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Honeywell Portable Evaporative Cooler review

REVIEW – We just moved to the Houston area, aka “Hotstown”.  Summers here are supposed to be brutal between the heat and humidity.  So far, however, we have had unseasonably mild weather, almost like our former home in Seattle.  But, to misquote Game of Thrones, summer is coming and we will need something like the Honeywell Evaporative cooler to enjoy the patio.  Will it live up to the expectation?  Read on to find out…

What is it?

The Honeywell Portable Evaporative Cooler (model CO301PC to be precise) is a large “swamp cooler” type of device on wheels which allows it to be freely moved between areas of need.  Evaporative coolers use only water to cool the air, unlike traditional air conditioners which use chemicals like freon to cool.  Because of this, the evaporative cooler can be a more environmentally friendly device because there are no chemical emissions.  They can also be somewhat quieter (as compared to a window air conditioner) because there is no compressor or refrigerant.  And they are generally less costly to use than AC.

There are a few downsides to evaporative coolers, though.  They are somewhat less effective than traditional air conditioning when in very humid environments because they add more water back into the air – and that is not needed when your humidity is at 98%.  When used indoors, there is almost always an exhaust hose or a window that needs to be open to prevent moisture from building up.  And they require a water supply, which for most units means getting up in the middle of the night to get a pitcher of water to feed your cooler.

The Honeywell unit is designed primarily as an outdoor cooler, perfect for an enclosed or screened patio.  It is large, but that is because it is designed to cool around 450 square feet.

What’s in the box?

The box contains:

  • The CO301PC Evaporative Cooler
  • A remote control
  • Operating instructions and a safety guide

Design and Features

The front of the cooler is pretty standard.  The lower white grill is where air is drawn over the water pad to cool and moisturize the air.  The louvers on the top is where the cool air is delivered.  Above the louvers is the manual controls – from here you can turn the unit on or off, set how much time the unit will run, set the fan speed and oscillation, and change between cooling and fan-only operation.  There is also a lock button which will prevent accidental changes to the other controls.

Although the cooler is large, it is surprisingly light and easy to move.

The back of the cooler has another filter and water cooling pad plus the power cord.  The power is GFCI-enabled so the unit should shut off automatically in case of a power surge without tripping a breaker.  The power cord is about 6 feet long and requires a grounded outlet.

The right side of the cooler is the water tank and tank access door.  If you are using the cooler inside, this is where you would fill the tank for cooling operation.  There is a drain plug on the bottom of the cooler to allow you to drain the water tank before storing away for winter or to periodically clean the system.

On the left side there is a hose adapter that allows you to connect the cooler to a constant water supply such as an outdoor spigot.  Very nice touch – connect a garden hose, turn on the water and you no longer need to get up and refill the tank.  The cooler has an auto-shutoff valve that will prevent the water tank from overflowing.

The included remote control does everything the front panel controls do.  It does not respect the panel lock, though, which is a very good thing.  You can change settings without having to get up and unlock the cooler.  The remote worked well from about 9 feet away even when I was sitting in direct sunlight.

Does it work?

As I said at the beginning, right after moving here from Seattle we had a very long and VERY unseasonable cold spell.  Gray, cloudy skies, rain, temperatures anywhere from the mid-40’s to the low-60’s.  Not exactly the “we need cooling, stat!” kind of weather.

All good things come to an end, though, and over the last week, we have started to move back to normal weather.  Which means hot and humid.  Given how evaporative coolers work, you might think that the Honeywell cooler might be a mismatch for our home.  And you’d be wrong.

Over the last 5 days the Honeywell cooler has kept our patio at a comfortable low-70’s temperature range even when the mercury climbed into the upper-80’s.  The cooler runs much quieter than expected – we can have a mostly normal volume communication or watch TV without our neighbors complaining or our ears bleeding.  While it is recommended to keep the cooler out of direct sunlight (duh!) our solar shades for the patio have not yet been installed so there are portions in the late afternoon where the sun is actively trying to burn our furniture and by virtue of association, us.  Even there you can feel a cool breeze as the cooler just continues to do its job.

What I like

  • It cools a pretty large area, and will work even better when our solar shades are installed
  • The constant water supply feature means not having to play Gunga Din with the water tank
  • A Philips screwdriver is all you need to replace filters and keep the cooler working at peak efficiency

What needs to be improved

The only real criticism I could level is that I would like a longer power cord.  With this type of device, you really should not use extension cords, so with a 6 foot power cord your placement options might be a tad limited depending on where your outlet is.

Final thoughts

The Honeywell Evaporative Cooler will give us a real shot at having a 4 season patio and an outdoor life in a place where people disappear indoors between May and October.  If we lived in a place where the heat is dry – say, Arizona – this would be even more efficient.  At $469 it is not a cheap solution, but it is a highly effective one and in my opinion, well worth the money for the benefit it brings.

Price: $465.04
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Honeywell.

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Honeywell Portable Evaporative Cooler review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 1, 2019 at 1:28 pm.

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Choetech T535-S 5 Coil Wireless Charger Review

REVIEW – Ever since Apple decided to wander into the wireless charging club, I haven’t looked back to corded chargers. This time, I’m looking at a wireless charger with a whopping 5 coils, big enough for two phones at once.

What is it?

The Choetech T535-S is a wireless charging pad with 5 coils, and is fast-charge compatible (10W for certain Samsung phones, 7.5W for certain iPhones).

What’s in the box?

  • Charging pad
  • User manual
  • USB-C cable
  • Note: No charging “brick”.

Hardware specs

From the Choetech website:

【Powerful 5 Coils, 360°Charging】Built-in 5 coils provide a wider charging area to boost charging efficiency; no need to fumble with your smartphone for a better charging position.
【7.5W 10W 5W Charging】3 Charging mode meets all your needs, this iPhone x wireless charger provides 7.5W fast wireless charging for iPhone XS Xs Max XR iPhone X 8 8Plus, 10W for Samsung Galaxy Note 9 S9 S8 serious Note 8 and 5W for all qi enabled devices.
【Premium & Stylish Design】Designed with anti-slip PU leather surface, not only provides sleek and modern style but also prevents your smartphone from sliding. The anti-slip pads on the bottom help keep your pad in place.
【Lightweight, Portable Build】The wireless charging pad is almost the same size as iPhone X. It packs powerful yet features in one compact and sleek design that fits any space. It looks great and functions perfectly in any environment – from home to office to hotel room and anywhere else you care to name.
【Type-C Input】The dual wireless charging pad has Type-C input to support up to high-speed input for fast wireless charging.
【Heat Dissipation Design】To achieve good heat dissipation effect and avoid the intermittent charge, we design heat dissipation holes at the bottom to keep your phone cool while charging.
Compatible Devices (Partial List)
-Fast Charging(10W Max) Samsung S9, S9+, Note 9, Note 8, S8, S8+, S7, S7 Edge, S6 Edge+, Note 5.
-Fast Charging(7.5W Max) iPhone X, XS, XS Max, XR, iPhone 8, 8 Plus
-Standard Charging Samsung S6, S6 Edge, Nokia 9, Nexus 5/6 and more Qi-enabled devices.

Design and features

This is probably the biggest charging pad I’ve ever seen. Even with a case on, it is slightly taller and wider than my iPhone XS. I measured 170mm long by 80mm wide.
The bottom of the charger features four rubbery feet and some ventilation slots. The wired charging port is on the long side, and is USB-C. Don’t have a USB-C cable? No worries, Choetech supplies one.  I almost missed it, but there is an LED indicator that glows green when charging your device. It’s just bright enough so it’s not terribly distracting at night. I don’t know if it changes color when your phone is full, because Apple doesn’t support that feature yet.

Setup

Choetech does not supply a power supply. If you want to take advantage of the fast charging feature, you’ll need your own Quick Charge 3.0 compatible charger. A “normal” one works fine, albeit slower.

Performance

Works great charging one phone, or even two at a time! Here’s an iPhone XS (left) and the slightly smaller iPhone 8 (right). Both charging simultaneously.

What I like

  • Fairly low profile without too much branding
  • Big enough for two phones
  • USB-C cable included
  • Green LED isn’t super bright, keeping you awake at night.

What needs to be improved

  • No charging brick included.

Final thoughts

If you’ve got your own QC 3.0 charger, this is the wireless charger to get if you’d like to charge two phones at once.

Price: $39.99
Where to buy: Choetech
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Choetech.

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Choetech T535-S 5 Coil Wireless Charger Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 1, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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Artisan Revere Super Steel Chef’s Knife review

REVIEW – Sometimes I get to review products that just feel like magic right out of the box. The Artisan Revere Super Steel Chef’s Knife which is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter is one of those cases. These guys set out to make the perfect chef’s knife, and I think that they may have accomplished that. To the review!

What is it?

It’s a chef’s knife made in the USA.

What’s in the box?

My sample came with the knife and a leather sheath. Additional package options are available with the Kickstarter campaign.

Hardware specs

8.6″ blade, 13.6″ overall length
15 degree cutting angle with a 50/50 bevel
160 grams total weight
Elmax “Super Steel” Construction
Richlite composite handle with G10 liners

Design and features

I’ve recently been working on educating myself on the finer points of what makes a good chef’s knife. It’s a complicated subject full of terms like “steel composition” and “blade geometry.” Here’s what you need to know: the Artisan Revere Super Steel Chef’s Knife is an amazing piece of work.

My sample knife came with a custom leather sheath. It’s just gorgeous. Seriously. Just look at it. You just want to show it off.

The knife is handcrafted in the USA, with industrial-strength Elmax steel from Sweden. The goal was to produce a knife that’s thin and nimble like Asian chef’s knives, yet has the durability for heavy commercial use. Check out how the steel composition is proudly imprinted on the opposite face of the blade.

But there’s more than just good steel going on in the finished product. The folks at Artisan Revere paid close attention to the blade ergonomics and finishing to make sure it would be comfortable & durable for all day use. Check out the contoured handle.

That handle is made from a recycled wood & resin composite that’s made to take a beating. See that little design in the rivet? Details like that speak to craftsmanship in the final product.

The handle is sealed with G10 liners sandwiched between the steel and the handle to prevent moisture from getting into the crevasses. That’s a big deal if you’re making an investment in a good knife.

And check out the hand finishing in the bolster. There are no sharp edges and a bit of a scoop out for your finger. That means that it’s comfortable to use in a pinch grip, or a “pistol” grip as I show in the pictures below.

The spine has also been gently rounded with no harsh edges. While this may not seem like a big detail, it means a lot when you’re murdering large quantities of proteins or produce for an extended period of time. Little things like this show that these guys are thinking about both the home cook and the professional chef in the design.

When you put it to work, you’ll quickly appreciate how all of this comes together. It feels like a natural extension of your hand, with a super-thin blade that can tackle the most delicate tasks with incredible agility. Here I am breaking down apple slices that are nearly transparent. I could get them thinner with a bit of practice.

Turning to some denser root vegetables, I blasted through a carrot like it was wasn’t even there. The knife just feels amazing, gliding through the vegetable like paper.

For some finer work I attacked a pepper I was dicing for dinner. The thin, nimble blade makes short work of carefully removing the cheeks from the core.

And dicing? Please. I had this pepper broken down from start to finish in about 90 seconds. The balance is perfect, giving you a ton of confidence in handling both finer tasks and bigger slicing/chopping work.

The overall blade length is 8.6″, which is slightly longer than your typical chef’s knife. I prefer a longer knife personally for the leverage (my favorite is a 10″ model), but it can get clunky when it comes to little projects. I think the folks at Artisan Revere have hit the perfect combination here. In addition to vegetable prep, I used the knife to trim up about 10 pounds of chicken today for a large event. I never looked to grab another knife for any of the work from start to finish. And I did not want to. It just feels good to use, and had me looking for more stuff to cut up even after spending hours in the kitchen.

What I like

  • Excellent ergonomics.
  • Nimble, agile handling.
  • Excellent construction and attention to detail.
  • Durable enough that you don’t need to baby it.

What needs to be improved

  • Nothing to be found yet.

Final thoughts

The Artisan Revere Super Steel Chef’s Knife is not cheap. You’re looking at a minimum $259 investment if you act quickly on their Kickstarter campaign, which has met it’s initial goal and is filling up fast. But if you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen arsenal, I have no qualms about recommending this knife. From steel composition to finished design, these guys are making a product well worth your consideration without cutting any corners.

Artisan Revere has posted a ton of information on their Kickstarter page about their process from sourcing the materials to final design & construction. Take a wander over to the page for more information by following the link below. But don’t wait too long… the Kickstarter ends on April 18!

Price: Kickstarter packages start at $259.00. Lower buy-in options are available for a custom leather sheath and knife sharpener, while higher packages are available for multiple knives and accessories.
Where to buy: Go here to get in on the Kickstarter program!
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Artisan Revere.

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Artisan Revere Super Steel Chef’s Knife review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 1, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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AZIO RCK Retro Compact Keyboard review

REVIEW – Do you like a minimalist keyboard with shallow keys and a modern style to go with your high tech computer or do you like to change things up and go with an eye-catching keyboard that has a vintage style but modern tech hidden inside. The AZIO RCK Retro Compact Keyboard is all that and more. Let’s take a look.

What is it?

The AZIO RCK Retro Compact Keyboard is a Steampunk-styled retro mechanical keyboard with modern features like Bluetooth or USB, multi-device connectivity, a rechargeable battery, and backlit keys.

What’s in the box?

  • AZIO RCK Retro Compact Keyboard
  • Palm rest
  • Interchangeable feet
  • USB Type-C cable
  • Dust brush
  • Drawstring bag
  • User guide

  • Mac & PC replacement keycaps

Design and features

The AZIO R.C.K. is available in four styles that include a top plate made of wood or leather. The style I chose to review is the Elwood version with gunmetal trim. Wow it is stunning.

At not quite 13 inches wide x 5.5 inches high, this is a compact keyboard that won’t take up a lot of room on your desktop, but still feels very roomy to type on.

The keyboard is heavy, so that and the large round feet mean that stays put on your desk which is a good thing.

As is, the keyboard has a slight ergonomic rise to the back edge, but if you want the angle even steeper, you can change out the back feet with the taller second set included with the keyboard.

The R.C.K. can be used wired with the included USB-C cable which doubles as a charging cable. If you prefer wireless, you can connect it to up to 3 devices using Bluetooth. I did all my testing with my 12inch MacBook paired via Bluetooth.

The AZIO keyboard supports Mac and PC layouts which you can toggle with the switch on the back. Included with the keyboard is a selection of keycaps that you can swap out for the preferred operating system.

One thing to be aware of is this AZIO keyboard is very tactile and with that comes noise. It’s a clicky keyboard and that will be something you’ll either love or hate as will anyone in the same room with you. This isn’t the type of keyboard that you’ll want to use in a bedroom if there are others trying to sleep.

Here’s a quick soundbite so you’ll know what I mean: azio-keyboard

The slightly concaved backlit keys are round with a matte finish. They are large and comfortable to press.

But another thing to keep in mind is the key travel. Unlike many laptop keyboards and modern desktop keyboards that have slim keys with shallow travel, the keys on the AZIO keyboard press down a LOT. Like a vintage keyboard from days gone by. It can feel like you’re giving your fingers a workout if you’ve never typed on such a keyboard before. The first day or so felt a bit awkward, but I soon become accustomed to it.

The keyboard comes with a matching palm rest which I thought would be uncomfortable, but it wasn’t at all. The wood is smooth and warm and really does add to the overall look of the setup. Speaking of which, AZIO also offers matching mice and mouse pads as an optional purchase.

The keyboard’s battery is 5,000 mAh and will last for about 9 months with the backlight off. With the backlight on, it will last for about 1 to 2 months depending on the backlight intensity setting.

AZIO Retro Classic mouse and leather mouse pad

These accessories are not included with the purchase of an AZIO keyboard, but if you want a cohesive look, they have you covered with their wireless mouse that is available with a black or white leather covering that has a copper, gunmetal, or black scroll wheel.

Like the keyboard, the Retro Classic mouse charges via USB-C and can be connected to your computer with a USB RF receiver or via Bluetooth.

That mouse has a built-in high-capacity 1000mAh Lithium Ion rechargeable battery that will provide up to 4 months of use on a single charge.

The mouse looks nice but I’m pretty fond of my Logitech MX Master 2S which allows me to turn off the ratcheting scroll wheel which I am not fond of. Unfortunately, the AZIO mouse doesn’t have such a feature.

The large 11 x9 inch leather mouse pad is very nice and comes with an adhesive gunmetal and copper ring that you can stick on the logo stamped into the pad.

Isn’t it pretty? And yes, I did figure out that I have the mousepad upside down. Their logo is an A for AZIO.

I haven’t used a mousepad in years and this one has been a nice change. It’s smoother than my semi-textured desktop surface, which makes all my mousing activities faster.

What I like

  • Gorgeous look
  • Excellent craftsmanship
  • Vintage style with modern features
  • Multi-device pairing

What needs to be improved

  • Nothing

Final thoughts

Keyboards like the AZIO Retro Compact Keyboard (R.C.K.) are not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Some people won’t like the clickity clackity sound that the keys make while you’re typing. Some might find the key travel to be too extreme. But for mechanical keyboard fans, the AZIO keyboard could become their new favorite. The modern features paired with the look, feel, and luxury construction really do make this keyboard stand out from other mechanical keyboards on the market.

Price: $219.99 (Keyboard), $99.99 (Mouse), $49.99 (Mouse pad)
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by AZIO.

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AZIO RCK Retro Compact Keyboard review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 31, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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Rakōt75 cloth towels review

REVIEW – I’m a self-admitted paper towel addict. I use them for everything, it’s an expensive and wasteful habit. I kept track of my paper towel use for a week. In that week alone I used 64 paper towels, an average of about 9 a day. To try and cure myself of this malady I opted to review a new multi-purpose cloth towel, the Rakōt75. 

What is it?

The Rakōt75 is a multi-use cloth towel that comes on a roll like a standard paper towel.

Design and features

The thing that attracted me to Rakōt75 was the fact that they came on a roll like regular paper towels. In fact, there are exactly 75 – 11” x 16” perforated sheets on each roll.

The roll fits on a paper towel holder keeping it within reach when you need it. Being on a roll also makes it easy to take them from room to room while cleaning.

Rakōt states that one roll will last up to six months depending on what you use them for.

How does Rakōt75 differ from a standard paper towel?

  1. Highly absorbent ( it can hold up to seven times its weight in water. )
  2. Superior strength wet or dry
  3. Tear resistant
  4. Can be used with any chemical
  5. Hand rinsable
  6. Scratch resistant
  7. Lint-free

What can Rakōt75 towels be used for?

All of this sounds great but how do they perform in a day to day life scenario? After spending the past few weeks using them, I can tell you they faired pretty well. I used them to clean up spills, wash & dry dishes, dust furniture, clean the bathroom, and even wipe my dog’s muddy paws. In each case, the Rakōt75 performed as well as a paper towel, and in most cases even better.

I gave a few sheets to my mom to try, and she couldn’t stop raving about them. She loved how absorbent they were and said she would never use paper towels again to clean the mirrors in her house. You know if your mom likes something it must be pretty good.

Absorbency

To test absorbency, I used a single sheet of the Rakōt75 vs. a single sheet of paper towel to wipe up a coffee spill. As you can see from the video below the Rakōt75 easily beat the paper towel.

And the great thing about the Rakōt75 is that you can simply rinse it out and reuse it. Try doing that with a paper towel.

Durability

One thing I like about the towels is how durable they are. For example, I used them to wipe off my dog’s muddy paws. In the past, I would’ve gone through sheet after sheet of paper towel or several rags. With Rakōt75, I was able to use one sheet several times. When it got dirty, I rinsed it out with warm water and a little soap. See the pic below.

You can even toss them into the washing machine for a more thorough cleaning.

Durability is certainly not a problem for these towels, even when they’re wet. Depending on what I was using them for I got a good 4-6 uses from each towel. After that, they seemed to lose a little absorbency and started to fray. Your mileage may vary.

You can even cut them into halves or quarters if you don’t require a full sheet to do a particular task.

What I like

  • The roll is convenient
  • Super Absorbent
  • Durable even when wet
  • You can use them for just about any task you can think up
  • Eco-friendly

What needs to be improved

  • Nothing

Final thoughts

Although I don’t think they’ll cure me of my paper towel addiction when it comes to multi-use towels, Rakōt might just be the G.O.A.T. And, you don’t have to take my word for it, you can try them yourself. Just head over to the Rakōt75 website and get your Free Sample. What will you use them for?!

Price: $19.95
Where to buy: Rakōt75 website and The Grommet.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Rakōt75.

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Rakōt75 cloth towels review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 31, 2019 at 9:14 am.

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