Dan Cohen | Gear Diary

ThinkTank Photo Street Walker HardDrive Backpack Review

photos by Kevin Stanford We have already looked at a number of offerings from Think Tank Photo. We reviewed the ThinkTank Retrospective 7 Camera Bag. (Read the review.) We also reviewed the ThinkTank Photo StreetWalker Camera Backpack that has now taken up residence with Judie. (Read the review.) And finally we reviewed the Think Tank Photo Urban Disguise 35 V2.0. (Read the review.) As I was finishing this initial series of reviews I commented that I wish I had something that would carry all my gear AND my 15″ MacBook Pro Retina. A short time later the ThinkTank Photo Street Walker…

News & Features

Of Sparks, Mimes and Remote Controls…

Would you look at this… the all-new Chevy Spark is??? remote-controlled?? As the release we received notes, While not for kids, the 2013 Chevy Spark is perfect for the city-dweller or….a mime? Over the next few months, Chevy is importing their export – the Spark – by releasing a series of videos highlighting its standout features in a way that is uniquely Spark. As a case in point we were sent links to the first videos in the lineup. In this video some rather forgetful mimes help save the day with a little help from the OnStar RemoteLink mobile app….

Gear Bits

All-In With the New iPad

Mike and Carly have discussed the fact that the iPad is their 80% Plus computer. Mike even went so far as to try to use the iPad exclusively for a few days. (You can read about it here.) Well, I am embarking on my iPad-only experiment although I do so out of necessity. You see, prior to the MacBook ProR I had at least two computers. Usually that meant a desktop and a laptop but, for a time it meant a 11″ and a 13″ MacBook Air. That meant I always has a “spare” Mac available to me. Not…

Reviews

FS-PRO Camera Sling Strap with F-1 Foldable Mounting Plate Review

We reviewed the Carry Speed DS-Slim Camera Sling Strap with D-1 Wide Platform Ballhead back in September. (Read the review.) I was impressed with the system. It was a HUGE improvement over the strap Canon included with my T3i. Still, I didn’t love the fact that, like so many other camera straps that attach to the bottom of a DSLR, it took over the tripod mount. That meant the connector needed to be removed whenever I wanted to mount the camera on a tripod, and while that wasn’t a deal-breaker it was an annoyance. Thankfully there was an easy solution….

News & Features

Lexus Ad Highlights the Tech in the 2013 ES with a Hi-Tech Ad

I love my IS 250. There are times when I feel like it is a tiny bit too small, and I would have preferred something like the larger ES but, 99% of the time I could not be more happy with the car I chose to lease last year. Lexus is pushing the 2013 ES with an extensive marketing campaign and, this time out, they have an advertisement that, “like the entirely new ES, merges next-generation technologies with stunning visuals”. Starting today, you can bring the Lexus ES print ad found in today’s issue of Sports Illustrated magazine to life…

News & Features

NYNE NB-200 and NB-230 Bluetooth Speakers Combine Style and Sound

There are plenty Bluetooth speakers on the market. Now a new company, NYNE, has released a series of speakers designed for an “active life-style”. Their NB-200 and NB-230 Bluetooth speakers provide in-home quality audio through either a wireless connection with any Bluetooth enabled device, or a 3.5mm aux-in cable connection with a non-Bluetooth device. Their stylish and portable form allows for music enjoyment on-the-go both indoors and outdoors. Here’s a look at both. There’s the NB-200. It is designed to be taken with you wherever you go and can be attached to a bike or baby stroller handlebars with its…

Reviews

Incipio feather SHINE for iPhone 5 Review

My favorite case is “no case”. Unfortunately, “no case” also means “no protection” and with a phone whose unlocked cost approaches $1000, that’s not an option. That’s why I’ve always been a fan of Incipio’s feather cases. They don’t offer a great deal of drop protection but they do help keep scratches at bay. Incipio offers the traditional feather for the iPhone 5 but they also have the feather SHINE for iPhone 5. Here’s a look… From Incipio: feather SHINE – The feather® Shine for iPhone 5 remains sleek while providing full access to your media functions. The feather® Shine…

Reviews

Incipio KICKSNAP Case for the iPhone 5

Incipio’s KICKSNAP Impact Resistant Case with Integrated Kickstand for the iPhone 5 is the second iPhone 5 case we are looking at from Incipio. This case has an MSRP of $34.99 and offers decent protection in a choice of a few different color patterns. From Incipio: A package deal with dual-injected materials, a low-profile NGP® core, a Plextonium™ frame, and a custom retractable, built-in Kickstand® for hands-free viewing, the KICKSNAP™ case is a well-made, sleek and functional solution. The case offers: Rigid Plextonium™ shell with impact resistant core Built-in Kickstand Excellent shock absorption Hands free viewing Here’s our video look at it……

Reviews

Incipio FREQUENCY Textured Impact Resistant Case for the iPhone 5 Video Review

Incipio’s FREQUENCY Textured Impact Resistant Case for the iPhone 5 may not look like much but it offers amazing protection in a light and easy-to-hold case. And it has a great price too! From Incipio: This next level case by Incipio employs the impact resistant NGP® soft shell construction to provide full-coverage protection for the iPhone 5 and incorporates a design reminiscent of the post-analog, digital FREQUENCY™ waves. The case features: Excellent shock absorption Easy wrap around design Tear and stretch resistant Will not fade Here’s our video look… The FREQUENCY Textured Impact Resistant Case comes in a range of colors…

Reviews

Incipio Faxion for iPhone 5 Video Review

Incipio has announced a number of cases for the iPhone 5. This is the first in a series of quick-looks at each. This time out we have the Incipio Faxion. The cases simple but,as this diagram makes clear,there is a lot going on with it. The cases features: Rigid Plextonium™ shell with impact resistant core Excellent shock absorption Innovative hybrid design Superior Protection I like the case a lot. As you can see from the video, it offers a simple but effective means of providing your iPhone 5 complete protection, including a bit of lay on the table protection. And…

News & Features

Evernote Smart Notebooks Now Shipping

Evernote is now shipping their new Smart Notebooks. They work great with the Evernote Page Camera that is now part of the Evernote iOS app. (We wrote about it here.) The Page Camera lets you capture images of text on a page and optimize it for saving to Evernote. It works great on its own but, when combined with the Smart Notebooks it is truly an impressive way to record and later access information. I saw the notebooks in person a few weeks ago and was impressed. They are pricey but… quality costs. Plus there is the added benefit of…

Reviews

Jabra Solemate Bluetooth Speaker Review

I’ve had my Jawbone Jambox for well over a year, and I’ve loved it. It is small, easy to use, and it packs a punch! More recently I had the opportunity to review the Braven 600. It is about the same size, but it has a built-in battery that will also charge your mobile device even as it fills the space with music. Then there is the most recent entry into this category – the Jabra Solemate Bluetooth Portable Speaker. It costs $200, is a bit bigger than the other two speakers and, quite frankly, looks like it wants to…

Reviews

Mission Workshop R6 Arkiv Field Pack Video Review

We reviewed Mission Workshop’s Sanction Weatherproof Rucksack in November of 2011. (Read the review here.) This time out we are taking a look at the company’s R6 Arkiv Field Pack. The Mission Workshop Sanction Weatherproof Rucksack is one of the more unusual backpacks we have ever seen. In fact, it isn’t exactly a backpack. A more accurate way to describe the R6 Arkiv would be to refer to it as “backpackS”. You see, the R6 Arkiv is highly configurable and can be used in a variety of ways. Here’s our video look, the company’s description, and how you might end…

News & Features

Phorus and Play-Fi Want to Bring Music to Every Room in Your House

If you read the site, then you know that I love my Sonos audio system; you also know I am an OS X and iOS guy. Still, I’m always on the lookout for the next awesome home audio solution. That’s why I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak with a number of the key players from Phorus a few weeks ago. Phorus, and their signature Play-Fi wireless technology, are poised to challenge your assumptions about home audio on every level. The system is simple to set up, sounds great, offers flexibility with regard to connectivity, is priced to be accessable, can…

Reviews

Desktop Chair for iPad and MacBook air Review

We’ve looked at numerous iPad stands but few have been as simple and natural as this Desktop Chair from Moku Woodware. The Desktop Chair promises to “turn your laptop into a desktop”. Made from natural basswood, the Desktop Chair looks neat on its own and works well, except when it doesn’t. Let’s take a look. From Moku Woodware: While we enjoy the mobility of laptop, some of us still use desktops to work efficiently and comfortably. Hand made with fine natural basswood, Desktop Chair simply holds your Apple laptop and turns it into a desktop machine with an external display,…

Reviews

olloclip Review

The camera on the last two generations of iPhone is pretty amazing. The iPhone 4S upped the photographic game in a big way. And while the camera on the iPhone 5 doesn’t look that much better on paper, when you actually shoot with it, the improvements are clear. One of the best ways to get the most out of your iPhone camera is to use one of the many available after-market lens systems. We looked at one such system over the summer. (It comes from our newsletter underwriter USBFever and you can read the full post here.) Another, more compact,…

Gear Bits

If You Watch One Video Today, This Is It

I live in the public eye. That’s a choice I made when I entered the congregational rabbinate. As a result, people comment on pretty much every aspect about me. Sometimes they are kind; at other times they aren’t. And, thankfully, over the years, I have developed a fairly tough skin. And when that fails I have a few good friends who let me vent and put it behind me. Elana did not make this choice, but she too will often receive comments from people. Sometimes they are kind, and other times they may not be. Regardless, people will often comment…

News & Features

Incipio Rolls Out Six New iPhone 5 Protective Case Designs

A fan of minimalist iPhone cases, Incipio’s feather is one of my go-to cases. Now the company has rolled out its initial line of iPhone 5 cases and, of course, the feather is leading the pack. As sAndy Fathollahi, Chief Executive Officer of Incipio notes, We have been working diligently to provide consumers with an array of iPhone 5 case solutions and couldn’t be happier to announce these new additions. We will continue to unveil new cases as our design and production teams are always pushing the envelope on innovation. The cases are available at Verizon, AT&T and many other…

News & Features

Pelican ProGear Sport Backpacks Let You Carry, and Protect, Your Gear

If you need to protect your device from being crushing there is no better option than one of Pelican’s hard cases. Now the company is rolling out a line of backpacks that take the same approach to extreme-protection of all your devices. The Pelican ProGear Sport Backpacks are a collection of lightweight backpacks housing crushproof and watertight Pelican cases to safeguard your personal electronics including laptops, MacBook computers, netbooks, e-readers, tablets, keyboards and other accessories. The backpacks come in a range of colors and are constructed from ballistic nylon. The Elite models have “four adhesive, memory foam buffers, which secure the…

Reviews

Lowepro S&F Lens Exchange Case 100 AW, Video Review

I’m quite happy with the lens that came with my Canon T3i Kit. The EFS 18-55mm lens works great and really falls well into the “all-purpose” category. Still, there are times when a more powerful telephoto lens comes in handy. After all, I would never have been able to get this shot without it back in August… What this means is that, at times, I will want to have both the kit lens and the telephoto lens with me. For that I need a safe and convenient way to not only carry the extra lens but to also swap lenses…

Reviews

JOBY 3-Way Camera Strap Review

I’m a big fan of JOBY’s products and have been since I reviewed their very first GorillaMobile Tripod. That review sample is still going strong, and in the years since the company has added numerous other products to their portfolio. One thing that did come as a bit of a surprise to me was their move into the camera strap market. They currently have three camera straps available, and each brings their same commitment to rethinking familiar products and adding flexibility and value to them in the process. In this video review, we take a look at their most unusual…

Articles by Dan Cohen