Gadgethead 4.09

Issue 4.09

UK

£4.95

www.thegadgethead.com

Inspired By Your Success

Contents BÆndit Eye Wear • UA Men’s Cage Shorts • Finisterre True North Vox Board Shorts

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 Garmin Vívoactive 3 Music • UA – Men’s SpeedForm AMP 3.0 Training Shoes • KitSound BoomBar 2+ Bluetooth Speaker • Leg & Go Balance Bike 3in1 • MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle Page 20 UA Men’s Seamless Leggings • Marshall Kilburn II • Nextbase 612GW 4K Dash Cam • Nutri Ninja Kitchen System 1500W Page 30 RAC 225 S Super HD Dash Cam • Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum Cleaner • Women’s UA Vanish Tank • DeWalt DCK264P2-GB 18V 5.0AH Li-ion XR Brushless Cordless Nailer Twin Pack • Thumbs Up - Swipe Unicorn Powerbank Page 40 Urbanista New York • UA Vanish Seamless Long Sleeve • Sirui VA 5 Video Head • Olight S30R Baton III • Stryd Page 50 Victorinox Expedition Kit • Walkstool Comfort • Women’s UA Breathe Trainer Training Shoes • Puro Sound Labs – Volume Limited Kids’ Headphones Page 60 Under Armour UA Vanish Printed Leggings • Edifier R1010BT Bluetooth Speakers • PLAYR

BÆndit Eye Wear Alessandro Schueli and designer Dane Galphin, launched Bændit, a Hong Kong-based brand eye wear with some unusual and innovative features, patent pending structure and materials allowing for a new relationship with our sunglasses.

They have a modular design composed of two frames and lens modules, a nose bridge and two temples that all slot together with four and eight pin hand welded alloy attachment, coated with a silicone, sold in two sections, lens and temple set. All the BÆndit pieces are interchangeable and are compatible with all models allowing you to mix and match and change up the colour and deconstruct them when not in use to fit in even the smallest of pockets (women’s high street fashion, we are looking at you!). The USP here is the bendable temple pieces, have them loose for casual wear, press them to your head for a tight fit, twist

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them round your ears for a secure hold, bend them round your arm when it gets darker, hang them off your clothing or equipment - the temples claim to be able to mould into any shape, but try and fold them down into the traditional closed sunglasses shape and you will discover they cannot. We received two sets to play with, the Red Baron and Ned Kelly Frame (there is a theme here with Billy the Kid, the Sundance Kid, Al Capone, Salvatore Giuliano and not forgetting one for the girls Belle Starr also available) as well as two sets of Unshakable temples (White and Yellow). Both feature a Silicone-Rubber Elastomer cured casing and injection moulded

with the alloy core to be permanently bonded.

Both lenses are custom S20 Revo lenses that filter out 100% of UVA / UVB / UVC, made from Thermoplastic Polycarbonate composite. The Red Baron have in-mould electric welded stainless-steel structure frames with nickel free plating with hand brushed finishing and laser engraved, whilst the Ned Kelly use TR-90 polymer for a lightweight feel with a resistance to deformation index of 620kg/cm2 and the ability to regain its shape. I wanted to love these glasses, one of my friends complains they always need to bend their sunglasses as one ear is slightly higher than the other and the glasses always look wonky, these would be handy for him, but I’m not sure who else they would excite. The Unshakeable

temples aren’t flexible or long enough to be revolutionary, I couldn’t get them to wrap tightly around my skinny arms, I also found it difficult to construct and deconstruct the temples (they have a very tight fit). You can twist them behind your ears to hold in place for more vigorous activities but then the lenses aren’t wide enough to make them good for sports, it also means when you straighten them out again you need to check in the mirror that they are straight. The lenses look high quality but then you attach these cheap looking temples and immediately lower the quality, this would be fine if they weren’t $149 (Red Baron) for this price they need to do more, at least make the presentation and packaging better quality.

The Bendable system is interesting and has potential but needs more work before it has a real function in the market place. RRP $119

https://www.baendit.com/ Pros Mix and match Can be deconstructed for compact storage Bendable Unstoppable temples can wrap around the ear for secure fitting Lenses look attractive

Cons Difficult to attach and remove temples Unstoppable temples look cheap Poorly packaged Lenses too small for sports Temples not flexible enough expensive

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Gadgethead Magazine

UA Men’s Cage Shorts First off, I will be basing my entire knowledge of MMA on my HIIT instructor: he puts us through the class like he actually hates us, so I can only assume it attracts tough nuts and lunatics. The Cage Shorts from Under Armour have been created specifically with MMA in mind and have tried to create a tough, light and stretchy fit to let you freely move around.

Featuring a slightly slimmer fit than your average shorts, they claim to have the same “next-to-skin without the squeeze” design we have seen many times with Under Armour gear, however it isn’t as close as the other protects. These aren’t compression shorts and don’t have a close fit like the tights would and you certainly don’t have to worry about the squeeze.

The cage shorts have a tight and durable woven fabric, ideal for intense workouts and rolling around on the floor, there are mesh side panels for strategic ventilation,

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and the UA four way stretch construction allows for completely free movement of the legs, no matter what direction you attempt to contort yourself into.

To keep you covered when you get your sweat on (yes, we are talking about butt sweat here), the light and thin material (89% Polyester and 11% Elastane) wicks reasonable well and dries out quickly.

As I mentioned at the beginning, I don’t know a lot about MMA and the rules they enforce when it comes to competing. However, I was under the impression that, due to the close contact nature

of the sport, pockets are a no-no, due to the risk of injury to fingers getting caught, and as metal (also on the shorts) is banned too, I wonder if the plastic tips on the draw string (rather than a knot or stitched over finish) would pose a risk too.

I will leave that to the pros.

The two large pockets can be useful for training, whilst the encased elastic waistband with internal drawcord will help maintain a secure fit.

The Cage Shorts are available in Black, Gray, Red and Navy in sizes S-XXL. We found the short a lightweight, comfortable garment, with a 20cm inseam for a flattering, practical finish. As for whether they would be suitable for MMA…we remain undecided.

RRP £36

https://amzn.to/2wkPPwQ Pros Lightweight Wicking Ventilation Comfortable Flexible Pockets

Cons Not 100% sure its MMA compatible

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Gadgethead Magazine

Finisterre True North Vox Board Shorts Finisterre was born in 2003 from the mind of Tom Kay who wanted to create products and appeal for the needs of British surfers, those crazy folks whose love of surf drives them into the cold and harsh British coastlines; Finisterre (which literally translates into end of the earth or land’s end) aims to design functional and sustainable products for those that share a love of the sea and natural world.

There are two important things to consider when choosing surf wear, one, the performance capabilities of the apparel, and two, how cool you look in them (this maybe the most important thing to some people). The Vox Board short from the True North range ticks the box when it comes to aesthetics, the Rough Sea design is an attractive pattern and colour, it is also available in a plain navy to people looking for a more minimalist look.

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The Vox has taken into consideration function, fit and longevity, they have been made from Delta 100% recycled micro-ripstop polyester yarn, woven in Japan, it can be washed with similar colours in the machine washable at 30 degrees. The Delta yarn technology has been constructed to remain durable and prevent sagging over time, with a 25cm seam-free inner leg and off set outer seams means there is slim chance of chaffing, and the drawcord adjustable waist with

metal free eyelets provides a precise and secure fit. The Vox provide a breathable, wicking and lightweight fit, with an inner pocket for storing small items the shorts also offer UV protection. The Vox provide an attractive profile and look cool and colourful both wet and dry, they are missing an inner mesh that some wears may find less comfortable, but over all a good, hardy, board short. RRP ÂŁ85

https://finisterre.com/products/mens-tn-voxboard-shorts-navy Pros Look great wet and dry Lightweight Recycled polyester Inner pocket Secure waist fastening UV protection Seamless inner legs

Cons No inner net No outer pockets

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Gadgethead Magazine

Garmin Vívoactive 3 Music It is almost impossible to think of a running watch without Garmin being the first name that pops into your head, leaders in this field and quite rightly so, the Garmin Vívoactive 3 Music allows you to completely detach yourself from your phone by allowing you to upload up to 500 songs and listen to them via Bluetooth headphones for a free running experience.

This GPS smartwatch includes Garmin Pay which lets you make payments with your watch, so that’s the wallet and cash left at home too, and you can personalise the watch face with thousands of options, apps and more from the Connect IQ store. With sport at its heart there are more than 15 preloaded apps ready to use, including running, walking, swimming, strength training and yoga, you can also create your own or download custom ones then, your smartwatch will keep track of the exercises, reps, sets and rest time for you. To ensure you are performing at your optimum level there is

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a heart rate monitor, like all wrist placed heart rate monitors accuracy is an issue, however it often seemed to be accurate to about 15-20bpm over, this means with a bit of maths you can work out where you are. You can monitor your VO2 max with this watch but again due to accuracy issues I would take the results with a pinch of salt, I did find the information on stress levels interesting and prompted me to be aware of mindfulness when my levels peaked too high. Other features include the Vicoactive 3 Music, what this has to offer is up to 7 days of battery life in smartwatch mode

and up to 5 hours in GPS with music mode, that accurate built in GPS Garmin is known for, it is fully waterproof for you can take it swimming with you, snowboarding or skiing. The Garmin Chroma Display makes it easy to read direct sunlight, no longer trying to find a shady spot to read your screen and has been housed under extra-durable glass.

You can always remain connected once paired with your smartphone to you can respond to text messages, read emails, get updates when your Uber is arriving and keep an eye on the weather with the AccuWeather app.

If you choose to take your phone with you, you can control your music from the watch, you can even find your phone if you misplace it, your friends can track your achievements and ensure you are safe

via LiveTrack. For those with a competitive streak you can automatically upload your activities to the Garmin Connect online community or share them on social media. There are so many ways to use and customise this watch, it will take a little while to get your head around all the features, but it has a comfortable and compact design, and easy to use interface, the app provides all the breakdowns of your work out and more customisable settings.

If I could make changes I would like to see the battery life increased for when you do many workouts in a week, interchangeable straps would be nice for a different look and the heart rate monitor accuracy needs improvement but that is a universal issue with wrist monitors.

After playing with the Vivoactive 3 for a month I loved the fact you could leave you phone behind

without compromise, stay connected and enjoy your music whilst digging deep into training, it helped me feel encouragement and confidence during my activities and looked discreet and classy at the same time. RRP £299.99

https://amzn.to/2NvgnCs Pros Upload up to 500 songs 15 preloaded sports app (more available) Heartrate monitor- VO2 max and stress level Contactless payments Stay connected with notifications, reply to text Water and weatherproof Compact, intuitive design Daily fitness and stress tracking Customisable, easy to read screen Functions, straightforward app Accurate GPS, lightweight

Cons All this tech comes at a price Battery life when GPS and music is used, drains quickly Non-customisable strap

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UA – Men’s SpeedForm AMP 3.0 Training Shoes One of my least favourite things is to go shoe shopping (in fact, make that any kind of shopping) when the old reliable trainers have to be retired due to falling apart with every step, or the smell has just become too overpowering. You pop into your favourite sports store only to be faced with an intimidating wall of shoes, which, more or less, all look the same.

The SpeedForm AMP 3.0 training shoes stand out from the crowd with a unique design on both the midsole and lacing system. They come in four colours: Black and Orange, Black and Blue, Light Brown and Black and White, which was the design we received.

This design, like anything that breaks the mould, will evoke a love or hate reaction, especially some of the other colours, but personally I liked the look.

The SpeedForm AMP 3.0 use the innovative UA SpeedForm construction that

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moulds over time to your foot shape for a precise fit. They are wonderfully light at just 250g per shoe and have a heel-to-toe off set of just 2mm.

The upper has a full knit construction for ultimate flexibility and lateral stability. The unusual lacing system wraps across the upper, which, whilst adding to the stability, does make it difficult to find the perfect fit straight away - you will have to tweak each section of the lace before you get a good fit across the foot. After that, though, we found it easier to leave the laces tied and slip your

foot in and out (just like your mum always told you not too).

This brings us nicely to the sock-like construction, which is lovely and comfortable and wraps around the foot. This, along with the lack of a tongue, means these shoes are best suited for averagenarrow feet due to the design; a wider foot will probably find them uncomfortable as you can make the shoes tighter but not looser. The insole is non-removable, so you won’t be able to clean or add your own insoles to these shoes, and there is an internal stability shank to support explosive movements, which worked well, but it doesn’t help produce explosive movements; that’s all down to you.

Back to that original, open, floating space

between the foot and the midsole, this has been employed to support your natural arch movement.

After a few classes, we remain unconvinced this adds anything beyond aesthetics, but it doesn’t weaken the shoe either.

Other features include the full-length Micro G foam midsole for a cushioned landing and the rubber pattern which covers the outsole for a good amount of traction.

After a few training sessions both indoors and out, we found that they are a comfortable and responsive training shoe with lots of flexibility.

There is a seam on the inner sole on that is particularly rough on the outside of the foot, which has potential to cause trouble over time. We also found a few stones getting stuck in the open design.

RRP £100.00

https://amzn.to/2NtSACS Pros Unique design Comfortable Flexible Lightweight Responsive Breathable

Cons Non removeable insole Stones get stuck in cut away Seam has potential to rub Slightly narrow

 Gadgethead Magazine

KitSound BoomBar 2+ Bluetooth Speaker The KitSound BoomBar 2+ is self-described as “retro inspired design meets modern innovation”, meant to look like an 80’s boombox, personally, I think the design looks rather modern and not very retro or 80’s – it’s lacking all the knobs, defined edges and bare bone design of 80’s boombox so does this mean the sound quality is equivalent to a 30year old machine?

Well, lets take a little look at some of the features before we get to the sound, one of the biggest draws it the IP66 this provides total dust ingress protection as well as high pressure water jets from any direction, this mean rain, dust, beaches, festivals or worksites it will survive. It has an unusual horizontal design that’s slightly top heavy an has the potential to tip when not on a flat surface, if you do rock it over onto

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its side you get more of a directional shell. The built-in rechargeable battery takes about four hours to receive a full charge and will give you about 10 hours of play time, it connects wirelessly via Bluetooth V4.2 with a 10m range that holds true, I can wander around most of the house (we have a small house) and not lose connections through walls and ceilings. The BoomBar 2+ uses 20 Watts of power, it comes with

a charging cable and optional Aux lead and is available in either Black, Gun-Metal and Rose-Gold (the ends of the speaker are black no matter which design you choose).

The silicone cover that protects the Aux and charging port is very fiddly to get out even with my combination of small fingers and long nails, we also found the sound projects in one direction and doesn’t fill the room particularly well. Now for the sound quality, KS either creates products that will either blow you away or offer you a limp handshake, sadly this falls into the category of the latter. When using the Bluetooth connection,

the treble is harsh and spikey and the bass lacks energy and punch, the mid tone is the best out of the three making it good for audiobooks or TV shows.

When using the Aux, the sound quality is improved with more depth and richer tones, all things considered if you were just using this for background music at a BBQ or whilst working its fine but for the big price tag you can get the same quality for a lot less. RRP £70

https://amzn.to/2wmHLvT Pros Water and dust resistant (IP66) Easy to connect and use Included aux and charging cable 10m range is accurate 10hr playtime

Cons Flat sound, harsh sound with Bluetooth Lacks boom for a boombar Expensive Boring design Sound doesn’t fill room

 Gadgethead Magazine

Leg & Go Balance Bike 3in1 Like many people I can remember getting my stabiliser removed off my first bike, I felt like I was such a grown up setting out for the first time on wheels, shortly after I was covered in plasters and iodine. The problem with stabilisers is they fail to teach you the art of balance and subtle leaning needed to master a bike, to ease children into the world of cycling a balance bike is a good place to start.

The 3 in 1 Balance Bike from Leg & Go is a successful Kick Starter project from chief designer Egons Garklavs, choose between a Balance Bike, Baby Bike and Bouncy Bike configurations and with additional kits you can modify the bike into a Rocking Elephant, Tricycle, Downhill Bike and Pedal Bike, with the Polar Bike (think of a scooter with skis instead of wheels) coming soon, giving you up to eight different modifications to choose from. We will be focusing on

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the three that come with the original pack, constructed from Baltic birch plywood free of voids, its inner layers are thick and solid, making it strong and long-lasting. Using wood as the main material helps to absorb impact during any accidents, and the customisability makes it an economic and more environmentally friendly purchase. The Balance Bike can grow with your child with no special tools required to make changes, there are easy to use, hand friendly knobs to adjust the height,

seat, distance from the handle bars and configuration of the bike, there is a builtin magnet for ease of changing accessories, the front wheel is larger than the rear to make steering around obstacles more trouble free and provides control on bumpy terrain, the whole thing is lightweight at just 3.3kg and is suitable for children up to 30kg. The Balance Bike (1.5years to 5years) configuration helps to encourage a confident sense of balance and coordination and provides a good natural suspension, the Baby Bike (10months to 2 years old) is suitable for children who have just learnt to stand, encouraging them to take their first steps and develop balance, the upside-down frame is the lowest variant

of them all for the youngest riders with inside leg height of 20 cm. Lastly the Bouncy Bike (2-3years old) is a great choice for those children who love to swing, providing a bouncy, but safe ride, best on flat terrains, the steering limiter prevents sharp turning angles. The 3 in 1 is an excellent idea, and with lots of modification and adjustment options there is something for every child from 18months (6months is the additional rocking elephant is purchase) all the way up to 5 years old. The minimalist wooden design is practical, durable and rather beautiful, all the components are well made and straightforward to assemble, adjust and enjoy.

RRP €250

http://legandgo.com/shop/ Pros 3 in 1 with up to 8 configurations with available add ons Durable materials Natural suspension Easy to adjust Attractive minimalist, gender neutral design Teaches balance and coordination Steering limiter Compact pack down for storage and travel

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Gadgethead Magazine

MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle Looking after a new born can be incredibly difficult at times, if you throw Colic into the mix you will enter into a whole new world of sleep deprived hell, the Easy Start Anti-Colic bottles from MAM aim to help combat this problem and claim to offer an 80% reduction in colic (based on market research USA 2010 n=35 / Field study Austria 2011, n=73).

The teat has a flat and distinctive design with a skin soft silicone construction, it is clear, odourless and tasteless and it doesn’t degrade over time, all things have been considered to make the switch between bottle and breast as easy as possible. The MAM Teats come in five sizes, size 1 slow flow, size 2 medium flow, size 3 fast flow, a Non-Spill teat, for older babies who are attempting to self-feed and the size X which has a cross cut for thicker liquids, all the teats are interchangeable with

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all bottles in the MAM range. We received the slow flow 160ml two pack and medium flow 260ml two pack in the cuddly penguin design, these are the two sizes available and there is a choice of cutesy animal designs to pick from, I am not a huge fan of the pictures, they are a bit sweet and fluffy for my tastes, the child won’t benefit from these images so it’s really there for the adults and if that’s the case I would rather look at adult designs (why does that sound dirty? That’s not meant to sound dirty). One

of the great features of these bottles is the self-sterilising function, ensuring everything is ready when you need it without the use of a steriliser, simply heat in the microwave for three minutes with a little water and it’s ready to use, it is really that simple, the downside, you will need access to a microwave, many places have these but there are the old households, my parents for example, who still don’t own one, (get with the times mum!). The chunky patented vented base is the key to the anticolic action, it helps to ensure that babies can drink calmly and relaxed, the ventilation holes regulate pressure balance and airflow, and as the bottle ventilates via

the bottom, milk flows undisturbed without air bubbles, the downside to the base is it makes it harder for little hands to hold if they want to try and feed themselves. The MAM Easy Start bottles are low maintenance bottles that let your feed fuss free, the anti-colic system works well, and the self-sterilising is super convenient. RRP £6

https://www.mamonlineshop.com/acatalog/d.html Pros Anti-colic Self-sterilising Interchangeable teats Soft, distinct teat BPA free

Cons Large base can be awkward for little hands Animal graphics bit too cute for me

 Gadgethead Magazine

UA Men’s Seamless Leggings I am going to let you into a secret here lads: us girls don’t wear gym and running leggings just because they make our butts and legs look great. It’s a bonus but they serve a much more important benefit than that.

Although they may look restrictive, they are stretchy to allow for freedom of movement; they don’t ride up or cause chaffing like baggier trousers and shorts, not to mention the protection they provide against the sun, wind, cold and rain, the wicking properties to keep you dry and compression benefits to help your muscles work harder and recover faster…but can I persuade my husband to wear them? No. Anyway, for braver men than my fella, if you take your training seriously you may already have leggings in your arsenal. The

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Seamless Leggings from Under Armour are men’s leggings available in sizes S-XXL. These are very tight-fitting leggings, we understand that, but it is such a huge effort to get into them even for compression standards, that it appears to us the lines may run slightly small.

Created from 64% Polyester, 26% Nylon and 10% Elastane, these leggings are super stretchy. They feature the four-way stretch construction that provides your legs with full movement when you are running, stretching or training.

The soft knit fabric

has built-in mesh ventilation, making the legging exceptionally soft against your skin and providing a lightweight secondskin feeling. This thin material also works hard at wicking away the sweat from your skin and pushing it to the surface of the material to evaporate, helping you stay comfortable and dry throughout your workout. If the material does get wet, it dries out fast.

The nearly sewfree construction helps to eliminate chafing by removing or strategically placing seams to prevent rubbing in the crotch, whilst the engineered elastic waistband delivers a secure and comfortable fit. It is suggested that you

can wear these leggings both with and without shorts over the top, and this is where you guys will discover another element to leggings that us ladies are all too aware of: the underwear exposure.

These tights are very thin, and you can clearly see your underwear through them, so shorts are a necessity if you want to keep you pants covered up. As well as a little more discretion, it would be good if there were some pockets and high viz or reflective detailing to help increase visibility.

The Seamless Leggings aren’t perfect, and I don’t think I am any closer to convincing my husband into the wonders of training leggings with this pair. However with a pair of shorts over the top they are very comfortable and light, with plenty of ventilation, compressionstyle fit and a full range of movements. RRP £55.00

https://www.underarmour.co.uk/en-gb/mens-uaseamless-leggings/1320199.html Pros Compression, second skin fit Soft knit fabric Mesh ventilation Nearly sew-free construction to eliminate chafing 4-way stretch construction Dries fast Comfortable

Cons Line runs small No pockets No high vis or reflective detailing Underwear is visible

 Gadgethead Magazine

Marshall Kilburn II New on the scene is the Marshall Kilburn II - the updated version of Marshall Headphones best selling classic speaker with all new features and a tougher body to withstand all the parties and travels you throw at it. There are very few times when I open a package (and we get a lot) and my heart beats a little faster but that was the reaction the Kilburn II invoked, it truly is a thing of beauty.

I immediately whacked it on charge, eager to see what the new version can

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do, whilst I watched the little red battery indicator top up I had chance to get a closer

look at the new body.

The metal grill has been updated with a traditional microphone style design with slightly wider holes it has a cleaner and less busy finish, there are also corner caps making it look more like a classic amp and providing some extra protection from bumps

and scrapes when on the road. I never thought I would be so impressed by a strap, but this is unlike other straps, designed like a guitar strap with a strong and flexible faux leather upper and soft deep red velvet interior it adds a high-end rock and roll look to the speaker as well as a comfortable and sturdy way to carry the speaker. Being created from high end materials it isn’t something you will want to carry in your back pack for a hike at 3KG but it comfortable to take to parties, camping or to a BBQ (worth it just to see the envy in your friends’ eyes). Like the original Kilburn the new version has four sturdy rubber feet to raise it off the ground and protect surfaces, it has the classic Marshall logo across the grill and the control panel on the top of the speaker, it is made from plastic this time instead of metal which is a shame but it still looks good and the Volume,

www.marshallheadphones.com Pros Attractive design Excellent audio

20+ playtime of single charge

Loudest in its class

Bass and treble controls

Portable

Dual device connectivity

 Bass and Treble controls are still metal with a rubber grip. That cool metal on/off switch has also disappeared, and it is switched on via the volume control and there is a button to activate the Bluetooth connection. After about 2.5hours the Kilburn II was fully charged I was excited to test out the sound, you will get 20+ hours of playtime off a single charge, it was simple to pair with my device and used Bluetooth 5.0, which provides you with a 10m range. Starting with the volume the Kilburn II is the loudest in its class, it is very impressive how much noise this compact device can kick out, and whether you have it up full or down low it will still provide you with the best quality audio, pure and layered mid-range, thick pumping bass and clean and crisp treble make for a truly enjoyable listening experience. It doesn’t stop there, the multidirectional sound and back firing tweeters easily full up a room are outdoor area with sound, and the multi-host option means two people can connect to the speaker at the same time, let the musical battle commence. They say good things come in small packages and that absolutely rings true for the Kilburn II, beautiful and powerful, if you love your music this is well worth the money. RRP £269

Gadgethead Magazine

Nextbase 612GW 4K Dash Cam When it comes to Dash Cams you can opt for cheap and cheerful but it is worth remembering why you are purchasing one in the first place, they provide you with crucial detailed evidence and security.

Imagine having a collision and your camera letting you down, you would be better off with nothing, all that being said the price of the Nextbase 612GW 4K Dash Cam will ultimately still put many people off, but we are not convinced it should. Packed full of feature the 612GW is the first of its kind to offer Ultra HD 4k resolution, provide faultless image quality that you will be hard pushed to beat. Starting with what is included in the box you will get the Nextbase 612GW Elite Dash Cam, Click and Go GPS Powered Magnetic Mount, Self-Adhesive Windscreen Mount, 4m Cigarette Lighter Power Cable, 1.2m USB Mini Cable and a quick start guide, you will need to get a Micro SD card

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and due to the large format you will need a 64 or 128GB U3 class MicroSD card. This 4k cam can record in 3840 x 2160 @30fps as well as 1440p at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps which will decrease the amount of storage space you will need.

This compact little camera is made from a brushed aluminium front, with seven element glass lens that provides an ultra-wide camera angle of 150 degrees and the very latest sensor from Sony. Featuring a 3.0� LCD colour touch screen which declutters the rest of the camera down to two buttons, the power button and manual file protection button. Diving deeper into the functions of this camera there is a polarising filter

to reduce glare and reflections, Intelligent Parking Mode activated by movement, Time Lapse for pictures during long journeys and picturesque routes (because why should a dash cam only capture the bad moments), Auto Dimming of the screen at night, High Dynamic Range (HDR) which improves contrast and maintains clarity, spoken word announcements when key functions are activated, smartphone app and Wi-Fi connectivity for Android and iOS for sharing data, Nextbase Replay 3 video editing software and GPS Logging which lets you view your journey on Google Maps. As well as the easy to use and install Magnetic Click and Go mount, automatic recording and automatic file protection features that use a G-Sensor to automatically safeguard

footage upon sudden impact and the inbuilt backup battery which will allow the camera to continue recording for up to 15 minutes in event of accident were the power supply to disconnect. This camera uses the standard 12-24Vdc compatible for use in all vehicles and has GPS tracking to record location and speed date to view your journey on a map. We were disappointed to find there wasn’t any speed camera or lane departure warning (even if many people switch them off or rely on their Sat Nav for this information) as for this price you want all the bells and whistles.

You can choose between the adhesive mount or suction cup which is handy for moving the camera between cars, it is easily the best option if you are looking for the best possible picture, it could do with a few extra functions just to make you feel like you are getting your moneys worth but in reality they are feature you probably don’t need. RRP £219.95

https://amzn.to/2PN3x43 Pros Excellent 4k picture Ultrawide viewing angle (150 degrees) GPS records location and speed data Click & Go powered magnetic car mount Polarizing filter to remove windscreen glare Intelligent Parking Mode Wi-Fi link to play back 3” LCD screen Easy to use and install Auto recording and data locking

Cons No speed cam or lane drift warnings No SD card included

 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.

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

PC/ Mac

iPad iPhone

ZWIFT.COM

Nutri Ninja Kitchen System 1500W The packaging is a great indicator of the experience I was about to have with the Nutri Ninja, there is loads of information, photos and descriptions plastered all over the box making it quite busy and intimidating and when I opened the box I found loads of little boxes like Russian dolls, each with lots of complicated looking bits inside. As a kitchen system you get a lot of gear for your money, 1500 watt motor base, 500ml Nutri Ninja cup, 650ml Nutri Ninja cup, pro extractor blade assembly, two spout lids, 1.8L food processor bowl, chopping blade assembly, dough blade assembly, feed chute lid, spindle for discs, slicing / shredding disc, grating disc, 2.1L pitcher, pitcher lid with locking handle, stacked blade assembly, recipe

28

inspiration guide and the Nutri Ninja bible the instruction book.

Simplified, the kitchen kit is a precision food processor, blender and personal blender, this all-in-one system has eight different speeds and includes five AutoiQ programmes that can be activated with one touch, delivering unique pulse, pause and blend patterns suited to the specific food or drink you want to make reducing the chance of over processing. Whether you want to slice, shred, chop, grate, knead, mix, blend, make sauces, soups, dips, doughs, salads, patties, pancakes, drinks, desserts, breads, batters, cocktails, cookies, pesto or pizza, the Ninja can help you achieve it all. It can be easily converted from processor to blender

with the 2.1 litre jug. It utilises Total Crushing Blades, and a 1500watt motor that rotates from 850 to 20,000 RPM, to prepare food quickly, but you won’t be able to whip up a sneaky midnight snack due to the noise it kicks out.

All the components are well made, the only thing I don’t like is the buttons, they look and feel a bit dated and lower quality. You are going to need a lot of space for all the accessories and the unit (45 x 29.5 x 18cm), all the parts are dish washer safe and BPA free. One issue that may prevent some people from using it is that it isn’t suitable for hot liquids, this could restrict use.

Testing the Nutri Ninja was good fun as it involved lots of food, one of my favourite things, and I managed to chop and blend

wonderfully, evenly chopping onions in an instance (one of my least favourite things), it made short work of coffee beans, and was good at making cocktails too, it doesn’t juice so if you are into your juicing that’s another appliance you will need. There are lots of tools to play with and they all performed well, it is simple to use and clean (no staining or left-over residue), you may just need some ear plugs if you are using it for long periods of time. This is serious over kill if you are just wanting to make the odd smoothie now and then, but ideal for those who love home cooking, or those who enjoy entertaining due to its power, speed and high performance. RRP £149.99

https://amzn.to/2wgoZpR Pros Food Processor, Blender and Personal Blender in one Large capacity Automatic programs Lots of accessories Easy to use High performing Powerful Dishwash safe

Cons Loud No hot liquids Doesn’t juice Takes up lots of space

 Gadgethead Magazine

RAC 225 S Super HD Dash Cam Just like the internet and mobile phones, what was once a luxury can become necessity and the Dash Cam is no different, it has become even more vital for me since we have recently had 20km of dual carriage way added to our local area, with many roundabouts, an unnecessary amount of lanes that make zero sense, that have led to numerous accidents and constant cut up (I will save the rest of my rant for my local MP), so evidence has become a must.

The RAC 225S Super HD dash cam, is a compact forward-facing camera with GPS, packed full of functions to help keep you safe on the road. So, what you do get included in the price? Well the box contains the RAC 225S Ultra HD in car camera, an 8GB SD card, a SD card reader, a mount holder, charger, lead and windscreen pad.

This provide 1296p video recording, which understandably produces a lovely clear image, it also has a large 3inch colour display, 320

30

x 240 resolution, 3.0-megapixel sensor, GPS tracking, Speed Camera Alerts, motiontriggered mode, and a G sensor incident recording. Described as compact I would argue that 9cm x 5.5cm x 3.5cm (3.5” x 2” x 1.3”) and 0.115kg is average if not slightly larger than other cameras in this price bracket.

There is nothing new or exciting to offer, it records in a loop, it features an Emergency button that allows you to manually select the current video segment if you want it to be

protected, the G Sensor is there to detect sudden movements, like a break in or swerving and automatically protect the recorded data.

The screen provides a clear playback and automatically switches off whilst driving to avoid distraction, recording begins as soon as you switch on the ignition, you can select the microphone to record audio at a push of a button, it is powered by your incar cigarette lighter, it must be continuously plugged into the power source when in use.

The speed camera alerts notify the driver of upcoming speed and safety cameras by an audio and visual alert, advising the distance, speed camera type, the current camera’s speed limit and the current speed you are travelling

at. The 225S can also be used to take still photos, it has a enhanced night vision, low light warning and 130degrees recording angle. The mount adds more volume to the set up as it isn’t integrated into the camera and involves an extra lead to connect the GPS which, strangely, lives in the mount not the camera, this lead limits the movability of the camera.

The only other reason I can see for the keeping the GPS in the mount is rather cynical but once the mount is installed there is no moving it so even though the camera can be detached you cannot use it in another vehicle without the mount, which results in more sales. It is easy to find your way around the menus, the image quality is great and reasonable in low lighting, the recording angle could be wider. Is this a good dash cam?

Yes. Is it worth the money?

No, not until it improves it features, there are better out there for a similar price. RRP £245

https://proofcam.com/products/rac-225 Pros Excellent image in good light Reasonable image in low light Precise GPS G-Sensor Speed camera alerts Clear display Easy to use

Cons Bulky mount GPS in mount-once installed it can’t be moved to another position or vehicle No Wi-Fi Wired power only Lens angle could be wider

 Gadgethead Magazine

Shark DuoClean Powered LiftAway Upright Vacuum Cleaner The DuoClean Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum Cleaner from Shark combines two technologies to clean seamlessly from carpets to hard floors - this vacuum cleaner has two brush rolls working together to remove three different types of dirt from your floors and carpets, large, small and stuck

32

on particles. There is a soft, velvet like brush roll that is directly in contact with all hard floors, removing stuck-on dirt, fine dust and large objects and when the Shark is used on carpets, the second bristle bar comes into play with the first brush roll, cleaning the pile and carpet fibres to remove embedded hair and fine

dirt. Both brushes are individually powered, rotating in the same direction and there is a control located on the handle for quick and straightforward switching between soft and hard floors.

Another handy feature of this vacuum is the Lift-Away unit, this allows you to remove the main unit from the wand turning it from

an upright into a portable cleaner, the brush roll is still active in this move, perfect for tackling stairs and tight spaces. The DuoClean uses Shark’s Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology, which captures and holds over 99.9% (particles 0.3 microns or larger) of dust and allergens inside the vacuum and not back into the air you breathe.

It comes with a variety of on-board tools including the duster/crevice tool for getting into the edges of the room and tight spaces and the Upholstery brush to clean sofas and soft furnishings, the Shark’s extended reach lets you get at the curtains and ceilings. The brush heads are removeable for cleaning and there is even a tool to remove hair from the brush included in the kit, the floor head is a good size, but the brushes don’t reach the very edge which means if you want to get into corners and along skirting you will need to stop and attach the crevice tool. It isn’t the quietest vacuum but meets

https://amzn.to/2MYa1OD Pros Powerful with a good lift Upright, lift away and stick options all in one Lots of attachments

included Easy to use on the stairs Good at removing pet hair

Cons Heavy and bulky

Small bin

Resists being pulled backwards

Doesn’t reach the edge of skirting

 safety requirements of 80dB. The Lift-Away unit is useful for getting under furniture and you don’t lose power in this mode but you will have to carry it around with you due to the lack of wheels, it fits easily on the stairs but you need to keep hold of it as it is easy to pull over. We found the Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum Cleaner powerful at picking up dirt, it worked well on both soft and hard floor and made light work of pet (and human) hair. It is also rather bulky (it weighs 6.1kg) and cumbersome to move around compared to others in its class. There are some bright LED lights on the floor head to make sure no speck of dust goes unnoticed, with only a 1.1L bin you will find yourself emptying it rather a lot. Chances are if you are looking at getting a mains powered upright you are looking for something with a lot of suck and the Shark doesn’t disappoint. However, it isn’t the most user-friendly of vacuums so be prepared to take a little time and a bit of a work out when using it. RRP £349.99

Gadgethead Magazine

Women’s UA Vanish Tank It has been a very hot summer so far for training and with only a handful of tanks in my collection, I was pleased to see the UA Vanish Tank arrive.

Available in Black, White, Red and Orange, I received the Orange version which, although orange isn’t necessarily the best colour with my pasty skin-tone (English rose is a more romantic term), the bright colour will help you be seen which is especially important for road running.

The Vanish Tank has a next-to-skin fit, which gives you a streamline profile without cutting in. No back fat, armpit podge or lower-belly pudge (I am quite happy with my body shape, but a badly fitted outfit can easily make you look wrong in all the right places).

The tank is made from a smooth 59% Elasterell and 41% Polyester, which feels soft against your skin and stretches

34

in all directions to allow for maximum mobility, whether you are simply jogging or participating in a high intensity bootcamp.

There is a thinner Jacquard mesh that runs along the armpits on the back to help with ventilation. The racerstyle back also has a thicker pleated back, similar to a fishtail style design which gives the vest a unique look. This thicker panel also helped wick away sweat - I sweat a lot on my back (excellent for grossing people out with a hug after a workout). There is also a rounded, dropped hem that helps to provide full coverage without looking bulky, which helps to prevent flashing too much flesh during movements like

mountain climbers or star jumps.

After taking the Vest out for a long 9-mile run, a short (and rainy) 3-mile run and cardio class, I found the vest very comfortable, even on the wet run.

It was just the right thickness and had a tight enough fit to stay in place without feeling restrictive. The wicking also performed well and the material dries out quickly. I think I will be picking up the Red version at a later date.

RRP £36.00

https://amzn.to/2wwR8rS Pros Next-to-skin fit without digging in Wicking and fast drying Multi directional stretch Jacquard mesh back & front panels for breathability Shaped, dropped hem Unique pleated back neck Orange design is highly visible Soft material

 Gadgethead Magazine

DeWalt DCK264P2-GB 18V 5.0AH Li-ion XR Brushless Cordless Nailer Twin Pack I always open any

x 32-63mm nails and has

nails at up to two nails per

package from DEWALT

an impact energy of 48J.

second and comes with

with slight trepidation,

There are also two 5.0Ah

two speeds to choose from

and the DCK264P2-GB (a

XR Li-ion batteries, a

: low speed for 50-63mm

name that simply rolls off

charger and the DS400

nails and high speed for

the tongue) provided the

ToughSystem kit box. Both

longer nails up to 90mm.

office with a little extra

nailers are gas-free and

The 30-34° magazine angle

panic as I wandered about

brushless: the brushless

will accommodate most

with not just one but two

motors produce longer

dipped head and off-

nail guns in my hands, like

run times, offer quicker

centre, roundhead paper-

some DIY mad Billy the

readiness to fire, less

tape or wire-weld collated

Kid (unloaded of course;

recoil and more durability

framing nails. The Dry Fire

I’m not even trusted with a

when firing short nails.

Lock-Out ensures the tool

Nerf gun).

This twin pack comes

36

The mechanical

won’t fire without nails

operation offers consistent

in the magazine and the

with a DCN692 fix nailer,

performance in the

contact trip lock-off switch

a rear-loading 30-34°

harshest of environments,

prevents an accidental

magazine with the capacity

and will be ready to work

discharge of fastener - you

for 55 nails - it accepts

in temperatures between

know, like firing nails into

2.8-3.3 x 50-90mm nails

-20°C to 50°C. Both nailers

your foot.

and has an impact energy

have LED fault indicators,

of 105J (dimensions 345L

tool-free jam clearance

32-63mm 16G nails at up

x 125W x 338H mm) which

and reversable belt/rafter

to four nails per second.

allows you to fit the nailer

hooks. A ‘Sequential

It has a non-mark tip

easily In between 400mm

mode’ lets you get a

included in the kit, a

joist centres. A DCN660

precise placement of each

stall-release, a thumb

fix nailer, a rear-loading

nail, whilst the ‘Bump

wheel depth adjustment, a

20° magazine with the

mode’ lets you fire nails

trigger and has a contact

capacity of 110 nails - it

out at speed. The DCN692

trip lock-off too. There is

accepts 1.6mm 16 guage

fires 50-90mm framing

also a handy LED work

The DCN660 fires

light to help you find your target in low light. Both batteries have charge level indicators and take maximum of 75 mins to charge from 0-100%. The watertight, air-sealed case is super tough and will protect your nailers from both external damage or falling into the wrong hands and are held in place with foam inserts and Velcro.

Don’t let the battery operation fool you into doubt the strength of these tools; they performed powerfully and accurately with minimal vibrations and comfortable applications. Suitable for stud wall insulation, roofing, floor board and cladding installation. RRP £833 + VAT

https://bit.ly/2wquKkL Pros Sequential and Bump operating mode

Mechanical operation (no gas required) Class leading vibration and sound figures 30 - 34 degree magazine angle Reversible belt/ rafter hook 75min charge time Tough protective case



Gadgethead Magazine

Thumbs Up - Swipe Unicorn Powerbank Who says practical can’t be cute? This Unicorn Powerbank is so sweet your friends will roll their eyes with envy (that’s what the eye roll means right?)

Unicorns, historically, have the power to purify, heal disease and injury, protect against illnesses and poisons, but modern science has got a lot of that covered these days, so they needed to up their game to remain relevant! Their first step was getting their own emoji and now they are using that image to branch out into powerbanks, the only logical step.

This powerbank has a 2000mAh capacity, enough to fully charge

38

the iPhone 8 and earlier, or Samsung S3 and earlier. More recent models will receive a charge but not 100% - the Samsung S9 will receive 2/3rds from 0%. It has a tough and colourful PVC body and whilst the specs say it has a LED battery indicator, for the life of me I can’t find this.

There is a blue glow around the base when you are charging the unicorn (didn’t expect to say that today); you can see a red flashing light in the USB port but that is it.

There is a Mirco USB cable for charging the powerbank included, but you will need your regular charging cable to charge your chosen device. it is rather sizable at 9cm x 13.5cm x 4.5cm and with its pokey ears and horn you want to carefully consider which pocket you choose to put it in. This charming powerbank would make a good present: it is low cost and can help give your phone a boost when away from a wall plug, or just stand around looking cute when not needed. RRP £14.99

http://www. thumbsupuk.com/ Products/Unicorn_ Powerbank Pros Cheap Sweet design 2000mAh

Cons Quite bulky for pocket Hard to locate battery indicator Only charging cable included

 Gadgethead Magazine

Urbanista New York When it comes to over-ear headphones, you want to make sure how they look compliments your style just as much as your music compliments your day. The New York headphones from Urbanista seriously look the part: available in either Dark Clown (that’s black to you and me) and Moon Walk, which is a white and grey combination.

Made with faux leather ear cups with a generous amount of memory foam padding, they are a little on the large side but very comfortable and still look awesome. The ear cups are mounted on an adjustable slide and will also fold in for a slightly more

40

compact storage option. The headband has a slim amount of padding which, after a while, can become uncomfortable on the head due to it being so hard. There are buttons located at the rear of both earcups within comfortable reach and easy to distinguish with

your fingertips. The buttons allow you to adjust the volume, skip tracks, answer and end calls, activate ANC and activate voice assistant.

The on/off is a slide button which reduces the chance of them accidently switching on in transit, however it is quite small and stiff and those with larger hands may struggle with it.

The New York headphones feature some powerful active noise cancellation, so you can allow yourself to become completely

immersed in your music and forget about the world around you. With the ANC activated, you will get 16-hours of continuous playtime from one 2.5hour charge and 25-hours without, plus 700-hours standby time. If you do run out of power there is always the included AUX lead, made with high quality materials and a woven finish, but it looks better in the Dark Clown version than the Moon Walk.

Also included is a good quality and cool-looking soft carry case. The only issue with this case is that the draw string doesn’t close tightly enough to protect against dirt and rain. Perhaps a zip would have been better? There is also no hard case included.

So, with aesthetics and features covered, let’s take a look at the sound.

Starting with the bass, I would go as far to say it has one of the best quality bass responses of any other headphones in this class. Not merely loud and punchy (although at higher

https://uk.urbanista.com/new-york-darkclown-30278.html Pros Powerful, enjoyable bass Loud Look great Comfortable memory foam ear cups

Clear treble Easy to locate buttons Active Noise Cancellation Good battery life

Cons Lacks mid tone Hard head bang

Fiddly on/off switch

Bag doesn’t fully close

Beeps between tracks (WHY?!?!)

 volumes it will vibrate on your head), it is wonderful layered and detailed, making electro, dance, dub, etc, sound great, as well as single instrument pieces like Ludovico Einaudi sound amazing. I felt the treble held its own with clear vocals, however the mid-tones seem to get a little lost in amongst the bass and treble. This was most noticeable for me when playing indie and folk music.

One last thing that got under my skin was the fact that it made a small beep every time it started a new track. I’m not sure if it was to do with my settings, but it doesn’t happen with any other headphones. Both pointless and irritating! The New York headphones are ideal for fashion conscious bass lovers, but true audiophiles might be disappointed by the lack of mid tones. RRP £149.00

Gadgethead Magazine

UA Vanish Seamless Long Sleeve With the summer days slipping past us, it won’t be long before the nights begin to draw in and those sunny and warm evening runs will give way to cooler climates. The Under Armour Vanish Seamless Long Sleeve is ideal for keeping the chill off without overheating or hindering performance.

This men’s long sleeve top is available in sizes S-XXL and comes in five colours: Light Grey, Dark Grey, Black, White and an attractive Red all with a mottled pattern. It is constructed from 64% Polyester, 26% Nylon and 10% Elastane, which has produced a wonderfully lightweight and stretchy material that feels lovely and soft against the skin.

My partner is naturally broad shouldered with a large chest, long torso and a slight dad bod-podge. Often tops are either too short or too tight across the shoulders or around the arms; imagine his delight when the Vanish Long Sleeve fitted

42

perfectly with a snug but comfortable fit around the shoulders and chest, but with a loser fit around the torso and lower abs.

As with many of the Under Armour gear, the Vanish Long Sleeve has the next-to-skin without the squeeze feature, which creates a flattering figure without a compressionstyle fit. The four-way stretch construction allows for ease of movement in every direction during runs, but also performed well during yoga, HIIT and weight training.

The soft knit fabric has been engineered with a mesh ventilation, mapped out to the places you need it

most. This means the Vanish Long Sleeve is highly breathable, keeping you cool when you require it. It also wicks well and dries out quickly when it does get damp.

The last thing you want when pushing your workout to the max is scratchy seams rubbing around moist skin, so this top has a nearly sew-free construction. With seamless sides and offset seams on the shoulders there is minimal chance of chaffing. Another winner from Under Armour, the Vanish Seamless Long Sleeve top works hard at keeping you cool, dry and comfortable, whilst allowing complete freedom of movement and maintaining a great look. RRP £45.00

https://amzn.to/2wrbPpl Pros 4 way stretch Next-to-skin without the squeeze Quick drying Wicking Lightweight breathable Flattering fit

Cons No high vis/reflective details

 Gadgethead Magazine

Sirui VA 5 Video Head The VA 5 Video Head from Sirui can handle a maximum load weight of 3kg, with a counterbalance of 1kg and featuring a fluid-damped video tilt head design for DSLR, system cameras and small camcorders tripod with 3/8 inch connector thread.

This allows for smooth, quiet and vibration free camera control whilst filming.

Arriving in a simple box the VA 5 comes with a good quality, lightly-padded carry bag; the handle is flipped over in reverse to make it slightly more compact in-transit. First impressions were that it is well-made from high quality materials. You can gain precise control over the friction of the tilt movement and it can be continually adjusted, whilst the pan movement can be locked out and fixed.

To ensure perfect line-up there are two bubble levels (one on the rear and one on the side), and the fluid system provides a soft and smooth movement.

44

The safety lock system prevents slippage on the plate and the tilt friction is continuously adjustable and lockable with 360 ° panoramic rotation. The sliding release plate (69mm) comes with a 1/4 “and 3/8” thread and is Arca Swiss compatible. The removable plate’s glide path is 70mm and the rubberised control arm is 23cm, which can be adjusted to an angle for comfortable working and mounted on either side.

The VA 5 has an intuitive operation and is easy to use: the movement is lovely and smooth at both slow and fast speeds;

the Safety Lock system prevents accidental removal of the release plate (which could prove to be a very expensive accident); it is also compact and lightweight at 0.52kg, making it suitable for monopods with fold out feet and compact camera systems without making it too top-heavy. RRP £149.99

http://www.sirui.eu/en/products/tripod-heads/va-series/ Pros Fluid-damping system ensures soft, smooth movements Compact Good quality construction Safety Lock Two bubble levels 360° step-free panoramic rotation, lockable Rubberised telescopic arm (can be mounted on either side)



Gadgethead Magazine

Olight S30R Baton III The S30R Baton III is the third generation of Olight’s flagship S30R torch (or “flashlight”) series, and as our old pal Bill says, “though she be but little, she is fierce”, this torch has the ranges signature Olight blue accents and latest Cree XM-L2 LED that kicks out an impressive output range of 0.5 to 1050 lumens.

This little torch is a reliable light source due to the new USB desktop charging dock provided, with suckers on the feet that mean you can lock it to a surface, be that the desk, counter top or car dash board, it is compatible with Olight magnetic charging cables which can be used for charging on the go. Plug in a Micro USB from the mains or a portable power bank stand the torch upright on the dock and it clips into place with a strong magnetic connection, the 3500mAh 18650 battery provides 3h20m on level 1 1050lumens (After 2 minutes on level 1 it then gradually

46

steps down to level 2 to avoid over heating), 3h30min on level 2 500lumens, 15h on level 3 120lumens, 130h on level 4 12lumens and finally 100day on level 5 which gives you 0.5lumens. The smooth aluminium reflector provides an improved beam focus for medium and close-range use and hardened glass lens is coated to allow for 99% light transmission, it has a beam distance of 188m and produces a standard hot spot diameter. The Baton III has a compact design just 4.48in in length, a head diameter of 0.99in, a body diameter of 0.84in and weighs

just 110g, made from a strong aluminium it uses a thermal management program that protects the users’ hand from heat. Other features include quick access to turbo mode, when switched off and not under lockout mode, a simple double click will activate the turbo mode, there is a Low Power and Lockout indicator under the side switch, when the battery voltage is running low (below 3.1V) or when the torch is locked out and being clicked, it will glow red. It also has a waterproof rating of IPX8, a magnetic tail clip that means to you securely attack it to any ferrous metal (magnetic) for hands free use and there is a timer functions that will automatically switch the torch off after either nine or three minutes.

With so many functions

and only one button, it can take some time getting to grips with how to control this torch, it is seriously bright, there will be few occasions when you might need to full power but its there if you need it, the battery lasts a long time even on full power. You will either love or hate the charger, sometimes it is easier to have spare batteries than to return to the mains or keep the charger and a power bank but we think it’s a great, economical idea. RRP £67.95

http://bit.ly/GadgetHead_OlightS30RIII Pros Bright Long battery life Rechargeable Tough body Compact Timer mode Magnetic tail Strobe function

Cons Can’t simply replace batteries



Gadgethead Magazine

Stryd This year I seem to be constantly training for one sports event or another. Having previously got terrible times for both the London Marathon and Great North Run, I was taking no chances with a 10k in my home city, and with all the gadgets I was taking out for a run, I was resembling Robocop more than Paula Radcliffe.

I was pleased to see the Stryd was both a compact and discrete little running gadget.

The Stryd (as the

48

price might suggest) is not for the faint hearted: you get a serious amount of data from this tiny pebble

and will need to have a real commitment to your training in order to translate the information and use it to your advantage.

Starting with unboxing, the Stryd is nicely packaged, has a cool wireless charger and is very easy to install onto your shoe (spare clip provided), which

https://amzn.to/2ojvILm Pros remains secure even during vigorous training.

You will gain roughly one months’ battery life per charge, it is splashresistant (no running in rivers please) and, created from a strong carbon fibre, weighs just 10g. You won’t even notice it’s there!

The Stryd can connect to either your phone or smart watch and will provide you with information on power, form power, leg spring stiffness and run stress score, as well as ground time, vertical oscillation, cadence, real time pace and distance. The more you use the Stryd the more it will get to know you: it will calibrate to your regular running route and help you tackle

Puts your running technique under the microscope Easy to use Lightweight and tough Intuitive and

informative app Power meter Long battery life Accurate Genuinely improved my finishing time

 undulating terrain. It uses the idea of a ‘power number’ rather than pace or heart rate to help you achieve your personal best. It encourages the right intensity for running up and down hills without risking burn outs, injury and avoid the dreaded ‘wall’. The Stryd can be used for indoor or outdoor training, however it won’t work on inclines on the treadmill. You can view your progress in real-time and analyse at the end of your training.

Once you start training with the power meter tool, you may find you never look back. Yes, the Stryd is another pricey running device, but it’s bringing something new to the table and is extremely accurate.

Well worth the money if you’re serious about improving your finish times! RRP £199.99

Gadgethead Magazine

Victorinox Expedition Kit In the UK we have a thing called the ‘Duke of Edinburgh Award’, which was a programme set up by Prince Phillip to get lazy teenagers out in the world completing various tasks to get a badge and brag about it on your University application or CV. The real reason anyone ever participated was for the expedition section of the scheme - this meant, at 14-years old, you and you mates were set lose in the countryside to navigate to a certain area and set up camp for the night, whilst a teacher would hop from pub to pub “keeping an eye” on everyone.

On top of the weather-proof rucksack, thermal sleeping bag and hiking boots my poor folks had to shell out for (all a bit overkill for two days walking on country roads in the British summertime), I also received my first

50

pen knife (you know, in case I decided to trap, skin and gut a rabbit instead of eat my pot noodle). This pen knife made me feel so Bear Grylls it started an obsession with survival gadgetry that a full 17-years later, when the Victorinox Expedition Kit landed on my desk, I got sweaty palms I was so excited! This little beauty has 44 different functions…44! Deep breaths…

The case comes with a sharpening stone and ruler (inches and cm) that also has a built-in compass, magnifying glass, thermometer (°C and °F) and spirit level, a large and small

penknife blade, reamer (with punch and sewing awl), can opener, three screwdrivers 2.5mm, 3mm and 6mm as well as a Phillips screwdriver ½, bottle opener, wire stripper, scissors, nail file, key ring, toothpick, tweezers, digital watch (12h and 24h), countdown, timer, altimeter (m and feet), barometer, thermometer (°C), alarm, pressurized ballpoint pen, pin, stainless steel nail file, metal saw, metal file, nail cleaner, wood saw screwdriver, chisel 4mm, LED, mini screwdriver, corkscrew and multipurpose hook…phew!

All these tools come in a compact polyamide body that measures up at just 51 mm (H) x 114 mm (L) and weighs

https://bit.ly/2NuodvY just 232g. Everything from the penknife, to the ruler, to the case is made from high quality materials; it all feels tough and durable, which means it will hopefully be a reliable travel companion for years to come. The only issues we found was that the reamer was difficult to pull out and the torch isn’t very bright, and due to the batteries, there are also waterproof issues.

However, it is still an excellent multi-functional pen knife.

RRP £240.00

Pros 44 different functions Compact Lightweight LED screen Tough construction Multi-functional ruler and sharpener Protect case with belt attachment High quality attachments

Cons Blade not lockable Can’t be operated with one hand Waterproof issues with battery Torch isn’t very bright Reamer difficult to pull out

Gadgethead Magazine

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Walkstool Comfort The great outdoors has so much to offer: breathtaking views, exciting activities but rarely a comfortable area to park your backside. I’m not one to complain but get your act together nature! In the mean time there is always the option of taking a chair out with you, but who wants to lug a large camping chair around with them?

The Walkstool Comfort is a threelegged telescopic stool offering two sitting heights in a compact package. Available in four different heights: 45, 55, 65, and 75cm, with seat sizes growing from 35 to 37.5 and 40cm for the two taller models.

The smallest version weighs 825g with the largest weighing 1050g; for something they suggest you can carry on your belt, it could do with shaving off a few grams. The Comfort can handle between 200kg and 250kg depending on the size and can be used, if the man on the website is

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to be believed, in four different ways but more on that later.

Created in the Walkstool factory in Sweden, the aluminium telescopic legs slide out quickly and seamlessly click in to place - may I add here that it is the only three-legged telescopic stool in the world with patents and trademark protection?

Well done Walkstool!

The Comfort features large rubber feet for a stable foundation, and an ergonomicallyshaped mesh seat that offers some ventilation and allows it to become compacted when packed down. When on the move you have

few carrying options: it comes in a mesh bag that can be carried on the shoulder or across the body, there is a loop that you can use to attach it to a bag, or you can slip the Velcro wrap-around strap on your belt or belt loop.

The legs need to be twisted into the lock position so that they are parallel to prevent them from accidently extending. However, they can easily fall out of this position and slide out a little - if there is a mechanism to retract the legs, it seems sensible to have a mechanism to extract them too, therefore preventing them from sliding out whilst carrying the chair.

So, back to the position. Firstly, there is the extended leg position: this is the most stable by far, however the stiff

material makes finding a comfortable position across the back of your legs more of a challenge. The second is with the legs retracted, putting you at a lower level, but you will need a degree of balance for this one. The third is to aim the point of the seat down at the ground and lean your back against it whilst you sit on the ground, and the last is to use it as a head prop whilst laying on the ground. Having two heights to sit at is a good idea and the different length options means you can find the right size for your height, and its good to take a load off your feet for a while. However, due to the limited comfort three poles and a strip of mesh can provide, I wouldn’t recommend it to long periods of time. RRP: 45cm ($86.49), 55cm ($94.95), 65cm ($106.66), 75cm ($114.99)

https://amzn.to/2wp7TVY Pros Telescopic legs to two height positions Strong and durable Three carrying options Mesh seat for ventilation Compact and portable

Cons Legs can slip out when carried out of the bag Edge of seat can dig into legs Could be lighter

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Gadgethead Magazine

Women’s UA Breathe Trainer Training Shoes I remember, when I was a kid, I had three pairs of shoes: wellingtons, school shoes and little trainers to run around in. Now I’m all grown up, I seem to have shoes for every occasion and that includes just two pairs of heels (much to the despair of some of my girlfriends). However, I like to have the appropriate gear for the job, so, if I’m walking, I have walking shoes; for hiking I have hiking boots; I have running shoes and now, thanks to Under Armour, some brand-new training shoes.

The Breathe Trainer has been specially designed for training not for long runs, although I comfortably knocked out 2k on the road on the way to the gym, but as I prefer a cushioned running shoe I can’t imagine I would get away with much further than this.

However they are fine for running on the treadmill. Constructed from a stretchy mesh upper, the Breathe has a lightweight feel at only 201g per shoe.

The majority of the upper is mesh which

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allows for plenty of ventilation, keeping your feet cool and if your feet swell slightly when pushing it hard, the stretchy material will accommodate it.

There is a synthetic heel counter for added stability support which gives it a unique look - I can’t quite decide if I like it or not, but I’m leaning towards love rather than hate.

The Breathe was wonderfully comfortable straight out of the box: it has a soft and stretchy bootie-like construction

that provides a seamless, comfortable fit. The slim tongue is built into the sides of the shoe, ensuring everything stays in place and there is a die-cut, full-length EVA sock liner for a little extra comfort and to form a custom fit over time. There is a fulllength EVA midsole that is responsive and a full rubber outsole for increased traction with flex grooves for extra flexibility. The elastic lacing system wraps around the midfoot and I found it took a couple of goes before I had it the perfect fit on the top of the foot, as well as around the heel and nearer the toes. The laces are quite stiff and thick, and they stick out at odd angles when done up. A more flexible lace might look more attractive, but

it doesn’t influence the performance.

Other features include the removable insole and a heel-to-toe offset of 7mm. After a few classes - one outdoors and two indoors - I found the Breathe Trainer performed well. Firstly they were very comfortable: they have a lightly narrow fit which suited me fine, but may be too tight on a wider foot. They are also lovely and flexible, this actually makes you work a little harder on things like planks as the shoe isn’t taking any of the strain. The only issue (I’m not even sure if it is an issue) is the material on the inside of the shoe on the top of the foot could become rucked up at times and would catch on my big toe nail. Ss long as the material doesn’t stretch over time and become worse it shouldn’t be a massive issue.

Lightweight, breathable and flexible: a great gym buddy for those training days. RRP £70.00

https://amzn.to/2Pgpd7x Pros Stretchy mesh upper Lightweight Ventilated Soft, bootie-like fit Elastic lacing system wraps around midfoot Removable insole Comfortable Flexible

 Gadgethead Magazine

Puro Sound Labs – Volume Limited Kids’ Headphones As much as we moan about the kids of today being glued to screens, to be honest it can be a life saver keeping them entertained in awkward moments, long car journeys, queuing for anything and boring family functions.

What isn’t as helpful is having to listening to the game/kid’s show/ god awful pop band on repeat. Headphones are an excellent choice to alleviate the assault on your ears, however you don’t want them to wind up with hearing problems before they have had a chance to destroy them at various

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metal gigs when they are older.

The Puro Volume Limited Kids’ Headphones, unsurprisingly, limits the volume to a safe level suitable for 8 hours of continuous listening for small ears - which turns out to be 85dB (also the safe limit for big ears).

Compare this to adult headphones, which will happily creep up to 100dB+ and will damage hearing over time. This control is accomplished through DSP (Digital Signal Processing) in the CSR chip under Bluetooth mode. The sound protection isn’t the only feature of these child friendly headphones: these can be used wirelessly to avoid getting tangled up in cables, or with the included aux lead, but

it is fully detachable at both ends so there is a low chance of injury (unless their sibling is involved).

It is also made from non-toxic and durable materials; we all know those wires will end up in the mouth at some point.

The ear cups are smaller than regular headphones, so they won’t cover the entire side of the child’s head, just the ears.

There is plenty of padding on the headband and earcups to prevent fatigue, the headband is adjustable (Collapsed 14 inches, Fully Extended 16 inches) for growing bodies or sharing with a sibling (yeah, good luck with that!) The Puro Kids can isolate 82% of ambient noise for better clarity, the Bluetooth 4.0 connection offers the standard 10m range, which works well and features one-touch. The battery is rechargeable and will provide you with 18 hours of listening time (200 hours standby), or simply plug in when the battery

https://amzn.to/2wCQDwL Pros 85dB limited

Lots of padding

Tough and durable

Lots of colour choices

Designed for small heads and ears

18hour battery life

Adjustable ear cups

Great sound quality Safe

Easy to use

Cons Case needs a handle, easier

for little hands to carry

 dies. It comes in a variety of colours with a large but flat protective hard-case which could be improved with a handle or strap. It is easy enough to set up: a slide on/ off gets things started then hold the Bluetooth button to switch on for pairing. There are also volume controls and a built-in microphone for hands free calls.

The sound quality is great (even with Bluetooth compressing the fun out of everything,) rich layered mid-tones, crisp and clear treble and adequate bass that doesn’t overpower. It sounds clean and precise with audio books, tv/movies and games. Perhaps slightly pricier than you would expect to pay but what you get for your money is safe, durable, attractive and comfortable headphones that produce great audio to keep your little darlings out of trouble and distracted for up to 8 hours. RRP £89.99

Gadgethead Magazine

Under Armour UA Vanish Printed Leggings One of the downsides to working out a lot is how often you will end up washing your gym gear. Unless you want to gross out your gym buddies, you can only get away with wearing something once before you need to throw it in the wash again.

This means, as I work out 5-6 times a week, I have a hell of a lot of gym tights, so I

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like to think myself as a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to what makes a decent pair of

work out bottoms.

The UA Vanish Printed Leggings sparked my interest due to Under Armour’s reputation with good quality gear, so I wasn’t immediately put off by the high price tag; good gym gear often

costs more than expected to those who don’t enjoy spending their time sweating and wheezing with a bunch of strangers.

There are three available patterns to choose from, they all look modern and stand out from the crowd - we received the Black with an almost urban/graffiti aesthetic: an asymmetrical style with flashes of blue, orange and peach, which proved to create a flattering figure on my short legs, making them look longer and the muscles more defined.

They feature Under Armour’s next-to-skin without the squeeze fit, one of the best things about the UA range, and it does exactly as it says: they slip on and off easily, but when they are on they stay on, even during squats, high knees, jumping jack’s mountain climbers and burpees (the biggest culprits for butt crack exposures and riding up into unhelpful places).

https://amzn.to/2PK16yY Pros Flattering and striking pattern Breathable

High waist and structed design feels secure

Good wicking technology

Pocket

Thicker material prevents it becoming see through

Soft silky material

Four way stretch

Considerate seam placement

Stays in place

 The material is made from 59% Elasterell and 41% Polyester, featuring a four-way stretch construction that allows you to move with ease in every direction, it feels silky smooth and slightly thicker than I am used to, which means I can wear my polka dot pants without the fear of displaying them to the gym. (It also reduces visible panty line.) For the thickness, I was surprised how well they breathed and the wicking technology worked impressively at keeping my legs dry and comfortable. The advanced seam placement eliminates pressure points and chafing, and there is an envelope back storage pocket built into the waistband for small valuables.

These tights would be a good choice for someone daring to wear tights for the first time. The pattern, structed design, thick and flattering material and high waistband makes you feel secure and confident, allowing you to focus on getting stronger and fitter. RRP £65.00

Gadgethead Magazine

Edifier R1010BT Bluetooth Speakers With so many battery-operated speakers out there, it is easy to forget the mains powered products are still an option and although they are not as portable, you don’t have to worry about losing power and you will get to enjoy the sound from a more reliable energy source.

Although the Edifier R1010BT use a traditional plug-in power source they offer the modern connectivity option by including Bluetooth as well as 3.5mm to RCA and 3.5mm AUX allowing you to choose between the quality of wired sound and the convenience of wireless audio, you can even connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time. The two speakers are connected via a speaker wire which is a good length to provide you with more location option and

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ensure you have the same quality produced by both speakers and the built-in amplifier eliminates need for amplifier/receiver.

These are standing only speakers there is no option to wall mount them included, they are available in either a black finish or brown (which we received) with grey detail and a bright yellow surprise under the soft grill, with the grill removed they look much more attractive and you will need to remove one of them to see the status indicator light.

There is a small remote included, the design of the speakers isn’t for me, but some might like it, however it could have a cleaner finish in parts, but the most important element is the sound. The sound is excellent, even over a Bluetooth connection, for starter these speakers are LOUD, you can play with the bass and volume via the knobs at the back of unit, you can drop the volume down, but it doesn’t get that quiet before it drops off to silence. The quality of audio you get from R1010BT is a pleasure to listen too, with 4” bass drivers and 3/4” silk-diaphragm tweeter drivers, you get a rich detailed sound the clean treble, warm mid

https://amzn.to/2LBGbuA tones and thick bass that gets you in the middle of your body, it easily fills up the room for a completely immersive experience. The sound quality would lead me to buy these bookshelf speakers however the design of the Brown model would put me off, however I would happily settle for the Black version.

RRP £79.99

Pros Excellent sound quality Loud Easy to install Bluetooth, Aux or RCA connectivity

Cons Cheap remote Can’t be wall mounted Not a fan of the Brown design

 Gadgethead Magazine

PLAYR There are so many fitness trackers out there that cover a wide variety of sports, often running focused with attention to heart rates and step count, however there isn’t a huge amount out there for football enthusiasts in the mid-price range.

The PLAYR is a pod style tracker than needs to be used with the SmartVest, which are unisex and come in sizes from XXSXXL. The SmartVest is made of Lycra and is lightweight anddurable, providing a tight fit, which means it isn’t the most breathable thing out there, but it prevents the pod from

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moving around whilst you train. The pod sits in a padded sleeve placed between the shoulder blades for extra stability and a better GPS signal and the SmartVests are fully approved to be used in matches, unlike some wrist-based trackers, it is worn over the top of your kit during training for easy access but

under the kit during matches for a cleaner look. The PLAYR lets you see how you measure up to against your friends and the pros by comparing GPS tracking, while monitoring your football training and match statistics, as the data changes over time, you can track, analyse and improve your game. You get seven hours of battery life per single charge and it works alongside the companion app for instant data, the

PLAYR uses GPS tracking to give you an insight into heat, zone and sprint maps, you can see where you spent the most time on the pitch and action zones, and the number and direction of your sprints. You can compare yourself against others by seeing where you rank in PLAYR’s global league of users, top performers get a spot in the Team of the Week, and you can add friends to a custom division, you can even compare yourselves to the professionals. This tracker details an average of 6,750,000 data points per match and lets you capture all your movements on the football pitch, the professional grade sensors make almost 2500 measurements every second. This brings an interesting insight into your game play, the results are clear, accurate and will probably surprise you, giving you the opportunity to know your areas of weakness and work hard to improve them. RRP £199.99

https://www.playrsmartcoach.com/ Pros Track performance distance, top speed, sprint distance and number of sprints Heat maps Easy to use Long battery life Accurate GPS Positional heat maps Compare data with professional players, friends and community Monitor 1st vs 2nd half efforts Comfortable

Cons Vest gets warm

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Gadgethead Magazine

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

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