Category Archives: Gadgets

$20 Bipod Good or Garbage?

CVLife Bipod M-Lok Review The CVLife BiPod with M-Lok adapter is a budget bipod that was sent to me by CVLife to review. I was frankly surprised it performed well. I was able to print the same 3″ groups at 100yrds as I usually did with a rifle rest or sandbags. The bipod attaches to most standard rifle sling swivel pins. This model comes with an adapter plate that allows the bipod to be attached to a rifle with M-Lok handguards. 

AMAZON PRODUCT LINKS

M-Lok: https://amzn.to/2QolB9z

Picatinny: https://amzn.to/3fkkyA8

Parblo A610 Drawing Tablet

The Parblo A610 is a 6″ x 10″ Digital Drawing Tablet that is feature-rich. We had to replace a similarly priced X-PEN Deco 01 V2 which only lasted us about a year before its USB-C port started to fail (we have to tape down and push in the cable to get it to work now). I certainly hope A610 lasts longer than that. And while Wacom tablets cost 4x as much, all of my Wacom’s still work (though I take a lot greater care of my peripherals than my daughter).

PRODUCT LINK
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3okNnjL

FEATURES
• 10″ x 6.25″ Work Area
• 8192 Pressure Levels
• 5080LPI resolution
• Tilt Sensitive Stylus
• Battery-free Stylus
• 8 x Programable Hot Keys
• Dial Ring
• 8 x Replacement Nibs
• USB-C

Wireless Presentation Clicker

This is a handy little presentation clicker with an emphasis on tiny. About the size of a whiteboard marker, this has a next and previous slide button, a laser pointer, volume control, and is AAA battery powered. It also comes with a USB-A (that’s the big flat standard USB-A connection) and the newer USB-C connected dongle that fits inside the clicker. Attach the USB dongle to your computer and the clicker connects wireless via Bluetooth as a pseudo-keyboard. 

PRODUCT LINK

https://amzn.to/2P5JUrY

A Guide to Budget Mini-Tripods

https://youtu.be/UnenP1fZlXY

With the miniaturization of action-cams and smart-phones, we no longer really need full-sized SLRs or VideoCams. Smaller, lighter, recording devices means smaller and lighter stands and tripods. I review two popular formats for mini-tripod/photo stands. Ubeesize budget mini-tripod and Elegant selfie-stick tripod. Ideal for travel vloggers and photographers. They have limitations but in a pinch could be used as a photo or video tripod for DSLRs and phones. 

PRODUCT LINK

Ubeesize Tripod: https://amzn.to/39Ef0P9

Selfie Stick Tripod: https://amzn.to/2MJ5X6v

Ceenda 51” Tripod: https://amzn.to/2Mf1s3n

Ball head https://amzn.to/2Lg1SXe

Amazon Basics 60” photo tripod: https://amzn.to/2YOh0hL

Sokani Tiny Wireless Mic Fail

I bought this Sokani UHF Wireless Lavalier transmitter set after reading a number of positive reviews presenting it as a cheaper alternative to the similar Rode Wireless Go. I am experiencing intermittent and random sound glitches. I’m sharing my experiences in hopes to find out if other owners have experienced similar issues.

I contacted Amazon and they send me another unit and it too has the same sound drop-off glitch. With two identical units, I proceeded to rule out the cables and mic as the causes through a process of elimination. But in the end, I believe that BOTH units sent are defective. Asll the more reason to stay away from this brand.

PRODUCT LINK https://amzn.to/3nT3nYu

ATTEMPTS TO TROUBLESHOOT

• I fully charged both units before using them.

• I used the default Gain that was set on the units the first time I used them.

• The transmitter and the receiver were never more than 4m away from each-other while recording.

• I used the lav mics included in the set and also tried another brand of lav mic.

• I tested the lav mics directly connected to my camera but did not experience any drop out.

• I tried yelling directly into the mics but the sound did not cut off so the drop-out is not Peak triggered.

Budget Bug Out Solar

https://youtu.be/U8K0ukXiVxQ

I put together a budget portable solar setup for under $200; pairing the Beleeb 50W solar panel and the Jackery 160 solar generator/battery. These two highly-rated solar products on Amazon but they were not compatible out of the box. I had to find the appropriate cable which wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be to track down the info, so I’m sharing it with you. As an added benefit, this is also one of the most compact 160W solar setup that you can easily fit in the back of a truck cab or even a backpack.

PRODUCT LINKS

Beleeb 50w solar panels: https://amzn.to/2IFwwYC

Jackery 160: https://amzn.to/3aggmAz

8mm to Anderson adapter cable: https://amzn.to/3aggmAz

8mm power cord: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_A4ifPf

Beleeb

  • Peak Power: 50 W
  • Cell Type: A-grade Monocrystalline
  • Cell Efficiency:23%-25%
  • Power Voltage: 18V
  • Max Power Current:2.77A
  • Open Circuit Voltage: 3.02V
  • Operating Temperature Range: -10℃ ~ 65℃ 
  • Extended Size: 87cm x 41cm x 1cm 
  • Folded Size: 29cm x 41cm x2cm
  • Weight: 1.35kg

Jackery 160

  • Capacity: 167Wh 
  • Input (DC 8MM): 12V~30V 42W Max
  • AC outlet : 110V 60Hz Continuous 100W Peak 150W
  • USB-C output port: 5V 3A
  • 2 x USB-A output ports: 5V 2.4A
  • DC Output port (6MM port): 12V/7A
  • Dimensions: 7.40*4.59*6.73 in
  • Weight: 3.97 lbs