GADGETHEAD Issue 3.08
UK
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Inspired By Your Success
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GADGETHEAD Senior Writer Emma Hilling emmahilling@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Director Alex Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com Junior Copy Editor Alice Instone-Brewer alice@littlegatepublishing.com Junior Copy Editor Steve Weller steveweller@littlegatepublishing.com Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com
Contents Bakker Elkhuizen FlexDesk 640• Bont Riot MTB• Britax Römer Dualfix Car Seat Page 10 Dry Robe Advance Short Sleeve• Edifier R1800 BT Speakers• Fitbit Flex 2• Foreo Espada Page 20 Giro Empire ACC• Giro Empire SLX Lava Reflective (limited edition)• Giro Factress Techlace• HAIX Protector Ultra• Hylete Icon 6 in 1 Bag Page 30 iBobber Bluetooth Smart Castable Fish Finder• Inov-8 Roclite 290• Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 700• Lux Bidet Neo320• Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive Deluxe Page 40 Maui Jim Breezeway Sunglasses• MindShift PhotoCross 13 Sling Bag• Nokia Body Cardio
Bakker Elkhuizen FlexDesk 640 If you could see my desk right now you would probably wonder how I get any work done…and if you are my boss then you will instantly understand why I am constantly behind deadline. It looks like a combination of a teenager’s bedroom and all the junk mail I have ever received got caught in a hurricane and happened to land on my work station. I am continually sifting through stacks of paper leaning over old coffee cups to read documents I’m working from, I am not saying the FlexDesk 640 will help cure me of my laziness but I could certainly help get my desk a little tidier 4
whilst improving my posture whilst I work. The FlexDesk 640 document holder lets you change back and forth between writing and computer work quickly and effortlessly, by keeping all your important things inline workstation, plus it limits any potential neck and shoulder strain. The FlexDesk 640 prevents neck rotation by placing documents between the keyboard and display screen, the
sloping work surface reduces flexion of the neck and thus increases work comfort, the document holder also provides a functional work surface and realises short viewing distances between the document, screen and keyboard. The result is hopefully to keep you more focused, comfortable, and increase your productivity, so far, I am neither focused or more productive but my desk looks smarter (I now stuff even more useless things under the FlexDesk) but it is more comfortable and
efficient. The FlexDesk 640 is constructed from 5mm thick acrylic, a satin work surface, easy gliding rails and a cabin for pens or pencils. It is straightforward to assemble and has 3 positions, 185mm, 150mm or 110mm. The FlexDesk 640 will improve your work station and help promote a good posture so it’s ideal for someone who works from documents. The pen cabin is a nice touch but, you will just end up leaving your pen next to you. However, it’s nice to tidy it away at the end of the day. RRP £235
https://www.bakkerelkhuizen.co.uk/documentholders/flexdesk-640-document-holder/ Pros Tasteful design Smooth rolling action 3 height positions Sloped angle Creates in-line workstation
Cons Expensive
Gadgethead Magazine
Bont Riot MTB The Bont Riot MTB is the world’s first carbon composite heat moldable entry level MTB shoe to offer in the marketplace. The Riot MTB has combined the pro series technical features including the power transfer platform, replaceable sole guards, anatomical shaping and competition grade materials. The upper is constructed from a strong microfiber outer layer with mesh inserts that help the breathability of the shoes, the carbon composite construction has been specifically designed to keep the weight low. The fibreglass tub style construction of the chassis has been strengthened with carbon across high stress areas for durability and there is carbon in between the layers of fibreglass for added strength.
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The MTB has Z form Velcro and a micro adjustable buckle for a precise fit, while there are integrated top mesh panels and ventilation holes throughout the side microfiber panels to help keep your feet cool. The MTB feature a protective replaceable grip plate with spike mounts in toe section and the structural medial longitudinal arch support is provided to stop over pronation of feet, the most common reason for knee injuries during cycling. The
MTB feature Bont’s anatomical shape that positions the foot in the most efficient and anatomically correct position for cycling whilst maintaining support to help relax the metatarsal joints to promote a pedalling force that spreads across a large surface area. These shoes also feature an anatomical heel cup for increased stability and the lateral forefoot support promotes a neutral position. I was surprised to find a mouldable shoe at this price and I will admit I was sceptical as to how well they would perform. I found they provided a good transfer of power and they were well ventilated which kept
your feet cool no matter how hard you peddled. However you can feel they aren’t high end shoes and not as comfortable or as skin tight as the more expensive models Bont have to offer. Our advice, great for entry level and commuting but could become irritating for more serious cyclists. RRP $99
http://www.bontcycling.com/products/ MTB/riot-MTB/ Pros Anatomical fit Good ventilation Low cost Light
Cons Not as tight or comfortable as high-end shoes
Gadgethead Magazine
Britax Römer Dualfix Car Seat The Britax Römer Dualfix Car Seat allows 360-degree rotation that means parents can choose when to switch their child from rearward to forward facing, plus it has a load of safety features ensure a safe journey from newborn up to four years (Group 0+/1 birth - 18 kg). It is available in six designs Black Marble, Cosmos Black, Flame Red, Storm Grey, Ocean Blue, and Mineral Purple. The red, blue, and purple are particularly attractive. You can choose between rearward facing (from birth to 18kg) or forward facing (from 9 to 18kg) with easy entry and 90-degree rotation that means you don’t have to put yourself or the child’s body at awkward position. You won’t risk banging either of your heads off the car door and it lets you see the buckles and straps easier. It is a simple
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but excellent answer to loading and unloading problems. The Dualfix features a deep, snug, seat with side impact protection plus performance chest pads and Pivot Link System which reduces forward movement. There’s a new-born insert for additional comfort and support, heightadjustable headrest, a single-handed 5 point adjustable harness for the most secure fit, and multi-position recline for sleep or awake. It also has a quickremove cover, with no need to remove the harness beforehand. Both the main cover
and the cover for the rebound bar that protects it from rubbing marks and dirty feet are washable. The Dualfix works with ISOFIX and has indicators when the hooks are engaged and shows that the foot prop has been correctly installed, giving you piece of mind. The Dualfix car seat is everything you want in a car seat and more. All the safety features will keep your baby safe in the event of an accident, and with rotational and reclining options that make loading and unloading a breeze for yourself and give your baby a choice of comfortable positions. The Britax Römer Dualfix is all together an excellent choice of car seat. RRP £440
http://www.britax.co.uk/car-seats/dualfix/ Pros 360degree rotation 90degree easy loading Rearward facing or forward facing From birth-18kg (new-born to 4years) Side impact protection, performance chest pads and pivot link system New-born insert included Height adjustable headrest and single-handed adjustable harness
Multi-Position reclining Quick removable washable cover Removeable rebound bar cover Durable Cover holds it colour well and resists stains
Gadgethead Magazine
Dry Robe Advance Short Sleeve My partner and I are one of those annoying couples who are always participating in some ridiculous outdoor challenge that involves us begging our friends for sponsorship and then running/falling around an assault course while getting covered in mud, water, foam or paint (sometimes all at the same time). After collecting our medals and taking a series of smug selfies, the most difficult part of the challenge comes next, how to change out of wet clothes into dry clothes without freezing to death and inadvertently flashing an entire carpark full of people trying to do the same thing. The Dry Robe Advance is an all-weather changing robe that keeps you warm and covered up whilst providing 10
enough wiggle room inside to get stripped off and redressed. Ideal for sports clothing and wetsuits, the Dry Robe features a waterproof and windproof exterior fabric with a soft synthetic Lambswool (51% acrylic, 49% polyester) lining that dries you out and keeps you warm. The wide, short sleeves allow you to easily pull your arms in get changed inside, the Chunky YKK Zips are effortlessly
handled with even cold numb fingers (or gloves if you are smart enough to remember them)! There are two A4 sized, fleece lined external pockets (these can also be used to warm up your hands if you forget your gloves), ideal for spare clothes, a large internal storage pocket and a dedicated MP3 player/ smart phone pocket (2 way waterproof), all including the same chunky zip pulls. You can use the Dry Robe to change or just choose to leave it on to dry off and warm up at the same time without leaving damp patches on your car seat. The main zip can
be operated from both the outside and inside of the robe for quick entry and exit (perfect to triathlon events). The internal POC Available in 4 sizes and 3 lining colour options, as well as short or long sleeves. It has been designed to be lightweight at only 1.3kg though it is rather bulky. The solution to this would be a compression bag to turn it into a compact bundle, but one isn’t provided. I fell in love with the Dry Robe, is it super warm and soft, very comfortable to walk around in and all the features make changing quick and painless, plus you look cute as hell all wrapped in it. RRP £99.99
http://bit.ly/2wpuz7z Pros 100% Waterproof & windproof outer shell fabric Super warm lining Full length 2 way reversible YKK zips Sealed seams 2 large external fleece lined pockets Waterproof Internal pocket Lightweight
Cons Included compression Sack would be useful
Gadgethead Magazine
Edifier R1800 BT Speakers The Edifier R1800 BT Speakers are bookshelf speakers that can be connected by either a dual RCA input or through Bluetooth. It has a Class D amplifier and 10-degree angled fronts that help to direct the sound straight to your ears. So, the first impressions is a little mixed, I love the high gloss black body, it is very attractive and looks great on the book shelf, however the front of the speaker lacks any distinction. I think more could have been done here to finish the quality aesthetic off. The body of the speakers isn’t just there to look pretty - the drivers are housed in MDF enclosure to help reduces distortion and minimises acoustic resonance. These speakers are equipped with Dynamic Range Control (DRC) and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) to limit and reduce
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distortion and the builtin class D amplifier drives the sound out across the room, it produces 70 watts of balanced sound and its 4 speaker drivers strive to create clear highs and rich lows. Due to the Bluetooth connectivity, the R1800BT can be paired with any device, sync up your smartphone, tablet or computer to listen to music wirelessly, but fear not as you can still connect through AUX and dual RCA input if you want to make things more simplified. These speakers only weigh 6.63kg so you can move them around easily enough if you
want to redecorate or move them from an office space to living room. They come with a glossy black remote control which is nice and responsive, and you have control over the volume treble and bass, these can also be controlled from the back of one of the speakers for when you possibly (in my case, inevitably) loose the remote. So, what about the big one? The sound quality? For the price, it has a surprisingly deep bass but lacks detail, the mid and high tones are bright and clear though, it also works well for films or tv but you will need to reduce the bass or it becomes far too overpowering. RRP ÂŁ119.99
http://www.edifier.com/int/en/speakers/r1800t3-2.0-powered-bookshelf Pros Gloss black finish Remote AUX, Dual RCA or Bluetooth connectivity Clear mid and high tones
Cons Front of speakers look boring Bass lacks detail
Gadgethead Magazine
Fitbit Flex 2 The Fitbit Flex 2 is slimmest wristband Fitbit has released so far and can be customised with a range of bands, bangles & pendants. It is Swim-Proof (yay finally well done Fitbit), tracks your swimming, reminds to move every hour and has auto-exercise recognition. Featuring the usual all-day activity tracking which collects data on your steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, hourly activity and stationary time, the SmartTrack automatically track activities like running, sports and aerobic workouts, then you can see exercise summaries in the Fitbit app. Auto Sleep Tracking is as it sounds - this automatically tracks how long and how well you sleep 14
and allows you to set a sleep goal and bedtime reminder and you can set silent alarms that gently wake you with a vibration (although you may feel like you are getting pins and needles the first time you use it). The Flex 2 can track swimming automatically with the SwimProof feature, this also means you don’t have to worry about taking it off when you wash up or take a bath. You will get a little vibration
and colour coded LED display to alert you of any calls or texts, but due to the lack of a screen this is the extent of the information you will receive. The reminder to move is a cool function, the Flex 2 will encourage you to take 250 steps every hour, as more and more research suggests that the frequency of how much you move is just as important as the intensity. You will get up to 5 days for each charge, the LED display shows you your progress to goal and the device synchronises wirelessly with your smart device. The Flex 2 syncs wirelessly and is compatible with
200+ iPhone, Android and Windows devices. Sadly, the Flex 2 still has similar syncing issues as the old Flex, it takes a few times to get it to sync correctly or worse the app will crash during the syncing process. The automatic activity tracking, be it swimming or aerobics, is intermittent which in turn makes the whole thing redundant as you end up checking the app constantly to see if it has recognised your activity correctly. As a day to day activity tracker it provides everything you need with a colourful and clear app to review your data and set goals, it is not bad for its price range and its many customisable options. RRP ÂŁ69.99
https://www.fitbit.com/flex2 Pros All-Day activity tracking Auto sleep tracking and silent alarms Interchangeable accessories Ultra-slim and lightweight Reminders to Move Colour coded smartphone notifications 5day battery life
Cons Auto recognition of activities intermittent Hit and miss syncing
Gadgethead Magazine
Sur f 3 Inspired by mountain bike technology Why choose between a four-wheel urban pushchair or a three-wheel trekking pushchair. With Surf 3 you can have both, uniquely adaptable it can switch between city and trekking modes with ease. Whether you’re in the town or country the unique suspension ensures a smooth ride.
DriveSt
Direct Attac USB 3.0 4 wheels for urban use
silvercrossbaby.com
Trekking wheel for multi terrain use
DriveStation™ Quad Direct Attached Storage USB 3.0
HD-QHU3/R5
Huge Capacity Direct Attached Storage Huge Capacity Direct Attached Storage
Buffalo Technology’s DriveStation™ Quad (HD-QHU3 series) is a 4-bay Direct Attached Storage device perfect for demanding SMB. The HD-QHU3 comes fully populated with high-reliability Buffalo Technology’s DriveStation™ WD Red™ drives in total capacities of up to 24TB.
Quad (HD-QHU3 series) is a 4-bay
™ The DriveStation Quad is RAID-enabled customised Direct Attached Storage deviceforperfect redundancy and capacity depending on your specific needs for demanding SMB. The HD-QHU3 and also comes with 10 licenses of NovaStor NovaBACKUP comes Essentials fully populated Business software. with high-
reliability WD Red™ drives in total
The DriveStation™ Quad features the capacity, redundancy, capacities of required up to 24TB. and performance for any demanding user – the perfect solution for backing up large servers, multimedia files, or databases. The HD-QHU3 series is sold fully populated with WD Red drives and total capacities of 8, 12, 16, or 24TB. HD-QHU3/R5
Features and Benefits • 4 bay Direct Attached Storage fully populated with WD Red™ hard drives - Available with 8, 12, 16, or 24TB capacities
• RAID-enabled for performance and reliability - Supports RAID 0/1/5/10/Spanning/JBOD
• Perfect for Server, PC, and/or Database Backup
Features and Benefits
- Also includes 10 free licenses of NovaStor NovaBackup Business Essentials
• Power Saving – Auto Power feature turns on and off automatically with your computer
4-bay Direct Attached Storage •• SuperSpeed connectivity with USB 3.0
fully populated with WD Red™ hard drives with 8, 12, 16, or 24TB capacities • RAID-enabled for performance and reliability - Supports RAID 0/1/5/10/Spanning/JBOD • Perfect for ™Server, PC, and/or Database Backup - Also includes 10 free licenses of NovaStor NovaBACKUP® Business Essentials • Power Saving – Auto Power feature turns on and off automatically with your computer ched Storage • SuperSpeed connectivity with USB 3.0 • 3 year warranty - Available • 3 year warranty
tation Quad
Foreo Espada You may associate acne as a problem with teenage skin but adult acne can crop up at any time (normally just before your best friend’s wedding or a job interview)! It can be caused by stress, diet medications, your skin care/beauty routine, a hormonal imbalance or simply genetics. The Foreo Espada aims to fight acne by using the dual power of laser-focused blue LED light and T-Sonic pulsations to target and reduce the appearance of blemishes. Clinically proven to treat and heal acne-prone skin, the Espada helps you get rid of acne in a simple, fast and non-invasive way. The Espada is 100% waterproof and will provide you with 240 uses from a single charge, it works by using the same beam of 415nm blue LED light used by dermatologists for professional treatments, but without the high cost and uncomfortable waiting rooms. It is 18
straightforward to use: cleanse and dry your skin, press the button once to turn the device on and point it at the blemish using the red light cross hair, press the device onto the skin, the Blue-light and T-Sonic pulsations will activate on skin contact. From here you need to hold the device on the blemish for 30 seconds, after the timer indicates 30 seconds, you can either repeat up to 4 times, or move the device to another blemish and repeat. The blue light acne therapy works by firing LED light energy into pores to attack P. acnes, which are the cause of/ and where bacteria live.
The Espada’s unique T-Sonic pulsations propel blue light wavelengths deeper, for an amplified effect and is FDA-approved. Made from a soft silicone, the Espada is gentle on sensitive acne-infected skin and prevents the spread of bacteria over the face. It is lightweight and compact making it a good travel companion no matter how small your bag is. I enjoyed using the Espada, I often get breakouts on my chin due to hormones and after using the Espada for 4 days the area was clearer than usual and looked less angry, so for me it’s a no brainer. It doesn’t involve any messy serums or painful procedures. I just simply use it after I wash my face and it takes no time at all. RRP £129
https://www.foreo.com/espada Pros Easy to use Painless Mess free Improves appearance of skin 2-year warranty and 10-year quality guarantee.
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Giro Empire ACC
The Giro Empire ACC continues to try and push the boundaries of high-performance cycling shoes, this classic laced closure offers seven points of fit adjustment and includes a breathable Evofiber synthetic upper for a close fit and comfort. The Easton EC90 ACC is a full carbon sole that offers the stiffness needed for excellent performance whether you are using
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them in Grand Tours or gran fondos, they have an ultra-low 6.5mm stack height for a close connection to the pedals. The adjustable
SuperNatural Fit footbed lets you create a precise fit and arch support for your specific foot shape. These shoes are available in six styles: Black/White, Matte Black/Black Gloss, White/Black, Gloss Red/ Black, Silver Reflective, and Blue Steel/Matte
Black. We received the latter, the shiny kingfisher blue with a matt black heel and a choice of black or blue laces, that creates an attractive shoe, looking great on the bike. Along with your shoes you get two sets of laces and a soft zip up shoe bag, with a carry handle and ventilation holes to allow the shoes to fully dry out. The uppers are created from onepiece Evofiber breathable microfiber and closes with a laced system. The outsole is Easton EC90 ACC carbon fibre and has replaceable heel pads while the foot bed is the SuperNatural Fit Kit with adjustable arch support and X-Static antimicrobial fibre. The X-Static Fibre uses natural silver to provide heat conductive and anti-microbial properties to help keep your feet warm and your shoes free of odor-causing bacteria and fungus. The Easton Carbon Composite Outsole unidirectional carbon fibre is engineered
to provide a direct connection with the pedal and uses class-leading stiffness that puts full effort into forward motion. We found these shoes stiff with an attractive appearance but the breathability lets them down, they become quite warm during hard rides, plus they also run on the narrow side so if you have a naturally wider foot you may find these shoes uncomfortable. RRP ÂŁ124.99
http://www.giro.com/eu_en/empire-accreflective.html/ Pros Stiff attractive metallic colour close fit
Cons minimal ventilation on the narrow side
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Giro Empire SLX Lava Reflective (limited edition) You cannot help but be hit in the face with the design of the Giro Empire SLX Lava Reflective. Inspired by a dorm room lava lamp, this limited-edition Empire SLX features a reflective lava graphic, which inspires a love or hate reaction, personally I am not a fan but I respect the risks Giro take with their colours and patterns. It makes for an exciting collection and brightens up the shoe rack, if nothing else! At just 175 grams (size 42.5), the Empire SLX are some of the lightest road shoes Giro has to offer and aims to keep the weight low without compromising the structure or stiffness needed for good performance. The shoe is constructed from a one-piece upper and uses premium Evofiber, this material takes the best attributes of mesh and microfiber and fuses them together
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into a single fabric, that not only repels water but allows the foot to breath throughout the shoe. Extra seams have been eliminated as well as adhesives required to insert mesh panels. The durability, comfort, and weight of the shoe has been improved. Evofiber also strives to hold shape well and is fast drying and easy to clean. The closure system uses Empire Laces and these certainly hold a knot! They are durable and light and during our testing the
knot remained tied throughout. However a lace system can never compete with either the dual systems or BOA closures, plus they also made it difficult to adjust the fit on the fly. The outsole is made from Easton EC90 SLX2 High-Modulus carbon fibre which has been engineered to provide a direct connection with the pedal, the classleading stiffness puts full effort into forward motion, it also features titanium hardware and replaceable heel pads. The foot-bed is an ultralight SuperNatural Fit Kit with adjustable arch support to help optimise comfort and enhance pedalling efficiency. The X-Static antimicrobial fibre material uses natural
silver to conduct heat to keep your feet warm, and has anti-microbial properties to help keep your shoes free of odourcausing bacteria and fungus. The Giro Empire SLX Lava Reflective comes along with a zip up travel bag with a carry handle and ventilation to let out heat and odour, they also throw in some spare laces. These shoes provide a good fit for lace ups, they are nicely ventilated and provide a stiff purchase for hard pedalling, but the lace up system is time consuming and makes it harder to get a precise fit all along the foot. Having said that the best thing about the shoes is the low weight so they’re ideal for those who want to shave off every gram in their cycling shoe. RRP £175
http://www.giro.com/eu_en/empire-slx-lava. html/ Pros Lightweight Reflective Comfortable Stiff
Cons Lace up system Ugly “lava” design
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Giro Factress Techlace The Factor Techlace cycling shoes are a race-bred shoe that has the benefits of the Giro Techlace system, the Boa dial for easy adjustment, and has an impressively low weight of just 210g (at size 42.5). The D-rings have been replaced by a Techlace system, this creates more flexibility across the forefoot and in the event of any damage or wear though prolonged use, the laces can easily be
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replaced. The upper is a one-piece design, with a breathable Evofiber SL, breathable Teijin microfiber, and the Techlace + Boa IP 1 dial (1mm +/- with macro release). The outsole is made from Easton
EC90 SLX2 highmodulus carbon and includes steel hardware and replaceable heel pads and the footbed contains Giro Natural Fit Kit with adjustable arch support and X- Static antimicrobial fiber. Here’s a little breakdown on some of those technical features: first that BOA dial,
http://www.giro.com/eu_en/ factresstm-techlace.html/ Pros Lightweight Comfortable Precise lacing system Reasonably priced
this intuitive design allows for adjustment in 1mm increments when tightening or loosening the shoes, it also allows for quick and easy adjustment whilst on the bike. Secondly, the Supernatural Fit Footbed has an adjustable arch support for a precise and personalised fit for your foot shape. The premium Evofiber SL
upper is both durable and breathable, allowing the heat escape from the shoes and keep your feet cool and comfortable. The power transfer is helped by the Easton EC90 SLX2 carbon fibre outsole which gives you a direct connection to the pedals and for a bonus these shoes come with a soft Giro travel bag included to help protect them on transit. For the price the Giro Factress Techlace are high performing shoes that provide all the comfort you need for hard rides while the Techlace and Boa systems offers on-the-fly adjustment and are a welcome addition to the shoe. RRP ÂŁ230
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HAIX Protector Ultra The HAIX Protector Ultra in Signal Red are a beauty to behold; clean lines, bold colours and solid black metal detailing make these shoes stand out from regular forest boots. These boots have both beauty and brawn - with a secure leather safety boot and an integrated steel toe cap, they will look after your feet. They provide the security of Class 2 Cut Protection and conform with all the professional requirements stipulated by the German Forestry Advisory Board, as well as fulfilling HAIX’s commitment to quality in every way. For such solid and durable boots, the Ultra are surprisingly stable and light (1210g). These have been designed to be worn all day during physical work, so they have 26
the right orthopaedic criteria and help protect the foot health, for a precise fit they have a two-zone lacing system which means it can be adjusted to different levels of tightness around the foot and calf. Their soft and close-fitting sleeves hug the feet and prevent sawdust and grit from getting inside, whilst your toes stay protected by an integrated toe cap. These boots have an antibacterial, moisturerepellent inlay with a separate heel cup that enhances the shock absorption of the boot, and the Vibram sole
has a deep tread that provides excellent traction on slippery rocks, wet trees and icy terrain alike. The boot has been made from leather that is both watertight and breathable, and the GORE-TEX inner lining helps to the moisture from your warm feet to escape, whilst preventing rain or snow getting in. Available in both men’s and women’s sizes, these boots are perfect for autumn, spring, summer and winter alike. They provide excellent weather protection, comfortable, easy to get in and out of and look bad ass what more could you want? RRP £225
https://www.haix.co.uk/haixprotector-ultra-signal-red Pros Look awesome Class 2 Cut Protection Gore-Tex lining Chunky Vibram sole Warm and breathable Two-zone lacing system Lightweight Integrated steel toe cap
Gadgethead Magazine
Hylete Icon 6 in 1 Bag Even though I try my hardest to avoid female stereotypes, I have still managed to end up with a large collection of bags. However, unlike the stereotype, only two of them are hand bags, whilst the rest are backpacks and travel bags in various sizes and strap positions. The Hylete Iron aims to be all of your bags in one, with six distinct conversions: backpack, extended backpack, small duffle, large duffle, removable daypack, and messenger bag. The Icon features ergonomic ventilated backpack straps with an adjustable sternum strap to take the load off your shoulders. There is a quick access, velour-lined pocket that protects valuables and media device screens, and the entire bag is compatible carry-on (as always, check the airline’s requirements). The second conversion uses 28
the Icon’s expandable compartment, which adds 20 litres of additional space, ideal for stashing damp clothing after outdoor adventures or swimming. The third conversion introduces the first of two duffle options; you can store the backpack straps behind the back panel and attach the provided padded duffle straps to turn your backpack
into a small duffle bag. The forth is the return of the expandable compartment, transforming this small duffle into the larger one . The firth conversion is a removable daypack with laptop sleeve, which detaches from the main backpack, and the sixth and final conversion enlists the help of the padded duffle strap to turn this daypack into a messenger bag. The Icon is made from abrasion and weather resistant fabric, and is comfortable to wear in most configurations. When it is fully loaded in the largest format, it could
use a waist strap to help spread the load across your body, and there isn’t a lot of a ventilation on the back, so it can get rather sweaty back there. Aside from this, the Icon is a practical and extremely versatile bag that will take up less room in your cupboard than six different bags - perfect for a busy traveller. RRP $250
http://www.hylete.com/icon-6-in-1-backpackstealth-black-60-liter Pros Six configurations Ergonomic ventilated backpack straps Expandable compartment Adjustable sternum strap Abrasion/weather resistant fabric
Cons No waist strap Gets hot on the back
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iBobber Bluetooth Smart Castable Fish Finder When I think of fishing, I tend to conjure up the image of lounging about on the riverside in the sunshine, maybe taking a snooze. However, I was shocked to learn that some people who go fishing actually like to catch fish - I know, crazy right? Like every other hobby out there, fishing has not escaped the rise of technological accessories: the iBobber is a sonar depth finder that can tell you what the bottom of the river looks like, locate fish, structures, ledges and holes, and basically let you know if it’s worth sticking around in your current location. The iBobber Bluetooth Smart Castable Fish Finder is the smallest and lightest (47g) personal sonar depth finder on the market - it is a castable, portable, and wireless fish finder
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that syncs with the free companion app on your smartphone or tablet up to 100ft away. The iBobber Smart syncs with iOS devices 6.0 - 10.0 (including iWatch) and Android 4.3 or later (including Goggle Watch), and uses Bluetooth Smart (4.0). The iBobber is lightweight and can be cast long distances. It can GPS mark spots, laydowns (trees that have fallen), weed beds, drop-offs and other underwater structures where hiding fish could be tempted out. Suitable for dock and pier fishing, either in freshwater or the
ocean, you can cast out to map the waterbed down to 135ft, mark fish, and save the GPS locations for later. The iBobber will warn you when schools of fish gather under docks and piers, and you can choose if you want notifications when they’re biting, or you can use the fish alarm to wake you up to reel them in (See, you can still snooze!) Other features include the patented sonar fish identifier technology, an LED beacon, the choice of raw sonar or fish tagging views, fish and strike alarms and GPS spot tagging with an interactive map. It will even colour-code your fish by size! The rechargeable battery will provide you with
over ten hours of life and there is a charge status indicator light to let you know when you need to recharge. At the end of the session, you can log your success with the Trip Log, where you can input your date, time, location, water temp, conditions, type of fishing, lure, number and species of fish caught you even have the option of bragging about your success on social media. The iBobber Bluetooth Smart is a versatile accessory that can improve your success rate, and if nothing else is fun to use. There is no need to mullet over any further, it’s ohfish-al: the iBobber is a reel catch (if you have any better fish puns please let minnow). RRP $99.99
https://reelsonar.com/products/ibobber Pros Sonar depth up to 135ft Tags two fish sizes under and over 38 cm Strike alarm Waterbed Mapping up to 30m GPS Tagging Trip Log LED Beacon Bluetooth Smart v4.0 range 100ft / 30m lightweight 47g / 1.7oz iOS & Android compatible (including iWatch and Google Watch)
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Inov-8 Roclite 290 The Roclite 290 by Inov-8 have been designed for trail running on multiple terrains in mainly dry conditions. They are available in four colours: red, blue, grey and black (the red and blue styles are particularly striking). They come in a standard fit, in full sizes from 6 all the way through to 14, with half sizes available up to 11.5. The shoes are lightweight at just 290g, which feels great on your feet, and they are also extremely flexible, which allows your foot to move in a more natural way and reduces the risk of injury from hitting pressure points. The Roclite have an Inov-8 Tri-C rubber compound and multidirectional claw-shaped cleats. Their wide contact area helps you to keep an even footing on unpredictable terrain, providing aid on anything from cobbles to frozen
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cross-country ground, and their quick release of debris means you don’t have to worry about collecting stones and grit whilst you are out. Their low weight and 4mm drop allows for fast running whilst delivering protection, support and comfort, and the POWERFLOW Midsole delivers 10% better shock absorption and 15% better energy return than standard midsoles. This all makes running in the Roclite 290 kinder on you joints and reduces the risk of knee injury and skin-splints. These shoes have been designed for the natural anatomy of the foot; the new ADAPTERWEB met-
cradle adapts to the natural movement and swelling of your foot in motion, and the Y-LOCK system holds the heel in place for added support. The shoes also feature a strengthened rubber toe-cap and the second generation META-SHANK, a plate that protects the underfoot from sharp rocks, meaning you can enjoy the light sole without the pain of pokey rocks getting to feet. These are comfortable and light running shoes. However, they could do with more ventilation, as they do get warm and sweaty. They also run a little on the small side and suit a slightly narrower foot, so it is safest to order half a size larger than you would normally wear. RRP ÂŁ115
https://www.inov-8.com/roclite-290-mens-trail-running-shoes-blue/ Pros
Cons
Light
Lacks ventilation
Comfortable
Slightly narrow
Good traction on uneven ground (including slippery surfaces)
Runs about ½ size too small
Snug fit Flexible
Gadgethead Magazine
Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 700 I am a big fan of Lumie products - I get a daily dose of light from my Lumie lightbox every day whilst I work, and I always feel better. I have also studied my sleep patterns to set my alarm at the optimum time for me to wake up - half an hour either side of that and I wake up a sluggish grouch. So, you can imagine my joy at the Lumie Bodyclock Luxe! Bodyclock Luxe is an alarm clock that mimics the light of a real sunrise, so when you open your eyes you feel properly awake and refreshed. Waking like this helps to keep your sleep cycle on track and has been shown to boost mood, energy and productivity levels. The Bodyclock Luxe is the most advanced of the Bodyclock range, with high-quality speakers 34
for streaming your own music or radio via Bluetooth and a USB port for adding audio files or charging your phone. It also comes with over 20 wake-up and sleep sounds, from classic birdsong and waterfall recordings to background cafĂŠ chat, fading thunder and white noise. When setting your alarm, you can select not only the time to begin your sunrise, but
its duration, ranging from 15 to 90 minutes depending on how gradually you would like to be woken up. You can also choose your sunrise intensity to suit your light sensitivity. Whatever the setting, the sunrise mimics the real-world colour transitions to help its subconscious effect, and the 7-day alarm allows you to programme different settings for throughout the week to fit with your schedule. At night, Bodyclock Luxe even has a fading sunset to help you relax and a new low-blue light feature especially for bedtime lighting. There
is ever a power failure back-up system, so save you from those “my alarm didn’t go off” nightmares! A wake-up light like Bodyclock Luxe is not just a much nicer way to start the day - it can help beat the winter blues and is a useful complement to a lightbox in treating SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). The British Swimming team use Lumie Bodyclock to get them up bright and early for training on dark, winter mornings, and if it’s good enough to motivate them to jump into cold water first thing, it’s good enough to help me out of bed! RRP £170
https://www.lumie.com/products/bodyclockluxe-700 Pros: Daily/weekly alarms Adjustable sunrise intensity and duration Power failure back-up Optional beep alarm Sounds for sleep and wake-up Dimmable bedside lighting Fully dimmable display Nightlight feature Three-year warranty
Gadgethead Magazine
Lux Bidet Neo320 When I was little we went on a summer holiday to France. I remember being amazed that the bathroom had what my dad joked was a foot bath. I believed this for two days, until I told my mum I was going to take a foot bath and she had to tell me that it was, in fact, a bidet. Since then, whenever I have the opportunity to use one, I will - I mean, if you get
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your hands dirty, you wouldn’t just rub them on tissue, would you? The Lux Bidet
Neo320 is a warm water bidet with a one-touch pressure and temperature control. It has been approved by widely accepted ASME plumbing standards for manufacturing materials, durability and water pressure requirements. The Neo
comes with Do-It-Yourself Installation - fear not, it can easily be installed in 15-20 minutes with just a screwdriver and wrench, and all the instructions and accessories you need are included. The Neo will fit most two-piece and some onepiece toilets. It has a dual nozzle design, meaning it has a nozzle for both holes (boys, don’t look confused - one is just for girls). The nozzle guard gate ensures the bidet is always ready for clean operation, opening for access to the nozzle and then retracting for hygienic storage, and there is a convenient cleaning feature to thoroughly rinse the nozzles out. You can activate and adjust water pressure easily with a chrome-plated
lever on the unobtrusive control panel, which also features a second lever to change nozzle selection and activate the cleaning feature. The Neo has highpressure valves; braided steel hoses for the coldwater connection and an adjustable-length polyurethane hose with a metal end is for the hot water connection. I like that I can upgrade my toilet into a fancy bidet, and it’s easy to install and use. I don’t much like the look of the dial, as it looks a bit dated, but all things considered this is a cool little gizmo. RRP $120
http://luxebidet.com/ neo320.html Pros Easy to install One-touch pressure and temperature control Moveable nozzle guard gate Regular nozzle and feminine nozzle Self-cleaning
Cons Dated looking dial
Gadgethead Magazine
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive Deluxe The Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive Deluxe pedal is a touch sensitive, medium gain amplifierlike overdrive pedal with added controls for more versatile guitar tone. The Deluxe is designed to overdrive distorted amplifiers and give dynamically controlled low to medium gain tones with clean amplifiers. It features unique focus control that allows you to adjust the feel and dynamics of the pedal as well as the overall EQ: turning counter-clockwise gives less distortion and a smoother effect, whilst turning clockwise gives a slight treble boost and earlier distortion.
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The distortion levels are controlled by the pick - the harder you pick, the more overdrive you get, but play more gently and you get a cleaner, softer tone. Both the SHOD and SHOD DLX are designed to work with all kinds of guitars, amplifiers and pedals. With the dials, you can set the output volume, control the amount of overdrive, post distortion that cuts and/ or boosts the treble, and the pre-distortion
also sets how the bass and low-to-midtones are distorted. The Sweet Honey Overdrive Deluxe isn’t the cheapest, but what you get is a solid, funky orange pedal with retro style knobs that produces some kickass tones. The touchsensitive picking is a lot of fun to play with – it doesn’t make your guitar scream in pain, but instead produces a sweet, rounded tone. It has been carefully engineered to make your guitar sound great, all wrapped up in a compact design that will never leave your pedal board. RRP €219
https://www.mpamp.com/sweet-honeyoverdrive-deluxe/ Pros Dynamic range Versatile Excellent tones High quality construction Compact Touch-sensitive picking Responsive
Cons Expensive (but probably worth it)
Gadgethead Magazine
Maui Jim Breezeway Sunglasses We have lucked out with our summer this year - in between the usual rain and blustery winds we have had some wonderfully sunny days. Unfortunately, this has resulted in my partner’s usual dodgy sunglasses tan line along the right side of his face. Normally I would see the funny side of this, but with our wedding fast approaching I struggled to find it amusing. So, imagine my relief when the Maui Jim Breezeway Sunglasses turned up in the office with its super thin, antistupid-thick-tan-line frame. The Breezeway Sunglasses have large frames and come in three frame colours: silver, gold and rose 40
gold (we received our pair in silver). They are made from lightweight titanium with anticorrosive traditional hinges, giving them the perfect balance of flexibility and durability whilst remaining lightweight. The lenses are MauiPure, Maui Jim’s most popular lenses, providing crisp optics in a super-thin glass, excellent scratch and shatter resistance and an extremely low weight, making them
comfortable to wear all day long. These shades come with a choice of four lenses - the Neutral Grey has the highest light reduction for rich colour and contrast, making them a good choice for bright, direct sunlight conditions; Blue Hawaii (the style we received) are Neutral Grey with a blue mirror coating over the top, which looks very cool; HCL Bronze is a versatile lens with a warm tint, ideal for changing light conditions; finally, Maui Rose is a subtle rose tone that is the most comfortable on the eyes (yes, you really
can view the world through rose tinted glasses!) The Maui range uses PolarizedPlus2 technology that not only protects your eyes from glare, but also damaging UV, to reveal and enhance colours and contrasts. The lenses are 63 x 47mm, with a frame bridge of 16mm and temple length of 143. These lenses were a big hit with my partner – they have excellent optics, are comfortable and stylish. They even come with a microfibre soft bag (that can be used to clean the lenses) and a protective hard case (slightly too big for our glove compartment…our only gripe). RRP £255
https://uk.mauijim.com/en/shop/sunglasses/ aviators/breezeway Pros Lightweight Great optics Slim titanium frame Three frames and four lens options Soft and hard case included
Gadgethead Magazine
MindShift PhotoCross 13 Sling Bag I am comfortable saying that I haven’t been much of a fan of the MindShift bags in the past. I tend to view them as ThinkTank’s younger and uglier brother, but I was really surprised by the highquality construction in the PhotoCross 13 Sling Bag. The PhotoCross has been made to withstand all weathers and is comfortable enough to wear for hours on end, with a wealth of useful features to keep your camera gear safe and close to hand when in the great outdoors. The sling design keeps the bag out of your way whilst allowing you to swing it around for quick and easy access to your camera, spare lenses and accessories. The bag is compact, with exterior dimensions of 12.6” W x 17.7” H x 7.1” D and interior dimensions 9.4” W x 14.2” H x 5.5” D, which gives you are gear profile of an ungripped DSLR, two – four lenses including a 70–200mm f/2.8 (with a max weight of 2.4lbs) and up to a 13” laptop (hence 42
the 13 in the name) in the dedicated padded laptop sleeve (9.1” x 13” x 1”). The exterior is made from a water-resistant fabric that has a durable water-repellent coating, and the underside of the fabric has a polyurethane coating. The bag also features YKK weatherresistant zips, 420D high-density nylon, heavy-duty nylon Tarpaulin, 350g air mesh, nylon webbing and 3-ply bonded nylon thread. It comes with a padded, wide shoulder
strap, measuring 42.5– 62.2”, and a tuck-away waist belt with a length of up to 63.8” to help spread the load across your body. The interior has removable closedcell foam dividers, to organise and protect your gear, and for heavier rain there is a seam-sealed rain cover. The bottom of the bag even has a waterproof tarpaulin panel for added protection from wet ground and rough surfaces. The bag’s zips have T-pull grips for easy handling with or without gloves, and for security they can be linked together. There are top and side carry handles, a water bottle pocket that locks in most one-litre bottles, internal zip pockets can be used to store batteries, memory cards or other
small accessories, and an accessible front pocket that is perfect for filters, snacks or a thin light layer. Whilst wearing the Sling 13, the breathable 320G air-mesh back panel helps to keep your back cool. I still got warm around my lower back but it wasn’t too bad. All in all, the MindShift PhotoCross 13 Sling Bag is a great little day-bag - with unrestricted access and tough weatherproofing this bag is a brilliant shooting companion for days out on the field. RRP £129.99
https://www.mindshiftgear.com/products/ photocross-13 Pros Removeable padded dividers Easy rotation for rapid access Weather resistant Seam-sealed rain cover Tuck away waist belt T-pull zips Comfortable
Gadgethead Magazine
Nokia Body Cardio
Withings have recently been bought by Nokia, and our first review of the new brand is the Nokia Body Cardio Heart Health & Body Composition Wi-Fi scales. This scales offer you a comprehensive picture of your health just by stepping on; they provide readings on weight, BMI, body fat, water percentage
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and muscle and bone mass, as well as cardiovascular health via heart rate and pulse wave velocity,, which is recognised by the medical community as
the best stand-alone indicator of overall cardiovascular health. The fat mass percentage shown by the scales can help anyone understand overall health, whilst the muscle mass percentage lets you see how you are improving if you are trying to
tone up. The water mass reading shows you how hydrated you are and whether you are retaining water, whilst the weight reading will accurately provide your weight accurate to 0.2 pounds. The companion Health Mate app lets you set goals, view your progress and receive tips, and the app also partners with over 100 other top health and fitness apps. The Body Cardio has an attractive, slim design at only 0.7 inches thick, available in black or white. It has a solid aluminium base and no feet - it works just as well on hard floors as it does on thick carpet. The Cardio has a Pregnancy Mode, Baby Mode and will recognise up to eight users automatically, and each will have their data independently synced to their Health Mate profile. The Body Cardio charges via a USB plug, but sadly only the cable is included,
so you will need to have an adaptor at the ready. However, it is easy enough to set up and use, and there are even little arrows on the screen to correct your posture whilst weighing in. Overall, the Nokia Body Cardio is informative, the display gives clear results, and the scales are encouraging to use. RRP ÂŁ149.95
https://health.nokia.com/uk/en/body-cardio Pros Heart health Full Body Composition Automatic synchronisation Attractive design Easy to use Recognises up to eight profiles
Cons Heavy No plug adaptor included Pricey
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We are disclosing this as we like to be transparent about our reviews.
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