Gadgets
and gizmos galore.
December 2022
Pojifi NS2080 Controller Review
This ain’t it, Chief.
I was contacted by a rep from Pojifi to review their NS-2080, which looks to be a wannabe Xbox Elite Controller for the Switch. No idea why this person wanted me in particular to take a look at it, because I don’t really do this, but here goes. TL;DR: Don’t buy it unless you just want a cheap Xbox Elite Controller for the Switch. Like most of you I bet, I’d never heard of Pojifi before they reached out to me and asked for this review.
8 minutes
Soundcore VR P10 = Game audio over 2.4GHz + Discord from phone over Bluetooth, simultaneously
Edit (Feb. 1, 2023): I eventually returned them. I ended up not using the simultaneous BT+2.4GHz feature enough to justify keeping them, and the loss of ANC and lack of passive noise isolation led me to use my other earbuds over the VR P10s anyway. If Anker makes a new version that includes ANC, I might give it another shot. Just got these for $70 on sale across various onlone shops (Amazon, BestBuy, Target).
2 minutes
November 2022
JBL Quantum TWS Noise Cancelling Headset Earbuds
2.4GHz earbuds.
Originally posted on Reddit. I have these, they’re pretty good. I got them for the 2.4GHz transmitter, which is a rarity among TWS earbuds. I only know of two other products that do this. You can swap between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections almost instantly, but you can’t listen in on both sources at a time. If you want that feature you could look into the Soundcore VR P10. It’s great for ensuring your mic absolutely does not pick up any audio bleeding out of your headphones, which I find happens a lot even with closed-back studio headphones if you’ve got a condenser.
Gadgets Quotes Review Thoughts
4 minutes
October 2022
Thoughts and Findings on the 8Bitdo Ultimate Controller
TL;DR do NOT use if you want/need gyro on PC.
Originally posted on Reddit. My controller arrived today and I had ample time to play around with it. The TL;DR of this writeup is that I may end up returning the controller, but only because it lacked one specific feature I was hoping it would have. First, the good: It feels good. For its size, it feels surprisingly light. Much like the Google Stadia controller felt when picking it up out of the box.
Gadgets Gaming Review Thoughts
8 minutes
August 2022
JBL Quantum TWS Mic Sample/Comparison
Left Channel = shotgun mic; Right Channel = Quantum TWS
Originally posted on Reddit. Made this mostly for my own curiosity, as I wanted to hear what my Discord buddies might hear if I used the TWS mics only. The “control” audio is from an Audio-Technica AT875R shotgun mic. Left Channel is the AT875R, Right Channel is the JBL Quantum TWS. If you’re not listening using earbuds/earphones (to easily remove one bud from your ear to isolate the channels), you can do so in Windows by going to System > Sound, clicking on the arrow beside whatever your default output device is, and adjusting the Left/Right channel volume sliders individually.
2 minutes
June 2021
Xiaomi RMA’d my 34" Ultrawide
Originally posted on Reddit. I’m completely floored; nobody expected Xiaomi to RMA this monitor, but they did. I was completely prepared to repair the damage by myself using the suggestions provided by some very helpful Redditors in my previous post, linked above. Worst case scenario, I would’ve bought a replacement main board myself from Taobao. But the store (Technopop, a subsidiary of Kimstore) and Xiaomi pulled through. I’m back in Team Ultrawide!
1 minute
May 2021
Because a Meshilicious costs $200+ in Manila
Originally posted on Reddit. Gotta redo it because it’s not squared off, but I think this prototype works well! Don’t ask for how this affects thermals cuz I don’t have a computer inside of it currently, I’ll be migrating my parts over into it once my CPU arrives. I’ve never worked with wood before (am more of a papercraft and soldering iron guy), but this was a nice learning experience.
1 minute
Don’t make the same mistake I did; use only the provided VESA mount screws.
Originally posted on Reddit. I was mounting my Mi Surface 34 to my monitor arm and figured I’d just reuse the same screws, which are a little long because the previous monitor that was on it had very long spacers. One of the screws dug right into the Surface’s motherboard because there’s nothing protecting it from underneath the screw hole. It etched a couple copper traces right off. It’s only been about 4 months since I ascended into ultrawidemasterracedom, but now I must descend back into regular old 16:9.
1 minute
December 2020
ASRock X570 ITX/TB3 WiFi Issue
Intermittent connectivity due to disconnected WiFi module
Originally posted on Reddit. When I first booted up my system with this board, I noticed WIFI did not work at all, and the adapter wasn’t detected in Win10 device manager. I had read handfuls of posts by users reporting faulty/intermittent connections with their WiFi on this board, but none that say it is outright nonfunctional. The WiFi adapter was not seated properly. I had to take apart the IO cover/heatsink assembly and the WiFi module housing to see this.
2 minutes
November 2020
Custom Sentry case mod to let the GPU breathe.
Click for larger photos. I’m in the middle of transitioning to Ryzen, so it will seem a bit mismatched for now but here’s where I’m at and where I’m headed: i7-7700k -> r7-5800x Gigabyte Z270N-Wifi ITX -> ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming-ITX/TB3 32GB Gskill Ripjaws V 3200MHz PNY XLR8 RTX 3080 (previously Galax GTX 1070 Katana) Corsair SF600 Platinum -> Corsair SF750 Platinum (when prices become not stupid) Right now the i7-7700k is being cooled by a Thermolab LP53 w/ Noctua A9x14 because at the time that was the best performing cooler that could fit in the case.
3 minutes
October 2020
Desperate times, desperate measures
New graphics card arrived before my new case.
System config: i7-7700k delidded, liquid metalled PNY RTX 3080 32GB Ripjaws V RAM Gigabyte Z270N-WiFi Corsair SF600 Platinum Geeek M100WS My system used to be in a much nicer Dr. Zaber Sentry SFF case. However, the PNY 3080 is juuuuust a few mm too thick to fit in the graphics card partition. I will be selling the Galax GTX 1070 Katana that used to be in this build. It’s a single-slot graphics card, so, perfect for mITX builds like mine used to be.
1 minute
August 2020
Why you should regularly clean your laptops
These pics should adequately explain why regular laptop fan cleaning is necessary.
Today I would just like to share with you some results from my yearly laptop cleanse. Normally I do it earlier in the year, but the last time I cleaned my Acer Predator Helios 300 was 0001 BC (BC = before COVID). Photos Here’s what it looked like immediately upon opening up the laptop: Hmm, is that all? Not too horrib– Here’s the year’s worth accumulation of gunk from one of the fans:
2 minutes
February 2020
What is this, an arcade for ants?
Published on UnboxGuru. Introduction Portable gaming has come a long, long way from the gadgets of yesteryear. From the black-and-white days of Game & Watches and Gameboys, to the 3D-capable DSes and PSPs, and now to being able to play AAA games on pretty much any modern phone, it seems like all that’s left for people to figure out is how to render videogame graphics directly into our stimulant-starved retinas.
4 minutes
March 2019
The SNES Classic is a ’90s Nostalgia Box
First hosting gig for UnboxGuru.
Published on UnboxGuru. The Super Nintendo Entertainment System may have been released almost 30 years ago, but nostalgia is ageless. Those who spent their youths wired to the venerable SNES/Super Famicom still fondly look back on those innocent days during the golden years of gaming. This is why Nintendo’s move to re-release its classic consoles as miniaturized, modernized versions is so brilliant; not only is there a captive market of consumers already familiar and enamored with those products, but that market is now 20–30 years older, with disposable income to spare, and children of their own to pass on this hobby to.
7 minutes
December 2017
Dr. Zaber Sentry GTX 1070 Katana + Elgato 4k60 Bifurcated PC
Lots of words just to say: a really cool PC.
So, it’s relatively easy to modify the Sentry to use a PCIe bifurcation riser. I’m using an Ameri-Rack ARC1-PELY423-C5V3 which I paid $58 for all-in. I emailed Ameri-Rack ( Ameri-Rack Sales Department ), sending them this spiel: Hi, I was referred to your company by the users at Hardforum when inquiring about PCIe bifurcation risers, and came across two that I’d be very interested in purchasing. I hope you still sell directly to individuals.
2 minutes
September 2017
3D-printed joycon + smartphone grip
A 3D-printed solution to the first world problem of holding your Joycon and phone at the same time
Switching I’m a pretty big fan of 3d-printing stuff for my Switch, and when I saw yesterday’s mockup of a joycon and smartphone grip combo done by /u/CubeGuy365, I immediately wanted to try my hand at it. This wasn’t a single printed model; in fact, it’s just a quick cannibalization of some existing prints I already had: Parts Nintendo Switch Con U v2 by artobot Nintendo Switch attachable grip by Brandon Mott Moto Z Style Mod (not a 3D print, just a spare shell I had lying around) As an added bonus, those joycon grips can be slid into the Switch console itself for added versatility.
1 minute
January 2017
After 6 months, my Anne Pro finally started showing issues
Anne, are you ok?
Originally posted on Reddit. I used to think people were just getting unlucky with their Anne Pros, because even with a busted battery, mine exhibited no issues in the 6 months I’ve owned it - until now. When I press the “Y” key, the board also registers keypresses on the Q, W, E, U, I, O, and P keys. In addition to that, it no longer connects via Bluetooth to Android devices that it previously was able to pair with.
3 minutes
Anne Pro custom lighting with sanded keycap tops
What a set of manually-sandpapered keycaps look like with per-key RGB lighting
Sanding off the top of keyboard keycaps can result in a pretty beautiful diffused RGB glow. I got the idea from Taekeyboards. One thing to note before committing to this is that the process of sanding the top coats down is very time consuming. If I knew about these at the time, I would’ve just bought them. Video Basic technique There’s not much to say about my technique; I just wrapped some sandpaper around my finger, and kind of brushed the keycap over it along the length of my finger.
2 minutes
September 2016
Thanks, JuanDip Hydroprints!
Originally posted on Reddit. Click for original size. I got this done by JuanDip Hydroprints, probably one of the best (and only) hydrodipping services here in the Philippines. It cost me PHP 1,000 and took just a little under 1 week to process (there’s multiple steps of painting including primer, dip, and clear coat, and I had to line up in their job queue). So for anyone looking to customize the look of their keyboard case on the cheap in the Philippines, I highly recommend this vendor.
1 minute
July 2016
Converted a membrane numpad to use mechanical switches
FOR SCIENCE
Originally posted on Reddit. Fig. 1. Fig. 2. Fig. 3. Fig. 4. Fig. 5. Fig. 6. Fig. 7. Fig. 8. Click for original size. Membrane keypresses work when a conductive membrane bridges two contacts on the PCB. To make it work with mechanical switches, all you need to do in theory is replace the conductive membrane with the switch pins. In practice, it’s quite tricky to hand-solder switch pins to a PCB surface contact that wasn’t specifically designed for soldering mechanical switches onto - or anything, for that matter.
2 minutes
Also, can we make “shartisans” a thing now?
Originally posted on Reddit. Fig. 1. Fig. 2. Fig. 3. Fig. 4. Fig. 5. Fig. 6. Fig. 7. Fig. 8. Fig. 9. Click for original size. The logical follow-up to the monstrosity r/mk loved to hate. Made for r/mtgawesome, this 100% Primo! Sculpey, hand-sculpted piece of shartisan was the result of taking a dare much too far. When working with Sculpey modelling clay, you quickly realize that this thing attracts more fingerprints than an iPad after a buffalo wing dinner.
2 minutes
If you ordered an Anne Pro, check the battery
Could’ve ended badly.
Originally posted on Reddit. With help from /u/duynguyenle, I found out why my Anne Pro won’t work wirelessly: the battery had been punctured by the switch solder joints underneath the PCB. Aside from his and my units, I haven’t seen this problem reported anywhere else. Still, it might be worth checking; this is a huge fire hazard and should be dealt with immediately Edit: I replaced the battery with one from my KC71 and now it works wirelessly.
1 minute
October 2013
Creative Sound Blaster EVO (sans audio cable)
A headphone review.
So what happens when you’re given something to review but it’s incomplete? Like, say a set of headphones but without the audio cable? Well, I learned that the show must go on. Review away! Creative has a long history of providing decent and affordable sound systems (remember these?), but I personally wasn’t aware they also made gaming headsets. The Sound Blaster EVO is their most basic entry in the “EVO” line of headsets, but is there more to it than the flashy red exterior?
Article Gadgets Review Thoughts
5 minutes
June 2011
Still won’t stop screen-peeking.
So you’re playing your favorite FPS with a friend. It’s a versus deathmatch mode, and you’ve managed to stalk in from behind. Just before you pull the trigger or stab the knife, though, he controls his character to immediately turn around and manages to score a lucky headshot. Admit it, every one of us who’s ever tried splitscreen gaming has at one point during a match looked at our opponents’ part of the screen.
2 minutes
January 2011
Game! Website Articles - January 24, 2011
US 3DS price, Wii teaches math, vintage camera app.
Nintendo announces US price of 3DS and games March 27 is the due date for the glasses-free 3D handheld, so if you’re looking to buy one at launch – in the US, at least – you can expect to shell out a hefty $249 for the unit alone, and between $39.99 and $49.99 for every game thereafter. For a handheld, the price is high but not unheard of; the PSP retailed for the same price when it was first out in stores in 2005.
3 minutes
December 2010
Sexy beasts.
15.5” Sony Vaio E Series (VPCEB37FG) If you’re looking for a stylish, sturdy, and straightforward laptop that features full HD and packs a Blu-ray Disc drive, then look no further. The 15.5” Vaio E comes equipped with all this and more, at a reasonable price per pound. With the latest Intel Core i5-460M 2.53GHz processor paired with an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 graphics accelerator, it’s definitely got the power needed to not only run those beautiful BDs, but the latest games as well.
2 minutes
September 2010
Portable pwnage
You may remember earlier this year at the CES when Alienware shocked the world with its announcement of a 11-inch gaming laptop. The reviews following its release cleared any doubt about its performance, generally raking in positive remarks with relatively few criticisms. Chief among those critiques were its Core 2 Duo CPU and no option for a matte screen. Alienware took note of these points and decided to release a new version of the M11x, which they call “Revision 2,” or R2.
2 minutes