September 2018


ASP Pro DF Flashlight Brings 500 Lumens of Quality

Flashlight technology has come a long way; whether you need one in tactical situations, outdoor adventures, or everyday use, the ASP Pro DF ($140) will meet your needs. As hunting season approaches, I plan on using the ASP Pro DF on a regular basis; it comes packed with features and is made with high-quality materials. Let’s take a look. 




Smartphones at Laptop Prices: Apple’s 2018 Keynote

Before we get into Apple’s Keynote announcement where they didn’t announce new Airpods or the elusive AirPower (because it’s indeed in the “air” at this point), let me just say that I plan on getting the iPhone Xs Max, the 512GB version, in Gold. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way… here we go.



Mega Power with RazorMega Portable Battery from myCharge

This time of year is super crazy here in Texas. As I chase the Friday Night Lights dream, I find myself constantly on the road. There are no charging stations on football fields and school buses. I always need a way to keep my phone charged often deep into the night. The RazorMega ($69.99) from MyCharge looks to be the perfect tool. 


Plux Wireless Charger Recharges All of Your Digital Life

Standalone, uni-functional gear is fine, but a piece of equipment that can multitask is even better. The Plux wireless charging pad from Vinpok is one such item. It can wirelessly charge not only your phone but your Apple Watch and Airpods too, all at the same time and doing it standing up or laying flat.



NordicTrack Grand Tour Series: High-Tech Exercise Bikes on a Budget

NordicTrack has long been known for their high-quality home exercise equipment and they do not disappoint with their Grand Tour Series of exercise bikes. The Grand Tour features Android-powered HD touchscreens, access to professional trainer-led workouts, incline adjustments in addition to resistance, Silent Magnetic Resistance technology, adjustable seats, and included dumbbells. The NordicTrack Grand Tour series starts at $999.


Rocketbook and Think Board Team Up on Kickstarter for a Rocketbook’d Whiteboard

The folks at Rocketbook make an awesome product. Jot down your thoughts, snap a photo with the app, and upload it to the cloud service or email of your choice. Wipe your notebook clean, and do it all over again. They’ve teamed up with the folks at Think Board to combine Rocketbook’s magic with Think Board’s peel and stick whiteboards to create the Think Board X, so even your murderboard can be properly immortalized in the cloud.


2019 Volkswagen Jetta is the ‘Betta Jetta’ Yet

Volkswagen is one of the leading automakers in the world, and right now is a great time for product here in the U.S. We have seen a great new 3-row SUV (Atlas) and a total makeover of the Tiguan crossover. Now we see the next-generation Jetta compact sedan, and what a winner this is.


Make Your Fall Hike Even More Enjoyable with These Gadgets

It’s kind of sad that summer 2018 is already behind us – but being able to open the windows in our house and enjoy some cool, fresh air is really lovely! To make the transition into fall a little cheerier, and to take advantage of the gorgeous weather, why not treat yourself to one (or more!) of these terrific outdoor-friendly items?




Birksun Boost 2 Solar Backpack: Clean Power on the Go

I split my time between writing freelance, playing music, and helping my entrepreneur wife run her makerspace. So as you can imagine, I’m on the go a lot. I visit a steady rotation of local cafes, bookstores, and libraries — laptop and smartphone in hand so I can do my work, stay in contact with clients, and work on music.


Bmmpr Protects Your Car Where Others Don’t

You finally got that new car you’ve always wanted and you even sprang for the connected car services. So when you come out and find the window shattered or a large dent in the fender, why didn’t your car tell you (or anyone for that matter) that something had happened? That’s where Bmmpr steps in.


2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Ushers in New Era

Toyota did something a bit unusual to debut the 12th generation of one of its most popular models. The 2019 Toyota Corolla arrived first as a hatchback. And while this is not the first subcompact hatchback from Toyota, it is the first to carry the name Corolla Hatchback here in North America – and it’s a good one.


My Experience Building a New PC

Before classes began this year, I’d decided it was finally time to get a new PC. My current laptop was a behemoth, weighing a little under 5 pounds with hardware a little over 7 years old. I’d been wanting and looking for a new PC off and on for a few years now, but nothing either fit what I needed or was within my price range.


Gear Diary’s Best of IFA 2018 Awards

The annual IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin covers about 160,000 square meters and almost 2,000 exhibitors. Whether it was on the floor, at a press conference, at the media-only Showstoppers event, or in private meetings, we scoured IFA to find the latest and greatest to make up Gear Diary’s Best of IFA 2018 list.


What I Learned Pressing My Own Record to Vinyl

I’ve been collecting vinyl records for around twelve years now. So as a musician myself, I’ve obviously always dreamed of putting my own music to wax. So when my band went into the studio to record our second album, we wanted to make that dream a reality.