Reviews | Gear Diary

Tatefield Stone Gray Comforter Review: This 3-Piece Set Helped Me Find the Softer Side of Home Depot

When people hear “Home Depot,” they usually think of a few things; for some people, it’s an exciting place full of the tools to make anything, and for others, it’s that stop you make on the weekends so you/your spouse can buy 15 bags of mulch because “this spring we’re really going to get the backyard looking nice.” You probably don’t give Home Depot much thought when you climb into bed at night; late I have been because I’ve been testing the Home Depot Tatefield Stone Gray comforter!

Reviews

BODEGA R50 Cooler Review: A 12-Volt, 45-Liter Smart Refrigerator and Freezer That’s Perfect for Long Trips, Camping, and RV Use

Whether on a long road trip or camping for a long weekend, keeping food fresh is imperative to help save money and make the journey enjoyable. The BODEGA R50 Cooler is a 45-liter refrigerator-freezer option packed with features that make it an excellent addition to an RV or vehicle. The R50 runs off of 12v/24v power, so it should be easy to use on the go.

Reviews

ThermoPro TempSpike Wireless Probe Review: App-Based Temperature Management Done Right

Many people ask me how long it should take for certain items to cook or smoke, and my response is always not to worry about the time but to cook by the meat temperature. The ThermoPro TempSpike promises to help manage cooking temps with the wireless probe and companion app. That means no more time spent opening and closing the lid and checking temps.

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

Escort MAX 360c MKII Radar Detector Review: Another Fantastic Radar Detector Hampered by the (Still) Buggy Drive Smarter App

The Escort MAX 360c radar and laser detector were released five years ago. Made to integrate perfectly into vehicles with their own WiFi hotspots for real-time alerts and ticket threats, the Max 360c gave drivers 360º protection with intuitive onscreen arrows that displayed the direction of threats relative to the driver’s vehicle. It was a hit! The Escort MAX 360c MKII builds upon the original’s success with an all-new internal platform and more powerful components, including a new Blackfin DSP chip that provides faster response times and a 50% improvement on the original model’s detection range.

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

BougeRV 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.

Outdoors, Reviews

Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill Review: A Compact Cooker That Can Do It All, with Smoke!

If home is an apartment where the use of open-flame grills is banned on patios and balconies, you can still enjoy cooking outside with the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill. Billed as a portable and compact electric cooker, the Ninja Woodfire’s primary function is grilling; however, it’s also a wood-infused BBQ smoker, air fryer, and outdoor convection oven that can bake, roast, broil, and even dehydrate. If the Ninja Woodfire actually delivers an enjoyable outdoor cooking experience anywhere with electrical power, then I can think of quite a few other uses for it, too. Let’s take a look.

Game Diary, Reviews

Control Ultimate Edition Review: How to Get a Director Job in 30 Seconds

Control Ultimate Edition is a bit of a strange one; I’ll come right out of the gates with that notion. Numerous people in my life applaud Control, and others have gotten very frustrated with it. As I played it for my review, I could absolutely see both camps’ merits. It’s a detailed narrative/world that didn’t engage with me; it’s intricate yet simultaneously straightforward in terms of progression, and it has a few satisfying gameplay elements that failed to hook me for more than a few hours at a time. I beat this game in 25.1 hours; here are my thoughts.

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

Nomad Super Slim Case for iPhone 14 Series Review: Perfect for People Who Don’t Like Cases (but Know They Need One)

I’ve been using Nomad cases pretty exclusively for the past few iPhone models I’ve owned. Initially, I used their gorgeous Horween leather cases, but more recently, I have taken to the company’s synthetic Sport Case. Now they have introduced a new case line that is a huge departure for the brand. The Nomad Super Slim case for iPhone 14 is … super slim.

Health and Fitness, Reviews

DNA Vibe’s Jazz Band Live Review: Bring Infrared Light Therapy Home

There are many ways to practice self-care, especially with respect to your muscles. You can use one of the many, many massage guns available, you can foam roll, and you can soak in Epsom salts. Or, you can try one of the more interesting treatments available, like red light therapy from the DNA Vibe’s Jazz Band Live.

Game Diary, Reviews

Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered Review: Visit Manhattan Without Dropping a Fortune!

In my opinion, the recent rash of superhero games has been predominantly pish. All Flash and no substance, more akin to a Beast than beauty; you’d have to be a real Iron Man to stomach some of them. Now that I’ve gotten those superhero puns out of my system, Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered for the PC (Developed by Insomniac Games/Nixxes Software, Published by Playstation PC LLC) stands out from the pile by being competent…and that’s a huge compliment. I basically 100%-ed the game in 40 hours; here are my thoughts.

Reviews

Ugreen 100W USB C DigiNest Pro 7-in-1 Charging Station Review: A Compact, Powerful, and Solidly-Built Desktop Power Strip

If you often find yourself searching for a free outlet or port, the compact Ugreen 100W USB C DigiNest Pro Charging Station will be right up your alley. With three AC outlets, three USB-C ports, and a legacy USB-A port, the DigiNest Pro has proven to be a very convenient and powerful desktop power strip.

Reviews

Alpine iLX-507 Digital Multimedia Receiver Review: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Make It a Fantastic Upgrade to Any Car Stereo System

What’s even more convenient than Apple CarPlay or Android Auto? WIRELESS Apple CarPlay or Android Auto! The new Alpine iLX-507 7″ Digital Multimedia Receiver allows you to turn on your car and automatically connect your iOS or Android device to two of the best auto smartphone platforms out there.

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.

Reviews

Cielo Breez Plus Review: A Brilliant Way to Make Just About Any Remote-Controlled AC Unit Smart

A few years ago, I bought a Kenmore window unit air conditioner that touted being smart, app-controlled, and able to connect to Alexa and Google Home. After Kev had securely installed the AC in my office window, I powered it on only to find that the app and smart features were incompatible with my WiFi mesh system. :facepalm: Long story short, for the past three years, I’ve had an otherwise excellent window unit that’s never lived up to its potential. However, that all changed when I received a Cielo Breez Plus review unit; with it, my AC is finally smart!

Reviews, Crowdfunding, Outdoors

Maxfind G5 Pro Review: A Fast and Incredibly Powerful Dual-Motor Urban Scooter

We’ve reviewed several electric standing scooters over the past few years; most have been quite decent, but all of them are mere playthings when compared to the upcoming Maxfind G5 Pro dual-motor scooter. The G5 Pro is big and powerful; it is an electric scooter for people who need to go far and fast, and it is definitely no toy!

Reviews, Game Diary

‘Days Gone’ Review: Books and Their Covers

I’m going to come clean; I bought this game because I thought I’d hate it. Out of the box, Days Gone read as “an open world game with shallow mechanics that tried to be too badass and edgy.” With bikers vs. cultists vs. bandits in a zombie apocalypse as the setting, can you blame me? For the first two hours, the game did nothing to suppress my acid reflux, but the more I engaged with it, the more pleasantly surprised I became.

Reviews

Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Review: Proof That Powerful Things Can Come In Compact Packages

I have a soft spot for small computers. If it’s got a compact footprint and can help me work wherever I go, I probably want it. So when we were offered the chance to check out the slim and light Lenovo ThinkPad X13s, I leaped at the opportunity. On paper, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s is my ideal laptop. It’s a diminutive 11.76 x 8.13x 0.53 inches but manages to sport a 13.3″ screen thanks to thin bezels. At 2.35 pounds, it’s almost too light — I’m pretty sure I have some books that are heavier than this computer! The touchpad…

Reviews

Men’s Venustas Heated Jacket 7.4V Review: A Brilliant Way to Stay Warm on the Coldest Days

It breaks my heart, but the cold weather has arrived here in New Jersey. The leaves are turning. The days are shorter. And it is getting COLD. Before we know it, winter will be in full swing. Thankfully, I’ll be warm this winter thanks to the Men’s Venustas Heated Jacket 7.4V. It’s comfortable, and it’s heated. Yep, it’s heated.

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.