Author: GadgetMan

I have been writing about tech, gadgets, consumer electronics, as well as other geeky things for over ten years.

Geekscape Tech Review: Thonet and Vander’s Frei and Vertrag BT

by GadgetMan

The last time we reviewed a Thonet and Vander product, it was last February with the HOCH BT and LAUT BT Speakers. These are speakers made for some great sound, and they are wireless too. I had a chance to try out two their newest products.

The first product is the Frei, which is the image on the left. Please do not let the size in the image fool you, because it is about the size of half a shoebox. The Vertrag BT speakers, the ones on the right, are about 161 x 190 x 240 mm (I’ll let you convert that to inches or centimeters).

Our Review of the Thonet and Vander Frei Bluetooth Speaker

The Frei is one of those Portable Bluetooth Speakers that I have reviewed, and it certainly is something small but great at the same time.

Like all Thonet and Vander products, it has the avant-garde design and German engineering that the company is so proud of. You can see that it is pretty minimal with a small box design that is a 2.1 speaker with 50 W of peak power. it has a 2-inch full range for a good driver and it also has a great passive radiator for better bass depth.

From what I can tell, this isn’t one of those Bluetooth speakers that I have been reviewing that are set up to be very water-resistant and durable. However, the Frei does seem to pride itself with a shockproof sleeve to make it very portable.

So, it might not be as durable as other speakers of their type, like the Life Jacket from Altec Lansing. I will go through the specs for the battery, 8 hours for the music playing and 160 hours on standby.

I will have to say that one of the best things about the Frei is its side panel. It has this X-shaped control with the volume and track forward/back buttons. You got to see it to believe it.

Our Review of the Thonet and Vertrag BT Bluetooth Speakers

As usual, Thonet and Vander Vertrag BT brags about “German Engineering” with its “Avantgarde Design”, and it also has some “Hammer Bass”. If you aren’t certain what “Hammer Bass” is, it is the optimized resonance for bass reflex. This really makes the mesh breathe as the great sound plays.

I’ll go ahead to get rid of stats now. There is a 4-inch woofer and a 0.5 inch tweeter. Again, I’m no audiophile, and I am really getting sick of writing that when it comes to writing about these speakers. There is something called Drone FX for a “clear and enhanced sound”, and it certainly has that with some great treble, bass, and 180 PMPO. Again, not an audiophile, but hey.

The Price of the Thonet and Vander Frei and Vertrag BT

In fact, you should be able to purchase the Frei on Amazon for $49.99. You can find out more on the Thonet and Vander site here.

So, if you like the wooden speakers with the Bluetooth 4.0 action, then I would recommend the Vertrag BT. You can find out more about these speakers on the Thonet and Vander site, and you can get them on Amazon here.

Geekscape Tech Review: Bodyguardz Trainr Pro

by GadgetMan

This is another time that we have reviewed a Bodyguardz product, and if you are not familiar with them, they became really famous for screen protectors. They have also created these cool cases like the Ace Pro Case, and now the Trainr Pro.

What is the Bodyguardz Trainr Pro?

The Trainr Pro is not just a case or an armband, it is both. The Trainr Pro has a transparent case that has “unequal technology”, which means that it has some kind of design for an active lifestyle.

The case is made of some kind of transparent plastic to show off the back of the Apple device. It also has some padding on the sides on the inside and out on the sides.

As for the armband, it has that set up so this elastic thing that clicks into the case itself.

Who is The Trainr Pro Made For?

You know those people that exercise a lot and are in good shape, because they are just like that? Seriously, I know several people like that, and they are good at keeping themselves in great shape.

For that crowd, you should take the the Trainr Pro and use it to listen to your tunes as you are running or indulging in very strenuous exercise. It should stay there for whatever you are doing.

What is the price of the Trainr Pro Case?

That’s a simple answer: $49.95. You can get it on the Bodyguardz site for the iPhone 7 here, or the iPhone 7 Plus here.

Geekscape Tech Review: Mighty Mug

by GadgetMan

Okay, some of you might have realized that I tend to review a lot of items that look alike, like those JVC earbuds that I reviewed the other day. Today, I am hapy to say is pretty original and solves a lot of problems, the Mighty Mug.

What is the Mighty Mug?

Perhaps that question that you should ask yourself is: What isn’t the Mighty Mug? I’m sure that you have all spilled something because you just bumped it with your elbow, or something, but the Mighty Mug can be bumped and not get knocked over.

The way it works is that there is some kind of suction cup on the bottom that really sucks up to the table top or whatever put it on. I have tried to bump it, and sometimes it won’t knock over even if I am deliberately trying to knock it down.

Best of all, it is a flip off cap so you have a sealed top. Oh, it is also car cup friendly too.

Are there problems with the Mighty Mug?

I used the Mighty Mug on my desk, which is one of those particle board ones with that sticker of wood on top. Yeah, it sucks, I know. It didn’t work as well.

You will note that I will not hold that against the Mighty Mug, as my desk is crappy, what can I say?

The Price of the Mighty Mug

Believe it or not, you can get this for $19.99. I don’t know how this compares to a regular commuter mug, but honestly, can you tip over a regular commuter cup? Of course you can! You need to go here to get a Mighty Mug.

Geekscape Tech Review: JVC HA-ET50BT Sports Inner Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

by GadgetMan

It is time for another review of another pair of earbuds. Not just any earbuds, but some wireless earbuds! And not just any wireless earbuds, but ones for athletes!

Yeah, you have seen this before. However, these are from JVC! And that is one brand that is well-known in the audio world.

What is not different about the JVC HA-ET50BT Sports Wireless Bluetooth Headphones?

All right, let’s figure out what is different about the JVC HA-ET50BT. Well, they have that wire that connects together so they go on the back of the neck. They also have that 3 sizes of regular ear pieces, and then there is the full function microphone.

So, do we want to talk about earbuds that are similar?

Yeah, let’s just do that, here:

The ZAGG iFrogz, Charisma, Summit and Impulse

Jabra Sports Pulse Special Edition

Beyerdynamic BT Wireless Premium Earbuds

Just do a search for “Earbuds” on Geekscape and knock yourself out. Most of the features there look similar.

What is different about the JVC HA-ET50BT Sports Wireless Bluetooth Headphones?

I’m not certain about the range, but it is 32.8 feet, which I believe is a step up from the usual 30 foot range. You can also get 9 hours of operation on a single charge, so I’ll let you decide if that is enough.

Like most wireless earbuds, they are good for a water resistant design (IPX5), but that isn’t standard for all. There is a great support for AE Run and Music training, and a magnetic clasp.

Now that is unique! I don’t know if this is also unique, but it has an anti-slip material.

The Price of the JVC HA-ET50BT Sports Wireless Bluetooth Headphones?

You know what’s weird? I can’t find this on the JVC site, at least to buy? Here’s a way to purchase it on Amazon if you like, and it will send you to other sellers.

Geekscape Tech Review: Eton FRX5-BT

by GadgetMan

This is the first time that I have reviewed an Eton product on this site, and personally, I believe that every house needs an Eton product. Eton makes a lot of products that are “powered by nature”, which means that if you need some emergency power, they are the ones to go to.

The Eton FRX5-BT for Emergencies

I once reviewed Eton’s SolarLink FR360, and it is essentially a radio that is both solar and hand-crank powered. The FRX5-BT is a step up because it has Bluetooth, even though I never really looked at the SolarLink FR360 and thought: “Hey, let’s put Bluetooth on this”. However, if you are in an emergency, it might calm you down to hear your own playlist on this speaker.

There is a huge improvement with the solar panel, because it used to be just a small stripe on the SolarLink, but is now a huge panel that covers the entire back of the product. Oh, there is also an LED flashlight and emergency beacon on the side that seems improved.

I don’t remember the stats on the previously mentioned SolarLink, but the FRX5-BT has an IPX-4 splashproof rating, which means it withstand a lot. Clearly, you should get one of these for that zombie apocalypse.

The Eton FRX5-BT as a Charger

So, there is a hand crank still, and you can see it in the image as something that is on the front of the thing. If you crank it for about four minutes, that is good enough to power the AM/FM/SW digital radio for about 10-15 minutes.

If you need some juice for your smartphone or tablet, then you can use the included USB cable. Oh, you should plug it into the 5V 2.1 A USB port, and it should charge a smartphone just once.

The Price of the Eton FRX-5

You should be able to get the Eton FRX-5 on the company website for $129.99.

Geekscape Tech Review: Cygnett ChargeUp 6,000 Digital, Lightning to USB cable, and Micro USB cable

by GadgetMan

Cygnett is one of those companies that puts out a lot of great accessories. I had a chance to review a few of them, and I wanted to take the time to discuss three (or more).

The Cygnett ChargeUp Digital 6,000 mAh

This product is one of those great mobile batteries that I have reviewed before, in abundance. As you can see by the subtitle, this has 6,000 mAh, but it comes in 4,000 and 10,000 models. It also comes in different color accents like red, black, yellow, and blue.

Like most mobile batteries, this one has a USB port. In fact, it has two of them, which is starting to become a standard for mobile batteries, as well as fast charging speeds.

Just to let you know, it came to us with a 78 percent charge. Many of these mobile batteries come pre-charged with at least something. Well, if you want something like this, head on over to the Cygnett site and lay down $69.95 for it.

Cygnett Lightning to USB Cable (13 feet/4 m)

Okay, so if you have a mobile battery, then you need a charging cable, right? Well, actually, the ChargeUp Digital comes with a micro USB charger, but some of us (a great majority of us?) have iDevices.

Not only that, we want those things to be charged, and it is better to have a cable that is longer than shorter. So is 13 feet long enough? I wager that some users might find it too long. Heck, I’ve used a charging cord only inches in length, which is perfect for a lifestyle close to the computer.

I’ll leave it up to you if it is worth purchasing on the $49.95 on the Cygnett site. If that is too much for you, then look around the Cygnett site and see if you can’t find a better price and/or length.

Cygnett Micro USB to USB cable

This particular cable is pretty much like the Lightning cable that I just discussed, but with micro USB. It has the same length at 13 feet/4 meters, but it is a lot cheaper at $29.95 on the Cygnett site.

Geekscape Tech Review: Nomad PowerPack

by GadgetMan

We all need a mobile battery in our life, so it really is a question of what is the best. Personally, there is a lot to choose from, and I will have to say that Nomad’s Powerpack is definitely one of the most versatile.

What makes the Nomad PowerPack so special?

Generally, there is one number that most mobile battery shoppers look for, and that is the mAh. In the case of the PowerPack, it is at 9,000 mAh (good for 3x charges on the iPhone 7 alone), which is quite something for something of its size. Yes, I know that the picture doesn’t show how large it is, but the Nomad PowerPack is slightly larger than a phablet.

The really great part about it is how it can input with USB-C, which is making a real splash in the charging world. You can see in the picture how there are two USB ports on the front of it, and one of them is a USB A (4V/24.A) and the other is a USB C (5V/3A-12V/2A), which make it very good for fast charge technology.

Can the PowerPack Work for Life on the Road?

I would have to answer that question with a resounding “yes”. This thing is coated with a Dow Dupont polycarbonate frame and a TPU rubber exterior. It works with a 1.2M Mil-spec drop protection.

It genuinely feels like you could take this PowerPack just about everywhere. Not only that, it feels like you could chuck it like a brick and still be able to use it.

What Else is the PowerPack capable of?

Now it is time to talk about what the PowerPack can do in comparison to other mobile batteries. This is what I like writing about, because otherwise my reviews of mobile batteries get repetitive.

You know how sometimes you can lose your phone, and then not have a pleasant time finding it? Yes, this happens to mobile batteries, but there is a solution with Tile.

If you ware not familiar with Tile, it is a Bluetooth tracking application that has received quite a lot of high praises from its users. Essentially, when you get that “I forgot my PowerPack” moment, just turn on Tile and find it.

What is the Price of the Nomad PowerPack?

If you are in the market for a mobile battery, and this didn’t convince you to get it, then I don’t know what else I can tell you. You can go to the Nomad site and order it for $119.95.

Geekscape Tech Review: EARIN M1 True Wireless

by GadgetMan

I’m very certain that I have stated in prior reviews how we are entering a new age of earbuds, ones that don’t have wires, and are not wired together. Yes, it is the earplug earbud age, and the last product we reviewed of this type was the Jabra Elite Sport.

I first encountered EARIN at CES over two years ago. Back then, they just had a work in progress, and they were the first of their type that I had seen at the time. I knew that this type of business would kick off, and it did.

What are the EARIN M1 True Earbuds?

Well, if you aren’t familiar with this type of product, you know the drill. That is, the individual earbuds pair with your device, but they are often made to be recharged together. They come with this charger that looks like the memory-eraser flashy thing from Men in Black. Seriously, my wife came up with that, and I think that’s the best descriptor that I know of.

Apparently, the only way to turn off the M1 Earbuds is to use the flashy thing charger. There is a simple indicator light for charging the earbuds and another to indicate charging the case. Yeah, the case is a battery too, and it can charge the earbuds three times before needing charging itself. By the way, you can listen to these earbuds for about three hours before needing charging.

How to rate the EARIN M1 True Wireless Earbuds?

There is some great audio on these, but that should come as no surprise. If you want to market a wireless earbud, then it had better be good. This one has a bass boost, but there is a downside.

There doesn’t seem to be a way to take phone calls with the EARIN M1. Granted, the company is coming out with the M2 very soon, so hopefully, that will take care about that lack of feature.

The price of the EARIN M1 Wireless Earbuds

They cost about $149, which is about the price that I see for a lot of products of this type and is available here. I would not be surprised if the price takes a dive after the M2 is released.

Geekscape Tech Review: Under Armor Gear (UAG) Cases for the Mate 9, HUAWEI P10, and G

by GadgetMan

Okay, if you know anything about Under Armor Gear (UAG), then you know how they work. I had the opportunity to try out three of their cases with the Plasma Series for HUAWEI P10 and Mate 9, as well as the Pathfinder Series for the Samsung Galaxy S8.

Is there any difference between the Plasma Series and Pathfinder Series?

Let’s put it this way: The cases in the illustration are the Plasma for the Huawei Mate 9 (in Ice or clear form), the Plasma for the P10 in Ash (dark gray), and the Pathfinder for Samsung Galaxy S8.

I had to specify that because a lot of these phone covers look the same. Seriously, there is an interesting look to the pattern of these cases, and I am not certain how to describe it. Is it the Union Jack symbol? Oh, you might notice that there are some kind of rivets there.

In fact, about the only difference between these cases, besides the colors, are the holes required in the back for the camera. This is not a bad thing, because if you have a formula for success, why not just repeat it for more success?

I’m not certain what is the difference between the Plasma or the Pathfinder is. The Plasma seems to be more clear cases, and the Pathfinder looks opaque.

The Benefits of the UAG Plasma and Pathfinder

After all, most of the Plasma and Pathfinder is made to withstand military tests, so you know that is really good. They have that three layers of protection like an armor shell, some shock cushions, and some impact resistant rubber coating. It is all about that rubber coating so you don’t drop it, but if you do, the UAG cases could take it.

Price of the UAG Plasma and Pathfinder for HUAWEI Mate 9, P10, and Samsung Galaxy S8

The price is pretty great for the Huawei Mate 9 for $39.95 here, and you can find the P10 here. The price of the UAG case for Samsung Galaxy S8 goes down to $34.95 and can be found here.

Geekscape Tech Review: Pixel Pals, The Street Fighter Kind!

by GadgetMan

I had a chance to review a lot of great products from PDP during the last holiday season, and I gave them good reviews of their gaming accessories. It would appear that the company has made something great for gamers with Pixel Pals.

What Are Pixel Pals?

Imagine if you took some of your favorite 8-bit characters, like those from Mario, or old-school Zelda and then enlarged them to the size of a small pet. Yeah, you would see a lot of great square pixel action, and now imagine them lighting up.

These are Pixel Pals, and you can get them with Mario, Luigi, 8-bit Link, Mega Man, and Vault Boy. The ones that I got to try out are Chun Li and Ryu, from the hit Street Fighter Game. Actually, more from Street Fighter II, as that was a huge hit back in the early nineties, and honestly, I don’t remember these two characters ever looking this 8-bit before.

Are Pixel Pals Worth It?

I am honestly not certain, but I think time will tell. It seems like someone is trying to make things that are collectible on purpose. You know those Pop Vinyl dolls? Will those really be worth anything after all these years? Yeah, I don’t know.

So, if you purchase a set of Pixel Pals, will it be worth nothing? Hey, if you like little things like this, they will always hold a great place in your heart. So why not purchase them?

Price of the Pixel Pals

You can get the on the PDP site for about $14.99 each, and you will need to invest in a couple of AAA batteries.

Geekscape Tech Review: TYLT Flipstick and Flipcard Portable Power Packs

by GadgetMan

Yes, I have reviewed a lot of mobile batteries, but this would be the first time that I reviewed a TYLT product on this particular website of geeky excitement. Allow me to introduce you to the Flipstick and Flipcard from TYLT, and explain how they differ from mobile batteries.

So What Makes TYLT Flipstick and Flipcard Different from Most Mobile Batteries?

The short answer is: not much. When you review as many mobile batteries that as I, then you look for certain commonalities. For example, most of these mobile batteries have these four indicator lights to show how much power is in there. There’s usually a button so you can see how much power you have and to begin charging.

Let’s Talk Specs for the TYLT Flipstick and Flipcard

The Flipstick, the smaller of the mobile batteries, is good for 3,350 mAh (good for a charge on a smartphone), and it has an input/output for a 1 Amp USB port. The Flipcard is made for 5,000 mAh (good for 2 charges of a smartphone), and it has a 2.4 Amp output.

Here’s what both of them have in common: you can get them for the micro-USB, Lightning, and Type-C connector. You will notice how the USB plugs and other connectors plug into it. It is rather interesting, honestly.

Price for the TYLT Flipstick and Flipcard

You should be able to purchase the Flipstick on the TYLT site here for $29.99, and the Flipcard on the TYLT site here for $49.99.

Geekscape Tech Review: Solo Sullivan Briefcase Messenger

by GadgetMan

Normally, when I do reviews of products, there is some implied technological content. In this case, the Sullivan Briefcase Messenger by Solo is made for technology.

How Does the Sullivan Briefcase Messenger Compare with Other Bags?

Well, it is definitely better than the free CES bag from 2016, and it reminds me of the free bag given to media in years prior. There is more than just practicality with this particular Messenger Bag.

While Solo’s Messenger Bag may not be made of leather, it still feels classy. It does have vinyl at the bottom that kind of looks like leather, but the rest is cotton.

Is This Solo Sullivan Messenger Worth Having?

Of course it is. The thing is that you probably have it already, or something like it. It has your typical storage place for a 15.6 inch computer, along with a place to hold a tablet.

You can put in your favorite gadgets in and shut them securely with the magnetic flap There are also two pockets for everything else, not to mention a rear pocket as well.

What’s the Final Verdict on the Solo Sullivan Messenger Bag?

Like I said, you should purchase it if you are in the market for a new bag for your computer/tablet/phone/everything else. It can be purchased on the Solo website for $59.99.

Geekscape Tech Review: ZAGG iFrogz Impulse Wireless Headphones and Flex Arc Wireless

by GadgetMan

I’m going to be doing another multiple reviews of ZAGG products today, and even though the iFrogz Impluse and Flex Arc are both wireless headphones, they are very different. All right, let’s just get started!

ZAGG iFrogz Impulse Wireless Headphones

Okay, the iFrogz Impulse Wireless Headphones are the ones on the left, and they have that traditional over the head look with earcups. I feels like something out of the seventies, if the technology had been better. Not only are the earcups made for good sound with a little less padding, but it is made for Bluetooth wireless connectivity (you can still use a 3.5mm headphone jack wire if you want).

So how is the sound? Well, you should listen to something from the seventies, as the 40 mm drivers are ready for whatever disco beats and everything else that bygone decade wrought. There is some great noise isolation for that, and so you can put them one and tune out the world.

You also have a lot of control. As standard for a product like these, there is a built-in mic in order to take your phone calls. I’m not certain how much of a standard this is, but there are some controls on the headphones themselves for power, volume up/down, track forward/backward, as well as pause/play.

ZAGG Flex Arc Wireless

Well, I have to admit that the Flex Arc Wireless have one of the most unique designs that I have seen. I’ve seen Bluetooth earbuds that attach together behind the neck before, but this is the first I’ve seen that has this halo of plastic housing.

What is interesting is how the plastic housing holds the wires. You can pull out the earbuds from their housing, and there is a special button on the side for retracting them. You can extend them a few inches, which is all that you need.

In addition to that unique feature, the Flex Arc Wireless is a speaker as well earbuds. You can change from sound from the buds to the speaker, but I will have to say that the speaker sounds pretty weak in comparison to the buds. I guess if you want to allow your friends to hear your music, it will do. This is strange, as the earbud drivers are 6 mm and the speaker drivers are 13 mm.

As for the other features, it has eight hours of playtime, as well as a built-in microphone and voice controls.

Final Word and Price on ZAGG iFrogz Impulse and Flex Arc Wireless

The sound of these are great, so I will give them both an 85 percent. The ZAGG iFrogz Impulse Wireless headphones are available for $59.99 on the ZAGG site, and the Flex Arc Wireless are available slightly higher for $79.99 on the ZAGG site here.

Geekscape Tech Review: ZAGG iFrogz Plugz, Charisma, Summit, and Impulse Wireless Earbuds

by GadgetMan

Like I said in my review of the Rugged Book Pro and the Slim Book Pro, this is going to be a review of not one, not two, but four ZAGG products, each one bearing the iFrogz name. All four of these products, the Plugz, Charisma, Summit, and Impulse, are all wireless earbuds that look very similar. I put them in order in the image.

So what is the difference between the ZAGG iFrogz Plugz, Charisma, Summit, and Impulse?

Let’s start with the Plugz. Considering that this is an abbreviation of Ear Plugs, I am going to say that this is the most basic of all of them. I’ll discuss the similarities to them later, but let’s get to more of the differences.

So, let’s talk about Charisma. It looks very similar, only this Charisma is “designed by women, for women”. Does this mean that mean that it is pink, but it has Black/Red, White/Rose Gold, and Gray.

As for the Summit, it is one of those that are made for exercise. Generally, when I see these type of earbuds, they have some wing shape on them so they fit in the ears. You know, so they won’t fall out of the ears.

So what does the Impulse have? Well, it has reflective acoustics which is “advanced audio technology engineered to create premium sound and rich, natural clarity”.

Okay, so those are the major differences with the drivers, and I’ll do it by listing the measurement of the drivers:

Plugz: 9 mm

Charisma: 6 mm

Summit: 8 mm

Impulse: 11 mm

What do the ZAGG iFrogz Plugz, Charisma, Summit, and Impulse have in common?

Yes, I know I phrased that like a joke, but they do have a lot in common. Of course, they habe some Bluetooth going on, making it easy to pair.

They also have a wireless Bluetooth hub that can clip to the shirt collar, a magnetic clip that gives control for the user for calls and music. By the way, each of them can store the earbuds when not in use.

Oh, they are also IPX-2 standardized, which means that they are resistant to sweat. The length of play time for each is about 10 hours.

So What about the price of the ZAGG iFrogz Plugz, Charisma, Summit, and Impulse?

It is not bad for what you get. The Plugz and Charisma are $29.99, and the Summit and Impulse are $39.99. Go ahead and hit the links on the product name if you want them.

Geekscape Tech Review: ZAGG Rugged Book Pro and Slim Book Pro for the iPad 9.7-inch iPad Pro

by GadgetMan

Yes, this is a dual review, and I’ll be doing a double dual review later. I suppose that there is a theme for this week, and that is ZAGG. If you are not familiar with ZAGG, they make a lot of great products that include headphones (like their iFrogz) and screen protectors (like the Invisible Shield).

I’m going to be reviewing two keyboards for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro with the Rugged Book Pro and Slim Book Pro. Oh, just to let you know, the Rugged Book Pro is the one on the left in the image.

Can the ZAGG Rugged Book Pro and Slim Book Pro Bring Anything New?

It is always difficult to create a product that is different from others. Since there are so many Folio cases for the iPad, this one makes things really different. Most Folio cases are the standard folder that closes up to provide a keyboard as well as some protection.

With both the Rugged and Slim Book Pro, you can detach the keyboard from the iPad itself. Not that you couldn’t do that with a regular iPad Folio, but it leaves the rest of the folio case behind.

In other words, you can detach the keyboard from the iPad, and you will still have a good stand for yourself. It comes in handy for when you are typing, and you can put your favorite tablet somewhere else. How handy is that? The answer is pretty darn handy, for sure, especially when the keypad and case lock together magnetically.

By the way, the stand for the iPad is made for many viewing angles. The keypad itself also has a kickstand in case you want it that way. While I am on the subject of the keypad, I will say that it is very, very thin. There is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to typing on it. I guess that I could say that about any keyboard, honestly.

It’s something that you have to try out for yourself, and a Power App from Mophie to let you know when it is time to recharge the particular case. Also, there are three pairing buttons for these devices. So if you have an iPad, iPhone, or some other device, it will work. Then there is also a holder for the Apple Pencil.

What is the Difference Between the Rugged Book Pro and the Slim Book Pro?

I suppose that the name implies, the Rugged Book Pro is made to be…rugged. Yes, that is pretty obvious, but it has a durable silicone rubber layered in the case itself, and that is with the Rugged’s stainless steel frame. I didn’t have a chance to really beat it up, but hey, it can take the stuff that life dishes out.

Also, the Rugged Book Pro has a cool “X” on it that reminds me of something that the X-Men would use.

If you want to try either the Slim Book Pro, head to here on the ZAGG site. As for the Rugged Book Pro, it is available here on the ZAGG site, and it is the exact same price of $149.99. I’ll have to say that the Rugged Book Pro is just a better buy, so you should just get that.

Geekscape Tech Review: Epson EX9200 Pro Wireless WUXGA 3LCD Projector

by GadgetMan

Okay, here’s the deal. I do a lot of reviews here, and I was quite excited about this one, and I hope it shows. Of course, the number one reason that I was excited about reviewing the EX9200 Pro Wireless WUXGA 3LCD Projector is because it is a projector. Sure, that is obvious, but if you have a blank wall, then you might as well get yourself a projector so you can make it a television or a secondary monitor.

So What Does the Epson EX9200 Come With?

The answer is: enough. You can see from the featured illustration how sleek and black that it is, which makes it look pretty technologically sexy. Okay, I got that praise out of the way, so let’s about what it comes with with the computer cable (VGA) and USB cable. For setup, it is really all that you need.

Also, it comes with a carrying case that isn’t hard, and gives you mild protection. There is a handle there, but it isn’t very big. Its more designed for carrying it room to room rather than on an airplane.

The remote control is all set up to go, complete with batteries, ready to hear input from the moment you plug the EX9200 in.

So How is the EX9200 Resolution?

Now, I am told that this is in 1080p, and it looks like it on my wall. I will have to say with the lights off, it feels like you have another TV in your room, and if that is what you want, this has it.

I’m told that it has 3X Higher Color Brightness, and I am going to just agree with that. Right now, I’m looking at my computer, and looking at a mirrored projection on my wall, and the projection looks a whole lot brighter. Brighter might be the operative word as it has with 3200 lumens.

I’m going to talk about the sound now. I had it connected to my computer, and I couldn’t hear a thing. Of course, I have to unplug my headphones, and then I reconnected it. I had to admit that the volume was loud on a setting of “1”, and when I had it set for louder, I had a little feedback, but it was set to my computer running a 1990s show, so that could be the issue.

Was the Epson EX9200 Simple To Use?

I am by no means a “projector virgin”. Most of the time, I use the VGA computer cable, but this one had ports for all kinds of things including one for the USB. All I did was insert the USB cable into my computer and then into the project and I had my computer projection before I knew it.

Now, I was told that I could just hook up my smartphone or tablet to this thing and I would get content from my mobile device onto whatever I was projecting. That didn’t really happen, but my phone is the HTC 10, and it didn’t look like the projector recognized it.

Also, it is possible to link content to the projector wirelessly, but this wasn’t as easy as it said it would be. Apparently, I was supposed to scan a QR code, but I couldn’t quite get it to work. At least, not in the few minutes or whatever.

Final Evaluation of the Epson

So yeah, perhaps not so easy to use, but this is for the more advanced features. I will have to say that you might want to whitewash your walls for this to get the full effect, and perhaps connect it to a stereo. I would rate it at 4 out of 5 stars for use in business or pleasure.

It is available on the Epson site for about $799.99.

Geekscape Tech Review: UAG ICE case for the MacBook Pro 15″ with Touch Bar

by GadgetMan

We have the opportunity to review another UAG (Urban Armor Gear) product. Our reviews in the past have mostly been protective phone cases. Urban Armor Gear isn’t limited to protecting cell phones, though. The product we’re reviewing today will protect your MacBook Pro 15″ with Touch Bar.

The sturdy UAG Case for the MacBook Pro 15-inch reminds me of the cases for the phones. The clear design allows you to see the design of the MacBook- including the light-up Apple logo. There are ventilation holes for the back of the MacBook to allow for free air flow, and non-skid, rubberized feet.

As with all of UAG products, the case is tested under a rating MIL-STD 810, a US Military certification applied to equipment that can withstand tough conditions(like dropping it). You don’t have to worry about dropping your MacBook when it is covered in this case. It does add almost a pound of additional weight to your computer, and you have to remove all dongles out of the USB ports when you close it for transport, but the hassle could be worth it when you are carrying it around and don’t want to worry about dings and dents in your MacBook.

This case is available for purchase on the UAG site for $79.95.

Geekscape Tech Review: Stealth 350VR Gaming Headphones

by GadgetMan

Our first review of a product from Turtle Beach will be a great pair of gaming headphones called Stealth 350VR.

Why the 350 is in the name, we are unsure, but the VR should tip you off to the system that these headphones are designed for. Stealth 350VR has an ergonomic VR design to allow for VR headband and cables from systems like the PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive.

The Turtle Beach Stealth 350VR has 50mm Neodymium speakers contained in over-the-ear cushions that provides a live sound to fully complete your VR experience. The variable bass boost will enhance the low sounds to make you feel even more a part of the virtual reality around you.

The microphone is a great feature of the headset, also. It is noise cancelling to allow you to chat with others without them hearing all the background noises in your house. It also has mic monitoring so you aren’t yelling to hear yourself talk over the game action.

The battery life on these lasts quite a long time- 30 hours- before needing to be recharged.Its interchangeable cables allow you to use it on multiple VR systems.

If these headphones are something you need to add to your VR gaming experience, you can purchase it on the Turtle Beach website for $79.95.

Geekscape Tech Review: MyCharge HubPlus-C

by GadgetMan

In the past couple of months, we have been able to review three MyCharge products, and we’ve been reviewing products from this company since 2014, so there is a lot of familiarity with the reliability and soundness of MyCharge tech. The new product we have received to review may be a sneak peak here. It is the HubPlus-C, and it is one that is a personal plus for this writer.

I have a phone with a USB-C port- the HTC 10. It’s not easy finding products with the built in USB-C adapter, but MyCharge has come through for us, so we can charge our devices at a lightning speed.

I’ve reviewed a lot of mobile device back-up chargers, but the HubPlus-C is the first of its type that I have encountered with a built-in USB-C cord, and it also comes with a micro USB cable as well. The device comes with a USB port, so you could technically charge 3 things at once. To charge the myCharge HubPlus-C, one can simply flip out the fold-in prongs, and plug it in to any outlet.

The MyCharge HubPlus-C is recommended for those with active lifestyles who need something to charge on the go. This product boasts up to 4x extra battery for you device. It is good for 6700 mAh and has an output of 18 W Max. From the time of writing this article, we aren’t able to find the product on the MyCharge site, but their similar product- the HubPlus– with the same mAh is running for $79.99. We will post an update when the product is available on the market.

Geekscape Tech Review: Wilson weBoost Drive 4G-X

by GadgetMan

Have you ever been on the road in the middle of nowhere, and have been frustrated because you have no cell phone signal? Well, thanks to Wilson, this could be a problem of the past, because they’ve created the solution. We’re talking about the weBoost Drive 4G-X, which the company says is “the most powerful, professional grade 4G vehicle booster”.

How does it work? There is an antenna included in this kit that allows low-level signals to be channeled into something that is much higher. If you want to see a video of how it works, you can check it out here.

Pointing out something from the video- the amount of bars may vary from phone to phone. Some phones may get an amplification of one bar, while others in the same location might get two bars. Still, one thing we know for sure is that the weBoost Drive 4G-X works for carriers both in the United States and Canada.

So how much of a boost are we talking about? In some cases we are looking at about 32x of the 4G LTE and 3G signals. This gives the benefit of fewer dropped calls, better voice quality, faster uploads/downloads, as well as 2 hours of additional talk time in weak signal areas.

Everything that you need is available in this package that includes the Drive 4G-X, the outside antenna, and inside antenna, as well as a power supply to plug in to what people used to use for cigarette lighters.

The weBoost Drive 4G-X is available for a price of about $479.99 on their website. A high price, but this could be a lifesaver for those who are frequently traveling and need something for those places that don’t quite reach the cell towers.

Geekscape Tech Review: The Airbar

by GadgetMan

I am still terribly upset about missing CES this year, and one of the receivers of the Innovation awards was the AirBar. The AirBar is a product that can turn an ordinary screen into a touchscreen.

I know what you’re saying: aren’t all screens touchscreens? Yeah, you would think that, or at least I would. I mean, I just started a job where we have these somewhat old looking mobile devices, and they have touchscreens.

Anyway, with the Airbar, you do all the gestures that you can do on a touchscreen. You know, like the pinch, swipe, zoom, and scrolling. What is interesting is how you can do things that you normally can’t on a touchscreen smartphone or tablet. For example, if you have gloves on, you can totally use it. Also, if you have a brush or stylus, it works!

What is great is how easily that it installs, at least for the PC 15.6 inch version. Seriously, the Airbar sensor just kind of plugs in there. They are releasing additional sizes for PC laptops and AirBar for MacBook Air 13.3″ next month.

You should be able to purchase the AirBar on the main website for $69.

Geekscape Tech Review: Patchworks’ Screen Protectors, Botanical Garden Cases, and Air Straps for the Apple Watch

by GadgetMan

Patchworks is a great company that makes many accessories for your mobile devices, and we got another chance to receive some products to review here- a couple of screen protectors, a case for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, and an Apple Watch Air Strap. We’ll start by with the screen protector reviews.

The ITG Plus for the Galaxy S7 is a scratch resistant screen protector. They have some for iPhones, and there is the fabulous oleophobic coating which makes it easy to wipe off fingerprints and the grease from holding it to your face. The shatterproof features of this screen protector make it great for protecting your phone. It retails for $18.99 on the Patchworks site.

Next in our line of reviews is the ITG Stealth screen protector. It also has the shatterproof and oleophobic coating, but the Stealth has a unique privacy filter. The privacy filter is made from 3M technology allowing you to keep what is on your phone to yourself- in case you don’t want to share details with the person sitting next to you on the bench.

This screen protector comes for the iPhone 7, and also sizes for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S, as well as Plus sizes. The original retail price is $34.95, but Amazon has a deal for $19.95.

If you are an iPhone 7 or 7 plus user, and you like cases with floral print, you might like the Botanical Garden cases that come in colors of Rose, Hydrangea, Blue Bird, Wild Flower, and Russian Blue. These cases have a unique rib pattern that will trap some air to cushion your smartphone if it is dropped. It has been tested and proven to survive 26 consecutive free fall drops from 4 feet at all kinds of angles.

These cases sell on the Patchworks site for $29.95 for the iPhone 7. Here is the link to purchase the 7 plus(same price).

Last, but not least, we review this product for the Apple Watch- known as the Air Strap. Made of premium leather and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), the Air Strap will provide some style to your Apple Watch.

There is a tunnel structure in this band that allows air to flow, because who wants the sweatiness that other regular watch bands provide?

If you want an Air Strap for your Apple Watch, we suggest you go to Patchworks, where you can purchase one for the 38 mm version here and the 42 mm version here. The price is $49.95, and you can get it in black, gray, white, brown, and red.

Geekscape Tech Review: Master and Dynamic ME01 Earphones

by GadgetMan

The company, Master and Dynamic, is a new one to us. We’ve never heard of it before now. However, the ME01 from Master and Dynamic is worth the discovery. In fact, I’m going to say that these are a hidden gem in the littered world of earbuds.

So, what does the ME01 have? We’ll start with the 8mm titanium high performance drivers, with a machine aluminum body. So yes, the sound is great.

Then there is the tangle resistant rubber cables, and it has a remote and mic controls for volume and such. There is also an omni-directional microphone as well, and an in-ear monitor.

All this, and it comes with a leather case as well as four sizes of silicone ear tips. It can be purchased on the Master and Dynamic site for $129 in Black Metal/Black Rubber as well as Gunmetal/Gunmetal Rubber.

Geekscape Tech Review: Beyerdynamic Byron BT Premium Wireless Earphones

by GadgetMan

Beyerdynamic allows me to review some great products of theirs, and this time I’ll be reviewing the Byron BT wireless. Some wireless earbuds are like earplugs, and are truly wireless. This is not that kind, but hopefully we’ll be seeing those kind of earbuds from Beyerdynamic in the future, hopefully before the end of 2017.

Although, not that kind of wireless, these earbuds do have the wireless convenience of not being tethered physically to your device. There is a cord that connects each earbud, but it can just hang down in the back of your neck. They wirelessly connect with Bluetooth, so you could answer calls and listen to music without having your phone/cord getting hooked on something. These earbuds use Qualcomm aptX codecs with acoustic transducers to provide quality Bluetooth sound. There is a three-button remote included that allows for a hands-free microphone for taking calls.

The battery life on these wireless earbuds will give you about 7 and a half hours worth of listening pleasure, before you have to charge them again, and that takes about two hours. For another $100 you could upgrade to the BTA and have faster charging and AAC and aptX codecs, but the BT only supports aptX.

These are good quality earbuds by Beyerdynamic for those looking for these characteristics in the price range of $99.00. They can be purchased along with other great Beyerdynamic products on their website.

Geekscape Tech Review: ITG Patchworks Pure Cover Case for iPad Pro 12.9 and 9.7 Versions

by GadgetMan

ITG Patchworks have produced many screen protectors and cases, and I’ve had the chance to review a lot of their products. This review will be another one of their great products. This one will protect the iPad Pro, the 12.9 inch and 9.7 inch versions. It’s known as the PureCover case.

The PureCover is made of soft polyurethane leather, which has a nice feel to it and you can fold up the PureCover to make a stand for your iPad Pro, and it can be done two ways. The cover component can be folded to make it stand more upright at an angle, or lay at a bit flatter of an angle. This is a great feature if you want to prop up your iPad Pro to watch a movie. There is also a magnet in the case that will work with the iPad’s auto sleep feature to turn the tablet on and off without having to push any buttons.

The back of the iPad Pro will be protected with a clear back housing containing a UV coating. There is a pocket band included with the case to hold your iPencil or stylus. We think that’s convenient.

If you are in the market for a nice protector for your iPad Pro, the 12.9 inch version can be bought for $45 on the Patchworks website. You can buy the 9.7 inch version as well for $35. It comes in colors of Champagne Gold, Black, Gray, Navy Blue and Pink.

Geekscape Tech Review: LucidSound LS20 Gaming Headset

by GadgetMan

We recently reviewed many great gaming headsets, and we’re going to continue along that line- this time the headset will not only work for the PC, but also for all other platforms like the PlayStation, Xbox One, your mobile devices, and PC. This one is from LucidSound, and it is known as the LS20.

The LucidSound LS20 gaming headset has convenient accessible controls on the earcups. On the left side, you can spin a volume control wheel and hit a button for audio mute. The right earcup contains a microphone mute button. As mentioned before, the LS20 is compatible with mobile devices- including controls for music and calls.

The sound from the 40 mm speakers with neodymium magnets is powerful, aided by a tremendous bass boost with the help of a rechargeable battery inside the headset. It also has active and passive modes as well.

It’s predecessor- the LS30 is bigger, has 10 more mm of audio drivers, and was wireless- as compared to this model that you have to plug into everything. The LS30 also costs $50 more, but both headsets are comfortable with their memory foam padding.

Other features include a rechargeable battery for up to 20 hours of charge, and is available in black and white. You should be able to purchase it on the Lucid Sound site for $99.99.

Geekscape Tech Review: Pelican Marine for the iPhone 6 and 7

by GadgetMan

Otterbox has a tough competitor from our point of view with their phone cases. Pelican is rising up to match that protection in their recent iPhone 7 offerings of the Voyager and the Protector. Today we are reviewing another Pelican case, aptly named the Marine.

A company in the business since 1976, Pelican has introduced the Marine as another line of protection. Water, snow, dirt, and dust are going to be no match for the iPhone 7(also available for 6 and 6s) when this case is surrounding it.

The shell consists of five layers of serious impact absorbing materials. It also has a scratch resistant coated screen protector. The protection of this phone has a rating of IP68. This brings the iPhone 7 up to the same protection rating as the Samsung Galaxy S7 in terms of dust and water protection. The phone can have the extra protection from water up to another .5 cm at 30 min. of submersion.

The thinness of the case was noticeable to me when I received it to review. It does not seem to add initial volume of the iPhone 7 by much. The case has been tested to military standards of 810G. So even this seemingly thin case will protect your phone from multiple drops.

If you would like to purchase the Pelican Marine Case for the iPhone 7, you can do so on the Pelican website for about $74.99 in colors of clear, clear with black, and clear with teal. The case for the 6 and 6s can be found on Amazon for $49.99- a thirty dollar mark down. This one seems to come in only black.

Geekscape Tech Review: Cherry MX Board Silent

by GadgetMan

Sometimes I have the privilege of writing my review using the product I am reviewing. This is one of those moments. Cherry’s MX Board Silent is the product I’m reviewing right now.

In the past, I have reviewed “silent” keyboards, such as Matias Quiet Pro Keyboard. I was skeptical at first because I wasn’t sure it would be as silent as it claimed. This keyboard is, in fact, very quiet. Quiet enough that I can type at night while my wife sleeps.

The look of the keyboard is simple and basic. It comes in black and white. I was sent the white version to review. It’s style is reminiscent of an IBM that I used to own back in the late eighties. The setup of the keys and the Num Lock/Caps Lock/Scroll Lock is very similar.

The keyboard impressed me by having both USB and the traditional keyboard connector functionality. It also has QWERTY key layout with 104 keys, and the user can operate 14 keys simultaneously.

Though the pricetag is steep, we can recommend it to those looking for a nice keyboard to type on at the office. You can find it on Cherry’s website for about $149.

Geekscape Tech Review: Sennheiser PC 373D Headphones

by GadgetMan

Today we’re reviewing another pair of gaming headphones. These are the PC 373D from Sennheiser. This is a German company known for producing different kinds of headphones and headsets for a variety of needs- including DJing, sports, aviation, and even assistive listening headphones for the hearing impaired.

The PC 373D has 7.1 Surround Sound, made specifically for the PC gamers. These headphones are not versatile in their use for other things, as it is a USB-only headset, but if you are really into PC gaming and want a great experience and don’t mind the pricetag, then these headphones are probably up your alley.

Sennheiser seems really excited about this product, and what they rave about is the transducer, which lends itself to high-end open acoustic gaming sound in each earcup. These headphones are equipped with an equalizer offering four settings that enables the user to customize the sound.

The earcups are velvet lined, as well as the headband. The user of these headphones will enjoy much comfort with the quality of sound.

The microphone is another great feature. Very high-end and noise-canceling, made to filter out that pesky background noise. Muting is as simple as lifting the mic up, and you can bring it back down again when you want to talk.

You should be able to purchase the PC 373D on the Sennheiser site for $249.95.

Geekscape Tech Review: Speck Presidio SHOW, Glitter, and Grip iPhone Cases

by GadgetMan

If you are interested in some nice cases to protect your phone, we’re going to review a few great products from Speck. The ones that I was sent to review were specifically for the iPhone 7, but a couple of these also come for the 6s and 6 also.

Beginning with the Presidio SHOW, which comes in sizes for the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 6/6S. This case is transparent, which is probably why it is called SHOW, because it shows your phone.

Not only does it have a transparent style, but it also has a shock barrier on the side which is made of Impactium. Sounds kind of like “unobtainium” from Avatar. The SHOW has been named as iLounge’s best iPhone case in 2016. It comes with a Lifetime Warranty, and is drop tested- claiming to offer 10 ft of protection.

The Presidio SHOW can be purchased on the Speck website for $39.95.

Then there is the Presidio CLEAR + GLITTER. This case is very glittery, but also made of Impactium. This case has an 8 ft drop protection. This is also an award winner for iLounge. You can enjoy the glittery case in different colors- Clear/Gold Glitter, Onyx/Gold Glitter, and Rose Pink with Gold Glitter/Rose Pink.

You should be able to purchase the Presidio CLEAR + GLITTER on the Speck site for about $44.95

Last up is the Presidio GRIP. If you have issues holding on to your phone because you have butter fingers, this case might be a lifesaver for you. It has little ridges that make the phone easy to grip- as well as the 10 ft drop proven test, so if it still falls out of your pocket or hand, you will still have phone protection.

You can get the Presidio Grip on the Speck site for about $39.95, and it comes in Black/Black, White/Ash Gray, Graphite gray/Charcoal Gray, Twilight Blue/Marine Blue, Lipstick Pink/Shocking Pink, and Whisper Purple/Lilac Purple. This case is available for iPhone 7s only.