Gadgethead 3.01

GADGETHEAD Issue 3.01

UK

£4.95

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GADGETHEAD Senior Writer Emma Hilling emmahilling@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Director Alex Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com Junior Copy Editor Alice Instone-Brewer alice@littlegatepublishing.com Junior Copy Editor Steve Weller steveweller@littlegatepublishing.com Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com

Contents • AlcoSense Excel Personal Breathalyser • La Sportiva Nepal Cube GTX • Edifier MP211 • Corkcicle Whiskey Wedge • KitSound BoomBar+ • Hydro Flask 32oz Wide Mouth • Alpina Elexxion TT Helmet • Quench Cocktail Spinner • Penclic B3 Bluetooth Mouse • Sevylor Alameda Inflatable Kayak+ • SmoothSkin Bare IPL Hair Removal • Zing Anything - Citrus Zinger Gift Set

AlcoSense Excel Personal Breathalyser AlcoSense, based in Maidenhead in Berkshire, was formed back in 2005. The story goes, Hunter Abbott (AlcoSense’s Managing Director) drove home the day after a wedding only to discover a friend, who drank the same amount as Hunter the night before, was pulled over by the police, breathalysed and failed, this led to a 12month driving ban followed by the loss of his job. Since that wake-up call it took two years of research before AlcoSense released their first personal breathalyser (2007) and have since gone on to win numerous awards including from the likes of WhatCar, Auto Express and Fifth Gear.

The AlcoSense Excel uses a 64mm² version of the 200mm² Fuel Cell sensor used in several UK, US & European Police Breathalysers, the Excel’s sensor is identical to the law enforcement version, just smaller, giving the Excel unrivalled accuracy at this price point. The Excel is easy to use, after the initial set up the screen will walk you through everything you need to

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do and remind you of the safety precautions every time you go to use the AlcoSense.

You are able to set the limit, as for example Scotland has a lower drink drive limit than the rest of the UK and the result is displayed on a 1.8 inch colour screen and pops a detailed reading of your alcohol level in your choice of breath (mg/L) or blood (‰BAC) along with a traffic light

colour background for a quick reference.

These are as follows, green- good to go, amber- between 20%80% of your set limit (AlcoSense recommend do not drive) and red20% or greater than your set limit- do not drive.

To make sure the Excel stays accurate there is a calibration reminder set for 12months, this involves posting it back to AlcoSense, which may seem like a hassle but AlcoSense will use a police spec Breath Alcohol Simulators and return it to you within 5 working days, there are no cutting corners here. I tested the Excel out after a long and heavy night drinking (the things I do for GadgetHead), although

there wasn’t a hope in hells chance I was leaving the house and due to the fact the room was spinning I wasn’t at all surprised to find I was still over the limit, later on when I felt a little more human when I would have considered myself safe to drive it turned out I was still over the limit.

The Excel isn’t just a clever gadget, it is potentially a life saver, not just for the driver by all the motorists on the road who could be involved in an accident when the driver mistakenly believe that alcohol will no longer impair their driving. At only £100 there are no negatives to the Excel even the annoying beep can be turned down or off and with the positives being potentially lifesaving it is a worthwhile investment.

RRP £99.99

www.alcosense.co.uk Pros Accurate 64mm2 Fuel Cell Sensor – smaller version of Police sensor 48mm Full Colour TFT Screen Works with any drink drive limit in the world Re-calibration alert Easy to use Reliable

Gadgethead Magazine

La Sportiva Nepal Cube GTX La Sportiva produce some of the best technical footwear on the market, and the Nepal Cube GTX are no exception. These lightweight boots weigh a mere 825g per boot and boast exceptional thermal properties.

The sole/midsole uses a Carbon Tech Honeycomb that reduces bulk, which combined with the boot’s mini steel parts allows the Nepal Cube GTX to remain light. However, the GoreTex Insulated Comfort lining is the secret to this boot; not only does it provide comfort underfoot, but it also allows moisture to escape the boot, keeping your foot cool and dry.

The boots are easy to slip on and lace up smoothly - they can be tightened with a pull on top of the foot, and the OUT technology for the tongue allows a precise fit by folding out of the way when tying the laces up. There is also the option of a secondary tongue that can attach to the inside of the boot for a more snug fit, and the back of the original tongue has a mesh fabric material that helps wick away any moisture, and

www.lasportiva.com Pros

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Light

Durable

Waterproof

Attractive design

Ankle support

Impact Brake System

Good traction

Insulated Comfort Gore-Tex lining

Crampon attachment

The Nepal Cube GTX’s ankle support is great whilst on rugged terrain or in deep snow, and the Vibram sole has an Impact Brake System that absorbs negative ground impact, providing a comfortable springy step whilst the graded lugs provide excellent traction on slippery surfaces and downhills.

The only thing I would change with the boot is to maybe have another inch on each lace, to allow you to really get a grip of them when pulling them tight. Other than this, these boots are brilliant, warm, dry, practical and comfortable straight out of the box - another excellent creation by La Sportiva. RRP £420

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Edifier MP211 The Edifier MP211 is a compact mini speaker available in 5 glossy colours, pink, yellow, blue, black or white with a built-in microphone which allows you to answer your calls hands free and can be connected to devices via Bluetooth 4.0, AUX cable or NFC. At 215grams its ultra-light and with dimensions 15 × 6.2 × 3.1 cm it is great for travelling. Additionally, you can control the edifier from your transmitting device or use the volume, play/ pause, fast forward/ rewind and call connect/disconnect buttons on top of the Edifier. The MP211 is charged up through an included Micro USB port and the Builtin Li-ion battery will last about 10 hours of continuous of play

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and comes with USB charger, AUX cable and an attachable carry strap.

My first impressions of the Edifier MP211 is that it is well built, it has a tactile sleek feel with large responsive buttons, furthermore, it charged up quickly and will let you know when you are connected via Bluetooth with a useful, yet grating, beep.

Whether you choose to use Bluetooth, AUX or Mirco SD the speaker produces a crisp clear sound, it works well

for movies or TV shows and has a good midrange sound. Where the device falls a little short is music, the top notes get flattened a little and the bass leaves a lot to be desired.

However, we must remember that the pros outweigh the cons with the MP211, you would be hard pushed to find a mini speaker in this price range, as versatile and with a better sound quality. Audiophiles and bass heads may find the MP211 lacking but I think most people would appreciate the sound quality, long battery life, ease of use and compact charm of this mini speaker. RRP £24.99

www.edifier.com Pros

Cons

Compatible with Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, AUX and Micro SD

Bass isn’t very powerful

10hour battery life

No FM radio

Answer calls hands free

No carry bag/case include

Compact and light

High-tone a little bit flat

5 colours available Good overall quality of sound

Gadgethead Magazine

Corkcicle Whiskey Wedge The Whiskey Wedge comes in a sophisticated package that claims to take the edge off with Whiskey Wedge and to perfectly chill, but not water down your favourite spirits.

With a name like Whiskey Wedge you would imagine that it is best suited for having with your favourite whisky or (whiskey depending on where

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you are from) and if you like your whiskey chilled and subtle this could work well as it looks enticing with the contrast of colours.

However, any whisky

enthusiast will tell you that to be able to truly appreciate all the flavours that a good whisky offers, it should be served at 15-18 degrees or just below room temperature.

When we put the Whiskey Wedge to the test it brought the temperature

www.root7.com/whiskey-wedge Pros Chills drink quickly Looks cool (before ice begins to melt)

Cons Too cold, you lose the flavour of the whisky Glass is very cold with lots of condensation Need to remember to put it in the freezer +3 hours before you need it Top half of the ice melts quickly which ruins the overall effect

down to 2 degrees, at this temperature you may as well be drinking water for all you are going to taste of the whisky. To prepare the Wedge you need to go against instinct and put the entire glass in the freezer, rest assured this is safe as when the water expands it pushes against the flexible silicone rather than

breaking the glass, the downside to this is that the glass is very cold and creates condensation wherever you set it down.

The top half of the ice melts within a minute or so but the bottom half lasted nearly two hours which is good going, I would personally use the Wedge for vodka (best serve 5-8 degrees) or maybe a cheeky Baileys at Christmas. The Whisky Wedge would make a good present for someone who likes their spirits and likes them cold or just likes to show off with a funky new product, not suitable for serious whisky drinkers.

RRP ÂŁ18

Gadgethead Magazine

KitSound BoomBar+ The KitSound BoomBar+ is a portable Bluetooth speaker that is available in five bold colours in a tactile, soft-touch finish. It comes with a large, 1000 mAh rechargeable lithium battery with an impressive 20-hours battery life, is compatible via Bluetooth and comes with an AUX lead that makes it accessible with any phone or MP3 player.

The BoomBar+’s connectivity is strong - I was wandering around the house and could still hear the speaker playing uninterrupted. It only cut out when I left the house: this seemed a stronger connection than other speakers we have tested out. It isn’t immediately obvious how to connect the speaker to your phone but a quick look at the booklet will tell you everything you need to know. The BoomBar+ can be used in two ways: laid flat for an all-round sound, or stood up for a more directional sound. You might expect it to produce some serious bass, but sadly it doesn’t quite hit the spot; the sound quality is better than I expected for the price range, with clear and even sound from bass to the high tones, but there is a lack of ‘boom’ and the volume doesn’t go up loud enough for my liking either.

www.kitsound.co.uk Pros

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Cons

20-hour battery life

Not very loud

Available in 5 colours

Quite bulky

Lightweight

Not a lot of bass

Good clear sound quality

No radio

Built-in microphone

No SD slot or internal storage

The included black fabric pouch isn’t winning any awards for style but is a handy place to store the speaker with all its cables. Although the device is light, it is on the large and bulky side for a portable speaker, and lacks useful features such a radio or memory storage to work as a stand-alone music device. However, it can be used to answer your calls hands-free with a built-in microphone, and does produce a good quality of sound that would complement films, TV or music (if you aren’t too picky) without leaving much of a dent in your wallet. RRP £40

Sur f 3 Inspired by mountain bike technology Why choose between a four-wheel urban pushchair or a three-wheel trekking pushchair. With Surf 3 you can have both, uniquely adaptable it can switch between city and trekking modes with ease.

Whether you’re in the town or country the unique suspension ensures a smooth ride.

4 wheels for urban use

silvercrossbaby.com

Trekking wheel for multi terrain use

Hydro Flask 32oz Wide Mouth Hydro Flask was founded in Bend, Oregon 2009 where a desert to the east and mountains to the west inspired the creation of a flask that would keep your coffee hot whilst you are out skiing or your water cold during your hike.

What sets the Hydro Flask apart from other flasks is that you can customise its design from a jaw-dropping 183,456 unique combinations, choose from 7 sizes 12oz, 16oz, 18oz, 20oz, 32oz (we were testing out the 32oz), 40oz and 64oz and two different lids, the Flex Cap that has an insulated lid and handy carry strap or the Hydro Flip that has a built-in straw for on the go hydration. Both caps, the Flex Cap strap, silicone boot and body all come customisable 14

in a range of 12 different colours.

The Hydro Flask is created from a 18/8 Pro-Grade stainless steel with a double-wall internal construction interior, it is BPA and phthalate free and finished with a durable, sweat-free powder coat. Cold drinks can stay cold for 24 hours and hot drinks to stay piping hot for 6 hours (my coffee 5 hours later was still as hot as if I had just boiled the kettle; although it did still taste like flask coffee). The 32oz

will hold just under 4 small cups of water, but the Hydro Flask sadly doesn’t come with any cups and weighs 480g empty and a whopping 1380g full so it isn’t ideal for hiking or anything that involves carrying it about for too long.

Another annoying thing was even though the powder finish is scratch resistant it managed to pick up a few black scuff marks, one of which was already there when we received the product, for me this isn’t a huge problem but for someone who goes to all the effort of choosing each component colour may not be so impressed.

Overall, it performed

well with the cold drinks, staying lovely and chilled for a long time.

My drink was 7degree when I put it in and at 7 degrees 2 hours later, 10 degrees 12 hours later and 12 degrees after 24 hours; still 8 degrees lower than the average room temperature. The flask faired almost identical with the hot drink, staying at a high temperature for hours. A worthy purchase in my eyes. RRP $39.95

www.hydroflask.com Pros Custom design Wide opening makes it easy to clean

Cons Heavy

Gadgethead Magazine

Alpina Elexxion TT Helmet When speed is essentially key, the last thing you need to be thinking about is slicing your ears off whilst trying to shove a helmet on your head during a triathlon. You may think I’m over reacting but seriously putting on some of those aerodynamic helmets is like playing operation, don’t touch the sides!

The Elexxion TT is a lightweight inmold time trial helmet with soft ears that make throwing it on and off a breeze. The TT features Airflow Vents to help regulate temperature, the outer is made from Ceramic Shell that is manufactured with inmold technology which offers more safety than spotbonded helmets whilst the inner is made from Hi-EPS. The Elexxion is fitted with an ergonomic strap

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and has a classic wheel adjustment at the back to tighten the helmet for a good fit, so how did we find it?

Well, firstly the adjustment wheel could be bigger for a better grip, especially if you are wearing gloves it becomes difficult to move; it is also tough getting extra tight and I found it kept popping out to the next size up whilst I was on the move. The strap is also a pain, its fiddly to open, the

only benefit I can see with this design would be if you could adjust with one hand, which you cannot, a good old fashioned buckle would have worked just fine.

Additionally, the finish on this helmet could be cleaner as the edging is a bit ragged in places and the padding inside is quite reserved; there is no extra/thicker padding provided.

The Alphina is far from perfect but its lightweight and easy to put on and take off, a good entry level helmet but I feel the serious triathlon competitors will be left wanting more. RRP £59.99

www.alpina-sports.com Pros Lightweight Reasonable price Good ventilation

Cons Small adjustment wheel Difficult to get extra tight Straps Not a clean finish

Gadgethead Magazine

Quench Cocktail Spinner The Quench Cocktail Spinner is a lightweight, BPA-free cocktail mixer that allows you to witness your creation being stirred together with a rather cool whirlpool effect. It features a 20oz container, drip-free spout and a built-in strainer.

The Quench Cocktail Spinner is very easy to use: simply pump the plunger on the top to set the mixer spinning. That said, it took a couple of attempts to line the lid up on the Spinner so it could be twisted shut properly, the plunger clatters loudly with every depression and it requires a good deal of plunging speed to create the whirlpool effect.

The drip-free spout works well, which is especially useful when pouring out sticky drinks.

Like many, the strainer isn’t fine enough to keep pips from pouring through, but works fine at keeping ice in the finished drink as you pour.

However, bear in mind that despite some of the promotional imagery, the spinner isn’t strong enough to work when ice is in the container.

In fact, it risks breaking if you do this, as the spinner feels flimsy and cheap. Due to the positioning of the open spout, you also can’t use the Cocktail Spinner as a shaker or you will end up throwing your drink over the walls and ceiling

- and what a waste of booze that would be!

As a barmaid in a previous life, I have come across my fair share of gimmicky drink products, and I would place the Quench Cocktail Shaker in the same category as the stamps that put symbols in your beer foam or the shaker we had that would flash and play music; a fun novelty for about 5 minutes, but it is never going to replace an original cocktail shaker.

RRP £20

Cons www.root7.com/ cocktail-spinner Pros

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Cheap construction Hand-wash only Doesn’t work with ice Noisy

Whirlpool effect looks good

Can’t shake due to open spout

Drip-free spout

Filter lets through pips

DriveSt

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Huge Capacity Direct Attached Storage Huge Capacity Direct Attached Storage

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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

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• 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

Penclic B3 Bluetooth Mouse My first impression of this mouse was how impressive the packaging was, it showcases that this mouse is different from the start. It comes with everything you need including its own little carry case for the commute.

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We love it when something has the term “Swedish design� in its description as it normally means it is creative in its design and takes a deviated step away from the traditional. Penclic completely redesigned the typical mouse by using a shape we are all familiar with and it immediately feels comfortable in the hand which in turn reduces the risk of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). It took me about a day to get used to it but after my brain had got over that hump it was fairly simple to use. I do like to use my netbook on my lap at times and I did find it difficult to use the mouse away from the desk as it was difficult to negotiate the Pen whilst the base was at an odd angle.

Another issue, if I’m going to be picky, was because the buttons are quite long I found I would occasionally “click” when I didn’t mean to “click” but I’m sure after more practise I would get used to this. The B3 is symmetrical which means it can be used by both left and right handers, it also has a wheel in between both buttons which also doubles as a middle click button.

It connected easily to the Bluetooth on my netbook and because It connects via Bluetooth it means it is compatible with many different operating systems that support HID 1.1 (Windows XP or later, Mac OSX version 10.1 or later and most Linux/BSD flavors).

We only tested this mouse as an everyday tool but as

there are options to change the DPI from 800-1600 that would suggest it could also be used for gaming.

Personally this wouldn’t replace a stylus for me as it hasn’t quite the same delicate control but it could be a great ergonomic replacement for a mouse especially for those suffering with RSI. RRP £79.99

www.penclic.se/shop/mouse/b3-bluetooth Pros Attractive Comfortable Simple to use Battery life last up to 1 month

Cons Not suitable off the desk Takes some getting used too.

Gadgethead Magazine

Sevylor Alameda Inflatable Kayak+ The Sevylor Alameda inflatable kayak is ideal for a family day out of paddling along sheltered coastlines or on inland waters. The Alameda features integrated large spray decks at its bow and stern, with bungee cord storage at the bow, moulded handles that double as paddle holders on the sides, a Dry-N-Store carry bag and a repair kit. With adjustable seating, the Alameda will accommodate one adult, two adults or two adults plus one child.

The kayak is easy and quick to inflate (and deflate) with Boston, Mini Boston, Mini Double Lock valves and the Sevylor Easy Inflation Manometer, which allows you to check pressure easily during inflation. It uses Sevy-Spension, a unique seating system that aims to make paddling easier by suspending the 22

seat and the paddler above the floor of the kayak. This reduces deformation of the hull, creating more of a streamlined shape and resulting in 15% less resistance when paddling.

As well as helping to improve aerodynamics, the suspended seating also keeps your butt from residing in a pool of river water

if you or your first mate happen to have a particularly splashy paddling technique, whilst the adjustment webbing that runs the length of the kayak can be used to keep your belongings dry and out of the way.

The Alameda is easy to use; simply inflate it, follow the picture guide on the floor to position the seats correctly and away you go.

As with most inflatable kayaks, it does take a little more paddle power to get you going than a regular polyethylene kayak, but unlike regular kayaks you can quickly deflate it and

throw it in the boot of the car when you are finished.

It handles ok - it’s quite sensitive depending on how much weight it’s holding, and you may find yourself having to correct your direction more than a classic kayak, but it doesn’t take long to get used to this.

As well as being functional and versatile, the Alameda has an attractive, sporty design with a cool colour scheme.

The price may put a few people off but if you are looking for a new and healthy hobby for 2017 that’s doesn’t take up too much space in the shed, this could be perfect for you and the family. RRP £469.99

www.inflatable-kayaks.co.uk/canoes-kayaks/ sevylor/alameda.htm Pros Durable Portable Easy inflation Lightweight Compact 1,2 or 2 adult +1 child capacity Comes with dry bag

Cons Price Harder to paddle and steer than a plastic kayak

Gadgethead Magazine

SmoothSkin Bare IPL Hair Removal The SmoothSkin Bare is a hair treatment system that claims to reduce hair re-growth to the point that eventually, you’ll be able to replace your shaving routine.

The SmoothSkin Bare comes in a swanky box that is immediately damaged by the world’s stickiest stickers when you try to break into it. Inside you will find the Bare device, a sizable power supply and plenty of information to get you started.

So, a head’s up - the Bare is not suitable for very dark skin tones (check the website for details), recent naturally or artificially tanned skin, or for people with a history of skin cancer. The Bare

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also cannot be used on tattoos, moles, warts, dark birth marks or varicose veins - in fact there are six pages of DO NOT’s in the front of this book, which you would be pretty annoyed to discover if you had already coughed up money for the product, so do your research first!

IPL works by emitting wavelengths that target pigment into the skin. This is transferred through the skin’s surface and absorbed by the melanin present in

the hair shaft; this absorbed energy is then converted to heat energy, which disables the hair follicle and prevents further growth. Treated hairs naturally fall out over the course of a few days to a couple of weeks. This process does not replace the need for hair removal, but instead reduces the re-growth and helps skin to stay smoother for longer.

When starting with the Bare you first need to shave, then press the device flat against the desired areas, press the button and glide it over your skin like you would a razor. The Bare is easy and quick

to use - it took less than 10 minute to cover legs, underarms and bikini area.

It feels warm, and in more sensitive areas there is it a little tingling/light stinging, but there is no pain at all.

We noticed results after 2 weeks, but SmoothSkin recommend using the device for 4 weeks before you notice serious effects.

The Bare is something you will need to continue using to keep up the hair reduction, but with one treatment a week this really isn’t a huge effort.

The SmoothSkin Bare does exactly what it says on the tin; it reduces hair re-growth as long as you keep using it. It is quick, easy and painless to use, and fits in well to any beauty regime. RRP ÂŁ200

www.smoothskin.com Pros Quick Comfortable Once a week regime Noticeable effects in 4 weeks

Cons Expensive Bulky

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Zing Anything - Citrus Zinger Gift Set

The Citrus Zinger is a water infusion bottle with all the accessories you need to create tasty water infusions. This set includes a Citrus Press, used like a juicer for lemons, limes and clementines (it is too small for oranges), a Cucumber Slicer, which produces a thin ribbon of cucumber, and a Kiwi Reamer, which releases kiwi juices, pulp, and seeds whilst keeping the skin intact and pith in place.

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You use the Citrus Zinger bottle by twisting in your fruit or vegetables from the bottom, flipping it over and filling it with water, iced tea or even carbonated water. You then leave the fruit in

the bottom of the bottle to let the flavour infuse for a stronger taste. The idea is that you can replace sugary fruit juices and unhealthy fizzy drinks with a tasty, healthier option. There are lots of recipes on the Zing Anything website to get you started - even alcoholic versions if you are feeling adventurous.

The Citrus Zinger comes apart easily and can be washed without too much hassle. It is dishwasher proof - you just must make sure that both the seals are back in the right place afterwards to prevent any leaking. The holes in the Citrus Press are a little on the large side, so pips sneak through into your drink, and the Cucumber Slicer is a little temperamental and could be sharper. It would also be helpful for the Zinger to have an arrow or marker

to let you know which way the bottom opens, as when I tried to tighten it I nearly emptied the entire contents all over myself!

Overall, the Zinger works well enough - if nothing else, it is a good way to get more water in your system without all those nasty chemicals and added sugars. RRP ÂŁ20

www.root7.com/citrus-zinger-gift-pack Pros Three attachments Wide mouth will accommodate ice cubes BPA/EA-free Eastman Tritan Plastic Finger loop provided for easy carrying Easy to clean

Cons Pips get into the drink No directional guide as to which way the bottom half closes

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We are disclosing this as we like to be transparent about our reviews.

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