Issue 5.09
UK
£4.95
www.thegadgethead.com
Inspired By Your Success
CONTENTS Optoma NU Force BE Free5 • Como Amico and Amica • Montane Trailblazer 30 Mira Advance Shower (8.7kW) • FLIR ONE Pro (iOS) • Ava Fertility Tracker 2.0 • Playr • Anker PowerCore 20100 Earin M-2 • Solar Tackle P1 Euro Worldwide Pod • Aspire Dynamo Kit • Globus Group Gloves Afterglow AG9+ Wireless Headset • Bresser Condor 10x50 Binoculars • StreamR, by Pure • Specialized Torch 3.0 • Westone W10 Earphones 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 James Lapping james@littlegatepublishing.com
Junior Copy Editor Will Girling willgirling@littlegatepublishing.com
Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com
Publisher Stephen Warman
stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com
Motorola One Vision • Tibo Sphere 6 • The ONE Light keyboard • Dewalt DCD240X2 54V XR Flexvolt Brushless Paddle Mixer Speaker Stand Support FS 104 Signature Range • Brinno EMPOWER TLC2000 Time Lapse Camera • Knog PWR Mountain Bike Light • ROIDMI X20 • Magura MT7 Pro JBL One Series 104 Speakers • Lenovo Smart Clock • Casco SPEEDairo Helmet • Cardo Packtalk Bold Duo • Leatherman Raptor • Brinno DUO Smart Peephole DoorCam • Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer
OPTOMA NU FORCE BE FREE5 THE BE FREE5 NU FORCE FROM OPTOMA ARE TRUE WIRELESS BLUETOOTH IN-EAR HEADPHONES, IDEAL FOR ESCAPING THE CABLES THAT TETHER YOU TO YOUR DEVICE AND HELPING YOU TO BECOME COMPLETELY IMMERSED IN THE AUDIO EXPERIENCE, WITH UNRESTRICTED MOVEMENT. The earbuds have an attractive, compact design that look discreet and stylish in the ears. There are optional wing tips that can be used to lock the earbuds in place whilst performing vigorous exercises, including handstands, burpees and sprinting (I was too tired to try anything else after these). The SpinFit ear tips are also included - these newly patented ear tips are made from high-quality silicone and are designed to rotate 360° at the centre to allow the earbuds to sit comfortably in your ear, which they do successfully. The BE Free5 has an IPX5 rating, which means they are both sweat and water resistant, so a little bit of rain cannot be used as an excuse to skip a run, and you can push it hard in the gym without the fear of damaging the earbuds. The portable carry case doubles up as a charger and will give you a total of 16 hours’ battery life, while 15 minutes of charge will give you one hour of listening time, so you will never have to wait too long to enjoy your tunes. The BE Free5 connects via Bluetooth and provides up to ten metres of range. The built-in cVc noise-cancelling microphone allows you to take calls handsfree, the audio coding and AAC produce a stable wireless connection with no lag, and
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the lightweight graphene-coated drivers offer a detailed sound with low distortion. The bass could do with a little more punch, but overall, the sound quality provides a pleasant experience. There are buttons built into both earbuds to let you take calls, play, pause and skip songs as well as activate voice assistant: this does mean you have to press the earbud into your ear slightly, but they are highly responsive, so it doesn’t put too much pressure on the ear or cause discomfort. The BE Free5 are great all-rounders, with enjoyable sound quality, comfortable all-day wear, a good battery life and intuitive buttons – altogether, a decent choice for truly wireless audio.
Attractive, compact design
RRP £99.99
https://www.optoma.co.uk/audioproduct/be-free5 PROS Enhanced with AAC for Apple® and Android™ 8.0 Non-stop listening on the go 16-hour battery life with charging case Quick charge
True Wireless Sweat and water resistant - IPX5 Wings tips and SpinFit Graphene-coated drivers Enjoyable sound quality
COMO AMICO AND AMICA
THE AMICO, MEANING “FRIEND” IN ITALIAN, IS A PORTABLE MUSIC SYSTEM BASED AROUND THE COMO SOLO WITH WITH SOME ADDED EXTRAS, INCLUDING A REAL TEAK WOOD VENEER FOR WEATHER RESISTANCE, A NEARLY ½” MARINE-GRADE PLYWOOD SUBSTRATE FOR ADDITIONAL MOISTURE PROTECTION AND A SLIP-RESISTANT BOTTOM SILICONE PAD. THE 2200MAH RECHARGEABLE LI-ION BATTERY WILL GIVE YOU UP TO 8 HOURS OF PLAY TIME WHILST THE INCLUDED 100-240V EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY IS READY TO KEEP THE PARTY GOING IF YOU DO RUN OUT OF JUICE. THE ANODISED ALUMINIUM KNOBS EXTEND AN ADDITIONAL 4MM FOR EASIER USE, THE REAR BASS PORT DOUBLES AS A CARRY HANDLE MAKING IT EASY TO MOVE FROM THE GARAGE, CAMPSITE, BEACH OR BOAT, WHEREVER YOU WANT. The Amico can be connected to your device via WiFi, but also features: FM tuner, DAB/DAB+ (in Europe), wireless Bluetooth streaming with Qualcomm’s aptX for audio, and the USB and auxiliary input. The Free Como Control App lets you use your phone or tablet to change volume, source, presets, adjust the equalisation, tune stations, and control the multi-room functions if you have other Como units. The 2.8” colour display can be set to either an analog or digital clock that will automatically update via WiFi, it will also reproduce Spotify album art and station logos from Internet radio and DAB stations (EU model only). There is also a remote included with all the major functions, the multi-room capability means you can place Amico and other Como Audio music systems throughout your home and control them all with the app, with up to five units per zone (the number of zones depends on user’s WiFi network).
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This brings me nicely onto to the Amica, which can be used alongside the Amico to turn it into a stereo system, it doesn’t require mains power however you will need to use the 15 audio cable to power it, making it slightly more cumbersome when it comes to portability. Both on its own or paired with the Amica the sound quality is enjoyable, with deep bass, defined mid tones and light, clear top notes. As for the portability, well yes it is portable however this is far too handsome and perhaps a little delicate to risk getting knocked about in the boot of your car, the interface is friendly and easy to use and with multiple ways to connect it makes a great audio system to have around the house.
Real teak wood veneer
RRP $399 & $129
https://www.comoaudio.com/products/amico PROS Good audio experience Sleek vintage design Friendly interface
Multiple connection options Colourful screen Multi-room options
CONS Amica cannot connect wirelessly
MONTANE TRAILBLAZER 30 THE TRAILBLAZER 30 FROM MONTANE IS A CLOSEFITTING, LIGHTWEIGHT MULTI-DAY PACK, WEIGHING IN AT APPROXIMATELY 800G, IT IS AVAILABLE IN EITHER ELECTRIC BLUE OR CHARCOAL, AS THE NAME SUGGESTS IT HAS A 30-LITRE STORAGE CAPACITY, DESIGNED FOR RAPID, LONG-DISTANCE MOUNTAIN TRAILS WITH ITS LOW WEIGHT, STABILITY AND QUICK ACCESS TO YOUR GEAR. We received the Charcoal/Firefly colour from Cotswold Outdoor, It features a load of pockets to keep all your kit organised, this includes a large front stretch pocket for storage of a wet fly sheet or jacket, harness pockets with security zips ideal for keeping things within easy reach and the wrap-around wand pockets with locking security zip for extra storage options. There is a pole attachment system on the front of the pack with quick release, ‘V’ side compression system allows for quick stabilisation of the load on the move and prevents things shifting about and throwing you off balance. The trailblazer was notably comfortable from the start, thanks to the Montane Covalent Harness, this fully customisable, body-hugging harness gives you a close and precise fit that can be adjusted via the dual direction underarm pull whilst at no point restricting movement. The adjustable ZephyrAD back system lets you quickly adjust the back length to your size requirements, making it easy to swap between carriers, there is core body ventilation from the Contact Open Mesh back panel to help you keep cool on hot days or long treks. We received the Charcoal version; the internal Halo lining
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Pockets for all your kit
is bright w h i c h helps you see your gear right at the bottom, the bivvy-style opening offers fast access with its glove compatible Cord Lord quick-release system. The two off-centre Montane Click and Go chest harness straps give you added stability and, along with the low bulk webbing waist strap, helps distribute the weight across the body. This pack is constructed from Raptor Cross Lite 70 Denier fabric in the main body and Raptor Resistance 210 Denier base panels for durability providing a durable combination to protect your gear from the elements, whilst the front of pack daisy chain has reflective detailing for increased visibility and added safety in the mountains. The Montane Trailblazer is a comfortable and functional bag, offering you easy access to all your gear on the go and allowing natural movement thoughout your adventure.
RRP £85
arrow-alt-circle-right https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/montanetrailblazer-30-rucksack-E1314468.html?colour=3557 PROS Comfortable Contact Open Mesh back panel ventilation system Durable fabric Halo lining Covalent adjustable harness and ZephyrAD back system Two off-centre chest harness straps and waist strap
Bivvy opening with Cord Lord quick-release adjustment Lots of pockets ‘V’ side compression system Reflective detailing Front and under arm pole carry system
MIRA ADVANCE SHOWER (8.7KW) IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE A HANDLE ON LIFE THERE’S NOTHING LIKE TRYING TO USE SOMEONE ELSE’S SHOWER TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU ARE BASICALLY A MONKEY WHACKING A COCONUT AGAINST THE FLOOR TRYING TO GET IN. SOME SHOWERS HAVE SO MANY DIALS, KNOBS AND BUTTONS IT LOOKS MORE LIKE A COCKPIT OF A PLANE INSTEAD OF SOMETHING TO WASH THE FILTH OFF. The Mira Advance Shower has been designed in such a simple, intuitive way that anyone can use it first time…even with a hangover. Joking aside there is an important reason it has been designed this way and that is to ensure people with limited dexterity, impaired vision or hearing or vulnerable users can use the shower safely and efficiently. This electric shower comes with useful safety and navigational features for ease of use and claims that it will outlast the competition thanks to the outstanding Mira Clearscale Pro technology. The easyto-use control is comprised of a central loop handle for temperature control and a large button to turn the unit on and off that doesn’t depress much. The Mira Optiflo Pro provides a consistent showering experience no matter what the shower pressure is, the temperature can be set to four different maximum limits to ensure against accidental burns, the extra-long slide bar allows for easy adjustment for a wide range of heights with a friction grip shower head holder. There is a clear, audible beep to indicate when the unit is turning on/off or has reached the desired temperature and an audible click with each turn of the
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temperature dial, whilst the phased shut down ensures all hot water is flushed from the tank, making it ready for the next user. There are high contrast visuals on critical touch points, this means the bits you interact with are black to stand out from the otherwise anti-glare matte white construction and the large 110mm shower head offers an expansive spray area with a choice of three spray modes. The Mira Advance is a well thought out piece of kit that provides an enjoyable shower experience with a whole host of useful features to ensure safety and functionality, particularly for vulnerable or elderly users.
Simple, intuitive use
RRP £307.50
https://www.mirashowers.co.uk/showers/electricshowers/mira-advance-87kw/ PROS Easy to use central loop handle and large on/off button Audible beeps and clicks High contrast touch points Anti-glare matte finish
Phased shut down 4 maximum temperature limits Extra long slide bar with friction grip Large shower head with 3 spray modes
FLIR ONE PRO (IOS) THE FLIR ONE PRO USES ‘VIVIDIR’ THERMAL IMAGE PROCESSING THAT LETS YOU SEE WITH GREATER DETAIL ANY PROBLEM WITH PRECISION, AND ALLOWS YOU TO CHECK THAT THE ISSUE HAS BEEN FULLY RESOLVED AND REASSURE THE CUSTOMER. SUITABLE FOR INSPECTING ELECTRICAL PANELS, LOOKING FOR HVAC PROBLEMS, OR FINDING WATER DAMAGE. THE NEW ‘FLIR ONE’ APP REQUIRES A SIGN IN, WHICH ENABLES AUTOMATIC WARRANTY REGISTRATION AND ACCESS TO ALL THE LATEST UPDATES FROM FLIR. This compact device (68mm W x34mm H x14mm D, or 2.7in x 1.3in x .6in) weighs just 36.5g and attaches to your iPhone device via the lightening connector. It has a 4x improvement in thermal resolution and ‘VividIR’ image processing. It allows you to see in more detail and measure smaller components from farther away. The ‘FLIR MSX’ feature provides a detailed thermal image: by merging two images together and using the edge details from the regular image and embossing it on top of the thermal image, you will know exactly where the thermal information is relating to. The FLIR ONE Pro uses an Expanded Measurement function which provides you with a range of temperatures between -4°F and 752°F (-20° to 400°C). It has up to three spot temperature meters and six temperature regions of interest, and also gives you an added on-the-go image analysis and reporting capability. The FLIR ONE Pro works with the upgraded ‘FLIR ONE’ App, it is smartwatch compatible, unlocks additional ‘pro’ camera features to give the best image possible, includes in-app Tips & Tricks videos, and is compatible with ‘FLIR Tools’ for easy reporting right from your smartphone.
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The FLIR ONE Pro isn’t perfect: it takes a little while to boot up, and has its own battery so as not to drain your phone… but the battery doesn’t last long, plus it gets quite hot when in use. The FLIR ONE Pro is compatible with some phone cases due to an extendable connector, but this doesn’t feel very sturdy when in the phone and I don’t think it would take a lot to snap off. All things considered the FLIR ONE Pro is a handy tool that provides clear and useful images. However, I think it needs to up the build quality to warrant the price tag.
Find HVAC problems or water damage
arrow-alt-circle-right RRP $399.99
http://www.flir.com/flirone/pro/ PROS Detailed thermal imaging Accurate FLIR One app, automated reporting
and spot meters Measures temperature -4°F and 752°F Sharp images
CONS Short battery life Flimsy connector when extended
AVA FERTILITY TRACKER 2.0 WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT ONE OF THE MOST NATURAL THINGS IN THE WORLD COULD BE SO DIFFICULT? People often assume making a baby will be the fun - I mean all those early nights, great right? However, for many couples it can quickly become a stressful, never ending cycle of apps, thermometers, vitamins, counting days and peeing on sticks. To top it off: the stress of it all can render your hard work null and void. The Ava 2.0 aims to remove the stress by combining all the multiple tracking methods into one little device you simply wear through the night. The optimised sensor pod tracks your cycle and lets you know when you have the best chance of conception in your cycle (tested for cycles 24 – 35 days and not tested for PCOS). At first look the Ava 2.0 looks like a regular activity tracker: it has a super slim design with a flexible silicone strap that remains comfortable all night. My only complaint here is that when you are dozy and ready for sleep, the springy wrist strap can be difficult to put on with one hand and the two loops that hold the excess strap in place are awkward to slide along the main strap (this makes me unreasonably mad when I’m hormonal). Like everything in life these days, you will need an App to work alongside the Ava 2.0. You will be asked as series of questions to set up your profile and then you will be asked to pair the device with your smartphone; it is all straightforward stuff. Throughout the night the Ava 2.0 tracks your resting pulse rate, this is the main way it detects when your body is preparing to ovulate. By taking an average temperature during the night, it provides a more accurate reading than a one-off reading when you first wake up (sometimes I manage to wrap myself up in the duvet in the early hours, which could affect a one-off
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reading). Alongside this, the Ava also gives you an insight into your physiological stress level, sleep quality and resting heart rate, helping you make changes to your life style to ensure your body is healthy and ready for pregnancy. The Ava detects an average of five fertile days per cycle and provides all your data feedback on the App. I found I needed to sync the device 1-3 times each morning before the data appeared, but this is no different to my other activity tracker, it just means if you are in a hurry you might have to come back to it and sync it later in the day (Ava recommends you sync it every day for the most accurate predictions). The app also lets you track symptoms and if you become pregnant you can change the settings and receive explanations of what to expect from your body and the baby as it grows. This includes a weekly weight gain recommendation, as well as continuing to track your sleep, physiological stress and resting pulse rate. I tested the Ava alongside a digital fertility monitor (the peeing on sticks kind) and received similar results. I also get ovulation cramps which tied up with the Ava predictions, so I have faith that it is providing me with accurate results. The Ava can be used to track your cycle, aid conception and track your pregnancy. Some people might be put off by the rather large price tag, but when you consider it can take couples up to 2 years to conceive, you can easily spend that on ovulation sticks (not to mention the added hassle of using them). If you are looking for a discrete, low maintenance and accurate way of tracking your cycle, I would happily recommend the Ava 2.0 if you have the budget.
Combines all the multiple tracking methods https://www.avawomen.com/order/
RRP £249.00
PROS Records temperature, resting pulse rate, breathing rate and physiological stress levels Comfortable Easy to use
Discrete and convenient Accurate data Track cycles, fertility and pregnancy Use friendly app Provides you with your five most fertile days
CONS 12hour battery life will only last 3-4 days Strap can be fiddly
Takes a couple of times to sync Expensive one-off cost
PLAYR OVER THE COURSE OF A FOOTBALL GAME, IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO KEEP TRACK OF YOUR OWN MOVES, LET ALONE THE ENTIRE TEAM, MAKING IT TRICKY TO DIAGNOSE THE ERRORS AND AREAS OF PLAY THAT NEED WORK. The Playr is an activity-style tracker specifically designed for the football field. It comes in the form of the SmartPod, the SmartVest and the SmartApp. Starting with the SmartPod, this compact, lightweight sensor uses an advanced GPS tracker with an accelerometer that measures your speed and distance and provides you with heat maps. The SmartPod is FIFAapproved, tested for safety and cleared for use in training and official matches. The professional-grade GPS tracks your position to the nearest metre and the smart sensors capture 1250 data points per second. Weighing just 36g, it is the lightest and smallest GPS tracker for football, suitable for all weather training come rain, hail or snow. The unobtrusive design uses LEDs to display signal strength, battery life and charging progression through the SmartVest, which is constructed from a four-way flex and ultra-compressive fabric that gives you durability, comfort and freedom of movement during the session. Auto-detect technology switches the SmartPod on and begins recording when it’s placed inside the SmartVest, where it sits in a pocket between the shoulder blades so it doesn’t interfere with your performance. The SmartApp is where you can view all your data: simply sync your session and learn about how to improve your game. It’s here that you receive your total distance, top speed, power plays and sprint distance. There’s even the option of breaking down the game into two halves or even further
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to get an idea of how your performance changed throughout the game. The SmartApp also compares your performance against professionals and peers playing in the same position, sets your PBs, tracks your history and accesses the SmartCoach, which can tell you if your training is at an optimal load and intensity to get you ready by game day. The SmartCoach has been created with Premier League coaches and provides personalised training and recovery actions to take your game to the next level. Overall, the Playr is a highly usable tracking and training system that gives you the clearest insight into your performance in a user-friendly and detailed way.
Tracker specifically designed for the football field
RRP £179.99
https://www.playrsmartcoach.com/gb/ PROS Comfortable, unrestrictive vest Auto switch on Intuitive and easy-toread app
Accurate data SmartCouch provides practical ways to improve
CONS Expensive to kit out the whole team
ANKER POWERCORE 20100 WITH FESTIVAL SEASON UPON US IT IS EASY TO FORGET THAT SHARING ALL THOSE INSTA PHOTOS AND BLASTING OUT TUNES BACK ON THE CAMPSITE WILL DECIMATE YOUR BATTERY LIFE IN A MATTER OF HOURS, LET ALONE STAND A CHANCE OF MAKING IT THROUGH THE WEEKEND. THANKFULLY THE ANKER POWERCORE 20100 IS A HIGHLY POWERFUL, PORTABLE POWER BANK THAT CAN RECHARGE THE IPHONE 7 FROM 0-100% JUST SHY OF SEVEN TIMES AND THE GALAXY S6 UP TO FIVE TIMES AS WELL AS BRING THE IPAD MINI 4 BACK TO LIFE, TWICE. WITH A CAPACITY OF 20100 MAH / 72.36 WH IT PROVIDES AN OUTPUT OF 5V / 4.8A, OPERATES ON A 5V / 2A INPUT AND FEATURES A COMPACT DESIGN THAT MEASURES UP AT 6.5 X 2.3 X 0.9IN MAKING IT EASY TO SLIP INTO YOUR POCKET OR DAYPACK. Anything this powerful is going to have some weight to it, but at 356g it is surprisingly light. The matte finish claims to enhance your grip but makes me wonder how damn slippery it would be without as it still slid about in my hands. The included travel pouch eliminates this issue whilst still allowing you to charge your device through the opening. The PowerCore comes in a choice of white, black and blue, which helps you quickly identify whose is whose if your crew decides to get one too. The PowerIQ and VoltageBoost work together to deliver a fast charge (does not support Qualcomm Quick Charge), it takes a rather lengthy 10 hours to recharge with a 2amp charger, whilst phone chargers (generally 1 amp) may take up to 20 hours, however once fully charged it will hold that charge for up to 36 months before completely draining. It is worth noting that to keep the battery healthy, it is worth running the battery down and recharging it at least once every 4 months. The 4.8A output provides enough power to simultaneously charge any combination of devices at full speed, whilst the MultiProtect Safety System Surge
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protection gives you short circuit protection and more advanced safety features keep you and your devices safe whilst charging. This charger will happily see you (and maybe your bestie) through a festival but is also great for travelling, day trips or enjoying a home BBQ, freeing you up from the mains whilst allowing you to stay connected.
Choice of white, black and blue
RRP £34.99
https://www.anker.com/store/powercore-20100/ A1271012 PROS Charges phone up to seven times LED battery level indicator Compact Two USB ports
Long standby battery life Suitable to take on aeroplanes in hand luggage Portable
CONS Slippery texture
Long recharge time
EARIN M-2 EARIN IS A SWEDISH BASED COMPANY THAT TAKE AUDIO SERIOUSLY, THEY WERE ONE OF THE FIRST COMPANIES TO PRODUCE TRULY WIRELESS HEADPHONES AFTER A SUCCESSFUL KICKSTARTER PROJECT WAY BACK IN 2016 WHICH IS ABOUT 50 YEARS IN GADGET TIME. At first look the Earin M-2 appears to have the same level of quality and class as their older brother, these small but mighty earbuds are wonderfully light that you could be forgiven for thinking you weren’t even wearing them. The Earin M-2 uses a unique dual antennae design which provides excellent wireless connectivity for a stable experience, whilst the NFMI MiGLO technology by NXP produces a delay free experience when connected over Bluetooth 4.2. To help you block out the sounds of your fellow commuters or irritating family members, these headphones have inbuilt Intelligent Noise Reduction, letting you filter out distractions when enjoying your music and letting you take calls wherever you are, with thanks to the four microphones both inside and outside the earphone. The sound is beautifully balanced, easily one of the best Bluetooth audio experiences we have come across, the base is deep and not over powering, the mid tones are rich whilst the treble crisp and clear, you won’t be disappointed. On top of sounding great, the M-2 look amazing, with a sleek contemporary design, they come with a selection of tips, including foam tips which help the noise cancellation and give you secure,
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comfortable and precise fit. The unique and stylish capsule case that doubles as a charger, this will top up the max of 4 hours on the earbuds to 14 hours, which, considering the price and how much you will want to use these is a little bit of a let-down. The M-2 uses a touch and tap interface for intuitive control of your music as well access to Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant, you can also use the companion app to customise settings to your environment and download the latest software. If you a looking for a great sounding pair of truly wireless headphones look no further, the short battery life might put some people off but it’s a price we are willing to pay for the quality audio.
Delay-free experience
RRP £219
arrow-alt-circle-right
https://earin.com/ PROS Beautiful design Sleek and compact charging case Excellent audio Seamless connection
with next to no latency Intelligent Noise Reduction Intuitive controls Comfortable foam tips
CONS Costly Short battery life in this price range Up to 4 hours continuous usage Up to 14 hours usage with capsule Video & Game
Compatible with low latency Also in the box 3x pairs custom foam tips 1x pair silicone tips Micro USB cable to charge capsule, 96mm
DiscovR A Smarter Speaker MIC DROP The speaker that listens... unless you don’t want it to.
15 hrs MULTIROOM
PORTABLE
WI-FI
Visit pure.com/discovr to learn more Copyright © 2019 Pure International Limited. All rights reserved. E&OE. Apple and Airplay are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Amazon, Alexa and the Amazon Alexa logo are trademarks of Amazon.com Inc. or its affiliates. The Spotify Software is subject to third party licenses found here: https://www.spotify.com/connect/third-party-licences. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG,
ENTER THE WORLD OF ZWIFT.
© ZWIFT 2017.
An immersive digital cycling experience, Zwift makes indoor riding, training or racing, fun and rewarding.
Available on Try for free at
PC/ Mac
iPad iPhone
ZWIFT.COM
SOLAR TACKLE P1 EURO WORLDWIDE POD THE WORLDWIDE - THE MARKET-LEADING ROD POD - HAS NOW BEEN UPGRADED FOR THE P1 RANGE, INCLUDING THE ‘BIG BOY VERSION’. THE P1 EURO WORLDWIDE POD IS IDENTICAL TO THE P1 WORLDWIDE POD HOWEVER THE EURO VERSION COMES WITH A LONGER, ADJUSTABLE MAIN BAR (1M TO 2M) AND TWO LONG, ADJUSTABLE FRONT LEGS (1M TO 1.33M). The front legs feature Solar Tackle’s unique ‘snooker cue’ extension system, this lets you reduce the size of the legs down to 52cm, making it a complete and versatile set up. With this system you can fish with a solid pod that sets your rod tips high, making it suitable for the big waters on the continent as well as river fishing. The unique ‘5 Spoke, Diamond Grip Adjustment’ has subtle carbon detailing, all components have been carefully engineered with a micro-adjust ratchet adjustment system, which allows each leg to be individually fine tuned to your precise environment. The adjustable main bar, compact design, goalpost style uprights give you an excellent foundation and are fully compatible with a wide range of extras for customisation. The P1 Worldwide pod will suit any venue in any country and any situation, the compact design lets you pack it down into the small, padded carry case making it super easy to transport or store away when not in use. The carry case is durable and thoughtfully made with every piece having its own compartment making it quick and easy to assemble and locate specific sections of the kit. Each P1 Euro Worldwide
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Pod comprises two upright bridge sections, two 12” legs, two long, adjustable legs (52cm to 1.33m), a long adjustable main bar (1m to 2m) all manufactured in England, Buzzer Bars not included. The P1 Euro Worldwide Pod is super adaptable, it is made from strong materials and with all the adjustment options and compact pack size it will be a reliable fishing companion for years to come.
RRP £439.99
‘Snooker cue’ extension system
https://www.solartackle.co.uk/gear/p1-podsaccessories/p1-euro-worldwide-pod PROS High-quality stainless steel components Compact design Unique leg angle adjustment system Long adjustable main
bar (1m to 2m) Two long, adjustable front legs (1m to 1.33m) Stable, goal-post set up Adaptable to any angling situation
CONS Not suitable for use with two-rod buzzer bars
Came with lots of unrecyclable packing materials
ASPIRE DYNAMO KIT THE DYNAMO KIT BY ASPIRE PROVIDES JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU COULD NEED TO GET VAPING. ALREADY AN AVID VAPER? OR, ARE YOU ON THE FENCE ABOUT VAPING BECAUSE IT SEEMS A BIT ‘HIPSTER’? EITHER WAY, THIS KIT OFFERS A LOT OF REALLY USEFUL FEATURES THAT ARE WORTH TRYING OUT, AND MIGHT JUST WIN YOU OVER. Described as having “awesome flexibility and lots of power”, the Dynamo is a 220 watt device with dual batteries to give it that extra oomph. Due to that extra battery, the Dynamo has also gained additional thickness from previous Aspire models: it measures 137mm high, 48mm wide and 34mm thick. Even so, the Dynamo is still comfortable to hold; the rounded sides and corners make sure that it sits comfortably in your hand, and even though it isn’t slim, it is still a natural, easy ergonomic fit. The Dynamo kit looks fantastic, if it’s the sort of style you like. It has more of a street-ready, party-ready design than one for looking sophisticated, but that isn’t to say it isn’t both aesthetically and well-constructed. There are five colour options to choose from: dark grey, red and black, purple and black, camo and black, or ‘rainbow’, which has an attractive oil spill effect. All designs have a nice metallic quality to them. The main body of the device also comes with a circular 2” TFT colour screen, which serves as both a menu and a clock. The menu allows you to adjust settings such as the values of different output modes, to adapt your kit to your
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personal vaping preferences, and it also has a range of clock faces to choose from for the Time setting, ranging from old school roman numerals to set ups that look like flashy sport car dashes, as well as a straightforward digital display. The Dynamo’s new Nepho Tank has a 4ml capacity and comes with a handy child lock. It also comes with a triple slot airflow system, which is easy to adjust to get your vape just the way you like it. Both the tank and the coils have wicking properties built in to protect the flavour of your vape and prevent ‘dry hits’ – everything works as it should and tastes great! The tank is super easy to fill and the coils are just as easy to replace, too. Overall, the Dynamo kit contains comes with one Dynamo mod, one Nepho Tank, one glass tube, eight O-rings, two coils (one 0.5Ω & one 0.15Ω mesh coil), a micro-USB cable, a manual and warning card, that all-important warranty card and a dual 18650 battery adapter. The Dynamo charges by micro-USB can take three different battery types without its performance being affected: 18650, 20700 or 21700.
Dual batteries for that extra oomph
https://www.aspirecig.com/aspire-kits/aspirekits530.html PROS
RRP £69.90
Good wicking technology Child lock Easy to refill Looks good
Handy menu display Comes with everything you need Curved fit
CONS Bulkier than some – might not be a good fit for everyone
GLOBUS GROUP GLOVES
IT WON’T COME AS A SURPRISE THAT YOUR FINGERS ARE ONE OF THE MOST SENSITIVE PARTS OF THE BODY, I MEAN PAPER CUTS AND HANGNAILS AREN’T SERIOUS WOUNDS, BUT WOW, THEY CAN HURT, AND AS WE USE OUR HANDS FOR, WELL, EVERYTHING, IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT WE PROTECT THEM WHEN PERFORMING DANGEROUS TASKS. WE RECEIVED FIVE DIFFERENT GLOVES FROM GLOBUS GROUP WHO SPECIALISE IN CREATING HAND PROTECTION AND WE WILL BE LOOKING AT EACH PAIR IN TURN.
Starting with the SKYTEC Ninja X4, these are gloves that protect your hands from cuts, suitable for engineering, handling glass or packaging for example, they have a cut level 4 rating which protects your hands from medium cut hazards. They have a Bi-polymer palm, machine-knitted liners made from blended synthetic yarns support natural movement in the hand, while the breathable back helps to reduce perspiration and skin irritation. The SKYTEC Ninja X4 are silicone free, they have an elasticated wrist for a secure fit, treated with Actifresh to kill bacteria and promote freshness and have a mottled grey and black colouring, suitable for the dirtiest of environments. These lightweight gloves offer excellent grip in both wet and dry environments and are comfortable thanks to the anatomical design that follows the natural curve of the hand, and the high abrasion- and tear-resistant fabric means your hands are well protected during your task. RRP £14.95 Next up are the SHOWA 381, these protect against general handling hazards like in mechanics or warehousing and distribution work, designed to be durable, lightweight and extremely comfortable gloves they work well with assembly and precision handling tasks in dry and light oily handling conditions. The embossed pattern on the microporous foamed nitrile
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palm coating channels oils and grease away and the Microfibre yarn liner boosts vapour permeation significantly to leave hands dry and comfortable. These gloves are equally lightweight at 19g and hug the hand comfortably to allow for normal dexterity, the abrasion level 4 rating provides the maximum abrasion resistance. The 0.84mm finger thickness allows an excellent level of tactility and sensitivity, the seamless liner prevents irritation on the hands, it is also latex free. RRP £12.95 The SKYTEC Aria are also suitable for general handling hazards suitable
for oil and gas, manufacturing and construction, these tough little gloves achieved a result of 25,000 abrasive cycles during testing, making them a leader in their class for resistance to abrasion with only 8,000 cycles required to achieve the maximum level of abrasion resistance under the EN388. Thanks to this they have an increased lifespan as well as offering excellent grip in wet, dry and oily environments, the 3D Moisturevap allows for breathability, whilst maintaining comfort and performance. Featuring a seamless nylon/spandex liner they are nice and comfortable along with the anatomically engineered fit, they have been tested for harmful substances according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100. The sanitised antimicrobial finish provides extra freshness, the grey and black aesthetics have been selected for extended use and the seamless liner minimises rubbing and chaffing. RRP £44.99 For a more armoured style glove the SKYTEC Torben are what you need, these provide impact protection produced for industry work like construction as well as oil and gas work, these gloves are still flexible and also highly visible gloves with TPR impact protection zones and a nitrile foam sandy coating. They offer a level C (ISO 13997) cut resistance as part of the EN 388:2016 standard use, the HPPE, glass fibre and nylon liner provides level C cut resistance (EN 388:2016) and excellent grip with a nitrile foam sandy coating on the palm. The Hi-viz yellow liner allows for efficient hand signalling in poorly-lit environments, the dense, moulded TPR protection zones on knuckles, fingers, thumb and back of hand with TPR zones are sewn to the liner for increased resistance. The reinforced thumb crotch (didn’t expect to type that word today) offers enhanced durability, the breathable material on the back of hand
helps reduce perspiration and the wrist is also well protected. RRP £17.99 Finally, that brings us to the SHOWA DURACoil 386, new from SHOWA, these cut-resistant level C gloves are designed for anything from aerospace, automotive, construction, engineering, glass and manufacturing due to the DURACoil liner with a microporous nitrile coating for great grip, aeration and protecting the hand from oils and abrasions. These gloves give you a high level of flexibility and dexterity, the multifilament polyester wrapping DURACoil liner, reinforced with HPPE, provides effective protection against cuts. Rated with a high abrasion resistance level 4, it has an embossed nitrile palm finish, which disperses oil away to increase grip and longevity in light oily environments, the unique SHOWA ergonomic shape replicates the natural curve of the human hand for enhanced dexterity and longer use and has that same seamless knit designed to prevent irritation. RRP £14.99 If you have a task to perform that puts your hands at even the slightest risk of some discomfort Globus has a glove for you, these high performing and comfortable gloves from the SHOWA and Skytec ranges let you get on with your work safe in the knowledge that your hands are protected.
www.globus.co.uk PROS
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High performing Comfortable Durable Flexible
AFTERGLOW AG9+ WIRELESS HEADSET
THE AG9+ IS AFTERGLOW’S PREMIUM WIRELESS HEADSET AND IS LICENSED BY BOTH MICROSOFT FOR XBOX ONE AND BY SONY FOR PLAYSTATION 4, IT IS COMPLETELY WIRELESS AND FEATURES 50MM NEODYMIUM DRIVERS. THE HEADSET OFFERS TWO DISTINCT AUDIO MODES: EITHER THE PURE AUDIO OR BASS BOOST MODE. IT HAS A FLEXIBLE AND REMOVABLE BOOM MICROPHONE WITH NOISE- AND ECHO-CANCELLING TECHNOLOGY FOR CLEARER COMMUNICATION DURING ONLINE PLAY. The first thing you notice with the AG9+ is the comfort, the generously padded ears cups are plush and the split headband has extra thick padding down the two sides with a gap in the centre to prevent any pressure on the very top of the head, you can easily wear these for hours at a time without fatigue. They look pretty sharp with the signature customisable Prismatic Afterglow lighting mode (green for Xbox and blue for Playstation) but if this isn’t your style you can select blackout mode and just appreciate the visuals of the headset’s exposed circuitry. You can speak freely to your teammates (or enemies) over the true wireless chat, a gaming buddy at the other end of the line said the sound would come across slightly robotic at times but was satisfactory overall. The sound
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quality you receive is enjoyable, you can clearly locate the direction the sound is coming from, making it easier to pinpoint targets, it always works well with music and we didn’t notice any lag or delay. The boom microphone, although described as flexible, can’t be adjusted up or down but can be moved side to side although it is resistant to do so. The headset is easy to set up: you just plug in the USB transmitter and you are away, this means you aren’t just restricted to using it with the Xbox but with your computer or laptop too. For the price you pay I would expect the build quality to be slightly better in places, the casing covering lighting for example. The sound is enjoyable, but the microphone could be improved both in the flexibility and distortion it occasionally produced.
Generously padded ears cups
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RRP $79.99
https://www.pdp.com/en/afterglow-ag-9-premiumwireless-headset-for-xbox-one PROS Very comfortable Rich, detailed sound quality
Truly wireless Plug in and play No notable lag
CONS Stiff microphone Occasional distortion over the mic
Poor build quality in areas
BRESSER CONDOR 10X50 BINOCULARS THE CONDOR 10X50 BINOCULARS FROM BRESSER HAVE BEEN PRODUCED FOR USE DURING BIRD WATCHING AND NATURE OBSERVATIONS, TRAVELLING OR SPORTING EVENTS. THEY COME WITH A CARRY STRAP, CARRY CASE AND LENS CLEANING CLOTH. THESE BINOCULARS OFFER 10X MAGNIFICATION AND PRODUCE A CLEAR IMAGE EVEN IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS, WELL EQUIPPED FOR AN OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE THEY ARE WATERPROOF AND NITROGEN-FILLED; THIS NOT ONLY PREVENTS WATER FROM ENTERING THE CASING BUT ALSO PROTECTS IT FROM CONDENSATION, DUST, DIRT, FUNGUS AND RUST. THE ROTATABLE EYECUPS CAN BE LOCKED INTO POSITION SO YOU DON’T NEED TO ADJUST THEM BEFORE EACH USE, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE EYES CAN BE ADJUSTED FOR OBSERVATION WITH AND WITHOUT GLASSES AND A DIOPTRIC CORRECTION IS STANDARD. The special UR coating brings even more light to your eye and the lenses are fully multi-coated, the eyepieces and focus wheel are made of sturdy metal to ensure long-term durability. The binoculars measure up at 171 x 140 x 60mm , and weigh 917g, making them good for day trips but due to the weight not as suitable for travelling if you prefer a lighter load. For peace of mind all the binoculars in the Condor series come with a premium guarantee from Bresser.. The central focal wheel is comfortably responsive and within easy reach, the dioptric eyepieces have individual adjustment and the tripod adapter thread lets you focus on a permanent spot with a tripod to give your arms a break during long stakeouts.
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The Condor gives you a 6.29° field of view with 94 metres at a distance of up to 1000 metres and a near focus of 1.5m. The nylon carry case is well made and offers protection from the elements (along with the lens covers), it has storage compartments for small accessories and can be attached to a belt or worn with a strap for quick accessibility. The Condor 10x50 are functional binoculars, with a durable body they provide you with great optics for a range of activities.
Special UR coating
RRP €215
https://www.bresser.de/en/Sport-Optics/Binoculars/ BRESSER-Condor-10x50-Binoculars-with-URCoating.html PROS 10x magnification Waterproof and fog-free Bright images even in low light conditions Prism and lens materials made of BK-4 glass material
Centre-wheel focusing UR coating Strong carry case Lockable eyecups Tripod thread
STREAMR, BY PURE THE STREAMR PORTABLE SPEAKER, BY PURE, CLAIMS TO BRING TOGETHER THE BEST OF BLUETOOTH STREAMING, DIGITAL RADIO AND ALEXA VOICE TECHNOLOGY. THIS IS BASICALLY THREE DEVICES IN ONE, WITH A WHOLE HOST OF FUNCTIONS THAT ARE EASY AND STRAIGHTFORWARD TO SELECT. LIKE ANY DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE PURPOSES ON OFFER, YOU NEED TO LEARN YOUR WAY AROUND THE STREAMR, BUT PURE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF TRYING TO MAKE IT AS SIMPLE AND USER-FRIENDLY AS POSSIBLE. There aren’t many colour options available - we received the speaker in charcoal (aka black), and it is also available in stone grey (basically a silvery white.) However, there are a couple of snazzy little twists to the StreamR’s design. Pressing it will pop its speaker up or down, revealing a handy digital display on the side. Then, there’s the light ring around the top: this band of light is a colourful touch on the otherwise sleek and neutral speaker, enabling an elaborate colour-code system to tell you the speakers’ status. With nine different modes, you will need to learn what your speaker is trying to tell you to, or you might panic when it starts urgently flashing different colours at you! This light is cool, though: it even grows or shrinks as you raise or lower the volume, and shows a decreasing number of green panels when you check the battery. Unlike the lights, learning your way around the controls is simple. Found on top of the speaker, there’s a simple + and – for your volume, and a multi-function button in the centre for muting or unmuting the radio, pausing and playing songs or summoning Alexa, depending. Pairing to Bluetooth or autotuning to the radio both proved easy,
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Good battery life
and you can link to your Amazon A l e x a account with similar ease if you download the Pure Home app.
A handy addition is the StreamR’s ‘preset corner’ function: in each corner, the speaker has a button that you can set to a particular radio station. These are incredibly easy to set up – simply press one when a station is playing, and the speaker will save it to that button. The battery life on this speaker is pretty good: you can get up to 15 hours of play out of one charge, although charging does take six hours. The sound quality is also decent; the speakers can put out 30 W RMS, have a 2” woofer and a ¾” tweeter. However, the stand-out element for the StreamR is how much it’s capable of – between all of its functions and settings, it’s safe to say that this is more than just a speaker.
RRP £169.99
https://www.pure.com/uk/streamr/pure-streamr/ charcoal PROS Compact Good battery life Many functions
Helpful light display Detailed online guide
CONS No USB plug adapter included (Only the Micro-USB cable)
Takes six hours to charge
SPECIALIZED TORCH 3.0 SPECIALIZED WAS CREATED IN 1974 BY A CYCLIST FOR CYCLISTS AND PRODUCES EVERYTHING FROM PEDAL-POWERED BIKES TO ELECTRIC BIKES AND A WIDE RANGE OF ACCESSORIES FROM THE HELMETS ON YOUR HEAD DOWN TO SOCKS ON YOUR FEET. THE TORCH 3.0 ARE SPECIALIST ROAD SHOES WITH THE MAIN GOAL BEING TO PRODUCE A HIGH END SHOE FULL OF FEATURES AT A PRICE THAT WAS REASONABLE. WELL THE PRICE IS PROBABLY GOING TO STILL PUT A FEW PEOPLE OFF, BUT THESE ARE DEFINITELY A TOP OF THE RANGE SHOE. WE WILL START WITH PROBABLY THE LEAST IMPORTANT FEATURE (BUT WE ALL KNOW IT MATTERS): THE STYLE. These are truly beautiful shoes, available in either a black or black/white design with clean lines and a matte finish. Constructed with three strategically placed materials on the uppers that are welded together: TPU and mesh in the front and synthetic leather in the rear, this makes the shoe comfortable straight out of the box with a strong support at the front of the shoe. The rear and heel cup have a stiff build to lock down your heel and ensure the power your legs output hits the pedals efficiently time after time. The refined upper uses Specialized FACT carbon fibre to further ensure an efficient power transfer thanks to the carbon composite sole and torsion box construction which is directionally rigid with a stiffness index of 8.5. The two Boa S2-SV Snap dials for zonal closure allow you to obtain a precise and secure fit on the fly and are backed by the Boa Lifetime Guarantee. These shoes weigh approximately 248g per shoe (Size 42), the three-bolt cleat pattern fits all major road pedals, the synthetic layer uppers are placed in specific zones for comfort and lock-down
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and are thermobonded for a good fit. The Torch 3.0 have got the balance just right with these high performing, stylish and comfortable shoes, giving you power where you need it without being as overly strict as racing shoes.
Clean lines and a matte finish
RRP £210
https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/torch-3-0-roadshoes/p/134043 PROS Body geometry sole construction Ergonomic footbeds Attractive design FACT carbon composite sole and torsion box construction
High performing road shoes Stiffness Index 8.5. Dual Boa S2-SV Snap dial closure Comfortable fit
CONS Pricey
Secure fit and tight seal
WESTONE W10 EARPHONES THE W10 EARPHONES FROM WESTONE ARE IN-EAR EARPHONES FEATURING BLUETOOTH AND TRUE-FIT TECHNOLOGY, THEY HAVE SPECIALLY TUNED, FULL RANGE, SINGLE BALANCED ARMATURE DRIVERS, THESE DRIVERS AIM TO ENHANCE SONIC DETAIL AND FREQUENCY RANGE. THE TRUE-FIT TECHNOLOGY IS A RESULT OF WESTONE’S 60 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE DESIGNING PRODUCTS FOR THE EAR, THE RESULT BEING A UNIVERSAL-FIT EARPIECE THAT IS COMPACT, LOW-PROFILE, LIGHTWEIGHT, AND A COMFORTABLE FIT. The proprietary eartips have been created to enhance the performance of the W10 by offering a secure fit and tight seal, right out of the box, it comes with five pairs of patented STAR Silicone Tips and five pairs of True-Fit Foam Tips, there are also exchangeable faceplates and a small carrying case included. The full-resolution Bluetooth Cable uses aptX technology and has the standard 10-metre/ 32-foot range, it provides up to eight hours of play time per charge and comes with a water- and dustresistant IPX-4 rating. The MMCX Audio connectors allow the Bluetooth Cable to be used with any custom-fit or universal-fit earpiece, there is a three-button MFI control system with built-in microphone for answering calls
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hands free, a microphone controller that is compatible with iPhones, iPods and iPads and features volume control, track skipping, answer phone calls and Siri activation. The sound quality is reasonable but probably won’t impress the audiophiles, the bass is a little flat and the top notes can come across a quite harsh especially at louder volumes, it worked better with podcasts and tv audio than it did with music. The detachable cables, light weight and comfort make them versatile earphones, but that lack of bass and sharp top notes means electro and dance fans should probably look elsewhere.
RRP $249.99 https://www.westone.com/store/music/w10earphones-3419 PROS Comfortable Lightweight
Versatile Lots of accessories
CONS Some components could be made more durable
Lacks bass Top notes harsh at louder volumes
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
In Tune With You
Discover and enjoy live and on-demand audio effortlessly, anywhere.
Copyright Š 2019 Pure International Limited. All rights reserved. E&OE.
Visit www.pure.com to view our full range
MOTOROLA ONE VISION
MOBILE DEVICES HAVE LONG SINCE BECOME A NECESSITY RATHER THAN A LUXURY AND WITHOUT MENTIONING ANY BRANDS THERE ARE TWO GIANTS THAT DOMINATE THE MARKET, HOWEVER WITH PRICES STARTING AT £500 AND UPWARDS (AND DON’T GET ME STARTED ON THOSE CONTRACTS) IT CAN BE VERY OFF PUTTING INVESTING SO MUCH MONEY JUST TO SEND YOUR MATES CHEEKY GIFS AND PLAY POKEMON. The Motorola One Vision aims to provide a reasonably priced phone with functional and enjoyable features. One of its key features is the 48MP camera system powered by AI and Quad Pixel technology, because if you can’t photograph what you are doing every second of the day are you even living? It features an ultra-wide 21:9 CinemaVision display on the 6.3” screen that reaches from edge to edge, by combining four pixels into one large 1.6µm pixel, the 48 MP sensor delivers 12 MP photos with improved brightness and reduced image noise and 6 MP selfies. The camera also features auto smile capture, portrait lighting, and smart composition, while the slimmer design of the phone as well as the rounded edges and precisioncrafted Corning Gorilla Glass makes it easy to hold in one hand and snap selfies. This phone is water repellent, it has turbopower fast charging that will give you 7 hours of power after a 15-minute charge, and the 3500mAh should be enough to get you through the average day, probably less if you are Pokemoning hard. The One Vision uses an Octa-core processor to intelligently capture photos and videos, you get 128GB of storage and can increase that up to 512GB with a microSD card, there is Dolby Audio to give you more control over your sound
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preferences, with preset modes for all sorts of content. Other features include Night Vision camera mode, Bluetooth 5.0, 4GB memory, and it uses Android 9 Pie with the latest Android OS upgrades. Whilst using this phone you can be forgiven for thinking it comes with a much bigger price tag; the camera and display perform well beyond its class, not only that but it looks stunning and sits more comfortably in the hand than some of the more pricey competitors. If you are big on photography, watching films and social media but small on dough this is a great choice to keep you in the loop without burning a hole in your pocket.
Reasonably priced
RRP £269.99
https://www.motorola.com/mea/products/motorolaone-vision PROS High-performing operating system Good camera Reasonable battery life with fast charge
Excellent value for money Attractive design Durable build Responsive
TIBO SPHERE 6 THE FIRST THING THAT STRIKES YOU WHEN YOU SEE THE SPHERE 6 SPEAKER IS THE VISUAL DESIGN, IT LOOKS GREAT WITH CLEAN LINES, CIRCULAR GRILLES AND CHUNKY BODY AND WILL GET NOTICED IN ANY ROOM. THE LEATHER HANDLE MAKES IT EASY TO MOVE AROUND AND THE ANGLED FEET GIVE IT A STURDY FOUNDATION. IT CAN STORE UP TO FIVE DIFFERENT INTERNET RADIO STATIONS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD AS PRE-SETS, MUSIC CAN BE STREAMED FROM THE FREE TIBO APP THAT SUPPORTS SPOTIFY, TIDAL, NAPSTER, TUNEIN AND IHEARTRADIO ETC. THERE IS A USB PORT THAT ALLOWS YOU TO CHARGE YOUR MOBILE DEVICE AND A 3.5MM LINE IN PORT TO CONNECT AN EXTERNAL DEVICE SUCH AS A TURNTABLE, CD PLAYER, OR GAMES CONSOLE FOR EXAMPLE. The Sphere 6 is completely portable thanks to the rechargeable battery that can give you a minimum of eight hours playtime per charge but at 4.95kg it’s a bit of a lump to carry around too far. This speaker comes with WiFi or LAN for connecting to the internet, it has a 5” drive unit and rear tuned port for controlled tight bass and two 0.75” dome tweeters for high frequency response and delivers 80W of RMS power supplied by a class D Amp 4 Ohms and 88 dB with a frequency response of 45Hz-20KHz. The Sphere 6 uses Smart Audio to generate a high-resolution sound which can be streamed via Bluetooth or WiFi. As you may expect it offers some serious bass, it also gets loud but maintains a good sound quality even at top volumes making
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it a great choice for parties and larger spaces. The multifunctional buttons can get a little complicated at times and it’s easy to accidentally skip tracks when you try to turn it up for example, but you can always control it from the app if needed. The Sphere 6 can be used on its own or in group mode connected to one or more TIBO Smart Audio speakers at the touch of a button, this means you can play your music in multiple rooms throughout the house. This speaker is best suited for entertaining and multiroom options, the sound quality is enjoyable and works well at loud volumes, you can move it from room to room and take it into the garden for outdoor parties...
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RRP £249.99
https://tibo-electronics.com/products/sphere-6/ PROS Sharp contemporary design (two colours available) Enjoyable sound quality Portable Rechargeable WiFi and Bluetooth multiroom – can play
same or different songs all over your house Save 5 favourite internet radio stations as presets TIBO app includes Spotify, TIDAL, Napster, Tunein etc Simple app
CONS Heavy
THE ONE LIGHT KEYBOARD TECHNOLOGY IS ALLOWING KIDS AND ADULTS ALIKE TO PICK UP SKILLS AND PURSUE INDEPENDENT LEARNING LIKE NEVER BEFORE. THE YOUTUBE GENERATION ARE TEACHING THEMSELVES EVERYTHING FROM DANCE STYLES TO COOKERY AND PLANT CARE IN THEIR ROOMS, AND THE ONE LIGHT KEYBOARD IS HERE TO CASH IN ON AND FURTHER ENABLE THAT TREND. This product isn’t just a keyboard. Select from the thousands of sheet music choices in its system, and this baby lights up its keys as you play to tell you where to go next. Different settings let you learn in different ways, including ‘auto-play’ to hear the song or ‘A-B repeats’ to focus on learning a particular section. There are over 4,000 tracks in total, from a range of genres, including from classical, pop and jazz & blues. To compliment these, no keyboard would be complete without different sound settings, and this one is no exception, with over 128 instrument sounds available through the ONE Smart Piano app (which is free). On top of that, ONE Light keyboard also comes with over 100 video lessons ranging from beginner lessons to more advanced guidance on technique. A step better than watching lessons on YouTube, these videos integrate with the keyboard’s light-up technology. There’s even a selection of games that can trick you into learning whilst having fun, like a Guitar Hero inspired game (but on an actual instrument!) These games are available from the app. The ONE Light keyboard comes in three colour options: Onyx Black, White Gold or Sakura Pink. All three look nice and sleek, but the White Gold in particular
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has a subtle but very attractive look. The keyboard weighs 11lbs and measures 36” x 13”, and is 4” tall (not including the stand, of course!) and comes with an optional built-in music stand and sustain pedal socket. It has MIDI output and recording, allowing pianists to record and share their performances online, and is compatible with iOS and Android devices, whether they’re tablets or phones. This keyboard was awesome – you might assume it’s for kids, but we had endless fun messing around on it. From playing the games to pretending we could play far better than we can, we loved this thing! We probably even learnt without realising it, too. Whether you’re looking to learn yourself or have a kid who wants to start piano, we highly recommend this nifty gift – it’s so much more than an instrument.
RRP $269.99
https://www.smartpiano.com/products/the-one-lightkeyboard PROS Loads of music to choose from Multiple ways to learn Educational but fun!
Compatible with most devices
DEWALT DCD240X2 54V XR FLEXVOLT BRUSHLESS PADDLE MIXER EVER WONDERED WHAT YOU WOULD NEED TO MAKE A CAKE IN A BUCKET? NO? YOU SHOULD GET MORE EXPERIMENTAL IN THE KITCHEN! IF YOU WERE TO ATTEMPT IT THE DEWALT DCD240X2 54V XR FLEXVOLT BRUSHLESS PADDLE MIXER IS WHAT YOU NEED. IF YOU WOULD RATHER USE IT FOR SOMETHING MORE SENSIBLE, LIKE MIXING UP CONCRETE, YOU KNOW, LIKE IS WAS MADE FOR, THEN IT WILL PERFORM JUST AS SUCCESSFULLY (SERIOUSLY, DON’T USE THIS TO MAKE A CAKE, USE ONE OF THOSE BARREL TYPE MIXERS, IT WILL LOOK BETTER ON INSTAGRAM). The DCN240 Paddle Mixer is ideal for plasterers, tilers, landscapers, flooring contractors and general guilders with a 54V brushless motor that provides the equivalent power of a 2000W mains input corded machine. It has an ergonomic dual handle with critical width and angle dimensions helping to reduce fatigue over longer periods of use. It comes with two DCB547 batteries (one can be used whilst the other recharges), a DCB118 charger, two paddle wrenches, a mixing paddle and a heavy-duty bag to store it away when not in use. The variable speed dial puts you in control for use with a complete range of materials, there are five in total: 1 = 300 RPM, 2 = 450 RPM, 3 = 550 RPM, 4 = 650 RPM and 5 = 725 RPM. The dual handle has an ergonomic design to give you full control over the device whilst remaining comfortable, with carefully thought out width and angle constructions it keeps tiredness to a minimum in your hands, arms and shoulders. It features a standard M14 paddle connection that connects the 160mm centre pull-down swirl paddle, this design provides quick and consistent
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mixing. The single-speed mechanical transmission provides the variable speed with a 5 second ramp up and down in all speeds for reducing material spread, keeping it in the bucket and not all over you. The safety lock-off switch minimises the chance accidental starts when on its side or when you are inserting the battery (nothing will make you jump more than setting it off by accident). The Paddle Mixer a is fast, reliable and portable mixer, a great choice for plasterers, tilers, landscapers, flooring contractors and general builders.
Ergonomic dual handle
RRP £619
https://www.toolstop.co.uk/dewalt-dcd240x2-54v-xrflexvolt-brushless-paddle-mixer-2-x-9-0ah-batteriesp79669?nosto=nosto-page-category1-fallbacknosto-1 PROS XR FLEXVOLT cordless technology Variable speed dial with 5 settings Ergonomic dual handle 160mm centre pulldown swirl paddle
Two batteries and charger included 54V brushless motor Safety lock
SPEAKER STAND SUPPORT FS 104 SIGNATURE RANGE CUSTOM DESIGN FOCUS ON SPEAKER STANDS, HIFI FURNITURE, HIFI SUPPORTS, TABLES AND STANDS. BASICALLY, THEY KNOW SPEAKERS, AND ANY FURNITURE YOU NEED TO STORE, STAND OR INTEGRATE YOUR SPEAKERS, THEY HAVE YOU COVERED. THE FS 104 SIGNATURE RANGE IS NO EXCEPTION! Custom Design describe their priorities as product design and service success. This is clear from the innovative design of the FS 104 Signature Range. These speaker stands are awesome! They have a very industrial look, available with a black or white central column, and then chrome or brushed chrome satellite columns. What’s really impressive is their height, both for look and, of course, the sound! The central column of the FS 104 is made from ERW BS EN 10305-3 steel; between this and the four satellite columns around the corners of this stand, this is a totally rigid, solid support. Your speakers are going to be secure, and just as importantly, no sound is going to be absorbed and lost. The main column can be loaded with sand or Custom Design’s own Inert Filler to affect the sound quality. We’d highly recommend you do this – without inert filler in the central column, the sound quality from our speakers was fine, but after adding filler to the column, any unwanted resonance was absorbed, and the sound was impressively rich! Custom Design recommends two bags for the best result. The acoustic top and base plates are just as carefully designed as the stand columns: laser precision cut but hand finished, these plates are designed to have
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a minimal impact on sound quality. The plates are made from 4mm steel and are available in different sizes (top plates: 165mm x 180mm, 150mm x 180mm or 190mm x 240mm. Base plates: 220mm x 260mm or 240mm x 320mm), to best suit your speakers and keep them secure. The overall stand itself is available at a height of either 510mm (20”) or 610mm (24”), but custom heights are available on request. M8 Zinc Plated base isolation spikes are supplied with the FS 104 Signature Range as standard, but floor protectors cost extra. All in all, these stands are extremely solid and steady, designed to remove anything that would absorb, dampen or hinder the quality of your sound. They allow your sound to play with clarity, with incredible bass and fantastic dynamics. If you’re serious about sound quality, these speakers are worth checking out! They can take your sound experience to whole new levels. If you’re a casual hobbyist, these might be a bit pricey (even the optional floor protectors will set you back an additional £39.99 for a set of eight), but if you mean business, you should at least try these stands and see for yourself!
RRP £209.99
http://customdesign.co.uk/FS104-signature-speakerCDsp4301-stands-isolation-support-Speaker-StandHiFi-Furniture-HiFi-Supports-HiFi-Stand-HiFiTable-FS104-Signature-Speaker-Stand-support-hifisupport-HiFi-Stand-HiFi-Table-HiFi-Isolation-StandStudio-Monitor-Speaker-Stands-Custom-B PROS Incredible improvement on sound quality Steady, secure base Durable stands
Range of size and height options
CONS Requires Inert Filler for optimum sound, which costs extra. Floor protectors cost extra
Not many colour options
BRINNO EMPOWER TLC2000 TIME LAPSE CAMERA THE FIRST TIME I REMEMBER SEEING A TIME LAPSE VIDEO WAS ON A DAVID ATTENBOROUGH NATURE PROGRAMME, THE COMBINATION OF THE CLOUDS RUSHING ACROSS THE BEAUTIFUL AFRICAN LANDSCAPE AND HIS SOOTHING VOICE MADE SUCH AN IMPRESSION ON ME I CAN STILL PICTURE IT TO THIS DAY. WHEN THE BRINNO EMPOWER TLC2000 ARRIVED I WAS SO EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO REPRODUCE MY VERY OWN TIME LAPSE IMAGE AND YES, I AM AWARE OF HOW SAD THAT SOUNDS. This super-compact little camera looks more like an action cam but it is so much more, measuring up at just 2.4w x 2.8h x 1.7d inches and weighing just 3oz (without battery) this makes it easy to set up anywhere to get your shot. There are three different shooting modes: Time Lapse Mode takes a sequence of photos at intervals and shooting schedules you decide to set up, the camera then auto-captures and edits frames into project documentation video; Step Video Mode records short video clips at selected intervals, the camera auto combines clips creating multiple individual short clips that tell a story rather than a long continuous shot. Lastly, there is the Stop Motion Mode which lets you manually take multiple photos one frame at a time, the camera will then auto combine these photos into an animated video so you can get your stop motion animation on. The TLC2000 has HDR and FHD sensors to improve images of high contrast scenes both outdoors and indoors, daytime and night, the flexible schedule setup makes it suitable for a whole range of projects including worksite monitoring, documentation, security observations, promotional videos and creative tasks. The camera is powered by two AA batteries, we would much rather see a rechargeable
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battery in here but you can always invest in some high quality rechargeable AAs, we would recommend at least four so there is always a pair fully charged, ready to replace the current ones. Brinno state that you can get up to 17 hours at 3 sec interval and up to 33 days at 5 min intervals with these batteries but this very much depends on the quality of the batteries. The CS-mount interface makes this camera compatible with Brinno BCS zoom lenses, giving you more flexibility over your project. Other features include the 2” LCD display, up to 1080p resolution, F2.0 aperture, 118° field of view, still photo options, tripod thread and up to 128GB storage with a microSD. For the price a few extra features would be appreciated, including built-in WiFi (currently you can only share data via the included cable or by removing the microSD), a rechargeable battery with battery life indicator and maybe a handful of mounts to get you started. All things considered, the TLC2000 is easy to use, it works well in both bright and low light conditions and has multiple shooting modes, the limited features might disappoint some, but it does manage to redeem itself with the footage it produces.
Supercompact
arrow-alt-circle-right RRP $349.99
https://www.brinno.com/time-lapse-camera/TLC2000 PROS 1080P resolution Performs well in low light 4 shooting modes Adjustable schedule set up
Interchangeable lens Auto-editing HDR and FHD sensor
CONS No WiFi No rechargeable batteries
No mounts included
KNOG PWR MOUNTAIN BIKE LIGHT MOUNTAIN BIKING IS RISKY ENOUGH AS IT IS BUT THROW IN POOR LIGHT CONDITIONS AND IT’S DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS. THE PWR MOUNTAIN IS A MODULAR BIKE LIGHT DESIGNED FOR THE ROUGH AND TUMBLE OF TRAIL AND MOUNTAIN BIKING WITH A FEW ADDED EXTRA FEATURES THROWN IN. THIS POWERFUL BIKE LIGHT PROVIDES UP TO 2000 LUMENS OF LIGHT OUTPUT, IT CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE BIKE AND DOUBLES AS A CAMPING LIGHT AND ALSO BECOMES A 10000MAH POWER BANK TO CHARGE UP YOUR DEVICES. DESIGNED WITH A DURABLE CNC-MACHINED ANODISED ALUMINIUM BODY, IT WEIGHS 355G AND MEASURES UP AT 132 X 48MM, THE CIRCULAR BEAM FLOODLIGHTS OBSTACLES FROM UNPREDICTABLE ANGLES AND CAN BE MOUNTED EITHER ON THE BARS OR ON YOUR HELMET WITH USE OF THE HELMET/BAR EXTENSION MOUNT. There are six different operating systems: Max- 2000 lumen (2hr battery life), Mid- 500 (9hrs), Stamina- 200 (30hr), Pulse 1000 (20hr), Strobe- 250 (35hr) and Eco-Flash- 150 (200hr). To activate the light simply twist the head, (there are no fiddly buttons to worry about), and just scroll through the light modes or alternatively you can use the ModeMaker app to program the brightness and run time. The 10000mAh battery can be used with the small, medium and large light heads so you can switch out for what you need, when you need it, and you can charge your phone or cycling computer on the go. The four LEDs display remaining charge, the thermal management automatically regulates the light output for optimum performance and the kit comes with a male-female USB cable, side mount, spacer and micro USB cable. Installation is straightforward; just slide the mount into the slot on the side of
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the battery, then tighten the thumbwheel, to remove the mount you just loosen the thumbwheel, then insert the two light head plug pins into the battery, when connected, your LEDs will flash. The PWR Mountain is a versatile modular light which you can chop and change to suit your needs, its durable build, powerful light and power bank options make it a useful tool on the trail or mountain.
RRP €199.00
6 modes to chose from
https://www.knog.com.au/pwr-mountain.html?___ store=eur PROS Easy to use 6 modes to chose from Mode maker app 10000mAh battery Switch out small,
medium or large light heads (sold separately) Circular beam Durable body Automatic Thermal Management
CONS Bulky unit
ROIDMI X20
THERE IS THIS WONDERFUL MOMENT IN ONE OF THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS WHEN PROFESSOR DUMBLEDORE CLEANS UP AN ENTIRE ROOM WITH THE WAVE OF A WAND, I COULD ENJOY CLEANING MORE IF YOU COULD DO EVERYTHING IN ONE CLEAN SWOOP. I’M NOT SAYING THE ROIDMI X20 IS MAGIC OR CAN FIX BROKEN ORNAMENTS AND REMOVE DRAGON BLOOD FROM YOUR WALLS, BUT IT CAN VACUUM AND MOP UP YOUR FLOOR IN ONE GO, LEAVING YOU MORE TIME TO WATCH MOVIES ABOUT WIZARDS. This two-in-one system works by using intelligent slow-drip technology and the wet fibre mop allows water to be absorbed, it comes in an attractive compact design, in white, which when wall mounted doesn’t draw too much attention to itself. The wall mount itself deserves a mention due to its magnetic design which connects it to the charger making it quick and easy to connect and charge and remove when it’s time to use. There is one button to activate the Storm, making it so easy to use, there is literally no excuse, it has a brushless digital motor with a speed of up to 100.000 RPM, which gives you a vacuum clean up to 415W and inhalation power is up to 115W. Powered by a rechargeable Samsung Lithium Battery you get a run time of up to 55 minutes in standard mode and 10 minutes in powerful suction mode, and it has a fast recharge time of just 2.5 hours. The quadruple filtration system combined with the efficient filter PM2.5 can effectively absorb small particles up to 0.3nm, the built-in LED light automatically switches on in low light conditions, ensuring no spot goes unnoticed. There are plenty of accessories to play with including the standard electric brush, electric anti-mite cleaning head, the mop attachment, crevice tool,
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a smaller crevice tool on a flexible hose, a brush head and metal extension bar. There is a free app that can let you know the status of the filter and battery life, it’s mildly interesting but you can easily live without it, it weighs just 1.5kg, making it easy to carry around the house. Although it moves comfortably in your hand, it could get a little closer to the edges for our liking but overall performs well as a vacuum. As a mop however it doesn’t quite do it for us, there is no scrubbing involved just a very light wet wiping which won’t always be enough for very dirty floors, however, as a daily or weekly light clean this will probably be sufficient. The battery life, range of accessories, overall look and ease of use makes us like the ROIDMI X20 but as a vacuum/mop all-in-one deep clean it isn’t quite there yet.
Attractive compact design
https://www.roidmi.com/en/ PROS Good battery life and fast recharge Attractive design with slim profile Powerful suction Magnetic wall mount and charger
Easy to use and manoeuvre Lots of accessories included Well suited for light wet cleans
CONS Mop function needs more pressure for deeper clean
MAGURA MT7 PRO A GERMAN COMPANY, MAGURA APPLIES TO BIKES AND MOTORBIKES WHAT GERMANY IS FAMOUS FOR WHEN IT COMES TO CARS; HIGHLY EFFICIENT AND TECHNICAL DESIGN AND ENGINEERING. FOUNDED BY GUSTAV MAGENWIRTH IN 1893 (WHERE IT GOT ITS NAME ‘GAVIN MAGENWIRTH GMBH & CO.’, AKA MAGURA), THE COMPANY CREATES AND DISTRIBUTES HIGHLY COMPETITIVE, ADVANCED-LEVEL CYCLING RELATED PRODUCTS FROM BRAKES AND SUSPENSION SYSTEMS TO HELMETS, BAGS, AND EVEN SUNGLASSES AND CLOTHING. Magura’s MT7 Pro brakes are one of many four piston brakes available from Magura. Four pistons allow these hydraulic brakes to offer an extremely reliable performance, powerful yet offering a great deal of control. The MT7 Pro brakes are recommended for gravity, enduro or E-MTB biking, and are advertised as a ‘first choice’ brake for gravity pilots. Every part of them is carefully designed: the brake master (which comes in ‘Black-Fluro-Yellow’ to both blend in with your bike and yet catch the eye) has a radial design that reduces friction when braking, enabling a wider range of small and large transmission ratios. Aka, transmission losses are kept to a minimum, making the brakes far more sensitive and easier to control. You don’t want an unresponsive brake, but you don’t want one TOO responsive that sends you flying over your bars. This careful balance means that you control exactly how much you want your brakes to kick in. This part of the brake is made from a blend of polymers and embedded carbon fibres, which makes the component light and extremely resistant. Meanwhile, the one-piece 4-piston calliper is made out of forged aluminium, keeping it light but making it extremely
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rigid. This not only makes the calliper stronger, but also therefore nice and easy to modulate. The design even has an ‘ergonomically optimised’ 1-finger HC level blade, which feels very responsive and easy to pull whilst cycling. You barely need to think – a twitch of your finger, and the bike responds to you as if it could read your mind. At €219.90, these brakes aren’t cheap, but they aren’t for the casual cyclist. The MT7 Pros have received numerous awards, including the MTB News User Award 2018, Design and Innovation Award 2015, and Leserwahl 2016 Mountain award for Best Brand for Parts. These brakes have even raced to victory on the bike of professional downhill world champion Loïc Bruni. These brakes come with a fiveyear guarantee, so if anything goes wrong with them, you’re covered. However, it shouldn’t; between their sturdy construction and clever technology, these are brakes you can put your faith in, even when you’re attempting crazy stunts. Shop with awareness: Magura have many brakes and label each one for the fields of extreme biking that they are best suited for. Make sure to buy the brakes and other bike parts most suited to you.
Extremely reliable performance
RRP €219.90
https://www.magura.com/en/components/bike/discbrakes/productdetailpage/?p=27855 PROS 5 year warranty Can be easily modulated without tools
Strong
JBL ONE SERIES 104 SPEAKERS WHEN YOUR WORKING LIFE OR EVEN YOUR SOCIAL LIFE REVOLVES AROUND SITTING IN FRONT OF A SCREEN FOR HOURS, YOU DESERVE TO HAVE SOME DECENT SPEAKERS. THE 104 SPEAKERS FROM JBL ONE SERIES ARE COMPACT POWERED DESKTOP MONITORS. CREATED WITH THE MISSION TO GIVE CONTENT CREATORS THE ABILITY TO HEAR ALL THE DETAILS IN THEIR AUDIO FOR BETTER CONTROL WHILE MIXING AND EDITING, THEY HAVE DRAWN ON SEVEN DECADES OF JBL PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE TO ACHIEVE THIS. Designed for recording musicians, podcasters, and music and video producers as well as anyone seeking a decent listening experience. Starting with an overall visual design they look reasonably smart, nothing too striking and bordering on a little dated with the oval shape. The speakers have a fixed stand design, which means you can’t angle the direction of the sound and would need to purchase additional stands to achieve this. They are compact enough to tuck in on even the messiest of work spaces, on the front there is a volume control for easy level adjustments and the headphone jack automatically mutes the speakers when in use. There are dual 1/4-inch balanced and single 1/8-inch unbalanced TRS inputs to accommodate a wide range of connections and the new coaxial driver design features a high-frequency driver aligned with a precisely contoured woofer cone to deliver an accurate response.
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The cabinet’s contoured low-frequency port works with the driver to provide the bass and has a low frequency extension down to 60 Hz, the integrated 60-watt Class D amplification distributes 30 watts per speaker, and it can provide up to 104db SPL. The sound that the 104 speakers produces is truly enjoyable, the bass coming out of these is impressive for their compact size and the higher frequencies are rich and clearly defined, for the price range these are very impressive speakers so if your budget is limited you won’t be disappointed with these.
Excellent value for money
RRP £129
https://www.jblpro.com/www/products/recordingbroadcast/one-series PROS Excellent value for money Good, detailed sound with powerful bass Master and extension speaker sold as one set Contoured lowfrequency port Integrated 60-watt Class D power amplifier
Three sets of inputs Master monitor includes electronics for the extension monitor Front panel volume control and headphone jack with speaker mute feature Integrated power supply
CONS Can’t control the vertical direction of the sound
LENOVO SMART CLOCK IMAGINE AN ALARM CLOCK THAT DOES MORE THAN JUST JOLTS YOU AWAKE IN THE MORNING, WELL THE LENOVO SMART CLOCK CAN PLAY YOUR FAVOURITE TUNES, LET YOU KNOW WHETHER TO GRAB AN UMBRELLA OR SUN CREAM AND REMIND YOU OF YOUR DAILY SCHEDULE. THAT’S BECAUSE THIS CLOCK HAS BUILTIN GOOGLE ASSISTANT. FEATURING A COLOURFUL 4” TOUCH SCREEN WRAPPED IN A SOFT TOUCH CLOTH GREY WEDGE DESIGN BODY, IT LOOKS ATTRACTIVE WITHOUT BEING TOO ‘IN YOUR FACE’. SUPER SIMPLE TO SET UP, YOU JUST PLUG IT IN, DOWNLOAD THE GOOGLE HOME APP AND SIGN INTO YOUR GOOGLE ACCOUNT, THEN FOLLOW THE ONSCREEN DIRECTIONS TO CONNECT TO THE CLOCK AND YOU ARE DONE. THIS COMPACT CLOCK MEASURES UP AT 79.8MM X 113.88MM SO YOU CAN EASILY FIND A LOCATION FOR IT, IT HAS TWO BUTTONS TO THAT CAN MUTE THE MICROPHONE AND ADJUST THE VOLUME BUT OTHER THAN THAT EVERYTHING ELSE IS DONE VIA THE APP. The 4” display might not be the biggest but its bright 480 x 800 resolution provides bright and clear visuals whilst the 1.5” 3W speaker and two passive radiators ensure clear vocal responses and acceptable audio when listening to music. With a variety of clock faces and small stature to choose from it has been designed to sit on your bedside table but can of course be placed anywhere, it has been purposefully designed without a camera because that’s just asking for embarrassing situations living in your bedroom. You can set reminders for the next day, stop the alarm by simply saying “stop” (no “ok google” required) which is my most natural response in the morning when I hear the alarm, you can also give the clock a physical tap to stop it. At the end of the day, let Lenovo Smart Clock with the Google Assistant help make your life easier. You can set and
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activate your Good Night Routine to play music, dim the lights, and even lock the doors, receive alarm suggestions according to your schedule or past alarm, you can also recharge your phone via the USB port. The 4” screen dims in the dark to give you a better night’s sleep with just enough light to allow you to read the time if needed, in the morning the screen brightness gently increases but not enough to flood the room and wake you like sunrise alarm clocks can, you can then activate the Good Morning Routine to bring you the local traffic, news, weather, and sports automatically, and if you need more sleep just tap the device to snooze, or dismiss the alarm. The Lenovo Alarm Clock picks up your commands easily and the wide range of standard Google Assist features plus some specifically clockrelated features make it a great choice for tech fans and those with similar smart appliances that can all be connected.
4” display
RRP £79.99 https://www.lenovo.com/gb/en/smart-clock/ PROS Excellent value for money Attractive, compact design Easy to use Carefully designed for your bedside table
Connects with other smart products Bright, bedroomfriendly design Good sound Charges phone via USB
CASCO SPEEDAIRO HELMET THE SPEEDAIRO CYCLE HELMET IS AVAILABLE IN EITHER BLACK WITH WHITE DETAILS OR WHITE WITH RED DETAIL, IT COMES IN SIZES MEDIUM (54-58CM) OR LARGE (59-63CM), IT HAS BEEN CREATED FOR FAST-PACED TRAINING AND RACES. THE SPEEDAIRO IS PACKED FULL OF FEATURES HOWEVER ONE OF THE STANDOUT QUALITIES IS THE OPTIONAL USABLE SPEEDMASK WITH VAUTRON AUTOMATIC VISOR, INCLUDED IN DELIVERY. Not only does this protect you from the wind and sun, it offers a wide field of view and excellent visibility without distortions whilst the VAUTRON automatic lens adjusts automatically to varying light conditions, getting darker in bright sunlight and lighter as the light conditions lower. The visor folds up out of the way when needed and can be adjusted with one hand, ideal for passing through darker areas, tunnels for example, it is compatible with glasses and has a durable construction to protect it from scratches and impact. The SPEEDairo has a vent system to combine both aerodynamics and cooling, making it suitable for long distance and hot rides. The SPEEDairo has a contactless fit due to the tended net on the wearer’s head. This increases the comfort and allows for constant air flow around the head whilst generating thermal dissipation, the air channels guide air flow letting you optimise your speed by allowing the air to pass over the helmet smoothly. Constructed with a polycarbonate double shell the SPEEDairo has ‘Disk Fit Vario’ for both horizontal and vertical to get that precise, ergonomically perfect fit.
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The Monocoque-Ultra keeps the profile tight whilst ensuring safety, the Casco-Loc fastening is easy to adjust and can be opened quickly with one hand, and once you have the size adjusted to your needs it will remain that way so you don’t need to readjust each time. With the MyStyle customisation system you can personalise your helmet with 21 colour variations to match your bib with colourful, interchangeable stripes that also provide 360° visibility thanks to the integrated reflector strips. The SPEEDairo is a high performing, comfortable helmet suited for long rides, training and races, the automatically adjusting visor allows you to focus on the ride without being distracted by bright lights or the evening drawing in.
Excellent visibility without distortions
RRP €250
https://casco-helme.de/en/winter_products/ SPEEDAIRO/index.php PROS VAUTRON automatic visor Adaptive aerodynamics Monocoque-Ultra Double Shell Disk Fit Vario Fresh Air Ventilation 2
Casco-Loc fastening Fast automatic adjustment Optical class 1, selfcleaning, anti-fog and hydrophobic lenses Comfortable and cool
CARDO PACKTALK BOLD DUO THERE’S SOMETHING ICONIC ABOUT A LONE RIDER, GROWLING DOWN THE ROAD ON A MOTORCYCLE, JUST THEM AND THE ROAD, BUT WHAT’S MORE FUN IS RIDING WITH A BUDDY, OR YOUR WHOLE CREW, THE DOWNSIDE TO THIS IS THAT, UNLIKE A ROAD TRIP IN A CAR, IT’S PRETTY TRICKY TO PLAY ‘I SPY’ WITH YOUR MATES. THE CARDO PACKTALK BOLD IS A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR MOTORCYCLES THAT ALLOWS YOU TO REMAIN CONNECTED WITH THE REST OF YOUR TRAVEL BUDDIES. The Dynamic Mesh Communication (DMC) solves the issues caused by Bluetooth and it is the most capable motorcycle communication system in the world; once your intercom is set, it is done, and you can forget about it. It is suitable for all weather thanks to the IP67, this means you can moan about the rain, mud, dust or snow to whoever you are with. The Packtalk Bold has a voice operation feature which means you never have to take your hands off the handlebars, all you need to say is, “Hey Cardo” and the Packtalk will do the rest. The sound is produced by JBL, well known for their passion for good audio, which means you have a satisfactory sound quality experience that is only disrupted occasionally by helmet noises or the wind (both the weather and digestion variety). This pack comes with two headsets but it is capable of connecting up to 15, whilst the long-distance signal of up to 1 mile keeps you in check with those at the front and rear of the pack, this sort of distance requires perfect conditions without obstructions, but you will get around 8001000 metres in normal conditions. Other features include 13 hours of talk time with a charge-as-you-ride option, built-in FM radio, you can connect to any Bluetooth headset of any substantial brand, stream music from your phone and share with your
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travel companions, 40mm speakers with automatic volume that adjusts the sound volume based on the outside ambient noise, which means it will lower the volume when you stop at the lights and turn it up again as you open the throttle. The Private Chat function lets you select one person to natter to if you need a bit of privacy, you can answer calls and even merge them into the conversation with the rest of the pack, in fact you can merge any Bluetooth intercom with your group conversation, just switch from DMC to Bluetooth mode. The app is straight forward and easy to use, providing you with full control of your device and settings, whilst the installation is also simple and user friendly, it integrates into the helmet so you never have to put anything in your ears or encounter any discomfort. The Cardo Packtalk Duo is a feature-packed communication system that helps you stay connected over long journeys and enjoy the ride together.
RRP £559.99 www.pama.com/cardo PROS Connects up to 15 riders Satisfactory sound quality Bluetooth headset unit Answer calls and stream music from your phone
Up to 1600 metres (1Mi) FM radio with RDS Automatic volume adjustment Functional app 13-hour battery life
CONS Helmet and strong winds can create noise down the mic
LEATHERMAN RAPTOR LEATHERMAN WAS FORMED IN PORTLAND, OREGON IN 1983, IT HAS NOW BECOME ONE OF THOSE BRANDS THAT BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH A PRODUCT TO THE POINT WERE PEOPLE CALL ANY MULTI TOOL A LEATHERMAN, HOWEVER YOU WILL NEVER GET THE QUALITY YOU ARE AFTER UNLESS IT IS THE REAL DEAL. THE RAPTOR IS A 420HC STAINLESS STEEL FOLDING SHEARS MULTITOOL, WITH A SHEAR LENGTH OF 1.9” (4.8CM) AND CLOSED LENGTH OF 5” (12.7CM) WITH A WEIGHT OF 5.8OZ (164G) MAKING IT A GREAT TOOL FOR KEEPING ON YOUR PERSON. FOR EASY STORAGE IT COMES WITH A REPLACEABLE POCKET CLIP, UTILITY BELT HOLSTER SYSTEM, MOLLE OR LANYARD, IT HAS BEEN CREATED FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AND FEATURES TOOLS FOR UNIFORMED MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.
6-in-1 multitool
This six-tool piece comes equipped with the medical shears suitable for cutting clothes or bandages, strap cutter for cutting tougher materials like seat belts, a ring cutter for removing jewellery, an oxygen tank wrench, 5cm ruler and carbide glass breaker for smashing windows in a crisis. Developed with the input of special operations medics, EMTs and fire professionals familiar with standard medical shears, the Raptor has been crafted with just the right balance of multi-purpose features for medical-specific ops without swamping it with too many tools that get in the way of a fast selection. Constructed from an improved, high-carbon (HC) form of 420 stainless steel that works well with high production tooling, the 420HC’s strength is optimised in Leatherman multitools by heat treatment. The glass-filled nylon is a thermoplastic material where durability is
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improved by adding chopped glass fibres, this allows for excellent durability to the handle without adding significant weight. In fact, the glass-filled nylon handles of Leatherman knives are so strong that an inner steel frame is not required, keeping the weight low for lighter everyday use. The Raptor is an excellent tool for emergencies and medical professionals, it is quick to locate the right tool for the job, all the elements are tough and can be packed down into a safe and compact piece when not in use.
RRP £94.95
arrow-alt-circle-right https://www.leatherman.co.uk/raptor/51.html PROS 6-in-1 multitool Strong and durable materials Quick location of each tool
Developed 420HC stainless steel Lightweight Holster included
Very discreet
BRINNO DUO SMART PEEPHOLE DOORCAM I AM A PRETTY ANTISOCIAL PERSON, IF I DON’T RECOGNISE A PHONE NUMBER CHANCES ARE I’M NOT GOING TO ANSWER IT, I AM NOT SO LUCKY WITH CALLERS TO THE HOUSE, OUR FRONT DOOR IS RIGHT BY THE WINDOW SO BY THE TIME I’VE SPIED WHO IT IS THEY HAVE SEEN ME TOO AND I’VE BEEN TOLD IT LOOKS A LITTLE RUDE WHEN I DROP TO THE FLOOR AND HASTILY CRAWL UP THE STAIRS TO AVOID PEOPLE. The Brinno DUO Smart Peephole DoorCam lets you see who is at your door without having to leave your favourite hiding place, avoid the cold callers during dinner and even photograph dodgy looking types who come to your door. Unlike doorbell cameras the Peephole is very discreet, it looks like a regular peephole to those on the outside of the door but on the inside, you can check who is there via the built-in LCD screen. Now I am aware that won’t prevent visitors seeing me through my window, but that’s where the app comes in handy where images are sent out automatically, whilst the dual notifications system means carers could be notified when visitors arrive at a vulnerable person’s door. Installation is reasonably simple, especially if you already have a peephole; you simply switch it out for the Brinno. If you don’t have a preexisting peephole you will have to drill a hole into the door, which isn’t ideal if you live in rented accommodation. The Brinno doesn’t record videos but instead takes still
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photographs when motions are detected via the embedded sensor and the Knocker sensor, the DUO then stores the image on a local SD card, then it is simultaneously sent to a designated email box and the app whilst an alert message is sent to your mobile phone. This system means these images are never stored on a cloud, giving you better levels of security and protection from hackers, you can use up to an 8GB microSD card in the DUO but as this takes still images this is more than enough. Its discrete and theft-proof design is very appealing. The biggest flaw however is the image quality, in the daytime the colours are desaturated, and the image isn’t very sharp, at night the image is very grainy, even with the porch light on. The image quality needs vast improvements however there is a charm in those minimal features that could appeal to the technophobes looking for a heads up to those people coming to the door.
RRP $249.99
https://www.brinno.com/smart-peephole-doorcam/ brinno-duo PROS Dual images (email and screen) Dual local and personal email storage
Theft-proof Discreet design Easy to use
CONS Poor image quality especially in low light
Installation can involve drilling a hole in your door
CUISINART PRECISION STAND MIXER RECENTLY WE MOVED TO A BEAUTIFUL HOUSE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE AND WITH THIS MOVE WE WANTED TO EMBRACE A SLIGHTLY MORE GROWN UP, HOMELY LIFESTYLE, SO WHEN I INVITED MY FRIENDS OVER I DECIDED TO PROVIDE SOME HOMEMADE COOKIES AND BANISH MY LONG-STANDING REPUTATION OF BEING A HOPELESS BAKER. I HAD TOTAL FAITH IN MY NEW CUISINART PRECISION STAND MIXER AND EVEN FOUND A RECIPE IN THE BOOKLET PROVIDED: WHITE CHOCOLATE AND CRANBERRY COOKIES. I DECIDED IF I FOLLOWED IT WORD FOR WORD, I COULDN’T GO WRONG. This mixer was one of the first things we put on the worktop as it looks beautiful with its minimalist, glossy design and rounded edges, I was happy to leave it out even if I never switched it on, however if you need to store it in the cupboard all the accessories fit in the bowl, keeping everything together in one place. The Precision Stand Mixer is so easy to use, there is a little button at the back that that flips up the head of the unit, the bowl attaches with a simple twist and the speed is set by a large, clearly numbered dial with 12 different speeds to perform everything from delicate folds to intense whipping. It comes with three attachments: a mixing paddle, a whisk attachment and a dough hook, making it suitable for making bread, batter, sauces, whisking egg whites, cake, cookies and even homemade pasta and pizza dough. The large 5.2L stainlesssteel (dishwasher proof) mixing bowl has a comfortable handle and a transparent splash guard that can be fitted to the top with a lift-up compartment to let you continue to add ingredients, although you will have
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Minimalist, glossy design
to remove it every time you tilt the head back. I was half way through following the recipe when I realised there was a printing error and it failed to tell you when to add the flour, salt and baking power, I immediately panicked, chucked in all the ingredients and followed the last few instructions. To my amazement the cookies turned out beautifully. My friends demolished them and couldn’t believe I had made them myself; I would like to say this was the beginning of a sophisticated evening where no one ended up falling asleep under the kitchen table at 3am…I would like to say that. What this mixer did struggle with was very small amounts, like icing for example, as it doesn’t quite reach all the way down, so you may have to go manual (or use a hand mixer) for small tasks, but other than that it is almost foolproof, and provides a fast and efficient way of creating delicious things.
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RRP £275
https://www.cuisinart.co.uk/precision-stand-mixer--black-SM50BU.html PROS High performance 500W motor 12 speed settings for a range of recipes Easy to use and clean 5.2L large capacity, dishwasher safe, bowl
Splash guard with pour spout Quiet Head-lift locks in upright position Robust die cast metal housing and base
CONS Splash guard needs to be removed when lifting the head It struggles when mixing very small
amounts Printing error in recipe booklet
TERMS & CONDITIONS OUR AIM IS TO GIVE OUR READERS THE MOST HONEST REVIEWS WE CAN. WE ALSO WANT TO ENSURE ALL MANUFACTURERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE THEIR GOODS REGARDLESS OF THEIR FINANCIAL STANDING. IN FACT WE ARE INCREDIBLY PROUD THAT START UP COMPANIES HAVE JUST AS MUCH CHANCE OF PROMOTING THEIR GOODS AS DO ESTABLISHED BRANDS. OUR POLICY IS SIMPLE IN THAT WE DON’T OFFER RETURNS UNLESS PREVIOUSLY AGREED. WE ALSO RESERVE THE RIGHT TO KEEP OR SELL THE GOODS TO FUND OUR WRITERS AND KEEP OUR MAGAZINE ACTIVE. WE DO NOT OFFER SPONSORED REVIEWS WHERE WE ARE PAID DIRECTLY FOR THE REVIEW AND WE FEEL THAT THIS MODEL IS THE BEST WAY TO GET AN OBJECTIVE AND IMPARTIAL REVIEW. SO WHILST WE WON’T GUARANTEE A FAVOURABLE REVIEW, WE WILL GUARANTEE AN HONEST ONE. PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS ON WWW.LITTLEGATEPUBLISHING.COM WE ARE DISCLOSING THIS AS WE LIKE TO BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT OUR REVIEWS.
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EXPLORE. ENJOY.
MAXIA 4
THE NEW GENERATION OF THE LEGEND GIVI’S most popular top case, totally redesigned. Stylish as never before, versatile and as strong as ever. • ABS cover with a new design • Internally strengthened outer edge • Double cover made from plastic and aluminium • New outer band • New optical reflectors with small reflector on the outer band • Capacity: 56 lt
Sponsor of the LCR Honda MotoGP Team.
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