2024 | Gear Diary

New Game Monday, February 2024 Edition: First Impressions of Four Games That Are Being Actively Hyped to Me

Hello, Readers! It’s the year of our Lord 2024, and I’ve cranked out quite a few reviews, each seemingly longer than the last. I enjoy writing, but I’m currently in a bit of a pickle as to what to put my grubby meathooks on next. A lot of stuff has been launched recently by the usual murderer’s row of development teams, but to be honest, none of it really interests me. So, I’m going to start a series called New Game Monday that I may or may not update monthly; it just depends on what’s new and interesting.

Deals

Get the ZVOX AccuVoice AV120 Compact TV Soundbar with Bluetooth for $69.99, and You’ll Be Able to Hear the Dialogue in All Your Favorite Shows

If you often find yourself rewinding to catch the dialogue in your favorite shows or relying on closed captions during intense TV moments, ZVOX’s range of TV speakers, soundbars, and headphones might be the solution you need. We’ve just got word that the $149.99 ZVOX AccuVoice AV120 compact TV soundbar with Bluetooth (in Bronze) will be available for under $70 for a limited time, so there’s never been a better time to give AccuVoice technology a try!

Reviews

OnePlus 12R Review: The Combination of Performance and Affordability Upon Which the Company Was Built

Judie recently reviewed the new flagship from OnePlus, the OnePlus 12. It is a superb phone that is markedly less expensive than competing flagship devices. Still, at a starting price of $800, it’s still a bit pricey. Thankfully, the company’s roots shine through with the OnePlus 12R. It’s a great device at a shockingly affordable price.

The Leica X1 in a Small 3 Legged Thing WRAPZ.

Reviews

3 Legged Thing WRAPZ Review: A Way to Separate, Shield, and Keep Your Gear Dry Without the Need for Custom Cases

How many times have you started to load a bag with gear for an outing, only to realize that you didn’t have a good way to separate and protect your more delicate items, like cameras, lenses, lights, filters, or, in my case, multiple smartphones when I’m going out for a day of taking comparison shots? 3 Legged Thing WRAPZ is a new, versatile solution that keeps your valuable gear separated, shielded, and dry in any environment.

The back of the OPPO Find X7 Ultra as it is held in the author's hand

Reviews

OPPO Find X7 Ultra Review: A Premium Photography Powerhouse, but You Should Expect a Few Trade-offs, Since It’s a Chinese Market Exclusive

There’s a certain allure to having a different smartphone than anyone else, and there are so many interesting phones with amazing hardware that are only meant for the Chinese or other global markets that far too often do not include the United States. The China-exclusive OPPO Find X7 Ultra is just such a device, but there is still much to admire, even if it isn’t specifically meant for the U.S. market.

Deals, Outdoors

EcoFlow Valentine’s Day Sale Will Power You at Home and Away!

The gift of power is a great way to tell your special someone you love them on Valentine’s Day. EcoFlow has become an industry-standard in the portable power market, and they continue to innovate and improve their products. Just in time for Valentine’s, they are having a huge flash sale, with savings of up to $2,399!

Deals, Gift Guides & Round-Ups

MEATER and Traeger Turn Up the Heat for Your Valentine

The season of love is upon us, and it is time to heat things up for the pit master in your life. Valentine’s Day is not only for chocolates and flowers! MEATER and Traeger can help make it a special day!

Reviews, Outdoors

Weber Crafted Accessories Review: A Look at 3 of Them, and How They Can Be a Backyard Kitchen Game-Changer

There are few things my family enjoys more than cooking on our Weber Grill, and now, thanks to the Weber Crafted line of gas grill accessories, our grill has become 10 times more versatile. Simply remove some of your grill grates and replace them with a Weber Crafted accessory, and you open yourself up to a world of possibility!

Outdoors, Reviews

Vosteed Mini Nightshade Review: Perfect EDC for Your Pocket

A great pocketknife is a handy tool for many daily tasks. If I have pockets, I always have a knife on me. Daily carry can be rough on a pocket knife, so having a sharp, rugged knife is at the top of my list. I was recently sent the Vosteed Mini Nightshade to carry; let’s take a look at its performance.

Crowdfunding, Gear Bits, Outdoors

YASHICA Vision Binoculars Offer a Full-Color Night Vision Mode for as Low as $139

YASHICA, a leading Japanese camera brand that’s been in business for over 75 years, has just unveiled the YASHICA Vision—a groundbreaking night vision device that’s currently available to back on Kickstarter. If you’ve ever wished for a better view while trying to engage in low-light observation, you’ll love that YASHICA Vision promises to be a valuable companion for you to explore the mysteries of the night with clarity and precision.

Outdoors, Gear Bits

The WASAGUN Folding Portable Grill Table Is the Ultimate Outdoor BBQ Companion

Whether you’re camping, on the back patio, or tailgating, having a portable table that’s perfect for meal prepping, cooking, and serving makes a big difference, which is why the new WASAGUN Folding Portable Grill Table looks especially intriguing. This portable table boasts a foldable design that allows it to be easily moved and quickly set up in just a few steps. With two layers of shelves for ample storage and a side shelf design that expands the tabletop area, the WASAGUN folding portable grill table looks like the perfect solution for many outdoor cooking scenarios.

Gift Guides & Round-Ups

Gear Diary’s 2024 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: Tell Me What You Want, What You Really, Really Want!

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Feeling unprepared? No worries! Check out our 2024 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for tons of inspiration that’ll make your special someone grin from ear to ear! Whether you’re after something romantic, thoughtful, or that will make their life more comfortable, we’ve got the perfect picks waiting for you. From heartfelt gestures to practical gear, get ready to charm your sweetheart like never before!

News & Features

OnePlus 12 Review: OnePlus Delivers an Affordable Android Flagship That Should Make Google, Samsung, and You Take Notice

OnePlus blasted onto the scene in 2014 with the tagline “Never Settle” and an invitation-only limited-release of the One, cheekily billed as a “flagship killer.” The One challenged the status quo by delivering quality and performance at a shockingly affordable price that, for all it offered, some considered “ridiculously cheap.” Ten years later, the OnePlus 12 is the brand’s latest flagship, offering excellent battery life, camera performance, speeds, and charging capabilities. If you’re weighing the pros and cons before purchasing a new flagship from Samsung and Google, you should also consider the OnePlus 12.

Reviews, Game Diary

Lies of P Review: The Emo Pinocchio Experience That Became My 2023 Game of the Year

Dear Readers, we may have found the 2023 Game of the Year in Lies of P. I’ll admit, when I first saw the game pop up on Steam, my first reaction was, “What a fricking stupid name.” Once I got over my initial revulsion (and admittedly waited for it to go on a small sale), I dove into the discourse surrounding this game to see if it was something truly worth playing. As far as I knew, it had a gameplay loop reminiscent of the much-accredited Dark Souls franchise, where punishment is your only friend as its core alluring trait.

Reviews, Outdoors

Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser Electric Bike Review: A Stylish and Comfortable Ride for Cruising Around Town

The Ride1Up REVV1 I purchased last March is my daily commuter when the weather allows. It is a fantastic moped-style e-bike. The Ride1Up Portola, the company’s first foldable, is a superb bike, especially considering its sub-$1000 price tag; it’s now Raina’s bike. And now we have the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser, which offers style and comfort in step-over and step-through designs.

News & Features, Vehicles & Gear

Nomad 35W Slim Power Adapter, 70W Car Charger, Mount, and Charger Mount — Conveniently Power Your Devices At Home, While Traveling, and On-the-Road!

We know that Nomad makes some of the best cases for your iPhone, and Nomad’s Apple Watch straps are as elegant as they are functional. Of course, Nomad’s wireless charging systems are some of the best available. Recently, they’ve introduced a host of new mobile accessories worth checking out, including the Nomad 35W Slim Power Adapter, 70W Car Charger, Mount, and Charger Mount. Let’s take a look.

Deals

Get a 100″ Hisense U76N Series QLED 4K Google TV for $2999 — Just in Time for the SuperBowl!

Are you ready to elevate your Super Bowl viewing experience? If so, you should check out this Hisense blockbuster deal on their 100″ U76N ULED TV! With this colossal screen, you’ll be right in the middle of the action, bringing the stadium into your living room! Priced at a nearly irresistible $2,999 — a whopping 40% off the original $4,999 — the Hisense 100″ U76N is your ticket to an unparalleled viewing extravaganza.

Gear Bits

Philips Hue Has New Home Lighting Options and a New Security System Available

I love the Hue lighting system in my home, and each year, I find ways to expand the system. That’s easy to do since Phillips Hue is constantly improving and adding new offerings! Philips Hue has announced new indoor and outdoor lighting solutions and a home security system.

Game Diary, Gear Bits

Enjoy Retro Gaming with the Atari THE400 Mini — Pre-orders Are Open Now!

For retro gamers, the Atari THE400 Mini is a dream come true; it offers a nostalgic journey back to the golden era of gaming. THE400 Mini pays homage to the groundbreaking Atari 400, the iconic home computer that debuted in 1979. This faithful recreation captures the essence of the original Atari 400 while incorporating modern technology for an authentic retro gaming experience.

Game Diary, Gear Bits

SteelSeries Launches Special-Edition Dragon Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Headphones to Celebrate the Lunar New Year

If you’re a gamer looking for a not-so-subtle way to celebrate the Lunar New Year, or if you happen to like the color red and dragons, you’ll want to take a look at the new $199.99 Dragon Arctis Nova 7 Wireless – a special edition headset from SteelSeries. Crafted by a team with Chinese and Taiwanese heritage, this headset pays homage to their roots, embracing the essence of family gatherings, festivals, and the onset of the 2024 Lunar New Year.

Reviews

Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe Review: It’s the Perfect iPhone Accessory

Anker has been a trusted name in mobile accessories for a long time, and it’s well deserved. Their budget-friendly charging accessories have been a staple in my travel bag, and the Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe adds to the convenience. Wirelessly charging iPhones, Apple Watches, and Airpods in a compact, travel-ready size, the Cube is worth the hype.