thegadgetsite Reviews

Reviewed by K.C. Kim
$73.95
Product Page Back XTC Handheld Professional Massager

Summary
Back XTC Handheld Professional Massager. This model retails for over $125. Doctors and Therapists have been treating muscle tension for years with powerful percussive massagers. XTC massagers are the newest in handheld back massagers. Created with health professionals, the BACK XTC Massagers were designed to provide professional strength massage and therapeutic relief of muscle tension at home. Equipped with 5 variable speed control. Compare this to the Thumper Mini Pro 2 model.

The unique action of BACK XTC massagers - is pulsed acupressure. This generates strong waves, that can penetrate through deep muscle layers, giving quick and effective relaxation of even the thickest muscles - using only light pressure. Which is why we call them WAVE MASSAGERS.

These massagers come with 3 different sets of anatomically designed interchangeable massage heads for different body types and different penetration. This gives you the added flexibility of choosing the firmness of massage that is just right for you, for your individual massage preference. The heads simply snap on and off with a slight twisting motion. This self massagers puts the power of WAVE MASSAGE in your own hand. Deep full body massage that relaxes and invigorates. Used properly, they will give you years of effective release of muscle tension and stress.

FDA registered and electrically certified for use in the USA, Canada and Europe.

Intro: Ever since my Homedics Massager stopped working I was researching the next Massager I wanted to purchase. There were a handful of massagers with very good ratings. First the Thumper Mini Pro 2, this was probably the most popular of handheld massagers for professionals. Next was the Equalizer Pro but this model was discontinued. And then the most well known consumer pro grade massager Brookstone Max Dual Node Massager. Both the Max and Thumper were on my radar until I looked at the prices. The Thumper2 and Brookstone Max sold at online shops for $200. That was just too much money for a massager. Finally I saw the Back XTC Massager which was being compared to the Thumper2. When researching the Back XTC I could not find a single review or rating. So it must have been too new to the market.

Design: The Back XTC Massager comes in all black with very solid ABS plastics. The build quality of the unit was very good. The cord is very long so you can reach for quite a distance. Also I found the unit a medium weight which was great for one-handed use. The Massager also has a handle at the end of unit that improves control with two hands.

Function: The Back XTC Massager is being advertised as a professional grade massager. And it does deliver. The Back XTC Massager has a nice wave like pulsation that provides a refreshing massage that has lasting effects. Unlike the Homedics massager that provided temporary relief. The Back XTC Massager relaxes the muscles and tension in the body from working long hours, sports, and general labor. There are 5 speed settings. I prefer 5 the best of the settings. And included are 3 massage heads. The medium with its rubber like texture seems to work best for the majority of people.

Durability: This part of the review will be revisited 6months and 12months from now to see if it’s still working like new. But at the moment it is holding up quite well. Also the Back XTC Massager is backed by a 1 year limited warranty.

Conclusion: At less than half the cost of the Thumper2, the Back XTC Professional Massager is a good value for professionals, consumers, and anyone who needs relief from aches and pains. I would highly recommend the Back XTC Massager to anyone who wants Professional result from their massager.

9.5 out of 10

Buy it now at Amazon.com here Back XTC Handheld Professional Massager

Reviewed by K.C. Kim
$53
http://www.sfbags.com/products/sleevecases/sleevecases.htm

Recently there has been a trend of low cost laptops starting with the Asus EEE. When other companies found that there was a niche for such things they all jump on board. HP is one such company with their HP 2133 Mini Note. The Mini Note is a small notebook computer that was recently released. Now when I first saw it I new I was getting one, as I tend to purchase the latest tech even when my bank account disagrees. So I ended up purchasing the mid range 2133 running Linux, with 120gb hard drive, 1.2ghz VIA chip, and standard battery. When I finally receive it from Buy.com I was in awe of its great features. But one thing I needed to do right away with my new shiny gadget was protect it from damage. Fortunately for me Waterfield announce they will sell a sleeve case for the HP 2133 Mini-Note at launch. This was the first third party accessory for the HP Mini-Note. So when I got a chance to review the case. I jumped at the opportunity.

Design and function: The Waterfield Sleeve case is beautifully designed. From the incredible stitching job and nice nylon and neoprene high-grade materials. The case also has a great deal of padding while still looking relatively slim. The cushion should provide a great deal of protection for the Mini-Note. The version I receive had a Horizontal Orientation. But you can buy the sleevecase with a vertical Orientation as well. Also you can customize the case to add a strap and also a flap (which does a nice job of keeping dust out of the machine).

Conclusion: What makes the Waterfield HP Mini Note case so great is it’s high quality workmanship, made in USA quality and durability, and the nice customization of the case. It’s truly one of the best cases I have ever used. The case perfectly fits the HP 2133 Mini Note. And since HP neglected to include a case Waterfield step up and simple provided the best case available right now for the HP Mini-Note.

9.5 out of 10

Product Page HERE

Reviewed by K.C. Kim
http://www.funslides.com/
$19.99

Intro: I am always on the look out for new and unique items to review. And I think I found one with the Fun Slides Carpet Skates.

The Fun Slides Carpet Skates are indoor skates to be used on carpeted surfaces. It simulates a gliding motion similar to wearing socks on a hardwood floor. The Carpet Skates are made of durable plastic and foam inserts. The foam gives you a grip on your feet and the plastic on the exterior gives a slippery feeling to slide around with.

Use: Getting started was very easy. Just remove packaging. Then apply to feet and glide away. I have tested this on two carpeted services and had no problems. It offers a nice glide while not being to slippery that you would fall over. Overall the Skates are safe as long as you follow the common sense guidelines. Like do not under any circumstance wear the Carpet Skates while walking down stairs, which I learned first hand, was a mistake.

Conclusion: Fun Slides live up to its name. It is fun for all ages and can offer an activity that will keep your kids active and not in front of the TV. It’s also affordable at only $19.99. So while not get one today!

8.5 out 10

Buy it now HERE

Reviewed by K.C. Kim
$89.95
http://www.south-wing.com/secciones/products/product.aspx?idproducto=14&idseccio=desc

DESCRIPTION

With its distinct design, the SH505 blends in unique features such as touch sensitive controls, which allow volume control by touching the headset’s surface and a PC application. It has an extended talk-time of 10 hours and the practical Push4TM favorite number button, which allows storing a favorite number for direct dialing, with no need to use the handset.

PC Application

This is the first headset available with a PC application. This application makes it possible to easily upgrade the headset using a PC. It allows upgrading the software to make it compatible with new mobile phones. It also allows adjusting the headsets main settings such as the favorite number button, volume, ring tones and automatic call pick-up.

To download the PC application please click here

Box contents:

* Bluetooth headset SH505
* Power supply
* Headset cord
* USB data and charging cable
* User guide

Key features:

* Touch sensitive controls
* PC application
* Push4TM favorite number button

Intro – My previous cell phone did not have Bluetooth so at that time I wasn’t really interested in Bluetooth Headsets. Now that I have one with that feature I have to wad through the enormous amount of junk to find some good sounding, high quality, feature rich headsets. There are many out there from Motorola, Jabra, Plantronics, Aliph, and many more. When I saw the Southwing SH505 online I instantly had an interest in the device.

Design – I am a big fan of the design of this headset and have to say it’s one of the better looking bluetooth headset amongst the many headsets on the market. The SH505 has a nice dark color with accents of silver, which gives off a very professional style. The headset feels quite comfortable in ear and is lightweight without feeling cheap. Made of very good materials the headset is built to last for a long time.

Features – The headset is being feature as the first headset available with a PC application. This allows you to update the headset to work with new mobile phones not yet on the market. Also allows you to adjust the main settings on the headset. This is something that I think all handset makers should adopt but if you want it now then get the Southwing SH505.

Expect talk time to be around 10 hrs with 300hrs of standby time. The headset weighs a mere 12 grams.

Sound – I have tested the headset in several environments to test how good the quality of sound is. And by most accounts the sound quality was very good. The people on the other line did not notice that I was on a headset and could hear me clearly. The SH505 also did a good job of reducing background noise.

Conclusion – The Southwing SH505 Bluetooth Headset is arguably one of the best headset you can find for the price you pay for it. I definitely say it’s above average compared to other headsets in this price range. Its feature set is impressive, cool looking design, and performance makes this a nice buy for anyone looking for a good headset.

8.8 out of 10

Product Page HERE

The headset is currently on sale now at WirelessGround for only $24.95(72% off retail $89.95)

Reviewed by KC Kim
http://lattefone.com/index.htm
Starting at $69.99

Detailed Specifications

Port:
1) Communication: USB2.O high speed
2) Input and Output: 3.5 mm earphone output

Capacity:
1) Memory: 2GB, 4GB
2) External Expandable Memory Slot: Micro SD up to 128MB-2G

Display:
1) Size: 2.8 inches QVGA
2) Resolution: 320*240
3) Tag language: Multi languages
4) Menu language: Multi languages
5) Menu system: Image menu and text menu

Supportable file formats:
1) Audio: MP3, WMA
2) Video: AVI/MPEG (Crystal Clear Video)
3) Record: WAV
4) Picture: JPEG

Power and playing time:
1) Battery capacity: 3.7V/550mAH lithium ion battery
2) Video playing time: 3-4H
3) Audio playing time: 6-8H
4) Recording time: About 10H

Voice record:
1) Sampling rate: 8KHz/16KHz
2) MIC record format: WAV (32Kbps/64Kbps)
3) Record method: MIC record
4) Recording time: Max. 32H (512MB capacity)

Audio play:
1) Max. output power of earphone: L10mW+R10mW(32 ohms)
2) MP3 bit rate: 64Kbps-384Kbps
3) WMA bit rate: 64Kbps-320Kbps
4) Frequency response: 20Hz-20KHz
5) SNR: 85dB
6) Distortion: 0.06%

EQ system:
1) Built-in EQ: Normal, 3D, Rock, Pop, Classic, Self-defined, Bass, Jazz
2) Self-defined EQ: Available

Video play: (Crystal Clear Video)
1) Frame: 24 Frames
2) Resolution: 320*240
3) Format: AVI
4) Encoding: XVID
5) Converting tool: AVI Converter Setup V3.0

FM radio:
1) Receiving frequency range: 78MHz-108MHz
2) Saved channel no.: 30
3) Max. output power of earphone: L10mW+R10mW (32 ohms)
4) SNR: 45dB

Supportable systems:
1) Operation System: Supports WIN98 (requires installation of driver ); XP/WIN2000 (Driver not required)

What’s included:
Player, Stereo Earphone, USB Cable, Charger, Utility CD, Maual, Warranty card

Intro: Having reviewed the Latte Neon M3 I have high hopes for Latte’s next Mp4 player the Latte ICE. And I can’t be more impressed. This is the second Latte MP3 I have reviewed. And it very well may be the best.

Design: The Latte ICE is made of full on metal body which offers maximum durability. Built like a tank but slim as the slimmest mp3 players on the market. The ICE offers both style and durability.
Functions:

Video: Video playback was smooth with a frame rate of 24fps I didn’t notices any stuttering or artifacts on the screen. With a 2.8” QVGA screen I highly recommend this player for movie viewing. Something I could not say for players that have small screens. Conversion is easy with the included avi converter.

Music: Like all latte players this one has excellent audio quality. And is comparable to other budget MP4 players. Also there is a built-in EQ to suit your music genres (Normal, 3D, Rock, Pop, Classic, Self-defined, Bass, Jazz)

Pictures: With such as large beautifully screen this makes pictures look great. I use it as portable photo album on the go to show to friends.

Speaker: Built in speaker is always a great feature. I mean I have the iPod Touch which costs over $300 and it lacks a built in speaker. So it’s nice to have this feature that is often overlooked. I much prefer the built speaker than listening using earphones.

GUI: The interface on the Latte ICE may be one of the best I’ve seen on a MP4 player. Large big icons make the interface simple to use for everyone with no learning curve. Perfect for the non techie who get’s frustrated with some of the interfaces for other players.

Battery life: Battery life is a respectable 6-8hrs of audio and 4-5hrs of video.

Conclusion: Latte Communication yet again has a winner with the Latte ICE Multimedia player. It features a huge 2.8” screen perfect for movie watching, excellent sound quality, built in speaker, expandability with miniSD slot and simple to use interface makes this a must buy for first time buyers.

9 out of 10

Buy it now at LatteZone.com HERE

Reviewed by K.C. Kim
http://www.pdostore.com/

I am normally not a fan of silicone rubber cases for my iPods and iPhones. But today I found one that may change my mind. Today I review the PDO TopSkin for iPhone.

What’s included: PDO Topskin, wrist strap, and belt clip and screen protector

Design: The PDO TopSkin is made of high quality silicone that is twice as thick as those cheap rubber cases you will find on Ebay. The case has openings for all the functions of the iPhone. And even has the opening for the sensor. The silicone rubber gives it off a good texture for less slippage in hand. And the perfectly formed case adds next to no added bulk. And finally this silicone case is less of a dust collector than the other rubber cases.

Function: The PDO Topskin should offer very good protection from falls. It is extra thick to provide maximum protection. The case also accounts for all the functions of the iPhone. And works as if their wasn’t a case on it. Also includes a belt clip

Conclusion: Be assured this is one of the best cases for the iPhone. It is of definite high quality that is worth every bit of the $20 price. And when they say you get what you pay for it’s true. Sure you can get a $5 cheap silicone case but it will look and feel like a $5 case. The PDO TopSkin definitely stands out in terms of smooth lines, formed design, great protection, and value you won’t find too often in case.

9.5 out of 10

Buy it now at PDOStore.com HERE

Reviewed by K.C. Kim
JTCElectronics.biz
4GB $99.99 8GB $139.99

New and updated version of the very popular M6 miniPlayer line. This slimmer version with its new higher angle-viewing screen is sure to make the audiophile in your family one happy listener.

All players are set to English as the menu language

Accessories:
PT-850b Earbuds
USB Cable
Driver/Software Disc
Users Manual¹
Meizu OEM Silicone Case (Free)

¹ Please note that Meizu has not published an English Users Manual for the SL. Until they do, we will include an SP Users Manual for functional reference only. The primary difference between the SP and SL functionality is the ON/OFF button formerly on the SP has been replaced by holding down the Enter button on the SL.

Intro: The Meizu M6 is probably the most popular Chinese premium player released. It featured top-notch design and features. And Meizu thought why mess with a good thing. That is the reason they released the updated Meizu M6 SL version. While at first glance the SL looks identical to the original version. There are a few improvements to make this the best Meizu player yet.

Design: The first thing you will notice is the thinner profile. The SL is only 7.3mm thick while the previous model was 10mm. Another noticeable enhancement is that the screen has better viewing angle, which made it easier to photograph than the previous version. Finally one of the best improvements is the brushed back. The previous mirror metal finish simply scratched to easily and with the new-brushed back it doesn’t. I have both the SL and Microsoft Zune80 with brushed metal back and neither has a scratch on it after a good amount of use.

Features: The SL comes in 2GB, 4GB and 8GB versions in black or white color. It is simple to upgrade and downgrade firmware. The SL has many of the same features as the original M6 with the ability to play AVI (Xvid) video up to 20fps, audio support for MP3, WMA, WMALosless, APE, FLAC using the audio chip Wolfson WM8987, and picture viewing of JPG, BMP, GIF. Other features include MTP mode, MSC mode, voice recording, fm radio, two games, calendar, stopwatch, TXT, and calculator. Battery life is about 3-4hrs video and 24-26hrs of audio on it’s 690mAh built in rechargeable Li-On battery.

Conclusion: With a new player released every month in China you may wonder if Meizu is still the best DAP around. Well I say for the money there is nothing better than the Meizu M6 SL. It pretty much does everything well. And uses premium quality parts you won’t find in any other Chinese MP4 players. And the design is only second to the market leader Apple.

9.9 out of 10

Buy it now at JTCElectronics.biz 8GB HERE 4GB HERE

Reviewed by K.C. Kim
$24.99
http://x-mini.com/

Details

* 52mm in diameter
* 2.4W output
* 52 grams
* Playback time - 4 to 8 hours
* Matte black finish
* Included USB charging cable, felt bag

Contents:
One X-mini capsule speaker
One retractable 2in1 USB and 3.5mm Cable
One X-mini travel pouch
Manual

Do you have an MP3 player that lacks a key feature, a built in speaker? Or maybe you’re not interested in buying an expensive dock that takes up too much space. And what’s the point of having a tiny MP3 player and then a huge speaker/docking station. Something that you can’t take with you on the go. Then this review is for you.

I was interested in a small compact speaker for my MP3 player but so far I have found cheap portable speakers that sound tiny. That’s when I found the XM-I X-Mini portable rechargeable speaker.

Design: The capsule designed speaker is small and lightweight and can fit in a pocket. It has a nice rubberized feel to it. It comes in matte black finish only weigh 52 grams. Has an off/on switch to conserve battery life and a two-step volume control.

Function: The XM-I X-Mini features a twist and extends style to open the capsule design speaker. Once open and turn on the speaker provides huge sound with major bass that is remarkable considering how small the thing is. The device is pretty much as subwoofer for your portable device or notebook. Next the build quality of the unit is very good better than the cheap ones you get from other manufactures. The speaker is powered by a built in rechargeable that you charge by USB.

Conclusion: For great portability for your iPod or mp3 player I would highly recommend the XM-I X-Mini Rechargeable speaker for those players that lack a built in speaker. It truly provides room-filling sound that can fit in your pocket. For this price it’s a steal and one of the first accessories I would get for my MP3 player or notebook.

9.5 out of 10

http://x-mini.com/

Intro:
I was looking for a mouse for my laptop computer that would work well and be portable enough to travel around with. The Logitech VX Nano was the perfect compliment to my IBM Thinkpad. The VX Nano was not too big like a normal mouse but was not too small that it was not usable. It’s the perfect size for laptops, which it was designed for.

In the box:
Included are the VX Nano Mouse, two AAA batteries, USB Receiver, USB Receiver Cradle, Software CD, documentation, and pouch.

Design and function:
The mouse gets its name for having a tiny receiver. The receiver is pretty much a usb plug and that’s it. Included is a usb extension cradle so you don’t have to plug the receiver directly into the PC. The mouse uses a 2.4ghz wireless signal. This means you’re free to roam around the room without a chord limiting you. The only negative to a cordless mouse is that you will go through batteries pretty fast. They do include two AAA batteries to start out with. But I would recommend you get some rechargeable AAA batteries. The laser on the VX Nano works excellent. Much better than my old Intellimouse. To fully utilize the mouse you need to install the included software so you are able to tweak the settings to your liking.

Conclusion:
I have been using an old Microsoft mouse for years and just amazes me how technology has improve since then. The old mouse was clunky and not very accurate while the VX Nano blows me away with its great features and fluid movements. If you are in the market for a mouse for a laptop then the VX Nano is for you. It the best mouse I have ever used.

9 out of 10

Buy it now at Logitech.com

Review by K.C. Kim
$39.99
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/watches/927f/

Thin watch design with reverse display
Like many of the most coveted electronics owned by geeks everywhere, this watch is styled in black and is very thin. The Ximax Slim is an elegant watch with modern styling. It features a thin metal watch case and very nice white on black reverse LCD display. The display is constantly on and a button push displays the date or seconds.

* Time, date, seconds display
* Water resistant
* Dimensions: 1.5″ x 1.5″ x .25″ thick (watch case)
* Band width: 1.1″ (2.8 cm

Intro: I have been looking for a stylish slim watch. And one of my favorite sites ThinkGeek just happens to have one that really interests me. At the time I was looking at the Issey Miyake Ovo Watch which runs for around $300-$400. The main thing I like about the Ovo Watch is its minimalist design. But the price tag was the main reason I did not get one. Then came around the Ximax Slim Watch from ThinkGeek. Similar to Ovo watch but rather than a round face it has a thin square design with very little

Design: Ximax Slim Watch is a slim square-ish watch that is both modern and unique. Perfect for those who like minimalist designs. It is a watch that demands attention. It has a quality black leather band and the watch face is made of metal so it should be highly durable. The big LCD with large numbers makes it easy to tell the time at all times.

Conclusion: At $39.99 this is an inexpensive purchase that looks and feels like a much more expensive watch. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a watch that is different yet fashionable. It’s a great look watch and function well for telling time with it’s big LCD.

Positives
Minimalist Design
Stylish
Thin
Works great as watch

Negatives
Leather band was a bit too wide for my liking

8.5 out of 10

Buy it now at ThinkGeek HERE