Product review: Kabcon Multi-Angle Adjustable Aluminum Tablets Holder - for tablets and small monitors

This is a sturdy aluminum stand for tablets.  Its size is 6.5" x 5.5".  When collapsed it is 1.5" thick. Its weight is 1 pound and 4.6 oz. It feels strong and sturdy.  Not only does it work with my tablet, it also works with a 7" Monitor which I use to plug into servers when I need to have a display working in BIOS when I cannot use remote monitor.

The tablet had rubber feet on the bottom and on the side that faces the tablet, providing good traction. The groove that holds that table also has rubber feet which prevent the tablet from sliding in the groove. The groove where the table fits is 1/2" wide, so it works well for my tablet and the 7" monitor which is a thicker than the tablet.  I am also able to use to hold  my phone in the horizontal orientation.

The tablet comes with a carrying case and two spare feet for the arms that hold the tablet.  The tablet stand has no loud logos and looks nice.  The only large logo is on the carrying case.

I like how both of my tablet and the monitor felt while they are in the stand. I could use the touch screen without the tablet coming out of the stand and the stand moving on the table.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Energizer CR123A Lithium 3V batteries (longevity in Arlo video camera)

I am using four CR123A Lithium 3V batteries in Arlo wireless video camera. I owned Arlo camera for a few years so I had a chance to compare longevity of several different batteries (Panasonic, Duracell, Energizer as well as off-brand rechargeable batteries). Every time I change the battery I write down the date so I can compare the longevity from each set of batteries. Arlo takes 4 batteries at a time.

Energizer batteries have performed the worst in my experience, on par with rechargeable batteries.

* Cold weather (i.e. spans winter): Panasonic 4 months, Duracell 2 months, Energizer 2 weeks.
* Warm weather: Panasonic 6 months, Duracell 4 months

Another data point I have is comparison with rechargeable CR123A Lithium batteries.

* Cold weather: Panasonic 4 months, rechargeable 123A 2 weeks
* Warm weather: Panasonic 6 months, rechargeable 123A 1 month

A note on Panasonic batteries. I have been burned when I bought Panasonic batteries from vendors other than Amazon, they appear to last significantly less (this happened twice). It is possible that other vendors are selling older batteries. So I always check the vendor and pay a buck or two more if necessary to get it directly from Amazon as it gets me several extra month of battery life.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★☆☆☆☆

Product review: SleepMan Goose Feather Pillows, 100 Cotton Shell, Set of 2

I ordered a standard size and the size was spot on - all my standard pillow cases fit perfectly.  The size of the pillow is 20" x 28".

I have been sleeping on 100% down/goose pillows all my life, so I know exactly how they feel.  The current set of pillows I bought from The Company store many years ago for several hundred dollars.  Frankly, I was surprised that these much less expensive pillows feel as good as they do.  They have just the right feel - not spongy like polyester pillows and but fluffy and conforming to the shape of my head and neck.

They arrived rolled in fairly small bundles and fluffed up easily without any memory of being rolled.  They did not have any funny smells, I was able to sleep on them the first night after they arrived.

The cover is made out of 240 thread 100% cotton.  The content is 90% Goose feathers and 10% Goose down.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Preup Electric Glass Kettle

This is a nice looking electric kettle: glass and stainless steel. It is solidly made with the weight of 2 pounds and 6.9 oz when empty. When I press the button to open the cover it opens slowly, I have seen this feature on much a Breville kettle which cost over $100. 

The default temperature is set to 212°F (the boiling point) I prefer my coffee at 194°F which means I need to click down button. The temperature is marked in Fahrenheit, the volume of the kettle is marked in liters rather than cups.  This is the only thing I wish was different, the cup measurement would have been more convenient. 

The kettle has 1.8 liter capacity (7.5 cups). The minimum marked as 0.5 liter (2.5 cups).  I have tried heating 12 oz (which is the size of my mug) and despite being below the minimum it worked.  While it is working the kettle lights up blue LEDs around the bottom, when the water reaches desired temperature the LEDs turn off.  I also  like that the kettle is made out glass so I can see the amount of water in it.

The kettle is made out of glass and stainless steel, it also has a few plastic parts (handle, part of the cover, and the base).  The electric cord is 18" and I have to use the kettle with a power strip.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: True Lemon Bulk Dispenser Pack, 2.82 Ounce by True Citrus

I love lemon in my tea but somehow often those lemons turn into a moldy mess before I use the entire lemon. I have tried lemon juice in a bottle but was never satisfied with the taste. True Lemon came up as Amazon recommendation when I purchased something else and given the strong reviews I tried. Yes, I agree. It tastes very natural. One package is just the right amount for a large cup of tea.

I purchased the Bulk Dispenser. The box has an opening from which the packages can be removed. Each package is foiled lined. The expiration date on my package is 2 years in the future.

The list of ingredients on my box shows three things: citric acid, lemon oil, lemon juice.

It only has lemon, it is not sweet. I add sugar to my tea just the same as if squeezed some lemon into it. The content of the package is small crystals, less than a teaspoon. In attached photo I show the content of one package in a teaspoon.

Overall, I am very pleased. Nice natural taste.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Book review: Make Your Movie, How to Create Real Cinema Quality Footage With Gear Everyone Can Afford Kindle Edition by Simon Levi

This book is not what I expected. The title made me think is that this book will teach me about techniques of creating great movie videos. This is not what this book is about. The author makes a sales pitch for the readers buy one of the high end cameras to shoot their movies (so the subtitle "with almost no cost" does not make sense to me). The author suggests buying Canon 5D Mark II DSLR camera (around $5,000) to shoot your videos to gain advantage of high quality videos. The book also promotes another high end camera Blackmangic Pocket Camera. He also has a couple honorable mentions of less expensive cameras but almost in passing. The entire book is about equipment. To get recommendations on high end equipment I prefer on-line discussion groups and forums to get opinion of more than one person and multiple price points.

For people who want to use SONY, GoPro, and other cameras much of the advice in the book is not relevant. I think the author could have made the topic of the book more clear in the title or subtitle of the book to avoid the disappointed feeling I got reading this book.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★☆☆☆☆

Product review: Adams Manufacturing Quik-Fold Side Table

I purchased this folding table for my small deck, where I wanted to have a table but space is at a premium because I have a patio garden. This table works quite well as it is easy to fold up and store in the corner of the deck when I don't need it. The only negative is that if you want to move the table when it is in the open position it should not have anything on it. The table folds in the middle during any movement. This is a bit inconvenient when I use it on the deck to put down a cup of coffee or a lunch plate. It would have been better if the table had a latch on the side to stabilize the top when it is in the open position.

Photo #1 shows the table next to a ruler, the table top is at 20" from the ground. The table comes in a nice clay color. I put a piece of white paper on top of the table, so you can judge the color better.

Photo #2 demonstrates the folding flaw I mentioned earlier. I just grabbed a side of the table to move it, and you see how it folds in the middle causing anything on top of it to slide or fall.

Photo #3 shows how the table opens from the folded position: first lift the two side of the top and then slide them together. As they slide the legs automatically extend.

This table works well when space is limited, and I have enjoyed using on my deck. If it had a latch to stabilize the open top position it would have been perfect. As it stands now it gets a 4 star rating: good but not perfect.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: Ban Roll-On Antiperspirant Deodorant, Unscented

This deodorant is effective and totally scent free. It is my favorite deodorant. I use the 3.5 oz version at home and 1.5 oz version if when I travel.  I show both next to each for size reference.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link (travel size).

You can find it on Amazon by following this link (large size).


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Beeswax Food Wraps by Mamaku World

I am always looking for good product that can be re-used and minimize waste.
 This is my first experience with wax and it I really liked the idea of replacing cling wraps with these. I like green products, but they have to work well not just be green.  This was paper did not work as well as I hoped. It does not form a tight seal.  This does not mean it does not have some use, but it is not a replacement for cling wraps or silicone stretch covers.

The wax paper is actually not paper, it is fabric. The sheets are made out of cotton fabric squares (like what you would get in a quilt shop) dipped in beeswax.  Some of the beeswax comes off on your hands as you handle it (very small amounts but enough that I can feel it on my finger tips), but this is not a problem because bees wax is not harmful and can be ingested especially in the tiny amounts.

The wraps can be hand washed in warm water, but should not be washed with hot water or used on hot containers that just came out of the microwave or oven.

Overall, I thought the wax paper was okay for some limited uses, but not as good as I hoped because it does not form a good seal.  To make them fit better I began using these covers with a rubber band to help them maintain better contact with the item I am wrapping. 

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: AmazonBasics HDMI Input to DVI Output Adapter Cable - 6 Feet

My main use for this cable is to connect a computer (VDI port) to a monitor (HDMI port). This cable also works to connect a Blue-ray DVD with HDMI output to a TV with a DVI port.

This cable worked flawlessly to connect a Linux server computer to a small monitor. The server is normally accessed via a remote desktop but for updating the Linux operating system remote desktop cannot be used thus the need for a small monitor. The cable connects the VDI output port to an HDMI port of an 8" TFT monitor.

This cable does not carry sound but the computer speakers produce sound while the cable carries video. If I was using this cable to hook a TV to watch something more exciting then the operating system booting up I would attach a set of external speakers to the computer to make it sound better.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: EASTSHINE Bundle: Nitecore EC4S 2150 Lumens CREE XHP50 LED Flashlight

I bought this flashlight over a year ago. Initially I liked it a lot.  It was bright and I liked that it was not round in shape and did not roll.  However, after about 6 months of use it stopped working reliably.  It would not stay bright even with fresh batteries.

The flashlight 6" long, it is made out of aluminum alloy. This flashlight has 5 modes: turbo, bright, medium, low light, ultra low. In addition it has 3 special modes: strobe, sos, and location beacon.

This flashlight runs on two 18650 batteries. The batteries and the charger are included as part of the package. Also included a holster for the flashligh and a car charger adapter. The batteries in my package were totally discharged and I needed to go through a full charging cycle before the flashlight could be turned on.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★☆☆☆

Product review: Ban Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Original Roll-On Unscented

This deodorant is effective and totally scent free. I am a repeat customer. 1.5 oz is fairly small. In attached show I show it on 1/2" grid for size reference. However, it is a good size for travel.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Neutrogena Baby Stick Spf 60, 0.47-Ounce Sticks

Even though I am not a baby my dermatologist recommended Neutrogena Baby lotion for me. Neutrogena has a nice texture, spreads well, and does not leave my hands greasy. The only thing I don't like about it that the white film does not typically gets absorbed by my skin and I need to wipe it off with a paper towel.  It have not noticed any yellowing in the areas where the sunscreen touch my clothing (like the collar).

I like that it is unscented and I also like that Neutrogena Baby also come in 1 oz tubes which I carry in my purse.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: Hair Grooming Kit by RECHIDY

This is a nice looking grooming kit that feels like good quality product.  Different heads fit nicely, lock in with a satisfying click, combs fit well, the battery has a decent time.  Recharging takes two hours and can be done either with the clippers in the storage stand or by charging the clippers directly.  The trimmer had can be washed, but the entire unit should not be immersed in water.

Package Included:
1 x Hair Clipper Head
1 x Nose Hair Trimmer Head
1 x Beard Razor Head
1 x Sideburn Trimmer Head
1 x Eyebrow Trimmer Head
1 x Hair Combs
4 x Positioning Combs
1 x Storage Stand
1 x Cleaning Brush
1 x Charging Cord
1 x User Manual

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: Champion Women's Plus Size Absolute Short With SmoothTec Waistband

These short were not a good fit (too large with the pant leg shorter than expected). The material did not feel as soft as my favorite Champion shorts. This happens when you buy on line without seeing the item in person. However, what is bad is that I had to pay 1/3 of the price of the item for return shipping.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★☆☆☆

Product review: Birdious Tube Window Bird Feeder

We have a large number of bird feeders including four different window bird feeders. This bird feeder is 4" wide front to back and 9.75" in diameter. It comfortably fits a couple of birds, although  many birds do not mind sharing and use the window feeder one at a time.  It is fun to watch the bully birds that make other birds leave (for example cardinals often shoo away smaller birds).

This bird feeder is not squirrel proofed, but as most bird watchers know there is no bird feeder that can stop a determine squirrel. For example, they learned to shake the bird feeder which closes under the weight of a creature that is heavier than a bird. So we no longer fight with squirrels, we just add more seeds to feed all creatures big and small.

The bird feeder is held by three suction cups. They provide sufficient suction power to hold the feeder, the seeds, the birds, and the squirrels. This bird feeder has a removable tray which makes it easier to clean.

Does the rain get into it? Yes. But the birds do not seem to mind. They are used to wet seeds on the trees.  The bird feeder has a few drain holes at the bottom to drain most of the water out of the tray.

What fun to see the birds so up close! If this is your first bird feeder it will likely that the birds will take a week to find it. For the first window bird feeder nothing happened for entire week, and then after a week my husband spread some seeds under the bird feeder and that seemed to help the birds find it. Now that we have a couple of window bird feeders it did not take them long to find the new one. The bird's favorite seeds are sunflower seeds. We spoiled the local bird population with sunflower seeds and if we put out the mixed seeds it barely gets touched where as the sunflower seeds disappear very quickly.

I will let the video be the final judgment for this bird feeder. It looks to me that the birds are giving it 5 stars as we need to refill it every day.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★