In my latest gadget haul, I am looking at five items that vary significantly in utility and performance. But there are a few good ones in the mix that you can find here on Amazon (compensated affiliate link).
I began with a four-way HDMI multiviewer from Orai (compensated affiliate link) a brand known for various video routing connectors. This device allows for four HDMI sources to be connected and displayed on a single screen simultaneously. The front panel features buttons for switching between sources and modes, including a four-way split that is particularly useful for monitoring multiple broadcasts at once. It supports 1080p at 60Hz and is HDCP compliant, meaning it can handle protected content from streaming services like Netflix. While some of the other display modes distort the aspect ratio of the video, the multiviewer functions reliably as an affordable solution for 4-up multi-source monitoring.
The monitor I used to test this device is a 24 inch 240Hz IPS display from Dell at a crazy low price (compensated affiliate link). For a budget-friendly screen, it performs well with a 0.5ms response time in its extreme mode and support for AMD FreeSync. In testing with both modern PC benchmarks and older gaming hardware, I found very little motion blur or screen tearing. The color accuracy is rated at 99% sRGB, which is respectable for this price point. The primary compromise is the peak brightness, which reaches only about 300 nits, and the included stand, which lacks height adjustment and only offers tilt. However, it does feature a VESA mount for those who prefer a more flexible setup.
Transitioning to mobile accessories, I tested the abxylute M4 Snap-On Mobile Gaming Controller controller (compensated affiliate link), which proved to be a disappointment. Although it uses MagSafe to attach to a phone, the design is top-heavy and the controls are physically cramped. The D-pad and buttons lack a premium feel, and the analog sticks do not include a click function. It also only works with the phone in landscape mode unless the controller is physically detached.
Another item that fell short of expectations was a SanDisk USB-C phone drive (compensated affiliate link). While SanDisk has a long history of reliable storage, this specific drive struggled with write speeds. Although it approached its advertised read speeds at around 140 megabytes per second, the write speeds hovered at 35 megabytes per second. During large file transfers, the drive appeared to write in chunks, often pausing as the cache caught up. It functions adequately for small file transfers or phone backups via the SanDisk app, but it is not a recommended choice for high-volume data tasks.
The final item is the EufyCam S4 (compensated affiliate link), a dual-lens security camera that includes a wide-angle 4K lens and a 2K pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera. A notable aspect of the Eufy system is that it does not require a subscription for AI detection features, such as recognizing humans, vehicles, or pets. The camera effectively tracked movement during my testing, including prioritizing the action when a car was pulling in and I was walking my dog. It comes with a 5.5-watt solar panel and a removable battery, which remained at full charge during a week of outdoor use. The solar panel can be detached for better sun placement, with Eufy providing a weather proof USB-C extension cord for that purpose. While it supports RTSP for integration with personal NAS and NVR devices, using this feature significantly increases power consumption, likely requiring a dedicated USB power source rather than relying solely on the solar panel and battery.
I will continue to keep an eye out for hardware that fulfills its promises as I prepare for the next round of testing.