The Review Smiths - Issue 32

Review Smiths

Spring is here!

Is it me or has this been a looong winter? Maybe it’s because even looking at the thermostat this year adds pounds to your bill, either way we are coming out of the long cold dark days and moving into sunnier times. With that in mind we have lots of things to get you outside this month, we have a heavy-duty trolley to help you get your fishing gear down to the way. There's a tactical hoodie that will keep you comfortable on rugged adventures, barefoot training shoes to build up those muscles in your feet and lots of torches to help you enjoy the warmer evenings. We also have a smart guitar that has a built-in amp, perfect for campfire singalongs, a horse-riding air vest and a wonderfully intelligent metal detector ideal for starting up a new hobby this year.

Don't worry if you are a home body, we have plenty of things for you too, we looked at a beautiful bidet toilet seat (not a sentence i thought I’d say), a Bosch cordless vacuum and the hero of the last few months an energy saving air fryer oven.

Enjoy our latest reviews and take comfort in the fact we won't have to wear four jumpers and a woolly hat for too much longer.

Editor and chief

Managing Director

Alex Hilling-Smith

Writer

Dave Hicks

Senior Writer

Emma Hilling-Smith

04. BÆrskIN TacTIcal 2.0

06. OuTNaBOuT NIpper sINgle

08. BeNrO TaBlepOd Flex kIT

10. VIVOBareFOOT prIMus lITe

kNIT

12. BeachwaVer graFFITI NeON

curlINg IrON B1

14. rOckIT pOrTaBle BaBy rOcker

16. NexTOrch e51c

18. NexTOrch k40

20. NexTOrch Ta30c

22. FlIr ONe edge prO: IOs & aNdrOId

24. huION INspIrOy gaIaNO

26. QuIeTON 3.1

28. ekO MIrage x recyclINg

seNsOr BIN

30. ekO regal dIsh rack

32. TrIwa OceaN plasTIc sea shepherd

34. rOka FalcON TITaNIuM

36. kITcheNaId MIxer 4.7l

hIBIscus arTIsaN

38. seaVer saFeFIT

40. gOdOx MOVelINk II M2

42. IFI gO lINk

44. TrONIxprO Beach TrOlley

46. Blue laVa OrIgINal

48. cuIsINarT aIr Fryer MINI OVeN

50. BOsch serIes 8

Chief

Calpol User

Master Hilling-Smith

Writer

Peter Hilling

For all media related enquiries please contact us at info@thereviewsmiths.com

For Advertising Enquiries 0208 191 8472

rechargeaBle VacuuM cleaNer

uNlIMITed geN2 Bcs8224gB

52. BOOkMaN curVe lIghT seT

54. ekO arOMa seNsOr

FOaMINg sOap dIspeNser

56. MINelaB VaNQuIsh 540

preMIuM pack

58. IsOTuNes Free aware

60. Tushy ace elecTrIc

BIdeT seaT

62. Tushy TOIleT Brush

64. Tushy sTaNd aNd sQuares

This hoodie has been designed to be as tough as the environment you are exploring. This 330gsm BÆRSkin Fleece, is heat retaining and double napped yet still remains light and packable, no weighty bulk in your pack. It comes in four colours, Brown, Black, Green and Grey, there is a handy measuring guide on the website to ensure you get a precise fit when ordering. It features a windproof design, with secure zip holsters, full length storm flap, elastic waist and adjustable cuffs to block the wind from getting in and ensuring that body heat is retained within the fleece. The soft shell hood and peak can be adjusted via the draw cord for a hugging fit to keep your head warm, when not in use this can be stored out of the way into the collar, preventing it from snagging on the undergrowth and collecting debris. The collar itself is thermal, keeping the core temp regulated, the brushed, double napped fabric is strong enough to withstand brushing up against rough terrain, be it vegetation, rocks or a heavy Bergan. As well as keeping you warm and protected all year round this tactical hoodie also features nine secure pockets, this breaks down into six highquality zip pockets on the exterior and three interior soft pockets for valuables. There are two generously sized pockets at the hip, two on the biceps, one on the left size of the chest and one on the rear of the jacket which has two access points to allow you to access your gear with whichever hand happens to be free at the time. On the inside there are three soft pickpocket proof pockets to store your most valuable possessions. There is a section on both arms above the pocket that can be used to place a personalised patch, a flag patch for example. This hoodie is more than just an item of clothing, it is part of your tactical equipment, it can be worn over layers or on its own making it suitable for hiking, hunting, camping, fishing, travelling or simply popping to the shops.

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Second only to the car seat the pushchair is probably the most important purchase you will make for your new baby. This is going to be your main transport system for many year, it will also be your shopping bag, hand bag and at times a spare wardrobe so it is essential you get one that will meet your needs. The Nipper Single has been created for everyday use, it comes in seven colours Carnival Red, Purple Punch, Raven Black, Lagoon Blue (with silver frame), Royal Navy, Steel Grey and Mojito Green. It is fairly compact when unfolded due to the 3 wheel design, it measures up at 61.5cm(W) x 97cm(H) x 116cm(L), when folded its 61.5cm (W) x 42.5cm (H) x 94cm (L) so still a little bulky and you might find yourself needing to take the wheels off to fit it in the boot (48cm (W) x 29cm (H) x 86cm (L) wheels off). It weighs a comfortable 9.8 kg thanks to the lightweight aluminium frame which isn’t too much when it comes to lifting in and out of the car and it is suitable from newborn up to roughly 4 years old or 22kg (50lb), which ever comes first. The handle is adjustable from 80cm – 108cm making it easier to switch between users, it is compatible with Outnabout’s travel system range including a bespoke carrycot, but we received the Nipper in its basic set up. One of the things that immediately caught my attention was the air-filled tyres, I have been using a pushchair with air filled tyres for 2 years and at least three of my friends have been converted testing out my little ones pushchair. Yes there is a risk of punctures (although I have yet to experience one) but the comfort it provides both the driver and the passenger is second to none. These tyres also help the Nipper tackle off road environments, steps and curbs, whilst the single 360° swivel front wheel makes steering around tight shopping aisles or woodland footpaths a breeze. The front wheel can be fully locked out for jogging if you are feeling brave or to simply help you tackle super rough terrains, across bumpy field paths for example. Other features include the independent rear suspension for a comfy ride, the one pedal easy lock foot brake, quick release wheels, multi-position reclining seat, lie flat new-born position, retractable sun canopy with a peek-a-boo window, handy storage pockets, large shopping pouch, it also has a handy easy to clean removable seat liner, a 5-point safety harness and hinged padded bumper bar. There really isn’t much to dislike about the Nipper Single, it moves effortlessly, the storage is good and it is easy to pop baby in and out. If I was really digging it can be a bit fiddly to drop back into the lay flat position and reverse but that’s probably a practice thing more than a real issue.

For more information on the Outnabout Nipper Single click here

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If you’re in the habit of using your mobile phone to film yourself or events, it can be a recurring problem of finding somewhere to set up where your phone isn’t going to fall over or somewhere where you just can’t get the right angle. You end up resorting to someone else holding it for you leading to wobbly camera work or having to fiddle about with a video editor forever just to get it looking right. Frustrating to say the least!

This tripod comes with an innovative way of getting round these problems. Within the rigid carbon fibre legs are 3 flexible legs that you can easily remove. These can be swapped around freely with the rigid legs and attached to the end of them, giving you almost limitless ways to get your device in exactly the place that you need it. There are rubber feet to provide more stability if using for video

ecording or conferencing and you also get a clip that allows you to secure two of the legs together, giving even more stability. As well as this, there is an auxiliary ring that you can slip over two legs to further aid in gaining and keeping that crucial angle.

The mobile phone mount can fit most mobile devices securely but there’s one feature that really stands out for me and this is the fact that the ends of the legs have ¼” screws allowing you to add other things (with that size thread obviously!) such as a light to the whole set up, really increasing the versatility of this kit. The mount also has a 360° rotation on it and there is a simple set up to switch between landscape and portrait mode. It comes in its own bag and conveniently packs away for ease of transport.

VIVOBareFOOT prIMus lITe kNIT

The Primus Lite Knit is the latest evolution of the Vivobarefoot training range, with the aim to build up your foot strength, tapping into all those lovely little muscles that can become super lazy in our modern day footwear. Your feet have spent 1000s of years evolving into the perfect working machine only to be stuffed into an over protective, over cushioned shoe for most of its life, there are hundreds of bones, ligaments and tendons that have all been created to move. What your feet get up to can have a direct impact on your entire body moving up from your ankles, to your knees, your hips back, shoulders and neck so it is important to have a strong and balanced foundation. These shoes have been created to not only unlock all that natural potential but also reconnect your body with your movements thanks to the sensory feedback that we are so often deprived of. The Primus Lite Knit come in four colours in the Men’s and Women’s range, Bright White, Obsidian, Blue Tint and Flame, they are designed to join in with your training regime be it cross-training, powerlifting, running or walking. The super-thin and flexible active sole is just 4mm thick, this protects your skin from harmful debris and provides a reasonable amount of grip on hard surfaces in urban environments. At the same time, you can feel everything beneath your feet, allowing your feet to bend and flex around uneven terrain and getting all the little muscles working on your balance, the wide fit lets the foot naturally spread out as it’s designed to do. The knit upper is made from stretchy recycled polyester, this also adds to the increased range of movement on the top your foot around the ankle and along the toes. It is so lightweight it is easy to forget there is anything on your foot, until you walk across some gravel that is, then you will be super grateful. The laces gently hold the shoe in place and have been engineered to be plastic free. VivoBarefoot say that wearing these shoes for just six months can increase your foot strength by 60%, you can also get 25% off the Vivohealth online course to help build your foot strength and performance. There is a reason the Primus Lite Knit are Vivo’s bestselling shoe of all time, they provide you with everything you could possibly want from a barefoot shoe, and they look awesome at the same time.

These are VIVO’s BesT- sell INg shOe

FOr a reasON By allOw INg yOu TO use

yOur FeeT as NaT ure INT eN ded.

£140

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BeachwaVer graFFITI NeON curlINg IrON B1

Beachwaver is a female owned company and the brainchild of Sarah Potempa, an innovative hair stylist. After two years of research the curling iron was launched in 2012, we got our hands on the Limited Edition Graffiti Neon that’s bursting with 90s vibes. With a graffiti style handle and a lime green wand it certainly stands out from the crowd, it has a lovely lightweight feel to it and is a comfortable length making it easy to handle. There is a 8ft cord which swivels 360 degrees so as not to restrict you, it also features a little stand so you can pop them down on a hard surface whilst it is still hot, you will also find the on/off button near the base, the rotating button at the top of the handle and a little clamp on the 1 inch wand. There isn’t much in the way of instructions in the box but a QR code allows you to download the manual and there are plenty of videos and tips on the website to get you going. To switch the curler on just hold the power button for 1sec (hold for 3 seconds to turn off), this button is also used to change between the pre-set temperatures. There are three temperatures to choose from Low provides 290°F (150°C), Medium will give you 350°F (180°C) and High tops out at 410°F (210°C), to style your hair you need to get a section of your hair and secure it within the clamp, where you clamp your hair will give you different looks but leaving a little of your hair free at the end will add to that beach look. Then it’s just a case of pressing the arrow button to start the rotation, it moves faster than expected but you have control over how long it rotates for, it will stop as soon as you remove your finger. Hold your hair around the wand for 2-3 seconds before releasing the clamp and sliding it out from your hair, give it a few seconds to cool to set it. When using for the first time it takes some getting used to, especially if you are used to a regular curling iron, you have to unlearn the habit of twisting the iron and let the buttons do the work. This is also a little tricky to start with when you are looking in the mirror and trying to work out which button to press but it gets easier the more you use it. However, I’m not entirely convinced the rotating action is a big game changer, although it does give your other arm a break whilst you curl. What I did love was the lovely soft and glossy curls the curling iron produced, the iron felt comfortable to use too and with a bit of practice it could become a really quick way of getting those soft beachy waves.

£119

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rOckIT pOrTaBle BaBy rOcker

I recently took my friend out to the supermarket. Now this doesn’t sound like the most exciting day trip but as a new mum this was one of the few times she had left the house without her little one and she was excited to browse the aisles with two hands to spare. It wasn’t long however before I caught her obliviously moving the trolly back and forth as if attempting to rock the cake and crisps we were purchasing to sleep, even after I pointed it out to her she carried on the rocking. Annoyed at herself for not being able to switch off she went on to tell me that jiggling her baby about was often the only way to get her to settle, she did this so much that it was getting to the point where she was getting joint pain from all the constant rocking. She was the first person I messaged when the Rockit Portable Baby Rocker landed on my desk, this ingenious space craft was developed by inventor Dr Nick Webb when he noticed his three-monthold would wake as soon as the motion of the moving pram stopped. Tested to the highest EU safety standards it can be used with ages 0-36 months and upwards, it attaches to the pushchair or pram via the universal mount, the Rockit can then be easily attached to the mount when needed and activated via a large push button on the end, the speed can be adjusted via the dial at the base. The vibration level has been designed to closely mimic the normal hand rocking of a pushchair, it’s great for switching on when you get to your destination, be it your home, the café or the library the Rockit has the benefit of using a quiet motor (40dB to be exact) so as not to disturb baby or the people around you. The Rockit has an IPX1 rating making it safe to use if you get caught out in a light rain shower (it should not be exposed to prolonged rain or heavy rain). The original version was quite the battery drainer (and access to the batteries was a pain) but we are so pleased to see there is now a rechargeable version, it takes a full 5-6 hours for it to receive a full charge, however, 1 hours charge will provide about 3 hours rocking on the medium setting. The timer has also been upgraded from 30mins to 60, which is better suited to get babies to sleep who often sleep in 40min sleep cycles, this gets them past the first sleep cycling and into a deeper sleep before switching off. If you have or know of a little one that only seems to settle with a good jiggling this could be a great investment and help spare those tired parental arms.

Th Is Is a greaT prOduc T, ON e T haT

Be ON eV ery Ba By shOwer l IsT.

£49.95

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M IMIcs T he ha N d rOck INg MOTION OF a

pushcha I r

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60 MIN u T es Bu IlT IN TIM er

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Qu I eT

NexTOrch e51c

I love horror movies. Especially when they get to the point where it’s all dark and creepy and all of a sudden the torch starts going on the blink or they drop it and it switches itself off just as the bad guy is coming round the corner… If only they had had this torch! Would have made many horror movies pretty lame and pointless though, let’s be thankful they didn’t!

The reason I mention this is because of the thought that has gone in to this device. First of all, it’s made out of aerospace-grade aluminium (you’d need one hell of a hit to actually damage it at all!) giving it a nice ruggedness and a sense of reliability. The on/off switch is located within a recess on the end of the torch so if you do drop it, it’s incredibly unlikely it will switch itself off and you have the option of attaching it to a lanyard or clipping it on your belt, pretty much covering any given set up you’ll want to have. They’ve even covered up the charging port (USB-C) so it won’t get dust in it. And to top it off, it’s also IPX8 waterproof meaning that, if you so desired, you could operate this torch underwater at up to a depth of 2 metres. I’m thinking of those unlikely scenarios in horror movies again…

As for the actual thing the torch is designed for in the first place, it has a maximum luminosity of 1600 lumens and has a range of over 200 metres but also has a medium and low setting for when you don’t need to blind everything and everyone near you! Lastly, a strobe setting gives you an option for if you ever need to advertise your location or signal somebody.

Sometimes, convenience is the first thing on your mind and, in most cases, torches generally aren’t! Whether camping, walking around late at night, or trying to fiddle with your car after a breakdown in the dark, having to hold a torch with one hand can be quite debilitating. This torch gets around this by virtue of its small size and the fact that it’s designed to fit on your keys or clip on to your clothing using either the metal clip or the keychain hook provided.

At only 73mm in length and with a thickness roughly the same as an AA battery, it’s quite an easy addition to your keys that doesn’t really get in the way and it only weighs in at 17 grams so it’s not a heavy extra either. It has a choice of 4 different kinds of light (UV, red light, red/blue flash and regular white light) that all have their own source rather than using the same emitter. Amongst other uses, it can be a fixed red light for safety at night for example or, if you need to be found the red/blue flashing light can be very handy.

Useful things of course but how is it at actually being a torch? Well, the highest regular beam setting gives you an output of 300 lumens and a range of 78 metres which is huge for a torch this size! At this level the battery will last for about an hour, which would hopefully be long enough for most needs. At the next setting it will last a half hour longer but is only 50 lumens, although this should be enough for most tasks other than walking around outside in the dark. Recharging takes about 1 ½ hours via a USB-C port and gives 19 hours of life at the lowest setting.

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cONs

NOT g OOd FOr T hOse w IT h large FINgers Or whO sT ruggle w IT h M a N ual dexT er IT y

$24.95

NexTOrch Ta30c

Torches are useful for lighting things up, that’s a given and I’m not going to win any awards pointing out the obvious! But, it’s the application of how you use this light that matters and this is where this particular torch comes in quite handy. Designed mainly for people that work in the security industry, it’s actually a pretty good non-violent selfdefence device.

Besides the obvious of being able to blind people, the strobe effect that is built in with this one does more than just that, it disorientates them too as the brain just can’t adapt quickly enough to the multiple images it is receiving. Even better, it’s very hard for them to see where you are moving when the strobe is on, allowing you to back off and make your getaway without them realising you’re doing exactly that. Best way to avoid getting hurt is to simply not allow them to make physical contact and run away and this torch means they’re not likely to follow you either.

Of course, it’s not just for self-defence but has 3 light settings other than strobe with the maximum output set at 1600 lumens and the minimum being 20 lumens. Changing settings is a simple matter of turning the dial situated around the power switch. The strobe activation is pretty straight-forward with a hard press on the power button situated on the end of the torch to get it going, meaning you don’t have to fiddle with the dial if you need it in an emergency situation. It also has a range of 300 metres so will hopefully alert anyone else nearby that something may not be quite right. It’s made with the usual ruggedness Nextorch employ and you have the choice of using regular double A batteries or a rechargeable one.

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cha Ng INg T he dI al Is NOT easy w IT h ON e ha N d

$115

FlIr ONe edge prO: IOs & aNdrOId

The Flir One Edge Pro has been designed to transform your iOS (version 15 and later) and Android (version 11 and later) device into a thermal imaging camera, allowing you to inspect areas that are out of reach, it can be clipped straight onto the device or used independently. It uses a combination of VividIR and FLIR MSX (Multi-Spectral Dynamic Imaging) to give you a sharp thermal image from any position or angle with a natural grip. The FLIR Ignite is a cloud storage system that lets you save and share your images, a handy solution to sharing issues with your team remotely. You can directly upload, organise, edit and share images from your Wi-Fi connected FLIR camera, the data is kept safe in one place and easily accessible from any device. It offers a thermal resolution of 160 × 120 (19,200 pixels) and the battery life should last around 1.5hours with a recharge time of 60-90mins however 15mins worth of charging will give you about 40mins operating time if you are pushed for time. Its compact size of 37.5H × 35W × 149D mm makes it easy to transport and the 153g weight ensures it is comfortable to handle both on and off your device, there is a handy remote operation that works up to 5m from smart device via Wi-Fi. Its rugged body is tough enough for work sites and passes a drop test from 2m (6.56 ft), it has an object temperature range of -20°C — 120°C (–4°F — 248°F) and 0°C — 400°C (32°F — 752°F) with an accuracy of ±3°C (5.4°F) or ±5%. The spot meter will highlight the hottest, coldest and three spot measurements with palette options of Gray (white hot), Hottest, Coldest, Iron, Contrast, Arctic, Lava and Colour Wheel, whatever is the most intuitive to you. There is a reason FLIR are leading the way when it comes to thermal imaging, the pictures are accurate and clear, the app is user friendly, unlike its predecessor it doesn’t involve a physical connection making it more versatile and increasing its durability. As anything that relies on a Wifi connection latency and drops out can be a bit of an issue, but it was never enough to ruin the overall usage. It’s still a little on the pricey side but worth it when used regularly on the worksite or for DIY enthusiasts, it will save you a lot of extra hassle and diagnostics during and after your projects.

ITs easy TO see why FlIr are leadINg

The way wITh user FrIeNdly TherMal IMagINg.

£574.80

huION INspIrOy gaIaNO

Last month I reviewed the Kamvas 13 from Huion, a nice little drawing pad. My first impression with the Gaiano was how much larger it was! The screen size rocks in at an impressive 13.6” x 8.5” (larger than a piece of A4) giving artists plenty of room to play around with and get creative. Other than this obvious boon, it also means it works better when paired with large screen devices in comparison to smaller tablets so you don’t lose that resolution. There are non-slip feet on the bottom for added stability and the function keys are textured to aid with finding which one you wish to use so you don’t need to take your eyes off of the creative process itself. As well as this, there’s a handy little LED display in the top left telling you useful things such as the level of Bluetooth connectivity and the battery life of the pen.

Speaking of the pen, it is the PW517 which is a pretty good device all by itself and comes with 5 standard nibs and 5 felt tip nibs as well as being battery free so you don’t have an unrealistic weight pulling the pen about. The felt tip nibs work particularly well with the screen as it’s designed to have a paper texture feel to it and you get a good approximation of drawing on paper when using them which should appeal to more traditional drawing artists. Combined with the 8192 levels of sensitivity it boasts and the ability to work at up to a 60° tilt, most drawing styles should be covered making the whole thing quite ubiquitous.

With little space left, I must mention the exercise warning that pops up every 2 hours, a great addition in my opinion for those that get too wrapped up in their work!

£189.99

a really gOOd drawINg TaBleT ThaT

shOuld appeal TO The MOsT exacTINg user aNd May cONVerT a Few paperBased arTIsTs!

QuIeTON 3.1

Some people, my husband for one, could fall asleep in the middle of a building site, no amount of noise will prevent him nodding off when he’s tired, however some people need peace and quiet to drift off. Life isn’t always that tranquil, outside traffic, snoring partners, noisy neighbours and shift working can all make switching off rather difficult, the QuietOn 3.1 earbuds offer a way of shutting out the noise without simply replacing it with music or white noise. These little earbuds use active noise cancelling (ANC) to block out the world around you designed specifically for sleeping, this means they have been created around the ear’s anatomy. Standard earbuds are shaped to fit inside the concha, these can stick out of the ear and make things uncomfortable for side sleepers whereas the QuietOn 3.1’s are the smallest earbuds for sleeping. They weigh just 1.8g and are around three times smaller than Apple Airpods Pro and tuck neatly inside the ear eliminating pressure when laying on your side. There are four pairs of ear tips to choose from (XS, S, M, L) all made from a soft foam for a secure fit and provide some passive noise cancelling, they are unlikely to fall out overnight. The ANC uses a tiny microphone that takes a sample of the noise and then uses active electronics inside the earbud to create a phase-shifted and equalized sound which is then played through the speaker to cancel out the original noise. The rechargeable battery is little but can still last up to 28hrs from one charge which is about three nights sleep, but with the addition of the charging case you can get a full week before having to connect it to the mains. The QuietOn 3.1 are easy enough to use, they switch on automatically when removed from the charging case. If you are used to foam earplugs you will notice them in the ear more, however we found they were comfortable and got used to them over a few nights. The noise cancelling is really effective, if there is a lot of different and loud background noises, camping at a festival for example, it isn’t completely shut out, but it is greatly reduced to a level that’s easy to switch off from. As well as being great for sleep there are other moments in the day the QuietOn 3.1 are useful, focusing on work from home in a busy house, taking some time out for meditation, tai chi, worship, anything that requires a degree of calm and focus. The QuietOn 3.1 do not come cheap but there is no price that can be put on getting a good night’s sleep and there is something incredibly empowering knowing you carry instant serenity in your pocket.

ekO MIrage x recyclINg seNsOr BIN

With recycling, food waste and general rubbish your kitchen can quickly get overloaded with different bins and caddies, the Mirage X Recycling Sensor Bin combines both your general rubbish and recycling in one 40L system. Both recycling and the general waste are the same size at 20L. It could be argued that the general waste should be smaller as most households will collect more recycling throughout the week than rubbish. The bin is constructed from brushed stainless steel with a fingerprint resistant finish, this isn’t fool proof especially with small ones grubby mits all over the place, but it definitely takes longer for marks to show up and they can quickly be wiped away with a damp cloth. It measures up at H65 x W47 x D28cm with the height reaching 86cm when the lid is fully opened, it requires 6 x AA Alkaline Batteries that are not included, this is to activate the motion sensor. The motion sensor has an interactive display and will automatically shut the soft close lid after 5 seconds, this offers a hygienic ‘no touch’ open and close system. The sensor can be switched off and there is a manual touch open and close function, this is handy if you are clearing out the cupboards and getting rid of lots of bits in one go and will save the battery. There are two removable inner buckets making it easier to dispose of your rubbish, it is compatible with the Eko F1 bin liners but it will also work with any standard bin bags due to the bag fixer which will keep the bag in place and out of sight. There is a built-in compartment that can be used to pop in an Eko odour filter (£5.99 for two) or Eko perfume capsule (£4.99 for 3) to keep things smelling sweet and the whole thing comes with a three-year guarantee.

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20l BINs sleek FINIsh

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£159.99

When it comes to draining racks I’m not going to pretend to be an expert, I have the same draining rack I’ve owned since I first moved out, putting it at about 17 years old, it has rusty little feet and is mostly held together with limescale. As you can imagine it didn’t take much to outshine my little piece of scrap metal in the looks department, the Regal Dish Rack from Eko is constructed from a mixture of Stainless steel, Plastic, TPE and Silicone with colour accents of the plate dividers and cutlery holder. It measures up at H8.1 x W43.5 x D32.5 cm so it is quite compact, the plate divider lays flat and the removable cutlery holders can be laid on their side making it even more compact and possible to store away if needed, although I’m not sure there is much benefit to this unless you enjoy a super minimalist kitchen look. This also means they can be removed entirely giving more room to dry your big pots and pans without creating some sort of precarious tower. The interior provides a safe place for your tableware thanks to the scratch resistant finish. The outer has a brushed stainless-steel finish that has a fingerprint resistant coating on both ends making it look more attractive than an all plastic finish and can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth. What stood out immediately to me was the distinct lack of draining holes in the base, that’s because the Regal uses a different way of getting rid of the water, with a little foot that raises at one end and a water spout at the other it creates an incline to expel the water into the sink. So the good things about this system is you can use it on a regular surface without getting it wet underneath, it is worth setting up the incline before the rack is full just to avoid knocking over any dishes whilst accessing the leg. The downside is that the drainage spout is only in the centre of the rack this means it can leave water and residue in the corners and inside the cutlery holders that will require cleaning out. It also means it won’t work with every sink, ours has a rounded raised edge which means the water wouldn’t drain into the sink but pour back onto the work top. The added cleaning maintenance and smaller capacity means it won’t be replacing my tatty old draining rack for now, however it will be ideal for kitchens with restricted space as well as caravans and other camping set ups.

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£39.99

TrIwa OceaN plasTIc sea shepherd

TRIWA are a Swedish company formed from a desire to do their bit for the environment while producing watches. Indeed their name itself is an acronym for Transforming the Industry of Watches, can’t get much clearer than that! They’ve even gone to the effort of working out each individual products’ carbon emission rating and posting it with the product on their site allowing consumers to make informed choices with their purchase. What they mainly do is recycle waste material (even destroyed illegal firearms!), turning it in to watches and, as you may have guessed from the name, the Sea Shepherd is made from recycled plastic claimed from the sea (apart from the buckles and hoops on the strap and the stainless steel back).

That isn’t the only reason it’s called the Sea Shepherd however. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society are a group

that have been active since the 1970’s in trying to preserve marine habitats and eco-systems in the world’s oceans and TRIWA wanted to draw attention to their cause. Every 15% of sales from this watch will go to the Sea Shepherds to help support them so it may be worth checking them out to see how your well-spent money is being utilised.

The watch itself is fairly simple and utilitarian. A no-frills wrist-piece with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society logo proudly set in the lower half and only the 3 and 9 digits available on the face. It also looks pretty smart with a simple black colour scheme, nicely complemented by the buckles and hoops. And, as you may hope for in a timepiece aiming to highlight the plight of our oceans, it is water resistant to a depth of 100 metres so you can happily enjoy the ocean depths while wearing the evidence that you’ve helped in some small way!

rOka FalcON TITaNIuM

From the Terminator through to Top Gun and Reservoir Dogs, we all know that sunglasses are cool. But, as with all things subjective, there are levels of coolness within coolness itself and if, out of the above you favour Top Gun, then these are the ‘cool’ for you (please try and read that to yourself in some cool American voice-over to really start basking in the glory of cool…)!

Ahem, enough of that silliness! As well as helping you look like some kind of maverick pilot out on a day trip, these sunglasses are full of surprising little things that elevate them above your average pair of sun deflectors. Firstly of course, it’s made out of titanium, it’s going to take an awful lot to damage the frames on these things! Combined with that the lenses are constructed from nylon with all sorts of anti-this and anti-that that basically equate to them being almost as survivable as the frame itself! They’re also anti-spotting and fingerprint resistant due to coatings applied to the lenses meaning your expensive acquisition is going to carry on being useful for quite some time. Despite all this strength these sunglasses weigh in at a ridiculously light 19 grams (it almost feels like they aren’t there) and can block almost 90% of light coming through.

The thing that stands out for me however, is the way they have designed the nose and temple pads using an elastomer that grips even if you’re getting sweaty. My current glasses while (obviously!) quite cool, don’t have anything like this and hot weather leads to me having to constantly push them back up my nose. I really wish they had this feature. Think I might start looking in to becoming a pilot. Can’t be that hard can it?

kITcheNaId MIxer 4.7l hIBIscus arTIsaN

The KitchenAid Mixer 4.7L Artisan stand mixer will be a best friend to cooks, bakers and chefs alike. This mixer comes in three sizes, small, medium and large and we will be taking a closer look at the medium version. These mixers come in a huge selection of colours ranging from subtle to bold and attention seeking including KitchenAid’s Colour of the Year 2023, Hibiscus, which will add a splash of life to any kitchen. This stand mixer uses a direct-drive motor with efficient wattage to power conversion straight into the bowl, the robust design is strong enough to handle even the toughest mixes. Constructed from solid zinc metal it is built to last a lifetime and more and comes with a 5-year guarantee. The Medium mixer comes with a 4.7L stainless steel bowl, 3L stainless steel bowl, transparent pouring shield, six wire whisk, dough hook and flat beater ensuring this mixer is ready for anything from bread and cakes, to whipping cream and mashing potatoes. The attachments can all go in the dishwasher which means

less time cleaning and more time enjoying your food. The mixer can take on both small and large batches, with the ability to process up to 12 eggs, 1l of whipped cream, in baking terms this will give you a 2.7kg cake or 9 dozen cookies. The stand mixer was the original home stand mixer with the unique ‘planetary action’, this allows the beater to spiral to at least 59 touchpoints around the bowl for a fast and thorough mix. The speed can be adjusted via the control lever from a gentle stir at level 1 up, beating at 6 and fast whipping at level 10. The tilt head makes it easy to access the bowl without making a mess, the single multipurpose attachment hub on the head opens the mixer to a wide range of uses, from a spiralizer to a pasta roller, ice cream maker or food grinder. This mixer will become your sous chef, it’s strong, consistent, reliable and versatile. At the end of the day it is easy to clean and will sit pretty on your work top ready for the next culinary adventure.

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£699

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If you don’t work with horses it could be forgiven to assume that riding is a rather low risk pursuit, however, approximately 1 in 5 horse related injuries will require a trip to the emergency room, most horses will be able to run 25-30mph and most people would not dream of driving that fast without at least a seatbelt on. You may have noticed that the majority of horses don’t come with seatbelts but that doesn’t mean riders can’t use an airbag system to remain safe, this comes in the form of the SAFEFIT airbag vest from Seaver. This vest is mostly black but you can chose from 11 colours for the piping that runs along side the zip, the airbag can be either Black or Navy, the sizes range from XXS-XL with a long version available in XS, S and M. It is wonderfully lightweight and nonrestrictive, designed with those sat in the saddle in mind, the material is stretchy, and the generous mesh cut outs allow for a good amount of ventilation, it looks sporty but is discreet enough to be worn with competitive outfits and jackets. In the event of a fall, the SAFEFIT airbag vest automatically inflates to ensure total protection of the vital

areas of your body including the abdomen, rib cage, neck, back and more precisely the spine. It comes with an arming key, a connection strap and connector cord, the latter attaches to the knives of your saddle, if you fall off this cord is disconnected which will inflate the vest within a few milliseconds, then it is just a case of fit a new CO2 cartridge and It’s ready to use again. The SAFEFIT vest can be combined with the SAFERIDE option offered on the Seaver application. When activated on your phone, your family and friends are alerted in the event of a fall and can geolocate and rescue you. There is an option of a one-year free SAFERIDE subscription when ordering the vest this means you will receive an activation code to enter directly on the Seaver mobile application to activate on your phone. There is absolutely no reason why any rider shouldn’t be wearing the Seaver SAFEFIT vest, it is so unobtrusive and comfortable you can just pop it on and forget about (although don’t forget to unclip before you jump off or you will be in for a surprise) and it has the potential to save your life.

gOdOx MOVelINk II M2

The problem with producing your own online video content is giving a professional finish to whatever you have come up with and one of the main culprits stopping this from happening is the audio. The best way around this is not to rely on the microphones and pick up of your recording device but instead invest in some microphones with a receiver and you could do a lot worse than this handy little kit.

You get 2 transmitters and a receiver as well as the charging case and all the cables you’re likely to need! I particularly like the smaller, discrete microphones you can plug in to the transmitters. These are quite handy and help to give a far more professional look than if you just use the transmitter on its own – looks a little weird having a small box attached to your front, much better to clip it to your belt out of the way in my opinion. Although for those seeking a way to look a little different, maybe that would be right up your street! As for the charging case, it fits all 3 elements (2 transmitters and the receiver) and charges them all at once for convenience. The transmitters have about 10 hoursworth of battery time and the receiver 8 hours which should be plenty of time to get your content recorded.

The range is good at 100 metres and you can also set it up to record in stereo when needing to use both transmitters so that you can easily edit the audio in post-production. Speaking of which, all those cables you get mean it’s compatible with most devices, leaving you with nothing but options and we like those! They come in a choice of black or white and you also receive a couple of windbreaks to protect the audio outdoors.

IFI gO lINk

If you prefer using a pair of analogue headphones, it can be very frustrating when you have your music stored on a portable device and that big old 3.5mm jack just ain’t gonna fit! So, you have to rely on a separately bought set or the fairly basic ones that come with most devices these days. Not ideal, especially when you’ve probably forked out for a really decent set of headphones and just want to use them all the time! Well, this handy little device should hopefully solve your problem.

The DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter) tech in this dongle combined with the amp circuitry means it’s not just a simple adaptor but a direct converter of the sound coming through from your chosen device. It doesn’t use the software in your device to control the volume but instead utilises the DAC software to control the volume directly, leading to the sound quality being retained no matter the volume. To further help the sound quality, the twisted cord linking the two parts of the dongle has been designed to optimise inductance and capacitance as well as providing protection from electromagnetic interference generated by other electronic devices. As a result, any adverse effect on your sound is pretty much eliminated. The cord also makes it less likely that you’ll end up accidentally unplugging with both separate parts of the unit able to move semi-independently.

It’s all cased within a lightweight magnesium alloy and has an LED light that changes colour depending on the format of the file currently being played. It connects via USB-C but, for those with iPhones or iPads, there is a Lightning adaptor as well as an adaptor for USB-A’s so you should be able to take advantage of this nifty little gadget no matter what device you use.

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TrONIxprO Beach TrOlley

When you arrive at the destination for your fishing trip you just want to get going, you don’t want to have to trek toand-fro to your car over the sand or shingle to get set up, the Tronixpro Beach Trolley will assist you with getting your gear in place quickly and safely. This trolley measures up with an axle width of 78cm, a trolley bed width of 39cm, 78cm depth and height from 82cm up to 130cm, it is constructed with an aluminium frame and pneumatic wheels to help keep the weight down low but the strength up. This large capacity trolley is quick and easy to setup, it folds down flat, well as flat as those chunky wheels allow, so it just needs folding out and the handle can be adjusted to the appropriate height with a twist of a toggle. It has been specifically designed to carry tackle boxes, bait, clothes, cool boxes and all your accessories from the car to the fishing mark but this doesn’t mean it can’t be utilised for picnics, camping and other day trips. The fold flat function makes it easier to stow away in the car without swallowing up too much space, the trolley is covered in a protective sponge that provides a grippy surface to help keep the items secure in transit. What makes the trolley particularly nifty over the beach terrain is the large 18cm pneumatic wheels, they spread the load of the trolley weight evenly over a large area which prevents them from sinking into the sand, shingle, small rocks, piers and breakwaters. This takes the stress and awkwardness out of long walks to the fishing mark or to a boat for anglers, it is also ideal for taking over muddy terrain and fields down to riversides and ponds. This trolley is like a mini 4x4 for your fishing gear, it makes travelling over difficult terrain with all your gear much easier letting you set up and enjoy your hobby faster and more stress free.

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For stockists, please visit www.darlighting.co.uk or contact our team directly on: 01295 672 200

BOMBAZINE pendant

YELENA pendant

KEEGAN wall light

ARONA pendant

Everything is getting a ‘smart’ upgrade these days and musical instruments are no exception, the Blue Lava Original guitar is a Smart guitar, so what does that mean? Unfortunately, it won’t make you an instant rock star if you haven’t ever played before but it does come with built in effects powered by L2 Preamp with FreeBoost, making it the perfect travel companion. It has an ultra-lightweight body of just 3.7lb and the 36″ size makes it space efficient. It comes with a Micro USB (to A) cable, cleaning cloth, Hex Truss Rod Wrench, Ideal Pick Flow and the Airflow travel bag that ensures its ready to go the moment you are. It is made from a solid HPL material ensuring all-day weather resistance, getting caught in a light rain won’t slow you down. It has a unique recognisable look that hints at it’s smart features, it has an ergonomic neck shape, thin heel, and 2.3mm string height for comfortable play over long sessions, no stingy fingers no matter where on the neck you are playing. The magnetic truss rod cover provides easy access, simple to remove and replace, the magnetic cover allows you to adjust the neck relief without any effort. The 4-MASS technology brings BLUE LAVA Original a parametric structure which has been engineered by simulating the vibration dynamics of the top, body, neck, and internal air, then resonating them together for a full, bright tone. The three knobs on the top of the guitar allow for intuitive tweaking of the sound, the L2 preamp allows you to shape sounds using the onboard chorus, delay, and reverb, without even plugging in. The FreeBoost technology uses the back of the guitar as a speaker, generating the sound from inside the guitar, giving your tunes a real boost while playing outdoors and at gatherings completely free from cables and external amps. The Blue Lava Original is the perfect travel buddy, compact, light and weatherproof it offers a lovely sound and comfortable play and that’s without considering that effective L2 preamp. $479

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IsINarT a I r Fryer M INI OV eN

Air fryers were previously a rather outdated piece of kitchen equipment banished to the back of the cupboards but since the cost-of-living crisis they have made a name for themselves as a cheaper way of cooking our dinners. An air fryer is more than just cost effective however, it is often quicker and healthier than other frying methods like deep frying for example. This Mini Oven from Cuisinart comes with an air fryer basket, oven rack and baking tray, it has been designed to take up minimal space on your worktop whilst providing maximum cooking capacity. It comes pre-set with seven different cooking functions, air fry, roast, bake, grill, toasties, toast and keep warm, this means it can tackle everything from baked treats, roasts dinners, crisp 12” pizzas, as well as grilled meat and fish and evenly cooked toasties and paninis, it will even do the morning toast for you. It heats up within 90 seconds making it almost immediately ready to use, it uses controlled airflow technology and due to the smaller size it cooks 30% faster than a conventional oven as well as using less energy. It has a cute, classic style design, that would fit into most kitchen decors. There are four intuitive controls that adjust the temperature, cooking function, toast shade and cooking time. This Air Fryer has a total capacity of 17L, big enough for a family of four (feeding them not cooking them) and can roast up to a 1.8kg chicken. The two shelves mean you can cook on two levels, there are six temperature settings to choose from ranging from 90°C to keep the food warm to 230°C fast air fry, the built in timer (maximum 60minutes) will ring once when the cooking has finished and then automatically turn the oven off. if you are anything like me and you find timings for meals with lots of elements tricky then the mini oven can stand in to keep the food warm until its ready to serve. Other features include the easy to clean non-stick interior and the glass front panel and interior light that lets you keep an eye on the food as it cooks. We liked the Air Fryer Mini Oven, it heated up superfast, cooked evenly and has a good capacity for its dinky stature, it is definitely worth considering if you are looking at investing in an air fryer.

BOsch serIes 8 rechargeaBle VacuuM

cleaNer uNlIMITed geN2 Bcs8224gB

The BCS8224GB from Bosch frees you from the tethers of the cords thanks to the two 18V batteries that give up to 120mins of runtime, more than enough to tackle the whole house and maybe your car at the same time. It comes with a crevice nozzle, 2 in 1 crevice/upholstery tool, a long flexible crevice nozzle and a keyboard and drawer nozzle to help you get into all those nooks and crannies. Also included is the charging cable, quick charger and docking station, the vacuum has a comfortable weight at just 4.3kg and its compact design measures up at 1321 x 250 x 211 mm. The batteries used in the vacuum are part of one of the largest cross-brand 18V battery systems, this means they are compatible with many 18V power tools and gardening devices from Bosch and other brands for example Gardena, Gloria, Wagner and Rapid. The main floor head uses a brushless TurboSpin motor, the 3-phase synchronised digital motor is 32% lighter and 50% faster than previous models and offers up to 82.000 rpm. The filter system is bagless and all the dirt will collect in the 0.4l dust container, this can mean you might need to empty it out during cleaning sessions. There are three running modes to select with the Eco mode providing the longest battery life. The Turbo boosts performance when it comes to ground in dirt, the Auto mode as the name suggests automatically adjusts the power and runtime depending on the surface. The LED Indicator lets you know exactly how much juice is left in the tank. Talking of lights there are also spot lights on the main floor head and within the hand held unit to help you see the areas you need to target. The nozzle can be rotated 180° to give you extra flexibility to reach underneath furniture and into narrow spots whilst the ergonomic handle provides one-handed operation at any angle. The suction the BCS8224GB provides is reasonable, it could be stronger but it’s fine when it comes to the weekly clean and is particularly good at picking up small particles. The interchangeable batteries and fast change are handy for cracking on with the job without the inconvenience of having to stop due to low power, all the attachments mean you can clean your whole house from top to bottom, not just the floor.

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£499.99

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Road safety is important, especially if you’re a cyclist. Despite recent changes in the law and the Highway Code ensuring drivers give you more room, you still need to be seen and a decent set of lights are essential when riding in low light or at night. Well, they’re a legal requirement (just a little reminder for those that seem to think they don’t have to have them! You know who you are…) so a little more than ‘essential’ but you want ones that are going to give you the best visibility, right?

Trying to find a decent LED that emits enough light and has the battery time to last the distance is not as easy as it sounds however, but this set seems to have hit a fairly good balance between the two. Its lowest setting for the front light is only 15 lumens but, if set to flashing can last up to 70 hours making it ideal for cycling around a well-lit urban area. If a brighter light is needed, you can either have it at a constant 220 lumens for an hour or flashing for 3 hours before it needs to recharge which should be plenty of time for those winter commutes. As you may expect, the rear light is nowhere near as powerful but can last up to two and a half hours, again, plenty of time for most. The recharging only takes about 2 hours and is via a USB port securely sealed with a silicone plug.

One thing I really like about these lights is the way the clear cover ‘wraps around’ the sides, allowing the illumination to branch out to either side of the way the light is facing, allowing far more visibility than your traditional forwardfacing light, a win for me!

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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

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540 preMIuM pack

Is there anything quite as exhilarating as searching for buried treasure? Particularly where I live there’s a very real chance of finding some as it was in Norfolk that the England’s biggest Anglo-Saxon coin hoard was found. To stand a chance of finding amazing artefacts and not just bottle tops it is worth investing in a decent metal detector. The Minelab Vanquish 540 Premium Pack is the perfect place to start, suitable for both beginners and enthusiasts alike it comes with Minelab’s revolutionary Multi-IQ technology this combines the power of multiple detectors in one that all work at the same time. Suitable for all terrain nothing remains undetected, there are four Search Modes to choose from Coin, Relic, Jewellery, or Custom and you are ready to go. Each mode is pre-programmed and optimised to give the best performance, whether you are in the park, field or on the beach. It excels on tough areas like wet sand at the beach and salt water, there are 25 discrimination segments which give you high levels of control over which metals you want to find and which you want to ignore. As well as that the 540 has automatic noise cancelling, lag-free audio response and 10-volume settings, pinpoint functions for precise locations, iron-bias control which lets you switch between High (default) and Low, there is a red LED backlight, rechargeable batteries and it comes with a waterproof 12” coil as standard. The whole thing is easy to pack up and take out, it weighs 1.3kg (2.8 lbs) and features a unique collapsible snap-lock system for compact storage. The menu and screen are user friendly and easy to navigate, in fact the entire thing is user friendly, you can switch it on and start swinging without getting lost in complicated settings. The power is in the Multi-IQ technology, it is so busy comparing and collecting data from all the frequencies that it will give you a better target ID and discrimination at bigger depths which means you are only getting your hands dirty when it’s really worth it.

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When it comes to protecting your hearing whilst working in loud environments but remaining safely aware of your surrounding ISOtunes have got you covered, they have solved the problem of being able to listen to your music, hear co-workers and block out damaging background noise. The Free Aware are ISOtunes completely cord free headphones, they have a wireless charging case which removes the hazard of dangling wires from the worksite. They are also completely waterproof with an IP67 rating, this protects them from dust, sweat, and water, they come with three pairs of Tall TRILOGY ear tips (S, M, L), three pairs of Short TRILOGY ear tips (S, M, L), one pair of triple silicone ear tips, as well as a USB-C charging cable, charging case, and charging case lanyard. The Free Aware feature level-dependent Aware Technology, this is what allows you to communicate with colleagues and listen out for warning signals all while enjoying non-stop certified protection, giving you the best of both worlds. They reduce the background noise of up to 32 SNR, offer OSHA-compliant hearing protection and when streaming

audio, the SafeMax Technology limits the volume to a safe output of 85dB. The earbuds alone will last up to 13hours, an additional 25hours can then be achieved via the charging case and the background noise-reducing microphone allows for clear communication in loud environments. They can connect with devices via Bluetooth 5.2 which will give you 30 feet of range, this means you can keep your device safely out of the way whilst still accessing your tunes, calls and smart assistant, Siri or Google assistant for example. The earbuds will automatically power off after two hours without any Bluetooth connection to conserve battery life, the earbuds also react to touch controls that allow you to play/pause your audio and answer calls. It takes a bit of practice to get used to what number of taps do what and it also doesn’t work if you have work gloves on. The Free Aware are another great product from ISOtunes, with decent audio, exceptional hearing protection and decent battery life, they are a no brainer for those working in noisy environments.

T ushy ace elec T r Ic BI deT s eaT

Remember when you learnt there was a deadly virus sweeping across the globe and the publics reaction was to fill their attics and spare rooms with toilet roll? What on earth was that all about? Suddenly those Europeans seemed to have the right idea with their toilet habits by using a bidet, when you think about it, if you get something unpleasant on your hands you wash them clean with water you don’t simply wipe them off with paper tissue, perhaps we should start treating our bums with the same respect. The TUSHY Ace aims to transform your existing toilet into a luxury bidet with this electric bidet seat. The Ace is TUSHYs first-ever electric bidet seat it comes with a remote control with capacitive touch and magnetic wall mount, the installation kit, the grounded 3-prong power cord (47.25"L) and tank adapter. The flexible hose ensures the seat will work with almost any toilet, the obvious issue is whether or not you have a three-pronged socket in your bathroom which isn’t something that is that common place in UK loos and shaving sockets are often located higher up and in view which could result in trailing cords. Assuming you have a socket then set up is fairly straightforward, the seat comes in two sizes the round version (19.6"L x 15.5"W x 5.4"H) or the elongated version (21.1"L x 15.5"W x 5.7"H). It blends in well with most bathroom decors, it simply looks like a regular seat, perhaps a little chunkier but doesn’t have medical vibes, the water nozzle automatically retracts when the bidet is not in use. The nozzle is made from a naturally anti-microbial stainless steel and is self-cleaning, it offers five different water temperatures that instantly makes water warm because nobody wants a freezing cold jet of water up the tush. There are also five water pressure settings to get the most comfortable wash and a double-tap will activate the signature oscillating massage spray. The remote is intuitive with options for ‘Bum’ or ‘Front’, its here you can also adjust the seat temperature, oh yes the seat is heated too, the angle and the water temperature, the haptic feedback lets you know your command has been recognised. If all that wasn’t enough for a luxury toilet trip the Ace also has a retractable air dryer with five temperature settings, the dryer is quite narrow so you may find you need a cloth to pat dry legs or other areas. When you are all done the soft-close lid will shut gently and you can leave the Ace safe in the knowledge that the TUSHY will only work when you are seated on it. The Ace is a great bidet, it provides a gentle but thorough clean that is suitable for most homes with an added bonus that all the details have been carefully thought through to support those with limited mobility.

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T ushy TOIleT B rush

Why not follow up your toilet upgrade with a new toilet brush, the TUSHY Toilet Brush, just like the loo seat, isn’t all that it seems at first sight, but what is noticeable is the sleek design, it looks clean and stylish, which is something I probably have never said about a toilet brush before. So, what makes this brush different from your bog standard brush (pun intended). Well for starters you won’t find any plastic bristles here; we are all aware how disposable plastics are bad for the environment and unless you are super gross and keeping the same toilet brush all your life chances are a few of your previous brushes are sitting in a landfill somewhere. This brush works differently by using individual biodegradable Coconut Husk Scrubbing Pads to clean the bowl, these pads are infused with lemon and tea tree oil. It is also packed with natural cleaning agents that activate when they meet water, that means you don’t need to add harmful chemicals to your toilet, they are tough enough to take on the task and smell lovely and fresh. Once you have finished cleaning the dish is thrown away into your regular rubbish where it will naturally biodegrade, the coconut husk is highly abrasive and strong as well as super sustainable because they are upcycled from discarded coconut husks. The wand is constructed from a durable powder-coated steel with a natural bamboo wooden handle, the end of the handle is pressed to release four little grabby hooks which attach to the cleaning pad, both the pads and wand sit in a minimalist, weighted basin. The disk is quite small so cleaning might take a little longer, but the shape is handy for getting up under the rim of the loo, you also have to let the husk do the work and try to resist applying too much pressure as this can result in the metal gripper striking and marking the toilet bowl. The coconut pads come in packs of 16 and cost $21.60. If you are looking for a guilt free way to clean your loo that doesn’t involve leaving a brush stewing in a pool of its own filth look no further.

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Tushy sTaNd aNd sQuares

If we haven’t convinced you to join the bidet revolution how about cutting down on the loo roll? There is a reason that some public loos dispense one sheet at a time and that because you actually use less than when you give a big tug on the roll like an Andrex puppy. In the USA alone an average of 57 sheets of toilet paper is used and flushed away per person and can cost $500 a year for a family of four. It takes 15 million gallons? per year for toilet paper production and just one roll needs 37 gallons of water to make, that’s a lot of water for one bum. Tushy have created a unique system to reduce the amount of toilet roll you use by retraining your habits and pulling just one sheet at a time. The free standing holder looks elegant with a weighted white base, slim bamboo body with the white storage box at the top, there is currently an offer that gives you eight boxes of tissues (instead of the regular two). A pack of twelve boxes will cost you $36 with a 10% discount for subscription, this is pricey, but the idea is that the quality means you will be using less. The TUSHY squares are made from a soft 100% unbleached bamboo that grows up to 39 inches in a day, you get 64 4-ply squares in a box and each box takes just 0.59 gallons of water to make. They are BPA free, arrive in plastic free packaging and they are flush safe. You load up the stand simply by opening a box and flipping it upside down into the holder, the tissue squares then dispense underneath, one at a time. So, is it worth the money? Perhaps if you live with some toilet roll addicts, in particular kids who enjoy using half a roll per visit but if you have the discipline to be more conscientious of your use, it might be worth looking at other sustainable rolls before investing.

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