Issue 4.12
UK
£4.95
www.thegadgethead.com
Inspired By Your Success
Contents JML Phoenix Copper Pro Iron • Hiplok Z LOK and Z LOK Combo • DEWALT® DCK623P3-GB 18v 3x5.0Ah Brushless Compact 6Pc Kit Page 10 Weeride SafeFront Deluxe • Stihl Strimmer FSA 65 • 3Doodler Create+ • Sphero Mini • Salter Cactus Digital Kitchen Scale
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 James Lapping james@littlegatepublishing.com Junior Copy Editor Will Girling willgirling@littlegatepublishing.com Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com
Page 20 Bresser Messier AR-90/900 EXOS1/EQ4 Telescope • DeLonghi Avvolta Kettle • Groover Sledge 47” • Aussie Shampoo for Men • Joby Gorillapod GripTight ONE • Simplehuman Dual 58L Voice and Motion Control Page 30 AfterShokz Trekz Titanium • Peli 1510 Protector Case and 1510 Divider Set • Sphero BOLT • Stomp Rocket 3 Stunt Planes • Triple Eight NYC Dual Certified MIPS Helmet • Science Museum Smartphone Microscope • Frywall • Datacolor SpyderCHECKR Page 40 Gtech AirRam MK2 and Multi MK2 • Roku Express • Dainese All Weather Activity Gloves • Sega Toys Flux Satin Black • Jabra Engage 75 Convertible Page 50 HoMedics Gel Shiatsu Massage Pillow • AlcoSense Breathalysers • AlcoSense Excel • AlcoSense Pro • AlcoSense Ultra • SoundMAGIC E11C • Proviz Switch Jacket Yellow/Reflective Page 60 PMD Clean • SodaStream Crystal Black • HAIX Black Eagle Safety 50 High • Natural History Museum Pocket Microscope • Moj Moj Claw Machine Playset • StylPro Limited Edition • StylPro Expert • Melitta Barista TS Smart Page 70 Melissa and Doug Chef’s Kitchen – Charcoal • Sennheiser Momentum Free • Roccat Kone AIMO • Learning Resources New Sprouts Classroom Play Food Set • Aerobie Pro Ring • SmartMax Start • Geosmart Moon Lander
JML Phoenix Copper Pro Iron Ironing is neither glamourous or exciting, but it doesn’t mean it should at least try to be, the Phoenix Copper Pro (using a name like this is a good place to start), uses a HyperGlide ceramic sole plate for smooth glide across you clothing. This copperceramic continuous steam iron has a load of features to help you get the ironing done as quickly and efficiently as possible, allowing you to get on with something far more exciting. The combination of a HyperGlide copper-ceramic-coated soleplate and a built-in ProSteam independent steam generator lets you effortless smash though your ironing basket with high quality crease-removal. This soleplate also has the benefits of heating up quickly and retaining an even heat throughout use, there is a Power Triangle at the heart of the soleplate which sends a column of intense steam through multiple layers of clothing or can be used at a distance for
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contactless ironing on delicate fabrics, silk for example or around details like buttons, prints and transfers. The pump-driven Pro-Steam Generator is there to provide an independent steam chamber, separate to that of the soleplate, this allows for a continuous steam to give you more control over removing creases from all manner of fabrics. The Phoenix allows for vertically ironing, so hanging garments, like curtains and upholstery can be de-creased without
moving them, this iron also has self-cleaning and easy access for a longer life, with the anti-calc function it helps to rid lime scale build-up, and the removable steel cover plate, means you can access any calcium and lime scale laying deeper down. The Phoenix Copper Pro has a 370ml water tank, a 2.65m power cord and comes with a water jug and brush attachment, we found it to be good value for money, it gets through a lot of water due to all that steam but will get you through a boring chore with ease. RRP ÂŁ49.99
https://www.jmldirect.com/cleaning/ironingand-laundry/phoenix-copper-pro-copper-ceramiccontinuous-steam-iron-and-free-fastfit-ironingboard-cover-ultimate/ Pros HyperGlide copper-ceramic sole plate Pro-Steam Generator for independent steam Power Triangle with removable cover plate Contactless Ironing Vertical Steaming Heats-up Fast Anti-Calc function Attractive design (looks cool for an iron)
Cons Gets through water quickly Cord tethers you to the wall
Gadgethead Magazine
Hiplok Z LOK and Z LOK Combo The Z LOK is the first secured, reusable zip-style tie designed for protection when used on car racks, accessories and other outdoor equipment, but it is can be used in any way you can think of. Sold in either a single or twin pack, the Z LOK comes in Cyan, Purple, Orange, Black, Lime, Red or Grey. It is incredibly lightweight at just 20g and it has a slim profile of 40cm and a locking diameter of 15cm. It is classified as having a ‘low risk’ security level: It has a secured armoured casing, a doublesided ratchet design, reinforced steel core and can be opened with a universal release (hence the low risk rating). It comes with one key per lock, so make sure you don’t misplace it! This product is best suited for short stops if you are using it with anything valuable, due primarily to the
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universal key system. The Z LOK has a toughened nylon outer case with a reinforced steel core to prevent people snipping through it. It is a good choice for securing ski gear when out on the slopes or attaching a helmet to your bike, but if you are looking for something a bit more secure the Z LOK Combo offers a higher level of security. The Combo is a little weightier at 100g, but it isn’t going to break your back. It has the same adjustable zip-tie design but this time with a reset-able 3-digit combination lock. It is still only classified as a lowrisk security system, but it is slightly better
than the lock and key version. It is available in three colours: Yellow, Teal and Black, it has a strap size of 44cm and locking diameter of 17cm. It features the same toughened nylon outer and steel core for protection against tampering. I wouldn’t trust either of these locks for anything too precious, but to secure stuff whilst travelling or for very short periods of time these are handy. If you regularly use zip ties, this is a great way to help protect the environment from more plastic. RRP £9.99 (Z LOK Single); £14.99 (Z LOK Twin Pack); £19.99 (Z LOK Combo)
https://www.hiplok.com/z-lok-zip-tie/ https://www.hiplok.com/z-lok-combo/ Pros Reusable Strong Lightweight Compacts Easy to use
Cons Low security
Gadgethead Magazine
DEWALT® DCK623P3-GB 18v 3x5.0Ah Brushless Compact 6Pc Kit This serious six piece kit could be an ideal beginners kit or complete upgrade for an established tradesman, it comes with the DCG405 18V XR 125mm Small Angle Grinder, DCS367 18V XR Compact Reciprocating Saw, DCS570 18V XR 184mm Circular Saw, DCF887 18V XR 3-Speed Impact Driver, DCD796 18V XR Compact Hammer Drill Driver, DCL050 18V XR Handheld LED Area Light, two 1-70-322 Toughsystem DS300, three DCB184 18V XR 5.0Ah Batteries and the DCB115 XR Multi-Voltage Charger. Starting with the Angle Grinder, this is a flathead angle grinder with a brushless motor, it can perform 64 cuts in 1/2inch steel rebar, outclassing the previous generation, it has a rubber overmould for improved grip, a slim body, slide switch with no-volt release for protection against accidental startups, it has a constant clutch and E-clutch brake to protect from kickbacks, cuts and wheel bursts, it has the option of either a 1 or 2 tough guard, flat head for a good cutting
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depth and a braking time of less that 2 seconds. The Compact Reciprocating Saw has a 18v brushless motor for a longer runtime, it has a compact and lightweight build design that provides a comfortable grip whilst cutting, its ergonomic design improves the balance when using it, the four position blade clamp lets you cut from angle and improves access, it has a fixed, pivoting shoe for stability, optimum speed/ stroke length (28.6mm / 2900SPM) for fast
cutting, a variable speed switch and LED light. The Circular Saw also features a 18V Brushless motor, overmould touch points on the handle for a good grip, the cut away guard lifts when in use for better visibility and when not in use it covers the blade for safe storage, it also has an LED light and dust blower and it can cut 100 in 200 x 50mm soft wood per charge. The Brushless Impact Driver has application three motor speeds and torque settings, its Precision Drive mode offers additional control in screw driving applications, the three LED ‘Halo‘ ring provides clear visibility, the 6.35mm ‘drop and load‘ hex bit holder provides one handed fitment, it has max torque of 205Nm. The Compact Hammer Drill is super
compact making it ideal for use in tight spaces, it has 15 position adjustable torque control for consistent screw driving into a variety of materials and it has an intelligent trigger design allows for secure control during use. Lastly the Handheld LED Area Light has three bright LED’s to allow you to keep working even in dark light conditions, it has two brightness settings to choose from 500 or 250 lumens, it has a 140 Degree Pivoting Head, built-in telescoping and 360° rotating hook allows unit to hang from 2” materials, its over moulded lens cover provides protection, it is belt hook compatible, it takes 60 min to charge and that will provide you with 3-17hr of light depending on the setting. On top of all that you have you three batteries, chargers and two of those Toughsystem Toolbox’s. These tool boxes are made with a
4mm thick reinforced outer casing, metal fastening straps and padlock eyes for security, they are dust tight and water jet resistant, they also have plastic clips on the side that lets you attach and securely stack them to each other. So, if you are still with me let me sum up by saying that all this gear is up to the same high quality standard we have come to expect from DEWALT ®, the tools are powerful, user friendly, efficient and made to a high quality, the battery, charger and light will keep you working as long as you need to, whilst the Toughsystem Toolbox’s keeps all your gear safe and easy to transport at the end of the day. RRP £992
https://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/DewaltDck623P3-Gb-5035048679753-18V-3X5.0AhBrushless-Compact-6Pc-Kit Pros 6 tools plus accessories Excellent wide ranging kit Well-made tools Intuitive and high performing Secure, stackable tool boxes Good investment
Gadgethead Magazine
Weeride SafeFront Deluxe The new WeeRide SafeFront Deluxe claims to be WeeRide’s best child seat. Although it is called a front mounted seat, this just means it is fixed in front of the rider, not in fact on the handlebars. It is technically centre mounted, a safe area for the seat to reside. This centre mounted
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seat puts all the weight on the most stable part of the bike and keeps the child’s weight centralised whilst being protected either side with the cyclist’s arms. One of the best things about this positioning is you can always
keep an eye on your child, you can have clearer conversations and enjoy watching them take in the world around them. The Deluxe seat has plusher cushioning on the seat and headrest than its original counterpart, best suited for children under 18 months
https://www.weerideuk.co.uk/Weeride_ Safefront_deluxe.asp Pros Centre mounted Allows for communication Better view for child Seat can be quickly removed for solo riding
Headrest for baby Five-point safety strap and enclosed movable footrests for child safety
Cons Heavy
who may require a little extra padding. It also features higher sides + a strap underneath the bar for increased child stability, a two-movement thumbscrew and buckle release for safety, as well as additional straps on the foot-cup holders. The Deluxe is recommended for ages 1-4 years, but it can be used as soon as neck muscles are strong enough, 6-9 months for example. The child will get a better view of things
from sitting up front, rather than just the vision of your back/builder’s bum. There is a headrest for baby to sleep, legs are kept safely out of the way with the footrests, it also has a five-point safety strap and extra bars are available for multi bike use. The Deluxe isn’t too difficult to install but does take a bit of time for the first installation. However, once it is fitted, it is a straight-forward job removing it for solo rides. It fits all bikes including oversized head tubes and full suspension of 16” + (except drop handle bars), as well as Ladies’ and Men’s bikes, however it isn’t the lightest of things at 4kg. The WeeRide SafeFront Deluxe is super safe and stable, it gives the little passenger a great view and lets you interact with them on the move. It will take a little getting used to, but it doesn’t interfere too much with your natural riding position. RRP £119.99
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Stihl Strimmer FSA 65 Although the idea of going outside in the garden currently feels like a distant memory (day 3 of constant wind and rain), there will come a time when the sun shines again, and your pristinely maintained lawn may have turned into a wilderness. The Stihl Strimmer FSA 65 is a lightweight cordless grass and trimmer to help get that garden under control. The FSA 65 is both light and quiet, making it a great choice for noise-sensitive areas, and it has an easy-touse AutoCut C 4-2 nylon line mowing head. The new nylon line can be inserted into the mowing head without opening the casing and the line is automatically re-adjusted by tapping the cutting head on the ground. The whole thing also comes pre-assembled, just to make life easier. There is an ergonomic loop handle that can be adjusted to a suitable position without the use of tools. When you have finished trimming,
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the FSA 65 can be securely and safely stored away on the hanging loop mounted on the wall. The safety locking button is integrated onto all the STIHL battery products - this prevents any accidental horror movie type scenarios when the grass trimmer is unintentionally started when a live battery is inserted (at the very least, it will make you jump; at worst it will slice your legs off… that’s probably not true). The electric motor is energy efficient, compact and runs quietly, it also created
low vibrations and doesn’t require servicing. It makes this a good choice for people you aren’t comfortable with heavier equipment and generally find it difficult to control. The battery will provide you with about 200m-square of strimming from one charge and can be popped in and removed with one hand. It isn’t necessary to have more than one battery, but you can always buy a spare for back up. The Stihl Strimmer FSA 65 is a small but powerful grass trimmer, and the battery operation frees you up to roam wherever you need to go and get your trim on. RRP £210
https://www.stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Products/ Grass-Trimmers-Brushcutters-and-ClearingSaws/Cordless-Li-Ion-grass-trimmers-andbrushcutters/21836-1582/FSA-65-tool-only.aspx Pros Lightweight Cordless Easy to control Low vibrations Quiet Wall mount Safety lock Long battery life
Cons Limited features Build quality could be cleaner
Gadgethead Magazine
3Doodler Create+ The 3Doodler Create+ is the stuff of childhood fantasy, anyone who ever watched Penny Crayon would have dreamed of being able to draw someone and the physically pick it up as a 3D object, well with this super cool pen does exactly that. The Create+ is available in Marine Blue or Arctic White and comes with everything you need to get started, the 3Doodler Create+ 3D Printing Pen, 3 packs of ABS & PLA 3mm 3Doodler plastic refills in 15 colours (that’s 600ft/180m of Doodling “ink”), the Ultimate Guide of Doodling with 5 projects, a user manual, power adaptor and a set of tools. The Create+ features a dual drive, to help produce an ultra-smooth motion, it has improved control in fast and slow speeds for different Doodling techniques, and now has a more reliable performance with different plastic types as well as a more
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durable construction than its predecessors. Doodling is intuitive to use, with a little practise you will get the hang of it very quickly, suitable for hobbyists, DIYers, designers, or even professional artist, and can be used to create and fix. The plastic rods go into the pen, melt and the harden almost instantly on exit, this means you need to move at a fair pace as it is easy to block the end with hardened plastic (this will still happen to you at some point but there are instructions on how to fix it). You can draw 3D structures, freehand or on stencils, the plastic is non-toxic PLA, ABS
and FLEXY plastics, your creations can stretch as far as your imagination, it can be used to decorate (even on fabric), personalise, create art and even fix things, there is loads of inspiration available online too. There is so much fun to be had with the Create+, the replacement plastic rods are available from $7.99 for single pack up to $39.99 for multipacks and there are loads of colours to choose from. The 3Doodler Create+ is a wonderful gadget for creative and noncreatives a like, I mean, your stuff might look a little wonky, but you will have a wicked time making it. RRP £79.99
http://the3doodler.com/createplus/ Pros Fun Durable Solid structures Endless creative opportunities Intuitive to use
Cons Blocks easily Cost of refills can quickly add up
Gadgethead Magazine
Sphero Mini The Sphero Mini is the baby of the Sphero family: This cute little dude squeezes a lot of fun into a tiny package. It comes in a choice of five starter colours: Blue, Pink, White, Orange and Green and comes with three Mini Traffic Cones and six Mini Bowling Pins. Apple have also recently launched three exclusive colours, Red, Purple and Grey. This Mini bot is compatible with iOS 10+ & Android 5.0+ and is powered by a Gyroscope and Accelerometer controlled over a Bluetooth connection which has the standard 10-meter range. It has some colourful LED lights and measures up at 42mm x 42mm with a weight of just 46g. The Mini takes an hour charging, but in return gives you 45 minutes of continuous play. You will need to download the ‘Sphero Play’ free app to get started and pair up to get it moving…and my goodness, this little nipper is quick!
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There are a few different ways to get the Mini moving: The Joy Stick is the simplest of them all and is a good choice for racing the Mini around the house; you can also use the Tilt, Slingshot, or Face Drive mode. Face Drive is a new feature and will have your play mates in fits of giggles as you use your facial expressions to drive the ball. As well as driving the Mini around, you can also use him as a controller for the games on the app, shoot, race, or destroy a polygon of bricks with the Mini in your hand. There are more on the way and you can even download
the Sphero Edu app and program your robot using JavaScript. We had the most fun keeping things simple and driving Mini around the traffic cones, knocking down the bowling pins and getting the cats to chase it across the room. Its glossy finish means he moves round easier on carpeted surfaces than hard floors, as it can pinball around a bit when it loses traction. The shell is easy to remove but durable enough that it doesn’t come to harm when driven at full speed into the wall (this happened a lot as we got used to the controls). The Mini Sphero would make a great gift for all ages: it is simple and addictively entertaining. RRP £49.99
https://www.sphero. com/en_gb/sphero-mini Pros Fun Fast and easy to control Drive, Control or programme Mini Interchangeable shells Colourful LED
Cons Short battery life
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Salter Cactus Digital Kitchen Scale I didn’t realise quite how importance of kitchen scales were until a friend and I tried to make cookies without a set, how hard can it be right? Well the results were in fact incredibly hard, these cookies could cut glass, so to prevent emergency dentist trips its it best to invest in some reliable scales. Salter have been the UK’s number one brand for a long time when it comes to weighing scales, with just shy of 260 years’ experience you know you will be in safe hands with a set of their scales. This limited edition Cactus Digital Scales have a cute
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and colourful Cactus design to brighten up your kitchen counter, it has the surface size of 15.8 x 22.5 cm and just is 1.7 cm in height which lets you place large bowls and plates on the scales and still see the reading, but without taking up too
much space on your work surface or in your cupboard. Constructed from an ultra slim glass platform these scales are hygienic and easy to wipe down after use, it has a clear and large display of 5.6 x 2.5cm and is powered off an included CR2032 battery. The hygiene weighing platform means you can weigh food directly onto the base or with a jug/ bowl, there is also the Add & Weigh feature
which means you can keep adding multiple ingredients into the same bowl. There is an Aquatronic function that allows for measuring liquids in ml or fl.oz and it has an excellent build quality but also comes with a 15 Year Guarantee so you better not go off Cactus any time soon. These scales are accurate and provide you with readings in an ultra-fast time whilst looking sharp at the same time. RRP £19.99
http://www.salterhousewares.co.uk/saltercactus-digital-kitchen-scale-limited-edition.html Pros Accurate Cool design Large display Hygienic measuring surface Fast readings Add and Weigh ‘zero’ function Slim and compact for easy storage Aquatronic function
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Bresser Messier AR-90/900 EXOS1/EQ4 Telescope With the nights pulling in we will be spending more time with the night sky, but with our busy lives we rarely take the time to look up and appreciate the beauty that’s stretched out above our heads. The Bresser Messier AR-90/900 EXOS1/EQ4 Telescope features a high quality achromatic lens and 90mm aperture allows for 200 times more light to hit your eye, letting you see the stars like never before. The AR-90 has a stable equatorial EXOS1 mount, 26mm Super Plössl eyepiece 31.7mm (1.25”), diagonal mirror 31.7mm (1.25”), 6x30 optical finder and maximum recommended magnification of 180x. This combination helps you to view craters, valleys and rims on the moon from nearly 400,000km as well as spot constellations, view the rings of Saturn millions of km away and hunt for the Great Red Spot of Jupiter
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planets, the discoveries and beauty are endless. It’s a manageable size at 100cm (L) x 100cm (W) x 165cm (H) it has a tube diameter of 91mm and tube length of 900mm, a great set up for beginners it has a good 31.7mm (1.25”) rack and pinion focuser, it is suitable for lunar observation, lunar photography, planetary observation, deep sky observation and planetary photography. Its compact size and low weight of 2.5kg means it is suitable
for some careful transportation to areas with low light pollution however it doesn’t come with a case or protective bag, there is just the box for safety. Other features include the bubble level to ensure a stable tripod setup, the 6x30 optical view finder, there is an optimised finder socket for comfortable use. It has a 90mm refractor telescope tube assembly, equatorial EXOS 1 mount with stainless steel tripod, 26mm Super Plössl eyepiece 31.7mm (1.25”), diagonal mirror 31.7mm (1.25”), tube clamps with dovetail rail for GP-Level, astronomy software Stellarium and rotatable star map. The optical specs are the
optical design Achromatic Refractor, magnification to a maximum of 180x, objective diameter 90mm, focal length of 900mm, aperture ratio 10, angular resolution of 1.45 arc seconds. The Bresser Messier AR-90/900 EXOS1/ EQ4 Telescope is a good choice for beginners looking to get into the world of astronomy, easy to set up and use, it provides clear views of the extra-terrestrial environment. RRP €379
https://www.bresser.de/en/Astronomy/BRESSERMessier-AR-90-900-EXOS1-EQ4-Telescope.html Pros Stable equatorial mount Aperture: 90mm / Focal length: 900mm / achromatic refractor Tube clamp GP-Level rail 6x30 finder PC Software Stellarium Rotatable starmap
Cons No bag included for transport
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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.
4 wheels for urban use
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Trekking wheel for multi terrain use
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DeLonghi Avvolta Kettle A kettle might not seem like an important gadget in your house, but this unsung hero is quite often the first appliance you use in the morning, it can play a part when preparing meals and always gets switched on when guests come to call. Efficiency doesn’t have to mean dull and the Avvolta is anything but dull, it comes in three colours - Red, Black, White - and has transparent and opaque alternating resin rings that wrap around the outer body and produce a unique, quirky look (matching toasters available). This kettle has a 1.7l capacity with a removeable and washable antiscale filter, it has a 360° detachable swivel base with for cordfree use and there is a water level indicator located on the back of the kettle. The other features include a flat stainless-steel concealed element, three level safety protection with auto
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shut-off when water begins to boil, thermal cut-off and auto shutoff when body is lifted from base, it also has cord storage and nonslip feet for stability on smooth or damp surfaces. The large capacity makes this kettle a good choice for family homes (as well as for when my coffee addicted mates come over), however due to the large surface area of the base you need to put in at least 800ml to hit the minimum water level which means it takes a bit of time to boil. The Avvolta is a quiet kettle when full but makes a little bit of noise when used at lower water levels, it has a pointed spout which pours smoothly
(no leaking) and slowly to prevent any accidental spillages, the rotating base means you can easily pick it up with either hand the plastic casing makes a slightly lighter than metal kettles. Plastic might not be your first choice of material when it comes to kettles but after living in a hard water area I can see the benefits as metal will quickly becomes stained with limescale and ruin the over all look. The lid is removed with a simple pull which makes it more of a two-handed job when refilling, don’t bother trying to fill it via the spout as it is too small and will result in a big wet mess. The Avvolta is an attractive looking kettle that is best suited for larger households and those happy to wait a few extra minutes. RRP £109.98
https://www.delonghi.com/en-gb/products/ kitchen/kitchen-appliances/kettle/kba3001w-0210010000 Pros Large capacity Attractive design Quiet when full Smooth and steady pour Anti-scale filter Swivel Base
Cons Needs 800ml minimum Slow
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Groover Sledge 47� Last year in the UK we had unprecedented amounts for snow that divided
the nation with two types of reactions, those complaining constantly to anyone that will listen about how bad the weather is and those not listening because they are too busy digging through their shed for something that will work as a make shift sledge. This year you can be fully prepared with the Groover Sledge, made from a soft foam the Groover is super light so you will have no trouble running it back up the hill again and again. Measuring up at 47 inches, there is room for two with sturdy grab handles for both riders, the soft foam the AGT (Arctic Groover Technology) base layer creates water displacement making it a faster ride and the funky, brightly coloured graphics, make for high visibility. Embrace any potentional snow this year by heading out to a hill, sledging your stresses away. RRP ÂŁ44.95
https://www.tkcsales.co.uk/products/1839-groover-sledge47120cm-6-pack
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Aussie Shampoo for Men This new range of shampoo from Aussie has been created specifically for men’s hair, the ‘Keep it Strong’ Shampoo aims to takes hair from brittle to buff and has been reformulated for Men with Australian Manuka Honey, delicious. It claims to strengthen your hair, bringing it back to full fitness, so at least one part of your body can be in good shape over Christmas. The Keep it Clean Shampoo helps to clean up your act with a reformulated shampoo containing Australian Desert Lime, it gets rid of grease and build up from products like wax and gel leaving your hair clean, shiny and cleansed from dirty thoughts. Both the shampoos smell lovely in a tough masculine way and will leave you looking your best over the Christmas period. RRP £4
https://aussiehair.com/en-gb/shop-products/collection/now-for-man/keep-itstrong-shampoo
Joby Gorillapod GripTight ONE With everyone getting together over Christmas it is a guaranteed photo fest! However, with Mum, Dad and Granny facing the wrong way when you try to take a selfie - using the Gorillapod GripTight ONE as a tripod might be an easier and more familiar way to fit the whole family in. Available in Black and White, you can bend its flexible legs to wrap around objects, stand it up on uneven surfaces or simply provide a better grip to hold it, it lets you achieve extreme angles with your phone without the awkward arm in shot. Weighing just 0.021kg, it comes with 1/4”-20 standard tripod mount and can be used whether your phone is in a case or not, one mount fits all and has rubber feet for stability. An excellent gift for snap-happy types on the go. RRP £35.95
https://joby.com/uk-en/griptight-one-gp-stand-jb01491-0ww/
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Simplehuman Dual 58L Voice and Motion Control Sometimes we have an appliance in our midst for so long that we can no longer see the potential for change; we just accept its flaws as part of life, mostly because these things don’t really have a huge negative impact on our lives, they are just kind of annoying. However, new technology can iron out these imperfections, like how car keys have evolved from physical keys into remote sensors and how we can now pay for things with just a tap of a card. It’s these sorts of changes that simplehuman have put at the heart of their creations, “everyday tools to help people become more efficient at home,” and it’s only once you own one of these ‘reimagined’ products that you will realise how annoying the old versions were. The 58L dual compartment
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rectangular sensor bin comes with voice and motion control, in short, this bin is cool - James Bond would own this bin! It comes in eight designs: Brushed Steel, Rose Gold, Dark Bronze Steel and Black Stainless Steel, both available in either dual or single compartment. The dual compartment means, unsurprisingly, there are two compartments inside the bin, evenly splitting it half and half, making it ideal for separating recycling and general waste. Both compartments can be individually removed for ease of
emptying. You have the choice of either plugging it into the mains or, if that doesn’t work, with your choice of location, you can use 6 AA alkaline batteries. Now for the clever tech: You can open the bin by waving your hand across the infrared field, which is located both above and in front of the bin; you just whip your hand across lid and it will open automatically. We experimented, and it can also be opened by stepping close to the bin and even wiggling your butt near it. The other option is even more futuristic: The voice activation allows you to say, “open can” and the lid will automatically pop open. You still need to be quite close to it, but it makes getting
rid of you rubbish stress free when your hands are full or dirty. The lid opens smoothly & quietly and the motion sensor can tell when you are near by and the lid will remain open until you leave, so no unexpected closures. If you want to keep it open for longer, you can simply lift the inner lid to lock it up. There is a handy compartment in the back to store bin liners, whilst the stainless-steel construction helps prevent the spread of germs and fingerprints. We fell in love with this bin (there’s a sentence I didn’t expect to say), being able to open it without having to touch a dirty surface, leave dirty fingerprints all over the lid, or juggle an arm full of recycling when opening the bin. It looks like a premium product and acts like a helpful kitchen assistant! RRP £249.99
https://www2.simplehuman.com/uk/dualcompartment-sensor-can-with-voice-control Pros Motion or voice activated Clean attractive design Dual compartments Bag storage compartment Automatically closes Mains or battery powered 8 designs available
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AfterShokz Trekz Titanium As a keen, but slow runner, I prefer to hit the road with some music in my ears to motivate me and keep my pace up. The issue however, is that the area I live in has some very busy roads and some rather questionable characters, so not being able to hear the traffic and weirdos makes jogging (especially at night) a risky business. I was so excited to receive the Trekz Titanium from AfterShokz due to the unique structure,
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unlike regular in-ear earphones or over ear headphones the Trekz keep the ear canal free by placing
the ear pieces just in front of the ear on the very edge of the cheek bones (it doesn’t look as weird as my poor description suggests). These wireless stereo headphones provide a safe alternative to regular devices as your open ear can still hear everything around you keeping
https://aftershokz.co.uk/products/trekz-titanium you safe on the road, the earbuds use bone conduction technology to deliver music through your cheekbones, it sounds odd but it highly effective. Constructed with a lightweight and flexible titanium onesize-fits all wrap around head band it makes it durable and portable as well as comfortable, it has been made with exercise in mind by ensuring its sweatproof (IP55 certified) and secure at all times. Not only can you listen to music while working up a sweat, these headphones are also good for enjoying some of your favourite locations with your favourite tunes, hear the birds sing whilst enjoying some classical music or enjoy the song of crashing waves to the back drop of some relaxing indie track, you can also take calls on the move. The PremiumPitch+ aims to provide a premium audio experience, with LeakSlayer technology
Pros Allows for full awareness of you surrounding
Comfortable Adequate audio
Sweat proof
Five colours available
Secure
Lightweight
Cons Lower audio quality than regular headphones
helps to reduce natural sound leakage, it connects easily via Bluetooth 4.1 (10m range) and will provide you with six hours continuous play per 1.5hour full charge (that’s more than anyone should be exercising). The EQ presets boost bass and reduce vibration on the go, the dual noise cancelling microphones exclude background noise for clearer calls, the Audrey Says voice prompts guide users through power, pair, play and talk, I think this is slightly overkill for a straightforward set up but its nice to have someone to chat to you. The Trekz come with a Hassle-free 2-year warranty, it has a sensitivity of 100 ± 3dB, standby time of 10 days and weighs just 36g. We must point out that although the audio is acceptable, due to the design of these earphone you won’t get the same quality as you would from over-ear or inear headphones, you will also lose quality due to the Bluetooth compression like regular wireless head set, however what you gain is safety and awareness of your surrounds and for me this wins every time. RRP £99.99
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Peli 1510 Protector Case and 1510 Divider Set The 1510 is possibly the most famous Peli Protector case out there, and is easily their most popular, this is partly due to its carry-on friendly size for most airlines making it a good choice when travelling long distance with valuable and fragile equipment like photography gear. The 1510 also has wheels and a retractable handle for ease of use whilst commuting, its external measures up at 559mm (L) x 351mm (W) x 229mm (D), internal dimensions of 514mm (L) x 288mm (W) x 191mm (D), and the lid is 229mm (L) x 515mm (W) x 290mm (D). This case features a lot of Peli’s functional qualities including the automatic pressure equalisation valve which prevents a vacuum forming when opening the case as this
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can lead to drawing in dust and muck into the case. It has easy-open latches which make accessing your gear a fast and straightforward procedure, the rubber ‘O-ring’ seal keeps things airtight and prevent water and dirt getting into the case. It’s obviously important to keep your gear protected but you don’t want to arrive at shoots or work with battered luggage, luckily the 1510 is scratch resistant and can withstand even the grumpiest luggage handler. This case has
a solid wall design and is corrosion-proof, crushproof, dustproof and waterproof with a rating of IP67, it is also Buoyant up to 29.1kg in case of any Cast Away situations. For security there are padlock hasps, it has two handles for transit, one on the side and one on the top as well as a retractable handle to pull it around on its tough chunky wheels, all this protection comes with a downside and that’s that it weighs 5.44kg when empty and 6.17kg with foam. The 1510 Pick ‘n’ Pluck Divider set has been specifically made for this case and is sold separately, letting you personalise the layout of the case for your
peliproducts.co.uk/1510-protector-case.html valuables, lid organisers are also available which are useful for making the most of all the space available. This strong and protective case is available in standard Black as well as five other funky colours, Orange, Pink, Yellow, Silver and Desert Tan, it will let you travel safe in the knowledge that your equipment is as safe and secure as it can be. RRP £188.41
Pros Airliner carry-on size Automatic pressure equalisation valve Easy-open latches Retractable handle Rubber ‘O-ring’ seal Scratch resistant Customisable divider set 6 colours available Cons Heavy
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Sphero BOLT Sphero is well known for creating smart toys with personality and the newest member of the robot family, BOLT, is no different. This is an app-enabled robotic ball that allows you to get creative whilst secretly sneaking in some education about coding. Starting with the visuals, BOLT looks more grown up with all its technical innards on show - even the charging station is seethrough, and this helps to create a connection with the individual components. Suitable for ages 8 and up, it works alongside the ‘Sphero Edu’ app on smartphone, tablet or desktop device, where you can also access community-created activities. The 8x8 LED Matrix displays real-time data and animates to give it it’s personality. You can create and play games with BOLT, learn to code by drawing on your screen, using Scratch blocks, or
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writing JavaScript text programs. BOLT comes with an Inductive Charging Base with USB cable, protractor with heading, directions, and clock, plus a sticker sheet for personalisation. It is Bluetooth compatible and uses rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which, after about 6-hours charge time, will provide you with 2 hours play. It measures up at 73mm in diameter and weighs 200g; its tough outer body is even waterproof! You can control BOLT’s speed, acceleration, and direction, allowing you to drive him around using the built-in compass. It
can also communicate via infrared, so it can interact with other BOLTs that it meets. Bolt has an ambient light sensor to allow you to program based on your room’s brightness, with the program offering collaborative STEAM activities, helping to spark imaginations. The cross-platform apps have been designed to be approachable for all skill levels. BOLT is a versatile little device, less cutesy than some of its predecessors. It can be used at its simplest level to roll around your floors via the remote control, it can also be used as a remotecontrol to interact with various games on your smart device, as well as all the educational benefits from being able to programme it in a seemingly endless
variety of ways. Our favourite features are the Scream Drive where you can use sound (your voice for example) to make BOLT move - the louder you are the faster it goes - something to drive the neighbours mad, and programming it to complete assault courses, especially one with a splash at the end. This is another great robot from Sphero: Packed full of sensors, there are simply loads of ways to play and learn with BOLT. RRP £114.75
https://www.sphero.com/en_gb/sphero-bolt Pros Fully programmable colourful LED matrix Attractive transparent design BOLT to BOLT infrared communication Built-in compass for auto aim 2+ hours per charge Strong, waterproof body Can be used to simple drive, as a remote or programmable robot Packed with advanced sensors Entertaining and educational
Cons Long charge time
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Stomp Rocket 3 Stunt Planes Suitable for year-round play the Stomp Rocket is 100% kid power, aimed at ages 5-12 (although I’d like to see an adult avoid the temptation of stamping on the trigger). It comes with three stunt planes, the green plane will perform giant loops, the blue plane flips, turns and soars whilst the orange plane can glide over 100 feet. Also included in the box is the launch pad with air hose and a sturdy launch stand that can be directed to change the angle to either 90˚, 75˚ or 45˚ degrees, it requires zero charging or batteries simply run, jump and stomp on the launch pad and you’ll have lift off. The Stomp Rocket can help to teach children about scientific concepts like gravity, force, trajectory and the power of air all whilst running around outside. RRP £27.99
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stomp-Rocket-40000-Stunt-Plane/dp/ B075VZJ7C2
Triple Eight NYC Dual Certified MIPS Helmet The Dual Certified MIPS Helmet from Triple Eight NYC is a classically styled helmet with lots of features to keep your head and brain safe when you take a tumble, you only get one brain after all. The helmet is Dual Certified for Bike and Skate, it complies with CPSC Bike and ASTM Skate safety standards and has a patented MIPS Technology low-friction layer which reduces rotational forces caused by angled impacts. It also has an all new ABS Outer Shell and EPS Liner, re-engineered to provide a low-profile shape, it comes with two sets of plush Fit Pads for a precise and comfortable fit. A great choice for those dare devils out there. RRP £54.99
https://triple8.com/product/tony-hawk-signature-edition-thecertified-sweatsaver/?category_name=skate
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Science Museum Smartphone Microscope This smart little attachment from the Science Museum transforms your phone into a portable microscope, it will attach to almost any smartphone, and lets you get a sneak peek into the mirco-world and snap photos of your discoveries. It simply slides on over the camera lens and the foam padding protects both the lens and screen from becoming scratched, suitable for the study of rocks and soils at Key Stage 1 and 2 as well as the structure and function of living organisms at Key Stage 3. It has a 5x optical zoom for clear and sharp images and will give up to 30x magnification with the phone camera and magnifier combined, a little light inside the Microscope will automatically switched on when attached to the phone. A lovely Christmas present for nurturing young scientific minds. RRP £14
https://shop.sciencemuseum.org.uk/exhibition-ranges/wonderlab-collection/ wonderlab-matter/smartphone-microscope.htm
Frywall Here’s a gift for those messy chefs out there, perfect for my partner who regularly leaves to hob and surrounding areas looking like a Jackson Pollock’s Studio, the Frywall helps to keep your simmering food, inside the pan where it belongs. Made from FDA compliant silicone and BPA free the Frywall’s can withstand temperatures of up to 450°F and come in five sizes, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13inchs and four colour options, Black, Red, Green and Orange. They simple pop inside the pan, blocks fine oil mist from escaping but lets out steam, it also prevents spill overs, the scoop design allows for easy reach, they are a dishwasher safe and come with a sleeve for compact storage. Saves repainting the kitchen after making a bolognaise. RRP $17.95-$21.95
https://frywall.com/collections/all
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Datacolor SpyderCHECKR The SpyderCHECKR from Datacolor is a clever image colour correction tool, suitable for both home and design photography. Featuring 48 spectrally engineered colour patches including the standard 24 sRGB colour space plus additional colours for precise skin tone, medium saturation colour, near-white tints and black tones, for a more versatile range. The skin tone samples make it ideal for working with portrait or fashion photography it lets photographers colour calibrate their cameras, perform incamera white balance and record knowncolour samples. The SpyderCheckr captures consistent colour day to day and across all cameras then you can use these results with RAW editing software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. The unit itself comes in the form of a slim and portable case that has a tripod mount for ease of use on the shoot, the target cards are
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replaceable and have a matte finish to prevent variations in different light conditions. The SpyderCHECKR comes with a free software CD which is easy to use, letting you quickly achieve the results you want with reliable colours each time. The SpyderCHECKR’s calibration software analyses the results of your test photo and creates a profile which you then apply in your editing for automatic colour correction. We found the SpyderCHECKR, after some initial practice, straightforward to use, it provided reliable results quickly, time
and time again, probably best suited for someone starting out with portrait or product photography. The hardware isn’t the best quality, it feels a little delicate and comes apart easily, a case would be handy to ensure is well protected on transit in the camera bag. RRP £99
https://www.datacolor.com/photography-design/ product-overview/spyder-checkr-family/ Pros 48 colour patches for colour calibration Standard 24 sRGB colour space Additional colours for precise skin tone Portable and compact Software CD
Cons Not the most durable hardware Should come with a case
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Gtech AirRam MK2 and Multi MK2 This little bundle provides you with both the AirRam 2 and Multi Handheld vacuum, starting with the upright Gtech, which claims to be their best cordless upright vacuum cleaner. Designed to glide effortlessly from carpets to hard-floors without the need to change the settings without tethering you to the wall, simply grab the AirRam and go. This upright vacuum weighs just 3.2kg making it easy to lift out of the cupboard and manoeuvre around the house, it has a comfortable low-profile handle which easily lets you gain access under tables, chairs and beds without the tedious chore of moving furniture around. The AirRam uses a Powered brush head that helps move the device forward and has an AirLOC system that picks up large debris from the surface as you push the vacuum forwards, and locks on the backstroke to suck up embedded dust and dirt, the rotating brush bar makes it ideal for removing pet hair. The
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vacuum has a large 40L bin which is easily emptied, the dirt is compressed into the be bin and then emptied with a simple slide of the ejector arm, so you don’t have to get your hands in there. The removable 22V lithium-ion battery, provides you with about 40 minutes runtime but will take a lengthy 4-hour charge (standard charge time for cordless vacuums, there is a 4-stage LED display that indicates how much charge is left in the battery so you don’t get caught short halfway around the house). The removable feature means you can charge the battery without having to lay
the entire body by the plug socket and you can always invest in a spare to ensure you never run out of power. The AirRam doesn’t have the option of wall mounting but it will stand by itself neatly out of the way in corner or in a cupboard, and there are some handy LED lights mounted in the front to help you spot hidden dirt lurking in dark corners. The brush bar runs the entire length of the floor head to help get up close to the skirting boards, it isn’t perfect but certainly gets closer than some if its competitors although it cannot be used on your stairs. Fear not however, your stairs shall not fester in dirt this is where you whip out the handheld unit, the Multi MK2, to tackle those tricky confined spots. This is also a cordless clean that runs off the same battery as
https://www.gtech.co.uk/cordless-vacuumcleaners/airram-vacuum-cleaner.html Stockist: www.gtech.co.uk the AirRam, it is compact comes with a Power brush, Dusting brush and Crevice tool to get into all those nooks and crannies, and the extension tube will also help you reach those spaces high and low. You will get about 20mins power out the battery this time and there is a similar 4-stage LED battery life indicator as well as the LED headlights to see your surfaces clearly. The bin is opened with a simple latch, obviously considerably smaller than the upright, there is a lack of an ejector arm, so you may have to get your fingers in to remove compacted dirt. Weighing just 1.5kg, the Multi MK2 is very convenient to grab at the sign of a dropped crumb, it is also compact for easy storage but again doesn’t come with a wall mount option. Due to the lack of features and attachments of the upright it is limited in its performance, however when combined with
Pros Powerful suction
storage
Easy to manoeuvre
LED Lights
Removeable battery Straightforward to maintain Compact for easy
Battery life indicator Powered head brush and close edge action of the upright
Cons Limited attachments
Short battery life on the handheld
You have to get your fingers dirty opening the bin on the handheld
No wall mounts
the handheld you should be able to clean all areas of your home and vehicles. We did find the AirRam Upright a breeze to use, it moves smoothly from hard floors, to carpets to rugs and make light work of dirt and (thankfully) pet hair, the filter and brush can be removed for easy cleaning and maintenance, whilst the Multi MK2 handheld was lightweight and comfortable to manoeuvre around tighter areas. RRP £299.98
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Roku Express It didn’t seem that long ago that there were only four channels on the TV to choose from, you only got to watch whatever was on at the time, adverts and all, and at the end of the night you only had Teletext and Ceefax for entertainment, these days there are so many ways to watch TV and Films, it seems there is an infinite amount of entertainment just a buttons press away. To get you started the Roku Express is a low-cost place to start your streaming experience or simply use it for a secondary TV, in the box you get the Roku Express streaming player, remote, two AAA batteries, power adapter with Micro USB cable and High Speed HDMI Cable. The stick comes with an easy step-by-step setup guide to get going suitable for beginners, just connect to the internet and start streaming and the remote includes quick launch buttons. With over 4,500 channels available in the UK
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(and more being added all the time), the Roku platform offers diverse content that fits everyone’s needs and wants. It’s your morning yoga routine, the perfect dance party playlist, the best brunch recipe, a celebration of your faith or learning a language, there’s something for everyone. Even your dog has a channel. The wide selection of free, subscription and rental channels brings choice into the equation (e.g. subscribe to a channel for a variety of content, rent certain types of content or just browse the free ones). You can also personalise
your screen by picking only the channels that interest you and manage your interface via the Roku app. The types of channels include: • Subscription services, e.g. Netflix, NOW TV, Amazon Video, hayu • Rental Services, e.g. Google Play Movies & TV, Sky Store (Sky Cinema), Rakuten TV • Catch-up TV, e.g. BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, Demand 5 • Music, e.g. Deezer, VEVO, TuneIn Radio • Live TV, e.g. TV Player (BBC One, ITV, Channel 4, Dave) • News, e.g. Sky News, BBC News, Aljazeera, Bloomberg, Euronews, Reuters TV • Sports, e.g. BBC Sport, Redbull TV, WWE, NOW TV (Sky Sports) • Video, e.g. YouTube, Vimeo. The next generation Roku Express has 5X
more power to stream and involves no extra monthly fees, you can search across channels and access the free Roku mobile app which then allows you to control your Roku player, search directly with your keyboard. This also allows you to enjoy private listening by using your headphones to prevent disturbing others and you can even add up to three friends who can join in on their phones too. You can also cast to TV, see your photos, videos, and music on your big screen, the technical specification include 802.11 (b/g/n compatible) with WEP, WPA, and WPA2 support, compatible with HD TVs up to 1080p (1920 x 1080) with up-scaling from 720p, it has a micro USB for power and HDMI 1.4, the streaming player includes an IR receiver (compatible with various universal remotes) and measures up at 1.4 x 3.3 x 0.7 inches.
The Roku Express is well made and easy to use, the instant access keys are useful for quick navigation but the remote could be smaller and the Roku unit is also rather large, however it works exactly as it should and get even the most technophobic person streaming in no time. RRP £29.99
www.roku.com/en-gb/products/roku-express Pros Easy set No extra fees Plug in and play Quick launch remote Free Roku mobile app
Cons Large unit and remote
Gadgethead Magazine
Dainese All Weather Activity Gloves Last winter we had the best/worst weather depending on who you ask, at the first sight of snow me and the hubster got decked out in our best winter gear and headed out to play! Sadly, after a good solid hour of snow ball fights and snow man construction, my hands were soaking and freezing, turns out my snowboarding gloves only had a life span of 15 years (nothing’s built to last these days). Although we probably won’t see the same amount of snow again for the next 10 years, I refuse risk of not being able to enjoy it to the max when it does come, the Dainese All Weather Activity (AWA) Gloves look like the perfect companions for enjoying the bad weather. Available in Extra Large, Large, Medium, Small and Extra Small, they run a little small, so we advise you to get a size larger than you would
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normally chose. These are the first medium gloves that have fitted my tiny hands. They come in one design, Stretch-Limo, which is an attractive navy with black detailing, they are nice and light at just 250g, and come with a host of useful features to keep those fingers toasty in the bad weather. The AWA keeps the profile as slim as possible while maintaining the right amount of D-Thermo insulation for warmth, the outer is constructed from a D-Dry fabric to keep out the wind and rain whether you are on the slopes or heading out for Christmas shopping. To keep you connected and allow you to take photos to show off your winter
adventures these gloves have touch screen compatible index and thumb finger tips on both hands which work surprisingly well considering their large size, you can easily text you friends for snowball reinforcements. Other features include reinforced palms (great for carrying snowboards or shopping bags), undercuff design, zip closure, soft fleece lining, hook and stings for hanging and attaching to clothing as well as reflective detailing for visibility. These gloves are comfortable, warm and non-restrictive the only addition we would like to see is a lens wipe on the thumb or finger to make them even more suited for the slopes. RRP £116.50
https://www.dainese.com/gb/en/awagloves/204815942.html Pros Comfortable Warm Water and windproof High-vis detailing Flexible Touch screen compatible Reinforced palms
Cons Sizes run large No lens wipe
Gadgethead Magazine
Sega Toys Flux Satin Black Gadgets can be used for a whole host of things like cleaning, cooking, travel and not forgetting pure evil - but sometimes they are simply used to create something beautiful. The Flux from Sega Toys is one of those products. This sweet little planetarium can turn your bedroom ceiling into the Great Hall at Hogwarts by showering it with stars, it comes in a nice box that would make an excellent gift and has two projection discs included, northern hemisphere and northern hemisphere with the constellations marked out. Our sample came with an UK style plug adaptor, but it comes with a USB lead which most people these days will have one of these plugs kicking around, it is available with UK, EU and US adaptors, this USB system means
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you can use a battery pack to power the planetarium which really frees up your choice in location. The Flux is Sega Toys most advanced model and comes with a tactile satin-like finish, it uses their brightest LED to date for bright and sharp images, and its indicated edges of a lunar crater around the lens to tie in the look. The Flux projects 60,000 stars onto your ceiling or wall at of distance of 150cm 290cm (59in - 114in) and you can bring it into focus by adjusting the focus ring around the lens, it uses an Ultra-bright 5-watt white LED and has a large projection circle
with a diameter of approximately 270 cm (106 in). The Flux works on the ceiling, wall or any flat surface thanks to its rotational body, it is reasonably compact at 16cm × 16cm × 15cm and weights 620g (6.3in × 6.3in × 5.9in, 1.36 lbs) you will need a little bit of surface space but not too much. There are a few buttons to play with including a handy timer which automatically switches it off after 15, 30 or 60 minutes, you can choose between a rotational image or static image and an option a shooting star periodically shooting across the sky. We reviewed the Sega Toys Homestar Original back in 2015 and I would encourage owners of this to upgrade to the new Flux with its sharper
image protection due to the glasses lenses and the brighter LED means more clarity, the end result is amazing. At a push you can claim the Flux is educational but the main reason to own it is to simply bath in the gorgeous images it projects, there’s nothing quite like falling asleep under the stars in the comfort of your own bedroom. RRP £149
https://www.segatoys.space/en/public/flux.html Pros 60,000 beautiful little high definition stars 16 other discs available Rotate, timer and shooting start options Adjustable focus Sky map included Suitable for low and high ceilings, walls or flat surfaces USB plug can be used with battery pack Ultra-bright 5-watt white LED and glass lenses
Gadgethead Magazine
Jabra Engage 75 Convertible The Engage 75 Convertible from Jabra is a wireless headset designed for office use, it has been engineered to give more power to your conversations and has industry-leading wireless performance and density. It uses an advanced noise-cancelling microphone for clear audio and reduced distractions letting your focus solely on the person on the other end of the phone, the lightweight headset weighs in at just 18g for all day comfortable wear. Without being tethered to your desk you have the freedom
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to move around with a 100metres DECT wireless range the
engage series allows for three times as many people to work wirelessly in the same office space. The Speaker software separates back ground noise from the speech, making the talking experience much more natural and reducing user stress, the incoming calls can
https://www.jabra.co.uk/business/officeheadsets/jabra-engage/jabra-engage-75convertible Pros Premium build Intuitive be adjusted to a userdefined sound level that stays constant all day. For security the headset has patented pairing, 256-bit AES encryption and 128bit authentication, there is a built-in busy light to show colleagues you are not to be disturbed when dealing with a call. The Engage 75 Convertible provides 9 hours of talktime to get you through the working day, if the battery does get a little low the fast charge will get you from 0-40% in just 30 minutes and up to 100% in 75 minutes. If you do run out of juice, not to panic, you can connect up to five devices simultaneously,
Connects to 5 devices Fast charge Clear audio with noise reduction Wireless (100m range)
Earpiece with option of neckband, headband or earhook wearing style Lightweight 9 hour talk time
attach a desk phone, softphone, analogue phone and two Bluetooth devices, to ensure you are never out of reach. The base unit has an easy to use touch screen that displays connected devices, battery life and all the call controls, the headset can be worn in a variety of ways allows you to choose the most comfortable configuration for that shift, choose between the ear hook, headband or neckband style set up. The Engage 75 Convertible has a high-quality build and clean look, it provides clear audio, has intuitive user systems and will remain comfortable and reliable for a day’s hard work in the office. RRP £341.67
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With more than 300,000 designs created since 1932, there’s a Zippo lighter for every personality and style. For further information and to see the new 2018 collection visit www.zippo.co.uk PJ21508-GadgetHeadAd_v02.indd 1
1/12/18 8:22 AM
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HoMedics Gel Shiatsu Massage Pillow There are so many elements of modern life that can leave you in need of a good massage, whether its being hunched over a keyboard all day, pushing for gains in the gym, lifting junior and the crap they come with 100 times a day, we have even heard rumours that there are people out there who do something called manual labour?! There are plenty of people out there willing to charge you a small fortune to beat you muscles into a gooey mess, but this isn’t always affordable, and a letting stranger man handle your flesh isn’t everyone’s idea of relaxing. The Gel Shiatsu Massage Pillow is a convenient way to get a deep massage at home, it has two gel massaging nodes that provide a near natural touch massage and it
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can be used on legs, back and shoulders. This massager has a compact design for portability, you reverse the action Shiatsu mechanism with circular thumb action, there is also a heat option and remote control to easily vary the massage therapy. Firstly, it looks good, it’s quite large but it has soft padding around the edges and it comfortable to lean on and lay a leg on,
but its bulky design makes it more difficult to access the tops of the shoulders. You have to plug this massager into the mains which could limit where you can use it, but it comes with a long lead, the remote is connected to the cushion with a lead which controls the direction the nodes rotate. The heat option is a bit of a let-down, it takes ages to get warm and never really gets hot enough to have a real impact on the massage, it lights up the nodes with a red light which gives the allusion of warmth. Due to the one size fits all design some people may benefit
more from this than others it can be awkward to manoeuvre into position, the instructions are limited as are the different effects available. The Gel Shiatsu Massage pillow provided a strong and deep massage to my upper and lower back as well as my thighs but it was harder to get a good position on my calves, shoulders and neck, the heat action needs to be more powerful and a few extra functions would help make it worth the money. RRP £69.99
https://www.homedics.co.uk/gel-shiatsu-backmassage-pillow.html Pro Firm and natural massage Multiple area use Compact for portability Reverse action Remote control
Cons Limited functions Tethered to the mains Difficult to get into tight spots Heat action isn’t powerful enough Pricey
Gadgethead Magazine
AlcoSense Breathalysers We can all get a bit carried away over the Christmas period, if you haven’t had at least one alcoholic drink before midday can you even call it Christmas? It is important to remember not to be an absolute tool and ruin every bodies fun by getting behind the wheel of a car the next day when you are still a little worse for wear, that’s where the AlcoSense collection comes to the rescue.
AlcoSense Excel The Excel features a 64mm2 Fuel Cell Sensor, a smaller version of Police sensor, it has a 48mm full colour TFT screen and can be set up to work with any drink drive limit in the world, it features a re-calibration alert and comes in an easy to use award-winning housing design. RRP £99.99
AlcoSense Pro The Pro has a larger 121mm2 Fuel Cell Sensor, with a time until sober and retest alarm feature, it has pre-programmed selectable database of all drink drive limits worldwide, the Blow Coach (must…not…make…jokes) helps you get an accurate reading first time and it is the 2016 Red Dot Product Design Award winner. RRP £149.99
AlcoSense Ultra The Ultra is another 2016 Red Dot Product Design Award winner and has a 200mm2 Fuel Cell Sensor which is the same size as several UK, EU and US Police sensors, it too has a selectable database of all drink drive limits worldwide and all the results can be downloaded onto your PC making it a good choice for the work place. It also has a Blow Coach built in memory can store up to 128 results with date and time stamps. RRP £249.99 All three AlcoSense products are highly accurate and come with a number of testing tubes to ensure all your family and guests are suitable to drive to help keep everybody safe this festive season.
https://alcosense.co.uk/alcosense.html
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Gadgethead Magazine
SoundMAGIC E11C After the success of the E10 earphones, SoundMAGIC have created a new budget-friendly option: the E11C and E11 range. We will be focusing on the E11C (the cabled version) featuring isolating technology and an updated design. These earphones are fully constructed from aluminium, finished with a unique handpainting process for a cleaner and more premium finish. They are lightweight (just 11g) and the both durable and minimalist design sits comfortably and discretely in you ears. There is a choice of silicone earbuds to find a precise fit and when combined with the ergonomicallyangled sound tubes, it helps achieve the noise isolating experience. The cable has had a redesign (you can see the twisted cable through the tough and translucent coating) and features a highresolution silver-plated copper audio cable
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(1.2m) to reduce signal loss and get the best resolution available. The wire is very thin, however, and like most earphones it has that magical ability to knot up in a matter of seconds as soon as you take your eyes off it. To keep things neater there is a sweet little zip up hardcase included. The E11C Complete Communication set up means you can pair it with any type of smartphone; the 3-button control unit allows you to switch automatically between Apple and Android for control over volume, track control and phone calls. Now, before we get to the sound quality, please bear
in mind the price of these earphones and remember: you get what you pay for! These earphones have an updated driver with the aim of producing a more mature and sophisticated sound with smoother highfrequency detailing and more textured lowfrequency extension. It uses 10mm dynamic drivers, and we found the quality was exactly as we expected: The bass is reasonable the mid-tones clear, but the top notes were harsh at loud volumes. These aren’t exceptionally loud headphones but if you value your hearing, you don’t want them to be. The E11C are better than your average earphones in this price range, but they aren’t going to blow you away. A good choice for light weight travel and commuting earphones. RRP £49.99
https://soundmagicheadphones.com/collections/ earphones/products/soundmagic-e11c-in-earisolating-earphones-with-mic Pros Low cost Look good Integrated 3-button smart remote and microphone Silver-plated copper cable provides highresolution audio Protective hard case Comfortable and secure fit with isolating design Reasonable bass and mid-tones
Cons High tone harsh at loud volumes Thin wire feels delicate
Gadgethead Magazine
Proviz Switch Jacket Yellow/Reflective It is so important to keep active during the winter no matter how tempting it is to simply curl up under the duvet and hibernate the entire season away, it is doubly important to ensure when you do go out in the dark mornings and evenings that you can be clearly seen, especially when cycling on the roads. The Switch Jacket from Proviz is a reversible jacket that gives you two options when in the saddle, choose between either the fluorescent yellow waterproof which helps you to be seen in the daytime and low light or the highly reflective reverse layer which lets
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you be clearly seen in the dark. The Switch is constructed from lightweight dual layers, the reflective material used is the same as the highly popular REFLECT360 range and it is certified to CE EN 20471 standard, the reflective side has a waterproofing rating of 10,000mm, it will reflect the light back from street lights, vehicle lights and torches from every inch of the jacket, you will be visible front, back and sides, above and below. This jacket has been specially designed for cycling and has a perforated back to help aid with ventilation, there are also two separate side
vents to keep you cool by encouraging air flow between the layers, these can also double up as extra pockets. The cuffs are elasticated to keep out the wind and rain, it is longer in the back for protection when in the riding position, no one likes wind and rain getting down the back of your trousers. The two large side pockets for storing essentials are within easy reach during the ride, the zip pulls are a little small and thin, it could do with larger grips to make the pockets easier to access with cold fingers or gloves. We loved the versatility of this jacket, you don’t need
to consider if you have the right gear to stay out a little later, simply flip it inside out and your golden (well silver). It might not be technical enough for hardcore fitness riders, it isn’t a tight fit, we also found the main zip can be a little sticky and when wearing the reflective side directly next to the skin it feels plasticky and causes some sweating, however it is great for commuting and light exercise, keeping you safe and visible though the darker months. RRP £99.99
https://www.provizsports.com/en-gb/switchmens-cycling-jacket-yellow-reflective.html Pros Reversable Waterproof Highly visible Zip pockets Elasticated cuffs
Cons Main zip sticks Small zip pulls on pocket Loose fit won’t impress serious riders Reflective material no very comfortable against bare skin
Gadgethead Magazine
PMD Clean The PMD Clean is a smart facial cleanser that that can put out over 7,000 vibrations per minute to break down dirt and oil from deep within the pores. It comes in three designs: Blush with Rose Gold, Navy with Gold, and Teal with Brushed Aluminium. It uses PMD SonicGlow technology to provide a deep cleanse, and claims to help lift, firm, and tone problem areas for a more youthful appearance. The Clean has a soft silicone outer that creates a ultra-hygienic layer that is odourresistant, antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and waterproof - this means
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the brush head never needs replacing, it also has an ergonomic shape for easy and comfortable grip even with wet hands. It has four customisable
modes for all skin types, Mode 1 is a gentle vibration, Mode 2 offers an intense vibration and there are two Massager Modes, Mode 3 for gentle pulsation and Mode 4 for intense pulsation. The Clean is easy to use, simply rinse you face and rub in a cleanser then rinse the bristle side of the Clean under water and switch it on (Modes 1
and 2 are recommended for cleansing). Next move brush head in circular motions, over the entire face (PMD recommend one minute of treatment per day), once finished rinse face and the Clean and pat dry. To apply serums (Modes 3 or 4 are recommend for massaging) use the reverse side of the Clean to use the firm grooved area, apply product then use the Clean to gently massage into the skin, this side can also be used to lift, tone and firm up the skin by using the massage modes to simulate blood flow and collagen production. The Clean is fully water proof and can be used in the shower whilst the battery will last your two months when using it once a day. The PMD Clean provides a really pleasant cleansing or massaging experience, it is easy to use, soft against your skin and leaves your face feeling fresh, clean and smooth after use. RRP £89
https://uk.pmdbeauty.com/clean/ Pros Attractive design 4 modes Soft flexible bristles for cleaning and firm grooves for massaging Ergonomic shape Hygienic silicone 2 month battery life Waterproof Pleasant to use
Gadgethead Magazine
SodaStream Crystal Black The look I get from my friends when I order a soda is like I’ve just told them I’m joining a cult, but when they are done right, sodas can be just as elegant and full of flavour as any fancy cocktail, minus the hangover the next day. The SodaStream Crystal is the epitome of sophistication and can help you convert your friends with great tasting sparkling water served with style! This kit comes with the SodaStream Crystal Black Sparkling Water Maker, a 60-litre gas cylinder and the Elegant Glass Carafe for carbonating your drink. You won’t be short on ideas, with a wide variety of drinks available from the web shop, including traditional and diet flavours - these are also stocked in highstreet stores, with more information available on the website. The SodaStream Crystal is the only sparkling water maker
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in the current range that allows you to use a glass bottle, giving you an untainted taste and ensuring that less plastic waste goes to landfill, unlike when you buy regular soda in bottles. Hydration is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but plain water can become boring, so it’s great to be able to experiment with different flavours to encourage yourself to keep drinking throughout the day. The Crystal is straightforward to use: You simply unlock the lever and the top automatically lifts up and the bottle pops out; fill the bottle up with cold water, place the bottle back into the SodaStream, close and
lock the lever again. From here, you get to choose the required level of fizz by pressing the button - three presses will give you ‘standard fizz’, with additional presses making it fizzier. Once you have made your soda water, you can then choose to add your flavour or simply keep it as it is. The SodaStream Crystal Black is superquick and looks great. It doesn’t win points for discretion, as it does make a bit of a din, but we still love this ecofriendly soda maker. Get your creativity on and prove to your friends soda is for classy grownups too! RRP £149.99
https://www. sodastream.co.uk/ sparklingwatermakerslist/ crystal/crystal-3 Pros Easy to use Fast Eco friendly Versatile flavour combinations Attractive glass bottle (bye bye plastic)
Cons Loud Large
Gadgethead Magazine
HAIX Black Eagle Safety 50 High Taking safety to the next level is the Black Eagle Safety 50 High boot from HAIX, they sneak a little further up the leg than regular boots to add further protections to the lower leg, the upper material is a 1.8–2.0mm thick waterproof, hydrophobic and breathable leather construction, with a GORETEX lining for further protection against the elements. The lining is also abrasion resistant and has optimised Climate comfort for intense activity levels and working in and outdoors, it allows moisture and heat to escape whilst ensuring nothing but cooling air gets in. The insole is cushioned for comfort as well as featuring some much-appreciated moisture resistance and anti-bacterial treatment, there is a separate heel section to improve the cushioning and
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enhance the fit and the Airflow channels add some extra ventilation. The sole has a lightweight and athletic construction with deep groves for stable traction on slippery surfaces and abrasion resistance as well as improved heel to toe control in wet, muddy and even Icey weather conditions. The PU cushioned sole also provides thermal insulation, whilst the non-marking rubber outsole is resistant to
heat, oil and petrol. The Midsole offers metalfree puncture resistance (that’s nails, splinters and Lego resistant), whilst remaining flexible for natural movement, for hazards from above there is the HAIX Composite Toe Cap, anatomically designed and lightweight it is made of fibre-reinforced plastic for the highest safety requirements. The Black Eagle Safety uses a Vario Wide Fit System which allows you to choose from three different inserts to get the precise fit for the width of your foot. The HAIX 2-Zone Lacing System lets you ‘lock-off’ the fit on the bottom section
of the boot, while still being able to separately adjust the top section, to get the perfect fit. This boot can also reflect direct sunlight due to the leather construction and an additional manually applied rubber ‘toebumper’ helps improve durability and enhanced heel bend for flexibility. This highly protective boot has a bold look (sadly nothing like an eagle!) and is comfortable straight out of the box, you get find the perfect fit and the more you wear them the better they feel and more flexible they become. RRP £139.90
https://www.haix.co.uk/haix-black-eagle-safety50-high Pros Comfortable safety shoes Breathable with ventilations Extra light protective toe cap Non-slip and antistatic GORE-TEX lining Punction resistant midsole Anti-static, waterproof and hydrophobic Good traction
Cons Heavy 760g per boot
Gadgethead Magazine
Natural History Museum Pocket Microscope What better way inspire young scientific minds to explore the micro world than with this pocket microscope from the Natural History Museum, which they proudly announce to be one of their all-time best-sellers. Even the most familiar everyday object can look completely alien under this microscope with its powerful lens that can provide up to 40x magnification, it comes with two specimen slides, a lens cleaning cloth and full instructions to get curious minds started. It is suitable for ages 3+ and includes the batteries needed to make it work and has a built-in light to ensure no detail, no matter how small, goes unseen. RRP £10
http://www.nhmshop.co.uk/pocket-microscope.html
Moj Moj Claw Machine Playset It is often difficult to predict whether a product is going to be a hit or miss with children but if it involves collecting adorable squidgy animals’ then the chances are it will become popular. Think of Moj Moj as tangible Pokemon who have retired from the battle scene and just want to chill out all the time, as much as I hate to admit it, they are quite adorable. The Moj Moj Claw Machine Playset is a real working claw machine with three directional joysticks and two play modes, as well as lights, music and other arcade sounds. It contains six surprise mystery pack, you will have to beat the timer or wait until your next go, but unlike those machines in the arcade you wont waste all your money in the process. Once you have successfully grabbed all six Moj Moj surprises you can reload the machine with more Moj Moj, fill the eggs with your own surprises or simply use it to display your favourite characters. RRP £33.99
https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/fashion-and-dolls/ other-fashion-and-dolls/moj-moj-claw-machine-playset/p/166077
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StylPro Limited Edition StylePro is the brain child of, “nice guys can finish first” 2011 Apprentice winner Tom Pellereau, since then he has gone on to make, amongst other things, the Style Pro make up brush cleaning system, the Limited Edition comes with 8 x Flexible silicone collars (30mm, 24mm, 19mm, 15mm, 11mm, 9mm, 7mm, 5mm), Collar Stand, Stylpro device in limited edition rose gold, the Tritan Unbreakable Bowl and Bowl Neck as well as a foundation brush and powder brush making it a great gift set to pop under the tree. The StylPro uses centrifugal spin technology to clean and dry makeup brushes in less than 30 seconds making them ready to use immediately and avoiding the mess that manual cleaning creates. In a strange way it is really satisfying to use, watching it spin dry, dumping all that grimy brown water and seeing the brushes all clean and beautiful leaves you feeling excited to use your brushes again. RRP £49.99
https://styltom.co.uk/products/stylpro-limited-rose-gold-makeup-brushcleaner-and-dryer
StylPro Expert The StylPro Expert is professional make up brush and cleaner like the StylPro Original, but with upgraded features including two speeds, a built-in timer and unique, easy to empty tipping bowl, which is much taller than the Original. It comes with a multi brush collar which lets you clean up to eight brushes at once ideal for professionals who get through a lot of brushes and need the clean, dry and ready for action as quickly as possible, but is also super convenient for home use. It uses centrifugal spin technology to clean and dry makeup brushes in less than 30 seconds, it comes with 10 x Flexible silicone collars and stand (2x universal star, 30mm, 24mm, 16mm, 14mm, 12mm, 10mm, 7.5mm, 5mm), as well as Tritan tipping bowl, pan and top and 3 x 10ml StylPro Makeup brush cleanser sachets. A great gift for people who take make up seriously. RRP £64.99
https://styltom.co.uk/collections/all-products/products/stylpro-expertmakeup-brush-cleaner-and-dryer
Gadgethead Magazine
Melitta Barista TS Smart Once upon a time, if your friend offered you a coffee you were 100% guaranteed to end up with an instant coffee and hot water combo, possibly with milk that’s in date depending on the quality of your friends (I have been given squirty cream as a milk substitute before and this says a lot about my friendship group). These days you don’t have to rely on some soulless high street chain for your flat white or espresso doppio, you can make it in your own home where it is much more acceptable to drink coffee in your pants and you won’t look pretentious for working on your screen play. The Melitta Barista TS Smart can whip you up a latte without you needing to heave your backside off your sofa, you can impress your guests by using your phone to place your order (as long as you only require two drinks, oh and make sure the cups are already in place or you will be drinking from a drip tray). This clever machine can make
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21 different speciality coffees including the right coffee beans, according to the original recipe or your own creation, four drinks can be prepared with one touch of a button, Espresso, Café Crème, Cappuccino and Latte macchiato as well as separate hot water creations for different types of tea, the recipe book shows you how to the create 17 further coffees including flat white (does anyone know what this really is?), americano or ristretto. The Melitta Connect app is free to download and it’s here you can manage your appliance settings and program and save the My Coffee Profiles. There are
also tutorials to assist you with cleaning and maintaining the appliance and create your own coffee specialities by selecting the order in which the ingredients are poured into the cup, the amount of coffee, frothed milk, hot water and other coffee settings can be individually tweaked. The TS Smart offers Automatic Bean Select to get the right beans for your coffee or change the bean chamber yourself, it will also tell you when the grinders need topping up with beans. There is also the IntenseAroma feature with gives coffees a more intense flavour (without making it stronger), the My Coffee Memory lets you save your creations and preference for up to eight people. The Italian Preparation Process helps to produce an authentic flavour by ensuring each step is
followed in the correct order, the grinder grinds empty each time to make sure your coffee is never tainted with old ground coffee residues. There is a seal on the Aromasafe lid of the two-chamber bean container and the dark tinted design helps preserve the beans for longer. The Quiet as a Whisper Grinder (which was awarded the prestigious Quiet Mark) – especially for quiet grinding with five different settings, the TFT colour display and One Touch buttons make for easy use, the Touch and Slide feature lets you use your machine by gently touching the sensor panels. The Double Cup Mode lets you make two cups of different coffee at the same time, and separate nozzles for coffee, milk and hot water means you don’t have to move the cup when making your drink, it also has integrated LED illumination and is height adjustable up to 140mm, for those tall latte glasses. The brewing unit can be removed for easy cleaning and the Plug-in
milk system is removeable to pop it in the fridge when you are done (it is also dishwasher safe), there is an automatic cleaning and descaling programme to keep everything in tip top condition. We loved this coffee machine, it produces a huge variety of coffees that taste amazing, it is quick and easy to use with loads of features to make you feel like you are a coffee wizard. The app is a great touch, I loved sending our orders to the machine, so it was ready by the time I got out of the bath, or finished off a piece of work. RRP £1199
https://www.melitta.co.uk/en/Barista-TSSmart-821.html Pros 21 coffee creations Melitta Connect App Tasty coffee Automatic Bean Select, IntenseAroma and My Coffee Memory function Quiet grinder Easy to clean Four automatic touch screen buttons Detachable milk container Two bean compartments (can be used for different varieties)
Gadgethead Magazine
Melissa and Doug Chef’s Kitchen – Charcoal Children love playing with kitchen sets, I mean they are interesting, its were food lives and they haven’t had the years of tedious washing up and chores to make them resent every second spent in one. Melissa and Doug Chef’s Kitchen in Charcoal is a beautifully designed modern play kitchen to spark the minds of young budding chefs (or future kitchen porters, that’s where Chef Ramsey started). It is suitable for ages 3 and requires so adult self-assembly, thankfully it comes with
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illustrated instructions to make setting up a straightforward and stress-free procedure,
once set up it will stand at roughly 3.5feet (1 meter) long, and more than 3feet (0.9 meters) high and weighing in at 64.75 lbs. This kitchen has all the latest appliances including a refrigerator/freezer with a working ice maker that dispenses two included “ice cubes,” an oven and stovetop with
dials that turn, microwave with turning plate, sink with moving faucet and handle, shopping list, movable hooks, and loads of shelving and storage to help with tidying up after playtime, I’m jealous that this modern set up is its better than my real kitchen. Its large size means multiple children can play at once (subject to sharing skills of said child). Sturdy, top-quality wooden construction means it will stand up to years of creative make-believe mealmaking! Accessories sold separately. We love the fact this kitchen resembles a real kitchen, it isn’t too cutesy and doesn’t fall into any gender stereotypes, it has a premium finish with good attention to detail, just ensure you have a good amount of space to set it up permanently as its size and weight mean you won’t want to be moving it about on a daily basis. RRP £179.99
https://www.melissaanddoug.com/chefs-kitchen--charcoal/4010.html Pros High quality finish with attention to detail Straightforward to assemble Large enough for multiple children All the modern appliances Looks like a real kitchen Solid and durable
Cons Heavy
Gadgethead Magazine
Sennheiser Momentum Free Sennheiser have long since been renowned for their high-quality audio equipment, so we had high hopes for Momentum Free. These are Sennheiser’s most compact Bluetooth headphones, connecting via Bluetooth 4.2 for wireless freedom and up to 10-meter range. We expected a premium unboxing experience for the price, but we were disappointed to find a large block of environment-hating foam and the earbuds set awkwardly in cardboard. However, no one ever buys a rubbish product simply because the packing is good. In the box you get the wireless headset, USB charging cable, ear adaptor set (XS, S, M, L), a premium leather protective carrying case as well as safety and quick guides. The
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earbuds or should I say “sound tunnels” look great with their stripped down, machined stainless steel in-ear design: both sturdy and stylish. They have magnets integrated into them, so you can join them together and wear them comfortably around your neck to keep them safe when they are not in use. The ear adaptors are the standard type you get with many headphones - nothing special to see hear - but the four sizes will help you find a secure and comfortable fit, they also help to block out ambient noise reasonably well. The battery lasts for up to six long hours of continuous play from one full charge, which is about standard. As beautiful as the case
is, it would be better if it was a charging case too. So, let’s get down to the sound quality: The Momentum Free use AAC codec support and Qualcomm apt-X support for clear wireless transmission and low latency, keeping streaming videos in sync. When playing our favourite tunes, we found the Momentum Free headphones performed impressively! We have heard whispers of poor sound quality when using iOS, but this wasn’t out experience: the bass was thick and mid-tones rich and top notes were clean and crisp; all the audio quality you would expect from Sennheiser. There is a three-button remote and an inline microphone that lets you take calls on the move. The call
quality isn’t great, but it is adequate for chatting on the move. The Momentum Free also allows for multi-connection with up to 2 devices and 3-way calling support, with voice prompts notifying you about the pairing or battery status. If you are looking for lightweight wireless headphones with excellent sound quality and money isn’t an object, these could be just what you are looking for. However, a couple of little tweaks here and there would offer more value for money. RRP £169.99
https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/headphonesbluetooth-momentum-free Pros Excellent sound quality Comfortable Compact Magnetic connections Attractive case
Cons Limited features Pricey Call quality could be better Cheap packaging No charging case
Gadgethead Magazine
Roccat Kone AIMO With so many games getting released or remastered right now there is no better time to invest in some good quality gaming gear, the Kone AIMO from Roccat is a striking gaming mouse packed with features to help you becoming fully immersed in the virtual world. The original Kone was released in 2007, as the first product from Roccat, they have now combined their know-how with almost 30,000 surveyed gamers to produce the Kone AIMO. It has a bold design with its log splashed across the front and RGBA light strips and mouse-wheel reacts to use and can be personalised, you could be forgiven for thinking hard lined cut aways on either side of the mouse might prove to be uncomfortable but it has been carefully considered to create an ergonomic feel for mid to large-handed games, weighing just 130g (non-customisable) it is wonderfully comfortable for hours of playing without fatigue (right hands only, sorry south paws). Comfort is
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important but that’s no good if the sensor isn’t up to scratch, the AIMO uses an owleye optical sensor, the new optical sensor from PixArt, it has a responsive feel you can detect straight away, it can be configured in terms of the ROCCATpioneered Distance Control Unit (DCU), with the dpi adjustable in 100-dpi steps from 100 to 12000, although 400 – 3000dpi range is recommended as optimal. This mouse has a braided 1.8m USB cable (nonreplaceable), it has a tri-button thumb zone for a greater level of
control, it also has two wide buttons suitable for all hand sizes, plus an ergonomic lower button set to EasyShift[+] by default, this lets you assign a secondary function to the mouse’s buttons like holding shift to make “5” into “%” on your keyboard, this can be easily programmed and has options for simple commands and complex macros. Roccat comes with the Swarm software which can be used to personalise the lighting options and change the performance settings for whatever suits the current game you are addicted too, it isn’t the most user-friendly of set ups, but you will get there in the end. Technical specs include 32-BIT arm MCU and onboard memory for rapid macro storage and execution, custom pick-
up flight for heightened accuracy, 4D Titan Wheel that offers four directions with advanced tilting tech, 1000Hz polling rate, 1ms response time, 50G acceleration, 250ips maximum speed and has system requirements of Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows 10, internet connection for driver installation and USB 2.0 port. The Roccat Kone AIMO is a high performing mouse suitable for the larger handed gamer who would enjoy its bold/ flashy design, it is intuitive and responsive and unlike those friends who find it funny to shoot you just seconds after you’ve respawned it will be a reliable gaming partner for some serious sessions. RRP £69.99
https://www.roccat.org/en-GB/Products/GamingMice/Kone-AIMO/ Pros High performing Ergonomic Owl-Eye optical sensor with up to 12000 dpi Tri-button thumb zone, 4D tilting Titan wheel, easy-shift[+] button 12-24 Programmable buttons Bold design with reactive RGBA multizone lighting system SWARM software
Cons Non-replaceable wire Heavy Large right hands only
Gadgethead Magazine
Learning Resources New Sprouts Classroom Play Food Set You were probably always taught not to play with your food, but this adorable play set actively encourages it! Aimed at ages 18 months-6 years (although there’s no reason to stop playing at 6 years old) it is great for imaginative play and especially designed for little hands. This kit has 100 brightly coloured, detailed, play food items, that are chunky and rubberised to provide safe playtime, it comes with a handy storage tub (30cm length x 30cm heights) with carrying handles to aid with tidying everything away at the end of playtime. The play set includes all major food groups including fruit, vegetables, chicken, steak, eggs, cereal, pasta, bread, milk, juice, doughnut, pretzel, pancakes and biscuits, whilst having fun, children will also be developing skills including early role play, vocabulary development and help to reinforce healthy food choices and as an adult it will help develop your “nom, nom, nom” pretend eating skills. RRP £118
https://www.learningresources.co.uk/product/play-food.do
Aerobie Pro Ring The summer has been and gone, but rumours have it that it will be back next year, so there is no harm getting prepared and stocking up on some outdoor games - and what could be a better place to start than the Guinness World Record setting Aerobie Pro Ring (thrown 406 meters). This flying ring means, skill depending, you can play catch with a friend more than 90 meters away. The proprietary aerodynamic design helps to make accurate and long distance throws straightforward and the soft rubber edge makes catching comfortable, no stubbed fingers. Even at over 30 years old it is still one of the best flying rings out there, measuring up at 33 cm in diameter, it is recommended for ages 12 and up. RRP £12.75
https://aerobie.com/pro-ring/
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SmartMax Start The SmartMax Start is a magnetic building kit made up for 16 chunky colourful magnetic bars (12 medium and 4 long bars) and 9 metal balls suitable for ages 1+, the magnets are strong enough to hold a structure but not powerful enough to risk trapping little fingers. The blue and green coloured bars repel whilst the yellow and red coloured bars attract, they both attach to the balls and up to 20 bars will fit on one ball. All parts are bigger than 3cm to prevent the possibility of choking and parts are glued together then ultrasonically welded to prevent toddlers from tearing them apart. This is the sort of toy a child will come back to at different stages of development, it may just be something to chew on to start with, then they will begin to randomly stick pieces together, before eventually learning to create a variety of different shapes and structures. RRP ÂŁ25
https://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/smart-max-start-d4832.html
Geosmart Moon Lander STEM is a big feature in many of this years must have toys as it sneaks education along side the fun and games. The Geosmart Moon Lander is a 31 piece magnetic construction kit that comes with a wireless remote control. Suitable for ages 5+ it is made from eight strong magnetic sections with stainless steel clamps inside plastic housing, it has two snap-in motors and four track wheels with two tracks, prepared to take on rough Luna terrain. Once constructed it can be controlled by the wireless remote which also needs to be built from the transmitter, receiver and housing, you don’t have to stick to the rule book however let your imagination take over and build your own version. The Moon Lander has a patented double-safety system, encourages STEM learning and creativity through geomagnetic play. Requires 6 x AAA Batteries that are not included.
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We are disclosing this as we like to be transparent about our reviews.
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