Tag: haul

Amazon Tech Haul 8! The Stocking Stuffer Edition

In my latest Amazon haul, I explored a range of items that could work as stocking stuffers or practical gadgets. Some came through the Amazon Vine Program or from manufacturers free of charge for review, but all opinions are my own. Here’s a breakdown of what I unpacked this time.

You can find all of this stuff on my Amazon Shop page here.

The first item was the Samsung Essential Monitor S3, a budget-friendly curved display available in 27 and 24-inch variants. It’s an entry-level display best suited for light casual computing use or game consoles like the Xbox Series S. It’s not bad for the price – especially as it’s from a known and respected brand – but there are some limitations for gamers and professionals.

I received the 27 inch unit to review, and found that the better resolution for a display of this size is 1440p. The 1080p resolution makes the pixels very apparent when using this as a desktop display.

While it offers a 100Hz refresh rate, it is a bit dim at 250 nits and lacks advanced features gamers are looking for like AMD FreeSync. It also has a 4ms response rate which means that you’ll see some motion blur in fast moving games. But for those looking for a low cost display you can’t go wrong with a Samsung.

Next up was a portable SSD called the Beetle X31 from SK Hynix. This 2TB drive impressed with its no-frills design and reliable performance, offering speeds of about 900 MB/s in tests. While it won’t support newer console titles due to USB drive limitations, it’s great for PC games, older console games, backups, and even externally booting operating systems. The included USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables were a thoughtful touch.

A quirkier addition was a handheld gaming device, the Howow Papa JJ. This unit claims to encourage outdoor play with its built-in compass on the back, but its game library turned out to be a bunch of hacked and re-skinned versions of classic NES titles. Poor build quality and unoriginal content made this one a pass.

Switching gears, the Legion Go from Lenovo made an appearance. This handheld gaming PC is equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z1 processor and supports versatile gaming setups, including docking for TV use. Its modular design and robust features make it a solid choice, though its bulkiness might not suit everyone. It’s on sale this week at a price that rivals the Steam Deck with a similar configuration. I recommend the Go for those who want to dock the handheld to a larger display as the Z1 can outperform the Steam Deck for 1080p output. See my full Legion Go review here.

On the accessory front, a few interesting gadgets stood out. The Scosche Magic Mount (compensated affiliate link) combines a water bottle with a magsafe compatible phone mount, catering to multi-taskers.

The Ugreen Magnetic/Magsafe Travel Phone Holder surprised me with its practical design and surprising strength. This compact accessory uses a secure grip to attach your phone to a variety of surfaces, from desks to airplane tray tables. With its durable rubberized grip and thoughtful design, it’s a simple yet highly functional stocking stuffer for anyone who frequently uses their phone hands-free.

Next up were some neat chargers that came my way. Duracell’s power bank, styled like a “giant copper top” battery, doubles as a wireless charger with space for two devices along with a 60 watt USB-C output and 12 watt USB-A port. It includes a docking plate for easy recharging at home and provides convenient on-the-go power, albeit with a moderate capacity.

The Scosche Baselynx modular charger system (compensated affiliate link) showcased how a simple device could evolve into a multi-functional charging hub. Its stackable design allows for various configurations, including Apple Watch and additional device charging modules, with a simple-to-understand point based power budget system to avoid overloading.

Finally this little ProtoArc retractable charger offered a unique solution for those who often forget to pack cables. Featuring an integrated retractable USB-C cable, it eliminates the hassle of carrying extra wires while delivering up to 20 watts of power. In addition to the built in cable there’s a USB-C charging port that shares its 20 watt power budget with the cable. The cable functions like a tape measure, extending to the desired length and retracting smoothly when not in use. Though modest in capacity, its convenience and portability make it an excellent addition to any tech-savvy traveler’s kit.

Keep an eye out for more hauls as I continue to review the latest gadgets and gizmos! You can see my prior hauls here.

Disclaimer: These items came in free of charge either through the Amazon Vine program or direct from the manufacturer. No other compensation was received nor did anyone review or approve this video before it was uploaded. All opinions are my own.

Another Amazon Gadget Haul!

I recently explored a new batch of tech gadgets from Amazon, and the results were mixed. While some items stood out as practical and innovative, others fell short of expectations.

You can watch the full video here and see all of the gadgets on Amazon here. (compensated affiliate link)

First on the list was the Minis Forum S100 Mini PC. It’s a compact device that can be powered directly through an Ethernet cable when connected to a POE (power over ethernet switch), which initially seemed like a convenient feature.

However, the performance significantly lagged when using Ethernet for power, with benchmark scores notably lower compared to when it was powered via USB-C. This performance disparity made it hard to recommend the device, especially since its primary selling point—Ethernet-based power—didn’t deliver as expected. It could still be useful for lightweight server tasks or digital signage, but its limitations were disappointing.

I did check with Minisforum and their response was “POE is only used as an auxiliary power supply, if you need a higher performance, it is recommended to use type c power supply.”

Next, I checked out the 8BitDo SN30 Pro controller, which now comes in an atomic purple case with upgraded hall effect sticks. These sticks offer better precision and durability compared to traditional ALPS based sticks. While the controller lacks some customization options available in higher-end models, its improved build quality and responsive controls make it a solid choice for retro gaming enthusiasts.

Another interesting gadget was the ProtoArc Hub Mouse. At first glance, it looks like a standard mouse, but it includes a built-in dongle that functions as a mini docking station, offering HDMI, USB, and power pass-through. It’s a versatile tool for those who need to connect multiple devices on the go. However, the HDMI output is limited to 4K at 30 frames per second, and the buttons on the mouse didn’t have a satisfying click, which could be a dealbreaker for some.

The Wavlink Thunderbolt 4 Dock is a more affordable option for expanding Thunderbolt ports on laptops. It performed well, delivering 90 watts of power and supporting multiple high-resolution displays. It’s a practical solution for those needing additional connectivity without breaking the bank, though the bulky power adapter was a slight downside.

The ProtoArc Foldable Keyboard was another product I was eager to try. It’s a full-sized, backlit keyboard that folds up for easy portability. Unfortunately, mine arrived with a defective D key, which made it challenging to use. Despite this flaw, the keyboard shows promise, offering convenience for those who work on the go.

Anker’s Fusion 10k charger stood out for its unique design. It features a wrist strap that doubles as a charging cable and supports dual charging with a 10,000mAh battery. It’s a clever, portable option for keeping devices charged, though it’s not the most powerful charger on the market.

For those needing more robust charging capabilities, Anker’s 100W 9-in-1 desktop charger provides multiple USB ports and regular outlets, offering more flexibility for charging several devices simultaneously.

Finally, I looked at the AGPtek MP3 player, which turned out to be a disappointment. The device boasts a sleek design reminiscent of an old iPod, with modern features like Bluetooth and video playback, and even supports lossless audio files. It even has an FM radio. However, the poor audio quality due to a subpar digital-to-analog converter severely undermined its potential. It’s a missed opportunity, as the player had the potential to be a solid alternative for those looking to move away from smartphones for media consumption.

All in this was another fun Amazon haul. It’s nice to see that there are still some obscure gadgets out there that I can share with all of you! Stay tuned for the next one!

Amazon Gadget Haul #6! Hits and Misses

In my latest Amazon gadget haul, I explored a variety of lesser known tech products to see which ones (if any) stood out.

  • Wavlink Thunderbolt NVMe Hard Drive Enclosure: Unfortunately, this product had a lot of potential but simply did not work. Despite trying multiple drives and configurations, it couldn’t be made to work on any device, so I suggest skipping this one.
  • Budget-Friendly 4K 60fps Video Capture Card: Although it claimed high performance at a low price, it dropped a significant number of frames when capturing at 4k60. This makes it unsuitable for professional use, but it might suffice for non-critical applications where frame drops are less concerning.
  • CZUR Touchboard Pro Keyboard: Despite its promising design, it fell short in build quality and usability. The keyboard’s plastic feel and imprecise trackpad made it less appealing compared to other portable keyboards.
  • Minix Wireless HDMI Video Dongles: These dongles can transmit 1080p HDMI video wirelessly, making them handy for presentations or extending displays without cables. There was some noticeable latency, but they worked well for non-gaming applications.
  • Minix GaN 67 Watt Power Strip: Featuring multiple USB-C ports and AC outlets, this compact charger can handle multiple devices simultaneously, making it a decent travel companion. I compared it to another favorite charger of mine from Oraimo, which offers more power and has become my go-to for travel. Unfortunately the Oraimo one is not currently available.
  • Suideck 10-Device USB Charger: This is ideal for environments like schools or YouTube production lairs where many devices need charging or topping off. While not the fastest charger, its ability to handle multiple devices overnight makes it practical for many use cases.
  • Carplay / Android Audio Portable Vehicle Display: For those needing CarPlay or Android Auto in their vehicles, this compact display was easy to transport and set up, offering a functional solution for rental cars or older vehicles without built-in support for these features.
  • RGB Mousepad with Built-in Qi Charger: While it added a cool aesthetic with its lighting options, the uneven application of the Qi charging area detracted from its overall quality.
  • Two Apple Chargers : There are lots of low cost Apple magsafe chargers on Amazon. I found two that cover the Apple trifecta, charging a magsafe equipped iPhone, watch, and Airpods wirelessly. One is great for nightstands while the other folds up neatly for travel.

Overall, this haul had a mix of hits and misses. While not all the products met expectations some were pretty useful. I’ll be back with another one of these soon!

My Latest Temu Haul Looks at $85 Worth of Cheap Gadgets

For some reason online schlock house Temu.com continues to ask me to check out their gadget offerings despite the less than stellar experiences we’ve had in previous videos. My latest haul, consisting of about $85 worth of stuff, found some useful devices but many fall into the “penny wise and pound foolish” category.

You can see it all here. All the links below are affiliate links.

First on my list was a foldable Bluetooth keyboard, priced at $18.70, that caught my eye with its promise of combining convenience and technology. Despite its potential, the reality fell short. The keyboard’s uneven keys and awkward layout disrupted what could have been a smooth typing experience.

My attention then shifted to a mini gaming keyboard for $9.52, hoping for redemption. Though it wasn’t the mechanical marvel I had hoped for, its backlit keys and adequate typing feel offered a silver lining. The backlight was a bit dim but some of the colors were bright enough to illuminate the key caps. Overall this one wasn’t bad for its super low price.

The M1 wired gaming mouse, at $10.79, was next. Surprisingly, it felt right at home under my palm, navigating with precision unexpected at this price point. However, its touted macro capabilities were a no-show, but that’s likely for the best given it probably requires some sketchy software.

Next up was a $14 multifunction vacuum cleaner. Its lackluster performance and unappealing aesthetics served as a reminder that not all that glitters is gold, especially in the realm of budget electronics. But it could suck and blow at the same time, so that’s something.

In my quest to make the most of my budget, I encountered a series of quirky and seemingly arbitrary additions. A $2 USB hub shaped like a banana, and a set of $4 light-up ice cubes were amusing yet underscored the hit-or-miss nature of shopping at Temu.

Also in the mix was a 512 megabyte SD card for $2 and change that was initially mislabeled as having 512GB of capacity. Another was what appeared to be a useful $4 USB hub with integrated card reader that turned out to only run at USB 2.0 speeds – despite its blue colored ports.

The haul concluded on a higher note with a $16.49 DVD/CD burner that doubled as a USB hub and card reader. Despite its outdated USB 2.0 interface, it redeemed some of my earlier disappointments by functioning as promised for CDs and DVDs.

Shopping at Temu requires tempered expectations that sometimes leads to the occasional pleasant surprise. If you shop smart you might end up with something useful.

See my other haul videos here!

Disclaimer: Temu provided me with an $85 budget to pick out an assortment of gadgets from their shop. They provided no additional compensation nor did they review or approve this video before it was uploaded.

Lots of Neat Stuff from My Latest Amazon Gadget Haul

In my latest Amazon haul, I discovered some genuinely intriguing tech gadgets that you might find useful. You can check out the video here and find them all on Amazon here.

The first item that caught my attention was a smartphone cooler from Neewer. It not only charges your phone wirelessly but also features a Peltier cooler – a small heat pump that significantly reduces the temperature of your device.

Next, I explored a versatile charging bank from Lenovo, available in both 20,000 and 10,000 milliamp-hour capacities. This power bank’s standout feature is its ability to simultaneously charge devices wirelessly and through a built-in USB-C cable. This makes it convenient for charging multiple devices at once, a handy tool for anyone on the go.

Next was a portable 3-in-1 wireless charging station designed for Apple MagSafe devices, though it can work with Android devices too with the right accessories. The charger can lay flat or can propped it up for easy viewing a charging iPhone’s screen. It also charges your Apple Watch and has a second lower powered Qi pad for airpods and other compatible Qi devices.

Another interesting find was a small, portable USB-C dongle for charging Apple Watches. The magnet on this one felt stronger than the one on the 3-in-1 charger, making it quite secure for charging your watch on the go.

While on the Apple theme, I next looked at a couple of trackable items compatible with Apple’s Find My network – a HaloLock wallet stand and the MoMax Pincard. The HaloLock works as a magsafe wallet and a phone stand, with the added benefit of being trackable via the Find My network. The MoMax Pincard, a completely sealed flat IP68 weatherproof Find My tracking device, can be attached to luggage or keys and is rechargeable over Qi wireless charging.

The one dud of this look was the ReShow Cassette Converter. This walkman-sized audio cassette player allows you to convert those cassettes into digital format via USB-C. While its build quality and audio output aren’t top-notch, it offers a relatively simple way to preserve old recordings, especially for those nostalgic about their old cassette collections. The player appears as a standard USB audio device when connected to a PC or mobile device.

The haul also included an external optical drive for reading and writing CDs and DVDs. It’s a straightforward, USB-based device that proves useful for those who still have a collection of discs or need to access older software on CDs. Although the one I received is not available at the moment, there’s many similar ones that likely come out of the same factory available at a reasonable price on Amazon.

Lastly, I reviewed the Belkin Connect USB 6-in-1 GaN Dock. This compact and portable docking station is about the size of a laptop power supply but also offers a range of connectivity options, including HDMI, gigabit Ethernet, USB-A, and USB-C ports – no additional power brick required.

This was a fun one to do. It’s always great to find some useful gadgets that are relatively affordable.

Disclosure: The HaloLock phone stand and Lenovo battery came in from the manufacturers free of charge. The rest of these products came in free of charge through the Amazon Vine program. I had no contact with the manufacturers, no one reviewed or approved this video before uploading, and no other compensation was received.

Amazon Tech Haul 4!

Earlier this year I was re-admitted into the Amazon Vine program which has resulted in me discovering a lot of weird random tech sold on the platform. A lot of this stuff is junk, but some of it actually is pretty useful. In my latest video I run down the latest batch of tech I acquired.

This time we take a look at cool Steam Deck dock, a neat party favor idea for video game themed parties, some other useful stuff and of course a dud of an Android gaming tablet.

You can see my prior haul videos here!

Amazon Tech Haul Episode 3!

I am a member of the Amazon Vine program and which gets me access to a lot of interesting tech gadgets for sale on Amazon.

What’s fun about the Vine program is that it surfaces devices that are not from well-known brands. Over the last few months I’ve been doing a series of fun tech hauls where I unbox and test out a bunch of devices in a single video. You can find my latest episode here!

This episode had a few hits like a neat portable charger/battery for the iPhone, Airpods and Apple Watch, and a huge dud of e-waste that is the “HaoPapa” game console.

I’ll have another haul in the near future so stay tuned!

Disclosure: These products came in free of charge through the Amazon Vine program. I had no contact with the manufacturers, no one reviewed or approved this video before uploading, and no other compensation was received.

Amazon Tech Haul Episode 2!

A few weeks ago I did a “haul” video of some interesting gadgets I acquired through the Amazon Vine program. That one proved popular with viewers so I’m back with Episode 2! You can watch it here.

Here’s a quick summary of what I found. Each link, which are compensated affiliate links, will take you to the individual video reviews I posted on Amazon:

Redragon K671 Mechanical Keyboard
Like most Redragon keyboards these are mechanical low cost alternatives to membrane keyboards. While not as high quality as a Razer and some of the other premium brands, it does offer a nice tactile feel albeit with shallower key travel. I also found the RGB lighting to be a bit dim, and the colors of the lights are fixed. But for the price I’m not complaining.

MokerLink Outdoor POE Ethernet Switch
This is a low cost POE switch that can deliver a power budget of 78 watts and 30 watts maximum per port. It’s built in a weather proof housing and is designed to be outdoors. But its power supply is sealed inside the case making maintenance difficult and you’ll need to have a weather proof enclosure to plug it into power.

Plugable’s USB-C Extension Cable with Power Meter
Plugable has come up with this USB-C extension cable that includes a built-in power meter. It supports up to 240 Watts and does a good job accurately displaying the power consumption on its tiny screen. I tried powering a mini PC with it but was having some trouble. A lower powered PC one faired a little better. I suspect that you need to be careful about not creating too long of a cable using this extender. A dedicated cable vs. this extender would have been ideal.

Star Linker “Thunderbolt 4” Cable
This Thunderbolt 4 cable caught my attention because of its length – 3 meters or 10 feet – much longer than the Thunderbolt cables I usually see. However, it’s important to note that while it claims to be a Thunderbolt cable, it hasn’t been officially certified. It did perform well in my tests, delivering proper data speeds with a Thunderbolt-only drive that I attached. It’s possible they applied for certification but went to market before that certification was confirmed.

Sodi Magsafe Stand for iPhones
For iPhone users with the Magsafe connector, this stand is a neat accessory. It’s a small stand that uses magsafe to keep the phone in place and it works in both portrait and landscape orientations.

It’s sturdy, and you can even attach it to your MacBook’s display to use your iPhone as a webcam. The quality was surprisingly good, and it didn’t weigh down my MacBook screen.

BENFEI Multi-Function USB Hub
This multi-function device integrates a 3-port USB hub with a gigabit Ethernet port. I liked that its connector works with both USB-A and USB-C ports. Ethernet performance was on par with other USB gigabit adapters and you get the added bonus of three USB-A ports for low power consuming peripherals.

RSF Apple Find My Compatible Smart Tag
I found this alternative to the Apple AirTag intriguing. It’s slightly cheaper than Apple’s version and doesn’t require any additional accessories to be hung from luggage or a pet. It is licensed by Apple to work with the ‘Find My’ network but lacks the ultra-wideband detection feature of the official AirTag for directional finding.

AMZPilot Rugged NVMe M.2 SSD Enclosure
This rugged USB-C NVME SSD enclosure feels well constructed and very rugged for creators on the go. While installing the drive took a little longer than some other enclosures I looked at recently the performance was on par with my expectations.

EZCast HDMI Transmitter
The EZCast HDMI transmitter is a nifty device for business presentations. It wirelessly transmits 1080p video from a laptop to a display or projector using its HDMI receiver. In my testing it easily transmitted across the equivalent of a large conference room with no drivers required. The transmitter unit pulls video from a computer or tablet’s USB-C port with no additional dongles required.

I do these every couple of weeks as new stuff comes in that’s worth talking about. Look for the next one in a couple of weeks once I’ve accumulated enough devices worth talking about! I also produce these while streaming live to Amazon – you can see the recording here.

I also have a running playlist of my prior haul videos at https://lon.tv/hauls.

Disclosure: these products came in free of charge through the Amazon Vine program. I had no contact with the manufacturer, no one reviewed or approved this video before uploading, and no other compensation was received.

Amazon Tech Haul!

I was recently invited back into the Amazon Vine program where I have access to a lot of interesting gadgets from lesser known brands. I’ve been posting a few of the more promising ones as shorts or mini-reviews on my Gadget Picks channel.

As you all know I am constantly experimenting with content on the main channel and figured an Amazon haul video might be a fun one to do, similar to the ones we did with some Temu junk. So here it is!

In the video we look at everything from a magsafe charger/speaker phone to a really cool touch screen for a Raspberry Pi. Not everything was a winner but the products all at least worked this time – unlike our prior two Temu hauls.

And wow does the algorithm like delivering haul videos to you:

Given the popularity of this one I think I’ll keep doing these on a regular basis. Especially as the Vine program has almost an endless supply of this stuff.

These videos are also great multi-format opportunities. I was live streaming on my Amazon page while I recorded the segments for this YouTube video. And I will also break each segment into individual reviews for Amazon’s “Shoppable Videos” program. If you follow me on my Amazon page you’ll get notified when I go live!

Stay tuned!

Disclosure: these products came in free of charge through the Amazon Vine program. I had no contact with the manufacturer, no one reviewed or approved this video before uploading, and no other compensation was received. 

My Second TEMU Haul Didn’t Go So Well..

Recently, I received another package from TEMU (affiliate link), an online store known for super cheap stuff including tech gadgets. Although I was excited to explore the contents given our relative success on our first experience, this haul didn’t quite meet my admittedly low expectations. You can see it all in my latest video but here’s a rundown of my experience with the items I received:

1. Key Finder Device ($1.89) The first item I unpacked was a key finder device. Unlike popular key finders that work with Apple’s Find My network or the Samsung and Google equivalents, this one operates with its own app. After downloading the app and pairing the device, I found its functionality to be quite basic. It relies on signal strength to determine proximity, and if the device gets disconnected, it emits a loud alarm. However, I had reservations about the app constantly running in the background and its less-than-stellar reviews on the Google Play Store.

2. Portable Mini Thermal Printer ($16.49) Next up was a portable mini thermal printer. After setting it up and connecting it to its designated app, I took a picture and printed it. The result? A grainy, one-bit image reminiscent of old faxed photos or the Game Boy Color printer. While the print quality wasn’t impressive, the speed at which it printed was pretty good and I could see how this might be a fun gadget for kids. I do wish it printed on stickers vs. the thermal paper it came with, however. That said the consumable cost is quite low, a pack of five replacement paper rolls costs less than $4.

3. X6 Drone ($37.39) The most expensive item in the haul was the X6 drone. While the drone looked promising, it proved to be a challenge both in its configuration and operation. After charging its battery and attempting to fly it, I quickly realized it was nearly uncontrollable. It didn’t stay in place, constantly veered in different directions, and the Wi-Fi connectivity for the camera didn’t work. Ultimately, the drone ended up in the woods, and I decided it wasn’t worth retrieving until the winter when the poison ivy goes away.

This TEMU haul was a mixed bag. While the thermal printer had some potential, the key finder raised privacy concerns, and the drone was a complete miss. Stay tuned for the next one and in the meantime you can visit Temu using my affiliate link here.

Disclosure: TEMU sent the items to review free of charge but did not review or approve the video before it was uploaded.