Reviews


How I Ended up Buying the New MacBook 12-inch: A Personal Review

It’s common knowledge that Apple makes products that are extremely polarizing. The original iPhone, for example, was very polarizing. More recently, the original MacBook Air and Apple Watch became polarizing products. Add to that list the new 12-inch MacBook. I recently bought one to use as my primary personal computer. Why would I do that? Well there’s a story here.


ActionProof’s THE BUMPER for Apple Watch Offers Lightweight Protection

Actionproof’s THE BUMPER for the Apple Watch is exactly what it sounds like, a rubber bumper that fits around your 42mm Apple Watch and provides protection against accidents that would otherwise scratch or dent your Watch. It provides 360° protection while providing access to the entire screen, digital crown, and health sensors. THE BUMPER can be preordered now for $35.


Innokin Cool Fire IV Review – Too Late?

WARNING: The products discussed may contain or use nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical; in many cities and a few states, you must be 21 to purchase vaping products or products containing nicotine. Please familiarize yourself with and obey the law in your location. Beautiful Starter Box Mod The Innokin Cool Fire IV is a new, low-end regulated device that looks great, but is it too late? Innokin was on top of the world this time last year and each new device they released knocked it out of the park. Something happened and Innokin fell behind.


The Air Up There: CubeSensors Are Superior Air Quality Monitors

Let’s be honest. A SmartHome is a better home these days. And with it being warmer and warmer outdoors, especially with three consecutive 90 degree days in the summer here in Washington, DC, you want to make sure the environment that you live and sleep in is healthy enough for you. Being someone with Respiratory Asthma, air quality and humidity is a huge thing for me to consider as my body takes climates completely different from others. That and Post-Nasal drip is a bitch. Luckily I had the opportunity to review a product that’s slogan is something I want to…


Waterfield Zip Briefcase for 12″ MacBook Is Small, Light and Easy to Carry

If you opted for one of Apple’s new 12″ MacBooks you are someone who appreciates style and cutting edge technology. (Yes, you are also someone who is willing to compromise performance for portability but that is another issue.) If you want to travel light but protect your MacBook you will want to check out the Waterfield Zip Briefcase for the new MacBook. The Zip is “just enough” laptop case without being “too much” laptop case. It almost looks like a sleeve but adds so much functionality on top of that that you certainly cannot call it a sleeve. Inside the…


Razer Tactical Gaming Backpack Makes All the Right Moves (Updated)

Other than comments on really cool cars I am testing, I usually don’t have too many coworkers remarking on the gear I am reviewing. The first day I carried the new Razer Tactical Gaming Backpack into work, however, that changed. No sooner did I toss it down on the counter than the Razer bag became a hit.



Cherro’s Backup Battery Duo Are Two of the Best on the Market

If you’re in the market for a backup battery for your phone, you’ll probably already know that there are easily thousands of them on the market, but you’ll be hard pressed to find some that actually will charge both your phone and your tablet more than 30%. I’ve been able to test quite a few of these battery cases, but the two battery cases I have in hand honestly hold their own in the market.


iMagBond Vent Holds Your Phone on the Go

If you’re taking a road trip this summer, you’ll want a way to keep your phone safe, secure but also accessible. After all, holding your smartphone is not only dangerous but it is illegal in many states. The iMagBond Vent Mount system is a great option for keeping your pocket computer available but secure.


SX Mini M Class Review: High-Class Vaping!

WARNING: The products discussed may contain or use nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical; in many cities and a few states, you must be 21 to purchase vaping products or products containing nicotine. Please familiarize yourself with and obey the law in your location. Expensive, but worth it! I have been a fan of the SX series since I bought the Sigelei 20-watt over a year ago. Yihi doesn’t disappoint with the SX350J chip that comes in the feature-packed SX Mini M Class. If the name makes you think of a Mercedes, it should and not just because of the name.


Vivitek Qumi Q5 Projector Is Perfect for Your Home or On the Go

Even as a child I was a fan of drive-in movie theatres, the big screen, and the projected movie more importantly. So when I grew up and it was time to buy a television, I asked around and received plenty of “get the biggest you can possibly get”. I eventually settled with a 65-inchbecause it seemed practical for my living room space. Then came time to attempt to mount it.


iHome Power Omni 3000 All-in-One Portable Battery + Charger Review

I get paranoid about my phone’s battery dying, and yes — friends will tell you that I can be a bit irrational about it — but the thought of being caught without my phone or with a nearly dead one gives me chills. I appreciate the all-in-one convenience of the iHome Power Omni 3000 All-in-One Portable Battery + Charger.


Lems Boulder Boots Are Begging to Be Your New Travel Companion

During high school and college I spent a good deal of time in Israel, much of that time was spent walking and hiking. A pair of heavy leather boots were my constant companion. The need to travel light, along with airline baggage limits, means the days of traveling with heavy boots is over. That’s where Lems Boulder Boots come in.


Adventure to Education, Hasbro Toys Has It All!

When the youngest grandbaby comes over for visits, he (nearly two now) heads straight for the iPad or smart devices, and the four-year old plops down in my office chair at the computer. I see this and wonder, does anyone make “real” toys anymore and if they did, would today’s kids be interested in them? Hasbro has that answer.


K-Vape Micro-DX Vape with Digital OLED Display Review

WARNING: The products discussed may contain or use nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical; in many cities and a few states, you must be 21 to purchase vaping products and/or products containing nicotine. Please familiarize yourself with and obey the law in your location. If you prefer to enjoy your tobacco (or other loose leaf herbal products) products via a vape rather than actually burning the leaf. then you might be interested in the new K-Vape Micro-DX. This vape has a digital OLED display, heats in half a minute, and comes with a lifetime warranty. This feature-packed vape is currently…


My Week with the Apple Watch

“He used his Apple Watch as a boarding pass!” the TSA agent shouted to his buddy. I was geeking out too, but to be honest, it was pretty awkward finding a good way to position my arm so the watch was face-down on the scanner. That pretty much sums up my impressions so far: The Apple Watch is exciting, but…


The Polk Audio Omni S2 Is Wireless Sound That Goes with Any Decor

Polk Audio describes the Polk Audio Omni S2 wireless speaker as “The First Great-Sounding Wireless Music System.” That’s a bold claim for a wireless speaker that costs under $180 and comes with multiple grills. If the claims ring true the S2 is a great deal. The key of course is, “If the claims ring true…” According to Polk Audio the Omni S2 offers “unparalleled sound.” As they explain: “The Omni S2 is an ultra-compact speaker that lets you put Polk’s widely respected signature sound in any room of your home. The Omni S2 comes with both black and white swappable…


808’s Performer Bluetooth Headphones Are Best Used With It’s Cable

It’s always fun being able to review Bluetooth headphones over here at Gear Diary, so it was exciting to be able to review 808’s Over-The-Ear Audio Performer BT Bluetooth Headphones.   I will be the first to say this…I hate cords. Wearing a sling bag daily to and from work, I really despise having to pull my phone out of my pocket to change a tune or check a notification. Yes, first-world problems. The 808 Audio Performer BT’s are able to be used wirelessly for those of us who enjoy being cable free, or if you just have to have…


EasyAcc 3200mAh Extended Battery Case for iPhone 6 Provides Double Duty

The batteries in new devices seem to be stabilizing in daily life span, but continued use still takes a toll on the stored energy. Accessory companies like EasyAcc offers solutions to this power dilemma with items like the 3200mAh Extended Battery Case. This unit provides double duty as an everday protective case while more than doubling your device’s usage time.


Infinity Reference 1200S Subwoofer Is All About The Bass

While not an homage to Meghan Trainor, this review is all about that bass–specifically, the Infinity by HARMAN Reference 1200S Subwoofer. An award for unique style and design should go out to the Infinity car audio engineers that came up with this unique, space-saving, low-profile subwoofer that brings excellent bass reproduction, selectable impedance, and small enclosure requirement.