Gadgethead 2.5

MAGAZINE Citreon C4 – Running With The Big Boys

UK

£4.95

ISSUE 2.5

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

● Oakley Flak 2.0 XL ● Moov Now Personal Fitness Coach ● Rapha Shadow Cycling Kit Page 10 ● Rab Batura Jacket ● Hoka Vanquish 2 ● Bolle The One Bicycle Helmet ● Varidesk Corner Cube 48 Citreon C4 – Running With The Big Boys Page 20 ● Twistgrip ● The Eiger Desk Foreo IRIS Eye Massager Hilti PD5 Laser Range Meter ● Teko Marathon Super-Cushioned Running Socks and Winter Socks Page 30 ● Hilti SF 2-A Cordless Drill ● Hilti SF 2H-A Cordless Hammer Drill Driver ● Flir One ● PeliTM Air Cases

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Oakley Flak 2.0 XL The Oakley Flak 2.0 XL is the next generation of Oakley’s bestselling Flak Jacket XLJ. Straight out of the box you get a hard protective case, a scratch proof Microbag, nose pads and the glasses themselves. The first impression from handling these glasses is how light they are - the frames are made from Oakley’s trademark O-Matter, a superlight and flexible plastic, with Unobtanium® (a rubber material to you and me). Earsocks and nosepads keep the glasses firmly in place even getting more grippy with perspiration. Unlike other sunglasses the temple arms stretch back in a straight line rather than hooking behind the ear this means that there are no uncomfortable bits of plastic digging into the backs of your ears.

They feature spring loaded hinges that I both like and dislike, they snap close against the lens, an action that makes me cringe every time because I worry that it might damage the lens, which it won’t it is just me being over sensitive.

This feature does make putting them on a breeze, you can pop them open

with one hand which is great when out riding the bike. The temple arms also curve out slightly meaning they will fit comfortably over a hat - useful for those bright but chilly morning runs in spring and autumn. The minimalist frame means your vision is never disrupted by obtrusive plastic rims and the 59 mm wide and 38 mm high Black Iridium lens provide a wrap around effect giving you good peripheral cover. As you would expect from an Oakley the lenses deliver excellent optics and are interchangeable, for an extra £15 you can completely customise your glasses by choosing lens, frame, ear sock and icon colour. There is no ventilation system with the Flak XL but the shape of the glasses is enough to keep you fog free. As for our final thoughts, we tested these out whilst running, cycling and playing tennis and they performed brilliantly they are so comfortable I would forget I was even wearing them, great optics, great fit and an awesome design.

Rating

Pros • Customisable, available in Prizm, Trail, Prizm Road, Prizm Golf and Prizm Baseball • Comfortable • Unobtanium Earsocks and Nosepads, grips more with perspiration • Light weight and strong O-Matter frame • Comes with hard case and microfiber sleeve Cons • High price tag www.oakley.com

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MOOV NOW PERSONAL FITNESS COACH The Moov Now is more than your average activity tracker, this device will actually coach you during your activity making your workout more efficient, increasing your fitness and weight loss. The Moov Now can coach you whilst you run, cycle, swim and during a 7minute intense workout, it can also coach you through cardio boxing but you will need two devices, one for each hand, meaning double the price.

Each activity has a variety of programs and feedback for example the run/ walk feature has four self-explanatory

options: Walk to sweat (brisk walking), Run Further and Easier (running efficiency), Improve Pace and Distance (speed endurance) and Push to the Limit (sprint intervals). Each option will give you real time feedback though your smartphone. The cool thing about the Moov Now is that it targets specific activities rather than just counting your steps as so many other fitness trackers do, this gives you a much clearer idea of how you are performing and where you can improve. There is no need to charge this device as it uses a coin

cell battery, a feature that seems to becoming more popular with these sorts of products, that should last you 6 months and is fairly cheap to replace. There are a few downsides to this product, I was most eager to test out the swimming coaching as many activity trackers aren’t compatible with swimming, there is no coaching during your session, you set up the app, leave your phone in the locker, go for a swim with the Moov Now on your wrist and review your progress when you have finished. I found the data really hit and miss, often the lap count was wrong reporting I had done more than I had, the strokes where mixed up and it recorded rests when I hadn’t taken any, disappointing to say the least. As for the other tools the cycling and running are pretty neat but I enjoy running to music so I would never use the running tool long term. The 7minute workout is fun and motivating like those work out DVDs but with real time feedback and increasing in difficulty as the days go by, this was probably my favourite feature. I can’t talk about the Moov Now without mentioning one major problem I had with the wearable band, twice I caught the strap and it sent the disk spinning out and twice the strap came undone, once whilst I slept (no idea how) and another time whilst I was running I managed to clip it with

my trainer, the strap is a bit of a letdown as I could have easily lost the disk which is an expensive mistake. So would I buy one? Personally no, I like my exercise and I am already set in my ways but if the swimming tool worked more consistently and the strap was more secure I might consider it.

Rating

Pros • Real time feed back • Detailed breakdown of your work out • No need to charge it • Waterproof • App is easy to use Cons • Inconsistent when recording swims • Disk can fall out of strap and the strap can fall off (potentially an expensive loss) • Doesn’t take in to account age or fitness level • Syncing and downloading data can take up to 5 mins • Can’t manually enter or correct data • Limited to 5 types of activity welcome.moov.cc

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Rapha Shadow Cycling Kit All cyclists know how difficult it is to judge what kit to wear, especially in the UK with our very unpredictable weather. Often I will enjoy all four seasons in one ride!

Clothing can be either too hot, too cold or not suitable for the conditions.

What we need is multipurpose kit that will cover a variety of different weather conditions.

Step in the Rapha Shadow range designed to protect against changeable weather. Rapha has launched this new line of breathable, rain-deflecting race kit called Shadow, which is made from a pioneering stretch-woven fabric, which is both ‘hydrophobic’ – rainwater rolls off it – but is also highly breathable, so can be worn when riding during days which could be rainy, windy or sunny.

The fabric has a strange feel to it as it has had a durable water repellent finish applied twice during the manufacturing process, making water roll off. It is stretch-woven offering tiny gaps of

air that allow body heat out despite it compressing for an aero fit. The inside is also brushed, so the bib shorts and top can be worn comfortably straight onto skin.

The Italian-made Pro Team Shadow Jersey features a large zipper pull, holes in the bottom of the pockets for drainage, taped shoulder seams and 3/4-length sleeves.

The Pro Team Shadow Shorts have the same cut and chamois as Rapha’s Pro Team Thermal Bib Shorts, with a double mesh pocket built into the bib straps and brushed inner fabric.

The construction on both pieces is 53% Polyamide / 47% Elastane, and they only come in black.

As you would expect with any Rapha products the quality is perfect.

RRP Jersey £198 Bib shorts £234 www.rapha.cc

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Rating

Pros • Comfortable • Warm • Fully waterproof • Windproof • Reasonably priced http://rab.equipment

RAB BATURA JACKET

The Rab Batura Jacket isn’t your average, walking the dog on rainy evening, type of jacket, this is specialist jacket, designed for expedition use in high altitude and polar environment. The narrow box-walled baffle is chock full of that special 800FH hydrophobic down that is more water resistant than normal down, and also retains loft better and dries faster than traditional loft. On top of this is a fully waterproof Pertex® Shield outer layer, this is a breathable, microporous waterproof coating that protects against the wind as well as water and reduces condensation build-up within the jacket. As we have come to expect from Rab, every last detail has been considered, insulated zip baffle, hem draw cord and storm flaps abolish cold drafts from creeping in. The hood is also fully insulated, helmet compatible and has an adjustable wire peak to give you extra protection in storms. At 1375g (for a large) it is one of the heavier jackets the Rab have to offer due to the waterproof outer shell; but that’s not to say that it is heavy to wear. The inner lining feels nice against your skin and it’s comfortable to wear with a sleeveless shirt underneath. There are two easy access, glove friendly, Napoleon style pockets on the chest with Aqua guard zips to keep everything dry, as well as two large net style pockets on the inside. When the jacket is not in use it comes with a handy stuff bag. I was worried the wired peak might get damaged from being shoved in and out of the bag but it has held its shape well and not become a problem. I love the bright orange colour, I think it is always better to wear bright colours if you are out on expeditions making you more visible, there is a more understated black version available but for us the brighter the better. Having said that, it isn’t too garish that you would look silly wearing it on a cold winters day. The Batura is so warm it will look after you in the harshest of environments, as we have said before it is designed for expedition meaning it is sized so you can wear multiple layers underneath, something to bear in mind when ordering one in your size. A brilliantly warm, waterproof and wind proof expedition jacket, we think the Batura is great value for money.

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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

Hoka Vanquish 2 I first tried the Hoka Vanquish 2 running shoes midway through training for my 8th marathon. I went for one UK size up on regular shoes as I do with all running shoes, having tried all the big brand names over the last 15 years of running. I was immediately taken by the slipper-like feel of the lining. No seams at all, super comfortable with no pressure from laces or mouldings.

First run in them and I was hooked, I tried them in a recovery run, then a speed session, then a long run and also

HD-QHU3/R5

even wore them for my target race, the Brighton Marathon. I have covered over 200 miles in a month in them now and I can honestly say I’ve never worn a more comfortable shoe. The 5mm heel to toe drop gives an aggressive feel but the spring like sole provides so much cushioning, bounce and stability that the Vanquish 2s take the running shoe to a new level. I’ll be wearing Hokas from now on. www.hokaoneone.eu

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BOLLE THE ONE BICYCLE HELMET Bolle really have tried to think of everything when it comes to The One bicycle helmet. At first, it looks like any other bike helmet, our tester came in black, it looks reasonable and fits snuggly, with the Click to Fit System you can get a very precise fit.

Bolle claims that The One exceeds the current shock absorption requirements by 97% and that this has been verified by independent testing, as we didn’t throw ourselves from our bikes to thoroughly test the helmet (shirking our work responsibilities, shame on us) we choose to take their word for it. As an added safety feature The One features Bolle’s Safety QR Code Sticker which allows you to input your emergency details, the idea being if you were to have an accident someone can scan the code to access this information. I think it’s a nice idea but it is assuming that the person who finds you sees the

sticker, knows what a QR Code is, has a scanner, has access to the internet.

I have attended a woman who was knocked off her bicycle by a car, the last thing on my mind was to look at her helmet for any information as my main priority was not to move her, but as I said it’s a nice idea. Now for the real winning features of The One in order or favourites first, there is an included LED Light (coin cell battery operated) that is designed to fit in at back of the helmet, the best position of visibility and can be set to flash or shine continuously - a great extra safety feature. If you enjoy racing and want to avoid the extra weight there is a lighter capsule that can be placed in the slot instead.

Second on our list are the removable linings, The One comes with two linings, a summer and a winter one, so as the temperature starts to drop you can whip out the summer lining and

replace it with the winter one by simply sliding the helmet straps through the loops and attaching it to the Velcro patches inside the helmet. The winter lining offers greater cover around the back of the head as well as earpads for extra warmth. Being able to remove the linings is also great so you can wash them after particularly sweaty rides.

Thirdly is something we haven’t seen before, the helmet has a Sunglasses Garage, it sounds grander than it is but it is still a fantastic idea, it is an area at the front of the helmet where you can safely store your sunglasses should you no longer need them. Last on our list is the attachable visor for if you want to take the helmet out on a mountain bike, all these features help make The One a helmet for all seasons and all riding styles. We found The One light and comfortable to wear with the right amount of ventilation to keep you

cool and the winter liner will keep you nice and warm in the winter. It comes in a variety of colours in a Standard version, and, for a little extra, the Premium version comes with panels to cover the ventilation holes for greater aerodynamics when racing.

Rating

Pros Light Precise snug fit Winter and summer linings Sunglasses garage LED light Removable visor www.bolle-europe.co.uk

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Varidesk Corner Cube 48 We’re all sitting down too much the average for an office worker is 10 hours a day - and there’s a mountain of research that says this is increasing our risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity to name but a few. So whether it’s for health reasons or because you want to be able to spy on the next cubicle, standing desks are becoming more and more popular. But buying a completely new desk is a hassle and standing permanently may not be practical, so what you need is a height adjustable standing desk converter and that’s where Varidesk comes in.

No assembly required, simply place the Varidesk on top of your existing desk and, before you know it, you’re ready to lower your risk of a heart attack and nose at what Trevor in accounts is doing.

There are tons of options available in the Varidesk range, from compact units designed for a laptop or single monitor setup, right through to the monster Exec 48 which boasts a 122cm x 71cm footprint and two separate surfaces to house your gear. I gave the Corner Cube 48 (RRP £375) a whirl, which features a two-tiered setup designed specifically for corner desks, and has a width of 122cm, depth of 85cm and weighs in at just under 30kg. With such generous

proportions it easily accommodates the two 24-inch monitors, laptop, docking station and desk phone I used as a test rig. Varidesk state that the Corner Cube 48 is good for supporting up to 15.8kg at full extension - just over 44cm of lift from your normal desk height - my monitors et al weighed in at just over 11kg and stayed stable at all times. However, the Corner Cube is completely freestanding and relies solely on its own mass to stop it tipping over; so if you like to lean on your desk, this might not be the option for you.

Switching between sitting and standing is simple: using two triggers located in the handholds of the desk, you either manually pull or push to raise or lower it. The mechanism is spring assisted, so the desk requires little effort to move, and the Corner Cube can be raised in roughly 4cm increments, meaning it’s highly adjustable.

In matt black and with sleek curves, it looks great, too - I was the envy of the office - which helped when I was originally feeling a bit self-conscious about towering over my workmates.

However, there are a couple of drawbacks to the Corner Cube 48 which become apparent after you’ve worked with it for a while. There’s

no cable channeling solution: my office equipment requires three separate power cables, two ethernet connections and a number of DVI and USB cables, which quickly became a mess; especially as the Corner Cube 48 requires additional slack in the cables to allow the equipment to move with the desk. A bit of electrical tape helped solve the problem, but the DIY solution is at odds with an otherwise elegantly engineered product. Secondly, it’s not great if you take a lot of handwritten notes. When raised, there is very little

additional space on the lower tier for a paper pad, so those that still like to work in analogue may find it lacking in this respect.

Those two issues aside, the Varidesk Corner Cube 48 has transformed my work life for the better. At first I only stood for a few hours, but now I do so for up to 6 hours at a time - making those mid-afternoon-slumps a thing of the past. Now, I just need to look into getting a gel mat to stand on... RRP ÂŁ375 www.varidesk.com

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CITREON C4 – RUNNING WITH THE BIG BOYS A big weekend was approaching and I wanted to test a vehicle that could comfortably accommodate six adults and their luggage and cover 600 miles to the south of England and back up to sunny Norfolk. We had a team of runners competing in the Brighton Marathon and their 10k event, so comfort during the journey was compulsory.

The Citroen Grand C4 Picasso arrived on a wet Friday morning and the weather didn’t bode well. I hoped that the car would fare better. Truthfully, I was unsure of the initial look of the car, however, a fellow runner said he loved it, as it was different to all the usual blow molds on the road. I must admit that the looks did grow on me too. The C4 has been cleverly designed and the looks are not all about standing out from the crowd; Citroen have spent a lot of energy making this big bus enjoy better fuel efficiency and aerodynamics,

greater space inside and generally, just a better car than their previous models.

The inside of the C4 is vast and very light. Gone are the thick pillars that would restrict visibility and they have been replaced with glass everywhere, including the biggest windscreen I have ever seen and an enormous glass roof.

All the seats adjust so there is plenty of legroom and headroom and the three middle seats individually recline, slide and fold. The rear seats are a bit tight on leg room, however, with the middle seat forward a little all seats were fit for purpose. There is adjustable ventilation for both the second and third rows, which is brilliant, as it can get stuffy towards the rear of a big vehicle.

If you don’t need the third row of seats, they store away in the floor offering a large boot with a 632-litre capacity, a low load lip and a nice flat floor. Dropping the middle row of seats keeps the floor, again, completely flat

and increases capacity to a cavernous 2181 litres. The C4 is an amazingly versatile vehicle.

I found the off centre speedo a bit concerning, as I currently have 9 penalty points on my licence, so I need a speedo to scream at me. I found that I soon adapted though. Citroens do everything well, however, I found that as everything was controlled through a touchscreen it was often confusing.

Gone are the buttons and knobs to turn the heater up and down; now you go through the computer to control everything. We mastered most of the controls quickly but we simply couldn’t find out how many miles we had left in the tank. We spend hours scrolling through trying to find this out and once we finally cracked it, it was obvious. I could have referred to the manua, but I’m a man, so enough said!

Every Grand C4 Picasso comes with alloy wheels, Bluetooth and a

six-speaker stereo with a USB socket.

Parking sensors, active cruise control, rear camera and parking assist are all great features that are also available. I only dared use the parking assist once and it worked well but being an old school driver, I would rather park it myself. It is a very nice and capable car to drive and while it’s never going to set speed records with six adults on board, it happily responded to everything I asked of it and handles securely and predictably.

Would I buy the C4? Most definitely.

It has a quirky look that I grew to love and it is just so flexible that it is difficult to raise arguments against it. I guess it doesn’t have the quality feel of some other makes, but for the price it is very close to being the perfect MPV. Further proof as to the C4’s comfort is that we arrived, unruffled and uncramped, to set four personal bests over the Marathon and 10k distance. A very nice and easy 600 miles in a lovely car that returned 57mpg in real life driving, while very heavily loaded.

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TWISTGRIP

The Universal Smartphone Clamp The new approach to smartphone photography: • Portable and secure: compact and lightweight enough to take everywhere, easily secures any smartphone • Universal: TwistGrip connects all smartphones to multiple supports and accessories via a ¼” thread, enabling a complete modular photography system • Stylish look, tactile feel: Manfrotto’s

TwistGrip is Made in Italy in highquality aluminium Manfrotto, world leader in the photography, imaging equipment and accessories industry is pleased to announce the launch of the TwistGrip.

The new, innovative solution for taking awesome smartphone images and videos – anytime, anywhere.

TwistGrip is Manfrotto’s premium universal smartphone clamp, specifically devised for everyone who

has embraced smartphone photography as a way of life and wants to unleash the full potential of their device, never letting a great photographic moment go by.

The core for a complete modular photographic system, TwistGrip features a ¼” thread adaptor to connect to any photographic support and coldshoe lighting connection to allow integration with an LED light. TwistGrip works in multiple configurations with different photography accessories, helping to always achieve the best photo and video results.

Its high-quality construction aluminium body is completely Made in Italy to ensure perfectly secure, sturdy

support for all smartphones while users focus on catching life’s best moments.

The clamp’s twist movement and locking knob secure the smartphone in the right position in a just a few easy steps, so it stays safe, regardless of the shooting perspective.

Manfrotto’s TwistGrip has a stylish appearance, tactile finish, countless applications; it is the new, must-have smartphone accessory compact enough to follow smartphones everywhere, extremely versatile and designed to let mobile photographers have fun while taking better pictures.

RRP £39.95 www.manfrotto.co.uk

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THE EIGER DESK

The Eiger desk certainly does fulfil its function of enabling an individual to stand up while working on his or her computer in a simple and very effective manner.

Easy enough to assemble, with 13 slots for the two “desk” panels to slot into, one panel is almost twice the area as the other (the smaller one is for your screen while the bigger is for your keyboard, mousepad etc) the Eiger desk can be used for an old style screen, terminal and keyboard or for a laptop (you just use the one desk panel). This is merely an accessory to enable you to stand up at a desk.

I found it strong enough to lean my weight onto - something worth considering when you’re standing at your desk trying to work for several hours a day. However, due to its build, the taller you are, the more issues you are going to have when leaning forward.

I found the panels large enough to use and because of its light weight design if I had blasted my legs at the gym the day before I could just move it aside by hand and resume the use of my normal desk. I can definitely see the Eiger desk becoming a mainstay in schools or libraries where it would prove a useful tool for someone using a computer for an hour or two.

It is the ‘less fancy’ of the stand-up desks that are available today, but it does what it says on the box simply and efficiently and while it might not have the bells and whistles of some of the others it will be easier and cheaper to replace in the long run. Perhaps offices could purchase it as a “pass around” for employees to try should they complain about sitting down for long periods. RRP £224 inc vat iwantastandingdesk.com

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Foreo IRIS Eye Massager The Iris Eye Massager, sounds terrifying right? When I took it out of the box it looked a little bit scary too. There is a quick guide to get you started with a couple of pictures and a teeny tiny printed instruction booklet, the best way to find out how to use the massager is to go to their website and download the PDF for clear instructions. The IRIS comes with a USB charger as well as a microfiber bag, one charge will give you 140 uses so if you use it twice a day (as you are meant too) that gives you just over two months without having to recharge. The website says, “The uniquely designed and ophthalmologist approved IRIS eye massager utilizes Alternating T-Sonic™ technology to reduce the visible signs of crow’s feet, dark circles, and bags under your eyes”, basically this little device mimics a traditional Asian finger tap massage, (quickly tapping the skin around the eye alternately with the index and middle finger), this is meant

to help reduce dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles by increasing circulation and improving the absorption of your eye cream. It has two tactfully named modes, Pure-for early signs of aging and Spa-for serious wrinkles, the body is made from hypoallergenic, BPA and phthalates free, medical-grade silicone that resists bacteria build-up. I was surprised by how nice it actually felt to use - there are 8 speeds to choose from so you can pick what feels best for you, I felt the Spa mode was a bit too intense for my face especially when I caught sight of the faces I was pulling in the mirror. I get a little bit of hay fever this time of year and felt the IRIS actually helped reduce the puffiness, as for my, let’s call them laughter lines, only time will tell but I can see me continuing to use the IRIS as it is a low maintenance product that feels nice so if it helps smooth out some wrinkles then even better.

Rating

Pros Long battery life • Fully waterproof • Medical-grade silicone that resists bacteria build up • 2 massage styles and 8 speeds • 3 colours available • Reduces puffiness • Feels good

Cons • Speed buttons were a little stiff • Haven’t noticed any immediate difference with my laughter lines (used daily for 3 weeks) www.foreo.com/iris

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HILTI PD5 LASER RANGE METER Hilti offer quality products and the PD 5 is no exception. I enjoy the simple things in life and the simpler devices are to use, the better I believe their design. The PD 5 ticks the two biggest boxes I would say there is for a laser measuring device and that is…

1) it is incredibly accurate and 2) it is incredibly easy to work!

It’s small enough to fit in your pocket or toolbag and is even water resistant and dust tight. You can measure distances from 0.25 m - 100 m quickly and accurately whereas most tape measurers are only 30 ft. long. I mentioned two different units of measurement there because that was the only issue I had with the PD 5, there were no directions on how to change the factory default metres to feet, however once you have a look online it is simple enough to convert.

It is simple to measure heights where alternative measuring methods are difficult or impossible, Hilti stand by their products and so do we, so this comes highly recommended for professional builders, carpet layers etc. to you the avid DIYer. RRP £105 www.hilti.co.uk/r4996

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Teko Marathon Super-Cushioned Running Socks and Winter Socks Teko are one of the few companies in the world to get a 9/9 maximum eco-rating from GreenroomVoice, an independent body that audits the world’s brands for their environmental credentials through materials sourcing and supply chain, energy policy and recycling in their office. It appears that Teko care about your feet as much as they care about the environment, the Teko Marathon Running Socks are made from a soft Polyamide with a full cushion covering the sole of the foot.

From the outset these socks provided a perfect anatomical fit, they feel like they hug your foot without being too tight or thick and are just as snug once they were inside my running shoes. The seamless toes eliminate any knobbly bulges around the toe and the ultrafine microfibers dries and evaporates moisture quickly, this is no exaggeration, after an hours run in them I took them off to find my feet completely dry, no sweaty patches in sight. The Marathon

Super-Cushioned Running socks are high performing, comfortable socks that will keep your feet dry and offer a little extra cushioning for those long run days, at just under ÂŁ12 they are good value for money also. We were lucky enough to be given a pair of Teko Winter socks along with the Running socks, these are bright and funky stripy wool socks (and as with all their socks) are made with allergens, carcinogens, heavy metals or formaldehyde free dyes, recycled polyester made from plastic drinks bottles and recycled polyamide and Teko eliminates harmful substances right from the beginning of the manufacturing process and sets and controls standards for an environmentally friendly and safe production. As well as being warm and feet loving Teko socks are incredibly environmentally friendly and with the reasonable prices they will be gentle on your wallet too.

Ratingw

Pros • Technical design • Environmentally friendly • Good value for money • Comfortable

Cons • Limited range- would love to see more in the everyday range • www.tekoforlife.com

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HILTI SF 2H-A CORDLESS HAMMER DRILL DRIVER I am sure most of us have bought tools in the past which have looked ok however we have been tempted by the cheaper price. I know I have!

Usually I am in the middle of a job and I realise why the product was cheaper as it fails to do what I ask or the battery dies in the middle of a job.

There are certain areas in life where you should buy the best you can, a device that will last you forever and tools fall into this category.

We have been fortunate to test three Hilti products this month and I genuinely think each one has performed brilliantly.

The SF 2H-A cordless drill is powerful, light and durable and

makes those DIY jobs quicker and a lot more fun to do.

I am told that the SF 2H-A Cordless drill driver with hammer action is one of the smallest, lightest cordless tools Hilti have ever made and it comes with hammering function allowing you to drill in diameters up to 6 mm in brick, masonry, sand-lime block and aerated concrete.

With these glowing reviews I think Hilti should employ me as a rep!!

RRP ÂŁ194+VAT www.hilti.co.uk/12v

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HILTI CORDLESS ROTARY HAMMER DRILL TE 4-A22 We love Hilti here at GadgetHead and the TE 4-A22 is a prime example as to why. This is not a tool for the average joe who has been promising the wife for 6 months to fix the wonky shelf, this is designed to work hard all day, every day. So this is aimed at a professional contractor or someone who is going to get the most out of it as this is top of its field and has a price to reflect that quality. A wonderful couple I know have just become first time buyers and have bought a shell of a house, I let them test this out and in the gentleman’s words he described it as “a beast”. He is a contractor himself and has said he has never used a cordless drill like it, it is so much stronger and the battery lasted all day – he was so impressed that he has bought two for his own business. The Drill comes well presented with a great strong case, two 22 V Li-on batteries and with a

compartment for everything you will need.

It is amazingly powerful with its hammer action and another little feature we like was that the battery comes with a battery charge indicator, so you always know how much charge you have left.

It weighs just 7lbs so is light and comfortable enough to hold and use for long periods and is superbly engineered and ergonomic to hold. The batteries give excellent performance-to-weight ratio.

Applications All jobs become easy with the correct tool and this is just the ideal drill for drilling and hammer drilling in concrete and masonry.

RRP £480.00 + VAT which includes two batteries and a charger. www.hilti.co.uk /r3159232

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Flir One

The Flir One is a clever little gadget that turns your Android or IOS device into a thermal infrared camera. The Flir One actually uses two cameras to capture two images before the MSX Technology merges them together to create one detailed image with thermal information, the Lepton™ camera, the most compact longwave infrared sensor available, takes a thermal reading and the standard camera provides the physical detail in the image. The Spot Meter tool will offer you an estimated temperature reading in Fahrenheit or Celsius which could prove a useful diagnostic tool for example overheated or overloaded circuits or locating drafts in your home.

It has its own battery which will last

about an hour so you don’t have to worry about it draining you phone, it is also a lightweight addition to your phone weighing a mere 78 grams and its compact design (7.2cm x 2.5cm x 1.78cm) means you can easily slip it in your back pocket between uses. The Flir One can capture both photos and videos and has a variety of options and effects to play around with, timelapse videos, panoramic images, MSX blending, colour palettes and share functions are just some of the choices that the device and the Flir One app have to offer. We had a lot of fun pointing this around the house too see wear the heat escapes, checking the temperature of our dinner and playing

find the cat outside in the bushes (it was our cat we weren’t being too weird). The Flir One does come with a hefty price tag but this is probably one of the best thermal cameras out there on the domestic market, it is high performing and most importantly a reliable camera that could be a small price to pay if you could use it for work, my friend is a heating engineer and he was excited to hear about the product as he said it could save him time finding faults. As a fun gadget I wouldn’t shell out the money for it but if you have a genuine need for thermal imaging this is a great product that’s well worth the money.

Rating

Pros • It has its own battery (charger included) • Merges two images together for detailed information • Gives estimated temperature readings • Takes stills and video • Comes with a variety of useful features Cons • High price tag www.flir.co.uk/flirone

Gadgethead Magazine

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COMING SOON: NEW PELITM AIR CASES, UP TO 40% LIGHTER! Meet the Lightest Protective Cases on the Market Today Since 1976, the Peli™ classic Protector™ case has been the go-to protective case solution for millions of people worldwide. It has made an impact in industries ranging from military and aerospace to photography and hunting. Now, Peli goes to the next level.

Today at Hannover Messe Tradeshow (Hall 11, StandB70), Peli is proud to pre-announce the outcome of a relentless quest to offer Peli users more versatility than ever before: Introducing Peli Air cases.

These new cases have been

engineered to maintain the same standard of durability, but reduce the weight of each case by up to 40 percent and offer new additional sizes to the current Peli classic or Peli Storm lines.

Peli’s engineering team faced the challenge of building lightness into every facet of the design without compromising Peli’s renowned durability. By working with a team of materials scientists, Peli was able to construct cases that are the lightest protective cases on the market today.

Available in six long-form, travelready sizes, Peli Air cases are constructed of premium lightweight HPX2 resin, the next generation of Peli’s

ELEASE Contact: Maria Sistachs Peli Products, S.L.U. Phone: +34 93 467 4999 E-mail: maria.sistachs@peli.com

New Peli™ Air Cases, Up To 40% Lighter!

test Protective Cases on the Market Today

16 – Since 1976, the Peli™ classic o-to protective case solution for has made an impact in industries pace to photography and hunting.

eshow (Hall 11, StandB70), Peli is ome of a relentless quest to offer Peli before: Introducing Peli Air cases.

neered to maintain the samethat standard proprietary formula rebounds to ght of each case by up to 40 percent stress without breaking. With the busy the current Peli classic or Peli Storm lines. traveller in mind, the 1535 Peli Air case e challenge of building lightness into every facet (Wheeled Carry On) and the 1615 Peli sing Peli’s renowned durability. By working with a Air case (Wheeled Check In) complies was able to construct cases that are the lightest with current airline size regulations*. today.

Other new models are the mediumsized 1485, 1525 and 1555, and the -ready sizes, Peli Air cases are constructed of large-sized 1605 cases.proprietary , the next generation of Peli’s Additional models aretraveller currently without breaking.

With the busy in in development with more than 20 eeled Carry On) and the 1615 Peli Air casenew sizes coming the next 18 months. th current airline size over regulations*.

Other new Each case passes the same rigorous 485, 1525 and 1555, and the large-sized 1605 performance tests (impact, drop, submersion, high and low temperature) that Peli with has proven during years. in development more than 2040 new sizes

. Each case passes the same rigorous performance tests and low temperature) that Peli has proven during 40 years.

Gadgethead Magazine

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Roberts Radio WhatHiFi Advertorial.indd 1

06/05/2015 15:48