Issue 5.01
UK
£4.95
www.thegadgethead.com
Inspired By Your Success
Contents Drayton Wiser Multizone Kit 1 • Alpinestars Tech 10 Black • OMRON M7 Intelli IT
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 10 Bodum Bistro Electric Stand Mixer • Weber Pulse 1000 and 2000 Series Rotisserie • Beurer WL 90 Bluetooth Wake Up Light • RHA S500 Universal Headphones • Catit Vesper High Base Page 20 ROCCAT Khan AIMO • iStorage datAshur Personal² • Nuskin Ageloc Galvanic Body Trio • Nerf Dog Medium Tennis Ball Blaster Page 30 Rapha Women’s Brevet Visibility Jacket • Native Union Eclipse Charger • Rapha For Apple Convertible Backpack / Tote • The Wand Company Fusion Flea Fallout Vehicle • Star Trek Rock Moodlight Page 40 Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L • Vifa Helsinki • Sonoro Stereo 2 • Pawbo Munch Page 50 Silverlit Robo Chameleon • Sodastream Spirit One Touch • Morfboard Skate / Scoot Combo • Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Rolling Duffle 120L • ergoPouch Australia Cocoon Swaddle Bag Page 60 Doro 8035 • Tula Explore Baby Carrier and Baby Blanket
Drayton Wiser Multizone Kit 1 We have reviewed a number of heating systems this year and the best was very much saved until last. In my quiet little Hobbit house, I hadn’t even heard about this Wiser device before. However, I had heard of the manufacturer - Drayton - which is one of the biggest brands in UK heating systems. Drayton’s Wiser heating system does everything you would want it to do in the most simplistic of ways, from the installation, which I found easy (this, coming from someone who often gets confused putting together Lego, is a big, big compliment), to the use of the easy and effective app. If you read through some of our past issues, you will see our reviews on the likes of Hive and Nest. The reviews were
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favourable, but neither match Wiser’s low cost! Wiser offer multiple starter and multi-zone kits, allowing you to easily install the system without having to hire in a plumber or invest in a new boiler. We reviewed the Multizone Kit 1, which includes a one-channel thermostat and two radiator valves. We were sent this device as we have a combiboiler, but if you had a separate hot water tank you would need to purchase their two
channelled thermostat kit. It took me around 20 minutes to fully install and that included screwing in the control box, connecting and installing the app (which works on both IOS and Android). The thermostat is wireless and powered by a pair of AA batteries. You can place this anywhere, and even take it from room to room. It has a decent colour display and clearly displays the current temperature, the programmed temperature and the current humidity level. Why pay more when you don’t have to?! RRP £219.99
https://www.draytoncontrols.co.uk/products/ Smart-Thermostats/Wiser/wiser-multi-zone-kit-1 Pros Easy Installation Easy to use App and product Cheap
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Alpinestars Tech 10 Black The Tech 10 from Alpinestars are an innovative pair of protective Motocross boots that are packed full of features for high performance and defence when participating in this crazy sport. For over a decade the Tech 10 has been a reliable boot, but this summer the company have completely redesigned to raise the quality even further, whilst maintain the classic look. The redesign focused on the functionality, performance and safety, with the aim to reduce the overall weight as well as the material volume for a greater range of movement and flexibility. The main upgrades have been the unique technologies including the Frontal Flexion Control Frame, the Asymmetrical Dualpivot Arms, the patented Dynamic Heel Compression Protection
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Shock Absorber which has been integrated into a redesigned foot shell and the slimmer, more streamlined, outsole. With new material composites and cold-forged aluminium buckles, theses boots are not only easier to operate, but have also shed over 400g in weight. The construction features the dual front and rear blade connectors, the Frontal Flex Frame gives the Tech 10 a seamless flexion control system, from the foot shell all the way up to the shin plate for protection against over-compression and hyper-extension. There are so many elements are work here it would take up
the whole magazine to list them but we will focus on the protective elements for a quick overview there are anatomical shin and calf-plates, the slimmer and more streamlined design with a contoured calf protector ergonomically wrapping around the rear of the leg; the dual density compound and combined with the rear blade system offers protection with enhanced progressive dampening of excessive torsional forces, whilst the energy dissipating shin plate features a new anatomic design for reduced surface area and weightsaving; other features include the unique sole integration, re-designed sole with proprietary grip sculpturing to improve foot-peg performance, grip and
mud and water run-off, exclusive dual compound sole is seamlessly integrated to the multi-density foot base structure with built-in support and the sole offers durability, grip and feel while riding and improved performance on the shifter. The materials inside the boot have been chosen for the breathable and wicking properties, as well as promoting comfort for long periods of wear. These upgraded boots are an excellent choice for riding like a loop offroad, they take care of your lower legs and feet, allowing full control of the bike and long lasting comfort. RRP £359.99
https://www.alpinestars.com/tech10-boot-2018 Pros Lightweight Slim line profile Packed full of protective features Easy to operate Durable Replaceable buckles
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OMRON M7 Intelli IT With cardiovascular disease being one of the leading causes of death in Europe, Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean region, understanding and managing your heart health is vitally important. The OMRON M7 Intelli IT is a highly accurate blood pressure monitor that comes with Intelli Wrap Cuff and works alongside the OMRON smartphone app: OMRON connect. The Intelli Wrap Cuff can be adjusted from 22-42cm for an easy reading, whilst the Cuff Wrap Guide shows you whether the cuff is wrapped correctly and ensures it is neither too loose nor too tight, as a shocking one-inthree people measure incorrectly due to inaccurate positioning. Unlike other cuffs on the market, the Omron Intelli Wrap Cuff measurement zone wraps 360 degrees around the upper arm,
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ensuring that there is no measurement “weak spot” and making it impressively difficult to do incorrectly. The OMRON will take three consecutive readings in 10 minutes and produces an average, which can be read on the display screen or checked out on your phone. It has a twouser memory, meaning two people can use one unit. There is also a Movement Sensor and Body Movement Detection, and the results couldn’t be simpler to read: ‘normal’ will be displayed in green and ‘high’ will be displayed in red. This machine can detect irregular heartbeats and track if you are suffering from
morning hypertension by measuring whether your morning measurement is different from the rest of the day. The app is straightforward to use and will clearly display your history graphs and averages for a better understanding of your health. These graphs/results can also be shared with your doctor. The OMRON M7 Intelli IT is an effortless yet highly accurate way to measure you blood pressure from the comfort of your own home, helping you focus on leading a healthier lifestyle. RRP £89.99
https://www.omron-healthcare.com/en-gb/ products/bloodpressuremonitoring Pros Intel Wrap Cuff with 360° accuracy Omron connect mobile app Irregular Heartbeat Detection Easy to read results 2 User Memory Cuff Wrap Guide Average 3 Readings
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Bodum Bistro Electric Stand Mixer The Bistro Electric Stand Mixer from Bodum has been designed to be both a functional and stylish piece in your kitchen: it is nicely compact at 39.7cm (W) x 4.3cm (H) x 23.4cm (D) and has a large capacity of 4.7L (160oz). It can be stored underneath the counter, freeing up your worktop when not in use. It has a sevenspeed motor, which can deliver up to twice the power of your traditional stand
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mixer, the base has suction cups to ensure a sturdy foundation by securely fixing it to the countertop and
keeping it stable when in use. To prevent your walls becoming freshly decorated by the mixer, there is a removable splash-guard, however it isn’t the easiest thing to remove when it comes to putting it in the dish washer. There is also a handy funnel attachment which lets you continue to add
https://www.bodum.com/gb/en/11381-01ukbistro Pros Solid construction Grippy handle Smooth action Easy to clean
Compact Large 4.7L capacity Straightforward to use
Cons Struggles with small amounts of mixtures
(colouring icing for example)
ingredients safely whilst the mixer is in operation and helps to prevent spillages all over your worktop. It is straightforward to operate: to open you simply lift the lever and it pops up with the lift-assist system, then push it back down to lock it into place. To speed up the mixer or slow it down, you just need to turn the large dial on the side. It comes
with a whole host of attachments, including a non-stickcoated dough hook, beater, and whisk attachments, with other attachments available at an additional cost. The stainless-steel mixing bowl also has a rubber covered handle, which gives you a firm grip when carrying and pouring out mixture. The rotating attachment moves in an orbital fashion to cover the maximum surface area, however, if you have small amounts of mixture, it does struggle to achieve a smooth mix. The Bistro is a good electric mixer - although it struggles with small amounts, it is more than capable at handling large and very stiff amounts, including kneading bread. Its accessories and attachments are all dish washer safe, making cleaning up a piece of cake too! RRP £249.00
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Weber Pulse 1000 and 2000 Series Rotisserie This Winter we wanted to try something different and have an outdoor Christmas Dinner, so last week we trialled the Weber Pulse 1000 and 2000 Series Rotisserie on our Weber Pulse 1000 Barbecue. As we have 10 guests coming to share dinner on Christmas day I didn’t want to leave it until the big day and hope everything went smoothly, if it didn’t, there would be 12 guests fighting over a tin of baked beans! The Weber Pulse 1000 and 2000 Series Rotisserie box comes with the Spit itself, forks and an electric motor that was easy to place on top of
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the barbecue. The electric lead is 114cm so there was plenty of flex for plugging into our extension on the ground and we tried out a 9lb Turkey on the spit, what was wonderful about the cooking process was that it will self-baste as it rotates! The Turkey took 4 ½ hours to cook and was fully cooked through, crispy on the outside and most importantly tasted
beautiful (thank you Nigella). I am really looking forward to showing this off by treating our guests to something different and our outdoor cooking experience will surely be a great occasion. Hopefully some of you may be inspired to try switch things up with an outdoor Christmas Dinner too! RRP £179.99
https://www.webbsdirect.co.uk/weber-pulse1000-2000-rotisserie/ Pros Self-Bastes Cooks perfectly and evenly
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Beurer WL 90 Bluetooth Wake Up Light I am one of those people that if I didn’t have an alarm clock (or 12) I could easily sleep through until the late afternoon; my body seems to have no concept of when it needs sleep and exactly how much it needs, with winter time proving especially difficult. Products like the Beurer WL 90 Bluetooth Wake Up Light have been designed to help your body fall asleep and wake up naturally by using light to imitate sunset and sunrise, tapping into your circadian rhythms and leaving you feel naturally awake and refreshed each morning - the dream, right? The WL 90 is a 4-in-1 wake up light, mood light, reading lamp and radio/speaker. I liked the orb design of this product and the way the clock integrates itself into the rest of the light: all the buttons are tucked around the back,
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which creates a clean profile but doesn’t make them easily accessible. Setting it up was a straightforward procedure, although the digital “beep” that it emits when you press any of the buttons becomes a bit annoying, especially when manually searching and saving the radio stations. There are three alarm time slots that can be used separately or all at the same time: you can choose between the radio, alarm or 10 preprogrammed wake-up melodies, including bird song. There are
10 memory spaces for radio stations but no way of renaming them, so you will just have to remember, guess or write them down! The sunrise function gently increases the light to naturally wake you up and the sunset function can be used to relax your body and mind ready for sleep, but the light level change isn’t particularly smooth and a little distracting when you are trying to relax. Other features include the snooze function (range 1-30mins), a reading lamp function, automatic displaybrightness adjustment, which dims when the lights are switched off, Bluetooth and Aux connectivity to play your own music, up to 2,500 lux light intensity and the possibility of charging devices via
the USB port. For an easier way to set up alarms and interact with the WL 90, you can use the Beurer LightUp app, this makes things a lot easier…when it connects. My major issue with this alarm is you should be able to tap it to activate snooze, amongst other things, but it is so insensitive that it needed to be repeatedly whacked until it responded. This turned what should have been a relaxed and gentle wake up situation into a semi-conscious piñata game. I really wanted to love this product, it had so much promise, but the awkward buttons, hit & miss connectivity, and close-to-useless touch sensitive control rendered it another reason to hate waking up. RRP £130.00
https://www.beurer.com/web/gb/products/ wellbeing/sleep-and-rest/wake-up-lights/wl-90. php Pros Compact and attractive design Sunset and sunrise function Plays audio via Bluetooth, FM radio and AUX 4 in 1 wake up light, mood light, reading lamp and music station Choose between radio, alarm and 10 wake-up melodies Automatic display brightness adjustment
Cons Buttons hard to access Touch sensitive controls are unresponsive App connectivity unreliable Can’t switch button tone off Unintuitive Bad sound quality (harsh and lacks bass) Light levels noticeably change on sunset and sunrise mode Over priced
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RHA S500 Universal Headphones From budget shoppers’ favourite RHA comes the S500 Universal headphones with voice control. Yes, wireless is slowly taking over the world whilst compression and connectivity issues continue to interfere with sound quality. Consequently, there is still definitely a place on the market for good old wired headphones. Like many of the RHA products, you will be surprised by the high level of build quality you get for the low-price tag: these headphones have a tough aluminium build, an ultra-compact design that fits every ear and the lightweight housings weigh just 14g, making it comfortable for all day wear. The S500 has noise isolation, a remote
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control and a mic for hands-free calling. The 1.35 cable has a woven protective outer until the cable splits away for the two separate earbuds. The 3.5mm is gold plated and there are three different sizes of dual density silicone ear tips: large, medium and small, as well as a double flange pair to ensure a precise and comfortable fit. A tip holder is included to store your spare tips instead of letting then get filthy at the bottom of a draw, whilst the draw string carry pouch provides a safe and secure place to keep them when not in use. These phones will work with every digital assistant, and the remote allows for easy pause and playback functions as well as taking calls. There are 140.1 micro drivers that have been custom
engineered to provide a 100dB sensitivity. The S500 may look awesome, but what do they sound like? Well, when compared to other headphones in this price range, they perform admirably. They get nice and loud, have a punchy bass and defined mid tones. However, as we have found before with RHA headphones, the high tones are harsh at louder volumes and get swallowed up by the mid-range at lower volumes. The RHA S500 headphones are a good choice if you are looking for a low cost, reliable option with a few extra features, including voice activation and remote – plus, you won’t be too out of pocket if you accidently leave them on the train! RRP £29.95 3.8 out of 5
https://www.rhaaudio.com/uk/products/ headphones/s500universal Pros Premium build quality for budget price Comfortable Lightweight Loud Good bass and mid tones Remote control Built in mic Voice activated control
Cons Harsh high tones
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Catit Vesper High Base Chances are that if you have cats, then you have probably already made a few concessions – such as cat hair on all your clothes, chairs, in your meals… and don’t even get me started on the cat litter trays, the last thing you want on top of that is some tasteless bright coloured cat furniture that clashes with everything else in your house. The Vesper series from Catit is an attractive and modern range that looks stylish whilst supplying
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a comfortable and scratchy haven for your fur babies. We received the High Base in Walnut for our two furry
trouble makers, but it is also available in an Oak or Black design. All cats love to sit up high, this is because they have god complexes and like to lord it over the rest of us mere mortals, the High Base platform reaches up to 121.5cm, give them a great view of the kingdom, as well
as secondary platform lower down and a cube cave with front and rear entrances. The High Base also features an extra-long seagrass scratching post, perfect for my lanky boys, as well as four shorter posts that form the legs of the structure, there heavy bass provides a sturdy foundation and it made from high-quality MDF with walnut-look laminate finish. There are three memory foam cushions (because apparently my cats deserve a more comfortable place to sleep than I do) that attach via Velcro and a circular scratching disk that sits on top of the cave, they can be removed for hand washing and there are replaceable parts are available for if your unappreciative gits manage to trash the thing (or simply becomes worn out through extensive use). I found the High Base straight forward to assemble, it comes
https://www.catit.com/uk/shop/vesper-highbase/ Pros Beautiful design High quality construction Memory foam, hand washable cushions Replaceable parts
Very high platform Long scratching post Available in Walnut, Oak and Black
Cons My cats didn’t like the dual entrance
with everything you need apart from a Philips screw driver that you will need to attach the ball toy. My cats, being the fickle creatures that they are, refused to use the cat cave with both entrances open so I ended up taping some cardboard across the rear entrance as they preferred the enclosed space, an extra panel (minus the door) would be a nice touch to give you the one entrance option. After a couple of days protest the cats took to their new tower allow me to finally bin the bright blue fluffy eye sore that spent the last five years uglying up my living room. What is especially nice is that for the first time ever both cats share the same space, which like most brothers, is a highly unusual situation but very adorable. I was really impressed with the quality and design of the High Bass but there is no better stamp of approvable than the fact that both my picky little fuzzies regularly use every element of it. RRP £89.99
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ROCCAT Khan AIMO With the recent release of so many incredible games and the onset of winter, it is a great time to stock up on snacks, lock the door and hunker down for some serious gaming sessions. To fully immerse yourself into the virtual word, you need to ensure your gear is up to the task! The Khan AIMO is a hi-res 7.1 surround sound gaming headset packed full of features to help you get the most out of your game time. Starting with comfort, this headset features memory foam earpads with a soft and breathable outer that will sit for hours on your ears without causing fatigue. Some of the construction comes across a little low end, but the upside to this is the low weight of just 275g, which again adds to the comfort. The earpads are adjustable via the stainless-steel sliders to fit any head size. For a bit of fun customisation, the
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Khan AIMO have four LED lights with 16.8m colours to choose from. It will react to your game play which is pretty cool when playing with mates, especially if you have a Roccat mouse and keyboard too. You will need to use the Roccat Swarm software to play around with this feature, and it is here you will find all the audio settings for your games as well. As for the sound quality, we think you will be pleasantly surprised: the 50mm drivers have robust diaphragms that produce rich 7.1 audio. There is also a builtin 24-bit 96KHz DAC
sound card with virtually no noise interference. Now, although this headset is Hi-Res compatible, you will only benefit from this if you have a HiRes source. If you do, you will be able to fully appreciate the AIMO’s performance: the sound is precise and clear, allowing you to determine the position of your enemy. Other features include the real-voice mic, which helps you sound more like you and less like a robot, meaning your team mates can easily hear you, even if all they hear is screaming and swearing. The Roccat Khan AIMO are easy to control, affordable, comfortable and super pleasing to the ears, allowing you to enjoy a fully immersive gaming experience. RRP £119.99
https://en.roccat.org/Headsets/Khan-AIMO Pros Affordable 7.1 High Resolution compatible Great sounds quality Comfortable Customisable LED Easy to use software 24-bit 96KHz DAC sound card for no noise Real voice MIC
Cons Low budget build quality in areas
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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
silvercrossbaby.com
Trekking wheel for multi terrain use
ENTER THE WORLD OF ZWIFT.
© ZWIFT 2017.
An immersive digital cycling experience, Zwift makes indoor riding, training or racing, fun and rewarding.
Available on Try for free at
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iPad iPhone
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iStorage datAshur Personal² The iStorage datAshur Personal², a USB 3.0 flash drive available in 8GB, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB and comes with the option of personalisation with either laser etching, text and text front or laser etching logo. It couldn’t be simpler to use, simply enter your 7-15 digit pin, plug in to use, then the flash drive will automatically lock once it’s removed from your computer. This small but secure flash drive uses PIN code access with military grade AESXTS 256-bit hardware encryption, it has a rechargeable battery, which is something to consider as you wouldn’t normally need to charge up a flash drive. It is super compact at 83mm x 17.4mm x 8.6mm (with the cap) and 77.5mm x 17.4mm x 8.6mm (drive without cap) and weighs just 20g,
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with up to 139MB per second read function and up to 43MB per second to write and is compatible with MS Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Android, Thin Clients, Embedded Systems, Citrix and VMware. It doesn’t require additional software to set up, you just need to choose your PIN code, all data is encrypted in real-time with the built in hardware encryption engine and is protected from unauthorised access even if the datAshur Personal² is lost or stolen, it automatically locks when unplugged from the computer, the
power to the USB port is turned off and you can set a timeout (lock) after a predetermined amount of time. This flash drive can be configured with independent User and Admin PINs, then if the User forgets the PIN, the drive can be unlocked using the Admin PIN. Due to the fact the iStorage datAshur Personal² is unlocked via the onboard keypad, it is not vulnerable to software/ hardware-based keyloggers or brute force attacks. There is built in protection against “Brute Force Hack Defence Mechanism”, if the PIN is entered incorrectly 10 (ten) consecutive times, the datAshur Personal²’s brute force mechanism will trigger, and the
https://istorage-uk.com/product/datashurpersonal2/ Pros Real-time military grade AES-XTS 256-bit full hardware encryption Crypto-parameters protected with SHA-256 hashing Timeout Lock and Auto Lock User PIN will be deleted. All the data will remain on the datAshur Personal² and can only be accessed by the Admin entering the correct Admin PIN, if Admin enters an incorrect Admin PIN 10 (ten) consecutive times, then both the User and Admin PINs, the encryption key and all data will be deleted and lost forever. The Personal² also features a bootable drive, cryptoparameters protected with SHA-256 hashing, it has tamper proof construction, immune to BadUSB and very discrete, a straight forward solution to protecting sensitive data. RRP 8gb £39, 16gb £49, 32gb £59 and 64gb £79.
Fast USB 3.0 Read/Write Speeds - 139/43 MBps Brute Force Hack Defence Mechanism Tamper Proof No software or drivers required Works with any USB/USB On-The-Go devices Customisation service available Lightweight and discrete
Cons Small keypad might prove difficult for large hands
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Nuskin Ageloc Galvanic Body Trio The AgeLOC Galvanic Body Trio is a three-piece set from Nuskin that comes with the new ageLOC Galvanic Body Spa unit and two advanced antiageing body products, the ageLOC Body Shaping Gel and ageLOC Dermatic Effects, with the aim of providing a more contoured, smoother and firmer looking body. I mean who wouldn’t want that? Nuskin recommend you use it with the shaping gel once a day with three days a week on thighs, arms, buttocks and/or abdomen and the Dermatic Effects is to be applied daily morning and night on targeted area for best results. The skin treatment combination claims to deliver key ingredients to the skin via self-adjusting galvanic currents, the various conductors are grooved to maintain close contract with the skin and drive the product into the surface. Lab
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research suggests that treatments applied with a galvanic current can enhance the delivery of anti-ageing ingredients for up to 24 hours, the new shape of the Galvanic Body Spa has been designed to better follow the contours of the body. The optimised pulsating galvanic current helps to stimulating, purify and refresh skin to reduce the visible signs of ageing, the Shaping Gel claims to target the sources of ageing, refreshes and purifies, minimises and smooths the appearance of fat and cellulite for a more contoured
appearance, evens out the appearance of dimpled areas and improves appearance of skin’s firmness for a more youthful look. The Dermatic Effects aims to improve the appearance of skin’s firmness for a more youthful look, helps increase cellular turnover, which is necessary for returning skin to its natural radiant texture and hydrates the skin. The Nuskin Ageloc Galvanic Body Trio is straight forward to use and it will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth in the end. Whether it is turning back the years remains to be seen, but if you are willing to part with the large amounts of cash you will need to purchase this kit, you are probably already willing to take that risk.
Pros Easy to use Could help reduce the signs of aging Skin feels soft and smooth after use
Cons Very expensive Build quality could be better
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Nerf Dog Medium Tennis Ball Blaster Dogs have basically been obsessed with the same game ever since the first caveman chucked a dodo skull and the dog ran after it, tripped over it then brought it back to be thrown again (pretty sure this is how it went down)! However, if you have the same weak pitching skills as me, it can leave the poor doggo rolling his eyes as he trudges the two meters to retrieve my pitiful throw. Thankfully the Nerf Dog Medium Tennis Ball Blaster is here to up my ball tossing skills (might need to rephrase that), this monster is a 20” blaster gun (not exactly the most compact or discrete thing to carry down to the park). You will need to
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make sure you have some serious space when using this Nerf Gun as it can send the tennis ball up to 50 feet in the air, delighting your dog as it tries to predict where its going to land, weren’t expecting that were you Fido, thankfully you can adjust the distance to adapt to smaller environments. Even better you don’t have to touch that manky wet tennis ball after your dog obediently returns it, simply place the
barrel on the tennis ball and reload hands-free. The Medium Tennis Ball Blaster measures up at 11 x 6 x 10cm and weighs a reasonable 839g, it works with any standard 2.5inch tennis ball (tennis ball included) and has an attachment that will hold a spare ball for when you accidently shoot the ball into the pond or into someones back garden. It is very easy to use, all you need to do is pull back on the handle, load ball, and shoot, it will send your dog into catch ecstasy, with minimal physical input from you. RRP £14.99
http://www.nerfpet. com/product/medium16-tennis-ballblaster/?_sft_product_ cat=launchers Pros Up to 50ft shooting distance Adjustable distance Works with any 2.5inch tennis ball (tennis ball included) Light Easy to use Reload without touching the ball Spare ball attachment
Cons Bulky
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Rapha Women’s Brevet Visibility Jacket Today I saw an excellent example of exactly how you should cycle in the winter months. Not only was it dark and gloomy it was also very foggy, and this person was cycling along, wearing a black jacket and black pair of trousers with the most pathetic red rear light. This dangerous combination meant I couldn’t see the cyclist until I was right on top of them! If they made it home safely, it would be a miracle… It is so important to ensure you are as visible as possible this time of year, when the low light and bad weather can make it particularly difficult to spot vulnerable cyclists. That’s why we were so pleased to see that the Women’s Brevet Visibility Jacket has you covered for exactly these types of conditions. As a female human, I have consistently been trying to avoid the colour pink ever since my first baby grow, but perhaps I will make an exception for this jacket – however,
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this is only because the Men’s version is also pink. The super lightweight jacket and can be folded down into its own stowable tabs on the collar and packed away when not needed. The thin material means it is comfortable to layer up over any other top, jersey or even your winter jacket. You can be clearly seen from all angles thanks to the highgrade retroreflective material strips that are distributed across the collar, arms (on front
and back), torso (front and back) and rear. There are also two reflective Rapha logos on the chest (small) and rear (large). As well as ensuring you are visible, the Brevet Visibility is windproof and coated with a water repellent treatment for that nasty weather. The stretchy material provides a snug and secure on-bike fit that is based on Rapha’s Classic Wind Jacket II. The two-way Vislon zip allows for easy access to rear jersey pockets, whilst the brushed tricot fabric on zip guard and rear of collar having been added for comfort. The Brevet Visibility Jacket is another thoughtfully designed product from Rapha! RRP £140.00
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/womensbrevet-visibility-jacket/product/WVJ01XXHVP Pros Easily folded down Stretchy comfortable fit Durable Water Repellency coating and windproof Reflective Rapha logos on chest, Reflective strips on the collar, arms (on front and back), torso (front and back) and rear Two-way Vislon zip for rear jersey pockets Can we worn over any layer
Cons Only available in pink
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Native Union Eclipse Charger When everything you own requires charging, there comes a point when the side of your sofa or bedside table looks like it is been strangled by a cable version of the Kraken. The Eclipse Charger (which isn’t exactly a charger) is a self-indulgent system that tidies away all those ugly cables ready for when you need them. There are three designs available White/Cherry Wood, Black/Walnut Wood and Taupe Fabric, which all look minimalistic and stylish, it is important to point out this isn’t a wireless charger or a power bank, it is more like an extension plug, you will still need to plug it into the mains, you can then insert up to three USB charging cables into the Eclipse and the Smart IC technology will ensure safe and high-speed charging up to 7.8 Amps to your mobile devices. Each cable can be wrapped around corkscrew style interior which can hold
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up to 20 feet of cables (6.5ft individual cables) without over lapping or tangling up, and you can pull out a much or a little of your cable as you need for charging, whilst one of the USB A ports can be switched to a USB C port with a flick of a switch. So far, I wouldn’t blame you if you weren’t convinced by the Eclipse but touch sensitive activation might win you over, with a tap on the lid the device raises the cables out of the unit in a wholly satisfying way and a double tap will activate a soft white light from the base which can help you
connect your cable in low light. Do you need the Eclipse Charger, no, but will you want it, quite possibly? This aesthetically pleasing device will provide you with a cleaner looking living area and a slightly depleted bank account that in our option is completely unnecessarily but also totally worth it. RRP $79.99
https://www.nativeunion.com/eclipse-charger/ Pros Stylish and minimalist design Touch activated Light Holds up to three cables Wall mount
Cons Limited functions Pricey
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Rapha For Apple Convertible Backpack / Tote This unique and versatile backpack has been specifically designed for Apple products (don’t worry, other products won’t spontaneously combust if you put them in there). It can be worn in two ways, either over the shoulders like a regular back pack (ideal for cycling) or as a tote bag (Ideal for toting). This backpack has been created with a hard-wearing fabric, specially treated with a durable water-repellent coating and features Aquaguard zips to ensure your valuable contents remains dry, even if you get soaked to the bone on your daily commute - the joys of being a cyclist! One of the best things about this bag is the generous amount of padding packed into the body, not only does this help protect your gear on the inside but it also looks after your body on the outside even the most pokey awkward plug won’t be able to dig into you back. The straps lack
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any sort of padding, but this shouldn’t be too much of an issue as they are quite wide which helps spread the weight and, unless you fill the bag up with rocks, it won’t be heavy enough to dig into your shoulders. These straps then double up as a shorter tote bag strap via the magnetic clasp. It measures up at 205mm (W) x 25mm (D) x 280mm (H). The base has a tough, abrasion-resistant material to protect it when it is placed on the floor and the raised internal padded sleeve provides the ideal place to keep your laptop, also preventing it from coming into contact
with the floor when you place it down. To gain access to the main compartment there is the waterproof zip with snap-down pullers across the top of the bag, plus the interior features two zipped accessory pockets. The Convertible Backpack has a reflective logo and Brevet signature stripe on the lower half of the bag for added visibility in low light, however there is no ventilation, so expect a sweaty back on warmer days. This bag is both simple and versatile in design and looks stylish in its execution. It is comfortable and quick to transform between its two configurations and will certainly keep your Apple gear (or basically any other brand of electronics) safe during a commute. RRP £115.00
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/raphafor-apple-convertible-backpack-tote/product/ CVT01XXBLG Pros Backpack to tote conversions Lots of padding on main body Comfortable Two internal zip pockets for essentials Raised, padded laptop sleeve Waterproof Aquaguard zip and DWR coating Reflective logo and signature stripe Stylish urban design
Cons Shoulder straps have no padding Lacks ventilation
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The Wand Company Fusion Flea Fallout Vehicle You could show this little car to some people and they might rightly assume it’s a matchbox car from the 50’s as it has that attention to detail and built to last quality that harks back to the toys of Christmas past, however, show it to anyone with a games console and they will recognise it as Fusion Flea, the vehicle from the Fallout series. This 1:18 scale die cast replica was the goto vehicle for the folks
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in the Fallout universe, this scaled down version of the sweet
little three-wheeler is manufactured by the Chryslus motoring company who gift it to its employees as thank-you for twoyears of hard work at the company and comes complete with a commemorative hard enamel pin and
https://www.thewandcompany.com/fusion-flea/ Pros Beautiful detailed replica Metallic paint job Rubber and Chrome plated detailing Premium die-cast construction Commemorative enamel pin and a
special postcard Opening canopy: Inner detail of cockpit revealed Engine lights up when hood is opened Removable glow in the dark nuclear core
specially designed, vintage postcard. This version has been wonderfully recreated with a mix of thickly painted die-cast metal, engineered plastics and thermoplastic rubber for a truly detailed looking product. If you lift the hood the engine will automatically light up thanks to the three included LR44 button cell batteries, you will also see the nuclear core of this engine glowing away even after all these years
(seriously, shine a light at it for a short while and it will glow in the dark). The premium paint job is colourmatched to the in-game Flea, if has Chromium plated light cowls, luggage rack and other details for a neat finish, the all-metal body gives this Flea a satisfying weight, the wheels have rubber tyres, the seat is also made from rubber. The detail is truly impressive, and every version of this Bethesda’s natty Fusion Flea has been carefully replicated and the areas that have never been revealed show the inner workings of the compact nuclear engine, the steering and suspension geometry. Even if you have never even picked up a copy of Fallout it will be difficult not to be impressed by this little car and you will be torn between wanting to display it on the mantle piece and push it around the floor making whining nuclear engine sort of noises, we suggest you do both. RRP £89.99
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Star Trek Rock Moodlight A Trekkies house could not be complete without a Star Trek Rock Moodlight. This sizable lump of rock is a reproduction of Sulu’s experience on Alfa 117, where he used his phaser to heat a rock and save both him and his team from certain death in the freezing environment. Now your home might not ever be subjected to simpler conditions, but it isn’t worth taking the risk! This rock is made from a thick-walled, highquality roto-cast resin that has been sculpted and hand painted to replicate the original, making a wonderfully decorative piece. The Type 1 Phaser remote control works by pointing it at the rock then the rock will grow brighter and increasingly throb red as it “heats up”. When you stop firing at the rock, it will slowly dim as it cools down. The rock can be switched
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to Atmosphere to enjoy a more ambient, multicoloured effect as it blends from one colour to another, or it can slowly dim to help you relax ready for sleep. The Type-1 Phaser is highly accurate and based on the first season of the original series. The interaction between the phaser and rock is so cool, it really feels like you are heating it up! The ultra slow colour fade system takes 10 minutes to pass through the colour spectrum, making it a beautifully imperceptible change
between colours, whilst the ‘dim to off’ feature also takes 10 minutes fade out, a lot like the sunset features which are popular on SAD light alarm clocks. Also included in the box is a single use gold mylar ‘space’ blanket for a fully immersive interactive reenactment experience. This realistic piece of memorabilia is a must have for any Star Trek fan! RRP $99.99
https://www.thewandcompany.com/rock-moodlight/ Pros Detailed replica Accurate Type-1 Phaser remote Immersive play features Ultra slow colour fade mode and Very slow dim to off mode Manual colour cycle Real survival blanket
Cons Batteries not included
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Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L As a photographer out in the field, that perfect image could arise at any second, so quick access is a must for any good camera bag. The Everyday Backpack has been designed with accessibility in mind, along with options for expandability and ease of organisation. The Everyday Backpack comes in a choice of 20L and 30L (we received the 30L) and four colours: Black, Ash, Charcoal and Tan. The MagLatch with four laddered lock points lets you gain access to the top of the bag in one swift motion, there are also two large side-loading panels either side of the bag. The unique divider system keeps all your gear well organised, so you can find what you need with your eyes closed. The padded dividers also keep things protected as you move about, rather than clattering into
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each other. This bag has been created for travellers, commuters, adventurers or day trippers: the straps have a good amount of padding and can be easily adjusting; they pivot at axial connection points to increase comfort and manoeuvrability. Additionally, the sternum strap can be attached and released with one hand, a great feature when you have your expensive camera or lens in the other hand and it can be stowed out of the way when not in use. The waist strap can also be
tucked out of the way when not needed, or to help spread heavy loads evenly across the body when travelling for longer periods of time. The outer is tough and weather proof with 400D nylon canvas, which has high-density padding, is DWR impregnated and polycoated twice on both sides. It also features premium weatherproof exterior zippers. The four configurable tension straps let you load things on the outside of your pack and can be tucked away in a magnetically sealed pocket or in the expandable side pockets. The inner pockets can be used for small accessories, plus there is a dedicated laptop pocket with tablet/
document sleeve. The discrete top slip pocket - magnetically sealed - is ideal for items like a wallet, phone, and travel documents. Other features include the key tether, expandable side pockets suitable for tripods or water bottles. It’s carry-on approved, has a sturdy luggage strap, and it will hold the DJI Mavic or DJI Spark with controller and accessories. The axial strap that we mentioned before allows you to swing the bag in front of you to get your possessions without putting the bag down. The Everyday Bag is just that: it is suitable for a whole host of occasions and packed full of features to ensure safe travel with your gear and fast access when you need it, whilst looking subtle and stylish at the same time. RRP $259.95
https://www.peakdesign. com/products/everydaybackpack?variant=9783969284140 Pros Flex-Fold Dividers Dual side access Large top entry Laptop and Tablet Sleeves Available in both 20L and 30L capacity Top Slip Pocket Multipoint Maglatch closure system Tension straps 8L of internal expansion Carry-on approved 400D nylon canvas shell Axial strap attachments Comfortable Stowable sternum and waist strap
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Vifa Helsinki Vifa has been producing what they like to call ‘loudspeakers’ (not to be mistaken with megaphones) since 2012, and in true Nordic style they look sleek, clean and stylish. The Helsinki is absolutely no different! The gorgeous speaker comes in four attractively muted colours: Sandstone Grey, Dusty Rose, Misty Blue and Willow Green, any of which will complement the over-sized cable knit jumper and copper wire stags head of a Hygge designed room. This tactile speaker has a carefully woven front and rear panel created by leading Danish textile designer Kvadrat. This specifically created piece lets the sound pass through the woollen threads, the solid aluminium frame is moulded in one piece to avoid any assembly marks or frail spots, and the leather strap
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has been selected and crafted by Swedish leather manufacturer Tärnsjö Garveri. Altogether, it looks like a very high-end product that will only look better with age. Although the Helsinki is wireless, it isn’t the most portable at 156mm x 210mm x 70mm and 1.4 kg; there are smaller and certainly lighter products on the market. It is best suited for keeping indoors and moving around the house. You can connect via Bluetooth 4.0, AUX 3.5mm minijack or NFC. It has a built-in rechargeable Lithium battery - we were getting about 7-8 hours life for 3-4
hours charge time. The Helsinki features 2 x 50mm Vifa drivers with aluminium cone and neodymium magnet and 2 x 60mm Woofer units with flat sandwich cone and neodymium magnet, which are mounted mechanically back-to-back in a force balanced configuration supported by two passive radiators. All this tech produces some seriously loud sound, with a rich deep base and clearly defined mid tones. The high tones are where this speaker is let down a little; they could be cleaner and better defined. The Helsinki is good choice for those seeking for a stylish speaker that can upset the neighbours, but is probably best avoided by true audiophiles. RRP €399.00
https://www.vifa.dk/shop/helsinki/c-24/p111?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy8f86pmf3wIVGvhRCh 2E-QmqEAAYASAAEgJdn_D_BwE Pros Elegant Loud 4 attractive colours Up to 8hour battery life Good quality bass and mid tones
Cons Limited functions High tones could be clearer Heavy Bulky
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Sonoro Stereo 2 The Sonoro Stereo 2 is a good, solid, all-in-one sound system that has a beautiful retro look to it and some awesome little features which we will get onto later. Unpacking the system, you notice straight away the quality of the Stereo 2, with gloves and cloth provided to avoid scratching the unit on placement: the build design shouts both ‘retro’ and ‘beautiful’ at the same time,
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with its simplistic face offering controls for the CD function and FM/DAB/DAB+ radio. If you were worried about Sonoro (being a Germany company who don’t have much market presence in the UK) let me put that to bed: it works
fantastically well and as you will see reading further down, I am assuming they feel they don’t need to market as the quality of the product says it all! The integrated amplifier drives a powerful 80w 2.1 speaker system, featuring a built-in subwoofer to bring the most out of its two full range drivers. The
https://sonoro.de/en/product/stereo-2/ Pros Beautiful and quality design
Great choice of colours
Great room filling sound
Smart light control
Simple and easy to use controls
sound filled the room and it was easy to change the effects, because you can maximise the stereo with variable EQ settings to push the bass, middle and/or treble. I found the system really highlighted the music’s source quality, for example: CD’s sounded amazing but the low-bit MP3 recordings were very poor. Having then tried this out on some better MP3 recordings, I had never heard them sound so good. The same goes
for the DAB Radio - on some of the live recordings you felt as if you were there! So, do not force the system to play tinny recordings would be my advice, as it will just showcase the flaws… The functions that this device offers are FM/DAB/DAB+ radio, CD, Apt-X CD quality Bluetooth, USB, Aux-In, plus some fun little extras such as lighting control and a series of relaxing sounds to use along with the sleep function if the device is used for evening relaxation. The Unit comes in ten different colours: Black (matte and shiny), Emerald (glossy), Graphite (shiny), Red (shiny), Silver (shiny), Taupe (shiny), White (matte and shiny) and Walnut. To summarise: if you are after a quality all-in-one system which will last you for the next 30 years, then this could be a great reliable investment. However, you should start saving now as the RRP is £599.
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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
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Pawbo Munch This cute little robo-dog from Pawbo is the Munch treat dispenser, which can be used alongside the Pawbo+ Interactive Pet Camera or as a standalone product which can encourage your pet to take a little gamble in life. Although super cute, this is certainly not the smallest or most discrete treat dispenser on the market! At 24.3 (L) x 21 (D) mm and 906g in weight when empty, it has a slot machine game mode which lets you spin the wheel of chance and win either one, two or three portions of treats (everyone’s a winner). The Munch has a transparent lid too, so you can clearly see how many treats are loaded into the dispenser. There is an LED screen on the front which displays your pet’s winning symbols in an old school blocky fashion (think Tamagotchi style); it will also play some
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funky music to draw you pet’s attention. The Munch can be powered by either the mains via the included USB cable or with alkaline batteries, which means you can place the unit anywhere and keep cables away from those naughty pets that can’t help but chew on wires. It also comes with a remote, so you don’t even have to get off your backside to entertain your pet. However, if you misplace it you can still activate the dispenser manually. It will fit allsizes of snacks thanks to the input modifier, which gives the owners total control over what treats to reward their pets with. The treats
can be dropped straight out of the shoot and scattered onto the floor or, for a tidier solution, there is a handy snack tray that can be slid out to catch the treats. This tray is also detachable for easy cleaning. If you have the Pawbo Interactive Camera, the Munch can be activated through ‘control 2’ on the app, providing much more of a treat fest than the camera can provide. This fun treat dispenser will keep both you and your pet entertained, the solid construction means they won’t be able to break in and help themselves, whilst synching it to the Pawbo camera means you can treat them from anywhere in the world! RRP £109.00
https://www.pawbo.com/uk/pawbo-munch.html/ Pros Cute and quirky Slot machine style game play Solid construction Removable dispense tray Takes any size treat Battery or mains powered Remote
Cons Rather large Limited functions
Gadgethead Magazine
Silverlit Robo Chameleon If Philip Schofield is happy to award this toy ‘Best in Show’ on ‘How to spend it well at Christmas’, there is probably no reason to look at it any further and just assume its awesome. But, as I get paid per review, I should probably write something! This cute robotic chameleon comes from Silverlit, who make a whole host of robo friends, including a range of pets that won’t chew the furniture or poop on the carpet. This cool little dude has a four directional remote control and three step hunting strategy, just like the real lizard. It will seek down prey, aim to shoot and snap up its food (don’t worry you won’t have to supply real insects) with a flick of its tongue. Thankfully you won’t have issues with losing this lizard friend because, unlike the real thing that blends into the background, this
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guy draws attention to himself by putting on a funky display with his LED lights. These lights glow and can provide multiple colour changes. There is a straightforward remote control that can be mastered by little hands to direct the chameleon, change its colour and whip out his tongue. His eyes also roll around and his tail wags as he walks about. Robo Chameleon comes with his own bugs for food, which connect to his tongue via magnetic contacts, meaning he can also pick up other magnets and things like
paper clips. This lizard is rather sizable at 271(L) X 102(D) X 138(H) mm and will need six batteries that are not included: two AA for the remote and four AA for the robot itself. It is suitable for ages 3+, but due to the skills and patience it needs to “catch” its food, it maybe best suited for ages 5+ depending on the child. Over all the Robo Chameleon is a colourful and entertaining toy; we never questioned that silver fox Phil! RRP £39.99
https://www.silverlit.com/a/product/robochameleon/ Pros Entertaining LED lights Catches its food Simple remote control
Cons Can struggle to move on thick carpet Batteries not included
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Sodastream Spirit One Touch Sodas are great: they are a staple at any children’s party, they make amazing cocktails and are super refreshing in the summer time. The downside, however (there is always a downside), is they are often full of sugar, which just isn’t good for us no matter how much we love it and the endless amounts of plastic bottles that will have David Attenborough personally coming to your house to punch you in the face. Thankfully, you can now have your cake and eat it (or drink it) too with the Sodastream Spirit One Touch. This lets you make delicious soda drinks at home, keeping
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things healthier and more environmentally friendly. It comes with a reusable 1 Litre capacity carbonating bottle, which will keep in the fizz for up to 2 weeks. It’s a good size for setting on the table during dinner, storing in the fridge, for sharing, or simply keeping it in the fridge to pour from all day long. The bottle is also BPA-free, however, unfortunately, it is hand wash only - not that I have a dish washer anyway, but that’s beside the point - and it can only be reused
until the expiration date printed on the bottle. The Spirit One Touch is rather tall but nice and slim, so it won’t take up too much space on your counter. It looks sleek and elegant, but most importantly transforms boring old tap water into wine… no wait…into sparking water! There are three levels of carbonation available at a touch of a button, it really couldn’t be easier! It is powered off the mains, so this may limit where you can place it, but with an endless range of flavours available online, we think it is worth it. RRP £109.99
https://sodastream. co.uk/products/spiritone-touch Pros Beautiful design Very easy to use 1L bottle can be stored in the fridge BPA free bottle Environmentally and economically friendlier Make healthier versions of your favourite drinks
Cons Handwash only bottle Only powered off the mains
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Morfboard Skate / Scoot Combo With so much talk about kids leading increasingly sedentary lives its important to find fun ways to get them moving that they don’t lose in interest in it after 5mins. The Morfboard is a rather unique set up that lets you morf from one configuration to another. We received the Morfboard Skate/Scoot combo which is the starter pack, from here you can add extensions
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that are sold separately (Bounce Xtention and Balance Xtention), allowing for a lowcost introduction to
building new skills. The Skate/Scoot comes in four different colours Chartreuse, Cyan, Lava and Mint, the MorfBoard itself if the only board you’ll ever for all the Xtensions, it connects with the extensions via a simple LRT (Lock and Release
https://morfboard.com/collections/the-system Pros Multiple configurations Low cost Solid build quality Simple to switch Xtentions
Good introduction into skateboarding and scooting Easy to manoeuvre
Technology), all you need to do to attach the Xtensions is to just drop them into the board and turn, the flex trigger then securely locks in place and you are ready to go. The Skate Extension has 53mm wheels with ABEC-5 performance bearings and solid aluminium alloy trucks, this means they can perform grinds, the deck which is included with the combo has reinforced rails for durability and a
built-in coring pattern for grip, it is shorter than a fullsize skateboard which makes it ideal for younger riders, it has a wide, 8-inch deck, and larger, softer wheels, produces is stable and responsive ride, making it a good introduction into the world of skateboarding. The secondary set is the Scoot configuration, which features an extended wheelbase and a patented, lean-to-steer front truck, and making it easy to carve, the extra fat wheels make cornering a breeze. The fully adjustable, wide handlebars and pressure foot brake give you precise control over speed and steering. The Morfboard is well made, easy to use and heaps of fun, once they master the combo functions they can move on to the balance or bounce options to keep them entertained and active for days to come. $99.99
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Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Rolling Duffle 120L When I first received this bag, I wondered why I had been sent a body bag to review, but on closer inspection, I discovered it was the Cargo Hauler Rolling Duffle. This big boy has a whopping 120L capacity and what a better way to test it out than to take it over 4,000 miles away to Florida. This bag comes in five colours, Blue, Concord (purple), Black, Fern and Flame, the down side to some larger travel bags is that you have maxed out half your weight limit before you have even packed a single pair of socks, however the Cargo Hauler only weighs an ultralight 4lbs. Made from a light
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but tough Bi-Tech material, this bag features one massive main compartment and a large end pocket, this makes keeping things organised and separate a little tricky, there is a padded top haul handle, side grab handle and a top pull handle, large rugged wheels and tie-down daisy chains. One cool feature is the adjustable, detachable backpack shoulder straps, this means (weight depending) you and pop the bag on your back
for rougher terrain and to free up both your hands, the main opening sits against your back for extra security. The u-shaped lid provides easy and complete access to all your gear at once, the bottom is lightly padded with foam for a little protection but doesn’t provide any solid support so if the bag is lightly packed it will fold in the middle. The zips can be locked together for security, the zips have storm flaps for protection against the rain, the reflective finger loops make the bag easy to open even when wearing thick gloves. The Cargo Hauler
proved a reliable travel companion, the only down side was the lack of separate pockets mean that everything got jumbled together at the bottom of the bag as it slips down when on the move. It was reasonably comfortable to wear on your back but it’s important to remember how large it is when turning around on the underground, as its easy to wipe out at least four people in one go! The addition of a hip belt or sternum strap would offer a little more stability and comfort when travelling for longer periods of time. Lastly when you trip it over the entire bag packs away neatly and compactly into its own little bag making it easy to store, ready for your next adventure. RRP $169
https://www.eaglecreek.com/shop/cargo-haulerrolling-duffel-120l-xl-ec0a2v6w#hero=0 Pros Large capacity Lightweight Tough material and wheels Five colours available Lockable zips and storm flaps Adjustable, removable shoulder straps Lots of handles Packs away in compact bag carry bag
Cons No sternum or hip belt Only two pockets so difficult to organise your belongings Items slip to the bottom on the bag when moving it Floods in the middle if it isn’t full
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ergoPouch Australia Cocoon Swaddle Bag The Australian company ergoPouch was founded in 2008 by sleep deprived mother, Alina Sack. Her son who was a rather difficult sleeper kept the family up at night, so she decided to make a him the very first ergoPouch sleeping bag and the household finally got some sleep. From there they have gone on to make a variety for sleep wear products - the Cocoon Swaddle bag allows for the comfort of swaddling without the necessary origami skills, this awardwinning 2 in 1 baby swaddle sleep bag is designed to be both effortless to use for the adults and difficult to escape from for the baby, as long as you can work a zip, you can operate this bag. It has been designed for those babies who like a little freedom or are transitioning to arms out sleeping, the patented poppers
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create armholes that can be used to convert from a swaddle to a sleeping bag. All ergoPouch products are made from natural fibres and soft organic cotton and equally skin friendly bamboo lining that make them nice and breathable. There are four colours to choose from and three TOG options available, 0.2, 1.0 and 2.5 TOG, which means you can use the Cocoon Swaddle throughout the year. The bell-shaped bottom (I have one of those too) is recognised by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute
(IHDI) as hip healthy, allowing for healthy hip development, and the two-way zipper means you have easy access to the danger zone for changing nappies whilst the little chin guard keeps the cold zip off their skin. The ErgoPouch Cocoon Swaddle is beautifully made, it is lovely and soft as well as straightforward to operate, a good choice to help those wriggly little monsters (and everyone else in the house) get a decent night’s sleep.
Pros Premium constructions Attractive prints 4 designs, 3 TOG and 2 sizes to choose from Poppers form arm holes Chin guard Zip access to change nappies Swaddling comfort
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Doro 8035 We have always had a soft spot for the Doro phones, sure they might not be the fastest or most up-to-date phones on the market, but the effort they go to ease people like my old man, (who wouldn’t have even be able to switch on a phone before) into the modern world is very thoughtful. I mean he still can’t send a text but he can answer a call…eventually!!! The 8035 has attempted to keep up with the fast pace evolution of smartphones, it offers a choice between a traditional Android interface and Doro’s highly intuitive, actionbased interface that makes navigating blindingly simple, it comes with Google Assistant who can help you out with a whole host of tasks with just the use of your voice. It also keeps track of the actions you use most often. The initial set up if unbelievably user friendly, teaching you what and why the phone works as it
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does, this lets you get the perfect set up for you and your needs, including visual and hearing settings from the get-go saving you from having to hunt through the menus or attempt to interpret the user manual. Its overall look of the phone probably won’t blow you away, but the plastic materials helps to keep the weight down, the 5 inch screen is clear and functional without out being too big in your hands and we liked the Blue colour scheme too. There is a builtin assistance button enabling direct contact with your chosen
emergency contacts or convenience services in your area, this is activated by either holding the button for five seconds or hitting it three time consecutively (Beetlejuice style) which makes it very unlikely it will be accidently activated through daily use. All the usual suspects are included, GPS, email, torch and camera, however the 5MP+2MP produces rather underwhelming photos, we would love to see this improved as there are many grandparents out there who love to take photos of the grandchildren or use video calls to keep in touch with loved ones. The HAC (hearing aid compatible) feature is good as well as the step by step tutorials and loud and clear sound, it takes a long time to switch on
and can be a bit slow at powering up apps but for smartphone beginners and senior users this might not be such an issue. Overall this is great option for older users and people with specific needs that the Doro can attend too, it is a little pricey when you look at issues like the speed, design and camera quality but the battery life is strong, the display is clear, and you won’t find a more user-friendly phone out there. RRP £220
https://www.doro.co.uk/doro-8035.html Pros Step by step tutorials for first set up Extremely user-friendly HAC (hearing aid compatible) Assistance button Loud and clear sound Traditional Android interface or Doro’s highly intuitive Good battery life
Cons Poor camera quality Old fashioned design Slow
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Tula Explore Baby Carrier and Baby Blanket The Explore Baby Carrier from Tula is available in seven sweet designs and offers multiple positions for both baby and carrier. These include: facing out, facing in, and back carrying. Each configuration has been carefully considered to provide a natural and ergonomic position, making things as comfortable as possible for both parties, as well as encouraging healthy hip and spine development. There is an innovative body panel with an easy-toadjust design that lets you adjust the width into three different settings, in order keep up with your baby as they grow. This means it is compatible
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from new-born all the way through to early toddlerhood, and it can be used from 7 - 45 pounds without the use of an infant insert. The Explore features a padded, adjustable neck support pillow that can be used in multiple positions and will provide stable head and neck support for new-borns and sleeping babies. Made from a lightweight and breathable 100% cotton which is lovely and soft, and importantly machine-washable for all those less than pleasant little accidents.
There is generous padding in the shoulder straps to keep things comfortable around the neck and shoulders, which also allows for quick adjustments and makes it easy to switch between carriers on the go. The wide padded waistband helps evenly distribute weight across the carrier’s body to help prevent back and shoulder pain, whilst the padded leg openings help keep baby comfortable. Conveniently, there is a large pocket on the waistband to store essentials, like snacks or toys for easy access (and quick distractions) on the move. The removable
tulababy.co.uk/collections/explore-baby-carrier tulababy.co.uk/collections/blankets Pros Excellent construction Multiple positions (Explore) Lots of padding (Explore)
hood attaches via the snaps and can be used to support baby’s head while sleeping, providing protection from the sun or to add extra privacy while feeding baby if you feel you should want it. Tula advise that the Explore should only be used in the facing out position with the baby having head and neck control and their chin should clear the top of the panel when facing out. They also suggest a weight range for the facing out position of 13-22lb for shorter intervals of time for optimal comfort, and to watch baby for signs of
Hip belt with pocket (Explore)
adjust (Explore) Perfect size for swaddling (Blanket) Super soft (Blanket) Lots of designs available (both)
Easy to use and
sleepiness or over-stimulation as baby should not sleep in the front carry facing out position. Along with the Explore Baby Carrier, we received a Tula Baby Blanket to check out. There are 41 designs to choose from, so there is something for all tastes and themes. At 47”x 47”, they are an excellent size for swaddling, laying out on the floor for play time, tucking in to push chairs and can even be used for privacy when feeding if wanted. It is made from 100% Viscose, which is made from specially processed bamboo pulp. This creates a super-soft, fluid, lightweight, breathable and plump feel that is super luxurious. The Explore and Blanket are both beautiful and practical. The carrier is versatile, comfortable for both you and baby, whilst the blanket is wonderfully snuggly. RRP £154.90 (Tula Explore Baby Carrier) & £45.00 (Tula Baby Blanket Set)
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
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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