Poetic Lights Photography

Review: Roll over image to zoom in Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker FM Radio MP3 Player,10 Play Hour 2200mAh Battery, Hands-Free Calling Built-In Mic, Micro TF SD Card, USB Input, AUX Line-In, Powerful Dual 5W Audio Driver - Black

2016-07-23T19:04:00.000-07:00

This thing is awesome!!! I love the colors. I also love that it has a physical on/off button on the back.
The subwoofer surprised me. The bass is loud and clear. My wife pointed out that usually the Bluetooth speakers have a lot of static but this one is crystal clear! We have had it playing for a few hours every day for a week and it is still going so it actually surpassed the expected play time.

You can tell when you pick it up that it is not some cheap toy, it is quality built and heavy. A great thing for a speaker that will be outside for cookouts. When I say heavy though, it is not too heavy, it is easy to pack around in a large pocket or in a backpack. The range is listed at 33 feet, I didn't take it that far away but it worked on opposite sides of the house, about 25 to 30 foot away and through walls.

If you don't have a Bluetooth device don't worry, it has an auxiliary plug in the back. You can plug it into an Ipod, mp3 player, etc.

We didn't read that you can receive phone calls with it. This was quite a surprise as when the phone rang, we hit the button and the person on the other end could hear us. It worked flawlessly.

I have a speaker like this costing about four times as much, I won’t say the name but I am sure you can guess. I have to say this one is much better. The high notes are clearer, the bass is louder, and is overall a much better speaker. If you are considering getting this speaker do not hesitate, it is awesome and you will not be disappointed.

I received the speaker for free or at a discounted price in exchange for an honest review
You can purchase one here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H4YXITE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Review: Pro For Sho 34dB Noise Cancelling Shooting Ear Muffs - Special Designed Lighter Weight & Maximum Hearing Protection , Black

2016-05-14T20:04:00.000-07:00

#ProForSho

I love these ear muffs!!

We do a lot of hunting and target practice and I wanted a high quality and comfortable pair of ear muffs. Let me tell you, these are awesome!!! You can still hear someone talking to you but it muffles the sound amazingly! Especially loud noises. Various ammunition was used and the result was perfect for all of them!

Another great use for them is when doing yard work. They muffle out the loud noise of the lawn mower wonderfully. I can place ear buds under them and keep the volume way down while mowing which is wonderful! I can hear the music but don't have to blast it to do so.

These are also very comfortable! I was able to wear them for two hours straight while mowing with no discomfort at all! They also fit all sizes. I included a photo of my 16 month old daughter wearing them to show as a reference that they will fit children as well as adults. I really love these ear muffs and highly recommend them to all hunters, anyone doing yard work, or even someone who just wants some peace and quite. There really are awesome and you will not be disappointed! They are also extremely lightweight which helps to keep them comfortable when worn for a long time. I worked in a location that required me to wear noise cancelling ear muffs and I could only wish that I would have had these. They are so much more comfortable than any others that I have ever worn.

You can purchase them here:

http://www.amztk.com/ear

I received these ear muffs at a discounted price in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Vtin Royaler Premium Stereo Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker 20W Output with Aluminum Housing, Passive Radiator, Subwoofer, Strong Bass for iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Nexus, HTC and More

2016-03-13T19:37:00.000-07:00

This thing is awesome!!! It just takes a couple of minutes to connect it to the phone through Bluetooth and with the powerful 20W drivers, it rocks.
The subwoofer surprised me. The bass is loud and clear. My wife pointed out that usually the Bluetooth speakers have a lot of static but this one is crystal clear! It says 8 hours playing time, we have had it playing for a few hours every day for a week and it is still going so it actually surpassed the expected play time.

You can tell when you pick it up that it is not some cheap toy, it is quality built and heavy. A great thing for a speaker that will be outside for cookouts. When I say heavy though, it is not too heavy, it is easy to pack around in a large pocket or in a backpack. The range is listed at 33 feet, I didn't take it that far away but it worked on opposite sides of the house, about 25 to 30 foot away and through walls.

If you don't have a Bluetooth device don't worry, it has an auxiliary plug in the back. You can plug it into an Ipod, mp3 player, etc.

We didn't read that you can receive phone calls with it. This was quite a surprise as when the phone rang, we hit the button and the person on the other end could hear us. It worked flawlessly.

I have a speaker like this costing about four times as much, I won’t say the name but I am sure you can guess. I have to say this one is much better. The high notes are clearer, the bass is louder, and is overall a much better speaker. If you are considering getting this speaker do not hesitate, it is awesome and you will not be disappointed.

I received the speaker for free or at a discounted price in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase one here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B4LTYV4?ref_=cm_cr-mr-title

Review: Bright Outdoors Solar Lantern / Flashlight with Emergency Powerbank - LED, USB Rechargeable and Collapsible. Versatile Camping, Trekking or Travel Lamp. Portable, Innovative Sun-Powered Light

2016-02-19T21:49:00.003-08:00

#thebrightoutdoors

This light is awesome!! I do a lot of camping, hiking, and backpacking and this is perfect!! It is lightweight, under 5 ounces and works flawlessly!

It has two uses, as a lantern or as a flashlight. I plugged it in to charge it the first time. I am not sure how long it took to fully charge as I plugged it in before I went to bed and I have solar charged every time since. It says it lasts 10 hours and I don't doubt it. I have never ran it down yet so I can tell it lasts.

I like the fact that you can use it for a charger for your phone in an emergency. I tried it and it does charge, (Samsung Galaxy S5). I didn't keep it plugged in so I am not sure how much of a charge it will give you but I do know it charges it. It has three modes, high, low and flash. I usually keep it on low because I use it in the woods and it is more than bright enough for me. It is extremely bright when on high.

The way it comes up reminds me of the Kool-aid mix in container drinks of the 80's or 90's I can't remember which. It works really well and extends to be a good size lantern. I am more than happy with this lantern! I think it is a must have for a camper, hiker, or prepper. I love it and recommend it to anyone wanting a quality rechargeable light.

I received the lantern at a discount price or free in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase one here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0188DBZOA?redirect=true&ref_=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_0

Review: Terra Friendly Cordless Solar Night Light for Kids or Adults, with Baby Soft Cover Handcrafted in USA, Owl

2016-02-19T21:33:00.001-08:00

#OriginalHybridNightLight

This light is awesome!!! My son loves it!! It is soft so I don't have to worry about him dropping it or throwing it at his brother. The cover is soft and is removable which is nice as it makes it easier to wash.

It inflates and floats and is waterproof if you remove the cover. It will still float with the cover but I didn't want it to get wet. I like the fact that it is solar and charges with the sun or even the normal lights in the house.

We do a lot of camping an this is great it gives them a light to have and I don't have to worry about it getting wet, if the cover is off and it gets dropped in the mud, it is no problem. Just run some water over it and it is clean and ready to go. They are light weight and have handles so he has no problem carrying it around at all. When it is charged it lasts all night, at least 8 hours or so.

I would recommend this for anyone that has children who want a safe night light that their kids can carry or anyone who wants a light that they can take camping without worrying about it getting dirty.

I received this light for a discounted price or free in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase one here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013ZEWXCA?redirect=true&ref_=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_0

Review: Rugged Sports Fanny Pack with Water Bottle Holders

2016-01-21T04:25:00.002-08:00

#BridgerSupply

The ultimate lightweight fanny pack and more!

The reason I put fanny pack and more is that it also has a strap to hold it by hand and includes an adjustable should strap so that you can keep it on your side for easy access. This fanny pack is extremely well made, all of the zippers work flawlessly and it weighs about 9.5 ounces as you can see from the photos. That is including the weight of the shoulder strap.

I am a an avid outdoors-man. I do a lot of hiking, camping and backpacking. I love the ability to have this for day hikes, or when I feel up to challenging myself and going ultralight camping. You can actually camp comfortably using just this pack. I use one of the water pockets to hold my inflatable sleeping pad and pillow, i use the other to hold my metal bottle. I then put my ultralight tarp in the middle pocket and use the large pocket for dehydrated food. I add my knife to the strap and it includes my fire starting equipment. Believe it or not I can take enough stuff to camp for three days just using this pack. Given this is boiling water and supplementing food with gathered or caught extras, but it is still possible.

I think this pack really shines on day hikes. My children usually go with me and if each one of us has one we can take two bottles of water as well as any snacks we may need while we are on the trail.

Overall I feel this is a high quality fanny pack that is light weight and perfect for anyone who goes on day hikes, vacation or even anyone who has children or pets. It holds a lot for its size and can be used as a diaper bag or treat bag when you go to the park.

I received the fanny pack at a discounted price or free in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase one here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0143VL15E?ref_=cm_cr-mr-title

Review: Snow Ice Traction Shoe Walking Running Cleats Rubber Anti No Slip Grip Spikes

2016-01-20T19:15:00.001-08:00

#winter

I have hiking boots and hiking shoes and they grip well on anything but ice and slush. These cleats are awesome!! They are extremely easy to put on and take off. Just slide them over the toe and pull up over the heel. Literally just takes a couple of seconds. I am a graduate assistant at a university and am working on two masters degrees so needless to say, I have class no matter what the weather is. The school does a decent job of cleaning the sidewalks as long as they can keep up but a lot of times it is a treacherous walk from the car to my office or classroom. I slipped last week and went down the stairs. Luckily I was able to catch myself on the banister but that left my should sore for several days. I don't have that problem anymore.

These really go through the ice. I added a few photos that show the imprints the cleats make in the ice and slush. Also these things weigh nothing. I couldn't even tell that I had them on, seriously, they weigh next to nothing. Once you put them on your shoes you will instantly feel more secure when you are walking on the ice and snow. They really dig in and hold. I scooted my feet back and forth the first time I wore them and they actually broke up large chunks of ice.

The size of mine were exactly as described. I wear a size 12 and ordered an XL and you can see from the photo they fit my shoes perfectly.

With winter being here I recommend these to anyone who has to go outside. I can see these saving you from the pain of a broken bone. They are that effective. I also plan to keep them in my backpack this spring when the banks get muddy and slippery. I think they will be perfect to wear hiking or fishing to keep me from falling in. I am completely pleased with these cleats, they are perfect and work better than I ever thought they would.

I received the cleats for a discounted price or free in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase them here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QVMU3YO?redirect=true&ref_=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_0

Review: PillowEase Orthopedic Seat Cushion

2016-01-13T09:27:00.003-08:00

Perfect for the tree stand, the office or the ball park!!

#coccyxseatcushion

I know that most people buy these for a medical reason, I am not one of those people. I wanted a quality well made cushion that had a lifetime guarantee and was made from a memory foam type material and this one was perfect!! I do a lot of hunting and when I am in the woods, it seems that after just a couple of minutes the cushion on my tree stand has went flat. Then I start getting uncomfortable and I start fidgeting. Of course deer look for movement so I stick out like a sore thumb. Not anymore! This cushion is perfect!! I was able to sit comfortable for hours on end and the cushion didn't flatten like so many others I have tried!

I liked it so much that I took it to the ball game with me. Of course my buddies laughed at first but when I was sitting comfortably after the first hour and they all needed to "stretch their legs," they started asking if they could try it. All three said they planned to order one before the next game.

It doesn't stop there, I decided since it had performed so well in both of the prior situations that it was going to work with me. My chair at work isn't bad, but it doesn't hold a candle to the feel and support provided by this cushion. My wife's only complaint about it was that we didn't have it when she was pregnant!
It comes with two covers, a grey and a black one. The grey one is neutral and fits in everywhere but I prefer the black, but it is nice to have two. I can put one on while the other is washing.

Overall I am really pleased with this cushion! I know anyone that tries it will want one. I can imagine that it would be great to help with medical conditions, but I am here to tell you it works great even if you don't medically need it!

I received this cushion free or at a discounted price in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase one here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SZ1I8ZA?ref_=cm_cr-mr-title

Review: EYLO Car Survival Tool with Rechargeable LED Flashlight, 7 in 1 Emergency Tool with USB, Seat Belt Cutter, Window Breaker Hammer - Great for Emergency Preparedness - Disaster Survival Kit

2016-01-13T00:19:00.001-08:00

#EYLOEmergencyFlashlight

Upon receiving the EYLO car survival tool, I tried out each one of the features except the window glass breaker, its pointy, its steel, I know it will do what it is supposed to. The other feature that I tested but not 100% was the seat belt cutter. I didn't have any old seat belts laying around but I did try it on 550 paracord. It sliced through it like butter. I knew if it went through paracord that easy that it will have no problem with a seat belt.

A word of advice, one of the instructions is wrong, nothing at all wrong with the product just with the manual. To turn on the USB port to charge your phone, tablet, etc. the instructions say to long press the power button. This isn't correct that just makes the light flash. You have to long press the button on the side that says flashalarm to turn the USB on. However once you turn it on, it works great. I included a photo of my phone charging using the tool. It also has a micro USB in port so that you can charge it by plugging it in, instead of cranking it.

The light has three settings, High, Low, and Flash. It also has four strong magnets on the front. This allows it to stick to your car and you can activate the red flashing lights on the back side of it to use as emergency flashers in case your car battery is dead.

Overall this is a high quality, well made tool. It doesn't feel cheap or flimsy like other crank flashlights I have had. I am very pleased with it and highly recommend it.

I received the Survival Tool at a discounted price in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase one here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0150UO0L4?ref_=cm_cr-mr-title

Review: Live Catch Mouse Trap Humane No Touch Rodents Ground Squirrel Chipmunk Mice 2pk

2016-01-13T00:06:00.002-08:00

#squirrel

This is the the trap we have been looking for! We weren't looking for a trap for your normal rodent. You see we have a cute little Robo Dwarf hamster named R2D2, we also have a three year old and a seven year old sons. Needless to say they sometimes open the door to the cage. Or my wife and I haven't gotten one of the portals closed all of the way and R2D2 becomes a fugitive.

What follows next is a mad dash as we close off any doors and begin moving furniture, toy boxes book shelves, the works. Once we finally locate him we have to try to corner him. Let me tell you, he is super fast and we look like clowns trying to catch him.

We knew there had to be a better way! That's when Grandpa Gus's Live Critter Catcher came in to save the day!

There are other live traps but many are spring loaded and can hurt the animal if its not completely inside the cage when it closes, this wasn't acceptable at all. It could hurt R2D2 or even one of our children if curiosity got the best of them and they sprung it.

The way this trap works is that there are two doors on each side. Once the critter pushes his way in one of the doors gravity closes it and he is stuck. To get him out all you have to do is turn it upside down and the doors open. This is perfect for our situation. We now have a few options. R2D2 always runs by the walls, so we can set the traps on both sides of piece of furniture he is hiding behind and he will naturally run into it just like he hides under his stairs in his own cage or we can close the door so he can't get out of the room, put one of his treats inside each of the traps and go back and get him in the morning.

This trap has really worked wonders both times we have used it already, as you can see in the photo. It might be time to look into getting him a different cage. I know these would also work well for squirrels or field mice. Just remember if you release a mouse to take it about 5 miles from your house or he might find his way back home.

I think these traps would be a great addition to a survival bag or a bug out bag. They are light weight and you could utilize the space inside of them to protect fragile or crush-able items. They are easy to set, just put them in the tracks and you are good to go.

I recommend these to anyone with a rodent problem, well probably not rats, rats are probably too big and besides that could probably chew their way out, but other than rats I recommend them for all rodents I have seen around here. They are also great for capturing a lost pet, as is our case. They are safe to have around children as well as other animals.

I received the traps at a discounted or free price in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase one here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0157CO9QG?ref_=cm_cr-mr-title

Review: OutSmart 100% Titanium Spork

2016-01-12T22:29:00.004-08:00

#OutSmartGear
I have included a photo of some of my cooking gear for backpacking, hiking and camping, to give you an idea of the amount of time I spend outdoors. Some of my equipment has logged thousands of miles, some is new this season. Some of it is high end (expensive) and some of it is homemade.

I have made changes to almost everything that I have bought. I want it to fit me and what I intend to use it for. I am happy to report this spork needed no modifications! It was perfect out of the box. I have several sporks, some of the cheap plastic ones up to the expensive titanium ones made by a company with three names. The OutSmart Titanium spork outperforms them all.

The first difference you notice is that it has ridges down the side, this increases the rigidity of it. Titanium is difficult to bend but it is not impossible. You can feel the difference between this one and the other brand. The quality and balance of this one leaves the other one in the dust!

Mine actually weighed .67 ounces, less than half that of one of my normal teaspoons weigh, to give you an idea of how light weight it is. I included photos of both on the scales and side by side.

It has a serrated edge that can be used to cut steak, vegetables, etc. Don't worry, it will cut but by sawing not slicing, so you don't have to worry about cutting your mouth when you are eating. The spoon is a good size for everything, including soups. The fork, is great. Think of it as a heavy duty kitchen fork. This one is going into my ultralight kit that you can see in the photos. I plan on buying another one to take to work with me.

It is sturdy enough that you can use it for several things. One of the most important things I consider before carrying any equipment is can it do more than one thing. Besides the obvious, eating, this spork is strong enough to handle digging, and since it is titanium and you don't have to worry about it melting, you can use it to cook with. You can keep it directly over the fire.

I would recommend this to anyone who spends time in the outdoors, or even anyone that wants a super lightweight and super strong spork to take to work or school to eat lunch with. This is great for backpackers, hikers, or even car campers. You really can't go wrong with this spork!

I received the titanium spork for free or at a discounted price in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase one here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016BEKRK6?ref_=cm_cr-mr-title

Review: Mixcder Runto Wireless Bluetooth 4.1 Headset In-Ear Earphones with Build-in Noise-cancelling Mic

2016-01-12T22:15:00.001-08:00

#MixcdeRuntWirelesBluetootHeadset

I own a lot of headphones, but the Mixcder basso headsets are my favorite bluetooth earbuds. I love these!!!! They are so light, after about thirty seconds of wearing them I actually forget I have them on. They are amazing. The sound quality rivals any earbuds I have. These blow away the ones that come with an Phone. I have listened to in ear speakers from other high end brands as well and I feel these outperform them hands down. The other ones drown out the mid and high tones with too much bass. The Mixcder Runtos however are perfect along all ranges. The highs are clear and crisp, the mids are right on track with wonderful voice replication and the bass is powerful without overpowering the other ranges.

They are so easy to use. I have a Samsung Galaxy S5 that I usually use and it took about 20 seconds start to finish to pair them. I turned the headphones on, by the way they have a cool voice that says power on, power off, paired etc, so you know when they are connected. Then I went to my phone, ,opened up bluetooth did a scan and there they were. The same for my computer, just a few seconds and I had them paired up.

There are three buttons on them and they are a volume up, volume down, and multi-function button, which turns on the unit allows you to pause the music and answer calls. They performed perfectly in each situation.

One of my favorite features is that they are wireless. My other headphones would constantly get tangled in things if I am moving around, in the kitchen they would hook onto the drawers, when running I would get them tangled in my arms from time to time and rip them out of my ears. This isn't the case with headphones, they are super comfortable and easy to operate.
The silicone piece that cradles in your ear is unlike any other headphones I have tried. It really kept them in place but I didn't notice it was there after just a few minutes. They also come with a zip up carry case which I thought was a nice bonus!

I highly recommend these to anyone with a bluetooth capable device, they are truly awesome!!

I received the headphones for free or at a discounted price in exchange for an honest review.

You can buy some here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018E47KWE?ref_=cm_cr-mr-title

Review: LED Armband: Safety Slap Bracelet (Set of 2) Red, (3 DIFFERENT LIGHT MODES) for Running, Cycling, Sports, or Any Night Time Activity - Bright, Full Visibility in the Dark - Fits All Sizes

2016-01-12T22:03:00.003-08:00

#LEDBAND

We plan on getting more of these before Halloween. They can easily be seen from a long way away and since people associate red lights with stop, they automatically slow down when they see them. Perfect for our little ghouls and goblins when they are trick or treating!

They are perfect for both our children and ourselves. We spend a lot of time outdoors, biking, hiking or camping and these are perfect for all of these. They have three settings two that flash and constant on. This is great when we are walking at night, which unfortunately happens when the sun sets at 5 pm in the winter.

We like to use these camping as well, we can put them on the children when the sun goes down and keep an eye on them much easier, if they have to go to the restroom. We can see them easily as they walk around camp. They also are a great safety feature, if something happened and one of us were lost we could easily use these to signal our location.

Each one has on CR2032 battery. These are replaceable and I love that! we used to use the glow in the dark bracelets, but once you snap them you have a limited time and they are done. One night if you are lucky. With these you turn them on when you need them, off when you don't. When the battery finally dies, just replace it and you are good to go again. LED's last forever it seems so I am not worried about replacing them anytime in the near future!

I highly recommend these to anyone who spends time outside, or has children or even pets. You could easily connect these to a collar as well.

I received the LED Armband for free or at a discounted price in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase one here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019ELE51K?ref_=cm_cr-mr-title

Review: Ivation 1.7 Liter Precision-Temp Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Tea Kettle; 6 Preset Heat Settings; Auto Keep-Warm for 2-Hours; Safety Shutoff Boil-Dry Protection, 1500w SuperFast Heatup

2016-01-12T21:59:00.001-08:00

#IvationKettle

We love tea and coffee! I have added a photo of one of our three tea and coffee drawers. This Tea Kettle has been the missing ingredient from our perfect cup of tea and coffee!! We have the old school tea pot, but it is a pain to get to the right temperature. You have to watch it and keep a thermometer near by, and you know what they say about a watched pot. Not with this kettle, you put the water in, push set until it is at them temp you want and in just a few minutes you are ready!!! It is so easy!!!

It has six settings, plus a keep warm feature. The first is 160 degrees, it has it labeled as delicate. To be honest even when I am using fresh herbs for tea, even delicate flowers I usually keep it at 175. However that doesn't mean this setting is useless. To the contrary, it is perfect for instant hot chocolate. My children love the little packets of hot chocolate but are very impatient. The 160 is hot enough for the chocolate but not so hot that they have to wait an hour for it to cool. 175 is a good temp for green teas, or as I mentioned earlier, fresh herbs with delicate flowers. 185 is great for white teas. 190 is for Oolong tea, it says in the manual. I don't have a lot of experience with Oolong, but I do with Matcha and 190 is my preferred temperature for it. 200 degrees it lists for french press and herbal. This is a great temp for them, but remember it is talking about dried herbal teas, for fresh herbal teas go color. The highest setting is 212 or boiling. This is a good temperature for black teas, but only to steep in. Pour the water into you cup, press, etc and add your tea. Don't boil the tea, it can cause it to get bitter, just like squeezing it can.

It took me 1 minute and 54 seconds to hear the boil start for a full pot of water. Amazing!!

What I like to do is make more water than I need. I pour the first cup and let the cup come up to temperature and then pour it out and add my second cup of water that way the cup will not cool it below the temperature that I want. This kettle also has a few safety features that are awesome. One of those is that it will shut off if the water gets too low. Some kettles will just stay on until they burn up the heating element. This one protects you from that.

Overall, this is a perfect kettle! I recommend it to anyone who likes the convenience and perfect temperatures from their kettle. It is great for everything from making a cup of noodles, to making hot chocolate, to making tea and high end coffees. I couldn't be happier with it!!

I received the kettle at a discounted price in exchange for an honest review.

You can order one here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019J0A092?ref_=cm_cr-mr-title

Review: Wrist Wraps 1 Pair/2 Wraps 14"3 for Men and Women Best for Crossfit/Weightlifting/powerlifting/bodybuilding. With Free Crossfit Jump Rope. 100% Satisfaction By ONE FOR HEART

2016-01-06T11:25:00.004-08:00

#oneforheart

I love the straps! I used to work at a gym and when I was there I saw the same thing over and over, people being limited by their wrists. I was one of those, anytime I tried to press large weights,I would be limited because my wrists wouldn't take the weight. They would hurt or wobble which would prevent me from taking the weight up. With these straps this isn't the case. I have had other straps in the past and they had to wrap multiple times to give you any support. That ended up causing me to wrap them too tight and cut off the circulation to my hands, not a good combination. With these straps that isn't the case at all! They provide ample support and just one wrap. They are very heavy duty and feel wonderful.

They fit all sizes, I am 6'4 230 pounds and my wife is a small build 5'5 and they fit us both perfectly!

An added bonus is the jump rope. As anyone knows a pre-workout warm-up is one of the most important things you can do. Jumping rope burns an insane amount of calories and utilizes almost all of the muscles in the body. Warming up prevents injuries and this jump rope is perfect for that. One of the first things you will notice about it, is that it is not rope, but a cable. This is great because unless you are on a perfectly smooth floor, rope will wear out. Another thing you will notice is the adjustable thumb screws. What these do is allow you to adjust the jump rope so that it will fit you regardless of your height. It just takes a few seconds to loosen it up, move it to the size you need and tighten it back. Again it fits my wife just as well as it does me. Previously you would have to wrap the jump ropes around your wrist if it was too long for you. That is awkward and this rope does away with that problem.

Overall I would recommend these for anyone wanting to get serious about exercise. The straps work just as great for beginners who haven't built up wrist strength as they do for experts needing support to increase the amount of weight they lift. If you have never tried wrist straps before I think you should try them out, I think you will be amazed at how much you can increase the amount of weight you lift, just by putting the straps on.

I received the straps and jump rope for free or at a discount in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase them here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0146N9SQ8?ref_=cm_aya_orig_subj

Review: Easy@Home Digital Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor with Heart Beat / Pulse Meter function - Top Selling FDA-approved For OTC use Blood Pressure Monitor

2016-01-06T11:02:00.002-08:00

#EZWristEBP017

I love this monitor! My wife is a nursing student and knows the importance of keeping track of you blood pressure. Most of us only know ours once a year or so when we go to the doctor's office for a checkup. With this monitor it is a piece of cake to keep track at home. The first thing about this monitor is that it actually includes batteries. I know this may not seem like much but in this day and age it is awesome to get a product and immediately be able to use it, instead of having to run to the store to grab some batteries.

It is very easy to use. It comes with very well written directions. For those that don't read directions, make sure that you put it on your arm with the palm of you hand pointing up and make sure that you have it at heart level. My wife checked it and checked our blood pressure using a manual arm pressure and stethoscope and found the results almost exact. So it is very reliable. It is also quick, it just takes a few seconds for it to inflate and produce your results.It is back lit with and easy to read LCD screen on a blue light which is evenly illuminated. It is programmable with a built in clock, so that you can keep track of your results over a time period, which gives a much more reliable look at your blood pressure compared to just taking it once in a while. Also it is actually more reliable of an actual blood pressure reading than going to a doctor. The reason being that when you are in the doctor, you are usually anxious and this can raise your blood pressure quite a bit, whereas at home you are more relaxed and will get a more normal reading. (However do not use home diagnosis to replace a doctors visit, this is to check your own in addition to regular visits).

It can keep track of up to 60 previous blood pressure readings and also gives you an average of the last three to let you know your normal blood pressure. I also like that it includes a heart rate monitor. I like to use it when I am exercising to see if I am in my prime heart rate zone. (I don't worry about the blood pressure when exercising as I know that isn't an accurate reading as it should be done at least 5 minutes after any vigorous exercise.) It also checks for an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia. I think this is an awesome feature and a great addition.

Overall I am very pleased with this heart rate monitor and would recommend it to anyone wanting to keep a better track of their health.

I received the heart rate monitor for free or at a discounted price in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase one here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WTIDY8Q?ref_=cm_aya_orig_subj

Review: Polly Plastics Moldable Plastic and Silicone Mold Putty Kit. 10 oz. Moldable Plastic. 1/2 Lb. Putty

2016-01-06T09:53:00.003-08:00

#PollyPlastics

This is honestly more useful than duct tape! I am an avid outdoors-man, backpacking, camping, hiking, bushcrafting and I absolutely love this stuff!! First off, it is easy to use. My children lost one of the white knights in our travel chess set, so I decided to put the mold to the test. You simply mix equal parts of the silicon mold putty and work it together until it is a solid color. You then put it around the item you want to replicate and let it sit about 30 minutes. Then it easily released. I took the plastic pellets and put them into hot water 150 - 160 degrees, i wasn't exact on the temperature. The pellets turn clear and were easy to work, think of the texture of caulk, that is about how soft they get. I filled the mold and let it cool. As you can see from the photos the result was wonderful, an exact copy of the original piece. The silicone putty makes perfect molds and is easy to use.

Now on to the pellets. These are absolutely amazing!!! They become very hard after they cool. They feel like any other plastic after they cool. I now carry a small container of them with me whenever I go out. When I am camping, backpacking etc. I carry my knife, stainless steel bottle, tarp, headlamp, rope and these pellets, before I pack anything else. If I am in the field and something breaks, I just grab the pellets heat them and and shape them and i am right back at it. Break your knife handle, no problem, heat the pellets shape them around your knife and you are good to go! Break a tent pole, no problem, need a sliding lock for a snare? Heat the pellets and shape them and you have it. I have even made a small hollow ball to use for a fishing float. This stuff can literally be anything you need! Once you get home, you can re-heat it and use it again!

Anyone who is into the outdoors, camping or prepping would love to have this as part of their equipment. Like I said, it can be made into anything, and it is extremely easy to work with!

I also keep some in my car for the same reason. We were out and the plastic piece on the windshield wipers, where they connect to the motor broke during a rain storm. We were stuck, but luckily I had the pellets and my small camping stove with me. I grabbed an aluminum can and cut it in half, collected some of the rain water opened the hatch on the car to use for a cover and heated the pellets. I shaped them around the wiper connector and let it harden. Within ten minutes we were on the road again. To be honest I still haven't replaced the part yet as the part I made is holding up perfectly. This can really save the day. Don't try to use it to repair a radiator or hose though as the temperatures would get too high and re-melt the pellets, but for things that aren't hot, it is perfect!

I recommend this stuff for anyone! It has millions of uses from replacing broken parts to completely making new ones. If you know someone who is into making models or toys, this is perfect. You can sculpt your original from clay, use the silicone to make a mold and then the pellets make your item. The molds are reusable and you can make multiples of the same thing. I am beyond pleased with this stuff and have literally been waiting for years for something like this to come along.

I received the pellets and putty at a free or discounted price in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase them here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019DC39RQ?ref_=cm_rdp_product

Review: KastKing Sharky Baitrunner Spinning Fishing Reel - Two Spools - Carbon Fiber Drag System Up to Strongest 32.5LB Max Drag - with Shielded Stainless Steel 10+1 BBs - Best Frong Drag and Rear Drag Baitfeeder Spinning Reels for Carp, Inshore & Saltwater Bait Fishing - [Newly Released 2016 Model]

2016-01-05T22:34:00.000-08:00

This reel looks and feels like a reel that would cost four times as much. It is super smooth and quality built! First off it comes with two spools, a machined aluminum one and a graphite one. I love this feature. I generally keep braided line on the aluminum spool and mono on the graphite one. This comes in handy when I am at the river fishing. I can have my heavy duty line for catfish, drum, etc. but when I decide I want to go to the bank and do some bass fishing or crappie I can just switch spools instead of having to carry another rod and reel. Trust me there is nothing worse than hooking a crappie who decides to tangle you up when you have a super strong braided line on. I would much rather be able to break it rather than having to cut the line.

Now onto some features of the reel. First off the drag setting, I got the 6000 and the drag goes up to 33 pounds, enough to pull anything I have ever been lucky enough to hook into. Second the bearings, they are Shielded Stainless Steel 10+1 BBs. Let me tell you, this reel is smooth. The feeding of the line is on par with reels that I have spent enough on to buy three or four of these. The drag is carbon fiber. This is a feature that you generally only find on very high end (expensive) reels. If you haven't used them before, they are much more reliable and smooth compared to the others. Even stainless will degrade and pit when exposed to salt water, that isn't the case with the carbon fiber.

The reel is a bait runner, so you can flip the back drag for free spinning. I find this to be extremely useful when catfishing with live bait. It allows the bait to move freely like it would naturally instead of swimming around like a dog on a leash. Another feature that sets the reel apart from anything in the price range is the cast alloy drive gear. With cheaper reels the gears will often be plastic and break easy, the gears in this reel are a strong alloy and should give you years of trouble free fishing. The reel also easily switches from right to left handed to fit all anglers.

I have mine paired with The nine foot retractable rod [50% OFF!]KastKing BlackHawk Ultra-Light Telescopic Fishing Rod Retractable Fishing Pole Rods Saltwater Travel Spinning Fishing Rods Great Christmas Fishing Gif and 15 pound braided line KastKing Upgrade Package Braided Fishing Line (Green, 15LB) and I believe it is a great combination for any catfishing or large mouth and small mouth bass fishing. I sometimes go with a 30 pound test depending on where I am at. I also keep an 8 pound or so mono on the graphite spool to be able to quickly switch. I simply put a ranger band around the spool to keep the line in place until i need it.

Overall, I highly recommend this reel to anyone wanting a great high quality reel for anything from bluegill fishing to catfishing, as well as salt water fishing. It is an amazing deal and once you feel it you will think its better than reels costing 3 to 4 times as much.

I received this reel at a discount price or free in exchange for an honest review.
You can purchase one here:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0191479IG?ref_=cm_aya_orig_subj

Review: MadBite Aluminum Alloy Fishing Pliers with Carbide Cutters Hook Remove and Lightweight with Sheath

2016-01-05T22:31:00.000-08:00

These are heavy duty fishing pliers yet extremely light in weight! They are the perfect size, as you can see in the photos they are a full 7 inches from your hands to the tip, the perfect length to remove any hook. They work wonderfully if a fish has swallowed your hook, or if you catch a toothy fish like a Musky. I personally have a few scars from removing hooks so I am very happy to have these pliers!

The carbide cutters are only found on high end tools, carbide is much denser than both steel and Titanium so you don't have to worry about the cutters getting dull or wearing out. They perform flawlessly cutting all kinds of line. I have tried them on braided, fluro and mono and they cut through like a hot knife in butter. They are aluminum alloy so they are both tough and very light, pluse you don't have to worry about pitting if you use them around salt water like you do with steel.

I like the way in which they attach to the sheath. The cord stretches enough that they are easy to operate, yet you don't have to worry about dropping them off the boat when a fish jumps as you are removing the hook. This has happened to me before. The sheath attaches to your belt and the pliers are held in with Velcro.

Overall these are a high quality set of pliers that will last you a lifetime. Sure you can pay more for other brands but you won't get a better set of pliers.

I received these pliers free or at a discount price in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase them here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018JOYY46?ref_=cm_cr-mr-title

Review :Vision Smart Handheld LED Lighted Magnifying Glass Set With 2.5x ,5x and 16x zoom for Reading, Hobbies etc- Bonus 3 credit card size pocket Magnifier

2016-01-05T22:11:00.001-08:00

#Magnifierset

I love the magnifying lenses! First off, this is a great deal! I have been wanting the credit size Fresnel lenses for a while now, but they usually run $5 to $10 by themselves. They are wonderful! I am an avid backpacker and outdoors-man and I carry many ways to create fire. These work perfect for that. They are easy to focus to create an ember, plus they are handy for seeing to remove things such as splinters. With three in this kit, I can always carry one, as well as my wife with a third left over.

On to the main lenses! These are high quality lenses. It doesn't say what they are made of but guessing from the weight they are glass. As you can see in the photo the large one weighs 6 ounces without the batteries. The large 3.5 inch lens has a 2.5X magnification. I found this the perfect one to read small print and maps. The fact that they all use the same handle saves space as well as batteries. I like that feature since I only need 3 AAA batteries instead of 9. The 3-inch lens has a 5X magnification, I found this one to be more useful for things dealing with electronics. It was so nice to be able to easily make out the circuits when soldering. The final lens is a 1.5-inch lens with 16X magnification. This lens is perfect for removing splinters, checking out super small details and teaching my children about insects and plant parts. It really magnifies!! The 2 leds really light up what you are looking at, making the need for an external light source obsolete. I almost forgot to mention they also come with a cleaning cloth.

Overall these are really nice, high quality magnifying lenses and with the number you get 6 total plus a cleaning cloth they are a great deal and I highly recommend them.

I received the lenses at a free or discount price in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase one here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018O36ETK?ref_=cm_cr-mr-title

Review: Baby Wrap Sling Carrier - Grey - Quality (95% Cotton / 5% Spandex) - For Mothers with Newborn to 35lbs Babies - By Belephant Baby

2016-01-04T13:41:00.001-08:00

#babywrapgrey

Every photo I have seen of a baby wrap sling cover, seemed to feature a small framed mother. As a 6'3, 230 pound man, I was interested to see if it would fit. I am pleased to report that it fits perfectly. It has a little stretch, enough to fit most sizes but not enough to let your little one sag. My daughter is 11 months old and weighs around 27 pounds and as you can see in the photos it holds her with no problem whatsoever. It is super soft fabric and actually extremely comfortable to wear.

I love the fact that I can take my daughter hiking, or hold her when I am working around the house or outside and feel that she is comfortable and secure, while I have both hands free. My wife tried it on as well and it fits her perfectly too. She has more left to tie with but it fits us both wonderfully!

My daughter is a daddy's girl and always wants to be with me when I am home, this can lead to her being under my feet or having to hold her, depending on what I am doing. With this wrap, I can put it on, put her in and go about what I was doing. She really likes the Baby Wrap Sling Carrier. The grey color is neutral and goes with anything while you are out and about. It is machine washable.

Overall I love this wrap and recommend it to anyone with a newborn to a small toddler.

I received this wrap at a discounted price in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase one here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0177KLPOA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00

Review: Tibetan Singing Bowl Set by Geshe's Dharma, Daily Meditation for Healing Relaxation Therapy ~ Reduce Stress, Resonance Music help how to Meditate for a Transcendental Peaceful Mind, Hand Painted 4".

2015-12-31T00:09:00.001-08:00

#geshesdharma

I have been wanting a singing bowl for a long time and finally have one! This one is superb, the tone of it is amazing! I have included a video of me using it, keep in mind that it was the very first time I have ever tried one myself, but it was so easy to get a great sound. I know that the sound will get even better the more I practice and get better at it. It resonates for a long time after I quit playing, and it sounded amazing both on the cloth and just in my hand. The tone is rich and went through a variety of frequencies. This is great for meditating. We live in such a fast paced world, that it is great to get a few moments for ourselves.

The beauty of the singing bowl rivals the sound. It is hand painted on brass and is a pleasure to look at. I am keeping it on display in our family room which is decorated in old world style and it fits in perfectly! Overall I am extremely pleased with the Tibetan Singing Bowl and recommend it to anyone who wants a functional piece of art that can help them to clear their mind and relax!

I received the singing bowl set at a free or discounted price in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase one here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014SCVT96?ref_=cm_rdp_product

Review: Meterteck Digital Multimeter (DMM) - Voltmeter, Ohmmeter, Ammeter - 1 Year Guarantee

2015-12-30T23:11:00.001-08:00

#Meterteck

I have owned many multimeters over my lifetime and still have a couple but they are both the dial type. While they work, I love the ease of reading with this one. The digital display is much easier on my eyes! As soon as it arrived I tested the voltage, current and resistance features. I used a AA battery and everything read exactly as it should have! I appreciate that this multimeter comes with a nine volt battery and two sets of cables! That is a feature I have not seen with any other company and I am very impressed. The cables are always the first thing to wear out, besides the battery and having an extra set included is great! I have been known, to accidentally close them into car doors when I am installing electronics in a vehicle and it is great to know that I have an extra set.

According to the instruction manual the specs are as follows:
DC Voltage: 200mV/2V/20V/200V/500V ±0.8%
AC Voltage: 200mV/2/20/200/500V ±(0.5%+5)
DC Current: 2mA/20mA/200mA/10A ±1.4%
Resistance: 200/2k/20k/200k/2M ±0.8%

Two extra features that I am really glad it has is a hold button and a light button. When I am in a hard to reach area, it is much easier to hit the hold button until I get up to read the meter than to try to turn my head and get into position to read it. Also the backlight is a wonderful feature especially when working with cars, as something usually goes wrong at night.

Overall this is my favorite multimeter and the only one I will be using. I recommend this multimeter as it is high quality at a great price!

I received the multimeter at a free or discounted price in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase one here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016KTJDXE?ref_=cm_rdp_product

Review: Premium Stainless Steel Salt and Pepper Grinder Mill Set- High Quality Lead Free Round Glass Body with Adjustable All Ceramic Rotor

2015-12-29T15:13:00.001-08:00

We love these grinders! They are beautiful and very high end. They will fit perfectly in any kitchen. They are large and fit perfect in my hand. I think I used the 9 ounce size peppercorns and sea salt and they fit perfectly. It is the large ones at the store.
The quality of the grinders is amazing. They are stainless steel and glass. They have a great look to them and all of the pieces fit together perfectly. No worries about the tops falling off of these.
I have used many grinders from the plastic ones that come pre-loaded in the store, to the large wooden ones that my family had. These are the best ones I have used. The biggest problems I have had with other grinders are that they are not uniform, you would get anything from pepper dust to half of a peppercorn coming out. That is not the case with these. As you can see from the photos I have included all the pepper and salt are uniform. It grinds to about the size of the pre-ground that you get from salt and pepper shakers, except you get the wonderful fresh flavor and punch that you can only get from fresh ground ingredients. I highly recommend these to anyone looking for dependable, even ground high end salt and pepper grinder.

I received the salt and pepper grinders at a discount price in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase one here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01887QDJS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

2015-12-22T20:06:00.002-08:00

I love this watch, it has the look and feel of a much more expensive watch. I have already gotten several compliments about it! I am a large guy, 6'4, 230 lbs and it fits my wrist perfect. There are enough adjustments that I can tell it will fit a large range of wrists. I have had it for a little while and can tell you it keeps great time. I set it with the World Clock and a week later it is still second for second with the World Clock, so I think it does a great job keeping accurate time.

It was simple to set. Simply remove the small plastic piece keeping the winder out (So that the battery won't run down before you get it). You then turn the dial to change the time, click it in one position to change the date, then click it all the way in to start it.
I like the subdial for seconds right above the 6. It gives the watch a touch of elegance and is very useful.

I like the fact that it is water resistant, one of the things I hate is having to remove my watch to wash my hands, with this watch, that doesn't happen. I can leave it on without fear of water damaging it.
It has a thick bezel and really looks like a much more expensive watch than it is. I would recommend this watch to anyone. It is easy to set, very nice looking and fits well.

I received this watch at a discounted price in exchange for an honest review.

You can purchase one here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0143PRSZ2?ref_=cm_rdp_product