Gadgethead 3.02

GADGETHEAD Issue 3.02

UK

£4.95

www.gadgetheadmag.com

Inspired By Your Success

EXPLORE. ENJOY.

MAXIA 4

THE NEW GENERATION OF THE LEGEND GIVI’S most popular top case, totally redesigned.

Stylish as never before, versatile and as strong as ever.

• ABS cover with a new design • Internally strengthened outer edge • Double cover made from plastic and aluminium • New outer band • New optical reflectors with small reflector on the outer band • Capacity: 56 lt

Sponsor of the LCR Honda MotoGP Team.

Find more than 900 accessories at www.givimoto.com

Contents Elliot Brown• Vype

GADGETHEAD Senior Writer Emma Hilling emmahilling@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Director Alex Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com Junior Copy Editor Alice Instone-Brewer alice@littlegatepublishing.com Junior Copy Editor Steve Weller steveweller@littlegatepublishing.com Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com

Page 10 Tiny Love 3-in-1 Rocker Napper • Waterfield Maxwell Sleeve for MacBook •Summer Infant Babble Band • Rapha Classic Winter Jacket • Rapha Core Rain Jacket Page 20 Rapha Pro Team Shadow Long Sleeve Jersey • Edifier M3200 • iHealth View Blood Pressure Monitor • iHealth Core Scale Page 30 Hyundai Ioniq• Cloud Nine - The Wide Iron• Tula Baby CarrierROAR!• Deuter Kid Comfort Air Page 40 Illuminated Apparel Glow T-Shirts • One For All Smart Control 5 • One For All Amplified Digital Indoor Aerial • Nutri Ninja Pro Complete Personal Blender with Auto-iQ 1100W • Think Tank Retrospective 30 Page 50 Think Tank Airport Security V3.0 Rolling Camera Bag • FOODsniffer• mifold – the Grab-andGo Car Seat • Thule Sapling Elite Child Carrier • Gossen Digisky Exposure Meter Page 60 KitSound Immerse Wireless Headphones • Pixelstick • StylPro Make Up Brush Cleaner and Dryer

Elliot Brown Unveils New Flagship Collection To Celebrate Extended Partnership With World’s Largest Ocean Challenge To mark its extended partnership as Official Timekeeper of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, UK watch brand Elliot Brown has today revealed a new flagship collection, named Portland Adventurer, that will be released in time for the start of the 2017-18 edition of the world’s largest-scale ocean challenge.

Announcing, Elliot Brown Co-Founder Ian Elliot said: “Following a highly successful campaign during the 2015-16 edition in which we experienced 40 per cent sales growth, we are delighted to be extending our partnership to be Official Timekeeper of the Clipper 2017-18 Race.

4

“We share a common spirit of endeavor with the Clipper Race and its crew and have used learnings from the previous edition to design our new Portland Adventurer range, including a brand new limited edition Clipper Race timepiece, to go the distance with like-

minded athletes, adventurers and thrill seekers around the globe.”

Just 1000 of the new model will be produced and based on last year’s sales, demand is expected to be high. Pre-order the Clipper 2017-18 Race Limited Edition watch via https://www. elliotbrownwatches. com/portland/505001-clipper-race-utc or from any Elliot Brown stockist. Delivery is expected for August 2017.

“All of our watches undergo highly

demanding tests, including submersion at 200m or 300m in water but we are always learning.

There can be few real world tests as arduous or extreme as a complete, eleven month, 40,000NM circumnavigation aboard a stripped back racing yacht,” commented Co-Founder Alex Brown.

In July 2015 a watch was fastened to the metal mast of one of the Clipper Race’s 70 foot yachts using nothing more than the standard strap bars to secure it as it raced around the planet. Fast forward to the July 2016 race finish and after twelve months

at sea facing everything from tropical to freezing salt water conditions the watch was secure and still keeping accurate time.

“It’s a perfect example of the extraordinary durability built into every Elliot Brown watch and proves the timepieces deliver on the brand’s promise that they are ‘built to go the distance,” added Alex.

Features of the new limited edition watch will include an additional ‘UTC’ hand, (the global timing system used at sea) to allow Clipper Race crew, skippers and Race Officials to keep a close eye on the time in an additional zone,

either at home or in the next port, via the 24 hour markings engraved on the outer bezel.

The watch dial will once again be adorned with the signature red and green hour indices indicative of the port and starboard channel markers seen at sea when entering the safety of port.

Clipper Race Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who wore the Canford timepiece during the last race, said: “We’re very happy to welcome Elliot Brown back on board as our Official Timekeeper.

“Our shared values of durability and persistence in extreme conditions make us a perfect fit, and we look forward to putting the new Clipper Race watch through its paces with our crew and Skippers.”

Gadgethead Magazine

Vype Launches Next Generation Of Vaping With Tinie Tempah Collaboration Vype, a UK vaping brand, has launched its new vaping product, Vype Pebble, with a unique collaboration with the Brit Award-winning singer and rapper, Tinie Tempah, and urban lifestyle specialist DSTRB LDN. To celebrate the launch of the nextgeneration Pebble, Vype will partner with Tinie Tempah and his label, DSTRB LDN, to launch a limited edition range of exclusive DSTRB LDN X VYPE t-shirts inspired by the Pebble product.

The collaboration and new Pebble product will officially launch in the UK at an exclusive event in London on Tuesday 29th November, including a special

6

performance from Tinie Tempah as well as officially unveiling the new Pebble product and DSTRB LDN x VYPE t-shirt range.

The range of t-shirts, inspired by the vibrant colours and striking design of the new Pebble, will then be available to purchase from exclusive popup shops in London, Manchester and Glasgow with further performances from DSTRB LDN artists.

The exclusive t-shirts

all feature a unique Vype Pebble pocket.

Included in the range is a special design commemorating the 10th anniversary of Tinie Tempah’s Disturbing London record label.

Starting in London, the Vype Pebble Store will be open to adult vapers from 30th November – 3rd December in an exciting and interactive space. Adult vapers will experience immersive art from DSTRB LDN acts, be able purchase the limited edition DSTRB LDN x VYPE range and even have their very own Vype Pebble hand-

customised by DSTRB LDN artist, Koby Martin.

The pop-up will then make its way to Manchester and Glasgow, bringing the next generation of vaping to thousands of adult vapers across the country.

On the collaboration, DSTRB LDN founder, Tinie Tempah, said: “Having seen the vibrant colours and unique design of the new Vype Pebble we felt that it had the same attitude and character as DSTRB LDN – we’re really excited about dropping this set of exclusive t-shirts!”

Gadgethead Magazine

Secure Your Data Hardware Encrypted (AES 256-bit) USB 3.0 External Hard Drive PIN activated (6-16 digits) Works with PC, Mac, Linux, Citrix, Android, Thin Clients and Embedded Systems

No Software required Capacities from 250GB, up to 2TB Administration feature allows 1Admin and up to 5 User PIN codes

Call +44 (0) 20 8991 6260 or visit www.istorage-uk.com

LIGHTWEIGHT TOOLS THAT PACK A PUNCH. Our new 12V range are the smallest, lightest cordless tools we’ve ever made, but still deliver impressive performance and reach!

Whether you are an avid DIY fan or a discerning construction professional - the new Hilti 12V cordless range offers new levels of accessibility and productivity in light-duty drilling and fastening applications.

Follow us on

Hilti. Outperform. Outlast.

Scan this code for more info:

hilti.co.uk/12v

Tiny Love 3-in-1 Rocker Napper The Rocker Napper by Tiny Love is a versatile seat suitable for babies up to 40lb/18kg. It offers three recline options, making it suitable for naps, feeding, soothing or playing, and can easily be moved between positions with one hand without needing to take your baby out. In all three reclining positions, you can choose between stabilising the Rocker, letting your baby’s movements create a rocking motion, or turning on the soothing vibrations to calm and relax your child.

These three positions also make the Rocker suitable for infants of different ages. At 1-3 months, your baby can enjoy the gentle rocking movement of the Rocker Napper while playing with the attached mobile’s rattling snail or flowermirror. For 3-6 month olds, you can move this electronic mobile to an appropriate distance

10

from your baby’s reach so that they can grasp or hit the toys from a semi-upright position, and for 0-6 month olds babies who suffers from reflux, the middle reclining position may help their digestion.

The Rocker’s mobile is musical, with seven different melodies to amuse your baby, and the toys also carry baby-activated lights to stimulate their senses

whilst simultaneously encouraging them to practice their grasping skills.

The Rocker’s instruction booklet is a bit difficult to understand, but there is a rather cringe-worthy instruction video on their website to help you with its assembly.

It takes a few minutes, but it isn’t difficult.

The Rocker comes with a flat sleeping pad, which features a raised border that provides a safe and cosy environment to put your baby down for a nap. Both sleeping pad and bassinet are machine washable, but it is a bit of a hassle disconnecting and removing the Rocker

frame to be able to wash the bassinet material. A spare set would be useful so you can still use the Rocker whilst the other set is in the wash, as messy accidents are unavoidable.

The Tiny Love Rocker Napper has some cool features, but for the money I would have expected a higher quality finish and a more parent-friendly assembly and disassembly for cleaning. The vibrating features seemed to do little to soothe our test subjects, but the variety of positions are useful and the colourful toys and music proved to be a hit.

It is worth considering the 3-in-1 Rocker Napper when looking at rockers, but the negatives must be considered before you can make a decision as to whether this will suit you and your baby’s individual needs. RRP £99.99

bit.ly/2lG5MGq Pros Three seating positions Colourful, musical and light up toys included Machine washable

Cons Low quality finish Disassembly for washing is a hassle Vibrating function did little to nothing to soothe

Gadgethead Magazine

Waterfield Maxwell Sleeve for MacBook The Maxwell Sleeve aims to provide a compact but highly protective case for your MacBook, available in four bold and colourful designs, as well as Waxed Canvas and Black Ballistics Nylon.

The Maxwell comes in three MacBook sizes - 15”, 13” and 12”, in either a vertical or horizontal orientation.

A strap can be added during purchase for an extra $27/£22.

The bag we will be looking at in more depth is the Kelly (green) model, without a strap. My first response was disappointment at the aesthetics - it pains me to say it, but the Sleeve

12

just doesn’t have the cool level of design that we have come to love here at GadgetHead.

Don’t get me wrong, there are no problems with it per say, and it looks smart enough, but it lacks that urban cowboy stylishness that Waterfield are known for.

Created in the US, the Maxwell is made from a deeply layered textile that is embedded with Nano-

Tex to create a waterresistant layer. Only six hours ago, I emptied the entire contents of my glass all over the worktop, my iPod and car tax bill - a great start to the day - so any added protection for a klutz like me is always appreciated! This NanoTex layer forces water to bead off the Sleeve, keeping your laptop safe and dry inside.

There is also a large, genuine leather hand grip that offers a little extra protection, and helps to prevent slips and drops and as cases are designed to be a

bit.ly/2lHvwmj Cons

Pros Available in four colours, three materials, three sizes, and in vertical or horizontal orientation Water resistant Shock-absorbent Neoprene lining Silent magnet closure

Not as stylish as some of the other Waterfield designs Shoulder strap costs extra

Optional shoulder strap

snug, custom-fit so that the laptop won’t fall out, the intent is that you can grip the leather to pull it out more easily when you do want to take it out.

The inside of the Maxwell sleeve is layered with Neoprene, a thick, shock-absorbing material that will protect your laptop from any bumps or knocks,

and the whole case seals with a strong but flexible magnetic strip. An extra bonus to this magnetic strip is silence - there’s no nasty Velcro rip to announce your presence in a quiet room.

Although it might seem crazy to put your trust into something so thin, the Maxwell Sleeve really doesn’t let you down; I stuck my laptop in there and swung the case about (much to the horror of my workmate) and it held fast.

Overall, the Maxwell Sleeve is a protective and secure laptop sleeve that delivers exactly what it promises at a reasonable price. RRP $99

Gadgethead Magazine

Summer Infant Babble Band Not everyone lives in a shoe box like us. There isn’t a point in the house where I can’t hear my partner snoring, sneezing or stomping about, but some people can’t hear every sound from every room, which when you throw a baby into the mix can be a risky thing.

This is where baby monitors have been helping families for years, but as many busy parents know, when your baby is in bed, you aren’t always vegged out in the living room or in bed yourself. For many parents, this is the ideal time to get on with some household chores, which will keep you moving constantly from room to room, and potentially away from the baby monitor.

The Summer Infant Babble Band aims to solve this problem by making the first wearable baby monitor.

14

The Babble Band is made from a soft silicone wristband that is fully adjustable to fit anyone’s wrist comfortably. It can alert you with three different functions - audio, vibrations or light levels – to best suit your current environment.

The baby unit audio transmitter doubles as a recharging base for the band: it will take five-six hours for a full charge, which is a long old time not to be able to use the device, and because the transmitter is the charger, you can’t simply plug your band in to charge in

the room with you whilst still using it - you must enter the baby’s room to put it on the transmitter, which can be a nuisance for light sleepers.

However, the Summer Infant Babble Band’s features are impressive – it has a range of 800ft, and the rechargeable battery will give you up to eight hours of continuous use - this proved more than enough for a day in our house and even at a friend’s, significantly larger four-bedroom house. Just in case, the Babble Band will beep twice to let know if you have wandered out of range.

So, what did we think? Well, it’s a great idea and I’d be excited to see the next few

generations of this monitor, it is more a secondary monitor then an overnight one as it needs either a shorter charge time or two bands (for a higher price) so you can charge one whilst you wear the other, and/ or a separate charging unit so that you can charge the wrist band away from the transmitter.

Having said all that, the Babble Band is still a smart little product with many useful features, and for the asking price this could make a good companion monitor to work alongside a stationary one, but it needs work before you can rely on it as your one and only monitor. RRP ÂŁ49.99

bit.ly/2kKhmCN www.argos.co.uk/product/5397550 Pros Three modes - audio, vibration or light level 800ft range Cable free Reasonable price Sleek design Sensitive transmitter Easy to use

Cons Transmitter is the charger Eight hour battery life Five-six hour charge time Only one band included

Gadgethead Magazine

Rapha Classic Winter Jacket After 12 years of development, Rapha claims their Classic Winter Jacket is their ultimate jacket. With the DNA of their first ever jacket running through it, it is an evolution of the Classic Softshell and the Hardshell, with the Classic Softshell’s trademark offset zip, shoulder patches and fit but with new fabric that is both breathable and waterproof.

This Jacket aims to withstand the worst of cycling weather, leaving you zero excuses not to hop on the saddle, with taped internal seams and a water-resistant YKKÂŽ AquaGuard zip to keep the rain out, wind-resistant material and elastane inner cuffs, as well as an adjustable hi-vis shock cord to offer better protection against the wind. Made from 90% 16

polyester and 10% elastane, the Classic Winter Jacket is lovely and stretchy, as well as being breathable to help regulate body temperature by wicking moisture away from the skin, whilst the underarm zippers offer an additional ventilation for those harder slogs on the bike.

The Classic Winter Jacket has plenty of

storage for snack bars or gels, with three large pockets on the lower back as well as a separate waterproof pocket for valuables.

It features a storable drop-tail with hi-vis detailing, as well as reflective detailing on the shoulders and cuffs to offer better visibility during rides in low light.

The Classic Winter Jacket is available in Black, Dark Orange, Chartreuse (bright yellow) and Dark Grey (it was the dark grey we had the pleasure of testing). Timing proved quite good for us, with some particularly nasty

bit.ly/2kZzKpL Pros Waterproof Wind resistant Light Reflective detail Plenty of storage Stretchy Breathable weather arriving, so we had no excuse but to try this bad boy out. The jacket is nicely fitted and tactile as well as light weight; we weren’t sure it would be tough enough against the freezing sleety weather outside, but we should have never doubted Rapha.

This was one of the best winter jackets we have had the pleasure of testing warm without being hot, successful in keeping out both the rain and wind without bogging you down in material, and stretchy enough you don’t feel restricted in movement.

The Classic Winter Jacket is quite possibly the perfect winter jacket. RRP £260

Gadgethead Magazine

Rapha Core Rain Jacket If you shut your eyes and put the Core Rain Jacket on, you could be forgiven for thinking that you had imagined the whole thing; at only 124g (in size small), this is an extremely lightweight jacket.

Seriously, I have underwear heavier than this jacket, but we won’t go into that.

We received an attractive red coloured version of the Core, but it is also available in Chartreuse (a neon yellow), Navy and Black, in sizes XS all the way through to XXL. The Core is made from 2.5 layers of 100% Nylon on the main body and three layers of 100% Nylon on the sleeves. I must admit I wasn’t that taken with the texture of the jacket when I first got my hands on it - it almost feels like it’s made from paper - but you can fold the Core down so small and so flat that it will comfortable fit in your back trouser pocket,

18

which is awesome for those who want to keep things as light and aerodynamic as possible.

This jacket has fully taped seams and an AquaGuard® zip for waterproofing, and six ventilation holes under the armpits to help regulate body temperature. The zip is off-centre to prevent drafts and with dropped tail and short front for on-bike fit. I struggled a bit with the longer arms as I have a smaller frame they were a little too long for me which created a wrinkling in the material as I had to push them back

However, the Core also features on-bike fit with an adjustable draw cord at the hem and elasticated inner cuffs to help ensure a perfect fit on your wrists.

As we have come to expect from Rapha, this jacket is beautifully finished with subtle branding stitched on the arm, and reflective elements on the sleeves and rear for improved visibility on the roads.

All in all, the Rapha Core is a great little jacket, light and compact enough to be stored in your back pocket whilst being tough enough to keep out the wind and the rain. RRP £100

bit.ly/2kj8Ls5 Pros Ultra-light Waterproof Windproof Compact Stylist Bike-fit Breathable

Cons Sleeves too long for my frame

Gadgethead Magazine

Rapha Pro Team Shadow Long Sleeve Jersey Designed specifically for spring and autumn rides, the Pro Team Shadow Long Sleeve Jersey is made from a DWR Hydrophobic combination of 53% polyamide and 47% elastane, available only in black T(with a reflective strip on the left arm to help you to be seen on those gloomier days).

The Shadow was developed in response to a request from Team Sky for kit that lacked the bulk of heavy winter clothing, yet kept their riders dry and comfortable in the worst weather conditions. The Jersey was then worn by the team throughout the Spring Classics races, most notably by Wout Poels during his victory in the snow, sleet and rain of the 2016 Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

20

The Shadow offers the warmth, wind and water resistance of a jacket, but with the comfort and freedom of movement of a jersey. It features stretch-woven fabric that provides a contoured compression style fit and a super soft brushed inside that feels lovely against your skin, and a VISLON® zipper with good sized zip pull that makes it easy to zip up or adjust whilst wearing gloves.

For extra protection against hard rain, the seams over the shoulders, arms and torso are all taped, and there are drill holes in some rear pockets to let any rain water out for better performance.

The special thing about the Pro Team Shadow Long Sleeve Jersey is that it feels pleasant to wear, and it has the right amount of fit and flexibility whilst at the same time providing water resistance.

Normally, for this level of water resistance, the material is going to have a plastic feel, which in turn reduces the breathability of the fabric and sacrifices

the comfort element, but that is simply not the case with the Shadow. When out on a dry ride, we found that moisture did collect in the back pockets (sweaty back). All my gear was waterproof, but this is maybe something to consider is you are used to putting your phone in your rear pockets.

The Shadow Long Sleeve Jersey is an incredibly high performing piece of cycling apparel; a perfect combination of warmth, weather protection and comfort, and an absolute staple for any cyclist’s wardrobe. RRP £240

bit.ly/2knRJnS Pros Water resistant Wind resistant Wear over a base layer or straight onto skin Reflective arm band Taped seams Contoured Race-Fit Breathable

Cons Only available in black

Gadgethead Magazine

Sur f 3 Inspired by mountain bike technology Why choose between a four-wheel urban pushchair or a three-wheel trekking pushchair. With Surf 3 you can have both, uniquely adaptable it can switch between city and trekking modes with ease.

Whether you’re in the town or country the unique suspension ensures a smooth ride.

DriveSt

Direct Attac USB 3.0 4 wheels for urban use

silvercrossbaby.com

Trekking wheel for multi terrain use

DriveStation™ Quad Direct Attached Storage USB 3.0

HD-QHU3/R5

Huge Capacity Direct Attached Storage Huge Capacity Direct Attached Storage

Buffalo Technology’s DriveStation™ Quad (HD-QHU3 series) is a 4-bay Direct Attached Storage device perfect for demanding SMB. The HD-QHU3 comes fully populated with high-reliability Buffalo Technology’s DriveStation™ WD Red™ drives in total capacities of up to 24TB.

Quad (HD-QHU3 series) is a 4-bay

™ The DriveStation Quad is RAID-enabled customised Direct Attached Storage deviceforperfect redundancy and capacity depending on your specific needs for demanding SMB. The HD-QHU3 and also comes with 10 licenses of NovaStor NovaBACKUP comes Essentials fully populated Business software. with high-

reliability WD Red™ drives in total

The DriveStation™ Quad features the capacity, redundancy, capacities of required up to 24TB. and performance for any demanding user – the perfect solution for backing up large servers, multimedia files, or databases. The HD-QHU3 series is sold fully populated with WD Red drives and total capacities of 8, 12, 16, or 24TB. HD-QHU3/R5

Features and Benefits • 4 bay Direct Attached Storage fully populated with WD Red™ hard drives - Available with 8, 12, 16, or 24TB capacities

• RAID-enabled for performance and reliability - Supports RAID 0/1/5/10/Spanning/JBOD

• Perfect for Server, PC, and/or Database Backup

Features and Benefits

- Also includes 10 free licenses of NovaStor NovaBackup Business Essentials

• Power Saving – Auto Power feature turns on and off automatically with your computer

4-bay Direct Attached Storage •• SuperSpeed connectivity with USB 3.0

fully populated with WD Red™ hard drives with 8, 12, 16, or 24TB capacities • RAID-enabled for performance and reliability - Supports RAID 0/1/5/10/Spanning/JBOD • Perfect for ™Server, PC, and/or Database Backup - Also includes 10 free licenses of NovaStor NovaBACKUP® Business Essentials • Power Saving – Auto Power feature turns on and off automatically with your computer ched Storage • SuperSpeed connectivity with USB 3.0 • 3 year warranty - Available • 3 year warranty

tation Quad

Edifier M3200 The Edifier M3200 is a 2.1 audio speaker with a wooden enclosed subwoofer, a 5½ inch driver and a wired rotary master volume controller. It is available in two designs with red or blue detailing, and the two side speakers have a distinctive and sleek hourglass design.

Straight out of the box, the Edifier M3200 is simple to set up - the Bluetooth is on automatically, so all you need to do is find it on your device and pair it up. The two satellites and volume control have a silicone base to stop them sliding about on your desk, and the volume control has a good weight which keeps it in place when you turn it and moves with a satisfying,

24

smooth action.

Along with the sub, the M3200 has a total of 34 watts of power and produces a clean, rich sound, even at low volume, that will easily fill up a room. If I was going to be really picky, the bass could have a bit more punch, but for most music or films (and anyone with neighbours) it is good enough.

Due to the design of the satellite speakers,

they are a little top heavy and it doesn’t take much of a knock to send them toppling over, which can be a pain if your desk is as cluttered as mine. The dial for the base is on the back of the sub, which is inconvenient especially if like me you have it tucked under your desk.

Aside from a couple of flaws, however, we found the Edifier M3200 a good, reasonably priced all-rounder that offers Bluetooth or Aux connectivity, looks attractive and provides an impressive sound quality.

Pros Good sound quality Easy to set up Sleek design Value for money Heavy and tactile volume control Cons Base dial at the back of the sub Satellite speakers knock over easily

Gadgethead Magazine

iHealth View Blood Pressure Monitor

The iHealth View is a compact blood pressure monitor that allows you to take readings from your wrist, providing information about your blood pressure, heart rate and any potential arrhythmias.

The View has a 44mm X 26mm screen that uses a gauge to make sure you have the

26

device in the correct position for an accurate reading, results are then displayed on the

screen and stored for up to 120 results. The View can be linked to your smart phone via the MyVitals App and readings can be saved onto the secure iHealth Cloud, you can then use this to track

trends over time and share results with your doctor; the results are displayed in easy to ready colourful graphs.

As we have seen with the other two iHealth products, the app is unreliable in its connectivity and syncing abilities and gets frustrating to use, thankfully the View can be used without the app and will provide you with accurate results. The monitor is simple to use, all you need to do is make sure you are seated upright and use the included protective carry case to prop your arm up at a right angle and keep your wrist at heart level (there is a little dot that shows on display which indicates when in position). The device takes about an hour to fully charge off a USB cable and this was giving

us about 10-12 readings (depending how often we were taking them).

Overall, ehe iHealth View is an easy to use and accurate product but the software needs some work, a longer battery life would also be appreciated. RRP $99.99

bit.ly/2kCnudC Pros Accurate Easy to use Carry case included Display helps you get into the right position

Cons Short battery life Unreliable software syncing

Gadgethead Magazine

iHealth Core Scale The iHealth Core body analysis scale measures weight and BMI, additionally calculating body fat indices, lean body mass, muscle mass, bone mass, water mass and your visceral fat rating.

The iHealth Core meets rigorous accuracy standards in both the US and Europe, it can measure and track nine aspects of your overall health, including weight, body mass index, body fat, lean muscle, bone mass, water weight, daily calories and visceral fat rating. The iHealth core works with the iHealth companion app that lets you set goals, view readings, and share results right from your smart phone.

All measurements are stored on a secure iHealth account that is 28

presented in easy to read charts, weight and BMI are additionally displayed in colourful graphs, allowing you to track progress and monitor improvement.

You don’t even need your phone on when you take a reading as it syncs to your personal cloud account, once synced to your phone you can then share your data directly from your smartphone with your health care provider or personal trainer in Excel, CSV or PDF format.

My first impressions were that the Core is

smart looking with a clean finish, setup was easy enough, but sadly it was hit and miss when trying to sync it up to multiple devices.

If you were just dealing with the scales and didn’t have to deal with the software the product would be great but sadly that’s not the case, I have so little patience for apps that won’t sync to the point that I will just happily give up on the device whether it is a smart watch, key finder or scales. More work is needed here to smooth out the issue in the software and then it will have the potential of being a useful weight loss tool. RRP $129.99

bit.ly/2kCo8b2 Pros Solid scales Measures 9 aspects of health and weight

Cons Syncing is inconsistent and frustrating

Gadgethead Magazine

Hyundai Ioniq Petrol-Electric Hybrid There are a number of little perks that come with working here at Endeavor magazine, chief amongst them being that we get to test many the latest cars, motorbikes, and even gadgets.

I’ll admit now that when I was told my next car to review would be an eco-car, I was curious, sure, but I wasn’t overly excited.

That said, it’s obvious how, as a population, we must curb our all-consuming ways sooner or later and begin to embrace a more sustainable way of life. It took hundreds of millions of years to create the world’s oil reserves and yet little less than a century fears have already been raised that we will run out of oil. And that’s without factoring in the

30

environmental impact of firstly extracting oil from the ground, and the emissions that are created when we use it. We need to slow our consumption of the black stuff - could the use of eco-cars help? Surely this new breed of cars has an increasingly important role to play in our under-resourced, overpolluted world.

Up until now, the Toyota Prius has been the world’s bestselling hybrid car by a country mile, however, as we all know, a little competition is no bad

thing, and it’s great to see the Koreans elbowing themselves into this market with the Hyundai Ioniq.

The Ioniq comes in 3 versions, the first of which is a Hybrid car with a petrol engine, coupled with an electric motor which cannot be charged externally. All the charge is internally created from the kinetic energy the movement of the car creates.

Second-up is the plug-in Hybrid version, which is basically the same car but with a bigger battery for more range that you can charge externally – this model is set to be launched later in 2017. And finally, they have a version which

is powered purely by electricity that is exactly what it says on the tin.

The Ioniq is a goodlooking car and, on the surface at least, you’d have no reason to suspect it is anything other than ordinary. The exterior is smooth, which gives a very low drag factor, aiding those big MPG figures, and all three versions use a

Dual-clutch automatic box for the smooth 6-speed gears, eliminating clunky changes up and down the box. The dual petrolelectric Hybrids use a combination of both energy sources to power the car, and it seamlessly switches from petrol to electric and vice-versa when the car feels it needs to. The Ioniq will even use both power

plants when necessary, however you cannot choose when or how this is delivered. We are told that this intelligent use of power can deliver around 78 MPG, but based on my own driving, which is neither fast nor slow, I averaged 50MPG. The car has a quality feel to it, and the doors

Gadgethead Magazine

shut with a reassuring clunk. The interior is welcoming and comfortable, and nicely put together.

Due to the body shape the forward view is brilliant, however the rear view has a couple of blind spots with the rear pillars. In fact, the rear screen is so difficult to see out of there, even with no rear wiper, that the Ioniq comes provided with rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera as standard. Having been given a top-notch model to review, the car came all the bells and whistles, including temperature-controlled leather seats which heat up or even blow cold air up on those hot sticky days. Of course there aren’t many such days in an icy January, so the heated steering wheel was a lovely little luxury to have on the early morning commute. The cabin

32

is quiet thanks to the thicker windows.

Our Ioniq has a 104hp petrol engine and a 43hp electric motor, which delivers a respectable 196lb ft, and offers two drive modes: eco and sports.

Eco mode does exactly what it says on the tin, offering a nice and relaxed drive, whilst sports mode will see rev-counter change to a more aggressive orange colour, and trigger a power output increase. Pulling away is quick too, with the instant power delivered

from an electric motor, and being as wellbalanced as it is, the car feels planted and very capable in the twisties.

All-in-all the Ioniq is much more fun to drive than you would dare to believe an eco-car should be.

The regenerative brakes system is commonplace on eco-cars, and the Ioniq is no exception. They pump kinetic energy from braking back into the batteries and the Hyundai system is very smooth - not an easy task to master as you’ll

know if you have driven some of the competition in the past.

Another nice touch is that the car’s low CO2 emissions qualifies it for free of car tax and low company car tax. However, our hybrid version doesn’t qualify to be exempt from the London congestion charge – take note those of you who live and work in London.

Before parting with your money, you need to think long and hard about which version of the Ioniq to buy.

As an example, the full electric model is the most expensive to buy off the bat, however if you think the 130-mile range suits you then it could pay for itself over time, thanks to the low cost of electricity versus petrol. Bear in mind that if you are planning a longer trip in the all-electric model, it will take around 10-12 hours to charge from a domestic wall socket to recharge the battery. That isn’t to say there aren’t other methods of charging

it more quickly, however few these are not readily available at present.

The regular Petrolelectric Hybrid version is likely to be the best seller, and is priced below rivals such as the Toyota Prius.

This version gives you the benefit of cheaper electricity power and the flexibility of petrol, making it ideal for both the daily commute and longer crosscountry trips too.

The Hyundai warranties

are superb, with a 5-year/100,000 mile as standard, and an 8-year/125,000 battery warranty option.

Prices range between just under £20,000 to the top of the range being around £23,500.

Compare this to the basic Prius in for over £23,000, and on the basis of price alone its definitely a contender for the eco crown.

Gadgethead Magazine

Cloud Nine - The Wide Iron The Cloud Nine Wide Iron claims to “control and style the thickest and most unruly hair types”. With the use of its extra wide ceramic plates, these irons give you the option of five different temperatures, using floating, mineral-coated ceramic plates to better protect your hair.

My first impression of the Wide Iron was that it was beautifully packaged, coming with an attractive carry case (you can throw that beautiful packaging straight in the recycling bin), the Irons themselves look and feel high quality, they are a little heavier than I would like at 500g but have a lovely 34

long swivel cord (2.6m) that won’t keep you tethered to the wall whilst in use.

The temperature range is 100degrees to 200degrees and it only takes about 20seconds to heat up, the plates are 9cm-4cm and minimise drag and snagging, nothing will bring a tear to your eye as quickly as

ripping a fly away hair as your straighteners snag…ouch, however you just don’t get that with these Irons. I dragged over two of my favourite curly haired friends to test out the Wide Irons and against their usual irons and got two very different results.

The first of our test subjects has fine but, as she describes it, “fizzy” hair and for her the Wide Irons worked well, she said they heated up much faster than her regular irons and provided a

www.cloudninehair.com/the-wide-iron Pros Heats up quickly- 20seconds Carry case Plastic guard quick and easy to use Super-smooth, mineral-infused, ceramic Plates Even temperatures Long cord

Cons Not hot enough for some hair types Buttons located too close to plates

smooth and easy action that left her hair shiny and silky smooth. Our second test subject has thicker hair with tighter curls and the Wide Iron certainly had an effect but it didn’t manage to straighten it, we believe this is because they simply weren’t hot enough to straighten her hair. We also found that if you like to curl

your hair with your straighteners then it is much harder to do this with the Wide Iron than with the Cloud Nine Original Iron. I like the Original Iron but those damn buttons are still located on the inside, so tantalisingly close to the plates I can already feel my finger-tips burning as I accidently touch them.

To sum up, if you have particularly thick curly hair these may not be the answer for you due to the maximum heat but as everyday straighteners for lots of hair types these could be a brilliant addition to your hair care collection. RRP £119

Gadgethead Magazine

Tula Baby Carrier- ROAR! When a young couple failed to find the perfect baby carrier, they turned to a grandma in the family to help them produce one of their very own. Family and friends, impressed by their creation, soon put in their orders, and from there the Tula Baby Carrier was born.

Today, the Tula Baby Carrier is available in over 40 unique and colourful designs.

Whilst its patterns vary, every carrier features a removable, regulated hood in light grey, a light grey canvas base, and extra padding around leg-opening for the baby’s comfort. In the event of inevitable messy accidents, all designs are machine washable.

The Tula can be worn on either your front or back (though the back position is not recommended

36

for babies under 12 months.) With generous dual-adjustable straps, it can provide the perfect fit for all shapes and sizes. Tula also uses high quality Duraflex Buckles to keep your little passenger safe and secure; the largest buckle is a little stiff and takes a good squeeze to undo, but it may soften up with more use. Either way, I think I prefer it being tougher, as that way you know it won’t pop open by accident if you catch it on something.

The Tula Baby Carrier

provides an ergonomic M-position seat that supports optimal development for your baby’s body. It can be used from 15-45 pounds (baby sized carriers) and 25–60 pounds (toddler sized carriers). For infants weighing only 7 - 15 pounds, or heavier infants who are not yet able to hold their head up for an extended period, the Carrier can be used with the Baby Tula Infant Insert (sold separately at $40/£33).

The Tula Baby Carrier is a wonderfully comfortable, versatile, practical and easy-touse baby carrier. With plenty of colourful and cute designs to choose from, you can’t go wrong! RRP $189

bit.ly/2kZT8mx Pros Comfortable to wear Easy to use Machine washable Front and back positioning Fully adjustable straps Lightweight

Cons New-born insert sold separately Baby can’t face forward when worn on the front

Gadgethead Magazine

Deuter Kid Comfort Air Deuter’s have utilised all their expertise when it comes to the Kid Comfort Air, creating both a child carrier with maximum ventilation and providing a comfortable ride for adult and child.

The Comfort Air features multiple adjustment systems, like the Vari stepped back length adjustment, to ensure the correct height for the wearer.

Further to this, the adjustable child’s seat means you can keep fine-tuning the height as the child grows. The Aircomfort Futura System is what makes the Air special, the 5-point system ensures comfort throughout, starting with the contoured, thick padded shoulder straps and hip wings

38

which are covered with a breathable, soft Wide Air Mesh to help keep you cool.

The spring steel frame provides a flexible and light structure which helps deliver maximum stability when loading your passenger, there is an audible ‘click’ sound that lets you know when the kick stand is in place. The tension allows the hot air to dissipate freely from three sides, helping regulate your temperature as well as the temperature of your

passenger whilst the stabiliser straps allow exact positioning of the rucksack. The compact, ergonomically shaped hip fins have close set anchor points which gives a snug fit and spreads the load effectively to the hips.

The Air also features a child specific, soft padded 5-point safety harness with a size adjustment function, detachable chin pad, height adjustable foot rest, safe side entry for the child’s seat and a sun/rain roof, there is even a little teddy bear included.

There is loads of storage available with a zipped pocket on hip belt, two mesh side

pockets, a large zipped compartment underneath the seat and a stretch compartment on the back; you won’t have any trouble finding space for all your essentials. The only drawback we found was due to the framework the Comfort Air isn’t very compact, maybe something to consider when storing.

Aside from that, the Comfort Air seems to have thought of everything with this child carrier, it is light, durable, breathable, has lots of storage space and is comfortable to wear over long periods of time. RRP £190

bit.ly/2kKDYCY Pros Comfortable Durable Lightweight Lots of ventilation 5-point harness Side loading Full adjustable Lots of storage Hip and sternum strap Audible kick stand Teddy included

Gadgethead Magazine

Illuminated Apparel Glow T-Shirts Sometimes we get a product in at Gadgethead that everyone wants to keep, this was one of those times.

The Illuminated Apparel Glow T-Shirts are a lot of fun and what started off as a rather creative task soon resulted in a game of who can insult the wearer the most.

Illuminated Apparel have invented a glow ink which is up to 10 times brighter than standard glow inks currently on the market and have produced t-shirts with large panels of this ink printed on to it, by using the UV key ring that’s included or the flash light off your phone you can create images or writing that last up to 5 minutes in the dark. Any light can be used but the higher the UV output the brighter it will be and the narrower the beam of light the easier it is to draw in detail, Illuminated Apparel

40

sell a UV laser pointer separately for £6 which works brilliantly.

As well as being sold individually for fun, Illuminated Apparel also offer a ‘Logo Embedding’ service in which you can embed your company’s logo or brand into the ink design as a cool way to gain brand exposure.

The tops are available in adult and child, in fabric colours red, blue, black or white, with the glow colours coming in a choice of Super Green Glow (Brightest), Super Aqua Glow, Super Peach Glow.

Furthermore, there are some with logos

embedded options too for example hearts, dinosaurs or smiley faces.

I would love to see these in vests and hoodies or tailored for women but as it stands the product currently only comes as unisex basic t-shirts. Perhaps the novelty will wear off but for now we still love playing with the Glow T-Shirt, they are great for a night out or at a festival, a brilliant ice breaker that will certainly get you noticed. There was even talk about getting them for an upcoming stag do, mainly so they can write insults on each other from across the bar (especially if anyone is attempting to chat up the ladies).

RRP £20

www.illuminatedapparel.co.uk Pros Good fun Machine washable Available in 4 different colours & 3 different Glow Colours Great for getting you notice on a night out

Cons Only available as a basic t-shirt Only available in unisex sizes (no tailored women’s cut)

Optional logo embedding Good value for money

Gadgethead Magazine

One For All Smart Control 5 If you are anything like us, your coffee table is probably littered with remote controls. We have four that take up permanent residence on our little table, and it always seems to be the last one I pick up that I need.

The One For All Smart Control 5 allows you to programme up to 5 remotes into one.

It features a NETTV button that allows you to access your favourite internet apps such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube and any other streaming apps at a touch of a button, and the Three Smart Activities (TV/movie/ music) feature offers

42

control of your devices without changing between device types.

For example, if you are watching a movie, you can control the TV, Blu-ray player and Soundbar as if they were all one device.

One For All guarantees the Smart Control 5 is compatible with all brands, and the remote can be set up in a few different

ways. By far the easiest way was with the use of a free app which will easily guide you through the process - it does take a little time but it’s straight forward enough. If all else fails, there is always the Learning function that allows you to almost copy and paste one button on the chosen remote straight onto the Smart Control 5.

The Smart Control 5 has the buttons to take care of all your devices’ basic functions.

All the buttons are nicely responsive

and comfortably spaced.

The only issue I found is that after about two days I couldn’t find the One For All Smart Control 5, and I then realised I could no longer use any of the four devices I had programmed into it, so I had to dig the old remotes out of the draw (I found the Smart Control 5 eventually in the kitchen…

Why was it in the kitchen?

Who knows). However, this drama did make me realise how nice it had been just having the one remote to worry about: just don’t lose it. RRP £29.99

http://bit.ly/2lHZgzM Pros Compatible with all brands Activity button of multiple device use NETTV Feature Easy to set up and use

Cons Limited to five devices although you could opt for the One For All Smart Control 8 which as the name suggests allows to control eight devices and can be purchased for £39.99.

Gadgethead Magazine

One For All Amplified Digital Indoor Aerial Sometimes the room you want your TV in doesn’t have an aerial and if you live in rented accommodation it’s not always an option to drill a hole in the wall and hook a new one up, this is where an indoor digital aerial comes to the rescue.

The top of the range One For All Amplified Indoor Aerial (SV9495) is a slim amplifier that

44

can either be mounted on the wall out of the way or you can use the stand to prop it up or

just simply lay it down flat on any surface. For the best performance, One For All recommend that you use this digital aerial within a range of 15 miles from your nearest transmitter, many of us won’t have a clue where

our nearest transmitter is but the handy tool on the website works that out for you.

The Amplified Indoor Aerial features an automatic gain control; as the required level of gain changes from time to time. This ensures you have the correct level of gain always, the strength of the incoming signal is displayed on the aerial with small LED indicators and the 4G & GSM block filter reduces interference by blocking active noise. The Amplified Indoor Aerial is compatible with DVB-T/T2 programmes and will broadcast in 4K Ultra HD format, it is also compatible with digital radio (DAB+).

The One For All Amplified Aerial is

tastefully designed with a number of ways of storing it, it feels very thin and plastic but it’s not like you are continually moving it about a lot. The device hooked us up with all the channels and each one had

a lovely clear picture, if you want to watch TV or listen to radio in a room without an aerial, this amplifier could be the stylish answer to your problem. RRP ÂŁ64.99

http://bit.ly/2l7lT33 Pros Clear pictures/audio Multi-Position Flat/Stand/Wall Mount 4K Ultra HD Signal Level Indicator Automatic Gain Control 4G LTE Filter

Cons Thin but Large 25.3 x 1.86 x 30

Gadgethead Magazine

Nutri Ninja Pro Complete Personal Blender with Auto-iQ 1100W The Nutri Ninja blender range is all the range currently as myself and thousands of others Endeavour not only to get healthier but do so in a way which convenient, current and costeffective. In a world captivated by the ‘clean eating’ phenomenon, if you don’t process a Nutri Ninja product, you will certainly know somebody that does.

Selecting the appropriate Ninja Blender can seem confusing, as the products range in features and price. This model claimed to have it all, from features to components, and it’s hard to argue otherwise. Let’s start with the basics, what was in the box?

The blender came with, a 650ml cup, a 1.4l multi-serve cup, a stainless steel 650ml cup (keeps creations cold for an extra 4 hours), pro extractor blades, the motor base and unique sip and

46

seal lids which easily fasten to the top of said cups. Each of the measuring instruments can be fitted with the blender which makes life that little bit easier if preparing more than one smoothie.

Now, this was the first blender I have possessed, but I must say how easy the Nutri Ninja Pro was to operate. Furthermore, everything fits together coherently. I would recommend giving the instruction manual a good read before use; mainly to learn personal preferences.

It’s certainly worth noting the purposes for each mode on the blender. The Pulse option gives you a quick blend, perfect if you are in a hurry or late for that meeting.

The Smooth Boost gives you that little more thickness in the blend, ideal for making milkshakes and thick shakes. The Auto Extract is for those health infused smoothies, you know the green ones you always see celebrities drinking. This option means that the nutrients from your favourite healthy foods are not evaded when blending, retaining all its healthy goodness.

The blender is limitless in application, so don’t feel compelled just to make smoothies.

Mix it up a bit with

inspired soups, tasty dips and frozen cocktails which would otherwise cost you a fortune at local bars. If (like me) you don’t have a clue on recipes, don’t panic, the blender comes complete with a handy recipe book- I went one step further and purchased my own from Amazon.com. For the more spontaneous, find the fun in mixing your own ingredients.

Let’s get on to the important part, how did the ingredients blend and ultimately, how did they taste? The answer is simple, depending on mode, the finished product was faultless. Even with the addition of nuts, seeds and ice, smoothies are just that- smooth. Additionally, take it from me when I say the finished concoctions are delicious. Aesthetically speaking, the blender is streamlined and a welcome addition the kitchen

collection, with the black and silver colour scheme adding a modern touch.

One slight negative would be the loudness of the blend, but at 1100W you can’t have it all I’m afraid. The Nutri Ninja Pro Complete Personal Blender is more than just a fun gadget, if used to its full potential it can be a real-life changer. Swap that morning bacon roll for a green smoothie and you immediately notice an increase in both productivity and alertness.

Now I cannot say for sure that this is the best blender on the market, but what I can say is this one is fantastic and well worth the price tag (make sure to look out for the regular offers on the website). A truly 5-star piece of equipment.

Pros: Multiple functions First class blend Range of components Easy to use

Gadgethead Magazine

Think Tank Retrospective 30 This trendy looking messenger-style camera bag is available in four colours: Blue Slate, Pinestone, Sandstone or Black. It also comes in three different materials: Sand-washed 100% cotton canvas (Pinestone and Blue Slate), 1100D polyspun polyester (Black), or leather.

Starting on the outside of the bag, the Retrospective 30 features a removeable, adjustable carrying handle and a padded, adjustable shoulder strap with silicone strips to stop it slipping off your shoulder. The outer material is treated with a durable waterrepellent coating which forces rain water to bead off, but in the case of heavier showers there is also an 48

included seam-sealed rain cover.

The Retrospective 30 has two side pockets ideal for a water bottle or small accessories and a large zip pocket that runs the length and depth of the bag that will house a 10” tablet. Moving to the inside of the bag, you can comfortably fit a gripped DSLR with a 24-70 f/2.8 attached or, for example, two Nikon D4s’, 70-200mm f/2.8

unattached, 24–70mm f/2.8 attached, 14-24mm f/2.8, and stiffened removable dividers all you to customise the bag to your individual needs.

The Retrospective also features another large zip pocket at the back suitable for more valuable items like your phone, wallet and keys, and a collapsible organiser pocket at the front that has a Velcro fastening. The two expandable front pockets feature Think Tank’s hook-and-loop ‘sound silencers’, which basically allow you to tuck the Velcro strips out of the way

for added discretion (or only half way for reduced noise). I love this feature - it is ideal for tucking a couple of lenses away and being able to quickly and quietly switch between them, making it perfect for wildlife photography, wedding photography or any setting where discretion is necessary.

We found the Retrospective 30 has everything a camera bag needs without looking like it’s housing valuable contents. It is a wonderful combination of practical and stylish, and will make travel and shooting whilst out on location a breeze.

RRP $194.75

http://bit.ly/2lbjML4 Pros Spacious Hook and loop silencers Cool design Lots of pockets to keep you organised Anti-slip shoulder strap 10� tablet pocket

Gadgethead Magazine

Think Tank Airport Security V3.0 Rolling Camera Bag The Airport Security V3.0 is the 3rd generation of Think Tank’s rolling travel bags that are suitable for most airline carry-on requirements. This thing isn’t messing around - you could fit half of Jessops in the case and still have room for your sandwiches.

Ok, so maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but it still boasts a large gear profile with loads of additional storage: in the main compartment, 13” W x 21” H x 7–8” D (33 x 53.3 x 17.8–20.3 cm), you can fit two Gripped DSLRs with lenses attached, four– six additional lenses and a max lens capacity of 600mm f/4 detached or 500mm f/4 attached (hood reversed).

Detach those Gripped DSLRs and you have even more room to play with, and with four extra reinforced padded dividers there are multiple ways to arrange the V3.0 to suit your individual gear 50

needs.

On the inside of the main compartment’s lid, there are four seethrough zipped pockets for batteries, memory cards and filters, and on the outside of the lid there are specific laptop and tablet compartments suitable for a 17” laptop and a 10” tablet (tablet compartment 9.4” W x 10” H x 0.5” D and laptop compartment 11.4” W x 16.1” H x 1.2” D), as well as another zipped see-through pocket and organiser compartment.

The V3.0 features a large stretchy pocket on the front for quick access to documents

or a jacket, as well as a deep stretchy pocket on one side for a tripod (with additional straps for larger tripods) or a water bottle. There are grab handles on all four sides, making it easier to grab out of overhead compartments or off the baggage reclaim, and the 80mm ABEC Sealed grade five bearings make for a smooth and a quiet ride. The quick, retractable handle is nice and long to accommodate all heights. For extra travel security, each Airport Security V0.3 has a unique serial number for Lost & Found registration, the laptop and tablet compartment is lockable, there is a high-strength coated cable with combination lock that can be used to secure the bag against

an immovable object, and the main compartment has a TSA-approved combination lock.

On top of all that, the Airport Security V3.0 has extra tall wheel housing and Hypalon reinforced rear corners for increased durability, and if all else fails and the bag does take a battering, the retractable handle, wheels, wheel housing, feet and kick plate are all replaceable, extending the user life.

Oh, and don’t forget the included seam-sealed rain cover for protection against the elements.

This bag has lots of impressive features and is well constructed. The price you pay for that sturdy construction, however, is in the weight - at 12.9lbs when it is empty I would need someone to help me throw this up in the overhead when it is full of my gear.

All things considered, I believe this is a worthy price to pay for a secure, durable and versatile bag that’s born to make your travels as easy as possible.

RRP $429.75

http://bit.ly/2lI0VFr Pros Large storage space TSA approved lock Seam sealed rain cover Reinforced adjustable dividers Replaceable components Lockable, dedicated tablet and laptop compartment Lots of pockets Smooth quiet wheels

Cons Heavy

Gadgethead Magazine

FOODsniffer In our household, we have one thing that is guaranteed to trigger bickering and that’s whether food (especially meat) is safe to cook or should been thrown away.

Coming from a catering background I will use a combination of smell, sight and common sense to determine whether something has gone bad, my partner however will treat anything that’s been in the fridge more than two days as if it’s a

52

small pox specimen.

The FOODsniffer is a cool little gizmo that with the use of the free companion app can tell you whether your fish, raw meat or poultry is fresh and safe to cook.

The device is easy to use you just need to download the app, then, store the meat in

a container- keeping it closed for at least 3 minutes before opening the container enough to insert the FOODsniffer. Next, you turn the FOODsniffer on and select the type of meat you want to test on the app (displayed with cute pictures), select “GET” on the app, point the nozzle at the meat or fish and after 20seconds you will have a reading on your smartphone

which will bring up one of three results, “Fresh”, “Cook Well” or “Spoiled”.

We tested it against meat and fish that we knew were fresh, old and spoilt and the FOODsniffer correctly solved which was which (my partner couldn’t tell between the fresh and older meat by sight alone).

The FOODsniffer works by using a sensor to read (or sniff) the gases expelled by the meat/fish to assess its freshness and has already settled a few disagreements between me and my partner (in my favour may I add) but in all seriousness its win-win as we both get to enjoy the food once it’s cooked. Available in 4 colours, the FOODsniffer comes with a nozzle guard and USB charger.

I would have liked to have seen a protective case included, somewhere to keep the sensor clean

and safe when not in use.

Furthermore, I also found the guard (or nose as I like to think of it) was never very secure and fell off easily. All things considered the FOODsniffer is a clever kitchen utensil, quick and easy to use and ideal for getting that second opinion when you are just not 100% sure. RRP $129.99

http://www.myfoodsniffer.com Pros Easy to use Intuitive app 4 colours available Accurate Quick

Cons No protective case Sensor guard falls off

Gadgethead Magazine

mifold – the Grab-and-Go Car Seat Every now and then a product comes through the door that is a game changer, making you wonder why this hasn’t already been around for years, the mifold distributed by Whitestep is one of those rare products.

In the UK, it is compulsory for children to use a child car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first, this is due to the risk of injury to the seatbelt not fitting correctly on children’s’ bodies. The answer to this problem has, for a long time, been large cushioned booster seats that raise the child up higher to fit the seatbelt, however the mifold Children’s car seat works by repositioning the belt rather than the child.

The mifold slips the seat belt under two fastenings on either side of the legs and a clip lowers the belt

54

onto the shoulder. The seat has foam padding for comfort and is made with aircraft grade aluminium 6061 T6 (light & as strong as steel), DuPont Delrin 100ST, (super tough plastic for superior impact resistance), is suitable for ages 4-12 (up to 150cm), is an E8, Group 2/3 “Universal” child restraint system and is in accordance with the regulations ECE R44.04.

The best bit about the mifold is how portable it is, it folds in half and will easily fit in school backpacks or glove compartments making it great to use in taxis, hire cars, carpooling or in extended

family member’s cars. Its small enough that you can also fit 3 next to each other on the back seat and is discrete enough that is doesn’t have to lower the street cred of yourself conscious 10year old.

The mifold is an innovative product but it can be fiddly to use, you may find yourself climbing over the seat to help clip your little passenger in but with a bit of practice it becomes easier. A wonderfully portable and discrete child seat that will keep your precious cargo safe no matter what car they are travelling in. £49.99 Available at John Lewis, Amazon, Natural Baby Shower, Huggle Stores, Peppermint, Kiddicare and Whitestep.

http://bit.ly/2lGOoBr Pros Portable Compact Comfortable Available in 6 colours Dishwasher safe In accordance with the regulations ECE R44.04 Lightweight

Cons Fiddly, difficult for children to operate whilst in it Lap belt guides don’t lock in place

Gadgethead Magazine

Thule Sapling Elite Child Carrier The Thule Sapling Elite Child Carrier is absolutely crammed with features and accessories to make a day out on the trail as stress-free as possible, available in either Colbalt or Dark Shadow (that’s grey to you and me).

Diving straight in, the Sapling Elite features a fully adjustable back panel and hip-belt to provide a perfect fit for all shapes and sizes. All components can be adjusted easily whilst wearing it, making the carrier quick and simple to switch between people whilst out and about. There is plenty of storage, with four mesh pockets, a three litres hydration reservoir sleeve, one large zippered compartment to store clothes, water, nappies,

56

rain gear and other essentials underneath the carrier, and two pockets in the hip belt for easy access – and that’s not it. There is basically another entire backpack on the back of the Sapling Elite, with two zip pockets and a stretchy mesh pocket that can be left attached to the Sapling Elite or removed and carried separately.

Once removed, this will uncover yet another stretchy pocket on the back of the child carrier.

The Sapling Elite features a deployable

sunshade which can also offer protection against light rain, dual access which allows you to load your child either from above or the side, and there’s a handy little panel you can fold down and stand on to help you remove your child - a simple but useful feature, especially when travelling alone. The seat is well cushioned, with adjustable height, inner thigh support and removable, adjustable stirrups to let your little one rest their legs and readjust themselves on the trail. Impressive, right?

There are two things I would change about the Sapling Elite Child

Carrier. The first it the kick stand; Thule recommend you open the legs out before removing the child carrier from you back, but there is no easy way of knowing if you have extended them far enough.

An audible indicator would be useful here. The other issue is that all the padding and pockets on the Sapling get very warm; my back was soaked after wearing this for a couple of hours and the little one was also quite warm, so some extra ventilation would be a good addition.

Apart from that, the Sapling Elite is a great carrier with lots of storage, is easy to use and comfortable to wear - just pack a spare top if you are conscious about sweat stains. RRP ÂŁ220

http://bit.ly/2kZQvkH Pros Lightweight Lots of storage Comfortable Dual load Deployable sunscreen Fully adjustable

Cons Warm No indicator that the kick stand is fully extended

Gadgethead Magazine

Gossen Digisky Exposure Meter The Digisky from Gossen is a lightweight exposure meter for flash light and ambient light. The meter features a large graphic display for quick and comfortable readings and has been designed for one-hand operations with Digisky ring controller for function selection.

Functions for special tasks can be set individually by means of the three pre-settings, which may be selected according to the photographer’s requirements and the measuring values can be displayed in full, half or third f-stops, whilst also featuring a builtin remote radio trigger.

The 2.2” display graphics and menus are in colour and it’s controlled with hardware buttons making navigation easy. The Digisky is powered off a meter-specific rechargeable

58

Lithium-Ion-battery which is charged via a mini USB port which can also be used to update the light meter’s firmware via PC transfer.

Here’s the specification low down for those technical minded readers, dimensions 139 x 66 x 15 mm, light sensor- two colour-corrected sbc silicon photo diodes, processing of measuring valuesdigital; repeat accuracy + 1 digit (=0.1EV), incident light reading- diffuser characteristics adjustable to flat or spherical (180°), reflected light readingmeasuring angle 20°, ambient light (when ISO 100/21°) incident light reading EV -2.5 to +18, flash light (when ISO 100/21°) incident light reading f/1.0 to f/90. The Digisky is compatible with film speeds from ISO 3/6° to 16000/43° in 1° DIN, shutter speeds (standard values) 1/8000s up to 60 min in 1/1 or ½ or 1/3 f-stops, flash synch speeds 1/1000 to 1

sec, apertures ambient light f/1.0 to f/128, apertures flash light f/1.0 to f/90, correction values EV -9.9 to +9.9, radio module OFF, elinchrom SkyPort and Skyspeed, Calumet Pro Serie – Phottix Strato II und broncolor RFS 2.1 and supports 4 flash groups over 8 radio channels.

My major gripe with the Digisky is the overall build quality, although it is light weight due to being

plastic it feels cheap and scuffs easily. The circular diffuser head is stiff and hard to position and just seems badly designed, for the price I would expect better. Having said that, the Gossen Digisky is a reliable, versatile and modern light metre with lots of good features. RRP £399.99

http://bit.ly/2kjAsB9 Pros TFT-LCD Colour Graphic Display Elinchrom Skyport System Built-in USB port for firmware updates and battery charging

Cons Build quality Price Disfuser dial

Gadgethead Magazine

KitSound Immerse Wireless Headphones At £60 a pair I didn’t have high hopes for the KitSound Immerse Wireless Headphone (I’ve been let down so many times before by headphones in this price range), let’s look at what the Immerse offers.

With Active Noise Cancellation technology (up to 25dB) KitSound aims to makes it possible for you to listen to your music without external noises interfering, this is activated with a small switch on the left ear which makes your audio a little louder and sound fuller. The Immerse also features foldable and rotatable ear cups with lots of padding to fit comfortably over the ears and there’s a memory foam padding head band for added comfort.

60

The rechargeable Liion battery will give you 12hours continuous play for 3hours charge time, you can connect by either the 3.5mm aux-in cable or Bluetooth with a range of up to 10m, not massive but enough to dance around the room with. It all comes with a cheap and poorly made carry case which is about as useful as an inflatable dart board, you would be better off just chucking it out but let’s forget about that and focus on what counts- sound quality.

The 40mm drivers

produce a clean, well balanced sound with clear mid and high tones and smooth, punchy base from low volumes which is consistent. The noise cancellation works well, it doesn’t completely down

out whining children or nagging partners but it works enough to allow you to comfortably ignore them, great value for money just buy your own case for it. RRP ÂŁ60

http://bit.ly/2kjwnMY Pros Comfortable Very good sound quality for this price range Noise cancellation Good connectivity Wireless 12hour battery life

Cons Rubbish case Short Bluetooth range (10m)

Gadgethead Magazine

Pixelstick

One of my favourite lessons in A-level photography was learning how to play with long exposures and light. In fact, one of my final pieces was of a long exposure on a bridge capturing the light trails left behind by the cars below - not very original, I know, but lots of fun. Since then my friends and family have been subjected various odd requests whenever we have been out in the dark with my DSLR, included running around with illuminated balloons, writing with sparklers and creating Christmas trees from glow sticks.

I was excited enough to see the Pixelstick on TV and was positively bouncing off the walls when it came into the

62

office. The Pixelstick is more than just a light bar - it is a device with 200 LEDs that can be programmed

to produce graphics, photos and patterns – if you have an image, Pixelstick can reproduce it. It is then used to create beautiful effects through long exposure.

To use the Pixelstick, you need a camera on a tripod set up to take a long exposure photograph. Then, think of the Pixelstick like a printer: you need to glide it through the air to ‘print’ the image - you won’t

be able to see the image whilst you are doing it, but the results will be visible on your camera whilst the Pixelstick and person using it will remain invisible. The Pixelstick is easy enough to use; it takes a little bit of practice to get the timings right and you will need a steady hand to get a smooth image, but the speed at which the image is flashed through the LEDs can be adjusted, as well as the brightness and white balance, giving you lots of options to play with.

The Pixelstick has a collapsed height of 42� and will pack away nicely into the included padded carry bag. It can even travel with you on flights as carry-on luggage. I would worry about how much bashing the Pixelstick could take, as it is mostly plastic and this made it feel delicate, but if it wasn’t, its weight would greatly increase, making it harder to use. If you are thinking of travelling with the Pixelstick, I would suggest investing in a protective hard-case.

The Pixelstick comes

with eight demo patterns to get you started and there are plenty of image packs to add to your collection on the Pixelstick website - simply download them onto a SD card and pop it in the slot. However, the real fun comes with using the image converter, which

allows you to project your own images.

The Pixelstick is a lot of fun for hobbyists and professionals alike; light painting, weddings, advertising, - you name it, the Pixelstick will add a new dimension to any image. RRP $349

www.thepixelstick.com 4.8 out of 5 Pros Creates beautiful images Fun Easy to use Lightweight (4lb) SD port Padded carry case included Image packs and image convert available on website Versatile Included- Flat milky diffusion lens, removable handle, spin sleeve and cold shoe adapter

Cons Delicate Takes a little practice

Gadgethead Magazine

StylPro Make Up Brush Cleaner and Dryer If you are a fan of The Apprentice, you may remember in 2011 (series seven) there was a Michael Sheen look-a-like who ended up in the losing team for eight out of the eleven tasks. However, Tom Pellereau’s gentle nature won the over the viewers and Lord Sugar, proving nice guys CAN finish first.

As a creative inventor, Tom went on to put Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment to good use by setting up his company AvenTOM Ltd, which is all about reinventing beauty accessories to make life easier for consumers. The StylPro Make Up Brush Cleaner and Dryer is one of these products.

The StylPro can clean and dry makeup brushes in seconds by using centrifugal spin technology the brushes are ready to re-use immediately. Makeup brushes should be washed every twofour weeks to remove makeup build up, grease and bacteria. I would normally hand wash them, which takes ages - the make-up seems to keep coming out of the brush for

64

ages and goes all over the sink (and me), but the truly annoying part is waiting for them to fully dry before you can use them again.

The StylPro is extremely easy to use.

There are eight silicone ‘collars’ which you attach to the end of the brush. Next, fill a bowl with 4ml of soap (any soap will do) and some warm water.

The instructions warn against using too much

water but there is no indicator on the bowl - a line or something would be useful. Then you simply dunk the brush in and out of the water for ten seconds, spin in the water for ten seconds and then out of the water for another ten seconds. Spinning the brush for too long can risk damaging it, so it is important to read the instructions fully before use.

If I am going to be hyper critical I would say the brushes do not come out 100% dry, but it’s a close 98%. It is also a little difficult spinning the brush dry in the bowl and then removing it without accidently dunking it in again, and spinning outside of the bowl results in dirty make-up water being splattered

about the place, so I have taken to throwing the water out and then spin drying in the bowl when cleaning larger brushes.

As well as testing out the StylPro Brush Cleaner, we were given a bottle of the StylPro Cleanser Solution - a 150ml bottle of deep-cleaning brush cleanser and conditioner to be used in the place of antibacterial liquid soap and water when cleaning off non-water soluble makeup.

The StylPro Makeup Brush Cleanser Solution has been specially formulated to thoroughly clean even the thickest oil-based makeup from all brush types. It is also alcohol free and contains no parabens or sulphates, and is registered by the Vegan Society. It worked just as well as the soap and water and left the brushes clean, shiny and smelling fresh.

Over all the StylPro Brush Cleaner and Dryer is a simple and effective tool that you never knew you needed, and makes the monthly slog of brush cleaning a quick and fun process. ÂŁ49.99

https://styltom.com/products/stylpro Pros Quick Effective Easy to use Good value for money Compatible with almost all brushes StylPro Makeup Brush Cleanser Solution is alcohol free and vegan

Cons No marker for water limit

Gadgethead Magazine

Terms & Conditions Our aim is to give our readers the most honest reviews we can. We also want to ensure all manufacturers have the opportunity to promote their goods regardless of their financial standing. In fact we are incredibly proud that start up companies have just as much chance of promoting their goods as do established brands. Our policy is simple in that we don’t offer returns unless previously agreed. We also reserve the right to keep or sell the goods to fund our writers and keep our magazine active. We do not offer sponsored reviews where we are paid directly for the review and we feel that this model is the best way to get an objective and impartial review. So whilst we won’t guarantee a favourable review, we will guarantee an honest one.

Please check out our full terms and conditions on www.littlegatepublishing.com

We are disclosing this as we like to be transparent about our reviews.

66