Articles by Charles Kliment

Insta360 X4 Is an 8K 360 Camera That Reaches New Heights in Shooting and Editing

News

Insta360 X4 Is an 8K 360 Camera That Reaches New Heights in Shooting and Editing

Insta360’s newest camera has some very impressive specifications and equally impressive features. The Insta360 X4 is the company’s latest flagship 360 camera; it offers 8K 360-degree video and 5.6K at 60 fps or 4K at 100 fps. The image quality represented in the company’s sample videos is a huge step forward. When combined with the ability to “shoot first, point later” and the invisible selfie stick, the creative possibilities have no limits. The X4 can also be used as a traditional action camera using a single lens, providing smooth, ultra-wide 4K at 60fps.

The GVM PRO-SD300B and accessories

Reviews

GVM PRO-SD300B Review: Excellent Quality Light in a Handsome Package

GVM (Great Video Maker) offers a line of assorted products for videographers and photographers, including monolights, tube lights, panel lights, flexible lights, and pocket lights. They also produce camera sliders, wireless microphones, teleprompters, and other accessories. GVM products are often aggressively priced compared to the competition while offering similar features and overall quality. GVM has certainly stepped it up with their new line of spotlights. This review examines the GVM PRO-SD300B, a 300-watt monolight specifically designed for today’s shooting environments.

WD_Black C50 plugged into an Xbox

Reviews

WD_Black C50 Review: Rugged and Fast Xbox Storage Expansion

Are you looking to supercharge your Xbox Series X|S with extra storage? If so, you’ll want to check out the WD_BLACK C50 Storage Expansion Card. This officially licensed accessory offers a seamless solution for storing today’s larger games. To use it, you insert the card into your console for expanded storage with performance on par with the Xbox’s internal drive. It’s easy to use and definitely fast, but as of now, it is only available in 512GB and 1TB sizes.

SteelSeries Alias Pro XLR Mic Review: Two Excellent Products in One

Reviews

SteelSeries Alias Pro XLR Mic Review: Two Excellent Products in One

SteelSeries has earned a reputation for its high-quality gaming headsets and has now entered the gaming microphone market with two versions of its new Alias microphone. I am testing the SteelSeries Alias Pro, an XLR microphone, and the Stream Mixer interface in this review. A sister product, the SteelSeries Alias, is a USB microphone with an integrated interface.

Arlo Essential XL Outdoor Camera (2nd Generation) Review: Excellent Video, Beautiful Design for Under $100

Reviews

Arlo Essential XL Outdoor Camera (2nd Generation) Review: Excellent Video, Beautiful Design for Under $100

Arlo sells a variety of home security products, including doorbells, cameras, floodlights, and security systems. I recently reviewed their Arlo Home Security System and the Arlo Pro 5S 2K Wireless Security Camera, both of which I found to be very good. Now, we’ll look at the Arlo Essential XL Outdoor Camera, an HD wireless security camera that packs a good deal of features into an affordable package.

Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD ANC (2nd-Gen) Review: Neckband Earbuds with Robust Sound but Average ANC

Reviews

Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD ANC (2nd-Gen) Review: Neckband Earbuds with Robust Sound but Average ANC

Beyerdynamic’s second-generation Blue BYRD in-ear headset is a bit of an odd bird these days (if you forgive the pun). Their styling is a bit retro, yet they offer several advanced features. The neckband design is the first thing you notice about the Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD ANC headset. Although not nearly as common today as in-ear earbuds, the Blue BYRD’s band offers a few advantages. For example, moving the battery to the band allows for the use of 10mm dynamic drivers.

Heybike Horizon E-Bike Review: Full Suspension, Folding, Fat Tire Fun

Reviews, Outdoors

Heybike Horizon E-Bike Review: Full Suspension, Folding, Fat Tire Fun

I recently reviewed the Mars 2.0, another recent e-bike from Heybike, and I loved it. The Heybike Horizon went on sale last week and is currently priced at $1699.99. The Mars 2.0 currently sells for $1099.99. What is the difference between the two, and what justifies the added $600 expenditure? How about a Horst-link rear suspension and hydraulic front suspension, 24 “×4” fat tires, as well as hydraulic brakes and headlight and back/brake lights both with turn signals? How does it stack up? Let’s take a look.

UPDATED: Audigo Wireless Microphone Review: Remote Recording Made Easy

Reviews

UPDATED: Audigo Wireless Microphone Review: Remote Recording Made Easy

Audigo Labs is a San Fransico-based company founded in 2019 by drummer and former Tesla engineer Armen Nazarian “after being frustrated by the lack of simple to use, high-quality sound recording solutions available to content creators.” The Audigo wireless microphone works as an extension of your iPhone to greatly improve the quality of your recordings, be they in your studio or backyard.

Nanoleaf Ultra Black Shapes Hexagons and Triangles Review: Dramatic Lighting Effects that Look Like Art When Not in Use

Reviews, Game Diary

Nanoleaf Ultra Black Shapes Hexagons and Triangles Review: Dramatic Lighting Effects that Look Like Art When Not in Use

Nanoleaf is a technology and Internet of Things-focused company that, since 2012, has offered a line of modern smart home products, including several series of light panels. Their system of smart light panels is available as triangles, mini triangles, and hexagons. Occasionally, the company offers limited editions of these products, as is the case with the Nanoleaf Ultra Black Shapes, which are available in Hexagon and Triangle Smarter Kits.

Govee Hexagon Light Panels Ultra Will Provide Customizable, 3D-Like Gaming Light Scenarios

Gear Bits, Game Diary

Govee Hexagon Light Panels Ultra Will Provide Customizable, 3D-Like Gaming Light Scenarios

There are many manufacturers with product lines that include interlocking flat light panels of various shapes, but Govee is introducing something completely new, the Govee Hexagon Light Panels Ultra, which offers the world’s first combination of line and surface illumination. The panels support three illumination modes: individual lines, individual surfaces, and combined lines and surfaces.

Pivo Max + Essential Kit accessories unboxed

Reviews

Pivo Max + Essential Kit Review: An Elegantly Simple Content Creation Tool

Pivo is a California-based company that makes a line of content creation tools, including camera tracking pods and related accessories such as lights, microphones, and tripods. They offer three versions of their main product, the AI-powered Pivo Pod: Pivo Pod Lite, Pivo Pod, and Pivo Max. In this review, we’ll be looking at the Pivo Max + Essential Kit.

The SJCam C300 next to a pair of eyeglasses

Reviews

SJCam C300 Review: A Tiny, Inexpensive Action Camera with Many Accessories

It would not be surprising if many are unfamiliar with SJCam, yet the Chinese company has been making low-cost action cameras since 2011. The SJCam C300 is a recent addition to their product line, and at $159.00, it has quite a lot to offer. Those familiar with the GoPro Hero and DJI Osmo Action cameras will immediately ask how does this much-less-expensive camera compare? The quick answer is not particularly well, but considering those cameras cost three times as much, we need to examine the C300 further.