive toy, but considering all he does and the hours of fun he promises in addition to learning as you play, what more can you ask for?

The Anki Cozmo robot sells for $179.99 US and is available from Amazon. I received the graphite colored Collector’s Edition, which costs the same as the white regular edition.

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

 

Product Information

Price: $179.99 US
Manufacturer: Anki
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Endless, creative fun
  • Cozmo learns and adapts and gets smarter
  • Cozmo learns who you are
  • Cooler looking Collector's Edition same price as regular Cozmo
  • Allows coding
Cons:
  • Expensive

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Anki Cozmo robot review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 13, 2017 at 12:39 pm.

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TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Earbuds review

While “wireless headphones” have been around for a while, “true wireless headphones” are a relatively new concept in headphone technology. The ear pods sit independently in each ear. No wires. No nothin’! I’ve reviewed wireless headphones before, but the TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Earbuds are the first I have tried in the category. Let’s go see how they do!

Packaging, storage, and charging

When you crack open the box on the TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Earbuds, you’ll find yourself facing a black storage case that’s roughly the size of a hockey puck at 3” in diameter and 7/8” deep. Multiple sized silicone earbud tips (S/M/L), a pair of memory foam tips, and a USB to Micro-USB cable complete the package out of the box.

Rotate the top half of the puck clockwise, and you’ll expose a panel that includes the Micro USB port for charging the base, and a standard USB port for charging other devices. Four blue LEDs on the top of the panel indicate charge levels on the base. The base itself takes about 3 hours to charge to full capacity, at which point it will provide up to 60 hours of earbud operation without an additional charge.

Rotate the top half of the puck counterclockwise to expose the earbud dock. A pair of magnetic ports keeps your buds secured in place when not in use. Each earbud had a red LED light that lets you know when they are charging in the dock and will go out when they are fully charged. It takes about an hour to charge the earbuds when completely drained. The buds will charge while you are charging other devices on the USB port, or while the base unit is charging, or both.

The case itself is quite rugged, keeping your buds thoroughly protected while knocking around in your pocket or bag. When combined with the additional on-the-go charging features, it makes for a great base package for the system.

Setting up for use

The TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless earbuds are tiny and bullet-shaped with a single multifunction button on the tip of each earbud, and that’s all there is to it. As you can see from the photos below, they are tiny!

You turn the earbuds on or off by pressing and holding each button for three seconds. They will also turn off automatically if placed in the storage cradle, which is a nice feature for both convenience and conserving power. As you power the earbuds up, a series of spoken audio cues let you know the status (“Power on!” “Connected!” “Power off!”). They will also tell you which bud is which (“Left Channel!” “Right Channel!) so you know that you have them in the proper ears. Each earbud is also marked, but the extra audio cue is nice.

The earbuds are connected to each other by default, with the left earbud serving as the master unit. Bluetooth Pairing is easy. Go to your Bluetooth settings and connect to the “NOVA” device. The earbuds will tell you that you’re connected with the words “Pairing successful. Connected!” The buds will automatically connect to the last paired device, but you can switch between devices using the Bluetooth controls on each device.

Once you are connected, the multifunction button on each earbud has some very basic control features. Press either button once to pause or play a track queued up on your device. You can take calls while wearing the earbuds by pressing either button once when your phone rings. Double-pressing either button will redial the last number you called. Any other phone functions (opening your music or podcast app, selecting tracks, starting a playlist, dialing someone from your contact list, volume control, etc.) are all activated from your device.

I do like that TRNDlabs is keeping it simple with the NOVA True Wireless Earbuds. There’s only so much additional functionality you can pack into a tiny pair of earbuds without really making the usability too complex for normal operation. While the on-board functions are limited here, the controls and audio queues are intuitive and easy to learn.

Bring the noise!

Sound quality on the TRNDlabs is quite good. Audio is crisp and clear, and offers nice volume range. Since the buds sit deeper in your ear, you’ve also got quite a bit of ambient noise suppression. The bass levels are not particularly deep, which I would expect from tiny little buds like this. I’ve also noticed that the sound quality is directly impacted by how deep you have inserted them in your ear. 

As I expected, phone call quality is a mixed bag as a result of the design. Incoming audio is crisp and clear, but the positioning of the microphone in the earbud makes for muffled audio going out. I’ve had several people comment that can be difficult to hear me, especially if I am speaking in a low voice in a crowded area. I’ve also noted that incoming call audio only plays in the master bud in my left ear. It’s a trade-off that’s unavoidable in this sort of design, but something you should consider if you’re used to making frequent calls.

Overall, connectivity is quite good. The TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Earbuds use Bluetooth 4.1 technology with a range of about 30 feet. I tend to keep my iPhone in my bag or pocket and have noticed no issues with connectivity.

Running about and working out

I’ll admit that the bullet-style earbuds take some getting used to, as there is nothing to anchor the bud in your ears other than the nibs. Once I found the right sized nibs, I found the TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Earbuds to be quite comfortable. They are really light and don’t irritate during periods of extended use. I have experienced some issues with the right-hand bud sliding around or popping out, especially under strenuous conditions like a workout. In checking out other reviews online, this seems to be a problem for some people. It could be my tiny ears. I’m still experimenting with different sized nibs to get the right fit.

I’ve also experienced the occasional audio drop while working out, almost as if the audio is buffering or reconnecting. This may be the result of the activity, however… I’ve been sitting here playing these for two hours while writing this review and experienced no such issues. Other online reviews seem to collaborate this, but it’s not a significant issue for most of the reviewers I have checked out.

Overall, performance and operation of the TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Headphones are really good. One of the drawbacks of many smaller earbuds is limited power capacity; with the portable charger/case TRNDlabs provides here, I never find myself with a dead pair of earphones. Simple controls make for easy and uncomplicated operation, which is a plus when you need to focus and just want to listen to music or podcasts while you’re up and about (or working out). Sound quality is very good, and connectivity has been consistently good during the several weeks I have had them.

Wireless… or true wireless?

Based on my research, there are some drawbacks to true wireless headphones in general. That extra cable gives you a place to hand an additional control pod for a microphone to improve call quality, as well as extra controls like volume adjustments. Wireless headphones also tend to have larger earbuds, which helps with secure fit and better speakers. You also don’t have problems with losing a tiny earbud if it pops out of your ear since it’s always connected to its partner by that cable or headset arrangement. Both wireless and true wireless headphones have the same issue with limited power supplies from what I have seen, so that’s not a big differentiator.

All that said, I find myself using TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Earbuds more than my wired/wireless headphones. I tend to do more listening than talking while using my headphones, however, so I am OK with the trade-offs. I don’t find the sound quality to be an issue, and the ability to constantly charge the device when not in use is a big plus for me. They’re also much more comfortable in my opinion, without any bulky stuff hanging off my ears. Your needs may be different, however, and you should think about how you use your headphones on a regular basis before making the jump.

Conclusion and Pricing

After doing some research into pricing, I can tell you that these earbuds look like a pretty good value relative to their competition. Apple’s Earpods start at $160, and other higher-end competitors (such as Jabra and Samsung) start at $200+. The TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Earbuds retail for just $79! Add in the simple controls, great sound, and the additional charging features and you have a great little package. Check them out at TRNDlabs web site or on Amazon for more information!

Source: The sample for this review was provided by TRNDlabs. For more info visit their site.

 

Product Information

Price: $79.00
Manufacturer: TRNDlabs
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Great sound quality
  • Portable charging features
  • Simple, intuitive operation
  • Great value compared to competitive products
Cons:
  • Bullet shape may not work for everyone (can slip out)
  • Outgoing voice is not great for calls
  • Limited functionality may not work for some

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TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Earbuds review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 13, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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Mychanic Tool Creeper rolling tool tray review

There’s a creeper in my garage! A tool creeper that is. Like many shade tree mechanics, I am plagued with tools and loose items rolling around my garage floor. The Mychanic Tool Creeper aims to help that problem.

  • Manufactured from durable ABS plastic
  • Dimensions (Tray): 24″ tall x 20″ across x 20″ deep
  • Dimensions (Casters): 2” swivel
  • Weight: 5.2 lbs
  • Patent pending

There is a little bit of assembly required.  Thankfully, there are only three casters to attach, and a small wrench is included.

I was surprised to discover that despite the casters, the tray didn’t just roll off on its own.  It pretty much stayed where you leave it unless you give it a good push.

Do you see that triangular metal plate in the middle?  You can attach magnetic items to it, such as the Mychanic Pod Light (sold separately)

I just happened to have a project to do in the garage that day, so the Mychanic Tool Creeper worked out just right.  I’m happy to say I didn’t lose a single nut, bolt or socket that afternoon.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Delk. Please visit their site for more info.

 

Product Information

Price: $34.99
Manufacturer: Mychanic
Requirements:
  • Minor assembly required (three casters, wrench included)
Pros:
  • Pretty much stays put- doesn't roll off on its own that easily.
Cons:
  • None

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Mychanic Tool Creeper rolling tool tray review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 12, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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