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Car and Driver AIRX 300 Tire Inflator Review

02/08/2023 By Hakan Can Leave a Comment

Car and Driver AIRX 300 Tire Inflator Thumbnail

If you’ve been following the weather this past week, then you already know how cold it was in much of this country. Where I live in New England, we saw (and felt) cold temperatures that we haven’t seen in decades. With that said, the timing could not have been better to try out the new Car and Driver AIRX™ 300 portable tire inflator. How did it fare in a -20°F environment? Is it the best portable tire inflator in 2023? Let’s take a closer look at this Car and Driver AIRX 300 tire inflator review.

Car and Driver AIRX 300 Tire Inflator Full Image

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Car and Driver AIRX 300 Tire Inflator Review

Key Features

  • Portable, cordless design
  • Digital display
  • Ease of menu
  • Battery charged
  • Built-in flashlight
  • Sturdy, protective case
  • USB-A & USB-C charging connections

Specifications

BrandCar and Driver
ManufacturerSummit Electronics LLC
ModelAIRX 300 Digital Inflator
External MaterialsAluminum, ABS Plastic
Product Dimensions8" x 1.9" x 1.9"
Product Weight18 ounces / 0.5 kg
Power Input5 V / 2.4 A
Power Output5 V / 2 A
Power Consumption54 Watts
Charging Capacity5000 mAH
Charging Time< 3 Hours
Pressure Range0 - 120 PSI
Air Flow16 LPM Max
Noise Level80 dB Max
Charging Port (Power Input)USB-C
Charging Output (Power Output)USB-A
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Car and Driver AIRX 300 Tire Inflator Case Image

Last month, I was invited to the Car and Driver Tech showroom at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV. As someone who likes working on cars and playing with the latest in automobile technology, how could I resist? Of their four new product offerings, the AIRX™ 300 was the one I could immediately put to use.

AIRX 300 Tire Inflator Construction and Design

The first thing you notice when you open the box is that the AIRX™ 300 is quite a handsome product. Its exterior is made from aluminum and ABS plastic. It’s sturdy yet weighs just over one pound. An air hose port and flashlight are located on the top, while on the bottom, there are USB-A and Type C charging connectors.

Along the front is a digital display with a 5-button menu. This menu is so easy to comprehend that many of you won’t need to refer to the user manual. On the very top line are three items, two of which you may rarely see. They are the air leakage, the overheating warning, and the battery power indicators.

The second line is the product category that you’re about to inflate. Press the middle button (M) until you come to the product category you’re looking for. These categories are auto, motorcycle, bicycle, ball, and others.

Under that line, you’ll see the default pressure value for each category. And yes, pressure is adjustable via the up and down buttons. If you need to adjust the unit of pressure, hold the M button down until PSI flashes. Now you can select any of the other three units (BAT, KPA, Kg/cm²). This pretty much rounds out the menu.

Along with the tire inflator, you’ll receive a zippered storage case, an air hose, a Type C charging cable, and a handful of valve adapters and sealing rings.

AIRX 300 Tire Inflator Performance

As I stated in the opening paragraph, we had some very cold days here last week. The kind of cold temperatures that break records. And what happens in cold temperatures to a car, more specifically its tires? Well, to phrase it simply, tires lose their pressure. And right on cue, mine did. Nonetheless, I still had to get out of the house and drive to wherever need be that week.

When I received the Car and Driver AIRX™ 300, it was put to use the very next day, and twice the following week during the cold stretch. And each time, it worked like a charm. It arrived fully charged thus I was able to fill all four of my Honda Accord’s 235/45 R18 tires to their recommended pressure of 32 psi, and with nearly half a charge left over. But the big test was the following week.

During the subzero temps, the two rear tires fell to 23-24 psi while the fronts only fell to about 29 psi. I’m not entirely sure why they didn’t drop in unison, but I suspect it has something to do with the valve stems. Nonetheless, on the -30°F to -20°F sunny Saturday morning, it took no more than 2 minutes to fill each of the fronts and about 6-7 minutes to fill each of the rears. But I did encounter a problem. Just as I was about to charge the first tire, I accidentally hit the flashlight button. Not realizing my error, it remained on for the duration. And because of this, the battery charge went to zero. Suffice it to say, I was lucky that morning. I’ve also noticed that if you’re not careful, the strap on the storage case when released could also activate the flashlight. A future solution to this problem could be delayed activation after holding down the button. This is how the power button operates.

Car and Driver AIRX 300 Tire Inflator Top View
Car and Driver AIRX 300 Tire Inflator Bottom View

I should say that on my second car, the front driver’s side tire was 15 psi. This tire took over 10 minutes to fill.

Now you may be asking yourself, ‘why didn’t he just take his car to a gas station and fill it there?’ After all, there are three air-filling locations within a mile of my home.

The first answer is to never operate your car on low-pressure tires as you may damage them. The second answer is sometimes those air-filling machines don’t work in the cold, especially in extreme cold. Sometimes they’re broken, awaiting repair. This happens to these three machines all the time, the closest of which is still broken. And third, in your haste to fill the tires, you may forget to bring the change required to operate these machines provided they’re operational. Who hasn’t left their house without their wallet?

There are two more items I want to mention with respect to performance. The first is that each time I exhausted the battery on the AIRX 300, it took two hours to fully recharge. The literature states three hours, so I was pleasantly surprised. Second, if you’ve powered the device on and haven’t put it to use, there’s a fail-safe mechanism built in. If unused for 100 seconds, the device will automatically power down. This latter feature comes in most handy.

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Conclusion

Pros:

• Portable, lightweight design
• Durable body
• Simple, straightforward menu
• 5000 mAh battery

Cons:

• Price of $129.99 may be too high for some
• Product availability is limited to the Amazon store
• Buttons should be some color other than black
• Flashlight button placement could be better

Car and Driver AIRX 300 Tire Inflator Side Image
Car and Driver AIRX 300 Tire Inflator Spare Items

Now and then we receive a product at the right time to give it a proper workout, and this one hit on the nail. Since I’m the type of person who loves to work on and maintain his cars, this product was a must to review. Time is money to me. As someone who likes to save both, filling up tires in my driveway which I do on weekly is far better than traveling to and from one of the local gas stations. Sure there’s an upfront expense in purchasing a tire inflator, but the time saved is more valuable to me.

Since this product is only available on the Amazon store, I got to see plenty of competition in this product category. Amazon just loves to show competitors. The high majority of portable tire inflators (all but two) were from brands I’ve never heard of and wouldn’t trust regardless of price. And many of them were approximately half the price of the best two in this category.

Even though the AIRX™ 300 is priced at $129.99, I have seen it as low as $99.99 on the Amazon store, so check occasionally.

This well-designed product has earned a 4.5 out of 5-star rating.

What do you think of this Car and Driver Digital Inflator review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Car and Driver Tech website as well as their Amazon store to see their other auto-related product offerings. To learn more about product support, click Support at the top or bottom of their website. The AIRX™ 300 comes with a one-year warranty which is located on the back pages of its user manual.

FTC Disclosure: Car and Driver provided Beantown with one (1) AIRX™ 300 digital inflator sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown © 2023.

Filed Under: Mobility Tagged With: AIRX 300, Car and Driver, Digital Inflator, Tire Inflator 02/08/2023

Fenix TK22 V2.0 TAC Flashlight Review

12/01/2019 By Hakan Can

It’s safe to say that anyone who owns a home or rents an apartment needs a flashlight. Actually, these people probably need two or three just to cover all events and emergencies. Two months ago we reviewed the Fenix PD35 TAC flashlight and got a taste for what a truly great flashlight can be. Because we received such positive feedback, we were presented with the opportunity to review another, the Fenix TK22 V2.0 TAC flashlight. Now, this second light is different from the first, for reasons we’ll get into momentarily. So without further ado, let’s take a closer look in this Fenix TK22 V2 TAC flashlight review.

Fenix TK22 V2.0 Tactical Flashlight in Packaging

Pros:
• Multi-purpose flashlight
• Up to 1600 lumens
• Aluminum body
• Intelligent memory
• Low voltage indicator
• Overheat protection
• IP-68 waterproof
• Medium size, lightweight

Cons:
• Warm to touch at the highest setting
• Does not include battery or charger
• Price of $85 may be too high for some

Read:   Fenix PD35 TAC Flashlight Review

Fenix TK22 V2.0 TAC Flashlight Review

Once you’ve used a high-quality flashlight, you won’t want to go back to the low-quality $20 variety you see in the aisles of your nearest hardware store.

Unfortunately, you won’t find Fenix flashlights in either Home Depot or Lowe’s. I’m not sure why this is the case, but for the brand’s sake, I hope it’s rectified quickly. You can find their products on their website www.fenix-store.com.

For the sake of comparison, we measured the Fenix TK22 V2.0 against similar models at Home Depot. From the 389 flashlight models available at HD, the field was narrowed down to just under 10 when we based our selection on those with aluminum casings, rechargeable, 5-year minimum warranty, and lumens above 1000. In fact, only one brand met the criteria, a brand that I’ve never heard of before today. Oddly enough, their flashlights looked remarkably similar to those from Fenix.

So if you’re looking for a great flashlight, the field is quite thin, and you’ll have to look at Fenix.

Fenix TK22 V2.0 Tactical Flashlight
Fenix TK22 V2.0 Tactical Flashlight Extras

As you can see from our Pros vs. Cons list, the former greatly outweighs the latter. The $85 price tag isn’t an issue as you’re getting a high-quality product with a great warranty.

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Design and Features

There are only a handful things you need to know about operating the Fenix TK22 TAC V2. With a slight press of the tail switch, you’ll see the light beam that was last used. So if you shut off the light at ‘High-Mode,’ then it restarts at ‘High-Mode. A full press the tail switch activates the flashlight.

Pressing the stainless steel side switch once (and then again) changes the mode, of which there are four listed below. Holding the side switch down for three seconds takes the light into tactical modem, aka the strobe. It’s this setting you would use on someone to temporarily disorient them. There is plenty of police or military uses for this light.

The flashlight is made from aircraft-grade aluminum with notch and groove patterns throughout. In other words, this light should’t slip out of either hand.

The LED is the Luminus SST40, made from an ultra-clear glass with an anti-reflective coating.

If  you’re worried about using the flashlight in the rain or dropping it in shallow water, don’t be. The light has an IP-68 waterproof rating allowing it to be underwater for 30 minutes at a depth of two meters. It’s also impact resistant to one meter.

Additionally, it’s mind-blowing how good a product this is with its intelligent memory circuit and reverse polarity protection.

The TK22 TAC measures at 5.91″ long, 1.57″ head width, 1″ body width, and weighs 5.29 ounces without the battery. Speaking of batteries, you’ve got a few options to choose from, as this model does not come with a battery.

  • The ARB-L21-5000 – 21700 battery w/o USB port for charging, currently $24.45
  • The ARB-L21-5000U – 21700 battery with USB Type C port for charging, currently $24.95
  • The ARB-L18-3500 – 18650 battery w/o USB port for charging, currently $24.45
  • The ARB-L21-3500U – 18650 battery with μUSB port for charging, currently $23.45

If you purchased a battery without a USB port, then it’s recommended you purchase the Fenix ARE-D1 ($14.95) smart battery charger. In full disclosure, we need to purchase one ourselves.

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Specifications

This “professional performance” flashlight puts out some amazing specs.

Outdoor Mode
• Turbo: 1600 Lumens, 405 Meter Distance, 2 Hr 10 Min Runtime
• High: 500 Lumens, 231 Meter Distance, 4 Hr 40 Min Runtime
• Mid: 150 Lumens, 112 Meter Distance, 17 Hr Runtime
• Low: 20 Lumens, 51 Meter Distance, 80 Hr Runtime
• Strobe: 1600 Lumens, switching between 6 and 15 Hz every 2 seconds

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What’s In The Box?

• TK22 TAC V2.0 Flashlight
• ALF-18 Battery Holder
• Holster
• Lanyard

• Two spare o-rings
• Spare rubber boot
• Warranty card
• User manual

Fenix TK22 V2.0 Tactical Flashlight and Case

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Performance

During an evening one week ago, we tested the TK22 V2.0 outdoors, and we were blown away with what we saw. With 600 more lumens than the PD35 TAC, we had a feeling we would be.

Under the three higher settings, the beam throw goes from the long end of my yard to the other and beyond. There are woods on two sides of my home, and they were lit up like fireworks. Suffice to say; if you’re searching for someone or something outdoors during the evening, you’ll have no trouble seeing where you’re walking and for hundreds of meters ahead of you.

Based on its smaller size, I recommend having the PC35 TAC over the TK22 V2.0 when it comes to what to keep in one’s automobile glove box.

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Conclusion

From a physical design perspective, I found the TK22 TAC V2.0 to be very comfortable and portable, true to its mission, and best used outdoors. The quality of light and its throw is most impressive.

So you don’t waste your time, we’ve done plenty of comparison research here, but as always, feel free to do your own.

At $85, and without the battery, the cost of the Fenix TK22 V2.0 is an expense that will cause some to balk. Despite this fact, this product is worth taking a long look at. We don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

If you’re shopping around a major holiday, there may be special pricing on this model or another, so please check. Recently we’ve seen a 60% discount on the battery.

What do you think of this Fenix TK22 V2.0 TAC flashlight review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts. Should you wish to purchase this flashlight, click this PD35 TAC store link. We don’t earn a commission or anything.

Fenix TK22 V2.0 Tactical Flashlight Photo

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Fenix Blog page to see the latest announcements and reviews. The Fenix TK22 V2.0 TAC flashlight comes with no less than a 5-year warranty on the light. If you have a rechargeable battery, there’s a 1-year free repair warranty. See the Fenix Warranty page for more information.

FTC Disclosure: Beantown was provided with one (1) Fenix TK22 V2.0 TAC flashlight sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2019.

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Filed Under: Mobility Tagged With: Fenix, flashlight, tactical flashlight, TK22 V2.0 12/04/2019

Telic Energy Flip Flop Sandals Review

11/24/2019 By Hakan Can

Telic Flip Flop Left Side Closeup

Best Flip Flops for Women and Men?

I wear sandals from the moment I wake to the moment I go to bed. So it’s safe to say I enjoy wearing sandals. I work out of a home office, an office that doesn’t have heated floors, so I need something on my feet to keep them warm. Recently, we were contacted to try something in the footwear category. This brings us to Telic–the maker of Energy Flip Flop sandals. For the past four weeks, I’ve been wearing these sandals with great satisfaction. Now it’s time to share my experience with all of you. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Telic Energy Flip Flop Review.

Telic Flip Flop Right Side

Telic Flip Flop Midnight Black

Pros:
• Heat-activated; conforms to your feet
• Arch support
• Shock-absorbing Novalon® material
• Textured surface material; allows airflow
• Comfortable to wear for hours at a time

Cons:
• Not ideal for environments above 100°F
• Price, maybe?

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Telic Energy Flip Flop Review

As I stated in the opening paragraph, I’ve been wearing the Telic Energy Flip Flops inside my home and in the front yard for the past month. Before this, I was wearing leather sandals from Kenneth Cole and inexpensive sandals from Timberland. The leather sandals are handsome, but they’re made for outdoor use, plus they’re falling apart after many years of use. The Timberland sandals aren’t much to brag about. They have only one purpose, and that’s for taking showers at the gym. So while I worked at home writing and editing, I was wearing socks (which often caused my feet to lose traction) or was barefoot. This was not ideal for Fall or Winter months. Until I find some split toed socks, I’ll be wearing these Energy Flip Flops the way nature intended–barefooted.

Best Flip Flops with Arch Support

Design, Features, and Performance

What makes these flip flops stand out from the crowd? First, they’re manufactured from a material called Novalon®. Although the name sounds like that of some character from the Marvel Universe, I assure it’s not. It’s actually an elastomer that’s latex and allergy-free. The description the folks at Telic provide is better than anything I can write. “The unique blend of elasto-polymers is feather-light, pillow-soft, and provides exceptional cushioning, rebound, and elasticity. Telic shoes not only absorb shock, but they have a noticeable “bounce back” effect that makes you feel like you are floating above the ground.” When I say that you won’t want to take them off your feet, I’m not exaggerating. They’re on my feet many hours per day.

Telic Flip Flop Left Side Closeup

Telic Flip Flop Midnight Black

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Like many elastomer materials, the flip flops are affected by temperature. Under the Common Questions page on the Telic website, it states that cold weather makes the shoes more firm, while warm temps make them soft. Do try to avoid wearing them in temperatures above 100°F and do keep them out of direct sunlight. In other words, it’s not wise to wear them in Las Vegas or Phoenix during the height of Summer.

When I received the sample pair, my first thought was “they’re too small, they’ll never fit.” To my surprise, the Men’s Size 9 was a perfect fit. It took roughly a half hour for my arched feet to become accustomed to the flip flops. After all, they’re heat activated to conform to your feet. The contoured footbed with its arch support and shock absorption make this one very comfortable product to wear. And when you walk, there’s a nice bounce in your step.

Check out this next image demonstrating the differences between shoe types.

Telic Flip Flop Weight Distribution

Image Credit: Telic Copyright 2019

As you see from the Pros vs. Cons list, the former greatly outweighs the latter. From my perspective, the $50 price tag isn’t an issue as you’re getting a high-quality product that’s available in no less than a dozen or so colors and patterns. While I have a pair in Midnight Black, I intend to purchase a pair in Deep Ocean or Dolphin Gray for outdoor use to better match my clothes.

Keep your eyes open for sales as Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals are rapidly approaching.

Telic Flip Flop Rear Top View

Telic Flip Flop Midnight Black

Telic Flip Flop Underside

Telic Flip Flop Midnight Black

Recently I learned that the lifeguard at my Boston Sports Club wears Telic Flip Flops. He raves about them so much that the gym is considering purchasing a pair for its staff. Now that’s a pretty good endorsement.

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Conclusion

For only the second time in my blogging life have I reviewed a product that had nothing to do with my head or hands. While reviewing a product for the feet (like socks or sandals), you wear them for extended periods; hence, the review is more thorough. I’ve been blessed that both footwear products have been home runs, so much so that I’ve become a repeat customer of Ausangate Socks, the first footwear brand I’ve reviewed.

From a physical design perspective, I found the Telic Energy Flip Flops perfectly fit my high-arched, size 9 feet. They’re so lightweight, soft and pillow-like that you don’t want to take them off.

Are there less expensive flip flops available on the market? Of course there are, but none that your feet will thank you for more. You won’t be disappointed with them. All of Telic’s footwear comes with a 6-month wear guarantee and an unlimited warranty against all manufacturers’ defects.

Telic Flip Flop Front/Rear Views

Telic Flip Flop Midnight Black

What do you think of this Telic Energy Flip Flop sandals review? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Do you think these might be the best flip flops for women or men available today? Might they be the best ergonomic flip flops or best flip flops with arch support? The only way you’ll know is if you try them on.

Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts. Should you wish to purchase this or another product from Telic, simply click onto their shopping page. We at Beantown don’t earn a commission or anything.

INSERT PHOTO

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Telic homepage to see the latest announcements and doctor and athlete testimonials.

FTC Disclosure: Beantown was provided with one (1) pair of Energy Flip Flops in Midnight Black for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2019.

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Filed Under: Apparel & Bags Tagged With: Energy Flip Flop, Footwear, Sandals, Telic Footwear 11/25/2019

Fenix PD35 TAC Flashlight Review

09/23/2019 By Hakan Can

Fenix PD35 TAC Flashlight Review 2019

As someone who’s owned numerous flashlights over decades, I can say with sincerity that I’ve been disappointed with all of them. Most were hand-me-downs that were no better than a candle. Nowadays, we see TV commercials and internet ads for some amazing flashlights, tactical ones even, that can produce more than 1000 lumens with beam throws in upwards of 1000 feet. This brings us to the Fenix PD35 TAC flashlight. This “professional performance” flashlight puts out some amazing specs. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Fenix PD35 TAC flashlight 2019 review.

Fenix PD35 Flashlight Review 2019

Pros:
• LED has 50K Hour lifespan
• Tactical and outdoor modes
• Up to 1000 lumens
• Aluminum body
• Intelligent memory
• Low voltage indicator
• IPX-8 waterproof
• Small size, lightweight

Cons:
• Warm to touch at the highest setting
• Price of $72 may be too high for some

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Fenix PD35 TAC Flashlight Review 2019

Head into a Home Depot or Lowe’s, better yet, head over to their respective websites and type in the word “flashlight.” You’ll see hundreds of flashlights, almost all sub-par, mostly from brands that aren’t in the lighting space. In other words, flashlights aren’t their main product line, they’re an accessory. So if you’re looking for a great light, then you’ll need to look into those from a great brand like Fenix.

As you can see from our Pros vs. Cons list, the former greatly outweighs the latter. To me, the $72 price tag (reduced from $99) isn’t an issue as you’re getting a high-quality product with a great warranty.

Fenix PD35 Flashlight Review 2019

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Design and Features

There are only a few things you need to know about operating the PD35 TAC. With a slight press of the tail switch, you’ll see the light beam that was last used. So if you shut off the light at ‘Mid Mode,’ then it restarts at ‘Mid-Mode.’

Fully pressing the tail switch activates the flashlight. Pressing the stainless steel side switch once (and then again) changes the mode, of which there are five. Holding the side switch down for three seconds takes the light into tactical modem aka the strobe. It’s this setting you would use on a home intruder.

The PD35 TAC is made from aircraft-grade aluminum with notches, grooves, and cross-patterns throughout. This way the light should’t slip out of your hands.

Fenix PD35 Flashlight Review 2019

The LED is the XLAMP® XP-L from Cree, which has a lifespan of 50K hours. The lens itself is made from ultra-clear glass. It also has an anti-reflective coating.

Are you worried about using the PD35 TAC in the rain or dropping it in shallow water? Well don’t be. The light has an IPX-8 waterproof rating allowing it to be underwater for 30 minutes at a depth of 2 meters.

The PD35 TAC measures at 5.4″ long x 1″ wide and weighing at approximately 4 ounces with installed battery. Speaking of batteries, you’ve got two options here. The model we received came with two CR123A batteries, but we would recommend getting the Fenix ARE-X11 rechargeable lithium-ion 18650 battery with charger. There’s no reason to keep tossing batteries out once they expire.

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Specifications

Tactical Mode
• Turbo: 1000 Lumens, 200 Meter Distance, 1 Hr 10 Min Runtime
• Low: 60 Lumens, 48 Meter Distance, 29 Hr 15 Min Runtime
• Strobe: 1000 Lumens

Outdoor Mode
• Turbo: 1000 Lumens, 200 Meter Distance, 1 Hr 10 Min Runtime
• High: 500 Lumens, 135 Meter Distance, 2 Hr 55 Min Runtime
• Mid: 200 Lumens, 80 Meter Distance, 8 Hr 30 Min Runtime
• Low: 60 Lumens, 48 Meter Distance, 29 Hr 15 Min Runtime
• Eco: 8 Lumens, 17 Meter Distance, 140 Hr Runtime
• Strobe: 1000 Lumens•

Fenix PD35 TAC Flashlight Review 2019

What’s In The Box?

• PD35 TAC Flashlight
• Two CR123A batteries
• Pocket clip
• Holster
• Lanyard

• Two spare o-rings
• Spare rubber boot
• Warranty card
• User manual

Fenix PD35 Flashlight Review 2019

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Performance

We tested the PD25 TAC indoors and out, during the day and night. We were thoroughly impressed with the results.

It’s crazy how good a product this is with its intelligent memory circuit and reverse polarity protection. Under most settings, the beam throw goes from one end of my yard to the other, and I’ve got a good-sized yard. The rabbits feeding throughout the yard become quite visible.

Think of the benefits of using this flashlight during a brownout or in the event your car fails along the road. The typical car engine light barely illuminates anything, but the PD35 TAC certainly will. And the PD35 TAC hardly takes up any space in the glove box.

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Conclusion

From a physical design perspective, I found the PD35 TAC to be very comfortable and portable, true to its mission. The quality of light and its throw is most impressive.

The more I write about this product, the more excited I get about it. As a consumer technology writer, flashlights are on the edge of what we cover. While we review keyboards and headphones by the dozens, we only use one at a time, preferably a great one. The same could be said about flashlights. You, the consumer only need a great one. Having a second (that is another PD35 TAC) for your car wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

The cost of the Fenix PD35 TAC is an upfront expense some will balk at. Feel free to do your research, but don’t do so much that you’re now wasting time. Take our word for it; this product is worth buying. You won’t be disappointed.

What do you think of this Fenix PD35 TAC flashlight 2019 review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts. Should you wish to purchase this flashlight, click this PD35 TAC store link. We don’t earn a commission or anything.

Fenix PD35 TAC Flashlight Review 2019
Fenix PD35 TAC Flashlight Review 2019

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Fenix Blog page to see the latest announcements and reviews. The Fenix PD35 TAC flashlight comes with no less than a 5-year warranty on the light. If you have a rechargeable battery, there’s a 1-year free repair warranty. See the Fenix Warranty page for more information.

FTC Disclosure: Beantown was provided with one (1) Fenix PD35 TAC flashlight sample (2019 model) for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2019.

Read:   Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT Review

Filed Under: Mobility Tagged With: 1000 lumens, Fenix, flashlight, PD35, PD35 TAC, tactical flashlight 12/11/2019

One Stylish Mini Backpack for Women – Moshi Helios Mini

09/17/2018 By Hakan Can

Stylish laptop bag for women

Roughly six months ago, Moshi, the SF Bay Area manufacturer of premium bags, headphones, protective cases, and other digital lifestyle products, introduced their Spring/Summer 2018 Urban Safari bag collection. What we got were some stylish mini backpacks for women and men. We already had the pleasure of reviewing the Tego Urban Backpack so now let’s take a closer look at one of the recently released designer backpacks for women in this Moshi Helios Mini backpack review.

Stylish laptop bag for women

Pros:
• Well constructed mini backpack
• Weather-resistant vegan leather material
• Stylish design inside and out
• RFID shielded pocket
• Can hold up to a 13″ MacBook Pro

Cons:
• Two color schemes currently available
• $130 price may be deemed high by some

Read:   Moshi Costa Travel Bag Review

This is One Stylish Mini Backpack for Women!

If you’re familiar with this website, then you know that after doing more than a dozen Moshi product reviews, we’re fans of this lifestyle brand. Still, we don’t allow that fact to cloud our objectivity.

Per the press release: “Moshi is excited to launch new bags as part of their 2018 Urban Safari collection. This collection is entirely crafted from sustainable vegan leather – ideal for the casually elegant travellers amongst us seeking an ethical wardrobe that doesn’t compromise on style and quality.”

“Helios Mini is a small designer backpack also crafted with lightweight, weather-resistant vegan leather. Its slim silhouette is ideal for users seeking a compact premium bag that can carry a 13-inch USB-C MacBook Pro, or a tablet with room to spare for sunglasses, a water bottle and wallet. Helios Mini is also available in Olive Green and Savanna Beige, with an MSRP of $130 USD on www.moshi.com.”

Stylish laptop bag for women

Moshi Helios Mini Backpack Review

Because I’m not the target consumer for this stylish laptop bag for women (being a guy and all), I needed a woman’s perspective and one that is my junior. Thankfully, I was able to enlist the help of one of my more attractive friends for this review. You can see photos of her sporting the Helios Mini designer backpack throughout this post.

First impressions are important, and the ones I received from her were excellent. “I really like the Helios Mini because it’s not only stylish, but it’s sufficient. It has plenty of pockets for everything I need to carry on the go.”

Don’t believe her? Then feel free to walk around a large department store like Macy’s or peruse the web. I welcome you to compare Moshi’s bags and backpacks to those that you see there. Only then will you know you’ve found the right bag or backpack for you.

Read:   Moshi Helios Lite Designer Backpack Review

On The Outside…

If you’re familiar with the Helios Lite backpack, then you’ve probably noticed something different about the Helios Mini. This time around, Moshi utilizes a design comprised of weather-resistant and easy-to-clean premium vegan leather as opposed to fabric. Although the Mini is the little sister of the Lite, they look and feel different on the outside.

The differences don’t end there. Silver hardware has been replaced with ones of gold.

On the front, you’ll see one left-to-right zipper plus two faux-adjustable straps with magnetic snap latches. This zippered pocket is a perfect place to store glasses and the Vortex Air in-ear headphones. You can’t help but notice how the gold zipper stands out. The metal handle is stamped or engraved with the ‘moshi’ logo. Like the one on the rear, both zipper handles complement the color patterns and offer a contrast to the 90-degree angles of the bag.

There’s also the standard square metal ‘moshi’ logo located on the lower right front of the Helios Mini.

Stylish laptop bag for women
Stylish laptop bag for women

On the rear of this 9.06″ x 13″ x 4.3″ designer backpack is one nearly top-to-bottom zippered Napoleon pocket. If you want to hide those items that’ll make you most upset if lost or stolen (identification cards, wallet, passport, etc.), then I suggest this pocket or the RFID protected one on the inside is where you hide them.

What’s truly magical is a portion of the metal handle can be tucked away. Although barely noticeable, it’s a beautiful addition to the Helios backpack line. Like with the vegan leather/fabric adjustable shoulder straps, the handles show that added bit of care and craftsmanship.

One thing you don’t see on this mini backpack is water bottle holders. You can tuck that drink away on the inside.

As stated in many of our Moshi reviews, “The zippers and straps are of high-quality, and the stitching is put together well.”

Read:   Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag Review

… And Now For The Inside

The interior of the Helios Mini is broken down into three compartments. Directly underneath the top front flap is the first compartment capable of holding some notes. It’s accented with black vegan leather trim.

The next two compartments are within the bag’s opening. First, there’s the thickly padded 13″ MacBook Pro compartment which protects your pricey tech in the event of a drop. Opposite to the padded compartment is a zippered pocket for your most sacred items, i.e., wallet, passport, etc., plus a few sleeved pockets for items like a pen, a toothbrush, USB cables, or a power charger like the Moshi IonBank 5K.

Within the bag is plenty of space for a few food items and/or Moshi’s Avanti headphones. There’s also an adjustable strap down low to tighten or loosen the width of the pack.

Stylish laptop bag for women

Just like Moshi’s other product lines, the lining of this bag is luxurious. On this particular model, the lining is dark gray.

This bag weighs 1.55 lbs and as stated earlier, has dimensions of 9.06″ x 13″ x 4.3″. For you Metric System users, the weight is 0.7 kilogram, and its dimensions are 23 x 33 x 11 cm.

Read:   Moshi Vacanza Weekend Travel Bag Review

Final Thoughts

Both color patterns of the Helios Mini are available for purchase on either Amazon (see link below) and the Moshi website (see links above.)

The Helios Mini is one beautiful designer laptop backpack which fits nicely within Moshi’s Summer 2018 Bag Collection. Should your needs steer you to something larger, then I direct you to Moshi’s Helios. Whether you’re a fashion-conscious college student or a young urban professional who likes to accessorize, I believe you’ll be quite pleased with the Helios Mini. I know my model is.

We review plenty of bags every year, so if the Helios Mini isn’t a contender for the best designer backpack for women in 2018 and beyond, then we don’t know what is.

I really like the Helios Mini because it’s not only stylish, but it’s sufficient. It has plenty of pockets for everything I need to carry on the go. Click To Tweet

Stylish laptop bag for women

Read:   Moshi Urbana Briefcase Review

What do you think of this Moshi Helios Mini backpack review? Do you agree or disagree that this is one of the more stylish mini backpacks for women this year? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. Moshi and we are eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Moshi press page to see their latest product announcements. To learn more about service and support, click here for their Support page. There’s a one-year limited warranty on all Moshi products. There’s also an extended warranty via product registration. We highly advise you take advantage of this.

FTC Disclosure: Moshi provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Helios Mini designer laptop backpack sample (in savanna beige) for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2018.

Read:   Best Urban Backpack of 2018? Moshi Tego Backpack Review

Filed Under: Apparel & Bags Tagged With: Fashion Backpack, Helios Mini, Laptop Backpack, mini backpack, Moshi 09/27/2018

Best Urban Backpack of 2018? Moshi Tego Backpack Review

04/21/2018 By Hakan Can

Moshi Tego backpack review

Three months ago at CES2018, Moshi, the west coast maker of premium backpacks and bags, headphones, protective cases, and other digital lifestyle products, introduced their Tego 2018 bag collection. With Spring finally upon us, what better opportunity than now to review their latest offerings. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at one of their recently released products in this Moshi Tego backpack review.

Pros:
• Well constructed with futuristic design
• Cut-proof, lightweight, durable fabrics
• Weather-resistant treatment
• Can hold a 10″ tablet + 15″ laptop
• Technology conscious design
• 3M Scotchlite reflective strip

Cons:
• Only two color schemes available
• $149 price may be deemed high by some

Moshi Tego backpack review
Front Exterior View
Moshi Tego backpack review
Rear View w/Straps Pulled Back w/Storage Bag

Read:   Moshi Costa Travel Bag Review

Moshi Tego Backpack Review

A Backpack for the Tech-Savvy Urban Commuter

If you’re familiar with this website, then you know that after doing a dozen reviews on Moshi products, we’re fans of this lifestyle brand.

Per the press release: “Moshi, the international accessory designer, today announces the debut of the Tego Collection, four new bags inspired by urban streetwear that provides the ideal combination of style and safety, and Avanti Air, wireless on-ear headphones blending minimalist and retro styling with the best wireless audio technology.”

“Each bag in the Tego Collection ensures you travel smart with anti-theft concealed zippers, cut-proof fabric and 3M Scotchlite reflective strip for safety at night. Crafted from lightweight and durable fabrics, each bag features padded Airmesh straps for breathability and comfort, weather-resistant surface treatment and zinc alloy hardware and studs. The Tego Collection consists of four styles: Tego Backpack, Tego Sling Messenger Bag, Tego Crossbody Sling, and the Tego Slingpack, each available in Stone Gray and Charcoal Black, and are priced starting at $99.95.”

With the exception of the Tego Slingpack, the Tego Collection is not part of the Urban Safari Bag Collection which was introduced in February of this year. This latter collection consists of the Lula crossbody mini handbag and Helios Mini backpack, both available in the olive green or savanna beige colors.

Read:   Moshi Arcus Camera Backpack Review

On The Surface

You’re probably saying to yourself or maybe out loud something to the effect, ‘What’s up with this futuristic, science fiction, and space travel inspired design?’ I certainly did at first glance.

The Tego backpack is made from the same high-resilience polyester materials with the same weather-resistant surface treatment that appear on most, if not all of Moshi’s 2016 and 2017 bag collections. The charcoal black color is the same that graces the Vacanza travel bag, and Arcus and Helios backpacks. Stone gray is new to the Moshi universe, and only appears on the four Tego-named products.

Moshi Tego backpack review
Rear View w/Straps Shown
Moshi Tego backpack review
Rear View w/Straps Pulled Back

On the front, you won’t see any zippers or sleeves; not a single one. All you’ll see is the square metal Moshi decal on the lower right. What you don’t see is the weather-resistance surface treatment which protects Tego from the elements or the 3M Scotchlite reflective strip. Of course, you’ll only notice the latter at night.

Flipping the bag over, you’ll see the adjustable shoulder straps, the heavy-duty coat hook, the padded and vented back support, and an 11″ x 7″ RFID shielded zippered pocket. It’s in this last feature where you’ll want to place those (micro-chipped) items that’ll make you most upset if lost or stolen (identification cards, wallet, passport, etc.) This RFID protected pocket is a must in today’s society, and I for one am glad that Moshi incorporated it. I hope we see an RFID pocket on all Moshi bags and backpacks going forward.

What the Tego backpack doesn’t have are water bottle holders or cross-body straps. Not including either was the right move on Moshi’s part.

Moshi Tego backpack review
RFID Zippered Compartment
Moshi Tego backpack review
Durable Hardened Underside

Harder to notice is the 40″+ wrap-around zipper which allows for the bag to lay flat when opened. Even though space is tight, there was no difficulty opening this zipper, unlike on a previously-reviewed crossbody bag. The other inconspicuous item is the pass-through USB charging port. I’ve seen this feature on bags before, but they were usually poorly conceived; not the case with Moshi’s design. Who wouldn’t want a pass-through charging port?

Finally, we come to the underside which has a durable and hardened surface with padding behind it to protect contents against drops.

As stated in the past Moshi product reviews, “The zippers and straps are of high-quality, and the stitching is put together well.” The craftsmanship of this backpack is solid.

Read:   Moshi Aerio Messenger Bag Review

What’s On The Inside

The interior of this Tego backpack is broken down into two compartments.

The front side of the backpack has a 3½” x 6″ microfiber pouch for holding sunglasses, plus there more pockets, one of which is to carry a battery charger like the Moshi IonBank 5K. After all, the pass-through USB port has to go somewhere.

Moshi Tego backpack review
Interior Compartments
Moshi Tego backpack review
Interior Compartments

On the back flap, there are two padded sleeved compartments. One is for holding up to a 10½” tablet, the other a 15″ laptop. Should the bag get upside down, you need not worry about either device sliding out. A Velcro strap holds both in place.

Below these are two equally sized 5½” x 6″ deep pockets. Each pocket is capable of holding one sizeable mobile device.

The belly of the backpack is 5″ wide and with more than enough space to simultaneously hold books, clothing, lunch, a headphones case, even a Manfrotto compact tripod.

The lining of this Moshi bag is luxurious, and it’s throughout their 2017 and 2018 lineups. On this particular model, the lining is dark gray.

Moshi Tego backpack review
Laptop/Tablet Sleeve Compartment
Moshi Tego backpack review
Pocket/Sleeve Compartment w/Charger

This bag weighs 1.87 lbs and as stated earlier, has dimensions of 13″ x 20.6″ x 5.5″. For you Metric System users, the weight is 0.85 kilograms, and its dimensions are 33 x 52.5 x 14 cm. Also included is a storage bag big enough to fit the backpack.

Read:   Moshi Vacanza Weekend Travel Bag Review

Final Thoughts

Although my first impression was “What the heck is this?” it didn’t take long for me to grow fond of the Tego backpack. After all, this bag was well thought out and has some very real-world, practical uses.

The Moshi Tego backpack provides much with its feature-rich, tech-forward approach at a price of $149.99. If you’re an urban dweller or a suburban commuter, you can’t go wrong with a great-looking product. I believe you’ll be quite pleased with the Tego.

Both color patterns of the Tego are available for purchase on either Amazon (see the link at the bottom of this review) and the Moshi website.

Based on this thorough review,  Moshi’s Tego is one handsome, futuristic-looking commuter backpack which fits nicely within their Urban Safari bag collection for Spring 2018. If your needs are for something a bit smaller, then I direct you to either the Moshi Tego Sling Messenger or the Tego Crossbody Sling.

The Moshi Tego backpack provides much with its feature-rich, tech-forward approach at a price of $149.99. Click To Tweet
Read:   Moshi Urbana Briefcase Review

You’re welcome you to compare Moshi’s bags and backpacks to those from other brands. Only then will you know you’ve found the right bag or backpack for you.

What do you think of this Moshi Tego backpack review? Do you agree or disagree that this is one of the best commuter backpacks for 2018? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Moshi press page to see their latest product announcements. To learn more about service and support, click here for their Support page. There’s a one-year limited warranty on all Moshi products. There’s also an extended warranty via product registration. We highly advise you take advantage of this.

FTC Disclosure: Moshi provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Tego backpack sample (in charcoal black) for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown and Moshi © 2018.

Read:   Moshi Avanti Headphones Review

Filed Under: Apparel & Bags Tagged With: backpack, Commuter Backpack, Designer Backpack, Fashion Backpack, Laptop Backpack, Moshi, Tego 09/26/2018

Smartphones: LG V30 Review

01/22/2018 By Hakan Can

LG V30 review

Introducing LG’s best smartphone to date!

It’s 2018 already, and a handful of mobile device makers are fighting it out to claim the top spot for the best Android phone out there. Not too long ago, LG introduced an update to their V20 smartphone, the V30, to quite a bit of fanfare. Since then, it’s won quite a few awards and garnered plenty of favorable reviews. Once again, the folks at Verizon were kind enough to loan us LG’s new flagship V30 smartphone for testing purposes. How does it fare against its competition and predecessor? Let’s find out in this LG V30 review.

Pros:
• Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 front/back screen
• Anodized Metal Sides
• QHD+ pOLED display
• Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 CPU
• HDR10 support
• 4K recording at 30 fps
• IP68 water resistant

Cons:
• Slippery handset
• Battery life issue
• No front facing speakers
• Android 7.1.2 OS (Nougat) instead of 8.0 (Oreo)

Read:   Smartphones: Google Pixel 2 XL Review

LG V30 Review

As far as top-tier Android OS phones go, the LG V30 is similar to those from brands like Made by Google and Samsung. All three brands’ flagship phones utilize the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 processor, while other specifications (and dimensions) range between close to identical. With regard to the screen, both the V30 and Pixel 2 XL utilize pOLED (plastic OLED.) Plastic OLED allows for the display to be 0.5mm thinner then AMOLED, which is what appears on the Galaxy S8/8+ phones. To learn more about pOLED, check out these two articles on Android Authority and CNET.

Pixel 2 XL
• Length: 6.2 in (157.9 mm)
• Width: 3.0 in (76.7 mm)
• Depth: 0.3 in (7.9 mm)
• Weight: 6.2 oz

LG V30
• Length: 5.97 in (154.72 mm)
• Width: 2.97 in (75.74 mm)
• Depth: 0.29 in (7.31 mm)
• Weight: 5.57 oz

Read:   Headphones: Sennheiser IE 80 S Review

LG V30 Design and Features

Like its V20 predecessor, the screen display on the V30 is a thing of beauty. This time around it comes with a pOLED screen. (See links above.) The near 6″ pOLED screen is QHD+ (2880 x 1440) with 538ppi. Screen protection has also stepped up by one from Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4 to 5. The display, known as FullVision, has an 18:9 aspect ratio. If you want to watch something recorded in Dolby Vision (HDR) High Dynamic Range, the V30 can accommodate you.

Per a sub-Reddit, there’s been some discussion about burn-in issues with pOLED affecting both the Pixel 2 XL and the V30. Regarding the Pixel 2 XL, Google has resolved its issues thanks to software/firmware updates. If you’re encountering this burn-in problem, try at least one of two things. Both solutions require you to head to Settings. Scroll down to Display and reduce the Screen Timeout to a minute or less. Also from Display disable the Always-on display. The same goes for soft keys and screen notifications. FYI: Our V30 sample did not have any such burn-in issues.

[envira-gallery id=”10040″]

Like the LG G6, the locations of the power and volume buttons are well placed. The volume buttons are located on the upper left, easily adjustable from your left thumb. The power button/fingerprint reader is on the back side. And speaking of the fingerprint scanner, it worked flawlessly. We never encountered an issue during setup or regular use.

Since the front and back sides are made from Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5, the handset is very slippery. The last thing you want to have happen is for the LG V30 to slide out of your hands and hit the ground or pavement. I’ve been there before, it sucks. We highly recommend purchasing a case from a brand like tech21 or Speck. Whatever you do, don’t use the LG V30 without a case with a grip.

The entire body has an ingress protection of 68 which offers a fair amount of water and dust resistance. Should you happen to drop this phone into the shallow end of a pool, you can relax. “The device is suitable for continuous immersion in water under 1.5 meters up to 30 minutes.” You can learn more about this and MIL-STD-810G testing on LG’s Quality page

The phone comes with two mics, one USB-C port, and one 3.5mm jack. If you’re going wireless for audio, the phone supports HD audio with LDAC, Qualcomm® AptX™, and AptX HD™ audio codecs.

[envira-gallery id=”10044″]

The battery size is nearly unchanged (100 mAh greater) from its predecessor. At 3300 mAh, the V30’s battery has less capacity than that of the Samsung Galaxy S8+ or Google Pixel 2 XL. Unfortunately, it drains quicker too as mentioned above.

Like the V20, the V30’s internal storage is 64GB. If this isn’t enough, then look towards the V30+ with 128GB RAM. Photos and videos continue to be unlimited and get uploaded to Google Photos service should you choose so.

Read:   Motorola Moto Z2 Play Review

Specifications: Google Pixel 2 XL versus LG V30

Pixel 2 XL:
• 2.35 + 1.9 GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 processor with Octa-Core Kyro 280 CPU and Adreno 540 GPU
• Android 8.0 Oreo OS
• 4GB LPDDR4 RAM w/64GB or 128GB Internal
• 6” QHD+, 2880 x 1440 pOLED, 538ppi, Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5
• Battery (3520 mAh) TurboPower™ for up to 7 hours of power in 15 minutes of charging
• LTE Category X16 1 Gbps peak download, 150 Mbps peak upload
• 12.2 MP Rear Camera ƒ/1.8 aperture (LDAF & DPPD)
• 8 MP Front Camera ƒ/2.4 aperture
• Wireless HD audio with LDAC
• Bluetooth version 5 + LE; Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2×2 MIMO 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
• USB 3.1 support, USB-C port, 3 mics
• Full 24-bits depth (16.77M colors)

LG V30:
• 2.45 + 1.9 GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 processor with Octa-Core Kyro 280 CPU and Adreno 540 GPU
• Android 7.1.2 Nougat OS
• 4GB LPDDR4 RAM w/64GB Internal
• 6”QHD+, Full Vision, 2880 x 1440 pOLED, 538ppi, Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5
• Battery (3300 mAh) TurboPower™ for up to 6.5 hours of power in 15 minutes of charging
• LTE Category X16 1 Gbps peak download, 150 Mbps peak upload
• 16 MP Rear Camera ƒ/1.6 aperture & 13 MP ƒ/1.9 aperture
• 5 MP Front Camera ƒ/2.2 aperture
• 32-Bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC
• Bluetooth version 5 LTE; Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2×2 MIMO 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
• USB 3.0 support, 2 mics, USB-C port, 3.5 mm audio port

Read:   Libratone One Click Speaker Review

The V30’s Three Built-In Cameras

As seen from the specs comparison above, the rear camera sizes are greater than those of the Pixel 2 XL and Samsung Galaxy S8+ when it comes to megapixels. And where the LG V20 has 16 MP standard-angle and 8 MP wide-angle lenses, the new V30 has 16 MP standard-angle and 13 MP wide-angle lenses.

Also changed are the standard-angle lens aperture going from ƒ/1.8 to ƒ/1.6, and the wide-angle lens aperture going from ƒ/2.4 to ƒ/1.9.

The front camera size is unchanged at 5 MP, but the aperture has gone from ƒ/1.9 to ƒ/2.2. The field of view has changed going from 120°/83° to 90°/80°. You can still toggle the angle in the settings.

LG V30 review

As with the G6, photo or video can be taken with either front or rear camera. As listed below, the rear camera comes in eight sizes, but the values have changed. With video, there are six options which fall into either 720P, 1080P, or 4K recording modes. All of these remain unchanged from the G6.

The dozen or so photo/video menu settings (Camera roll, HDR, Timer, etc.) remain the same too. There are changes to the Mode tab while the nine active view filters remain unchanged. Some of the included photos are presented with these filters. I suggest that when you’re next in a Verizon store, play around with the camera and all its functions.

Rear Camera Photo Sizes
• 4:3 (16 MP) 4656 x 3492P
• 16:9 (8 MP) 3264 x 2448P
• 16:9 (12 MP) 4656 x 2620P
• 16.9 (6 MP) 3264 x 1836P
• 18:9 (11 MP) 4656 x 2328P
• 18:9 (3.3 MP) 2560 x 1280P
• 1:1 (12 MP) 3492 x 3492P
• 1:1 (3.4 MP) 1836 x 1836P

Rear Camera Video Resolution
• UHD 16:9 3820 x 1920P
• FHD 18:9 2160 x 1080P
• FHD 16:9 1920 x 1080P (60 fps)
• FHD 16:9 1920 x 1080P
• HD 18:9 1440 x 720P
• HD 16:9 1280 x 720P

[envira-gallery id=”10016″]

The one thing I noticed when taking the same photo from the LG V30 and the G6, the color profile of the former was flatter whereas the latter had more color. There are arguments for and against each. Thankfully, mobile photo editors like Snapseed and Pixlr exist so you can color correct all you want. All the snowfall and museum photos presented in this post are uncorrected images. And if you’re wondering where the museum photos were captured, they were taken at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA. The Georgia O’Keeffe and XYZT exhibitions are not to be missed.

One thing I love in particular about the V30 is its on-the-fly manual mode settings. You can select either rear camera, then adjust the white balance, exposure value, ISO, and shutter speed at will. There are even a color histogram and an auto-adjust button for added assistance.

As listed below, the front camera comes in four sizes and three video recording options.

Front Camera Photo Sizes
• 4:3 (5 MP) 2560 x 1920P
• 16:9 (3.7 MP) 2560 x 1440P
• 18:9 (3.3 MP) 2560 x 1280P
• 1:1 (3.7 MP) 1920 x 1080P

Front Camera Video Resolution
• FHD 16:9 1920 x 1080P
• HD 18:9 1440 x 720P
• HD 16:9 1280 x 720P

[envira-gallery id=”10029″]

It’s good to see that the lens distortion I noticed with the wide-angle lens of the G6 did not transfer to the V30. No longer is the upper right region of the image heavily distorted. Unfortunately, the wide-angle lens continues to bend an image. Adjusting the perspective within Adobe Bridge or mobile photo editors like Snapseed and Pixlr is a must to correct this bend.

The image quality produced from the standard-angle lens is close to that of the Google Pixel 2 XL. That’s a good thing as the latter is known to have the highest rated camera among all mobile phones.

Read:   War for the Planet of the Apes 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

A Few Things I Dislike

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, “I hate Google Assistant!”

My dislike of this voice assistant is not because of how well or poorly it works. My objection to it is because it’s always on. Thankfully you can disable it to a minimum or if necessary, completely.

Tired of hearing the phrase “OK Google?” You can disable this too. Want to take it to the next level? Disable the assistant entirely and go old school.

[envira-gallery id=”10030″]

The flip side of a complete shutdown of Google Assistant is that you’ll miss out on activating any one of the seven services like Music, Home Control, News, My Day, Shopping list, Shortcuts, or Videos and Photos.

Take Music for instance. You’ve got options like Google Play Music, YouTube Music, Pandora, and Spotify. Want to play video? You can do so with Netflix, HBO NOW, CBS, or Viki, whatever that is. You just need to be signed in. This is just the tip of the iceberg, and I didn’t even touch on the other five services.

Battery life is an issue and a complaint from many reviewers. This can be alleviated as mentioned above.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the cracked front screen. As you can see, this sample unit has cracks in its front glass across the upper left corner. Oddly enough, only the glass is cracked, the metal frame in undamaged. I’m glad the sample unit came this way as I get to show you how sensitive the screens are without the use of protective case.

LG V30 review

Read:   Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT Review

Final Thoughts

The LG V30 smartphone is a marginal step forward from the V20. The V20 was impressive when it was introduced 1.5 years ago. With the newer model, we see improvements in processing power, screen size, camera capabilities, download speed, sound, and more.

The V30 currently uses Android 7.1.2 Nougat and has Bluetooth 5 capability. We’ve been reliably informed that the V30 is undergoing beta testing with a small number of users (I don’t know how many) with Android 8.0 Oreo. It’s safe to say that users of the V30 should see an OS upgrade to Oreo before Spring 2018.

Unlike the Made by Google Pixel 2 XL/Pixel 2, the V30 comes with unnecessary bloatware, like LG Health, thus preventing a better mobile experience.

When compared to the LG G6, a device which was considered top-tier in early 2017, the V30 outperformed it across the board.

With all of this said, this flagship smartphone from LG is a serious contender against other top-tier phones such as the Apple X, Google Pixel 2 XL, and Samsung Galaxy S8+ or Note 8. Minus its slippery frame and battery life issue, I for one loved this phone and can easily recommend to all our readers.

LG V30 review

What do you think of this LG V30 review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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The LG V30 smartphone comes with a two-year limited end-user warranty. If you’re looking for the Setup and Support, it’s found here. Don’t hesitate to head over to the Verizon Wireless homepage to see their latest products and 3rd party accessories.

FTC Disclosure: Verizon provided Beantown LLC with one (1) LG V30 smartphone sample for review purposes. LG was not involved in this review whatsoever. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador for either brand.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2018.

Read:   The Ultimate LG G6 Review on Verizon

Filed Under: Phones Phablets Tablets Tagged With: CES2018, LG V20, LG V30, smartphone, Verizon 08/05/2018

Smartphones: Google Pixel 2 XL Review

11/21/2017 By Hakan Can

Google Pixel 2 XL review

With so many brands trying to claim the top spot in the mobile device war, for you the consumer, it’s not a simple task of narrowing it down to one model. Hopefully, we can be of assistance here. Verizon has once again been kind and loaned us the Google Pixel 2 XL smartphone for a month of testing. How does it fare against its predecessor and competition? Let’s find out in this Google Pixel 2 XL review.

Google Pixel 2 XL review

Pros:
• Aluminum unibody
• 3D Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 screen
• QHD+ pOLED display
• Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 CPU
• Android 8.0 OS (Oreo)
• Front facing speakers
• IP67 water resistant

Cons:
• Not waterproof
• No 3.5mm jack
• No HDR10 support

Read:   Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT Review

Google Pixel 2 XL Review

As far as top-tier Android OS phones go, the Pixel 2 XL is similar to those from well-known brands like LG and Samsung. All three brands’ flagship phones utilize the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 processor, while other specifications (and dimensions) are close to the same. With regard to the screen, both the LG V30 and Pixel 2 XL utilize pOLED (plastic OLED.) Plastic OLED allows for the display to be 0.5mm thinner then AMOLED, which is what appears on the smaller Pixel 2 and Galaxy S8/8+ phones. To learn more about pOLED, check out these two articles on Android Authority and CNET.

Pixel 2 XL
• Length: 6.2 in (157.9 mm)
• Width: 3.0 in (76.7 mm)
• Depth: 0.3 in (7.9 mm)
• Weight: 6.2 oz (175 g)

Pixel XL
• Length: 6.09 in (154.72 mm)
• Width: 2.98 in (75.74 mm)
• Depth: 0.29 in (7.31 mm) at bottom to 0.34 in (8.58 mm) at top
• Weight: 5.92 oz (168 g)

Read:   Headphones: Sennheiser IE 80 S Review

Pixel 2 XL Design and Features

Among reviewers, there’s been some discussion about Pixel 2 XL burn-in issues, which have largely gone away thanks to software/firmware updates. There’s also some chatter about button placement. If you’re encountering this burn-in problem, try to keep the screen off timer to a minute or less. The same goes for soft keys and screen notifications. FYI: Our Pixel 2 XL sample did not have any such burn-in issues.

The placement of the power and volume buttons is something that has bothered me for years over numerous mobile phones. Many right-handed users won’t like how their thumb rests on the power button. The volume buttons are slightly left of center. The issue I have is when the phone is inserted into a clamp like the Manfrotto TwistGrip. If the phone is clamped down dead-center, it’ll be clamped down on the volume buttons which isn’t good, plus the phone now lacks balance.

To get around this problem, use a case like those from tech21. Using their Evo Check case, you’ll be able to clamp down slightly right of center and not have to worry about the phone wiggling out of this particular clamp. Still, I highly recommend you add a case if nothing more than protection.

[envira-gallery id=”9789″]

With respect to design, the aluminum unibody is not slippery in my hands. In fact, I have yet to drop the phone over the past month. The fingerprint sensor is well placed and works like a charm.

Like its predecessor, the screen display on the Pixel 2 XL is a thing of beauty. No longer an AMOLED screen, it’s darn close with a pOLED screen. (See links above.) The 6″ pOLED screen is QHD+ (2880 x 1440) with 538ppi. The display has also stepped up by one from Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4 to 5.

The phone comes with three mics and one USB-C port. Gone is the 3.5mm jack. While I applaud this decision, there still aren’t many headphones available with a USB-C connection just yet. Fortunately, the product comes with a USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter which I’m sure many of you will put to good use. If you’re going wireless for audio, the phone supports HD audio with LDAC, Qualcomm® AptX™ and AptX HD™ audio codecs.

Google Pixel 2 XL review

The battery size is nearly unchanged from its predecessor, see specs below. At 3520 mAh, its battery has more capacity than those on the Samsung Galaxy S8+ and the LG V30.

Storage has stepped up nicely with the elimination of the internal 32GB option. These 2017 models come with either 64 or 128GB on board. Photos and videos continue to be unlimited and get uploaded to Google Photos service.

Read:   Motorola Moto Z2 Play Review

Pixel 2 XL versus Pixel XL Specifications

Pixel 2 XL:
• 2.35 + 1.9 GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 processor with Octa-Core Kyro 280 CPU and Adreno 540 GPU
• Android 8.0 Oreo OS
• 4GB LPDDR4 RAM w/64GB or 128GB Internal
• 6” QHD+, 2880 x 1440 pOLED, 538ppi, Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5
• Battery (3520 mAh) TurboPower™ for up to 7 hours of power in 15 minutes of charging
• LTE Category X16 1 Gbps peak download, 150 Mbps peak upload
• 12.2 MP Rear Camera ƒ/1.8 aperture (LDAF & DPPD)
• 8 MP Front Camera ƒ/2.4 aperture
• Bluetooth version 5 + LE; Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2×2 MIMO 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
• USB 3.1 support, USB-C port, 3 mics
• Full 24-bits depth (16.77M colors)

Pixel XL:
• 2.15 GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 821 processor with Quad-Core Kryo CPU and Adreno 530 GPU
• Android 7.1 Nougat OS Current
• 4GB LPDDR4 RAM w/32GB or 128GB Internal
• 5.5” AMOLED, 2560 x 1440 534ppi, Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4
• Battery (3450 mAh) TurboPower™ for up to 7 hours of power in 15 minutes of charging
• LTE Category X12 600 Mbps peak download, 150Mbps peak upload
• 12.3 MP Rear Camera ƒ/2.0 aperture (PDAF & LDAF)
• 8 MP Front Camera ƒ/2.4 aperture
• Bluetooth version 4.2 LTE; Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2×2 MIMO 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
• USB 3.0 support, 3 mics, USB-C port, 3.5 mm audio port

[envira-gallery id=”9792″]
Read:   Libratone One Click Speaker Review

The Built-In Cameras

As seen from the specs comparison above, the rear camera size has decreased from 12.3 MP to 12.2 MP, and that’s okay. The significant change is the aperture going from ƒ/2.0 to ƒ/1.8. The front camera is unchanged at 8 MP with a ƒ/2.4.

Whether you’re taking photos in 4:3 or 16:9 with the front or rear cameras, you have six options regarding size and depth for each. Remember, you don’t always need the deepest photos to take the best photos. Size doesn’t matter here.

Alongside the photo menu, there are six settings: Timer, HDR+ control, Motion On/Off, Grids, Color Temperature, and Flash On/Off. Within the photo menu, there are five settings: Slow Motion, Panorama, Photo Sphere, Portrait, and Settings. We put a lot of these to good use. Panorama performed quite well and gave us terrific photos from Curacao’s Gouverneur De Rouville Restaurant (see below) and the top of Mount Christoffel. Photo Sphere didn’t work so well, even with static imagery.

Google Pixel 2 XL review

The one thing I noticed when taking the same photo from the Pixel 2 XL and LG G6 was that the color profile of the former was flatter whereas the latter had more color. There are arguments for and against each. Thankfully, mobile photo editors like Snapseed and Pixlr exist so you can color correct all you want. Photos included in this post are uncorrected images of that trip to Curacao.

One thing I love in particular is the on-the-fly exposure feature. Don’t like the amount of light in the image you’re about to photograph? Then feel free to adjust that exposure from -2 to +2.

Video can be taken with either front or rear camera. At the front, the Pixel 2 XL has three options: 480P, 720P, & 1080P. On the rear, it too has three options: 720P, 1080P, & 4K at 30 fps.

[envira-gallery id=”9769″]

The LG G6 and V30 have dual rear cameras which I used to think was a great idea until I saw lens distortion firsthand. How LG could release the G6 with such a faulty lens is beyond explanation. There’s no such issue with the lens on the Pixel 2 XL. In fact, it has the highest rated camera among all mobile phones.

Read:   War for the Planet of the Apes 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

A Few Things I Like and Dislike

I hate Google Assistant!

My dislike of this voice assistant is not because of how well or poorly it works. My dislike of it is because it’s always on. Thankfully you can disable it to a minimum or if necessary, completely.

For instance, there’s something called Active Edge. You squeeze the Pixel 2 XL and the assistant activates. Here’s the problem with this. Every time I pick up the phone or pull it out of a pocket, Google Assistant activates. This has become so annoying that I disabled the squeeze feature.

Tired of hearing the phrase “OK Google?” You can disable this too. Want to take it to the next level? Disable the assistant entirely and go old school.

[envira-gallery id=”9772″]

The flip side of a complete shutdown of Google Assistant is that you’ll miss out on activating any one of the seven services like Music, Home Control, News, My Day, Shopping list, Shortcuts, or Videos and Photos.

Take Music for instance. You’ve got options like Google Play Music, YouTube Music, Pandora, and Spotify. Want to play video? You can do so with Netflix, HBO NOW, CBS, or Viki, whatever that is. You just need to be signed in. This is just the tip of the iceberg, and I didn’t even touch on the other five services.

A few other things I love about this phone is the ability to create your own case, to name that tune, and to instantly tether, provided you have the accompanying Pixelbook.

Take Live Case for instance. You can shop from one of many case designs or create one using a photo you’ve taken or a design you’ve created. This is huge!

Editing in Instagram is problematic for the Pixel 2 XL. I’m not sure why this occurs on this phone and not others, but it does, and it’s an issue that needs to be addressed. The problem arises when you’re typing text, hashtagging, editing, etc. The darn cursor keeps disappearing. I’ve seen this occur dozens of times and it’s frustrating. No one including myself wants to spend more time than needed when posting to Instagram.

[envira-gallery id=”9774″]
Read:   Caseco Shock Express Metallic Case, Core 360, and Mountie Car Mount Review

Final Thoughts

The Google Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL phones are a sizeable step forward from the Pixel/Pixel XL, but not an enormous leap. The original was impressive when it was introduced a year ago. With the newer model, we see improvements in processing power, screen size, camera capabilities, download speed, sound, and more.

The Pixel 2 models have Oreo, the Android 8.0 operating system, and Bluetooth 5 capability. But unlike the high-majority of Android OS smartphones, the Pixel 2 models come with no unnecessary bloatware, thus allowing for a better mobile experience.

When compared to my LG G6, a device which was considered top-tier six months ago, it was no contest. The Pixel 2 XL outperformed the LG across the board.

With all of this said, the latest Made by Google Pixel 2 phones are serious contenders against other top-tier phones such as the Apple X, LG V30, and Samsung Galaxy S8 or Note 8. I for one loved this phone and can easily recommend either Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL to all our readers.

Google Pixel 2 XL review

What do you think of this Google Pixel 2 XL review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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The Made by Google Pixel 2 XL smartphone comes with a two-year limited end-user warranty. If you’re looking for the Setup and Support, it’s found here. Don’t hesitate to head over to the Google Store to see their latest products and 3rd party accessories. For those who don’t know, Verizon is the only home for the Made by Google Pixel 2 phones.

FTC Disclosure: Verizon provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Google Pixel 2 XL smartphone for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2017.

Read:   Game of Thrones Season 7 Release Date Announced for Blu-ray/DVD

Filed Under: Phones Phablets Tablets Tagged With: Made by Google, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, smartphone 11/26/2017

Shoulderpod R2 Pocket Rig Review and More

10/10/2017 By Hakan Can

Shoulderpod R2 Pocket Rig Review

With thousands of vloggers out there and tens of thousands more to come, not everyone can comfortably afford the price associated with of a 4-figure DSLR or Micro 4/3 camera, so they turn to a device that they already have–their mobile phone. To meet the needs of these people comes Shoulderpod with an inexpensive and modular solution for mounting your phone along with a few essential accessories. Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Shoulderpod R2 Pocket Rig review, and at the product line as a whole.Shoulderpod R2 Pocket Rig Review

Should you be heading to NY this month for the upcoming NAB NY or PhotoPlus expos, then you’ll be among those who see the latest Shoulderpod products in person. At PhotoPlus Expo, you can see the collection in Hall 3, Booth 855.

Read:   Preview: Gitzo Century Camera Bag Collection

Shoulderpod’s Lineup and Modular Accessories for Fall 2017

We at Beantown are fans and users of Manfrotto’s products. Whenever we’re filming with our mobile phones, no matter what the subject, we use a flexible tripod with the Manfrotto TwistGrip clamp. With that said, we continue to look at other solutions, and Shoulderpod offers a compelling one.

With regards to Shoulderpod, you can take the mobile phone you already have, and for under a $120, you’ve now got a handled grip or one of two accessorized rigs. If you look at their solutions from a price, weight, or size perspective, it’s a hard proposition to turn down.

Shoulderpod R2 Pocket Rig Review

Shoulderpod G1 Pro Grip

The beautiful thing about a modular ecosystem is that your setup can grow along with your needs. The foundation of this system is the G1 grip. If you already have a tripod or rig, you can stop right there. This professional clamp will hold your mobile phone nice and snug. With those glass-edged phones, you may need to use a protective case, so be mindful. And whatever you do, don’t tighten the G1 grip too much or you risk damaging your phone.

Essentially this is the solution we utilize, but as I mentioned earlier, we use a sister product in the Manfrotto TwistGrip.

Shoulderpod R2 Pocket Rig Review

• Closed Dimensions: 1.89 x 1.89 x 0.98 Inches
• Maximum Opening Range: 3.66 Inches
• Maximum Device Thickness: 0.98 Inch
• Mounting Method: 0.25 Inch Screw

Read:   Preview: Manfrotto Windsor Camera Bag Collection

Shoulderpod S2 Hand Grip

Take the G1 grip, add the wooden H1 handle, and you’ve just built the S2 handle grip, Of course, you can purchase it as a completed unit and save $5.

Shoulderpod R2 Pocket Rig Review

• Closed Dimensions: 1.89 x 1.89 x 0.98 Inches
• Maximum Opening Range: 3.66 Inches
• Maximum Device Thickness: 0.98 Inch
• Mounting Method: 0.25 Inch Screw

Read:   Moshi Arcus Camera Backpack Review

Shoulderpod R2 Pocket Rig Review

Now let’s say you want to accessorize. Maybe you want to mount a shotgun microphone or an LED light. You can take the S2 grip, add the U1 upgrade kit, and build yourself a lovely pocket rig, or you can purchase the pre-assembled R2 pocket rig. Whether you want to use the W1 wrist strap or not is your call. Regardless, you’ve now added a Z1 cold shoe, two K1 knobs, and a P2 short plate.

Whether you’re walking, jogging, or even skateboarding, this is an ideal solution for your video creation needs.

Shoulderpod R2 Pocket Rig Review

• Closed Dimensions: 1.89 x 1.89 x 0.98 Inches
• Maximum Opening Range: 3.66 Inches
• Maximum Device Thickness: 0.98 Inch
• Mounting Method: 0.25 Inch Screw

Read:   Motorola Moto Z2 Play Review

Shoulderpod X1 Pro Rig

And now you’ve decided to go whole hog with both a microphone and an LED light. Welcome to the X1 pro rig. The short plate that was on the R2 pocket rig has been replaced with the P1 long plate. Should you wish to mount this to a standing tripod, feel free to remove the handles and attach under the center knob.

Shoulderpod R2 Pocket Rig Review

• Closed Dimensions: 1.89 x 1.89 x 0.98 Inches
• Maximum Opening Range: 3.66 Inches
• Maximum Device Thickness: 0.98 Inch
• Mounting Method: 0.25 Inch Screw

Pricing for the Shoulderpod grips and rigs is as follows:

• G1 Pro Grip
• S2 Hand Grip
• R2 Pocket Rig
• X1 Pro Rig

• $24.99
• $39.99
• $79.99
• $119.99

Read:   Moshi Helios Lite Designer Backpack Review

Shoulderpod Accessories

Per the press release “Shoulderpod accessories provide the advantage of modularity – a key feature when traveling, as it enables you to select only the parts needed before every trip to avoid carrying a heavy backpack full of unnecessary gear.”

Shoulderpod R2 Pocket Rig Review

We’ve already covered most of the accessories shown above. What’s remaining is the G1 rubber pads and the H1 & K1 rubber pads.

Pricing for the Shoulderpod accessories is as follows:

• P1 Long Plate
• P2 Short Plate
• K1 Knob
• Z1 Cold Shoe
• H1 Handle
• W1 Wrist Strap
• G1RP Rubber Pads
• H1RP Rubber Pads
• U1 Upgrade Kit

• $34.99
• $24.99
• $11.99
• $13.99
• $19.99
• $13.99
• $4.99
• $4.99
• $39.99

Final Thoughts

At a price range of $4.99-$39.99, Shoulderpod accessories are affordable and reasonably priced to build that professional rig you want. At $24.99-$119.99, you can skip the build and get a readily made grip or rig solution. Either way, you’re looking at exceptional products under the Manfrotto umbrella. Don’t hesitate to head over to the Manfrotto website to see everything they’ve got.

What do you think of the Shoulderpod handheld grip and rig systems? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Shoulderpod grips, rigs, and accessories come with a 2-year standard limited warranty against defects.

Read:   Speck Back To School Backpacks for 2017 Preview

All photographs are courtesy of and the copyrighted property of VitecGroup Italia Spa (Manfrotto.)

Filed Under: Mobility Tagged With: Shoulderpod, Shoulderpod R2, Shoulderpod S2, Shoulderpod X1 10/20/2017

Preview: Gitzo Century Camera Bag Collection

10/02/2017 By Hakan Can

Gitzo Century camera bag

For you camera bag and backpack lovers, just when you thought there would be nothing new and exciting between Back to School 2017 and CES2018 comes the Gitzo Century Camera Bag Collection from Manfrotto. For those of you who still aren’t familiar with Manfrotto or their partner brand Gitzo, it’s high time you become so. You probably own one of their tripods and not realize it. We at Beantown are fans and users of Manfrotto’s products. Should you be heading to NY this month for the upcoming NAB NY or PhotoPlus expos, then you’ll be among the first to see the Gitzo Century Camera Bag Collection in person.

Gitzo Century camera bag

Gitzo Century Traveler Camera Messenger

If you’re heading to PhotoPlus Expo, you can see the collection in Hall 3, Booth 855.

Manfrotto Introduces the Gitzo Century Camera Bag Collection for Fall 2017

A little over a month ago, the folks at Manfrotto did something that caused the genie to come out of its bottle. It turns out that Gitzo, a partner brand of Manfrotto, are celebrating their 100th anniversary. In honor of that celebration, they introduced the Century Camera Bag Collection.

Over the past two months, we’ve previewed a handful of back-to-school, urban professional, and travel bags from the likes of Speck and Moshi. (Inline related posts are sprinkled below.) All are beautiful, practical, and well-designed. And we’ve put many of them to good use. Unfortunately, we’ve gone many months without seeing anything new in the camera bag department until now.

The Century Collection takes the typical boring and drab camera bag and tosses it out the window. Per the press release “All the models in Gitzo’s new range are built to meet the needs of the world’s most style-conscious photographers. Made in Italy, they are an appealing combination of genuine Italian cow leather and wear-resistant nylon, guaranteeing high resistance to scratches and abrasions. The bags are water-repellent and were crafted to resemble the look of carbon fiber, reminiscent of the Gitzo Traveler tripod legs.”

Gitzo Century camera bag

Gitzo Century Compact Camera Messenger

Both bags and backpack come in black and are made of genuine Italian leather and carbon fiber designed wear-resistant nylon. If this isn’t attractive enough for you, pull back the straps, and a beautiful lining is revealed.  For those of you who not only care about the look of your bag but the internal quality, this collection has ‘Premium’ written all over it.

While each bag and backpack has something different to offer its user, there’s plenty in common. All three products in the Century Collection have a water-repellent coating applied to them. If being water repellent isn’t enough, each has a fold-out rain protector.

The bags and backpack also have either flexible, interchangeable, or removable dividers. You can customize the placement of your lenses and gear while also having the ability to fold or pull out the dividers when needed. They can accept a DJI Mavic Pro drone. The backpack and larger messenger bag even have an external tripod connection. In addition to the carbon fiber look, all three have a trolley strap to fit over a luggage handle. The backpack can hold a 15″ laptop with the messenger bags able to hold a tablet.

Read:   Preview: Manfrotto Windsor Camera Bag Collection

Introducing the Gitzo Century traveler camera backpack, Century traveler camera messenger bag, and Century compact camera messenger bag.

Gitzo Century Traveler Camera Backpack

[envira-gallery id=”9372″]
Century Traveler Backpack
• External Dimensions: H x L x W
• Internal Main Compartment: H x L x W
• Personal Compartment: H x L x W
• Laptop Compartment: H x L x W
• Camera Insert Dimensions: H x L x W
• Number of Lenses / Type of Gear
• Weight

Specifications
• 18.11 x 12.99 x 5.91 Inches
• 17.72 x 12.6 x 4.72 Inches
• 9.06 x 11.42 x 4.72 Inches
• 16.93 x 11.42 x 0.79 Inches
• 8.27  x 12.6 x 3.94 Inches
• 3, Drone/DSLR/Mirrorless
• 67 oz

Gitzo Century camera bag

Read:   Introducing the Targus Mobile ViP Collection - Premium Laptop Cases

Gitzo Century Traveler Camera Messenger

If you couldn’t tell, the two Windsor messenger bags are identical in every way except size; the ‘S’ is for Small, and the ‘M’ is for Medium. Whichever model you go with, you’ve chosen a beautifully designed bag.

[envira-gallery id=”9398″]
Century Traveler Messenger Bag
• External Dimensions: H x L x W
• Internal Main Compartment: H x L x W
• Laptop Compartment: H x L x W
• Tripod Compartment Dimensions: H x L x W
• Number of Lenses / Type of Gear
• Weight

Specifications
• 11.02 x 15.35 x 5.51 Inches
• 9.84 x 14.17 x 3.54 Inches
• 9.84 x 12.99 x 0.79 Inches
• 17.72 x 4.72 x 4.72 Inches
• 4, Drone/DSLR/Mirrorless
• 42.32 oz

Gitzo Century camera bag

Read:   Moshi Arcus Camera Backpack Review

Gitzo Century Compact Camera Messenger Bag

[envira-gallery id=”9384″]
Century Compact Camera Messenger
• External Dimensions: H x L x W
• Internal Main Compartment: H x L x W
• Laptop Compartment: H x L x W
• Number of Lenses / Type of Gear
• Weight

Specifications
• 8.27 x 12.99 x 4.72 Inches
• 7.87 x 11.42 x TBD Inches
• 7.87 x 9.65 x 0.59 Inches
• 3, Mirrorless
• 26.45 oz

Gitzo Century camera bag

Read:   Motorola Moto Z2 Play Review

Final Thoughts

Pricing for the Gitzo Century Camera Bag Collection is as follows:

• Century Traveler Camera Backpack
• Century Traveler Camera Messenger Bag
• Century Compact Camera Messenger Bag

• $299.99
• $199.99
• $169.99

At a price range of $170-$300, the Gitzo Century Collection is slightly higher than comparable product lines from other manufacturers. Favorable factors here are its style, choice of materials (leather/nylon), and water repellent feature. For a list of compatible camera models for each bag, please visit the respective linked Gitzo product page, and look under Specifications. Don’t hesitate to head over to the Manfrotto website to see everything else they’ve got. Click the following link to see videos on the Gitzo Century Collection.

What do you think of the Gitzo Century bag collection? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Manfrotto’s Gitzo Century Camera Bag Collection comes with a 5-year standard limited warranty upon registration.

Read:   Speck Back To School Backpacks for 2017 Preview

All photographs are courtesy of and the copyrighted property of VitecGroup Italia Spa (Manfrotto.)

Filed Under: Apparel & Bags Tagged With: Camera Backpack, camera bag, Gitzo, Gitzo Century, Manfrotto 10/02/2017

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