Tech Review 2011 Part 2

Every now and then, I like to point out products and services that either really stink on ice, or perform really well and deserve praise.  I am happy to say this post revolves around the latter.  (Click here and here to read about other product and service reviews).  This post is Part 2 from my Tech Review 2011Part 1 post.

So, with every good phone, you need a good Bluetooth.  I am a very particular Bluetooth type of guy, meaning, I am weird.  I do not like things sticking in my ear; it irritates the hell out of me.  Everyone at my gym uses ear buds, and I get the chills – my ears actually hurt for them.  I am the only guy in there using full sized studio headphones while working out – I like the speakers the cup over my ears.  So, like my old phone, I held on to my old Bluetooth because it met my weirdness criteria.  It was a Motorola H350 with a partially open arm that went over the ear. 

My original Motorola H350

The speaker was relatively flat, so it did not protrude into the ear canal.  The only problem was the arm of the unit wasn’t very stiff, so if I leaned to the side that it was on, it would pull away from my ear or fall off entirely.  However, it had good sound quality, and a decent range, plus I didn’t use it that often given that when I was on the phone, I really wasn’t doing anything else, e.g., texting or web surfing, in other words, I didn’t need my hands free.  However, it finally died soon after I got my new phone.  No really, it did – I started using it everyday, and the speaker just gave out.  After 4 good years of service, it was time to replace it.  However, just like with ear buds for MP3 players, everyone loves the kind that sticks in your ear.  So, the hunt was on.  First, I tried the Motorola HK200. 

The Motorola HK200

Similar in design to the H350, this unit was lighter, and a bit more snug to the ear, however, the quality just wasn’t there.  The sound quality and volume was poor, and the person on the other end had a hard time hearing me. On top of that, there was a small ear bud type projection on the unit.  So, the thin plastic arm went around your ear, and then, through the course of the day, the ear bud piece would work its way into my ear.  This was a no go.  Unfortunately, Best Buy, Radio Shack, Target, Wal-Mart and others all carry the same basic Bluetooth headsets, and none of them were what I wanted.  It was time to hit the web (and that will be discussed next).  So, I started the hunt, just using broad search terms, which would lead me to the big outlets in the beginning – Best Buy, Wal-Mart, etc.  Then I started digging deeper and deeper until I ended up on some random site at the end of the Internet universe.  But, there it was – the perfect Bluetooth headset.  It was unique looking.  It went over the ear.  The speaker was completely flat.  I must have it.  It is called the Maverick Lifestyle Nica Sunrise Bluetooth headset.  The what? 

The Maverick Lifestyle Nica Sunrise Bluetooth available in black and red.

I started looking for reviews and doing my research, and about 90% of what I read was positive.  So, I found it on Amazon.com and placed my order.

So, here is where I am an old fashioned kind of guy.  I love walking into a store, trying out an item, playing with it, asking the clerk about it, and walking out with it that very day.  I am not a fan of online ordering for several reasons.  What if they ship me the wrong thing?  What if I get double charged?  What if my credit card info is stolen?  What do you mean the shipping and handling is more then the item itself?  What if it’s defective, where is customer service so I can return it?   All of these issues and more often kept me from ordering anything off the Internet, but this Bluetooth was exactly what I was looking for and it was not available in any physical store – believe me, I looked.  So, after much assurance from Allie, I placed my order through Amazon.  After 4 days, it arrived in the mail.  I turned it on, paired it with my phone with no issues. However, some sort of weird echo type reverb could be heard during calls.  Plus, the range from my phone was about 8 inches and would randomly disconnect from the phone.  So I tried re-pairing the phone, recharging the unit, restarting my phone – nothing worked.  So, since the reviews were good, I figured it must be defective. 

Here we go – the fight to get this thing replaced.  So, I was actually pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to replace it. I went to Amazon.com, filled out the replacement request, printed out my documentation and within 4 days, my new unit arrived with 30 days to return the defective one. 

The new unit works awesome.  I leave the phone in my office, and walk to the other end of the house without an issue, the call quality is clear and it is extremely comfortable. The Sunrise also comes with arms for both the left and right ears, as well as a basic recharging cable.  You can also order custom skins for your unit, as well as an upgraded desk dock and a car charger. I highly recommend this unit and Amazon.com for a hassle free shopping experience.

The car charger.

The upgraded desk dock.

An example of available skins, or create your own!

Do you have a favorite phone?  How about a Bluetooth (or other hands free) headset that you would recommend?  What online shopping experiences have you had and with what companies?

Hope to hear from you, and thanks for reading!

I’m Geeking Out, You Monster…..

As I have stated before, I am a video game junky, although, now that I think about it, I think I’m more of a video game snob, as opposed to anything else.  Modern Warfare and GTA/ Liberty City are two of my all time favorites; Modern Warfare because of its fast action and amazing attention to detail and GTA because of its beautiful gaming environment specifically as it relates to their version of New York City.   Recently, my father in law, Dan, introduced me to Portal 2.  He described it as a cool 3D puzzle solving game, to which my initial thought was “ehh, I’ll give it a try”.  Dan’s description of the game really didn’t do it justice (sorry, Dan).  From the moment is started playing, I was hooked.  The environments are so beautiful and grand, the characters and fun and memorable (with some pretty funny dialogue), and the amount of thought put behind each challenge is staggering.

The entire game is based around an evil super computer named Glados that is forcing a captive human (you) to perform in a series of mentally challenging tests.  Each test takes place in a room of her design, and you, as the test subject, have to use what is available in the room to complete the challenge.  The only thing that you have with you as a constant is a portal gun – a device that creates a temporal gateway from one location instantly to another. 

The Portal Gun

One of the many test environments

Glados - She makes life very difficult for you....

The catch is that only certain wall types will hold a portal.  Along the way, you meet Wheatley, a small “core” that helps you here and there during the course of the game and, well – you’ll see.

Wheatley

Throughout the game, there are a bunch of other little characters each with there own unique personalities - my favorites, the turrets....

Searching.... There you are...

The game’s maps range from ultra cool, futuristic and minimalistic settings to vintage environments ranging from the 1950’s to the 1980’s; all with unique details and challenges. 

The co-op part of the game is just as fantastic.  The characters, Atlas and P-Body, are test robots designed to carry out the constant testing of Glados.

Atlas and P-Body on a mission...

Each test will challenge you and your partner and will either create a stronger bond between the two of you, or possibly tear you both apart, making you bitter enemies to the end.  I am happy to say that my wife and I did not fall prey to the latter.

So, if you haven’t noticed by now, I love this game, and has definitely earned a spot in my top 3 favorites.  I spent a week straight playing it to its conclusion, simply loving every second of it.  I loved it so much, that I was moved to design my own Portal 2 inspired room.

My room inspired by Portal 2

For those of you that noticed, you will see the back round of my blog has changed.  It is, in fact, my Portal 2 inspired space.  Yes, the ultimate geek-out. 

I plan to get the first Portal game in the very near future, as I have a serious need to keep testing.  Thanks for reading!

Resting.

Tech Review 2011 Part 1

Hello All.  It has been a while since my last post, but I have been busy working on a new concept.  As of right now, I cannot get into detail about it, but as soon as I can, I will and post images. 

Every now and then, I like to point out products and services that either really stink on ice, or perform really well and deserve praise.  I am happy to say this post revolves around the latter.  (Click here and here to read about other product and service reviews).

Cell Phones

For a long time, I mean a really long time, I had a flip style cell phone.  To be specific, it was the Sanyo SCP 7050 – key word – RUGGEDIZED flip phone from Sprint. 

My Old Sanyo SCP 7050 Flip Phone

This thing was awesome.  I could throw it at a wall, run it over with my car, drop it in water and it would just keep working every time.  I never had an issue with it, so I never upgraded the phone.  I was 4 years past due for an upgrade by the time I went to the Sprint store.  Every time I got the itch to get a new phone, the first thing I would ask the clerk was “where are the indestructible phones?”  I would often get a puzzled look, and I would proceed to explain just how durable my flip phone was.  Of course, they would proceed to tell me that there is no phone like that one, so I would leave with my trusty Sanyo.

However, eventually, my tech side got the best of me, and in the world of mini laptops and net books, iPads, iPhones, and affordable smart phones, I decided it was time for me and my wife to upgrade.  After much toiling and playing at the Sprint store, I decided to go with the HTC Evo Shift built on the Android platform, and Allie went with the LG Optimus.  

The HTC Evo Shift

The LG Optimus

This really is a great little device.  I have found that, with the exception of writing a document, this phone has essentially replaced my laptop.  It goes with me everywhere, I use it for texting (which I NEVER did on my old phone), web searches with Google Voice, GPS, as an MP3 player, portable television, and of course, Angry Birds.  The versatility of the phone has been truly amazing, and its reliability has been, well, above average.   My old flip phone had to be restarted due to lock up, seriously, twice that I can remember.  There have been a few instances with this phone due to trying to do too much at once, or an over abundance of updates.  The other thing that I really like about this model is the slide out keyboard.  At 6’-4” tall, I have been blessed with large hands so the little glass touch screen keyboard it not going to cut it.  The keyboard on the EVO Shift is a bit on the small side, but with some practice, I have managed just fine.  As far as ruggedness goes, I purchased a hard plastic cover that mounts to the back of my phone.  It then has a second hard cover that slides over the glass faceplate of my Evo and locks in place to the back piece.  When the phone is not in use, or attached to my hip, it is secured in its own hard plastic cocoon.  Should I upgrade the phone in the future, I may look more into something like the Samsung Galaxy, which my father-in-law recently purchased. 

The Samsung Galaxy

The screen is bigger then my Evo Shift’s, therefore typing on the screen is a little easier.  However, it is so light, I feel like I am holding a Noisy Cricket.

"I feel like I'm gonna break this damn thing!"

I'm Still Here!

Just a quick note to my readers - I have been diligently working on a new project, and I will be adding new posts soon.   Thanks for stopping by!

It’s A Spray Paint Party!

When my wife and I went to Portland, Oregon, we wanted to bring home something unusual, something to really capture the weirdness and coolness of the city.  We landed on a gumball machine.  It wasn’t old or original or anything, but it was interesting.  The actual base of the gumball machines are made of plastic, the gumball tanks are clear plastic and they sit on a wooden platform supported by a balustrade. 

Perfect.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a before photo, but here is the gist of it: 

There are two plastic bases – one was black, the other green.  The balustrade post was purple and chipped.  All of the internal mechanical parts were ripped out and just sitting in the clear plastic gumball tanks.

Here is a photo of the gumball machine during prepping for restoration:

The base of the gumball machine.

The tanks and bases have been removed, so all that is showing here is the purple balustrade and tank base plates before sanding (which was done by my wife, Allie).

After Allie sanded the support base, I went to work on painting and putting it all back together.  For the restoration of this and the next project discussed in this post, I used spray paint only, as did Allie on her projects, which you can read about here. 

The colors that I used are Rustoleum’s Regal Red and Canvas White for both jobs.

Regal Red.

Canvas White.

I painted the purple base white and the green and black gumball bases red.  I left the hardware the original metallic color (we had considered painting them silver, but decided we liked the original brass instead).

The finished project.

I used Devcon’s High Strength 5 Minute Epoxy Gel to put all the major components back together.

The epoxy - this stuff is awesome!

Most of the internal components were set aside (possibly for a future art project) simply because this gumball machine is no longer operational.  As a matter of fact, Allie and I were thinking about filling the tanks with marbles or dice (we would be open to other suggestions – feel free to leave them in the comments section).  I did however fix the exterior hardware – the trap door and turnkeys.  Sadly, one turnkey is missing, so I am on the hunt to find a replacement.

The missing turnkey is on the left - anyone know where I can get one?

After that project was completed, I turned my attention to two filing cabinets that I bought at Goodwill.  Originally, my thought was to replace my old, mismatched filing cabinets for a tall 4 or 5 drawer unit.  After unsuccessfully looking for a tall cabinet for a reasonable price, I decided to get two almost identical cabinets – they were both the same height, but one was wider then the other.  I figured they would look okay stacked up, which is how they were at the Goodwill store.

Of course, I don’t have a before photo, but I do have a pre-prep image:

The grey outer shell of the cabinet.

Just imagine another 2 drawer set in metallic grey, and that’s what they looked like.  I decided that I wanted to add some pop to these cabinets, so I painted them. I used the same white and red spray paint combo from the gum ball machine.  Those colors actually went very well with the wall colors in my office, which consists of Venetian Stucco (an off white) and Red Delicious (a deep red).

As I mentioned before, I was going to stack them, but after doing so, they just seemed too big and bulky and awkwardly placed in the corner.  So Allie suggested that I make the cabinets the supports for my desk.  Originally, I was a little hesitant – my desk was supported by two industrial sawhorses; what I thought was a unique solution (also thought of by my wife).   

The desk with sawhorse support.  Note the old, mismatched filing cabinets in the corner.

I would like to take a moment to point out the paper shades in the windows - those are no longer hanging in my office.  Allie, my wonderful and talented wife, made me, that's right, made me, my own custom Roman shades.  You can read about that project here.

However, the case to change out the horses for the cabinets was a strong one – I could have more readily accessible file storage and stronger (wider) supports for the desk.  I was also able to better hide all of the seemingly hundreds of cables and plugs out of view and de-clutter the corner of my office.  So, after much wrangling, Allie and I were able to swap out the sawhorses for the file cabinets, and they look great:

The larger (wider) filing cabinet.

The narrow cabinet.

Wide shot of completed cabinets and desktop.

View of cabinet color and wall color

Both projects took the course of a weekend to complete, and all in all, I am very happy with how they came out.  We got them finished just in time to beat out the Arizona heat. 

Thanks for reading!