ekO arOMa seNsOr FOaMINg sOap dIspeNser

We already have a few automatic hand soap dispensers; they were a great thing to have during the peak of pandemic giving you and the rest of the family touch free access to soap with a wave of a hand. One of the downsides I found was the number of batteries these things got through, so it was great to find the Aroma Sensor Foaming Soap Dispenser from Eko has a built-in battery that is recharged via a USB cable (included). One charge will last about two weeks of average daily use, this compact device measures up at H18 x W7 x D12cm and has a sleek, stylish finish that looks good in both the bathroom and the kitchen. It can hold 250ml of soap and the handy transparent window lets you see the amount left, the Aroma Sensor dispensers foam soap instead of the usual liquid, the main benefit of this is that it uses smaller amounts of soap, and it is cheaper to refill. It would have been nice if a sample of foam soap was included with the dispenser to get you started but it doesn’t mean can choose whatever brand and scent you prefer. Adjustable dispense settings let you increase the output from 0.8ml to 1.4ml up to 2ml, the motion sensor is fast to react and will deliver the soap in just 0.2 seconds. The touch open lid requires a firm press down before it pops up, making it easy to refill and more difficult for curious little hands to get into, the base has a grippy rubber surface to keep it firmly in place whilst the main body has a fingerprint resistant finish. The only downside however is when it is switched on there is a blue LED light that flashes every few seconds when it is in standby mode, it can be turned off completely but this sort of defeats the hands-free purpose, it just means it will be living in the downstairs loo instead of the ensuite. This attractive dispenser looks great and works well, the rechargeable battery is a nice touch, we just wish it wasn’t wasting energy on flashing lights and some soap could be included for the price.

£49.99 p rOs lOOks greaT r eChargeable baTT ery

FasT dIspeNsINg a dJ usT sOap a MOu NTs rObusT desIgN

CONs

Flash INg led seeMs u NN eCessary

NO sOap INCluded

NOT T he Qu I eT esT

We l I ked

T h Is sT yl Ish a N d COM paCT ha N ds F ree FOa M sOap dIspeNser bu T WOuld preFer TO be able TO sWITCh p rOs

OFF T he led.

270 degree l IghTs b rake l IghTs

I N dICaTOr sysT eM sOs MOde

COMFOrTable FIT

bu IlT IN speakers a NTI-T heFT au TO shu T OFF r easONable baTT ery l IFe

CONs h eaV y audIO COuld pOse a dIs T raCTION sM all speakers lOse deTa Il IN M usIC

A few years ago I was cut up on a round about and knocked off my bike, luckily I got away with just a few bruises but it could have been so much worse, I had never felt particularly vulnerable on a bike until this happened. The LIVALLS BH51M Neo helmet goes above and beyond when it comes to safety features on a helmet, this is LIVALLS flagship helmet built around the success of its predecessor but with two more features squeezed in. Let’s dive right in with all the tech packed into the helmet starting with the integrated LED lights, built into the front and back of the helmet it makes you more visible in all directions, the brake warning light are activated via the gravity acceleration sensor detects a significant deceleration, the front and rear lights will be enhanced for 3 seconds to draw attention from surrounding traffic. The lights also work as indicator signals, allowing you to alert surrounding traffic of your turning intention to enhance your visibility, this is operated by a Bluetooth remote that can be mounted on the handlebars. The lights can be set to come on automatically in dark conditions and have a 270-degree field of view, they can also be switched on and off via the remote. The SOS alert function will activate in the event of a collision and sends the riders Google map location to their pre-selected emergency contacts, if you fall there is a 90 second countdown which can be cancelled if you do not require assistance. This feature requires the user’s smartphone to have GPS and 4G data enabled, LIVALL stare that the helmet cannot guarantee to detect all falls. The SOS alarm can also be manually activated if you are in distress by simply pressing the red button on the remote for 5 seconds. There are two Bluetooth stereo speakers and a windproof hands-free microphone which lets you safely listen to music or podcasts from your smart device without covering your ears, allowing you to remain aware of your surroundings. This can also be used access voice prompted GPS sat nav directions, take calls hands free when it is safe to do so and access the Walkie-Talkie feature which lets you communicate with your fellow cyclists when riding in a group (even if you are at the back). If all that wasn’t enough there is also an Anti-loss Alarm that activates when the helmet is connected to your phone and exceeds 15m, both the helmet and phone will alarm, the Auto-off turns off the helmet after the phone is disconnected for 15minutes to conserve the battery life. The Neo is compatible with Strava, iHealth and Siri through the LIVALL Riding app, it is constructed from a high strength ABS shell with high quality EPS Foam and handmade PU Leather Brim with an IPX4 water resistance rating. All this built in tech means the helmet is rather weighty at 480g and the lack of ventilation means this helmet is better suited for daily commutes than long leisurely rides. The battery life can last for a max of 10hours when used with just the default lights but this is reduced with all the tech activated and it takes 3hours to fully recharge. The BH51M Neo has a lot of features to keep you safe on the road, the audio could be distracting, the quality of the speakers is ok but won’t impress audiophiles however it is a handy addition for keeping in essential contact with people and receiving directions. If you regularly commute on busy roads the BH51M Neo does a great job of improving visibility and increasing your safety on route.

eksT er k ey Case bu N dle+

This bundle features all of Eksters bestselling accessories saving you money, there are only 500 bundles available, so first come first serve, it comes with the Graphite Aluminium Cardholder, Key Case, Key Tracker with the Tool Card, Metal Cash Clip and Premium Gift Bag included free, we will have a closer look at each included item.

Ekster Aluminium Cardholder

The Aluminium Cardholder now comes in 15 different designs including the brand new Forged Ember, Matte Black and the Graphite version we received. This minimalist wallet is made from a space-grade aluminium and has a builtin button that with a quick press pops up your cards and fans them out for easy access, when you are done simply replace the card and push them all back into place. Even with the most vigorous shaking these cards aren’t going anywhere without that button being pressed, even if you choose to store one card. One to six cards can be stored in the main compartment (maximum of six non-embossed cards, or a combination of 4 - 5 embossed/non-embossed cards, depending on the thickness of each card) with the option of storing an extra nine in the expandable aluminium backplate. This can also be used to hold notes, however the more bits you have tucked in here the more it slows you down in identifying and retrieving them. The wallet measures up at 0.29 x 4.1 x 2.3 in (0.75 x 10.5 x 6 cm) making it easy to tuck into a jacket or trouser pocket (even skinny jeans), however be aware of removing it from your back trouser pocket before sitting down, you won’t damage the wallet, but your backside will certainly know about it. The Aluminium Cardholder uses an integrated RFID blocking layer that prevents thieves from stealing your identity and money by data skimmers. The optional Ekster Tracker Card can be bought separately, which helps you locate your wallet from your phone (or vice versa), with a solar powered battery and up to 200ft (60m) range with Bluetooth 4.0. The Ekster Aluminium Cardholder is a stylish and distinctive looking device, it is probably best suited for occasions rather than day to day use unless you tend to carry a minimal amount of cards/cash with you.

$186

Th Is Card hOlder

WIll CerTa INly sTa N d Ou T

IN T he C rOW d, espeCI ally W heN yOu push p rOs

T haT bu TTON.

WI de ra Nge OF FINIshes aVa Ilable sM arT, u NIQue lOOk

Fa Ns Ou T yOur Cards WIT h a push OF a bu TTON super durable spaC e- grade 6061-T6 alu MINI u M sl IM prOFIle expa N dable baC kplaT e blOC ks r FI d hOlds 1-15 Cards + bIlls

CONs

M INIM al s TOrage dIFFIC ulT TO aCCess lOTs OF Cards a N d

Cash IN T he baC k plaT e

eksTer key Case

This easy-access key holder organises 2-8 keys in a silent stack, no more jangly keys rattling around in your pocket, it is made from stainless steel and premium leather the keys can be tucked away into to prevent scratches on your phone in your pocket. It is easy to modify with a D ring for larger keys or car keys and provides one-handed key access.

eksTer key TraCker

Designed to fit perfectly inside the Key Case or hook onto any other item, this is the smallest smart key finder out there. It features two-way ringing, voice-activation for Siri, Alexa or Google, selfie mode for group selfies, and a builtin LED light ensuring no more scratches on your car or door in the dark and connection to the Worldwide Lost & Found Network.

eksTer Cash ClIp

This little clip is a minimal way to carry cash when you need it, it has the Ekster logo engraved against a Space Gray gloss finish giving it an elegant style suitable for everyday use, it is handcrafted and made to last. The streamlined slim design provides maximum storage, at 0.8” x 2” x 0.3”/0.04” it can hold cash or cards (One to three, depending on the thickness), it can be used on its own or attached to a card holder or wallet. This clip is anti-slip, anti-scratch, anti-bend and anti-ugly, small and discrete but always secure.

eksTer TOOl Card

Continuing the theme of minimalism meets durability we have another new edition from Ekster, the Tool Card. This ultra-compact multi-tool has been designed to fit in your wallet, card holder or cash clip and packs multiple tools into a neat little card (0.1” x 1.8” x 3.5”). It combines a flathead screwdriver, 5-inch wrenches (¼”, 5/16 - ½” hex bit, 3/16” and 9/16"), SIM card pin, box opener, bottle opener, metric and inch ruler. Made from 304 stainless steel, this tool card caters to a busy lifestyle and is built for travel. The whole thing is made from 304 stainless steel that is resistant to corrosion, temperature, and impact damage and is compatible with TSA guidelines. This 7-in1 multi tool is suitable for any wallet or pocket, perfect for those who want to remain prepared whilst travelling light.