Articles by Julie Strietelmeier

ROKR Mechanical Typewriter Wooden 3D Puzzle Review: A Gorgeous Build That’s More Display Piece Than Typewriter

Most model kits give you a nice feeling of accomplishment and a finished piece by the end of the night. The ROKR Mechanical Typewriter Wooden 3D Puzzle is not that kind of kit. This is a 320-piece wooden puzzle model that demands patience (a LOT of patience), a steady hand, and a real willingness to stick with it when the build gets fiddly. It also promises something extra: not just a display piece, but a typewriter-inspired mechanism with moving keys, internal linkages, and a paper carriage. That sounded amazing on the box. In practice, it turned into a much bigger…

Reviews

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 Review: Flipping Over This Flip Phone, Until the Camera Zooms In

I’ve reviewed dozens of phones over the years, and a folding phone – the OnePlus Open (check out Judie’s review), but this will be my first flip phone review, and as a bonus, it’s my first official review for Gear Diary! Today, we’re taking a look at the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 model. Let’s find out if I prefer a phone that easily fits in my front pocket vs my iPhone 16 Pro Max, which I’ve been rocking as my daily driver since it dropped in 2024.

Reviews, Outdoors

Infinity X1 2000 Lumen Camp Light Review: A Bright, Versatile Light for Camping, Work, and Anywhere You Need Portable Illumination

A good portable light can be useful for a lot more than camping. The Infinity X1 2000 Lumen Camp Light is designed for campsites, but it also looks like the kind of gear that could be just as handy in a barn, workshop, shed, or anywhere electricity is limited. It promises high output, adjustable color temperature, tripod-style support, a remote control, and even solar panel compatibility. After taking a close look at the design and trying it in a dark barn, this light turns out to be more practical than its name alone might suggest.

Reviews

K-Swiss Hypercourt Supreme 2 Tennis Shoe Review: Great-Looking Court Shoes That Prefer Errands Over Treadmill Miles

The K-Swiss Hypercourt Supreme 2 women’s tennis shoes make a strong first impression. They have a sleek, athletic look, solid construction, and a color combination that really pops. But good looks only go so far when a shoe is supposed to handle tennis matches and treadmill miles. After taking a close look at the design and then putting in several walking sessions (sorry, I don’t play tennis), the big question became pretty simple: are these better as performance shoes or as everyday sneakers?

Reviews

CHERRY XTRFY K33 Keyboard Review: A Compact 75% Keyboard with Splash Resistance and a Twist

The CHERRY XTRFY K33 has a feature that instantly stands out in a crowded mechanical keyboard market. It is a compact 75% gaming keyboard with an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance. That alone makes it a little unusual. Add tri-mode wireless connectivity, RGB lighting, Mac and Windows support, and CHERRY’s so-called memchanical switches, and this keyboard starts to feel like a product with its own personality. I spent some time looking over the design, checking out the key layout, testing the lighting, and getting a sense of how the hybrid switches feel in everyday use.

Gear Bits

Flipside 5 Wallet Launches with Faster Card Access, RFID Protection, and AirTag-Friendly Upgrades

Flipside has officially launched the Flipside 5, the latest iteration of its long-running minimalist wallet line, bringing updated materials, improved capacity, and new accessory options to its signature quick-access design. The fifth-generation wallet continues to center around Flipside’s double-sided quick-draw system, which allows users to access frequently used cards from either side of the wallet with a simple thumb motion. Each outer slot holds three to four cards, giving the Flipside 5 a total quick-access capacity of up to eight cards without sacrificing its slim footprint.

Reviews

PollyFab Aero Pro and Airpuff One 3D-Printed Shoes Review: Futuristic Footwear That Misses a Few Steps

3D-printed products are all over the place, but 3D-printed shoes still feel a little futuristic to me. PollyFab sent over two styles for me to try: the Aero Pro and the Airpuff One. After wearing both pairs around the house, on hardwood floors, on stairs, and even on a treadmill, it became clear that these 3D-printed shoes are definitely unique. But they also come with some real limitations.

Reviews

HOTLIGH Worklight Review: A Compact Rechargeable Light with More Tricks Than Expected

Some work lights are all business, and some have just enough gadget appeal to make you want to use them all the time. The HOTLIGH Worklight definitely lands in the second group. It looks a little like a tiny folding lightsaber, but it’s actually a rechargeable multi-mode task light with a light bar, a spotlight, UV lighting, a magnetic body, and a built-in hook. After a quick hands-on test, this is the kind of light that feels just as useful for a toolbox as it does for desk work, wiring projects, or poking around under the hood of a car.

Reviews

Llano F-17 Card Reader Review: A Pocket-size Card Reader and Storage Case for Travel

If you travel with an action camera, drone, or any other gadget that uses SD and microSD cards, it’s easy to end up with loose memory cards floating around in your gear bag. The Llano F-17 Card Reader aims to fix the issue that by combining a USB-C card reader with a tiny storage case that slips into a pocket. It can read full-size SD and microSD cards, and it also has dedicated spots inside to stash them when they aren’t in use. Let’s take a closer look.

Reviews

Keychron B11 Pro Folding Travel Keyboard Review: A Travel Keyboard That is Actually Great to Type On!

The Keychron B11 Pro folding travel keyboard is one of those gadgets that sounds more practical than exciting. That is, until you need to respond to a long email on a tablet, take notes on the go, or pack light for a trip. Then it starts making a whole lot of sense. What makes this one interesting is that it doesn’t just fold for travel. It also opens into a genuinely roomy keyboard with a shape that feels far less cramped than most portable options. I’m a bit of a keyboard snob, so let’s check it out and see what…

Reviews

DEERC 1205 BRUSHLESS RC Car Review: Easy and Fun, Even for Newbies

It’s been a while since I’ve played with an RC car, so opening up the DEERC 1205 BRUSHLESS RC Car felt like jumping into a hobby from the beginner side of the learning curve. The good news is that this brushless RC truck turned out to be a lot of fun right away. It’s quick, looks great, includes some nice extras, and was easier to get running than expected. It also has one design choice that’s more annoying than it should be. Let’s open the box, check out the features, and see how it does on a gravel driveway.

Reviews

Baseus S2 4K Security Camera Review: An Outdoor Solar-Powered Camera With No Monthly Subscription

If you like the idea of an outdoor security camera but don’t want to pay ongoing fees just to use it, the Baseus S2 4K Security Camera is an especially interesting option. It’s a wireless outdoor camera with local storage support, app access, motion events, person and animal detection, and one feature that immediately stands out: a built-in solar panel on top that rotates to follow sunlight for better charging.

News & Features, Crowdfunding

3 New Wallets That Make My Current Wallet Jealous!

If your current wallet is starting to feel a little boring, these three wallets might give it a serious case of envy. Two are Kickstarter projects, and one is from an established brand. One mixes a reusable notebook with EDC essentials, one is all about slim-and-clean card carrying, and one is designed to help you grab the right card super fast. They’re all quirky, clever, and just different enough to make you seriously think it’s time to upgrade. Let’s check them out.

Reviews

MOFT Dynamic Folio iPad Case Review: A Clever Origami-style Case That Might Become Your New Favorite

The MOFT Dynamic Folio iPad Case is one of those accessories that looks simple at first glance, but gets more interesting the more you use it. It’s designed for iPads and uses a foldable, magnetic, origami-inspired cover to create multiple stand positions. Add in the optional modular Apple Pencil holder, and you end up with a case that’s trying to do a lot more than basic front-and-back protection.

Reviews, Travel

VollyC EZYPAK Vacuum Travel Bags Review: A Travel Hack That Actually Saves Space

If you’ve ever stared at a suitcase and wondered how your clothes multiplied overnight, vacuum travel bags can feel like a pretty tempting solution. For an epic 14-day trip to Ireland, I tested the VollyC EZYPAK system to see whether these vacuum travel bags really make packing easier, more compact, and more organized. After trying them at home and then using them throughout a two-week trip with frequent hotel changes, I’ll let you know what I think.

Game Diary, Reviews

CRKD ATOM Keychain Gaming Controller Review: A Tiny but Functional Controller for Fun and Travel

If you like mobile gaming but don’t want to carry a full-size controller everywhere, a keychain gaming controller like the CRKD ATOM is a fun idea. It’s tiny, Bluetooth-enabled, and small enough to slip into a pocket or bag when you’re traveling or just heading out to an appointment. I took a look at what comes in the box, how the controller is laid out, how pairing works with an iPhone, and whether this miniature controller is actually usable in a real game.