Mophie Juice Pack Wireless Charge Force Review

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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

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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.

 

 

 

 

HoriPad Ultimate Controller for Apple TV, iOS

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The HoriPad Ultimate is the newest officially licensed controller for the new AppleTV, and made by a well known (in gaming circles) company known for gaming controllers.

It is $49.99 at Apple Store, and comes in and out of stock at Amazon.

Its in a typically nice retail box, solid feeling, and without even opening the box it feels like something special - applelesque.  Inside the box is a clean package with pretty much just the controller, and user manual.  It charges with a 'standard' Apple lightning cable - MFI certified or not, but doesn't include one.

 

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Coin 2.0 Review

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This will be a continuous review through the end of... well the end of the life of the Coin.  

Coin 2.0 In Its Full Retail PackagingCoin is a e-card used for payments, and to store and retrieve payment information.  I first saw and reported on these devices a few years ago at the Consumer Electronics Show (now called CES) and it was really exciting technology that took quite a bit longer to realize than originally anticipated.

Think of it as a blank electronic credit or debit card that, if worked well, will clone your payment cards and provide a bit of security, convenience and rewards.  It costs about $99 right now ( December 16, 2015 ), and I think makes a great gift for anyone that uses plastic.

Here is Coin's marketing video:

More after the break.

Why would someone want a Coin 2.0 Smart Payment Device?

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ZUS Smart Car Charger Review

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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.***

The LifeSaver battery pack by Mio

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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.

Une Bobine for iPhone 5s Review

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Fuse Chicken Une Bobine Charge Cable and Stand is a very special iPhone dock, charging cable, synching cable, and stand all-in-one device.  In fact, its the most flexible product of its kind I've ever tried.  No wonder the Kickstarter campaign last year was so successful! 

$233,921 pledged between all 3 versions
4,955 Total Backers
13,000 Une Bobines shipped as rewards
Kickstarter Rewards shipped to 80 countries

$233,921 pledged between all 3 versions 4,955 Total Backers 13,000 Une Bobines shipped as rewards Kickstarter Rewards shipped to 80 countries 

Its so simple, its genius!  Take a coil of flexible tubing, make it nearly indestructible, run a Apple certified lightning cable, and a simple docking clip on the end and you got the most flexible stand and dock in the world.

So, how functional is it?  

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Wacom Bamboo Pad Review

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 In the end, the Wacom Wireless Bamboo Touch-Pad with Digital Stylus (CTH300K) was a disappointment for me.  I really had high expectations for it since I love Wacom products.  The Apple Magic Pad is a much better touch accessory, and you're much better off spending some extra dough for a bigger Wacom tablet like the Wacom Intuos Pen and Touch Small Tablet.

Nomad ChargeKey Lightning Cable Review

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I'm always looking for a charge cable for my smartphones.  For my Apple iPhone 5S, its something that I have to find and plug at least twice a day depending on the amount of usage I get.  Sometimes I forget my cable somewhere and then I have to limit the use of my smartphone till I'm sure I can get safely to a charger.

Things I use a lot which eat up a lot of energy are the GPS, camera, wifi tethering, and speakerphone - particularly in areas of poor cellular reception.  

So having a cable or means to charge regularly is a high priority for me, which is why I carry a variety of battery packs to go and a solar charger just in case in the car.  It's all fine until I forget my lightning cable.

Enter the Nomad Chargekey - its a tiny little dongle sized cable with all the right parts of the USB A port, and a licensed certified lightning head on the other side.  It fits on the keychain, and I love it - if anything for the assurance that I can always charge up and its always with me.

 

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Garmin HUD Review

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Garmin Head-Up Display (HUD) Dashboard Mounted Windshield Projector video review:

This is really only recommended if you already use NAVIGON North America - Garmin Wuerzburg GmbH on your iOS device or NAVIGON on Android.  It currently only works with Garmin's applications on your smart phones.  

My GPS application of choice in Los Angeles County is Waze social GPS, maps & traffic, so this HUD is of limited use to me.  Watch my video for more details.

Quirky Cordies Executive Organizer

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Quirky Cordies Executive Desk Organizer and Cord Management System is the least quirky of the Quirky line of products that I've seen.  The pitch is simple - this desktop organizer will help you organize your cables, phones, paper pads, and anything else that's small that you can fit in one of the variable sized slots - 8 total.

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