Gadgethead 1.5

MAGAZINE

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ISSUE 1 5

www.gadgetheadmag.com

GolfBuddy WT5 Watch

X Voice Drone

Handpresso Pump Set

UK

£4.95

INSPIRED BY YOUR SUCCESS

Roberts Radio WhatHiFi Advertorial.indd 1

06/05/2015 15:48

Editor in Chief Daemon Sands daemonsands@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Director Alex Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman anthonyl@littlegatepublishing.com Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com

Editorial Team

● Alex Smith ● Emma Hilling ● Gadget Ted ● Imogen Snelling ● Steve Warman

● Hoka One One Conquest 2 ● See. Sense. Intense Rear Lights ● Junojumper ● Monkey Lights M232 ● NHT SuperBud In-Ear Aluminium Headphones Page 10

● Pet Remedy Battery Operated Atomiser ● Ultimate Running Bra ● Kitsound Jive radio ● Anki Overdrive ● AARP Realpad Tablet ● Gingko Solar Tree ● Cinch Four Man Pop Up Tent Page 20

● iRemote Control ● Handpresso Pump Set ● Bengt Ek Design ART 600C Kitchen Timer ● Scala Rider PackTalk Duo ● GolfBuddy WT5 Watch ● X Voice Drone ● Cocktail Audio bf11 Page 30

● Bellroy Travel Wallet ● Thule Touring M 200 Topbox ● Toffee Case Flip Wallet ● Staad Laptop Bag ● REL Acoustics S2 Subwoofer

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Hoka One One Conquest 2

Firstly I am not a natural runner. Every

step is an effort so any help I can get from my running gear is greatly appreciated, my old Saucony shoes had come to the end of their life so I was excited to try out the Hoka One One Conquest 2, the successor to the popular Conquest running shoe.

My first

impression was that I would easily be able to find them in the cupboard as being neon pink, yellow and orange they practically glow in the dark. The plus side to this was that they may draw the attention away from my neon pink face as I run about. When I first put them on I immediately started bouncing about the kitchen like a spring lamb, the cushioning in these trainers are brilliant. After three months of running a few times a week between 3 - 8 miles I

still feel like I am running on clouds. The support around the ankle and the thin tongue are really comfortable on my feet.

The breathable mesh helps keep feet cool and allows them to move comfortably in the shoe. The only downside I have found with these shoes is that they are lacking a little in room around the toe. So here is what set these shoes apart, these shoes have what Hoka One One describe as “Meta-Rocker midsole geometry, specifically engineered with a low heel-toe differential and a sculpted outsole radius in the heel and toe, creates a unique fulcrum effect and encourages a guided foot gait cycle.” Now if like me you find yourself a little lost in the technical jargon this basically means the shoes souls are shaped to absorb contact in the heel and naturally roll your foot onto the toe and spring forward with every step.

More importantly it works, I genuinely now have a spring in my step.

www.hokaoneone.eu RRP €170

SEE. SENSE. INTENSE REAR LIGHTS

First tip, when you first test it out, don’t point it at your friends face, they will not thank you for it and you won’t hear the end of it for the next few hours, this bad boy is BRIGHT. It’s designed with some high end LEDs so you can be visible not only at night but also in the daytime when many cyclists don’t bother with lights or extra visibility at all. Unlike some lights it doesn’t just project a narrow beam of light See. Sense has used Fresnel lens elements to widen the angle of the beam to allow you to be seen clearly from more angles. This little light thinks for itself too, it monitors road conditions, junctions, roundabouts, filtering in traffic, approaching headlights and

more and responds to your situation, flashing brighter and faster, to make you more visible when you need it most. The battery life keeps on going and going, giving you roughly 12 hours use which is more than enough bum on saddle time for anyone. There is a handy little “Fuel Gauge” that lets you know how much juice you have left so you never run out of battery on the road and when it does come to reviving it, it charges from any USB port. It is shaped in an angle to compliment the seat post and attached with a rubber clip to allow you to remove it and attach it quickly and easily. This isn’t a light that should be left on the bike but it is small and light and has been living quite happily in my handbag between rides. I must admit I thought it was showing off unnecessarily by using motion detection to turn it on until I used it in the rain with gloves on.

Suddenly these big gestures make total sense rather than having to battle with fiddly buttons with cold hands or thick gloves. I am so impressed that I will be getting a front light to complete the set. www.seesense.cc RRP £44.99

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Junojumper

Ever managed to leave your interior light on in your car on a Friday night and then only realise Monday morning when your boyfriend comes to wake you up complaining that the batteries flat. Well even though I tried and failed to convince him that it definitely wasn’t me I have to admit I have. Ok so I have learnt a lesson about leaving the light on and always making sure the door is shut properly but because I don’t trust myself we are now in the possession of a JUNOJUMPER. So what does it do?

Well it allows you to get your car started again without asking your neighbours if they can give you a jump start, nobody wants to be that person. Do not let size deceive you this little piece of kit packs a whopping 6,000 mAh battery that provides 12 Volts of power at a peak of 300 Amps, enough to reincarnate most 4 and 6 cylinder vehicles in a device little bit bigger than a smart phone. Talking of smart phones? Ever

had yours die just when you needed it most. Well this little beauty will charge that too along with your tablets and cameras with the USB 5V 2.1A output. The JUNOJUMPER comes with all the cables you need including jump leads for the car battery. It can also be charged from you cigarette port (provided it isn’t your car battery that is dead). The website suggests popping it in your glove box in your car for emergencies. This may seem like a sensible idea but I recently needed my “emergency mobile” that lives in the glove box only to find it had died. This maybe painting a picture of me as a rather hopeless individual but I would need to see it regularly to remember to charge it up. However with a little foresight and regular charging the JUNOJUMPER could get you out of a sticky situation on day. www.junopower.com RRP $99.99

MONKEY LIGHTS M232 A few months ago whilst riding my bike I got T-boned by a car. The drivers excuse was “I didn’t see you”. I wasn’t badly hurt but my boyfriend who was riding behind me practically went into shock. Seeing the car head towards me and knowing there was nothing he could do to stop it really put the wind up him. A couple of weeks later he came to me with the Monkey lights, he knows I don’t like him fussing over me so in an attempt to make me more visible on the road he appealed to the child in me. I set about attaching it to my wheel, I found the instructions easy to follow and although it was a little fiddly I got it fixed to my spokes in no time at all, I also used the anti-theft clips as I leave my bike in some questionable areas. I was concerned it may clip the frame as the wheel span around but everything has been considered and it doesn’t affect the ride at all. The battery pack sits on the wheel hub to keep everything well balanced. Most

cyclists have lights at the front and rear of the bike but I had never considered lights on the side as well and it really makes perfect sense. Here’s the fun bit, these lights turn your bike into a disco light show. There are 200 Lumens and 32 full colour LEDs, 42 themes and 16 colours with hundreds of combinations. In short, as you pedal, it creates beautiful pictures and patterns on your wheel. It is waterproof so you can even party in the rain, for up to 25 hours on one set of AA Batteries if you wish. Downside whilst you are cycling you can’t see the patterns but you can still enjoy the colours dancing off your wheel, it is strangely satisfying. People comment on my Monkey Lights as I zoom past and I even had some kids cheer. I may now become a Pied Piper of some post rave party people but at least no driver can claim they didn’t see me. www.monkeylectric.com RRP £39.90

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NHT SUPERBUD IN-EAR ALUMINIUM HEADPHONES Ok I’m putting it out there, I love these. My last earbuds died after I stepped on them and broke the plastic casing and left me sad and musicless. Well that wouldn’t happen with these as they are encased in beautiful aluminium allowing for clumsiness aversion. If I had to change anything I would replace the small piece of plastic that connects the two earbuds for aluminium too as it looks a bit cheap next to the shiny earbuds. Despite the weight they remain comfortable in the ears for long periods of time and I can even listen to audiobooks in bed with no trouble, also the cord is woven with a tangle resistant material which means you don’t have to fight with them for a 10 minutes before being able to stick

them in your ears. Many earbuds have built in microphones so you can answer your phone whilst using them but unlike other earbuds that sound like you are calling from inside a cave these sound like you are talking directly into the phone. The sound quality is second to none for this price range. They are a little bass heavy but it doesn’t compromise the mid and high tones. Overall they produce a detailed and balance sound. There are 5 different sized latex ear buds and 2 sets of Comply T-200 memory foam tips. Personally I think the Comply tips reduce the stylish look of the headphones but it is definitely worth it as the noise cancelling effect from the seal it creates means that you find yourself completely immersed in the music. I have worn these whilst exercising and find that the Comply tips stay put for the entirety and at the end I don’t have the usual ringing in my ears or that hot post earphone feeling.

Even in the rain they stay put and I find the cord hangs with more ease around my neck than traditional plastic cords. If you don’t believe me try them out for yourself and you won’t be disappointed. www.nhthifi.com RRP $99.99

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PET REMEDY BATTERY OPERATED ATOMISER

I have two furry house mates (well three if you count my bearded boyfriend) that couldn’t be more opposite to each other. Imagine William and Jacob in the Brother’s Grimm film but in cat form. One is super confident strutting about like he is 2ft tall whilst the other is more reserved. They are indoor/outdoor cats but this summer we have had two stray cats move into the neighbourhood. Although these cats are scared of their own shadows they sometimes take a chance to sneak into my house in search of food. This has resulted in my quieter cat, Finley, creeping around the rooms, tail between his legs, sniffing everything and jumping at every noise. All animal lovers will understand how upsetting it is to not be able to reassure your pet so with a little research I decided to try out a herbal remedy for the little scaredy cat. The pet remedy atomiser came with everything to

get you started. I set it up in the dining room which is a bit of a cross road in our house and where Finley seemed to be most ill at ease. As the atomiser is battery operated you can put it anywhere without having to commit a plug socket to it. You can set it to deliver a dose every 15 or 30 minutes and it will last up to 8 weeks, refills are available at a reasonable price. I found it started to have an effect immediately and Finley was trotting about the house without a care and even curled up with me on the sofa. I also tried the calming spray by spritzing a little on the floor near their scratching post and they both became perhaps a little too relaxed and began rolling about the floor half-heartedly play fighting with each other like high adolescent boys.

It uses a blend on Valerian, Vetiver and other calming oils and is suitable for all mammals and birds. The only thing I’m concerned about now is that my cats are so relaxed now they will allow all the neighbourhood cats in the house for a cat party. www.petremedy.co.uk RRP £40

ULTIMATE RUNNING BRA

As a bigger breasted runner, I have struggled to find a sports bra which gives me support and comfort (the two rarely go hand in hand). Alas, the Shock Absorber is a revalation, it is comfortable and it gives great support.

This bra is meant to reduce the bounce by up to 78% (which means no more black eyes), it does as it says! I get no pain and I don’t bounce around like I have udders anymore. I highly recommend this for anybody requiring a good sports bra, regardless of size.

FANTASTIC!!! www.shockabsorber.co.uk

Gadgethead Magazine

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Anki Overdrive

Anki, the robotics and artificial intelligence company that created the cutting-edge battle-racing game Anki DRIVE, have announced Anki OVERDRIVE will start shipping to select retailers on September 20, 2015 in the U.S., U.K., Germany and Canada. It will also be available for purchase on www.anki.com.

Anki OVERDRIVE is battle-racing at its best where players control physical supercars via handheld mobile devices to compete against friends, family or AI commanders.

KITSOUND JIVE RADIO For some time now I have been looking for a radio to suit my kitchen, so let me paint you a picture of where I live. Deep in the Suffolk countryside is a quaint cottage with a kitchen of old oak and a beautiful Belfast sink. You look out to a garden full of flowers and roaming free-range chickens. It as blast from the past with a modern take as we love technology and the house is wifi enabled and full of gadgets.

The radio had to have a retro Rock and Roll feel about it but deliver a

modern day service. The KitSound Jive is perfect for us as you look at a retro vintage design with its rounded edges, speaker grille and extendable aerial but couple that with modern internals of a great DAB / FM radio.

Sound is very good for every day use although I wouldn’t want to rock out to it on full volume, it isn’t man enough.

I love the look and sound it delivers and it gets a lot of admiring comments. www.kondor.co.uk

The game introduces an innovative magnetic modular track system that allows gamers to custom build their own battlefields within seconds. The game features a rich, in-depth campaign where players challenge a diverse cast of 25+ elite commanders to become champion of the Anki OVERDRIVE Tournament.

The supercars are customizable with hundreds of new virtual weapons, upgrades and special items for all-out vehicular mayhem. New game modes such as Time Trial and King of the Hill

expand on the popular Battle and Race modes returning from Anki DRIVE. In Time Trial, players find the perfect path to beat the clock, and King of the Hill is chaotic fun as players battle for the crown to see who rules the road by holding the lead position the longest.

The Anki OVERDRIVE Starter Kit will retail at ÂŁ149.99 and will come with two supercars and 10 separate modular FlexTrack pieces, allowing gamers to build eight different battle courses. www.anki.com

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AARP Realpad Tablet So the first thing you need to know is that AARP is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that helps people Fifty and older improve the quality of their lives and they have brought out a Tablet called the Realpad. What this means is that finally I can gently coax my mum into the 21st century with a tablet she can actually use. Her normal excuse is that it’s too complicated but the Realpad comes preloaded with over 20 tutorial videos explaining everything from how to connect to the internet to an introduction to apps. It also has larger icons and a simplified interface to make it more user friendly. It works with Android operating system and comes with all the bog standard preloaded apps like, in my mum’s words, Faceache and Tweeter. It’s light weight

with a 7 inch screen and a forward and rear facing camera. The first thing that happened was I received a “selfie” over email it was close up and blurry but it was good to know she was trying it out rather than using the Realpad as a coaster. Its camera isn’t great as with most tablets but it is ok for the price.

So I pop round the following week and she wants to show me something she found (by herself) on Youtube and to my surprise she pulls the Realpad from her handbag. This means the tablet has been accepted into her world and lives with her Tesco mobile. Turns out she takes it to my sisters when she baby sits and plays Sudoku whist my nephew naps. Downsides, it WILL need a case as she has already managed to put a

GINGKO SOLAR TREE

What XD Designs have done is make me think of the ruthless utilities companies making good money off me for keeping my phone and tablet charged, then appeasing me by offering a way to save money by harnessing the power of the sun to enable my high speed instagramming. It’s a cool design based on a Japanese “ginkgo” tree, eco-friendly plastics, with the ability to charge my phone twice over. It really is rather useful … but…. Not if you want to charge quickly or whilst mobile and also if it is sat on my desk at work all day I might as well just my phone in to the

wall. It is worth having at home though and I have charged my devices a few times, more to get my dread-headed crowd to give me an eco thumbs up The cost varies online making it hard to call on the overall need for one, if you find one new for under £40 I would say it’s a novel idea and will always make an unusual desk buddy or window shelf decoration. With a 4,000mAh battery, it charges any USB device and includes an LED indicator to see how much of the sun you have stolen - truly is a new age gadget. www.xd-design.co.uk

scratch on the back although she claims she has been careful. The reaction time isn’t that sharp but this isn’t something my mum even noticed, she obviously hasn’t attempted to play fruit ninja on it. Another thing is the sound isn’t particularly great for something aimed at the older generation but that can he helped with a pair of headphones.

It isn’t all singing all dancing but in this case I believe less is more. For the money it’s a great introduction into the digital world and it’s nice to see that it’s aimed at an age category than can often be neglected in the technical market. www.aarprealpad.org RRP $99

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CINCH FOUR MAN POP UP TENT Every year I go camping with a group for a long weekend and with the launch of GadgetHead this year I have been organising to have the ultimate “Glamping” experience, priority number one was of course organising a suitable tent.

I have never used a pop up tent before so I spoke to a few guys in the know and they recommended a Cinch Pop Up Tent, as I wanted to show off to my friends I opted for their largest option the Four Man which they have claimed on their website is the largest pop up tent in the world and I haven’t found anything to dispute that.

The tent is stored in a large circular black bag which has been adapted to be used as a back pack which is very helpful for transportation although if someone calls out from behind you be careful as you have a turning circle of a tractor and will take out unwary campers!! Within the Bag you have the pop up tent, Canopy Pole Set, a section where the Pegs are held as well as a black bag with three compartments. Within the bag are 2 x LED Lantern and Torches, 4 x LED Tent Pegs, 2 x Pad Locks and a Repair Kit. I had mentioned to Cinch that we would be reviewing this tent and they kindly threw in the Solar Power Pack which is an optional extra (Perks of the job!)

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The tent was very easy to set up, it took seconds to pop out and we had pitched on soft ground so I left the mallet in the car and pegged in the guy lines (there are 20 in total) me and the other half were smugly sitting outside our tent in about five minutes, watching our friends struggle to thread their poles, sipping the first cider and offering no help at all. The only negative I had setting it up was once of the hoops when pegged ripped off but I am heavy handed and was rushing to get them all in.

The tent is a really good size, the inside had enough room for a double mattress while still allowing about a foot in depth border to store your other glamping gadgets – there are two pockets for you to store toothbrushes, toilet roll, books and headphones for easy access. There are also two porches which was handy we using one to hoard our soggy clothes and the other as an entrance and storage for our ridiculous alcohol hoard.

It handled the weather really well, two of the nights it was raining quite heavily and you could hear the wind outside but the tent protected us well, no leaks, no problems at all. I mentioned

earlier that Cinch threw in the Solar Power Pack which is an optional extra, there is Velcro on the top of the tent where you attach the Solar panel and you can then run the cable from the panel to go under and through the tent into the power pack where you simply plug in your devices. It gave off a good charge and was a life saver for keeping my Netflix going in the early hours where the girlfriend likes to lay in until the Sun is at it’s highest.

Alas the experience had to come to an end and I was a bit worried as I have heard pop up tents are notorious for packing away but it was actually very simple. You bring both ends together, twist to form a figure of eight and then fold in half. I had watched a YouTube Video beforehand though and glad I did because when you are at the figure of eight stage and folding to become a circle to fit inside the backpack carrier it does feel like it could snap. Watching the video gave me confidence that it wouldn’t. Really Happy with this bad boy! www.cinchpopuptents.co.uk Cinch Four Man Pop Up Tent RRP £189.99 Solar Pack £89.99

Gadgethead Magazine

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IREMOTE CONTROL

I came across this product by chance a few months ago and it has completely streamlined the way I control the gadgets in my Living room.

The iRemoteControl is a revolutionary iPhone/iPad based whole home remote control systems built to bring simplicity and organisation to our lives. It can control all the AudioVisual equipment in your house as well as your lights, electric blinds and CCTV Equipment all via your iDevice (this sounds like something out of the Jetsons!) iRemoteControl connects to any device that can traditionally be controlled via Infrared (IR), Relay, Serial (RS232) or Intranet (IP) commands.

To set this item up in your home

you will firstly have to configure all the gadgets you would like the remote to control by filling in an online form.

Once you have submitted the form the guys will come back to you in 24 hours with your own customised app, code they have built from your details. You then download your app and follow the simple walkthrough steps to have the iRemoteControl configured to the requirements you asked for. Upon purchase you will also be sent a little gizmo called an iTach Flex which you will need to attach to your router as well as this you will receive three IR Emitter jacks which allow you to also hide up your hardware and just have the emitters on show.

I am very pleased with this app and have found it to be very reliable and do love having all the control centralised onto one device, when I finished reviewing this item I had a look at other reviews to see how people get on and saw some poor ratings. The reason they gave poor ratings is they installed the free App and expected it to control everything which isn’t the case as without paying for the custom build and getting the equipment sent you won’t get anywhere. www.iremotecontrol.tv

Handpresso Pump Set Hands up if you can’t function without coffee. Now keep those hands up if you often find yourself having to endure your special brew on the move. Not to worry, Handpresso, once you get past this awkward slightly suggestive brand name, will become your saviour. It comes in a beautifully designed travel case that wouldn’t look out of place at the campsite or the office. It also functions quite happily in both environments as it is completely battery free.

There is a hand pump in the handle that generates pressure in less than half a minute, 30-50 pumps should do it and the gauge will let you know when it’s ready. You have a choice of using an ESE coffee pod or freshly ground coffee: your options are endless. I am not going to lie, when it comes to using the ground coffee it can become a little messy but outdoors Mother Nature isn’t going to tell you off for making a little mess and I am sure with a little practice the whole process becomes much cleaner. Once your pressure is pumped and you have added your coffee it is time for the hot water. Handpresso

includes a flask with a temperature gauge so you know exactly what you a getting. Like any thermos flask it will lose heat overtime but here’s a tip: bring you flask up to temperature by slowly adding warm, then hot water, this will help reduce the amount of heat you lose in the flask. Now you are all set, press the button and there you have it belle café with a good amount of crema.

As any good barista will know an espresso is just the beginning you now have the tools, with a little hot milk, to make a latte, cappuccino, café macchiato or my favourite the café mocha. If you get a little carried away and drink enough coffee to give you the shakes, Handpresso has even provided you with unbreakable cups, though probably more to do with making them travel friendly. You wouldn’t however want to use this to make drinks for the whole office as you would have arms like Popeye by the end of it. Like real barista made coffee it does take a little effort but if you like your coffee you will definitely think it’s worth it. www.handpresso.com

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DriveStation™ Quad Direct Attached Storage USB 3.0

HD-QHU3/R5

Huge Capacity Direct Attached Storage Huge Capacity Direct Attached Storage

Buffalo Technology’s DriveStation™ Quad (HD-QHU3 series) is a 4-bay Direct Attached Storage device perfect for demanding SMB. The HD-QHU3 comes fully populated with high-reliability Buffalo Technology’s DriveStation™ WD Red™ drives in total capacities of up to 24TB.

Quad (HD-QHU3 series) is a 4-bay

™ The DriveStation Quad is RAID-enabled customised Direct Attached Storage deviceforperfect redundancy and capacity depending on your specific needs for demanding SMB. The HD-QHU3 and also comes with 10 licenses of NovaStor NovaBACKUP comes Essentials fully populated Business software. with high-

reliability WD Red™ drives in total

The DriveStation™ Quad features the capacity, redundancy, capacities of required up to 24TB. and performance for any demanding user – the perfect solution for backing up large servers, multimedia files, or databases. The HD-QHU3 series is sold fully populated with WD Red drives and total capacities of 8, 12, 16, or 24TB. HD-QHU3/R5

Features and Benefits • 4 bay Direct Attached Storage fully populated with WD Red™ hard drives - Available with 8, 12, 16, or 24TB capacities

• RAID-enabled for performance and reliability - Supports RAID 0/1/5/10/Spanning/JBOD

• Perfect for Server, PC, and/or Database Backup

Features and Benefits

- Also includes 10 free licenses of NovaStor NovaBackup Business Essentials

• Power Saving – Auto Power feature turns on and off automatically with your computer

4-bay Direct Attached Storage •• SuperSpeed connectivity with USB 3.0

fully populated with WD Red™ hard drives with 8, 12, 16, or 24TB capacities • RAID-enabled for performance and reliability - Supports RAID 0/1/5/10/Spanning/JBOD • Perfect for ™Server, PC, and/or Database Backup - Also includes 10 free licenses of NovaStor NovaBACKUP® Business Essentials • Power Saving – Auto Power feature turns on and off automatically with your computer ched Storage • SuperSpeed connectivity with USB 3.0 • 3 year warranty - Available • 3 year warranty

tation Quad

BENGT EK DESIGN ART 600C KITCHEN TIMER When I was asked to review a piece of kitchen equipment I expected maybe a coffee machine or perhaps a bread maker, but nope the folks at Gadgethead decided I was the perfect person to review a kitchen timer. Bear in mind I am of the type that could burn a pot noodle. I normally use a timer on my phone to boil my egg (I can do that) or to cook my oven chips (I am skilled in that too) but there is something so satisfying about this little timer ticking away and then…

BBBRRRRIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGG! Chips are done. No it doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi, it hasn’t got Bluetooth and it can’t play you music whilst you wait but that’s what I like that about it. In this day and age where half of your household belongings have to be

HD-QHU3/R5

charged or connected in some way it is nice to go back to basics with this wind up timer. The people at Bengt Ek had really created a beautiful thing here with its polished aluminium finish.

Not only is it shiny and smooth to the touch but it’s got a lovely weight to it unlike your standard plastic egg timers.

Its retro designed black dial gives you up to 60mins count down time and is available in copper or silver to match the smartest of kitchens. My boyfriend, the real cook of our house, uses it all the time and now, like Pavlov’s Dog, my mouth starts to water whenever I hear its little chime. If you take pride in your kitchen then this little charmer belongs there too. www.bengtekdesign.com

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SCALA RIDER PACKTALK DUO

I ride a motorcycle a lot. I commute most days; I go for fun rides with friends on the weekends and explore Europe for a least a couple of weeks every year. That’s a lot of time in the saddle listening to your own thoughts and sometimes I just want to relax and stop thinking. I know I sound a bit mad, wanting the voices in my head to stop but I do find music does exactly this. In the past I have used my mobile phone with speakers wired into my helmet but the wires tend to rattle and flap around and the volume buttons are not suitable for a gloved hand making them distracting and dangerous.

Therefore, I was genuinely excited with the new PackTalk. A market leader the quality of the device and packaging takes into account the presentation and aesthetic which has always been a big part of motorcyclists.

The PackTalk is all about connectivity, convenience and above all safety.

Bluetooth provides you the freedom to conduct mobile calls, receive navigation instructions, listen to music or the built in FM radio and connect via intercom with other Bluetooth communication systems.

The Packtalk Duo comes with two units so you and a friend can connect however the system is capable of connecting up to 10 units and unselfishly the headsets can connect via intercom to non-Cardo units which is uncommon thinking. Communication can reach up to a mile apart and any member may randomly join, leave and return without compromising the conversation.

All of this with simple, large controls upon the device that mean you can make changes to the unit with just a touch of a gloved finger and without much distraction.

It units look great and fit either with a clip that slips between the side of the helmet and the cushioning however on some helmets there is a lip preventing this so it comes with sticky pads to put it on the helmet. The interior speakers

Velcro into the helmet and offer great sound and there are numerous microphones provided to ensure a perfect if and they sound crystal clear.

Each unit comes with its own cabling to charge it.

Chatting whist riding is fun but still feels unnatural to me. One thing I do love is the chance to have quiet music from my play list or even the units built in radio playing. As good as the PackTalk is I still savour the freedom and uncontactability that being on a bike gives me and it is a hesitant step to get into a situation where yet again I am in a position to be contacted at all times of the day.

The PackTalk has so many features that I am finding out about however I do use 3 of them regularly, the intercom, radio and my music and once you familiarize yourself with the controls it is a doddle to use. Sound is fantastic, as is the battery life.

These are not the cheap units but as I know you get what you pay for and these are certainly up there as one of the very best. www.cardosystems.com

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GolfBuddy WT5 Watch It seems technology is creeping into every walk of life and it is a real pet hate for me. I have a GPS watch for my running, cycling and even swimming.

I have a smart watch that makes me aware of my emails and latest news.

I can track all my activities more than I ever could and if I want to I can link them up to the Internet so everyone else interested in my life can know them too. Some times I need to turn off, I don’t want people to email me, call me or how fast my last 10k run was!

Golf to me is a comfort sport, a sport where I can get away from my every day stresses and strains of my life. I like to enjoy my golf, my surroundings and the company I am with. I always leave my watches, phones etc in the car as I make my way to the clubhouse.

My boss asked me to test the WT5 watch and my first thoughts were this is exactly what I don’t want for my golf.

However I was delighted that no emails

or phone calls could come in on this watch so I was still away from the real world.

It is a comfortable and very easy to use watch. You can choose your course from the 37,000 pre-loaded courses and there is no subscription fee.

There are a host of other features like scoring, distances to hazards and it is possible to track how far you have hit the ball.

It automatically and very quickly recognizes when you move onto the next hole.

In conclusion, the GolfBuddy WT5 is very good and whilst I feared it would destroy the only non-technical parts of my life, I was wrong.

The WT5 gives you precise information that you can use to better your game. Well done GolfBuddy, I really like the WT5. www.golfbuddyglobal.com

The watch simply provides: • Distances to targets and hazards • Distances to front/centre/back of the green • Pin Placement Technology • Digital scorecard • Dynamic Green View • Automatic course/hole recognition • Shot distance measurement • GPS tracking - can be used for walking and other sports • IPX7 Waterproof • Rechargeable battery • Yards/Meters selection • Watch mode

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X Voice Drone I took my family camping a couple of months ago and the site was awash with drones. These are a step up from the remote control helicopters of old.

The helicopters looked good but were difficult to control with the added danger that if you hit someone with the spinning rotor blades, major damage would be caused to both the copter and the person!

Drones are easier to control and the blades are better protected so much safer to use. My youngest loves a drone so was first inline to test the new X voice drone that not only could you control with the handset but with your voice. By saying simple words such as “Take Off”, “Go Left”, “Dancing” etc. the drone obeys.

There is an earpiece you loop over your ear and also holds a microphone boom. We had trouble making it fit

our ears but when it was on it worked great.

Flight time was around 10 minutes.

The blades are well protected and the box even comes with some spare ones. There is a return to controller function so if you are having problems controlling it just say “come home” and the X-Voice will return to the controller.

The perfect drone for the beginner pilot or a more advanced pilot who wants to have some voice controlled fun!

One thing to be wary of is that although it is small and looks well protected it can suffer from major crashes. Inevitably we lost control and smashed into the ground, but with superglue it was up and running soon enough.

Big smiles and easy to control, we like it. www.sciencemuseumshop.com

Cocktail Audio bf11 Bluetooth technology is a really exciting proposition for music lovers.

I remember 20 odd years ago when I bought my first house, I wired my hi-fi and TV into some mighty wall mounted speakers. They were big boxy monsters that looked like they would rip the plaster from the wall at any given moment. I chiselled out the walls so I could run the hidden wires to them. It was state of the art and took me a week to cover up and repaint my work. However I did make the school boy error of not testing thoroughly and one wire didn’t work so out came the chisel and I started again. All for the love of music!!

Thank God for Bluetooth as I don’t

have the strength inside me to do such a thing again. Turn on your speaker and place a speaker anywhere you want it, wow!

I am a real fan of the Cocktail speaker; as it looks great, feels really well made and most importantly sounds brilliant.

I love the bass tones and have enjoyed playing older tracks that I had forgotten about as it seems to bring a new depth to them. I was really surprised at how long the battery life lasts.

I usually have it in my study but it comes with me to the patio and even my garage. Perfect piece of hardy technology that once you own you will wonder why you didn’t earlier. www.cocktailaudio.co.uk

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BELLROY TRAVEL WALLET Going on holiday is a stressful time.

What to pack, what time to leave, what about traffic, how long do we need to check in, do I have my passport, do I have the boarding pass etc!!

The Bellroy travel wallet tries to relieve some of the anxiety from travelling. The Travel wallet is made of high grade leather and feels well made, Bellroy believe in their quality as it comes with a 3 year warranty. It has been designed to keep all the essential

papers together so you just need to remember one item and not many.

The wallet holds your passport, boarding pass and money. Added in that there are lots of credit card slots and even a pen you will rest assured that you have the essentials to get on that plane. If you have this fully stocked wallet in your possession you won’t care if you have forgotten to pack your Mankini. www.bellroy.co.uk

Thule Touring M 200 Topbox I love camping and with a family of 5 we have to take a fully loaded car, a trailer and a top box. My current top box is a cheapy from ebay and it doesn’t fit flush, the locks are broken and I have even drilled holes around it to secure the lid with tie wraps! All of this happened within a few months of owning it!

Can you imagine my delight when Thule asked us to trial their M200 Model. This top box is sleek and shiny and is around twice the size of my existing one. The build quality is so typical of Thule, strong, light and oozing quality.

I know a top box isn’t the coolest item we have tested but I really got excited about using it. It looks great on the car as the design is streamlined so you don’t know its there and the

expansive 400 litres eats up your stuff.

We managed to get one of the office managers in the box quite comfortably!

Once at the campsite I was encouraged to see that after driving through what could only be explained as a tropical storm, nothing inside was wet. My old top box would have leaked like a sieve even when it was new but more so now with the added drill holes.

There is the correct tool for every job. They are not usually the cheapest option however once you have used one you won’t want to go back. So my recommendation is that if you are ever in the market for the top box, spend a little bit more and get a quality, well made and last forever item. Get a Thule top box because they are quite simply the best tool for the job. www.thule.com

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Toffee Case Flip Wallet As mobile phones become bigger in recent years, space in people’s pockets and bags has become smaller, so the wallet phone case hybrid was born. I have seen my boyfriend go through so many of these types of cases as he insists on getting the cheapest one online and has faith with each new purchase that this time it will last him longer than 3 months…it doesn’t. He now has a Toffee Flip Wallet on his iPhone 6 plus and this is the first phone case to survive the 3 month mark let alone still look brand new. Toffee has created at premium product and yes it may cost a little extra but considering it is a hard case wrapped in genuine leather I still feel it is a bit of a bargain.

There are four card slots available and a discrete pocket for cash or receipts and even with these full the profile is

still slim. There is an elastic strap to hold the case shut and an undetectable magnet to keep it open. The elements are all what you would expect from this type of case but it’s the hardiness I find impressive. My boyfriend is not delicate with his phone, it gets knocked off the sofa, table or bar at least once a day, It gets sat on in his back pocket, thrown in the bottom of the gym bag, I have even seen it go skidding down the road. If it was an animal the RSPCA would have stepped in by now so this is why it seems to be a miracle that it remains undamaged. Only time will tell how long this case can withstand the constant physical abuse but if it continues the way it has started the prognosis looks positive. www.toffeecases.com

STAAD LAPTOP BAG Waterfield has a reputation for creating high end products and this is no exception. Every detail has been considered when designing this bag, areas that you may have never considered to be an issue have been corrected and improved on in this design. Let’s take a look at the outside first: there are three main materials working together here-the main body is made from ballistic nylon (also available in canvas), for the flap they have used genuine leather and a padded panel that rests against your back designed with a wicking material that helps absorbs moisture and avoid that sweaty patch on you work shirt.

This bag has been designed to be used to transport you laptop and other work tools in a stylish, professional and comfortable manner. The straps are padded, adjustable-and even with the backpack full to the brim-comfortable to wear. The bag itself is waterproof as you would expect but also the two zips that access the side pockets are

weather proof so the rain won’t seep in. The buckle they have used on the main pocket (originally designed for the military) has a quick release tab for ease of use. Next let’s look inside, there are plenty of pockets to sort all your gadgets, chargers and even a bottle of water.

Unlike a normal backpack, both versions of this bag, the Slim and the Stout, have been designed to be compact and narrow which makes things easier for the daily commute. The only issue I have with this bag is that the leather panel is easily scratched which some may think adds character, but this is not a cheap item and personally I would like to keep it looking as such so I would suggest applying some leather treatment to give it some protection.

This is what you would get if an Armani and a Berghaus bag had a child together. No they are not cheap, but in this case I believe you get the quality you pay for. www.sfbags.com

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REL ACOUSTICS S2 SUBWOOFER A good subwoofer will change your audio experience forever and a bad one will have you running for the hills.

Many people are missing out on one of the most dramatic improvements they can make to their audio system, be it with a music system or home theatre and that is the Subwoofer. Subwoofers are low-frequency speakers that amplify bass sound waves and a good one will enhance movies by amplifying sounds such as explosions or moving vehicles. The focus on low frequency sound waves helps create a more

realistic experience for the audience.

In addition to enhancing movies or television, subwoofers help amplify the low sounds in music, creating a more dynamic listening experience.

There are good and bad examples.

A bad example will make you swear you will never go near one again and a good one will have you preaching in the streets about it.

It’s a shame that a lot of people’s first experience of a bad subwoofer is that of the passing car. A young ‘un who has nailed a cheap woofer into his car boot and all that can be heard

is an obnoxious, brain shaking, child frightening booming sound violating mess as the car is bounced down the road.

A quality subwoofer is actually difficult and expensive to build. The subwoofers job is to move lots of air and to do this correctly need quality drivers and amps that are capable and they don’t come cheap. Creating this system needs a very strong box that is dampened and can resist the pressures, again a costly exercise.

But then it gets really technical with words and phrases that should be left in the science lab. It is fair to say there are very few good subwoofers that you would want in you house.

The Welsh company REL has been at the top of the subwoofer game since the nineties and has perfectly positioned itself for the home theatre and the growth of the surround sound speaker market.

REL have a string of awards to their name.

The REL S/2 is a compact

subwoofer and the sound that it delivers Is amazing. The construction is pure quality and looks like a piece of art. However it is the quality and expensive parts inside that make this fantastic. This unit delivers better than its sum of these quality parts and that can only be put down to the skill and understanding of the people at REL. The RRP is around £1000 and comes with a 3 year warranty. This price might seem high to those who don’t full understand how much better your sound experience will be with this product. You can spend less and a lot more on a subwoofer however in my opinion this is fantastic value for money and adds a presence to any room it is found in.

The REL S2 with merge beautifully into your system, adding a greater sense of scale and effortlessly impress anyone that listens. www.rel.net

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