Mpow® iSnap X One-piece U-Shape Selfie Stick with Bluetooth Remote

  If you have ever wanted to take a group selfie or just wanted to get you and a whole lot of the background in a selfie, a selfie stick is the thing you want. This particular selfie stick stretches out to 32 inches - that doesn't sound like much but it can really add a lot to your picture.

Most selfie sticks are basically a one-legged tripod, including having that screw-on top so that you can attach a camera to it instead of a cell phone. If you want to use your cell phone you need to screw on a clamp that holds your phone. Personally, I don't know of anyone that uses a digital camera with a selfie stick and this selfie stick dispenses with that option completely. It replaces it with a fold-down head that is much easier to set up than your typical selfie stick. When folded down, this is a much more compact little package than your typical selfie stick. This has become the selfie stick that I take on trips and to family gatherings.

The camera can swivel up and down so you can pick the best angle and then tighten everything down. The extension works like an old-fashioned radio or TV antenna and it is very sturdy.

This selfie stick is 32 inches long. The other selfie sticks that I have played around with are 40 inches long but they have not felt as sturdy as this one. The Bluetooth pairs easily so you can take multiple pictures. Of course, if you forget to charge the selfie stick you can still use it by setting your phone's camera on a timer and pose before it takes the picture.

I rate this selfie stick 5 stars out of 5.

At the time of the writing of this review this selfie stick cost $18.99. Check here for current pricing:
[New Generation] Mpow® iSnap X Selfie Stick with Bluetooth Remote Shutter (Blue) 

 Note: I was sent a selfie stick for review purposes so that I could write an informed review.

SoundPEATS Universal Q800 Wireless Stereo Bluetooth

I am currently listening to the SoundPEATS Universal Q800 Bluetooth headset. I have reviewed a number of Bluetooth headsets in the last few months and this one has one big thing going for it - its design. 

The problem with Bluetooth headsets is what do you do with the things when you are out and about but you are not actually listening to them and you still want them handy? You could dangle them around your neck, but they could slip off and get lost. If you put them away, they're not very handy. 

SoundPEATS Universal Q800 uses this collar-like device that is very lightweight. They are so lightweight that it is easy to forget that you are wearing them. If you are not using the ear buds, just attach them to the collar with the built-in magnets and the they are tucked out of the way.

The SoundPEATS Universal Q800has excellent range. I had no problem going 20-25 feet from my phone with no skipping out. synced very easily with my Samsung Galaxy 3 right away (usually the first time is the trickiest time) - so quickly that I thought there was a problem because my phone skipped some of it's normal searching - they found each other and synced up right away.
The sound is very good. It is loud, but not loud enough to block out the normal everyday sounds of life but not loud enough to bother the people sitting beside you. It is not the best stereo sound I have ever heard - but this is not a top end head set that can set you back hundreds of dollars, either.

It comes with two sets of replacement earbuds, a mini-USB charger cord and a replacement anchor that holds to wire to the collar.

The device comes with an excellent built-in phone and my wife said it sounded very clear when I used it.  I did not use the headset's phone features. When I use Bluetooth to talk on my phone I always use the phone rather than the headset features to interact (meaning I answer using the phone and hang up using the phone, etc.) because I just find it easier than blindly pushing buttons. When someone calls when you are paired to the SoundPEATS Universal Q800 one of the tips of the collar vibrates just in case you are wearing the collar but do not have the earpieces in  It feels like a bug is trying to land on your neck - it gets your attention!. It does the same thing when you wander out of range. When you go back into range it tells you that you are re-connected.

At the time of this writing, this headset costs $24.99 on Amazon.com. Click here to check on current pricing:  Soundpeats Universal Q800 Stereo Bluetooth Headset

I rate this Bluetooth headset 5 stars out of 5.

Note: I received a free headset in exchange for an honest review.

Jadaol® Bluetooth 4.0 Sport Sweatproof Stereo Earbuds (green) by Jadaol

  Great Entry Level Bluetooth Earbuds

The Jadaol® Bluetooth 4.0 Sport Sweatproof Stereo Earbuds come with a USB cord to plug into a charger or a computer, six sets of ear bud tips and three sets of different-sized ear stabilizers so you can customize how they fit. Even though those ear stabilizers look horribly uncomfortable, they really are quite comfortable and very stable once you get them all screwed in (and I do mean screwed in - you think it has to be in all the way and then you twist a little bit more and then it all fits perfect!).

The instruction book has great graphics but the text is pretty small so you have to squint a little to read it. The English is clearly written.

The Jadaol® Bluetooth 4.0 Sport Sweatproof Stereo Earbuds syncs very easily with my Samsung Galaxy 3.

What came with the headset. The USB charger cord is not pictured.

The sound is very good. It is not the best stereo sound I have ever heard -but this is not a top end head set that can set you back hundreds of dollars, either. Considering the price and the convenience of Bluetooth it is a good deal.

This set of Bluetooth earphones has excellent range. I had no problem going 20-25 feet from my phone with no skipping out.

The device comes with an excellent built-in phone (my wife said it sounded better than when I talk on the phone the normal way) so what's not to like? I did not use the headset's phone features. When I use Bluetooth to talk on my phone I always use the phone rather than the headset features to interact (meaning I answer using the phone and hang up using the phone, etc.) because I just find it easier than blindly pushing buttons.

They come in three colors: green, blue and orange.

Note: I received a free sample of this set of ear buds in exchange for an honest review.

As of the time of this review, the Jadaol® Bluetooth 4.0 Sport Sweatproof Stereo Earbuds cost $21.99. Check for current pricing here: Jadaol® Bluetooth 4.0 Sport (Green)

Audiosharp AS1206 Wireless Bluetooth V4.0 Lightweight Sweatproof Headsets

  A Hybrid Bluetooth Set

The traditional Bluetooth headset is that in one ear set that people use to talk on the phone. But, almost all Bluetooth stereo sets have a phone feature as well. But, what if you want to talk on the phone and drive your car at the same time with one of those stereo headphones? If you put both speakers in your ears you really can't hear what's going on when you drive, but if you just leave one headphone in then the other one is dangling around.

This most distinguishing feature is that the connecting cable between the two is detachable so that you can use one of the earphones and use it as a single earpiece. Re-connect the cable and you have stereo headphone set. Note: because of this feature, both earpieces have to be charged separately but the set comes with a dual plugged USB charger cord to get that done.

The attached ear hooks swivel and are actually very comfortable. On the whole, this set feels well-built.

The music quality is pretty typical of what you get in a Bluetooth set. Everything is clear and sounds good, just not exceptional. 

The phone quality is just so-so. I called my mom and she said I sounded a "little fuzzy", but completely understandable.

This headset comes in three different colors: black, red and white.

I rate this headset 4 stars out of 5.

As of the writing of this review, this headset cost $29.99 on Amazon. Check here for current pricing: Audiosharp AS1206 Wireless Bluetooth V4.0 (White)

4 Pack Beach Towel Clips in Fun Bright Colors by Marrywindix

  Unbelievably simple and effective.

Normally I review tech stuff on this blog. But, it also says that I review gadgets and gizmos and these clips just may qualify as a gadget or a gizmo.

What they are is unbelievably simple and effective. At first glance they are just really big laundry pins. But, their size and the their design means that they are very strong. Most laundry pins would have a hard time holding wet beach towels to the line, but not these. 

We keep them around in the bathroom when they are not on beach patrol. The other day our bathroom rug got soaked by a faulty shower head and we used these clips to pin the rug to the inside of the shower door so that the water drained into the shower. 

I rate these towel clips 5 stars out of 5.

At the time of this review this set of 4 clips cost $5.95 on Amazon. Click here to check for current pricing: Marrywindix 4 Pack Beach Towel Clips
 
Note: I was sent a free sample of these towel clips in exchange for an honest review. I was expecting nothing and I was pleasantly surprised.

Best _Express New 2015 Lightweight Wireless Stereo Bluetooth Earbuds 4.0 Headset (black) by IMMI

     They are affordable and they do the job.

I have used and reviewed plenty of Bluetooth earbuds. Some come in fancy packages (these do not). Some come with fancy plastic casings (these do not). Some come with fancy flat wires (these do not). Some are very expensive (these are not). These are the most basic Bluetooth earbuds I have seen - and they work!

Everything about these earbuds is basic - and there is a place for that. If you are working in an environment that is hostile to tech (wet, very dusty, whatever) your earbuds will fail no matter how expensive they are. At $13.99, these are practically disposable. If you have a middle schooler, this might be a good place to start since they tend to lose stuff easily. Or, if you are like me, I work in a high school where I have seen lots of tech stuff get stolen over the years (phones, wired earbuds, wireless mice, wired mice, projectors, and more) than you don't want to bring a $200 set of Bluetooth earbuds.

But, it's not like these are a bad set of earbuds. They work more than 20 feet away from my phone, the sound is not amazing, but it is every bit as good as most of the earphones and earbuds as I have had in my life. They sound good with audiobooks, too. 

The earphones with a Bic pen for size comparison.

These earbuds pair a little harder than some and a little easier than other earbuds that I have used. Usually it takes two tries to get them to pair.

The ear clips are an issue. If you are going to be doing a lot of moving around you will probably have to use these ear clips. They are made of clear plastic and latch onto the earbuds and then slide over the ear. But, if you have fairly large ears, like me, you may find them to be uncomfortable after a few minutes. If you are not moving around a lot, this will not be an issue.

The phone feature on this headset is tremendous. When I use Bluetooth to talk on my phone I always use the phone rather than the headset features to interact (meaning I answer using the phone and hang up using the phone, etc.) because I just find it easier than blindly pushing buttons. But, the sound quality for both the call in and the call out is excellent - much better than on most of the headsets I have tested.

The earbuds come in four different color combinations: black/white, white/white, blue/white and pink/white.

So, to sum up, these are not fancy. They are not an audiophiles dream but they are affordable and they do the job. 

As of the time of this review, these earbuds cost $13.99 on Amazon. Check here for current pricing: Best _Express Lightweight Bluetooth 4.0 Headset

Note: I was sent a free copy of these earbuds for review purposes. in exchange for an honest review.

Brightech String Lights with 120 Warm White Color LED's, 20-Feet

So, here's what you get -  a 6 foot wire heading out to a 20 foot string of 120 LED lights. The lights look like they are attached to a naked copper wire but the wire is actually covered with some sort of clear coating so you don't get the shock of your life.

The fact that the wire is basically just a wire makes it pretty easy to install. You can easily wrap it around nails, screws, go around corners and more. Be careful, though. The fact that the wires are so thin means that they are easy to kink and can get damaged.

These are for indoor use only and the instructions recommend that they not remain plugged in for more than eight hours at a time.

I rate these lights 4 stars out of 5.

As of the writing of this review these lights cost $19.99 on Amazon. Check here for current pricing: Brightech String Lights with 120 Warm White Color LED's, 20-Feet

Note: I received a free set of lights from Brightech for review purposes.