Category Archives: Product Reviews

Gadget, gear, and technology

KonPCoiu Bodycam Review 4-month Update

I’ve had this mini-body cam since May. Though I have not like I’ve used this on a daily basis, I keep it in my car in case I get into an ‘incident’. In that time I’ve had some insights and worked through some issues.

When you press the power button, the camera powers up and automatically begins to record footage. A small blue indicator light confirms power-up but turns itself off after 10-seconds but I found it to be problematic. It’s easy to forget if you’ve actually turned the camera on. The seemingly only way to re-confirm it’s reconfirm it is recording is to press the power button and turn it off (short red light) and then turn it on again.

I discovered that you can confirm it’s on/recording by flicking the Inferred LAMP switch which causes the indicator light to blink back on briefly confirming the unit is powered up. In the video, I show how you can use a digital camera to see the IR-LEDs when the LAMP switch is set to ‘On’. Keep this in mind that digital cameras can see IR-LEDs if you have them turned on especially in very dark settings.

Physically the unit has held up to the heat of a car and the rather flimsy clip hasn’t broken yet. The manufacturer’s stated battery life on the unit is 4.5hrs. I left it on and its last video file was stamped at around 4.25hrs. Close enough though electronics companies should stop inflating operating hours and battery capacity.

The field of view appears to a 40mm-50mm normal lens. A wider lens would be better because you can’t always wear position the camera in the center of your field of view. You’re likely to miss key scenes if you’re wearing this camera in a shirt pocket, pants pocket, or a purse.

I tested it’s low-light sensitivity without the LAMP mode and found it to be adequate. About as good as the old GoPro Hero 1-2 or a typical WiFi security cam. The overall video quality is closer to a 720p digital camera. Still, not bad for a rechargeable mini digital camera for less than $50.

https://youtu.be/tD72XwX6KWg

Lenofocus 008 Mini Bodycam Review

I created a detailed review and demonstration of function for this Mini-Bodycam. It takes some of the best footage of any sub $50 bodycam including at night but it’s hamstrung by some clunky controls. It’s too easy to accidentally turn-off the cam when you’re trying to start recording. And it’s impossible to confirm that it’s still recording without turning it off. I notified Lenofocus of my difficulties (and a possible manufacturing defect in the indicator light) and they’re interested in sending me another model to review.

PRO
• Good low-light and night capture
• Compact size
• Built-in magnetic mount

CON
• Shakey/Choppy footage
• Clunky user controls
• Weakly attached clip

AMAZON AFFILIATE LINK
Purchase this on Amazon through this link and help support my reviews:

Lenofocus stopped making this model and updated it with this teardrop body style:
https://youtu.be/az4EaQG9O6U

CVlife 4-reticle Red/Green Dot Review

CVLife sent me their 4-Reticle red/green dot to review. I was a bit dubious as there are soooooo many knock-offs of Sightmark’s Sure Shot reflex sight. It has become the most ubiquitous budget red dot design. I do like it’s very open, almost frameless design which offers almost no obstructions to your field of view. Perfect for action sports, birding, or a range gun. The trade-off is that this design is that the thin frame is vulnerable to rough handling and drops.

PRO: The CVLife looks a lot better up-close than other budget reflex sights. Nice detailing and no blemishes on the body. Clean sharp reticles with no blooming when the reticle moves off the center. The windage adjustment gave positive clicks and seemed accurate to 1/4″ MOA per click device specifications. Held zero after 25 shots mounted on a break-barrel .22cal

CON: Windage shifted once between shots while testing tracking. Elevation was mushy and often did not give a click on adjustment so was impossible to judge how accurate it was to 1/4″ MOA?

I’m working the video review after I get a chance to do more durability testing.

Available on Amazon for around $30 https://amzn.to/2E00btb

Element 5-Position & QR Offset Taclight Mounts

I’ve bee ordering so many things from various online stores, I honestly forgot I ordered these over a month ago. I purchased them from the “Professional Tactical Appliance Store” on AliExpress
Mount: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dUrxQld
QD Offset Mount: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dUubppp

I did a quick install and found that the 5-position mount worked as advertised, allowing you to select 5 different angles to configure your taclight on your Picatinny rail. But the mounting foot on the Pic-rail was small (only about 1/2″) so it doesn’t provide a secure enough clamp. The material is polymer and tightened down, there was still wiggle. Acceptable for general airsoft use but the recoil from real firearms will likely loosen this. And the polymer clamp is likely not strong enough for action shooting or real-world durability.

The mounting tube for the taclight itself was a bit wide, requiring a taclight with a minimum of a 2.75″ battery tube to clear it. Shorter tacklights may require you to completely extract the taclight from the mount to access your battery or a clicky tail.

The QR (Quick Removal?) mount on the otherhand felt more robust. When mounted, there was no flex or wiggle. The mount is secured by the tension of the tight tolerance of the molding along your, secured with a cross-bar which is retracted when you press a button near the base. The mount is also almost completely polymer, so repeated removal may wear down a tight groove and loosen it over time?

I also found my particular placement on the bottom rail of my handguard problematic because my palm would press the QR button when I held my rifle in a C-clamp. Mounting it on a different position may fix that problem but your setup may vary. Apart from the C-clamp issue, I found the mount to be robust enough for use on high-recoil firearms.

Patriot Mag Release Review

The “Patriot Mag Release” for the Kel-Tec Sub2000 Gen 2 is a device designed to prevent access to the mag release button when the Sub2000 is in firing configuration. It gives you access to the mag-release when you fold the Sub2000, thereby making your Sub2000 CA compliant, without the need of a ‘featureless’ grip wrap.

I purchased this online from BulletButton.com:https://www.bulletbutton.com/product-p/kts2pmr.htm

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MidTen Bipod Review

CVlife offered me this bipod to review. An Amazon.com package came but inexplicably the plain brown box inside wasn’t labeled CVlife. A small product ID label said: MidTen Tactical? Turns out that CVlife isn’t affiliated with MidTen. I wonder if CVlife resells MidTen’s products under the CVlife name? The CVlife Rep I communicated with didn’t have any information on that but apologized for the mixup.

CVlife version: [url]https://www.cvlife.com/collections/bipod/products/m-lok-bipod-7-5-9-inches-hunting-shooting[/url]
MidTen version: [url]https://amzn.to/3jV8O7Q[/url]

I reviewed the bipod. The fit-and-finish is lacking. Rough milling marks and blemishes on the surfaces. But it felt solidly built. It was easier to deploy and stow than my similar UTG Recon Flex. There was a bit of play on the forward/rearward axis due to the teeth and pin locking system of the legs. This “wobbliness” may not be poor workmanship but a feature allowing for less stress from recoil like MagPull’s Bipod? Only time will tell.

I leaned on it with my full weight and it took it without give or creak. It should provide a stable enough platform for my 10/22 or my AR. I look forward to putting it through some use and abuse as soon as the rifle gun ranges reopen, after COVID and wildfire closures. I will update in the future with durability information.

Feyachi FL22 Tactical Light Review

I’ve been looking for an inexpensive tactical light for my 9mm carbine. I’m not really looking for DevGru rugability, for nightly patrols involving door-kicking or crawling in culverts and ditches. This is strictly for “just-in-case” I have to investigate a noise in the house or at the front gate. Bright enough to ID the situation while not blinding me with reflective light or backwash.

I purchased this on Amazon.com and tested it out in this video.