The $150 Mug Review - Ember Temperature Control Mug

The Best NiMH Battery Charger for Home

Mophie Juice Pack Wireless Charge Force Review

Quick First Look Hands On Review of Mophie Juice Pack Wireless and Charging Base

A video posted by Mike Mu (@mikemuonline) on Aug 18, 2016 at 1:22pm PDT

Let's just get it out of the way, the Mophie Juice Pack Wireless is the best implementation of the Qi Wireless standard and battery pack together all-in-one that I've ever tested.  It solves several issues for me:

1. Extended battery life.
2. Charges with sufficient power to handle GPS and charging battery at same time.
3. Qi and Powermat Charging compatible.

To my knowledge, its currently the only product on the market capable of doing the three things above, for that alone its worth a 'recommended' from me.

However, its not perfect.  One annoying thing is that in a quiet room, with the phone next to you charging from the battery or Qi or both I hear an electric pulsing sound.  It is annoying enough that I don't want it charging next to me in my home office.  I think this will go away with age (of the user) and the ability to hear higher frequencies.  I really don't know if its a defect with mine or if they are all like that as I don't hear anybody else complaining about this in any other review.  I will write Mophie about this and see what they say.

Second thing I see a lot of reviewers have issue with is the magnetic mount.  You have to get their system in order to have it mount properly.  That means either the desk mount, or the car mount (at the time of this review).  The included base does not have enough magnetic properties to mount on the wall and that is by design.  If the magnets in the base were as strong as those on the car/desk mount, you'd life the base right up ever time.

The above two mounts should work just fine.  I bought the desk mount, and converted it to a car mount / desk mount hybrid by using it with an Ottie system so that mine attaches via suction cup and microsuction to surfaces and windshields.  The case itself has some magnets, which then align with the magnets in the Mophie mounts to create a solid magnetic connection.  Having used it the past 2-3 weeks now, it works as advertised.

One final thing is that the kit does not come with an AC Adapter to USB that works with it.  You need to find and use your own, and the one from the iPhone will not cut it.  Get an iPad capable one, that puts out 2 Amps and you will be fine.

DJI Osmo Battery Extender for Inspire Batteries

DJI Osmo Battery Extender and Inspire Cable by mikemuonline

If you already own another DJI product such as the Phantom 3 drone, Phantom for drone, DJI gimbal stabilizer, or a DJI inspire drone, you might want to consider getting the DJI Osmo battery extender for your Osmo stabilizer.

The battery life of the DJI Osmo leaves a lot to be desired. I get roughly one hour of use the way that I use it and then I get battery anxiety because I only have 2 batteries right now. Each battery roughly runs about $35 from DJI plus tax brings it up to about $40.

I already have batteries for my DJI inspire drone, and while they are more expensive they should give me a full day of shooting with my Osmo at 100 W hours for the TB 47, and more for the TB 48.  The main thing that I have an issue with is the cable adapter that plugs into my DJI inspire battery is fairly loose. There is no locking mechanism to ensure that it remains plugged in while shooting. Nor is there a backup system within the adapter that allows it to save the recording should the power suddenly cut out.

It looks like at this point in time I'm going to have to use gaffer's tape or some sort of rubber band to ensure that it doesn't happen while I'm recording.

Samsung Level Box Bluetooth Speaker Review

Samsung Level Box Bluetooth Wireless Speaker... by mikemuonline

Part 2: 

Samsung Level Box Bluetooth Wireless Speaker... by mikemuonline

Lynktec 360 Tablet Kickstand Review

Lynktec 360 Tablet Kickstand Review by mikemuonline

This is easily the best semi-permanent, cleanly removable, tablet stand that I've used in recent months.  It could also be used as an e-book reader stand or book stand, or any small item stand as long as you are comfortable with the micro-suction technology used to attach it.

ZUS Smart Car Charger Review

ZUS - automatically remembers your car's location when your engine turns off

This is a premium product, which fits right at home in premium automobiles. Everything from the packaging, presentation, and subtle design aspects screams premium. I love the tip and connector design (titanium coated!) which looks like it'd easily outlast a lot of the other ones I've used in the past. When they say military grade materials were used, I believe it. No, its not going to survive a car fire, or military bombing, but the key main failure points I've noticed on others over the years appear to be well designed. And because of the MIL-810G, it will withstand the hot weather car conditions in the summer in the desert in Las Vegas.

Plus, it looks like something James Bond might use (in an older vehicle with no USB ports).

So far (roughly a month in), it has performed well as far as charging. I use it for an iPhone 6 Plus while using GPS primarily, with a secondary device with micro-usb, or mini-usb for charging. It keeps up with my iPhone and Waze needs, that's all I wanted. However, I will likely post an update on my site with more technical tests in the future - if you are interested, just reply to this review or look me up. However, I don't think most will find any issue with the unit's charging capability.

It is the best unit I have used so far hardware wise, with only a few wish-it-had points:
1. Wish it had at least 3 USB ports, for the times I have an extra passenger in back or need to charge one of the other gadgets/gizmos I carry.
2. Wish it supported 'fast charging' technology or Qualcomm's fast charge technology for some of the newer Android phones.
3. Wish it also had a USB-C charging port. Yes it'd be ahead of its time, but if I could also charge my Macbook 12 at full charge speed somehow, that'd simply be awesome.

The software aspect is the main reason why I docked a star, as remembering where my car was parked is one of the biggest selling points for me. This isn't like a homing beacon, so it isn't going to help you unless the following conditiosn are met. You have to install the app on your phone, and the phone has to have GPS signal, and it also has to be paired/connected via bluetooth to the ZUS, and it has to be triggered via bluetooth with the App running in the background when you shut down the power to the unit in order for the App to save the location. If none of that is true, then the car locator feature isn't going to work when you open the app later to try and find your car. Luckily, the app will send you a notice if it was successful in saving the location of your car.

I found that in my use case, the App typically has to be opened regularly in order for it to remember where you parked. This may have to do with the number of apps I run on the iPhone, and its memory / app management - but regardless of who is at fault, it doesn't always deliver on this promise. If you have the newer iPhone 6S, and aren't a 'power-user' like I am - you may never run into this issue. Also, the unit activates when power is removed from the unit so if you have one of those vehicles that always powers your cigarette socket, this won't work quite so automatically.

One additional feature found in the app is a car parking timer - useful if you are going to have the app open anyway, and that itself could help you save on parking tickets.

For the premium price so far (roughly $34 at the time of this writing, but with a $5 off offer), it makes a fantastic gift for anyone that drives.

** I am an original backer of the indiegogo campaign and received a beta unit early for testing, to provide a review and feedback. I am not paid to provide this review, and it is entirely my own opinion.***

MobilePal Wireless Qi Charging Battery Pack Review

MobilePal Wireless Powerbank QI Charger 10,000... by mikemuonline

I was looking for a Qi charger for my wireless Qi charging iPhone 6 plus case.  This was the best option available, and one of the very few you can get.  It fell short on a number of areas in particular, mostly disappointed with the capacity that you end up getting in day-to-day use for charging my iPhone.

When I intially purchased it, the price was around $60 and I didn't recommend it then.  Now at around $40 or less its not too bad a choice as long as you know its big for the capacity you end up getting.

Braven BRV-Pro Bluetooth Speaker Review

Braven BRV-Pro First Look Review by mikemuonline

Audio samples and comparisons coming later in November / December.  The kit (includes solar panel accessory) featured in the video was purchased for $150 from Sam's Club.

Nomad Apple Watch Stand Review

Nomad Watch Stand Review by mikemuonline

Bobine Watch Dock Review

Fuse Chicken Bobine Watch Quick First Look Review by mikemuonline

DJI Inspire One

Its probably the best complete drone you can get for under $3,000.

Update on 2015-02-05 06:54 by Mike Mu

Duracell Powermat Kit for iPhone 5S

I had previously recorded this over a year ago, and this is a repost because friends have been asking about my experience with the Powermat I used for my iPhone 5S.  Mostly because they saw charging stations at various Starbucks across the US.

The video below are some thoughts and shortcomings for the kit.

Now at $30 some dollars, makes this a great deal!

The LifeSaver battery pack by Mio

Being an iPhone user that uses every single function available like GPS tracking, background application support, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and mobile hotspot, I'm always running low on power halfway through the day.

I also carry around an iPad that is also very power-hungry also because I also turn on the mobile hotspot feature as well.

The Lifesaver by Mio pictured here is a very welcome device (that the manufacturer provided me as a sample for review), that has the capability to output at 2.1 A at 5 V making it capable of charging my iPhone really fast, as well as charging my iPad at full speed.

I've had it for over eight months now and so far so good.  It hasn't failed me yet--the small size means that I only have 2600 mA hour capacity so I can't charge an iPhone and iPad, but if I need a boost to get me through the day I have it with me because its lightweight, small, and I'm more likely to carry a battery if has both those qualities.

I'm told that that it uses high quality Samsung cells inside, which puts it right at the top of some of the very best portable USB battery packs on the market.

All is not perfect with The Lifesaver however.  The number one thing I have a problem with is the stylish aluminum casing.  It looks beautiful, and is available in a number of colors, the edges are very sharp.  If you put this battery pack next to your iPhone in the pocket, it's going to scratch things up pretty badly.  I have solved this by getting a cloth case for it but its yet another thing to carry.

Overall, there's nothing else on the market that is this small that has the full 2.1 amp output on the market.  If you can even find one in stock, I'd snatch it right up.

Sony SRS-X5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker Review

I'm truly impressed with the Sony SRSX5 Portable NFC Bluetooth Wireless Speaker System.  The last Sony speaker system I reviewed, I gave horrible remarks for sound quality, and price.  This one however is a remarkable come-back for Sony.

I am truly impressed by the quality of sound for the price, size, features, and style (when plugged in).  More on that later.  This isn't just a first impression test of the speakers - I actually used it as a replacement for my desktop computer speakers for a good two months, and take it outside to listen to my tunes while working on my car.

At low to medium volume levels (designed for personal listening), the volume was sufficient, the bass was deep and rich, and the mids and highs were more than sufficient.  Turning it up and playing bass heavy tunes is less satsifying however, and kind of weak when not plugged in and running directly off the built-in battery.

What is pretty amazing to me is that at the same price point, the Samsung speaker I reviewed months before that was noticeably not as pleasant sounding where it sounded more 'electronic' than natural.

Anyway, I recommend this portable speaker system wholeheartedly.  

Sony HDR-AS100 VR View Kit

Overview and unboxing the Sony HDR-AS100VR POV Action Video Camera with Live View Remote (White)

SONY HDR-AS100v Unboxing by mikemuonline

More footage to come...