I received this rack as a gift. [Something I'd wanted for some time, but couldn't justify the expense as my old, open-air rack[-rail, hacked in half, affixed to 2x4s upon wheels] still worked.] It arrived surprisingly undented. [Based upon other reviews, I expected it to be a battered heap.] As such, it all fit together perfectly, quickly. However, one of the plastic hinges arrived broken. I had to go without a door…

Update: It took a month and a half to finally get a replacement (50¢) hinge delivered. I was delayed, delayed, then forgotten. They didn't bother even to include the replacement plastic screw with the replacement plastic hinge. Poor form. Customer Service: One Star.

Pros:

- Conceals the mess of wires.

- Sturdy as hell (when assembled).

- Plenty of room in the front/ back/ sides to work around/ with.

- Easy to remove/ replace the side panels when running wires, hanging gear.

Cons:

- Yeah, the instructions were vague, but assembly really isn't all that difficult to figure out.

- No mention that additional cage-nuts will be needed if we intend to fill the rack with more than but a few items. [Description didn't even mention it had nuts.]

- The holes for the casters were a little small and made of stronger metal than the screws. Meaning, I had to bore the holes a little bigger to attach the wheels to the rack without stripping the screw-threads/ heads.

- Eighty pounds of steel and they used cheap plastic for the only two moving parts in the entire rack? [This is why engineers must be supervised: they are often the dumbest of smart people.]

- There is no point in this rack having a lock when the hinges can simply be snapped off (with a fingernail). Minus one star for that, alone. Do Not Buy if this needs to lock, provide security, as-built.

Update: Wireless Disruptor. When fully closed, bluetooth signals can become unreliable. [Not sure about wifi, as I run ethernet to all my gear.] Gaming controllers can lag, streaming audio can start glitching. [Not unexpected, being made out of so much steel, but only discovered this a month and a half later when finally I installed the door.] I (finally) hung/ closed the door, then my kid started being all: "WTF? This stupid controller is broken! Gah, I just died!" Oh… that makes sense. Have to leave the door open for bluetooth.

Tripp Lite,

Product: Smart1500LCD UPS: Problems…

1) Fan: Always-On, full-blast. Would make more sense for there to be a (/make use of the existing) temp-sensor and only power on when ‘warm.’ Can this be shut off with a software patch (for customizable ≥ Load/ Temp-level)? Will it void my warranty to simply unplug the fan? Or must I get out my snips (to then patch in an external toggle switch:) definitively voiding the warranty? That level of noise is a deal-breaker. I can hear it throughout my entire home, it is the single ‘loudest’ device in my rack, and I have taken to powering it all off at night (/waiting longer to start it in the morning): silence being precious to me… Please, what can, within-warranty, be done for the fan to STFU? [Update: the fan is soldered and glued to the board; I snipped the cable. Here's to hoping I never have to call in the Device Protection Warranty.]

Load Levels– modem+wifi+Roku(for tunes) = 0% +TV = 7% +monitor+vgames = 12-14%. [Amplifiers on a separate circuit.] If your device requires a cooling fan at those levels: you built it wrong.

2) LCD: Settings: needs one other: Screen Off. [Wake the display when I press a button.] Is this a software update you could provide? Otherwise I'm going to have to cover the display: don't need an eerie blue square indicating "121" always. [Also, could you please remember which info-screen I was on before turning it off? I prefer to know: Remaining Time.]

3) Buttons: they are hard to long-press, such to turn On/ Off. Takes a few tries to turn off/ on, rather than simply changing info-screens. Having to do this every day is dumb, and the button will likely break. [Instead, like most every rack-mount device, you should have a big old Off/ On Switch: as a convenience and safety feature.]

4) The batteries move around inside the UPS, by a matter of millimeters. Turn it on its side or upside down and there's a ‘clunk.’ That seems bad… especially during (int'l) shipping, with lead-acid batteries. Try harder to fit them better/ tighter, eh?

Sincerely,
Disappointed Customer

Update: I sent them this message through (this and) their website, and to several of their email addresses: no response. Customer Service: Zero Stars.

Final Product Rating: Three Stars. It works, it fits, but it could be better. For something this programmatically Dumb, it shouldn't be called Smart (unless irony was the point?)… If it weren't a gift, I would have returned it. [And bought Amazon's knock-off for half the price/ size.]

Hot– Heats up quick. From room temperature to scalding in about 10 minutes. A ‘how hot?’ temperature dial would be preferred. [Perhaps for the next-level-up version, rather than this: the basic model?] As default-set, I need to wait 10 minutes for my tea to cool enough to drink. Using a kettle, I do not let it get that hot: do not want to burn my tea-leaves.

Cold– Yeah, it is cold. But, I don't like cold water. So I never turn on Cold, unless I am expecting guests who might prefer that. [Which I then shut everything off again when they've gone.] Perhaps it is a bit too cold? Perhaps a ‘how cold?’ dial would be pertinent, for the next-level-up version? Again, I am not expecting perfection/ exceptional at the cost of ‘cheapest available.’

Temperature Conflict– All the internal tanks are interconnected within the fountain. [They all drain into Cold: but perhaps that's just the slope of my floor dripping it that direction, when powered off?] So, if Hot is left on long enough (3+ hours), the heat starts seeping over into Cool and Cold. Hot left always-on requires Cold to then be always-on too: lest you want your Cool to be warm, and your Cold to be tepid. [Leave it to engineers to expect end-users to turn (and leave) everything on, as the only way for it to work ‘properly.’] So then I must question whether that means Hot and Cold are constantly fighting over temperature, the battleground being within Cool, wasting how much electricity?

Noise– I keep the entire thing Powered Off most of the time, preferring my drinking water at room temperature. I have the fountain wired to a switch, turn it on only when the water is running low, to prevent hearing the pump run every time I get a drink. It is not terribly loud, but unnecessary to hear. As it stands, given the volume of water the internal tanks store, I only need to power on the pump every third day or so for my drinking water. [Takes 90-120 seconds to refill.] If left on, there's always a high-pitched ‘eeeee’ noise. I suspect that would be the pump keeping itself primed. In a busy house or office nobody would hear it, but here alone in the woods, where one can hear everything, the sound grates on the nerves.

Potential Problem– This fountain keeps pumping nothing, does not auto-shut-off, when the water-bottle runs out. The longest I left it ‘huffing air’ was 10 minutes, just to see if it would stop, as I didn't want to burn out the motor. So, what happens if you get a drink on the way out the door in the morning and thereby it runs out of water? Will it keep pumping nothing all day? I suspect that would kill it.

Overall– Excellent. Looks classy. Works well for what it was designed. Five Stars. Would buy again, recommend to others.

100 Miles Later, Thoughts–

I feel healthier, I look better, I've burned off some of my too-much-screentime pudge, I have finally grown a fat butt (in the good way).

I started real slow, short bursts, going only until I started huffing/ puffing. First time: level 1, 8 mph, made it 0.3 miles. [Yeah, I know, don't shame me.] I have physical disabilities: I cannot bike, run, swim, jump. This is the only repetitive-motion workout (machine) that does not cause me harm.

Careful never to push myself: because if I got hurt using it, I know I would stop using it, for months. Slowly stepped myself up to faster/ longer. By one month: level 1, 12 mph, nearly a mile. Now: level 2, 15 mph, 2 miles. [Hey, for someone who has been derelict for 12+ years… Don't judge me.] I use it at least twice a week, before I take a shower, having made it part of my routine. [Or if I am passing by and want to power through a quick mile, if I'm feeling like a fatty.]

This elliptical has a shorter ‘gait’ than others, looks a little odd. Consider: power walking looks silly, yet it works well, which is why people do it: same concept. Shift your weight slightly and use completely different muscles. If getting tired: twist instead at your knees, thighs, hips, waist, shoulders: work more of yourself, differently. Push/ pull with your arms instead to relieve some pressure from the legs. An all-around decent workout.

I did not need the Bluetooth-enabled display. I care only about how far I get at what speed, and don't need my phone judging me. [Or any insurance companies buying/ selling my exercise progress.] Should you care about such things, or if you require an external source judging you: spend the extra money to track your progress.

The motion is smooth, but occasionally the back-end starts getting a little ‘grindy’ in tone, but that usually passes. I thought I was going to have to grease the gears, so to speak, when it started sounding worse for a few sessions, but that went away of a sudden one day and hasn't returned. The right handle clicks a bit if I grip the top-half, but again only intermittently. [A crack inside the handle, mayhap? Squeeze it just wrong and it can be heard.] Overall, this elliptical is not silent, but also not loud.

Starting out from stagnancy is difficult/ discouraging, but worth it, if you keep it up. Make it a part of your routine, do not push yourself too hard, and do not deviate (more than one skip-day here and not-often there). Run yourself a little less hard/ long if you don't feel up to it, but do not quit. Quitters only grow fatter assess (in the bad way).

For your health: here is a good, affordable, reliable choice.

Had my hopes set for ‘Lego,’ instead received ‘Duplo’… Big, fat, cheap-looking/ feeling, overly spaced: for ease of ‘not-missing’… I knew I hated it as soon as I opened the box. [It was a long-shot to begin with, but decided to give it a ‘chance’ (to my ultimate/ vindicated/ abbreviated disappointment) as dictated below.]

Immediate Thoughts– ‘Toddler's first fire-hazard,’ and/ or ‘Gramps' final outlet.’ You get the idea… Simply wasn't ‘complimentary’ to the flavor/ safety of my desk(top) rig.

First Thing– Obviously, took a moment to twiddle all the power(less)-switches a few times: up/ down and then back/ forth… Not quite ‘right,’ and certainly not the ‘feel’ I'm looking/ wanting for… [Think, instead: rack-mount switch-banks: with their satisfying, long-press ‘clack’ (rather than a flimsy, short-flip ‘snip/ tick/ click/ snap’) of definitively(?) off/ on.]

Clamp– Just a few millimeters too narrow to fit the desk-leg. [Assuredly, it wasn't gonna be affixed atop my desk; suppose I coulda bent/ hammered the clamp into place, but woulda ‘defaced’ my shiny new desk(-leg).] Considered, began upon the application of zip-ties… Yeah, no, that's not what I want/ need: figured out a few steps into what came below… The clamp-hook beneath the device was screwed-through the plastic-bottom, without guide-holes/ threads, clearly as an (ill-advised) afterthought. [Yes, I started ‘dismantling’ this doohickey Second-Thing: removing/ reorienting the clamp-hook, such perhaps to hang it sideways-like (or otherwise-flat, sticky-taped in place…) thereupon recognizing ‘the problem’ here… Pointy screwheads poking-through, threatening the delicate innards of a surge suppressor (or any electrical device, in general; clamped to a metal desk-leg; pumping questionable energy into ‘my precious’…) would be why this wasn't (well, mine anyways failed to indicate:) UL Certified: for ‘good’ reason.] Made up my mind right there/ then to abandon this tinderbox, cautiously packing it safely back into the return-to-sender-box.

USB, Plugs, etc.– Apologies, didn't bother to think/ look that far ahead, never untwist-tied the power cord, nor even plugged it in: thereby failing to answer the “How (well) do these work?” and/ or “Which color are the switch-lights: blue or orange?” queries others had posited, remaining unanswered: therefore failing to contribute positively unto the collective uncertainty, selfishly. [Nary a Second Thought rendered upon the potential negligence of (y)our/ my inattentiveness… until too late (to remedy the tragedy), sorry.]

Manufacturer/ Knock-Off Suggestion– Off/ On Option would be appreciated for the USBs (and the switch-lights), while you're at it: if away awhile, no (good) reason to leave powered-on USB-DC adapters, even in standby-mode.

ps. this is a ‘thumbed’ third draft.

Positioning– Monitor hangs too far forward given a non-backswing-able position. I thought it had a tighter elbow-bend. [I seem to recall the picture proving misleading.] This mount has to be offset to the side even further than others (of the few I've tried): (in this case, fully-beyond the left/ right side of an ‘undersized’ monitor, being clearly visible;) should one want the monitor closer/ est to the back of a near-to-wall desk. Affixing it that far astride: moving the monitor closer only pulls it further askance from center (with added askew). Also, the further extended: the more ‘bouncy’ the arm/ view gets. [Example– I had to offset the clamp (give me a month or so before perchance daring to drill) in the other mount (I decided to keep, below) a ‘tolerable’ five inches to the left-of-center to hold the monitor the furthest-back it could go, being the preferred position, given the scant few inches available behind it, without scratching/ denting the wall, (thereby: the mount-arm being mostly cramped-up, only the ‘elbow’ just sticking-out beyond the width of said puny monitor) yet while still remaining ‘centered’ to the desk as it is (two-handed) pulled forward.]

Considerations– The difference between my monitor-position and my kid's thus far has proven to mostly be the height, and occasionally one of us will pull it closer. We both prefer it centered to the standing desk (as are the keyboard-mount, chair, speakers, drawers..). [Not to forget my excellent desktop mat: having served as the backdrop for many of the pics to follow, beneath my desk lamp: which lighted most of them…] This is a fixed-height mount. Yes, it can be adjusted, though not on-the-fly. If all you care about is closer/ further/ rotate/ tilt… it'll do (if low(er)-standards are your thing). If you seek a better/ classier/ tougher (+up/down) getup: don't get this one. Instead, buy this product's upgraded robot-armed cousin: all the cool kids are doing it… [Don't be so cheap: the difference is like a dozen or so dollars these days.] Huanuo (always) listens, and (more-often) builds better the next time/ version, with product-prices classifiable under ‘reasonable.’ [You should be reading those product reviews, instead: aim higher. You're worth it. Unless your mission here is to procure substandard/ outdated equipment, for your coworkers, such to save but a few bucks… Then, this is perfect: they'll grumble, guaranteed.]

Proximities– There should be additional (requisite) metrics/ categorizations for all articulating mounts– Offset-figures for how far back one can ‘park’ one's monitor: accounting for back-swing-possible vs. back-wall-imminent situations. Calculate– How far sideways from center must it be mounted (if cannot swing back-behind) to compensate for mount/ monitor-position aligned to center-point/ progression? [Example– I ‘need’ my Monitor to always hang above the desk-middle, however close/ far I position it… but the only way many Mounts can be centered (behind the monitor) is by requiring (too-)many(-more) inches behind the desk; if not a viable option: said mount must then be affixed precisely how far off-kilter..?] Am I making any sense here? For those of you who've undergone the (obsessive) motioneering/ clamping, finding-of-the-sweet-spot, required for each/ every different one of these infernal devices (preferably, possessing the proper terminology: such to better explain it than I didn't): I think/ hope you can ‘feel’ what I meant/ failed to say here– [We shouldn't have to do these maths/ hands-on-proofs ourselves, mostly. Also, More Data would make it Easier to Guess (before buying/ cursing/ returning) how poorly each rig-mount might(n't) fit our available space(s). Mercifully, saving us pervasive study of others' reviews: hunting evasive clues. Further, mayhap sparing additional, avoidable return-shipping/ restocking efforts/ costs (re: this product-category) in the near(er)-future.] The more you know…

ps. this is a ‘thumbed’ third draft.

If Basic are your needs: a monitor and/ or TV, keyboard/ mouse, external storage, headset/ speakers-out, ethernet, power.

I started with this hub and was impressed. But it didn't serve all my needs, so it became daisy-chained to a bigger hub. This one lives stuck to the underside of my desk, connected to the bigger hub mounted inside my equipment rack. The bigger hub providing more/ better video outputs: USB-C to Display Port being important such to reduce the cable runs from the rack to the desk: namely, two (shielded) USB-C cables, total.

Headset– There is a quiet hum to the audio, not so bad as on others. Still, I bought a USB-C to optical adapter such to rid myself of the hum and let my speakers do the digital-analog conversion (being better-equipped than a mini-hub for that purpose).

Keyboard/ mouse/ audio– No problems running these plugged into this hub plugged into another. I suspect ethernet would work too, as it comes up in Devices, which I disabled. But video-out Will Not Work, except on the primary hub. This is what they mean when they say hubs cannot be connected together, being only partly true.

Power– 100 watts worked fine to power my computer: when this was the only hub. No issues with overheating. Didn't try plugging in power-required devices after daisy-chained.

Construction– Solid, low-profile, USB plugs hold tight: as opposed to some others.

Overall– Good. Would recommend.

More/better video outputs, more USB-C ports. A few weeks of use later, Thoughts…

I had bought a 7-in-1 hub to start, and it did the job, if I wanted everything right at my desk. But, I wanted some at my desk and most inside my rack. So, I looked around awhile and decided on this hub, correctly. You can daisy-chain another USB-C hub to this: keyboard/ mouse/ audio/ ethernet/ thumb-drive will work, but video-out through the tail-hub will not.

USB to Display Port– That was why I went with this hub: one (shielded) USB-C cable to the monitor, (one HDMI to the tv, one to the amp, one shielded USB-C extension to the desk-hub,) perfect. Picked up a (shielded/ slim) 3.3-foot USB-C to DP cable which better fit the cable-management tracks on my articulating monitor arm. [I did previously buy a long, fat DP cable, but that immediately seemed archaic when I found there was such a thing as USB-DP hub-output. That now-irrelevant (two weeks too late to return) cable's neatly tied up in a bag, with all the other cables I don't (but maybe someone I know will eventually) need/use.]

Headset/ Audio– Herein is where it lost half-a-star… There is a significant hum on the lower-end of the audio spectrum, using the headset-jack. That wasn't going to work for me, nor my desktop-speakers, nor my amp-speakers. My 7-in-1 has significantly less noise, so it was affixed to my desk to provide sound to my (under $100) nearfield monitors. Good enough. I had used the second HDMI-out to send digital audio to the amp, but Windows was getting ‘fussy,’ flickering/ reassigning (/losing my individual-backgrounds of) all the (dominant-)displays every time I powered-on/ off the amp or changed inputs… [I don't always have the tv on (it is on a rack-mount power-switch bank, flipped on only while being watched; my sound/ video typically goes through the amp, to act as a switch for video-out, but that would then require the amp being ‘on’ (conservation of energy) to pass the video to the tv, even if I'm listening on the desk, rather than): listening instead through the amp, when bigger/ better sound is desired.] That wasn't going to work. So, for the rack/ amp: I picked up a USB-C to optical adapter: perfect, all ‘distortion’ eradicated. [Wound up buying another for the mini-hub to the desktop-speakers: all ‘noise’ canceled.] I couldn't (/didn't think to) find a hub that offered optical-out + USB-DP. Suggestion: offer that, next time, save us the $23 (2x) add-on dongle(s)-cost.

Video Quality– My monitor is dinky (having bought it before my eyes went to hell), my tv was dump-salvaged: I cannot speak as to how ‘good’ the video is. Others have: (lightly) take their word for it. I found it good enough that I have no complaints, on a 1080p rig. I chose this hub such that when I can ‘dumpster-dive’ myself a 4K tv/ monitor, I'll be ready. [Oh, wait, that'd require a 4K computer, too… Fingers crossed.]

USB-A– Herein is where it lost another half-star. [Others might have rated harsher, but it turns out I don't need the USB-A's anymore, what with the three USB-C's converting to whatever dongle I may need.] The slightest tug on a cable and they pop out of the hub. They wiggle (and waggle) within the casing. Poor Form. Try again, please.

Power– The 100-watt power-brick that came with my PC laptop is plugged directly into the hub (on its own rack power-switch; turned off when not in use). The laptop [sitting inside the enclosed rack on a sliding shelf] stays fully charged and can draw its power directly when the processor is humming along (playing my kid's ‘light’ games) while sending out two video/ audio, plus incoming keyboard/ mouse/ IR, and external(ly powered) ESATA-USB multi-drive enclosure. Does not overheat, gets a bit warm, but it is kept cooled by my rack-fans, just in case.

Etcetera– I haven't tried the media-card readers, having little/ no use for them myself, I cannot speak to that. The color is pleasant. Um, the aluminum feels nice/ durable… Running out of things to say here.

Overall– Four Stars. It gets the job done, for that I do not fault them: near-excellent work, point in fact. However, let me run this thing haggard for a few months and then I'll get back to you regarding Longevity, possibly.

ps. this was a ‘thumbed’ first draft.

Size: Small, black– It fit comfortably, snugly around my arms, chest and waist: exactly what I sought, the waist-length was perfect, but the arms-length being a few inches too short, (looked like I was wearing high-water pants on the wrong end of me,) and bulky. [Your resizable cuff-widths needs some ‘rekajiggering’ to be less obtrusive. Thinner fabric at the cuffs, perhaps?] Layering: perfect, close-fit. Color: impossible to keep clean, picked up, made visible-to-all, hair and lint from everywhere.

Size: Medium, dark gray– Apparently, Medium now equals a 200-pound customer. [Stupid Fat America.] That is how much bulk I would have to put on for this to snugly hug me: being what I sought. The arms were the right length, but again with the cuffs… prominently evident when worn under a hoodie. [Looks like you've got busted handcuffs hidden under there.] And the waist-length was too long: bell-bottomed-out below my hoodie/ jacket: looked ridiculous, on me. Plus, worn all by itself, I was told I oddly appeared {fat, bloated, emaciated, disproportionate, shoplifteresque}. [For those who love to steal, get it a size too big, what with all those pockets, you could plunder half a Quick Stop/ Kwik-E-Mart…]

Pockets– Love, love, love all the pockets. Thank you. The pockets are great, decent sizes, placements. [Can carry a man-purse worth of stuff without being called a(n) ‘insert favorite degradation here.’]

Patches– The ‘velcro’ on the sleeves was a bit bulky, bending/ laying differently than the rest of the fabric. Again, made layering look a little wonky. [Perhaps a no-velcro option?]

Fabric– So comfy, warm. People kept trying to pet me. But only people I know well, so that's okay. [If you're pretty and don't like being touched by strangers, look elsewhere.] They loved it, too. Asked what it was. [Sold you another one/two, to make up for the two I had to return.] Felt reassuring/ calming (/not-strangling) upon my neck when fully zippered up.

Could have been so good… if only I were fatter/ shorter-armed. The search continues, next Fall.

ps. this was a ‘thumbed’ first draft.

Whether you knew that before, or shall soon be able to cure: thanks to this observant owl.

When a package was to be delivered: it seems I had found myself looking out/ down the front door to see if my arrival was leaning there, every thirty-or-so minutes, until it had landed (without me noticing). [Mind you, this being back when my deliveries were more ‘seasonal’ than ‘occasional.’ When that balance started to shift: I found myself spending more time looking outside than previously, but not in the good way.]

Wherein the ‘cable guy’ (etc.) was to arrive somewhen between too-early and where-the-hell-is-he-already, or for when those scheduled drop-offs/ pick-ups that could typically ‘wander’ by fifteen/ twenty (/more) minutes, either which way: I would (un/ sub-consciously) find myself sitting somewhere I could clearly see the driveway out-the-window, or worse: close-only-enough to lean-and-look, every thirty-or-so seconds. [Okay, so apparently, I don't appreciate getting caught with my pants down, so to speak, also, fervently do I not enjoy surprise knocks upon my door…] All of said such (creeping-) anxieties miraculously melted away within a day-or-so after the arrival of my ‘little lookout.’

*¡DING*DONG*DING*DONG!* goes the watch-owl when someone has dared trespass upon my domain… providing me (at least) thirty seconds before engaging the enemy/ friend/ stranger… [more than enough time to hitch-up my pants (and grab an axe), ready then to face-down whom/ whatever has invaded my demesne.]

Further, upon the farewell ‘donging,’ I know then the delivery person has dearly departed: such to then swing-wide the door [regardless the state of my (un)dress… ah, life out in the woods: so refreshing].

Notifications– Weak, you can do better. Honestly, if you let us USB-sideload our favorite Ringtones for this owl to hoot-out, I suspect we'd love/ pay you more to hear ‘our song.’ [My Phone's ‘Noises’ were well-chosen for the simple fact of that I can(not) hear them, from way far away from me, where it resides most-of-the-time: dependent upon the manner/ format/ timeliness of ‘bother’ said contact/ nuisance might potentially rain down upon me.] I want the receiver-owl to whistle-out a familiar ditty that I can assuredly hear from anywhere in the house, whatever (else) I happen to be doing. Which reminds me…

Volume– Please, give a (few) lower volume-setting(s). On lowest, it is still way too loud. I considered relocating the receiver to the basement: knowing that would there, then still be quietly-loud-enough to be heard Everywhere… such data herein being expressed that you, dear reader, might be(come) aware/ warned before buying said almost-perfect doohickey: location, location, location. The receiver was eventually stuffed-in, back-behind a thick sofa: good enough; but now I cannot see the flashy-eyes: which thereby also informed my Other Sense that ‘someone approaches.’ The Point– kindly, turn it down (furthermore): you don't (always/ only) need to Shout (at me).

Weatherization– Following the advice of others: I (better-than-)BRAND-taped over the battery case (and the hanging-hook) to ensure no water gets in. Cannot speak as to whether or not that would have proven an issue… Better to play it safe: listen to the pragmatist/ doomsayer (in your head / of these reviews).

Mounting– Easy: like five minutes to hang/ angle perfectly.

Target Range– Short, for me: corner of the house, looking across the driveway into the shrubs behind: twenty feet, or so. No Problem. Angled the seeing-owl slightly down, such as to not catch the windblown-afar-brush setting it off: which it never has, while observed. Did decide to shear-off some shrubbery (I should have disemboweled forever ago) being nearer-wise within the projected ‘staring-path’… Unfortunately, having done that before hanging the owl: such to then fail to answer-for-you whether that would have proven sufficient-enough ‘interference’ to set it off… [Apologies, so short-sighted of me.]

Misfires– Twice: not sure what triggered it. [Damn Gremlins.] It isn't the birds. I'm presently watching a flock of robins scavenging/ swooping in line-of-sight: nothing. The geese/ ducks/ heron? No, the backyard pond-trajectories don't cross that path. Perhaps the hawk/ owl: doing what they do, dis/ appearing out of nowhere? Possibly. Confirmed Triggers– Turkey: they pass through every few days, seasonally, I smile and wave and they ‘whatever’ me back, keep about their business of keeping my yard well-kept clear of bugs and berries and such; Deer: similar transitory pattern of guaranteed safe-passage/ haven… Never do I mind any of them dropping by, (un)announced.

Peeping-Owl, the second– Still in the factory-box. Mayhap I'll hide it in the mailbox: perchance startle the postal worker, once. Nah… Then I'd be reminded the outside world keeps coming a-knocking, every other day-or-so. [Besides, I don't get much in the way of mail, and it's all crap. Once a week I clean/ dump it out (roundabout the same frequency I download my email, too): just so the postal worker knows if/ when a welfare-check might(n't) be in order… Again, this consideration put-in-place long before I started receiving packages on the semi-regular (thank you, donor). I presume Amazon's/ subcontractors' deliverers, too, are taught to take/ present notice regarding such potential concerns?]

Overall– Four Stars: the ‘songs’ are (mostly) not great, and (far) too loud. Make both those better and happily I'll make better my review. But otherwise, Thank You, truly, for helping diagnose/ treat (/cure?) me of my ‘arrival anxieties’ heretofore remaining un-known/ acknowledged that I had (gotten worse), until duly reflected back-upon.

ps. This was a ‘thumbed’ one-sitting (then slept-on-it) second draft. [Mayhap more therapeutic/ revealing than originally intended… ah, the (pseudo) anonymity afforded of an internet-forum: so liberating.]

Update– Eight Months Later… The batteries finally need to be replaced, started missing the occasional ‘intruder’ about a week ago. [Turns out, two of the batteries leaked (pictured): to hell with Energizer, as this keeps happening, occasionally destroying my devices: which in this case it did, good thing I had a second owl.] Note: The alarm goes off only a handful of times a week, mostly wildlife-triggered. Note: Responds to black bears, too.

Ten+ years ago these would have been $1,000 speakers, rather than the under-$100 now. I bought these for my mother: such to help break her addiction to subtitles, which it did, when they worked. She has a soundbar, which sounds like crap: they all do, the older you get, hence the attempted upgrade. However, the Bluetooth kept dropping out (from her streaming stick), having to reengage it every day or so. Not acceptable: her barely knowing how, that and the nuisance-factor disrupting normal operations. There were no optical/ headphone/ RCA outs from that tv, (only HDMI-ARC,) had to abandon the idea, related to these speakers. On the plus side, they were now mine.

Connectivity– Excellent, if compatible with your gear. Lots of choices for input. The subwoofer-out is a nice touch: though I find that isn't necessary when used nearby. It ‘booms’ well enough on its own to fill a small(er) room. Could use an HDMI-ARC input: should anyone want it connected to their tv, to replace their crappy soundbar.

Sound– I was impressed. Good enough to break an old lady of her dependence on subtitles, for a spell. They wound up on my desktop: providing more than enough audio. I bought another pair for my child, for their other home: good enough to drown out the noise of their step-family, while not annoying those in the adjacent bedrooms. Occasionally, I get that plastic-resonant sound (you get when using plastic tweeters) but only on the left speaker. I tightened the screws and it abated a bit.

Lights– Flash way too fast, slow it down, please. Also, I put a layer of electrical tape over the lights as they were way too bright.

Angle– Depending upon your desktop, I might recommend risers: such to point them straight at your ears. In my case, I stuck some inch-thick rubber feet under the front-face to angle it, rather than buying the $50+ foam risers.

Overall– These are excellent under-$100 nearfield/ bookshelf/ desktop speakers.

First Impressions– Small, tough/ sleek-looking, got some heft to it (not-quite a roll of nickels), ‘clicky’ switches/ buttons.

Translations– I don't normally focus on that, but this is important… Whomever translated the Menu/ Settings was someone different than who translated the Instructions… That's never a good thing: the names of functions/ settings were different, making it hard(er) to follow along, easier to give up (and instead offer up an unflattering star-rating). Verdict: mediocre translation, fairly understandable, but could/ needs have been much better.

Instructions– Normally, who needs those? But for more complex (non-intuitive) devices, like this: It Matters. The order of the settings in the instructions is different than the order of them on the device (some named differently, too). Instead, outline a proper tree-structure to take us down through the settings, tier-by-tier, one-by-one: rather than flat/ prioritized/ miscellany as yours was written. Plus, pick a style: sections/ headers/ lists were diversely (mis)organized into: first/ second/ third, flat bullet-points, indented bullets/ arrows, 1,/ 2./ 3; only some of the headers in bold, spacing was wonky… You get the idea: poorly rendered. But I was able to figure it out, eventually. [Found it interesting they took the time to mention to keep this device away from credit cards… would appear they failed to properly shield their speaker/ microphones. Wait, does that mean I can expect to start (de)magnetizing other things in my pants, too?]

Settings– Not intuitive to navigate, took some time to adapt. Up = Menu/ Back, Down = Volume (even in settings, when there's no need to adjust that there: I hit that button wrong a dozen+ times), Left/ Right = Up/ Down, Play = Select. Note: cannot access Any Settings while it is Recording: so, if needing to adjust the Gain and/ or Voice Activation Level (acronymed as VOR, for some reason): must to stop the recording, change the setting(s), start a new recording, hoping/ testing if setting was better… That's just poor programming.

Volume– Loud enough to hear, decent quality. Must press Down to activate Volume Mode then Left = Down, Right = Up. Would have made more sense, to me, to have a volume-rocker on the record/ stop/ power-button Side: then you don't have to think about it, instead feel your way to it. [Also, while recording, as the playback-volume is irrelevant, perhaps instead reassign the volume(-rocker) to Gain (for if input is too loud/ quiet), long-press for the Voice Activation Level (ditto)?] Adjusting volume: press down, you then have three seconds to change the volume, before it switches back to the Playback Screen: at which point pressing left/ right changes tracks: taking you back to the beginning of each recording, rather than to where you left off… Inconsiderate. I've hit those buttons wrong a few times, trying to adjust the volume, had to then find/ skip my way back to where I was: not cool. [Another good reason for dedicated volume-related buttons: noninterference.]

Gain/Voice Activation– Require fiddling with, often, but are not intuitive/ easy to get at through the settings. These should be Priority Settings (not buried a few tiers deep into the nonsensical menu). [This is why engineers should never have the final say on menu/ settings/ button order/ assignment: instead, get a few ‘normal’ people to dinker that out, better.] These being the two settings I adjust the most, depending upon the sound-environment: I would prefer them ‘closer-by.’ [Again, volume-buttons upon the side to adjust these variables while recording would be appreciated.] I have the Gain turned way down when it's just me talking to myself, with the recorder nearby, to prevent red-lining the inputs: which, point in fact, the recorder does a decent job keeping over-loud audio from ‘clipping.’ [I screamed at it a few times, just to see what it'd do.]

Display– Wasn't looking for fancy, just legible. Without my reading glasses: have to hold it at arms-length. [Again, if the most pertinent recording-settings were tied to their own hard-button-rocker: wouldn't need to have to see the device to do most of what I need to adjust, on-the-fly.] Display is color, low(er) resolution: good enough. While recording, would appreciate if the Gain/ Input meter-bars danced from green to orange to red (meaning: too loud!): rather than remain green all the way across (subliminally indicating: everything's fine, when no, it is not). [It's the little things that demonstrate/ negate/ impede Quality.]

Buttons– Left/ Right don't always react when pressed. But that could just be that I'm pressing them too-far-askew, being a small, dense collection of buttons: a bit difficult to fit/ press my thumbs firmly upon, more practice required. Buttons ‘click’ when pressed: to varying degrees of loudness/ tone. Easy to start/ stop recording: don't have to think, just flip a switch. [Wish Volume/ Gain/ VOR were so easily managed, without menus/ thought…] Some of the metal buttons do rattle a bit if you shake it: for a second there I thought I broke it. Please, do something about that.

Battery/ Storage/ USB– I cannot speak to those, as I only just got started.

Why I picked this one, over all the others, without having ever touched it– Size: smaller/ slimmer than most. Microphones: stereo, classy-looking. Build: people said it was solid, which is what I require my doohickeys to be, and it is. [Metal sides/ top/ bottom, hard/ dense-plastic front/ back.] Offline: Non-AI/ Transcription. Password: if/ when I use it for business/ medical, rather than merely dictating product reviews. [Haven't fiddled around with that setting, yet. What's the rush?]

Overall– Three Stars: Room For Improvement. Reasons: as stated above. Final Note: this is a fingerprint magnet.

First Impression– Smaller than I recall some of the pictures depicting it. I know, I know: ‘enlarged to show texture.’ Roughly: 20x9x7 inches, fully loaded.

Feel– Rugged, but that would be (no-less-than-)expected. The handles are comfortable, wide enough that they don't cut into your hands, while slender enough to hold them in the crook of your fingers.

Fit– Barely fits three full sandbags. The sandbags are shorter than the main-bag. I immediately figured that was poor design, until I filled the sandbags. If they had been as long as the main-bag, we would have trouble stuffing them in (if the sandbags are full), as the reinforced zipper does not go all-the-way to the ends (to prevent tearing). The sandbags are also thinner than the main-bag, so there's some additional ‘weight-slippage’ there, too. Can thereby result in weight-distribution imbalance: if it slips to one side, one arm is working harder, depending upon which handles you hold. [More on that later.]

Sandbags– I appreciate that they each have their own handle. Can be carried/ lifted/ swung independently. There are two layers of velcro to keep them shut: nicely done, one layer inside the bag, the other on the outside flap: Does Not Leak. I couldn't tell you how heavy a full sandbag is, as I don't own a scale… but more than a gallon of milk. Obviously, you don't have to fill them all the way up.

Action– Here is where that whole not-the-same-size issue comes into practice… As the sandbags are shorter/ thinner, they can/ do move around inside the main-bag. If doing curls: the weight shifts. Side-to-side swings: the weight shifts. Lifting up and over the head: you guessed it: *thunk* go the sandbags. Manufacturer Suggestion: install three/ four heavy-duty velcro straps, harness-style, inside the main-bag to hold the sandbags securely in place, to the bottom, to prevent slippage. The weight-distribution should remain consistent.

Exercise– Lots of ways to hold/ lift/ swing the main-bag: nice variety of handle placement for working different muscles. Just a few minutes of hefting it around was enough to remind me how underutilized my arm muscles had become. I'm sore, five minutes in. [Let's see how I feel tomorrow.]

Sand– I foraged for my own, as there is a sandpit nearby. I suppose you (city-folks) could go buy some. Trouble with foraging… the sand can have moisture (and rocks) in it. [It did just downpour for a few days. I should probably dump the sandbags out into a tub, leaving it in the sun/ wind for a few days, stirring occasionally, sifting out the rocks, to ensure it properly dries out: otherwise there might develop some mildew issues.] The point: use dry sand.

Overall– I could see myself taking a few minutes a day to ‘swing’ this thing around. But carefully, as the sandbags do weight-shift: don't want to strain myself compensating for this ‘underthought’ design-flaw. I suggest you wait for Version 2.0. Minus Two Stars, sorry.

Update– 250 Vine Reviews Later… I gave up on this after a few weeks. I kept getting hurt: it proved incompatible with my physical disabilities. That, and the weight-shifting kept threatening my fragilities. However, I kept using the sandbags to help product-test backpacks. So, thanks for that, if nothing else.

Variant: Green Shag—

First Thing– It smelled like a factory: plastic and rubber, not unexpected, having been factory plastic-wrapped. I BRAND-eezed it, threw it in the dryer on low for 15 minutes (thereby shaking out any factory ‘dust’ it might otherwise have picked up in production). Let it sit on the floor for an hour: smells better; the folds/ creases ‘leveled out’ nicely. [Update: no, they didn't, the shag is simply so deep that you do not see them, unless it sits beside a thinner variant, where it is far-more obvious.]

Facts to know– I haven't owned a bathmat for over a decade (maybe two). I believe my previous one disintegrated in the washer and took forever to clean it all out. [That's the vague recollection/ justification, anyways. Or perhaps it was that ‘like this bathroom rug’ scene from the Simpsons, skeeving me out a bit, decades later.]

- I mostly towel-off inside the shower, drying my feet while stepping out. As I am getting older, I understand that's not the preferred method: slip/ fall being bad. [I'm not there yet, don't worry.]

- I have only three (small) area rugs throughout the entire house, everywhere else is hard floors. I putter around inside barefoot, year-round. [Buying a fluffy bathmat somehow feels less ‘manly’… but we'll see about that.]

Color– Grass-green. Clashes with my bathroom/ towels. But Amazon Vine didn't offer me many (remaining) color-choices on this product-category: herein shall be more about ‘feel’ than ‘look.’

Feel– Soft, obviously. [But again, I am accustomed to a cold, barefoot, mostly wood/ tile/ linoleum home (heated by wood stove).] Leaves cutesy toe-impressions behind, fun to toe-scape with. [It begins…]

Absorbency– Again, by habit I fully dry my feet while stepping out… forgoing that process might take a few attempts to adjust my default behavior. [Plus, it would just feel weird to stand around all naked/ wet in the middle of the bathroom, drying myself… some adjustments (to decency) will be required (though potentially liberating). However, since I have no shower curtain and the shower walls are clear glass… really, what's the difference? Oh, right, it is warm(er) inside that glass cubicle, inside my cold(er) home. Which, seasonally dependent, I often afterwards find myself bare-eagle in front of the wood stove, soaking it all in, shamelessly.]

Size– A bit smaller than I might have wanted: 24x16(ish) inches. [Then again, I'm leaning/ reaching/ balancing/ teetering/ wiping myself in twice-that floorspace inside the shower: while trying to not touch the wet walls/ floor with my towel… this might prove better.] The mat does line up precisely with the squares of the linoleum pattern, so that's good. [No OCD issues imbued thereby.]

Stability– Does not slide around: but that would be expected. Holds firmly in place, even while tromping over it, passing through (taking a private moment to ‘knead’ my toes into all that softness..). [What is happening to me?]

Weeks Later…

Absorbency– Stays wet for four hours: too long.

Grime– Cannot see any: that's good.

Smell– A bit musty: not unexpected, but not bad.

Feel– Feels good on the feet, but again holds water longer than the thinner variant, below. [I don't like stepping in wet.]

Hold– Better than the thinner variant, but that could simply be a matter of weight.

Overall– Three Stars.

Variant: Bright White, Thinner—

Makes all the other whites in my bathroom look yellow: which is bad. Perhaps okay if your bathroom is white-white, having been painted in less-than the last twenty years. Grime shows up clearly on this: have tracked all kinds of dirt, smudges, firewood-splinters onto it: looks bad.

Lay– Not flat: the factory-folds have not settled in the past two weeks. I suppose putting it (gently) through the washer might take those out, but I am reticent to attempt.

Hold– Slides around a bit when tromping over it, find myself adjusting the position daily: not great.

Pattern– I like it.

Feel– Soft, obviously. Not too deep. The water evaporates after an hour (rather than the four of the other, shaggy variant).

Overall– Choose a different color, unless your bathroom is well-kept-clean and bright-white to match, and the rest of your home has clean, carpeted floors. Three Stars.

Months Later… Pictured. Green: haven't washed (though have vacuumed several times): doesn't stink, still looks cleanish. Five Stars. White: abandoned it around week three: looks terrible. Two Stars.

Washing– Finally hand-washed these in the shower with some clothes detergent. Easy enough. Rub it against itself, all over, until all the grime is gone, then rub your fingers through the shag until all the soap has rinsed out. Note: they got heavy, hard(er) to handle. Green held in probably a gallon of water. [Can your washing machine handle that? Consider before trying: I wouldn't risk it with mine.] Then wrung them out as best I could: took many tries, my hands got tired. Threw them in the dryer on Permanent Press (more dry): didn't notice how long it took. White was fully dry, green needed another 10 minutes to get the last of the moisture out of the footing. They are soft and fluffy and clean again. The lint-trap: surprisingly, there wasn't a single green/ white shag-strand caught up in it, only whatever dirt had shaken loose during drying (which didn't come out during hand-washing).

First Impressions– The smiley face (occasionally blinking) is a bit creepy, glad it goes away after a few minutes. Perhaps kids might like it? Anyone buying this should be aware the magnitude of its presence. Would prefer (/is there, somehow?) an option to make the face go away faster/ permanently. If you press any button, it comes back, staring at you, for about five minutes. Note: if clamped right- or left-wise, the face is then sideways, as are the display-numbers; the same applies for upside-down.

Sound– At Speed 30: same frequency of laptop fans under stress, CPU pushed to the limit. A bit unnerving after a while: subconsciously awaiting it to overheat/ melt/ explode. Other speeds only get louder. Speed 1 is the quietest: enough to blow some noticeable air at you.

Clamp– Opens fairly wide, doesn't let go if it has a good grip. The ‘ridges’ help it grip varying surfaces. Successfully clipped it to a desk(-leg), lamp, table, shelf, cupboard handle, fridge handle, 2x4, my hand (didn't crush it, so that's good). Never fell.

Aiming– Up/ down/ left/ right/ around: wherever you need to point it. A tiny bit tough to turn, but it is new, hopefully that won't turn into ‘too loose’ over time.

Airflow– Decent, adjustable. At 30: enough volume to blow away the instruction manual. At 1: like a cool breeze, can almost forget it is making noise, if the room isn't silent. [Wouldn't mind a level/ two between those two speeds.] Faster: louder: more air, obviously. Level 120: impossible to ignore, and will kill the battery right quick: perhaps better to save that speed for when plugged in? [Lastly, why'd they choose the Speed Numbers as they did? 1/ 30/ 60/ 90/ 120: Perhaps CFM? But, Speed 1 moves significantly more cubic feet per minute than just one, so that doesn't track.] Consider instead renumbering them to Speeds 1-5(+), eh? Would make more sense.

Smell– Like new plastic, not unexpected. Can smell it more the faster it spins. I presume that smell will reduce after more air has been pushed through it..? About two hours in, at Speed 30: started to smell like warm plastic, though it was cool to the touch… Not a good indicator for Longevity. But then again, this was its first time performing: I'll grant the benefit of the doubt, for now. [But will keep my nose-out for ‘burninating.’]

Battery, Fresh out-of-the-box– Close to on-par with the instructions. At 30: starting at 75% battery, it lasted for five hours and fifteen minutes (but I was fiddling around with the other settings, too, and ‘Smiley’ put in about twenty-five minutes worth of face-time, what with all my tinkering). The higher the speed, the faster you can actually watch the battery-meter go down (the drain). A few unexpected seconds later: ‘Facey’ pops back up and leers at you, for another five-or-so minutes more. <IDEA> Perhaps an additional/ next variant of ‘fanage’ could deliberately come with (famous, licensed?) clown/ horror-faces or such (or go the other direction: kittens/ puppies/ etc.?), (set upon a (non-)random-appearance timer,) (potentially upon a programmable (/downloadable?) rotation of faces?) that being a more-practical application of ‘potential’ here? I bet you'd sell a bunch more of those than this ‘flavor’ mightn't, even though it would obviously cost more. </IDEA>

Recharging– Easy, USB-C (on a two-amper): starting the clock… <ASIDE> The display continuously informs you of the precise battery-level as it is charging: blinking the second digit as slowly it counts up… [Sideways, as it happened to be mounted when first I noticed this behavior: briefly wondering what those strange glyphs might mean.] </ASIDE> It would appear I am incapable of answering the recharging question honestly… Hour Three: was creeping near to 50%, then walked by an hour later: 100%. [Methinks there be tomfoolery at play here… A practice I have before encountered in batteries whose control-circuits falsely report back their capacity as More: charging in half-(or-less)-the-(expected-)time, skipping significant percentages along the way.] In another hour I shall walk past again, having left it plugged in, to see if still it smells/ warms like ‘charging battery,’ then I'll know what's up… An Hour Later: the charging odor/ heat has dissipated a bit, but not completely. So, either this thing can't count (up), or worse: the onboard computer decided to make 65-ish the new 100%: as four hours had passed: clearly, it must now report/ act as fully charged (irregardless)? I shall fire this thing up again in the morning, see for how long it spins on 30…

Discharging– The Next Morning: still it declares 100%… Forty-Five Minutes Later: ~90%… Running the numbers: (stupid math, carry the one…) seven and a half hours(?), projected… [Gah, the face, I had nearly forgotten about you: had hoped it was a fever dream.] Two Hours In: 75% (easier maths)… Four Hours: 62% (hmmm)… Six Hours: 50% (curiouser and curiouser)… <ASIDE> The sound of that fan, eleven+ hours of spinning away, over the course of two days, is really starting to grate on my nerves: I'm nervous, for no good reason. Perhaps because, should any of my other tech make such distressing sounds like that, for that long: I would be a very bad product-owner for not investigating ‘the problem,’ or at the very least, powering it down. I am beginning to doubt my ability/ resolve to stand-tough through to the end of this test… </ASIDE> Note: I had earlier noticed and then dismissed that the fan felt to be blowing less-strong than it had the day, or even the few hours, before. Dismissed it then as just my imagination. Now, I think I was on to something back there/ then: the fan is blowing at me even less-so than just a few short hours ago… Eight Hours, Thirty: 33%… I think I get what's going on here: definitely electrical tomfoolery… They are surreptitiously underclocking your desired, set-speed to ensure the fan always runs for (at least) as long (if not more than) as the box/ product-page declares it shall: regardless of how undercharged it may have been by using a sub-optimal-wattage usb-charger. [Tricksy Engineers. I always prefer an honest-analog rather than sneaky-digital approach to doing (most) things: less stuff that could go wrong, burn-out/ down…] Hour Nine: 28%… That's it, off you go, back in your box: test aborted, I don't care anymore.

Overall– It works, pushes air at five speeds. At 30: should get you through your work day without plugging it in. Can be clipped to many surfaces: up/ down/ sideways/ leanwise. But it sounds like a distressed, overheating laptop. Wouldn't be my first choice. Two Stars, because: the down/ side-face, the noise, and what with all your battery kajiggering. The Face, itself: that's on whoever buys this device, having been duly warned. [A fantastic Secret Santa gift for that coworker/ relative you don't much like would this fan make.]

Update– Months Later… I gave this fan to my mother (I know, I know: we're supposed to wait six months before giving away what we get here..). The sound of it doesn't bother her, worked well to push just enough air across her bed during the danker nights of the summer (as the A/C is in the other room). This product helped out my mother: so, thanks for that. Two.Five Stars.

First Impressions, straight out-of-the-box– Globe feels cheap, like melted styrofoam, kinda smells like it too. Were you (falsely) expecting something better (for under $20)? The textural inconsistencies are good, visually, when lit, but no so much when dark. Further, happenstanced upon a small section with no texture, becoming prevalent only upon power-on (which happening exactly wherein wound-up visibly most, naturally).

Opened the box, pulled the whole thing out as one. There's a baggy with some cloth (what's that for?) and a few hefty drywall+anchor screws that could be seen, a leaflet of instructions/ warnings: both put aside, unopened. The bulb is in a separate, tiny box (banging loosely around inside the bigger box, which, obviously, then fell down to the floor,) labeled: LED, fragile. Started unscrewing the globe: turning, turning, turning, and then even some more… Finally came off, there's the socket for the bulb, opened its box, pulled down a sleeve (on instinct) with which to grab said naked-bulb, stuck it in, made sure was well-stuck-in, before began screwing back-in the globe. Turned it around, loosened the screws loosely holding the mounting-plate on: many options, not just a basic bracket: respect. Ho there, what's this? An unfamiliar wiring harness, with push-buttons for to stick/ hold wires (rather flimsily) in. Yeah, okay, gave that a try…

Dug out a round, plastic outlet-box, started figuring where perchance to affix this thing, temporarily. [This room herein having only framework walls, the available mounting options being significant (or potentially more-limited as opposed to would be the case of drywall-anchored installations instead: but with dangling power cord). The Plan– Pick four places to mount wall-boxes/ sconces, all in-wall-wired to a wall switch, preferably each sconce having its own off/ on (/dimmer: which this is lacking, would might've been nice) switch: turning only on which that are needed, at the time. Two behind the sofa: a decent oblique angle for illuminating books/ etc. over-the-shoulder, rather than in-the-eyes; two up-front: one near the enclosed equipment-rack, the other illuminating (nicely, inside) the rolltop desk. The challenge shall be in figuring the ideal height/ distance-from to hang these such that one shan't be staring straight into bare-bulbs: standing up nor sitting down.] This sconce comes straight-out. [Being on the look-out for (just-the-right) others that veer upwards, but never downwards, from their mount.] Went with the bottom of the globe six inches above the rack: considerations of ‘mirroring’ over/ into the desk in mind: seemed a good place to start.

Took a look at the mounting bracket, lined it up with the box… um, what/ which-sized screws are to be used here? Checked the baggie: nope, those are for drilling way-deep into a (dry)wall (and, oh, hey, that's a glove for not-touching the bulb, how considerate). Dug out some #8 3/4-inch screws (for now), lined it up, tightened loosely, dug out my level (which, later, discovered the instructions never suggested), final tightening.

Cut the tail off the end of an old extension cord, stripping it down to first a half and then -after discovering that's too deep for the harness- (sketchy) third of an inch. [The harness, upon reconsideration: just throw it out. Flimsy, cheap, barely holds the wires that then pop out at the slightest tug/ bend, no good way to electrical-tape it ‘securely’ together. Grab some terminal caps, screw the ends, tape them shut, like a pro: better.] Fiddled with plugging in the harness: wasting a ton of tape/ time precariously cobbling it all together, then carefully tucking it into the sconce; gently/ firmly tightening the screws holding light-to-bracket, plugged in the power: Shazam! A glowing orb. [Or was that GL?]

Appearance– Yeah, okay, I can dig it. Looks like the moon: cool. [Maybe in a kid's room, rather than a ‘cave.’ But that's just a first impression.] The brass(?) is shiny, the pull-cord has a nice sound/ feel. The color is more-towards warm-natural than cold-technological: that's good. The Moon: the texture is random, which is good, but it gets a bit ‘gloppy’ in places, which is not great; there's even a bit here wherein there's no texture at all, through which can be seen the bulb, that's bad. Tried turning it some, nope, now it's droopy-loose (even with all that screw-threading, huh?), and no, won't turn any tighter the other way without snapping some plastic, dang: now never not gonna unsee that blemish, from here on the sofa.

Instructions– Generally advised to be read first, not after you've finished wiring it. Suggestion: don't bother, being for a completely different internal hard-ware/wire getup. Instead: if you know what you're doing, do you; if you don't, don't panic: watch a video, it's really not all that difficult… You can do this, I believe in you.

Overall– Undecided. It is easy to find fault. Finding the good generally requires further study, patience. Will get back to you, maybe. However, having now for a few hours had said moon glowing-warmly this room (and just barely itself), while writing said review: yeah, okay, maybe in the bedroom (on a dimmer?) could be the place for it (/them?).

Update– Months Later… Note: it did not appreciate being on a dimmer: the lowest setting set it to sounding some dreadful death-wail while flickering spasmodically. The moon is still where I first mounted it: pictured. It provides enough light to illuminate that side of the room: such to see my way around/ into things, get stuff done. However, it is too bright while watching tv, hence the other lamp with a dim-orange ‘pineapple’ bulb: such to not be entirely in the dark, lit only by the cold/ deadlights of the boob-tube. I still like the look of this lamp, if I don't look too closely. It'll do just fine until perhaps I can finally afford to put up some walls, then will have to reassess.

First Impressions– Shiny, off-gold color, big(ger), hefty, slippery, awkward to hold, cleansing-problematic.

I chose this because I liked the look, from afar. Had more pictures, like from top, side, back been provided: I mightn't have chosen this. The internal shape matches the exterior, which isn't really a problem until you reach the feet/ tail: wherein you get nigh-unreachable/ uncleanable areas. There's no way your hand is going to fit in here, only a bottle brush can reach the bottom, but then not-so-much into the feet/ tail. I foresee residue/ stains building up in the darker depths of this mug. [Doesn't a mug usually include a handle?]

Hold/Fit– The ‘shiny’ does make it pretty, but slippery when wet. My hands aren't petite, nor massive, yet I cannot seem to fit a good grip: the middle is too wide, by-the-bottom is too-far-unbalanced and lumpy, by-the-neck feels like I'm strangling the chubby bird. The ideal handhold seems to be by the scruff of the neck: but then I get poked by the ears. Full-frontal neck-throttle seems to work: but then, too, I get ‘eared’ (or would it be ‘horned?’) in the face. Smothering its face: might be the ideal grip/ angle to hold/ drink from: yet somehow feels impolite.

Drinking– The watering-hole is small and the owl is deep: have to be able to tip it way up: therein does my (small) nose go inside, barely fitting, getting wet with every sip, pressing against the inside. I suspect it would be more up-the-nose with a bigger nose. Gets a bit ‘dribbly’ as the lip-edges aren't regular, causing the grip to slip more readily the more you (get) drunk.

Best Applied– Tabletop drinking: with a bendy straw. This is more of a sit-and-sip than a hold-and-chug ‘mug.’

Hold– Two and a quarter cups: making it even heavier, less-steadily held when filled. It is too deep to serve as a pencil holder (unless you fill the bottom with sand/ rocks); straws, paintbrushes or chopsticks: sure, likely how instead I shall make use of this ‘golden’ idol.

Two Stars– Rethink the manufacturing: round-out the interior-bottom such that a bottle brush can readily reach/ clean the depths. Smaller/ thinner might be better, easier-held.

First Thing(s), out-of-the-box– The handles do not line up straight when off, to each other or the base: sloppy assembly, no way to adjust.* Minus One Star. At first, I wondered why I had to push rather than pull the handles to activate, that's not right. Oh, right, hot goes on left, not right, wait, what? Oh, good, the spigot-pipe turns 180° (technically the full 360): but why would you want that? The spigot-head also rotates 360°: as would be expected/ required. Made mostly of metal, but not the spigot-head. The bottom-plate upon which the faucet contacts the sink is made of plastic, not rubber/ silicone.

Installation– I've done this before, no problem… Downstairs bathroom: clean out the cubby below the sink, get out my wrench… What the deuce? Dammit. Whoever installed this rusty/ dusty/ dingy old faucet welded the copper pipes straight into it. Rude. Cannot afford a plumber, haven't been able to for over a decade. Upstairs bathroom: oh, wait, right… The water to up there has been shut off in the basement for 10+ years. The toilet-tap was drippy, then the shut-off knob rusted/ broke-off long ago, never could afford a plumber to get my second bathroom back in functional order, (would have to dismantle the wooden wall behind the toilet to replace the shut-off: stupidly hundreds of dollars to remedy:) haven't used that room since. Would be rather pointless wasting my time up there. The Kitchen? Would it be wrong/ improper/ scandalous to install a bathroom-sink faucet there? Do I dare? Sure, what the hell, I need to test-drive this thing, as I am out of other options.

* The handle-angles can be adjusted with a recessed set-screw, but the available options none-of-which perfectly line-up to level/ even/ another. Shoddy manufacture. [Pictured.]

Kitchen Sink– Climbing/ reaching/ leaning/ wrenching my way around beneath a sink was far easier far back when I was far less physically disabled. I had to walk away before I even got the old faucet (I installed, twenty years ago,) uninstalled. Taking a break: ow… Oh, hey, look at that, my under-sink water filter is overdue to be replaced, by about eight months. That, I can do. [I bought a bottled-water dispenser about a year ago when I suspected my well water was making me sick. Turned out, I do have PFAS (etc.) in my water, but at just below the threshold anyone has any obligation/ responsibility to do anything to help me with/ about, naturally.]

Take Two– Stupid such-and-such, untwist, untwist, dribble, dribble down my neck, gah! Removed the old faucet, took a break. Oh, right, this is a four-banger faucet-hole sink, hmm… I can work with that. Cleaned away the decade(s) of gunk that accumulated under the old faucet, took a break. Got the new faucet half-screwed in, took a break. Got it the rest of the way tightened, took a break. [Now I remember why I stopped doing repairs around the house.] Hooked up the hoses, took a break. Wrench-tightened the hoses, cautiously/ slowly turned back on the water… No drips/ fire-hoses going off under the sink: good. Turned a handle: straight at my face went the water -my flinch-reflex barely saving me: hah-hah, missed me- then it sputtered from air in the tube and projectile-vomited dingy pipe-water all over me. Shoulda seen that coming; shoulda checked the tap-orientation first.

Immediate Thoughts– I figured it would be too short to work in this double-bowl sink. [Point in fact, it is mounted in the right-most two of the four holes: lining up better with that side than instead had it been centered to the whole: barely reaching neither; which means no water to the left-bowl, and no spray-hose (unless I buy a splitter); but now I have two holes in the back-left of my sink, taped over for now: this'll never do, for the long-haul.] But the water comes far enough out from the faucet that I do not see it impinging too badly upon dish-washing. [Later: the faucet is a little lower than I would prefer (/am accustomed to) for washing dishes, but then again, that isn't the intended purpose of this faucet. It works, well enough.]

Water Options– Face-fountain, fully on: might/ could/ will reach beyond the confines of the sink. Waterfall: pretty. Rainfall: rain-like. Standard spigot: as expected. Not sure else what to tell you… Right away, works as expected; months/ years later: no idea. Simple, satisfying ‘click’ when rotating between the options, water only comes out one variety at a time while rotating, no water at all when halfway between settings. Note: some dribble from the previous mode while water-on-rotated, but that's just the remaining water dripping out from whence it previously came.

Overall– Only time will tell. [Sure wish I could use it in my bathroom sink, as intended.] For now: excellent concept. Concern: How many twists to this faucet-head before something busts?

Updates– Has taken some time to adapt to letting the faucet ‘tinkle’ in my face. Not sure why, but it felt weird at first, kept instead cupping my hands and bringing them to my face: habit, perhaps? I suppose I just had to close my eyes and allow it to happen until it no longer bothered me. Now, I kinda like it. Shower-heads full-stream into the face, and that is okay: acceptable, even. Why's this feel different? [Inappropriate (imagery), or Fair Consideration given this product-feature? You tell me, Amazon Vine.]

I have been well-reminded why I hate two-handed faucets: they require far too much fiddling, with both hand(le)s to get the temperature/ flow just right. Set one, adjust the other, invariably have to adjust one/ both of them, again. With the one-handle variety: you get to know at what ‘clock-face’ to set it for what temperature, and at what ‘pull’ for the flow. Far more variable(s) when two are involved. Finally, the handles on this faucet feel ‘dinky’: not nearly thick/ long/ sturdy enough. I'd take off another star, but that just comes down to personal preference: being not the fault of the product that I prefer a ‘beefier’ single-handle.

Note– If you insufficiently/ quarter-or-less turn the handle(s): the water, in rainfall- or waterfall-orientation, instead dribbles down the faucet, all over itself, and all over the sink-back. If your sink slopes backward (or is rounded-top), I could see that being a problem. My kitchen sink slopes (slightly) forward from where the faucet is mounted and has channels that divert the dribbles into, rather than behind, the sink. Just a consideration. [Had I been able to install this in my bathroom: would have proven a problem, and might have merited another Minus One Star.]

After further use/ issues/ consideration– I have to go with Three Stars, sorry. Room For Improvement.

Impression– Cutesy, what with the paw-print design. Sturdy(-ish) metal, grippy base. Slight downward-angular of the cutouts-tray: was that deliberate or shoddy manufacture? Point-in-fact, I prefer that design(-flaw), given the limited space here (more on that, later). [Could/ would/ did you consider making a smaller/ fewer-brushes version? Far fewer than four people reside here: I really needn't all those empty slots reminding me all the empty holes in my life, every time I pass (it) by.]

Cleanliness– As is to be expected, ‘residue’ from your toothpaste (TP: not to be confused) upon your toothbrush(es) (TB: ditto) will accumulate down upon wherever it/ they rest. Trouble is, this tooth-brush/ paste holder (TB/PH) being dark: the ‘TP-dribble’ makes for a perfect/ obvious contrast, below… I recommend a lighter color, in general, unless you are an obsessive cleaner (rather than a filthy bachelor/ loner).

The TP must be gently/ carefully handled, elsewise it tips/ turns/ topples the entire TB/PH. The ‘slot’ for it is just barely wide enough to pass through, gets snagged; almost easier to slide/fall it out through the bottom rather than involving the top. [Mayhap TP-bottoms are different where you hail from? Or perchance, more-simply instead, my concept of bottom is different than yours? Let's take a look at your pics… Yep, the fat-top variety was intended to sit/ lay face-down, by your design: otherly-type bottoms having no place near/ through the top. By my estimation, the fat/ long-bottom (of small-tops) should be (at) the bottom, not the top (as you would seem to prefer it), which might explain the trouble whenever ‘bottoms’ near/ pass-by the ‘tops’ (of your conception: causing disruption to ‘the expected’)… but that's just how I seem to see it: differently than youse do. Thanks for helping clarify my/ your (mis)understandings here. Talking-through the whyfor makes easier the what-next of it all.] Might/ could use an even ‘stickier’ base, or more weight to hold it down, better? [I have only so much headroom above my TB/PH, sitting upon that shelf, with which to pull out/ up (/down) the TB(s) and/ or TP(s) from. Am considering upside-downing the TB/P(s) for a spell, see how better/ worse that sits with me… Suppose I could instead find somewhere more open to leave/ dump it all, being ever the simplest solution… but then there's that whole flush-misting, raining-down concern (forever drilled into my subconsciousness by that tv show, thanks,) I can never not consider… Decided– it stays where it is, inside ‘the closet,’ where it is safer.]

Sharpness– The metal is a bit thin around the ‘grommets.’ Rounded/ polished, but prone to wearing-down (/rusting) over (how much?) time… Can/ does ‘scratch at’ your TB/P while passing through, both ways. [Might I suggest to the (knock-off) manufacturer a fitted silicone ‘patch’ atop, held firmly in place utilizing grommet-insulating sleeves poking down through to (and slightly flayed-out upon) the underside: whereby protecting our mouth-gear/ fingers; being easily washed/ sanitized; perchance of a lighter/ complimentary color/ pattern? However, that would make the holes (in your design) even smaller, making TB/P-passthrough even more challenging than already it needn't be.]

Union– Never before had I given much/ any due consideration to the reasonable notion of TP & TB ‘cohabiting.’ That is why I chose this product, for opening my eyes to the possibilities: TB(s) having always ‘resided’ separately from TP(s) in my mind(set)/ reality, for really no good reason: yet it doesn't have to be that way… Thanks for (inadvertently) causing me/ you into (re)considering a few common underthought/ naïve (mis)conceptions regarding how different-yet-similar ‘entities’ might/ could/ should(n't) instead fit/ live (/love) together, in harmony.

[Interpret all-of-the-above however you first did: that being Your Truth.]

Overall– What was I really expecting to find/ buy here, on-the-cheap: World Peace?

Update– Months Later… I am still using this TB/PH: it works, so why would I replace it? Yes, it needs to be rinsed off every so often (for which it is overdue: pictured). I would point out that any TBs which have non-textured bottoms do slip/ slide around, occasionally causing them to ‘kiss.’ Some form of textured mat at the bottom of this TB/PH would be appreciated.

If you don't mind wasting water… It feels as if I am going through a normal week-worth of water-usage each time. The environmentalist/ povertist in me cringes, while the “I'm worth it” in me luxuriates in the warmth. My old conservationist shower-head used about a third of the water. [And yeah, I only shower thrice a week. How much do you waste keeping clean?]

I have a BRAND shower-rig, but not the model for which this was designed. I knew this, but I really wanted a new shower-head, which is nearly universal. Also, there's no tub, but that tub-spout is nice, mayhap some day I'll own a tub. [It has been decades since last I took a bath.]

Shower-head– Lots of water-flow. Enough to cover my whole body, rather than having to move around to ‘drown’ myself. Issue: reach. The shower pipe that is in-built into my wall is the same length as the one included in the package: too short if you want the full ‘rainfall’ experience. I had to remove my shower caddy from hanging on that pipe, lest I wanted my face in the soap dish. [Now, I need to find a new caddy.] I angled the head as far up as was allowed: decently aimable, point in fact; but the stream more arched up then collapsed in on itself, unless I wanted to hug the wall. I suggest a shower-pipe-coupler to the included pipe, or a replacement-extender if your pipe isn't screwed in inside the wall (like mine), should you want the full ‘downfall’ feel. [Pictured.]

Entire Package– Expertly/ professionally packed; came with a long-roll of teflon tape (enough to rewrap every screw-fitting in the house); (not styro)foam-packed/ shaped interior keeping all the parts separate/ secure; the shower-head and escutcheon came in separate cloth bags; the instructions were clear; the box itself looks classy. Has a QR/ phone/ email inside the box offering support/ assistance/ install-videos and/ or “Let us do it for you.” How thoughtful. So, this is what ‘fancy’ packs like.

Escutcheon– Had hoped to replace my 20+year-old version: same screw placements, but the sizing/ gearing doesn't fit the internal workings of my ancient rig… Too bad. The handle would have been a nice upgrade to the dingy-clear pull-knob, I've never liked.

Overall– Nice, classy, sturdy. Just wish I had been able to replace all the parts.

Impressions– Was expecting it to be bigger, but that's on me, as I didn't really bother reading the blurb, just looked at the pictures: the Trekkie in me snatching it up without due consideration/ study. It is heavy, like fracture-a-skull sturdy, and sharp-edged/ cornered, so make sure wherever you hang it from is secure/ high-enough (preferably nowhere no one can walk into it). The light is bright, but won't be reading by it, more like for lighting a dark corner. Came with a replacement bulb: how considerate, as this is not a standard bulb.

Angles– Starting to bug the OCD in me. It shifts the light out irregular upon the walls/ ceiling/ floor. Stand an inch to the side (of inline) and the cube starts looking wonky. [That and all the fingerprints I got upon it: starkly evident.]

Hang– I pulled the cord all the way up, to fit the space in which it presently is (above a linen cabinet, at the top of the stairs). Cord can be cut, stripped, rewired, once the ‘final hang’ has been determined. But there's plenty of space to coil up the (seemingly too thin, given the weight?) cord inside the enclosure, so don't/ needn't hastily decide. If it swung/ spun rather than hung firmly as positioned: would have taken off another star. Twist it to exactly the angle/ face you want and it stays there: thank you.

Wiring/Mounting Enclosure– Standard brass(?); variable-affixable ceiling-mount bracket; tighten a nut to hold the dangling cord; flimsy wiring harness (threw it out, went with terminal caps); standard, nothing fancy.

Overall– Let me think on that a while: night/ day, dusk/ dawn, sleepy/ awake.

Update– I can see some dust (/micro-bubbles?) inside the cube, which is not great. Had it been more deliberate than haphazard-manufacture: could have been cool. The overall lighting: works for the space, have gotten over the angular irregularities, finally.

Final– Could have been bigger, this includes the power/ hanging-cord: would have looked better/ safer. Three Stars. Feel bad about that, but resisting ‘my truth’ would have been futile.

As that is what you will see the most… The bulb is highlighted/ accentuated by the ‘bubbly’ globe in which it hangs. My CF bulb looks bad, as might a standard bulb-shape. Consider choosing a fancier bulb that fits.

Look– Neat, bubbly, classy. Doesn't really fit the poverty-chic style of this home. Had hoped it might class-up the place, instead only looks out-of-place.

Hang– Long, black (guitar-)cable, fabric-wrapped. Which I have mostly bundled-up as the hang-space is limited: two feet. [Presently wrapped up outside the enclosure as all that length won't fit coiled-up inside it, and I wasn't ready/ willing to cut/ strip the cord.]

Enclosure– Basic brass(?), round, came with terminal caps rather than some shoddy harness for wiring: that was appreciated. Comes with a basic rectangular bracket: better hope that fits your hanging hardware, as the hook-up options are limited.

Placement– This is too big for my house. The globe is big, the inverted, brass U is long. I thought over my stairs would work, but nope. Methinks out in the barn over the pool table would be better, hanging just below-between the beams so the shadows-cast are limited upon the playing surface, while not too close such to endanger the glass from enthusiastic gameplay.

Overall– Four Stars. Love the guitar-cable look, and all those bubbles. Please, provide a better hanging bracket. And be willing to consider a smaller version (if you don't already have one): that would have better-fit my home.

My spine is ‘unreliable.’ I had been using a hodgepodge of pillows (think: built a nest) to make up for the poor quality/ support of my sofa, 10+ years after I bought it, when first I went on disability, a significant portion of my time over the years spent reclined, watching tv (and doing not much else) there. That setup was mediocre, required constant reshuffling: if they weren't just right, my back/ neck would hurt.

This is better. Soft yet supportive. Only keep one other pillow in the mix, to hold my head/ neck in place. My back was sore for the first two/ three days, but that was my spine conforming to the ‘better fit’ this provided. Now, all is good.

Extra, firmer padding down the middle, flairs out at the sides to hug my love-handles. Cozy. Cannot speak to Longevity, yet.

The cover unzips for washing, and/ or allowing for repositioning/ removing the spine-support.

There are no straps on the back of this pillow, which could prove problematic for a chair, rather than upon a ‘sunken’ sofa (well-conformed to the shape of your back/ ass). Minus One Star: most every other chair-back-pillow comes with straps to hold it (up) where you need it most.

Overall– Give it a try if the padding of your chair/ sofa is not good enough (anymore). You won't be disappointed.

Pictured– Original setup; then where it wound up: on my (secondhand) ‘thinking chair.’

Not sure what to say here… Big enough to hold big(ger) bottles; drains well enough, even when sitting upon a surface; the smoky-clear look is nice; better than the rusting metal rack that previously hung from my shower pipe.

I was going to hang this one, too, but first placed it on the back of the shower bench, while thinking on it for a few days, later deciding I prefer it there, rather than hanging, being far more visible when Up… [Perhaps were I to replace the mismatched bottles with classier, refillable types, it might look better hanging..?] As such, I cannot speak to how well it sticks. I presume "well enough" to not fall, break your toes, hopefully.

Overall– Five Stars. Then again, my expectations are usually set to ‘dismal,’ so this was a nice change.

Update– Months Later… Pictured: weeks having since rinsed out… with matching pump bottles: how well would those suction cups hold up pressing down upon those bottles? Unknown.

These types of phone mounts haven't changed in the slightest for 25 years… I used to sell them at Radio Shack. They're all still clunky, ugly, awkward, heavy. Not sure why I hoped this would be any different… [Oh, right, it was free, so I was willing to give it a shot.]

Note– This was never intended for my car. It is solely for my desk for when my child vid-chats with friends on their phone. Otherwise, it is put away where I do not have to see it. There are no cameras/ mics anywhere at my desk, and all are disabled upon my devices (tucked inside an enclosed rack). I take my/ our privacy seriously.

Sticky– I do worry about the stickiness of this mount ripping the veneer off my shiny new desk… So instead, I stuck (/duct-taped) it to a sanded eight-inch 2x4 (providing sufficient base-weight so that it will not topple, and) that it could more easily be repositioned to wherever best suits the situation, rather than trying to find a (semi-)permanent position where it can see and be seen, while also easily turned to see the computer monitor, such to share.

Articulation– Yeah, it bends this way, twists that way, tilts up/ down, as expected/ designed… Not easily, as the gooseneck has yet to be properly ‘wrung’ to loosen it up. Cannot speak to Longevity, as this is new, but hopefully won't become too loose as time goes on. Less articulate than other mounts I've seen. But then again, in a car, once it is set, there it stays set.

Phone Bracket– Standard, feels flimsy, a bit too short considering the height (/weight) of modern phones (in their protective cases, for clumsy folks); it grips the phone well enough, might not drop it when thumping over big bumps, but couldn't tell you.

Overall– Three Stars: not great, not terrible, just mediocre, like most (over the decades). If a car mount is what you need: look for a brand/ model that has been around a few years, and at least 4.5 star-rated over hundreds/ thousands of reviews.

Update– Still sitting beside my monitor, occasionally used, but mostly not.

Being a choice I have actively made. The idea of inserting battery-powered, remote-operated, radio-broadcasting, mind-control devices into my ears/ head, whereby becoming a Cyberman like everyone else, drowning out all but the voice(s) they choose to hear/ follow, is a prospect I have long avoided. As these MSRP at a mere $20, I am not expecting much trouble from them (compared to the overpriced BRAND(s), what with all their AI) trying to conquer my cerebral cortex.

My $20 fifteen-year-old BRAND wired headphones had their foam-surround finally degrade. [I did, however, pick up a pair of the same headphones for $10, which still sound great.] Figured now was the time to try something new(ish), see what the hype is (/was) all about…

First Impression(s)– Why's left on the right and right on the left inside the case? Suppose it looks/ fits better that way. The right bud didn't connect right away. Had to put it back in the case to then (re)connect. The middle-size bud-tips are too fat: but they do sound better.

Fit– Awkward to get them over the ears, at first, especially with long hair and reading glasses: gets caught in both. Will take time to find the best/ easiest/ natural way to put in, take out. Have to pull back/ away my hair and remove my glasses while putting them in. The wraparound feel on the top/ back of the ears is barely noticeable (even with glasses), twenty minutes in, will apprise later. [Get the rubber-rubbing sound every time I adjust my glasses, but have already adapted.] Stays where they are once you find the right position. Stayed put while using the elliptical, even while sweaty.

Pressure– Inside the ears: a little tight, even with smallest-size bud-tips. Then again, I have sensitive ears: hence my preference for headphones rather than buds. Again, middle-sized sounds better, but the inner-ear pressure is uncomfortable… Now running them with left on middle-size, right with smallest: see how that feels after fifteen minutes… Five minutes later: owie, owie, that's enough. Swapped smaller with middle on either side (as not all ear-holes are the same size). [Wound up keeping it in that size-configuration.] During that process, the right side shut itself off, must have held the ‘button’ for too long. Now, my left ear aches a bit, and doesn't sound so good as with the middle-sized tips.

Touch– The nice lady-voice in my head kept telling me “Maximum volume” every time I reached to adjust the right bud, until I learned where (not) to touch it. Raised the volume on the source, lowered the volume on the buds, such to allow for more volume-range-control upon the buds themselves.

Sound– Not great. The (cheap) wired earbuds that came with my BRAND are superior. My wired $10 headphones sound even better. The sound is a bit tinny/ hollow on these, even with Bass Mode on. Source: BRAND streaming service, downloaded, medium quality: but I know how that sounds on wired phones/ buds, BT'd to my desktop or battery-powered speakers: better than these do. Tried highest-quality, streaming: better, but still not as good as wired. Get that rubber-rubbing sound inside your head when you wiggle/ waggle your jaw, chew gum or eat/ drink: a bit annoying, but not terrible, learn to ignore it quick. Volume range: acceptable. Will blow themselves out long before blowing out your eardrum: gets a bit ‘clippy’ at high(er) volume.

Range– From the device(s) anywhere inside the house to anywhere else I may wander inside (up/ downstairs, too) the signal reaches. Small house. Doesn't reach to the barn across the driveway: starts cutting out, about thirty feet away.

Battery– Case said 95% first time I opened it. Plugged ‘righty’ back in for a second to reconnect, dropped to 91%. Eighty minutes later: “Battery Low. Battery Low. Powering Off.” Bad sign. Recharging… 100 minutes later: buds charged, 57% remaining case-charge. Putting them back in my ears, hitting play… Fifteen minutes later: ow, my freakin' ears: took them out. I'm sure another reviewer can tell you how long they last when fully (rather than factory-)charged. I shall try again tomorrow (or maybe the day after: *wiggles finger in ear*).

Taps– Right, single: volume up. Left, single: volume down. Either, single: answer call. Either, hold: end call or reject call. Either, double: play/ pause. Left, hold 2(+) seconds: previous track. Right, hold 2(+) seconds: next track. Left, triple: voice assist (disabled upon all my devices). Right, triple: bass mode on/ off. Both, after pausing music, hold 6 seconds: on/ off.

Overall– Range: as expected, advertised. Sound: less-than-stellar, clear but tinny, higher volume does distort. Fit: my ear-holes are a bit aggravated upon first day of use, perhaps with time I'll adapt; nice/ standard that they supplied three bud-tip sizes. Battery-life: suspect. Three Stars, and my mind is still mine own, for now. Wasn't expecting ‘the moon’ here, for that price. But how much better can hundreds of dollars really sound as compared to just dozens? [Rhetorically inquires the BT-buds noob.]

Notes– I have kept a cigarette-lighter car-charger in my vehicle for 20+ years, never used it. My electronics are slowly, carefully charged inside the house, only when they fall below 10%. I do not use my phone while in the car (keep a USB stick plugged in, loaded up with months-worth of traveling mp3s). No GPS doohickey, computer, usb-fans, mini-tv/ fridge/ griddle/ blender… none of that nonsense. But it never hurts to have a charger available for any passengers with lower battery-awareness and/ or greater battery-usage/ drainage than me.

First Impressions– Sturdier, denser than my ancient, weak charger, triple the number of USBs. [Immediately threw the old one away.]

USB-Cs– Hold: tight, the entire charger is more likely to pull out of the socket than the cable if tugged hard enough upon.

USB-A– Same, holds better than any other A I've before encountered.

USB-C expanding cable– Thick, tough; (labeled: USB3.2, 20Gbps, 8K;) 20 inches long when pulled straight (not stretched); harder to tuck it away (when not in use) than a slimmer cable would be (wrapped up); can be stretched to about 30 inches (fresh out-of-the-box) before the charger pops out of my socket, could be(come) longer with further stretching/ usage.

Power– USB-C1: 100-watt full-throttle charging, charges the phone faster than I would prefer, but enough/ ideal to power a laptop. USB-A1/C2: 30 watts each, better, but still more juice than I want to force-feed my phone (a lesser-grade USB cable could drop that wattage down for me). I didn't dare run more than 100 watts through this thing at a time as my car is 12+ years old: long before they started wiring them better for more power: didn't want to burn out the electrical, start a car-fire.

Notes– My standard phone/ smaller-device charger is 5 watts: takes a few (more) hours, but what's the hurry? (The tablet gets the 10-watt charger.) Further, my telephone only requires charging about every other week or so: doesn't get much use.

Heat– Does get hot (not scalding) when pulling 100 watts through it, as expected. Does have built-in heat-vents, that's good. Smells a little like warm plastic/ solder, but that would be expected, at first.

Overall– A nice upgrade I'll likely never/rarely use. Five Stars: mostly for ‘the grip’ upon the USBs, nicely done.

First Thing– Heftier than I expected. That would be the glass bottle, BTW, but makes the plastic parts feel somehow cheapened. Pumped some dish soap into the bottle, added water, shook it up, dumped it out, discovered a standard bottle-brush won't fit inside, more water, reassembled, gave it two dozen pumps through with soapy water, dumped it, rinsed, repeat, until no more soap bubbles, more water, two+dozen more pumps until (long after) no more bubbles from the sprayer, rinsed it all again, let it dry for an hour.

Spray– Variable, pump-to-pump: may just be because it is new (with cheap oil), could take some time to adapt to the proper ‘pull.’ I'd recommend holding your pan over the sink until you can figure out exactly how it sprays. Pulling hard results in a thorough/ wide(r) spread, but with more velocity than necessary: blasts right over the back-side of the pan (onto the range-top, resulting in smoking, later). Too light of a pull dribbles more of a gloppy-puddle: most likely by design, but may just require more practice to get it right. Heftier pulls overall required: no ‘oopsie’ misfires, thankfully.

Feel– This plastic sprayer is tougher than cleaner-type bottle-handles. A little slippery when wet. The pull-handle is rounded, slightly unfamiliar-feeling in its shape, and a little sharp under the edges (if your fingers aren't square upon it, potential for ‘pinching’: but doesn't hurt if/ when it does).

Cleaning– Again, as the bottle-brush doesn't fit, could prove annoying when the time to clean/ refill arrives. [I suspect someone makes smaller brushes, but wherever might I find one?]

Gunk– Cannot answer as to how well this resists oil build-up/ clogging, yet. Only time, or other reviewers, will tell. [My oil comes in a gallon tin for about $10 (I'm poor), so I cannot speak to the various viscosities/ qualities of other, better oils…] Will leave that to the foodies who know better about such matters to speak upon (/bore-you-to-death with).

First Use– Pan-fried potstickers: mediocre. Might not have used enough oil, or I was inattentive (writing this review): the bottoms got stuck to the pan. Will have to try again, with more oil, and with better what-was-I-talking-about?

Second Use– Frozen burger patty: excellent. Easy to clean the pan after.

Overall– Four Stars, in the immediate: for the as-yet-unquantifiable variable spray. Long-term: if it proves less-than-stellar, I shall update you.

Update– Upon further usage, weeks later… Light/ mid-squeeze: gloppy-puddles. Hard-squeeze: all over the place it sprays. Three Stars: for poor oil (/people).

Update– Months Later… Still not great: either drips/ drops or eruptions of oil everywhere. There has to be better, but I'm (still) not in a position to afford to buy better/ another, so I shall keep using it.

Minus One Star, because of this… For no good reason, this makes crinkly sounds whenever you place/ move your feet upon it. But that stops when you've found your position, thankfully, even if you swing your feet on it.

Note– I haven't been on an airplane for 20 years. I didn't choose this for that. The wooden footstool below my desk rattled upon my uneven floor (even with shims). My child would ticka-taka-rattle it with their feet, unconsciously. I had to take it away: needed a better, quieter option that worked for both of us. A foot hammock… Sure, I'll try that… Crinkle, crinkle, cringe. But again, that is only until you find your footing.

Hang– Easily adjusted, extensive length. I ziptie-strapped it to the middle-brace beneath my desk, perfect. Took only one try to find the hang-length that works for both of us. Swings nicely for those with fidgety feet.

Feel– Soft, firm (with the ‘board’ inside, without: crinkles even worse, feels more like a foot-strangler, or one of those hospital-bed broken-limb hangers).

Look– Black, blends in with the darker depths of under my desk. But when people do see it they invariably then (reluctantly) ask, “What is that?”

Overall– Kill the crinkle and it'll go up a star. Easily adjusted hang. I'm sure it'd be great for airplanes (but I doubt I'll ever know).

Update– The board broke, about two months later. Minus One Star. Pictured. My child pushed against it to adjust their seating at the desk-chair and it snapped (better than the desk-support, I suppose). Slid in a strip of aluminum strapping, taped to the board-halves, works okay… [but I've grown (a little too) used to putting up with only-mostly broken crap, all around me… It sure would be nice to finally see (some of) that change (for the better, we've all been promised).]

Before I even took these out of their plastic wrap, I had already discovered critical damage, to both. During assembly, the wires got cracked/ stripped of their insulation, in the exact same place… Thereby negating the waterproof nature of them. Exposed wires are not waterproof, nor safe. So go ahead, plug them in in your damp areas: hope you don't mind potential electrical fires.

That's as far as I got, never powered them on. If the manufacturer cannot pay close enough attention to assembly/ safety/ quality: that's everything I need to know.

The exterior is stimulating to the touch. A little ‘snaggy’ at the bottom, which might annoy some, yet can be gently sanded down, but I prefer a little ‘edge’ to my fidgets.

Note– I did not look at the cheat-sheet which came with it: on and in the box. That'd be cheating.

The maze, by sight– Easier, once it has already been done. You can see your way back down/ around the previous wrong turn(s). Can navigate my way to the end, no trouble.

The maze, by feel– Harder, for me anyways. I cannot ‘feel’ as well as I used to (degenerative disability). Doesn't help that my ‘sensory memory’ ain't what it used to be, either (too many dings to the noggin). Takes me longer and I often find myself stuck, slide it back down to the beginning, try again. Keeps my hands busy while my mind is elsewhere. Hold it right-side-up, work my way through, then downside-up and try it that way. [Eventually, in theory, I'll learn to do this entirely by feel, having memorized the pathway, but that hasn't yet happened, there's so many twists/ turns/ dead-ends that it is a lot (too much for me?) to remember.]

Left-hand turns– How I used to navigate my way around ‘elder’ 2D videogame mazes (Wolfenstein, Doom, etc.; once 3D came along: I was useless): there's tons of wrong twists/ turns going that way only. But eventually, it'll get you there. Yet no faster than…

Right-hand turns– Quick dead-ends, but then it'll take you way far along to another series of dead-ends, which you must then find your way back from. Well thought/ mapped out, kudos.

Resist the urge to force it open. That'll break it.

Have since handed this to a few people, told them to do it by feel, first: most failed, gave up; another took 10 minutes, finally found their way clear, then looked at it, started over by sight, completed it in under 20 seconds; did it again: 5 seconds; then could do it just by feel in around 10, having memorized it. I miss having a mind like that: pliable. [Stupid old age, disabilities.]

Overall– I like it. Nicely done. I enjoy watching others struggle: makes me feel less helpless.

Was going to give this Five Stars, then I noticed one of them already split a seam. I rolled them, fairly firmly (but shouldn't have been damagingly so) between my hands to soften/ flatten them up a bit (had I rolled them under my foot, as usual, might have exploded right then). Apparently they weren't designed to be squeezed, only tossed.

Heft– They weigh twice as much as the dinky BRAND I have used most of my life. It worked my muscles harder, I felt it after ten minutes: that's good.

Grip– Not sticky, not slippery, just about right. A little rounder than I would prefer: hence my squishing them, which broke one. [This being the first thing you do to new juggling (and hacky) sacks: break them in.]

Note– I juggle as physical therapy: for at least ten minutes, four days a week (while walking around on my tippy-toes, to help with my balance). I vary the speed, patterns, tosses, over/ under-hand… Go for as long as I can until I start (/can't stop) dropping them. My wrists/ hands are ‘unreliable’ (uninsured injury, years ago): I needed a way to keep them active while not wearing them out. So, I juggle.

Overall– Could have been so good, but it wasn't at all. Stitch them better if you want better ratings. They should last more than a day. Two Stars: disappointed. Manufacturer: fix this, then announce “improved stitching/ durability” then maybe I'll try again. [Email me?]

Update– Months Later… I still use these, despite the busted seam. I like the weight, throw, catch more than my other, dinky balls. Manufacturer: have you made these better yet? Cause I'm willing to try again if so… Helpful for my physical therapy.

Pictured– Original damage; left: stitched repaired, right: new damage upon another.

I fidgeted with magnets back in elementary school, to the annoyance of my classmates/ teachers, long before anyone knew why I had to to maintain focus, with them often being taken away from me, alongside a “pay attention” scolding. [Had to learn to cope without my coping mechanism: my grades suffered.]

Now, I get it. Had I had these back then, I could have quieter-fidgeted without the strong-magnet clacking-noise bothering others. This is more of a subtler crinkle, crinkle. [Which, too, could still annoy ‘sensitive’ others, but it's mostly just me these days.]

Colors– Don't concern me in the slightest, but are nice, shifty, pretty.

Feel– They are squishy while sticky (to one another, not you), endlessly rearranging themselves in your hand, and upon your desk with every squeeze, poke. Magnificent.

Patterns– I find myself taking a small scoop, rolling them around a bit, then slapping them down inside the tin-lid, pressing them flat to see what shapes it creates. Pictured. Tickles the interpretive portions of my brain to find meaning in the chaos. I like it. Feels like I'm ‘reading the bones.’

Quantity– More than sufficient. Too much, all at once. I prefer smaller handfuls.

Overall– Five Stars. Where were you back when I needed you most?

Note: This review was dictated (then revised) then added to by my daughter, the one who test-drove this backpack…

Initial Thoughts– “Okay, this top pocket is strapped down, if it weren’t that might be a problem. I kinda love this color, not gonna lie. It’s like girly, but not. The small front pockets: Oh, these are fun, like a nice extra feature. The largest pocket: Nice that it offers a separate folder, as a teen backpack. This is a nice place you can put your binders, there you can put an individual folder. The middle pocket: This is a pocket you can put stuff you don’t want people to touch, like cash or keys. This would be a good laptop spot, maybe… Most of the time that computer bag is for separate carry, but it fits in the middle or largest pocket. Yeah, that would work well, as it is padded. The largest and middle pockets: This is pretty nice, these pockets are traditional. The middle one, I never understood the point of these: pens and pencils? Pretty cool. Smaller, this also opens up and spaces out pretty well. Small front pockets: I like this, this is where you keep stuff if you don’t mind it being stolen. Like, little things. Oh, that’s fun. The pocket below the clippy-flap: I could see how stuff might fall out of that, but with the clasps it probably wouldn’t. There’s like a slightly unnecessary number of pockets. [Dad: "There’s never too many pockets."] Oh, an extra pocket, hidden away. The bottom, the extra strap… that’s smart. The water bottle falls out all the time in my other backpack. This pocket, this does go a bit up high. The one problem is this bottle strap does go up a bit slightly, like if you see, it is getting in the way up there. With a water bottle, you cannot quite zip the main pocket open to the max. With a bottle in, being most of the way in this deep pocket, that’s one thing, you can’t quite open the main zipper all the way… is problematic. Maybe if this were a tiny bit lower… or that ended earlier? Yeah, this is getting in the way… those bottle bands are creative, but getting in my way when I actually open the main pocket. A little lunchbox? Nice insulation, exterior pocket, good for, I might put like napkins, chapstick, tissues in there, or things that are not food. It’s not quite big enough for a comfortable lunchbox, but more like a snackbox. [This just makes me want to wear dark clothes with purple highlights… I love this style, personally, but I don’t often wear it. It makes me want to dress prettier.] Pencil case: simple, easy. What does this hook onto? I’m not sure what this is supposed to hook onto, my wrist? Let’s feel the whole bag on the shoulders… What I usually struggle with is how it hangs… Fits pretty comfortably, if you put a lot of weight in it it might pull back slightly. If there’s not like proper support here, but it’s not like hitting me uncomfortably with a bit of weight. I do see with all the pockets you could have too much weight on one side, it could be pretty unbalanced. [Inserted two sandbags into the main pocket:] That’s a lot of weight, more than I would normally carry. Oomph. Feeling it on my shoulders, though it does settle nicely. When you lean back slightly, it does tip back slightly, but it doesn’t hurt my shoulders. Not bad, the weight is placed back on your lower hips. So it’s not that bad. After a few moments, there’s mild strain here, but not too bad. This is also more weight than I would put in my school backpack. I’m someone who doesn’t walk perfectly straight, so it does swing a bit. Not bad. It’s a pretty good bag, overall. And that’s not like a great review for myself, it’s just what I’m feeling. And the shoulder straps themselves, I’m liking the feeling because it’s not annoying cushioning, it’s just enough. I didn’t even feel that cutting into me, it didn’t hurt with all the weight.”

Later, with actual use…

Compliments/complaints from others:

- Brother who is easily distracted liked the clips on the flappy pocket. Not too loud.

- Friends liked the style and color scheme a lot.

- The bows were complemented, but only when they were tied.

Annoyances:

- The ribbon bows keep coming untied.

- Smells just seeping through the bag easily, I could smell my lunch through the snackbox, and eventually the whole bag.

- Smell didn’t linger in the bag though, and it went away fairly quickly.

A week later:

- Weight from the bag is very nicely distributed and the straps are comfortable and don’t place strain on the shoulders.

- I often wear the bag on one shoulder and this also works well.

- The ribbons come untied often, which is annoying.

- The snackbox and the bag let smells through it very easily, for example my steak sandwich could be smelled through them both.

- The straps for the water bottles seemed nice at first but get in the way of opening the main pocket.

- Also because of how deep the water bottle pockets are the straps almost become unnecessary.

- When the main pocket is overstuffed it can be difficult to put things in the other pockets.

- The clasps on the flappy pocket are very nice and quiet, so they are not disruptive, especially around people with ADHD.

- Overall I liked it. Will keep it.

Four Stars: Very nice, in general worked well, only a small handful of things that need adjusting: the bottle straps and the bows need changing. Not a hiking bag, but not made to be.

Update– Somewhere between grades, my daughter outgrew the color-scheme, switched to the all-black ‘adult business’ backpack I reviewed for Vine, later. Note: This backpack survived half a year of school without showing any obvious signs of won't-last-long. That's good. However, the top zipper-pull tore off, and those laces never stayed tied: pictured.

My neighbor, who has a certified organic garden, whom I asked if they would like to review this (as I have a certified black thumb) informed me that metal heats up and can burn the plants: that's bad. Asking another green-thumb friend if they would like to test it out…

Offer Denied. Stated the same ‘burn the plants’ concern.

Having two ‘pros’ turn this down, flat, is all I needed to hear. No thanks.

Consider offering strong/ durable ‘plasticky’ lines rather than metal and perhaps you'll sell more. Might/ could work for indirect/ shade- or morning-light-only-loving plants. [But all I know about that is how to kill them.]

Initial Thoughts– I could do without the magnetism feature: less likely to scramble any credit cards, electronics, usb storage in your pocket. But, can then stick them to the fridge for easy finding/ grabbing/ soothing. Colorful, more for kids than adults. Shaped like circus-peanuts candy, only flat. Flexible ‘rubber’ material, the perfect size. I like the feel of the smooth orange the best, the green spiky-triangles next, then the blue mini-nubbins.

Note– My grandfather used to fidget-jangle his keys in his pocket, which annoyed his wife. So he switched to jangling coins in the other pocket, which was also annoying to nearby others. So he then switched to rubbing polished rocks. That worked best, for all. I inherited those rocks long ago and often carry one around with me… Comforting to know this is a familial thing, not just a ‘me’ thing/ oddity.

Magnets– They do not (all) match the color of the rest of the fidget. Orange has a dark blue magnet, light blue has (the same) dark blue, green has a darker green, lighter blue has aquamarine, yellow matches, purple has darker purple. Not sure why: inattentive assembly worker perhaps? Most are complimentary colors, but not orange. Just something I noticed, might bug others. I suppose some might enjoy ‘fighting’ the magnet-polars with one another in their hand/ pocket, not so much for me. They either fit/ align together front-to-back (f2b) or back-to-back (b2b) with each of the others. The more I fidget with the magnetism of b2b pairs, the more I am liking it… Beginning to see the appeal. Fidgets smoother b2b rather than any combination of fronts touching fronts/ backs… but does make more (yet not too much) noise that way. The feeling of fronts rubbing the back/ front of the other somehow feels ‘icky.’ (But that could just be me.) My Favorite Combo being orange and blue, which b2b align, (would prefer the ‘feel’ of orange and green: more on that, later,) fighting only when pushed away from aligned (as opposed to fighting them to hold aligned; resting-symmetry feeling ‘only proper’ to me). [Blue and green align b2b, but not green and orange which only line up f2b: curious.]

Not much else to say. They're fidgets: you either like/ get it or you don't.

Overall– Four Stars: please, offer an ‘adult’ version with(out) the magnets and grayscale/ subdued/ matching (f/b) colors.

Update(s)– I went with green-triangles and blue-nubbins as my default: orange-smooth got boring. I fidgeted like a pro for a few weeks. Never to the point of exhaustion nor pain, just until I ‘felt’ it had been ‘enough,’ for then. Usually between bouts of technology/ chores, making sure to balance left- and right-thumbing. My thumb-strength grew, as did my overall hand-dexterity. Further improved was my temporal-resiliency at holding and typing on my (‘sofa’) phablet: having previously been limited to but an hour a day. [My hands have ‘issues,’ of the disabling variety…] I hadn't before found a better therapy for improving thumb-functionality. I am up to a few hours a day, tapping-out commentary on-screen, for several (obsessive) weeks in-a-row now… Something I never thought I could get back (up) to, having nearly given up the possibility of. The fidgeting helped with my thinking: by forcing me to put down the screen while thinking-through, all the while countering the destructive tip-tap of too-much-typing, wearing me further down.

Five Stars: after actual, prolonged usage.

Update– Four Months Later: I still use these every day, fidget/ push the magnets against one another awhile while watching tv to work out the soreness from (and strengthen for tomorrow) my thumbs.

Decent ‘rubbery’ texture. One is knobby, one is spiky.

Spin– Single axis, a little disappointing.

Massager– Again: one-axis, limits it a little, have to shift your grip to adjust the roll. Can tug at arm-hair, but doesn't pull any out: that's good. Can use it to massage the scalp: doesn't get caught up in my long hair, (but can pull at errant ends,) cannot speak to shorter hair. Can get snagged in loose-clothing folds, but easily backed out of. Both feel good, differently. Knobby is more deep-tissue, spiky is more tendon-stabby. I hadn't realized how sore some of my muscles were until I dug these things in: arms, legs, chest, neck, skull.

Fidgets– A little limited in how you can fidget. Spiky has more texture for rubbing your thumb across. Knobby is boring.

Hold– The black plastic holder is a little slippery if sweaty, smaller than I would prefer, but the finger-holds are easy to find by touch, and grippy enough, though it can make my fingers sore when gripped for more than but a few minutes.

Package– Came in a padded, zippered case. Thoughtful, but bigger than can be practically toted around. Just pick the fidget you want, stick it in your jacket/ backpack/ purse pocket. Looks ‘weird’ in a pants pocket.

Overall– Neat, but not stellar. Three Stars: for the single-axis rotation limitation, smaller-hands sizing.

First Thing– Stank of rubber. Opened them up, laid them out in a far-corner of the house, face-down, BRAND-eezed them, waited sixteen hours… Better.

Strapped the Back to the back of my office chair. That chair-back does not go all the way down. [Previously had a lumbar support pillow there, but it pushed me too far forward.] This Back makes the overall chair-back more comfortable, as its (lower-)back-support is terrible (/non-existent).

Placed the Bottom on my sofa. My butt-shaped sinkhole offers no support. This Bottom is much better, firmer. Less sinking-in-feeling. More comfortable. My office chair is properly supportive of my butt, this Bottom provided no noticeable improvement, except for more padding, which only proved unnecessarily excessive. Have a lumbar pillow for the sofa-back and a neck-traction pillow for the headrest: better than what this product had to offer, there.

Tried it in my car: negligible difference, decent-enough seats already. Just pushed me further up/ forward. Did make bumps a little less strenuous on my neck/ back/ butt. But better utilized on the office chair and sofa, being where significantly more of my time is spent.

Overall– Not bad. Helpful if/ where your sitting-spaces are lacking/ sagging. Comfortable padding. Adjustable straps to help hold it where you need it most. Four Stars.

Update– Used this for months, no complaints. Note: the straps are necessary to keep the seat-back in place, elsewise it slips down. Moved on from this seat-bottom upon my sofa/ chair while testing/ reviewing other seat-cushions: being far thicker, more supportive, more memory-foam-like (albeit not).

Everything makes a noise. Rattles while washing dishes, without being touched.

Glass Bottles– Seem a bit bigger than one would need/ prefer, they stand way far taller than the holder itself (less than a quarter of their height contained within the rails). Look rather out-of-place. The bottom of the rack-tray being already two inches above the sink, the pump-tops then being an excessive eleven inches high. Even as big as the bottles are they do not fit/ fill the rack-space afforded them: they slide around. Found myself storing my sponges stuffed in behind them to hold them in place. When full, that (top-heavy) weight can be enough to make the base unsteady/ rattle while pumping, especially if the available standing-space on the edge of your sink is less-than-level/ deep/ wide. Note: make sure to untwist the pump-spouts before you fill the bottles with slippery soap, as you have to grip the tube to untwist the pump from its base, initially. Pump: variable, depending how hard/ far you push them down: that's good, expected.

Base– Two slim metal bars comprise the entirety of the ‘footing’: insufficient, underthought. Slips/ slides/ falls far too easily. (Have knocked the whole thing into the sink more than twice just by bumping it.) Went back and checked the box to see if I missed rubber/ plastic securing/ sticky-feet: nope. Provides limited contact with your counter/ sink, making it even more unsteady.

The Drip-Tray– Made of metal that rattles, no rubber/ plastic to dull the sound of metal-on-metal. That and it merely hangs onto the back-bottom rail, not hooked or threaded through: I suspect for ease of cleaning, but further enhancing the rattles, and easier to knock loose from the front.

The Repositionable Divider– Secure/ silent, unlike everything else.

The Removable (dual-)Sponge-Holder– Significantly taller than the rest of the rack (looks wrong) and sticks up/ out noticeably; half-the-height would be sufficiently secure, and easier to pull the sponges out from, which they are not. Further, it is sized even ‘thinner’ than the rack's front-to-back, does not snugly fit the available space, therefore slides/ rattles around loosely inside (unless you zip-tie it in place), resulting in yet more metal-on-metal clinging/ clanging.

Are you starting to catch on to the fundamental problems here? Suggestion: design all the separate pieces to lock into place with one another, rather than mishmashed as this all was together.

I could probably make this work (quietly) better with zip-ties, hot glue, rubber feet, foam-spacers, shorter fatter bottles… But shouldn't have needed to. That was supposed to be your job.

Overall– Excellent idea, poorly executed. Two Stars.

Update– Months Later… I threw out most of this within a week. Kept the divider to set my sponge to dry upon, kept the bottles. The bottles are great, a little taller than I would prefer, but I would give just them Four Stars.

First Impressions– Classy, hefty, sturdy, different.

It fit everything I had packed into my ‘super slim’ wallet. But awkwardly, without separate pockets/ slots. Most of the ‘cards’ (paper/ plastic) went inside: ID, debit, EBT, Medicare-A, uninsured prescription discount card… 6 plastic, 3 paper packed it full. That left cash, pictures, business cards slipped in-between two sheets of metal held tight by an elastic strap on the outside.

Main Slot– Pressing the button neatly fans out what's inside, but just barely enough differentiation to grip/ slip out the one you seek (especially if you have clumsy/ fumbly/ fat fingers). I find myself pulling the whole lot out just to get at one, if it isn't at the top/ bottom of the pile. Everything slides nicely back inside, but some paper (especially business) cards are taller than others and stick out a bit: suppose I could take scissors to them.

Hold– When at less than full capacity (3-4 cards) with effort, you can shake your smooth cards (at top/ bottom of the pile) out, a few centimeters at a time. But they are not going to fall out. So, that's good.

Fit– I found myself stacking my raised-number cards upside-down facing one another such that they fit tighter together. [‘Sixty-nine’ them, so to speak.] If all the raised numbers are in the same orientation, you lose capacity, quick. Can make the difference of several cards if you don't.

Strap-on holder– I don't much like it. It isn't going to fall off, nor spill out, but is severely limited in your ability to access individual items. Hard to force-pry it wide enough (with no easy way to grab at an edge, other than with your fingernails) to pull the entire lot out. And it never comes out all in one pull, instead in bits/ pieces (yes, I tore my car-insurance paper). [I prefer my slim wallet: pockets/ dividers for cash/ cards/ pics/ papers: easily separated/ located.] I suppose if it was just cash that'd be easier to slide out, what with the thumb-notch. But ‘loose’ paper in the main slot can prove problematic, and better fits here, squished onto the outside.

Sit– Not comfortable on the backside: no give/ bend/ cushion. You feel it, right in the cheek. But I suppose that is not the intent of such wallets: they're meant for the front/ chest/ briefcase/ (man-)purse pocket. Yet my slim wallet always goes in my back pocket. Front pockets are for keys, phone, fidgets, hands. [Acknowledged: to each their own design/ preference.] Wallets take up too much valuable hands-in-the-front-pockets space.

Front-Pocket Fit– Slim profile, smaller than the smallest smartphones. No awkward bulges. Could probably stop a bullet.

Material– Solid, nice finish, smooth feel. But I could see keys/ change/ etc. scratching it if it isn't in its own pocket. Could have tested that, but would have felt bad for damaging it, purposefully. I suppose others could (/did) answer this for you, based upon everyday wear/ tear/ usage.

Overall– Excellent design, professional execution, classy alternative. But it just doesn't work for me. Am stuffing everything back into my slim wallet where I can more easily find/ pull/ return exactly (and only) what I need. Four Stars.

First Impressions– Understated, simple design. I like it.

The Chain– Not so great. Feels strong, but delicate. The ring for which to clasp it is not at the end, but instead two inches back, which leaves chain dangling down the back of your neck, which I do not like the feel of. And, leaves the urn hanging farther up than where I want it to. The other option is to fumble your way through trying to hook it into the end of the micro-chain itself, which it can, but takes far too much effort. Fat fingers would struggle with the hook-clasp. Next time I spot a jeweler I will stop in and get something cut/ fitted to my preferred length, still in black. [Or instead (go back to) a simple leather cord, wrapped thrice around my neck.]

The Urn– Tiny, low profile, simple, elegant. The screw-top stays firmly in place when screwed tight, can feel the ‘rubber’ grommet tightening/ sealing it shut. The included funnel makes filling it easy. No mess, no fuss. Not much capacity, but how much ash do you need?

Feel– The included chain: I barely feel it. Slept and exercised and showered with it on: no problems/ nuisance. The urn: a comforting, solid, focused weight, of a size that can remain hidden or be presented.

Note– Rather than carrying around cremated remains of a dearly departed, I filled it with ash from the eruption of Mount St. Helens, collected by a relative who was there, not long after my birth. The elemental fire of creation/ destruction being more my style. [Believe what you will, as do I, as is our Fundamental Right (here, anyways (for now)).]

Overall– I like it. Need it to hang differently around my neck, but to each their own. Four Stars: the hook-clasp (and dangly chain-end) being not for man-hands(/necks). Perhaps something less delicate when marketed as Men's Jewelry?

First Impressions– Light, hollow-sounding, cannot see the time through the see-through cover.

This is more of a prop- or costume-watch. Or perhaps for a kid? Don't expect to be taken seriously sporting this.

Sound– Every time the chain rattles it vibrates down into the watch: a hollow/ tinny sound emerges. The sound of the second-hand moving is standard-pitched: not too high/ low/ loud.

Chain– Has a nice look, feel: bronzed, same as the watch. The hook can clip to your belt (loop) or pocket. More than enough to prevent dropping the watch (which I would advise against ever doing), and long enough to read the time. Once, it got snagged in my seatbelt when I unhooked it: flung the watch towards the door, but I managed to deflect it from hitting the glass.

Feel– This is light, feels less-than-solid. The backside has a subtle texture, slightly raised. The front I could see getting snagged on stuff in your pocket (certainly allowing pocket-fuzz in).

Fit– Fits perfectly in the watch-pocket of my jeans. Not so much with shorts.

Opening/Closing– Press the button, pops wide the cover, not quite ninety degrees, but enough to see the whole watch-face. Closing takes a stronger press, satisfying-click it goes when closed. (Or you can hold down the release button to silently shut it: but where's the fun in that?)

Look– Subtle-textured backside, nice design. The front is not so see-through as it looks, the numbers change orientation between 3 & 4 and 8 & 9. The ‘mechanical details’ inside are a sticker: presumably the internals of this watch are not so pretty nor complex as the sticker-picture. There is a thin plastic, clear protective sticker on the glass that requires peeling off. There's beautiful swirly etching on the back of the cover: nice detail. The ‘gold’ of the roman numerals is nice: all are oriented the same way around the dial. But the same cannot be said for the tiny 13-24 numbers, which switch direction between 15 & 16 and 20 & 21: cheapening the overall look, if making it easier to read military time. The hour/ minute watch-hands have a gothic flair, while the second-hand is simple-straight.

Powered– Battery, not winding. That fact is buried deep down in the specifications, not the description. Don't be surprised, deflated. There were no instructions, so not really sure how to change the (or which type) battery is required. There's no screwdriver-slot on the back to pop it off, not sure it's meant to be removed. I cannot answer the battery-replacement (if even possible?) question without possibly breaking this to get it open. [Manufacturer: Can the battery be replaced? Rather pertinent data to disseminate if the answer is No.]

Overall– Would have been (immediately) better if it didn't feel so light/ cheap. Fine for costumes, but not if you're going for ‘everyday classy.’ [If that's the case, aim higher than $12.] Four Stars: as a costume-piece, only.

This is my first ever Zero-Star Review. Never before had I encountered a product so bad that I failed to find/ think a single compliment to pay it.

- I ordered two of these, different colors. One arrived with the base scratched, the holes improperly hollowed out. In that same box the mounting-arm screw-hardware had fallen apart during shipping: to give you an idea of the quality.

- Spring-loaded mount. The power cord's tension running through it swings the whole arm back, away from where you set it. The other mount-screw is loose, providing no stability/ hold-friction: cannot tighten them more to the base without splitting the wood.

- Requires two hands to bend at the elbow: doesn't get better/ easier the more you bend it. (I swear I can hear the power cord's insulation scraping off every time it is bent.)

- If your lightbulb emits any heat, the lampshade could start a fire, being too small/ close.

- There's no on/ off (/dimmer: perhaps expecting too much there?) switch on the lamp itself.

- The mounting bracket is not what was shown in the instructions (that one affixes from the sides, not to the front): this dinky, useless bracket barely fits any standard electrical box (and only in one orientation), but then: the brass(?) screws through to the front being in the ideal position to interfere (/fail to line up) with any other bracket/ box: just enough in the way be unusable. Could not be mounted. [Unless I want to drill the bracket straight into the drywall, but then the power cord has no way to get inside without drilling another hole through the bottom of the base, or the wall.]

- The provided screws were not what they were supposed to be, there were nuts that didn't fit any of the screws, and no wire connectors, despite being listed.

- The lampshade arrived inverted, such to better fit in the box, but the instructions failed to mention this, nor how to set it right. (Answer: carefully stretch it out and over.)

- Every (un)screwable aspect of this lamp can come unscrewed from the opposite side while trying to tighten/ loosen them, from the only side you can reach/ hold, this includes the bulb-holder.

- The wood parts are technically wood, not sure what type, but let's call it "stained/ splintered crap-wood."

- Problem is: it looked like exactly what I sought, but proved to be utterly unusable.

Do Not Buy This! The manufacturer has clearly never before made a lamp, most likely rummaged for leftover parts from other failed designs hoping to cobble together something we will (over)pay for. Don't be a sucker, this thing sucks.

Initial Thoughts– There was one loose thread their quality control failed to snip off. Smells like factory/ foam: letting it air out for a day. Is smaller than a normal pillow, intentionally (for travel), but then a normal pillow case would be too big. Yes, it has its own pillow case, but it is bright white: dirt/ sweat would show. I do not travel, wanted it more for my bed than someone/ where else's.

Wound up using it for my sofa as a headrest. Just the right depth to cradle my neck/ head without pushing it too far forward/ back. [I use a lumbar pillow to support my back on this old, saggy sofa.] Turned out to be not thick enough for my bed: left my head to dangle a little farther down than where preferred/ accustomed, what with my broad shoulders. [Mind you, I have spinal issues, so the correct thickness/ hold is important.] Tried it in two different orientations upon the sofa. Seem to prefer the slimmer lump behind my shoulder blades, which puts the fatter lump just below the bottom of my skull. Holds me nicely. My neck was a little sore for a few days adjusting to the new pillow, which now I have, and feel better overall.

Overall– Soft, supple, squishy, curvy. Not thick enough (for me) for beds, but perfect for sofa-time or travel-comfort (I suspect). Four Stars.

Update– Months Later… I still use this pillow. Depending where I most need support, I can turn it around to cradle my neck or hold my head forward. Note: The pillow started to ‘pill’ after a few weeks… those bumpy-glumps you get on your socks, and occasionally a thin thread gets snagged and pulls out until it snaps… again like the elastic of your socks. After four months of 8(+) hours a day, it is finally starting to smell a bit funny (like my hair). Time to wash it.

First Impressions– Daleks, obviously: which is why I chose it. Heavy, like overly so. Where's the instructions? Is this even going to fit me?

Fit, Weight– I had to expand the bands (which all declare HEADLIGHT on them, why?) nearly all the way to the max to fit my stupidly big head. Feels like I'm strapping a creeper/ peeper telephoto camera to my forehead. It stays in place, even with my long hair. The camera, er, light, holds in place where you place it upon your forehead, doesn't slip/ slide. The battery pack is bigger/ heavier than I would prefer, the strap-holder is slightly curved but not padded (as is the front) and does slide around a bit, yet can almost be forgotten about if/ when distracted while working on something. But, after thirty minutes of wearing it my head started to hurt. By forty-five minutes I had to take it off. Immediately felt better for the lack of weight, squeezing of my brain.

Came with a pack of strap clippy-things. Presumably for hard-hat holding-in-place?

Batteries– Standard 18650s, of the positive protruded-nub variety. Kindly, (re)design this to work with the positive flat-nub type as well. [I have extras of those just lying around, but are useless here.] The included batteries fail to indicate how many milliamps they contain, but given their weight, I'd have to go with under 2,000. Sure, enough to emergency-charge your phone or keep this thing lit for a while. Even more so if you provide your own more-milliamp 18650 nub+ batteries.

Buttons– Without instructions, it took me longer than it should have to turn this thing on… I fiddled with the obvious button on the battery pack to start: press once and it shows the remaining power level (in quarter-capacity increments only) as 75%-100%, press the button again and the button flashes red, off/ on, forever, never stopping, while doing nothing else, press it again and the ‘screen’ turns off. Finally, I looked at the ‘proboscis’ itself and found a button on the top: press once, bright, then two dimmer settings upon further presses, then strobe, then SOS, then off. Long-press to skip right to off, or let it run for ten seconds and pressing the button once shuts it off. (Nicely thought-out.) There's another button on the right side: same functionality/ sequence as the other. Seems unnecessary when the instinct is to press the top button with your finger rather than the right-side with your thumb. (But to each their own.)

Query– There's two bulbs on either side of the side button: one white, one red, but I have failed to find any way to light them. I'm sure the instructions would have informed me what these indicate, do..? Also, what's with the blinky-red battery-box button? [Update: Checked the product page… The side-bulbs aren't lights, they're motion sensors, now I get the whole side-button deal: never occurred to me to wave my hand at the headlamp. Neat, easy security feature: to catch any sneaky-creepers. Also, the blinky battery-box light is a safety feature: so others can see you from behind…]

Light– Bright, like police-searchlight bright. Impressive. That'll light up the darkest of corners, or most of my back yard, on widest focus. [The opossum it spotted certainly presumed that much light posed an immediate threat and plopped over ‘dead.’ Poor thing.] Slide the telephoto lens out and it narrows down to a searing, ants-burning focus quite well. [Also, annoyed the crap outta my kid as I played with the focus: wide, narrow, wide, narrow over their shoulder, washing out the computer monitor beyond them to the point of un-visibility, the light being that powerful.] Yeah, that'll do.

Aim– Five angles, including straight down. There's a little play between straight-ahead and the first notch: to help with more precise aim where you might need it most. The next few notches take significant effort to bend it past: afraid I was going to break something, it had to be pulled so hard. Stays where you set it.

Waterproofing– The battery-box door has no rubber seal. It is just a thin plastic lip that slides between two other plastic lips on the enclosure… Not great, as the door does not lock tight: there's some give/ wiggle to it, which could allow some water to sneak in, cause problems.

Overall– Bright, nice focus, decent angles. Does look like a creeper/ peeper/ Dalek camera/ eye popping out of the forehead. Heavier than preferred, most would be willing to sacrifice brightness/ longevity for lighter weight: a single-battery version should suffice for most needs. Three Stars, for the everyday user: Bulky, heavy (skull-crushy, resultant), clunky, suspect-waterproofing.

Update– Months Later… I keep this hanging by the door. It gets used if I hear a strange sound outside at night: usually just a harmless varmint passing through. It is of a sufficient brightness that I don't often again see that critter after having spot-lighted them: preferring instead a darker corner of the woods for their next passage by. Haven't used it enough to require a recharge: sorry, cannot comment on battery life.

Plugged each in, phone said Rapid Charging. So, that's good. Wouldn't try using one of these on a laptop. What these are lacking is identification. As all USB-C cables look alike, you have to declare their capabilities… Upon at least one plug, stamp: USB 3.#, #0 W, #0 GB/s. Not all cables are created the same. These cables are a bit thin, limited (but existent) strain-relief, the ends are shiny/ slippery plastic. For under $10, use them until you break them, then grab another out of the package. Ah, the disposable culture we live in… Three Stars.

There is a big, ugly seam running down the length of the egg. The egg does not stay together: no snaps or threading. The egg has plastic splinters sticking out. The hand has a big, ugly seam running down through the palm. The fingers look too thin. The hand is covered in stringy ‘fuzz,’ presumably from the 3D printing (nobody cleared away), but if this was 3D printed: it would be seamless, right?

I wouldn't give this as a gag gift, even to somebody I do not like. One Star.

Update(s)– Perhaps I was a bit (too) harsh there? Put that one down to My Expectations. I thought this could have been so good. Built it up in my head too much, awaiting its (delayed) arrival. That's on me.

Presentation: The egg needs to stay together until they pop/ twist it open. This one falls apart before they get a chance to even consider what might be inside (unless you carefully place it upon their palm, but even then falls apart as soon as they move to open it): fail. Build-up: none.

Here's what I would like to see in a $15 version (by whomever feels up to the challenge)… Same idea, but halfish-scale (closer to your basic/classic plastic eggs-size), same-such array of available colors, without seams, sporting a better/ tougher (/dainty?) middle-finger-fist, snap/ pop/ twist open: must insist.

$30 Version: Made of (coated) Metal. Doesn't have to be fancy/ expensive metal (that's what the coating/ sealer is for looking-like), but with some heft unto it: please.

Those, I'd proudly give to someone I love/ hate to show just how much so (both), during this sacred season of Rebirth/ Renewal.

First Impressions– Stout, solid, more plasticky (than rubber) feel for the grip-surround, the sunken holes make for easy gripping, even when wet.

Filling– Would have been considerate to include a small funnel (but other bottles I had bought provided one of those silicone collapsing funnels which worked well). Easy to see how much liquid is in them. The capacity is sufficient that you shouldn't find yourself needing to refill these all that often.

Pump– As these are meant to handle all types of liquids, including thicker varieties like conditioner/ lotion, each pump pumps out a significant amount of liquid. More than I want for hand soap. I have to hook a finger under the spout to ensure I do not press down too far (requiring two hands: which I do not prefer). Even a light touch pumps out too much hand soap: need to waste more time/ effort/ water (/soap) getting all the soap off my hands. Knowing that my child is the ‘pump it all the way down’ type, I could see using up the soap far faster than is necessary/ economical. (Something to consider: how do those around you pump?) Pumps useful portions of shampoo/ conditioner/ lotion: better applied for those. Solid, firm pumps, rather than light, flimsy. The pump-head itself: sturdy, not too thin nor fat, but bright-white (considerations of dirty hands (/soap scum), over time, dancing through my head). Update: Finally found the right position to (one-hand) pump the right amount of hand soap, after a dozen+ tries: press my middle-fingertip against the spout, lightly pump with my thumb, prevents too much coming out.

Grip– The base has limited grip, can slide around when wet, or if you pump it off-angle. Had hoped for more texture underneath to help it stay in place. [Rather than smooth, consider some/ any texture for the bottom in the next revision.] The bottle is solid, rather than squishy plastic, which I appreciate.

Look– Kinda like those round thingies on the Tardis wall (which in no way factored into my consideration of choosing these). The bright-white: not sure how well that's going to remain that way, without later/ sooner turning dingy. A little fatter than a beer can, but about the same height. There's a tiny drip-hole in the bottom for any water that seeps in between the bottle and the grip: nicely considered. Though, the grip is firmly affixed (and slightly inlaid) onto the bottle: again, nice touch. A fingernail can be squeezed between the two (with effort, maybe less the more it has been used?), which means water will find its way in, eventually.

Overall– Four Stars: for the bright-white and the slippery base.

Update- Four Months Later: All four still work fine. Nothing broken. Nothing (unwashably) stained. Pictured.

First Impressions– Classy, sleek, thin, shiny, decent click/ clack of open/ close.

There is no bulging hinge on the side, which is nice. The cover does wiggle/ waggle/ creak a bit, which is not great. It uses USB Micro, which is outdated. The USB port has no seal-surround: you can see right into the lighter, which means pocket dirt/ lint/ moisture can get inside the inner workings, that's bad. Shuts itself off before the coil gets too hot, unfortunately that seems to barely be hot enough to ignite paper.

Lighting– Here is where it truly started to present its weaknesses. I couldn't light a candle with it, never got hot enough. If the tealight wick is below the rim, the coil cannot reach it. Standard candlestick: only smoked a bit, never lit, got wax residue on the coil which smoked the next few times I lit it. It would never work with any kind of pipe. Roll-your-own: only lit those about half the time; if it fails to get hot enough you must then wait ten seconds for the coil to cool before you can try again, and even then it doesn't always work. I gave up and grabbed a butane lighter, more than an acceptable number of times. Standard pack-cigarettes: wouldn't know, don't smoke those.

Battery– There are four indicator lights; only the outer two do blink once when the coil powers down; both blink repeatedly when the battery has died; the middle two lights do nothing; no indication of/ while charging (complete)… Got a dozen coil-lighting cycles before the battery died, out-of-the-box. Recharged, didn't notice how long it took, was distracted, no indication it was done other than no lights showed. Got maybe twenty burn-cycles before it required recharging.

Overall– Looks great, performs poorly. Try again, please.

First Impressions– Lots of pockets, nice zip to them, each has a pull-cord with a plastic pull-grip at the end, the shoulder straps… shouldn't they cinch tighter? This bag seems to want to hang low on the back, which I guess makes sense given its size and that you'll have poles sticking way up. But still that feels wrong.

First Thing– Removed the American flag patch (no need to advertise where I'm really from, given the current ‘climate’). [Slapped my Canadian flag-patch there: nobody has anything bad to say about Canada, and treat you noticeably nicer if they see that flag.]

Thoughts– Played with all the zippers, seeing where the pockets all are and how much stuff they can hold. Sufficient, is the answer. A decent day- (maybe two) pack. Better as a bug-out-bag for a child than an adult. There's nylon straps and hard-plastic loops running the length of the shoulder straps, alongside a zipper for to hold them together when hand-carried, I presume. Though, long hair can get snagged in that zipper. And again, the straps cinched to their tightest feel far too long, like the bag itself is going to dangle right off my back… Will take time to adapt to its hang (unless I decide to cut/ shorten the straps).

Pockets– The small-of-the-back pocket can hold a drinking-bladder, the tube winding its way through the strap loops, but sticks out straight as the final loop is up near the ear when the bag hangs all the way down (as presumably they designed it to; requires further study/ reconsideration; the bladder-ability feeling like more of an afterthought than a design-consideration; clipping a knife to a shoulder strap puts it at ear-level, or around to the back: not great placement). Main Pocket: about five inches deep, nearly fifteen inches tall, ten inches wide, has two slip-pocket dividers eight inches tall, a few inches deep. Middle Pocket: has left and right-side zippers that do not connect, twelve inches tall, two inches deep stretched out, but possibly deeper depending how packed-fat the surrounding pockets are. Front-Top Pocket: has a velcro backing for a patch, two nylon straps, and an interwoven elastic cable with a cord-lock… A lot to pack onto a four-by-five, one-and-a-half-inch deep pocket. Front-Bottom Pocket: same depth, but eight-by-seven inches sized. Has three MOLLE PALS interwoven across it, along with a fat backpack-buckle on a short nylon strap and a hook at one end (not sure what that's for, have to check the product page). There's a slip-pocket just beneath the straps, the flap seems to prefer to stay bent down, but I suspect that can be smoothed into place over time. The zippers on this pocket get caught up in the dangling elastic cable from the pocket above, better to keep this pocket zipped to one side rather than the middle. Fishing Net Side-Pocket: fits the handle of a net well, has a cinch-cable to keep it from slipping out, and two plastic loops above should an additional strap be required. Pole Side-Pocket: smaller, has a velcro strap woven through it, and an extra velcro loop on the outside to affix a second pole, again with plastic-loops above with a short cinch-strap clipped to one of them (shorter than practically useful). [In case anyone was wondering, a pistol-grip shotgun cannot fit into the side pocket, but the handle of an axe would fit nicely, a slim sheathed sword in the other side-pocket: but requires strapping them in tight further up (using the provided plastic-loops above), not going to be able to quick-draw though.] There's a four-inch-wide, five-inch-long fabric loop on the bottom of the bag: not sure what that's for, don't expect it to hold anything securely, unless you weave a bungee cord through/ around it.

Overall– Decent. Holds bunches, separately. Feels like they slapped a bit too much onto the front: straps, cables, clips, but a sufficient amount (and placement) of those elsewhere all over the bag. Four Stars: as a small one day/ night fishing/ camping backpack.

I wanted to do this review differently/ justice. I quickly realized after arrival that I have no use for it (barely ever cook, certainly cannot afford a plumber), so rather than giving up, considered my neighbor: who has a commercial kitchen. They spend 8+ hours a day at the stove. I figured they'd already have one of these, they didn't. They also didn't know anyone else who had the hook-up already… So much for that.

Look– Classy, old-school. Well-packed, fancy box, fitted (not styro)foam to securely hold it all in place.

Feel– Solid, foldable, nice swing to it, feels sturdy, nice twist to the faucet-handles at both ends.

Use– Cannot answer that.

Overall– A useless review without actual usage, sorry. Giving it the benefit of the doubt, as this failure is entirely mine own… Five Stars.

Update– Months Later… Still cannot afford a plumber (let alone an electrician, drywaller, pets..). This shall just have to sit in its box out in the barn until when(/if?) my fortune changes.

I just write the reviews how I ‘feels’ them, at the time. No forethought, never with malice, just how it all sorta comes out of me once I start thinking what feelings I (deep-down) feel from fiddling around with all these new things…

Preface– I lost my previous peelers in the divorce, some time/ decade ago, (but I got to keep the house,) then I lost my job, then my insurance, then I got hurt, then I got sick, then I got poor, then I got hungry, then I got cold, then I got worse, then ‘they’ started trying to take everything away from me… So, the concept/ cost of ‘intangibles’ such as fruit/ veggie peelers somehow got lost along the way… alongside the affordability of (fresh) vegetables/ fruits, replaced instead by overall-cheaper shelf-stable bottled-juice/ canned-goods, taken in measured doses to ensure one needn't suffer malnutritional consequences… The Point being: I haven't had use for a peeler, and likely would have continued that way for who-knows-how-much-longer had Vine not offered me a shiny peeler-set for the low, low price of taking merely the time/ effort to find fault (and hopefully the good) in this ‘gift,’ just starting/ branching out (anew), hoping for the best, but expecting only (differently/ more of) the devastating, yet again… The Secondary Point, methinks: now must/ have to go out and buy real veggies (peeled/ cooked fruit: gross) such to review said product, where would then feel the fool gawking/ lurking upon all the (haven't tasted in forever) choices, glurping at their uppity prices, nothing to be done about such ’cept to cringe-and-bear-it, within an aisle nary wandered in nearly a decade, whenceforth requiring to buy other, temporal sundries (long without/ forgot) comprising a Proper Recipe (rather than back-of-box, told what to-stir-in when) while actually attempting to Cook Something (for the first time in forever) again, which in fact weren't all that bad at way back when were affordable the proper ingredients of Making Food, wherefore now utterly doubting ability to relearn/ rebuild, what with so significantly time-passed, skills unpracticed/ lost, hands utterly tired/ sore, so instead question whether/ not even to bother trying something better: being as by next week it's back to the box/ bag/ bottle yet again..?

Fundamentally, getting a gift so simple as this only served to remind of all that has been done without, for far too long, looking at best that's how it's gonna remain, but for how much longer? Over merely but a peeler did I just crumble.

[If you didn't (quite) understand that, go ask your mother.]

Walked away, fiddled with the peelers…

First Impressions– Shiny, solid, sleek, sharp.

Second Thoughts– How much could peeler technology have really advanced in the past decade/ century? Sharper, probably. Cleaner/ safer/ better, perhaps.

Third Considerations, after waving them around awhile– Given my weakened wrists/ hands, already starting to feel it, suspect I could only output maybe half-a-dozen potatoes-peeled before I've gone and had to quit. Which'd just make me feel worse, so why even bother?

I shall be unable to finish properly this review, today. Grant me some time to think/ grow on it?

For now– Five Stars: benefit of the doubt; please stand by.

Later…

Had to venture to the local market for ‘milk,’ (my once-monthly supermarket trip not yet time for, not yet affordable, until next month,) picked up some cucumbers. I shoulda looked up online how to tell if they're good, instead fumbling around, squeezing, inspecting, trying others, feeling foolish… Found two that seemed good (turns out one wasn't quite ripe yet). At home, washed, started to peel one, using the ‘horizontal’ peeler. It seemed to have trouble getting started at the curvy top (then again, I'm just out of practice, need to relearn the skill), but kicked in well once it hit flat surface. The peels remain in place when peeled until you move over to the next column which then knocks the previous one off. [I sound stupid/ ignorant, don't I?] The point: worked well, firm presses peeled that cucumber, evenly and decently, except for the rounded top which then I had to go back for after at a different angle… About the same as I seem to recall the process being, forever ago.

A day later peeled the second cucumber, using the ‘vertical’ peeler… This time every peel fell away when peeled (curious). Same process, clean strips, easy to clean the peelers, what else can I say?

I'm not yet ready to venture into potatoes: far more effort, more ingredients required I don't have (the budget for). But it was nice to eat (the one) fresh cucumber, for the first time in longer than I can remember.

Peelers– The handles are nice, good grip, solid weight, sharp, precise… Good enough, nothing bad to say. I'll stick with Five Stars.

My trash cans are out on the back porch, none of my cabinets are where I would put a trash can, (nor would I want to sacrifice that storage space for it) either: I realized only after thinking-through where I might put this. But I figured my mom could use it: her trash can being in a cabinet next to the sink, which she has to slide out (without rollers) to use.

It fits perfectly. She has room for her existing can and enough space for a thinner can behind for recycling. Glides nicely, feels sturdy. The door is still on its hinges, we opted to not affix the door to the can-slider: works fine that way, too.

Installation was easy, using the included paper-guides. Took ten minutes. No curses invoked during the process (which is unusual for me). Thanks for making it simple.

Overall– Five Stars: made life just a little easier for a mother, which is always a good thing.

This is exactly the size to fill the space below my standing desk. Unfortunately, it covers the heating air vent. I didn't want to cut holes in it right away, so I stuck some shims beneath to hold up that corner so the system could still breathe. I'll cut it, eventually, reluctantly.

When unrolling it for the first time, make sure the floor beneath is clean, elsewise you'll pick up dirt which statics itself to the bottom. I rolled it out in a further corner of my home to let it air/ flatten out. Twenty-four hours later, with weights at the corners/ edges, the mat was flat.

Pulled out my desk, slid this beneath. Perfect fit.

This mat shows footprints. I walk around barefoot year-round. Not terribly does it show them, but they can be seen, but no so very well being beneath my desk where it is dark. Easy to clean off when they build up to noticeable proportions. Run a dust cloth over it to pick up the minor detritus and dust, then a quick spray with standard cleaner to erase the footprints.

This mat allows more easily my chair to roll, especially up over the lip of the area rug which abuts it. Further protecting my carpet edge, which had begun to fray a bit. The rest of the room (and most of the house) has hardwood floors.

It further makes easier to slide my standing desk. When my child is playing games, they also stream BRAND up on the tv above (for an hour a day before I put on something worthwhile to enjoy together). This mat allows us to slide the desk away from the wall (the eighteen inches the bundled cables allow for movement: vertical and horizontal) such to not have to look straight up to see the tv. That is helpful, and better for their spine, and more easily accomplished than previously.

A few minor scratches have incurred themselves upon the mat itself, but again, it is dark down there. Nothing outwardly noticeable.

I would have appreciated having one of these back when my child was younger, would have set it up beneath the high-chair, made for easier cleaning.

Overall– Five Stars. Looks like it shall hold up for years. Makes cleaning up my child's crumbs easier, and for moving around the chair/ desk, as intended.

Update– Four Months Later… Still good, barely scratched, no stains. Excellent.

This is a situational review, of despair.

I have needed a chimney cap for over a decade. [Getting tired of fishing out the occasional dead bird/ squirrel from the bottom of the chimney.] But that is not all I need, I need to hire a mason to repoint the chimney, and replace the bricks that keep falling off, first. Trouble is, I am poor and haven't had that kind of money. I have disabilities and cannot do the work myself, unless I want to risk death (from falling). And no, I do not have any friends (who can/ would do that kind of work). So, when the opportunity to finally possess a (free) chimney cap arrived (thank you, Amazon Vine) I snatched it up…

Only to realize upon its arrival that my situation is still hopeless. I couldn't even bring myself to open the box. What would be the point? So I can see this shiny, helpful device that I can do nothing with/ about (not even sure it is the right size)? Instead, I moped a bit and then stuck the box in the barn, next to the attic-vent gables/ louvers I picked up from the clearance rack a decade ago, and still haven't been able to install (not even sure they fit), as merely climbing a ladder that high could endanger my life.

So, on top of chimney, attic-vent failures-of-remedy: there's the fact that most of my exterior doors are rotting off, the siding needs to be replaced in several areas, the roof leaks, the septic system requires significant work, my upstairs bathroom has been out of commission for a decade, the electrical is a disaster/ hazard, much of my insulation is vintage pre-1950s, foundation work has gone remiss, I am missing entire indoor walls/ ceilings, there are vine-strangled fallen trees everywhere outside, there used to be a yard under all that overgrowth… You get the picture. This is what a decade+ of homeowner poverty looks like, when you make "too much" on Disability to qualify for any home-improvement programs out there, while making "too little" to hire anybody for anything. It sucks, is perpetually discouraging.

Thanks for the chimney cap, I'm sure it's great, but based on how my life is going, I suspect I'll never see it in action. Five Stars: for the freebie (not the raised/ dashed hopes).

I chose this because I need smaller-headed brushes for smaller bottles/ glasses. My child is well beyond the age of baby-bottles and sippy-cups. Though, I would have loved to have this way-back-when.

Initial Thoughts– The latch arrived broken: unfortunate, cheaply made. And I discovered I could not clip the nipple brush to the extender, which was a disappointment, as the ‘big’ brush was still too big to fit inside my oil-sprayer bottle (which was the hope). Not to be deterred, I still tried it all out.

Feel– Soft, rubbery, perfect for plastic, not so great for scrubbing glasses, I have found, compared the the rougher brushes. So I used it on plastic containers that we (re)use for snacks: perfect. Scrubs the plastic well, wipes any detritus/ (potato-chip-)oil off.

The Nipple Brush– Works well for cleaning out spouts/ spigots, anything tiny you need to get up into that normal bottle-brushes cannot. [Again, would prefer if it could be affixed to the extender for longer-reach.]

Screw-Tooth, Straw Brush– Works well for cleaning the mason-jar threaded-tops which are my preferred drinking glass; the straw-brush is small enough to work/ fit well, for shorter straws (like you'd find on kid's sippy-cups), but not quite long enough to reach to the middle of adult-length straws, or all the way to the end of yerba maté filter-straws, unfortunately, but again, not the intended use. [Perhaps consider a telescoping feature if you want to reach out into the adult-bottle/ straw world?]

Soap Bottle– Helpful, for on-the-go, which I do not need.

Drying Rack– Convenient, foldable, again for on-the-go.

Overall– Four Stars: for its intended usage. Could use some minor improvements, as stated above.

I have intestinal issues. [Contaminated well-water? The (permanent?) damage having already been done.] If I wake up and cannot Go, alarm bells start ringing. If by later in the day I still cannot go, I take a dose of the powdered laxative dissolved in water. If I still cannot go the next morning, time for the liquid laxative (magnesium citrate). Then, unpleasantness. [For any who've taken that, you know what I mean: hours of intestinal distress.]

This has been an approximately every-other-week pattern I have had to adapt to, lest I want to end up in the ER, again. [Four times the past two years, same issue, no insurance.] But taking chemical laxatives that often is a poor long-term option. So I invested effort in changing my diet and exercise. [Less (over)processed wheat/ sugar/ meat, more protein/ fiber/ red-meat; wake up and run the elliptical (twisting at the waist) for at least a mile every other morning: to help get things ‘moving.’ I haven't had to go to the ER in six months. I find that if more than two/ three days pass without exercise, I start to get backed-up. It has now been a month since last I needed laxatives: a personal best.] I thought I wasn't going to need this enema-bulb within the thirty days I have to write a review, but something I ate yesterday has been burning its way down my intestines, didn't come out with my morning movement. Good enough reason as any to try…

Usage– Small hole at the top, have to turn the (warm, not too hot/ cold) faucet to low/ slim-stream to fill the bulb (half your water isn't going to go in), takes effort to slip the nozzle (/tip/ probe) (doesn't go all the way) in. Yes, lubrication is helpful, tried without: do not recommend. Carefully inserted it (while hovering over the toilet in case there was any leakage, there wasn't) and then started squeezing. Strange sensation. Squeezed, released, squeezed, a few air-bubbles inward-farted (strange sensation), released, repeat… Pulled it out (no dribbles) and realized it was still half-full, saw there was some fecal matter in the tip, squeezed it into the toilet, but then there were additional poop-bits coming from out of the bulb itself, upon second and third-squeeze. Hmmm, backwash, noted. Squeezed it all out, rinse, refill, squeeze, no more bits, refill. Immediately emptied my bowels: mostly water.

Take Two– Inserted it again, trying to avoid ‘pumping’ it this time, instead going for an all-one-squeeze approach: the bulb can (not easily) be crushed and collapsed and folded in upon itself single-handedly (but two-handed works better) until empty. This time the bulb was fully-emptied, with no bits/ pieces in the tip/ bulb: better/ cleaner. Sat with that water in my colon for twenty minutes (occasionally wiggling/ bouncing), to let it soak. [Not an unfamiliar feeling, though dramatically less disruptive than the liquid laxative, coming from the other direction.] Evacuation: mostly clear water, but that burning-whatever I could still feel in my intestines, will give it another hour/ two before I try again to force-evacuate it.

Meanwhile… It would be appreciated if the enema-bulb could have come in a dark (no-see-through), resealable bag (rather than the throw-away bag inside the box), so that once clean/ dry we can then seal it back up inside the bag and have something nondescript to tuck away under the sink or in a cabinet/ drawer. This qualifies as an ‘embarrassing’ item, kindly help make it less obvious.

Again, the original consideration here was to help with constipation. Which, surprisingly I haven't had a bout of for longer than at any point in the past few years. I can see how this enema would immediately help, naturally, rather than waiting hours for chemical-relief to come from the other end. [Looking at the box, the first usage is listed as Coffee Enema. Considering I do not even drink coffee, I doubt very much I would ever pump it up there. But(t) to each their own, I suppose.]

Take Three– I decided to double-bulb it this time, fill more of my colon, hopefully dislodging that uncomfortable whatever-it-is a-burning my bowels… That amount of water felt rather disconcerting, urgent, had to fight the instinct to let it all out, immediately. [Same feel as the liquid laxatives, trying to knock-down the back-door.] There was backwash in the bulb, despite my attempts to prevent it: seems this is a common occurrence. Laid down on the floor, put my feet up on the sofa, raised my hips, rotated right then left then back again: could feel/ hear the gurgling moving through me. Did that a few times, then turned onto my stomach, repeat. Evacuation: mostly clear water, but then some bit/ pieces of solids came out after. The irritant is still in there, but this got it moving again (slowly, ever so slowly, working its way down, down, down).

Suggestions– Do not fully fill the bulb, elsewise it's going to squirt all over the place while cramming the probe back inside the bulb. Lube, yes, not much needed. Also, make sure you have fully bulls-eyed your brown-eye before inserting: the probe is pointy and rather stabby/ uncomfortable if you miss-the-mark. My bunghole is a bit irritated after so many probings in so short of a time. Don't overdo it.

Cleaning– Not great. No matter how much effort you put into getting it empty, there's always a little liquid (you can hear) sloshing around inside. Several minutes of shaking, dumping, squeezing and still it would not fully empty. Hmmm. Given that backwash is to-be-expected, I decided to dribble some rubbing alcohol inside, plug the end with my finger and shake/ swish it around for a minute, then empty, refill with water, empty, refill, empty. Considered soap, but any residue might prove more uncomfortable/ problematic than any rubbing alcohol that would instead (in theory) evaporate. Later: found that if I fold the bulb in half and then strangle it to death, upside-down, a few times, that gets the last of the water out.

Overall– I think it will be helpful for disrupting constipation, how could it not? Four Stars: a better, more thorough way to clean it out would be appreciated.

Two weeks later…

I got backed-up again, dug this out of the back of the drawer. Decided to single-bulb, two-hand-squeeze it this time (then laid on the floor, feet up awhile, then walked around for fifteen minutes: all the liquid came right out; the rest of the backed-up solids: an hour later). Still was difficult to get all the water out of the bulb, got some backwash, and inward-farting (resulting in wet-farts, later).

I'm beginning to doubt the efficacy/ sanitariness of this design: seems fundamentally flawed… Three Stars: Downgraded with further use. Seeking a better design.

First Impressions– Shiny, squishy, sleek.

Fit– I have a big head. I found that I can only wear these for about an hour before my ears, then head, start to hurt. Take an hour off: can then stand them for about thirty minutes. These headphones are smaller than most, which means they sit/ squish entirely upon your earlobes, not mostly around them. Even with the squishy pads, given how wide it has to spread to fit me, the pressure on my ears gets to me. I shall (gently) expend some effort stretching these out a (little) bit so they aren't so tight, but if they get too loose they could fall off. My ears get a bit sweaty nearing the hour-mark, as the foam does not breathe particularly well (again, directly on, not around, the ears). These are not for running, but okay for elliptical. The squishy pads hold in place on the ears, but the band seems to rest best a bit back from top-of-head.

Sound– Good. Clear highs, deep lows, decent middles. Better than BT earbuds I have tried. Not so excellent as my wired headphones, but good enough. [I am a bit of an audiological snob, so that's high praise.] The buttons have some wiggle/ rattle to them which can be heard when you walk, shake or tilt your head: not great, please consider making them hold tighter, silently. After a while I noticed it less, but still.

Range– From the source anywhere inside my house reaches the headphones anywhere else (up/ downstairs) inside. Small house. The sound starts to stutter, cut-out around 30 feet away.

Battery– Out-of-the-box: my phone said 80% battery, but it always says that for any Bluetooth speaker/ phones/ buds. Got about 8.5 hours of playtime in over the course of a few days before I decided to take a few days off: my ears/ head hurt. Recharging: didn't get that far, sorry. The product page (at the time of selection) indicated a 40 mAh battery, which did not seem right, the packaging indicates 400 mAh: not significant, but seems to be enough to get you through a few days.

Notes– There's no wired/ aux input jack, which would have been appreciated, especially as the box says it has one, with an included cable: neither of which is true. Tried plugging it into my phone via USB-C for sound: nothing. The USB jack was tight -like afraid I was going to break something trying to unplug it- tight. The product page also claims (at the time I read it that) these have Noise Canceling, which the box/ instructions do not indicate. So, not quite as advertised.

Overall– Excellent sound, classy/ retro (Cyberman) design, a little tight (/hurty) if you have a fat head, rattly buttons, a bit stuffy, not great breathability. Three Stars: for false advertising. [Then again, this being a Vine test-product, I might have just gotten an earlier, deficient version.]

Update– Months Later… I put them in a drawer after finishing this review… There they have remained. I can still feel them squishing my skull (sapping my humanity) whenever I merely look at them… But that's just me: not my preference.

I have never used a White Noise machine. Occasionally, when younger, I would play some tunes, but that usually kept me up longer than resting in silence. This time of year, I am put to sleep by the sounds of my pond: peeper and bull frogs. Am awakened in the morning by the birds. No need for a sound machine. [Though, it would be excellent if we could side-load our own white-noise mp3s. I have a solid loop of my pond-sounds in Spring, which I would appreciate in the dead-silence of Winter.] Reluctantly, I shall try this feature, tonight.

Note– You give us numbers for Volume, Brightness, Clock, Alarm, Timer, Sounds, but not for Colors (the setting with the second-most options). I could remember my favorite-color numbers, but I struggle with remembering color-sequences to get back around to the one(s) I like. [Kindly, make that easier for those like me who are color-dumb.]

Backlit Buttons– Without. Please make it so, even if dimly. Cannot see the buttons in the dark (even with its light(s) on), feeling our way around eight equidistant, same-sized/ shaped buttons is impractical (as is expecting us to remember what each button does, while sleepy). If the main light is on, so should be the buttons. Sure, there are (micro-)nubbins on the 3/6/9 o'clock button positions, but I can barely feel them to find my way around.

Playing Music– A little tinny, missing the deep-lows and the higher-highs. Maximum volume could go louder, please. Loud enough for right next to your head, but not enough to fill a bedroom. Cranked the volume on my phone, too, got nearly louder enough, but then started to distort. Shouldn't have to set both phone and speaker to max just to ‘hear’ music more than ten feet away. [Started to smell strongly of plastic with the volume all the way up: worked that speaker hard, started to pant.] But what do you really expect from a five-watt speaker? Consider a more powerful speaker if you want/ expect us to use this as a BT room-speaker. Minus One Star.

Lights– Again, could use a numbering system so you can click your way right to the color(s) you prefer, rather than having to remember the sequence of: white, blue, purple, another blue, green, orange-red, another purple-ish, another blue-ish, then shift through all the solid-colors, then miscellany spots (blue/ purple/ green/ yellow), then disco-flashy, then fire, back to white. [The instructions call those colors differently, that's just how my brain interprets them.] Some of which ‘dance’ to the music (can we turn that option off? Nope). Ten brightness settings.

White Noise– Lots of choices: some barely decent, some terrible, some unsettling. 1) water, sounds like a faucet 2) water, perhaps, sounds more like low, steady wind 3) waterfall, perhaps 4) wide river 5) vacuum cleaner, on an obnoxious five-second loop 6) some machine-hum, unidentifiable 7) not sure, water-ish 8) same, deeper, poorly looped 9) low/ deep wind, I think 10) maybe a washing machine, but at the wrong frequency 11) insects or a crappy rain-stick, short-loop, fades in then out, terrible 12) heartbeat, irregular from being poorly looped 13) blustery wind, and some rattle, like plastic sheeting 14) like a pet's water fountain 15) like a low-pressure shower 16) light rain and thunder, decent but could be longer 17) heavy rain, slapping on concrete 18) someone wading around in a kiddie-pool, creepy 19) ocean, obnoxious birds, someone walking through the calm surf 20) a middling stream, someone wading through it 21) bull frogs, too-short-loop 22) morning birds 23) crickets 17-second loop 24) fire, sounds like plastic burning 25) ticking clock, poorly looped 26) new age ambiance song 27) Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, dinky toy piano 28) some other lullaby I cannot name, short loop 29) some unfamiliar dinky tune 30) familiar lullaby, I am bad at name-that-tune… The options: really, not great overall. Try Harder, please. Longer/ better-timed loops would make it more relaxing rather than the same few seconds ad nauseum. Minus One Star. Further, you forgot to include the Industry-Standard White-Noise and Pink-Noise options.

Alarm– Easily programmed, once learned how. Alarm Tone 1) beepity-beepity-beepity 2) some classical song 3) obnoxious bells that rattle the speaker 4) birds 5) some piano ditty with birds, rattles the speaker 6) louder piano with more birds. Then you set the volume, which starts at way-too-loud while choosing your tone. Then pick the number of minutes before alarm to start glowing the light. As set, the light came on 15 minutes before, slowly getting brighter, starting with red, then orange, yellow, moving towards white. The alarm tones are crap, kindly consider more/ better/ custom choices: I went with beepity, perhaps birds next time, but with all the birds outside I might not notice, sleep right through, until it gets obnoxiously loud.

Snooze– Nine Minutes, really? Ten, please. Or let us set our own preference.

Battery– Has a battery backup to remember the time, settings, alarm, lights, but will not make a peep if/ when your power goes out: Minus One Star.

Overall– One.Five Stars. Room for improvement.

First Impressions– The hooks are plastic, somehow expected metal. The hooks have to be forcefully (like strain-yourself hard) clacked into place. Only the three middle cable-hooks (/holders/ guides) actually locked into place, the sideways outer-two finally did, after pressing the metal between my knees and exerting significant effort: afraid I was going to break them in the process.

Hooks– Have only one orientation, factory-set: sure, you can flip the whole 1U over but then still get whatever direction they gave you. The middle-three I would prefer to be able to attach ‘sideways,’ like the outer-two. Suggestion: four screw-holes through the metal for each hook so we can orient them however we prefer, rather than plastic slide/ clip in place.

Mounting– Screwed it to the back-rail of my rack. Note: no included screws or cage-nuts. Ran power cables through the two leftmost hooks, HDMI/ USB through the next two, data through the rightmost. Again, had I been able to set the hooks the direction I wanted, would have worked better. But works well enough to guide the cables.

Overall– Novice effort. Does the job. Better consideration required for the next iteration. Three Stars.

First Impressions– Looks more like a placemat than a bathmat, until you touch it: soft. The brick patterns do repeat, but offset and not too-often: barely noticeable (unless studying it). The stitching is solid, no loose threads.

Hold– Does slide around if merely poked at by a toe, but stays put with the weight of a foot on it.

Absorbency– Less so than others I have tried. Air-dries quickly, which I prefer: do not enjoy getting a wet-foot surprise, hours after my shower, like my other shag-mat does.

Creases– Will not come out on their own, as evidenced by laying around for a few weeks already. Take an iron to it, that'll fix it.

Cleaning– Wouldn't know, haven't had it that long. Says gentle machine-washable: I wouldn't believe it.

Overall– May end up putting it somewhere else, doesn't really fit the decor of my shoddy bathroom. Four Stars: fun alternative.

Update– Does not stay where you put it, slides around too easily: Minus One Star. Seems to be in a slightly different position (in front of the kitchen sink) every time I walk past (even if I haven't touched it since). Does not show dirt easily: have yet to see fit to wash it.

Update, final– Four Months Later… I had to apply sticky tape to keep this mat in place at my sink. I like how it looks, feels there, but… It has already started to fall apart (pictured): Minus Two Stars. [Cheap crap.]

All four cords worked out-of-the-bag, so that's good. The inherent trouble with inline switches is location, location, location. These are not positioned where I need them; they looked closer to the lamp in the pictures than where they are. The dimmer switch is in the middle: thirty-four inches to either end. So, for a wall-hung sconce: the switch is at about floor level. Sure, I could cut/ strip the cords, but then they don't reach the outlet, in my configuration.

Cord– Has red(dish) & blue wires. [Insert favorite action-movie trope/ joke here.] Thinner, overall, and lesser-AWG than a standard lamp cord, but as most bulbs are now low-powered LED, that should be okay, for most.

Switch– Solid-click buttons, perhaps too hard to press? Though, it is new. Would be helpful if the tiny power light was always on (dimly) so we could find the switch in the dark, rather than lighting up only when we power it on. Is glued/ sealed shut, no screws, so we cannot transplant it to another cord cut to the exact length/ position desired… Too bad. [Consider selling just your switches, without cords?]

Dimmer– Obviously, only works with dimmable bulbs. One of my sconces did not appreciate the attenuated power, started making ugly, buzzy noises, did dim, a little, unreliably, but then the lowest-power setting caused it to strobe. Gave six levels of dim on a standard-variant LED bulb, but the highest-power turns it off (with a disconcerting flash, first). The CFL bulb (yes, some of us still have those kicking around, as they still work we cannot justify/ afford to buy replacements) had all of two dim options, flickered a bit here and there. Dug up a traditional light bulb (from back in the day, out in the barn) it had seven levels of dim, easily differentiated, looked overall better than all these newfangled bulbs. [They're called ‘classic’ for a reason.]

Overall– Not great, not terrible, not what I needed for this room, but I'm sure I'll find somewhere/ how to put them to use. Three Stars: for the switch-location and the thin wires.

First Impressions– Slightly squishy but firm, soft fabric, nice nubbins.

First Use– Stuck it behind my neck while reclined upon the sofa. Cradled my neck, skull nicely. Used it to help stretch my neck while pulling my body-weight down a bit. Left it there for thirty minutes. Noticed that my neck/ skull-base had gone numb. Oops, too long.

Second Use– Floor. Tried it both orientations, prefer the usual: nubbins on the neck (vs. on the skull). Allowed myself to melt into the floor. Turn my head slightly left/ right: feel it pull on my sore muscles, stretch the spine. [I have spinal issues. Titanium-reinforced neck. I cannot look up without getting hurt, so have to be careful. My neck always hurts: my head is too big for my tiny, damaged neck.] This is tall enough that on the floor my head is elevated, taking weight off my neck/shoulders, allowing me to relax. Ow, just popped a few vertebrae. Rocking head side/ side digs into the base of the skull and the neck muscles, in the good way. Ow, more pops. [I say ‘ow’ as often those sounds mean I just hurt myself: a flinch/ cringe-reflex at this point. I have to be careful not to hang my head too far back, lest pervasive ‘owie’ occur.] Alternative orientation: start losing feeling in the base of my skull in a mere matter of minutes, as opposed to the fifteen it takes to start happening in normal orientation.

Over the next few days… As needed, laid flat on the floor or slipped it behind my head on the sofa (for only a few minutes at a time, lest I lose circulation). Slowly turn my head this way/ that, digging the nubbins into the sore areas, helping them let go, usually with a concurrent ‘pop.’

Overall– It has helped. Cannot say the same for many others I have tried. Sturdy, massaging, supportive. Five Stars.

First Impressions– Smashed to bitty pieces was the first one. Poorly packaged. Sharp, shiny was the replacement.

Not for pocket-carry– Bump into something and it can/ will bleed you (found out the painful way). Will scratch your phone, key fob, usb drive, whatever else you carry.

As a fidget– Sharp, stimulating, neat light-patterns shine through, lighter than expected. Good for rolling around in your fingers/ hand, or between your hands if you need the stronger stimulation (of ‘stabby’).

Material– Too clear to have been naturally sourced: if made in a lab, cannot call it a diamond: same applies here. More accurate to call it quartz-like, quartz-ish, kinda-quartz. Poured/ molded, not carved: best guess.

Packaging– The manufacturer needs to better package this: was wrapped in plastic, inside a small bag, inside a slightly larger bag… Was then thrown in a too-large delivery box with a heavy item which smashed the first one into razor-sharp shards, tore the bags to shreds. [Amazon asked me to send it back: do you really want to pay for that? See included picture as evidence-enough that product was destroyed.] Suggest: bubble wrap, foam sleeve or sturdy box would make for better/ safer packaging.

Overall– Fun to fiddle with, but has none of the natural/ spiritual energy/ cleansing you feel when holding a true quartz crystal. Two Stars.

Update– Months Later… I must admit, I forgot I (still) had this, having gotten buried beneath all the other ‘stones’ I keep on-hand: pictured. It is an inert object: no (healing/ diverting) energy, being manufactured rather than naturally derived. It does however work well for acupuncture/ pressure: digging it into my thumb-meat to help release some of the tension. Yet still, not great: sticking with Two Stars, sorry. Made of real stone/ crystal instead: perhaps then it would get more attention/ respect…

I have always had the smash-them-variety fly swatters, so this feels a bit like cheating. Be vewy vewy qwiet, sneak up and assassinate them, being all part of the thrill of the hunt. Now, like everything else, stick a battery in it and everything gets easier/ lazier for everyone.

First Thing– Had to see if I could accidentally (on purpose) zap myself with this. Pertinent Consideration… Yes, easily I could. But it doesn't hurt, even in the slightest. But, having (properly/ stupidly) electrocuted myself more than a few times over the years, the ZAP sound and sparks trigger a strong flinch reflex. No dead-arm numbness, burns, singes… Okay, so it's not going to hurt me (or another: should I feel they require a good swatting), unless perhaps I try sticking my pinky finger in between the metal grate… [No, stop, resist the temptation to see how badly you can hurt yourself, dumbass.]

Moving on…

Again, my practiced, finely honed fly-swatting skills involve stalking, waiting to smash my fly-victim against another surface, but that's not how this one works. More of a wildly, drunkenly swing-at-them until you (merely) make contact mid-air. I suppose the thrill of the sparky-zap makes up for the lack of skill required. [Ha ha, stupid bug.] Had to stop myself from smushing them against the wall, that's not how this works, so I just walked right up, waggled the end at them to become airborne, swing and a zap. Satisfying, I suppose, for those not so skilled at the hunt. It kills bugs. Oh, but not beetles… There was one on my floor, I thought it was a fly and just laid the fly swatter over it, zap, movement, zap, movement, zap… Sorry, buddy, then squished it with my foot.

Battery Life– Cannot speak to that so early on. It is not like my home is infested with bugs. [There are a few black flies popping up occasionally, which means a rodent died in the basement; hard to keep rodents out with a stonewall foundation: when I hear one in the walls I check the poison-bait at the bottom of the stairs, add a new brick if it is empty, leave it if it is not, knowing they'll find their way to another rodent's cache of poison somewhere else in my walls or dirt crawlspace, and be dead in the next day-or-so, which (come to think grimly upon it) there's likely hundreds of desiccated rodent corpses scattered throughout the various holes/ tunnels they've dug over the past hundred+ years, just beneath me…] I could go bug-hunting outdoors, but that's their realm, where they have a right to live and let live, until they cross the threshold of my home, at which point they have forfeited their right to continued existence.

Overall– Yeah, I suppose, if you prefer the easy path to murder, with no real skill involved, it'll get them dead. Three Stars: nothing new/ innovative here.

Update– Either I got lucky the first two-or-three flies and zapped them just right, or the battery has drained from its limited usage thus far, because the last two-or-three black flies I tried to zap took two-or-three zaps to kill them dead. Let's not be inhumane about murder here: get it done right, first time. Also, it would be helpful if there was a hanging hook/ lanyard upon the swatter: it is big (and kinda ugly) and leaving it lying around isn't ideal (ever afraid somehow water will get inside), hanging it out-of-sight/ mind would be preferred.

Update 2– For (big) black flies: fairly useless. Mostly just stuns them, not always falling down to the ground (where you can then step on them). Note: have to use caution swinging this swatter anywhere near anything electronic or wet: that stuff + zap = bad. Conclusions: The old-fashioned thwap-swatter works better, for me, inside. Where this zap-swatter does well is outside: around a grill, garden, patio, (fire) pit… When the bugs start to notice you, fire this up and swing free. Like mini fireworks, while clearing the air, for a bit.

Update– Months Later… I keep this swatter hanging on a screw next to the door (pictured): such to kill any invaders that dare to follow me in. The battery is still good, works good for killing mosquitoes, still works not-good for bigger bugs.

First Impressions– Simple, unpretentious, nice colors, they all have the same manufacturing deformity in the same place (top-corner edge: nothing obvious/ hideous), finish can be scratched with a fingernail (leaving a lighter-color line, forever).

In theory they can be taken apart, but looks like that will require one of those smartphone disassembly tools to get in between the tight edges: cannot be pried apart with hands or separated with fingernails.

Easily washed, rinsed out (even while remaining unopened: just add warm water). There's no grip to the bottoms, so they can/ do slide around on wet/ slippery surfaces. [Update: though, never once has slipped/ fallen the soap-tray from its perilous perch, pictured.]

Overall– Good, if ‘basic’ meets your needs/ budget/ style. Four Stars: for the slippery base and easy scratchability.

Pictured– Months later, hadn't been cleaned in weeks.

First Impressions– Shiny, bendy, same as a shower-head hose (but a little thicker).

Included some teflon tape and three extra washers. Has decent strain-relief at both ends. The screw-end could have been a little thicker/ wider: it has ridges, but is thinner than a finger and more challenging than others to screw-tight. The hose does get a bit ‘caught up’ on itself: small loops bending back around/ upon themselves. Doesn't kink, which is good. Can tolerate being stepped upon, cannot speak to its survivability if run over by a car. Has a preferred wrap-direction, doesn't like being coiled the other way: not uncommon. Similar weight to my other ten-ish-foot non-metal hose. Flow: same as the others, as they all squeeze through the same small holes in the ends.

Gets hot-to-the-touch in the afternoon sun, gloves might be recommended in warmer climates. The first few seconds of water-flow are also Hot, so run it a bit before pointing at any plants, unless they enjoy a scalding bath. This might be more of a shaded-storage-location outdoor hose, or perhaps better in a barn/ garage/ basement.

Overall– Different than the usual, hopefully tougher, doesn't kink. Four Stars: for what it is, with only a week of usage.

First Impressions– Soft, pretty pattern, immediately classed-up the joint.

Absorbency– Minimal. Doesn't dry your shoes/ boots very well. But I am more of the ‘leave your boots at the door’ type rather than dragging the outside inside.

Slide– Stays where you put it, doesn't slide around when poked at by a foot, trampled over.

Style– Nice. Well stitched, no loose threads.

Cleanliness– Does show dirt/ detritus/ mud, given the lighter colors. I feel bad wiping my dirty feet on it. Does nothing to clean out the crap between your treads.

Placement– Currently at the front-door porch, inside. Limited mud/ water there as I use the side door for normal entry. Slipping on/ off my flip-flops to get firewood out of the box on the front porch: leaving behind only splinters and some detritus that easily vacuums off.

Washing– Too soon to know how well/ not that goes. Spot-cleaning worked well enough: a wet paper towel and the mud wiped away.

Overall– I like it, as decorative, not functional. Maybe in front of the kitchen sink it will end up? Four Stars: for limited, outdoor-remediation functionality.

Pictured– Months Later… barefoot-traffic, been vacuumed a few times, never washed.

First Impressions– Banging around inside the plastic box, internationally shipped: seems bad. Yet arrived undamaged. The laser housing is made of light metal, much like tactical flashlights: has two grippy spots, but the rest is slippery.

Battery– No way to know it is running low, until it dies. There is a small hole near the back, instructions-labeled as Power Indicator: but that functions only to turn blue while charging then goes out when done. Has a USB-A plug hidden in the back. A bit awkward to plug it in that way, what with how long it is, especially if your charger-port is sideways. [Suggestion: USB-C port, next version.] Longevity: haven't used it long enough to need to recharge, maybe an hour of fiddling around, so far.

Laser– Bright Green. Can be seen during daylight at 100 feet away easily, but cannot spot it 500+ feet across the pond. Then again: small light. Methinks I can see it that far away at night though. Yeah, maybe.

Silver Star Cap– Neat, but impractical for any real purpose. Twist the cap and the thousands of green lights dance through various patterns. Kinda kaleidoscopic, yet more Borg-ish. 14x14(+) grid patterns. Lights separate and rejoin. Rather trippy.

Cats– Love to chase the single beam, more than a little confused by the grids: more inclined to just stare blankly, more likely to get burning laser-points in their eyes therewith.

Overall– It's a laser, green, metal housing, has a psychedelic screw-on option. Probably not great for pets: what with the overpowered laser and the potential for blindness. Four Stars.

First Impressions– There's five hookups beneath this thing. And with all the hoses and twisting/ turning/ extending everything everywhere… seems a bit much.

Instructions– Clear english but unclear instructions: required some serious head-scratching to interpret. Failed to mention you needed to use the included plastic adapter +washer to hook that up into there: just said "screw G into H" which 'H' isn't labeled correctly, I think they meant 'I' (and 'I' doesn't screw into the adapter, it is a push-until-click hookup entirely different from any other hookup therein). 'G' refers to all Three Waterline Hookups: no mention of a splitter (and was certainly not provided) being required to use the drinking-water spigot (having a differently sized connector than the other two, needing an adapter they failed to provide, naturally, so you must then go out and buy an adapter alongside the splitter). Failed to include ‘escutcheon’ in the listed-parts… You get the idea: Poorly Instructed.

Hookups– Mostly nonstandard size. Came with a bunch of unlabeled adapters. Have to use their cold/ hot-water adapter-hoses to hook up into the faucet. [Recommend hooking the hot/ cold tubes into the faucet before pushing it through the sink-hole: as nigh-impossible to reach/ affix/ tighten once cramped up all beneath the sink, I suspect. More on that failure, later.] Four different style/ thread/ size hookups for five different hoses. [*smacks forehead*] Note: The provided teflon tape is wider than the threads, have to cut it or fold it (which never works well) or risk blockage or disrupting the rubber o-rings' functionality. The into-faucet waterline-ends do not independently rotate, so the whole hose has to be rotated to be screwed tight (thwapped myself in the nads with the far-end more-than-once during the process). All the hookups being packed together far-too-close to the bottom of the faucet such that you need a pry-bar to separate them far enough just to screw the ends in. Then you have to crush all the pipes together just to get the… Wait, that isn't going to work… Dammit, now the sink-hole and metal ring and escutcheon won't fit over this massive bundle of tentacular nightmare… Glad I bothered to check that after screwing in only the cold-water-hose rather than having to undo both/ all upon installation. So, they Do expect/ require you to hook up the waterlines After the faucet has been fed through the sink-hole While working in the limited space below, thwapping yourself in the face, this time, no doubt, to screw in the waterline-hoses… [More on that, later. The engineers who designed this clearly never once tried/ had to install one of these themselves. The ‘Special Hell’ awaits them, forever and unendingly ever having to install their own (and others') crap-designs.] As far as differentiation between hot and cold hookups: they dabbed a tiny bit of blue/ red marker upon the backside of the hookups, impossible to see from under the sink. So, I wrapped some tape around the cold hookup such to tell the difference.

Installation– Standard beneath-the-sink nightmare of not-enough-room, significantly worsened by this terrible design. Recommendation: hire a plumber (if one you can afford; or having a friend owing a big favor), and apologize profusely for the nuisance. Took me nearly an hour to figure out all the hookups before I even removed the other faucet, before beginning to install this one. [Mind you, I have physical disabilities: leaning/ reaching/ bending/ twisting/ turning/ looking-up all hurt me. So this took many small bouts of effort over the course of hours, being determined to accomplish this in a day: which I shall be paying for for the next few.] Note: the rubber o-ring atop the escutcheon (beneath the faucet-bottom) is thinner than the space it fills, so metal-on-metal this ends up mounting, with no compression. Note: the escutcheon (being only millimeters wider than your standard-spaced three-hole-sink configuration, resulting in water-leakage into the space below) has no nubs or hole-guides/ probes to hold it in place, so it spins freely without a third hand to hold it in place (wound up duct-taping it where barely-it-fit best, will require silicone sealant to prevent leakage) while you twist on the mounting-nut (with its weak-metal screws inclined to strip rather than tighten-fully) from below: resulting in scratches on your sink, because… Note: the foam (not rubber/ silicone) pad beneath the escutcheon is thinner than the space in which it sits, does not extend out beyond the escutcheon, either, therefore doing nothing to help cushion its placement, leaving this to be a metal-on-metal/ porcelain installation, thereby doing nothing to prevent water from getting in between the two. [*bangs head against wall*] Walked away, did something else for a spell…

Continued– Yes, screwing in the waterline-hoses was stupid: the ends thwapping me in the face, knocking loose my glasses, getting snagged in my hair, banging all around inside the cabinet below, getting caught up in all the other hoses, having to twist it by the hose itself (not the advised way to screw these things in) as a wrench cannot fit/ grab in that limited space… [*incoherent grumbling*] Finished screwing everything in, turned on the cold water: immediately started leaking from the cold-water-line failing to have been properly tightened. [Insert (in)appropriate profanities here.] Tried to find a wrench that could grab that hose, nope, not possible… Unscrewed the cold-water-line from the tap-end such to grab the hose (not easy when it and your hands are wet), wouldn't turn any further, unscrewed, noticed it had previously gone in askew: the nearby hookups making a straight-entry improbable, jammed a screwdriver in there to push the other hookups away, allowing for a ‘proper’ tightening: by twisting the far-end of the hose until it would twist no tighter, then reattaching the cold-water-tap end, turned back on the water: Explosion/ Deluge. During the process of all this, the cold-hose had pressed up against the cheap-plastic adapter's release-button for the main-faucet extending-hose, unsettling it. Clacked that back into place, turned the water back on: no drips. [Yet still I shall keep a bucket beneath to catch the likely-pervasive leakages/ seepages.]

Usage– What a POS. The main faucet-pipe is made of cheap metal, turns unevenly/ unsteadily, tilts back/ forth, side/ side too much (bump it too hard and it'll break off), has some strange plastic screw-head sticking out the back, the pipe somehow having gotten itself scratched between the box and being installed, the extending faucet-head (made of not-metal) has two flimsy plastic guides/ shapes that fit into the faucet-proper to allow for turning, changing orientations (I give that a month before one snaps off). Rotating the spigot: doesn't shut off early enough while turning, spraying water out beyond the confines of the sink; the high-pressure option shot water several feet out onto my countertop. The main-handle is too short/ thin, forward is hot, back is cold, does have a nice swivel to it though. The drinking-water spigot (which I couldn't hook up as I lack the proper adapter and splitter): threatened to snap off by the mere matter of turning it (I give that but one snagged-on-your-sleeve to rip it entirely off), the handle for which is stupidly small/ short.

Overall– Whomever designed this, there's a fundamental concept called Product Testing, in-house: kindly, don't leave it to the consumers to find/ demonstrate all the (obvious) ways It Fails. (Negative-)One Star. Do Not Buy. [Just because it can be CAD'd/ sourced-cheap doesn't mean it should/ need be built/ sold.]

Update– I kept using this for another few months. Why go through all the effort of removal/ replacement when kinda it already works? [Said the lazy reviewer to the indifferent reader.] I didn't feel like going backwards, waited instead until a decent forwards presented itself: a new option to (re)consider: which only served immediately to remind how truly dreadful this monster is/ was. [Why do we put up with such terrible crap? Oh right, cause it happens to be all that we can afford: whatever's cheapest/ available, and only threatens to attack us a tolerable amount.]

Wanted to write a review, but couldn't. It keeps getting delayed: does not inspire confidence. The latest revised arrival date puts it at a month(+) from when I ordered it.

Overall– Until I get to try it, based solely upon the delays, I have to go with One Star. Do not offer a product you cannot deliver upon.

Update– Didn't arrive within the one-month review period: opportunity lost.

First Impressions– Yeah, that's nice. (Slap a mug-handle on that and I'm all in.) Shiny and stylish and all-grown-up. Can hold tons of tea leaves.

The ‘rubber’ surround atop the strainer, such to help hold the top in place, is rather flimsy, irregular-width, looks like easily torn it could be. The top does settle snugly in, but unevenly, for so too lays the rubber beneath. Minus One Star. Find a better solution, please.

Tea-Making– If somehow they managed to bungle that, I'd let you know, otherwise: as expected/ advertised.

Metal-Top– Nestles into the strainer-top to help hold in the heat, does it well, stays scalding for far longer than reasonable. [But that's never how I ‘cook’ my tea.] Does not fit nicely/ securely over the mug itself, slides around, apparently never a consideration in design: the idea being to help hold in the heat after the leaves have properly seeped and the strainer removed. [Consider: somehow figure a way for the next iteration to firmly join those two components together, also.] One side of the metal-top is flat, the other is indented to set your strainer into (with just enough depth that had you properly shaken out the remaining water therein, that little-bit left is nary enough to overflow out-of).

Strainer– Smaller bits of tea-dust do get through, but in no quantity that doth offend, rather actually providing for that potent final-sip (if that's your thing). Note: I've found dumping sugar into the strainer before adding water works better, rather than it clumping in the bottom of the mug (generating a sugary final-sip).

Bottom– Narrow, a little uneven, rocks back/ forth a bit, not the steadiest. Minus One Star.

Mug– Slippery when wet, and it does get wet/ steamy while making tea. Mug itself stays warm inside and cooler outside. Feels a little fragile, significantly more-so than my preferred ‘diesel’ mugs having survived clumsy-me for now more than a decade. Does get ‘foggy’ around the lip as you sip, but that's an (enhanced) result of the dual-layer glass helping with thermal control: just pointing this out as some may find that rather annoying/ obvious on their clear-glass mug that otherwise wouldn't be seen (but is also the lesser-case) upon every other mug out there.

Overall– Fragile, wobbly, slippery, decent: thermal/ brewing/ straining. I love it, but it could be better. Three Stars.

Updates– The bottom of the mug looks like it could/ should fit into the top-dent, but don't try it, unless you want to dump the whole mug (onto your pants, or worse). Manufacturer: If a small-base mug is your intent: make it fit into the top so it can serve as a coaster (to steady). That would help overcome its inherent tipsiness, should tiny-bottom be your preference. Metal-Top: please make it snugly fit into/ onto/ around the top of the mug. I found myself (teeteringly) placing the top upon the top of the mug (with the strainer atop that) upon my countertop to keep my tea warm (once properly/ timely brewed), such to take gulps in passing, every hour or so I often do, while keeping the tea warm for nearly two hours that way (perhaps for longer if better/ tighter kept-in-place?). Make the two pieces securely fit together, kindly, then we can take it with us around the house (sans the strainer once properly steeped), keeping it closer to where we'll be throughout the day. Praise: I Love It, seriously, ‘flaws’ and all. [Causality: I've been averaging four cups of tea a day for a week now, up from maybe once a week, while feeling overall (intestinally) better.] Thank You (drive through). Four Stars: Upgrade.

Pictured– Months Later… A mug of maté; the underside of the sieve, having sat unused for more than a month: looks mostly like water-spots was but just a bit filmy/ scummy. [Perhaps I failed to properly dry it before putting away?]

Realizing only upon arrival that I have little use for these: barely able to turn a screw myself, let alone handle a power-driver (and having no wires laying around to strip), I handed these over to a friend who does this kind of work on the regular, such to get a proper review, rather than giving up. Here's their thoughts…

“Finally got a chance to check out the wire strippers. I would rate them as nearly useless, (sorry). First, they require a drill motor to function, and 2 hands. The ones I have can accommodate 10 different wire gauges, and one hand operates it. They may be good for bench work if you have a fixed drill motor. No good in the field. Hope this is helpful.”

Overall– Not a solid endorsement. Two Stars.

First Impressions– Basic.

There's one main knob, adjusting how wide it opens. The resistance level goes up the wider you set it.

Use– Started low. Pumped it for a while, got tired, stopped. Later: set it to low, only-just held it between my thighs for 20 minutes: not straining, not pumping, just barely holding it together. Felt it the next day: no pain, just ‘aware of’ my groin while I went about my business.

Have tried a few of the suggested exercises, slowly, gently. Only for so long as until my muscles start to twitch. Don't want to overdo it, elsewise I'll stop using it (entirely) if I get hurt. [More on that, later.]

After a few days… I can feel parts of my legs/ rump that have tightened up, grown firmer. I keep it near the sofa and pump out a few rounds while watching tv every day. Also just holding it slightly/ steady between my thighs for a while, alternatively crossing my ankles to allow for flexing my calves to squeeze the THGH, muscles barely quivering, here and then.

When this is ‘mounted,’ the big red threatening button (which controls the springs; which cannot be adjusted while under pressure) is pointed at the most vulnerable portions of oneself (with visions of spring-loaded back-fire dancing through my subconscious). Kindly, somehow make that feel more less-threatening. So, I loosened the knobs holding the ‘lotus pads’ (so named by the instructions) and turned them the other way: only then noticing that there are position-notches for locking them into off-angles to better fit your thighs/ exercise: nice touch (but now, it is pointed at my face; it doesn't work quite so smoothly provided the off-angle pressure, ticking and clicking the potential-threat warnings of breaking-loose, snapping-off). Then tried using this in that new 180-orientation… The far/ fatter-end impinges between your thighs, impeding use, now more uncomfortably close to your nether-bits than previously: further endangering your ‘sensitives’ while perhaps being more prone to slip loose of your thighs and directly into… Ow, my balls. This was clearly meant to be pointed/ used the other way around.

A week later… My thighs and butt have gotten firmer and fatter (in the good way) with but a few minutes of use every day.

Overall– Name-Brand doesn't always mean better, just often more expensive (/marketed). If you are looking towards an affordable alternative (you don't expect to last you forever) to see if these are the exercises you want/ need: go ahead, give this a try. Recommended. Four Stars: doubting its longevity at more than a year of everyday use (while further being unable to forgive said sucker-punch to the nads).

Update– Months Later… One day I put it away, and there it stayed. Just dug it back out. Shall have to keep trying to use it. [Given my significant weight-loss since then, the least I could do is try to make my legs/ butt look stronger (rather than frail/ flat, as presently they do).]

Battery– Using a one-amp charger, took 5.5 hours to initial-charge (same for recharge). On full brightness, battery lasted 18.5 hours: slowly, slowly dimming itself darker down, down, down until I couldn't even tell if it was still on (not unlike a dying ember). [Perhaps blink-twice at low-battery to warn us the night/ light is growing long: such then to plug/ pack it in, or dim-lower to buy just a little longer?]

The battery-button on the bottom was 3D-printed (with visible gaps around) to bend in: I see that later/ sooner snapping off, while in the meantime providing any moisture upon which it sits the opportunity to sneak/ leak up inside the base/ electronics, thereby negating any safe-usage in foul weather. Suggestion: make the front-button three-way-action capable: push/ click for master-on/ off, tap-once to change color, long-touch to adjust brightness, while properly sealing (with rubber/ silicone rather than hard-plastic) the button into the surround to improve waterproofing.

USB plug– Not waterproof, either. Can see the light shining clearly through it.

Textures– Nicely firm, limited give. The ‘woven fabric’ look to the top and base-sides are pleasing to the sight/ touch, slightly shiny.

Weight– Light, but not ‘cheaply’ so. Wouldn't want to drop this: might survive better than others, the globe more likely to bounce than shatter/ splinter if dropped, being not how it would land, naturally, but I'm not going to be the one who (purposefully) breaks this adorable little lantern.

Brightness– Not ideally going to be reading by it, but bright enough to see your way around/ through. Numerous levels. Hold the button: slowly darkens vs. rapidly brightens. No dependable action of which direction the brightness will go, unless at full-bright/ dim: when then it always goes the other direction; elsewise, sometimes, when at a middling brightness, it will go down or instead up… Again, illogically unpredictable.

Burn– Might appreciate (might hate, depending how well/ poorly is done) a candle-flicker setting alongside the other colors, which are nice. The overall-brightness dimmed bit-by-bit over the final hours it remained lit… [Likely a simple command-script: at X% battery brightness-reduce by Y%?] If it was intentional: decently played-out/ down. Other lanterns I've owned either burn themselves at ever/ only their brightest until dead or drunkenly stagger their way down into delayed-darkness. This did grow unacceptably dim the closer it got to dead-battery: I prefer to ‘burn brightly’ until the (bitter) end, but that's just me.

Quality Control– There were a few 3D-printed splinter/ web-threads on the globe, but those wiped right off, visible most prominently at the top where the ridges come closest together: can simply be scraped away with a gentle bristle-brush (which perhaps should have been done at the factory, instead?).

Overall– Decent little lantern, nice colors, variable brightness, long burn, questionable water-survivability. Four Stars.

Update– Four Months Later… Still keep this around for whence (too often) the power doth fail. Good enough to light my way around, stick/ hang it in certain places to light up (enough to navigate by, at least: such to conserve battery-life) around the corner, more than one room. I am annoyed that the hang-strap is not squared to the power-button: slightly off-angle. And that button is a bit twitchy: while feeling around in the dark for that front-button (which is not so easy to feel in the dark, nor the light) I will accidentally set it off, more than once, trying to feel my way back to it (/undo the wrong setting I unintentionally activated)… Make it more obvious to touch alone, please. There was one obvious (thickest) seam running the height of the lantern-pattern: which just so happens to have been positioned near the front (rather than the back) where it is always seen… The lantern works, it's bright, it lasts, it looks good… but could readily be better prettied-up, please. [It's the little things…]

What can I really say here? They're all quite similar: lots of pockets, hooks, rings, straps, clasps, webbing… What it really comes down to is how it holds/ feels, loaded-down.

What I can point out as an Immediate Flaw is how close-together the shoulder-straps are. My neck isn't thick, yet still they cut in too hard/ deep than I suspect I could for long tolerate. Minus One Star. Please, place those further apart, or provide us a way to adjust them, as every other strap here offers in abundance.

What I look/ test for in a (tactical) backpack (as it happened to occur to me, here)…

0) Rattle: Pick it up and shake it, first-thing… When fully zipped/ clasped/ strapped/ cinched/ tightened: almost/ barely nothing, no metal ding/ tinkle/ jingle/ jangle: Well Done.

1) Shoulders/ Neck/ Lower/ Mid-Back Fit: The proximity of the shoulder-straps detract from the first two, mid- and lower-back feels fine. Has strap-clasps for mid-chest and waist.

2) Capacity: There's a reason they (should) all list that… How much stuff do you need to pack in?

3) Pocket Quantity, Size, Depth, Placement, Sub-Dividers: What do you need to get at most/ quickest? (And what are you trying to secure/ hide?) There's plenty of options here.

4) Stitching: Something you cannot really tell until you actually have/ hold it: mostly double+stitched on the Outsides, but not on the Insides… Minus Two Stars. The front-pockets only sew-through into the middle-pocket single-file, which means whatever's inside them are but one thread-tear away from tearing-off entirely, dumping their contents upon the ground, or into the water, forever lost; the middle-pocket demonstrating the same lack of consideration, as do the interior mesh-pocket/ dividers being insufficiently affixed… Looks solid from the outside, but the inside proves otherwise.

At which point I would have returned this, sought out something better/ tougher.

5) Zippers, Pulls: Nice sound, the main-zipper being bigger than the others. Zip-pulls being corded into self-untying knots, rather than solid/ quiet plastic-knobs. [I'd take off another half-star, but having already written-off this entire bag as ‘Sufficiently Deficient’ why bother?]

6) Straps/ hooks/ etc.: What (bigger than the bag) might you need to affix to the outside, and how well can it be accomplished? [It would be helpful if there was included a picture/ suggestion/ feature-guide with the bag itself, much like you get from the product-page, showing us what-all, where things were designed to fit/ strap/ hang/ hook…] I have no idea what's meant to go here/ there, how… had to refer back to the website.

7) Everything Else, Accessories: Being differently required/ considered for each wearer. Came with some extra snap-straps, patch-flags, reusable hooks, a bottle-net, and some-other fishing-related thingamabob I know not what-for.

Overall– Two Stars: solid-stitching being a fundamental expectation when classified as ‘Tactical,’ alongside all the other obvious accoutrements, and it must fit/ sit/ hold properly/ comfortably whereupon most of the weight will be, which this failed to.

Immediately…

Feel– Not great as a Fidget, but better as a Soother. Just a little texture on the front, flat back. Solid, reassuring weight and density to the pendant. [What is this thing made of, depleted uranium?] Chain: let me sleep in it a few days, get back to you, but preliminary analysis reads: ‘maybe not-bad’ (potential-positive fidgety-texture/ action thereupon) but have to see how my (overly) sensitive skin reacts, ever having the Final Say.

Scratchability– Something always am I reticent to test. Most of my stuff is well-cared-for (as so few a number of nice things do I possess). I have another pendant I am concurrently product-testing, with a (too-)shorter chain (which is rubbish, BTW) that hasn't now been taken off for a few weeks: I suppose I could pair-them-up upon this new chain, appreciating the lower-hanging this rests than the first, for to see how well they coexist/ feud in such close proximity (securely nuzzled betwixt my boobs)..? But not today. [Note: I hadn't worn jewelry in nearly a decade, so, lots to (re)consider that never before had I bothered to, until now.]

Clasp– Being a bit challenging for those of us with clumsy-fingers. (un)Fortunately, I am more of the almost-never take-it-(all-)off variety: wearing an undershirt to bed every night into which is tucked my waist-length hair such to prevent strangling myself with, [you laugh, but if/when your dreams turn all purpley-blue on you: ¡Wake Up!] so adding a(nother) chain (I know I could snap with but a firm-yank from) around my neck wouldn't seem all that much (more) to worry me (but we'll have to see, won't we).

Bathing– I'm due for a shower in the next day/ so. Will update then…

In the meantime– While fidgeting with the new chain, both went and got themselves tangled-up right quick… Not off to a great start, only one hour in. Removed completely the previous chain/ pendant: time now to try feeling a differing energy so very-near my core, for a spell (or three). A few hours later: my hair having been provided many an opportunity now for snagging itself into this new chain, while not (yet) happening: excellent.

Two Days Later– No skin irritation, hasn't strangled me, no hair-pulling, no problem bathing-while-wearing. More of a fidget than previously considered: there's a click to the pendant-hanger (I hated at first, but) you can twiddle with your thumb, satisfyingly; the chain does have a nice, rough feel for running/ bending/ twisting through your fingers; I'm not much for the need to ‘stick it in your mouth’ but the chain has some interesting textures for your lips (if that's your thing), as does the pendant, too, both tasting like nothing… Better than expected for fidgeting/ soothing/ worrying/ nibbling. An overall ‘calming’ energy to feeling this pendant (reassuringly thump) against my chest.

Doubled it up with the other urn-pendant upon the chain for a bit: the far ends splay away from one another, making both more visible beneath my shirt (rather than just the one that could hardly be discerned) and clinking/ tinking/ grinding together in a way I'm not fond of. Instead, put the previous pendant upon my tiny (watch-pocket-)ring with my usb-drive and pentacle (which I stopped proudly presenting around my neck after far too many questionable/ ugly/ fearful looks that generated, back then) I never leave home without.

Overall– Excellent, classy, solid. More expensive than ever would I have bought for myself (but that's just ’cause I'm poor), but would (/did, thank you) definitely appreciate getting as a gift. Five Stars.

I seem to recall buying something similar, three+decades ago, for around $10 (with the field-trip spending-money provided me) from the gift shop at the Science Museum, I think it was…

The pen likes to try to stick to the surrounding rings (which do not rotate, remaining the orientation they arrive in on their heavy-metal base) upon insert/ removal: dull-clank (with no reverb) it goes. When you flick/ tip/ spin the pen: stops spinning around inside the rings in about five seconds (disappointingly, as it looks like what that would want/ means/ intends/ should to do, but doesn't), then just sort of waggles at you for significantly less than a minute: unsatisfying.

Pen– Tried to unscrew the top, first, exposing the ink cartridge inside (which they provide a replacement for: least they could do). Then figured out it was a pull-cap (which can/ will roll away if set-down sideways, easily lost). Heavy-bottom: if you're into that sort of thing. Lighter, thinner top-end. Writes well enough, fine-point, which I prefer. But the grip is all wrong: too short/ fat/ rounded/ slippery than I can easily hold with my (disability-)fingers: started cramping up after but a mere few minutes of pinching/ scribbling.

Overall– Neat, but impractical. Certainly not worth $100 to someone like me (who could better spend such money on food… man, I'm hungry). Three Stars: for those who want/ need/ like an expensive (functionally unimportant) conversation-piece upon their desk. For Me: One Star (’cause it does (only) look neat, and now can I say I own a $100 pen). Applying the average…

First Impressions– Rattle, tinkle, ding: Minus One Star. A ‘man-purse’ needn't/ shouldn't sound that way. Immediately taped-over each of the clangy zipper-pulls: better. Would be better even if instead they were corded-to-plastic pulls. Not a fan of the ‘safety-orange’ interior… My child (who I had hoped would want this bag) was equally unimpressed and immediately dismissed its potential.

Pockets, Pockets, Pockets– Yes, Thank You. Lots of pockets: everything in its right place. Front-bottom pocket: pen/ pencil holders, slip pocket (good for a phone), keyring and clip (again, would have been perfect for my child, who keeps losing keys), the front of this pocket (and the one above) is thickened/ padded, to help protect what's inside: nice consideration; only one zipper-pull: left-slide close. Top-front pocket: could fit a phone, if it's not too tall. Main pocket: three inches deep, padded on the back and sides; front-flap has a small zip-pocket which could only hold a small phone or a wallet, also a nylon-mesh 7x5-inch pocket; main-body has a slip-pocket nine inches deep (for a tablet, not a laptop), there's a mesh-pocket on the right side that could fit a small bottle or a phone but it seems to be designed for a USB charging-brick, as there's a USB-A cable dangling down into it (more on that, later). Outside bottle-pockets: expanding-space that do not fit your standard steel water bottles or those larger-sized bottles everyone seems to carry with them everywhere these days, instead plastic disposable-sized only, disappointingly; works well for holding even bigger phones, easy access. Backside: one zip-pocket 6x6 inches, somewhere to hide your valuables? One more tiny zip-pocket in the shoulder strap, barely big enough to hold ID and credit cards (but not a wallet).

USB– There's dual-hookup USB A and C jacks under a sliding cover on the right-top, which would only do anything if the other end is plugged into a charging battery. I get it, I suppose, if you need to keep your (friends') tech topped-off (by carrying around the extra weight), but I don't, so please, have a way to unplug the USB-A from the inside of the main-pocket for those who don't need it (getting in the way).

Carry/Hang– Has a small top-mount handle for carry. The shoulder strap can hook as either left- or right-sided: nice consideration. The strap gets ridiculously long: like below-the-butt length, yet doesn't shorten up nearly enough: half the padded strap is hanging over your back, not your shoulder… Perhaps this is one of those generational(-skipped) concepts parents just don't understand: are all (smaller back)packs now designed to ride low on your back (just above the butt) rather than up at your shoulders? No, sir, I don't like it. Minus One Star. It feels wrong that it hangs no-other-way than all-the-way down: feels like it's going to fall off, and bounces more with every step than necessary/ preferred.

Overall– Decent quality, sufficient storage space as a day/ business-pack, but I don't like the hang, the interior color, or the jangle of zipper-pulls. Three Stars.

Preface– I will need to go into the dark/ dank (mostly dirt) basement (yuck) to flip off the electricity to then dangle (in the darkness) over a stairway to un/ re-wire this light into the place of another… [Note: I spent a few years wiring studios, theatres, stadiums: my worst nightmares are full of cables and conduits trying to snatch/ devour me (from off my ladder); having long since forgotten the proper lingo.] Forgive me if I feel the need to take a few days away from product-testing electricity-based doohickeys over-hanging deadly drop-offs, please stand by…

Installation– The multi-optioned hanger-plate's pre-drilled holes do not line up with my (American-) standard-sized ceiling-mount box. Had to turn it 180-ish to get it to fit (insecurely/ slidably so): pointing the side-mounting base-screws in the direction not quite perpendicular/ preferred. The stripped wire-ends are too close together: barely enough length/ room to screw the included wire-caps side-by-side. Unscrewed the holder-thingy from the socket, donned the included (slippery) gloves, nearly dropped the amber-glass far-too-many times, trying to figure out how this all goes together… Note: the top-flange was slightly bent, bent it back, best I could. No easy way to hold the glass while reaching up inside to reattach the holder-thingy, screwed it in and noticed it was offset from center/ level, tried again, missed again: a third hand would have helped lining-up the top of the glass into the bottom of the socket… Finally got it right, cautiously tightened so as not to break the glass. Screwed in a bulb, went down-down to the basement, flipped the breaker (while cringing, in case it went pop, which it didn't), good. Went back up-upstairs, flipped the light switch (while cringing, in case it went fizzle, pop, explode, which it didn't), good.

Look– The bulb dangles below the bottom-hole, which makes sense as it must be reachable to be replaceable, but looks odd. There was some styrofoam bits on the glass, tried to wipe away, nope, they're inside, damn, shoulda checked that before installation: was more concerned with slip-dropping the glass down the stairs to smashy-town than in inspecting it, first. The cord is zip-tied around itself at the hang-length I think is best, (not yet ready to cut it,) which causes the whole light to hang slightly off-angle. The amber color is nice, but overruled by the brightness of the bulb, glass being rather UFO-shaped (which isn't a negative). [Given the pictures, I thought I was going to get two of these.]

Overall– Meh (so said those few I showed it to). Looks fine enough (once I dismantled everything to clean out the foam-bits, again nearly dropping the glass), feels a little retro/ alien (which I'm warming up to), but I know the innards/ hookups are cheaper than they look. Three Stars.

First Thought– Canadian Whisky: what with the ‘maple’ leaf design (and snowflakes?) on the stopper.

I don't have any Canadian Whisky (can't say as I've ever tried any, either). No American Whiskey here (more of a Scotch fan)… What do I have, if any booze? Absinthe (the little bit left, for special occasions), yeah, that'll do.

Weight– Hefty, solid, doesn't wobble. Same is the stopper (in place), being slightly rounded (intentional?) so that you cannot set it upon its bottom without rocking around a bit.

Pour– A little awkward, as I am used to pouring straight from the original bottle (like the unsophisticate I am); hand so close to the spout that some knuckle-dribbles are to be expected (/licked off). A solid grip is possible around the neck, to prevent slippage, but at a different pour/ weight-angle than I am accustomed to. [Easier for a sneaking-teenager to accidentally spill/ pour too much?]

Look– Classy, like every rich/ fancy-person's drinking-cart has. [Never understood that, displaying your unlabeled booze out in the open (rather than hidden/ locked away), perhaps pretending/ declaring it fancier than what actually it is, because, who can really tell the difference? Tell them it's expensive and they're more likely to agree, pretend too. But, to each their own.] I like the checkered design and the angles, as well as the pattern on the bottom. Slight hints of the seam, but only obvious on the stopper. Engraving this would only feel pretentious/ snobbish. I like it how it is. Note: The inner-base is not level, slopes noticeably to one side. Intentional, I presume? [Perhaps bugging me for being the only real ‘fault’ I could find.]

Overall– Excellent. Makes me feel like more of an adult (even for just the little bit of booze I keep, can afford). Four Stars: for the base-slope, I don't much like.

Update– The stopper does not sit securely, seems to have come loose every time I check it. Have to force it down to stay stopped. The decanter is too big at the base, takes up two bottles-worth of shelf space. Too awkward for me to hold/ pour properly: requiring both (of my weak) hands, dribbles all over my fingers. Emptied it out, put it away. Minus One Star.

There have been a few dead-head drywall/ wood screws mocking me around the house for a while. Time to do something about that…

Dug out my long-unused power screwdriver, dead battery, obviously, plugged in, waiting…

Easy, peasy. Though, make sure to have/ hold something below to catch the metal-dust that comes off (rather than stepping on it, later), and be sure to wear glasses such to not scratch your eyes (especially if the screw is above eye-level). Further, make sure to use the right-sized bit for each screw: my first attempt made a hole a bit bigger than ideal, scraping off a bit too much, made removal uncertain for a few terse moments there.

Overall– Sure, they work (when the right one is used). The carrying case is convenient… Not much else to say. Five Stars, for the moment: but cannot speak to Longevity, having used them less than half-a-dozen times (before my hands failed me).

Cut open a teabag, not Matcha (don't have any, never tried it before, had to look it up), dumped the tea into it, followed by warm water, some smaller bits did get into the mug (which as I understand it, matcha is finely-ground leaves, looking more like powder: so everything but large-bits will get through this less-than-microscopic sieve), but worked fine as a pour-through-once strainer (if you don't mind grainy tea). Some of the tea-bits did get caught up under the lip of the strainer, took some effort to clean it all out: more than perhaps it needs to?

Overall– Three Stars: for not-matcha tea and for the extra effort to clean it out from between the metal rim and the sieve. I chose this product because I saw a tea-strainer, and wanted to try it, but of course wound up doing it all wrong as this was not designed for my tea. [However, it does work well for sugar (granulated or cube) as you pour your Absinthe through it.]

After exhausting my own contents-limited testing, I divvied these up into six-packs, gave them out to a few people, without preface, asking them what they thought they are for…

Responses: "Nuts and bolts? Beads? Sauces? Lotions? Snacks? Um, I give up, just tell me?"

Answer: All of the above, and more.

Note– Upon first closing/ opening the lids, which have to be grabbed by a corner (next to the round-tray where a tiny flap pokes out, works best), I noticed that on the first few when forcefully/ improperly torn open, a tiny sliver of plastic (the top-tray lip/ edge-catching/ holding-bit) popped free, once landing inside the container. Just letting you know what I saw, when inconsiderately opened (as children often do). Open it properly and you should be fine. [Though, while cleaning, make sure all the edge-catchers are still there, elsewise it might leak next time with liquids inside.]

Closing– You can just press down at the middle and it makes some clicking/ squeaking-closed sounds, but it isn't, fully. You have to press your way around the edges until all the edge-holders click securely in place. So long as the container isn't too-hard bent/ crushed/ twisted, it is water-tight. Maybe a little water slips in between the flats of the bottom and top-lid, but there it remains, unless/until you start bending/twisting the whole thing. Then again, it would be far less leaky using viscous condiments/ sauces. Testing now… Ketchup: never left the confines of the main container no matter how I twisted, shook, lightly-bent/ banged-around it: nice. Soy Sauce: same as water, some can get out of the main container into the flat space between top and bottom, but there it stays until you twist the container while sideways-down.

Opening– Carefully, please, these are made of light plastic. Reusable, of course, if treated properly. The tops don't just peel off, requires a little twisting/ turning to pop all the edges off: you'll get used to it, quick.

Cleaning– Easy.

Crushability– Better than expected, can handle a fair amount of straight-down force/ weight, but still made of light plastic: not intended for the bottom of your bookbag. Bend/ twist it hard enough and it will split.

Longevity– I would have to wait for others to get back to me on that (other than if forcefully opened). I have no actual use for them: I discovered after arrival. [I never go anywhere, and I have no small snacks (affordable within my miniscule/ insufficient budget: limited to survivability vs. snackability) to divvy up into them for portion-control… No small-bits hobbies, either, unfortunately, thanks to my finger-disabilities.]

Overall– People seem to like them (still, after a week) for whatever they use them for, not just food. Five Stars: for smaller stuff, well done.

I have seen far too many movies/ shows where these are used inappropriately. [Strange urges discovered only upon finally fiddling with one.]

I haven't smoked a cigar since my child was born years-ago (made me sick). Guess I have to go out and buy some for to properly review this? I have no idea what I'm looking for, will likely sound like a noob/ fool having to ask (but better than getting the wrong thing?).

Solid metal housing, satisfying snip/ click of snapping it together, decent fiddle/ fidget, and for swinging around on a finger. Solid when closed, but does open just a tiny bit, far too easily (with but the centripetal force of spinning around, twice, or) after banging around inside your pocket for a spell, Minus One Star: should stay tightly closed, always, especially in a pocket, don't want it pinching/ snipping anything therein.

In the meantime… What can I guillotine with this? Grabbed a small, dozen-piece (half a pinky-finger) bundle of uncooked fettuccine, took some effort, but, yeah, it works. Snipped a few more bits off, then looked at the guillotine: damaged, bits of the blade broken off, edges bent/ dulled… Oopsie. [No way that'd lop off a finger-bone.] Minus One Star for cheap blades (and Two for owner-stupidity).

Shall I even continue? Try it next for that which it was entirely/ only intended (after now damaged)? Naw.

Overall– Perhaps woulda worked great for cigars, but I didn't really have the money to waste just to find out buying things I don't need/ want (to get addicted to). Three Stars.

I do not own a BRAND exercise machine, too expensive. My entry-level elliptical is what I got it for.

Initial Thoughts– These smell bad, like a factory, which is to be expected (smell had faded-to-unnoticeable by the next morning). They unrolled easily. A bit un-flat on the inner-rolled edges (but had laid-self-flat by the next morning). I could do without the giant company name on them (turned those to hide beneath the elliptical).

Slightly squishy, firm-held to the faux-wood floors in that upstairs space. Stayed-put over the course of a few furious miles pounded-out, two days now. Then again, so has the elliptical remained over the past 150-miles-run, without.

Did dull the sound/ vibrations of the elliptical into the floor-beneath/ ceiling-above my child, who I asked to listen for the difference. That's good.

Overall– Works. Could do without the brand name (stamp it on the bottom should anyone feel like asking who made them). Five Stars: do not foresee them failing at their solitary function, anytime soon (being rather difficult to screw something so simple up, but we'll (hopefully, not-soon-)see).

First Impressions– I love how the hexagonal base ‘grows’ into the offset (slightly-smaller/ deeper) hexagonal sides with its butt-holders arranged in a triangle: nice touch, feel to the whole thing. Not your classic-age ‘crush a man's skull with’ size/ weight to it, being smaller (I consider a bonus), but might/ could certainly fracture… (for whatever that's worth, to you). Nice color/ sheen.

Not for Roll Your Own (RYO), dang. The butt-holders are rounded: set to fit a pack(ed)-cigarette, dropping anything not fitting said divot, rather than down-pointed to hold elsewise different. [Suggestion: leave the rounded-top, but then add a drop-point V beneath such to securely hold less-than-rounds, also.]

Further, it is too deep for RYO (mine, anyways), as often there's not much longer (betwixt my fingers) left than how (too-)deep this ashtray's bottom is, forced then to stick fingers down-down into, getting (others') ash upon (stained-)fingertips while stamping out the (filtered: acts-to-crush; as opposed to: flimsy-)ends inside. [I keep nearby a screw-bottle, half-full with water into which is dropped the ‘roach,’ hearing the fizzle of it assuredly having gone-out before closing-shut.]

I roll my own, tobacco (to be clear: though I feel that's been deemed somehow worse, these days), to the width/ potency I am wanting it when but the few times a day do I need one. [Ritalin would probably do me some good (had I insurance), but…] I prefer the ritual of rolling-up, stepping-out (into nature), having a think/ stand/ scratch while I smoke (being reminded there's life outside my room/ screen/ head/ butt), then putting-out and getting-down (to whatever too-long have I been putting-off). Where's the appeal in taking a pill/ patch/ chew, instead? Having tried/ failed them all to substitute… Nothing quite like RYO, in moderation (the scenery helps, too). [Too bad it's a dying skill.]

Overall– Four Stars: Minor Improvement… easy enough to make possible (if nothing else but for) putting-down unfiltered smokes, please.

A few hours in… Adjusting to a new grip-position can be treacherous, needs carefully, slowly be adapted to (especially with finger-disabilities). I overdid it differently, ow.

I (now) get the appeal, benefits to these back-of-phone finger-grips, never having used one before. But finding/ choosing the proper-placement with resultant differing-balance ‘just right’ can take more than one try… being all this phone-grip seems to allow for. (No pull-tab for resetting.) I'm afraid I will break the jelly-case this phablet is encased in trying to unstick this stubborn sticker from not-quite the right spot. Fine, just folding it down, click, for now, KBO.

It is sorta still rather in the way, folded down, too. But my hands are already sore from all those unfamiliar positions/ tensions/ torsions. And I'm also plugged in, further interfering. I really should put this thing down (but just can't seem to stop going, going, gone).

I'm gonna need a few days (of tech-free, for recovery before) to report-back anything more than that, on this front… Coolio?

A month later…

I have adapted. Took some time (off from writing daily product reviews). I hold it between my left-hand middle and ring fingers: wrap my pinky underneath the phablet. Properly supportive, good balance, limited hand-strain, longer hold-times. When closed: gets in the way, easier to use when opened. I have clicked closed and popped open this holder a hundred times or so: still works well, no signs of wear/ tear. Four Stars: would be five if we could relocate it once/ twice rather than sticking to where it was stuck, first attempt.

Update– Months Later… I use it every day. Have written over 200 Vine Reviews upon this phablet, using this grip-stand. Without it I am sure my hands would have failed me. Plus One Star.

[annotated] Unboxing transcription, father and daughter (with interpolated sounds/ actions)…

Her: It's very squishy [poking one through the plastic]. What is this?

Him: Figure it out.

Her: I feel bad like taking it out, I don't wanna hurt… Aww, it's squiiishy… It's shedding… What is this? If it goes away as you use it I'd be sad because it's too cute. [was thinking it was soap?] What is it? I'm not gonna take a bite out of it… [second thought, food?]

Him: It's not food.

Her: (slight chuckle) It is very much so shedding. What is it?

Him: It's a squishy.

Her: Ooooh [realization]. I think the fluff on the outside wouldn't last long. That's my first reaction is if you wash it, all that fluff would come off.

Him: Yeah, fluff is falling off in tufts onto your pants [and all over my desk chair]. And what's with the little pompoms, in the bag? Were those supposed to be stuck to it?

Her: No, like little Easter eggs.

Him: Oh. [flips one (still inside the plastic) over:] The chicks are empty underneath.

Her: Just a little bit.

Him: Uughh [poking one through the plastic]. I don't like the squish, that's so gross!

Her: (cackles) [at his disgusted face]

Him: Eeew.

Her: (cackles more)

Him: (shudder) Keep it away from me!

Her: (giggles) He-he-hehhh! [holding out hand covered in the fluff]

Him: No, no, no, don't touch me [flinches].

Her: (maniacal cackles) [while wiggling fluff-fingers at him, then creepily bunny-hops the chick towards her clearly distressed father]

Him: No, no, no [inches away, towards the door].

Her: For a minute I really thought it was soap.

Him: Are the others any better?

Her: (chuckles) They're ALL shedding…

Him: (shudder)

Her: You're afraid of these adorable little things? That bag also came already open, but this second one didn't. Just as something to note. (chuckles) [not a place for laughter] (crinkle, crinkle, squish) [father cringes] It's the same. (laugh) Now you gotta touch 'em and review 'em…

Him: I don't wanna touch 'em [bile rising, itchy creeping, sickly feeling]. Go, wash your hands… Now. [his face is distressed]

Her: I'm gonna go wash my hands. The fuzz, like, instantly starts coming off [from the toy].

Him: [reluctantly, hesitatingly] Ugh, it's like squishing a giant, hairy Peep [scrotum]. Augh, with residue. (panting, gasping) Oh, and it's a little greasy, right? [panic rising, as the fluff/ grease sticks to his hands]

Her: Yeah, just a tiny bit.

Him: (incoherent disgustipated shudder-sounds, pre-barf hurping noises follow)

Her: (laughs, maniacal giggle) [at his discomfort]

Put the chick back in the bag, closed box, dumped into the trash.

Him: No, sir, I don't like it. [furiously washes hands, for far longer than necessary, still gagging occasionally]

Later… Dug one out of the trash, washed it: most (but not all) of the hair came off. Looks like a balding, shiny, melting horror: picture included.

Overall– (Negative-)One Star. Unless conniptions the intention for those with tactile afflictions… Could perhaps prove useful for Immersion Therapy?

Enough Said? No, well then, here we go…

The instructions are all out of left-to-right, up-to-down order: telling you to plug-it-in before adding water.

The footing is uneven: sure wish I'd checked that before filling. A bump or a touch sets it to rocking/ sloshing/ dribbling. Stuck my own rubber feet beneath to steady the seasickness (further distancing the underside from any potential puddling).

The rubber-stopper is worthless: expecting to be held in place by the topper (at which it, too, fails), rather than by quality-of-seal, solitary/ necessary. It slips/ slides/ pops off at the slightest provocation, resulting in seepage. Note: while stopping-up the top, I pushed the stopper straight through into the water, with near-zero effort (had to use chopsticks to fish it back-out). Fail. [Suppose you could get some good tape to seal the stopper: but shouldn't have had to ‘fix’ this that way.]

The power-cord is too short: there should be greater distance between power-supply(s) and water. [That's just common knowledge.] Be sure to plug this in above wherever the tank sits (to prevent cord-drippage), and nowhere near anything else that needn't get wet (/is flammable).

The button and plug: no indication of any sealing-surrounds. Could foresee drips/ drops soaking easily through.

The battery-compartment: no rubber/ silicone seal, and the bottom itself having an (over)abundance of gaps/ spaces for water to sneak-in.

After turning this tank upside down, just to see: started leaking (good thing I unplugged it, first). Note: if it has been off a while, need to turn it upside down (yes, I taped the stopper in place) to get the jellyfish ‘unstuck’ from the top.

After (drying fully-out first, then) running for a few hours…

Sound– The pump is audible, not terrible, but high-pitched there, always.

Look– Yeah, that's kinda cool, the dancing colors, the dancing jellyfish… I dig it, truly. But also, I fear it. Will never leave this thing unattended (for long), anywhere it could do harm (if unsettled). Most likely, it'll be at the (bottom of the) dump by week's end: safer than sorry. Too bad, would have been fun to find just the right place around the house to put it.

Overall– Zero Stars: Don't… just, don't. Though, those jellyfish do look quite tasty…

<ASIDE> Amazon, Vine,
Thank you for the distractions of the past month-or-so: having proven unexpectedly therapeutic/ cathartic (/helpful?)… as much as I do love (compulsively?) collecting/ fiddling/ (re)gifted free doodads, knickknacks, thingamabobs and doohickeys in return for writing enTrusted (/obsessive?) Reviews (/overshares?) detailing the how/ why said-stuff makes me feel (poorly, mostly), alongside fueling a Sense of Purpose in finding/ faulting Somethings (new/ different/ unfamiliar) Else… whereupon I might hope next to direct similar effort/ energy towards would be reviewing (good) Food, perchance? Does not any affiliate/ associate/ marketplace of/ astride/ under yours deliver (healthy, fresh, frozen's cool, too) balanced-meal-kits unto my neck of the (over-the-river/ tracks) woods (via any of the three+ carriers having recently demonstrated overnight-delivery capability here)? A mere three dinners a week for me and mine (average attendance, in return for reviews) would be graciously appreciated… granted, my/ our skills/ grammar being not good (there, either): but we are willing to give it a try, work towards collective-improvement/ understanding, if only you might be, too? I'm really rather hungry, please? [Cardboard Sign:] Will Review (further) For Food </ASIDE>

First Impressions– Cute, but phallic. Looks like a giant penis peeing smoke: general consensus. [Might be less-so if the vapor came out beneath the shroom-top rather than through a ‘pee-hole’: might then look more ‘misty’ instead. Plugging the hole does not make the vapor come out the drip-holes, just stays in the base.]

Colors– Options: orangey; blue; slow transition* red/ orange/ yellow/ green/ blue/ pinkish/ white; (too-)fast transition between the colors; none. [*Press the button again and it will stick to the color presently shown. Press again and it goes to the fast transition (which is terrible).] I like the deep-red or blue. Would be nice if it offered a Brightness setting.

Motion– A little creepy, to be honest. The rotating ‘tentacles’ unnerve people upon first noticing them (usually out of the corner of the eye). The spinning shroom accomplishes little, visually. Press power button once: lights/ vapor on; press it again: +motion; again: all off.

Drips– If the base isn't level, they come out only on the lowest side. The drip-drip-drip sounds are pleasing, but can instigate an enhanced need to pee. [Suggestion: place the machine below wherever it is plugged in: to prevents drips from running down the power cord.]

Preference– Does not remember your previous/ preferred color when turned back on. Have to click your way back through to what you want it, every single time. Minus One Star.

Aromatherapy– Cannot speak to that functionality: don't have any essential oils.

Temperature– Vapor: cool. Base: only a little warm. Power supply: the warmest of all, but not hot (after 15 hours running).

Remote– Buttons: Power-on/ rotate/ power-off; Color switcher; Timer; Motion on/ off. [Motion button changes the input on my bookshelf speaker to line-in.]

Instructions– Poorly translated. Lists power button as “boot work.”

Trouble– Ran it for an hour, left it off for two, turned it on and it didn't work properly. Granted, it still agitated the water, but lost strength enough to push the vapor up out of the top (and drips out the bottom of the shroom-top), vapor just gathered in the base, slowly seeping out through the base-stars. Dumped it out, blew air through the shroom, ran water through the shroom, tried again: nothing. Left it overnight, tried again: nothing. Ran a fingernail (gently) across the ‘agitator,’ felt some crusties come away, filled it: works again (for now). So, either needs to stay always-on, or needs to be cleaned often, or tap-water just doesn't cut it.

Run-Time– At five hours, the vapor stopped spouting. Had built up a water-droplet barrier clogging the hole. I blew into the hole and the vapor started to flow again. Shut itself off after 8.5 hours: water level had dropped to the lowest marker, but still more remained. Brought the humidity of that room up from 68% to 72%. The vapor-stream starts thicker and lower, gets taller and thinner the less water is in the base. Second Time: 6.5 hours until it ran out. [Quite the inconsistency.]

Note– The white On/Timer lights are far too bright: detract from the overall color glowing throughout (especially in lower light; looks like a bright-white pimple, pictured). Minus One Star.

Overall– It will get attention, and a ton of inappropriate jokes… if that's your thing: perfect. If you want a cutesy, naturistic colorful humidifier: perfect. Remembering our preferred color should be standard. Inconsistent run-time. Clogging issues: but easily remedied. Three Stars.

Installation– Used a standard multipurpose cleaner on the underside of my cabinet, gave it an hour to dry, peeled the sticker, stuck it in place, waited an hour. [Not yet ready to drill holes.]

Usage– Takes a few attempts before you get used to twisting it in the ‘right’ direction. As I usually hold the lid with my right hand, and here instead hold the jar with my right.

Blades– Sharp. Can (and accidentally did) cut yourself. The inner and outer blade-ends are not rounded (making it easier to snag a finger-edge on its outer-edge). The blades can scrape into the metal lids of jars. Worked well with a plastic (peanut butter) lid as well. Various sizes are not a problem.

Hold– Double-sided tape: so far so good: a dozen jars opened. Would be nice if we could use it to help close jars: but not designed to hold it that way.

Overall– Four Stars: for the sharp ‘teeth,’ watch your (kids') fingers.

Update– Months Later… It is still there, hasn't fallen off. I often forget it is there, until my weak wrists struggle with a jar, then there it is, ready to serve.

First Impressions, assembled– Looks like a giant snowshoe made of crutches (or a walker) parts.

Manufacturer Presumption– You are already strong to begin with. I lack the strength to meaningfully bend this thing without employing my knee or thigh or skull to leverage it against. I cannot straight-arm bend it.

Usage– Tough. Don't foresee that getting easier by itself, need to grow stronger myself. Like I said: with a body-part as a bend-point, can then use it, feebly. Can grab the inner-handles over the outside bend-handles (which is awkward given how long it is, and puts uncomfortable pressure upon your wrists) and get a few bends in, awkwardly, before I have to stop. [Afraid I am going to hurt myself that way: the strain feels ungood.] Beyond the knee: can bend inwards. Atop the thigh: can bend outwards… But that's about all I can do, a few bends a day. Will need to get back to you…

Note– Came with some ‘crusties’ on one of the metal poles: would seem nobody bothered to visually inspect it before boxing it. [The tacky residue being right next to where they factory-screwed in the inner-arm.] Not a good sign.

A Week Later…

I have used this every day since (keep it next to my sofa for while watching tv). Still need a knee/ thigh to ‘bend it over.’ [Is a bit uncomfortable pressing upon my bony shins.] But I am up to two dozen ‘short’ pushes/ pulls/ bounces at a go. [Do some pushes, wait a few hours, do some pulls: only until it starts to burn, don't want to overdo it.] I find push/ pull and hold to be my preference over repetitions, though. [Can better work/ feel more muscles by subtly shifting my arm/ grip positions while holding steady tension.] I can feel some extra bulk I've built upon my shoulders and arms already. But am still a long ways away from single/ straight-arm usage as designed.

Update– Months Later… All this ever seemed to do was injure me. I gave up, put it away, sorry. Not for weak/ broken people.

Timer– Small, cute. (too) Quick to start counting down. Alarm is a simple, rapid beep-beep-beep-beep, shuts itself off after a minute. It beeps a lot while setting/ turning/ pressing buttons: perhaps too much.

Placing the cube face-up/ down pauses the countdown/ up, ends the alarm, shuts the screen off after a minute.

Nice countdown/ up circular notch-indicators around the outside of the numbers.

Cannot comment on battery life: tells you only when nearly dead. USB-C charging.

The buttons took me some time to adapt to their programming: needs to be face-down to fiddle with the settings, elsewise it starts counting (immediately) down from whatever number is facing up. [Or you have to keep it facing the way it is and fiddle blindly with the buttons (which may not be orientated correctly, depending which side is up) or carefully, without tilting it, turn it around: but the sensors are overly sensitive and often resets it.]

Have to press Set then hold M&S to reset the timer before you can choose your own countdown, but if you turn it over to read the numbers you just inputted: starts counting down from whichever side is facing up and you have to reset and start over: Minus One Star. Don't be so (damn) impatient to start the countdown, please, especially when we are fiddling with the Set buttons.

The 10-Minute countdown side will remember (after power-switch off/ on) whatever your last custom Set-time was (as will the others, until you turn it off). The Default-Up timer is 50 (not 60 minutes?): with the backside buttons facing (properly) upwards; would make more sense if 10 was default-up (which will not forget our custom timer: more likely to be used).

This thing beeps a lot! [Starting to get on my nerves.] Oh, hey, long-press Set to shut it up… Thank you, good to know. Oh, wait, then it makes No Alarm Sound: Minus One Star. Please, option to silence all the beeps but still sound the alarm.

Instructions are clear and well-translated. But, they do say: “Do not use in humid or high temperature environment.” But mostly I need it for my kitchen..?

Timer, itself: Three Stars: simple programmatic adjustments required/ requested.

Clock– Instructions translated poorly, unclear, fairly unhelpful, lousy font, spacing.

Power button: requires a long-press (often three tries): then yells at you: “Power On, Bluetooth Mode!”

Press Set: turns on Alarm 1; again: Alarm 2; again: both Alarms; again: Alarms off. Requires lots of (long-)press Set to set alarms, otherwise it dismisses your settings, too quickly.

Pressing Mode, loudly speaks: “Bluetooth Mode, Clock Mode, FM Mode!” Volume lower, please, no need to shout: Minus One Star.

FM Mode: broken? Cannot set the frequency. Press Forward/ Back: displays ‘P01’; long-press changes the volume (which always starts at Full Volume, never remembering your previous setting). Oh, wait, press Play/ Pause and it scans for available frequencies, auto-sets the Presets (of which I only clearly receive one station, another is simply silent), then you can press Forward/ Back to switch between the (how many?) Presets. Yeah, okay, I guess. But if that station you seek isn't auto-found: you cannot tune it in, manually. I should have checked the instructions, first. Requires the USB cable to serve as antenna: found five stations that way. Again, always starts at Full Volume when you switch to FM: Minus One Star.

Bluetooth: The sound is halfway decent for something this size (3 Watt), not great, mind you, but enough to fill your bedside with (mediocre) sound. Press Forward/ Back: changes tracks; long-press: skips several tracks rather than adjusting volume as the instructions indicate: Minus One Star. Adjust the volume on your device. [Can change the volume on FM Mode (only), but have to set it waaay low there elsewise too loud, which is then too low for BT Mode (which you cannot change, there)… Simply stupid programming.] Battery Life: played it at half-volume (on the speaker, three-quarters on the phone): an hour later and it still shows full (four-of-four notches) battery. [You might suggest: "Ask your phone what the BT battery level is." Trouble is, mine always says the battery is 80%.] At two and a half hours: the battery bar still indicated Full (4/4). I presumed that meant it was still above 75%. I was wrong. Come the middle of the night, a muffled voice kept calling out every minute or so. I got up to investigate, cautiously. The clock was stating: “Low battery. Please charge.” [I hate it when electronics talk to/ at us.] So, the battery bar indicator doesn't count down, as does every other battery bar. This remains static at ‘full’ until it is empty. So, perhaps the play-time is maybe 3 hours..? Recharging: 10 Watt charger, took 3.3 hours.

TF-Card Player: I do not own one of those cards, who does (around here)? Cannot comment on functionality, but suspect it, too, is deficient. [Does it offer Shuffle? Does long-press Forward/ Back change folders? How's about the Volume Settings? Guess I will never know.]

Clock: No (manual) Brightness Setting. Does get brighter when you press any button, then falls back to slightly dimmer 30 seconds later. Please give us the option to set the brightness. Also, only displays time in 24-hour, not AM/PM.

Clock, itself: Two Stars: Try Harder, Try Again. Almost excellent for such a tiny thing.

Overall– Cute combo. But, it all comes down to programming: yours is lacking. Fix that and you will get better ratings. Combo, overall: Three Stars.

Update: Clock– Two days later, the clock(-mode) inexplicably turned itself off (aka: stopped telling the time): had to long-press (twice) the Play button to power it on (in BT Mode) then press Mode twice to get it back to Clock. I should knock off another star: but, I'd already written it off as ‘no good’ (just hadn't gotten around to putting it back in the box). Recommendation: buy just the timer. The clock requires significant reprogramming before it might be useful.

Further Update– the clock started whining: “Low battery. Please charge” shortly after powering it back on… Which means the battery only lasts in Clock Mode for a few days (even after fully charged). Yeah, Minus Another Star, overall.

Further Further Update– A Few Weeks Later… I went back and tried to use the Timer: couldn't for the life of me remember (without the instructions: which I could not find, where'd those go?) how to (re)set the 10-minute timer to anything other than what I last set it to. Got frustrated (with all the turning, beeping, failing), threw it down onto the tiles: surprisingly, it didn't break. Respect. But still it went straight into the trash (well, actually into the bucket of dead batteries (and failed battery-powered doodads) to be properly recycled at the dump: which sounds far less dramatic)… Such a disappointment, overall.

Pendant-sides are flat. Pendant-back is slightly curved: side-to-side. Chain makes a zipper-pull sound when the pendant swings as you walk, lean. [Might annoy some, might be a nice fidget-sound for others: sliding the pendant around on the chain.] Pendant tastes like nothing. Chain tastes slightly like metal. Chain is a little thinner, shorter than I would prefer (even at its longest): made up of tiny cubes (which look neat); the clasp is rather small for some of us (with fat/ clumsy fingers); chain runs through an oval hole in the pendant-top (will fit thicker chains). Pendant fills easily (I used ash from a volcanic eruption, rather than from a dearly departed) with the included funnel and tamper: doesn't hold much; includes a mini screwdriver to tighten the bottom-plug. Pendant is heavier/ thicker/ bulkier (can more easily be discerned through my shirt) than my other urn-pendant, but I am growing to like that. Tree design is simple, neat, but harder to see with black-on-black.

Overall– Five Stars: if this is what you are looking for. [But might prefer a different chain, as did I.]

[Pictured:] Fits exactly maybe half the teabag sizes: Stash, Yogi, (some) Bigelow, Twinings, Ahmad Tea. Too narrow for: Tazo, (some other) Bigelow, La Merced. Too wide for: Lipton. Mind you, they fit, but not perfectly: the smallers twist or slide around, the biggers sit at an angle… No big deal. Fits all well enough. [Celestial Seasonings: you can relocate the wax-bag into these holders, to keep the loose-bags fresh, but I prefer to keep them in their boxes: to better know which flavor they are.]

[Pictured:] Before and After. I had a lot of half+empty boxes. Significantly reduced wasted space.

[Pictured:] Each box holds 30 teabags. [More if you alternate the bags top-to-bottom.]

The holders stack securely: made to fit together. Nice glide to opening/ closing them. The bottom feet have some grip to them. Has a ‘catch’ on the bottom of the trays to keep from pulling all the way out, accidentally. Cannot insert the trays backwards or upside down: won't fit.

Overall– Five Stars. Saves space. Stacks well. Thank you.

Standard small, metal flashlight (like many I've owned over the years). Came with AAA batteries (even though the product page says it doesn't). Turned off the lights and shined it around my kitchen… Gross. I know what I will be doing for the next day: scrubbing.

Battery Life– Cannot speak to that. Would have to leave it on, waste the alkaline batteries.

Not much else to say about the flashlight itself… Click-button on the back, holding/ hanging/ wrist strap, twelve-bulbs, two-pack. Lights up anything ‘gross,’ works better/ further the darker the space, could perhaps be brighter.

Overall– Five Stars: for revealing the hidden (I otherwise would have gone on oblivious to, and now can never unsee).

Pill-fob– Can hold two (and a half) lactase pills, or a stack of nitros, or one multivitamin. I love the shape of it: like a steel milk bottle (or a poison decanter).

Clip-ring– Dark, thick, solid, nice squeeze to it, shouldn't pop open on you. The pill-fob does get snagged on the hinge of the clip: does not spin freely around and around.

Came with extra o-rings (you're likely to misplace).

Overall– Five Stars. Not much else to say.

It is a bit wobbly when standing upright: tends (easily) to fall forward, I suggest keeping a hand on it while filling. [Please, try to flatten out the bottom, for stability. Is slightly sloped-forward on the bottom, causing the problem.]

Pull– Decent. As much or as little of a ‘nip’ as you want.

Top– Standard screw-cap. No hinge or chain to keep you from losing it. [Which some might prefer.]

Style– Nice curves. Not sure what (nine-leaf, tropical?) plant they are emulating, but classy it looks. Their brand-mark: “HONEST Quality Flask” is bigger than necessary, detracts from the overall look. [Tuck it down in the far-corner (or on the bottom) instead.]

Size– Medium. I think I would prefer to carry something smaller (if I carried around booze).

Instructions– Poorly translated, spaced. States: “The flask you use especially designs for holding wine . it should not be used for holding other drinks.” Who drinks wine from a metal flask? I hope that is a mistranslation..? I put Scotch in it. Also states: “Do not keep alcohol in the flask too long.” What is too long?

Arrived in a nice, textured black box with a ‘silk’ lining. Better than a bland cardboard box. Came with a funnel.

I own one other (larger) flask: with others' initials and wedding date engraved upon it. Never felt a need to carry it around. Would be more inclined to carry this one.

Overall– Four Stars: make it less wobbly, make your brand-mark smaller, would make it better.

First Impressions– Lighter, thinner than a real key (feels like it would snap off if used). Minus One Star. I was expecting some heft to it. Feels like a gumball-machine gift (made of tin). Disappointed (but not surprised).

Cord– Black fabric(/plastic?), with metal links (for adjustable length: 1 5/8 inch) at one end. The key cannot be taken off the cord without using needle-nose pliers. Minus One Star. [Never commit a pendant to its original chain/ cord, that's just inconsiderate.]

Overall– Three Stars: thanks for the memories, but I don't expect I shall ever wear it (again).

I suppose now I need to go back and watch Lost, it has been some time. [If only a streaming provider offered the option to auto-skip the flashbacks: then I could watch/enjoy it in half the time.]

First Impressions– It fits my sink: that's good. Came with extra feet for the rack and ends for the sliders: how considerate. Rack made of sturdy metal, and the tray is thick, deep plastic. Smaller than my old rack: holds less (bigger) items: perhaps it shall encourage me to wash my dishes more often?

Tray– Make sure to pull out the stopper-plug if you want it to drain. The drain-chute can be pointed where you need it, and extends up to 3 inches: excellent. [None of which was covered by the wordless instructions.]

Rack– Offers (6) plate-holders and (8) rounded shapes to help angle small(-only) bowls, glasses; the bigger bowls lay flat, or leaned against the sides/ others. The silverware holder can hang anywhere on the (inside: unless you want it to drip on the counter) lip of the rack. [Note: slips/ slides/ falls easily: would prefer if it clicked into place.]

Usage– Rack can either sit on the tray, or extend the sliders to then hang in your sink. In the sink: I soap and scrub the dishes, put them in the rack (in the other sink-side), when done: use the spray-hose to rinse them all off, then set the rack in the tray to drip-dry. More water-efficient that way.

Overall– Five Stars: it works, well.

Update– The dish-slots point/ angle/ flop the dishes into the middle of the rack rather than outwards/ away: which I would prefer. This limits how much stuff can fit inside the rack: Minus One Star: for wasting precious space.

Having reviewed a few of these now: I shall apply my standard quality-matrix…

0) Rattle– Pick it up and shake it, first-thing… When fully zipped/ clasped/ strapped/ cinched/ tightened: almost/ barely nothing, no metal ding/ tinkle/ jingle/ jangle: Well Done.

1) Shoulders/ Neck/ Lower/ Mid-Back Fit– I put 20+ pounds of sandbags in it, walked around for ten minutes: started cutting into the front-meat of my shoulders, causing some numbness down my arms. [Granted, it has been some time since last I had to carry around weight: out of practice.] Cuts a bit into the neck (but less than some others). Sits nicely against the mid and lower back. Note: No chest- or waist-straps.

2) Capacity– Sufficient. Can hold a few days worth of clothes/ supplies: more than enough for my basic needs (as an overnight/ long-weekend bag; should do for a bug-out-bag, too).

3) Pocket: Quantity, Size, Depth, Placement, Sub-Dividers– Employs a double-liner between the front-to-middle and middle-to-back pockets. Front-Bottom Pocket: 10" wide, 11" tall (with an additional 5" above the zipper), 2” deep; a large slip-pocket, a smaller zip mesh-pocket, pens/ pencils holder, and a clip-strap (for keys/ such). Front-Top Pocket: 11" wide, 5" tall; zippered, easily fits most phones. Middle Pocket: 12" wide, 18" tall, 4" deep; a zip-mesh pocket taking up the middle-third of the vertical back-space; a small flap-pocket above that barely fits my tall phone (with a rubber grommet in the side for headphone/ charger cable to reach outside the whole bag). Main Pocket: 12" wide, 18" tall, 2" deep (room to expand); slip-pocket is 10" wide and 9" tall; larger slip-pocket (+velcro strap-holder, padded) is 12" wide, 12" tall, 2" deep, easily fits my 15.6" laptop inside its slim protective sleeve/ case. Mesh Side-Pockets: 5" wide, 8" deep; fits even the big water bottles, the angled adjustable clip-strap helps hold bottles in place. Hidden Back-Pocket: zippered, 9" tall, 7" deep; can fit a (small/ medium) handgun, but uncomfortably against your back.

4) Stitching– Something you cannot really tell until you actually have/ hold it… The zippers are single-stitched (sadly), as is are held together the front/ middle/ main pockets to each other: Minus Two Stars. The only double-stitching is for the mesh/ slip-pockets to the liner of the front and middle pockets. The padded top-handle is well-stitched to the top of the bag: shouldn't be a problem. The padded shoulder-straps are half single-stitched, outer-half double-stitched into the top of the bag: dubious. [Do better, please.]

5) Zippers, Pulls– Same-sized: front/ middle/ main outside-pockets, standard zip-sound/ feel, corded/ knotted zip-pulls. Inside mesh-pockets use standard metal zip-pulls.

6) Straps/hooks/etc.– Front Pocket: has four horizontal nylon straps with five ‘dividers’ each on its front for attaching whatever you may need. Again, side-bottle adjustable straps. Nylon straps (5") running down the bottom-third of the shoulder-straps. No hooks, no d-rings, no additional cargo-straps. A single velcro patch-holder on the front-top pocket.

7) Everything Else, Accessories– Nice gray color (rather than standard black/ camo). The padded back and laptop-sleeve are appreciated. Came with an expanding rainproof cover to slip around the outside of the bag (indicating this is not waterproof, or merely additional protection?). Came with an 8x4" zippered see-through mesh pencil-case. Of course, came with an American flag-patch. [Can somehow I request-by-default to receive Canadian-flag patches henceforth instead, Amazon?]

Overall– Three Stars: ‘military/ tactical’ implies ‘tough.’ Your stitching is not up to that level. Otherwise, decent enough, should be fine for non-tactical use.

Update– Months Later… Of all the tactical backpacks I have reviewed here, this is the one my daughter chose to pack/ use for her ten-day vacation. It held it all. The trip went well. [For good measure, on her way out the door, I slapped a Canadian-Flag patch on it: people seemed overall kinder, resultant.] Plus One Star.

When I got it, naturally, I started (long-)pushing buttons (before reading the instructions). It started counting down from 200. By the time it reached zero: my child and I were safely standing around a far corner, just in case. [I suspect not all product manufacturers have been happy with my reviews, and perhaps this was retribution? It wasn't.] Nothing exploded.

Then it jumped up to 2500 PPM and I considered cracking a window. But, eventually it settled/ counted back down to around 400 (which is ‘good’).

Then I breathed on it: shot up to 4000 PPM and a red light came on. Okay. Good to know what ‘Bad’ looks like. [Perhaps adding an audible sound (and a blinking red light) might be helpful for alerting us to a sudden increase in poor air quality?]

The backlight when off leaves the display impossible to read (while still displaying data). Rather pointless wasting battery to show us nothing (we can see). Regardless, the light at the top gives a quick indicator of red/ yellow/ green: bad/ normal/ good which will suffice. [An additional option/ setting to show only the RYG light, while leaving the screen blank, would be a decent option to offer. And the battery would last longer.] The backlight does shut itself off after five-or-so minutes, sometimes.

Would appreciate it if this sensor had a nail-hang hook on the back, rather than being a tabletop (/handheld) sensor only. [Or would such wall-proximity interfere with the readings?]

Long-press Button A turns it on/ off (short-press changes between C & F), but long-press B just seems to make the RYG light blink a few times: does not adjust the backlight (as the instructions indicate; only short-press does). [A few brightness options would be nice, alongside a screen-off (yet RYG light on) choice.]

Overall– Four Stars: nice to know how good/ bad the CO2 is wherever I might need to. Add(itional) backlight/ brightness settings and it would be better.

Two out of four had rough/ sharp lips, one had wooden burrs inside: indicating a lack of proper sanding before finishing.

Holds five ‘full’ shots. Have to tap the bottom to get the very last drop, elsewise it ‘sticks.’

Rinse with water, the smell of booze washes out. Dry immediately.

Overall– Four Stars: needs better sanding. A classy alternative to glass tumblers.

Update– Months Later… These are my child's preference for using with the water-cooler: just the right size that they don't pour out more than they will drink, liking the feel/ weight of them, and how they look sitting atop the cooler. I have found they are excellent(-sized smaller portions) for ice cream: keeps it from melting longer, keeps the hand warmer. I use matching little wooden spoons I got from another Vine Review for scooping/ savoring. Also the same perfection for other, dry, portioned, salty/ sweet snacks.

Pictured– Atop the water cooler; with a small wooden spoon: perfect for ice cream.

Perfectly fits my 15.6-inch BRAND laptop. The inside is lined with soft felt. Nicely padded. Wear/ water-resistant outer materials. The 100-watt power adapter fits (snugly) inside the front zip-pocket (a large mouse inside bulges the whole thing out a bit too much though). The zipper-pulls are corded to metal-ends, smooth action. The case fits nicely/ securely inside my backpack or briefcase.

Overall– Five Stars: nothing negative to say.

Came with everything you need (except instructions): drywall hangers, screw-caps, grounding-cable extender, screws (that fit this mount). The wires are of a decent gauge to handle older bulbs/ wattages; can be cut to your preferred length. The mounting bracket is of your standard fits-all variety (as opposed to the crap-one they show in the video). The base-plate is made of thicker metal than most others I've tested: does not bend when squeezed, better-resistant to scratching too. The light-cage itself is wide enough to fit my man-hands, but is a bit sharp on the inside: be careful.

I like the look of it: as if from an elder era. Better if the bulb is dimmer/ oranger: should ambiance be your goal. [Pictured– With an Edison bulb: night/ day/ dark/ light.] There is a seam where the ‘cage’ crosses itself (that's where the sharp-edges are, inside): be sure to aim that away from the main viewing angle. [Manufacturer: would look even better if it was seamless: for however much extra that would cost to produce.]

Overall– Five Stars: if your goal is ‘antique’ on a budget.

Apply your own mental differential analysis of ‘floormat versus carpet’: you'd likely consider this not-a-carpet too. Simply, it is too thin.

Arrived folded-up: in-half then in-thirds then in-thirds… Basically, lots of folds, that result in lots of lines that will take weeks/ months to work themselves flat (without ironing; pictured). Minus One Star. [Manufacturer: rolled-up would arrive in better condition, albeit in a bigger box/ bag. Elsewise, perhaps wait a little longer after making it before folding it flat: hot-off-the-press and folded-too-quick makes for the lines more prominent.]

Appearance– Not well-received. Along the lines of: “Ugh,” and “That's… different,” were the top two sentiments. My opinion fell somewhere within that range. [Might have preferred a different color-scheme: but this was the only option left to review.]

Staying Power– It stays where you put it, doesn't slide around: that's good.

Water– Beads upon the mat, soaks in if touched, easily wiped away/ dry with a (paper) towel.

If you simply need something to cover the floor that is not-quite-carpet: this will do. Provides limited padding (not for doing yoga upon). You will either like the colors/ pattern or not: figure that out before ordering.

Overall– Four Stars: for a giant floormat, fewer for a carpet.

Update– About a week later: pictured. It shows all the dirt on the darkest/ lightest parts. Does slide around a bit when walked over (seemingly always slightly askew of square, where I keep resetting it). Minus One Star.

Doesn't fit my sink. I bent the hooks/ hangers carefully, hoping to make it fit: still it doesn't. My sink divider is 1.5 inches at the narrowest and 2 inches where the hooks attach: which is too wide. Bending them to fit resulted in the hooks failing to hang onto the sink divider: they are too short, kept slipping off. This will not work (without a welder and some extenders).

Overall– Three Stars: needs longer hooks to fit wider dividers. And a bigger basket would be appreciated.

Leather-looking material. Nice pocket-flaps: but the magnetic-clasps don't always auto-line-up, hold-fast: especially when the bags are full. Used this to replace the milk-crate of supplies I keep in the hatchback: gave me more floor-space, but can only hold about half the same amount of stuff.

Straps– Three draw-strap ring-hooks at the top, two flexible straps at the bottom to pull through to the front. However, the bottom-straps meet up with the top-straps where your backseat passengers' shoulder blades are: not great… Instead, simply don't attach them together if the velcro (around the outer-backside and middle-horizontal of this unit) holds well enough to your seat-back carpeting (useless with all-leather seats): which it does not do so very well with mine: keeps coming loose, but not falling-off: as the ring-hooks are affixed through the headrest-poles to hold it there, with the bottom tucked in between the seat-back and the cargo-area. Good enough, if not great.

Possible problem– This ‘car backpack’ gets in the way if you need to drop-down a section of your backseat. Must be (fully) detached, first. Just a consideration.

Other possible problem– If you have a hatchback cargo-cover, its placement can interfere with this backpack. Mine just barely fits beneath the cover: while somewhat limiting pocket-access.

Overall– Four Stars: if it fits/ sits/ holds (enough) just right for you, which cannot be determined until you try.

Update– Months Later… New used car (fourth-in-a-row, in the past decade): it fits, but still takes up a lot of room for holding not-enough. Especially obvious as this crappy car came without a cargo-cover. Switched back to using a milk-crate: holds twice as much, in less trunk-space (it feels like).

Yeah, it's him. He's cute (the eyes can be a little creepy staring at you though). Holds a bunch of pencils/ pens/ markers/ brushes… Could hold a plant (might try that later). The resin is thick enough on the sides to feel sturdy enough to hold stuff: wider near the top to prevent breakage/ cracks. The outside paint-work is excellent: very (sentient) plant-like. The inside is a bit grubby, irregularly shaped, colored: pictured. [Looks like it was ‘soiled’ as a result of the manufacturing process. Suggestion: put a little effort into the inside-shape and paint of it, too: could easily look a lot better/ smoother/ cleaner.] The base is nicely flat: doesn't wobble, rock around; but could be thicker to prevent potential cracking (from too forcefully dropping in a pointy letter opener, for example). The drain-hole does allow the occasional pencil-tip to poke-out: easily remedied with but a piece of tape. [I might recommend taping-over the entire inside-bottom if using it to hold stuff (not plants): for padding, and to limit/ prevent scratching/ cracking the thin base.]

Four Stars: for functional, inexpensive (unlicensed?) movie memorabilia.

Came squished-flat and vacuum-packed. One of the sticker-backs had come loose and tore off some of the foam on the tile below. Have let them air-out (they still smell a bit stinky) for twenty-four hours: not all have yet ‘reinflated’ themselves. Some are taking longer than others: not entirely sure they'll all resume their designated shape: picture included.

Other Picture– The walls, ceiling have been dismantled for several years now. [Water-leakage, disability, poverty: cannot do the work myself, cannot afford to pay someone: stuck with it until my luck/ funding changes.] I filled the gaps at the top of the wall with these tiles and the sound in the ‘media’ room improved dramatically: no surprise there. Would work/ sound even better had I walls to affix them to.

The tiles do cut/ scratch/ tear (as can all foam) if mishandled, so be careful. But these are not so ‘fragile’ as some other foam-tiles can be. The sticker-back is sticky enough to hold them in place: but wait until they are done expanding. Not sure how well the tiles can be removed and re-stuck: I daren't try.

Overall– Four Stars: for an inexpensive variety, for fixing some dead/ reverb/ rattle-zones in the room.

Update– Months Later… Still dangling there from duct tape, still making the overall (surround-)sound more 3D (through my prototype 2.1 setup) in the media room, still no funding to be found to finally put up some walls (nearly a decade later).

You can never really know how (sun)glasses will fit until you try them on. [I have to wonder how often this product-category gets returned?]

Note– I do not know the proper optical-lingo: so please bear with my blundering along…

These are ‘too big’ for my big head/ face. If the lenses were two-thirds size: might be perfect. They are flat across, stick out noticeably when your head is turned. Not sure I like the overall size/ fit.

They have a sturdy weight to them: don't feel cheap, but likely are ‘too heavy’ for long-term wear. They do rattle a bit when shook.

The metal is slightly flexible, without feeling fragile. More brass- than gold-looking. The brown ‘resin-drops’ along the arms add a nice accent-flavor: subtle. The right arm was bent in more than the left: easily remedied with simple pressure-applied.

The lens-shading is variable: darker at the top to lighter at the bottom. I'm not used to that (inconsistency), might take some time to adapt. But I do see the benefit, as the brightest tends to be highest in the sky.

The ear-pieces are a little ‘sharp’ when sliding them past my temples. [But again, big head.] I find myself scratching the side of my head with the ends: feels good.

The nose-pieces are soft, bendable. Their default-position was almost perfect: had to bend ‘lefty’ down a little to fit better. As with most glasses: can see them breaking off if bent too many times, or too hard: like crushed in your pocket.

Note– They do smell a little funny (especially the nose-pieces): I do recommend washing/ drying them unless you want your face to smell like a factory (metal, plastic, chemicals).

Came in a gray, leather-ish, mag-clasp case alongside a fabric wipe-cloth and a keychain screwdriver. The case comes easily open inside another bag: too many edges to catch on things. I prefer the hinged clamshell cases.

Will have to ask my kid how they look/ fit on me… Response: “Makes your face look wrong.” Followed up by similar observations as presented above. Didn't fit them rightly, neither. Was suggested that had I a long, dark coat with a high collar, a top hat and cane I might/ could pass for a generic, cheesy (anime/ steampunk) villain… for whatever that's worth, to you.

Overall– Four Stars: for a pair of cheap sunglasses. It fits if it fits you, it doesn't if it doesn't fit, quite right… these, like furniture, fixtures and whatever touches-you-back: we have to ‘try them on/ out’ first, if only for (less-than) a minute, in the real world: there's really no other way to know for sure… so, please be a courteous digital-consumer and cautiously/ observedly un/ re-pack (and wipe-down: having fingerprinted yourself all over it) such things from their boxes/ bags while figuring out whether perhaps they're worthy of not sending-away, for elsewhere anon others to cursory-dismiss, hasty-repackage, write-off, free-returns it: given nary a fair-chance to demonstrate itself, yet again…

Update– Months Later… Not sure where these got off to, haven't seen 'em since: most likely in the box o' stuff to give away when finally I'm ‘allowed’ to. Yeah, there they are: patiently awaiting a someone who will truly appreciate them for who(m) they are, rather than summarily dismissed simply for being ‘not quite right.’

First Impressions– Case made of hard plastic: potentially could crack/ splinter if dropped upon a hard surface. [But I'm not going to be the one to test that.] You have to remove the belt-clip to install the (included, AA 1,000 mAh Ni-MH rechargeable) batteries. There's no rubber/ silicone surround to keep water out of the battery-box: weak. USB-mini charger-port: gross.

Push-To-Talk (PTT) button– Dinky-feeling: not what we've come to expect from a (real) walkie talkie: a solid press-and-click; this is more like a phone power-button: weak and flabby. Please, make that button better, tougher, clickier.

Flashlight– Helps you see in near-dark, not so useful in slight-dark (as in to find something you dropped at dusk/ dawn). Could be brighter.

Button Timing– Three seconds is your standard long-press. SOS requires six seconds.

Privacy– Offers thirty-eight CTCSS privacy codes and ninety-nine DCS codes: should have no problem finding yourselves a private line. Trouble is: long-pressing down/ up does not quick-scroll through the options, have to press the buttons every single time, which is unnecessarily inconvenient when counting up/ down to/ from ninety-nine.

VOX Mode– Useful for hands-free usage. Can adjust the sensitivity.

Call Tones– Ten to choose from: find the right tone that you can hear (from afar) when summoned. Is Loud, cannot adjust that volume.

‘Roger Roger’ Tone Confirmation– On to let others know you've released the PTT button; Off to trust that they know when you're done talking.

Key Tone– I prefer that Off. The buttons have enough press-depth that you can tell if (/not) you've pressed a button; cannot stand all that unnecessary beeping otherwise, but to each their own.

Channel & Privacy Mode Scan– Useful for snooping out others nearby, but means others can snoop on you, too.

Weather Alert Channels– A bit fidgety: starts out with static, far too loud, and cannot adjust the volume as those buttons are used for changing the channels (have to lower the volume from the standby/ default/ home mode, first). Change the channel and it goes quiet: which is where it should start if nothing (but static) is being broadcast upon said channel. Couldn't tune in anything: so all must be good.

Weather/Water Resistance– Nowhere in the instructions nor the product-page does it say anything about this… So, presume rainfall or a drop in a puddle will kill it. [Shouldn't be all that difficult/ expensive to seal it up: and should be standard for (kids') walkies.]

Hold/Feel– The right size, shape, grip, weight: about what you would expect. Is all-plastic: no ‘rubber’ anywhere to protect from drops, to improve grip: which is good enough without.

Instructions– Clear, concise, accurate. Appreciated.

Range– Product-page says 3-5 miles, instructions say 0.5-1 mile… Which is it? [Granted, terrain and obstacles and weather have an effect. But,] That's a significant (potentially life-saving/ losing) difference. Was hoping to be able to reach my child at their other house: 3 miles by car, half that as-the-crow-flies. Will have to test the range, get back to you, later.

Battery Life, Charging– Will have to get back to you on this, too (leaving them on in standby-mode). But, I tend to recharge my batteries in an external (rather than device-internal) charger: more safeguards, better fault/ overcharge-avoidance, gentler charging.

Overall– Three(-and-a-half) Stars: solid programming, decent sound, presume a mile-or-so range, should be rain/ drop-proofed (at least, especially if intended for kids).

Update– Have now left the walkies on for 24 hours in Listening Mode: still four/ four battery-bars. At 34 hours: the fourth bar on Yellow started to blink. At 48 hours: I noticed Blue started blinking bar-four. At 72 hours: both Blue and Yellow were down to three battery-bars. Excellent Standby Time. At around 81 hours Blue beeped twice, a minute apart, second-to-last bar was blinking. Yellow was at two-and-a-blink bars. An hour later Blue started beeping, intermittently, indicating dying battery. I shut it off. At 86 hours Yellow started beeping, repeatedly, deathly, obnoxiously: turned it off.

Recharge– Using a one-amp charger with the included dual-usb-mini power adapter direct into the walkies… Yellow indicated fully charged by forty-five minutes, while Blue still indicated only one-bar-full. Powered on Yellow: still indicates full; removed/ reordered the batteries, turned back on: still indicates full… Sticking to its story, it would seem. At charging-hour two: Blue was still blinking all-the-bars (indicating less than one-quarter charged). I unplugged that usb-end and plugged in the other end (the one that went into Yellow, which apparently was super-powered). By charging-hour three: Blue only indicated one-bar full, the batteries being barely warm. By those maths: twelve hours to charge. Rather than waiting, I popped out all the batteries, swapped Yellow's for Blue's, powered them on: both then indicated full batteries… So, one/ both of these have trouble knowing just how much juice the batteries have. This would be why I charge my standard rechargeables in an external (designed for them) charger: to be sure (as often devices themselves cannot always be trusted to do/ know it right: as demonstrated hereby).

Range– I forgot to give one of these to my child to see how far away we could still reach each other. Will have to get back to you on that.

Update– Months Later… They faltered out at about half a mile: line of sight, downhill, village terrain. Assuredly do not reach between our homes. But, glad to have them should I ever get back out into the wild, rather than simply watching it out my back window. Note: I woulda killed to have had these as a kid, rather than our "Stranger Things" comtec. Yet somehow, it cannot compete with texting… Haven't been used since.

Games I recognized– Double Dragon 2, Spider Man 1/2/3, Street Fighter 2, Adventure Island 1/2, Paperboy, Contra, Robo Cop, Mortal Kombat 4, Aladdin 3, Seawolf, B Wings, Spy vs. Spy, Xevious, Goonies, Friday the 13th, Back to Future, Transformers, Star Fighter, Burger Time, Dig Dug, Galaga… Several are there more than once, with a number of misspells too. The games are listed in no discernible order: not alphabetical, not temporal.

Play– The D-Pad is cheap, presses incorrectly/ loosely, can be a bit ‘sticky,’ causing presses to be missed; holding down a direction doesn't always keep you moving, have to rapid-press instead: intermittent inside and between games. I lost interest (from all my undeserved deaths as a result of the lousy D-Pad) in about thirty minutes: only nostalgia kept me going that long. My child lost interest in twenty minutes (having grown up in a world with far-better graphics): wasn't impressed. [Perhaps someone younger might better like it, if the D-Pad worked better.] Two Player: okay if one-at-a-time, but doesn't work if same-time game-play. [Example: Contra, second player just stands there, preventing forward motion. Further: U,U,D,D,L,R,L,R,B,A,Start doesn't get you the extra lives. So, don't count on cheat codes making this any better.]

Every time you power it on it asks Language: Chinese or English? Starts playing an obnoxious song, makes ‘boom’ sounds every time you highlight another game title. And starts you from Game 001, not where you last were in the list. Have to press down/ up a couple hundred times to get to your game. [Long-press up/ down for quick-scroll works here, thankfully.]

Settings– None: like Language, Brightness, Contrast, Sort. There's no Save function: how hard would that be, really? No option to Resume where we left off: starts you back at zero, every time. No option to denote Favorite Games: to make it easier to get (back) to them. No Button Assignments (for the extra two these games don't need, instead replicating what the others already do): like rapid-fire, high-jump, double-speed, etc. No Battery Indicator: presumably just drops dead when the juice runs out. Not much thought was given to much more than just playing the games (as they were). Missed opportunity.

Screen– A little small (or maybe I'm just getting old). Given the low resolution of the games, can be hard to tell what those few pixels are, coming at you: friend or foe, power-up or quick-death. The emulator is not the best I've seen: has some refresh issues, especially with upward-scrolling games.

Sound– Poor, and not the fault of the games (which are expectedly low-quality). The speaker distorts, crackles, pops. There's a tiny volume-wheel poking out the top, rather than up/ down buttons.

Would be nice if we could side-load our own game files: those that weren't included but we have zipped lying around (here, somewhere). Plug the console into our computer (mine doesn't even acknowledge its presence), drag-drop the .nes (for example) files, play them… Preferably into a separate main menu folder, for easy access. A missed opportunity here for us to add our favorite, missing games (to the scatter-shot ~400 you chose).

Overall– Two Stars. I have no doubt there are far better options out there should you be seeking portable retro gaming.

First Impressions– The handle-bar lays parallel with the box, but the metal base is not parallel (attached crooked, one might say). The wooden box is untreated pine (no stain to prevent stains). [It is the little things that make a difference.]

I had to go out and buy some nuts… I could only find walnuts still in their shell at the store. Better to set the nut-seam parallel to the box-floor to crack those open best. Works well. I've eaten more walnuts in the past few days than in the past few years.

Handle flops/ falls all the way forward/ back/ down, denting the pine box on either side. Design a handle-catch into your next iteration, please, to prevent slamming. Nutcracker: easily adjusted to fit whatever sized your nuts, handling a variety of shapes. The handle-pull is easy to crush however tough a nut.

Picks– Excellent. The bent-scoop end digs out the nut-meat well, the pointy end is good for stabbing.

Overall– Three Stars: Decent design, cracks nuts well, fantastic picks, but underthought (finishing) execution.

Stays where you put it, doesn't slide around (even in high-traffic area). It is soft (while not overly squishy) on bare feet, but a bit slippery that way: slow-turns only (until you adapt) unless you want to slip/ slide, socked feet hold firmer. I like the color-scheme: the pattern is earthly (toned), looks textured and does not repeat, barely shows dirt. Stitching: quality, additional corner-stitches to help hold it together, no loose thread-ends. Water: beads-up, barely soaks in if touched, wipes easily away with a (paper) towel. Not a doormat: the smooth texture is not conducive to wiping your feet clean upon. I put it near the front door (beyond the new doormat), in front of the long (five-foot) dining table: classes/ softens-up the space.

Overall– Five Stars: I like it, a lot.

Update– Months Later… I still like it better than all the others I've tried, reviewed, owned. Pictured: only ever been vacuumed, not washed.

First Impressions– Yellow! [Very ‘Sponge Bob’ seeming, while not what it is.] Brown along the top of the handle in wavy patterns: cheapens, detracts from the entire look, as do the cutesy bread characters on the handle and upon the blade (where differently styled, missing arms). The sheath was certainly a choice: but holds/ protects well.

Balance, Grip– Decent. Not going to slip/ drop. The handle is a little thicker than my other, bigger knives, but still fits in my knife-block without trouble.

Use– Snags in the bread the first few strokes (the serrations perhaps too deep, far apart?), but then it cuts well enough once through the outer layer.

Overall– Three Stars: really rather ugly (if ‘professional’ was what you sought)… cartoon characters perhaps not the preferred way to decorate something so kid-unfriendly as a knife. [Just a thought.]

Update– Months Later… It is still terrible for starting-the-cut into any harder breads: causing me to squish the bread while trying to get it to initially bite-in. Minus One Star: there's far better out there if ‘functional’ is more your desire for a bread knife.

Pictured– Even amongst the mishmash hodgepodge of my knife-block: this sticks out like a sore-thumb. Note: somewhere along the way I already lost the sheath.

Came with twenty-four picks: six each of four topper-styles. Tested them, worked well with olives, baby dills, apple slices: being what I happened to have at the time, the food staying stuck to the pick (even if gently you flick it), good for skewering the food straight out of the jar. The picks are sharp, shiny, classy styling, not flimsy, resistant to bending. Works as a toothpick, in a pinch. Tastes like nothing (after you wash them the first time).

The storage cup is solid, shiny, has a nice ring to it when struck by the decorative pick-end (good for getting attention for a toast; the ball-topper works best). Plenty of room to hold more cocktail accessories than just the included picks. Does show fingerprints and smudges: but wiped easily clean.

I do not own any cocktail glasses to try these in, but sits nicely with my whiskey tumbler: whether laying across the top-lip or point-down inside.

Overall– Five Stars.

Update– Months Later… These haven't been used since I wrote the review. Just sitting there in the cupboard, looking pretty. [Had I fancy booze/ friends/ fruit: perhaps they'd see some actual use.] But, glad to have/ see them should ever I need them.

Arrived in a vacuum-sealed bag about one-sixth its actual size (such to fit in your mailbox), I wasn't quite sure what it was: pictured. Give it some time to expand, unwrinkle: like a few days. Helps if you knead the stuffing back into place when first opened.

My daughter, for whom I chose this, loves it. Genuine affectations upon seeing/ touching it. Loves the size, shape, color, softness. Not at all creepy when staring at you (unlike some others). The size is significant, while not unwieldy. The hands, gills, feet are well-defined. Any perceived bodily ‘deformities’ were easily worked out by her adjusting the underlying stuffing.

The stitching seems solid: no loose thread-ends. The fabric should be easy enough to spot-clean. The eyes are slightly mismatched: one has hints of an iris (etched onto the outside) while the other doesn't. Not sure if intentional, while barely noticeable.

Overall– Five Stars.

Update– Months Later… It hadn't occurred to me to inquire as to if it is still among her favored loveys. Maybe I'll get around to that, sometime?

Shungite is a stone, not a crystal (despite what the product-page keyword-hints at). Many assertions of health/ wellness benefits, but Wikipedia ends the ‘pseudoscientific claims’ section with: “Despite its purported health benefits, shungite contains toxic heavy metals such as lead and cadmium and can pose a health risk when used as an alternative medicine.” So, I suppose: don't eat it and you should be fine.

The weight is satisfying. The stone warms to your body heat quickly. It clinks when tapped with fingernails or other jewelry. The stone itself has some irregularities: lighter patches, some ‘scratches,’ some blotches: but that's how you know it's made of real stone. Hand-Carved: the stone itself isn't perfectly round. Etched: are the circles and lines, being (nearly) perfect.

The cord: nice, thin, strong (but I could see some thread-snags developing over time), long enough to fit over even my big head, knotted design down by the pendant, pendant rests squarely betwixt my boobs. Pendant not easily removed from this cord, would require careful cutting, then bending a ring-loop into it to affix to another cord/ chain. [One of those small things that can make a big difference: if you don't like the chain/ cord that comes (permanently) attached to your pendant.]

Having worn it for only a few days I cannot (yet) claim any sort of miraculous recovery/ improvement from all that which ails me… But I do feel a bit more optimistic than previously, for whatever that's worth (while it lasts). As to EMF shielding: does anyone have a meter such to suss out that claim?

Overall– Four Stars: as an alternative-healing ‘crystal.’ I probably would have preferred the Tree of Life design: but this was what was left to review.

Update– Months Later… I wore it for about a week then put it away. Haven't yet dug it back out. Perhaps soon it shall be time again to hold its energy close to my heart? Or perchance shall it get cut free of its cord and made into a pocket-carry worry-stone?

I fidgeted/fiddled with these for hours (while watching tv) the first day. They are hefty, more than would be expected. Smaller than those Baoding Balls that once were popular. The magnetic push/ pull is impressive (keep them away from your floppy discs). They will stick/ hang to your fridge/ stove. Came in a round, padded zipper case. Black, white, gray colors: rather than the bright colors of kids' fidgets, appreciated.

Pictured– The gray ball's magnetic poles aren't lined up like the others, the smooth bits aren't on the sides but (irregularly) closer to the top. Not sure how much their orientation was intentional, but I prefer them aligned likewise: smooth bits on the sides.

The texture is rubbery but sturdy. The ridges when rubbing together make for satisfying vibrations. There's a satisfying clunk when the magnets pull themselves together. The seams could be shaved down better: a bit sharp/ snaggy to the touch, but some might prefer that.

Seemingly endless ways to fidget with these: pull/ hold them apart (with thumb+pointer, or between pointer+middle, etc.), push them together (watch them fight, dance/ spin their way away from another), twist/ roll them as a row or a triangle, massage your hands with them… When you hand/ fingers gets tired, switch to the other and start (finding new ways to fidget) again.

Overall– Four Stars: for the ‘sharp’ seams and the mismatched pole-orientations. Otherwise, excellent.

Cards holder– A bit tough to push them in, too much is covered by the elastic strap, can barely see which game each is. But holds up to ten securely. The flap is strong and nicely padded/ fabricked to hold and protect the Switch below. Can hold the Switch securely in place even without joycons on either side: doesn't slide around unless slammed around.

Zipper mesh pocket– Room enough to hold your cables and/ or a bunch of joycons (just the right height/ depth).

Outer Case– Solid. Not crush-proof, but certainly crush-resistant. The zipper is decent, the stitching is decent. Two zip-pulls. The strap handle can be used in two orientations: swinging freely or attached to the other side. Not sure why the bulges on the top of the case in that design (further padding?)… I would trust this to protect my kid's Switch from their occasional clumsiness.

Overall– Four Stars: for your ‘older’ gaming device. Don't expect it to fit the newer version.

Update– Months Later… Pictured: it works, it carries the joycons, Switch, cartridges (mostly secondhand), cables, charger (not shown). But mostly the case sits in a drawer awaiting the occasional ‘when’ the Switch gets put on the dock (otherwise there it stays, safely), it never goes anywhere (else). Still don't much like the hand-strap: will either tape it in place or snip it off.

They come in a nice variety of textures: ridges, dents, swirls, waves, bumps, sharp, smooth. Mostly concave. I don't much like the feel of those that have sharper points up around the outer edges: but that's just me. To each their own. Smooth-blue got boring, quick. I like purple-bubbles best, red-swirls next.

They clank together (sound more like ceramic than plastic) and against other things in your pocket: perhaps obnoxious for others to hear but perhaps soothing to the fidgeter. Various sounds/ vibrations when running a fingernail down/ around them. Further, different (grinding) sounds depending which two you rub together.

I have come to prefer more rubberized textures with magnets to ‘fight’ against another (for my everyday fidgets). [More interested in the physical-therapy, hand-strengthening aspect of those over these.] But these are excellent if all you need/ want is varied surfaces to rub your thumb against. Whatever best soothes your (frazzled) nerves.

They are strong: not going to snap on you. Also stand up well to drops (no crack/ splinter when forcefully dropped on tile). The seams around the outsides where the two halves meet are fairly smooth (nicely shaved down): somewhat of a ‘lip’ on some, but not obnoxiously ridged. [Use a little sandpaper to further smooth them if that's what you prefer.]

The colors are bright: more for kids than adults. They don't taste like anything. Slightly egg-shaped: one side is a little wider than the other.

I've been rubbing these (together) for a few days now. Enough options to not get bored. Not my preference, but good for those who need something to rub.

Five Stars.

Update– Months Later… I lost interest in these in a few days. For worry-stones: I prefer naturally sourced materials: stone/ crystal/ wood/ etc. The textures here are neat, but not what I need to feel better. Had my friend(s' kid)s pick out the one(s) they liked, rather than them just sitting in a box in a box out in the barn (until they wind up at the dump).

Made of solid, hefty metal (not tin). The details are exquisite: nubs on the horns, shoulders, legs. The spikes are pointy and numerous. The face is adorable. It stands well on a flat surface (but not so well in your hand).

The more you handle it, the more it smells of ‘brass’ (which does transfer to your hands). More of a look-at than a handle-it knickknack.

However, the sharp points work well for acupressure: any sore/ swollen muscles and lightly jabbing the spikes into them help loosen them up. Not its intended function, but an added bonus.

If you are looking to build an army of adorable (and occasionally fierce) metal figures: you found the right place.

Five Stars.

Update– In the interest of being thorough: my daughter's first impressions… “Awww, it's a dragon. It's kinda creepy but it's a dragon. I like it, but… The head's pretty big out of proportion. Ooh, that is sharp. Ow, you have to be careful where you hold it. It does hurt a little bit. [Starts poking her dad with it: “Quit it, quit it, quit it, mom!”] It is very pretty though. A nice size. Is it gold? [“No.”] I thought so. It doesn't, in your palm, it's hard to get it to balance. On the table the tail does a good job of helping it stand. It's a style for the big head… But it's quite easy to tip if you poke him. But he's cute, an adorable little decoration if someone wants it. Or it might be like a good thing for… I'm thinking like birthdays, in a little gift bag, if someone has a dragon themed birthday they might, depending on the price of them, get a bunch of them, or give out a few?”

I am not much of a ‘nibbler,’ more of a fiddler (or a twiddler). My jaw got tired, quickly. Your teeth can leave dents in these (if you gnaw hard enough): younger, sharper teeth dig deeper. [Seem durable, but perhaps chew-thru-able if determined enough.] They taste like nothing.

Styles, three– Hexagonal ‘crystal,’ shark teeth, "Lego" blocks (which do not fit real Legos, sadly). Hexagonal: has zig-zag lines across two sides, smooth everywhere else; the easiest to accidentally gag on (having the narrowest end), about the width of a smaller cigar. Shark: ridged along two edges, mostly smooth everywhere else; the widest, the most dense, the hardest to chew. [Wound up giving one of those to my mom's kitten: he loves gnawing on it.] Blocks: sixteen round nubs on one side, forty-five smaller nubs on the far-end of the other side (which make a satisfying sound when scraped against your teeth); the softest, most flexible of the three. They are all fairly thick: to prevent chewing through, I suspect. Overall bigger than I would prefer (were these my preference for fidgets/ niblets).

Cord– Simple, smooth, long enough to fit over my big head (the bottom of the crystal hangs about four inches above my belly button: a bit too long). The cord holds water/saliva, which it will get wet when you wash these (which I recommend before use as there's a slight film on the chews) which you should do at least thrice daily (because: gross). The clasp is plastic, easy breakaway (to prevent choking). The cord can be pushed through, cut-to-size and reknotted (should you want a shorter cord).

Again, chewing things isn't my (oral) fixation. But I can see how these would be good for kids (/adults) to keep them from chewing on worse things.

So, I chewed on the crystal for a day… My mouth was well dried-out by the evening. I had to increase my water intake to compensate. Surprisingly, my jaw was only a little sore the next day: having spent hours gnawing on this thing. [Going to take the rest of today off, to give my jaw a break. On the plus side: I smoked fewer cigarettes over the course of yesterday.]

Overall– Four Stars: because so (/too?) big. Something smaller perhaps might like better.

Update– Months Later… I haven't nommed on these since this review: not my thing. Tried to give them to some friends' kids: they didn't want them (having them) neither. The kitten still chomps on his shark-tooth (well-tethered to the scratching post) a little every time he feels like it: hasn't fallen apart.

…more of a confession…

Shangda,

From what I have been told (no actual experience of my own): your sump-pump was most effective (far more than a bucket-brigade) during an emergency. Thank you, truly, for helping me help others, better.

<ASIDE> Amazon, Vine,
I must admit that I intentionally got this product for another, being a violation of your rules… The basement in my child's other home flooded, so I selected this sump-pump to help them (not me) out. The best I could do for a review would be to stick it in a ten-gallon bucket and time how long it takes to empty, push some buttons, fiddle with attachments, comment on the sounds it makes… not an inspired review: as I did not actually need/ use this product myself. Now, I could have filed that under ‘Cannot Review’ and thereby gotten it wiped from my record: [Or do you flag those as reviewed? How many times can we get away with that? My Completed Review numbers differ, depending upon which screen/ tab you consult: Reviewed (which doesn't show how-many in mobile-view), or Account Status which has inflated/] improved my overall score/ ranking: which would be untrue, undeserved. Instead, I fess up to the fact that I felt the need to assist ‘underwater’ others: so I did, because I could… for whatever that's worth to you (against me)? </ASIDE>

Be well.
~silencio

I do not get outside much. [More of a cold-weather, cave-dwelling, nightcrawler.] The pond out back spawns tons of the little buggers: most inconvenient this time of year.

First day– Wiped down one arm, sat with it for an hour: no problems. I have sensitive skin, have to be careful what I use. Hours later: still no issue, but smelled a bit pepperminty.

The individual packets are helpful. But the precut slit is lower than it should be (about a third of the way down rather than nearer the top): opening the packet poorly. Consider precutting it higher up for a cleaner tear, please. There's enough ‘juice’ in each packet to wipe down most of two people (from the waist up).

First use– Picking wild strawberries along the outskirts of my yard… One wipe was enough to cover all my (upper-body, exposed) skin and my child's. We spent about thirty minutes in the sun, surrounded by mosquitoes: some landed on us, but most then flew away, even fewer taking a precursory taste. The cloud of mosquitoes eventually lost interest.

Second use– Time to mow the lawn… Wiped down my arms, hands, neck, face, hat, then my chest and back under my shirt, headed outside. I got bit maybe twice, landed upon a dozen or so times without incident, they only started to swarm once I got sweaty: but again, few actual bites.

Third use– Will be for when the wild blackberries start being ready to pick…

Overall– Five Stars. Doesn't smell like chemicals, keeps (most of) the bugs from biting, doesn't irritate sensitive skin.

Update– Months Later… Having now used these half a dozen times (with my child's other family having gone through even more): It Works. Bugs tend to prefer the sweeter blood of the younger, my blood being old and smokey: yet the bugs leave us both mostly alone after applying this wonderful deterrent.

Note– It is not big enough to mix frozen juice cans in.

The handle bends significantly when the pitcher/ bottle is full. I do not trust it to not break off, eventually. Do not shake the bottle by the handle, instead grip the neck if a good shake is required. The handle could have been more/ better attached to the pitcher: too small an area of attachment.

The top is not airtight, even in the ‘closed’ position, which could sour your ‘milk’ more quickly. Shake the bottle and liquid spills/ dribbles/ squirts out; same can occur during the simple act of carrying it around when full. Plug the pour-spout with your thumb if shaking is necessary. The top won't pop/ fall out on you while pouring: has little ‘catches’ to hold onto the inside: nicely done. Twists around to ‘open’ easily.

The pitcher itself is fairly firm: bends when squeezed, but not too much. The ridges do help with grip: even when wet. It would be helpful if it listed the capacity of the bottle upon the (bottom of the) bottle itself. [The first two pictures do not match the actual product, being other variants.]

It pours nicely, pointedly, easy to aim, fewer dribbles thanks to the pour-spout. But, I wouldn't use it to hold anything that can go bad if air gets in, because it will. That handle… Perhaps I simply have trust issues, or simply it seems/ feels the likeliest point of (imminent) failure.

Overall– Three Stars: Fix the top so it is (more) ‘airtight’ and better cross-brace the handle and this would be excellent (for more than just water).

Update– Months Later… I haven't used this since writing the review. As stated: too small for frozen juice cans. On the rare occasion I want (half) a glass of sugary powdered drink-mix: that's all I make, don't need this for that.

I had been waiting for long-handle bottle brushes to come up for review. I have deeper, narrower-mouth bottles/ glasses that I couldn't clean well (enough). These solved that.

The ‘rubber’ of the brushes is good for scraping/ scrubbing off any (juice) solids in the bottle/ pitcher/ glass, before adding soap. Then use soap to get the rest of the residue off.

The big brush reaches all the way down into my tallest containers, but has trouble reaching all around the angled inside-top: which is why the white, curved brush: which cleans all of that well, reaching everywhere (including rounded bottoms) with its bendable/ flexible design.

The moderately flexible straw-brushes fit your standard drinking straws, not all the way down, but more like three-quarters of the way, then turn around the straw to reach/ clean the rest.

The lip-brush is excellent for cleaning the thread-top of the mason jars I drink from, as well as the threaded-tops of bottles. The brush stretches, pulls out a bit from its handle, but not all the way out as expected (for cleaning): ‘gunk’ might build up in there. Just a thought.

Not sure what the blue-round pad is for, checking the product-page… They (seem to) call it a ‘dish brush’ but explain no further (no pictures of its usage). Though, it works well to scrub the outside of plastic bottles and straws and sippy-tops when soaped-up.

All of the brushes have a handle-hole for hanging them (to dry). Nice touch, appreciated.

Overall– Five Stars: useful, practical, effective, gets down into where others fail to reach.

Update– Months Later… I haven't really used these, except occasionally to test how hard it can be to clean other review-products. I use very little that needs use of such items to clean: I am a simple man (with poor taste). But, I am glad to have these for when (/if?) they will be needed.

Nice variety of textures: spikys, nubbins, hex-dents, ridges. A bit smaller than I prefer, but better fitted to smaller hands. [I would have loved these as a kid: better than the bare magnets I used to clack together (which annoyed all around me).] The magnets could be stronger: to better work as physical-therapy aids (to pull/ push/ hold apart, for finger-strengthening), but good enough for simply playing with.

I have found fiddling with three at a time is my preference: you can better roll them around (each other). Four or more gets a bit overcomplicated. Twist/ roll/ spin/ dangle/ snap them together/ apart: lots of options for fiddling with. Make slightly different sounds when rubbed together, depending which combination you choose.

Five in-a-row is the maximum weight the magnets can dangle-down together without letting go (too easily). Again, stronger magnets would make them more versatile.

Came in a decent, padded zipper case. The colors are (slightly) muted rather than (too-)bright: appreciated. Too many others come in garish colors.

One of the ridged balls wasn't fully glued to its magnet beneath: makes small snapping sounds when rolled around, unlike all the others. No biggie. The seams where the two sides of each ball meet could be shaved down a little better (more noticeable on some than others: which some might prefer the tactile aberration).

Several evenings of fiddling with these (while watching tv) for hours and my hands aren't the slightest tired. Discovered the spiky balls are good for digging into any sore parts of your hands, thumb-meat.

Overall– Five Stars: for kids.

Update– Months Later… I gave up on these completely after (quickly trailing off for) a few weeks. There are better/ stronger/ bigger fidget balls out there that I liked better, for me.

The instructions (warnings, mostly) are in Japanese. Does drain nicely when leaning on its handle. More of a ‘clunk’ than a ‘ding’ when rapped with your fingernail. A bit of a fingerprint and water-droplet magnet. Is tough, not easily dented (but not about to try dropping/ crushing it just to find out). Lightly scratched the bottom easily with a knife, sharp rock. Arrived with a few minor scratches: barely visible. The lip-edge was slightly irregular/ sharper in a few places… but I'm just getting nitpicky here.

The handle is firmly affixed to the cup: not going to rip off, the angle makes it possible to hang the cup from a hook or (thin) shelf-edge, can clip a carabiner into the (too-small) toothbrush hole (to then affix to a backpack), not ideal for fat fingers, not the most comfortable hold (but barely heavy when full), fun to flip it around on a finger (if bored).

Just the right size for when I need (three-quarters of) a cup of water. Even washed: smells a bit metallic, tastes a bit different than the (tasteless) glass/ ceramic I am accustomed to drinking from, but I expect that to improve the more it is used or the more I get used to it (or possibly: gets worse?). Am presently using it with my water cooler (which I drink from about every hour/ so), resting on its handle to drain onto the pitted silicone mat [5 Stars]. Will likely add it to a camping/ bug-out backpack: feels the right place for it to belong.

Four Stars: Petite, solid, strong.

Exterior– Irregularly stained, some of the carved bits are darker/ lighter than others: more homemade-looking that way (which I consider a positive). Closes/ opens tightly: as it should be, not going to pop open on you. The top- and bottom-half carvings could line up a little better: not terrible, but not super great (looks like the halves were carved separately (by different people)). The Tree of Life design is nice: I like it.

Interior– Top and bottom are black velvet-lined. The interior raised edges (like in a cigar box): a few small splinters and rough patches, could be smoother, better sanded. The hinges are simple, small, the screws are cheap: try not to force/ tear this open. It is an inch and a half deep (but deeper overall including the lid-space), six and three-quarters wide, three and three-quarters tall. No dividers, no hooks, loops to keep things separate (but not what I was looking for here).

Was looking for: something classy/ folksy to hold all the necklaces, pendants, watches, keychains, pill-fobs (and random pocket-fidgets) I have reviewed of late (or had forever). This does that nicely.

Overall– Four Stars: for a simple, inexpensive, hand-carved jewelry(/precious-things) box.

The fork, knife, and especially the spoon, are longer/ bigger than I would prefer; being more of a ‘stew’ than a ‘soup’ spoon, not quite so deep; the serrated knife cuts most foods well (while longer than preferably for ‘balanced’); chopsticks have subtle texture at the tips; mediocre utensils, overall. The fork and knife make a satisfying ‘ting’ sound when struck, the spoon is more of a ‘clunk,’ the metal chopsticks sound like you would expect them to when struck, rubbed together.

The case is simple zippered fabric with lunchbox ‘thermal’ liner inside. The fork did dent/ scratch that up a bit during transit (I can foresee that getting worse the more it bangs around inside, over time: pictured). The case is big enough to hold what it came with: alongside a spork, bottle opener, fruit/ veggie peeler, meat thermometer, maté straw… Whatever utensils one needs to carry to feed oneself (pictured).

Three Stars: as utensils and case for a camping/ bug-out bag.

I did not know what this really was when I chose it to review. I've been perusing/ selecting pendants lately: this looked interesting/ different (which sexy people seem to like to wear)… Granted, I didn't look too hard/ deep into it, further. About an hour later my subconscious caught up, asked: “What's a pendant need USB-charging for?” Went back and actually read the product-page: (un)focused upon the innuendo, figurative lingo… [“Balls,” I thought, “I just ordered a vibrator online.” Followed shortly thereafter by: “Wait, is it somehow worse if I cancel the shipment, ’cause they'll then inquire of me: ‘Why were you unsatisfied, customer?’”]

I am hoping, based upon the indirect keywords/ hints of the product-page, that Amazon shan't start suggesting sex-toys for me, please. [Most probably this was intentional upon the seller's part: thank you.] That is not what I was/ am here for. [But then, how's anyone (else) supposed to (unwittingly) stumble upon your product while remaining less-than-obvious (to the occasionally clueless) as to its actual intent, by design?]

Being that now I have (finally?) found myself owning one of these thingamabobs, while lately enjoying (all manner of) new doodads to fiddle around with, might as well see what this here doohickey can(not) do, dispassionately…

Size, Weight, Other– Longer than my other pendants (with now-obvious intent, but, will others recognize its function?). Weighs in at about what you would expect (once you come to think on it): comforting. Warmed by body heat. Arrived in a classy box containing a slender velvet bag for safe/ discreet storage/ carry (and don't forget the charger, too).

Hang, Swing, Chain– The pendant-end hangs about five inches above my belly button, nuzzled nicely between breasts. Swings a bit when walking (less-so while under-shirt), potential-Pavlovian zipper-pull trigger-sound whenever purposefully you swagger. The chain is decent: good length, fairly strong, small-thick interlocking rings, doesn't get snagged in hair, but the clasp can be a bit fiddly for those with fat/ clumsy fingers though.

Settings– Five ‘speeds.’ Long-press (three seconds) for on/ off, press once to change between ‘frequencies’: three are consistent, two are variable patterns. Note: does not return to your previous setting when powered back on.

Battery– Out-of-the-box: set it on highest/ fastest, started a timer… Stopped vibrating two minutes later. Powered it back on, ran for about twenty seconds, stopped. Then, five… [Not an encouraging start.]

Recharge– Using a three-watt charger: took one and three-quarter hours. Indicator light (on the proprietary charger: don't lose/ break it) changed color from red to green when full. Note: the ‘dongle’ (nor the ‘dangle’) never even got warm throughout charging.

Battery, take two– Ran it back down again, right away, same setting (perhaps the variable varietals might drain it faster?)… Lasted one hour and twenty-three minutes: better than advertised. Note: that timer was with the pendant just hanging from the chain, not encountering any bodily contact. [Perhaps others here will provide some ‘actual-use’ timers of their own?] Note: only the pendant-tip did get a bit warm the longer it ran for (imperceptibly so were already it somewhere warmer, I would suspect).

Recharge, take two– Five-watt charger: took exactly the same amount of time. [Note: using a lower-wattage charger will ensure more/ better overall battery-cycles, in general.]

Potential Issue– Where it comes apart (for charging): doesn't screw completely closed (well, mine didn't, anyway). There is the tiniest gap (can see when held up to the light) between the main- and hanger-sections. [However, the charging cable-end does fasten fully tight.] There is a gasket on the hanger screw-end which (barely?) seems to be enough to keep liquid from getting in: washed the whole thing, opened it, tested for moisture inside: found none, but I suspect we'd all feel better if instead it screwed completely shut for ‘operational’ mode..? [Sensitive body parts, plus (bodily) fluids, plus (un)intentional electric-shock being not the intention here, right? Or am I in the wrong forum, again?]

Potential Issue, cont'd– Device can be ‘fired-up’ with no cap/ end covering the exposed battery terminal… I'm pretty sure that there could end rather unexpectedly/ anticlimactically… Please rekajigger it such to not-start when not-closed. [Hopefully helping along the process of ‘ironing out the kinks’ prior to mass-production..?]

Usage– As to how well/ effectively this unit works/ feels upon oneself/ another… If curious: try it out for yourself. [No returns.] My personal experience (if in fact, any) herein is, respectfully: NOYDB. [But feel free to use your imagination.]

Overall– Not what I thought I was getting, but nobody (else) has to know what it could be for unless I tell/ show them. Not sure I will be wearing this ‘out and about,’ but perhaps shall find it somewhat titillating to do so (on special occasions)..? Four Stars: recalibrate the threading upon the hanger-end to ensure it closes completely/ securely (for safety's sake), please.

Update– Dug out the instructions: "splash-proof" not waterproof. That's not good enough for its intended purpose/ usage: do better. Pictured: can you spot it amongst all the (innocuous) rest?

The holes are a little bigger than most tea infusers: causing more of the tiny tea-bits to get out. Some of us don't mind that, but if you do: this is not for you. The bigger holes make for faster steeping, though… Five slow ‘dips’ filled with yerba maté is enough to reach my desired potency.

The PP (thermoplastic polymer) material does not seem ideal for dipping/ soaking in hot water, plastic being in the name, but it (hopefully) does not melt or seep chemicals into the tea. [You wouldn't do that to us, would you?] It is slightly flexible where the two halves come tightly together, a solid click when connected. Stays together (even when shaken). Pull the pieces straight apart (no twist). Not sure how many (un)sticks it has in it: could see the material wearing down over time, with prolonged heat.

The design is cute. Simple but elegant. Holds plenty of tea. Lets a bit too much tea out into the water, for some. Easy to clean, dry.

Overall– Three Stars: a bit too ‘holey’ if your tea isn't made up of only big(ger) leaves. [Note: gunpowder green tea works well within.]

Update– Months Later… I haven't used this since this review. Cutesy being not my style. But, it's there should I find myself making a cuppa for someone (pretty) who might just appreciate seeing the cutesy side of me (and my stuff).

Color-shift only really looks good on the slowest transition setting: looks dumb at fastest. Could spend more time transitioning between colors, especially the reds: too hasty there. Sits on a color for a spell, then (too) speedily transitions.

The button on the lamp itself only powers on/ off and lets you choose a solid color: no brightness, no color-shift (speed), no candle mode… Need the remote for all that: so, Do Not Lose It. Minus One Star. [Add another few buttons to the bottom: should be able to access all the settings for if/ when the tiny remote gets lost.]

The feet have no rubber, just round plastic holes (leading to the screws): sits a bit wobbly/ unsteadily thereby. The bottle scratches easily, with but a fingernail: yet not readily noticeable.

Candle-Mode– Yeah, not great, but not the worst I've seen: flickers a little too fast (in a strobing pattern that might affect photosensitive viewers).

It hangs at an angle using the included (glued in place, frayed) rope (I do not particularly like the look of). But I knew that when I chose it. [Feel free to find your own/ better way to hang this.]

The light looks a bit ‘dirty’ shining through this material. You won't be reading by the light it puts out. But does provide nice ambiance (or at least brings enough-to-see-by light) to a darker space.

Battery– Lasted twenty-six hours on color-shift at the brightest setting (out-of-the-box). Didn't flicker, stutter, decrease brightness: just shut itself off when out-of-juice.

Recharge– Using a five-watt charger: took three hours and nine minutes.

Overall– Four Stars: for the necessity of the remote (being a terrible idea).

Update– Months Later… I use this every night: keep the remote near my bedroom door to ‘fire it up’ when walking in, as the nearest working outlet (and light-switch) is in the far corner, naturally. This helps with that, set to deep blue/ green, such to ‘slow my roll’ before turning in/ out for the night. Note, Red: strange optical effect when attempting to picture it.

The bottom has fallen off twice now. It comes easily loose in your pocket. There is no gasket to prevent moisture from getting in. The inside of the bottom is irregular, not smooth and even like the rest of the pill-fob. The threading is too wide/ loose: comes apart (/pulls free) with less than a quarter-turn. [Need to do better.]

Can barely hold: two lactase pills (breaks one in half when closing), three iron pills, one (small, oval) ibuprofen, but not multivitamins.

Could you please tell us what it (all) means? If we're going to carry around something that says stuff: it would be good to know what stuff it says (especially if something faith-based).

I do like the way it looks, the details are impressive, nice textures, nice size (if it fits your pill(s)). But, regarding functionality…

Overall– Two Stars: as a pill-fob. Fix the threading issue and it'd be much better.

This looked like what I have been wanting, but has a few flaws…

Top– There is no silicone gasket for the top to keep it from clinking around: glass against glass, incessantly, obnoxiously while holding/ walking. The top does fit both the sieve and the mug itself: thank you (others don't). Better if tighter, quieter, please. Helps hold in the heat: my tea is still warm ninety minutes later.

Sieve– The majority of drainage holes are in the bottom (there's some in the sides (five rows of three each on three sides) but not enough to make a difference): tiny ones, nearly microscopic, get clogged easily. Not for yerba maté or other small tea-bits blends. The problems being: it drains slowly, too slowly; putting the sieve back in the mug too quickly (when clogged, or just full) pushes the liquid up and out of the mug; cleaning out the clogged holes takes some effort. Needs more/ bigger holes around the bottom (and sides) to help it drain/ fill. Also, another silicone gasket for where the sieve meets the mug would help reduce rattle and further help to hold in the heat while the tea steeps.

Mug– Big: holds one and three-quarter cups. Handle: a bit thinner than I would prefer; and wide, meant to accommodate fat hands, have to hold it tighter to keep it from dipping forward; but it does fit all four fingers at once with one-half inch of gap between fingers and the mug itself. Sits flat/ sturdy upon flat surfaces.

All parts have thick-enough glass that I wouldn't call it ‘delicate,’ but still ‘fragile’ (obviously): don't drop it or crash into anything. Do not lose the brush: the bristles are small enough to push any clogs through the tiny holes: with effort, moreso than if the holes were bigger.

Overall– Three Stars: add a silicone anti-rattle gasket to the top/sieve, plus more/bigger holes and it will be (almost) perfect.

First thing– I washed them, had a bit of a film on them. Easy to clean, but I recommend wiping them dry right away: elsewise, you get water-spots (that can only really be wiped away with a finger: a paper towel had no effect, once dry).

Trays– Could fit together better: they sit unevenly inside one another: the top-half sticks out further while the bottom-half sits deeper. They are nicely deep: better than prison trays. Does it really need to say “SUS304” on them, right in the middle? The smaller dividers go ‘ding’ when you tap them, the bigger section goes ‘clunk,’ the whole tray goes ‘bong’ when you ‘thunk’ it. They are strong: not going to bend or dent easily. However, they are a little too big for standard-sized kids' lunch bags (unless packed in sideways).

Lids– Fit snugly, but take some effort to click all the edge-clasps in place (easier the more you get used to it). Comes off (not-too-)easily by pulling on the tab. They are fairly, but not fully, water-tight: it took turning them sideways and shaking to get some drops to fall out (mostly on the corner near the pull-tab). However, liquid will freely flow between the sections if tipped: the lid is three-eighths of an inch above the dividers: so, keep it level unless you want smaller/ liquid stuff mixing: definitively not for traveling soups/ stews.

Actually… It depends which tray you use: one fit both the lids perfectly, the other fit them both less-than-perfectly: leaked like crazy (which means air can get in to speed up spoiling of your food)… it would appear you have manufacturing-consistency issues. Minus One Star.

Overall– Four Stars: excellent for picnics and camp-out meal-trays.

I had little (constructive: ‘cutesy’ being not my forte) to say here. So instead, here's my daughter's take on this snake…

“Awww. It's adorable. The hole where it attaches to the keychain is a bit too small, making it hard to swing around, and I don't know if you could, like, put anything else on there. The eyes don't quite line up with how they should sit on the face, and it would be better if they recessed slightly into the head… to look more natural. But the eyes themselves make the white color of the snake look very cute, and brings it all together. The hole where the snake attaches to the keychain is a bit too small to actually spin it around and fidget with, but at the same time is in an awkward placement that makes it almost appear to have a nose ring. It may look better if the hole was placed… so that the snake has its mouth open a bit, and incorporated it into the design. I really appreciate how the shape of the snake is fluid throughout the entire design, and each segment smoothly flows into the next. The tiny spikes are incredibly satisfying to run your hand down. [Takes a moment… Wiggles and waggles it.] And the length is just right for its slightly silly nature. It might be nice if it was not quite as flat on the very bottom, because the side view has little vertical interest when held off a surface. But I think overall the shape is simple, silly and cute and worked very well.”

Note– I also picked up a 3D-printed articulated dragon for review… I put both on the desktop in front of her while she played games. During cut-scenes, she fiddled with the snake far more than the dragon.

Overall– Five Stars: excellent fidget, but consider a different keychain or modify how/ where you ‘pierce’ the snake-face.

Update– Months Later… Still sitting on the desk-top, still gets occasionally fiddled with (during loading- and cut-scenes): being the only fidget there that still gets any (albeit only occasional) attention from a child.

I didn't have much (helpful) to say here, so let's hand this ‘unboxing’ review off to my daughter…

“[Egg:] Just want to say this is very smooth to touch. The texture is nice, and it opens well but it can lock. So this isn't coming undone. I like that. I like the rainbow colors. [Opens egg:] Awww, it's so tiny. I've seen longer ones of these before… there's a really long one at [friend's name]. But I love the pointy, sparkly bits, [running hand down the dragon spine:] cause they don't, yeah, they don't hurt so long as you go this way, and even if you go in reverse it doesn't really hurt. I love how long the tail is. It's like funny so, like ironically so, but it's really cute. The colors remind me of ice… or ice, tundra and aurora. The top is like the ice, and then the reflective part that will show off different colors… That's my first color scheme thought. I like the way it moves, how it can like… especially the tail, it has a lot of mobility. I've seen many figurines that often can't move around too much, but with this tail being able to be very flexible is nice. And the main body is not as quite so, but that's kinda more how something would move… the tail with the enhanced flexibility and the body not as much. And the head has a lot of that extra flexibility around the neck. For details, I… for all of these you can always tell where they're 3D-printed, but I like the way it's incorporated into the spikes. Like how the spikes are created. I like the amount of spikes on each section. I think it is just enough. On their own they look like a crown, but when you put them together it creates a pretty fluid combination. And I like the little legs. It might be better if they could bend downward. Cause that can help you if you curl them up, for the legs to be able to bend, instead of just this… moving forward and back, being able to have more articulation just in the legs would be nice. But I like the colors a lot. [Vertebrae:] I like the shape of these. They get smaller and smaller, but when you put them all together they have a fluid, main spine that goes down, and then these smaller spikes kind of look less like one entity. It's like you have the classic dragon spine and then extra to kind of give the body shape. Yeah, I really like it, it's cute. And I like the head shape overall. Just a little guy. Like a little bit feisty. But he doesn't look too mean. The head's a little bit goofy, how much these horns stick out. The tail matches the head, brings it all together. I do wish that the egg didn't have… Okay, I'm struggling to get the egg at the perfect, like, how to get it lined up correctly? There we go. The one thing I like about the egg, but I don't like is, they incorporate yellow into the egg but there's almost no yellow in the dragon. I would love a little bit of yellow in the very tips if they're gonna have yellow in the egg. I really like this pattern how it goes from scale shapes to kinda like almost flowery. The dragon can't really sit on the egg, but that's okay. That's just something silly I always try to do is have them sit on it… Yes, you can, but more like drape him over the egg.”

I would add to that this… The egg only closes/ fits the design properly in one orientation. If you turn it one-eighty and close it, the scales do not line up. Minus One Star. [Ask your computer to fix/ render that so perfectly it fits, whichever way you close it, please.]

Overall– Four Stars: Daughter-Approved.

I packed two handheld ‘mini duffle’ toolbags worth of stuff into this, and had room to spare. It can hold a lot: more than enough for whatever (smaller, miscellany) job you are working (presuming all your requisite tools are twelve inches or less in length).

Far easier to find what I am looking for than how it was before… One pocket for wrenches and pliers. Another for screwdrivers and ratchets. Another for stuff that cuts, scrapes, chisels. Another for whatever else. One smaller (removable, belt-clip-able) pocket for allen wrenches and miscellany small stuff; the other for nuts, bolts, screws, nails. The back (velcro-flap) pocket can fit a few of your quick-access thinner tools: but would be more helpful if the individual pockets were wider: only fits smaller/ shorter-handled tools.

The whole thing rolls up nicely. If using the main handles (which can velcro-wrap together): can limit how much stuff you can fit. But that's why there are adjustable straps (which should be farther apart so as not to interfere with the main handle: which they rest atop of or instead bend around) for if you pack more stuff into it. There are four handles in total, and a shoulder strap: which could be better-padded as it digs into your shoulder (can be clipped to either top or bottom; but mostly just gets in the way). The smaller handles will work, but not entirely sure I would trust, to haul around a fully loaded bag: could be thicker/ stronger. There are metal eyelets at the top which you can use to hang the bag (which are of questionable durability: for a fully loaded bag).

The canvas is thinner than my other toolbags: more likely for something sharp to puncture. The stitching is okay: single not double. The zippers are quality, if a bit jingly/ jangly. The strap clasps are rugged: a solid ‘click’ to let you know they are clasped.

Overall– Four Stars: I do not see it lasting years for a professional on job-sites, but for a homeowner/ hobbyist it should be fine for years to follow.

Update– Months Later… I keep this bag in a footlocker, alongside other miscellany. I dig it out when I need something specific(s) or bring the whole thing with me if its contents are needed elsewhere. This is exactly what I need for most of the (few) little jobs around the house (I can manage). Thank you.

Note, Backside Picture– I was trying to show that only the one smallest screwdriver and the crooked hammer actually fit in the back pockets under the flap. The crowbar is too tall, the other screwdrivers have too-fat handles and don't fit.

Stickers– The two-sided stickers these come with are a pain to unstick the top-sticker from. There's no pull-tab to help remove the other side. Took/ wasted minutes to peel free the sticker-tops before they could be attached to the desk-feet. Minus One Star. Also, the stickers are a smaller diameter than the feet themselves: which seems wrong, but in fact were the exact diameter of the feet on my desk.

Pattern– The heart shapes of these feet are cute, but utterly pointless as they'll never be seen stuck to the bottoms of your furniture/ whatever. Further, the pattern continues onto the bottom (or top: depending which orientation you consider): providing an un-flat surface upon which to (insecurely) stick the stickers. There are screw-holes in the feet for a more permanent attachment, but no included screws (which makes sense: how could they possibly guess the screw-length we would probably need?).

Sound– They make a fairly noisy, grindy sound as they roll. If these will be rolled a lot, that might start to annoy. The more weight, the slower you roll: the less noise it makes. Not an issue for only occasional rolling.

Roll– I stuck these to the bottom of my standing desk. They have no problem holding, rolling-around that weight. They do not roll too easily, but just enough: the desk doesn't roll around/ away on these rollers while being used: that's good. I didn't want my desk sliding all over the place: only forward and back with deliberate intent. The desk stayed where I moved it: away from the wall so my child can play games on the desk monitor and better see the tv above (rather than looking straight up: as the desk typically sits flush against the same wall).

Longevity– Cannot say, but suspect they should last (at least) as long as the desk: solid construction, steel ball-bearings… I only wonder about the tape it came with: how well will it hold over time as the pattern beneath the rollers keeps the tape from touching/ securing most of it. [A solid, flat-bottomed surface would be better, in general.]

Overall– Four Stars: room for improvement.

Somewhat reticent to admit it, but within a minute of putting this on I feel more relaxed, less anxious, lighter. There is a good reason I live off in the woods: too much digital-noise wherever more people live. [It is a family trait that some of us can feel wireless signals (occasionally even disrupt the matrix). I power on wifi only when it is being used: maybe a few hours a day (everything else runs over ethernet). Bluetooth: infrequently, preferring instead to ‘dock’ my music devices; wired headphones, only. Plus, I do not leave mobile-data enabled.] The more BRAND (aka: Archangel Network) satellites are deployed, the less-well I sleep/ feel: what with all that ‘noise’ perpetually raining down upon us all (which not all of us signed up for). [Go ahead, laugh. Others do. But some of us can feel this disturbance in the force.]

The hood is soft, even softer inside with the silver threading. It does get warm, perhaps even a little stuffy: but it is hot/ humid today. Not sure I am ever going to sleep wearing it. It does fit over my big head: but have to pull the bottom of the hood over my chin before I can pull/ fit my face out the front. Has pull-strings to tighten the hood: which works less-well without the rest of a hoodie attached. It might be better if the bottom section hung lower/ longer/ differently? That way it could better (/more securely) be tucked into an over-shirt or jacket..? Actually, having given it more time/ effort/ consideration… It does fit/ sit (fairly) well/ flat beneath a t-shirt: doesn't look too ridiculous tucked in. Looks/ fits/ sits weirder atop your shirt. With the hood down it looks like a ‘bunchy’ scarf/ wrap around your neck.

If ever you've tried on a tin-foil hat and felt relief (or suffer from transporter psychosis)… this might just be for you. On heavy hypno-ray days it can prove helpful to preserve/ protect your delta brainwave (from the Infosphere).

Overall– Four Stars.

Update– Having worn this for a few more hours… The pull-string is a nice braided material, but rubbish for chewing on (unless you like loose-threads, knots, and saliva-soaked strings). Would be much better if you instead had plastic (never metal, always durable) aglets/ caps. Also, I would prefer if the hood itself came further down over my face (again: big head).

Update, two– Okay, so now you're gonna think I'm truly crazy…. but, this hood has proven helpful for meditation. With everything else blocked out, all you have flowing through your brain is your own energies: making it easier to focus/ calm them.

Update, three– My child tried this on for an hour, immediately noted: “it feels quieter.” Upon taking it off: “it feels heavier, noisier” while pointing to their temples and side of the face.

Update, four– Caution: Do not wear while angry. It is unsettling how quickly negative thoughts can downward-spiral inside this echo-chamber [I think I finally understand the social-media effect]… Instead, think happy thoughts: "I must stay positive. Bubblegums? Butterflies? Cotton Candy?"

If you try on this hood and feel no difference: this was not meant for you… so don't drop a bad review simply because it didn't filter-out the specific wavelengths that are ‘weighing you down.’

First Attempt– Affixed it at 'twelve' (o'clock). Easily/ securely attached: thought it might have too-much padding to fit tight around the wheel, yet that all squished down tight. But that placement was awkward to hold/ turn. Wrote off that position a mere matter of miles down the road.

Second Attempt– Affixed it at 'eight'… Better, but not ideal: 'ten' would be best (as 'nine' is unavailable), but that is where I rest my hands normally and this would get in the way there. Will take some time to adapt to the arm-position and the torque (of my shoddy-suspension) while ‘holding’ a turn one-handed. [Note: 'four' might be better for right-handed, but I have a stick-shift (and a failing-clutch), so ‘lefty’ it must to be (until death do us (soon?) part).]

The turn/ pull is smooth/ easy. Fun for those bendy parts of (many of) the roads around me. The knob rotates smoothly, but can sometimes get in the way while turning without it, until you adapt to it being there. [It would help if my power-steering wasn't failing, too: using this for straightaways is doubleplusungood: as the wheel bucks a bit, doesn't hold steady even two-handed.] The knob looks like diamondish (scratchable-plastic) onyx. I like it though.

Overall– Four Stars: for the winding/ bendy paths otherwise chosen (not by most) to travel.

Update– Months Later… My car rusted out, had to get a ‘new’ (already twice-used, 140k+ miles, elderly) car. I affixed this knob to the wheel. Trouble is, I have to drive this car like a granny: slow, steady. It has issues, it makes ugly noises when I turn too hard/ fast (don't even get me started on all the broken warning- and head-lights), it wobbles at highway speeds… This knob has become pointless, here: so I removed it. I hate this (being the best I can barely afford) used car. There's no fun left in driving anymore. [Yet another reason rarely to leave the house.]

A nice variety of hand/grip strengtheners. Note: the ten-pack just means two of everything: so you can do the same with both hands at the same time, or have an extra set for another person to use. I prefer one hand at a time, to give the other a chance to relax.

Stress Relief Ball– Perpetually sticky. Washing doesn't help; the longer you hold it the worse/ stickier it gets. Picks up every piece of detritus upon your floor if you drop it (or wherever you set it down). The squish of it is okay, but the feel is gross: providing little relief.

Hand Grip Ring– Nice size, good resistance, not sticky/ icky, good for digging into any sore spots of your hands. Can work one/ two/ all fingers at once. I often use it to massage my sore hand-meat.

Grip Strength Trainer– Adjustable resistance: I am still at the lowest. I am up to fifteen repetitions with each hand, twice a day. [Any more and it starts to hurt, in the bad way.] It has a click-counter to track your progress (up to ninety-nine). The ‘clicker’ is annoying (to nearby others, and not something I need as I count in my head): but it can be taped-over to shut it up. No instructions included: but you'll figure out how to reset the counter by fiddling around with it. Nicely textured handles for firmer grip and softer squeezes.

Finger Strengthener– Spring-loaded for each finger and palm. Again, fifteen slow squeezes twice a day. It might help if the pinky-finger spring could have a little less resistance: being the weakest: I can barely squeeze it… But, that's the point here: to grow stronger, overcome your weaknesses. Can get a bit pinchy/ bitey upon your fingers should they get caught between the finger-grips (which happens easily).

Finger Exerciser– Elastics. My second least favorite. The motion is awkward, as is the process of strapping yourself into the wrist strap: barely tightens enough to fit my (or my child's) tiny wrists. I have used this infrequently: which likely means I should instead use it more: strengthening other aspects of the hands/ fingers than what the others offer.

My hands are rather sore (in a good way?). I started with low/ few repetitions and have slowly been building up. Given my hand/ finger disabilities: these are exactly what I needed to help improve (or at least slow down my deterioration).

Overall– Four Stars.

Update– Months Later… Taping over the clicker-counter on the Grip Strengthener is a terrible idea: Pictured. The tape doesn't sit right, starts to stretch, leaves sticky residue, doesn't hold right in the hand, and the clicker can start counting again: would recommend death-grip glue to hold the clicker down, or snip it off entirely. Note: I am up to fifty repetitions a day, every day: with both the Grip (still on lowest ‘poundage’) and Finger (invariable setting) Strengtheners in both hands, which has helped improve the length of time I can spend jockeying a keyboard and mouse, while thickening up my forearms slightly. This is helping, albeit slowly.

Yes, it is made of metal, but many of my other metal pendants don't taste like they are… this one is different.

No matter how well it is washed (using a soapy pipe cleaner several times daily) the inside of this tastes/ smells like metal, thanks to saliva/ breath that gets inside.

Further, I do not like the feel of metal in my mouth or upon my teeth. If this were instead made of ceramic or the hard plastic of vape-mouthpieces I would like it better. Being made of what this one is, and not properly ‘coated’ (for flavorlessness) inside and out: I do not like it.

The chain is a nice length and made of decent links. The pendant mouthpiece is familiar to those who use mod-boxes rather than disposable (gas-station) vapes. Makes zipper-pull sounds as the pendant swings upon the chain. Cannot fully comment as to its ability to help with the cessation of smoking/ vaping as I cannot tolerate it in my mouth long enough to determine if it works.

The idea is sound, but the material could be better, more tasteless. Two Stars.

The tubes are rugged: not easily snapped/ crushed. The stoppers are all-plastic (same as the entire tube) but have a decent closed-hold (so long as they aren't freely banging-around inside a bag: tuck them in). The stopper-tether could be better: I foresee that wearing out with repeated use/ carry. I cannot speak to ‘king sized’ smokables, but the tube does hold two of my standard-sized paper RYOs (super-slim: 5.3mm filters). Cannot smell the tobacco when closed, but I cannot speak to the odor-stoppage of ‘danker’ smokables: yet should be passable/ undetectable.

The included tools appear to be more for pipe-smoking: but I do appreciate having them (should I instead decide to take up that method to get my tobacco).

Five Stars: for safe transport of ‘fatty’ smokes.

“Spoon!” Brought back happy childhood memories of nomming down those (too-small) ice cream cups what with their stupid/ weak wooden paddles: but only when I ‘earned it’… this fantastical approach to achieve the same ‘feels’ is much classier though: more adult-like, and with fewer splinters… but this time, take your time: let all that deliciousness melt upon your tongue, licking away every last little trace before dipping back into the tub for that one last little taste before putting it away… the point here: eat less, more savor(y)… bigger spoon + bigger bowl = bigger booty: this is known.

Note– Only one-of-nine had some small blemishes upon it: all the others seemingly smooth/ perfect all over: so, sadly, said ‘little spoon’ was thereby assigned the role of ‘sacrificial minion’ (solely for being the poorest/ weakest of the lot). More on that, later…

You're not going to be eating oatmeal or soup with these… but something what's buttery, creamy, gooey, sticky, sensuous, sinful, fatty… yeah, you're in the right neighborhood: Moderation.

Unexpected Bonus– These make for excellent ‘worry-stones.’ You know, those smooth thingies you rub your thumbs against (in your pocket) when you're weird/ anxious/ confused/ awkward/ fidgety/ bored? [Get your mind out of the gutter.] These are most excellently (pocket-)sized: shapely, thick, edgy, curvy: keeping thumb (/tongue) quietly distracted whenever cannot whatever wanting/ needing instead to be doing (right now, goramit!)… Be calm, go thumb-one-out.

Ignoble Sacrifice– I unceremoniously flung ‘one\nine’ up into the air such to then fall (to its death?) upon the kitchen floor, half a dozen times: no damage… then down onto the fireplace tiles, half a dozen times: no damage… Respect. Don't yet have the heart to see what it does take to break this one… So instead, I drizzled some (dirty) water on it and sat back to see what happened… no water damage, no spots. So, I then left ‘onesie’ in a glass of water, overnight. Had to properly weigh it down, first, to make sure it stayed truly drowned. Result: no damage, but I wouldn't advise overnight-soaking them, in general.

Am thinking of drilling a hole in the handle and hanging ‘uno’ around my neck… Remind me, what does a spoon necklace symbolize?

Overall– Five Stars: for the happy feelings: better savored in moderation whenever eaten.

Pictured– Spoon with a wooden whiskey tumbler: perfect for ice cream.

Poured a quarter-bottle of Bourbon into this Whiskey decanter (that's not going to offend anyone, right?). Found it odd that for such a fancy set it didn't include even a basic funnel… but then discovered the two bottles ‘kissed’ fairly well and understood why-not.

The decanter has a small neck: can only really be grasped with the one finger and thumb: but be sure to hold/ angle the tumbler such that the (fat-)lip of the decanter reaches inside the lip of the tumbler while pouring: to prevent dribbles (upon your fingers). The pour-angle (plus increased decanter-weight) is a bit different than but with the original bottle: might take a few over-pours before you find just the right balance/ grip. You can also hold the fatter body of the decanter to pour, but I found that to be a more awkward grip: to each their own preference.

It is hard for me to judge how much booze I am pouring into this tumbler: as I am accustomed to smaller pours, into a smaller glass. But what better way to celebrate the Solstice: by drinking too much (well, not alone might be nice, for a change)?

Drinking those final drops straight from the decanter is not ideal… Better just to turn it over a tumbler and gently paddle its bottom. [Hey, booze ain't free, unlike how this product was for me.] The inside-top is shaped so all liquid comes easily out when poured: no flat surfaces to interfere.

Arrived well-packed: each glass piece wrapped in bubbles inside (‘silk’ lined) foam cutouts inside a fancy (mag-clasp) box which was bubble-wrapped inside the outer label-box stuck inside a (paper-packed) shipping box.

Tumblers– Thick, hefty, weighty, easy to grasp, not slippery, holds one cup of liquid, patterns match the decanter, decent sip/ gulp… I almost feel like a proper adult now: finally owning a matching-set of nice (booze) glasses.

Decanter– Hefty (empty: weighs as much as a full one-liter booze bottle: could definitely crush a skull with it), classy design, fairly squarish (in a good way), looks far fancier than my cheap bottle of booze, holds enough (to last me long-time, typically); stopper sets deep and tight and doesn't rattle, stopper is solid (survived a three-foot drop without issue).

Overall– Five Stars.

Update– Months Later… The decanter remains empty: it is awkward/ droppable for me to hold with my hand/ wrist-disabilities, having instead stuck a pour-spout into the bourbon bottle: being easier for me to pour that way. I use the tumblers with my water-cooler: looks classier than my regular/ old glasses sitting atop. These tumblers are far too big for the little booze I drink: sticking instead to the (half-empty) sherry glass I inherited from someone along the way: being just the right amount, medicinally.

Works well. Seems to start up right away (when plugged in): rather than waiting for you to blow on it, as instructed. I wouldn't advise leaving it plugged in.

The clear design was neat, for only but a moment. Lit my first smoke: the inside ‘fogged’ up, some flecks of ash also got inside (seems a fundamental design-flaw). And, the interior is not so very interesting as to be seen. Go for the solid version instead.

Could use a tethered, heat-resistant cap to cover/ protect the coil while in your pocket, especially if affixed to your pointy keys. The (already-scratched) brass end does get warm: so give it a minute before back into your pocket it goes.

Heats up fast: five seconds is enough to spark-up my RYOs. Will likely keep this lighter in the car, just in case (though I'm not much of an away-from-home smoker).

Overall– Three Stars: for in-a-pinch; see-through plus foggy/ ashy-interior being not the ideal.

Well, crap, now I have to go out and buy beer. It's been well over a decade… What brand was it I used to not-hate? Is it still around? I'm fairly certain it was the cheap-stuff… That didn't help narrow it down: there's, like, hundreds of flavors now: myself having had nary a reason to wander that aisle in forever (did I miss yet another fad?)… Where to begin? Nothing new and unfamiliar, obviously.

[Drunk (alone, again) by noon on a Tuesday… would that be one of those ‘warning signs’ we've been told to watch out for? But it's in the name of product-testing, I swear. Moving on…]

Handle– Big enough to fit a whole hand, sturdy, solid; the perfect/ classic size, thickness, shape. Works well either right- or left-handed: holding the handle or grasping the mug itself with your fingers through the handle. Not easily dropped. Though, I would appreciate some texture on the handle-corner where your thumb holds: for better grip/ control/ pour.

Mug– More capacity than a standard bottle of beer, nice sips/ gulps, classy design, sturdy, solid base, not easily broken.

Overall– Five Stars: for doing what it was designed to, well.

The instructions indicate you should take it slow: for good reason. Naturally, I overdid it, had to take a few days off (from all exercise). [I have physical disabilities: hence why I haven't been able to do push-ups or sit-ups in years.] I chose this to find another way to work my core and shoulders/ arms.

Do three or four ‘rolls’ a day, to start. It puts unfamiliar pressure (if never before have you used one of these, or if you are weak) on the shoulders and neck, also the hands/ wrists. I woke up on day three (after doing more than a dozen+ rolls the days before) with knots in my trapezius. [When I feel that particular ‘pang’: time to stop, before things get worse.]

Excellent for cracking your spine: but I would recommend stretching before and after. Slowly work your way out: pop, pop, crack (or maybe that's just me?) you can feel as you roll. Rolling out/ back at a slight (not too steep) sideways-angle can help pop your spine back into position.

I dropped my numbers down to six rolls, twice a day: that seemed to make it hurt less. [My neck muscles are sensitive: have to be careful about not straining them.] The included knee-pads (for your floor) are appreciated (as my knees aren't great, either).

Balance– This is none-too-wobbly: the dual wheels help with that. The handles have various options for holding them most comfortably: but can be strenuous upon wrists/ hands if, like me, it has been far too long since last you attempted push-ups.

My core is getting tighter, as are my neck and shoulder muscles growing bigger (my wrists/ hands are still fairly useless).

If you are new to this: take it slow: your abs may not feel the strain, but consider what else might be getting a workout here: listen to your body: but don't wimp out just cause it turns out you're wimpy: find your tolerance, work cautiously towards improvement.

Overall– Five Stars.

Update– I stopped using all other fitness gear (except for the elliptical) for a few days so I could feel exactly what the ab roller was doing to/ for me… The muscles in my pecs, neck, shoulders, upper-arms keep growing bigger, faster than my core muscles. So, not just for abs.

Update, two– Months Later… I have nearly stopped using this ab roller. It makes me look good but often results in me feeling bad. I seem to not get hurt in the same-such ways when not using it as opposed to when I do, on the regular. [Stupid disabilities: nothing even resembling push-ups allowed for me anymore, it would seem. Minus One Star: not the fault of the product.]

Assembly was easy. Came with two extra hex-bolts, two extra screws: the screws are cheap and the heads strips easily: spend more on better screws rather than on extra screws. [How clumsy do you presume us to be, how many pieces do you expect us to lose?]

Hang– I have clapboard siding, so hanging it flush is not possible: had to find just the right position such that the bottom of the hanger was securely against the fattest/ flattest part of a board and then screw the top in from there: which means the screws stick out from the wall: which means they are not holding tightly: which means the whole holder can come unhooked just by lifting it: will have to look into some way to secure the bottom to the wall: or instead change where I hung it to secure the top, flush, tight, rather than focusing upon placement of the bottom… But none of that is a fault of the product: only the reality of my wall (and my first attempt to hang this: perhaps that's why there's extra screws?).

Plenty big enough to hold a lot of hose. Can hold as much weight as the screws can hang onto (being the weakest link). Simple, nice design. Should be fine.

Overall– Four Stars: for the cheap screws.

It is loud: I would not take it camping, but fine for power-outages, or to have water out in the barn/ garage, or for (extended-)family backyard cookouts, perhaps. We should all keep several spare jugs of water (which you can buy at many of the box-stores now): just in case. This pump perfectly fits five-gallon bottles (being my main source of drinking water, as my well-water remains questionable).

This has pumped out three gallons of water so far: the battery meter (if in fact that's what those blue lights indicate: the instructions being deficient, poorly translated) is still at four-of-four. There are two buttons: Continuous or 0.6L (>two cups): press once to start, once to stop. [Not sure why bother with two buttons when solely one, continuous would be sufficient?] Pumps out far faster than my water cooler (which is appreciated); be sure to hold your glass slightly out-away from the pump-spout as it streams more angular-outwards than straight-downwards. The spout does not drip (even one drop) after it stops running. The silicone hose reaches all the way to the bottom of the bottle: but is longer than I can reach with my longest straw-brush: leaving the middle-inside-third unscrubbable. Comes with a silicone cap/ tap for the bottle which can be closed for transport: not the strongest/ securest cap I've seen: don't count on it not dripping/ seeping if transported otherwise than but perfectly upright.

If your intention is to buy this for camping: I would instead recommend a (far quieter) hand-pump variety: the point of getting out into the wilderness is to get away from all the technology/ noise: find harmony with nature, not bring all the gadgets/ gizmos along with you… or am I missing the point here/ nowadays?

Overall– Four Stars: for spooking the animals.

Update– Those blue lights are not battery-level indicators (missed opportunity): they stay four/ four lit until the battery dies (abruptly). The initial (out-of-box) charge pumped just over four gallons. I would have hoped for at least five. Took 3.5 hours to recharge using a five-watt charger. Note: the pump keeps pumping when the bottle runs out of water: I let it run a full minute after it started to sputter, but it did not stop trying to suck air: not really an issue as you will be standing right there when it runs out.

Applying my (now-)standard backpack-testing/ rating matrix…

0) Rattle– Pick it up and shake it, first-thing… ‘tinkle, rattle, ding.’ Not great, but the zipper-pulls can be taped over if quieter is more your bag.

1) Shoulders/ Neck/ Lower/ Mid-Back Fit– I put a pair of sandbags inside, wore it around for ten minutes a day, for several days: no hints of bruising where the straps rest upon my shoulders (even on the days I jumped up and down). Doesn't cut into my neck: the shoulder-straps are widely spaced, nicely shaped. Rests comfortably, even when heavy, against the mid- and lower-back (the padding there helps).

2) Capacity– Sufficient. Can hold a few days worth of clothes/ supplies: more than enough for my basic needs as an overnight/ long-weekend bag. Cannot speak as to a school backpack (being now decades past that point in my life): but I can see this working well for that, or basic business, too.

3) Pockets: Quantity, Size, Depth, Placement, Sub-Dividers– Front Pocket: 8" tall, 7" wide; single zip-pull; fits an 8" tablet perfectly, but no real padding to protect it there. Front Secondary Pocket: 15" tall, 11" wide, 2" deep; front/ back have the same single-layer liner material; single zip-pull. Middle Pocket: 18" tall, 12" wide, 2" deep; has your standard school-backpack pockets here, two slip-pockets, one mesh zip-pocket, three pencil/ pen holders; the back of this pocket has some padding; dual zip-pulls. Main Pocket: 19" tall, 14" wide, 3.5" deep; has an 8" tall mesh slip-pocket in the front, 11" tall well-padded laptop pocket in the back that perfectly/ securely holds my 15.6" laptop (with a velcro strap); and a (non-removable) USB-A cable dangling down within; dual zip-pulls. Hidden Back Pocket: 6" tall, 12" wide; well-padded; single-zip. Bottle Pockets: 7" tall, 4" wide, stretchy, fits even bigger bottles; no strap to secure your bottles, but tall/ deep enough to not worry about them falling out.

4) Stitching– Something you cannot really tell until you actually have/ hold it… single-stitched through-and-through, thin (ner/ish) thread: could be better, but should suffice for ‘standard’ use.

5) Zippers, Pulls– Same-sized outside, one smaller inside, pulls made of metal (which ‘dingle’ louder than I prefer), decent zip-sound.

6) Straps/ Handles/ etc.– Front: a bungee cord woven through the front with pincer-clasp, for whatever you might find that useful. Front Bottom: adjustable straps that open only 2" wide (could be more useful if the straps were longer), not sure what would go there. Mid-Back Strap: I presume that is for attaching to your handle-extending roller-bag for travel. No chest- or waist-straps: but weren't expected. Handles: one big, strong, padded top-handle; one small hook-hanger (I would not recommend hanging a fully-packed/ loaded bag by: for feeling a little flimsy to hold too much weight).

7) Everything Else– Padding: shoulder-straps, shoulder-back-pads, and lower-back: all comfortable, breathable. Some bottom-padding for the main pocket: appreciated. The outer-bag fabric is tough, not easily going to tear, not easily stained/ rained through.

Note– If your phone is tucked into the side/ bottle pocket, such to charge, almost impossible to reach it if both shoulder-straps are engaged.

Overall– Five Stars: for a standard school/ business/ travel backpack: could have better/ thicker stitch-thread, though, for improved longevity.

Update– Pictured: my daughter's previous backpack astride: having chosen this one over that one upon seeing this one… They grow up so fast.

I hadn't realized just how dusty, cobwebby my walls had gotten until I used this: took all of that off.

The angled head fits into all corners: easily twisted to whichever orientation best suits the situation. Press the triangle against the wall, twist the handle, find your angle, start sweeping. Smooth procession across walls: up/ down/ left/ right/ angular.

Came with four handle-sections: I only need three to reach the furthest, darkest corners of my home. They sound dreadful when screwing the sections together/ apart, also not made from the toughest of plastic (I could see them snapping over too-much-time/ pressure). Works well for scrubbing dust off baseboards, door- and window-frames. Not bad for a quick dusting of the floor behind the sofa, too.

Came with two pads: dust and mop. I don't foresee myself ‘washing’ my walls, but good to know there is that option; might instead use that with some spray-cleaner for any wall/ floor sections that need it. The back of the triangle has a squeegee: for should you over-soak the floor/ wall. The ‘duster’ is easily washed, dries fairly quickly (if properly wrung; I presume the same for the mop-pad).

Could work with ceilings too (unless popcorn-textured). I suppose floors are also on the menu… Would have been nice had this arrived with some instructions/ suggestions in the box: how best to use, upon which surfaces to (not) use, which chemicals (not) to use, how best to clean the pads, a link for replacements… I could go back to the product-page (which was blank when I chose this) for all that, but I shouldn't have to.

Overall– Four Stars: for the limited data provided regarding the plethora of possibilities/ applications inherent.

I've been walking all over this carpet for a few weeks now… “Meh” is my opinion. I've had better, I've had worse. Stays fairly (but not overly) well where you place it. The stitching is okay, but no extra stitching around the corners where they tend to fray most. It is soft: I'll give it that, yet not the slightest squishy: rather flat actually (well, except for the folds it arrived with which would require ironing out: as it appears this shall never ‘level-out’ itself, unaided). I like the pattern and the colors okay, but not greatly so. Water beads upon it, doesn't soak in, easily wiped off. Not really designed for wiping dirty shoes upon. I can see some dirt/ detritus upon the rug, but only if I look for it… Wish I could say more, but this being my sixth(?) area rug/ mat review: I'm running a little low on carpet commentary. [Though, I do appreciate having this floor-covering filling up some space, adding color to my otherwise hard/ drab floors, even though none of my mishmash rugs match.]

Three Stars: for just another standard area rug.

Pictured– Months Later… barefoot-traffic, been vacuumed a few times, never washed.

Have to ‘toke’ a bit harder, but you will adapt quickly. These hold my slender Roll-Your-Owns perfectly, securely. [Note: I use 5.3mm super-slim filters for my smokes, already: doubling-down on dual-filtered doesn't seem like a bad idea. Yet still I tried rolling one without a filter to see how well these hold: just as securely, even with slender, sans-filter RYOs.] When finished smoking: easiest just to blow the butt out of the filter, rather than trying to pick out the still-smoldering remains: [I use a half-full-with-water bottle to extinguish my roaches: however, you can use this filter to stamp-out your smoke in an ashtray: so long as it wasn't smoked too-far down, and if you don't mind ash all over the end of the filter: but then you will need something to dig the roach out of the filter-end, as blowing it out doesn't work well in that configuration:] found using a pipe-scraper (I picked up elsewhere) to dig out ‘the remains’ works well.

Took a ton of tar out of my first cigarette (pictured: single-use vs. five smokes later). Found myself feeling the need for my next smoke sooner: likely not from lowered nicotine, but simply because my lungs felt ‘less full’ from all the crap that was filtered out: which (sadly) I had grown accustomed to, expectant of. [Same thing occurred when first I started rolling filters into my smokes: I smoked more often, but that passed as I adapted to ‘cleaner’ smoking, as too shall it here.]

Gets harder to smoke through the more times you reuse it: I have found five (of my slender-rolls) is the maximum before it needs to be replaced: starts to ‘stink’ nearing the end of number two, further tainting the taste of your smokables the more these are reused. A standard can of tobacco comes with 200 papers (I get more like 300 smokes per can), you get 100 filters per box, use each twice (for best performance/ taste): that's your baseline cost… So, I suppose it all comes down to how much non-recyclable plastic your health/ addiction is worth: as you'll be throwing away at least one of these a day (depending how addicted you are)?

Gets harder to simply blow the roach out the more these filters are reused: by the third (filtered) smoke I have to use the pick: the tar residue having turned sticky.

The mouthpiece is comfortable upon my lips, the width of where you hold onto these filters is bigger than I am accustomed to, but not overly so. The plastic is thick, strong, not readily going to melt. Does make your smokes stick out further from your face: something to consider when lighting.

Tar-dribbles: if ever you've (over-)used filters like these before (or any pipe, in general), you know they can start to dribble/ blast liquid tar/ death into your mouth… These didn't do that: well, not until the seventh (I was going for ten) smoke through the same filter: better than others.

On the plus side: the nicotine stains on my fingers (/lips) are fading away as I am no longer directly handling (/kissing) the burning smokes themselves: which helps me look/ smell/ feel better.

Overall– Five Stars: for making my stupid life-choice (slightly) less self-destructive.

Update– How many smokes these filters can handle further depends upon how ‘dank your shag.’ When testing previously, I was at the bottom of the can: smoking dry dust, mostly. I have since picked up those button-discs to keep my tobacco moist (and to improve the taste). I now get fewer smokes per filter before the threat of tar-dribbles: three-to-four, max. Before you reuse these filters, carefully blow-through while empty and listen for it to ‘gargle.’ If it does, significantly: throw it away. Alternatively, if it only gargles a bit: blow hard through it, which sticks the liquid to the front butt-holder, abiding you one more smoke. If it starts to gargle while already smoking: cautiously proceed, or abandon (or pull out the smoke, blow hard, reseat, continue). I have since gotten three mouthfuls of ‘liquid cancer’ trying to push how many reuses I can get out of these filters… It is not worth it.

Note, Cost– So, I can safely get three smokes through each filter, at a cost of $35 for a can of tobacco which gets me ~300 smokes, plus the $20 for 100 of these plastic filters, plus the $18 for 1000 super-slim inline-filters… ~$60 a can (up from $35) becomes my new cost to continue smoking safer(?). Quitting would/ should be cheaper: but from experience, at a cost of $70+ a month for nicotine lozenges instead… I'm still coming out on top here. [While growing ever closer to six-feet-under the longer I persist. More profit to be had from bad habits: indulging, improving-safety and quitting.] Trouble is, I can never go back to smoking without these (or perhaps similar, cheaper?) filters: they are just that good. Kindly, offer a 200-pack in a bag, rather than just these smoke-shop presentation packages (which waste a ton more plastic) at 1.5X the cost of 100, please.

Update– Months Later… Pictured: the environmental impact. [Screw the planet, I'll be long-dead before that becomes a problem: said every profiteer/ sociopath/ litterbug.]

These push my toes and top of foot into the top of my boots: being thicker than my previous insoles. I expected that to be a painful problem, but fortunately it wasn't. However, I have since found my heels ‘kicking loose’ when I walk if my boots aren't tied, which is their normal state (never before been a problem). My walk has become unsteady, unsure.

I am not one for sports, having accepted that I was only mediocre by eighth grade. So I cannot speak to the ‘elite performance’ claims of these insoles. But they certainly didn't seem to make mowing my lawn any easier. Though, my feet were less-sore than typically afterwards.

The arch support is appreciated. They are comfortable. They do ‘hug’ my feet nicely. But in no iteration of my imagination could I justify paying $100 for these. Then again, I don't do sports. At that price: naturally, I was expecting these to be the best insoles I have ever tried… They weren't.

Overall– Three Stars: for not-sports usage.

Update– Months Later… I am still using them, for the few hours a week I actually wear footwear. They are comfortable, my feet have stopped slipping around (whether that would be from sock build-up or having adapted to holding/ clenching my feet differently: we may never know), my feet don't over-sweat, no (more) problems with my feet pushing into the tops of my boots, and there's no signs of wearing-out (but, I do not wear them much). Plus One Star.

Pictured– Months of (limited) use later: haven't been washed.

I was expecting them to be darker, based upon the picture: others can clearly see my eyes, being not what I wanted. These look more like shooting glasses than sunglasses.

These look similar to my previous (cheap, which have lasted nearly a decade) ‘wraparound’ sunglasses, but are far less comfortable. The ends are pointy, sharp even, where they scrape against the side of my head while putting them on, and in how they rest, poking into my skull… those bits being made of ‘plastic’ which cannot be bent to better-fit.

The metal arms/ legs (/whatever-called?) that reach along the side of the face are too thin for my liking: too poorly gripped, too easily dropped, not much bigger than toothpicks at the middle: ‘durability’ they do not declare.

The nose-piece holders are long, uninspired-looking, not easily bent to fix how crookedly this fits my face. And I have a big face: these glasses looking even a little bit big on mine. [Looks ridiculous upon my child.] Sits a bit too far out from my face. The nose-pads are comfortable though.

Came with a protective cloth-bag rather than with a case, as some others do. You either like an included case or you don't (and use another you already have, or buy another) and dispose of the one you don't. So, I'm with them here: why bother charging more for an included case we likely won't like? A bag will suffice, thanks.

All of these determinations made within the first minute after opening the box, as often goes with such products. Had I bought it, likely it would be returned. But instead, will likely be left in my car as a backup. So, be a considerate sunglass-buyer and carefully open the box/ bag and be sure to wipe off your fingerprints (with the included cloth) before carefully wrapping it back up before returning-to-sender.

I did however, even after having determined my dislike, took them out with me in the car for a few days… Despite looking less-dark: they do a fair job of dimming-down the sun (but assuredly I've seen better). I finally got the nose-pieces settled to best-fit my face: being the only adjustable portion of the glasses: still doesn't fit me the way I would like: the longer I wore them the more the pointy-bits spawned minor headaches.

Overall– Two Stars: for being uncomfortably pointy, of questionable durability/ adjustability, overall ‘meh’ in appearance.

[Technically, I broke the Vine Rules here… We are not supposed to get products for others. However, I got this for my mom's new kitten… How could I not bring gifts/ toys upon meeting the new ‘baby’ in the family?]

He was immediately curious: poke/ jab/ parry/ leap/ grab/ swipe/ roll. Every night Mom puts this toy away, brings it out the next morning: such to be new to him, every day.

Many ways to shape this toy: just twist it. Rotate it so the ball is on the outside/ inside/ bottom/ side/ top… He loves them all, yet still hasn't managed to pull that jingly ball from out of its track, despite his determination. [Note: it only holds two positions unaided: UFO (pictured) or rolled-shut: all other orientations/ angles would require the assistance of rubber bands (or perhaps tape) to hold that shape.]

Durability– Pictured is how it looks after three weeks of daily play, rather roughly. Made of cardboard: so don't expect it to last forever, but inexpensive enough as to afford a replacement when the time comes.

Overall– Five Stars: for such a simple toy with so many options, keeping them interested/ frustrated.

Update– Okay, so, I didn't actually use this myself, until recently, having merely taken the word of another. Added a Note above to explain what I should have noted from the start. Months Later… The kitten still hasn't killed this thing, nor torn that darned ball free of its cage, even with daily usage. Respect. Pictured– The kitten, months ago; yesterday.

Fired it up, the kitten ran away, hid under the sofa, watched. Took a long minute of staring at this erratic whatchamacallit zipping all over the floor before he creeped his way out, then immediately jumped away when the ball charged at him. Then turned back when it turned its back on him, stalked, stalked, jumped when it took off in another direction. It is hard to catch: funny to watch them fail… Keeps the kitten distracted better/ longer than any other toy I've seen.

The motion is fantastic, unpredictable. The feather tail is meant for chasing, not catching: if they can sink their teeth into it while still, it can start to come apart: so when off, put it away. The green tail is a little tougher. The tails not so easily un/ hooked: but that's a good thing: don't want the cat ripping the whole tail off.

Variable options: slow, fast, auto-off (5 minutes), auto-reactivate upon touch. Indicator lights to let you know which setting activated, or when the battery is nearing depletion.

Note– This will pick up any dust on your floor, any hair will get wound up into the sides (but easy enough to pull back out). Works as a fair indicator when the time has come to clean your floors.

Five Stars: for keeping the kitten interested, even after the initial fright.

Update– Months Later… The kitten still plays with it, if you bring it to his attention. The feather-tail was demolished within a week/ two, green-tail is still going strong.

I had a smaller pumice stone on a handle I used to keep in my shower: it gold moldy and thrown away years ago: never had/ saw the extra cash/ need to pick up another. I had forgotten what I was missing.

These stones are excellent, do a wonderful job. Slightly wet, they scrub away all dead skin cells, rough patches, leaving your feet/ wherever smooth and clean.

The various shapes are nice, can get into whatever nooks/ crannies needed, fit the hand well. Turn this way/ that: find the best flat/ curved bits to scrub at your skin with. Then hang it up to dry. The four of these should last me for years.

Overall– Five Stars.

This wasn't the exact size I wanted, but was what was left to review. I put it inside, on the back-end of my other floormat (to not impede the door-swing). The nubbins are tall, get deep down into the treads of your boots/ shoes.

Washes easily. The material is thick: less likely to rip over time. Took two days for it to lay completely flat (rolled tight for shipping).

Stays where you put it, even in high-traffic areas… How much more can I say about something you wipe your feet upon?

Five Stars: deeper, tougher than any previous (outdoor) mat I have owned over the years.

Pictured– Some of the crap it scraped off my boots; next to my new boot tray.

* [Note: At the time I submitted this, that's what Vine's numbers said…]

I figured I needed something to commemorate this milestone: for all the products that did not receive flattering reviews along the way… This is perfect.

The fist itself is smaller than mine, yet the middle-finger is bigger (no good for nose-picking). The underlying structure could have been better sanded/ smoothed before it was painted: a bit bumpy/ rough in places, especially upon the middle-finger. The gold paint job was thorough (but better if smoother beneath) and thick. The paint doesn't scratch too easily (with but a fingernail). It is heavier than you expect (which is appreciated), but the (added-)weight is mostly in the bottom: so it is slightly imbalanced when picked up, but therefore does not easily tip over. The bottom-surface has the most obvious flaws: irregularities, scratches, blotches (likely it was set down to dry upon a less-than-pristine surface). The overall details (shapes, lines, curves, bends, nails, veins) are good enough.

It could perhaps use a plaque, for engraving: “World's #1 Boss/ Parent/ Reviewer/ whatever” or “Take a Number” for example… As a gift only for those you genuinely adore, of course.

Overall– Four Stars: for making it clear how you feel, in a way/ size that cannot be overlooked.

Update– Months Later… This ‘golden idol’ is still sitting atop one of my speakers, where last I left it. I still like it, causes me to smile whenever I find myself thinking mischievous thoughts (at least a few times a day) in that general direction.

Update, Pictured– Beside my 320th Vine review.

The last game I actively played (prior to that: Doom) was Quake (original, and only because of who did the soundtrack, and for all the nostalgia games you could ‘crack’ from the CD). By then I was more interested in learning how to build/ program/ repair/ administer computers than in playing games. Friends tried to get me into the newer consoles, but there's too many buttons (yeah, I know, I'm showing my age here): the last controllers I (over-)actively handled were for the NES. [By then my hands were starting to weaken from too much controller-gaming.] I didn't keep up and fell behind.

I do have an original Nintendo Switch a friend gave my daughter when they upgraded. I figured this would be good for that… It didn't work. The Switch acknowledged it was connected (through our third-party dock), lights on the controller lit up, but, nothing… The Switch did not ever accept input from this controller. And yes, I tried turning it off/ on again, un/ re-plugging the controller, fiddled with the system settings: nothing. What a disappointment. I do not know if that is endemic or specific to this one controller.

So, I plugged it into my ‘light-gaming’ PC. Windows had no trouble acknowledging it. On that PC my daughter plays GAME1 and GAME2, but has only ever used the keyboard and mouse. It took many minutes of simply fiddling with all the buttons to figure out what each would do before gameplay commenced. She liked the hold of the handles (being slightly wider and differently angled than her wireless Afterglow controller, which works great on the Switch), the sure-presses and immediate responsiveness of the buttons. The stick-knobs (or whatever they're called) took some time to adapt to on PC (having never before used them to play these games). Being unfamiliar with this controller (and what-all each button does), having become adept with keyboard/ mouse: her gameplay suffered and she quickly became frustrated, gave up and went back to the keyboard, resumed her slaying most effectively.

Given time, and the will to try/ learn: I'm sure this would serve her well for PC gaming. But for the Switch: didn't work for us. [This being the fault of the dock?]

Update– I dug out the original Switch Dock (which doesn't have ethernet or switchable audio-output: being why it was replaced). Same thing: lights, but no response.

Overall– Two Stars: because it didn't work for the Switch, which it says it would, and being what I chose it for.

Update– Months Later… Finally installed Steam on PC, for my daughter. She has quickly adapted: with the expected sore-thumbs/ hands that come with handling a new controller (compulsively)… GAME3 came out, something she's been awaiting for years. Has been playing nearly nonstop for days now. She likes this controller, I like that it is wired and can finally disable Bluetooth. Plus Two Stars.

Nearly impossible not to dribble all over oneself… The shape of the lip is all wrong: does not fit our lips: too small of a circumference, strangely/ poorly shaped/ edged, as well. Cannot even adequately do for handless shots, either: too much liquid. [Fortunately, I was testing with water during that spit-take: all over my new carpet… or perhaps I'm simply out-of-practice?]

What I was hoping to get out of this unusual design was a differently styled, classy double-shot glass. This failed to work well for that, too… I do not do mixed-drinks. I have only a few bottles of (mostly) cheap booze: not looking to go out and buy more just to see how well/ poorly this works for its intended purpose.

The lip makes a dreadful (fingers-on-chalkboard) sound while ‘kissing’ your booze-bottle during pouring.

Hard to clean: my straw-brushes came the closest (but not close enough) to being able to reach all the inside: the mouth being too small for bottle-brushes, the angles all inconvenient for cleaning: have to soapy-water, thumb-plug and shake it clean.

Potentially could make for an excellent absinthe glass (with a better-designed lip, of course): fill the bottom with absinthe, add water for the rest (or do I have those proportions all backwards?)… but, I'm running low on that particular booze, cannot afford another bottle. Anyone else care to test, expound?

Overall– Two Stars: for making me look like I cannot hold my liquor.

Update– So, the day got later, and I found myself bored, so I tried it as an absinthe glass… did not work out so very well: pictured. I added the water first, filling the bottom, then added the booze… performed perfectly its intended purpose, but did poorly for what I wanted here: had to stir it for several minutes (using a cocktail pick I picked up from another review) before it mixed properly. Yeah, that was about the right proportions, but more than typically I consume… gonna go lie down now, at least until the walls stop melting.

My oral health has been slipping. Lazy, lazy, lazy me. [It doesn't help having also taken up smoking again, recently. Though, it does help battle intestinal inflammation, (and to push-down the hunger pangs) in moderation.] This home-kit has everything I need to undo the (undoable?) damage of negligence, with more than enough supplies to last me a very long time…

Tongue Scraper– This kit came with two packs of a two-pack of metal tongue scrapers; each box of toothpaste also came with a scraper (and some random blue tool that nowhere in the instructions nor upon the product-page does it tell us what it is for: pictured)… So, I now have eight of these (built-to-last) thingies. Works well, leaves my tongue smooth. I do gag a few times: not used to sticking (non-food) things that far back into my mouth: but I should adapt over time. I have never been a brush-before-breakfast person, but I can get behind using this when I get up: to scrape away the night before starting a new day.

Picks– The floss feels a bit crunchy/ scrapy against my teeth, but in a good way. The pick-end bends in half after once-through all-of the front of my teeth: must be bending it too far reaching in from behind, still finding all the right angles. The ‘rubberized’ pick feels great against my gums: massaging, in fact. I can feel my pulse through them for a while afterwards: but that's just because I haven't been flossing far too often.

Toothpaste (TP)– Fancy cap on the tube. The taste is refreshing, minty, slightly earthy, gets a bit bubbly (in a disintegrating-the-gunk-away way). Slightly abrasive (in the good way: not scoring). Can feel it continue to work for another thirty-or-so minutes after finished brushing (so long as didn't rinse, right away). My teeth feel smoother/ cleaner/ fresher than they have in far too long.

Toothbrush (TB)– Came in a six-pack. I was skeptical, at first. Extra Soft being a varietal of toothbrush I had never before tried (being more of a medium+ bristle brusher). I was blown away. While it doesn't reach too-deep-down between my teeth, the areas it can reach are scrubbed better than my name-brand TBs ever did. [Perhaps the new TP has a role to play in that, too?] Also came with two baby TBs: I have no use for, and a two-minute timer it seems I must insist my child uses: being the sort to half-ass/ minute their brushing while (they think) no one's counting. Note: my child stated the same reservations about ‘Extra Soft’ as me, after merely under-brushing with one, once.

Mouthwash– The holes for the separate containers are a little too wide apart: some leaked out the side of my mouth, and gave me a bigger mouthful than I intended: this might be more of a pour-into-the-cap type bottle. Further, both sides do not always/ easily pour equally: a quick swig from this bottle takes a bit more attention than I am accustomed to, but give it time. The taste is familiar: minty, bubbly, slightly fizzy. It is good, but better if you let the TP finish doing its work first, before swishing your mouth clean with this.

Oil Puller Rinse– Counter to all the instructions, I didn't use this, first. I used the above items the first day, then I tried this stuff, first, before the others, as instructed, on day two… Tastes okay, but the consistency nearly caused me to gag: like swishing half a shot-glass of cooking oil, for two minutes (but I might be biased here). [Instructions say 10-15 mL, but I found a mere 5 to be more ‘tolerable.’] Obviously, some of it got on my lips (and dribbled into my beard). Then I rinsed out the measuring cup, saw it was still greasy, made the mistake of dipping/ swishing my finger around inside, nearly gagged again: more skin now soaked in ‘stuff’ that does not easily come off, even with dish soap. It took four attempts to get most of the ‘slimy’ washed out of the cup (let alone off my lips/ beard/ chin/ hands); requiring a paper towel to finally get squeaky-clean. However, I then used the tongue scraper, which was then, too, covered in the ‘geck’ (still stuck to my tongue, now having dribbled again upon my clean face/ fingers), taking significant effort to get it (and myself) clean, again… This first-step ‘remedy’ might prove to be more of an every-other (/third/ fifth?)-day (‘immersion therapy’) process for me.

Whitening Strips– My teeth are fairly/ unduly white, naturally: moreso than justifiably, given my neglect. It would appear my child did not inherit my teeth(-resilience) though… Would it be wrong to experiment upon them with the whitening strips? Box says: “Not intended for use in children under 18.” Guess that settled that. Maybe I'll get around to trying these, eventually.

These thoughts were after only a few days of (somewhat, as instructed) better paying my oral health the attention it deserves after so long ago having been abandoned by the wayside.

Overall– Five Stars. Thank you, truly.

Update– It didn't take long for me to slip back into my old routine: neglect: brushing once a day, flossing about once a week. But, the cleansing quality of the toothpaste has helped, even when less frequently used. My teeth feel/ stay cleaner even while I fail to adhere to ADA recommended practices for oral healthcare. Much of that has to do with the quality of the toothbrush, which I am still enamored with: still in good shape, even a month and a half later. I am trying to make a better effort to not let my teeth rot out, promise. Note: I haven't yet found the courage to again subject myself to the oil-pulling formula. [We've all got our issues, don't make a big thing of it.] I do need to point out that I use the mouthwash significantly less often than I do my other brand. Simply, because this pours most terribly. The liquid does not come out evenly: I have to plug one side with a finger before pouring, then plug the other side to pour-out an equal measure. The design is terrible. I mostly use mouthwash just before bed, about an hour after brushing: by which time I am tired and don't want to deal with the nuisance of twice-measured, poured-out mouthwash into a cup when instead I can simply take a swig directly from the bottle of my other-brand mouthwash.

…but more on that, later (being whereupon I encountered this ‘bonus’ feature)…

It works with my Android phone (using a USB-A to C converter: had to plug it in twice before my device knew what to do with it, though): but I have to crank the volume-wheel (being the only ‘button’) upon the headset all the way up and turn the phone-volume most of the way up to be loud enough to enjoy music. Note: having an adapter sticking into the (over)long-plug of this headset is unruly-long sticking out the bottom of a phone. [Note: the low-volume issue (suspiciously?) improved itself upon un/ re-plugging it for the third time.]

The sound was fairly good: nice bass, mids, but the highs were a little stifled/ tinny. [Probably just BRAND streaming cheaping-out on their bandwidth, again.] Notably discouraging: it does have a low-volume high-pitched, pulsing ‘whine’ in the background (likely the RGB LEDs cycling), always, perpetually, regardless of which device plugged into.

The microphone is a small protrusion on the left side. Using it to phone-call (my only friend): they could hear me just fine, and I them. Note: rarely do I phone, never do I vid-chat, nor do I (multi)play(er) videogames: but now I have this for when my daughter wants/ needs it for those, which she does do.

The ‘cans’ are big (soft, thick, too): of the fit-over-your-entire-ear variety, which does make it more comfortable against my sensitive ears, but can result in sweaty-ears while slowly they suffocate (on warm/ dank days).

The ‘look’ of this headset perfectly matches our Redragon gaming-mouse (having performed flawlessly for six months, until now). The colors smoothly scroll through the spectrum (though, it'd be cool if you could set those to cycle-match between headset and mouse?): but there's no button/ way to shut those lights off (unlike upon your mouse): not cool. [No software downloadable to tweak on/ off/ spectrum/ speed for the headset, neither.]

Possession– I suppose I shouldn't be surprised this went on a ‘rampage’: being named after a mythical monster… our (Win11) laptop had been working perfectly well for months, no recent updates either, but then I plugged in “Grendel”… the desktop became possessed (“they're here”): mouse-pointer moving itself all over the screen, impossible to aim/ click it; beeping sounds started howling through the headset (having auto-designated itself as audio-output: appropriately so,) in time to the movements of said ghost-mouse; the headset-colors cycled erratically… unplugged headset: computer continued misbehaving (disconcertingly)… rebooted: waited a minute, nothing obviously ‘out-of-place’ going on here, plugged back in the headset… the screeching-beeping was gone; the mouse having resumed normal operations; the color-shift only stuttering while transitioning to yellow; but now the ethernet connection suddenly up and dies upon starting any online games… unplugged the headset, rebooted: all works fine now (except for your mouse software: utterly refusing to recognize itself anymore) having been (fully?) dispossessed of this damned disruptive dæmon… packed it back into its box, undeserving of a third attempt: seeking not to accidentally ‘summon’ something(s) far worse thereby in thrice having been done. [Just to be extra safe/ sure here, I am considering exorcising it through a wood-chipper (with a splash of holy-water): as that pretty much trumps (/kills) everything.]

Two Stars: for demonstrating supernaturally suspicious behavior (being not what I sought, herefrom).

I haven't owned a costume since I outgrew my last one (a Starfleet uniform), thirty years ago. I am not one for cosplay, obviously. No, it is not actual chainmail.

Size Medium fits my medium /(small?) torso quite well: fairly snug, but not too snug, room to breathe.

Belt– A bit longer than need be: I presume this is one-size-fits-all? The leather stamping is of ‘Celtic’ knots, two patterns repeating. The inside is a bit wrinkly, but who's going to see that? Designed to go through the loop and then tie a knot around the belt itself: medieval-style. Came with a simple, leather sword-sheath to loop through the belt, with nice leather laces, it'll do (for a prop sword).

Cowl– Fits over my big head, though the zipper is appreciated: otherwise it wouldn't. Has a smooth ‘silk’ lining inside. Lays well/ flat across my shoulders, down the front and back. The hood sits upon my head unfamiliar, unlike modern hoodies, but that is/ was the style (being more of a brow-cut skull-cap than what they pictured). [To show you how it looks would require showing my face, which is never going to happen.] The outer material is rough, sparkly.

Shirt– Same material as the hood, same liner for the body, but none inside the arms, which hang a few inches below my elbows. The shirt hangs to mid-thigh.

Gauntlets– I was uncertain these would fit my ‘dainty’ wrists: had to try lacing them up a few different ways until I figured out how to overlap both sides (pictured). Note: you will need someone to strap you into these, as one-handed doesn't work. The laces are overlong, look like leather (but they're not), the ends are rubbish: not glued or capped, they immediately fray upon stuffing them through the eyelets, getting worse the more times you do, the longer you wear them around… Aglets, please. Though, odds are we will end up cutting the laces shorter: unless you want them dangling, getting snagged on stuff, or kept stuffed inside the gauntlets. [I snipped off the frayed ends, held it near a lighter: let it burn for a second, better, but not ideal (perhaps glue?).] The stamped pattern is interesting, but not consistently deep: fades/ thins out towards the left side only (that would be a manufacturing glitch). The gauntlets arrive flat, spend some time rolling them up, to get the curve you seek. Fit: it will take some time wearing them, squeezing, shaping, relacing until they fit right; can get a bit ‘stuffy’ inside the longer worn; they tend to slip down towards the wrists, but only slightly impinge your range of motion. These I like best of the whole costume. Worth it just for the gauntlets.

Now I own a costume should I ever go (out, get invited) to a costume party.

Overall– Four Stars: the gauntlets' stamping and laces could be better.

I like the look, size, grip, feel: ‘mini tactical.’ It has an unusual dual-clip to attach different ways, which I like. Adjustable focus. Rechargeable is a bonus. [If you offered this same thing with white-light: I'd buy that… It appears you do not, unfortunately. Consider it.]

The 365nm light is far less bright than the 395. A darker room is generally required to be able to see what either reveals. Neither light has yet revealed anything the other does not (based upon what is in my home, which does not include uranium glass, gemstones, nor a $100 bill). So, I recommend the 395: easier to see.

The green-light built into the power-button seems redundant (seems redundant) as the blacklight coming out the front indicates that the flashlight is on, no need to indicate that (and waste additional battery) from the back, too. Only blink red when the battery is low and red/ green while/ completed charging, please.

The bulb (and then the whole flashlight) does get warm, starting at around a minute of continuous use. The 365 gets significantly warmer than the 395, I would even say it gets hot: disconcertingly so starting around ten minutes. But these aren't really designed for long-term usage: instead, find the ‘ick,’ scrub it away.

The lens on the 395 had scratches, blotches, dirt on the inside: looks cheap. The 365 had some issues with the surround-seal of the lens being crooked, covering part of the lens: cheapened the overall look.

Runtime (out-of-the-box)– 365: started blinking low-battery after 45 minutes, but had begun growing dimmer fifteen minutes prior. 395: started blinking low-battery at one-and-a-half hours, also grew dimmer prior.

Recharge– Using a five-watt charger: 365 took one hour, 395 took one and three-quarter hours.

Runtime, take two– 365: I touched it after running (fully charged) for twenty minutes: it felt dangerously hot, like how warm a battery should never get… I shut it off, afraid it was going to burst into flames. That's discouraging. Gave up on runtime-testing.

Overall– Three Stars: for short-term usage.

Suggestion– Place the tray on a flat surface, like a plate, while filling rather than fumbling it in your hands which will cause leaks between the compartments, spillage. The trays material is flimsy/ floppy/ bendy: which is good/ easy for getting the ice out, but can disrupt filling.

Round– They came out looking a bit like Saturn, with a ring around them, first time (pictured). Filling required the included funnel. The lid fits/ sits together into the base. Water spilled/ seeped out of each ‘bulb’ while filling as unsteadily I held it in my hand. Worked out better the second time: sitting on a plate and firmly holding the cover closed I got more of a Pluto look. A good size ‘cube’ for cooling off a pot of soup.

Square– Big cubes, some nice curves to them. Too big for your mouth (take that as a challenge if you must). I suppose good for whiskey/ bourbon tumblers?

Hexagonal– More the size I would use for when rarely do I use ice cubes. [Sensitive teeth.] My child likes these for nomming on. They are not sharp, but have nice edges for rolling around on the tongue while it melts.

They all have tops/ covers, which is appreciated, helps prevent evaporation. [When finally I need ice, mine've usually disapparated.] A week later, all ice is still intact, unlike my open-air icecube trays. The Round cover is going nowhere, as it sits down inside. The Square cover fits the best, securely closed (insofar as floppy covers can be secure). The Hexagonal cover fits the worst: pops up at the far ends: better to set the other trays atop this one to keep it closed.

Overall– Four Stars: for making atypical ice ‘cubes.’

The skull is not readily visible: I did not like that at first, but I'm warming up to it. Looks like a butterfly, unless/ until you look closer, closer, closer.

The fabric cord was tied a little short: barely fits over my (big) head. But then I discovered it could be made wider by sliding the (scratchy, melted) knot further back. It is scratchy down by the pendant: where they glued/ melted it into the fabric loop. Somewhat discomfiting upon bare skin (but that could just be me). The glass bead and the secondary (scratchy) knot down by the pendant are a nice touch (but not feel). Note: I would suggest using a different cord, by snipping off this pendant, attaching it to something better, you already know you prefer the feel/ look of.

The internal consistency of the pendant is irregular: suggesting it might actually be made of stone/ crystal: that's a good thing (getting harder to tell these days). I might have liked it better in black (to match my soul), but white was the only remaining color for review… Though, it did work well as a white-energy focus, into my core… for whatever that's worth to you, hippy.

Tastes like nothing, but I don't like the feel on/ against my teeth: like it could shatter them, far too easily.

Overall– Four Stars: for all the places/ ways this is (needlessly) scratchy.

The gears look great, fine detail, glimmer if you hold it just right in the light. Nice details/ patterns, all around. You can maybe read the time with the lid closed, depending upon the time, placement of the hands. Silver, embossed roman numerals for the hours, including smaller white minute-digits above/ around, and small red twenty-four hour-numbers for the inner ring. Good for those who struggle with analog clocks: like my child (despite my best-efforts: damn you, digital), but rather unnecessary for the rest of us (while not detracting from the overall look). The white hour/ minute hands are a nice design, fairly gothic, the second-hand is just a straight line.

The necklace was a little long: hung down too low. Even that long, trouble was, with the clock-face turned back around/ upright to see, was too close for me to be able to read it (without my glasses). I removed it from the neck-chain (using needle-nose pliers), affixed it to the pocket-chain from another fob-watch I tested: perfect, I can read the time now, down by my hip (without my glasses). The original neck-chain itself wasn't great: a little scratchy, a little long, the cheapest-looking aspect of the whole package.

The ticking of the clock sounds a little hollow, tinny, and rather loud. Granted, there's only half a cover covering the hands. Setting the time is standard, easy. Has kept the time perfectly for the week-or-so since I set it.

The back of the fob can be (carefully, as easy to scratch/ dent the metal) pried off with a flathead screwdriver inserted into the notch in the cover. Far less impressive-looking from this perspective (pictured), but what were you really expecting internally? Then removing/ replacing the battery (which this came with an extra of, thanks) is standard. Gently, firmly press the back-cover back into place. Note: there's no right/ wrong orientation, so pick the design-direction you want it to (back-)face.

If this fob will be in your pocket with other stuff: I would recommend leaving the factory-plastic clock-face cover on it, to prevent scratching.

Note– My mother's kitten loves the sound of the chain clicking against the fob… I can call him over from anywhere in her house, then hide it, just to get in some pets while he investigates that mysterious, now-missing sound.

Note– Inserting this watch into your watch-pocket can sometimes cause it to ‘shut off.’ That pocket is tight and can push the time-knob up into the set- (rather than run-)position. [Request: tighten that knob a bit more, please? Or perhaps, make the knob twist-click to lock-in-place, such to better avoid any temporal mishaps?]

Overall– Four Stars: for an everyday, inexpensive fob-watch. Five Stars: for a costume piece.

Simply put, I needed a rolling-tray for my smokes: perfect. I opted against screwing in the tall metal legs, instead using some small rubber feet I had (pictured). Is a bit wobbly, as the underside isn't perfectly flat: which helps to indicate it is made of real wood. [I'll fiddle around with perfect-placement of the feet later, this'll do for now, as they are presently stuck on there pretty good.]

The wood could have been sanded better before it was finished, a few rough patches around the inner lip (and one near the bottom curve). The finish is nice, water-resistant, but don't leave it to soak. Doesn't scratch using but fingernails. There are no straight angles on this: embrace the irregularity of shape.

What more is there to say? If you like it, you like it. I like it. Perhaps you will too, for whatever you want it for. [But know this: works great for rolling smokes, classes up the whole ritual.]

Overall– Four Stars: needs slightly better sanding, bottom-leveling.

It would help if there was an obvious indicator which side of this tool does what. In an emergency, every second counts. The caps are a bit challenging to pull off, being made of polished, slippery metal (offering no ridges/ texture to help with grip), especially if your hands are sweaty (/bloody).

Apologies, but I do not seem to have any extra seatbelts or car windows lying around to try this out upon. The cutter works fine for string, twine, leather cord, nylon straps, but not anything thicker than one-quarter of an inch: being the width of the opening to reach the blade (plus, the thicker the material, the harder you have to press: requiring the sort of firm-grip this device seems disinclined to present). I went looking around my home for some thick, flat glass I could destroy: all I have is an old mirror, not going to risk that. Ah, a beer bottle, that'll do. Oh, look at that, the product box included two round safety-glass discs, for smashing, how considerate. [Somehow, I missed that until now. I should really pay closer attention.]

Smashy, smash– Pictured: as expected, the glass exploded, which is why I closed the box-flaps around my hand, and put on my glasses, just to be safe (probably should have been wearing work-gloves, too). Easy enough to do. Then, for fun, I decided to try it on a beer bottle… The bottle being round, and the hole-punch being slippery: took several tries. It punched a tiny hole through the bottle without shattering it. Tried again, just couldn't find the right angle, having to push so hard down (blindly, in a box): thereupon had I visions of the bottle exploding into daggers and my hand (slipping off the punch) punching through the meat-grinder… gave up, having (second-) thought the better of it.

Note– Again the matter of how slippery these are was a factor, making it harder to hold onto while using (the more anxious I got). Suggestion: adding some texture/ grip to your device (body and caps) would make it far more effective (and safer).

Overall– Two Stars: nice idea but shoddy/ underthought execution. I prefer the window-hammer I have kept in my cars since I began to drive. Never needed it, but trust it will work. Not sure I would trust my, or my child's, life to this ‘safety’ tool.

Came in a classy black box, with sturdy foam cut-out to secure the lighter during transport.

Filling– There's a hinged magnet-hold ‘flap’ surrounding (not covering) the fill-tap: for no particular reason that I can discern (pictured). It fills whether open or closed. There's a fill-window along the front-side: to show you how full it is, but that only works while filling, once turned upside/ downside-right a few times (as the instructions suggest): looks empty, no indication of how full.

Feel– Sturdy, solid, hefty. Fits nicely in a hand, all four fingers wrapped around it. Perfectly placed/ angled trigger. The ‘wood’ is not real: looks like it, but doesn't feel like it.

Use– I never could get more than a ten-second flame before it stuttered and went out. Rather unreliably, too. I get far more failed-lights than I do successful: click, click, click, click, click, whoosh, sputter, die. I figured it ran out of fuel, added more: now it won't light at all. [Perhaps there's a leak somewhere? That'd be bad.] Adjusted the output-valve: can now get it to light about every fourth time, but fizzles out after only three seconds, max. Fail.

Cigar Cutter– Pull the blade-handle down to unlock, lift the whole guillotine up. Does not stay up on its own, falls back down even when the lighter is set on a level surface: doesn't hinge-open quite far enough, could also use a ‘catch’ to help hold it open/ steady. During the act of cutting: the guillotine-housing wobbles, tries to slip/ fall over, doesn't stay steady (not ideal while slinging around blades): requires both hands, with the cigar in your mouth, to be able to safely cut anything. Not great. Further, when the blade is closed all the way, the lighter is unsteady upon its feet: the blade-housing closes just a millimeter or so too far into the bottom, causing the base to be slightly angular and easily fall over when set down. [An easy design fix.] No risk of cutting yourself on the blade while fully closed/ locked, but that could easily change if the blade becomes damaged/ deformed (from improper use) as your hand/ fingers press against the side of the blade (which loves to show fingerprints).

I would have loved it had it (all) worked (better).

Overall– Two Stars: until you can fix the ignition/ footing/ finger-cutlery issues.

Update– Months Later… So, some of the aforementioned problems weren't the fault of this lighter… Turns out, butane can go bad: as apparently happened. I bought a new can, refilled this lighter: works well. I use it to light fires in my wood stove: excellently. The flame keeps burning for so long as you hold down the button, and then for a few more seconds after you release. Still has the problem of falling-over, but: Plus One Star.

Corkscrew– The foil-cutter blade ‘bit’ me trying to unfold it: the saw-teeth stick out slightly sideways (right where you grab it during opening). It worked as a corkscrew, but there are far better options out there. There were a few too many sharp edges to get a safe/ secure grip on this one.

Pour Spout– This cut me, too: trying to pull out its stopper/ plug (which was too small/ short, sits way deep down inside). It is sharp, needlessly. It barely fit my bottle: needs another thickness-level for the grommet to firmly seat itself inside the mouth. A bit flimsy, too, doesn't inspire thoughts of longevity/ stay-puttery. Even with a thumb holding its plug in place, it dribbles when turned sideways… Only good for temporary closure (keeping bugs out), not for overnight/ long-term, air can get in. While cleaning: it snipped off a bit my thumbnail… what's this made of, recycled razorblades?

Standalone Stopper– It fit, it held. Easy enough to pull out (without getting cut: no sharp edges here).

Bottle Ring– No idea what these are for, but it fit over the neck of the bottle. That's where they go, right?

Box– Nice design, matching dips/ curves cut into where the lid and base meet. Classy clasp. Nice carvings. Well sanded, treated: no splinters or rough patches on the outside, but somewhat sharp along the inside lip of the box and top. Shaped foam in the top to hold the tools, but hard to get them out/ in (cut myself again putting the razor-spout away). A bottle slides, bangs around inside the box: nothing included other than some thin dividers to sort of hold it in place. Box has to be held level, or carefully upright: knowingly the bottle will move around during transport, unless stuffed/ packed properly, by you.

Note– I haven't had wine in a dozen years. Chose this to review for to have the tools, only to be disappointed, and reminded why I've gone so long without wine… Not my thing, by my lonesome: better enjoyed alongside a beautiful other.

Overall– Two (and-a-half) Stars: the ‘tools’ could be much better, less bloodthirsty. The box should come with some bubble-wrap, at least.

Update– The box serves well to hold/ hide an opened bottle upon the countertop. Trouble is, any dribbles from the bottle stain the inside-bottom of the unstained box.

It is sectional: expect it to arrive in four pieces. Screws together nicely, sturdily. Nice weight, balance: slightly heavier at the top (being the end you would use to hit someone with). The brass is a solid weight (would do sufficient damage in a fight). Swung/ spun it around, first thing: I am out of practice, but found it passable for that function/ flair.

The top knob/ pommel could be a bit bigger, for if you hold it that way: feels a bit tiny. But the top sections do nicely fit a hand held sideways instead: indents for your fingers. The brass looks slightly weathered (but that's probably just shoddy workmanship: further evidence to follow). The pommel does not sit perfectly straight upon the top, leans a little to one side, made more obvious by the fact the top section isn't completely straight, has a slight curve to it.

Where the sections meet: they painted over the brass dividers, trouble is: that paint arrived slightly scraped off (pictured). Either finish the brass in black (to make it look like it is all one piece), or be more careful when painting-over (with better paint). I carefully scratched all the paint off the brass: looked better (but now clearly sectional).

Note– The paint scratches easily, everywhere (with but a fingernail easily spread wherefrom already scratched). The red-stained floral sections scratch even easier: there were some errant hairs and splinters, picking at them stripped off the stain, displaying the blonde wood beneath: so, don't pick at it (any more than necessary).

There was no brass on the bottom of the (exposed, blonde) wood where it is screwed into by the foot, the paint around the edges having already started to scrape away. The rubber footing is not level, has a slight angle. Does make a satisfying/ distinctive ‘thud’ upon the floor while walking/ strutting.

Nice length for my 5'9" height: comes right up to the top of my hip bone.

Overall– For an everyday, cheap cane: Three Stars. For a costume piece: Four Stars… All of which can readily be improved upon with but better paint/ stain(ing), and by harder trying to line up all the pieces straighter.

Update– The lid-latch has to be set just right before it will start (turn it further than expected), until it clicks (which then triggers the trigger in the base). Took half a dozen tries before I got this to work: after I posted what's below, obviously. So, that was all a Me (in my haste) problem, not the fault of the product. [Now, I feel like an idiot for failing to figure that out before ‘giving up.’ Good thing I gave it another chance after walking away: took some needed time muttering, mumbling to myself, first.]

Worked well with almond milk, four strawberries and one banana. Cleaned easily (carefully, by hand, those blades are sharp). Ran it on Setting 1 for twenty seconds, than Setting 2 for fifteen seconds (just to be sure): turned everything into liquid, consistently. Was loud, but that is expected. But not so loud as to be deafening, but will wake up the kids.

Not great for ice cubes, mostly just sends them bouncing around. Works better if there's at least two inches of liquid in the bottom (to help hold the ice down).

The top-lid does hold securely, just be sure to twist it all the way closed, unlike me. But the whole top has to be twisted off before pouring. The feeder top-hole keeps anything from splashing out when that lid, too, is securely closed: but could be better designed to be more easily grasped for twisting open/ shut. The arrow-marker for where to line up the glass-handle to the base is about an inch off to the side: sloppy work there. [Likely, a remnant from whence previously designed was it to twist into the base, to activate the trigger, which apparently they came to think better of that design, later.]

Overall– Four Stars: for now, in my haste to replace my incorrect/ operator-error review, below, before it was accepted/ posted, undeservedly…

Update, two– The strawberries ran out on day three, then it was just ‘milk’ and bananas (with flavor-options of maple syrup or ‘Instant Breakfast’) for another three days… Now, I have no need for the blender until next month, when I can afford more groceries. The blender is loud: I find myself cringing upon turning/ holding it to Pulse Mode (being what works best for bananas: 20 seconds). Louder than I seem to recall my previous blender (which I lost in the divorce, a decade ago). Glad to have this blender, but disappointed by how rarely I can afford the ingredients for fresh blends. [Cheaper to buy the already bottled variety, plus they keep in the pantry for months, unlike the mere days for fresh.]

<REDACTED>
Title: Nonfunctional Upon Arrival.

Minus Five Stars.

Turned the knob: nothing. Tried pressing the knob: nothing. Tried other outlets: nothing. Looked for additional buttons: none. Fuse box: nope. Tried turning the glass again, to see if it latches: won't turn, just sits in the base… seems like a disaster waiting to happen: had it started.

Looked closer at the base, there's a little trigger for one of the 'latches'… The whole glass piece is meant to be set in and turned, using its 'latching ring' (to securely hold the glass in place, duh) which would then depress the trigger. Trouble is, the other latches aren't latches, they're solid vertical (rather than horizontal) pieces that do not screw/ fit into the 'matching' base-catches… Someone screwed up (somewhere along the way) and built/ included the wrong latching ring, and nobody noticed, bothered to check it was the right piece. Will not start.

I can get the base to start if I stick a knife into it to trigger the trigger, but that cannot be done while assembled.

The design is simple, just a knob: five settings plus Pulse. How fancy does your blender really need to be?

I even bought fresh fruit (having been far too long) just for this. Was looking forward to making some smoothies… Thanks for expertly raising and then dashing my hopes.

Overall– Zero Stars: check/ test your product during assembly, before boxing, selling it.
</REDACTED>

Assembly was simple, though they provided six extra screws.

The zipper is good, glides easily, one-handed around the corners can be meddlesome as the whole thing tries to glide away on its wheels.

The plastic cover is thick enough that it shouldn't tear: unless you overstuff (or cram it beneath your bed). Has a clear plastic label-sheath: for if the contents are not obvious and you need to remind yourself what's inside. Nice touch, but seems unnecessary (for me).

The dividers have a five-inch range of placement against the sidewall velcro, providing a few options for the compartment sizes. Or they can be laid flat while still stuck to the sides (so they don't get lost). The dividers are sturdy but bendy.

The casters glide/ spin freely. Two have locks, to prevent wheeling (but not spinning), which I didn't notice until I had affixed them to opposite corners. Affixing the wheels: they screw and screw and screw and then stop, suddenly, no give to the ‘tightening.’ [I have found those are the type of wheels to come unscrewed: those that do not lock tight. But how much wheeling are you expecting for something that mostly just sits there?] The casters roll acceptably (not perfectly) well, even fully loaded: roll a bit angular until they all spin to point the same direction.

The ‘floor’ is made of the same sturdy(ish) material as the dividers. You're not going to be storing bowling balls in this, but more than sufficient for bedding/ clothing. The sides are made of the same material: sturdy enough for that which it was designed.

The handles are well-placed: one in the middle-front, the others on the sides. Made of leather(ish), strong enough to haul it packed full of bedding.

It held an entire set of queen sheets, pillow cases, and two blankets vacuum-packed. Folded the blankets to fit the shape of the storage unit, packed them into one of those space-saver bags, sucked the air out, packed it in, zipped it up, rolled it under the bed.

If I had to find a ‘flaw’… it would be the velcro straps on the bottom-sides: they are affixed to the bottom, but not to the flaps meant to come down over the frame, causing the frame to be visible [pictured]. Not a big deal, but the kind of detail (alongside the others) that don't quite add up to a Five Star product, sorry.

Overall– Four Stars: but don't let that deter you: this is what you want/ need.

Wherever ‘fireproof’ and ‘vinyl’ are used in the same sentence, I am skeptical. I wouldn't count on this surviving a house fire, if left inside the inferno.

The cardboard box I was keeping my records in fit all I owned (around 70). This doesn't quite, but looks far classier for those it does. Will have to sort out what I really care about, want protected, versus the not-my-jam records I picked up from the dump swap-shop (to set those free for another to find).

Some loose threads around the zipper, snipped them off (which should have been done during inspection, packing).

Lock– Works to keep it closed to prying eyes, but would never stop a prying crowbar (or a knife through the top-flap).

Pockets– Top-flap, mesh: strangely angular [pictured], four pockets 6.5" wide, 4(ish)" deep. Top-flap, zipper: 13" wide, 5" tall. Sides: 6.5" wide, 6" tall, reflective strip. Clear plastic label-holder: 2.75x1.75" visible.

None of the pockets can fit 45s, they are too wide. If the whole case was a little bigger… but I'm just nitpicking here.

Handles– Strong, padded. When fully loaded (gets heavy): I prefer to carry it by the side-handles (even if only by one): I don't doubt the top-handle can handle the weight, but I'd rather not strain the zipper (which is likely tough enough to handle it).

Feet– Stabby, oddly/ closely (to my eye, but likely intentionally) placed/ spaced [pictured]. The outer bottom-edges of the case get a bit dirty sitting on the floor (given the placement of the feet). The case stands steady, does not readily tip over.

Overall– Four (and-a-half) Stars: for doubting its true ‘fireproofiness.’ Fire Resistiveness: sure, for a short spell, perhaps.

Accessories– [Note: no longer comes with, other than the lock/key. Pictured: abandoned accessories.] The brass looks handmade (because it is: they provide a paper detailing "an important note regarding handmade items"), slightly discolored, which makes it look older. Big Compass: takes a minute for it to settle (while sitting on a flat surface, not your hand). Small Compass: same settling issue, folds closed, rattles a bit, same as the bigger one. Sand Timer: perfectly times out one minute, (most) every time. Wheel: handle-bases all stick out a little from the wheel, several (of the square portions) were not squared to the wheel; looks nice but effectively useless for anything other than looking at (or hanging upon a nail and giving it the occasional spin as you pass by). Bosun Whistle: stutters/ wheezes when lightly blown into, only works when blown-hard through, then it is too loud. Snuff Box: I presume that's what this is, beautiful but a little crooked and flimsy, mostly for show. Lock: old-style, unlike the newer variants it does not press-lock closed, have to twist the key to secure it; nice heft, look to it. Spyglass: comes in another beautiful handmade box (if it didn't have the inlaid brass anchor-and-chain design I'd like it better, use it elsewhere); magnification is maybe 1.5X, you won't be spying on the neighbors with it, mostly for show/ fun.

All the pieces ‘look the part,’ don't let my (detractive) nitpicking here distract from the fact that they are excellent for kids' play. They look/ are handmade, which is a nice touch.

Chest– Beautiful, better than expected. [Had I the extra money: I'd buy their biggest version.] The outside (half-inch-thick) wood is nicely sanded, grained and stained. The inside could use better sanding: a little rough in patches, slightly sharp around the inside-lip. The hinge-inlay cuts (which is a nice touch) had some splinters and look like they were cut after sanding/ staining the wood. The inside-bottom is well-sanded, nice grainage, but one might prefer a felt liner on the bottom to protect your ‘treasures.’ The metalwork is beautiful, classic, but has some centering issues of the ‘nubs’ (and the shape of them) plus the nails (holding the strapping) into the lid; the side-handles, being two for each side, top and bottom: could have been better lined up vertical, horizontal and centered… looks a little slipshod/ slapdash, but true to its ‘piratey’ nature, yet could be better aligned. The chain to keep it from opening too far gets a bit tangled upon itself: I find I need to untwist it every few times I open the chest.

The important question to ask yourself: what ‘booty’ will you want to store/ hide (/lock) inside? [Smokables, drinkables, intimates, valuables..?]

Overall– Four Stars: for the metalwork (mis)alignment issues, easily remedied.

Note– Some of the remote buttons change tracks on my bookshelf phone dock. Watch where you point it. Can be aimed to only adjust one candle at a time, to whichever setting you prefer, if they are not too (line-of-sight) close together. Do not lose the remote: more on that, later.

Candle Flicker– Not bad, not great: so long as you don't stare at it, better in the background. Pattern: three long, three quick, for a while, then it changes up, which is appreciated.

Runtime– I took two out of the box, turned the brightness all the way up, set one to flicker, the other to steady. Been going for twelve hours now. They never get warm: neither the lights nor the batteries. [The pair are providing a nice ambiance here in this room: better than me lying around (alone) in the dark (per usual) writing reviews, rather than out (and about) in the light.]

One of the candles had micro-scratches all over the (plastic) ‘glass’: looks cheap, shouldn't have passed inspection. Two others arrived with noticeable, though significantly lesser, ‘damage’ to the glass. They all have a sharp point in the bottom of the holder, a manufacturing remnant that could better be snipped/ shaved down to be smooth. The candle wax looks like candle wax, from a few feet away, when lit.

Note– These candles do not remember the last setting they were on when turned back on via the power switch on the bottom: always start back up on flicker, at brightest. However, they do remember when powered back on via remote.

They have six brightness settings. The lights quickly blink off then back on at the brighter/ lower setting when the remote button is pressed (but stay lit when upon brightest/ dimmest): being the only way to adjust. You won't be reading by the brightest light they produce, but that's not the point here. You can also set sleep-timers (2/4/6/8 hours), but only via the remote.

Runtime– Rather than holding up my review awaiting the results (timing them only when I will notice when they stop): they are both still going strong/ bright eighty-four hours later. [Is that good? These being my first LED candles.] Though, rechargeable batteries would be appreciated, earn another star.

Overall– Four Stars: better ‘glass’ inspection prior to assembly, please.

Update, Runtime– Steady candle: steadily dimmed over the past 24 hours. By hour 315, was barely visible. Flicker candle: again has been steadily dimming. I suspect it will slowly die over the next 24-36 hours, but I don't feel the need to countdown-clock its death. Call it 300 hours of runtime, at full brightness: close enough. Excellent. [And, I still have a bunch more candles with full batteries in the box left to go.]

Suggestion– Remove the string attached to the ‘clanger’ (I'm sure it has a proper name), as it tends to impede the free movement, affects the ringing; it came tied to the clanger and the bell-housing which I could find no way it didn't get in the way: even tied only to the clanger.

The design in nice, from afar. The squirrels holding the Welcome banner at the top goes unnoticed until looked closer at (thereupon does it merit comment: not entirely flattering). The horseshoe could look a little more horseshoe-like: less short/ stunted. The screws holding the bell-rocker arrived a little loose, and weren't centered: during the process of screwing it in it pushed through the other end: popping out a chunk of metal-coated resin. [So that's what this is made of: pictured.] The metal coating could have been better applied, smoothed: some rough/ sharp/ thin patches.

Ring– This is where it has trouble… There's a press-lever on the back that only clang(k)s it once, unless forcefully thwapped, plus your finger gets pinched between it and the back of the bell on the back-ring. You can grab the string to the clanger and pull it forward, but not back, as the horseshoe gets in the way. [In my mind, dinner bells hang freely, nothing impeding the bottom of the clanger, unlike this design.] You can grab the top nub above the bell-rocker to swing it back/ forth with your fingers on either side of the welcome banner… that seems to produce the most ‘dinner-bell’ sound, but awkwardly.

Overall– Two Stars: it just doesn't ‘ring’ quite right.

Update– Month-and-a-half Later… Pictured. I set this atop the cold wood stove, being where it looked best, never bothered to remove it. It looks okay there: acceptable accent-piece, even though it rings deficiently. Let's find out if it melts… Winter's Coming.

I have used only these to eat with for the past week. They are a good size, weight, shape, curve. They do show water-spots if not dried right away. The handles could be a little thicker/wider for a better handhold (but I get that they're the same metal-thickness as the rest of the utensil); perhaps a silicone sheath to thicken the handles, negate the handle-sharpness?

Rounding– These are (needlessly) sharp along the flat-edges, a bit discomfiting upon the fingers, hands, mouth; please, smooth them out, it always feels like I am on the verge of cutting myself; the handle-ovals are especially sharp (at the tops/ sides, not the bottoms), can cut the pads of your fingertips if pressed/ scraped too hard against (perhaps only have one of those ovals near the back, for the keyring?).

Fork– Not too big/ small, decent curve to it, the points seem a little blunt, but have no trouble stabbing food.

Spoon– Again, nice curves: not great for soup, better for stew, best for cereal. Watch your tongue: sharp edges on the spoon-head.

Knife– Appropriately sharp. Not great for scooping (peanut) butter: the serrations cut/ scrape (making a dreadful noise) against the plastic of your jar/ tub, better to use the back-edge, that shape being better for scraping from the sides. Nicely cut (frozen) burritos, chicken thighs, pasta… I cannot speak to (but suspect it'd work great for) steak [being a ‘seasonal’ indulgence I can only afford a few times a year].

Overall– Three Stars: shave/ round all the (wrong) sharp edges, please. Good enough as is for keeping in a camping/ fishing/ bug-out backpack, though.

Batteries– Comes with three LR44 (laser pointer) batteries. Normally, I'd test for runtime: but I don't feel like wasting the non-rechargeable batteries.

Body– Both can be a little rough around the edges: better sanding before priming/ painting would improve the overall feel. But the look: excellent, spooky, nice black-and-gold coloring. [I keep moving/ hiding them around the house, hoping to jump-scare my kid, like the first time.] The gold ridges and stems make them look great even while unlit. The painting around the stem-base could have been more carefully applied: some of the black paint came up over the edges.

Light– Deep purple. However, the bulb has long legs, soldered (crooked/ sloppily) onto the terminals (upon a rectangular white brick, inside a circle), looks not great, cheapens the overall appearance. [Pictured: lit and unlit.] Suggestion: change that out for a candle-flame shaped lightbulb (which sits/ fits into the base), or perhaps a flat/ rounded light-diffuser: to look better (while staring into the deadlights). A candle-flicker setting would also be appreciated.

Overall– Four Stars: for the reasons stated above, which do not detract significantly enough from the overall positives of these excellent seasonal decorations.

Update– Months Later… They are still sitting on the window-ledge near my front door, having placed them there to appreciate, finding no reason yet to put them away/ elsewhere. Looks good, no matter the season.

It ‘bongs’ nicely when you ‘thonk’ the metal, holding it by the cover. Does display water-spots if left out to dry. Big enough to hold bread or bulkie rolls for your sandwich(es). It comes with a removable blue-metal divider you can position wherever you decide, to help keep your food from touching (should that sort of thing trouble you); holds fairly securely, but can slide a bit if the box is banged around; I could see the divider, over time, start to leave scratches on the insides of the box. I would suspect this bento box is great for sushi/ sashimi/ maki, but cannot speak personally about that (being not in a position to afford such ‘luxuries’). The clasps hold tight, but rattle incessantly when unclasped; they hang lower than the bottom of the box, thereby splay out a bit when set down. The wooden cover is nicely sanded on the outside and main portion of the inside, except for the very edges and the groove cut for the silicone grommet, could be better; it works well as a mini serving/ cutting tray/ board. The grommet ensures it is water/ air-tight when fully clasped (at which point the clasps do not rattle, thankfully). Do not expect it to keep your food cool all by itself, but cold from a freezer-pack does easily transfer through the metal into the inside.

Overall– Five Stars. [Sand the cover alongside the sharper edges for a few (more) seconds and it will be perfect.]

The crystal ball arrived (miraculously unblemished) banging around freely inside the outer shipping box, having torn free of its single layer of tissue paper, which had busted out of its flimsy paperboard box… fortunately, the other item it was packaged with had been wrapped in bubbles, as too this ‘crystal’ should have been, respectfully. [Perhaps a wooden display/ transport box might be better, worth the extra few bucks?]

This orbuculum is fist-sized (aka "medium" yet hefty), being that which was (leftover) available for review. I kinda like it this size: still works, less clutter, less ‘nutter.’ Clearly can it be seen through: inverting/ distorting whatever images residing upon ‘the other side,’ upon your intended focus. The base is basic: simple ‘wooden’ design, red velvet semicircle for the crystal to (not perilously) perch.

Notes On Usage– Mist/ vape/ incense/ smoke (/blood?): all helpful, depending what you're scrying for. Digital Light: all I could ever seem to summon images through were mostly of demons. Analog Light/ Candles: therewithal could (/did?) I better sight an angel… further suggesting interpretations of ‘meaningful’ mostly dependent upon which lens(es) you filter (y)our world through.

Overall– Four Stars: for the unintentional unboxing.

Pictured– The Deadlights (upon a different stand); the included stand holding a different kind of orb; the orb upon not-a-stand that happens to work (well?) for such.

The label was nonsensical, there were no instructions, pictures, descriptions… What is this for, he asked, not remembering what it is/does. Further, how it is supposed to ‘sit’: cap on/ off, open/ closed, up/ downright..? Had to look it up: "blessings, prosperity, wealth…" cap down, cup atop. Ah, now I get it: sit there and look pretty: but given as a gift (without context), will others get it (/properly deploy for the beneficial nature of said product)?

It is beautiful, finely crafted, nice metal, classy. The laser-etched 100 blessings (92, to be exact) around the bowl cannot be felt, but do not scrape off. The cap is thicker metal, nice dragon designs. Both make a striking sound when struck: cup produces a resounding ‘ding,’ cap goes ‘ring’ (for whatever that's worth).

Functionally– Useless (except maybe for pocket change). Aesthetically– Pleasing. Wealth/ prosperity-encouraging– Will have to get back to you on that (but not holding my breath).

Overall– Five Stars.

Update– Months Later… It has just been sitting there, doing nothing, feeling nothing… Time to try putting it somewhere else: hopefully accomplishing more than just looking pretty, in just the right place/ purpose. Pictured: attempt two.

My child got first crack at this: here's their thoughts…

On desk (placing the surface on the desk and a computer on top):

• angle of wrists is slightly off (not bad but not sure).

• angle isn't painful but edge of surface rubs against the wrist wrong - wood doesn't hurt but long term use does.

• computer has no problem staying on the wood.

• angle on wrist that is using mouse is not pleasant, hurts a bit over time.

• hand only hitting keys is fine and doesn't hurt.

• with [small] school laptop - very comfortable and I like the slant that it offered, but my wrists are on my laptop so it doesn't have the same problem.

On lap:

• looking down hurts neck (happens with anything on lap, was more of my posture problem).

• padding makes it barely noticeable in lap.

• very comfy angle on arms, works well, wrists are in a good position, feels comfortable overall.

On floor (laying down):

• don't recommend.

• no good position to lay down and use.

• basically laying down and having this on the ground in front of you doesn't work.

• this isn't a bad thing, it just doesn't really work on the ground.

General good:

• mousepad built in is very smooth, works well with my old mouse (that often struggles).

• wood and texture easily holds the computer still (little to no moving around).

• bottom is very comfortable and keeps whole thing in place.

• easy to use and handle is fun.

• tilt in the bottom shape helps out a ton with arm posture and wrist position (when keeping arms on it, not hanging off).

Bad/criticism:

• shape of edge makes an awkward placement for the wrist, and is not pleasant for working over time.

4.5 stars total, very helpful overall.

--

My Thoughts…

Using it on my lap with a laptop with touchpad (not mouse): uncomfortable, wrist dangling, bent at a strange angle to reach: wrist got sore/ weak quickly, nearest edge of the lapdesk was pressing into my wrist. [But that could just be my wrist/ hand disabilities being disappreciative of the new position.]

The heft/ weight is good: not too heavy/ big. Just the right size for my 15.6" laptop (something slightly larger might fit, too). The mousepad (which is slightly recessed into the surface) could be just a little wider. The laptop stays where it is put. The top-slot perfectly holds/ angles a larger phone. Surface does not readily scratch. There was only one loose thread I had to snip off. Lap gets a little (but not too) warm over time.

Overall– Four Stars: consider a (removable) wrist-padding strip along the nearest edge.

I haven't used my iPod Classic 160 GB (A1238) for years, since I joined a BRAND streaming ‘family’ plan. I knew my battery was weakening: having gotten lots of use in the past (and the fact the battery was dead one month after charging it, without usage). I saw this replacement battery (quick-check the model number: yes) for my iPod, selected it.

No (link to) instructions/ assistance included. Search: result, video: "the hardest iPod to open" of course. Watched the video, banged head against desk. [I have hand/ finger disabilities: always a problem for this kind of delicate/ precision work.] Dug out the included plastic tools, started digging. The plastic isn't strong enough (video implicitly states to use several of the metal tools, showed why) because of how this is disassembled: stupidly. The plastic tools bent, tore, snipped off. I didn't come close to getting even one of the eight clasps unclasped.

Nearly smashed my iPod in frustration. Gave up. Might consider buying the proper metal ‘spudger’ tools, eventually. For now, don't care, back in the drawer with you.

Overall– Cannot Say: as I never even got it open to test the new battery. Two Stars: for providing inadequate tools for the task.

First thing, washed everything. The cup and bowls are slippery when wet. Looked for instructions: a three-step process was on the side of the box (in German first, then English, for a traditional Japanese tea set). [Suggestion: include a pamphlet describing the matcha process/ ritual, show us what each piece is for, as we must consult your product-page or the internet for that info: especially helpful for matcha noobs and/ or if this set is given as a gift.]

Bamboo Scoop– Nice angle, can hold more tea-powder than expected. Make sure it is dry before sticking it in the bag (to preserve the freshness of the tea).

Sieve– Overly spaced filter: all the powder went through it, except for the plethora left behind stuck to it… seemed a waste (poured my hot water through it to get every last bit). I have another matcha sieve from another review: it has a much finer mesh. [I suppose it all depends on the quality/ grainage of your tea.]

Mixing/Pouring Bowl– Slippery when wet. The sieve kinda fits into/ over the bowl, though it looks like that wasn't a consideration, only a lucky happenstance. Had to hold the sieve to keep it from slipping in while pushing the powder through. Pours nicely with the little spout. A bit awkward to hold.

Bamboo Whisk– Has a (non-removable) plastic cap on the middle, which does get tea/ water in it. Whisked the powder and the 20 mL of water into a paste, then added the (100 mL of) hot water. Whisked and whisked and whisked: never did it start to foam (per the instructions).

Tea Cups– Nice size, matching color to the other ceramics. Slippery when wet. Decent for sipping.

Fourth Ceramic Piece– Don't know what it is called, instructions didn't mention, product-page didn't name it either. Apparently, it is for putting the whisk over, to help hold its shape.

‘Mountain Range’ Piece– Again, not in the instructions, not named on the product-page. Apparently, it is for placing the scoop on. [Would be nice to know the proper names, function, ritual-aspect of every piece, included with the set itself.]

Mat– Soft, colorful, absorbent.

Having gone through the tea ‘ritual/ ceremony,’ it just seems like too many steps, far more things to wash than necessary. Perhaps I'm just lazy, culturally naïve? If I want matcha I'm probably just going to use a teaspoon to scoop out the amount of powder I want into a mug, add hot water, stir: same result. [No offense.]

Overall– Four Stars: nice tea set, but exactly the same as every other matcha tea set I've seen: nothing special, unique here.

Update– Looking back, I feel I was a little harsh in my review: the tea set failed to inspire, and it showed. So, I went looking for other/ better uses for some of the parts. Tea Cups: the perfect size as a small snack bowl, not too much salty/ sweet treats. The weight is reassuring, comforting, holds nicely in your hand, the slightly angled outer lip keeps your fingers from slipping. Mixing Bowl: the best cereal bowl I've found. Just the right size, depth. The spout is perfect for finishing your ‘milk.’ It is sturdy, hefty. Note for all items: the ceramic work is excellent, perfectly smooth, no blemishes, thick/ heavy enough, the glazing is exceptional… Worth the money (if you have it) should the color scheme be what you seek.

Sadly, it didn't fit me. Perhaps a year ago. My waist has shrunk down to size 27. [Poverty. A mountain of free stuff to pick through to review here, yet no food to be found.] I cannot speak as to how it feels to wear: other than it makes a lousy hula hoop. Suggestion: also offer a ‘small’ (30-40") waist size.

The leather is nice, thick, quality. The leather stamping is consistent across all belt loops. Makes the creaking sounds one would expect. No obvious damage, blemishes. The metalwork is simple, but effective. The belt ‘hooks’ hold tight. Looks great, for the part.

Wish I could say more. Four Stars.

Sorry I took so long to review… Whenever I make changes to my enclosed rack, it ends up eating up hours of frustration: move one thing, have to rearrange cables, find yourself reconsidering the placement of other items… So, I kept putting it off.

The shelves are sturdy, thick, breathable. The hangers can be affixed to hang just above or below the shelf, can turn the shelves upside down if you require more of a ‘tray.’ Came with rack-nuts: which is always appreciated. Came with ‘joiner’ rails to attach the shelves together: if that's what you need, I didn't.

The smaller shelf went in the back to hold the modem/ router and the external drive dock (which rarely I use, but better to keep plugged in). The larger shelf went in the front to replace my full-depth, solid shelf above all the power adapters (allowing them to better breathe, just behind the power switches) to hold the Blu-ray player, streaming box, universal remote hub and portable gaming dock.

These shelves are better than any others I have in my rack. Wish I had started here.

Overall– Five Stars: no notes.

Pictured– The shelves are too deep to fit together without overlapping inside my (18-inch front- to back-rail) enclosed rack, yet their ends stack nicely together. I'll get around to better cable-management another day. [Don't judge me.]

I do not have such cutouts in my desk to mount this (nor am I going to cut any). It did however mount near-perfectly in a book cubby in my child's room: providing them two outlets and (15 watt: not great, but sufficient) USB charging.

The coiled power cable is tightly wound. Took a fair amount of ‘Stretch Armstronging’ to stretch it out long enough to reach the outlet. Keeps trying to coil itself shut.

Surprisingly (moreso than others) quiet while USB charging. I didn't hear the telltale/ common ‘buzz’ that typically accompanies the AC/ DC conversion. Thank you.

Not much more to say about something so simple.

Overall– Four Stars: for the overwound cable coils and the lesser USB power (people are impatient these days: their devices require more, faster).

Water pools, doesn't absorb. Easily dried, washed. The lip prevents water from getting out, while strong enough to put my boot-heels upon it to allow air in underneath to dry. Just the right size: same as my previous decades-old cheap plastic tray I was happy to replace. The color/ pattern is muted: does not stand out, does not look out-of-place, looks good, point in fact. Thick ‘rubber’ material, stays where you put it. Took a few days of stepping on it to finally get it to flatten out (from arriving rolled up).

Overall– Five Stars: no notes.

It was time for a new lampshade beside my thinking/ reading/ writing chair. Then this came up for review. [Pictured. Now, if only Vine offered 2x4s and drywall…] I like it. More light comes through, brightens up my dark corner. [Not sure that is an improvement, overall.]

The black trees with gold inside are a nice touch, but might annoy those who do not appreciate a look that could readily be described as ‘busy.’ There's a lot of (crossing) lines, shapes. The pattern repeats every other tree: but that requires looking close to notice. You can better see the bulb than with solid shades. Might consider a better-looking bulb upon hanging this shade. [My boring daylight-bright bulb looks almost out-of-place now.]

The shade itself was not well-affixed to the bottom metal support/ shape ring: there were gaps here and there where the metals were not flushly soldered (/glued?) together. [Pictured.] But that is something you would only really see from looking up from below. Still, Minus One Star. You can do better. Note: the shade is comprised of two half-pieces, which means two seams: which can only really be noticed if you look closely, but then can never be unseen. [I turned the shade so the seams are on the sides, where least I can see them.]

The metal of the shade is sturdy, far stronger than fabric shades: would require a fair amount of force to dent. Fingernails aren't going to scratch off the well-applied paint, but something metal or brick might do the trick. [Not looking/ willing to damage my new lampshade just to find out.]

Overall– Four Stars: better affix the shade to the support frame, please.

Immediately I handed this to my child, who spun it a few times, their first comment was along the lines of: "this fidget would never be allowed by our teachers, it is too loud and would distract others." Good to know.

And yes, it is distracting. I fidgeted with it for a while, I could see my kid getting annoyed, which encouraged me to fidget harder/ louder/ faster. Eventually, they took it away from me.

The whole ring is big, too big to wear as a ring (awkwardly splays out the nearby fingers), yet the inside is maybe a size 9. It only fits my ring finger, but just barely: it got stuck for a hot minute, nearly dislocated my finger trying to pull it off. Mostly, I hold it in the crook of my pointer-finger second-bone, which provides the resistance to allow me to turn the outside with my thumb without the inside spinning around instead. Alternatively, it can be stuck onto the tip of your thumb and spun by your other fingers, rolled across them.

The metal is nice, shiny, looks like a tire. Could do without the laser-etched "D.G. Player, Keep Going" inscribed around one side. It warms to the touch. A hefty weight to it.

The sound is slightly variable, depending which direction you twist and how fast/ slow. Mostly just click-click-click, but there's a slight grinding sound if you turn it slow enough.

It came with some extra magnets and a disassembly tool, yet no instructions, not even a website link for How-To. [Instructions should always be included with the product: don't just presume we know what it is, how it works, and how to repair/ upgrade it. Especially important consideration when given as a gift. Are we expected to provide them the product-page link, showing how much/ little we spent on their gift?]

One side has gaps along the inside-middle ring which scrapes against the knuckle-meat. The gaps are part of the disassembly. It feels weird, I don't like it. Flip the ring to the other side, but then you can feel it on an adjoining finger, unless you hold that away from the ring, and don't bend your spin-finger… difficult to avoid the scraping.

Overall– Three Stars: big, loud, scrapy, grindy: doesn't interest me (except for to annoy others).

I got a "medium" (3.1 inch) crystal ball to review a few weeks back. The stand it came with was basic. I grabbed this when it came up.

It wobbles: two ways. The base was not entirely level: some imperfections in the paint are just enough. The circle into which the ball sits is just a little too wide and not deep enough to fit/ hold the curve of this orbuculum: causing it to rattle upon touch. Further, there's no velvet inside the circle to pad the ball (pretty much a standard): setting ‘glass’ against (poorly) painted resin.

The overall design is neat: rather black dahlia looking… but the details are weak, painting is a bit ‘gloppy’ in parts, unnecessarily rough around the edges, poorly sanded (if at all). It looks cheap when you look close enough.

Two Stars: try again, try harder, please. It could have been so good…

Pictured– Catching a glimpse of the Deadlights…

Every knife was well-sanded: no burrs or rough spots. Each knife is unique/ distinctive in its grain/ coloration, which I appreciate. The hold is excellent, thicker at the handle. Some of the knives were not perfectly straight along the long edge (a bit bendy/ warped): but that is to be expected of (thin) real-wood utensils. [Try not to let that bother you. Nor the fact that each knife is slightly differently sized.] Worked great for (peanut) butter (ran out of Fluff awhile back: cannot speak to that), jelly, mayo, mustard, ice cream (to scrape just the sides/ top of the tub: for just a taste). Bigger-headed than my other knives, but better-shaped for scooping/ spreading. Hand-washing only (obviously), don't leave them to soak. I could probably snap one of these, one-handed, but don't feel the need to prove that: should be strong enough for whatever your spread (so long as it isn't frozen). Not sure I need eight of them, but the additionals are appreciated. [Mostly I use, wash the same one-of-each utensil again and again, but it helps fill my sad little (mismatched) utensils holder with some genuinely classy wooden knives.]

Five Stars: no notes.

This may be what you're looking for, if that is what you are expecting. The gold looks more like brass. The shape is neat, until it turns around and everyone sees it is hollow: whereupon immediately their opinion lessens. The cord is simple, thin, leather-looking, easily adjustable by pulling on the ends.

Not sure what I was expecting here, perhaps more of a (solid) gold nugget than just a stamped shape. I don't like it. Knew that the second I saw it in real life. But, to each their own.

Two Stars: not impressed, wouldn't even give it away as a gift, sorry.

The canvas material is okay, lined on the inside, the middle layer is paperboard (to provide minimal rigidity). The side-handles feel weak, under-stitched, like they could rip off when fully loaded. No top-handle: couldn't possibly sustain the weight. This is more of a sit-and-hold container: I find myself grabbing it by the bottom whenever moved around (rather than damaging the vinyl in case of oopsie-drops). Less sturdy than a milk-crate: not for stacking. The capacity is great though: holds my ~70 LPs and my dozen-or-so singles with room to spare. More than two loose threads I had to cut off. No feet on the bottom. The zipper is good enough for the task.

Three Stars: just to store, not transport.

It has stayed stuck to my shower wall for over a week (as it should, hopefully for longer). The suction cup is also a sticker, further ensuring its stay-stucktoitiveness. The knob is sharp on the underside, unnecessarily (can cut you if you try). The brass looks brass, but shows fingerprints and soap residue: not unexpectedly. The whole thing unscrews for attachment: the interior screw is made of plastic, could probably be snapped with but some effort (more than likely what would happen rather than it coming unstuck, first). There is some space between the suction cup and the outer ring of the hook: could see some water getting in between, for whatever that will do, long-term.

Pictured– Later, unpolished. I needed some shower hooks and this came up for review… it'll do, unless/ until something better comes along.

Four Stars: if you like the look and don't mind the hidden razor-edge.

Medium can often be big on (skinny) me, but this was quite tight. Flattering fit (if I felt better about my upper body). Super soft and warm inside (yet not stuffy), silky-slick on the outside: can/ does ‘catch’ on your fingertips/ nails if they are scratchy, rough. [You know what I'm talking about, right?] But not nearly so bad as with real silk.

For me, this will likely be an undershirt, with layers over it. Not sure I'm comfortable wearing something that tight as my only layer. [Or is the emaciated look ‘in’ right now?] Hangs down to the bottom of my butt: looks better tucked in than ‘bunchy’ untucked.

Double-stitched seams, stretchy fabric, slightly shiny, will show (pet) hair and dust/ dirt/ dandruff. The side-seam has a strange curve/ wave to it: starts at the front of your armpit, curves into the side of your breast, ends at the back of your hip: an unusual flair, not sure yet how I feel about it. Not for tumble dry: would likely make it even tighter. The tag is scratchy but can be removed, tagless would be even better.

Note– 83 degrees, 74% humidity, stood out in my driveway in direct sunlight: 5 minutes later I was soaked in sweat. [Looks better than a trash bag to ‘sweat it out.’]

Overall– Five Stars: as a (long) thermal undershirt.

Update– It has started getting cold in the evening, mornings… This thermal shirt is excellent for taking a bite out of the chill, thank you. Finally washed it: by hand in the shower, then threw it in the dryer on Perm Press: which the instructions say not to do… If it can't be dried in the dryer: I'm not interested. The shirt came out just fine, didn't shrink, still soft. Wanted to show you a picture (of how it looks upon my frame), but all the camera could seem to focus upon were my nipples: just as an FYI.

It is beautiful: deep blues and black for the body, tree-colored brown, hints of burgundy around the top-lip. The glazing is slightly irregular/ indented upon the black portions: but that only enhances the ‘homemade’ look to it.

The cap fits tight, a little thinner is the wood than can be comfortably/ easily gripped to remove it (for fat/ clumsy fingers/ hands). Somewhat sharp around the edges: could be better sanded. The wood-stain is thin, light, does not fill in the wood-grain (but I like it that way). Has ‘burlap’ glued onto the inside of the cap-plug, to hold it tight: I could see that eventually coming/ wearing off.

Will hold lots of tea, mouth wide enough to get a tablespoon-sized scoop in, but not quite a spring-loaded strainer/ steeper (until half-empty).

Am using it for tobacco. Classier than the can, and my leather pouch keeps drying it out. This does a better job of keeping shag fresher, more moist, longer. Can just fit three fingers in to grab a pinch of tobacco.

Overall– Four Stars: the cap could be taller for better grip, and the plug material could be better applied.

The ceramic, glazing work is fairly excellent: only two tiny bumps up near the lip, one pinhole indent, and two small smudges in the pattern (none of which are readily noticeable, unless seeking fault). It sits level, doesn't wobble. The shape and colors are pleasing. Doesn't really match anything else in my kitchen, unless earth-tones count. The right size, depth to hold all of my shorter wooden/ silicone utensils. Makes a resounding/ impressive ‘ting’ when thunked (while empty, otherwise ‘clunk’).

Not much else to say except that I like it, glad to have it. Five Stars: if you don't mind minor imperfections in that which holds your kitchen stuffs.

The cord absorbs sweat and leaches black dye. I would recommend washing it first. The cord has two knots that can slide to shorten/ lengthen how long it is, such to set it to hang exactly where you want it. The weight of the pendant is reassuring, thumps nicely against my breast bone.

Note– Three times this pendant has punched me in the face while taking off my shirt. It hurts, be careful, it's solid/ unyielding.

The outside tastes like nothing, but tastes like metal when you get your tongue down into the runes (which can scratch/ cut your tongue-tip if not careful). I do not like the feel of metal in my mouth, against my teeth, but to each their own. Can smell a bit like metal when wet/ sweaty, but that odor washes off easily with water.

The bigger hole fits perfectly over the first knuckle on each finger (but not the second, except for the pinky), to then spin around and fidget with, flip/ roll across/over your fingers (easier when detached from the cord). The twist feels good to trace your finger across/ around. Makes for a decent worry-stone.

I have received only positive feedback when people see this infinity rune. Everybody seems to like it, as do I. This is one of my favorite pendants.

Note– When something has ‘foreign’ words on it, it would be appreciated if you could tell us what we're wearing/ saying. Even just the basics: protection/ defense/ offense/ summoning words of power?

Note– Works well for hanging your glasses on: pictured.

Overall– Five Stars.

My kid hates the sound of it: only further encouraging me to use it more often. Pitch changes the harder you blow into it. Patting the bottom with your palm helps stutter the death-wails (even more obnoxiously). Made of metal-coated resin (/ceramic?): excellently crafted, nicely heavy/ solid, the only slightly rough/ gloppy bits being along the bottom. It is certainly an unusual talking-piece knickknack: easily spotted, always inquired about, tried out (at least once) by every passerby. It is never the sound they were otherwise expecting to come from this whistle: most cringe a little, look strangely at it, then try blowing harder/ variably.

Five Stars.

Pictured– Finding new friends to palaver with…

The straps are sized for bigger cosplayers. I'm a barely-medium-chest (on the thin-side): the straps barely tighten enough to fit me, wouldn't fit anyone smaller.

This is definitely for show, not active-use. But for the price (which I went back and looked at): perfect for a cheap costume: you get what you pay for… If you want better: spend more.

The stitching is mediocre: longevity does not come to mind. The laces are cheap, shred easily, half the aglets are falling off. The sword-holder leathers are designed for thinner weapons. [See attached sword-pic.] But works well enough for hatchets. [See hatchet-pic. Note: no good if the handles have pointy bits, which get caught up in the laces.] Quick-draw is middling, but perhaps simply requires more practice.

It hangs a little lower than I would prefer with the straps fully shortened up, still coming up a little bit long. The leather harness fits/ sits nicely to my back, though could get sweaty in direct sun. Careful when turning your head, especially with hatchets/ axes, as my ear did get nicked, and more than once jabbed in the back of my neck… Then again, most would buy this for fake or foam weapons: which would be even thicker than these swords, but the laces will allow it to hold them, but look poorly.

Overall– Four Stars: for ‘heftier,’ cheap cosplayers.

It is a little loud, yet less so than my vacuum cleaner. It does get warm, but not disconcertingly so. The cord was long enough: albeit seemingly a little slender for the wattage put through it.

I unsealed the dozen or so vacuum bags in my closet, got started… This little pump does not flatten the bags as much as my vacuum did: I seem to have a little less room in my overstuffed closet now. I recommend sliding two fingers beneath the plastic vacuum-seal on the bag, such to allow more air to get sucked out, rather than it giving up prematurely. It does take longer than the vacuum cleaner to get the air out. I found the brand-name bags better-fit the seal on the bottom of this pump (being exactly to size), the knock-offs allow it to slide around, harder to get a proper seal. Manufacturer suggestion: put a silicone seal around the bottom, rather than trying to mate hard plastics to one another: would then do better with knock-off bags.

Overall– Four Stars: gets the job done.

Not sure about the color. But it properly weighs all manner of lighter stuff. Includes a scoop, weighing dish, tweezers, batteries, usb-cable (too-short, should you prefer to power it that way), 20-gram calibration weights, a cover, easy to understand user manual, easy to read display.

Used it to weigh tea, tobacco, necklaces, kitchen implements, whatever else random I could find. Easy to set your preferred measurement; use it to count beans/ beads/ etc. I am sure it would prove useful for anyone who has light things to measure/ count, unlike me. But now I have a scale should ever I need one, thanks.

Overall– Five Stars: for small/light stuff.

It is (barely) big enough to fit a standard-sized frozen pizza. The texture is good for keeping your food from sliding around while you cut. Produces your standard-sound of knife-on-glass, which if you've never used one before you might not like that sound: but I'm used to it. The rubber-feet, sadly, had all slid around a bit (somewhere between affixing and arrival here): leaving sticky (even after several washes) residue-circles unaligned with where the feet wandered off to: Minus One Star. If they cannot stay in place during shipping, how long do they expect them to stay-put before falling off? Thick/ strong-enough glass: shouldn't easily break.

Overall– Four Stars: for the ‘footing’ problem, easily remedied.

Each dish has different coloration/ spattering, all of which I like. I love the (downward-)spiral pattern of the inside-bottom that works well to keep the sauce from slopping-around too much while providing some resistance for dipping. These dishes all sit flat, don't wobble. There's a little divot along one edge: helps hold your chopsticks or spoon, also works well for pouring out your sauce (onto your food, or when finished into the sink). Easily cleaned. They do stack a little wobbly/ scrapy-together: but so do most ceramics.

I have no doubt they would work great for sushi/ maki: but that would be a luxury I cannot afford. Instead, works well for ketchup, mustard, dipping sauce (of any flavor, consistency). Being the sort who prefers their foods to not touch: it is nice having a small sauce-container to keep it all separate.

Five Stars: no notes.

The top does not fit securely into the cup: rattles while sliding around: could have done better. The butt-holders are smooth, rounded-U's which would hold a standard cigarette well enough: but would instead require sharp, deep-V's for Roll Your Owns.

The sloped top has some slight texture to it: helping for stamping-out your butts (but then there's that rattle as you push against the sides), but not textured enough for RYO: which tend to require a flat surface for proper extinguishing.

It works great for ashing-into: the mouth is plenty wide and the ash slips down into the bottom (out of sight). It better holds-back the smoky/ ashy smell as compared to open ashtrays, but it does not completely contain it. If you drop an unextinguished smoke into the bottom it will continue to smoke: but not for nearly so long as in an open ashtray (limited airflow). Using a cork, wine-stopper, or anything that fits/ plugs the drop-hole will help your butts go out faster, better contain the smell.

I tried partially filling the cup with water, to extinguish my RYOs: yeah, that will work. Better-so with a plug: to contain the smell. Trouble is, should this ashtray then get knocked around/ over (especially so considering the wobbly top): you will spill nasty water everywhere. Then, later you have to dump out the butt-water. I prefer instead to stick to my half-water-filled, screw-closed bottles: completely containing the smell, knowing my butts are fully extinguished, won't spill if bumped, and then easily thrown-out when full.

Overall– Three Stars: decent alternative ashtray for those who smoke standard butts.

From ten feet away, my child saw a tree. It wasn't until up-close they spotted the cat.

Note– This product was delayed several weeks. I have had only but a few days to appreciate it, in-place.

I hung it on my bedroom door, using some of the stickies to hold it. It rattles upon opening/ closing the door, or whenever a big truck drives by. I shall have to remove it and apply more stickies to the branches that rattle. Came with eight round stickies: would rather have preferred one small sheet of sticky, such to trace, cut out exactly the shapes desired to hide the stickies behind the metal.

The metalwork is excellent, finely detailed, well-painted. Looks great. Though, I could see the metal getting bent/ twisted if it gets bumped into, snagged on a passerby's clothing.

Five Stars.

Update– The rattle of opening/ closing my door finally got to me: had to relocate this decoration. Gently peeled it off my door, the stickies stuck to the door, not the decor. Restuck the stickies to the back, stuck the whole thing to a different wall. Around three that morning, there was a dreadful racket: the tree-cat fell down, bent the whole top portion, which was easily bent back into shape. The stickies cannot be reused.

Update 2– After it fell down again I got out some thin foam-tape, cut out small shapes to fit behind the tree without showing. Stuck it to the linen cabinet: pictured.

Naturally, the only grounded/ working outlet in my bedroom is in the far corner… time to rearrange. Head-East has done nothing to improve my overall well-being, time to try North.

The sheet barely fits the bed: a standard memory-foam Queen. The corners of the sheet do not reach the corners of the mattress. [Pictured.] I can only see that getting worse the more it is washed: Minus Two Stars.

Not the most comfortable/ softest of sheets, but does not aggravate my sensitive skin. The slight ‘roughness’ I stopped noticing by the second night.

I slept with this fitted-sheet plugged in for two (or so) weeks: cannot say as I noticed any improvement. Granted, I was dealing with a gut infection, doing battle with a car company, adapting to my rearranged surroundings; had to buy a blackout curtain as my head was now in the sunlight… Six AM, every morning, for the past few months: I have been waking up (no alarm required). [I suspect that being about when my neighborhood starts summoning BRAND (aka: Archangel Network) to rain down data upon us all?] I have found, since plugging in this sheet, it seems easier to roll over and fall/ doze back to sleep for another hour or so. Though, I cannot say as it has helped me to fall asleep (shut down my brain, let go my crappy day).

To test this: I then went three nights without the sheet plugged in… I couldn't as easily fall asleep (again, at the butt-crack of day) while ungrounded. Plugged it back in last night: was able to doze for an extra hour this morning.

Will this work for you? Couldn't say. At best, it helped ground out some of the wireless noise passing through me, way out here in the woods, where it used to be quieter, more analog, yet now too is flooded with digital (from above).

Overall– Three Stars: for the poor fit, easily remedied.

Update– I found this sheet is more effective when wrapped around myself (rather than under me). Still I keep waking at 6, but if I then wrap myself up in it I can better doze back off for another hour. My next move/ test is to hang it like a canopy over the bed (well, tack it to the ceiling overhead, to be precise): the hope being it will help ground-out some of the ‘digital rain’ from the heavens. Will apprise…

Update, two– I must admit that I felt immediate relief with this sheet hanging above my bed. Days Later… The feeling beneath this ‘canopy’ could best be described as hiding under a tarp during a deluge: you stay fairly dry, but still feel yourself getting rained upon. Note: hanging there, it can do nothing to ground-out your own internal strife: that which (further) keeps you from sleeping/ feeling right. [Which clearly I am struggling with, presently…]

Sleeping beneath the canopy:

Night one: 5a to 9a.

Night two: 11:30p to 7a.

Night three: 12:30a to 6:30a.

Night four: 10:30p to 4:30a.

Results: Inconclusive.

I believe this entire design would work better as a top-sheet, rather than fitted beneath: blocking-out external sources as well as grounding-out bodily energy.

Inquiry– Do there happen to be any (inexpensive) bed-canopy frames that happen to fit a (standard) Queen fitted-sheet here on Amazon? Because that would certainly look/ work better than my current setup: pictured (the ceiling above: darker).

Update, tres– Having sheltered beneath this ‘canopy’ for yet another week (or so)… I still wake at 6, but can tell my brain to STFU, roll over and sleep until 7:30 (even made it to 9, once). Plus One Star. [What I think I really need here is a faraday cage around my bed… but that might/ would present the wrong impression (of intention) during sleepovers. Amazon Basics, if you were to make a queen-sized full-enclosure EM-shielding/ grounding bed-canopy (that doesn't look like a cage): I would happily product-test that. Email me?]

I drank nothing but water from this for a week. I cannot say as I noticed any health-benefits, though I did feel a bit better (though, I was getting over the tail-end of a gut infection) but that could just have been because I found myself drinking more water than normal.

The top screws tight, easily open/ closed: doesn't leak. Blue-lights around the top and bottom during the hydrogenating(?) process, takes about three minutes, beeps when done. A slightly cloudy stream gets injected. [More abundantly so when used with my well-water versus bottled water: for whatever that's worth, means?]

Tastes slightly metallic: but only just a hint, which I stopped noticing by the third refill. [That taste does get stronger if you inject a second infusion into the same water.] Towards the bottom of drinking from the glass, it does gurgle a bit, as the water comes out from beneath/ between the hydrogen-infusing plate.

The glass does get a bit foggy, or perhaps that's just from greasy-fingers (having gone a week without washing it). Washing was fairly easy to do the first time (before I first drank from it) using a standard bottle brush. Though, I could see some of the gaps in the ‘boiler plate’ being hard to reach, building up residue..?

Took just under two hours to recharge: using the Dedicated (rather than a standard-usb) Cable: Minus One Star. I got 8 cycles out-of-the-box. I lost count the second time around, but it was significantly more. Having only to charge it that once to get through a week of usage.

Overall– Unknown. Did/ does it make me better/ healthier? I do not know, honestly. [I should have read the product-page to know what to watch for.] I suppose I shall have to return to basic water for a week and see if I notice any decline… A week later: no difference detected.

Four Stars: neat concept, well-built, good size, decent battery life, questionable health benefits.

Arrived vacuum-packed at less than an inch thick. These are made of light foam, obviously. Yet do not easily tear, as some others will. They all inflated to their intended thickness within 36 hours, the polyurethane smell disapparated within two days: having left them out in the open (rather than washing/ drying).

Decent for absorbing direct sound, considering their slender thickness, unidirectional pattern. Tends to also eat up any ‘grazing’ parallel soundwaves. [As opposed to more rounded panels that can help hold-in the sound rather than ‘eating’ them, enhancing rather than detracting from any 2/3D surround-effects.]

I stuck a couple to my subwoofer and the wooden storage trunk in the room, both of which rattle a little during the deeper lows: helped, thanks. Stuck some in the gaps of my missing-ceiling sections: helped reduce the bass-trap effects.

These seem better for direct-reflecting surfaces: front/ back-facing walls (and ceiling) to the speakers, rather than on the room-sides. The ridged pattern works well enough for your basic home-theater setup (in a ‘reflective’ room), but should you be designing an audiophile getup: I'd buy something better.

Overall– Four Stars: decent material, basic sound deadening, but some of us need more/ better.

The cards are a little stiff, slippery: shuffle nicely, but get a bit stuck when pushing them together. The more they're played with the more they'll loosen up, I suspect.

Decent/ playful ‘getting to know you (and your body)’ questions/ actions. Certainly a good ‘starting place’ for a night of fun. Or, a way to suss-out any ‘warning signs’ for your potential/ sexual partner should you prefer to start with the interrogatories.

I've never been one for drinking games, but these needn't require (yet could prove helpful with) booze to be played.

I look forward to playing a few hands/ rounds with a beautiful other… Now, I suppose I need to find that beautiful someone.

Five Stars: for getting started with ‘getting down.’

It almost fits perfectly over both my washer and dryer, a little short on the sides, and they have curves and such while this whatchamacallit doesn't: but, good/ close enough.

I appreciate having a clean surface upon which to fold my laundry, the edges help prevent socks and such from slipping down between/ behind the machines. Same for liquid spills. Easily cleaned.

The color is a bit dreary, could perhaps use some sort of color-pattern (rather than just the star-shapes for texture)? The rubber smell passed in two days. The material helps hold back some of the heat from the dryer: allowing to set stuffs atop it without overheating. The slight texture keeps bottles from sliding around/ off the washer/ dryer while running.

Overall– Five Stars: if you aren't looking for something fancy, instead merely functional.

I would have appreciated better/ thicker stitching: as this is intended to hang out in the open while riding a motorcycle. But I don't readily see that being a problem, unless perhaps you are dirt-biking in the woods with tree-branches grabbing at it?

The belt-strap can be adjusted to fit far-bigger-than-mine waists, with sturdy buckles on either side for lefty/ righty-wearers, which yes, it can be worn either way. The bottom strap does have to be completely detached from one side to remove, then threaded back through the small loop to reattach the velcro. I suppose I would have preferred a quick-release buckle (like for the waist), but can appreciate the need to keep it from falling off (and I suppose, the comfort of not having a buckle digging into between your leg and the bike). Fits comfortably, better than expected, but looks a bit weird while walking around with it still on. The backside is the now-standard breathable, spongy mesh material you'll find for most backpacks.

Should you be skinny like me (some might apply the term ‘emaciated’): I would recommend some ties/ tape applied to hold the strap-ends in place, otherwise they flap around, which could get annoying at highway speeds. If one of the velcro straps at the bottom comes loose (much more of the ends sticking out if your thighs are thin), the whole bag can flap around, but likely not fall off. The point: this bag will fit a fair variety of body-sizes.

Pockets– Front-Bottom: 5" wide, 4.5" tall (with an additional 3" head-room up above the single zipper-pull, can expand slightly outwards, slightly padded front; big enough for a pack of smokes and a lighter. Front-Top: velcro flap (with two d-rings), 6" wide, 8" tall; good size for a big(ger) phone. Main-Pocket: 7" wide, 9" tall, expands to 3+" deep, padded front and back; 5" tall mesh slip-pocket on the front-side, two zipper-pulls to set it where best-reached. [Note: In case anyone was wondering, it will fit a standard pistol, though it can slide/ bump around inside.]

Note– I have never owned a motorcycle. My disabilities have prevented me from so much as riding a bicycle in 15 years. My neighbor rides a Harley, so I sent him out with this bag. Being a man of few words: “The side bag is uncomfortable when operating a motorcycle.” Minus One Star. That may just be that he is unfamiliar with, doesn't like the look of, or it just didn't fit him the way he preferred.

Overall– Four Stars: have to try it on/ out to know if you like it.

This mousepad is thick/ tall, which can prove a problem if you use a keyboard tray. The very top of it is just under the desk-top: the whole tray has to be all the way out to use this without scraping fingers/ knuckles upon the underside of the desk. Took some time, but we adapted.

Given that the wrist-rest is at the same level as the rest of the mousepad, I suspected this would be uncomfortable to use. Turns out, it wasn't. On the truly rare occasion where I actually use my desktop (let alone for the eight hours straight this time): my wrist was surprisingly undamaged/ unhurt that day, and the next. [Note: I have hand/ wrist disabilities which had severely limited my time able to type/ mouse my way around. It would appear the grip/ wrist strengthening doohickeys I got a few months ago (to review for Vine) have been helping me more than I thought.]

My child uses this computer very much more than me. Playing games, mostly. They like the feel of the mousepad: will occasionally fidget with the memory-foam feel of it, poking at it while awaiting required mouse-input. Zero Complaints about how it feels as compared to the previous setup: a flat mousepad and a thick wrist-rest, several weeks later.

Overall– Five Stars: unexpectedly comfortable despite how different from ‘the norm.’

Update– Their name started peeling off the mousepad a week later. I have since scraped it all the way off (isn't missed). I have been using this desktop computer-getup far more the past week (adding another chapter to my book): my wrist/ arm/ shoulder does hurt, but not so nearly bad as it used to (while compulsively editing). [Though, a proper ‘accessibility’ office-chair would better help to manage some of these other disabilities, too: moreso than this dumpster-find I'm presently perched upon that just barely gets me by (/sits upright)….] I do believe this mousepad has something positive to do with that encouraging result. That, and all the wrist/ hand/ finger-strengthening doohickeys I have continued to review/ use: to improved effect, slowly though it be, it would seem: though not so fairly well as yet to consider it/ me ‘productive’… a long/ hard road to travel, alone.

Pictured– A close/ tight fit: the mousepad is thick, tall. Keyboard tray is 2.75" height and 11.5" deep. The top of the mouse and keyboard sit just under the edge of the desk. I might suggest a deeper/ taller keyboard tray if you have fat(ter) hands.

Note– These bulbs are big, bigger than any other bulbs I've owned. It fit in only one of my lamps and one of my ceiling-hanging sconces: neither of which have dimmers, sadly.

The color is nice, warm, natural. I like the shape, even hidden behind the lampshade. Cannot speak to the dimmable nature/ aspects. Longevity: I would need more time to answer that.

These bulbs do not get hot, even after hours of use, only mildly warm. Should be safe to stick in your lamps even where they come close(r) to the lampshade. No risk of melting, burning.

Overall– Five Stars: presuming they will fit in your lamps: I would suggest measuring first (rather than knocking it down a star/ two simply because you didn't bother).

Update– Pictured: stuff lit by its light…

There are no Home and End keys, nor any Fn+combo way to generate those actions. This overcomplicates writing text, code.

Keys– Having their letters/ numbers/ symbols on the front-side gets quickly overcrowded, hard to read: Minus One Star. You'd think, after four decades of typing, I'd know where the * (asterisk) key is: nope, it turns out. I had to keep my previous keyboard on the desk to find my way around this one (for a few days).

Colors– I found bright blue, yellow or white are best for being able to read the (hard-to-read) keys, the other colors result in nondescript readability. The color-shift option: I found obnoxious. Though, I do like the keys-themselves (top-down) fade-to-black coloration (if not the starting-color) which the instructions show going the opposite (bottom-up) direction.

Keypresses– I grew up with deep-press mechanical keyboards. My child grew up with short-press laptop keyboards. We had compromised: our favored/ shared keyboard has half-press keys, something we both easily adapted to. This keyboard is deep-tap: I like it, but my kid doesn't (for typing), yet presents no problem for gaming (which I do not do), the press and resulting clack being sufficient to know the key was activated. Decent ‘clack’ sound when typing.

This keyboard is tall, which can prove a problem when using a keyboard tray: if it is of the short-hang variety. Ours is medium-hang, and pulls out far enough to expose the whole keyboard (which some don't). This keyboard is extra heavy, more than twice the weight of my other. All wifi, BT is disabled upon my enclosed-rack-kept laptop (hence my inability to speak to wireless connectivity), with a USB hub under the desk leading to another, bigger USB hub inside the rack. The computer recognized this ‘wired’ keyboard no problem. No issues with latency this way, either.

The knob can be used for volume control: hold Fn+turn. Other functions like play/ pause/ previous/ next/ mute require Fn+F## presses, which neither of us can remember (and had come to frequently use upon the other keyboard). Would be better to have dedicated, labeled buttons for media playback. Apparently, it has a Microphone Shortcut: does that mean there's a built-in microphone? Remains unclear, but none that I could see.

Note– The instructions talk about a battery (and call it wireless), yet fail to tell us capacity. This being wireless, a battery would be presumed. Yet, when USB-unplugged, no combination of key-presses light this thing up. Which would leave me to presume it only functions wirelessly when plugged in… Which would therefore negate the "Wireless" claim/ nature of the device. Or am I missing something obvious here? [Wouldn't be the first/ last time…] Fine, my curiosity is peaked: dug out a mini-screwdriver set, flipped the thing over… No easy way to disassemble without peeling off the label and feet first… Forget it. I don't care that much: this is going back in the box anyways. Some things are best left a mystery.

Overall– Four Stars: for gaming (when only do you need but those few keys to play). Two Stars: for coding (missing buttons, others in the wrong place or hidden behind Fn+keystrokes; and is this thing truly wireless?). Three Stars: Average.

I've never played Mahjong, now I suppose I have no excuse not to learn: but then, I would need someone to play it with. This is a two-player (minimum) game, right? There were no instructions included. [Inconsiderate: travel game-sets should always include basic instructions.]

The tiles are a nice size, weight, clack satisfyingly together (make for decent worry-stones to carry/ click in your pocket). The symbols are nicely/ neatly etched and painted-in, not merely painted-on: appreciated. The coffee-bean backs are less deeply etched, yet not easily scratched-out.

The dice are a bit small, light, unsatisfying roll. Kindly, provide bigger/ heavier.

The tile-trays are too long to fit in the bag: Minus One Star. [Pictured.] Make them foldable/ sectional/ joinable such to fit inside the travel bag, rather than being carried/ lost separately. They can be stuck in the bag, sticking out the end nearest the zipper-close, but then the tiles/ dice can slip/ fall out through the zipper-gap during travel. [Poorly thought out.]

The mat is of mediocre quality, must be folded in thirds and then quarters (rather than the half-and-half in which it arrived) to fit inside the bag.

The bag is mediocre, yet functional. Perhaps two velcro straps on the side/ bottom of the bag to hold the tile-trays, should you somewhy be opposed to their fitting inside?

Overall– Three Stars: for the obvious, readily fixable, issues presented herein. You can do better.

Some instructions would have been appreciated. The first few times I scraped the pendant and the rod, nothing happened. Takes a few attempts to scrape the top-coat off. Then, it sparks incredibly well. But is a bit awkward to hold and scrape: my thumb covering half the rod, the cord getting in the way. Further, then the rods look damaged, with the black scraped off. [Pictured.]

I chose the black-cord variant. Both the black and green variants arrived. Green: the paracord is thick, the melted cord-ends are scratchy on the neck, the pendant-knot is bulky. One of the slipknot ends came untied all on its own. Black: the 'leather' cord is coated in something (I could see that breaking down over time) and slippery. Soaked it in water for a while to see if the color leaches: it doesn't. These cord-ends are far less scratchy. More comfortable overall to wear, but neither variant is great for wearing (convenient, certainly, when needed).

There was no real smell out-of-the-box. But having scraped away some of one of the rods: it smells a bit metallic. Gets worse when wet, little bits of the top-coat/ metal-beneath will come off and leave a slight stain on lighter colors (which does wash out). Tastes terrible: not for nomming on.

Sparks well enough to catch fire to proper tinder. I will keep one in the car, the other in the camping/ go-bag. But I doubt you'll ever see me wearing them.

Overall– Four Stars: the cords could both be better, more comfortable.

I had bought one of these for my daughter years ago: a single-pen pack (with smaller segments). Interest was quickly lost. Same with the double-pack. There are significantly fewer things you can build than what they show, given the number of pieces. About all you have enough to build are the people-figures. Would require several sets to build the bike. [Pictured: what I built using all the segments.]

As a pen: okay, not great. Writes well enough, and the extra ink cartridges are appreciated. But the weight of the pen is more than I prefer and the pen-tips aren't great for holding (not angled-down, just drop-off). The pen-clip is useless: it pushes away the parts when touched: certainly won't hold together when clipped to anything. The pen-caps are nearly impossible to pop-off: not enough to grab (need to use the pen-clip to pop them out).

As a stylus: okay, not great. Nice that you can choose the length you want. I prefer shorter, lighter.

The magnets aren't all that strong, could be stronger to better hold everything together: especially as a pen(-clip).

Overall– Four Stars: if this be your preferred fidget-type (being not ours).

Installation– Easy. I've dealt with far more difficult faucet installations. [Prior Review: "A Cthulhu tentacle-monster…"] Everything fit properly. However, the escutcheon is only but a millimeter or two wider than the outer holes: would have been easier with a helper to hold it precisely in place. By the time I finished tightening the faucet, it had drifted a millimeter, had to tape over the gap from below. [Pictured.] The foam beneath the escutcheon is thicker than the escutcheon itself: that's a good thing, I've had others where it was thinner (metal on metal; leakage). Trouble is, as the faucet is tightened from the middle, you can see the foam at the outer sides: Minus One Star: looks shoddy. [Pictured.] No explosions, leaks upon turning back on the water (as opposed to last time).

First Impressions– The faucet hangs lower above the sink (while still significantly above the basin) than I would prefer. All my others were higher-up. Might take some time to adapt. The buttons on the faucet-head feel a little cheap-plasticky: I could see that wearing out in a few years. Whomever designed this clearly has never been around small children: pull forward for hot, push back for cold. Should be the other way around. Though, I suppose I could turn the whole faucet the other way around: but I am right-handed, so that would just feel wrong. Besides, all the pictures show the handle on the right. I suppose instead I could affix hot-to-cold and cold-to-hot taps? [But that would just be silly. Besides, no small children here anymore.]

The escutcheon is made of cheap metal, got scratched during the process of installation. It could be wider overall to better cover the additional holes, prevent leaks. [Some way to affix/ tighten the outer edges into the outer holes would be nice, but asking for too much for the price.]

The faucet-handle is easy to use, select your water-flow, adjust the temperature. Fairly standard size/ shape/ action of your less-expensive side-mounted faucet varieties.

The faucet-arm swings nicely. Is long enough to reach either sink-basin. Note: my sink is a four-holer, this was mounted inside the second-from-right hole, favoring the right basin. I am presently reviewing an in-sink soap dispenser installed in the far-left hole: which happens to be rubbed bronze while this faucet is stainless steel… Good thing I'm not picky about how they look, only how they work. And both work.

The extending faucet-head works fine, but just sort of hangs back-up into the faucet-arm: where it does not stick/ click in place: dependent entirely upon the hose-weight affixed below to hold it there: not great, but not terrible. [Note, later: the weight got caught up on some stuff under the sink and the hose wouldn't retract; occasionally need to ensure its hang remains unimpeded. Would prefer the faucet-head to twist-click-lock into place.] Plenty long enough to reach far beyond the confines of the sink. The buttons aren't great, but they work (but for how long?). One gives you a stream, the other a spray, the third stops the flow (useful while pulling/ receding the hose so as not to spray everywhere). It remembers which setting it was last set to.

Overall– Four Stars: not the fanciest faucet, but certainly good enough for most of us.

I had no knowledge of what this is from. I just saw a silver sword pendant, and chose it. My daughter recognized it immediately as JJK. She even knew/ told the whole backstory… I'll admit that I didn't really pay attention.

The pendant is small(er than I would like, lighter too), decent details on the front. It would have been appreciated had the creature wrapped around the sword wrapped all the way around: instead, it disappears at the back. The least they could have done was some engraving to continue the creature-pattern around the back: instead, it just ends/ resumes. Presumably to keep the back flat? [Notice how they never show the backside of the pendant on the product-page? Which is why I included one (also showing the knot, below).] The darker color of the creature does not carry onto the backside: turns to silver. The pendant makes for a mediocre toothpick, tastes like nothing.

The chain seemed decent: has a nice bend, twist, feel, sound to it. But there was a knot in the smaller end, no matter how I tried I couldn't untangle it. Decent length/ hang, fits over my daughter's head, but not mine (without unclasping).

I gave it to my daughter to wear for a few days. Her opinion was "Meh." Once she took it off she had no inclination to put it back on. Perhaps a die-hard JJK fan would like it better? Her noted detractions were the same as mine.

Overall– Three Stars: the pendant a little bigger perhaps, make the creature actually wraparound, and look into a less-knotty chain.

These scissors/ shears have a nice weight, balance, grip, handle-color/ design. They are sharp: cut through a chicken wing without difficulty, a bit more challenging with a chicken drumstick, took two hands to snip through a bamboo chopstick (but I have weak hands). Works fine/ great for cutting (frozen) vegetables.

Okay as a (larger-nut) nutcracker: worked for walnuts, but made quite a mess. The blade-lock is appreciated. Decent spring to the blade closing/ opening. Easy enough to clean, can be disassembled for a thorough cleaning, sharpening.

I am glad to have this, though not all that often do I need it. It fit in two of the openings of my knife-block.

Overall– Five Stars: decent shears, would recommend for those who need them.

Update– The handle-guard is helpful for cutting: can press that down against a cutting board and apply body-weight to help snip through tougher materials. Might be helpful if it were a little less rounded, and had some texture to help keep it from sliding: just a thought. The back-handle is wide, textured enough as to be comfortable (and less slippery) even under that additional pressure: doesn't hurt the hand.

I have been placing this ghost all over the house to see it in different light/ dark. It looks like metal in dimmer places, or when the light is just right. Looks more glass-like around the bottom ‘skirt’ then fades to metal at the top. Direct (sun)light makes it look the most glass-like. I prefer the transition-look of slightly away from a light source.

It is cute, generating an "Awww" upon first being spotted by most. Simple design. Decent weight to it. Doesn't feel overly fragile, but I'm not going to drop-test it. Still looking for just the perfect place to put it.

Overall– Five Stars: no notes.

I knew I didn't like it the moment I opened the box, didn't even have to take it out. So, it sat there untouched (as I walked by with scorn) for weeks. Finally, this became the oldest item in my queue I had not yet reviewed: so, the time has come…

The marbled look looks more like shoddy painting. I was hoping for a resin or plastic material such for the light to shine through: the light doesn't shine through the metal and the marbled look looks bad. It is bigger than I expected/ wanted. The paint-job is most obviously deficient around the sharp inside-lip. [Pictured.]

There is nowhere this would look good in my home. I am certainly not investing the time (/danger) of getting out a step ladder to (perilously) dangle over the stairwell to install this where best it may have looked. Instead, I screw-capped the ends to a lamp cord and plugged it in. No see-through marble look, only white metal inside and dull-black outside: as expected. Disappointed.

The cord where it meets the lamp was hard-bent by the packing: which would leave it hanging slightly askew. The ceiling mount bracket is but a bar, not one of the round fits-most varieties. The wire-gauge is acceptable: could certainly handle the 60 watts the inside-shade sticker claims.

Overall– Two Stars: There's far better out there for far less.

Flaws– The back of his two right(est) hands are slightly malformed. [Pictured, including:] His left tusk is shorter than the right: guessing that was a carving-mistake, further indicating this was carved not molded. [Though, I am not entirely sure this version is wood rather than resin: the entirety of which, at least. But, the base shows signs of tree-rings and saw-blade marks: so I will give them the benefit of my (hard-learned) doubt.]

Details– Back of his belt has a horned-skull: looks like Surtur or the Balrog: neat, albeit unintentional. I also like the eyes on the back of the hands. Lots of fine details everywhere. But, the green ‘jewel’ could be much better: looks cheap, can see the glue residue through the back: the little details make the difference.

Goes well with all of my other ‘idols.’ All of which I inherited from various ancestors: pictured.

Overall– Four Stars.

Update– Later… I was breaking down boxes for all the Vine Products I intend to keep (about half) and found the bracelet at the bottom of this box, put it on. Three days later: I like it, haven't taken it off, has a positive energy, glad to have not thrown it away. [Pictured: left.]

Press it all the way down and a lot of (/too much) soap comes out. Barely touch it to get just a drop. It might just be my (natural-derived) soap, but the end keeps developing a soap-scab (easily ejected).

Installation was easy, though it would have been easier with a helper to hold the top-part squarely over the round-hole: drifted a bit during screwing in, had to be readjusted. I used the included bottle below, rather than running the hose down into a bigger bottle. [Mostly just me here, don't eat much, not many dirty dishes (mostly washed in the sink).]

Looks great, though it doesn't match my stainless-steel faucet. Hangs a little low into the sink, but that's by design: give me some time to adapt. Easy to (re)fill: just pull out the pump and pour soap in.

Overall– Four Stars: could use a lighter touch for less soap, please.

Arrived vacuum-sealed in tight tubular rolls. Fully reinflated in half a day. The covers were a little off-kilter: easily shifted back into place. [Pictured– Months Later: requires occasional reshifting, no biggie.] Nicely padded: feels like memory-foam, but not quite that fancy, only sturdy. Got these for the benches at my dinner table: a little deeper than the bench, sticks out five inches, but the grippies on the bottom stay stuck to the bench: doesn't wander while weighted down. Comfortable, certainly more so than sitting on the wood. The fabric I would describe as ‘granny’ (similar to Nana's old-school placemats, seat-covers and fabric napkins, but not nearly so scratchy): but soft/ durable enough for butts (but not faces). Water beads more than soaks in: easily wiped-off, dried. No loose thread-ends had to be snipped off.

Decided to try these elsewhere. My sofa has crumpled into itself with a decade of my disabled body/ butt upon it: almost nothing left in the seat (nor mine own). This cushion made up for all of that: most comfortable, supportive. The bottom sticks well (in place) to the ‘leather.’ [Pictured: alongside other Vine-Item memory-foam lumbar-support and travel pillows that keep my spine, neck from crumbling with all the time I spend just sitting there (unable to afford to do much else, let alone a new sofa).] It also works well on the desk chair: hours spent sitting without numb-butt, for a change. But, does slide around on the fabric: which is where the ties come in handy, hold it in place.

Overall– Four Stars: Could be fancier, but more than sufficient (for my pedestrian taste, basic needs).

I would love to tell you that I had fun mixing up all manner of cocktails to enjoy with all my friends… Trouble is, I cannot afford (more/ fancy) booze, nor fresh fruit/ juice, cocktail-mixes, and my friends don't come around here often (no more).

What I was able to do was mix up some ‘Instant Breakfast’ with almond milk. This worked great for that. [Such to stave off malnutrition: having lost ten (more) pounds in the past month-or-so. Sure would be nice if Vine offered us foodstuffs, full-meal-kits to review… *hint hint*]

Shaker– The mouth was wide enough to not spill while dumping in the powder, the tops stayed put while shaking (with a finger atop to hold them, of course). Cleaned easily. Makes a resounding ‘clang’ when struck with the spoon. A little bit flexible, which should help prevent damage if/ when dropped.

Liquid Pourer– Fit perfectly the mouth of my bottle of Kentucky Bourbon (for my health, to fight gut infections), but would appreciate if they included caps/plugs to keep the air out of the bottle (and to prevent spills).

Spoon– Beautiful, long, twisty. Nicely scrapes the inside-angles of the shaker (which was still wet when I added the powdered mix), the flat-end works well to scrape the bottom.

Ice Tongs– Grabs ice-cubes of various sizes nicely. Was slightly misaligned upon arrival, but then bent to line up the teeth. Not flimsy, too-bendy.

Jigger– Two-sided measuring cup. Still working out exactly how many scoops of powder is the perfect amount for how full I fill the shaker with ‘milk.’

Strainer– I have no need for this, but fits nicely inside the shaker-body, but will fall out if not held when turning/ pouring-out.

Muddler– I had to look up what this was (for) [my mind went another direction], alongside all the proper terminology herein. I have no need for this (no fruit/stuff to mash), but it is sturdy, well-built, nice ‘rubber’ masher on the bottom.

Overall– Five Stars: I am sure there are fancier (more expensive) Bartender Kits, but this works well, looks like it shall hold up for years of use.

One of the softest, warmest blankets I own. Trouble is, it is barely rectangular and too light to stay in place: found myself far too frequently readjusting the blanket while I slept, watched tv. There's no easy way to tell if that is a side or an end. Woke up more than a few times nuzzling my face into the tag-end of this blanket: having rotated itself 180°. Note: Tags belong at the bottom for blankets and towels, always: near the feet, not the face.

Even light top-sheets remain better orientated: you can tell, while half-asleep, what is a side versus an end. And it better stays/ lays that way even while restless. Better still: blankets, quilts, comforters. Further, this blanket is barely tall enough to tuck under my feet and have the other end reach my face. [5'9"]

If this were proper rectangular (rather than barely square) and heavier (to stay where you lay it over you) it would be far superior. Instead, I am constantly fidgeting it back into place, having to feel for the tag (no longer at the bottom, where it belongs) such to (re)turn it to the ‘right’ way.

It glows, but not for long. Cute idea, but effectively pointless. I could do without all the gamer (or any) designs. The color is good: but would be better if solid, uninterrupted by ‘noise.’

Overall– Three Stars: I cannot seem to get/ stay comfortable with this atop/ around me. Too bad: it sure is soft, warm.

Update– A Month Later… I tried sandwiching this blanket between the top-sheet and a thicker blanket: still it got all bunchy, clumpy, twisty: annoying me while I slept, requiring constant adjustment. As a blanket: fail. So instead, I used it as a window cover: at which it excels, doing well to hold in the heat (/back the cold) from my upstairs window: pictured: day/ night/ light/ dark.

I was secretly hoping this would be an entirely new fob: just pop out the guts from my scratched fob. But that's what I get for having expectations. This is a Cover, only. [Granted, I didn't look too closely at the product-page, was just glad to (finally) find an accessory for my ‘new’ twice-used car.]

Don't get me wrong, it looks great, but now that giant fob is even bigger. Add to that the u-bolt attached to the bottom, the spring-clamp and the leather-strap (which is rather classy, I'll give it that, albeit unnecessary) and it fills my pocket. Will have to remove most of that and find a smaller way to attach it to my keys.

Note– When are key-fobs going to start coming with flashlights built-in? It's a safety thing, not like it would take up a whole lot of room to add an LED bulb.

The front-cover fits perfectly over the fob: made of flexible material, the back-cover slips/ clicks into place (not perfectly: some bulging around the edges). Note: one cannot get at the emergency key without dismantling the whole thing. No scratches to the case, yet.

Overall– Four Stars: too bulky with all the metal hardware, but certainly looks better than how it did naked.

They are well-designed, interesting shapes, textures. Only a few errant printing-threads that had to be plucked off. The pieces all fit together whichever way you stick them (bonus points: as compared to others which only fit one-way). But, there is a slight color-shift (which I applaud) from green-to-yellow(ish) and red-to-yellow(ish) that becomes most noticeable if you put them together out-of-order (especially in natural light).

Would be nice if they clicked/ stayed together when you pull them up: instead, they fall back down. So, lift-and-drop rather than stay-up. Makes a nice (if that's your favored) sound/ grind when pulling on, twisting them.

But that simple motion got boring, quickly. Lost interest. Simply running my fingers over them did not hold my interest for long, either.

However now, I (finally) own Xmas Decorations… [Something my kid has been giving me crap for for years. The option always presented: "Do you want decorations or a gift this year?" Decorations never having been chosen.] Will bring them back out when the season is right.

Overall– Four Stars: for Design. Two Stars for Fidgeting. Three Stars for the Average.

The entire texture is rough, especially along the edges, needs better sanding. There was a noticeable gap in between two of the sections: pictured (outside and in). No, wait, that's filled with wood, not wood glue: even though it looks like that: though, they could have chosen a better-matched wood-color shim to not be quite so obvious.

The base was mediocre. There's one tiny screw poking up through the bottom to hold it together: which it fails to do. Has already shredded the hole in the bottom of the bucket, does not stay screwed in; while the casters slowly dig a trench into the bottom. The bucket wobble, wobble, wobble, clicks when spun anticlockwise; the other direction is acceptable, smooth(er). But, bump, nudge or lift the bucket and the bottom rests askew, falls off.

The size was bigger than I expected: holds lots of (shorter) stuff; longer items stick too far out/away. There's four drainage holes in the bottom: nice touch.

Overall– Three Stars: sand/ stain/ affix better and that could easily go up to Five.

Update– Looking back, this review might have come across a little harsh… I like the bucket, quite a bit, but it could use a little more (factory) spit/ polish to be perfect. This is great for any DIY-refinishers: a little effort and it can match the color-scheme of your kitchen/ dining area. Note: It also serves well to hold any tabletop bottles you commonly use: pictured.

It is kinda creepy, in a good way: if you ask me; in the not-good way: if you ask my child. Doubtful that was intentional. It looks like a Ring Wraith in disguise (at a yoga retreat). No face, hollow inside. [But that's just where my mind went first. Where does yours go?]

The coloration is excellent, slightly mottled: makes it look older/ wiser. The texture is smooth/ polished. The detail in the hand could be subtler/ finer. The drainage-hole(?) is appreciated, but would be preferred had it been centered/balanced (which mine wasn't, counter to the product-page picture): such to shine a light into (blacklight: pictured) or instead to perch atop an LED candle, or perhaps an incense burner…

I suppose it all depends in what light you (want/ choose to) see it through. Several possibilities I've pictured: go find your own. Still deciding where best to park this (to unsettle my child).

Five Stars: I love it.

I was hoping it would be made of metal, but that would increase the cost (of shipping). Made of plastic, which I should have expected. The chains are metal, though the eyelets are not evenly-faced: at different angles, which cheapens it just a little bit: glued/ painted in place, cannot be twisted to plumb. Sadly, nothing unscrews: top, plugs, base; cannot use it to hide stuff in (unless a hacksaw taken to it). Too bad, missed opportunity there.

The red paint-job is consistent on the hydrant, but does leak a little onto the top-bolts and the top-silver: pictured. The silver paint could be better: a little drippy/ thin in spots, can occasionally see some red beneath.

First thing I did was tape the bottom ‘hooks’ into the bottom so it would sit flat, otherwise they rattle, clack and unlevel the whole hydrant (pictured). Comes with mini tent-stakes to hold it in place, via the hooks, outside. But I'm not sure it'll end up out there. Had I a dog, perhaps? [Might give it to my child's other family, who do have a dog.]

For now, is sitting atop the toilet: pictured… That tickles me in all the right ways, thank you.

Overall– Four Stars: better attention to the paint-job, and turn it into a potential hidey-hole, please.

This frame is heavy (crack-a-skull-with-it heft): I like that (for some strange reason). Nice details, looks antique. I would give it as a gift.

It does take a bit of effort to securely close/ fit the back panel into the frame, being that it was applied crooked, but there it then stays. The satin-strap to keep the leg from opening too far is a nice touch. However, because the backside is crooked, the frame does wobble a bit (moreso in landscape) on its back-leg. The hanging-hooks are small: recommend small screw/ nail-heads to match. Note: if the frame is standing in front of a window, pinhole lights come through the hanging-hook holes. Minor nuisance, easily taped-over.

Pictured– "silencio befriends the ai (rather than being devoured by)"

Pictured– The backside-velvet arrived covered in ‘crap’ from the factory/ packaging, and was clearly affixed crooked. Minus One Star: pay closer attention during assembly, please.

Pictured– The back top-edge is not squared: adding rather than detracting (in my opinion) to the ‘handmade feel’ of the ‘wooden’(?: checking product-page… nope, resin: therefore not hand-carved) frame. [Though, other reviewers/ buyers would likely disagree with my opinion: might want to fix/ square that: such to not lose further stars.]

Overall– Four Stars: better if not (so) crooked.

I opened the box and my daughter started sneezing. [Nothing to worry about, merely a coincidence, I'm (fairly) sure.] The sound of my spinning the middle-part did annoy the crap outta her, too. [Curiouser…] Didn't try to get her to wear it though. [Don't wanna upset anything ‘repressed.’]

The cord is an unfamiliar texture: fabric tiny-knots, makes a satisfying(?) noise scraping a fingernail across, does absorb some water/ sweat (which quickly evaporates), tastes like nylon; has a brass bead that tightly holds the ends together, slide it to make longer/ shorter the hang, the ends are knotted, melted-in-place (but not scratchy).

The pendant has a fair amount of fine-detail: better than any other I've reviewed. Tastes like metal. Rolls easily between thumb and finger(s) or across your shirt, or can be spun freely (if you hold it right), nice feel for a fidget (rough, smooth and/ or pinchy: depending upon your preference). Red and green ‘jewels’ around the middle and a smaller red one on the bottom: nice touch. I could see the middle-part breaking if pressed/ bumped/ crushed hard enough (but that's just me being nitpicky).

Overall– Five Stars: cannot (yet) speak to its healing/ exorcising aspects, will need more time (/an actual demonic encounter: better avoided) with it to say more on that.

Later… My daughter reluctantly donned the necklace and then, merely for dramatic flair, faked(?) a conniption fit… That's my girl.

Note: This is a stream-of-consciousness/blindly-fiddling-around (the way I do most things) order-of-discovery Review (which normally I go back later and try to better-order)…

Side Buttons: Pressing Down is Next Track, pressing Up is Previous Track. That's wrong, right? At least not how (I think) I am used to it upon other music-players (including BRAND/ APP: where long-press volume to change tracks). I shall just have to adapt to this downward-wrong order of these track-change buttons.

Set the clock to 12-hour: yet still displays on the screen saver as 24-hour (being the only place you can find the time; wait, nope, is on the home screen too, which there is AM/ PM). If the screen saver is set to Clock (versus Normal: which means no screen saver), upon pressing power to wake the screen, the screen/ time/ date-saver is shown and the screen has to be tapped to get past it, every time.

Put on the protective case, thanks for (not making us separately buy) that. Easy enough to install, remove, provides nice padding/ protection to the back/ sides of the player, adding only minimal weight/ bulk.

Lanyard: At first I thought it hung too low (no way to adjust), but I have found I can just barely, at that distance, read it well enough without my glasses to find/ play music (though it is blurry: yet navigable given how familiar the Artist/ Album Names are to me). It is light/ small enough that you do not really notice it hanging around your neck (even less-so under your shirt: though people will assuredly spot it beneath (be more likely to comment than if it is out in the open)?), until you start walking: then it bounces off your belly, swings with your swagger. The headphone jack is on the bottom, which is where best it could have been as it hangs upside-down: being the right way for turning rightside-up to read/ use it.

Volume Level: Goes significantly higher than one could possibly listen to it (on wired headphones: but perhaps that's a different story over BT, as most-other music-devices tend to present themselves at different volumes per in/ output-selected). [Reminder-to-self: look into that, later. Answer, Later: lower-volume is better the same as headphones, as the sound starts to distort above volume 5. No, wait: volume-independent are the player and the speaker: changing volume on the speaker does not adjust on the player (nor elsewise).] But there's not nearly enough Low(er) Volume-settings (on wired; yet better on BT, it turns out). I find myself setting it at 3 for normal listening, not much room to go down from there: too dramatic of a volume-shift going quiet(er): can make it harder to find the perfect/ comfortable level… However, Volume 1 seems to be almost good/ low enough for dozing-off while listening (yet uncomfortable while wearing headphones)… Does this have a Sleep Timer? [Answer: No, too bad: missed opportunity, standard feature.]

Battery (out-of-the-box): Down one quarter(ish) after 10 minutes of fiddling with the screen, settings, loading up 8gb worth of mp3, and about 20 minutes of playing music (at vol 3). But, there's no actual battery percentage anywhere (in Settings, typically) to show the exact amount left (nor timers for how-long-played since last-charged): to better track battery-life, presenting only as the tiny icon in the top-right (which is vague, at best).

Note: Took about a minute to load/ sort 8gb of Albums, then ran the reload again for Singers (aka Artists), then Genre(?: nope, not a sort-option, sadly), haven't yet tried All Music… [Answer: Doesn't have to reload every time to go back to pick-your-sort: once-through is all each sort-order requires.]

Recorder: Sound wasn't great, rather staticky. Where's the microphone on this thing? I cannot seem to spot it. [Answer, the next day, in the light: no detectable pinhole for the microphone: that explains it.] Note: this was at High Quality Setting: being less than stellar, yet passable. Can either click the layers-looking icon to Save, or simply press Back and it will confirm Save/ Delete.

Pictures: It found every folder.jpg on the SD (yet some it fails to render). Swipe left for Next, right for Previous. Album Art being about the best you could hope to be able to see on this tiny screen (which, for some reason: it does not show as the background on Now Playing (all of which mp3s have their album art metatagged within, too), why not?)… Trouble is, there is no tap/ swipe to exit back out: had to fully power-off-button the player to finally get out of Pictures. [Update: music abruptly stops while scrolling through pictures (difficulty multitasking much?). Oh, duh, swipe up to exit-out.]

Note: It remembers where last you left off musically, down to the second: if you power-off (completely) and back on and then click Music>Last Played.

Playback: By default, it plays albums on Repeat All. Tap that icon until it is two right-arrows if you want it to stop playing at the end of an album (which is usually how I prefer it).

Playback Quality: It sounds as good as whatever the quality of your mp3s… Better quality sounds better but uses more battery in return.

Query: Can you use wired headsets to function as external microphone? [Answer, investigated the next day: unclear, sounded the same either way. Note: plugging in head-set/ phones does not stop BT output, have to manually Home>Apps>BT>Off to switch between; then must manually Home>Apps>BT>Connected Devices>Connect to reconnect… Disappointing, fix that please?]

It is about the same size as my old Sansa Clip+: in which the battery has finally died. It being what I use(d) when out in the yard/ barn/ firepit, at the grill, mowing the lawn, stacking firewood: as I do not carry/ keep my telephone around with me (even while indoors). I appreciate finally having a replacement to suit that musical purpose/ void.

Note: The screen does not wake while changing tracks using the side-buttons nor when changing volume: which is appreciated (I wish my car stereo-screen paid that same consideration of staying-off).

USB-Micro: Minus One Star: It was a terrible plug/ jack when it came out 18 years ago: please, let's be done with it, move on already.

Note: It occasionally seems to have some trouble with what order to put things in… Some Albums show the tracks out of order (only one or two I found: perhaps the FileNames are out-of-order?); and Albums-sort has the lowercase 'a's (and presumably other lowercase letters) and upper/ lower 'æ's on the final, rather than the first, page. Not mission-critical, just annoying (please fix?).

The mp3s on this 8gb Micro-SD I took from my old Sansa are 128k. I wasn't then going for the best quality, and SD's (capacities) used to be far smaller back when I bought it (in the digital dark-ages). So, I will plug this device straight into the computer, with its included 32gb SD instead and transfer over my (preferential) 192-360k VBR mp3s. Will apprise: tomorrow (or the next day) when/ if I get around to it…

Queries: Can it handle .flac? When it comes to battery versus quality: how much better is it going to sound as flac than 320k VBR, really (what's the BT-bitrate cutoff anyway)? [Perhaps I'll look into that sometime, but probably not.] [Answer, later: having finally cracked the (unhelpful) instructions sheet… flac: yes, BT: v5.0 (for whatever that's worth in bitrate), battery: 300mAh.] [While here, time to see what else is in the box: USB-Micro cable (gross), wired earbuds (not headset) with three sizes of earplugs, an extra screen protector (firm/ thick, rather than the flimsy one it arrived wearing): decent accessories.]

It can be a bit ‘futzy’ getting all the way back to Home from the Now Playing (or several layers deep into Music) screen: lots of tapping the Back button (in the top-left)… Oh wait, there it is: on Now Playing, tap ‘hamburger,’ first option: Main Page. Note: if you screen-off while in this menu, that is where the screen will come back to when screen-on'd (I found-out when it timed-out).

Variable Speed Playback: A menu-option or an icon on Now Playing… Fun to play with, both positive and negative up-to-9x speeds, but got old quick. I'm sure it would be helpful for speeding-up audiobooks (presuming anybody ‘reads’ anymore).

Playback Mode: Loop All, Shuffle, Loop Single, Repeat Off. So that's what those icons stand for on Now Playing. Yet another way to get at those settings: appreciated (not that I ever use them).

EQ Sound Effect: Pop, Rock, Jazz, Classical… You know, the standards (always missing Metal): none of which I ever use (as they distort/ destroy the intended sound).

Note: All listening (so far) done through my wired $10 BRAND "can" headphones: which sound great, btw. Will have to try earbuds (which hurt my ears, so rarely do I use) and BT (which I don't like beaming inside my head/ phones) to the battery-powered mini-soundbar (I keep around for power-outages), tomorrow. [Tomorrow: earbuds sound okay, but I prefer headphones; BT-soundbar: sounds okay, once I lowered the (independent) speaker-volume and then raised the player-volume which remedied the distortion-effects: it'll do for when next/ again there's a neighborhood blackout (being about the only time I use BT).]

Update: The battery-bar is now down to what looks like one-quarter(ish): being halfway through the third album-played (at vol 6 for the past 30-or-so minutes just to see how that ‘feels’), fiddling around for a few minutes here/ there with the Settings between writing about things, being even more minutes of late…

Time to put this away for the night: it is interfering with my tv-watching: having been on pause for 60 minutes now (trying to pay attention to too many things at once). Good night.

Naturally, I came back to it awhile later (as my brain kept positing questions) and fiddled around for another 60-or-so minutes, at vol 6: the battery still reads (I think) one-quarter. Now, back to stupid-tv-watching: such to shut off my stupid-brain for the night…

Reminder-to-self: Check if Albums are subset to Artists-sort. Only so far played music as/ through Albums (being how I listen to my music, how do you?)… [Answer: Nope. Artists show All Songs in Alphabetical FileName-Order only, no subdivision by Album: causing stuff to play back all out of whack. Were I the vindictive/ petty sort: I would knock-off another star just for that: but I'm not so I won't.]

Next Day–
Went back and answered the questions left-over from yesterday… What else am I missing? Other Home Icons:

FM: Works, can auto-scan to assign presets or manually tune-in and preset-set. Helpful for if you cannot receive a station here, but can there, yet don't want to auto-scan (reassigning the presets when there: as far-too-many other (cheap) FM-capable players force you to).

Alarm: Not going to play with that. Last thing I need is another device beeping/ screaming at me. [My telephone being the only Alarmed device: always informing me when I need to be where with plenty of heads-up beforehand to get cleaned-up, ready, and get there with time to spare.]

Folder: Lets you get at Recordings, and Music subsets of: Audiobooks, Music (again, which the filenames are all out-of-whack), Podcasts, Playlists.

Apps: Bluetooth, Timer (count-up only), Calendar (month view, highlights today in blue to start; can swipe between months but then forgets what today is; can tap any day to highlight it blue, which accomplishes nothing).

Settings: I won't bore you with all that… Suffice it to say: not bad, I've certainly seen worse. Plenty enough to toggle.

Update, Battery Life: still at one-quarter(ish) after two hours of extensively diddling around with the screen mostly on, while broadcasting/ playing over BT (mostly at vol 5). Respectable.

Car: Perhaps eventually I'll plug it into the car to see how it functions as a USB-drive. But don't hold your breath on that one.

Overall– Four Stars: small, decent battery, plays my music (however it best suits the situation), lets me record any important conversations (being an Accessibility Accommodation I occasionally require). Thank you.

Update– Further Notes…

Artist and Album Names do not sideways-scroll (you only see what fits in the width of the screen); Track Filenames(.ext) do scroll (all start scrolling at once, even those on the following pages: therefore have to wait for the start of the name to come back around (none of which line up as each filename has a different length): rather than starting scrolling only when accessing that page; must use the up/ down icon-buttons to change screens: rather than swipe… though, Music sort-screen scrolls via up/ down-swipe (not buttons, same as does Settings) but not the other screens. [You'll adapt, but figured was worth mentioning the display-discrepancy. Perchance add some Scroll Options in Settings?]

Now Playing screen: there's room enough here for rows each of Artist/ Album/ Title (which here too it instead displays as one-line-scrolling filename.ext), would prefer it not to scroll, or better, read/ display the metatags (rather than filename). Showing the Album Art as background here would be nice too (rather than the vinyl LP backdrop it defaults to).

Home: Would prefer the ability to reorder the icons/ shortcuts: if for nothing else than putting Music and (App>)BT right next to each other.

Nuisance: I had to rename each filename as "artist- (album-) track##- title.mp3" to ensure they (dis)play in correct/ sensical artist/ album/ track order. [Using app ‘mp3tag’ to accomplish, quickly.]

Battery: Lasted another 5 hours over BT (with minimal screen-on time, placed under a foot apart). Plugged it into the computer to transfer-over 3000+ mp3s: took about an hour; battery level went up to around three-quarters.

Updates– A Week (or so) Later: a few more thoughts occurred to me…

Replay Gain: Track/ Album: not an option, sadly. When playing a diverse mix (/miscellany folder): track-gain would help level-out the significant volume variations that can be found, otherwise stick to album-gain for consistency. [Make it a hamburger-menu option on Now Playing for quick access, please?]

Built-in Speaker: Not great, not tragic. Good enough to quick-listen to a clip or a song (if quality not your desire).

Sleep Mode exists (in theory): called "Timed Shutdown," there's also something called "Power Saving Shutdown," neither of which seem to do anything.

Pressing the side (nor volume) buttons does not change/ scroll screens on Settings, Artists/ Albums/ Songs: only changes Now Playing tracks (/volume). [Too bad.]

Mix or Soundtrack Filenames (for proper order/ display): track##- artist- title.mp3 [Again, if Now Playing showed the metatags rather than filenames…]

The case is nice. The coloration is classy. Decently sanded and stained. Magnetic clasps to hold it shut.

The instructions are appreciated, if overly complicated. I read them, my daughter read them, my mother read them… We decided to play our own ways. Don't make us do real math. Tried playing by each of us drawing a card and moving that many spaces, tried each drawing a card and only the highest card among us moved that many spaces (if the highest numbers match, both move half the (rounded-down) number of spaces), tried drawing two each and subtracting the lowest from the highest for how many spaces… Dug out a ten-sided die: roll your number, perfect. No way I could get a kid (these days) to sit still for the 60 minutes the instructions say a single game lasts. [Might consider adding dice to the set for those who don't much care/ want to take the time to play the old-timey way.] Make your own rules, find your own fun.

The playing cards are decent. Brand new, so took some time to break them in. Got better after the dozenth-or-so shuffle.

The pegs are nice, metal. Better than the old plastic ones that used to break. They insert about halfway into the holes, do not click into place, if only dropped into place they can fall out if the case is opened or moved around carelessly. Push down firmly and they stay stuck. Good enough.

The inside is velvety foam with cutouts for the cards and the pegs. Note: if a deck of cards are still inside, it can interfere with the pegs, as the deck presses against the underside of the gameboard.

Overall– Five Stars: nothing did I find merits knocking off a star. Good enough.

It is comfortable, soft, molds/ melts into your back. Works better on a full-backed chair/ sofa as there's no way (/straps) to hold it in place otherwise. Can further push one towards the front edge of the chair, as it is thick: didn't work well with my open-backed office chair. Nicely hugs the love-handles. Doesn't get too warm. Note: occasionally the bottom-clasp (I presume for folding it in half for travel?) does poke me right between the cheeks.

My back/ neck was a bit wonky those first few days I switched to this lumbar-support (on my sofa) as often happens when changing up your support-system. [But then again, I had (foolishly) tried to hang a ceiling fan, got hurt.] Now, I feel better than with my previous lumbar-support pillow (which now resides upon my ‘thinking chair’). Though, it does move around on me more than the other.

Pictured– How I survive spending half the day just sitting there: being about all I can handle/ afford doing, half the time.

Overall– Four Stars: could use some way to stay put rather than relying on your back pressing/ holding it in place.

It arrived smooshed, crumpled down upon itself (sorry, didn't think to take a picture of that). Spent some time fluffing it back out/ up. Pictured: current configuration. [Note: photos don't do it justice, it looks far better than I managed to capture it, tried though I did.]

The base is a slice of petrified wood, has a hole drilled in the smallest end, perhaps intended originally to be a (gaudy) pendant? The base glue-job was a little sloppy, gloppy, stringy. Pictured: hard(er) to see in 2D.

The copper tree and branches look nice, but could see that growing greener over time: might look good. Some might obsess over twisting the wires tighter/ looser together, bending it just the right this/ that-way. But it doesn't bother me, how it is shaped now is good enough. Just have to figure out where best to put this tree-of-life.

There's no ‘energy’ feel to this: it is an inert decoration. Perhaps that will change over time the more it is handled, the more ambient energy it absorbs? [Or maybe I should try plugging it in?]

Overall– Four Stars: for no reason other than it ‘feels’ like nothing… hoping that will change.

I am not new to a straight razor. Twenty years ago I was given a Dovo (brand) Shavette kit. I have used it ever since: overall costing me only two $5 boxes of blades so far and a new can of shaving cream every six-or-so months… Significantly cheaper than disposable cartridges. Mind you: I only shave three times a week. I do not like the feel of electric razors: but it has been more than a decade since last I tried.

I have tried six times now to use this new razor: it hurts, it catches on every hair, bump and leaves me with razor burn. I have tried adjusting the angle, direction, pressure… Ow, no matter what. Never making it more than a few scrapes before giving up: not wanting to slash my face. I vaguely recall having similar trouble adapting to the previous razor, but that was long ago… I shall keep trying, but results thus far are far from encouraging.

The weight-balance is all wrong. The blade-end weighs significantly more than the (cheap) plastic handle: not good. [The Dovo, made of plastic and light metal, is perfectly balanced at the finger-hold, unlike this Bangmeng.] Perhaps that's why I cannot seem to shave right with this thing..?

Note– The Manufacturer does not (yet) sell replacement blades for this razor. I found some by another that might fit (but probably not) at $16 for 20 blades… Far more expensive than the $5 for 100 blades that fit most other shavettes.

Overall– Two Stars: for the custom/ unique/ expensive blades, for the poor balance, for the fact that it hurts. Will keep trying, let you know if the verdict swings more positive. Trouble is, I never see myself switching to this razor. I would recommend the Dovo brand shavette for those who want to spend less and get an excellent shave. Trouble is, there are none currently available on Amazon…

The teapot arrived damaged, pictured: at which point I lost interest and have been putting off reviewing this for a few weeks. It was well packaged, so methinks the damage occurred before it was closed/ shipped: shoddy inspection work there…

The pot-cover is sharp in places around the edges: could cut yourself if not careful. The cover is well-rounded/ shaped: however, the teapot and larger cup are not and the cover does not sit right, pictured (as best I could). Sits wonky, looks cheap…

The small cups were all smooth, no lip-slicing edges. Only one had a ceramic-bubble flaw. Nice size: if tiny is your preference. Roughly the same size as a shotglass. Nice weight balance, sipping, though…

The foam cutout all the pieces sit in (to protect during transport) seat the cups too close together: they rattle/ tink against one another…

The metal carry-case cover is slightly smaller than the space inside it is supposed to sit, leaving it to slide, rattle around while moved. This cover presses/ wobbles against the teapot: being just slightly taller than the lip-edge the cover is supposed to rest upon instead…

The case is made of that same cheap, diner booster-seat plastic, same texture too. I don't like that, either…

Overall– Two Stars: too many (underthought) things/ flaws that annoy. Too bad, could have been great.

The back corner was dented, the seam split wide enough to fit a toothpick (pictured). [The box it arrived in was unmarred, the damage occurring prior to boxing: lousy quality control, should never have been sold.] A discouraging start…

Set the safe on the table, got out the key, popped open the door, which weighs more than the safe itself, the weight imbalance caused the entire safe to tip over: fortunately, I awkwardly caught it before it could fall to the floor and fracture my foot. A discouraging second-start…

Light was coming in through the back corner: pictured. At which point I wrote this entire product off as a bad idea. Yet still: KBO…

Slipped off the battery cover, takes 4 AAs: seems excessive for what little it does. Took half a dozen tries to slip the battery cover back on: poorly designed, pinched my fingers and swore at it a few times. Held the reset button, set a new code, closed the door, turned the knob, two seconds later a click-shunk sounded letting me know it was locked. Punched in the new code: shunk-click it sounded, turned the knob, opened. Again, it toppled forward, but this time it was sitting further back on the table such to not threaten my feet (yet still the sharp corner scratched my table).

It will fit a jewelry box not much wider than 8 inches, papers folded in half; stacks of cash, a few handguns, drugs… I presume. Not much space, this being on the smaller side. The carpet was bunchy, cheap, flimsy, scratchy, doesn't stay in place.

I don't like it, I don't trust it. Given that a single ding to the corner was enough to bust a seam: I cannot call this ‘secure.’ The metal is weak: I wouldn't trust it to hold up to being affixed to a wall/ floor when a crowbar is taken to it… It would pop right off, then they could walk away with it. I suspect a simple sledgehammer-whack could crack it like an egg.

I gave this to my kid to stick in their closet to hold their candy, so I won't eat it… pictured, being about all it is good for.

Overall– Two Stars: it's crap.

Better than the other ‘breather’ pendant I reviewed. Barely tastes like metal. The weight is good for holding between (/distracting) your lips, the shape matches many vape-tips: feels familiar. The gasket between the segments sticks out: annoying. Makes a satisfying zipper-pull sound when sliding it across the chain. The chain is okay, doesn't get snagged in hair, tastes a bit like dirty metal; has two clasping-loops, the shorter leaves some chain dangling down the back of your neck, which I hate.

The included filters are shorter than the space inside: moves forward/ back when you breathe in, blow out, a slight click sound. Increases the resistance just a little, better than those without, but not nearly enough: the filter is smaller around than the space it fails to fill, doesn't sit properly inside the tip, allowing air to get around it: could be way better: Minus One Star. Note: 5.3mm (super-slim) filters perfectly fit the interior dimensions, providing the expected/ familiar resistance this was intended to, but failed.

It looks okay, I suppose: couldn't tell you how to make it look better, unless perhaps they made it look more bullet-like (which it slightly resembles)? The tip already has some scratches from a minimal amount of usage: Minus One Star.

If the breathing resistance were better, it might better help quell my cravings. As it is, if anything, the filter ‘dancing’ inside annoys me more than than it helps.

Overall– Three Stars: use better-fitting 5.3mm filters.

Assembly was easy. Getting everything spaced properly took a few tries. The entire rack can be carried while full, the metal is assuredly strong enough. Note: if your pans have handles sticking out the front, they sit higher up in the rack. Easy to adjust the rack-spacers. Far better-looking than having the pans stacked and the covers all over the place.

Pictured, Note– Everything there is old enough to drink. These pans have held up well.

Overall– Five Stars: helpful, thanks. Would recommend.

Notes– The twist-ties are twisted backwards: lefty tighty, righty loosey. Each emitter comes with a small sticky in the bag, easily lost. The main receiver comes with two bigger stickies. All the cables are thin and the same length: sufficient (perhaps too long: but can always be snipped, shortened, stripped, soldered to the perfect length).

I needed a new IR Repeater for out in the barn: where all my old electronics live out the rest of their days. The old repeater was 20 years old, hadn't worked in years: (un)fortunately, I haven't spent any time in the barn for years. The receiver went in the downstairs, hung up near the ceiling. From most any angle in the downstairs it received/ relayed signals (except from directly beneath). Used an old headphone extension cable to reach where I stuck the repeater (upstairs), being just far enough away from the receiver.

The emitters I stuck to the 25+year-old Radio Shack amp and cd changer (point in fact, I simply replugged the old emitter from the changer into the new repeater), and dvd player (for mp3 dvds). Mostly, I use the old iPod (dock) to supply the music (no IR there, sadly). The old RS remotes had finally crapped out (having sat with leaky batteries for years), fortunately, I still had an old universal IR remote that was easily programmed to suit the purpose (of operating most of the devices).

Installation was easy, didn't even need the instructions (though, I went back and checked later: sufficient/ informative, same as on the product-page).

Overall– Five Stars: thanks.

The butane-level window can only be told how full it is when upside down, when rightside up it appears empty: however, it cannot always seem to make up its mind as to just how full it is, indicating a different level nearly every time it is turned over. Refilling is standard, easy.

Finding just the right flame-height, so it will light (first time, every time) can be a bit tricksy: I found it best to set it to highest then slowly turn the dial incrementally down to find the lowest height at which it will still light (first time); if the flow is too low, it won't light, except perhaps around the fourth (or more) time. A bit more fire comes flaming out of it than I would prefer (for lighting RYOs) but that was the minimum height required to reliably light. Note: the clack of the lighter-slider is louder than it need be to trigger the fire. (But I've gotten used to that.)

The weight is excellent, for holding. More than I would want to carry in a pocket (which I haven't done in more than a decade), as it is a bit bulky. It sits well, sturdy, doesn't topple easily. The feel is excellent: slightly textured, slightly angled around the edges; the thumb-notch is just the right shape/ texture.

I cannot speak to how well it works with cigars: as I don't smoke those, but I've no doubt the flame gets hot enough to light them. Same problem with the v-cutter: I suspect it would work okay, but I'm not going out and buying something that will only make me sick just to test that.

Overall– Five Stars: excellent lighter, for whatever your smokables.

I hadn't sharpened my knives in a while: this did a fantastic job. [Now if only I could afford steak, to test them out.]

The instructions were weak, interchanged the terms knife and scissors, didn't specifically tell you how to sharpen scissors: though easy enough to figure out.

The base is thick, solid, sits nicely upon a surface for sharpening, has some textured pads/ feet to keep it in place, wobbles a little back/ forth but not side/ side. Three grades of sharpening, compared to the two of my others. The coarse setting is adjustable to best fit your blade.

Notes– The stainless steel can get a bit fingerprinty. The stones will discolor a little bit the more they are used. Not for serrated blades. Looks like it will last for decades.

Overall– Five Stars: sharpen precisely how much/ little your blades need.

It works, it hangs swords, looks okay (from not up-close), it'll do. But, cheaply so. If you're looking for fancy, look elsewhere.

Pictured– Most of those swords are decades old, (I went through a phase,) some inherited, been sitting out in the barn collecting dust/ rust. I figured I might as well have something proper to hang them upon, finally.

Wall hangers– 13 3/16ths inches apart, nonstandard. The hanger included nails and drywall anchors. The hanger-holes are smaller than a standard drywall screw-head.

Craftsmanship– Hasty. Nobody bothered to sand/ file the design cutouts: splintery, rough. Some of the paint had already scraped off. The velvety strips: only one was crumply, but most weren't properly set (using cheap glue) into the crook of the wood and they move around, letting in dust: I foresee those coming off (in less than a year) after repeated lifting/ setting of the swords.

Overall– Three Stars: simple/ better attention to detail would have improved the rating.

The wood is splintery, poorly sanded, stained. The feet are thin rails of wood that wobble. [Might recommend affixing adjustable feet at the outer corners to better stabilize.]

Stick holders: 1 5/16th inches across: if your stick back-ends are fatter than that, they won't fit. The holes were not sanded, stained: can scratch at your sticks as they are inserted/ removed.

It works, holds all your stuff, doesn't look (too) terrible, but not what I would call fancy. The whole thing arrived (saw)dusty. That's all I have to say about that.

[Note: I haven't been able to shoot pool for over a decade now: leaning, reaching aggravate my disabilities. My pool table out in the barn is covered in boxes, having run out of floor space.]

Overall– Two Stars: better attention to detail, properly sanded/ stained, a sturdier footing and it would have been better.

This product arrived in the middle of the month, which means there's nothing (as intended/ designed) I can do with it until next month, when my SSDI/EBT money comes in.

In the meantime…

Side-Note– I haven't been in a (realistic) position to afford not-from-concentrate ‘orange’ (including most other fruits) for more than a year now: I drink my fruits and vegetables (to stave off suffering malnutrition, again): I have lost twenty-five pounds since joining Vine (nearly six months ago*): my food-budget is factored upon ‘greatest odds of survivability’ (wherein fresh/ quality/ organic/ healthy = not-an-option).

Side-Note 2– Were I to buy a bagful of oranges: thereby would be blown my entire monthly fruit(-juice) budget… every day, I take a swig (only the one, of mixed-varietal juices) trying to meet my minimum-dose ‘necessity’: which just barely gets me through another month (as merely a bag of oranges wouldn't: as just-so-happened with the bananas and strawberries I bought solely to review a blender, previously: having proven detrimental to my overall fruit-and-veggie budget/ health, that month: striving for ‘something better’)… same situation for most vegetables: being generally cheaper (with longer-lasting shelf-life: both before- and after-bought/ opened) in liquid-form… certain always to buy only ‘100% (from-concentrate-) Juice’ options, naturally.

*Side-Note 3– There's plenty of new/ revised food(stuff)s being produced out there, clamoring for feedback: perhaps even willing to give away (to needy/ wordy folks) a few bags/ boxes/ cans in return… [Amazon, happen to know anyone? Every day here on Vine there's a mountain of free stuff, ours for the taking in return for but an ‘honest’ review: yet nary a morsel of (human) food to be found (unless willing to count supplements, remedies, relievers)…] Please, feed me/us? [Through here's as good a platform as any to generate/ distribute feedback/ goodwill.]

Getting back to the purpose/ point here…

This peeler is fun to fiddle-flip between your fingers. Has excellent grip with all the ridges along its (perfect hand-)length. Works most excellently as a toothpick, fingernail-cleaner, what with the hook-ends. The slight-angled (metal-tasting) ‘blade’ works well as a tongue-scraper, as it is not sharp but ‘edged’: which I do suspect shall be perfect for peeling/ skinning… I can almost taste/ smell/ feel those fresh oranges, though not quite yet. […focus upon something else: For Queen and Country: yeah, that'll have to do…]

Next Month…

…will apprise when (/if?) I get (t)here…

It is a good size, color, shape, the bubbles are a nice touch.

Using more-yellow bulbs tend to wash out the blues. A whiter-light looks better if brighter-blue is your measure. The bulb is easily seen through the glass, so choose a shape/ color you prefer to see. Pictured bulbs: Edison, candle, pineapple, standard. [I'm sticking with pineapple awhile: something about that combo ‘warms’ me best.]

I didn't have to change out the bracket, cord, hanger (all of which were decent quality): it uses a standard-size adapter to hold the glass-pendant. That sure was nice not having to wire/ hang a whole new light (precariously perched upon an unsteady step-ladder, teetering above a steep stairwell), for once.

Overall– Five Stars: no product-notes.

<ASIDE> Amazon, Vine,
Final Note– For any/ all reviews herein that didn't receive an (additional) update or picture: it was probably already put-away somewhere (I cannot presently locate, or feeling too lazy to go and find), or in a box inside a bigger box (taped-shut, way) out in the barn (awaiting its inevitable expulsion from Purgatory), or having already ‘met its maker’ at the dump-crusher (merely a few of which beforehand smashed underfoot: most deservedly), or simply had I nothing nice left to say, or got bored and gave up somewhere along my (meandering) way: that particular product seemingly not meriting a second (/third) thought. [Try not to overthink it, if you can(not) help it.]

Be well.
~silencio

ps. Time to put the digital down for the day: my hands hurt.

pps. Please, may I have a public-permalink to all my Silver Reviews? Might/ perhaps look good/ productive upon my résumé: whatever the ‘final outcome’ here may be (of this six-month ‘intern/ fellow-ship’)? </ASIDE>

The instructions do not say how much wood chips to put in, so naturally, I started with only but a few, over a glass of water… No smoke. Tried a few times, watching the battery drop by 3-5% every time I ran it. Okay… Let's try adding more so the wood reaches the mini-taser/ burner… [Note: do not touch the taser while it's running: will hurt/ zap you most unpleasantly.] Half-filled the ‘net basket,’ ran again: there's the smoke… oh crap, lots of smoke… oh crap, the smoke detector: removed that from the room before it could be set off (as assuredly it would have). Opened the door and stepped outside before removing the smoker from the top of the glass, blew out the smoke (most of which went into my face), sipped the water: didn't taste any different.

Note– The instructions do not say how long to leave your drinks to steep in the smoke. Tried again, let it smoke in oak for a minute (pictured)… there's the smoky flavor: not dissimilar to an ashtray. Pecan tasted better, while still with hints of smoked-butts. After two glasses of smoky-water, my lips started to tingle.

Note– The ‘atmosphere lights’ do not remember which setting they were last set on and start back from the beginning: cycling through. Minus One Star: have to hold the button down two seconds to shut them off, or tap your way through the options to your preferred color, every single time.

Note– The top lines-up (to lock in place) precisely with the washable tray (‘net basket’) in only one orientation: indicated by only a tiny white vertical line on the bottom tray. Minus One Star: rude (I had to put on my glasses just to see it). Upon further/ closer inspection: it can lock into place in four different positions (only one of which is indicated): Plus One-Half Star.

Also, it came with three little one-side thermal-sheet, other-side felt-threaded ‘discs’ which the instructions (and packing list) fail to mention, indicate their purpose, intended placement. [Upon initial disassembly, one of those dics was in the metal ‘burn tray.’] I would have to guess the melty-side shouldn't go near the taser (or anything flammable that doesn't belong there)… without testing that. Minus One Star: tell us what/ where each piece is for. Also included were a tiny spoon, a metal-whisk brush and a short USB-C cable.

Later in the day, when no longer was it too-early to start drinking, I poured one-finger of cheap whiskey (being all I have left, can afford, for booze), tried again, with apple… Meh. Yeah, it was smokier, but not worth the effort/ taste, in my pedestrian opinion.

The wood chips all smell the same inside their tins, and only slightly different whence smoked. Then again, my sense of smell/ taste is not what I would call ‘snobby’ (of the level of those who would buy a product such as this just to make their cocktails seem/ smell/ taste even fancier).

Overall– Two.Five Stars: underthought design/ instructions, minimal (beneficial) difference in drink-taste. [Or perhaps had I ‘froofy’ drinks the smoke-taste (which mostly is rather-smelled/ inhaled) there would make a difference?]

Warm but not stifling. Big(ger than I would prefer) and a bit bulky. The ear-flaps do keep the side of your face warm, but look a bit odd. When folded-up underneath, the flaps further bulk-out the hat, especially if not precisely lined up with the over-fold of the hat (which must remain at the width it is, elsewise the flaps stick out/ up). I tried stuffing (inverted, rather than folding) them up inside the fold of the hat: just made it bulkier.

Don't get me wrong, this will be most excellent for when the weather is bitter-cold: if you don't mind your head looking bigger/ taller/ fatter than it is.

Note– The logo has to always be at the right side, otherwise if front-facing the (folded) flaps sit all wrong on your head, and the seam will sit across the front of your forehead if aligned leftwise.

And then I put this hat on my daughter: whom it fit perfectly. The problem here seems to be my big head, not the product's.

Overall– Four Stars: excellent idea for holding back the cold, but a bit awkward of a (flaps-) fit for bigger heads.