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E-Blox building brick sets review

REVIEW – E-Blox are great for anyone who loves Lego but wants to try something different, perhaps a little more advanced, with cool light-up blocks.

What is it?

Building-block toys with LEDs, some sets come with related stories, some are kits with free-play options, others involve constructing circuits.  

What’s in the box?

We tested two boxes. 

Our Power Blox Builds Plus set came with:

  • 73 pieces (3 models shown)
  • Safety instructions for 9-volt battery handling

Our Story Blox The City set came with:

  • 138 pieces (8 models)
  • “The City,” a chapter in the E-blox novelette “Earth One”
  • An assembly manual
  • Safety instructions for 9-volt battery handling

Specs

A 9-volt battery is required for the power box/battery case, which powers the LED pieces. Each box includes a safety sheet about the hazards, storage and removal of the battery in order to avoid a short circuit or leakage. In fact, there’s even an alarm incorporated into the battery box, which sounds when there’s a short.

On the opposite side of the safety sheet are instructions for getting started with E-blox. Unlike other building block toys, there are several specific rules with E-blox in order to get the light-up blocks to work properly:

  • The LED must be connected to the battery case terminals.
  • Each piece must be placed correctly, with the positive “+” side of the LED module connected to the positive side of the battery case. (Both are labeled.) Backward LEDs won’t glow.
  • It must also be connected to the negative battery case terminal, too.
  • If you want your project to include more than one light by connecting the modules in a series, the silver conductive pieces must interconnect the LEDs to each other and to the battery module terminals.

Design and features

There are four different types of E-Blox:

  • Circuit Blox, where you use a circuit board to build toys, with 13 different sets including a flying saucer or FM radio.
  • Power Blox, with 11 sets, where you build structures that incorporate glowing pieces, with multiple designs per box (ours was a kitten, tower or picture frame; another option was an airplane, space invader or ghostship).
  • Story Blox, three sets that incorporate a story and 8 corresponding models to build.
  • Single Pieces, buy exactly the blox you need, priced from 10 cents for a 1-block spacer to $10 for a battery block.

We tested a Power Blox and Story Blox set. My son, 11, was excited to make the kitten in his Power Blox set. Based on previous Lego experience, he expected he could improvise— and he constructed it just fine to the naked eye, but the cool green eyes wouldn’t glow, because we hadn’t sufficiently studied all the rules for getting the LEDs to work.  

As you can see from the LED requirements in the Specs section above, there is a lot to pay attention to. For us, this meant a little learning curve before building, at least if you want the lights to work on your creation. 

After 30 minutes of frustration, we looked up the instructions on YouTube, since his Power Blox set didn’t come with an assembly manual. With the instructions and a more attentive eye to positive and negative terminals, his dad helped work it out. 

I should note that after my son built a handful of smaller models with the instructions (in the Story Blox set), he went back to his Power Blox and was able to build an impressive tower on his own. So these can be used for creative play and freestyling, but you need to study up and get a feel for them first.

Story Blox are a neat concept, especially if you’re trying to help a hands-on learner get in more reading and even a little research. For every page of text, there was a related build, as well as a QR code to research topics related to the story. Don’t expect a lot of reading, there are only about 8 sentences to read before each build. But it’s certainly a clever way to get kids engaged.

  A few watch-outs:

  • These creations are very delicate. While the conductive pieces are very tight and hard to get apart because of their plating, the regular pieces are very loose. I carefully picked up the kitty after taking its picture, and it crumbled in my hands. I also accidentally broke the bridge from The City. If my child were younger or more sensitive, that could have led to tears.
  • The light-up pieces look like three separate pieces, but they are actually one. If you’ve spent any time playing with Legos, you’d be conditioned to see 3 one-by-twos. And like both me and my son, you’ll try to rip them apart. Don’t! You’ll break them.
  • The pictures on the box aren’t necessarily the models you’re going to build. Our Story Blox box showed cool light-up office buildings, which were not included. Be sure to check the back of the box to see the exact models it comes with.
  • You need to take apart each project to build the next, which may be hard for those who get easily attached to their work. We’ve been displaying my son’s creation-of-the-day as our dinner table centerpiece each night before he takes it apart to build something new. But five years ago, we wouldn’t have gotten past the first build, because he could never bear to destroy it.

What I like

  • Creative toy, with several ways to engage young learners
  • The different colored lights are very cool and unique
  • It’s educational, a great way to learn about 3D electronic circuits
  • Attention to safety, especially the alarm for short circuits

What I’d change

  • Include written assembly manual for all sets
  • Tighter fitting “regular” pieces for more stability
  • Add a tool for unlocking the tight-fitting conductive pieces

Final thoughts

A fun, unique toy with a bit of a learning curve at first, but lots of cool designs and creative possibilities once you understand how they work.

Price: Power Blox sets from $21.99 to $175.99. Circuit Blox sets from $10.99 to $82.49. Story Blox sets are $54.99. We tested Story Blox The City, $54.99, and the Power Blox Builds Plus set, $43.99.
Where to buy: E-Blox and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by E-Blox.

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E-Blox building brick sets review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 11, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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ZVOX Voicebud VB20 Hearing Amplifier review

REVIEW – A little bit of context for this review, I was born with significant problems with my right ear. It has been and always will be a pain in my, well, head. I have suffered hearing loss, had two surgeries on it, have a permanent hole in the ear drum and suffer through ear infections throughout the year. Needless to say, any dreams of being a swimmer or diver were out of the question by the time I was 5 years old. Age and the medical issues have made my hearing an issue and I find myself more and more often lately asking someone to repeat what they just said, especially if they are standing on my right side. I have put off getting a hearing aid, but am slowly starting to realize that at 38 years old, I’m only delaying the inevitable. So, I volunteered to test out the ZVOX VoiceBud VB20 Hearing Amplifier when it became available.

What is it?

The VB20 Hearing Amplifier is an FDA registered class one hearing aid.

What’s in the box?

  • Instructions, first use pamphlet and contact card.
  • Spare batteries
  • Zippered carrying case
  • Cleaning Kit with extra tubes and ear domes
  • Hearing aid

Design and features

The VB20 is an over the ear style hearing aid with a small clear tube that runs from the aid into the ear canal.

There is a small stabilizing arm that tucks into the lower part of your ear to keep it securely in your ear canal. There is a toggle switch on top to turn the volume up and down. Long pressing either of the volume buttons will cycle through the 4 different hearing settings:

1) Speech – for usual conversation without much background noise

2) Noisy Room – for inside spaces with distracting noise and other people talking

3) Automobile – for inside moving vehicles

4) Outdoors – for outdoor spaces or very large empty spaces.

Setup

Setting up the aid is pretty easy. Just insert a battery and shut the battery door, then insert the tube with a dome attached snugly into the ear canal. Any time the battery door is closed, the aid is on and turning it off involves removing the battery.

Performance

Over the weeks of using the VB20, I found that in most instances it did provide amplified sound and allowed me to pick up a more rounded sound from the world around me. Typically it stayed in mode 1, for normal conversation with mode 3 used for my commute to work and mode 2 when I went out to lunch or dinner. I used mode 4 only when I was walking to and from my car at work, as it did a good job of filtering out the noise of the wind.

It does take some getting used to though and not all of the added noise was welcomed. The first few days took time to get used to the aid being in the ear canal, and it’s even recommended to wear it for about an hour at a time with breaks between until you’re used to it. Conversation also took a little bit of getting used to as well, with voices sometimes taking on a mechanical almost robotic tone depending on the setting. Additionally, while using some wifi or Bluetooth devices, there would be painful interference that would make me pull the aid from my ear very quickly.

It did improve my hearing and my wife noticed a difference when I was wearing it and when I wasn’t. The size, color, and style allow it to remain relatively hidden from most people I am in contact with at work, so it’s not distracting or embarrassing to wear – and let’s be honest this is what I believe is what I believe keeps most people from getting hearing aids. The battery life leaves a little to be desired, as none of them lasted more than a week of use.

What I like

  • Easy functions, toggle switch for volume and change of mode and easy to change battery
  • Small and sleek design fits nicely behind the ear
  • I can hear better with it, even with the occasional annoyance

What I’d change

  • Extend the battery life
  • Ear canal irritation is going to be an issue with long term use, possibly make the domes softer? I don’t know how to fix this, and I’m sure it’s a problem across all types of the in-the-canal style hearing aids

Final thoughts

Being that this is my first experience with a hearing aid, it may be noted that I don’t really have anything to compare this to other than my base hearing level. That being said, I did notice an improvement in my hearing in all 4 modes of operation. The occasional problems were outweighed by the positives and I just learned over time what situations wouldn’t work well with this type of aid. It does make me wonder if I could get more precise results with an actual hearing test and customized hearing aid, however at this time I do think it’s more than sufficient for my day to day needs for hearing improvement. For those who suffer from a slight to moderate hearing loss, I believe this would provide a noticeable improvement over the base hearing level.

Price: $199.99
Where to buy: ZVOX Website
Source: The sample of this product was provided by ZVOX.

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ZVOX Voicebud VB20 Hearing Amplifier review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 11, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Picktooth person toothpick review

REVIEW – We’ve all been there, you’ve just come back from lunch and you’re talking to a friend who keeps staring at your mouth. Finally, you get a chance to look in the mirror to realize that you have food stuck between your teeth. ICK! Many restaurants offer wooden toothpicks at the checkout counter, but a better alternative is to add a reusable toothpick like the Picktooth Personal Toothpick to your EDC. Let’s check it out.

What is it?

The Picktooth Personal Toothpick is a plastic toothpick that comes in a credit card and keychain version for easy carry.

Design and features

Both Picktooth styles feature a handy storage case. The credit card sized Picktooth offers two toothpicks, while the keychain-sized Picktooth is just one toothpick with a split ring for your keychain.

Both styles of the Picktooth are made of the same flexible neon yellow nylon. The material is food grade, BPA/PVC free, and recyclable. As you can see from the image above, the credit card sized Picktooth is slightly larger than the keychain-sized Picktooth.

The Picktooth has a “handle” at one end and a curved pick on the opposite end.

The curved pick has a tapered point that works great for removing stubborn food particles from between your teeth without stabbing your gums.

I made sure that the credit card sized Picktooth does indeed fit in the credit card slot in a wallet. It even fits in smaller wallets like the smaller sized Waterfield Finn wallet shown here.

The Picktooth obviously doesn’t do anything that a wooden or plastic toothpick can’t do. But it’s designed to be reusable and not just a use it and trash it style toothpick. I realize that saving landfills from toothpicks might not be a huge deal in the grand scheme of things, but I also think that if more people designed reusable products like the Picktooth, we could cut down on the mindless trash that humans generate on a daily basis.

What I like

  • Reusable
  • Comfortable to use
  • Two styles for easy carry

What I’d change

  • Nothing

Final thoughts

Several times a week I’ll check my teeth while washing my hands in the restroom at work. When I see some food stuck between my teeth, I’ll usually grab a paper towel and try to fold/twist into a tiny point and use it as a pseudo toothpick with less than stellar results. With the keychain-sized Picktooth in my gear bag, I can easily dislodge the food and save the Picktooth for another day. It gets two thumbs up and a smile from me.

Price: $4.99
Where to buy: Picktooth
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Picktooth.

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Picktooth person toothpick review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 10, 2019 at 12:00 pm.

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Waterfield Designs Compact Finn Wallet review

REVIEW – The Waterfield Designs Finn Wallet has been a product beloved by wallet fans for many years and has also undergone updates and changes during that time.  The Finn Wallet is a zipper style, of which I am a fan because the zipper allows it to hold the wallet’s contents more securely.  Recently, Waterfield Designs once again updated its Finn Wallet, and we had the opportunity fortunate to try one out.  Gadget on!

What is it?

The Finn Wallet is a thin, minimalist, zipper wallet available in multiple sizes that is designed to hold several cards and some cash.

Hardware specs

  • Material and color options
    • Waxed Italian Canvas in Brown or Blue each for $49
    • NEW Red or Blue Forza (Blue reviewed here) each for $49
    • Full-grain, deer-tanned leather in Brown, Black, or Blue each for $59
  • Size options
    • Compact = 4.25″ x 3″ weighing 1.4 oz.
    • International = 4.25″ x 3.375″ weighing 1.4 oz.
    • Passport = 5.75″ x 4.25″ weighing 1.8 oz. (adds $10 to cost)
    • iPhone XS = 6.0″ x 3.5″ weighing 2.2 oz.
  • Capacity by size
    • Compact = 20+ credit cards plus a wad of cash (reviewed here)
    • International = 20+ credit cards plus a wad of cash, including US or foreign-sized currency
    • Passport = 10+ credit cards and US or larger foreign currency and designed to hold a US Passport
    • iPhone XS = 20+ credit cards, US or larger currency, and an iPhone XS or similarly-sized smartphone
  • 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 Wallet is arguably the most classic and popular of all of Waterfield Designs’ wallet styles.  It has been in their product offering for many years and has undergone various updates and upgrades throughout that time.  In fact, its most recent version is an update thanks to the Waterfield Designs recent Nexgen Wallet Survey that was administered to customers and fans to solicit feedback for new designs and design updates.  In full disclosure,  I previously owned an earlier version of the Finn Wallet that was made of leather and had a larger footprint than this one (more like the iPhone XS size), so I was eager to compare it to this updated version of the Finn.

My initial impression of the Finn Wallet was that its new Blue Forza fabric had a very unique look and rich, deep blue color.  The Forza fabric’s texture has what I can only describe as many dimples on its surface (which feel funkily good), which not only gives it a 3D texture, but also gives it just a bit of additional grip.

While the Forza fabric of this review sample was quite unique in look and feel (and available in Red or this Blue colors), the Finn Wallet is also available in Brown, Black or Blue oil-tanned, full grain leather, as well as Brown or Blue Italian Waxed Canvas.

The Finn Wallet is available in several sizes: Compact (designed to hold several cards and US cash bills, shown here), International (designed to hold several cards and foreign bills), Passport (designed to hold several cards, US or foreign cash bills and a Passport), and iPhone XS (designed to hold several cash bills, cards, and iPhone XS or other similarly-sized smartphones inside it).  Each of these has an increasing footprint size to accommodate the noted contents, yet each remains quite compact for what they are designed to hold.

The Finn Wallet is known for maintaining its thinness despite being able to hold multiple cards and cash bills.

For size comparison purposes, the above photo shows the Waterfield Designs Micro Wallet on top and the Finn Wallet in Compact size beneath it.  They are very similar in footprint dimensions, although the Micro Wallet is slightly thinner due to having fewer layers of material.

 

 

The Finn Wallet has always featured a YKK Zipper that zips around two of its sides.  Like all of the materials used in the Finn Wallet, Waterfield Designs uses a high-quality YKK locking style zipper that, when its zipper pull is placed in the position shown in the left of the image above, can be slide open or closed freely, but when placed in the position shown in the right of the image above, is locked in place to help prevent the Finn Wallet’s contents from accidentally fallout out while in your pocket, purse, or bag.  This locking zipper has been a constant feature on every version of the Finn Wallet and I was happy to see that Waterfield Designs chose to continue it on its latest version of the Finn.

The interior of the Finn Wallet is lined and can include optional RFID protection for an additional $10.  Further, the inside of the Finn Wallet contains two pockets along its outsides that are intended as organizational features that can hold cards, cash bills, or other small items.

To test out the Finn Wallet, I loaded it up with the above items: 6 bills and 7 cards, which is a fair representation of what I might typically carry in my wallet on an average day.

As mentioned above, the Finn Wallet’s two identically-sized inside pockets provide some organization without adding greatly to the overall thickness of the wallet.  I like having the flexibility to put my cards in one pocket, bills in the other and receipts in the open middle, frequently used cards in one pocket, less-used cards and receipts in the other pocket and bills in the middle, or any number of other combinations depending on how my needs and preferences might evolve situationally or over time.  Additionally, the generous middle space can be used to hold cables, memory cards, or other small items in addition to the cards and cash, and the locking zipper will hold all of it securely.

 

With the Finn Wallet loaded with the 6 cards and 7 cash bills, its overall thickness does not greatly increase from its empty state.  This has been and I suspect always will be one of the reasons why the Finn Wallet is beloved by so many loyal fans.

What I like

  • Very small, very slim, very suited for either front or back pocket carry (though the larger Finn Wallet sizes may not be suitable for front-pocket carry)
  • Simple but versatile interior organizational pockets
  • 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 Forza fabric looks and feels great and seems very durable

What I’d change

  • Nothing!

Final thoughts

The Waterfield Designs Finn Wallet is an excellent slim, compact, minimalist wallet if you want to carry several cards and cash and maybe a few additional small items securely.  It has a classic look and the Forza fabric is very unique in look and feel.  The Finn is just a bit on the pricey side, but as someone who has reviewed and used many wallets, I feel that its pricing is very reasonable considering its materials and construction, which give me the impression that it will last a long time, as Waterfield Designs’ products are known to do.

Price:

  • Waxed Italian Canvas in Brown or Blue each for $49
  • NEW Red or Blue Forza (Blue reviewed here) each for $49
  • Full-grain, deer-tanned leather in Brown, Black, or Blue each for $59
  • Add $10 for RFID blocking liner
  • Add $10 for iPhone XS size

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 Compact Finn Wallet review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 10, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Solo Parker Parker Hybrid Backpack tote bag review

REVIEW – Tote bags can be great for tossing a bunch of stuff into and walking from point A to point B. But what if those two points get really far apart, or if you’re needing your hands to, say, walk a child or a dog or even sip your coffee? Having the ability to strap the bag on your back may make a simple tote more versatile. This is exactly the philosophy behind Solo’s Parker Hybrid Backpack tote bag. The idea is this: an upscale tote bag you’re not embarrassed to carry into work, but also can use as a backpack or even a sling bag, should the occasion demand. I enlisted the help of my younger daughter, who carries a tote to work and back every day, for testing.

What is it?

The Solo Parker Parker Hybrid Backpack tote bag is a stylish bag with internal organization that can be carried as a tote, a backpack, a sling, or on a roll-aboard extension handle.

Design and features

The Parker tote is a nylon/polyester/faux-leather bag 16″ tall x 11″ wide x 4″ deep. The first thing you notice is that there are few little hits of branding (a single gold logo and an embossed “SOLO New York” brand on the rear pocket.


On the reverse side, there are two sewn-in padded backpack straps that terminate in buckles. Lengths of 1″ webbing attach to sewn-in D-rings at each lower corner. The straps can be unclipped and placed in a purpose-built full-length pocket behind the zippered pocket. You can also attach the left strap to the lower right hand (or vice-versa) and wear the bag as a sling over either shoulder. While the inward curve of the straps makes this a bit awkward, it’s still not a bad way to carry things if you’re needing to swing the bag around front to access the contents.


Cross-stitched and fully sewn into both side of the bag is a one-inch thick double tote-type handle. The center few inches of each handle have been doubled over and stitched to form a comfortable grip and there’s a leatherette snap-on strap to hold them together. (This was one of our only complaints – there’s no way to hide or stow the tote straps when you’re carrying the bag with the backpack straps.)

The lining in all pockets is a grey and white mattress-ticking pattern striped vertically. The light color makes it easy to see things in the depths of the pockets. The webbing is a fine-grain nylon seatbelt material that feels like butter. All the hardware is a gold metallic that isn’t too gaudy, but it is not subtle. The zippers are very free-working, but not weather-proof.


The top of the main compartment is closed with a single-pull zipper 16.25″ long. Within this main area is a separated sleeve that will hold laptops or tablets up to 16″ wide by 11″ tall and maybe 2″ thick. (We couldn’t find anything to overfill it! Her 12.9″ iPad rattles around in it.) The other pocket matches it, but has a series of organizational pouches down one side. There are two medium-diameter pen loops, two card slots that could hold maybe 5 cards each, and a center patch pocket that could fit a Moleskine chair, but not a full-sized pocket notebook. They are pretty tight. Earbuds can fit into one of the card-sized pockets. (See picture) Above these is a zippered pocket that can hold quick-access items. My daughter uses this for her keys/ID for work.


On the outside, there is a zippered pocket on both front and back. These measure about 6″ across by 12″ deep. Perfect for a Plus-Sized iPhone and car keys with the requisite wad of loyalty cards, hair ties, and gym access tabs. Below the pocket opposite the metal logo is a 3″ wide band made from the same material as the main body of the bag. When placing the tote over your roll-aboard handle, the zippered pouch on this side is very handy for boarding documents, foreign currency, or other travel needs.


Final verdict? “I like it in general. I wish the main pocket was a little bigger (there’s only room for my wallet really). I don’t really use the backpack straps but they tuck away nicely. The smaller pockets on the inside are nice to separate headphones, chapstick, etc.”

What We Like

  • Multiple carry options
  • Stylish look with quality materials
  • Inner pockets keep everything from going to the bottom

What We’d Change

  • Wish the central pocket had a bit more room
  • Wish the tote handles could be somehow tucked away while wearing as a backpack.

Final thoughts

As usual with Solo bags, the fit and finish of the Parker Parker Hybrid Backpack tote bag are first-rate. While the backpack straps are rarely needed in my daughter’s case, the tote straps not being easily hidden made it odd looking on the few times using them. She’s happily using it as her daily carry currently. I’m interested in her update after her next trip!

Price: $69.99
Where to buy: Company website and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Solo.

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Solo Parker Parker Hybrid Backpack tote bag review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 9, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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