Articles by Travis Ehrlich

Maverick XL-TM Blind

Outdoors, News & Features

The New Maverick XL-TM Blind Offers a Roomy, 360-Degree Fortress for All-Season Hunters

One of the best tools a hunter can have is a great blind. Considering the hours that may be spent inside one, it needs to be comfortable, durable, quiet, and thoughtfully designed for the way people actually hunt. If you are tired of cramped quarters, awkward entryways, noisy plastic panels, and windows that never seem to line up with your shot, the new Maverick XL-TM Blind looks like a serious hard-sided upgrade for your property.

Ninja AutoBarista Pro Fully Automatic Espresso Machine Review: One-Touch Espresso So Good You May Forget the Coffee Shop Exists

Reviews

Ninja AutoBarista Pro Fully Automatic Espresso Machine Review: One-Touch Espresso So Good You May Forget the Coffee Shop Exists

The Ninja AutoBarista Pro Fully Automatic Espresso Machine is a premium addition to your kitchen, bringing the coffee shop experience directly to your countertop. This stainless steel machine feels intentionally designed for coffee enthusiasts who want top-of-the-line espresso without the morning hassle. I have spent the last few years really enjoying coffee drinks, and this machine has revolutionized the way I make them at home. Let’s dive in!

Anker SOLIX S2000 Portable Power Station

Reviews

Anker SOLIX S2000 Review: Keep Your Fridge Running When the Grid Throws in the Towel

Picture this: a severe summer storm rolls into town, the lightning flashes, and the grid goes down. Your mind immediately races through the checklist of modern tragedies: No Wi-Fi. No AC. And, worst of all, a refrigerator packed with premium brisket, craft beer, and dairy products slowly warming up to room temperature. Instead of scrambling for ice bags, you could just sit back, relax, and let a microwave-sized box save your summer. Enter the Anker SOLIX S2000 Portable Power Station, a clever, “fridge-first” battery backup designed explicitly to keep your kitchen running when the utility company throws in the towel.

MeatStick V Duo Review: Two Probes, Serious Heat, and No More BBQ Guesswork

Reviews, Outdoors

MeatStick V Duo Review: Two Probes, Serious Heat, and No More BBQ Guesswork

Whether you are a seasoned pitmaster or a weekend warrior trying not to turn your ribeye into a hockey puck, the MeatStick V Duo is here to save your BBQ reputation. This dual-probe system is built for the multitasker, allowing you to monitor two different proteins, like a slow-smoked brisket and a quick-searing steak, at the exact same time. People often make the mistake of asking how long to cook meat when the secret is the cooking temperature. The MeatStick V Duo will master those temps for a perfect cook every time.

Men's First Tactical A2 Pant Review: Ranch-Tough, Range-Ready, and Surprisingly Good-Looking

Reviews, Outdoors

Men’s First Tactical A2 Pant Review: Ranch-Tough, Range-Ready, and Surprisingly Good-Looking

Whether you are heading to the range, tackling a weekend DIY project, hunting, working on the ranch, or just trying to look like the most prepared person at the grocery store, finding the right pair of pants is a mission in itself. Today, we’re looking at the Men’s First Tactical A2 Pant, a piece of gear that promises to bridge the gap between tactical utility and actually looking good in any setting.

Electactic G31 Pro 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill Review: A Budget-Friendly Backyard Workhorse That Brings the Heat

Reviews, Outdoors

Electactic G31 Pro 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill Review: A Budget-Friendly Backyard Workhorse That Brings the Heat

Like it or not, summer is here, and that means it is time to cook outside. Many of our meals are cooked on a smoker or grill this time of year, so having the right tools is important. I was just able to try out the Electactic G31 Pro 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill, and it has proven its worthiness for my outdoor kitchen. The 3-burner gas grill is perfect for those quick cooks after work.

LawnMaster 48V Max 3-in-1 Brushless 19” Cordless Lawn Mower Review: Quiet, Lightweight, and Ready to Cut the Cord

Reviews, Outdoors

LawnMaster 48V Max 3-in-1 Brushless 19” Cordless Lawn Mower Review: Quiet, Lightweight, and Ready to Cut the Cord

If you’re like me, you probably have a complicated relationship with your lawn. You want it to look like a PGA golf course, but yanking a pull cord until your shoulder files a formal complaint, only to discover you’re out of gas, makes paving it over and painting it green sound tempting. Enter the LawnMaster 48V Max 3-in-1 Brushless 19” Cordless Lawn Mower. It’s sleek, quiet, and basically the Tesla of turf. I’ve been putting it through its paces, and here’s the dirt, or rather the grass, on why it might be your new favorite backyard gadget.

SurviveX Large First Aid Kit Review: Basically a Field Hospital for Your Trunk

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

SurviveX Large First Aid Kit Review: Basically a Field Hospital for Your Trunk

Whether you’re a weekend warrior tackling the trails or just someone who occasionally loses a battle with a stubborn bagel, being prepared is half the battle. I have seen a lot of medical kits, ranging from “two Band-Aids and a prayer” to “full-blown field hospital.” I like to carry kits in my Jeep and have a couple at the ranch in deer blinds, available for emergencies while working. The SurviveX Large First Aid Kit definitely leans toward the latter, and it’s become a fast favorite for my bug-out bags and trunks.

Crafty Moms, Rejoice! Cricut’s Mother’s Day Sale is Here

Deals

Crafty Moms, Rejoice! Cricut’s Mother’s Day Sale is Here

If your mom is the type of person who sees a plain coffee mug and thinks, “That needs a custom vinyl monogram,” or if she’s been eyeing a way to turn her Pinterest boards into reality, listen up. Cricut just kicked off its Mother’s Day sales event. We’re talking discounts on the heavy hitters, including the very first price drop on the brand-new Explore 5 since its launch. Whether she’s a seasoned pro or a beginner, Cricut’s updated Design Space (now featuring an AI Project Designer and Guided Flows) makes the learning curve feel more like a gentle slope.

The Traeger Irontop Series Makes Outdoor Griddling Way More Tempting, and It's Surprisingly Affordable

Gear Bits

The Traeger Irontop Series Makes Outdoor Griddling Way More Tempting, and It’s Surprisingly Affordable

If you’ve been eyeing the outdoor griddle life but your bank account has been staging a protest, Traeger just dropped some news that’ll make your wallet (and your stomach) very happy. Following the massive success of their high-end Flatrock, the family is being expanded with the Traeger Irontop Series. Think of it as the Flatrock’s scrappy, high-achieving younger sibling: it’s got the same DNA and engineering prowess, but it’s priced for those of us who want premium smashed burgers without the “premium” price tag.

Wuben X1 Pro Review: 12,300-Lumens Make the Dark Feel Optional

News & Features

Wuben X1 Pro Review: 12,300-Lumens Make the Dark Feel Optional

If there’s one thing we love at Gear Diary, it’s a gadget that punches way above its weight class, and maybe occasionally makes us feel like we’re carrying a piece of a fallen star in our pockets. Enter the Wuben X1 Pro, the beefed-up successor to the fan-favorite X1 Falcon. Wuben has a reputation for making flashlights that look less like something your grandpa used to find a fuse box and more like something a cyberpunk bounty hunter would use to clear a room.

EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X Whole-Home Backup Power

Deals

EcoFlow’s Earth Day Power Play: Save Big on DELTA Pro Ultra Backup Systems Before April 29

Spring is officially here, and while most of us are busy Marie Kondo-ing our closets or finally tackling that overgrown garden, it’s also the perfect time to think about home resiliency. Let’s be real: between spring storms and the inevitable summer grid strain, having a backup plan that doesn’t involve a noisy, gas-chugging generator is the ultimate flex. EcoFlow is making that transition a whole lot easier (and cheaper) with their Home Improvement Sale. Running now through April 29, they are slashing prices by up to 45% on their heavy hitters, including the powerhouse DELTA Pro Ultra series.

MeatStick V Duo Brings Dual-Probe Precision to Your Backyard BBQ

Gear Bits

MeatStick V Duo Brings Dual-Probe Precision to Your Backyard BBQ

As the temps keep rising and the sun is shining, it is time to start smoking and grilling our meals! The most important part of making successful BBQ is not how long to cook, but rather what temperature the meat is cooked to. MeatStick just announced the launch of the MeatStick V Duo, and it’s looking like a serious contender for the MVP of your next backyard BBQ. Read on to see if the MeatStick V Duo is the key to your summer cooking success.

ThermoWorks Big Spring Sale: Save Up to 40% on Pro-Grade BBQ Thermometers

Deals, Gear Bits

ThermoWorks Big Spring Sale: Save Up to 40% on Pro-Grade BBQ Thermometers

Whether you’re a backyard pitmaster or a professional chef, precision is the secret to perfect BBQ. ThermoWorks is kicking off the Big Spring Sale, offering up to 40% off its industry-leading temperature tools from March 25 through the 31st. Renowned for unmatched accuracy and durability, their professional-grade meat probes and thermometers ensure your brisket and ribs are pulled to perfection at the exact moment. Don’t settle for guesswork when you can own the gold standard of BBQ tech; if you buy now, you can upgrade your setup with the quality the pros trust at a fraction of the cost.

Fender’s "Workhorse" Turns 75: The Telecaster Diamond Jubilee is Here!

Music Diary, Gear Bits

Fender’s “Workhorse” Turns 75: The Telecaster Diamond Jubilee is Here!

If you were to look up “don’t mess with a classic” in the dictionary, you’d probably see a picture of a Fender Telecaster. The Telecaster is my single favorite guitar on earth! Since 1951, this slab of wood and two pickups has been the backbone of everything from chicken-pickin’ country to face-melting indie rock. Fender is throwing a birthday bash with a commemorative collection that proves this old dog has plenty of new tricks. Whether you want to feel like you’re playing a relic from a smoky 1950s dive bar or a spaceship from the future, there’s something here for…

BLUETTI Elite 10 Mini Power Station Review: A Palm-Sized Power Station That Packs Serious Punch

Reviews

BLUETTI Elite 10 Mini Power Station Review: A Palm-Sized Power Station That Packs Serious Punch

Power banks are great for phones, but try plugging a laptop or camera charger into one, and you’ll quickly find their limits. The BLUETTI Elite 10 changes the game by packing 128Wh of capacity and a 200W AC outlet into a palm-sized chassis. Weighing just under 4 pounds, it’s even airline-friendly for your next adventure (most airlines allow batteries between 100–160 Wh with prior approval). With 100W USB-C fast charging, a 10ms UPS mode for seamless backup, and a built-in multi-mode LED light, this mini workstation is built to keep your gear running wherever you roam.

Cricut Shrinks the Machines, Not the Magic with the Joy 2 and Explore 5

Gear Bits

Cricut Shrinks the Machines, Not the Magic with the Joy 2 and Explore 5

If your crafting habit currently looks like a mountain of glitter and a machine the size of a microwave, Cricut has some very good news for your desk space. Today, they’ve pulled the curtain back on two new evolution-of-the-species machines: the Cricut Joy 2 and the Cricut Explore 5. Whether you’re a “make a custom card five minutes before the party” person or a “label every jar in the pantry” person, these updates are looking pretty sleek.

Anker SOLIX E10 Launches with Infinite Power Tech, Promising True Whole-Home Backup and Massive Scalability

Events, Gear Bits

Anker SOLIX E10 Launches with Infinite Power Tech, Promising True Whole-Home Backup and Massive Scalability

Anker is partnering with NFL Hall of Famer Troy Aikman to revolutionize home energy with “Infinite Power” technology. The Anker SOLIX E10 is built on three core pillars: infinite backup capacity, uncompromising whole-home power, and a streamlined experience. The Anker SOLIX line is quickly becoming one of the industry leaders in portable and whole-home power sources.