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North St. Bags Scout 15L Duffle and Dopp Kit review

REVIEW – Back in June 2018, I had the opportunity to review the North St. Bags Scout 21 VX Duffle and I was pretty impressed with its water resistance and durability.  North St. Bags recently did an update to their Scout Duffle designs and when they offered to let us try one out, of course I agreed.  Plus, they not only included the updated Scout Duffle, they also included one of their Dopp Kits.  Let’s check ’em out!  Gadget on!

What is it?

The North St. Bags

Hardware specs

Scout 15L Duffle

  • Dimensions:  14″ long x 8″ diameter
  • Capacity: 15 Liters
  • Materials:
    • Exterior – X10 Cotton Duck Canvas backed with Waterproof X-Pac sailcloth Shell
    • Interior – Nylon Packcloth Lining Fabric
    • Handles – Seat belt webbing (not sure about this one)
    • Waterproof zipper
  • Shoulder strap included
  • Interior zipper pocket and lanyard with spring hook
  • Made in USA

Dopp Kit

  • Dimensions: 9.5″ wide x 3.5″ deep x 4″ tall | 24cm x 9cm x 10cm
  • Capacity: 2.5 Liters
  • Materials:
    • Super durable Cotton Duck X10 Canvas backed with waterproof X-Pac sailcloth
    • #10 water-resistant zipper
    • 1.5″ seat belt webbing handles
  • Made in USA

What’s in the package?

  • North St. Bags Scout 15 Duffle
  • North St. Bags Dopp Kit

Design and features

Scout 15L Duffle

The Scout 15 Duffle is a classic “barrel” style duffle with a cylindrical shape.  It is a small- to medium-sized bag and build from high-quality materials.

The Scout 15L Duffle’s exterior material is X10 Cotton Duck Canvas backed with Waterproof X-Pac sailcloth Shell.  Also, the North St. Bags logo tag proudly indicates that their products are made in Portland, Oregon, USA.

In addition to the small tag with US flag indicating that this product is made in the USA, in the image above you can also see a closeup of the Scout 15L’s handle material, which is a substantial webbing.  North St. Bags calls this “seat belt” webbing, but I don’t think this is actual seat belt material.  However, the webbing on their Dopp Kit (see below) does appear to be actual seat belt material.

In the image above, there are two features of the Scout 15L’s handles to note.  First, the tops of the handles have been folded over and stitched, which helps prevent the handle’s strap material from cutting into your hand; it’s still not the most comfortable handle, but this does help.  In addition, you can see that the Scout 15L’s handles have been stitched to the main body of the duffle in such a way that they each have a short segment that can be used as attachment points for carabiners or other items.

The Scout 15L’s handles wrap around the bottom of the duffle and are securely stitched double-stitched at their overlap point to provide strength to the entire duffle.  For optimum strength, I would think that a single, continuous length of webbing would be used around the entire bag, but this probably works quite well also, unless you are carrying a lot of weight for a long time in the bag.

Although the shoulder strap hardware is not metal, it feels very solid and durable.  Each end of the shoulder strap includes a spring clip for attachment to the plastic D-rings on either end of the Scout 15L Duffle.

The Scout 15L’s main zipper is a two-way style, and protected by a small flap over the top of the zipper’s teeth, which helps prevent moisture and dirt ingress.  The zipper pulls also have a short, knotted length of 550 paracord attached to them, which aids in gripping and operating the zipper, especially if your hands are wet or you are wearing gloves.

The Scout 15L Duffle’s interior is lined in high-visibility yellow/green Nylon Packcloth fabric.  This not only helps protect its contents from bumps and moisture, but the brightly-colored lining helps to be able to visually locate items inside the bag, especially in lower-light conditions.

Peering along the inside of the Scout 15L Duffle, you can see its internal pocket hanging off to one side. More detail on this pocket below.

The Scout 21’s internal pocket is stitched to the inside of the duffle at the pocket’s top, so it basically hangs inside the duffle rather than being fully sewn directly into the bag, which I understand is an upgraded feature on the latest version of the Scout 15L Duffle.  I like this because it allows me to grab the pocket itself and maneuver it a bit more easily if I want to unzip it, retrieve or replace and item, then re-zip it.  Also, this pocket’s zipper pull has a length of knotted 550 paracord that is identical to the ones on the Scout 15L’s main zipper described above.

Sewn into the Scout 15L’s interior pocket is a length of webbing that has a metal spring-hook attached to its end.  This hook is most likely intended to securely hold keys, but could also help secure lots of other small items.

As seen in the image above, the Scout 15L Duffle is a small/medium-sized bag, probably not something you are going to carry a week’s worth of clothing and gear in.  However, as an overnight bag, an airline carry-on bag, or a daily gym bag, it is probably a good size.  I am currently evaluating the Scout 15L as my daily gym bag and it is just a bit smallish for that task for me.

Dopp Kit

In addition to the Scout 15L Duffle itself, the North St. Bags folks thoughtfully included one of their Dopp Kits in Midnight color that matches the duffle.  This Dopp Kit is a really nice size for travel or for carrying EDC items and like all of North St. Bags’ products, is build from durable materials.

The Dopp Kit’s exterior is made from Cotton Duck X10 Canvas backed with waterproof X-Pac sailcloth.  The Dopp Kit’s two-way zipper has knotted lengths of 550 paracord attached to the zipper pulls for improved grip, similar to the Scout 15L Duffle shown above.  There is also a short loop of super-strong seatbelt webbing that can be used as an attachment point.

One end of the Dopp Kit also includes a longer length of heavy-duty seat belt webbing that can be used as either a carry handle or to hang up the Dopp Kit on a hook or to a carabiner.

The interior of the Dopp Kitt is lined with gray waterproof X-Pac sailcloth, which helps protect its contents from moisture.  I was a bit surprised that the Dopp Kit’s lining fabric color did not match the high-visibility yellow/green of the Scout 15L Duffle above, but this is certainly not a deal-breaker for me.  Also, if you look at the images of the Dopp Kit on North St. Bags’ site, the photos appear to show some mesh pockets on the outside walls of the Dopp Kit, however, the one I received did not include this feature.  This would have actually been a nice feature for organizing and securing small items.

What I like

  • Durable material but very lightweight
  • Includes a sturdy shoulder strap
  • Simple but classic and useful design

What needs to be improved

  • Pricey, but not bad for what you are getting: well-designed and high-quality, made in USA bags

Final thoughts

The North St. Bags Scout 15L Duffle and Dopp Kit, like their Scout 21 VX  Duffle that I reviewed previously, are made from high-quality materials throughout and have classic, utilitarian designs.  While I do consider them to be a bit pricey at $99.99 for the Scout 15L Duffle and $44.99 for the Dopp Kit, for a USA made products that will probably outlast many other, less expensive bags in both materials and construction these products might be a good investment for travelers, gym goers, commuters or anyone who could use a good small- to medium-sized duffle bag and dopp/small accessory pouch that will likely last them a long time.

Price:

  • Scout 15L Duffle = $99.99
  • Dopp Kit = $44.99

Where to buy: northstbags.com
Source: The product samples for this review were provided by North St. Bags.

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North St. Bags Scout 15L Duffle and Dopp Kit review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 28, 2019 at 8:00 am.

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Grace Digital Mondo+ Classic internet radio review

REVIEW – This is my third Grace Digital internet radio review and it feels like it’s come full-circle. You see, in 2012 I reviewed the original Grace Mondo and last year, their Encore+—both internet radios that provided just about all you could want for dialing in radio stations from around the world. Which leads me back to the Mondo—only this time, it’s the Mondo+ Classic—an internet radio with a more retro look than even the cool looking Encore+ and way better features than the original Mondo.

What is it?

The Grace Mondo+ Classic is a plug-in (no battery) table-top internet radio and Wi-Fi speaker with built-in Bluetooth and Google Chromecast. With the appropriate built-in controls or smartphone app, the Mondo+ Classic can pick up over 100,000 internet radio stations. The Mondo+ Classic can be used as a radio alarm clock, radio, Bluetooth speaker or multi-room speaker (with Chromecast).

Specs

  • Integrated 10 watt Qi wireless charging pad
  • 3.5 in. color display
  • Bluetooth 4.1
  • USB port for recharging smartphone or tablet
  • Chromecast
  • Multi-room audio
  • Width: 10.1 in. Depth: 4.25 in. Height: 6.1 in.
  • Weight: 1.6 lbs
  • 12 or 24 hour clock with date and 5 individual alarms
  • Snooze timer
  • 30 backlight daytime and nighttime modes.
  • Class D 25watt amplifier
  • 4” full range speaker
  • Integrated MaxxAudio technology from Waves Inc.
  • RCA outputs
  • 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
  • Aux input
  • Built in dual band equalizer 5 preset equalizer modes
  • Built in media player
  • Supports 11 audio formats: AIFF, AIFC, WAVE, CAF, NeXT, ADTS, MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WMA
  • Dual band 2.4/5ghz 802.11n wireless

What’s in the box

  • Mondo+ Classic
  • Power adapter
  • Infra-red remote control
  • Two Wi-Fi antennas
  • Quickstart guide

Design and features

There are so many features on the Mondo+ Classic, that it’s hard to know where to begin. One look at the manual and you just know you’re in for some involved reading. This review won’t cover every available feature—just the most important ones. 

Let’s start with the wood cabinet. The radio’s retro styling has a 50s look that will fit any decor. It comes in both black or walnut with a tasteful gray cloth-covered speaker grill. On the front panel are many buttons and rotary dials that do, well—a lot. Besides the usual power button, there’s a large dial that scrolls through whatever is on the 3.5 in. color display at the time. For instance, it will scroll through the Home screen icons and deeper when those icons (apps) are opened. Next to the large dial is a smaller volume/mute dial, power button and a much used back button that returns you to the previous screen. Above the dials are a row of buttons that perform whatever function is shown at the bottom of the display—they line up with the buttons making it easy to navigate.

In the center of the Mondo+ Classic front is a row of vertical buttons that contain a Home button and Now Playing button that shows additional information about what artist is playing and other info—if available from the source you’re listening to. Otherwise, it’s blank. Below that, sits 5 programmable buttons that let you set up to 10 favorite stations—a very handy feature. There’s also an included mini plug headphone port. 

The back of the Mondo+ Classic cabinet contains an RCA out (for connecting an additional speaker), AUX in (except that its RCA instead of the more popular mini plug), and a USB port that can either charge a smartphone or play music from a thumb drive. Pretty cool. There’s also two included coaxial Wi-Fi antennas.

The top of the Mondo+ Classic has a snooze timer that buys 10 minutes of extra sleep time for those who can’t immediately jump out of bed when the alarm goes off. If 10 minutes isn’t enough, it can be set in 10 minute increments for as long as desired. But that’s not the interesting part. Taking up the majority of real estate on the top of the radio is a 10 watt fast Qi wireless charging pad that works with the majority of smartphones that include wireless charging. It was smart for Grace to include the wireless upgrade. It works quite well with my iPhone XS Max. 

A remote is included with the Mondo+ Classic. It performs the basic functions you would expect, but also has a couple of time-saving buttons that instantly take you to Home, Equalizer, Bluetooth or Alarm settings. Yet, even this handy remote pales in comparison to the Grace GD Control app for iPhone and Android.

The built-in alarm turns the Mondo+ Classic into a clock radio. You can set a wake-up alarm and a sleep timer as well as the already mentioned Snooze feature. The alarm fades in which makes waking up to music or news a bit smoother.

I’ve said this in previous Grace internet radio reviews and it’s still true: Navigating through the Mondo+ Classic’s display menus using the dials and buttons on the radio is frustrating at best. The remote is a little better, but the GD Control app is the preferred method of Mondo navigation—by far.

Before the smartphone app is downloaded, you have to match the radio with a Wi-Fi network from the on-screen list and then dial in the password. This process alone may make you want to tear your hair out. It took me quite a while before I became adept at scrolling the letters and numbers for inputing the password without over-scrolling many times. Arghhhh. Then you can download the app.

However, once you get past that point, you’re golden. 

When I first used the app, I tapped on Google Play and within seconds, I was listening to my saved playlists through the Mondo+ Classic. Switching over to the Apple Music app was seamless—it instantly began playing the song I selected. Google Play is accessed through Chromecast, which has many other enabled apps—Pandora, Deezer, SiriusXM (if you subscribe), Spotify, Tidal, YouTube Music, I Heart Radio and more. In addition to Google Play, I’ve used Spotify and Tidal which also worked perfectly. Chromecast doesn’t build in these apps, it links to them instead, so you’re using the original app. This can simplify things considerably. As you use the GD Control app, you can see your choices instantly reflected on the Mondo+ Classic’s screen.

If you’re looking for environmental sounds to help with sleep, the Mondo+ Classic features many different rain, nature, and ocean wave choices, plus popular sounds—such as hairdryer, car interior and even baby in the womb (it sounds like a muffled heartbeat). Again, there are too many to mention.

So, how does the Mondo+ Classic sound? It depends—as a Bluetooth, Chromecast or USB player, the Mondo+ Classic’s speaker can sound pretty good. However, if your goal is to listen to music using the internet radio, forget it. It’s not the Mondo+ Classic’s fault, it’s just that music from internet radio stations sounds only as good as an okay FM station—usually worse. If you’re into talk/news radio or sports (you miss those local broadcasts of your favorite team while growing up), then the Mondo+ Classic is just about perfect. 

Note that the following audio comments only deal with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals, not internet radio.

The previously reviewed Grace Encore+ has stereo speakers plus a down-firing woofer speaker. A single-speaker table-top radio with just can’t compete with that and it doesn’t try. However, for what it is, the sound comes across as balanced between all frequencies. The bass goes low enough to be heard without being overpowering. Also, treble does not sound harsh or sibilant. The middle frequencies are a bit forward, which is good because a lot of radio is talk oriented and voices reside in the middle frequencies. For those who wish to tweak the audio, there is a simple built-in equalizer for boosting or reducing bass and treble. So whether you’re listening to music or talk (radio or podcast), both will sound good for table-top use.

You are not restricted to a single room with the Mondo+ Classic. Because of Wi-Fi and Chromecast, the Classic can be connected to other Chromecast speakers—made by Grace Digital or not. This can give you a houseful of music or each room can be set up to be independent from other rooms and play its own music. 

What I like

The Mondo+ Classic is a solid and useful internet radio that’s fun to use. It’s made for the kitchen, bedroom, home office or even the entire house (if connected through Chromecast). The GD Control app is easy to use and intuitive. 

What needs to be improved

Navigation, especially with having to first enter a password or information is a joke. But once that’s done, using the GD control app is easy.

Final Thoughts

I’ve often wondered how internet radios can fit into today’s lifestyle, but with Grace Digital building in Chromecast, Bluetooth and multi-room capabilities, the usefulness of their products has expanded well beyond depending on the internet.

Price: $249.99 US
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The Mondo+ Classic sample was provided by Grace Digital.

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Grace Digital Mondo+ Classic internet radio review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 27, 2019 at 11:30 am.

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Grace Digital Mondo+ Classic internet radio review

REVIEW – This is my third Grace Digital internet radio review and it feels like it’s come full-circle. You see, in 2012 I reviewed the original Grace Mondo and last year, their Encore+—both internet radios that provided just about all you could want for dialing in radio stations from around the world. Which leads me back to the Mondo—only this time, it’s the Mondo+ Classic—an internet radio with a more retro look than even the cool looking Encore+ and way better features than the original Mondo.

What is it?

The Grace Mondo+ Classic is a plug-in (no battery) table-top internet radio and Wi-Fi speaker with built-in Bluetooth and Google Chromecast. With the appropriate built-in controls or smartphone app, the Mondo+ Classic can pick up over 100,000 internet radio stations. The Mondo+ Classic can be used as a radio alarm clock, radio, Bluetooth speaker or multi-room speaker (with Chromecast).

Specs

  • Integrated 10 watt Qi wireless charging pad
  • 3.5 in. color display
  • Bluetooth 4.1
  • USB port for recharging smartphone or tablet
  • Chromecast
  • Multi-room audio
  • Width: 10.1 in. Depth: 4.25 in. Height: 6.1 in.
  • Weight: 1.6 lbs
  • 12 or 24 hour clock with date and 5 individual alarms
  • Snooze timer
  • 30 backlight daytime and nighttime modes.
  • Class D 25watt amplifier
  • 4” full range speaker
  • Integrated MaxxAudio technology from Waves Inc.
  • RCA outputs
  • 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
  • Aux input
  • Built in dual band equalizer 5 preset equalizer modes
  • Built in media player
  • Supports 11 audio formats: AIFF, AIFC, WAVE, CAF, NeXT, ADTS, MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WMA
  • Dual band 2.4/5ghz 802.11n wireless

What’s in the box

  • Mondo+ Classic
  • Power adapter
  • Infra-red remote control
  • Two Wi-Fi antennas
  • Quickstart guide

Design and features

There are so many features on the Mondo+ Classic, that it’s hard to know where to begin. One look at the manual and you just know you’re in for some involved reading. This review won’t cover every available feature—just the most important ones. 

Let’s start with the wood cabinet. The radio’s retro styling has a 50s look that will fit any decor. It comes in both black or walnut with a tasteful gray cloth-covered speaker grill. On the front panel are many buttons and rotary dials that do, well—a lot. Besides the usual power button, there’s a large dial that scrolls through whatever is on the 3.5 in. color display at the time. For instance, it will scroll through the Home screen icons and deeper when those icons (apps) are opened. Next to the large dial is a smaller volume/mute dial, power button and a much used back button that returns you to the previous screen. Above the dials are a row of buttons that perform whatever function is shown at the bottom of the display—they line up with the buttons making it easy to navigate.

In the center of the Mondo+ Classic front is a row of vertical buttons that contain a Home button and Now Playing button that shows additional information about what artist is playing and other info—if available from the source you’re listening to. Otherwise, it’s blank. Below that, sits 5 programmable buttons that let you set up to 10 favorite stations—a very handy feature. There’s also an included mini plug headphone port. 

The back of the Mondo+ Classic cabinet contains an RCA out (for connecting an additional speaker), AUX in (except that its RCA instead of the more popular mini plug), and a USB port that can either charge a smartphone or play music from a thumb drive. Pretty cool. There’s also two included coaxial Wi-Fi antennas.

The top of the Mondo+ Classic has a snooze timer that buys 10 minutes of extra sleep time for those who can’t immediately jump out of bed when the alarm goes off. If 10 minutes isn’t enough, it can be set in 10 minute increments for as long as desired. But that’s not the interesting part. Taking up the majority of real estate on the top of the radio is a 10 watt fast Qi wireless charging pad that works with the majority of smartphones that include wireless charging. It was smart for Grace to include the wireless upgrade. It works quite well with my iPhone XS Max. 

A remote is included with the Mondo+ Classic. It performs the basic functions you would expect, but also has a couple of time-saving buttons that instantly take you to Home, Equalizer, Bluetooth or Alarm settings. Yet, even this handy remote pales in comparison to the Grace GD Control app for iPhone and Android.

The built-in alarm turns the Mondo+ Classic into a clock radio. You can set a wake-up alarm and a sleep timer as well as the already mentioned Snooze feature. The alarm fades in which makes waking up to music or news a bit smoother.

I’ve said this in previous Grace internet radio reviews and it’s still true: Navigating through the Mondo+ Classic’s display menus using the dials and buttons on the radio is frustrating at best. The remote is a little better, but the GD Control app is the preferred method of Mondo navigation—by far.

Before the smartphone app is downloaded, you have to match the radio with a Wi-Fi network from the on-screen list and then dial in the password. This process alone may make you want to tear your hair out. It took me quite a while before I became adept at scrolling the letters and numbers for inputing the password without over-scrolling many times. Arghhhh. Then you can download the app.

However, once you get past that point, you’re golden. 

When I first used the app, I tapped on Google Play and within seconds, I was listening to my saved playlists through the Mondo+ Classic. Switching over to the Apple Music app was seamless—it instantly began playing the song I selected. Google Play is accessed through Chromecast, which has many other enabled apps—Pandora, Deezer, SiriusXM (if you subscribe), Spotify, Tidal, YouTube Music, I Heart Radio and more. In addition to Google Play, I’ve used Spotify and Tidal which also worked perfectly. Chromecast doesn’t build in these apps, it links to them instead, so you’re using the original app. This can simplify things considerably. As you use the GD Control app, you can see your choices instantly reflected on the Mondo+ Classic’s screen.

If you’re looking for environmental sounds to help with sleep, the Mondo+ Classic features many different rain, nature, and ocean wave choices, plus popular sounds—such as hairdryer, car interior and even baby in the womb (it sounds like a muffled heartbeat). Again, there are too many to mention.

So, how does the Mondo+ Classic sound? It depends—as a Bluetooth, Chromecast or USB player, the Mondo+ Classic’s speaker can sound pretty good. However, if your goal is to listen to music using the internet radio, forget it. It’s not the Mondo+ Classic’s fault, it’s just that music from internet radio stations sounds only as good as an okay FM station—usually worse. If you’re into talk/news radio or sports (you miss those local broadcasts of your favorite team while growing up), then the Mondo+ Classic is just about perfect. 

Note that the following audio comments only deal with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals, not internet radio.

The previously reviewed Grace Encore+ has stereo speakers plus a down-firing woofer speaker. A single-speaker table-top radio with just can’t compete with that and it doesn’t try. However, for what it is, the sound comes across as balanced between all frequencies. The bass goes low enough to be heard without being overpowering. Also, treble does not sound harsh or sibilant. The middle frequencies are a bit forward, which is good because a lot of radio is talk oriented and voices reside in the middle frequencies. For those who wish to tweak the audio, there is a simple built-in equalizer for boosting or reducing bass and treble. So whether you’re listening to music or talk (radio or podcast), both will sound good for table-top use.

You are not restricted to a single room with the Mondo+ Classic. Because of Wi-Fi and Chromecast, the Classic can be connected to other Chromecast speakers—made by Grace Digital or not. This can give you a houseful of music or each room can be set up to be independent from other rooms and play its own music. 

What I like

The Mondo+ Classic is a solid and useful internet radio that’s fun to use. It’s made for the kitchen, bedroom, home office or even the entire house (if connected through Chromecast). The GD Control app is easy to use and intuitive. 

What needs to be improved

Navigation, especially with having to first enter a password or information is a joke. But once that’s done, using the GD control app is easy.

Final Thoughts

I’ve often wondered how internet radios can fit into today’s lifestyle, but with Grace Digital building in Chromecast, Bluetooth and multi-room capabilities, the usefulness of their products has expanded well beyond depending on the internet.

Price: $249.99 US
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The Mondo+ Classic sample was provided by Grace Digital.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: ,

Grace Digital Mondo+ Classic internet radio review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 27, 2019 at 11:30 am.

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Tom Bihn Shadow Guide Backpack and Accessories review

REVIEW – A few years ago Tom Bihn introduced us to the Guide’s Pack, which was heavy on heritage-inspired looks and loaded with features for the outdoor wanderer. This week we’re looking at the Shadow Guide, which you can think of as it’s city-dwelling cousin. It’s just as rugged and functional, but a bit more streamlined for adventures that don’t involve mountains and hiking trails. To the review!

What is it?

It’s a 31-liter klettersack-style backpack.

Hardware specs

  • 21.7″ high by 12.6″ wide by 9.4″ deep
  • 31 liter capacity
  • 525 denier 2×2 ballistic nylon exterior
  • 210 denier 2×2 ballistic nylon exterior
  • 1050 denier HT ballistic nylon base
  • YKK Zippers
  • Duraflex, Nexus and Woojin hardware
  • 2 lb, 10 oz total weight

What’s in the box?

In addition to the bag, the package includes a removable sternum strap, a removable waist strap, and an 8″ key leash. You also get a set of zipper pulls, cinch straps, and a drawstring in bright red that you can use to swap out the black versions that ship with the pack.

Design and features

Streamlined simplicity is the name of the game with the Shadow Guide. While it shares the form factor with its off-road cousin, this profile is sleek and focused. And very, very black. Check out the views:

What’s with the red, you ask? The Shadow Guide ships with all-black straps and elements, but also includes a set of bright red straps and zipper/drawstring pulls are included if you want a pop of color. It’s easy to change them out. I actually prefer the red accents, because they break things up a bit. Here’s a shot of the extra straps, after I swapped out for the red ones:

While the Guide’s Pack includes a whole bunch of external attachment points and lash tabs for add-ons, the Shadow Guide ditches all of that. There’s a single loop at the base of the bag to attach a blinky light, and that’s it.

The Shadow Guide is a klettersack-style design. It’s a top-loader with a drawstring closure, covered with a lid that keeps the elements out of your bag. There’s also a second grab handle under that lid, so you can hang the bag if the lid is open. Very, very clever.

The lid snaps into place with two cinch straps and clip buckles. These straps are also adjustable so that you can tighten things up based on how much you are carrying:

The lid itself opens to a big pocket that measures roughly 9″ by 9″ by 3″, with the zippered opening facing towards you (or down if you’re not fully packed out). This configuration, coupled with a zipper hood, prevents rain from getting into your stuff.

On the underside of the lid are two smaller mesh pockets that each measure roughly 6″ by 4″ each for collecting your smaller things like pens, keys, pocket knives, and the like.

The main compartment is a vast cavern of open space that measures 12.6″ wide by 21.7″ tall by 9.4″ deep. There are no compartments or pockets in there. It’s wide open for maximum packing versatility.

Simple, right? Not exactly. Tom Bihn designs are all about systems for customization and flexibility. Let’s take a deeper look at how it carries, and how you customize the bag to meet your needs.

The Carry System

Tom Bihn has mastered the art of comfortable, adaptable carrying systems. The Shadow Guide incorporates elements of outdoor technical packs (like it’s country cousin) to make this happen.

We start with the back panel, which is composed of two elements. A mesh upper back panel promotes breathability, while a ballistic nylon lumbar pad provides comfort where the base hits your back. This pad also extends to the bottom of the bag to protect your gear from dropsies.

Behind that padded back panel is an internal frame made from a single piece of high-density plastic with a single (removable) aluminum stay that can be adjusted to match the curve of your back. This frame has 6 “fins” that insert into the slots seen in the picture below, allowing the frame to flex as you twist and move. You can also remove the frame entirely if that works for you.

The shoulder straps themselves are curved and padded with adjustments for just about any body type.

The hardware is chunky and built to last. Here’s a close up of the sternum strap hardware, as well as the hydration loop that comes in the package. These can both be removed completely if you don’t need them.

You’ll find a 1″ waist stabilizer strap included in the package, which is probably all you’ll need for regular daily carry. If you are hiking or traveling with heavy loads, you can also upgrade to the Shadow Guide Padded Hip Belt. Comparison pictures below:

The Shadow Guide has a pair of loops cleverly tucked in behind the shoulder strap attachment points at the base of the bag that will accommodate either belt with rugged clips.

This all adds up to a ridiculously comfortable carry system no matter how you choose to use it. And despite all of that technical functionality, it adds minimal bulk and weight to the bag. It’s got serious chops as a hiking bag, but you won’t look like a misplaced Sherpa that got lost at the office when you head into work.

The Accessory System

One of the strengths of Tom Bihn’s design philosophy is customization. While the bag is built to last forever, Tom recognizes that your carry needs will probably change on a regular basis. The Shadow Guide is made to adapt to these changing needs.

If you carry a laptop, Tom Bihn makes a sleeve called the Cache that can connect to attachment points in the main compartment of the bag. The Cache comes in sizes to accommodate just about every laptop and tablet out there, and the Shadow Guide handles them all. If you upgrade your laptop or carry different laptops at different times, you can swap them right into your bag. You can also swap that Cache out to other Tom Bihn bags. It’s all about flexibility.

The other killer feature found in all Tom Bihn bags are the “O” rings, which allow you to attach all sorts of straps and accessory pouches. You’ll find 5 on this bag: 2 in the main lid pocket, one in the smaller lid pockets, and two on the back of the main compartment of the bag. Tom Bihn includes one of their key straps with the bag, which allows me to hang my keys in multiple places:

Tom Bihn makes dozens of varieties of accessory pouches for just about every need which clip to the “O” rings. I’ve got a collection of these I’ve gathered over the years to sort out all my small stuff, so I can customize my pockets to whatever I am managing that day.

Tom Bihn also makes bigger accessory pouches for larger items or toiletries. I have two of these that I hang from the “O” rings in the main compartment. They sit high in the compartment so that I can flip them out as needed, with no fishing in the bottomless cavern!

See that grey/black pouch in the clip? That’s one of the new 3D Organizer Cubes. It’s 7″ by 4″ by 1-1/2″, and includes “O” rings on each side so that you can attach it to one of those key straps. It’s the perfect size for my MacBook power brick, cable, Magic Mouse and USB-C Adaptor.

It’s also got it’s own hanging hook if you want to use it as a toiletry organizer or Dopp kit.

This extensibility makes the Shadow Guide a true multitasker. I keep my laptop gear, iPhone accessories, work accessories, and personal stuff in separate accessory pouches. I can pop out the pouches I don’t need in moments and I am ready to go. If I switch between bags (I have a Tom Bihn briefcase as well), I can quickly transfer my gear without worrying that I forgot something. The options and combinations are endless.

Performance

The Tom Bihn Shadow Guide will never be mistaken for a slick, lean business pack. It’s a big bag, made for carrying your life on your back. But I love the streamlined simplicity, and I think it works just fine for the business commute. It excels as a multitasking commuter that can switch gears for travel, as a weekend companion, or for outdoor adventures.

Here’s my typical daily carry. I’ve got the MacBook Pro in it’s own sleeve, my iPad, my coffee making kit, and a whole boatload of office and gadget accessories:

I drop this in the bag, and it’s not even half full! I could fit my gym gear, a packed lunch, and a sweatshirt in there and still have room for more:

On a normal workday, I’ll ditch the sternum straps and waist strap. I’m 5’10” and 195 pounds for reference.

I haven’t done any hiking with the Shadow Guide yet, but I plan to. Here are some shots with the padded hip belt and sternum strap in place:

For all the goodness in the Shadow Guide, it’s important to note that the simplicity and add-on customization isn’t for everyone. If you like your bags to come pre-packaged with laptop compartments and all kinds of organization built in, this won’t be your thing. It also doesn’t have any external attachment points for hydration bottles and additional gear, but that’s what you’d get the Guide’s Pack for.

There is one other design element we should talk about, and that’s the zipper configuration on the lid. That big space is marvelous, and the “O” rings are great for adding pouches… but the zip does point towards the ground unless you are fully packed out. This means that little items run the risk of falling out if you’re not careful. If you’re not using accessory pouches, you’ll want to plan accordingly.

What I like

  • Perfect size for travel or hiking
  • Also perfect for carrying a days worth of work gear & gym clothes
  • Simple, easy configuration
  • Carry system is extremely comfortable and adaptable
  • Built to Tom Bihn’s quality standards; the build, materials, and construction are among the best in the business
  • Amazingly light at under 3 pounds

What needs to be improved

  • Little built in organization — may not appeal to those who don’t like purchasing extra accessories
  • The zip for the main pocket on the top lid points towards the ground — be careful with your packing and unpacking!

Final thoughts

You may notice that I didn’t dive into materials and construction on this review, and there’s a reason for that. It’s a Tom Bihn bag, and that means you’re getting the best in the business. Materials, construction, and assembly are flawless. It’s a bag you’ll buy for life; I have several Tom Bihn bags that are more than 10 years old, and still look (and function) like I bought them yesterday. You can see more about the construction details on their web site.

And that leads to my conclusion on this bag. If you’re looking for one bag that could do it all, the Shadow Guide may be the answer you are looking for. It’s got buttoned-down good looks, ample size without being ridiculous, and customization options to take you wherever you need to go. It will adapt to your needs as they change with simple precision. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Note that this is a limited edition bag, and is currently showing as unavailable on Tom Bihn’s web site. Hopefully, they’ll make another run of them. We’ll see!

Price: $220.00
Where to buy: Go to the Shadow Guide product page on the Tom Bihn web site.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Tom Bihn

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Tom Bihn Shadow Guide Backpack and Accessories review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 27, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Tenergy Indoor Grill review

REVIEW – I am a huge fan (no pun intended!) of grilling. I tend to cook that way on any temperate afternoon or evening, if I have the time and ingredients. When the Gadgeteers were offered a chance to try the Tenergy Indoor Electric Grill, I spent several milliseconds before responding with a huge “Me! Me! Me!” I was chosen and it arrived a week or so later and I’ve been forced to grill food on it for several meals. See what lengths the Gadgeteer team will go to for our readers?

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

What is it?

The Tenergy Electric Indoor grill is just that: an electric grill that can be used indoors for smokeless grilling of meats, veggies, or kabobs that you’d normally take out to your patio to grill over charcoal or a gas flame. Like an animal.

Specs

  • SMOKE-LESS TECHNOLOGY – Creates 80% less smoke than other indoor electric grills. The infrared heat is only directed at the grill rack’s surface and the cooling tray catches grease and oils before they get the chance to become smoke.
  • Advanced Infrared Heating Technology – 1660W powerful heating element cooks meats, fish, poultry, and vegetables perfectly. The unique infrared heating technology evenly spreads heat on the grill top. Food is guaranteed to cook uniformly, no cold zones or weak spots.
  • GRILL LIKE A PROFESSIONAL – Quickly heats up to an ideal grilling temperature of 446°F within 6 minutes. Enjoy searing meats and vegetables with steakhouse like quality diamond grill marks.
  • Easy Clean Non-Stick Surfaces: non-stick grid, dishwasher safe removable parts, makes cleaning easier than ever.

What’s in the box?

  • Grill box with captive power cable
  • Non-stick Grilling surface
  • Stainless steel removable drip pan
  • Instruction booklet
  • Warranty card

Design and features

The Tenergy indoor grill is a compact 19.5″ (including the grill’s handles) x 13.5″ x 7″. The grill area is 12″ x 8″. This means that you can’t put some larger items on it, and there’s no cover for smoking or holding in the heat to cook around the entire surface of the food. The heat only comes up from below.


The standard 3-prong plug fits most modern US electrical sockets and pulls no more power than a toaster oven or a waffle iron.
Before we get into the use and performance, let me give you an overview of the grill and how it works. First off, they spare no quarter in reminding you that this is an indoor grill, only, not for outdoor use, even on your deck, even under an overhang. Indoors only. OK, got it.


It is smokeless because the drippings from your grilled products do not touch the heat source, which is the usual source of smokey flare-ups. The infrared radiation comes from the two long inner walls, through clear glass panels that protect radiant foil reflectors that focus the heat from the lamps up to the surface of the grill.

Anything that falls through hits the much cooler drip tray and can be washed off easily in your dishwasher. The non-stick grill can also be put in the dishwasher, but in use, I found that it usually needed some soaking and non-abrasive elbow grease to clean, especially if fatty foods were involved.


There is no temperature control. It’s Off, WarmUp, and On – period. This means you’re going to have to monitor your foods more than you may be used to with a covered grill that has an adjustable flame, or a charcoal grill with a variable rack level. I found it also meant I turned some items more, in order to keep from burning.


The smaller size will mean you may have to cook in waves or shifts, rather than tossing on the entire meal. This only became a problem when I was trying to bulk grill food for lunches or larger groups. Normal cooking was fine.
Total run time may also present a problem. You should not run the grill longer than one hour at a time, and then it needs an hour rest.

Setup

Other than washing the pan and grill and wiping down the inner surfaces with a damp cloth to remove manufacturing detritus, there’s no real setup. You do need to place it on a flat, heat-proof surface (We use our glass cooktop because the Lovely Bride will have my head if I mess up her new countertops. Plus, this puts the grill under the range hood, should something start to smoke.)
Read the instruction manual. It’s only 8 large print pages of bullet points, and it’s going to prevent you from doing things that experienced grillers may take for granted. Like grilling frozen foods.

Performance

Our first use was for two fairly lean NY Strip steaks. They were at room temperature and took only 4-6 minutes per side to be perfectly medium rare. Drippage was minimal. Cleanup was a breeze.


The second outing, I got more adventurous. I usually grill about half of a 6.5-pound bag of frozen chicken thighs from Costco for a week of lunches and salads at a time. On my gas grill, they go on the grill frozen and take about 30 minutes from lighting the grill to bringing them inside. With the Tenergy, you cannot grill frozen foods, so I had to thaw them out in the fridge for a day or so. Then, I could only fit 4-6 on the small grill (versus 8-10 on my gas grill). They cooked nicely and turned out much more evenly cooked than on the gas grill, where rendering fat drips down onto the heat plates (the angled metal panels that cover the actual burners), burns, smokes, and flames up. This can sometimes overcook some parts of the food if you aren’t keeping an eye on it, but it also imparts a taste that was missing from my indoor-grilled foods.
My Lovely Bride volunteered for clean-up duty that night and reported that it was a horrendous ordeal to clean out the drip pan, the grilling grate, and the side panels. With the fatty thighs (half of which I had marinated in white wine and spices before cooking), they dripped and spattered in all directions, which made for a huge mess inside the heat box. “If you’d have cooked those outside on the gas grill, I wouldn’t have had to clean up anything!”

What I Like

  • Non-stick grilling surface.
  • Fast heat-up and use.
  • Smokeless cooking really works, if you follow directions.

What needs to be improved

  • I find it to be great, for what it is. Nothing to change for me.

Final thoughts

This will not replace a “real” grill if you’re someone who loves to release your inner hunter-gatherer. There will still be a need to fill the grill for a group, cook multiple courses for an afternoon or evening of many items, or to put on a large roast or pig butt. But as Punxsutawney Phil’s lies have become more apparent this February, I’ve enjoyed having a grilled steak in the evening without having to endure the cold, dark drizzle of a 35º “Early Spring” evening on the deck. And I’m sure there will be hot, miserable Dog Days of summer that I’ll want a steak or a grilled burger without the misery of standing outside with the humidity and the bugs. And for these occasions, Tenergy has provided a well-designed tech fix.

It’s not a small unit, but I don’t think it could really be made any smaller and be effective. We keep it in a lower shelf in the hall linen closet, where it’s just a few steps from the kitchen.

Price: $179.00
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Tenergy.

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Tenergy Indoor Grill review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 26, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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