It is that time of the year when we all head out to the pool, beach, or outdoors enjoying the warm temperatures and sunny days. No summer trip is complete without bringing along cold beverages. CleverMade has a great option with the $29.99 SnapBasket Cooler. Not only will it keep drinks cold, but it stores easily. Let’s take a look.
As a self-proclaimed BBQ pitmaster, I spend most days of summer perfecting my craft. I am always looking for new ways to add smoke to meats and Traeger agreed to send me the $799.99 Pro Series 575 pellet grill to try out. I tested the grill with a whole chicken and an eleven-pound brisket. Let’s take a look!
I smoke a lot of meat and closely monitor temps in the pit as well as the meat. Some of these cooks can be up to 16 hours which can be a long time tied to the smoker. I recently was able to try out the FireBoard WiFi thermometer ($189-$249) and it has been a game changer. Let’s take a look.
I have been using the Vivint Smart Home for some time, and it has really become a regular part of our lives. The initial install and thoughts can be found here (pt1) and here (pt2). The Outdoor Camera Pro has since been released, and I have had the chance to take a look at it. The new camera and features are fantastic.
Most summer days here in south Texas get hot enough that working in the garage or being outside is almost unbearable. I recently had the opportunity to test out the $999 Portacool Cyclone 140 in my own garage/golf cart shop. Texas was kind enough to give me a 103-degree day to start my review. Let’s take a look.
I am in no way a movie buff, and it takes something pretty unique to pique my interest. The trailer for Yesterday immediately caught my attention as a unique story coupled with Beatles music. Directed by Danny Boyle, the movie is about a struggling musician who after an accident realizes he is the only person who remembers the Beatles.
I recently reviewed the ASP Pro DF Flashlight which has a permanent spot in my gear bag. I had the pleasure of also reviewing the Dot ($37), a 130 lumens rechargeable flashlight that fits on a keychain. The Dot is not only tiny, but it’s also rugged and brings plenty of light; it’s a great addition to my flashlight collection.
With football season in full swing and temperatures falling, many people are spending their weekends in cool stadiums. My wife has spent 21 years following around my football team and is an expert at stadium comfort. She has spent the beginning of my season using The Hot Seat ($79 on Indiegogo). Let’s see how it holds up to the Friday Night Lights.
I am completely sold on the idea of truly wireless earphones. While the selection is growing, finding quality is often difficult. Phiaton Corporation today announced the BOLT BT 700 wireless earphones featuring armature drivers and a portable charging case that doubles as a wireless speaker on Kickstarter ($79/$139). I was lucky enough to get an early sample so let’s take a look.
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.
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.
Many of our lives are spent at desks in front of monitors nowadays which is not helping anyone’s health. Standing desks have become popular and iMovR has brought them to a new level. The Lander Desk (starting at $999) is the company’s strongest, smartest, and quietest desk. Packed with features, it connects to your phone to bring it full automation.
As a member of a competitive BBQ team and lover of smoked meats, I do a lot of smoking in the summer. The big secret to great BBQ is correct temperatures and timing. ThermoWorks offers many products to make sure the temps are correct, and I recently had the opportunity to try their newest product, the $69 BlueDOT.
I recently began a two-part review of the Vivint home automation/security solutions. Read the review here before you move on to part 2. The system has definitely become an important part of our home. Part 2 will cover the Playback DVR, door locks, thermostat, smoke detector and other detectors installed.
South Texas mosquitos are often the size of a pigeon and seem to be super hungry for human blood. I have used a Thermacell for hunting and outdoors for years. Their new Radius Zone Mosquito Repellent ($49.99) brings scent free, powerful protection with only one refill component and a rechargeable battery. Let’s see how it holds up to summer skeeters.
I recently had the good people from Vivint come and install a home automation system/security system in my home. Vivint provides a ton of options and provides professional installation with every purchase. Read on to see how the process and products have transformed my home.
I have not worn a wedding band for many years. Not because I am avoiding the appearance of being married, but because of my outdoor lifestyle. My poor ring has been through a lot in the last 20 years, and I finally just quit wearing it. For around $40, I purchased a Qalo ring; I’m not disappointed in the least.
I love being able to have lighting options off of the grid, both for piece of mind during an emergency and also during my outdoor adventures. The Cairn XL Smart Lantern ($99) brings quality, phone connectivity, and spare power in a well designed, water and dust proof package. This light excels in all categories. Let’s take a look!
Free HDTV channels are a must for any cord cutter. Many new channels are becoming available over the air which greatly expands viewing options. These channels are free, and they have fantastic picture quality. Winegard, who is known for their antenna solutions as you can see in my review here, has released an app to help find the towers.
I spend a lot of time hunting, on a tractor, and generally in the outdoors. Protecting my iPhone 7+ can be a daunting task in some of the conditions I carry it. I recently tried out the SnowLizard SLXtreme iPhone 7+/8+ case, and found it to be packed with protective features.
As a cord cutter, finding streaming sources of television has become important. One thing many streaming services ignore is over the air locals. Most local channels have 3 or 4 channels packaged together, and the HD quality is much better than what is found on a satellite. The Winegard Elite 7550 is an excellent streaming option for those local channels.
