James Garriss – The Gadgeteer https://the-gadgeteer.com Gadget news and reviews since 1997! Tue, 10 Oct 2023 17:16:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.1 https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cropped-wp-icon-gadgeteer-logo-32x32.jpg James Garriss – The Gadgeteer https://the-gadgeteer.com 32 32 Prime Day News – Big discounts on building block sets during Amazon Prime Days https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/10/10/prime-day-news-big-discounts-on-building-block-sets-during-amazon-prime-days/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/10/10/prime-day-news-big-discounts-on-building-block-sets-during-amazon-prime-days/#respond Tue, 10 Oct 2023 15:37:37 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=409420 PRIME DAY DEAL NEWS – We’ve reviewed several building block sets here on The Gadgeteer, LEGO alternatives that have great builds at a great discount, usually 20 to 50% cheaper.  Many of these sets are on sale now, allowing you to slash another 20% or so!  Sets that we have reviewed include: The astronaut (from …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/10/10/prime-day-news-big-discounts-on-building-block-sets-during-amazon-prime-days/feed/ 0 JMBricklayer Money Tree Building Block Set review – bring the legend home https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/10/10/jmbricklayer-money-tree-building-block-set-review-bring-the-legend-home/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/10/10/jmbricklayer-money-tree-building-block-set-review-bring-the-legend-home/#respond Tue, 10 Oct 2023 14:00:44 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=408178 REVIEW – According to legend, the money tree signifies abundance, prosperity, and good luck.  If someone can grow and take care of such a tree, they will have good luck.  This is a new belief as far as legends go, having been started in the 1980’s after a truck driver first cultivated a money tree …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/10/10/jmbricklayer-money-tree-building-block-set-review-bring-the-legend-home/feed/ 0 Canon PIXMA G620 Photo Printer review (Part 3) – We can make stickers! https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/30/canon-pixma-g620-photo-printer-review-part-3-we-can-make-stickers/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/30/canon-pixma-g620-photo-printer-review-part-3-we-can-make-stickers/#respond Sat, 30 Sep 2023 13:00:22 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=405639 REVIEW – The Canon PIXMA G620 is an inkjet photo printer designed for consumer use.  In a previous article, I reviewed the G620’s ability to print from my personal computer, a Mac mini, where I found that it can print beautiful photos once I made a few configuration changes.  In another article, I reviewed its …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/30/canon-pixma-g620-photo-printer-review-part-3-we-can-make-stickers/feed/ 0 Canon PIXMA G620 Photo Printer review (Part 2) – Apple saves the day! https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/22/canon-pixma-g620-photo-printer-review-part-2-apple-saves-the-day/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/22/canon-pixma-g620-photo-printer-review-part-2-apple-saves-the-day/#comments Fri, 22 Sep 2023 15:00:35 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=405330 REVIEW – The Canon PIXMA G620 is an inkjet photo printer designed for consumer use.  In a previous article, I reviewed the G620’s ability to print from my personal computer, a Mac mini, and I found that after learning how to configure a few settings, it printed beautiful photos, both on 4 x 6 glossy …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/22/canon-pixma-g620-photo-printer-review-part-2-apple-saves-the-day/feed/ 2 JMBricklayer Puppet Show Building Block Set review – I am a real boy! https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/15/jmbricklayer-puppet-show-building-block-set-review-i-am-a-real-boy/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/15/jmbricklayer-puppet-show-building-block-set-review-i-am-a-real-boy/#respond Fri, 15 Sep 2023 17:25:45 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=405561 REVIEW – LEGOs and other building blocks have the amazing ability to bring things to life.  This new set from JMBricklayer highlights this as well as any out there.  You remember the story of Pinocchio, the enchanted marionette whose nose grew when he lied, right?  The Puppet Show creates a larger-than-life version of Geppetto’s finest …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/15/jmbricklayer-puppet-show-building-block-set-review-i-am-a-real-boy/feed/ 0 INSE S9 Cordless Vacuum review – a lightweight vacuum that’s good for dog hair https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/10/inse-s9-cordless-vacuum-review-a-lightweight-vacuum-thats-good-for-dog-hair/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/10/inse-s9-cordless-vacuum-review-a-lightweight-vacuum-thats-good-for-dog-hair/#comments Sun, 10 Sep 2023 14:00:27 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=404012 REVIEW – Our daughter and her husband recently moved into a new home.  They have a dog, and like many dogs, it’s highly skilled at shedding a lot.  The first story of their house has synthetic hardwoods, so my daughter needs a vacuum that can easily vacuum up dog hair.  Together we are testing the …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/10/inse-s9-cordless-vacuum-review-a-lightweight-vacuum-thats-good-for-dog-hair/feed/ 3 Canon PIXMA G620 Photo Printer review (Part 1) – beautiful photos printed at home https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/09/canon-pixma-g620-photo-printer-review-part-1-beautiful-photos-printed-at-home/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/09/canon-pixma-g620-photo-printer-review-part-1-beautiful-photos-printed-at-home/#comments Sat, 09 Sep 2023 16:00:28 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=404421 REVIEW – So much of our lives these days, including our photos, only live online, trapped in social media accounts.  Sometimes it’s nice to free these memories and bring them into the real world.  While I could print my photos at a local pharmacy, like CVS, or upload them to an online service, like Shutterfly, …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/09/canon-pixma-g620-photo-printer-review-part-1-beautiful-photos-printed-at-home/feed/ 1 Canon PIXMA G620 Print Problem nonadult Comfier Wireless Hand Massager review – for a happier hand https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/09/comfier-wireless-hand-massager-review-for-a-happier-hand/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/09/comfier-wireless-hand-massager-review-for-a-happier-hand/#respond Sat, 09 Sep 2023 12:00:21 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=403959 REVIEW – This spring my wife broke her hand, and surgery required twelve screws to hold the bones in place.  The surgery combined with being a cast caused the muscles in her hand to become very tight.  This has made every part of physical therapy (PT) harder, so she has to start every PT session …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/09/09/comfier-wireless-hand-massager-review-for-a-happier-hand/feed/ 0 The smart door has arrived, but you’ll want to pass on this one https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/08/28/the-smart-door-has-arrived-but-youll-want-to-pass-on-this-one/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/08/28/the-smart-door-has-arrived-but-youll-want-to-pass-on-this-one/#comments Mon, 28 Aug 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=404024 NEWS – Masonite has designed what has been called the world’s first smart door.  It starts with a high-end door and adds a video doorbell, a smart lock, motion-activated LEDs, and a door sensor.  Plus, it’s hard-wired, so you never have to worry about batteries.  Sounds fabulous, doesn’t it?  It does!  It’s the M-Pwr line …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/08/28/the-smart-door-has-arrived-but-youll-want-to-pass-on-this-one/feed/ 1 JMBricklayer T-Rex Dinosaur Building Block Set review – large and in charge https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/08/20/jmbricklayer-t-rex-dinosaur-building-block-set-review-large-and-in-charge/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/08/20/jmbricklayer-t-rex-dinosaur-building-block-set-review-large-and-in-charge/#comments Sun, 20 Aug 2023 12:52:14 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=400905 REVIEW – Is it possible to have too many building block sets?  I doubt it.  I’m looking for another fantastic set to join my lakeside lodge and my massive lighthouse.  I’m hoping that the new T-Rex from JMBricklayer will find a home on my bookshelf. What is it? The JMBricklayer T-Rex Dinosaur is a LEGO-compatible …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/08/20/jmbricklayer-t-rex-dinosaur-building-block-set-review-large-and-in-charge/feed/ 1 Flair Smart Vents review – keeping my office cool https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/08/13/flair-smart-vents-review-keeping-my-office-cool/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/08/13/flair-smart-vents-review-keeping-my-office-cool/#comments Sun, 13 Aug 2023 13:12:46 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=400680 REVIEW – My house has a very common problem:  My HVAC doesn’t cool and heat all rooms evenly.  The master bedroom is on one side of the house and is right under the HVAC system, and my office is on the opposite side of the house.  In the summer, the master bedroom is too cool …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/08/13/flair-smart-vents-review-keeping-my-office-cool/feed/ 15 VIOFO A119 Mini 2 Dashcam review – lots of features in a small package https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/29/viofo-a119-mini-2-dashcam-review-lots-of-features-in-a-small-package/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/29/viofo-a119-mini-2-dashcam-review-lots-of-features-in-a-small-package/#respond Sat, 29 Jul 2023 14:00:12 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=398751 REVIEW – Earlier this year I reviewed the VIOFO A139 Pro dashcam; I was happy with it when I reviewed it, and I’m still happy with it now.  VIOFO has upgraded their introductory model, the A119, with several new features.  I installed the A139 in my wife’s car, a Honda CR-V, so I’m planning to …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/29/viofo-a119-mini-2-dashcam-review-lots-of-features-in-a-small-package/feed/ 0 VIOFO A119 Mini 2 Dashcam nonadult Vosteed Nightshade pocketknife review – three terrific new EDC knife variations https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/28/vosteed-nightshade-pocketknife-review-three-terrific-new-variations/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/28/vosteed-nightshade-pocketknife-review-three-terrific-new-variations/#comments Fri, 28 Jul 2023 15:38:17 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=398887 REVIEW – Last year I reviewed Vosteed Nightshade knife, an everyday carry pocketknife, and it instantly became my favorite EDC.  Since that time, Vosteed has released three variations of this knife, so I’m back to provide an update. What is it? The Vosteed Nightshade is an everyday carry pocketknife with a distinctive leaf-shaped blade.  It …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/28/vosteed-nightshade-pocketknife-review-three-terrific-new-variations/feed/ 2 Vosteed Nightshade Pocketknife nonadult EKSA H16 wireless headset review – good for working at home https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/26/eksa-h16-wireless-headset-review-good-for-working-at-home/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/26/eksa-h16-wireless-headset-review-good-for-working-at-home/#respond Wed, 26 Jul 2023 14:53:39 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=398618 REVIEW – I’ve been working from home for over ten years now, and somehow, I still have a lot of meetings online.  At my company, we use Microsoft Teams and Slack for our calls, so I need a headset with a microphone that allows me to hear and be heard clearly by my co-workers.  For …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/26/eksa-h16-wireless-headset-review-good-for-working-at-home/feed/ 0 JMBricklayer Chameleon Building Block Set review – a bionic reptile from the future https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/25/jmbricklayer-chameleon-building-block-set-review-a-bionic-reptile-from-the-future/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/25/jmbricklayer-chameleon-building-block-set-review-a-bionic-reptile-from-the-future/#respond Tue, 25 Jul 2023 19:17:23 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=399563 REVIEW – Although our kids are grown and gone, we often have families with kids over to our house.  I thought it would be cool to have a building brick set or two available for them play with while they are here.  In this review, I’m looking at the JMBricklayer Chameleon set to see if …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/25/jmbricklayer-chameleon-building-block-set-review-a-bionic-reptile-from-the-future/feed/ 0 Should we think twice about buying app powered gadgets? https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/23/should-we-think-twice-about-buying-app-powered-gadgets/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/23/should-we-think-twice-about-buying-app-powered-gadgets/#comments Sun, 23 Jul 2023 12:20:49 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=399940 ARTICLE – Many gadgets are smart, meaning they automate something for us.  Oftentimes they provide features that could not be done manually.  Higher levels of functionality typically require an app to be installed on our phones, these apps in turn often communicate with external servers. But what happens when these servers are no longer available? …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/23/should-we-think-twice-about-buying-app-powered-gadgets/feed/ 8 Another company has been watching you in your bedroom https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/15/another-company-has-been-watching-you-in-your-bedroom/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/15/another-company-has-been-watching-you-in-your-bedroom/#comments Sat, 15 Jul 2023 11:59:05 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=399006 SECURITY NEWS – Most gadgets that we have make some aspect of life easy or fun; they are harmless.  Other gadgets, however,  bring with them security implications; if abused, they can harm us.  Perhaps the most obvious example is an indoor camera, and once again we have learned that a well-known company has been abusing …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/15/another-company-has-been-watching-you-in-your-bedroom/feed/ 57 Oraimo USB Charger review – power for the whole family https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/09/oraimo-usb-charger-review-power-for-the-whole-family/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/09/oraimo-usb-charger-review-power-for-the-whole-family/#respond Sun, 09 Jul 2023 14:30:13 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=396107 REVIEW – In our house, we have a central location where everyone, family and friends alike, can come to charge their iPhones and iPads.  In the past, I used an Anker USB charger with five USB-A ports for this purpose.  These days, most of our gadgets use USB-C, so it’s time to update the charger.  …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/09/oraimo-usb-charger-review-power-for-the-whole-family/feed/ 0 Rywell Arc-Chill pet cooling mat review – cool to the touch https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/05/rywell-arc-chill-pet-cooling-mat-review-cool-to-the-touch/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/05/rywell-arc-chill-pet-cooling-mat-review-cool-to-the-touch/#respond Wed, 05 Jul 2023 13:00:04 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=395887 REVIEW – Summer is coming, and it’s going to get hot here in the south.  I need a way to keep to our toy poodles from getting too roasty-toasty, and I’m hoping that this cooling pet mat from Rywell will help them out. What is it? The Rywell Arc-Chill pet cooling mat is a mat …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/07/05/rywell-arc-chill-pet-cooling-mat-review-cool-to-the-touch/feed/ 0 Casabrews 5700 Pro Espresso Machine review – a capable creator of cold coffee drinks https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/06/11/casabrews-5700-pro-espresso-machine-review-a-capable-creator-of-cold-coffee-drinks/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/06/11/casabrews-5700-pro-espresso-machine-review-a-capable-creator-of-cold-coffee-drinks/#respond Sun, 11 Jun 2023 12:46:43 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=393170 REVIEW – Summer is almost here, and that means it’s time for more cold coffee drinks.  I’m looking to perfect my skills by creating iced versions of drinks like lattes, mochas, and macchiatos.  I have a few recipes that I want to try, and they all require shots of espresso.  It’s time to find out …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/06/11/casabrews-5700-pro-espresso-machine-review-a-capable-creator-of-cold-coffee-drinks/feed/ 0 OtO – An above-ground sprinkler for small lawns https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/06/10/oto-an-above-ground-sprinkler-for-small-lawns/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/06/10/oto-an-above-ground-sprinkler-for-small-lawns/#respond Sat, 10 Jun 2023 14:00:30 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=394576 NEWS – One of the keys to maintaining a healthy lawn this summer is to keep it watered.  An in-ground sprinkler system is great, but for smaller lawns, installation can be cost-prohibitive.  Enter the Oto!  Oto is a smart, above-ground sprinkler system that is perfect for small lawns. Water comes by connecting a standard water …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/06/10/oto-an-above-ground-sprinkler-for-small-lawns/feed/ 0 Kornorge A9 Ebike review – a missed opportunity https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/05/30/kornorge-a9-ebike-review-a-missed-opportunity/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/05/30/kornorge-a9-ebike-review-a-missed-opportunity/#comments Tue, 30 May 2023 14:00:43 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=391399 REVIEW – We live in an area that’s pretty rural, but our son lives in a major city.  He’s looking for an ebike that makes it easier for him to ride to all those shops that are too far to walk yet too close to drive.  As he lives in an apartment on the third …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/05/30/kornorge-a9-ebike-review-a-missed-opportunity/feed/ 2 Gerefet Dog Grooming Kit review – very effective but somewhat cumbersome https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/05/25/gerefet-dog-grooming-kit-review-very-effective-but-somewhat-cumbersome/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/05/25/gerefet-dog-grooming-kit-review-very-effective-but-somewhat-cumbersome/#respond Thu, 25 May 2023 13:05:09 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=391723 REVIEW – For Christmas, we got a pair of toy poodles, a high-energy brother-sister pair.  Poodles don’t shed, which is great, but they do require regular grooming, usually every six weeks or so.  Groomers aren’t cheap, and I calculated that I could easily spend $1500 a year on grooming expenses alone.  I think I can …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/05/25/gerefet-dog-grooming-kit-review-very-effective-but-somewhat-cumbersome/feed/ 0 Gerefet Dog Grooming Kit nonadult Haixin Storage Drawers review https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/05/22/haixin-storage-drawers-review/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/05/22/haixin-storage-drawers-review/#comments Mon, 22 May 2023 13:01:10 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=390454 REVIEW – My mom used to say, “There’s a place for everything, and everything should be in its place.”  These are words that I still live by today, and so I appreciate any gadget that helps me to be more organized.  In this review, I’ll be looking at a set of stackable storage drawers from …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/05/22/haixin-storage-drawers-review/feed/ 1 Ganiza 5-in-1 Hand Blender review – one package, four appliances https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/05/21/ganiza-5-in-1-hand-blender-review-one-package-four-appliances/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/05/21/ganiza-5-in-1-hand-blender-review-one-package-four-appliances/#respond Sun, 21 May 2023 15:00:20 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=390385 REVIEW – When it comes to serious blending of ingredients in our kitchen, there’s no doubt that our Blendtec blender is the tool of choice.  There’s no blending task that it can’t handle.  Some recipes, however, don’t really require that kind of power, and it would be handy to have a smaller, hand blender available.  …

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]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2023/05/21/ganiza-5-in-1-hand-blender-review-one-package-four-appliances/feed/ 0