Articles by Travis Ehrlich

Vivint Smart Energy Brings Solar Production Data Their Smart Home App

Alternative energy sources have become more affordable and reliable and are also a passion of mine. With them, it is essential to be able to monitor energy input to regulate usage. Vivint has announced a new feature allowing their app users to view production data from their solar panels. This is a significant step forward in encouraging renewable energy sources and integrating solar energy into the Vivint Smart Energy and Smart Home experience.

Reviews

Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X Review: A Portable Package That Packs a Punch

My oldest son is about to graduate high school and needs a computer to attend college; as a result, I’ve spent a lot of time looking at prices and specs, looking for something that can handle some light gaming as well as coursework. Perhaps you’re in the same boat? If that’s the case, the Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X is an excellent choice.

Reviews

Yuma 200W CIGS Flexible Solar Panel Review: This Power Solution Is a Game Changer

In the last six months, I’ve covered and studied a lot of alternative energy products. BougeRV recently invited me to look at their Yuma 200W CIGS Flexible Solar Panel. This is my first time using a truly flexible thin film solar panel, and I have to say it exceeded my expectations. Is it something that would work for your setup? Read on to find out.

Reviews

Vivint Spotlight Pro and Gen2 Doorbell Camera Pro: You’ll Enjoy Improved Security with the Latest Features

I have used Vivint’s home security and smart products for a few years and have loved everything about the company. Recently, they installed the new Vivint Spotlight Pro and 2nd generation Doorbell Camera Pro for me to review. These replaced the older versions of the doorbell and outdoor camera and have proven to be a considerable upgrade.

Reviews

AAOBOSI Electric Meat Grinder Review: A Heavy-Duty Meat Mincer Perfect for Making Homemade Sausage

Harvesting and preparing our food is an integral part of my family’s life; a successful deer season helps provide us with food that lasts the entire year. Our favorite way to process the meat we hunt is to make sausage. I recently needed to clean out the last of our venison, which presented the perfect opportunity for testing the AAOBOSI Electric Meat Grinder.

Gear Bits, Outdoors

The EcoFlow River 2 Series Introduces Three Budget-Friendly EcoFlow Energy Solutions

We have reviewed many EcoFlow products here on Gear Diary and have had excellent results with all of them. EcoFlow products are high-level power solutions that, while all great devices, can be priced out of many budgets. Enter the EcoFlow River 2 Series, a trio of cost-effective, reliable power offerings that feature advanced LFP batteries.

Reviews, Outdoors

EcoFlow Delta 2 Portable Power Station: Raises the Bar on Emergency Power Solutions

The EcoFlow Delta Series is no stranger to Gear Diary, as I love the Delta Max with an extra battery. The recent release of the Delta 2 is a huge step forward in the company’s smart battery lineup by using LiFePO4 technology. With faster charging and a huge AC output, the EcoFlow Delta 2 Portable Power Station is perfect for emergency use or portable power.

Reviews, Outdoors

EcoFlow Wave Portable Air Conditioner + Add-On Battery Review: A Surprisingly Versatile Off-Grid Cooling Solution

We’ve reviewed several power products from EcoFlow, including batteries, solar panels, and a Smart Generator. The company has branched out and added a new device that takes advantage of this portable power to keep you cool. The EcoFlow Wave is a 4,000 BTU portable air conditioner sold with or without an add-on battery; with the battery, it is perfect for keeping a smaller space cool, even when the power is out.

Gear Bits

The 1800W EcoFlow DELTA 2 Portable Power Station Is Now Available

The EcoFlow DELTA 2 is now available for purchase. This new power solution comes with X-Stream technology, which offers charging speeds up to seven times faster than the competition; 0-80% in just 50 minutes from AC input on a battery this large is mind-blowing fast. The LFP batteries will bring ten years of life, and a huge 1800W AC output will run even more of your electronics and appliances, whether you’re going through a power outage at home, spending time in an area that doesn’t have electricity, or just trying to reduce your reliance on the grid.

Reviews, Outdoors

The Good Charcoal Company Review: Premium Hardwood Lump Charcoal for Your Next Cook

We have done a lot of cooking on Gear Diary, but we rarely have used charcoal. Sometimes burgers are just better cooked over some hot coals. Last night I fired up the grill using The Good Charcoal Company’s Premium Hardwood Lump Charcoal for the first time. How did The Good Charcoal perform?

Reviews, Outdoors

Bodegacooler Portable Freezer (TWW75) Review: A Portable, Dual Zone, 80-Quart Car Fridge and Freezer

Whether camping, traveling, or simply shopping in the city, we often need a way to keep food and drinks cold or frozen. Grocery shopping means a long drive, and insulated grocery bags are often insufficient. The Bodegacooler Portable Freezer (TWW75) 80-quart Dual Zone portable cooler and freezer is the perfect answer for all these situations.

Outdoors, Gear Bits

EcoFlow DELTA 2 Will Impress with Industry Leading Recharging Speeds

We’ve reviewed several products from EcoFlow, with more to come. Today they’ve introduced a new portable power station that promises industry-leading charging speeds. The EcoFlow DELTA 2 is an ideal backup solution and will fit nicely in the brand’s ecosystem. This next edition of the DELTA Portable Power Station looks like an exciting new product.

Outdoors, Gear Bits, Reviews

SoftStartUP for RV First Look: Powerful Surge Protection, Reduced Start-Up Power Demand, and a Connected App for Monitoring Power Usage

We recently told you about SoftStartUp, a power management device for RVs. This innovative product doubles as a surge protector while reducing AC startup power demand by up to 50%. SoftStartUP is a game changer for RV and travel trailer owners struggling with power options to run air conditioners and other appliances.

Gear Bits

Geneverse Launches HomePower PRO Series Solar Generator

With power grid issues across the country, especially with the extreme summer heat, power consumption and backup are important topics. Today, Geneverse has partnered with HGTV’s Chip Wade to introduce the latest and greatest portable solar technology: The HomePower PRO Series.

Reviews

Anker 555 PowerHouse Review: Smaller Form Factor That Packs Plenty of Power

We recently reviewed the Anker 757 PowerHouse, a large 1229Wh portable power station. As you can see in the review, it is an amazing product, but it is a heavy power source that might not always be the best option. The Anker 555 PowerHouse brings some amazing specs in a smaller form factor. Let’s take a look.

Reviews

1800W EcoFlow Smart Generator Review: Keeps Your Batteries Charged

I have spent some time with several EcoFlow products; my home’s backup power bank revolves around the Delta Max and an add-on battery. We have reviewed the 400W solar panel and have the Smart Generator in for testing. The EcoFlow Smart Generator is a gas generator designed for the Delta ecosystem to charge while saving you time and fuel.

Gear Bits

SoftStartUp Provides RV Power Management and Surge Protection from A/C Power Spikes

Power management is a problem that plagues RV users, especially regarding the air conditioner and possible power surges. The A/C spike at start-up is often too much for most small generators, and shore power often cannot handle it. SoftStartUp has been developed to prevent this problem while adding a level of protection against power surges. It is plug-and-play and easy to use.

sausage cooked on the ZGrills Cruiser 200A

Outdoors, Reviews

ZGrills Cruiser 200A Review: Takes Smoking on the Road and Does It Right

We are deep into BBQ season as well as camping season. My family loves to take the camper out, spend a weekend relaxing, and let me cook for them. Taking a pellet smoker on the road wasn’t an easy task until I tried out the ZGrills Cruiser 200A portable pellet grill.

Music Diary, Gear Bits

Metallica x Yousician Will Teach You to Play Guitar Alongside Metallica Greats

For many of my early guitar learning years, I dreamt of being able to play along with Metallica; I would lie on my bed just wishing I could figure it out. After years of working at it, I was able to make that happen, but technology can help players learn the moves much faster. Now, there’s a Metallica x Yousician course.

Reviews, Outdoors

Anker 625 Solar Panel Review: It Keeps the Powerhouse Going

We recently reviewed the Anker 757 PowerHouse, which is their new portable power station. It is packed with features and super high quality. The Anker 625 Solar Panel is a 100W recharging solution that will keep the 757 powered up on the go or in emergencies. We were able to test it out in the hot Texas sun; let’s look at how that went.

Reviews

VTOMAN Jump 1000 Portable Power Station Review: Emergency Power That Will Even Jump-Start Your Car

Portable power station technology has come a long way; large-capacity batteries that can keep appliances and vital medical devices running in a power outage are becoming more common and affordable. The VTOMAN Jump 1000 is one such portable power station; it is packed with features and can even jump-start your vehicle! I’ve reviewed quite a few portable power stations, but this is the first I’ve tried that can also help in an automotive emergency.

« 1 2 3 4 … 27 »