Category Archives: Product Reviews

Gadget, gear, and technology

Gadgets, Product Reviews, Travel

Solar Back Up Camera

The Solarst rear view back up video camera kit was sent to me by MyGekoGear for this review. This is a solar powered wi-fi camera that fits on your license plate frame and allows you to wireless add a rear-view video camera to any vehicle. 

It’s an easy way to install a back up camera to a car, truck, RV or trailer without complicated wiring and professional installation. The license plate has a built in solar panel to recharge the battery powered camera which connections via WiFi to a 4″ LCD monitor that you install on your dash or windshield.

PRODUCT LINK

https://shop.mygekogear.com/products/solarst

15% Off code: MOONDOG15

Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

Spotty Scope: Barska Colorado 15-40×50

The Barska Colorado is a spotty scope instead of a spotting scope (feel free to use this Dad Joke). It is a compact spotting scope with a nice list of specs and a rugged exterior, that is in a word: disappointing. Well, there are many other words you can use to describe it, many comprising of four letters.

The old adage, “You get what you pay for” is certainly true here. The scope was less than $35 on Amazon and 3.9 stars out of 5 with almost half of its reviewers giving it 5 stars. These reviewers either have never seen through another spotting scope or are awaiting cataract surgery? There is one positive thing I have to say about this scope: I can still return it.

If your friend asks you about this scope, remember: friends don’t let friends buy Barska.

PRO
• Cheap

CON
• Blurry
• Milky
• Terrible optical performance

USAF51 RESOLUTION
Fail (no groups or elements could be resolved at 100 yrds)

PRODUCT LINKS

Barska Colorado https://amzn.to/3flcTlO

Celestron 20x binoculars: https://amzn.to/3rQWuuy

Vilux 12x binoculars: https://amzn.to/3A68Wcq

Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

Riton X1 Primal 4-16×44

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Riton lent me one of their X1 Primal 4-16×44 rifle scopes to review. The X1 Primal is an intro level 1 scope in their product line. It is one of the least expensive 16x zooming premium scopes on the market; a good value in a hunting scope. Its unique RUT reticle features a semi-open central dot which I found well suited for long-range target shooting with a 22LR as it allows for clear visibility of small bullseyes.

If it does have a fault, it is the quality of the image at 16x magnification. The scope loses a lot of sharpness and contrast at full magnification. Worst yet, its eye box gets very small making it unsuitable for hunting at 16x, when targets of opportunity are mobile and require rapid change of aim. Still, it’s a quality scope at under $200, where its competition only boasts 9x or 12x power.

PRODUCT LINKS
Optics Planet https://shrsl.com/325oo
Amazon https://amzn.to/3iW4sQl

OVERALL RATINGS (out of 5)
Build: 5
Glass: 4
Reticle: 4
Holds Zero: 5
Box Test: 5
Turrets: 5
Eye Box: 3
Value: 4

Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

Aguila SXHV: Marlin 60 vs Ruger 10/22

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Common Knowledge was that the Marlin 60 was one of the best shooting, factory semi-auto 22LR ever made. I always thought it was my most accurate shooting rimfire. Now, I’m not so sure. I tested Aguila Super Extra HV in my Marlin 60 and Ruger 10/22 takedown to see which rifle this ammo groups better in. I couldn’t quite believe the results, so ran the test again the following week. So much for “common knowledge”.

PRODUCT LINKS
Aguila Super Extra:
UTG Bugbuster scope: https://amzn.to/3yRGwmM
Bushnell Banner scope: https://amzn.to/3fZqLS3

Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

Prime Day Deal: Feyachi V30 Red Dot

Kicking off Prime Day with a deal from Feyachi. They sent me this red dot to review and it doesn’t disappoint. It comes with both a low-profile and a 0.83″ co-witnessing riser picatinny mount. It comes with a bunch of other accessories and holds zero even when abused by my ammo box.

Today on Amazon Prime Day 2021 this and other Feyachi products are 20%-50% Off.

PRODUCT LINK
V30 Red Dot: https://amzn.to/3vaE8Vl
Prime Day Deals: https://amzn.to/3xcE0WL

Product Reviews

Ulanzi BG-3 Battery Grip Review

This isn’t a selfie-stick. It’s an Ulanzi BG-3 battery grip with a 10,000 mAh battery, that can power your camera or action cam for a whole day of video. It has a USB-A square port and a fast-charge USB-C port that can also be used as a power output port.

8″ long with optional screw-on tripod feet, this can be used as a mini-tripod, as a tripod extension tube, or as a mini selfie stick.

PRODUCT LINK

https://amzn.to/3sA5rHO

Gadgets, Product Reviews

Huusmot wireless mic fails

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I’ve been on the lookout for a wireless mic system that could offer the audio performance of my Røde Wireless Go for less. Unfortunately, this is not it. The Huusmot Wireless Lavalier Mic system comes with two UHF wireless transmitters and is half the cost of a Røde Wireless Go. Seems like a bargain but its sound quality disappoints.

While not good enough for video/podcast recording, this budget wireless system would work perfectly fine for live performances and presentations.

AMAZON LINK
https://amzn.to/3uxeF8N

Gadgets, Product Reviews

Best Headset Under $10: Panasonic vs Koss

A head-to-head review of the Panasonic RP-HT21 and Koss KPH7G, two of the least expensive headphones in their lineup. Both headphones offer decent sound quality for under $10. I wanted to pick up an inexpensive set of headphones for my 12-year-old, who’s trashed some more expensive ones I’ve given her.

Annoyingly the closed-ear Bluetooth headphones she uses are too isolating. She doesn’t hear us when we call her and kids are apt to ignore you anyway; why give them an excuse. These old-school walkman-style earphones are on-ear and allow the user to hear more of the ambient world around them. Plus they’re less appealing to thieves (we’ve lived in New York City and San Francisco so street crime is real).

The Panasonic were the better performers in my audio testing. But the Koss’s lower volume output is much safer for younglings to wear (instead of damaging their hearing long-term with louder noise). In the end, I kept both but gave my daughter the Koss.

PRODUCT LINK

Koss: https://amzn.to/3pVJp24

Panasonic: https://amzn.to/2ROge4b