Saturday, May 28, 2016

Kuuk Fruit Infusion Pitcher - BPA Free Acrylic - 93 oz (2.9 Qt)


COMPONENTS OF INFUSION PITCHER:
1.) Pitcher, 2.) Infuser that screws onto 3.) lid

ABOUT THE PITCHER
80-93 oz depending on amount of fruit inserted into infuser.

PROS:
+ Good size for a family
+ Fits into the refrigerator without tilting
+ Versatile - infuser can be detached if desired or ice can be added to infuser tube
+ BPA free
+ Light weight
+ Well balanced when full

Hori Hori Garden Knife


WHAT'S INCLUDED?
- Hori Hori Garden Knife
- Leather Sheath
- Paper Knife (aka small box cutter)

BYB CREE XM-L T6 LED 1000 Lumens C8 Flashlight


VIDEO INDEX:
Part 1: Brief overview (0:05)
Part 2: Inside demo (1:25)
Part 3: Waterproof test (1:47)
Part 4: Outside demo (2:08)

ABOUT THE LIGHT:
+ Uses a 2,200 mAh rechargeable lithium ion battery
+ 5 light settings (high, medium, low, strobe and S.O.S.)
+ "Sawtooth" lens that's intended for self defense or smashing a window
+ 100,000 hour led bulb (Cree XM-L T6)
+ 1,000 lumens

PROS:
+ Uses a CREE LED bulb that is bright and energy efficient
+ Multiple settings
+ Charges fully in 2 to 2.5 hours
+ Includes a rechargeable lithium ion battery and charger
+ I'd estimate the useful range is 150 yards and closer
+ Strong aluminum alloy body
+ Lightweight
+ Relatively small (handle is about a fist wide and the head of the flashlight is an additional 2-3 inches)
+ Waterproof

CONS:
- Unknown if warranty is provided or the length of time it is covered
- No adapter included for using with AA or AAA batteries if desired (in fairness to the manufacturer, the light is brighter using li-ion batteries)
- No adjustable beam focus
- Does not come charged (or at least my battery arrived with no charge)
- No instructions or product specifications included (does anyone read those anyways?)

REVIEW:
Brightness - This light is very bright! Unfortunately, it's very difficult to film how bright it is, but it reaches out there far. I can see it reflecting off road signs at 150 yards, but you wouldn't want this if you need to illuminate anything further than approximately 100 yards max. The CREE website lists this bulb at about 1,000 lumens, so this listed 1,000 lumens seems legit. This light has a ton of potential uses. If you have a question about it, I'd be happy to try to answer it for you! I respond to messages left below within a day if at all possible.

CONCLUSION:
I really like this flashlight! If I could improve one thing, I think it would be an adapter for using alkaline batteries or an adjustable beam. However, those are minor quibbles. It's bright, it's compact, and it's well made/durable. Overall, I'm pleased with the flashlight!

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (FTC) DISCLAIMER:
I received this product for free. However, the opinions expressed herein were formulated based on my personal use of the product. I welcome all suggestions, feedback and/or product questions!


KEDSUM Neck & Back Shiatsu Massage Pillow with Heat


WHAT'S INCLUDED?Massage pillow 
o DC power cord (for using in vehicle)
o AC power adapter
o User Manual

Blulu Baby Handprint and Footprint Keepsake Kit


WHAT'S INCLUDED?
o 2 packages of "Clay"
o Circular Mold
o Numbers/Letters/Shapes Stencils
o Ribbons (Red, Pink, Purple, Blue)
o Roller
o Hole Punch (a.k.a. a straw)

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Supertech Strip Lighting - RGB SMD5050 300 Leds


FEATURES OF THIS LIGHT STRIP:
+ 16.4' long and cuttable every 2"
+ Approximately 8' power cord
+ Waterproof and suitable for indoors or outdoors
+ 80,000 hour life span
+ 300 LED's over 5 meters (or 60 LED's per meter)

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

LuxuryScentBox.com

Part 1 - About LuxuryScentBox.com


Part 2 - LuxuryScentBox.com Unboxing video


Sunday, May 22, 2016

Cancer Sucks (Part 2)

In a previous post (found here), I talked a bit about the cancer diagnosis and treatment for my neighbor, Amber. I wanted to give a bit of an update with this post. Not necessarily about the diagnosis or treatment, but about a party we threw for her. Back in March when I had heard that the cancer had returned. I began planning a party with some of the residents on my street and some of Amber's family members. The first date fell through, because many of the parents on the street had to work a festival for their children's schools...so we rescheduled for tonight (May 21).

Friday, May 20, 2016

iRULU 7-Inch Tablet



Available on Amazon at http://amzn.to/1NBjTtp

Screen Resolution: 800 x 1280
Warranty: 1-year or 60-day money-back guarantee
Storage: 32MB and expandable up to 128MB with MicroSD card
Ports: Micro USB, MicroSD, HDMI, 3.5mm headphone
1 GB RAM
Intel Atom 1.33 GHz Processor

Features:
7” screen
Bluetooth 4.0
Audio: Unknown (no product specs on the audio)
3,500 mAh battery (I get about 4-5 hours run time)
Camera 0.3MP (front-facing camera) / 2.0MP (rear-facing camera)
Microphone

WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Tablet, AC Charger, USB Cable, User Manual

PROS:
+ HDMI port (rare for a tablet in this price range)
+ HD screen (800 x 1280)
+ Large Hard drive (32 GB)
+ You can streamline with your MS Windows computer for easy transfer of files using Microsoft OneDrive and OneNote

CONS:
- Battery capacity is a bit low at 3,500 mAh
- Camera is adequate but not great

I own an HTC One M8 running the Windows platform. I also have a laptop that runs windows. It’s nice to be able to sync this tablet with those two devices. Tablet processor (1.33 GHz) is very capable for this price point in a tablet. It lags a touch at times, but it’s not bad. For a blazing fast processor, you will need to upgrade as you would expect. The speakers are adequate for watching videos and most purposes. However, don’t plan to “bump out” to these speakers. The camera is decent, but by no means premium. This tablet has a lot of storage for the price at 32GB.

WHO IS THIS TABLET INTENDED FOR?
In a nutshell, this tablet is great for browsing the internet, checking email, watching the occasional video, reading e-books, playing light games, connecting headphones for listening to music, looking for a durable (yet inexpensive) device for their child, and checking trail/game cameras with an SD/Micro USB adapter. Another thing to note is that this does not have advertisements like some of the Amazon Fire tablets.

WHO SHOULD LOOK FOR ANOTHER TABLET?
Buyers that want the following might consider other options: a premium camera (2 MP), loud speakers for music, battery life exceeding 4-5 hours. and/or those wanting a high-end processor with no lag when multi-tasking.

CONCLUSION:
Overall, this is a great value in a tablet at an affordable price. If you meet the criteria I’ve outlined above, I think you will be very happy with this tablet. If you place a high value on some of its shortcomings, then you might consider upgrading. I hope my review was helpful to your purchasing decision!





FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (FTC) DISCLAIMER:
I received this product for free. However, the opinions expressed herein were formulated based on my personal use of the product. I welcome all suggestions, feedback and/or product questions!

Suaoki Stainless Steel Fishing Pliers with Lanyard and Case



WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Aluminum fishing plier with lanyard, belt holder

FEATURES:
+ Notched handle grip
+ Lightweight and rust-proof
+ SUS 420 stainless steel for jaws
+ Tungsten carbide cutters
+ Also strips, pulls, crimps, and opens split rings (like those on key chains or attaching lures to line)

MY REVIEW:
I use these pliers for freshwater fishing, but they work just as well. These pliers are a necessity for any serious fisherman. I love the lip on the end for opening up split rings. The cutter at the base is very useful for cutting braided fishing line and even light single-strand wire. Of course, the most useful part is the pliers for taking hooks out of the fish's mouth. When you can reduce the time it takes to remove a hook, it increases the odds that a fish survives the catch and release. I use the pliers for crimping weights. You can also use them for saltwater fishing for crimping leaders.

The pliers automatically spring to the open position when out of the holster. The holster and lanyard are nice touches, so you don't lose the pliers overboard by accident. However, you don't have to use them if you don't want.

WHO IS THIS SET INTENDED FOR?
I think this fishing pliers set is intended for just about any fisherman out there. The only exception I can think of is someone who does not want to wear a holster while fishing. Without the holster and lanyard, the fishing pliers might be a bit slippery.

CONCLUSION:
Overall, this is a really nice set of fishing pliers that every fisherman should include in his or her tackle.

Available on Amazon by clicking here

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (FTC) DISCLAIMER:
I received this product for free for purposes of testing and reviewing. However, the opinions expressed herein were formulated based on use of the product. I welcome all suggestions, feedback and/or product questions!

Surpahs Set of 3 Warm Light LED Under Cabinet Lighting Kit



WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Three 2-watt LED Lights (with brackets and screws), power cord, and two bonus extension cords measuring 24"

VIDEO CONTENTS:
A quick look at the lights after installation and some installation tips

BRIEF INTRO:
The LED lights have two settings of brightness. The lights are 3000K in color temperature. Basically, that means they give off a warm, white light. For comparison, as you move up the scale in color temperature (say 5000K), the color beings to turn to a cool, blue light. I much prefer warm white light, which is one reason why I ordered these. These lights come with two 24" extension cords should you have long runs to make between the lights.

INSTALLATION:
To install, you will first need to figure out where the lights work best. Oftentimes, these are at the front of the underside of the cabinets. I know it's tempting to place them in the middle of the underside of the cabinets, but you want to make sure the light is centered on the counter top, not the cabinets where they are hung. Now that you figured out where you want them, place the bracket there and market the two holes where the screws will go. The instructions don't state what size drill bit to use. I recommend using a 3/32" drill bit. I also recommend placing masking tap on the drill bit to indicate how deep to go, so you don't needlessly drill through the cabinet (see the video for clarification if needed).

Once the holes are drilled, screw in the base of the LED lights about half-way. Then insert the LED light and slide the cords through the slots. Finish screwing the base in and pull any slack in the cords. When it's the lights are secured, you can plug the lights in. I used Gorilla tape to secure the cords. Feel free to use whatever you like, but make sure the tape has sufficient stickiness to secure the cords.

PROS:
+ Low energy consumption (total of 6W)
+ The kit contains a couple bonus extension cords (each 24")
+ Good color temperature (3000K)
+ Bright
+ The finished product looks great (in my opinion) in the kitchen
+ Doesn't get hot to the touch
+ Can connect multiple sets or use as few lights as you want
+ All the lights come on at once rather than one at a time (like when using battery puck lights)

CONS:
- The two settings of brightness are different, but not by much.
- I'd like to see a better method included in the kit for securing the cord and switch than using tape (not provided)

CONCLUSION:
I really like the final product after installing these lights. Installation wasn't too bad, particularly if you take my suggestions into account. The hardest part of installation is keeping those little screws on the screwdriver before driving them into the cabinets! The lights provide ample task lighting and look very professional. I really like them. I have a couple suggestions for improvements though. I would like to see a low light setting. The two settings are more in the 1.) moderate and 2.) moderately bright category for under cabinet lighting. Not a major gripe with the brightness though. The other thing I would like to see is better, or more professional, method of securing the cable and switch. I think this would really be nice. It's definitely not a deal breaker though. As I mentioned, I am very pleased with the lights!

Available on Amazon at http://amzn.to/1NBi6EJ

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (FTC) DISCLAIMER:
I received this product for free. However, the opinions expressed herein were formulated based on my personal use of the product. I welcome all suggestions, feedback and/or product questions!

Blutle USB Smart Charging Surge Protector


WHAT'S INCLUDED:
Surge protector and owner's manual

FEATURES:
You can view the product specifications with the picture of the back of the surge protector or a snap shot of the owner's manual (attached).

Smart Charging - Briefly, this surge protector is capable of "smart charging" your phone. Before explaining, let me preface that by saying that each electronic device is only capable of charging at a maximum rate. It can not charge faster than that rate. If you have a phone that charges at 1.0A, no matter what charger you get, it will not charge faster than that. On the flip side, if you have a phone that charges at 2.4A, it will charge at a slower rate if your charger only supports a maximum charge rate of 1.0A. Many tablets and some phones allow a charge up to 2.4A. This surge protector is capable of charging up to 2.4A.

Power Buttons - you can turn off individual outlets or you can turn of all USB ports and all electrical outlets.

Electrical Cord Length - 69" or 5' 9". The cord is quite long. I find that to be a good thing. However, everyone has their own applications. If you only need a short cord, you can tie up the loose cord or maybe find a more suitable surge protector

Joules - This device has a maximum of 3,500 Joules. This is quite high comparatively speaking. Basically, each time your surge protector takes a "surge" of electricity, it diminishes the life, or ability to protect your electronic devices. Unfortunately, no surge protector comes with a device to measure the remaining number of Joules. For that reason, it's best to throw out your old surge protectors (particularly when you are using expensive or sensitive devices i.e. laptops, appliances, etc.)

Wattage - This device has a maximum wattage of 2,500. It's suitable for powering many things: televisions, freezers, computers, laptops, fans, etc.

CONCLUSION:
Overall, this surge protector and USB smart charger have met all of my needs. I like the high number of Joules, sufficient wattage and a relatively long power cord. I am pleased with this product! Will it meet your needs?




FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (FTC) DISCLAIMER:
I received this product for free for purposes of testing and reviewing. However, the opinions expressed herein were formulated based on use of the product. I welcome all suggestions, feedback and/or product questions!

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Marky 20oz Stainless Steel Tumbler



ABOUT THIS TUMBLER:
o 20 oz capacity
o Weighs 10.2 oz

PROS OF THIS TUMBLER:
+ Easy to Clean
+ Double walled/vacuum insulated
+ It doesn't sweat
+ Dishwasher Safe

Sunday, May 15, 2016

TamTchu Baby Bandana Drool Bibs for Girls


WHAT'S INCLUDED?
+ Four 100% organic cotton bibs, and
+ A pacifier clip / snuggie blanket / rattle (more on exactly what it is later)

ABOUT THE BIBS:
The bibs are a very soft and absorbent. They have 2 buttons to adjust the size. This allows for 3 positions, or sizes, of the bib. The theme for the bibs are floral designs. My child is currently 7 weeks old old weight approximately 10 lbs (she was last weighed 2 weeks ago). I use the smallest setting on the bib. Please note that the bibs are not velcro, so you don't have to worry about them catching on something else when machine washing or drying them.

Friday, May 13, 2016

Yum Yum Fun Healthy Bars & Snacks Variety Pack Assortment Care Package




WHAT'S INCLUDED:
2 BelVita Bites Mixed Berry - 1.76 oz
2 Kashi Chocolate Almond & Sea Salt 1.2 oz
2 Fiber One Oats & Chocolate - 1.4 oz
1 Fiber One Strawberry Streusel Bar 1.42 oz
1 Nature Valley Biscuits Almond Butter - 1.35 oz
2 Nature Valley Trail Mix Fruit & Nut - 1.2 oz

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

DBPOWER RC Quadcopter with HD Camera



VIDEO CONTENTS:
o Introduction
   - DBPower App – 0:05
   - Calibrating drone to align rotors – 1:03
   - Identifying front/back of drone (affects “steering”) – 1:31
   - Conroller buttons – 1:38
o Flight Demonstrations – 2:17
o Review/Conclusion – 4:21

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Kedsum Floor Lamp


VIDEO CONTENTS:
Part 1 - Components of the Floor Lamp (0:27)
Part 2 - Assembly (1:00)
Part 3 - Remote Control (1:46)
Part 4 - Overview of Floor Lamp (2:26)
   o Color Temperature
   o Brightness
   o Dimming
   o Dimensions
   o Adjusting/Rotating Floor Lamp
Part 5 - Demonstration (3:42)
Part 6 - Conclusion/Review (4:19)

Personalized State Art from Lone Star Art



HOW DO YOU MAKE/BUY THIS PERSONALIZED CANVAS ART?
First click on the Amazon link here. On the right, select your home state or state of choice (i.e. Kentucky for me). You then write the line under "Home" that contains your state ("is where our story begins"). Then you select the names or text you'd like below that. After that, you select your location, date of establishment, or other text of your choice. Finally, you select one of four colors (Khaki, Slate, Denim, or Cranberry).

Sunday, May 1, 2016

DBPower Magnetic Construction Set For Kids


VIDEO CONTENTS:
1. Intro/What's Included?
2. Demonstration
- Car
- Connecting pieces
3. Look through Included Book For Design Ideas
4. Review

WHAT'S INCLUDED?
This set contains 46 pieces: 20 squares, 14 triangles, 4 hexagons, 2 wheels, and 6 numbers